The Texan's Reward (44 page)

Parker. “You think it’s time?”

“I’ve been ready for years, just waiting for you to make up your mind.” Parker turned into his office. “I sent the

deputy for the judge. I’d like to get the official part over with tonight. There will be time for celebrating

tomorrow.”

Jacob understood. The old man hated a fuss. By the time Parker poured him a cup of coffee, the judge arrived

with a warm greeting. He stood before the two lawmen. “You want to hand me that ranger badge, son?” the old

judge said.

Dalton pul ed the circle star from his vest. “I do.” He pressed the metal against the palm of his hand one last

time before passing it to the judge. It had been a symbol not just of what he did but of what he was.

The judge took the badge and glanced at Parker. “You ready?”

Parker winked. “That I am.” The sheriff pulled his star from his shirt and handed it to Jacob. “It’s all yours now,

Sheriff Dalton. Take care of my town.”

“My town.” Jacob smiled as he laid his hand on the judge’s Bible and took the oath.

They al shook hands, and within minutes Jacob was riding toward the house out by the railroad tracks.

The sun was low in the sky when he neared what once had been Fat Alice’s brothel. Jacob slowed, marveling at

how grand the old place seemed. Another month, and the flowers would be gone and the leaves from al the

trees Nel had babied over the summer would disappear, but this would always be his home.

He could see Harrison’s buggy tied up out front. The bookkeeper had done wonders with the ranches in the past

six months. He and Marla were taking their time courting, but everyone knew they’d be married before

Christmas. Nel had offered him a house on one of the ranches, but Harrison had turned it down and bought his

own place in town. Jacob had teased him more than once about why the bookkeeper needed his own place. He

was usually drinking coffee in Marla’s kitchen by dawn and never left until after supper.

Jacob reached the gate. He could just make out the preacher sleeping in his favorite chair on the porch. Nel had

given Brother Aaron the Stockard place, but the old man still rode over for dinner every night.

Just as Jacob clanked the gate closed, he heard the front door open and Nel ran toward him. If he lived to be a

hundred, his heart would always pick up a beat at the sight of her. His Nell. His Two Bits. He’d always loved her.

He’d love her with his last breath.

“You’re home,” she cried as if it had been weeks and not just days since she’d seen him. “It’s about time.”

And then she was in his arms, and he could breathe again. It didn’t matter if fall and winter came, he had his

wildflower in his arms.

After he kissed her soundly, he whispered, “Want to ride with me up to the windmil ?”

“No,” she whispered. “I’d like to go for a swim.”

“Now?”

“Now.” She laughed. “I need to talk to you about tadpoles.”

THE DALTON LINE

JACOB AND NELL DALTON WERE MARRIED FOR FIFTY-THREE years. They had three girls Nell named after her

three friends who accepted her when she’d been a wild child. The oldest was Lacy, the second, Bailee, and the

baby, Sarah. They also had one son who grew up to be a Texas Supreme Court judge. They named him Jacob

Randolph.

Brother Aaron retired from preaching and, though he never farmed or ranched on the Stockard land, made a

living charging people to hunt for Zeb Whitaker’s lost gold. Every few years another clue would turn up along

with men wil ing to pay to search. As of this date, the two saddlebags of gold have never been found.

Hank and Wednesday were married three weeks after Hank was released from prison. He became one of the

finest builders in Texas, and several small town court-houses still remain as tribute to his fine work.

Randolph Harrison used his skill to enlarge Nell’s property until she owned the seventh largest ranch in the

state, and he became the best-paid bookkeeper between Dallas and Denver. Marla and Rand’s only child, a

daughter named Hope, married Nel and Jacob’s only son. Hope Dalton is credited for founding one of the

nation’s largest teachers’ colleges while raising six sons.

Jacob Dalton didn’t stay home as he’d planned. Five years after taking over as sheriff, he ran for the Texas State

Senate and became a powerful force in moving his beloved state into the twentieth century. The townsfolk

often turned out to watch him return home from Austin. Some said they wanted to see a great man, but most

admitted they just wanted to see a man in love swing his wife into his arms.