38
The ten o'clock Hopper lurched forward. She waved numbly to the Cooper family as they huddled in a little group to stay warm. Even Mrs. Cooper came along and sadly waved her goodbyes to the sound of hopper gearing up.
As the Hopper headed down Heaven's Main Street Ianto turned from the window, faced forward and took a deep breath.
She didn't feel guilty for leaving without a word. She didn't feel anything but the numbing effects of her weeping earlier that morning, at the cold hard fact that Jack hadn't come for her.
Maybe Gwen was right. Maybe she should have talked with him.
But didn't she wait until the last possible minute before it came time to leave? And still he hadn't come.
Ianto, the only passenger on the Hopper, took advantage of the dark solitude of the empty coach and wept what few tears she had left.
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Jack left at dawn. He was furious with himself as he rode out, but figured if he hurried he would come upon the Hopper not more than an hour or so after it left town.
But as the morning wore on and he drew closer to Heaven, he began wondering why he hadn't seen any sign of it.
Could it be running late, or perhaps had some trouble along the way?
A wave of panic gripped him as he thought of Red Ranger and his gang. But Ranger, in all probability, was heading south to Clear Creek. The outlaw would become his uncle's problem. As soon as he had Ianto safely back home, he'd try and remember to wire Uncle Freddie like he'd planned.
But first, he had to find her.
Jack reached Heaven and went straight to his office. He burst through the door to find Rhys leaned back in his chair with his feet propped on the desk talking with Owen. "Owen! Have you been out to the farm? Is Gray all right?"
"Whoa there, buddy. Yep, I've already been out there and back this morning. He'll be fine – nasty bump he got, but he'll pull through and be ready for Christmas morning. Sorry I couldn't make it out last night, but I was back at the Pond farm again. Mrs. Pond's got herself a new bouncing baby boy. Six young'uns – that poor woman has her hands full!"
Jack nodded in acknowledgement then pushed his hat off his forehead. "Were either of you here when the Hopper left this morning?"
"I was still out at your place," Owen told him. "In fact, I just got back into town."
Rhys took his feet off the desk, pushed the chair back and stood. "I was down at the livery stable. My hopper done blew a skirt this mornin'."
"Did either of you see Gwen Cooper in town with Ianto?" Jack asked.
"I didn't," Rhys said. Owen shook his head.
Jack closed his eyes a moment in frustration. He then opened them and looked at Rhys. "I need your hopper."
"My hopper? What fer?"
"I need to catch that Hopper."
"But boss, how do ya even know if she's on it?"
"Rhys is right, Jack. If you think your little gal was with Gwen Cooper, then she might still be there. Why don't you go on out to the Cooper place and check first before you go galloping after that Hopper?"
"Yeah, ya might chase the Hopper down only to find Miss Jones ain't on it," Rhys added.
Jack groaned. "You're both right. I guess I'm plumb tuckered out and not thinking straight at this point. Heck, I didn't even see the Hopper when I was coming back from the Gundersons'."
"Well, boss, it wasn't headin' that way."
What do you mean? Where is it, then?"
"The ten o'clock Hopper was going to Clear Creek."
Jack took his hat off, hit his leg with it, then slammed the desk with his fist. How could he have forgotten a detail like that?
Owen laughed. "Son, what you need is some marrying! Why don't I go round up the preacher while you go round up your pretty little gal, then you can get down to business?"
"Yeah," Rhys agreed. "Won't she make for a nice Christmas present?"
"Christmas?" Jack barked.
"Well, yeah, boss. Today's Christmas Eve."
Christmas Eve? Jack couldn't believe it! Where had the time gone?
Had they really been searching for that no-good bastard Red Ranger all month? Apparently so. And he was more tuckered out than he first thought, if he didn't even know what day it was.
Furthermore, he hadn't given a single thought to the holiday!
He wasn't even sure if there was a tree up in the house … probably not, as he and Gray had usually been the ones to go out and find one! Why hadn't his mother said anything?
Because you haven't been around to say anything to, you idiot! He rubbed his forehead and let his hand slide down his face as he groaned.
No gifts. No tree. No preparation whatsoever. And now, possibly no wife …
First things first. "I'm heading over to the Coopers, then. If Ianto's not there, I'll go after that Hopper."
"Whatcha want me to do, boss?"
Jack looked at Rhys, grateful for his help. "If you've got the time, get my mother a Christmas tree."
"How can I help?" Owen asked.
Jack's eyes flashed with determination. "Fetch the preacher. We're gonna have a wedding."
And with that, he stormed out of the sheriff's office in search of his future bride.
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OK because I'm a cow that likes to give you hope before I snigger and dash it away