Boone Creek

by Graysen Morgen

  “Sure. Why not?”

  Pastor Noah raised a brow. “That’s not exactly…tradition.”

  “Two women are getting married…to each other. I’m pretty sure that’s not traditional, either.”

  “You’re right.” He thought for a second. “The word of God is the word of God. It doesn’t really matter where it’s received, I suppose. Traditionally, it’s in a church, but not always, I guess.” He looked at Jessie. “I’ll make a deal with you. You know Ms. Ellie comes to service every Sunday. If you make it a point to come with her one Sunday a month, I’ll perform your service under whatever tree you choose.”

  Jessie bit her lower lip. Church was the absolute last place she ever wanted to be. “Will it suffice if I sit outside the door and listen?”

  “If that is the closest that I’m going to get you to stepping inside this building, then…we have a deal.”

  “One Sunday a month, and I can listen from out here,” she said, pointing to where she was standing, a few feet from the church entrance.

  He nodded and said, “I’ll leave a chair for you.”

  “Deal.”

  “Good,” he replied. “Although, I hope one day you see that it’s okay to come inside. God doesn’t judge the living, he condemns the dead. Our souls pay for the sins of our bodies long after we’ve served our time in this world. Remember that.”

  “I will,” she replied.

  “All right, now that we have that squared away, where is this tree you speak of?”

  “I haven’t found it yet.”

  “What? You talk me into holding your ceremony outside of the sanctity of the church, and you don’t even have a location?” Pastor Noah shook his head and laughed. “I suggest you go find a tree, Marshal. You’re running out of time.”

  “More like daylight,” she muttered, looking at the position of the sun.

  “What time are we meeting at this unknown tree?”

  “Noon,” she said. “I’ll find you in the morning and let you know where to go. I still have a few more things to do. Thank you again for doing this.”

  “Oh, no thanks needed.” He grinned.

  Jessie headed back past the General Trade and Pearl Hall. She sighed as she glanced at the Closed sign, and kept walking. The Fashionette sat just on the other side. Ike was finishing with a customer when she walked in.

  “Marshal, what can I do for you?” he asked.

  “I’m getting married tomorrow.”

  “I heard something about that from Ms. Nelly over at the Kettle Kitchen. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. I need…” Jessie looked around.

  “Something other than black, I suppose?” he asked with a smirk.

  “No,” she retorted. “Something newer.”

  “You can’t get married in that funeral outfit you wear.”

  “Funeral? What’s wrong with my clothes? I’m a law officer. Black is traditional.”

  Ike bit back a laugh. “Marshal Henry, you are anything but traditional.”

  “Fine. What color do you suggest?” she scowled.

  “Let me go to the back and see what I have that will fit you.”

  Jessie walked around, looking at various items as she waited. The bell above the door jingled as another patron stepped inside. She turned to see Nicolas. “Mr. Munroe,” she said, tipping her hat.

  “Marshal Henry.” He nodded. “I hear you have big plans for tomorrow,” he said sarcastically.

  “That is correct.”

  “I would say I wish you well, but…Oh, hell. Why not?” He shrugged. “Best of luck to you.”

  “Did you need to see Ike?” she asked as he began to leave.

  “I can come back another time. He’s busy getting you ready for your big day. I wouldn’t want to impose, you know, steal him away from you or anything.” He gave a fake grin and walked out the door.

  “Was someone here?” Ike asked, coming from the back with a single vest.

  “Yeah, Mr. Munroe,” she said, still staring at the door.

  “Hmm.” He shrugged. “All right, so I have a blue vest with a paisley pattern. The rest of my stock is too large. A black puff tie or a narrow neck tie like the one you’re wearing now will go well with it. Or, I have both types of ties in several colors, if you want to stay with your black vest.

  Jessie looked at each one. She knew nothing about clothes and colors. “I don’t know, Ike. What do you think?”

  “Try each one on and go from there,” he said. “Personally, I like the black tie and colored vest combo, but you’re not one for that much color, so I’d go with the burgundy puff tie with your black vest.”

  “That’ll work,” she said, pulling a coin from her vest pocket to pay for the new tie.

  ***

  When Jessie had finally called it a night, she headed to Miss Mable’s to get some sleep. Since she was getting married the next day, this would be her last night as a boarder in the brothel house, something Ellie was more than pleased about.

  “I was wondering when I would see you,” Lita said, from her position on the staircase. She was leaning against the wall with one leg hiked up on a higher step, spreading the front of her cinched dress and revealing the smooth skin of her upper thighs.

  “It’s been a long day,” Jessie replied in passing.

  Lita grabbed her arm. “Are you sure marrying that shopkeeper is really what you want?”

  “Why is that any of your concern?”

  Lita moved closer, running her hand up the front of Jessie’s vest. “I can make you feel better than she can,” she murmured, slowly closing the space between them.

  “I’m sure you make a lot of people feel wonderful. In fact, I hear it just about every night. So, I’m well aware of what you can do,” Jessie said, grabbing Lita’s hand and moving it away from her chest. “However, you are not the person I am interested in spending the rest of my life with. You’re a pretty woman, Lita, but I don’t love you. I don’t want your company. I never have, and I never will.” Jessie continued up the stairs.

  “You’re making a mistake. She doesn’t love you, she’s just lonely,” Lita spat.

  “And you’re pitiful. Get yourself together!” she sneered through gritted teeth.

  NINETEEN

  Jessie woke up around her usual time and packed her stuff. Everything she’d acquired in the six months that she’d been in town, fit neatly into a canvas sack. She set it to the side and got dressed, saving her new, burgundy puff-tie for last. She wasn’t sure she liked the way it fit, but it did look nice when she glanced at the tiny mirror. Finishing off with her gun belt, coat, and hat, she headed out the door.

  “Big day for you, Marshal,” Miss Mable said with a smile. “That Ellie Fray is a lucky lady.”

  “I’m pretty sure, I’m the lucky one,” Jessie replied. “I’ll be back later this afternoon to retrieve my things.”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  Bert walked around the corner, just as Jessie stepped outside.

  “Well, would you look at that. Marshal Henry got herself a new tie.”

  “Do you want to eat this tie, Bert?” Jessie asked.

  “Huh?”

  She shook her head. “Come on, we have to find a tree.”

  “What for?” he questioned, falling in step next to her.

  Jessie ignored him as they walked around to where the stable and corral were located, along with the livery. “We need a pair of horses for the hour, and a couple of long ropes,” she said. “Marshal business. Put it on the mayor’s bill.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the young stable-hand replied. He quickly saddled up two mares and grabbed a pair of lassos.

  Jessie tipped him a couple of small coins for his speedy service, and climbed up on the horse, looping the rope around the saddle horn. Bert followed as she slapped the reins, trotting the large animal off towards Pinewood Pass. They cut off the main path and onto a cattle trail near the cr
eek that flowed a steady stream of cool, mountain water.

  “Whoa,” Jessie said a few minutes later, pulling gently on the reins as the big oak came into view. She hopped down and looped the reins around one of the thick branches.

  “This is where you taught me to shoot my pistol,” Bert said, tying up his horse. “What are we doing out here?”

  “This is where I’m getting married.”

  “What about the church?”

  Jessie pinned him with a stare. “Have you ever seen me in the church?”

  “No.”

  “Then what makes you think I’m going in there now?” She shook her head. “Churches and I don’t mix.”

  “Well, it’s definitely a pretty tree, even with all of my stray bullet holes.”

  “Let’s move that old log over. I don’t think anyone else will be here, but in case anyone shows, they’ll have a place to sit.”

  Bert nodded and helped her tie the lassos to the horses’ saddle horns. Then, they tied them to the tree trunk and used the horses to pull it into place.

  “I think this will work just fine. How about you?” she said, standing back and taking a look.

  “I think it’s perfect.”

  “Good. When you get back, I need you to inform Ms. Ellie of the location, as well as anyone else who wishes to join us.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I have a few other things to do. I’ll be around in time. Don’t worry.”

  “All right,” he said, climbing up into the saddle of his horse and riding off.

  Jessie headed in the opposite direction, towards a large patch of wild flowers in the distance. She picked more than a handful of the colorful flowers and arranged them as best she could, before tying a satin ribbon around them. She crisscrossed it all the way down the stems and back up to make it more sturdy. Then, she took it over to the large tree and set it on a branch.

  ***

  At ten minutes to noon, Jessie stood under the tree, with Bert next to her, holding the flowers. She watched as Pastor Noah made his way down the path with Ellie holding his arm, and the bible in his hands. Ellie looked very different from her every day clothing in a bright, purple skirt with a black floral pattern and black lace trim, and a white, high-collared blouse. The top button of her shirt was in the shape of a beautiful purple rose. Her light brown hair was braided, and then wrapped into a twist at the base of her head. A petite, purple hat with black lace trim, was pinned to the top of her head in the front.

  “You look beautiful,” Jessie said, handing Ellie the flowers as she took her place across from her.

  “I like your tie. It brings out your eyes,” Ellie replied, sniffing the flowers. “These smell wonderful.”

  Pastor Noah cleared his throat. “If I could have everyone’s attention, there is a log down front here for those of you who wish to sit. We’ll be getting started momentarily.”

  Jessie pulled her eyes away from Ellie and gasped. Elmer, Ike, Miss Mable, Ms. Nelly, Mayor Montgomery, and a handful of other town folk, were standing in front of them. “My word,” she whispered. “They must all be here for you,” she said to Ellie.

  “I doubt it. You’ve made quite an impression on this town, Marshal Henry.”

  “After today, you can finally stop calling me marshal.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Shall we begin?” Pastor Noah said, stepping up to them with his bible held open.

  Jessie felt her legs tremble. She forced them still and took a few calming, deep breaths as she looked at Ellie, who nodded in his direction.

  “Today, these two people join hands in marriage in front of God, with all of you as witnesses,” he began. “God says, love is like a seal over your heart, for it is as strong as death, and its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire with a mighty flame that many waters cannot quench and rivers cannot wash away. Jessie Henry, is this true of your love for Ellie Fray?”

  “It is,” she said.

  “Ellie Fray, is this true of your love for Jessie Henry?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  “Do we have rings?” he asked.

  Jessie nodded and retrieved two silver bands from her vest pocket. Pastor Noah placed them in the center of the open bible.

  “These rings are but a symbol of your commitment to this marriage and to each other. As they become worn with age, let them forever be a testament to your undying love for one another,” he stated. “Jessie, place the ring on Ellie’s hand and repeat after me: Never will I leave you, nor forsake you.”

  Jessie did as she was told, albeit with shaky hands.

  “Ellie, place the ring on Jessie’s hand and repeat after me: Never will I leave you, nor forsake you.”

  She held her breath to calm her nerves, before repeating the words.

  “Please join hands,” he said. He put one of his hands over theirs. “Let us bow our heads. God, we stand before you today to unite Jessie and Ellie in holy matrimony. I ask for your blessing upon this ceremony and this marriage. I ask that the love they share at this moment, grows and matures with each passing year, filling their hearts with happiness, forgiveness, and faith. Amen.” He closed the bible, keeping his hand on theirs. “Today, two become united as one. May no one ever split apart what God has joined together.” He removed his hand and smiled. “By the word of God, I pronounce you married. You may kiss each other now.”

  Jessie leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to Ellie’s in a sincere, but simple kiss that left her wanting more.

  “I present to you Jessie and Ellie Henry,” Pastor Noah said.

  Everyone clapped, and Jessie and Bert drew their pistols, each firing a single shot in the air at the same time. After holstering her gun, Jessie grabbed Ellie’s hand and together, they walked away.

  “Where are we going?” Ellie asked, letting go of Jessie’s hand and linking arms with her.

  “Apparently, we’ve been invited to the Rustler’s Den for a gathering in our favor.”

  Ellie nodded with a smile.

  The people who had come to witness the ceremony, had tagged along behind the happy couple as they led the way back through town along the sidewalk. Otis muddled along in the street, ranting about the lady law, all of which Jessie ignored.

  A loud noise grabbed their attention. Everyone looked up to see a runaway wagon with two horses, racing down the center of Main Street, out of control as the driver fought to climb out onto one of the horses to retrieve the broken reins. Jessie saw Otis, still mumbling away as it headed straight for him. Instinctively, she let go of Ellie and ran into the street, shoving him out of the way and diving to the ground as the wagon roared past, narrowly missing them. They lay on the ground, covered in dirt as the dust settled. The driver finally grabbed a piece of leather strap and was able to get the wagon stopped, much further down the street.

  “Get off of me, Lady Law!” Otis growled.

  “She just saved your scrawny ass. The least you could do is thank her,” the mayor spat.

  Otis burped and hiccupped as he said an impolite thank you and wandered off.

  Jessie shook her head as she brushed some of the dirt off her clothes. “So much for looking nice,” she muttered.

  Ellie smiled. “Trouble always has a way of finding you, doesn’t it?”

  “Something like that,” Jessie replied with a grin.

  ***

  “The first one’s on the house,” Elmer said to the group gathered around inside the saloon, as he began pouring thimble shots of whiskey.

  Jessie took the first cup and climbed up onto a table with her drink raised in the air. As her best man, Bert grabbed the next, and so on until everyone had a thimble in their hand. “If you know me, you know I don’t talk much,” she said. “So, I’d just like to thank each of you for coming to our wedding. This was our special day, and we are happy to be sharing it with those whom we consider our friends.” She smi
led at Ellie and chugged her glass.

  For the next hour, Percy, the pianist, played song after song as everyone danced, drank, and played a few hands of Faro and Dice. Everyone who had attended the ceremony under the tree, had joined them in the reception at the saloon. As the guests left, one by one to go back to their daily life, they each congratulated the couple and handed Jessie a coin of varying value. It was tradition, as well as common courtesy, to give the new groom a monetary gift.

  Once everyone had gone, Elmer opened the saloon back up to regular patrons. On their way out, Jessie handed him an eagle coin.

  “I won’t accept this,” he said, giving it back.

  “Elmer—”

  “You go on, now.” He shooed her away. “Take that beautiful bride of yours home.”

  “Okay, then,” she said, grabbing Ellie’s hand.

  “Do you need to go get your things?” Ellie asked, nodding towards Six Gun Alley where the brothel was located.

  “I’ll get them later. It’s not much,” she replied, squeezing Ellie’s hand as they began walking down the sidewalk towards the General Trade.

  ***

  Jessie removed her hat and looked around the open room that Ellie called home. It was the same size as the store below. A kitchenette with a wood burning stove for cooking and heat, was along one wall, with a small, dining-style table and two chairs nearby. Another pair of chairs sat in the middle of the room on a large, round rug, with a small table between them. A double bed was along the far wall in the back, with night stands on both sides. A dressing curtain was close to the bed area, with a handmade clothing rack behind it, full of Ellie’s clothes. A pair of shoes sat on the floor under it.

  “It’s not much, but—”

  “It’s home, and anywhere that you are, is home to me,” Jessie said, pulling Ellie into her arms. Their lips met in a soft kiss. Jessie took Ellie’s hands and placed them on her face before wrapping her arms around Ellie’s waist, pulling their bodies fully together.

  Ellie gasped against her lips. “I…I don’t…know what to do,” she whispered.