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The bell on the door tinkled almost merrily as Jake entered Jennings’ barber shop. “Morning, Jake. You’re here a week earlier than your usual monthly trim. You must be going to the barn dance at Sattler’s tomorrow night.”
“Good morning, Dan,” Jake said with a smile, “You guessed right. Mary looks forward to these dances, and I don’t want her to feel ashamed being seen with me."
“Sit down,” Dan stropping his razor, “a barn dance always makes the day before extra busy for me."
Putting the barber cloth over him, he continued, “Glad you got here early.”
“How long have you, Ella, and Samuel been here, Dan? At least a year?” Jake asked in a typical barbershop talk.
“A little over a year, and we’re sure glad we found this place and settled here when we did,” Dan replied gratefully.
“Well, I know the boys and I appreciate you as a barber. No question about that. An extra bonus is your song leadin’ at church. With all due respect,” Jake shifting in his chair, “Pastor Kendall can’t sing worth a lick,” Jake laughed. “Matter of fact, I’d rather hear Boone howling.”
“I don’t know about that, Jake, but when you’re a barber, it can get so boring waiting for customers to come in that I do a lot of singing to myself,” he paused.
Jake continued, “Mary tells me she loves the riding outfits Ella made for her, and between you and me and the fencepost, Mary looks stunning when she wears them ridin’ her horse. And those barn dance dresses Ella makes for the ladies catch the eye of every cowboy.”
“Our family is blessed to have her, a good cook, a fine mother, and a hard worker,” Dan acknowledged.
“Dan, I want you to know that whenever I go in for supplies, Joslin sings Samuel’s praises. Says you comin’ in with Samuel that day has been a life saver for him. Your family has made a lasting place here. Don’t you ever plan on leaving! We’ll tie you to this chair first,” Jake joked half seriously.
After a minute or two, as Dan sharpened his razor again, “Don’t figure on leavin’, Jake. But I’ve been wantin’ to talk to you, especially about Samuel, and wonderin’ if I should,” Dan said, lowering his voice.
“What’s on your mind?” Jake asked, absentmindedly brushing some hair off the barber’s cloth.
Dan studied his blade silently, then continued, “Well, I was raised on a farm, but we’re townsfolk now. Bought a team and wagon to move West and sold it right after we got it unloaded. But Samuel’s always loved horses. Never owned one, never even rode one. But he let us know that all he could think goin’ West was gettin’ a horse. I suppose we could keep it at the livery stable.”
With growing interest, Jake asked, “How can I help?”
Dan went on, “Standing here barbering all day, I learn a lot about everyone. Folks talk.” Clearing his voice and thinking, “They tell me stories about how Caldwell and the Roaring Rapids Ranch have helped them and others. You’re different. I heard from Eli how you and the ranch changed his life. He told me about Morgan and his mule almost drowning, and the ranch saving Whitaker’s farm from Gideon Pike. I could go on.”
“We’re not perfect, but we keep trying,” Jake replied, almost turning to look him in the eye.
“Well,” clearing his throat again, “Jake, I was hoping you could help us find a way to help Samuel. He wants a horse. Ella, and I thought it best to turn to you. We’re not looking for charity. He’s been saving his money to buy a horse. We just want Samuel to keep learnin’ what’s right from the right people while he learns to ride."
“I think I understand, Dan.” Flicking more hair off his cloth, Jake thought about the dangers: Samuel couldn’t hear warnings, he couldn’t talk to his horse or call for help. Looking up, he said, “I’ll sure try to help in some way, if I can. Let me think on it. Old Man Caldwell says we need to be good neighbors when given the chance. I can’t think of a better person than Samuel to have his own horse, and I know he’d care for it right. I just need to talk to Caldwell on it.”
About then, the doorbell jingled again, and Colt walked in.
“Morning, Colt,” Jake and Dan said together.
“Colt, I reckon you’re getting a haircut to impress Alice Sattler. She’s had her eyes on you, even before you chased those two toughs out of the first barn dance the Sattler’s ever had. Now, you’ve even got her pa on your side, ” Jake kidded.
“Yep, and you’re getting all cleaned up for Mary, looks to me,” Colt shot back with a grin, “you’ve already shaved once this week and then you come in here to get shaved again!”
“I was just ready to leave. Colt, sit down and get your haircut. I’m headed to Joslin’s,” Jake said. “See you later, Dan.”
“Thanks for everything, Jake. See you next month,… if not sooner.”