|
|
|
THE NEXT MORNING HE AWOKE refreshed and ready to take on the world, hardly able to wait for the Barkleys to arrive. He met them at the door with a big smile.
“You ready to work so soon?” — asked Mike.
“No, sir. I have a major favor to ask.”
“What’s that, son?”
“Would you be the best man at my wedding?”
I’m shocked: “Are you and Peggy getting married?”
“Yes, sir. If we can.”
“When?”
“As soon as Nick and I can make the arrangements.”
“Nick Turner is helping you?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Not really. If anyone in this county can get it done, he’s your man. I’m just surprised he’d leave the supper club. He’s been holed up in there like a hermit since he was defeated as sheriff years ago.”
“That’s a surprise. He took me to see Peggy last night and then we had steaks at Harry’s.”
“Well, I’ll be... You must’ve changed him. We all thought he would just drink himself to death in that club, sort of disappear into a drinking glass. It’s good to hear he’s alive again.”
“Mike, Nick suggested you might know a preacher that would marry us.”
“I sure do! Reverend Harper. He was the minister at Barnes Chapel Church. Reverend Harper lost his only son in the great WW2. When he heard about our Michael, he came to see us. If it hadn’t been for him, I don’t know how we would have made it.”
“Nick said the preacher might not want to marry us because of Peggy’s being convicted.”
“Don’t worry! Reverend Harper will do it because it’s the right thing to do. When is this wedding going to take place?”
“If we can, I’d like to do it today.”
“Today? Well, I guess, why not?”
“Yes. Nick thinks Judge Foster may try to stop it if we wait much longer.”
“He’s right! The Fosters already have plans for that baby. Your marriage could ruin them. I’ll round up the Reverend. What time do you want him at the jail?”
“Let’s all meet here at one o’clock and go together.”
“If I can’t find Reverend Harper, I’ll find someone else, so don’t worry. Mike turned to his wife: “Mother, we’re going to a wedding. Better go home and get dressed.”
Shortly after that Nick drove up in front of the post office, walked to the sidewalk and up the short steps and opened the door. “I explained everything to Mike”— Jim said. “He says Reverend Harper will marry us. Mike will have the Reverend here at one o’clock. Do we need anything else?”
“Not really. We need the license though. Let’s work on that now.”
Nick was caught by the traffic light as he drove away from the post office. It was the first time Jim had the opportunity to see Mr. Bob’s house. He looked across the lawn and to his surprise the house was gone. There was a large sign announcing it as the future home of the Fannin County Bank. Turning to Nick: “What happened to Mr. Bob’s house?”
“Peggy didn’t tell you?”
“No. What?”
“She sold the house and lot to the bank so she could pay her lawyer.”
“How did she get it so quickly?”
“Mr. Bob had deeded it to her years ago, trying to buy her forgiveness. She had forgotten until Mr. Bob’s lawyer reminded her. She sold the property to them under the condition that the house had to be destroyed in thirty days. The bank had a bulldozer there the next week. Who says things don’t happen fast in Fannin County?”
Nick parked in front of the courthouse and turned to Jim and warned him to let him do all the talking. Nick was serious.
Jim smiled and said: “Okay. I wouldn’t know what to say anyway.”
As they walked into the clerk’s office the lady recognized Nick with a big smile.
“Hey, sheriff. How’re you doing?”
“Great, Lisa, and how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“How’s your father?”
“Wonderful.”
“How old is he now?”
“Eighty-seven!”
“Eighty-seven? Does he still drive the tractor?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s not that kind of eighty-seven just yet. He’s afraid we might break it so only he drives it. Wait ‘til I tell him I saw you today.”
“Tell him I heard he was selling his corn by the gallon again.”
“Now Sheriff, play fair... You know he quit making shine some twenty years ago!”
“Yeah, I know, but it will remind him of the good old times anyway.”
“It will. You know you should go see him. He really respected you.”
“I can’t think of anyone I respect more than your father. I may just do that!”
“I know he would appreciate it. Do it for me. Now, how can I help you?”
“I need a special favor, Lisa, and I need for you to keep it a secret for a couple of days. You are to tell no one, and I mean no one.”
“Sounds exciting. What is it?”
“Well, Jim here, wants to get married and he needs a marriage license.”
“That’s easy. What’s the big secret?”
“He is going to marry Peggy Taylor.”
“What?”
“Yes. He’s the father of her baby and they want to make it legal. The reason we want you to keep it a secret is you know what these newspaper reporters will do with this type of news and if it gets to the Fosters even some other way.”
“Sheriff, I understand, I understand...but I will still need her signature.”
“Could you let me take the form to her?”
“No, but if you and Jim will sit down over there, while I take my coffee break, we will finish the paperwork later.” She smiled and winked as they took their seats. Twenty minutes later she returned.
“How was your coffee?”
“It was wonderful. She will make a beautiful bride. Mr. Coleman, will you please sign here? That will be $5, please.”
“Lisa, may you be in heaven five minutes before the devil knows you’re dead.”
“Same to you, sheriff. Maybe ten minutes in your case.”
“Thank you, ma’am” — Jim said.
“You’re welcome sir, and take care of that baby of yours.”
“I will” — was his quick response.
On the way to the car, Jim thought: How in the world am I going to care for a baby? I’ve got to get Peggy free even if it means going to jail myself. Nick suggested they go see how the Barkleys were doing with Reverend Harper, lined up for one o’clock.
It was only 11:00 a.m. when they got back to the post office. As promised, Mike had a preacher. Looking at him, Jim was sure he was the preacher, an elderly man in a black suit holding a well-worn Bible in his right hand, just like he stepped out of the 1946 John Ford’s movie “My Darling Clementine” starring Henry Fonda. Mike spoke first: “Jim, this is Reverend Harper.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Nice to meet you, young man. Are you the one in the big hurry to get married?”
“Yes, sir, I am. I have the marriage license here.”
“If you don’t mind, give it to me and I will take care of getting them filed for you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Son, are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“With all my heart.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Mike looked at Nick: “Do you think they will let us in the jail, now, I mean?’
“We won’t know ‘til we try... — Nick said — who’s going?”
“Me and the missus, Reverend Harper, you and Jim, I guess”— replied Mike.
“Good. Jim, you ride with me. We’ll see the rest of you in front of the jail.”
 |  |  |
|
|
|