Distant Lovers - 10

It was morning already and Mace's belly was pinching his backbone. That fresh coffee was just what he needed after washing, dressing. He wandered into the kitchen; Poppy was no where to be found. He poured a cup and walked over to the window and there she was working in the garden. 1

Well after looking at her for a minute he could of kicked his own ass for not speaking up to her father all those years ago. But he was a ignorant stubborn old fart that didn't listen to nobody. His daughters loved him so much that they allow him to pick their husbands. Well he's pushing up grass and daisy's now. 2

Mace wander to the stables and his horse was saddled..he started thinking this woman is a witch or she has the power to read minds. How did she know he was going to town? With her being so wifey, when time came for them to divorce it was going to be easy he told him self. "No am lying like a bear rug'" said Mace out loud to old Charleston Blue.3

Out of respect & some small amount of affection he rode over to the old garden he use to keep and told her he be back before sundown. She looked up with a big ole howdy smile said, "supper will be ready." 4

Oh hell she was working her magic....thought Mace. Then on the other hand he was enjoying it so far. Well off to town he trotted on his faithful C.B. listening to him rant about Poppy.5

When he arrived the town folks were all in a up-roar! They wanted TJ in jail...some said he should be hanged. Then the storkeeper noticed Mace. Hollaring out at him, "Mace what do you think about that kid killing that gal you loved?"
Mace never said one word...just made his way inside the sheriff's office. 6

"Come to find out the court date?" some of them bellowed.
"How did this come about?" asked Mace. The sheriff just looked at the Judge sitting there and said, "Well our Judge here got tipsy last eve and told one of the saloon gals he bedded. Now its all over town.7

"Just hold you horses Judge, I'll be right back"..spoke Mace. With that said Mace mounted and rode hard over to Trace Reeds ranch. When he got there Poppy was there with the preacher and his wife. They were all having breakfast and talking. Eve didn't look as scared as before, and the preacher was signing the marriage papers. Mace sort of looked surprised. Put out his smoke and proped his shot gun by the front door. "Guess I will not be needing this" he said. The Parson turned and said he had talked with them right after he had married him and Poppy. 8

Poppy looked at Mace and she smiled.."I think we saved the child from hanging Mace" and he told them what that damn judge had did. Trace look worried. Poppy had another idea and it made sense. "Okay get moving Poppy," said Mace. 9

Poppy got in her two seat carriage, that some people called a courting carriage. Headed to town. The crowd had died-down. She made her way to the sheriff's office. But judge was not there. Then she told the sheriff about the private hearing for TC. When she finished she had gathered the Sheriff, Judge, Storekeeper, Bank President, and some church mothers that own small businesses. They all came with her to Trace Reed's ranch.10

First they all had a meeting with the Judge and Parents. The church ladies seem to have the Judge's attention along with Poppy. So they all went into the large livingroom.
Where the Judge took the floor. He spoke with an apology and told them he didn't mean to tell the whore about the case he was there for. So he agreed to have the judgement in private. Mace raised a hand. "Your honor lets not hang the child. You see am already hanged here in a marriage that am getting use to," said Mace. The Parsons wife and ladies all laughed softly. Poppy blushed. 11

The preacher went over to the judge and showed him the certicate of marriage. Well with all the facts here I can and hope you all to be guardians of this boy. But first he has to go to Atlanta, Ga. to see some doctors and attend a special school. The parents agreed. Then all the witnesses signed the papers the judge had for them. T.J.'s case was now over, offically closed.12

Poppy walked over to Mace..."Well husband I better get back and fix our supper." "Well I just might stay in town tonight" said Mace. "I'll be staying with you?" said a smiling wife.
Her husbands eyes got big and he seem like he was walking without boots on. In hot desert sand. Poppy was helped up into her carriage and when Mace finished she leaned forward and kissed him. "I'll be home later," he said.13

At home Poppy was cooking the rabbits she had trapped. Two nice size ones. She was adding carrots, potatoes, a few green beans she had canned last year to the gravy. In her wood burning over she was also baking a cake and she had already made some some stove top hot water cornbread. When she heard the sweet sound of his horse being tethered to the front of the house. The table was set and ready.14

Mace enter the back kitchen door he could smell the vittles, and he was ready to eat. But first he had to
taste another one of those kisses. After all she was his wife now. That kiss let him know she wanted him, and he had to face reality...he wanted her too. He had been a long time without a woman. Poppy was at the stove when he eased up behind her.."Evening wife" was all he said. 15

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