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NICK ASKED THE POLICEMAN ON jail duty if Sheriff Williams was there.
“Yes, sir. Who can I tell him is here?”
“Nick Turner.”
“Sheriff Turner?”
“Long time ago, son. Too long.”
Sheriff Williams met Nick at the door.
“Well, well. Look what the cat has dragged home. How are you Nick?”
“Fine, and you?”
“Okay, I guess. I didn’t know how hard you had to work at this job or I wouldn’t have run against you.”
“Does keep you busy, doesn’t it.”
“Nick, what are you up to? I understand you never leave that hole you work in.”
“No place to go and no need — until today.”
“Meaning what?”
“The truth is we want to get this boy married to Miss Peggy. However, I have too much respect for you to go behind your back.”
“I appreciate that. What do you want me to do?”
“Just let Reverend Harper marry them here in the jail. But you need to know their marriage may make Judge Foster awfully mad.”
“Nick, this is my jail. I’m an elected official just like he is. Let him be mad. I have a feeling his rooster-crowing days are over.”
“Then you’ll do it?”
“Do it? I want to be one of the witnesses! I’ll even sign on the marriage certificate! Follow me.”
“Is it alright if Mr. and Mrs. Barkley join us?”
“Absolutely. Mike, Martha, excuse my manners. I didn’t realize you were standing there. Please, join us?”
Mike shook his hand and said humbly: “We won’t forget this sheriff.”
“I’m depending on it!” he laughed.
They arrived in front of Peggy’s cell to find her holding the bars. “What’s going on?” — she said.
Jim spoke first: “You said you would marry me and I’m going to make sure you don’t back out.”
Tears flooded her eyes and she choked with emotion: “I love you, Jim Coleman.”
The sheriff asked Reverend Harper where he wanted to do the ceremony. “I guess Jim can just stand there next to her.”
“No way!” — announced the sheriff. “Tommy! Bring me the keys to this cell. I don’t think escaping is quite on her mind right now. Let’s move into the large room over there. Reverend Harper, they’re all yours.”
As a good Baptist minister, Reverend Harper felt he needed to preach a short sermon before he married them. It seemed acceptable to everyone as they quieted down to listen. Mr. and Mrs. Barkley stood hand in hand, both of them fighting back tears. They had come to love Jim and were overjoyed to participate in the wedding, though extremely emotional knowing that shortly it could end with Peggy’s execution. Because of their own precious experiences of sharing a life with someone you loved, they could truly appreciate how special was the moment and event. It seemed everyone was holding his breath waiting to hear Reverend Harper begin. He spoke for several minutes and then said: “This is where I normally ask who gives the bride away.”
Mike cleared his throat and said quickly: “I’d like that honor if it’s okay with you Margaret.”
Peggy began to cry and threw her arms around his neck whispering: “Why couldn’t my father have been more like you?”
Mike quietly thanked her and held her until she got control of her emotions again. The rest of the service was absolutely beautiful but bittersweet, in light of an outcome no one wanted to talk about.
After giving them a few minutes, Sheriff Williams informed them they would all have to leave. Nick thanked him and said: “You know you will have a few rough days with the judge.”
“I know, but it’s been worth it.” Seeing Jim leave with the others, he called out: “Jim, where are you going?”
“Sir?”
“You just got married, didn’t you? We don’t marry folks around here and then let them go separate.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not the Ritz, but you and your bride can have her room until five o’clock.”
“Can you do that?”
“I just did. Tommy... if anyone — and I mean anyone — tries to bother these two before five o’clock, you better look for another job. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sheriff.”
“They will have their privacy” —Tommy said.
Mrs. Barkley had turned around to catch the eye of Sheriff Williams. He smiled: “Martha, I used to be a romantic.”
“You still are” — was her quiet reply.
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