Tombstone.
This afternoon I greeted Wedge and when he asked me how I was doing I said, “Alright now that a case is finally closed. Current mystery is those Ghenna marshals posters.”
“Oh?”
“You hear about those?”
“No… I was about to ask.”
“They posted one here in front of the office and Ang and Ansar took it down already so I couldn’t get any evidence. So I guess they don’t really want my help but…” I shrugged.
“What’d it say?” He chuckled.
“Just said Ghenna Marshals on it.”
“Ahh…”
Angel came over then and Wedge said he hadn’t seen the posters. Angel said that she has everything she needs to take over the Schefflin Hall for her studio, with a whole bunch of beautiful furniture for it. She said that the Cisse sisters gave it up and she talked to Adrian about making it a photo studio again.
A man walked up behind me and covered my eyes, kissing my neck. “Guess who!”
I blinked and heard Thomas’ voice, smiling. “Now dear... it’s a lot more affective to do that if I don’t recognize your voice.” I turned to face him and kissed him.
“Well I don’t want you swinin round and givin me a black eye.” Thomas laughed and kissed me softly.
“Is this the part where I gag?” Wedge chuckled.
“Smart man, love.” I giggled.
“Wedge you been eatin my wife’s cookin again?” Thomas asked and I tickled him. “Hey watchit!”
“Husbands and boyfriends have to be one step ahead…” Wedge said. “Ooo…. yeah no… I just eat on my sad cookin.”
“Who’s side are you on?” I glared at Wedge.
“Wha?”
“I’ve caught Vedgie raiding mine bakery vonce or tvice,” Angel put in.
“I did not,” Wedge defended himself.
“Oh dear... I solved our case against my arsonist. Got myself a key witness who saw the whole thing,” I told Thomas.
“Speaking of zat… I got the varrants written up but got to vait on somevone to sign em sadly,” Angel said.
“Of course.” I nodded. “I’m taking the kids up to Canada to visit family since it’ll probably not be safe for us once those warrants get signed.”
“Yeah, Trin is going to leave me here all alone. What am I to do?” Thomas asked.
“Not get shot.” I chuckled.
“Vorking iz a gut option get some money in your pockets.” Angel chuckled.
“Yes someone’s gotta keep our house going.” I winked at her.
“I’ll hide behind Wedge…” Thomas smiled.
“Sounds reasonable,” Wedge said.
“Least then Vedge von’t get shot in zeh back,” Angel said.
“We’d like to have a roof to come home to.” I said and kissed Thomas’ shoulder playfully.
“Only cause I get shot in the back most often.” Wedge chuckled and I laughed.
“See vith Vedgie, you got to hide in front of him. Back’s where I paint the target on hiz shirts he still don’t know,” Angel said.
“Would be uncomfortable to sit with a wedgie….” I joked.
“Hey! Well then ummm, maybe I should think that over first.” Thomas said.
“Just do what I do dear. Get higher ground,” I told him.
“Yeah, I just barricade myself in the house and hold my ground.” Thomas smiled.
“High low iz alvays an amazing tatctic az law,” Angel said.
“Really?” Wedge smirked.
“Mmhmm.”
“Why do you think we live on a hill?” I asked.
“Or I could always throw them, what did you call ’em, biscuits at them. That would run them off.” Thomas ducked and I tackled him.
“I give! I give!” Thomas laughed.
“What are you givin’?” I grinned at him.
“I got one of zose rifles you can use from the roof. Pick an outlaw off from across town and they’d never know,” Angel said.
“Hell… I get shot every which way....but mostly in the back,” Wedge said.
“You cookin lessons if you promise not to make them biscuits anymore,” Thomas said.
“Two whole weeks without cooking jokes... how will I get by?” I asked and tickled Thomas more. Thomas laughed as he tried to get away.
“I’m just wondering… with such Bad cookin… how are you still standing?” Wedge asked.
“Must be pick on Trin day today. But I missed the memo,” I said and stood by Ang.
“I guess. Welcome to my world Trin,” Wedge said.
“Vhy you standing by me miz Trin iz alvays pick on Angel day,” Angel said.
“Awww she doesn’t cook bad all the time Wedge. Only when she’s in the kitchen. But I love her anyways.” Thomas smiled.
“Cause at least I’ve got one ally with you.” I glared at Thomas. “You better hope God’s in a forgiving mood today when we go to church.”
“Talk about a lob-sided compliment.” Wedge chuckled.
“But dear…” Thomas started.
“No but’s mister. Unless it’s yours sittin’ in time out.” I winked at him and Thomas blushed.
“What the heck is...time out?” Wedge asked.
Natalie came over then and waved, and we greeted her as I leaned down to give her a hug. “Pa you’re not makin’ fun of ma again are ya?” she asked Thomas.
“Always, kiddo. Always.” I chuckled at her.
“Nooooo....not me, would I do a thing like that?” Thomas asked innocently.
“Comin to church with us today kiddo?” I asked Natalie.
“Uh huh! Mr Wedgie you should come to church too!” Natalie said, looking at him.
“Wedge mentioned puking earlier, and I thought maybe he had been eating your ma’s cooking again.” Thomas smiled.
“His name is Wedge, Nat.” I chuckled.
“I haven’t been to church in ages,” Wedge said.
“But maaaa... That’s what Miss Ang calls him,” Natalie said.
“Vell I got a speech impediment Nat. I speak vith an accent because mine first language iz not english.” Angel chuckled.
“Well… if a female calls me that… I have to look at it as an ‘endearment’… if a male calls me that… It’s more of a dig,” Wedge explained.
“See? He likes it!” Natalie grinned.
“Iz because he’s old, Nat,” Angel joked.
“But still… a loveable goofball.” Wedge chuckled.
“Hey Daddy? What’s a frog buzzard?” Natalie asked Thomas then and I noticed Downy wandering down the street.
“A what?” Thomas and I asked at the same time.
“A frog buzzard. Mr Chris said they was over at the mines in Pearce. But when I went there all I saw was some body there with Mr Dave and Mrs Meg. And Mr Dave thought I was callin him a frog buzzard.”
“I don’t know dear. Never heard of such an animal.,” Thomas said.
“It’s an animal?”
“Well… it was Chris sayin it,” Wedge pointed out.
Suddenly Natalie fell down, crying. “Owww!” She exclaimed.
“Natalie! What the?!” Thomas blinked.
I looked around, startled, and knelt down beside my daughter. “Nat, are you okay??”
“What the heck?” Wedge asked.
“You alvright little vone?” Angel looked at her.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Thomas asked.
“What are you doing down there?” Wedge asked.
“It... owwwwww!” Nat cried and held her head.
“It’s okay sweetie, Momma’s got you.” I looked at Tom with worry, pulling Nat close as Tom knelt down to look at her head. He held up a pebble on the ground and looked around. Nat cried and trembled against me.
“It came from the sky!!!” She cried.
“What did?” Wedge looked around, confused.
“Honey, rocks don’t just fall from the sky unless you’re in Ghenna,” I said, looking from Tom to Nat.
“Someone threw this at her.” Tom held out the pebble for everyone to see. We heard Downy muttering something about birds pooping stones and Tom looked over at her. “You say something?”
“Come on sweetheart, let’s get you to the clinic.” I helped Nat up. “I think I can get some asprin from in there and you’ll feel better.”
“Ah saw wut happened MISS TRIN... a large bird shat a pebble on her.... must be some kinda OMEN don’t you think?” Downy asked.
I blinked hearing Downy and looked over at Tom, then back at Downy. “No one else is around and I don’t know bout any birds that poop pebbles.” I helped Natalie up and walked her towards the clinic as Angel asked if she could come with and I nodded to her, so we walked down the clinic together.
“Are you okay sweetie?” I held Natalie’s hand as we sat in the clinic. Tom joined us as well and sat down beside the bed.
“I know dang good and well she threw that stone.” Tom muttered.
“She’s a mean lady.” Natalie whimpered.
“What kind of a woman throws stones at kids?” I asked.
“Ain’t no voman that vould, Miz Trin. No lady neither,” Angel said and I tried to keep my anger together in front of Nat.
“She mean.” Nat hid against me.
“Buzzard took off out of town.” Wedge walked back into the clinic, shaking his head.
“She threw a rock at my kid!” I looked over at him.
“If I would have saw that… I think it might have been the first time punched a woman,” Wedge said and shook his head.
“Now Vedge, be fair. Downy ain’t no voman,” Angel said.
“Fine… I would have anyway.” Wedge chuckled.
“Thanks, Wedge. I appreciate.” I nodded to him.
“You all should be safe in here am going to head back to mine office. If you need me shout,” Angel said. “Don’t think Downy vill show up again soon. But you see her, call us.”
“Ma I need.. I hurt…” Nat said then as Wedge and Angel walked out to their office.
“You got a bump munchkin, but thank goodness no blood.” Tom hugged Nat gently and rubbed her shoulders. I looked at Tom with anger towards Downy in my eyes but sighed with relief when he said that.
“We missin’ church.” Natalie leaned against her pa.
“It’s ok sweetie, right now you’re what’s important.” Thomas hugged her gently.
“Gonna look for the asprin.” I said and went to the cabinet and took out the pills, taking them over to Nat. I got a cup and filled it with water, taking it back to the bed. “Here sweetie, drink this and swallow one of these.”
Natalie took the pill and the cup and swallowed the pill, then drank the water, swallowing it down between tears.
Tom took a piece of paper out of his vest pocket and handed it to her. “Guess what that is munchkin.”
“Uh..” She looked at him and tilted her head.
“You ever heard of a diamond?”
“Like those Apache tears hangin’ in the cave in Benson?”
“Yeah sorta...this one come from way off while I was on my trip. There was this place people could go hunt for them, and I found one for you.” Tom smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile at that.
“Wow, for me!?” Nat eyed it.
“Yeah. Just for my little munchkin. It’s a rare one too, it’s yellow.”
“I need a minute outside.” I said, looking over at Tom. The sight of my daughter in the hospital was too much to bear.
“Momma?” Nat looked over at me with worry.
“Trin?!” Tom looked over at me.
“I just…” I said, holding back tears as I stepped outside. I leaned back against the wall and let the tears fall freely, looking over at the location of my burned down office. I shook my head in anger.
Tom came outside and I fell in his arms as he asked, “Dear what is it?”
“It’s too... it’s not... fair.” I cried into his arms, breaking down.
Tom held me tight and held me up. “I know love. But she will be ok. It’s just a little bump on the head.”
“It’s not just that…” I trembled against him.
“I don’t know what to say love. If you’re worried about that woman Downy, well she will get hers. No half wit is going to throw a rock at my daughter.”
“She did it all, Tom. I’m sure of it. She broke in, she threatened, she burned, and now she threw a rock at my kid.” I leaned against him.
“What?! You think she is the one who broke into the house, and also who burned down the office?”
“I’m pretty sure. I got a statement from Millard yesterday.” I handed it to him to see and said, “Angel said it was enough for a warrant against her and Lot.”
Tom took the statement and read it as Natalie walked out of the clinic towards us. “You okay kiddo?” I asked her.
“You feelin better munchkin?” Tom asked her.
“I just didn’t wanna be in there no more.” Nat looked between us.
“I understand that feeling hon.” I nodded.
“What dya say we all go to Bisbee and have some ice cream. On me?” Tom suggested.
“That’s a great idea, dear. Let’s get out of here.” I smiled at him.
“Ma?” Nat took Tom’s hand and walked with him, looking around nervously. I sighed and shook my head, continuing to walk down the street.
Bisbee.
Natalie came up to hug me tightly right away and said, “I love you ma, even if some people don’t.”
“I love you too, babygirl.” I hugged her tightly, wiping away the tears.
“So what will my lovely ladies have?” Tom asked.
“A vacation?” I looked over at him hopefully.
Tom laughed and hugged us both tight. “I love you both. But I meant ice cream.”
We both ordered chocolate and then when we had our ice cream Nat told us, “Oh I didn’t tell you guys bout school last night!!! You’ll never guess who taught us!”
“Oh dear. Who is that munchkin?” Tom shook his head with laughter.
“I’m afraid to ask.” I cringed as we sat down at the table outside.
“He talked bout morals and stuff!” Nat insisted.
Tom sat down with our ice cream and asked if it was vanilla we wanted, but we both said we wanted chocolate at the same time and he set the ice cream down.
“So you gonna guess who taught us?” Nat looked between us.
“Okay kiddo, who taught you?” I asked her.
“Well he talked ’bout how if the bank door was open and Miss Bree weren’t in there then we hadta tell an adult. And how he COULD rob it or he could just tell a grownup about it. But how the moral thing to do was to tell a grownup.”
“Hmm… It weren’t Mr Cas was it?” I guessed.
“Nope!”
“Mr… Wedge?”
“Surely it wasn’t Lot,” Tom said.
“Nope but you’re close daddy!” Nat giggled and shook her head.
“Oh good gosh.” I shook her head and ate her ice cream.
“And ma, he said I hadta tell you hi!” Nat told us
“Um….” Tom looked at me with worry.
“Was it... hi like a good hi or hi like a ‘I’m gonna cause trouble for you’ hi?” I asked.
“Um well... sounded good. I remember we met him when we was in front of the theater long time ago. He was a friend of yours from before Tombstone!”
“Um… Oh no, tell me it wasn’t…” I started to realize.
“Not TJ is it?” Tom guessed.
“It was Mac!!!” Nat finally said.
“MAC!!” Tom exclaimed.
“Mac was teachin’ bout open bank doors???” I asked with surprise.
“Yeah but ma he said the right thing to do weren’t to just go in there and rob it. He said it was to tell someone with a badge ’bout it. Cause someone might be in there with a gun.” Natalie said.
“Dear, what has our school come to?” Tom asked.
“Doves and outlaws are teaching our children now…” Nat shook my head.
“It was a real good lesson.”
“Well I guess that’s better than Outlaw Doves teaching them.” Tom smiled. “You going to eat your cherry munchkin?”
“Uh huh! Savin’ the best for last!” I grinned at him.
“That’s my girl.” I grinned and then Tom leaned over to kiss me and left a chocolate smudge mark on my cheek.
“Ma! He made your face dirty!” Nat exclaimed.
Tom leaned over to kiss my cheek and left the same smudge mark. “Now you both match.”
“Heeeeey!” Nat giggled. “If I gotta have a bath it’s your fault!”
“Oh my! A chocolate kiss from a beautiful woman. I don’t think I will ever wash my cheek ever again.” Tom winked at me.
“I gonna find Jimmy and see what he’s doin’.” Nat stood.
“Alright kiddo, you two have fun and stay around the house okay?” I told her.
“Yes ma.”
Tom handed Nat a bowl of ice cream and said, “Take him this ok. He shouldn’t be left out.”
“Thanks Pa!” Natalie kissed his cheek and ran towards home up the hill.
I took Tom’s hand once we were alone and he reached into his pocket, handing me a piece of wadded up paper. “I got you one too sweetheart.”
I grinned, taking the paper. “Thanks, love. I will carry it with me while I go to Canada. I wish you were coming along.”
“Me too, but you and the kids need to get away for a while. I will be ok. Just be careful when you go ok?”
“Of course dear. We’ll be safer away from here. Once those warrants get signed... I’m worried for you, dear.”
“I will watch my back. I might take a little break myself and go up in the hills and do some fishing.”
“That’s a good idea, love.” I nodded to him. “I guess we should head back to the house, hmm? I don’t want them alone for too long. Especially after Downy threw a rock at Nat.”
“Yes for sure dear. Also to make sure they dont ramshackle the house. Them two can be a mess.” Tom stood and took my hand as we walked to the house.
No comments:
Post a Comment