“We don’t know for sure, Lloyd. I have to see Dr. Rogers first.”
Lloyd suddenly looked like a lost little boy.
“Go talk to Brian,” Jake told him. “He’ll explain.”
Lloyd kept watching Randy. “Mom?”
“I’ll be all right, Lloyd. Your father is right. Go talk to Brian.”
“How long have you been sick?”
“Lloyd, it’s most likely something that can be fixed.”
Lloyd looked back at Jake. “I’m here for both of you. You know that.”
Jake nodded. “I know.”
“So is Evie. You keep that in mind. I mean if—”
“Don’t say it,” Jake warned. “Everything will work out. Let’s take one thing at a time. Right now I have an appointment with Peter, so you go do whatever you have to do, and we’ll talk later.”
Lloyd turned to his mother again. He seemed to be at a terrible loss to know what to say or do. He walked up to her and embraced her. “You get yourself well. I don’t want to have to deal with that sonofabitch of a husband of yours if something happens to you.”
“I’m sure I’ll get better, Lloyd. Do what your father says and just go take care of whatever you need to do today. Jake will be fine.”
Lloyd pulled away, glancing at Jake again.
“Go on. We’ll talk later.” He handed Lloyd Hash’s shotgun. “This belongs to Hash. Unload it before you give it to him. I’d prefer it if you just aimed it at him and gave him both barrels, but we have to obey the goddamn law!” He turned to Jeff as Lloyd took the shotgun. “I left my duster in there. Go get it for me, would you? This leg is starting to give me some real pain.”
“Sure, Jake.” Jeff went back inside to retrieve Jake’s coat.
A frustrated Lloyd glanced at Jake once more. “This thing with the Bryants and Buckleys won’t end anytime soon, will it?”
Their gazes held. “Probably not. But there is nothing we can do about it today other than make sure Hash leaves with Brad. Go make sure that happens, and remember you’re a lawman, Lloyd.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
Lloyd reluctantly left, and Jake sighed, moving beside Randy and putting an arm about her waist. “Come on. Let’s keep that appointment with Peter.”
“Be nice.”
“I will.”
Jeff hurried out after them to see Jake suddenly lift his wife with one arm and carry her across an alley.
“Jake Harkner, put me down! You’ll break that leg open.”
“My leg is fine.” They reached the next boardwalk, and Jake leaned down to give his wife a quick kiss.
You don’t fool me, Jake, Jeff thought. You just don’t want your wife to worry. You’ve got plans for Hash Bryant. Or maybe you’re just worried that Hash Bryant has plans for you…or your family.
He followed them to Peter Brown’s office.
Nineteen
Jeff felt sweat breaking out under his shirt as they entered Peter Brown’s office. Suddenly his tweed jacket and silk vest seemed too warm in spite of the morning’s chill. He entered first to see the very dapper Peter Brown sitting behind his desk, his slightly gray hair perfectly combed, his suit obviously well cut and expensive, his blue eyes fixed on Randy when she entered. The man rose to greet all three of them and put out his hand to Jake.
“Jake, it’s good to see you up and walking around.”
Jake shook his hand. Jeff watched. A firm handshake, but not the painful one Jake had given Brown after church that first Sunday. “Still a lot of pain, but I’ll survive.”
“A little laudanum should help. Surely your son-in-law can give you some.”
“No, thanks. I don’t drink around my wife, and laudanum is even worse. It’s just whiskey mixed with opium. I don’t intend to find out what that mix might do to me. I’m mean enough sober.” He glanced at Randy. “Is that what Brian gave you last night?”
Randy gave him a warning look but grinned at the same time. “Stop it.”
They both laughed lightly, and it was obvious to Jeff they were sharing a very personal joke. He turned his attention to Peter, who watched the two of them with a painful sadness.
“I told your wife we could put this off a few more days,” Peter told Jake. “I’m not that busy this week, and I’m guessing you really shouldn’t be walking on that leg yet.”
“Convincing Jake to stop doing something he shouldn’t do is like talking to a wall,” Randy commented. “We have a grandson who also does not like to be told no.”
Peter looked back at Jake, and Jeff could feel the tension between the two men. “Yes, well, that stubborn little grandson created quite a ruckus…when? It’s been over three weeks, I think. You made all the local headlines, Jake, and by now you’ve probably been featured in stories in newspapers in a lot of other towns, probably even other states. I’m glad you and Little Jake are all right. I mean that. Seeing that kid out in the street had to be awful for you.”