Chapter Forty-Six
Everything about the couple who stepped off the train in Amaranto Springs on July twenty first radiated high society, from the cut and fine fabrics of their clothes the to the haughty tilt of their heads and the looks on their faces that clearly said Amaranto Springs was a backwater they wanted no part of. Particularly the ridiculous amount of luggage they travelled with. A man disembarked the train after them, his clothing not quite as fine as theirs but still of superior quality than most.
The three paid Stanley to find someone to transport their bags to the boarding house, before making the way there themselves.
The man knocked imperiously at the door to Pepper’s boarding house, which she opened after a few minutes, smiling politely.
“We have been informed that this is the only place in town to find lodgings.” The woman said tartly. “We require three rooms, if you have any available.” The tone of her voice indicated that she thought Pepper would be lucky to have their business.
Pepper never let her smile falter, “And your names, please?”
“We are Mister and Missus Rumlow. This is our attorney, Alexander Pierce.”
Pepper’s smile, which had been full of genuine warmth and courtesy, was replaced by a facsimile of a smile that was only a thin veneer of politeness.
“I’m sorry, on further consideration it would be best if you did not stay here. I think you would find the service here lacking, certainly not to your standards. Please have a nice day.” With that, she shut the door in their faces. Donna Rumlow sputtered, face turning red, while Theodore Rumlow looked almost apoplectic with rage. He hammered on the door, but was greeted with the sound of the lock being turned so they could not force their way inside.
~*~
“I can at least gather the eggs in the mornings.” Happy Sam was protesting from where he sat in Steve’s chair in the sitting room.
“It hasn’t even been two full weeks since you’ve been injured. Doctor Banner said you’re doing well, but you need to rest still.” Runa countered from her chair, where she was sewing a new shirt for Bucky. She had done a great deal of sewing in the past week, because she was not released to full duty herself, even though she felt a great deal better. Still sore in places, and she still tired easily and slept longer, but better. “We both need to rest still.”
“It doesn’t feel right, sleeping in, letting someone else do my chores.” He muttered, looking at the book in his hands, one that Runa had brought with her, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
“Sam, I know exactly how you feel right now.” Runa sighed, setting her sewing down in her lap and looking over at him. “I haven’t been idle since I was twelve. But Steve would tie us to our chairs if he found out either of us was trying to do any work.”
“If Bucky didn’t get to us first.” Happy Sam pointed out. Runa smiled at that.
“If Bucky didn’t get to us first.” She agreed, her smile fading somewhat as she heard hoofbeats coming up the drive. A sudden panic filled her, her mind going to the last time they had unexpected visitors, but she pushed the panic down. “I’ll go see who our guests are.” She managed to say, setting her sewing aside and standing.
“I’ll come with. Just in case.”
“No, you won’t. Sit back down.” Runa urged, feeling the oddly comforting weight of her handgun in her apron pocket. “I’ll be fine.”
“What if it’s more friends of his?”
“Then I will shoot them.” Runa said firmly, with more conviction than she felt. Happy Sam looked doubtful, but Runa merely forced a smile in his direction, and went to the front of the house. She stepped outside the door and saw the buggy pulling to a stop out front.
When she realized who was in the buggy, she felt her heart seize and the contents of her stomach turn to frozen lead.
It was Mister and Missus Rumlow, as well as another man she recognized as their lawyer.
“Runa.” Theodore Rumlow said he descended from the buggy, his gaze raking over her before he turned to help his wife down.
“It’s Missus Rogers to you.” She said firmly, forcing iron into her voice. “What are you doing here?”
“We’ve come to stay for the duration of the trial.”
“Stay?” Runa asked blankly as the two approached her, acting as if they would brush her aside.
“Yes, stay. You’ll make up rooms for us immediately. It has been a long journey-”
“I am no longer an employee of yours, Mister Rumlow.” Runa said, refusing to budge from where she stood in the doorway to the house. “And you are not setting one foot inside my house.”
“I can’t see how you can even call it that. It’s a dilapidated shack.” Missus Rumlow sniffed. “Since this entire mess is your fault, the least you can do is provide us with lodgings.”
Someone came up behind Runa.
“Mister Rumlow, Missus Rumlow.” Phil Coulson said over Runa’s shoulder. “I am afraid I must ask you to leave. Missus Rogers has made it clear that she does not want you in her house.”
“The ungrateful wretch needs to-” Louise sputtered.
“You need to get off my property. Now.” Runa said as Pietro came over from the corrals and Happy Sam loomed up behind her, beside Coulson.
“Runa, be reasonable. There is no room at the boarding house and nowhere else to stay in this misbegotten place.” Theodore huffed. “The least you can do for causing us such trouble to come out here is put us up.”
“Missus Rogers asked you to leave.” Pietro said. “You folks need to leave. Now.”
Theodore Rumlow glowered at him. “This does not concern you, you ignorant cowhand. How dare you speak to a man of quality! I should-”
Runa pulled the gun out of her apron pocket and levelled it at Theodore. “If you lay a hand on him I swear I will shoot you where you stand and not feel an ounce of regret. Every man on this ranch is a far better man than you are, or ever will be, for all you talk about ‘quality’.”
“Runa!” Louise gasped, “Put that gun down right now. This place has turned you savage. You’re a good girl who would never-”
The report of the gun was loud, and caused the horses harnessed to the buggy to rear in alarm, while Louise Rumlow shrieked in horror and Theodore Rumlow recoiled from the puff of dirt at his feet where Runa had aimed.
“Now see here, girl-” The lawyer sputtered, but Runa interrupted.
“That was your one warning shot. If you don’t get off my property this instant, I won’t miss next time.”
She watched as the three people scrambled to get into the buggy, Missus Rumlow keeping up a steady stream of complaints against Runa and the entire community of Amaranto Springs as they did. It wasn’t until they pulled off the long drive onto the road that Runa allowed herself to relax. She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder, and then Coulson was gently prying the gun from her hand.
“Let’s get you back to your chair.” He said soothingly. Runa realized she was shaking. Why was she shaking? She practically collapsed into her chair as Coulson guided her into it. “Are you all right?”
“I’m honestly not sure.” She managed to say, feeling somewhat dazed. Had that really been her? Had she actually dared to fire a gun at her former employers?
“Steve is going to be proud that you stood up to those folks like that.” Happy Sam told her, and Runa managed a slight smile.
“He probably will. Oh lord, what they must think of me…”
“They think that you are not going to roll over and take their abuse any longer.” Coulson told her firmly. “I’ll go get you a cup of water.”
“Thank you.” Runa said as she settled back into her chair, still stunned by the events of the past several minutes.
~*~
Once more, the Rumlows and their lawyer stood before the door of Pepper’s boarding house. When she opened it and looked them over, she was no longer pretending to smile.
“I believe I told you earlier that the service here would not be up to your standards.”
“And you must be aware that there is nowhere else in this wretched place where we may stay.” Theodore scowled at her. “Certainly there is something that could change your mind?”
Pepper looked the three over carefully, before looking back to Theodore. “As a matter of fact, there is.”
Theodore smiled smugly, until she named her price.
“Twenty dollars per head, per day, paid in advance.”
“That’s highway robbery!”
“Thirty.” Pepper said evenly. “And meals are extra.”
Theodore Rumlow sputtered, and Pepper quirked an eyebrow.
“Shall we make it fifty?”
“Thirty is agreeable.” Pierce said quickly.
Pepper smiled tightly. It was not a pleasant smile. “Then please, come inside.”