The Laramie Chronicles

The Debt 

By

Patty Wilkinson

(Some strong language, adult themes and violence)

Chapter 1

Jess Harper stood by the barn door cussing softly as he watched his partner Slim Sherman gallop out of the yard and up the rise at speed.

“Dang it, what the hell’s gotten into him lately,” he muttered.

He sighed deeply and mooched off towards the house seeking solace in the coffee pot.

Daisy Cooper their motherly housekeeper was attacking the breakfast dishes at the sink, but she put them to one side, when she heard Jess enter. Bringing the coffee pot back to the table she poured them both a cup before throwing him a compassionate glance and saying, “So have you found out anything more?”

Jess shook his head and ran an exasperated hand through his dark wavy hair, “I’m as stumped as you are Daisy, but this behaviour sure ain’t like Slim, there’s something wrong…something very wrong.”

It had all started a few weeks ago when the men were in town buying supplies.

Slim had headed off to the mercantile, whilst Jess went over to the livery to pay the feed bill and they’d agreed to meet at the saloon for a quick beer before heading home.

Jess’s transaction took longer than expected and by the time he got to the bar, Slim was already there. He was sitting at a table at the back, deep in conversation with a stranger and hardly acknowledged Jess’s friendly wave.

He wandered over to the bar and leaning across gave his girl Millie a loving kiss on the cheek before ordering a beer.

“So, who’s the guy with Slim?” he asked glancing back to where there now appeared to be some sort of disagreement going on.

“I don’t know,” Millie said, pouring his beer, “but I sure don’t like the guy.”

“Oh?”

“He’s kind of nosey. Was in here the other night asking all about you and Slim, how long you’d worked there. Did you get on well…that sort of thing?”

Jess frowned, “None of his damn business…you didn’t tell him anything?”

“I didn’t, but Mose was in and you know what he’s like after a few drinks. Well, this guy just kept them coming and Mose told him all about how close you and Slim were, like brothers. How you’d saved his bacon more than once, and he’d done the same for you. How you were partners in the business, and all. I did try to shut the old fool up, but you know what he’s like…”

Jess nodded, “I know alright.”

“He’s real smarmy with me and Lily, too,” she continued. “But he’s been having some sort of disagreement with Slim I thought it would come to blows a while back.”

“Oh really, it was that bad?” Jess asked turning and now staring belligerently at the stranger.

“Jill over at the Hotel was chatting to me in the mercantile earlier and she doesn’t like him either…good job he’s leaving tomorrow.”

When voices were once more raised Jess put his beer down, marched over and gave the burley blond haired man a dirty look before transferring his gaze to Slim.

“Everything alright here Pard?” he asked.

Slim looked flushed and angry and merely said, “It’s fine Jess.”

“Well, it don’t sound fine to me,” Jess persisted, “is this guy lookin’ for trouble?”

“Just butt out Jess!” Slim said angrily.

Then the stranger turned to Jess and said, “So this is the famous Jess Harper is it… your friend and business partner.” he added sarcastically.

“Who are you?” Jess growled.

“Just an old friend of your partner,” the man said with a nasty smile.

Then turning back to Slim said, “I’ll see you soon Slim, take care of your health won’t you.”

With that he drained his glass and rose to leave.

“Uh, you look after your partner Harper,” he said with another evil grin, “he looks kinda peaky, doesn’t he?” he added before he marched out.

“Who the hell’s that and what were you yellin’ about?” Jess asked taking the man’s vacated seat.

“Mind your own damn business!” Slim shouted before grabbing his hat and jumping up from his seat, “I’ll see you back at the ranch,” he called over his shoulder and was gone.

Later Slim had refused to discuss the matter merely saying that Curt Smyth had been at school with him and they hadn’t gotten along back then.

“Well, that’s pretty clear, but that don’t explain why he turns up out of the blue and starts yelling the odds,” Jess persisted.

“Like I said before, just butt out Jess, this doesn’t concern you,” and turning on his heel he left Jess looking perplexed and feeling kinda hurt.

As the days went on Slim’s temper certainly didn’t improve and he was hardly eating, and sleeping badly too.

That made Jess recall Curt Smyth’s mocking tone when he had said that Slim was looking kinda peaky. Maybe that was it? His pard was sick and didn’t want to upset the family by saying something.

However, when he’d broached the subject Slim had been even more annoyed.

“What the heck have you and Daisy been hatching up now?” he’d said in exasperation. “I sure hope you haven’t been filling young Mike’s head with these imaginings, I don’t want the boy worrying about me.”

“Oh yeah… but you’re quite happy to have me and Daisy worried sick about you aren’t you!” Jess exploded.

At that Slim looked suddenly contrite, “Look I’m really sorry Jess and yes there is a problem, but I’m working it out and everything will be fine in a few weeks. I promise.”

Then just that morning, they once more had words when Slim said he was riding into town, and had cut up rough when Jess offered to ride in with him.

“Hell, we’re not joined at the hip, can’t I even go to town alone?” he’d spat angrily before riding out spurring poor Alamo on and out of the yard at breakneck speed.

Now Daisy reached across the table and squeezed Jess’s hand, “You’re really upset aren’t you dear…” she said gently.

Jess nodded, “Just kinda hurt that he don’t trust me enough to tell me what’s wrong.”

“Maybe Mort would be able to cast some light on the matter,” she said after a few minutes thought. “He seems to know what’s going on in town, behind closed doors, and he may know something about this mysterious Curt Smyth too.”

Jess rode into town early the following morning on the pretext of having run out of fencing nails, but went straight to Mort Cory’s office instead of the mercantile.

The Sheriff was sitting feet up on his desk enjoying his first gut rot strong coffee of the day. He grinned at Jess as he entered and waving to the pot said, “Help yerself Jess.”

“Once he was settled with his drink Mort surveyed him over the rim of his own cup and said, “So what brings you to town so early Jess, couldn’t sleep?”

Jess sighed, ignoring the banter, and then said quietly, “Do you know a guy named Smyth, Curt Smyth?”

“Why sure he used to live in town, his Pa was a big business man, huge acreage, one of the biggest ranchers in the area…nice man. Passed away a month or so ago, shame about his kid though.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, young Curt was spoiled rotten. An only child his Ma overindulged him. To the point that he thought he was a cut above everyone else. It caused his poor Pa one hell of a head ache. Always scrapping and bullying kids in the school, old man Smyth had to take him out in the end, and they moved up Cheyenne way, not long after. Sam Smyth was a big friend of Matt Sherman, Slim’s Pa, that I do know.”

 “So why do ya think that Curt was in town a while back?” Jess asked.

Mort shook his head, “That I don’t know, but he’s back in town again and causing trouble as usual…complaining about everything at the hotel. I guess Mr Dapperly the manager will be glad when he checks out.”

“He’s still there?” Jess asked.

Mort shrugged, “I dunno… I believe he had some sort of meeting with Slim yesterday, he may still be there or could have checked out. You’d have to go across and ask. Or why not simply ask Slim?”

“Because me and Slim ain’t on what you’d call friendly speakin’ terms right now,” Jess said sadly.

0000000

“I’m sorry Mr Harper I can’t help you. Mr Smyth left late last night, returning to his spread over in Cheyenne I imagine…and between you and me I’m rather glad,” Mr Dapperly said.

“Oh, a trouble maker, was he?” Jess said sympathetically.

“Indeed, in fact I thought the gentleman and your partner Mr Sherman might come to blows, they had a very heated conversation yesterday, very heated,” he added shaking his head.

“They did, did they,” Jess said.

Then when it was clear the manager wasn’t going to elaborate, he said, “Uh, I’ll take a coffee in the lounge before I head home.”

“Certainly sir,” the manager smiled, pleased that he was actually going to do some business with Jess rather than just answer questions.

He turned away and after ringing a bell young Jill arrived.

“Coffee in the lounge for Mr Harper please dear,” he said.

When she brought his drink, Jess gave her his most charming smile and said, “Can ya spare me a minute Jill?”

The girl cast a glance towards the reception desk and noting that the manager was on his break she took a seat across the table from Jess and said, “Well just a minute.”

She was a little in awe of her friend Millie’s handsome boyfriend and rather surprised that he wanted to chat with her.

Jess passed the time of day before getting to the point, “I hear that guy uh… Smyth has been causing trouble,” he said tentatively raising a questioning eyebrow.

Never being one to shy away from a juicy bit of gossip, Jill forgot her initial shyness and said “Oh golly yes, I thought him and Mr Sherman would have a fight I really did.”

“So, do you know what it was all about?”

She shrugged, “Not really, but it was something to do with buying back some Sherman land? The lake pasture and the grazing on the Sherman Mountain, I think he said. Your Mr Sherman was offering a check to buy it…I couldn’t see how much, but lots of zeros… a lot of money I figure, “she said in awe.

“Go on,” Jess said urgently.

“Oh well I served their coffee and then as I was going, I heard that nasty piece of work Smyth, say that it was worth double now and Mr Sherman has just two weeks to find the cash before he took the land back off his hands. I didn’t understand it really.”

Then looking up into those deep blue eyes said, “Does that help, Mr Harper?”

“Oh yes,” Jess said softly, “that helps a real lot thanks Jill,” and passing the youngster some coins said, “Here, go treat yerself huh honey.”

She looked down at the unexpected bounty and beamed at him, “Well thank you Jess… Uh, I mean Mr Harper, thank you so much!”

Chapter 2

Jess found Slim mending fence out on the East pasture.

He frowned as Jess rode up, “You took your time, did you get the nails?”

Jess slid down from the saddle, walked over and said, “Never mind about that, we need to talk.”

“No time,” Slim said brusquely, turning back to his work.

Jess had just about reached the jumping off place now; he felt the anger rising in his chest and grabbing hold of Slim’s shoulder roughly turned him around to face him again.

“I said we’ve gotta talk and I ain’t takin’ no for an answer. Now sit down and shut up,” he growled pushing Slim backwards. He stumbled before regaining his balance and glaring belligerently at his pard.

However, Jess ignored him and walked over to where a campfire was lit, coffee pot in place ready for their mid-day break.

Jess sat down by the fire and said irritably, “Damn it Slim, will ya just come and talk to me.”

Slim sighed gustily but eventually wandered over and throwing himself down opposite Jess said, “Well what?”

Jess had to hide a smile in spite of the circumstances as the sulky attitude reminded him so much of Slim’s kid brother Andy when he was upset by something as a teen.

But then he cleared his throat and said, “So exactly when were you gonna tell me you were spending our hard-earned cash on buying back land we already own?”

Slim looked like he’d been slapped in the face and then taking a deep breath whispered, “How’d you find out?”

“Never mind that, but is it true? You were offering this Curt Smyth a check for the lake pasture and mountain grazing?”

“Yes…yes I did.”

“But why for goodness-sake, Slim? That’s been in your family since your Pa’s time, you own it all outright.”

“No, no we don’t… well not really.”

Jess groaned in exasperation, “Are you gonna tell me what it’s all about?”

“Sure, I guess I should have told you, I was just so dang upset by it all, thought I could cover it up and once I’d paid go on as before.”

“Paid with our money,” Jess said, angry again, “or had you forgotten I’m a partner in this business. I ploughed back almost every dang cent I’ve earned into the ranch, to keep us afloat at one time, and more recently to expand some.”

“No,” Slim said quickly, “I was using that money Pa left…not the ranch account.”

“What, the money to set Andy up in business when he’s through college?” Jess asked in disbelief. “Hell, that’s even worse.”

“I was going to pay it back, every penny,” Slim said quickly.

“But why in the name of reason were you buying your own land?” Jess asked looking totally bemused.

“It’s a long story…”

“Well, I ain’t doin’ anything else right now,” Jess said sarcastically, “so let’s hear it huh.”

“OK… OK,” he sighed and then said, “Years ago Pa hit a bad patch, really bad. The harvest was flooded out and then some of the stock got sick. We nearly lost the place. We would have done if it hadn’t been for Curt’s Pa, Sam Smyth.”

“Go on…”

“He gave my Pa a huge loan and Pa put up the lake, north pasture and mountain grazing as collateral. Well old man Smyth didn’t need the money back, or the land either. He was the richest guy around here. But I reckon he figured that if he didn’t strike that deal Pa wouldn’t have accepted the money.”

“He was a proud man by all accounts,” Jess agreed.

“Yes, he was. Anyway, he accepted the loan and got back on his feet and started paying it back in monthly instalments.”

“Well, that’s OK then,” Jess said with a sigh of relief.

“No, no it’s not…you see Pa didn’t make all the repayments.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, Mr Smyth cancelled the agreement. He said he didn’t want any more of Pa’s money and to accept the rest of the loan as a gift.”

“Gee, so why’d he do that?”

“Something happened…a sort of scandal, and my Pa stuck by Sam Smyth when others turned their backs on him. He never forgot that, said he was a true friend and he was to accept the money as just that…a gesture of friendship.”

“And so, he did?”

“Yes, he did. He’d paid most of it back by then anyway.”

“So, why’s this dang Curt askin’ for it now?”

“His Pa passed away a while back and now Curt is saying the debt was never paid and demanding his money…and he’s asking double what the original amount was, says it’s worth more now.”

Jess shook his head, “He’s probably right, the lake alone is worth a fortune that being the only water source around here.”

Then he stopped and removing his hat ran a hand through his hair, looking puzzled, said “Hang on a minute, but you said that the debt was cancelled…and most of it was already paid off anyway?”

“Yes, but the only problem is I’ve no proof. I’m sure Pa showed me the letter Sam had written him, saying the debt was cancelled. But I’ve turned the place upside down and I can’t find it.”

“Have you talked to Benson about it?” Jess asked referring to their solicitor.

“First place I went, he’s seen Curt’s copy of the original agreement and some of Pa’s payments…and certified that as genuine. But Curt never showed him all the other repayments…it looks like he’d only made a couple. He says if I can’t produce the letter terminating the agreement or at least proof of the other repayments, then the original agreement still stands in law. Meaning I owe Curtis a small fortune, more than we’ve got anyway. I thought I could cover it with Andy’s money, but now he’s upped the stakes, well it’s impossible.”

“But that ain’t fair!” Jess spat.

“Fair or not it’s the law.”

Jess was silent for a long time just looking down and then he said, “This could cost us the ranch Slim. Without the summer grazing on the mountain or water from the lake we’d go out of business.”

Slim nodded looking stricken, “And lose the ranch too, Daisy and Mike’s home, as well as ours.”

Jess sprang up looking furious, “He can’t do this, let me go reason with him Slim, huh?” he said bawling a fist.

“Oh no,” Slim said firmly, “I know your kind of reasoning and it will land you in Mort’s jail cell. Why do you think I wasn’t straight with you from the start?”

“Just five minutes alone, I’d soon change his mind,” Jess continued ignoring Slim’s plea and looking of ominously resolute.

 “Jess, you’re just making it worse,” Slim said despairingly.

He glanced down at his buddy’s ashen face and felt terrible.

Throwing himself down by the fire again he said softly, “OK Slim, we’ll play it your way. Don’t worry we’ll think of something.”

Chapter 3

It was later that night before they had a chance to discuss the matter further in private. Daisy and Mike were long abed, when they took their coffee, liberally laced with red eye, out onto the porch.

They had spent the evening turning the house, and even the barn, upside down looking for the confirmation of the cancelling of the loan agreement and payment receipts, all to no avail.

“I don’t reckon Daisy swallowed that story that we were lookin’ fer Jonesy’s book on horse ailments and remedies,” Jess said shaking his head.

“All I could come up with off the top of my head. Besides, I just can’t tell her the truth can I…she’ll be so darned upset.”

“Well, she’ll have to know sooner or later,” Jess said practically.

“No,” Slim said looking exasperated, “we’re going to have to get out of this somehow or other. I just can’t stand the thought of Mike and Daisy losing their home, they rely on us Jess.”

“I ain’t too sold on the idea myself,” Jess said dryly.

They sipped their coffee in silence and looked out to the distant mountains in the fast-gathering gloom of a summer evening.

Then after a while Jess said, “Why’s he doing this to you? You said yourself he’d just inherited one of the largest spreads in the area, so he sure doesn’t need the money. What is it Slim, why does he hate you enough to try and ruin your life and the folk you care about?”

Slim sighed deeply looking out to the horizon and began his narrative:

“It all started when we were young boys in school together. I never really took to him; he was clearly spoiled and a real sissy. But Pa asked me to try and make a friend of him. As you know my Pa and Sam Smyth were really good buddies.

Jess raised an eyebrow, “It don’t follow that you had to be friends with his son.”

“No, I guess not, but I made an effort as Pa had asked me to and boy was it hard work. See I was popular enough, got on well with everyone but Curt…he seemed to fall out with the whole darned school. Bottom line was he was jealous of folk and especially me…Jealous of my friends and the fact that I had a kid brother too.”

Jess snorted at that, “I had kid brothers but I don’t remember anyone bein’ real envious. They’re a pain in the butt young ‘uns,” he added with a grin.

“I guess you’re right, if you have them, but he was an only child and I reckon he thought he was missing out. Well, that’s when we really fell out.”

“Go on…”

“Andy was just a little kid, just started school and I’d be about fourteen. Well Andy didn’t say anything to me, didn’t want to be called a tattle-tale…but it seems that Curt bullied him from day one. Sly little pinches…a kick when nobody was around…”

“That’s real spiteful.”

“It was …anyway one day I caught him at it, saw him put his foot out and deliberately trip Andy, he fell really badly and cut his head. Then it all came out, how Curt had it in for him. I’ll tell you Jess I really lost my temper, and walloped him real good.”

“You did huh?” asked Jess in surprise, “Well…good fer you!”

“Um, that’s not what the school master said, or my Pa come to that…I got the cane from old Mr Price and then a lecture from Pa when I got home!”

“Well hell that ain’t fair, didn’t ya tell them what had been going on?”

“Oh sure, but they said I dealt with it the wrong way…should have just told Mr Price.”

Jess said nothing as they both knew his feelings on that.

“It wasn’t until Curt and his Pa came over that my Pa forgave me. Sam Smyth said his boy had behaved abominably and he wanted to apologise to me and Andy.”

“I should dang well think so.”

“Yeah, but that was the start of the vendetta between me and Curt. He goaded me every way he could trying to get me in trouble again, but I wouldn’t bite. Then as we grew up things  got even worse between us. Because of his behaviour, acting like a spoilt kid none of the others liked him…especially the girls. So, as we got older and started keeping company with girls he was left out in the cold, none of the girls would walk out with him.”

“That was hardly your fault.”

“No, you’re right…but somewhere along the line he changed his tactics and started to try and befriend me…always hanging around, wanting to go fishing or just hang out together.”

“He probably saw how popular you were and wanted some of the action,” Jess said grinning.

“Maybe, but Curt got real mad when I didn’t want to be best buddies. He blamed me for everything, the other boys not liking him and the girls ignoring him. Gee he was so damn jealous, especially when I started seeing Jenny Jackson, the class beauty.”

Jess turned and took notice of this, “You did huh?”

“You’re not the only one that women fall for,” Slim said with a chuckle.

“Go on then,” Jess said ignoring the jibe.

“Curt had been asking her out for weeks and she’d ignored him… so he just saw red when he caught us together walking home, with me carrying her books,” Slim said with a sly wink.

“So, what happened?”

“He drew a gun on me.”

“What the hell!”

“It was his Pa’s…he’d taken it. Decided he was going to kill me apparently. Well as soon as he said that, Jenny started yelling blue murder and who should ride up but Curt’s Pa. He’d missed his gun and put two and two together and ridden over to the school to meet Curt and he heard everything! Curt dropped the gun and made a run for it,” Slim said shaking his head at the memory.

“Jeez, that ain’t funny a kid like that really could have killed ya Slim.”

“I know it, and so did his Pa.”

“So was he in big trouble with his Pa?”

 “Oh yeah, Sam Smyth came around to see me at home, told my Pa what had happened and was so darned apologetic.”

“Ha, I bet he was.”

“Anyway, the outcome was that as long as Sam could guarantee he’d deal with Curt, and make sure he never packed a gun again, my Pa said he wouldn’t see the Sheriff or lodge a complaint.”

“Well, that was real good of him, so was that the end of it?”

“Nope it wasn’t, Jess. You see, Jenny Jackson told everyone what had happened and by the time she’d embellished the story some, there was practically a lynch mob coming after Curt. It was a real scandal.”

“Jeez, so what happened?”

“Well Pa sided with Sam Smyth and said no real harm had been done. But the whole town were against Sam and Curt. Like I told you before, that was the scandal and it was only Pa that stood by them.”

“That was pretty good of him really, considering you could have been damn well killed,” Jess said hotly.

Slim grinned at that, “Ah, but Pa and I knew the gun wasn’t loaded. Curt was just out to scare us. We tried to explain it to folk. But when did you ever hear the good folk of Laramie let the truth get in the way of a good story?”

Jess nodded, knowing that was a fact, having been the butt of similar misunderstandings.

“So, what happened in the end?” he asked again.

“Outcome was they packed up and moved to Cheyenne within the month.”

 “Well dang it, he should be beholden to you for not calling the law in, not makin’ all this trouble for you now.”

Slim just shook his head, “When I’ve seen him over the years, he’s just got more and more envious of everything I stand for, everything I am. The fact that I’ve got good friends, have made a go of the business without my Pa doing everything for me, unlike him. I guess he just can’t bear the thought that I’ve got a good happy life and made it through my own endeavour.”

“So, when his Pa died, he decided to make your life a misery, because he had the chance?”

“Yup and I hate to say it but he’s succeeding Jess, and I just can’t see any way out.”

“Well, we sure as hell ain’t giving him any money,” Jess said resolutely.

“In which case I’d end up in jail,” Slim said, “and we’d lose the ranch anyway.”

“When are you seeing him again?”

“End of the week, and he’s expecting a fat check.”

“Look why dontcha meet up as planned and appeal to his better nature. Surely he can see what he’s doing is all wrong?”

Slim sighed deeply, “I guess I could try. Hell, I’d beg him if it means we keep the ranch and don’t have to make Daisy and Mike homeless.”

Chapter 4

Saturday noon found Slim and Jess in the Laramie saloon sipping a cold beer apiece.

Jess had finally convinced Slim to let him ride in with him, but on the strict proviso that Jess did not attend the meeting.

“I know what you’re like…first time he riles you; you’ll knock him into next week! Then he’ll have even more cause to blacken our name. He’s already threatened to put it around town that Pa died in debt. Hell Jess, I just couldn’t stand to see Pa’s good name besmirched that way.”

Jess reached out and squeezed Slim’s shoulder, “OK pard we’ll play it your way. I’ll just stay here ready to do whatever ya need OK?”

Once he’d gone, Jess filled Millie in on the current situation and she was equally worried about the outcome.

Slim returned to the saloon from his meeting an hour later looking pale and exhausted.

Jess merely took a bottle and two glasses from an anxious looking Millie and steered his pard to a quiet table at the back of the room.

He poured them both a stiff drink and said, “Well?”

Slim uncharacteristically threw back his drink in one and poured another before replying.

“He wouldn’t budge,” he said sadly. “When he knew I couldn’t raise the cash he said I’ve got a week to tell Mike and Daisy and then move out. Said he’d take the ranch and rest of the land to make up for the outstanding debt. Or, if I didn’t agree he’ll go to the press and make sure they run a story saying my Pa was a debtor and I tried to cover it up all these years; then to the law to get me jailed for none payment of a loan.”

“The hell he did!” Jess cried angrily.

“That’s not all…he wants to see you.”

“Me why?”

Slim shrugged, “I don’t know, probably to wind you up so you whop him really good. That would just add a bit of colour to the press report I guess…I can just see the headlines.”

Jess swigged back his drink and then stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“Where the hell do ya think, to keep my appointment with Curt of course.”

“Jess please…”

“Oh don’t worry I won’t so much as lay a finger on him.” Jess said with an evil smile. “Take it easy huh Slim and I’ll see ya back at the ranch, OK?”

Slim merely nodded and sat watching his pard walk quickly out of the bar.

Then he pushed his drink away and getting up made his way unsteadily out to find his horse. If he was going to have to break the news to Daisy and Mike he might as well get it over with he thought.

Jess saw the burley blond figure of Curt Smyth at the far side of the practically empty hotel bar and strode over.

He stood glaring down at the man and finally drawled, “You wanted to see me?”

Curt looked up and smiled indulgently, “Ah Jess good to see you, I have a little proposition for you.”

“And I’ve got one for you,” Jess growled, “leave Slim alone and just ride on home and nobody will get hurt, savvy?”

“Is that a threat?” Curt asked looking somewhat less confident.

“Oh, that’s a promise,” Jess said bawling a fist, “but maybe someplace less public huh?”

“Uh, I thought something like this might happen,” Curt said, that’s why I took the precaution of telling the Sheriff I had a meeting with you and the outcome might be…well less than harmonious,” and he looked beyond Jess.

Jess turned around to see Mort had come in and was sitting at the bar. He raised a hand in welcome and then returned to chatting with the bar keep.

Jess looked back at Curt and said, “Like I said someplace less public…”

“I think you’ll find I’ve covered every base. You see I have an article lodged with the Laramie Sentinel, concerning Mathew Sherman’s shady business deals. The story is to be published at once…that is if I were to …let’s say meet with any misfortune. So please Jess, take a seat and hear me out at least.”

Jess turned to see Mort was still there and sighing deeply he took the seat opposite Curt.

“Well?”

“Like I said, I have a proposition for you. I hear you are an excellent horse-breaker and as a partner in a…well, reasonably efficiently run ranch, you have potential, the potential to make an excellent ramrod.”

“I’ve already got a job I kinda like,” Jess said laconically.

“Yes, but for how long? As soon as I get the deeds to the ranch, I’ll be putting it on the market. I’m offering you the job of ramrod and horse-breaker at one of the most prestigious ranches for miles around. Now then Jess if you were to accept, well then maybe I could forget all this business of a debt…let old Slim off the hook. I’d really like you to work for me…so what do you say huh?”

Jess launched himself up and dragging Curt from his seat stood eyeball to eyeball before saying, “I say you’re a no-good son of a bitch and I’d rather go courtin’ a she-bear, with a toothache, than spend one more second in your company. So, Mr Smyth you can stick yer damn job,” he spat, just as he was aware that Mort was at his back. He turned and still having hold of Curt by the shoulders turned him around and virtually threw him into Mort’s arms, “He’s all yours,” he snarled before marching out.

“I’ll be here a few days,” Smyth called after him, “should you change your mind Harper.”

He returned to the saloon and told Millie all about Smyth’s offer and she was equally outraged. Then she said softly, “Whatever you decide on, Jess, I’ll be behind you a hundred percent, you know that don’t you?”

He decided to take his time riding home, wanting to simmer down some after his encounter with Curt Smyth. So, he reined in by the lake and tethering Traveller to the No Trespassers sign smiled to himself. Jeez it seemed an age since Slim had caught him in this very same spot and ordered him off Sherman land. Now here he was all these years later a partner in the business and the old place as much a home to him as it was Slim. He sank down on the springy turf and rested his back against the old fallen tree and looked out across the lake. How in hell had it all come to this? He couldn’t believe that the law was saying Smyth had a case, hell even Mort seemed to be on his side.

He couldn’t figure why he would be so desperate for Jess to work for him that he would forget all about the debit either. It just didn’t make sense and anyway how much could he trust the guy? He could go break all his dang horses and then afterwards Smyth could still claim the Sherman ranch as part of the debit, allegedly owed him. After a while he closed his eyes and pulled his hat down over his face and took a nap, figuring maybe the answer would come to him when he awoke.

When he finally arrived back at the ranch later that afternoon Slim was anxiously standing on the porch awaiting him.

“Where the hell have you been to all this time?” he asked angrily as Jess rode into the yard.

He dismounted and merely shrugged, “I had me some thinkin’ to do,” he said as he tethered Traveller before joining Slim on the porch.

They sat down and Slim said irritably, “I could have done with you here it wasn’t easy breaking the news to Daisy and Mike you know.”

Jess’s head shot up, “What you’ve told them already?”

“Well sure I have; you didn’t want me to wait until they read it in the Sentinel did you…. Or Mose said something?”

Jess shook his head, “I guess not, but heck Slim it ain’t all cut and dried yet.”

“Oh, I’d say it is…here,” he said passing an official looking letter over. “It’s from Smyth’s solicitor, I got it a few days ago and showed Benson today…it seems the law really is on his side, as Benson said a while back. Without the letter of proof that the debt was cancelled Smyth is within his rights to take the money owed. Plus, interest and that means the ranch house as well as the land. This letter gives us just a couple of weeks to get out.”

So, what Smyth had told him was true, Jess thought… then he asked, “So how did they take it?”

“How do you think?” Slim said looking desolate. “Oh, Daisy took it on the chin, said she was sure it wouldn’t come to that…and if it did, well she and Mike could stay at her friend’s place in Laramie…until we got back on our feet again,” he said shaking his head sorrowfully.

“Good old Daisy,” Jess said with a sad smile. “And how about Mike, how did he take it?”

“Tearful, angry, really upset and he wanted you.”

Jess closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “I’ll go talk to him.”

Later after supper Jess saw a very miserable Mike off to bed. He sat with him for a while…telling stories as usual, but the youngster couldn’t be distracted and begged Jess not to let the bad man take their home away.

“What about Bandit,” he asked suddenly, “and all my other critters, Aunt Daisy’s friend lives in a tiny house, with no land at all!”

“We’ll sort something out, don’t fret Tiger,” Jess said before tucking the youngster in and saying goodnight.

He returned to the others clearly upset and threw himself down in his rocker by the fire, where Daisy and Slim were drinking coffee.

“This just ain’t right,” he finally managed. “Mike don’t disserve this… you neither Daisy,” he said looking across to their beloved housekeeper.

“Oh, don’t worry about me dear,” she said quickly, “I’ll be just fine over at Jane’s place and Mike will be alright too. Children are very adaptable you know, just as long as he can still see you both as often as possible.”

That was just too much for Jess, Daisy’s stoic attitude bringing him close to tears, “I’m goin’ to check on Trav,” he said gruffly, before jumping up from his seat and diving out the front door.

“Oh dear, this has really upset him,” Daisy said softly, when he’d gone.

Slim nodded, “He comes across as a tough guy you know Daisy, what with that gunslinger image of his and all. But what you forget is he lost one family under terrible circumstances and it took him a real long time to put stakes down here. I guess having his life turned upside down again and losing his new family this way is real hard for him.”

“For us all dear,” she said leaning over and squeezing his hand.

Then a little later she made an excuse and said it had been a long day and she was off to bed.

Outside on the porch Jess heard her enter her room, the window being open slightly, and then he heard her give a little moan followed by soft weeping.

He sighed deeply and looked up to the stars, “Why?” he muttered to himself, “why the hell is all this happening to us?”

A little later he heard Daisy quietly close her window and all was silent. Then the front door opened and Slim came out carrying a half bottle of moonshine and a couple of shot glasses. He took the seat next to Jess and pouring a drink passed it across.

“I figured we were in need of a restorative,” he said softly.

Jess nodded his thanks and knocked the drink back.

Then equally quietly said,  “She was cryin’ before.”

Slim looked shocked, but said nothing, merely poured them both another shot.

“She reckons kids are resilient doesn’t she,” he said after a while, “says Mike will be OK in a few weeks.”

Jess just grunted, “He asked me what he’d done wrong, thinks all this business is somehow his fault.”

“Jeez,” Slim muttered shaking his head again.

They sipped their drinks in silence for a while.

Then Jess said, “So tell me more about this guy, Curt…you say he was always jealous of you?”

Slim looked slightly bemused at the swift change of subject but replied, “Heck yes. It wasn’t just my relationship with that pretty little Jenny that he was envious about…it was the one with my best buddy too.”

“Who…uh Jamie Brown…that’s it. You two were called the terrible twins, weren’t you?” Jess said smiling at the tall tales Slim had told him in the past.

“Yup Jamie was a terror for finding trouble…a lot like you,” he said grinning. “Then it was always down to me to try and get us out of scrapes. Gee but I missed that guy after …the accident.”

“Oh yeah,” Jess said his face falling, “I’d forgotten about that, it was a riding accident, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, seems his pony got a burr under the saddle…he threw Jamie and he fell really badly, hit his head and was killed instantly. I saw it all. A few of us were there, Jenny and Curt too.” He shook his head, “I remember Curt coming around the following day asking if I wanted to go fishing with him.”

“And did ya?”

“Nope I was way too upset to even think about that kind of thing! Heck I was only fourteen and just seen my best friend die,” he shook his head, “It took me a long time to get over it Jess…and all the darned time Curt was there pestering me, wanting us to do stuff together.”

“Maybe he was just trying to make you feel better?”

“Maybe,” Slim replied looking unconvinced. “Anyway, not long after that Jenny and I got together and then there was that incident with the gun and his Pa moved the family away.”

“Oh yeah,” Jess said softly, just looking out to the distant mountains and then it hit him, that was it of course! He and Slim were best buddies, weren’t they…so of course Curt would want to split them up! Hence the job offer. Jeez but the guy was sick in the head if he could be that jealous all these years on. So now he seemed to be trying to get his own back for Slim’s rejection of him back then…that had to be the reason.

He looked over to Slim and then said quietly, “So are you sayin’ that Curt Smyth wanted to replace your best buddy?”

Slim frowned, “I don’t know, never thought about it that much, but maybe he did yeah.Because he sure didn’t have any other friends. Maybe I was a little unkind to him back then,” he reflected, “but heck I was mourning my friend and I was just a kid.”

“Sure, I understand,” Jess said quickly.

“So why do you ask?”

“Uh, no reason…any of the grog left…huh?”

Chapter 5

The following morning, they were sitting around the breakfast table all looking out of sorts. Young Mike was yawning after having cried himself to sleep the night before and Daisy wasn’t her usual cheery self either. As for Jess and Slim they both looked slightly worse for wear after finishing off the bottle of Denver James’ potent moonshine. So when someone rode into the yard and knocked on the door it was a few seconds before Jess finally wandered off to answer it.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said morosely before standing back to allow Mort Cory entry.

“And top of the morning to you too,” the Sheriff said smiling warmly at the grumpy looking dark-haired cowboy.

By this time Slim had come over and welcoming Mort said, “Come on in, and don’t pay any heed to Jess he’s uh…kinda tired this morning,” before whispering out of Daisy’s hearing, “courtesy of Denver’s brew.”

“Ah, I see,” Mort said winking at Slim and taking the offered chair by the fire.

“So, you’ve come to read me the riot act, have ya?” Jess asked irritably, as he leaned on the mantelpiece glaring down at Mort.

Before the Sheriff could reply Slim said, “And why should he be doing that Jess, what have you been up to now?”

“It’s alright,” Mort said quickly, “he just got a tad uh… annoyed with Curt Smyth yesterday, but no harm done. Nope it’s about that I’ve come though. I figure maybe you should put me in the picture here as to exactly what’s going on. I’ve heard Smyth’s version, but now I’d like to hear the truth,” he said grinning at Slim, “because I sure as hell don’t buy this story about an unpaid debt.”

Then turning to Daisy said, “Pardon me ma’am.”

Daisy inclined her head in response and smiled at him, knowing feelings were running high.

Just then they heard the Stage rattling into the yard and Mike was despatched off to school, before they settled down to fill Mort in on the terrible business.

“So that’s about it,” Slim said at last, taking the letter from the solicitor back from where Mort had been reading it, following the lengthy explanation as to their troubles.

Mort looked moved by the whole sorry tale and said, “And you really can’t locate the letter cancelling the debt and all the other repayment receipts?”

Slim shook his head, “Nope and we’ve turned the place upside down. Ma must have burnt them after Pa died I guess…she had a real big tidy up as I remember.”

“Well, I’m really sorry to say it, but I’m afraid you’re sunk. The law is on Smyth’s side and I will have to uphold the law, no matter what my personal feelings. I’ll be expected to see that the transaction regarding legally recognized seizure of ranch and land goes ahead.”

“Transaction!” Jess spat, angrily, “You make it sound like a done deal. Hell, it ain’t just a buildin’ and land we’re talkin’ about here it’s people’s lives.”

“Yes, I know Jess and I’m truly sorry, but I’m afraid there is no way out of this,” Mort said looking distressed.

Jess closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and saying softly, “Well that’s where you’re wrong Sheriff.”

“Come, come Jess, how many times do I have to tell you, violence just isn’t the answer. Please don’t force me to have to jail you. Because that’s what it will come to if you injure Smyth…or worse…”

Jess just shook his head, “Oh I ain’t gonna hurt him Mort, I’m gonna throw my lot in with him. He’s offered me the job of ramrod over at his place in Cheyenne and I aim to take it.”

There was a stunned silence, before Daisy said, “Why on earth would you do that Jess, you love it here, it’s your home.”

Jess looked angry and said, “It’s good money Daisy and I sure won’t have a future here if Smyth has his way.”

Daisy looked pale but stuck by her guns, “Why Jess Harper, I just don’t believe you.”

Jess looked down and said nothing.

Then Slim said quietly, “OK Jess, let’s have the real reason huh.”

Jess sighed deeply before looking his pard in the eye and saying, “OK, the truth is, he’s promised to forget about the debt, let you off the hook, if I say I’ll leave here and go work for him.”

“Oh Jess,” Slim whispered looking emotional,  “I can’t let you do that.”

“Too bad,” Jess said quickly, “because that’s what I’m doin’,” and he jumped up and made for the bedroom.

“Where are you going, we need to talk this through,” Slim said urgently.

“No, no we really don’t, I’ve made up my mind, Pard,” Jess said softly, before marching off calling over his shoulder, “I’m goin’ to pack.”

Mort left shortly afterwards, asking Slim to tell Jess to call in before he rode out with Smyth.

“Maybe I can change his mind, “he said shaking his head sadly.

Once he’d left, Slim gave Daisy a hug and kissed her gently on the forehead, “I’ll go talk to him,” he said quietly, before entering their shared room.

He saw Jess sitting on his bed, his few meagre possessions around him and was looking terribly sad and lost.

Slim sat down heavily on his own bed and after a moment said, “Why are you doing this Jess?”

Jess recalled a conversation they’d had many years ago, somewhere along the lines of Jess sayin he’d ridden in with trouble in both pockets and a greased holster… and then saying, ‘but you made a friend of me…why did you do that Slim?’ Then Slim’s simple reply, ‘Because you needed it.’

Now he looked up at his pard and said softly, “Because you need it.”

The significance wasn’t lost on Slim and he leaned over and squeezed Jess’s shoulder before saying, “Thanks…”

Then he said, “But you’re not going for good, huh, just for a while?”

Jess shook his head, “He’s got some mustangs he wants breaking. We’ll tell Mike that’s why I’m going.”

“And the truth?”

“The truth is I’m gonna give him my word that I’ll work for him permanent Slim. It’s the only way for him to rescind the debt…and if I make a promise, then I figure I’m gonna hafta keep it.”

With that he started stuffing things into his ancient valise…and then his saddlebags.

After a while Slim could bear it no longer and leaping up, he pulled Jess away from his task and holding him by the shoulders, said, “Stay…just one more night at least. Please Jess you can’t go now, not this way…besides you have to say goodbye to Mike.”

Jess looked down and then swallowing finally said, “Sure Pard. I’ll head out tomorrow.”

Once his packing was complete, he sought out Daisy and tried to explain everything to her.

She sat down heavily at the table and poured them both another coffee…and after he’d explained she said, “You know when I first came here you made me so welcome. For all your banter and rough ways, I could see the boy inside and I think I loved you like a son from that moment.”

“Daisy…”

“No please, let me finish. I’ve loved you like a Ma all these years and now it breaks my heart to see you go.”

Again, he opened his mouth to speak, but she raised a silencing hand.

“But I can understand that you feel you have to…that you’re doing the right thing to save our home and the ranch. So, I’ll watch you ride away without a fuss…I’ll dry Mike’s tears and try and be a good listener and friend to Slim. But nobody will ever replace you Jess… So please dear, promise me you’ll come back to us when you can?”

He nodded unable to speak, merely took her hand and squeezed it, before getting up and heading for the door.

Here he halted and looked back, nodded again and gave her a small bleak smile and little salute before heading out to check Traveller over; ready for the long ride ahead.

When Mike arrived home from school that afternoon, he took him down to the creek to fish and to tell him the latest news.

“So, you see Tiger, it’s gonna be alright,” he finished. “We won’t lose the ranch after all. You can keep all your critters and this will always be your home, OK?”

The boy nodded happily, but then said, “So tell me the bit about you having to go away for a while again.”

“Well, this Mr Smyth’s got a mess of broncos need bustin’ and so as long as I promise to do that, he’ll let us all stay at the ranch like I said.”

Mike stared out at his line in the creek for a minute and then turning his innocent gaze back on Jess, “But how long are you gonna be away though Jess huh?”

Jess couldn’t look him in the eye, and said, “Well ya know Mike these things take time…and like I say he’s got a mess of work for me to do there with the horses.”

He looked anxious at that and said, “But you’ll be home for my Birthday though?”

It was now early summer and Mike’s Birthday was in the fall…Jess said nothing for a moment.

“Jess, you will huh?”

“I dunno Tiger, but I’ll sure try to get back even if it’s just a visit, OK?”

After that Mike was very quiet and then Jess heard him sniff.

“What’s up Tiger?” he asked quickly.

“You’re leaving ain’t you Jess…you’re going for good aren’t you!”

Jess didn’t know what to stay, but he instinctively pulled the boy close and held him tightly, “I sure hope not Tiger…I’ll get back if I can, I promise I will.”

It was a very subdued child who went off to bed that night. But as Jess said to Slim later, “Hell, I just couldn’t lie to him, not when he looked at me that way.”

“Probably for the best,” Slim said quietly, “save him looking out for you all the time and asking when you’ll be back, this way he’ll accept it…eventually.”

They were sitting before the dying fire, Daisy and Mike long abed, drinking a nightcap…

 “Will you though,” Jess asked, “accept it?”

Slim shook his head, “Never…I aim to try and find that damn money somehow, pay the cash back and get you out of the situation.”

“No, listen Slim…that’s impossible and we both know it, just forget it huh.”

They lapsed into silence and then Jess said, “You’ll need to take on one of the Jackson boys to help you at busy times, like round up and stuff. You should be able to afford to buy in help as I’ll not be drawing any pay.”

Slim closed his eyes and groaned softly, it all seemed so final, so real.

“Look, I’ll try and get back, for special days, the kid’s Birthday and the like…yeah?”

Slim nodded, “Sure that would be great,” he said quietly.

It was late when they finally turned in having spent half the night drinking and reminiscing. Laughing heartily some of the time and feeling close to tears at others. Both men not a little drunk by the time they turned in.

The following morning Jess could bear it no longer and he left directly after breakfast.

As he mounted up Blue, his wolf cross sheepdog came running out of the barn barking and wagging his tail. His tongue was lolling out and his bright eyes twinkling and ready for the anticipated adventure.

Jess saw Mike looking at the dog in misery, suddenly aware that as well as his best friend, he would also lose his beloved dog too.

Jess quickly jumped down and picking up a length of old rope from the porch attached it to Blue’s collar and gave the end to Mike.

“You look after him for me will ya Tiger?”

The child’s face lit up, “Sure I will Jess, I’ll keep him real safe until you get back.” Now totally convinced his hero would return. Heck Jess wouldn’t ride out and leave Blue unless he intended coming back, it stood to reason.

Slim looked at his buddy the light of compassion in his eyes, knowing what it was costing Jess to leave his beloved dog.

“Keep him tied up for a few days will ya Slim,” he said as he jumped back up in the saddle, “don’t want him following me and getting lost.”

Then giving the people, he thought of as family a little farewell salute he turned Traveller and galloped up the rise. He paused when he reached the top and looked back at the small group of figures, the tall blond rancher, the elderly woman and the young boy. Slim raised a hand in farewell and Jess returned the gesture before turning away and riding off…his hat pulled down hard and a look of determination in his dark blue eyes. Hell, he’d be back he vowed if it was the last dang thing he did. Then he heard Blue, howling and barking frantically, and he spurred Traveller on to greater speed.

Chapter 6

When he arrived in town, he decided to get the business with Curt Smyth over with first. If Jess was gonna hafta eat crow he wanted it done with as soon as possible.

Then he could get on with the conversation he had been dreading ever since he made his decision; that of telling Millie. Sure, she said she’d back him up a hundred percent whatever he did. But in reality, how would it pan out between them…how could it, with fifty odd miles of harsh terrain between them?

He tethered Traveller outside the hotel and marched inside, seeing Curt at once. He was again sitting in the bar reading a paper and sipping coffee.

When Jess strode over, he put down the paper and gave him a snake like smile, “Thought you’d be back Harper…so you want to be on the payroll then?”

“Reckon that’s why I’m here,” Jess growled.

Smyth stared at him long and hard, “I suppose that’s about all the apology I’m going to get from you?”

“You offered me a job, I’m sayin’ I’ll take it, what more is there to say?”

“What indeed,” Smyth said with another self-satisfied smile.

“Just one thing,” Jess said, “I’ll need those papers regarding the loan.”

Certainly, Smyth said passing over a bulky envelope, “Everything is there and from now on Slim can consider the matter finished…deal?”

Jess opened the envelope and regarded all the legal papers carefully before looking up, “Yeah deal.”

Smyth offered a hand and Jess reluctantly shook it.

“Now then,” Smyth said looking business like, “I intend to take the noon stage out, you’ll join me of course…go buy a ticket,” he snapped, offering a note.”

Jess ignored him, “I’ll be ridin’ over, be there tomorrow night. Got me some business to tend to here first,” he added, before turning and marching out.

Smyth looked after him, his eyes narrowing, it looked like Jess Harper would need taking down a peg or two…but all in good time. Then he beamed, his plan had worked. He’d successfully split up the friendship between Sherman and Harper just like he’d intended. Now let Sherman feel bereft knowing his partner had walked out on him. Let him know what it felt like to not have a close buddy…heck more like a brother…around anymore. And maybe, just maybe Jess would switch that allegiance and loyalty to Curt, be the friend he’d always craved. How he’d envied that closeness between the two of them…but now it was broken…forever and he smiled again feeling pure pleasure in Slim’s pain.

Jess crossed the street and entered the saloon, which was still quiet it being so early.

As he’d hoped, Millie was washing glasses, but stopped and walked out from behind the bar when she saw him.

“Why Jess whatever is it?” she asked, “You look terrible.”

“Can we go upstairs to your room, we need to talk,” he said urgently.

She looked around and then called out for Lily to cover for her.

“Take your time,” her petite blond friend said smiling at the couple, “Tom’s just gone over to visit some friends and said he won’t be back until noon…take a long as you need.”

Much later Jess finally called in at Mort Cory’s office to say goodbye.

“So, you’re really going ahead with this?” Mort asked, once they were seated, a coffee apiece.

“Can’t see any way around it,” Jess said quietly, tipping his hat back and regarding Mort with sad eyes.

“How’d they take it at home?” Mort asked his gaze full of compassion.

“How’d you think,” Jess said looking bleak.

“And Millie... is she OK?”

He smiled at that, “Hell, she was wonderful. Gonna ask Tom if she can go work at her Ma’s boarding house over in Cheyenne for a while. The spread’s only a few miles from town so I’d be able to see her on my time off.”

“Well, that’s something huh?”

Jess shook his head, “If Tom doesn’t agree she’d lose her job, home here, and all her friends, I can’t ask her to do that. See she thinks it’s just gonna be for a few weeks, can’t accept it’s for good. She’s agreed to wait a while before doin’ anything though.”

“And it is…permanent?” Mort asked looking troubled.

Jess sighed, “He’s given me the legal paper on the loan and says that’s an end to it.  Slim is in the clear and can keep the ranch now. We shook on it, Mort, there ain’t no going’ back from that. So yeah, it’s permanent alright. But I just couldn’t convince Millie…she thinks I’ll find a way out.

“Maybe you will son,” Mort said kindly, “maybe you will.”

Jess set off shortly afterwards and decided to take his time, camping overnight and arriving the following evening, determined to make the most of his last hours of freedom. As he rode on towards Cheyenne via a back route, he thought how crazy it was. Heck the trip was only about sixty odd miles to the Smyth spread just outside the town but as far as seeing his friends back in Laramie he might as well have been riding all the way to Texas.

It was the little things he’d miss; he mused as he sipped a coffee that night sitting by his camp fire. Like helping Mike learn new ranching skills and putting him to bed at night, telling him a few tall bedtime stories. Then there was Daisy, gee she was a second Ma to him. She was always there with words of wisdom…and caring, cool hands when he was sick. As for ol’ Hardrock…well he was pure and simple the best buddy he’d ever had bar none.

Sure, Slim had been a pain in the butt when they first hooked up, bein’ so dang particular about everything. He was always moaning when he found Jess drinking more coffee or napping in the hay loft. But they’d eventually shaken down together real well. Especially once Jess had educated him all up as to romancin’ the ladies and imbibing strong drink. Well then there was no stopping him and they’d made some everlasting memories of all the fun…and various scrapes they’d gotten themselves into over the years.

Now that’s all he would have, he reflected, just the memories…because things could never be that way again. Yeah, he’d visit on the odd occasion he was able…but eventually he’d be treated just like a guest. An old friend they were pleased to see, but really didn’t feel he was part of their world anymore.

He sighed and drained his coffee cup before pulling his bedroll close around himself. Back to how it used to be he thought as he settled down to sleep… just me and nobody having my back.

Then he grimaced, “Hang it all Harper get a grip, you’ll think of something,” he said firmly. “Stop feelin’ so dang sorry fer yerself!”

The following evening, he rode into the yard of the Smyth spread with a new resolve in his heart. Sure, he’d keep his part of the bargain, at first anyway. But things could happen…maybe in the end Smyth wouldn’t get along with him and decide to fire him…and he smiled to himself. That sure would be one way out. But before he started being a total pain in the butt, as Slim would put it, he decided he should at least fulfil the main reason Smyth said he needed him. That was to break a dozen or so mustangs for a contract he’d got with the army.

Dusk was falling as he rode into the yard and lights were on in the large ranch house.

As he slid down from the saddle he saw a young girl, with pale blond hair peer out of the window…and quickly pull back when she saw Jess had seen her.

Then the large wooden front door was hauled open and Curt Smyth stood there frowning slightly.

“You took your time,” he growled.

“I’m here now ain’t I!” Jess said equally belligerently.

At that Curt was unable to hide his smile. Yes, he’d really pulled it off. Harper was here and Sherman would be feeling pretty low he guessed.

“Well, I’m glad you made it,” he said looking a tad happier. Then he yanked a thumb towards a long, low building to his left.

“Barn there fer your horse and the bunkhouse right next door. You’ll find Hal and young Cody in the bunkhouse; they’ll settle you in. We start work at 7 sharp,” he added before retreating and closing the door in Jess’s face.

Jess walked Traveller into the barn and was pleased to see it was warm and clean. The food stuff was in good order and the few other horses all seemed fit and well cared for.

Once he’d fed and watered his mount, he took his saddle bags and made for the bunkhouse.

He rapped on the door and entered looking around him.

The room was long and low with about a dozen bunks at one end and a fire and cook stove at the other, along with a table and a few chairs set before the blazing fire.

A tall middle-aged man stood up and called out, “Come in, you must be Jess Harper?”

Jess put down his saddlebags, walked over and shook the offered hand.

“Hal, Hal, Brookes, good to meet ya Jess.”

Then turning he gestured to a young bespectacled boy in the far corner, his head in a book.

“This here is Cody Bates. Say hello son,” he added.

The boy removed his reading glasses and grinned at Jess, “Please to meet you Mr Harper.”

He smiled back at the freckle faced boy, who looked about eighteen and said, “Good to meet you too Cody. So, what are ya reading?”

The boy held the book aloft, “It’s all about Africa, they’ve got some powerful fierce beasts over there Mr Harper,” he said enthusiastically, “did ya know that?”

Jess exchanged an amused glance with Hal and said, “Nope, can’t say as I did.”

“You learn a lot from books,” the kid said, now replacing his glasses and returning to the tome with relish.

“Afraid you’ve missed supper, but there’s some cold cuts and bread over there iffen you’d like to fix a sandwich,” Hal said kindly.

Once Jess devoured the doorstep sandwich hungrily and they were sipping a good strong coffee, liberally laced with some good whisky from Hal’s bottle, the two settled down to talk properly.

 “So where are the rest of the men?” Jess asked.

“Gone,” Hal said, “just me and the lad now.”

“Hell, how do ya manage a spread this size?” Jess asked in bewilderment.

“Well, I’ll tell ya, see the thing is Master Curt has either sold land off or is renting it out, at a crazy price,” he added shaking his head. “But he’s got most of the water in these parts on his land, so he can ask what price he wants for access to it.”

Jess grimaced at that.

“He’s  sold off a lot of stock too,” Hal continued. “Gee his Pa used to run the best beef cattle in the state here. But no more, just a few head fattening up…and those dang mustangs.”

“Why’d he do that?” Jess asked looking stunned.

“Bone lazy,” Hal said honestly, the whiskey loosening his tongue. “The rot set in when his Pa suffered a stroke a couple of years back. Young Curt started laying off staff and selling land. The old man was too sick to know. I tried to explain, but he was past running the business to be honest. That’s why he asked me to step in as Business Manager,” he added. “I guess if I didn’t hold some of the reins still, the whole place would have been bankrupt months ago. But the boss drew up a contract with me all legally binding and I’ve been able to block some of young Curt’s wilder moves.”

“So, you kinda run the place then?” Jess asked.

“Yup, on paper, of course, Master Curt wouldn’t admit that. But thankfully, as I say, his Pa made it all legal before he passed on. That I would oversee the business and Curt can’t do too much more damage now.”

“So, where the hell do I fit in?” Jess said almost to himself.

“Well, you’re here to knock some sense into those wayward wild mustangs ain’t you? Master Curt said that the Major swore by you…best dang bronc buster this side of Texas, he reckons.”

Jess smiled faintly, knowing the high esteem in which the Army Major held him.

But then he frowned, “But Smyth offered me the job of Ramrod…and I don’t figure there’s much to do in that line, with practically no men or beasts to manage?”

Hal shrugged, “I can’t help you there, Jess. But this I will say, it’s probably some kinda devious business Curt’s plotting. See the thing is I was loyal to his Pa…a wonderful man,” he said quietly his old eyes misting for a moment.

But then he swallowed and said, “But as to Master Curt he’s a tricky one…can’t trust him. He’s been that way ever since he was a little kid. Nope Jess you take my advice and watch your back where young Master Curt is concerned, he’s real tricky.”

Then he sighed, “Early start tomorrow, we’d best turn in.”

Jess spent the next few days starting work on the mustangs, by gentling them and getting their trust, before gradually introducing a saddle blanket, and bridle. When time went on and he still hadn’t attempted to mount up, Curt was infuriated.

“Hang it all Harper, you’re supposed to be an expert what are you pussy-footing about for? Scared of getting throwed are you?”

“No, I ain’t darn it! But yes, I am the expert so just butt out and let me do the job my way, huh,” he replied angrily.

However, it wasn’t too much longer before he deemed the first of the horses ready to be saddle broke. He was soon up in the saddle being tossed about by a huge black brute young Cody had named Satan.

Now Curt was thoroughly enjoying himself as he saw Jess skilfully stay in the saddle, anticipating the big horse’s every move.

There were yells of encouragement from his audience of Cody and Hal, along with Curt and cries of despair when he hit the dirt…before climbing back up again.

At the end of the morning a weary and bloodstained, but triumphant, Jess had just about sized Satan up…and it was only a matter of time before he’d be well on the way to being green broke.

 “Well, I guess you sure aren’t scared of getting throwed,” Curt said admiringly, “you did a swell job, Jess,” he added grinning.

Jess pulled his hat down hard, “Just doin’ my job Mr Smyth,” he said before turning on his heel and throwing over his shoulder, “I’m gonna go get cleaned up.”

Curt watched him march off, every inch of Jess’ back registering his animosity, and he sighed deeply. It didn’t look like the cowboy would become the friend he wanted any time soon.

Then looking away he caught Cody looking at him and said, “What are you doing hanging around here boy…haven’t you work to do huh?”

That night Jess was in a lot of pain, although he’d be the last to admit it. He’d fallen badly and bruised his hip and shoulder. How he longed for Daisy’s cool caring hands administering some soothing liniment and Slim’s look of sympathy.

However, Hal had found some rubbing alcohol and Jess used that, and  was now sitting before the fire feeling not a little sorry for himself.

Hal seemed to pick up on his mood and again laced their evening coffee with whiskey before saying kindly, “I imagine you’re missing the folks back in Laramie?”

Jess just nodded looking grim.

“You got a special girl there have you?” he continued.

Jess nodded again and gave the older man a small smile, “Sure have, the prettiest little gal you ever did see is my Millie.”

“So, she’ll be joining you, move over here maybe?”

“Maybe,” Jess muttered, “If I stay that is…”

“I figure you’re honour bound aren’t you son?”

Jess agreed, “Yup, sure looks that way… So, you know all about that do you?”

Hal nodded, “Sure do, nasty business blackmail, real nasty. But like I said, young Master Curt is real tricky.”

“So, you knew the debt was mostly paid off and the rest withdrawn by old man Smyth?”

“Sure I do, but he’s got all the evidence to the contrary and I guess a court of law would support him…especially if young Sherman can’t find the paperwork at his end.”

He sighed, “It’s hard on you though son, real hard.”

Jess was beginning to feel even worse so he changed the subject.

“ Who’s the pretty little blond kid I noticed in the house…his kid sister?” he asked, before suddenly remembering Curt was an only child…But maybe his folks had been blessed with a daughter after the move?

Hal shook his head, “Nope that’s Mrs Smyth…Bella, Curt’s wife.”

Jess nearly fell off his chair, “Hell, she only looks about fifteen!”

“Seventeen last Birthday and a lovely kid…feel dang sorry for her locked up with him all the time,” Hal said looking troubled.

“What, he keeps her locked up?”

Hal shrugged, “I dunno fer sure, but we never see her out and about anymore…not for a while anyway. Well pretty much since the wedding a while back.”

Jess looked mystified, “Why in hell would she marry him? She can’t love him surely? He must be what…a good fourteen years older. He don’t seem to be the sort to charm the ladies either,” he added remembering how Slim said he’d had a problem getting a girlfriend and was very awkward and shy around girls.

Hal shrugged, “No place else to go I reckon. Mr Smyth Senior took her in. She was a good friend’s daughter and when her Ma and Pa died in an accident, then it was here or the orphanage. So, she moved in when she was about thirteen.” He sighed remembering how terribly upset the child had been losing her folks that way.

Then he continued the story, “Somewhere along the line Curt started courting her and I reckon the kid was just thankful someone cared. Or maybe she was kinda excited about a blossoming romance, the way young girls can be,” he added rolling his eyes. “She’d be about sixteen by then…and had rarely been off of the ranch to make friends of her own age, except for young Cody of course. But Curt soon put a stop to that after his Pa died and threatened to fire the kid if he talked to her again. I guess that just pushed her further into Curt’s arms. Figuring he really cared about her…whereas it must have seemed to her that young Cody didn’t like her no more.”

They both glanced over to where the studious Cody was fast asleep on his bunk.

“Anyway, she told me she loved Curt yes…but she was just a kid like I say. She didn’t know her own mind. Hell, I tried to get her away when the boss died, but of course, Curt had all that covered, said his Pa had legally adopted her and this was her home. Then he threatened to fire me too if I didn’t butt out.”

“Wasn’t there anything you could do?”

“I tried, really, I did, even engaged a housekeeper, to try and keep her safe. But she only lasted a week before Curt sacked her. He got rid of another two as well. Young Bella ain’t prepared to speak ill of Curt either. Even if he’s sometimes real harsh with her, but then he’s married to her, so I guess she belongs to him, all legal and binding now.”

“That don’t give him the right to abuse her,” Jess said hotly, “do ya think he hits her?”

“Nah, but I’ve heard him yelling at her when the food isn’t just right, or she’s not ironed his shirt the way he likes, that kinda thing. But we don’t go in the house anymore now the boss is dead, so he could be getting up to anything I guess.”

On that sobering thought they turned in. But it was a long time before Jess could get the memory of the anxious looking little face peering out of the window when he’d first ridden in.

The days ran into each other and by the time Saturday night rolled around Jess was ready to brush the dust of the Smyth ranch off, and sink a few beers in a Cheyenne saloon. He had Sunday off so aimed to book into Ma Johnson’s boarding House to see if there was any news of Millie. Jess got on real well with Millie’s Ma and was looking forward to some good old fashioned spoiling, Daisy style.

Hal refused the invitation to ride in, saying he’d rather just relax with a bottle at home preferring his own company to the usual Saturday night shenanigans. That he said went on in town. Jess grinned at that and just wished his gal was around to enjoy the fun with.

 Cody had ridden in earlier and was spending some time with his mentor Rev Hugh Jolly and his wife. He was the new local minister and the source of all Cody’s reading matter.

“Been like a Pa to me,” Cody had said earlier. “I’ve sure got the Rev and the old Boss, Mr Smyth to thank for me enjoying book learning.  I won’t always be a ranch hand you know Mr Harper I’m gonna aim high,” he’d said grinning.

“And I’m sure you’ll make it too Cody; and its Jess remember,” he’d replied.

Now as he rode into town, he was sorely missing Slim’s company.

He visited Ma Johnson first and booked a room in the Boarding House and enjoyed a good meal and even better company before heading off for a drink.

It was still early evening and seeing a light on in the Sheriff’s office he decided to call in on his old buddy Doug Masters.

The Sheriff was sitting at his desk studying some papers, a glass of whiskey at his elbow. He looked up and then grinned broadly when he saw who the visitor was.

“Why Jess, you old son of a gun, I’ve been expecting you,” he said, “pull up a chair,” he added before reaching over and shaking Jess’s hand warmly.

Without waiting to offer it, he poured Jess a good measure from the bottle and settling back said, “So how are you doing then buddy?”

Jess smiled in welcome and said quietly, “Well it’s real good to see a friendly face Doug.”

“That bad over at the Smyth place huh?” he asked sympathetically.

“So, you know about all that?”

The Sheriff shook his head, “Just that I got a wire from Mort Cory saying you’d had to relocate and you might be in need of a friend?”

“Well, he ain’t got that one wrong.” Jess said smiling, before he embarked on filling Doug in on the events of the past few weeks.

Once he’d finished Doug took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, “That’s one hell of a story Jess. And you’re sure you can’t locate those documents to clear Slim of the alleged debt?”

Jess just shook his head miserably.

“So, what’ll you do?”

“Dunno. I guess I’ll break the broncs like I said I would. But to be honest there just ain’t the work for a full-time ramrod.”

“Well by the sounds of things he didn’t really need one in the first place. He just wanted to get you away from the ranch…and Slim. It sounds like the guy is still living in the past and harbouring old vendettas.”

“You think he’d have more on his mind with a pretty young bride,” Jess said dryly.

“Ah, have you met sweet little Bella than?”

“Nope, keeps her locked up away from prying eyes,” Jess replied raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, so I heard from Hal. She’s either in the house now or he hustles her out to the buggy and they drive to town together…but the kid doesn’t talk to anyone. Hell, she was always a shy little thing, but now it’s like she’s completely lost her tongue,” he said shaking his head.

“So, you know all about her then?”

“Well sure, her Ma and Pa were well respected and good friends of old man Smyth and his wife. Then they moved over Denver way, but still kept in touch. Well, there was this terrible accident in their buggy, the wife was killed outright…and the husband died a few days later. But I do believe he got the Doc to send a wire to Smyth asking him to take the kid on, so she moved out there when she was twelve or thirteen, something like that. Mr and Mrs Smyth adopted her eventually. Then when Mrs Smyth passed over, they employed a housekeeper, but Curt fired her after his Pa died.”

“Yeah, I heard, Hal told me.”

“Yup he sacked everyone we sent over for a job, so I decided to check on the kids safely. I got the Judge to go round and revue the situation. If you remember you were advised to get a housekeeper when you went to adopt young Mike, you being an all-male household…and in need of a female around to care for the child.”

Jess nodded, “And we found Daisy thank God. So, what happened?”

“Well, your Judge was a real nice guy… but old Judge Cartwright well…”

“What?”

“I’ll tell ya Jess he’s way too fond of tipping the jug and not adverse to a bit of bribery either. He said that young Bella at sixteen could be considered an adult and so she wasn’t at any risk. Next thing we know Curt’s marching her down the aisle.”

Jess shook his head in disbelief, “Couldn’t anyone stop it?”

“Maybe we could have, if we’d known. See the thing is our Rev Jolly refused to marry them until she was older. So it seems he took her off to some small town where they weren’t known and married her there.”

“Well, that was one big mistake if what Hal says is anything to go by. It seems Curt’s real harsh with her. Hell could be beatin’ her for all we know.”

“Have you seen or heard anything to warrant that view?” Doug asked looking shocked.

“Nope…not yet… but if I do…” and he clenched a fist.

“Ah… if you do Jess, you’ll come straight to me huh?”

Jess looked down, “I suppose…”

“Good, so seeing as it’s my night off how about we go and sink a few beers huh?”

Jess beamed at him, “Now yer talkin’

The following morning it was a somewhat heavy-eyed Jess who sat before the coffee pot at Ma Johnson’s kitchen table.

“Are you sure you don’t want a cooked breakfast dear?” she asked again.

“Uh… no thanks Ma’am…still kinda tired, you know?” he whispered.

“Oh yes of course dear,” she said with a knowing smile.

Then she continued the chat they’d been having earlier about Millie.

“Are you sure you want her to keep her job in Laramie for the time being?”

Hell, it was the very last thing he wanted. He sure missed his gal and would have sold his soul right then for a few hours in her company.

“Yes Ma, I think it’s for the best until I know how things are gonna pan out over at the Smyth place. You never know, I may be able to get out of working there yet.”

“Well, I certainly hope so dear… but I really can’t think how. Unless those documents of Slim’s, you were telling me about turn up.”

Chapter 7

The following day Jess was up early as usual and on his first mustang of the day when he and Hal saw Curt advancing on the coral.

“Where’s the kid?” he asked tersely, “I want the buckboard made ready…I’m going to town.”

Jess nodded to the barn, “Mending tack,” he said.

“Well don’t just stand there,” Curt said looking at Hal, “go tell him, I’m leaving in five minutes.”

Once he had driven out of the yard at speed, Hal tipped his hat back, “Well there’s a first… he’s actually gone out and left young Bella home alone.”

Jess grinned and slipped down from the green broke mustang and dusted himself off with his hat before saying, “Time I introduced myself then.”

“Well, you be careful boy. If Curt finds out he’ll likely fire you,” Hal called after him.

“Yeah, he just might,” Jess said grinning.

Then softly to himself, “Now wouldn’t that be a shame.”

He’d rapped at the back door a couple of times and was just about to turn away figuring she was under strict orders not to answer the door when it finally opened a few inches and a small voice said, “Yes?”

Jess removed his hat and pinning on his most charming smile said, “Howdy Ma’am, my name’s Jess Harper and I just thought I’d come over and introduce myself.”

The door opened wider and he saw her properly for the first time. Her long blond hair was caught back and up in a severe old-fashioned style and her small pointed face was paper white, her green eyes looking huge and alarmed. She wore an unbecoming black dress that could have belonged to Curt’s Ma. However, it wasn’t voluminous enough to hide the fact that she was clearly pregnant.

Jess quickly removed his gaze from the prominent bump and returned it to her face saying, “Like I say I’m workin’ fer yer husband and thought I’d just say howdy.”

She finally smiled and said, “Well I’m glad you did Mr Harper, I don’t seem to see much of Hal and Cody anymore…I’m not sure why.”

“Your husband’s orders,” Jess said quietly.

She looked shocked at that, “Really? He told me that they didn’t approve of me marrying him and didn’t want anything to do with me anymore,” and she looked close to tears.

“Well heck that ain’t true ma’am, they’re concerned for you, we all are.”

“Oh, you mustn’t be I’m just fine, really.”

“Do you have any women friends,” he persisted. “To help you out, you know later maybe,” and he glanced down at her swollen belly again.

She put a protective hand to her stomach and said, “No I don’t but Curt says he’ll send for the doc when my time comes. I’ll be alright,” she added, looking far from convinced.

“Well, iffen there’s anything you need, anything at all, we’re just over in the bunkhouse, you holler and we’ll come runnin’ OK?”

She smiled, “OK, Mr Harper and thank you.”

“Jess Ma’am, call me Jess,” he said smiling down at her.

“Thank you…Jess,” she said before closing the door quietly.

He had a terrible feeling of foreboding as he wandered back to the coral, all was not right there, that was for sure…but what to do?

He decided to try and befriend her as best he could and then he figured maybe she’d open up as to what was really happening behind closed doors.

Curt was a creature of habit and usually went over to check on the small herd of beef cattle he still ran. Some were grazing on land a few miles away and he’d set off every few days about mid morning. A few others recently bought in by Hal were in a holding pen at the back of the ranch awaiting their brands.

Jess had noticed that Bella sometimes pegged out some washing, or just sat by the back door taking her ease when he was away. So, he started taking a break at that time to go and chat with her.

Bella responded cautiously at first and then with greater confidence until it was soon the highlight of her day, passing time with the handsome and caring cowboy, so different from her unkind and thoughtless older husband.

“I guess the poor gal ain’t allowed out when he’s on the ranch,” Hal had said, “and she didn’t seem inclined to talk to us anyway.”

That’s when Jess had filled him in on what Bella had told him about his and Cody’s alleged opposition towards the marriage.

“Well, that’s crazy,” Hal said stoutly, “we were just concerned for the lass. And not without cause,” he’d added when he learned that Bella was pregnant.

Cody too looked deeply upset, “Heck I’m real fond of Miss Kate, we used to get on real good before the old man died,” he said.

“I figure Curt didn’t want anyone to know she’s in the family way and that’s why you haven’t seen anything of her these last few months,” Jess said sagely.

So, bridges were once more built between her, Hal and Cody, but all when Curt was out of the way.

She and Cody especially spent time together and it was clear to Jess that she had much more in common with the boy than she did her husband and they seemed real good friends.

She gradually opened up to Jess too and told him a little of her life before she had moved into the ranch, then after her dear Uncle had passed away, as she referred to Mr Smyth senior.

“Curt was so attentive at first,” she had said softly, “so kind, always buying me candy and flowers. Then once we were married everything changed. He expects so much of me, cleaning and cooking…she added. I do my best, Jess, really, I do, but it’s never good enough,” she had admitted one day.

Then another day she had hinted at the fact that Curt was over demanding in other ways too, but was too embarrassed to say more when Jess questioned her.

“He doesn’t hurt you does he Bella?” he’d asked.

She’d looked down and said nothing….and then she was suddenly weeping, and in his arms… But then before she could say more, they heard his horse approaching and she urged Jess to go.

“Please Jess he’ll be so mad with me if he finds you here,” she had gasped.

So, he could do nothing other than what she asked.

All that had been a week ago and now Jess was constantly on the alert straining to hear any raised voices from the ranch house…but all was quiet…ominously quiet.

Time went on and the only thing that changed was that they saw very little of Bella and even when Curt was off the property, she refused to open the door.

Then one evening a few weeks after she had first confessed to Jess that she was unhappy, there were the sounds of an argument coming from the ranch bedroom, overlooking the yard.

Jess had been tending a sick horse in the barn and has stopped for a quick wash at the pump near the ranch door when he heard raised voices. Glancing up he was able to see the shadow of Bella and Curt at the window. He was shouting menacingly at her. Then as they moved closer to the window Jess watched in horror as Curt backslapped her hard across the face, once and then again making her scream in terror and pain and sending her sprawling.

Jess tore to the front door and finding it locked hurled his full weight against it. There was a tremendous crash as it flew open and he dived up the stairs taking them two at a time.

As he entered the bedroom the scene that confronted him made him feel sick to his stomach.

Bella was curled up on the floor her arms across her stomach, trying to protect herself, her nightdress practically ripped off as Curt once more attacked her in a furious rage.

Jess flew across the room and grabbing Curt by the shoulder pulled him around and laid a haymaker on him that sent him flying.

Then he raced after him and dragging up the dazed man punched him again hard, knocking him clear out of the room, where he landed near the top of the stairs.

He shook his head violently to clear it and with a yell of fury went after Jess, fists flying. However, Jess had no problem with parrying the random punches and socked him hard in the belly. He teetered for a moment at the top of the staircase before falling backwards. He somersaulted down to the bottom landing in an untidy heap just as Hal and Cody arrived wanting to know what all the noise was about.

Yelling for one of them to ride for the Doc and Sheriff, Jess turned on his heel and dashed back to the room.

He quickly grabbed a sheet from the bed to cover Bella’s semi nakedness and draping it gently around her shoulders spoke softly to the weeping girl. Then as he made to lift her up onto the bed, he saw the dark red blood stain on her white nightdress. He stared in horror for a moment and then taking a deep breath he picked her up and laid her gently on the bed.

Then covering her with a warm blanket he gently tucked her in before saying, “I’ve just got somethin’ to do sweetheart, I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and closed her eyes.

It was a miracle that Sheriff Doug Masters happened to be making his way home from visiting a nearby friend when Cody bumped into him on his way to town.

“I think you’d better go to the ranch real quick Sheriff,” he said breathlessly. “It’s Miss Bella, she’s been hurt I reckon and Mr Jess was layin’ into the boss somethin’ fierce when I rode out. I’ve gotta fetch the Doc,” he added before dashing off.

Doug turned for the ranch at once and was just in time to see Jess attacking Curt, with Hal desperately trying to pull him off.

“Goddamn it, Jess will you ease off,” he was yelling, “You’ll kill him!”

With Doug’s assistance Jess was finally yanked away and stood there shaking and cussing loudly.

“Will ya calm down buddy,” Doug said grabbing Jess by the shoulders. “What in tarnation is all this about?”

“Ask him,” Jess spat glaring at a semi-conscious Curt.

“Well, I don’t think we’re goin’ to get much sense out of him for a while. I figure it’s down to you to enlighten me, Jess. And this better be good, because friend or no friend I figure you’re destined for one of my cells if you don’t have a good excuse.”

“OK,” Jess said after swallowing hard, “try this for size. This bastard just attacked his wife so damn violently that she’s losing her baby…that a good enough reason for you?”

Doug, who was a family man, looked shocked to the core and putting out a hand squeezed Jess’s shoulder and said quietly, “Yup that’s plenty good enough for me.”

Much later the Doc emerged from the bedroom and made his way downstairs, to where Doug and Jess were waiting for him. Hal had taken a very upset Cody back to the bunkhouse. When Curt had come around, he had insisted on sitting with his wife…and he remained upstairs as the Doc entered the parlour.

“How is she?” Jess asked leaping up from his seat.

The elderly Doctor, Doc Snood shook his head and sat down wearily, “Well she lost the baby. A damn shame… it seems she took a dizzy turn and fell badly according to her husband.”

“What!” Jess exploded, “He told you that? He damn well beat her, that’s how she fell; and then he kicked her too!”

The Doctor refused to meet Jess’s angry gaze and merely turning to the Sheriff said quietly, “No other signs of injury Sheriff, just a sad accident.”

Then getting up he staggered slightly before righting himself and making his farewells.

“Damn it he’s drunk!” Jess yelled.

Then turning to the Sheriff said, “Dang it all you ain’t goin’ to believe that old fool, are you?”

“No, I’m not Jess, you just stay there I’m going to have a word,” and Doug mounted the stairs leaving Jess looking edgy and furious.

When he returned some ten minutes later, he ushered Jess out of the house and then went and sat on a bench near the coral.

“OK I don’t want you kicking off… But Smyth is sticking to his story. He says they just had a sort of misunderstanding and you may have heard raised voices, but it was just a little lovers tiff.”

Jess leaped up from the bench seething and yelled, “Lover’s tiff are you crazy he was beatin’ her to a pulp…lost the baby didn’t she!”

“Uh, well Smyth says she had a dizzy turn and just fell badly…like the doc said.”

“And you believe him?” Jess asked incredulously.

“Nope, but sadly his wife corroborates his story.”

“Well, he’s probably told her he’ll beat her up again if she tells the truth,” Jess spat.

“That’s as maybe, but if she won’t make any charges against him, then I’m afraid my hands are tied.”

“Well, I dang well hope you remember this conversation when he kills her,” Jess snapped “because that’s what’s going to happen…the guy’s dadgum crazy!”

“Look I believe you Jess and that’s why I want you to stay here, keep an eye on things and well if anything else should occur let me know. But I really don’t think it will. I’m sure he’s learnt his lesson.”

Then with a faint smile said, “That was a pretty good hammering you gave him too Jess.”

“And I ain’t done yet,” he said suddenly looking menacing.

“Oh yes you are,” Doug said quickly. “Smyth isn’t pressing charges against you, says it was just a misunderstanding.”

“Well, that’s big of him,” Jess snorted.

“He might just change his mind next time and you’ll end up in the cells, then who’s going to watch little Bella’s back huh?”

But it was Bella herself that convinced Jess to do as the Sheriff said.

Smyth had ridden out the following day and Jess took the opportunity to check on Bella.

To his surprise she had opened the door and invited him in. He followed her into the parlour where she was resting under a blanket on the sofa.

Jeez but the kid looked bad Jess thought privately, her face paper white and her eyes dead.

Once he was seated in an armchair opposite her he asked gently, “Why Bella, why didn’t ya tell Doug that Smyth had attacked you?”

She looked down and then across at him, “Because I was scared…scared of what he’d do.” Then more softly, “Anyway it was my fault I asked for it.”

“How do you figure that?” he gasped.

“I refused him his marital rights…I’m his wife and I should have done my duty, but I was just so tired.”

“Duty” Jess snapped, “is that what you think marriage is all about? Heck Bella, you lie with a man because you love him and you want to be close…not out of duty.”

“That’s not what Curt says,” she whispered. “He says we made a deal when we married and I have to keep my half of the bargain.”

“Deal…bargain!” Jess cried, “The guy’s crazy.”

“Anyway, I just feel too weak and sick to argue with him, after…you know…” she said, referring to the miscarriage.

“Please Jess, just let it go…for me,” and she started to weep quietly.

It was the end of the week before anyone cast eyes on Smyth again.

Then he waited until Hal and Cody had gone off to the bunkhouse at the end of the day, before following Jess into the barn.

Jess spun around from where he was grooming his horse, heart beating fast and his breath faster as he tried to control his rising temper…when Smyth wandered over.

“Ah Jess glad I’ve caught you,” he said pleasantly, as though nothing untoward had happened. “I just wanted to clear the air after our little misunderstanding.”

“Oh, there is no misunderstanding Smyth,” Jess spat, coming out of the stall. “You beat yer wife so dang badly that she lost her baby… that’s what I saw and that’s what I know.”

“Um that’s as maybe, but you see my dear wife says differently and so does the Doc so I’m afraid it’s your word against ours.”

“So how did you manage that then big man?” Jess said sarcastically, “Threaten to hit on your poor wife again…and bribe that drunken old medic, huh?”

Smyth gave him a nasty smile, “How perceptive of you…dear little Bella knows exactly what will happen to her if she, or indeed you, step out of line again. Oh yes and that befuddled old doc has his price, you’re right. But you see the thing is Jess there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. Because if I go back into the house with as much as a scratch on me then I’ll make sure the Sheriff jails you. There’s something else too… just in case you were thinking of leaving?”

Jess raised a questioning eyebrow, not replying as he was using all his strength in trying to stop himself from punching Smyth in the face.

“Those documents I gave you rescinding the debt? Not worth the paper they were written on… the original debt is still in the hands of my solicitor and I can call it in any time I want. So, you’d better just toe the line or I’ll make sure Sherman and the old dear and the cute kid are out on the streets before you can say knife… you got that?”

With that Smyth swaggered away, leaving Jess staring after him and trying to assimilate this latest bombshell.

It took every ounce of his willpower not to follow the evil bastard and break his damn neck, but he knew in his heart that wasn’t the answer.  Nope he’d just have to sit tight and make his move when the time was right…Because there was one thing for definite; Smyth sure was gonna get his comeuppance and mighty soon too, if Jess had anything to do with it!

Chapter 8

Back at the ranch, days turned into weeks and everyone was missing Jess more and more. His occasional letters just made his absence more heartbreaking as he described the day-to-day lonely routine. Sure, he tried to make the odd joke and tell them all was fine, but the adults at least saw through the bravado.

It was Mike who was to move everything forward however.

He had come home from school on several occasions angry and tearful, but refused to disclose the reason merely saying he wanted Jess.

Both Slim and Daisy were at their wits end as he started to refuse his food and cried himself to sleep on several occasions.

Now as the child went off to bed without any argument and saying he didn’t want a bedtime story they were deeply worried about him.

Once he’d gone Slim shook his head, “I’ll have one more go at talking to him,” he said as Daisy looked on anxiously, “then if he won’t tell me what’s bothering him, I figure we need to see Doc Sam, he’s going to make himself sick at this rate.”

“We both know what the matter is really,” Daisy said sadly, “he’s just missing Jess so badly and there is nothing we can do about that.”

He knocked on the bedroom door and then went in and sat on the edge of the bed, where Mike was lying under the blanket, tears once more in his eyes.

“Mike, what is it? Please tell me.” he said softly. “If Aunt Daisy and I don’t know what the trouble is we can’t help you.”

“I want Jess to come home,” he whispered, “and he’s not coming back …not ever… Billy Briggs told me.”

“What, that Billy in school who’s always bullying the younger kids? I thought the teacher had sorted all that business out, and stopped him being so unkind to everyone.”

Mike just shrugged, “He told me that Jess was real bored with living here with an annoying little kid like me and he wasn’t ever coming back.”

Slim sighed and taking the child’s hand said firmly, “Now you listen to me Mike. You know perfectly well that just isn’t true. Heck, Jess loves you like you were his own little boy and he’d never have gone away if it hadn’t been that he had to. He went to save the ranch from that bad man we told you about. He went because he loves and cares about you Mike. You just tell Billy that and if you have any more problems with him then I’ll deal with it…OK?”

Mike looked slightly appeased, “He will come back won’t he Slim?”

“I sure hope so, yes, … and in the meantime we’ve got to take good care of Blue for him don’t we.”

The boy’s face lit up at that and then he said, “You know, I think I’d feel a whole lot better if Blue could sleep in here with me tonight Slim,” he asked a pleading look on his face.

Slim’s heart melted, if breaking a few house rules would cheer the kid up, then so be it.

The following day Mike went off to school cheerfully enough, but returned home at the end of the school day with a face like thunder. He refused to be drawn on what had transpired between him and Billy and again went off to bed after just picking at his supper.

It was in the early hours of the following morning that Slim was awoken by a sound coming from the parlour. Thinking that Mike might possibly be sleepwalking, something he was prone to do when stressed, he got up to investigate.

His suspicion was right as when he quietly entered the room, he could just make out Mike’s nightdress clad figure over by the hearth.

But then he realised the child was wide awake and had removed the loose brick in the chimney breast and had taken out Jess’s old gunslinger weapon from its secret hiding place.

He moved stealthily across the room so as not to spook the child and then said softly, “Hey Mike what are you doing?”

The boy spun around the gun in his hand.

“I… I was just checking he hadn’t taken his gun,” he whispered.

“He wouldn’t do that… you know that perfectly well Mike. He explained all about his past, didn’t he? How he’d put that old gun up for good and the life that went with it.”

“I know that…”

“So why were you checking then Tiger?”

Mike flushed up and said softly, “It was Billy Briggs. He said his Pa knew for a fact that Jess was back on the owl hoot trail and that he’d have taken his gunslinger weapon with him. He ain’t though has he Slim, he ain’t gone back to being a gunslinger again, has he?”

“Heck no, of course not,” Slim said angrily, “and I’ll be telling Hank Briggs as much personally first thing tomorrow morning!”

Then taking a deep breath he looked down into the troubled little face.

“It’s OK Mike you’re not in trouble…but you know you don’t touch our guns, so put it back huh.”

Mike re wrapped the gun in its old bandana and then pushed it back in the hole, but something else was in the hole too. He must have dislodged it when he grabbed the gun.

He pulled out the dusty package and said, “What’s this Slim, it was down under the gun?”

Mike passed over the bulky envelope and Slim took it over to the window where the first rays of dawn were penetrating the darkness.

After a few seconds Mike said, “I’ve put the gun away…so what’s in the package?”

Slim turned around from where he’d been scrutinising the contents closely.

“It’s the answer to all our prayers,” he said beaming down at the now puzzled child.

0000000

“I can’t believe the official letter revoking the debt and all the payment receipts were right there under our noses all along,” Daisy said at the breakfast table later that morning.

“Does this really mean Jess can come home?” Mike asked for the third time.

“Absolutely,” Slim said ruffling Mike’s hair.

Then turning to Daisy said, “I figure if there was no debt to repay in the first place well Jess is under no obligation to carry on working for that…uh tyrant Smyth.”

“Will you wire Jess and tell him?” she asked.

“Nope I figure I’ll ride over and surprise him,” he said happily. “Plus, I want to put these documents into Smyth’s solicitor’s hands myself. I don’t want them to mysteriously go missing,” he added.

“When will you go fetch him?” Mike asked eagerly.

“Oh, a couple of days, I think. I need to see Benson in town for him to write me a letter for Smyth’s solicitor and make copies of these documents just to be on the safe side. I also need to have a word with Billy Brigg’s Pa,” he added looking at Daisy, “I think he needs to know that what he’s saying about Jess is Libel and we’ll sue if he doesn’t retract everything.”

“Quite right too,” Daisy said, looking furious.

“Then once I’ve got the Jackson boys to mind the shop, I should get over to Cheyenne mid-week. We could have Jess home for the weekend,” he said beaming happily.

Chapter 9

Back at the Smyth spread Jess was playing a waiting game. He knew Smyth would step out of line again with Bella and he was determined to be around when it happened and make sure Smyth got his comeuppance this time too.

The weather had turned extremely hot and humid and he’d taken to sitting on the bench outside the over hot bunkhouse most evenings.

Now he was on his own, Hal and Cody having turned in hours ago, but he just couldn’t settle. How he longed for the big open as he sat surveying the distant moonlit hills. The desire to be out in the wild completely alone came over him occasionally. Slim knew that look in his eyes and was usually quite accommodating, agreeing that Jess should take off on a hunting trip. Now the urge was almost overwhelming, especially knowing that he was darned well stuck at the Smyth spread for the foreseeable future. With the bombshell that Smyth still held the debt Jess could see no way out.

Then suddenly raised voices broke into his deep thoughts and he had a sense of déjà vu as he heard first Curt yelling, followed by silence and then an ear-splitting scream and Bella crying, “No…no please Curt…”

Jess was up and across the yard in seconds and this time the door was unlocked so he burst in, finding the couple in the parlour.

However, before he could even speak, he saw Bella who was cowering with her back against Curt’s desk, reach around behind her for something.

Then as Curt advance upon her again, completely unaware of Jess’s presence…she brought her hand up and cried again, “No Curt leave me alone or I swear I’ll kill you!”

Curt snarled, “Don’t be stupid girl, come here or by God you’ll pay for it!”

Then there was the crack of a gun being fired and Curt’s eyes opened wide in shock before he crumpled falling forwards and clasping his shoulder.

Jess strode over to Bella and took the still smoking iron from her trembling fingers…and turned it once more on Smyth, “Git up,” he yelled “you ain’t hurt that bad.”

Then moments later Hal and Cody dashed in alerted by the gunfire.

The stood in shocked silence at the scene before them, Jess waving the gun at Smyth and the burley blond man struggling to his feet, holding his shoulder, his face ashen.

Then seeing his men standing staring he yelled, “Don’t just stand there damn it…go ride for the Sheriff, Harper here just tried to kill me!”

Jess opened his mouth to deny it and then turned to where Bella was standing staring in horror at her spouse.

Jess sighed and then turned back to Cody and Hal, “You’d best ride for the Sheriff and Doc, like he says,” he said turning to the boy.

“Hal, can ya fetch the medical box from the bunkhouse, I figure we need to stop the bleeding,” he added.

Once both men had dashed off, he turned to Curt and said, “What are you playing at huh? You know damn well I didn’t shoot ya.”

“Oh, I’m not playing Harper, I’m deadly serious, and I’ll see you in prison for this.”

Then turning to Bella said, “I sure as hell don’t want the world to know that my own wife hates me this much. So, you keep your mouth shut girl…or I may just be moved to shut it permanent…I’m not afraid to kill again…you just bear that in mind.”

Jess’s head shot up, “What do ya mean again?”

Curt just laughed nastily, “Ha you didn’t really think that Slim’s friend died in a freak riding accident did you Harper? Well, I’ll tell you, it was me put that burr under the saddle because I wanted to be rid of that Jamie…and it worked real good didn’t it.”

“You bastard,” Jess spat moving towards where Curt was now leaning heavily against the dining table.

“Hold it there, Harper,” he said, “I think you’re in enough trouble for shooting me, aren’t you?”

Then turning to Bella who was seemingly struck dumb, he said, “And you go along with this or you know what’ll happen to you.”

Then turning back to Jess said, “You too Harper because if you don’t take the rap for this something real nasty is gonna happen to my dear wife…another terrible accident…you got that?”

Before Jess could answer Hal came back with the bandages and all conversation was curtailed.

0000000

When the Sheriff and doctor arrived together, they found Curt stretched out on the couch with a make-do bandage courtesy of Jess. He was seated at the table along with an ashen faced Bella, both sipping a whiskey apiece.

The Doc immediately went over to check on Curt whilst Doug Masters turned his attention to Jess and Bella.

“So, what’s been going on here?” he asked.

When they both seemed reluctant to say anything Doug tipped his hat back and looked quizzically at Jess.

“Young Cody there, say’s he and Hal found you in here with a smokin’ gun in your hand Jess… so where is it?”

Jess tipped his hat over towards where the gun was once more on Curt’s desk.

Doug wandered over and examined the weapon confirming it had been fired recently.

“This isn’t your iron Jess and I really can’t believe that you’d shoot an unarmed man this way…so what’s going on here?” he asked again.

“Oh, you’d better believe it alright,” Curt Smyth broke in irritably pushing the doctor away. “It was Harper alright. My wife and I were just exchanging a few words…a silly argument about nothing really, and Harper burst in looking real mean and angry. He grabbed my gun off the desk and just shot me!”

Doug swung around and addressing Bella Smyth said, “Is this true Ma’am?”

But Bella merely stared at him with vacant eyes and said nothing.

Doug looked across at his good friend, “Jess?”

But he too merely looked down and said nothing.

“Damn it will somebody tell me who shot this man,” Doug cried, fast losing his patience.

“Hal,” he asked turning to the older man, “help me out here will you…what happened?”

“I dunno for sure,” Hal said darting a glance at Jess and then back towards the Sheriff. “All me and the boy know is that we heard a gunshot…came in and uh…well Jess was holding Mr Smyth’s gun and the boss was down… a bullet in his shoulder.”

“Is that what happened my dear?” the doc intervened. “Did Mr Harper shoot your husband?”

Again, Bella looked nonplussed and then she dissolved into tears…just shaking her head.

“I guess we’re not going to get any sense out of her tonight doc,” Doug said quietly.

Then turning to Jess said, “I’m sorry buddy but iffen you won’t talk to me I’m gonna have to take you in and lock you up in one of the cells until you will.”

Jess just nodded, but made no comment.

Curt looked over at his wife when the doc helped him up and said, “Come on Bella get your coat you’re coming to the doc’s too, I need to keep you close, with maniacs like Harper around.”

Jess spoke for the first time and said urgently, “No she needs to stay put Doug…don’t let her go with him.”

Doug once more raised a questioning eyebrow, maybe there was more going on between Bella and Jess than either were letting on.

“Why would that be Jess?” he asked.

“She ain’t safe around him,” Jess muttered, throwing Doug a pleading look.

“That’s ridiculous!” Smyth spat, “Bella is my wife for goodness sake!”

However, it was the doc who came to the rescue. He’d noticed that Bella had said nothing all the time they had been there and he was concerned that the trauma might have affected her mentally. He’d heard of cases where severe shock could render a person dumb and he was concerned that had happened to Bella.

“Uh I think your wife would be better off at home,” the doc said briskly.

Then turning to Hal said I’ll leave a sedative for her and return tomorrow to see how she is. Then he hurried a still protesting Smyth off to his buggy and to town to remove the bullet.

Once Jess and Doug entered his office the tall rangy Sheriff took a seat at his desk, nodding for Jess to take the seat opposite. Then he pulled a bottle out of the desk drawer and poured them a good measure each. He pushed the tumbler across the table to Jess and then sat back in his chair scrutinising his old friend over the rim of his own glass.

Jess took the offered drink and knocked it back grimacing as the rough whiskey hit his throat.

“So, are you gonna tell me what’s been going on now?” Doug finally asked.

When Jess just stubbornly shook his head Doug lost his patience and cussed loudly.

“What in hell’s gotten into you Jess?” he asked in exasperation. “Jeez I know it’s been tough on you the way things have been with Slim’s debt problem and all…but shooting an unarmed man?”

Jess looked down but said nothing.

“Unless…”

Jess glanced up.

“Unless you and that purty little gal, Mrs Smyth, have got something going?” he asked raising a questioning eyebrow.

Jess jumped out of his seat and glared at his friend, “What the hell do you take me for! I wouldn’t hit on a married woman, you know that. Besides me and Millie have an understanding.”

“Uh, but Millie ain’t here and that pretty little filly is,” the Sheriff persisted.

Jess sank back down in his chair, “You know me better than that Doug.”

“Yeah, I know, I know. But I guess the only thing that would make you shoot a guy that way would be iffen you were real passionate…or mad about something, or someone, Jess and you weren’t thinkin’ straight.”

“Oh, I was real mad alright Jess agreed hotly, “but I…didn’t…” and then he clammed up.

“What, you didn’t do it? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“I didn’t say that,” Jess interjected quickly.

“You’re lying,” Doug said, “So who are you protecting Bella Smyth? Of course it had to be her…right?”

Jess just shook his head and said nothing.

Doug sighed deeply, “You give me no choice Jess, you’re just gonna hafta spend the night in a cell…and stay there until either you or Mrs Smyth decide to tell me the truth.”

Jess stood up and headed for the cells at the back of the office and then he stopped and turning said, “Promise me you’ll look out for Bella, Doug. That bastard of a husband can’t be trusted.”

Doug nodded, “I’ll check with the doc tomorrow see if we can’t find her a safe billet for her here in town. Maybe Widow James would look out for her. Looks like Smyth’s gonna be at the doc’s recuperating for a while anyway.”

Jess just nodded his thanks and then went over to the cell and let himself in.

Doug turned the key in the lock and went back to the office. Returning a few minutes later he passed the remains of the whiskey in the bottle and a glass through the bars.

“Thanks Doug,” Jess said with a weak smile, “and I’m real sorry I’m being kinda difficult.”

Doug smiled at him, “I’m sure there’s a good reason buddy,” he said softly, before returning to his office.

Chapter 10

Slim made good time riding over to Cheyenne and he decided to look up his old friend Doug Masters before seeing Smyth’s solicitor. There he intended to present the documents regarding the letter from Smyth senior, regarding the rescinding of the original debt.

He breezed into the office grinning in welcome as he saw the Sheriff at his desk. However, Doug looked surprised to see him.

“Howdy Slim, you sure made good time, I only wired you a few hours ago,” he said offering a hand in welcome.

Slim shook his hand and looked puzzled, “I never got that, I was riding over anyway, got some really good news for Jess. Just thought I’d stop by before I went over to the Smyth place to see him.

“Uh-uh, you don’t know do you?” Doug said relaxing back down onto his chair and signalling Slim to take the one opposite.

“I don’t know what?” Slim said quietly, eyes narrowing. As far as his partner was concerned if a law man was looking this way there sure wouldn’t be a good outcome.

“What’s he done now?” he added frowning.

Doug sighed and tipping his hat back he leaned back in his chair and said, “Well, he’s only gone and shot the boss. Smyth’s over at the doc’s right now recovering from having a bullet dug out from his shoulder…and according to him it was courtesy of Jess.”

Slim shook his head, “Why would he do a dang fool thing like that?”

Doug shrugged, “Beats me, that’s if he did indeed do it.”

Then he went on to explain the whole sorry business to Slim.

When he’d finished, Slim shook his head and said quickly, “No, no way would Jess shoot an unarmed man no matter what he’d said or done. Knock him into next week, sure, but shoot…no.”

“Well, that’s exactly what I said,” Doug replied, “but you see, Jess there is being real difficult. He’s just clammed up and won’t tell me anything, that’s why I sent for you…see iffen you can get him to talk.”

“I can but try.”

“He sure won’t open up to me. I guess maybe he’s gotten kind of close to the lovely Mrs Smyth after that awful business of her losing the baby and all…But even so it’s still dang well out of character for him to shoot a guy that way, no matter how mad he was.”

When they opened the door into the cells Slim could see Jess on the bunk flat out on his stomach completely dead to the world, although it was almost noon.

Doug unlocked the cell and in response to Slim’s raised eyebrows at the state of his pard he retrieved the empty bottle of whiskey from under the bed. Then raising it aloft said, “I’ll go make us all some coffee,” and wandered off leaving the cell door ajar.

After he’d gone, Slim shook Jess awake and then went and took a seat on the other bunk looking quizzically across at his buddy.

Jess groaned and held his head before slowly opening his eyes a crack and staring at Slim.

“What are you doin’ here?” he finally whispered, before grimacing, even his own words making his head hurt.

“Well, that’s a real nice welcome, haven’t seen you in weeks…you might be a bit more pleased to see me!”

Jess groaned and gave Slim a weak smile, “Sorry Slim, I ain’t feelin’ too good right now.”

“You been tipping the jug then Jess?” Slim said throwing him a sympathetic smile.

“Yeah some, Doug left it with me last night, I figure he thought I needed cheering up.”

“So do you?”

“Well, I’m in here ain’t I?” he said irritably looking around him.”

 “So are you going to tell me what really happened between you and Smyth, because I don’t buy the fact that you allegedly shot him in cold blood.”

“Like I said I’m here ain’t I.”

“Yes, but why?” Slim asked in exasperation, “who are you protecting Jess…Smyth’s Child Bride, huh?”

Jess’s head shot up at that but he merely took a deep breath and said nothing.

When he didn’t reply Slim said quietly, “Is there something going on between you two, is that it?”

“No, there dang well isn’t!” Jess yelled and then flinched again and held his head. “No there isn’t,” he said more quietly.

“OK so let’s see, there was you, Smyth and young Mrs Smyth…uh Bella, in the room when Smyth was shot right?”

Jess nodded.

“And I’m pretty sure Smyth didn’t shoot himself…and I’m equally sure you wouldn’t shoot an unarmed man…so that just leaves the lovely Bella. I’ll ask you again Jess, just what’s going on huh?”

At that point Doug returned with the coffee and Jess lapsed back into silence.

Jess sipped his coffee for a few minutes and then glancing over to Slim gave him a weak smile and said, “So what are you doing here?”

Slim grinned, “It’s good news buddy. We found all those receipts from the loan and the letter rescinding it. You’re off the hook, you can come home, well as soon as we get you out of here that is,” he added. 

“That’s great news,” Jess said looking animated for the first time since Slim arrived.

“So how about it, what really happened, huh?” Slim pleaded.

But Jess merely looked down and muttered, “Sorry Slim.”

 When it was clear he wasn’t going to get any sense out of Jess, Slim decided to go see Smyth at the doc’s place down the street.

The doctor showed Slim into a back room and left instructions that he wasn’t to upset or tire his patient as he was still far from well.

Smyth eyed Slim’s angry face in some trepidation, once the doc had left.

“Uh Sherman what do you want?” he asked gruffly.

“Some answers,” Slim said frowning, “like why is my partner languishing in jail while your wife is free as bird…because it was Bella that shot you, wasn’t it!”

“What on earth are you talking about?” Curt blustered, “Why would my own dear wife want to shoot me?”

“Because you’re an out and out bastard,” Slim cussed uncharacteristically. “You’ve been abusing her for a while according to my sources and I guess you just pushed her too damn far!”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered.

“Doctor, doc get this man outer here,” he added yelling loudly.

The elderly doc arrived seconds later and Slim figured he’d been listening at the door.

“I’m sorry Mr Sherman, but you are upsetting my patient, I must ask you to leave,” the doctor squeaked, looking anxiously over at Smyth.

Slim made for the door and once it was closed behind him, he turned angry eyes on the medic.

“Why are you betraying your oath?” he asked without preamble.

The doctor looked furtively around him and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about young man.”

“Oh, sure you do…Smyth boasted to my partner that you’re in his pay. Well, you must be if you said that poor kid didn’t have a mark on her when she lost the baby…but Jess saw Smyth beating her!”

“I really can’t recall the incident,” the doctor said flushing up.

“So how about the one that happened just a day ago…do you recall that?” Slim snapped. “How you said that it must have been my partner that shot Smyth…because Bella wasn’t capable of such an act?”

“Well, it’s true, she’s a sweet child.”

“That may be, but we all have our breaking point,” Slim said, “and according to my partner, Smyth had been hurting his wife for a while. I reckon he just pushed her too far and I figure you were well aware of that too.”

“Well, I can assure you I don’t know anything about that and you can’t speak to her either she’s quite sick.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, she is suffering from hysterical mutism.”

“Oh, is she?” Slim asked looking cynical. “Well, that’s sure convenient, isn’t it?”

“You know about that illness?” the doc asked suddenly looking even more nervous.

“Sure do. A doctor friend of ours diagnosed it when a friend’s child nearly drowned… the shock brought it on and the little one couldn’t utter a word for a few days. The thing is though Doc you can recover from it and often quite quickly. In young Amy’s case she got her voice back in a day or so. But she was just enjoying being the centre of attention. It could be that maybe young Bella is choosing not to talk huh? Maybe because her husband has threatened her if she does?”

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” the doctor said quickly, “they are a devoted couple. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go on my rounds.”

Slim went to visit Bella who was staying at Widow James’ house, but the girl was so upset when Slim tired to question her, that Hannah James sent him away, saying. “I’m really sorry Mr Sherman, but the dear girl is distraught and really can’t be questioned right now.”

So Slim was back to square one.

That evening when Doug made his rounds Slim went and kept Jess company in the cells.

“Right,” he said once the office door swung closed behind Doug, “I need you to talk Jess and I mean right now. Doug just told me that the darned trial is set for tomorrow. That means we don’t even have time to call on Benson to ride over and act for you.”

“That’s crazy…why so quick?”

Slim shook his head, “That’s what Doug asked, but the Judge merely said he’s got business to attend to over in Casper, so it’s now or in several months time... and,”

“Don’t tell me,” Jess butted in, “its Judge Cartwright ain’t it?”

Slim looked surprised, “How did you know?”

“Doug told me about him, seems he’s on Smyth’s unofficial payroll too. He’s quite happy to accept a bribe for Smyth to get the kinda results he’s after. He was the guy who said it was fine for Curt to Wed Bella when she’d only just turned sixteen and was clearly a real young sixteen too, real inexperienced.”

Slim shook his head, “Can’t Doug do something about it… report him?”

“He tried; seems the judge covers his back real well. Doug can’t prove a dang thing.”

“So, are you going to tell the truth tomorrow? How it was really young Bella that shot Curt Smyth…not you?”

Jess looked up knowing it was pointless to lie and yup that was the truth of it. He shook his head, “No point Slim, my word against Smyth’s and who do ya think that ol’ Judge is gonna believe huh?”

“What about Bella, maybe she’ll recover her voice in time to give evidence.”

Jess threw him a withering look, “I doubt that’s gonna happen, she’s shit scared of him and anyways I thought a wife couldn’t testify against a husband…what he says goes don’t it?”

Slim shrugged, “I’m not sure, Jeez I wish Benson was here.”

“Anyway, I can’t let her tell the truth. See Slim, Smyth told her iffen she did he’d kill her…and I’m pretty sure he meant it. He’d rather she was dead than disgrace him. If she did tell the truth, he was gonna say that she gave the wrong evidence to help me…and then killed herself as she felt so guilty.”

“What? That all seems a bit farfetched Jess, did Smyth really tell you that?”

Jess nodded, “He called around at noon when Doug was on his break, the deputy let him in…he told me then…warned me to take the rap or else.”

“And nobody heard him threaten you?”

Jess just shook his head.

Slim looked off to the distance for a moment thinking and then said, “I can’t believe he’d really kill her…he’s bluffing Jess.”

“You think so?”

“Sure…kill his own wife?”

“Well, I think the guy’s crazy...look at all the lengths he went to, just to get his own back on you for you not wanting to be best buddies all those years ago. He’s capable of anything Slim…trust me.”

“So, what in Hell are we going to do?” Slim asked looking fearful.

Jess shrugged, “I don’t see there’s much we can do Pard, except maybe pray for a miracle.”

Ten o’clock the following morning found Jess, Slim and a good number of Cheyenne residents in the court house with Judge Cartwright presiding.

It was clear from the outset that the man was two-part drunk. But he was so darned officious nobody dared say anything.

He whisked through all the evidence at breakneck speed explaining it away by saying he was due at an important meeting in Casper.

Smyth gave his evidence saying that Harper had designs on his young wife and when he heard a small tiff developing between the couple he burst into the house and without further ado had shot him in the shoulder with Smyth’s own gun.

“The man is a lunatic and needs locking up,” Smyth ranted, “who will be the next person he befriends just to get close to his wife?”

“Goddamn it none of that is true!” Jess yelled jumping up and glaring at Smyth. “You lying bastard!”

“Silence in court,” the Judge droned. “Another outburst like that Mr Harper and I will hold you in contempt of court.”

“Kangaroo court, more like!” Jess yelled.

“Mr Harper I will not warn you again,” the Judge said glaring at him.

Hal and Cody reluctantly gave their evidence that yes, they had seen Jess with Smyth’s gun in his hand … “But that didn’t prove he fired the shot,” Hal added quickly.

Cody who had renewed his friendship with Bella had spent time in her company since the dreadful ordeal, trying to help her regain her speech…but it seemed impossible.

It was over in minutes the Judge found the prisoner guilty and was just about to pronounce sentence when a small voice piped up from the crowd.

“Please…please I must give my evidence,” Bella Smyth cried.

The Judge shot a glance over to Smyth before saying, “Alright come forward…I thought the Doctor had pronounced you unfit to attend my dear,” he said in mock sympathy, when she took the stand.

“I am quite recovered now Judge,” she replied, glancing over at Cody, who had helped give her the confidence she needed to face her husband.

Then after swearing on oath, she said quietly, “It was me your Lord,” turning to the Judge, “I shot my husband, not Mr Harper. He is a good man…and nothing like my husband has described him.” She swallowed hard and continued haltingly, “I shot my husband because I have been abused by him since the day, we were married. On the day of the shooting, I could take no more,” she whispered. “He tried to…to rape me,” she continued, flushing up…but then recovered and chin up added, “So I shot him…I have confessed all this to Widow James and indeed the Preacher and both will confirm their belief in my testament as being true.”

The Preacher and also Widow James were called to the stand and it was clear from their accurate and believable evidence that what Bella Smyth had admitted seemed completely true.

Finally, the doctor asked to be recalled to the stand and now he told the whole truth. How he turned a blind eye to the injuries Bella had received at her husband’s hand. Also, how he was deeply sorry at having abused his position of trust and would be resigning and leaving town immediately, he added glaring at Smyth. Then he looked over to Slim and nodded, before leaving the stand.

Slim figured his jibe about the doc betraying his oath must have hit home hard.

The Judge knew when he was beaten and quickly tied the trial up, acquitting Jess and under the circumstances giving Bella a short sentence in the Laramie Prison. He agreed that she had been provoked but added that she must still pay the price for shooting an unarmed man…no matter what the reason or how strongly provoked.

Even though Doug spoke up for her saying the poor woman had been through enough. The Judge was adamant and the moment she was sentenced he was out of court and on the next Stagecoach north. Doubtless with Smyth’s bribe in his wallet…Jess thought.

He along with Slim and Doug accompanied Bella to the Sheriff’s office where she was made as comfortable as possible in one of the cells.

“I really don’t like having women in here,” the Sheriff confessed later that evening, once she had turned in for the night after refusing supper.

“I figure me and Slim will ride along with you when you take the Stage tomorrow,” Jess said, glancing over at his pard and receiving an affirming nod.

“You really think Smyth will try and kill her?” Doug asked looking pensive.

“You saw what happened in court,” Jess said, “sure he will iffen he gets half a chance… or more likely pay someone to do the dirty work or him.”

He was referring to how once the proceedings were over Smyth had marched over to his wife and pushing an angry finger in her chest said, “Remember what I told you…I meant it!” he yelled before heading off without a second glance.

“Well let’s make sure he doesn’t get a chance then,” Doug said grinning at his old friend, “I’d be glad of your help.”

The following morning when Jess and Slim along with Sheriff Doug Masters and his prisoner arrived at the coach, they were surprised to see Cody there too.

“Hey it’s good to see you.” Jess said, “But what are you doing here?”

Bella and Cody exchanged a warm secret little smile and then he said, “Well after all that happened recently, me and Hal decided not to go back to the Smyth spread. Hal’s gone off to live with his brother down in Texas and I kinda thought I might try my luck at finding work in Laramie?”

Slim and Jess exchanged an amused glance before Jess said, “I’m guessing yer after work with the horses…and a quiet place to read at the end of the day?”

Cody beamed at him, “You got it spot on Jess…any ideas?”

“Well, I do believe old Bert at the livery is looking for help. There’s a nice clean hay loft over for you to read in after work and I figure Doc Sam would loan you a book or two, “he said then shaking his hand said, “Welcome aboard.”

Then Slim and Jess mounted up and followed the stage out of town.

They were midway between Cheyenne and Laramie when two riders came over the ridge peering down at them. They looked long and hard and seeing the outriders and knowing there was a Sheriff on board too, decided to abort their plan of hijacking the stage and abducting Bella Smyth.

“Hell, I ain’t about to take on the likes of Harper,” said the mousy haired runty looking Lenny.

“Me neither,” affirmed, Arnie “I reckon Smyth ain’t payin’ us enough for a suicide mission. I hear that Slim Sherman is pretty handy with a gun too…and that Sheriff ain’t worth tangling with either. Nope I’m outer here. We’ll tell Smyth they went a different route an’ we never saw them.”

Chapter 11

Bella was delivered to the Laramie Prison and after a tearful farewell to Cody, who promised to write, she turned to Jess.

“Thank you,” she said softly, “if it hadn’t been for you, I don’t think I could have ever faced him that way. You made me see how he treated me wasn’t normal. I think I’d have gone crazy if you hadn’t befriended me after I lost the baby.”

“I’m just so dang sorry it had to end this way,” Jess said as the warden glanced over as she and Doug dealt with the paperwork for transferring the prisoner.

“Don’t be,” she said quickly, “he just pushed me too far and I had to fight back, I think he might have killed me otherwise.”

Then she smiled shyly, “Cody and I are getting on really well you know…he’s been a good friend to me too.”

“And I’m real pleased for you,” Jess said. “It won’t be so bad you know and iffen you’re real good they may even let you out early. Then you can come stay at the ranch for a while,” he added, seeing Slim nod in confirmation. “Just until you decide what yer gonna do.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said reaching up and kissing his cheek, before doing the same to Slim and Cody and then the warder led her away.

The four men headed for town as it was closer than the ranch and Jess was eager to see Millie before he headed home.

They dropped the horses off at the Livery and introduced Cody. He was an immediate hit with Bert who said, “Any friend of Slim and Jess is good enough for me, so when can you start son?”

Leaving Cody and Bert together to get to know each other better, they headed for the saloon. They wandered into the cool dim interior. It was quiet as it was a weekday and still early afternoon. There were just a few die-hard drinkers sipping their whiskey at the bar and a card game off in the far corner.

The three men paused by the door to allow their eyes to adjust to the shadowy light after the bright sunlight without.

Old Tom stood at one end of the bar polishing glasses and a nubile dark-haired girl stood at the other, looking dreamily into space. But then she was suddenly alerted to the presence of the men by the door and she looked over intently, trying to make out who the figures were.

Jess stepped forward and Slim went to follow, but Doug put a restraining hand on his arm. Slim glanced at him and Doug shook his head grinning, “I guess we ain’t needed right now buddy.”

Slim turned back and saw the light of recognition and then pure delight in Millie’s eyes and then Jess was dashing towards her.

He easily vaulted the bar and then she was in his arms, the couple kissing passionately.

Doug chuckled, “I reckon yer pard will be pretty tied up for a little while. Why don’t we head off and fill Mort in on everything that happened. I do believe he’s got some rather good whiskey in his desk drawer,” he added grinning happily.

Slim returned the grin, “Swell idea Doug.”

He turned back to tell Jess, but of the two young lovers there was no sign…

They said their farewells to Doug the next day and it was late morning before they finally made their way down the rise and into the ranch yard. After a second a little blond whirlwind tore out of the house yelling, “Aunt Daisy, it’s Jess, he’s back!”

Moments later Daisy came out and stood on the porch, drying her hands on her apron, with tears of pure joy in her eyes.

0000000

Life resumed its usual pace at the Ranch and Relay with the ranchers catching up on many of the jobs that had been left because of Jess’s prolonged absence. The summer progressed with Cody writing regularly to Bella who was allowed a letter every Sunday. However, she was only allowed to reply once per month and Cody and the folk at the ranch looked forward to her letters which she tried to keep informative and upbeat. She was working in the laundry and the warden seemed happy with her hard work, and so she really hoped she might be freed earlier than expected.

Cody had settled down well, working at the livery and as Jess had suggested Doc Sam was more than happy to share his extensive library with the youngster. Although Cody read copiously his real love was writing and he had aspirations to be a newspaper reporter or even a novelist like Mr Charles Dickens, one day. However, to do that he figured he needed to go back east and had been patiently saving up over several years.

He was a welcome guest at the ranch. Often coming to Sunday lunch, as Daisy insisted, he needed feeding up.

It was one Sunday afternoon when Cody and Jess were fishing down by the stream that he opened up to Jess and admitted he had feelings for darling Bella and she felt the same…and he was desperate to know what he could do about it.

“I think she would come back east with me,” he said shyly, “she feels the same about me as I do her. It’s just…well do you know how folk get a divorce Jess?”

Jess tipped his hat back and looked thoughtful, “Well I dunno Cody… I do know women folk have gotten the vote here in Wyoming and some have served on a jury too. I guess it’s a pretty forward thinkin’ kinda place as far as women’s rights go. But divorce?” and he shook his head. “I reckon that’s usually real hard to do as far as I know…Unless maybe Smyth would divorce her…but I guess that ain’t gonna happen.”

Cody looked shocked, “What, you think he’ll want her back?”

“I know it,” Jess said, “Mort told me just the other day that Smyth had wired him asking when she was to be released.”

“Oh no!” Cody said looking ashen. “Surely she wouldn’t have to go back to him, not after it was proved as to how cruel he was to her”

Jess shook his head, “She’s his wife, I guess that counts for somethin’ in the law anyway.”

Then he saw the look of despair in the youngster’s eyes and said, “Look maybe we can do something huh. Didn’t Bella say her case was up for review shortly…and she might be out by the end of the month?”

Cody nodded, “Yes that’s right.”

“Well, that’s easy then, I’ll just make sure Mort sorta forgets to tell Smyth she’s getting out early…and you two can head off east before he even knows she’s been released.”

“Do you think we could do that?”

“I reckon, if you think Bella would go with you?”

“Oh, I’m sure of it. We’d much rather be Wed all legal like. But iffen we can’t then I figure we’ll just set up home where nobody knows us. As long as Smyth never finds her again. He mustn’t Jess, he just mustn’t!”

0000000

It was another Sunday afternoon several weeks later and Jess, Slim and Mort were all sitting out on the porch enjoying a coffee after Daisy’s excellent Sunday lunch. The good lady had gone visiting a friend, taking Mike with her. Now the three were feeling relaxed and well fed as they chatted idly.

However, their peace was suddenly shattered by three riders galloping hell bent for leather down the rise and into the yard.

All three men rose at once, their guns at the ready until they recognised Curt Smyth flanked by a pair of rough looking hombres.

Slim frowned at the intrusion and said, “What can I do for you Curt?”

Smyth ignored Slim and scowling at the Sheriff said, “I thought you were going to wire me when my wife was to be released!”

Mort raised an eyebrow and then tipping his hat back looked thoughtful for a minute or two. Then he snapped his fingers and smiling said, “By Jingo your right Smyth, gee I’m sorry must have just slipped my mind.”

Smyth threw him a disbelieving look before turning to Slim, “So where is she then Sherman?”

Slim just shrugged.

“Come on don’t get smart with me,” Smyth bellowed, “the warder told me the prisoner was released into your care a good three weeks ago…so what have you done with her?”

“Haven’t done anything with her… she left,” Slim said simply.

“Like hell she has…she hasn’t got any place to go,” Smyth snarled.

Then turning to his companions barked, “Lenny, Arnie, search the place!”

But before they could even think of dismounting Jess had drawn his gun like greased lightning and had the weedy looking Lenny and his buddy Arnie covered.

“Don’t even think about it,” Jess growled. “You want to keep yer heads attached I suggest you just turn around and go back where you came from.”

Lenny and Arnie backed off and would have ridden off if it hadn’t been for the icy glare they received from their new boss…having recently replace Hal and Cody at the ranch.

Smyth turned back to Jess and said, “This is all your dang fault, encouraging her to disobey me!”

“Disobey you?” Jess asked with a harsh laugh, “You made her life a living hell and you know it.”

Then Smyth appealed to the Sheriff, “Come on Cory she’s my wife I have a right to know where she is. Her rightful place is at home with me.”

Mort sighed deeply, “I guess you’re right Smyth.

Then glancing over to Slim said, “Tell him Slim.”

Slim flicked a glance at Jess and then hiding a smile he said, “OK Curt, I’ll tell you. It seems she decided to make a new start and she’s gone West with the wagon train.”

Then turning to his pard said, “Uh, which outfit was it, Jess? Do you recall?” he asked peering over at Jess, barely able to keep a straight face now.

Jess tipped his hat back and looked thoughtful for a while and then turning back to Slim said, “Nope guess I can’t.”

Then looking back up at Smyth said, “I think there were about four or five outfits left in the last month or so…some on different routes. I reckon you could maybe track her down…in time that is,” he added.

Smyth’s face had turned an unbecoming shade of puce and he glared at Jess before saying, “You’ll pay for this Harper, you’ll all pay!” then turned his horse and galloped out of the yard as fast as he’d arrived; closely followed by Lenny and Arnie.

As far as Jess and Slim were concerned that was the end of the business. They both heaved a sigh of relief when they received a long letter from Bella extolling the delights of their new life back east in New York. She had found work in a diner and Cody had got a job as a cub reporter and they couldn’t have been happier.

“So, all is well that ends well, “Daisy said happily when she’d finished the letter. “Now that the young couple are happy and that terrible man Smyth can’t hold us to ransom anymore because of that alleged debt…I think we can all relax back into normal life again.”

“Indeed,” said Slim happily.

Then turning to Jess said, “Once we’ve finished bringing the stock down for the winter, I’m going over to see Mike Hanson and find out how much he wants for that breeding stock he’s selling.”

“Too much knowing Hanson,” Jess said rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, they’re pricy alright, but they’re a great bloodline, Jess. We could breed some really fine animals if we introduced more of his stock to the herd.”

“Oh goodness all you boys can talk about is beef-stock,” Daisy said clearing the table, “off with you now, it’s my baking day and I’m all behind!”

It was a couple of weeks later and now early fall. All of the stock were down in the winter grazing, close by the house, when Slim set off to see if he could strike a deal with Mike Hanson.

He returned weary but triumphant just as Daisy was dishing up supper.

“All done and dusted,” he said happily as Jess enquired about the visit.

He gave a low whistle when Slim said how much the deal would cost them.

“But we can afford it easy Jess,” Slim said looking excited, “He says we can have first refusal, but he’ll need cash on the nail first.

 “That amount of cash you’ll need ta get Wells Fargo security to deliver it,” Jess said dryly.

“Yeah, but I don’t have them on the payroll.” Slim said enjoying the joke. “I figure it’s down to you Jess…just stick it in your boots like you usually do you’ll be fine.”

Jess rolled his eyes, “When do you need it?”

“By end of the week at latest…maybe you could ride in tomorrow; be on the safe side huh?”

The idea of a quick visit to the Laramie Bank followed by maybe a leisurely lunch with Millie kinda appealed, so he readily agreed.

Jess had spent an enjoyable time in Laramie. After his visit to the bank, he had called in at the saloon and was delighted when Tom gave Millie a few hours off. They had spent a great morning in each other’s company. Doing what young lovers do when left to their own devices and now Jess was regretfully dressing.

“I guess old Hardrock will get to frettin’ if I’m late back, carrying all this money,” he said sadly.

Millie nodded, “Never mind, I’ll see you Saturday.”

Then she eyed the bundle of notes on the nightstand that Jess had pulled out of his pocket when he’d stripped off his denims earlier.

“Where are you going to hide all that cash?” she asked, feeling slightly anxious of him carrying so much.

Jess shrugged, “These new Sunday best boots are too dang tight to hide it there and I ain’t puttin’ it in my wallet, first place anyone would look.”

Millie looked thoughtful and then going over to the mantelpiece selected an old baccy tin she kept spare buttons in. She emptied it out and passed it across.

 “It should all go in there if you fold it up and the tin will just go in your shirt pocket, I think…”

Jess did as she suggested, and yes, the tin was a perfect fit.

“Well done sweetheart,” he said grinning, I guess nobody would think to look in an old baccy tin.

“Um, well you just be careful...I don’t want any bullet holes in my Saturday date,” she said, only half joking.

He leaned over and kissed her deeply before saying, “Ain’t nuthin’ happening to me, heck it’s no distance back to the ranch, I’ll be fine.”

Then buckling on his gun belt, he gave her a cheery salute and said, “See ya Saturday,” and was gone.

He gave Mort a friendly wave as he left town heading Traveller towards home on the Laramie Road. Then he sat back and played over the events of the morning in his mind. Gee but Millie sure was one hell of a lady he thought, smiling happily to himself.

The weather had been very wet and now the muddy road has dried out there were deep ruts that Traveller detested.

After a while Jess decided to take a route travelling across land and enter the ranch by the west pasture. It would make his journey a bit longer, but he hated to see his good old horse uncomfortable.

As he turned and made his way across the hilly open countryside two riders way up on a distant peak looked down and smiled.

“I reckon this is gonna be easier with him being out in the open, away from the road, Lenny said smirking at his buddy Arnie. Looks like Mr Harper there is a target, just a waitin’ for us!”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Arnie replied

However, Lenny put out a restraining hand.

“Not so fast, this isn’t just some ol’ cowhand we’re stalking. Harper has a reputation as a damn good tracker and scout, as well as a gunslinger. He’ll be on the lookout you mark my words. We need a good plan…so here’s what we’ll do.”

 Jess was just passing through a gully its steep sides casting a shadow and he shivered slightly even though it was a warm day for early fall. His feeling of unrest seemed to be transferred to Traveller and the horse tensed a little and shook his head and his ears went back. Jess patted his neck and then urged him on to a faster trot to emerge out in the sunshine a few minutes later.

Here he paused for a moment and checked out the open prairie before him for any signs of life but there was nobody about. He shook his head and smiled, getting too dang edgy in yer old age, he said to himself and put a hand up to check the baccy tin was still safely in his pocket.

“Come on Trav, we’ll soon be home,” he said and was just about to head off when he thought he heard a noise behind him.

 As he turned in the saddle two shot rang out in quick succession. The first catching him on the temple sending him out of the saddle, rendering him unconscious, the second smacking into the top of his left arm as he fell. He then rolled over and over and finally came to a standstill at the bottom of a steep bank.

The bushwhackers rode over and viewed the fallen man from their mounts at the top of the bank.

 “Is he dead Lenny?” Arnie asked peering over.

Lenny nodded, “I reckon … we’d better make sure though,” and he fired again, shooting Jess in the chest.

“Well, he is now, Arnie,” he confirmed grinning at his buddy.

Then looking around him said, “Come on let’s git out of here, time to report back to Smyth and pick up our nice fat bonus.”

Chapter 12

When Jess didn’t return by mid afternoon Slim began to feel anxious. Then when supper time came and went, he decided to go looking.

He was feeling more angry than worried by this stage figuring his pard was holed up in Millie’s room and forgotten where the dang door was.

However, when he addressed Daisy on the matter he merely said, “I guess I’ll ride out and meet Jess…there’s a couple of hours left before dark.”

“Alright dear, are you worried?” she asked quietly, Mike looking anxiously on.

“Nah,” he said mustering a smile for Mike’s sake, “I figure he’ll be on his way back, unless he’s got caught up in some uh business in town,” he added.

Daisy gave him a small smile but didn’t comment further on the matter.

“If so, I reckon I’ll stay over,” he added, “back tomorrow, sometime.”

“Alright dear I’ll expect you when I see you,” she said. Then hustled Mike off to do his homework.

When Slim arrived in town without seeing neither hide nor hair of Jess enroute he went straight to the saloon.

“No, he left early afternoon,” Millie said looking worried, “Oh Slim he was carrying an awful lot of money. Do you think he’s alright?”

“I sure hope so,” Slim returned. Then seeing how upset she was looking said, “He’ll be OK Millie you know what he’s like. Maybe got in a card game at the livery with old Bert and his cronies and was feeling lucky…trying to double our cash.”

She smiled weakly, but both knew he was just trying to cheer her up.

“I’ll get a message to you, soon as he turns up,” he promised and marched out to see dusk falling already. Hell, where was his pard?

Turning he made his way swiftly to Mort’s office and was just in time to catch him signing off for the evening.

“Well, howdy Slim, good to see you,” the Sheriff said as Slim marched in. “Just the person I wanted to see. Got me a few days off and I thought I might come over and do a spot of fishing in your lake?”

“Have you seen Jess?” Slim broke in, ignoring Mort’s request.

“Uh, yes sure I have,” Mort said looking puzzled. “He rode by early afternoon, looked like a man on a mission, just waved, didn’t stop.”

“So where was he headed?”

“Well on the Laramie Road towards home why?”

“He never made it home Mort and he was carrying a lot of cash for a business deal we’ve got going.”

“Oh, well that’s kinda worrying,” Mort agreed.

Slim turned to leave but Mort headed him off, “So where are you off to?”

“To look of course, what do you think?”

“Uh-uh, nope Slim that would be madness. It’ll be pitch dark shortly, you’ll not be able to see any tracks.”

“What if someone’s jumped him and he’s hurt?”

 “I doubt it. Jess can look after himself. More likely that horse of his has come up lame and he’s camped out resting him.”

Slim looked thoughtful, “Maybe. The road is real rutted and Trav hates it that way. I guess he’s gone in the back way. Taken the track over to the west pasture, he could have camped up there, maybe near the lake?”

“Look, like I say I’ve got a few days off. Lon’s minding the shop so I’ll ride out with you at first light…huh?”

“OK,” Slim said reluctantly.

“Good man, now come on home with me. I’ve got a prime steak for supper and I’ll share it with you,” the Sheriff said kindly, “along with a nice glass or two of Red Eye, what do ya say huh?”

Thanks Mort, he replied with the glimmer of a faint smile.

“I’ve eaten, but the whiskey would be real welcome,” he replied. “But I need to call into the saloon on our way. I figure Mose will be in there. I’ll ask him to take a message to Daisy… Uh I’ll say that me and Jess are doing a bit of business.”

Mort nodded, “No call to go worrying her unduly.”

“Nope and I’ll get him to call at the Jackson spread too. Ask the boys to mind the ranch for a spell…just in case things get kind of complicated,” he added.

“Well knowing, Jess, I imagine they will,” Mort said with a wry grin.

0000000

It had been late afternoon when Jess finally came around…

He could hear a horse grazing nearby and he whistled softly. Then after a little while Traveller ambled over and nuzzled his hair, blowing down his nostrils in welcome.

“Good boy,” Jess whispered and then tried to sit up, but an agonizing pain shot through his temple and made him fall back cussing softly, and holding his head.

After a moment he tried to sit up again, but then he was overwhelmed by dizziness and nausea and after a few moments leaned over and was violently ill.

He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and attempted to drag himself up to a sitting position, but he was again wracked with pain. He noted that the sleeve of his shirt was sodden with blood and on closer inspection a tentative hand came away with blood from his head too.

“Goddamn it!” he swore … and again tried to stand, but as he moved forward, he felt a searing pain in his chest too “Well they sure worked you over pretty good Harper,” he muttered to himself. But who were ‘they’ and why…he had no idea.

He lay back down trying to make sense of what had happened to him.

Hell, he hadn’t been in any trouble lately, had he? He cast his mind back to his life since he went to avenge the deaths of his family, by hunting down the Banisters. Then later his time with Wes Hardy and the Hardy Gang…but he’d run out on them years back, when Wes had gotten too fond of the bottle and started killing folk indiscriminately. Hell, he’d wanted no part in that. Then there had been the war and that God awful prisoner of war camp. He skipped over that memory pretty quickly. After that there had been a few dark times…times he’d rather forget, in trouble with the law for this and that. He’d gone on the drift after that, trying to leave those bad days behind. He looked around him. So, where the hell was he now? And why couldn’t he remember anything of his recent past? The dizzy spell returned and he figured that had something to do with it. He shook his head and once more peered at the surrounding countryside. He’d been headed for Colorado… maybe that was where he was or possibly Wyoming he thought as he looked around some more.

Well, this ain’t no good he thought, he needed to find someplace safe to sleep the night. He finally managed to haul himself up using Traveller’s stirrup. But then he was appalled to find his canteen practically empty. What the hell? He never rode anyplace without a full canteen and a spare.

Little did he remember in his current state that earlier on he hadn’t bothered about refilling his canteen as he knew he could slake his thirst when he reached the saloon in Laramie…But now he remembered nothing of this, in fact he remembered nothing of Laramie…or anything else in his current life.

He finally managed to mount Traveller and once more succumbed to feelings of dizziness and nausea.

“Drink boy, find us a drink,” he whispered leaning forwards in the saddle. How often had he said, ‘Come on boy, get a drink,’ as he’d led his mount to a stream or water trough…well let’s hope he understands was his last thought as he merely held onto his saddle horn and let Traveller have free rein.

Traveller himself was feeling kinda thirsty too and whether or not he understood his master or was merely seeking water we will never know. However, he sniffed the air and moved forwards confidently and a half hour later ended up at the far end of the Sherman Lake.

Jess practically fell from the saddle and made his way to the lakeside where he knelt down and drank before stripping off his shirt and cleaning out the wound to his arm and bandaging it tightly with some rags from his saddlebag. He washed his face and cleaned the head wound too. Then he looked down at his chest that was also painful, but found only a large black bruise. Grabbing his shirt, he was about to put it back on when he noticed something heavy in the breast pocket. Frowning, he pulled out an old baccy tin, with a large dent in it… and on opening it stared at the tightly bound pile of notes.

“What the hell?” he muttered…Jeez there was more money than he thought he’d ever seen in his life before…but what was he doing with it? And more to the point, why hadn’t the bushwhackers taken it? That must have been why they shot him he figured. Then he put two and two together…the dang baccy tin had saved his life, that dent had been made by a bullet…the attackers must have shot him in the chest and then left him for dead. He desperately tried to cast his mind back. Surely, he hadn’t robbed a stage or done a bank job…that was all behind him…but where had the money come from then?

He suddenly felt totally overwhelmed and pulling off Traveller’s saddle he made sure he had grazing and water at hand. Then he dragged his bedroll around him and collapsed by the side of the lake beneath the branches of a huge pine. Tomorrow, he thought…he’d figure it all out tomorrow.

0000000

Slim and Mort rode out at first light following the Laramie Road, until they came to the turn off that would lead to pasture land at the back of the ranch. Sure, enough Slim was just able to detect Traveller’s distinctive hooves and grinning at Mort said, “I guess you’re right Mort. I wouldn’t be surprised if we catch him pulling his breakfast out of the lake.”

Mort grinned back, “Sounds good to me.”

They continued on in Traveller’s footsteps and went single file through the narrow steep gorge and then paused as they came back out into the early morning sunshine.

Suddenly a feeling of unrest hit Slim as he looked about him at the churned-up ground…It looked like Traveller had reared and then bolted according to the deep hoof prints. Then a little further on it seemed two more horses had arrived at the scene.

“What the Hell?” Mort said peering down at the churned ground…then looking anxiously at his old friend, “It looks a lot like he was bushwhacked for that darned cash,” he said.

Slim looked around him and then down the steep bank he saw a black object caught in the bright morning sunshine.

He cautiously urged Alamo down the steep bank and jumped from the saddle, stooping to pick up the object that had caught his eye. By now Mort had joined him and he held it up, “It’s Jess’ hat,” he said bleakly.

Mort slid down from the saddle and looked around. Then crouching down he called Slim over and they both stared in consternation at the blood-stained grass.

Then Slim saw fresh hoof prints and figured Traveller had returned to find his master.

He straightened up and looking off to the distance said, “The tracks go this way Mort, towards the lake, come on.”

Jess had spent a difficult night falling in and out of consciousness and had woken at first light to check on Traveller. He’d washed the wound to his head again, hoping the cold water would relieve the aching. Then crawled back to his bedroll and curling up tried to go back to sleep.

It was some time later when Traveller gave a little whinny of welcome at seeing Alamo approach that Jess was alerted to the riders advancing on him.

He was up on one knee his gun in his hand as they rode in.

“Hold it right there,” he barked, “I’ve been dang well shot up once and I ain’t about to let it happen again…so back off!”

Slim reined in his mount, and said, “It’s OK Jess, it’s me Slim.”

Jess peered at him through narrowed eyes for a few seconds and then said, “I don’t know you mister.”

Slim exchanged a quick glance over to Mort and then said, “Sure you do buddy. Can’t you see too well? It’s me, Slim, and Mort come to find you…thought you might be in trouble.”

Jess looked long and hard at Slim and then transferred his gaze to Mort and his eyes widened and he suddenly looked fearful when he saw the Sheriff’s badge.

Oh, I’m in trouble alright, Jess thought quickly. Here I am with a shed load of dollars in my pocket and a lawman shows up.

“Come on, Jess,” Slim said anxiously, “we’re your buddies, remember? You know me and Mort here, huh?”

“I ain’t no friend of a lawman, or you either,” Jess asserted, “never seen you before, so what do you want…huh?”

“Well, if you stop waving that gun around, I’ll tell you,” Slim said, now getting angry. Jess just kept his Colt pointed at Slim’s belly.

Slim stayed rock still and noted how edgy his pard was looking, a nerve flicking in his cheek and his left-hand twitching constantly.

Then Jess barked, “Drop your iron real slow mister.”

Before glancing at Mort and saying, “You too Sheriff…”

Slim and Mort sighed but did as requested .

“Look we came out here to find you. Like I said we’re real good friends of yours. Now will you put that gun down Jess, you’re making me nervous,” Slim said with an uncertain smile.

“I can see you’re hurt kinda bad there boy,” Mort added, “I guess maybe that knock to your head has kinda stopped you thinking real good. You just have to trust us huh?”

Jess shook his head, “Oh no, I ain’t fallin’ fer that…trust a Sheriff…you’ve gotta be kiddin’?”

“We know who you are don’t we?” Slim said, “So doesn’t that prove something to you?”

“Maybe you’ve seen me on a wanted poster someplace,” Jess growled.

“Why would you say that?” asked Mort, “Because of that stash you’re maybe carrying?”

“That’s iffen the bushwhackers didn’t take it,” he murmured to Slim.

When Jess looked nonplussed but failed to reply Slim said, “That’s OK Jess that’s our money from the ranch. You drew it out of the bank to buy in stock remember? Hell Jess, you’re a partner and half of that money is yours anyway,” he cried in frustration.

“Partner…ranch what are you talkin’ about?” he asked angrily. “I ain’t no ranch owner, dang it, I’ve been on the drift over five years.”

“Jess look at yourself,” Slim yelled getting even more frustrated, “Those boots you’re wearing do they look like drifters boots huh?”

Jess looked down at the smart shiny boots and his heart sank. Dang it…not only had he robbed a bank or stage but he’d stolen some guy’s boots too. It was all too much. He was once more beginning to feel sick and dizzy and knew he had to escape before he passed out again.

He eyed his saddle and bed roll and figured he’d just have to leave them, maybe sneak back later.

He edged his way back to where Traveller was cropping the grass behind him and without taking his eyes, or his gun off Slim and Mort threw himself up on Traveller’s back.

“You ain’t takin’ me in Sheriff,” he said, before kneeing his horse off at speed.

He made all of about a hundred yards or so before the dizziness got the better of him and he slid from Traveller’s back and fell hard in the dirt…out of it, even before he hit the ground.

Running to him Slim and Mort stood over the unconscious form of their good friend and Mort said sadly, “It’s that head wound Slim he’s lost his memory I reckon.”

Slim nodded, “Come on, help me get him up and back to the camp.”

When Jess came round some time later his shirt was off, the wound to his arm cleaned and re bandaged and Slim was gently washing the fresh blood away from the head wound.

Jess lay there quietly, the tender way that Slim was bathing his wound bringing tears to his eyes. He hadn’t been cared for that way since he was a little kid and his Ma had looked out for him.

After a moment Slim realised Jess was awake and sitting back, he said, “How are you feeling now pard?”

Jess blinked back the tears and muttered, “OK I guess…thanks.”

Then looking into Slim’s warm caring eyes, he felt a slight flicker of recognition… but then it was gone again and he was just looking at a kindly stranger.

Slim observing him at close quarters was struck by how bad his pard looked. Sure, he was dirty and unshaven and clearly in pain… But it was the terrible haunted look in his eyes that sent a shiver down Slim’s spine. The last time he’d seen him looking that way was years ago when he’d not long been at the ranch. Someone from his past showed up…wanting Jess to ride in a gang again. He really was reliving those bad old days Slim figured.

“Look why don’t you try and get some shut eye,” he said having finished cleaning up the wounds “might make you feel better.”

“Oh sure, you’d like that wouldn’t you,” Jess said, once more on the defensive. “Soon as I nod off that’ ol’ Sheriff will have the cuffs on me and I’ll wake up in the cells.”

“Damn it, Jess,” Slim said irritated, “he wouldn’t do that.”

A moment later Mort wandered over from where he’d been fishing at the edge of the lake.

“Just gonna try a little further along,” he called to Slim.

Then he paused when he saw Jess was awake and the look of panic in his eyes at the sight of the Sheriff wasn’t lost on him.

“Looky here,” he said plucking off his badge and putting it in his pocket, “I’m not a Sheriff now, just plain old Mort Cory, spending an afternoon fishing…OK?”

Jess looked slightly appeased, “OK Sheriff,” he whispered.

“Mort,” he said grinning down at him, “You usually call me Mort.”

Eventually exhaustion overtook him and he fell into a restless doze.

“He needs the Doc,” Slim said softly, “but I don’t figure he’d make it to town.”

Mort agreed, “The ranch is nearer…but even then…” and he shook his head sadly, “The boy sure is in a bad place right now.”

“I don’t really want Daisy and Mike to see him this way either,” Slim said honestly. “Maybe Daisy could cope with Jess the drifter, but I don’t think Mike would understand.”

“So, we’ll stay here then,” Mort decided. “Like I said I’m due a few days off and you told Mose to alert Daisy that you’d be away a spell and also to get the Jackson boys in to help out…so there’s nothing stopping us.”

“I guess you’re right,” Slim said, “I just hope his memory comes back Mort. Because, the way he is now I reckon as soon as he can sit a horse, he’ll be off…and we might lose him forever,” he added wretchedly.

Mort cooked up a mess of fish he’d caught for supper, but Jess couldn’t stomach anything and just drank some coffee.

Slim and Mort again tried to engage him in conversation, but it was clear that he just couldn’t face talking as the nausea returned and he looked deathly pale.

“Just rest up,” Slim said kindly.

The evening had turned chilly and he threw some more wood on the fire and then as Jess lay down, he threw an extra blanket over him, giving him a cheerful grin.

Jess was again deeply touched by the tall blond rancher’s behaviour towards him. Could he really be talking the truth? Was he part owner of a ranch and relay station, he wondered as he settled down to sleep. Then he rolled his eyes…nah he thought, that was just one hell of a step too far.

Mort and Slim sat up chatting for a little longer and then they too turned in.

Mort cast Jess a last glance before heading for his bedroll.

“He’s sleeping better now,” he said, “that’s what he needs to heal Slim.”

Slim glanced across at his pard. “I sure hope so,” he said, before turning in himself.

It was nearly dawn when Slim and Mort were awoken by Jess yelling out in fear.

“What’s up with him?” Mort asked leaning up from his bedroll across the fire.

“Looks like one of his nightmares,” Slim said quickly pushing his blanket aside and squatting down beside his buddy.

Jess was sweating profusely and again screamed in abject terror.

“He gets them sometimes when he’s kind of fretful about something,” Slim explained, “they’re usually about that damn prisoner of war camp.”

He sat down beside Jess. Then as he suddenly awoke, sitting up and staring around him in fear, Slim slung an arm around his shoulders and said, “It’s OK Jess… just a nightmare.”

Jess peered into his face and then looked around him like he’d never seen the place before saying, “What are you doin’ here Slim?” Then, “Where the hell are we?” Before he opened his eyes wider in deep shock, “Goddamn it, where’s the money for the beeves?”

Slim grinned at him and could have hugged him, but just squeezed his shoulder before removing his arm, and decided to answer the questions in order of priority.

“The money’s safe,” he said quickly. “Me and Mort found you here by the lake...looks like you were bushwhacked. You’ve got a nasty wound to your head. Heck Jess you were mostly out of it yesterday… didn’t even know us.”

Then Mort loomed into view, “Good to have you back Jess. You were getting kinda edgy thinkin’ I was gonna put you in my jail and throw away the keys.”

Jess looked at him uncomprehendingly, “Huh?”

“You lost your memory Jess…didn’t recognise us,” Slim explained.

Jess put an exploratory hand up to his temple and winced.

“Yeah, I remember now,” he said, “I was just through the ravine that opens out onto the lake meadow and some jokers shot me …caught my head and arm.”

“Did you see them…know who did it?” Mort asked.

He shook his head and then groaned again.

“Nope they were too fast…I was knocked out by the bullet to my head I guess...came around at the bottom of a steep bank.”

He opened his eyes wide then, “Wait a minute... yeah, I did come around and heard them talkin’… One of them said, “Is he dead, Lenny?” Then there was another shot, hit me in the chest…and I heard them laughing and this Lenny guy said, “Well he is now, Arnie.”

Then he grinned at Mort, “Except I weren’t… I figure that ol tobacco tin with the money in it dang well saved my life.”

“Thank God,” Slim murmured.

“Well, you know who they are?” Mort said, “Those two hombres that came calling a few weeks back with Curt Smyth…they work for him now. And as I recall Smyth’s last words were. ‘You’ll pay for this Harper… you all will!’ Well, I reckon he knew how dang upset you and all at the ranch would have been iffen he killed Jess here,” he said turning to Slim.

“The bastard,” Jess cussed and then making to get up, said, “They’ll dang well regret messin’ with me that way!”

“Easy Jess,” Slim said, gently pushing him back down, “let’s just wait until you can sit a horse and hold a gun before you go storming off huh?”

Jess looked rather sheepish and lay back down.

“In the meantime, I’ll ride back to town and wire Sheriff Masters,” Mort said. “Put him in the picture and get him to keep an eye on them. Then we’ll ride over as soon as you’re fit enough Jess, OK?”

Jess looked furious, but could see the sense of it, “I suppose so,” he said grudgingly.

“Well good,” Mort said ginning at him, “and it’s so good to have the ornery Jess Harper back with us,” he added chuckling.

“Amen to that,” Slim agreed, slapping Jess none too gently on his good shoulder.

Chapter 13

Mort rode back to town shortly after breakfast, leaving Jess to rest up for a few more days.  But before he left Slim wandered over to him as he was swinging into his saddle; ready to head to town. In a low voice he said, “Mort, I told Millie I’d get word to her about Jess. Would you let her know he’s safe?” Mort subtly tipped his head and said, “You bet I will.” Then he turned and gave Jess a salute as he rode off.

He was very quiet after Mort rode out and didn’t seem to want to do much, so Slim took himself off to bag a couple of rabbits for supper, leaving his pard to rest up.

When he returned Jess was still really quiet and kinda tense looking. Slim brewed them some coffee and then after passing Jess’s over, sat back and contemplated his friend.

After a while he said quietly, “What’s wrong Jess?”

Jess’s head shot up and he said, “Nuthin’ why?”

“You’re really quiet, there’s something bothering you.”

“Well sure there is I got shot up real bad by those bastards. I’m as mad as all get out …wouldn’t you be?”

 Slim just shook his head, “It’s more than that…”

“OK if you must know I keep remembering things I was doin’ yesterday…and I’m feeling kinda bad about it all.”

“What turning your gun on us?” Slim asked with a quizzical smile.

“Ain’t no laughing matter,” Jess growled, “Jeez how could I have done that.”

“It’s OK,” Slim said quickly, you were out of your head Jess. If Doc Sam was here, he’d say you had severe concussion causing memory loss or something like that,” he finished. “Whatever… you weren’t in your right mind, Jess, you didn’t mean any of that stuff you said…or did.”

Jess shook his head looking off to the horizon, “It was so dang real Slim. I honestly thought I was on the run. Thought I must have robbed a stage or done a bank job, to be carryin’ that kinda cash.”

“Look Jess, that life’s all behind you now, just forget it huh?”

Jess shook his head, “Can’t do that…I never realised how near to the surface all that stuff was. I thought I’d changed…but I ain’t Slim, not deep down I ain’t. Not if I can act that way so easy…turning my gun on you and Mort.”

Then his eyes opened wide in shock, “Damn it, what if I’d shot you?”

“You wouldn’t have Jess…not really.”

“You don’t know that. If I’d been desperate enough, I would have I reckon. I sure wasn’t gonna end up in Mort’s jail.” Then he turned and looked Slim in the eye. “Maybe I should just ride out…not go back with you?”

“What! Are you crazy?”

“Look if I can act this way once, what’s to stop it happening again…I could turn on Mike or Daisy next time!”

“Jess, listen to me, there won’t be a next time. You don’t go around getting shot in the head on a daily basis. Although with your track record ….” he muttered and threw him a faint smile. “What I’m saying is that this was one chance in a million…and it won’t happen again, I’m sure of that.”

Jess made a noncommittal noise that could have meant anything. But to Slim’s relief he set about sipping his coffee and didn’t look like he was thinking of heading out anytime soon.

After their scratch lunch of beans, of which Jess ate very little, Slim decided to try his luck at fishing as he’d drawn a blank looking for rabbits.

“Do you want to come with me?” he asked.

Jess merely shook his head and lay back down to take a nap.

Slim raised his eyebrows his pard must still be feeling pretty bad to turn down an hour or so fishing.

“OK I’ll be just down beyond those rocks,” he gestured, “that’s where Mort got lucky yesterday. You’ll be, OK?”

Jess merely rolled his eyes and said, “Yes Ma,” before pulling his hat down over his face and settling down to sleep.

When Slim returned a good while later Jess and Traveller had gone.

He threw his catch down and looked around him. What the hell he thought… the damn fool really has taken off. He knew how darned stubborn he could be once he got an idea in his head. But really Slim thought, to imagine he could pose any real threat to Daisy or Mike was ludicrous.

He was just about to saddle up Alamo, when he heard a horse approaching and grabbing his rifle he peered through the dense undergrowth, gun at the ready. Then just seconds later Traveller and Jess appeared.

He reined in at once eyeing the rifle that Slim still had trained on him.

“What is this.” he asked grinning, “payback time?”

Slim lowered the rifle quickly and apologised and feeling somewhat stupid said, “What are you doing riding anyway? I thought you were feeling bad.”

“I was,” Jess said simply, “and then I felt better, so I went back to where I was shot,” he added dismounting and strolling over.

“Now why would you want to do that?” Slim asked looking puzzled.

“Lost my lucky two headed dollar didn’t I,” he said flipping it in the air. “It must have fallen out of my pocket when they bushwhacked me.”

Slim smiled, then he grinned and then he gave a huge belly laugh.

“What?” Jess asked looking bemused.

“I thought,” and he laughed again, “oh never mind Jess…help me gut these fish will ya and we’ll cook ‘em up for supper.”

They returned to the ranch the following day and as Jess had suspected Daisy was at her most clucky when she set eyes on him.

“Why Jess dear whatever have you been doing?” she asked as she saw the bandage to his head and the other on his arm.

“Nuthin’ much Daisy,” he said airily, “Just a little trouble with a couple of Curt Smyth’s men…I guess I came off worst,” he added ruefully.

“Oh, my goodness,” she said looking anxious “I thought we’d seen the end of that dreadful man.”

“Yeah, well him and his friends will be rotting in jail pretty soon, iffen I’ve got anything to do with it,” Jess said darkly.

“Oh, never mind about all that now dear, come inside and let me check over those wounds.”

“Aw Daisy…”

Slim chuckled to himself as he took the horses over to the barn. There was no escaping Daisy once she was in her nurse’s mode, and he figured Jess should just relax and let her get on with it.

It was a good few days later before Daisy agreed that Jess was fit enough to ride over to Cheyenne.

 “Although I don’t know why that nice Sheriff Masters can’t deal with it,” she said.

“Well, he probably can Daisy,” Slim said, “but he can’t arrest them without Jess’s evidence.”

“I suppose not,” she said, “but if those dear Jackson boys work here much longer you might as well take them on as staff full time.”

Slim chuckled and said, “We should be back in a week or so...and then we won’t budge this side of Christmas.”

“Um,” said Daisy looking disbelieving.

“Well Thanksgiving anyway,” Jess said winking at her.

“Away with you,” she said flapping a hand at them, “and you take care, you hear!”

When they arrived in Cheyenne, they went straight to Doug Master’s office and found him behind his desk checking out wanted posters. However, he pushed them to one side and beamed at Slim and Jess in welcome. Then his smile faded as he saw the livid scar to Jess’s right temple.

“Boy they really did a good job on you,” he said with a low whistle and looking sympathetic. “Mort said those two had given you a hard time.”

“Yeah, well its payback time,” Jess said looking angry. “They’ll wish they’d never been born when I get a hold of them.”

Then he went on to say what he’d heard just before they shot him the third time.

“That’s good enough for me,” Doug said.

“Plus, I need to speak to them about some cattle that have gone missing from a ranch twenty odd miles away. This old guy, Lon Davies described Lenny Stokes and Arnie Lynch to a tee.”

Slim looked surprised, “Why would Curt be cattle rustling, I thought he was left real wealthy when his old man died?”

“Maybe he was, but the way he’s been spending since that pretty little wife of his left…well I doubt there’s too much left. He’s been drinking, womanizing…never out of the Pink Parrot,” he added, referring to a low dive on the edge of town. The whiskey was watered down and the working girls were cheap and plentiful.

“Plus, the gambling,” Doug said shaking his head, “lost a fortune on the cards alone.”

“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy,” Jess said sarcastically.

“Well, I’ve got a warrant for the arrest of all three,” Doug said. “I was just waiting for you to come by…thought you’d enjoy getting your revenge Jess,” he said with a wink.

“So, what else are you bringing them in for?” Slim asked.

“Rustling and mainly bad debts, Smyth owes hundreds across town and is refusing to pay anyone.”

Jess shook his head, “Kinda ironic ain’t it…all this business kicked off with Smyth and that debt he figured you owed him Slim. Now it’s him in big trouble for having debts…but real ones in his case,” he added.

“It’s called Karma,” Slim said.

Then turning to Doug grinned and said, “Let’s go get them Sheriff.”

Masters dug about in his drawer for a minute before finding a couple of Deputy Badges… “Do you mind?” he asked, “Only we’ve had some trouble with some drovers getting drunk in town, so I’m leaving my deputy here to keep an eye on things.”

Jess and Slim agreed with alacrity, pinning on their badges.

“Besides, it keeps everything nice and legal,” he added, “and it’s gonna be that way ain’t it Jess, no going in mob handed huh?”

“OK,” Jess said grinning, “we’ll do it by the letter of the law Sheriff. As long as they’re behind bars I don’t care too much how they get there.”

As they rode along Doug said, “I just wish I’d seen these allegedly stolen cattle belonging to old Lon Davies.”

“Well, we used to put new stock around the back of the ranch in a holding pen, when I was working here,” Jess observed. “But I reckon they were all above board. I saw Hal doing the paperwork for them. It would be an ideal place to keep ‘em before they could try and change the branding. I’ll show you the back trail,” he offered.

Sometime later they made their way cautiously along the back of the ranch and sure enough some twenty head of cattle were milling about in the holding pen…all bearing the distinctive LDR brand mark of Lon Davis’ Ranch.

“Gotcha,” Doug said his eyes lighting up, “come on boys let’s go pay Mister Smyth and his staff a friendly visit, shall we?”

They rode around the front of the house and left their mounts over by the horse trough, before turning to walk all the way back over to the front door. But before they had hardly moved, shots were suddenly ricocheting off the fence behind them and one caught Doug on the upper arm.

All three men dove for cover, hitting the dirt and rolling out of trouble before opening fire on Smyth and his men.

“Throw your guns down,” the Sheriff yelled, “you’re under arrest!”

That was answered by a barrage of more shots, one whistling through Slim’s hat and he looked furious. Firing back, he caught Arnie in the shoulder, whilst Jess fired a volley of shots one hitting Lenny in the leg. He hit the ground screaming in pain and threw his gun down, yelling, “I surrender, don’t shoot!”

That just left Smyth, but he ran forwards once more opening fire on the Sheriff who had no choice but to shoot him at point blank range…the bullet hitting him in the shoulder…blood splattering out at once, the major brachial artery clearly having been hit.

 “Goddamn it, Smyth,” Doug swore as he ran over, “you gave me no dang choice you fool!”

Jess had already got the guns off Lenny and Arnie, and Slim cuffed them while Doug tried to staunch the bleeding from Curt’s shoulder. They patched up all three men as well as possible and set off for town. Once they were delivered to the jail, the deputy ran for the doc.

“Lenny and Arnie will be OK,” he said sometime later after checking on all three men. “Their wounds are pretty much superficial like yours Sheriff.”

Doug sniffed at that, “Might be superficial to you doc, but it dang well sure stings some.”

The doc smiled kindly and merely said, “A small medicinal whiskey should take the edge off Sheriff.”

Then he looked serious, “As to Mr Smyth well I’m afraid there is nothing more I can do. He’s lost way too much blood… it’s only a matter of time. I’m sorry gentlemen,” he said raising his hat and turning to leave, then adding, “I’ve given him a light sedative, but let me know if he’s in any more pain. When he passes and I’ll write the death certificate.”

Jess shook his head once the doc had gone and said, “That’s big of him.”

“Oh, the doc’s OK,” Doug replied. “He inherited quite a mess after the previous doctor left under a cloud, if you remember, Jess. This guy has a lot of catching up to do and he never wastes time on folk who don’t have a chance. I can kind of see his point of view I suppose.”

Then he sighed deeply, “I reckon I’d better get a statement from Smyth anyway, while he’s still with us.”

He turned to enter the cells and said, “Well, come on you two, I need witnesses to his account of things, don’t I? ”

Jess didn’t ever think he’d seen anyone as deathly pale as Smyth and yet still be alive and his anger faded some as he looked at the poor ghostly figure of the once robust man.

 “Right, I need a statement,” Doug said not beating about the bush, “so do you feel up to talking?”

Smyth just nodded, “Better get it over with Sheriff I don’t reckon I’ll be around too much longer.”

“Uh, yeah,” Doug said looking down. Then focussing on Curt said, “Look I’m sorry it had to end this way, but you gave me no damn choice but to shoot.”

“Oh, I know,” Curt said with a faint smile, “the thing is Sheriff I was hoping you were a better shot. I was looking for a nice clean end with a bullet through the heart.”

Doug’s eyes widened in shock at that, but he quickly pulled himself together.

“So just for the record, it was you that employed Lenny Stokes and Arnie Lynch to kill Jess Harper?”

Smyth looked over to where Jess was leaning on the cell door, hat tipped back and one hand in his pocket, looking deceptively relaxed.

“Yes, yes I did,” he replied.

Jess came over then and peering down at him simply said, “Why?”

Smyth looked thoughtful, “I don’t know exactly…I reckoned maybe there was something going on between you and Bella?”

“That’s crazy and you know it!” Jess spat angrily.

“The other reason was, I wanted to ruin the lives of all you  folk at the Sherman ranch with your damn perfect family life; and you two with your perfect friendship!” he yelled…and then started coughing violently.

 Slim poured him some water and passed it over and eventually he gained control again.

Thinking best to get on with the report whilst his prisoner was still in the land of the living Doug moved on and covered cattle rustling and also the many debts Curt had run up.

“The cattle rustling was down to Lenny and Arnie, I didn’t want them to do that, but I guess they were pretty much in control by then. For a place at the ranch and pretty much free rein to do as they pleased, they offered me protection. Well with all those damn debts I sure needed them,” he muttered. “But it wasn’t my fault he whined none of it was. If Bella had stayed none of this would have happened.”

“Sure,” Jess muttered sarcastically , but said no more.

“Listen Sheriff I’ve given orders to my solicitor that at my death I want the ranch and all the land sold off… that should cover all the debts.”

Then he looked back at Slim and Jess. “The remainder is to go to Bella…you do know where she is I take it,” he added bitterly.

Jess nodded, “We’ll see she gets it.”

“I think that just about covers everything then doesn’t it, Sheriff?”

Doug nodded, “Can I get you anything?”

He shook his head.

“The doc said he’d give you something for the pain iffen you needed it?”

Again, he shook his head.

“Only thing I need is a word in private with Slim, Sheriff… if I may.”

Jess and Doug left, closing the door into the cell block, behind them as they made their way back to the office, and the coffee pot.

“What do you suppose all that’s about?” Jess asked jabbing a thumb towards the cells.

“Beats me,” Doug replied, “maybe he wants to reminisce about his childhood,” he added sarcastically. “Slim said they were in school together back in Laramie.”

“Seems he was a jerk back then too,” Jess muttered rolling his eyes.

When Slim returned half an hour later, he looked ashen.

Jess jumped up from where he’d been lounging on a chair by the desk and said, “Heck what’s up Slim you look awful?”

Slim said nothing for a moment, and then ignoring Jess he turned to Doug and said, “You’d better send for the doc and that death certificate…he passed away a few minutes ago.”

“Sure,” Doug said and flicking a puzzled glance over to Jess looked back to Slim and said, “Are you OK?”

“Sure, sure,” Slim said quickly.

Then turning to his pard said, “Come on Jess let’s get going huh.”

As he made for the door he paused and said, “Let us know when the trial is for Lenny and Arnie, we’ll be happy to testify,” and then he was gone.

Jess stared after him and said. “Looks like we’re goin’ home, Doug, see ya,” and with a quick handshake he followed Slim out.

By the time he was in the saddle Slim was several yards down Main Street and leaving town at a fast trot.

He caught up with him a little later on and said, “Hey Slim what’s the rush huh?”

But to his surprise Slim just looked stonily ahead ignoring him yet again, and kneeing Alamo off to even greater speed.

He let him go figuring he wouldn’t be pushing his poor ol’ horse that way for too long…and he was right. A little further down the line he saw Slim had reined in by a stream alongside the road and was allowing Alamo to have good drink.

Jess joined him and sliding down from the saddle led Traveller to take a drink too. Then he turned to Slim and said, “I dunno what’s gotten into you Slim, but I figure we’d do better sorting it out before we land home…rather than letting it fester huh?”

Slim looked off to the horizon and then finally turned to look at his buddy and said, “Yeah, you could be right.”

“Look we ain’t expected back for a few days how about we head due west from here and camp by the river for a day or so…give us time to relax and talk some huh?”

Slim smiled at the irony of Jess being the voice of reason for once and said, “Sounds good to me, let’s go.”

They made camp by a wide stretch of the river that was bordered by huge pines for shade. Although it was now early fall, they were enjoying an Indian summer and the days were very hot and humid.

They spent a pleasant afternoon pulling fish out of the lazy river and cooked them up for supper. But other than the mundane conversations, Slim didn’t appear to want to unburden himself… so Jess just let things ride until he was ready.

The moon was up, camp fire crackling merrily and both men outside a couple of coffees liberally laced with Moonshine, before Jess finally said, “So you wanna tell me what spooked you so much back there with Smyth?”

Slim took another sip of his coffee and finally said, “I figure maybe I was the cause of the awful life he had.”

Jess nearly choked on his coffee and then said, “Come on Slim, how do you work that one out?  What’s he been sayin’ huh?”

Slim cast his mind back to earlier that day when he’d been left on his own with Curt.

“So, here we are Slim, I guess it’s the end of the line,” he’d said.

Slim nodded, “So you really were trying to end it all before then?”

Smyth nodded, “Nothing left to live for I guess.”

“Oh, come on you could have gotten through this…there was no need to do what you did.”

“You think not, eh? Well, I guess you wouldn’t Slim because you’ve had a charmed life haven’t you, huh?”

“You think that?”

“Well sure … you were the golden boy at school. Everyone wanted to be your buddy…then later all the girls flocking around…like that Jackson girl!”

Slim had raised an eyebrow, “That isn’t the way I remember it?”

“Well, I sure do… you had everything I didn’t, loving parents, a kid brother that idolized you and real good friends too. I used to look at you and be so darned jealous.”

“There was no need,” Slim said quickly, “I was just a regular kid, nothing special.”

“Uh, Jenny Jackson didn’t think that did she Slim?”

Slim blushed, “Damn it, Curt, that was all years ago we were just kids.”

“Maybe…but you know what really hurt?” he asked.

Slim said nothing just waited.

“After Jamie Brown died, I tried to befriend you… Take his place maybe… I could see how much you were hurting…and I just wanted to be your friend Slim…and you knocked me back, time after time, why’d you do that?”

Slim looked down at the mere shadow of the man Curt Smyth had once been, his time surely due soon.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “it was hard for me Curt, real hard. Hell, we were only fourteen and I’d just lost my best buddy. I didn’t want anyone else around me.”

“Well, that’s a real shame,” Curt said, “because that was the end for me.  I never really got over being shunned by you and the other kids in Laramie. That’s what made me have the life I’ve lived…One of loneliness and misery… and that’s all down to you Slim Sherman, whether you acknowledge it or not… It’s all your fault!”

Then Slim looked anguished as he turned to face Jess and said, “Then he just upped and died before I could say anything…”

Jess thought for a moment and said, “So what would you have said?”

“That I was sorry of course. Heck, I didn’t mean him any harm and sure didn’t realise how he felt about everything. The way I was after Jamie died…well maybe I was a bit hard on him, but I never meant to be…”

 “Hard on him, yer kiddin’!” Jess cried, “Hell it was the other way round from what I’ve heard.”

“What do you mean?!

“Oh, dear old Curt told me all about your friend Jamie and how he lost his life, a burr under the saddle weren’t it?”

Slim’s head shot up. “Yes, I told you that…But only you and I knew that and Jamie’s Pa. You see it was me that took his pony home and I found the burr in the saddle blanket when I went to put him up for the night. Jamie’s Pa came into the barn and I showed him. He said it had probably just been in the blanket when Jamie saddled up…one of those things.”

He looked off to the horizon, deeply saddened.

“But it weren’t, Slim…”

“Huh…”

“It weren’t just one of those things, because Smyth told me he put the burr there. He said he was so dang jealous of you and Jamie being such good buddies he decided he wanted him gone.”

“No!” Slim said looking stricken, “He was just a kid, he couldn’t have done that.”

“You said yourself there was only Jamie’s Pa, you and me who knew about the burr. So how did Curt know …unless he planted it himself?”

The realisation struck home.

“It was Curt… he killed Jamie out of jealousy?”

“Sure looks that way.”

Slim shook his head, “I really can’t believe he’d do that.”

“Well, you’d better believe it. Hell Slim, why do ya think I was so dang worried about Bella after she’d shot the bastard? When Hal had gone for bandages and Cody to town to fetch the law, Curt threatened Bella again. Said I was to take the rap, or he’d kill her. Then he said it wouldn’t be the first time he’d killed…and he told me all about killing your buddy.”

 “Damn it Jess why didn’t you tell me before?” Slim said looking anguished.

“Because I didn’t want you upset. It all happened way too long ago for there to be any way he’d get to pay for what he did back then. Nothing could be proved and he’d deny ever saying it. I guess, I figured he’d get his comeuppance anyway for what he did to us and Bella.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” Slim said thoughtfully.

“You know I am… and as fer Curt, well I’ve met his sort before. Nuthin’ is ever their fault. It’s always other people. He blamed his Ma and Pa, the kids in school…you and later folks in town, even his wife goddamn it. The guy was just a loser and wouldn’t take any responsibility for the way his life was.”

“Yeah, I reckon you’re spot on there, Jess,” Slim agreed…heaving a great sigh of relief.

Then grinning he said, “Come on let’s get some shut-eye and then an early start. If we don’t get home soon, those Jackson boys will be thinking of moving in!”

Epilogue

They arrived home the following day much to Daisy’s relief and life resumed its usual pace.

The men just broke off from the usual late fall chores, of making sure all was battened down and ready for winter, to visit Cheyenne one more time. They gave evidence at Lenny and Arnie’s trial and both men received long custodial sentences after being tried by Judge Stone. He’d replaced Judge Cartwright, who had finally been exposed for the charlatan he was and removed from office.

They also were asked to visit Smyth’s solicitor and were able to give him Bella and Cody’s address in New York. The remainder of the money after the sale of the ranch and land was quite meagre. However, the solicitor said happily Widow Smyth will of course now receive the large sum put in trust for her by Mr Smyth senior, as per his Will. This is a considerable sum he added, so Mrs Smyth will be quite a wealthy young woman.

Jess looked puzzled, “Hang on a minute, if she was supposed to get this trust money, after Sam Smyth’s death, then why the heck didn’t she get it after the old man died?”

The solicitor flushed up and muttered, “It was Mr Smyth junior’s express wish that his wife didn’t receive the money until later in life. In fact, she didn’t even know about it. Uh, it will be a nice surprise,” he added lamely.

“You had no right to withhold that information,” Slim said hotly. “It was her right to have the inheritance like Uncle Sam wanted,” he added referring to Mr Smyth as he had known him as a child.

“I was merely acting on my client’s wishes,” the solicitor said pompously.

“Hell, she could have gotten away from him iffen she’d had some money of her own,” Jess said furiously, clenching a fist.

The solicitor backed off sensing that the dark-haired cowboy with the somewhat volatile temper was maybe going to really lose it.

“Well, that concludes our business gentlemen,” he squeaked and quickly exited through the back door.

It was New Year before they heard anymore of Bella and Cody, when a letter arrived from them saying they had been married just before Christmas.

“Oh how lovely,” Daisy declared clapping her hands in delight…as she read the letter to them at the breakfast table.

She and Bella had struck up a close friendship after she had been released from prison early, and had stayed at the ranch for a few weeks.

“Oh, and with that inheritance from Sam Smyth they’ve been able to buy an apartment in the city, isn’t that wonderful!”

Then as though she wasn’t completely overwhelmed her eyes opened wide with delight, “She says they are expecting their first baby in the fall!”

“Well Cody sure don’t hang about,” Jess said chuckling.

“Um, you two boys could take a leaf out of his book,” Daisy said with a twinkle, “high time there were some babies about the place.”

At that both men decided they’d urgent business to attend to out in the barn and exited at speed, leaving Daisy smiling and shaking her head.  

“Why are Jess and Slim so against babies?” Mike asked looking puzzled.

“Oh, they love them really, Mike,” she said smiling at him, “they just don’t realise it yet. In the meantime, they’ve got all the happiness they could possibly want having you as their little boy.”

Mike grinned in relief, “Oh that’s OK then,” and he ran off to play.

“Wrap up warm,” she called after him and smiled benignly.

The school had been closed for a week now because of the deep lying snow and all of the males in the family had been having high jinks in the snowy weather, Slim and Jess as happy clowning about in it as young Mike.

It was later that night after supper that Slim pulled out Bella’s letter and read it again.

“I’m sure glad everything turned out OK in the end,” he said. “It really was awful here after you rode out to work for Smyth you know Jess… we all missed you so dang much.”

Jess looked saddened, “Me too pard…”

After a while Slim said, “That’s why I was so upset when you said you were going to go away after you lost your memory, thinking you wouldn’t be safe to live around here. You know, after you pulled your gun on me and Mort.”

Jess looked down and said, “Yeah…that was a bad time.”

Then when you were sick with that head wound and I went off fishing and found you gone when I got back to camp...well I really thought you’d decided to go…”

Jess’s head shot up, “Heck no I told ya, I only went to find my two headed coin.”

“Thank goodness,” Slim said.

Then, “So what changed your mind?”

“Well, I thought it through and figured iffen I did, then Smyth would have won. He wanted me gone one way or another and so if I’d left then he’d have been laughing…me doin’ exactly what he’d tried to achieve all along!”

“Well, I’m sure glad you decided to stay,” Slim said with feeling, just as Daisy entered bearing a tray with coffee cups.

“So am I,” she joined in smiling happily, “I’m so glad you didn’t leave us Jess.”

They settled around the fire enjoying their drinks and then she continued, “and of course spring cleaning the attic will be so much quicker if you’re here to give Slim a hand,” she added smiling complacently.

Jess jumped up and made for the door, “I guess it ain’t too late to change my mind,” he said.

But Slim was too quick for him and jumping out of his seat he manhandled him back to the fireside and pushed him firmly down in his rocker.

“You are going no place,” he said firmly… before they all burst out laughing.

Bella and Cody went on to have twin sons the following fall. Cody eventually made it to be one of the top reporters on the New York Times.

He also had great success at writing novels… the first one dedicated to his good friends at the Sherman Ranch and Relay Station. More followed and he was eventually known as one of the most prolific and well-loved authors in the country...writing under the pseudonym of...but I think I’ll keep you guessing on that one!

The End

Thank you for reading!