I had just come out of the sheriff’s office from helping Lucas set up a room. There was a shed attached to the jail where the door opened up to the cells. It was large enough to place a cot. Lucas brought his things from Marta’s house, much to her chagrin and moved into the jail. Charlie told her that he was old enough to make his own decision about that, but then again he ought not to be going home expecting free meals either. Marta finally agreed to a sort of compromise.
Mateo had put a couple of drunks in cells last night and had given Lucas instructions to let them out just before the noon meal. If they wanted to drink up their money, they could waken for breakfast or forgo eating until evening. As I stepped out in the snow that was lightly falling I thought about going into the army when I was about the same age as Lucas. Marta should be thanking the Lord that he wasn’t going off to fight a war.
Looking up the street I saw Darnelle out sweeping off the boardwalk. The saloon not far from her store had snow covering the walk and it was partly snow partly slush. Newsome’s store was open, for which I was glad. I hadn’t been over to talk with him since he sequestered himself after losing the election.
I started walking down the boardwalk toward Darnelle who had finished sweeping. She looked up toward the road that went on down to New Mexico and seeing her look up my gaze followed. There were five riders coming our way. From the looks of them they weren’t cowboys and for sure not miners. They rode loose in the saddle, their hats pulled down low. The ones to the back were looking around at the stores and one stopped to leer at Darnelle. By that time I had reached Darnelle. I put my hands on my hips and glared at him.
“Better get on down the road, or you might get lost,” I said then pointed with my head.
He winced when I spoke, then smiled, tipping his hat to Darnelle and trotted off to catch up with his companions.
“There’s trouble,” stated Darnelle. She shivered, “It’s cold, I’m going back inside.”
I touched her arm as she passed, stopping her. “Have you talked with Mr. Newsome?”
“No, neither he or Jewelene have said anything. I’ve noticed they haven’t had customers. Miles, what’s wrong with them? It’s not like it’s the end of the world, losing a city election,” she said shivering.
“Go on in, Darnelle. You’ll catch cold standin’ out here. I’ll tell if I hear anything of importance,” I offered then started off across the street to Newsome’s Ladies’ Wear.
Upon entering the store I saw immediately that it was void of customers. At first I didn’t see John sitting in a darkened corner in the back of the room. “John!” I hollered, “You got a customer.”
I heard the chair scratch against the wooden floor as he got up. Walking toward me I saw a disparaging smile on his face. “Come to gloat, Forrest?”
“John, is that really what you think? True, we’ve had some differences of opinion in the past, but that doesn’t stop our bein’ cordial or even friendly.”
“Bah!” he growled. “Do you intend to purchase something, or are you just wanting to waste my time?”
I walked up to him and pointed my finger in his face. “Do you enjoy havin’ a pity-party for yourself, is that it? Why not think of all the things you and Wilson did to help this town get established? Recognize that changes come, some for the better, others, well, others might not be so good, but they’re here just the same.”
His face was red and I saw that he had his hands clenched down by his sides. “Go ahead, John. Hit me if’n yuh think that’ll make you feel better. But it won’t for you’ve let a seed of bitterness begin to grow inside you,” I wasn’t angry or mad, but I felt a real pity for him.
Looking around I said, “I came to purchase a scarf for Molly. Care to show me one?”
We both stared at each other for several seconds, then he went off toward one counter. I really wasn’t planning on buying one, but figured I needed to do something to diffuse the situation.
“Do you want it for dress or for warmth?” he asked, a little more friendly.
“Warmth,” I replied, then pointed. “How ’bout that red and black tartan?”
As he picked it up to stretch it out, I inquired, “Have you been up to see Wilson? He gets lonely, I’m sure he’d like to see you.”
I could see him swallow. He turned away for a second as there were tears in his eyes. “Go see him,” I continued. “It’ll do him, and you a world of good.”
He wiped across his face with his arm, then turned toward me, the gruffness returning. “Thirty cents, anything else?”
Shaking my head, I answered, “That’ll do it.” I unbuttoned my coat, reached in my vest pocket for my pouch of change. I placed it on the counter, “Give my best to Jewelene,” I said then started for the door.
I heard a cough, then he stuttered, “Miles, thanks.”
I nodded then walked back out into the cold. A ways down the street I saw the horses of the hardcases in front of Duffy’s Saloon. Perhaps I should introduce myself…