Delia washed out the cuts on Will’s and Jonas’s faces, then uncorked a brown bottle. She poured a pea green, vile smelling liquid from it onto a clean cloth.
“What the he— I’m sorry, Delia, what the blue blazes is that stuff?” Jonas asked. “It smells awful.”
“It might smell awful, but it’ll heal your cuts faster than anythin’ Doctor Wilson might put on them,” Delia answered. “It’s a mix of herbs, roots, and greens, which has been passed down in my family for generations.”
“Listen to her, Jonas,” Will said. “She’s right. The stuff does smell awful, and it’ll burn like—um, heck, but it’ll keep any of these cuts from gettin’ infected, and will heal ’em right quick.”
“If you say so,” Jonas answered, dubiously. “But I dunno.”
“You’ll see.”
Delia coated Will’s injuries with the liquid first, then covered the larger cuts with bandages. When she approached Jonas, he wrinkled his nose at the medicine’s putrid odor.
“I’m thinkin’ mebbe gettin’ shot couldn’t be worse than bein’ treated with this stuff.”
“You’d better hope you never find out,” Will said. “Besides, you must’ve forgotten a Ranger has to handle everythin’ thrown at him.”
“I’d like to take some of this stuff to Cap’n Hunter and see what he says about that,” Jonas retorted.
“Just hush, the two of you, so I can get this finished and we can all get some sleep,” Delia ordered. She took another clean cloth, poured a good amount of the medicine onto it, and slathered it over Jonas’s jaw. He had to bite his lips to keep from screaming at the burning pain. A few minutes later, the pain had subsided to a pleasant warmth, which seemed to suffuse his entire face. In a short while, Delia had treated all of his cuts. As she had done with Will, she covered the larger ones with bandages.
“There, now that wasn’t so bad, was it, Master Jonas?”
“Except for the smell and pain, not at all,” Jonas answered. “Thank you, Delia.”
“It was no trouble…except for being woken up in the middle of the night, then tomorrow havin’ to explain to Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick why I didn’t tell them what had happened, immediately. Now, the two of you get to bed. Rest is the best thing for you right now.”
“Can’t we help you clean up first?” Will asked.
“Have you forgotten I never allow anyone underfoot in my kitchen, Master William? Not even your mother or sister, let alone two stumble-footed boys. I’ll straighten up by myself.”
“Neither one of us is still a boy,” Will protested.
“You’ll always be one of my boys, and now, so will Master Jonas,” Delia said. “So if you don’t want me to take a switch to the two of you, get yourselves upstairs to bed, right now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Will said. “C’mon Jonas, I’ve been swatted enough for one night.”
He and Jonas picked up their boots, then headed up to Will’s room. Without even pulling back the covers or bothering to undress, they sprawled across the bed. Within ten minutes, they were both sound asleep.
10
Breakfast was always at 7:00 A.M. sharp in the Kirkpatrick household. Even though Will had told his father the previous night he and Jonas planned to sleep in, Delia still awakened them well ahead of time, but Will and Jonas were still ten minutes late to the table.
“We’ve been holding our meal for you two. Where the devil have you—” Will’s father stopped short when he looked up, and saw their bruised and bandaged faces.
“What the hell happened to you?” he yelled, frowning. “Excuse my language, Claudette, Susan. You also, Peggy.” The last was almost an afterthought. “I should have known something like this would occur, William. You’re not even back home for a full day and you start trouble. I want an explanation, now, and it had better be good.”
“Me’n Jonas… Jonas and I both want to apologize,” Will answered. “However, we didn’t start any trouble, and I’m not going to get into a long explanation about what happened. We were at the saloon when two cowboys started in hoorawin’ us. We tried to avoid a fight, especially Jonas, but we couldn’t.”
“Will’s right, Mr. Kirkpatrick. We tried to walk away, but one of ’em sneak punched Will in the back, when he wasn’t lookin’.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Silas answered. “First of all, neither of you should have been in the saloon. Second, what could those men possibly have done to anger you enough to take part in fisticuffs?”
“In case you’ve already forgotten, Father, I told you we didn’t want, nor start, the fight. The only reason it got as far as it did is we were defending this family’s honor.”
“What do you mean, William?”
“I’d rather not say in front of Mother, Susan, and Peggy.”
“Claudette?”
“I believe I’d like to hear you answer your father’s question, William.”
“Well?” Silas’s gaze bored into his oldest child.
“If you must know, they were saying vulgar, coarse things about you, Father. Absolute falsehoods about you and Peggy. Then they added more about Bertram, Gerard, and Delia.”
“No!” Claudette swooned. Peggy hurried over to fan her. Susan looked properly shocked. Will’s father and brothers stared at him in disbelief.
“You mean—” Silas said.
“You know exactly what I mean, Father. You asked for an explanation, and there you have it. Do you want to hear more? All the sordid details?”
“No. You’ve said more than enough.”
Claudette had recovered sufficiently to also reply.
“I know I certainly do not want to hear any more! To think men would actually speak such horrible things in public. Especially when they aren’t true.”
“Remember, you’re not in New Orleans any longer, Mother, nor back East. Manners are rougher out here. Not that ‘proper’ folks, no matter where they might live, don’t love to gossip, also. I’ve heard some things that would shock any cowboy coming from the mouths of rich society ladies, when I’ve had to arrest their husbands.”
“That is enough of this conversation,” Silas said. “Peggy, you may start serving. After the Grace, I do have something to say to you and your friend, William.”
“That’s fine, Father.”
Silas said a short prayer, then the family and Jonas began their meal.
“What I want to say to you, William, goes hand-in-hand with what I said last night. Neither you nor Mr. Peterson own the proper clothes to attend your sister’s wedding. Therefore, I am going to stop at the haberdashery on my way to the bank, and tell Joseph you will be coming in for a fitting. I’m paying for the clothes. Don’t even think of arguing,” he said, when William started to object. “Either you allow Joseph to arrange proper dress for a wedding, or you won’t be allowed to attend. Susan, you don’t have a say in this.”
“I suppose we can do that, since it’s just one day, and it’s for Susan,” Will said. “We’re going into town for haircuts, shaves, and baths anyway, so we’ll stop at Joseph’s after that.”
“And no side trips to the saloon.”
“Not a chance, Father. Last night was enough.”
“Then we understand each other. As soon as breakfast is finished, we can all be on our way.”
****
Twenty minutes before the shops and stores opened, Will and Jonas rode into town.
“There’s Shalem’s place, right there. Looks like he opened early,” Will said. He pointed to a black-and-white sandwich sign that read: “Barbery Coast Tonsorial Parlor. Haircuts, Shaves, and Baths,” in front of an otherwise unremarkable building. “He lived in San Francisco for a spell, so the name of his shop is a play on the Barbary Coast. Let’s hope we’re early enough to beat most of the other customers. Shalem’s usually really busy.”
They found a spot for their horses at the hitch rail in front of the next building, left them there, and went inside the shop. One of the barbers was just pulling the c
loth off a customer.
“Howdy, Shalem,” Will said. “’Mornin’, Hugh.”
“Will, good mornin’,” Shalem Bencivenga, the first barber, answered. “I’d heard you were comin’ back for the weddin’. Looks like you got here just in time. Another few days and no one’d be able to tell you from a bull buffalo. I assume your friend needs some sprucin’ up, too.”
“Yeah, we could both use some,” Will said. “Good to see you again, Shalem. This here’s my new pardner, Jonas Peterson.”
“I’ve got a new partner, too. That’s Jed Calhoun over there. Business has been so good, I had to put on another barber.”
Bencivenga was a tall, slim man, in his mid- to late thirties. He wore his dark hair cut short, and had a full, neatly trimmed beard. Calhoun was much younger, probably around eighteen, certainly no more than twenty. He was a bit shorter than average, and still had the lankiness of youth. His blonde hair was kept in an unusual style. It was shaved on the left side of his head, almost as if an Indian had started to scalp him but was interrupted, then kept long on top and combed over to the right, where it reached past his ear and almost to his shoulder.
“Howdy,” Jed said. Will and Jonas returned his greeting.
“You boys take seats, and we’ll be right with you,” Bencivenga said. “I’m just finishin’ up Hugh, here, then you’ll be next. Good thing you got here when you did. We’re gonna be extra busy today, with men gettin’ ready for your sister’s wedding tomorrow. Your pa and brothers’ll be in after the bank closes.”
Bencivenga brushed off Hugh Donnelly’s shoulders.
“You’re all set, Hugh” he said. “That’ll be two bits.”
Donnelly got up, gave the barber a quarter, then took his hat off a peg and put it on.
“Nice to see you again, Will, and to meet you, Jonas. Me’n Lorraine’ll see you at Susan’s weddin’ tomorrow.”
“We’ll see you there,” Will answered.
“Will, why don’t you let me take care of you, and I’ll have Jed take care of Jonas?” Bencivenga asked. “He’s every bit as good a barber as I am.”
“That’s fine with me, as long as Jonas doesn’t object,” Will agreed.
“I’m so desperate to get this bramble patch on my head shorn, I’d even let a sheep shearer take scissors to me,” Jonas answered.
“Great. Get in the chairs and we’ll get to work,” Bencivenga ordered. “Will, I assume you want the full treatment?” Bencivenga adjusted the chair once Will was seated. “Haircut, shave, hot and cold towels, bay rum, the knots rubbed out of your neck, shoulders, and face?”
“All of that, plus a hot bath,” Will answered. “I’d also like my hair cut pretty short. I’ll be leaving as soon as Susan’s wedding is over, and not certain when I’ll be able to get my next haircut.”
“How about you, Jonas?” Calhoun asked.
“The same as Will,” Jonas answered.
“All right,” Bencivenga said. “You’re both in luck. Not only hasn’t anyone made an appointment for a bath until later today, since you were here last, Will, I also added two more bathing rooms. I moved the second tub into one of them, and got a new one for the third. That means you’ll have privacy while you take your baths, instead of havin’ to share the same room. It also means even if someone comes in for a bath while you two are gettin’ your haircuts and shaves, you won’t have to wait for them to finish. It’s a lot more pleasant for my customers, and brings in more money for me.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re doin’ so well, Shalem,” Will said. “How’s the wife and kids?”
“They’re doin’ just fine. The kids are growin’ like weeds. You’ll see them tomorrow at your sister’s wedding.” He picked up a pair of scissors to begin cutting Will’s hair. He and Will kept up a steady conversation while he worked, as did Jonas and Calhoun.
With both Will’s and Jonas’s hair and beards having grown so long, it was nearly an hour before they were finished. After holding up a mirror so Will could see the back of his head, and approve the haircut, Bencivenga pulled the cloth off him.
“I always start heatin’ water first thing in the mornin’, so just give me and Jed a few minutes to fill the tubs, then you can take your baths.”
“Those are sure gonna feel good,” Will said, as he pulled himself out of the chair.
“You’re both gonna smell a lot better, too,” Calhoun added.
“Yeah, I have to admit, we both stink pretty bad,” Jonas agreed.
Ten minutes later, Will and Jonas were settled in tubs filled with hot, soapy water. They lingered in their baths for more than an hour, letting the steaming liquid soak out the aches and grime of the trail. Finally, and reluctantly, they got out of the tubs, toweled off, and redressed.
“I was just comin’ to check on you two,” Bencivenga said, when they came back into the shop. “I was beginnin’ to think you’d drowned.”
“Nope. That water just felt so good I didn’t want to leave,” Will said.
“This is the cleanest I’ve been in so long I can’t recollect the last time I felt this good,” Jonas added.
“Glad to hear that,” Bencivenga said.
“How much do we owe you, Shalem?” Will asked.
“Two bits for the haircuts, another two for the shaves, and one for the baths, so three bits all together.”
“That’s just fine,” Will said. He dug in his denims’ right pocket, pulled out a silver dollar, and handed it to the barber.
“Keep the change,”
“Thanks, Will. Much obliged.”
Jonas also gave Calhoun a silver dollar, plus a dime.
“Thanks for makin’ me feel five pounds lighter, Jed.”
“Glad to do it,” Calhoun answered. “Yours was the toughest haircut and shave I’ve done since I started workin’ for Shalem. I’m obliged to you for the practice.”
“Where are you two headed now?” Bencivenga asked.
“We’re on our way to Joseph’s Haberdashery,” Will told him. “Since we obviously don’t have the right outfits for a wedding, my father stopped there this morning to make an appointment for us to get some.”
“That sounds reasonable. Have a nice rest of the day, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Shalem. Nice meetin’ you, Jed.”
“The same goes for me,” Jonas added. “Adios, for now.”
****
“What the hell is a haberdashery?” Jonas asked Will, when they reined up in front of a shop which had “Mr. Joseph – Haberdasher. Fine Gentlemen’s Clothing” lettered in gold leaf on both front pane glass windows.
“Beats the hell out of me,” Will answered. “As far as I’ve been able to figure out, it’s just a high-falutin’ name for a store that sells only men’s clothes, and not the kind I like to wear. My father and mother insisted all us boys buy our clothes here. I think the money he spends here is the only thing that keeps Joe Slattery in business. As soon as I was old enough to buy my own outfits, I got them at the general store instead. Well, let’s get in there and get this over with.”
Will patted Pete’s neck after dismounting.
“Be glad I don’t try’n dress you up like I’ve gotta be,” he told the paint. “A fancy Indian blanket with fringes, and silver conchos and other shiny stuff all over your saddle. How’d you like that?”
In answer, Pete snorted, and shoved his muzzle against Will’s chest, pushing him backward.
“You wouldn’t, huh?” Will said, laughing. “Hell, neither would I. I’ll be back quick as I can.”
A young blonde woman behind the counter looked up when the two Rangers entered the store.
“William Kirkpatrick, as I live and breathe!” she exclaimed. “Father told me you and a friend would be in this morning, but I really didn’t believe you’d show up, until I saw you with my own eyes. It’s good to see you again.”
“You too, Molly,” Will answered. “This is my pard, Jonas Peterson. I’ve sure missed you, girl.”
“Perhaps. But not enough to stay here in Kirkpatrick,” she retorted.
“I suppose that’s so,” Will answered. “Although you are the only thing that might’ve made me stay.”
Molly took a closer look at Will’s bruised and bandaged face.
“I see being a Ranger has been good for you,” she said, sarcastically.
“This? This is nothin’,” Will said.
“Mr. Peterson, please forgive my rudeness,” Molly said. “I’m still in a bit of shock from seeing William again. I’m very pleased to meet you. I’m Molly Slattery. My father owns this shop.”
“Jonas. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Slattery. And a girl as pretty as you are could never be rude.”
“Why, thank you, Jonas. See, Will, he knows how to flatter a lady. Perhaps he’ll stay in town instead of you.”
“I’m afraid not,” Jonas said. “I’m a Ranger also. I’ll be leaving with Will the day after his sister’s wedding.”
“More’s the pity,” Molly said. “I would have liked to get to know you better. Let me call father so he can get your clothes fitted. Will, your father has already picked them out. It’s just a matter of making the alterations.”
“That figures,” Will muttered.
Molly disappeared into a back room, returning a moment later with her father, who, like her, had once been blonde, but now was mostly bald, the little hair he did have faded to gray.
“Good morning, William,” he said. “And you must be Jonas, from what Molly explained. Welcome to my shop.”
“’Mornin’, Joseph,” Will said. “Good to see you. How’s your wife doing?”
“Joan’s just fine,” Slattery answered. “She’ll be sorry she missed you, but of course you’ll see her at the wedding. Now, shall I get both of your measurements so I’ll have enough time to be certain the suits fit properly for the wedding? I have several others that also need to be tailored before the day is through.”
“Might as well,” Will said.
“Splendid.” Slattery pulled two suits, shirts, pairs of socks, and ties from under the counter.
“William, you know where the fitting room is,” he said. “Put yours on first, then once I mark them where the alterations are needed your friend can try his on. I just hope your father estimated your sizes correctly, so I don’t have too much tailoring. This will be a rush order as it is.”
Blood Ties: A Texas Ranger Will Kirkpatrick Novel Page 13
