SMALL TOWN BIG CATCH 5

a couple of days after jakes funeral del was rakeing up the loose hay in front of his barn when a county sherrif rolled over the cattle guard and stopped i front of the barn a chunky deputy got out and strolled over to del. " you del?" the deputy asked as he pulled his sun glasses off. " thats me, what have i done now?" del grinned at the law man. "nothing yet. ime comming from the court tho. it seems the old rancher jake had no will or family to speak of. maybe a brother but we havent run him down yet. the judge wants to know if you will take care of jakes outfit until they can decide how to dispose of it.the court will pay wagws and expenses."the deputy laid it out. sharon was walking from the house. the deputy glanced her way then spun his head for a second look. " thats my sister sharon, you got paper work on her?"del giggled. "no but i wish i did. " as sharon steped up the deputy took his straw hat off and extended his hand. "ime jerry holloway" your a sweet sight on this morning." the deputy gushed. sharon smiled a toothy smile at him" talk like that could get you a cup of coffee and a peice of pie." "ime short on time but can i come back later for that?"jerry stated then turned to del" go to the court house and see judge weber. he will give you the details. but between you and me i dont believe that ole man fell off his horse. something out there stinks in my book." " ive had that feeling myself but when i found him there was no plain tracks just the ground was tore up by his horse. but ill help all i can."del explained. jerry tiped his hat to sharon and turned to his car. sharon was beaming.del stood there shakeing his head as jerry drove out of the yar. " i better go bake a pie, ime thinking,"sharon turned to the house. del watched her walk away with just a hint of a sway in her hips. later that day del stepped into the court house then into judge webers chambers and introduced himself. "i have been studying this case, and i dont have a good feeling about it. but, we need to find jakes relative and in the mean time we need someone to watch over that ranch. the damned ole cow theives will strip it clean if we dont."weber while not a old man had a old mans attitude. del nodded" ime like you all, i dont feel good about that whole deal jake rode like a horse was a extension of himit had to be a surprise to him and the horse and then the chances of unseating him would be slim.ill look after the ranch like it was my own. just let me know what the court wants and needs. if anything comes up ill bring it here." " you do that, you come well recomended so ime putting my faith in you while we investigate this deal just keep it quiet. tell folks we are looking for a releative."the judge advised.