If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!
Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12
...
The town buzzed lightly now, still early, but no longer still. He arrived to find Jasper setting out water buckets along the side of the kitchen and wiping down the counter. Caleb entered the kitchen, placed the thyme in a small cabinet shelf beside the salt he'd stored earlier, then turned around.
"One last trip," he muttered to himself.
Heading back to the hotel, he climbed the stairs to his room and unlocked the door. Inside, everything was as he left it.
He gathered his cooking tools, two pans, one cauldron, his cleaver, kitchen knife, several bottles of cooking lard, and a cloth pouch of leftover salt. He stack them into one with the cauldron as the base, picked it up with both of his arm, and carried it carefully back through the streets to the stall.
By the time he returned, Mickey and Simon had begun their second trip hauling goods from the general store, while Jasper was organizing ingredients in the dry section of the kitchen.
Caleb entered through the back, walked into the prep area, and began placing the tools in their rightful places. The cleaver and knife went on the cutting board shelf. The pans joined the oans he had buyed and hung it at small hooks that during the construction was nailed into the kitchen frame. The cauldron joined the other two cauldron sat in the corner next to the two fire pit.
Not long after, Mickey and Simon came trudging back, arms full of supplies, wooden bowls, plates, and the last of the potatoes. They deposited everything near the workstations and took a moment to breathe. Jasper helped stack the bowls neatly and store the remaining potatoes.
Now it was time.
Caleb rolled up his sleeves and took a deep breath. "Alright, time to make magic."
He unwrapped the meat bundle on the central prep table, the cheap cuts glistening with marbled fat, perfect for grinding. With practiced hands, he began cutting and then dicing the meat, the cleaver and knife flashing in rhythmic chops. Simon watched intently, his brow furrowed.
"You're... not trimming the fat?"
Caleb shook his head. "Fat's where the flavor lives. These ain't steakhouse cuts, they're burgers. The fat keeps 'em juicy when they fry."
As the coarse grind of meat piled in a wooden bowl, Caleb added pinches of salt and finely chopped thyme. The scent rose immediately, familiar, nostalgic, and mouthwatering.
He mixed the blend with practiced hands, forming patties one by one, placing them on some of the wooden plates. Mickey and Simon watched from the kitchen door.
"Smells real good," Simon commented.
Mickey nodded. "Don't smell like anything I've ever eaten. Smells... better."
"That's the idea," Caleb said, forming another patty with a practiced clap of his hands.
They worked for the next half hour preparing everything. Potatoes were peeled and sliced for the fries. Buckets of clean water were set up for hand washing. Bread rolls were inspected and sliced into two for the burgers.
By 9:30 AM, they were ready.
The kitchen gleamed with readiness, the tables were neatly arranged outside, and the first whiffs of seasoned meat cooking on the pan wafted into the morning air.
With the scent of sizzling meat growing stronger, Caleb looked over his shoulder and called out, "Jasper, you're on the counter. Take the orders, handle the cash. Keep it tight and professional, welcome the customers with a smile."
Jasper gave a short nod. "Got it."
"Mickey, you're helping with serving. Keep the pace steady. Simon, you too, but you're also helping me in here. You'll handle the fries. Use the cauldron for deep frying them, and make sure they're golden before pulling 'em out. Sprinkle salt while they're hot."
Simon moved beside the cauldron and nodded quickly. "Understood, sir."
"And one more thing," Caleb added, wiping his hands. "Far as the public's concerned, Jasper's the owner."
Mickey looked confused. "Wait, what?"
"It's better this way," Caleb replied. "Less attention on me, more stability for you three. This is your business, too. Jasper's face runs the front. I'll cook and guide until you boys can run it without me."
Jasper blinked at the expected responsibility that Caleb have told him, but his lips still twitch into a proud grin. "Don't worry, I'll play the part well."
Caleb smiled. "You'll do fine. Now, price check, burgers go for 3 dollars, fries for 1 dollar and 50 cents. Got that?"
"3 dollars and 1 dollars and 50 cents," Jasper repeated, tapping his temple. "Noted."
"Good. Let's open up."
Jasper stepped outside and flipped open the shutter window of the stall. He propped it into place and stood tall behind the counter, chest slightly puffed out. Mickey and Simon stepped out too, raising their voices with enthusiasm.
"Step right up, step right up! Try somethin' brand new! Burgers and golden crispy fries, just in town today!" Mickey shouted.
"You ain't tasted nothin' like this before! Once you bite, you'll be back!" Simon echoed.
The cries echoed through the streets of Valentine. The scent of seasoned meat and crisping potatoes carried on the breeze, enticing passersby. A few ranchers who'd tied their horses near the general store turned their heads toward the shouting. Two drifters, hats low and spurs clinking, ambled over.
"What's this about?" one of them asked Jasper.
"New kind of food," Jasper said confidently. "Burgers, seasoned meat patties served hot between fresh rolls. golden Crispy Fries, golden slices of potato, fried crisp and salted. Cheap, quick, and real fillin'."
The men raised eyebrows. "How much?"
"3 dollars for a burger, 1 dollars and 50 cents for the fries."
One of the ranchers scoffed. "Bit steep for mystery food."
Caleb leaned halfway out the kitchen window, wiping his hands on a cloth. "You ever taste somethin' that stuck with you days later? That's this. Ain't just food, it's an experience. And I'm bettin' once you try it, you'll be back."
The other drifter squinted at Caleb, then looked back to Jasper. "Alright. One of each. Let's see what the fuss is."
"Comin' right up," Jasper said.
Money exchanged hands. Jasper set it in the till. Mickey stepped in, bringing out a steaming burger on a plate and a bowl of the golden crispy fries. The ranchers took their food to a table. One bite, then another, and then an audible groan of satisfaction.
"Damn," one of them muttered through a mouthful. "This is... this is real good."
"What'd I tell ya?" Mickey grinned.
The other rancher jumped up from his seat. "Hey boys! You gotta try this!"
Like a snowball gaining size, the crowd began to gather. Townsfolk, travelers, and even some stablehands followed the scent and the commotion. Within twenty minutes, the seating area was full, and a line had formed.
Caleb worked like a machine in the back, flipping patties and seasoning them, the rhythm of cooking almost therapeutic. Simon handled the fries with growing skill, careful to avoid burning any. Mickey moved like a windstorm, dropping off food and cleaning used bowls.
"Don't forget to get your drinks at the Smithfields Saloon! We don't serve 'em here!" Simon shouted as he served another round.
By noon, they'd nearly sold out.
"How many we got left?" Caleb asked.
Jasper peeked into the prep area. "Only five burgers and about ten bowls of fries left."
"We'll close once they're gone," Caleb said. "Don't want to overdo it on day one."
It wasn't long before they were entirely out.
Jasper stood at the front, hands raised. "Sorry, folks! That's all we got for today. We'll be open again tomorrow! Bigger batch next time!"
Some groans came from those who hadn't gotten to try the food.
"Come early," Jasper called out with a smile. "We'll have enough next time, promise!"
That seemed to appease the crowd. Slowly, they dispersed, though a few lingered to compliment the team. Caleb stepped out of the kitchen, wiped sweat from his brow, and clapped his hands together.
"Alright. Time to clean. Mickey, Simon, get the wash buckets. Let's tidy up."
While they cleaned the prep areas, tables, and floor, Caleb sat at the counter and counted the day's take. All fifty burgers sold, 50 servings times 3 dollars, total 150 dollars. Eighty bowls of fries sold, 80 servings time 1 dollar and 50 cents, in total 120 dollars.
Total revenue was 270 dollars.
He exhaled, pleased. This was well beyond his first day expectations.
After the cleaning was done, and the tools stored, he brought the team together.
"Good work, all of you. First day, and we knocked it outta the park. Jasper, your pay, 30 dollars. You handled the front like a true owner."
Jasper's eyes widened as he accepted the money. "Much obliged."
"Mickey and Simon, 15 dollars each. You both pulled your weight and then some. And if we keep growin', both of you earn more."
Mickey stared at the bills in his hand like they might vanish. "This... this is more'n I've held in years."
Simon pocketed his share quietly, but his eyes shone.
Together, they folded up tables, stacked chairs, and stored everything inside the kitchen. Jasper locked the shutter window from the inside. Caleb did the final inspection, then shut the door and locked it.
He turned to them all. "Congratulations. Day one was a damn success."
They all raised their heads a little higher. The scent of cooked meat still lingered faintly in the air, but the fire pits were out, the pans clean, and the chairs stacked.
Jasper clapped Caleb on the shoulder. "We just made history in Valentine."
"Tomorrow," Caleb said, "we make it even bigger."
After locking up the stall and parting ways with Jasper, Mickey, and Simon, Caleb walked through the dusty streets of Valentine, the sun beginning its slow descent.
The town had taken on a golden hue, casting long shadows across boardwalks and storefronts. Caleb felt the day's labor in his limbs, the kind of exhaustion that was honest and earned. But beneath that fatigue thrummed a satisfaction he hadn't felt in a long time.
He stepped into the hotel and approached the front desk. The clerk looked up from a newspaper and gave a tired smile.
"You look like you been workin' a forge."
Caleb chuckled softly and slid a coin across the counter. "Hot bath."
"25 cents," the clerk said, taking the coin and placing a key on the counter.
"Much obliged."
Caleb took the key, made his way down the hall to the bath area, and locked the door behind him. Inside was a simple setup: a large clawfoot tub filled halfway with steaming water, a small shelf with soap, and a tin bucket nearby for rinsing.
He peeled off his sweat stained clothes, hanging them over the rack beside the door. The steam hit him instantly, opening his pores and coaxing a sigh from deep within his chest as he lowered himself into the hot water.
His muscles loosened with each second. He leaned back, letting his arms rest on the tub's edge, and allowed his thoughts to drift.
The stall had been a massive success. But success meant demand. And demand meant pressure.
He needed to think ahead.
Each day, he'd need to buy meat, potatoes, bread. He could afford that, for now. But long term? He needed better storage. A way to keep ingredients fresh without relying on daily runs. More importantly, if he wanted to add cheese, vegetables, or cooled drinks, he'd need to find a way to replicate refrigeration.
"Makeshift cooler..." he muttered to himself.
Caleb's mind, strengthened by his Past Life Memory, instantly began cycling through what he knew.
Ice boxes. That was the precursor to refrigeration.
Before electricity, people used insulated boxes lined with tin or zinc, filled with large ice blocks. He remembered something similar used in the American frontier. Ice was hauled from frozen lakes in the north and packed in sawdust to keep it from melting too fast. "If I can get sawdust, a zinc lined wooden box, and a regular ice supply..."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 3)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv 2)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
Money: 716 dollars and 75 cents
Inventory: 2,295 dollars, 2 gold nuggets, 5 gold bars, 4 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets
Bank: -