Chapter Forty-Three
Runa smiled once more at Stanley as she took her leave, Coulson beside her like a guard dog. She had delivered one to Thor, and now one to Stanley, giving each of them her heartfelt thanks. Thor had protested that he had only done what any man should when faced with a situation, Stanley saying similarly.
“You don’t need to thank me for doing the right thing, though it is appreciated, Missus Rogers.”
“That leaves two pies and a basket of cookies.” Sam said as he helped Runa back into the wagon. She was already flagging, the trip into town taking a lot out of her, the actual going around and delivering the pies also hard on her. She was beginning to regret her insistence that she go into town that day, but she and Coulson needed to arrange a few things.
“I need to send a telegram to Titus and Iris.” She sighed wearily. “That should be our next stop.”
“I’ll handle that later, when you stop at the mercantile.” Coulson told her as he mounted his horse, having ridden into town beside the wagon. “We should go to the bank next.”
“Bank, lumberyard, cabinetmaker, and then mercantile.” She said, feeling exhausted just thinking about what needed to be done. What on earth possessed me into thinking I could manage all this today…?
Sam and Coulson got Runa to the bank, where she was shown directly to Tony Stark’s office, Coulson remaining to speak to Stark with her and deliver the papers he had brought with him in regards to her accounts.
“Missus Rogers,” Tony Stark said, as charming as ever. He saw to it she had a glass of lemonade, “Or do you need something stronger?” He asked, offering a flask. She smiled slightly and shook her head.
“Oh, no, but thank you. I don’t drink and, well, anything stronger than lemonade and I might fall asleep in your office.” She confessed.
“You look like you could use it, but fair enough. Offer is open if you change your mind.” He took a seat behind his desk, “I sent off telegrams of my own and did some checking after speaking to Mister Coulson here. Your parents were smart, split everything up between different banks.”
“Father told me when I was little that we should never keep all our eggs in one basket. If the basket broke we’d have nothing at all.”
“Smart man.” Tony sniffed approvingly. “I’ve been receiving telegrams since you arrived, and since your birthday from one of the banks. If I had known you didn’t know about all this, I would have gone out to your ranch myself to tell you. You are a very wealthy woman, and we would be happy to extend a line of credit through this bank until you can have some of your funds transferred.”
Runa smiled at that. “Thank you. I confess, I was hoping for that, but also…” She bit her lower lip, wincing a moment and stopping because of the split in her lip. “I know that Steve and Bucky, forgive me, Mister Rogers and Mister Barnes, still have a mortgage on the ranch. I want to pay off anything owing, as well as anything owing on the ranch accounts.”
Stark’s eyebrows flew up. “Are you certain, Missus Rogers?”
“Well, it is my home too.”
“Right. I wasn’t implying otherwise. Just making certain. I’ll go make certain the paperwork is drawn up. Would you like to wait, or come back later today?”
“If possible, I’d like to wait. The rest would do me good before I finish my errands in town.”
Within the hour, the papers had all been signed, and the transfer of funds authorized. She also told Tony about some of her plans, as the request for funds would be substantial compared to the smaller sums the bank was used to handling. He was in agreement, and promised her that there should be no difficulties in funds transfers.
Once that was completed, Coulson escorted her back down to the wagon, where Sam was waiting. He eyed Runa, rather worried by how pale she had gone and weary she looked, but she instructed him to take her to the lumber yard.
“Does Steve know about this?”
“Not yet.” She murmured, having no doubts that Sam would tell him about all this once they returned to Bluestone. She wanted to get this done without Steve’s pride interfering, knowing that Bucky’s practicality would accept all this as necessary, even if he didn’t like it. Once it was all settled, she would tell them what she had done, but not before that. “It’s not a secret or anything, but… Well. I haven’t told him yet.”
“He’s not going to be happy.”
“I don’t expect him to be happy, but we need to build the ranch back up before winter.”
“Not going to argue that.” Sam chuckled. “It would be nice to have a bed again, not that I’m complaining.”
“I know you’re not complaining. But it would be nice for everyone to have beds again.” She sighed as they reached the lumber yard. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Let me help you down.”
“Thank you, Sam.”
Her business was done at the lumberyard with surprising speed; Ben Parker knew what would be needed to rebuild the barns and stables, and knew a few different people in Houston who might be able to come out and help with the design and building of the house, as she wanted something more than a simple cracker box home. Runa wanted to keep the bluestone tiles, and add a slate roof in case of another fire. Things that neighbors wouldn’t be able to help with easily.
Then Runa had Sam and Coulson take her to the cabinetmaker, where she took up a pie and carried it into his workshop.
“Missus Rogers!” Erik Maximoff said, surprised as she walked into his workshop. “What are you doing here? No, sit, please. I just finished with the chair and you need to try it before we can deliver it.” Erik said, hastening her to a beautiful rocking chair he had been polishing.
“It’s lovely, but what do you mean?” Runa asked, bewildered as she lowered herself into the bentwood chair, the dark honey colored wood polished to a pleasant sheen.
“Shortly after you arrived, your husband ordered a rocking chair for you. I only just finished with it, and was going to have it delivered to the ranch tomorrow.”
“Oh!” Runa breathed as she settled into the chair, which was far more comfortable than the plain one she had been using in the evenings. “It’s absolutely lovely.” She praised, before holding up the pie she bore, wrapped up in a bit of muslin to protect it from bugs and the dirt of the road. “I had no idea about the chair, but we would be happy to take it out to the ranch today since we’re in town already. The main reason I stopped by was to bring this to you and your wife, as thanks for sending Wanda and Pietro to us.”
Erik took the pie, smiling softly. “It was no trouble. It is what neighbors should do, in troubled times.”
“Well, I hope the times are never so troubled for you that we need to return the favor, but if they are, we will certainly be there for you as you have been here for us.” She promised him.
“I hope times are never so troubled as well. Usually things in Amaranto Springs are not exciting or troubling. It is a good place.”
“One of the reasons I love it here.” She smiled.
They exchanged more pleasantries, before Sam was called to get the rocker to the back of the wagon, and then help Runa to the mercantile.
She smiled at Scott as she entered, noting his surprise, and then the smile that crossed his face when he saw her.
“Missus Rogers, we’re all glad you’re all right. It’s good to see you here, especially after what that man tried to do.” Scott said as he came around the counter.
“Thank you so much, Mister Lang. I brought a gift for Luis, and one for Cassie.”
“Luis is out on a delivery, but I can hold on to his gift for you until he returns. Let me get Cassie for you.” He turned to call up the stairs, “Peanut! Missus Rogers is here!”
Runa and Scott both smiled at the sound of feet hastily running across the room upstairs, before thundering like a herd of wild horses down the stairs.
“Missus Rogers!” Cassie ran to Runa and hugged her tightly, making Runa wince at the pain to her sides, but she bit her tongue and hugged Cassie in return. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“And if it wasn’t for you, I might not be.” Runa told her firmly. “You did a very brave thing, running to get help the way you did.” Runa released Cassie, and held out the basket of cookies. “I made you these to thank you.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. “Oh, Missus Rogers! Thank you!” The little girl breathed excitedly.
“I know they aren’t peppermint sticks, but I thought you might be getting a little tired of candy.” Runa smiled down at her.
“I’ll never get tired of candy!” Cassie protested, causing Runa to laugh.
“All right. Whatever you say, Cassie.”
“Daddy, can I have one now?” Cassie asked Scott eagerly. He held up a finger.
“One. You can have one now, and then we’ll talk about more after dinner and supper.”
Cassie grinned at him, before fishing out a cookie and happily munching on it while Runa turned back to Scott. “And now I need to get the rest of the supplies we ordered, and a bit more.”
“Just let me know what you need, Missus Rogers.”
Something caught her eye in one of the glass cases near the counter. She moved to it, her smile gone. “That, for starters.” She pointed at a pearl handled six shooter. “And ammunition for it.”
Scott nearly gaped at her. “Do you know how to use a gun, Missus Rogers?”
“I’ll learn.”
“You aren’t planning on using it on the man in jail, are you? Because if you are, I can’t sell it to you, not in good conscience.”
“I’ll only use it on him if he manages to get out of jail and comes around my ranch again.” She scowled, before sighing. “He had one man helping him, there might be others. I don’t want to take the risk.”
Scott sighed, and nodded. “All right, that’s understandable. I’ll add it to Steve’s-”
“My account, please. Tony Stark has opened a line of credit in my name. I’ll take care of the purchase of the gun, and everything else bought today.”
Scott looked at her uncertainly, before nodding. “Yes ma’am.”