Lawless Love

Chapter Eight

Lucius rode harder than he had in a long time. He wanted to get to town so he could get back quick. As he rode, he thought about what he should get Sarah as a gift. After all she just had just given birth to his honorary grandson. Flowers, maybe. She does like to make things, maybe fabric of some kind. He knew Liza would help him.

He got into town and stopped the horse in front of the general store. Liza greeted him as he came through the door. "Well, hello Lucius. Is there anything I can help you with?" Lucius grinned ear to ear. "Miss Sarah just had her baby and your ma was right 'bout it bein' a boy." Liza squealed excitedly and jumped up and down.

"Mama! Alice! Come quick!" Her mother and Alice came running. Her mother was ready to kill someone and Alice was following suit. "Liza, what's wrong? What did I tell you about yellin'?" Liza smiled. "Sarah had her baby just a while ago and it's a boy like you said." Her mother clapped her hands together, pleased with the news. "Well, I'll be damned. How big is he? Is she doing okay?" Alice giggled and jumped for joy.

"Yes ma'am, she's doin' just fine. Not sure how big he is but y'all can come see him. I don't think Miss Sarah will mind much." Lucius shrugged. He was mostly sure about Sarah not minding company. After all, she considered these ladies her friends. He still wanted to get her something. "I do need your help. I want to get Sarah somethin' nice but I don't know what."

"Come with me, I'm sure we can find something." Liza linked arms with the old man and walked through the store. "I'm sure she would like this." She took some fabric off the shelf. It was soft and light. It was also Sarah's favorite color. Lucius rubbed it between his fingers. "This'll do just fine. I'll take it."

Liza carried up to the counter. "Anything else, Mr. Lucius?" He nodded. "Some pillows and sheets'n the sort. Oh and some whiskey for me and a bottle for Jake. He might be wantin' it." He paid and thanked the ladies. "Feel free to come out to see the baby." Lucius walked to the post office to see if Sarah's friend had sent a telegram.

Lucius walked back to his horse, tucked the fabric and whiskey in the saddlebags and took off back home.He started down the road out of town but got stopped out front of the Silver Star Saloon by none other than Carlotta. She was wearing a revealing red dress that showed off what God gave her. She ran a hand against the horse's neck. "Hello Lucius! How are you doing this fine day?" she purred. He chose his words carefully. "Just fine Miss Carlotta. How're you doin'?" She batted her eyes at him. "Oh I'm just fine Lucius. How is Jake doing? I haven't seen him in a while. I sure do miss him." 

Lucius started to feel uncomfortable with where this conversation was going. "He's just fine, Carlotta. Miss Sarah had her baby this morning and he's a perfect little thing. I haven't seen him yet but Jake's happier'n a dog with a bone." Carlotta rolled her eyes at the mention of Sarah's name. "Well, I see. Give Jake my best." She stormed off and Lucius was free to head back.

"Let's get goin' old fella." He kicked his horse and they took off on a run. They headed back to the house and Lucius couldn't help but laugh at Carlotta's reaction to him telling her that Sarah had Jake's baby that morning. Wait'll I tell Jake what happened. He knew Jake didn't care for her. There was a time he paid for her time but he never cared. He only had eyes for Sarah.

Lucius grinned when he saw the house ahead of him. He was happy to be back. He never really had a place to call home after his wife passed away. That was until Sarah took him on as a working hand. She let him build a room for himself in the barn and she made sure that he ate and kept clean. That was one thing he could do without but it made her happy and he only argued with her to have fun.

The dogs jumped down from the loft and walked to the door. Jake stood up from the rocking chair and opened the door and watched them haul across the yard to the road. "Crazy mutts." He let the door close quietly. He didn't want to wake the baby or Sarah. The baby stirred a little and opened his eyes. "Hello little one. I'm your daddy." The baby just looked up at him and stared. "You're a cute little thing aren't ya'." Jake started walking around with him.

Lafitte came down the road, barking happily followed by Rouser. Lucius let out a whoop. The dogs met up with him and followed him back to the barn. He slid down and pet them both. "Hey there fellas." He took the tack off his horse and put it up in the barn and stalled his horse. He grabbed what he got in town and headed for the house, followed by the dogs.

Jake was still walking around the kitchen when Lucius walked in with the dogs. "Hey there Jake. I got you somethin'." He handed him the bottle of whiskey and he smiled. "You read my mind old man." They laughed a little. They sat at the table to talk some more. "Did anything come from Sarah's friend?" Lucius nodded and handed Jake the telegram. 

Jake read it and smiled. Lucius looked at him and c****d his head. "What's it say? She's comin'?" "Yes, she is and soon. I better go tell Sarah." Lucius looked from Jake to the baby and back at him.

"Can I hold him while you go talk to her?" Jake hesitated for a second and then handed the baby over. Lucius took him and held him close. "Thanks, Jake. This means a lot. He's a good lookin' boy. You and Sarah did a good with him."he beamed with pride. Jake nodded and headed for the loft, followed by Lafitte. "Come on, boy. I'll help you up." He helped him up the ladder.