CHAPTER 14
Mackey was in the middle of watching his deputies muster Grant out of chains when one of the junior deputies came rushing into the jail to find him.
“Marshal Mackey.” The boy was so out of breath, he could barely stand. “Judge Forester wants you in his chambers. Immediately, if not sooner. His very words, sir. Not mine.”
Mackey immediately thought Rigg must be up to something, maybe some kind of bid to free Brenner. “Is he in trouble?”
“No, sir. He’s fine. He just said he needs you in his chambers immediately.”
Mackey saw he did not have much of a choice, so he walked outside and climbed into Adair’s saddle. Although the courthouse was just across the street from the jail, he decided to ride instead of walk. He was new in this town, and impressions were important if he was to have their respect. He knew the black Arabian mare always made a distinct impression on strangers. Besides, he was a cavalryman, and no cavalryman worth his salt walked when he could ride.
He brought Adair about and let her move at her own pace through the guarded gate of the prison and across Broadway to the courthouse. Yes, the judge had sent word for him to hurry, but he had never been of the mind to put the heels to Adair’s flanks unless it was necessary. That was why he had always gotten the best out of her when he needed her most. The horse knew that if Mackey was urging her on, there was a good reason.
A request from an eccentric judge did not qualify as a good reason to Aaron Mackey.
The street was still filled with spectators gathering to discuss what they had heard and seen in the courtroom. He knew from experience that most of them would get it wrong, of course, and by nightfall, several different accounts of the same event would have spread throughout Helena’s drawing rooms, dining halls, and saloons. The morning papers might contradict some of what they had heard from their neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, but gossips rarely allowed facts to get in the way of a juicy story.
Mackey rode Adair into the stable at the rear of the courthouse, where the black liveryman ducked his head to him as he took the reins from him as he climbed down from the saddle. “I’ll look her over and give her a good rubdown if she needs it, sir.”
But Mackey had something else on his mind. “Why’d you do that just now?”
The liveryman looked confused. “Do what, sir?”
“Duck your head like that when you came outside?”
The liveryman seemed startled by the question. “No cause, sir. Just something I do.”
“What’s your name?”
“Name’s Charles,” he said with pride. “That’s always been enough of a name for me, so I don’t have a last one.”
“Don’t ever duck your head to anyone ever again, Charles. Not to me. Not to anyone who comes here. They’re no better than you. You’re the man who takes care of their horses. That’s an important job. Act like it.”
“Yes, sir,” he said with a bit of newfound pride in his voice. “I believe you’re right.”
“Don’t forget it. And don’t let them forget it, either. Anyone gives you trouble, you come see me.”
“I will, sir. And thank you.”
“You can thank me by keeping Adair here separated from the rest of the horses in there. She’s doesn’t get along well with other animals, especially mares.” He was glad she did not mind Charles holding her reins. “She seems to have taken to you, though.”
The liveryman patted her neck. “I have a special way with animals, sir. Always have. Comes in handy for a liveryman.”
He watched Charles lead Adair into the livery.
Mackey turned and walked up the back stairs of the courthouse. He had no idea why he had felt compelled to tell Charles not to duck his head. He had no idea if what he had just told him would make a difference, but he felt it still needed saying.
When he reached the judge’s chambers, Mackey was surprised that the front desk was empty, but he could hear voices coming from Forester’s office. Not only voices, but something that sounded like it might be laughter.
Now he was really beginning to worry.
Mackey pushed through the gate and slowly walked back toward the judge’s office. None of this fit with the man he had come to know as Adam Forester.
When he walked into the chambers, he immediately saw the reason for the laughter.
He saw Billy and Joshua holding small glasses of something that looked like champagne. Pappy was there, too, decked out in a red, white, and blue sash across his morning coat, a top hat tucked under his left arm.
And Katherine was standing next to Judge Forester. She was still wearing the same beautiful pink dress and broad-brimmed hat she had worn in court, only now she had pinned a matching veil to it.
The colorful bouquet of flowers she held told him the reason why Judge Forester had sent word for him to hurry.
Katherine’s smile confirmed it. “Glad you finally decided to come to your own wedding, Marshal.”
* * *
The rest of the ceremony was a blur to Aaron. Katherine had arranged everything with Judge Forester a few days beforehand, asking that the wedding take place immediately after the trial.
“I knew a new life would be starting for us now no matter what the verdict,” Katherine said to him as the wedding party took their places in the now-vacant courtroom. “What better way to sweep the past clean than with a wedding?”
Mackey felt himself blushing. He was not used to this kind of attention. “But I didn’t get you a wedding ring.”
“I’ve already got one.” She took off her old wedding ring and handed it to him. “This time, it’ll be from you and like a whole new ring again. Your father is giving you his. He’s also been kind enough to offer to give me away.”
Mackey handed Katherine’s ring to Billy. “Keep an eye on that until the time comes.”
“I did the last time, didn’t I?” Billy reminded him.
Mackey had thought less and less about his marriage to Mary in the years since she had left. He had forgotten almost every detail about their wedding day, even that Billy had been his best man then, too. “Let’s hope the second time’s a charm.”
“It is.” Billy took Katherine’s gloved hand and kissed it. “It really is.”
Mackey had the chance to take a better look at his father and the colorful sash he was wearing. “Why’s Pappy in that getup? He wasn’t wearing a sash and a top hat at the trial.” He noticed another detail troubled him even further. “And why the hell is he wearing gloves? He doesn’t even wear gloves when he’s unloading freight.”
Katherine suppressed a smile and looked away from her future husband.
Mackey asked Billy, “What’s going on?”
Billy replied with a wince.
“Is someone going to tell me,” Mackey asked, “or just stand there making funny faces all day?”
“A boy from the telegraph office found him right after the trial,” Billy said. “Mr. Bishop of the Dover Station Company pushed for the town to hold an election for mayor today. Looks like they elected Pappy as their new mayor.”
Katherine giggled.
Now Mackey knew why Billy was wincing. “They finally did it.” He closed his eyes. “He’ll be worse to live with than ever after this.”
“At least you’ll know Dover Station will be in good hands.” Katherine took her fiancé’s hands. “All the more reason to stay right here in Helena, isn’t it?”
“Music to my ears,” Judge Forester said, interrupting the couple. He held up a key and an envelope to Aaron and Katherine. “I almost forgot. An early wedding present from Mr. Rice of New York.”
Mackey took the envelope and key from the judge. “What is it?”
“The deed to the Hotel Helena. Says he was so impressed with what Katherine had done with the Campbell Arms in Dover that he knew she could do wonders here with her own hotel. I know she’ll turn that tired old place into a palace, starting with the kitchen.”
Katherine giggled again as she brought her hands to her face, barely able to control herself. Mackey had never seen her so happy.
Joshua stepped forward and took the envelope and key from him. “I’ll keep them safe for you until after the ceremony, Aaron. You look like you might drop them.”
Judge Forester cleared his throat. “Now, let’s hurry up with these proceedings so I can swear your daddy in as mayor of Dover Station. I’m not sure if it’s legal or not, but, by God, it’ll certainly be fun!”
Mackey found himself being jostled into place by Katherine and Pappy and Billy. He was not accustomed to being flustered or rushed but realized he did not mind the bother.
Only young Sandborne stood back on the fringe, but Mackey beckoned him to stand next to Billy before the judge. “You’re part of this family now, Joshua, whether you like it or not.”
Josh seemed to like it just fine, given by how quickly he stood next to Billy.
Satisfied that everyone was in place, Judge Forester cleared his throat and began the proceedings.
“Dearly, beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Aaron Mackey and Katherine Campbell in holy matrimony.”
The ceremony went on like that for several more minutes. Words being said by the judge and Aaron and Katherine. Vows repeated and rings exchanged and none of it seemed real to Mackey until he heard the judge say, “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Mackey. You may now kiss the bride!”
And Mackey did kiss her, and as she kissed him back with what he knew was all of her heart, he realized the great whale had swum away beyond his notice or care.