Chapter 11

"Jesse. Jesse." A concerned look passed over the man's face. Again he tried rousing the boy by gently shaking him. "Jesse."

"Perhaps the plan didn't work?"

The tracker not wanting to believe that was even an option pointedly looked at the gambler. "Jesse, quit playing possum! Don't make me say it again!" The sharpness in Vin's voice gave him the desired result or something akin to it.

A muffled sound of laughter reached their ears. "Can't a kid catch a few winks?"

Jesse rolled over and immediately stopped laughing as his body couldn't quite suppress the aches and pains it had received during the day. He also saw the relief reflected on both Ezra's and Vin's faces.

However, in an instant Vin's eyes turned stormy. Jesse immediately saw his folly and tried to placate the former bounty hunter. "Vin, I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I couldn't help but remember what I had heard when Buck was in a similar situation.

Ezra hurriedly answered, "Be that as it may, you scared," He looked to his friend before continuing his reasoning, "at least ten years off of our young lives."

Vin was still a little put out by the kid's prank. "Yer lucky I ain't yer pa or I would be tempted to administer a few licks of my own."

"You'd have to wait your turn, someone beat you to it, Jesse, you alright?" Ezra began to notice even in the dim dark of night the bruising that shadowed Jesse's face.

"I'm fine." Even though he said it he knew he was far from it.

"Try again." Ezra cupped the boy's chin allowing Vin to get a closer look.

"Did Chris do this to you?"

"No, that jackass Randall gets the credit."

They helped Jesse to his feet, and Vin obliterated their tracks. Once they were well out of earshot and back at their camp Nathan checked on Jesse amid protest.

"Nathan, I'm fine."

"Sit tight and no mouthing off," Nathan succeeded with help from Josiah.

"How is he, Nathan?"

"He's got a sizable goose egg behind his left ear and his face is badly bruised."

Jesse abruptly jumped to his feet and shouted, "I'm fine." He then promptly swayed right into Josiah who was thankfully there ready to steady him.

"Are you sure about that?" Josiah repeated for Jesse's benefit.

"Of course he isn't. He's far from it."

Jesse continued to struggle, but found he was no match against Josiah's strong arms. "Don't make it worse, son. Chris will tan your backside if you don't do as you are told."

"Don't matter." Needless to say, Jesse stopped.

"Get some rest, kid. You're going to need it. Chris is going to need all the backup he can get."

"Well now that was impressive." Ella purred into Chris' ear. "I am very proud of you. You are such a strong man."

She had dismissed Randall earlier and continued to bask in front of the man she most certainly believed she loved. Truly this was their time to enjoy; no one could take that away from her. Or so she had thought. A slight disturbance interrupted her semi dream like state shortly followed by a couple of gunshots. The absence of the warmth she had felt moments ago snapped her back to the present. "Chris, what's happening?"

The arms that had held her no longer were snaked about her waist. A manly cry of pain, followed by a thud outside on the porch told her Randall was possibly no longer a part of her world. "Chris!" She fixed a pair of bewildered eyes upon her lover. "What are you doing?"

In his hand he held the pearl handled colt aimed directly at her chest. "What I should have done a long time ago."

A flicker of movement from the corner of his eye threw him momentarily off guard. Jesse. Shit. He was going to kill the kid if they lived through this.

Ella tracked the direction of Chris' eyes and in a matter of seconds she procured a small caliber pistol. A shout from Vin alerted Jesse to a new danger behind him. Damn! He had one chance and took it.

"Pa!" Jesse shouted as he dove to the floor evading a shot meant for him.

His timely shout alerted Chris to Ella's deadly intentions. A multitude of shots rang out and two women paid the ultimate price for their ambitious goals. Jesse, who lay upon the floor sagged in relief his head gently met the floorboards. Both Chris and Vin sighed as the others came to survey the aftermath.

"Where did she come from?" J.D. asked referring to Ms. Whitfield's presence.

"Saw her come from the tree line. I'm jus' grateful Jesse was with us. Looked as if she came from the direction of our camp," Vin stated.

Chris patted Vin's back as he said, "Glad you did, things could very well have gotten out of hand if you hadn't." He then went on over to where Jesse lay. "You alright?"

"I'm fine."

Chris looked to Nathan for confirmation. "He has a bump on the back of his head, although a few days in bed should have him feeling as good as he usually does."

"So, it's done."

"That it is. Your plan worked, although toward the end you took a big risk and I'm not going to let that slide." His son had the good sense to look away. Chris then added, "I'm damn proud of you, son.

"Josiah, help me get him to his feet." With the assistance from both men, Jesse was soon standing; even though he leaned heavily against the man he admired most.

Several days later Chris and Jesse finally had their long awaited discussion. In all honesty, Jesse would rather have abstained from this particular talk indefinitely.

Even though he was proud of his son, certain issues needed to be addressed. "Jesse, what were you thinking when you stepped into that cabin?"

"Your safety."

"My safety?" His pa's incredulous tone demanded a better explanation.

"Wanted to make sure you didn't freeze like you did the last time."

"Who told you that?"

"Don't matter. I just needed to be there."

"Your being there almost got both of us killed. First, you distracted me with your unexpected presence, giving that sick bitch the upper hand. Secondly, that Whitfield woman had you in her line of sight. You're lucky Vin spotted her and gave you warning."

He hated it when Chris brought things into perspective. Jesse shifted a bit, uncomfortable with the revelations.

"The only way this works is by following the plan which by the way was yours. Deviate away from it and it falls apart, can't always rely on luck."

"Yes sir." Here it comes Jesse thought.

"You already owe me for running away and I expect in the future you'll think on things before jumping in." Chris sighed. "This time the britches come down."

Horrified by his pa's request, Jesse reluctantly obeyed. What followed next had him promising Chris and himself to never step out of line again. It turned out to be a whole new painful ordeal and one Jesse did not want to repeat any time soon.

The next day his discomfort showed. He couldn't ride let alone sit without some sort of expression crossing his features.

"Yer pa came down on ya pretty hard, I see."

"No less than I deserved. Won't be vexing him any time soon I can guarantee that." Jesse said as he leaned against one of the wooden supports.

"I believe ya kid." Vin looked beyond Jesse's slouched form.

A voice behind the kid said. "Vin." Then to Jesse, "You done with your chores?"

"Yes sir."

"Ready for some supper?"

"Sure."

They walked toward the saloon, Jesse grateful that his pa was in no hurry. The slow ambling pace suited his present state. They came to a stop as they met Mrs. Travis.

"Hello Chris. Jesse."

"Mary."

"Mrs. Travis."

"Chris, the Judge sent this." She handed him a piece of paper.

He proceeded to read it. Great more trouble.

"Pa?"

"Since you can't ride, you'll be staying. I'll have Ezra stay as well. It'll be up to the two of ya to watch over things while we're gone. Come on, I need to tell the others."

In no time they were in the saloon. Jesse grimaced as he sat down at the familiar table. Buck sympathized as he watched the boy sit.

"What's the rush, stud?"

"The Judge needs us over at Pinyon Creek. Ezra, I want you to stay here with Jesse and keep watch over the town. The rest of us need to ride now."

"Watch your back." Chris also said to his son. "Take care and mind what Ezra says."

"Yes sir."

A few days had passed since the others left town on orders from Judge Travis, leaving behind one teenager and the gambler. Today, the sky had turned cloudy, threatening the possibility of rain and something more. A low rumbling could be heard in the distance.

"Seems we're in for a bit of inclement weather, I believe."

Jesse looked up and movement outside of town had him turning his head. Aw hell, what now.

Ezra saw the same thing and voiced his opinion loudly. "Why is it that when the cats are away the rats come out and play?" Several men on horseback rode into town. "We may need to keep an eye or two on them."

The men were dusty from the trail. Their furtive glances are what gave Ezra and Jesse cause to be wary. "There's no way we can take them they out gun us at least five to one."

"Where's your sense of adventure?"

Jesse pinned the older man with a look of frustration. "It left after a certain man in black left his impression on my backside a few days ago or have you forgotten that little minor detail?"

"No, I haven't. In all due regards, your skills combined with mine may be all we need to handle this in exemplary fashion."

"Ezra in plain words this time," The exasperation showed so much like Chris' the gambler stumbled upon his next words until he remembered whom he was speaking with.

"All, all… I was saying…Will you stop that?"

"Stop what?"

"Never mind, just listen." He began to wonder if Jesse even realized how much he resembled Chris by action alone. It was damn unnerving. "We can do this by ourselves, because it is only us and we will prevail. But first, we may need some assistance. Be a good lad and make yourself useful, while I engage some of the townspeople."

"Ezra, what the hell…"

One look from the gambler told Jesse what he needed to do. He slipped into the saloon and hoped he could gain some insight as to why these men were here. Inez acknowledged Jesse's presence with a slight nod, although it looked as if he ignored her. He didn't want anyone to pay any attention to him.

A short while later, Ezra entered and sat at a familiar table and enticed a few of the men into a card game. Jesse moved to stand with the crowd his back to the bar. He had a clear view of the swinging doors and a somewhat unobstructed view of the saloon.

As the game went on, Ezra engaged the men in conversation. "What brings you boys to our quaint little town?"

"I reckon you can call it a stop along the way."

"Sounds like you have travelled quite a distance. How much further do you need to go?"

"As soon as we have all our supplies we'll continue our journey to Pinyon Creek. Some kin of ours is in need of some extra help." A few of the men chuckled like a private joke had been shared.

Ezra never batted an eye or looked at Jesse to confirm their suspicions about these men or their intended business. They both could feel it. Their small family was in danger. "Well, I wish you all the best and a safe journey. Give my regards to your kin."

The other man touched his hat brim. "Much obliged. I will do that."

Jesse watched as Ezra easily cajoled information from the man as he willingly lost a few games, yet won some as well. These men were on their way to the same place as his pa and the others had gone. Yet, he knew, without a doubt, their purpose was meant to hinder not help.

Once the men had left town, Ezra spoke with Mary before he and Jesse also left town following the trail of those same men.

"Shouldn't we be trying to warn the others?"

"No. The element of surprise is what we want. Their intentions were plainly stated. I have no desire to intercept them since the odds are against us."

"Oh sure now you get it."

"Oh I understood then and it is imperative that we do not lose sight of our goal."

Jesse agreed. The safety of their family counted on it. "Why did the Judge request their help? Chris never said."

"Why do you think I conversed with Mary? She knew the contents of that telegraph."

"Are you going to tell me or do I need to guess?"

"Son, you need to promise me that you won't go gallivanting off after I tell you."

"Is it that bad?"

"They were brought in to keep the peace. A few men are to be hanged and the Judge wanted to make sure nobody interfered."

"Those men are going to try and set them free. I got it."

"No not quite."

"What did I miss?"

"Those men were sent to kill the Judge, the peacekeepers and the other men. No witnesses."

"What?" The urge to ride almost overwhelmed him. However, his pa's most recent reminder made him stay put. "So what's the plan?"

Ezra smiled. "Here is what we are going to do."