Sheriff
Squires has dropped by the house to pay his respects, but he has some
questions for Luke which make the younger Henry brother suspicious.
"Of
course you do. I'm sorry. Being the law, I like to see things neat
and tidy. I worry about my friends."
"I
imagine you do. This ain't a thing for you to worry after. Between us
and the menfolk, we got this covered. Will and me'll keep an eye on
the girls for ya."
"Thanks.
I knew I could count on you." Picking up his hat, he bid
farewell and headed back down the mountain.
Lucius
watched him drive away. "Just what are you after, Edward
Squires? And why did you want to know so bad about a will?"
Rachel
Henry came up a moment later, tugging at her son's arm. "You
come sit down, Luke, and have something to eat. You got to keep up
your strength."
He
allowed himself to be persuaded to eat. He was extra hungry and knew
his body was still fighting off the infection in his hand. Will and
the other men came in thirty minutes later.
They
spent a couple hours with the family before gathering some things
together to take with them to the girls' dorm. Their mother agreed
that they should stay with the girls for the time being.
"Most
of the family will be heading home the next day or so, but Wilt said
he'd stay on a little longer. His boys can handle the farm on their
own."
Will
and Luke were glad to hear their uncle was staying. He was a good man
who had often helped them and their father with the farm. It was a
big job for one man. Luke wasn't sure how he was going to manage.
Will had his own job to do. Luke still needed the money from the
school to make ends meet. He might end up hiring someone in the fall.
Through the summer, he could manage with Samuel's help, but his
younger brother would have school come August.
The
brothers bid farewell just before lunch and headed back down the
mountain. They spent the day with Patty and Dollie. After the evening
meal, they helped wash up, then went outside to smoke while the women
took their showers. Sitting on the front porch swing, the men shared
a cigarette.
"Feels
like home already," Will said with a happy sigh.
"It
sure does. I could get used to being domesticated real easy."
Will
chuckled, punching his brother's shoulder. "You mean you want
sex regular like."
"That
and the meal. Mama's a fine cook, there's no doubt. But with Daddy
and a passel of young'uns to feed, I didn't never get full. It was a
little better once you moved, but if there was extra, Daddy always
took it. There's me workin' two jobs and lucky to get my share. Mama
tried to give me her portion sometimes, but I ain't takin' food off
my mother's plate. When Dollie and Patty feed me, I stay fed."
He laughed, patting his belly.
Will
laughed at his brother. "You're gonna get fat with a wife to
feed you regular."
"Nope.
I'll work it off other ways."
Will
whooped, punching Luke. "I heard ya!"
Luke
pretended not to mean it the way it sounded. "I don't know what
you're on about. I was talking about working at the school and at the
farm."
His
brother chuckled, lighting another cigarette. "Yeah, I'll just
bet you were."
Luke's
laugh joined in. They shared another smoke, waiting for the women. A
short time later, both came out with their hair damp, wearing fresh
dresses and smelling sweet like soap. Luke's chest tightened when
Dollie sat next to him, her body pressed next to his. She smelled so
clean and fresh, he could hardly bear it. Her scent tickled his nose
in a delightful way and it was all he could do not to lick her.
Instead, he placed his lips on her cheek, kissing her tenderly. He
nuzzled her neck, nibbling at the base of her ear.
Dollie
shivered, wiggling delightedly next to him. Luke continued his
ministrations. He strongly suspected his brother and Patty were doing
more than just cuddle, but he was past caring. He enjoyed the little
bit he could have with Dollie, knowing that they would come to that
place in their relationship too.
Once
the sun set, they went inside and sat in the common room, playing
cards. The girls knew a variety of games. They even pulled out an old
dominos set and taught the men how to play. Dollie was good, but Luke
took to it like he'd played his entire life. Patty and Will couldn't
compete, so they finally put the games away and sat around talking.
Luke
told them about the conversation he'd had with the sheriff. "It
was right strange how he kept going on about a will. Made me wonder
what he was really after. And why. Don't make a whole lotta sense."
"Maybe
he really was concerned about making the transition of the land
simple," Patty said softly.
"Patty,
I don't mean to contradict, but the fact is, up here we don't need no
lawyers to tell us who gets what. A man makes his wishes known and
his family sees it done."
"I
was supposed to inherit Daddy's land," Will said quietly. "But
when I moved to town, I lost that. He disowned me and gave the land
to Luke."
"And
that doesn't bother you?" Patty was incredulous.
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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