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When the plate was clean, he set it aside, drank deeply from his water canteen, and stretched out on the bed. His eyes drifted shut, the lantern casting its soft glow across the room. Tomorrow, the renovations would begin. But tonight, he let the weight of the day slip away into sleep, knowing the world would demand more of him soon enough.
The next day, Caleb woke to the sharp rapping of knuckles on his door.
At first, he stirred groggily, rolling onto his side, trying to push away the remnants of sleep. His eyes blinked open against the dim light slipping past the shutters. The knock came again, harder this time, and he sighed, pushing himself upright.
"Alright, alright," he muttered under his breath, dragging a hand across his face.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet hitting the cool wooden floor. His boots sat neatly beside the bed, where he'd left them the night before. The knock came once more, insistent enough that he raised his voice.
"Hold on a damn minute," he called, bending to pull on his boots. The leather creaked as he tugged them snug and laced them quickly, muscle memory making short work of it despite his half-awake state.
By the time he stood, the laces tight and secure, the knock had paused. Caleb crossed the room, unlocked the door, and swung it open.
There stood Jasper.
Caleb let out a resigned chuckle, shaking his head as his lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Mornin', Jasper. What's got you poundin' at my door this early? You about to start a commotion for the whole hotel?"
Jasper raised his brows, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Good morning to you too, boss. And it ain't that I've caused a commotion. Far from it."
He leaned against the doorframe slightly, lowering his voice so as not to disturb any other sleepers in the hall. "When I went downstairs to tell the customers we're closed for several days, maybe a week at the longest, I found George, Seth, and Elias already outside waitin'. Two wagons, both loaded to the brim with building supplies. They must've been here before dawn."
Caleb blinked once, then let out another small chuckle that carried more exasperation than amusement. "Is that so?"
Jasper nodded firmly. "That's why I came up here knockin', to wake you. They're eager to get started, and truth told, the sooner we begin, the sooner we finish. The quicker this construction's over, the less money we lose while the business is shut."
Caleb rubbed the back of his neck, his hand rough against the stubble there. He couldn't argue with that logic, it was business 101. Every day closed meant less coin in the coffers.
"Well," Caleb muttered, letting out a soft laugh at himself, "I can't say you're wrong. Guess I can't argue it either."
He glanced past Jasper, then back, his smile crooked. "Alright then. I understand what you're gettin' at. And why waste more time standin' here talkin' about it? Let's head downstairs and outside, see what George and the boys are fussin' over."
Jasper grinned faintly at Caleb's shift in tone and gave a short nod. "That's what I was hopin' you'd say boss."
Caleb ducked back into the room just long enough to grab his hat and set it squarely on his head. He gave the place a final glance, then locked the door behind him. Together, he and Jasper headed down the narrow staircase, the creak of the steps following their descent.
When they stepped out onto the street, the morning air was crisp and alive with the sounds of a town already stirring.
A small crowd had gathered near the stall. Several early customers, expecting their usual breakfast, lingered with curious and disgruntled expressions. The stall's shutters were drawn tight, and beside it, two wagons stood, one stacked with timber, the other with stone, tools, nails, and all manner of supplies.
George, Seth, and Elias waited there, arms folded, watching the crowd with faint amusement.
Caleb raised his hand in greeting but called out first to the customers. "Give us just a moment here, folks."
He and Jasper pushed their way gently through the cluster of townsfolk, offering polite nods. Caleb let Jasper take the lead in explaining while he hung back, observing.
Jasper's voice carried steady, even as the customers voiced their groans. "Ladies, gentlemen, I apologize for the inconvenience, but the stall's gonna be closed for several days, perhaps a week at most. Renovations and construction work need to be done. When we reopen, it'll be with a better experience for everyone."
The crowd murmured. Some rolled their eyes, others let out heavy sighs.
"Well, there goes my breakfast," one man muttered.
"Couldn't pick a worse time," another remarked.
A woman shook her head, lips pressed thin. "Always somethin' with this place…"
The remarks, though subtle, carried enough edge to sting. Caleb could see Jasper stiffen slightly, but to his credit, the man's smile remained professional. He bowed his head slightly to each complaint, offering apologies in practiced tones. "We're sorry for the disruption. We truly hope you'll return once the renovations are complete. We'll do our best to make it worth your patience."
At length, the customers dispersed, some muttering under their breath but most simply nodding with reluctant understanding.
When the last of them drifted away, Caleb chuckled softly, clapping Jasper on the shoulder. "Good job, holdin' up under their grumblin'. Didn't break under the pressure."
Jasper shot him a look that balanced between a smile and a glare, though his tone was light. "Easy for you to say, sittin' back watchin' me take it all."
Caleb only smirked, striding toward George and the others. Jasper sighed and jogged a few steps to catch up.
George spotted them first. "Boss! Finally. We've been waitin' on you since damn near first light."
Caleb snorted. "That's your own fault, draggin' yourselves here at some ungodly hour. Who in their right mind starts swingin' hammers before the sun's even fully up? Sure as hell not me."
Seth and Elias chuckled, and George grinned sheepishly. "Fair enough. You're the boss, after all, at least for now."
Caleb shook his head at their usual antics. "Alright, enough of that. You've got the supplies, we're here, so what're you waitin' for? Let's get movin'."
George nodded but glanced past Caleb. "Where're the others? Simon, Troy, Mickey?"
"Told 'em to come later than usual," Caleb replied. "Figured they earned a bit more rest. Today's gonna be long and heavy, no sense wearin' them out before we even start."
George's grin returned. "Smart enough. Alright then, let's get to work."
And so, they set upon the task.
Caleb and Jasper helped unload the wagons, stacking timber and stone beside the stall. Tools clinked and clattered as they were laid out in neat rows. The morning air quickly filled with the scrape of wood against wood and the muted thud of stone being set down.
Their first task was to strip away the stall's walls. Hammers swung, wood splintered, nails squealed as they were pried loose. The little stall that had served them faithfully was broken down piece by piece, its bones scattered in the dust.
Once the walls were down, they carried out everything inside, tables, chairs, cauldrons, utensils, crates. Each item was hauled and stacked carefully nearby, ready to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced when the new structure stood ready.
By the time Simon, Troy, and Mickey arrived, sweat was already slick on brows, and the ground around the stall was a jumble of lumber and stone.
"You're late," George called, though his grin showed no real malice.
"Late?" Troy barked a laugh. "Sun's barely climbin'. You lot are just crazy."
Simon and Mickey shrugged, then fell right in with the others.
The foundation was next. Elias took the lead, his experience guiding the process. Jasper, Simon, Troy, and Mickey joined him, hauling wood beams into place and laying stone with careful precision. The clack of hammer on chisel rang out as they set the first firm supports into the earth.
Meanwhile, George, Seth, and Caleb turned their attention to the walls. Timber was measured and cut, saws biting deep with harsh rasps. Caleb steadied each length, holding it firm as Seth guided the saw, while George ensured each piece would fit true.
The smell of fresh cut pine soon filled the air, mixing with dust and sweat.
As the hours wore on, the skeleton of something new began to rise where the humble stall had once stood.
The work didn't pass without challenges. A beam split down the middle when nailed too hard, earning curses from Seth. A section of stone had to be re laid when Elias spotted a misalignment. Yet each setback was handled with grit and teamwork.
By midday, the sound of work had drawn the curious eyes of passersby. Townsfolk slowed as they walked past, some stopping outright to watch. Whispers carried through the crowd, questions about what the new place would look like, speculations about what Caleb and his crew were building.
Caleb wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, pausing long enough to catch the murmur of a nearby couple.
"Looks like they're makin' somethin' bigger than before."
"About time, too. That old stall looks too cramped."
The words carried a hint of expectation, and Caleb couldn't help but feel a spark of pride flicker in his chest. This wasn't just some repair, it was the start of something greater.
As the sun climbed high overhead, Jasper handed out canteens, and they all drank deeply, resting a short while before returning to the work with renewed vigor.
By the time the day leaned toward evening, the foundation was firm, the first walls were upright, and the shape of the new building was beginning to reveal itself.
Caleb stood back for a moment, hands on his hips, surveying the progress. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths, exhaustion laced with satisfaction.
This was only the beginning, but already, it felt like a step toward the future he wanted, one not written in anyone else's book but his own.
And as he looked around at Jasper, George, Seth, Elias, Simon, Troy, and Mickey, all working with sweat on their brows and determination in their eyes, he knew this wasn't just his project anymore. It belonged to all of them.
The financial calculations were still there, ticking away in the back of his mind, the cost of the lumber, the wages for the men, the lost revenue. But for now, they were quieted by the simple, profound act of creation.
At this time Mary-Beth appeared. She was carrying two baskets, one in each hand, her steps careful but light. A gentle smile played across her face, warm enough to soften even the roughest edges of the work worn crew.
"Good evening," she called out, her voice a melody that cut through the tired silence.
When the men heard her, their chatter and hammering paused. One by one, they greeted her in their own ways. Jasper, Simon, Troy, and Mickey dipped their heads and called out in unison, " evening ma'am." George, Seth, and Elias, however, exchanged mischievous looks and called her " evening lady boss," their voices sing song and teasing.
Mary-Beth flushed at the title, her cheeks blooming with color. She ducked her head a little but couldn't hide her smile.
Caleb, who had been wiping dust and sweat off his hands with a rag, glanced up at her. His expression softened immediately, the hard lines of command and exhaustion giving way to something far gentler.
Tossing the rag aside, he stepped toward her. "Evening, Mary-Beth," he said, his voice carrying a warmth reserved for very few. He returned her greeting with a gentle smile of his own, then reached out and brushed the top of her head with his calloused hand. The simple, tender gesture made her blush deepen further.
...
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 4)
- 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 3)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv 2)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 3)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,580 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 5,407 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: -