EPILOGUE

Austin Greeves banged his desktop for order, silencing the babble of voices in the office. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's get this done so we can all get back to our normal lives, if you please." He seated himself behind the desk and surveyed the gathering before him. "I received this cable from the Governor in Danby," he waved the paper above his head for identification, "and he is very unhappy about the outcome of this affair."

The voices started again, protesting and grumbling.

"He also says," Austin raised his voice, regaining the silence, "he also says that under the circumstances, he reluctantly accepts the results and will not be proceeding with any legal punishment against all parties involved."

"How flamin' gracious." Bragg said acrimoniously.

"Now Ethan, I think we should be thankful. The way things turned out, we could all have been in a heap of hot water." Austin turned his attention to Tyrone. "Marshal, the cable also requests your presence back in Danby, along with the body, for a hearing. That's as soon as you can ride of course. I've drafted a letter to the governor that you can take, explaining exactly what happened and our complete support for your actions in the matter." He waved his arm about the room including everyone present.

"So now what Austin?" Bragg leaned his elbows on his knees, staring at the mayor.

"Well that's it. It's over. We all go back to our business and just carry on."

"What about Torrance, and Mrs. DeHoyt?"

Austin held up the cable again, answering. "I believe that's covered in here sheriff. All parties are forgiven."

Wesley slipped his arm around Megan and gave the sheriff a solemn look. Tyrone leaned over and slapped Wesley's thigh. "Just so's you know Torrance, I'm actually happier the way things turned out, but I would have taken you in."

Wesley smiled at the Marshal. "I know Tyrone, and I would have gone— satisfied."

"Mrs. DeHoyt? I hope you can put all this behind you now and get a fresh start." When he had her attention, Tyrone swung his eyes over to Wesley and back.

"It's already behind me Marshal." She smiled and leaned into Wesley's embrace.

"Well I'm glad for that." Tyrone grinned at Wesley, squeezing his thigh hard before letting go.

"Me too. Except I think I might have just lost a terrific cook." Verna commented, placing a tender hand on Megan's arm.

"When you're all done mooning, we still have some unfinished business." Bragg stood and jammed his hat on his head. Hector has everything ready for Paul and Orin's burial." The smiles and good feelings disappeared as they remembered sadly, the loss of their two friends. "We kin all go together now if you want. Arthur's got a wagon outside that'll take the bunch of us."

The group moved quietly out of the mayor's office, through the shattered doorway, and down the hall to the stairs.

"Ah, Miss June?" Austin whispered, holding the young woman back behind the others. "Miss June, I-I just wanted you to know . . . I- well I'm shore happy you came out of this okay."

The young woman looked at the doorway to make sure everyone was gone, and turned back to the mayor, her arms slithering up around his neck. "Mayor Greeves- Austin, you were so wonderfully brave. You saved me from- from that horrible man." She stroked the sling that held his arm, tenderly. "I can't ever repay you enough."

Austin felt himself getting hot under the cotton sling anchored about his neck. "Well- uh, well now, you don't . . . oooh, Miss June!"

"I think we can pay our respects later, don't you?"

"Oooooh! Respects. Yes, later. By all means."

*****

The Buffalo Stump Cemetery sat on a low, grass-covered swell on the south end of town surrounded by a stand of pines. A pair of extravagantly sculptured iron gates, with the word, CEMETERY curving over the centre of the frame, stood incongruously alone, no adjacent wall or fence to assist in defining the site's boundaries. Despite this fact, everyone, without exception, entered the area through these gates as though any other approach was denied them.

Hector Field guided his pair of black plumed horses somberly through the entrance, his long face cast in the appropriate expression of non-partisan respect for his two passengers. Close behind, Arthur Powser drove his wagon load of principal mourners, followed by a cluster of pedestrian townspeople who felt obligated to pay their respects. Reverend Baylor McGraith stood patiently waiting by the freshly dug graves, his black and white robes wafting in the early evening breeze.

The setting sun bruised the sky with a smudge of pastel shades setting the pine trees in stark silhouette around the gathering of mourners. Reverend McGraith delivered a simple, stirring sermon, followed by a brief eulogy by Verna, who, in spite of her trademark, tough exterior, finished with a blubbering personal sentiment. Several people came forward to throw handfuls of dirt on the coffins, then the Reverend signaled the diggers to fill the graves. His official duty finished, Baylor McGraith removed his collar, plumped a droopy, broad-brimmed Stetson on his head, and helped himself to a healthy swig from the bottle concealed in his robes.

"I'm surprised old Baylor could wait so long." Bragg chuckled, guiding Verna back to the wagon.

Verna looked back at the Reverend, smiling. "He only does this one thing, but he does it well. I think his drinking stimulates his faith."

"You know Verna, you never cease to amaze me. All these profound observations you have about people, I don't know." Bragg squeezed her close, shaking his head.

She looked up at him, her brows arched in surprise. "Profound observations? Where did a crusty old, fake tough guy lawman like you learn a phrase like that?"

Bragg stopped, turning her toward him. "I guess it's the company I keep— company I'd like to go on keeping." He stared into her eyes with such sincere intensity, Verna's smile faded quietly away, and she leaned into his embrace with a murmured, "Me too."

"Seems like your sheriff has something new to occupy his mind now." Tyrone stood next to Megan and Wesley, his weight on his good leg. He fidgeted with his hat for a moment, then stuck out his hand to Wesley. "I guess this is so long Torrance. Glad I didn't have to- to . . . well, you know." He shook hands and turned away, mounting his horse carefully, and led it away, trailing Cable Royce's canvas wrapped corpse slung over the back of a sad looking Apaloosa.

"Safe ride Tyrone. Don't lose your prisoner." Wesley gave him a wave and dropped his arm about Megan's shoulder. "So-o-o, what do I say?"

Megan pulled at the material of her dress. "Nothing Wes. I think we can close the chapter on this particular part of our lives." She took his hand and pulled him lightly toward the waiting wagon.

"Well my chapter was nearly closed— permanently. If you hadn't—"

"If I hadn't, my chapter would have been closed too." She dropped his hand and slid her arm around his waist.

"Megan- you have to know how I feel about you. I uh- I, would you consider uhm, maybe takin' up with me? I mean- I've got this property up in Golden Sky, and uh, and . . ."

"After what happened, I don't think I could have made it much clearer Wes." She hugged him firmly, giggling at his obvious awkwardness.

"Hey! C'mon you two. It's getting' on to supper and we've got livestock to feed and bed down." Arthur looked pointedly at Wesley.

"That's right! And I've got a kitchen waiting for our new celebrity cook." Verna held out her hand to assist Megan up onto the wagon.

Arthur steered the horses around, and they clopped slowly down the slight grade, through the iron gates. A soft breeze riffled the pine bows and scattered the puffs of dust from the horse's thudding hooves.

"Mind if I ask where you learned to shoot like that ma'am?" Bragg asked, as they bumped and rocked down the road to the town.

Megan blushed, and took Wesley's hand. "Same place I learned to cook," she replied, "from my father."

Bragg jerked his head back. "Well he was one heck of a teacher I'm wantin' to tell you. I sure don't know any other woman who can unload a full carbine that fast and that accurate. Royce never even managed one shot."

"Yeah, thank goodness for that." Wes said. "I'm not even sure now if I could have gone through with my threat . . . at least not there."

Everyone looked about awkwardly as Megan pushed Wesley's arm and made a face.

"Don't leave out her cooking skill Ethan." Verna, said, breaking the moment and snuggling against the broad chest of the sheriff.

"I think if you two are plannin' on getting' together, you'd best consider bein' on your best behaviour son." Everyone turned in surprise as Doc Hubbard popped open his umbrella and stared sagely of toward the horizon.

Wesley and Megan cuddled closer, gazing up into the darkening sky, each speaking the solemn sentiments of their hearts, silently, to their respective families.

THE END