The Unexpected Request - Part 56

Good Morning Western Wednesday Readers!
The cool, early autumn like weather has been here since Sunday! We've been able to get out and walk each day. It is so nice to be able to go outside and not get a sinus headache because of the heat and humidity! If you haven't noticed my publishing progress on this story, go here to see it.:)
I hope you enjoy this next part.

Part 56

It was still raining when the two companions reached the livery. Tramping through the mud had been no easy matter and they were both wet and their boots were filthy. There was no Sally to be seen in the stall with Starlight and, after checking on the horse, Ty and Carson started for the blacksmith’s shop. Here they were greeted from the doorway by Herr Rohbar.
“Velcome, mine herrs! Ze fraulein she ish keeping mine Frau Senora company an playing vith the kindders, nein? But mine Herrs! Your clothes zay are vet! Come in by mine fire, zay shall soon be dry. I call mine Nita. She bring you hot drink, nein?” Before either man could protest, if he had wanted to, Herr Rohbar had pulled open the door leading from the smithy to the little house where his family lived and called, “Nita, bring hot drinks for our fraulein’s bruder an’ friend!”
“Si, my esposo. I bring drinks and food,” was the soft reply heard from the other side of the door.
“She come,” Herr Rohbar informed his visitors as though they couldn’t hear his wife’s answer.
Carson and Ty simply nodded. Both were standing near the blazing fire warming up. The rain had been cold, giving them a taste of the coming fall as it penetrated their clothing.
“Glad we ain’t out on the trail, Ty,” remarked Carson, rubbing his hands together.
“Mr. Rohbar,” Ty turned to the blacksmith.
“Ja?”
“Our horse, how soon ya think she can get her shoe on?”
Herr Rohbar thought. “Ze horse, she ish not much hurt. Rest today an’ tomorrow. I maybe think I can give her new shoe Monday. You vant much to be gone from Dead Horse?”
“Jest wantin’ ta get back on the road ‘fore long.”
Before more talking could be done, the door opened and Frau Senora Juanita entered with a tray of steaming mugs and a plate of cakes. Behind her came Sally carrying the baby and wearing a look of relief as she caught sight of her brother and Carson.
Ty took the offered mug with a smile and a murmured thanks. He was watching his sister.
“Oh, Ty!” she sighed softly, “you are back. I was worried. It was taking so long. They won’t get out will they?”
“Not them,” snorted Ty in low tones, glancing about the shop. Carson and Herr Rohbar had already begun a conversation, and Mrs. Rohbar was ushering the older two children back into the house. No one was paying any attention to the brother and sister.
Sally shifted the child from one arm to the other. “Isn’t he sweet, Ty?” she asked as the young one nestled his head against her neck and offered a timid smile to Ty.
Returning the smile, Ty agreed.
“What is the sheriff going to do with ‘them’?”
Trying to smother a yawn, Ty replied, “He’s wirin’ the U.S. Marshall ‘bout ‘em cause Bartram is their leader an’ he’s a wanted man.”
Sally looked concerned. “Does that mean we have to stay here until he comes?”
Ty shook his head. “Nope. I want ta leave soon’s we can. The blacksmith said he thinks he can get a shoe on Starlight day after tomorra.”
“Ty, that reminds me. Tomorrow is Sunday and the Rohbar’s invited us to go to church with them. I accepted for all of us. I didn’t think you would mind.” She looked anxiously up at him. Would he mind going to church? He had gone when he was at home, but that had been years ago. “Please.”
“Ya really want ta go?”
She nodded.
“We ain’t got any goin’ ta meetin’ clothes, Sis.”
“That’s all right. I can wash and mend a few things this afternoon and if you and Uncle Bob, no,” she paused as she glanced across the room. “Uncle Bob doesn’t shave, but you can. You’ll look real handsome after you shave and have some nicer clothes on.”
“As handsome as Joe Fields?” Ty couldn’t resist asking.
“More handsome,” Sally stoutly insisted, though her cheeks flushed.
“All right. I’ll go. Ya got ta convince Carson ta go though, if’n ya want him.”
“I will,” Sally smiled. Her heart was light with the prospect before her, and she began to plan what they would wear.

Soon the call for dinner was heard and Herr Rohbar urged his guests inside to partake. No one hesitated, for the tantalizing smells had been teasing their stomachs for some time and a hot meal on such a rainy day was not to be turned away. Very pleasant it was to sit in a warm, dry house listening to the rain outside and partaking of the marvelous Mexican food, with a few German dishes added, which Frau Senora Juanita Rohbar had carefully prepared.
There was not much talking during the meal and when it was over, Ty rose, thanking the Rohbar’s for their hospitality and preparing to depart. Carson and Sally also arose with expressions of thanks. Sally was anxious to hear all about the interview with the sheriff and she knew Ty well enough to know that he wouldn’t talk about it before others.
The rain had mostly stopped except for an occasional drizzle, but the streets were a mass of solid mud.
“Ah, mine Herrs,” Herr Rohbar protested, rising and stopping before the door in dismay. “You vould not think of taking ze young fraulein out in zat mud! Ja, ze rain, she ish shtopped, but ze road it ish notting but mud. Nein! Her shoes, zay vill be ruined! An’ her clothes! Nein, you vait for a leetle vile.”
“I’m wearing boots,” Sally said, smiling and lifting up the edge of her skirts.
“But your skirt!” The blacksmith was quite upset. “Nein! Nein! Dass ist nicht gut!” In his distress he lapsed into his native tongue. “Vait!” he exclaimed suddenly. “I vill hitch up ze vagon an zen you can ride home vith comfort.”
“Si!” His pretty wife agreed.

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