Page 36 of A Letter to Adaya
Nate chortled. “How long have you been married?”
Beau watched as Whitney tapped off his fingers, silently counting. “Not quite six years.”
Beau scratched his head. “Then why did you marry her?”
Whit smiled and took another sip. “Because she’s awful pretty.”
The room erupted in laughter.
“What brings you over this way, Sheriff?” Nate asked. “I know it wasn’t for my wife’s coffee.”
“We need to figure out where we are going to build the gallows,” Bass said.
Beau chuckled, shaking his head as he stood from the table and walked to the kitchen counter. He filled a large mug with steaming coffee before turning back to face the room. “If I wasn’t worried about setting off Mrs. Arden’s delicate sensibilities,” he said with a smirk, “I’d suggest putting it in the middle of town. But that’s why they don’t pay me for my ideas.”
Whit clamped his mouth shut and stared into the dregs of his coffee. His gaze lingered on a chip in the mug before he cleared his throat and spoke. “Miss Marcy’s got that clearing out back. It would make a pleasant sight for anyone who takes it upon themselves to relieve themselves around here. That ought to make them think twice.”
Ah, gallows humor.How Beau loved it.
The men around the table vigorously nodded their heads in agreement. After making plans, they shifted the conversation to other topics, such as timber and woodworking. Beau listened thoughtfully to everything they said, weighing the possibility of opening a lumber mill of his own in Flat River when things settled down. Grand Platte had a mill, as well as Last Chance, but there was more than enough wood on the hills above the river that would be perfect for logging. Ranger was well-versed in woodworking and Beau considered if it would be worth approaching him for a potential business venture.
Chimes rang out as the clinic door opened, and all eyes turned to see who entered the clinic. “I hear you boys got yourself in a doozy this time,” Judge Harrison said, walking into the room with a jovial smile on his face. He sobered quickly, seeing Beau and his brothers in the room. “How’s the boy?”
“Sleeping,” Carolina answered diplomatically, before disappearing down the hall to join Izzy and Jesse.
“And which one of you married that pretty girl?” Judge Harrison had been part of the community for so long that each time he visited, it was like a kindly uncle had come to town.
“Nate did that.” Beau got up and shook the man’s hand. “Glad you made it, Judge. I hate asking this, but I have a girl upstairs who would like to head back to the ranch. Whit and Sam already have her statements, and she identified the prisoners. Do you need anything else from her?”
The judge sighed. “What I need is something to eat. I hate deciding on an empty stomach. Why don’t we go over to the restaurant, and we can discuss it over pie? I won’t know what I need until I know what I need.”
“Simon’s younger sister-in-law works over there. Perhaps we can be vague on the details until later?” Beau cautioned the judge.
“I can agree with that.” The judge exited the clinic, trailed by the rest of the men.
The sun shone brightly as Beau and his team made their way to the diner. Madison led them swiftly to a large table in the back corner of the diner. No emotion showed on her face, not even a glimmer of familiarity with the people whose faces she should have known. Simon would be proud of her professionalism, Beau thought before his attention shifted back to Bass’s voice as he summarized the past few days’ events for the judge.
“You both heard her confirmation?” The judge looked between the lawmen, who each nodded. “And there’s a corroborating witness?”
“That would be me, your honor.” Walter walked up to the table. “Forgive my intrusion. I was sitting at the table right there.” He pointed to the table with his hat. “I’m perfectly content to stay put, but Adaya has had quite the time for the past three weeks. If Beau believes she should be back at the ranch, I’d agree with that decision.”
“Then take the girl home to your aunt, Beau. I’ll meet with everyone and pass down judgment tomorrow morning. They didn’t ask for lawyers, so they’re not getting them. What are the charges?”
Madison approached the table to clear plates, but Whit shook his head, signaling for the girl to wait. Since she was still within hearing distance, he shifted topics slightly. “The men will have the gallows built tomorrow. We have enough to assume your judgment but—,” he stopped, giving Beau a hard look. “If this doesn’t get the expected outcome, I feel there’s going to be some vigilante justice. This is all formality, your honor.”
The judge nodded. “We’ll get this resolved by tomorrow. I’d like to get over to see Weston before I leave.”
“How long do you think you’ll be staying, Judge?” Bass asked.
“Long enough to sample the cider made last year. The Chapmans are still hosting the harvest dance on Saturday, aren’t they?”
Beau thought about Adaya, and how he was hoping to escort her to the dance. “Are the Chapmans still going to have the dance?”
The judge scoffed. “Why wouldn’t they? The folks will need some cheering up after all this hullabaloo in town. I’m going to have that slice of pie, now, then I’ll head over to the jail.”
That was a dismissal if Beau ever heard it. He stood, then gave everyone a handshake before going in search of Maddie. “Madison?” he called at the front counter.
Her head poked up from where she was stocking the coffee mugs under the counter. “Yes?”
