They say you can change. Forget your past and walk away. Whoever said that was lying. There is no way to forget your past. Your past is like a cape that resides on your shoulders weighing you down and never letting you see the light.
Sometimes that cape lifts for a bit, you take a chance and forget. Then that cape settles down around you again.
Jess Harper squinted at the noonday sun. Taking off his black Stetson, Jess wiped his brow, feeling the sweat trickle down, as Traveler shifted beneath him, ready to get back to work. Days in July were hot and lazy. All that really needed to be done was checking the herds, fences, cutting hay, and of course keep the stage line running. Sometimes there even was that occasional day in town for the Sheriff or stage line.
Just a few more miles and then Jess would be free to head back for some of Daisy's cooking. Those thoughts were barely out as a loud bang slammed into the back of Jess, throwing him into a state of blackness.
Traveler wasn't the kind of horse to stay around after something spooked him. The minute Jess landed on the ground, he was gone. Running, he thought of only one safe place his spot in the corral next to Alamo. The welcome sight was seen only minutes later, and Traveler slowed his gait, neighing to his buddy, trying to tell him of frightening things that had occurred to him that day and how glad he was to see his friend.
Slim glanced up from inside the barn. He was in the middle of soaping harness for the afternoon stage. But the sight of the riderless Traveler made Slim drop everything as he went to search for his partner.
xxxxxxxxx
Pain. The shooting, blinding pain, that makes you pray for death. Jess opened his eyes slightly, shocked at the sight he was met with. He was looking at the ground as the horse's hooves went up and down. The sight was too much for him and darkness came with the small groan he couldn't help escaping.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Slim rode hard and fast. He had found the spot where Jess was ambushed. The spots of blood had been very alarming. Ready for whatever could come his way; Slim followed the trail, praying that Jess would still be alive by the time he caught up.
Xxxxxx
Mike Toffee smiled smugly to himself. He had finally caught up with the feared outlaw Jess Harper. He just had to bring his spoil to the Sheriff in Laramie to collect what was due him for ridding the world of this scum. Maybe he would finally have enough to propose to that filly in Cheyenne that always had time for him. Dreams certainly are endless with a $5,000 bounty.
Xxxxxxx
Mort Corey loved his job without surprises. Today he hated his job. The morning had started with a foiled bank robbery, the capture of another kid trying to be a gunfighter, and the usual amount of woman trying to get their man out after he had his night on the town.
So let us just say Mort Corey was a little more that irritated when Mike Toffee rode up with Jess Harper tied on the back of his spare mount. "Here you are Sheriff. He tried to run, and I did my duty as any good law abiding citizen". With an elaborate flourish he unrolled the poster in the face of the Sheriff.
The next thing he knew, he was picking himself up off the dusty ground. Wiping the blood off his lip, he watched the Sheriff run the no-good outlaw to the doctor's office. Looks like another job wasted, he mounted his horse and got out before the Sheriff wanted to pick up where he left off.
Xxxxxx
Later that night Jess was propped up on his bed at the ranch watching everyone trying their best to pamper him. He chuckled lightly, as Mike and Slim ran around trying to keep with Daisy's fluttering.
You can never truly escape your past. But sometimes that past can be shared with the ones you love.
