Louis frowned as he held a whiskey glass up to the light. Try as he might, he just couldn’t seem to get it as clean as Winston did. He took a deep breath and looked at the main door. It had been two weeks since the landlord had gone missing, and Louis still felt like he might walk in at any moment.

“You know Franklin’s been watching the road up to town like a hawk since he left,” Louis looked up to see Steph standing at the doorway to the kitchen with a warm smile. “So we’ll have plenty of warning when he comes back.”

“Then maybe I’m just watching for him,” he smiled back. The pair had come to an understanding while running the inn together, and he was actually enjoying spending time with her.

“Well, give it a rest for a while, I could use some help back here,” Steph said before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Louis walked out from behind the bar and wondered what help she needed. He thought he’d cleaned up pretty well after cooking, which seemed to be the only thing he was improving at. There was still half a pot of stew left over, and it pained him to have to throw food out. He’d have to ask Winston for cooking lessons when he came back. Perhaps Mrs Parsons could give him a tip or two in the meantime. He’d have to make the time to ask her tomorrow.

He was still lost in his thoughts when he entered the kitchen and was surprised to find Steph hiding by the doorway, peering out into the main room. “What…”

“Excuse me, can I help you?” Steph asked as she strode back out into the main room.

Louis turned around to see a lanky figure who was halfway through one of the open windows. He looked up at Steph and shook his head before pulling the rest of his body into the inn.

“Leave any silver you have on the table and walk out,” Steph ordered. “Or I’ll scream and then you’ll have half the town to contend with.”

“Wait, he’s a friend of Mister Weaver’s,” Louis breathed as he rushed over. “Have you heard any word, Mister Huntsman?”

“Then why didn’t he come in through the front door like a normal person would?” she demanded.

“He has a penchant for the dramatic, this one,” Louis said, smiling at Nathan’s obvious embarrassment.

Huntsman flopped himself into a chair and gave Steph a sideways glance. “When did you notice me?”

Steph raised an eyebrow. “I saw you pacing back and forth in front of that window since at least eight. Were you trying to be discrete?”

“That’s very good,” Nathan mused, looking impressed. “Has Carla spoken to you?”

“She tried to recruit her, but as you can see, was unsuccessful,” Louis said quickly. “Now, have you heard from Mister Weaver?”

A mischievous grin twisted Nathan’s lips and be swung his legs up onto the table, earning himself a dirty look from Steph.

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“Indeed I have,” he said, stopping Steph’s objection.

“Well, where is he?” she demanded.

Just then, they heard the kitchen door close, and Nathan scowled. “You’ve ruined a perfectly good dramatic revelation.”

Steph’s eyes widened in shock. “Me?”

“Yes,” Nathan sniffed, “By watching that window like a hawk, you delayed my appearance by a good hour.”

“Is he really a friend of Mister Weaver’s?” Steph asked, but Louis was already running towards the kitchen.

“Mister Weaver!” the boy gasped as he burst into the kitchen.

Standing in the doorway was a familiar wiry figure. As he stepped into the light, Louis could see that he was exhausted and dishevelled.

“I’m home,” Winston said, sounding relieved. Louis rushed to embrace him as he sank into a chair. “Oh, I’m sorry if I worried you.”

“Where have you been?” Louis sobbed, careless of the hot tears that were rolling down his cheeks.

“I had to take care of something,” Winston sighed as Louis stood up and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

“And is it taken care of?” a gravelly voice asked.

Winston looked up to see Nathan and pressed his lips into a thin line. “I hope so. Your protégé showed up and told me she would take over.”

“I’m glad to see you took her advice,” Nathan observed and broke into a broad grin. “As you can see, you were missed here.”

“I’ve missed you all too,” Winston said and looked at Steph who had just appeared at the doorway. “Both of you.”

“Do you want me to inform the others?” she ventured. “Mayor Ogden told me to tell him as soon as you came back.”

“Tomorrow,” Winston said with a tired smile. “I’ve had a long day.”

He paused and sighed again. “Well, a long fortnight.”

“Can you tell us what happened?” Louis asked hopefully.

“I’m exhausted. Perhaps tomorrow,” Winston replied. He paused and looked around the kitchen. “Is there anything to eat? I’m starving.”

Louis turned pale as he looked at the half full cauldron, and Steph smiled sweetly. “Yes, Louis has made some dinner.”

“Oh, I’ll have some of that as well,” Nathan declared.

Winston and Nathan sat around the kitchen table as Louis served them his stew while Steph went to the bar to fetch drinks.

“Did you make this, Louis?” Winston asked as the boy set a bowl down in front of him.

“I did,” Louis said, wringing his hands. “I’m sorry we don’t have anything else.”

Winston took a sip of the broth and blinked. “Well, it’s a valiant effort.”

“It’s a good thing I’m hungry,” Nathan grumbled. His face brightened when Steph returned with a brandy in a crystal snifter on a wooden plate. “Ah thank you, darling. You’re a life saver.”

Steph looked at him blankly as she set the drink in front of Winston. “Oh, you’re still here.”

“I must say, service has really gone downhill in your absence, Winston,” he sniffed.

“I hear that the two of you have been keeping the inn going,” Winston smiled. “The town and I are in your debt.”

“Oh no,” Louis protested. “It’s the least we could do.”

“No, I’m grateful,” Winston said before taking a sip of brandy. “I would also be very grateful if you could get another glass for my friend.”

Steph scowled at Nathan who smiled back triumphantly. “Only if he pays for it.”

Nathan held his smile and counted twenty silver coins out from a pouch. “I’ll have a glass of what he’s having.”

Steph’s eyes widened at seeing the silver, and Nathan blinked. “Oh that’s right I forgot about the stew.”

Louis’ face fell as the lanky man took a coin and placed it back in his pouch. Winston frowned. “I don’t think you’re being very fair to him.”

Nathan shrugged and put the silver coin back on the table together with two copper ones. “Is that fair, Weaver?”

Winston nodded, but Steph stood in front of them with her arms folded across her chest. Nathan grinned and pulled another silver coin and tossed in on the table. “A tip.”

“Your drink is coming right up,” Steph sang as she rushed out the door.

Louis and Winston exchanged looks. “How has working with her been? I hope the two of you haven’t been at each other’s throats.”

“Oh no,” Louis replied. “Quite the opposite, in fact. We’re working together well. Or I like to think so, anyway.”

“That’s good,” Winston smiled.

He looked around the kitchen and sighed contentedly. “It is good to be home.”