No Law Against Love

by Deborah MacGillivray

  Thank God there was no law against that!

  Be sure to check out Patty’s website

  www.pattyghowell.com

  Them’s Fightin’ Words

  Leanne Burroughs

  • Georgia - Mules may not roam around unsupervised

  - It’s illegal to swear over the telephone

  Georgia, 1924

  Jake Major pulled his pick-up to a screeching halt to avoid hitting the mule ambling across Riverend Road. How in the world did that infernal female get away with letting her blasted mules wander the countryside? The sheriff knew full well it was illegal for her to let them roam around. Why didn’t he do something about it? Jake’s temper boiled. He was tired of people molly-coddling her.

  Well, I’ve had it. He couldn’t take driving down this road one more day and having to stop for Lady Felicity’s mules. The woman thought herself too good to accept a date from him, but it didn’t faze her to break the law day after day.

  Putting his green Buick truck with its varnished dash in reverse, Jake looked over his shoulder and steered it back down the highway until he came to the dirt road leading to the widow’s property. He ignored the posted ‘no trespassing’ sign and headed up her tree-lined drive.

  The Wayside Christmas Center, as it had been dubbed after Felicity married and moved there, was a beautiful piece of property. Had been a beautiful estate when he’d grown up here, too. He’d been too young to appreciate it at the time, had just taken it for granted. When Felicity’s husband, Jethro, had been alive, the place had been lively year round. He’d heard about its success all the way over in Atlanta.

  Felicity had loved everything then—especially Christmas —and his brother Jethro had built several buildings for her on their land, each and every building to Felicity’s exact specifications. She’d turned each small building into her vision of the North Pole—from reindeer barns, to elf carpentry shops, to Mrs. Claus’ bakery. Jake smiled at all he’d been told. He had no doubt Felicity Adams had been one bossy bit of goods when she watched the replica being raised!

  Felicity had been a whirlwind back then. Busy keeping the farm going, maintaining the upkeep of each building, teaching Sunday School every week, helping with bake sales, and serving on the library board. Seemed no function or charity passed without her having a finger in it. Volunteer should’ve been her middle name.

  All that changed the day Jethro died. Now she went nowhere, barely spoke to anyone. She’d practically turned into a recluse.

  Enough is enough, Jake fumed.

  Parking before the stoop of the white frame house, Jake shut off the truck’s engine. He was about to open his door when Felicity appeared on the porch. A lump formed in his throat at the sight of his family home and the woman he’d once loved. He’d always planned on it being him sitting on that porch and rocking away in the big wooden chairs as they watched the sun set together. It hadn’t happened that way though.

  “What part of ‘no trespassing’ didn’t you understand, Jake Major? I painted that sign myself. It’s big enough even you couldn’t possibly have missed it.”

  Jake leaned out the truck window as his eyes took in everything about the stubborn woman. No shoes. She’d probably been sitting in her living room reading. Unwanted memories flooded his mind, of her sitting in the corner of the sofa, bare feet tucked under her while she read those silly nickel romance novels she picked up at Woolworths. She liked the ones filled with lots of history, saying they transported her to another time, another place―she who’d never left the state of Georgia. Stories set in Scotland were her particular favorites. Her eyes had sparkled when he teased her about them.

  Her blue eyes didn’t look pleased to see him now.

  Jake noticed a few loose curls had managed to escape the pins she used to keep her hair in that severe style he couldn’t stand—a tight bun on the back of her head. Like some old granny-woman. The stray wisps softened her appearance despite the glower she flashed him.

  “I didn’t come all this way for you to contrary me, Miss Felicity. One of your blasted mules wandered out on the road― again.” He narrowed his eyes, hoping to intimidate her.

  In response, she cocked a brow as if to say, ‘So?’

  “I’m warning you, Fel-i-ci-ty. If you don’t keep those stupid animals within your fence line, I’ll not be responsible for anything that might happen to them.”

  Felicity just smiled. “You’d never hurt an animal so don’t threaten me with nonsense. I know you too well.”

  Jake glowered. “It’s a pity you only remember that when it’s convenient.”

  Placing her hand on her hip, she ordered, “Start your engine, Jake, and turn that truck around. I don’t want you here. If you don’t leave, I’ll call Sheriff Moss.”

  “Go ahead Miss Felicity―”

  “Quit calling me Miss Felicity. You know I hate that. You always call me that to aggravate me. Please leave. You delivered your message about my animals. We have nothing else to say.”

  “I have plenty to say,” Jake groused, unable to hide his annoyance. “You just won’t listen.”

  “No, I won’t,” Felicity said, her tone hurt. She turned to head back into the house, hastening up the steps. “Good day, Jake.”

  Before he could utter another word, the door closed soundly behind her.

  “Shoot!” Jake ground his gears into first and floored the pedal, lurching the truck forward and sending a shower of gravel toward Felicity as he headed out the drive toward the main road.

  Up the road stood the blamed mule he’d almost run into earlier. Jake knew he should get out and send the animal packing back to Felicity’s property, but he was too aggravated.

  How can one lone female be so blasted stubborn? Well, they say pets take after their owners!

  ~~~

  The next day, young Carl Perkins had just been getting into his delivery truck when Jake pulled up at the grocery.

  “Hey, Carl,” Jake greeted the teen.

  “Hey, yourself, Mr. Major.”

  “Where you off to this time of day?”

  “The Mule Lady called in an order, and Pa wants me to deliver it.” He looked torn. “I get a good tip every time I go out there, but I hate driving so far for one delivery.”

  The words popped out of Jake’s mouth before his brain engaged. “I gotta go right past her place, Carl. Want me to deliver them groceries for you?”

  The lanky youth’s eyes brightened. “You wouldn’t mind, Mr. Major? I’d be beholdin’ to you.” His face swiftly fell. “Nah, on second thought, I’d better not. Miz Major always tips real good. I’m takin’ Amy Simmons to the Saturday night social. Wanted to buy her a corsage.

  Jake smiled. “Tell you what, Carl. I see no purpose in you driving all the way out there. How about I tip you now and then I’ll collect the money from Mrs. Major?”

  “You wouldn’t mind?” Carl’s face lit up once again, causing the dimples in his cheeks to deepen.

  “Honest. You just put all them groceries in the back of the pickup while I get what I came to buy. I need to put a question to your pa.”

  ~~~

  “You want what?” Seth Perkins said after Jake ordered the rolls of barbwire.

  “You heard me. I’m tired of Felicity’s mules getting out on the road every day. I plan on stringing up barbwire to keep them inside her property.”

  “She won’t cotton to the likes of that,” Seth warned, shaking his head.

  “I’m sure she won’t, but then there ain’t much she does cotton to nowadays. She’s holed up in that house, and has for all intents and purposes, quit living.”

  “And you think riling her is going to help?”

  “Something’s got to get a reaction out of her. Since Jethro’s death she’s closed herself up in that house and refuses to see just about everybody.”

  “I don’t know, Jake. I think you’re just stirring up a hornet’s nest.” Seth shook his head again, but went to the back of the store to get the ba
rbwire.

  ~~~

  Reaching the white, wooden house with its huge wrap-around porch, Jake put the truck in park, got out and slammed the door. With a defiant glare toward the front door, he grabbed the boxes of supplies from the truck’s back and started up the steps.

  “Carl, is that you?” Felicity called from inside the house. “Bring the supplies on in if you don’t mind. I’m feeling a little poorly today.”

  Jake swore. The woman stayed out here alone with no one to check on her. What would happen if she ever got really sick?

  Opening the door, he headed to the kitchen.

  Felicity stood at the sink, doing dishes. She didn’t bother to turn around. “Thanks, Carl. Money for the order and your tip are on the table. Tell your pa thanks for filling my order so quickly.”

  “Everyone always trips all over themselves to do exactly what you want, don’t they Mrs. Major? Permits you to play a hermit out here.”

  Felicity swung around, soapy dish water dripping from her hands. Seeing Jake, she grabbed the counter for support, pale as if she’d seen a ghost.

  She grabbed a towel from the counter to dry her hands. “How dare you come into my house like some…some…thief?”

  “Used to be my house, too. I grew up here, remember?” Jake countered.

  “I should call Sheriff—”

  “Go ahead. Be sure to tell him you’re reporting me for delivering your supplies.”

  “My groceries? What—”

  Jake lifted the boxes as if to draw her notice to them, then dropped them down on the tabletop. “Carl was busy. I offered to save him the trip.”

  “I…oh…well…” Felicity couldn’t seem to find the words. “You needn’t have put yourself out. I could’ve waited for Carl to deliver them. I—”

  “I know. You don’t need my help. You’ve made that abundantly clear this past year.” Jake grabbed the dish towel out of her hands and threw it toward the sink. “You don’t need anyone’s help. You’d rather stay out here and shrivel up and die—like Jethro.”

  “How dare you talk to me like that? Jethro was my—”

  “Husband. I know. A saint of a man, perfect in every way. You’ve told me often enough since I came back.”

  “He…”

  Jake raked his eyes over her. “Never mind. I’ve delivered your stuff. Now I’m leaving. You can go back to hiding from the world.”

  Taking long, angry strides, he stormed outside to his truck.

  Reaching the main road, he had to swerve to avoid one of her blasted mules when it dashed out of the woods, the truck coming to a halt in the ditch. Jake hit his hand against the steering wheel.

  “Enough, Miz Felicity, Mistress of the Mules!”

  Arriving at his house fifteen minutes later, he snatched up the phone.

  “Libby, this is Jake Major. Get me the sheriff.”

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Major? You sound awfully upset.”

  “I am upset, Libby. Connect me now.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Major.” A short time later Jake heard Libby talking with the sheriff’s secretary, Darlene Mackelhenney.

  “Is the sheriff there, Miss Darlene? I have Jake Major on the phone and he sounds mighty riled.”

  “I am riled, Libby. And don’t talk about me like I can’t hear you.”

  “I was only trying to help, Mr. Major.”

  Jake heard the petulance in Libby’s voice and felt like a worm for snapping at her. “I know that, Libby. I’m sorry I yelled.” This conversation was getting him nowhere. “Miz Darlene, is Sheriff Moss there? I need to speak with him.”

  “Why yes, he is, Jake. Is everything all right? Libby said you sounded upset. Can I do anything for—”

  “Miz Darlene, I want to speak with Sheriff Moss,” Jake said, interrupting her. “Now.”

  Darlene’s voice chilled. “Don’t have to shout at me, Jake Major. Here’s Sheriff Moss. Your mama―bless her soul―raised you with better manners than that. She’d a washed your mouth out with soap.”

  Before he could apologize―again―Mickey Moss’ calm voice came across the wire. “Moss here.”

  “Mickey, this is Jake. I want you to go out to Felicity Major’s house and arrest her.”

  Sheriff Moss almost choked on his laughter. “You want me to what?”

  “You heard me. I want the accursed woman arrested right now. She’s as much a pain in the patookas as her mules are. They’re out on the main road every single day and I’m tired of it. One sent me into the ditch just now.”

  A sigh carried over the phone line. “Have you tried talking with your sister-in-law, Jake?”

  “The fool woman refuses to listen—about anything. I want her arrested―now. She breaks the law every day by letting those mules run free. Somebody’s gonna get hurt if you don’t put a stop to it.”

  “It’s not one of my high priorities, Jake. Mules running around unchecked doesn’t have the same importance as keeping drunks and thieves locked up.”

  “Well, it should!” Jake roared indignantly. “What if some of those fancy tourists from up toward Chimney Rock came

  through there? One of them ends up in the ditch and they’ll get their rich daddy to sue the pants off Miss Majors and the town both.”

  “Mrs.”

  “What?”

  “Mrs. Majors. You called her miss.”

  “Have you lost your mind? You’re talking labels when I’m demanding the woman be arrested? As a town councilman, I order you to arrest the mule-headed woman―no pun intended. She’s a nuisance.”

  “Stop cursing, Jake. You know Miz Libby eavesdrops on all calls. Can’t be having you offending her delicate ears.” The sheriff stopped chuckling. “You’re not funnin’, are you? You really want your sister-in-law tossed into jail over a mule?”

  Jake forced himself to stop gritting his teeth. “The stubborn woman’s forced me to do it. The front wheel of my truck is pretty messed up. This is beyond nuisance factor and into property damage.”

  “All right, Jake. If you’re sure that’s what you really want, I’ll go arrest her.”

  “Good,” Jake shot back.

  The sheriff assured, “I’ll go do it shortly. I have one other stop to make first.”

  “I don’t care how many stops you have. Just see that female is arrested.”

  ~~~

  A half-hour later, the sheriff pulled into Jake’s driveway. Not seeing Felicity in the truck, Jake rushed out the door. “What are you doing here, Mickey?”

  “Came to arrest you, Jake.” The sheriff suppressed a grin.

  Jake’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re what?”

  “Arresting you.”

  “Are you deaf? I told you to arrest Mrs. Major―not me.”

  “And I have every intention of doing just that. Only, I have to arrest you, too. You used derogatory language over the telephone—three times. Miz Libby complained about it. I warned you.”

  “I swore over the…? Are you daft? The woman drove me to frustration and you’re going to arrest me? Surely, even Miz Libby can understand that?”

  Mickey just stared at him.

  ~~~

  Mickey guided Jake inside and into one of the two empty cells in the small office.

  Darlene stared with mouth agape, but quickly snapped up the receiver to tell Miz Libby the sheriff had just arrested Jake for swearing on the telephone.

  Sheriff Moss turned and started back toward the door.

  “Where are you going, Mickey Moss? Don’t you dare leave me in here! This nonsense has gone on long enough. Let me out of here.” Jake rattled the bars.

  The sheriff winked at Miz Darlene and left the building.

  ~~~

  “You’re here to do WHAT?” Felicity couldn’t believe her ears.

  “A complaint’s been lodged against you, Miz Major. Sorry, but I have to arrest you.”

  “I have absolutely no intention of going anywhere with you, Mickey Moss.”

  “Now, Miz Felicity,
don’t make a fuss. You don’t want me to haul you down to the courthouse in handcuffs do you? You know Miz Darlene will be on the telephone to Miz Libby, and within fifteen minutes every old biddy in Goose Creek will know about it.”

  “Handcuffs…” Felicity blustered.

  “Yes, ma’am. Now come with me, please.”

  ~~~

  A scant half hour later, Felicity was ushered into Sheriff Moss’ office under the watchful eye of half of Athen’s-Clarke’s residents.

  She rounded on him as soon as the door closed behind them.

  “Mickey Moss, I have never been so humiliated in my life. How dare you treat me like a common criminal in front of the whole town? Why, I won’t be able to show my face again as long as I live.”

  Sheriff Moss’ eyes met hers. “What difference would that make, Miz Felicity? You’ve already shut yourself away from the world. There’s little else you can do to avoid townsfolk.”

  “Well, I never…” she huffed.

  She spun away from him. Only then did she see the room’s other inhabitant. Her eyes narrowed as she swung back to the sheriff.

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “Had to arrest him, too, ma’am. Ain’t had such a run on our cells since I became sheriff.” He started to move her toward the barred cell.

  “Run on cells? Sheriff, there’s only two of us.”

  “Yes, ma’am, and the judge ain’t gonna take kindly to having to listen to so many trials.”

  “Trials? Mickey Moss, have you lost your sanity? Surely you’re not going to have me appear before the court because my mule wandered off my property.”

  “Don’t rightly know, ma’am. Depends on the person who lodged the complaint against you.”

  Felicity narrowed her eyes and glared at Jake. “I know exactly who lodged the complaint.”