Page 4 of A Joyful Ring
Silas chuckled. “No. Just be careful, that’s all. Goodwin is fair, even if he plays his cards a little too close to the vest for my liking.” He motioned out his open door. “Did you explore the town already?”
Gunder nodded. “I did. Even took a refreshing dip in the river around the bend.”
“I like to do that of an evening myself. I liveupstairs. If you ever need a friend, you know where to find me.”
A smile stretched across Gunder’s chapped lips. “Thank you, Si. I don’t think a body can ever have too many friends.”
“I agree, Gunder. Welcome to Lovely.”
Gunder shook hands with him again, then made his way back to the mine. From the stream of miners coming out of a tunnel in the hill, he assumed their workday was at an end. He stood in the shade cast by the tent nearest the mine and watched as the men washed up, then walked into a building across the road from the mine.
Assuming it was the cookshack, Gunder made his way there and took a seat at the end of a table. While the food wasn’t the best he’d ever eaten, it was plentiful and filling. Gunder sopped up the last of his gravy with a piece of bread, then picked up his plate, fork, and cup, carrying them to a big dishpan near the kitchen.
He’d just turned to leave when a short wiry man with a dirty apron tied around his scrawny middle latched on to his arm.
“Are you the new feller what’s gonna ride with Lars tomorrow?” the man asked, staring up at Gunder with one cloudy brown eye and one clear.
“Yes, sir. Mr. Goodwin said he’d mention the need for an extra lunch to the cook. May I pick that up in the morning here?”
The man shook his head. “I’ll just give it to Lars, along with something to break your fast. You’ll need it if you plan to make it through the day.” The man eyed him for a long moment,then wiped his hand on his apron and held it out to him. “I’m Jed.”
“Nice to meet you, Jed. I’m Gunder Birke.”
“Well, Gunder Birke. You best get some rest and be sure your britches are planted on the wagon seat before five, or you’ll get left behind.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll do that. And thank you for the filling meal.”
Jed grinned, showing a few gaps in his smile. “You’re welcome, son. Did Goodwin give you a place to sleep?”
“Yep. The last tent on the left.”
An expression Gunder couldn’t quite interpret flew across Jed’s face before he scowled. “That figures. Have a good night, Gunder.”
“Thanks, Jed. You as well.”
Gunder left the cookshack and started toward his tent. He nodded at a few people, but they didn’t appear interested in conversation, so he returned to the tent that would be his, at least for the night, and slid off the pack he’d kept with him through dinner. The tent felt hot and stuffy, even with the bottom edges rolled up so a breeze could blow through. He debated whether he should sleep fully dressed or get comfortable.
Not certain if he’d awaken to find his boots missing if he removed them, he chose to sleep fully dressed with his pack for a pillow and his hat shading his face from the sun that wouldn’t set for a few more hours.
Although he doubted he’d get much sleep, he’d barely closed his eyes when exhaustion claimed him.
Chapter Two
Gunder awoke with a start and hopped up, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. Dizziness swarmed him at standing too quickly, so he widened his stance to brace himself until the feeling passed. Breathing deeply, he waited until he felt steady to grab his hat and pack, then rushed out of the tent.
Sunrise had yet to arrive, but the sky was beginning to lighten. He had no idea what time it was and decided a watch might prove to be a prudent purchase.
There was enough light with dawn approaching that he easily found his way to the area Mr. Goodwin had indicated yesterday afternoon without stumbling over his feet in the dark.
Gunder arrived to find the cook laughing at something a lean man with hair nearly as blond ashis own said. The man thumped Jed on the back and set a box on the high wagon seat.
“Don’t be too hard on the kid on his first day,” Jed said, then hurried back across the road to the cookshack.
“Morning,” the man said, eyeing Gunder as he approached.
Gunder smiled and held out his hand. “You must be Mr. Hoffman,” he said, grateful his sleepy brain had been able to catch the man’s name. Then again, he’d repeated it to himself multiple times yesterday, so he wouldn’t forget it. “I’m Gunder Birke.”
Mr. Hoffman shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. Mr. Goodwin said I’d have someone riding along today. He tell you about the job?”
