“That brother of mine would swallow a penny if he thought it would come out as a nickel,” said Roy as they all laughed.
“Well, I’ve given you all the books I had in both my stores,” said the mayor. “I ordered some more, but they won’t arrive for a few weeks.”
“You’ve been more than generous, Mayor,” said Homer as he waved at the books on the shelves. “We’ve got a pretty good collection already and it’s growing every day. Just keep announcing to people to bring in any books they want to donate when they come to town.”
“I’ve sent riders out about the Christmas supper at the town hall to all the cabins and ranches in the area and informed them about the reading room,” said the mayor. “I’d better get back to decorating that tree before the missus comes and hauls me out by the collar.” Jim left the reading room and went back into the large meeting room, where Sara was still working.
Russ had left the town hall and headed back to the small general store in town. When he walked in, the clerk was waiting on someone else, so Russ walked over to the books and picked up one of the five he wanted. He began reading it while the clerk finished helping a woman pick out some cloth. She left and the clerk walked to Russ and snapped the book closed.
“You wanna read it, you gotta buy it,” he said as he put the book back on the shelf.
“So, what’s your best deal on these five books?” he asked.
“I already told you it’s forty cents if it’s for the reading room at the town hall.”
“It’s for a good cause so people have books to read.”
“And that’s why I discounted them for you.”
“Would you take thirty cents?”
“Nope, it’s forty cents,” he said. Russ put the change on the counter and moved it around until he had thirty-five cents in one pile, the other nickel under his thumb.
“How about thirty-five cents?” asked Russ as he pushed the coins toward the clerk, whose ears turned bright red as he pursed his lips tightly.
“All right, if it gets you out of my store, I’ll take thirty-five cents,” he barked as he took the coins and put them in his till.
Russ grabbed the books and ran out of the store before the clerk could change his mind. He walked back into the reading room where his brothers were sitting and reading. Don looked up at Russ holding the new books.
“I see you finally made a deal with the clerk,” said Don.
“Yeah, the cheapskate made me pay him forty cents,” he said, smiling inwardly as he sat down and opened the book he’d started reading while he was in the store.
***
Jess and the others woke to see a dusting of fresh snow on the ground. Jacob quickly threw some more branches on the fire, sitting next to it trying to warm himself. All the travelers slowly gathered around the fire with blankets wrapped around them. Sissy got out one of the pans and started frying bacon and ham.
“Sissy, keep it simple since we can all get a hot meal in town once we get there,” Jess told her.
“You’ll get no argument from me on that,” she said.
“How long a ride is it to Black Creek from here?” asked Woodson.
“About six hours as long as we don’t have any problems,” said Jess.
“I greased all the wheels yesterday and they all looked fine to me,” said Woodson.
The snow started falling heavier. They ate quickly and Jess helped Woodson hitch up the team, while Zachary got his wagon ready. Jess brushed the snow off Gray and Sharps and saddled them. He rubbed Sharps’ forehead.
“I’ll have you boys in a nice warm stable before the day is over,” he told them.
Sharps pushed his muzzle against him. Jess climbed up in the saddle on Gray and walked his horses to the trail leading into town. The two wagons swayed back and forth. Jess took the lead, buttoning his coat and putting his gloves on. The snow hit him in the face as he rode.
***
Tony was nailing the last oil lamp to the posts on Main Street. He was the first to hear the wagons riding into town through the snow, which was blowing and swirling around. He got down from his stool and stood there waiting. He finally saw Jess riding toward him, leading the wagons.
“Who does he have with him?” he asked in a whisper. He walked toward Jess, who stopped his horses and slid from the saddle.
“Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes,” said Tony as he gave him a bear hug, almost lifting him off his feet. “What’s in the wagons?”
“Lots of gifts for all the kids in and around town. And clothing, too,” he said as he rubbed his hands together. “I need a spot in the livery to keep the wagons.”
“That’s not a problem,” said Tony.
Jess turned to Zachary. “Take the wagons into the livery and take care of the horses,” he told him. Zachary moved his horses forward and past Jess. He waved at Tony, who waved back.
“They seem like nice folk,” acknowledged Tony.
“They are,” he said as Woodson rode past them. Jacob waved at Tony, with a wide smile on his face.
“An old man and a kid?” inquired Tony.
“I heard that,” Woodson called back.
“Sorry, no offense,” said Tony. “I guess there’s an interesting story behind all of this, but let’s get these horses out of the cold and into my livery.”
Jess followed Tony, leading his horses behind him. The wagons were rolled in, horses stabled and some more wood put in the cast iron potbellied stove in the middle. Introductions were made all around and Jess smiled at Tony.
“Tony, how many houses do I have available for rent in town?”
“Three right now.”
“Do they have wood for the stoves?”
“Always, and completely furnished, too,” he replied. “Mr. Jameson pays me to take care of the houses and keep them ready at all times.”
“Would you do me a favor and take these people to look at them so they can pick one out?”
“Sure, are all four of them staying in one house? You have some with two bedrooms.”
“No, Sissy and Zachary will take one and Woodson and Jacob will take another.”
“All right, follow me folks and I’ll let you in and even stoke the fire for you,” said Tony.
“I’ll meet you all in Ruth’s Café on Main Street after you get settled in,” Jess told them. “I’m going to see Jim and Sara.”
“They’re gonna be happier than a weasel in a chicken coop when they see you,” chuckled Tony as he led the group out of the livery, closing the door behind them to keep the heat in.
Jess looked up and down Main Street at all the lampposts lit up. The snow stopped falling as he headed for Jim and Sara’s house, which was attached to the large general store. He could see the front door of the store was closed, but the “open” sign was still visible on the glass. He walked up the steps and opened the door to feel warmth emanating from the two stoves inside. Jim was showing a man a rifle. When he noticed Jess standing there after closing the door, his eyes lit up with glee.
“I’ve been praying that you’d make it for Christmas,” he said as he scooted over to him and shook his hand briskly.
“You said it was a special Christmas, so I had to come, even though I hate this cold,” he said shivering as the warmth started pulling the cold out of his bones.
“It will be; we have a lot planned,” he said as Sara came running out of the back room. She gave him a long hug, shaking him as she did.
“Do you want something to eat?” she asked as she took him by the arm.
“Just some coffee and maybe a slice of bread,” he replied. “I brought four friends with me and I’m meeting them at Ruth’s Café for supper.”
“Who did you bring with you?”
He quickly explained who it was and why he had brought them to Black Creek as she led him into the kitchen.
“They should fit in quite nicely and it will make Christmas even more special than we hoped for,” admitted Sara as she cut a thick slab of bread o
ff a loaf and handed it to him.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jess met the four of them at Ruth’s Café after catching up with Jim and Sara. Ruth allowed Jacob to bring Blacky into the café as long as he sat quietly next to the table. They ordered food and it was delivered quickly. Ruth hung her head out the window of the kitchen.
“Jess, thanks for helping me expand the café,” she said. “I have ten more tables now.”
“Good, and your food is still fantastic,” he told her as he took another bite of the meatloaf.
“The house Zachary and I picked out is perfect,” beamed Sissy. “It has everything in it. Pots, skillets, a stove, furniture and even some food supplies. It’s perfect for us.”
“We took one of the two-bedroom houses,” said Woodson. “Jacob can have his own room.”
“Tomorrow we’re going to look around town for a good location for our store,” said Sissy excitedly.
“We’ll probably have to build a new one because Mayor Smythe told me there ain’t any vacancies at the moment,” Jess informed them.
“New would probably be better since we’re going to have two businesses in one building,” said Zachary.
“I noticed all the lampposts along Main Street,” mentioned Woodson.
“Jim told me they just put those up for Christmas so it’d be bright enough for everyone to walk around.”
“I have an idea for the oil lamps if you wouldn’t mind,” submitted Woodson.
“What?” asked Jess.
“You let me take care of it; it’ll be a surprise,” said Woodson.
“Okay, but don’t upset the mayor, he’s been planning this whole thing,” Jess told him.
“I promise he’ll like it.”
After finishing supper, they left the café. Woodson, Jacob, Zachary and Sissy all headed for their houses. Jess headed for Andy’s Place to get a drink and see his old friend the saloon owner and barkeep. When he walked in, Andy stopped what he was doing and walked out from behind the bar. He shook hands with him and patted him on the shoulder.
“It sure is good to see you, my friend,” he said. “Still drinkin’ the good stuff?”
“Of course,” he said as he strolled to the bar, while observing everyone in the place. Andy poured him a glass of whiskey along with one for himself.
“I heard you brought some folks to town with you.”
“Yes, four people, a married couple and a young boy and his grandfather. They’re both opening businesses in town.”
“Good, this town has grown a lot since you were last here.”
“I’m going to take a look around tomorrow, but I need a favor from you.”
“Sure, just ask.”
“I want to buy some steaks and roasts from a local rancher who needs the money and I want you to cook it and deliver it to the supper the mayor has planned for Christmas.”
“I know just the fella you can get it from,” explained Andy. “There’s a young man by the name of Lawrence Web who has a small ranch to the north a few miles. His wife took ill a while back and he had to send her out East for treatment. It broke them financially, but she’s doing okay now. They have two girls who ain’t old enough to help with the ranch, so Lawrence works himself to the bone. To make matters worse, someone has been stealing his cattle, not that he has that many. I’m sure he could use the money and you have a lot of it to spend.”
“Will you take a ride out there with me tomorrow?”
“Can I ride Sharps?”
“Sure,” he said, as he heard a piercing squeal coming from the back. “Oh no, that isn’t…”
“Yep, she’s back again like a bad penny,” moaned Andy. “She’s been married twice more since you left the last time.” LeAnn came running out of the kitchen with open arms. She wrapped them around him tightly.
“Why, Jess Williams, why didn’t you let me know you were here? I’ve missed you. Have you taken a wife yet? I bet not and you know, I’m available again. Why don’t you quit fighting it and just marry me. I can’t seem to find the right man to settle down with.”
He finally untangled himself from her and smiled. “It’s good to see you, too,” he said. “But I’m not ready to take on a wife yet.”
Andy moaned and lowered his head.
“You’re just playing on my heartstrings, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m really not ready to tie the knot.”
“Well, you’ll marry me one day, I know it,” she said as she threw her head back.
“Do it now,” groaned Andy in a quiet voice. “Git her out of my hair once and for all.”
“I’m right here, Father,” she said snippily.
“How many times does it take?” asked Andy in a frustrated tone.
“As many times as it takes to find the right man,” replied LeAnn as she ran her fingers across Jess’s cheek before leaning in and delivering a wet kiss on it.
“Git back in the kitchen, woman,” barked Andy.
“All right, but you’re going to sit next to me at supper at the Smythes,” she told Jess as she sashayed back into the kitchen. He took a large sip of his whiskey and looked at Andy’s pleading face.
“I told you before, not a chance,” he told Andy in a firm voice.
“Yes there is,” blurted LeAnn from the kitchen.
Jess finished his whiskey and headed for the Smythes. He had coffee and pie and they talked for hours. He went up to the spare room where he had slept before. He fell off to sleep thinking about the meager Christmases he and his family had had, until they were taken from him.
In the morning, after a huge breakfast, Jess headed for the livery. The sun was out and the air was crisp and clean. It wasn’t quite as cold as yesterday, but the snow still covered the ground. Tony was saddling his two horses and Andy was watching Woodson removing some of the oil lamps.
“Hey, Tony, that new guy is taking down some of the oil lamps you put up,” said Andy. Tony walked out to the front door to take a look.
“What does he think he’s doing?” questioned Tony.
“Don’t worry. I told him to go ahead and do what he wanted to do,” advised Jess.
“What’s he gonna do?” asked Tony. Jess finished tightening the cinch strap and looked over the top of his saddle.
“Actually, I have no idea.”
“I hope he doesn’t make the mayor mad messing with them,” Tony said warily. They finished with the horses and Jess and Andy climbed onto their saddles.
“Lead the way,” Jess told him.
It didn’t take long to reach Web’s small ranch. Jess counted about thirty head as they rode toward the cabin. The door opened before they reached it and a man walked out carrying a rifle. As soon as he saw who it was, he leaned the rifle against the doorway.
“Morning, Andy, Mr. Williams,” he said as he rubbed his hands together. “What can I do for you two?”
“Andy says you have cattle for sale?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna have to sell all of them in the spring just to make enough to survive a little longer,” he admitted sourly. “Maybe get me a job at one of the larger ranches so at least I can keep my cabin, such as it is.”
“Who is it, Father?” asked a young girl of about eight. She walked to the door wearing only socks on her feet along with a worn-out dress.
“Never mind. Go on and play with your sister,” he told her as he spun her head around and gently pushed her farther inside. He closed the door to keep the heat in.
“So, you want to buy some cattle?” he asked.
“Actually, just one, but I need you to cut the meat into steaks and roasts and deliver it to Andy’s Place so he can cook it all for the Christmas supper the mayor has planned at the town hall.”
“All right, I can do that.”
“How much money do you need?” queried Jess.
“I reckon I can sell you one of my head for twenty dollars, plus another five dollars to cut up the meat and deliver it,” he said with a hopeful glint in his eyes. Jess slid f
rom the saddle and walked to him. He took a hundred dollars and shoved it into the man’s hands, closing it tightly.
“I don’t want to hear any objections about the money, understand?” he told Lawrence.
“Uh, okay,” he agreed nervously.
“And make sure you bring your wife and daughters to the Christmas supper at the town hall.”
“But my young’uns don’t have shoes to wear,” he said as his face turned red with embarrassment.
“You bring them anyway,” he told him. “And don’t spend any of that money on shoes or clothes for them.”
“But, that doesn’t make any sense,” he stammered.
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud, Lawrence,” lectured Andy. “The man’s got money falling out of his ears, so just take the money and do what he says.”
“Well…all right,” he agreed. Jess spun around and climbed up on Gray. They tipped their hats to him as he opened his hand and saw the bills.
“But this is too much money,” he stammered. Jess and Andy spun the horses around and rode away, ignoring his objections. He looked down at the money and smiled as he opened the door to the cabin.
“Honey, you won’t believe what just happened,” he said, smiling from ear to ear. On the way back to town, Andy kept glancing at Jess and he finally turned to him.
“What?” he asked Andy.
“Well, I know you want all the people around the area to come to the Christmas supper, but a few of these folk living out around the town don’t have a way to get there except walking, and it’s too cold for them, especially the children.”
“Then we’ll have to make sure they have a way to get to town.”
“How?”
“Tony has two covered wagons in his livery right now and horses to pull them, doesn’t he?”
Andy smiled and looked up at the sun, feeling the warmth on his face. “As a matter of fact he does,” he said grinning.
CHAPTER EIGHT
When Andy and Jess returned to town, they stopped the horses at the livery. Jess saw that the glass on six of the oil lamps had been painted green and red. He rode over to one and looked at it closer. The lamp wasn’t lit, so it didn’t really show him what it would look like in the dark. He saw Woodson and Jacob walking with four more of the lamps that were painted. Jess rode over to where they were hanging one of them.
A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: Forty-Sixth in a Series of Jess Williams Westerns (A Jess Williams Western Book 46) Page 4