Chapter 7
Waverly and Wynona waited impatiently for the Blacksmith to pull up their drive. The two women went outside to meet the Blacksmith before she even stepped out of her car. Waverly was ready for this to be over.
“Good morning, ladies,” The women said as she got out of her car. She reached into the back and grabbed a bag.
“Good morning,” Wynonna said, Waverly hung back slightly.
“Did you guys collect the things I asked you to?” The Blacksmith asked.
“Yeah, they are on the kitchen table,” Wynonna jerked her thumb at the house.
“I warn you guys,” The Blacksmith’s face was somber, “This process can be difficult, emotionally. I need both of you to have good energy,”
Wynonna laughed dryly, “You clearly have never met an Earp,”
They walked inside and Waverly pointed to the kitchen table, “there are the things,”
The Blacksmith had asked them to provide her with an item that had belonged to their father and to their sister. On the kitchen table sat an old Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver. The handle had gold inlays and was in pristine condition. It had been their dad’s prize possession, having belonged to their great-great granddaddy. The gun was worth more than enough for them to live comfortably off of selling it, but their dad had never dreamed of selling it, and neither could they. Next to it was Willa’s old journal, only half filled, as Willa never had the opportunity to finish all the pages.
The Blacksmith set her bag on the table. She wordlessly pulled out her supplies. She lit some candles and motioned the women to sit at the table with them.
“Lets get this over with,” Wynonna muttered.
Waverly and Nicole rode out in Waverly’s jeep to continue the process of surveying the ranch for potential satanic portals. Despite the serious situation, Nicole found herself having moments where she got lost in the sunshine, in Waverly driving over the rough pasture, holding on tight to the roll bar with one hand and the other holding her hat down on her head.
They rode along, finding some old out buildings that Waverly had never seen before, and an old oak tree. Around the oak tree, they found evidence of an old bonfire. As the sun started going down Waverly pulled the jeep up onto one of the many rolling hills on the property. The two women sat on the open tailgate and watched the sun set. Nicole was hoping this was becoming a habit of theirs.
“Well. Only like 1,900 acres left to search,” Waverly sighed.
Nicole reached out and touched Waverly’s knee, “Hey, we will find it, and end what ever is going on here,” She pulled her hand away.
“I sure hope so. This is just so not what we needed right now. We should be getting this place up and ready to go, but instead we are stuck chasing the devil” Frustration was evident on Waverly’s face, in a split second it faded away, turning more neutral, “I’ve been selfish lately. How’s everything. How are you settling into Purgatory? How is your back?”
Nicole smiled softly, “It’s been good, other than getting attacked by some kind of demon. I’ve got some good news though,”
“Oh yeah? Do tell!”
“Dr. Nedley offered me a job working for him. It would mostly be office work but it pays,” Nicole smiled.
“Oh em gee Nicole! That’s awesome! I’m really excited for you!” Waverly grabbed Nicole’s arm and bounced up and down excitedly.
“Thank you, I’m excited too,”
“Nedley is secretly a huge fan of the rodeo too so you know he is going to be super chill with what ever you need for your schedule,” Nicole added.
“Speaking of, the rodeo is Friday. I totally understand if you don’t want to go, but I would like if you were there,” Nicole said.
“Oh I’m not letting some stupid rodeo man ruin my fun time. Im going to come out and support my friend! I’d love to watch a bad ass rodeo lady kick ass!” Waverly said emphatically.
Nicole smiled softly. She could have sworn Waverly had glanced down at her lips, leaning in slightly.
Waverly suddenly looked down at her watch, “Shit, I’m going to be late,” Nicole furrowed her brow in confusion, “late for what?”
“Oh I started back up tending bar at my aunt and uncles saloon. I had taken two weeks off but since the ranch isn’t getting off its feet anytime soon…”
“Oh, well we better get you back to the homestead and on your way,” Nicole hopped down from the tailgate and waited for Waverly to follow suit before closing it behind them. Waverly drove them back to the homestead, the headlights barely cutting through the dark.
Once back at the house Waverly hugged Nicole goodbye before running inside to get changed for work.
Nicole drove home, not exactly sure why she felt a pit in her stomach. Once home she checked on Whiskey, bringing her in for the night.
“Hey girl,” Nicole said petting the bay, “How was your day?”
The horse nickered lightly in response, “I wish I had a horse translator,”
She turned around and went inside, stopping to feed Janey. She grabbed a beer and walked out onto the wrap around porch of her old farmhouse. She leaned against the railing, taking a swig from the beer, looking out at how the wind made the tall grass bend to its will in the dusk.
She wasn’t sure why that hug made her feel… full and empty at the same time.
She shook her head.
She smiled a bit at the thought of Waverly tending bar, it was an easy and natural to imagine. She was easily the sweetest person in this town and was no doubt a favorite of the patrons of the bar.
Nicole also felt slightly impressed by the young women. She was 21 and all but ran a saloon, and was now trying to get a cattle range off the ground with the help of her older sister.
“Waverly Earp, you are something else,” Nicole said to the grass blowing in the field.