Three Days Time

by MustangSallie

Jess is caught between Sheriff Mort on one side and his loyalty to Slim and his family on the other. The worst thing is that an answer is due in three days time.

Chapter 1

"Jess."

Mort's voice was calm but insistent. "I'm going to need an answer in three days time."

I looked hard at him and then my eyes hit the floor. Dadgum! How was I supposed to come up with an answer in that amount of time? The whole affair affected my entire family, Daisy, Mike and Slim, especially Slim.

Our normal Friday had started out with Daisy's special blueberry flapjacks and a conversation with Mike about picking out a new horse. Our talk was interrupted by Mose who had a message for me.

"What's it say?" Slim asked me while discretely looking over my shoulder.

"Mort wants to see me," I answered. I had no idea what he wanted. Years ago, if anyone had told me that one of my best friends was a sheriff, I woulda laughed. But now, my friendship with the tall, honest sheriff from Laramie was a thing I treasured. Truth was, Mort was more like a father figure to me. I think he knew it too, cause he often referred to me as 'son'.

"Probably needs a weekend deputy," Slim was explaining to Mike. I hadn't heard their conversation as I was still trying to figure out the how's and whys of Mort's request. I crumpled the note and saddled Traveler for my trip. I rode towards town with a mixture of excitement and fear. It was getting a little dull, truth be told, at the ranch and I was itching to just ride until the sunset met the road but at the same time, I liked my warm bed and Daisy's cooking. Whatever Mort wanted was big. He normally rode over to see us when he needed a deputy. After all, it gave him a chance to visit with his god son and sample one of Daisy's pies.

I made my way down Main Street about an hour or so later. It was quiet for a Friday afternoon. Mort was sitting at his desk. He was shuffling a stack of paper and looked up when I opened the door. As sunlight followed me into the dark room I noticed for the first time the streak of grey on his temples and it occurred to me that my favorite sheriff was getting older. He motioned me towards the chair in front of him.

"Coffee?"

"Whenever have I turned down coffee, Mort?"

I could feel the burning heat of the steaming cup through my gloves. I waited impatiently for him to begin.

He pushed his hat off his forehead and regarded me for a long moment. It probably was only a second or two but I began to sweat.

"Son," he began," I've got a big favor to ask you and before you get riled, I want you to think hard before you give me an answer."

I gulped. This was big. Gripping the cup, I stared into the murky brown liquid and tried to steady my nerves.

"I would like for you to be."

I heard the rest of his request from under water. The jail house was closing in on me. My heart became a steady drum beat and my brain shut down. I was aware of only two things, the urge to flee and Slim's steady mantra in my head. " Think first, then act."

"You want me to what!" I found myself shouting. "What am I supposed to tell Slim? I'm just supposed to give up my family, my stake in the ranch, my custody of Mike because the Town Council wants this? And you, " I fought to hold onto my temper. " How dare you! "

We were standing so close I could have hauled off and punched him. I grabbed my temper with both hands and snarled at my friend, " have you even though about what this will do to Mike? I'll get to see him once a week if I'm lucky."

"It's not that bad, Jess," Mort began to ride his statement backwards, " Lon did it all the time."

"Lon, didn't have half a stake in a ranch or a twelve year old son to raise. He could live at the hotel. How am I supposed to split my time, Mort?"

"You'll get money for room and board, Jess and you won't have to pay full price at the diner or at Benson's. You'll get a free horse too."

I was beginning to get a headache. I held onto the chair as I fought down the urge to get sick. I tried breathing in and out a few times. My first loyalty was to Slim and the ranch. How could I cut off my bond with my best friend? "

"How long would I have to do this? "

Mort began to look hopeful. " Only a little while, Jess."

Truth be told 'a little while' sounded suspiciously like forever to me. " Mort, I'm gonna ask again. "How long?"

"Until I find a replacement, Jess."

That could take months if not years.

Chapter 2

My guts were churning. I wanted to smash my fists into Botkin's smug face and hurl dirt all over Johnson's printing press. If it had been anyone else but Mort I would have flattened him against the wall by now. Except it was Mort and I could get thrown in jail. My anger finally erupted and I pounded his desk with my fist instead causing the stack of papers to slide to the floor.

"How could you even suggest this!" I demanded.

"Jess, calm down! This is not worth my throwing you in jail. All I'm asking you to do is,"

I cut him off with another anguished shout. " Have you any idea of what it takes to run a ranch?"

Mort shook his head.

I took a deep breath. I really didn't want to hit my friend but he needed to know what the stakes were to me and my family. He was asking me to hand over half of my heart and my life to a town council's idea of peace and protection. I had worked so hard to put my past behind me. I was no longer a drifter, a shootist, a man with no roots or family thanks to an honest, hard working rancher who had given me a second chance. Every good thing I enjoyed now was due to Slim. His friendship and belief in me meant everything and now I was faced with giving it up for an unknown length of time.

"Mort, it takes both of us to run that ranch. Mike is twelve but he's no where strong enough to do everything yet. He can change out the stage horses and milk the cow and take care of the chickens. He can fish better than both of us but he can't hunt. He can ride the fence line but not repair the fences. He is learning how to cook but he can't cut down trees. It takes Slim and I to do the heavy lifting. We're a team, Mort. We're friends and partners. And yes, Slim can worry the size of Texas. Can you imagine him worrying about me if I'm in town and he's at the ranch and he gets word of a shoot out? He can't get to me and leave Daisy and Mike alone. And what happens if something happens at the ranch, and I can't be there? My life is at the ranch, Mort. It's where I belong."

"Is that your answer, Jess? Because if it is you're not taking Slim's thoughts and feelings into consideration. "

"Uh?"

"Take the weekend, Jess. Let me know your answer on Monday."

I couldn't bear it any longer. I strode out of the jail house and slammed the door. The sunlight burned a hole into my guts and I leaned into Traveler's mane to hide my shaking. I needed to go home and fast. Without thought I turned Traveler towards the ranch and began to sort out my dilemma. I could just about imagine the reception I would receive. Slim would start with inquiring about what Mort wanted. Mike would hug me knowing with his usual perceptive self that I needed him to and Daisy would offer me some coffee. Upon getting a few grunts from me, Slim would leave me alone until I was ready to spill my guts and I began to practice my speech.

Well, you see it's like this, Lon is leaving the post as deputy and the town council wants me to take his place. Mort says the position would be mine until he finds a replacement but as we all know that could take months if not years. I would have to live in town and probably couldn't get over here very often which means we'd see each other at Church on Sundays if we're lucky. It also means that I'd have to sell you back my half of the ranch cause it wouldn't be fair for you to do all the work. By this time, I would be fighting tears and have to leave the room. Oh, and I'd probably have to say something about how I was afraid that all the people I had tried so hard to avoid would now know where I was, so every gun slick would be on the lookout for me. I would warn both Mike and Slim that I would have a target on my back. I might also have to remind Slim about the townsfolk retaliation when he refused to initially fight the duel against Parkison. Yep, that about said it all. The only problem was that I couldn't get the words past my tongue and I didn't really want the job. I liked, no make that loved my life at the ranch and wanted to desperately shove my fists down the town council for upending my life.

Before long, I found myself in the yard. I didn't remember my ride at all. As I had predicted, Slim's first question was 'what did Mort want?'

I froze. I had the answer on the tip of my tongue. I had practiced it even. But now that the moment of truth was upon me, I sat still as a statue. I couldn't tell him. Unlike my imaginary storyline, Slim put both hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look up.

"Tell us when you're ready, Pard and don't forget, we'll get through it together like we always do."

And unlike my practiced response, I lost control of my tightly held feelings and to my horror, felt tears trickle down my cheeks. Slim's hand went around my shoulder and prodded me towards the barn. He shut the door with his foot and guided us to a bale of hay. We sat side by side in silence as tears slid down my face.

Chapter 3

As my heartbeats slowed and I caught my breath I began to relax. Slim was still sitting beside me, hands clasped loosely in his lap, eyes closed. I nudged him with my shoulder.

"You ready?"

"Yup," I replied. It was now or never.

"Jess," he stopped me mid-stride. "Jess, whatever it is, I'm on your side. We'll figure it out."

Gratefully, I nodded. I didn't trust my voice.

It was a good thing that Daisy was seated because her "oh my" and white shocked face was the beginning of a faint. Mike jumped to get her some medicinal brandy and she gulped it down in one swallow and held me close. Mike was quiet for a bit then uncharacteristically ran out of the room. Slim tracked him down and brought him back from the hay loft a few minutes later. I spent some miserable moments reassuring him of my love and telling him that his beloved god father was just carrying out the wishes of the town council. A few minutes later, Slim suggested to him that he might want to make it an early night and our boy went off to bed without a fuss. I hated to see him leave 'cause I had a feeling' that he was gonna cry himself to sleep.

Soon after Daisy followed suit and we sat in front of the fire both of us lost in our heads.

"They can't force you, you know," Slim began.

"No, but they could make life difficult for you and the family. "

"So, we've dealt with busybodies before."

"Mike hasn't and Daisy will give everyone a piece of her mind. Remember Firth and the hotel sheets?"

We chuckled then remembering the time that I'd been beat up and Firth was afraid I'd ruin the sheets with my spurs.

"Did Mort seem set on you being his deputy?"

"I've never turned him down before even if it was for a week or two."

"Yeah, but like you said, it could be months. It's not that I doubt you can do the job, Pard. You're the best. But there's no ending in sight and it's all the time. Oh yeah, there's some time off but not like you could come and go as you please."

"Exactly, what I thought. "

We were quiet again and then suddenly Slim stood up and snapped his fingers. "I think I've got the answer. "

"Don't keep me in suspense, Pard."

"Not any longer than necessary, Pard. I'm going into town tomorrow and talk to Mort and Seth. There might be a way to have a win- win situation." He clapped his hands together in glee and bent down to bank the fire. "Why don't you go to bed. I'm going to be up for a few minutes more. I've got some planning to do."

I must have been more tired than I thought, cause when I finally woke Slim's bed was empty. He either let me sleep in or had gone to town already. I hurriedly got dressed and splashed some water on my face, running a hand past the scruff on my cheeks. I froze when I heard Daisy's voice seep through the closed door and I leaned against the rough hewn wall trying not to make a sound.

"Is that why he's so upset?"

"It's part of it," my Pard answered her. "See, I reckon he's mad because they took his friendship with Mort for granted. Just because he's always accepted the badge before to hunt down an outlaw or act as a weekend deputy, they assumed he'd want to do it full time. We all know that's not the case. The second thing is that there's no end in sight. Now, I know, they said until Mort finds a replacement. But that could take awhile and Jess probably feels that they'll make it impossible for him to refuse to serve for a longer time. And lastly, I think they're trying to force Mort out."

"Oh, Slim," she exclaimed, " surely they don't think that, do they? He's an excellent sheriff. There's been hardly any trouble in Laramie since he took over."

Through the door I heard him get up. " Daisy, the town council wants to bring in more money and loosen up the town more. With a younger sheriff they might just get their way."

"I suppose it has something to do with us having the vote, doesn't it?"

"It's part of it, I guess. It really rattled people up that women, sorry Daisy, all women got the right to vote and sit on juries. Some of us men folk are just stuck in our ways."

"It's the law of the land, Slim."

"Yeah, but there's some other things too."

"I don't understand. "

"You know of course that we have to buy and have on our person at all times, a permit to carry our guns. "

" That's a good thing, Slim."

"Oh? Don't let Jess hear you say that! He says it's not the government's right to know if he's carrying a gun or not."

"Is that all?"

"No, there's the little matter of folks forming shooting parties to kill elk and deer and bringing the carcasses to town."

"Oh and one more thing, Daisy. In addition to us paying a mortgage on the house and land, we now have taxes and Jess would have to go out and collect the money from the people who can't pay."

"What are you going to do?"

"When Jess wakes up, tell him to stay put and not worry. I'm going to see Seth and see if there's a legal way out, some kind of negotiation that can be worked out so it's a win-win for both sides. "

I marveled again at my best friend's willingness to right a wrong and stayed out of sight until he left. I hoped he knew what he was doing.

Chapter 4

I kept myself busy for the most part the rest of the morning. Daisy needed furniture moved and items shifted around the root cellar. I answered Mike's questions as best as I could and tried not to worry. I had no idea what Slim had in mind and I didn't trust Botkin as far as I could throw him and that wasn't far. The stage came in right on time driven by the Mose who wanted to know if the rumor was true.

"Which rumor is that, Mose?" I already had a good idea.

"That you're the new deputy."

I busied myself with the horses and decided not to answer him. He persisted though, following me around the stage. "Is it true?"

I shook my head. "Mose, don't trust everything you hear," I tried warning him off.

I guess he got the message because he kept quiet and soon had the stage rumbling towards town.

"Why didn't you tell him?" Mike asked.

"Cause it's none of his business! " I grumbled, a bit more forcefully than usual. Heck it wasn't Mike's fault. I was just tired of everyone rearranging my life. I went back to scrubbing the floor. Presently, I heard Mike's yell, "Slim is home," and I traded my apron for my rig.

"I know we didn't need anything but I bought some flour and salt anyway. Oh, and Mike, if you dig down deep in that package," he gestured to a brown covered sack that he'd laid down beside the flour," you might just find something for you!"

Mike eagerly grabbed the sack and rummaged through it until he found the candy sticks that he loved so much. Munching happily he helped maneuver the sacks into the kitchen. Slim watched him, a fond smile graced his lips and he grinned up at me. "I've got some good news for you too," he whispered.

Dinner was over and Mike was washing the dishes when Slim finally told me the plan. "Seth is going to come out tomorrow and explain it to you but I thought I'd give you part of it. We worked out a plan so that the town council gets your services as deputy for three months time only and you get one day off a week, Sunday. Your orders come from Mort only and if they want you for a longer time they have to make a new contract. "

"Can you handle me not being here for three months?"

"We've done it before, when you were sick that one time with the measles and another time when you were away, so I reckon we can do it again. We'll be careful and won't stay out in the snow or rain and chance an illness."

On Monday, dressed in my best suit, I rode into town with Slim. Seth joined us and we met with Mort and the members of the town council. It was interesting watching the reaction of the members who had not anticipated the contract. After a few minutes of discussion, they agreed to our terms and they signed on the dotted line. Mort handed me a badge and I took the oath to protect the people of Laramie. Slim shook my hand, reminded me that the family would see me on Sunday and left. My first day as deputy had begun.

My first day was spent picking out a horse, getting set up at the hotel and going through wanted posters. I walked around town and introduced myself to some of the newest shopkeepers. Mort and I set up a schedule for the walk around at night and my first day passed quickly. I really didn't have time to miss my family but by the time I pulled off my boots, I found myself wondering what Slim and Mike were up to.

My first week went by like molasses flowing down hill. It was like fishing . I was looking forward to Sunday and our picnic. I found out about new kittens and Mike's new horse which he had named Spirit. The days began to flow together some more boring than others. We occasionally had saloon fights that broke up the boredom. One day we rode out to serve an eviction notice. The renter, who had not been paying his rent, was due to leave and refused. The owner was afraid and so we went out. I had always thought that Mort was wise but now I got to watch him convince the tenant to lay down his guns and drive his wagon away.

September passed with days full of boredom and excitement. There was an attempted bank robbery during which Mort was shot. He was just grazed but it was his shooting arm and all sorts of dark, depressing thoughts lived in my dreams for days afterwards. He was out of action for the entire month. I learned that he was worse that I was when it came to lying down. I kept him busy by suggesting that he write down some of the lessons he learned during his time of sheriff. We played many games of checkers in front of the fire. During October, I put several people in jail and every night crossed off another date. December 5th couldn't come fast enough.

November 5th dawned bright and clear. There was a hint of more snow in the air and I pulled my jacket closer around my shoulders. Daisy had made me a new blue scarf and I wound it around my neck. I strode down the street side-stepping the snow drifts anxious to see my family.

Chapter 5

I heard the organ start and I hurried up the stairs. I searched the pews but none of them held my family. I sat down, undid my jacket, unwound my scarf and nodded to the family that shared my pew. I stood when I was supposed to and sang when I was supposed to but my whole self was hovering over a ranch house and the family nestled there.

I couldn't leave town to find out what had happened as Mort wasn't back from Red Buttes. He'd gone to testify in a trial and was supposed to be back sometime during the week. I was holding down the fort but now, I started to worry. Was Mike sick? Had there been unknown trouble at the ranch? Was it as simple as a wagon wheel? I paced back and forth and finally after a hour or so, gave up and ate lunch at Maude's. I spent the rest of the day catching up on my reading of the Gazette, drinking coffee and trying to stuff my worries down deep. My brotherhood scar was throbbing and felt warm to the touch. Something was definitely wrong but I couldn't leave town. For the first time I hated Mort for putting me in this position in the first place.

I lay down on the lumpy hotel bed for a long time and tried to shut my mind off. Dark visions of Slim being shot, Daisy falling, Mike sick filled my mind and I wrestled between the urge to ride home and stay and do my duty to the town. It was a long time before I fell asleep.

I woke, fully clothed, to the sound of someone screaming. Jerked awake, it took some time to slow my violently thumping heart beats and pry open my crusty eye lids. I struggled to rise. I heard someone pounding on my door.

"Mr. Harper, open up, there's been a shooting!"

I hurled myself toward the door and faced Caleb and Henry Johnson in the dimly lit doorway. Standing side by side, the two newest shop keepers, shoe makers by trade, they were visibly shaken. Caleb's hands were clenched by his side and Henry looked like he was gonna be sick. I blinked several times and cleared my throat.

"Where and when?"

"Sometime Saturday they figured," Caleb answered.

"Where?"

"The main road leading to your ranch," Henry's eyes veered away from mine and suddenly a chill slid down my spine.

"Slim," I whispered, barely moving my lips.

They nodded.

"Is he?" I couldn't utter the word.

"Badly hurt gun shot, found by the stage hands, taken to your ranch," All of the major facts uttered in unison and in rapid fire succession. My worst fear had happened.

"Come with me," I grabbed my rig and hat and shut the door. I prodded the men down the stairs and onto the street. Rage at the constraints that held me to the town consumed me. I had to get to Slim no matter what the cost. I opened the jail house and thrust two badges at my new deputies.

"Listen, Mort should be back sometime today. Just keep the peace. I'll be back." I tried not to frighten them with their new duties.

In short order I was riding hell bent for leather towards home and Slim praying I wasn't too late.

I slid to a stop by the hitching rail just in time to see Mike open the door. His red rimmed eyes met mine. He said something but I couldn't hear him over the roaring in my ears. I closed my eyes and grabbed the door post just in time to see Daisy's smiling face.

"He's going to be all right, Jess. It was touch and go but with some rest he'll be fine."

I started shaking and dissolved into a puddle of sweat and tears as I sank down onto the porch floor.

I learned later that it had been a robbery. The man or men had laid in wait behind the boulders in the road to the ranch. They ambushed Slim, rifled through his pockets, stole his gun, and took his wallet.

"They weren't too happy with what his wallet held, Jess," Mike told me. " Charlie found it a few feet away from Slim's body. The money he had been carrying were bank drafts so they were useless to them. They took his watch though. "

"The one his Pa gave him?"

"No."

My heart sank. It could only mean one thing. "The one I gave him."

Mike nodded sadly, and then brightened suddenly. "Do you suppose they'll try to sell it?"

"If they do, the buyer will discover the brand on the inside of the lid."

Chapter 6

I hastily cleaned up and opened our shared bedroom door as quietly as possible. Slim lay flat on his back, his left arm was in a sling and there was a huge bandage wrapped around his chest. There was a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead and I reached out to wipe it off, feeling the fever heat. I momentarily felt the surge of anger against Mort but I stuffed it down again. There'd be a time for that. Still if I had been here this might not have happened. As I sank down gingerly on the edge of the mattress, Slim opened his eyes. Muddy with pain, he tried to smile but it came out a grimace instead.

"I thought I was dreaming."

"Nope, I'm here. I woulda come earlier but I didn't get word until this morning. How are you feeling' Pard?"

He swallowed hard." They stole my watch and my gun."

"Yeah, they did. But you can always buy another gun. And, as Mike told me, if they try and sell your watch, someone will notice our brand on the inside lid."

Slim seemed to think on that piece of information for awhile and then he opened his eyes again," Are you in trouble for leaving!"

"I had to come! Where else would I be? "

"But,"

"No buts," I told him firmly. " Your were hurt and left to die, Pard! I belong here at your side and no town council member or even a sheriff is gonna drag me from you."

His smile was genuine then and there was a hint of tears so I quickly changed the subject to had he ever seen them before, what were they wearing and we continued having a faltering conversation for a few minutes until I could tell he was tiring.

" You go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"But.."

"My place is here, Slim. " I put my hand out and laid it on his good shoulder and squeezed gently. "I ain't going anywhere. "

I really meant those words even if a small, make that tiny bit of disloyalty, crept in to take its place in my already overworked brain. I helped Daisy with chores so she could rest and helped with the teams while keeping out of sight. I didn't want anyone from town accuse me of not doing my duty although that's exactly what I was doing. I debated about staying the night but I knew that I'd have a better chance of finding the culprits if I left so I reluctantly said my farewells. I worried about Slim's reaction but he was adamant. He urged me to go, saying that he was being mother henned by two members of the family and didn't want a third! As if! But I knew what he was doing and after telling him to behave and obey Daisy I left.

Caleb and Henry reported that all was quiet and I thanked them and sent them home. Mort had not arrived yet but I wasn't too worried yet. I wrote out my report of Slim's attack. There wasn't much to go on as he never got a look at their faces. I would just have to wait and see if someone showed up with either his gun or his watch.

Mort arrived the next morning and I gave him my report. He read it and then told me to take the rest of the week off. I didn't hang around to see if he changed his mind. I was saddled in record time and rode home the long way around to avoid any potential trouble.

I arrived back at my desk the following Monday to discover that we had a man in custody. There had been a botched robbery at Benson's General Store overnight and the man arrested was carrying Slim's gun. Mort had extensively questioned him and the man caved. Seems he was part of a gang run by a young up and coming robber by the name of Frank Reynolds. The name kept repeating in my mind until I remembered that there was a wealthy rancher named Reynolds who lived in Cheyenne.

"His son?" I asked Mort.

"The very same, Jess. Seems young Reynolds has never had to really work a day in his life. His father gave him everything and the son thinks the world is at his beck and call."

"How do you want to play this?"

"I've got a telegram out to the sheriff in Cheyenne for information on the family. We need to know who and how many of the Reynolds friends are in on his crime sprees. Then we'll know what we're up against. In the meantime we need to keep an eye out for Slim's watch. It's bound to turn up soon. Seems like young Reynolds needs money and fast."

As it turned out, Slim's watch made its appearance that very night.

Chapter 7

I made it my mission to inform all the shopkeepers about Slim's missing watch. I asked that they alert Mort or me if someone tried to sell or trade it. I figured that the man or men might still be in town. The snow was making it difficult to travel All I had to do was watch and wait.

I had just sat down to dinner when Harry, the new bartender at Windy's burst into the diner.

"Mr. Harper, you'd better come quick! Some guy put Slim's watch into the pot in a poker game!"

My breathing quickened and my palms started to sweat.

"What's he like?" I asked slowly, stalling for time. I needed to turn myself into a lawman with an attitude.

Harry frowned a minute and then replied with a brief description of the man. "He's young, maybe 20 or 25. I've never seen him before. There's 5 or 6 of his friends in the bar too. He's been losing badly and I think he's desperate. "

"Who's been playing in the game with him?"

"The men from the D & D Ranch. They're playing honest, as far as I can tell. "

I nodded. Ron Daniels only hired seasoned, honest help but I hated to think that one of them might meet his maker tonight. I checked my supply of bullets and paid my bill. Maude wished me luck. I told her that I had to out think the robber and luck had nothing to do with it. I hoped I didn't have to shoot him.

I sent Harry on ahead and slipped between the bat wings unobserved, blinking a few times to see through the haze of cigarette smoke. His clothes gave him away. I knew nothing about him but the very idea of his grimy hands on Slim's watch made my skin crawl. I eyed him from across the bar. He wore a dark suit with shiny lapels and his hat band was studded with sparkly stones. A half- filled whiskey bottle was beside his meager winnings on the table.

I casually stood at the bar sipping a beer while resting one foot on the railing. I watched the action through the mirror. A couple of the new girls who had been hanging on his every word sashayed over to the far end of the room. The tables were full of men, some drifters, A few cowboys and a couple of regulars. There was one man who looked suspiciously like a lawman.

It was time. I could feel the air around me change. I straightened up, knocked back the rest of the beer and motioned to Harry. " If things get too rowdy, get Mort."

I sauntered over to the table and tapped Reynolds on the shoulder. He looked up, a mixture of arrogance and annoyance on his face.

"What do you want Deputy?" he sneered.

I picked up Slim's watch from the pile of money, feeling the weight of it. " I was wondering where you got this nice watch?"

"It's mine. Give it back!"

I continued to rub my fingers over the engraved horses on the front lid.

"Do you know who my father is?"

I couldn't resist. It probably wasn't the wisest thing to say, but then again as Slim is always telling me, I rarely think first.

"No," I replied looking him straight in the eye, "do you?"

There was a snicker behind him and the man rose and glared at me. " My father is Frank Reynolds and I am Frank Reynolds, Jr."

Frank Reynolds. Now I knew who this was. Frank Reynolds, Jr. was a smug, spoiled young man who had been given everything by his father. He hung around his father's ranch and played cowboy. Mort had put him in jail a time or two for disturbing the peace, roughing up a saloon girl and trying to steal church funds, although that was never proven. His father always got him out of jail

"Well, Mr. Reynolds, " I rested my hand on the butt of my gun," I'm still waiting for an answer. "

"That's all the answers you're gonna get, Deputy," he snarled at me. " It's mine and I can put it in the pot if I want to."

I shook my head. Here we go,

"Well, if it's your watch, can you tell me why there are two horses on the front?"

"I like horses," he mumbled and then boasted, "my father has more horses than anyone in this territory! "

I ignored him and persisted to what I hoped was my final point. " Well, Mr. Reynolds can you tell me what is on the inside of the lid?"

He was quiet for a minute and then came roaring back, "none of your business! "

"Well, it might interest you to know that this watch has two horses on the front to remind the owner of his partner and the initials of SHR represent the brand of the ranch my friend and partner share, the Sherman Harper Ranch. Hands up, Mr. Reynolds, I'm arresting you for the attempted murder of Slim Sherman, robbery of his wallet, his gun and this watch."

And then, to my horror, all hell broke loose.

Chapter 8

I should have put the handcuffs on him first. That was my first mistake. He swung around, grabbed my arm and pinned it behind my back. As I struggled to get free he punched me in the jaw.

"That's the way to get his attention, Frank!" Someone shouted behind me.

I stuck out my foot and he tripped and landed on his butt. "Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, your choice," I hoped he would just concede. But he was stubborn as well as stupid, He scrambled to his feet and ran at me head first. The force flung me hard against the bar. This time I felt the pain radiate down my belly. "Look," I wheezed, you're guilty. Everyone knows it. Just give up."

"There's no way I'm spending time in your stinking jail. Sides my father eats people like you for breakfast. "

I realized that he was all bluff and knew that all I needed was one well placed fist and I'd have him. Suddenly I remembered the move I learned from Tomomi, the Japanese entertainer. All I needed was leverage. I decided to use a little Harper guile. "Look, Mr. Reynolds," I walked towards him slowly, "why don't we discuss this outside? "

When I was close enough, I grabbed his hand and flung him with all my might over my shoulder. He lay stunned for a minute and then rose. "Somebody give me a gun," he ordered. " I'm tired of this law man's games."

I heard a shot from behind me and whipped around to see Harry's shotgun's smoke. Reynolds lunged at me again and as I sidestepped him, someone from the crowd pushed me and we both fell and rolled out onto the snow covered sidewalk. It was eerily dark out on the street. Light came spilling out of Windy's and I could just about see Reynolds. It wasn't until the roomful of drinkers each holding a lighted cigarette, pushed out of the bar and encircled us anxious to see the fight between the deputy and one of their own that I got a good look at where we were. 'Whew, it was cold out here,' I thought to myself. Just as I got to my feet, I slipped on a piece of ice and felt the knife plunge into my knee. Reynolds twisted it deep and I fell to the icy cold ground staining the snow with my blood. As I struggled to remain conscious, I saw him running towards his horse attempting to get away.

I hobbled after him and grabbed his jacket pushing him down onto the snow. He thrashed and cursed me but I held onto him. As I attempted to sit on him and grab the hand cuffs from my pocket he twisted around and he punched my face, nearly missing my nose but landing instead on my eye. I saw stars and blinked furiously to clear my vision. Somehow he had found a derringer and fired a shot, missing me by inches. I was beginning to get angry. This had gone on long enough. I scrambled up and stumbled after his retreating back. He was just about to gather the reins and mount when I put both arms around his shoulders and wrestled him to the ground. His feet slipped out from under him and he rose with a roar. I saw the streak of steel swing towards me as he threw a snowball at my bruised face. He handled the knife as if he'd been born to it and he sliced though the air closer and closer to me.

Reynolds tried to get away from me but as he slipped, he lost the knife and his hand fell on it. His unholy howl sent a shiver through me. We were so close now. His brown black eyes stared at me and his lips curled into a sneer daring me to make a move against him. For the first time I saw the jagged scar on his left cheek and for a moment I wondered who he had tangled with in the past.

I twisted around and sat on him. Everything faded away, the angry shouts, the agonizing pain in my leg, my ribs, everything faded except for the anger and the roaring in my ears and I began to hit him with everything I had. I was so angry at Mort for putting me in this position in the first place. I was angry at the town council members for the appointment. I was angry at this smug brat who had almost killed Slim and I was angry at the world. I heard Mort's voice from far away.

"Jess, stop!" It took five men to drag me off of Reynolds, although I wasn't quite aware of it. My leg felt as though it was off my body and I could hardly breathe. The worst thing was my hands. They were a bloody mess and I was disgusted with myself. No amount of soap would get the blood off of them.

I woke slowly to a haze of pain. Everything hurt. I had been in fist fights before, plenty of them, but the outcome of this one was gonna cost me my job, my reputation and maybe my freedom. I thought for a minute about riding out but my left leg was in bandages and I could hardly see out of my swollen shut right eye. Sides, it was probably freezing' cold outside and where would I go? Slim was probably mad at me; Mort was gonna fire me and the town council probably hired a judge to throw me in jail.

The door opened and Mort stuck his head in. "Oh good, you're awake. How are you doing, Jess?"

'What was he playing at?' I wondered. "How to you think I'm doing, Sheriff? I'm hurting from my head to my feet."

"Well, it was a humdinger of a fight, that's for sure. But from what I heard from Harry and the patrons of Windy's, Reynolds started the fight. You were only doing your duty. He resisted arrest and fought dirty. It's a miracle you weren't more seriously injured. He's won knife contests. "

"How is Reynolds?" I interrupted.

Mort sat down on the side of the bed and crossed one leg over the other. "Well, he's recovering from bruising and a broken rib. Sam did all he could for his hand but it's going to be a long time before he can use it."

"Will he be able to shoot with it?" I didn't want to think about his coming after us when he recovered.

"Doubtful. Oh, and it might interest you to know that he's in jail. His father did try to get him released to him but Judge McHenry was pretty adamant. Seems young Reynolds boasted in front of witnesses that the gun he tried to shoot you with was a gift and the watch came from a dead relative."

"Seems about right to me," I said.

"Jess, I gotta tell you how sorry I am that this happened to you."

"No, Mort, it wasn't your fault. You had no idea that Reynolds would ambush Slim and steal his belongings and resist arrest."

"No, I didn't know. But I did know that being a deputy was hard work and you could be putting yourself in danger. The town council wanted to open the town and have less rules about guns. Have you ever heard the phrase " have your cake and eat it too?"

For a moment I thought he was pulling my leg, but he looked deadly serious. "The problem was that they didn't want street justice anymore but they also didn't want laws that favored hanging judges either. They wanted me to enforce laws where crimes fell in the middle. "

"What?" I felt a headache coming on. 'What the heck was a crime that fell between the two?'

"Exactly what I thought!" Mort bit his lip. " Jess, when I first came here, this town practiced street justice. If you thought someone was gonna shoot you, you would be in your rights to shoot first. Seth wasn't here yet and the only judge was Herrick and we all know what he was like. Checking guns at the sheriff's office was not on the books yet but someone apparently had suggested it as an alternative. The sheriff's job was made more difficult because there were no real laws written or enforced about gun crimes other than murder. They told me to hire a new deputy or consider myself fired. At the time I felt you were the only man for the job, but I had no right to demand you do it. It nearly cost you your life not to mention the bond you share with Slim."

"How is Slim? Does he know what happened? "

"I rode to the ranch to get his statement and to verify that the watch is his. He's recovering . Daisy is letting him get up and move around inside the house. Sam says he'll be able to ride in a couple of weeks. He's itching to come see you."

I smiled at him, as I heaved a sigh of relief. It looked like I was going to keep my freedom after all.

Chapter 9

I hemmed and hawed for several days after the beating. Sam made me lie in bed so my ribs and leg would heal and Mort let me stay at his house to recover. The Reynolds kid was recovering too, at least his ribs were. His hand was another story. He probably would never hold a pistol again which suited me just fine. But when I eventually stopped hiding from the bitter truth I knew in my guts that I had almost killed a man. Yes, he was a no-good, rotten scoundrel who had ambushed Slim and stole his wallet, pistol and watch and he had thrown the first punch but I didn't have the right to maim him.

It seemed like forever but Sam finally gave his permission to let me travel home. Mike came and got me and after settling me in the wagon, proceeded to regale me with the goings on at the ranch in my absence. He talked almost non-stop!

Daisy was glad to see me and would have put me to bed right there and then, but Slim intervened and I promised to behave myself. Truth was, I was still in conflict over what I had done to the Reynolds boy. What was surprising was that during the trial, when all the evidence came out, Mr. Reynolds changed his tune. He told Mort that he wouldn't interfere any longer. His son needed to pay for his deeds. Because of our injuries, Slim and I wrote down what had happened to us. In the end, the Judge sentenced Reynolds to 10 years hard labor to be served after his recovery in the Jail's hospital. Slim and I were free to go.

I needed to sort this whole story out. But in order to do that I'd have to ride away from the ranch and Slim. I hoped he would understand. I had come so close to the edge that I might have toppled over if it hadn't been for Slim. I was shaky all over and I knew, without a doubt, that I couldn't be around Mike for awhile.

"Slim, we gotta talk," I whispered to him one night as we were washing up for dinner. Both of us could now eat at the table with Daisy and Mike and while it felt again like family, I knew that my days were numbered.

"I'm not a killer." Perhaps it wasn't the best way to start the conversation but I needed to tell him straight off.

"No, you're not. You've killed men when you had no other choice. That kind of darkness is not the man I know."

I understood what Slim was trying to say but I couldn't wholly agree with him. I felt dirty and raw. I had been forced into a fight with a man who was younger than myself. A man who had his whole life in front of him. Granted, he was an outlaw, but still there was a chance he coulda gone straight. The town council members were probably gloating, congratulating themselves on picking the right man for deputy sheriff. But all I wanted to do was slink away, find a hole in the desert and let the dirt cover me up.

"I don't deserve your kindness, Slim. Look at these hands! I nearly strangled him!"

"Jess," Slim's voice was so soft I could hardly hear it. I listened with my whole body. "Your hands can lasso a wild horse, work a fence, fix a stage coach wheel, hold a young, vulnerable boy, make the strongest coffee known to man. You can defend the weak, comfort a sick friend and bring flowers to a second Ma. You can play- punch a straight-as-a-rail rancher and you can clasp your hands in prayer. You don't kill with bullets, you kill with kindness."

I had never thought about myself that way before. Only Slim could make me feel that way. "Where do I go from here?" I shook my head feeling lost and alone.

"Well, since it's January and mighty cold outside, I would suggest that you stick around here for awhile. There's a fella that has a ranch with a stage stop that might need some help. He's got a twelve year old son to raise and probably could use your help as it's hard to teach life lessons and do chores at the same time." His grin spread from one side of his face to the other.

"I let you down," I couldn't get the image out of my head.

"Jess, " Slim reached out his left arm and touched my scar. "You will never let me down, Pard. If it weren't for you and your protective side, I wouldn't be here. You wanted to save Reynolds from himself so he could have a second chance at going straight. I love that about you. But he was never going to change. Unfortunately, his father spoiled him too much and always got him out of trouble. He didn't know how to control himself and he had no sense of responsibility at all. He fought dirty. All you did was defend yourself. Maybe a little too much but the judge said you were upholding the law. As far as I'm concerned, it's over. As for Mike's view of it all, all he knows is how much he loves you and is proud of you. He's glad you're home for good. So am I. So let's put an end to this crazy talk about you're going away. There's way to much work to do around here, don't you agree?"

"Dadgumit! You always get to be right!"

"No Jess, I'm not always right just right about you!"

Chapter 10

"Jess."

Mike's voice was full of excitement. I opened my eyes slowly and then let my eyelids fall shut. I had stayed up late the night before and I was now about to pay the price.

"Jess," Mike spoke again.

"Yup, I'm awake," I groaned. "What time is it?"

"Time to get up, splash some water on your face, get dressed and help us plan our family day!" Slim's voice was gentle yet filled with that boyish excitement he gets sometimes.

I swung my legs off the bed and shivered slightly. It was spring but it was still chilly in the morning. For a moment I glanced back at my welcoming bed but was pulled out of that comforting thought by the heartfelt plea of our newly minted 13 year old son.

Six months had passed since that dreadful day at Windy's. Slim and I had recovered in record time and my leg was fit as a fiddle. We had just celebrated Mike's birthday and we still marveled that he was ours. He had gone through a growth spurt and his voice was changing much to his perpetual embarrassment. I told him it was a life lesson and not to pay attention to it or the kids in his school who laughed at him. It helped, I think 'cause when it was their turn he just shrugged and told them it was growing pains! Yup, our boy was fast becoming a man. We hoped we were doing his Pa proud.

I rubbed my hand over my face and rolled my shoulders as I rose. "What about chores?" I asked.

"Done," they chorused together.

"The barn?"

"Still wet in spots; needs another day to dry." Slim unfolded his arms and sat them on his hips.

"Daisy's To Do List?"

"Didn't leave us one, Pard. She went to town to visit her lady friends. "

I tried one more excuse. "Stage?"

"Come and gone. Last one today!"

"Come on, Jess! We can go fishing, swimming, anything you want – a whole day just us!" Mike was fairly bursting with excitement. Slim's eyes were shining too and so I just shrugged, took a long exaggerated sigh and latched onto their plans.

As it turned out, we did have a great day. A long time in coming but well deserved. We didn't catch much fish but we made memories and that made it all worthwhile. The rest of it? I'll chalk it up to a Life Lesson for me.

Be careful when a sheriff wants a favor. But more importantly, I discovered again how deep our family's love for each other really was and for that, I'd give a lifetime of three days.