Jason took the day off work to help around the ranch and get ready for trading tomorrow.Both he and Janice would get more than a few questions about James, and they all spoke about how they would be answered.
Things were different today for chores, as James was the one observing now. He was pleased with Jason’s care to make sure they were done right and watched as “Uncle Jason” let Billy help, like they had known each other for years.
“You’re good, Lord,” he said aloud, far enough from Jason and Billy not to be heard. “You always watch over us and provide what’s needed, and for the life of me, I can’t understand any of it. But you are good, Lord. You surely are.”
Jason and Lauren took the girls around in the afternoon to gather trade supplies.
Carla begged Chance to come, but he refused to leave James’ side.
“We’ll keep watch from the porch,” called out James, patting his loyal friend on the head.
With the trailer packed with the usual eggs, vegetables, honey, beef jerky and growing seeds, they settled in on a Mountain House freeze-dried spaghetti dinner and made an early night of it.
* * * * * * *
Chapter Twenty-four
Weston, Colorado
Sheriff Johnson designated six of his deputies to be on patrol, covering the four main roads into Weston.
One man would cover each direction, up to 20 miles, on four-wheelers from the hours of 6-7:30 a.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. on trade Saturdays, as well as two designated hours on Sundays, before and after church. The last two would float in between, in case of trouble.
The Sheriff could not afford to have another incident, like the one that hurt James, that would keep his new-in-town families from safely trading or going to his church.
He was not expecting to see James’ family this soon but greeted Jason, Janice and Lauren personally before opening trade. He explained the new security perimeters to Jason, who had stopped briefly on their way in this morning to talk with a deputy stationed on the road.
* * * *
After the official trade day rules were reviewed by the Sheriff, he went over the new policy, asking a show of hands for how many people traveling more than one mile into town had seen a deputy keeping watch this morning?
Many in the crowd raised their hands, a few cheering.
“Last and certainly not least, I am happy to inform you that your Mayor, James VanFleet, is at home, recovering well from last week’s unfortunate incident. Rest assured that those responsible have already been, or will be, dealt with harshly in the coming days. Thank you for coming, and happy trading.”
After a brief morning storm, the sun was shining brightly and trade was under way.
Janice couldn’t help but realize how many more people showed up each consecutive week and wondered from how far out they traveled to get here.
“It might not be too long before James’ old friend David, on the mountain, gets included in the town limits,” she said to Jason, adding, “even though he’s in another state.”
“I don’t think that matters so much now,” Jason replied.
* * * *
Sheriff Johnson returned to his jailhouse at the start of trading and began to pick up the plates from this morning’s breakfast.
“Good breakfast, gentlemen?” he asked.
Only the former councilman responded with “Yes, and thank you, sir.”
“You two stay put!” he called out to the others, as he opened the councilman’s cell door. “Let’s go check out our chair.”
The councilman had more freedom lately, although he still spent the nights in his cell.
“The shop owner tells me you’re doing a good job,” Sheriff Johnson said as they walked down the main road towards downtown.
“Thank you, sir. He helped in supplying me with essential parts. A few had to come in from Trinidad. If I could make it up to my old workplace in Pueblo, I could just grab one already built.”
“That would be helpful for sure,” said the Sheriff, “but what used to be a two-hour drive in good weather is now an all-day trip or more, with more than a few pitfalls both ways. And then I wouldn’t really need you after that, right?”
The Sheriff said this last phrase with a slight smile, as they both realized he was joking, well…sort of. Truth be told, he was starting to like the former councilman, at least more than the others he had cooped up and had to feed.
“What else can you build?” he asked as they continued past the other stores downtown, with most still open for some kind of business, even if it was less than before.
“I can build almost anything, I guess, short of a plane or a full-on house,” said the councilman.
“What about a greenhouse? Could you build that?” asked the Sheriff.
“Oh sure, that’s easy. I just need one more set of hands to help, and I can get one up in a matter of days.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Are you married or do you have kids?”
“No, sir. Just a girlfriend up from Pueblo is all. At least I did before I ran my mouth and got locked up.”
“Let’s talk to her,” replied the Sheriff. “After I see your progress, of course.”
“I’m Ken, by the way,” he said awkwardly, reaching his hand out.
“That’s good to know,” replied the Sheriff, shaking his hand.
“And for the record, I’m sorry about how I spoke to you at the beginning. I’m not trying to get out of anything here; I just wanted you to know is all. I’m actually pretty excited about the jump. I’m too young to ever see Evel jump in person, but I saw his son Robbie jump the five military
