But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” –1 John 1:7 (ESV)
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The snow came the day after Christmas and continued for three days causing fifteen inches or more to lay on the ground. It surely slowed things down for a while; it took businesses a day to get open, and then the proprietors had to keep shoveling and sweeping to keep the boardwalk clean. Most of them hired kids from the town to do it for them, but I did see Solly sweeping his own walk, and Lucas volunteered to go help Darnelle shovel and sweep in front of Fosters.
If I took it slow and easy I was able to keep the walk in front of the diner clear. The bruises were gone, the cuts and punctures healed, but if I moved fast or in one direction, I could still feel a twinge in the ribs. With carriage and horse traffic the main roads were eventually packed down so folks could get around easier. Now, a week later it was slush, muck, and sludge. The temperature now up to the forties’ it was now a job to keep the mud from the front of the door.
I had just finished my task entering the diner. “Miles, why don’t you hire one of those youngsters to clean that walk off?” questioned Doc while sitting at the table guzzling coffee.
Going to the stove I reached for the pot, shook it a bit and heard the coffee swish inside, what little of it there was. On the table was my cup, and I poured it full, then looked for Marta or Lola. Both were busy with customers. Since the weather had warmed, the diner had been busy. Lola saw me, lifted her hand with a finger pointing upward signifying in a minute.
As she came to me I held out the pot, “If you would please…” She smiled nodding. I had taught her to make pretty decent coffee and she willingly took up the task of making sure the pot on the stove where I sat was full.
Sitting down, I took a swallow of the hot brew. It was bitter, strong, almost scorched and I grimaced at the flavor. I don’t mind strong coffee, in fact that is my preference, but I do not like scorched coffee. Doc gave a chuckle. “Sort of like drinking tar,” then he laughed again.
Molly was out, buying from an IOU I gave her for Christmas. I gave her a small gift, but I reckoned she knew better what she wanted or needed so I promised to buy her something later. She was out now fulfilling that promise.
“Still no idea of who tore into you?” asked Doc, pushing his cup aside.
I shook my head. “I have no idea. I’ve looked for people I might have arrested in the past, for someone who might be after me. There are several strangers in town but most of them are hardluck miners out of a job. If something had been stolen from me I might think it was some of them, but all they wanted to do was beat me up.”
“You mean, beat you to death,” declared Doc. “If Lucas hadn’t come running out, a few more licks and kicks in the right place might have done you in. Fortunately for you those spurs didn’t catch you in the eye.”
Reaching up I touched my cheek where one spur came mighty close to doing so. “I’ll find them, Doc. Sooner or later one of them will slip up.”
We were talking about the weather, and Sunday’s preaching when Lola came with a fresh pot of coffee. I quickly downed the tar in my cup, making a face as I did so. Not only was it scorched, thick, but also cold, but I wanted to make room for the fresh coffee. Lola giggled as she saw my face, then proceeded to fill my cup. “Ahhh, that’s much better.” I received a smile, then she placed the pot on the stove.
“Either of you men want something? Pie maybe?”
Doc shook his head, and I replied,, “Not now. When Molly gets back.”
The coffee was good and Doc and I sat there sipping the fresh brew, chatting about this and that. He told me that Edith fell, slipping on the ice and was laid up at home. Nothing serious, but it bruised her hip and she was having trouble getting around.
In through the door rushed Molly.
Miles…!
Miles…!
P.S. Be sure to purchase from Amazon the new novel, Lawman. It tells part of the story regarding Miles Forrest.