Chapter 3 #2
They chose to sit at a little table that had a view of the inn’s garden, which was nicely tended.
There was a large fireplace against one wall, and logs were crackling in it, already filling the air with a pleasantly woody smell.
On the walls were pictures of what Anita assumed was the English countryside.
The bartender introduced himself as Charles Sparks.
“So, what brings you to our little establishment?” he asked. He had a friendly face with a broad smile. His skin had the reddish tone of a fair person living in a climate with too much sun for them.
“I just came into town to pick up some supplies,” Kevin said. “And Anita arrived from Wisconsin today.”
“Wisconsin, my goodness! This must be a change for you,” Charles said.
Anita smiled over her drink. “It certainly is.”
“And you, Kevin, where are you from? Not from in town, I take it?” Charles asked. “I’ve never seen you around.”
“I’m from the copper mine near here.”
“Oh, that new town that folks are trying to start up,” Charles said. “I’ve heard you fellows have had all manner of troubles out there.”
Anita winced. Kevin had told her a bit, but after what she’d witnessed today, she was worried about what he hadn’t told her.
“It certainly hasn’t been easy,” Kevin admitted. “But things are looking better lately.”
“You know, one of our regulars, Mr. Santiago, is in mining. I wonder if you know him?”
Kevin shook his head.
“I suppose a lot of folks are in the same trade,” Charles said with a shrug. “He should be arriving soon. Maybe it would be worthwhile to introduce the two of you.”
Kevin and Anita ordered the pot roast with vegetables and then sat back to enjoy the atmosphere, which turned out to be friendly and peaceful.
There were several other patrons, mostly men, but a few women and children too.
The place had a family-oriented feel, and most of the patrons joined in a singalong that Charles instigated.
It turned out Kevin had a nice baritone voice.
He even coaxed Anita to join in just a bit.
The food was excellent, and Anita enjoyed it immensely. The moment they got up to leave, the whole pub took turns wishing them a good night, and there were more than a few winked eyes and smirks that accompanied the words.
Anita frowned, and Kevin went red in the face. Even his ears began to glow as though they were on fire. He took her by the hand and hurried out of the pub to general applause.
They took the stairs two at a time and only slowed when they reached their door.
“Okay, what was that about?” she asked.
Kevin eyed her as though he couldn’t believe she didn’t know.
“What?” she asked.
He opened the door with the key and let her in. Then he entered and closed it behind them. Only once they had lit the lamps in the room and sat on the sofa did he begin to speak.
“I suppose that Clara told everyone we were getting married,” Kevin began. “With that comes the assumption that we know each other really well and …” His ears were turning red again.
“Oh,” Anita said, feeling rather foolish. She should have worked that out on her own. Heat filled her cheeks too. “I feel so silly. I’m sorry.”
“What for?” Kevin asked.
“For not realizing,” she said. “Do you think we’re going to have to endure more tomorrow?”
He nodded. “Yes. So, we’d better get some sleep and try not to think about it.”
Anita agreed. Though it wasn’t particularly late, it had been a long day for her, and she didn’t object when he suggested they go ahead and turn in for the evening. She went into the bedroom and brought Kevin a pillow and a blanket.
It was odd sleeping in a strange bed with her fiancé just a curtain away, and it took Anita a while to fall asleep.
The view was one of a dark landscape but a bright, star-filled sky.
She fell asleep thinking about the stars and how lucky she was to have found Kevin. She considered him a possible star too.
The next morning, they were up early. They packed up their things and went downstairs in a hurry.
“We need to get to the bank and then to the cattle market early before all the good animals are taken,” Anita said as they took their things downstairs.
“Wait, are we buying the cows today? I thought you might want to go and look at the farm first,” Kevin asked, looking shocked.
“I think if we can avoid coming back to San Antonio for a while, that would be good,” Anita said. “It’s not that I dislike the town in any way, but?—”
“Point taken,” Kevin agreed. “All right, let’s get to the bank and then head to the cattle market.”
Kevin looked very handsome in the blue shirt he was wearing that morning and she admired him and smiled.
“Blue is a good color on you,” she said without thinking and then flushed.
He looked down at the shirt. “Thanks. I bought it from the seamstress last time I came to town.”
“You’re checking out so early?” Clara asked as she came down the stairs and joined them at the reception. “But you haven’t even had our newlywed’s breakfast.”
Anita paused. They had agreed to have dinner and breakfast and pay for both, even if they weren’t technically newlywed yet. “Well, maybe having something to eat wouldn’t be a bad idea. We have a busy day ahead. What time does the bank open?”
“You’re going to the bank? Then you have time for breakfast, trust me. Mr. Edgar doesn’t open the doors even one second before nine, ” Clara said. “Come and have a nice, relaxed meal, and then you won’t be rushed the rest of the day.” And she led them into the pub.
There was no sign of Charles today, which was a blessing. As entertaining as he was, he could be difficult to escape, and Anita wanted to be at the bank at nine sharp.
Some of the other patrons were also in the pub, sitting at tables with cups of coffee in front of them.
“There you go. Please help yourselves,” Clara said and disappeared through a door that presumably led to the kitchen.
“Ooh, that does look good,” Anita said, eyeing the spread on a long table nearby.
“Yes,” Kevin agreed.
They got their food and settled in.
“We’re going to have to buy some food and get some water to take with us,” Kevin said. “The town is a few hours away from here at a good pace. I suspect with cows we’ll be going slower.”
Anita nodded.
“Depending how long we take at the market, we might need to spend the night in the wilderness,” he said. “I’m not keen on that, so let’s try and be done as early as possible. It’s not terribly safe away from the town.
She nodded. “I don’t like the sound of being out at night either.”
He nodded. “Okay. We agree. That’s good.” He put his hand on hers where it lay on the table.
Anita felt happiness bloom within her. It was like something that had been held tightly shut in her chest began to open its petals to the sun. She smiled back at him. Maybe they really could make this work.
When they were done with breakfast, they went to the reception to pay and check out.
George was behind the counter, and he was helping a man of Latin descent. His features were long, and his nose was thin, as were his lips. He wore a very nice linen suit in a light gray.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Santiago,” George was saying. “Your room is ready, and your associates all have rooms on the floor below yours.”
Anita noticed that as he handed the man standing beside Mr. Santiago the keys, his hand was shaking.
The man who took the keys was wearing black from head to toe. His boots were dusty and worn, and his clothes were a little faded as though they had seen a great many washes. He had a scar on his cheek and stubble on his chin.
There was a gun in a holster at his hip that he wore quite casually. She’d noticed that most men around town seemed to wear guns, which wasn’t all that common a practice back home in Wisconsin. She supposed there was more need for them here.
Kevin tensed beside her and turned to look out one of the windows. He looked as though he didn’t want the man at the reception desk to see his face. But why would that be?
“What’s wrong?” Anita asked.
“I think I know that man,” Kevin said softly.
“Which one?” Anita asked.
“The one in black,” he said. “I’ve seen him before, but I can’t place him right now.”
“So why are you hiding your face?” Anita asked in a whisper. “I thought Charles said you and Mr. Santiago might want to meet.”
“No, I definitely don’t want to meet him. Not everyone is your friend around here, and sometimes it’s better not to be seen,” Kevin said.
The men left, heading up the stairs. Kevin waited until they were out of sight before turning toward the reception desk.
George smiled more nicely at them than yesterday. They paid their check, thanked George profusely for everything, and asked him to please give their best to Clara.
Their cart and horse were ready for them, and soon they were on their way to the bank.
Anita was excited. Once they had the money, they would head to the market.
There she would find the cows they needed, and she would test her skills as a dairy farmer working separately for the first time from her parents, who had taught her everything she knew.
After all, selecting the right animals was crucial to a good farm, and this time, unlike at home, she would do all the choosing.
It was frightening and wonderful at the same time.