And now, by God, this woman - this angel - was speaking of beds.
"How long have we got?" he asked Rosalita.
"Pere should be back by four," she said, "but we won't eat until six, and that's only if your dinh gets back in time. Why don't I wake you at five-thirty? That'll give ye time to wash. Does it do ya?"
"Yeah," Jake said, and gave her a smile. "I didn't know just talking to folks could make you so tired. And thirsty."
She nodded. "There's a jug of cool water in the pantry."
"I ought to help you get the meal ready," Susannah said, and then her mouth opened in a wide yawn.
"Sarey Adams is coming in to help," Rosalita said, "and it's nobbut a cold meal, in any case. Go on, now. Take your rest. You're all in, and it shows."
TWO
In the pantry, Jake drank long and deep, then poured water into a bowl for Oy and carried it into Pere Callahan's bedroom. He felt guilty about being in here (and about having a billy-bumbler in here with him), but the bedcovers on Callahan's narrow bed had been turned down, the pillow had been plumped up, and both beckoned him. He put down the bowl and Oy quiety began to lap water. Jake undressed down to his new underwear, then lay back and closed his eyes.
Probably won't be able to actually sleep , he thought, I wasn't ever any good at taking naps, even back when Mrs. Shaw used to call me 'Bama .
Less than a minute later he was snoring lightly, with one arm slung over his eyes. Oy slept on the floor beside him with his nose on one paw.
THREE
Eddie and Susannah sat side by side on the bed in the guest room. Eddie could still hardly believe this: not only a nap, but a nap in an actual bed. Luxury piled on luxury. He wanted nothing more than to lie down, take Suze in his arms, and sleep that way, but one matter needed to be addressed first. It had been nagging him all day, even during the heaviest of their impromptu politicking.
"Suze, about Tian's Gran-pere - "
"I don't want to hear it," she said at once.
He raised his eyebrows, surprised. Although he supposed he'd known.
"We could get into this," she said, "but I'm tired. I want to go to sleep. Tell Roland what the old guy told you, and tell Jake if you want to, but don't tell me. Not yet." She sat next to him, her brown thigh touching his white one, her brown eyes looking steadily into his hazel ones. "Do you hear me?"
"Hear you very well."
"Say thankya big-big."
He laughed, took her in his arms, kissed her.
And shortly they were also asleep with their arms around each other and their foreheads touching. A rectangle of light moved steadily up their bodies as the sun sank. It had moved back into the true west, at least for the time being. Roland saw this for himself as he rode slowly down the drive to the Old Fella's rectory-house with his aching legs kicked free of the stirrups.
FOUR
Rosalita came out to greet him. "Hile, Roland - long days and pleasant nights."
He nodded. "May you have twice the number."
"I ken ye might ask some of us to throw the dish against the Wolves, when they come."
"Who told you so?"
"Oh... some little bird whispered it in my ear."
"Ah. And would you? If asked?"
She showed her teeth in a grin. "Nothing in this life would give me more pleasure." The teeth disappeared and the grin softened into a true smile. "Although perhaps the two of us together could discover some pleasure that comes close. Would'ee see my little cottage, Roland?"
"Aye. And would you rub me with that magic oil of yours again?"
"Is it rubbed ye'd be?"
"Aye."
"Rubbed hard, or rubbed soft?"
"I've heard a little of both best eases an aching joint."
She considered this, then burst into laughter and took his hand. "Come. While the sun shines and this little corner of the world sleeps."
He came with her willingly, and went where she took him. She kept a secret spring surrounded by sweet moss, and there he was refreshed.
FIVE
Callahan finally returned around five-thirty, just as Eddie, Susannah, and Jake were turning out. At six, Rosalita and Sarey Adams served out a dinner of greens and cold chicken on the screened-in porch behind the rectory. Roland and his friends ate hungrily, the gunslinger taking not just seconds but thirds. Callahan, on the other hand, did little but move his food from place to place on his plate. The tan on his face gave him a certain look of health, but didn't hide the dark circles under his eyes. When Sarey - a cheery, jolly woman, fat but light on her feet - brought out a spice cake, Callahan only shook his head.
When there was nothing left on the table but cups and the coffee pot, Roland brought out his tobacco and raised his eyebrows.
"Do ya," Callahan said, then raised his voice. "Rosie, bring this guy something to tap into!"
"Big man, I could listen to you all day," Eddie said.