CHAPTER 24
They headed back to Tinhorn early the next morning, planning to let Ada spend the night in the jail there. John and Henry would go on to Tyler with their prisoner the next day. Flint was dead-certain Ada had something to do with the disappearance of Ranger Matt Conway, but she’d denied knowing anything about it.
There was a reunion of sorts when Ada was put in the small cell next to Ralph, who resided in the new, larger one. News of any kind always spread quickly in a small town like Tinhorn, and news of Ada Tubbs’ return spread through the town like wildfire on a windy prairie. Unfortunately for the gawkers, she arrived too late at night to go on display. Only those few who came to work before breakfast time the next day were able to get a glimpse of her as the two Rangers led her out of town on the Tyler road.
It was with a great sense of relief Buck Jackson saw his deputy return. His brief absence had caused the sheriff to realize how much he’d depended on Deputy Flint Moran. He was also tired of being asked when Flint would return. Seemed everyone from the mayor and town council members, to the women at Clara’s Kitchen wanted to know. Even Rena at Jake’s Place inquired about Flint.
“I reckon I’ve got job security,” Flint told his older brother Nate when he saw him in town the next Saturday.
“Ma and the rest of the family have been hopin’ you’d find time to visit a little more often. We kinda miss havin’ you around.”
“I was thinkin’ about that, myself,” Flint said. “Things are lookin’ peaceful around Tinhorn now. You’d better warn Ma that I’ll be showin’ up for Sunday dinner.”
He returned to the office and found Buck sitting at the desk. “I just told my brother I’d ride out to the house tomorrow to have dinner with the family. Is that all right with you?”
“Shoot, ’course it is,” Buck responded at once. “It’s about time you took a little time to see the family.”
“Ma’s wantin’ to have a big family dinner. I might not want any supper, but I’ll fetch Ralph’s supper, so you won’t have to bother with it.” Unsure if Buck had given up on his recent attempt to cut back on his drinking, and even though Tinhorn appeared to be back to its old peaceful self, Flint didn’t want to leave him alone with the town, even on a Sunday night.
“Don’t cut your visit short just to get back here before dark. Hell, if I have any real trouble, I’ll deputize Ralph,” Buck japed. “He oughta be familiar with the way we do things.”
His joking caused Flint to comment on the subject of Ralph. “Better use him while you can, I reckon. He ain’t got many more days with us before he goes to trial again. I swear, I’ll kinda miss him. He sure don’t cause any trouble, does he?”
“Nary a bit,” Buck answered. “I believe if you forgot to lock his cell, he wouldn’t walk out. It’s a damn shame to send him down to Huntsville just because he was with Jed Tubbs. I’d be inclined to cut Ralph loose, but I made that mistake with Ada. And he did draw his gun on you. Hell, you had to shoot him twice before it was over.”
“That’s a fact, but I believe Ralph really was forced to act the way he did because he was afraid not to, afraid Jed wouldn’t hesitate to shoot him if he didn’t. He turned plum peaceable as soon as Jed was gone.” Flint paused to watch Buck a moment.
The big man was thinking about it, obviously troubled. Flint was witnessing a side of Buck Jackson not normally on display.
“I reckon you could always say he’s served enough jail time for his crimes in our town. Call off his trial and put him on probation. Leave his cell unlocked and let him do the jobs Roy used to do.”
Buck’s eyes lit up. “That’s a helluva idea,” he exclaimed. “You really think he’s given up his outlaw ways?”
“I think he surely wants to. And what if he hasn’t? He’ll sure as hell leave Tinhorn to get in trouble again.”
“Come on,” Buck said. “We’ll hold court right now.” He started for the cell room door and Flint followed him.
Ralph looked up in surprise when the sheriff unlocked his cell door, and he and his deputy came into his cell, looking like they meant business. “What’s up, fellers?” he asked cautiously.
“Get on your feet, prisoner,” Buck ordered.
Ralph did so immediately, alarmed by Buck’s official-like manner and confused by the grin on Flint’s face.
Buck continued. “Ralph Cox, in my official capacity as sheriff of the town of Tinhorn, I’m ruling your sentence has been completed. You will be placed on probation until the end of the month.”
“What does that mean?” Ralph asked, still fearful.
“Well, it means we ain’t gonna lock your cell anymore and you’re free to go. Or you can stay and take over the job Roy Hawkins held before your partner murdered him. So, what’s it gonna be?” Buck waited for his answer.
“I didn’t have nothin’ to do with killin’ Roy,” Ralph declared, as he always did any time the subject came up. “You fellers ain’t japin’ me, are you?”
Sheriff and deputy shook their heads.
“Then I’ll stay here and take the job. You won’t be sorry. I’ll do a good job.”
Leaving Ralph to ponder his new situation, Buck and Flint went back into the office. Buck sat down at his desk and was about to say more, but the office door opened, and to their surprise, Hannah Green walked in. Buck immediately jumped to his feet. Flint took hold of the doorknob and held the door for her.
“Miz Green,” Buck stammered. “How can I help you, ma’am?”
“I declare, Buck Jackson,” Hannah replied, “how many years does a woman have to know you before you call her by her first name?”
“Hannah, then,” Buck sputtered sheepishly.
Flint could only gawk, amazed. He had never seen Buck at a loss for words, and with a woman at that.
“That’s better,” Hannah said cheerfully. “In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never been in here before.” She took a brief look around her. “This is where you and Flint hole up.” She smiled at Flint. “Well, I don’t want to take up any more of your valuable time.”
“You can take all the time you want,” Buck replied at once. “We’re at your service. Ain’t we, Flint?”
“Depends,” Flint answered with a chuckle, afraid this visit had something to do with her niece Nancy.
“It’s nothing really,” Hannah said. “Tomorrow’s Sunday and I wanted to let Flint know I planned to fix a big Sunday dinner. I came here to tell you because I wanted to invite Buck to come with you.”
Flint turned at once to see Buck’s reaction.
The powerful and fearless guardian of the town of Tinhorn appeared struck dumb, his jaw hanging open. “You want me to come to dinner?” Buck responded, obviously dumbfounded.
“Doggone it, Hannah,” Flint said. “I was just tellin’ Buck I promised my brother, Nate, I’d ride down there tomorrow to have dinner with the family.”
She gave him a pretty frown of disappointment.
“I woulda asked Buck to go with me, but both of us can’t be out of town at the same time, especially with a prisoner in the jail.” He turned to grin at Buck before saying to Hannah, “But since your house is in town, there ain’t no reason Buck can’t be there for dinner.”
“Good,” Hannah exclaimed. “We’ll be honored to have our brave sheriff tomorrow. Myrna and I are fixing a big dinner, so we’ll start a little later than usual. Can I expect you at one o’clock, Sheriff?” She displayed a warm smile for his benefit.
Seeing his boss still in a slight state of shock, Flint volunteered, “Yes, ma’am, you can.”
“Good,” Hannah said again and turned to Buck. “I’ve always wanted to see if our cooking could satisfy a big strong man like you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” She went back out the door with a smile for Flint.
“Well, ain’t that somethin’?” Flint commented, armed with first-hand evidence of something he had not had a hint of in the short time he had known Buck Jackson—that he went limp as a noodle in Hannah Green’s presence.
“This changes things.” Flint pointed his finger at his embarrassed boss. “I don’t wanna hear nothin’ else about Mindy Moore unless you’re ready to tell me how long you’ve been pining over Hannah Green.” He shook his head slowly. “I reckon she decided you weren’t ever gonna make the first move, so she had to do it.” He fixed Buck with a grinning gaze. “Yes, sir, this changes things.”