They came back looking like guilty children.
Neil said, “Hello, Marshal.”
“Hello, boys. How are you?”
“Fine,” Two Shafts said. He looked hopeful. “Griff tell you he made us marshals?”
“No, but those stars look real familiar.”
Wildhorse turned to Griffin and said pointedly, “I need to talk to you, privately.”
Like a child headed for the woodshed, Griffin led the marshal to the back door.
Once Griff and Dix were alone, Dix requested calmly, or as calmly as he could, “Start from the beginning.”
Griff told him the story from the beginning, emphasizing why he needed the help of two of the most wanted men in the territory.
Dix’s jaw tightened.
“Look, Dix, you sent me down here to do a job, and I did the best I knew how. Of course my friends are going to be outlaws. I was an outlaw, too, remember?”
“What do you mean, was?”
“I’m giving up the life. I plan to spend the rest of my days walking on the right side of the law.”
“And what brought about this miraculous conversion?”
“The lady in there. Jessi Clayton. We’re going to be married as soon as things settle down.”
Dix stared. “I sent you down here to help her, not help yourself to her bed. Dammit, Griff!”
“It’s not like that. I truly do love her. Amazing enough, she loves me.”
Dix studied him for a long time. “You realize this is very hard for me to believe.”
“Yes, but how do you think I feel? I had plans for Mexico and the señoritas, remember.”
“I do. So this isn’t just another conquest?”
“No. I plan on being faithful, too.”
Dix chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t believe this.”
“I’m serious about her, Dix. She’s honest, fiery, and can shoot the wings off a fly at fifty paces.”
“Then it’s probably in your best interests to be faithful.”
Griff laughed. “No kidding.”
Dix surveyed Griffin for another few moments. “So you’re through with train robbing?”
“And anything else that might bring shame to her and Joth.”
“Okay, then maybe I won’t be so mad about those two being here.”
Griff was grateful. “Thanks. If it hadn’t been for them, I doubt Darcy would be behind bars.”
“I saw Percy back at the ranch.”
“Yes, good old Percy. The Twins were able to get him to confess to murdering Jessi’s father, and we have his confession on paper. Got another one from Darcy’s daughter-in-law.”
“Good. Sounds like having the Twins’ help wasn’t such a harebrained idea after all.”
“No, it wasn’t, and they’ve been real respectful of the badge. A sheriff couldn’t ask for better deputies.”
“Miss Clayton said Preacher Bigelow is here also?”
“Yeah, he’s down at the saloon, getting something to eat. He’ll be back shortly.”
Dixon looked at Griffin and said genuinely, “I’m real proud of you. Judge Parker’s going to be glad this has been resolved.”
“Not as glad as I am, because as soon as you take Reed and Percy off our hands, Jessi and I can get married.”
“Congratulations on that, too.”
“Thanks. You aren’t going to take the Twins in, are you?”
“No, not this time. I think the judge will consider their help valuable enough to look the other way. Are you going to stay on as sheriff here?”
“Yep. I have a family to provide for and this is a decent way to make a living, don’t you think?”
Dix nodded. “I sure do.” He then said genuinely, “You’ve done yourself proud here, Griffin, and to know that you’ve turned your life around makes it even better.”
Griffin felt good about his job here, too, and about the life he sensed waiting for him just over the horizon. “If it weren’t for you, I’d be rotting away in that prison. Thanks for having faith in me, because in the beginning I did have my doubts.”
Dixon gave Griffin one of his rare smiles. “I knew you could do it. Now, let’s get back in. I want to meet this Darcy.”
Inside the cell, Darcy took one look at Wildhorse and asked Griffin, “Who the hell is this, another rube come to gawk?”
“Nice man,” Dixon told Griffin. To Darcy he replied, “No, I’m not just another rube come to gawk. I’m U.S. Deputy Marshal Dixon Wildhorse, and I’m here to take you to Judge Parker’s court up at Fort Smith.”
“I’m not going anywhere. My friends will be here any minute to get me out of here and then I’ll have your star, marshal, and your job. Don’t you know who I am?”
“Yep, you’re Reed Darcy, and you’re wanted for counterfeiting, murder, embezzlement, and a laundry list of other offenses.”
Darcy turned away from the marshal’s wintry face and demanded, “Blake, did you send that wire like I told you to?”
“Sure did,” Griff told him, “but we never got a reply. Looks like your cavalry has a prior engagement.”
Darcy’d had Griff send wires to his so-called highly placed friends but so far no one had shown up or wired back to pledge their support.
“They’ll be here, don’t worry,” Darcy promised.
“I won’t.”
When Griffin and Dix returned to the front office, they were both laughing about something and Jessi felt relief wash over her. The marshal had appeared very angry when he initially asked to speak with Griffin in private and she’d been afraid something bad would come of it as a result. Now it appeared as if everything would be all right.
Wildhorse looked her way. “I hear you and Griffin are planning to marry. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Jessi replied. She swung her gaze to Griffin and saw that he appeared as happy as she felt inside. “Will you be staying for the wedding?”
“I’m afraid not. The sooner I get Darcy and Percy to Fort Smith, the sooner I can get back home to my Kate.”
“Is that your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Then you and Mrs. Wildhorse must come and visit us when you can stay longer.”
“We will.”
The Twins had been standing quietly as if they were trying not to draw the lawman’s attention. It didn’t work. Dixon zeroed in on them.
“And as for you two, I heard you’ve been exemplary deputies.”
“You did?”
“Yes, and for your help, I’ll see if I can’t convince Judge Parker to suspend the warrants you’ve been accumulating for the past three years.”
The Twins looked at each other with glee.
“Would you consider staying on as deputies?” he asked.
The brothers shook their heads. “Nope. We’re here to help Cheno, and once that’s finished, we’re turning in our stars.”
Just then, Joth came tearing into the office and looked around excitedly. When his spectacled eyes settled on Marshal Wildhorse, a big grin filled his face. “Marshal Wildhorse!”
“How are you, Joth?”
It was as if Joth couldn’t believe his eyes. “I’m fine, sir. What are you doing here?”
Looking down at his young friend, Dix said, “Oh, thought I’d come down and pay you and your aunt a visit. I wanted to see how things were faring.”
“It’s been real exciting, real exciting. Thanks for sending Griff to help.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for sending me that letter.”
“You’re welcome. When I heard you were here, I had to come. Had to.”
Jessi smiled. “Joth, honey, take a breath.”
He quieted for a moment, but the brightness of his grin continued to shine.
The folks in line to see Darcy in the back room cell had heard and seen all of this and were looking on with smiles—all of them except Lydia Cornell. She came in looking anxious and nervous. She stood in the line impatiently clutching her handbag. Jessi wanted
to confront her about the death of her mother, but decided she would take Gillie’s advice and leave the past in the past.
When Lydia came out after seeing Darcy, Jessi noted that she had tears in her eyes and that she rushed out as if she were terribly distraught. Jessi wondered what Lydia’s husband Wilson would’ve had to say about his wife’s display, but she moved past the thoughts as she returned her attention to Griffin and the others.
A few moments later, one of the women in the back let out a scream and a gun-wielding and angry Darcy appeared at the door. Before anyone could react, he snatched Joth in front of him to use as a shield. “I want everybody on the other side of the room. Now!”
Dixon pledged stonily, “Darcy, harm that boy and I’ll string you up right here.”
“Shut up and do what you’re told.”
Everyone in the office moved to the far side of the room. The tension was thick as fog.
“Jessi! Make those rubes outside clear a path, then unhitch me a horse.”
Jessi remembered Gillie saying Reed was afraid of horses. If he were that desperate to escape, Joth could be in real danger, so she said, “Okay, Reed, just don’t hurt Joth.”
With one arm around Joth and the other arm extended to hold the gun on Jessi, Darcy kept a steady eye on the angry faces of Griffin, Wildhorse, and the Twins. Joth appeared terrified.
Jessi went out and quickly cleared him a way. People began scrambling as Darcy and Joth stepped out onto the walk. He maneuvered his way over to the hitching post and snapped at her. “Untie one of those horses.”
He was now positioned with his back to the street. By now the lawmen were standing in the doorway, furious but powerless to do anything but watch.
Darcy grinned evilly. “I told you help would come, didn’t I? Give me those reins, Jessi!”
Keeping a wary eye on Griff and the others, Reed blindly took the offered reins, pushed Joth aside, and stomped into the stirrup to mount. The moment he did, Snake Eyes reared violently to register his displeasure. Darcy cried out because his foot was tangled in the stirrup and he tried to grab hold of the saddle, but Snake Eyes didn’t care. The horse kept rearing and twisting and Darcy was flung up and down like a rag doll again and again. He was finally thrown free and landed hard against the edge of the wooden walk. His eyes were closed and his body limp. His head appeared to be leaning at an odd angle. The doc rushed out of the crowd. He knelt by the body and then after a few moments looked up and shook his head. Darcy’s neck had been broken. He was dead.
“I didn’t know Snake Eyes would wind up killing him,” Jessi told Griffin solemnly. “I just thought he’d show his hostility before Reed stuck his foot in the stirrup and he’d be forced to pick another horse. I was trying to buy some time.”
They were back at the ranch now and evening had claimed the day. Griffin held her close and placed a light kiss on her forehead. “I know, it was a good plan. Too bad Snake Eyes didn’t get briefed on the details beforehand.”
“Well, it’s too late now.”
“Yes, it is. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have as much respect for the dead as the next fellow, but will I mourn Darcy? Not even a little bit. He’s shoveling coal for the devil just like he’s supposed to be. So, enough about him. When’s the wedding?”
Jessi looked up at the man she loved. “If Gillie has the dress finished, we could have it tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Sure, why not? It isn’t as if it’s going to be a big affair.”
The way he quieted made her cock her head. “Why do I have the feeling that you have something you’ve been meaning to tell me?”
He gave her a chagrined grin. “Well, Auntie wanted to give the wedding, and—”
“Auntie?” Jessi exclaimed. “Oh, Griffin, please don’t tell me I’m going to be married in that whore-red saloon. I love Auntie with all of my heart, but—”
“No, she’s having a bower built outside.”
“A bower? I’m going to be married beneath a bower?”
“You certainly have a lot of questions. How about I kiss you and make you forget about them all?”
She chuckled. “Sounds like a very good idea.”
Chapter 15
Because Gillie still had a few last touches to add to Jessi’s dress, they agreed to have the wedding in three days’ time. Although Jessi anxiously wanted to be Griffin’s wife, there were loose ends to tie up on the Darcy affair and Jessi wanted none of the matters to be hanging over their heads on their wedding day.
The morning after Darcy’s death, Marshal Wildhorse rode out to the ranch. He said he had news everyone needed to hear, so they all gathered in the kitchen.
“First of all, the judge sends his regards and his thanks for all your help. He was especially intrigued by the game you two played with Percy, said he might add it to his own options for justice.”
The Twins broke out into matching grins until Dix said, “You two don’t actually believe that, do you?”
The Twins looked stunned.
“Judge Parker says if you ever pull a stunt like that with a suspect again, he will personally bury the both of you the same way.”
The Preacher laughed out loud.
Griff faked a cough to hide his own laugh.
Two Shafts appeared to be amazed. “The marshal has a sense of humor!”
“Sure does,” Neil exclaimed. “He didn’t have one the last time we met up.”
“Must be the new Mrs. Marshal’s doing.”
“Must be.”
Jessi gave up on trying to hide her smile. Whatever would she do around here for entertainment once they left town?
Griff asked, “What about my parole?”
“It’s all taken care of.”
Griffin felt relief wash over him like a summer rain.
A grinning Preacher slapped him on the back.
“The judge wants to know if you’ll remain as the deputy marshal here?” Dix asked.
Jessi looked at the man she loved and he stared back at her from his spot on the other side of the porch.
Jessi then heard Neil ask quietly, “Is the marshal trying to be funny again?”
Two Shafts shrugged. “Who knows?”
The marshal then asked Griff, “Well, what’s your answer?”
Still holding Jessi’s eyes, he offered this heartfelt reply, “Tell him I’ll do whatever he wants me to do as long as I can be at her side,” and he pointed at Jessi.
Her answering smile radiated her love.
“Good. You can resign your position as sheriff. The town can have two lawmen if it wants, but you’re the marshal here. One small detail left: the Twins are going to be your deputies.”
The porch echoed with the roar of “What?”
Neil came quickly to his own defense, “Marshal Wildhorse, my brother and I really don’t want to keep the stars.”
“Too late. I already asked the judge and he’s already agreed.”
“But you can’t possibly believe we’d make good lawmen.”
Preacher was now laughing so hard Jessi feared he’d hurt himself. “No, I don’t, but Judge Parker thinks it’ll be ample punishment for all the havoc you two have caused over the past few years. It’s either the jobs, or I take you to Austin with my other prisoners.”
Two Shafts asked pointedly, “Doesn’t the Constitution have a clause about cruel and unusual punishment?”
“Yes, but the last I looked, it didn’t apply to those of us with Native blood,” Neil cracked.
Two Shafts thought a minute, then declared, “Well, maybe we should take the job. If Griff is getting married and Dixon Wildhorse is making jokes, either hell is freezing over or the world is about to end.”
Everyone laughed.
So the Twins agreed to be Griff’s deputies. Griffin didn’t believe for a minute that they’d stick around longer than a few weeks, but he didn’t say it out loud.
That afternoon, the marshal left town, taking with him a very grateful Percy a
nd Lydia Cornell. She’d been arrested for aiding Darcy’s escape. She’d provided the gun and a key to the cell’s door. Because of her husband’s position as head of the town council, he had a key to every door in town, from the undertaker’s office to the key to the jail, and that was how Darcy had gotten out. Wilson Cornell appeared devastated by his wife’s collusion when Griff arrested her right after Darcy’s death, but he obviously loved her because he’d gone along too, so he could be by her side during her trial.
Jessi knocked on the barn door and opened it just a bit. Griffin was inside working on the dream bed. “Can I come in?”
“Just a moment.”
She could hear him moving around, then he called her in.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said, smiling as she came in.
She took a look at the tarp covering his project, then replied, “Hello, yourself.”
She strolled over so they could share a kiss. When it ended Jessi was left a bit dazed. Still standing in the circle of his arms, she looked up into his sherry-colored eyes and said, “I know your ego is already larger than the state of Texas, but you are one good kisser, Griffin Blake.”
“Glad you like them, because for the rest of our lives, they’ll be all yours.”
“Good thing. I’m a selfish old woman.”
His grin warmed her.
“How do you feel about the parole?” she asked softly.
“Wonderful.”
“Me too.”
“Have you talked to Auntie about the wedding? Any idea what she has in store?” he asked.
“Nope. She won’t tell me, and it’s probably better that I don’t know, because I’d probably veto half of whatever she’s cooking up.”
“Well, let her enjoy herself.”
“I plan to.”
Griff still found it hard to believe that this beautiful woman returned his love.
“I had a talk with Gillie the other day about my mother’s death.”
“And?”
When she didn’t respond, he reached down and raised her chin so he could see into her eyes. “It’s bothering you, isn’t it?”
She didn’t want to admit it, but it did. “Gillie told me not to judge, but I keep wondering how my mother could’ve planned to leave Mildred and me behind.”