The world slowed around them. For Caleb, a man carrying the weight of two lifetimes, two sets of memories, it was grounding in a way nothing else could be. And for Mary-Beth, it was simple joy. Her heart beating fast, her cheeks flushed, her smile uncontainable.
It was a simple gesture, but in that moment, it meant everything. It was a return to safety, to warmth, to something real after the cold, dangerous solitude of Blackwater. He held her close, the scent of her hair cutting through the smells of sawdust and fresh paint.
The baskets lay forgotten at their feet. Townsfolk stole glances, whispers already starting to ripple in the air. Caleb, for once, didn't care. This was his moment. The three pillars of the life he was determined to build, his building was finished, his people were fed, and his plans were rolling forward. And here in his arms was the proof that he had something worth fighting for, not just survival, but a life.
After quite some time, Mary-Beth finally pushed Caleb, breaking the hug. Her face was bright red, the flush spreading down her neck, and she fanned herself as though the summer heat was suddenly too much.
She couldn't stand them hugging in public like that, especially in the middle of town, where anyone could see. Caleb caught her flustered gaze and chuckled softly, the sound carrying the warmth of amusement rather than mockery.
"Alright, alright," he murmured, brushing the top of her head gently with his hand, the gesture tender and protective. Then, as though nothing had happened at all, he bent down to pick up the two baskets she had dropped. Straightening, he turned around with them in his grip and raised his voice toward the crew.
"Who wants some lunch and drinks?" Caleb called out casually, like he hadn't just hugged a lady in full public view.
Jasper, Simon, Troy, Mickey, George, Seth, and Elias all burst into laughter. They exchanged glances, smirks tugging at their faces, and then the teasing began.
"Look at our boss, always flirting with his lady like that!" Troy hooted, giving an exaggerated groan.
"Some of us are heartbroken, boss," Elias added with mock despair. "You're out here stealing all the good ones while we're stuck with empty beds."
"Empty beds and trips to the saloon," Simon chimed in, earning a round of knowing chuckles.
Only Jasper and Mickey stayed quiet, smirking knowingly, but the others didn't hold back.
"Not fair," Seth complained dramatically. "Some of us ain't got proper ladies, just money spent on working girls at the saloon now and then to relieve ourself."
The good natured ribbing continued, but Caleb didn't bite. Instead, he simply shifted his stance, positioning himself squarely in front of Mary-Beth, shielding her from their eyes as her blush deepened. He gave her cover, letting her slip back into composure without feeling completely exposed. His face, though, stayed calm, unbothered.
"You boys want lunch or not?" he said dryly. "Because if you don't, me and Mary-Beth will enjoy this ourselves. You can all go get your own food."
That shut them up quick.
"Lunch! Lunch!" Simon said immediately, his hand shooting up. "We want it, boss, don't you worry."
"Free food always tastes better," Troy quipped, but he stepped forward right after. Simon reached out and took the two baskets from Caleb's hands, grinning as he carried them toward the tables at the side of the building. The others followed eagerly, already jostling each other for seats.
Meanwhile, Caleb turned back to Mary-Beth. She had taken a moment to calm herself, smoothing down her skirt and drawing in steadying breaths. At last, she lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes still bright with happiness.
"When did you come back to Valentine?" she asked softly, tilting her head.
"Just a little while ago," he said, his voice softening."Ten, fifteen minutes ago, maybe. Come straight here from the stables."
Mary-Beth nodded, relief flickering across her face before curiosity took its place. "And Strawberry? Did you get what you wanted from the trip? Did you find a good spot for your business there?"
Caleb's mind flashed to the darkened cemetery, the sound of the spade hitting the lock, the gleam of gold bars. He hesitated for the barest moment, then gave a small nod.
"I found a couple of real promising spots. Seems folks down there have already heard about our stall here in Valentine. There's a steady stream of people passing through, hunters, fishermen, and just folks wanting to enjoy the scenery. The potential is definitely there." It wasn't a lie, not exactly. He had seen Strawberry, and it was a viable prospect. He just omitted the three days trip that actualy to Blackwater.
Her smile widened, genuine pride in her expression. "Oh, that's wonderful, Caleb! Then your journey wasn't a waste of time after all."
Caleb chuckled, nodding. "Worth every hour I spent out there." Outwardly, he kept his voice casual, but inwardly he thought of Blackwater, the fortune they had secured, the sheer weight of the money now at his disposal.
Rich. Wealthy enough to start turning dreams into brick and wood, stone and steel. More than not wasting my time, he mused. That trip made us rich, and with that wealth, I'll make us richer still.
Together, they joined the others. Caleb sat with them, pulling some food from the baskets while making sure Mary-Beth had her share first. They all dug in, laughter and chatter filling the air. Caleb joined the conversation with ease, though his eyes drifted often toward Mary-Beth, giving her quiet attention between jokes and banter, his hand occasionally finding hers under the table, a small, secret connection.
It wasn't long before Jasper be the one who brought the conversation back to business. "So, boss," he said around a mouthful of bread. "Tomorrow we can open the stall back up, yeah? Operate like usual?"
Caleb nodded, swallowing his bite. "Yes. That's the plan. Tomorrow, we reopen. Business as usual." He leaned back, his tone thoughtful but excited. "And while we're at it, I want to experiment with some new menus I've got in mind. More variety, more choices for people. That way, they've got more reason to buy, not just the same old thing every day. And also give people more reason to keep coming back."
Jasper, Simon, Troy, and Mickey cheered at the prospect. The promise of new food was a powerful motivator.
"Can't wait to see what you cook up, boss!" Simon said eagerly.
"New menu means more customers," Mickey added with a grin. "You always got the ideas, boss."
Across the table, though, George, Seth, and Elias exchanged a glance. Almost in unison, they cleared their throats. George was the one to finally speak, raising his voice just enough for Caleb to hear.
"Boss. Could we… step aside for a moment? Just a quick word."
Caleb's eyes flicked toward him, and in an instant, he understood. "Of course." He stood smoothly, dusting crumbs from his hands, and the four of them walked a little ways away, far enough that the others' laughter faded into background noise.
Once they were clear, Caleb turned to face them. "Let me guess. This is about getting paid? Don't worry, I wasn't going to make you wait," he said with a smirk.
The three men blinked before chuckling almost in unison, a little embarrassed. George shook his head, grinning. "Can't hide anything from you, can we? Yeah. It's about pay. Don't take it the wrong way, we're not rushing you, but we've got bills to settle, and we could use the money."
Caleb barked out a laugh. "Don't worry, I'm just messing with you. I understand. So, how much are we talking for the labor and the extra materials?"
The three of them exchanged a quick look before George answered. "In total? Labor cost is a 100 dollars for each of us. That's 300 dollars for us. Materials came to about a 150 dollars for everything. So… it came in total around 425 dollars."
Caleb nodded, reaching for his satchel without hesitation. He pulled out neat stacks of bills, counting them quickly. He got 425 dollars before then he deliberately counted out an additional 45 dollars. He handed the total bundle, 470 dollars, to George.
"Here. Your pay, the materials, and a little bonus from me for a job well done."
George's eyes widened slightly as he took the money, feeling the extra thickness. Seth and Elias peered over his shoulder, their expressions shifting from hope to outright gratitude. "Caleb, you didn't have to—" George started.
"I know I didn't," Caleb interrupted gently. "But you earned it. It's been a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen. Truly."
"Thank you, Caleb," Elias said, his voice gruff with appreciation.
"Much obliged,boss," Seth added, tipping his hat.
George tucked the money safely into his own pouch. "The pleasure was ours."
Caleb smiled easily. "No problem. Just make sure you enjoy it." Then his tone shifted, his eyes meeting George's. "And don't forget George, to talk with the boys about my other offer. I'll be waiting to hear your answer."
Seth and Elias stopped, looking at George with curiosity. "What offer?" Seth asked.
"Offer?" Elias also asked.
George cleared his throat, holding Caleb's gaze before answering. "I'll, uh... I'll fill you two in later," he said to his partners, before turning back to Caleb. "We'll talk it over. We'll give you our answer later."
Caleb chuckled softly, nodding. "Fair enough. I'll be waiting."
They walked back toward the others, the laughter and noise welcoming them back into the fold. Caleb slipped into his seat beside Mary-Beth, who gave him a curious glance but didn't press. The men were still eating, teasing each other, talking about tomorrow's reopening.
Caleb leaned back, content for now. His eatery was finished, his people were paid, his plans for expansion were in motion. And here, by his side, sat Mary-Beth, the steady reminder of why all of this mattered.
But deep down, he knew this was only the surface. Tomorrow would bring business. After that, Strawberry. Then Colter. Then Blackwater money turning into something more.
And with every step forward, he was building a future stronger than Dutch's, smarter than Hosea's, and freer than the law could ever imagine.
After the meal and laughter wound down, Caleb and Mary-Beth excused themselves. The sun had shifted higher in the sky, warming the street outside, and the people of Valentine had returned to their usual rhythm of hammering, hauling, and shouting across storefronts. Mary-Beth slipped her arm through his as they walked, baskets now empty and their bellies full.
The hotel loomed ahead, its porch shaded, offering a promise of quiet away from the town's bustle. Mary-Beth leaned her head against his arm for a brief moment, murmuring softly, "Feels like I could sleep for a week."
Caleb smiled faintly. "Then let's make sure you get your nap, darlin'. You've earned it."
They entered through the swinging doors, nodding politely to the innkeeper, and climbed the stairs. The hallways creaked under their steps, the old wood whispering with age.
Mary-Beth's room sat midway down the hall, curtains already drawn against the sunlight. Caleb walked her to the door, opened it for her, and waited until she slipped inside. She gave him one last flustered smile before closing it gently, leaving him alone with the hum of silence.
Caleb stood there for a beat, his thoughts racing back to weightier matters. Then he turned and headed further down, all the way to the opposite end of the hall. His own room.
The lock clicked softly as he slid the key into place and stepped inside. Once the door shut and he turned the bolt, a heaviness lifted. He finally had privacy. No eyes, no ears. Just him and his secrets.
He crossed the room in a few strides and dropped to one knee before the chest at the foot of his bed. The iron latch squeaked as he opened it, revealing two bulging sacks resting inside. He pulled them out with care, setting them on the floorboards with a dull thump. Gold. Heavy, undeniable, almost humming with value.
Next, he moved to the wardrobe, its wooden doors groaning faintly as he opened them. Two more sacks sat neatly tucked beneath folded clothes. These he pulled free as well, laying them out beside the chest. Four sacks in total. Two of them bulged with the squared, glittering weight of gold bars. The other two, stuffed with crinkled dollar bills, smelled faintly of ink and dust.
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 8/10
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 (Lvl 3)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 3)
- Teaching (Lvl 2)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 10x10x10)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Treasure Hunter (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,977 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 105,407 dollars and 43 cents, 7 gold nuggets, 58 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: -