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Caleb let out a low whistle, unable to stop the smile tugging at his lips. "Wow, would you look at yourself," he drawled, voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "You're downright radiant, Mary-Beth. Thought you were somethin' before, but now?" His grin widened. "Now you're somethin' else entirely."
Color bloomed in her cheeks immediately, and she ducked her head, flustered by the intensity of his gaze. The hotel clerk raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly entertained by the exchange.
Mary-Beth swatted at Caleb's arm weakly, her voice trembling with laughter and embarrassment. "Oh, hush, Caleb," she murmured, glancing toward the clerk. "You'll embarrass me."
"That so?" Caleb teased, tilting his head as if considering whether to press his luck. But then, with a small chuckle, he let it slide, for now.
He offered his arm with old fashioned grace. "Come on, darlin'. Let's get you upstairs."
They ascended the carpeted staircase side by side, their steps slow and unhurried, as if neither wanted the day to end just yet. At the landing, Caleb stopped outside her door and turned to face her fully.
Mary-Beth lingered with her hand on the doorknob, her eyes shimmering like liquid gold in the dim hallway light. "Caleb," she said softly, almost shyly, "this… this has been the best day of my life. Truly. Thank you. For today. For all of it. It's even better than our date in Rhodes."
That admission hit him like a bullet, sharp and deep, but in a way that made him feel alive rather than broken. His lips curved into something softer than a smile, something rare.
"Best day, huh?" he murmured. "Guess that makes two of us. It's only the beginning, sweetheart."
Before she could reply, he stepped closer, one hand lifting to gently tilt her chin toward him. His lips brushed hers in a kiss that was anything but casual. It was deep, lingering, and filled with everything words could never say.
For a breathless moment, the world fell away, no saloon girls, no curious eyes, no responsibilities pressing down like storm clouds. Just them, bound together in a silence that roared louder than gunfire.
But even as the heat built, both of them pulled back, not because the feeling wasn't there, but because it was too much, too soon. Mary-Beth wasn't ready, and Caleb knew it in his bones. He respected that, even if it damn near killed him to let go.
He rested his forehead against hers for a second, breathing her in. Then, with a gentleness that contrasted his usual steel edged composure, he brushed a kiss across her brow.
"Goodnight, sweetheart. Get some rest," he whispered.
Mary-Beth smiled, the sweetest thing he'd ever seen, before slipping inside and closing the door softly behind her. Caleb stood there for a long moment, staring at the wood grain like it could somehow hold her essence, and when he heard the lock click into place, he finally pulled himself together.
Two doors down, business waited. And business never liked to be kept waiting.
He rapped his knuckles against Jasper's door, and it swung open almost immediately, revealing Jasper's broad grin.
"It's you, boss! Come in, come in," Jasper said with a chuckle, stepping aside to let him in. The room smelled faintly of tobacco and paper, and on the bed sat a lockbox, its contents spread out like a dragon's hoard, stacks of bills, and also neat piles of coins gleaming under the lamplight.
"Just about finished countin'," Jasper said, returning to his seat at the edge of the bed. His fingers moved quick, nimble despite their size, sliding coins into tidy rows.
Caleb shut the door behind him with a soft click. "How much we talkin'?" he asked, voice steady though his curiosity pricked like spurs.
"After pullin' out supply funds, payin' wages, and handin' out a few bonuses here and there…" Jasper trailed off for dramatic effect, shooting Caleb a grin. "3,862 dollars and 43 cents."
The number hung in the air. Caleb stared, his carefully maintained composure cracking for a second. He'd expected a good profit, but this was staggering. This was life changing money earned from selling burgers and fries, not from robbing a train or a bank.
"Say that again," Caleb said, his voice low.
Jasper's grin widened. "3,862 dollars and 43 cents, boss. I counted it three times. I thought I was seein' things at first, too."
Caleb let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair. "Christ, Jasper. That's… that's more than the take from some of our best scores. I knew it was doing well, but this…"
"I know!" Jasper exclaimed, his excitement contagious. "It died down after the first week like you said it would, but it didn't drop off a cliff. It settled into a rhythm. A damn good one. People keep comin' back. Every day. Imagine if it had lasted a full week like you planned."
"Yeah imagine," Caleb murmured, a glint of thought flickering behind his eyes. He then shook his head in disbelief. "I wasn't thinking it was lower. I'm just… surprised. This is more than the saloon and the general store probably make in a month combined."
"That's what I said!" Jasper agreed, practically vibrating with energy. He carefully placed the stacks of bills into the lockbox.
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft clink of Jasper slotting the last bills into the lockbox. Then the younger man straightened, eyes bright with curiosity.
"So," he said, voice eager, "what're you gonna do with it? All this money? Gotta have somethin' in mind."
Caleb's grin returned, sharp and sure. "Expansion," he said simply.
"Expansion," Jasper repeated, like a kid tasting a new word. "You mean—"
"The sitting area is too small. We're turning people away when it gets busy, or they have to take their food and leave, We need more tables, more chairs." Caleb cut in smoothly. "We're burstin' at the seams as it is. If we want steady traffic and repeat customers, we give 'em space. Comfort. Make the place so good they can't stay away."
Jasper's excitement practically vibrated through the room. He leaned forward, firing off questions like bullets from a Gatling gun, where would the new tables go, how much extra staff do they need, maybe they can start servin' breakfast? Those fries would be good in the mornin' with some eggs and also maybe the patties without the buns.
Caleb chuckled, holding up a hand to stem the excited flood. "Whoa, slow down, son. All that's for us to figure out tomorrow. Right now, you need to get some rest. You've earned it."
Jasper nodded, his enthusiasm barely contained. "Yes, sir."
Caleb stepped forward and closed the lockbox, latching it securely. "I'll take this for safekeeping tonight. I'll bring it back to you first thing in the morning, and we'll go to the bank."
"Sounds good, boss. Keep it safe," Jasper said, though the confidence in his tone made it clear he didn't doubt Caleb for a second.
"You know I will," Caleb replied.
They exchanged goodnights, and Caleb slipped out into the quiet hallway, the lockbox tucked under one arm. His boots made barely a sound on the worn carpet as he walked toward his door and remembered Mary-Beth. He hesitated for half a second, long enough to picture her smile, the curve of her lips still lingering on his, but then he moved on.
Inside his own room, he locked the door, set the box on the table, and without ceremony began stowing the cash into his system's inventory. Every bill, every coin vanished into the hidden ledger only he could access, tucked away safer than any vault on God's green earth.
He then sat on the edge of the bed, the silence of the room pressing in on him. Outside, he could still hear the distant revelry of the saloon, the world of outlaws and chaos he'd come from.
But in here, in this quiet hotel room, he held the seed of something else entirely. A legitimate fortune. A thriving business. The woman he loved was sleeping just down the hall. Dutch's plans for dynamite and grand, violent scores felt like a distant, foolish dream. Caleb's future was being built right here.
With that in his mind, he finally went to sleep.
The night passed without interruption, and when the soft gray light of dawn crept through the curtains, Caleb was already awake. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, before he swung his legs over the side of the bed, pulled on his boots, and stood with quiet determination. Today wasn't just another day. Today was the start of something bigger.
After fastening his gun belt and shrugging into his coat, Caleb left his room and headed toward Mary-Beth's door. The hallway was still and hushed, the faint scent of polished wood and last night's tobacco lingering in the air. His boots made soft thuds on the carpet as he approached her door, lifting his hand to knock—
But before his knuckles touched the wood, the door opened.
Mary-Beth stood there, surprise flickering across her face before softening into warmth. Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders like a dark waterfall, and she wore a simple dress of pale blue that made her eyes glow like sunlight on a river.
"Oh!" she gasped lightly, then smiled. "Good morning, Caleb."
Caleb tipped his hat, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Mornin', sweetheart." His voice was low, smooth like honey laced with steel. "Hope you slept well."
"I did," she said, her voice carrying that quiet music he loved. Then, with a hint of curiosity, "Were you just about to knock?"
"Was thinkin' about it," Caleb admitted, leaning one shoulder casually against the doorframe. "Wanted to see if you'd join me for breakfast."
Her face lit up like the morning sun. "Breakfast?"
"Yeah," he said with a grin. "Figure we had ourselves a hell of a day yesterday. Seems only right to start this one off proper."
Mary-Beth's cheeks warmed as she nodded eagerly. "I'd love that."
"Good," Caleb said, offering his arm with that old-fashioned grace that seemed carved into his bones. "Shall we?"
She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, her touch light but steady, and together they started down the hallway, their steps falling into easy rhythm.
As they passed Jasper's door, it swung open. The younger man stepped out, running a hand through his hair, looking like he'd only just rolled out of bed. When he spotted Caleb, his mouth opened to greet him, but then Mary-Beth spoke first.
"Jasper!" she called warmly, her voice ringing with cheerful curiosity.
The man blinked, startled by the unexpected sound of a woman calling his name. His eyes flicked from Mary-Beth to Caleb and back again, dawning realization settling on his face. She was the one calling him.
Mary-Beth smiled kindly. "Good morning! Caleb and I are heading down for breakfast. Would you care to join us?"
Jasper froze mid-step, glancing at Caleb as if to ask silently, 'Am I interrupting somethin' here?'
Caleb caught the look and gave a small, easy nod that said clear as day, 'It's fine. Come along.'
Relief washed over Jasper's features, and he returned Mary-Beth's invitation with a broad grin. "Well, ma'am, I'd be honored."
"Wonderful," she said brightly. "Come on, then."
And so the three of them descended the staircase together and stepped out into the crisp morning air. The town was just waking, wagons rattling down the main street, merchants unlocking their doors, the smell of bread baking drifting from somewhere close.
Their destination was clear, the saloon.
When they entered, the atmosphere was quiet compared to the night before, a few early risers nursing coffee and soft conversation. The poker table near the door sat empty save for scattered cards, a silent reminder of last night's games.
Jasper, ever the eager helper, straightened his shoulders. "I'll handle the order, boss," he said quickly. "You two grab us a table."
Caleb nodded, appreciating the initiative. "Thanks, son." Mary-Beth and Caleb moved toward a table near the poker corner, one that offered a view of the whole room without being in the way. Mary-Beth slid gracefully into her seat, her fingers brushing the worn wood of the tabletop as Caleb settled across from her.
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 6/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 3)
- Rifle (Lvl 3)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 3)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 2)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 3)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
- 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)
- Acting (Lvl 2)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 1,582 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 7,107 dollars and 43 cents, 7 gold nuggets, 8 gold bars, 7 silver rings, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 large bags of jewelry, 4 gold rings, 2 silver rings, 4 silver pocket watches, 3 gold buckles, 1 gold pocket compass, 2 platinum pocket watches, and 2 Colm's Schofields
Bank: -