At church with John and Grace Carruthers one Sunday, Jed asked, "John will you help me with a prayer of thanks for all He has provided for my family and the good fortune bestowed upon us? Also, we would like for you to baptize John Lucas and Sarah Catherine."
"Jed, I would be most happy to do that. He has been good to us also. Grace is now with child."
"You're kidding, right? After all this time?" He pounded John on the back and shook his hand heartily. “Congratulations. Sarah will be pleased too when I tell her."
"I suspect Grace will beat you to it."
Just then, Sarah came from the house, smiling, "Jedadiah, John and Grace...
"Are going to have a baby," he finished her sentence for her. "Isn't it wonderful?"
The Contract
Sarah went to the barn where Jed was working on a plow. "Jedadiah, there's a carriage coming down the road. I can see the dust from it."
"I'll wash up and be right in. Wonder who it is," he said.
When the carriage came to a stop amid a swirl of dust, Jed was there to greet them. "Welcome to the J-Bar-B, he said, I'm Jed Barnette. What can I do for you today?" he asked.
"I'm Thurgood Halliday, president of Halliday Consolidated Gold and Copper Mining Company, this is our chief accountant, Charles Marshall. We believe we can do something for you."
"Come on inside," Jed said. "I think Sarah has some tea made. It will help you wash the dust from the trail away."
"Thank you, Mr. Barnette," Halliday said and they followed Jed into the house where they were met by Sarah.
"Honey, would you get these gentlemen some tea and then join us?"
"Certainly, and welcome to our home, sir." She left the room and returned a few minutes later with a tray containing four glasses of tea, handing one to each of the men and taking the remaining one for herself.
"Honey, this is Thurgood Halliday and Charles Marshall from Halliday Consolidated Gold and Copper Mining Company. They have some business to discuss and since you are half owner, I would like for you to join us."
"Thank you, Jed."
"Now gentlemen, you said you might have good news for us?" Jed said.
Marshall said, "Mr. Barnette, pursuant to our contract regarding the lease of your land, we would like to execute the contract."
"Once this contract is executed, Mr. Barnette," Halliday began; "you and Mrs. Barnette will be wealthy."
"Then you found silver on our land?" Jed asked.
"Some," Halliday said, but we found a large outcropping of copper that assayed out at 35%. The seam extended onto the property of Mr. Hastings."
"Mr. Halliday, that is really good news. When would you like to meet at our attorney's office and sign the papers?"
Halliday said, "I thought we could just go ahead and sign them today since we are here and we can get started right away. We have a bank draft prepared with the amount agreed upon in the signed agreement."
"Oh I can't sign anything without having our attorney read over it. He understands all of these terms and I certainly don't," Jed said.
"Well, in that case, I don't know..." Halliday said and his voice trailed off into doubt.
"Mr. Halliday, as I understand our agreement, you had 120 days exclusive rights and that 120 days will be up in two weeks. Our attorney also explained to us, if you do not present a contract as specified in our original agreement in that time frame, then we are free to open negotiations with other companies. As I further understand, since it wasn't silver you found in abundance, but copper, that price has to be negotiated. Am I correct?"
Halliday cleared his throat and said, "I believe that is the essence of the contract, but we can agree on that today."
"I'm not much of a negotiator and since we are paying an attorney, I'd prefer to have him handle that. Now when would you like to meet? Time is passing.”
“If we can’t get this done today, I’m not sire, Halliday will want to go forward.”
“That, of course, is up to you,” Jed replied.
"Would Friday of this week meet with your approval, Mr. Barnette?"
"Yes, Friday will be fine. Sarah and I will see you Friday in our attorney's office at 10:00. I'm going to ride over to Luke's and give him the good news."
"Yes, well, we were going over there from here so that isn't necessary."
"Nonsense, I was the one that got Luke involved. I want to be the one that tells him about it. Since we both have the same attorney, perhaps we can make Friday a big day for everyone." Turning to Sarah, he said, "Honey, if you want to go with me, I'll get the carriage out, otherwise, I'll just ride Blue over there."
"You go ahead, Jedadiah, I'll just stay here with John Lucas and Sarah Catherine. I want to watch Cale and Trace till my herb garden anyway." She said this to let the men know she wasn't alone.
Halliday and Marshall stood, Halliday said, "We thank you for your hospitality and we'll see you in Calhoun's office on Friday."
"We look forward to it, Mr. Halliday," Sarah said sweetly.
The men left and went to their carriage, got in and went down the trail to the main road. After they were moving, she kissed Jed full on the mouth and said, "You were magnificent, Jedadiah. I don't doubt they were trying to push us into something. Now you get over to Luke and Clara's."
Jed went to the barn and hurriedly saddled Blue, mounted and rode off, cross country toward the Twin Bar H.
Luke came out when Jed rode up and asked "Is anything was wrong, Jed?"
"No, but you're going to have visitors shortly and I wanted to get here before they did." He gave Luke all of the details and told him he thought they had been trying to pull a fast one and might try the same with him.
"That was really wise of you to do that Jed. I really appreciate your coming to let me know."
"That's what neighbors do, Luke. You taught me that when I first got started. I'm going to skedaddle so they don't see me here. See you Friday. Would you like to ride in together?"
"Let's plan on it. If something comes up, I'll let you know."
* * *
Friday morning at the law office of Henry Calhoun, Laramie...
Jed and Luke were at Henry Calhoun's law office Friday morning when it opened. Jed said, "Henry, at 10:00 this morning, Thurgood Halliday from Halliday Mining is going to be here to activate our agreement. He came out to our ranches Monday with some papers for us to sign. They found silver on the J-Bar-B but not a large seam. They found copper that according to them, assayed at 35%. The seam extends onto Luke's land."
"They've been going around to ranches in the Medicine Bow area and signing or trying to sign leases. Did you sign anything yet?", asked Calhoun.
Jed said, "No, not even when he offered a draft for the lease money, saying it would make me wealthy."
"Good for you," Calhoun said. "Chances are the minerals other than silver option are understated. There have been some really large seams discovered.
Here's another thought for you. Copper mining requires a good bit of wood to power the smelter. We didn't discuss that during the previous meeting. I suggest we bring that up or they may consider their lease gives them the rights to the timber. Coal will be easily transported also. If indeed, the copper assays 35%, you're going to be very wealthy men."
Halliday and his accountant arrived promptly at ten. He greeted them cordially and presented the documents he had previously asked Jed and Luke to sign. Calhoun said, "May I have the papers please?" He was handed the documents and read through them. "This won't do at all. The original agreement only addresses silver, and does not include copper."
He went through the papers and found the assayer's report. "Let me just compare this with my copy from the assayer's office." He compared the two reports and said, "Are you ready to negotiate terms for the copper extraction?"
After an hour's negotiation an agreement was reached. "Now, I presume you're going to erect a smelter on the site? If so, how are you planning to fuel it? We would be willing to talk about timber rig
hts if you are." Another 30 minutes of talk ensued and the timber rights were agreed upon.
"I understand you have a bank draft for each of these ranches?" Halliday's accountant produced the two drafts. "Mr. Halliday, I have here, the contracts with the amounts inked in. It calls for the lease payment up front, which theses drafts satisfy. It also calls for your company to document tonnage of ore, and linear feet of timber monthly and present the documents to my office. A royalty draft based on the tonnage is also to be included. Should gold be found, new negotiations will be required. Failure to present these documents will terminate the agreement and all structures and unprocessed ore will be forfeited. Are you prepared to sign for your company?"
Halliday indicated he was ready, by using the quill pen handed him by Calhoun to initial the amounts and sign the agreement. Halliday now had the right to mine silver and copper on the J-Bar-B and Twin Bar H sections of land indicated. The agreement also allowed for the possibility of negotiations for minerals should they be discovered in other parts of the ranch. Halliday turned to Jed and Luke and shook hands. "You drove a hard bargain, but I think it was fair to all parties. You are now wealthy men. Gentlemen, congratulations."
Jed and Luke were all smiles as they shook the hands of Halliday and his accountant. They then shook hands with each other. "I'm going over to the Carruthers and get Sarah and we'll go to the bank and deposit this draft. Then, I'm taking Sara shopping. She can have anything she wants and deserves it all."
Luke said, "You're a good man, Jed and I'm proud to call you friend." They embraced, shook hands again.
Jed turned to Calhoun and said, "Henry, I thank you. Your work has been exemplary. Your work has paid off and I appreciate it."
Henry Calhoun smiled and said, "You're quite welcome and I hope you're still happy when you get my bill." He shook their hands as well.
* * *
Jed walked over to the home of John and Grace Carruthers where he found his wife and two children. "Sarah, I would like for you and the children to come with me to the bank. He showed her the bank draft and said, "Sarah, we're rich and we're going to get richer. We'll have money coming in every month. You can have anything you want. Anything. Let's go shopping."
Sarah smiled and said, "I have you and my children. That's all I need to be happy. You are the love of my life and it’s a life I’m pleased with." She stepped into Jed's arms, hugging him tightly. He tilled her chin and kissed her. Thoroughly.
"Jed, we're going to embarrass Grace and John, kissing in front of them."
John said, "We're not embarrassed. Jed, if she's willing, you kiss her. Grace and I are so happy for you, and we are pleased to be a part of your life."
"We're pleased to have you as friends. We consider Grace and you family and always will."
A Surprise For Sarah
The Barnette living room...
Jed and Sarah were sitting in their living room after the kids had been put to bed for the night. "Sarah, I've been thinking... Now that we can afford it, why don't we ask our families to come out for a visit? We have plenty of room and neither of us have seen them in several years. Their health is still good and I think it would be nice for the kids to meet their grandparents. It would be nice to have them here at the same time, but separately would be good too."
Sarah teared up. "It would be wonderful to see my parents. I miss them every day. Jedadiah, can we really do that?"
"We're wealthy, Sarah, we can do just about anything. We have a nice house. We have ranch hands and a bunkhouse for them to live in, and we have help for you. Let's do it. You write yours and I'll write mine. We can get first class accommodations for them so the trip won't be as difficult as yours was and with Union Pacific's improved service to Laramie, it will be quicker. When you write, tell them to let us know and we'll send them the money."
She came over, sat in Jed's lap and put her arms around his neck. “Have I told you how much I love you? Today?"
"Yes you have, but I really like hearing it." He kissed her gently on the lips. She quivered at the tenderness of his kiss. Running his fingers through her soft, thick hair, he kissed her forehead and then her creamy cheeks. He nuzzled her neck and she arched her head back giving him more access which he immediately used to plant more kisses. He moved back to her lips, kissing her hungrily. He traced the outline of her lips with his tongue. "You taste so sweet," he said. He forced her lips apart with his tongue, and then explored her inner mouth. Waves of desire and need flowed over her, down to her sex and causing her juices to flow.
"I want you now," she said. "I need to feel you inside me."
He stood and picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, with her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. She tucked under his jaw, kissing the whiskery skin. Just the touch of his skin on her lips increased her desire. Once in the bedroom, she stood by the bed, and began unbuttoning her dress. She pulled it over her head, then pulled the last layer off, leaving her standing in front of him, in her chemise and bloomers. Jed unbuttoned his shirt, and dropped it on the floor. He unhooked his belt and let his trousers slide to the floor. They both removed the remainder of their clothes and stepped into each other's arms. His harms around her waist, pulling her to him. When her breasts touched his chest, it burned as surely as if he had been touched by a hot poker. He slid his hand lower down her back and cupped her hips and pulled her into his manhood. The touch of it against her caused her to swoon.
He lowered her to the bed, on her back. "I want to taste you. All of you," he said.
He kissed her neck and then her chest. Sliding down, he kissed her breasts. He took one of her firm nipples into his mouth and sucked it. With the other hand, he massaged the other nipple. With his hand, he pushed her breasts together and took both nipples into his mouth as she began moaning with desire. Letting go of one of the breasts, he moved his hand slowly down her belly. He stopped and circled his finger and her navel, then moved lower. He parted her with his fingers and slid one inside. She couldn't stifle an outcry of delight and desire. She arched against him and began undulating her hips against his finger. He moved his head lower, reaching the silky thatch of hair that guarded the entrance. His finger probed the depths of her vault and began withdrawing slowly until he found the magic spot. He felt her tense as she entered the throes of climax.
"Ohhhh, cried Sarah as her need increased. "Ohhhhhhh." Her passion quickly grew. Jed removed his finger and substituted his tongue, just as Sarah was reaching the height of her climax, he began manipulating the most sensitive spot. She wrapped her hands around his head pulling his mouth tighter against the entrance. With his tongue, he probed as deeply as he could reach.
"Come for me Sarah. Come for me.” A strong force took over her body and she began thrusting, pushing against his head buried in her thatch, his mouth open and completely covering the entrance to her cave of pleasure. As the intensity began to lessen and she began to relax, he rose and parted her legs more with his knees, then lowered himself atop her, guiding his member to the warm, moist spot it craved. He paused at the entrance and moved it around the lips, then inserted it into the opening of her sex, With one swift thrust, he pushed it in all the way. She gasped with shock and pleasure as it moved its full length within her. In and out, in and out it moved on the slick surface of her inner being. She was writhing beneath him. He felt her muscles tense as her passion began to mount once more. He increased the speed of his thrusts, she matched his movements and suddenly lost control of her body, Then from deep within, she felt the pulse of the fluids of his completion. She tightened the muscles in the walls of her vault and clenched, and unclenched as if she were milking him. With that and his own pumping, he emptied himself inside her. Gently lowering himself to her, he momentarily let the weight of his body rest on hers.
Wrapping her legs around his hips, she held him captive. She began slowly moving against his captive body. He rose to the occasion and slowly they climbed passions peak once more. And then, they were finished
. Exhausted. Their reserves totally depleted. She lay in his arms, her head on his strong chest. They fell asleep that way. Two lovers who had given each other everything they had. It was a good time.
The next morning...
Jed was the first one up. He lit a fire in the stove and put on the coffee makings. He was sitting at the table with a cup of the steaming brew in his hand when his lovely wife came in, clutching her robe about her. She stood behind his chair, with her hands resting on his chest. She leaned over and kissed him. "You sure did me over last night," she said. "I don't remember us ever having a session that intense before."
"Good morning, darling," he said. "Do I gather you enjoyed my ministrations last night?"
"You may so gather, sir. And may I say, I enjoyed every minute of it."
"Then we'll have to do that again sometime."
Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride Page 8
