Quite the Supper

A "Westfall" Snippet by Jill D'Entremont

Carla opened the door and nearly squealed. "You're here!" 

Wildfire was separated from the blue light of evening by the light of the oil lamp beside the door, and she smiled as Carla darted onto the porch to catch her in an exuberant hug. "I thought about it halfway here—did I need to bring food or something? On Aravast, you're supposed to—"

"Naw!" Carla held her by her shoulders for a moment. "All you needed to bring was you," she paused when her eyes shifted up to the tall man behind her, "...and Hudson!"

"Hi, Mrs. Hiller," he rocked on his feet. "Thanks for invitin' me."

"Thanks for comin'!" She grinned wide, shooting a glance to Wildfire before ushering them in. "I'm glad you're here! Ms. Lillith said she was comin' too."

"Oh, good!" Wildfire smiled as she took off her coat. She was startled when Hudson quietly took it from her and turned to hang it on the coat rack beside them. 

"Come see what I've got cooking! I'm even makin' a cheesecake!" Carla tugged Wildfire's hand and lead her through the sitting room of their modest home and into their warm kitchen.

Thomas rounded the corner at about that time, meeting Hudson face to face.

"Hey, Thomas," Hudson half-smiled.

"Hey," he wavered, noticably shocked to see the bulky visitor. "I didn't think yeh'd come," he admitted after a moment.

"Well," Hudson bowed in mild embarrassment, "Ms. Wildfire mentioned you thought I was treatin' you different since you became mayor. And I didn't realize, I kinda have been."

It was Thomas' turn to look mortified. "She told you that??"

"Either way," he shrugged, "I'm glad to know it. It's just—you're mayor now. I can't help but be more respectful towards you."

Thomas' posture began to relax. "Yeah, but it's just a title."

"A title with authority."

"Only when I need it," he eased further. "Though, I've prob'ly been using it more than I should. It's hard not to get tunnelled in this job."

"Oh, I understand. It's a lot of work and responsibility."

"But, I wouldn't mind things bein' more informal," he admitted. "Yeh know, when they can be. Like now."

The mechanic straightened up with a smile. "Of course." He pressed his lips tight to hold back a wider grin. "'Cause I've sure wanted to make fun that moustache of yours."

Thomas nearly choked. "You're gonna start right up with that, huh?" He looked at him, half upset, yet half amused.

"Yep. I'm sure it'll look better once its all grown in," he shot a narrow smirk as he rubbed his own upper lip with his fingers.

"You're one to talk, Sideburns."

"Hey, they're distinguished," he brushed them though with his fingers. "'Sides, I could outgrow your moustache and a full beard in a week."

"Yeh think so?" Thomas puffed himself up as he curled the side of his moustache, only for the scowl to remain. "I know better than to gamble against a Rowlett."

"A Rowlett man's facial hair," Hudson clarified as the two started toward the kitchen. "Grandpa's beard was legendary in his day. And all we have to to do is quit shavin'."

As the two men entered the room, they were met with the two women's apprehensive gazes.

"What in the world conversation are you two having?" Carla's brows were furrowed.

"Don't ask," Thomas smirked.

"She already did," Hudson replied.

The blond man glanced up at his friend incredulously. "Boy, you're just like a switch, aren't yeh. I flip it and you're right back to pesterin' me."

"Yep. I've missed it, too." Hudson chuckled toothily.

"Hey, who plays the guitar?" Wildfire distracted them by pointing into the sitting room.

The guitar in question was propped against the wall beside a high-backed chair. The light wood of the body was well worn in a few places, but the strings appeared new and wound tight. 

Thomas looked at the instrument wistfully. "My dad did."

"You play it, too, you gump." Carla shouted from the stove.

"Really!" Wildfire leaned on the table. "You should play!"

"You don't wanna hear me play," Thomas dismissed as he pulled out a chair from the table.

"Sure they do!" Carla was beaming as she leaned over the stove. "The other day he wrote me the sweetest love song—"

"Say, I was talkin' to Adrien about that horse he 'n Randy've been breakin' in," Thomas blurted, clamping both hands on the back of the chair.

"Shush!" Wildfire thrust out her hand to silence him. "No, Carla, please continue," she narrowed her eyes with a grin.

"D'you just 'shush' me??" Thomas blinked. "I write songs sometimes—that's all."

"Then, by all means, we'd love to hear you play one of them." The woman smiled playfully, "Or, I can have Hudson convince you."

The bulky man simply grinned in place.

"I had no idea the two 'o you were in cahoots," he grumbled under his breath. "Fine, I'll play somethin' after supper."

"You know, Ms. Wildfire sings some," Hudson added as Carla brought over a pot to the table. "I hear her sometimes in the shop."

Wildfire turned red. "When??"

"When you don't think I'm listenin'." He grinned again before gently adding, "You sound real pretty."

"That settles it," Thomas sneered with his hands crossed on the table in front of him, "If I play, you gotta sing."

She huffed and sat down heavily in the chair beside him. "Fine," she submitted.

All the while, Carla giggled as she turned back to the stove. "Golly; this is gonna be quite the supper!"