Chapter Text
"Next town we hit I'm going to get you the finest dog they got and send him back to you."- Gil Favor to Tomas Colinas, Stalking Death.
Gil straightened to his full height and put on his most intimidating glare. It didn't help.
"Now Mr. Favor, you know you're being obstinate." Wish continued, blithely ignoring Gil's quelling look. "We just got clear of that Teagle feller and here you go wanting to stick your neck out again."
Gil intensified his glare. It continued to do no good at all.
"You know I'm right, Boss."
Funny thing, Gil thought, Wish could just about fit in his pocket, but when he got into one of his fussing moods he seemed to grow, just like a cat with his back up. Gil watched the show impassively. "Ain't got nothing to do with Teagle."
Wish rocked back on his heels, a slight smirk on his lips. Gil was appalled to find himself blushing. "Don't have nothing to do with her either," he said gruffly.
Wish huffed skeptically and Gil looked away from him. They stood near the chuck wagon. Mushy was bustling around nearby and pretending not to be eavesdropping. Gil watched him for a moment. Mushy looked up at the silence and then quickly ducked his head when he found Gil's gaze on him. If Wish reminded him of a fussy cat, then Mushy reminded him of nothing so much as a big puppy. And puppies were what started this conversation in the first place. Gil turned his head back to Wish and shrugged helplessly. "I promised the little boy."
Wish sighed. He respected promises, but this had all the earmarks of a bad idea. Here they were in the middle of nowhere and a one-armed Gil Favor wanted to leave the herd and go on a puppy hunt. All because he made a promise to a little boy.
Wish smiled to himself at the thought of the little boy, Tomas. He was a cute kid. Both of the kids were. He'd been surprised at how quick he took to them. Of course, Mr. Favor had his own kids so it was no surprise that he got on with them. Wish couldn't remember the last time he heard Gil Favor mention his daughters. He kind of imagined them as tiny, petticoat wearing Gil Favors. Not a particularly attractive image.
A sudden clatter of pots and pans made Wish jump and he scowled theatrically at Mushy. Mushy scrambled to pick up the pans he'd dropped. "You keep your mind on your work, boy."
"Yes, Mr. Wishbone," Mushy said hastily. "Mr. Favor?"
"Yes, Mushy?" Gil idly watched as Mushy brushed sand off a skillet. No wonder the biscuits were crunchy.
"You really going to find the little boy a puppy?"
"I'm going to try." Gil wondered at Mushy's eager tone.
"Gosh, I ain't never had a pet."
"You?" Wish snorted. "You can't even take care of yourself. A pet." Wish shook his head.
"What about a pet?" Gil mentally groaned as Rowdy strode up, popping the last bit of breakfast in his mouth and wearing a friendly grin. He'd never get out of here at this rate.
"Mr. Favor's going to get a puppy," Mushy said excitedly. Wish eyed him. The boy was practically bouncing in place.
Rowdy cocked his head at Gil and his grin turned teasing. "A puppy? You lonely, Boss?"
Gil surveyed the group surrounding him. "I wish."
"What you want a puppy for, Boss?"
Gil shifted slightly, uncomfortable at having to explain himself. It all seemed a bit too sentimental when you laid it all out. He was going to leave the herd to go track down a puppy for a little boy. What kind of trail boss did that? But he couldn't blame Rowdy for being curious. He shrugged and tried to assume an indifferent air. "I promised a kid I'd get him a dog, okay? Sooner it's done, sooner I can stop thinking about it."
For a moment, Rowdy looked bewildered. Then his face cleared. "Oh, the puma-eep!" Rowdy yelped as Wish kicked him in the shin, not gently. "What was that for?"
"You got a big mouth is what that is for." Wish darted a quick, concerned look at Gil, but as usual, he was about as expressive as a rock. You generally had to watch real close to figure out how he felt about anything.
Gil watched the sideshow with carefully hidden amusement. He'd already schooled himself not to think about the puma, so Rowdy's remark didn't cause him any particular pain. Dwelling on hurtful things never solved anything. If you wanted to fix something, then you actually had to go and do something to fix it. Like killing the puma. And getting a dog. "Rowdy," Gil addressed the man who was still hopping on one foot and glaring daggers at Wish. "I'm going into town for a bit. Just keep the herd moving and I'll catch up."
Rowdy pulled his eyes from Wish and said firmly, "I'll go with you."
Gil rolled his eyes heavenward. Here we go again. He'd early on made it a point to take Rowdy with him when he went places. He figured it was the best way for him to learn. Somewhere along the way, he'd created a monster. Seemed like every time he went somewhere, he'd look over his shoulder and there would be Rowdy, acting like he had every right to be there and daring him to say anything. "Don't need you to go with me. Need you to stay with the herd."
Rowdy simply smiled at him and Gil got the uncomfortable feeling that he was about to loose an argument. "Don't think that's such a good idea, Boss."
"And why not?"
"Cause I know where to find a dog and you don't," Rowdy said smugly.
Gil blinked. "Dog's a dog. Got to be a dog for sale somewhere in town."
Rowdy smiled, already anticipating a trip to town. "Don't be so sure. Good dog's worth a lot around here. Take some doing to get a person to part with a dog."
Gil frowned at him. "And you think you know someone who might part with a dog?"
Rowdy nodded. "I think I might be able to persuade this person."
Gil regarded him, a suspicion forming in his mind. "Might this person be of the female persuasion?"
Rowdy's grin broadened.
Gil again rolled his eyes. He should have known. If he were locked in a monastery in the middle of the desert, Rowdy would still be able to find a friendly woman. "We need a dog, not a good time."
"You take me along and I'll get you your dog."
Gil sighed and knew he'd lost. "All right. All right. You can come. Go find Pete and tell him he's in charge. We'll leave directly."
Rowdy nodded enthusiastically and darted off to look for Pete. Gil shook his head. Boy acted like he'd been promised a trip to Saint Louis rather than a quick stop in Catersville. Of course, it had been awhile since any of them had had a break. Gil's thoughts trailed off as he noticed Wish staring at him with a definite gleam in his eye. "Oh no, not you too."
"Now Mr. Favor, we're not an hour from town. I'll be back in plenty of time for noon meal. `Sides, I could use more flour."
Gil squinted down at him, not believing him for a second. "Uh huh. You do know they don't sell flour in a saloon."
Wish laid his hand on his heart. "Mr. Favor."
"Forget it Wish. I give up. You can come."
Without another word, Wish whipped off his soiled apron and hustled towards the supply wagon. Gil watched him go. He wondered if there had ever been a time when the men truly listened to him. He'd thought there was, but maybe his memory was just playing tricks on him.
"You done with your coffee cup, Mr. Favor?" came a subdued voice. Gil handed the empty cup over to Mushy who stared up at him wistfully. Gil closed his eyes. There was never a tree around to knock your head against when you needed one.
"Mushy," he said.
"Yes, Mr. Favor?"
"Would you like to go to town and help us look for a puppy?"
Gil didn't even need to open his eyes to know that Mushy was beaming. "Yes sir, Mr. Favor! Thank you!"
Rowdy led the way into the town of Catersville. It was a decent sized town, which was somewhat surprising. Usually the towns along the trail were no more than a few buildings along a rutted street. Catersville boasted two long streets running north to south and three streets running east to west. The main north and south street was lined with a good number of buildings and sported wooden boardwalks. At the southern most end of the street was a good-sized church. Gil spotted a general store near the top of the street. As Gil followed Rowdy down the street he turned in the saddle and looked back at the supply wagon. Wish had let Mushy drive. Mushy was concentrating on the team while Wish scanned the shops. Gil caught his eye and gestured at the general store. Wish made a face and called to him, "we'll meet you in the saloon."
Well, no surprise there. Gil touched his hat in acknowledgement and trotted forward to catch up with Rowdy. Rowdy was eagerly looking around him. Gil wondered what the hell he'd been thinking bringing these three into town with him. He should have brought Pete. He was the sensible one. Taking Rowdy and Wish anywhere and expecting to get out without trouble was like holding a match to dynamite and expecting it not to blow.
Rowdy drew rein at the hitching post in front of the saloon. A gaudy sign read, "Tilney's Saloon". Rowdy hopped to the ground and smiled up at him. "This is it," he said unnecessarily.