Page 24 of Tusks & Saddles

Chapter Sixteen

Boone

“ W ooooow, this is nice! Why don’t we ride the train every time?” Roger whistled as they stepped into the train cabin.

“Because we’re transporting five hundred to a thousand angry heads of moo,” Willamina grumbled, throwing her bag immediately onto the top shelf.

Boone stepped inside, hand already raised and popped it back into place as it rolled back toward her.

He slung his own bag up there with hers.

It was two long, fabric booth seats that were deep enough to sleep on if necessary.

Unfortunately, it would be. Two days minimum back to Irongarde.

Thankfully, the ride was smooth, and at least on the train they didn’t have to deal with Sand Slithers or scorpions.

“I know that!” Roger huffed, swatting at Will with his hat. “I meant on the ride back.”

“Why waste money on the ride when we rode into town?” Will shrugged, sinking down into the seat.

The train whistled over their heads. Boone sat down just as it lurched forward.

They made it to the train station with enough time to get the horses settled in the cattle car, munching on hay and other treats for having made it through the push.

Then they went to their cabins to settle in.

A ticket collector stopped by within an hour to punch their tickets and take their meal requests .

Willamina took a pillow out of the drawer under the seat, threw it into Boone’s lap, and laid herself down.

Roger was already stretched out in his seat, cowboy hat over his face.

All he was missing was a piece of hay to paint the perfect cowboy picture.

Boots kicked up, plaid shirt and dirty jeans, and snoozing away.

It wasn’t till after Will fell asleep and the cabin filled with their light snoring, Boone pulled out the notebook in his pocket.

He flipped it open and used the flat ledge of the seat to write a note for Welby.

He didn’t know how to send his brother a message and he wasn’t looking forward to figuring out how to do it. So, instead, he wrote:

I’m not sure what woman you need advice on, Welby.

Just know that people are complicated. The best advice I’ve got is to figure out how they need to be loved.

Some people need soft hands and tenderness because they’ve been used to cutting their hands on love.

This woman might need patience, like opening a glass lock, all it takes is a steady hand and time.

Or she might need someone who’s not scared because all they’ve known is people running while screaming.

Once you know what it is they need, you gotta ask yourself if that’s the kind of love you can provide, and if they’ll provide what you need back.

I know it’s not concrete advice. I don’t really live a life in solids or for certains.

What I do know is if your heart says ‘that’s them, that’s the one’, that you should listen to it.

I did and I hope you will. And whatever you do, don’t fucking trust anyone with a dumb name like Timothy Two Toes!

May the Sun Bringer shine upon you and this lady you’re all worked up about,

Boone .

He folded it in half, pressed his thumb to it, and summoned the Sun Bringer’s messenger.

A tiny soot sprite, a three-inch-tall body made of ash and crispy bits with big eyes that glowed red, appeared in a puff of smoke.

They stood on his left leg, two legs, a pair of smokey wings, and plumes of hazy gray coming off of them.

He handed the little messenger the letter and nodded.

The sprite chittered softly before it disappeared in another puff of smoke.

Once his goddess’ messenger disappeared, he finally sat back in his seat.

He was attempting to get comfortable when he felt Will shift.

Like she’d read his mind, she speared a hand under the seat, pulled out a pillow, and smacked him in the tusks with it.

He chuckled, taking it and stuffing it behind his head.

He threw his right arm down the length of the booth seat, the other behind his head on the pillow.

Eyes closed, feet stretched out, he knew sleep was only a few inches away.

“Who were you writing to?” she murmured, settling back down into his lap.

“Welby, my brother, he asked me about advice on women,” Boone chortled gruffly, his voice low and rumbling from exhaustion.

“You tell him that you only like mean girls?” she teased shortly before yawning.

He dropped a palm to her backside. The small, smack sound bounced around the cabin.

He cracked an eye open, catching her just as she popped the collar on her shirt to hide the blush that was likely coating her full face.

Boone gave her ass a softer, smaller pat then threw his arm back along the cabin wall.

“Get some shut eye, Baby.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she huffed.

“Woman, if you don’t—”

“Do I need a new cabin?” Roger blurted out, lifting his hat up and glaring at them.

Boone cackled in response. Willamina grumbled to herself but ultimately settled into the cushion.

Sleep took the three of them fast, and it held them tight for several hours.

Just until lunch arrived; never did get to eat my lunch.

Boone stepped off the train into the dusty, hot air of Irongarde.

He used his hat to wave off all the dust that collected around him.

The deep orange of afternoon sun filled his vision as Roger and Willamina stepped out behind him from the cattle cart.

They each took a pair of reins and walked out into the town.

The train whistled behind them, announcing its departure as they wove through the crowds around the station.

Something nearby caught Will’s attention and the three stopped.

“Willamina Jones! What are you doing getting off the train!”

Boone watched as Gracie came barreling up the street, leaving her stroller in her husband’s confused hands.

Gracie was just a blur of chestnut hair and delighted squeals before she tackled Will to the ground.

Betty and Kaffa snorted, dancing excitedly as the two women laughed, rolling on the ground.

Boone grimaced at Roger who shrugged, climbing up onto Killer’s saddle.

The pair continued the ride to the ranch, leaving Boone trapped with two horses in hand and social expectations.

Gracie pulled the pair off the ground. She was the same height as Will with pointed ears, big honey eyes, and shiny fangs that glinted in the sunlight while she spoke rapidly.

“I can’t believe you rode the train back!

You hate trains! What are you doing? How did the push go?

Why aren’t you answering me? Oh! Hi, Boone! ”

“Hello,” Boone gave her a polite nod. “I should get the horses back. ”

“Wait! Kaffa, girl, I missed you! How were you?” Gracie rambled at top speed as she came up to hug the horse.

Kaffa whinnied for her happily, nuzzling her head down onto Gracie’s shoulder.

The werewolf was in a cotton dress, something soft that Kaffa and Betty nibbled at playfully as she gave them both big hugs.

Will laughed sheepishly, “It’s a long story. You should get back to the kids.”

“What? You just got off your first train ride and you don’t want to talk about it?” Gracie huffed, pulling back to stare at Will.

“I should go,” Boone murmured.

“Honey?” Gracie’s husband, a man that Boone could not for the life of him remember the name of, called out.

“Oh, Will, you gotta come see the boys, they’re so cute.

Boone, take the girls back to the Ranch; I’ll bring Will back once I’m done talking her ear off!

” Gracie waved him off, tugging Will away from him.

Boone watched his girl spare him no look as Gracie absorbed all of her attention.

Boone sighed with relief as he climbed up onto his saddle and urged Kaffa on with Betty at his side.

It’s not that he didn’t like Gracie, he did…

she just was a lot. She talked fast, asked a bunch of questions, and was endlessly bubbly.

Gracie was exhausting, but he liked that Will found her comforting.

But then again, I guess Jacobus is my Gracie.

He couldn’t help the smile on his lips as the horses wove through town.

While Will and Gracie talked, he had time to check on Jacobus and see if the things on his list were done.

The ride back to the ranch was nowhere as long as the walk, as Kaffa seemed extra enthusiastic to get back home. He couldn’t blame her.

However, as they came upon the giant sign with ‘Last Chance’ burned into the oakwood, he knew instantly that Jacobus had been busy.

There was a small crowd of ranch hands and other crew, all going about afternoon preparations.

The fence was finished, the cattle that were staying there for another year or breeding were out in the pasture grazing, and there was a certain liveliness to the ranch that made the tension in his shoulders ease.

Boone let Kaffa slow down to just look at everything while he also took it in.

“Boone!” Jacobus called out from the other end of the ranch. He waved a hand enthusiastically before rushing up the gravel road. Both legs looking just fine and that big smile on his face.

“Jacobus,” he chuckled, hopping off Kaffa.

She didn’t seem fazed, continuing to walk on with Betty at her side.

The pair of horses meandered after the stable where Roger stood at the front, clearly untangling Killer from his stuff.

Boone and the eager daemon shared a quick hug, both patting each other on the back.

“Damn, you’re dusty.” Jacobus wiped his sweaty palms off on his jeans.

“We took the train back home.” Boone shrugged. It wasn’t uncommon to be dusty in Irongarde regardless.

“I heard! What happened?”

“What happened to me? What happened to you?” Boone nodded toward the house. The pair walked in tandem with each other. “I see you adhered to the honey-to-do-list.”

“I did!” Jacobus laughed, elbowing Boone.

“I’m glad, was it enough?”

“More than enough, thank you.” Jacobus wiggled his eyebrows at Boone before pointing out to the fields. “It let me bring the boys on full time for the slow season, fixed the fence, got her that new door with a lock .”

Jacobus chortled to himself before he continued down the list of things he accomplished.

Between him and the ranch hands he brought back onto pay roll, Jacobus really got the ranch in order.

Boone was proud. Actually proud. He threw an arm around Jacobus quickly before giving the kid a noogie.

Jacobus cried out, trying to swat his hand off his head.

It only ended with Boone holding him by the forehead at an arm’s length, cackling as Jacobus tried to swing at him.

“I’m proud of you, Kid.” Boone ruffled Jacobus’ hair once more before turning back to the house. “Looks good.”

“Oh…and there’s one more thing.”

“What’s that?” Boone nodded his chin toward the stable, finding Betty and Kaffa at the doors, playing tug of war with some rope while Levi tried and failed to get it from them.

“I quit drinkin’.” Jacobus confessed and Boone kept his focus on the horses. He didn’t want to spook Jacobus, so he hummed in acknowledgement. Jacobus continued with a sigh, “I haven’t had a single one since you left.”

“Good,” Boone added.

“I don’t know how long I can hold out. But I want to try.”

Boone finally glanced at Jacobus. His best friend stared dead ahead, a somber look on his face. Boone nudged him with an elbow. When Jacobus finally met his eye, Boone offered him a small smile. “Don’t worry, you just need a little purpose. I’ll keep you busy.”

“You’re not about to make me a Paladin, are you?” Jacobus blanched.

Boone rolled his eyes, shoving Jacobus away from him affectionately. “No.”

Jacobus snickered the whole way to the stable.

While they put the horses away and Boone made sure that Kaffa got her rewards for being brave, he started a whole new list. Jacobus, it seemed, was good with a list. Because that’s how he needed to be loved and supported.

And Boone was willing to be the one who made the lists if it made his best friend’s burden just a little lighter.