Chapter 8 A Change of Plans (Part 3)

*Author's Note: I decided to make "A Change of Plans" a three part chapter.

Arizona Territory (Mike's Place)

Mike knew she couldn't panic. That would not look good. She had to remain calm. "What are you talking about? Didn't you say your name was Lester Dan?"

"Dean, my name is Lester Dean," Les corrected.

"Oh my! I'm so embarrassed," said Mike. "You must think I"m some sort of fool. I'm hopin' you can forgive me." Mike even managed to blush.

Les looked at Mike and smiled. "There's nothing to forgive. I must say you're pure sugar to a body used to lemons."

Mike returned the smile, relieved that once again she managed to get away with her mistake. She prayed that was the last "Dan" mistake that she would make while Les was there. Mike had no idea how long he would stay. He really didn't indicate how long he was staying. Chances were he did not plan on staying long. Mike would just have to wait and see. With those thoughts, she drifted off to sleep. According to his deep and steady breathing, Les had fallen asleep too.

Mike awoke the next morning alone in her bed. The sunlight was streaming through the window. The place where Dan, no Les, had been sleeping was bare and cool to the touch. Mike had to remind herself that Les had been in her bed, not Dan. She could do her imagining after Les left. Mike rolled on her back and wondered if Les had snuck out in the middle of the night. She knew Les was a drifter. He probably was afraid that she would want something more from him. She didn't. As Mike lay in her bed, she realized she was somewhat sore. It had been since Johnny, three years, since she had been intimate with a man. Mike was about to get out of bed, when she heard a noise in the living area. Maybe Les hadn't left.

Les had awakened before the crack of dawn. He looked over at Mike who was sleeping peacefully beside him. In his eyes, she was a right, fine woman. She did not deserve to lose her land to a Mr. Money Pocket like Hasty Starcourt. A man like Starcourt didn't deserve to take land from a woman like Mike Yardner. Les didn't care if he lost two hundred dollars. He didn't even care if he lost his life. He was going to Starcourt to return the hundred dollars he was given and tell Starcourt to leave Mike Yardner alone.

"I thought you might have left," said Mike as she walked out of the bedroom. She had already gotten dressed. "What time did you get up?"

"I was up before dawn," said Les. He was shaving while leaning over a bowl of water and looking into a mirror. "I hope you don't mind me using this bowl for my water to shave. I'll make sure to clean it out."

" That's not a problem," said Mike. "Where did you get your razor?"

"In my pocket," Les answered. "I always keep one with me."

"I'm surprised I didn't wake up when you got out of bed," said Mike. "I'm usually a light sleeper."

"Maybe last night's activities made you bone lazy," Les said with a smile.

Mike didn't get upset at Les's comment. She knew he was teasing. Mike also had to admit that with his scruffy beard nicely trimmed, Les was a decent looking man in his own way. Did she see a future with him? Could she learn to love him? The answer to both questions was no. The only future she saw with any man was with Dan. Mike refused to settle for someone else.

"I'll get a pot of coffee started and then I'll make us some breakfast," said Mike as she walked towards the kitchen area.

"A cup of coffee sounds wonderful, but I'm gonna skip breakfast," Les replied. "There's something I need to do."

"What's that?" Mike inquired. She couldn't think of a single thing Les would need to do that would make him skip out on breakfast.

Les looked at Mike. He couldn't lie to her. He needed to tell her the truth. Les needed to tell Mike the real reason why he was there. The truth would undoubtedly upset her, but she deserved to know the truth.

"Mike, I'm gonna be honest with you. I'm not some drifter that just happened to come upon your land. A few days ago I ended up on Starcourt's land. I was in need of some money. He offered me a job. That job was ta get ya off your land. Starcourt said he didn't care how I did it, even if it meant murder. He was gonna pay me two hundred dollars to get things done. I was desperate and needed the money, so I accepted the job," Les confessed.

Mike did not know what to think. "Why are you telling me all of this now?" she asked.

"Because I've made a change of plans," Les answered. "I'm not gonna try to get you off of your land. I'm not gonna give Starcourt what he wants. I'm gonna go back to Starcourt and return his money. I'm also gonna warn him to stay away from this land, even if it means killing him," said Les.

"What if he kills you?" asked Mike, with actual concern in her voice. "You know there's a good chance that he will."

"Better me to be killed than you," Les replied.

"Outta curiosity, why did you decide to tell me?" asked Mike.

"Like I said last night, you're sugar to a body full of lemons," Les replied.

"What about your beard? Why did you practically shave it off?" Mike questioned.

"Well, I guess you made me feel like a new man last night, new man, new look," Les responded. "Plus, if I am gonna meet my maker, I kinda wanna look good."

Mike did not know what to say. All she could do was nod. Remembering the coffee on the stove, Mike went to pour Les and herself a cup. Walking over to Les, she gave him his cup. He drank the hot, dark liquid and set his cup on the table. Les gathered his belongings and walked towards the door. Before leaving, he turned and looked at Mike.

"Goodbye, Mike," he said. "I'll never regret meeting you."

"Goodbye, Les," Mike softly said. "Good luck." Les left the house and Mike was quite sure she would not see him again. Even if by some minute chance Starcourt didn't kill Les, Mike knew Les was a drifter and would drift on to some place else.

Arizona Territory (Starcourt's Land)

"Starcourt, I just saw Dean's horse, but no Dean," said one of Starcourt's men.

"If that man has gone and double crossed me, he's dead. He won't get away from me," seethed Starcourt.

"Don't worry, Starcourt," said Les as he came around the building. "I didn't take your money and run. In fact, I'm here to return the money you gave me, Money Pockets. I've been to Mike Yardner's place, and I've decided you don't deserve her land." Les looked at Monte. "Pour me a drink, junior boy." Monte just stood there. "I said to pour me a drink." Monte looked at Starcourt, who nodded. He poured Les a drink. Les took the glass and downed the drink. "I'd put your hand where I can see it." Monte put it on the bar.

"You know I plan on killing you," said Starcourt. "There's nothing you can do about it. It's five against one.

"I have no doubt about that," replied Les. "But know this. I'll get a bullet in you and at least two of your men before I go down." At that moment Les saw one of the men go for his gun. Les reacted quickly, shooting the man with his long gun. After that shooting, Les pulled out his pistol. "Now, it's four against one. I can even the odds more." Starcourt didn't say anything. "Alright, I'm gonna ride on outta here. If I hear you've gone to that ranch and caused any trouble, you can come look for me when the moon's covered."

"The only place you're riding is to a hill with a hole in it," said Starcourt.

Starcourt wasn't going to let Les leave with his life. He gave a slight nod and another gunshot rang out. This time a bullet grazed Les's arm. Les swiftly took his pistol and shot down another one of Starcourt's men. Not wanting to take any chances, Les shot down a third man. The only two left were Starcourt and Monte. Both men had fear in their eyes.

"Go ahead and shoot me," Les told Starcourt. "Like I said, I'll get a bullet in you and junior boy before I go down. Besides, you got a few men that need burying."

Starcourt turned to Monte. "Drop your gun." Monte did as he was told. "Dean, you're one lucky bastard. But If I ever see you near my land again, you won't be so lucky."

"So, long Money Pockets," said Les as he rode off into the desert.

TBC