Patty Wilkinson Writing, traveling, having fun and meeting up with friends old and new!

# 94 Blood Ties

Blood Ties

By
Patty Wilkinson

(Some adult themes, violence and strong language)

Chapter 1

It was early Spring and the men folk at the Sherman Ranch and relay were in a state of turmoil as Daisy, their beloved housekeeper, went about her annual Spring Clean.
Mike, the rancher’s young ward, had suffered most under the onslaught; having to tidy his room and re-house his pet racoon to a pen in the yard. However Slim Sherman and Jess Harper had escaped practically unscathed, simply retiring to the barn saying they had work to do, “Harnesses to mend and the like,” Jess had added vaguely.
Now on a bleak March afternoon the couple sat in the barn looking and feeling deeply miserable.
“Don’t fret Jess, Daisy’s bound to settle down and turn her hand to the vegetable patch once the warmer weather arrives.”
“Yeah and when will  that be?” Jess asked morosely, peering out at the grey scene beyond the barn door.
Slim just shrugged, “Come on Pard let’s go see what’s for supper huh.”
“Probably cold cuts again,” Jess said looking even more hard done by, “she said she was doin’ out all the kitchen cupboards, shouldn’t think she’s had time to cook.”
However, Jess immediately realized he’d been mistaken when they opened the door and the delightful smell of beef stew assailed their nostrils, both men perking up immediately.
They were just finishing the first course when Jess made the tactical error of asking Daisy how the cleaning was going.

She threw him a guileless smile and said, “Well I’m nearly done now. Just the little matter of tidying the attic next...and I do believe you and Slim offered to do that didn’t you?”
“We did? When was that?” Slim asked his eyebrows arching in disbelief.
“Why a couple of years ago I think it was...the time you found that old letter written to your Pa and had to go off with Jess to sort out some matter pertaining to the ranch?” (See # 86 The Secret in the Attic)
“Oh yeah...then,” Jess muttered taking a final mouthful of his stew and chewing thoughtfully.
“Well?” Daisy asked when neither man said more.
“Oh of course Daisy,” Slim said placatingly, “we will, all in good time...we’re kind of busy right now though.”
“You are?” Daisy asked frowning slightly in puzzlement, “But I thought you must have mended all the tack by now, the amount of time you’ve spent in the barn. Goodness didn’t I overhear you and Jess planning a hunting trip soon?”
Then turning to Jess said, “I seem to recall you said ‘old Charlie can mind the shop for a week or two seeing as how things are kinda slack,’” Daisy said in a good approximation of Jess’s deep Texan drawl.
Both men flushed up and blustered, “OK of course we’ll fit it in soon...real soon,” Jess said, “So what’s fer dessert huh Daisy?”
Daisy smiled sweetly and said, “Before I can think of pudding, I really need to have a firm day for you to do the job. It needn’t take long,” she wheedled. “You could just bring down one box every week to clear out and it will soon be finished. So, I propose you start on Sunday afternoon and every Sunday until it’s all done,” she added brightly.
Jess’s face fell. Hell, he’d probably have a hangover and be feeling real wore out after a night on the town wooing his best gal, he thought.
“Heck I dunno about that Daisy,” he said stoutly, “we get kinda tired after all the um...action of a Saturday night in town.”
“Really dear, so what sort of ‘action’ would that be?” she asked smiling blithely.
Slim and Jess exchanged an embarrassed glance before Slim said quickly, “Dancing Daisy...we do a powerful lot of dancing.”
“Oh goodness me I’d no idea,” she said opening her eyes wide. “I thought the first dance of the season wasn’t being held until April?”
“Uh...and cards too,” Jess added quickly, “sitting up late playing cards...that’s real tiring too.”
“I see, well I really would be obliged if we could settle this now...because I fear the apple pie will be getting cold...”
Jess knew when he was beaten...apple pie now...or the possibility of it being spirited away if they didn’t conform? Yup they would hafta tidy the dang attic. It wasn’t the first time Daisy had used this tactic he reflected and it was her trump card. Both men knew when they were out foxed.
“Next Sunday afternoon it is,” Slim said wearily...and Jess nodded.
“OK Daisy you win...so pie? He asked grinning at her.
Mike who had been watching Daisy outwit the two ranchers grinned with delight, “Hey that’ll be real fun checking out all the old stuff up there.”
“Sure it will, Tiger,” Jess said ruffling the youngster’s hair, “sure it will...”
His partner’s voice was so doom laden that Slim just had to smile.
Then Mike turned to Daisy and said, “You wouldn’t really have said the pie was burnt so we’d all have to have prunes like last time...would ya Aunt Daisy?”
Daisy merely winked at him and hurried off to fetch the dessert.

Chapter 2
The following Sunday afternoon found Mike, Jess and Slim poring over the contents of a large dusty box, whilst Daisy looked on as she busied herself with her knitting.
“You sure have a lot of old stuff,” Mike piped up as he admired some paintings done by a youthful Andy, for his Ma.
Slim nodded, “Yup and the trouble is I guess I can’t dump any of this stuff until Andy’s seen it and goodness knows when he’ll be home again.”
Meanwhile Jess was holding another painting; this one done by Slim and it was pretty good too Jess thought. It was a family group of Slim’ s Ma and Pa, Slim himself and in the centre a little girl aged about three or four Jess surmised from her height.
“This is real good Slim,” he said, “you should have been a painter and forgotten about ranching, you could be real famous by now,” he jested.
“Let’s see,” Slim said grinning as Jess passed the picture over.
But then Slim sobered and a look of sadness crossed his handsome features.
“Slim?” Jess said quietly.
Daisy looked up from her task and said, “Whatever is it Slim, you’ve gone quite pale.”
Slim quickly came to his senses and forcing a smile said, “Nothing, just all this old stuff brings back memories, you know?”
“So, who’s the cute little girl in the picture?” Jess asked innocently.
Slim ’s head jerked up and he said abruptly, “Just a friend’s daughter. She stayed with us for a while that’s all.”
Then he got up abruptly making for the door.
“Just need some air,” he called over his shoulder, “kind of stuffy in here.”
Daisy and Jess exchanged a puzzled glance, but said nothing.
Then Daisy looked at the clock on the mantle, “Goodness, is that the time? Mike why don’t you go and put those Indian arrow heads Slim found for you in your room and then maybe you could help me peel the potatoes for supper?”
Once the child had left the room Daisy said, “What do you think that was all that about? Slim looked quite distressed.”
When he still hadn’t returned ten minutes later Jess was dispatched to see if he was alright.
“It’s cold out there and he didn’t take his coat,” Daisy said, “do see if he’s alright dear.”
Jess finally ran him to ground at the family plot, up on the hill, looking down at the graves of his Ma and Pa.
He silently passed Slim ’s jacket over and then after a minute said quietly, “Daisy was fretting you’d be getting cold.”
Slim merely nodded and shrugged the jacket on.
After a while Jess said, “Wanna be alone?”
Slim shook his head and then said, “Have you ever wondered why there was such a gap between me and Andy?”
“You had a baby sister, didn’t you?”
Slim nodded and pointed to a small grave near his parents, “Yes, Grace Mary. She died shortly after birth...”
“I’m sorry...”
“These things happen...well you of all people know that.”
“Sure...”
“Anyways Ma was real upset. I was only little but I remember her weeping in the night...and then Beth came along.”
“Beth?”
“The little girl in that painting, she was the daughter of a girl that worked for us, Ginny. She milked the cows. Pa had quite a big dairy herd back then...and she helped Ma in the house...she was really special and I loved her when I was a little kid.”
“Go on,” said Jess quietly.
“She got herself pregnant...and so Ma and Pa took the baby in. Nothing was said to me of course, just that we were going to help Ginny out by caring for the little one. Well, she was only a kid herself...maybe seventeen and she just couldn’t cope. Eventually she moved on and Ma and Pa kept Beth.”
“What adopted her all legal like?”
Slim frowned, “No they didn’t. I was about five when she was born...so I didn’t understand what was going on. Ma just said little Beth was a gift from God and so I thought no more of it. Of course, now I can see it was a real difficult situation. I never knew who the Pa was and with Ginny living in with us that way...well I suppose it looked kinda suspicious.”
“What…folk would think it was your Pa’s baby?” Jess said looking shocked.
Slim nodded, “Some folk might have done, yes. Anyway, for whatever reason they passed her off as Ma’s baby. Young Ginny stayed home as soon as the baby started showing and then, not long after the birth she skedaddled. Said she couldn’t cope and Ma could take the baby. So, to the world at large I had a new baby sister...and she sure felt like it. Gee she was so cute Jess,” he said his eyes sparkling at the memory.
“So, what happened to her?”
“She’d be nearly five when her Ma returned. She’d married and demanded Beth was returned to her.”
“The hell she did!” Jess said looking deeply shocked. “But surely your folk had some rights?”
“According to Benson, no they didn’t. The lawyer was Pa’s first port of call I expect and as Beth hadn’t been formally adopted, they couldn’t do a thing. I found all this out years later from an aunt. But Ma and Pa would never discuss it. From the day she left she was never mentioned again...in fact it felt like she’d died,” he said looking terribly sad. “That’s what they let folk believe too. They never lied about it...but folk just assumed I guess.” he added shaking his head.
“So where did she go...what really happened to her?” Jess asked.
Slim shook his head, “I’ve absolutely no idea. Her Ma married a guy called Claude Walters, a real bad lot according to my aunt...but that’s all I know.”
Then he sighed deeply, “Anyway all water under the bridge now, I guess. Come on Pard, Daisy’s right…it’s real cold out here.”
When they returned to the warmth of the fireside there was the welcoming smell of supper on the go.
“Come on let’s tidy this lot up,” Jess said.
Slim dug about in the bottom of the box and brought out a stack of small books all bound together with red ribbon.
“What’s that?” Jess asked.
“Ma’s old diaries, I’ll look at them later,” he said quickly packing the old pictures and letters away again.
Jess grinned at him and shook his head, “Well that was a real good sort out Slim. I figure that box is lighter by some three arrow heads.”
Slim chuckled, “Oh well at least it is nice and tidy now,” and he wandered off back to the ladder to replace the box in the attic.
“Um...one down and only twenty to go,” Jess said with irony.
It was later that night when they had both turned in that Slim adjusted the lamp on the nightstand and commenced reading the old diaries.
Jess glanced over, “I thought diaries were supposed to be secret? A place fer yer thoughts away from other folks prying eyes,” he said grinning.
“Ha, not in Ma’s case, she didn’t have any secrets. Besides she mostly just put things like Birthdays and shopping lists in it,” he said, “nothing she wouldn’t want me to see. It’s just kind of nice to see her writing again,” he added softly.
It was sometime later and Jess had thrown the catalogue he’d been reading under the bed and was nearly asleep when he was roused by a deep gasp coming from the other bed.
“Slim?”
When there was no reply Jess sat up and looked over, “What’s up...found some deep, dark secrets after all?” he chuckled.
But his smile faded when Slim looked over at him, his face a study of profound shock, “You could say so yeah. All the other diaries were like I said...just full of dates and lists, but this is the one she wrote the year she died...and it’s really different.”
“It is?”
“Yes, lots of things about life...lesson’s she’s learned, really interesting, heck quite profound in places,” he said in wonder.
“Well, that’s good,” Jess said yawning and really wanting to settle down, “tell me all about it in the morning huh...”
“No, you don’t understand,” Slim said, “I just can’t believe it...”
“Believe what?” Jess asked, resigning himself to staying awake a while longer.
“There is a message for me at the very end, some important information, she says she hopes one day I’ll see it and act upon it.”
“Act on it...heck Slim on what?”
“Finding my cousin,” Slim said his eyes shining.
“Huh?”
“Beth she really was related to me! It seems her father was my Uncle James...Pa’s kid brother!”
“What! Hell Slim, so why didn’t he do the right thing and up and marry her?”
Slim looked stricken, “I guess he would have done. In fact, I believe he was going to, according to Ma ...but he upped and died before he could.”
“Huh?”
“He was working here with Pa, and like you was really good at breaking mustangs. Then he met one that got the better of him...he fell really badly and was trampled...died instantly.”
“Jeez, I’m real sorry... I knew he’d died, but not how.”
“Can you see now why I get so strung up when you insist on trying to tame a critter that won’t be tamed?” Slim said almost angrily.
Jess merely nodded and then said, “Did yer Ma say anything else?”
Slim nodded, “A whole lot more, yes, apparently both she and Pa were worried that Beth’s Ma, Ginny, had wedded that no hoper Claude. She says here that she thinks they were headed towards Kansas making for Abilene. It seems Claude had come into some money and wanted to buy property that way. She says that she hopes I find this diary and if I do maybe I could ride out and find Beth. Make everything right...tell her she had kin back in Laramie who cared about her...loved her and never wanted to give her up,” he whispered.
“So will you...go looking for her?”
“What do you think Jess? It’s my Ma’s last wish, damn it…of course I have to go find her.”

Chapter 3

So it was that the two ranchers rode out early one morning the following week.
It had been decided that they would take their planned hunting trip, but after they had made a visit to Abilene, to see if they could trace Beth.
“Like lookin’ for a dang needle in a haystack iffen you ask me,” Jess said as they sat by their campfire a couple of days into their trip.
“I guess so. I thought I’d maybe try asking the local Parson, Ginny and Claude may have had more children and had them Baptized in the Church.”
Jess snorted, “Yeah if you can find a Parson, or a Church, come to that...you ever been to Abilene?”
“No... why?”
“Well, it ain’t really the place you’d go lookin’ fer a Parson, unless you wanted a funeral conducted that is. It’s one hell of a rough old cow-town Slim...or it was last time I was there.”
“When was that?”
“Oh, a good few years ago...before I met you anyway. I was up with a cattle drive from Texas and stopped there for a while.”
Slim chuckled, “With whiskey, women, song and the odd brawl, it’d be your perfect life, huh Pard?”
Jess smirked in agreement...and then looked misty eyed, “Yup there was a girl...”
Slim rolled his eyes, “I might have known.”
Jess looked off into the distance, “No it weren’t that way Slim. She was real special...and in need of a friend too...I just helped her out some, that’s all.”
“Sure you did,” Slim said with a sly grin, “so that’s what you’re calling it now huh?”
“Aw Slim shuddup,” Jess said flapping a hand at him and throwing him an embarrassed grin.
“Anyway, that was all a long time ago,” he continued, “the place might have smartened itself up some by now,” he added quickly changing the subject.
*******
When they finally rode into town early one evening it seemed that Jess’s original account of the place was spot on.
Raucous laughter and the sound of a honky tonk piano emanated from many of the saloons. Then, a fist fight burst out of one and into the street, blows and expletives being energetically traded.
They dismounted and hitched up beside the saloon and exchanged a grin.
“I guess it ain’t changed that much,” Jess said before making his way towards the bat-wing doors. They slaked their thirst with a couple of beers, and asked the barkeep if he knew the whereabouts of Ginny and Claude Walters and their daughter Beth.
“Never heard of them...you want another?” the barkeep asked grabbing Slim ’s empty glass.
They tried several other saloons to no avail, so finally broached the Sheriff; there being no Parson around.
“So why are you looking for this Claude Walters?” the Sheriff asked looking suspicious. “You ain’t bounty hunters are you...because I hafta say I ain’t got no time for ‘em.”
Jess eyed the elderly, rugged looking Sheriff and said mildly, “Well I figure we’re of a mind then Sheriff...we’re merely trying to trace my Pard ’s cousin that’s all.”
“Humph, well that makes a change...folks mostly come lookin’ fer trouble in these parts,” he said glumly, “and most of ‘em find it too. So, Claude Walters you say? Nope, never heard of him, um we did have a Claude Winters, owned the Painted Parrot on the edge of town.”
Then he surveyed Slim ’s honest, clean living good looks and said, “Nah... you wouldn’t be related to that no hoper. He ran the sleaziest place in town... watered down whiskey and place full of working girls too. He called them hostesses, but we all knew what went on there. Ain’t no better since he died and his son-in-law took over. His daughter’s still there though. She’s a nice kid and all wrong her marrying that smarmy Leon Snape...but she wouldn’t see sense.”
They thanked the Sheriff; and standing outside his office, were uncertain as to what to do next...
Jess was looking off into space. Winters, no it couldn’t be the same...could it?
But then Slim broke into his thoughts, “So what do you think...call it a day? It doesn’t look like she lives here anymore.”
Then Jess remembered, Lizzy, the girl he’d met here, her name had definitely been Winters and yeah, he remembered the Painted Parrot alright.
He shrugged, “We could just check out the Painted Parrot...it’s on our way out of town anyway...”
“What, check out the hostesses you mean,” Slim asked with a lecherous wink, “and I thought you’d reformed and given up other women, now you’re with Millie...”
“Ain’t no harm in lookin’ Jess replied, “lookin’ ain’t doin’ and anyways you want to find Beth don’t you, maybe her Pa changed his name?”
Slim shrugged, “Could have done I suppose...he was no stranger to the inside of a cell according to my aunt. Maybe he wanted a fresh start here...and Claude isn’t a very common name...worth a look,” he agreed.
The smell of stale beer and cheap perfume assaulted their nostrils as they entered the dimly lit saloon. It took a minute for their eyes to get accustomed to the dark interior and then they moved over to the bar. In contrast to the other saloons they’d visited, this one was less crowded. The few punters were mostly at tables drinking with a variety of painted ladies, wearing low cut garish dresses...and more scantily clad females smiled down at them from large wall paintings.
“Nice place,” Jess muttered sarcastically to Slim before moving to the bar.
A tall thin man, his dark hair slicked back with snake oil and a pained expression on his supercilious face made no move to serve them, merely called out to a girl further along the bar.
She appeared to jump and threw him a fearful glance, before hastening to serve them.
She was dainty and exquisite looking. Her light blond hair pinned up in a becoming style and although she too wore a low-cut gown it was way classier than the other women.
She smiled shyly at them and said, “Yes gentlemen, what can I get you?”
Slim was still gaping at the wall art and so it was Jess who answered, requesting two beers...but the words died on his lips as he saw who it was.
“Lizzy...hey is that you?”
She looked puzzled for a second and then her face lit up and she gave a little gasp, “Jess, you came back...I never thought that you would!”
The excitement in her voice roused Slim and turning towards her he too gasped in shock.
“Ginny?” he whispered.
The girl looked puzzled, “You knew my Ma?”
Slim looked even more taken aback, “Yes...and you...it is Beth... Beth Sherman?”
Now it was her turn to look amazed, “Y....yes... but I haven’t been called that in a long, long time.”
“It’s me,” he almost squeaked, “Slim ...uh that is Matty...Matty Sherman.”
“No...I don’t believe it!” she cried in delight.
“Liz, fer God’s sake git on with your work...git these men a bottle iffen they insist on talking,” the miserable looking barkeep snapped.
She flinched almost like she’d been hit, and whispered, “I’m so sorry I have to go to a table with a bottle of whiskey to be allowed to talk.”
Jess threw the barkeep a less than friendly look, but bought the whiskey and they retired to a small table at the far side of the sleazy bar.
Once they sat down Slim said, “I don’t understand it ...so you knew my Beth all along then Jess...why didn’t you say?”
“I didn’t know it was the same lady,” he said quickly, “me and Lizzy here met way back when I was on that cattle drive, I told ya about.”
“You were called Lizzy Winters then weren’t you honey?” he added smiling at Lizzy.
She nodded and then turned to Slim, “Pa changed his name from Walters to Winters when we moved here...he’d uh...been in some trouble and needed a fresh start.”
“As I thought,” said Slim, deadpan.
“He was known as Bear too wasn’t he,” Jess said with a grin, “not Claude...I guess that was a nickname ‘cos he was kinda ornery...like a sick bear,” he said grinning at Slim.
Lizzy smiled ruefully, “That was true he had a terrible temper,” and she and Jess exchanged a knowing look.
“So why change to Lizzy?” Slim asked.
“Well, my given name was Elizabeth...and your Ma decided to shorten it to Beth... then when my Ma hooked up with Pa... he decided to change it to Lizzy, said he wanted no links with the past.”
“Except he wasn’t your real Pa you know that don’t you?” Slim said earnestly.
“Oh sure, Ma told be all about your Uncle James and how we were really first cousins,” she said looking thrilled and throwing him a beautiful smile. “I wanted to come and find you after Ma died...but by then it was too late.”
“Huh?” Slim asked.
“I was seeing someone...then we got married and I couldn’t leave.”
“So, what are you doin’ workin’ in this dive again?” Jess asked. “I thought you’d got out...put all this life behind you?”
Before she could reply the barkeep yelled out angrily, “Lizzy git over here...”
Again, she appeared to almost jump out of her skin and quickly excusing herself hurried over to the bar. A fast and furious muted conversation took place before she returned looking somewhat embarrassed.
“What’s up honey?” Jess asked as she sat back down.
“It’s Leon,” she said quietly, refusing to meet his anxious gaze, “He says we’ve talked long enough and if you aren’t buying...then I have to move on to another table.”
“Not buying what?” Slim asked looking puzzled...surely they’d paid for a bottle.
“Me,” she whispered again looking down. “I have to take one of you upstairs.”
Slim just gasped in horror whilst Jess swore under his breath.
“He...he can’t make you honey,” he said reassuringly, “ignore him.”
“Oh, but he can...you see Leon is my husband,” she said now looking sadly up at Jess, “and he owns me Jess...body and soul.”
“What if you don’t do as he says,” Slim asked ominously quiet.
“He’ll beat me black and blue,” she whispered again.
Slim lurched up from his seat moving towards the bar...but quick as a flash Jess grabbed hold of his arm and pushed him back into his seat.
“Please,” Lizzy said urgently don’t do anything Matty, you’ll just make it worse!”
“She’s right Slim, just leave it. Look there’s a Boarding House across the street, why dontcha go book us in. I’ll go up with Lizzy, so she don’t get in trouble...and I’ll see ya later huh?”
Slim opened his mouth to protest, but Lizzy threw him an imploring look, “Please...for me...”
He finally nodded and pushing his chair back left the saloon, but not before he’d thrown Leon a look that would have curdled the milk.
A few minutes later Jess and Lizzy made their way up the wide curved staircase to her room.
It was lit by a single red shaded lamp, matching the scarlet bed sheets and dark red drapes keeping the daylight at bay.
She immediately wandered over to the window and pulled back the drapes, daylight flooding in. Then she turned back and took a seat on the bed.
There being no other seating, Jess sat down beside her and took her hands in his own. Then looking deeply into her beautiful blue eyes, said, “What went wrong sweetheart... I thought you’d left this place for good?”
She shrugged, “After you left, I was all set to start that new life like we’d planned...I was happy...until Pa tracked me down.”
“The hell he did!”
“Yes...after Ma died, he needed someone to help run the place. He found my address in the letters I wrote to Ma and insisted I come back. Well, you knew Pa, you didn’t argue with him.”
Jess shook his head ruefully, “You can say that again.”
“And then Leon came along; he was so kind and funny back then.” she sighed deeply, “Or maybe it was just one big act so he could get his hands on this place. Once Pa passed away, I inherited it. Then he was so insistent we marry... But as soon as we were wed, he changed. He’s a bully Jess a cruel bully and I’m terrified of him and that’s the truth.”
“Oh sweetheart,” Jess said sadly as he ran a finger down her cheek, catching the first tear as it fell.
“I sometimes think I might take the easy way out like Ma did,” she said looking deeply into his concerned eyes, “she killed herself Jess...I hated her for it at the time...but now I guess I can kind of understand it.”

Chapter 4

It was a good two hours later when Jess finally joined his Pard in the down at heel Boarding House opposite the saloon.
He found Slim pacing the room in a great state of agitation.
“Where the hell have you been?” he demanded.
“You know damn well where I’ve been,” Jess said equally irritably.
“Well, you’ve been one hell of a long time, what have you been doing?” he asked crossly.
“Talking,” Jess said laconically, “what do ya think!”
Slim sank down on his bed, “Knowing you, I don’t know what to think,” he said bitterly.
Jess sighed and rolled his eyes, “What’s important is she needs help and we have to figure out what to do.”
Slim nodded, then said, “I just don’t believe it...you knowing her as well! What are the odds on that?”
Jess shrugged, “Just coincidence I guess.”
“Um, you know what Daisy always says, ‘there’s no such thing as coincidence’. Everything happens for a reason.”
Jess chuckled, “Maybe she’s right,” then he sobered, “because I guess it’ll take us both to try and sort out this dang mess.”
To Jess’s surprise Slim was all for beating the shit out of Leon and making off with Beth, or Lizzy as he’d now started calling her.
“Hey Hardrock, that’s kinda out of character for you ain’t it?” Jess said in surprise.
“Look she was like a little sister to me,” Slim said angrily. “So how would you feel if this was your Francie that we were talking about huh?”
“I’d kill the bastard,” Jess said without missing a beat.
“Well then...”
*******
Later, once Slim had calmed down some he said, “OK so fill me in on what I don’t know...what happened when you met her after that cattle drive?”
Jess lay back on his bed, propped up by some pillows and thought back to that time long ago, when he’d been a fancy-free young cowboy fresh off the trail.
It should have been a time of unbridled merry making, with drinking and womanizing top of the agenda for all the young cowhands. Jess was usually no exception and would have been in the midst of the reveling but for the fact that he’d had a nasty spill the day before. Now he was nursing some badly bruised ribs and a pounding head ache. He’d come into contact with a tree stump as he fell; when his horse lost his footing.
Slim shook his head and said, “I might have known it! Trust you to be in trouble of some sort.”
Jess glared across at him and said, “Do you wanna hear this or not?”
Slim put his hands up in submission and relaxing back on his own bed said, “Sorry pard, carry on.”
The Painted Parrot had been the first saloon they saw when they rode in and they were quickly established ordering drinks and eyeing up all the welcoming saloon girls. They were pretty much as they were today, Jess reflected…painted floozies looking to make a quick buck out of the young cowboys.
Jess settled at the bar with a beer and cast his experienced eye around the world weary, overly made-up and scantily clad women and decided none held any charm for him whatsoever. Even after weeks without any female company you’d hafta be pretty desperate to entertain any of these rough looking gals Jess decided.
Then a girl behind the bar caught his eye and she was like a breath of fresh air. Her long blond hair curled around her shoulders and her pretty open face was devoid of makeup of any kind, her inner youthful glow beauty enough. There was also an older woman behind the bar who had a somewhat jaded look in her eyes. The other member of the team was a huge rough looking man who appeared to snarl and cuss at the customers rather than attend to them with any measure of civility.
Jess heard one of the drinkers refer to the barkeep as ‘Bear’ and he figured with his large ugly, bearded face, great paw like hands and bad attitude the name fitted him perfectly. The older woman was apparently his wife...and was referred to with respect by all as Mrs Winters... or Ma’am by the punters.
The young girl, possibly their daughter Jess surmised, didn’t seem to be serving at the bar, but merely washed glasses in the background, appearing to be ill at ease. Like a dang fish out of water he thought.
The more he watched her, the more interested he became and he forgot his plans to take his aching ribs off for an early night and decided to make a play for her. He bided his time, until Mrs Winters left the bar to attend to something in the kitchen, and Bear was busy serving; then he called out to the girl, asking for another beer.
She looked anxiously to the back for the older woman...and when she didn’t come out the barkeep cussed and said, “Fer goodness sake gal will you serve, you can see I’m busy!”
She reluctantly came over and looked shyly up at Jess, “Yes Mister, what can I get you?”
Jess threw her his most charming smile, “The name’s Harper...Jess Harper and you are?”
She flushed and looked down quickly, her shyness making her even more attractive to Jess’s eyes.
“Lizzy,” she whispered, “Lizzy Winters.”
“So is that yer Ma and Pa?”
She nodded and then throwing Bear an anxious glance added, “Step Pa.”
Jess looked across to where Bear was now sighing with impatience.
She turned back to Jess, “Beer, was it?”
“Thanks...”
But before she could pour it her Ma bustled back in and took over, “Go in the back Lizzy, I’ll deal with this gentleman,” she said quickly.
Before Jess could even register his disappointment Bear let out an angry cuss and strode over, “Enough!” he bellowed, “It’s time that gal started working for a living, you‘ve molly-coddled her way too long!”
Then turning to Lizzy said, “Get up to your room and put on that dress I bought you and make something of yerself gal! Get some color on those cheeks and lips...look around you...that’s the way to dress in here...now get to it!”
Jess stared in disbelief as a tearful Lizzy fled from the bar...and out to the back room.
“Now just a garldarn minute here,” he started. But one of his buddies from the cattle drive pulled him away quickly.
“Don’t go there,” he said as an aside. “You don’t know Bear the way I do. He ain’t one to cross Jess, just let it lie...come on, come and sit over here with Bill and me...we’ve got a poker game going.”
Seeing as how her Ma had gone out with Lizzy, Jess figured she’d sort things out and it was maybe just a storm in a teacup, so he reluctantly made his way across to where the poker game was just starting.
An hour or so later he decided to have one more drink at the bar before turning in, his ribs now hurting real bad. This time however there was no sign of Mrs Winters...or Lizzy. However, a shapely woman in a low-cut scarlet dress, with her hair up in a fancy style and wearing heavy makeup was serving. When he called for another beer, she came over and then Jess looked more closely, “Lizzy...that you?” he gasped.
She just nodded miserably and cast her Pa a frightened glance, before pouring the beer.
“What happened?” Jess asked feeling totally shocked.
“It’s Pa,” she whispered, “he wants me to be like the other girls here, said it was time I got out there and made some money.”
Jess’s jaw dropped, “Are you sayin’ what I think yer sayin’?”
She nodded miserably.
He swallowed hard, feeling the anger rise within him, “What does yer Ma say about that?”
She just shrugged.
“Lizzy?”
“Please don’t say anything...he just hit Ma...slapped her around real bad...she’ll get worse if you interfere.”
He’d been so busy reliving the past that he’d almost forgotten Slim was hearing all this for the first time.
Now he gasped and said, “So what did you do Jess?”
Jess glanced across at his pard and saw how upset he was.
“What do ya think? I walked over to Bear and told him in no uncertain terms what I thought about the kinda guy that hits his wife and prostitutes his daughter. Well, he threw a punch that I dodged and then I floored him.”
Slim grinned for the first time since they’d hit town, “The hell you did!”
Jess lay back remembering that night...
“Best dang fight the town had ever seen apparently. Over twenty men were laid out more dead than alive in the bar before the end of the evening...and the Sheriff’s jail full.”
“What happened to you, did you end up in jail too?”
“Nah, I made a quick exit once I was dang well sure Bear wouldn’t be up and takin’ notice for a good long while. I told Ma Winters and Lizzy I’d be stayin’ here,” he said nodding to the room they were currently occupying. “Said iffen they wanted to leave town; well, I’d help them out.”
“The hell you did,” Slim said again, looking at his buddy with admiration.
“Least I could do, I sorta figured it was me callin’ her over that sparked off the row in the first place.”
“Um, but it sounds like it was an ongoing argument. I guess Bear would have got his own way sooner or later,” Slim mused, still looking pale and shocked at these latest revelations.
“Yeah well, he didn’t…not then anyways. See Lizzy and her Ma turned up at my room early the next morning...all packed and ready to ride out!”
“So where did you go?”
“It turned out that Ma Winters...your Ginny that is, had an elderly aunt running a Boarding House in a small town a couple of days ride south of here, so we headed over there.”
“Well, that wasn’t too far away, wasn’t she worried her husband would track her down?”
Jess nodded, “That’s what I thought...but it seemed there was somethin’ she hadn’t shared with me and Lizzy...see she weren’t stayin’.”
“Huh?”
“Nope she just rode over with us and settled her daughter in and then told us she was headin’ back...”
Slim shook his head in disbelief, “Why the hell did she do a dang fool thing like that?”
Jess shrugged, “Who knows? She told me in confidence that she loved the guy, thought she could change him... women eh!”
Slim gave a snort of derision, “So did she?”
Jess shook his head, “I only found out just now as to what happened after I rode out a few weeks later and left Lizzy safe with the old Aunt.”
“Go on...”
“Yer not gonna like it.”
Slim said nothing just threw his pard an inquiring look.
“Things didn’t work out,” he said succinctly. But then when it was clear Slim wanted to hear the full story he reluctantly continued.
“It seems that he bullied her something fierce...she was terrified of him, but didn’t risk going back to her daughter in case he followed her. She lied to him... said Lizzy had joined a wagon train heading West. Anyways things came to a head one night after he’d been knocking her around and she...well she jumped out of a top floor window...she killed herself Slim.”
Slim was visibly shaken as he remembered back to the time when sweet little Ginny helped his Ma with the chores and babysat him. To end it all that way was unthinkable.
“I said you wouldn’t like it,” Jess said softly throwing him a compassionate glance.
When Slim said nothing, Jess continued. “Then when Bear was clearing out Ginny’s stuff after the funeral he found a load of hidden letters from Lizzy, with the address...so he upped and brought her back.”
“No!”
“Uh-huh…By then the guy was pretty much incapable, she said, was drinking himself to death...and had got this smart young barkeep in to help out.”
“Leon Snape,” Slim said bitterly.
Jess nodded, “she said he was wonderful when they first met...seemed kind and caring...she really fell for him. They were married just weeks after her Pa died and she inherited the saloon. But it was all a front, everything changed after her Pa died. She said he altered overnight...turned into a copy of her Pa. He was real rough with her and unkind. Then he told her to start working in the bar....and I don’t just mean pourin’ drinks either Slim.”
Slim gaped at him and then jumped up from the bed and started pacing around the room, muttering threats under his breath.
Jess had never seen him that way before...and it troubled him deeply.
“Look I’m sorry,” he said sincerely, “but you had to know Slim, had to see how bad it is.”
“Oh, I see alright,” Slim growled, “and right now all I want to do is go over there and kill him with my bare hands!”
“And end up at the end of a rope?” Jess replied angrily.
“You got a better idea?”
Jess nodded, “We need to talk to her properly, so she’s comin’ over here tomorrow at first light. It seems Snape doesn’t drag himself up until noon most days...by then we could be well on our way.”
“What just snatch her?”
“Beats lookin’ at the business end of a rope,” Jess replied deadpan.
“I guess so.”
“Good because iffen we don’t do something Slim I figure she might just do the same as her Ma did.”
Not long afterwards the two men settled down for the night...but Jess lay stretched out in the darkness, unable to sleep.
What he hadn’t mentioned to Slim was that Lizzy had told him that Leon Snape was a former gunfighter, bounty hunter and had the fastest draw she had ever witnessed. A good deal faster than Slim, Jess imagined. Possibly himself too...so he sure didn’t want his Pard tangling with the guy in a gun fight. If they were confronted by Snape; he would take him on. Then he thought again...what did he mean if...hell it was when they were confronted by Snape. He sure wasn’t gonna take his wife being spirited away lying down, was he? Nope, he’d follow them and then Jess couldn’t be sure he could keep Slim or Lizzy safe. If she decided to come with them, which he was pretty sure she would... he’d hafta finish it with Snape before they rode out; and just hope and pray that he would have the edge on him.

Chapter 5

Back across the street in the Saloon, Lizzy lay beside her husband who was snoring loudly.
He had come to bed drunk as usual, virtually ignoring her before falling into a restless sleep.
She edged even further away from him and looked bleakly into the darkness, remembering all those years ago when her salvation had ridden into town in the shape of Jess Harper. Then how he had delivered her from the tyranny of her step Pa and changed her life.
The moment she saw Jess she knew he was special. There was something in the way he looked at her, the compassion in those deep blue eyes that told her he was the sort of man she could trust.
Thankfully her Ma had been of the same mind and they had put all their faith in him as he helped them escape from their tormented life at the Painted Parrot and her cruel dominating step Pa.
Then her Ma felt honour bound to return home, thinking that was the only way she could keep her daughter safe...otherwise she just knew her husband would come looking.
Once her Ma had returned to the Parrot and her husband, Lizzy had been deeply upset and it was Jess who stayed on and comforted her. Jess who helped her make a new life for herself and Jess who she had fallen madly in love with.
But he never knew her true feelings, she made sure of that. After all the kindness and consideration, he’d shown her, the last thing she wanted to do was tie him down.
It had become obvious from the first that he was a free spirit. From the few things he’d shared with her about his life on the drift; that was abundantly clear. But then as they became closer, he had opened up and told her about his vendetta with the Bannister Gang and why it was so terribly important for him to seek them out and find retribution. She had wept when he told her. Not just because of the horrific events, but also because she feared for his life taking on the notorious Bannisters.
But typically, Jess didn’t dwell on the subject, but just said if he heard rumors of them, then he would have to go. However, until then he was happy to stay around and help her settle into her new life.
And settle in she did; at first just helping her aunt at the Boarding House where she and Jess were both staying. But a little later when she gained more confidence she had opened up to Jess and explained how she had always wanted to teach little children.
“Well heck why dontcha go down to the school and ask if they need help?” he asked.
“Oh, I couldn’t, they wouldn’t want the likes of me,” she had replied bashfully.
“Sure they would… Hey, you’re smart, pick things up real quick, and you’re kind and fun to be with. But most important you like kids and wanna do the job...what more could they want?”
“Well, when you put it like that...”
He’d waited outside the school when she’d approached the teacher and was delighted when she ran out some half hour later and threw herself into his arms.
“They want me Jess, they really do...I’m to be the new student teacher and they are even going to give me a wage as I learn, so I can pay auntie some rent...isn’t it wonderful!”
“It sure is honey!” Jess agreed.
He was real pleased for her, she knew that...but she guessed also for himself. Now he could move on, safe in the knowledge that she could make a new start in life. And she had been right because just a week later he told her he had to be on his way.
She never knew how she found the strength not to beg him to stay. But find it she did and it was a smiling Lizzy that waved him off...before turning away and weeping piteously once he had gone from her sight.
Then just months later, she heard news of her Ma’s death. Then her Pa had tracked her down and literally dragged her back to the Parrot and a life of drudgery.
She missed her old life at the school dreadfully; and Jess too. Maybe that was why she fell for Leon and all his pretty talk. He’d charmed and wooed her making it impossible not to fall for him. But there was still a place in her heart that would always belong to Jess...she knew that even on her Wedding Day.
Now as she lay in bed next to her bullying spouse, she could bear it no longer. Marrying him had been the biggest mistake of her life. She had to get away and who better to go with than the two men she trusted completely...dear cousin Matty and Jess Harper. There and then she resolved to meet them at the Boarding House at first light and if they were willing, to ride out with them that very day.
But then she thought again, what if Leon were to follow them and want to fight Jess and Matty...er Slim. She must remember it was Slim now...what then? Her feelings were in turmoil. But it was two to one she reasoned...maybe Leon would back down? She would leave it to Jess to decide what to do. He’d know the best thing. With that she slid from the bed and began soundlessly packing by the light of the moon.
Before dawn she was ready to go and tiptoed to the door...looking back one last time at Leon. How could she have been so terribly wrong about him? But now at least she had found a way out.
As the door closed behind her Leon stirred and then awoke, looking around him in the pale moonlight.
“Lizzy?” he muttered.
Where the hell was that darned woman? He sat up stretching and lumbered out of bed...dang it, she was never around when he wanted her, he mused scratching and wandering over to the window.
He looked vacantly out and then peered more closely...wasn’t that his Lizzy in her hat and coat heading for the Boarding House? What the Hell was she playing at he thought furiously.
She entered via the back door, left unlocked as Jess had promised. The elderly owner had been more than happy to take up Jess’s offer to lock up the night before as she had a nasty cold and was off for an early night.
Now Lizzy found Jess and Slim sitting at the kitchen table a coffee pot between them, sipping the first brew of the day.
Slim leapt up relieving her of her valise and smiling in welcome pulled out a chair
Jess too smiled and said, “I see you’ve made up yer mind then,” nodding to the suitcase.
“I think so, but I’m just so worried about you and Mat...er Slim, in case Leon decides to follow us.”
Jess was already one step ahead of her, but said nothing, merely smiled and said, “Don’t you worry about that sweetheart, everything will be fine.”
Slim flicked him a questioning glance, but said nothing.
Jess drained his cup and said, “Well iffen yer sure, I guess we should head out as soon as we can. I’ll just go over to the livery and pick up the horses, bring ’em around the back, that way you don’t need to go out on Main Street again.”
Slim knew the Parrot overlooked the Boarding House so he figured that made sense and he rose to accompany Jess, but was gently pushed back into his seat.
“Uh, you stay here Pard, just in case that low life comes a callin’,” he said and then left swiftly before Slim could argue.
Jess left via the kitchen door, made his way along the alley beside the house and onto Main Street…he had a plan already hatched out. He would make his way across to the Parrot and confront Snape. Tell him the honest truth, he was a bastard and his wife was leaving him, because she was sick of his bullying ways. He figured Snape wouldn’t take that lying down...and doubtless a fight, or even shoot-out, would ensue. Either way he would confront Snape himself and in his own time thereby keeping Slim out of danger. He knew Slim was incensed by how Lizzy had been treated and would stop at nothing to liberate her. But if Snape was as fast as he’d been told, well then Slim wouldn’t stand a chance. Better to face him now, rather than a possible shoot out or even bushwhack down the trail a ways.
He paused at the hitching rail in front of the Boarding House and then stopped in his tracks.
Standing across the street leaning nonchalantly against the wall of the Painted Parrot, arms folded and an icy look in his dark eyes was Leon Snape.
Jess sauntered over towards the man, stopping a few yards away, “Couldn’t sleep huh?” he asked casually.
Snape looked even more furious. “Nope I seem to be missing something...er like a wife...you know anything about that Mister?”
“Maybe,” Jess said, tipping his hat back and throwing Snape a challenging look.
“Wait a minute; you’re that dude who monopolized her upstairs for hours ain’t you! Well, you sure got your money’s worth I guess,” he said with an ugly grin.
Jess finally lost all pretense of being cool and in control and glared at Snape, one hand hovering inches above his gun butt, fingers flexing, like he was just itching to blast the other to Kingdom come.
The change of mood wasn’t lost on Snape and he walked stiff legged further out into the street...both men facing each other now.
“I figure I’m happy enough to take yer money Mister...but you ain’t having my wife,” he spat angrily.
“And supposing she wants to go with me?” Jess said playing his ace.
“Why don’t we ask her then?” he sneered.
Jess glanced behind him and saw Slim and Lizzy standing on the boardwalk, Lizzy looking pale and frightened; Slim as mad as all get out.
Then Lizzy took a pace forwards and raising her chin said, “Yes...yes I do want to go with these men. Jess is an old friend and Slim here is my cousin...I... I hate you Leon and all you’ve become. I have to go and try and start again. Please, you must see that,” she cried finally breaking down.
“All I can see is this chancer trying to take you away,” Leon said nodding towards Jess. “He probably thinks he can make a quick buck out of ya, same as I have done.”
Jess was just about at the jumping off place now and a quick glance at Slim confirmed, he was of a similar mind. Things had to be finished and now...before Slim got himself into trouble.
“She’s told ya she wants to leave. So are you gonna let her go peaceably, or do I hafta take her anyway?” Jess asked menacingly.
Now Snape backed off, taking the gunfighter’s stance, “You really don’t know what yer taking on do ya Mister?” he smirked.
“The name’s Harper,” Jess said, “Jess Harper. Iffen I’m gonna kill you I figure you should know my name.”
Snape ’s bravado suddenly evaporated and he looked ashen, “Harper, from Texas... the gunfighter?” he asked.
“Ex-Gunfighter,” Jess said succinctly, “now you wanna finish this, or what?”
Jess glanced behind Snape and saw several folk peeping out from their doors and the Sherriff making his way slowly towards them.
Dang it, that was all he needed, the law stepping in and halting proceedings. Then they’d be back to square one, constantly looking back over their shoulders to see if Snape was following them.
However, when the Sheriff approached, he made no move to stop the gunfight...merely stood watching, near to Slim and Lizzy.
“Aren’t you going to do something,” Slim said urgently, feeling fearful for Jess. He too had heard of Snape ’s reputation and he sure looked like a ruthless killer.
The elderly Sheriff who was way past retirement had no wish to tangle with a pair of gunfighters and this sort of situation was pretty common in town.
“No, I ain’t Mister, I usually find it easier to let them sort out their differences in their own way,” he drawled, not meeting Slim ’s furious gaze.
“I bet you do,” he muttered, but then his attention was caught by the drama unfolding out in the street.
“I’m waitin’,” Jess said laconically, “you want to stop me takin’ Lizzy then draw...or go on back to bed,” he added his voice loaded with sarcasm.
Minutes passed and then Leon drew with lightning speed...but Jess had the edge...and his bullet slammed into Snape ’s shoulder sending him to his knees and then he fell forwards rolling in agony.
Then all eyes were on Jess, holding his left arm as a ribbon of bright red blood streaked his blue shirt.
Slim and Lizzy ran across to him, but he insisted, he was fine it was just a scratch.
“Thank you,” Lizzy whispered, “for not killing him Jess. Even after everything; I did love him once...I didn’t want him dead.”
“I know it,” he whispered, “and I guess he won’t bother us no more
Then Snape was taken off to the Doc and Slim helped Jess back into the Boarding House to clean up his arm.
When Lizzy had gone off to find some bandages, Slim turned to his Pard and said, “I know why you did that...and thanks...”
“I couldn’t risk him catching us unawares out on the trail,” Jess said quietly, “it would have put Lizzy in danger.”
Slim just nodded, but they both knew he’d taken on Snape because Slim wouldn’t have matched his draw.
Jess ginned at him now, “He sure was fast weren’t he,” he said lamenting his bloody arm.
Slim grinned back at him, “Yeah, but you were more accurate.”
Jess nodded, “Um, but maybe I should have aimed for his heart Slim? Folk like Snape don’t give up easy.”
“Well by the looks of things he’s hurt real bad and we’ll be on our way long before he even knows were gone...and he certainly doesn’t know where we’re taking her.”
Jess raised a quizzical eyebrow, “So where are we taking her then Pard?”
“Why home of course, she’ll come and live with us at the ranch,” he said happily.
Just as he said that, Lizzy entered the room and exchanged a charged look with Jess. Both of them wondering where all this would lead.
Jess was purely concerned for Lizzy’s future. She needed to get out and make new friends, get a job and gain her independence. Maybe even marry again, rather than being mollycoddled by Slim and doubtless Daisy too, he thought wryly.
But Lizzy’s concerns were far more emotional...how could she live in such close proximity to Jess and not finally profess her love for him?

Chapter 6

The Sheriff called a little later and confirmed it was a fair fight and said Jess was free to leave town whenever he wanted.
“You too little lady,” he said smiling over at Lizzy. Then he tipped his head in the direction of the saloon across the street. “So, what will  happen to the Parrot?”
“The deeds are in my name,” she said quietly, “and I shall be selling it as soon as I can. I’ll be writing to my solicitor when I’m settled. I’m selling up and filing for a divorce too.”
“Goin’ far?” the Sheriff asked.
“Far enough,” Jess said gruffly, “so what’s it to you?”
The Sheriff merely shrugged, “Just being neighborly, I’ve known Lizzy here for a long while...knew her step Daddy, a guy called Bear, that guy you were looking for as I recall...he was a real character,” he added.
“That’s one word for him,” Jess said morosely.
The Sheriff looked across at Jess and noted the blood-stained shirt sleeve.
“He caught ya did he son?” he asked kindly, putting Jess’s attitude down to the fact that he was in some pain. “You should see the Doc.”
“It’s nuthin’, Lizzy’s tended it,” Jess said quickly, “besides I guess the Doc is kinda tied up right now with that low life Snape.”
The Sheriff nodded, “He got the bullet out OK and Snape will live, it’ll be a while before he’s up and about. But he’ll need careful nursing the Doc says,” he added throwing Lizzy a speculative look.
Lizzy gave a little gasp and Jess flicked her a quick glance, he knew how gentle and soft hearted she was, but surely to God she wasn’t gonna forgive the guy for the way he’d treated her...go back to him even?
Lizzy’s chin came up and she took a deep breath, “You can tell my husband that I never want to cast eyes on him again,” she said firmly. “He made my life a misery and I don’t intend to let him do so anymore.”
With that she threw Slim and Jess a brave smile, “Let’s go, shall we?”
********
Slim was pleased to note that Lizzy was an excellent rider and they covered a lot of ground before deciding to camp for the night.
They found a sheltered place beside the road, under some tall trees with water available from a fast-flowing stream nearby. They reined in and Slim cast Jess an uncertain look. His buddy had said practically nothing for the last couple of hours and Slim wondered what was bothering him.
“What do you think, this will do huh?” Slim said nodding towards the proposed camp site.
“As good as any,” Jess said gruffly and he spurred Traveller on ahead, followed more slowly by Slim and Lizzy.
“Is he all right,” Lizzy whispered to Slim, “he looks awful pale.”
It was when Jess dismounted and staggered a little, holding onto Traveller to support himself that the alarm bells rang.
Slim quickly dismounted and hurried over, laying a gentle hand on Jess’s back, “Hey are you OK Pard?”
Jess shook his head as though trying to clear it and muttered, “Yeah, just kinda dizzy.”
Slim helped him over to a fallen log and sat him down beside it and Jess threw his hat off and leaned back his eyes closed and groaned softly.
Seconds later Lizzy was at his side looking deeply concerned.
“Jess what is it?” she asked, a gentle hand brushing his hair back from his forehead. “Oh, you’re really hot,” she said looking even more upset.
Slim watched the little scene unfold and felt the stirrings of what... jealously?
That was crazy he said to himself but it was true. Right from the moment Jess had professed to knowing Beth...er Lizzy as he now called her...he had wondered about their relationship. Had they been lovers? The thought had been gnawing at him and now... the way she was acting...well they sure seemed more than just good friends he thought bitterly.
Then he was torn from his reverie by Lizzy saying again, “Slim...please he needs help!”
Slim mentally shook his head and looked back down at his Pard and saw at once what the problem was, the wound had opened during their ride and now his shirt sleeve was sodden.
“Get the canteen and bandages, in my saddlebag,” he said tersely as he bent down and started unbuttoning Jess’s shirt.
“Aw don’t fuss,” Jess muttered irritably as Slim pulled him forwards so he could remove the shirt.
“Look do you want to bleed to death or what?” Slim replied equally tetchily, “I told you, you needed to see the Doc.”
Jess merely grunted, but then Lizzy was back with the bandages and some cool water she’d taken from the stream. Slim nodded his thanks and began to cut off the old dressing revealing an inflamed wound...but was pleased to see it had now stopped bleeding.
“Uh, could you fetch my saddle bag over too?” he said once he’d seen the angry looking wound.
Again, she complied, but on her return, he said, “I hate to ask you, but would you mind fetching some wood and getting a fire going Lizzy? I reckon we could all use a coffee and it’s nearly supper time too.”
She gave Jess one last look filled with compassion, before saying, “Of course,” and hurried off to do as she had been bid.
Jess raised a questioning eyebrow once she was out of earshot.
“No point in her seeing you hurting,” Slim said removing a bottle of whiskey from his saddlebag and uncorking it. “Looks like this is getting infected, I need to clean it out real good...you ready?”
Jess merely nodded and tensed himself.
Once Slim was happy that the wound was now clean, he quickly replaced a fresh dressing and bandaged it up tightly.
“You keep really still and quiet until tomorrow and it shouldn’t bleed again,” he said abruptly.
Jess raised an eyebrow again and said, “Are you mad at me fer somethin’ Slim?”
“No... uh, no of course not buddy, just worried about you, ya know,” Slim said quickly and then he uncorked the whiskey again and passed it over.
“You’re looking kind of peaky, here have a drink.”
Jess grinned at him and took a swig from the bottle before handing it back.
Slim took a slug and then re-corked it.
“Now you take it real easy,” he said more kindly, “or you’ll have to face Daisy fussing over you when we get home.”
Lizzy got a good fire going and then walked quietly back over to the log where Jess was now reclining and chatting quietly to Slim.
“Who is Daisy?” she asked, more sharply than she had intended, “I thought you boys lived alone at the ranch, now your Ma and Pa are no longer alive?”
Slim looked slightly surprised at her manner but said, “No, we have a lovely housekeeper, Miss Daisy.”
“Oh,” she said in dismay, “I didn’t realise.”
“She’s great,” Jess enthused, “more than a housekeeper, she’s like a Ma to us all I guess.”
She looked suddenly relieved, but then asked, “All of you?”
“Uh yeah, there’s young Mike lives there too...he’s a great kid,” Jess added.
“Kid...yours?” she asked looking shaken.
“Kinda, well Slim ’s too. See he’s an orphan and we adopted him a few years back...and then got Miss Daisy in to help care for him. Best thing we ever did huh Slim.”
Slim nodded. He’d been watching Lizzy’s reactions and there could be no other reason for her worry about the presence of another woman...she wanted Jess all to herself.
“Come on Lizzy,” he said briskly, “let’s leave old Hotshot here to sleep, he needs to rest up before we ride tomorrow.”
But she lingered as Slim strode away...and then settled quietly beside him. Within minutes of Slim moving off Jess had fallen into an exhausted sleep.
Slim busied himself setting up the camp and now with Lizzy’s fire crackling cheerfully he soon had the coffee pot in place.
All the time Lizzy had been watching over Jess as he slept.
“Come and get a hot drink,” Slim said after a while, unable to stand the way she was so obviously captivated by his Pard.
She frowned a little and said for the third time, “He will be alright?”
“Sure he will, he’s tough as old boots is Jess,” he said with a grin and holding up a drink for her.
She reluctantly left Jess’s side and joined Slim by the fire.
“I can’t believe neither of us noticed he was feeling so bad,” she whispered, casting Jess another glance.
“He’s real good at hiding things like that,” Slim said, “he doesn’t like to be fussed over you know.”
She smiled then, “Yes I remember...”
It was no good...Slim just had to know what their relationship had been.
“You and Jess...you were really close...er good friends then?” he asked, not quite meeting her gaze.
She merely nodded, “Yes, my dear Ma trusted him to look after me...and he did.”
“But then she left,” Slim asserted. “So, you and Jess were alone together...”
She just looked off into space a faraway look in her beautiful eyes, but said nothing.
“So, um...” Slim was just wondering how to phrase the question he so desperately needed an answer to; when Jess stirred in his sleep and groaned.
Lizzy was up and by his side in seconds and Slim swore softly under his breath. He was still no closer to finding out what had actually transpired between the two of them...and maybe it was better he didn’t know he suddenly thought. Because iffen Jess had taken advantage of his sweet little Beth he thought he might never be able to forgive him.
*******
The following morning Jess assured them that he was just fine and so after a good breakfast they headed off again, Slim for one looking forward to getting back home again.
Jess seemed to have fallen into an easy intimacy with Lizzy, the two laughing at old shared jokes, making Slim feel somewhat excluded. But heck he reasoned, Beth had been just a little girl last time he saw her and he imagined she barely remembered him. But Jess, well although it was many years since the two had been together, they had more recent shared memories and also a mutual affection...or was it more than that he wondered yet again?
They paused on the way back to the ranch to pick up some game for the larder, bagging a young deer, a few rabbits and a pheasant.
Now they were rubbing down their mounts at the end of the day, looking forward to arriving home the next morning.
“Guess it ain’t our finest hour out huntin’,” Jess said ruefully, “but it’ll keep the wolf from the door for a little while...and keep Daisy happy.”
At the mention of Daisy, Slim looked a tad worried and glanced over to where Lizzy was busy cooking supper on the other side of the camp.
“How do you think she’ll take it, me bringing Lizzy home to live?” he asked Jess.
He shrugged, “I dunno, she should be OK I guess…after all Lizzy’s real easy to get on with...a hard worker too; she’ll pull her weight around the place...But...”
“But what Jess?” Slim asked redirecting his gaze from Lizzy back to his friend.
“Well, I dunno if it’s such a good idea for her to move in permanent like. I mean she’s gotta make her own way don’t she...find a job, make a home for herself. She needs her independence, Slim.”
“What are you saying…you don’t want her moving in?” Slim asked his eyes narrowing. “Now why would that be? Worried Millie might not approve, you having an ‘old friend’ living in huh?”
Jess’s head swiveled towards his friend’s and he looked surprised, “What the heck’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know dang well,” Slim said bitterly.
“Huh?”
But before they could continue talking Lizzy called out, “Supper’s ready boys.”

Chapter 7

It was late afternoon and all quiet when they finally rode into the ranch yard and tethered their mounts to the hitching rail. But then the door was flung open and Mike catapulted out, swiftly followed by a beaming Daisy.
Jess swung Mike up into his arms and hugged him close, saying, “Howdy Tiger,” before tossing him over to Slim, Lizzy watching them and smiling.
Then Jess advanced on Daisy and grabbed her in a big bear hug before releasing her and saying, “Gee it’s good to be home Daisy!”
Daisy hugged him back and then noticed the small figure of Lizzy standing behind Jess and looking somewhat overwhelmed.
“Hello my dear,” she said kindly.
Slim untangled himself from Mike and placed him back down on terra- firma before turning to smile encouragingly at Lizzy, “Sorry Daisy, I should have introduced you. This is my little cousin Beth...err I mean Lizzy; she’ll be staying for...um a while...anyway.”
Daisy didn’t miss a beat, no matter that she didn’t even know Slim had a cousin...or that it looked like she was moving in... no she was family and as such would be welcomed warmly into their home.
“Oh, how delightful,” she said quickly, “do come in Lizzy and get warm and then you can tell me all about yourself,” and the two entered the ranch house together arm in arm...followed by Slim.
Jess watched them go, an unfathomable look in his deep blue eyes, before he turned to Mike and taking a deep breath said, “Come an’ help me bed down the horses Tiger and you can fill me in on what’s been happening while we’ve been away huh.”
Meanwhile back in the house a feeling of nostalgia washed over Lizzy as she stepped into the cheerful room, a fire ablaze in the hearth and the appetizing aroma of supper cooking emanating from the kitchen.
She looked around with tears in her eyes and whispered, “Oh Matty it’s so good to be home.”
Slim slung an arm around her shoulders and tenderly kissed the top of her head.
“It’s just so sad your Ma and Pa are no longer here,” she said softly.
He nodded suddenly aware that she really was kin and one of the few people who had known him when he was a young ‘un...and known his Ma and Pa (as her own) too...and that was special, real special. He was at once filled with brotherly love for her and again thought...anyone...yes anyone messes with little Beth, they’ll have me to answer to. Then a little later the door opened and Jess and Mike came in looking happy and relaxed.
After supper when Lizzy had turned in; using the spare cot in Daisy’s room, Slim was able to sound Daisy out regarding their new family member.
“But of course, she must stay. Maybe she would like the added privacy of the bunkhouse? It really is pleasant since we did it over when sweet Flora stayed here. I spring cleaned it while you boys were away and I’m sure she’d be happy there.”
“Thanks Daisy,” Slim said beaming at her, “that’s a wonderful idea, and thanks for being so understanding too. I’m sure she’ll fit in really well and be a help for you...company too.”
She smiled happily clasping her hands together, “Oh yes I’m sure she will be.”
Then she cast a glance over to where Jess was sitting in his rocker, looking into the fire.
“You’re very quiet Jess, I hope you approve of our new family member too?” she asked. “I’m sure you’ll grow to be as fond of her as Slim so clearly is,” she added smiling.
“Oh, he’s already plenty fond of her. Lizzy and Jess go way back don’t you Pard?” Slim said, the slight irony in his voice not lost on Daisy.
Jess ignored Slim ’s sarcastic tone and merely said, “We met years ago and I helped her and her Ma out some...that’s all, no big deal.”
Slim made a grunt which could have meant anything, but said nothing more.
Again, Jess ignored him and turned back to Daisy.
“Sure, I’m happy for her to stay for a while. But I can’t help thinking she needs to make her own way at some stage. I know her and figure she’ll wanna find work and have her own place to call home. Make a fresh start...I reckon it’s what she needs too.”
“And is that the only reason you want her gone?” Slim asked somewhat aggressively.
Jess looked annoyed now, “I told ya before didn’t I... I’m just thinkin’ of what’s best fer her...that’s all,” and with that he rose from his rocker.
“I’m goin’ to bed, ‘night Daisy,” he said stooping to kiss her briefly on the forehead, before retiring from the room.
Once he’d left, Daisy said gently, “Maybe he’s right and you are being a tad over protective?”
Slim flushed up, “When I tell you the kind of life she’s had over the years, I guess you won’t think so Daisy...she needs protecting, in my opinion.”
“But not from Jess surely dear?”
Slim merely looked down and said nothing.
Then taking a deep breath said, “If she really is going to stay here you need to know about the terrible life she’s had, Daisy, and then you can judge whether I’m overprotective or not huh?”
Daisy was in tears by the time she had heard how Lizzy had been taken from her secure loving home at the Sherman ranch to live with her Ma and abusive step Pa. Then how Jess rescued them both from his clutches; only for her to be found after her Ma’s death and returned to a life of drudgery in the saloon. Then Slim told her how she had been wooed into an ill-fated marriage by the notorious gunslinger Snape, then how he and Jess had rescued her and the subsequent shootout.
When he had finished, she said, “Oh that poor, poor girl. I can see now why you feel the need to protect her at all costs. You don’t think that dreadful husband will come looking for her do you dear?”
He shook his head, “Nope Jess wounded him really badly...and anyway he doesn’t know where to look. It’s just...I don’t know...I really need to keep her safe here...for a while anyway.”
She nodded, “Of course.”
Then she said, “Jess really is alright after that terrible man shot him in the arm?”
Slim nodded, “You know Jess, he said it was just a scratch,” he said shaking his head. “Anyway, its healing well, he’ll be fine.”
Then she frowned slightly, “You don’t really think there is something more than friendship between Jess and Lizzy... do you?”
Slim shrugged, “I don’t know what to believe, and he sure isn’t about to tell me. But why do you think he doesn’t want her around? Maybe he’s scared they’ll get close again?”
“Oh no but what about dear Millie?”
“Exactly...”
*******
Lizzy fitted easily into life at the ranch, helping Daisy out around the house, standing on the side lines cheering when Jess was working with the mustangs and spending time chatting with Slim and sharing their love of books.
“Reading was the only thing that kept me sane when I was younger,” she said one evening, when she and Slim were sitting together looking through a recent purchase he’d made.
Then turning to Mike, she said, “Talking of books I think it’s your bedtime isn’t it young man? How about I tuck you in and we read another chapter of your Pirate Story?”
Mike was up like a flash and heading for his room, “Come on Lizzy,” he yelled excitedly, I can’t wait!”
Then turning back said, “Uh sorry ‘night Jess, Slim...aunt Daisy.”
They all grinned back at him, “Night Tiger,” Jess said before raising his eyebrow to Slim.
“It looks like we’re redundant now Pard,” he said.
Slim grinned back, “I guess we’ll survive.”
Once the youngster and Lizzy had disappeared into his room, Daisy said, “Oh my, Lizzy is so good with children; a born mother if ever I saw one.”
“Hey don’t rush things, she’s still pretty young,” Slim said looking shocked.
“Not that young, and she sure ain’t gonna meet anyone sitting around here with you ridin’ shot gun on her twenty-four hours a day,” Jess said quietly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Slim asked looking annoyed.
“You know dang well...you hardly let her out of your sight.”
“Oh, and that bothers you does it Jess?” Slim asked looking quite angry now.
“Nope, but I figure it’s getting her down.”
“You do, do you!”
“Oh boys, calm down please, you don’t want to upset Lizzy by fighting this way, do you?” Daisy said anxiously.
“Sorry Daisy,” Jess said quickly.
“So, what did you mean Jess?” Slim asked now looking more equitable.
“Well, we were talking and she was saying she’d like to apply for that job of assistant teacher that’s going in town…but said she wouldn’t because she didn’t wanna upset you. But heck Slim she’d be quite safe and she could travel in and out of town on the Stage with Mike. So, what do ya say huh?”
Slim merely looked stubborn, but said nothing.
“Oh, do think about it,” Daisy said earnestly. “She gets on so well with all the ladies at my Women’s Group. She’s really quite a gregarious character and gaining confidence all the time. It seems a shame for her to be cooped up here all day long.”
“It’s what she did when I rescued her from the saloon all those years ago, she was a student teacher and loved it. Until her Pa found her and dragged her back home,” Jess added bitterly.
Again, Slim felt a shiver of apprehension...just what had gone on between the two of them, all those years ago he wondered, yet again.
“OK, I’ll talk to her,” he said gruffly, before returning to his book.
Jess and Daisy exchanged a puzzled glance. Why was Slim being so dang ornery with him lately Jess wondered? Hell, he couldn’t even share a joke with Lizzy, without getting black looks.
Daisy however enjoyed seeing Jess and Lizzy laughing together.
Since her talk with Slim, she had watched Jess like a hawk...and saw nothing but genuine platonic friendship between the pair. Jess had been his usual cheerful self and visited town to see Millie regularly as usual, so she had no fears that he was secretly romancing Lizzy. As to their past, well that was their business she personally thought and she wasn’t about to probe into it and Slim would be advised to do similar. Goodness his constant checking upon the girl would get to her in time. Daisy really hoped Slim would do the sensible thing and encourage Lizzy to apply for the teaching post.
******
Just two weeks later Slim, Daisy and Jess waved Lizzy and Mike off on the early morning Stage, bound for town and the school.
“Gee I sure hope we’ve done the right thing,” Slim said anxiously.
“Quit frettin’,” Jess said grinning at his pard, “come on, work to do…that’ll take yer mind off things.”
As it turned out Lizzy was a natural at teaching and was quickly put in sole charge of the infants, much to the relief of Miss Reed the schoolmarm.
She was a highly professional woman in her early thirties and committed most of her time and energy to school life and her students. She wasn’t averse to a good time either though, and often danced with Slim and Jess and many others at the local dance; but she professed to be disinterested in marriage and dating. However, Daisy always said that was because the right man hadn’t happened along. Jess figured it was her elder brother Vin who was responsible for his sister’s spinsterhood though as he had confided in Jess once that there wasn’t a man alive good enough for his sweet sis Rebecca.
Well Lizzy could certainly sympathize with that scenario, having recently been subjected to a similar mind set from her cousin Matty.... or Slim as she must remember to call him now.
The two women bonded almost at once and it wasn’t long before Rebecca suggested Lizzy move into the spare room in the schoolhouse.
“It would be so much more convenient for you my dear...not traveling in to town and then home every day. Plus, a little more freedom for you,” she had added with a cheeky wink.
It had been a long hard slog for her to convince Slim that her moving to town was a good idea. Eventually he finally agreed if she would promise to visit the ranch regularly, attend Church with the family and then enjoy Sunday lunch back at the ranch.
She had agreed willingly, “Why that will be no hardship at all,” she had said laughing with relief. “Who wouldn’t look forward to Daisy’s wonderful cooking and the company of my favorite cousin,” she added getting up on tiptoe and kissing him lovingly on the cheek.
He would never know how difficult these last few weeks had been for her, she thought to herself...but now at last her life could move on and she would have to put what she referred to as her ‘madness’ behind her once and for all... and never admit it to another living soul.
However, she hadn’t ever been privy to Daisy’s gentle probing before.
Even though Daisy had promised herself not to ask about Lizzy’s past...when it became obvious the girl needed to talk then Daisy knew she must listen and gently persuade her to share worries and unburden herself.
She and Daisy were in the bunkhouse packing up her belongings before her move to the schoolhouse the following week.
They had chatted companionably for a while and then Daisy knew she just had to ask the question, for Slim’ s sake.
“Uh, I was talking to Slim last night,” she said, putting down the dress she was folding and sitting down on the edge of Lizzy’s bed.
“Oh,” she said half turning from the trunk she was packing, “he’s not having second thoughts, is he?”
“Oh no, nothing like that. Although I know he is very anxious that you will be safe. No, he just thinks he has somehow pushed you away with his over protective attitude... he feels so badly about it.”
“Goodness, he mustn’t think that,” Lizzy said quickly, looking distressed and joining Daisy on the edge of the bed. “It’s nothing to do with Slim, really it isn’t.”
Daisy looked deeply into Lizzy’s eyes and said, “If not Slim...maybe something to do with Jess?”
Lizzy looked down quickly and blushed, “How did you know?” she gasped.
“I didn’t, just a hunch,” Daisy said gently taking her hand.
Lizzy looked up; tears in her eyes, “Yes, it is because of Jess. I love him Daisy. I think I always have. So, you see I just can’t stay under the same roof as him any longer.”
Then she said earnestly, “I know how much he loves Millie and I would never embarrass him by professing my feelings. But it is just too difficult to see him every day…you must understand?”
“Oh yes my dear, I do indeed. So would it help you to tell me...what happened in the past when you two first met?”
“Maybe... yes…yes I think it would. When I look back on that time, I thought maybe it had just been gratitude, or a young girl’s crush...but now I’ve seen him again, I think, maybe my feelings are real.”
Daisy felt slightly shocked, “A young girl’s crush?” she asked.
“Huh? Oh yes I was just sixteen when Jess rescued me, didn’t I say?”
“That’s very young,” Daisy said frowning slightly.
Lizzy agreed and then the truth dawned.
“What? You think Jess and I were ...lovers?”
Daisy just inclined her head, “It’s really none of my business...and all in the past.”
“No Daisy, it’s important you should know the truth. Jess treated me like a little sister he was an absolute gentleman and just cared for me like I was kin. He never laid a finger on me.”
She thought back to that time of upheaval, the fear of her step Pa finding her. The loneliness as she missed her dear Ma when she had moved back to the saloon. Then she remembered her fledgling feelings of puppy love for this rough, tough young cowboy, who had a gentle sweetness about him too.
“Oh Daisy,” she said her eyes lighting up, “you never knew him in those days, he was so different...so edgy and mean when he got mad at someone. I saw him in a gun fight once and he was just amazing. He was incredibly fast! It’s strange the way women can sometimes be attracted to that wild streak. But with me he showed nothing but compassion, kindness...gentleness. Such a mixture...a really complex character...don’t you think?”
Daisy nodded sagely, “Yes, you imagine you know him and then you find out more and more about him...his past...his beliefs...I can understand how a young girl would find him irresistible,” she added with a kindly smile.
“If Matty...uh Slim that is, was my hero as a little girl, then Jess was when I grew up,” she said with a sad smile. “Strange how we are so often attracted to the bad boy when we mature...especially one who has a sort of inner vulnerability, as in Jess’s case. He had been in some trouble before I met him, he was quite honest about it all...and was trying to ‘fly straight’ as he called it,” she said with a sad smile.
Daisy was amazed by Lizzy’s insight and said as much.
Lizzy smiled, “Well I may understand him better than some, but that only makes me sure I’m doing the right thing by moving on. I really can’t stay here feeling the way I do. I heard him tell Slim I must be given a chance to spread my wings and make my own life and he’s quite right.”
Then her mind went back all those years to the last time she had seen him. He was about to ride out and had given her a warm hug. She had pulled back and then moved in to kiss him. They had remained in the close embrace for a few seconds...and she waited...her eyes closed, for him to find her lips. Surely if he kissed her...really kissed her he would stay... he would want to stay.
But then he had shifted slightly and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead and she knew then it would never be any different. He thought of her as a good friend and that was all he could ever be. He had made a promise to her mother that he would treat her like kin and he had kept that promise. And now she knew he always would. He headed off on the trail of the Bannister Gang...and she hadn’t seen or heard of him until he turned up with Slim in the Painted Parrot a few weeks ago.
At the thought of the Parrot, she took a deep breath and said, “I got a letter from my solicitor the other day Daisy and he has sold the Saloon I inherited from my Pa. So now I have a little money to put by for emergencies and a job I love...so I should be thankful for all that I do have.”
“Indeed and who knows, there might be a special person out there just waiting to meet you,” Daisy said her eyes twinkling. “You’re still a young woman with all your life ahead of you and everything to live for.”

Chapter 8
Lizzy settled well into her new home with the school teacher, Rebecca Reed, but still made regular visits back to the ranch. Up until recently that is... when her visits had become less frequent.
“See,” Jess said one sultry summer’s afternoon when the men were mending harness in the coolness of the barn, “I said Lizzy would settle in real well in town with Rebecca, she’s real happy and enjoying herself out there.”
It was now the long school holidays and so Slim didn’t have the daily reassurances from Mike that Lizzy was well and happy.
“How do you know that?” Slim asked suspiciously, “She’s not visited for a couple of weeks. She just sent that note that she and Rebecca were real busy smartening up the school-house.”
“I uh...saw her in town the other day,” Jess said vaguely.
“You never said,” Slim replied accusingly.
“Well hell I didn’t know I had to report in anytime I saw someone,” Jess said slightly annoyed.
It was very warm and the flies were biting and neither was in the best of moods it has to be said.
“Well Lizzy isn’t just anyone,” Slim persisted, “so where did you see her and what did she say?”
Jess shrugged, “I dunno...the mercantile I think...and she said she was just fine...real busy painting her bedroom and sent her love to us all...said she’d try and get by end of the month.”
“Well, why didn’t you think to tell me?”
“I’ve told ya now, what more do ya want? Anyways you seem to spend half your time in town checking up on her.”
Slim flushed up, knowing the truth of it. In fact, he felt he’d made something of a fool of himself constantly worrying about her.
Just the week before he’d called at the schoolhouse asking to see Lizzy, and Rebecca had been a tad cool with him.
“Well, where is she and when will see be back?” he’d almost barked when Rebecca had said Lizzy wasn’t home.
She’d sighed deeply and said, “If you must know Slim, she’s stepping out with someone. They’ve gone out to supper and I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want to be disturbed right now.”
Slim looked aghast, “Well who the heck is it, Rebecca?”
Again, she looked uncomfortable, “I think she should tell you herself and I’m sure she will when the time is right...it’s early days yet. But I can promise you it’s someone you know and like...she will be quite safe with him.”
Now he turned on Jess and said, “Did she have anyone with her when you saw her?”
Jess had just about had enough of the inquisition. He was hot, tired and missing his beloved Millie something fierce. She was off on extended leave from her job and over in Cheyenne helping her Ma run her Boarding House through the busy summer season.
Now he knew if he didn’t remove himself from Slim ’s presence, he would really get angry. So, he merely stood up and said, “Nope she was alone,” and then wandered off towards the yard.
“Where the hell are you going, we aren’t done here yet,” Slim called after him.
“I am,” Jess threw over his shoulder and marched off to the kitchen to find Daisy, some cold lemonade and the calm voice of reason.
The following morning Slim went off to mend fence over on the east pasture, leaving Jess to finish off mending the tack...both men feeling maybe they could do with a break from each other for a day or so. The hot humid weather had continued and what with Slim fretting about Lizzy and Jess equally missing Millie, neither man felt particularly sociable.
It was mid-afternoon when Slim rode back into the yard and hitching Alamo by the water trough for a welcome drink, he entered the barn. He looked around him, inspected the now mended and cleaned tack and then made for the house.
He found Daisy baking in the kitchen, her face flushed from the heat of the stove and a streak of flour on her cheek.
“You’re back early, would you like some lemonade dear?” she asked kindly, “It’s awfully warm.”
Slim nodded his thanks and once he’d taken a good pull of the refreshing drink he said, “Where’s Jess gotten to?”
When Daisy didn’t answer immediately, he said, “Don’t tell me…he’s skived off to the swimming hole hasn’t he!”
“No,” she said looking a tad uncomfortable, “he’s gone to town.”
“Town,” Slim asked looking surprised, “in this heat? What’s he gone there for; we don’t need any supplies, do we?”
“No dear...and I’m not too sure really.”
“Well, he must have said,” Slim persisted. “Millie’s away until the end of next month...so why else would he sweat it out going over there in this weather?”
Daisy again looked slightly wrong footed and then sighing she said, “Well the thing is he had a message on the noon stage. I heard Mose say that Lizzy wanted to see him. But the strange thing was that when he came back in it was obvious, he didn’t want me to know where he was going...just said some business had cropped up.”
“The hell he did,” Slim muttered under his breath.
“You don’t think Lizzy is in some trouble...and Jess was just protecting me from the truth?” she asked looking anxious.
Then he remembered Rebecca’s words, ‘she’s stepping out with someone...I promise you it’s someone you know and like...she will be quite safe with him.’
Goddamn it he thought turning on his heel and marching to the door.
“Slim?”
He turned back, “No Daisy I’m sure Lizzy is just fine...don’t you fret...I’ll just ride over and check on her though,” and with that he was gone.
Slim could rarely remember feeling angrier than he was right now as he rode to town. How could Jess do this he kept asking himself...mess about with sweet little Lizzy? Hell, hadn’t she had enough upset and trauma in her short life, without this! Jess was just fooling around with her until Millie came home...he was pretty damn sure of that. But there again he’d never cheated on Millie before...never...so maybe there was more to it than just a brief affair? Either way it was all wrong. Hell, Jess had practically said he thought of Lizzy as kin. As a little sister...how could he lie that way? That was the worst of it Slim thought... the duplicity.
By the time he reached town he was as mad as all get out. But then finally the small calm voice of reason kicked in. He had to be sure before he took any action. Heck he couldn’t accuse Jess and have an almighty row in front of Lizzy...which knowing Jess would doubtless end in a fist fight. No, he must merely bide his time, collect the facts and then confront Jess later.
He rode into town and hitched Alamo up at the far end of the street before walking down towards the school and its adjacent schoolhouse...and there right enough was Traveller tethered out front.
Slim made himself comfortable on a bench conveniently set in the shadow at the back of the boardwalk opposite the schoolhouse and settled down to wait.
About ten minutes later he saw Jess and Lizzy emerge from the mercantile arm in arm and stroll slowly back down the street towards the schoolhouse. Lizzy was swinging a large parcel tied up with a pretty scarlet bow in one hand and was laughing up at Jess as they walked up to the door. Then she passed the parcel over to Jess and after finding her key in her little clutch purse opened the door and the two entered, closing it firmly behind them.
Slim sat there holding his breath and willing his pard to emerge again. They’d just been shopping and he’d seen her home...no big deal he told himself. But gee she’d sure looked happy… Jess had too. In fact, the happiest he’d seen him in a good while; a little voice whispered in his ear. But no, not Jess...he wouldn’t cheat that way...he really wouldn’t.
Then Slim saw it...the two of them upstairs at the bedroom window and he felt a wave of nausea and dizziness overwhelm him.
He was just about to lurch up from his hiding place cross the street and go and hammer on the door, when something else caught his eye. The figure of Rebecca Reed making her way briskly down the street, she produced her key and entered the house, calling out a greeting as she did so.
“Well, that’ll stop your shenanigans,” Slim said softly to himself...using Daisy’s euphemistic term.
He stood up and made his way shakily back down the street and mounted up, heading Alamo for home. He’d deal with Jess in the privacy of the ranch...because right then he really couldn’t face his friend as he had some very, very dark thoughts.
Jess rode into the yard a little before supper time and led Traveller into the barn. He entered his stall, removed the saddle and other tack and started brushing him down, whistling softly to himself.
Earlier Slim had done the unthinkable…for him.
Firstly, he’d lied to Daisy and said all was well in town and she wasn’t to fret over Lizzy. Of course, she must take Mike over to his friend’s house for young Davy’s Birthday party as planned. He’d even helped her pack the baking into the buggy and waved her and Mike off, saying they should have a good time and he’d see them in the morning.
Secondly, he’d gone into the barn, found his and Jess’s secret bottle of Denver James’ Moonshine. Then he’d sat in the shadows slumped against the wall and started drinking, while he waited for Jess to return. Thankfully after a little while he realized it was crazy drinking that way and he’d abandoned the bottle way before Jess finally arrived home; so, he was still relatively sober.
Now he lurched up from where he’d been lounging on the floor and made Jess practically jump out of his skin.
He’d finished caring for his mount and now he came out of the stall and surveyed his buddy.
“Whoa, you gave me a shock lyin’ around down there, what’s up pard?” he asked innocently...taking in Slim ’s flushed, angry appearance.
“You really have to ask?” Slim spat furiously...now towering over Jess and looking menacing.
Jess frowned and took a step back, “Yeah I do... what’s buggin’ ya?”
“You!” Slim growled pushing him hard in the chest and making Jess stagger back a little.
Now Jess was beginning to get angry himself, but he held his ground...eyes narrowing as he looked up into Slim ’s face, his pard ’s usually kindly eyes now hard and glittering dangerously.
“What was it Jess...feeling kind of frustrated with Millie being away so long, wanted a bit of fun...or was it more than that huh? Thinking of marrying Lizzy are you...and so when were you going to mention it huh? Don’t you owe me any loyalty damn it!”
Jess looked bewildered, “What in the foggy blue moon are ya talking about Slim? Because you lost me after you said ‘was I missin’ Millie?’ And what the hell has Lizzy got to do with this?”
Slim glared at him, balling his fist, “You know what the very worst of it is...you lying to me...you couldn’t even tell me could you?”
“Tell you what for God’s sake!” Jess yelled, now feeling completely bamboozled.
The blow, when it came, was accurate and deadly. Slim ’s fist smashing into Jess’s face sending him flying backwards...where he slammed into the barn door and fell like a stone, out cold.
When he still hadn’t come around several minutes later Slim started to feel terrible...guilt and remorse finally surfacing.
He patted Jess’s cheek again and said, “Hey wake up will you...come on Jess.”
It was a while later after Slim had gently wiped his buddy’s pale face with a cool damp cloth that he stirred. He groaned and tried to sit up, but fell back again... a hand reaching up to the back of his head where it had come into contact with the barn door.
“I’m...I’m sorry,” Slim said softly, “I guess that was just a lucky punch, I didn’t mean to hurt you that way Jess...I was just so dang mad at you.”
“Well, I sure didn’t see it coming,” he said ruefully, putting a tentative hand up to his face where a black eye was already forming.
Then he frowned and said, “Why are you so dang mad at me, what the hell have I done to deserve this, huh?”
“I think you know don’t you,” Slim said quietly.
Jess sighed, “Look, help me up will ya…let’s go in and talk it through.”
Once they were seated at the table, Jess with a cold cloth to his now aching face, Slim said, “It’s about you and Lizzy. Why didn’t you tell me you were having an affair with her Jess...and what do you think this will do to poor Millie, huh?” his anger flaring once more.
Jess shook his head as though to clear it and then said, “What the hell are you talkin’ about Slim...I ain’t seeing Lizzy.”
“So, you deny that you lied to Daisy about where you were going this afternoon...and to buying presents for Lizzy huh?”
“Fer goodness sake, is that what all this is about?”
Slim just nodded, “Well?”
Jess rolled his eyes and looked exasperated, “Sure I didn’t tell Daisy where I was goin’ because Lizzy asked me to keep it secret.”
Slim opened his mouth to say something, but Jess raised his hand to silence him, “Hear me out will ya!”
“She didn’t want Daisy to know because she’d asked me to go help her choose a Birthday present for her. It’s Daisy’s Birthday next month, in case you’d forgotten.”
Slim ’s jaw dropped, “A parcel tied up with a big red ribbon?”
“Huh...oh yeah, it was that hat Daisy’s been admiring in the haberdashers. Lizzy weren’t sure which one it was…but Jeez I could have described it in my sleep, the way Daisy keeps goin’ on about it.”
Slim gave him the ghost of a smile...but then it faded again.
“So, what did you do when you went back to her place?” he asked.
Jess just shrugged, “Had a coffee with her and Rebecca and came on home.”
“Jess, don’t lie to me, you were up in her bedroom I saw you!”
Now it was Jess’s turn to look indignant.
“Hell have you been spyin’ on me?”
Slim shrugged, “Just looking out for my little cousin, is that so bad?”
“Yes, it damn well is iffen you think she needs protecting from me!”
“Well, doesn’t she? So, what were you doing up there then?”
“If you must know she wanted to show me how well she’d decorated it...and there was one corner she couldn’t quite reach with her brush...so I finished it off for her. So, is that a hangin’ offense now huh?”
Slim hung his head, “I’m sorry Jess, I guess I’m getting way too protective of her. It’s just that I feel responsible you know. I keep thinking what Ma would have wanted for her.”
“Not to get hitched to a no-good ex gunslinger like me, that’s for sure,” he replied sarcastically.
“No, I didn’t mean that Jess, really I didn’t.”
“No, I can assure you that never even crossed my mind. Like I say, she’s like a little sister to me Slim and that ain’t about to change.”
Slim threw him a speculative look and said, “Maybe not now that you’re with Millie but before, when you and Lizzy first met...you were lovers back then weren’t you?”
Jess just gaped at him, “What in hell makes you think that?”
“Well, all the times I’ve made comments about it, you’ve never denied it have you. Plus, you do have kind of a reputation buddy.”
Jess just stared blankly at him.
“I just thought you were jealous because we were real close. But dang it Slim like I keep sayin’ I’ve never thought of her any other way than a cute kid I promised to care for. Hell, she had only just turned sixteen when her Ma trusted me to look out for her. It never even crossed my mind to hit on her...not then...not now... not ever you got that!” he finished angrily.
“Loud and clear....and I’m so, so sorry.”
“Yeah...well...”
Then he looked Slim in the eye and said, “There was something else she wanted to see me about...”
“Huh, what was that?”
“She is seeing someone...”
“Yes, so I’ve heard but Rebecca wouldn’t tell me who...then when I saw you two together; I just assumed it was you.”
“I think we’ve kinda agreed that ain’t so,” Jess said rolling his eyes.
“Yes, of course so who is it...do you know?”
He nodded, “But Lizzy was real nervous about telling you in case you went off the deep end...and I guess she was right huh?”
Slim flushed up and looked embarrassed, “So who is it and I promise not to start fretting again.”
“It’s Rebecca’s big brother Vinny... seems they’ve been seeing a lot of each other.”
“But he’s old,” Slim expostulated.
“He’s only five years older than her and a good steady guy Slim. He’s Assistant Manager at the bank now and tipped to be the new Manager when old Stedman retires.”
Slim looked thoughtful, “Yes he’s a good man alright...and with good prospects too.”
“Thank God fer that.” Jess said, “I figure she can get her solicitor to write that no good husband of hers and get a divorce like she wants then huh Slim?”
He was rewarded by a shocked look, “Well it’s early days...but I guess she could do worse.”
“Sure she could,” Jess said with a genuine smile now.
“Aw you,” Slim said playfully punching his arm, “I guess you’ll never let me forget this will you?”
Then more seriously, “You were right of course; I was jealous of your shared history...and I’m really sorry. I guess on reflection...you’d be a real good catch for her too.”
“But uh...well a Bank manager in the family is better... that could be real useful,” Jess said grinning widely and winking.

Chapter 9
Lizzy’s romance with Vin Reed went ahead with Slim ’s blessing. The divorce proceedings went ahead too as they hoped to wed as soon as they legally could. There had been one hitch however in that her solicitor back in Kansas had suddenly retired. But Slim soon got his family solicitor Mr Benson on the case so all seemed to be going to plan, as far as possible... But as Benson had proclaimed it was notoriously difficult for a woman to divorce her husband.
It was now early fall and Mike was back at school and Jess and Slim kept busy doing various repairs around the ranch, ready for the winter storms to come. However, that was the last thing on their minds on this particular sunny Sunday morning. They had enjoyed a rare lie in after a fun night out with their gals in town. Now they were back at the ranch looking forward to nothing more taxing than eating Daisy’s wonderful Sunday lunch and then putting their feet up. There had been no Church Service that morning as it was the turn of Cheyenne to benefit from the presence of the Rev Joshua Wesley...the circuit minister.
Back in Laramie Lizzy was pleased to find a note had been popped through her door, early that morning inviting her and Vin to dine at the ranch that Sunday lunchtime.
When Vin arrived to take her out, he smiled wryly at the invitation. He had planned to take his gal out for a drive in the countryside, for some time alone and already had the hire buggy waiting outside.
“You don’t mind the change of plan do you darling?” Lizzy asked smiling up eagerly into Vin’s handsome face, “I would love to see them all at the ranch.”
Vin smiled down at her, unable to resist anything his love wanted.
“Of course not,” he said smiling, “I expect Slim wants to check out my table manners.”
“Oh you!” she said gently slapping his arm, “He’s not that bad; just looking out for me.”
“Well, he’s already checked out my career prospects and my family...so what’s one more thing?” he said grinning at her.
*******
Several hours later a blood splattered anguished looking Vin tore down Main Street, leaped from the buggy and burst into Mort Cory’s office.
“Now let me get this straight. You had an invitation to dine at the Sherman place but you were bushwhacked on the way?”
“Yes Sheriff...we were only a few miles out of town when this shot rang out and I was thrown off the buggy. The bullet hit me right here he said, showing Mort a wound to his left temple. I heard Lizzy screaming and then someone rode up...there was some yelling, I heard two horses ride off at speed. I really couldn’t focus too well...then I passed out. I only came to an hour or so ago. The weather had changed...the wind was up and rain lashing down. I was quite disorientated...that’s why it’s taken me so long to get back. Please Sheriff you have to find my Lizzy...someone’s taken her!”
“Can you remember anything else that might help?” Mort asked.
“Uh...yes, yes I can. I didn’t see him too well, but he did say to Lizzy that nobody would find her once they were holed up in Cheyenne... that I did hear...I’m sure, he said it real loud and clear, twice.”
“Well, that’s something... I’ll go wire Sheriff Doug Masters over in Cheyenne in a moment and get him to look out for her.”
It was now almost dark and the storm raging beyond the office window.
“I’ll do some further investigating at first light,” Mort added reassuringly. “Whoever has her won’t be going far in this weather; you can be sure of that. Now let’s get you over to the doc’s place.”
*******
“No, neither of us left a note at Lizzy’s place yesterday. What’s all this about Mort?” Jess asked, looking puzzled as he chatted with Mort the following morning.
He, Slim, Daisy and the Sheriff were all seated around the breakfast table, with Slim looking more and more anxious by the minute.
Once Mort had explained the situation Slim shot out of his seat making for the front door where he paused to strap on his gun belt.
“Where the heck do ya think you’re off to in such a tearing hurry?” Jess asked standing up and flicking an anxious glance at Mort.
“Cheyenne of course, where do you think? It must be that dang husband of hers come to find her.” Then he looked aghast, “Oh no, this is all my fault...of course those divorce papers Benson sent out would have a Laramie address on them!”
“If that’s the case then I’m comin’ with ya”, Jess said stoutly. "No matter how dang mad you are Slim, you ain’t no match for Snape...just face it Pard.”
“What about this place,” Slim said, “we can’t both just up sticks and ride out.”
“Of course we can, yeah. The early stage will be here in a minute if you’ll just hang fire. I’ll square it with Mose to change the team himself for a couple of days and iffen we’re any longer ask him to get old Charlie to move into the bunk house until we get back.”
“That’s alright ain’t it, Daisy?” he asked, turning to their beloved housekeeper.
“Of course, it is dear. The most important thing is finding poor little Lizzy,” Daisy said looking close to tears.
Then Jess moved off to the back door to call Mike. He’d been sent off to feed the hens when it became obvious Mort was the bearer of bad news.
“The kid don’t need to know about this right now,” Jess said to the others before he called the boy in as the stage was imminent.
Once Mose had been put in the picture and Mike waved off to school, the men prepared to ride out. Mort was staying in town in case there were any more developments and Jess and Slim headed off towards Cheyenne.
*******
In Laramie, Mike alighted from the stage and headed for school, but as he tore down the boardwalk, he cannoned into a tall stranger barring his way.
“Sorry Mister,” he gasped trying to side step, but the tall thin man dressed in black grabbed him by the shoulders and halted his progress.
“Not so fast young ‘un I’ve got a job for you!”
As Mike looked up at the stranger a shudder of apprehension ran through him.
“Wh... what do ya want Mister?” he stammered.
“You take this note to your teacher son...be sure to put it right into her hand...or else...OK!”
“Sure, sure Mister,” Mike gabbled before wriggling free and dashing into the schoolhouse.
“Why whatever is the matter Mike?” Miss Reed asked kindly. Really, she thought, poor Lizzy was missing, possibly abducted according to the Sheriff and now one of her favorite pupils looked upset.
“There was this man,” Mike whispered, “said I should give you this; or else.”
Miss Reed rushed to the door and looked up and down the street, but could see no strangers.
“What did he look like?” she asked, coming back into the school room.
“A bit like a gunslinger...of maybe a bounty hunter,” he said thoughtfully.
His teacher raised an eyebrow, “So what do they look like Mike?”
“Usually, real tall and thin...maybe mean lookin’... he sure was. They wear their gun low on the hip, tied down...and the gun’s customize to shoot real fast and…”
“Steady Mike,” she said with the ghost of a smile, “who told you all this?”
“Jess did, he knows all about it,” he said importantly. “Bounty hunters well they usually dress all in black like this guy. Jess says it’s so they’re always ready to attend the funeral of the folk they’ve shot. But Miss Daisy told Jess off for talking that way,” he added conversationally.
“Yes, I can imagine,” Miss Reed said faintly. “Um you can go play in the yard Mike, tell the others school will start a little later this morning.”
“Yes Ma’am,” he said with a delighted whoop before diving off to share the good news.
Once Mike had left, she opened the letter and gasped in shock as she read the contents.
They said she was not to involve the law; or her friend Lizzy would die. But she must take the enclosed note to her brother at once.
Pulling on her shawl she tore down the street to her brother’s house where he was still recuperating from the head wound, he had received.
*******
Slim and Jess had ridden hard and were a few miles out of Laramie when Jess slowed his pace and finally reined his mount in.
Slim carried on for a few more yards before stopping and turning back.
“What is it?” he asked tersely.
“Somethin’ don’t feel right about this,” Jess said quietly.
“Huh?”
“Well, dontcha think it was a bit odd that Snape...if it was him...should say that about Cheyenne? Mort said Vin heard it real clearly. In fact, he repeated it...sounds to me like he really wanted Vin to know where he and Lizzy were headed.”
“So?”
“Unless it was just a con...to make us ride out there...come on Slim think about it...”
“If Snape really has abducted Lizzy, the last thing he’d want is another run in with me after the way I shot him last time. What better than to send us off on a wild goose chase huh?”
Slim frowned, “I guess you could be right. Doug Master’s is on the case over in Cheyenne anyway. So, I reckon it wouldn’t hurt to go back to Laramie, see if anything else has come to light huh?”

Chapter 10

Jess and Slim reined in outside Mort’s office and hitched their mounts to the rail before marching inside.
Mort was cleaning his rifle, but his head shot up when the men entered, “Well that was darned quick work,” he said with a faint smile, “what’s up, lost yer way?”
Jess ignored the quip and said, “We had second thoughts, could be a scam...so has anything happened here?”
Mort shook his head, “No, not really...except...”
“Huh... what?” Slim asked eagerly.
“I thought it kinda odd…but I just saw Vin heading off to work, when I know for a fact Doc Sam expressly said he should take a few days off. Well, that ain’t like Vin, he usually has more common sense than to flout what the doc advises,” he said throwing Jess a hard look.
“Besides if he’s well enough to be on his feet I reckon he’d be headed for Cheyenne too. So I was just going to walk over and check that he’s OK,” he added.
When the three men entered the Bank and asked to see Mr Reed the teller said he’d expressly said he mustn’t be disturbed.
Mort exchanged a glance with the other two and then said, “I’m sure he’ll make an exception in my case Ma’am, this is important law enforcement business.” Then without further ado they walked over to Vinnie’s office rapped on the door and went in.
As soon as they entered it was obvious something was wrong.
Vinnie looked up from where he was busily stuffing twenty dollar notes into a saddlebag.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” he said quickly flushing up and addressing the Sheriff. “I can assure you this is all my own money Sheriff Cory, my life savings in fact.”
“I don’t doubt that for a moment,” Mort said kindly, “but maybe you’d like to tell me where you’re going with it?”
“That’s my business,” Vin said stoutly, pulling himself up to his full six foot and glaring belligerently at the Sheriff.
Jess, who’d been busy looking around the room now focused on a note on Vin’s desk and picking it up read the contents quickly, before slapping it down on the desk again, looking furious.
“It’s all here Mort, Snape is back at the ranch holding Daisy and Lizzy for ransom...and Vin here is to take the cash in on the noon stage...alone...or the women are dead meat.”
Slim turned pale and grabbed the note, whilst Mort took charge of the situation.
“You do realise you can’t do this?” he said to Vin. “All that would happen is that he’d shoot you as soon as he had the cash; he couldn’t leave any witnesses, so he’d kill the women too. We need to formulate a plan.”
Vin sank back down into his desk chair looking defeated.
“He said not to involve the law or he’ll shoot the women,” he whispered. “Now you say he’ll do it anyway? What are we to do Sheriff? I can’t lose Lizzy now that we’ve found each other...I really can’t!”
“You ain’t gonna,” Jess said quickly. “We’ll think of something,” and he cast Slim an anguished look, they couldn’t lose Daisy either.
*******
Just before noon the stage clattered down the rise and into the Sherman Ranch yard.
Mose had been made aware of the situation and told he must just act normal and stay up on the box out of danger. And had he done so, maybe things would have ended differently Slim thought later.
As it was Mose was so incensed at the thought of the hoodlum holding Miss Daisy captive that he was unable to stop himself from glaring angrily at Snape as he stood before the ranch house waiting for the Stage to come to a standstill.
It was that look of pure hatred that alerted the outlaw to the fact that all was not as he had planned.
As the stage door opened and Vin started to climb down carrying the saddlebags and money, Snape saw the top of Slim ’s Stetson just visible above the window from where he was crouched down on the floor with Jess.
As soon as Vin alighted, Snape didn’t stop to think. All he knew was that there was someone else concealed in the stage and so he drew his colt, aiming to shoot Vin before dealing with the other passenger.
However, he hadn’t expected Jess’s lightning-fast reaction and as soon as he saw Snape go for his gun, he burst out of the stage throwing Vin out of harm’s way...and taking the bullet himself.
Then pandemonium broke out...Slim shot Snape...the first bullet through the heart killing him outright although he was so enraged, he continued shooting until his weapon was fully discharged.
Then he jumped down and gently eased Jess off Vin who had been trapped beneath him. Both Slim and Vin stared in consternation at Jess’s blood-soaked shirt... the bullet having slammed into his chest.
Seconds later Mort and his deputy Lon rode in and they all carefully carried Jess into the house.
Whilst Mort and Vin liberated Daisy and Lizzy from where they were bound and gagged, Slim and Mose laid Jess carefully on the old couch by the window.
Seconds later they were joined by a distraught Daisy...who took in Jess’s bloody and broken body and immediately called for Mose to go for the doctor.
Now Lizzy, who had been comforted by Vin, came over and looked down at her good friend...a hand clamped to her mouth as she looked on in horror.
Vin put a warm arm around her shoulders and said quietly, “He did that for me, saved my skin.”
Meanwhile Daisy was busy unbuttoning his shirt and Slim arrived back from the kitchen bearing water and clean cloths...but Daisy looked up despairingly.
“It’s no good Slim, it will take more than just cleaning him up, this bullet has to be removed...and right now, we can’t wait for the doctor...he won’t last that long.”
The only good thing about the situation, Slim surmised, was that Jess was still deeply unconscious.
They carefully laid him on the table, Slim at his top firmly grasping his shoulders, and on the alert to hold him down should he awake. Daisy carefully started probing for the bullet, the others looking on from a respectful distance hardly daring to breathe.
The longer she worked the worse she looked. A fine sheen of perspiration glistened on her tired old face...looking her age for once, Slim noted.
Then Daisy gave a sudden exclamation of dismay...and Slim looked back down and was horrified to see even more blood oozing from the open wound.
“I’ve caught a blood vessel,” Daisy whispered, “at least it seems to be a vein and not an artery...but even so…” and she wiped her brow, before asking Mort to bring some more clean cloths from the kitchen.
Slim thought he could bear it all no longer...it seemed to be hours since Daisy started operating...but it was in fact nothing like that. He had closed his eyes tightly against the scene playing out before him. He hated seeing Jess’s paper white face and the look of fear in Daisy’s eyes. When he at last heard the unmistakable sound of metal hitting metal his eyes snapped open and he saw the bullet was now out and safely sitting in the old tin box, where Daisy kept her nursing instruments.
He gasped with relief...but it was short lived as the wound started bleeding profusely once more, just as Jess started coming around.
He immediately tried to struggle free from Slim ’s firm grasp, being completely unaware of where he was or what was happening.
“It’s OK buddy,” Slim said urgently, “just hold still Jess. You’ve been hurt real bad, but Daisy’s tending you...and you’ve not to move around...understand?”
Jess groaned and his eyes flicked open his expression dazed as he looked from Daisy, to Slim and back.
“Daisy...thank God,” he muttered...then his eyes opened wider, “Lizzy... Vin?”
“They’re alright too,” Slim said quickly.
Lizzy came forwards and rested a gentle hand on Jess’s arm, “We’re fine thanks to you and Slim,” she said softly.
Then Jess coughed and even more blood began seeping out of the wound and Lizzy gasped, her eyes filling with tears as Vin came to her side and putting a gentle arm around her led her away.
“Come and sit down darling,” he said kindly, “there is nothing we can do; leave it to Mrs Cooper.”
Meanwhile Daisy had placed another wad of cloth over the open wound and was holding it down firmly, but she knew in her heart it really needed stitching and as soon as possible.
“Oh, where is that Doctor!” she cried, showing her distress openly for the first time.
“He’ll be here,” Slim said, “don’t fret Daisy.”
She shook her head and said more calmly, “He needs stitching Slim and right away, there’s no time to spare.”
Jess had seemed to lapse into unconsciousness again, but now his eyes opened once more and he whispered, “Just do it Daisy iffen that’s what’s needed dang it.”
Daisy looked doubtful, “I don’t think I can, it requires you to remain perfectly still. You see it is such a painful procedure.”
Slim looked thoughtful, “We could always dose him up with alcohol until he’s out of it. There’s still some Moonshine in the back of the barn,” he added.
“I am still here ya know,” Jess said irritably, “and heck why’d ya have to tell her about that Slim!”
Daisy hid a smile and then said, “Well....maybe as a last resort...”
Then they all turned as the door banged open and Doc Sam stood there smiling kindly at them all, “I’ll take over now Daisy,” he said, moving swiftly towards his patient.
Then moments later said, “My word what an excellent job, just a few stitches needed I think.”
On reflection Jess thought it would have been better to go with plan A and to have been rendered unconscious with the aid of Denver James’ best brew. However, as it was the doc took over and gave him a good measure of the dreaded chloroform thereby rendering him out of it alright…but later sick as a dog for the rest of the day and night.
“Well, it’s a small price to pay,” Slim said the following morning when he looked down at Jess’s grey complexion as he lay in bed exhausted from having chucked up all night long.
“You think so do ya?” he gasped his eyebrows arching in disbelief.
Slim smiled down at him, “You all done now?”
“I guess so,” he said with a faint shudder.
“OK I’ll go fetch you a coffee and tell the others you’re back in the land of the living... Lizzy and Vin stopped the night and the doc’s visiting later.”
At that moment there was a tap on the bedroom door and Slim opened it to see an anxious looking Lizzy standing there.
“Is he feeling any better...can I see him for a moment?” she asked hesitantly.
Slim flicked a glance back into the room and on receiving a nod from his pard, he let her in, “Don’t stay too long,” he said softly, “he’s still pretty sick.”
Lizzy entered and when Jess patted the edge of the bed she sank down, taking his hand in hers.
“Jess, how can I ever thank you for saving Vinnie?”
He just shrugged and squeezed her hand, “Anything fer you honey, you know that,” he said with a wink.
“Sweet talker,” she said with a tiny smile.
But then her resolve to be brave weakened and tears filled her eyes, “We nearly lost you,” she whispered, “and I just couldn’t bear that.”
“Hey don’t,” he whispered reaching up and wiping a tear away.
“You always were my hero,” she said softly, “and you always will be.”
He just flushed up some at that, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, “I was just there at the right time, when you needed help, that’s all.”
“No, it’s more than that. You did so much for me. Back when I was still pretty much a little kid...I fell for you then Jess...”
He opened his mouth to say something, but she gently put a finger to his lips and said, “Hush, let me finish, this is so hard for me.”
He nodded and just looked up at her waiting for her to continue.
“I loved you back then and it broke my heart when you had to ride out...but I knew I had to let you go. You had the big open in your blood and nobody could have held you back.”
He just nodded again, “Go on...”
“Then when you rescued me from my terrible husband this time, I was again overwhelmed with feelings for you...and God forgive me I know that was wrong. I know you and Millie are deeply in love and I would never do anything to harm that...even if I could.”
Jess was now beginning to feel rather nervous about what was coming next...but there was no escape so he just had to lie there and hear her out.
“Then I met Vinnie and my whole world was turned upside down and I realized what love really means,” she said softly. “It’s not about hero worship...or imagining someone is this perfect person. No, it’s about really getting to know someone and loving them even if they’re not perfect...maybe even loving them more because of that,” she said sagely.
Then she shook her head as though trying to clear her mind.
“Anyway, what I wanted to say is that you will always be my hero... and will have a special place in my heart. But it is my Vinnie that I love deeply and want to spend the rest of my life with. I ... I just needed to tell you all that,” she said flushing up a little and looking very pretty Jess thought. “I needed you to know how much I appreciate you...and what you did saving Vinnie’s life... that’s all.”
Then there was a discrete tap on the door and Daisy was standing there.
“Breakfast is ready Lizzy, and I really think we should let Jess rest now,” she added gently.
Lizzy rose at once and moved to the door but she turned as Jess said softly, “Thank you.”
Then a look passed between them, charged with so much affection and understanding, that Daisy felt quite moved and hurried out of the room, followed by Lizzy who closed the door quietly behind her.

Chapter 11

It was a few days later and Lizzy and Vin had returned to town. Jess was still bed-bound and would remain so until he was completely on the mend so Daisy had avowed.
Now Slim and Jess were discussing the issue of Daisy and Lizzy being held for ransom and Jess was looking slightly puzzled. “What I can’t figure is how that lowlife Snape knew just what to do. OK we’ve agreed that he must have got wind of the fact that Lizzy was in Laramie when Benson sent the letters about the proposed divorce.”
Slim looked anguished, “That was entirely my fault... I just never thought it through.”
“Yeah, well never mind about that I figure neither of us imagined he’d come all this way lookin’ for her anyway. I guess it was when she sold the saloon from under him that he decided to try and make a quick buck out of her. He’d have got the ransom money and then high-tailed it back to Kansas with Lizzy if his plan had worked.”
Slim nodded, “You’re right...and yeah, so how did he know where to find her and about using the ranch to hold them captive? He must have had an accomplice...and someone local that knows us too...bears us a grudge maybe?”
“Yeah...and he’s got away scot-free,” Jess said angrily. “We need to find him and bring him to justice Slim. Hell, it could have ended kinda different you know. We could have lost both Lizzy and Daisy iffen we hadn’t had second thoughts and ridden back to town, instead of goin’ off on that wild goose chase.”
“You’re right,” Slim said again, his eyes narrowing. “We sure do need to find the scumbag that helped Snape.”
Then he looked down at where Jess was lying back on his pillows and added, “Well I do anyway, you’re going no place.”
“Aw Slim!”
“Come on Jess you know what the doc said, you’re dang lucky to be alive and if a week or two in bed to recover is all you have to do, well then you should be truly thankful.”
“Oh I am... I am,” Jess said, “but I’ll be even more thankful when I get my hands on that bastard.”
“Yeah, well I’ll ride into town and have a word with Mort...see what I can find out...and I promise as soon as we have a few clues you’ll be the first to know OK?”
“I guess it’ll hafta be,” Jess said sighing.
*******
As it happened it was some time before Slim could spare the time to ride into town. The work on the ranch was piling up without Jess to help out. Slim was beginning to think, if it could go wrong, it would. He had to cope with a sick cow, leaky roof on the barn and then a fence down and several critters straying onto a neighbor's land.
Jess had been a model patient for once and by the end of the second week he was well enough to sit out in the parlour keeping Daisy company as she went about her chores. One chilly afternoon they were sitting before the fire, Daisy busy with her sewing and Jess dozing. After a while he awoke and smiling over at her looking so relaxed and composed, he said, “Are you all over that nasty business now Daisy?”
She gave a little shudder and nodded, “Oh yes I think so, but it was a pretty close call wasn’t it. If you and Slim hadn’t arrived when you did that dreadful man would have killed Lizzy and I you know.”
Jess’s head shot up. Sure, he and Slim had been aware that it might have happened...but now hearing it from Daisy’s lips made it horribly real.
“You think so, do you?” he asked softly. “He’d kill his own wife,” he asked looking incredulous. “You and Vin maybe, not wanting to leave any witnesses, but Lizzy...we thought we’d just lose her if he spirited her away someplace!”
“Oh, I know so …he told us in no uncertain terms...he was a very bitter man.”
When Jess said nothing, but just gazed at her in consternation she continued.
“He was under the impression that you and Lizzy were more than...uh...just good friends and he couldn’t forgive her. He was also terribly jealous of Slim. He resented the fact that he owned this ranch and could offer Lizzy a comfortable, safe home.
“That’s crazy, she weren’t even living here by then and she was seeing Vin...not me.”
“I know, but it seems Snape ’s informant didn’t furnish him with those details. It looks almost as though he really wanted Snape to hurt you and Slim as much as he could. Why, he even suggested they write a dreadful note for you to find with our bodies, saying how we had suffered terribly painful deaths...” she finished quietly.
At this Jess leapt up from his chair and went and knelt by Daisy taking her hand and looking earnestly up into her face.
“Why the heck didn’t you tell us all this before?” he asked, looking and feeling terribly upset.
“I was so very worried about you at the time...and then afterwards well, I just wanted to forget about it all,” she said honestly.
“But Daisy can’t you see…if this lowlife hates us that much, maybe he’ll try again of his own accord next time; now that Snape ’s dead. You have to tell me all you know...did you see him?”
“No, I didn’t but he did call out when Lizzy and I were gagged and tied to the kitchen chairs. He came to the front door and I think Snape called him uh...Chas? That’s right Chas. He said something like, ‘Well Chas... is he coming over?’ Then this Chas replied, ‘He sure is boss and the others will be half way to Cheyenne by now. It’s all going to plan,’ or something like that, I can’t recall exactly.”
“That’s OK Daisy, you’re doin’ real good. Chas huh, let me think...Chas? Did you recognize his voice at all?”
“No, it was quite muffled, but low and sort of growly...maybe an older man?”
“Or a whiskey drinker,” Jess said snapping his fingers. “Chas Baily...could it have been him Daisy?”
“What that dreadful man that worked here and repaid you by stealing from us? Surely not, he’s in jail, isn’t he?”
Jess shook his head, “Nope he got off pretty lightly as I recall. The Judge must have been in a good mood. He got two years I think...and time off for good behavior he should have been out a few weeks back...and raring to get his revenge on us I figure. Just his good luck that he ran into Snape and he had someone to plan it all. Because I reckon old Chas was at the back of the line when the Good Lord was handin’ out common sense and brains...either that or the whiskey’s addled his brain.”
“It was this Chas that suggested the note...even wrote it I believe. Snape said he really couldn’t be bothered. Or so he told us when he showed it to us...he said his partner had written it.”
“Do you still have it?” Jess asked urgently.
“No dear it was just too horrible...made me feel quite ill so I threw it away.”
“Where Daisy, try think where did ya put it huh?”
“Oh...um in the log shed with all the other waste paper and kindling wood, I thought it was the best thing for it...to light a fire.”
Jess jumped up and charged across the room and out the door before Daisy could draw breath.
Slim, just returning from checking on the herd, slipped down from the saddle and wandered over to where his pard was kneeling beside a pile of papers in the log store.
“What’s up Jess,” he asked looking amused. “Run out of reading matter and forced to re-read the Laramie Sentinel? Gee things must be bad.”
When Jess explained briefly what he was looking for Slim looked amazed, but quickly pitched in and started looking too.
A good ten minutes later Slim held up a thin piece of cheap writing paper covered in large unruly handwriting.
“Found it!” he shouted joyfully.
But as he scanned the closely written missive his expression turned from one of delight at the find to dismay and then pure revulsion as he read and comprehended the content. Then he passed it over to Jess to read.
“I guess this is all the evidence we need to convict him,” Slim said angrily.
“If he ever makes it to court,” Jess said menacingly, “we’ll ride out at first light Slim...find him, and make him pay.”
*******
Daisy was adamant that Jess was still too weak to ride to town...but soon realized her argument was falling on deaf ears. Then on reflection she thought maybe it was a good thing he was accompanying Slim. She had never seen the tall blond rancher so angry and she really feared what he might do, if or when he caught up with Chas Baily. She had been aware of how important Slim ’s little cousin was to him. Blood ties went deep, even after such a long absence. She wondered if maybe Lizzy had taken the place in his heart of the baby sister, Grace Mary, who had tragically died so young?
Slim was out in the barn saddling up and Jess in the kitchen with her as she filled a gunny sack with food for their journey. Slim had made it clear that he wouldn’t rest until Baily was caught and had promised to make arrangements for old Charlie to mind the spread until they returned.
Now she turned to Jess and said, “Jess you will watch out for Slim won’t you. I’m so worried about him, I’ve never known him so irate before and I really fear he might take the law into his own hands.”
“Him and me both,” Jess said angrily, “after what he did to you and Lizzy.”
“Oh Jess, please, you know that’s not the way...”
He sighed and hung his head before looking back at her, “I know it Daisy and don’t worry I’ll keep old Hardrock in check. We’ll bring him back to face justice and this time I reckon the judge will lock him up and throw away the key,” he said with the ghost of a smile.
They rode out a little later heading for town and Mort’s office.
Mort reread the note, his face drawn and furious.
“Well, I can sure see as to why you’d be after the guy who wrote this...and you are sure that it is Chas Baily?”
“Uh, we’re as sure as we can be...that deep gruff voice. Going that extra mile to really rile us...and I guess he had the motive seeing as how we gave evidence at his trial,” Slim said.
Mort shook his head, “He was due to be released around about the time of the incident. But if you remember I was on leave visiting Kate up the mountain then. I’ll ask Lon.”
He went out back and called his deputy, Lon in.
“Yup sure I saw the guy, boss. He was in the saloon and I took the opportunity to say he’d better keep his nose clean or he’d get his marching orders...why what’s he done?”
“Only aided and abetted Snape in abducting Lizzy and upsetting Miss Daisy,” Slim yelled angrily. “Hell, why didn’t you run him out of town Lon!”
“Well hindsight’s a great thing,” Lon replied equally acerbically. But he hadn’t broken the law Slim, as far as I knew back then. So, what did he actually do huh?”
Once Lon had been filled in, he suggested they speak to Tom at the saloon.
“He did go drinking in there a few times; that I do know,” Lon said, “but I ain’t seen him in a while now.”
“Could have high-tailed it over to his brother’s spread again, west of Cheyenne,” Mort said, “that’s where we picked him up last time he was in trouble, if you recall.”
“Sorry Jess, Slim…Millie and Lily have the day off, out visiting a friend,” Tom, the barkeep said as they entered the saloon.
Then he noted Mort’s serious expression, “We’re here on business not pleasure Tom,” he said quietly and explained their visit.
“Oh yes I saw him in here a few times. He got thick as thieves with that stranger...turned out to be Miss Lizzy’s husband. Of course, I didn’t know at the time,” Tom said noting Slim looking flushed and angry once more. “I would have said something sooner of course I would, if I’d know the situation,” he added flicking another anxious glance in Slim’ s direction.
Jess told Tom about the note; trying to explain to their old friend why Slim was feeling so furious. Hell, he was too, but was saving his angst until he found Chas and could ram a satisfying punch into his smug face.
They were just leaving when Tom called them back and thrust a slip of paper across the bar, “Here I don’t know if this will help?”
Mort picked it up and saw it was an IOU note signed by Chas Baily.
“He gave it to that new girl I hired a while back. Should have known better than to give credit to his sort,” he said dourly. “But I was busy that day and so he got away with it.”
Slim took the note they’d found at the ranch out of his pocket and compared the writing, before beaming at the Sheriff, “Bingo...we’ve got him Mort...the handwriting’s identical.”
Back at Mort’s office Jess said, “I guess we’ve got all the evidence we need huh Mort... now all we’ve got to do is find the low life and bring him in.”
Like Daisy, Mort had noted Slim ’s uncharacteristically aggressive attitude and was a tad worried about what he would do to Chas when he ran him to ground.
Now he opened his desk and on removing two deputy’s badges flipped them over to where Slim and Jess were seated at the other side of the desk.
“I can’t leave town right now, so maybe you’d deputize for me? Bring him safely in for questioning,” he added throwing Slim a meaningful glance.
“Sure, we can do that,” Jess said standing up, and swaying slightly.
Mort frowned at him, “Are you sure you’re up to this Jess, it’s only a couple of weeks since you were in a real bad way.”
“Yes, I’m just fine,” said Jess firmly
“No, he’s not,” Slim said in the same breath.
Mort hid a smile, “OK I believe ya...both,” he said casting them a quizzical glance.
Slim merely rolled his eyes and said, “Well come on Jess if you’re determined to come with me. Let’s get going huh?” With that he marched out of the office giving Mort a little salute as he passed.
Mort watched him leave and then turned back to Jess, “Look out for your pard huh Jess...I wouldn’t wanna see him get in any trouble.”
“He won’t Mort,” Jess said resolutely, before tipping his hat and moving to take his leave too.
Then Mort called him back, “I’ll wire Sheriff Masters over in Cheyenne, and get him to keep an eye open. Check out the town, tell Slim, will ya? Then should you find him, just hand him over to Doug to deal with huh?”
Jess nodded, “Will do Mort,” and he marched out of the office to where Slim was already in the saddle, waiting impatiently for him.
*******
They arrived at Clem Baily’s run-down ranch late that afternoon and reining in their mounts they left them having a welcome drink at the water trough; as they wandered over to the shabby looking ranch house.
After knocking for some time, the door was finally dragged open and Clem stood their waving a rifle in their faces and looking furious.
“What’s all the damn racket about,” he swore loudly, “can’t a man take a nap in peace?”
Jess sprang forwards and easily wrestled the rifle from the older man’s grip and said aggressively, “Nope he dang well can’t, not when he’s maybe harboring’ a wanted criminal!”
Then Slim lunged forwards and grabbing Clem by the shoulders shook him violently, “Where is he Baily, where’s that useless brother of yours...huh?”
Clem’s eyes opened wider in shock, “He ain’t here Mr Sherman. I ain’t seen him; really, I ain’t. Not since that last little bit of trouble he got in and you came a callin’ with the Sheriff.”
Now Jess intervened pushing Slim aside...before grabbing Clem’s shirt front in one hand and balling his fist, “Quit lyin’ or so help me I’ll send ya flyin’ into next week,” he growled.
“OK...OK Mr Harper...uh, Deputy,” he amended on seeing the badge on Jess’s vest. “He was here, but he’s gone, skedaddled, said he was heading down south to the Mexican border.”
“Sure, he did,” Slim said sarcastically.
“More likely the nearest bar,” Jess spat angrily.
“I dunno,” Clem said shrugging, “he certainly didn’t get any grog here. I signed the pledge over twenty years ago.”
“Well, it’s a dang shame you didn’t get yer brother to sign up to the Temperance Society whilst you were about it,” Jess snarled, “because it’s findin’ money for the drink that’s always gotten him in trouble.”
“So, come on, tell us, when did you really see him last?” Slim asked frowning.
“Uh, a while back two weeks...maybe longer,” Clem stuttered, he’s moved on I’m tellin’ ya.”
Then there was a commotion behind him and a care worn looking women pushed her way forwards.
“For God’s sake tell them the truth Clem,” she cried angrily.
“That no good drunken brother-in-law of mine was here just a couple of days ago and I’ve no doubt you’ll find him hanging out in Paddy’s Bar on the edge of town,” she added sniffing.
Jess let go of Clem, and smiled across at the woman, touching his hat, “Thank you ma’am,” he drawled and he and Slim took their leave.
The men had been riding for an hour or so when the evening started to draw in and Jess suggested they camp for the night and move on at first light.
However Slim really wanted to forge ahead for longer and so they continued until it was nearly dark. Then Jess reined Traveller in and after a moment Slim paused and turned in the saddle, “What’s up?” he asked irritably.
Jess sighed, “I ain’t goin’ no further tonight Slim. It’s nearly dark and I ain’t gonna risk my good old horse stumbling and breaking a leg,” he replied angrily.
Slim rolled his eyes, but turned and headed back to where Jess still sat in the saddle looking around him.
They were passing through some rocky foothills, a lively stream rushing down the mountainside behind them and huge pines lining the rough trail.
“I guess here’s as good a place as any,” Jess said quietly.
Slim looked over at him and saw how weary his pard looked and gave in, “OK I figure we’d better stop then, get going again at sun up.”
“I dunno why yer frettin’ so,” Jess muttered, “after all, Mort’s wired Doug Masters, the guy’s probably rotting in Doug’s jail as we speak.”
“Maybe...maybe not,” Slim said quietly.
Jess dismounted and then steadied himself, grabbing hold of the saddle horn as a wave of dizziness and nausea overtook him. His chest was aching something fierce, blood pounding in his ears.
Slim immediately felt a stab of guilt. He’d practically ridden his pard into the ground, and felt awful knowing he wasn’t even supposed to be in the saddle yet...
He dismounted quickly and was at Jess’s side in seconds, slinging an arm around his shoulders and leading him over to a grassy knoll beneath one of the huge pines.
“Here you just relax eh Jess,” he said quietly, “I’ll take care of the camp and horses.”
To his surprise Jess just sank back against the pine trunk and closing his eyes whispered, “Thanks Slim.”
He quickly built a fire and after putting the coffee pot in place went off to tend their mounts.
When he returned sometime later Jess was lying on his side fast asleep.
“Oh buddy, I’m sorry,” Slim whispered, before fetching Jess’s bedroll and gently covering him over.
He paused watching him sleep for a minute before taking a deep breath, shaking his head and turning away. He felt so very bad at putting his good friend through all this. He vowed that once he’d caught that bastard Chas Baily, he’d make it up to him...really, he would.
But just the thought of Chas and what he’d have done to Lizzy and Daisy made his blood boil once more...he’d have his vengeance on him tomorrow once and for all.
As planned, they awoke at first light and Slim tried to ignore Jess’s exhausted, pale, drawn features as he sat huddled over his early morning coffee.
He noted later how his pard hardly had the strength to throw his saddle in place...but even so, Slim was all consumed with the need for revenge, to find Chas and administer some long overdue justice...with his fists.
As Slim felt his heart begin to pound with the unaccustomed urge to punch Chas to kingdom come for one brief moment he realized what it must be like to be Jess. What he had been like at one time anyway. Full of bitterness for the injustice he had suffered. The pain of losing nearly all his kin in that dreadful fire...and the many other atrocities he’d suffered in his young life. ‘Hell, there but for the grace of God go I,’ he thought fleetingly as he glanced over at his pard. Maybe he should just back down and let Sheriff Masters deal with the matter?
“Jess, I’ve been thinking...”
“Oh...what’s up Slim?”
Slim wrestled with his conscience…Nah, Jess would be fine. He was tough as old boots, wasn’t he? Anyway, once they hit town Slim could apprehend Chas and Jess could rest up for a while before they headed home. “Uh, nothing… come on, what are we waiting for let’s go find that low life...”
Sometime later they were riding along a narrow trail below the mountain range, with a steep gully to their right, when a shot suddenly rang out from the rocks above them and a bullet smashed into the ground just in front of Traveller. The severely spooked horse reared up in terror and Jess was catapulted off backwards and down the steep gully. He rolled over several times before coming to rest about twelve feet down the side of the ravine.
Meanwhile Slim had drawn his rifle and returned the fire. Shots were exchanged for a minute or two before Slim was rewarded with their attacker crying out in pain...and then seconds later he heard the sound of a horse galloping off at speed.
Slim grimaced and then turned back to where his buddy had tipped over the edge of the gully; and tore down the steep slope, slipping and sliding as he went.
When he reached where Jess had fallen , he gently turned him over and gasped in horror at his friend’s ghostly white face; a stream of dark blood trickling down his face from a gash to his forehead.
Slim pulled off his bandana and stemmed the flow of blood before cradling Jess’s head gently, waiting for him to come around.
It was a while before his eyelids finally flickered and then opened. He looked around in puzzlement at his predicament and then focused upon Slim.
“What in hell happened?” he drawled.
Slim shook his head sadly, “It was Clem Baily, I guess he didn’t want us to go looking for his kid brother,” he said with a grim smile. “Anyway I winged him and I don’t think he’ll give us any more trouble.”
Jess cast an anxious glance back up towards the trail, “Is Traveller alright?”
Slim nodded, “He was kinda spooked, but he’s OK now yeah.”
Jess shook his head and said bitterly,” I can’t believe I let him tip me off that way. I must have been napping.”
Slim suddenly looked terribly guilty.
“No this was all my fault pard. I could see you really weren’t up to sitting a horse this morning. But this damn anger in me wouldn’t listen to reason. I should never have even agreed to you riding with me in the first place. Hell, you’re just out of your sick bed for goodness sake!” he finished looking anguished.
“Aw quit yer frettin’,” Jess said easily, “you know dang well you couldn’t have stopped me. Now are ya gonna give me a hand up or what?”
Once they were both safely up the steep bank Slim went about setting up camp in a clearing just off the trail.
Jess was sitting resting his back against a rock and watched as his pard fetched some clean water and bandages to tend his head wound.
Once the operation was completed Slim sat back on his haunches and said, “You just rest up now Jess and I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Huh? I thought you were hell-bent on finding Chas?” Jess said in surprise.
Slim shook his head, again a wave of guilt making him look away from Jess’s intense gaze.
“Slim?”
“I’m just so dang sorry...for everything,” Slim muttered before marching off to find some more wood for the fire.
Jess looked after him in bewilderment.
It was later once they were settled down with a mug of coffee, liberally laced with red eye apiece, that Slim opened up.
“I know the reason you felt honour bound to ride with me was to keep me out of trouble,” he began haltingly.
Jess threw him a quizzical glance, the irony of the situation not lost on him.
“I guess so, but how many times have you done the same for me huh Slim?”
Slim shook his head, “That’s not the point...I just feel so bad...all this was my fault. I’ve been just so...well...out of control lately I guess you’d say.”
“It’s understandable,” Jess said softly. “Lizzy is very dear to you. Sure... of course you’d be mad as hell if anyone tried to hurt her...she’s kin Slim and that’s everything ain’t it.”
Slim shook his head after a moment. “Oh, you’re right about that, sure you are...she’s like the little sister I never had...and she means the world to me.”
Jess merely nodded, “Well blood ties run real deep don’t they.”
“But so do the ties of friendship,” Slim continued, now looking quite emotional.
“I’ve treated you really badly since Lizzy arrived Jess. Making out you two meant something to each other...that just wasn’t true. I thought the worst of you when all you had done was treat her like kin yourself and looked after her.”
Jess just shrugged, “It’s OK, you understand now, that’s all that matters.”
Slim seemed to ignore him and continued, “Then I acted like you wouldn’t have been good enough for her...and that’s really not true. Now even worse…this latest stunt I’ve pulled. Hell, Jess we both know you’d never have been unseated that way if you’d been yourself...you were way too weak and sick to have been riding in the first place.”
“Look Slim just forget it will ya...and if you feel so dadgum bad about it, well let’s just rest up here a while and then ride in and see iffen Doug’s picked him up yet, huh?”
“I was going to suggest that,” he said at once, “and Jess I just want to say one more thing...”
Jess rolled his eyes, “Look will ya quit apologizing it’s OK...really.”
But Slim put a hand up to silence him.
“Look I just want to say this and I’ll never mention it again, OK?”
Jess nodded.
“Well, pard... as far as I’m concerned a true friend is just the same as kin in my book...and I want you to know...well...if I had just one friend left...I’d want it to be you.”
Slim saw the look of surprise and then...a fleeting look of deep emotion in his friend’s eyes. But when he spoke it was matter of fact, “Thanks Slim,” he said quietly, “that means a lot,” before giving him a gentle punch on the arm.
Then, “So, any coffee left in that pot then, huh?”

Chapter 12

They rode into town late the following morning and made straight for Doug Master’s office.
The Sheriff’s head shot up when the door opened admitting Slim and Jess. Then the look of welcome quickly turned to one of concern when he saw Jess’s pale face and the makeshift bandage to his head.
He had served in the war with Jess and knew his old buddy almost as well as Slim did and guessed that Jess had been determined to track down his quarry, no matter what the cost.
Doug rose quickly and pulled out a chair, guiding his old friend into it.
“Here, sit a spell,” he said kindly, “you don’t look any too well Jess.”
Then turning to Slim said, “I take it you guys are on the trail of one Chas Baily?”
Slim nodded, “So er...have you brought him in Sheriff?” he asked eagerly.
“Sure have. I got a wire from Sheriff Cory just a day or so ago...and low and behold my deputy Billy found him just an hour later, buying whiskey in the mercantile.”
Jess grinned over at Slim and said, “See I told ya…the grog would be his downfall.”
Doug chuckled, “Well that’s rich coming from you. In fact, you both look in need of a little livener yourselves,” he said producing a bottle and three glasses from his desk drawer.
He swiftly poured the drinks and pushing the shot glasses across the desk raised his own in a toast, “To justice,” he said before knocking it back.
“To justice,” Slim and Jess echoed.
“So, you wanna see the low life?” Doug asked innocently.
Jess merely shook his head wearily. But Slim jumped up at once.
“I sure do damn it,” he said looking furious once more.
Doug got up and headed towards the cells, opening the door for Slim to enter before turning back into the office.
“Go with him,” Jess said softly.
“Huh?”
“Go on,” Jess said more urgently, tipping his hat towards the open adjoining door.
Doug merely shrugged, but turned to do as he was bid.
Then both men heard the unmistakable sound of Slim banging the cell rails with his hand and yelling blue murder at the prisoner.
Chas was now quaking in fear and calling for the Sheriff.
Doug and Slim never revealed what was said in the privacy of that Cheyenne jail cell. Suffice it to say that Chas Baily was a quivering wreck and huddled in a corner begging for mercy by the time Slim had his say.
Sometime later the two men emerged…the Sheriff looking shaken and Slim, pale and tense. But he recovered well and turning to the Sheriff he shook his hand and said, “Thanks Doug I appreciate your help with all this business.”
Then he turned to leave followed by his pard.
However, Doug grabbed Jess’s arm as he started to follow Slim, and said, “I haven’t ever seen Slim that way before. Is he OK?”
“Well, he’s kinda mad right now...but I figure he’ll be OK once Baily gets what’s coming to him,” Jess replied with his cheeky grin.
Doug still looked anxious, “I’m shipping him out on the early-Stage tomorrow. My deputy’s escorting him over to Laramie for his trial...I take it there won’t be any trouble?”
“Not from me,” Jess said, “or Slim either. It’s all about kin ya see Doug, that’s what’s riled him so much. His young cousin was in danger...not to mention Daisy. But now he’s had his say I figure he won’t be no trouble.”
Doug nodded, “You take care huh buddy. Rest up some before you sit that ol’ horse of yours again, huh?” he said shaking his friend’s hand.
Jess nodded, “Hell yeah I intend to,” he said with feeling before following Slim off down Main Street, in the direction of Ma Johnson’s Boarding House.
They both knew they could rely on Millie’s Ma to spoil them something rotten...and they weren’t disappointed.
She ministered Jess’ head wound, insisting he lie on the couch in the parlour to rest.
She calmed Slim ’s troubled brow by listening to the sorry tale and offering sympathy and understanding, in equal quantity.
Then she fed them both before making sure they had an early night tucked up in her very best rooms.
They enjoying being fussed and fretted over for a couple of days before heading back to Laramie in time for the trial.
All went smoothly and both Slim and Jess conducted themselves with decorum during the proceedings...although it took all their strength of character to do so. Especially when the note Baily had written was read out to the court saying what a terrible death both Daisy and Lizzy had, allegedly, suffered.
In his summing up the Judge professed the letter to be the work of the devil himself. He condemned Baily as an out and out unscrupulous felon of the very worst sort and gave him a sentence reflecting that view.
The night of the trial found Jess and Slim unable to sleep after all the turmoil of the day. So, they sat out on the porch, a whiskey apiece discussing the recent events late into the night.
After a while they fell into a companionable silence admiring the moonlit mountains in the distance, before Jess gave a little chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
Jess shrugged and then said, “Well it’s just kinda ironic ain’t it...all the times you’ve had to hold me back from gettin’ in hot water...and now it’s me keeping you out of trouble.”
“Huh, I don’t know what you mean,” Slim said looking po-faced and suddenly deciding to ignore what had happened, feeling just so bad about it all.
“Yeah, you do. Come on Slim, you admitted it the other day! If it hadn’t been for me watchin’ ya like a hawk you’d have taken the law into your own hands. You dang well ruffled Doug’s feathers too, that’s for sure. And today at the trial I thought ol’ Chas was gonna drop down dead of fright when you gave yer evidence. I sure don’t know what you said to him back in Cheyenne...but it must have been something real scary?”
Slim was silent for a moment and then finally admitted it.
“I guess I’ve never felt that way before you know Jess...and I hope I never do again.”
“Welcome to my world,” Jess whispered before knocking back his drink.
Slim flicked him a sympathetic glance.
“Not so much now though huh? Most of your vendettas from the past have been resolved, haven’t they?”
Jess thought about that and then smiled back at his buddy.
“Mostly I guess, yeah...resolved maybe...but never forgotten Slim...and it would be wrong if I did.”
Slim knew he was referring to that horrendous house fire, set by the Bannister Gang, that had decimated his family...leaving only three out of seven alive...and felt awful.
“I guess so,” he said softly.
They sat on silently; in complete accord...yet alone with their thoughts.

Epilogue
Just a few weeks after the trial Lizzy and Vin visited the ranch with their news...they were hoping for a Christmas Wedding.
“Well Christmas Eve actually,” Vin said shyly, “that’s if we have your blessing, Slim?”
Slim turned pink with pleasure, “Well you don’t need my blessing you know Vin. I’m not her Pa,” he said, trying to lighten the emotionally charged situation.
“We’d like your blessing even so,” Lizzy said softly.
Slim looked across at where she was seated demurely beside Vin on the parlour couch and was beside her in two long strides.
He pulled her up and into a bear hug and grinning said, “Of course you have my blessing, congratulations!” And he kissed her and shook hands with Vin.
Then everyone was laughing and talking at once. Daisy in tears of joy and Jess hugging Lizzy close and wishing her every happiness.

The happy event went off as planned with the bride looking beautiful, the groom proud and Slim as Best Man even prouder if that were possible. The nuptials were followed by a huge party at the ranch for all their friends and neighbors and never were a happy couple wished so much joy and good fortune.
However just a week later Slim was to receive some devastating news.
Vin and Lizzy came to visit again on return from their honeymoon, with some more news...
“You see it’s like this,” Vin said nervously flicking a glance at his beloved before continuing. “I’ve been offered the position of Manager at our New York Branch...and really, well it’s too good an opportunity to turn down. There is a most pleasant house that goes with the job...”
“Opposite a beautiful park,” Lizzy chipped in, “perfect for when we have the children,” she added shyly.
Then turning to Slim said, “Please, please Matty be happy for us?”
What could he say...and that use of his childhood name reminded him of how very special she was to him. That was all his Ma would have wanted for her wasn’t it he reasoned...to live happily ever after.
“Of course, I’m happy for you,” he said forcing a smile.
Then shook Vin’s hand, “Congratulations.”
“Well heck I dunno as how I’m too happy about all this,” Jess said with a mock frown on his face, “So who are we gonna get to look after Mike when we all need a break...ain’t anyone that reads bedtime stories half as well as Lizzy,” he added, now openly grinning at her.
“Well, that settles it,” she said laughing, “You’ll just all have to come visit,” she said hugging Mike close.

Although there were many happy visits ahead Slim still missed his little cousin no end when she first moved away and he was bereft for quite some time.
Then a few months later they received a letter saying that she and Vin were expecting their first baby in the fall and life was just perfect.
Slim looked up from reading the letter at the breakfast table and passed it over to Daisy and he sighed, “I sure miss seeing her...”
Daisy agreed and looked misty eyed, “Yes it would have been lovely to see the new baby born and then later playing here with Mike.”
But then she pulled herself together, “Never mind we can always visit.”
Slim agreed, “But it’s not the same is it...as having them all right here in Laramie.”
Then he turned to where Jess was drinking his coffee.
“You’re very quiet,” Slim said,” so what do you think about it all?”
“I think it’s a real shame,” Jess said.
Slim and Daisy nodded sadly.
But then he went on…
“A darned shame...we finally get a Bank Manager in the family and he’s way off in New York. Well, that ain’t no dang help at all is it?”
Daisy and Slim gasped and looked at him in astonishment and said in unison, “Jess!”
“What...what did I say...huh...huh?” he asked looking innocent.
Slim merely reached over and cuffed him none too gently around the ear.
“What was that for?” Jess asked looking surprised, “What did I say?" He repeated.
But by then Daisy and Slim were doubled up with laughter, so no answer was forthcoming.

The End
Thank you for reading

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