Wisdom is always distant and very difficult to find.” –Ecclesiastes 7:24 (NLT)
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It had been quiet, at least in my line of work, the past week. Of course, Mateo and his office were busy with the nightly drunk and barroom fights. Charlie was making his rounds to the outside communities and was currently up in Telluride. Me, I was sitting in the diner, drinking coffee and had just finished a piece of butterscotch pie.
Molly came over to sit with me. Marta was back at work full time along with Lola, her niece. Emelda was doing almost all the cooking except for baking the pies. Mateo was working the morning shift and stopped in to see us. I motioned to the pot on the stove and received a nod. As he was pulling out a chair I grabbed a cup to fill it then leaned over to top off my cup.
“Ahhh, that’s good coffee,” he remarked with satisfaction. “I don’t know why I don’t take the time to come by here more often.” He paused, and with an expression that was somewhat of a grimace and a grin, he asked, “Have you ever tasted the stuff that Lucas makes? I’d almost swear in Klaser’s court that he scraped off the bottom of his boot to add to it. I’ve had bad coffee in my time, but honestly Molly,” he looked over to her, “it is the worst!”
“So Alejo is working full time for Bert Winfield now?”
Mateo grinned, “Si, it sure helps with groceries since he eats most of his meals there. I feel like I should send some food to the Senora to help out.”
“No!” exclaimed Molly. “He’s not old enough to be working full time.
“Almost sixteen,” replied Mateo, “plus he wants to be a cowboy and he’ll learn from Senor Winfield.”
Molly was shaking her head. “I just don’t believe he’s that old. But, Mateo, sixteen, that’s too young. What does Luciana say?”
Mateo took a long draught of his coffee. I don’t know how he can do that with it so hot. “She’s fine, but she did tell him that he must read his Bible every morning and before going to sleep at night. He also must come home for church on Sunday.”
Molly thought for a moment. “That would mean that he would have to get up early on Sunday or come late on Saturday.”
“It’s not bad, only ’bout an hour out,” he paused, then looked at me. “Any more news regarding the man on the palomino?”
“Nothin’,” I replied, with a shrug.
He took another sip. “Don’t let your guard down.”
I gave a little chuckle. Here’s the young, new marshal giving the old-time lawdog advice. But I’d surely take it.
We both jumped, shots were fired and as Mateo jumped for his chair a shot came through the window causing both of us to fall to the floor. I grabbed Molly pulling her out of her chair as I went down. More shots, then Mateo was up, and pulling his gun as he rushed for the door.
Pausing briefly at the door, he went out…