The Diary of Jerrod Bently, J.W. Osborn [the false prince series TXT] 📗

outside of town. I went home with Sam and Victoria, where they fussed over me like they thought I was going to die. Can’t say that I didn’t like it, because I did. Doc was no where to be found, but sent word to his wife that she was not to worry, he’d be back. It isn’t easy to kill a man, even ones that needed killing, and I figured Doc just needed some time alone.
“Do you want some more tea, Jerrod,?” Victoria asked.
“No thank you, ma’am, I will just finish what I have left here and be out of your hair.”, I replied.
“You need to stay here on the davenport, Jerrod,” Sam advised “My uncle packs a wicked punch and he hit you pretty hard.”
I stroked her cheek, as she sat beside me, her dark eyes filled with sweet concern. “I’m fine, Sam,” I said “Really I am.” The clock in the parlor chimed the hour of one. “We are expected over at the Double J,” she said “But if you are feeling poorly, Jerrod, you are welcome to rest here.”
The thought of being alone with Sam was appealing sure enough, but I was no worse for the wear. “Don’t want to disappoint the Titus clan,” I said “I want to thank Jake for what he did today on my behalf.”
“He was behind Doc at the court house,” Sam said “He was ready to draw if Vickers had gotten a lucky shot off.”
“Sorry I missed it all,” I said in mock disappointment “But the good sherrif kind of knocked my lights out.”
Sam laughed “And he kept you from getting yourself killed. So be as grateful as I am, Jerrod.”
Victoria set aside her tea cup and crossed the room to look out the window. “It was a frightening experience for us all,” she said “Let’s try to forget it an go over to Jake’s.”
“I like that The Double J,” Sam replied “It is how I want my ranch to be once we get back to Texas.” She squeezed my hand.
“I like it too,” Victoria replied “and if it ever comes up for sale, your uncle will be very interested.”
She then looked at me. “Well, Jerrod. If you are not dizzy any more, would you go get my buggy?,” she said. I got up for the first time since we had gotten back from the court house. Aside from a rather large dark bruise on my jaw, I was fine. “Be glad to , Miss Victoria,” I said “I can drive you ladies of you like?”

There was big doings at the Double J. Half the town had turned out to celebrate my freedom. Jake was there with his wife, welcoming everyone as they came in. A large pig had been roasting on a wood fire for hours and the guests gathered around the fire pit with anticipation of enjoying a fine dinner. I saw Judge Douglass, and assumed that the thin reedy woman with him was his wife. Scrub Pot was talking with Kane Wolf who was there with his wife and their three children who ran and played in front of the ranch house. There were a lot of people there all ready and it seemed that more were arriving as I drove Victoria’s Fancy Lady and the buggy up the lane. Victoria was looking around, and I knew she was hoping to catch sight of her husband, but Doc was not there. We were greeted by Jake and his wife J.W. I was surprised that she remembered me by name. After all I had only met J.W. Titus once and I hoped she was not going to ask me if I had read her latest book. I had long since abandoned my novel reading, there was no time for it these days.
“Well, Jerrod Bently,” Jake declared as he shook my hand. “Glad you could make it.’
“Doc packs a wicked punch,” I commented . I knew Titus was had not missed the action at the Court House. He put his hand on my shoulder. “Was necessary, boy,” he said “We both knew that Vickers aimed to kill you and we were ready for him.”
“Where is Doc?” I asked.
“He’s waiting for me inside,” Jake replied “Been here about ten minutes. We have some business to settle and then he will be joining party.”
Sam took my hand, “Come on Jerrod,” she insisted “I want you to see Wind Walker. They say he is the fastest horse in the territory.”
I watched Jake walk back toward his house as Sam led me to the barn. She wanted to show me Jake’s thoroughbred, the one everyone talked about. The famous race horse called The Wind Walker. Victoria and J. W. Titus disappeared into the crowd of folks milling about the tables set up in the front of the house.

Jake walked into his small office where Doc sat waiting. “You all right,?”, he asked.
Doc looked up him from the chair he was seated in. “Fine,” he said quietly “I gave that snake a chance to stand down, but he chose to take me on.”
“It was a legal shooting, Doc,” Jake replied “Now put it out of your mind. It is over and we have work to do.”
“I am taking Travis back to Texas myself,” Doc said as he sipped his lemonade. “Bently and I can handle him. He won’t be no trouble.”
“He’s an idiot,” Jake declared “ I did hear from his brother while you were away.”
“Where is he?”
“California.,” Jake replied “Got a letter from him and Frances, and they have sold the Bradford Ranch and making a home near Senora. I was surprised, I’ve known Frances Bradford for years and never did I think she’d sell out and move away.”
“People change.,” Doc replied “Now what is so all fired important that it can’t wait till after we eat.”
Jake handed him the letter he had received from New York. “Read it,” he said. Doc took a moment to read the letter and then set it down on the desk.
“You taking this job, Jake?”, he asked .
“I am,” Jake replied and I am putting the Double J up for sale. You said you wanted a ranch, Doc and I have worked this one since we came here. It’s good stock and good land, but our life is back East and we hope to be gone by fall.”
“You are offering me The Double J?”
“I am,” Jake replied “Don’t want to sell to a stranger like Frances Bradford did. I’d like to know that the place was in the hands of someone who will run it and keep it like we have. You and Victoria could make a good life here.”
Doc looked Jake Titus straight in the eye. “Lets talk some business. You know I want the place, and I am good for the price too, but there is one thing you have to do for me, if we agree on this.”
“What is that?” Jake asked.
“Not a word to Victoria,” he said sternly “That way if anything goes wrong, she won’t be disappointed.”
“Fair enough,” Jake replied “Do you know when you will be heading back to Texas?”
“As soon as the doc says Sam can ride.” Doc replied “She’s healed real well and having Jerrod here with her has been better than I’d hoped for. I expect in the next week or so. “
”I will draw up the papers, and we will get things started. When you get back, we will make it official.”
Jake and Doc shook hands. “When you get back, we will settle things and the ranch is yours,” Jake said “And J.W. and I will be heading on to a new life back East.”
“It won’t be the same with you gone, Jake,” Doc replied.
“Let’s go join the party,” Jake suggested as he started for the door.
One more thing, Jake,” Doc said as he put his hat back on. “I’d still like to keep this a secret from my wife. I’d like it to be a surprise when the time is right.”
“Sure, Doc,” Jake said with a wide grin. “Your secret is safe with me.” With their business settled, they walked outside to join Jake’s guests.


Heading Home

We’d won a victory. Doc was more than ready to get Ned Travis out of his jail and his life, and Sam was itching to go home. I was too, and maybe somewhere among all those miles that lay between Portersville and an obscure Indian settlement called Bear Claw in Texas, maybe she would tell me what I wanted to hear. Down by the Mercantile, Scrub Pot’s wagon was being loaded with provisions for our journey, his mules and our horses were fresh shod and rested. We spent a good portion of our last day there cleaning and oiling guns and the time to leave was now only a matter of hours away now.

“It is too dangerous, Victoria,” Doc stated “I have to deliver my prisoner to the authorities in Waco and God only knows what