(Beta
Reader : Jane Lulay )
The dim light
flickered and danced across the wooden walls of the small room as Mike Williams
jumped into his bunk and drew the blankets snugly around him.
He lay deep in thought as he watched the shadowy characters prance across
the roughly hewn ceiling.
“Aunt
Daisy, what does ad…..ad…..you know, what Slim and Jess was talking about
after supper on the porch?”
Daisy Cooper
turned and smiled down at the small confused expression, as she finished folding
the young boy’s clothes and hung them neatly across the back of the chair.
Then she sat beside him, a warm comforting smile filling her gentle face.
“Now you
know it’s not polite to eavesdrop, Dear?” she scolded gently.
“I didn’t
mean to, but the door was open and I was waiting to say goodnight.
What was they talking about, Aunt Daisy.
Is it something to do with why that old circus Judge is coming again?”
Mike asked, raising himself up on his elbows, searching the kind trusted
face.
“Yes, the
‘Circuit’ Judge is coming by tomorrow afternoon and he’s bringing the
‘adoption’ papers with him for Slim and Jess to sign.”
She replied softly, emphasizing the words he had floundered over.
“But what
does ad…adob…” Mike sighed and looked pleadingly at the woman whom he now
considered his mother; and who had cared for him these past six months.
He loved her dearly, Slim and Jess too.
But after hearing Slim and Jess, so deep in serious conversation, and
hearing his name mentioned before they had noticed him standing in the doorway,
he now felt frightened. Very frightened. The
ranch had been his home and refuge since the tragic death of his parents.
His most dreaded fear was that the Judge would say that he couldn’t
stay.
For the past
six months he had behaved himself, or he thought he had; now he wasn’t so
sure. There had been the times when
he had played tricks on the would-be housekeepers; but that was before Aunt
Daisy had come. He had gone to
school, just like Slim and Jess had insisted upon, he had done his chores every
day; and he had been rewarded with fishing trips and many other such outings.
He’d even taken a regular bath, though reluctantly, and he smiled
mischievously as he thought of the times that he had hidden himself away, ‘til
Slim or Jess found him and dumped him into the warm soapy water.
They had clothed him and cared for him, ever since that first day when he
had arrived in the Japanese entertainers’ wagon.
Mike closed
his eyes, fearing he may betray himself and act like a little kid, and he
wasn’t a little kid.
Daisy Cooper
smiled as she brushed the unruly locks of hair from his face. “Adoption means
that you will never have to leave, that the ranch will always be your home; and
Slim and Jess will be your legal guardians for always.”
“You mean
I’ll never have to leave? Never,
ever?” Mike repeated gleefully as
his face lit up with anticipation.
“Never,
ever,” a deep voice reiterated from the doorway.
Jess and Slim stood together, smiling at the youngster who had filled
their empty existence with such joy. He’d
given them both a sense of new hope and purpose as they forged out a living in
the harshness of a growing territory.
Mike threw
back the covers and ran to his would-be fathers or was it brothers?
He wasn’t sure which was appropriate.
Sometimes that confused him. When
either Slim or Jess were scolding him for some bad behavior, he felt they were
acting like his father would have; but when they were fishing or playing, it was
like having two big brothers. Regardless
of what their role was, at this very moment he only knew he loved them and felt
safe when they were near. Jess
scooped him quickly into his arms where the small boy wrapped his arms about his
neck. And just like on many occasions before, the boy hugged his
beloved and trusted protector. Slim
patted the small back fondly and Mike drew back to look at them both, his face
filled with a brilliant smile.
“Does it
mean we’ll be a family, a REAL family?”
Mike enquired, unable to contain his excitement at the prospect.
“Yes, Mike,
but you won’t have to change your name. Usually,
when someone gets adopted, they take the last name of the family adopting them;
but seeing as Jess and I have different names; the Judge thinks it best you keep
your own name.” Slim looked at Mike quizzically. “Do you understand,
Mike?”
Mike looked
from Slim to Jess. “I think so.
I won’t be Mike Harper or Mike Sherman.”
“That’s
right, Tiger, you’ll always be Mike Williams.
Think maybe your ma and pa would prefer it that way, don’t you?”
Jess jostled the youngster in his arms as he walked him back towards his
bunk. “Now young man, time you
were getting some shut-eye. You still have school in the morning remember.”
“Just once,
Jess, please?” Mike pleaded, his
brown eyes wide with anticipation.
Jess looked
at Daisy, who nodded her approval; and in an instant Jess was flying him about
the room like an eagle soaring through the sky.
Mike laughed and yelled as Jess threw him bodily to Slim.
Daisy gasped and scowled at Jess, who threw her a boyish grin, and
shrugged his shoulders. But she
needn’t have feared, for Slim caught Mike nimbly and continued the airborne
flight. He landed them both with a
resounding thud on the bunk. Slim
was breathing hard, as he stepped back and stood next to his partner, who also
seemed rather fatigued at the exertion. Each
placed an arm around the other’s shoulder in their familiar stance.
Daisy pulled
the covers about the small boy and tucked him in and looked at her new- found
family. “I sometimes wonder
who’s the child around here, Mike or one of you two.”
She smiled at the exhausted faces and then at the small boy snuggling
under the covers. “Sweet dreams,
Dear,” she said and gently kissed him on the forehead and moved towards the
door.
The two
friends followed Jess, dimming the light. “Night,
Tiger,” he said softly as he carefully pulled the door shut behind them;
leaving Mike in the welcoming darkness and to dreams of his new life that lay
ahead.
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
“He is so
excited,” Daisy said, as she bustled about in the kitchen.
Slim was
pouring coffee and handed her a cup. “Come
sit with us, Daisy.” Daisy looked
up at him and noted the seriousness of his expression and tone, as she followed
him into the small living room.
Jess was
sitting in his rocker absorbed by the firelight as he swayed back and forth; he
looked up briefly and took the offered cup from his partner’s hand.
Slim pulled a chair next to Jess’ and motioned Daisy to sit while he
settled himself in his favored place on the leather couch.
The air in the room was still and silent, except for the sound of Jess’
rocker as it moved fluidly to his command.
Unknowingly Daisy shivered.
She sipped on
her coffee and waited for one of them to speak, uneasy at the sudden serious
mood that now hovered over the two young men.
They had eased her loneliness since the loss of her beloved husband and
son, helping her make a new life for herself in the west, and since that time,
they’d become very special to her.
“Daisy?”
Slim began. “Daisy, are you happy
here?” He locked his gaze with
that of his partner as they waited for her response.
“Why, of
course I’m happy. What on earth
would make you ask such a question?” Daisy answered, bewildered as she set her
cup back into its saucer and looked at the troubled faces.
Slim shifted
uneasily on the couch and finally stood up and leant against the fireplace,
seeming to find strength in the sturdiness of its form.
“Well, it’s just that once Jess and I sign the papers…well it will
mean that it’s permanent. This will be Mike’s home forever. And you did get rather railroaded into staying, what with
that day being so crazy and all.” Slim
fumbled and stumbled along as he tried to find the right words. Jess stopped and
looked up at Slim’s back. “What
my pard here is trying to say, Daisy, is that we’re worried that you might
find living out West too much, and that you’d feel better going back East.
You’ve often spoken about your life back there.
We just don’t want you to feel obligated to stay, that’s all.”
“No wonder
you two have been so quiet lately, you’re afraid that once the legalities are
all settled that I would up and leave.” She
put her cup and saucer on the hearth and stood to her feet, her small frame only
reaching Slim’s shoulder. “What
foolishness…..you gave me a home and new hope when you asked me to stay in
this run down old place,” her eyes meeting Jess’, as both recalled his
comment of that fateful day; the day that had brought them all together as a
family. Daisy smiled as she touched
Slim’s shoulder. He turned, his
furrowed brow smoothed into a smile and he wrapped an arm about her.
“This is my home, and you and Jess and Mike are my family now.”
As the
familiar creaking resumed, Slim and Daisy turned to eye Jess who was once more
rocking back and forth, his boyish face beaming with delight. He briefly glanced at them.
“What ya all looking at?” he said, as he felt the heat rising in his
cheeks. He hated for anyone to see his emotions, even those he held the closest.
“Nothing,”
Daisy replied, as she stepped forward and placed her small fingers on his strong
hand as it rested on the arm of the chair.
“Just glad to see both my boys are happy with my decision, that’s
all.”
Jess stopped
rocking and smiled warmly at her. “Of
course I’m happy you’re going to stay, Daisy – means I don’t have to
suffer Slim’s cooking ever again.” And
he threw a huge grin in his stunned partner’s direction. But Slim wasn’t stunned for long and before Daisy could
catch her breath, Jess was hi-tailing it out the door with Slim hot on his
heels.
Daisy could
only shake her head and smile as she wandered to the open doorway and watch as
Slim’s long gait quickly enabled him to catch up to his partner.
Just a couple of little boys. How
did I get to be so lucky? One son I
may have lost, but three I have found.
She closed her eyes and wished silently upon the evening star.
Don’t ever grow up.
“Mike,
hurry now. Jess is waiting for you.”
Daisy urged as she handed Mike his schoolbooks, his lunch pail, and
hustled him out of the door to where Jess was waiting patiently with the
buckboard.
It
was a bright, yet crisp fall morning. The
sunlight filled the trees, making them shine with glorious shades of gold and
red. But there was a definite chill
in the air. Winter would soon be upon them.
Jess deftly lifted the small boy into the buckboard and bade him move
over as he climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Slim
and I’ll be back by mid-afternoon, Daisy and I’ll make sure Frank at the
stage office knows to put Mike on the afternoon stage once school is out.”
Jess said as he took up the reins. “You
sure you don’t need anything from town?” he asked, knowing that as soon as
he was out of sight she would remember something.
Daisy shook her head and wrapped her arms about her in the chilly morning
air. With that, Jess flicked the
leather and headed out of the yard.
Daisy
was still standing on the porch shivering when Slim came out from the barn and
noted her looking off into the distance.
“You
all right, Daisy?” he asked as he approached, his tone concerned at her
apparent empty expression. When she
didn’t respond, he slipped an arm about her, bringing her instantly to
herself.
“Oh!
Slim,” she uttered in a startled tone. “I’m
sorry, I was miles away. Did you say something?”
“I
asked if you were all right. What are you staring at?” He asked again, as he
followed her gaze. “I know they’re a bit late but Jess will get Mike safely
to school and on time.”
Daisy
finally seemed to come to her full senses and looked up at the tall young
rancher and smiled. “Oh, it’s probably nothing.” She said flatly.
Slim
held her at arm’s length. “Come
on, Daisy I know that look. Something’s
bothering you, now what is it?” he persisted.
Lowering
her eyes, Daisy once again looked off into the distance, in the direction that
Jess and Mike had just left. “Just
a feeling, can’t put my finger on it. I
just know that, something…something is going to happen.”
She said quietly and shook her head as her words drifted off into the
early morning silence.
Slim
slipped his arm about her again. “What’s
going to happen is that you’re about to become a full-time mother again,
permanent; and with three hungry men to feed.”
Slim said cheerily while he hugged her reassuringly.
“Talking
of which,” she announced “I’d better get to my baking.
With the Judge coming this afternoon, I want to have something special
for Mike when he gets home from school.”
And with that, she detangled herself from Slim and slipped quickly inside
the small house.
Slim
stood and watched her retreat, and then he too looked off into the direction
that his partner and their young charge had left, feeling suddenly uneasy.
In just the short time since Daisy had been at the ranch he had come to
trust her instincts, and a knot began to form in his stomach. Shrugging off the uneasy feelings, he headed for the corral
to catch Alamo and ride out to the north quarter.
Jess would meet him later to finish fixing the roof on the line shack so
that they could shut it up for the winter.
*
* * * * * * *
The
watery fall sun was almost to its zenith when Jess pulled the heavily laden
buckboard up in front of the line shack. He
could hear Slim hammering as he jumped down and looked upwards towards the
sound.
“Slim!
He waited. Slim!”
Jess yelled as he wandered to the back of the conveyance and began to unload the
roofing planks he had just picked up in town.
Jess was in a hurry to get the job done and finished so that they could
get back to the ranch before the Judge arrived with the papers.
“About
time you got here. What kept
you?” Slim bellowed from atop the roof’s peak.
Jess looked up, noting the apparent roughness in his partner’s voice.
“Don’t
blame me, Pard. Blame the dad-gum ruts in the road.
Couldn’t hurry with this load on board now could I?
Now come down here and give me hand to get these darn things unloaded.
Sooner that’s done the sooner I can get up there and help you so we can
get finished and back home and cleaned up before the Judge arrives.”
Jess heaved several more boards from the heavily laden wagon and stood
them against the wall of the small shack, as Slim removed himself from his perch
to help his partner.
He
smiled as he reached ground level and watched a moment as his partner hurriedly
heaved more roofing planks from the wagon, and then stood them against the shack
wall. Slim had never seen his partner work so feverishly.
Nor had he seen Jess so excited about his work.
Slim scratched his head and pulled his gloves more firmly onto his hands
as he stepped forward and lifted out the new bucket of roofing nails and stood
it on the ground next to the planks. Jess
never even noticed that his partner wasn’t helping much, but instead was
watching him out of the corner of his eye.
Finally, the last plank was unloaded and Jess removed his hat and ran his
fingers through his thick dark hair, which now glistened from the exertion, and
then jammed his hat firmly back on his head.
He turned, only to meet the smiling face of his partner.
“What
‘re you staring at? Never seen a
man work before?” Jess reached
under the driver’s seat and pulled out his canteen and took a long and much
needed drink.
Slim
just stood there smiling. “Well,
not this particular man.”
Jess
snapped round and was about to come back with some smart retort, when he
realized what his partner meant. And
he suddenly felt somewhat silly and awkward; he was so excited at the prospect
of becoming Mike’s legal guardian that he’d thought about little else all
day. All he wanted to do was get
this job done and get home.
“Maybe
you should become a father everyday, if this is the affect it has on you,”
Slim continued as he surveyed his partner’s unusual countenance.
Jess’
brow furrowed in disdain. “Whatd’ya
mean by that,” he asked as he returned the canteen to its resting place under
the seat.
“Well
it’s just I’ve never seen you this keen to get a job done, Pard.
Usually you’re trying to wheedle your way out of anything like this.”
Jess
stepped past Slim and picked up the bucket of nails.
“Don’t know what you mean. Come
on, we’ve only got two good hours left before we have to make tracks for home. Can’t keep the Judge waitin’ now can we?”
Slim
shook his head in disbelief at Jess’ anxiety.
“Jess, the Judge has been visiting us every month since Mike came to
live with us. Why are you so
nervous today? After all we’re
only signing papers and we’ve been expecting to do that for months.”
Slim stepped up behind his friend, as he enjoyed the play.
“Only
signing papers!” Jess exclaimed, as once again he whirled on his partner, only
to be met with Slim’s familiar disarming expression.
Suddenly
realizing how he had been acting, Jess felt the heat rise in his cheeks and he
awkwardly cleared his throat while nudging a nearby pebble with his boot.
He was never one to easily show his feelings and although he and Slim had
been friends and partners for nigh on three years, he still felt uncomfortable
at letting his usually controlled emotions slip to the surface.
Even though Slim was the only one there to see the vulnerability he hid
so guardedly from the outside world, he still felt somewhat shy and awkward.
Slim’s
smile quickly faded as he saw the affect his horsing around had on his partner;
and he felt badly for having made fun of what was obviously very important to
Jess. He’d had no idea that Jess
had been feeling this way about the adoption.
He was taking this responsibility very serious and here he was making
light of it. Slim felt like kicking
himself, or letting Jess do the job for him at least.
Slim
rested a hand on his subdued friend’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Pard. I
never knew you felt like this about the adoption.
Kinda got your tail in a knot has it.
You want to talk about it, pard?”
Slim asked quietly.
Jess
raised his rugged features his voice quiet and sombre.
Where to begin? His stomach
was in knots, had been all week, ever since the telegram arrived telling them
that the six month waiting period was up; and since no one had come forward, the
adoption papers were being drawn up and the Judge would be by with them that
day. “It’s just...” he began slowly.
“It’s just, well after Texas, I never thought that I’d ever have a
real home again, let alone a real family, Slim.
And here I am with both, and about to become responsible for bringing up
a youngster. Never thought anyone
would think that much of me to, well to give me that kind of chance.
I just wanna do things right, Slim, and being on time for the Judge is a
good place to start.”
Slim
couldn’t believe his ears. All these years he’d known Jess, and here he was
still learning things about this complex man who was his best friend.
It just affirmed to him once again, that Jess was one very special kind
of man. Ruthless when the need
arose yet with a gentle side that not many knew of, or saw very often, including
himself. He often wondered if he
would ever really know the real Jess Harper, probably not.
But he knew more than most ever would about this complicated man, and
that gave him a sense of well being, to know that Jess trusted him enough to
open up every now and then.
Slim
squeezed his partner’s shoulder and took the bucket of nails from his hands.
“You’ve been doing things right, ever since that very first day Mike
came into our lives, pard.” He
noted the look of doubt that flashed across Jess’ grim countenance.
“Jess, Mike really looks up to you, emulates you in every way possible,
so none of this self-doubt.” Slim
paused as he searched for the words to get his point across to his doubting
partner and friend. “Jess,
you’re a great father and big brother. Mike
could ask for none better than you to raise him.”
“You
really think so, Slim?” Jess asked, still needing reassurance.
This was a new role for him and he was feeling every bump along this
rough and rocky road.
Slim’s
smile returned and he patted his partner on the shoulder.
“I know so, Jess. Now
let’s leave this chore for tomorrow, when we can both concentrate on it
better. Somehow I don’t think I
want you anywhere near me with a hammer in your hands right now.
You might end up with fewer fingers than when you started with, and who
knows what might befall me.” And
with that he walked to the line shack and opened the front door, placing the
bucket on the floor. “Bring those
tools over, Jess and we’ll make a start for home.
Think maybe you could use a drink before the Judge arrives?
I know I could.”
Jess
stood astonished. Had he heard that right?
Slim needing a drink in the middle of the day?
Maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling the strain of responsibility.
Picking up the toolbox, he moved towards the doorway and handed it to
Slim.
“Thanks,
Jess. Can you saddle my horse while
I stow away the ladder and lock up? Then
we’ll be off.”
“Sure thing, pard.” Jess said, suddenly feeling lighter at heart. He was doing a good job with Mike, Slim had said so and he trusted Slim’s word above all others. As Jess tightened the saddle cinch, he mused on what lay ahead of him; ahead of them both, for that matter. It wasn’t going to be easy, he knew that, but he loved Mike like he was kin and would die for him if necessary. He was still deep in thought and standing by Slim’s mount when his partner tapped him on the back.
“Ready
to go, Pard?”
Jess
was jerked back to reality at the suddenness of Slim’s presence.
“Ready,
Slim.” He climbed onto the
buckboard and with a flick of leather, turned the team southward.
With Slim riding alongside, the two prospective fathers were bound for
home.
Slim
wandered, grumbling under his breath, into the warm kitchen.
The aromatic fragrance of freshly baked bread, mingled with that of apple
pie, both of which now lay cooling on the small table in front of him. He was freshly shaved and dressed in his Sunday clothes, yet
his necktie still hung loosely about his unbuttoned collar.
His usually calm features were flushed and furrowed with frustration.
“Daisy,
can you help me with this? I seem
to be all thumb.” He asked,
exasperated by the fact that he’d been beaten into submission by a mere thing
like tying his own tie.
Daisy
almost giggled as she laid her gentle grey eyes on the helpless figure before
her. “Now what on earth has got
you in such a state, Slim? You’re
only signing papers,” she admonished softly as she straightened the now neatly
tied bow and turned down his shirt collar, and then stood back to admire her
handiwork.
“Only,
signing papers! Daisy it’s more
than just that it’s… He stopped
abruptly and gently lowered his head, shaking it gently from side to side as a
broad grin spread across his face, as recollection struck home.
“Something
strike you as funny, Dear?” Daisy enquired, slightly puzzled by his sudden
change in behaviour.
“It’s
just, I’ve had this same conversation once already today.”
“You
have, with whom?” Daisy continued to enquire.
“Jess,”
he replied quietly, as he recalled Jess’ face when he had reacted in the same
manner to the blasé statement.
Slim
kissed the gently smiling cheek and stepped past her as he reached up and lifted
down two glasses from the shelf, together with the bottle kept for special
occasions or medicinal purposes.
“Definitely
a day for a toast, even though it is a little early in the afternoon.
I would have thought you would have wanted to wait to celebrate until
after the Judge had left.” Daisy
stated a little curtly, as she gave Slim a stern yet gentle look.
Slim
set the glasses and bottle down on the small kitchen table, as Daisy reached
forth and picked up the glasses and proceeded to dust them off with her
dishtowel.
“Daisy,
this is purely medicinal. The
celebrating will come later and that’s for sure.
And it’s more for Jess’ benefit than mine,” he said, as he uncorked
the bottle and poured forth two shots of the sharp liquor.
Daisy
watched him, puzzled by his words but all too soon everything became crystal
clear. Before she even had a chance
to quiz Slim on his meaning, a large hand shot past her and snatched up one of
the glasses, making Daisy gasp. Startled,
she turned as a familiar hand rested itself on her shaking shoulders and Jess
was standing beside her, downing the glass without even breathing.
He
looked pale, and she couldn’t believe her eyes, when he stuck out the glass,
in anticipation of his partner refilling it.
Jess’ hand was actually shaking. Slim
downed his own shot and as he raised the bottle to refill Jess’ glass, Daisy
quickly put her hand over it, this time the look was stormy and foreboding and
she shook her head.
“Daisy!”
Jess exclaimed, only to be met with Daisy’s sternest look. How come every time
she looked at him that way, he felt like a little boy, caught in the act of some
wrong-doing or mischief? He looked
at Slim for help, but Slim just shrugged his shoulders in defeat.
Daisy
took the glass from Jess’ fingers and placed it on the table, all the while
holding his hand that had held it, in hers.
She gently patted it with the other hand and smiled up at him, her face
full of understanding at his apprehension.
And just as she was about to speak, her thoughts were interrupted by the
sound of hooves and creaking wheels entering the yard.
Slim
hurriedly stowed away the glasses and bottle, as Jess and Daisy rushed to the
living room window. “It’s the
Judge, Slim and…” Jess’ voice drifted off on the air.
Slim
came up behind his partner as Jess turned his expression uncertain.
“Mort’s with him and…. a woman.”
Slim laid a hand on his partner’s shoulder and squeezed, in hopes of
quelling Jess’ obvious concern. “Why
would Mort be coming out here, Slim?”
“Don’t
know, Jess, maybe he’s come because it’s a big day for us.
He is one of our oldest friends after all.
Don’t know about the woman though.”
He patted Jess on the shoulder. “Well
we won’t find out standing around in here.”
And with that he opened the front door and stepped out into the
brightness of the afternoon.
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
“Afternoon,
Slim, Jess.” Mort greeted, as he
stepped down from his mount and tied up at the hitching rail.
“Mort,”
the two friends acknowledged in unison.
“Gentlemen,
nice to see you again.” The Judge
greeted, as he alighted from the surrey and helped his companion from her seat.
She brushed off her skirt and stood silently next to the judiciary.
“Shall we go inside?” The
two young ranchers stepped aside and bade them enter.
Daisy
was greeting the Judge and the young woman as Slim and Jess slowed their
entrance.
“What’s
going on, Mort?” Slim whispered over his shoulder as Mort closed the door
behind them.
“Judge
will fill you both in, Slim.” Mort
replied, and removed his hat as Daisy greeted him.
Daisy
served coffee as everyone settled themselves into chairs and the Judge removed
some papers from his black carrying case. Then
he cleared his throat and began.
“Gentlemen,
it’s been just over six months since young Mike came to live with you, and I
must praise you both for the way in which you have raised the boy thus far.
Considering the terrible circumstances of the death of his parents, he
has adjusted well. And I can only believe that is due entirely to the way you
both, and Mrs. Cooper of course, have cared for him.”
The
Judge shifted in his chair and unfolded the papers that lay before them on the
dining table. “As I informed you by telegraph, I have had the adoption
papers drawn up, and my visit here today was for the intention of signing those
papers.” He paused as he looked
at the two men seated before him. “You
will note that I say was my intention. Some
surprising news reached me just this morning, when I arrived in Laramie on the
stage; news that affects you both.”
Slim
and Jess exchanged concerned glances. “What
news, Judge? I thought everything was settled and that the adoption could
go through.” Slim asked
anxiously.
“Everything
was settled, until Sheriff Corey brought this new development to my
attention.”
All eyes turned to where Mort Corey
sat fiddling uneasily with his cup, finally placing it on the mantel, and
turning to face the inquisitive orbs. He
looked down at the young woman who had sat silent all this time.
“As
you know, when Mike first arrived here, we posted notices throughout the
territory and beyond, in an effort to find his family and with no success.”
Mort paused and looked at his long time friends.
“That is, until now.” He
watched as his friends’ expressions darkened with bewilderment.
“Slim,
Jess, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Virginia Gilbert.”
The young lady nodded an acknowledgement, as did the two still bewildered
ranchers.
“Mort,
I don’t…” Jess began.
“I
received a telegram from Mrs. Gilbert about three days ago, telling me that she
was on her way here and her reasons.” He
watched, hating what the next statement would do to his friends.
“Mrs.
Gilbert is by all accounts…” he paused, sweating slightly, “Mike’s
aunt.”
The
room was silent and still until it was shattered by a piercing yell.
“NO!
NO!” Mike was standing, schoolbooks in hand in the doorway.
Daisy
quickly got to her feet and approached the hysterical youngster, but before she
could get close, he threw his books to the floor, ran for his room and slammed
the door. The sound of the bolt slipping in place on his bedroom door
seemed to fill the small space, and then silence, except for the small sobs that
drifted through the door cracks.
Daisy
tapped gently on the door, begging Mike to let her in, but to no avail. The door
remained tightly shut. She turned
and moved to stand next to Jess who took her hand in his and squeezed it
reassuringly. As the disturbed air
settled in the room once more, Mort Corey set forth Mrs. Gilbert’s story.
Indeed,
she was Mike’s aunt, but only by marriage.
Her husband was the brother of Mike’s mother, and they lived in San
Francisco. The siblings had not been close and had lost touch when the
elder had moved west. He had
married and it was just after two short years of that marriage, when they heard
of the devastation to the farmland in Park County and that many had left their
homes to seek a future elsewhere. Her
husband had tried to find out news of the family but the only word was that his
sister and her husband and young son had left, and were thought to be heading
west or south.
She
and her husband had no children, and continued to seek for news of the lost
family members. They hired
detectives but it was like the great expanse of the country had swallowed them
up, never to be seen again – until now…
But alas the hopeful news had come too late for her to share with her
husband. He had been killed at sea while on business for the shipping
company he partly owned.
Mort
stood silent as the eyes of the room fell upon the young woman.
It
was Daisy who finally broke the silence. “How
did you come by the news of Mike, if you don’t mind my asking?” she asked,
her voice tight and strained.
The
woman looked sheepishly up. “A
newspaper,” she replied quietly.
“We
posted notices in all the newspapers, how come you’ve waited until now to come
forward?” Slim asked, more curtly
than he’d intended.
“My
husband died only recently and while I was going through some papers I came
across an unopened letter. It must
have arrived after he had sailed, my staff just put it with all his papers, as
it was he who had engaged the detectives and the envelope was addressed to him. When I opened it, a newspaper clipping fell out; one of the
detective agencies had forwarded it saying they had seen this notice and
wondered whether it could be anything to do with the missing family.
I took it to my lawyer and asked him if I had any legal claim if the boy
in question was that of my late husband’s missing family.
He said I could be considered the boy’s only remaining living relative,
though it was by marriage only; and that I had every right to claim the boy if
he were indeed my husband’s missing nephew.
So I had him contact Sheriff Corey telling him when I would be arriving
and my reason for coming.” She
smoothed out her skirts and shifted restlessly in her chair, feeling the burning
eyes upon her before she continued.
“After
speaking with the Judge here, I know now that Mike has to be my husband’s
missing nephew. I know you must all think it odd, my coming forward at this
late date, but you must understand that I only just found this out and all I
want is what’s best for the boy. And
I know my husband would want him to be with, how shall I put it? Family!
You have taken care of him admirably, I can see that, but I can give the
boy so much more.”
“Such
as?” Jess asked brusquely.
“Jess!”
Daisy admonished.
“It’s
a fair question, Daisy” Slim replied curtly.
“Mrs. Gilbert?” He
continued as he looked towards the nervous woman who sat flushing beneath
Jess’ glaring eyes.
“I
can assure you he will have the very best of everything.
I am the executrix of my late husband’s estate and I can tell you that
the boy will be well provided for. He
will receive a good education, one that will profit him as he grows up.
And I can give him a proper home.”
This
was the final straw and Jess flew into a rage.
“He has a proper home here, with us,” he shouted at the insinuation.
Slim got to his feet and put a restraining hand on his partner’s arm.
Slim
looked at the Judge. “So, Judge what happens now that Mrs. Gilbert has come
forward and is offering Mike a home. Does
what we’ve done for Mike these past six months count for nothing?”
The
Judge stood to his feet. “No, Mr.
Sherman it doesn’t, but Mrs. Gilbert does have a claim being Mike’s aunt,
even though it is by marriage. So
I’m afraid that the adoption can’t proceed unless she relinquishes custody
to you and Mr. Harper.”
Daisy
sighed heavily and swooned against Jess who caught her nimbly as Slim quickly
slid the chair beneath her, and Jess lowered her gently into the awaiting seat.
As Jess gently patted her hand Slim hurried to Daisy’s room, returning
with her smelling salts and waved them slowly beneath her nostrils.
She stirred and opened her eyes, to be met with a pair of concerned pools
of blue and a worried frown.
“Daisy,
you all right?” Jess asked as she
tried to sit up, only to slump back against the chair back.
“Slim, I think we should get her to her room, she don’t look too
good.” Slim nodded his agreement
as Jess lifted the frail form into his arms and headed for Daisy’s room.
Mort
touched Slim’s arm. “I’m
sorry, Slim, I knew this wasn’t going to be easy on any of us.
I hope she’s all right. The
Judge and I will take Mrs. Gilbert back to town.
If you can, would you and Jess come to my office in the morning so that
we can discuss this more thoroughly? Give
everyone a night to sleep on it, then maybe things will look better tomorrow and
we can make some decisions with clear heads. Does that sound fair?”
Slim
looked solemnly at his old friend, his old friend that was about to help break
up his long wished-for family. But
Slim was a sensible man and respected the law to the fullest.
He nodded. “Sounds fair,
Mort. Jess and I will ride in
tomorrow, but only if Daisy and Mike are okay to be left alone.”
Mort
Cory was pleased to hear the familiar sound judgement of his long time friend.
“You see to Miss Daisy, we can see ourselves out, Slim.”
And with that he escorted the other guests from the house and all three
headed in the direction of town.
Jess
gently laid his limp burden down onto the soft mattress and carefully lifted one
of the pillows to support Daisy’s head. Slim
entered the small room just as his partner was covering their patient with the
crochet blanket that Daisy kept folded at the end of her bed.
The only remnants of her home and life back east that she had brought
with her; a link to her late husband and son who had had it made for her
birthday. Many years had passed
since its making, but it had stood the rigors of time and Jess knew it gave
Daisy special comfort. He sat on
the edge of the bed as his partner leaned forward, a small glass held in his
hand; their faces both filled with concern for the woman who had touched their
hearts and filled the void left by their own mothers long departed.
“Drink
this, Daisy. It’ll help,” Slim encouraged, as he gently raised her
head and touched the glass to her lips.
Daisy
did as she was bid but coughed as the course liquid trickled along her tongue
and stung her throat. She pushed
the glass away as Slim tried to administer more of the stimulant.
“I’m
fine, dear, really, it was just such a shock.
After all these months to hear that Mike has family.”
As she lifted herself up into a sitting position, Jess placed another
pillow behind her shoulders so that she could rest against them.
The color now returning to her cheeks; she looked at the concerned faces.
“Now,
now, you two I’m fine. It’s
Mike we have to think about.” She
smiled warmly at Jess. “Jess, go
see if he’s all right. He trusts
you so. Maybe he’ll open the door for you.”
Jess
looked up at his partner and saw the sadness of his own thoughts mirrored there.
“It’s worth a try, Jess. If
anyone can reach him, you can, Pard.” And
he touched his partner’s shoulder encouragingly.
Daisy patted Jess’ hand encouragingly and nodded her agreement.
Hesitantly
Jess rose to his feet and moved slowly past his partner, who patted him on the
back. Jess left the room and in a few steps he was in front of
Mike’s door. He tapped softly,
but there was no response.
Jess
knocked more firmly and called Mike’s name; still nothing.
He looked across to where Slim stood in the open doorway.
“Try again, Jess,” he said in a hushed voice, hoping against hope
that Mike would respond.
This
time Jess took a firmer stand. He
loved Mike and the thought of him lying on his bunk alone and upset, tore at his
very core. “Mike, open this door now, less you want me to kick it
in.” Jess bellowed, more from
hurt and frustration than from anger. He
waited.
A
few moments later, all breathed an inward sigh of relief as they heard the bolt
sliding back and the door creaked open, and two bloodshot eyes swollen from
crying peered from within. In one
fluid motion, Jess pushed the door open and swept Mike into his arms hugging him
close; as the small child once more dissolved into tears. Jess hushed the
weeping boy as he walked to his favoured rocker and sat down.
Soon they were swaying back and forth; a motion that usually calmed Mike
whenever he was frightened or upset by a nightmare or some untoward happening.
Slim
walked across to the fireplace and pulled a chair up and sat opposite his
partner and the frightened child. Speaking
softly, he rubbed Mike’s back reassuringly.
His eyes met those of his partner, wherein he saw the pain that was
tearing at his own soul. It was at this juncture that Daisy rose from her bed
and ventured forth into the small living room, and viewed the scene before her.
If only others could see these boys
as they are now. There’s more
love in this room at this very moment than in the whole wide world; she
thought wistfully; and headed to the kitchen, knowing that both Slim and Jess
would by this time be in need of something hot and strong.
*
* * * * * * * * * * *
Mike
was somewhat calmer when Daisy came into the room with cups and a pot of fresh
coffee. He was listening to
Slim’s gentle voice of reason as he laid his head against Jess’ supportive
shoulder. Daisy poured coffee and
moving toward the threesome she held one out to Slim, who looked up and smiled.
“Thanks, Daisy, how are you feeling now?”
“Much
better, thank you Slim” she replied, as she poured another coffee.
“Jess?” she asked, motioning to the now-full cup.
“No
thanks, Daisy,” he answered to her surprise, as he continued the fluid motion.
He was obviously finding more comfort in that, than in his beloved brew.
“Is
Aunt Daisy sick?” It was the first thing that Mike had said since the tragic
incident that had pulled the families’ world down about their ears.
The
partner’s eyes met in a grateful smile. Even
though it seemed his world was falling apart, the youngster was still concerned
for another he held dear. Jess
tightened his arm about the small frame, in thanks for the resilience of youth,
as his partner smiled and held his hand out to the bewildered child.
Mike scrambled down from Jess’ lap and stood in front of Slim, who
hoisted him onto his knee after setting his cup aside.
“No,
Mike she’s fine. She was just worried about you when you wouldn’t come out
of your room, that’s all.”
Silence
fell like a veiling blanket around the Sherman Ranch and the small house.
Where once they had expected an evening of celebration, it was once more
witness to sadness and uncertainty. The
small family surrounded the roughly hewn fireplace; each member consumed by
private thoughts of their now clouded future.
Mike
had fallen into a restless slumber on Slim’s lap, and as the last visages of
daylight disappeared from the skyline, Daisy busied herself with lighting the
lamps. Jess had kept vigil on
the fire, always needing something into which to channel his nervous energy.
“Best
get him in bed, Slim.” Jess
remarked, as he stood from his task and warmed himself against the glowing logs.
Slim
looked up at his partner and met an unfamiliar gaze, one filled with doubt and
misgiving, yet strong and purposeful. As
he acknowledged his agreement, Jess stretched out a steadying hand and assisted
him to his feet. Mike stirred and
murmured softly, yet never woke and in a few moments, the two friends stood over
their young charge as he snuggled into the security of his covers.
Unspoken words were exchanged as they looked at each other, as Jess
dimmed the lamp and they left the small room, which only a couple of evenings
before had been filled with such high spirits.
Daisy
peered from the kitchen, a gentle smile on her face, yet both men could see the
anguish behind her pale grey eyes.
“You
boys should eat something,” she encouraged, trying to sound bright.
“No
thanks, Daisy,” they replied, almost in unison.
And a half-hearted smile passed between the two, as each noted their
ever-present connection with the other, even in times of trial, as now.
Slim
placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder and squeezed, gaining new strength
from the gesture, knowing that once again in the face of adversity, they would
stand together and face it as one. Jess’
expression changed from that of doubt and perhaps even fear, to one of soft
determination, as his shredded emotions were soothed by the presence of his
stalwart partner and friend.
Daisy
looked on in awe, as she saw the two men’s demeanour change before her very
eyes. The earlier shock was
now being channelled into planning the steps needed to secure the
family’s happiness.
“Slim
and I have some brainstorming to do, Daisy.” Jess announced, pausing
momentarily, “so if there’s any cof…”
He hadn’t a chance to finish, before Daisy disappeared into the kitchen
and emerged with two steaming cups in her hands.
“I
knew you boys would be up late, so there’s a fresh pot on the stove and I’ve
left some bread and cheese out and there’s a little ham too; just in case you
get hungry later on.” She handed
them each a cup and smiled warmly. “You’ll
both be able to think better on a full stomach.”
And with a fond goodnight, headed to check on Mike and finally to her own
bed, and she hoped some rest. Her
boys were going to need her like never before.
As she turned to look back as she stepped into Mike’s room, she wished
that they too would be able to find at least a little rest that night.
Jess
added a fresh log to the dwindling embers, as Slim stretched out his long form
on the couch. The partners settled into a tense silence as each pondered
the problem now before them.
Finally,
Jess broke the silence, asking what both had been thinking on.
“So where do we start, Pard?”
Slim
swung his legs over the side of the couch and leaned forward picking up his cup
and resting his elbows on his knees as he sipped on his cooling beverage.
He raised studious blue eyes and met the question in his usual cool and
positive manner, though deep inside he was anything but calm.
“We
start by talking with Mort and getting some telegraphs out, and we need to talk
to Randall, Jess. Best we get some proper advice and have legal representation
ready.” He got to his feet and
motioned for Jess to hand over his cup for a refill.
Jess
stared into the flames, as he shook he head and covered his empty cup with his
hand.
Slim
was stunned. It was almost unheard of for his partner to refuse at least
one refill. He was obviously more
affected by all this than he was letting on, Slim reflected. He would have to watch for the tell-tales signs of when the
anger Slim knew was bubbling beneath his partner’s quiet yet resolute
demeanour, would burst forth in the uncontrollable rage he knew Jess was capable
of, when those he held closest were hurt or threatened.
He’d have to watch himself too. Usually,
he would meet the challenges of the world head-on but this time, this time was
different. He had a fiery temper
and had learned to control it over the years but today when Mort told them the
news…
Slim
pulled back from his thoughts, as Jess entered the small kitchen and placed his
cup in the dish bowl ready to be washed in the morning.
Jess turned to the window and pulled back the lace trimmings and stared
into the bleak yard that was veiled by the harsh blackness of the evening. He drew the veil back across the dark vista as he felt a
familiar presence behind him, and he turned back to the welcoming soft glow of
the home that embraced his shattered countenance.
But at this moment, that which would usually bring him peace and comfort
filled him with sadness and doubt.
“Jess,”
Slim began, sensing his partner’s tension.
Jess
turned, and Slim could see the uneasiness in those usually smiling eyes that the
girls seemed to find so attractive. He
reached out to try and subdue Jess’ retreat but to no avail, Jess sidestepped
and continued to the front bedroom.
“We
should hit the sack. Going to need
our wits about us tomorrow.” Jess
deadpanned over his shoulder.
Slim
gave no more thought to trying to talk to his partner.
He knew only too well, that there was nothing Jess liked better than a
good fight. Trouble was, the
outcome of this fight could well affect their whole future, Mike’s too.
He shrugged his shoulders and trailed after his best friend.
Jess was right, it would take everything they could muster to see their
family through this latest trial.
As
Jess’ back disappeared through the open doorway, Slim paused to dim the lamp
that stood on the kitchen table. As
he reached for it, his eyes rested on the celebration cake that Daisy had so
painstakingly prepared all that day. His
eyes roamed to rest on Mike’s door and he made a silent vow to the sleeping
child, that his dream would come true and what he longed for would become a
reality. His eyes once more rested
on the cake and the words………..OUR FAMILY.
“So,
Randall that’s the facts as we know them.”
Slim said, as he surveyed the attorney’s face for some sign of hope.
He
looked across at Jess who was standing framed by the small office window, his
back turned to the room as he scanned the familiar street outside.
Jess’ mood had been uneasy all morning, from the time that they had
risen from their sleepless night, through breakfast, such as it was; and during
their long ride into town after the morning stage had come and gone. Now, as Slim conveyed to their attorney and old friend the
events of the previous evening, Jess was restless, not able to sit but
preferring to stand.
Randall
Jessup finished taking down notes and as he laid his pen aside, he clasped his
fingers and leant back in the large leather chair and mused on the subject
before him. He was around 40 years of age and had been Slim’s family
attorney since the time the Sherman family had settled in the Laramie basin.
After what seemed a lifetime, he spoke.
“First,
Slim I want to speak with Mrs. Gilbert personally.
I need to hear the story from her own lips.
That way, I should be able to tell whether she is lying and has some
other agenda, or whether she is truly telling the truth.”
“How
will you be able to tell all that from just talking with her?”
Jess snapped, finally turning from his vigil to face the legal mind.
“Ease
off, Jess.” Slim admonished.
“No,
I won’t ease off! This woman
waltzes in here, says she’s Mike’s aunt with some cock and bull story and
expects us to just step aside. Well
I ain’t stepping aside, I lost one family, I sure don’t intend to stand by
and let this one be destroyed.”
Slim
stood up. “Jess,”
he pleaded as his partner stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him,
leaving Slim to stand in shocked silence.
He
turned back to Randall and slumped down in the chair.
“Don’t worry, Slim he’ll cool off, just give him time.
I know how you two have looked forward to being Mike’s guardians and
building a proper family for the boy. Give
Jess some time. His common sense
will get the better of him in the end, you’ll see.”
“I
hope so, Randall. He’s been looking forward to finally having a real family.
I just hope that hot temper of his…”
Slim stopped in mid-sentence and shifted in his seat.
“So what’s the first step?”
It
was almost an hour later when Slim stepped from the dim light of the law office.
He searched the street in hopes of seeing Jess slumped in one of the many
chairs that stood outside some of the town’s numerous stores and buildings,
but there was no sign of him. Slim
ran his fingers through his hair and pulled on his hat, assured that his partner
was somewhere in the vicinity, since both their mounts were still tethered
outside Mort’s office.
He
crossed the dusty street and entered Mort’s office.
“Hi,
Slim.” Mort Corey greeted.
“You looking for that partner of yours?”
“Now
how did you kno…” Slim began.
“Could
hardly miss him, Slim. He came a
roaring out of Randall’s office like his britches were on fire.
Thought he was going to pull the door right off its hinges. I take it, the meeting didn’t go well?”
Slim
looked gravely at his long time friend. “Meeting
actually went okay, Mort. But I
must admit that if Miss Gilbert can prove her story, well.”
He stopped and looked at the roughly hewn floor, the feelings that Jess
had so freely expressed coursed through him, that were closely kept in check.
“I
know, son.” Mort said as he laid
a comforting hand on Slim’s shoulder. Here
was a young man he had watch grow from boy to manhood, one whom he considered
the son he never had. Bringing the
news to him yesterday had been one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. “We’d best go find Jess, before that temper of his gets
him a bed in here for the night.” And
with that he grabbed his hat and followed Slim out into the mid-afternoon sun.
Before
the two friends had hardly taken a step into the dusty street, Freddy the bar
keeper from the Laramie Saloon came hurrying through the batwings and made his
way towards them.
“Well
Freddy – I take it that Jess is inside,” the lawman queried of the somewhat
flustered saloonkeeper, who could only nod his agreement as he regained his
breath.
“He’s
been in there now for about twenty minutes, silent as the grave and you know
what that means, Slim.” Finally
getting his breath back, he followed behind Slim and the sheriff as they entered
his establishment.
Jess
was sitting at a table in the corner towards the back of the saloon, a full
whiskey bottle in front of him. He
was leaning on the table and fingering the empty glass in a gloved hand.
Slim and Mort stopped at the end of the bar, Slim catching Freddy’s
shirt sleeve as he walked past the friends.
“How much has he had, Freddy?” Slim
asked quietly.
“None,”
Freddy replied. “Came in here
black as thunder, took the bottle and glass from the bar and just been sitting
there ever since.”
“But
I thought…” Slim began. “You
mean he hasn’t touched a drop?”
“Nope!”
Freddy replied. “Opal went
and sat with him for a few minutes but he just snapped at her and she ran off to
her room in tears. I wouldn’t be
so concerned if he’d had a few but to just sit there…well it’s just not
like him, Slim. I could handle him
if he’d been drinking but as silent as he is, well I thought I should come get
you sheriff. No telling what he
might do, sober as he is.”
Mort
eyed the barkeeper and then Slim. “Best
let you handle this, Slim. I’ll
be here to back you up if you need it.”
“Thanks
a heap, Mort.” And with that he
made his way cautiously towards his sullen partner.
Finally, standing behind Jess he quietly laid a hand on the slumped
shoulder. “Jess?”
No
words were spoken but his look told it all, as Jess raised his eyes and glared
at the barkeeper. Patrons who were standing at the bar enjoying a quiet break
in their day, quickly recognized the look and stood clear, unsure as to what
move Jess might make.
“Time
we were heading home, Pard.” Slim
continued. Jess moved his eyes and
looked up towards his partner, his best friend. Slim’s features firm, yet gentle as he smiled and took the
glass from Jess’ fingers, placing it firmly on top of the bottle.
“Daisy’ll be worried.”
Jess
shrugged his shoulders and stood, readjusting his hat he trudged out of the
saloon, leaving a much-relieved sheriff who had only to look on and pat Slim on
the back as he followed Jess out. Jess
was standing on the boardwalk. his arms crossed in front of him, as Slim came
out and stepped past him into the street, heading for their mounts.
Jess
stood unmoving. “Sorry, Slim.”
The
tall rancher stopped in his tracks and turned.
“For what?”
“For
being a…well you know.” Jess
continued, as he stepped down into the street and stood next to his partner.
Slim
placed a hand on his partner’s shoulder and looked him squarely in the eye,
“For being a hothead,” he laughed quietly.
Jess’ smile returned as Slim punched him in the arm.
“You wouldn’t be Jess Harper if you weren’t a hothead every once in
a while. It’s when you’re not a
hothead that gets me and others worried, like just now.
Poor Freddy knows how to handle you if you’ve been drinking but to just
sit there and not even uncork the bottle, that’s when he worries the most.”
Slim un-tethered their mounts and handed Jess his reins.
“Now let’s get home
and give Daisy the news,” he said as he swung himself into the saddle.
“What
news?” Jess asked, as he urged
his mount forward.
“The
news on how we’re going to keep this family together.”
“And
how pray tell are we going to do that?” Jess
asked, as the two partners headed up the hill out of town.
“See
how much you missed by losing your temper and storming out of Randall’s office
too soon?” Slim replied.
Jess
reached across and grabbed Alamo’s reins, halting any further movement of both
horses. “Slim!”
Slim
settled back in his saddle, laying the plan before his partner, who listened
intently to the course of action.
“So
you see, Jess, we just have to have a little patience until Randall has spoken
with Mrs. Gilbert and hears back from the telegrams he’s sending.
He says that what we’ve done for Mike over the past months has to count
for something. That’s why he is
contacting this large firm back east. They
have more resources than he does and he worked there for a time while going to
law school. He feels some of the
more senior partners might be able to advise him, since he has never come up
against something like this before.” Jess
sat silently listening ‘til Slim finished.
“And
what if no one can help? What then,
Slim?” Jess snapped. Then
suddenly remembering their earlier conversation about hotheads, he lowered his
head in shame while he took a deep breath to calm himself.
Slim
smiled at his friend and shook his head. “Then,
it’ll be up to us to try and persuade Miss Gilbert that the best place for
Mike to be is here with us. And we
won’t do that if someone keeps losing his head.”
The
two partners’ eyes met and finally each smiled.
“Just keep kicking me in the rear, Pard.”
Jess joked. “Sooner or
later I’ll get the message. Nothing
means more to me than raising Mike and giving him a home, you know that.”
“I
know, Jess and if we want to prove we can give Mike the best possible home, we
should head that way. Relay
stations don’t run themselves.”
The
afternoon sun was just beginning to wane when the two ranchers rode wearily into
the yard. Bill Bates, a friend and neighbour had seen to the stages
that day, so that the partners could see Randall.
He was just finishing up with the last team when they rode in.
“Hi
Slim, Jess – you get everything sorted out in town okay?
I sure hope so, cause Miss Daisy has been a fussin’ around all day
since you boys left. Must say,
I’ve never seen her like this before. She’s
like an old mother hen that’s lost one of her chicks.”
Bill was still rambling on as Slim and Jess dismounted and unsaddled,
Slim taking their gear into the barn leaving Jess to rub down their horses and
loose them into the corral.
When
Slim returned, Jess was leaning on the corral gate smiling away as Bill rattled
on about nothing of much importance. Mike
was with him and upon seeing him emerging from the barn, raced at Slim as he
approached, Slim scooped the youngster up as he walked back towards the fence
and sat Mike on top.
“Where
ya been all day, Slim?” he asked anxiously.
“Just
in town, Mike, remember Jess and I were seeing the lawyer and….”
“What
did he say? Did he say I could stay?
Did he?” Mike pleaded.
Jess
patted the youngster’s knee. “It’s
not quite as easy as that, Tiger. First
he has to speak to this Mrs. Gilbert, and then he’s sending some telegrams to
some other lawyers to get some more advice.”
Slim
came up behind his partner and patted him on the back, grateful to at last see
Jess’ level-headed self. “Going
to take some time I’m afraid, Mike. But
for the time being you’ll be staying right here.”
Mike’s
shoulders slumped in disappointment. Just
then, Bill who had been sitting silently next to Mike on the fence, piped up in
his usual cheery manner. “Now
then, young man none of that. You
know very well that Slim and Jess are going to do everything in their power to
make sure you stay right here on the ranch.
And I don’t think the folks in Laramie will be standing for none of
this young woman’s nonsense either.”
With
that he jumped down and stood next to his neighbours and friends of many years.
“That’s it for me….you boys have a good evening now.”
And before Slim or Jess could say thanks, he was on his horse and heading
out of the yard.
Slim
and Jess stood dumbfounded by what they had just heard.
Would the town really stand behind them on this?
Jess
was first to break the silence. “Slim,
do you really think that….”
“I
don’t know, Jess, I really don’t know.”
Slim lifted Mike from the fence.