Slow Train to Dodge
PT.20
Jay woke suddenly, realizing Tracy wasn't in the room. Panicking, he rushed to dress then made his way down the hall. Knocking on Kitty's door, "Miss Russell? Miss Russell? Hurry. It's Tracy!"
Opening the door, surprised. "Jay?" Now grabbing him by both shoulders. "Calm down and tell me what's wrong."
Matt was now listening from the water room doorway.
Catching his breath, "Well, Ma'am, I woke up and she was gone. She was just gone."
Smiling, "Okay, Jay, just relax. I'm sure she didn't go far. Maybe she just couldn't sleep. She does have a lot on her mind. We'll find her." Now looking over her shoulder, "Matt, I'll be back." She said, winking at him.
Kitty and Jay made their way door to the lobby. Kitty asked the clerk if Tracy had come down this morning.
"Why, yes, Ma'am. She went across the street about 15 minutes ago."
Tracy made her way across the street to Sheriff Carver's office. Entering, she saw he was sitting reading the morning paper, having his morning coffee. "Excuse me, Sheriff?"
Looking up slightly above the paper. "Well, Miss Copperton. You're up and about mighty early. What can I do for you?"
"Couldn't sleep. If I could, Sheriff, I'd like to see my grandmother."
Rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, "Well, Miss, I don't see that, that would be a problem. The work house wagon won't be… Ah…" He stood and grabbed his keys. Come on. I'll take you over."
Carver and Tracy crossed the street to the hotel just as Kitty and Jay were exiting.
"Tracy, honey, I was worried when…" Jay began.
Shaking her head. "Aw, Jay, I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you. I needed to talk with the Sheriff. Jay, I need to talk with grandmother."
"Ok, we'll do that."
"NO. Jay, I need to talk with her ALONE! Please? This is something I need to do."
Kitty placed a hand on Jay's arm and nodded to him then in a soft tone, "Jay she needs this."
Carver led Tracy up the stairs.
Outside Jessie's room, Tracy took a deep breath. Carver asked again. "Miss Tracy, are you sure about this?"
"Oh, yes, sheriff. It will be fine. She's my grandmother."
Carver knocked. "Mrs. Copperton? It's Sheriff Carver, Ma'am. You have a visitor."
first there was silence then, "Well, you have the key. Let yourself in."
Opening the door, Tracy saw that Jessie stood with her back to them staring out the window. She had watched Tracy walk across the street with Carver.
"Miss, I'll just be outside." Carver said and turned, closed and locked the door.
"Surprised you showed up here child."
"Grandmother, I came here because I had something to say and then I'll leave."
"Well then, Child. OUT WITH IT!"
"Grandmother, I love you but I'll never, never understand why you resented me so much just because I was my mother's child. I was also my father's child as well. Your son's child. That make me a part of you. Your blood runs through my veins and in turn through my child's veins."
Quickly, Jessie turned, saying nothing.
"Yes, Grandmother," now holding her hand across her stomach. "My child! Your great grandchild. But because of your actions you won't be there for his birth and I'm sorry for that. But that aside, I wanted you to know, I am 18 now and I will take control of Daddy's estate and run the ranch the way Daddy would want. Honestly."
"And," now with a strong jaw and square shoulders, "when you are released, I want you to know, you have a home with Jay and I. But understand one thing. You will no longer have control of Copperton Ranch. Goodbye Grandmother." Tracy turned and knocked on the door. Carver let her out.
She descended the stairs, walking straight to Jay.
Saying nothing, he enveloped her in his arms."
TBC