“Whew!” she said, “Bob, let me read this back to you. Okay?”
“Sure, Pearl. Don’t want you to miss anything.”
“Okay,” she said as she took a sharp pencil and fresh sheet of paper, “You want nine dozen eggs, twenty five pounds of bacon, one hundred loafs of white bread, twenty small tubs of lightly salted butter, fifty half-gallons containers of milk, half of which was to be low fat, twenty five jars of jam, various flavors, as many frozen steaks as we can send and one pound of salt and another of pepper and…“ the list went on and at the end Bob added, “and Pearl, this may sound silly but can you provide a dozen large blocks of ice and as much straw as you can fit and lastly, can you make sure that the ice and straw are the last items packed?”
Pearl said, “Bob, this will take at least one full day to get together. And I really can’t ever guess how much it will be.”
“No problem, Pearl. I’m really sorry that it’s such a short notice and I now realize that I’ll need a nice sized freezer for unexpected visitors and have you fill it periodically. I’ll see about getting one soon, but for now, the big question is: can you have it delivered?”
Pearl didn’t hesitate as she answered, “Sure! It’s gonna have to be one of the big freezer rigs that delivers the meat to us so that’ll have to be added to the bill too.”
“Again, no problem.”
“And,” she asked, “how do we get to your town?”
“Well, I’ll have Edward Pushkin lend your driver his GPS unit and that should do it. He’ll brief him on the time it’ll take to get here.”
“Okay, Bob. Call me back this time tomorrow and I’ll give you an ETA. Okay?”
“Okay. I call this time tomorrow and you’ll give me an estimated time of arrival. Got it. Talk to you tomorrow and Pearl, thanks loads.”
“Don’t thank me until it gets there past all the wild buffalo.”
That afternoon the entire group had a barbecue near the well and Bob was amazed at how well they all ate. He told Cal that the food they ordered would be delivered within two days and Cal briefed the tour group.
Bob had an idea and said, to Cal, “Come with me and let me show you something.” They went to the house next to Bob’s and entered it. It had basically the same layout as his and Bob had cleaned it as well. They stood in the living room and Bob pointed to one of the wingback chairs and said, “Take a seat, Cal and hear me out.” He sat opposite him and said, “You and your tour group will be here for more time than you had planned for, am I right?”
Cal once again fiddled with his mustache as he answered, “Yep. Sure seems that way, partner. Most times we just visit for a day or maybe overnight. But like you said, this is different, what with the bus being broke and all.”
“And,” Bob said continuing, “everyone sleeping in the Community Hall is going to be tight, especially if the little babies start crying or the kids stay up and play longer than some of the older folk wish.”
Cal nodded, “Yep! Right again, partner.”
“Well, I have about forty houses most of which have been cleaned completely and those that haven’t are close to being finished. They all have a stove and fireplace as well as oil lamps and stacked wood. So, why not have the families each take a house? If we run out of living space in the houses, most of the stores have a living area in the rear or upstairs and there’s always the hotel. What do you think?”
“Dang!” answered Cal as he slapped his knee. “Partner, I think that’s just downright neighborly o’ ya. Can we tell them now so they can get settled for the night?”
“No problem,” said Bob standing, “Some of the homes have a working pump for water in the sink but some have none. I’m sure they can all share with one another rather than going up to the well whenever they need water and all have an outhouse.”
Cal stood and offered a hand and with a big smile, said as they shook hands, “Don’t come across too many gentlemen these days, partner, but this time I have. I thank ya for taking care of me an’ my group.”
Back at the well after the group had cleaned up their cooking utensils, Cal announced Bob’s offer for them to occupy a house for the duration of their stay and a roar of approval went up. Cal went among them and soon had a list for Bob, which they both checked over coffee in Bob’s house.
“Not bad, partner,” Cal said as he pointed at the list. With forty houses and another thirty-plus stores and 276 people in the group it comes to about four people to a living area. And some will double up like the Hampton brothers and their wives. In fact they’ll be in the house right next door.”
“Good,” said Bob rubbing his hands together, “then they can share our outhouse because theirs blew over during the storm.”
Cal’s stomach jiggled as he laughed and said, “No need, partner. George and Bill already fixed theirs. Like I said, this here is a right and ready group. They know how to get things done and do them real fast.”
“Well, maybe we can have them over for coffee?”
“We?” asked Cal.
“Unless you’re with one of the families? If not, I have three bedrooms, and a large couch.”
The big man grinned and said, “Actually, partner, the missus is with me on this trip.”
“What?” said Bob sitting up straight, “How come you didn’t say so? When do I get to meet her…and how come I haven’t met her already?”
Cal shrugged his wide shoulders and said with open hands, “Partner, one of us is always with the group, so when I’m with you, Jean’s herdin’ the group. But, if the offer still stands, we’ll come over together after we get this bunch settled down. Say about seven?”
“You’re on. I’ll be here and dinner will be ready at seven. Okay?”
“Dinner? That’s fine with me, partner. Jean an’ me will be here at seven sharp.”
That night the group all settled down into the living areas they all agreed upon and at seven sharp there was a scuffing at the door and Bob opened it to see Cal stomping the sand off his boots on the top step. Next to him was a short, slim woman with streaked brown and gray hair tucked up beneath her sunbonnet. She wore a long, plain white dress that went to the tops of her high buttoned shoes and her blue eyes gleamed behind round, wire-framed granny glasses. She offered Bob a small bunch of yellow and white flowers then her hand as she introduced herself.
“Hello, Bob, I’m Jean Sullivan and mighty pleased to make your acquaintance. My husband, Cal, can’t say enough good things about you and the group is pleased as punch to be here in your pretty town.”
Bob took the flowers and the offered hand but instead of shaking it, he leaned down and kissed it saying, “Jean, it is so nice to meet you and I think highly of Cal myself. Now come on in and sit. Dinner is almost ready and I hope you like steak.”
“You can cook a steer any which way ya like, Bob, an’ Jean’ll eat it down,” said Cal entering behind his wife who turned and rolled her eyes at him.
“Mind your manners, Mister Sullivan, she scolded.
Ten minutes later they were sitting at the kitchen table to a dinner of steak, potatoes, onions, peas and hot rolls followed by Cheesecake and coffee. As usual Samson ate his in a few seconds and sat, hoping for some food to drop off the table.
Later, Bob invited the Hampton’s’ over for some coffee and tea followed by an after dinner liquor. They chatted about the old west and as the men smoked cigars, the women wandered about the house with Samson following. The ‘Ooohs and Ahhhs’ came from every room they entered.”
“How are your rooms?” asked Bob when all were sitting again in front of the fireplace.
“Beautiful!” said the three women at once. “We all love this town. You are very lucky young man,” said Jean as she patted his hand and Bob blushed.
Amy nodded to her sister-in-law, Lena and they both stood as she said, “Mister McKillop, this has been an unexpected and very pleasant evening but I’m afraid it’s getting late for me and we’d love to get up early and visit the cemetery
tomorrow, if that is okay with you?”
Bob stood and answered, “Ladies, please believe me when I say that it was I who enjoyed your unexpected company and of course it’s okay for you to visit the cemetery. I just painted the fence but I really wish I had cleaned it up more. I’ve been concentrating on the town but it’s my plan to do some work out there before too long.”
The men stood and there were handshakes all around before Bob closed the door and said to his guests, “Cal, Jean, if you two want to make a run to the outhouse before turning in, here’s my Coleman lamp and matches. I’m going to do a fast clean up and place another log on the fireplace then Samson and me will use the facilities before locking up.”
“Sounds like a plan ta me, partner,” Cal said as he took and lit the lamp. He escorted his wife out the door and Bob placed a log on the fire as he thought, Anne would have loved this evening. Wonder how it would have looked on her film? He mentally shrugged and thought, Oh well, can’t have everything and today was the proof that my idea was a good one. He looked at Samson and with a questioningly look said, “Hey, pup. Do you remember me mentioning the cemetery? I don’t, but I guess I did. Oh well.”
Bob was woken by the smell of bacon, eggs and fresh coffee. He opened one eye and saw that the room was just taking on a golden hue as the sun started to break the horizon. Grabbing his clothes he startled the puppy that was nestled next to his pillow. Samson seemed to wonder about getting up so early after a full day of play and stretched until he also caught a whiff of the breakfast. He quickly followed his master down the stairs and as they entered the kitchen, Jean greeted them.
“Wash up, young man, an’ we’ll have a good ol’ western style breakfast.”
Cal walked in the front door and said, “’Mornin’, Bob. Trust ya slept well?”
“Uh, yes I did. What about you two?”
“Like we never left,” said Jean not looking up from the stovetop.”
“What she means,” said Cal, “is that it’s like we never left home. See, we got a place sorta like this ourselves so it feels almost like home to us.”
“Oh. And where do you two live?”
“Right here in Nevada. About eighty miles north.”
“Breakfast is ready,” said Jean as she put out the eggs, bacon and hot rolls, turned and filled three mugs full of coffee and joined them at the table. Samson ran to the corner as she said, “I put some grits and bacon out for the pup. Hope that’s fine with you, Bob?”
“Sure is, and I’ll bet its fine with him too,” he said looking at his beagle as he devoured his food.
“Sure do love this town,” said Jean as she cut her bacon, “…and this house, too.”
“So,” asked Bob excitedly, “do you think that Rattlesnake Haven will become the place to see if anyone wants to visit a ghost town?”
“Partner,” said Cal as he sipped his coffee, “you’re gonna hafta beat them off with a big stick ta keep ‘em away.”
Bob grinned and said, “Open arms is what I’ll greet them with, my friend, open arms.”
Cal winked at his wife who had a knowing smile on her tanned face.
They finished their breakfast and Bob insisted on helping Jean and Cal clean up before they left the house. Once on the porch Jean turned to Cal and said as she fixed his string tie, “Calvin Sullivan! You never did learn to tie this string tie and you always wait till the last minute to let me tie it right for ya.” She shook her head as Bob saw that both wore dress clothes. He quickly straightened his shirt and, not knowing why, wished he had a dress jacket with him.
They went to the Community Hall and although it wasn’t planned, the entire group was assembled there. After good morning greetings all around, Bob said to Cal as he looked at the group, “Boy, the group looks like they are lined up for a Sunday picture. It fact,” he continued, “I get the feeling that I’ve seen a picture like this in one of my books on the old west.”
“Partner, I couldn’t tell ya how many times me an’ the group I’m with are asked ta pose for some photographer who sneaks it into some book or poster.”
Bob nodded understandingly as him; Cal and Jean just naturally took the lead out of town. Usually Bob would have taken his SUV but somehow it just seemed right to walk the half-mile distance even though the morning sun promised a, hotter than usual day. The two young boys ran circles around the group as they chased Samson. Bob noticed that two of the young women pushed baby carriages that he knew came from a few of the homes and he grinned as he thought, it’s as it should be. Use what the original people left behind and in a sense it brings the town back to life. He suddenly had a flashback of Anne as she said, ‘Bring the town back to life? Why? It never died!’ He shook his head and went on with his thoughts as they neared the cemetery, Anne would just love this. She really would. He looked up at the bright sun and thought as he shrugged, Grow up and face it, stupid! It just was not meant to be. Get on with it or go back to New York. He grimaced and set his jaw as his foot caught a small cactus and he almost fell. No way do I go back. She can keep her weatherman, I’m here for the duration and that’s it!
Bob slowly came to the realization that the crowd’s murmuring had stopped as well as the two young boys who ran around them and they now walked holding their parent’s hands. And, he noticed, even Samson walked quietly next to him. Could just be the heat, he thought.
On the next slight rise he could make out the iron fence and arch over the gate of Rattlesnake Haven’s cemetery. Bob looked back and saw that the group had slipped into a line of two abreast and thought, Well it’s probably because it’s easier to walk two abreast on this undulating landscape. He saw that Cal and Jean were holding hands as they approached their destination.
Once at the gate they stood as though waiting for him to open it and realizing that they were, Bob stepped forward and swung it open. They then removed their hats and started forward and entered as a solemn group with downcast eyes.
Cal was last and he held the gate for Jean and then Bob. The group slowly walked through the hallowed grounds speaking in low tones to each other. Bob noticed that a lot of them stopped at certain graves and pushed away any debris that had gathered around the headstone and then stood quietly as though in prayer. He noticed Cal and Jean as they cleaned the area around a headstone and with a smile on their faces, stood, looked down and closed their eyes. Feeling out of place he slowly walked on, Samson at his side.
After a short time they all gathered by the gate, a gentle tune was sounded and, accompanied by an elderly man playing a harmonica, they all sang a low hymn. It was an old hymn that Bob recalled from when he and his family attended church services in his childhood years and he felt as one with the group as he joined in.
When it was finished, they put their hats back on and smiled as they waved to the headstones and said their goodbyes as though they had known them and were going to see them again
At the front once again, Bob asked cal, “Cal, did I mention the cemetery? Heck, I don’t even remember that at all.”
“Shucks, partner. Every town in the old west got a cemetery and it just seems like the right thing ta do: visit the folks that built the place.”
The walk back was more like the end of a revival meeting with smiles all around and talks of old friends that had passed on. Bob thought as he followed along, Boy, I thought I would have been chilled by the thought of going to a cemetery service, but this crowd is different than any I’ve ever been with before. They seemed to celebrate the burial ground of people they never knew. Weird maybe, but it’s really a nice gesture when you think of it.
The party atmosphere continued when they got back to town with the start of another group barbecue. A few of them played musical instruments and as they did, others sang songs that they all joined in on while some of the younger ones danced in the middle of Main Street. Every so often one of the older men stood and called out some square dance steps and the older folks danced.
“Boy,” said Bob to Cal, “Yo
u guys know how to have a great time.”
“Well, you gave us the perfect venue, partner.”
Bob stood, grabbed his cane and said, “I’m going to go back to the house and call Pearl’s and see if she has an ETA for me. Be right back.”
“We’ll keep yer seat warm, son,” said Jean with a motherly smile.
Back at the house, he checked the battery on his satellite phone and seeing a full charge skipped powering up the generator. He got Pearl on the second ring and was back as the group finished putting more firewood in the makeshift fire pits and started to get ready for dinner.
“Good news,” he said to Cal. “The truck should be here tomorrow around noon. Think we can get some of the guys to help unload it?”
“No problem, partner. They’ll be mighty happy ta help out. Now,” he said turning to his wife as the square dance caller got up, “what say we have a little dance, Jean?”
With a grin she was up and Bob watched with a grin of his own as they joined the group of dancing people and a few banjo players stood next to the caller. Soon the crowd’s shadows started to elongate as the sun started to settle down for the evening. Life is good, Bob thought scratching Samson’s ears, Life is good indeed.
That evening they dined and knowing that the next day would bring them more provisions, they brought out any food they had in reserve. It was eleven o’clock before most went to the homes they had picked when Tim stepped out of the shadows.
He tipped his hat and said to Bob and Cal as he fingered his lariat, “Do ya know that there are horses out at the end of town? They’re drinking out of a tub. I was thinking of roping a few. Anybody on for it?”
Cal looked at Bob. “Your call, partner.”
Bob shrugged his shoulders and said, “Heck, I don’t know anything about horses. If you want, go right ahead.”
Tim nodded and said in his slow drawl, “Well, I got five of the guys who rope and we’ll stand on the outside of town and Cal, maybe you can just walk real slow towards them and when they run, we’ll catch a few. Okay?”
Romance in a Ghost Town Page 24