Coming Home

Buck was on the mend.

Time to get back to work again.

Petra showed up at the stables

Ron's wrangling goats,

The horses left grazing 

or munching on oats. 

She wanted to ask 

What was going on

But there was a line at

The forge, a mile long.

"This is the worst run forge

In the county!

I will never use it again,

That's a certainty!"

"I'm so sorry, sir,"

Petra said to the first customer.

"I have two other workers

Not sure where they've gotten to

Let me get that horse shoed for you."

"I expect you to half your price

For the wait."

Petra looked at the line of people and

Knew did not have time to debate.

"Of course, I will," and others began to whine

They wanted the same treatment

Those that were in line.

***

Rue returned with the Rickety Stage

All though just a few days it felt like an age.

She wondered at the mob standing out in line

As she came closer, she heard them giving Petra

A hard time.

Jasper gave her a cheeky grin.

"I got this, why don't you go on in."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," he gave her a little shove

Towards the door.

Petra sees a man all dressed in black

Come in roll up his sleeves and with a wink

Says, "No worries, I got your back."

He slipped on an apron and got to work.

Petra was still being haggled with

A man who was determined to be a jerk.

Jasper stood behind her.

A glowing poker in his hand.

He met the man eye to eye.

So he'd understand.

Not a word was spoken

But the meaning was very clear.

The man coughed, apologized,

And cleared out of here.

Petra didn't know what made 

the man change his mind.

He was in quite the frenzy

But when she looked behind.

The man in black was hard a work

Pounding out a shoe.

She was amazed at his skills

He knew just what to do.

With him there she had the time

To deal with customers' concerns.

"I have to tell you, you do great work

Where did you learn?"

"This was my trade a long time ago

I guess some things you don't forget,

you know?"

"So, who is it now that I'm indebted to?"

"Name is Jasper, but the debit you can forget.

I'm here as a favor to Rue.

I'll help you finish out the day."

Petra was so grateful she didn't know what to say.

Rue stepped into her office

Her heart dropped to her feet.

When it was Strop she had to greet.

He held his hat in his hand

When she came in, he chose to stand.

Although, Rue waved for him to take a seat.

"Ronan, he hasn't recovered at all.

I had him moved to the County's Hospital.

Doc has done all he can do.

I just thought you should know, Rue."

"Thank you."

Strop nodded and walked to the door

He paused like he wished to say more.

"I don't know if Ronan will make it through,

But in the end, he was a changed man because of you.

I hope you won't give up on him, Rue.

Ronan, he cares a great deal... well it's not for me to say."

Strop left the words unspoken, and bid her a good day.

Rue wished her powers were not bound

when it happened, 

She could have healed him then, made him sound.

Now it was too late

And Ronan will be left to fate.

Rue pondered what Strop had to say.

She didn't know Ronan felt that way.

She knew he had feelings but

he was forever pushing her away.

Jujube knocked and came inside.

"So this is where you chose to hide."

"I'm not hiding. I've only just arrived."

"A lot has happened while you were away.

Josie was kidnapped again but recovered

Jake has also returned and so has his fiancé."

Rue's eyes opened wide.

Her shock was hard to hide.

"I thought it best you hear it from me

You're bound to run into them eventually.

I have to tell you, Rue, she's with child.

Jake denies it of course, but ..."

Rue just smiled.

"It's okay Jujube.

I'm at peace with what is meant to be."

Jujube looked at Rue with curiosity.

"Did something happen while you were away?"

"I'll say," Jasper said, standing there, in the doorway.

Rue's smile widened further still.

Jujube looked from one to the other.

"No way!"

"Don't approve of her choice, Jujube?"

Jujube laughed, "On the contrary,

I just never thought you get the guts

To confess and get her out of this mess.

The only man better would be..."

"You."

"Yeah, but you know I'm more like a

brother to Rue."

"So, glad you don't disapprove.

Just on a break from working at the forge.

Wanted to ask you to dinner, perhaps around four?"

"I loved to," said Rue.

"Then a date it shall be.

Until we meet again.

My sweet, Ruechari."

Jasper left back on the move.

Jujube looked at Rue and said,

"You know your Uncle will not approve."

"He wouldn't approve of anyone

So it is I who will decide.

Besides if it wasn't for Jasper

I would have died.

He sacrificed everything for me.

My Uncle is a fool if he chose to disagree."

"I couldn't agree more,

But are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know, there was Ronan but

Things kept you apart,

There was Jacob but that 

seemed doomed from the start.

But what of Billy, Rue? I know you.

You and he, the love you had

It was true."

"It was true and then it was not

Somewhere he lost his way

He forgot, yet... I could forget, too.

However, he left me; he fears his eternity.

I will always love him this is true,

But he's not meant for me..."

Jujube smiled. "Then I'm happy for you, Rue."