"Whatever, let's get over to the courthouse."
The courtroom was already packed with townsfolk when I walked in. The Bailiff was one of my deputies and he called out "All Rise" as the Judge rushed in ahead of me. Almost as if I was gonna hurt his reputation by being at his side, he took his seat at the bench in the front of the room. The Bailiff called out "Be Seated, Court is now in session."
The Judge told the Bailiff to bring in the prisoners and looked straight at me. "Well, step up here, Sheriff. You gotta answer some questions."
I moved up to the prosecution lectern on the right of the courtroom, facing the judge, and saw a young man, looking to be all of 15 years old on the opposite side.
The Judge started, "Y'all swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothin' but the truth so help ya God?"
I, and the young man to my left raised our right hands to respond, "I do" in unison.
"Well, Sheriff. You arrested these three last evenin'?"
"Yes, Your Honor, I did."
"What's the charge?"
"Disorderly conduct, discharging a firearm in the middle of town without cause and generally, just causin' a ruckus."
"What do you have to say over there at the defense table?"
A voice that had not yet matured enough to change to a masculine one responded. "Well, Your Honor, it's true that they were a bit disorderly, but they were shootin' at some rattlers in the road, and I got one of 'em right here to prove it." The young man held up a rattle snake probably all of 2 feet long. "The ruckus they were causin' was just cause they were trying to kill this rattler in the street."
"Your Honor, I object. There's no proof that they were shootin' at that snake, or that they even killed it instead of someone or something else killin' it."
The Judge looked at the three outlaws, "Were you shootin' at that rattler?"
All three responded, "Yes, Judge."
"Your Honor…" I interjected.
"You're out of order, Sheriff."
He addressed the three men again, "Did y'all kill it?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Well, there ya have it. No ruckus, no disorderly conduct. Just the killin' of a rattlesnake. Case dismissed, y'all are free to go."
I stood there. I glared at the Judge and he glared back.
"Sheriff, you need to make sure you have a case before you lock anyone up."
He looked back at the outlaws, "Go on over to the jail and Jeb, here, will give you back your guns."
Until he said Jeb's name, I hadn't realized he was standing there as a deputy.
Just. Great.
"All right. Next case?"
"There ain't no other cases, Judge," the Bailiff called out to him.
"Well, then. Court is adjourned. Anyone looking to buy me breakfast can meet me over to the café."
The three outlaws looked at the Judge and motioned that they would meet him for breakfast.
Ain't this a fine kettle 'o fish? He got me out of bed for this? Of course he did.
Chapter 17
As I left the courthouse, Jackson met my step and walked alongside me. "Were you in there?"
"Yep. Never miss a court date. Always somethin' interesting going on when Judge Adams takes his place."
"What just happened?"
"Well, you just met the same Judge Adams that we all love to hate. He intends to run you outta town unless you let him ramrod everything that happens here. Besides the fact that the slim fella who hasn't yet learned how to shave is the Judge's nephew." Jackson chuckled. "You ain't the first he's run outta town and you won't be the last."
"I got news for you. I ain't runnin'. I need this job and I'm gonna hold him to the contract he signed. But I guess I'm needin' to stake my position in town, no matter what he wants done."
"I appreciate your spunk." He squeezed my shoulder and I felt a shock of electricity flow through my body. "You ready to get some biscuits and gravy? It's worth the 10 cents over at the café."
"Sure." My voice was a little bit squeaky as I replied. I'm sure because he was walking just a little bit closer to me than he had been.
We entered the little restaurant and Katie pointed to a table by the front window. "I figgered you might want to be able to keep an eye on the street while you eat, Sheriff."
"Thanks, Katie. That's perfect!"
Katie put two cups of coffee on the table, a sugar shaker and a creamer. "We only have biscuits and gravy here for breakfast. But you can have a side of bacon or sausage with that."
"I'll have the bacon. Sheriff, what about you?"
"Is the sausage link or patty?"
"Patties."
"I'll have the sausage." I smiled at Katie as she pulled a couple of napkins from her apron pocket and put them on the table. She nodded and headed off into the kitchen to fetch our breakfasts.
"Sheriff, have you heard about the dance social tonight down past the livery? It's guaranteed to be a good time and I'd really be honored to have you go with me. You do dance, don't you?"
"Well, not as well as I'd like, but I can do a little bit of square dancing and a two-step."
"So, is it a date?"
"Sure, I'd love to."
Jackson reached over and put his hand on top of mine. He squeezed lightly as I pulled my hand free and picked up the creamer. As I added it to my coffee, he said. "I hope you don't think I'm bein' too forward, but I really enjoy your company and would like to let all the other boys know that you're spoke for."
"Really? I'm spoken for?"
"Well, I hope so…"
I smiled. "I enjoy your company too, Jackson and I'm happy to spend my social time with you."
Katie brought our breakfasts. While we ate, I mulled over what it meant to be considered Jackson's girl. I couldn't help but feel just a little bit giddy about it all.
I'm so glad I took the chance and moved here to Rock
