An Unexpected Welcome

by Rita Hestand

  Jason ambled up to the bar and leaned against it until the bartender asked him what he'd have. "A beer." Jason replied.

  When the bartender came back with his beer he asked him, "You know a Sam Donaldson?'

  "Why shore, everybody knows Sam. You a friend of his?" The bartender asked twirling his mustache.

  "You might say that. Where can I find him?" Jason asked fingering the top of the glass.

  "He lives at the north edge of town. Got a nice place. How long's it been since you've seen him?"

  "Oh a while now. Heard he married and settled down."

  "Prettiest little thing you ever did see."

  "Well thank you. I appreciate it." Jason tipped the bartender and he smiled.

  Jason went out and looked down the street. He headed north until he came to a cute little place that had a white picket fence around it.

  Dismounting he went to the door and knocked.

  A young woman came to the door and stared, "Yes, can I help you?"

  Jason stared at her long beautiful brown hair, and clear blue eyes. She was round in all the right places, but round nonetheless. She was expecting a baby any day now.

  "I'm Jason Dubs, I was looking for your husband, Sam Donaldson." Jason tipped his hat to her.

  "Well, won't you come on in. He'll be getting off work in no time." She told him.

  Jason studied her a bit. "Thank you."

  She was short and dainty looking. She had beautiful hair and eyes.

  She offered him a seat and asked if he'd like some coffee. Jason nodded, "That would be nice, I'm parched I've come a long way."

  While she went to the kitchen, he glanced around the house. The furniture was first class, nothing but the best, she kept a clean house too. He noticed pictures on the wall, and a small gun collection too. But these guns were real old and definitely worth a small fortune.

  "Your husband has a fine collection of guns." He nodded to the cabinet against the far wall.

  "Oh, that belonged to my father, some of those are from the civil war actually, and there's one from the war of 1812." She smiled.

  "Fine collection, must be worth a small fortune."

  "Yes, I suppose so, but I know very little about guns. Sam could tell you a lot about them. Daddy gave them to him just before he died. Sam absolutely loves them. Why he oils them almost every night."

  He took the coffee from her hands.

  "Oh, excuse my bad manners Mr. Dubs. Where are you from, I don't recollect seeing you in town?" She asked innocently as she stared at his handsomely tailored suit.

  Jason glanced around the room and answered, "I'm from Doubtful, ma'am."

  "Doubtful, oh, I see. Well, my husband works at the bank here in Terrell, and he's not here right now. But he gets off in a half hour so he'll be home soon. If you don't mind waiting."

  "I don't mind at all. If I'm not intruding on you." Jason used all his manners because it was obvious this woman was a true southern and genteel lady.

  "My name is Helen by the way."

  "I'm pleased to meet you, Helen."

  "Have you known my husband long?" Her sweet expression had changed since he mentioned the name of the town. Jason figured she must not have liked where Sam came from. But Sam had been born and raised in New Mexico, Doubtful was just a little town he came into one day and won a ton of money at the poker tables. Deciding to stay he bought the saloon and ran it for five years. Still, a real lady wouldn't want to be reminded of the saloon he expected.

  "I knew him ever since he came to Doubtful." Jason told her.

  "Were you business associates with him then?" She asked sweetly once more.

  "No, not exactly. I have a ranch outside of town." Jason explained.

  "A ranch, oh how nice."

  "How long has he worked for the bank here in Terrell?" Jason asked.

  "Five years now. But he doesn't exactly work for the bank. He's the bank President."

  "Really, I didn't know. He must have found work right off when you came here then."

  "Yes, as a matter of fact he did. You see, my father owned the bank here in town. But he died last year and Sam has taken over."

  "Really, that's interesting." Jason replied. "You know I think I detect a southern accent there. Are you from the deep south?" Jason asked eyeing her as her cheeks colored.

  "Why yes I am. I'm from Georgia." She answered sweetly.

  "Georgia, huh. That is astounding. Beautiful accent."

  "Why thank you. I haven't learned to speak Texan yet." She smiled at him.

  Just then her husband walked in and stared at Jason for several seconds before saying a word. "Jason Dubs?" He asked as though he couldn't quite believe it. His eyes were big and round and yet he veiled his reactions from his wife well.

  "That's right, how are you Sam?" Jason stood up and shook hands with Sam. Sam had that polished gentleman look about him now. He was no longer the rough and tough cowboy he used to be. His blond hair was graying at the temples; his brown eyes bore a hole through Jason. From the looks of his expression he wasn't too pleased to see Jason either.

  "What brings you to Terrell?" Sam asked his almost white brows meeting in the middle of his forehead.

  "Well now, I've got something I wanted to talk over with you. Looks like you are doing well for yourself." Jason glanced about the well-furnished house.

  "I'm doing just fine, Jason."

  Staring at Jason, he turned to his wife.

  "Helen we're going to step out here on the porch and talk a while, why don't you get supper ready for us." Sam told her without even giving her a hello. But he stood between Jason and Helen as though protecting her.

  "Of course, excuse me please," Helen looked at Jason.

  Jason nodded. Then looked up at the surprised Sam, "How's things going here in Terrell for you Sam?" Jason smiled. "Well, I guess I shouldn't even ask if you are a bank President now."

  Sam opened the front door and when they walked out to sit down on the porch in the rocking chairs Sam eyed him with precision. "You are about the last person I expected to see around here."

  "I kind of thought that when I saw the look on your face." Jason smirked.

  "Let's don't play games, Jason, what are you up to?"

  "Can't an old friend look an old friend up?" Jason asked his brow lifting arrogantly.

  "We were never really friends Jason, and for you to be here, there's got to be a reason." Sam said. "I know you too well. What's up?"

  Jason stared at the street, quiet and hardly anyone stirred now that the day was over. "There's a reason all right. One I thought you might be interested in."

  "I'm perfectly content here, I have no interest in anything in Doubtful these days, Jason." Sam assured him.

  "You're going to be interested in this."

  "Oh?" He managed to look arrogantly unaffected.

  "Lilly's getting married." Jason told him.

  "Married? Really, well good for her." When Jason didn't say anymore he went on. "And what has that to do with me?"

  Jason had hoped for a different reaction. He knew Sam had been sweet on Lilly before and thought he'd be jealous. But Sam showed no signs of it.

  "That doesn't bother you?" Jason watched him closely now.

  "Why should it. Lilly and I were through a long time ago." Sam said.

  "Not even interested in who she's marrying?" Jason kept up his questioning.

  "All right Jason, who is she marrying?" Sam barely glanced at him as he stretched himself and watched the street.

  "Cord McCall." Jason said.

  This time he saw Sam's mouth twitch just a tad, as though he were a bit uncomfortable.

  He looked right at him now, "Cord huh? Well, sort of figures they were sweet on each other a long time ago."

  Jason looked off now, playing it cool. Maybe Cord really was Charlie's father. If that were the case his trip might have been wasted. "Yeah, he's come home to claim his kid."

  This time Sam visibly flinched. He'd finally
hit a nerve. "His kid?"

  "That's what he claims."

  "Does Lilly deny it?"

  "Nope!" Jason leaned back and lit a cigar.

  "Want one?" He offered Sam one of his cigars from his coat pocket.

  "No thanks. So—why is this supposed to interest me, anyway?" Sam asked a bit perturbed at Jason's attitude.

  "Most everyone thought it was your kid." Jason remarked casually, waiting for another reaction.

  But Sam was no fool and began to study Jason, with a steady glance. "I don't think that concerns me at all. I gave up any claims to Lilly or the town of Doubtful a long time ago. I've got a good home, a good job, and I'm very happy right here. So…what are you up to Jason. I know it wasn't just to bring me this news."

  "Well, I figured we had something in common." Jason still had a few aces up his sleeve.

  "Yeah, what's that?" Sam asked his anger festering.

  "We both want Cord McCall dead." Jason snickered.

  A cooling wind stirred the leaves on the trees in Sam's yard. A hint of autumn was in the air.

  "The last I heard," Sam grit his teeth and stared at Jason with renewed interest. "You had two brothers. I'd think between the three of you, you could get that job done just fine. After all, Cord killed your daddy, didn't he?"

  "He did, and now Butch is dead. Cord killed him." Jason said lowly.

  "I see, and between you and that weasel of a brother, Dan, you can't get the job done. You want me to do it for you."

  "I can see where it would be mutually beneficial for you."

  Sam cleared his throat and looked about. "Well you are wrong, Jason. Dead wrong. Why would I mess my perfectly good life up here, to go do your dirty work for you?" Sam slanted him a huge frown. "You've come for nothing Jason. I'm not hired killer."

  "Lilly put the saloon up for sale."

  "Is that a fact. Well, that's her business."

  Jason looked piqued. "I guess I was wrong. I guess you have washed your hands of her and that place."

  "That's right. I'm not at all interested. You have nothing to offer me. You've wasted your time coming here. Let's have some supper then you can be on your way." Sam told him getting to his feet.

  Jason put out his cigar and followed Sam into the house. He sure had Sam figured differently. He could have sworn Charlie was Sam's kid.

  But then why would he claim Charlie now, he had a wife of his own. A wife that was about to deliver a baby. Sam's baby. He didn't need Charlie. He'd made a big mistake.

  Helen cooked a fine meal and after supper Jason excused himself and left.

  All the way back to Doubtful he shook his head. Yeah, he had sure figured him wrong! Sam had changed!

  Chapter Twenty

  The Sheriff stood gazing about the place that hot September morning when Jason came out on the porch. It was fairly early in the morning, the birds were singing in the old cottonwood, the wind blew softly.

  The yard had little grass, and the Sheriff rode right up to the house. Cattle lowed in the distance.

  "Well now Jason." The Sheriff saw Jason coming outside and approached him carefully. "I came to see you the other day and your brother told me you were out of town. I told you not to leave town, I believe." The Sheriff looked stony-faced at him.

  "Why Doug, good to see you too. Just went visiting an old friend. Didn't even spend the night but hurried back home, knowing you'd be wondering about me." Jason snarled his mouth, dripping with sarcasm.

  "That's good. Well, I'm here to inform you that the circuit judge will be here in about three weeks, and we'll have the trial. You will be here, won't you?" The Sheriff shot him a firm lipped glance.

  Jason stared for a moment, eyeing him closely. He looked at the Sheriff's belly that protruded over his belt, and his worn hat that had seen better days. He had no regard for the man, nor the way he presented himself.

  "Of course, at your disposal, Sheriff." Jason added with a smile that didn't quite reach his mouth.

  "Good. Good day then."

  "You rode all the way out here, just for that?" Jason snickered.

  "It's my job, and I do my job, Jason." The Sheriff spit his tobacco not far from Jason' shining boots.

  He mounted and rode off. Jason leaned against the porch railing watching the Sheriff mount and leave, then glancing out at the far pasture where a small herd rested. He covered the spit with the soft dirt, and looked up with a grimace on his face. His distaste for the Sheriff growing every day.

  Dan came out on the porch and watched the Sheriff ride off. He was wearing overalls with a shirt underneath it. He threw his hands in his pockets and glanced at his brother. "What did he want?"

  "To make sure I was home, I'd say. Did he come out here yesterday?" Jason glanced at his brother with disgust.

  "Yeah. Lookin' fer you."

  "And you told him I was out of town?"

  "Well, what else was I supposed to tell him. You didn't even tell me where you were going. He could see you weren't here. He's the law Jason, I ain't gonna lie to the law."

  "It was none of his business," Jason backhanded him across the mouth.

  Dan jerked his head back and wiped his cheek. "You had no call to do that. Why do you always try to hit me? One of these days Jason…"

  "Don't you stand there and threaten me you big coward. You don't tell that lousy excuse for a Sheriff nothing, do you understand. He used to be a good Sheriff, but lately he's getting too big for his britches." Jason snarled as he watched the dust that the Sheriff kicked up. "It's almost time for him to be re-elected and I'm sure him putting me in jail would be a bonus for him. But I'm not going to jail."

  "Sure looks like he's gonna try, don't it?" Dan said.

  Jason stared out on the prairie. He realized suddenly that it was peaceful without Butch, and how much more peaceful would it be without Dan?

  "So where did you go?" Dan asked wishing he had the nerve to stand up to his brother and knowing he didn't.

  "To see Sam Donaldson." Jason replied.

  "Sam? What for?"

  "Thought he might be interested in the fact that Lilly is getting married and that Charlie is supposedly Cord's son."

  Dan stared at him. "Well ain't he?"

  "I don't know." Jason stammered for a moment. By the way Sam was acting, he had to think Cord was telling the truth about the kid. "Sam wasn't a bit upset about it. Of course he done got himself the job as President of the bank and he's a big shot in Terrell now. And he's got a kid of his own on the way. Even if Charlie is his, I don't think he cares."

  Dan screwed up his nose, "Well what did you think, that he was gonna come kill Cord for us?" Dan laughed.

  He turned and looked at his dumb brother. "I wanted to find out if he held a grudge with Cord or not."

  "Did he?"

  "Obviously not. So I'll have to figure something else out. And I got about three weeks to do so."

  "Well even if you kill Cord, somehow, the Sheriff is still gonna take you to trial."

  "Not if he's not alive he won't." Jason chuckled to himself.

  Dan's mouth fell open. He knew Jason was mean and dirty, but he didn't know how mean. This wasn't a good thing. First it was Charlie, now Sam. Why didn't Jason just shoot himself, if he was so smart?

  Jason backhanded him again this time brining blood to his mouth.

  Dan went in the house and Jason heard glass shattering from Dan's temper tantrum.

  Jason knew he had to figure another angle now. Sam wasn't interested. And Dan would be no help.

  ***

  Lilly came riding up in a storm of dust. Cord went out to greet her, "Morning darlin'." Cord smiled.

  She blushed from the warm greeting. At one time she would hesitate coming up to Cord so easily, but not anymore. She was going to marry the man and it was time to show him just how much she cared, especially since he went after the Dubs for Charlie.

  "You're kicking up the dust this morning, something going on?" Cord asked with a grin as she walked right u
p to him, and kissed him quite liberally on the jaw.

  "Hmm…I like that lady." He grinned again. His eyes fell on her lips, "But honey, you missed, that kiss goes here." He pointed to his lips.

  She tiptoed and planted a sultry kiss to his lips.

  "Now's that the kind of greeting I enjoy, especially from a certain little red head." He grinned.

  She took a deep breath and looked at him.

  "I got a buyer for the saloon," She announced.

  "Well now, that is news. Come on in, tell me all about it."

  He opened the door for her but as soon as they were in the house, he pulled her into his arms and planted a more than sultry kiss to her lips. It had been a few days since he tasted her and he wasn't letting up until he had his fill. She moaned softly and he lifted his head long enough to smile into her shining eyes.

  "Mmm…that's a nice way to say good morning." She purred.

  "Get used to it honey. I aim to do it regularly," He smiled and pushed back his hat.

  "A woman could get addicted to that kind of thing," She grinned.

  He smiled back, "I hope so."

  They sat down at the kitchen table. "So who made the bid?"

  "No one we know; it came from that ad I put in the Dallas paper. The man made a bid and said he'd be coming to town to talk to me about it this Friday." Lilly told him.

  Cord thought about it a minute. "Well, was the bid a good one?"

  "It was decent. $25,000."

  "That is decent." Cord chuckled. "Did you recognize the name or anything?"

  "No, but he sent his card with the bid." She handed the card to Cord.

  "Joe Sorrels. Never heard of him, well, wait and see. I'd like to be with you though when he comes to town. I don't want him short changing you on anything."

  "I thought you might. He'll be here at the end of the week."

  "As long as he doesn't stay too long, because you and I have a date with the preacher." He winked. "Are you nervous?"

  She stared into his eyes and reached for his hand, "Anxious is more like it."

  "Now that's what I like to hear. Me too! Oh and I thought we'd go to that cabin my Pa owns on the other side of my property and stay for a few days afterwards. I'll have it stocked with food and whatever else we need. I kind of wanted to be alone with you for a little while. Mrs. Jones in town already offered to let Charlie stay with her and her kids."