Thursday promised to be a grand day. Several men had been out hunting so there was plenty of venison, elk, and even bear for the meal. Maybe some time someone would take a notion to start a turkey farm, but until then we’ll continue to eat wild game. I remember a few times I was fortunate enough to shoot some grouse and prepared them for the Thanksgiving table.
“You gonna sit and day-dream all day?” came the voice of Doc Jones that brought me back to reality. I was warm and comfortable sitting by the stove and drinking coffee. Maybe I was getting too comfortable for my age and should be out sleeping in the cold, freezing near to death. Nah, did that too many times, I think I’ll choose comfort, but don’t want to forget where the Lord has brought me from.
“I think I saw those miscreants you mentioned around town,” he uttered, rubbing his chin. “You want to know what I think? I think they’re up to no good. You better keep an eye on them.”
He didn’t give me a chance to answer his question, but when he finished I replied. “Doc, that’s just speculation. Jumpin’ to conclusions.” But I knew he was right. “I told Charlie and Mateo about them. They’re aware of the situation. Besides, what do you want me to do?
“Nothin’!” he roared. “Just sit there and drink your coffee!”
Molly happened to come by when Doc went on his tirade. “Doc, what’s rilin’ you?”
His face turned grim. “This town. They won’t hire a good marshal. They won’t hire Miles here, and then I get all worked up and take it out on him,” he said, then paused to look at me. “Miles, I’m sorry…but I’ll tell you this, something’s going to happen.”
Molly smiled, then asked me. “Did you ask John and Jewelene to come over Thursday? And…”
“And yes, I talked with Wilson and Elizabeth. He said he would have to think it over. It might depend upon the weather,” I informed her. “I went to see Darnelle tellin’ her that I wanted them to be our special guests and I didn’t want Wilson to be makin’ any excuses.”
“For that, husband of mine, you get a kiss,” she looked around to make sure there weren’t any customers watching, then pecked me on the cheek.
There was a groan from Doc, “Come on you guys, cut the mush.”
“Lucas and Mateo have already told me that they would personally carry Wilson down to the diner,” I said with a laugh.
Doc joined in, “I would almost pay to see that.”
We were enjoying laughing when Marta came by. “Is that all you’re going to do all day, sit around and laugh while I do all the work?” she asked smartly.
The eyebrows on Doc’s face raised when he heard the smart remark from Marta. “Why no, Marta,” replied Molly. “What is it that I can help you with? I notice that there is only one table with customers. Is that too much for you to handle?”
Daggers shot from Marta’s eyes. She threw the washcloth she was carrying over her shoulder then stomped off to the kitchen. Molly was shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have said that. She and Charlie are still fighting over the fact that he is sheriff and is now planning on resigning. Then throw Lucas into the mix.”
“What do we do?” asked Doc seriously.
Molly reached over the table to take Doc by the hand. “Pray, Doc, pray…and be her friend.”
I saw Doc wink at her and nod when the door blasted open and the hardcases walked in finding a table next to the window. Molly hastened to her feet then headed to their table. The men were chattering when she approached to take their order. I watched while each of them gave their order, but noticed that two were leering at Molly. Doc was watching as well and I heard him grunt in disgust. Molly left to grab cups from the counter taking them back to the table, then went to retrieve the coffeepot to fill their cups.
She was moving around the table, doing her job when I saw one of the men pat her backside. Molly stopped, “You try something like that again and you’ll feel this hot pot against the side of your face,” she hissed. Glancing my way, she shook her head letting me know that she had it under control.
To try and calm the situation she asked, “You gentlemen in town on business, looking for work?”
That brought a laugh from one man, “You could say we’re passing through on the way to a job.”
She continued to banter with them asking. “What kind of work are you in? You don’t look like cowpunchers to me.”
The same man started to reply when the one facing me, who had a granite face, jabbed him in the ribs. “Ma’am just bring our food.”
He had caught me staring at them, our eyes met and held for several seconds as Molly left for the kitchen. Finally he turned to join in the conversation at the table. There was no more talk when minutes later Molly brought their food. After serving them, she came by the table. “I’m going out back. Marta’s not in the kitchen…”