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

to help light the lanterns through out the yard while the women brought out the feast.
The chilli was the best in Texas, just as Doc had promised. Esparanza and just finished piling sugar cookies on a tray. They had become a favorite of everyone on the ranch. She had shooed Doc out of her kitchen twice since Victoria went to her room to change, and now she heard the door opening again. “Doc!,” she stated firmly, her Spanish accent very prevalent “I thought I told you to...” She stopped short and smiled as Scrub Pot stepped in the back door, and removed his white hat. “I hope I am not interrupting anything,” he said with a twinkle in his dark eyes. “I wanted to ask you something?”
The portly cook motioned him to sit down at the kitchen table where she poured him coffee and sent a generous plate of her cookies in front of him. “I heard the news about your Grandson,” she said warmly “Everyone is falling in love.”
“Humph,” Scrub Pot grumbled “And I have been a busy man since the summer when I married an old Pawnee Squaw and a Scotsman, then Doc and Victoria and next will be my Sam. Tell me, Esparanza? Did you and your husband have any children?”
She sat down next to him “Yes,” she said “two boys.”
Scrub Pot took a cookie and broke it , offering half to Esparanza. “Then you don’t know how it feels to see a daughter or granddaughter married away.”
“It is the same with a son, “ the woman replied “I cried for days after my youngest married. But I decided that his wife, who is a dear girl was someone I had gained. “
”I can not help it,” Scrub Pot confessed “God forgive me, but I am a selfish old man where Sam is concerned. Jerrod will be good to her, of that I am sure, but giving her up to him is much harder than I expected it would be.
“You were more of a father to her than grandfather, “ Esparanza replied sympathetically as she accepted the half cookie from him. “Think as I have. You are gaining a son, and then one day there will be grand children and great grand children.” Gently, his calloused hand covered her’s. “Will you sit with me after the wedding tomorrow, Esparanza?.” he asked. “All that dancing and celebrating is going to wear me out. I am not a young warrior anymore.”
The woman was surprised by what he had asked. “I have much to do tomorrow,” she said “But I will be pleased to sit beside you and watch the young people.” He patted her hand. “Thank you,” he said as he rose from the chair. She got up too and returned to her duties, but when she looked around again, Scrub Pot was gone. She had never heard the door open or close. “Handsome old fellow,” she thought, then admonished herself for thinking that way. She had been a widow for the last fifteen years.


The evening was cool and clear as the stars began to wink in the dusky sky. A large bon fire blazed in the place where Doc had been cooking earlier and many of the guests of the Flying S had gathered around. Ely Jax, was playing his guitar and his brother the fiddle. Despite his black eye, he seemed very happy, his Ellen was sitting next to him. Doc made sure Victoria had her shawl around her shoulders and then he went back into the house to confront his sister. Lillie had not come down for dinner or turned up to receive Sam and Jerrod’s guests. For the entire two weeks that she had been on the Flying S, Doc knew this was coming as, she had made it very clear that she wanted to be in control of every thing and everyone. He wished he had never written her and told her Sam was getting married, but then, Brian would not have come and for that he was grateful. He climbed the stairs and tapped on the closed door. “Lillie, it’s Elliot. I want to talk to you.”
A moment later, the door slowly opened. It was obvious that she was packing to leave, as there were open trunks and satchels all over the bedroom floor and bed. It looked like the woman and brought every stitch of clothing she had with her. “You didn’t come down to dinner,” Doc said as he entered. Through the open window, he could hear the music starting and the laughter and merriment going on outside.
“Your wife is a bully!,” Lillie spit.
That was all Doc needed to set him off. “Mind what you say Lillie,” he warned “Victoria only told you the truth, and I will thank you to not mention it again.”
“I am leaving on the first stage out of Grants Creek in the morning,” she sniveled “I never stay where I am not wanted, and Samantha, oh, she is such an ungrateful girl. I worked so hard and spent so much money on that beautiful dress for her and she hates it.”
“Sam never asked you for anything, Lillie,” Doc replied coolly “Have you ever thought of her once during all of this and realized that this is HER wedding and not yours?”
“Of course I have,” Lillie argued “and where is Essie. She will have to help me with this packing, and you will have to take me to the hotel. You will also tell Brian we are leaving. “
That cold look in his eyes always scared her, even when they were children. “No body’s going anywhere, Lillie and we are going to have a talk, right here and now.”, Doc growled. “Now SIT DOWN!”
“A-all right, Elliot,” she stammered as she took a step backward, away from him.
“First of all, Lillie Belle Stevens-Black, Essie is not coming to help you pack,” Doc stated firmly, “She is done with you and your misery.”
“Whatever do you mean, Elliot?,” Lillie said “I pay her well to assist me.”
“I mean, that she is done,” Doc replied flatly “She won’t be going back to Philadelphia with you and neither will Brian.” The woman stared back at her brother, shocked and dumbfounded by what he had just said. “Brian and Essie eloped to Bear Claw today and Zachariah married them there in his cabin,” he stated victoriously.
“Well, I will have the marriage annulled,” Lillie countered “He is...”
“Twenty two and she is eighteen,” Doc replied “and I am pretty sure that by now they have consummated their vows.”
Lillie’s pinched face turned scarlet with rage. “Give it up, Lillie and forget it,” Doc replied “There is nothing you can do. They are married and tomorrow Sam and Jerrod will be married too. If you want to stay for the wedding you are welcome to, but you WILL keep a civil tongue in your head and you will not ruin the day for Sam. Understand?”
“Is Brian planning to stay here in this dreadful place?”, she squeaked.
“Yes,” Doc replied “As a matter of fact, the boy told me that just a little while ago. Sam needs him here.”
Tears of rage began to pour down her face. “You are lying, Elliot!,” she accused “Brian would never leave me.”
“I don’t lie, Lillie,” Doc countered “It’s too much trouble and causes too many problems. “Now, you will do as I say, or I will see you locked in this room until I have time to drive you and all those bags of yours to the stage depot.”
He strolled out of the room, but paused, his hand on the door knob. “You know Lillie, a very long time ago, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It changed my life and everything around me.” , he said “Guess my faith is what saved my life.”
She was trembling with anger “I go to a fine church in Philadelphia, and hear sermons every Sunday,” she retorted.
“Well, the bible is there on the night stand if you change your mind,” Doc said as he closed the door and walked away.

Sam and I lay together on a blanket we’s spread out, looking up at the stars above us. Our guests had either gone home or were camped out near the barns or in the house. It had been a wonderful evening. Her head lay on my shoulder, my arms around her. “Are you scared about tomorrow?”, she asked. Gently I kissed her on the forehead. “No,” I replied “are you?”
“No,” she replied “I am looking forward to it. I just hope that Aunt Lillie won’t make a mess of things.”
I knew where Doc had gone earlier and I was not about to tell this beautiful young woman whom in a few hours would be my wife, that he had had a talk with “Aunt Lillie.” Lillie still seemed to believe that I was one of “the New York Bentlys”, and to like me for that reason. So I just played along. Surely she would return to Philadelphia soon.”
“I am glad Brian is staying,” she said “He’s changed a lot