counter.
***
As soon as they pulled out of town, Ma began scolding Jes sica. “Missy, you’d best rein in that sociable mouth of yours next time we’re in town. You acted much too friendly today.”
Jessica frowned. “But what did I do wrong? I didn’t give away anything.”
“Hah!” mocked Ma. “Cozying up to Granger, getting ready to sign us all up for church, even offer yourself to teach. That all sounds pretty darn neighborly to me.”
Jessica fought to retain her patience. “Wait a minute. You’re going about this all wrong.”
“What ya mean?”
“How can you hope to reform your sons when the only influence they have is sinful Colorado City ?”
“They have you.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Reklaw, I hardly pack your punch with a broom, nor can I marry all of your boys. If you really hope to rehabilitate them, they need the example of a respectable community, a church to at tend, decent young women to court.”
“But if they go into town, they’ll be caught.”
“Why? Didn’t you tell me the town’s so new that no one knows they’re actually the Reklaw Gang? And didn’t you say the town doesn’t even have a sheriff? Who’s going to catch them?”
Ma scowled. “It’s taking a risk.”
“Is it? You go into town undetected. Do the townsfolk know you have children?”
Ma worked the reins. “I tell them as little about me as possible.”
Jessica jerked a thumb toward the wagon bed. “With all those supplies you bought, they must know you have others living with you at the ranch.”
Ma shrugged. “They likely think the grub is for my hired help.”
“But what if the boys got all cleaned up and came into town with us?” Jessica went on. “Who would suspect that five handsome, strapping young farmers are really outlaws?”
Ma was still scowling. “Well, I’ll give it some thought.”
“If you want to reform your sons, you’d better,” Jessica replied adamantly.
Chapter Nine
Back to Contents
As the buckboard drew closer to the farm, Jessica found her mind was churning with all that had happened to her today, all she had learned. She considered her bizarre situation. She was now clearly living in the year 1888, and might never find her way back to the present, and to the family, friends, and colleagues she’d abandoned there. What was worse, she didn’t even have a way to get a message back through, and surely her loved ones were very worried over her strange disappearance. Thank heaven she hadn’t left behind a husband or chil dren, but her elderly parents and older brother must be frantic.
On the other hand, if she truly was stranded in another time, then perhaps she was here for a purpose. She might as well try to make the best of things. And she’d begin by trying to reform the five outlaw brothers. Already she liked them all, even the exasperating Cole, and she could n’t bear the thought of any of them swinging at the end of a hangman’s rope. Jessica also realized she’d been granted a wonderful opportunity to experience firsthand life in the Old West. In just one day, she’d learned much that wasn’t in the his tory books—seeing how people really lived, learning of the hardships they endured. She resolved to make good use of the journal Ma had bought her by keeping a detailed account of all her experiences. Perhaps her diary could somehow be preserved for posterity. Moreover, if she ever did make her way back to the twentieth cen tury—something she was beginning to doubt—her jour nal could prove a priceless resource.
But how could she reform the Reklaw boys? If they were to turn away from a life of crime, she must offer them something better in exchange. Of course, Mariposa was the perfect answer. There the brothers could find a sense of community, a church to attend, perhaps even re spectable young women to court.
And although Ma had resisted this idea, Jessica felt confident that in time she could wear Eula down. If she could get
***
As soon as they pulled out of town, Ma began scolding Jes sica. “Missy, you’d best rein in that sociable mouth of yours next time we’re in town. You acted much too friendly today.”
Jessica frowned. “But what did I do wrong? I didn’t give away anything.”
“Hah!” mocked Ma. “Cozying up to Granger, getting ready to sign us all up for church, even offer yourself to teach. That all sounds pretty darn neighborly to me.”
Jessica fought to retain her patience. “Wait a minute. You’re going about this all wrong.”
“What ya mean?”
“How can you hope to reform your sons when the only influence they have is sinful Colorado City ?”
“They have you.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Reklaw, I hardly pack your punch with a broom, nor can I marry all of your boys. If you really hope to rehabilitate them, they need the example of a respectable community, a church to at tend, decent young women to court.”
“But if they go into town, they’ll be caught.”
“Why? Didn’t you tell me the town’s so new that no one knows they’re actually the Reklaw Gang? And didn’t you say the town doesn’t even have a sheriff? Who’s going to catch them?”
Ma scowled. “It’s taking a risk.”
“Is it? You go into town undetected. Do the townsfolk know you have children?”
Ma worked the reins. “I tell them as little about me as possible.”
Jessica jerked a thumb toward the wagon bed. “With all those supplies you bought, they must know you have others living with you at the ranch.”
Ma shrugged. “They likely think the grub is for my hired help.”
“But what if the boys got all cleaned up and came into town with us?” Jessica went on. “Who would suspect that five handsome, strapping young farmers are really outlaws?”
Ma was still scowling. “Well, I’ll give it some thought.”
“If you want to reform your sons, you’d better,” Jessica replied adamantly.
Chapter Nine
Back to Contents
As the buckboard drew closer to the farm, Jessica found her mind was churning with all that had happened to her today, all she had learned. She considered her bizarre situation. She was now clearly living in the year 1888, and might never find her way back to the present, and to the family, friends, and colleagues she’d abandoned there. What was worse, she didn’t even have a way to get a message back through, and surely her loved ones were very worried over her strange disappearance. Thank heaven she hadn’t left behind a husband or chil dren, but her elderly parents and older brother must be frantic.
On the other hand, if she truly was stranded in another time, then perhaps she was here for a purpose. She might as well try to make the best of things. And she’d begin by trying to reform the five outlaw brothers. Already she liked them all, even the exasperating Cole, and she could n’t bear the thought of any of them swinging at the end of a hangman’s rope. Jessica also realized she’d been granted a wonderful opportunity to experience firsthand life in the Old West. In just one day, she’d learned much that wasn’t in the his tory books—seeing how people really lived, learning of the hardships they endured. She resolved to make good use of the journal Ma had bought her by keeping a detailed account of all her experiences. Perhaps her diary could somehow be preserved for posterity. Moreover, if she ever did make her way back to the twentieth cen tury—something she was beginning to doubt—her jour nal could prove a priceless resource.
But how could she reform the Reklaw boys? If they were to turn away from a life of crime, she must offer them something better in exchange. Of course, Mariposa was the perfect answer. There the brothers could find a sense of community, a church to attend, perhaps even re spectable young women to court.
And although Ma had resisted this idea, Jessica felt confident that in time she could wear Eula down. If she could get
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