The Unexpected (NehpetsEnal)

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The Unexpected

Denver and Missy finally return, arriving at Busted Gulch on the early morning stagecoach, no time for refreshments, the first thing they do, is making a beeline to see Petra at the Forge.

Where, as usual, they find her hard at work, looking beautiful and serene, even though dressed in a full-length leather apron, surrounded by sparks.

Where, as usual, they find her hard at work, looking beautiful and serene, even though dressed in a full-length leather apron, surrounded by sparks

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They are so proud, their daughter is a fine example to any aspiring young woman, who is determined to succeed in a 'man's world'.

She is deftly crashing her hammer into a piece of, white-hot wrought iron, on the anvil forming a horse's shoe, but not with brute power, but with artistic grace, her hammer sweeps and flows through the air like an artist's brush, crafting it until it fits around the horse's fetlock with perfection.

Even though absorbed in the shoe's creation, she is in tune with every change in the atmosphere and easily spots two new shadows, moving through the sparks and smoke, her first thoughts are oh my god, not more customers, that is the last thing the forge needs right now.

Even though absorbed in the shoe's creation, she is in tune with every change in the atmosphere and easily spots two new shadows, moving through the sparks and smoke, her first thoughts are oh my god, not more customers, that is the last thing the...

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But business is business, she turns with a smile, which turns to a huge grin, followed by a scream of joy. Until this moment, she had not truly realised just how she had missed them, all her previous doubts and anger at Denver seem to have disappeared.

Carefully resting her hammer on the anvil, she drops the shoe and tongs in the water bucket, it effervesces with a loud sizzle, before rushing into Missy's waiting arms. The love is evident, for a moment Denver watches on, with pride, as she hugs Missy so tight it almost takes her breath away, before joining I, by wrapping his arms around them both, now this is true perfection, the huddle is complete.

If they ever needed confirmation that their time away, seeking to secure the families future was worth it, this was that moment.

Petra turned to Jasper.

"The forge is in your hands, be sure to take care of her, I'm off for a chat with my Mum and Dad, this could take a few hours."

"Go Boss, I got this

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"Go Boss, I got this."

"You're the best!"

Denver gives Jasper an appreciative nod, Petra slips from her leathers, she looks a fine sight in her leather pants and shirt, the blackened holes did not matter a hoot, and speaks.

"Okay, let's go to the Hotel, get a table and grab something to eat while you tell us what's been going on, while we have been away."

This is probably the first time they had spent any length of time having a real conversation, the speed at which they spoke saw Denver sitting back and listening as the girls drove the conversation

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This is probably the first time they had spent any length of time having a real conversation, the speed at which they spoke saw Denver sitting back and listening as the girls drove the conversation. He was absorbing their every word, reveling in its harmony, and could hear the melody in their words, like chirping birds, all the scene needed was music, and he could have been at the opera.

He knew better than to rush them, but with every twist and turn of the conversation, his mind began to focus on the Liberty Belle and was itching to make his way to the Salt Marshes, but business is business, but family comes first.

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