The Laramie Chronicles

When the Circus Came to Town

By

Patty Wilkinson

(Some strong language, violence and adult themes)

Chapter 1

It was a pleasant late September afternoon and Slim Sherman and Jess Harper were relaxing after bringing the herd down to the lower grazing for the winter months. After the early onset of winter last year, they weren’t taking any chances and as a result they were ahead of their schedule.

After all the recent hard work, they were spending a few days catching up with yard chores and preparing the house and outbuildings for the winter months and also relaxing a little too.

So, when young Mike Williams jumped down from the Stage after school he found Aunt Daisy, Jess and Slim all taking their ease sipping coffee on the porch and enjoying the Indian summer sunshine.

“Guess what!” he yelled excitedly, “The Circus has come to town...can we go please...can we huh?”

Jess adopted a fake frown and said, “Well I dunno Tiger do you think you could deal with all that excitement? There ’ll be bare back riders and clowns...not to mention all those lions and performing bears!”

“Oh, I could handle that real good,” Mike said almost bursting with excitement, “So can we go please?” he wheedled.

Then the spell was broken as Mose, the stage driver, called over gruffly, “These old nags of mine may not be quite as excitin’ as one of those Circus horses...but they could sure do with a break and some food and water...so anyone gonna help me change the team huh?”

It was over supper that the conversation resumed.

The adults had agreed that a visit to the circus was a mighty fine idea and were almost as enthusiastic as Mike, with the exception of Daisy Cooper their housekeeper, who professed she would be far too busy with Jam and Jelly making to accompany them.

They were just finishing their supper when Mike’s face suddenly clouded.

“Hey what’s up Mike?” Slim said noticing the child’s sudden change in demeanor.

“You...you don’t think that ol’ Circus Judge will be there, do ya?”

Slim and Jess exchanged a puzzled look.

“Huh,” asked Jess, “who’s that Mike?”

“You know that ol’ Judge who came the same day as Aunt Daisy arrived. He decided it was OK for you to adopt me as long as Aunt Daisy was in charge of running everything.”

Slim and Jess took that one on the chin and after winking at Daisy, Jess said, “Well I don’t think he’ll be there, Mike, and so what if he was…you’re fine here ain’t ya?”

“Oh yes,” Mike responded at once, “but I guess I’m not always real good like the Judge said I was to be. Like I get dirty sometimes and I say bad words in the yard when Jess comes off one of them ol’ mustangs, “he admitted sorrowfully.

“Well, that ain’t so bad,” Jess said quickly, “heck I get pretty dirty too.”

“Well, isn’t that the truth of it,” Daisy muttered, but gave him a kindly smile none the less.

“And we all say things we maybe shouldn’t in the heat of the moment,” Slim added, “and you know that’s just yard talk and not to repeat it in front of the ladies, don’t you Mike.”

Mike nodded and then turned innocent eyes on Daisy and said, “Even Slim says a bad word sometimes when Jess falls off and is hurt some...why just the other day he said...”

“Uh Mike that’ll do,” Slim said swiftly.

Then more gently, “So why do you think the Judge will be with the Circus anyway?”

“Well, ‘cos he’s a Circus Judge of course,” Mike said patiently as though speaking to a simpleton.

“Oh no dear you misheard,” Daisy said quickly, “the Judge is called a Circuit Judge...because he tours around the different towns...you see?”

“Just like the Circus does,” Mike said looking nonplussed.

“Ain’t you got homework Mike?” Jess asked, giving him a playful cuff.

It was a few days later that the Circus was to really become of interest to Jess. He was taking his ease in the saloon after leaving Daisy in the haberdashers. She was having tea with her good friend who ran the establishment, whilst choosing some new cushion cover fabric. So, Jess had beaten a hasty retreat to the saloon, saying he’d pick Daisy up later.

It was only mid-morning and still quiet in the bar. Jess was sipping a beer and chatting to his gal Millie when the batwing doors burst open admitting a tall larger than life individual wearing a smart frock-coat and tall top hat. He marched across to the bar and banging down a large poster, called for a beer before looking around him.

Then he saw Millie and Jess and his eyes opened wide with surprise.

“Jumping Jehoshaphat! If it isn’t Jess Harper and little Millie Johnson!”

Jess peered across the length of the bar and then his face was immediately wreathed in smiles, “Buck Bailey, what the heck are you doing here?”

Buck raised the poster he’d brought for Tom the barkeep to display, “All mine now!” he said proudly.

The poster announced that Bailey’s Circus was in town for a week and depicted a cheerful juggling clown surrounded by prancing horses, large fearsome bears and equally scary lions.

“You finally got your wish and ran away with the Circus then,” Jess joshed.

Buck had grown up on the panhandle back in Texas with Millie and Jess, and his uncle had owned the large and successful touring circus. However, Buck’s father was not at all interested in the circus life. So, he refused to let the boy go into the business with his uncle, even though he begged him to reconsider on many occasions. But old Charlie Bailey stayed firm and declared his son must make a proper life for himself in ranching, sayin his Uncle Henry was a fool to pursue the traveling life.

“I sure did,” Buck replied, “after Uncle Henry passed away, he left the whole kit and caboodle to me and my sisters. He never married and had no other living relatives...save my pa you see.”

“And I guess he wouldn’t want it,” Jess said grinning.

“Nope, so I sold my ranch...uh going on six years ago now and we’ve toured the country ever since. “

“So young Pippa is with you then?” Jess asked referring to Buck’s kid sister.

“Oh yes and not so young now and a real stunner,” Buck said proudly. “She works the horses, does real good horseback stunts and some tightrope walking too, quite the acrobat”

“That’s great,” Jess said, remembering the cute little kid who had an annoying crush on him back in the day.

But then he remembered her older sister and his heart missed a beat. Hell they had been so dang close. It was when he came back to Texas after the war. Millie and her family had moved on and he’d lost touch for a while...but rumors were that she was dating. So, he had accepted the fact that his best friend was gone from his life, for the time being anyway. Then he had caught up with Gina again and when they had fallen in love it all seemed so right.

However, when he’d heard tell that the Bannister Gang had been in the next State, he’d headed out at once. Revenge for them killing most of his family was still in his heart and he just had to go find them. When he returned several months later, after a wild goose chase, Gina had married and left town.

Jess dragged himself back to the present time, licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry and said, “So uh how about Gina...made you an uncle yet?”

A fleeting look of pain crossed Buck’s handsome features. “I guess you haven’t heard... Beau, her husband was killed not too long after they married. Knifed in their own home. They never caught the murderer...or found out why. She sold up and joined us working the Circus.”

“Anyway, enough of us how are you two?” Buck asked, quickly changing the subject. “Jeez Millie, if old Jess hadn’t seen you first, I’d have up and taken you away myself, you’re looking wonderful,” he added. Then more seriously, “You two are together I take it, you were childhood sweethearts at one time as I remember?”

Millie grinned, “Yes, Jess and I are together,” she said throwing her lover a warm smile.

“We sure are,” Jess agreed firmly returning the loving glance with Millie. Leaving Buck in no doubt as to the fact that Millie was taken. Also, that he was totally committed to her...no matter what other ideas Buck might have. Knowing how close Gina and Jess had once been, he sure hoped Buck wasn’t expecting some sort of reconciliation. Was he looking for a husband for his widowed sister he wondered?

Then he launched into the news of his partnership at the Sherman ranch, and they chatted away as old friends do when they haven’t seen each other for many years.

After a while Jess suddenly noticed the time on the clock behind the bar.

“Hey I hafta go,” he said downing his beer in one...as he suddenly remembered Daisy waiting in the haberdashers. “I’ll see you both Saturday for the show,” he said, before leaning over the bar and kissing Millie. “I’ll pick ya up on the way,” he said lovingly, before heading off to fetch Daisy.

It was later that day at supper time when the subject of the Circus came up again.

Mike had picked up one of Buck’s fliers that had been posted around the town, and had passed it around the table voicing his excitement at attending at the weekend.

It was Slim who noticed Daisy shudder as she saw the brightly made-up Bozo the clown with flaming red hair, grinning out from the advertisement arm in arm with a sad mouthed clown named Ozzie.

“Supposed to be good and evil,” Jess said grinning. Then noticing her reaction he added, “You don’t like them much, do you Daisy?” he asked softly.

She shook her head, “They give me the creeps,” she said honestly, “always have done since I was a little girl.”

“Heck what’s not to like,” Mike piped up, “they’re funny!”

“Hey Mike, you have to understand sometimes folk really don’t like things for no real reason, but I guess we should respect their feelings, huh?” Slim said.

When the child still looked puzzled Slim grinned and said, “Like some folk are just plain scared of those big hairy spiders we get in the barn in the fall,” and he flicked a glance to where Jess was finishing his supper and studiously ignoring the jibe.

It was later as Jess was helping Daisy wash up that he said, “So did something happen when you were a kid that made you kinda wary around clowns Daisy?”

She nodded, “Yes dear, a friend’s father used to dress up as one for children’s parties and he was the most unpleasant man...his own girls were terrified of him...I suppose that sort of colored my view.”

“Well, if it helps any, I know Bozo. I met him when I was a kid. I was about fourteen and he was uh early twenties back then I guess. He’s a real nice guy. It’s kinda tragic really. See he was badly burnt as a youngster, his face was real disfigured. Then he decided to be a clown and when he put the make-up on, he became a different person. See folk just saw this smiling face...not the terrible scars... so he wears it all the time.”

“Oh, the poor man,” Daisy said full of her usual compassion.

“I reckon he’s over it all now. The other guy Ozzie is new to the circus, but if Buck chose him, I guess he’s OK too. So will you come?” Jess asked, “It might just cure your fear of clowns,” he added grinning, “and I know you’d enjoy all the other acts too.”

“I think I might,” Daisy said beaming. “Mike and I could put up at the hotel, make a night of it. Uh if I can get Martha Jackson to pop over and see to the hens and milk the cow for me.”

“All done,” Slim said entering the kitchen, “we thought we’d be able to persuade you to change your mind so she’s already booked to come over.”

“Why you boys!” she said flapping her tea towel at them, but secretly pleased.

On the Saturday afternoon, the adults were almost as excited as young Mike when they arrived at the Big Top, just outside town.

As they entered the huge round tent, they were greeted by Buck in his full Ringmaster’s regalia of top hat and dark frock-coat, white pants and dark shiny boots, carrying a whip. And they were delighted to see they had been allocated the best seats in the house at the very edge of the ring.

Watching from the shadows where she was handing out programmes was Buck’s elder sister Gina.

The moment she saw Jess her heart skipped a beat. Then she saw Millie was with him and also a little blond-haired boy. So, Jess was a father she thought? Seeing him with Millie was bad enough. But surely Buck had said they were just dating not married? Then Slim came into view and rested a hand on the youngster’s shoulder. Ah so Jess’s friend must be the father she thought relaxing, noting the shared blond good looks. But who was the older woman accompanying them? She craned her neck to see better, before she returned to her task in hand as she wondered what it would be like to talk to her ex-lover again.

Moments later she was suddenly shocked out of her musing by a familiar deep, gravelly voice saying, “Howdy Gina.”

She looked up to see Jess standing beside her one hand out to receive the programme she had been absently passing out.

Their eyes met and he said, “It’s good to see you... it’s been a long time.”

She gasped and then said impulsively, “I’m so sorry Jess...”

“Huh... what for?” he asked smiling into her eyes.

“Why for running out on you that way...marrying Beau...”

Then she gave a little gasp, what was she thinking of blurting that out, the first time she’d seen him in years?

He looked down aware of the crowds milling around them, and feeling equally embarrassed, “Look we can’t talk here, maybe we can catch up later after the show?” he suggested, looking back up at her.

Her heart leapt and then immediately sank again as Millie joined them.

He turned and gave his gal a loving smile, “Look who’s here sweetheart ...I was just saying we should catch up later,” he said taking hold of Millie’s hand.

Millie beamed at Gina and said, “Yes, we must talk soon,” and then the crowd surged forwards and they had to make a move to claim their seats.

Gina turned and watched them go...for one wonderful moment she thought maybe he was still interested in her. But no, he was just being kind and she sighed and resumed her duties. Again, berating herself for being so tactless at mentioning Beau that way.

The show was a great success and everyone from the ranch had a wonderful time. However, once the spectacle was over there was such a crowd of well wishers around all the Circus folk that Millie and Jess decided to catch up on their old friend’s news at a later date. When they weren’t so busy with their enthusiastic fans.

It was much later after Mike and Daisy had been installed in their hotel room and Slim and his gal Lily had drifted off together, that Jess and Millie could relax alone and discuss the evening.

They were cuddled down on her huge old couch before the fire in her room, over the saloon bar and down the corridor from Lily’s, sipping a last coffee before turning in.

Millie turned to Jess and said thoughtfully, “Weren’t you and Gina together for a while...just after the war?”

Jess gave her a lazy grin and said, “Uh-huh... why are you jealous?”

She hid a smile and said, “Nope. Why...should I be?”

“Well...” he said throwing her a mischievous glance.

But when she slapped his arm playfully, but never the less quite hard, he said, “No of course not,” and leaning over kissed her gently on her forehead.

“Heck, Millie you know all the gals I dated, just like I know about all the men you kept company with...but that’s all history now you know that.”

“I know,” she said smiling indulgently at him, “I’m just interested that’s all...so tell me...”

He sighed deeply knowing he’d get no peace until he agreed.

He pulled her closer and started his story...

 “It was just after the war. I was half starved after that dang prisoner of war camp...and I guess all I wanted was to see you and your family. Have yer ol’ Ma spoil me and fatten me up some,” he said grinning down at her, “Spend some time with you,” he added softly.

“Oh Jess,” she said suddenly looking sad, “and we’d left the area. We had to go...the soldiers came and we fled...went over the border down to family in Mexico.”

“I know that now,” he said, “of course you had to go. But back then Jeez, I really missed ya. Then Buck told me he’d heard you were dating and I figured maybe you’d decided to move on...without me.”

“Well, that wasn’t true and I don’t know how Buck could have thought that,” she said indignantly.

“Hey don’t get mad,” he said quickly. “It’s all water under the bridge ain’t it and besides you did date later, same as I did.”

“You’ve got to kiss a few frogs before you find your forever Prince,” Millie said laughing.

“Uh sure,” Jess said looking somewhat perplexed. “So anyway, yeah me and Gina kinda hit it off I guess.”

Who was he kidding he thought. Hell, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, until that fateful day when an old friend had ridden in with news of the Bannister Gang.

Even though he‘d loved Gina with a passion, his need of revenge for his family’s death at the hands of the Bannisters was greater and he had ridden out the following day.

He recalled the devastating conversation when Gina had pleaded with him to stay declaring her undying love. But even that couldn’t stop him. Now in the cold light of day he wondered at the depth of his feelings for her. What if it had been Millie begging him to stay...would he have done?

“Jess....Jess!”

“Huh?”

“You’re miles away...so what happened in the end...with you and Gina?”

He just shrugged, “I left on a wild goose chase after the Bannisters. I was gone longer than I’d intended and when I returned, she’s upped and married Beau Layne and moved away.”

“I wonder why she did that,” Millie said almost to herself, “he must have been real special...or real insistent... for her to leave you that way.”

Jess just shrugged, getting bored with the conversation...and yawning said, “Who knows. I guess she maybe thought I wouldn’t be coming back.”

Then shaking his head sadly said, “Maybe I wouldn’t have if I’d caught up with them.”

Millie shivered and said, “Well thank goodness you didn’t.”

And then they were in each other’s arms and nothing in their thoughts save for their love making...

Chapter 2

The following morning the girls had to start work early as Tom had allowed them to leave the glass washing and tidying from the night before as they had company staying over.

“We can stay and help ya tidy up,” Jess offered, but Millie and Lily exchanged an amused look and declined the kind suggestion.

“You’re sure?” Slim asked.

“Absolutely,” Lily said, “you boys go off and enjoy your breakfast and we’ll see you on Saturday.”

The men opted for breakfast at Miss Molly’s Café, down the street rather than the hotel where Daisy and Mike were staying. Molly’s breakfasts were not only more substantial, but also cheaper.

“Besides,” Jess said, “it’s still real early, I don’t reckon Daisy and Mike will be up yet.”

Slim nodded in agreement, “I sure hope Daisy managed to get him off to sleep, he was that excited after the show.”

Jess grinned back, “It were real good though weren’t it.”

“Those bears and lions too! Jeez, how do they get them to act that way Jess? I’ve never seen the like...”

Jess nodded appreciatively, “It always was a good show and even better now with that High Wire act and all.”

“That woman doing all those acrobatics on horseback was fantastic,” Slim added and he shook his head in admiration.

Jess chuckled, “Yup, I guess little Pip-squeak grew up pretty good.”

Slim’ s eyes widened in surprise, “Who?”

“Pippa, Buck’s kid sister, it was her nickname. She had this real high pitched squeaky laugh… you could hear her comin’ a mile away,” Jess said grinning at the memory.

The men were just finishing their meal when the door of the cafe swung open admitting Buck Baily along with a slender, blond beauty that Slim recognized as the horsewoman from the night before.

“May we join you?” Buck asked coming over.

Then turning to introduce the woman beside him said, “You remember my little sister, Jess?”

“Sure,” Jess said grinning and standing to pull out a chair for her, “Howdy Pip squ,” and then just stopped himself in time and said, “Pippa. This is my Pard, Slim Sherman.”

Then turning to Slim said, “This is Pippa Baily, Slim.”

Once they were seated and Molly had brought more coffee, they settled to chat.

Both Slim and Jess were most enthusiastic about the show and Buck looked pleased.

“Glad to hear you say that, thing is it’s getting real late in the season. The crew are getting tired…ready for a break, I guess. The last show is at the end of the week.”

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Slim said quickly, “we’d hoped you’d be here for a while; the show is certainly popular.”

“Yes, well actually,” Buck said suddenly looking a tad uncomfortable, “we’d like to stay longer. I’d like the staff to have a little rest and some down time before we have to pack up and head for our winter quarters...but... “he sighed and looked down into his coffee.

“What’s the problem?” Jess asked.

“The thing is not everyone around here is quite as enthusiastic about us staying too much longer. See I’ve been asking around if there is some place we can stay for a few weeks. All we need is some space, a sheltered spot, with a stream or lake nearby...where we can spread out and relax some...but well folk around here are none too keen.”

“Why the heck not?” Slim asked.

“Seems they’re real worried some of the animals might escape. Well even those tired old bears could cause a mess of trouble I guess...and as to the big cats...they could decimate a herd. Well, some of the younger ones anyway he added. But they’ll be shipped out over to our winter camp in a couple of weeks. Then it’ll just be some of the staff resting up before we travel east for the winter too.”

Slim and Jess exchanged a glance and then Slim said, “I reckon we could oblige you for a few weeks Buck.”

Then turning to Jess said, “There’s that meadow land on the way to the plantation...got a good stream running through and really sheltered from any bad weather.”

Then turning to Buck said, “It’s not far from the ranch on the other side of the Laramie Road, so you’d have good access to town...but a safe quiet base too.”

“Well, that’s real kind of you folks and we’ll pay top dollar for the right billet,” Buck said cheerfully.

“Oh, we don’t need payment,” Slim said quickly, smiling over at Pippa. “But I sure would like to know how you do all that fancy bareback riding Miss Pippa.”

“But of course,” she said beaming at the tall handsome rancher.

Then turning to Jess said, “And I can’t wait to see more of you Jess, it will be just like old times,” and she threw him a scintillating smile.

“Well, that’s settled then,” Buck said joyfully, “and maybe we can throw in some juggling lessons for young Mike huh?”

And so it was that the circus folk settled down just a few short miles from the ranch.

They had only been there a few days when Daisy got the fright of her life.

It was a Saturday afternoon and she was tending her vegetable patch behind the house, the men and Mike off down the creek fishing.

She didn’t hear the knock at the front door. So, Bozo the clown, wearing full make-up made his way around the back of the house calling out if there was anyone at home.

Poor Daisy was terrified when she was suddenly confronted by the larger-than-life clown figure of Bozo. All her childhood fears racing back.

She screamed and arming herself with her hoe backed away looking very frightened.

“It’s OK Ma’am,” Bozo said quickly, “I mean you no harm... I’m Bozo the clown with Mr Buck’s Circus. I’m a friend of Jess Harper...just come to pay him a call. Then he held up some juggling balls. I came to give young Mike a lesson too.”

Daisy quickly gathered herself together and smiling nervously said, “I’m so sorry Mr Bozo...you just startled me. Of course I saw you the other day at the Circus.”

Then remembering how Jess had said the man had been badly disfigured by a burn years ago and always wore the clown face she felt awful for fussing.

“Please Mr Bozo do come into the house for a cold drink. The boys are just down at the creek in the home pasture fishing, but if I ring the triangle dinner bell on the porch, they’ll come running.”

“Why that would be wonderful Ma’am, I am a tad dry...and please just call me Bozo.”

“And I am Mrs Daisy Cooper, housekeeper, please to meet you Bozo,” she said offering her hand, “Please call me, Daisy.”

When Slim, Jess and Mike arrived home, a little while later, they found Daisy and Bozo deep in conversation over some of her homemade lemonade and cookies.

It was later that Jess asked Daisy if she was over her fear of clowns now.

She smiled, “Oh yes, well that particular clown anyway.”

As Bozo was leaving, he invited all at the ranch to visit the following day and watch Miss Pippa put her horses through their paces as he said Slim had expressed an interest.

Daisy kindly declined, saying horses weren’t really her thing...but Slim and Mike were very enthusiastic.

“How about you Jess, Miss Pippa said for me to ask you special,” Bozo said.

Jess looked uncomfortable at that and merely said that they couldn’t both leave the ranch as they were kinda busy...but maybe he’d come next time.

Slim frowned and was about to say heck it’s Sunday tomorrow…since when did you bust a gut working on the Sabbath... But then he saw Jess glaring at him, so bit the comment back.

Once Bozo had taken his leave Slim turned to Jess and asked,” What was all that about? You don’t need to work all day tomorrow.”

Jess glanced to where Mike was practicing his juggling and Daisy going off to prepare supper and nodded for Slim to come and take a seat on the porch. Once there, he sat staring out to the distant mountains.

“Well go on,” Slim said impatiently.

Jess sighed and said, “I don’t really want to see Pippa...she’s...well she can be kinda difficult.”

“Difficult?”

Jess flushed up and said, “You know kinda forward...clingy...”

“Clingy?”

“Oh come on, Slim, don’t play the innocent, you know exactly what I mean.”

Slim looked blank and then he grinned, “What you mean she’s got the hots for you?”

Jess merely rolled his eyes but nodded, “Used to have, yeah.”

“Well, that was a long time ago pard, she’s probably grown up and come to her senses by now,” Slim chuckled.

“Yeah, well I ain’t gonna risk it,” Jess said stubbornly, remembering that lingering smile and the look in her eyes when they had met up at Miss Molly’s place.

But then Daisy called them in for supper and the matter was shelved, for the time being anyway.

How could Jess explain it wasn’t just Pippa he was worried about but her elder sister Gina? Hell, losing her to another man that way had near broke his heart at the time...And now seeing her again...the way she had blurted out she was so sorry she had left him that way. Well, it was possible she regretted her actions. Maybe still had feelings for him? He didn’t know and really didn’t want to know either. That was all in the past and he was with Millie now...

When Slim and Mike returned from their visit the following afternoon Mike was bursting with excitement.

“You should have seen Miss Pippa, she’s just swell,” he gushed. “I wanna be just like her. Will you teach me Jess, will you please? I wanna stand up on Sonny’s back the way Miss Pippa does...can I huh...huh?”

“Hey steady Tiger,” Jess said grinning down at the youngster and ruffling his blond hair. “I’m not sure how Aunt Daisy would take to that notion. Remember the hard time she gave us when I was teachin’ you how to grab my Stetson off the ground from the saddle, ridin’ at speed...huh?”

 “And not without good reason,” Slim interjected stoutly, “that’s really dangerous.”

“Aw he was OK,” Jess said quickly, “I was watching him.”

“Jess!” Slim said throwing him a warning glance.

“OK, OK,” Jess said rolling his eyes.

“Look Tiger, the first step to all these acrobatics is to really be at one with yer horse.”

“Huh?”

“Well ride as one...like yer glued to that old pony’s back.”

“Like you ride?” the child asked with open admiration.

Jess just smiled and said, “The best way to do that is to practice riding bareback. That way you are really close to your horse, follow his every move. Then when you’re real confident you could try taking him over that low jump we set up in the home pasture. Once you’ve gotten that under yer belt, you’ll be ready for some more advanced stuff like Miss Pippa does.”

“Gee Jess that’s a great idea. I’ll go fetch Sonny now and start riding him bareback. Can I please?” he added looking hopeful.

“Sure,” Jess said indulgently, “but over in the big corral, so we can keep an eye on you.”

Once the boy had run off to collect his pony, Slim and Jess wandered over to the porch to sit a spell before supper.

“What did you tell him that for?” Slim asked irritably. “It is way too dangerous for him to attempt those circus tricks and you know it.”

“Sure, I know it,” Jess agreed. “But riding bareback will hone up his riding skills real good. Then by the time he’s good enough to try a few tricks he’ll have lost interest and wanna be the next Sherriff or something.”

Now it was Slim’ s turn to roll his eyes, “Jeez, that would be even worse,” he said.

Jess just grinned and said, “I guess nobody ever said it would be easy bringing up a lively kid.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Slim said shaking his head.

Chapter 3

All was quiet for the next week and they heard no more from the circus camp until early the following Saturday morning.

They were just finishing breakfast when there was the sound of a horse galloping into the yard, followed by someone pounding on the front door.

Slim and Jess exchanged an anxious glance and they both jumped up from the table and went over to the door…Jess snagging his rifle on the way.

Slim opened the door a crack and then threw it open smiling widely, “Why Buck what brings you calling at this hour...come in, come in!”

Buck came in, touching his hat to Miss Daisy and then turning to the men, “Got me a big problem,” he said without preamble, “one of the big cats has escaped dang it!”

They all looked shocked to the core, but Jess was the first to recover, “How in hell did that happen?” he cried.

“Someone let him out,” Buck said, “the padlock was busted and he got clean away, sometime after midnight.”

“Jeez he could be any place by now,” Jess interjected.

“At least we’ve brought the herd down for the winter,” Slim said, “I guess we’d have heard something, they’d play up something fierce if there was a big cat prowling around.”

“Other folk have still got cattle out grazing on the plain though,” Jess said.

Then turning to Buck, “Which one?”

“Raj, the male lion...he’s pretty old, his teeth ain’t so good now. I don’t think he’ll be too much of a threat to the livestock. Thank goodness it wasn’t one of the younger ones. Thing is Jess, old Bill Proctor, the trainer is so dang upset. He just knows if word gets out then a posse will hunt him down and shoot him. That’s why I’ve come, I know you’re an ace tracker, could you help find him and maybe trap him?” he said hopefully.

“That’s a big ask,” Slim said, looking troubled. “The stock out there belongs to good friends, they should be warned of the danger, no matter what.”

“Look Slim, Raj wasn’t heading for the open plain we’ve tracked him into that big plantation of yours just at the back of us. I guess he’ll hunker down there, until he’s hungry.”

“Well, he’ll catch a rabbit or a deer, won’t he?” Jess asked looking puzzled, “plenty of game for him to hunt in there.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Buck said, “my uncle raised him from a cub. He’s never had to survive in the wild...and he’s old and slow now I reckon he’ll have a hard time catching prey iffen we don’t find him.”

Jess sighed and exchanged a look with Slim, before turning back to Buck.

“OK I’ll come take a look, but if it seems like he’s heading towards the open prairie, then I’m gonna have to tell the other ranchers. He may be real tame and not had to fend fer himself, but if he gets really hungry, you don’t know what he’d do.  But I guess we can try and trap him, a steel spring cage with a fresh rabbit inside should do the job.”

It was several hours later that they picked up the tracks heading into the dense woodland beyond the Circus campsite. They had brought the cage along with them pulled by one of the circus heavy horses and left it in a clearing deep within the plantation. Once it was baited with a freshly killed rabbit Jess stood back, glancing around him...before tipping his head towards the undergrowth.

“It looks like the tracks back there are real fresh, best thing we can do is head back to your camp and come out again at first light.”

“You’re not worried about the cattle then?” Buck asked.

Jess shook his head, “Nope … if what you said is true, I figure he’ll head for this easy meal and then we’ve got him. Anyway, the nearest cattle are a good twenty miles off to the east and he’s traveling west.”

When Jess and Buck returned to the camp they were greeted by an anxious looking Bill Proctor, the lion tamer.

“Is there any news?” he asked.

“We’ve found some recent tracks,” Buck said, “and Jess here has baited the trap, I guess it’s just a waiting game now.”

“I had hoped he’d find his way home,” the old timer said slumping down onto a log before the central camp fire.

Jess and Buck joined him.

“I guess he’s enjoying his freedom,” Jess said, “but don’t worry I figure the smell of blood will tempt him and once he’s in the trap, no way he can escape.”

“Unless the person who set him free in the first place gets there before we do,” Bill said bitterly.

“What, you think it’s an inside job?” Jess asked looking surprised.

“Gotta be,” Buck said, “heck with all the dogs around the place, well they’d have sure let us know if there was an intruder.”

“But who?” Jess asked.

“There’s the question,” Buck said looking perplexed. “I really don’t want to think it’s anyone here, hell I trust them all...but it sure looks that way.”

“Could be one of the stage hands, or a rigger I suppose, we took a few new ones on this season and don’t know too much about them,” Bill said.

“Huh?” Jess asked.

“The guys who set up the wires for the acrobatic acts and do all the setting up of equipment, tents and the like,” Buck explained. “As opposed to the Artists. The riggers are highly trained...but the stage hands...well anyone can do that and we have all sorts on the payroll.”

“Is there anyone around here with a grudge against you...or against Bill maybe?” Jess asked.

“Not that I know off,” Buck said. Then frowning, “only my Pa. He’d sure like to see us fail and all three of us go back to the ranch.”

Jess chuckled, “Well I guess we can rule him out; he is your Pa after all.”

Buck enjoyed the joke and then said, “As to the hands, well no, they all seem a pretty good gang...had no trouble from any of them this far.”

At this point Gina strolled over and took a seat beside Jess, “No news of Raj yet?”

Jess shook his head, “We’ve tracked him to the west of the plantation and set a trap, hopefully he’ll be waitin’ on us in the morning.”

She brightened at that and said, “Oh, so you’ll be staying the night then?”

Jess looked up to where the sun was beginning to set, a beautiful red glow in the westerly sky and glanced back to Gina’s eager countenance.

“I dunno, I should really ride back to the ranch...chores to do and such,” he said lamely.

“I’m sure I heard Slim say he’d manage just fine while you came over to help us,” Buck said innocently. “Please stay to supper, the girls and I would love to catch up properly. We’ve hardly seen anything of you since we landed. Besides we’ll have to be up at first light.”

Jess knew it would look churlish if he refused so he smiled at Buck and said, “Sure that would be great.”

He enjoyed chatting with is old friends and actually Gina and Pippa were on their best behavior just pulling his leg a little but not flirting or making him feel uncomfortable. In fact, he was beginning to think he had imagined Gina’s previous strange attitude, at the show, when she had blurted out how sorry she was at having left him all those years ago. He’d managed stay away from the camp up until now fearing maybe she would embarrass them both again by referring to their past once more, but it seemed it was not to be. He relaxed and happily accepted another glass of redeye from his old buddy Buck.

Finally, it was time to retire for the night, the girls having already turned in.

“Are you sure you’ll be OK bunking down by the fire,” Buck asked as he threw his last drink back. “Thing is we’re a bit tight on space what with the girls sharing my place,” he said nodding towards the large brightly painted covered wagon nearby.

“I’ll be just fine out here,” Jess said quickly, “prefer it under the stars, you know me.”

“Sure,” Buck said grinning down at him. “Well, see you at first light and we’ll see if we’ve caught us a lion, huh.”

It was about midnight when Jess was awoken by someone walking around nearby. He was up on one knee colt in hand in the blink of an eye and heard a sharply drawn breath from the shadows.

“Who’s there?” he called gruffly. After a second Gina came forwards illuminated by a shaft of moonlight. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, the moonlight turning her blond hair to spun silk and the diaphanous nightgown she wore making her look like an angel.

He sighed and shook his head, holstering his colt.

“Don’t ya know better than to creep up on a man?” he said curtly. “Good way to get yerself shot.”

“I...I’m sorry,” she stuttered, “It’s just that I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d help myself to some of that coffee,” and she gestured to the pot keeping warm beside the fire.

He sighed and then realizing he was being a jerk said, “Sure sit a spell and he moved across so she could sit on the edge of his bedroll.

He jumped up and poured them both a coffee and then sat back down, moving away a little once he had handed her the drink.

“I don’t bite you know,” she said casting him an amused glance.

Jess flushed up a little and then leaned across and passed her a spare blanket, “Put that around you,” he said brusquely. “It’s a tad chilly tonight...to come out wearing...uh... that...kinda thing.”

“Don’t you like it?” she asked throwing him a flirtatious glance.

He looked down and flushed again, “Sure I like it well enough...like I say it’s chilly tonight.”

She looked down into her coffee cup, but made no attempt to drink.

After a few minutes he said, “So why are you really here?”

“We need to talk Jess.”

“We do?”

“Well of course...about you and me...what happened to us?”

“Look Gina, that was all a real long time ago, we’re different people now, I figure we should just let it lie...huh.”

“I can’t do that Jess, I have to explain, make it right between us.”

When he said nothing but merely looked into the fire, she continued.

“You see I was so mad at you for leaving that way...going after that wretched Bannister Gang. I decided to teach you a lesson...that’s why I went with Beau. It was only ever meant to be a token gesture...just so you’d be insanely jealous when you rode back in. But it all went wrong.”

“There was no need for that,” he said quickly, “you knew how I felt about you. But damn it Gina you knew how much catching up with the Bannisters meant to me too...I had to do it for Ma...and the kids you knew that.”

“I know,” she said softly putting a hand on his arm. “I was a stupid fool...it was you I wanted. Always wanted...”

He moved back a little and her hand dropped away.

“So why did you marry him?” he asked, his eyes hard.

“Because... because I thought I was pregnant,” she cried angrily dashing a tear away.

“So, you slept with him then?” he said angrily. “Seems like you weren’t that much in love with me iffen you went with another guy the minute I left you.”

“It wasn’t like that,” she sobbed. “He was very persuasive and I was so lonely after your rode out.”

Jess just looked stubborn and then sighing deeply said, “Well I guess none of it matters now, all water under the bridge ain’t it...we’ve moved on.”

“I haven’t,” she whispered, “I still love you Jess and I want you back...please can’t we start again?”

He threw her and incredulous look, “Yer kidding me,” he whispered shaking his head. “Damn it Gina you know I’m with Millie now...heck I aim to marry the gal one day.”

“But you don’t have to. Don’t you see, I’m here now, we could be happy again...don’t you remember how good we were together...how good the loving was?” And she took his hand.

He gently moved away again and said firmly, “I reckon you’d better turn in, there ain’t no more to say.”

“Jess please....”

“Do I have to go fetch yer brother?” he asked throwing her a hard look.

Looking fearful, she flinched, “No don’t say anything please, I’ll go,” and she scurried off back to the wagon.

Jess eased himself onto his bedroll, and lay back looking up at the stars with unseeing eyes...

Hell, sure they’d been good together, real good...but that was all in the past and that’s where he aimed for it to stay.

Then he felt terrible at acting so dang harsh... but surely it was better to be honest with her...a little voice in his head said.

Chapter 4

The following morning there was no sign of the girls, and after a quick coffee Jess and Buck rode out. Along with the lion tamer, Bill Proctor, and a couple of hands driving the wagon pulled by the heavy horse, once more.

As Jess had predicted the lure of a fresh kill was too much for the hungry old lion to ignore and he was now pacing the cage…tail lashing and looking as mad as all get out... growling low and deep in his throat.

Bill grinned happily as the hands loaded the cage up onto the wagon, Raj protesting loudly.

“It sure is good to have the old guy back,” he said turning to Buck.

The Ring Master grinned and said, “I’ve been thinking Bill, I reckon we’ll bring shipping the animals to the winter camp forwards, you’ll go earlier than planned. Later this week in fact, as soon as I can arrange it with the rail company.”

 “OK boss and Miss Pippa will she be traveling with the horses like always?”

“Uh well, I’m not sure about that,” Buck said. “But if not then, Pippa, Gina and I plus the rest of the artists will follow on in a couple of weeks. The clowns, trapeze group and knife thrower all want a tad more downtime before we go back.”

Once Bill had wandered off to supervise moving the lion, Jess turned to Buck and said, “So if you’re still thinkin’ this is an inside job, do you figure things will be OK if the hired hands all head off to the winter camp? You reckon it was one of them, huh?”

“I’m hoping so,” Buck replied. “They are only employed for the journey back then once all the animals are settled in their contract is over until next season. I’ve got some good men traveling along that I know and trust. If there is any further trouble I figure they’ll deal with it.”

“You still think it was someone trying to scupper the whole outfit then?”

Buck shrugged, “I really dunno...maybe it was just someone had it in for old Bill, he can be kinda bad tempered at times, got real bad rheumatics,” he added. “I should have retired him long ago. But I like the old guy and it would break his heart to quit. A few of the youngsters are waiting to step into his shoes…could have been one of them, trying to make him look bad I suppose.”

Jess had really wanted to ride straight home after they had located Raj, but Buck had asked him to accompany them back just to help out if anything else transpired on the journey back to camp. However, once the big horses had been unhitched and Raj returned to his larger accommodation Jess heaved a sigh of relief. There was still no sign of Gina so he made a hasty farewell and rode out.

He'd only ridden a few miles when he heard a horse galloping up behind him and turning, he saw the diminutive figure of Pippa, hair flying and riding like the devil was on her tail.

“Jess, Jess wait up!” she yelled.

He reined in and waited on her, what the hell he thought irritably, first the older sister declaring undying love and now it looked like Pippa was about to do the same.

Once she was beside him, she caught her breath and said, “Jess please stop a moment I need to speak to you, urgently.”

He sighed and said, “What’s up Pip?”

“Can we get down and talk properly?” she asked tipping her head towards a fallen tree by the road side.

Once the horses were tethered and the couple were seated on the log, he threw her a hard look and said, “Well?”

“Jess don’t be like that,” she said, “this is serious...I... I need to tell you something, something real important.”

“Look Pip, please don’t,” he said quietly, “I’m flattered I guess, but I’m really not interested in startin’ somethin’ up, you know. Me and Millie are real happy. You’re a great kid and all but...”

“What?” she asked looking aghast.

“Well, that’s what you want ain’t it?” he asked looking confused.

“Are you mad?” she asked looking furious, “Jeepers Jess I was over all that years ago! In fact I’m seeing a guy back home. I’m not interested in you!”

“Well, that sure told me,” Jess said grinning broadly now. “So, what’s all the fuss about then?”

“It’s Gina. I know she came to see you last night...and I know why.”

“You do?” Jess asked looking serious again.

“I left her breaking her heart over you Jess I’m so worried about her.”

He looked down for a minute and then back into her anxious eyes, “I’m real sorry about that Pip, but I guess their ain’t anything I can do.”

“Well of course there is, couldn’t you get back together, she really loves you Jess and I’m so worried...worried about what she might do.”

“Hey whoa there,” he said quickly, “that’s blackmail Pip! You’re sayin’ iffen I don’t dump my best gal and go with Gina she’ll do something stupid?”

“Exactly and it won’t be the first time. After Beau was killed she was in a very dark place...she tried to kill herself Jess. In the end she was forcefully admitted to a lunatic asylum for her own good. She spent six months in there. Then eventually she improved and Buck suggested she come on the road with us. As soon as she knew we’d be visiting Wyoming she seemed to recover even more...be more her old self. Heck it was her idea to come to Laramie and she persuaded Buck to try and get a billet near the ranch too.”

“The hell she did,” Jess muttered, “and Beau was in on all this trickery?”

She nodded, “He was worried about her we all were. We thought if you two got back together she would be completely well again.”

“What about me huh...not to mention Millie, don’t we get a say in this?”

She looked down quickly, “We never thought it through...I’m sorry Jess.”

“You dang well should be! What if Millie gets wind of this, she’ll be real upset too!”

“I know, but it’s my sister’s life I’m fighting for, you must see that, Jess. Please couldn’t you just let her down lightly...give her some hope?”

“That would be just dang well cruel,” he replied.

They were so deep in conversation that they only noticed Slim riding up, when he was just a few yards away.

He slipped easily down from the saddle and wandered over, “What are you two hatching up?” he asked with a broad grin, “You look as thick as thieves.”

“Nothing, nothing at all,” Pippa said.

“Bye, Slim,” she added before jumping up and heading for her mount.

Then she turned back and said in an anguished tone, “Just think about it, please Jess…” and with that she leapt up into the saddle and urged her mount off at speed.

Slim turned back to his partner.

“Think about what?” he asked with a broad grin.

“Nuthin’,” Jess muttered standing up quickly and turning his back on Slim as he jerked Traveller’s reins free from where they were tethered.

His horse whipped his head up at this uncharacteristic cavalier treatment, and threw his beloved master an anxious look.

Jess patted his neck absently and mounted up.

Slim still stood staring at his buddy a twinkle in his eyes, “Hey Jess no need to be bashful, if the little lady is in love...” and he snorted with laughter.

“Just shut the hell up!” Jess growled before kneeing his mount into a fast trot.

Slim soon caught up with him and glancing at Jess’ handsome features set it a granite hard grimace he suddenly felt remorse.

“Hey I’m sorry buddy; I was only joshing you…want to tell me about it?”

Jess just shook his head, “Nope,” and with that he urged Traveller into a full gallop, leaving Slim looking after him, a puzzled expression on his face.

When Jess still refused to discuss the matter at all, Slim gave up and it wasn’t until a few days later that they heard news of Pippa.

The men were in town collecting supplies and as it was an unseasonably warm day they called into the saloon for a quick beer before heading home. To their surprise their good friend Doc Sam was doing likewise.

“Don’t often see you in here at lunchtime Sam,” Slim said grinning.

Sam returned the smile, “Well, let’s just say I needed a medicinal beer to replace lost moisture...sure is a hot one,” he said.

Jess nodded, “I know what ya mean,” and took a long pull of his beer.

“So, you been traveling this morning then?” Slim asked.

“Yes indeed. I was called over to the circus camp, one of the ladies had a bad fall from the tightrope.”

Jess’s head whipped up and he said, “Who?”

“Um the owner’s sister I think.”

Jess went deathly pale, “What you mean Pippa?”

“Yes, the younger one, Miss Pippa...”

“But she’s, OK?”

“She had a nasty fall from the high wire...and someone hadn’t put the safety net properly in place. It did break her fall some, but she still sustained some nasty cuts, and bruised and a badly sprained ankle. She’s staying over in my hospital bed for a day or so,” he added.

Jess drank the rest of his beer down and headed for the door.

“Where in tarnation are you off to?” Slim asked, “We’re due home shortly.”

“To see her of course,” Jess threw over his shoulder.

Sam looked surprised and Slim merely rolled his eyes.

“So, what’s going on with those two?” Sam asked.

Slim shrugged, “Your guess is as good as mine, but he sure isn’t telling.”

Then he glanced over to where Tom the barkeep was polishing glasses and taking everything in. At least it was Millie’s day off Slim thought, but there again Tom would doubtless fill her in on this latest drama.

Doc Sam’s housekeeper had let Jess in and now he sat beside the bed looking down at a very woebegone Pippa.

“So, what’s going on?” he asked after he had sympathized some, “Was this just another accident?”

Pippa shook her head, “No Jess it was deliberate. Someone tampered with the ropes.”

“You’re sure of that?”

“Oh yes, I checked them myself before I went up and they were fine...Then after the accident one had been untied and the other cut through...it was deliberate alright. Someone  must have tampered with them whilst  I was up top...It was an easy, quick job to do and folk just wouldn’t notice I reckon...It could have been anyone.”

“What’s Buck doing about it?” Jess asked angrily.

“What can he do? The circus seems to be open house to anyone passing through at the moment...School kids wanting to see a free show as we practice, men wanting jobs and all. Like I say it could have been anyone. It would look like they’d just paused to watch my act...and once you’re up there you don’t tend to look down,” she added with a faint smile.

“So why are you practicing anyway, it’s down time ain’t it?”

“To keep in shape, it’s important in my kind of work...I guess I never thought I’d be a target,” she said honestly.

Jess shook his head, “But why, why would anyone want to hurt you?”

“I don’t think they did, I reckon it’s the circus in general they want to hurt. Buck thinks someone is sabotaging the outfit so that we’ll close down. First Raj was set free, plus other minor things, broken equipment, sick animals...and now this.”

“Who would do that, a jealous competitor...another circus owner?”

“Maybe, but the only person that really wants us to close down is our Pa. But he’d never risk me being hurt, so that rules him out. I suppose I should go back home for a while...but not yet.”

“And Gina,” he said quietly, “is she going home?”

“Buck wants her to, but she’s refusing point blank to go, says she’s happy here with the other artists. The clowns, other tightrope walkers and knife thrower, fire eater, are all staying for another couple of weeks. So, you’d still have time to talk to Gina...maybe say you’ll visit her in the winter camp...please Jess.”

Just then the doc poked his head around the door, “You’re not wearing my patient out are you, Jess?” he asked grinning.

Jess jumped up immediately, “Sorry Sam I was just going.”

Then turning to Pippa, he said very softly, “You know I can’t do that, I’m sorry,” and he turned on his heel and left abruptly.

Slim was already seated on Alamo when Jess crossed the street back over to where Traveller was tethered by the saloon.

“You coming home then?”

Jess just nodded, and mounting up he kneed Traveller on to a brisk trot out of town.

Frowning, Slim shook his head and then moved Alamo off after him at a more sedate pace.

When Slim finally caught up with him, he noted his friend’s stony expression, but still asked him anyway…

“Please tell me you’re not thinking of starting something up with that Pippa,” he said.

Jess sighed and rolled his eyes, “No I’m not thinkin’ of startin’ anything up with Pippa,” he said deadpan.

“Well, what’s this all about then?”

Jess glanced over at his buddy and then softened; hell, he was only trying to help he knew that.

“I think she could be in danger...well all of them at the Circus really. It seems someone’s tryin’ to sabotage the business.”

 “Really?”

“Uh-huh, things have been going wrong...too many to be just coincidence I reckon.”

“Like what?”

When Jess repeated what Pippa had told him, Slim gasped, “Gee that sure doesn’t look too good. So, what’s happening about it? Can’t Buck do something?”

Jess shrugged, “I dunno, but I sure intend to find out...guess I’ll ride by tomorrow and have a word.”

However, as things worked out…he was saved a journey.

Early the following morning Bozo the clown wearing his usual smiling clown make-up, but without the flame-colored wig or clown outfit, rode into the yard.

Jess and Slim came out of the barn to greet him.

“Howdy Bozo what brings you here?” Jess asked. “Heard Miss Daisy puttin’ the coffee pot on, did ya? “

Even though he was wearing the clown grin, Jess could see his features were troubled.

The clown swung down from the saddle and nodding to Slim turned back to Jess, “No time for coffee Jess. I’m just on my way back from visiting Miss Pippa though, she asked that I call by and keep you informed about everything.”

“How is she?” Jess asked quickly.

“Oh fine, still a tad shook up, but on the mend. Doc says she can come home in a day or two. I believe she told you about the incidents?”

Jess nodded, “What do you think?”

“I agree with her…someone’s out to get us. I thought it might have been Ozzie you know,” he said quietly. “He’s something of an unknown quantity...new to the Circus. But nope he’s been real supportive, even offered to help me catch the one responsible.”

“What about Buck, isn’t he helping too?”

Bozo looked at Jess and then away quickly, “The boss has been having a bit of a difficult time with Miss Gina...taken up a lot of his time the last few days.”

Jess looked wary, “What’s up with her?”

Again, Bozo glanced away, “She’s just kinda highly strung...get’ s sorta nervy sometimes and the boss has to keep an eye on her. I guess you’d know all about that anyway huh, Jess?” he asked finally throwing him a meaningful glance.

“Yeah well...” Jess said. Then changing the subject, “So is there anything we can do...about the sabotage that is?” he clarified quickly.

“No, no we’re all organized. Ozzie and I are taking it in shifts to watch over everything and Buck’s keeping watch too, since this thing with Pippa. If it’s an inside job we’ll get him for sure.”

“I guess we’d better tell Mike his visit is cancelled for Saturday,”  said the ever practical, Slim.

“Heck no, the boy is welcome. I’ll tell Ozzie he’s due over and he can take the morning shift, that won’t be a problem. He’s a great kid and getting real good at juggling and clown falls, he’s a natural.”

“I’ll be sure to tell his school teacher,” Slim said dryly.

Bozo did chuckle then, “Boys will be boys, Slim and he’s a great kid…really plucky...tell him I’ll be over for him after breakfast on Saturday, if that’s OK with you?”

Chapter 5

Mike was ready and waiting on his pony when he saw Bozo on the crest of the rise above the ranch.

“Can I go meet him Slim?” the child asked eagerly.

“I guess so,” Slim said seeing Bozo had reined in and waved. “Be sure to tell Mr Bozo you’re to be home for supper...and be a good boy.”

“Oh, I will Slim, I promise,” the excited youngster said and grinning to where Daisy and Jess had come out onto the porch to wave him off, he kneed Sonny,  on to a fast trot.

As he met up with the clown, the two waved again and then disappeared over the rise.

Once they were well down the Laramie Road, Bozo turned to Mike and said, “Change of plan kid, we’re going on a little adventure.”

Mike frowned something wasn’t right...Bozo sounded quite curt...was unsmiling beneath the thick clown’s make-up and his voice didn’t sound right either.

“Wh... what sort of adventure?” the youngster queried.

“Well, I’ll tell ya,” Bozo said, “were going off for a picnic out beyond the woodland, I found a nice little shack and a small lake too, thought we could fish for a change huh?”

Seeing as how Mike shared Jess’s passion for fishing he agreed readily.

Bozo moved off at a fast trot and Mike had trouble keeping up with him. After a while the clown reined in and said, “Come on kid I don’t have all day can you speed up some, huh?”

Now Mike knew something wasn’t right, Bozo had always been kind and gentle with him. Heck, he was Jess’s good friend that was why everyone at the ranch trusted him...But now he wasn’t so sure.

“Are you OK?” he finally asked, “Your voice sounds different...and why are you wearing all your clown outfit, you don’t usually, and that red wig must be kinda hot in this sun?”

“Did anyone ever tell you you ask too many dang questions?” Bozo rasped.

Then when he saw Mike glancing anxiously around him like he might turn for home, he said patiently, “Heck, I’m sorry Mike. Yes, I’ve got me a real sore throat, making me kinda tetchy I guess.”

“Oh, I see,” Mike said beaming at him, “I’ll get Aunt Daisy to fix you some honey and hot lemon when we go back home, that works a treat.”

“Well thank you kindly young ‘un...now shake a leg, let’s go see how the fish are biting huh.”

However, when they arrived at the old line-cabin Bozo decided they should check it out to see if there was a pan that they could use to fry up their catch.

That was when Mike really smelt a rat. The hot sun had made Bozo’s thick clown make-up run and as he wiped his face with his bandana Mike gave a little cry of shock.

“You ain’t Bozo at all...you’re the other clown...the sad one...Ozzie! What’s going on...where’s Bozo?” he cried looking anxiously around him.

“He uh, couldn’t make it, he’s sick,” Ozzie said, “now come with me kid, let’s find that frying pan huh?”

Mike was instinctively on his guard, “No I ain’t goin’ in there. I think I’d better get on home,” he added.

“Not so fast kid,” Ozzie said dragging him from his mount and frog marching him into the cabin.

It was almost pitch-black inside with all the windows boarded up...and Mike was terrified.

“Look kid I ain’t gonna hurt ya. I’ll leave you food and water and we’re goin’ to play a little game of hide and go seek. You’re gonna be hidin’ here and once those guardians of yours pay up I’ll tell ‘em where to look, you got that?”

Mike made a dash for the door, but Ozzie was too fast for him and yanked him back, throwing him roughly onto a small cot by the fireplace.

“Now don’t you get me angry boy!” he yelled raising his hand. “You behave and you’ll be just fine. Like I say you’ve got food, water and even a blanket there...so stop yer fussin’ and your friends will be here in no time.”

With that he dashed out slamming the door behind him. Then he padlocked it shut, double checked all the windows were securely nailed down and left at a gallop.

Mike hunkered down on the floor and as his eyes became accustomed to the dark he desperately looked for a way out...but there was none. After an hour or two he lay down on the cot, pulled the moth-eaten blanket around him and cried himself to sleep.

When supper was almost ready and there was no sign of Mike, Jess opted to ride over to the Circus camp and bring him home.

Daisy was getting anxious, but Slim said, “I expect he and Bozo were enjoying themselves so much they didn’t notice the time.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Jess said chuckling, “I figure Bozo likes having Mike around as much as the kid enjoys visiting.”

“Um, well he shouldn’t worry us this way,” was Daisy’s reply. Then more kindly, “I’ll keep supper back for another half hour, off you go dear.”

Jess was surprised he hadn’t come across Bozo and Mike on their way back to the ranch, but he actually made it all the way to the Circus camp, with no sign of either.

He dismounted and tethered Traveller and moments later was joined by Buck.

“Well, howdy Jess good to see you, come to see Gina, have you?” he asked hopefully.

Jess shook his head, “Nope I’m collecting Mike he’s late for supper, is he ready to come home?” he asked glancing around at the quiet encampment, most folk in their caravans eating their meal.

“Mike?” Buck asked, “I haven’t seen him all day...Bozo neither come to that,” he added, “that’s strange. I haven’t seen him since yesterday afternoon, come to think about it.”

“Well, where the hell are they?” Jess asked, “Bozo picked him up at nine this morning.”

“Maybe Ozzie knows,” Buck said striding across the camp and rapping a tattoo on a brightly painted caravan door.

“Bozo, you say, nope boss I ain’t seen him since last night,” Ozzie said, “and the kid hasn’t been here as far as I know, Mister Harper. But maybe he’s in Bozo’s wagon,” Ozzie suggested and the three strode over.

Again, Buck hammered on the door and when there was no reply. He tried it and it swung open.

It was clear that the place was deserted, but Ozzie entered and said, “Maybe he left a note they could have gone fishing or something.”

He looked around him and then noticed an envelope propped up on a coffee pot.

“Here what’s this?” he said, “Look it’s a note addressed to you Mister Harper,” he added grinning. “Must be like I said he’s taken the kid off on some adventure.”

“The hell he has,” Jess said angrily, “he knows Mike had to be back for supper.”

He ripped open the envelope and as he read the contents the colour drained from his face.

“Dang it, what’s wrong Jess?” Buck asked.

“He’s taken him Buck, damn it…he’s taken the boy...for ransom money!”

“No...no he wouldn’t,” Buck said, “not Bozo.”

“Well, he damn well has,” Jess said furiously as he pocketed the note and dashed off to his horse.

“Jess what can I do?” Buck asked looking shocked to the core.

“Nuthin’ just stay put in case he comes to his senses and brings the boy back. I need to backtrack down the Laramie Road, see if I can pick up their tracks...and tell Slim, decide what to do,” and with that he was gone.

Ozzie stood with his boss watching Jess gallop off and shook his head.

“Don’t reckon he’ll find any tracks,” he said sadly shaking his head, “not after that bad rain storm we had earlier.”

And he sure wouldn’t find any trace of that fool Bozo either. Not after Ozzie had sent him off on a fool’s errand sending a bogus wire saying the clown’s old Ma was sick in Cheyenne and asking for him.

By the time Bozo got back Ozzie would have pocketed the ransom money and be gone. Sure, Buck’s old Pa had paid him well to disrupt the circus. But maybe he’d gone a bit too far with that stunt he’d pulled with the safety net. If word got back to Mister Bailey senior, then Ozzie reckoned, he wouldn’t be seeing any more money. Nope this way he’d make a fast buck and be on his way.

He reckoned it would be a few days before Bozo returned and he planned to go into town and leave a note in the saloon saying where the money was to be left. Then once he’d pocketed the cash he’d go let the kid out and be on his way. It couldn’t be easier he thought grinning to himself.

“I don’t know why you’re looking so damn pleased with yourself,” Buck snarled angrily. “Get a work party together we’re going to have a look around see if we can find any trace of that dang Bozo and the kid...get movin’,” he said angrily and marched off to tell the girls of this latest trauma.

Jess knew his plan to try and track Mike and Bozo was dead in the water before he started, the Laramie Road a muddy quagmire and all the recent hoof prints obliterated.

The sun was going down by the time he reached the ranch and Slim and Daisy were waiting for him on the porch looking fearful.

He quickly dismounted and joined them.

“Well, where is he and why have you been so dang long?” Slim asked brusquely.

Jess looked bleakly at him for a moment and then at Daisy before looking down and taking a deep breath answering his pard, “Gone he’s been taken...”

Chapter 6

Daisy gasped a hand flying to her mouth.

“Taken, what do you mean...he was safely with Bozo wasn’t he?” she asked.

“He was with Bozo alright but not safely, damn it,” Jess spat angrily.

“What, do you mean your friend Bozo has taken him?” Slim asked looking puzzled, “Has he taken him on some kind of adventure...camping out?”

Jess sighed impatiently, “No I don’t mean camping out...he’s taken him for the ransom.”

Then he showed them the note and told them all that had happened at the Circus camp.

“It says here that he’ll be in touch about where to leave the money...there will be a note left someplace in town in a day or so,” Slim said.

“So, what are ya waiting for?” Jess said moving to remount. “We need to get to town pronto, see Mort and get a posse together, he can’t have gone far damn it.”

Then remembering his manners said softly, “Sorry Daisy.”

She acknowledges the rare cussing in front of her with a dismissive hand, goodness what did that matter, he was upset...they all were she thought.

Slim instinctively looked towards Daisy, “I don’t like to leave you alone,” he said quietly.

“Oh, I’ll be just fine dear, you boys go and find him...please!”

Whilst Slim went to saddle up, a tearful Daisy asked, “Where will you look? What can you do? Oh dear, it will be dark soon,” she added looking up to the horizon and the setting sun.

“Don’t worry Daisy, Bozo may have done a real bad thing...but he wouldn’t hurt Mike, of that, I’m sure. Jeez he must be real desperate for money to have done it.” Then he shook his head, “But by God I’ll sure knock him into next week for this when I catch up with him,” he added.

Then Slim was there ready to ride.

“Don’t worry Daisy we’ll get news to you just as soon as we have some,” he said, before kneeing Alamo off at a fast trot.

Jess gave her a little salute, “We’ll find him Daisy, don’t fret,” and followed his partner out of the yard.

“There really is no point in setting off at this time of night,” Mort said again. “I’ve got a posse sorted out and we’ll head out at first light. Like you say Jess, they can’t have gone far and you don’t think Mike is any immediate danger.”

Jess jumped up from where he’d been lounging moodily on a chair in front of Mort’s desk. He paced around the office and said, “I guess not.”

But then he stopped in his tracks, “Maybe it ain’t just Bozo that’s involved, maybe there’s someone else too? It sure isn’t like Bozo to do this kinda thing...maybe he was forced into it?”

“Um, but this note was left in Bozo’s wagon you say?” Mort said looking at the note on his desk, “And is it Bozo’s writing you think?”

Jess shrugged, “I wouldn’t know...but the other clown uh, that Ozzie, said it was.”

“Well, we’ll just have to presume it is from Bozo and act accordingly. I suggest you two try and get some sleep and we’ll meet up at dawn. I’ll get Lon, the deputy, to keep a good look out around town, if someone drops a note with the further instructions, he’ll nail em.”

It was just the following day when Ozzie was nearly caught, trying to plant his ransom note in the saloon. Lon had been about to pick it up from the bar, but Ozzie was too quick for him.

“Ah Deputy, my shopping list...I had mislaid it,” he said quickly recovering the note and pocketing it.

Lon threw him a hard look, but then a fist fight broke out at one of the card tables and he was distracted. When he returned to the bar the circus clown had left.

“That guy, with his supposed shopping list, where’ d he go?” Lon asked Tom.

The barkeep shrugged, “Hightailed it out of here as soon as the fight broke out.”

“I figure he’s one of those clowns from the Circus,” Lon said, “the one with the miserable face. I recognized his voice... kinda rough sounding, real distinctive, even without the make-up. If I can’t find him, I’ll ride over to the camp later, when the boss lands back. If he lands back,” he added rolling his eyes. “He sure has been gone a real long time...ain’t looking good as regards to finding young Mike.”

Lon marched out of the saloon and peered up and down Main Street before turning and looking carefully around him, then began stopping folk to question them.

From his hiding place in the shadows Ozzie sweated and watched the deputy anxiously, before he moved off and away down the street.

Jeez that was a close call he thought, you’ll hafta take more care Ozzie boy, he said to himself, still determined to place the note somewhere it would be found easily.

He had just decided on the Stage Office and was across the street from it when the late afternoon stage came hurtling in.

Mose pulled the team up yelling, “End of the line folks this is Laramie.”

He jumped down and opened the door...and who should alight but Bozo.

Damn it, the guy must have realized he’d been sent on a wild goose chase and caught the next Stage back to Laramie, Ozzie concluded.

Now Ozzie was in a quandary. Bozo would tell them how he’d received a bogus wire saying his Ma was ill. Also, how he’d asked Ozzie to ride to the ranch and tell Mike that he couldn’t make it. Then there was the business of the note that he’d said was definitely Bozo’s writing. Yup they’d realise Ozzie’s guilt right away. He suddenly felt lightheaded with fear. He had to get away. What if Jess Harper found out he was responsible for abducting the kid...he knew of the famous Harper temper. Now he was literally shaking with fear. He had his wallet with him but all his clothes and possessions were back at the Circus camp. Never the less he had to escape and right away too.

Pulling his hat down hard he made his way quickly across to the Stage Office, bought a ticket and was on the return Stage and out of town before Bozo even reached the saloon. It was several miles later that he remembered the kid locked up in the old shack. But hell, they’d got a posse searching, they’d find young Mike...sure they would he told himself.

Bozo decided he needed a cool beer and then he’d go see the Sheriff, tell him all about how he’d been tricked into leaving town.  He thought maybe it had something to do with all the trouble they’d had at the circus camp lately.

It was a little later when a bedraggled looking posse rode slowly into town. None of the men had much rest, Jess insisting they keep looking. Every inch of land in the vicinity had been covered either by the posse or a group from the Circus camp.

They had only returned to town now to see if the expected ransom note had turned up.

When Lon wasn’t in the office, Mort, Slim and Jess decided to adjourn to the saloon, all in need of a drink.

“Anyway, Tom will know where Lon is and if there is any news on the ransom,” Mort said sagely.

Coming in from the bright sunlight it was difficult to make out the few drinkers inside. But Tom came over quickly and leaning over the bar, he tipped his head towards a solitary drinker at the far end and said, “I figure that’s the guy you’ve been looking for. He just walked in bold as brass and asked for a beer. He was in earlier, I think. Lon said he looked like he was trying to leave a note. Picked it up real quick and left when he saw the deputy. Lon said he thought he was one of the clowns from the Circus. He was going to ride out and check when you arrived back. Anyway Mort, I’ve sent Millie over to Miss Mollie’s place. Lon’s having an early supper there. Strange the clown’s wearing his make-up this time though,” he added.

But Jess never heard him, he was already at the far end of the bar...had dragged Bozo up by his shirt front and had slammed him into the wall a fist poised to smash into his face when Mort came and restrained him.

“Steady Jess, we aren’t going to find the boy iffen his abductor is out cold, are we?” he reasoned.

“Where is he?” Jess yelled furiously, not loosening his grip on a terrified looking Bozo. “What have you done with the boy?” he growled between clenched teeth.

“Jess, what’s going on, what do you mean?” Bozo cried.

Slim tried to intervene, “Jess, you’re frightening him...back off!”

“I’ll do more than damn well frighten him if he don’t tell us what he’s done with Mike!”

“Mike? I haven’t seen him. I...I sent a message on Saturday saying I had to attend to urgent business. I’ve been to Cheyenne.”

Mose who had entered the bar a few minutes earlier and had been enjoying the spectacle of Jess Harper in full melt down suddenly came to his senses and hurried over.

“Heck the guy’s telling the truth, he was on the early Saturday Stage that left from town and he’s just come back with me on the evening Stage today. He couldn’t have taken the boy. I can vouch for that.”

Jess released his vice like grip and looked bewildered, “But me and Slim saw you pick him up from the rise. Mike rode up to you, you waved...and rode off together.”

“It wasn’t me Jess I swear...”

“It sure looked like you,” Slim said, “and wearing all your clown gear, even the red wig.”

“Hang on,” said Mort, “so if he was way up on the rise, I reckon it could have been anyone wearing that clown costume.”

Then the saloon door banged open and Millie and Lon hurried in.

Lon took one look at Bozo wearing his usual clown make-up and said, “Nope weren’t him boss, wrong one. It was the other clown.”

“Ozzie, you mean?” Slim asked.

“Yup, the one that looks miserable...always with that pained frown...and the tear on his face, the sad one. I recognized his voice boss,” he added.

“That explains it,” Bozo said, “I asked Ozzie to ride over and send my apologies, tell Mike I couldn’t make it. Oh no, he must have hatched up this scheme. It was the ideal opportunity for him. He’s always grouching he hasn’t enough money. He was abducted for the ransom I take it?” he added sadly.

Jess nodded, “Yup, that’s right.”

Then turning to Slim and Jess, Bozo said, “I’m so, so sorry boys...I never thought he’d do anything like this!”

Jess released his vice like grip on Bozo and brushed him down some, “I’m real sorry too Bozo, I should have known you wouldn’t be involved.”

Then Mort said cheerfully, “Well what are we waiting for, let’s get over to the Circus camp and see what Mister Ozzie has to say for himself huh.”

When they arrived the place looked deserted. But after a few minutes Buck, who had heard the horses arrive, climbed down from his wagon followed by his sister Gina.

 “Is there any news?” he asked anxiously.

Mort quickly explained the situation and they made their way over to Ozzie’s wagon, but it was clear that it was deserted.

“He can’t have gone far,” Buck said, “all his gear is still here...maybe it’s some sort of misunderstanding?” he added hopefully.

“Or maybe he’s moving Mike out of the area, figures he’s on the verge of being caught,” Jess said angrily. “Jeez where the hell can he be holding him?” he added, looking around the camp as if for inspiration.

“I think I might know,” Gina said softly.

Jess had barely glanced at her, but now as he focused on her he was shocked by her appearance.

She seemed to have lost a lot of weight, her dress hanging off her and her face almost gaunt. Her hair was tied back in an unattractive style and her eyes looked swollen as though she had been weeping.

“What do you know my dear?” Mort asked quickly stepping in, before Jess started cross- questioning her and possibly upsetting the sad fragile looking woman.

“Well, I didn’t think anything of it at the time...but now you say Ozzie may be involved...”

“For God’s sake just tell us,” Jess pleaded.

“Well when we were out searching, we all split up to search the area and I said I was going to check out that little lake up beyond the woods, there is a small cabin. A group of us went fishing up there one day.”.

“Go on,” Slim said staring at her intently, and reaching out to put a restraining hand on Jess’s arm to hush him.

“When we arrived it was all boarded up, which I thought was strange, but Ozzie said it had been done by you to stop animals getting in over the winter,” Gina continued.

“Oh yeah, we get a lot of bears wintering in our line shacks,” Jess said sarcastically.

She just looked startled and blinked at him before carrying on.

 “Anyway, he told me to stay put and said he’d check it in case whoever had taken the boy was around. He came back a few minutes later and said he’d peeked in through the bars and the place was empty and.”

She looked up to see Jess already halfway to his horse swiftly followed by Slim.

Mort looked puzzled, “What’s going on?”

“It’s obvious Mort...he’s in the cabin. We didn’t board it up, and Ozzie wouldn’t let Gina check it out...he’s got t be up there.”

When they arrived, the men threw themselves from their horses and tore across to the door.

Jess yelled out and when there was no response, he called again for Mike to step away from the door and then proceeded to shoot the lock off and kick the door in.

Mort joined them and the three men stood on the threshold staring into the dark dusty... completely empty interior.

Jess moved forwards and as his eyes got used to the dim interior he stooped and picked something up from the dusty floor, “Look Slim, its Mike’s bandana.”

Then looking further, they noticed the empty water bottle and some crumbs of food.

“Where the Hell is he?” he asked looking totally baffled, “That door was locked, he couldn’t have escaped.”

Then Slim wandered over to the large chimney, “Looky here!” he said suddenly animated, “Soot!”

Mort and Jess went over, “So?” Jess asked.

“I think I’ve got it, you know how I’ve been reading him that Fairy Tale, The Water Babies?”

Jess looked vague then clicked his fingers, “Oh yeah, that one set in the old country, where young boys are sent up chimneys to clean ‘em?”

“Precisely,” Slim said, “and I figure that’s how he escaped...up the chimney,” he said, looking up and seeing the sky above. “I remember Pa building this place and he made a huge chimney. We joked about it at the time, he said he’d send young Andy up to clean it!”

“Well, I’ll be,” Mort said taking off his hat and scratching his head, “that’s one smart kid.”

“But where the hell is he?” Jess asked returning outside and desperately scanning the ground for footprints...but the recent storm had obliterated them all.

“I reckon he wouldn’t have taken the track back towards the Circus camp,” he said eventually, “in case he ran into that bastard Ozzie.”

Slim nodded in agreement, “He must have doubled back towards the Laramie Road then and be making his way home that way.”

“Would he know the way to the road?” Mort asked.

Slim shrugged, “I don’t know Mort, we haven’t been up here since last Christmas...we’ll just have to hope and pray he does.”

“Come on then,” said Jess mounting up, “let’s go look, find him before that crazy clown does.”

Chapter 7

At that very moment Mike was sitting in the cave by the ranch’s big lake looking out at the cloudy sky and considering his options.

The last few days sure had been scary he thought as he reflected back to how Ozzie had tricked him and left him locked up in that ol’ cabin at the back of the ranch woodland. If it hadn’t been for that story Slim had been reading him, he figured he’d still be confined in the dark dusty old place. But then it seemed like he’d jumped out of the frying pan into the fire...and he remembered all that had happened since his escape.

He’d spent all day Saturday incarcerated and then as the first light filtered through the window slats he noticed the large fireplace and then decided to see if he could maybe climb up inside it to freedom.

It was a very tired filthy Mike that finally dragged himself up to the top and was able to lower himself onto the roof. From there he grasped the branch of a convenient tree and was soon on the ground...tree climbing being something he excelled in!

He looked around him for his pony, Sonny, but after a fruitless search figured that no good Ozzie had loosed him off.

“I sure hope you had the good sense to go home boy,” he whispered to himself before heading off down a track away from the Circus camp. Sure Bozo, Buck and his kindly sisters were there, but if he met Ozzie on the way he’d be back to square one he figured.

As the sun came up, he began to feel lightheaded with hunger and also very sleepy...having slept little the night before in the cold spooky cabin.

By noon he could walk no further and finding a warm soft bed of grass beneath a tall pine he settled down for a nap.

He awoke some hours later to the smell of wood smoke and coffee and sitting up he rubbed his eyes and looked around him until his gaze settled on a camp fire just a few feet away. Sitting beside it, smoking a pipe sat a swarthy looking man dressed in shabby clothes and sporting a fur cap perched jauntily on his long, black, filthy hair.

Mike stared at him in alarm, “Who...who are you?” he finally whispered.

The man turned deep brown, calculating eyes on the boy, but replied affably enough, “Calico Jack at your service young sir and who do I have the honour of addressing?”

“Me?” Mike muttered nervously, “I’m Mike...Mike Williams.”

“Well good to meet you Mike,” the other said grinning, “and you can call me Cal. Now how do you like your coffee...huh son?”

Once Mike had sipped the bitter brew and eaten a hearty meal of bacon and beans the man scrutinized him.

“Drink up yer coffee boy,” he said tipping his head to the half-drunk brew, “you’ve gotta learn to drink trail coffee iffen you wanna be a man you know,” he said grinning.

Mike bravely drank it down holding his breath.

“So, what’s a youngster like you doin’ runnin’ wild out here?” Cal finally asked. “You run away from home boy?”

Mike shook his head vigorously, “Nope I was taken by a bad man...Ozzie from the Circus,” he said angrily.

“Circus?” Cal asked suddenly alert, “Would that be ol’ Buck Bailey’s Show then?”

Mike just nodded, “Yup they’re camped out on ranch land, over the ridge.”

Cal nodded looking suddenly animated, then said, “So why would Ozzie do that then?”

Mike shrugged, “For the ransom I guess, he said he was going to get the money from Jess and Slim.”

“So, they’re friends of yours?”

“Uh-huh, real good friends, Slim Sherman and Jess Harper, they run the Swing Station down on the Laramie Road near land where the Circus is camped out too.”

“Jess Harper, you say?”

Mike beamed, “You know him...is he a friend?” he added hopefully.

“Uh, can’t say I know him,” Cal said looking sly. “I sure know of him though. So, this Slim and Jess, they’d pay top dollar to get a nice kid like you back I reckon?”

Mike shrugged, “I guess, but they won’t have to will they because I’m heading home,” he said standing, then he remembered his manners and said, “Thank you very much for the grub, Cal.”

“Now hold it right there.” Cal said standing up and pushing the boy back down onto the log he’d been perched on. “I can’t let you do that!”

“You can’t?” Mike asked looking fearful.

“Why heck no boy that would be real uncharitable of me to let a youngster like you try and find his way home alone. Hey what if that uh...Ozzie were to find you again huh...you thought of that?”

“Sure, I have that’s why I ain’t goin’ anywhere near the Circus camp. I’m takin’ the long way back but I know the way home from here real well,” he added.

“I’m sure you do boy, but it’s still real dangerous being left afoot out here, what with those ol’ mountain lions and bears and the like roaming ’ around.”

This had a ring of truth about it and could have been Slim speaking.

“I guess you’re right,” he finally agreed.

“Well sure I am son. Now you were napping when I found ya, so why don’t you go in that cave beyond and take forty winks, and I’ll go and have a good look around, check the coast’s clear OK?”

“I suppose so,” Mike agreed. Ever since he’d drunk that strange bitter tasting coffee, he’d been feeling sleepy and now he could hardly keep his eyes open.

“Good that’s real good...so where is this Relay Station then huh? I’ll go find Slim and Jess and bring ‘em here, I reckon that’s the safest way.”

OOOOOOO

Calico Jack stood in the shade of a huge Cottonwood and watched the comings and goings of the ranch below. It soon became clear that neither Jess nor Slim were home. A callow youth had turned up five minutes before the Stage arrived. He’d shared some banter with the driver and helped change the team and then had ridden out again.

The only other occupant seemed to be an elderly lady. She had fed the hens and now she was pegging out some washing.

He had been going to leave the hastily written ransom note somewhere in the barn where the men would see it on their return. But there again maybe they were out searching for the kid. Nope he’d take the bull by the horns and deliver the note in person...after all what could a defenseless little old lady do, he thought chuckling to himself.

OOOOOO

Jess, Slim and Mort had backtracked, searching the area between the old cabin and the Laramie Road, but found no sign of Mike or indeed his pony.

They were now close to the ranch and decided to go and check it out, maybe by some miracle Mike had made it home...was sitting at the kitchen table eating cookies and telling Daisy of all his adventures, Jess thought hopefully.

It was as they were about to head down the rise and into the yard that they heard the rifle shot.

Exchanging a horror-stricken glance with the others Jess galloped down into the yard, closely followed by Slim and Mort.

They would remember forever the vision they beheld there.

Daisy stood pointing the rifle at a dark-haired scruffy individual who was crouched on the ground begging for mercy.

“Daisy what in hell’s goin’ on?” Jess asked looking deeply perplexed.

“This man has Mike held hostage and he was demanding money for his release. But he refused to tell me where he was so...well I’m afraid I had to resort to violence.”

Slim stared in shocked disbelief, “You haven’t shot him Daisy?”

Daisy carefully tucked a wayward strand of hair back into her bun and with wide innocent eyes said, “Oh no dear, I merely shot over his head to frighten him.”

Mort stood with arms akimbo, grinning, “Well it sure looks like you did that alright Ma’am,” he said cheerfully.

“So how about it,” Jess said marching over and dragging Calico Jack up by his shirt, “you gonna tell us where the kid is or do we leave it to Daisy to get the truth out of you?”

“He’s in the cave above that lake of yours...he’s fine,” he added cowering from Jess’s bitter gaze.

He threw him violently back down in the dirt, and growled, “He damn well better be...or so help me you’ll wish you were dead when I get back.”

“Right,” said Mort quickly, “I’ll take the prisoner to town and I’ll call in later and talk to young Mike and we’ll decide what action to take.”

“Just lock him up and lose the key, that’s the only action you need to take Mort,” Jess said angrily before mounting up and riding out.

“You’ll be alright Daisy?” Slim asked before mounting up.

“Quite alright dear, you just go and find Mike,” she said with a brave smile.

Mike had woken up and feeling groggy had staggered out of the cave and was considering his options. The more he thought about it the less he trusted Calico Jack, why hadn’t he just taken him straight home? It didn’t make sense.

Then his deliberations were interrupted by the sound of approaching horses.

His initial reaction was to head back inside the cave and hide. But then he recognized Alamo and Traveller, ridden by his heroes and he thought his heart would burst with relief and happiness...he was safe at last!

He tore down the steep track from the cave just as Jess threw himself from the saddle and he ran straight into Jess’s welcoming arms.

Jess held him tightly for a minute, feeling the prick of tears behind his eyes and he hugged the boy close.

Then Slim was there and he ruffled Mike’s hair and said, “Are you alright Mike...not hurt?”

When he didn’t reply, Jess pushed the boy gently away and peered into the innocent brown eyes and when he still said nothing he whispered, “Are you OK Tiger?”

“Sure, sure I am,” he finally managed, “I just feel kinda dizzy after the coffee Cal gave me...but he didn’t hurt me, Jess.”

“Coffee huh?” Jess asked raising an eyebrow, “You don’t drink coffee.”

“He said I had to, iffen I was going to be a proper man,” Mike said looking down at his feet knowing he wasn’t allowed it at home.

Then Jess noticed the remains of the camp fire, with the pot and empty cups still standing beside it.

Stooping to pick a cup up he sniffed it and then tasted the dregs before spitting, “Jeez, its drugged Slim! I’ll kill the bastard!” he growled angrily.

“Easy Jess, you’ll frighten the boy,” Slim said softly.

Jess looked down and swallowed hard before saying, “Sorry Tiger I didn’t mean to sound off. Come on let’s go home,” he added, “Aunt Daisy will be fretting.”

Then scooping the boy up he put him up on the saddle before swinging up behind him.

Once Daisy had checked the child over, fed him some milk and cookies and he had told the full story of his abduction, he was taken off to bed by Daisy. But not before they had heard the sound of a what sounded like a small horse galloping into the yard.

Peering out of the window Jess turned back to Mike, “Well I’ll be...if it ain’t your Sonny, large as life.”

They all ran outside and made a fuss of the pony.

“Where have you been boy?” Mike asked caressing him lovingly.

“My guess is down by the old orchard eating his fill,” Jess said grinning, “you know how dang greedy he is.”

Mike was finally persuaded that his mount was just fine, and that they’d tend to Sonny, for him as Daisy took him off to rest in bed.

“He’s, OK?” Jess asked anxiously on her return.

“Nothing that a good sleep won’t cure,” she said sighing with relief.

“Right,” Jess said the look of battle in his eyes as he headed for the door.

“Where the heck are you off to now?” Slim asked rising too and flicking Daisy an anxious glance.

“To beat the living daylights out of that Calico Jack, of course,” Jess said plucking his hat from the stand by the door.

However, as he opened the door, he was greeted by several riders entering the yard.

Mort, followed by Buck, Bozo and Gina all rode in, Pippa still laid up with her sprained ankle. They tethered their mounts and stepped onto the porch to be greeted by Jess and Slim.

“Quite a deputation,” Slim said grinning, “come in, come in.”

“I met these good people on the road still searching for young Mike,” Mort said, “they wanted to come and check that he was alright after his ordeal.”

Once they were all inside and seated Daisy reassured them that Mike was fine and she and Gina went off to brew some coffee.

“What about you my dear?” she asked Gina once they were alone in the kitchen, “You don’t look too well. This business has upset you.”

In fact, she thought the girl looked really sick. She had lost weight, her hair was lank, her complexion sallow and she looked the picture of misery.

“Oh, I’m alright,” she said quickly, “just worried about Jess...uh and Mike of course,” she added quickly, casting a covert glance through to the other room where Jess was now chatting quietly to Mort.

“You are old friends, you’re bound to be concerned about him,” Daisy said hesitantly. She had picked up enough from the general atmosphere and Jess’s obvious uneasiness when her name came up. Oh, the two had history alright, she was pretty sure of that. But it was beginning to look like it wasn’t merely history on Gina’s behalf…the wise woman thought sagely.

“Uh yes,” Gina said, not quite meeting Daisy’s gaze, “we were very close...once,” she added, looking down.

But Daisy had noticed the tears welling up and suddenly felt sorry for this once beautiful woman. She must be feeling tormented to have let herself go so much Daisy supposed, the price of unrequited love. However, there was no point in giving her hope and prolonging the agony.

“I thought so,” she said softly. “He’s a good man; we are all extremely fond of him here. I’m so glad he’s managed to turn his life around and find happiness with dear Millie too,” she added.

Sometimes one had to be cruel to be kind she lamented. But if the girl was putting her life on hold in the false premise that one day Jess would change his mind and go back to her, well then, she was indeed doing her a kindness.

At that point Gina could take it no more and headed for the back door.

“Do excuse me, may I use your outhouse,” she said as she dashed out.

Daisy watched her in some distress. Goodness the girl was in an even worse place than she had first thought. The sooner she moved on and got over all this the better, Daisy thought sadly.

Back in the other room Mort was filling everyone in on the latest development of Mike’s abduction.

“My deputy has certainly been earning his pay while I’ve been out of town,” the Sheriff said cheerfully. “He was asking around and it turns out that Ozzie must have panicked and taken the first Stage out of town for Cheyenne, the day he tried to leave the ransom note in the saloon.   As soon as Lon found out he wired Sheriff Masters and he picked him up drunk in the saloon the following day. Apparently, he’s a real coward, as soon as Doug questioned him, not only did he admit to abducting Mike, but also to causing all the trouble at the Circus too.”

 “What, you mean he was responsible for the animal escapes and Pippa’s fall an’ all?” Jess asked in surprise.

Mort nodded. “Yes, he admitted to everything, thinking maybe he’d get a lighter sentence.”

“I can’t believe it,” Bozo muttered, “he was even helping me to look out for the person responsible.”

“Um, he sure was crafty,” Mort said with a wry grin. “It seems he was being paid by your Pa, Buck...a last-ditch attempt to try and get you and your sisters to return home.”

“What by killing one?” Buck asked looking incredulous.

“Oh no, it seems that wasn’t at your Pa’s request apparently,” Mort said quickly. “That was all Ozzie’s idea and he realized he’d overstepped the mark. That’s why he wanted the ransom money. He figured he’d better get out before the old man found out what he’d done.”

Daisy and a rather pale looking Gina had now joined the men and the conversation moved to the other man responsible for trying to abduct Mike.

“So, what about this Calico Jack?” Jess said addressing Mort. “I sure hope you’re gonna throw him in jail for what he did Mort. The kid could have been real sick drinking that drugged coffee.”

However, Jess was never to hear Mort’s reply because at the mention of the name Calico Jack, Gina had given a little cry and dropped her own coffee cup and turned even paler, now visibly shaking.

“Why whatever is the matter my dear?” Daisy asked putting a protective arm around the trembling woman.

Before she could reply Buck cried angrily, “What is that no good hoodlum doing around here? I thought he was still in prison for robbery back in Texas.”

“You know him?” Mort asked.

Buck nodded scowling, “We know him alright...he used to work for us...until he got out of line.”

“Out of line?” Mort queried.

“Yeah, he kept upsetting my sister here...unwanted attention, and just after poor Beau was killed too.”

“Please... please Buck, don’t say anymore,” Gina pleaded, “it’s time we left.”

Then she stood up to go, but nearly fainted and staggered back down again.

“No, my dear…I really think you should rest a while,” Daisy said, “Come and lie down in my room for a little while.”

She helped her up and went towards her room, whispering to Slim as she passed, “Bring a glass of brandy will you dear…”

Now Jess was looking thoughtful.

“This Calico Jack wouldn’t be any relative of Cougar Jack would he Mort?”

“He’s apparently his brother.” Then Mort snapped his fingers, “Of course you had a run in with him that time you were deputizing for me...he shot you trying to get the bounty on your prisoner, didn’t he?”

Jess nodded looking bitter, “He sure did...and I had to kill him. I reckon that whole damn family are trouble,” he added shaking his head. (*See #9 Reprisal)

“You’ve sure got that right,” Buck agreed, looking sadly towards Daisy’s closed door.

First his sister had this damn infatuation with Jess, even though the guy clearly wasn’t interested...and now Calico Jack was back in their lives. Things just couldn’t get any worse for her he figured.

He glanced over to Jess who now had his hands thrust deeply into his pockets and was staring moodily out of the window. God damn it Buck thought, if he’d just talk to his sister, show some interest...because he just didn’t know what would become of her otherwise or what she would do. Hell, he had to try something to get them back together before she drifted into mental illness again.

Then Slim returned from Daisy’s room. He waggled the brandy bottle and said, “Anyone else like a drink?”

Bozo shook his head, “No I should be getting back, fill in Pip and the others about the good news regarding young Mike.”

Jess shook his head too, “I’m gonna go put the horses up,” he said gruffly and he and Mort left together.

“So, what’ ll happen to him?” Jess asked as Mort mounted up.

The Sheriff shrugged, “Calico Jack? Well Jess it’s hardly the crime of the century. Sure, he shouldn’t have doctored the coffee. But it seems it was just a mild sleeping draught, he meant the boy no harm and I guess it was a spur of the moment thing, not premeditated.”

“Oh, so that makes it all right does it?” Jess spat angrily.

“I’m not saying that and you know it. And sure, I’ll keep him in my jail for a week or two and then make sure he leaves town and doesn’t come back...ever...that suit you?”

Jess sighed deeply, “I guess it’ll have to.”

“I wonder what he’s got on that Miss Gina,” Mort said thoughtfully, “she sure is scared of him.”

Jess just shrugged, “Who knows,” and raising a hand in farewell wandered off to the barn with Traveller and Sonny.

Back in the house Slim and Buck sat at the table the bottle between them sipping brandy.

“Your sister,” Slim said cautiously, “she...well she seems really unhappy...and this business with Calico Jack has spooked her badly.”

Buck took another sip of his drink and said, “Yes, it was a nasty business. I never did get to the bottom of it. I guess he was partly responsible for her...well her going kind of loco. She was in the asylum for a while you know…diagnosed with uh Nervous Exhaustion.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Slim said looking taken aback.

Buck nodded. “At one stage we thought she might take her own life. Then she had these terrible spells of being kinda wild and impulsive, followed by being real mean and aggressive. But she had intensive treatment and recovered. But right now, she’s heading that way again by the looks of things...unless...” and then he looked down into his glass and picking it up threw it down in one.

Slim refilled both their glasses and then said, “Unless what Buck?”

“Unless your partner will talk to her,” Buck said looking Slim in the eye. “Show her some compassion...tell her he still cares for God’s sake!”

Slim looked shocked, “You’re telling me she’s in a bad way just because Jess won’t take up with her again?”

Buck nodded, “Yup, that’s about the size of it. OK yes, I know the doc did say she’d got this sickness. He seems to think she’d had it most of her life. She gets real upset easy. Sometimes up and others really down. But I just know Jess would be able to cure her of all that,” he said seriously. “As soon as she was back with the circus and we were heading for Wyoming she was a different woman. I had my sister back,” he said almost looking tearful, “and that’s all because of Jess. She figured once she saw him again, well they’d carry on where they left off, I guess.”

“But that’s crazy. If she’s got some mental sickness Jess can’t cure that. And anyway, she knows Jess is committed to Millie now. All that business between them was years ago.”

“Oh sure, she knows it alright,” Buck agreed. “But you see Slim she’s sick, up here, I agree,” he said tapping his head, “and nothing or nobody is gonna change the fact that she believes they should be together...will be one day. In fact, I think that’s the only thing that’s keeping her going right now,” he added sadly, “So maybe you could help?” he asked pleadingly.

“Me,” Slim asked looking puzzled, “what can I do?”

“Talk to Jess, convince him to spend some time with her, give her some hope that’s all I’m asking.”

Slim sighed deeply, “Well that’s one hell of a big ask Buck. You know the way Jess is... He plays things straight ...he wouldn’t lie to her, give her false hope...it just isn’t in his nature.”

OOOOOOO

When Gina was in a deep sleep over an hour later Daisy suggested she stay the night and one of the men would escort her back the following morning.

“She’s exhausted Buck dear, and I think she really needs to be left to sleep for as long as possible,” Daisy said.

Knowing that Daisy was a retired nurse he bowed to her greater knowledge and thanked her profusely.

“If you’re sure it’s no trouble Ma’am,” he added politely.

“And it’s OK with you Slim?” he added, turning to the blond rancher.

“Sure,” Slim said looking less than happy.

Mike had woken up full of beans and Jess had taken him down to the creek to fish for an hour before supper...But Slim knew his partner would not be happy with the arrangement either.

However, he needn’t have worried as Gina slept right through supper and on into the evening.

Once both Daisy and Mike had retired for the night Jess and Slim took their coffee out to the porch and relaxed in the warm moonlight.

After a while Jess became aware of Slim ’s scrutiny and raising an eyebrow and said, “What?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been starin’ at me for the last five minutes, like I’ve just grown another head...what’s on your mind Slim?”

The tall rancher moved restlessly in his seat before looking back at his pard.

“I need to talk to you...about you and Gina.”

“No... oh no there ain’t any me and Gina,” Jess said quickly, raising a hand as if to dismiss the idea.

“Look, just hear me out will you. Buck is real worried about her. It seems she was in a special hospital because of some mental issues...and...”

“Yeah, I know,” Jess broke in, “Pippa told me. But I ain’t gonna tell her ‘Yeah, we’ll get together and play happy families,’ because it just ain’t gonna happen. It’s Millie I love, not Gina and that ain’t gonna change...not ever,” Jess said angrily, his eyes burning with passion.

“I know that, but if you could just give her some hope...then maybe she’ll come to terms with things once she’s back home.”

Jess just shook his head stubbornly.

“Well just think about it,” Slim said, “maybe you could talk to her when you take her back to the camp tomorrow.”

Jess’s head shot up.

“When I take her back...why can’t you?”

“Sorry Jess I’ve got that important meeting with the Stage boss scheduled for tomorrow...so it’s all down to you,” and with that he rose and headed for bed, brooking any further argument.

Chapter 8

When Gina didn’t show up for breakfast the following morning Jess got more and more exasperated.

“With Slim heading to town for his meeting I need to take Gina back early so I can get on with the work, so what’s she doin’ Daisy?” he sighed.

Slim was already saddling up in the barn and Daisy turned to Mike before replying.

“Go and get your books together dear. The Stage will be here any minute.”

Once the youngster had trotted off, she turned her full attention on Jess.

“It wouldn’t hurt to show a little patience,” she said with unusual asperity.

Jess looked up quickly and then said, “What’s up Daisy?”

“I’m really worried about her dear...I know you are finding it difficult to cope with her neediness...but…”

“You can say that again,” Jess broke in, “heck Daisy, she’s drivin’ me crazy...I’d forgotten how dang taxing she could be.”

“But...” Daisy repeated, “I think she has some real problems...you see dear I believe she is far too fond of Laudanum and that is making her life even harder.”

Jess just stared at her open mouthed, “You mean she’s hooked on it?”

“I think so...she did say that it was part of the treatment she underwent when she was uh...committed to that dreadful asylum...and I believe she has recently taken it up again...hoping it will ease the pain of rejection, I imagine.”

Jess cussed softly, under his breath.

“So, you’re saying all this is my fault?” he asked looking pained.

“No dear of course not, you’ve dealt with it to the best of your ability and not lying to her with false hopes is very commendable...It’s just...”

“Just what Daisy?”

“Well maybe if you talked to her, said how worried we are and that although you can’t commit to her the way she wants...you do still care about her?”

Jess looked down and took a deep breath before looking back into Daisy’s concerned eyes, “Sure, I guess I can do that,” he said with the ghost of a smile. “After all I’m an expert on Laudanum ain’t I?”

Daisy patted his hand and said, “And you conquered it ...maybe you can help Gina do the same?” (See #14 The Last Chance.)

When Gina finally came to the breakfast table, refusing anything but black coffee... Jess couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed the telltale signs before... The drowsiness, pale skin, dramatic weight loss and the emotion highs and lows...

They finally set off for the Circus camp site, but Jess decided to stop on the way to try and talk some sense into this poor fragile woman, who was now a mere shadow of the woman he had once loved.

He explained he needed to check on some stock on the way and once done he suggested they sit for a while and talk.

They settled under a huge Aspen, the shade pleasant as the weather had again turned unseasonably warm.

Once they were settled, he decided not to beat about the bush and said quietly, “Why are you doin’ this to yerself Gina?”

Her head shot up and she said, “I don’t know what you mean.”

He sighed deeply and said, “Don’t try and lie to someone whose been there, you’re way too fond of ol’ Godfrey’s Cordial, ain’t ya.”

She blushed furiously and said, “I just take it for female troubles.”

If she thought that would embarrass Jess so much he’d give up, she was sadly mistaken.

“Don’t lie to me I’m tryin’ to help ya here,” he said looking deeply into her eyes. “I care about you, we all do,” he added quickly,“ Daisy’s real worried for you.”

“Well, you know what to do then,” she said tartly...before sighing and swinging back to a suddenly upbeat mood.

“Just say we can be together...that’s all I want,” she said passionately, leaning towards him and looking deeply into his eyes.

Before she could move in for a kiss he moved back out of range and said, “I can talk to Doc Sam get him to help you...huh...please honey.”

“The only help I need is from you,” she said tearfully.

“I’ll do what I can,” he said, “of course I will. I just want to see you well again, I do care you know Gina.”

“But not enough to get back together with me?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

When he said nothing, she played her trump card.

“Well, I’ll just have to get a job in town and wait until you realise how we were meant to be together. When the Circus moves on, I’m staying!”

Then when he didn’t respond she got up and ran off towards her horse and mounting up galloped away towards the camp.

Sighing deeply, he got up and mounting Traveller followed her.

OOOOOOO

It was the following week before they heard news of Gina.

Slim had been called to Cheyenne to discuss Stage business and so it was left to Jess to keep everything running smoothly at the ranch and he had little time to worry about Gina’s plans.

It was when Daisy returned from a shopping trip to town that he learned that Gina had indeed moved there.

“She’s working at Miss Molly’s café. I saw her when Edna and I popped in for our usual mid-week meet up and coffee,” Daisy said, “and I must say she was looking much better, quite stylish.”

“Uh-huh,” Jess said guardedly.

“Almost as though she’s prettying herself up to impress,” Daisy added throwing him an arch glance.

“Well, I hope that ain’t on my account, because she’s wastin’ her time,” he replied gruffly.

“Well of course it’s for your benefit dear, after all, I imagine that’s why she’s decided to stay in town after the Circus moves on.”

“I wonder what Buck makes of all this,” he said, almost to himself.

“Oh, he’s dead against it, Daisy said...I asked her.”

“You did?”

“Oh yes, I am concerned about the girl...she really does seem quite irrational... she was speaking as though she thought you would be delighted she had decided to stay.”

Jess choked on his coffee at that, “She did, did she?”

“It was just idle chatter dear it can’t do any harm.”

“It dang well can if Millie hears of it,” he said angrily.

Daisy looked thoughtful, “Maybe that’s why she said it, she knew I’d relate it to you and so you’d go into town to talk to her...I should just let matters lie dear...for the time being anyway.”

Jess just grunted, which could have meant anything.

“At least it looks like she has curbed her use of the Laudanum,” Daisy added cheerfully, “so that’s good news.”

OOOOOOO

Back in town Gina had volunteered to take the prisoner’s meals over to the jail.

“I should have thought that was the last place you’d want to go,” Molly said studying her new employee with a thoughtful look. “I thought you said you knew Calico Jack from way back and he used to be a real pest? I can take the meals over you know honey,” she added kindly.

“No really I want to do it,” Gina said, “after all he can’t hurt me locked up in the jail can he...and I... well I need to show him he doesn’t scare me anymore,” she added.

Molly just threw her a quizzical glance, but passed her the tray anyway.

“I reckon it will be Lon on duty at this time,” she said glancing at the wall clock, “tell him to call by later will you, I’ll save him some Apple Pie, it’s his favorite.”

Lon was busy talking to a woman regarding a stolen purse and so he just nodded to Gina and asked her to hang on, saying he wouldn’t be long.

She sidled over to the cells at the back of the office and Calico Jack came over right away.

“Well, howdy little lady,” he said with a nasty smirk, so we catch up at last, you’re quite a hard person to track down you know,” he added.

“What are you doing here,” she asked in a low tone, “and what do you want of me?”

He grinned at her then, “Well I reckon we both know the answer to that, don’t we Gina. The same as I wanted before...compensation for keeping your nasty little secret.”

“I can’t,” she whispered looking desperate, “I won’t sleep with you Cal.”

He sighed deeply. “OK, so I’m a reasonable man...let’s call it, $500 huh...and I want it as soon as they let me out of here next week... or else... you know what will happen.”

“Cal, I haven’t got that kind of money,” she said looking aghast.

“Well, you’d better find it then hadn’t you,” he said nastily.

“Find what?” Lon asked suddenly looming up behind her.

“Pudding,” Cal said with a crafty smile, “the gal ain’t brought me any pudding!”

“Well tough,” Lon said and instructing the prisoner to stand well back he opened the cell door and put the tray down on the bunk, before backing off and re-locking the cell.

He was surprised to see Gina still standing there staring at the prisoner and looking deathly pale.

“Hey are you OK Miss?” he asked.

“Quite alright,” Gina said quickly and with that dashed for the door and ran off back across the street to the cafe.

Lon watched her and then shaking his head and whispering, “Women,” under his breath he sat down in Mort’s chair, shook out the newspaper and commenced reading.

OOOOOOO

Gina disappeared off into the cafe kitchen on the pretext of washing up...but really needed time to think. The worst possible scenario was coming true; Cal really had been trying to track her down all these years and now he had found her he would stop at nothing if she didn’t find the money to pay him off... Unless... and her face contorted into an evil smile...unless he wasn’t able to collect the money?

It soon became her regular job to deliver all the food across the street to the Sheriff’s Office and she was also responsible for dishing up the meals too, so her idea was just so easy to execute. However, she really hadn’t thought things through she realised once her wicked plan had been carried out, and that’s when she panicked.

Only a half hour after eating the meal laced with rat poison, Calico Jack was violently ill. Not only did he chuck all the food, he was also crying out with terrible stomach pain and sweating profusely.

Doc Sam was called and the patient taken away to the doc’s office at once and it took him scant time to diagnose Arsenic poisoning.

“Yes, I’m pretty sure Sheriff,” he said a little later, “I’ve seen it way too many times before and he’s exhibiting classic symptoms. What I don’t understand is how it got in the food... it came directly from Miss Molly’s place you say?”

Mort nodded, “Sure, a completely reliable source unless it was somehow contaminated by mistake, maybe. I’ll get right over there and check that nobody else is sick,” he added.

On talking to Molly, it soon became clear to Mort that the Circus owner’s sister had been responsible for dishing up the meal that day. Now he vaguely remembered how upset she had been at the mention of Calico Jack’s name back at the Sherman spread. In fact, he’d been surprised to see her happily delivering the prisoner’s meals...Somewhere in the Sheriff’s head an alarm bell started ringing.

“So where is Miss Gina now?” he asked Molly.

“Uh, I believe she’s gone visiting a friend,” Molly said, “it’s her afternoon off you see Sheriff, she said she was popping out directly after delivering the prisoner’s food. She didn’t say where she was going though,” she added looking anxious.

“Well tell her I need to see her as soon as she returns,” Mort said before turning to leave.

From her hiding place on the stairs Gina swallowed hard...of course she would be the chief suspect...why on earth hadn’t she thought this through and with a little gasp of fear she headed up to her attic room to pack...she had to get away and fast!

It was later that afternoon that Doc Sam strode into Mort’s office.

“Sorry to bother you Sherriff, but Mr Jack is most eager to speak to you about the poisoning. You see I’ve had to tell him he may not make it and he says he has important information that you really must hear.”

“What...are you sure about this? Mort asked, looking down at Cal and shocked to the core.

“Sure, I am,” Calico Jack gasped. “That’s why she dang well poisoned me...couldn’t afford the money I wanted to keep quiet you see Sheriff.”

“Yeah, well blackmail is a dangerous game,” Mort replied angrily.

Calico nodded, “Yup I guess I’ve found that out the hard way,” he managed between labored breaths. “But what I’m sayin’ is the truth Sheriff, I saw her stab Beau in the back with my own eyes and if you write it down, I’ll sign it. If I’m goin’ down, I’m dang well takin’ her with me. She should hang for this...and for what she did to that poor bastard Beau too,” he finished before coughing up some blood and turning even paler.

“That’s enough now,” Doc Sam said quickly, “you just rest up.”

Once out of the room Mort tipped his hat back and sighed deeply.

“It sure seems like maybe he’s telling the truth...But that pretty little lady...why on earth would she kill her husband? And how could she? She’s so dang tiny and frail lookin’ could she have been capable of it?” he questioned, almost to himself.

Sam looked thoughtful.

“Of course, I cannot discuss individual patients and I have been treating Miss Gina lately, so my lips are sealed as regards her case. However, a patient with certain mental disorders would be capable of anything Sheriff...mental derangement can produce great strength in anyone.”

“And you’re saying Miss Gina has that kinda mental problem?” Mort asked.

He just smiled enigmatically and said, “Like I said Sheriff I can’t discuss individual cases.”

“That’s good enough for me, thanks Doc,” and the Sheriff left looking like a man on a mission.

When Gina still hadn’t returned to work the following morning, Miss Molly was again quizzed as to her whereabouts.

“All I can think of is that she is visiting over at the Sherman ranch,” Molly said. “She did seem awfully fond of Jess from things she let slip...maybe she’s there, Sheriff? Then looking thoughtful she said, “She’s a funny girl very up and down you know?”

Mort looked puzzled, “How so?”

“Well sometimes, if she was talking about Jess and Slim at the ranch, she would get very animated, laughing and smiling all the while. Then at other times she would be very sombre, like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, I really couldn’t figure her Sheriff.”

OOOOOOO

“Haven’t seen hide nor hair of her for a week or two,” Slim said passing a coffee cup over to Mort.”

“How about you, Daisy?” he asked.

The housekeeper shook her head, “No I missed my usual trip to town last week as I was jam making. How about you Jess? You did the visit to the mercantile that week.”

Jess just shook his head and said, “What’s all this about Mort, yer bein’ mighty cagey.”

When Mort explained what Calico Jack had said Jess was almost speechless.

“What! And you believed that no hoper?”

Mort looked thoughtful, “Well I hafta say the evidence is pretty much stacked against her right now Jess...plus she seems to be on the run.”

Then he turned to Daisy, “What do you think Ma’am. You’re pretty good at readin’ folk do you think she’s capable of either crime?”

Daisy thought long and hard and then clasping Jess’s hand across the table for a second said, “I’m sorry to contradict you dear. But yes... I do Sheriff... I know for a fact that she has a Laudanum addiction and on top of that a history of mental illness. She told me all about it when she was staying here,” she added. “It seems she was diagnosed with circular insanity, where the patient has episodes of mania and depression,” she explained. “Although she did insist, she was cured now,” she added, looking less than convinced.

“But killing Beau,” Jess interjected, “even if she was sick, why would she want to do that Daisy?”

“Resentment or maybe self defense... she told me she realized her mistake just weeks after they were married. Apparently, he was a bully... something of a tyrant. She admitted she married him without really knowing what he was like,” she added. “She said she was on the rebound,” she whispered, for Jess’s ears only.

Jess looked down, swallowed hard and took a deep breath but said nothing.

“Well that all makes sense,” Mort said, “the Doc hinted that she wasn’t quite well and I really need to find her, before she hurts herself or someone else. It looks like she’s kind of a loose cannon right now if she really did poison Jack. She could be up for murder if he doesn’t survive. So, if she isn’t here, I guess I’ll have to think about a posse...Uh, either of you two able to help out?” he asked hopefully.

But before they could answer they heard the Stage sweeping into the yard.

Mort stood up, “I’ll just sound out Mose; see if he knows anything, she may have taken the Stage out of town.”

Mose scratched his head and said, “You mean that pretty little lady from the circus, been workin’ at Miss Molly’s place?”

Mort nodded.

“Nope she didn’t get the Stage,” he said slowly.

“OK thanks,” Mort said turning back to where Slim and Jess had just come out to change the team.

“Now hold on Sheriff not so dang fast,” the old timer said giving a toothy grin, “Didn’t say I hadn’t seen her, did I?”

Jess rolled his eyes, “Just tell us what you dang well know Mose!”

“OK no need to go gettin’ yer pants in a ruck,” he said huffily.

“Go on,” Mort said.

“Well yes, I seen her yesterday afternoon, ridin’ like the wind she were…heading towards your mountain Slim. Going up to the cabin I imagine...in need of some down time maybe? Nice private spot that is.” he said throwing Jess a sly wink.

“Uh thanks,” Mort broke in quickly, “I’ll check it out.”

Mose smirked, “I shouldn’t do that Sheriff... see yer needed in town. Know that ol’ cattle drive that was due through? Well, it has come early. Place is in chaos. Lon asked me to tell you to ride back in pronto, before they wreck the place anymore.”

“Garl darn it, why didn’t you say so!” Mort snarled looking hard done by.

Then turning to Slim and Jess, “Could you possibly check the mountain trail for me?”

“Sure,” Slim said quickly, “Jess will be glad to... off you go Mort and good luck!”

Once the Stage and also the Sheriff had left Jess turned to Slim and said, “What do you mean, ‘Jess will be glad to’...why can’t you go?”

“I will, I will,” Slim said grinning, “just as soon as I’m back from checking out that prime stock we were thinking of buying tomorrow. I’ll follow on...uh in day or so if you’re not back,” he added grinning.

“Well thanks a bunch! Why me? Why can’t I go check out the stock and you go find her?” Jess asked looking furious.

“Well, she was your gal, wasn’t she?” Slim said evenly, “It stands to reason you’ll be much better at talking her into coming back to face the music. Yes siree, I guess that little lady will be putty in your hands Jess,” he said before diving off to the safety of the kitchen and Daisy.

Chapter 9

By the time Jess reached the mountain foothills he was feeling hot, tired and in no mood to be messed with. Plus, a little part of him was also feeling guilty as hell...Damn it all, was it his fault she’d turned out this way...all because he’d walked out on her all those years ago? But he’d explained, hadn’t he? Dang it she knew how important catching up with the Bannisters was to him...And he’d promised...yes promised he’d return and he had done. Albeit somewhat later than planned but if she loved him, really loved him, she’d have waited he argued.

Then he remembered how things had been between them and realized that maybe the first signs of this manic and depressive illness were already troubling her. Daisy had explained more about it before he left. Now he recalled how she had sometimes been incredibly over emotional. Sometimes instigating closeness and wanting to make love all the time and at other times being consumed by sadness, weeping and refusing to even look at him. But these incidents had only occurred occasionally and he’d just put it down to women’s troubles. But now he thought maybe that had been the beginning of her mental illness.

He reined Traveller in, sighed deeply and removing his hat ran a hand through his hair and down over his hot face. Then he replaced the hat and turned his eyes up to the mountain track before him. That’s when he saw a wisp of blue smoke curling lazily up into the late afternoon sky.

“Well, I hope you’ve gotten the coffee pot on gal,” he said to himself as he urged Traveller on towards Gina’s camp.

When he finally rode in, he decided to call out, so as not to surprise her by suddenly appearing. He dismounted a few yards away and leading Traveller in called out a welcome. But as he entered the camp, he stopped dead in his tracks as Gina stood there with a rifle trained on him and aimed at his head.

“Hey, easy Gina,” he said softly, “it’s me, Jess, put the gun down huh.”

When she didn’t move or acknowledge him, he moved a little closer and said, “Gina yer making me nervous put the gun up will ya honey?”

At the endearment she seemed to come out of a trance and her previously blank stare was replaced by a weak smile of welcome.

“Jess, it’s you,” she whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t see you properly, the lights fading.”

He moved cautiously forwards and removing the gun from her grip placed it carefully against a nearby tree before turning back to look more closely at her.

It was clear from the glazed look in her eyes she was back on the Laudanum and he sighed deeply before wandering off towards the camp fire, “You got some coffee going?” he asked, “I figure we could both use one, huh?”

Once they were settled with a coffee apiece and sitting with their backs to a fallen log before the campfire, he turned to her and said softly, “So why’d you do it huh, Gina?

“What do you mean?” she asked her eyes opening wide in an innocent stare.

“Oh come on, you know perfectly well what I’m talkin’ about, why’d you poison Calico Jack?”

At his name she flinched and looked down, before looking back at Jess and then away again quickly, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she muttered.

He just shook his head, “You’ve forgetting how well I know you Gina and you’re lying to me. You poisoned his food and then made a run for it...leaving him for dead.”

“Is he? Dead I mean?”

“Near as damn it,” Jess replied, “Doc don’t hold out much hope.”

She suddenly looked furious and jumping up looked down at Jess, her eyes flashing dangerously, “Alright...alright so I did it. But he had it coming, he kept pestering me, wouldn’t leave me alone. I had no choice!”

Jess shook his head in bewilderment, “But he was locked up in the jail and when he came out Mort was gonna send him on his way. He was no threat to you...besides you know Buck and everyone at the circus had yer back.”

When she said nothing but just stood there looking flushed and angry he went over to her and said, “So is it true...what he was saying...you killed Beau too?”

She looked aghast, “What? Could you really believe that of me?”

He shook his head, “Well I guess not...except for the fact that you really ain’t well Gina. So, I figure maybe you did it when you weren’t thinkin’ right, huh?”

“You’ve got it all wrong I didn’t kill Beau, I loved him...adored him!” she gasped.

“That ain’t what you told Daisy. She seems to think you married in haste and then regretted it, said you implied Beau was a bully. So maybe you lashed out in self-defence, huh?”

“No,” she cried getting quite frantic. “No... no, it wasn’t like that. It was an intruder that knifed him. I saw him riding away...I think he was going to rob us, but then I returned from town in the buggy and must have scared him off, I went inside and found Beau dead...you have to believe me Jess...you just have to!” She started crying hysterically.

“Why would Calico Jack say such a thing?” he persisted.

“Because he wanted me for himself of course,” she said through her sobs. “He’d been pestering me for ages and then when Beau was killed and no sign of the murderer, he made the story up... said he’d tell everyone he’d seen me kill Beau unless I slept with him.”

To Jess’s mind that had a ring of truth about it, knowing the Jack clan as he did, he wouldn’t put anything past them.

“Even if that’s true, that’s no excuse for poisoning the guy,” Jess said. “You should have explained at the time; nobody would have believed him.”

“I was scared,” she whispered and then she turned to him, “Please, please you have to help me,” she said throwing her arms around him tightly.

He patted her back gently to try and calm her down some and then led her to the log and they sat down once more, Jess with a comforting arm thrown around her shoulder.

Taking hope from his embrace, she cuddled closer and looking up into his face said, “Oh Jess I’ve longed for this, for us to get close again...I knew it...just knew you still cared,” she said looking ecstatic.

“Now hold on there,” he said removing his arm and looking deeply into her eyes.” Sure, I’m real sorry you’ve gotten yerself in this mess and that yer kinda sick too, but don’t go thinkin’ it’s anything more than that.”

“Oh you, silly boy…” she said playfully. “I understand we’ll have to be discrete…of course we will. You’ll need to let poor Millie down gently...and then we can be together again properly just how it used to be.”

“No,” he almost shouted jumping up, “dang it I’ve come to take you back to town to face the music, not elope with you!”

Her face was completely blank and she ignored his outburst.

Then smiling up at him replied as though he hadn’t spoken, “We could go on up to that cabin on the mountain top. Young Mike was telling Bozo about it. It sounded so romantic. That was where I was heading when you rode in. Now we can go together,” she said smiling happily, “really get to know one another properly again,” she said looking at him coyly from under her lashes.

This was just too much for Jess and he lost his temper, “Goddamn it woman will you stop. Listen to me Gina, the only place we’re going is back to town. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”

At that something inside her seemed to snap and she swung back from her euphoric state of mind to reality.

“I... I won’t go with you,” she said stubbornly, flicking a glance towards her rifle where it was still propped against a tree.

But Jess was too quick for her and had grabbed and emptied it before she could make a move.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said quietly, “yer comin’ back with me even if I have to hog tie you.”

At that she flew into a fearful temper crying, cussing and even pummeling his chest with her fists, until she finally cried herself out and slumped down by the fire sobbing quietly.

Jess reached out a tentative hand to pat her shoulder, but then withdrew it, not wanting to encourage her again. He merely said, “Take it easy honey...we’ll see the Doc when we hit town, he’ll help you.”

She looked wanly up at him and said softly, “It’s you I want to help me, not the Doc.”

“Sure,” he said softly, “I’ll do what I can, speak up for you, but that’s as far as it goes Gina. You understand that?”

It suddenly hit home for the first time... it was really over...she had no future with Jess...and her mind seemed to flip, she was totally devastated. She felt such utter misery...which gradually turned to anger. If she couldn’t have him, then nobody else would she vowed.

They were both too wound up to eat, but Gina made some fresh coffee before they turned in.

“Have you got anything to put in this?” she asked as she poured the coffee out, “Maybe to help me sleep?”

Jess hid a smile, remembering how she had quite a liking for whiskey when they were together and so he went off to his saddle bag to fetch the small bottle of Red Eye he was carrying.

When he returned, she was busy stirring the coffee.

He raised a quizzical eyebrow, “Wow do we get cream and sugar then?”

She smiled, “Sorry no cream, but I’ve put in plenty of sugar, you know how I love my coffee sweet.”

He nodded, “Will this do to liven it up some?” he asked, waggling the bottle at her.

“Perfect,” and taking the bottle poured a good measure into each cup.

They settled down with their drinks looking up to the majestic mountain peak and after a while, she said, “It’s a shame I won’t ever see the view from the top.”

Jess remained noncommittal, having his own memories of the beautiful vista...once shared with a very special young lady...one that was nothing like Gina. (See # 19 Daisy’s Dilemma)

She saw his face close up and said, “What is it, Jess?”

He shook his head, “Nothin’...”

They chatted quietly for a while and once they had finished their drinks he said, “Come on you get your head down honey, we’ve got a long ride back to town tomorrow.”

Once he was sure she was settled and sleeping soundly he grabbed his own bedroll and placed it on the other side of the camp away from where Gina was sleeping. Then after he’d checked the horses and thrown some more wood on the fire he suddenly felt quite light headed and sleepy.

He doubled checked her rifle was out of harm’s way and his own fire arms were close by him and then collapsed onto his bedroll feeling exhausted. He really didn’t trust Gina in the strange quiet mood she had adopted since he had made it quite clear there was no hope of a future together. But hell, what could she do? After all she’d had a good tantrum, he reasoned, as he fell into a deep sleep...she’d probably be OK in the morning...he thought drowsily.

It was the early hours of the morning when Gina arose, packed her belongings silently and saddled her horse...Jess was still sleeping deeply as she knew he would be after the large dose of laudanum she had added to his coffee...the bitter taste disguised by the sugar.

Now she stood over him and watched his face as he slept...so handsome and young in repose. Then she imagined Millie doing the same as they shared a lover’s bed and the fury rose once more like bile in her throat. Before she was even aware of what she was doing she reached down into his boot where she knew he kept his hunting knife and withdrawing it, crouched menacingly over the sleeping figure.

Deep in his dreams Jess was vaguely aware of a sense of foreboding...he struggled to wake up...and finally his eyes snapped open just as Gina raised the knife. He saw the blade flashing in the silver moonlight for a split second before she brought it down, forcefully piercing his chest. He was still very much under the influence of the laudanum and had no strength to ward off the attack. But at the last minute he managed to roll slightly and the blade was plunged into the far left of his chest rather than his heart.

Gina stared down in horror at what she had done as blood splattered across her and the surrounding area...the scene one of utter carnage.

Jess had cried out and then his eyes rolled back and he slumped lifelessly back...the blood still rapidly spreading across the front of his shirt.

She’d killed him...oh dear God, she had killed him.

“No...” she whispered a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock.

She stood there shaking violently.

Then throwing the knife down she turned and fled... mounting up she rode off into the  moonlit night without looking back.

OOOOOOO

Earlier that day back at the ranch Slim had been feeling kind of guilty. He’d completed his visit to see the livestock in record time, and now he was sharing coffee with Daisy.

 “I wonder how Jess is getting on?” Daisy asked casually. Then added, “I do believe Mort was unable to contact anyone from the Circus. It seems they have taken off on a visit to friends over Boulder way. They know nothing about all this dreadful business. It looks like Jess is seeking Gina alone,” she added for good measure.

Slim shook his head and grinned at his beloved housekeeper.

“No need to go on, Daisy. I’d decided to ride out and catch up with him just as soon as I’ve drunk this,” he said nodding to his cup.

“I thought you would dear. I’ve got some supplies all packed and ready to go,” she said, cheerfully getting up and heading for the kitchen.

Now Slim was mounted up and looking over to the distant mountain peaks. “If I get a wriggle on, I should be able to camp over half way tonight and then hopefully catch up with him first thing for breakfast,” he said happily.

“Take care dear and safe journey. Give my love to Jess and I hope you find poor Gina. She really needs help you know Slim. I do believe she is quite mentally ill you know.”

He nodded, “I’ll do my best. See you Daisy,” and he trotted Alamo out of the yard at speed.

He made good time and as anticipated was up on the mountain trail following in Traveller’s hoof prints at first light the next morning.

Before too long he spotted a wisp of smoke in the distance and figured he’d be just in time to share some of Daisy’s supplies with his buddy.

When he rode into the camp sometime later, he spied Jess lying fast asleep beside the glowing embers of the camp fire and dismounting he wandered over.

“Hey wake up sleepyhead,” he called out cheerfully, I’ve brought breakfast.”

When there was no response, he moved closer looking down at his buddy and grinning said louder, “Hey sun’s up, Hotshot!”

Then he saw the splattered blood on the ground and crouching down he gently turned Jess over from where he had been lying on his front and gasped as he saw his buddy’s ashen face and blood sodden shirt.

For a moment he thought that he must surely be dead. He unbuttoned his shirt and felt desperately for a heartbeat. It felt like an eternity before he was finally able to find a very weak pulse.

  “Thank God,” he whispered.

He wiped his pard’ s face with a dampened bandana and after a little while Jess’s eyes flickered open and he attempted to focus on Slim.

Then he whispered, “Where is she?”

Slim raised an eyebrow, “Gina? She’s not here. Hell did she do this Jess?”

He just nodded and asked for a drink.

Slim tenderly lifted his head and helped him to the water before resting him back down again.

“We...we’ve gotta find her,” Jess whispered.

“You’re going nowhere,” Slim replied almost angrily. “Just lie there and behave I’ll go fetch some rags and patch you up.”

Sometime later both men were exhausted from the traumatic procedure. Slim had needed to clean out the deep stab wound with whiskey and it had been a long and painful process. Once the wound had been carefully bandaged with clean strips of rag Slim sat back and took a drink from the small whiskey bottle before handing it to Jess.

“Here,” he said quietly “it’ll help with the pain some.”

Jess had a good swig before putting the cork back in and lying back on his up turned saddle and fixing Slim with his deep blue eyes.

“We’ve gotta find her Slim, no saying what she might do next...she’s plumb loco, goddamn it. Why in hell did she do this, the crazy broad?”

“She’s sick Jess, up here,” Slim said tapping his head. “According to Daisy she needs medical care.”

Jess just shrugged, “Whatever you wanna call it, the gal is dangerous. To herself and others and she has to be found Slim.”

“The only way out of here is up...so we’ll see her if she comes back down the track. Only other way is to go over the top and down the other side and that’s way too challenging for a woman to climb,” Slim said.

“Any normal woman and she sure as hell ain’t that,” Jess said morosely.

“Look she’ll probably stay up in the cabin. That’s where you reckon she was heading, wasn’t it?”

Jess just nodded feeling quite sick and dizzy after his recent ordeal, the blood loss really catching up on him now.

Slim saw his buddy’s eyes flickering closed and leaning over squeezed his good shoulder and said, “You just take it easy today Jess and we’ll think about looking for her when you’re feeling a tad brighter huh?”

“I guess,” Jess whispered and just minutes later he was sleeping soundly.

Chapter 10

The following morning found Jess looking a tad stronger, but Slim still wasn’t happy about his partner tackling the difficult trail up to the top of the mountain.

“Look Slim I’m real mad at her. But I guess I’m kinda worried about her too. God knows what she could do in this state of mind.”

Slim frowned, “You mean finish it all?”

Jess looked down and sighed, “I guess that’s what I mean yeah. Buck said she’d been that way once before. Then she was put in that asylum place and they kept an eye on her, saved her I guess.”

“Um well the sooner we get her back to town the better. Then I reckon it’s up to Mort to decide if she should answer to her crimes or be sent to the Doc to see what he thinks. I guess if she’s kinda crazy she can’t be held responsible?”

Jess shrugged, “I dunno, but either way she sure can’t stay up here alone.”

They rode out after some breakfast and made good time and so it was just about noon when they crested the last hill and saw the cabin off in the distance.

There was a wisp of smoke coming from the chimney and the men exchanged a glance, “Looks like she’s makin’ herself at home,” Jess said.

They rode in and leaving their mounts by the water trough walked towards the cabin. Seconds later the door swung open and a shadowy figure stood on the porch holding a rifle on them. Then she came forwards and the men recognized the willowy figure of Kate Munroe. Her buckskin clad figure suddenly froze as she stared at Jess in shock, before her gaze  turned to delight and she put the rifle aside.

 “Well, howdy Slim. Jess, I must say yer looking mighty good...for a dead man that is!”

He grinned back, “I take it you’ve met Gina then,” he said quietly. “Told ya she’d left me for dead, did she?”

Kate gestured to a bench over near the small barn across from the cabin and they wandered across.

Once they were all seated, she said, “She’s inside. I sedated her a while back, she’s sleeping right now and I was just coming to try and find you Jess.”

Then said, “I guess Slim here beat me to it...so, hurt bad are you son?”

“Worse than he’d let on,” Slim said quickly, “but I’ve cleaned it up pretty good.”

Kate just nodded, wisely deciding not to foist her herbal healing medicine on Jess until a more opportune moment.

 “I was in town for supplies a few days ago and bumped into Miss Daisy. She filled me on Gina. Having spent a bit of time with her now, I agree, that she is kinda sick in the head.”

“I reckon,” Jess said morosely, unconsciously rubbing the painful wound to his chest. “So can you sort her out then Kate?” he asked.

“Needs proper doctoring boys...not in my know-how. From talking to her and what Miss Daisy told me I can see she’s suffering bad from what we used to call manic and melancholy. Moods go up and down but to great excess. Needs real good doctoring for that, in one of those special mental asylums I reckon. Stop her harming herself...and others.”

Slim and Jess nodded, knowing Kate was always completely honest about her skills, be it doctoring, shooting or hunting...all of which she excelled in. But to their mind she seemed pretty clued up  on this mental disorder too.

“Did you see Mort?” Slim asked, knowing the Sheriff would do pretty much anything to have Kate move down to town from her mountain home...but as everyone knew, she was way too fond of her independence to consider it. Mort would propose every day of the week if he thought it would help...but he knew Kate was too set in her ways and he accepted her loving company when and if she was willing to give it.

She grinned at Slim now and said, “Nope I did not see Mort,” he was way too taxed with a dang cattle drive ripping the town up. Told him I’d go down and stay for a while in a few weeks, when things have settled down some.

The three had been so busy catching up that they hadn’t noticed the mist coming down... It was a common occurrence in early fall and within minutes the whole of the mountain top would become shrouded in thick cloud.

“Come on into the cabin.” Kate said getting up and shivering a little, “coffee’s on and I reckon you could use a little livener in it too boys,” she said cheerfully as they made their way into the cabin. “Just so happens I’ve some of Denver’s best in my saddle bag,” she added...referring to her cousin Denver James’ moonshine.

As they entered the cabin a cloud of smoke belched out from the stove and they realized that the window at the back of the cabin was wide open. Then on looking around they saw the place was completely deserted. Gina had gone.

“Dang it she must have vamoosed when she heard our voices,” Jess said as he dashed over to the open window and peered out.

“She can’t have got far,” Slim reasoned and they all headed outside to start searching.

Meanwhile Gina was actually a good distance away and heading up the steep incline towards the mountain peak where Denver James, his sons Mick and Cody lived with their distant cousin Kate Munroe.

She had heard the muffled voices in the yard and having understood that Kate and the Sheriff were good friends she assumed it was he that she was talking to. She didn’t dare peek out, but she heard a man’s voice and Kate’s light tone in answer to a question and assumed it was Mort Cory. He must have gone looking for Jess and found his body...and any moment now he would come in and arrest her. She panicked and ran to the window, climbed out and made her escape.

The three in the cabin decided to split up to search the area which was now shrouded in mist and decidedly chilly.

Sometime later Gina heard Jess calling her name in the distance and her heart started pounding so fast she thought it must surely burst out of her chest. She stood stock still listening to the sounds of his deep, gravelly voice gradually getting closer and closer...until she finally saw his ghostly image shimmering through the swirling mist just yards away.

That’s when she started screaming...the ear-splitting sound reverberating across the murky hazy mountainside...so that Slim and Kate heard her off in the distance.

Jess hurried over and grabbing her by the shoulders said, “It’s OK Gina it’s OK you’re safe now.”

But his presence was even more distressing to her. At first believing he was dead, she thought he had come back to haunt her...But then her muddled mind imagined she was dead too and they were reunited in some sort of murky Hell.

“No... No, but you’re dead!” she cried pulling free and backing away...dangerously close to the sheer drop of the mountain track.

He shook his head and muttered, “Damn it Gina will you hush and just listen up?”

That’s when she started screaming again working herself up into a state of hysteria and Jess did the only thing he could. He advanced on her and slapped her hard across the face.

She stopped at once, one hand flying up to her stinging cheek her eyes wide in fear and shock...and then the tears came and moments later she fell into his arms crying uncontrollably...and repeating, “I’m sorry so, so sorry for what I did to you.” That’s how Kate and Slim found them a few moments later.

Once back in the cabin Jess threw some more logs on the fire whilst Slim brewed some fresh coffee and Kate tended to a still tearful Gina.

Kate was trying to get her to take some of her herbal medicine that would hopefully relax her and help her sleep. However, Gina was adamant that she wouldn’t sleep until she had talked to Jess and Slim.

They all sat around the fire a strong coffee a piece and Jess said, “So what’s so dang important, Gina...you ought to do what Miss Kate says. That medicine will make you feel better.” He was still pretty angry with her for what she had done to him, but was just about  managing to keep it in check.

“I know,” she said quietly throwing Kate a grateful glance. “But I just need to make my confession before I can rest, tell you everything.”

“Hey shouldn’t you be talkin’ to the Padre,” Slim said with a faint grin, trying to lighten the grave atmosphere.

“Oh, I don’t want redemption... or even expect Jess to forgive me,” she said turning to look searchingly into his deep blue eyes, realizing how angry he was. “No, I just want to set the record straight. I want to admit that it was I who murdered my husband and attempted to murder Calico Jack because he witnessed the murder and was blackmailing me,” she added.

There was a shocked silence as this fresh revelation was absorbed by one and all.

So, she had lied to him about being innocent of murdering Beau, Jess realized.

Then her face contorted like she might weep again but she managed to take a deep breath and continued, “And also to the attempted murder of Jess Harper... “Jess I am just so sorry,” she reiterated. But he refused to meet her gaze.

“If... if there is paper and a pencil here, I will write it out and sign it,” she added, before sinking down beside the fire as though all her energy was spent.

You could have heard a pin drop in the room and there was a palpable silence for several minutes until Slim broke it.

“I guess that won’t be necessary,” he finally managed. “We’ll go down the mountain tomorrow and you can talk to the Sheriff.”

“Oh, but I’d like to set the record straight,” she said beginning to look panicky again.

“I have writing materials in my saddle bag,” Kate said quickly and went to fetch them.

By now the early mist had burned off and Jess and Slim went to tend the horses. Meanwhile Kate made Gina rest, once her Statement had been written, signed and safely stowed away in Kate’s saddle bag ready to take down the mountain the following morning.

Earlier in the day a quick chat with Slim had revealed to Kate that his buddy was in no fit state to make the long ride that day. So, she had suggested that Gina would be able to manage the ride better if she rested for another day as she was still clearly very upset.

However, that didn’t wash with Jess and as they watered the horses, he threw Slim an irritable glance, “It ain’t nothing to do with Gina havin’ a fit of the vapors, is it?” he said gruffly, “You figure I ain’t up to the ride dontcha...huh?”

Slim looked over to where his buddy’s complexion was once more ashen and he was unconsciously massaging his shoulder with his good hand.

“Well, are you?” Slim asked equally aggressively.

Jess looked down and then sighed deeply, “Maybe not...”

Later they took themselves off to the small creek to fish for supper. After a while Slim looked across at his buddy and said, “So what do you think of all that stuff Gina was saying?”

Jess shrugged, “I reckon it’s all true...but why Slim? Why would she kill her husband that way?”

Slim shrugged, “Or try to kill you seeing as she’s clearly crazy about you.”

“Uh...just dang crazy period I reckon,” Jess muttered.

“Do you think you could forgive her,” Slim asked, “she obviously wants you to?”

Jess’s head jerked up and he threw his buddy an angry look, “Would you? Dang it Slim I’d be dead now iffen I hadn’t woken up in time and rolled so she missed my heart.”

Slim looked deeply shocked, “I’m sorry. You’re right…I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just...well I can’t help feeling kind of sorry for her. She’s sick you know Jess, doesn’t know what she’s doing I reckon. And she doesn’t have much of a future after that murder confession. It will either be the rope or an asylum. And I don’t mean one like she attended before where her illness was treated. I figure she’ll end up in an asylum for the criminally insane. Either way she’ll never have her liberty again.”

“No, I guess not,” Jess said looking deeply saddened and they lapsed into silence.

It was later that night when Jess finally made his mind up to speak with Gina. He knew there would be little opportunity for a quiet talk the following day as they descended the awkward mountain trail.

Kate and Slim were sitting on the porch with him enjoying a coffee at the day’s end when he made his decision and turning to Kate said, “Is Gina still awake?”

She nodded, “She was when I brought the drinks out, said she didn’t want one and was turning in.”

“I’ll just go check on her,” he said quietly.

She was lying on the old bed, pushed against the wall and turned away from him, but she rolled over and looked up as he came in, her eyes huge and tearful.

“We need to talk,” he said softly and gestured to the side of the bed, “Do you mind?”

“No of course not,” she said sitting up and patting a place for him to take a seat.

He sat and looked down at her, “How are you feeling?”

She was silent for a while, “Numb...no maybe more peaceful I suppose...I had to do it you know Jess. I had to confess...tell the truth at last.”

He nodded, “I guess it’s always good to unburden yerself.”

“Yes, and Jess will you tell the others, Buck and my sis Pippa...I’m sorry it had to turn out this way...real sorry.”

“Hey you can tell them yourself,” he said with a smile, “they should be home from their visit when we hit town. They’ll stand by you Gina, no matter what, I know they will.”

There was a long pause and he searched deep inside himself for the words...for the strength to say them...then he finally said, “Me too, I’ll still stand by ya.”

Her eyes were huge with shock and after a moment tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, “Does that mean you forgive me?”

He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes, “Yes, I forgive you,” he whispered.

She was overwhelmed and thanked him profusely.

After a while he finally knew he just had to ask her.

Taking her hand, he looked deeply into her eyes again and said, “Why sweetheart, why did you kill Beau...I thought you loved him?”

There was a long silence before she sighed and said, “I thought I did. But once we were married things changed...he wasn’t...she flushed up and tried again. Things weren’t uh...the same as it had been between you and me...that was true love. With Beau...it was just going through the motions. Oh, I tried to please him, really, I did...but that spark...that special feeling just wasn’t there, then he...” and she broke off and stifled a sob.

“What?” he asked staring anxiously at her, the revelations tearing at his heart strings.

“He turned from me. Oh, he knew I didn’t love him and so he took lovers or went off to town and paid for his pleasure. In the end we started hating each other. Then one night it all came to a head...he’d been taunting me and something inside just snapped,” and she bowed her head and sobbed quietly.

He sat with her until she recovered. She apologized and said yes, she was fine and would sleep now.

He got up and then on impulse leaned over and kissed her tenderly on the forehead.

“Good night, see you tomorrow,” he whispered and turned for the door.

As he was about to leave, she called out, “Jess...”

“Yeah?”

“It was you...always you,” she said softly and turned away.

Chapter 11

The following morning after breakfast Jess and Slim were saddling up whilst Gina and Kate tidied up the cabin and packed up some food for the journey.

Jess was watering Traveller by the horse trough when he looked up and saw a small party of four entering the yard.

A wide grin spread across his face and he called out, “Hey Slim, looky who’s come a callin’.”

Mort Cory reined in and returned the grin and said, “I believe you’ve got one cantankerous little lady here. I just met Den James on the track and he said my Kate had hooked up with you folks.”

Then Slim came over and said welcome and smiled at Buck and Pippa with a stranger. Then addressing Buck and Pippa said, “We’ve got your sister safe, she’s none too well I’m sad to say.”

“Thank God she’s here at least,” Buck said dismounting.

Jess wandered over to Pippa and the stranger and glancing up at him said, “Howdy, I don’t think we’ve met?”

“Don’t you know me, Jess?” said the rich baritone voice of Bozo the clown.

Jess did a double take at the personable, handsome gentleman.

“Bozo...but...but...” he said lost for words.

“But I’ve no noticeable scars?” he said delightedly, “I know. Doc says they’ve just faded over the years...but I never noticed. I just didn’t ever looked properly! I’m never wearing that old grease paint again...am I darling?” he said throwing Pippa a loving glance.

“Darling ,” Jess echoed. “So, what’s goin’ on? I thought you were sweet on a guy back home, Pippa?” He asked looking astonished.

 “I was until I saw the real Bozo...uh Brian as he’s really called,” she added. “Then I guess it was love at first sight...and Jack is history...I wrote him,” she added smiling prettily at Jess. “I’m just so glad I decided to stay on a while and not go back to the winter camp with my horses, or I could have ended up marrying the wrong man,” she said throwing Bozo a loving glance.

Then Kate came out of the cabin, arms akimbo.

“Well, if it isn’t the famous Laramie Sheriff,” she said, “So managed to tear yourself away from all those high jinks with the cowpokes did ya Sheriff?”

“Aw Kate,” Mort said ruefully.

She laughed then, “Come here you great galoot,” she said affectionately striding over for a kiss.

“So where is Gina?” Buck asked.

“Oh inside, she said she’d be out in a moment,” Kate said disengaging herself from Mort’s warm embrace.

“She just wanted to write something else on that uh...note she wrote the other night,” she said throwing Jess and Slim a meaningful glance.

Mort noted the look and said seriously, “I’m sorry to tell you Calico Jack didn’t make it...so Gina is in real trouble.”

They chatted about the sorry business for another few minutes before Kate suggested making some coffee before the homeward journey...so they all headed for the cabin.

The shot rang out just as they reached the door and they all stopped dead in their tracks.

“What in Hell was that?” Jess asked.

“Denver taking a pot shot at some poor critter?” Mort hazarded.

Slim shook his head, “It didn’t sound like a hunting rifle...more like a hand gun,” and he exchanged an uneasy glance with Jess.

Kate threw open the cabin door to find once more an empty room and the rear window flung wide open.

Turning, Jess and Slim ran around the side of the cabin from where the blast had come, the others close behind.

When Jess reached the large oak tree on the mountain edge, overlooking the view of the plains below he stopped in his tracks and stared in horror at the body of Gina laying on her back...Her lifeless eyes staring up at the sky...the smoking derringer still clasped in her hand.

Slim, just behind Jess, grabbed Pippa and turned her into Bozo’s arms saying, “Take care of her...don’t let her look!”

Then he retraced his steps to where Buck was now kneeling by his dead sister, Jess looking on...the Sheriff holding an ashen faced Kate.

They found the suicide note later when they entered the cabin.

Epilogue

It was the week before Christmas and after a busy day, Jess and Slim were taking their ease out on the porch. It was a mild night for the time of year and a huge moon looked down upon them. Slim once more scrutinized a letter by the dim porch lamp. They had received the missive just that morning written by Pippa and full of all the news from the Circus folk.

She Wrote: After what happened both Buck and I decided family was more important than the Circus life so we have moved back home and Buck is now running the ranch with Pa. He is delighted of course and to be honest I think Buck is now enjoying the life as he gradually takes over the reins from Pa. He’s even courting a local girl and is very happy.

Then she went on to discuss her romance with Bozo, or Brian as he was now known.

When we sold up, Buck split the proceeds from the Circus sale between us so Brian and I were able to buy a small spread nearby and are doing well so far. We married just a few weeks ago and are blissfully happy.

Then she finished on a more serious note.

Dear Jess I know how terribly upset you were at Gina’s demise, but as she said in her note, she just couldn’t face the future and nobody could have stopped her doing what she knew she must do...not even you. So please lay the past to rest and be happy.

She finished by wishing all at the ranch a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year...

Slim looked over to his pard who was studying the distant snow-capped mountains as he sipped some of Denver’s best Moonshine.

“Nice letter,” Slim said casually.

Jess continued gazing at the view and said quietly, “Yeah.”

Slim knew he wouldn’t want to discuss it, but he had to ask.

He cleared his throat and said, “So, ... uh have you, Jess?”

Now his pard turned and looked at him, “Huh?”

“Like the letter says, have you laid the past to rest...about Gina and all?”

He was silent for so long Slim thought he might not reply.

But then he sighed and said, “I guess I have, yes. For a long time, I thought it was all my fault...walking out on her that way to go chasin’ after the Bannisters and then not getting back with her when she came to find me here.”

“Heck that isn’t so Jess,” Slim said firmly.

Jess nodded to acknowledge Slim and continued.

“But I talked to the Doc and he explained all about her sickness. He said she’d have been just the same no matter what I’d done. He reckons she was sick with it way before we even met, from things Buck told him. Said that even if we’d been together the sickness would have taken her over and she’d have had a terrible life and would most likely still have ended up in the asylum for treatment.”

Slim nodded, “To be honest with you Jess I can understand why she did what she did. I mean what existence would she have had spending the rest of her natural life in an asylum?”

“I guess I’d rather face the noose,” Jess said sadly.

“Yes, well she opted to do neither and who can blame her?” Slim said stoutly.

Jess looked up to the star-studded heavens and said, “Well I sure hope she’s happy and at peace now.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while and Jess topped up their glasses from a bottle beside his chair.

Slim took a sip and stretching his long legs out sighed with contentment.

“Reckon we’d better turn in after this one,” he said, “busy day tomorrow what with Christmas a coming and we’re going to be in for some snow too for sure.”

Jess turned to him in surprise, “How so, it’s real mild tonight.”

Slim tipped his head towards the moon, “Well that’s a Snow Moon, see Jess.”

“Huh, what are ya talkin’ about?”

Slim took another slurp of his drink before expanding on his theory.

“Well around these parts we know a Snow Moon when we see one. Look how real silvery and shiny it is huh, Jess...that’s a typical Snow Moon... they are always real shiny.”

“Shiny?” Jess guffawed, “What?”

“Yes shiny, sparkly, glittering, bright, hell you know what I mean...shiny!” Slim insisted.

Jess rolled his eyes, “More like a Moonshine Moon,” he said chuckling to himself.

“Come on Slim I reckon you’ve had enough of Denver’s brew for one night,” and he hauled his buddy out of his seat and propelled him over towards the door.

He opened it and pushed Slim inside, before pausing and looking back at the tranquil scene beyond. “Snow tomorrow...never,” he said…shaking his head and turning back, he entered the warm safe old ranch house that was home.

But you know what? Slim was right...but I guess that’s another story!

The End

Thank you for reading.