NOVEMBER 4, 1861

She was on pins and needles all afternoon. She was going to have supper with the famous Hanging Judge Wereton. She hoped that he would let her write about him. Writing about a famous person could really boost her career. If a person were well known, then more people would purchase the novel, which would increase sales, which in turn would mean more profits and more money for Jennie.

The grandfather clock that was in the lobby struck six. Expectantly Jennie watched the stairs for the judge. She tried to calm herself by sitting down behind the desk. Earlier she had changed from her work dress to a more stunning dress, one that appropriately fitted the occasion. She smoothed the dress down, and as she saw the elegant judge descending the stairs, she quickly stood and smoothed her dress down again. The judge looked even more handsome in his fine suit compared to the dusty clothes he was wearing before.

“Good evening, Miss McSwain, I take it you’re ready for supper,” he held out his arm not waiting for an answer. Jennie nodded and took his arm. He escorted her into the dining room where he selected a table far from the other inhabitants.

Marta scurried over to take their orders and also because she wanted the judge to get a good impression of her, so that she would be able to adopt Devany. “Good evening Jennie and-” She was hoping that Jennie would introduce them even though she already knew his name. By now everybody had heard that the judge was finally in town.

“Oh,” realization finally dawned on Jennie, “Mr. Wereton, I would like for you to meet my good friend, Marta Lewis. Marta this is Judge Wereton.”

“Pleased to meet you, judge.” Marta curtsied.

Chamer nodded. “It’s a pleasure Miss Lewis.”

“What would you two like to drink,” Marta inquired.

“I’d like a glass of milk, Marta,” Jennie replied. Marta nodded.

Chamer turned back to Marta, “I’d like a cup of coffee, please.”

“Alright, I’ll be right back with your drinks and then you can order your meal.” Marta walked into the kitchen.

Desiree saw Marta enter with a big smile on her face, “Well, why are you so happy?”

“I think I’ve made a good impression on Judge Wereton. I do hope so, so that he will let me adopt Devany.”

“I’m sure he will let you adopt her. You’ll make a wonderful mother.” Desiree smiled before she went back to her baking.

“I wouldn’t go that far, a good friend is all I want to be to her. I don’t want to try and take her real folks place. I hope maybe that Teaspoon or Caller Bob will help me find her real folks but until we do, she needs a place to stay.” Marta headed for the dining room with the milk and coffee. She placed the drinks in front of them, took their food order and returned to the kitchen.

“So Miss McSwain-”

She interrupted, “Please call me Jennie.”

“Alright Miss Jennie, so what type of novels do you write if you don’t mind me bluntly asking?”

“Well, I write about being here in the West, mostly about people that I know. I try to keep it as realistic as possible. Although every once and a while I might have to exaggerate a little to make the story more interesting. My last novel was titled, ‘The Magnificent Seven of Four Corners’.”

Marta was passing by their table and couldn’t help but overhear Jennie mention that latest novel that she had wrote. She stopped and said, “Jen if Judge Wereton is an ardent reader than maybe you should give him a copy of your book to read.”

“Oh, I’m sure Mr. ummm Chamer wouldn’t want to read my book.”

“On the contrary, I’d loved to read it if you don’t mind.”

“Well alright,” Jen hoped that he would enjoy the story. So far she had only received great reviews from her publishers back east. They tended to sell the books more back east because people who didn’t live in the west loved to read about it, whereas those that already lived what she wrote about didn’t want to read about it, but they always sent Jennie three copies of the book. One Jen always kept for herself and the other two she could give away as she saw fit. She had already given one to Ike, so she had one left.

“I wouldn’t mind reading it myself, Jen.” Marta thought asking to read the book would show the judge that she could read which might help her in adopting Devany. “She’s also started writing a new novel.”

“Oh!” Chamer was intrigued and wondered if she would write about him in her next book.

“Well, I only have one copy left besides my own that I rarely lend out, but Ike has one and as soon as he is done with it, I could ask him if you could borrow it.” Jen explained.

“That would be wonderful, thanks Jen.” Marta stepped away to take some other customers orders.

“Who is this Ike fellow that you’ve loaned a book to.” Chamer hoped it wasn’t Jennie’s boyfriend.

“Oh I didn’t loan it to him. I gave it to him. He’s my brother.”

“Oh.”

“He’s also a Pony Express Rider and that’s what my next book is going to be about.” Jen informed him.

“The Pony Express Riders, hmmm, now that might make for some pretty interesting reading.” Chamer liked being in the company of this pretty young lady. They discussed many things over supper, even talked over writing a novel about all that the judge had seen and done.

When the meal was over, the judge inquired, “May I walk you home?”

Jennie grinned. “I am home. I have a room upstairs.”

“Oh, I just thought since you had a brother that you might have a home with him. Well then may I walk you to your room?” The judge stood up after Jen nodded and accepted his offer. The judge held out his arm and Jen wrapped hers around his for the second time that evening.

Outside of Jen’s hotel room, the judge said, “I hope we can do this again very soon.”

“I had a lovely evening. If you’ll wait one second, I’ll get that book for you.”

“Alright.”

Jen opened her door with her room key. Leaving the door open a crack, she went inside and quickly returned with a copy of her latest novel about the law officials in Four Corners.

“Thanks for the book, Jennie. I’ll start reading it tonight.”

“I hope you like it,” Jennie said.

“Well if it’s as good as the writer, I’m sure I will. Goodnight Miss Jennie.”

“Goodnight,” she backed up and closed her door. She lay on her bed wide-awake for the longest time thinking about Judge Wereton. And three doors down in the Judge’s room, he laid on his bed reading Jennie’s book until his eyes got too tired to read any more, so he laid the book on his nightstand and drifted off to sleep thinking about Jennie.