HONORABLE INTENTIONS

CHAPTER NINE

After supper I went out to check on the stock. It took longer'n' normal without Slim and doing it mostly with one hand. By the time I was done settling the horses and checking the gates and fences, my hand was throbbin' like a son of a...

"Jess! Jess!" Daisy called out from the porch.

I blew out the lantern in the barn; picked up the one I'd been carryin' with me and headed towards the house.

"Yeah, Daisy?"

"Jess, be a dear and bring some kindling in for the stove. We're just about out."

"Sure."

When I went back inside, the kitchen was deserted. After dumping the wood in the bin next to the stove I sat at the table, leaned my head back against the wall and let my eyes slide shut, resting my hand across my lap. The doc was right, I was close to beggin' for something' to kill the pain, and would a too, if I weren't so doggone worried about what Deevy was planning.

"Jess?"

I snapped my head up and opened my eyes, heart thumping against my chest like a battering ram.

Daisy was standing by the stove, "You look worn out. Can I get you some coffee?"

"Yeah, thanks," I said, hearing a raspy edge to my voice.

"You don't seem yourself tonight, Jess," Daisy said, reaching for the coffee pot.

"I'm all right. Just a bit tired, is all." Then I reckoned now was as good a time as any to tell her about taking Mike into town in the morning. But I figured Slim oughtta be here, too.

"Well, you should get a good night's sleep tonight in your own bed, especially now the worry of the Morgan gang is off your mind."

"Daisy, I need to talk to ya about that. Where's Slim?"

"I sent him to bed. The doctor gave me strict instructions he was to rest. Anyone would think it was a death sentence the way you two carry on."

Bed? I stood up sudden, nearly knocking my chair over. "How long?"

"How long what, Jess?"

"Since he went to bed… how long?"

"Just a few minutes. Now Jess Harper, you let him be. Slim's in a lot of pain and he doesn't need you in there…"

I turned to leave but Daisy grabbed a hold of my arm. The sudden movement sent a jolt of pain shooting through my knuckles clear up to my shoulder. I gasped, pulling my arm free and staggered a couple of steps.

"Jess? Are you all right?" Daisy stood back and gave me a long look from head to toe, her eyes finally resting on my leg. "You better let me tend to your knee. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"I'm fine, Daisy."

"Mmm hmmm. Now, you drop your britches and sit on that chair. I'll get you a blanket to cover up. I'll be right back." She pushed me back in the chair then turned on her heel to go. My knee was bothering me some. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to get it fixed. Least I'd have a chance to talk to her while she fussed.

With difficulty, I unbuckled my belt and struggled to get the buttons open on my pants, hurrying as best I could 'fore she came back. I didn't have to wait long, Daisy handed me the blanket and I dropped my pants and sat, folding the blanket across my lap.

I eased my left leg out and pulled my long johns up. Daisy filled a bowl of water and knelt down beside me.

The water was cold and it stung. I flinched when she started to rub at the cut, tsking quietly to herself while she worked at getting the dirt out.

"Daisy… we need to talk… OW!"

"Sorry. I need to clean all this grime off. It's not too serious, but you're going to have to be careful when you bend your leg, this is going to want to open again." She gently felt around the cut with her fingers. "It's a little swollen. Is it giving you much trouble?"

"Only when you push on it." I ground out through clenched teeth.

I could feel beads of sweat breaking out on my face… and as much as I was trying not to pull away, it wasn't all that easy.

"Hold still while I pour a little alchohol on it."

Holy mother of…! I squirmed in my seat and clamped my eyes shut while Daisy poured whiskey over my knee. Felt like she'd set fire to it.

"There. All done. I'll just wrap a bandage around it."

Took me a minute to regain my senses and my voice. "Thanks, Daisy," I grated out, then hesitating a second I added, "Daisy… I want you to take Mike into town in the morning and stay there a few days."

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. "What on earth for?"

"It ain't nothing you need to worry about. Just do as I ask, okay?"

Daisy tied the bandage off and stood up. "Jess… I asked you earlier if something was wrong and you said no. I didn't think you were telling the truth then and I don't believe you now. You've been on edge all night, now what's going on?"

This time when I squirmed in my seat it had nothing to do with my knee. She was drilling me with a look that coulda took down a bear.

"I'm expectin' some trouble from a fella named Deevy. He's been accusin' me of back shootin' Joe Morgan. One of the other Morgan brothers took a bullet in the back this mornin' and Deevy's set on makin' sure I pay for it. I don't want you and Mike caught in the middle."

"You don't think he'll come here, do you?"

"That's exactly what I'm thinkin'. I already got my suspicions about that fella who came along and helped you this afternoon. Don't it seem strange to you he just happened to be there? And that cut on Molly's hind quarters… looked like she was hit by a rock or somethin'."

"Oh, dear. He seemed like such a nice young man."

While Daisy was busy cleanin' up, I started pulling my britches up.

"I can't leave now, Jess. Not with Slim hurt. You're going to have your hands full with the stage line and the ranch. I'm sure Sheriff Cory will work things out with that man in town. He knows you wouldn't shoot anyone in the back. Not intentionally."

"It ain't about what Mort knows or not, Daisy. Deevy's out for blood, and he don't care how he gets it. It'll only be for a few days, till I know for sure what he's plannin'… I just need some time."

"If it will make you happy, I'll send Mike over to stay with the Ferguson's. But I'm not leaving. I'm needed here."

I blew out a long breath. I knew I was beating my head against a wall trying to convince her. I've seen Daisy dig her heels in before and when she sets her mind to somethin', there ain't no changin' it. That's why I wanted Slim here. With the two of us she might a been inclined to listen.

"Jess, you're tired and you're hurt. I'm sure things will look better in the morning."

Yeah… if we live that long.

"Did you give Slim anything to help him sleep?"

"Yes. I told you, he was in pain."

So he wasn't gonna be much use to me.

"Daisy, I could use that coffee if yer still offerin'. I got a long night ahead of me."

"Oh, Jess, you can't stay awake all night."

"Well someone's gotta keep watch in case Deevy makes a move. And Slim ain't gonna be able to do it!" I snapped. I didn't mean to jump all over her like that, but I was tired and I was hurtin' and I just wanted to lie down but someone had to stay awake.

Daisy didn't say a word just turned and headed to the stove, stokin' the fire up with some of the kindlin' I'd brought in.

"Daisy. I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean ta speak to ya like that."

"Do you really think he'd try something tonight?"

I scraped a hand over my face and huffed a sigh. "I dunno, Daisy. I don't know what ta think. All's I know is he made threats today… and then that fella turned up this afternoon… and Slim's hurt… I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you or Mike on account of me."

She smiled. "I'll fix you that coffee."

sssSSSsss

It was close to sunup when I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder and someone shaking me. I grabbed for my six gun with my bum hand and lurched to my feet. Cussin' up a storm when the gun went skittering across the floor and a wave of pain shot through my hand. Without thinkin' I clutched my right arm tight across my belly and continued to turn the air blue.

"Pard?"

"Whatta ya doin' sneaking up on a man like that?" I snarled, when I realized it was Slim who woke me.

"Are you all right? What's wrong with your hand?"

"Nothin'! Just wasn't expectin' company." I was angry with myself for dozing off and angry at him for catchin' me at it. I released the death grip on my wrist and bent over to pick up my gun, shoving it in the waist band of my pants.

Slim was watchin' me with a look I couldn't quite read. "What are you doing sleeping on the couch?"

"Someone had to watch out for Deevy. You weren't much use," I growled. "And I thought you were gonna help me convince Daisy to leave last night?"

Slim ducked his head and rocked on his heels, his right arm wrapped protectively across the sling . "Uh… yeah… Daisy must have slipped something in my coffee. Sorry about that, Jess. We'll talk to her this morning and get her and Mike on the stage to Laramie."

"Don't bother," I said, "She ain't goin.'"

"Whatta ya mean she's not going?"

"I talked to her last night… she said she ain't going… she's…"

"You what? I thought we agreed to speak to her together."

"Yeah, but you were asleep and it needed to get done."

"You should have waited, Jess…"

"And you should a been awake, but you weren't… somebody had to get things movin'."

"And how did that work out for you?"

"Just told ya, she refused to go, but…"

"What did you tell her?

"What do ya think I told her? That Deevy'd been opening his big mouth and I thought it would be a good idea for her and Mike to stay in Laramie for a few days. She said she's needed here…"

"You should have waited till this morning, so we could talk to her calmly and reasonably… then she might've listened."

"Calm… whatta ya think I did last night?"

"Knowin' you, you probably went at it with both guns blazing… getting all worked up so she'd think you were over reacting. You didn't tell her about the rabbit hanging in the barn, did you?"

"You know, Slim… sometimes I can't figure you. You're soundin' like maybe you don't believe me. Is that right? You havin' doubts 'bout what I told ya happened?"

"Settle down, Pard… I believe you heard Tip say something, but Mort heard it too, and he's not about to let anyone put Mike and Daisy in danger. Why don't you just let Mort handle it?"

"Is that all you got to say?"

"Jess..."

"Forget it." I said. "I gotta feed the horses." And with that I grabbed my hat off the hook and stormed out the door. I limped across the yard, my knee stiff and sore even with the bandage on, and headed to the barn. I could hear the chicken's complainin' wanting to be fed and there was a quiet snort of expectation from the horses, too. I yanked the door open and shoved it hard against the wall with the heel of my boot.

What'd Slim expect me to do? I had to let Daisy know… least make her aware. And he should a been there. Wasn't no use griping 'bout me telling her on my own… I told him I was gonna talk to her last night… Dammit… We gotta convince Daisy to leave.

I cussed some more and paced the length of the barn. The horses whinnied nervously, sensing the change in their peaceful surroundings. I stopped by Traveller, gave him a few gentle pats along the side of his neck then rested my head on his back, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

"Jess? You in there?"

Oh, great. Slim'd come huntin' me down. I wasn't in the mood for listenin' to his reason. Not if he was gonna come here and start doubtin' me again.

"What are ya doin' out here?" I asked, still leaning my head against the warm, solid body of my horse.

"I brought you some coffee. Thought you could use it."

I pushed myself up and turned to Slim, his left arm in the sling holding one cup, the right reachin' out to me holding another.

Scrubbing at my face, I walked over to him and took the cup. He was watchin' me like he wasn't sure what would happen next. And that was fine, 'cause I sure as heck didn't know what to say neither. So, I gripped the cup and took a careful swallow.

Slim leaned against the barn wall, sipping slow on his coffee. I found a bale of hay and sat down closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the stall, enjoying the taste and feel of my first cup of coffee for the day.

"You wanna talk about it, Pard?"

"Talk? Ain't nothin' to talk about. Not if ya ain't gonna listen."

"I got a feeling there's more than just Deevy upsetting you."

I could hear him moving around, shuffling his feet.

"Oh you do, do you?" I snapped.

"Jess, I know you're worried, but we need to think this through… I'll get Mose to send word to Mort. Get him to come out and give us an update on Deevy. Would that put your mind at ease?"

"You know how I feel about the way things are. All I'm asking, Slim, is for you to help me to get Daisy and Mike away from the ranch for a few days."

"That's all that's bothering you?"

"Ain't that enough?"

"You're not a good liar, Jess."

"Whatta ya mean?" I tucked my hand across my belly, that small movement causin' my fingers to twitch and set a fire blazin' through my knuckles. As hard as I tried, I was too slow to hide my gasp of pain.

"Jess?"

"What?"

"Open your eyes."

"What for?"

"Because I'm askin' you to."

I hitched an eye open, then the other and eased myself to my feet. "Look, Slim, I ain't got nothin' to say unless…"

"Here, catch." And 'fore I knew it, Slim was tossing one of the bridles at me. Holdin' the coffee cup in my left hand, I had no choice but to reach out with my right. The tack hit the back of my hand, wrapping around my wrist before falling to the ground. I swore loud and long, fightin' a sudden need to puke, when for a second, everythin' around me grayed out.

"What was that for?" I yelled at Slim, throwing my cup down and grabbing at my hand. We stood there, glarin' at each other; me breathing hard, chest heavin' and Slim squinting at me, like he was figurin' something out.

Before I even realised he'd moved, Slim was at my side and pulling my hand away from where I was clutching it to my middle. The sudden tug sent a new blast of hurt racing up my arm and I cried out again.

"What are ya, doin?" I asked through clenched teeth.

But the only answer I heard from him was a gasp.

"Jess."

I wasn't lookin' at him, my eyes were screwed shut so tight I could feel tears leaking from the corners. Sweat was running down my face but I shivered with a sudden chill, and I had a feelin' that awful heavy wheezing sound was coming from me, too.

"I knew you weren't tellin' it all. When did this happen? And you be straight with me."

"Day before yesterday," I managed to squeeze out. "Now will ya leave it alone." And I pulled my hand against my chest.

"It's broke, isn't it?" He asked.

"I reckon so." I said, easing myself back down on the bale of hay, still with that dizzy feelin' in my head.

"Darn it, Jess. Sometimes you act like seven kinds of fool but this has to take the cake. What were you doing hiding it, pretending there was nothing wrong?" He started pacing in front of me. And he had that look he gets when he's about to start on one of his lectures.

I had nothing to say. So I let him rant while I concentrated on trying to breathe around the pain shootin' up my arm.

"...two days... I can't figure you… What if... and then as if that's not enough... home... pretend like..." And he went on and on and I was only catching some words here and there 'cause there was a kind of roaring in my ears and my stomach was thinking on whether it liked the coffee I'd just swallowed and my hand was throbbing and my head was aching...

"Slim..." I said, trying to focus on him as he paced back and forwards in front of me huggin' his arm tight but still set on gettin' things off his chest.

"...and then this morning..."

"Slim...stop..." It was even hurting to talk.

I'd had enough and tried pushing myself up so I could stop him. I found my feet, but they weren't real happy 'bout supportin' me.

"Slim... Stop... Listen..." He just wasn't ready to quit.

"Pard!" I yelled, but even to me it sounded kinda feeble. "Will ya just hush...for a second..." I could feel myself start to sway.

"Whoa, there, Jess." Slim's voice was in my ear and his hand under my arm, helpin' me sit again. "Easy." He said, keeping a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you done? Have ya finished havin' your say?" I opened my eyes to see his face floatin' in front of me.

When he figured I wasn't gonna wind up in the dirt, he stood up straight and looked at me, ran his good hand through his hair and did a quick angry two-step. "Yeah, I'm done. For now."

"Fine. Now, can we go inside, I ain't feelin so good." I made another attempt to get to my feet and this time Slim had a hold of me and made sure I stayed standin'.

"You gonna be able to make it?" He asked, a troubled look on his face.

"I'll make it," I said. "You better bring my saddlebags." I nodded to where they were hangin' on the hook."

Slim raised an eyebrow.

"They got somethin' in them Daisy might be able to use." He gave me a puzzled look then walked to the back of the barn, grabbed the bags and came over to where I was standing. He dumped the bags on the hay bale and looked inside. I knew this wouldn't be ending well and I was right. His frown turned to a scowl then to a look like he couldn't rightly believe what he was seein' and then he turned it on me.

"The doc had you in a splint and a sling?" He asked.

I shrugged. "No. But he wanted to. We didn't get that far." I explained about Davey Wilcox and his pa. "Seemed to me he was just fussin' anyway."

"Still seem like that now, does it?" He asked, lookin' like another lecture might be on the cards.

"No it don't. But I knew if Daisy thought I was hurt there'd be no convincin' her to leave with Mike. Now, can we go in? Told ya, I ain't feelin' so good." My hand was achin' and my belly was givin' me fits, just itchin' to empty itself of that dad blamed coffee.

Slim couldn't resist one last scowling look before relaxin' and givin' me a quick clap on the back saying, "Come on, Pard, we better let Daisy take a look at you."

And with Slim's steadying hand under my arm, we made our way to the house.

Continued in chapter 10