Chapter 39

One very hot Saturday afternoon in mid-August after a particularly early start to their working day Slim and Jess had washed away the sweat and accumulated dust with cold showers in the outdoor cubicles Slim had installed for use over the summer months. The stock had been fed and watered, the rest of the chores were finished and the last stage of the day had been seen safely on its way. At last they were able to relax and to look forward to the dance in Laramie that evening, with Millie and Lucy.

With all the demanding work at the ranch over the last few weeks neither Slim nor Jess had been able to spend much time with their respective girls. Jess in particular was missing Millie's warmth and affection considerably. He'd wanted to make this night special and was taking Millie to supper at the hotel and then on to the dance afterward. Millie was looking forward to going to the dance with Jess that night. She was supposed to work until 8 o'clock and was unaware that Jess had arranged with Tom for her to finish work at 6 o'clock that night. He'd booked a table at the hotel and had sworn Tom, Lucy and the other saloon girls to secrecy. Millie knew of course that Jess would be coming into town a little early. He always did that and then kept company with her at the saloon until she was allowed off work but she didn't know that tonight was to be different. Jess had at last received the locket he'd chosen from the store in Cheyenne some weeks before and he planned to give it to Millie at supper that night. Daisy had expressed her approval of the locket but thought the box it had arrived in was a little dull. She rummaged around in her room and found a pretty little cardboard box covered with coloured silver foil in a pattern of little pink roses. She'd given it to Jess to put the locket in, along with a piece of padded purple velvet to lay it on.

After cleaning off the grime of their hard labours and enjoying a late dinner the two men were in the room they shared. Slim was bare to the waist and had just finished shaving at the mirror over the wash stand while Jess, now fully dressed was sitting on the edge of his bed giving a final polish to his best boots.

Slim held the little silver paper decorated box in his hand and admired the gold locket which nestled snugly inside on the purple velvet. "Millie's really gonna love this Jess."

Jess looked up. "Yeah, I sure hope so Slim. There were so many to choose from and they were all so dadgum pretty I had a job makin' up my mind but Millie's Ma helped me out. We had to pick one the right size for the photographs too."

Slim closed the little box and placed it carefully down on the bed beside Jess. "You know pard, you'd better be careful when you give this to Millie. She might think it's a proposal. It's just about the right size box for a ring ya know."

Jess grinned. "Aw Slim. You know Millie ain't any more in favour of gettin' hitched at the moment than I am. We're both just happy as things are. After all that happened when Millie got abducted, we did talk about it and it was so good havin' nearly a whole week in Cheyenne with Millie that I didn't wanna let her outta my sight for a while. But Millie said as how it was a whole lot different havin' a week in Cheyenne and no work to go to than bein' together the whole time and havin' to work as well. I reckon she was right. Anyway, Millie ain't quite ready to settle to bein' a rancher's wife yet Slim and I have to give her room. We're thinkin' about it though."

Jess went back to polishing his boots but after dwelling on what Slim had said he looked up again, the inner corners of his eyebrows drawing up a little.

"Hey Slim? You don't think…? I mean… You don't reckon Millie would change her mind if she thought I was proposin' do ya? I ain't sure I…"

"Jess…" Slim broke in "I ain't never heard of anyone gettin' engaged with a gold locket before…"

Jess stared at him for a brief moment and then broke into a wide grin, realising he was being teased. Slim turned away smothering a smile at having got Jess to rise to his bait, even if very briefly.

Making a final inspection of his now gleaming boots and satisfied with the result, Jess pulled them on and picking up the little box went out to the living room to see Daisy. She was sitting by the table mending a tear in one of Mike's shirts and looked up with a fond smile for her favourite substitute son.

"Oh Jess, you look so smart and handsome I almost wish it was me you were taking to the dance!"

Jess looked down at her, an affectionate smile on his face. "Daisy, you know if I wasn't taking Millie, I would be proud to have you for a partner. Thanks for findin' this box for the locket. I sure hope Millie likes it."

Daisy returned his smile. "Millie will just love that locket Jess, and I am certain it really wouldn't have mattered which one you decided to purchase for her. Would you like me to tie a nice bow around the box for you? That will make it look really special and the box won't come undone accidentally. You wouldn't want to lose the locket before you had a chance to give it to her would you dear?"

Jess walked around the table to where Daisy sat and putting his arm around the little silver-haired woman's shoulders, bent over to place a kiss on her cheek. "Sure Daisy, that'd be just great."

Daisy gave a delighted little laugh and putting down her mending opened up her workbox. "I have just the thing." She pulled out some narrow purple ribbon. "I bought it to trim my best hat with but it was too narrow. It's just the right size for this box and it will be a perfect match for the velvet."

Jess gave Daisy that crooked little smile that she loved so much and handed over the box. He watched as she tied the bow with her nimble fingers and then picking up the box admired the result. "Thanks, Daisy" he said in his dark, husky voice. "No way I could get my fingers around doin' somethin' like that! It'd end up lookin' like a herd of buffalo had stampeded over it."

Daisy dimpled and patted Jess's arm. "Well dear, your hands are more used to the heavier work around here and you do just fine at breaking the horses and wiring the fences. I may be able to tie a neat bow but I couldn't do the sort of work you and Slim have to. And speaking of bows…" She looked up at Jess and scrutinised the narrow black neck tie that he was wearing and reaching up, carefully adjusted it. "That's better dear. Now, would you like some fresh coffee before you go, I have some ready?"

Jess pocketed the little parcel and checked the silver pocket watch that Slim and Andy had given him. "Thanks Daisy, but no... I reckon I'd better go. Millie's expectin' me early and I got a table booked an' all. Don't wanna have to ride ole' Trav too hard into town and get all mussed up and I sure as heck don't wanna be late."

Mike came running out of his bedroom where he'd been tussling with a composition for school. Buttons, his dog followed close on his heels. He'd heard Jess comment on the time. "Gee Jess, you're not goin' already? I wanted to ask you some questions about the Indians. I'm writin' about 'em but I ain't doing so good and I got stuck."

Daisy aimed a small disapproving frown in Mike's direction. "I am not doing so good, Mike" she remonstrated.

"Sure Daisy, I ain't either and I wanted Jess to help me out" he complained.

Jess caught Daisy's eye and stifling a laugh tousled Mike's hair. "Sorry Tiger. I'll help ya some when I get back tomorrow, OK? But right now, I gotta go. Why are ya writin' 'bout the Indians anyways?"

Mike stood back from Jess a little as if seeing him for the first time and gave him a considering look. He observed Jess with some disgust. "Gee, you sure are done up all smart Jess. Why do you and Slim always have to get all dressed up just to go and see girls?"

Jess put his hands on Mike's shoulders, giving him a little lopsided grin. "Well, Tiger. I know you don't like hearin' this, but you'll understand when you get a bit older."

"Aw Jess," came the exasperated reply. "You always say that and so does Slim." He looked up at Jess, an anxious expression on his face. "You will come back in time to help me tomorrow, won't you? It's for school. We've been learnin' about all sorts of different people, like Africans, Chinese and Indians an' all and we gotta write about a different cul… cul… er…" He struggled with the unfamiliar word and looked over at Daisy for assistance.

"Culture, Mike?" Daisy suggested.

"Yeah, that's it… anyway, I want to write somethin' like you said once about the Indians you lived with, like…" He screwed up his face in thought for a second or two "well, like just because some people's ways are different, it don't mean to say they're not as good as us, or that what they believe is wrong, it's just different. They're just people same as us after all, they just look and think a little different is all. That's right ain't it Jess?"

Daisy clucked again, exasperatedly "Isn't it, Mike, isn't it…?"

"Aw Aunt Daisy, it's what I said, ain't it?"

Daisy threw up her hands in surrender at this response.

Jess couldn't stifle his laugh this time and said "Yeah, sure Tiger, that's right." And then in an undertone to Daisy. "I'd quit while I was ahead Daisy, if I was you. You just ain't…Gee sorry Daisy! aren't gettin' through ya know." Daisy laughed good-naturedly at this.

Slim came out to the living room and sat down on a chair at the table. He leant over towards the tow-headed Mike and pulling him gently towards him put a firm arm around him while Buttons jumped up excitedly to put his paws on Slim's knees. "You causin' trouble again Mike?"

Mike wriggled in Slim's grasp and tried to pull away as Buttons took the opportunity to lick his hand. "I'm not causin' trouble Slim, honest. I just wanted to ask Jess somethin' about the Indians."

Slim loosened his grip on Mike a little and pushed Buttons down off his good trousers. "Well, I guess it'll just have to wait until tomorrow now." Slim looked Jess carefully

up and down. "Mike's right you know Jess, you do look real smart! So, you off to town now? I hope your supper date goes well and Millie don't get the wrong idea." He ducked his head to dodge a swipe from Jess and said "OK… I'm sorry Pard. I'll see you at the dance a little later, huh?"

Daisy put down her mending and getting up from her chair said "Oh now Slim, don't tease poor Jess. It'll be fine Jess; don't you worry now. Just have a good time dear and give Millie my love." She stood on tiptoe to plant a goodbye kiss on his cheek, smoothing back the lock of hair that always drifted down onto his forehead.

Jess gave Daisy a little goodbye hug and taking his gun belt from a hook over by the door buckled it around his lean hips. Picking up his best hat, he placed it firmly on his head and gave it a characteristic tug down over his eyes. "See ya later Slim. I'll be back tomorrow mornin' Daisy." He walked out onto the porch having saddled Traveller a little earlier to avoid messing up his finery. The big bay was waiting patiently at the porch rail for him and Jess fondly scratched his old friend behind the ears and then with his usual hop up to the stirrup he mounted up into the saddle and turning Trav around he began to ride away. After a few yards, he gave a little backward glance and seeing his friends watching him from the porch he gave a quick wave and then continued his ride towards town.

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Jess settled Traveller into the livery stable as soon as he arrived in town, making the usual arrangements for Trav's extra little bit of pampering. When he arrived at The Stockman's Palace, Millie was serving a customer from behind the bar. Jess stared at what he could see of the red dress she was wearing as he made his way over to the bar, returning the various greetings he received from the other customers.

Millie came around the bar as Jess walked up. "What is it honey? Don't you like my new dress?"

"Ain't that…? Nah… It can't be… You said you was gonna throw that dress away, didn't ya?" Jess put out his hand and fingered the lace at the plunging neckline of the dress. "That ain't the same lace. Did ya get it fixed? You sure look good in it Mil. I always did love to see ya wearin' that colour."

Millie stood on tiptoe and placed a gentle kiss on his lips before stepping back out of reach. "I got this dress made in Cheyenne honey. I didn't tell you the whole truth about what was in that box on the seat of the stage. I've been waitin' to surprise you with it and I figured this was as good a night as any."

"It's a real nice surprise sweetheart and you couldn't have picked a better night for it. I'll have a beer while I wait for ya."

Millie went back behind the bar and they stood and chatted while Jess drank his beer, Millie serving the occasional early customer to the saloon. As the time moved closer to 6 o'clock Jess checked his silver pocket watch and decided it was nearly time to make a move over to the hotel.

Millie picked up on the gesture "Are you bored already, Jess?"

Jess looked up, surprised. "Why would I be bored Millie?"

She returned his gaze. "I don't know, but with you checkin' your watch an' all, I just wondered."

Jess reached out and took her small hands in his. "Millie, I couldn't ever be bored with you for company. I sure been missin' you these last coupla weeks. Me and Slim… well, we've been so busy at the ranch the only time I've been into town is for supplies."

Millie gave him a fond smile. "I missed you too honey. I was just teasin' you."

Jess gave her hands a little kiss. "You ain't the only one that's been plannin' a little surprise tonight sweetheart. You are gettin' out from behind that bar right now and we are goin' over to the hotel for supper. So, you ready? Or you gotta go freshen up or whatever it is you ladies like to do. Though you sure look good to me."

Millie shot him a surprised look and pulled her hands away. "But Jess… honey… I don't get away 'til 8 o'clock and Tom…"

Tom called over "Well, that's where you're wrong Millie. It's all been arranged. Off you go, and have a good time." He smiled over at the couple and wondered what this was all about.

"Oh Jess!" exclaimed Millie "You're a sly one… I had no idea. None of the girls said anythin' and they must've known."

Jess grinned and nodded his head over at Tom. "Tom promised me he wouldn't let on and we made the girls promise not to either. Thanks, Tom. You all kept the secret real good."

Ruby and Susie were watching from the other end of the bar. "Well, why don't you get goin' Millie?" Susie called out. "Don't waste time, just git…"

Millie went around to the front of the bar and held out her arm. "I'm ready right now Jess, honey. Let's go."

Jess took her proffered arm and led her towards the batwing doors to the main street accompanied by whistles and comments from the regulars at the bar.

Tom watched them leave and shook his head. Jess is pulling out the stops tonight. He thought to himself. I wonder if he's about to propose? Ever since Jess had admitted at the trial that he and Millie had an understanding, the whole of Laramie seemed to be waiting for them to announce their formal engagement. He thought they were about perfect for each other and wondered how long it would be before he'd have to resign himself to losing his best saloon girl to wedded bliss. Millie was popular and pulled in the customers. She was always happy to chat to them but she wouldn't tolerate any advances and no more would Jess where Millie was concerned. All the regulars knew not to step on Jess's toes where Millie was concerned.

Jess and Millie chatted happily as they made their way over to the hotel. George led them over to the table Jess had reserved for them. He left the menu with them and moved a discreet distance away.

Jess took Millie's hand in his. "I don't need the menu, I'm havin' my usual steak and potatoes. What's it to be for you sweetheart?"

Millie never hesitated. "What no apple pie, honey?" She asked sweetly.

Jess gave her a mock look of shocked horror. "Hey Mil! 'Course I'm havin' apple pie! It goes without sayin' is all."

Millie laughed at his comical expression. "Well, I thought it'd be a little odd, Jess Harper forgettin' about his apple pie. Thought you might be sickenin' for somethin', honey. I'll just have the same as you, oh, and a coffee to go with it."

Jess called George over and made his order and the waiter came back in a few minutes with two coffees.

As Jess and Millie sat quietly chatting over a last cup of coffee before going off to the dance, Jess commented on the loss of the little locket that had been destroyed by Cal Danby. "It looked so good with that red dress Millie."

"I really miss that locket. Ma gave it to me when I was sixteen. I suppose I'll have to find one to replace it." She put her hand up to her neck. "I wore it all the time and I keep feelin' for it. It's sort of a reflex action and I can't get used to the fact that it's gone."

"Yeah, Millie I know" Jess replied "It was real pretty. The thing is Millie, your Ma helped me pick this out when we were in Cheyenne but I had to have it specially made and it only just arrived a week ago and I've been savin' it to give to you tonight…" He put his hand in his pocket and drew out the little box. Taking hold of her hand he kissed her palm and placing the box in it closed her fingers over it. "I sure hope you like it Millie."

Millie's heart gave a little flutter and she stared into Jess's eyes. "Jess…" She hesitated for a second time that evening not knowing what to say. Jess blushed, remembering Slim's jest at his expense that afternoon. "Heck Millie, look I ain't proposin' if that's what ya think. It's just a little present." He gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry Millie, I shouldn't have said it like that. You know how I feel about ya' but you told me you didn't think either of us was ready to settle down yet. And I guess you're right… but I sure am crazy 'bout ya' Millie." Jess wasn't sure whether Millie looked relieved or disappointed as with a little smile she turned her attention back to the box.

"Jess, I was just goin' to say how pretty it looks. I know you ain't proposin'. We talked about all that in Cheyenne. Did you tie the bow?" She asked mischievously, knowing full well Daisy would have done it for him.

"Aw Millie, you know I can't tie bows and things" Jess looked a little sheepish. "Daisy tied it for me. She did it real nice, didn't she? Well, ain't ya' gonna open it? It ain't just a pretty box ya' know?"

Millie untied the bow and opened the box. She drew in a sharp breath and carefully picked up the gold locket by its fine chain. "Jess, oh Jess!" she exclaimed "It's just beautiful honey."

Jess watched her face as she opened up the locket almost as if she expected to find the photographs inside. When she saw the two pictures, one on each side of the locket she turned her eyes up to Jess's face and the look he saw there was all he could have hoped for. "I swore when Danby destroyed that locket your Ma gave ya that if I got outta his little plan alive, I'd get ya another locket and the pictures to go in it. I got the photographer to make a copy small enough to fit in a locket but I couldn't find a locket I liked that would take the pictures, that's why I had to get it made special. I kinda missed the picture I kept in my wallet, so I got another small copy to replace it."

With tears in her eyes, Millie gently stroked his cheek with her hand. "Oh, honey…" She drew her hand away, and closing the locket she put it around her neck fumbling with the clasp as she tried to do it up. Jess stood up and came around behind her and fastened the clasp, kissing the back of her neck as he did so, much to the interest of George and the several other diners. For a while, Jess had been oblivious to anyone but Millie but becoming aware of the curious glances, he hastily sat down again trying not to look embarrassed.

Most of the diners looked amused knowing both Jess and Millie but one old harridan being wined and dined by a hopeful nephew looked positively scandalised.

Millie laughed. "Don't take any notice Jess. No one minds. Well, except old Mrs. Wilson and she's just jealous. I bet no one ever kissed her neck like that!" She took a last sip of her coffee. "Come on, honey. Let's go over to the dance now."

Jess went over to pay the bill. When he came back he took Millie's hand helping her to rise from her seat and taking her arm he led her out of the hotel.

The moon was up as they left the saloon and Millie slid her arm around Jess's waist as she walked along beside him. "You know Jess, you make me feel like a real lady, the way you treat me."

Jess stopped and drew her to him. "You're every bit a lady as anyone I ever met Millie" he said as he tenderly kissed her. They carried on walking and he said. "Just because you ain't had no fancy education and don't wear expensive clothes and jewellery Millie, don't mean you ain't as good as anyone else."

Millie planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're a good man Jess Harper. The best, as far as I'm concerned."

As they made their way through the grove of trees to the clearing where the dances were held, the moonlight filtered down through the leaves, leaving little dappled patches of light on the ground. The dance was already in full swing and they could hear the sound of music mingled with happy voices. The boards for the dance floor had been set up in the centre of the clearing and at intervals spaced around the edge of the floor, lanterns were hung on poles. These lent a gentle golden light to the area which, with the light from the full moon, was just enough for the dancing couples.

Tables were arranged around the periphery of the dance floor and these were lit by candles, the whole area twinkling with the flickering light of the flames. Jess put an arm around Millie's trim waist and planted a kiss on the top of her head. It was a beautiful, clear, warm night and the dance was well attended.

"How are we going to find Slim and Lucy in this crowd Jess?" Millie asked.

"Easy sweetheart, we'll just skirt around the edge 'til we spot 'em" He guided her forward around the outside of the dance floor as the band played a lively country dance tune. The dancers were going through their paces with a great deal of joyful enthusiasm and as the dance came to an end with two triumphant chords from the fiddles and other instruments, the groups of dancers broke up, some of them leaving the floor. Jess came to an abrupt halt pulling Millie against him protectively as one couple nearly cannoned into them. The tall man turned to apologise only then recognising Jess and Millie.

"Hey, Jess, Millie. Sorry Millie, are you OK?" Slim asked giving her a friendly hug as Jess released her from his protective hold. "About time you two got here. We thought you weren't comin' it was gettin' so late."

Jess ignored his comment and put a friendly arm around Lucy's shoulders. "How are your feet Lucy? Are they still intact after dancing with this great galoot?"

Lucy leaned against Jess enjoying the hug. "My feet are just fine thanks. No bruises yet but it's quite a squeeze on the dance floor tonight you know and it's not too easy to avoid the other dancers. I don't think I've ever seen it so well attended before."

Jess studied the dance floor and expressed a hope that there were still some vacant seats at the tables.

"Oh, don't worry about that Jess" Slim said "We've got a table saved and I don't think anyone will have stolen our seats while we've been dancin'. Jim Jackson and his girl were sittin' this one out and said they'd keep an eye on our seats for us."

Lucy darted away from Jess and gave Millie a fond hug. "Come and sit down Millie. We're way over the other side I'm afraid." She turned to Jess and Slim. "How about you boys get us some refreshment" she said and tugged Millie in the direction of their table as Jess and Slim went to do her bidding. "How was supper Millie?" She glanced at the locket Millie was wearing. "I haven't seen that one before, have I?" she asked inquisitively.

Millie put her hand up to touch the locket resting on her breast. "No Lucy, it's new. Jess gave it to me tonight. It's pretty, isn't it? I put it on straight away."

Lucy cast another quick glance at it as they reached their table. "Here we are Millie. Let's sit down and have a good gossip before Slim and Jess get here. To be honest, Slim told me all about the surprise Jess had planned but he swore me to secrecy." Once they were seated she took a good look at the pretty little locket. "He has good taste Millie, it's real nice and just the right size."

Millie gave her a little grin. "Ma helped him choose it when we were in Cheyenne. It was in such a beautiful box Lucy and all tied up with a purple bow. Jess told me Daisy gave him the box and tied the bow for him." She giggled. "He did up the clasp for me in the hotel dining room and he kissed the back of my neck." She laughed remembering the moment.

"Millie, don't laugh" said Lucy, enthralled. "That is so romantic and I am truly jealous." Millie leant a little closer to her friend. "Yes, but Lucy there were quite a few other people in the dining room and they all noticed. Jess just seemed to forget anyone else was there and when he realised they were lookin' at us he blushed positively pink and sat down real quick."

"No!" exclaimed Lucy. "How embarrassing for you."

Millie giggled again. "Well, I wasn't at all embarrassed but Jess sure was. I don't know why. No one was bothered. They were all smiling. Oh, except for that old Mrs. Wilson of course. She was being wined and dined by that slimy nephew of hers. She's real well off you know and he's tryin' to get into her good books. She looked like she'd just bitten into a piece of bad meat."

Lucy clapped her hands together delighted at that. "I wish I could have seen her face" she said, and then added mischievously. "Well, come on Mil, what did he say when he gave it to you?" she prompted.

"He didn't really say a lot, Lucy." Millie was suddenly reluctant to talk any more about Jess's gesture and what he'd told her. It was special and between them alone. "He didn't need to say anything'. He didn't propose if that's what you want to know. We're happy just the way we are."

Lucy smiled at her friend. "I'm being too inquisitive aren't I Millie? I guess it's a little too special and you'd rather keep it to yourself. I understand."

"It's all right Lucy. Jess wanted to replace the locket and the picture that Cal Danby destroyed, that's all." She looked around and saw Jess and Slim on their way back to the table. "Hush now Lucy. They're comin' over."

The two couples sat chatting for a while and then got up to enjoy the dancing. It was a warm night and after a few dances, Jess guided Millie off the dance floor so they could cool down for a while. As they walked in the grove of trees Jess noticed Millie looking around a little nervously. "What's up Millie?"

Coming to a halt and putting her arms around his neck Millie looked up at him, inviting a kiss. Jess obliged and then he took hold of her hands and removing them from around his neck he held them to his chest. "Somethin's wrong Millie. What is it?"

"I don't want to spoil the evenin' talkin' about it Jess."

Jess's voice was husky with concern. "It'll spoil my evenin' if you don't talk about what's worryin' you sweetheart. Come on, Mill, what is it?"

As Millie leaned in close to Jess for comfort he let go of her hands and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Millie rested her head on his shoulder. "I suppose it's just a hangover from the last Saturday night dance we went to. It seems so long ago now. I know it's all over and done with but I can't seem to put it behind me. I'm so happy tonight Jess but I keep feelin' as if somethin's goin' to happen. Especially bein' out here with you and no one else in sight. It's so pretty out here in the moonlight but I keep wonderin' if there's someone out there in the shadows. I guess I'm just bein' silly."

"Heck sweetheart, it ain't bein' silly. Not after what happened last time. At least I had Slim and Daisy lookin' after me. Mort and Doc too. You were alone with those three and you didn't have anyone to turn to. I reckon it was far worse for you. You must've been terrified."

"I was very afraid Jess. But I was mostly afraid for you honey. Don't let's talk about it now. We've talked it all out so many times since then and I've just got to put it behind me. I'm only jumpin' at shadows."

"I should've thought about it before walkin' you through the trees Millie. Let's go back to the dance."

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An hour later, the dance was beginning to wind down. Jess and Millie looked around for Slim and Lucy but they were nowhere to be seen.

"Looks like they've pulled our trick Millie" Jess put his arm around her shoulders. "Are you ready to go back now?"

"Sure honey. But let's go through the saloon tonight. I'm a little bit nervous about that alley and since the trial, the whole town knows you stay over. I guess its time we stopped hidin' it."

"I ain't apologisin' to anyone for what we do Millie. It's our business after all." Jess hugged her tightly rubbing his cheek against her soft, sweet-smelling hair. He smiled as he recognised the scent of the perfumed soap. "But I ain't walkin' you up the stairs with the whole darn saloon lookin' on and makin' comments. It ain't right. You just go on up and then let me in the back way."

"All right Jess. I guess you're right but please be careful. I can't help worryin' about you."

Jess's voice was husky as he breathed in the perfume of her hair. "There ain't anythin' to worry about Mil. No one's gonna be waitin' in that alley tonight. Anyway, if you ain't there with me, I won't get so distracted. I promise I'll wait for you at the top of the stairs."

They walked arm-in-arm through the grove of trees and along the main street until they reached the saloon. Jess gave Millie a long kiss and watched as she went through the batwing doors and then he turned into the alley and ran up the flight of stairs to wait for Millie. The door opened and Millie grabbed his arm and pulled him inside with a little giggle as she closed and bolted the door. She leaned against him and he felt her heart hammering against her ribs, through the thin red fabric of the dress.

"You're not still frightened are you Millie?" he asked.

"Can you feel my heart beatin' real hard honey? It isn't fear, Jess. It's beatin' for you…" She put her hand against his chest. "I can feel yours too." Keeping hold of his arm, she drew him along the hallway and into her room, closing the door softly behind them.

Jess removed his jacket and gun belt and hung them on the hook at the back of the door. He removed his boots and left them by the door. They stood holding hands and just looking at each other for a long moment and then Jess drew Millie down to lay beside him on the leather sofa. It wasn't so long ago he'd lain on this sofa thinking he might never get to see her again.

He propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at her. "I know we had that week in Cheyenne sweetheart but somehow, it still seems real important to me to finish what we started that night. I made a down-payment to ya when Slim and Mort got me outta that cave. But now I wanna pay what I owe you, in full…"

Jess leaned down and kissed Millie long and hard. She slid her arm around his neck returning his kiss. Jess pulled away, his breath quickening as he gazed at her, his eyes flickering to her hair, to her eyes and then back to her beautiful full, red lips.

Millie's heart beat even faster as she pulled him down toward her, melting into his embrace. "Now I know it's over, honey."

Epilogue

Abe lay on his bunk and stared into the darkness. Billy was asleep in the bunk below his, snoring gently. An assortment of snores, grunts, groans and mutterings from the other men sharing the cell, mingled with Billy's.

This was the worst time, Abe thought, when there was no light by which to see and nothing else to occupy his mind. The unalleviated darkness made the pictures in his head so much clearer. He thought about his brother Danny and about the past months, from the time he'd first hatched the plan to harness Cal's crazy grudges and use the man to get his payback from Jess Harper to the present time; to the dark cell where he lay awake. What the hell had he gained by any of it. Nothing; except a lot of unjustified hurt to two innocent people and a jail sentence for himself and Billy. Cal was dead and that was probably for the best. He'd been a loose cannon; a danger to anyone he got mixed up with.

Abe had lived on the fringes of the law since he was sixteen. He'd stormed out of the family homestead after yet another row with his Pa. His Pa had been right of course, and he'd known it, even then. He hadn't been pulling his weight and he shouldn't have expected to be given a free ride but at the time he couldn't tolerate having the truth waved in front of him. They were hard times even before the war. He'd ventured over the line without getting caught many times since then but he'd never been a man who enjoyed inflicting violence on others. Maybe that's why he'd thought of using Cal. Easier to get someone else to do the dirty work for you.

Danny had idolised Abe and thought his way of life more exciting than scraping a living from the tired soil of his parents' small homestead; maybe, Abe thought, he'd felt guilty in the same way that Cal had over Frankie's death; because he was responsible for it. Come to think of it, Abe was just as responsible for Frankie getting killed as Cal had been. Maybe, that's why he'd wanted to punish Jess; so he didn't have to punish himself. He supposed he was every bit as bad as Cal – blaming Jess to escape his own guilt. Maybe he was worse. At least Cal had the excuse of being crazy.

Well, he couldn't turn the clock back. He and Billy would just have to do their time. He hadn't expected Harper to speak up for them the way he had. Maybe, if he'd taken the trouble to find out what sort of man Harper was, none of this would have happened. A man like Harper would've been a good friend to have. And Millie would be a good girl for any man. But Millie wasn't interested in anyone but Harper. He sure was lucky.

Abe took a deep breath. Time to stop brooding or he'd end up like Cal. Maybe he could do some good with the time he had left. Billy wasn't a bright kid but maybe he could help him make a better life for himself when they got out. Maybe he could make a better life for himself too. Harper hadn't had any more chances in life than he and Billy but he'd made good. Perhaps it was better to think on that than brood about the past. Well, only another seven years and ten months to go… He was done with revenge and dodging the law. He'd make a good impression on the warden and he'd see Billy did too. Once they were out, maybe he could get them both jobs on a small spread. He had a few ranching skills. Yeah, better to think on that. He turned over in the narrow bunk, feeling a little more optimistic and before long his snores joined those of Billy's.

*** End ***