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“GEORGE.” SHERIFF PIKE ambled up onto the front porch of the Biders Clump Boarding house and nodded at his old friend. “I got a wire today.”
“You did? Who from?” George asked, as he packed more snow around the galvanized ice cream bucket at his feet.
“Sheriff Davis down in Hester. Seems he was worried that we hadn’t heard about the Bentley’s kin and wanted us to know they’re safe in Utah at the moment.”
George Olson chuckled. “Messages every which way I guess,” George said.
“How’s Francis doing?” the Sheriff asked casually.
“Oh, he’s doing just fine. He’s been helping me with the wood pile and even offered to help Byron over at the livery.”
“Folks don’t mind him being here in town?” Sheriff Pike’s dark eyes were sharp.
“Nah, no one minds. They seen how much the boy wants to help and ain’t worried none.” George said.
“Hey, we’re havin’ a couple folks in to supper tonight. Why don’t you join us?” George said. “I’m making ice cream to go with Polly’s chocolate cake.”
Sheriff Pike looked down at the bucket and crank contraption George was working, suddenly feeling hungry at just the mention of Polly Esther’s cake. “I think I’ll take you up on that George,” Pike said with a grin. “I’m not the kind of man to miss out on an opportunity like that.”
The sound of a horn blaring and the chug chug of a new fangled automobile made Pike groan.
“Here comes Jasper again.” He said shaking his head. “Can you tell me why a regular horse and buggy isn’t good enough for that man?”
Together the two men watched as the horseless carriage made its way around a turn puttering into view with the town’s banker at the helm.
“Morning George, Sheriff.” The man greeted from beneath a heavy fur coat.
An older woman wrapped snuggly in a warm rug wiggled her gloved fingers at them smiling as they passed at a sedate pace.
“Well that was civil,” George said, looking up from his task once more as the sound of a horse plodding around the turn caught his ears.
“Sheriff,” Major Jupiter ambled along the street on a leggy bay gelding.
Sheriff Pike chuckled, “Major, I see you’re keeping an eye on Mr. Williams and his friend Mrs. Farrow.”
“Yes sir Sheriff. No need for you to worry when I’m on watch.” The old soldier replied letting his horse choose its pace down the street. “I’ll be headed home now.” He added touching a gloved hand to his old hat.
George shook his head, “That was a good thing you and Ferd done giving the Major that job.”
“He still has his bad days,” Sheriff Pike said, “but I think having a purpose here in town helps him stay centered.”
“I know his granddaughter is glad he’s busy,” George said. “She worried about how his mind was failing.”
Sheriff Pike pushed his hat back on his head, his eyes following the retreating Major. “I can’t say that it’s fixed all the problems,” he mused, “but it does help. He’s still an old man who’s seen a lot of miles.”
George nodded, “We ain’t far behind him I think,” he smiled.
“You speak for yourself George Olson,” the Sheriff joshed, “me, I’m in my prime.”
“Sheriff Pike,” Francis’s voice caught both men by surprise and George hastened to right his ice cream churn.
“Dagnabit Francis, you do tread soft,” Sheriff Pike said, noting the younger man’s smile. He was convinced the Indian snuck up on him just to prove he could.
“Sorry,” He said, the smile flitting across his face. “I hear you have notice.”
“Yes, I got a wire from the Sheriff down in Hester Nevada saying that the Bentley’s were safe in Utah.”
Francis nodded his dark eyes bright. “You know who brought message to Shady?” he asked.
“No I’m afraid I don’t, but I wired back that you were here and that you had enough sense to stay until the weather broke.”
George looked at the young man suspiciously. “You and the fellas in the village got a death wish or something?”
“No. Challenge,” Francis said with a smile turning and making his way down the stairs toward the livery.
“I guess young fella’s like that are still the same as ever,” George mused. “Still trying to prove they’re tough.”
