The Road
Page 16
“I thank you for your generous offer,” started James, and for a moment almost added, “however I cannot accept it.”
He caught the missing jar out of the corner of his eye, on the far side of the room, sitting on the floor just inside the closest jail cell.
The next words out of his mouth put a jab in the pit in his stomach, “Yes, sir, I am happy to serve.”
A quick glance at Jason reminded him that he had conditions to be met.
“I have a couple of things I’ll need to be comfortable doing my new job.
“First, I want Jason here to be my Deputy Mayor, with us both staying at my Ranch and coming to town three days per week, including trade Saturdays.
“Second, I want to have veto power over all decisions affecting the citizens of our town, barring any criminal activities that would render them in your court, sir.”
Jason was feeling queasy and wondered if James overstepped his boundaries.
“Third, I want free trade on Saturdays, meaning I will contribute the percentage to this town as I have been but I can trade what I like, including my homemade moonshine,” pointing to the jar in the nearest jail cell.
This statement got a smile from the Sheriff. Judge Lowry was stone-faced.
“And last, I’ll have my dog Chance in the office most days.”
As he finished, James felt secure and confident; he had proposed his terms and laid it all out on the table.
“You know, that jar over there,” said the Sheriff, pointing into the cell, was full when we found it at the Whitters’ house. He had it stashed way back in a kitchen cabinet, and the intruders just missed it, I guess.”
“I’m guessing you poured it out,” said James, pushing the line just a bit.
Jason could feel the tension in the room, and he felt sick.
“Excuse me,” he blurted out as he ran out of the room. Outside the front door, he vomited on the side of the building.
“Can you give us a few minutes?” the Sheriff asked James.
“Sure, I’ll be right outside.”
James met a nervous Jason outside and tried to calm him down.
“Why did you do that?” asked Jason.
“Well, it’s simple, really,” replied James.
“You see, they’ve got me by the balls with that jar in there, and it’s not going away. I’d like to know where we stand right now and not have to worry about it down the road.”
“But what if they arrest us?” asked Jason.
“Then it’s a bad day, and I miscalculated the situation. I’m confident, though, that we can come to an understanding.
“They need a Mayor they can trust to be the buffer between them and the people. I’m the best choice, and you’re my pick for Deputy.”
“Okay. That makes sense,” Jason conceded.
Minutes later, they were asked back inside.
“You okay, Jason?” asked the Sheriff.
“Sure,” he replied. “Just probably ate something wrong.”
“You can never be too careful now,” interjected the Judge.
“All right, James. I have discussed your concerns with the good Judge here, and we think it might just work.
“We, of course, cannot give you veto power over our citizens, but I’m guessing you knew that was a stretch. Everything else, though, I think we can work with. Understand, though, you’re still number three in command.”
“The liquid in the jar wasn’t half bad,” the Judge interjected. “What would you charge me for a case?”
“First one’s on me, sir,” replied James with a smile, knowing he just got the upper hand.
“All right,” said Sheriff Johnson. “Let’s get you ready for an election. We’ve got less than a week to prepare, and there are a couple of no-good drunks in the running.
“Let’s meet here tomorrow…and dress appropriately,” he added, gesturing towards Jason in a T-shirt and shorts.
“Good day to you both,” said James, as they walked out the front door.
“Man, that was crazy,” said Jason. “I wasn’t expecting you to tell them about the moonshine.”
“I didn’t have a choice,” replied James.
“They were using it against us, and I was not going to have that hanging over my head. Now it’s in the open, and it looks like we can stay at the ranch a little while longer.”
James headed back to his ranch with his head held high. He was determined to make the best of this situation and had negotiated for everything he really wanted.
“Did you expect them to give you veto power?” asked Jason.
“Nope,” replied James. “I just always heard that in a big negotiation it’s best to add something huge so they can shoot it down and hopefully agree to the rest of the terms. That’s exactly what happened there today.”
“How long will it take to make Judge Lowry’s case of moonshine?”
“It’s already done. I’ve got ten cases just waiting to be delivered somewhere. I guess eight will be going with us to market on Saturday, and one will be staying at the ranch with us.”
Both men smiled, and relaxed just a bit on the trip home.
“Today was a good day,” Jason announced, as they walked in the front door of their home.
“Tell us everything,” said Janice, noticing a change in the two men standing before her and Lauren.
* * * * * * *
Chapter Fifteen ~
Second Chances Ranch
Weston, Colorado
James had two suits to choose from and Jason just one.
“Let’s get you handsome men ready for an election,” said Janice.
Lauren and Janice did their best to press Jason’s pants and jacket that had gotten wrinkled in the move. James was lucky enough to have two pressed suits that he hadn’t touched in years.
Offering one to Jason, they quickly agreed it would be too big for him, and hopefully pressing his suit would be easier than doing alterations on another.
Heating some water to boiling on the small camp stove, they carefully poured it, steaming, into an iron. Heating the bottom of the iron on the stove was tricky to get hot without leaving burn marks that could be transferred to clothing.
“I only hope they don’t have to wear suits every day,” said Lauren.
James and Jason did some work on the still and gathered the Judge’s case of liquor.
“Should we bring one for the Sheriff?” asked Jason.
“Only if he asks,” replied James. “I don’t want us to appear too eager to please them. And mark my words, the next case for the good Judge will be paid for in coin or favor.”
“Last day of freedom, ladies,” announced James. “What shall we do?”
The girls all raised their hands to answer.
“Okay, Candice. Let’s hear it.”
“We want to have a picnic on the roof of the house with all of us.” The other girls nodded in agreement.
“Think you can make it up there, Jason?” asked James.
“I’m sure he can,” said Lauren with a smile. “I seem to remember him doing it once before,” she added, as she poked her elbow into his side.
“Ow!” exaggerated Jason, as the girls laughed.
“I’m sure I can manage,” he stated, “but I think Chance may have to sit this one out,” pointing to the dog, yawning and rolling onto his side.
“Let’s make a trip up there ahead of the group and stash some firepower,” James whispered to Jason. “I’d hate to get stuck up there if someone came on the property unannounced.”
This time Jason navigated the stairs with ease, stopping only a couple of times. Stashing the weapons outside the view of the girls, they headed back to help with lunch.
“We’ve got this, boys,” the ladies announced. “It’s been a long couple of days.”
“Maybe you should relax with a glass of Scotch,” said Janice, with Lauren nodding her head in agreement.
“Did that just happen, James?” asked Jason, both across th
e house from the kitchen.
“Is that a joke?” Jason started to ask, as Janice walked over with two large glasses full.
“Relax, boys. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“Happy wife, happy life,” Jason said, toasting James. “To our new positions.”
“It’s going to be a wild ride,” replied James, touching glasses.
James gave a grin and raised an eyebrow to Jason, as Janice walked back to the kitchen to continue making lunch.
Jason held his hands out in an I-don’t-know-what-just-happened-but-it’s-okay gesture. The men relaxed on the couch and discussed what might happen tomorrow.
Lunch was a Wise brand freeze-dried hearty Chili Mac with Beef, picked out by the girls.
The view was spectacular from the rooftop, as always, and James realized he hadn’t been up there in a while. The afternoon was light and fun, as was getting to be the norm lately.
Janice and James stayed up on the rooftop for a while to give Jason, Lauren and their girls some time alone in the house.
Janice stood on the rail, as James stood next to her with his arms around her waist.
“Funny how it took the end of electricity to give me everything I ever wanted,” said Janice, smiling, with the wind blowing through her hair.
“Yeah, Mama. I feel the same way,” he replied, kissing her on the forehead. “Our life will be different starting tomorrow, for better or worse…”
“I know, sweetie, and you need to keep a good eye out for Jason. I don’t want the Judge and Sheriff getting over on him.”
“What about me?” asked James jokingly.
“When a man has his back against the wall by two powerful men who just recently hung four people and he asks for veto power over most town decisions, and then proceeds to gain a new moonshine customer—who happens to be the Judge—then I’m not too worried about him,” Janice continued.
James laughed out loud at this. “No, I guess you wouldn’t worry much at all about a man like that.
“I love you, Mama. I knew the first day I saw you in the pizza parlor back in Chicago that you would be my wife forever, and you haven’t disappointed me yet.”
“Oh, really?” she replied. “Not yet?
“‘You got lucky, babe, when I found you,’” she added, quoting a classic Tom Petty song, this time turning the words around on her husband.
“I surely did, Mama. Yes, I surely did.”
They stood looking out over the quiet new land, mostly in silence for another hour, James sipping his Scotch and Janice nursing a glass of Merlot.
“Today is a good day,” whispered James, holding her tight.
“Here comes the storm,” announced Janice, as she pointed to the east. They could see the streaks across the sky and smell the rain.
“There is no better smell in the world than a coming storm,” James replied.
Rain poured down just as they reached the front of the house. It rained all that night and into the next morning.
“You boys going to call in sick?” asked Lauren, smiling.
“Sorry honey,” replied Jason. “It’s not that kind of job.”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Sixteen ~
Weston, Colorado
James and Jason packed their suits in large trash bags, opting to change at the Sheriff station.
The tractor was an open-top, and they were already getting soaked just a mile out from the ranch.
“I should have negotiated for an official Mayor truck,” said James, this time not joking.
He felt uneasy that he hadn’t thought to do that. The Sheriff would no doubt have access to one somewhere, he thought.
“You boys brought some extra clothes, I hope!” said the Sheriff, as they walked into his office.
“Yes, sir. It’s just that the tractor doesn’t have a roof on it is all,” said James, hoping for a response about some other form of transportation.
“The Judge will be by soon, and we’ll plan out the next few days,” the Sheriff continued. “Did you remember the case for Judge Lowry?”
“Yes, Sheriff,” replied James. “I’ll be right back with it,” heading out the door. Jason followed.
“I’m sure he can manage okay, Jason,” the Sheriff insisted.
“Yeah, I guess so,” he replied.
“So how long has James been operating that still on his ranch?” asked Sheriff Johnson.
“I…um…” Jason stammered. “I don’t really know, sir.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes, Sheriff. I’ve only known him for a little while. He and his wife took my family in, and it’s meant the world to us.”
“Hmmm. How did you boys meet again?” came the next question, as James walked back in with the case, overhearing the last question.
“They were neighbors up the road from us,” answered James, to the delight of a nervous Jason.
“After it happened, we took an inventory of our close neighbors to see if everyone was okay. The same way we came upon old man Whitters and his poor wife. Anyway, Jason and his wife Lauren needed some help, and we were in need of a couple of extra hands on the ranch. That’s about the meat of it, and it’s worked out fine so far.”
“That’s right,” chimed in Jason, nervously shaking his head up and down.
The Sheriff laughed deeply. “Well, boys, it looks like…”
“Sorry I’m late, gentlemen,” announced Judge Lowry, shaking the rain off his jacket. “I was tidying up the courthouse for this afternoon’s proceedings.”
“What’s happening this afternoon?” asked James, trying to remember if he should know already.
“The two in the back,” the Judge said, pointing to the backside of the jailhouse. “Can’t see them from here but they’re back there, and they’re a rowdy couple.”
“A couple of guys?” asked Jason, confused.
“Nope. One man and a woman,” interjected the Sheriff. “They were caught stealing vegetables from an old lady’s garden.”
“That’s it?” asked Jason, quieting the room.
“Son,” replied the Judge, “that’s all it takes now to end up in my court.”
“What’s the punishment?” Jason continued.
“That, I don’t know, since I haven’t heard all the facts yet.”
“Some kind of community service or probation, I assume,” continued Jason.
“I believe we have an election to prepare for,” said James, putting a hand on Jason’s shoulder, with a nod and raised eyebrow that meant no more talking about this.
“We certainly do,” Sheriff Johnson chimed in, pulling out a map of the county designating the newly declared town boundaries. “We’ve got one week until the elections, and we need to secure every vote. We will work north to south and then east to west.”
“Are you going around town on that tractor out there?” asked the Judge, pointing to the front of the office.
“Yes, sir,” James replied. It’s all I’ve got except for a four-wheeler and a horse.”
“I can take them around in my truck,” the Sheriff offered.
“All right. That will do for now,” replied the Judge, “but I’ll see if we can find something more suitable for a Mayor and his Deputy.”
The rain let up as they slowly worked the town, trying to spend only enough time as required with each prospective voter.
Both Sheriff Johnson and James were familiar to most citizens. Jason was not.
“We never expected you to run for Mayor” was the consensus James got from most they visited.
The third house visited was one of James’ longtime customers. The man appeared nervous, opening the door to both James and the Sheriff. He was calmed, hearing the news about the upcoming elections, and said, “We thought Mr. Grimes was running for Sheriff and the other guy with him for Mayor.”
“He’s been here? Mr. Grimes, I mean,” asked the Sheriff, seeming agitated.
“Yes. He told us that you were stepping down and he
was the only one left to choose.”
Sheriff Johnson’s face turned red, his jaw tightened, and he excused himself, quickly exiting the house.
“I’m sorry, James,” his loyal customer said. “Did I say something wrong?”