A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. In the same way, the day you die is better than the day you are born.” –Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NLT)
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I was trudging back through the deep snow that had fallen the past three days after checking on the horses. They were comfortable in their stalls, but I had to spend some time mucking them out after the storm. It was clearing and that meant the temperatures would drop. I figured it would get down ’round zero tonight so I placed a couple of blankets on the backs of Hawk, Star, and Two-Bits, fed them some grain and oats and made sure they had plenty of water and hay. Tomorrow I would let them out to romp in the snow.
It was cold and the night would be even colder. Before I entered the cabin, I picked up an armload of firewood. That would save me at least one trip outside. Entering the blast of warm air hit me, as well as the aroma of coffee, and biscuits. Glancing over at the stove I saw that Molly was making sausage gravy for the biscuits. She turned, smiling, holding up two eggs. “These are the last two until I can get down to the diner.”
Placing the wood near the fireplace I checked the kindling for the stove and saw that the box was almost full. I then poked around the logs in the fireplace, moving them a bit then added a couple of the large pieces I brought in. It was sure comfortable inside compared to being out in the cold. My morning cup was still on the table. I glanced in it, then went to the stove to retrieve the pot sitting there. Molly was just finishing up so I headed to my chair at the table.
Molly brought two platefuls of biscuits and gravy each with an egg on top. We bowed our heads, and she offered the blessing for the food, for the life the Lord had provided, and for the coming year. When she said that I had forgotten that we were now in a new year. My mercy, where does the time go? Had it really been fifteen years ago since I left Texas and the Rangers? Don’t seem hardly possible.
“There’s plenty of wood,” I mentioned before taking a large bite. “I need to walk down to the jail to check on the prisoners.”
“Do you really have to go?” she questioned. “Isn’t Lucas staying there?”
“I wouldn’t go, but they are federal prisoners. Lucas is there and feeding them,” I stopped to laugh. “I don’t know how good a cook he is, but for sure his coffee is terrible.”
Molly gave a little cackle. “Miles, anyone can heat up a can of beans.”
“I probably would have let Lucius out, but he needed to care for his brother. It was a good thing too, as Doc wouldn’t have been able to make it up to the jail. I imagine with the snow no longer coming down that he’ll try today.” I paused to take a swallow from the cup then hoisted another forkful of gravy with biscuit to my mouth. After chewing and swallowing most of it. “If they weren’t federal prisoners, the trial would have already been over. I don’t know when the district judge will get here with all this snow.”
“You go do your duty, and maybe, just maybe I’ll have us a butterscotch pie ready when you get back,” she informed me.
My eyes lit up. “A fella could get fat an’ lazy sittin’ ’round the house, nice and warm and cozy.”
“Hmpf,” came the sound from her. “No pie until you chop some more wood. Leave the plate and get going. The faster you get outta here, the sooner you’ll get back.”
Within minutes I was on my way to the jail. It took time with the heavy snow on the road. I noticed on my walk that there was no one out. The streets were full of snow and no one had ventured out. I was pleased to see Lucas in front of the jail shoveling snow from the boardwalk.
He saw me approaching as he looked up from his work. “Senor Marshal, I am so glad you are here. The man, Mort, he has gone loco.”
“What do you mean?” I asked opening the door.
“Kid! Is that you? I need some help!” came the sound from the cell.
I opened the door to the cell room and saw Lucius sitting on top of his brother. “Marshal, am I glad to see you…”