Lucas lingered near the corrals edge, some sixty feet away from the end of the porch where J.D. and Tiffany set in the early afternoon breeze. With a quilt neatly folded over his legs and the old flint lock rifle he near always carried restin' in his lap; He looked not like the man he was, but neither like the man many folks were whisperin' about.
Miss Tiffany was always near J.D., tending to him with the love n respect of an oldest daughter. The only time she left his side was when her son had need fer his mother. She'd become a sight more fidgety, a tad to thin and almighty quiet. She mostly avoided eye contact with Luke, save fer one long look while she nursed John. Luke had smiled softly and was rewarded with the same, first one he'd seen from 'er since his return.
Sheriff Rivers had come calling an hour or so after sunup. Linda sent him toward the half open door in the loft.
"Hello in the loft."
Lucas, near finished with his shaving after his tub bath, stepped into the early morning light from the sliding door below the loft.
"Mornin' Sheriff."
Relaxed and slow, the sheriff took out a fresh store-bought plug of tobacco...
"Mornin' Lucas. Good ta see ya back."
... n bit off a corner, keeping his hands chest high 'fore lowering 'em to rest on the saddles horn.
"How's J.D.?"
"Miss Debra says he's gittin' better every day."
"Good to hear... Good to hear."
Luke could see the questions twistin' up inside the man. He let the awkward silence hang a bit in the slow warming morning air.
"There gonna be anymore shootin' Lucas?"
Direct, not like the city. Luke only half smiled.
"You might have some answers fer that Sherriff. I still ain't figured out all the particulars yet."
Luke took a moment, finishing with some shaving soap still on his face.
"Yur not asking about last evenin'?"
The nervous man rolled his shoulders n slowly shook his head.
"Every man there called it fair Lucas... most even justified."
Luke studied the man J.D. had often called friend.
"I appreciate that Bertrum... When Judge Pickett due again?"
"Any time after next Tuesday... No later then Friday"
Luke turned on his heel and headed into the barn. Bert Rivers took note of the Walker Colt holstered in the center of his back. Luke stopped and looked over his shoulder.
"This call just business Bert or you gonna step down and share a word?"
The aging man who only took to sheriffin' for the thirty-two dollars a month and a place to sleep while he set his small spread right weren't comfert'ble. No sir, not comfert'ble at all... 'Cept it was plain that Lucas Blake was not done talking yet.
This young man were no longer 'the shadow' as he were often referred to; always near the two girls n watchful n when he weren't there, with J.D. n listenin'. No Sir. This was J.D.s own 'adopted' son. And if you weren't sure that he were not pleased what he's found comin' back home, you'd be a gawd damned fool.
In the still cool barn, Luke rinsed his face n slipped on his hot ironed linen shirt.
"Tell me 'bout Jack Seasons."
Fading grey eyes met Lukes stormy green ones.
"You knowed he were always a bully Lucas. Started throwin' his weight around a bit more after Miss Tiffany n him run off to get married... Then figured he was bull of the woods after J.D. took ill."
Bert Rivers took special note of the long, nimble fingers workin' the only bone buttons he'd ever seen on a mans shirt.
"What about three fingered Mike?"
It were the way Luke askt made the older man shift just a bit.
"Ran into a little money I'm told... added a room to the back of the livery n 'nother corral. Prettied up the place a bit. Rumor has it he got one of those mail order brides coming from somewhere in the east."
The tooled black leather settled low on Lukes hips.
"The man's a liar and a thief. I'll be seein' him Friday when I bring the family to town."
The Walker Colt slid easily into its holster. Luke tied it down.
"I hope you'll be there when I do Bert."
The words were out before the Sherriff could stop'em.
"That'll end it?"
The black coat swung through the air, slipping over his arms and then settlin' nicely on Lukes shoulders. The Sheriff saw the tightening of the young man's jaw.
"What's happened to the ranch Bert? Where's at least one hand."
The words were stoney-cold.
"Why is the family that took me in and been a friend to near every man, woman or child with-in sixty miles strugglin' Bert."
Sherriff Bertrum Rivers needed to spit, empty his plug filled cheek of sour tobacco juice. He didn't dare do it now.
"When Miss Tiffany started seein' Jack, folks around here wondered why J.D. didn't put a stop to it. Then they run off n come back married. Seasons made it a show 'bout having Miss Tiffany as his wife... Spent a lot of time in town, drinking a byt to much n on more n one occasion... M'ybe saying things he shouldn't. You knew the man Lucas..."
He did.
"And no one said a word."
Luke's words were cold. Hard. The Sherriff actually swallowed the foul liquid.
"W-weren't their place most figured."
Luke's back stiffened, eyes blazing.
"Even those that called J.D. and his family friend..."
It was late mornin' when Miss Debra, seated at the top of the porch stairs, began accepting late payments and the excuses n such that often went with 'em. She'd smile at 'em as she made notes in her black ledger book. Several may have noticed the smiles warmth were dependent of the lateness of the payment due.
Word traveled fast 'bout Lucas Blake's return and the happenen's of the evenin' before... The growing arrival of folks stood truth to that.
Luke, he jist lingered. Close enough they could see the low hung holster under his freshly brushed broad cloth coat and best linen shirt, yet fer enough away as not to invite conversation.
He thought about his family; They knew where he'd been last evenin', but didn't ask 'bout the happen'ns. They'd wait til Luke wanted to say, if he ever wanted to. It'd been Miss Debra, sittin' with him in the late-night air while Linda napped in her father's chair who quietly touched Luke's hand. Luke looked up at the woman that had been both mother and mentor n soon enough, they were under the massive sycamore that hid most the ranch house from the flats he'd crossed to reach Winding Creek not to many hours past. Twas the same place her and J.D. sometimes talked 'bout the more important things n' the same place she often had given Luke gentle direction or some stern advice when needed. Now it were the words of a mother tendin' her family speakin' to him.
"You were mostly missed the last year or so Lucas. When word was heard about Tiffany and her marriage, J.D. would stand under this tree for hours, fretting about what he was going to do. She'd made a choice Luke, against his word to run off and marry that man. Then one morning, Tiff was sitting on the porch crying with John held tight in her arms, her left eye blacked. She'd sneaked away from them and back home under the cover of night."
There was a long-tired sigh that slipped from her lips and then lay hard between them.
"Things went south after that. J.D.s anger ate at him until he took ill. Word spread fast Lucas. Things looked as bad as they could be until I saw your smoke trail. When I told J.D. you were back, it was the best night's sleep he's had since Tiffany run off."
The quizzical look she received from Luke hadn't changed since their first meeting on his arrival to the ranch so many years ago. Crossing her arms to warm the chill of the night, she held Luke's questioning eyes.
"The only person J.D. never kept a secret from was me Lucas. I always knew his plans for the future... This ranch... And you. The only thing he was wrong about was Tiffany. I knew better than he did about the girls, though I seldom corrected him on those matters."
A smile tugged at the corner of her long day's face.
"I knew it was Linda since the day you carried her all the way home when she fell outta that old, bent over oak tree near the school. J.D. could never figure why you carried her instead of leading her home on ol' Whiskey. Linda's never forgotten that day, though you seemed to when Tiffany started to come of age."
Luke stood there in silence; the first tear he'd shed since his mother sent him west gathering in the corner of his right eye. Her face changed then; Softer maybe.
"I could smell the black powder on you when you came back from town Luke..."
She ran the tips of her calloused fingers over his cheek.
"...more importantly son, I saw the ache in your eyes. It's not easy doing what you know you have to when those you love are in trouble... or worse, been hurt. J.D. always knew you'd make a fine man. Now, the whole territory will know how right he was.
She took his hands in hers circling her thumbs slowly over their back.
"You are the son we lost just after we were first married Lucas. J.D. brought you home to me after we finally accepted there'd be no more children after Linda. The girls were at that age that worried us both and you did more than temper that fear. You became that son Lucas... We both love you for it."
She turned to look toward the edgy, black skyline.
"I'd like to stop at the church. It'd do the house good to plan a wedding. Maybe put a stop to some of the tongue wagging that'll surely follow after your return and the evenings doings."
She turned to face him again.
"Start your new life with my youngest daughter proper; And I'll not hear you have to make things right first."
Luke shook his head, a tiny smile tuggin' at his lips.
"What makes you think she'll have me Miss Debra?"
A low chuckle floated on the cool nights air.
