章節 2: 2. Chapter 2
Waverly lets her father drive her jeep home that evening. She is still in the female officer’s jacket and can’t help but lower her nose to the collar and smell. The scent of vanilla is strong, but there is also a small whiff of cinnamon as well. The jacket is warm, clearly the officer had been wearing it prior to giving it to Waverly. She is so embarrassed. Not only the tap and Champ, but then in all the chaos, she didn’t even get the new officer’s name or say thank you. She turns in the passenger seat to look at her father. She opens her mouth to ask him about her when she feels the jeep come to a stop. They are home and her father immediately gets out of the car and moves to the other side. Waverly opens her own door before he can get there, but does allow him to help her out of the vehicle.
“Daddy?” She asks as they walk to the front door. He looks at her to tell her he is listening. “That redheaded officer, I assume she is one of yours. I never got a chance to thank her or even get her name.”
“Oh, yeah. That is my new deputy. She has a partner that is a rookie as well. Her name is Ni-”
His sentence is cut off when his middle daughter comes busting out the front door.
“Are you okay?!” Wynonna exclaims, taking Waverly into her arms. “I am going to skin him alive!”
Her father mumbles, “Get in line.” Before raising his voice to a normal level. “How did you find out?”
“Shorty called a few minutes ago to make sure you two got home safe.” Wynonna says.
Waverly allows her sister to hold her for another long moment before pulling away and entering the house. She goes upstairs and takes a shower, making sure to leave the jacket near the door for her father to take tomorrow. Under normal circumstances, she would deliver the jacket and the thank you herself. But Wynonna is refusing to let her leave this weekend in the hopes that it will force Waverly to rest. Unfortunately, Wynonna is off this weekend too. She loves her sister and rarely gets to spend alone time with her. But Wynonna in protection mode can be a bit much sometimes.
Waverly gets to bed and allows sleep to take her quickly. Her arm is bruised and sore, but her mind is almost dead. Her head hits the pillow and she is out less than thirty seconds later.
Ward goes to work the next morning and finds Nicole sitting at her desk with a mountain of paperwork on her desk.
“Well that seems like one step away from hell.” He jokes as he sits down.
Nicole smiles at him in greeting but then groans as she looks at the paperwork.
“So, did Hardy give you any trouble last night after you left the bar?” He asks.
“Nope. Just a little drunken bitching and slurred complaints as we booked him and tossed him into the drunk tank.” Nicole says. “Dude makes me want to punch him every time he looks like he is going to open his mouth. I went to school with guys like him. Boy men are the worse and he is their king.”
Ward nods in agreement. “Thank you Haught. For all that you did last night.”
She turns to look at him with questioning eyes. “For what Sir?”
“For not letting me try and take Hardy in and for taking care of the young woman he was harassing.” Ward says, gauging for her reaction.
“That’s just me doing my job Sir. I’m just happy I could help.” She says, both having an unspoken agreement to not speak of her striking the boy man to the ground after his comment.
“Yes, well you did more than your job last night, so thank you. And the bartender, the one he grabbed… that’s my daughter.”
Nicole’s face morphs to some weird form of panic and her eyes widen. “Yo-your daughter, Sir?”
“Yes, my youngest, Waverly.” He says with a smile. His officer took care of her, not knowing she was his family. It says a lot about the young deputy’s character.
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry. Now I kinda wish I…” She stars but he raises a hand to stop her nervous ramble.
“Haught you did great, that’s the point. I wanted to thank you Nicole.”
The use of her first name throws her a bit but she smiles a little and nods.
“Oh, and Waverly wanted to thank you in person but my middle child is making sure she takes it easy at home for the rest of the weekend.” He hands her a ticket stub from the cleaner in town. “I already paid for it to be cleaned and it will be ready when you pick up your uniforms this afternoon.”
“Sir, that wasn’t necessary. But thank you.” Nicole replies.
“You took care of my girl and literally gave her the jacket off your back. The least I could do was make sure it didn’t smell like beer when I gave it back to you.” He says.
Then nod at each other and both go back to their respective tasks.
Nicole drives to her father’s house to find that her father’s car is in the garage. He always works late, so it is a surprise that he is home before the early hours of the morning. She is just here to pick up a few boxes full of her things to move into her new house. Hoping she can get in and out without running into her father, she takes extra care to be quiet when entering the mansion. Unfortunately, her father is sitting in the front lounge, smoking a cigar and reading his newspaper. He motions for her to join him without even looking up from his paper. She (albeit reluctantly) sits on the couch across from him.
“Have you given any more thought to our previous conversation?” He asks with no other introduction.
“We had the conversation yesterday and I have been working, so not really. But my stance on the matter hasn’t changed.” Nicole replies.
“Nicole, I will not argue with you over this. It is tradition. Whether or not you are going to be married is not up for discussion. But I am willing to discuss your options.” Her father insists.
Nicole wants to argue and ask why this stupid, ancient tradition is so damn important. But she has argued and it got her nowhere.
“What options are you talking about?” She asks instead, jaw locked to hold her temper in check.
“Well, I am aware you are only attracted to women. Not that I was surprised. But that does change things.” He continues.
Nicole doesn’t speak, she just stays silent so he can get all he wants to say out.
“So, is there a particular type of woman you want? Occupation? Hair color? Skin color? Etc.”
“God, you make it sound like I am picking out a new sweater from a catalog.” Nicole grouses, disgusted by the whole idea.
Her father opens his mouth to scold her but is stopped when a soft knock comes from the entryway. Charlie Walsh, her father’s assistant, stands in the doorway and waited to be invited in.
“What is it Charlie?” Her father asks.
“Sir. The office called and said they need you back ASAP. Something went wrong with the deal and they need you to help rectify it.” Charlie says respectfully. He steals a glance towards Nicole, giving her a discrete smile and wink.
Charlie has always been kind to Nicole. He has been working for her father since the year she was born so they have become quite close over the years. He reminds her of the homeland. She used to spend all her summers and school breaks in Ireland with her extended family. After the academy, she spent almost three years there training with the Irish Defense Forces before returning to Purgatory. She misses it, wonders if things would be different if she had decided to stay there and not come home to Purgatory and to her father.
Her father stands and follows Charlie to the door. At the last second, he turns and looks at his daughter. “Nicole, you will be married by the end of spring. That is final. I will make all the necessary arrangements, seeing as you seem to have no interest.” With that, he leaves and makes his way out towards his waiting car.
Nicole sighs and sits in the room a moment. She soon gets up and makes her way up the two flights of stairs to her room. It is mostly boxed up, but a few simple things of hers remain. All the furniture is still in there and the electronics. A few photos, posters and trophies as well. She grabs the boxes she wants and takes them down to her truck. After loading the final box, she walks back inside and into the kitchen. Gus, her father’s maid and personal chef, smiles when she notices her.
“Nicky dear, how are you?” She says with a warm smile. “Can I make you anything?”
“I’m doing alright. Thank you, Gus. And no thank you. Please, I am sure you are busy enough. I ate before I came actually. I just wanted to come in and say hello. See how you are doing?” Nicole responds.
“Aw that’s sweet of you doll. I am doing just fine. Just busy as always.”
“My father works you too hard and doesn’t pay you enough for all you do around here.” Nicole says, hopping up to take a seat on the counter. “You practically raised me until I was shipped off and you took care of Máthair.”
“Oh, hush now. I loved every second of it.” She says. “So, how is the job going?”
“Good. I like the people I work with. Plus, Sherriff Nedley and Chief Earp had already been training me since the academy (and I have Xavier) so I wasn’t coming back not knowing anyone.” Nicole says.
“Oh, and how is Xavier doing? Haven’t seen him in… of gosh almost two years now.”
“He is doing well, still adjusting to life here in Purgatory. But I think he is doing great so far. He doesn’t trust anyone, but that is just Zay for you. I think once people realize that, he will grow on them.”
“I am sure of it dear.” Gus says.
Nicole’s phone chimes and she looks down to check it. “Alright well I got to get going. I have a lot of unpacking to do. How about we all have dinner together next week. I will bring Dolls and some takeout so you can take the night off from cooking.” She offers. Gus smiles at her and nods. “How about next Friday. I believe Charlie said my father would be out of town that night and the following one.”
“Sounds great Honey. I will see you later.” Gus says with a short hug.
Nicole smiles at her and kisses her on the cheek. “Bye Gus.”
Two months later…
Ward Earp knocks on the door of the Haught mansion and waits for a response. A few moments later, Gus answers the door. “Hello Chief Earp.”
“Afternoon Ma’am. I have a meeting with Mr. Haught.” Ward replies kindly, removing his hat.
“Of course.” Gus says, opening the door wider to let him in. “Please come in and make yourself comfortable.”
Gus closes the door and leads him to the cigar room down the hall. She motions for him to take a seat. “Would you like a drink or something to eat?”
“That is mighty kind of you but no thank you Ms. Gibson.”
“Please Chief Earp, call me Gus.”
“Only if you call me Ward.” He fires back with a smile.
She laughs and nods. “Okay then, Ward. Mr. Haught should be down any minute now.”
Mr. Haught enters the room at the conclusion of that statement through the door at the other side of the room. “Gus, a scotch, neat.”
“Yes Sir.” Gus says, quickly pouring him his drink and exiting the room.
“So, there is something you wanted to discuss with me Mr. Earp?” He asks, looking at the uniformed officer.
“Yes.” Ward replies, studying the man. “I was made aware that you are looking for someone to betroth your daughter to…”
“I’m sorry Mr. Earp, but you are far too old and male for my daughter’s taste.” Mr. Haught interrupts.
“I was going to suggest my youngest daughter. I have already been married once and wouldn’t want to be married to a woman the same age as my children.” Ward says, keeping his composure with ease.
James Haught seems to mull this over before speaking. “And why is your daughter good enough to be married into my family, let alone to my only child?”
Ward really has to try to keep his cool now. All he wants to do is punch this man in the face for speaking so lowly of his daughter, as if she is nothing. But he reminds himself of why he is here.
“My daughter is a kind and smart girl. She was born and raised here in Purgatory. Our Earp name goes back far more generations than any other family and we are known for our honor. My daughter is the epitome of the Earp name and is a shining example of the pride and honor it holds.” Ward says. “My family may not have the wealth that yours does, but we have the long-time reputation that yours lacks. Your daughter is one of my deputies and I know she is reluctant about the tradition. But maybe letting her into a family like mine will help her along. It will maybe make it easier on her and you get the status boost you want.”
“I will consider your offer and make a decision by the end of next month. I am leaving out of town and won’t be back until then.” Mr. Haught says, standing. “Gus will see you out. Thank you for coming by Mr. Earp.”
Gus enters the room and leads Ward out.
“Good to see you Gus.” He says.
She returns the sentiment and he leaves.
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