Chapter 11

Ma Poole sat down across from Jess and took a swallow of her coffee. "Donnie's a good kid, Jess, but he has had a rough start ta life. His Pa, Bryce, came from a no good family 'round here. Older brothers all in trouble with tha law. Bryce's Ma died when he was born. His Pa drank too much and let those boys run wild. Donnie's Pa was tha only one worth anything, and that was because tha parson we had then and his wife took a real interest in Bryce when he was jest a little tyke. Bryce did his best ta stay outta trouble. Married tha parson's sweet daughter. Bryce and Darcy bought a little place right outside of town and tried their best ta make a good home. Soon after Darcy's parents passed away, Bryce's no-good brothers got outta prison after their first sentence. Guess they thought Bryce and Darcy would help them out. Seems they thought that Darcy's parents left her some money. That wasn't tha case, but those three hoodlums wouldn't leave Bryce alone. Bryce finally gave them a little money hoping they'd leave town and leave him, Darcy, Steve, and little Donnie alone. But they didn't leave town. There was a big fight one night right here in tha street outside of the saloon. His brothers were all drunk, and Bryce told them to leave town –threatened ta beat 'em up in front of a whole mess of people iffen they didn't. Next day the oldest brother was found dead in the road between Bryce's house and town. Tha two other brothers swore they'd seen Bryce kill him in a fight. Bryce was tried, found guilty on their testimony and the witnesses' statements that he had threatened ta fight 'em, and sentenced ta life in prison.

Jess crooked his eyebrows, "It's a wonder they didn't hang 'im iffen they found 'im guilty of murder."

"I think Bryce's good reputation is the only thing that kept his neck outta a noose. That and the judge that had known him and Darcy all o' their lives. Seems he directed the jury that they had to find evidence of Bryce planning ta kill his brother iffen they wer gonna find 'im guilty of first degree murder." Ma stopped to pour another cup of coffee for them both. "But it shor' didn't make it easy on Darcy and tha boys. She tried her best ta keep tha farm goin'. Took out a loan from Howard ta keep her and tha boys from starvin'. Put tha farm up as collateral. Would have been alright 'cept Steve and her came down with the fever. They both died. That was three years ago. Mark Howard took Donnie in. Was gonna raise him as his own son. But Howard had to let Nelson buy the farm. He couldn't afford to keep it cause he couldn't git anyone to farm it for 'im. Donnie was only twelve years old. No way he could farm it by hisself.

Jess looked puzzled, "But I thought Donnie told me that he lived with his Pa?"

Ma smiled, "He does now. Seems those two no-good brothers got put in prison again fer robbing a train. One night they tried ta escape and were shot by one of tha guards. One lived fer a while 'fore he died. Long enough ta git a conscious I guess. Told tha warden he had lied 'bout Bryce killin' tha oldest brother. Confessed ta murdering him hisself."

"So Donnie's Pa got outta prison?"

"Yep. It took a little while but Bryce was cleared of tha charges and released." She took a deep breath. "Got out and came back last year. Course he knew about Darcy and Steve and losing tha farm. That's when Howard had tha cabin built behind tha bank for Bryce and Donnie."

"So what's Donnie's Pa doing now?"

"Have you noticed tha guy that cleans tha stalls out at tha livery and makes sure that the horses are ready for the stages?"

"No, I've only talked ta Bart Patrick who takes care of Blackwell's horse Rocky. I know Ted Patrick owns the livery, but I didn't know he had someone besides his family working there. Donnie's Pa musta been in tha back when I was there."

Mark keeps trying ta help 'em with clothes and stuff for Donnie, but Bryce won't let him do much. Told Mark that he's got nothing left but his pride and he ain't lettin' that go too. I think Mark feels awful 'bout lettin' Carl Nelson buy tha farm."

"But Mr. Howard had no way a'knowin' that Donnie's Pa would ever git outta prison."

"Mark knows that. I don't think he blames hisself for making a bad decision or nothin' like that. He just wants to do what he can for Bryce and Donnie."

"Speaking of Ted Patrick, I wonder if Nancy's had the baby yet. I would think so considering it's her fifth young'un. Guess we will find out this morning." Ma stood up. "Well, it's time that we got moving, Jess. We can't be late ta church today of all days. I've got a lot of food ta box up and git ta tha church."

Jess couldn't help but feel a little uneasy as he drove Ma's buggy into the church yard. By the number of buggies, buckboards, and horses outside, the place must be packed inside. Ma had brought so many dishes of food with her that they couldn't make the short walk from the boarding house to the church. He finally found a place to park the buggy. They deposited the food at the appropriate tables that were set up in the side yard under the shade of a beautiful grove of trees. People were everywhere. Smiling faces and warm hands greeted them as they made their way back to the main entrance of the sanctuary. Rev. Douglas greeted them at the top of the steps. "Welcome, Jess, Ma. Looks like the whole town and everyone in the vicinity has turned out today. Guess I am gonna have to celebrate our sheriff every Sunday to get crowds like this." He laughed as he patted the back of Jess's shoulder. "Jest joking ya, Jess."

The preacher's acknowledgement of the reason for the crowd just made Jess more uncomfortable. Ma Poole gave him her most comforting smile and whispered, "You'll remember a lot of people from before. Jest be yerself."

The pews were almost full, but Jess and Ma spotted an open pew about halfway to the front on the right side of the center aisle. Walking forward, Jess carefully scanned the faces as they nodded at him and he acknowledged each with a nod and a smile. Where is she? he thought to himself. I'm shor' the Simpsons will be here. Ma slipped into the pew, and Jess followed her. As he sat down, Bill Simpson turned to face him from the pew directly in front of them. He smiled at Jess and Ma just as Rev. Douglas walked to the front of the church and announced the first hymn. As he stood up to sing, Jess looked further to the right down Simpson's pew and saw Julia, Amanda, and finally Caroline on the far right.

The church was already warm even with the faint morning breeze that floated through the windows. Jess felt the sweat on his forehead and found it hard to concentrate on Rev. Douglas's sermon. His eyes kept being drawn to what he could see of Caroline. He noticed the way the very back of her hair bun rubbed against the collar of her dark green dress as she moved her head ever so slightly. Dadgum, he thought, I wish she'd smile at me like she did at Morrison that day comin' here. He couldn't wait to try to talk with her, but he forced himself to look back at the parson who was getting ready to dismiss the congregation.

Ma had not missed any of Jess's longing gazes to his right. She smiled slightly to herself as his continuous glances at Carrie had certainly confirmed her suspicions regarding his interest in the young woman. Yep, she thought, the boy is definitely smitten with her in a mighty way. And they would make such a beautiful couple.

After the closing hymn, Rev. Douglas announced that everyone needed to give the ladies a few minutes to make the final arrangements at the tables and that he would say a blessing outside for the food. "So don't knock each other down trying to get in line to eat." He laughed.

As the crowd stood up to exit, Jess tried to turn right to catch up with Carrie; however, Rev. Douglas caught his arm before he could encourage Ma to leave the pew by the side end. "Jess, the town council wants you to stand up front with them as we say the prayer. They want to make a formal introduction right before we all eat."

"That's right, Jess." Bill Simpson turned around to face him. "Let's head that way and meet up with the rest of the council."

Jess turned up the middle aisle and walked out of the church with Bill and the parson. Talkin' with Caroline would just hav' ta wait, he thought. But if I stick close ta Simpson after the prayer and introduction, I'll hav'a fair chance of sittin' with tha Simpsons when we eat.

There was more food spread out on numerous tables than Jess had ever seen at a town or church function. Simpson, Douglas, and Jess joined the other council members, Fenton, Jefferson, and Nelson, who were already standing near the food tables. Jess again scanned the crowd. Townspeople were everywhere; some were sitting at tables while others had spread blankets out on the grass. He couldn't help but be deeply touched, especially as Mark Howard, acting as the spokesman for the council, began to introduce him. Jess felt rather embarrassed as Howard praised the job that he had done five years ago and ensured the gathered residents that they were in capable hands with Jess as the Sheriff. Douglas said a short blessing and then turned to Jess, "My wife has saved a place for you at the first table on the right. There are several people there that are rather new to our community, and the council felt that it was best for you to talk with them first while you eat. Get a heapin' plate full, and come that way. If I remember correctly, you'll come back for seconds and you can mingle around to the other tables then."

Jess had no choice but to do as he was told. And he realized that he had to play the correct part at this shindig. The townspeople had gathered here and gone to all this trouble for him. He couldn't ignore everyone else to seek Caroline out as much as he wanted to do just that. The food was wonderful, and he enjoyed getting to know the new residents who were seated with the parson and Mrs. Douglas. Hank and Alice Donnelly, who had arrived in town in the last six months, were sitting at the table along with another fairly new couple, the Wilsons. Jess had lost track of Ma and the Simpsons although he could see Lori Hanaford and Jeff Turner at a nearby table. Seeing Lori, he turned to Mrs. Douglas, "Did ya'll do something like this for Lori when she arrived?"

"As a matter of fact, Jess, we did. It wasn't a Sunday meal on the church grounds, but the ladies group put on a wonderful afternoon party for her in our new school building. We had all the families with children drop by that afternoon to meet her. Then the parson and I had a dessert party for her at our house that evening for everyone else to come and meet her. She's really a lovely person, but I guess you know that since you're both at Ma's boarding house." Mrs. Douglas looked Jess square in the eye, smiling broadly at him. "I think it is wonderful that you want to make sure that we welcomed her properly."

Alice Donnelly spoke up then, "You'll think that I am a nosy ol' woman, but I have to ask. Are you interested in courtin' her, Jess?"

Jess almost choked on his piece of fried chicken as he tried to answer quickly. What he meant as a normal "no" came out much too strong as he swallowed wrong. Mrs. Douglas and Mary Wilson exchanged glances, but remained quiet. However, Alice Donnelly, didn't hesitate to respond, "So you don't find her pretty and delightful, Jess?"

"Now, Alice, I'm shor' our Sheriff didn't mean that," her husband chided her. "Besides, I'm shor' that the town council doesn't want ta hav' ta find a new school marm if Jess marries her and takes her back ta – where was it Jess?"

"Laramie, Mr. Donnelly." Jess recovered his composure, "And, Mrs. Donnelly, I think that Lori is very purty and delightful – at least what I've seen of her at Ma's breakfast and supper table. I really haven't gotten ta know her or Jeff Turner any more than that. I have wondered iffen they might be interested in each courtin' each other though." He held his breath a little trying to make sure that he hadn't offended her.

"Aw, well that explains why you don't appear ta be interested in her." Alice Donnelly did not seem irritated with him at all.

Jess let his breath out slowly and finished the last drop of his drink. Then, blessedly, Rev. Douglas spoke up, "Well, Jess, we certainly don't want to monopolize you. You might want to go 'round and speak with everyone else before they finish eating. Have you been over to the table with all the cakes and pies yet? Better get some of that before they're all gone and the games start." The parson smiled at him knowingly. Jess picked up his plate, thanked everyone at the table, and made his way toward the desserts.

He spoke with many people before he reached his destination. He found Ben Jackson sitting with Donnie and his Pa, Bryce. "Well hello, boss, are you taking notes on names yet? Remember I told you about the requirements after this shindig," Ben joked. "And have ya met Bryce Mosley and his son, Donnie?"

Jess smiled at Donnie, "Well, I shor' know Donnie. He does a great job working for Ma Poole." He reached to shake Bryce's hand, "It's good ta meet ya, Mr. Mosley."

Bryce stood up, "Good ta meet ya too, Sheriff. Glad that yer pleased with what Donnie does at Ma's." Bryce Mosley was a tall, muscular man who looked far too thin for his bone structure.

Then he heard Ma Poole calling to him, "Jess, you better git ova here and try a piece of Julia's famous chocolate cake fore it's all gone."

"Best I better git over there then," Jess said. "I'd hate to miss the cake." See you three at the horseshoes later."

Jess went straight over to Ma and Julia Simpson. "It's goin' fast, Jess, but Julia saved this big piece for ya." Ma stated as Julia handed him a plate with a huge piece of cake.

"Sheriff, since it looks like you've made the rounds, why don't you bring that over to our table and talk with Bill and my girls for a few minutes?" Julia turned to Ma, "You can finish up here cain't you, Ma, if I go sit with Jess a few minutes?"

Ma grinned broadly at Jess, "Of course, I can, Julia. I get to visit with him at my dining table all the time."

As they walked over to where the Simpsons were sitting, Jess wondered how much Ma Poole had had ta do with Julia Simpson's invitation. He shor' hoped that Ma hadn't said too much to Caroline's mother. The Simpsons seemed to like him, but if he tried to court their daughter, they might not like that idea.

"Well, Jess, come sit down and eat that cake before we get drawn into one of the games they're settin' up." Bill pointed to a spot across from him at the table, which happened to be beside Amanda.

Nodding to Amanda beside him and Caroline across from him, Jess sat down and took his first bite of the cake. "Umm. This is wonderful, Mrs. Simpson."

"Thought I told you to call me Julia." She started to sit down, but then she noticed Dr. Melvin's buggy pulling up. "I hope you'll forgive me, Jess, but I want to check with Doc about Nancy. Come with me, Bill, let's make sure that everything is alright with the Patricks."

Amanda turned to Jess, "Well, Sheriff, what do you think of our little picnic here?"

"Ya'll shor' know how to throw a shindig. I've eaten enough for three people." Jess noticed Caroline was not saying anything. "So do ya'll do this kinda thing offen?" He directed the question at Caroline.

"Oh, we do this every time we can find a good excuse. We are a rather social group of people, Sheriff." She was looking right at him now.

He relished her pleasant expression. "Well I hope you can find a reason a whole lot of times." He noticed that she was now actually smiling at 'im, and he gave her his most endearing smile. The dark green of her dress enhanced her fair complexion and golden eyes, and for the hundredth time he noted just how beautiful she was.

Then the spell between them was suddenly broken by Julia's voice, "Amanda, Caroline," their mother was standing directly behind Caroline but how she had gotten there Jess didn't have a clue since he had been so entranced by her daughter's face. "Come girls, we need to take that big box of food that Ma and I saved over to the Patricks. Nancy's had a little girl. Everyone's fine, but there's a lot of hungry children at that house."

Bill came up to Jess, "Sorry, Jess, but we are gonna hav' to leave early. I brought the buckboard and planned ta go over ta tha Patricks after our picnic. We were gonna deliver some of this wonderful food there today anyway even if Nancy hadn't had the baby this morning. We didn't think she was in any condition ta gather up the older ones for church today."

Jess stood up, "Of course. I look forward to seein' you all again soon." He managed to hide his disappointment quite well.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with various games, and finally it was time for everyone to clean up the tables and go home. Jess had tried to make sure that he talked with everyone for a few minutes, and he had spent some time with Nelson, Fenton, and Jefferson. Gosh, he thought, all this trying to be proper was more tiring than a day out working the fences back at the ranch. He had loved all the food and the minutes that he had gotten to spend with Caroline, but this being on show jest didn't sit well with him. He hoped that all the other socials would be jest that – a plain ole' social that didn't officially involve him in any way that wasn't jest part of the job of sheriff. He was quite glad when he got Ma back to the boarding house and the day ended.