Marta was standing outside the back of the diner, head bowed with her chin in one hand. “Marta,”
“Molly, not now,” she snapped, lifting her head but gazing straight ahead.
“All right, but at least put on a coat. You’ll catch your death of cold out here,” came Molly’s soft reply. She then turned going back inside the diner. When she came back to the diner she gave me a shrug then picked up the coffeepot to refill the ruffian’s cups. A few minutes later Marta came over to the table where Doc and I were still sitting. Most of my attention was focused on the men at the table. I knew in my gut that they were trouble. It wasn’t until Marta pulled out a chair and sat beside me at the table that my attention went to her.
She laid her hand on my arm, “Doc, Senor Miles, you are my dear friends,” she paused to heave a sigh. “I am struggling, please bear with me.”
When I looked at her she had tears in her eyes. Taking my arm from under her hand I reached around her to give her a hug.
“Whoooeee!” came a voice from the table of men. “I’ll take some of that.”
I was ready to jump to my feet, but Molly had already taken care of the man for there was a loud yelp with him jumping from the table. It seemed that Molly spilled some of the hot coffee on him. He was ready to grab for her when a man at the table yelled, “Clem, sit yourself down! You had it coming. You just can’t keep your mouth shut.” I watched the quick interaction between the two men.
The one called, Clem, sat down wiping out his wet trousers. He glared at Molly, “I’ll see you again,” he snarled. “You best hope I’m not blistered.”
It was time for me to get involved. I leaped to my feet and was over to their table in a few strides positioning myself next to the man. “Mister,” I said, nudging him with the Greener of which he took notice as did the other four men. “You want to hang on to your teeth, you best not go ’round threatenin’ ladies.”
“Yeah, and if…”
I raised the Greener ready to swing it when what must have been the head man, told him to settle down. “Mister,” he stammered some, looking for a name to call me.
“I apologize for my friend here.
My eyes went to the man speaking and I nodded. “See that you do.”
Thursday was a great day. I don’t know where all those miners and cowboys came from, but they filled the diner over and over. It was a good thing that Cecil Thompson brought over a steer he slaughtered to help us out for the feast. I think he must have brought his whole crew. I was kinda surprised to see Keim there. He came to thank me for taking care of Shaw. He pointed to a man who was limping; it was the first time I’d seen Parson’s since he’d been shot. “Bronc-ridin’ is over for him, but he can still sit in the saddle.”
Darnelle, true to her word, had her uncle down to the diner. Wilson was smiling so much that the tears came when people began to gather around him. Wishing him well. I think Elizabeth was overwhelmed as well. I would look from time to time but the Newsomes never showed up. I wished they had. These people held nothing against them, and if they were here they would have seen that.
We put Wilson to work taking donations. Since Molly had been doing this for years all the money taken in would be given to Parson Chapman’s church. He said he planned on sharing it with the other church in town. Mateo and family all came and because of that several from the barrio decided to join with us. It was a grand time, the eating, and fellowship. The Parson led those in the diner in several songs. People came and went and it was a good day.
Edith had taken Molly’s place, giving her some relief. She came over to where I was standing and I put my arm around her. I pointed out Charlie to her, helping Marta dish out chili. They were smiling and laughing, nudging each other while they were serving. I was just getting ready to tell Molly something when there was an explosion that rattled the windows.
I grabbed the Greener and ran out not thinking about the cold. There was smoke coming a block or two south of the diner. Mateo and Charlie were right behind me as we ran. It was the bank. We got there as we saw five riders mounting up and heading out of town. This was a time I wished I had my rifle rather than a shotgun. One man stopped, turned his horse and fired at us, the bullets not coming close.
We entered the bank noticing the destruction. I saw some blood on the side of the counter, and I prayed that it was not someone connected to the bank. Thankfully we found no bodies, so I figured the blood must be from one of the robbers. They set too high a charge and weren’t expecting the blast. Lucas was right next to me. Placing my hand upon his shoulder, “Go saddle Hawk and your Uncle’s horse. Bring them down to the diner.”
It was then I shivered since I didn’t have on my coat. It was cold and beginning to snow…