by Faye Sonja
I’ll be marrying because we make
sense on an intellectual level.”
.
“Just what was that performance in there?” Jacob held out his arm and Averill hooked hers through it as they walked.
“Performance? Me speaking my mind, you mean?”
“It’s one thing to speak your mind, Averill, but openly challenging a judge in front of everyone is not a good idea.”
“Why? What can he do to me? I have as much right to an opinion as anyone.”
“Of course you do. But there’s a time and place…”
“No, there isn’t. Not for men. You’re encouraged to speak your mind at every opportunity. Women are permitted to when a man decrees it proper. How ridiculous.”
“I’m not telling you when to speak and when not to.”
“What are you telling me then, Jacob?”
“That…ahhh…um…I don’t know.”
Averill was disappointed then. She’d hoped this debate would rage long into the night with attitudes challenged and thoughts provoked. “I see.”
“I just don’t want you upsetting the judge. He’s been a friend a long time.”
“The way he was offering you drink, I don’t see that as being a friend. The reverend is your friend, not the judge.”
Jacob walked a little faster, and Averill kept up.
“I didn’t marry you so you could tell me who my friends are.”
“Why did you marry me then, Jacob? I’m curious about the answer myself.”
“Because…I wanted a wife.”
“I see there was Meagan who would’ve willingly fitted that bill.”
“No. She’s not my type.”
“No, indeed she isn’t. So tell me why you’ve married an independent, free-thinking woman, as your letters stated you prefer, and now you’re trying to stifle her.”
“I…ahhhh…I’m not sure. Are you angry with me?”
Averill laughed at his tone. “No. I’m not angry with you. If I was, I simply wouldn’t speak. I was hoping for some argument, for an opinion, for you to challenge me.”
“You want me to argue with you?”
“Not argue, debate, question, challenge. In your letters you spoke of women out here being independent and spirited. You said that was the way the world should be. Yet you never stood by me in there. It’s one thing to say these things but quite another to show public support.”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone quite so outspoken.”
“I guess I can see that as a surprise for you because not many are yet. Do you wish we hadn’t married now?”
“No. Of course I don’t, just give me some time to adjust.”
“Perhaps I am feeling more sensitive because of the tiredness. The past two weeks have been draining to say the least. Yesterday especially, and now I’m married and in a tiny town.”
“I agree it wasn’t Judge Turner’s place to suggest you meant anything other than having sleep. I should’ve put him in his place. I won’t let that happen again.”
“As I won’t with you.”
“We’re here. The cottage is in behind the sheriff’s office.”
“Are the jails in there too?”
“Yes. There’s four jail cells. We rarely have anyone in them though.”
“I see. Not much need for a lawyer then, if there’s no one breaking the law.”
He led her along the path and they stood in front of the door. “Were you serious about becoming a lawyer?”
“Yes. A woman passed the bar last year in Ohio, and I intend to do it as soon as I can.”
He smiled. “I do like you, Averill Blair. I think you’ll be good for me.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Now wait here and I’ll go and put a lamp on.”
“You aren’t going to carry me over the threshold, are you?”
“Of course, for luck. Some traditions are good.”
Averill nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Careful, you agreed with me then…maybe you know your place, after all.” He raced inside with a grin.
“That is a very dangerous subject, husband.”
A light glowed from inside and Jacob was soon back out. He lifted her up in his arms and Averill wasn’t immune to how lovely that felt. He stepped into their home carrying her tightly in his strong arms, and Averill had a surge of happiness.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Blair.” He set her down and the beautiful smell of fresh flowers hit her.
“Oh, Jacob, this looks beautiful. All the flowers. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll make us tea and you can change in the bedroom. I’ve set up a cot in the other room.”
“Jacob? I…well…oh, now I don’t know what to say.” Averill felt the blush rush over her face. “I don’t mean to kick you out of your bed.”
“It’s our bed, and until you are comfortable, I won’t be in there.”
“I appreciate your consideration. But I also think that we are married, and that perhaps we should start as we mean to end. Maybe nothing will happen until we’re ready, but I don’t see any harm in us lying close together during the night.”
“I’ll be happy to join you. I’ll stay fully clothed.”
“As you wish.”
“Your things are unpacked in the bedroom drawers and wardrobe. Your mother saw to it today.”
“You’ve thought of everything. I’ll go change into my nightgown and we’ll enjoy that tea. I’m not very good at cooking, I’m afraid.” She went into the bedroom and closed the door.
“A cook is provided for the sheriff. She’ll take care of us, plus there’s always the bakery and Adeline’s delicious pies. You’ll be too busy to cook with your work anyway. That’s my surprise for you,” he called through the bedroom door to her.
Averill stared at the door. Was he referring to her studies? “I shan’t be studying until I can find a good lawyer who’ll train me or I can get to law school.”
“This is something else. You’ll be working with me in the sheriff’s office.”
“I will?” This could be good if she got to experience court firsthand.
“Yes. I need a secretary to write up everything for me so I can go out and stop these outlaws.”
“So, it’s temporary then?” There was no way she was getting trapped in a job that would suck all her time for studies and for her women’s rights work.
“Not really. I’ll pay you a small wage.”
When Averill came out in her nightgown and with a light coat over it, she had a look on her face that Jacob already knew meant she wasn’t happy and he was about to hear about it.
“You want to pay me a small wage to do your bookwork? Am I supposed to swoon from delight?”
“I just thought…you’d be grateful for a way to make some of your own money.”
“How good of you. Did you think to ask me first? No. Because I’ll jolly well do as I’m asked. Really, Jacob, could you be any more of a blockhead?”
“Sorry. You’re right. Averill, I really need help catching up my bookwork. Would you be able to help me?”
“Temporarily, yes. But long-term you’ll need to train someone else.”
“Perhaps, if it’s not too much to ask, you could learn it and then train someone.”
“I think that could be arranged. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to just teach one person?”
“I was hoping you might establish some sort of a system. I’ve had trouble keeping up and it needs organization.”
“I’ll look it over tomorrow sometime.”
“Thank you. The fire is lit and the kettle is hot. Do you take cream and sugar in your tea?”
“Just sugar, thank you.”
“The man your mother shot, he’s been wanted in most counties for going on five years.”
“Goodness. Why hasn’t anyone caught him before?”
“I think because he knows someone on the inside.”
“You think there’s a tr
aitor?”
“I don’t see how he could’ve known about the stagecoach. There weren’t even supposed to be passengers because it was a set up to see if he turned up.”
“The Chinese men who carted our bags organized it. We paid a good fare. I think Henry was making some cash on the side.”
“That explains that, then. Still, if he needs cash, he might be getting paid to tell about the stagecoach movements.”
“Perhaps.” Averill’s mind ticked over. She’d be going over everything with a fine tooth comb tomorrow. “We’ll solve it.”
He brought over two mugs of tea and sat at the table with her. “I guess we will.”
“It’s amazing that my mother ended up being the one who stopped him.”
“The element of surprise. No one would expect a lady as refined as your mother to know how to use a gun, let alone have one loaded and hidden in her stocking. She gave me quite a dressing down when we were helping Henry, too.”
“That’s Mama.” She gave a laugh. “I’m so glad Henry will be okay. He was so kind to us.”
“Thanks to Elizabeth, he will live. I can see where her daughters get their unique qualities.”
Averill smiled and sipped her hot tea. “This is lovely. Just what I needed. This whole day has been perfect. I know God has meant us to be together because everything just went so easily today.”
“I’m glad you got here early.”
“So am I. I think our lawyer, Mr. Fairweather, was wise to suggest it to me.”
“What about this Lex Baxter? Is he likely to try and find you all?”
Averill sighed. “I’m sure he will try. Whether he is successful in finding us all the way out here is another thing.”
“If he comes here, I’ll shoot him. He’s not getting near any of you. Adeline and Amelia are like sisters to me and I love them dearly, and that bub on the way.”
“You can’t just shoot someone.”
“Your Mama did.”
“That was because our lives were at risk, or worse.”
“That will be the same if Baxter turns up; he means to do you no good.”
“He’ll want to save face because four women outsmarted him, he won’t want to kill us.” At least Averill hoped he wouldn’t get violent.
“If he ever turns up here, I won’t be responsible for what I might do.” Jacob drank his tea and looked quite serious.
“I don’t see how he could find us and even if he did, it’s two weeks by train and two hours by horse; I can’t see him wanting to suffer the indignity of all that travel for his pride after all that time. At best he could be here in a month.”
“Let’s hope he forgets about it and cuts his losses. I’m sorry about what you went through, about your father.”
“I have a new life now. That’s all that matters.”
“You do. So do I. I haven’t exactly been an upstanding citizen. You may hear a lot of stories as time passes.”
“As long as you keep your promise to me and you stand up for me, I’ll do the same for you. For better or for worse…”
“Are you busy tomorrow with your mama or sisters?”
“Only doing the sheriff’s bookwork, temporarily.”
“I’d like to take you out to my land. I hope to build on it one day. It’s just past Jack and Amelia’s ranch.”
“That sounds lovely. I would like to speak with Mama sometime tomorrow as well.”
“Ask her for supper. You can talk about where she will live and what her plans are. I’ll let Cook know.”
“I will. I think she’ll want to be close to Adeline with the baby on the way.”
“James has built more rooms on, so there’s plenty of space there, but she can stay here as well, whenever she needs. The other room is small but functional.”
“We have a whole exciting adventure ahead of us, Jacob. I’m hoping to get involved in the issue of women’s rights to vote.”
“Please take care. Some very nasty characters oppose that movement.”
“Like your judge?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“You don’t agree with his opinion on women, you should speak out. It will only change when other men take a stand for us.”
“Let’s not start that discussion right now. I think I’ll fall asleep on the table. I will speak up from now on. But you’ll need to know when to not speak up as well. We do have to live in this town, as do our families.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Jacob raised his eyebrows at her. “Just like that?”
“Stop teasing, Sheriff, or you’ll do your own bookwork.”
* * *
8
Discoveries
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“I won’t be marrying for that love alone.
I’ll be marrying because we make
sense on an intellectual level.”
.
One month later
Averill had finally gotten the bookwork into a workable order. It was no wonder Jacob didn’t want to teach anyone else; the whole thing was a mess. She wasn’t sure what the last sheriff was like, but he certainly wasn’t an academic.
Still not everyone was, and now she’d sorted them out, Jacob could easily do them himself until he found someone. She’d even thought of suggesting Sarah Hancock, only she knew Sarah was interested in dressmaking, not book keeping. They’d become firm friends and Mama liked her as well, and said she had great talent.
Averill was bored and she’d saved all her wages for a trip to San Francisco when two of the men could accompany her. She wanted to buy textbooks to study and the work in the sheriff’s office was boring her.
The sleuthing was keeping her much more entertained. Trying to work out who had betrayed Jacob by telling about the stagecoach taking a new route was proving a lot better for her active mind than writing up sheriff’s reports.
But she couldn’t see how any of the people on her list, including the judge and the lawyer, could make it happen. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. Averill picked up the binders and walked into Jacob’s office. He sat behind his desk with his foot up on the desk and his arms behind his head.
“Busy?”
“I was just wonderin’ on things.” Jacob sat up and leaned forward, trying to look occupied.
Averill let the stack of binders fall on the desk top in front of him. “There you go. Think on those. They’re sorted and now you can teach someone else. It’s very straightforward now.”
“I thought we agreed that you would do that?”
“I thought we agreed that I’d have time for my studies as well?”
“Please, Averill. Just this one last thing. You must know someone who’s good with this type of work. What about young Sarah?”
Averill studied him. His eyes held a note of panic. Not something she’d seen in him before. Something was amiss. This was about more than not wanting to do bookwork. “Is the office closed for the day?”
“Yes. I’m about to lock up and go do my rounds of the town.”
“When you do that, before you get on Charger to check in on the town, would you come to the cottage?”
“Okay. Is something wrong?”
“Not to my knowledge. Unless you’ve something to tell me that I don’t know about?”
He shook his head. “Nope.” His neck was red around the collar.
“It won’t take long then.” She smiled. “See you soon.”
Averill thought it out. The books had never been touched since the last sheriff left, who was mighty sloppy, but he did make an effort. Jacob had been sheriff for a week before she’d arrived, and the only thing she’d ever seen him write was his name. He took an awful long time over reading the paper each morning, yet he never discussed the news with her.
Why hadn’t she seen the signs before? He couldn’t read and write. She was sure of it now, but what of his letters of flowing n
eat cursive? Who’d written those for him? Had he narrated them or just told the person to write whatever he thought? Why hadn’t he trusted her enough to confide in her after a month of marriage? The man she’d fallen in love with from those letters was a fraud.
Jacob came inside and sat down with her at the table. “What do you need?”
Averill wondered how to handle this. “Would you like me to keep doing the books?”
Jacob looked relieved. “I would. Thank you.”
“I’ll do them another three months, on one condition.”
“Being?”
“You let me teach you how to read and write.”
Jacob stood up so suddenly, the chair crashed back on the floor behind him. “That’s ridiculous. Who told you that?”
“No one told me. I worked it out.”
“Worked out what? I read and write just fine.”
Averill hadn’t meant to upset him so much. She kept her voice low. “I know you can’t. It’s okay. I can teach you.”
“Well of course you can teach me. You’re perfect at everything. I don’t need you, or anyone else pitying me.”
“Jacob! No, I want to help you.”
“I don’t need your help. I’ve done fine so far. Never needed to read and write before, don’t need it now.” Jacob had clearly lost all objectivity in this matter. He was on the defensive in a big way.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I don’t need to learn.” He stood with his shoulders braced and chin tilted in the air.
“What about the bookwork? A sheriff needs to be able to do his own bookwork at the very least.”
“You can continue do it for me.”
“No. I’m not.”
“You can train someone else.”
“No. You need to learn this yourself. You can do it, Jacob. Trust me.”
“I don’t need to listen to this anymore. I’m not a child. I choose if I learn or not.”
“Then you can’t be sheriff if you can’t perform the job properly.”
“Are you going to tell everyone?”
“I should. I really should because it’s dishonest and deceitful, and that’s two things a man of the law shouldn’t be.” Averill had raised her voice a little despite trying to stay calm. Jacob’s reaction told her how much this was hurting him. “Is that what you want, Jacob? To go back to your old life, before me?”
