A Gideon Johann Boxed Set Book 1 - 4 (A Gideon Johann Western 0)

by Duane Boehm

  “You have all the answers today,” Gideon said.

  “If you carry me to the bedroom I’ll have an answer to putting an even bigger smile on your face,” she said.

  Chapter 23

  Eggs were frying in the skillet and the smell of bacon permeated the air. Zack sat at the table trying to shake off his drowsiness. Joann had roused him early to spend all of Saturday working on their homestead. Gideon and Ethan had helped him finish the well and now Joann seemed hell–bent on getting her husband to fell all the trees necessary for building the cabin. They had already borrowed Ethan’s wagon the night before and she planned to haul off the dirt pile at the well while he chopped down trees.

  “How many more trees do you think we’ll need?” Joann asked as she flipped the eggs.

  “I don’t have a clue. A lot more than we have now. I’ll have to get Gideon or Ethan to help me figure out that,” Zack answered.

  “Do you think you’ll have enough by spring?” she further inquired.

  “I’m not much good at reading the future. It’ll depend on the weather and things. It takes a lot of time cutting all the branches off the trunks once the tree is down,” he said.

  “I can’t wait to move into our new home. Aren’t you excited?” Joann said as she placed the two plates onto the table and sat down to eat.

  “Yes, but this is a good cabin that Ethan provides for us. We could be doing a lot worse,” Zack said.

  “I know, but I can’t make this into our own home. There’d be no point in it. We can have some nice things with that money,” Joann waxed on.

  “Don’t forget that we’ll have plenty of things to buy to run the homestead. We can’t borrow things forever. We’re going to need a plow and an ox or mule to pull it. I think we could make good money selling hay to the other ranchers,” Zack said.

  “Zackary Barlow, I’m aware of that. You’re getting to be slab–sided. You could have a little fun and dream with me,” Joann said.

  Feeling slighted by her remark, he pulled off a bite of bacon. “I’m still fun. You’re not the one working all week and then cutting trees on Saturday. If you’re so worried about fun, we could’ve done something besides work today.”

  Joann smiled over the top of her coffee cup. “You’re just sore that it’s too cold to skinny dip now. I bet you’d be out that door by now if you thought that was going to happen.”

  Unable to keep from smiling, Zack said, “If my memory serves me well, it was you that was the first one into the water.”

  “That’s true, but when I started it, I didn’t know that we were going to have to cool down just about every time we worked,” Joann retorted.

  “I don’t remember having to twist your arm,” Zack replied.

  “How many babies do you hope we have?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I guess how many God sees fit for us to have. They’re nothing I’m in a hurry to start having,” Zack said.

  “Well, you’d never know it by your actions. You know when you play with fire all the time that you’ll eventually get burned,” Joann said.

  “Listen to you. You’re a fine one to talk,” Zack said before gulping down his last bite of egg.

  “True, but I’m not worried about the consequences. I’m ready for a baby whenever it happens. Let’s get out of here before all this talk gives you the itch,” Joann said smugly.

  ∞

  Doc’s last patient of the day walked out of the office and John entered the room when he heard the front door shut. The two men planned to have dinner at the hotel on John’s last night in town. In the morning, he was scheduled to catch the stagecoach.

  The doctor walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a small drawer. “Here’s the bullet I retrieved out of you. It should be good for pulling out of your pocket at a pub and telling your story. Might even be good for a free drink or two,” he said as he placed the lead in his son’s hand.

  “I imagine it will impress the boys. Kate might not think much of it,” John said as he bounced the bullet in his hand to feel its weight.

  “I made sure that the hotel has elk meat. Mary getting sick sure put a damper on the get–together and Ethan hasn’t shot an elk yet. I wish you could’ve had some meat that Sarah prepared. She’s the best cook around these here parts,” Doc said.

  “At least I’ll get to taste it. I’m just glad Mary is doing better. She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?” John said.

  “That she does. She’s had a hard life and she keeps right on going with her best foot forward. There are not many people that can do that. She’s makes us all better people, I think,” Doc said.

  “That is a rare quality. Father, you are a lucky man to have such an eclectic cast of characters to call friends. I’m going to have so many stories to tell. I could keep people in stitches all night with Finnie’s escapades alone,” John said as he slipped the bullet into his pocket.

  Until that moment, John had avoided addressing his father by title. Doc’s heartbeat quickened and the hairs on his neck stood on end. His eyes moistened and he hugged his son out of a need to hold him and to avoid his embarrassment. He could now go to his grave knowing he had been addressed by the one title he gave up on ever hearing years ago.

  “I’m so glad that you came to see me. I do not possess the words to tell you what it means to me to have finally met my son and seeing you proved more wonderful than my wildest dreams could have ever imagined. If only your mother and I could live our lives all over, but that’s a waste of time to dwell on. Let’s go eat. I’m hungry,” Doc said as he wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve.

  The two men walked to the hotel and ordered their meals. As they waited for their food, John said, “Getting to know you has been more than I could have hoped for too. I was scared to death to meet you. I’m so proud to see the life my father has carved out for himself out here. You’re so much a part of the fabric that makes up Last Stand. This place is harsh and primitive, but its beauty and its people are intoxicating. I can see why you made Last Stand your home.”

  ‘It sure can get into an easterner’s blood, that’s for sure,” Doc said.

  “Well, I can say that it’s gotten into mine. Speaking of blood, do you think I favor you?” John asked.

  “Maybe around the eyes, but you have your Grandfather Hamilton’s nose and chin. You favor the rich side of your family,” Doc said with a laugh.

  “Mother always thought I looked like Grandfather, but since she would never even acknowledge that I had a father, I guess she couldn’t say that I looked like you,” John said.

  “Your mother was something back in the day. We would go to a dance and all eyes would turn to her. And she was so funny. We used to laugh all the time. She could find humor in just about anything,” Doc said.

  “Well, you must have taken her humor with you when you left. Not to say that she was unkind or a bad mother, but funny would not be a word I would use to describe her,” John said.

  “I hate to hear that. Life can steal our soul if we let it. It’s certainly not for the faint–hearted,” Doc said and seemed to get lost in thought.

  “You must promise me to come see the family,” John said to snap his father out of his musings.

  “I’ll try, but you have to understand that I’m the only doctor in these here parts. The people need me. I don’t know if I could be gone that long,” Doc said.

  “Father, I only ask that you try to make it happen. I’ll do my best to talk Kate into coming, but I fear that will be a hard sell,” John said.

  “Especially, since you went and got yourself shot. Kate will be thinking that outlaws walk down the street shooting people willy–nilly. She might not appreciate you consorting in a saloon either,” Doc said as the food was placed on the table.

  “I’m sure not going to tell her about what goes on upstairs,” John said with a laugh.

  “Those days are about over. As soon as Mary figures out how to get Delta out of it, it’ll be over. She doesn’
t have the stomach to let it go on much longer,” Doc said.

  John took his first bite of the meat, chewing it slowly. “It does taste pretty much like beef, but I can definitely tell that it’s wild game.”

  “I don’t know how she does it, but Sarah can get out most of that wild taste. That’s why I wanted you to eat her cooking. At least you can say that you tried it,” Doc said.

  “Maybe on my next trip Gideon can teach me how to shoot a gun,” John said.

  Doc laughed. “Well, you already started dressing like him. You’re at least half–way there.”

  “I can’t wait to see Kate’s reaction when I wear those clothes around the house. She’ll probably cut me down like back in the old days when she was a waitress,” John said.

  “You never know. The ladies love the cowboys,” Doc said and winked at John, provoking a loud laugh and a slap of the table from his son.

  Chapter 24

  The bright warm morning quickly faded as clouds rolled in and the wind kicked up out of the northwest. The temperature dropped dramatically in two hours’ time and people that had been walking the streets of Last Stand in jackets could now be seen bundled up in heavy coats. Gideon stoked the fire in the jail’s stove to knock the chill out of the room as Finnie slipped in from a check of the town.

  “The stage should be headed out in a few minutes. We best get out there and tell John goodbye. I need to go get Mary. She wants to try to see him off,” Finnie said.

  “Is she ready for that?” Gideon asked as he pulled on his coat.

  “I think so. She’s a lot better. Sarah did wonders for her,” Finnie said.

  “Sarah has a way of doing that. She’s not one to be trifled with. Make sure you get her good and wrapped up,” Gideon warned.

  “Yes, dear. I would’ve never thought of that,” Finnie said as headed out the door.

  Gideon waited by the stagecoach as Finnie came with Mary. She wore a winter coat with a blanket draped over her head. The Irishman held her arm as they walked though she appeared to be steady on her feet, but slow in step. The cold brought color to her cheeks and she smiled at Gideon.

  “You’re looking much improved,” Gideon said.

  “That I am. There’ll be no foot races any time soon, but I have Finnie to jump at my every whim,” Mary said.

  “That’s what I like to keep him doing too,” Gideon said.

  Doc and John joined them. John had purchased a new ranch coat that morning after the temperature began dropping and he wore it along with his new western attire. He looked like a rancher leaving on a trip.

  “I think we made a cowboy out of you,” Gideon said as he shook John’s hand.

  “These clothes beat wearing a suit any day of the week,” John remarked.

  Finnie and Gideon said their goodbyes before Mary gave John a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  “You’ve made Doc very happy and that makes me very happy. Have a safe trip,” she said.

  “Young lady, you need to get back inside the saloon. I’ve doctored you enough for a while,” Doc said as passengers began boarding.

  Finnie wrapped his arm around Mary and began escorting her back to the saloon.

  “Father, even taking a bullet proved worth it to have finally met you. Write us plenty of letters. Until we meet again, know that I love you,” John said and shook his father’s hand.

  The doctor pulled his son to him and gave him a hug. “God’s speed. I love you too. Tell your family that I look forward to meeting them.”

  With John’s trunk loaded, he took one final look and climbed aboard. The other passengers were already seated and the stagecoach took off, leaving Gideon and Doc to watch it disappear down the street.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Gideon asked.

  “Of course, I am. Don’t think that I’m going to go soft and start buying all the beers for you. You’d probably try to take advantage of the situation if you got the chance,” Doc said and walked away towards his office.

  Gideon smiled watching the old doctor shuffle away. The sheriff crossed the street, walking into the jail and finding it now warm.

  Finnie stood at the stove clapping his hands together. “I’d hate to take a piss out there right now. It’d blow twenty feet and be frozen by the time it hit the ground.”

  “Well, I got a job for you so you better take a piss before you go. I need you to ride to Ethan’s place and get Zack. Make sure he gets some warm clothing. We’re going to be freezing our ass off today,” Gideon said.

  In exasperation, Finnie asked, “What are we going to do and why can’t you go get him?”

  “We’re going to go watch Paradise. They might try to hang somebody with the snow coming in and if they do, I aim to put an end to it. We could use an extra gun. And I’m pulling rank on you for going to get Zack. There are some perks to being sheriff,” Gideon said with a smile.

  “You’re a hard–hearted man, Gideon Johann. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for taking advantage of your subordinate. A true leader goes before his men,” Finnie whined.

  “I’ll give that some thought while I warm myself by the fire,” Gideon said.

  Finnie tugged his hat down tight and left without saying another word. By the time he returned with Zack, flurries floated to the ground and their hats and coats were speckled with snow. The two men pulled off their gloves and quickly walked to the fire with arms outstretched.

  Gideon got up from his desk. “You two grab a couple of boxes of cartridges off my desk. I want to be prepared,” he said as he grabbed his coat off its peg.

  “I don’t see how three of us are going to be able to keep an eye on them and not get spotted,” Finnie said as he continued to warm himself.

  “For one, we’re not dealing with Jesse James here. They’re not exactly professional outlaws. And second is arrogance. Pastor Gordon’s self–righteousness will have him convinced that he is protected by God in his mission,” Gideon said before opening the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “You only let me be your deputy when there’s a chance to get killed. I think you must have a death wish for me so that your daughter can get a new man,” Zack said.

  “Yeah, like I want to hear her wailing and blaming me,” Gideon said.

  “Well, thank you for that warm sentiment,” Zack said.

  “I might become Mary’s bartender before this is done. I can think of warmer things to do,” Finnie grumbled.

  Zack said, “I thought that you already were her little helper.”

  “Boy, I was the one that taught you to box and I can still whip you any day of the week. I should move back to Ireland. You know, we don’t have snakes there,” Finnie said.

  As they mounted their horses, Gideon said, “I think that you just got compared to a snake. Finnie’s a little testy since he’s sleeping in the spare bedroom while Mary recovers, if you know what I mean.”

  “Actually, I was talking about the both of you. You can tease about Mary now, but I saw you crying like a baby when you were worried about her,” Finnie said.

  Gideon never showed a reaction to Finnie’s remark, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see Zack looking at him in surprise. “That I did. She scared me. None of us could stand to lose Mary,” he said as he nudged Buck down the street.

  The wind had slackened off some, but the trip still made for a miserable ride. The snowfall picked up momentum as they rode, causing the men to pull their hats low and crouch in the saddle. Nobody spoke as they traveled. Before the church came into view, they cut off from the road and angled behind a timber where they tied the horses.

  “You two can stay here. I’ll walk through the woods and see what’s going on,” Gideon said as he retrieved his spyglass from the saddlebag and pulled his Winchester from its scabbard.

  The woods provided an easy walk. The trees were mature and had shaded out most of the undergrowth and a deer trail cut through it. Snow was just starting to stick in the path. Gideon’s belly growled and he w
ished they had eaten lunch before heading out. As he reached the end of the timber, he crouched behind a tree and peeked around it. Five horses stood tied in front of the church and smoke rolled from the building’s chimney. He watched for over a half–hour before five men walked out of the church. Through his spyglass, he could see Pastor Gordon, Mr. Hobbs, and the three other men. They all mounted their horses and headed west.

  As Gideon returned to Finnie and Zack, he said, “They’re up to no–good.”

  “Well, the good pastor has caught me on a day where I feel as mean as a miner with a pocketful of gold that finds the whorehouse went out of business and the saloon ran dry,” Finnie said as he climbed aboard his horse.

  Staying out of view, the three lawmen followed at a far enough distance to avoid detection. Just enough snow had accumulated to make following the tracks easy and without fear of losing their quarry. The Paradise men continued west before angling north. They avoided the road, choosing a course to avoid chancing someone catching sight of them.

  The farther that Gideon trailed the men, the more his uneasiness grew. The hair on the back of his neck began to stand on end and he no longer noticed the cold. He contemplated announcing his fear, but wondered if he were paranoid and rode on without speaking.

  “Gideon, they’re headed for your place,” Zack announced.

  “That’s what I’m beginning to fear,” Gideon said.

  “They have to know that you’re not there,” Finnie said.

  “I imagine they were planning a welcome home surprise,” Gideon said.

  “What’s your plan?” Finnie asked.

  “They’re still a good two miles from the cabin and I don’t want to chance whether there’s enough time to circle around and beat them. We’ll double–time it until we get them in view. Once they spot us, we’ll swoop in on them. If they’re smart, they’ll stop because there’s not a damn law they’ve broken. If they run, we’ll pursue and hope they veer away from the cabin. The moment that I know they’re still headed towards my place, I’m opening fire. We can’t let them get to the cabin and inside it. Unless one of you has a better idea?” Gideon said.