Pearl River Junction: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

63

When they came within sight of the sheriff’s house, they saw three figures in the backyard. One was Belinda, one was obviously the boy, Little Matt. The third was Jeb Collier.

“Where’s Marion?” Cotton said. “If he’s done anything—”

Shaye grabbed Cotton before he could rush the yard.

“Let’s go in the front,” Shaye said. “We’ll probably find Marion inside, safe and sound.”

“But what about—”

“He’s not going anywhere for a while. Come on.”

Shaye practically dragged Cotton around to the front of the house, where the sheriff opened the front door and they went inside.

“Marion?”

“In the kitchen,” she replied right away.

They went into the kitchen and found her sitting at the table, hands clasped in front of her.

“They’re out back,” she said.

“Did he force her to talk to him?”

“Not at all,” she said. “He knocked on the door, I answered, he asked to speak to Belinda. He was very…gentlemanly. Belinda went out back with him willingly and carried Little Matt with her.”

Shaye went to the back window and looked out. Jeb Collier was down on one knee, talking to the boy. Belinda was watching them and the look on her face was anything but frightened. She seemed calm, content, even. Shaye was suddenly dead sure that the boy was not Matthew’s, but Jeb Collier’s.

Cotton came up next to him and looked out.

“What are they doing?” he asked.

“Just talking,” Shaye said. “She doesn’t look like she needs any protecting.”

“They’re going to take the baby away, aren’t they?” Marion asked, her hands clasped so tight the knuckles were white.

“We don’t know that, Marion,” Cotton said, turning to face her.

“I’m going to go out and talk to them,” Shaye said. “Why don’t the two of you wait here?”

“All right,” Cotton said. “Since he might be your grandson…all right.”

Shaye didn’t bother pointing out that he had just decided the boy was not his grandson. Instead, he simply opened the door and stepped outside…

“Another deputy just came in,” Tanner said.

“I see him,” Delay said. “Looks like another brother.”

Tanner looked over at the other men. They had also noticed the two tin stars in the room.

“The men are gonna get antsy.”

“Go around and calm them down,” Delay said. “Tell them nothin’s gonna happen today. Tell them we’re still gonna wait right here for Jeb to get here.”

“Got it.”

Tanner got up and started moving around the room.

When James entered he took a few steps sideways to get out of the doorway and remained there, his hands clasped in front of him. He saw Thomas standing calmly at the back of the room and they exchanged a nod. One by one he located the strangers who had ridden into town, starting with the man dressed in black, who was seated not far from where Thomas was standing.

He settled in, decided he’d take his cue from his brother.

When Shaye stepped out the back door, both adults in the yard looked over at him.

“Mr. Shaye,” Belinda said, “this is Jeb Collier.”

“I figured,” Shaye said, approaching them.

“Yeah,” Jeb said, “I saw you in front of the saloon.”

“The rest of your men are inside the saloon,” Shaye told him. “I guess that’s where they’re supposed to meet you, huh?”

“I got men?” Jeb asked. “That’s news to me.”

“I’ve already had a talk with Vic Delay.”

Jeb didn’t react.

“Don’t know him,” he said.

“We’ll see.” Shaye leaned down and said, “How are you doing, Matt?”

The little boy looked up at him with wide eyes, then looked at his feet.

“That’s not his name,” Jeb said.

“It’s not?” Shaye asked, straightening.

“Well, it has been till now,” Jeb said, “but it’s gonna change.”

Shaye looked at Belinda, who just shrugged.

“What gives you the right to change his name?”

“Didn’t she tell you?” Jeb asked. “He’s my boy.”

“No,” Shaye said, “she’s been telling me that he’s my grandson.”

“Naw,” Jeb said, “just look at him. Can’t you tell? He’s my son.” He looked at Belinda.

“Ain’t that right, sweetie?”

Again, all the young mother did was shrug.

“Well, if you’re so sure he’s yours,” Shaye asked, “what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m gonna take my woman and my boy and leave town,” Jeb said. “We’re gonna go somewhere and live together.”

“And would that be before or after you and your men hit the bank?” Shaye asked.

“The bank?” Jeb asked, looking puzzled. “Mr. Shaye—Deputy—if you know anythin’ about me, you know I just got out of Yuma Prison. I ain’t lookin’ ta go back.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, that’s so.”

“I’m glad to hear it, Collier,” Shaye said. “That will put a lot of minds at ease.”

“I only came here to see my woman and my boy,” Jeb said. “You know what it’s like to know you got a son and you ain’t ever seen him?”

“No,” Shaye said, “I don’t. I raised my three sons.”

“Then you’re a lucky man, Mr. Shaye,” Jeb said. He looked at Belinda. “Sweetie, I got to go and get myself settled in, but I’ll come back to see the both of you.”

“Tonight?” Belinda asked.

“The boy will be going to sleep soon,” Shaye pointed out.

“Well,” Jeb said, “I wouldn’t wanna be a bad father and wake him up, would I?” He directed his attention back to Belinda. “How about I come and take you to breakfast in the mornin’? Huh? How would that be?”

“Fine,” Belinda said, “that’d be fine, Jeb.”

“Good,” Jeb said, “good. Deputy, it was real nice to make your acquaintance.”

“Same here,” Shaye said.

Jeb left the yard and walked back toward town. Shaye looked at Belinda, who gave one last shrug before picking up the boy and going back inside.