Chapter Twelve…Antelope Steak and War Charms
Hell Bent for Leather
By EmiliosLoofah (otherwise known as tk421beth)
Author's Notes:
Chapter Summary: At Fort Sumner for only a short time, Billy, Jessie and the rest of the Regulators get the hell out of there, upon the arrival of the soldiers. Jessie and Pat Garrett miss the chance to follow Billy and the others, and end up at the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, to hide out.
Special thanks to Sue, my beta! Thanks for your help!!!
January 26-27, 1879
I woke up several times throughout the night, it was so cold, and it made my bones ache. I lay there, shivering as I hear the night owls hooting softly. I glanced over at the fire, surprised to see that it was going out. I got up, and trying not to wake Garrett; I stroked the fire a little bit, trying to make it warmer in the teepee. It wasn't working that well. I looked over at Garrett, who was sleeping soundly under the buffalo hide. I folded my arms and snorted, wanting to kick him!!! How could he sleep so soundly while I was freezing?
"Tunstall?" Garrett whispered, as he turned his head towards me.
I gasped with surprise. I guess he's not a deep sleeper. "Yes?"
"Are you alright?" He looked concerned, and sat up. "What are you doing up?"
"I was trying to get the fire going…I'm…cold." I told him, my arms still folded, trying to keep warm.
"Come here." I could see him smile from the light of the fire.
"Why?" The tone in his voice made me nervous.
"I won't bite…unless you want me to." He teased, smiling up at me. Seeing that I was still standing there, he sighed. "We can keep each other warm. That elk hide isn't enough to keep anyone warm this cold winter night." He uncovered himself with the buffalo hide, waiting for me to join him.
I bit my lip as I looked down at him. What could it hurt?
"Bloody hell." I cursed, giving in as I got on my knees and crawled next to him. I lay down and turned away from him, as he covered us up. The buffalo hide was without doubt a lot warmer!
Suddenly, Garrett's arm reached out, and he gently griped my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Garrett!" I shouted, as I felt his beard on the back of my neck. "What are you doing?"
"We need to keep warm, Tunstall. Now hush and go to sleep!" He whispered into my ear, as he snuggled close to me. I could feel his breath against my hair.
I closed my eyes, not feeling cold anymore. Garrett's body heat along with the buffalo hide worked very well.
The bullet struck Murphy in the center of his forehead. I lowered the rifle and watched Murphy drop to the ground. The single bullet that struck Murphy seemed to be like the same blow on the fragile wall that held back a sea of emotion; seeing this man that erected this wall crumble to the ground mirrored its demise.
I stood in the middle of that street, a sixteen year old girl, without a family. As a wave of emotion flooded over me, I fell to my knees and began to weep.
I was too numb to notice Dolan on his knees, cradling Murphy in his arms. "You limey fucking whore!" He shouted, pulling out his pistol.
I looked up in time to see the puff of smoke bloom from the end of his gun. Before I could do anything, Steve was unexpectedly on top of me, knocking me to the ground.
Steve looks me in the eyes and smiles. "Jessie…tell Chavez there really is a Spirit Horse." He closes his eyes, and dies in my arms.
I feel a tug on my shoulder. I look up to see Billy, with a concerned look on his face. I quickly grasp his arm, and he pulls me in front of him.
"This ain't over yet, Dolan!" Billy shouts, as we gallop through town.
"You betcha ass it ain't over, Bonney! I'm gunnin' for ya! The army is gonna be gunnin' for ya! The whole goddamned New Mexico territory is gonna be gunnin' for ya…you and your limey sweetheart shooter, too!"
"Tunstall! Wake up!" I heard Garrett, as he frantically shook me awake.
"Huh? What…" I woke up…shaking and sweaty from my nightmare. Garrett held me close to him, my head on his chest. "Oh, God! The nightmares…" I sobbed. The nightmares don't happen too often, but when they do, I can't help but to be upset.
"Damn it, Tunstall…you scared the shit outta me." Garrett told me, as I started to calm myself down. It was almost dawn, I guessed.
"You okay now?" He asked me, as I managed to calm myself down.
"Yeah..." I wiped a tear from my face. "I dreamt when I killed Murphy, and Dolan tried to shoot me, but Steve got in the way…" A lump formed in my throat.
"I know what happened." Garrett said, smoothing down my hair. "You want to go back asleep?"
"No." After a dream like that, Billy would gather me into his arms and we would make long, leisurely love. Damn those soldiers! If it wasn't for them, I'd be with Billy right now!
I looked up at Garrett. He gave me a small, sweet smile, and held my face with his hands. He slowly bent down toward me.
"Garrett!" I protested, pushing him away. "Stop that right now!"
His face was inches away from mine. "You want this as much as I do, Tunstall. Don't deny how you feel."
"I don't!" I challenged him, staring him straight in his eyes.
"You do." He insisted, staring right back at me.
I glared at him. I did enjoy his kiss back in Fort Sumner, but it was a diversion. Garrett knew this…why was he playing games with me? I glanced over the other side of the teepee. There my gun belt sat with my Colt .44's in them.
Garrett chuckled as he followed my eyes. "You feel that you need to shoot me? Are your feelings so strong for me, then?"
"Shut it, Garrett! Go straight to bloody hell!"
He laughed again, and suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into his arms in a tight embrace. "You're not so tough, Tunstall." He whispered in my ear, sounding so sure of himself.
"Good night!" I shouted in his face, as he let go of me. Turning away from him, and closing my eyes, I tried to fall back asleep. Damn Patrick Garrett and his damn games!!!
"Mornin', sleepyhead."
The last time I hear that was from Billy's lips. I slowly opened my eyes, to see Garrett smiling down at me. He was fully dressed, kneeling over me, handing me a cup of coffee. I mumbled a greeting and took the cup.
Garrett laughed. "Not much of a morning person, are we?"
I looked up at him and smiled. "Never..." I replied, sipping the hot coffee.
He chuckled. "I figured we'd get an early start."
"Oh, did you?" I said, standing up. "And who made you in charge, then?"
"What's the matter?" He looked concerned.
"It's nothing." I sighed. I knew what it was…I missed Billy. "I'm sorry for being so cross." I apologized.
"It's alright, Tunstall."
I brushed my hair, and quickly twisted a long single plait down my back. Garrett watched my every move as he slowly, quietly sipped his coffee. I strapped on my gun belt, and put my hat on, ready to ride.
As soon as we stepped out of the teepee, Black Bear was there to greet us.
"Deyaa (Apache for 'leave')…so soon, Jessica?" He looked worried. Garrett quickly left to get our horses ready.
"We need to catch up with Billy…wherever he is." I explained.
Black Bear smiled, and took my hand in his. "For protection...and good luck." He solemnly stated. I looked down to see a small brightly beaded bag hanging from a leather strip. It was probably filled with herbs, hairs, teeth, and other assorted items. The bag looked new.
"Is it a Medicine bag?" I asked him, smiling.
"No…it is a War charm." He replied.
"Thank you, Black Bear." I told him, slipping the 'necklace' around my neck. I kissed him on the cheek. "I accept your gift with respect…and from my heart."
He grunted, but from looking into his black eyes, I could see that he was pleased I wore his gift with pride.
"I will pray to the Great Spirit for you, Jessica." He stated as I mounted Pal.
"And I, you, Shichoo." I called him Grandfather in his native tongue.
Black Bear smiled deeply, as he gently patted me on the shoulder. He then turned to Garrett. "You are a good man. Look after her."
Garrett looked at me, his brown eyes locking with my green ones. I couldn't look away, even if I wanted to. "That's a promise." He said to Black Bear, but looked at me as he said it.
Black Bear smiled, and slowly walked away as Garrett and I rode away.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Garrett asked me, as I took one of the back roads through the Reservation towards the direction of White Oaks.
I guffawed, as I took a sip of water from my canteen. "Of course I know where I'm going, Garrett. I've been riding with Billy for almost a year now." I turned to look at him. "You have such little faith in me?"
"No…that's not it, Tunstall." He smiled at me, as he handed me his flask. I opened it and took a small drink of his whisky.
I handed the flask back to him, thanking Garrett for the drink.
"I figured you may need that…since we're headed towards Lincoln." He laughed. "I knew you had a death wish!"
"Garrett…we're stopping in White Oaks, not Lincoln!" I explained, kicking Pal, as he responded nicely. I was certain he felt my need to get to the nearest town as quickly as possible.
Garrett and I rode side by side, our speed increasing; until we were racing in a competitive fury. I laughed as I arrived in White Oaks first, Pal still in full gallop.
I rode up to the nearest General Store and dismounted quickly, running inside the store to purchase a copy of the New Mexico Independent.
I came back outside, as Garrett tended to our horses. I scanned the papers for any mention of Billy, Charlie…anyone, including myself.
"Well?" Garrett asked, walking up to me as I tore through the newspaper, trying to find something.
I shook my head. "I can't bloody believe it! There's nothing in here!" I cursed, tossing the paper on the ground.
"You sound disappointed. As if you want to see you name in…"
"Stop right there, Garrett." I warned him, covering his mouth with my hand. "Say no more. I'm disappointed because I have no idea where Billy is right now!"
Garrett laughed, the hairs of his mustache tickling the inside of my hand. I smiled myself, placing my hand in my trouser pocket.
"Well? Where to now?" Garrett continued to grin at me.
I thought to myself that Billy was probably in Fort Sumner again, but so soon after the soldiers where there? Hmmmm…perhaps he decided to go to Tularosa, no, no…White Oaks? It was hard to tell. "Let's try Capitan, and if he's not there…maybe Fort Sumner again."
"You're the boss." Garrett was still smiling down at me. "But…how 'bout some early supper first? I'm starving…and I bet you are as well."
"Yes, that sounds good, Garrett." I was pretty hungry.
"I'll stable the horses. Meet me back here in an hour."
I nodded my agreement. As I watched him go, I hoped that Billy and Charlie were okay. Frowning for a moment, I hesitated, wondering if I should purchase a dress for tonight. On my birthday, I swore I would never dress again. But hell, we're not in Fort Sumner right now. No one knew who I was here.
A bell jingled as I walked into the dress shop. A small, white-haired old woman entered from the back and smiled when she saw me. "Goodness me, missy!" She exclaimed, hand on her chest, eyeing the men's clothes I wore. "You have certainly arrived at the right place!"
I smiled. "I need a dress…" I started to tell her, as she helped me pick and chose my undergarments, and dress. The lady even handed me a damp, scented kerchief, and instructed me to wash the dirt from my face. "You have lovely skin underneath all that dirt and grime!" She scolded as I cleansed my face, trying not to laugh. "I have a bath in the back. Perhaps I could encourage you to get clean?"
"That sounds good to me! Thank you…"
"Matilda Lyons." She smiled. "And you are?"
"Jessica. Jessica…" Shit! I couldn't use my real last name. "Garrett." Good God, where did that come from?
I told her with a smile, accepting her offer. Matilda's maid suddenly appeared and poured some heated water into the tub, and handed me a towel and some lavender soap. She left me alone to bathe.
As soon as I got out and wrapped the towel around me, the maid appeared again, with a toothbrush and some tooth soap. I was delighted that Matilda said I could keep it. It felt wonderful to be clean again.
I came back out, still in the towel. They fussed over me showing me one dress after the other. I tried on several dresses, as the old woman assisted me. "This is the one!" Matilda exclaimed, rushing up to me from the many racks of dresses on display. "It matches your hair and eyes perfectly!" She insisted, helping me into the dress. It was dark green and black, a wide black sash on the waist, and black bow in the back. The neckline was a little low, but I had to admit, I looked pretty good. "You look lovely, dear." She smiled at me, as I spun in front of the shop mirror, fully dressed in a new dress I adored. The maid had brushed my long black hair and added some talc to make it shine. With her help, I pulled my hair up and held it in place with a large black pin on the back of my head. Black gloves that came up to my upper arms completed my outfit. I put Black Bear's War charm in my pocket for now, wanting it close to me. I stared into the mirror, touching the necklace that Billy had bought me, wondering where he was at this moment.
I purchased two garter belts as well, and placed one of my .44's in one, and my knife in the other. The lady almost fainted when I did that, but hell, I had to protect myself.
"Thank you, for all your help." I smiled at Matilda, paying for my new garments, and a new black shawl completed my look. I left the shop, my usual clothes folded and neatly wrapped in brown paper and string. It was time to meet Garrett.
I quickly walked towards the restaurant, hoping I wasn't too late. I spotted Garrett waiting for me, looking across the street, not noticing me as of yet. It looked like he cleaned himself up as well. He was wearing new black trousers, light brown shirt, black vest and his black duster, which looked clean. As I got closer, I could see that he visited a barber, for his beard, mustache and hair were neatly trimmed and groomed. Wait…were those flowers he was holding for me?
I slowed my steps, smiling as I walked towards him. He still didn't notice me, which made me smile. I bet he was thinking I was still in my usual attire. When I was a few feet away from him, Garrett finally noticed me. He gasped as I stood in front of him, his brown eyes traveling up and down my body.
"Good evening, Garrett." I greeted him with a smile. "You look handsome tonight." I told him, kissing him on the cheek. "Are those for me?" I shyly asked, taking the mixed wild flowers from his hand. "They're beautiful, Garrett…thank you!" I closed my eyes and smelled them.
He continued to stare at me, his mouth open with surprise.
"Garrett!" Now I was getting embarrassed by him.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life." He simply stated, taking my package from my hand.
"Obviously you haven't seen many women." I rolled my eyes, laughing. I never took compliments well.
He didn't reply to my comment. He held out his free arm, and I took it, as we strolled into the restaurant. For a brief moment, all conversation in the restaurant stopped, as everyone stared at us, as we were seated by a waiter. I could feel my face turn red as we were seated. I was being noticed as woman…not an outlaw.
We sat across from each other as I ordered the antelope steak, and Garrett ordered the buffalo steak.
"Garrett, are you feeling all right?" I questioned him, as he stared at me with such intensity, I didn't know how to feel.
"I'm fine. You just look so…different…so stunning. I mean…" He shook his head, and I could see his face redden. "You are always beautiful…but I've never seen you like…this." He said, gesturing at me.
It was my turn to turn red. I didn't quite know what to say. "I could say the same about you." I reminded him, drinking the wine out of crystal glasses that the waitress brought over. This was some high class place.
Garrett smiled.
"So…tell me about yourself." I asked him.
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything!" I laughed.
Garrett told me about Louisiana, where he was born. His father was a plantation owner, but it was confiscated after the war. He then moved near Fort Griffin, Texas and worked as a trail driver and buffalo hunter. What really surprised me was when he told me that was married, but his wife died of unknown causes. The love he had for her, and the pain he dealt with when she died caused a lump to form in my throat.
"I'm so sorry." I told him. I keep forgetting that Garrett is twelve years older than me, making him twenty nine this year.
"It's okay." He gave me a small smile, sipping his glass of wine. "Now, tell me all about you."
"What's to tell that you already don't know about?"
"Everything!" He teased me.
I laughed. "I was born in Hackney, a suburb of London, England and lived there until I was ten. Father and I traveled from there to Canada. I thought we were going to end up in California, but we ended up moving to New Mexico Territory instead. The land prices in California were too expensive." I lowered my gaze at the table. "Father fell in love with New Mexico right when we arrived…and so did I."
I bit my lip, and then looked up at Garrett. "Well…you know what happened after that. Father was killed, and everything went straight to hell." I took a sip of wine. "Did you know I was supposed to marry Dick Brewer?" I blurted out. "Dick was my betrothed. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like, if Dick wasn't killed."
"Would you have been happy with him?"
"I don't know." I said, looking away from the table. "Dick was more like an older brother to me. I had no idea of the arrangement, until after Father was killed." I could feel myself tearing up, something I didn't want to do in front of Garrett. "I miss them both very much."
"I understand…but now you're promised to Billy."
I lifted my chin with pride, and stared into his brown eyes. "I am not promised to anyone, Garrett. Billy hasn't asked me to marry him." Not yet anyway.
"He's a fool." Garrett uttered. "And what's this?" He asked, leaning across the table to touch my necklace.
I stared at him, as he inspected my necklace. 'More than pals' was engraved on the front of the silver heart. Our infamous initials 'S.S + B.T.K' were engraved on the back.
"When did he give you this?"
"Remember when we first met, in Juarez? That's when." I said softly, remembering that night.
The food arrived not a moment to soon. We both heartily ate our meal, trying to forget the awkward conversation moments before. After a few minutes, we started to talk again. Garrett is easy to talk to, and I really enjoyed our dinner together. Over apple pie, we decided to spend the night in White Oaks, and leave tomorrow morning.
Outside the restaurant, I noticed a new issue of the Independent was being sold. I purchased a copy from a young boy standing on the corner, as Garrett lit a cigar.
I scanned the paper, and almost fainted when I read the news.
"What's the matter?" Garret asked, as I looked up at him.
"They have Chavez and Doc in Lincoln." I felt the tears start to fall.
"Shit!" Garrett cursed.
I then dropped the other bad news. "…and Billy's been arrested."
Okay folks! I do apologize for updating so late! Please read and review! I hoped you liked it!!!