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Awkward Marriage 66
News of Owen‘s deed spread fast and within two hours, Jenny heard it from Mrs. Wilson who paid her for the two dresses she made for the woman. ―He caught ‗fast as a bullet Joe‘?‖ Jenny asked. Mrs. Wilson smiled as she held the clothes in her arms. ―He sure did. That new husband of yours is a real catch, if I ever did hear of one. You did good on this one.‖ Jenny grinned. It was nice to have the respect of being married to a good man. ―I didn‘t realize how good I was going to have it when Sheriff Meyer suggested the arranged marriage to me. But it really has worked out.‖ ―I‘m glad. It‘s about time you got a good one after thatClyde ran off.‖ ―Yes, well, I should have said no.‖ ―And what can you do about the past? Nothing. Which is why there‘s no sense in dwelling on it.‖ Jenny sighed. She feared that she didn‘t deserve Irving. When she thought it was just going to be a convenient arrangement, it was easier to accept. But Irving was turni
Awkward Marriage 67
That Saturday, Owen purchased a wagon and led his new family out to the home that Sheriff Meyer had given them to buy. The quaint little home was situated on the outskirts of town with a good five acres around it and a good-sized lake not too far away. Owen liked it immediately, and he turned to Jenny and Jeremy who sat beside him in the wagon to see what they thought. Jeremy bounced up and down in between him and Jenny. ―Wow! This is for us?‖ ―It sure is,‖ Owen said. ―And I‘m going to pay for all of it too. It might take a few years, but this is going to be ours.‖ Then he lifted his gaze to Jenny who had the most beautiful smile he‘d ever seen on a woman. ―What do you think?‖ She looked at him with tears in her eyes. ―It‘s the most wonderful place I‘ve ever seen.‖ ―Then there‘s no need to cry,‖ he teased. ―Grandpa says women cry over everything,‖ Jeremy whispered in his ear. ―Don‘t worry about Ma. That‘s her happy crying.‖ He grinned and winked a
Awkward Marriage 68
Two weeks later, Owen chased the man who just stole another man‘s horse. The two rode on horseback toward the outskirts of town. ―Get back here!‖ Owen yelled. The thief ignored him. He groaned. Why couldn‘t any of the bandits he‘d been chasing around actually stop? He‘d love it if one would obey him. After all, he was the deputy. Shouldn‘t that carry some weight in this town? He reached for his fishing rod. Yes, real deputies like Irving Spencer carried a Colt .45. Owen carried a fishing rod. But the rod worked. He threw back the rod and released the line. It caught onto the belt loop of the man‘s pants. Even as Owen pulled the rod toward him, he realized that he was falling off his steed. He struggled to compensate with his weight, but it was no use. He tumbled off the animal and fell right onto the prairie grass. Still holding onto the rod, he was pulled along the land, being scraped and bruised in places he didn‘t even know existed. He
Awkward Marriage 69
The next day at the jailhouse, Owen fell asleep while sorting through some paperwork. Half aware he was dreaming, he gave himself permission to enjoy the world where anything could happen. And enjoy himself he did. He smiled at the images dancing before him. Then, just when things got really interesting between him and Jenny, a loud bang jolted him from the world of sleep and back into the stark reality of unrelenting desire. He blinked several times as he sat up in the chair and straightened his wrinkled vest. Then he adjusted his deputy badge and turned to the sheriff who gave him a knowing grin. ―That little woman of yours keeping you up at night?‖ ―Well...‖ Since the man had caught him sleeping on the job, Owen figured he might as well tell the truth, even if it was in a roundabout way. ―Yes.‖ Sheriff Meyer chuckled. ―There‘s nothing quite as wonderful as that first year of marriage. I‘m glad things are working out between you two. She‘s a fine one. I knew you‘d m
Awkward Marriage 70
Two hours later, Jenny was working on a baby gown for one of the better well-to-do new mothers in town when a loud rapping at the door made her bolt in surprise. She accidently pricked her finger with the needle. ―Ouch.‖ She sucked on her finger and set aside the thimble and clothing so she could answer the door. Jeremy got up from where he was playing with his toys and followed her. Jenny‘s heart raced at the rapid pounding at the door. Did something happen to Owen or one of her siblings? There was no denying that whoever was on the other end considered their visit to be an emergency. ―Who is it, Ma?‖ ―I don‘t know, honey.‖ She could have checked through the window, but she didn‘t want to waste the extra couple of seconds that it would require. She opened the door and gasped when she saw Clyde‘s mother standing in front of her with a scowl on her face. ―My son is not a killer!‖ the woman yelled before Jenny could speak. Jenny wasn‘t sure she heard right.
Awkward Marriage 71
Did you come for a tour?‖ Owen asked, walking over to them. ―We were in town and thought we‘d say hello,‖ she replied. ―What do you think, Jeremy? Do you want to see where Pa works?‖ The boy eagerly nodded, so Owen put him up on his shoulders. ―Here is Sheriff Meyer‘s desk. I share it with him.‖ She motioned to the stack of paperwork. ―It looks like you do a lot more than catch dangerous men.‖ ―Yep. Judges and lawyers like reports.‖ That made sense. ―Over here,‖ he began as he directed them to the three cells, ―is where we keep the prisoners.‖ ―Whoa!‖ Jeremy said when they stopped in front of an empty cell. ―Do really bad men go in there?‖ ―Some more bad than others. We get the occasional drunk or bar brawler.‖ ―Do you get bank robbers?‖ ―Sometimes.‖ ―I want to see a bank robber!‖ ―Well, you would have if we didn‘t stop a robbery.‖ Jeremy‘s eyes grew wide. ―You did?‖ ―Just the other day. Someone was goi
Awkward Marriage 72
Jenny bit her lower lip as she studied the parlor. If this didn‘t peak Rick‘s romantic interest, then he was a lost cause. She spent that entire Saturday getting everything ready for the special supper. The lacy white curtains were drawn to give the room a private feel to it, and she had set out the matching tablecloth. She made both years ago when she thought she‘d marry Clyde. Was she ever glad she ended up with Owen instead! She hummed as she lit the two candles. She dimmed the kerosene lamp and smiled. Though she had no flowers, she arrange some colorful leaves in the center of the table and placed a pinecone on top of it. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the sweet scent, which was almost masked by the pot roast that was cooling in the oven. She opened her eyes and set the cushions on the chairs so they‘d be comfortable. Then she stepped back and examined the effect of the candlelight. It seemed magical to be in here. She clapped her hands and nearly skipped out of the
Awkward Marriage 73
Jenny wiped ointment on Owen‘s arms to soothe his burns. As she did, he watched her, enjoying the way she fussed over him. His Aunt Rachel had fussed over him too, but it was different with Jenny. It was much nicer. He was lying on the bed and she sat next to him, gentle and caring. Yes. It was definitely much nicer. She closed the lid on the jar and placed it on the nightstand. Then she wiped her hand on a clean cloth. ―It was funny...in a way.‖ ―What? Seeing me on fire?‖ ―No, silly.‖ She nudged him playfully in the side. ―That a squirrel could cause so much damage.‖ He chuckled. ―That was a smart squirrel.‖ She got up. He tried to reach for her hand to stop her, but she was too quick for him. Quick just like the squirrel. ―Where are you going?‖ ―To check on Jeremy.‖ He watched as she left the room. It was unfortunate that things happened as they did. Jenny had been so excited about making the perfect supper,
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