Chapter 2
Jess had made good time since leaving the ranch. Not rushing, but he knew the land intimately, and knew the safest, quickest way to his destination. Raising his hat, he slid his hand through sweat soaked hair. It had been a warm ride, stopping occasionally for both horse and rider to drink and take in the wide open spaces. He had been on his own for so long; no one to look out for him, no one watching his back. Lonely? Yeah, he had been lonely. But didn't know he was until he wasn't any more. Smiling to himself, Jess ran a hand down the neck of his horse. He whispered to the gelding, telling him that'd better be going, and as was his usual style, hopped up into the saddle.
Horse and rider slowed along a particularly uneven section of trail. It was a desolate area, apart from groups of mesquite and burrobush, but Jess felt it was worth taking the shortcut. Sooner there, soon back he thought and smiled. Never would he have believed he would be living in one place for any length of time. Home. That's what it was. Home.
Suddenly, Hoot's ears pricked. Flicking them back and forth, the bay let out a snort and shied slightly. Jess settled his mount, stroking the horses neck.
"You feel that too, don't you. Whoa… whoa …. Let's just see what's ahead… easy boy, easy"
He ever so slightly adjusted his gun in it's holster, while keeping alert to any sound or movement. "Strange place for an ambush." He thought, but nothing really surprised him in this wild country anymore.
Unfortunately, there was enough cover for a person to stay hidden. He cursed himself for not staying alert. "That'll teach y' Harper", he thought to himself angrily.
Suddenly a voice, steady yet sinister, asked.
"What ya doin here mister?"
"Just riding through. Got business in Cheyenne." Jess replied. He knew, by instinct, there was more to this.
"Just ridin through eh. Git down offa there." The words were followed by a wad of tobacco landing with a wet thud on the ground, near the bay's hooves.
Jess tightened his knees ever so slightly into Hoot. The horse alerted and both he and his rider were now ready for whatever was to come next. "Look, I don't want no trouble with y, just get outta m'way and I'll….
The man's rifle was lifted up. "I said git down."
Suddenly another man appeared from behind the trees that had been his hiding place until now.
Jess knew it was time to move. Time to get out of there. He kicked the belly of his horse and took off. No time to think, just go. Hoot responded instantly, hooves powering into the earth, skittling dust and stones into the air.
oooooooooooooooooo
The first bullet was off target, hitting the Texan in the back of the left arm. Jess reeled back before regaining his balance and urging his mount forward. Then, with a loud thump, the second bullet found its mark. Tearing flesh just under the ribs in his back and knocking the wind from his lungs. The pain overwhelmed him, but instinct told him to move, just keep moving. Spurring his horse on, Jess laid low against its neck and hung on as if his life depended on it….and it did.