{"id":40528,"date":"2022-12-18T08:12:58","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T13:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40528"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:37:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:37:43","slug":"a-gift-for-the-man-who-has-everything-by-missjudy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40528","title":{"rendered":"A Gift for the Man Who Has Everything (by Missjudy)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> In the middle of a busy Christmas morning, Adam receives a request from Roy Coffee to help him investigate a possible crime in Virginia City. The case intrigues him as he follows the clues along with Roy and Paul Martin, and he has a moment of agony as the truth becomes obvious. In the midst of this difficult truth, he receives a few unexpected reminders of the true meaning of Christmas, and is able to offer the gift of restoration.\u00a0 (This story does cover a sensitive topic in a gentle way)<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> K+<\/p>\n

Word Count:<\/strong> 10649<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christmas at the Ponderosa varied year-to-year based on weather. Sometimes the family was snowbound by November, while this current December was blessed with moderate temperatures and clear roads.<\/p>\n

Ben and his sons had risen long before sunrise to enjoy a Christmas breakfast of ham, eggs and the wonderful fruit and nut filled sweet bread called stollen. They weren\u2019t sure how their Chinese cook had learned to make this amazement, but it was likely he\u2019d heard ladies of Germanic ancestry talk of it at the general store in town, and found a recipe he\u2019d adapted. This, along with the French yule log cake he would serve after tonight\u2019s dinner, were two sweets Hop Sing made better than anyone: probably even the renowned pastry chefs at restaurants in bigger cities.<\/p>\n

With dinner guests arriving later, and helping the trail cook employed by the Cartwrights to put on a feast for the crew at noon, Hop Sing didn\u2019t refuse the Cartwrights\u2019 offer of help following breakfast. The two younger sons cleared the table while Adam rolled up his shirtsleeves to wash and Ben dried. Joe and Hoss lent further help by adding a board to the allow more room at the table later, and carrying out the tableware and linens their cook would use to set up for the evening feast.<\/p>\n

There\u2019d been an earlier party hosted at the Ponderosa for the Cartwright neighbors and friends, but Roy and Paul were the only two invitees for tonight\u2019s dinner, chosen to give the two most often sought out members of the community on any day of the year, a break in the daily grind. They\u2019d been told to find someone to cover their jobs so they could to stay the night and take advantage of a few blessed hours of peace while being served rather than serving.<\/p>\n

When Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen was returned to order; he issued his directive that the four men leave his domain and not return unless there was an emergency, and the Cartwrights readily obeyed the command, heading to the room at opposite end of the living area that had served as their original bunkhouse, to finish their own preparations for handing out Christmas gifts to their year-round ranch hands. The number of such employees had risen over the years, and it had become a tradition to give practical items like new gloves, socks, and bedrolls for personal comfort, along with scrip they could use in town to replace worn items of clothing or gear. The men appreciated these thoughtful gifts, since they were prone to leaving such items behind each time they broke camp, resulting in them having just one glove and mismatched socks left by this time of year. But the gift they anticipated the most, was the small envelope they\u2019d receive containing crisp bills to spend as they wished.<\/p>\n

Hoss had already decorated the room with pine boughs for a little Christmas cheer, and once the crew had gathered and the gifts and thanks had been distributed, the sons headed to the barn for morning chores, and finally regrouped around the tall decorated pine in their living room to open their gifts to one another.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not complaining,\u201d Joe stated as he handed Adam his gift. \u201cBut each year it gets harder to come up with something for the man who has everything he wants, buys what he needs and really doesn\u2019t want or need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned. \u201cYou\u2019ve said many times that you know me well. Are you now saying that isn\u2019t true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhh \u2026 maybe I do know you well enough to know what <\/em>you want. It\u2019s just hard to know exactly what of what you want is what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed along with his family. \u201cWell \u2026 that clears things up.\u201d<\/p>\n

With ribbons and paper piled on the low table in front of the hearth, all gifts opened and thanks offered; Adam grabbed the compilation of poems he\u2019d received from Joe. \u201cThis is exactly what I wanted. I take back what I said earlier. You do know me and must have paid attention when I mentioned this was coming out soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s cheeks blazed to pink. \u201cI\u2019ll take some credit, but only for knowing where to go for help. I asked Marjory at the book store what you\u2019d been looking at recently, and she sold me that one. Then she said she\u2019d make sure you wouldn\u2019t purchase it for yourself before Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s laugh rang out like a Christmas bell. \u201cThat explains a lot. I\u2019d seen it in the window, but when I went to buy it, Marjory said she\u2019d sold every copy. You may not have known which book I wanted, Joe, but you knew where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family\u2019s continuing conversation about their gifts was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Ben glanced at the clock, even while knowing it was far too early for Paul or Roy to be arriving. He found Andy Markel outside, extending an envelope to him as soon as the door stood open.<\/p>\n

Andy was a young man who cleaned and ran errands for Roy Coffee at the jail. \u201cThe sheriff had me bring this,\u201d he began. \u201cHe says to apologize for interrupting your holiday, but could Adam please read it and give me an answer to take back to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s left eyebrow arched dramatically as he walked over to retrieve the note while his father led Andy into the kitchen for a hot drink and some of Hop Sing\u2019s Christmas sweets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what does Roy want?\u201d Ben asked after leaving the boy in the kitchen with his snack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a death in town, and he\u2019s asking me to come in and investigate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho died?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cAnd why can\u2019t Roy investigate it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy writes that his foot and ankle are still swollen from when he stepped in a pothole chasing that kid who stuffed his shirt full of goods at Wilson\u2019s store, and he can\u2019t even wear a shoe. The \u2018who\u2019 is Jeb Metzer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJeb \u2026 that small, mean drunk who\u2019s always looking for a fight?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI assume so. He was found behind a saloon near the edge of town. Roy feels he probably tripped while drunk, and fell flat on his face, like a falling pine. Paul needs to take a better look at the body, but feels Roy\u2019s on the right track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took on a decidedly sour expression. \u201cThat\u2019s a bad end even for a mean ol\u2019 curmudgeon like him, and specially hard for his wife to face on Christmas day. But if it\u2019s cut and dried, why\u2019s Roy investigating anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo make sure all is as it seems, I suppose.\u201d Adam looked towards his father. \u201cIt\u2019s ten now. An hour in, an hour or two to investigate, and another hour home would get Paul, Roy and me back in time for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes twinkled. \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re asking my permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

The oldest son knew he\u2019d been caught in an explanation rather than asking to be excused for a few hours. His grimace changed to a lopsided grin. \u201cI guess not, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, then. I think Roy has given you the best gift of all: a chance to discover the truth. But \u2026 you three better not keep Hop Sing waiting. You know how upset he gets on any given evening. A holiday where he\u2019s asked to keep dinner warm will cause a loud resignation and a promise to be gone by morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas!\u201d Adam called to Roy Coffee when he entered the sheriff\u2019s office after a frosty, yet not uncomfortably cold ride to town. He noted the older man\u2019s swollen foot resting on a stack of pillows. \u201cThat does look bad. Haven\u2019t you been taking care of yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried. But Clem\u2019s been out of town visiting his folks for an early Christmas, so I kept going the best I could.\u00a0 After limping around on my normal rounds and routines for a few days, it got so I could barely get my loose bedroom slipper over this elephant leg. Paul knew I had to be on duty, but he ordered me to hire someone to be my feet and stay put with my leg up until the swelling goes down. He also has Cynthia Gatsby coming round twice a day to do hot wraps, and he gave me crutches that are only for getting here and home or like today, out to investigate something unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s been dealing with the desperados of Virginia City since you can\u2019t hop around on one leg fast enough to catch a criminal.\u201d Roy\u2019s snarly expression revealed how little humor he found in his guest\u2019s comments. \u201cSorry, Roy, you\u2019re obviously not in the mood to be teased. I\u2019m just as grouchy when I\u2019m laid up. You\u2019re still planning to come out to the house later?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClem promised he get back early this afternoon, and then Paul will bring me to your place in his buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood! We\u2019ll make sure you won\u2019t have to move except to hop to the table. You can use the bedroom on the first floor tonight and Hop Sing might even furnish breakfast in bed come morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s raised eyes and half-grin showed his unfamiliarity with receiving the kind of care Adam was offering, while also conveying his gratitude for having the Cartwrights as friends.<\/p>\n

Adam unbuttoned his heavy coat and perched on the corner of Roy\u2019s desk. \u201cTell me why I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo answer your question on who\u2019s keepin\u2019 the peace; I deputized Mick Michaels to be my legs. He\u2019s young and respectful enough to not overstep the restricted authority accompanying that badge. He makes rounds, and he\u2019s broken up fights, brought disorderly drunks in to sober up, taken reports of thievery and the like, and then I write up the reports and decide how to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad he\u2019s doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI called you in because Mick can\u2019t follow through with an unexpected death like Jeb\u2019s. Paul thinks something might be fishy, and I need your skill to investigate what we found, and give your thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou best tell me why this needs investigating or it\u2019ll be time for us to head home for dinner.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s grin softened his admonition, yet he knew Roy\u2019s method of communicating often had to be lassoed in or his story would run loose a while longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSalvador, the young Italian guy who bought the Watering Hole last year, found Jeb in the alley behind the saloon when he went outside to dump his mop bucket around 5:30 a.m. He could tell Jeb was dead, so he came to report it to us. I\u2019d just gotten here and Mick has been sleeping at the jail, so we both went to check.\u00a0 Once I saw Jeb\u2019s condition, I sent Mick for Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was still dark, but I could see a lot of blood on Jeb\u2019s face and shirt when I rolled him over. And his face \u2026.\u201d Roy shivered noticeably. \u201cI ain\u2019t never seen such a wound, Adam. His nose was flat to his face and gaping open.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam reacted to this information much as Roy had, and shivered despite still wearing his heavy coat. \u201cHad he been out there all night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRigor mortis hadn\u2019t set in. Jeb\u2019s joints were still loose enough to move him easily, so Paul estimated he\u2019d been dead less than two hours, and maybe even less in light of the cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHad Jeb been drinking at the Watering Hole earlier?\u201d The rising tone of Adam\u2019s voice indicated his growing fascination with this story. \u201cUnlike places further in town that close their doors when the drinking gets light and the gambling is done, Salvador stays open to get the late-night clientele to bring in extra money. He\u2019s got Steve to run the place at night and he\u2019s big enough to keep order.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cJeb smelled of alcohol, but Salvador said business was slow with being Christmas eve, so he closed the place around six to be with his own family. He\u2019s closed today too, but came in early to get the cleaning done and be back home before his kids woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam noticed a look of uncertainty wash across Roy\u2019s face. \u201cDespite what\u2019s giving you the shivering willies about this; I get the feeling you aren\u2019t in a rush to pin his death on someone else. He was such a contrary cuss that half the town has wanted to take a swing at him. The other already had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you speaking from your own experience, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJeb favored hard-drinking shacks with cheap rotgut booze out near the mines. Now and again, I\u2019d end up out there for mining business. Jeb was always firmly attached to the bar, almost as though his coat was burred to the roughhewn wood they use instead of sawed wood, and well on his way to a full-blown drunk. But he\u2019d come to life on seeing me, shouting his, \u2018You think you\u2019re so much better\u2019n me cuz yer rich,\u2019 harangue. I\u2019d refuse to react or acknowledge him, so he\u2019d get louder and more obnoxious until I\u2019d finish and leave. \u00a0He\u2019d follow me out, shooting his barbs at my back like bullets. For a guy several of inches shorter than Little Joe, he never backed away from his big mouth. I know he lost a few teeth when he used that vile tongue on the wrong guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt there\u2019s anyone in town who will mourn the man\u2019s passing \u2026 or won\u2019t say they figured he\u2019d end up dead in the street, just as he did,\u201d Roy added to Adam\u2019s story. \u201cBut I\u2019m sworn to uphold the law, and if he didn\u2019t just trip in the dark and do himself in, then I gotta make an effort to get to the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Emma know he\u2019s dead? He wasn\u2019t a good husband, but they were married a lot of years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe odd thing was she came by while we were looking around,\u201d Roy said with a growing bit of wariness in his voice. \u201cSaid Jeb wasn\u2019t home, and she\u2019d come looking to make sure he wasn\u2019t sleeping in the cold alley somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas she shocked by what she saw, or upset with his death?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore numb-like than aggrieved. I had Mick walk her back to her house, and promised someone will come see her after we finish investigating.\u201d Roy\u2019s wary look returned. \u201cShe was so quiet. Not a tear, and seemed far away from where she stood, if you know what I mean. Led me to wonder if she knows more than she said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might be right.\u201d Adam drew a whistling breath between his front teeth. \u201cYou wonder if Jeb was a good man who simply got lost in alcohol. Most of us can indulge in a drink to warm up or relax now and then, but the same liquid becomes an unrelenting compulsion in others. It doesn\u2019t discriminate either, destroying the lowly and the powerful. The only difference is the quality of the poison. The lowly die quicker because cheap booze is deadlier to body and mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last few years all he\u2019s done is drink and sweep walkways for a few businesses to get money for his next bottle. Emma has always cleaned to pay for their needs,\u201d Roy offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recall them moving here right after silver was found, and buying that small house many considered a shack to be torn down. The city grew up around it, leaving it one of the few houses that wasn\u2019t razed for a business. Yet Jeb didn\u2019t come to mine or work in one. He always just did those odd jobs. Emma\u2019s a sweet woman: respected and well liked. She\u2019s got a knack for baking too\u2014always winning the pie contests\u2014and gets extra money from selling her sweets for parties.\u201d Adam\u2019s nose rose in a pucker. \u201cTheir house is on the street around the corner from the Watering Hole. Maybe he was headed home when he fell?\u201d He dropped his fist softly on Roy\u2019s desk to clear his thoughts for action. \u201cWhere should I start?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo see Paul. He was called to see a sick baby before he could take a good look around where we found Jeb, and it was still dark then. But he should be home now. Mick and Salvador took Jeb\u2019s body to Paul\u2019s shed, so maybe he\u2019s had time to take a closer look at the injury. The problem with all these folks who are helping me, is that they know nothing about tracking or seeing what others miss. And I trust you\u2019ll dog the truth, even if it\u2019s not what we wish it to be.\u201d Roy frowned deeply, with his mustache following in its wake. \u201cGotta admit I wish I could do this with you, but I\u2019d be in the way more than helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter what I find, we\u2019ll make the conclusions together, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paul Martin was pouring a cup of coffee when Adam rapped on the door and slipped inside. \u201cMerry Christmas,\u201d he offered, before taking a cup from the cupboard and holding it out for the good doctor to fill. \u201cMight you have anything to flavor this?\u201d he teased. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty chilly out there despite the sunshine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might, but I\u2019ll have to wait until we get out to your place. News of a tipsy doctor showing up to render care spreads fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReputation is everything,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut I have no reputation to uphold, so where\u2019s the brandy?\u201d He pulled the bottle from the shelf Paul indicated and added a splash to his cup.\u00a0 \u201cHave you had a chance to examine Jeb?\u201d<\/p>\n

A solid nod. \u201cI felt something was off from the start, Adam, and feel it even more now. I\u2019ve read case studies where someone was punched upwards at the nose, breaking the nasal cartilage and sending shards into the brain, causing death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy said Jeb\u2019s face was a fright. If that\u2019s what killed him, could it happen by falling face-first without breaking his fall?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say with certainty that\u2019s what happened, even though I\u2019d stake that reputation you just mentioned on this being the cause of his demise. \u00a0Yet \u2026 there\u2019s no indication he was in a fight prior to this deadly strike. He has no bruising on his hands or torso. And it\u2019s unlikely someone would have walked up and socked him in the nose, although it\u2019s possible. He was an ornery cuss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019re leaning towards him tripping?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul huffed and shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just as unlikely to have happened that way. When someone does one of those timber-style falls; their forward motion pushes the head backwards. He\u2019d have struck the ground chin first, not nose first, snapping his cervical vertebrae. Those are so high on the spinal column, damage there destroys the nerves that keep the heart and lungs working, causing instant death rather than paralysis.\u201d He eyed Adam over the rim of his cup. \u201cIt\u2019s that whole equal and opposite reaction for something in motion: an engineering application to medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d Adam replied with a recurrence of his earlier shiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe nose might break and there\u2019d be bruising around the eyes when the sudden impact brought his head forward again, but Jeb\u2019s chin and neck are fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo \u2026 how do you explain what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was still dark and that alley is shadowed anyway, so I probably missed the clue I need. Let\u2019s go look for a rock or raised area that could account for his nose hitting first when he tumbled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything else bothering you about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJeb was an awful human being: mean to most and meaner to his wife. I can\u2019t say I ever saw a kindness from him toward man, child or beast, but it\u2019s not up to me to say good riddance and sweep a possible murder under the rug.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam drained his cup and set it on the sink. \u201cI\u2019m not looking forward to this; but lets start with a look at Jeb as you go through what you just told me. Then we\u2019ll move to the scene. I really hope every person in town hasn\u2019t walked through there to see where it happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shook his head. \u201cRoy had Mick block the alley, and stand watch until we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Four<\/strong><\/p>\n

After walking both outer edges of the alley section behind the Watering Hole, Adam motioned for Paul to join him, and pointed to the footprints most visible in the frozen muck of the street. \u201cWhich direction was Jeb oriented?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul pointed towards the far end. \u201cHead was that way, feet just about where we\u2019re standing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he fell forward, it would mean he was walking away <\/em>from town.\u201d Adam walked slowly in the direction Jeb would have come from, stopping at intervals to squat and look more closely. \u201cThis is odd,\u201d he finally revealed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy implied Jeb was probably heading home after drinking somewhere all night. But his orientation implies he was going the opposite direction when he fell. His house is behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cHuh! That didn\u2019t occur to me. What else bothers you. Your deep squint tells me there\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt rained yesterday, and the puddles smoothed out the dirt back here, giving us a blank slate. And with freezing last night, everything is preserved well. You estimated he wasn\u2019t out here for more than an hour when he was found?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded. \u201cHow does that fit in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see no foot traffic in this alley after that rain other than those who checked on Jeb. That seems to confirm what Roy said about the town being quiet by the afternoon. Even Salvador closed his saloon early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s mouth hung open slightly. \u201cI\u2019ve heard stories of you and your brothers being excellent trackers but never saw you in action.\u201d He took a good look at the ground and shook his head. \u201cI see several prints here. How can you tell they were made just by us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wearing high-top dress shoes with a round toe and broad, flat heel.\u201d Still squatting, Adam pointed to a set belonging to Paul. \u201cI see where you entered the alley and walked around Jeb and eventually left. Salvador was still here when we arrived now, so I took a quick look at his boots along with the ones Mick was wearing. They both had pointed toes with a smaller, square heel: boots designed to help hold your foot in the stirrup. I see two sets corresponding to those, and before you ask how I know there were just two; each set has a distinctive mark. I\u2019d have to examine the soles to know which is which, but these prints all belong to the same two people. The only other ones belong to Roy who was wearing a slipper and his shoe, while using those crutches, and another smaller set that must be Emma\u2019s. Today is above freezing again, but the sun hasn\u2019t reached this alley, so all sets are encased in the frost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s amazing! So \u2026 what\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

A deep chuckle rippled up from Adam\u2019s chest. \u201cPaul \u2026 there\u2019s one very important set of prints missing. I checked Jeb\u2019s boots when we were in your shed. They\u2019re old and the soles had deep cracks. Those would be as distinctive as Roy\u2019s mismatched ones. But there\u2019s not a single set of his prints in this alley. I don\u2019t think Jeb could fly, so how did he get here? If he was laying out here before the rain and didn\u2019t die until early this morning, his clothes would have been wet. Were they?\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. And I can add something else that\u2019s missing,\u201d Paul offered.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s stood and eyed Paul expectantly. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo things. We spoke about how he\u2019d have had to hit his nose first to cause that injury. There are no rocks or mounds of dirt here. And with as bloody as his clothes were, there should be blood on the ground. There\u2019s none!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, Inspector Martin,\u201d Adam said with a small bow and sweep of his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was undoubtedly moved here after he was already dead. That implies another person involved, and this is no longer an unfortunate accident.\u201d Paul\u2019s tone was indicative of his disappointment with the situation taking an ugly turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are correct! But I see something now that I didn\u2019t when I thought Jeb walked here.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the two men did another careful observation of the area, Adam considered an alternative to Jeb being disposed of by a murderer. Before he could address this with Paul, a young man, hat-in-hand, approached from the intersection leading from the main street. \u201cHey, Doc,\u201d he said in a nearly reverent voice. \u201cSorry to interrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJonah,\u201d Paul said. \u201cIs there a problem with your son\u2019s arm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been whimpering all morning, doc, and says it hurts something awful. I know it\u2019s Christmas, and Mick said something bad happened back here, and only let me disturb you when I told him Charlie was crying. I know he\u2019s not pretending because he didn\u2019t even want to open his presents!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam offered a kindly smile. \u201cThat\u2019s a sure indication he needs a visit from the fine doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded, \u201cLet me have a few words with Adam, and I\u2019ll be there, Jonah. I\u2019ve got a good idea what\u2019s bothering him, and he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Jonah left, Adam said, \u201cYou may not know footprints, but you\u2019re a good medical detective. What\u2019s wrong with Jonah\u2019s boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe fell forward off their porch yesterday.\u201d Paul stopped to smile. \u201cSeems like falling forward is the accident of choice this Christmas. But Charlie reached out to break his landing with his left arm. I didn\u2019t feel any bone separation to indicate a fracture and felt it was badly sprained. Since he\u2019s still in pain, I\u2019m leaning towards a type of fracture common in kids. His bones still have a little spring and can often twist without breaking. In this case, landing with his arm beneath him must have caused a snap in his radius or ulna, but it didn\u2019t go all the way through the bone so I couldn\u2019t feel anything amiss. Liken it to trying to break off a fresh twig. It bends and the interior will break but the twig stays in one piece. I gave him a sling, and said to keep his arm still, but being a kid, he\u2019s surely been moving it. That\u2019s irritating the tissue around the break. I\u2019ll put a plaster on this time to immobilize it for a week or two and he\u2019ll feel better fast.\u201d His smile turned to a wistful frown. \u201cI\u2019ll miss watching you figure out what actually happened to Jeb. Do you have any ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, but I won\u2019t say anything until I\u2019m sure. Come to the jail when you finish with Charlie. There might be an answer by then.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Alone in the alley, Adam quickly followed up on his idea of how Jeb got there, and where he\u2019d come from.<\/p>\n

Mingled in with shoeprints after Jeb had been found, was a set that couldn\u2019t be explained by Roy\u2019s narrative. He\u2019d mentioned Jeb\u2019s wife Emma showing up while they\u2019d been working on him, but that she\u2019d stood off to the side until escorted back home. He could account for those: a set of short, square-toed, heavy soled shoes that entered from the corner and stuck to the edge of the passageway and left next to a set of the pointed boots he could now attribute to Mick.<\/p>\n

But as he squatted where Jeb\u2019s body had been; he saw another set of Emma\u2019s small prints peaking out from beneath those of the deputy, Paul, Salvador and Roy. He could now see where a solo set of Emma\u2019s prints left the alley and returned to the Metzer home, but there was no corresponding first set coming into<\/em> it other than two at Jeb\u2019s head. His question of how Jeb got into the alley without walking, now had an answer that tore at his heart.<\/p>\n

Emma was not a large woman, but she was a little taller than her husband, and from what Adam knew of her situation, she was an active woman who cleaned homes and did all the chores at her place. She was undoubtedly in far better physical condition than her husband who bore all the signs of failing health due to low-quality alcohol. His complexion was gray, mottled with a yellowish tinge, and the whites of his eyes were already bile tinted. He also bore the skeletal appearance of a hard drinker who got nourishment from a bottle of fermented mash and walked only between saloons.<\/p>\n

The thought taking shape relied on that difference in Emma and Jeb\u2019s size and abilities. A grimace of confirmation accompanied a deep sigh as he spotted that Emma\u2019s prints at Jeb\u2019s head, showed the deeper indent at the toe, with a roll back to the heel. She had been walking backwards. Those two sets indicated where she\u2019d stopped, and he found a few partial prints then at the side where the soil bore marks of where Emma had rolled Jeb\u2019s body from whatever she\u2019d used to pull him to that spot.<\/p>\n

Hot on the scent of a truth he wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to know, he spotted the marks left by the edges of that same transport\u2014most likely a tarp or blanket\u2014as well as the deeper indentation in the middle where Jeb\u2019s body was the heaviest. He easily followed this from the alley straight back to the Metzer\u2019s door. The reason there were no prints of Emma\u2019s first foray into the alley was that they\u2019d been obliterated by the weight of the tarp she was dragging backwards.<\/p>\n

His exhilaration at having a mystery to solve, suddenly tasted sour in the back of his throat. The alley mystery was solved. The next step would be gathering evidence inside the house and finally taking Emma in for questioning.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Emma\u2019s mouth fell into a startled \u201cO\u201d as she answered her door. \u201cWhy Adam Cartwright! What a happy surprise visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a visit as such, Emma. I\u2019m helping Roy look into the death of your husband. May I offer my condolences to you and your family.\u201d His forehead rose as he admitted, \u201cI honestly don\u2019t know whether you have children. You and Jeb moved here alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She opened the door wide, indicating he should enter. \u201cCmon\u2019 in and sit by the stove to warm up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked around as he entered the small, tidy one-room home and replied, \u201cThank you,\u201d while noting a mop and bucket near the door, and a large, dark wet spot on the wooden planks near the table. \u201cIt sure smells wonderful in here.\u201d He sniffed the air. \u201cWould that be pumpkin pie I smell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust from the oven. I\u2019d offer a slice, but it\u2019s still settin\u2019 up.\u201d She smiled briefly as she quickly rolled her sleeves down and buttoned the cuffs. \u201cTo answer your question, Jeb and I have a son, but he was grown enough to stay in Missouri when we set out for these parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perching on the corner of the table, Adam noticed there was only one chair in the place. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you sit, Emma. All that\u2019s happened this morning must be weighing heavy on your mind and shoulders. It must have been a shock to go out and find Jeb that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so much as you might think, Adam.\u201d She took the chair near the stove. \u201cHe\u2019s been drinking heavy lately. People think he was always a drunk, but it wasn\u2019t always so bad as this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were married a long time?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNear 30 years, but my folks put me up for marriage when I was barely 13. Jeb was in his 20s and wasn\u2019t happy I was so unaware of worldly things, but said I looked strong enough to help with the farm and birth sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you come here to mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma nodded. \u201cJeb hadn\u2019t done well as a farmer, and we only had enough to buy a place to live. He couldn\u2019t afford a claim, and then saw how tough working the mines was, and decided he\u2019d do odd jobs instead. He\u2019d started drinking back home, but promised things would be better in new surroundings.\u201d She eyed Adam knowingly. \u201cYou probably know how such promises go. Not getting a claim added to his previous failures and weighed so heavy he could only shut out the shouting in his head by passing out. He grew to hate anyone he thought was successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIncluding you?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou run a good cleaning business, and everyone likes you, while they sort of ignored Jeb or laughed behind his back.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no verbal confirmation, but a blush rose into Emma\u2019s cheeks. As he waited to hear whether there\u2019d be an answer, he finished his perusal of the room. The table where he was sitting bore wetness at the corner, corresponding to the floor beneath it. One thing that couldn\u2019t be washed away, was the outline of a thin handle with a hooked end, burned into the floor a few steps back from the table. Looking towards the stove, he spotted a fire poker with the identical shape leaning against the oven door.<\/p>\n

When Emma offered nothing more, he asked, \u201cHave you been able to consider what you\u2019ll do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d already been thinking of going back to live with my son. Jeb\u2019s health was surely on the decline. He refused to see a doctor, but I could see he wasn\u2019t well and didn\u2019t have long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would certainly pick up on that. I am so sorry this happened today of all days. It\u2019s hard to lose a loved one on a holiday and then grieve while others are having happy get-togethers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam \u2026. I can tell you grew up in a happy, lovely family. I\u2019ve heard the stories of how Ben lost his wives and you boys lost your mothers, but your daddy did the best he could by you three. Christmas has never been different than any other day for me, except when there\u2019s a church service to attend. I haven\u2019t gotten a Christmas gift in so many years, I can\u2019t recall the time nor the gift. For me, the reason for Christmas is about a baby who was our Savior, and left us a promise that life on earth is only the stepping stone to a better life. I hold onto that; share whatever kindness I can with the little I have and offer thanks that I keep my eyes above me instead of falling into self-pity or drowning in a bottle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem to understand Christmas far better than anyone throwing big parties and giving expensive gifts, Emma. You\u2019ve given me a lot to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another period of silence elapsed before Emma asked, \u201cYou said you\u2019ve been looking into Jeb\u2019s death. Have you figured it out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPart of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone says you\u2019re a smart man, but fair too, and that\u2019s what I\u2019ve always seen. You\u2019re kind as well, and ain\u2019t never walked past me without a smile and asking after me. What do I need to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Jeb didn\u2019t die in the alley, and I can see how you got him out there. What I don\u2019t know is what started it, Emma. You\u2019ll need to accompany me to the sheriff\u2019s office and tell Roy what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma rose and went to her cupboard, grabbing a basket and a clean, folded towel. \u201cMight as well take this pie along so it don\u2019t go to waste. Roy always has a pot of coffee on.\u201d She tucked the pie inside the wicker and covered it before grabbing her heavy shawl from the hook, stuck her arm under the basket\u2019s handle and walked outside.<\/p>\n

Adam stopped at the threshold when he noticed a lump of fabric inside a galvanized tub. He removed it carefully and allowed it to drape downward for a closer look. It was a threadbare dress with blood covering the front bodice and skirt. But what stopped his breath were the sleeves. There was blood on them from Jeb, but there were several slits with singed edges, obviously burned into the cloth, where the blood originated on the inside of the dress. The burn marks were fresh since he could still detect the odor of singed fabric. Sticking his head out the door to make sure Emma had continued to move away, he rolled the garment in on itself and tucked it inside his coat.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Adam watched the happy smile Roy offered him and Emma as they entered the office, turn to concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have to come here,\u201d he addressed Emma. \u201cI would have let you know what we determined.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll explain it to you in a minute Roy. But first, Emma\u2019s going to dish out some of her prize-winning pie, and I\u2019ll fill a few mugs with coffee and we\u2019ll toast the holiday before getting to business.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trio had just taken their first bite when the door swung open and Paul Martin hurried in. \u201cI got here as quickly as I could.\u201d He looked towards Adam. \u201cI\u2019m assuming you figured something out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, but first, enjoy some pie and coffee. We\u2019re having a little Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

With plates clean, the whole pie consumed and cups refilled, Roy finally locked Adam in a steely glare and said, \u201cGet on with it. I don\u2019t want to be late for Hop Sing\u2019s dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam moved his chair next to Emma and took her hand. \u201cI\u2019ll start with what I discovered, and I believe Emma\u2019s ready to fill in the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy and Paul leaned forward in anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter examining the footprints in the alley more closely, I realized his body was pulled to that spot on a tarp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t say!\u201d Roy voiced in surprise. \u201cAny idea who did that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked over at Emma, who said, \u201cI did. I\u2019m not sure how Adam figured it out, but I realized he knew as soon as I answered the door and saw him standing there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shifted in his chair until he was looking directly at the woman. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to say anything more unless you want to, Emma. But if you do, I\u2019ll have to take it to law no matter what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all fine, Roy,\u201d she answered in a steady, stronger voice. I still don\u2019t know how<\/em> Adam figured it, but I\u2019m relieved. I couldn\u2019t have lived with what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was all in the footprints,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cThings didn\u2019t add up until I realized there were two sets of yours, Emma; one of them made before anyone else was there. They showed you\u2019d been backing up, and then I found the drag marks indicating you\u2019d been pulling Jeb from your house on something. I assume he was already dead by then and you hoped others would think he\u2019d tripped and died by the saloon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that right?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

Emma nodded. \u201cI\u2019d like to know what else Adam saw that gave me away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wet floor and table in your house showed they\u2019d been scrubbed recently, but blood is nearly impossible to remove from wood because it\u2019s so porous. Paul said Jeb\u2019s nose injury would have bled profusely. There was no blood in the alley, but your wet floors bore that black stain that won\u2019t disappear even after it dries.\u201d He reached inside his jacket and tugged out the bloody dress, making Emma gasp, and then smile resignedly. \u201cI also found this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one in this room thinks you\u2019re the murdering type, Emma,\u201d Roy told her reassuringly. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you start from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her head dropped as she folded her hands in her lap. \u201cJeb didn\u2019t pay attention to December passing and missed that it was Christmas Eve yesterday. He slept all morning like usual, and when he finally went out looking for odd jobs to finance his drinking for last night, the business owners who usually hire him had already finished and were ready to close. Sam at the Bucket of Blood was good enough to give him a few near empty bottles to tide him over, but he got home mad and sullen, finished those leftovers fast and went to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy interrupted her. \u201cDid he harm you when he got home in that mood? Everyone knows he gets mean when he\u2019s mad, and you\u2019d have been the handiest target.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot then. I\u2019m plumb embarrassed that everyone knows what he was like with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more they suspected it because of his violent nature when drunk,\u201d Paul offered. \u201cThen again; you seem to have just confirmed that he treated you as others suspected. Why you didn\u2019t say anything to someone who might have helped?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma laughed openly. \u201cTo what end, Dr. Martin? The pastor would have told me I was wed to him and should pray for him and be a good wife like I vowed. I didn\u2019t have money to get a lawyer, and, Roy, you kept him here overnight when he was at his worst, and I thank you for that. But you did that because you knew what he\u2019d do if you\u2019d have let him go home. There seems to be an understanding among men where they think it\u2019s all right to toss a wife around because she deserves it for not doing enough to keep them happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about some of that, Emma. I did hold him on his worst nights, and the most I could have charged him with was disorderly conduct and held him longer if you wouldn\u2019t or couldn\u2019t pay the fine. Assault charges can only be levied if the wife is willing to issue a complaint and follow that through the court. You made some good points as to why a wife might not do that, but they also back down when the man promises he\u2019ll be better to her and not drink so much. I understand that too. They often have children and can\u2019t pay bills or feed the kids if their man is in jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you\u2019re being polite enough not to say in front of Adam and the Dr. is that I done that a few times myself, sheriff,\u201d Emma admitted. \u201cThose apologizes always raise just enough hope to give it another go. The goodwill lasts a day or two, but once they know they can get away with this behavior; they get even worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sighed deeply. \u201cI don\u2019t know what the answer is. But \u2026 I\u2019m guessing you three have somewhere to be for Christmas so I\u2019ll finish this. It was quiet with him in bed last evening so I got things organized for today, and then got up real early to bake. Jeb didn\u2019t eat enough to spend money on making a big Christmas feast for us, so I\u2019d accepted an invitation to dinner from Sally Caruthers at the boarding house where I clean. I promised to bring pie. She included Jeb in the invitation, but I figured he be out cold by then and wouldn\u2019t care where I was. What I hadn\u2019t factored was that he wouldn\u2019t stock up for the holiday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked quietly as I could before the crack of dawn with the lamp up only enough to see what I was doing. But that old bear rose from hibernation and slipped up behind me, and asked what I was doing in a tone of voice I knew meant trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped to gather her thoughts. \u201cI always made it clear that I wouldn\u2019t stop him from drinking, but I wouldn\u2019t pay for his liquor either. He usually earned enough to keep himself lubricated. He stole coins from my sugar bowl now and then, but after messing up yesterday, he was looking at a full day of sobriety. Instead of blaming himself, he got on me for wasting \u2018our\u2019 money on a stupid pumpkin, instead of making sure he had what he needed for his nervous condition.\u201d She snorted. \u201cThat\u2019s what he called his boozing. Must have heard someone say that once and thought it sounded good. Funniest part is he had no idea what that meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reasoned that the price of a pie pumpkin wouldn\u2019t have bought so much as a shot glass of whiskey, and when I said I had nothing extra to give him even if he could find a saloon open today, he got deadly quiet. I went back to what I was doing, not paying attention to what he was up to, and when I turned around a few minutes later, he was lifting the poker from the hot stove burner where he\u2019d been heating it. It was so hot it showed red specks in the darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do next?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came at me saying he was gonna give me a Christmas present I\u2019d never forget, and started swinging the poker at my face. I put my arms up to shield myself, and \u2026.\u201d She went quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, roll your sleeves up, Emma,\u201d Adam said softly.<\/p>\n

None of the men spoke once her sleeves were unbuttoned and pushed up far enough to expose the raw, seeping burns on her arms made by the hooked end of the poker. Adam held the bloody dress up again to show the corresponding burns in the fabric of the sleeves.\u00a0 \u201cJeb hurt you bad, didn\u2019t he, and not just today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d use a switch or his belt and whip me towards the wall. Then he\u2019d take great pleasure when I\u2019d have to get on my hands and knees trying to crawl around him. There\u2019s no looking glass at our place big enough to see all the bruises, but I felt every last one. I taught myself to tuck the pain away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shook off his shock and made a closer inspection of the wounds. \u201cYou\u2019ll come with me when we\u2019re done here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have money for doctoring,\u201d she answered, looking down at her rough, leather work boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not your worry today,\u201d Paul said firmly.<\/p>\n

Roy shifted in his chair. \u201cI\u2019m gonna ask you outright how Jeb died, Emma. I got a pretty good idea you were defending yourself, but I need to hear the full truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

After rolling her sleeves back into place, she sat straight. \u201cI backed away from him after the first few hits, screaming at him to stop. He did for a minute and then raised that poker again. I was so afraid, I didn\u2019t even know that I\u2019d been holding something in my hand and just threw it at him with all my might. It hit his forehead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul held up his hand. \u201cYou\u2019re saying it hit high on his face, not directly on his nose? And this was enough to kill him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt hit his forehead, and I didn\u2019t say it killed him!\u00a0 Surprised him is more like it. He dropped that poker to the floor where it burned an imprint because it was still so hot. He had murder in his eyes when he raised his arms with his hands outstretched and I knew he\u2019d strangle me to death. \u00a0But when he lunged ahead, he tripped on that poker and fell face-first onto the edge of the table.\u201d Emma began shaking violently. \u201cHe groaned and dropped. Blood was pouring from where his nose had been and he went quiet.\u201d Another shiver wracked her body. \u201cI ain\u2019t never witnessed nothing like that in my life. I couldn\u2019t even look at him and didn\u2019t know what to do. Figured everyone would think I did him in, so rolled him onto my wood tarp and pulled him to the alley, hoping someone would find him soon. Then I went home, cleaned up the mess and finished what I\u2019d been doing before it happened. It was like I was in a dream: floating above and looking down. Nothing seemed real.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy looked towards Paul. \u201cI\u2019m guessing there\u2019s some medical reason she felt like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShock is the term. She\u2019d never fought back before and the one time she did, he died. I\u2019d say she has no fault in his death. He died as a result of blind rage and clumsiness rather than anything Emma did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the burn on the floor from where that poker dropped, and it lined up exactly with Emma\u2019s description of him falling forward onto the table,\u201d Adam offered quickly.<\/p>\n

Roy finally leaned forward onto his desk. \u201cI\u2019ve got one of the best trackers and observer in these parts who saw evidence to back your story, Emma. And Doc Martin said from the start that the damage to Jeb\u2019s face had to be made by a powerful thrust.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you believe me?\u201d Emma asked as her shaking eased. \u201cAll of it, even the part about being like in a dream when I took him out of the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy and the other two men nodded together, while Paul offered a further thought. \u201cI\u2019d say some of what you experienced in that state was a euphoria from being released from years of being abused. You\u2019re a decent woman who would never have fought back to the point of causing Jeb\u2019s death. Yet there he was, dead in a horrific accident. I\u2019d go so far as to maintain that whatever you threw, had no impact except to make him angrier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAm I free then?\u201d Emma asked tentatively.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need us all to come back tomorrow and go through each step. But for now, the only charge I might have to bring is for moving the body. Yet no judge, when given the evidence, will impose a sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do to help right now?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cI doubt you want to go back to your house tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have dinner with Sally like I planned, and she\u2019ll let me stay there until I figure things out. If there ain\u2019t any law business holding me here, I\u2019ll move by my son come spring. That\u2019ll give me time to set aside enough for the fare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to worry about that.\u201d Adam said as he gave Roy a quieting glance over the small woman\u2019s head. \u201cThe town offers a stipend to those who need a little help in a situation like yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head and gave Adam a half-grin. \u201cThere\u2019s one thing I need to finish my notes for today,\u201d he said to Emma. \u201cWhat was in your hand that you threw?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be interested in knowing that too,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cI saw nothing at the house that would be palm-sized and carry enough heft to stun Jeb. Did you get rid of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Emma\u2019s laugh was quiet, as her cheeks reddened. \u201cI guess you could say that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do with it?\u201d Roy\u2019s tone took an edge as he considered whether she had offered some less than truthful facts about her part in Jeb\u2019s demise.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember how I said I felt foggy-like. I did things like cleaning up, without even thinking about how Jeb was dead and out in the street where I put him.\u201d She stopped for a long breath. \u201cOnce that was done, I went back to what I\u2019d been doing before Jeb woke up. I\u2019d cooked the pumpkin yesterday, but that pie is always best fresh, so I mixed the flour, salt and lard for the crust last night too and set both things by the window to stay cool overnight. It got cold enough that the lard in my ball of crust hardened into a rock. I was holding it, hoping the warmth of my hands would soften it enough to work it when Jeb came at me. After he got those first licks in with the hot poker, and was coming in again, I threw it at him, like David slinging a stone at Goliath. I made things worse by laughing, because it bounced off his head right into a wooden bowl sitting on the cupboard where I\u2019d intended to put it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up, making eye contact with each man listening. \u201cWhen you asked if I\u2019d gotten rid of the \u2018weapon\u2019 I used, I guess I did, because after coming back from the alley and cleaning up; the dough had softened up enough to I roll it out and I made the pies. It don\u2019t exist anymore, because you three gentlemen just ate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy was the first to understand the implication, and the humor in the situation. His chuckle became a laugh. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll leave that part out of my report. The circuit judge doesn\u2019t need to know that I and my detectives ate our material evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

While Roy went through his notes with Emma regarding her statement, Paul went home for his bag and returned to bandage her burns. As they finished, the door opened and Clem entered, wishing them all a Merry Christmas along with his thanks that the weather had offered him an easy ride back.<\/p>\n

Leaving Roy to apprise his deputy of the solved case, Paul headed out with the intention of alerting the undertaker that he could retrieve Jeb\u2019s body before going home to gather his overnight bag and retrieve his buggy for the trip to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

When Emma spoke up about not having money for a pine box or funeral, Adam quickly asserted that the town would take care of those items as well, before escorting her home to get her things and intending to drop her at the boarding house before meeting back with the contingent heading to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do I tell people about Jeb\u2019s dying?\u201d she asked Adam as they walked the back streets.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019ll be rumors and gossip for sure, but hold your head up and say that Jeb fell and cracked his head. Those of us who know the truth will stand up for you should we hear talk, and as my father always says; this will only be news until something new happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The low-wicked lamp still burned inside the house that smelled of cinnamon, cloves and the warm sweetness of pumpkin, leaving Adam thankful there was no accident scene to clean up before he could head home. He and Roy intended to spend a few minutes later this evening writing up the initial report, but that would be the end of his part in the case. Emma was innocent of any criminal act other than not knowing what to do after the accident happened. Thoughts of the wounds on her arms made him grimace as he thought about all the times this woman had endured the indignity and pain of her husband\u2019s ill temper. The frown deepened as he wondered how many other women faced the same disturbing situations behind the doors of their homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cLucky I baked a second pie,\u201d Emma told him as she placed the one cooling by the window in the same basket she\u2019d taken to the jail. After gathering her comb and brush and discretely pulling a fresh set of bloomers and petticoat from a dresser drawer, she looked around and blushed deeply. \u201cI didn\u2019t have but two dresses: the one that got ruined and the one I\u2019m wearing, so I guess I got all I need to take along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust so you know, Emma. That stipend I mentioned will cover some new clothes and personal things.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grinned up at the tall man next to her. \u201cAren\u2019t you the sweetest thing, Adam Cartwright. I know there\u2019s no stipend to cover anything more than a pine box and a hole dug in the cemetery. And it sure don\u2019t cover my ticket to Colorado or new clothes. It\u2019s from you. I don\u2019t usually accept charity because I know there\u2019s others worse off\u2019n me who need it more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not charity, Emma,\u201d Adam told her as he perched again on the corner of her table to see her better. \u201cThis is a Christmas gift. I\u2019m going to give you some good advice to go with my gift. If you follow it, you may not need the entire amount, and I\u2019ll ask you to pass what\u2019s left on to someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat advice is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis house is going to be feel empty, even if Jeb hadn\u2019t been a good companion for some years. After the holidays\u2014if you agree\u2014we\u2019ll go see Arnie at the hardware store up the block. He\u2019s mentioned a few times that he needs more storage, and your house would be perfect for that. He\u2019ll offer a fair price, and if you keep working, you can rent a room at the boarding house and tuck your house money away for the trip. Living with Sally will help you remember what it\u2019s like to have someone care about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat does sound good. Despite all I went through with Jeb; walking in here and knowing he isn\u2019t coming back, sort of staggered me. It might be nice having people around for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five<\/strong><\/p>\n

The trio of doctor, sheriff and rancher made it to the Ponderosa in time to enjoy a toast to Christmas and open a few more gifts before being called to the table. Talk at the feast was limited to general topics after Ben\u2019s order that Jeb\u2019s death not be discussed until later.<\/p>\n

But once they were finished and seated around the fire with brandy-laced coffee and a second piece of the yule log Hop Sing had made, Joe brought up the subject of Adam\u2019s earlier call to service.<\/p>\n

The three had spoken about this on their ride out, and decided to divulge the full story so his family could defend Emma\u2019s name if they heard it being maligned. The only other thing the trio had agreed to withhold was the extent of Jeb\u2019s disfigurement.<\/p>\n

When Roy finally divulged what Emma had thrown to stop her husband in his tracks\u2014while being careful not to tell of its disposition\u2014Hoss and Joe started to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so danged funny?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid she make a pie with it after that?\u201d Joe asked in a giggle.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, adding only what Emma had told them about the rock of dough falling neatly into a bowl, and not wanting it to go to waste. He wasn\u2019t sure she wouldn\u2019t tell others about this, but assumed she\u2019d be discreet since the other half of it was probably being served right now at the boarding house.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked over at his oldest brother, grinned and finally winked. \u201cIt ain\u2019t never good to hear that someone\u2019s died, but in this case, you might just say mean old Jeb got his just desserts!\u201d<\/p>\n

The unison groan from those gathered around the warm fire preceded a long round of laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood one, Hoss,\u201d Adam told his brother with a lingering grin. Then, turning his attention towards his father, he brought up a serious topic that had been on his mind since leaving Emma earlier. \u201cPa, you\u2019re on the board of the bank, so I\u2019m going to propose something as our Christmas gift to all the women in this area who struggle with husbands and men like Jeb. Emma saw through my generosity in helping her financially, because she knows there is no fund available to women in her circumstance. There should be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you suggesting we create a real endowment?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly, Pa. I\u2019ll put a good amount in to get things started. Roy can make it known to such women when the situations arise, and we can tell the pastors about it too, but with money involved, it needs to be overseen by a financial entity. I haven\u2019t figured it all out yet, but we can see Mr. Weems at the bank soon and figure out how best to approach it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy adjusted his sore foot on the pillow atop the low table in front of the settee, before issuing a low, humorless chuckle. \u201cI\u2019m not sure that will pan out, Adam,\u201d he offered. \u201cSome of the pillars of our community are just as mean to their wives as Jeb was, and will resent such a fund.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true. I\u2019ve seen the bruises,\u201d Paul offered. \u201cBut once the fund is established, those men couldn\u2019t badmouth it without tipping their hand as to what they do behind closed doors. I\u2019m not sure money is enough to get women to walk away, but if just one uses it and the man faces trial for assault, other men will be put on notice. I\u2019m with Adam, and will generously help fund it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat settles it.\u201d Ben decreed, using his fist as a gavel on the arm of his chair. \u201cWe\u2019ll set up a meeting, and solicit a few other sponsors.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

With the evening slipped away to midnight and the next sunrise promising a return to work and chores; the Cartwright and their guests bid each other goodnight.<\/p>\n

As the house quieted; Ben slipped from his bedroom and knocked quietly at Adam\u2019s door.<\/p>\n

With his son\u2019s permission to enter, he slipped inside, saying, \u201cI knew you\u2019d be awake,\u201d as he moved forward to sit on bed where Adam was stretched out, looking through the book of poems from Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you know that?\u201d Adam asked, even as his lopsided grin indicated he understood how well his father knew his habits and nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had a very good Christmas. I was thinking back to what Joe said about not knowing what to get you, and realized you received the most amazing gift today. Roy\u2019s request for help gave you a chance to use your innate talents to help solve the puzzle and exonerate Emma from any wrongdoing, and in that you exposed a dire situation for many women. Then, you were able to offer a gift to help set her towards a better life and think towards doing the same for others. It\u2019s your nature to find more joy in giving than receiving, and I\u2019m proud of what you accomplished in a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam winked at his father. \u201cThank you for those kind words, but I do like getting regular presents too. This book was great, and your gift of those symphony tickets to use during our trip to San Francisco come spring are truly unexpected and thoughtful! Emma said I\u2019d been given the gift of a good father and family, which will make me always view holidays with happy memories. She was right. You\u2019ve always given our family wonderful Christmases, Pa. And at the risk of sounding too sentimental; You\u2019re the gift I\u2019m most thankful for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s admission caused Ben to blush as he rose. \u201cI\u2019ll ride into town with you tomorrow when you go with Roy and Paul to finish your statements. I\u2019ll see Weems at the bank while you do that, and they we\u2019ll take Emma to Rebecca\u2019s dress shop to replace her ruined dress, at least to start, and then go with her to the undertaker to arrange Jeb\u2019s burial. Emma is not used to asking for or receiving help, so we\u2019ll have to ease her through this until she\u2019s fully on her feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused and turned again before leaving the room. \u201cYou were my first gift and blessing as a father, and that has never changed. Merry Christmas, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: In the middle of a busy Christmas morning, Adam receives a request from Roy Coffee to help him investigate a possible crime in Virginia City. The case intrigues him as he follows the clues along with Roy and Paul Martin, and has a moment of agony as he begins to see the truth. In the midst of the his discoveries he receives a few unexpected reminders of the true meaning of Christmas, and is able to offer the gift of restoration.<\/p>\n

Rating: K<\/p>\n

Word Count: 10649<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":9576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1018,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/6.jpg?fit=414%2C416&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40523,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=40523","url_meta":{"origin":40528,"position":0},"title":"Baubles (mcfair_58)","author":"mcfair_58","date":"December 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A barren tree and a string of glass beads bring two lonely men together on Christmas Eve. 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