Posted July 20, 2020
Aurelian nodded, "I came out of it lucky enough to be sure. I admit to going thru a stretch there where I was a sort of rebellious hooligan but I honestly did not ever steal a horse."
"As for that friend, we stopped being friends soon after that. He was the real horse thief. He got away with it though," he sighed.
The conversation died down then as the pair of them waited on the fire to be just at that right temperature so Ryker could utilize it with the horseshoes. Aurelian was content to just stare into the fire, there was something almost comforting about it, maybe because it was winter and this kept back the cold.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted July 20, 2020
Sitting in silence next to a stranger had seldom felt so peaceful. The gang always had some chatter about robberies or plans, about great visions for their future. But there was no friendship, no peace within them.
Briefly Jay looked over at Aurelian and smiled a little to himself. He could get used to settling down and becoming a normal guy.
Thirty minutes the later the wood had burnt down to a gleaming, hot mess in the bottom and had helped form the irons so they'd actually fit the horse perfectly. Jay was very content with his job and cooled them off in the snow one by one.
"That's what they should look like. Now it's easy to put them on when the snow melts."
He offered the farmer a smile and put his hat back on.
"I can't promise you that I'll be around that long but if I am, I'll put em on for ya."
Posted July 20, 2020
Eventually the fire was the right temperature for Ryker to do his work, Aurelian just stayed out of the man's way and let him go about it. It was quite interesting to watch an expert at work anyhow. Every once and awhile he asked Jay a question about some little detail, just out of curiosity. If nothing else he was learning something new. As the remodeled horseshoes were cooling, Jay stated, "That's what they should look like. Now it's easy to put them on when the snow melts."
"Right, they do look good alright," Aurelian nodded.
"I can't promise you that I'll be around that long but if I am, I'll put em on for ya."
"And I have faith that you will too, that is if you are around. I do understand, you've got a whole new life to start to work on. If that means you need to move on, it only makes sense. I feel what you did right here was worth more than a simple meal," Aurelian assured him.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted July 22, 2020
"Well, thank you sir." Jay was glad that the man appreciate his efforts and felt he had worked off his meal. "I'm sure your daughter would say something else." Jay chuckled a little at the thought of what Aurelian had to put up with every day but did it with care and love, nevertheless.
He picked up the tools from the ground and handed them to the farm owner.
"I guess I'd better be on my way." There wasn't any reason to stick around longer. It would only delay finding a place to sleep tonight, which was much harder after dark.
"I need to go and find a roof over my head. If you ever feel that you need a hand around here again, let me know. As long as I'm in town, I'm happy to help."
Posted July 22, 2020
"When I tell Clara the work you did here and the quality of it, she will think differently I assure you," Aurelian pointed out.
As the two of them began to pick up and put away the tools from the project, Ryker informed him that he was going to head on out then. Aurelian nodded.
"Certainly, well thanks again. Glad you got a hot meal out of it."
"I need to go and find a roof over my head. If you ever feel that you need a hand around here again, let me know. As long as I'm in town, I'm happy to help," the man declared.
That gave Aurelian an idea and he jumped on it then.
"Speaking of roofs... I do want to fix the barn roof before it gets any worse but I am not about to have Wyatt clambering around up there and I am even reluctant to let Clara assist me, it is hardly proper work for a woman," he started.
"How about you stay overnight and on the morrow unless we get a blizzard, we could start on that roof?" he got to the point.
"Either way, it is too late now for you to head back to town in the dark, you can sleep in the house and your horse in the barn. It is no trouble," Aurelian now offered.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted July 26, 2020
More work and a roof over his head was as good a deal as it would get. Jay knew he couldn't live hand to mouth forever but he also knew, he didn't have to. The gang would gather again in the spring and they could make big bucks by doing the planned bank job. For now Jay had enough stashed away in his secret hiding spot to make a life. Only problem was that the spot was snow covered and not easy to find. So he did what he had to do and agreed.
"A bed in your cosey house sounds great. Just make sure I'm not taking the kids'. They wouldn't appreciate it."
He grabbed the toolbox and put it under his arm to make his way back to the house where they cleaned the snow off their boots before they entered the warm, cosey living room again.
Posted July 27, 2020
Apparently he needed to clear up their guest's misunderstanding of his invite, Aurelian realized when Jay mentioned not wanting to take either of the children's beds.
"Oh, sorry. I meant sleep under our roof but we only got three beds. No guest bed unfortunately. But I can have Clara gather up some blankets to set on the floor and cover you too. Extra pillow. You could lie down near enough to the fireplace, you'll be plenty cozy and warm. As you can see, it's a small cabin, we don't have the room for another bedroom not to mention - til just this minute - no need for one," he quickly explained.
"A whole lot better than sleeping in the barn though - especially with that big ol' hole in the roof," Aurelian grinned.
One they were inside the cabin again and had cleaned off the snow from their boots, he addressed his daughter.
"Clara, Mr. Ryker here finished adjusting the horseshoes, a fine job of it too. And I decided to offer him another job, fixing that barn roof. He accepted so he is gonna be staying overnight then. Can you find whatever we got to fix him up a comfortable spot on the floor to sleep. You know, blankets, pillows, that sort of thing."
Clara listened to her father and what he wanted of her, then eyed the man, this time with a look of resignation. Her father really could use the help up on that roof, especially given the elements. They both worried if Wyatt 'helped' up there he might well fall and break a limb or worse. Yes, better it would be Mr. Ryker, she figured.
"Of course, Father," she nodded.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted August 2, 2020
"Of course not...the floor is fine with some blankets." Jay had slept on hay and blankets for a while. He was used to it now.
Jay could tell that the girl had no interest in him having a cozy place to sleep in but apparently he was good enough to climb around on the old caved in roof with his 160 pounds.
Jay wondered whether she'd care if he crashed though it.
He had agreed to the job so he would see it through, though. Not that Jay was a man of honor...but he was trying to change his ways and this was a good part. Clara was his test.
"Great!" He rubbed his hands together and looked towards the fire place. "Please set them down over there."
Posted August 3, 2020
The matter was settled, her father had made the offer and the man took it, being he was homeless he would be a complete fool not to. And Clara didn't think he was a fool, not by any means. In fact there just might be more to this jasper than his outward behavior. Clara did not trust people easily and she definitely hadn't gotten to the point of trusting this man yet.
That said, he was a guest now and it was her duty as host to make him as comfortable as possible. She soon had some blankets nestled onto the floor near the fireplace, but not too close so he'd catch fire. They had two extra pillows (from when her mother was still alive) and she provided both of those then. They had sentimental value to her but he wouldn't much care long as they gave him some comfort.
"There you are, Mr. Ryker. Hope that is satisfactory?" she presented the scene for his approval .... or not.
Retired Characters and NPC Writer.
Posted August 8, 2020
With a bit of content Jay watched the previously stand offish girl surrender to her fathers wishes. She made a nice bed for him on the floor, which seemed to be his place lately. Although Jay didn't mind sleeping there, he wouldn't mind a real bed for a change.
Maybe he'd use some of his secret stash for a room at the saloon.
"Thank you, Clara. I appreciate it. Those are nice blankets and I'm used to the ground. Slept there for a while now...in Adelaides barn where I worked before."
Looking around he asked. "May I use your bathroom, perhaps you could provide some warm water from the kettle?"