Weston Hayes

Saying Goodbye

Chapter Four~Saying Goodbye~

Lane~

Lane Cooper, a second-generation lawman and founding member of the 'the hidden angels,' a group made up of doctors, pastors, lawmen, bankers, and hotel owners. Spread out through many towns over eight states; the goal had always been to provide help to people on the run. They offered a variety of services: medical treatment, lodging, food, and relocation.

Lane remembered the letter he received from his friend and co-founder Jackson James in regards to the Hayes family:

Lane,

Emma's young man and his family are heading your way. Please do all you can for them; they need a fresh start. The husband, George Hayes, is a real piece of shit who tried to kill his wife; the mom will need lots of medical treatment. Emma said she was barely moving and couldn't speak. Also, that bastard almost took off her nose. So vicious. Andrew is the youngest. He will need the right school and possibly a university. He's a smart boy. Weston is Emma's, young man. He has a good heart, but he isn't without his share of anger, more towards himself for not protecting everyone. In my opinion, Weston would make a great lawman. Lane, we need to do right by these kids. They have had enough heartache, and with their mom, in the condition, she's in, I'm afraid their pain isn't over yet. I have a gold shipment headed to you. Please have your men start breaking ground near the hospital. I want the house to be ready when they get there and close enough to their mom. Emma sends her greetings and gratitude. Let me know if you need more gold. Bye for now. JJ.

That letter had come six months ago; since then, the builders have almost completed the house, there will be a paid internship ready when Andrew arrives.

Lane walked into the telegraph office and leaned on the counter with a smile on his handsome face as he greeted Mary Billings, the telegraph operator. "Good morning, Mary."

Mary looked up at Lane, and a blush stole across her cheeks, "Good morning, Mr. Cooper."

Lane loved how Mary blushed every time he said her name, "You look lovely this morning, Mary." Lane smiled and asked, "How are the kids? They must be two by now?"

Mary looked at Lane with his light brown hair combed back with a couple of unruly curls on his forehead, his broad chest was covered in a lightweight blue shirt with silver buttons down the front. In Mary's opinion, he would make someone a great husband; he always asked about her twins even when they passed each other on the street. Mary thought he was just polite since her husband died, and she was left to raise two babies on her own. She didn't mind because her children were her world; she didn't have a love match with Frank. Frank was a lovely enough friend of her fathers, who agreed to marry her after Mary's parents died. Frank was a widower without any children and already had a small house and acreage in Loke, they had an affection for each other, and after two years of marriage, Mary gave birth to twins. Frank passed away six months later of a heart attack, but he made sure that Mary and the babies would be financially cared for.

Mary mentally shook herself to erase the memories from her mind, "You are always so kind to ask about my children. Yes, they will be two in a couple more weeks. They're a handful, but a treasure as well." Mary smiled at Lane, mesmerized by his golden-brown eyes, "Oh, I almost forgot." Mary said as she handed two pieces of paper to Lane, "There was a public announcement, and you received a telegram."

Lane gently brushed his thumb across the inside of Mary's wrist as he took the offered paper; he enjoyed the slight blush that stole over her cheeks again and the little shiver that tore through her at his touch. Lane hid his smile as he put on his stetson, "Thank you, Mary. I hope you have a good day." Lane chuckled on his way out of the office as he saw Mary lick her suddenly dry lips. Lane whistled as he walked down the boardwalk only to stop dead in his tracks as he read the first of the two telegrams, (1) Public announcement: George Hayes, a resident of Loke, Texas, shot dead by his victim Emma James.