Do Not Forsake Me

by Rosanne Bittner

  So, you intend to change the subject. “Oh, I will do just that. The reason I went to the jail was to see what those men had to say about what happened. Your son-in-law just happened to be there.”

  Jake took a drag on the cigarette and took it from his mouth as he exhaled. “And I’m sure the men I brought back had some glowing things to say about me.”

  Jeff grinned. “Oh, they are very fond of you.”

  Jake actually laughed lightly. Jeff was struck by how different he looked when he smiled. A damn handsome grin it was, and it seemed to change the whole nature of the man. “Yes,” he answered. “They said you’re the most wonderful man they’ve ever known, and they’re glad you made them see the wrong in what they did.”

  Jake laughed again. “Trubridge, I don’t want to like you, but I kind of do.” He looked Jeff over. “I’m a pretty good judge of men, and something about you says I can trust you.”

  Jeff nodded eagerly. “Oh, you can!” He removed his wire-rimmed glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief. “I’m sincere in wanting to do this right, Jake. I put in my notes last night what an enigma you are.”

  “Enigma?” Jake shook his head. “Well, number one—I never had any schooling, so I wouldn’t know what that word meant if it weren’t for my wife. She schooled our kids most of their lives because we usually lived where there weren’t any schools. I guess while she was teaching them, I was learning more myself. And number two—I guess you’re right. I can’t figure my own self out, let alone somebody else understanding me, so enigma is a pretty fitting word.”

  Another hymn. “Amazing Grace.”

  …that saved a wretch like me…

  Jake quieted for a moment and seemed to be listening to the words. Jeff waited.

  “I guess my wife understands me better than anyone.” He smoked quietly for a moment, then cleared his throat. “So, what did those men really say about me? As if I can’t guess.”

  Jeff adjusted his spectacles. “They pretty much called you every name in the book. Some were so bad, I can’t even bring myself to repeat them.”

  Jake grinned again. “Well, sticks and stones may break my bones…”

  “Yeah, I guess you’ve heard it all.”

  “And a lot of those names apply, which is why I’m not in that church.”

  “Aren’t you a little worried about revenge?” he asked. “Those men said if they ever get loose, they’ll come after you…and I’m afraid they also threatened your family, your daughter in particular. That really roused your son-in-law.”

  Jake cast him a dark look. “That true?”

  “Yes, sir. The one called Marty made the threat.”

  The look in Jake’s eyes made Jeff wish he hadn’t said anything about it.

  Jake looked away again and smoked silently. Jeff waited until the man spoke again on his own.

  “Jeff, my daughter is an absolute contrast to me. She’s as close to an angel as anyone. Marty Bryant is welcome to come after me anytime. If he does, he has half a chance of living through it, because I’m supposed to behave like a lawman.” He stared at his cigarette as he rolled it between his fingers. “But if he goes after one member of my family, especially my daughter”—he watched a wagon go by—“the badge comes off,” he finished. “I’ve done some rotten things in my life, but none of it would compare to what I’d do to that man if he ever touches Randy or Evie. Hurting a woman is unforgivable in my book.”

  Jeff swallowed. Because of your mother?

  “I’ve been a target most of my life, Trubridge,” Jake added. He seemed to be weighing his words then. “I’ll tell you something about revenge. I’ve enacted revenge of my own, and I’ve been the brunt of it. Either way usually ends bad, and revenge doesn’t take away the hurt, or the ugly memories. Sometimes it creates even more ugly memories. But a man can’t help going after it anyway.”

  Jeff wanted to ask specifics but decided it was way too soon to press the man for more details.

  “Tell me what keeps you and your wife together,” he dared to ask instead, hoping to lighten the mood. “Twenty years or more, I’m told.”

  “Twenty-six.”

  “From what I’ve observed, the two of you couldn’t be more…well…different.”

  Jake finally grinned again. “Different is an understatement,” he told Jeff. He thought a moment and Jeff waited, deciding he’d get farther by keeping his mouth shut than by opening it at the wrong time. One wrong question and the man would probably throw him off the church steps.

  “I actually tried once or twice to get rid of her—for her own good, not because I didn’t love her. I expect maybe I love her too much. The damn woman won’t leave me. She’s stuck by me through things that would make most women scream and run away, but not Randy. She’s everything a man hopes to find in a wife, and why in hell she picked me, I’ll never understand…never.”

  Jeff scribbled some notes. “Maybe she saw the good in you.”

  Jake didn’t answer right away. He took one last draw on his cigarette, then stepped it out while inside the preacher carried on about sin and salvation. “Some people see things through a rosy glow, I guess,” Jake finally answered.

  “And some see very clearly, Marshal.” I see you, Jake Harkner. There’s a part of you that wants to go into that church. Jake glanced sidelong at him, and Jeff knew it was a warning. He decided to move on to something else.

  “Tell me something, Marshal. How in heck do you know when to draw on somebody…or I guess I should ask when you know he’s going to draw on you. Do you watch his gun hand?”

  Jake shook his head. “Never.” He looked straight at Jeff then with an unnerving glare. “You watch his eyes. Only his eyes, Mr. Trubridge. His eyes will give him away every time. And I’ve never drawn first on a man in my life. I don’t need to.”

  “How do you think you’ve managed to stay alive this long?”

  Jake watched another wagon rattle closer into town. “Haven’t you ever heard the term too mean to die?”

  “Well, they say the Earp brothers were too mean to die, and they were federal marshals too. Did you know them?”

  “That was in ’81, and I was still a wanted man living under an assumed name in Colorado. No, I didn’t know them. A lot of lawless men are a product of the Civil War and its tragedies. My reasons were far different. I did meet Jesse James and Cole Younger a time or two on the Outlaw Trail in Wyoming, back during a bad time when I had to leave Randy for a couple of years.” He lit yet another cigarette. “That’s a period in our marriage I don’t like to talk about. That woman has been through a lot of bad times because of me.” He sighed. “At any rate, Lloyd and I and several other U.S. Marshals have taken part in tracking some of the Dalton gang here in Oklahoma Territory, but they’ve been pretty elusive.”

  “No other famous outlaws ever challenged you?”

  Jake shook his head. “There’s a kind of code among us, I guess. No love lost, but most men like that don’t go around drawing on each other. It’s the filthy worms who don’t really know what they’re doing, like the Bryants and Buckleys, who are stupid enough to go challenging someone with a reputation. They want to make their own name famous, and they usually die trying.”

  The wagon Jake had been keeping an eye on pulled up under a huge shade tree just a few yards from the church, and a young man on a big roan gelding rode beside it. Jake immediately dropped the conversation and rose to hurry toward them. Jeff stayed back and watched as the younger man dismounted and walked up to Jake. The two men embraced.

  The son, Jeff thought. Other than the harder lines on Jake’s face and the fact that the younger one was a bit meatier from younger muscle, they could have been twins.

  “Good to see you back, Son,” Jake told him. “I was a little worried about the Bryants, seeing as how two of their relatives are sitting in jail.”

  �
�I didn’t see hide nor hair of any of them on the way in.”

  “Jake, sure ’n’ it’s good to see you!” the hefty man driving the wagon shouted.

  Jake walked up and shook the man’s hand. “You too, Pat. You’re a little late for church.”

  “Ah, it’s pretty hard to make it on time, comin’ all the way from my farm.” Pat turned and helped his even heftier wife down from the wagon. “We’re not really here for church this time anyway, Jake. We have some good news, but I’ll let Lloyd tell you. I left my two sons at home to keep a watch. They both said to wish you well.”

  “And I thank them for that.”

  Jeff watched as Lloyd walked up to the wagon and lifted a very pretty, redheaded young woman down from the back of it. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, then told her to stay put for a minute. He took his father’s arm and walked closer to the church. “We need to talk,” he told Jake.

  Jake put his hands on his hips. “Something wrong? I thought you said you didn’t run into any trouble.”

  Lloyd grinned. “No—nothing like that.” The younger man glanced at the church. “Mom and Evie inside?”

  “As always.”

  “Well, as soon as the service is over, maybe we can have the preacher hang around.”

  Jake grinned. “Hang around?”

  “Yeah.” Lloyd glanced over at the redheaded young woman, then back at his father. “Katie and I have decided to get married, and the sooner the better. Soon as services are over, we want the preacher to stay and marry us.”

  Jake’s grin widened. “It’s about time.” An eager handshake turned into another embrace. “I’m damn glad for you, Lloyd. You be good to that girl,” Jake told his son. “She’s sweet through and through.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that.” Lloyd sobered.

  Jeff looked away but kept his ears open.

  “It’s not like Beth, Pa.”

  “Of course it isn’t. But you’re both far too young to go the rest of your lives without love and family, and that girl is crazy about you. Anybody can see that.”

  “Yeah, well, there’s also the job. She says she can handle it, but I’m not so sure.”

  Jake glanced over at Katie to see her mother placing some flowers in her hair. “She’s strong, Lloyd. It will be hard at first, but she’ll manage.” He looked back at Lloyd. “Besides, this job won’t last forever. And I’ve told you more than once that you don’t need to do this. I’m the one who has no choice. Maybe now is the time for you to—”

  “No! You know how I feel about that. Do you really think I could let you ride off into backcountry alone, where most of the men you’re after would love to put a hole in your back? It’s not going to happen, and Katie knows that, so stop trying to make me quit.”

  Jeff glanced sidelong at the two of them. Jake walked a few feet away for a moment, clearing his throat and lighting another cigarette. “Then I guess I’ll have to do my best to make sure Katie doesn’t end up a widow for a second time,” he told Lloyd.

  Lloyd put his hands on his hips, and Jeff picked up on the distinct feeling that both men were trying to treat lightly much deeper feelings. “I guess you will,” Lloyd answered.

  Jake came closer and shook his son’s hand firmly again. “I hope you’ll be as happy as your mother and I are. Living with a Harkner is hard on a woman, Lloyd, so you have to be extra good to her when you’re at home.”

  “I know. I will be.”

  Jake left him to go and greet his soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Lloyd just then caught Jeff watching and listening. “Who the hell are you?” he asked. Apparently the younger Harkner could be just as intimidating as his father.

  “Oh—Jeff Trubridge, Mr. Harkner.” He rose and came down the steps, putting out his hand. “I’ve been making friends with your father—came out here from Chicago to do a story on him.”

  Lloyd’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t shake his hand. “A story? What kind of story? My pa doesn’t like people snooping around his personal life, and he sure as hell doesn’t ‘make friends’ with just anybody. I highly doubt you can call him friend yet.”

  “Oh, I’m—I’m well aware of that. I’m just waiting for the chance to talk to your mother—all of you, in fact—so I can make it clear what I want to do. I’m told your mother is the decision maker in the family.”

  Lloyd just scowled at him. “My mother is the decision maker on a lot of things. Does she know about this?”

  “I…I’m not sure.”

  Jake came walking back then with his arm around the lovely young redhead who’d come in on the wagon. Jeff realized she must be Lloyd’s wife-to-be. She looked at bit taken aback by Jake’s embrace and was blushing profusely.

  “Lloyd, thanks for bringing another beautiful woman into the family,” Jake joked. He looked down at Katie. “You will soon be my son’s wife, Katie, so you will be loved like a daughter. And Randy is going to be thrilled about this. Church will let out soon. I can’t wait to tell her.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, then shook Pat Donavan’s hand when the man joined them.

  Lloyd reached out and put an arm around Katie, then nodded toward Jeff. “Is that kid okay?” he asked Jake. “He said he’s writing a book about you. You’ve never allowed that before.”

  “I haven’t decided for sure yet. It’s all up to your mother. And I have a few questions for this kid before I answer any more of his, but yes, I think he’s okay.” He turned his attention back to Lloyd and Katie. “Good Lord, you two make one hell of a handsome couple,” he commented. He pushed back his hat. “Let me tell Randy about this myself as soon as church lets out. Let’s walk over to that shade tree by the wagon while we wait.”

  Jeff waited impatiently, wishing he could hear everything being said. He watched Jake’s interaction with the Donavans and his soon-to-be daughter-in-law…his relaxed attitude around his son. He noted how happy Lloyd looked, but more interesting was Jake’s demeanor. Seeing him merely as a family man, anyone who didn’t know him would have trouble believing the kind of past the man had led, or how ruthless he could be. Jeff still couldn’t quite get over that.

  Finally the church doors opened, and Jake left the others to hurry up the church steps. He leaned against the railing, still smiling. Jeff rose and stepped aside as people began pouring out of church, many of them again greeting Jake on their way out, some warmly, some looking away nervously, a few women actually casting him fetching glances.

  Jake’s smile faded then when his wife finally exited…on the arm of a well-dressed, graying, but well-preserved man who made ready to help her down the steps.

  Who the heck is that? Jeff wondered.

  As soon as the man saw Jake standing there, he let go of Randy Harkner’s arm and put on a smile, holding his hand out to Jake. “Jake!” he said jovially. “You should have come inside.”

  Jake grasped his hand in what Jeff could tell was an unnecessarily firm handshake, keeping hold of the man’s hand a little longer than necessary. “Good to see you, Peter.”

  The man he’d addressed looked a little nervous. “Preacher Zilke gave a very good sermon.”

  Jake finally let go, and Jeff noticed Peter flex his hand a little, as though it hurt.

  “I heard the sermon from out here,” Jake answered. “And last I knew, my wife was a pretty able woman…able enough to get down the steps without your help.”

  “Jake Harkner, don’t be rude,” Randy told him as more people exited the church.

  “It’s all right,” Peter answered. “I’m sure your husband is still feeling the strain of the last three weeks.” He held Jake’s eyes the whole time he spoke. “I saw you ride in yesterday, Jake. I’m glad you made it back in one piece.”

  Jake took Randy’s arm. “Are you, now?”

  Peter nodded. “I most certainly am. I wouldn’t want to see the look on your good wife’s face if y
ou didn’t make it back, and that’s the God’s truth.” Peter didn’t back away, and Jeff suspected Jake respected that. It meant Peter was likely being genuine and wanted Jake to know it.

  Jake held his eyes a moment longer. “And a good wife she is.”

  “Jake.”

  It was one word, spoken by Miranda. The look she gave Jake said it all. She was warning him to be polite.

  Jeff smiled at the simple, quiet command. The woman could stand right up to Jake Harkner. Jake immediately softened and actually smiled. He met Randy’s eyes then. “Maybe your good friend here would like to stay and watch your son marry Katie,” he told her.

  His wife’s face lit up and Jake nodded toward the Donavans’ wagon in the distance. Randy turned to see Lloyd standing with his arm around Katie. “Lloyd!” She hurried down the steps and out to greet all of them, embracing her son and then Katie.

  Jake kept his eyes on Peter a moment longer. “Thanks for giving her something to do when I’m gone. She needs that. Just make sure it’s only work you offer her.”

  Brown shook his head. “Jake, get the chip off your shoulder. That woman is so devoted to you it’s ridiculous. And you know I highly respect her. I most certainly would like to stay and see Lloyd get married, if you really mean that. All Randy talked about while you were gone was getting those two together.”

  Evie and Brian walked out of the church, and young Stephen made a beeline for his father.

  “Daddy! Daddy!”

  Lloyd swept the boy into his arms, and Jake watched as Evie and Brian also walked out to greet the Donavans. “Some family, aren’t they?” He looked back at Peter.

  “I never had children, Jake,” Peter answered rather wistfully. “You’re a lucky man.”

  Jake studied him. “Well, I’m sure you are more deserving of a family than I am.” Jake put his hat back on and walked down the steps toward his family.

  Jeff decided to step back from things for a while. This seemed like something too personal—Jake’s son getting married and all. It was Sunday, a family day. He turned his attention to Peter. The look of love in the man’s eyes was startlingly evident.