Ghost of Christmas Past

Two

Two

 

“You’ve been awfully quiet,” Jack said as he and Davy rode side by side through the desolate Nevada countryside the following morning. “Thinking about that comely little wife of yours?”

An image of Lilly flashed through Davy’s mind. “Of course.” With reddish blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, Lilly exuded energy, warmth, and an enthusiasm for life that he often envied. Glancing at Jack he forced a grin and kept his tone light. He didn’t want to reveal just how heavy his thoughts of Lilly were at the moment. “I’d much rather be home with her than riding around the desert with you. Better food, better company, and she sure as hell smells better than you or these horses.”

“Uh huh.” Jack flashed him a knowing look. “You’ll be sleeping in the barn for riding out so close to Christmas.”

Davy laughed wryly. “Most likely.” He adjusted the hat on his head and sobered. “If there is enough help in Big Springs I may sit this ride out. Lilly, thinks I work too much.”

“I’d be inclined to agree with her. Lately you’ve spent more time with me than your wife. I gather the two of you haven’t been getting along real well?” Jack’s question sounded more like a statement.

Davy sighed. “No.”

“Care to talk about it?”

“Not particularly.” He sure as hell wasn’t about to admit that he was failing miserably as a husband. That he’d become everything he’d sworn to Lilly he would never become if she agreed to marry him—overbearing… he worried too much… he worked too much. The truth was he was a terrible husband. He wanted to make it right, but no matter how he tried something always came up or he managed to muck things up worse. He loved Lilly. She was as vital to him as breathing, and yet… he was driving her away.

“I tell you, Davy,” Jack interrupted his heavy thoughts, “if I had a woman like Lilly at home I wouldn’t be riding all over hell looking for outlaws like Foster.”

Davy shifted in his saddle. “I hate leaving. With the baby coming I’ve thought of how nice it would be to work in Crossroads fulltime, but I don’t know what else I would do.” He shrugged. “I’ve been a soldier or a lawman my whole adult life.”

“You could always run for sheriff,” Jack suggested easily.

Sheriff? He’d never considered that. Such a position would allow him to be home more—which would make Lilly happy, and he’d be around to keep her out of the trouble she was so wont to get into—which would make him happy. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“You should do it,” Jack replied. “Sheriff Mills term will be up next year, and with your track record with the marshals office folks won’t hesitate to vote for you.”

Appreciating the vote of confidence from his friend and partner Davy nodded. “Maybe I will.” After a moment he glanced over to Jack. “If by some miracle we make it home for Christmas you should join Lilly and me for dinner.”

“That’s real nice, Davy. I’d like that. Look down there.” Jack pointed to a draw a few hundred feet ahead of them. “It looks like there is a pond down there. We should stop and water the horses.”

Davy agreed and steered his large bay toward the waterhole. Grass and a few trees surrounded the pond. He urged his mount toward the water and prepared to dismount.

“I’m real sorry, Davy.”

“About what? Christmas? Nothin—”

Pow!