I agree with you Molly,” chirped Edith. “That’s no place for a boy to be working. Why one of those ruffians may hurt the boy.”
Edith and Doc Jones were sitting with Molly and me before the noon rush. Doc was finishing a piece of apple pie and they were discussing Lucas’ new job as jailer. I had already had this discussion, well, it actually was an argument earlier with Marta. Thank goodness for me, and Lucas, that Charlie was on our side, but I don’t think that helped Charlie’s home situation none.
Doc took a sip to wash the pie down, then stated, “Edith’s got a point.”
I groaned. “No, now listen just a minute. What happens when that boy has to take one of those scoundrels out to take care of necessary needs? The man may outweigh Lucas by a hundred pounds. That’s just not thinking it through, Miles.”
It was time for me to put in my two cents worth. “First of all, Lucas is a man. He proved himself to me, and more importantly to himself that he was. It took courage for him to protect those horses. Second, he’ll be shown how to deal with the miscreants of justice. And last, he’ll have to learn.” Then I slammed my hand down on the table. “It’s settled!”
Molly frowned, Doc scowled, and Edith near jumped out of her chair when my hand hit the table. I had to get up for more coffee so I could turn my back on them in case I should laugh.
I was pouring my coffee when I heard Marta scurry over to the table. “Is everything okay?” she asked. “I heard a loud noise when I was in the kitchen.”
“Everything’s all right, Marta. We were just discussing Lucas’ new position,” she paused waiting for me to sit. “At least we were discussing it, until Miles put an end to it.”
Marta dropped her head down for a moment. “Senor Miles and my husband are right. I didn’t like it at first, and truth be told I still don’t, but Lucas is the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time. It is good for him to be happy, no? The troubles, I know they will come, but we depend on the Lord as in any other time or in any other trouble. I know he has the two best men around to teach him. All I can do is pray for his safety, as I do for my husband, and Senor MIles.”
The four of us looked up at her, no one saying a word. That is probably the longest any of us had ever heard Marta talk and it caught us sort of by surprise.
“I must get back to the kitchen,” she said and hurried away.
Doc pulled on his ear, then scratched his cheek. “Well…guess there’s not much more to say in the matter.”
Molly sighed, “She’s right. Perhaps we take too much for granted, and don’t do enough praying. I know I pray when Miles is out of town, but I don’t think much about it when he’s in Durango. The streets here are as dangerous as riding the train up to Silverton. We just don’t know, but we can pray to the Father who does.
Doc and Edith both nodded in assent, and I then said a hardy, “Amen!”
“Speaking of Lucas, I think I’ll head on over to the jail to see how he’s doing, maybe give him some instructions.” I had just gotten to the doorway when I heard pistol shots coming from up the street, then a rifle shot. I rushed out the door and ran toward the jail where I saw a man stumble out. I could tell he was shot, but he managed to get on his horse and ride southward out of town.
When I got to the jail…