He nodded silently, unable to voice his feelings at the moment.
Chapter Three
Only a handful of people came to the funeral, but it was more than Cord expected. The few friends that came stood around talking to Cord and the doc for some time before the funeral began.
"Your Mama had it rough Cord, after you left." Mr. Perkins told him. "The town blamed her as much as you."
Mr. Perkins had been his Ma's neighbor for twenty-five years and his Ma set a great store by him and his family. A thin, tall man with thinning gray hair and a family of six, Perkins had always been a friend.
Joe Southerland, the banker was there, but Cord was sure he came to discuss the property with him.
Dutch Newsome the blacksmith came, he wasn't married, but he had known Cord's Ma for years. He'd been kind to his mother, Cord remembered that.
And then Lilly came, with her boy.
Some of the women folk stepped back and murmured, Cord frowned at them.
Cord walked straight up to her and helped her down from her buggy. He glanced at her son. Charlie had red-blond hair, and blue eyes.
"Cord, this is my son Charlie…" Lilly introduced them.
Cord extended his hand, "Charlie, I'm glad to know you."
Charlie took his hand and shook it like a man. "Mama says you’re her friend," Charlie looked up at him with the same expression in his eyes as his mother.
"I am." Cord nodded.
"Then you're my friend too." Charlie smiled.
Cord glanced at Lilly, "He's quite a young man, Lilly."
She smiled. "I knew the two of you would get along."
Some of the town's people seemed to frown when Lilly joined them at the gravesite. The Baptist preacher hadn't bothered to come, Cord noticed. A lot of the church members didn't show up. Cord wasn't surprised. Sometimes Cord had wondered exactly what they taught in church, it sure wasn't forgiveness, or loving thy neighbor.
"Lilly would you sing Amazing Grace?" Cord asked her.
Shocked at the request, Lilly was a bit flustered, but nodded to him.
"Of course…" Lilly was honored by the request. And tears swelled in her eyes. She'd often sang in the saloon, and everyone in town knew she had a beautiful voice.
Cord got his guitar and she began to sing. He took the song into his heart and felt a knot of tears stab him, but he played on, knowing how much his mother enjoyed music.
When it was over, he laid the guitar down and looked up into the small crowd of people.
Lilly knew what he was looking for. And a tear ran down her cheek when she realized he'd have to say a few words over his own mother.
But Cord was undaunted too.
"Lord," Cord began. "Today we bury a good woman, an honest woman, a woman who loved you and Jesus. She had a hard life, mostly because of me, I'm sure. But only you can judge the right and wrong of what was done. Kate McCall was a strong, courteous woman who followed her hard headed husband to this land to make a home. She had a hard life, but she never felt sorry for herself. She did as good as she could. So when you take her into your arms, Lord, remember that. God bless her soul." Cord finished as a tear escaped the corner of his eye.
"Amen," echoed as the undertaker shoveled the dirt upon her grave, Cord tossed a handful of dirt too.
Doc patted Cord on the shoulder. "I hope you'll consider staying Cord."
"Haven't got much of a grip on things yet Doc." Cord glanced at the grave.
"Well, keep in touch, no matter what you decide. There are people here that care…"