Chapter 2 – The Experiment

Supper was a riot; a three-ring circus not to be missed. Lily Mae had made fried chicken, which is always a big hit at our house, and tonight was no exception. Besides chicken we had okra gumbo, Cornbread, collard greens and sweet tea. The table was like a cattle stampede gone wrong, and every plate and every utensil was used. I think James was somewhat amazed by the speed with which things moved.

Anyone who had finished their homework by the end of supper was welcome to join us in the front room. Sometimes we talked, sometimes we played cards, sometimes we played games. Sometimes we went out to the barn, picked out a horse and rode. It all depended on what the mood was.

This night everyone had finished, even the sick boy, and the majority all voted for discussion. Seems they'd all listened to too many of my stories over the years about the exploits of their Pa and Dandy Jim Buckley. Jim, of course, was more than welcome into this select group, and each one had their favorite story to ask about.

Maudie wanted to hear about the time that Dandy and me were kidnapped, solely to lure Bret in and take him prisoner. It seems a Major in the Civil War blamed Bret for the death of his son, and was determined that Bret 'pay'. And Beauregard wanted to hear about Jim trying to help a young lady that owned a saloon, and almost losing his life over it. Breton wanted to hear about the time that I almost got changed by pleading guilty to a murder I didn't commit. And Belle wanted to hear James and Janet's love story. I know, we missed Lily Beth, but she was content to hear anything Breton was interested in. By the time we got through the story of our kidnapping and Jim's involvement with the saloon owner, it was time for bed.

.When I came back from tucking them in bed, I found Jim and Doralice talking. They were discussing Jack. "He's gone his own way," Jim explained. "I don't see him much anymore."

"His choice or yours?" Doralice asked him.

"His I'm afraid."

"That's a shame."

"Yes, well, his choice, not mine."

"Did you two have a fight or something?""

"No, not really. He just stopped coming to Grand Junction."

"I bet Mrs. Murtaw's heart is broken."

"Yes, it is, and she's never there anymore . She's out somewhere doing something."

"But you're not there, James. What's she supposed to do?"

"Well, she should stay home. What is she gonna do If I move from Grand Junction to Little Bend or even Fort Worth . . . I wasn't going to tell you that I was contemplating the move to Texas, but you'd find out sooner or later. What do you think? Bart? Doralice?

I was surprised. Dandy moving south to Little Bend hadn't even crossed my mind. And the question arose, why would he? But before I could ask the questions, Doralice did. "Are you really, James? Thinking about moving down this way, I mean? Would you give up everything you have up there to come down here? What would you gain? You'd certainly lose the wonderful regard in which you are held up in Grand Junction. But it might be worth it, depending on what you would gain by the move."

Goodness, gracious! I'd never heard Doralice rattle on like that before. Sounded like she wanted James entire future plans. But then, maybe she did. I would never accuse Doralice of anything so bold as a physical attraction to James, but there was always a subtle affection for him. And at one time she had been a great defender.

"I'd consider the move down here, yes. I might be held in high esteem in Grand Junction, though I'm sure I don't know why. But I 'd surely have more friends in Little Bend, and Mrs. Murtaw could come with me. What do you think? Do you think I'm tempting fate?"

I had to answer him honestly, he would expect no less. "I'm not quite sure what you mean by tempting fate, James. But are you really gonna have any more friends here than in Grand Junction? I mean, who do you know besides Doralice and me?"

"Well, there you go, to be honest. I don't know anybody down here, except the Mavericks. I know there's one that likes me and one that can't stand me. As for the rest of them, I just have to find out. But certainly you could introduce me to people. I could be a gentleman farmer down here, and make friends."

"And what about Corinne and the baby?"

"I just told you that to make you feel good about my being in Grand Junction. Truth be told, I rarely see either Corinne or Janet. And as I said before, Jack has stopped coming around. I haven't made up my mind, you see. I just wanted to come down and see what you thought."

I didn't say anything, I let Dorealice do the talking. And it took her three or four minutes to gather her thoughts, which surprised me. When she spoke, we both listened. "It depends on whose coming down to live here, Dandy Jim or James. I understand that you're never going to be one-hundred percent one or the other, because they're both you, and neither one is ever gonna completely go away. But I don't think in all good conscious that any of the Mavericks, even the ones that like you, could ever tolerate Dandy Jim Buckley all the time. However, from what I've heard of James Buckley, he seems to be a fellow that would make a good neighbor. That leaves the decision up to you. Which Buckley are you?"

James looked confused at first, and then he responded. "Miss Doralice, gentle and honest lady, I think you've raised an honest question. I propose that you observe me and listen to me over the next few days, and at the end if that time you tell me which Buckley I am. How does that sound to you?"

I started to protest, thinking that might be too much for her, but Doralice held up her hand and stopped me. "No, Bart, I'll be fine. I can do this. You're willing to take one woman's opinion?"

"If it is your opinion, yes."

So the matter was settled after a fashion, and the experiment had begun.