Jesse by Barbara Goss (best romantic books to read TXT) 📗

Jesse and Charlie kneeled by the bed that night and thanked the Lord for Jesse’s recovery and especially for steering that bullet to where it would do the least amount of damage.

Chapter Nineteen

“Jesse,” Charlie whispered in bed after making love, “do you want children?”

He propped himself on his elbows and said, “I don’t know.  I’ve never thought about it.  I guess I should since it could happen.  What I mean to say is... while I’ve never thought of becoming a father, I suppose that since it could easily happen, I should prepare to be one.”

Charlie laughed and cuddled closer to him.  “I know we only made love one night before you had to leave, but with all the excitement, it just dawned on me that I’ve missed my... um… time of the month.  It might just be all the excitement we’ve been through, but I could be carrying our son or daughter.”

Jesse turned toward her.  “I’m not sure if I’m ready.”

“What do you mean you aren’t sure?  You may not have a choice in the matter,” she said with a giggle.

“I meant to say that you have my mind spinning, and I’m not sure if I’d make a good father or not.”

“Have you ever been around children?”

“No.  Never.  Just other people’s kids in passing.”

“You look so tough, but inside you can be soft as a purring kitten.  I’m sure you’ll be a good father.  The baby would be half of you and half of me.”

Jesse leaned back with his arms behind his head.  “I need to digest all of this.”

“If I am increasing, you’ll have about seven months to digest.”

Jesse turned and took Charlie into his arms. “Women die in childbirth.  What if I were to lose you?”

“Do you see me as a weak or frail woman?  I’m tough, Jesse.  I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll see if Dr. Satterfield will come out to check you over, and I want to be sure he’ll be available in seven months to tend to the birth.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you: Dr. Satterfield has written his son in New Jersey to ask him to be the doctor for Sunset Creek, and he’s agreed.  I hope he’ll be here and be established by the time we need him. The new Dr. Enoch Satterfield will be a young, qualified physician.”

“Sunset Creek is growing. I see more buildings going up on Main Street.  We need a town doctor,” Jesse said.

Jesse strolled into the sheriff’s office and greeted Deputy Campbell.  “Is the sheriff still in mourning?”

Campbell sighed.  “He quit.  Now the town council is looking for a new candidate for sheriff.”

 “What about you?” Jesse asked.

“No, I’ve filled in for weeks now, and my farm has been neglected.  I need to get back to farming.  I have a wife and five children.  I’ll stay on as deputy if the new sheriff will have me, but I can’t be on duty ten or twelve hours a day, and the pay isn’t great.”

“I don’t blame you.  I hope they find someone soon.” Jesse gazed around the office.  “Is Roy here yet?”

“Yes, they sent him here from Sterling’s Mill since you must press charges, and Sunset Creek is listed as your witness, Cordelia’s, legal residence. I spoke to Judge Hanley who said we can’t keep him locked up until you legally press charges.  He committed attempted murder, but he killed no one. He claims the gun went off by accident.  I guess we’ll have to let a judge decide.”

“It was a serious injury, but I’m all right now, though.  Can I talk to Roy?  Maybe we can strike a deal.”

“Sure. The cell is around the corner.”

Jesse walked around the corner to see Roy sitting on his cot with his head on his knees.  He looked up when Jesse cleared his throat.  “What do you want?”

“I’m here to make a deal with you.  You’ll have to go to court and make the judge believe you shot me by accident.  I’m willing to let you off the hook and agree it was an accident if you promise to pack up and leave Wyoming.”

“I didn’t plan to shoot you, but I panicked. I know I could never beat you in a gunfight.

“My wife and Delia left me, and I don’t know where they went. I was thinking of going to live near my brother, Raymond, in Nebraska.  I promise to leave if you don’t press charges.  You have my word.  I have nothing to stay here for, anyway.”

Jesse held out his hand.

Ray stood, walked to the bars of his cell, and shook Jesse’s hand.  “I’m sorry for everything, and I’m glad I didn’t kill you,” he said.  “With no job, a harping wife... I just sort of went crazy, I guess.”

 As Jesse strolled down the wooden walkway after picking up his mail, he heard someone say, “Wait up, Mr. Morgan!” Jesse spun around to see a balding man with spectacles. “I’m Judge John Hanley.  I just spoke to Campbell, and he told me you aren’t pressing charges—is that right?”

“Yes, sir, and you can call me Jesse.  It seems that Roy’s gun went off by accident.”

“Glad to hear it—my court calendar is full until November.

“By the way, your name was mentioned by two prominent citizens at the council meeting yesterday: Sean McMullen and Mac Kingsley.  They nominated you to be the sheriff of our growing town.”

 “I’m flattered, but what does the job entail?”

“Keeping law and order, of course... and collecting taxes.”

Jess tapped his chin.  “What’s the pay?”

“It varies according to the taxes.  Businesses pay more than citizens, but as you can see by the construction around town, businesses are growing.  The pay might be just fifteen dollars a week to start.  That’s what Barringer was getting, but as the town grows, so will your