The Heart of Lincoln County 16/16
Title: The Heart of Lincoln County
Author: darkfaery1
Chapter: 16/16
Series: TDS/TCR/The O'Reilly Factor
Genre: Western AU
Beta/cheerleader: insanekht
Chapter pairings: Jon/"Stephen," John/Amy, Steve/Tad
Chapter rating: NC-17
Content: slash sex, Old West violence, language, angst, prejudice, mild het content.
Word count: 2520
Chapter summary: John and Amy get married.
Author's Note: Yes, it's over, but hopefully not forever. I've really come to love these characters and I hope to write more about them in the future if inspiration strikes. Thanks to everyone who followed this story and commented so kindly. A very special thanks to my awesome beta insanekht. Without her support, I doubt I would have made it past chapter two.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and is not intended to portray the life or defame the character of any actual person. Any similarity between the fictional version of the person portrayed here and the actual person is purely coincidental. No money is being made from this work of fiction. It is not intended to infringe upon any copyrighted material. Any mention of any copyrighted material is reasonably protected by the Fair Use Rule of the United States Copyright Act of 1976.
Crossposted to tds_rps
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10,
Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15
"Are you ever gonna talk to me again?" Tad asked pleadingly.
Steve unbuttoned his shirt, then folded it neatly before placing it in the top drawer. After the verdict, in no mood to celebrate, he and Tad had returned to the boardinghouse, switching to a room with two beds. As far as Larry was concerned, they were just two friends sharing expenses.
Steve turned and glared at Tad, his anger still evident in his hazel eyes. "Am I going to wake up to the sound of gunfire one morning to find that you've put a bullet through your brain? If so, you'd best have two bullets in that gun."
"You don't mean that, Steve," Tad said in alarm.
"Just like you didn't mean it when you said that you deserved to die."
"That's different. It doesn't matter what happens to me."
"Say that again and I swear to God I'll--" Steve ran his hand roughly through his hair and sighed. "You've got to get past all this sadness." He stroked Tad's cheek and kissed him softly. "I'm going to help you get through this."
Tad sniffed back his tears. "I just feel like I've got no right to be happy."
"I don't know anyone who has more of a right to it than you do."
Tad burst into tears and buried his head in Steve's shoulder. Steve ran his fingers gently through Tad's curls. "Come on, let's go to bed."
They settled under the covers of one of the beds, which was too small for two grown men. Tad rested his head on Steve's chest while Steve enveloped him in a comforting embrace. He inhaled deeply, taking in his lover's scent, and ventured a slight smile. Tad suddenly realized that every day for the rest of his life would end just like this.
***
"Ah…Jon…!" Stephen was having an increasingly difficult time keeping his balance as he thrust inside his lover while stroking Jon's cock. Jon was on his hands and knees, crying out ecstatically every time Stephen slammed back inside of him, hitting his prostate. Stephen would have been safer hanging onto the headboard, but he had to caress every inch of Jon's back and chest with his free hand. As he came closer, his thrusts became more frantic, but also more erratic. Jon reached behind him and grasped Stephen's left hip, urging him on.
Stephen finally sacrificed his own tactile needs for Jon's pleasure. He gripped the headboard with one hand while he rhythmically stroked Jon's engorged cock with the other, all the while thrusting inside Jon hard and fast. With a strangled cry, Jon called out Stephen's name just seconds before Stephen's hand was coated with Jon's warm, sticky seed. Stephen was able to hold out for several minutes more, relishing the feeling of Jon surrounding him. He gripped Jon's shoulders as he came, then collapsed on top of the smaller man.
Jon wiggled out from underneath him, then snuggled next to Stephen with a contented smile on his face.
"Jon?" Stephen murmured after a time.
"Mmm?"
"I think I'm going to move back into the boardinghouse tomorrow."
Jon's post-coital haze dissipated and he sat up, staring down at Stephen. "Why?"
"You know why," Stephen said, lightly running his fingers through Jon's chest hair.
"I know," Jon sighed and held Stephen's hand against his heart.
"I'm due to get O'Reilly's settlement any day now and the store's doing better than ever. If I don't move back, folks are going to start asking questions."
"Maybe they'll just think you're too cheap to get your own place?" Jon suggested hopefully.
Stephen considered it for a moment, then shook his head. "Nobody's going to believe I wouldn't want to flaunt my wealth by building the nicest house in town."
Jon had to agree. "You're going to build a house? Where?"
"In the vacant lot, right across the street."
Suddenly, Stephen leaving didn't seem quite so tragic. "Why don't you move into the store in the meantime? At least you'd be a few yards closer than if you stayed at the boardinghouse."
"I've actually decided to let John and Amy live there--after they're married, of course."
Jon grinned widely. "That's a wonderful idea!" He crawled on top of Stephen and captured his lips in a grateful kiss.
"Well, my motives aren't completely altruistic," Stephen said sheepishly. Jon would have rolled off of him if Stephen hadn't wrapped his arms around him.
Jon glared at him sternly. "How much are you charging them?"
"Five dollars a week, which is a bargain," Stephen added. "Plus Amy is going to do some dressmaking and tailoring for the Colbert Store patrons."
"How much are you going to pay her?" Jon asked with a hint of a warning in his voice.
"I was thinking about a bartering arrangement, perhaps store credit in exchange--"
"Stephen, if you want us to ever have sex again--!"
"Or, I could pay her the going rate for a seamstress," Stephen said quickly.
He knew that was the right answer because Jon stopped struggling and gave him a peck on the tip of his nose. "That's the Stephen I know and will have lots and lots of sex with."
Stephen smiled, figuring the extra expense was worth it.
***
Lewis Black had just finished the hefty stack of paperwork he was forced by the county to complete with every jury trial. He resented that damn lawyer, Mr. Leary, who was free to go back to New York without so much as dotting an 'i'. He could have enlisted Rob Riggle to help him out, but that boy was as dumb as a bag of hair.
At least his cells were empty--for now. He supposed he needed to place an advertisement in the next edition of the Independent for a new deputy, but it could wait until tomorrow.
"Lewis?" The sheriff looked up to see Steve Carell standing in the doorway, hat in hand.
Lewis was powerful glad to see him, but hid his grin with a cough. "Come on in, son," he said in a friendly tone. "I just made a pot of coffee."
"If it's not any trouble?" Steve asked with his usual politeness.
"'Course not. Have a seat."
Steve sat down and placed his hat on his old desk while Lewis poured two mugs of black coffee.
"So, ah, how's Tad doing?" Lewis asked with an awkward smile.
"All right," Steve said with a look of concern on his face. "I'm actually kind of worried about him, but at least he's got himself a job at the boardinghouse, taking over for John Oliver. He needed something to occupy his time."
"How about yourself? Find a new job yet?"
"Not yet. I forgot to pick up my guns the other night; I was thinking I could get a job as a ranch detective."
Lewis shrugged. "I suppose." He took a few sips of his coffee, hesitating before he uttered his next sentence. "Hey, I just heard about a job you'd be perfect for."
Steve brightened. "Really? Where?"
Lewis grimaced in embarrassment and avoided Steve's eyes. "I hear the town sheriff needs a new deputy."
"But you fired me!"
"'Cause you was planning a jailbreak!" Lewis replied gruffly. "I figure if you can promise not to fall in love with any more prisoners when we get some, I can give you a second chance."
Steve laughed and held his hand to his heart. "You have my solemn word."
"Good, saves me a trip to the newspaper office." Lewis opened his desk drawer and handed Steve his tin star. "Consider yourself already sworn." Then Lewis handed him the pile of court papers. "File those."
"Thanks, Lewis," Steve said sincerely.
Lewis just grunted in response. The sheriff then leaned back in his chair, put his feet up on the desk, and placed his Stetson over his eyes.
***
As the best man, Tad arranged a little party for John the night before his wedding. Though Amy had given her tacit approval for a traditional bachelor party, John had no intention of sowing any wild oats that night. Several of the prettier Damfino girls showed up, but in John's eyes, all other women paled before Amy. He just wanted the night to end and the wedding to be done with, so he could have his heart's one desire all to himself.
John, Tad, Stephen, Doctor Stewart, and Steve, as well as many of the town's husbands, sat around Ike Stockton's saloon, sipping beer and whiskey and making off-color jokes. No one dared make an untoward comment about the bride-to-be, instead drinking to Amy's good health at the start of every round of drinks.
John was feeling pleasantly tipsy when he noticed Tad sitting alone at the bar. Steve was deep in conversation with Sheriff Black, no doubt talking shop. John sidled up to his friend and put his arm around his shoulder. "Why so sad, love?" John snickered at the endearment, making Tad smile.
Tad shrugged. "I'm all right. This is your night; don't go worrying about me."
"But I do worry, mate. I want you to be happy, like me."
"I am happy for you and Amy; so happy I could bust."
"If it weren't for you, I would never have had the courage to get this far. Now, tell me what's wrong."
"I don't know," Tad began. "I guess my job at the boardinghouse leaves me too much time to think. I know it's honest work, but I feel like I should be doing something more to make up for all I've done. I tried to send money to the Widow Hogan, but she returned it and told me to leave her and her boys alone."
It bothered John that she would have spurned his attempt at restitution, but supposed he could understand the widow's anger. He recalled her heartbreaking testimony, then remembered something Tad had said. "I know what you should do," John said with excitement. "Become a schoolteacher like you've always wanted to! I'd be hard pressed to name a more noble profession than that."
Tad shook his head. "Oh, John, I couldn't. I've only had five years of schooling. Nobody'd let me teach school."
"When I first came to America, I considered teaching for a while. All you have to do to get your teaching certificate is take a test. It's not easy, but you can study for it. I didn't think I had to, so I failed it. You should at least try."
John could see his friend's eyes light up as he considered the possibility. "I'll think on it, I promise. Right now, you need another drink in your hand, if I'm any judge."
***
The next morning, Jon waited outside Amy's bedroom while she dressed with the help of her old friend, Meg. Stephen, who made good on his promise to pay for the nuptials, tried to force his way in, to make sure every dollar he'd spent was being used to its best advantage. Jon distracted him with a brief, but intense, sexual encounter in the other room. Stephen relaxed considerably after that.
"All right, you can come in now," Amy called.
Amy stood before them in a pale pink sateen gown with a soft polonaise bustle in back, trimmed with braids, ruffles, and delicate lace. The modest neckline showed just a hint of cleavage. Her blonde hair was swept up in pretty curls decorated with pink and white silk flowers.
"Well, don't just stare at me," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Do I look all right?"
Jon took her gently by the shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. "You look absolutely beautiful. John's not going to be able to take his eyes off you."
Amy giggled with relief. "Really? What do you think, Mr. Colbert?"
"You're positively virginal," he said sincerely.
"It's been so long, I almost feel like it." Amy started to fidget nervously. "Let's get this show on the road!"
The rest of the wedding party and their guests were gathered in the garden in the back of the Colbert Store. Ike Stockton had provided enough chairs for half the town to sit in; half again that many had shown up for the happy event and the free food and drink that would follow.
John, who was mostly sober, shifted from foot to foot as he waited for his bride. Stephen came rushing forth and took his seat in the front row, giving John an encouraging look. A few minutes later, first Meg, then Amy on Doctor Stewart's arm, came into view. John knew he was staring with his mouth open; he had to stop himself from running to her and taking her in his arms. When the good doctor gave John Amy's hand, the Englishman forgot all proper wedding protocol and kissed his bride. Amy slipped her gloved hand on the back of John's neck and kissed him back.
Sheriff Black, who was also the Justice of the Peace, cleared his throat, but to no avail. Finally, Tad reluctantly tapped the groom on the shoulder. The happy couple parted, then clasped hands as they faced the Justice.
In less than ten minutes, they were wed. They sat at a little table, decorated with ribbons and wildflowers, and fed each other cake and wine. John and Amy looked up whenever one of their friends or acquaintances came over to wish them well, but within seconds, they were once again gazing into each other's eyes.
Very soon, the wedding guests became less interested in the food and spirits and more interested in their partners. It was as if John and Amy's love had cast an amorous spell on all present. Husbands and wives who barely spoke to one another went home, hand in hand, for a long afternoon nap. Those men without spouses made their way to the Damfino. The happy couple hardly noticed the mass exodus of their guests, but when they did realize they were virtually alone, they too retired to a more intimate setting, locking the back door to the Colbert Store behind them.
Only Stephen seemed unaffected by the wedding enchantment. He spun around in disbelief, surveying the deserted scene. "Who's going to eat all this food? You won't," he said, pointing an accusatory finger at Jon. "None of it's kosher, except the blintzes! And they still owe me five dollars for the room!"
"If you don't stop your kvetching," Jon said with mock annoyance, "I'll put you over my knee and spank you."
"Not much of an incentive for me to stop, is it?" Stephen said with a raised eyebrow.
Jon snorted, then smiled wryly. "Let's go for a walk." He headed down the dusty street and Stephen immediately fell in step beside him.
"Where are we going?"
"To old Doc Stewart's apothecary. You look like you could use a tonic."
Stephen grinned at Jon lasciviously. "The kind I have to get down on my knees for?"
Jon closed his eyes and let out a little moan. "That's the one."
The End
Author: darkfaery1
Chapter: 16/16
Series: TDS/TCR/The O'Reilly Factor
Genre: Western AU
Beta/cheerleader: insanekht
Chapter pairings: Jon/"Stephen," John/Amy, Steve/Tad
Chapter rating: NC-17
Content: slash sex, Old West violence, language, angst, prejudice, mild het content.
Word count: 2520
Chapter summary: John and Amy get married.
Author's Note: Yes, it's over, but hopefully not forever. I've really come to love these characters and I hope to write more about them in the future if inspiration strikes. Thanks to everyone who followed this story and commented so kindly. A very special thanks to my awesome beta insanekht. Without her support, I doubt I would have made it past chapter two.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and is not intended to portray the life or defame the character of any actual person. Any similarity between the fictional version of the person portrayed here and the actual person is purely coincidental. No money is being made from this work of fiction. It is not intended to infringe upon any copyrighted material. Any mention of any copyrighted material is reasonably protected by the Fair Use Rule of the United States Copyright Act of 1976.
Crossposted to tds_rps
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10,
Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15
"Are you ever gonna talk to me again?" Tad asked pleadingly.
Steve unbuttoned his shirt, then folded it neatly before placing it in the top drawer. After the verdict, in no mood to celebrate, he and Tad had returned to the boardinghouse, switching to a room with two beds. As far as Larry was concerned, they were just two friends sharing expenses.
Steve turned and glared at Tad, his anger still evident in his hazel eyes. "Am I going to wake up to the sound of gunfire one morning to find that you've put a bullet through your brain? If so, you'd best have two bullets in that gun."
"You don't mean that, Steve," Tad said in alarm.
"Just like you didn't mean it when you said that you deserved to die."
"That's different. It doesn't matter what happens to me."
"Say that again and I swear to God I'll--" Steve ran his hand roughly through his hair and sighed. "You've got to get past all this sadness." He stroked Tad's cheek and kissed him softly. "I'm going to help you get through this."
Tad sniffed back his tears. "I just feel like I've got no right to be happy."
"I don't know anyone who has more of a right to it than you do."
Tad burst into tears and buried his head in Steve's shoulder. Steve ran his fingers gently through Tad's curls. "Come on, let's go to bed."
They settled under the covers of one of the beds, which was too small for two grown men. Tad rested his head on Steve's chest while Steve enveloped him in a comforting embrace. He inhaled deeply, taking in his lover's scent, and ventured a slight smile. Tad suddenly realized that every day for the rest of his life would end just like this.
***
"Ah…Jon…!" Stephen was having an increasingly difficult time keeping his balance as he thrust inside his lover while stroking Jon's cock. Jon was on his hands and knees, crying out ecstatically every time Stephen slammed back inside of him, hitting his prostate. Stephen would have been safer hanging onto the headboard, but he had to caress every inch of Jon's back and chest with his free hand. As he came closer, his thrusts became more frantic, but also more erratic. Jon reached behind him and grasped Stephen's left hip, urging him on.
Stephen finally sacrificed his own tactile needs for Jon's pleasure. He gripped the headboard with one hand while he rhythmically stroked Jon's engorged cock with the other, all the while thrusting inside Jon hard and fast. With a strangled cry, Jon called out Stephen's name just seconds before Stephen's hand was coated with Jon's warm, sticky seed. Stephen was able to hold out for several minutes more, relishing the feeling of Jon surrounding him. He gripped Jon's shoulders as he came, then collapsed on top of the smaller man.
Jon wiggled out from underneath him, then snuggled next to Stephen with a contented smile on his face.
"Jon?" Stephen murmured after a time.
"Mmm?"
"I think I'm going to move back into the boardinghouse tomorrow."
Jon's post-coital haze dissipated and he sat up, staring down at Stephen. "Why?"
"You know why," Stephen said, lightly running his fingers through Jon's chest hair.
"I know," Jon sighed and held Stephen's hand against his heart.
"I'm due to get O'Reilly's settlement any day now and the store's doing better than ever. If I don't move back, folks are going to start asking questions."
"Maybe they'll just think you're too cheap to get your own place?" Jon suggested hopefully.
Stephen considered it for a moment, then shook his head. "Nobody's going to believe I wouldn't want to flaunt my wealth by building the nicest house in town."
Jon had to agree. "You're going to build a house? Where?"
"In the vacant lot, right across the street."
Suddenly, Stephen leaving didn't seem quite so tragic. "Why don't you move into the store in the meantime? At least you'd be a few yards closer than if you stayed at the boardinghouse."
"I've actually decided to let John and Amy live there--after they're married, of course."
Jon grinned widely. "That's a wonderful idea!" He crawled on top of Stephen and captured his lips in a grateful kiss.
"Well, my motives aren't completely altruistic," Stephen said sheepishly. Jon would have rolled off of him if Stephen hadn't wrapped his arms around him.
Jon glared at him sternly. "How much are you charging them?"
"Five dollars a week, which is a bargain," Stephen added. "Plus Amy is going to do some dressmaking and tailoring for the Colbert Store patrons."
"How much are you going to pay her?" Jon asked with a hint of a warning in his voice.
"I was thinking about a bartering arrangement, perhaps store credit in exchange--"
"Stephen, if you want us to ever have sex again--!"
"Or, I could pay her the going rate for a seamstress," Stephen said quickly.
He knew that was the right answer because Jon stopped struggling and gave him a peck on the tip of his nose. "That's the Stephen I know and will have lots and lots of sex with."
Stephen smiled, figuring the extra expense was worth it.
***
Lewis Black had just finished the hefty stack of paperwork he was forced by the county to complete with every jury trial. He resented that damn lawyer, Mr. Leary, who was free to go back to New York without so much as dotting an 'i'. He could have enlisted Rob Riggle to help him out, but that boy was as dumb as a bag of hair.
At least his cells were empty--for now. He supposed he needed to place an advertisement in the next edition of the Independent for a new deputy, but it could wait until tomorrow.
"Lewis?" The sheriff looked up to see Steve Carell standing in the doorway, hat in hand.
Lewis was powerful glad to see him, but hid his grin with a cough. "Come on in, son," he said in a friendly tone. "I just made a pot of coffee."
"If it's not any trouble?" Steve asked with his usual politeness.
"'Course not. Have a seat."
Steve sat down and placed his hat on his old desk while Lewis poured two mugs of black coffee.
"So, ah, how's Tad doing?" Lewis asked with an awkward smile.
"All right," Steve said with a look of concern on his face. "I'm actually kind of worried about him, but at least he's got himself a job at the boardinghouse, taking over for John Oliver. He needed something to occupy his time."
"How about yourself? Find a new job yet?"
"Not yet. I forgot to pick up my guns the other night; I was thinking I could get a job as a ranch detective."
Lewis shrugged. "I suppose." He took a few sips of his coffee, hesitating before he uttered his next sentence. "Hey, I just heard about a job you'd be perfect for."
Steve brightened. "Really? Where?"
Lewis grimaced in embarrassment and avoided Steve's eyes. "I hear the town sheriff needs a new deputy."
"But you fired me!"
"'Cause you was planning a jailbreak!" Lewis replied gruffly. "I figure if you can promise not to fall in love with any more prisoners when we get some, I can give you a second chance."
Steve laughed and held his hand to his heart. "You have my solemn word."
"Good, saves me a trip to the newspaper office." Lewis opened his desk drawer and handed Steve his tin star. "Consider yourself already sworn." Then Lewis handed him the pile of court papers. "File those."
"Thanks, Lewis," Steve said sincerely.
Lewis just grunted in response. The sheriff then leaned back in his chair, put his feet up on the desk, and placed his Stetson over his eyes.
***
As the best man, Tad arranged a little party for John the night before his wedding. Though Amy had given her tacit approval for a traditional bachelor party, John had no intention of sowing any wild oats that night. Several of the prettier Damfino girls showed up, but in John's eyes, all other women paled before Amy. He just wanted the night to end and the wedding to be done with, so he could have his heart's one desire all to himself.
John, Tad, Stephen, Doctor Stewart, and Steve, as well as many of the town's husbands, sat around Ike Stockton's saloon, sipping beer and whiskey and making off-color jokes. No one dared make an untoward comment about the bride-to-be, instead drinking to Amy's good health at the start of every round of drinks.
John was feeling pleasantly tipsy when he noticed Tad sitting alone at the bar. Steve was deep in conversation with Sheriff Black, no doubt talking shop. John sidled up to his friend and put his arm around his shoulder. "Why so sad, love?" John snickered at the endearment, making Tad smile.
Tad shrugged. "I'm all right. This is your night; don't go worrying about me."
"But I do worry, mate. I want you to be happy, like me."
"I am happy for you and Amy; so happy I could bust."
"If it weren't for you, I would never have had the courage to get this far. Now, tell me what's wrong."
"I don't know," Tad began. "I guess my job at the boardinghouse leaves me too much time to think. I know it's honest work, but I feel like I should be doing something more to make up for all I've done. I tried to send money to the Widow Hogan, but she returned it and told me to leave her and her boys alone."
It bothered John that she would have spurned his attempt at restitution, but supposed he could understand the widow's anger. He recalled her heartbreaking testimony, then remembered something Tad had said. "I know what you should do," John said with excitement. "Become a schoolteacher like you've always wanted to! I'd be hard pressed to name a more noble profession than that."
Tad shook his head. "Oh, John, I couldn't. I've only had five years of schooling. Nobody'd let me teach school."
"When I first came to America, I considered teaching for a while. All you have to do to get your teaching certificate is take a test. It's not easy, but you can study for it. I didn't think I had to, so I failed it. You should at least try."
John could see his friend's eyes light up as he considered the possibility. "I'll think on it, I promise. Right now, you need another drink in your hand, if I'm any judge."
***
The next morning, Jon waited outside Amy's bedroom while she dressed with the help of her old friend, Meg. Stephen, who made good on his promise to pay for the nuptials, tried to force his way in, to make sure every dollar he'd spent was being used to its best advantage. Jon distracted him with a brief, but intense, sexual encounter in the other room. Stephen relaxed considerably after that.
"All right, you can come in now," Amy called.
Amy stood before them in a pale pink sateen gown with a soft polonaise bustle in back, trimmed with braids, ruffles, and delicate lace. The modest neckline showed just a hint of cleavage. Her blonde hair was swept up in pretty curls decorated with pink and white silk flowers.
"Well, don't just stare at me," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Do I look all right?"
Jon took her gently by the shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. "You look absolutely beautiful. John's not going to be able to take his eyes off you."
Amy giggled with relief. "Really? What do you think, Mr. Colbert?"
"You're positively virginal," he said sincerely.
"It's been so long, I almost feel like it." Amy started to fidget nervously. "Let's get this show on the road!"
The rest of the wedding party and their guests were gathered in the garden in the back of the Colbert Store. Ike Stockton had provided enough chairs for half the town to sit in; half again that many had shown up for the happy event and the free food and drink that would follow.
John, who was mostly sober, shifted from foot to foot as he waited for his bride. Stephen came rushing forth and took his seat in the front row, giving John an encouraging look. A few minutes later, first Meg, then Amy on Doctor Stewart's arm, came into view. John knew he was staring with his mouth open; he had to stop himself from running to her and taking her in his arms. When the good doctor gave John Amy's hand, the Englishman forgot all proper wedding protocol and kissed his bride. Amy slipped her gloved hand on the back of John's neck and kissed him back.
Sheriff Black, who was also the Justice of the Peace, cleared his throat, but to no avail. Finally, Tad reluctantly tapped the groom on the shoulder. The happy couple parted, then clasped hands as they faced the Justice.
In less than ten minutes, they were wed. They sat at a little table, decorated with ribbons and wildflowers, and fed each other cake and wine. John and Amy looked up whenever one of their friends or acquaintances came over to wish them well, but within seconds, they were once again gazing into each other's eyes.
Very soon, the wedding guests became less interested in the food and spirits and more interested in their partners. It was as if John and Amy's love had cast an amorous spell on all present. Husbands and wives who barely spoke to one another went home, hand in hand, for a long afternoon nap. Those men without spouses made their way to the Damfino. The happy couple hardly noticed the mass exodus of their guests, but when they did realize they were virtually alone, they too retired to a more intimate setting, locking the back door to the Colbert Store behind them.
Only Stephen seemed unaffected by the wedding enchantment. He spun around in disbelief, surveying the deserted scene. "Who's going to eat all this food? You won't," he said, pointing an accusatory finger at Jon. "None of it's kosher, except the blintzes! And they still owe me five dollars for the room!"
"If you don't stop your kvetching," Jon said with mock annoyance, "I'll put you over my knee and spank you."
"Not much of an incentive for me to stop, is it?" Stephen said with a raised eyebrow.
Jon snorted, then smiled wryly. "Let's go for a walk." He headed down the dusty street and Stephen immediately fell in step beside him.
"Where are we going?"
"To old Doc Stewart's apothecary. You look like you could use a tonic."
Stephen grinned at Jon lasciviously. "The kind I have to get down on my knees for?"
Jon closed his eyes and let out a little moan. "That's the one."
The End