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Lawfully Loved

By Jenna Brandt

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The sun was stretched low across the late-day sky as Deputy Sheriff Jake Bolton pushed his horse through the prairie flats. A herd of Texas longhorns grazed on the thick fields of golden grass along the road as Jake galloped past the livestock.
He heard the screeching sound of a bird above, causing him to raise his hand over his brow to scan the horizon for the creature. Just as he located the white-tailed hawk, it swooped down and snatched up a small creature from the ground. Such was the cycle of life in the rural Texas countryside.
In his head, Jake went over the details of the investigation he was working on which brought him to the outlying small towns that dotted the northeast corner of Taylor County. The third general store in two weeks had been robbed by the infamous Grimes Brothers. 
Jake was tasked with following up the newest lead after a local stagecoach company out of Woody, Texas telegraphed the sheriff’s office. One of the drivers had seen two men fitting their descriptions on the road between Woody and Rockwood Springs. The brothers were armed and dangerous, and Jake wanted nothing more than to free the county of their threat.
In the distance, clouds were rolling into sight and the smell of rain was in the air. It wasn’t surprising since sporadic showers were common during this time of year. He needed to get to Woody before the sun set and he got caught in the downpour.
* * *
Exhausted from a long day of work, Rebecca Caldwell used the sleeve of her blue calico dress to wipe the sweat from her brow; grateful to be finishing up the last of the outside chores. She still needed to prepare dinner for the family, but at least she would be inside before the rain started. 
After pulling the last shirt from the clothesline, she pushed several blonde curls out of her face which had come loose from her bun while she worked.
Rebecca made her way around the side of the farmhouse which sat on the same property as the family business—the local livery. As she entered the barn-like structure, she looked around and located her father in front of one of the stalls.
“Father, I’m done working outside and wanted to let you know dinner will be ready in about an hour.” 
Although brilliant with a horse, Mr. Caldwell often got lost in his thoughts while working with them. He needed constant reminding to finish up his work on time as he often forgot to come in for meals.
The middle-aged, thin man with peppered brown hair and blue eyes— the same color as Rebecca’s—glanced up from combing down the colt he had been training all day. “Thank you for reminding me. I’ll make sure to not forget this time.”
With a nod of her head, Rebecca turned around and moved towards the house. She saw her younger sister, Lydia, run past, and a few moments later, her younger brother, Georgie, chase after, calling, “You better find a good hiding place; I’m gonna find you.”
Rebecca smiled to herself at the cuteness of her siblings. Lydia was like a miniature version of Rebecca with her curly blonde hair and blue eyes. Being only ten, she still loved dolls and playing games with the local children. Georgie was sandwiched between them at the age of fourteen and was a rascal at heart. He was getting to the age where he was playing less and noticing girls more, but every once in a while, Lydia could still talk him into playing with her.
As she heard Georgie stomping around the yard looking for Lydia, she reminisced on a time—years ago—when she was able to be carefree like that. She had been forced to grow up quickly when her mother’s condition worsened. Rebecca had to take over running the family home and caring for her siblings. She justified her lost childhood as preparation for married life; it would make her a better candidate for a wife. 
Although not of spinster age at twenty-one, Rebecca knew it was time for her to start considering finding a husband. Life was hard on the Texas prairie and she needed a man to protect her when her father was no longer able to do so. She wanted to marry for love, but the practicality of finding it was not wasted on her. She knew there was a real possibility she might have to settle for a relationship built solitarily on friendship. 
As Rebecca climbed the back steps of the house, she heard her brother and sister laugh with merriment. Apparently, Georgie had found Lydia after all. Rebecca made her way into the kitchen where she pulled out several pots and pans to start the evening meal.


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