Hell Bent For Leather - Young Guns

Chapter 4 - Ashes to Ashes

Chapter Summary: Aubrey is currently working on her book about the Lincoln County War. She, Jessie, Chavez and Cole attend an auction in Roswell, when Jessie suffers a major heart attack!

Author Notes: Hello again folks! I have uploaded a few chapters of 'Promises and Dreams' because I had the year wrong in some of Jessie's journals. The very first entry was supposed to begin December 31, 1877, not December 31, 1878! I never claimed to be perfect! My bad!
30 October, 1940
It was a gray and bitter day. The wind blew down from the Capitan Mountains, carrying the chill from its snow covered peaks. Off in the distance, I could see dark clouds converging on the horizon as the smell of fresh earth and rain penetrated my senses.

The monotone voice of the Clergyman lent its reverence to the mood of the hour. In the background, mourners practiced their craft, as the pole bearers slowly proceeded to lay their burden to rest.

An ocean of black clad men and women with veil covered faces wept in harmony as the coffin was lowered in to its final resting place.

"Ashes to ashes...dust to dust." The Minister proclaimed, as family members and friends threw flowers and fists full of earth into the open grave.

Aunt Jessica leaned towards me. "The old fool couldn't even die correctly!" She whispered into my ear. "He should have held out until all Hollows Eve, so he could dance with the devil in the pale moon light!"

I tried my best to keep a straight face out of respect for the dead; as my aunt chuckled at her own private joke.

The rain started coming down, as my attention was drawn back to the minister. He was giving some words of comfort to the immediate family, as he committed the body of George Peppin to the earth. Hushed murmurs of 'Amen' could be heard, but if you were standing in my general vicinity, you would have been hard pressed to hear 'good riddance to bad rubbish.'

The rain had developed into a steady down poor by the time we made our way back to the car. Cole had advised that he would be riding with Kathryn, and would see us later at the ranch.

"I don't know what's got into that boy." My aunt huffed, as we walked towards the automobile. I knew that she was still upset about Cole being engaged to Kathryn Peppin. Kathryn was very nice, even Aunt Jessica admitted that. But for Cole to marry a member of the Peppin family!

I noticed that my aunt favored her new cedar cane that Chavez fashioned for her when she came home from the hospital. Aunt Jessica was still a little weak, but she still awoke at dawn every day, and was witty as ever.

I drove us home. It was needless to ask if we were going to make an appearance at the wake. Her presence at the funeral was enough fodder for gossip and idle talk to last another century in Lincoln County!

My thoughts lingered about the relationship that Cole and Kathryn have. Aunt Jessica should know all about forbidden love. I wondered what she saw in Billy. My aunt was brought up as a proper Londoner in her early years, and her education continued when she moved to Canada, then to America. 'She was supposed to take over her father's business.' Chavez had told me a few weeks ago. 'Her father being murdered changed all that, and...well...you know the rest.'

Chavez greeted us as we arrived. He had sense enough not to show at George Peppin's funeral, after what happened at the auction in Roswell. "Well? Is the bastard dead?" He asked quizzically, as she laughed loudly.

As we entered the foyer, my Aunt called out to one of the house staff to break out the good brandy. "I wish to propose a toast!" She announced with glee.

Minutes later, we all held snifters filled with fine aged brandy. I noticed that my aunt had that mischievous sparkle in her eyes, as she stood up, holding out her glass.