The Marshal of Denver

by Judge Rodriguez

  She still looks unconvinced, but apparently decides to let it pass.

  John gets the cup of coffee and heads back into David’s office, with Rebekah just a step or two behind. When he gets inside the door of the office, he sees David out cold, snoring lightly. John gently sets the cup of coffee down in front of his exhausted young friend.

  Rebekah steps around him, wraps her arms around his shoulders from behind the chair, kisses him on the cheek and says, “Rest well, my love.”

  David stirs slightly, snuggles into her arm and says in Cherokee, “Okay. Love you,” then starts snoring louder.

  John smiles at the doctor’s reaction and quietly leaves the couple alone. He goes into the room where Gray-Dawn is and sees that the young man is resting. John looks to Running-Elk and says, “David’s asleep. Did he say he expects Gray-Dawn to pull through?”

  Running-Elk shrugs. “He said it’s in God’s hands now, that we should pray for the healing.”

  John nods. “Trust me, I have been. Thanks for letting me know.” He heads over to the room with Red-Feather and Heart-of-Falcon. When he enters, he notices Red-Feather still seems to be in the drug-induced sleep. He steps over to Heart-of-Falcon, who appears to be asleep as well.

  He bows his head, holds a hand over the sleeping woman and whispers a quick prayer of healing for her, her husband, and for the both of them to rest well.

  He heads back over to David’s office, quietly checking on the young couple. Rebekah has pulled a chair up behind her fiancé, wrapped her arms protectively around him and fallen asleep as well.

  Smiling at the sight of the two young lovers, John leaves David’s office and goes next door to the hotel. When he enters the dining room, he sees Sheriff Lyttle sitting at a table, eating a hearty meal.

  John pulls up a chair, motions to Ben for a drink and food, and sighs heavily.

  Lyttle looks up from his food and asks, “How are they doing?”

  “It looks like they’re both stable. At least for the time being. It’s in God’s hands now. Red-Feather lost his arm.” Lyttle mutters a curse under his breath. “Gray-Dawn is resting after David removed several bullets from him. The both of them lost a lot of blood, though. If you’re a praying man, they need all the prayers they can get. I know I’m praying as hard as I can.”

  Lyttle looks at him closely. “I thought something was different about you. What happened that made you convert?”

  Ben delivers John’s plate. After a muttered prayer of blessing over his food, John spends the next hour quietly describing his nightmares culminating on that fateful night and ending the story with a retelling of his baptism.

  “Of all the wonders. Well, I’m glad you found your faith, finally.”

  “Thank you. This has been a long and draining day. I believe, it’s time I see my bed.”

  Lyttle nods and waves him on.

  John heads back over to the marshal’s office, more emotionally drained than physically. By the time he gets inside the office, he is stumbling in his exhaustion. He has enough wherewithal to remember to lock the door of the office, before he falls into his bed, asleep before his head hits the pillow.

  Chapter 72

  The weather since the attack, a month ago, has worsened considerably. John looks out the window of the marshal’s office over the snow-covered field with a look of irritation. Of course, they would choose the day after the first major snow of the season to head to Norman for the wedding. He shakes his head. They have everything and just about everyone ready to head out.

  Red-Feather has entrusted John with ensuring his family’s safety both on the trip TO and IN Norman. John offered to have Red-Feather come along, for the wedding, but the Apache just remained stubborn in refusing.

  “No. No ranch, now. This is job. My job. I will be law until you get back.” The Indian just kept repeating the same thing, despite John’s offers to have him visit Norman.

  He leaves the marshal’s office and heads over to the hotel. As he’s passing the wagons loaded with personal effects, a couple of tents, and food for the trip, John pats Gray-Dawn on the shoulder and reassures the young man he’s doing a good job.

  Gray-Dawn looks grateful at the comments and continues ensuring everything is secured for the trip.

  While his recovery seems slow, David has been saying the young man has been progressing at a phenomenal speed for the last month.

  John smiles and goes in the front door of the hotel. Just inside, David approaches him, asking, “Everything set for us to head out?”

  “Well, I did leave the keys and extra guns with Red-Feather. He’s still insistent his job is now to be the law here. He refuses to go, but I can understand why. As for everything else? Yeah, it’s ready. Just need everyone else to come out and we can hit the road.”

  In less than an hour, the wedding party rides out of Denver on the White road. As they pass the last building, John turns in his saddle and sees Red-Feather waving bye with his lone-remaining hand.

  John raises his hand in salute. He hopes his friend is able to handle whatever comes his way while the wedding party is gone. He turns back to leading the party on with a resolute sense of purpose.

  When the party arrived at the Emerald Fields, Joseph was so beside himself with joy at their arrival, he gave John half-off all their rooms for their entire stay.

  It took them the better part of two hours to get their stuff unloaded from the wagons and up into their rooms.

  Even Paul was thrilled to see the wedding party. He graciously accepted the invitation and promised to be at the wedding “with bells on”.

  After everyone got settled into each of their rooms, they all met in the foyer of the hotel, where John was able to do formal introductions. Sean provides Red-Feather’s family with the formal tour, which, at the end, both boys were so excited to break down the design of the bathhouse they were unable to contain themselves. In their enthusiasm, they insisted on experiencing its wonder for themselves. When the boys asked about having a bath, John openly laughs at their interest.

  Having been able to get used to his good-natured teasing, they take his guffaws in stride. Sean extends the offer, which they heartily accept.

  David quietly asks John if he would be willing to go check for messages with him, to which John agrees easily to. Rebekah asks if Laura might be available.

  Joseph says she’s working on supper, but Brigit is working with her, so she should be able to come talk if they want.

  David mentions to his fiancé he would like to go to the post office and check on things, to which she absently replies, “Okay. Just be careful, dear.”

  John and David exit the hotel quickly and in the late afternoon sun, head back over to Paul’s place where they gain their mounts and ride to the post and telegraph office.

  While John waits outside, David speaks with the postal agent briefly and retrieves not only a letter for himself, but several telegraphs for his fiancé. He quickly leaves the office, eager to get back to the hotel.

  Just outside the door, David opens the letter, written completely in Cherokee, save for the recipient’s and town’s names. He reads it quickly and frowns in response.

  John asks, “Well, what does it say?”

  David pauses in his walking momentarily. In Cherokee, he says, “Grumpa can’t make it. His health is getting worse. Muddar is sticking close to him. They send their best.” The disappointment in the young man’s voice is heart-wrenching.

  They ride back to the livery in silence. When they drop off their horses, John gathers the nerve to say, “That’s a lot of writing for so few words. You act like you either just got punched in the gut, or bit into some soured fruit. What else does it say?”

  David sighs, pulls the letter from the pouch he was keeping all the correspondence in and takes a moment to read it again. He looks at John and, in Cherokee says:

  “Dear Beloved Son of My Daughter,

  I am glad you choose to bind yourself to your heart-mate. She sounds a
wonderful person. Am sad to say, I cannot be there for your binding. Am told by Elk of Dawn I cannot travel that far or Great Spirit will call me home to greener pastures. Mother sends her all, but is staying close to me. She says treat her like my husband treated me and I will come down there and take your manhood. I believe her. My son deserved to be sent away for all time. We send our all, for your binding day. We wish you many beautiful daughters and strong warrior sons. We wish for you to be sun-mad happy. I hope you bring her back home someday?

  Grandfather.”

  John nods in understanding. He’s impressed the old medicine man thought to send a letter, then remembers a telegram from Fort Supply must be more expensive than a pouch of letters. Shortly, he says, “Well, at least he sent his love. You know better than me about his health. Does he seem to be the type to play sick, rather than go to a big event like this?”

  “No. Quite the opposite. I saw him help herd horses when he had a broken shin bone. That’s what worries me. He may be on his death bed, or dead already and I won’t know it.”

  “Then what do you want to do?”

  “Nothing until after the wedding. I might need to make a trip out there, soon though.”

  “Mmh. If you want me to go with you, I will need to catch Jeff and Richard first, before any personal side trips. Remember I still have a job to perform. I can’t leave everything up to Red-Feather like that, without giving up my badge.”

  David nods as they get to the hotel door. “I know. I’m just worried about the old man, is all.”

  They both enter the restaurant to see Laura deep in conversation with Rebekah and Heart-of-Falcon. John and David share a look of amusement and walk over to the table.

  Chapter 73

  John stares at his young friends, enjoying their meals. He is surprised at the feelings stirred in him. Feeling the stirrings in his soul the desire of raising a child. This is as weird a feeling as any other he has ever felt. He can only begin to wish if he ever had a son, that son would be like David.

  John wonders if this is how God feels looking down on the rest of us? Does He see us as we love and love with us?

  In just two more days, he will be standing next to David, fulfilling some of his duties as the best man. To hear David say it, it will be a life-long commitment. He is both scared and honored to be asked that awesome responsibility. He’s looking forward to it, but still a bit scared.

  Someone walking in the door catches his eye and he looks up.

  It surprises John to see Joey walking in the hotel carrying several bags, but is more than glad to see her. Making eye contact with him, Joey nods and holds up a finger, signaling him she’d be there in a moment. John nods, then watches the young marshal go over and disappear into the hotel part of the building. She must be checking in.

  John just sits back, smiling in wonder that God has given him all the blessings he has. He can’t believe how excited he is to tell her about his accepting the Gift of Grace. Several minutes later, Joey walks into the restaurant and steps up to the table.

  “Afternoon, Marshal.” She moves to a seat next to John with her back to the wall. “Doc Bakker, Miss Morris.”

  “Marshal.” David leans over and offers his hand with obvious pleasure on his face. “Glad you were able to come.”

  Settling in, Joey takes David’s hand and gives it a good shake. “Thanks for the invite.”

  Rebekah looks at David. “You invited the marshal?”

  “Well, I don’t have a lot—”

  She puts her hand on David’s arm. “David, we need to talk about something else on the wedding.”

  David looks at his beautiful fiancé, love and confusion both clearly on his face. “I thought everything was done?”

  “Just come with me.” Rebekah stands and walks toward the stairs, leaving David looking after her.

  David looks back at John and Joey and shrugs, then quickly follows Rebekah.

  “Well.” Joey huffs a sigh. “That went well.”

  “I’m surprised to see you. Whatcha doin’ here?”

  “David invited me to the wedding.”

  “Oh, he did? When did he do that?”

  “Around the beginning of November. I guess he didn’t tell you he sent me a telegram?”

  John shakes his head. “Wonder what else he did. Ah, well.” He points off toward the retreating couple and says, “I’m sure she’ll come around eventually.”

  Joey shrugs. “It’s up to her. I can’t make anyone accept me for who I am.”

  John nods his agreement. “I agree with you there. You can only do your best and ask the Lord for forgiveness for any failures.”

  Joey freezes, then slowly looks at him.

  John lets her study him. That is exactly what the beautiful young woman is doing. Can she already tell a difference in him?

  “Hello, Marshal.” Brigit’s voice brings their attention to her. “What’ll ya have?”

  “Got any hot apple cider or wassail?”

  “Comin’ right up.”

  Joey shifts and leans her elbows on the table. “If I was a drinking person, I think I’d be hitting it pretty hard right now.”

  John grins. “Don’t like it?” He watches her scrunch her nose up in disgust and he thinks it’s one of the cutest things he’s ever seen.

  “Never could stand the stuff.”

  “Probably for the best.”

  “Here ya go.” Brigit sets a cup and saucer of the non-alcoholic steaming beverage in front of her.

  “Thanks, Brigit.” Joey takes a sip. “Oh, that’s good.”

  Brigit nods. “Good to have you back.”

  Joey seems to relax with the comment. “Thanks, Brigit.”

  The server smiles warmly, nods, and leaves them to themselves.

  “I agree,” John says with a mysterious smile on his face. “It is good to see you.”

  She takes a sip, sets the cup on the saucer, leans on one arm and looks at him. “You know. You’ve always had this quality that makes a person want to trust you. It’s hard to deny.”

  John sits there, knowing his face has a confused look on it. Where is this going? “Um . . . thanks?”

  She chuckles. “No, it’s good. But there’s something different this time. That quality is still there,” she explains, “but it’s stronger—more pure.” She stares into his eyes. “I even see it in your eyes.”

  John grins more widely. There is enough of a difference in him that she is already picking up on it.

  “John . . . what happened between the last time I saw you and now?”

  He feels his grin spread into a wide smile.

  “John,” she warned.

  He chuckles. He can hear the growl of a wolf in her tone. Blackwolf as a name really does fit her. “I met a couple of people you’d be interested in.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes don’t leave his. He sees in her blue eyes, the swirl and change of tones, indicating her mind is racing.

  “Yeah. Remember my nightmares?” She nods. “Well, I finally got them to stop.”

  She picks up the cup and holds it in her hands for a bit. “And how did you do that?”

  “Forgiveness.”

  The cup stops at her lips, then she slowly puts it down, and turns to him in her chair. “Say again?”

  John picks up his almost empty pint of Guinness. He considers his words as he looks in the glass for a few moments, then, in a barely audible voice, says, “You heard me.” He finishes the pint, then finally looks at her. The look on her face is completely worth it.

  “John . . .” She sits there, struggling to find words. “Really? You accepted the Gift of Grace?”

  “Sure did.”

  “And how do you feel?”

  “Like everything has changed but still the same. Most important thing is, I don’t have all that poison in me. Still have the same pops, cracks, aches and pains.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah. Maybe even a different point of view?”

  “I’d say! Even got baptiz
ed.”

  This time, she sat back. “What? Will wonders never cease to amaze.”

  “Yeah. Some big marshal by the name of Brouwer baptized me.” He waits to let that sink in.

  She stares at him for a long moment. “Brouwer?”

  He nods slowly, watching her face again. He sees the look of shock on her face, much like that of the Mallory’s when he told them, but still, he can’t help himself. Dear God, is he having fun telling her!

  “Cherokee Brouwer?”

  Again, a slow nod.

  “He . . . baptized you?” Her amazed tone makes his smile go so wide; he feels his cheeks ache.

  “Sure did. He prayed over me during the worst of it. Explained things so I could understand them. And even more importantly, he spoke from the heart and experience.”

  She looks at him with a look of sharing yet one more secret. “That he does. He was at Fort Reno when HIS nightmares stopped. I had just started bounty hunting.”

  “Well, I sure am glad God sent him when he did. It was at the most opportune time. I couldn’t listen to anyone else about it.”

  “You most certainly didn’t listen to anyone else.” She relaxes back into her chair again, takes a long drink of her wassail, and looks at him again. “I’m glad the Lord sent him to you. I kinda liked you, but your attitude was—”

  He clears his throat meaningfully and cocks an eyebrow.

  Joey laughs. “You were a good person before, John. But now, with God’s love, you are turning into someone I want to have my back in a fight . . . gun and spiritual.”

  John nods in acceptance. He remembers thinking about the correlation between the two. “I noticed how you two look nothing alike.”

  Joey snorts and takes a sip before she puts the cup down. “And you won’t.” She cups her hands around the warm porcelain and looks in seriousness at him. “Cherokee adopted me when I was four.”

  “You’re adopted?”

  “Yep.” She smiled almost sarcastically. “There was a gang that come upon our home. I don’t remember much. I just remember hiding under a wheel barrow and watched the gang shoot my parents. Bang-bang! Just that quick.” She looks off in the distance, the tone of her voice seeming as if coming from somewhere else. “I didn’t see who did it, but I DID see them fall. Then Cherokee was there, picking a fight with the gang, and they went away. That’s when he found me.” She takes another drink of the warming liquid and looks back at him. “He took me home and I learned my first Cherokee word the next day.”