HUNTER'S TALE

12.

One week has passed and John got telegram from Abraham, that the papers were ready. Two days later Abraham knocked on John's door. He opened with Mary, who stood beside John, molding her hands. "Good afternoon," Abraham politely took his hat and shook hand with John. "Abraham Patton. You must be Mrs Fitzgerald," he kissed the back of her hand, making Mary almost blush from such gesture.

"Ah, yes, that would be me," she chuckled and they went to sitting room and sat down.

"Welcome to Woodlands, Mr Patton," John nodded and took a seat beside him on the couch. "Ya must be tired. What can we get ya?" He asked. John couldn't wait to hear, what he came for from the man, but first he had to treat his guest.

"Tea, if you may," Abraham answered politely and Mary quietly left to kitchen. "You have a lovely place here, sir," he then nodded to John and once Mary came back and put on table tea, she took her seat and pinned her restless eyes on the man. "I brought you a little something." Abraham smiled, seeing them both being nervous. He pulled out a file and handed it to Mary. Once she opened it, she found all the papers, that Abraham promised and even a notes from an inheritance procedure, that took place two years ago. "I hope, there's everything," he spoke calmly, and took cup of tea to his hands and made himself comfortable to give Mary and John time to go through all documents.

Mary and John looked carefully at them all. Birth certificate,co-ownership titles of the present property since the date they're married and anything else they needed to proof, if someone asked. John sighed deeply in relief and looked up at Abraham. He nodded and went straight upstairs to to bring his payment. "They're more," John said, coming back. "Ya deserve 'em." He gave it to the man and sat next to Mary, holding her hand. He looked at her and smiled. No one can take her from him now.

"Thank you, Mr Fitzgerald," Abraham accepted payment and opened his mouth to speak, when a knock on the door interrupted him. "Are you expecting somebody?"

"It must be our neighbor," Mary stood up. "She's taking care of our boys, perhaps she needs somebody." She left to open the door and froze in movement.

"Afternoon, Mary," sherrif Lee stood there and just a step away Mary noticed Marcus.

"Mr Lee," Mary politely dipped her head and swallowed hard. "What... What are you doing here?" She asked and Abraham, who heard her words, turned to see John, who almost jumped on his feet.

"Mr Fitzgerald," Abraham stretched his arm to calm the man. "Hide the files to drawer. We'll use them, if we need them," he told him and John hid file and in few moments Mary, pale white, entered the sitting room with sherrif by her back and the strange man. Man, who wore long scars on his face, so John was more than sure, who stepped into his house. Mary's first husband.

"John, love," Mary spoke in shivering voice. "Sherrif Lee came to announce me, that he has an order to take me to prison."

"Afternoon, John," Lee nodded to him. "This man is Marcus Johnson. He says and has documents, that Mary is his wife," he said serious, yet obviously if he had other choice, he wouldn't be there.

Abraham, immediately playing a part, scoffed amused. "What's funny?" Marcus growled and Mary squeezed John's hand.

"Forgive me. I found it to be amusing to hear, that our Mary is a criminal. On top married to this gentleman. I was probably drunk, when I attended her and John's wedding," he waved his hand.

"What the fuck is he talkin' bout?" Marcus turned to see Mary.

"Who are ya,pal?" John narrowed his eyes on Marcus as he put his arm around Mary, who was shaking. "The fuck ya want from my wife?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned to Lee. "Is that a fuckin' joke, Lee? Who's that?"