If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
...
Caleb chuckled at that, his hands resting easily on his belt as they strolled past the post office. "If you've got connections, influence, and money, Jasper…" He threw the younger man a sidelong glance, eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and sharp wisdom. "Everything gets done quick. Easy, even. That's how the world works. Always has. Always will. It favors men who have at least one of those things, and damn near worships the ones who got all three."
Jasper stared at him for a moment, those words sinking deep, and finally nodded like a man who'd just been handed a golden truth. "Guess that's a lesson I won't be forgettin' anytime soon."
Caleb smirked faintly. "Good. You hold onto it."
For a beat, the only sound between them was the crunch of their boots on packed dirt and the distant bark of a dog. Then Jasper asked, curiosity tugging at his voice, "So… what's next? Now that you own the land, I mean. What's the plan?"
Caleb's grin widened slightly. He could already see it, the polished wooden floorboards, the warm glow of lamps, the smell of cooked meat drifting through the air. "Next, we find George," Caleb said simply. "The carpenter. Remember him? The one who built the stall with Seth and Elias back when we started out."
Jasper nodded. "Yeah, I remember. Big fella, thick arms like tree trunks."
"That's the one," Caleb said. "I'm gonna hire him again, this time for somethin' bigger. Expansion and a full renovation. Like the ideas I've told you before, Jasper. The big ones. This ain't just gonna be a stall anymore, it's gonna be a damn fine building in town."
Jasper grinned wide at that, excitement flickering in his eyes. "Now you're talkin', boss." Then his brow furrowed a little. "Where d'you reckon we'll find George?"
Caleb shrugged. "Don't know for sure. But if he ain't workin', odds are he'll be hittin' the saloon later. Men like him always do." He flicked a glance toward the familiar shape of the watering hole up ahead. "We'll leave a message with Mr. Douglas at the bar. If he hears from Mr. Douglas tonight, he'll know where to find me in the morning."
Jasper nodded. "Sounds fair enough." Then his expression shifted slightly, like a thought just crossed his mind. "But, uh… boss, if it's all the same to you, I'd better head back to the stall now. The others'll be waitin' on me to open up, and if we keep them hungry much longer, they'll string us up."
Caleb let out a quiet laugh. "You're not wrong." He clapped Jasper lightly on the shoulder. "Go on then. Get things rollin'. I'll handle this."
"Right." Jasper tipped his hat, grinning. "Don't drink too much in there."
Caleb smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."
And with that, Jasper turned on his heel and headed toward the food stall, while Caleb angled his stride toward the saloon.
The saloon's batwing doors swung wide with a familiar creak as Caleb stepped inside. The scent of whiskey, smoke, and old wood hit him instantly, mingling with the low hum of voices and the clink of glasses. A piano tinkled somewhere in the corner, playing a tune that was just lively enough to keep spirits high.
Behind the bar stood Mr. Douglas, wiping down a glass with a rag. He looked up the moment Caleb approached, his weathered face splitting into a friendly grin. "Caleb! Back so soon!" Mr. Douglas said cheerfully. "What can I get you? Whiskey? Beer? Or you feelin' fancy today for some bourbon?"
"Neither of them," Caleb said, leaning one elbow on the bar. "Ain't here to drink. Just want to leave a message,wonderin' if you could pass it along"
Mr. Douglas raised a brow, setting the glass aside. "Message, huh? Sure thing. Who's it for?"
"George," Caleb replied. "The carpenter. Have you seen him around?"
Mr. Douglas scratched his chin. "Not today. But odds are he'll wander in tonight. Why?"
"Tell him I'm lookin' to hire him again," Caleb said, his voice steady, businesslike. "Big job this time. If he's interested, tell him to meet me at the hotel tomorrow morning. I'll be waitin'."
Mr. Douglas nodded slowly. "That's all?"
"That's all," Caleb confirmed. "Appreciate it."
"Consider it done," Mr. Douglas said with an easy smile. "Anything for the man feedin' half the town these days."
Caleb gave him a small grin. "You're a good man, Mr. Douglas."
"Always happy to help a man like you, Caleb," Mr. Douglas said with a wink.
With that, Caleb tipped his hat and left the saloon, stepping back into the crisp late afternoon air.
He set off toward the general store, a thought nagging at the back of his mind, Mary-Beth. He figured she might still be there, if not he could just returned back to the hotel.
As he stepped through the door, a little bell jingled overhead, and the familiar smell of sawdust and soap greeted him. Inside, the shelves were lined neat as always, and behind the counter stood Mr. Worth, the store's proprietor, deep in conversation with a young woman Caleb knew all too well.
Mary-Beth.
She stood there, radiant as ever, her auburn hair catching the glow of the lantern light, a soft smile curving her lips as she spoke. A small paper bag hung from her hand, something she'd just purchased.
Caleb paused in the doorway for a beat, just watching her. For all his plans and ambitions, all the wheels turning in his head about expansions and business, seeing her there grounded him in a way nothing else did.
Mr. Worth noticed him first. "Evenin', Caleb," the older man greeted warmly.
"Caleb!" she said warmly, moving toward him with an easy grace. "I was just… well, lookin' around. Mr. Worth here's been showin' me some new stationery. Real fine paper."
Caleb's eyes flicked briefly to the bag in her hand before returning to her face. There was a softness in his gaze, a quiet appreciation he didn't bother hiding. "Enjoyin' yourself, then?"
She nodded, her voice light with a hint of playfulness. "Mm hmm. Nothin' wrong with a little shoppin' after all that ridin' yesterday, is there?"
Caleb chuckled low in his throat. "Not a damn thing wrong with it."
Mr. Worth, standing behind the counter with a polite smile, chimed in, "Your lady's got good taste, Caleb. Picked out some of the best stock I got."
Caleb gave a slight smirk at that but didn't correct the man's assumption. Instead, he turned back to Mary-Beth. "You about finished here? If so we can returned back to the hotel together."
She tilted her head, happiness lighting her blue eyes. "Finished enough. Lead the way."
Mary-Beth slipped her hand around Caleb's arm with a soft, easy grace, her touch light but warm against his sleeve. Together, they turned toward the door.
"Good evening, Mr. Worth," she said kindly, her voice carrying that gentle tone Caleb had always admired.
"Goodbye now," Caleb added, tipping his hat slightly.
"Evenin' to you both," Mr. Worth replied with a polite nod and that ever friendly merchant's smile. "And don't be strangers. If you need anything, anything at all, you come on back here."
"We will," Caleb said simply before guiding Mary-Beth out into the cool, dusky air.
The orange hue of sunset stretched across the sky now, shadows lengthening in the dusty streets of Valentine. The faint glow of lamps began to flicker alive in windows and porches, the town shifting from the bustle of day to the calm hum of evening.
Caleb glanced down at Mary-Beth as they stepped away from the store, his voice even but carrying that familiar rough edges warmth. "You eaten supper yet?"
Mary-Beth shook her head slightly, that auburn hair catching the last threads of sunlight like copper fire. "Not really," she admitted with a soft laugh. "Had a bit of chocolate from the store earlier, but that hardly counts, does it?"
Caleb chuckled under his breath, his boots crunching against the dirt as they walked. "Not unless you plan on livin' on sweets." He cast her a sidelong look, a small grin tugging at his mouth. "How about somethin' better? Burgers and fries. If there's any left down at the stall."
Mary-Beth's lips curved into a smile that lit up her eyes. "Why not? I'd like to taste those two delicious foods again." Her voice had a playful ring to it, almost teasing. "Can't get 'em out of my head since last time."
Caleb smirked. "Then burgers and fries it is."
With that decided, the two of them headed down the main street toward the food stall. The evening crowd had thinned considerably now; only a handful of folks lingered outside the saloon or ambled toward their homes after a day of work. The Valentine stables loomed quiet, the scent of hay and horses drifting faintly on the breeze.
By the time they reached the familiar stall, the lamps had been lit on either side, casting a warm glow over the wooden counter. A few customers were finishing their meals nearby, but the rush of midday had passed.
Behind the counter stood Jasper, sleeves rolled up, hands moving quick as he wiped down the surface. He looked up the moment Caleb and Mary-Beth approached, his face breaking into a grin.
"Boss," he greeted warmly, then with a polite nod toward her, "Ma'am."
Mary-Beth smiled in return. "Evenin', Jasper."
Caleb stepped up to the counter, resting a hand casually on the edge. "Evenin', Jasper. You got anythin' left for us?"
"Lucky for you, yeah," Jasper said, flashing a grin. "Couple burgers and a good bit of fries. Want me to put two and two together for ya?"
"That'll do," Caleb said. "Two burgers, two bowls of fries."
Jasper gave a little shrug and leaned on the counter, his grin widening. "You know, since the lady knows who really owns this business…" He flicked his gaze toward Mary-Beth with a wink. "…I reckon I can finally say this, you ain't gotta pay. Not a damn cent."
Mary-Beth laughed softly at that, shaking her head. Caleb chuckled too, though he raised a brow at Jasper. "Don't start gettin' loose with the rules, Jasper. Ain't good for business."
But Jasper only waved a hand dismissively. "Aw, come on now. One meal ain't gonna break the bank. Besides, boss, you just bought the land, didn't ya? You're sittin' pretty."
Caleb smirked but didn't answer that right away. He thought about insisting, setting the example he believed in, but Jasper's stubborn grin told him this was a battle he wouldn't win tonight. So, after a beat, he let out a low laugh. "Fine. But don't make a habit of it."
Jasper chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it." He straightened, heading toward the back to prepare their order. "Give me a few minutes."
Caleb turned to Mary-Beth then, motioning toward one of the small tables set off to the side under the glow of a lantern. "Let's sit."
They settled in, and before long, Jasper returned carrying two plates, each with a thick, juicy burger and a steaming bowl of golden fries. He set them down with a flourish. "There you go. Enjoy."
"Thanks, Jasper," Mary-Beth said kindly, her smile warm.
Caleb gave him a nod. "Appreciate it."
When Jasper retreated, Caleb picked up his burger, taking a bite before speaking. "So," he said casually, wiping his mouth with a napkin, "I made a move today. Big one."
Mary-Beth looked at him curiously, a fry paused halfway to her lips. "Oh?"
Caleb nodded slowly, his voice calm but carrying that edge of satisfaction. "Bought the land under this stall. Eighteen hundred dollars. Paid nine hundred upfront. Rest comes later, little interest on top."
Mary-Beth blinked, surprise flickering across her face. "You… you bought it? For that much?"
"Mm," Caleb confirmed, popping a fry into his mouth like it was the simplest thing in the world.
Her brow furrowed slightly, her voice soft with wonder. "I didn't think you had that kind of money." Then, after a pause, her lips curved in a wry smile. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised."
Caleb chuckled low. "Revenue from the stall's been good. Also I got some good money from playing poker as well before."
That seemed to jog her memory, and she leaned in a little, her tone playful but tinged with genuine curiosity. "About that… you sure you don't need the two hundred you gave me yesterday from the poker game? That's a good bit of cash, Caleb."
Caleb shook his head, his gaze steady. "Keep it. I told you before, it's yours. I don't need it. This place will cover the rest easy enough. Even with the interest, I'll make it work."
Mary-Beth studied him for a moment, her expression softening. Then she nodded slowly. "Alright." She popped a fry into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully before speaking again, her voice quieter now. "You know… only you could pull somethin' like this off. Achieve your dream while still ridin' with the gang. You haven't even been with us that long, and look at you."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 3)
- Rifle (Lvl 3)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 3)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 2)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 3)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv 2)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,582 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 6,207 dollars and 43 cents, 7 gold nuggets, 8 gold bars, 7 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 large bags of jewelry, 4 gold rings, 2 silver rings, 4 silver pocket watches, 3 gold buckles, 1 gold pocket compass, 2 platinum pocket watches, 2 Colm's Schofields, and land deed (Parcel)
Bank: -