Page 15 of Earning Tia’s Trust

FIFTEEN

Robert rode into town, left his mount at the livery, and walked to his office. He was soaking wet, not suspecting that storm clouds would gather suddenly while he still had six miles to travel. Opening the door to his office, he was glad that Horace Skinner was sitting in front of the pot-belly stove.

“Ain’t you got the sense to stay home on a day like today?” Horace grumbled.

“I’m supposed to meet with the town council in a couple of hours,” Robert explained. “Is there anything going on that I should know about?”

“Judge Bentley took the stage to Huntsville yesterday morning. He has to sit for a murder trial. No one knows any details. He told Silas he’d be back in a week or two.”

“Is there anything else going on that I should know about?” Robert asked.

“Nope. Town folk are still whining about Higgins. Your mail is on the desk, and nothing looks important. If there was, I would have sent the Grover’s boy to get it to you,” Horace said.

“Thanks,” Robert said. “I’m going upstairs first and change into something dry.”

“Why bother?” Horace asked. “You’ll just get soaked again!”

Robert smiled but ignored the old man’s advice. At least he’d be dry for a little while. Feeling better after changing into dry clothes, he was glad he’d left some clothing behind. It was evident that Horace was living in the two upstairs rooms now, but he didn’t care. With Horace there, he didn’t have to worry about anyone breaking in and going through old files. Since they were building a new house, he had no reason to move or expose them to the termites.

He’d made a deal with Nell, who ran the only restaurant in town, giving her two dollars a week so Horace wouldn’t go hungry. Since Horace wouldn’t accept what he called charity, Nell made a deal with the old man. If Horace would help her by taking out the trash from behind her eatery at night, she would give him the leftovers so they wouldn’t go to waste. Horace was eating better and losing the gaunt look he carried before.

After living in Austin for so long, Robert enjoyed living in a small town where the residents cared for each other, notwithstanding the Higginses.

Going through his mail, Robert found several requests to write wills and letters from his family. His family was upset that he’d married someone they hadn’t met. The last letter was from his brother George, and he’d written that he was coming to visit. His second older brother hadn’t given a date, but it didn’t matter. Robert hadn’t seen George for over four years. They kept missing each other. His brother had been on a roundup the last time he’d visited his mother before moving to Stone Falls.

Robert pocketed his mail and wandered to the jail to talk to the sheriff.

“How is the new house coming along?” Silas asked.

“Jim Hawthorn says it’s on schedule. The foundation has been completed,” Robert said. “How are things here in town?”

“There haven't been any problems since the Higginses left, and I don’t expect any. If we have trouble, it usually comes in on the stagecoach.” Silas pulled a letter from his desk and handed it to Robert. “This came from Judge Bentley. It came to me, but it’s meant for both of us. He estimates that he will be gone for two or three weeks, and we are in charge until he returns.”

“I’m not sure that’s legal,” Robert said. “You know everyone in town a lot better than I do. I’m temporarily in the mayor position. Who do you think should be the mayor?”

“Most folks think it should be you,” Silas said.

Robert shook his head. “I live too far away, and I’m too new to make decisions for the town’s benefit.” He repeated the question, “Who do you think should take over that job?”

Silas scratched his head. “Clarie Grover would be my pick.”

“Clarie?” Robert said, surprised.

Silas snorted. “Why not? She’s a little woman, but she don’t take any guff from anyone. She’s been running the mercantile for over twenty years, and she’s smart. She ran it by herself for years before marrying James, and she’s fought several battles against what Thomas Higgins wanted for the town. She’s the reason that Stone Falls only has one saloon.”

“I think I need to talk with her,” Robert said.

“Most of the town corruption left with Kingston’s gang and now with the Higginses,” Silas said. “We had a decent little town until they got involved. It’s settling down again.”

“We want to keep it that way,” Robert agreed. He walked to the door but stopped and turned around. “Why aren’t you on the town board?”

“Conflict of interest,” Silas said with a smile. “Plus, I’ve dodged the board whenever they ask me.”

“Smart man,” Robert said, tipping his hat and heading across the street to the bank.

Rainer stood up, looked at the clock, checked his pocket watch, and opened the door as Robert ran across the street. “Has it stopped raining?”

“It’s still drizzling a bit, but you won’t melt,” Robert teased. “Where is Francine?”

“She left a few minutes ago. She wanted to talk to the Grovers before the school board meeting,” Rainer said. “Give me a couple of minutes to lock up.”

“No problem,” Robert said. “I was talking to the sheriff and asked his opinion about who should be the temporary mayor until the fall elections.”

“Either James or Clarie Grover would make a good mayor, or they could do it together,” Rainer said, locking the doors. “Francine has already slid into the position of the Head of the school board. She doesn’t want to teach, but she’ll be involved in hiring a new teacher and changing the curriculum.”

“When can you release the Higgins’ bank accounts?”

“Another two weeks,” Rainer said. “William demanded an audit of their accounts from when they were sworn into their offices. I’ve been spending a few hours every day on their books. The Higgins bank accounts don’t come anywhere near what was stolen. But, if the house and their belonging are configured in and sold, the school and town funds will be in great shape for several years.”

“So there won’t be a need to charge them with fraud,” Robert said.

Rainer shrugged. “It would be a waste of time. They know they can’t come back without being charged.”

The town meeting was a loud affair. Several men didn’t want the Higginses to get away with cheating the townspeople and demanded that they be found and arrested.

Rainer quieted the townspeople by explaining that even if the Higginses weren’t being charged with a crime, their bank accounts had been seized, along with their property. The same applied to the school board money. The Higgins property would be auctioned, and their house would be sold. The town would have the money to make improvements, and the school board would have the funds to purchase books and supplies needed for quite some time.”

“What about a new teacher?” an older woman, Mrs. Hellnor, demanded, glaring at Francine.

“I have already written to several teachers who might fit our requirements,” Francine reported.

“What’s wrong with you doing your job?” Mrs. Hellnor demanded.

“I have no incentive to return to teaching,” Francine said. “I have been lied to and cheated for the last three years by the head of this committee. I’m more valuable as a school board member to ensure teachers and students will not be mistreated again!”

“You ain’t got any right to judge!” the elderly woman exclaimed.

“I have!” Francine snapped. “Where were you when I was treated like dirt under Martha Higgins’ feet! I will ensure that whoever takes the teacher position will be treated fairly!”

Heads and eyes turned at Francine’s words, and she glared back at them. She had just declared war on the school board.

Robert looked around and saw Rainer giving Francine a nod of approval. Then he stood and made an announcement. “There will be an auction of the Higgins household goods and furniture on the last Saturday of July.

“The Higgins house will be sold to the top bidder on August 15th. The house will be silent bidding since there seems to be interest in purchasing it. If anyone is interested, submit a written bid to Sheriff Kent. He will announce the top bidder on that date.

“The proceeds from the auction will go to the school fund. It will pay for badly needed school supplies and hopefully raise enough to pay the teacher’s salary. A new Head of the school board will be elected on the second weekend of September. The same applies to the mayor position.”

“Why do we have to wait?” Preacher Niken demanded. “You seem to be taking charge.”

Robert shook his head. “I don’t want to be the Mayor of Stone Falls. My taking this position temporarily was Judge Bentley’s idea, not mine. I’m newly married, and I’ve taken on a wife and three children. I also live too far away should there be a town emergency. I will, however, provide legal advice at no charge. Today’s meetings were called to keep the townspeople informed, something I believe wasn’t done during the previous regime. Does anyone else have any questions?”

Preacher Niken raised his hand again. “If Miss Mason has taken on the job of recruiting a new teacher and making sure that the school is run properly, I don’t see any reason why she can’t be voted into the position of Head of the School Board. There ain’t no reason to wait.” He looked around at the people at the table. “I vote that Miss Mason should have the title and the job. Raise your hand if you agree.”

Five hands were raised. The only hand not raised was Mrs. Hellnor.

“Five for and one against,” Preacher Niken announced. He turned to Francine. “Will you accept the position?”

“Yes, I will,” Francine said. “But, as members of this board, you must realize that the days of mistreating the teacher are in the past, and the children of Stone Falls will receive the best education possible.”

“Any complaints?” the Preacher demanded. Heads turned to Mrs. Hellnor, but she didn’t raise her hand. “It’s done then,” he announced. “If further meetings are needed, Miss Mason, just tell me, and I’ll announce it after my Sunday sermon.”

“Thank you,” Francine said as chairs scraped back and Preacher Niken closed the meeting.

As the schoolhouse emptied, Francine shook hands with the school board members. Even Mrs. Hellnor. Rainer came to stand by her.

“I didn’t expect this to happen,” Francine said.

“You deserve the position,” Rainer said. “The children of Stone Falls need someone to look out for their interests, and you’re the person to do it. How about supper at Nell’s to celebrate?”

“Thank you,” Francine said, blushing. “But I must tell my mother I won’t be there for the evening meal. Otherwise, she’ll worry.”

“I’ll send the Grover boy with a note,” Rainer said. “I’ve never seen a boy who loves to run as much as he does. Meanwhile, we need to get back to the bank.”

“Thank you for supporting me today,” Francine said. “I won’t let my duties as Head of the School Board interfere with my job at the bank.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Rainer said with a smile. “So far, you’ve been one of the best tellers I’ve worked with, and I don’t believe anything will change. You can depend on me if you need help straightening out the school finances.”

* * *

Tia had a tub of hot water waiting for Robert when he returned to the ranch. He was soaking wet, and the temperature had dropped significantly. While enjoying the heat of the water, he explained what had happened at the town meeting.

“I’m glad for Francine,” Tia said. “She kept complaining to the board members, but her complaints were ignored.”

“That’s not going to happen again,” Robert promised. “The only person she has to watch out for is Mrs. Hellnor.”

“She was a good friend of the Higginses, and that alone should get her kicked off the board,” Tia said. “Now that Francine is in charge, the school will be run efficiently. Her biggest problem is finding a new teacher. She is contacting several qualified teachers she studied with before she took the tests to become a teacher. I know for a fact that she’s rewriting the contract.”

There was a knock on the bedroom door, and Tia answered. It was Mrs. Putney, and she was calling it a day. Sammy was watching the children.

“I’m on my way,” Tia promised.

After bathing, Robert went downstairs to play with the children for a few minutes before sending them upstairs to bed. He walked around the house, checking the door, although the kitchen door was the only door to have a lock with a working key.

After reading a story to Jenny and Billy and warning Sammy to blow out his lantern, Tia wandered downstairs to locate her husband. She found him in the office. He came to her side and closed the door behind her.

“Don’t you ever think of anything else?” Tia asked.

“Not when I’m around you,” Robert said. “If you haven’t figured it out yet, Mrs. Grayson, I’m in love with my wife!”

Tia laughed as his hands pulled her blouse loose from her skirt. She melted into his embrace and was lifted as his hands cupped under her bottom and carried her to the back of a settee, where he turned her around and bent her over it.

He tossed her skirt over her back, and his eyes opened in surprise. “You’re not wearing anything under your clothes!”

I wasn’t expecting anyone but you,” Tia laughed.

“What if you’d fallen?” Robert exclaimed.

“I didn’t...” Tia’s explanation was silenced as Robert swept her in his arms and carried her upstairs to their room. It only took a minute for both of them to be naked.

Robert lowered his mouth to her sex, suckled and tortured her with his tongue until she was moaning. When she thought she was about to lose her mind, Robert hovered over her and entered her body deep and hard.

Tia felt her body react to what her husband had explained to her as an orgasm. Robert wasn’t through yet. His rough fingers went to work on her clitoris while his tongue went after her breasts. He brought her to a second orgasm and a third.

Then Robert positioned Tia on her knees, her arms stretching to the bed’s headboard. She knew what was coming. His hand smacked her bottom, and Tia gasped from a combination of need and pain. As he stroked her sex and spanked her buttocks, she was gasping and so close to having that wonderful feeling again, but he wasn’t ready to let it happen again. Repeating the cycle of spanking, he took advantage of her needing him inside her. It was pain and pleasure.

“Please!” Tia pleaded, and suddenly, their bodies were joined. He thrust deep into her body and kept riding her. She wanted to let go, and when his hand spanked her bottom again, suddenly, that moment came. With a flood of relief, she could feel Robert fill her with his virility.

They collapsed together, breathing hard and limbs entangled, lying together and letting their bodies recover.

Tia awakened as the first beams of dawn enlightened the bedroom window. She glanced over to Robert sprawled across their bed, and she smiled. She ignored her tender bottom and straddled his groin.

Robert’s eyes opened wide, and he grinned. “Apparently, you didn’t get enough last night!”

“It’s my turn,” Tia said, and she began to rub against Robert until his sex hardened. He groaned under her rolling hips, thrusting upward into her. Tia was learning to anticipate and enjoy sex with her husband.

Suddenly, Robert flipped her over and took control. He sank into her repeatedly. When she gasped, he groaned, and they rode their orgasms together to the very end.

The rain had stopped overnight, but the ground would take a day to dry around the new house. Still, the builder, Jim Hawthorn, sought Robert’s approval on minor changes. When they left, Robert started going over the numbers again. As Tia walked past his office door, he called to her.

“I forgot to tell you something,” Robert said, drawing her into the office. “I got a letter from my second oldest brother, George. He’s coming to visit.”

“When?”

“He didn’t say when, just that he’s coming,” Robert said. “There’s nothing to worry about. My family has been checking on me for years. I’m the youngest, and they were never too keen on my not working my share of the ranch.”

“Is he going to be angry?”

“He’s not coming to drag me back,” Robert said, giving her a reassuring hug. “My family learned long ago that I follow my own path. I need to go to town once the house is back on schedule. I have to find the Billards and Mallery’s properties. Both left messages that they needed a lawyer’s advice.”

“Homer Porter is expected in a couple of weeks,” Tia said. “He’s been buying our horses since I was a little girl. He usually buys ten to fifteen horses around this time of the year. Hank has already rounded up twenty horses to pick from, and he plans to break them this week.”

Robert stepped backward. “You’re not involved with that, are you?”

Tia shook her head. “Hank would never let me. He claims I don’t have enough weight. But I do like to watch them!”

“I agree with Hank, and I’ve seen bucking horses smash through corrals. Keep a safe distance and be careful.”

“Have you forgotten that Hank and I ran this ranch for years?”

“No, but I prefer the sweet young lady over the rough and tough wrangler I first met.”

“I couldn’t be girly then,” Tia said with a smile. “I can be both, depending on what I need to do.”

“I will be bouncing from here to the new house and town for the next few weeks.”

“You could have been the mayor,” Tia said.

“I don’t want to be the mayor,” Robert said. “When William returns, I may have Silas throw him behind bars for a few days!”

Tia's eyes widened.

“I’m only kidding,” Robert said. “William and I have been friends for years. He didn’t have the license to appoint me as mayor, but that didn’t stop him. It was his way of dumping work on me while he was out of town. He takes being a District Judge seriously, but sometimes, the law can be slippery. The town is still in an uproar, but I’ll keep them straight until William returns.”

“Will he take over being mayor?” Tia asked.

“No,” Robert said. “Not as long as he’s the District Judge. William has more power than the mayor of Stone Falls. He and Rainer will keep an eye on who is voted in. There shouldn’t be any more corruption in Stone Falls.”

Robert spent the next few days handling business. He returned to town, located the clients who wanted to talk to him, and managed their problems. When that business was complete, he checked in with Rainer, Francine, and Sheriff Kent to find out if there were any issues he needed to address.

There weren’t, so he headed back to the site of the new house. With the foundation completed and cured, the first floor looked semi-complete. From there, he headed back to the ranch. After caring for his horse, he joined a group of wranglers, Tia, Sammy, and Jerry Miller, leaning heavily on crutches at the corral.

“How’s the leg?” Robert asked.

“I’m getting around better,” the young wrangler said. “Hank gave me the job of taking care of the tack. I can oil and repair the saddles, harnesses, and halters sitting down.”

“That sounds good, but I don’t want you back in the saddle until Dr. Phillip gives you the all-clear.”

“Yes, sir,” Jerry agreed.

Sammy climbed the fencing around the corral to watch the bucking broncs, but Robert plucked him off the fence. “Watch through the slats, and if they come close to the fencing, get out of the way fast!

“How are they doing?” Robert asked Tia.

“Reuben is the best. Every year at the ‘founders’ celebration, there are rodeo events. He always wins the saddle bronc and the bareback riding.”

“I won the greased pig event last year,” Sammy exclaimed with a smile. “Tia and I won the three-legged race too!”

“Ouch!” Jerry commented as Reuben hit the ground hard. The wrangler dusted off his trousers, limped over to the group of men, and climbed the fence.

Hank was cursing, yelling, pointing at another horse, although they couldn’t clearly understand what he was saying.

Tia covered Sammy’s ears. “I think it’s time to read in the encyclopedia.”

Sammy pulled her hands away from him. “I know all the words, Sis!”

“If you do, I better not hear you using them in front of the little ones,” Tia threatened. “Now scoot!”

“Can’t I watch for a little longer?”

“You can help me clean the tack!” Jerry offered, but the boy rolled his eyes.

“When can I start working and getting paid?”

“When you finish school,” Robert and Tia said simultaneously. Then, they looked at each other, surprised by their identical answers.

Sammy looked annoyed. “Someday, I will be as good as Reuben, and I’ll win all the prize money!”

“From what I’ve heard, Tia is the sure shot,” Robert said.