"Alright, boys, let's git cleaned up and finish those chores. Richard, mind helping me here, son, loading things up? I need to take this stuff that Martha made down with us. I hate having it go to waste," Aunty M. said, shaking her head.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Robert, you handle a horse well today, son. You think you can drive a buggy?" She asked.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good, it shouldn't be any different from a wagon, just a bit smaller, that's all, a little bit lighter when you turn those corners."
Robert and Richard hooked up the buggies, and the boys piled in. Aunty M. gives Robert the reins and lets him drive, sliding next to EJ and Frank, with Richard driving the other one with Sam, Danny, and Mark with him. With a flick of the wrist, the miniature horses came to life with a hard start and a jump, leaving the front of the house. Then they galloped, everyone hanging on tight as they went past the house and down the road a few paces, the boys laughing as they headed down towards their field. Richard was behind them in their buggy, laughing, having the time of their life, waving at the people as they went by them.
Aunty M. pointed the way, and Richard and the boys were behind them. They headed right down to Downing Villa Square. Aunty M. and Richard pulled into the Downing Villa Square, finding the stable for the horses and buggies.
The boys and Aunty M. go looking for their parents. "Hi, Ma, Pa," seeing them in the corner, sitting next to Doc Whitmore and his wife.
"Where's Julie and Anna?" Ma and Pa point, and the boys laugh, seeing their sisters dancing with several boys. Aunty M. grabs Wayne by the arm. "How about you and I give it a whirl, son, if that's all right with you, Martha?" She said, winking.
He laughs. "Are you sure, Aunty M.?" He asked.
"Son, I'm not that old," she said as she did a little jig, "let's go," drags him along.
Martha laughed as she watched Wayne being dragged off by another woman. Martha turns around. "Richard, would you like to dance?" And smiles, seeing his eyes light up when the young lass passes by. Richard sits there and sighs. She giggles and waves and bats her eyes. Martha, Renee, and Doc laugh, watching them as the young lass passes by. Martha gives him a nudge. "Richard, just go ask her," she said as he sat there and turned around on the bench. Martha shakes her head, rolls her eyes, stands up, and grabs his hand. "Come on, Richard," she said.
"I can't," he said.
"Can't what? Dance with me, sure you can," Martha replies.
"Oh, that's alright," he said as he shrugged his shoulders and headed out to the dance floor with Martha.
They dance a little while together. Martha sees the young lass with a quick twirl, throws Richard right into her lap, leaves him there, and smiles. Aunty M. looks over and laughs, yelling at him. "She won't bite, give her a whirl, son." Then, with a swift kick to Wayne and pushed him towards Martha. "I believe this one belongs to you, dear," she said, headed on back to the table, dragging Robert out onto the floor for more.
Richard was stunned, but the young lass knew how to handle him. With a quick smile and firm hold, she grabbed his hand and dragged him all over that dance floor, and she wasn't letting go. The dinner bell chimed. Someone yelled. "Come and 'git' it." People lined up for the vittles on all sides of the rooms.
It was a glorious feast. Fried chicken piled high, mashers and gravy, green beans, hot country biscuits with mounds of coleslaw. "Mumm, mm" and more, yes, sir. If you went away hungry, it was your own fault; it was finger-licking good. The grease just dripped down your chin. "Mumm, mm." The people poured in from everywhere; they reckon there were more people here than the night before. The tables were all buzzing with this and that about the news all over the county about this farmer's picnic here. "Yes, sir, it was a humdinger of one, that's for sure, after twenty years."
After a while, the Mayor of Downing Villa stood at the podium on the stage platform. "Howdy, folks," he said.
"Howdy, Mayor," everyone at the table laughs. Wayne and Martha tried to figure out what was so funny.
The mayor pulls a sheet of paper out of his overalls. "As Mayor of Downing Villa and Payson County, we have elected and need to vote in a Sheriff, deputies, and some watchmen for this little town of ours."
Again, everyone laughed. Wayne and Martha caught on and watch with interest. Aunty M. whispered to Wayne and Martha. She winked at Wayne and Martha as she whispered to them, "In some parts, what we have done is known as a floating town." "Happens all the time; nothing to worry about, dear. It's all legal mumble jumble," she said as she slapped Wayne on the back. Wayne's eyes pop out of his head, nearly choking on a chicken bone.
"Now then, we have chosen Wayne Downing to be our Sheriff. Everyone approves say, aye."
"Aye."
Wayne coughs. "They what?"
"Anyone in a posed," the Mayor Slams down the gavel. "Wayne Downing is now Sheriff. Congratulations," the mayor said. Wayne sputters and coughs. "Now, on to our next order of business."
The mayor goes over some business and introduces more people calling to offices. They vote on this and that. "I understand we have a wedding, is that right?" He asked.
"Yes, Sir Mayor, these two want to tie the knot," a man yelled back.
"Well then, let's get this party started; find us a preacher," he replied.
Someone shouts. "He's right here, Mayor. Came in this morning."
Another man replied. "Well then, what are we waitin' fer? Let's get these two hitched."
Everyone cleared the table as quick as lightning: the bride on one side, the groom on the other, the preacher and Judge in the middle, parents on the side, and the wagon with horses tied and waiting. It was beautiful, and you couldn't ask for more.
Soft banjo music played, and a little daisy flower was tucked in the groom's overalls. It was so romantic, as the bride carried a little white daisy and daffodils in her hand with sunflowers in her hair. As she walked down the aisle under the canopy under the sky in the Downing hay field, it would bring tears to a mother's eye, and it did. She was so happy to see her daughter finally get married on her wedding day.
They both looked into each other's eyes. Pa and her brothers are holding the shotgun, and their brothers are smiling at the groom with a wide, toothless grin. Ma wipes her eyes with a tissue. Yes, sir, as they both take each other's hand and say I do. Banjo and band change up to a swinging country beat. Everyone puts their hands together, pats them on the back as his new father-in-law loads them in the wagon, and says. "Good luck, son. See ya when we get back. Enjoy ya honeymoon, son. Ye-haw."
Tossing his hat in the air, he fires his guns in the air. A wagon pulls out, and they head down the road. Pa picks up Ma and swings her on the dance floor with a jug in his hand. "Boys, let's get this party started."
"Ye-haw."
Everyone in the room, including women and old Grandmas, grabbed a jug off the table and put it in their hands. "Grab yer partner; everyone swings her around and around. Now to the left, then to the right, lift her high, not too high, son. Now that's the way, turn her to the side." Slap, "Hey now, as she smiles, do the dose doe."
They danced and kicked up their heels throughout the night. Yes, sir, they sure know how to party. Everyone who passes by. Wayne shakes his hand and slaps him on the back to congratulate him on becoming Sheriff. By the time he gets home, his back will be sore, I bet; it will be red for days.
Wayne hunts around the room for Doc Hatfield, the Mayor, and the Judge, but they are nowhere to be found. He sighs, looking at his two boys, Danny, and Sam, fast asleep. "Yes, it has been a long day," Pa smiled. Searching for the rest of his children, he spots Robert, Will, and EJ playing with Mark, Frank, and Peter. He yells over to them.
"Yes, Pa."
"It's time we head for home; it's getting late."
"Yes, Pa." Robert finds Richard still with the young lass, and Wayne rolls his eyes and gives him a nudge.
Richard tells her. "I'll see you later," and runs as fast as he can while she bats her eyes at him and sighs, "Ah," putting her hands to her heart. Then she kisses him, bats her eyes, and sighs again.
Pa found Julie and Anna as he tapped them on the shoulder and whispered in their ear, with a grin. "Yes, I am definitely going to keep my eye on them."
"Yes, Pa," watch them kiss each boy on the cheek to let them down gently. Julie and Anna whispering back and forth about the boys they met tonight. Richard and Pa hitch up the buggies and bring them to the front. Pa gathers everyone together, putting Sam and Danny into the buggies and lying them against each other, half asleep. Everyone piles in the buggies and heads back to the farm, waving goodbye to Renee. Doc and everyone thank them for a wonderful time. The exhaustion from the day has everyone practically dragging themselves home.
The boys put horses and buggies away while Pa puts Sam and Danny to bed, then heads off to bed themselves. Aunty M. poured herself a glass of milk, taking it down to her room to do a jig, humming to herself as she closed the bedroom door. Wayne and Martha laughed, watching her, thinking she probably had a little too much to drink of that moonshine from the wedding as she staggered through the door.
Pa and Ma hear Aunty M. give a loud belch through the door. "Oh my," Wayne and Martha giggle. They crack a smile as they look at each other with amazement. Ma and Pa make the rounds like they do every night, tucking their children in.
Pa stopped in the boys' room, gave each son a gentle kiss goodnight, and ensured everything was alright. He whispered to them. "Did you have a good time?"
"Yes, Pa, yes, sir."
Pa whispered back to Richard. "She was a pretty one, son." With a smile and a sigh, he could hear the other boys in the room snickering.
Ma whispers. "Alright, boys, and goodnight."
"Yes, Ma," then closed the door behind them. Ma and Pa walk down the hall to Sam and Danny's room, pausing at the door. They could hear Aunty M. hiccupping through the door with a faint "ye haw" as she turned over in bed. Ma and Pa laughed softly to themselves. "Yes, definitely was the moonshine. She drank a little too much tonight."
Ma and Pa open the door to Sam and Danny's room, giving each of their darlings a quick tuck and kiss on the head. They have played themselves out today. What adventures will they find tomorrow, they wonder, closing the door and turning the corner to the girls? They wonder where the years have gone, looking at two beautiful young daughters, now becoming young women right before their eyes.
Ma bent down, brushing their hair, whispering. "Goodnight, my sweet girls, try not to grow up too fast," with a mother's tear in her eye, trying to hold back time if she could then give them each a kiss goodnight. Ma and Pa, walking back down to their bedroom, closed the door behind them.
"Thanks, dear, for the meal. Our house is full, so is my heart," as they embrace each other.
Ma whispers. "Goodnight, my darling, you are now the Sheriff."
"So, I hear," as he tried to laugh and fell asleep in her arms.
Early morning comes, and Mr. Rooster climbs the fence. Cows sing the morning melody, cock a doodle moo, cock a doodle do moo. Aunty M. crawled out of bed, grabbing her head. Martha is in the kitchen whipping up breakfast as Aunty M. comes down to the kitchen, holding a hot cup of Joe and chugging it down with some aspirins. "That's better," she said, taking another cup and gulping it down. "Ah, now that hits the spot. Watcha got cookin,' dear?" Martha laughed, watching Aunty M. with a smile. Martha Watched her poke around a bit, lifting the lids., "Looks great, Martha, just add some more meat, potatoes," tossing them on in the skillet,
"Fire up some more of those eggs. We have some hungry boys to feed. Now, where's that fresh milk? OH, THE MILK!" she replied. Aunty M. raced down the hall to the boys' room. She opens the door, "Robert, Will, Richard?" Throwing them their overalls. "Let's go, boys," dragging Robert right out of his bed onto the floor. "We got cows, and they need milking, boys," Aunty M. replied, not waiting long enough. With straps on his overalls not tied yet, Robert dragged by the hand, out to the barn, picking up a bucket with other her hand. "Son, grab that stool. That cow needs to be milked. She's full and about to burst," she said.
"I never milked one, Aunty M.," he replied.
She takes his hands and places them under its stomach. "It called an utter, son. It works like a pump and squeezes down into the bucket. Don't pull too hard, or she'll–Moooooo," the cow kicks the bucket, and the stool with Robert with it right over.
Aunty M. laughed and helped him back up on the stool. "Let's try it again. That's away." After a few more tries. "Now lean your head in and your shoulders into her sides, which makes it more comfortable. That's away," she said. The cow swishes her tail back and forth as Aunty M. gives her some feed to eat and keeps the cow occupied. Will and Richard come out to the barn to watch Robert milking a cow. "Well, don't just stand there, Will," Aunty M. pointed to Rose, the cow. "She is waiting for you. Go 'git' her, son."
Aunty M. gets Will started with Rose, watches the boys milk their cows, and brings them buckets to put the fresh milk in. Richard brings the feed to keep them happy while the cows swish their tails back and forth, mooing happily. Aunty M. was having a good old time out in the barn with the boys; she even made Richard milk a cow, too. EJ sat and watched. Ma wouldn't let him get too close; they looked too much like a steer to her, too temperamental when they kept kicking Will and Robert over for pulling too hard.
Aunty M. showed them how to strain and clean the milk and let it cool. Later, Aunty M would show Martha how to make fresh butter, cheese, and cream for dessert. Mumm, mm, Aunty M. was licking and smacking her lips just thinking about it, mmm, mm, as she rubbed her stomach. The boys returned the cows to the pasture and washed up for breakfast. Before setting down, Aunty M. inspects all the boys' hands, including Wayne's, turning his hand over, checking them, then shaking her head, pointing them all back down the hall, including Pa, with a swift kick, getting them hopping.
"Alright, girls, your turn, front and center. Julie, that's very nice; straighten that back. Good, not so much perfume, just a hint, dear," taking another whiff. "Try a little color on those cheeks, just a dab, not too much, dear. Anna, good job. Put little lace flowers in your hair here and here, put a little spot sprinkle of rose scent soap. Yes, that should make them go wild," she said. "Now then, boys," lining them up in a row, checking them, "much better," turns their hands over one after another.
Then she sighs, taking Wayne's hands. "These are hands any woman would fall in love with," placing and handing them to Martha. "Yes, sir, dear, he is a keeper. If only I were forty years younger, I'd take them for a spin. Now then daylights burnen,' boys, we have things to do, places to go, so let's get crackin'," she said, piling the boys' plates, slapping on the meat and the potatoes, pouring the fresh milk in their glass. "Boys, we got work to do. You can't do it on empty stomachs," she said.
All the boys' eyes widen, looking at their plates as Aunty M. piles food onto them. Making sure they eat every last bite before they even leave the table. Again, their bellies would burst, and they were about to pop as they ran out the door before she added more food to their plates. Aunty M yelled. "Hurry, boys, with those chores; we're running late this morning; the boys are waiting for us," laughed as she helped the girls clear the table. "Martha, why don't you take the girls and the two little ones down to the Villa today? Get out of this musty old house, go down, and meet some of those nice folks down there. We'll be gone most of the day, anyway. There is no sense waiting around for us; it's just a thought, dear. Unless, dear, you need a driver. I'll send a couple of the boys up from town to take you down," she said.
"Don't be silly, Aunty M. Of course I can drive one," she said, trying to sound confident in her voice. She hadn't driven a wagon in a long time since she was married, but she wouldn't tell her that. "I'll be just fine," going on about her work, trying not to let Aunty M. upset her or get to her. What is she up to? Glancing over at her when she's Aunty M was not looking. The boys quickly finished their chores and got ready to go while Martha started to prepare the boys' lunch to take with them.
"Martha, stop fussen. Martha, stop fussing. I already handled it. They'll be fine," she said as she walked down the hall to change into her duds. Pa handed up EJ to Aunty M. Martha watched.
"Ma, I'll be fine," he said as he tightened down his hat. Ma pats him on the leg.
"Be careful anyway," she said, strapping on the other one so it wouldn't move so much when he bounced in the saddle. Then she handed Pa an extra clean bandage with his sandals to put in the pack.
Pa let out a hearty laugh, filling the room with his infectious joy. "Martha, there's no need for him to have them, dear." Ignoring Pa's eye roll, she took the sandals out and gently placed them on his feet.
Aunty M. laughs and yells. "Let's head out, boys," with a quick turn of the hand. Pa was right; by the time they got to the edge of the farm, one sandal was flying. Aunty M., laughing, grabs the other one off his foot and throws it over her shoulder so Martha can have it as they enter the fields across the dirt road. Ordering the Robert, Will, and Richard to do likewise and their shirts. Pa added him to the boys. Feeling the warm summer breeze on their bare backs, the dirt sifting through their toes, he and the boys sigh with relief.
Walking down the farm's edge, Ma picked up the shoes and the boy's shirts, placed them on the porch, and sighed. "What am I going to do with those boys of mine?" And smiles. Looks towards the fields where Downing Villa is. "You know, Aunty M., that's not a bad idea." Thinking about Renee and her little shop on the corner. "But what could I sell? Girls, how would you like to spend the day in the villa?" She asked.
"Can we, Ma?" They both asked.
"Go get changed; I'll get the boys ready to go." She went outside and called for them, waving to them to come into the house.
"Yes, Ma. Yes, ma'am."
"Do you want to play down in the villa today?" She asked as they jumped around.
"Alright," he said, "let's get you cleaned up, then." Guiding them down the hall, Ma helps them slip into new, clean jean shorts. This time, she insists they leave their shoes, socks, and shirts at home, where they belong. Ma, the girls, and the little ones head out to the barn. Despite encountering some difficulty, Ma successfully hooks up the buggy, but not much in the end. She's not stupid; she has often watched the boys and her husband do this. Doing it is a lot harder than seeing it being done; she would have to agree, but she wasn't about to admit it to the girls. "Alright, girls," she said, handing the boys to them to hold on their lap while she climbed in and took the reins.
With a flick of the wrist, the horses came to life with a hard start and a jump, leaving the front of the house, and then they started to gallop, everyone hanging on tight as they went past the house and down the road a few paces. The girls were holding onto Sam and Danny; the boys were laughing, and Ma was trying to hold tight onto the reins of the buggy; her face turned white as a sheet, and she was trying not to panic as they turned around the corner; the wheel slightly lifted off the ground when she turns.
Ma's face turns a little whiter, swerves a little, and gets back in control. She lets out a big sigh. "That wasn't so difficult," looking at the girls' faces, a little worried for a moment. As the horses even out to a nice clip-clop down the road, Ma straightens her hair. "Now that's better," straightening her dress, sticking out her chin. "Alright, girls, let's say we girls go have some fun."
Julie leans over to Ma. "I didn't know you could drive a wagon?" She replied,
"Dear, there are a lot of things you haven't done and don't know or tried to till you done them," she said and gave her a wink. With Sam and Danny on their lap, Martha and the girls head down the road, waving to the people as they go down the road in their buggy to Downing Villa Market. Finding Renee's shop, they stop for a bit, pulling on the reins. "Woo. Hello, Renee," Martha and the girls wave. "Where is everyone?" Martha asked.
Renee laughed, seeing Martha and the girls. "I see Aunty M. kicked you out of the house. Good for her," she replied.
Martha, giving her a startled stare. "What, me, Renee?" She replied.
"Oh, nothing, dear, meaning you no harm, just that all the funs down here, that's all, and you are missing it. Everyone else is at the Square, dear, and has chores like the rest. We all take turns as we sign in at the roster." Renee pulled out a little calendar of things that she's in charge of here at Downing Villa. "It makes things run smoother, and things get done. Nobody goes hungry, and we all have a lot of fun. We meet lots of people and build lasting friendships," she said as she wiped a tear away. "So if you are interested, go down there, and put your name on the roster in the Square.
"Unless, of course," smiled at Julie. "You already have a job like your husband, the Sheriff, you, Julie, the assistant schoolteacher. Of course, you can get more than one job if you like. It depends on you, dear. I help with the cookin', tend the kids, and sell things in my little shop; that's enough for me, dear. My husband keeps busy just being the Doc," she said as she laughed, "and being my husband. Then, when we're not working, we barter and trade goods and then play the night away," she said.
"I see, but I don't have anything to sell," Martha said.
"Then don't. Just do whatever you are good at, dear. If you want to sell something later, that's fine, too; shops always come and go. Well, anyway, you think about it, everyone is at the square preparing lunch, and I'll be heading there myself in a while for my shift; I hope to see you there." Martha, with a flick of the wrist, the horses came to life with a hard start and a jump, scolded herself to do it softer next time as they started to gallop with Renee, watching them speeding away, shaking her head, mumbled. "Foolish child."
Martha, getting them back under control before they run some poor person over, yelled. "Watch where you are going."
She yelled. "Sorry, they must have seen a snake."
Women in the area scream. "Snake! Snake!"
Martha rolls her eyes. Julie and Anna are laughing with the boys on their laps. Ma turns. "Well, I'm doing the best I can, girls," and laughs.
"Yes, Ma," laughs.
Pulling into the Downing Villa Square, Mary, and Lizzy see them come charging in with the buggy as Martha yells. "Woo," pulling back on the reins, straitening their hair and dresses, then putting out their chins, sighs. "That's better, girls. I knew we could do it. All on our own, too, right, girls?" she said.
"Right, Ma," they all laugh, setting the boys down. The girls put their arms around their mother, showing their support as they walked gallantly to the stables, handing the boys the reins.
"You boys mind unhooking them for us, ladies?" As they calmly walked away.
Mary and Lizzy walked over, looked at them, and then towards the stables. "Aunty M. said you might stop by, but she didn't say anything about you driving your own buggy," Mary replies.
Julie whispered. "Snake" into Mary's ear.
Mary's eyes go as big as saucers. She yells. "SNAKE!" and starts running, waving her hands in the air. She lifts her dress towards the canopy cook tent. Lizzy slaps her knee and laughs so hard that it brings tears to her eyes for hours.
Martha and the girls laughed. "Well, Lizzy, we are here, so we might as well get started, right, girls?" Martha replies.
"Right, Ma," put their names on the roster and go inside.
"Alright, gals, where do you want us?" Lizzy is taking Sam and Danny out with the rest of the children to play while the women and the young women prepare lunch for all the men in the fields or working down in the Villa today.
* * * *
Of course, Aunty M. and the boys were busy in the fields, finishing the fence work on Mr. Wilson's farm. They were surely taking their time getting there today for some reason. Aunty M. took them by the scenic route today. She had the gift of gab as they rode by the tents, everyone yelling. "Got a minute, Sheriff Downing?" As they have to stop and chat for a while. When they got going again, another would call out. "Hey, Sheriff, I need ya; I have a question." Most of the time, it was to congratulate him.
By the time they reached the work site for the day, the other boys whooped and hollers, "Well, it's about time you got here, boys. You might think about getting a new rooster," as they all laugh, and tease them. Wayne and the boys set to work and worked hard most of the day.
Every so often. A rider would come looking for the Sheriff, and Pa would have to go away for a while, then return to finish up. Other times, the Judge or the Mayor would send him some paperwork that needed to be signed by him. Pa would sigh and look at Aunty M. She would shrug her shoulders as she laughed or smiled or just slapped him on his sore back. "Wayne, don't sweat the small stuff, dear; we have work to do," she hands him the shovel. The lunch wagon arrives with food, refreshments, and a letter for the Sheriff.
"The Judge and Mayor need you in your office. You have a town to run, and you can't run it out here, so get on your horse and get back to the Villa. Pick five good men to take with you. Inside the pouch are your star and five badges for your deputies."
Richard looked at the stars in Pa's hands. "They're joking, right?"
Aunty M. sees them gleaming in the sun, laughing. "Nope, Wayne, I'm afraid not." Then put her arm around Wayne. "They made you the Sheriff because you are a man everyone can trust. Now look at these boys around you, look them straight in the eye, and tell them that you are a man they can trust; they will follow you anywhere. You can tell which has good sense and which is up to the job. You are not a dummy, Wayne. I've seen it in you and every day, and your sons know it, too, and respect you for it. So let's get crackin'. You have a job to do," gives him a swift kick to get him hopping.
Wayne tosses one badge to Richard with a smile. Aunty M. nods with approval, then one to Bill, Chris, and Brad, then walks up and down, the boys looking into each of their eyes, pacing back and forth, then whispers in Aunty M's ear. "Is there an age limit?" Looking over at Robert.
Aunty M. winked back and whispered. "You're the Sheriff."
Pa tosses the last one to Robert, telling EJ and Will. "If I had two more to hand out, I'd give them to you." He then gives each a hug and a pat on the back. They understood as Pa whispered in their ears. "You boys will always be my deputies, no matter what. You don't need a badge to prove it to me."
With that, Pa and the newly formed posse got back on their horses and headed back to Downing Villa. He was leaving Aunty M., Will, and EJ with the boys to finish up on Mr. Wilson's farm for the day. Aunty M. was proud watching Wayne ride off into the fields towards the Villa with his new posse; it brought a tear to her eye. She had the makings of a group of fine leaders in her mind: Nice, strong young bucks for the task that lay at hand, checking it off the list in her mind.
Wayne was looking for help to build a house while she was looking for help of more of a permanent kind, not just for one house; no, that was easy. Mike left her with a different task to carry out and to carry on the work that he left behind. Looking around this ragged bunch of boys, she sighs, pulls out a tissue, and dots her eye. "Mike, how I'm dooen,' you old fool? Alright, boys, let's get crackin,' those steers are comen.' They'll be wanton' a home," she replied.
"Yes, Aunty M," the boys said. They finished their lunch, put up the rest of the fence, and did a quick little jig, shouting. "Ye haw! Home on the Range."
They helped put EJ back on the horse with his Aunty M. They all parted ways with Aunty M waving. "See ya tonight, boys, save me a dance at the ho-down," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," they all galloped for home. Sheriff Downing and his boys were riding hard as they headed into town.
It was a welcoming sight for all the people lining the sides to give them their support: Wayne in the front, Robert at his right, Richard on his left, and the three boys on the back, trotting gallantly down through the Villa. People shouted their approval as they trotted by and waved back on horseback. Six men traveled this way and that until they reached the Sheriff's office.
Martha was waiting with everyone there, including the entire family, including all the aunts and Grandma, with smiles on all their faces. The podium was prepared, all decked out with guest speakers like Doc Hatfield, Whitmore, Judge Parker, and the Mayor, of course, Mr. Stringham. Wayne laughs, seeing them all there. "Now you all show up," he said.
Doc laughed and came over to whisper. "Wayne, if you had found us last night, you would have said no. So why give you the chance, son?" And laughed.
Wayne laughs. "I still might," winks back, slaps him hard on the back, and knocks the wind right out of Doc Hatfield.
Martha gave Wayne a quick, hard stare as he whispered in her ear. "I won't, dear." Hums, "I'll be your man in the moon, dear, and your Sheriff just for you, dear," gives her a quick peck on the cheek.
She whispered back. "That's a good boy," gave him a swift kick. "Now sit, dear," and smiled. Handing Pa, Richard, and Robert a nice clean shirt so they can be a little more presentable.
The Mayor of Payson stands up to the podium as everyone sits down. "As mayor of this here, Villa, it's my duty to besot these keys to office and my responsibility to Sheriff Downing." The Mayor gives his keys to the offices, and everyone cheers, throwing their hats in the air. "I now turn these proceedings over to the Mayor of Santaquin and his boys with a yee-haw and good luck. I'm gone fishing if you need me, which you won't," he said.
Grabbing a jug, he runs with a pole in his hands and runs off the podium, waving, and yelling. "Try not to cause too much trouble, boys." Hopping into the wagon, galloping down the road, shouting. "Come on, Ma, let's go, daylights a burnen. We have lots of sparken' to do. Ye haw," Doc Hatfield whispers to Wayne. "He has been wanting a vacation for a long time, and the city wouldn't let him take one; too much paperwork, they say," he replied.