The small girl turned and gave Anna a pitiful look. She realized, staring into the child's big blue eyes that the girl was frightened and desperate to win the bidding. A man standing behind the girl brought his big hands up and clamped onto her shoulders. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
"$20.00!" Anna yelled, making a split-second decision. She made her way through the small crowd not showing any signs of regret.
She didn't know this town. As a new-comer she would rather have started out in this community on a happier note. But this way she could have her treasure and please the crowd as well. Forking over the 20, she took possession of the box and turned, instantly colliding with a man behind her.The box flew out of her hands and jewelry scattered.
"Whoa!" The man jumped backwards and looked down at the dry grass. He bent and began collecting the shiny pieces.
"Sorry, ma'am, but you need to slow yourself down, there." He took the box out of her hand and dropped a few pieces in it. Pushing his hat back, he held the box and stretched out his hand to her.
"Deputy Kaelin, Miss.......err, I 'm sorry I don't know your full name."
Anna was busy scanning the ground for the piece she wanted. Finding it just to the right of the deputy's boot she bent down for it.
"OH!" She came up pleased and slipped it into her pocket. She stepped back and looked up at this big palooka.
"You're not going to arrest me, are you?"
"No. Why would I do that?" The deputy scratched his head and handed her the box.
"For stealing that poor child's treasure." Anna held the box while he filled it.
"Well, that's mean, but you can't serve time for being an ass." He stood up with the last small gold chain and held it over the top of the box.
The redhead sneered and snapped the box closed, barely missing his fingers. She turned and marched back through the crowd until she located the little bidder. Taping the child on one thin shoulder she was shocked at the pale girl's sad little face when it turned upward.
"Here, sweetie." She said handing over the silver box. Instantly the tiny face lit up as she took it into her small hands.
"Why you doin' that?" The man stepped up beside the girl. He and the child both wore old patched overalls. The difference being the man's front bib was stained with tobacco juice. Anna looked into the ugly, mean face. It was a bogeyman's face. A Bob Ewell face. He grabbed the box from the girl's hands.
"You trying to sell it? You think we can pay more?" He growled at her.
"No, Mr. Bud. I think she was being nice. Just giving it to Lily." The deputy appeared out of the crowd before Anna could answer.
"Yes, that's all. I saw how much she wanted it and I wanted to....you know....." She piped in.
The scruffy man handed the box back to his daughter. Without a thank you, he turned, ordering Lily to follow.
"Thank you." The smile on the child's face was nice, making Anna glad she had done this good deed.
As they watched the pair trail off, the country lawman leaned toward her.
"So, what's with the pin? How much is it worth? You do know why they wanted it don't you?"
Anna frowned. "Deputy....uh....what?
"Kaelin."
She laughed. "Your first name isn't Kato is it?"
(to be continued.................)
Posted by captainhoof
at 11:41 AM CDT
