by Gary Church
William was the first to speak. “As you can see, Mr. Bear is a free man.” He turned to look at Bear, sitting beside him, as though he were a trophy.
“What’s happened?” asked Johnny, hoping the man would get to it quickly.
“The Medina County grand jury met and issued a ‘no bill,’” stated William, smiling broadly. Johnny and Rosalinda stared at him, hardly breathing. “To remind you, that means they didn’t think the facts of the case were sufficient to charge Mr. Bear.”
“What does that mean exactly, in English?” asked Johnny.
Looking at Rosalinda, William said, “Under Texas law, serious crimes cannot go to trial unless a panel of citizens, called a grand jury, thinks the accused is likely guilty.”
“So, they believed him over the white boys?” asked Johnny.
William smiled. “The things said in grand jury meetings are secret, but the district attorney, who conducts the proceedings, hinted that the boys were vague about what actually happened. I feel that the threat of the state police investigation might be weighing. Now, the district attorney could refile this, but he told me it was over.”
Johnny visibly relaxed. Rosalinda smiled.
Looking at Bear, Johnny said, “There are two cats been wondering where you are.”
***
William again declined an invitation to spend the night. “I’ll be spending one last night at the Menger at your expense,” he said, smiling. Then, after telling Johnny he would be sending him an accounting and a bill, he gave Rosalinda a hug and departed.
Bear and Johnny walked out to the barn, where Bear was greeted by Perro, Princesa and Flop, who was still mending but getting around. Entering his room, after bidding Johnny goodnight, Bear found two cats sitting on his bunk, waiting for him.
SIXTY-EIGHT
Jace wasn’t allowed to see Ruth the day of the wedding, so when he saw her coming down the church aisle, dressed all in white, on the arm of Johnny Black, he felt weak in the knees. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was just something about her. Then he realized, for the first time, Ruth had curves, just like the girls in the saloons.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. B.R., standing next to him as his best man, thought Jace might faint, he was so rigid. Jace’s heart was beating so hard he tried to remember if he’d ever heard of a man’s heart exploding. Then she was there. Beside him.
Johnny’s arm was still in a sling, but he cut a handsome figure escorting Ruth down the aisle. Rosalinda, serving as Ruth’s bridesmaid, felt tears forming in her eyes. How she loved that man.
Jace had no family of his own, just B.R and the cowboys he knew. Ruth’s family was limited to her brothers, mother, and aunt. Mr. Christie, his friend Luella, his granddaughter Betty, the Gutiérrez family, relatives and friends invited by Johnny and Rosalinda, girlfriends, wives, bankers, lawyers, children by the wagon load, along with friends of friends made the wedding a huge affair. The reception, held at the Gutiérrez ranch, gave the appearance of a town celebration. Most of the cowboys who had ridden the trail drive with Jace were there. Henry Bear had recently accompanied Johnny to town. While there, he had come face to face with the woman who had smiled at him on his previous trip. She was also at the wedding, with Bear, her date.
Johnny and the very pregnant Rosalinda enjoyed themselves, visiting, eating, and finding contentment in the company of family and friends. B.R. smiled and danced with a half-dozen girls, and to all outward appearances, he was a happy-go-lucky cowboy. He even danced one dance with Betty. He was so happy for Jace, he thought he would burst, but inside, he felt lonely.
The newly wedded couple danced and laughed all afternoon, but sometime in the early evening, they disappeared to begin their honeymoon.
SIXTY-NINE
Elizabeth was growing desperate. Jace had not returned, and she had not heard from him. He had vanished from sight. She had expected him to call on a Saturday, but the fool didn’t show up. She had spent time in town, thinking she might see him, but assumed he was probably on some ranch somewhere. She asked a female friend to secretly check for her, but the friend reported that no one knew where he was.
Finally, after the second week of not seeing Jace, a young man at church, who flirted with her shamelessly and knew Jace and his friend B.R., said, “I guess Jace is still in New York, tending to his aunt’s affairs.”
Elizabeth was caught completely off-guard but recovered quickly. “I wouldn’t know. Jace and I are friends, but we don’t see each other often,” she said.
Finally, she had asked her father, as nonchalantly as she could, if Jace had been busy spending his inheritance.
Her father had looked at her and said, “Banking matters are confidential, my dear.” But then, in a low tone, he said, “No, it’s just sitting there, earning interest. I haven’t seen or heard from the man. He gave the lawyer a receipt, shook my hand, and walked out. He’s probably out chasing beeves or some such thing. Most of these cowboys aren’t quite right.”
Elizabeth thanked her lucky stars that Jace had inherited a lot of money. The clerk had been easy to manipulate. A smile, a touch, and he peeked at the account and told her the amount.
She was sick of her fiancé, Edward. She wondered how he thought he could support her, as she should be supported, on a lawyer’s earnings in Texas. He was content working for his father. What she needed was an ambitious man, a rich man, who knew how to pamper a woman. Women as beautiful and smart as her deserved to be held in high regard, and Edward, oh, Edward had actually said when they were married that they might be able to hire a cook, but certainly not a maid. But Jace she could control. Jace and his money. It would be easy for her. But where was Jace? He should have called on her weeks ago. Had the fool gone on another trail drive? Not likely, he wouldn’t go far from her. Did he really go all the way to New York? Well, he might have. Maybe he had gone somewhere to buy her an extravagant present after learning of his inheritance. He certainly had enough money. She couldn’t very well dump Edward until Jace showed up again. What if the man had gotten run over by a horse or something?
She and Edward were having supper and discussing a party they would be attending on Saturday night. Off-handedly, he mentioned that not only would her mother and father be at the party, but her old beau, Jace, had been invited. “Of course, he’s just a cowboy, no matter how much money he has. He’ll likely squander his fortune in no time,” he said, digging into his second helping of pie.
She took a deep breath and said, “I don’t know why I ever let him call on me, but I was inexperienced, of course.” She paused. “You say he’s coming to the party? How can that be?”
“Oh, of course, you wouldn’t have known. His aunt or somebody died and left him a wagon load of money—or at least that’s the gossip among the lawyers. Legal matters are confidential, of course, but men discuss things with their wives and mistresses. I’m sure it was your father who invited him, since he’s his banker.”
So, he’s turned up, but didn’t come to see me. He is probably afraid or embarrassed after being so naughty and not calling on me again. Wait! He’ll probably surprise me with a beautiful ring at the party. That’s it! The boy plans to surprise me and has picked the gathering to do it.
Elizabeth dressed very carefully for the party and used some of the new, expensive rosewater she had persuaded Edward to buy her. Jace, she thought, smiling to herself. He is so in love with me. She would have to be careful, though, not to let on she knew about the inheritance. “How long will it take,” she asked her reflection in the mirror, “before he is following me around like a little puppy dog again?”
Saturday night, not long after returning from his honeymoon, Jace entered the mansion wearing a stovepipe hat. He was glad none of the boys, B.R., or Johnny were there. He would have never heard the end of it. But what was really on his mind was Ruth—his Ruth, on his arm. He wanted to tell himself he was happy for her, and in fact he was, but he was so proud he could bust. She refused to buy a
dress for the party, even as he explained several times that they had money in the bank that was earning more money each week than a dress would cost. Instead, she and her mother had sewn for hours and hours. The result was a beautiful red dress, modest in its design, but beautiful. Ruth’s long hair was done up in curls, and her natural beauty was breathtaking. In fact, they were barely in the door before she was whisked away for introductions by his banker, Elizabeth’s father. Jace watched as men flocked to meet her.
***
It was when Edward asked her to excuse him for a moment, that Elizabeth first saw the mesmerizingly attractive woman in red. She wasn’t a classic beauty, thought Elizabeth, but the woman’s round face and large eyes somehow just all came together. The woman was, well, the woman was a presence, and her smile was dazzling. Elizabeth felt a flood of envy and irritation sweep over her. Who had brought this woman, and who was she? Then she saw Edward pushing in to meet the woman, and her anger flared.
As she turned to find a man to get her more wine and attend to her, she saw Jace. My word. He’s all dressed up. Of course—his inheritance. He knows he’s rich now. He wants to impress me. She smiled, took a deep breath, and headed toward him.
Reaching him, Elizabeth stopped and said innocently, “Jace? Oh, my, how wonderful to see you.”
He turned, saw her standing there, said, “Elizabeth,” and touched his hat. No smile. No warmth in his greeting.
Well, I broke the boy’s heart. He’s being cautious.
“I haven’t seen you in ages.” She paused to judge his reaction, but he seemed distracted. Now he was looking away from her, probably at the woman in the red dress. Leaning forward, she hissed, “Where have you been?” her voice expressed her anger, although she had tried to show concern. “I’ve been worried.”
Then, turning his head toward her, he said, “Worried? Why’s that?”
“Well, you didn’t call on me as I told you to.” She managed a smile and was rewarded when his own face broke into a huge smile, but again, he was looking past her.
“Here,” he said, reaching out, taking a woman’s hand, and pulling her gently to him. “Ruth, this is Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is my wife, Ruth.”
Elizabeth found herself, for the first time she could ever remember, totally speechless. Words would not come. She was face to face with the woman in red. The woman in red, married to Jace. Handsome, sweet, rich Jace. She finally managed a smile, congratulated them, and said, “Excuse me, it was nice to meet you.” Edward returned, and she snarled at him to get her shawl and take her home.
Edward looked at her. “No, dear, I’m not ready to leave. However, I will find someone to drive you. Fetch your wrap and meet me outside.”
This second shock of the night stunned Elizabeth. Edward had never, ever denied her. He walked away. Furious, she found a maid, recovered her wrap, and looked back into the room to see men crowded around the woman in red. Her mouth a thin line, she stepped out onto the front porch where she found Edward waiting.
A buggy with a man in the driver’s seat waited. Looking at her, Edward said, “I was going to tell you tomorrow. I didn’t want to ruin the party for you, but I have met someone else, Elizabeth, so I will no longer be calling on you. Please consider our engagement null, and yourself unattached. I have spoken to your father and explained.”
Elizabeth felt she must be dreaming. This couldn’t be happening. Then she found herself at the buggy, Edward helping her in. She pulled her arm from his grasp. “Don’t touch me, you vile man! Let’s go!” she practically screamed at the driver.
EPILOGUE
Elizabeth’s mother and father accompanied her to the stagecoach station. She had wanted to take several large trunks of her belongings, but her father assured her he would furnish her with enough funds to replace anything left behind.
The household staff showed no emotion when she left, only bidding her safe travel. Once the buggy and the wagon carrying her trunk departed, they were all beside themselves with happiness, especially Agnes.
It was a happy day for all concerned. With the financial support of her father, and the encouragement and blessing of both her parents, Elizabeth was traveling to San Francisco, where hopefully, she would find a wealthy husband and remain.
***
John Christie asked the housekeeper to tell his granddaughter he would like a word. Betty found him in his study, smoking and sipping on a whiskey.
Betty sat in front of his desk and said, “Grandfather, you wanted to see me?”
He sat there, trying to look calm, but his face gave him away before he spoke. “Luella has agreed to marry me,” he blurted out without preamble.
“How absolutely wonderful, Grandfather!” exclaimed Betty.
Later, at supper gatherings and parties, John Christie would take great pleasure telling the story of how he had been shot on the trail drive and how fortunate for him that he had been injured. His guests, who did not know the story, were always taken aback. But John would then explain how he had traveled in the chuckwagon on the return trip, and growing impatient, had taken the stagecoach. He would pause, then continue his story, telling his audience that in the stagecoach was where he had first met Luella.
***
The week after Jace’s wedding, B.R. had given notice, drawn his wages, packed up, and bid everyone adiós. Long before dawn, he saddled his horse and rode out, his destination Mexico. He wasn’t sure why Mexico, but he wanted to see a bit of it, and he had to get away from San Antonio.
As he rode, he thought wryly of how he had harangued Jace for moping about after Elizabeth had rejected him. Well, I’ll learn from Jace’s experience. It hurts, but somewhere out there is the girl for me. She might be in Mexico, or Texas, or California. I just got to know it when I find her.
***
Jace and Ruth were glad that Ruth’s mother, aunt, and her two brothers were living with them. It was a happy, busy household. There was much to do, as the newlyweds set up housekeeping, planted a fall garden, and obtained and cared for animals. Ruth was everywhere, busy, and Jace supervised repairs to the house, barn, and corral. The matter of children wasn’t really in contention, but the exact number was still being debated. Jace felt that ten would be good, given that he could use the help around the place, while Ruth felt that maybe five or six would do.
In the evenings, Jace and Ruth would read by lamplight or sit on the porch watching the night sky, discussing books or the future. Sometimes, side by side under a blanket on cool nights, they just sat.
***
In October, Bear rode hard into San Antonio and told the doctor he was needed at the Black ranch. After asking a few questions, the doctor agreed, but he said there was no need to kill themselves trying to get there, as it would be a while before he was required. Bear and the doctor arrived to find Johnny, his face pale, waiting on the porch. Margarita had been staying with them for a week, and she was inside with Rosalinda.
Three hours later, the doctor delivered a healthy baby girl. He stepped outside to proclaim both mother and child to be in excellent health. A little bit later, Johnny Black held his daughter, wrapped in a small blanket, and he wondered how it was that he had helped create such a beautiful little person.
Exhausted, Rosalinda and the baby slept, and Johnny walked out to his parents’ gravesite. He stood there, holding his hat in his hands, thinking about his parents and his brother—the circle of life and death. Thanking the Lord for his blessings, he thought about all that had happened in the last year and wondered what the next year might bring.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Church grew up in west Texas. Dogs, horses, brothers and cousins were all part of his early life. After retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Church taught high school social studies and for many years served as an associate professor of political science. He currently lives in the Fort Worth, Texas area with his wife Paula, and his English bulldog, Liam.
A note from the author: It's my
goal in writing this series that you find yourself riding the trail with Johnny Black and his friends. You can visit his Amazon Author Page by clicking here.
Special Bonus Content
Opening Three Chapters of
Cimarron’s Law
A Novel
GP Hutchinson
Chapter 1
St. Louis, Missouri, September 1888
“H aven’t I always treated you fair and square?” Jack Wheatley threw his hands wide and then let them fall again to his sides. “I thought I had.”
“That’s your problem, Wheatley,” the sinewy Charlie Tuft said. “You got your head so deep in your own concerns, you don’t know what’s fair and what ain’t.”
“May seem that way to you, Charlie, but you don’t sit in on meetings where we work out the business side of this show.”
Red O’Malley, another of Jack’s trick riders, stood hip-cocked just inside the entrance flap of Jack’s canvas dressing tent. “We know enough to say one thing for sure—you been givin’ us the short end of the stick.”
Jack opened his mouth to respond, but Red cut him off. “Fact is, you oughta be grateful we’re givin’ you notice before the show pulls outta St. Louis. Town this big, maybe some Johnny-fresh-off-the-farm will come to you, hat in hand, and beg to ride for you.”