Chapter 1 – Unexpected Arrival

Normally at this time of day (mid-morning) I wouldn't be in the house; I'd be out in one of the barns working with the newest crop of cross-breed foals. But Beauregard had been sick and I wanted to see how he was feelin', and I needed a drink of water. Everybody was busy somewhere, so when I heard the knock at the door I went to answer it. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened it and saw who was standin' there. Dandy Jim Buckley. Or rather, I should say, James Buckley.

And that was the second biggest surprise. Jim was standin' there, at my front door. On his own two feet.

"Bart, old man, aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Um, of course, Jim. Or are you still going by James?" I stepped aside and held the door open. I noticed that he'd driven a buggy instead of riding in.

"Whichever you'd like," Jim answered as he swept into the house. He looked much better than the last time I'd seen him. Besides the obvious. He'd probably gained thirty pounds and didn't resemble a scarecrow any longer. His hair was still silver but he didn't look older than me anymore. And he was back to wearing Dandy Jim Buckley clthes. Dark gray pants, black boots that shined like the noonday sun, a forest green coat with a purple waistcoat, pale purple shirt and a flowing green scarf.

"You look so much better," I told him. "That doctor from Denver must have done wonders for you."

"He did, Bart, he did. I had something he called ulcers in my stomach, and I'd had them so long they were affecting every part of me. He gave me a long, complicated explanation that I can't remember most of, changed my diet completely, and had me quit drinking. Within six months the pain in my stomach was gone, I'd gained twenty pounds and my legs were strong enough that I could walk again. He's a miracle man; I tell you, just a miracle man."

"And how did Mrs. Murtaw take all this?"

"She's just as happy as a fish in a new river. I spend most of my time in Grand Junction, with some traveling thrown in for good measure. Like this trip. I'm going back to the little blue house when I've worn out my welcome here. I spend just enough time there to keep her happy. And Jack comes to visit regularly, and she just adores him. And sometimes Corinne sends the baby over to visit. She's just a year old now, and she's an absolute delight."

"So you and Corinne finally made up? Who did she marry?"

"Oh, she married Jake Bosworth. They had a baby about a year ago. Corinne sold the tobacco store and stays home with the baby. I'm not sure we really 'made up' but we're friendly enough. And Jake's a good man. No surprise, she named the baby Janet."

There were footsteps in the hall and in just a moment Doralice appeared. A year after Tim's birth she was just now beginning to seem more like her old self, and I was glad to have my sweet blue-eyed Doralice back. I caught Dandy's arm before he could swing her around or any other such nonsense and told him, "Be careful, she's still fragile."

He gave me an odd look but abided by my wishes, kissing her hand gallantly and smiling that great smile he still had. "Mr. Buckly," she beamed at him.

"Mrs. Maverick," he shot right back.

"What an absolute delight to see you. Is Jack with you?"

"Not right now, but he's supposed to meet me here. If that's alright with you?"

"That would be most delightful, James. I can't wait to see how much he's grown."

"Bart mentioned you were fragile. What happened?"

"When I gave birth to Tim a year ago, I almost died. It's been touch and go ever since. I'm almost back to normal."

"Dear lady, please sit down." James took her hand again and led her over to the settee.

"From what Bart told me, you weren't well either. You seem to have made a remarkable recovery."

"Due to a brilliant doctor from New York. Oh, I still have episodes that leave me tired and weak, but for the most part I am able to function normally. And where is this small scoundrel that caused you so much grief?"

Just then a pointed cry went up from the downstairs bedroom. "That would be Tim," I explained. "I'll go get him."

By the time I returned Tim had stopped crying and settled down in my arms. "He wants attention more than anything. Probably because he didn't get any for so long while Doralice remained unconscious. Say hello to your Uncle James, Tim." Our youngest chose that moment to open his eyes and look right at James.

"My God, old man, he looks just like you! Do all the rest of them take after you, too?"

"No, he's the only one that does. I had to wait until we were done to get a ringer."

"May I?" It was obvious that James wanted to hold him, as he reached out for the baby. Doralice gave me a subtle nod and I handed our latest production to Dandy Jim.

"Hmpf. Who would have thought I 'd be standing here holding the spitting image of Bart Maverick? There isn't one of these around here that looks like. . . hmpf, you know who, is there?"

Doralice laughed from the settee. "No, James, there isn't one around here that looks exactly like Bret."

I heard a small sigh go up and she murmured, "Thank God."

"You stay here, and I'll go round up everybody. Be prepared to be overwhelmed."

Doralice pulled James down on the settee next to her and I did round-up duty. Breton and Lily were together, as always, watching Lily Mae fry chicken. Beauregard was in bed, sleeping, Belle was in the backyard trying to catch butterflies, and Maudie was rubbing down Spreckles. Some of them followed me with no questions; other wanted an explanation. I left Beauregard in bed.

They all made their way into the front room and stopped somewhere behind me. None of them had every seen Buckley and they had no idea who he was. "Maudie, Belle, Breton, Lily, this is a good friend of Mommy and Daddy's. This is James Buckley, Mr. Buckley to you. You've heard me talk about Dandy Jim Buckley before. . . this is Dandy Jim." With that Jim was swarmed with buzzing Mavericks, everybody trying to talk at once, save for Lily Bith, who stood behind Breton and said nothing. Maudie gave him the once over and then asked,"Don't you have a son named Jasper? Is he coming, too?"

"His name is Jasper but he goes by Jack," Jim answered her immediately. "He's supposed to be here later. Do you want to meet him?"

"Mmmm, no," my oldest child answered.

"Maudie, that's rude," Doralice told her.

"But honest," I pointed out.

"Yes, Bart always was honest," Dandy replied. "It was his greatest fault."

"Alright, everybody back to what you were doing."

"I'm missing somebody," Dandy quickly caught on.

"I left Beauregard in bed. You can meet him later."

"A pleasure not to be denied anyone," Doralice explained. I was going to try, but I thought I would leave that experience for later.