NOVEMBER 25, 1861

Derick McMillin heard Caller Bob and Teaspoon discussing the hanging.

“The whole town is turning out for those varmints hangin’.”  Sheriff Hunter stated.

“I hope they won’t be leaving any widows behind.” Caller Bob said.

“As far as I know they don’t have any family, except Max. His brother Clem left last night. He said he didn’t want to stay for the hangin’. He did, however, leave enough money to see to his brother’s burial.”

“Is Ian going to have time to make three caskets?” the mayor inquired.

“He’s been pretty busy at the mill. I’m not sure,” the sheriff would have to speak to Ian about it.

“Gentlemen, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. If you need someone to make some caskets. I could do it.” Mr. McMillin spoke as he walked over to them.

“You make caskets?” The square dance caller was surprised because he thought this man was a lawyer. “Aren’t you a lawyer?”

“Yes, I am, but before I decided to become one, I was a mortician’s apprentice. I decided to trade in dead bodies to work with live ones.” He gave a little chuckle.

Teaspoon smiled. “We sure could use someone to make some caskets. And if you ever decide that Broken Bow is, too, crowded for you, we could use a lawyer or a mortician here in Dreamville.”

“I might take you up on that sheriff. Now can either of you direct me to the mill, so that I can get started building those caskets. I’m sure the sooner I get them done the better you’ll like it.” Derick figured they wouldn’t want three corpses laying around town, and since there wasn’t a funeral parlor, he wasn’t sure where they were going to be storing the bodies until the caskets were finished.

“I can show you, Mr. McMillin.” Caller Bob offered. “My horse is over at the livery. Come on and we can rent you one, and I’ll ride out to the Outback Mill with ya and introduce you to its owner.” Derick nodded and followed him to the stable.

Later that day, Derick was back in town. After getting permission from Samantha, he left the wood at the livery. He went and checked out of the hotel and took his things over to the boarding house. He wanted to have more comfortable quarters since he had decided that he would be staying in Dreamville permanently.

After depositing his things in his newly acquired room and writing a letter, he left the boarding house and walked over to the post office. He left his letter with Jennie, and then continued to the livery stable.