Chapter Nine
Daisy? The sweet perfume snatching him out of sleep, he shook his head. June.
"Good morning, Jess. How do you feel?"
If his tongue could work, it would be telling a lie right about now. Since it didn't, there was no point lying to himself. The last hour of sleep a fitful one, Jess already knew every pain in his body. He knew one so well he could hold it in his hand. As a matter of fact, he was doing it right now. He would be doing it forever.
Dadgummed hand. Why does it gotta twitch and stab me at the same time?
"I take it by the pinching of your brows that you don't feel fine. I'm sorry. I wish I had something to give you to ease your pain."
I ain't. I've swallowed so much medicine since I got shot up, I reckon if I ever see a spoon coming at me again I'm gonna spit whatever's in it a mile.
The inevitable point reached, June sighed. "You can't speak."
Yeah. You noticed, huh?
"I'm sorry. It's difficult. Part of me feels that I shouldn't talk to you at all, just out of respect that you can't answer."
Don't. I can answer, just in a different kinda way.
"Well, let's start with something easy. Do you still dislike me?"
Jess' lips made a surprising rise as he shook his head against the pillow. You kissed me, didn't you? Besides, the only reason I was always frowning your way was that I didn't like you using Slim. Since he got over how well you look in a skirt, I reckon I shouldn't hold your wily women ways against you either.
"I have a feeling I don't want to know what you said."
Jess nodded. You'd be right.
"All right, since that's getting us nowhere, let's try a different direction, then. How's Slim?"
He expected by June's reaction that the shadows were filling in the lines along his eyes, maybe stretching so far that his entire face grew dark. Years of experience his greatest teacher, Jess had always kept his features hard when he didn't want anyone reading his thoughts. Since the beginning of his silencing, Jess' face began to tell his inner tale more than he wanted. Like right now, when the subject wasn't much different than asking about how he felt, for both answers resulted in a measure of pain.
"Jess, did I say something wrong?"
He shook his head. I honestly don't know how Slim is. I haven't seen him since he left me in that blamed hospital.I don't hold it against him though. He was doing what's best for me then by leaving me behind, and I'm doing what's best for him now by leaving him behind. I reckon that makes us even. I sure hope he's all right, though, working that ranch all himself. And Daisy. And Mike. Dadgum, is there something in my eye?
Seeing the sudden drop of Jess' eyelashes, the squint, the blur, June leaned closer to him. "What's the matter, Jess? Is there something in your eye?"
Shaking his head, Jess blinked whatever it was away. So you noticed it too? And here I was just thinking that I'd need to get my look stonier. Too bad I can't whip myself into shape faster than saying so.
"I guess I should have stuck with yes or no answers. But I will add that I do think of Slim fondly. He was good to me, far better than I deserved."
Same could be said for me.
"He married yet?"
Jess shook his head.
"I hope that's not on account of me."
Jess shook his head again.
"Good. I didn't want to hurt him, you know. I just wanted to keep safe the one I loved."
Don't gotta explain it to me, June. I've done exactly that myself.
"Well, enough on the ultra serious. Let's see if I can get a response from something on a more personal level. Are you hungry?"
The smile grew so big he didn't need to add the nod, but Jess bobbed his head anyway. Got a steer out back roasting?
"I have some soup on. Will that do?"
As long as you bring me a bucket full and a dipper to guzzle it down with.
"I take it by that little twinkle in your eye that you agree. I'll be back in a moment."
Whatever a moment actually was, it took June longer than a single one to return with the soup, but when the taste of chicken at its most golden stage touched his tongue, any complaint was forgotten. The spoonfuls of soup, with actual pieces of meat and vegetables to chew on, served between gulps of coffee, Jess didn't even slow down the lower into the bowl and cup he got. The spoon back to his mouth, Jess' lips went forward a bit too greedily. Not wanting any taste to go to waste, Jess' thumb went for the dribble. As he touched the broth, Jess' breath went still. The soup was dripping down his bare chin.
Realization made Jess' hand slap against smooth skin and the silent grumble that went with it enflamed both cheeks, making similar sparks fly from his eyes. You shaved me?
Stunned, June reeled backward. "Why, Jess, whatever is the matter? I thought you'd feel better if I wiped a razor down each cheek and chin."
No! I wanna have a rug on my face. I wanna hide who I am.
The sudden change made her shiver, but the sheer terror that emanated from Jess' being made the courses race even harder through her frame. "Someone's after you, Jess. Who is it?"
I don't know his name. But I know him. He's death, June, and I don't want him knocking on your door.
The soup bowl forgotten, June pressed both palms against Jess' chest. "Settle down, Jess."
No! He rose past her, flinging her grip off with his good hand. I gotta get up!
"Jim! Come here, quick!"
The urgency in his wife's call making Jim hurry, he crashed into the bedroom with one hand wearing a pistol. "What's wrong?"
"He's trying to get up!"
"Jess." Jim holstered his gun to give both palms the ability to push Jess back into bed. "What're you trying to do? Your head is in no shape to be up."
I can and will!
"Jess…"
Stop calling me Jess! What if someone can hear? Remembering where he had stuffed his new name, Jess' left hand fished in his pocket. The paper was crumpled, but he could still see the marks made with his left-handed scrawl and he thrust it in Jim's hand to read. It's Rex!
"Rex Helfer?" Jim looked at the angry brow and then back to the hastily sketched name. "Is that who you're running from."
No. Jess' finger thumped his chest. It's me.
"But you're Jess Harper."
I ain't anymore. Again Jess tapped his chest and then pointed at the sheet. My name's Rex Helfer.
Shock turned June's mouth into a perfect circle. "Why would you change your name?"
Like you should ask. Jess gave June a bitter stare. Ain't you the one that kept your story a secret and made Slim get all mushy around you?
"All right." The tinted cheeks developed an even pinker hue. "I suppose I had that coming."
I'm sorry, June. I hate being scared. I hate what it does to me. But what I'd hate even more is having something happen to you, to Jim, to anyone that's around me.
Jim's hands didn't ease up on Jess' frame, yet he allowed one to offer a reassuring pat. "Jess, it's not hard to figure that you're in trouble. I know you can't tell us, but won't you trust us?"
Jess flicked his eyes between Jim and June. He understood their willingness to help him, appreciated it more than he could say even if his words weren't cut off, but the fear was too full in Jess' being to have that kind of trust. Jess couldn't share his soul with anyone, not when doing so might take their lives.
Too weak to push against Jim's frame any longer, Jess flopped back against the mattress, yet he wasn't so defeated that he couldn't shake his head. I can't.
"You helped me even when I didn't want it, Jess. Right now you're stuck with the same from me."
Dadgum, Jim.
"You should be thanking Jim for keeping you down, Jess. Your head would have stopped you sooner or later. The bullet took a lengthy stripe out of your skull."
Dadgum, June. But maybe the one I should be dadgumming is myself. I reckon you both are right. Dadgum.
"I'm sorry if you think I'm pressuring you, Jess," Jim said as he tested the removal of his hands from Jess' body. "You don't have to tell us your story. Just know that you're safe here."
His head rocked hard back and forth. That's where you're wrong. I ain't safe as long as they're after me. And neither are you.
"Listen, Jess. I took a ride around yesterday. I didn't find a trace of anyone, but even if there was, June and I won't let anything happen to you here."
June smiled her own promise. "You're safe, Jess."
Doubtful, Jess looked toward the curtained window. I'd only agree if I could get up and ride outta here.
"Your mind isn't all that hard to read, Jess," June said, her lips twitching as she received a provoked shot of blue. "You're not riding out of here before a week at least. Now, be a good boy and settle down and go back to sleep. Won't you do that for me, please?"
Jess sighed. I reckon since it's you doing the asking, in a kinda purring sorta way, I will. Dadgummed women that always get me to bend in the opposite direction of where I wanna go.
"That's fine, Jess. Lie back, close your eyes and let sleep take over. You know it's the best way to heal."
I reckon. But why'd I have to get hurt again? I wanna be riding to my new nowhere, not lying around feeling helpless, feeling afraid. Dadgum, will I ever be the same again?
.:.
There was an eerie familiarity being stuck in the Dark's extra bedroom and being stuck in the hospital. Whenever he awakened, Jess was staring at the ceiling. At least now it wasn't really all that he could do. Rolling over, Jess checked for the plate of food that June often had waiting for him on the bedside table. On the fifth morning into his stay, as the easterly glow of sun depicted the time to be, it was laden with eggs and flapjacks.
Dadgum, I've graduated!
Sitting up, Jess grabbed the plate and immediately shoved a forkful between his teeth. He started to wince as he swallowed, but the tense lines of his throat began to ease when the food found his belly. It didn't hurt. Sawing a piece of flapjack away from its steaming center, Jess stabbed a chunk of scrambled egg and swirled the entire lot in syrup. The large portion glided down his throat without pain.
I wonder when that let up.
The light knock on the door brought June's face around the corner. "I thought I heard you up. Can I come in?"
He waved her in with the fork. Look at this, June.
Watching a large bite go down with a grin, June's eyes developed a shimmer. "Your throat doesn't hurt anymore?"
Jess shook his head. Maybe now I can have some steak? Oh, and if you've got any pie, I'll take two slices. Wait. If it's apple, make it three.
Her smile grew at his hand gestures, but while June understood what the triangle and the number of raised fingers meant, she didn't hurry off to the kitchen. Pulling a chair up to Jess' bed, she sat and gently shook her head. "I think I have more to interest you than another plate of food."
What's that?
"You've gained more than just your ability to swallow. You were talking in your sleep last night, Jess."
How can I? I can't talk.
"You were. It wasn't more than a faint whisper, but I heard it."
What'd I say?
"You were calling for Slim."
Jess' lashes went down. I wish I could say that doesn't sound right, but it's gotta be just about perfect. Why do I gotta dream about Slim's dadgummed ornery hide?
"It can't be any different now that you're awake, Jess. Come on, try."
He shook his head. I don't wanna hear the nothing that'll come out when I try.
"You spoke in the night, believe me. Try Jess."
Maybe you were the one that was dreaming instead of me. I know I can't talk.
"One word. My name. It's short and simple. Just try once, please, and if nothing comes out, I'll forget it."
He swallowed, wincing as if the pain had returned. There wasn't even a hint of the original throb, but the fear couldn't go down as swiftly as breakfast had. Was she right that he had spoken? While the details of the dream weren't as vivid as the colors and shapes around him now, Jess remembered enough. Slim was outside of the ranch house calling Jess' name, over and over again. And while Jess could clearly hear his partner, no matter how loud Jess shouted, Slim couldn't hear him in return.
It's obvious why, ain't it? Because I can't talk.
But then Jess looked at June. Her beautiful face wasn't painted up to disguise a lie. Among her natural glow was truth, and the encouragement it offered began to shake Jess' body. Had he really spoken? If his dream had produced real sound underneath sleep's comfortable blanket, then it should do the same while awake.
Parting his lips, fear kept Jess' teeth tight for a few seconds more and then staring into eyes that were filling with hopeful tears, Jess offered more than a breath. "June?"
Hearing her name, the droplets began to spill over her cheeks. "That's it, Jess. A little more. I can hear you!"
"June?" At the raspy whisper floating from his lips, hope did more than hit him, it exploded in his veins. "It ain't just in my head is it?"
"No!"
"Am I really making sound?"
"Yes!"
"Dadgum. I can talk. June, I can talk!" Even as he grinned Jess' hand wrapped around his throat. The pain was back, but it didn't matter. This kind of hurt was glorious. "I can talk!"
"Now, now, Jess. Not so much at first. Ease your voice back into action. You still need time to heal."
The only piece of Jess' memory that he wanted to keep of his time in the hospital made the welcome return. "He was whispering within a month and shouting within two."
"Dadgum, if Woodruff was right about that, then I will get better!"
"What's that, Jess?"
"Just mumbling, but I don't know why I should. Dadgum, I can talk!"
Her palms going against Jess' rising frame, June switched her smile for a frown. "Your whisper is far from a full victory, which means you're still not getting up."
"Dadgum."
June gave the bandage around Jess' forehead a gentle tap with her finger. "Your voice is better, your head is not. Since your plate is cleaned, would you like more to eat?"
Jess' fingers formed a triangle. "Pie. Three slices of it. But later, as it'll go better with dinner instead of breakfast. If you don't mind, I'd kinda like to talk to Jim, tell him I can talk again. Where is he?"
Her eyes darted to the window, perhaps too quickly, for Jess caught the worry in the glance. "Taking another ride around."
The anxious beat of his heart making a hard return, Jess flung the blankets away from his body and scooted to the bed's edge. "Why? Did he hear something? Are those men out there?"
"Take it easy, Jess. All Jim is doing is keeping his promise to you. Riding around he'll know if anyone's out there."
"So there ain't?"
"As long as he returns wearing a smile there isn't."
"When do you expect him back?"
"He said he'd be in by noon."
Jess' eyes held onto the window, but what he would rather be holding onto was his gun. "I dunno."
"Well, I do. You're safe, Jess."
"Can't you at least gimme my gun belt? Since I'm the only man here right now, I'd rather have something solid to hold onto."
Nodding, June pulled it from the hook beside the bedroom door. "Here, but if you give a fidgety point to me just once with that thing, I'll toss it down the well."
"Fair enough." Jess smiled, but seeing the hem of her dress swish toward the door, Jess' mouth grew firm. "Say, June. Do you gotta go?"
"Well, I suppose I don't have to. You lonely?"
Jess lifted a shoulder. "Kinda strange to admit, huh?"
"No," she answered, retaking the seat by Jess' bed. "What do you have in mind other than overusing your voice?"
"Got any cards around? Seems to me that you kinda know how to play."
"I know," she answered, the smile she wore a sly one. "What about you? Do you know how to play right or do you cheat?"
"Me, cheat a woman?" Jess' mouth grew its own ornery curl. "Dadgum, I ain't gonna cheat you."
"Uh-huh. Why is it that I don't believe you, then?"
"You gotta, on account I don't got my special deck with me."
Her laugh was like a song. "All right, Jess. No cheating on either side. What should we play?"
"Kinda hard to wear a poker face in front of a pretty face, so let's just cut for high card."
If there was money or gambling chips between them, after ten tries June would have a larger stack than Jess. The eleventh attempt wasn't much different than the others. Jess' frown growing when he showed off his puny four of spades, he expected June to pull out an ace. It was the queen of diamonds, close enough.
"High card. I win again, Jess."
He slapped his card down. "I ain't sure you're abiding the no cheating rule."
"It's merely a knack I can't let go of. Once more?"
"Sure," agreed Jess, watching as June gave the stack a shuffle and as she drew a six of hearts, Jess felt the familiar flutter of a win race through his veins. He would never get the chance to know. "Ow! Dadgum, when am I gonna ever learn I can't use that hand?"
"Jess," June said, setting the cards aside. "Let me see your hand."
A slow thirty seconds passed as he stared at her. He wanted to see mischief in her eyes, maybe even watch her recoil away from his painful response. None of that existed. What he saw was genuine concern with a heart full of care. Somehow he couldn't deny that, even if Jess was about to leap through the ceiling when he stretched his arm her way.
"All right. Just look, though. Don't touch."
June's fingers paused just beyond Jess' nails. "A knife did this?"
He nodded. "All the way through."
"I'll be careful." Stretching them further, she gently wrapped her fingers around Jess' hand, turning it into her palm.
"Ow, June, stop!"
Her thumb dropping down, she caressed the scar inside his palm and then slowly put pressure along the straight line. "Easy, Jess. I promise that I won't cause you any further damage."
Failing to tug his hand away from her clasp, the torture sliced through his arm, sending pain's longest hiss through his teeth. "What're you doing to me?"
"I know it hurts, Jess, but let me finish."
Jess winced so hard it immediately dried the tears that dared to form. "You didn't tell me what you were doing to me."
"I'm giving your hand a massage."
"Well, stop! It hurts!"
"I already told you I know it hurts. Likely it'll hurt worse than this."
Fear giving him added strength, Jess jerked his hand free, holding it to his middle with the kind of protection he would give a baby. "Dadgum, you're sure full of cheer."
"Just quit fighting me and let me have your hand back."
"No."
"Then I guess I'll just reach in and take it. You can't fight me off."
"I reckon not," Jess said, gasping as June retook his hand into her own, "but I'd sure like to turn my hand into a fist and deck you a good one."
"You wouldn't do that."
"Wanna bet?"
"Both the gambler and the woman in me knows better."
"Dadgum."
"I'm sorry, Jess. I should have started with a proper explanation of giving your hand a thorough rub. During his months of recovery, I used to do this to Jim's hand. Day after day, week after week, I'd take his hand in mine and massage every finger, the palm, the wrist, everywhere it hurt."
The frown waned, even if the pain wasn't willing to do the same. "Did it help?"
"I guess you'll have to ask him."
"I'm asking you. For all I know you were only holding his hand because you kinda like the fella."
"Well, I certainly wouldn't be holding your hand for that reason. You don't like me, remember?"
"I changed my mind, remember?"
She smiled, and in that flicker, Jess felt hope among the agonizing stabs. "You really think you can help me?"
"All I know is that the tissues, the muscles, the nerves, all the little pieces that make up your hand aren't dead. If they were, you wouldn't feel pain. But there's also this. The longer those little pieces sit idle, do nothing, then they really will never want to do anything again."
It was true that Jess had buried his hand the first day he had wakened to its agony. To him, there was no other description to put over it but that it was gone. The pain excruciating with even the slightest movement, Jess had forced it to remain immobile. Was June right that every repeated stab to his flesh was a good thing? Should he have moved it, forced it to try to work? Leaving the hospital before anyone could tell him whether his hand would ever live again, he could do nothing but diagnose himself. No, that was wrong. Ingram had said something. Jess hadn't believed it, but if his memory could pull it up, he would be willing to give the doctor's words another chance.
Don't give up. Jess' brows knit tightly together. Naturally that'd be the first part I'd remember. I know I've given up, nobody, not even that white-cladded doc's gotta rub it in. I know because I'm living this life. But what's the rest?
Suddenly Jess looked up to the ceiling. At least it wasn't that blasted piece of ceiling that still haunted the backside of his eyelids. But somehow the similar appearance made the finger snap inside of his mind.
Everyday gets us closer to you getting better.
Jess wondered what day he was on now. Too much time lost to him while he was in the hospital, too little followed when he was released, Jess couldn't even guess what number had passed. Too many to suffer through, yet too few to recover in.
He sighed. "What day is it, June?"
"The fifth of September. Why?"
"I'm trying to figure out when I was hurt."
"Oh. Jim thought the wound on your chest looked a month old. Does that sound about right?"
"Could be," Jess answered softly, but his mind wasn't searching for the last date he remembered before being attacked. He was absorbed with that little piece of information fed by Doctor Woodruff, one that he had already remembered with more than a tiny shred of hope. If his voice had healed that long in a month, couldn't his hand share a bit of the same?
"June. I reckon if you think you can help my hand, go ahead and hurt it all you want."
"Just a little at a time, Jess. And then we'll take it one day at a time after that."
.:.
Jess was on his feet, and like the day he was confronted by Corbett in the hospital, Jess was feeling the similar pulls against his frame to flee. It wasn't so much fear, although with its persistent tap against his core, the hated emotion could be sound enough reason for returning to the saddle. Jess simply sensed it was time. The bandage was removed from his head, the dizziness no longer forced his legs down, Jess knew he could ride, and he should ride, wherever it was that he was going to.
But unlike so many other departures in his life, Jess couldn't let this one go without a goodbye. Mainly because there was more to it than the single word. This one had to have a discussion to go with it. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe the reverend's prayers were at work, even if it was some other reason not understood, Jess had come across Jim Dark's path. Considering they shared a same likeness, Jess couldn't leave without taking some of the man's experience with him.
Stepping outside of the house, Jess gave his loudest, which was also his softest call. "Jim?"
The large frame coming through the barn door, Jim waved him over. "Right here, Jess."
"Can we talk a minute?"
"I'll give you all day if you'd like. Now that your voice is recovering, I'd like to hear what you have to tell."
Jess lowered his eyes. "I ain't really ready to talk about me getting hurt."
"Then whatever subject suits you best."
Jess took in a long breath before getting the necessary question out. "Has your hand ever recovered?"
"No," Jim answered, holding out his hand, the tremble unmistakable. "I'd imagine it'll always hurt and be weakened, but I still have it."
"Yeah, but…"
"Jess. I've struggled with my hand for almost four years now. Give yours more time to heal before you give up on it."
"I reckon the last three days that I've let June rub it ain't long enough, but it don't feel any better. If anything, it feels worse."
"Like I said, don't give up. June hasn't given up on mine."
The need to feel it strong, Jess' left hand pulled the iron away from his hip. "Did you ever give your left a chance to take over?"
Jim shook his head. "Didn't want it to."
"I wish I could say the same. You know what I was doing when you were circling up on me? I was firing with my left hand, was using it pretty good, too."
"You want to be able to fight them when they come, don't you, Jess?"
"Didn't you wanna fight the Reeves brothers?"
Jim nodded. "I did."
"Then you know my answer. I gotta be able to fight them when they come, Jim."
"Who are they, Jess?"
"I dunno their names."
"But they're coming?"
"Slim warned me they were. For all I know they're breathing down my neck right now."
"I've been riding around," said Jim, giving a point to the surrounding hills. "I haven't seen anyone."
"That doesn't matter. They still could be out there."
Jim saw it in his eyes, he heard it in Jess' whisper, now he had to acknowledge it himself. "You're ready to leave, aren't you?"
"I can't let them come here, to you, to June. I owe you that safety."
"Well, by the look on your face, you've already decided. Today, then?"
"I'm ready to go right now."
Jim sighed and shook his head, but knowing he couldn't convince a rock not to be hard, he called to the house. "June! Come here, June."
Her skirt lifted, June ran to the men in the yard. "What's the matter?"
"I'm gonna head outta here, June," Jess said, suddenly needing to look down, anywhere that was away from June's pleading expression.
"I was afraid you had something like this in mind when you got up this morning. Oh, Jess, you really should rest awhile longer."
"I gotta get going. I can't let anyone come looking for me here."
Jim put his hand on Jess' arm. "You're not ready to meet them, Jess."
"Like you were ready to meet the Reeves?"
"You stood up with me, Jess, even when I told you not to. Why can't you let me do the same for you?"
Jess looked toward June. "You know why. June deserves having a husband. She don't deserve turning into a widow."
"He's that bad?"
"He is."
"Well, Jess, since you're determined to go, I offer you all my luck."
"I'll go one step further," June said, reaching out to give the growing hair on Jess' cheek a brush with her lips. "I offer you all my prayers. Go with God, Jess."
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
Was it Sunday? How else could the reverend out of Rock Springs be pounding a corker of a sermon over him? Shaking his head, Jess stifled the memory by looking around him, picking the trail that he would take away from the Dark's place. Knowing nothing would be following him all the days of his life but more trouble.
"I'll get your horse ready, Jess. That'll give June some time to get some food packed."
He nodded, waiting exactly where he stood for Jim and June's return. As if they planned it, they came out simultaneously, Jim leading Traveler, June carrying enough food that Jess' saddlebags bulged when stuffed inside. Getting in the saddle, Jess was ready to offer his thanks with a smile, with the actual word, but he had to get one thing settled first.
"I need you to do me one more thing. Don't tell Slim where I've been."
"Even though Slim's your partner?"
"Because Slim's my partner I know what's best for him. I don't want him to know where I've been. I don't want anyone to know."
"All right, Jess," Jim promised, giving Jess' left hand a firm shake. "I'll keep quiet."
"That goes to everyone. Jess Harper was not here. Rex Helfer was. Got that?"
"You have my word, Jess."
Now able to smile, Jess gave the edge of his hat a tip. "I wanna thank you both for taking care of me. It ain't home, but you made it feel close enough. I'm greatly obliged. So long, Jim. June."
"Goodbye, Jess." She was going to wait until Jess' dust had settled before turning away, but he was too skilled in hiding a trail to let his horse kick up even a puff of dirt. June knew why. He was taking just as much care of them as he was himself. She smiled in admiration, but the real reason made it fade all too fast. "Oh, Jim. I wish there had been more we could do for him."
"I know, June. But Jess wants to be out on his own, he needs to be out on his own."
"He needs to go home."
"Spoken like a true woman."
Her hands finding her hips, June looked toward the house. "Since he left me with a bed full of scrunched linens, I guess I better get the laundry tub out."
Jim caught June's chin with his fingers. "Tomorrow, Dear. Right now I think I need my hand rubbed, among other things."
"Jealous of all the attention I was giving Jess this past week?"
"I'll let you know after you've rubbed my hand, among other things."
.:.
The afternoon breeze tugging at the hair that had loosened from her bun, June grabbed a wet sheet and gave it a snap. Waiting the extra day might have given her more laundry to scrub, but today was actually better suited for drying. The sun full, the wind gently tossing the linens back and forth, she would be able to gather everything in before evening perfectly dry.
The last corner of the sheet going up to the line, a clothespin popped from June's hand, but it was the man that leaned down to pick it up that brought the shocking exclaim through her lips. "Oh!"
"I think you dropped this."
"Thank you," she said, snatching the pin from the offered hand.
"My name's Bisbee. Scott Bisbee. And you are?"
"No one you need to know."
"I doubt that very much. I've been watching you."
June's cheeks instantly flamed, but she wouldn't look at the man lest he be able to read the real reason the color was blooming. How long had he been watching? Since the laundry was dropped into the tub, or since she said goodbye to Jess? Or even sometime earlier than that?
She felt her legs tremble as she grabbed the pillow case and pinned it to the line. "Then you know I've been busy. So why come pester me?"
"Thought you could use some help."
"You thought wrong."
"You're a tough woman. But maybe I should've just said, pretty woman."
The rifle was cracked and readied. "How about taken woman?"
Bisbee's fingers inched away from the hat that had been given a rise and stared at the big man beyond the rifle. "Understood. You can relax your gun, Mister, I ain't looking for that kinda entertainment."
"I'll keep the gun where it is, thank you."
Bisbee shrugged. "Suit yourself."
"Well, if it's not a good time that you're out to get, what're you searching for?"
"A fellow by the name of Jess Harper. You know him?"
"Can't say that I do."
"Any strangers been by?"
"No and if there was, I'd have a gun balancing on his hide just like I have mine on you. There's reason my wife and I have chosen to live a distant life from everyone else. We don't cotton to strangers. Of any kind."
"I'd hide out a woman that looks like her, for certain."
"Then you'll understand when I tell you to move on."
Bisbee nodded through his backpedal. "Sure. Sure. As long as you're telling the truth about no strangers being around."
"I'm telling the truth. If I saw a stranger he'd be pushed out by this barrel, or buried by one, like you'll be if you stick around another ten seconds longer."
"All right. I'll be going. Ma'am. It was a pleasure to watch you hang up the laundry."
She sighed but didn't let any piece of the relief show. So that was as far as he had looked. He hadn't known anything before the soap had bubbled up and over the tub. He didn't know about Jess.
Waiting until the rider was out of sight, June's hand fluttered against her heart. "Oh, Jim. Do you realize if he had come by just one day earlier he would have found Jess?"
"I was thinking the same. They've been around though. While I didn't see anyone, I thought I've been catching the foul drift of air from the hills. They're good, though, not leaving a trace of a trail for even my skill to find."
"Do you think he believed you?"
"We'll know by tonight."
"Tonight?"
"I'll go out and search for their camp after dark."
"But Jim, if you find them and…"
He caught her trembling fingers into his hands. "June. I said I'll just search for their camp, not that I'll take them on by myself."
From the moment the evening arrived, June waited, anxiously, by baking up a pie even if Jess was no longer there to share it with. Every cut, roll, and pinch of the crust she worried about Jess, feared for Jim. As it baked and bubbled she paced, worrying even harder, fearing the worst. The pie was sitting on the windowsill with a tendril of steam floating toward the stars when Jim came in smiling.
She hurried to his side. "Is everything all right?"
"I guess there's still a strong sense in this old marshal after all. While they were well rubbed clean, I found the scant evidence of both trails. Jess headed north. The outlaws went east."
"So he's safe?"
"For now."
June's hands folding together, she rested the soft knot under her chin.
"Praying, June?"
Her eyelashes lifted, as did the corners of her mouth. "Praising, more like. Jess is safe."
"For now. But not forever."