Bart and Dave were in the middle of a game of checkers when the storm known as Federal Marshall Travis Cole finally made an appearance. Unfortunately, they were sitting in a most unusual position, with the cell door unlocked and open. Bart was inside the cell and Dave outside with the table holding the checkerboard right in the middle. "What the hell is this?" The Marshall roared, as he pulled Dave out of his chair and slammed the door shut, splintering the small table in half and scattering the checkerboard and checkers everywhere. "What kind of a way is this to treat a prisoner?"
Dave pulled himself up to his full height and glared at Travis. "As I have reminded you on more than one occasion, this is my jail and I will run it any way that I see fit. I've known this man practically my whole life, and when he gives me his word that he won't try to escape, I believe him. Now, you have a choice. Either you can help me pick up all the checkers you scattered, or you can take yourself down to the General Store and buy the jail a new set."
"I'll do no such thing," Cole answered. "This is a jail, not a hotel lobby."
"In that case, you can stay out of here until Judge Martin gets here later today. I'll send for you when he arrives."
Dave had no sooner gotten the words out of his mouth when Jimmy from the telegraph office ran in. "Got a wire for you, Sheriff."
Dave read it over and turned toward the jail cell. "I've got bad news, Bart. Judge Martin's trial ran over and he won't be here for another three or four days."
You could see Bart visibly deflate. He wasn't the only one disappointed; the Marshall wasn't any happier than his potential prisoner. Sheriff Parker held firm to his decision about the checkers, and Cole was forced to back down or remain isolated in his hotel room for the next few days. For once he made the wise decision and headed out for the General Store.
Later that afternoon Bret arrived, escorting Doralice. She ran across the office and embraced her husband as best she could with the bars of the cell between them. "Check outside, Bret, and make sure that Travis can't be seen. Lock the door when you come back in and I'll unlock the cell doors."
Bret hurried over to look for the Marshall and locked the office door when he came back. "Nowhere in sight, Dave."
Parker unlocked the cell doors, and Doralice rushed into her husband's arms. Bret and Dave stood side-by-side and watched as the husband and wife held onto each other and kissed tenderly. Bart gently wiped tears off his wife's face and cradled her head against his shoulder. "I love you, blue-eyes."
"Me too, gamblin' man."
The staccato thump-thump-thump of Travis Cole's boots echoed dully against the boardwalk, and Bret moved to unlock the office door as Doralice hurried out of the cell and Bart pulled the door closed. By the time Cole walked in everything was back to normal; husband and wife were holding hands through the bars of the cell and Dave was bringing a chair over for Doralice to sit in.
"Here's your checkers," the Marshall stated unnecessarily as he handed the box to Parker.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" the sheriff asked. "Why don't you go have an early dinner and give these two some privacy?"
"Come on, Cole, I'll escort you to dinner." Bret was willing to put up with the Marshall to give his brother and sister-in-law some time together.
"Oh, no, I'll go alone." Travis remembered the first time he'd seen the hatred in Bret Maverick's eyes, and realized that the older brother was quite capable of murdering anyone that hurt his younger brother. Marshall Cole scurried out of the Sheriff's office. He might have been willing to joust with the sheriff, but he wanted no part of Bret.
"I think he's afraid of you, Bret," Parker commented dryly.
"I think he is, too," Bret answered him, chuckling to himself. "I hope he stays that way."
Dave pulled the cell door back open and once again the husband and wife found their way into each other's arms. "We're goin' out to smoke cigars. We'll be back when we see Cole comin.'"
"Thanks, Dave."
Dave and Bret stepped outside; Bret offered Dave a cigar, which he accepted gratefully. "Do you think Cole's got a leg to stand on?"
"Truthfully? No," Parker answered.
"Why do you think he tried to pull this?"
"He got fired from his last position. I think he blames Bart for everything that ever happened to him, and he wants to get even."
"That's crazy."
"I would agree."
XXXXXXXX
"And that's the story, blue-eyes." Bart had just finished explaining to Doralice what happened when he and Bret went to Silver Creek to help Jody get married.
"Oh, Bart, that must have been horrible." Doralice snuggled as close to Bart as she could get.
"It was. That's why I never explained it before."
"And he's held a grudge against you all this time?"
"For more than twenty years. Look, there's something you have to do for me."
"Anything."
"Mort Wilson is coming into town tomorrow to buy that pinto stallion. The price is a thousand dollars. Don't let him give you any less."
"But what about Bret?"
"Bret has to be in Ashland tomorrow to pick up a mare that's about to foal. Don't let Mort try to cheat you."
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will, sweetheart. I thought I'd be there, but Judge Martin's trial ran long and he won't be here in time for me to get out. If Mort gives you any trouble, any trouble at all, tell him I got called out of town unexpectedly and I'll be back on Friday."
"What if you're not?"
"I will be."
The door opened and Dave hurried inside. "Cole's on his way back. Doralice, come on out of there."
The Maverick's kissed goodbye and Doralice left through the back door. When Bret followed Travis inside, Dave looked towards the back and Bret went out the same way. Bart hoped that nothing would go wrong with the sale. He had enough trouble on his hands.
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