“Dry and dusty.” Roosevelt replied with glee as he stuffed half of the cake into his gaping maw. Johnny nudged him in the ribs with an elbow for stuffing his mouth full of the sweet treat.
“What?” Roosevelt mumbled through the mouthful of cake. Johnny just shook his head at his friend's love of food.
“That’s it? Just dry and dusty?” Laura asked.
“Laura let them finish eating before you pound them with questions.” Bud said, taking a bite of his own cake. Laura huffed and got a fork full of cake as she gave Bud the evil eye. After they all finished eating Bud led the two men back outside to the front porch. He took a seat on a swinging bench seat and gestured for them to sit in any of the three remaining chairs. He pulled out a thick brown cigar and stuck one end of it into his mouth as he grabbed a box of wooden matches. He lit the cigar and took a long deep puff from it. He exhaled a cloud of smoke that smelled faintly of cherry before looking back at Johnny and Roosevelt.
“Smoke?” Bud asked, grabbing his box of cigars and holding it out to them. They each declined and sat there waiting to hear what Bud would say. When the sheriff didn’t speak Johnny sat forward and cleared his throat to talk. Bud held up a hand and shook his head before Johnny ever got a single word out of his mouth. Confused Johnny sat back in his seat and waited for Bud to talk. After several minutes past Bud finally leaned forward in his seat, elbows on knees, cigar between two meaty fingers.
“Sorry about that. I just enjoy a little peace and quiet after dinner to digest.” He said, bringing the cigar to his lips and taking another puff. Two men holding rifles walked past on sentry duty as the men stared at one another.
“So, since I do like you fellas, I think it only right to let you stay here for a few days. I know I said a day or two max earlier, but you guys seem to be good men. We’re going to help y’all out as much as we can. We’ll get you some better weapons and some decent food to last y’all a few days but then you will have to go. Like I said earlier, we don’t take in newcomers even if we like em’.” Bud said as he knocked the ashes from his cigar.
“We appreciate everything you folks have already done for us. Not too many left like you all.” Roosevelt said.
“It’s not a problem but I do have one condition.” Bud said, the cigar pinched between his teeth.
“Oh yeah? What's that?” Johnny asked. Bud chuckled.
“You have to gift me those nickel-plated cowboy blasters you came in with.” He said as he stubbed out the cigar on the bottom of his boot. Johnny laughed.
“Consider them yours.” He replied. Bud slid the two shiny pistols from the leather holsters on his hips.
“I thought that's what you would say.” Bud said with another chuckle as he gazed at the two revolvers.
“So, what kind of weapons are you giving us?” Roosevelt asked, not liking the fact that Bud had taken it upon himself to take the revolvers already. Johnny could hear the edge in his friend's tone as he spoke. Bud eyed him hard in the fading daylight.
“You’ll get your guns. Don’t you worry about that. I’ll have one of my men take y’all down to the station and let you look at our selection. You won’t be disappointed I assure you.” Bud said, returning the same edge in his tone. The two men stared at one another for a long minute until finally Johnny broke the uncomfortable stare off with a laugh.
“So, Bud, where will we be sleeping tonight?” Bud turned his gaze to Johnny and said.
“Laura will show you to your rooms. Y’all will be staying here in the spare rooms upstairs.” He said as he got to his feet and headed for the door. Johnny and Roosevelt stood and followed him into the house.
“You boys getting along alright?” Mary said as she wiped down the long table.
“Yes, ma’am, we are. Have you seen Laura?” Bud asked. Mary shook her head,
“Not since dinner. Why?”
“I was going to have her show these fellers to their rooms.” Bud replied.
“I can do it. I’m just about done cleaning up the dinner mess anyhow.” Mary said. Bud nodded his thanks and turned to look at Johnny and Roosevelt.
“You boys have a nice night. Get with me in the morning and I’ll make sure you get those guns.”
“Thanks again for everything. We really do appreciate it.” Johnny replied, sticking his hand out to shake. Bud grabbed Johnny’s hand in a firm grip and gave it a single shake before doing the same with Roosevelt. He turned to Mary and tipped his hat at her.
“Night Miss Mary.” He said and then headed for the door.
Chapter Sixteen
5:45 a.m. January 4th, 2049
Sweetwater, Tennessee
Johnny woke to the sound of footsteps walking down the hall outside of his room. He sat up in bed and reached for the pistol that wasn’t by his side.
“Shit!” He growled as he threw the covers off him and stood up. When the memory of where he was came rushing back into his mind he calmed down and took a seat on the edge of the bed. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and yawned deeply before arching his back and smacking his lips. He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so deeply. A light wrap at the door got his attention followed by Roosevelts deep voice.
“Johnny you awake?” His friend's voice sounded through the door.
“Yeah man come on in.” Johnny replied. The door opened and Roosevelt stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and found the light switch on the wall. He flipped the switch up and yellow light flooded the room.
“Damn man! Next
