Cletus Tucker(4)
Copyright© 2007 by aubie56
Chapter 14
New Mexico Territory, September, 1877
Cletus rode into Las Cruces with one thing on his mind: to find Ellie and Roland. As he rode down the street, all he could think of was the joy of seeing them again. He rode into the courtyard of the house and spotted Roland playing with some other children; of course, Roland did not recognize Cletus. That was OK, Cletus didn't expect to be remembered by such a young child.
There was Ellie, carrying a basket in from the garden. Cletus called to her and she dropped the basket to run to him. He jumped from his horse and ran to embrace her. The met in a flurry of hugs and kisses. "Ellie, I'm here to stay!" Cletus announced with all the conviction he had. Ellie exploded with joy at this announcement and called for Roland to join them.
Roland ran up and and Ellie introduced him to his father, a man he had forgotten completely. Roland solemnly put out his hand and Cletus took it with equal solemnity; then Cletus swept Roland up in his arms and hugged Roland as if the world of joy had just opened up for him, which it had!
That evening, as they were getting ready for bed, Cletus announced to Ellie that he was going out the next day to find a job. He said that he thought his best bet would be driving a freight wagon, so that was where he would look first. Ellie suggested that he talk to Mr. Crestview, her employer, about possible openings for jobs.
The next morning, Cletus approached Mr. Crestview as he was leaving for his office and asked if he knew of any jobs, particularly driving a freight wagon, which might be available. Crestview thought for a minute and said that he might; he would see what he could find and talk to Cletus at noon.