บท 153: Chapter 153: Worship and the Victory Goddess Statue Holding a Gold Nugget
There is a saying in Texas, "Everything is bigger in Texas," and everything here is indeed "big," from the size of the steaks and the portion of fries to the pickup trucks and wide-brimmed cowboy hats, as well as the shopping tax rebates and even the figures of the girls.
When everyone present witnessed Jack complete this extremely difficult and oversized "Tomato Sea Bass," they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Walker's two children were so excited that they picked up their phones and took pictures of the dish from every angle.
Bonham, who was grilling an oversized tomahawk steak nearby, held his chin and stared at the fish for a moment before declaring, "I think this dish should be called 'Texas Bass.' Jack's Texas Roast Chicken, though tasty, is just too small."
Jack couldn't help but laugh. He wasn't sure if this counted as an accidental success.
As night fell, the Walker brothers lit a bonfire in the open space. Augie, a young man with a musical talent, played and sang a Southern country ballad that Jack had never heard before, but he had to admit that Hannah's expensive guitar was definitely a perfect gift.
After two large glasses of beer, Walker pulled his wife Emily to the dance floor to perform a sultry country waltz, followed by Bonham dancing a traditional two-step with Aunt Molly.
Then Stella was pulled into the dance by her uncle Liam, and finally Hannah and Jack.
Jack really couldn't dance, but thanks to the attributes given by the system, he gradually got the hang of it. Initially, he was just mechanically following Hannah's rhythm, but then he started to relax and move freely, even mimicking Walker's moves by holding Hannah's waist with one hand and performing a dip.
After a few dances, everyone still felt unsatisfied. At Walker's suggestion, they paired up and started square dancing, with Augie playing and calling out the steps. This style of country square dance, which Jack had only seen in old Western movies, incorporated many elements of English court dances, making it particularly interesting.
"I already regret not having the girls wear puffy skirts," Aunt Molly lamented.
They played together until late at night, only stopping when the two children began to fall asleep.
In the morning, Jack, following Aunt Molly's example, made burritos with the leftover steak from last night and fried some eggs.
The bell at the door chimed as Hannah, dressed in sportswear and covered in morning dew, returned from her run, holding a bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers.
"Coffee or milk? Liam brought us fresh milk when he returned to town," Jack asked without turning around.
Hannah didn't say anything, just walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"What's wrong, honey?" Jack asked, finding it strange since she was fine when she left.
"Nothing, I just think living here forever wouldn't be so bad. I could try to buy back the ranch," Hannah murmured, resting her head on his back.
Jack put down the spatula, turned around, and lifted her onto the small table. "And then have a bunch of kids and send them to the Walker's while we go out and have fun?"
Hannah's eyes widened in a cute, surprised expression. "You've thought about this too?"
Jack kissed her lightly on the lips. "I have to admit, it only took the Walker family one day to make me fall in love with life on a Texas ranch."
"But I want to buy back your family's ranch with my own money so that it will be ours together," Hannah said, blushing as Jack's hand roamed over her sensitive skin.
"That would take a long time. With your salary at the FBI, we'd be better off waiting for the 50-year lease to expire. By then, we'd be too old to have kids," Jack said angrily.
"Can't you have a little faith in me? I just made a big score. Robbing a bank wouldn't make money faster," Jack retorted.
Hannah's mischievous side flared up. Her eyes brightened, and she covered his wandering hand. "Why don't we become like Bonnie and Clyde and rob a lot of money?"
"And get shot up like Swiss cheese by Walker?" Jack rolled his eyes.
Historically, Bonnie and Clyde were the most famous outlaw couple in Texas, and arguably all of America. They were gunned down by Texas Rangers on a highway in Louisiana. Their story was made into a movie by Hollywood in 1967, becoming a classic cultural symbol.
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The Stephens family cemetery was in a grove on the farm. Old but not dilapidated, Old Tiago and his wife kept the farm and the cemetery in pristine condition, with the promise that they would be buried there after their deaths.
Hannah placed the bouquet in front of a gravestone, clasped her hands, and prayed silently.
Jack stood beside her without saying a word, feeling more and more connected to this world. Surprisingly, he didn't mind this feeling.
After paying respects to Hannah's parents, they returned to the farm. Hannah helped the Tiagos with some farm work, while Jack repaired some farm machinery. Eventually, he took out his phone and ordered a unique three-wheeled vehicle online.
This vehicle, simple and sturdy, was perfect for small farms. Jack believed Old Tiago would like it.
After lunch, they drove to the Walker's ranch and saw the two kids excitedly preparing for the evening's campout.
Jack felt there wasn't much he could help with. He found a piece of walnut wood in their firewood pile, borrowed a hammer and chisel from Bonham, and started carving on the porch.
Initially, he just wanted to make a wooden base for the natural gold nugget, but he found it too simple and boring. So, he decided to carve a Victory Goddess statue lifting the gold nugget.
He placed the gold nugget where the torch should be, creating an image of the Victory Goddess lifting the nugget with one hand while rolling up her sleeves. The goddess's face looked like a cartoon version of Hannah, with a defiant expression, making Bonham shake his head in amusement.
"This natural gold nugget is quite valuable. At an auction, it could fetch 1.5 to 2 times the price of pure gold of the same weight," Bonham remarked.
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