Chapter Four- Ashes to Ashes
Hell Bent for Leather
By tk421beth
Chapter Summary: Aubrey is currently working on her book about the Lincoln County War. She, Jessie, Chavez and Cole attend an auction in Roswell, when Jessie suffers a major heart attack!
Author Notes: Hello again folks! I have uploaded a few chapters of 'Promises and Dreams' because I had the year wrong in some of Jessie's journals. The very first entry was supposed to begin December 31, 1877, not December 31, 1878! I never claimed to be perfect! My bad!
Special thanks to Tom and Sue! What would I do without you both? (To let all of you know…when Sue beta-read this chapter…she wrote 'DIE')!
30 October, 1940
It was a gray and bitter day. The wind blew down from the Capitan Mountains, carrying the chill from its snow covered peaks. Off in the distance, I could see dark clouds converging on the horizon as the smell of fresh earth and rain penetrated my senses.
The monotone voice of the Clergyman lent its reverence to the mood of the hour. In the background, mourners practiced their craft, as the pole bearers slowly proceeded to lay their burden to rest.
An ocean of black clad men and women with veil covered faces wept in harmony as the coffin was lowered in to its final resting place.
"Ashes to ashes…dust to dust." The Minister proclaimed, as family members and friends threw flowers and fists full of earth into the open grave.
Aunt Jessica leaned towards me. "The old fool couldn't even die correctly!" She whispered into my ear. "He should have held out until all Hollows Eve, so he could dance with the devil in the pale moon light!"
I tried my best to keep a straight face out of respect for the dead; as my aunt chuckled at her own private joke.
The rain started coming down, as my attention was drawn back to the minister. He was giving some words of comfort to the immediate family, as he committed the body of George Peppin to the earth. Hushed murmurs of 'Amen' could be heard, but if you were standing in my general vicinity, you would have been hard pressed to hear 'good riddance to bad rubbish.'
The rain had developed into a steady down poor by the time we made our way back to the car. Cole had advised that he would be riding with Kathryn, and would see us later at the ranch.
"I don't know what's got into that boy." My aunt huffed, as we walked towards the automobile. I knew that she was still upset about Cole being engaged to Kathryn Peppin. Kathryn was very nice, even Aunt Jessica admitted that. But for Cole to marry a member of the Peppin family!
I noticed that my aunt favored her new cedar cane that Chavez fashioned for her when she came home from the hospital. Aunt Jessica was still a little weak, but she still awoke at dawn every day, and was witty as ever.
I drove us home. It was needless to ask if we were going to make an appearance at the wake. Her presence at the funeral was enough fodder for gossip and idle talk to last another century in Lincoln County!
My thoughts lingered about the relationship that Cole and Kathryn have. Aunt Jessica should know all about forbidden love. I wondered what she saw in Billy. My aunt was brought up as a proper Londoner in her early years, and her education continued when she moved to Canada, then to America. 'She was supposed to take over her father's business.' Chavez had told me a few weeks ago. 'Her father being murdered changed all that, and…well…you know the rest.'
Chavez greeted us as we arrived. He had sense enough not to show at George Peppin's funeral, after what happened at the auction in Roswell. "Well? Is the bastard dead?" He asked quizzically, as she laughed loudly.
As we entered the foyer, my Aunt called out to one of the house staff to break out the good brandy. "I wish to propose a toast!" She announced with glee.
Minutes later, we all held snifters filled with fine aged brandy. I noticed that my aunt had that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, as she stood up, holding out her glass.
"Here's to George Peppin…he finally showed us that he had enough sense to die! May his body be consumed to the bowels of hell with his other bloody murdering bastard cohorts of the Santa Fe Ring."
With that, Chavez cleared his throat. "Hear, hear!" He stated, as we all took a drink to commemorate the event.
"Aubrey," Aunt Jessica stated, putting down her glass. A look of seriousness came over her. "I've had time to contemplate my life. As I lay in the hospital...I had a thought; I would like you to help me with my memoirs. I know I am not long for this world, and I would like a few thing made clear for prosperity sake." She paused. "I think people would like to know...No!" She said abruptly, as she cut herself off. "I think people need to know the truth."
My head swam with delight; this had been a dream of mine for years! I currently was writing about the Lincoln County War, and the Regulators involved, but this was much more interesting! I would help write and publish this story…a story about one of the most famous outlaws in American history, and his well known lover…the Sweetheart Shooter! I smiled to myself as I thought this. "I don't know what to say Aunt Jessica. This will be bigger then the Bonnie and Clyde story ever was."
Aunt Jessica laughed, and then smiled. "Billy was much more handsome then Clyde Barrow ever was!"
I laughed as well, and then suddenly stopped, thinking; did she know Bonnie and Clyde as well?
I heard Chavez snort in disgust, as Aunt Jessica and I laughed even harder.
The next morning, I awoke with my head a little thick from the drink and celebration from the night before. Yawning, I adorned my dressing gown and headed to the kitchen. I found Cole there, nursing a cup of coffee.
"Morning." I greeted him, making my own cup of coffee. "Where is everybody?" Aunt Jessica, Chavez, Cole and I usually have breakfast together every weekday morning.
"Chavez went to Lincoln for an errand and Grandmother went on her ride."
I sat across from Cole, and thought about Aunt Jessica as I sipped my coffee. She rode every day, but usually in the afternoons. She must be on one of her long rides this morning. I noticed that Aunt Jessica has been taking much longer rides by herself, ever since her return from the hospital. I imagine it has helped her in her recovery.
I looked over at Cole, to see him deep in thought. "A penny for your thoughts." I smiled.
He looked at me, and smiled back. "I was thinking about the war. Grandmother wants me to take control of the Ranch, since my graduation from college, but…I really want to join the Air Force. My application for Officer Candidate School has been accepted."
"Bloody hell, Cole!" I almost spat out my coffee. "The Air Force?"
"You sound just like her!" He laughed. "Actually, Kathryn has volunteered to go abroad to assist in the medical effort in Europe…with the RAF. I can't imagine being seperated from her, and not doing my part for the War effort."
The RAF…the Royal Air Force. I thought Cole would always be a cowboy, working on his family Ranch. I knew Aunt Jessica wanted Cole to take care of the family Ranch eventually. What if Cole didn't want to? What would happen to Aunt Jessica's Ranch?
"I've been flying since I was twelve, dusting crops. Flying is something that I've always wanted to pursue."
I looked at Cole in a different light. There were so many aspects to him that I was clueless about. I had no idea he has even been on a plane, much less knew how to pilot one!
"If my plans come to fruition, I will be training English pilots next year."
I was sitting in the living room, reading, when Aunt Jessica came back from her ride.
"Aubrey! There you are! I have something that you may be interested in!" She smiled at me as she walked into the living room. My eyes were drawn to Chavez, who was holding what looked like a very small traveler's chest, with two brass straps meeting at the front, secured with an iron padlock.
"What is it?" I questioned, putting my book down.
"Open it." She told me, sitting down beside me, as Chavez placed the box on the table in front of us. My aunt handed me a small smithy key that fit easily into the lock. A slight turn of my wrist was all that was needed to hear a click as the heavy lock sprung open. I peered into the box, to see about six leather bound books, among other small things. Puzzled, I picked the first book one up, and opened it. The pages were yellowed from age, the leather now tough. I began to read the neat, cursive handwriting.
December 31, 1877
Dear Diary,
Father has finally decided to let me go to the New Year's Eve celebration tonight! It took both Doc and Dick to persuade him to let me go. After all, my birthday is tomorrow, I will be sixteen years old! I am so excited! Father bought me a gorgeous green dress…I'm not so sure about the dress, but the party…I cannot wait!
"Aunt Jessica!" I exclaimed, looking up at her with surprise. "You wrote in a diary?"
"In front of you is a true and accurate depiction of my life and times." She stated. "I have written in a journal for many years…even after the birth of my first child. This was my very first one. Note the date of that first entry, dear."
December 31, 1877. "The night before your Father was killed. That also, of course, was the eveof your sixteenth birthday."
There was silence for a moment, until Chavez spoke up. "Remember that party, Jessica?"
She laughed. "Remember how angry Dick was, when Billy asked me to dance?"
Chavez also laughed, and rolled his eyes. "You were taken with El Chivato since the two of youmet!"
"I was not!" She protested.
"You were too, Bonita!" Chavez laughed even louder. He looked over at me. "I remember her red face, as she danced with Billy. She was quite taken with him."
"Bloody hell, Chavez! For someone that never has anything to say, your mouth seems to always be in motion!" Aunt Jessica spat, as Chavez and I laughed.
"Billy was quite taken with Jessica as well, Aubrey. I have to admit, she looked beautiful that night, in that new green dress." Chavez then looked over at my aunt, and held her hand in his. "All the men couldn't help staring at her that night."
I raised my eyebrow, as I swore my aunt's face had turned red. Chavez chuckled, as he let go of her hand.
"Aunt Jessica…" I started to say, holding her very first journal in my hands. "Do you know how many people would kill for these? They are probably worth a fortune!"
"Well…they're yours, dear. I don't need them anymore." She smiled at me.
"Bloody hell!" I proclaimed, as my aunt and Chavez both laughed.
"There are other items in the box as well." Aunt Jessica informed me.
I pulled out two silver pictures frames, in dire need to be polished. My eyes widened, as I stared into the tin-type photographs of Billy the Kid and my Aunt. "My…God!" I gasped, staring at the perfect condition the photos were in. I reached into the box again, and pulled out a twisted metallic item, no bigger than the palm of my hand. "Your badge!" I whispered to no one in particular. "The badge Billy gave you…that he took from Jay McCloskey after he killed him!"
"That's right, dear." My aunt sighed. "That badge saved my life at Blazer's Mill."
I excitedly kept looking through the box, finding letters from her Father, Doc Scurlock, Dick Brewer, Charlie Bowdre, and Billy himself. They were all carefully preserved, and I could think of many historians and museums that would kill for these items. "Aunt Jessica." I told her, looking into her sharp green eyes. "I cannot accept this!"
Aunt Jessica just laughed. "I want you to have these things, Aubrey. You've been so interested in my life…who else could I bestow this to? Besides, you said that you would help me write my memoirs. These should help."
This is what I can do now, something that I can busy myself with, while I am away from home. This is an opportunity of a lifetime…what I always wanted to write about! And I would not let my Aunt Jessica down. I would tell her story…I would tell the world the truth.
7 July, 1941
"Well, my dear! You did it!" Aunt Jessica stated, her champagne glass clinking against mine. "Well…with a little help from me…and Chavez."
"Glad you remembered me!" Chavez smiled, pouring himself a glass of the bubbly liquid.
My book was to hit the bookstores tomorrow.
"The whole story isn't done yet!" I laughed, sipping the champagne, marveling the fact that in almost a year, I have written a very good biography on my Aunt Jessica, and the Lincoln County War. "I still have another book to write…to complete your story on what happened after the Lincoln County War ended. The continuing adventures of Billy and Jessie!"
Aunt Jessica laughed. "Aubrey, you did a splendid job on 'Promises and Dreams'! A job well done!" She lifted her champagne flute in salute.
"Thank you, Aunt Jessica, but I believe the next installment of your life history will be a better telling. I just wish Cole was back to see all this."
She got quiet, at the mention of her grandson. "Yes…I have to agree."
The room grew silent, as the three of us thought about Cole. His plan did come full circle. He graduated from Officers Candidate School as a Captain, in the United States Air Force. He then volunteered to train English pilots for the RAF in England. He's been gone since the end of May. We all missed him terribly.
"At least we can take solace that Kathryn is there with him." I said with a smile.
My aunt grinned, as she drank her champagne. "Yes…that's just what that boy needs out there…a Peppin to look after him!"
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