Eloda laid there in silence and listened until his breaths came slow and steady. She positioned herself onto her side and rested her head on her hand to watch him. She pondered whether the love he had shown stemmed from pity, lust, or had been delivered directly from his heart. She watched his face long and fondly. Silently, Eloda willed that she’d hear his endearing words of love dispensed from his lips and drift lovingly to her ears. Marriage to him was something she wanted from the start, but that was because she didn’t want—nor did she know how—to be alone. Yet, as she watched over him and her heart was aflutter, she found that it was more than a woman’s desire to have a man at her side. He, unlike all the others, was worthy of her esteem and of her heart. And if he didn’t return the sentiment, she thought she’d surely die. That is, if the gallows didn’t take her first.
* * *
Jack had already dressed and sat with a cup of black coffee on his desk when she awakened that next morning. With his head in his hands, he was in deep thought. She didn’t need to ask what was on his mind. Again, his entire thoughts were wholly occupied by schemes of escape. She wondered if he had slept at all.
She readied herself for another day at court, and Eloda dreaded facing Ellen. Although she wanted her to state the truth during her testimony, she knew it wouldn’t bode well for Ellen either way. One way or another, the townspeople were going to find a reason to hang her, and she didn’t see the purpose in taking a good woman like Ellen with her. The young woman had already faced enough hardship in her life.
“I can’t go to court today,” Jack said. “Frank will escort you there this morning.”
Eloda rushed from her cell and knelt down aside his chair and looked pleadingly at him. “I need you there, Jack.” She reached for his hands and grasped them tightly within hers. “I can’t do this alone. Not today.”
“I’ll come before court concludes and make sure you get back here without incident,” he said, and he looked tenderly into her eyes and caressed her cheek.
“You’re going to do something,” she accused. “Please, Jack, don’t do anything foolish on my account.”
“Nothing foolish, I promise,” he said and laid his hand upon his heart. “Yesterday, I sent a telegram to a few friends up north. They should be riding in today and I plan to meet them.”
“Do you think they can help?” she asked, and Eloda dared to feel a slight bit of hope.
“I’m going to do this by the spirit of the law.”
“What is your plan?” she asked, eagerly.
“I plan to deputize the men coming, and if the verdict is guilty, we’ll have more guns behind us to see that you have a fair chance at waiting out an appeal.”
“Do you think it will work?”
Reaching for her hands, he helped her from the floor and thoughtfully regarded her. “I said I’d try to do this by the law, Eloda.” He stared sternly into her eyes before he spoke again. “As Justice Reynolds has authorized me the power of this office, he can take that away if he doesn’t agree with what I’m doing. As he is presiding against you in this farce, he may force our hand into doing this in another way, particularly if he stands with those who want to hang you.”
“Then we’re talking about a gunfight,” she whispered. “People, innocent people, will be hurt.” She vehemently shook her head. “No, Jack. We take this only as far as the law will allow. Promise me that if that fails, you surrender to the inevitable.”
“No,” he said, adamantly, and she worried there was no way she’d persuade him otherwise.
“What kind of man sees the danger and doesn’t stop to see the cost?” she asked. “That’s not you, Jack. It’s not the lawman in you and it’s certainly not the man you are. I know you care about me and don’t want to see me harmed, but this entire town is your responsibility as well. You initiate a shootout, not only will it be the end of your profession, but it could result in many deaths. I can’t live with that, and I don’t think you can either.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to avoid that.” Jack lowered his head and swiped his hand across his hair. “But I can’t allow this town to take matters of justice into their own hands,” he said.
Dropping her head upon his shoulder, she held tightly to him and Jack seized her passionately in his, but a bang on the door interrupted them. Jack had kept the door locked since the crowd’s excitement had worsened the previous day past. When he let Jonathon in, the mob’s cries outside came flowing through the jailhouse like a bad odor.
“I don’t think there will be a person left in town once your trial starts today,” Jonathon said, and he slammed the door shut to their outcries for Eloda’s hanging.
Eloda thoroughly looked Jonathon over. Again, he hadn’t slept. His dark eyes wore an expression of sadness, and she prepared herself for the worst. If he made it through the day without collapsing, she’d be greatly surprised. If she had a better chance at winning her case, she’d had been more concerned how it would affect her trial. But whether Jonathon was standing on his own two feet or was laid out on the floor of the court, she was already damned to die by the hand of the town.
“You’re not going to get her to court that way,” he said to Jack, thumbing his hand at the front door. “Back door is blocked as well. Alleyway is overflowing with people.”
“It’s the only two options,” Jack stated, and opened his arms and displayed the obvious.
“Being the last day of the trial, they’re thirsting for a hanging,” Jonathon said, disgusted. “She’ll never make it to court in one piece.”
“I have an idea,” Jack said, and he held a wicked smile.
“You’re not planning on shooting them, are you?” Eloda asked, alarmed.
“Although I have a notion of taking up your idea, it’s not my intent,” he winked. “Can you get me some mourning clothes and sneak them in here?” he asked Jonathon.
“Splendid idea,” Jonathon said. “Who’ll be the trick to deceive them?”
“Well, considering Frank has been jawing on like a woman, I think he’ll suit our needs rightly well.”
“Any chance we can place him in my stead for the hanging too?” Eloda asked with a mischievous smile.
“It’s a thought to take into serious consideration,” Jack chuckled. He turned to Jonathon. “Frank should be watching the front. On your way back, tell him to come in and I’ll tell him of the plan once he’s in here.”
Jonathon nodded his head and left, and Jack locked the door behind him.
“I’ll see to it you get to court safely before I meet up with my men,” he said, relenting from his earlier plan.
“Will you be gone long?” she asked, fretfully.
“I hope not. We’ll need to get back here before the townspeople return. I don’t want the citizens to know what’s going on until I have my men deputized and a set plan in order.” He reached over and wrapped her into his arms. “I know it’ll be hard and you’ll be frightened by the entire town at court, but by everyone flocking there and out of the streets, it’ll afford me the time to prepare for whatever outcome may arise by a verdict.” He lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips. When he pulled away, he closed his eyes in wariness. Upon opening them again, he fixed a deep and passionate stare upon her. “You need to trust me.”
Touching her lips to his, she said with all the weight of her heart behind it, “I do. I trust you completely, Jack.”
CHAPTER TEN
It was finally over.
Duped twice by the ploy of Frank being Eloda, the townspeople were delayed at court while she and Jack made their way back to the jailhouse. It was unusually quiet when they arrived, and when they entered the sheriff’s door it felt like they had reached a military base. Guns and ammunition were piled high against one wall and explosives lined the other. Two men stood in the room with deputy badges donned on their jackets.
“Ma’am,” they said in unison and tipped their hats to her, which she politely nodded in return.
“That’s Benton and
Sam,” Jack supplied. “They’re going to help watch over you while you’re in here.”
From the corner of her eye, Eloda inspected them closely and concluded they were likely brothers, as their resemblance to one another was strong. They had matching red hair, and their unusual green eyes demanded notice by their uncommon hue and brightness. Both donned buckskin jackets and they wore black, knee high boots with their brown trouser pants tucked tightly within. From their accouterments, it looked as though they were prepared for war. Individually they wore on their person, either by hand or belt, a Winchester, Bowie knife, two six-shooters, and four cartridge belts which two were slung across their chests while the other two wrapped around their waists.
“There are eight more men on the rooftops and four on the ground watching the gallows,” Jack provided. He walked to Eloda and held her hand. “Don’t worry about the guns, it’s only a precaution.”
The town soon became aware that they were deceived and it was proved by the shouts and hollers that bellowed through from the other side of the door. Stepping in front of Eloda, Benton and Sam set ready for a fight if the mob should burst through the door.
“I feel like a trapped animal in here,” Eloda said, frightened, and she paced back and forward across the stone floor. “Once the verdict comes in, I’ll need to go out there again. They’re not going to fall for Frank portraying me another time.”
“When the time comes, I’ll have my men shoot off some warning shots to clear the way.” Jack approached her and held her firmly by the shoulders. “I’m not going to allow anything to happen to you, and neither are they,” he said, and Jack nodded over his shoulder towards the two men who stood as her guards.
“We already know the verdict. There’s truly no reason to return and hear them say the words or see them revel over it.”
“So Ellen held firm with the prosecutions account of Shultz’s death?”
Eloda nodded her head.
“And what of McCrady, did he stay with his testimony?” Jack asked.
“Yes,” she said, and Eloda rolled her eyes heavenward. “It’s doubtful his testimony was helpful in their convicting me, but he did add some well-needed amusement to relieve the intensity of the courtroom.”
“I figured as much,” he smiled.
“That scoundrel even had the nerve to ask the judge if he could recreate the scene,” she said, exasperated.
“I’m surprised they didn’t grant his request,” Jack said, and Eloda silently agreed.
“Jonathon said he’d return once a verdict has been rendered,” she added. “Considering they have already decided their judgments before the trial began, he reckons they’ll be calling us back soon.”
Jack turned to the wall that housed the guns and ammunition and appeared to make a mental account of its contents. Eloda touched his sleeve and looked pleadingly into his eyes. “Jack, promise me that you’ll not allow this to turn into a gunfight.”
“The men are here to contain the crowd if the people continue being disorderly,” Jack said. “If they force us into a fight, we’ll fight, but the men know only to wound and not kill.”
Louds thumps banged against the front door and Eloda startled. Jack cautiously answered the door with his pistol drawn, and Benton and Sam stood guard with their Winchesters ready. Jonathon forced himself apart from the people at the doorway who grasped his coat and prevented him entrance. Jack used the butt of his gun and forced the men to let him go. Once inside, Jonathon breathed heavily as he smoothed down his jacket and adjusted his vest.
“The verdict is in,” he said, breathlessly. “Hopefully they’ll soon disperse in hopes of a good seat in the courtroom,” he added. “Otherwise, they’ll tear you from limb to limb if you go out there now,” he said to Eloda.
“Where’s Frank,” Jack asked.
“They nabbed him as soon as we left the courtroom and he’s been hurt.”
“Bad?” Jack asked and concern etched his brow.
“Scraped and bruised up pretty badly. Someone roped him and dragged him through the road a good three hundred feet before they realized it wasn’t Eloda.” Jonathon looked at her and he sorrowfully frowned when she inadvertently allowed her shock to show. “Some men in the crowd took him over to Doc Cannon’s office.”
“This continues to worsen,” Eloda sighed, woefully.
“That’s not all of it,” Jonathon rushed out and walked to Jack. “Did Eloda have you draw up a will for her?”
Jack nodded. “Yes, why would you ask about that?”
“Frank must have seen it because he told them boys out there that Andy is her main beneficiary, and now that they know she’s taken a shine to the boy, they’re holding him to make sure she doesn’t escape the gallows. If she doesn’t show, they say they’ll hang him in her stead.”
“Damn,” Jack fiercely exclaimed.
“Don’t let them hurt him, Jack!” Eloda cried, and she ran to him, pale and agitated. “He’s only boy.”
“Sam,” Jack called over to his newly appointed deputy. “Make your way out to the men and tell them to keep a watchful eye for the boy. He’s an overly thin, brown-haired youngster who’ll be easily spotted in tattered, ill-fitted clothes. They call him The Bastard.” He looked at Eloda thoughtfully before he spoke to Sam again. “Tell them this is no longer an undertaking to keep the peace,” he said, and Jack’s eyes shadowed over frighteningly when he scowled. “They want a fight, we’ll fight.”
Eloda closed her eyes and slowly nodded her head in agreement. Taking the boy had crossed the line and the town would reap what they had sown.
“There are innocent people out there,” Jonathon said, and a stunned expression struck his face. “Many are just lingering for curiosity’s sake and conversation,” he defended. When Jack wasn’t unsettled by his statement, Jonathon continued, loud and angrily, “Women and children are out there, Jack!” Walking to him, Jonathon grabbed Jack by his upper arms and held him with an iron grasp. “They have a right to be warned of what’s coming.”
Jack regarded him a few moments, and with a slight amount of reluctance, nodded. Eloda knew Jack’s rage matched her own, and she wouldn’t have faulted him had he chosen otherwise.
“Benton, cover me,” Jack said, and he made his way to the door. “Jonathon, grab a firearm and cover Eloda.”
Eloda ran to Jack and stopped with suspended breath. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, just on the awful chance he’d go outside and not return. But it was no time for matters of the heart, not in a man’s eyes. Instead, she reached for his hands and squeezed tight. Looking into his eyes, she conveyed what was in her heart and not able to speak aloud.
“Be careful,” she finally said, and in return he offered no expression other than strong determination beneath his furrowed brows.
Jack checked his guns and strung another cartridge belt over his head and across his chest. With a nod of warning to Jonathon and Benton, and his pistol drawn, Jack opened the door to the mob.
The crowd tried to force their way inside and yelled and swore their distaste for the woman within the jailhouse. When there was no chance to peacefully restrain the multitude, Jack raised his gun and shot it into the air. The people stopped and quickly formed an opening between themselves and the sheriff as he stood in the doorway of the jailhouse. Others fled and had taken the gunshot as enough warning to walk away altogether.
“This ends now,” Jack shouted. “I have deputized fourteen men today and they have been given the authority to keep the peace in this town at any cost they deem necessary.” The crowd raised their arms and began shouting their objections. For a second time, Jack shot his pistol into the air. “This is not a debate,” he bellowed. “You will disperse and go home. Those of you who remain will be considered a threat to the peace and will be shot dead.”
“How dare you threaten us,” shouted the preacher who led the people in the march against Eloda.
“Sir,” he said, scathingly, “You have threatened and ent
iced this crowd into killing Eloda Timmons before she was even indicted. As the sheriff, and a man, I see that as reprehensible.” he shouted at the entire crowd. “And what manner of man abducts a boy for assurance he receives blood from a woman?” When no one spoke, he finally shouted, “Go home, all of you! There will be no hanging today,” he finally said to them.
Jack looked down the road where two of his men stood in front of the gallows. They both tipped their heads forward and relayed to Jack each had his attention.
“Burn it!” he ordered to them.
“No,” a large man fiercely bellowed from the other side of the road as he exited Sally’s Diner. The man who wore short, aging blond-grey hair was her husband Shultz’s brother. He had Andy pressed threateningly against his front with a gun aimed at his head. Eloda ran to Jack and looked over his shoulder for a better view. Andy looked horrified and visibly quaked when the man gripped him tighter around his neck which he used to restrain him.
“Andy,” Eloda shakily called out. “Please, don’t hurt him!”
“Send her out and we’ll let him go,” the man said to Jack.
“I’ll go, Jack,” Eloda said, and she tried to press herself around him, but Jack blocked her attempt with the broad expanse of his arm.
“I’m not sending you out there,” he said, sternly.
The man slowly walked and made his way closer towards the gallows. Eloda glanced at the road and saw that only a sparse amount of people remained—some for the spirit of the fight and others too shaken to move their feet.
“I don’t recall seeing him around town before,” Jack said. “You know who he is?”
Jonathon stepped forward. “That’s Shultz’s brother. He moved to Pennsylvania a couple months ago but returned for the trial to testify after hearing Ellen changed her testimony.”
“Was he this upset during the first trial?” Jack turned and asked Eloda.
Eloda stood near the back door with her hand on the knob. “Yes, and he isn’t one to make idle threats, Jack.” With that, Eloda walked out the back door and allowed the crowd that still remained there to gather her into their arms.
The Widow's Touch (A Whimsical Select Romance Novella) Page 7
