Chapter Thirty-One

It was at this point that Jeannie Riley finally arrived at the dance and met up with her brothers.

"It's about time you got here." Colin was pretty aggravated with his sister. They needed her to set their plan in motion.

"See that fella sitting there?" Jim pointed Jess out to Jeannie. "That's Sherman's friend Harper. Sherman's a friend of McAllister and that, little sister, is why Harper is going to get a beating once you do your part." He smiled grimly. "There's more than one way to skin a cat - or, in this case, get to McAllister. Not to mention the fact that they beat us out of the pie eating and greased pig contest wins that were supposed to be ours"

"I'll do my part. I want a little revenge myself. He's the one that was with Cameron Ramsay the other day. She didn't introduce us and he practically ignored me."

"Go to it girl," Colin said.

Jeannie, cream colored skirt and crinoline petticoats swishing, made her way over to where Jess was just apologizing to another young woman for not being able to dance with her. Not so subtly she forced her way in between them and smiled at Jess - albeit insincerely,

"I don't believe we've met," she said in a saccharine sweet voice. 'I'm Jeannie Riley. And you are...?"

"Jess Harper, ma'am," the Texan told her.

"Aren't you going to ask me to dance Mr. Harper?"

"No, ma'am. I ain't asking anybody - you see I ..."

"Well I like that !" Jeannie exclaimed in a voice loud enough for her brothers to hear. I've never been so insulted in my life!"

That was her brothers' cue. They came over to see what had "upset" their little sister.

"What seems to be the problem Jeannie?" Colin asked.

"This cowboy refuses to dance with me! That's what's the matter!"

"Oh, is that right mister? You refused to dance with my sister?"

"I tried to explain..." Jess' words were cut off when the tall redhead reached out and grabbed him by the lapels of his coat.

"You can explain it to us - me and my brothers - outside."

"Now wait just a minute!" Jess said as he tried to free himself.

The three Rileys surrounded him and forced him out the door. Jeannie turned her back on them and went in search of another dance partner. No one was willing so she took a seat by the refreshment table to pout.

"I hope they pound him good," she mumbled to herself.

"What do you want from me?" Jess asked his assailants.

"It's not just you we want," Mart told him. "We want your friend Sherman and we want McAllister and we're gonna get to them through you. We beat up on you, Sherman comes running to help and McAllister comes after him. Then we get McAllister when we finish with you two. It works out real nice."

'You and Sherman kept us from winning the greased pig and pie eating contests. That ain't right. And McAllister refuses to represent us in court. That ain't right either. We're getting even starting with you."

Whatever Jess was going to say, in reply, was cut off by the left hook that came flying at him connecting solidly with his right cheekbone and staggering him.

Bad ankle or not, the Texan wasn't going to just stand there and take a beating. He started throwing his trademark roundhouse punches as fast as he could.

Colin Riley had one land on his left cheek. He retaliated with a right cross that Jess was unable to avoid. Jim Riley started throwing punches as well. Some made contact while others didn't.

"I don't see Jess over there by the refreshment table, Slim said to Karen a few minutes later.

"I wonder where he went to?"

"Maybe he went back to the McAllisters," Karen suggested. 'It can't be very much fun just sitting on the sidelines while everybody else dances."

"No, he wouldn't have gone back without saying something to me or Gordy." Slim was only mildly concerned at the moment but he knew he was right that Jess would have said something if he'd decided to go back to the house.

Just then Gordon and Victoria passed by. Seeing the mildly concerned look on Slim's face the tall redhead paused to speak to him.

"What's the matter Slim?"

"Just wondering where Jess is."

"Isn't he over by the refreshment table where we left him?"

"No, and I know he wouldn't just leave without saying something."

"I think you worry too much," Karen said. "He probably just went out to get some air."

"You wouldn't say that if you knew Jess," Slim told her. "He's got this 'talent' for getting into trouble without meaning to."

The hair on the back of the rancher's neck was standing up as he thought about the possibilities. Jess was such a trouble magnet that, not seeing him where they'd left him, and knowing that his ankle was bothering him, Slim was positive Jess had to be in some kind of trouble.

As they spoke someone standing in the doorway yelled "Fight". Slim was halfway across the floor before the echo faded. As he headed outside he noticed a young woman sitting in Jess' spot. Not having seen Jeannie Riley in years he didn't recognize her. Gordon McAllister was hot on his heels. The girls, however, recognized Jeannie. Before the men returned Miss Jeannie Riley would be very sorry that she had helped set Jess up for the beating he was taking. The young ladies of Evergreen would see to that.