Page 87 of Wild Horses

He smiled and gave a slight nod of his head. “I’m sure I will.” He raised an eyebrow and sighed as if bored. “If you break that window once I leave, Rose will make you pay for it on your back and I’ll let her. Now be a good girl and keep quiet until your hero returns.”

He left, locking the door behind him. Alex turned back to the window. Jesse was gone. She’d lost her chance. Laying her head against the window she watched the people on the wooden sidewalks go about their business and wondered how long it would take Jesse to come back. Would Jack just take the money and let them leave? Somehow she doubted it.

He was so mad be barelyhad the words to tell Ben, Issac and the others what had happened. Owen supplied them with the details he wasn’t able to get out. The kid had skipped town and ran back to the safety of the crew the moment Jesse had left him on the street.

The discussion on what to do was getting nowhere and all Jesse could think about was barging back into The China Doll and beating the living daylights out of Jack and getting the hell out of Dodge City forever. He was tired, hungry, smelled of sweat, dirt, and cattle and wanted nothing more than to get Alex back, wash off the trail dust and head back to Willow Creek as fast as his horse would carry him.

“Did you hear me, Jesse?”

He looked up at the sound of his name. Everyone was staring at him. “No. What did you say?”

Ben grinned. “Didn’t think you did. I just said we’ll go to the sheriff and inform him of what’s going on and hand deliver Lewis and the others that came in with Jack. Once we have Alex back, we’ll unload this herd and spend the rest of the day relaxing with a hot bath, a good meal, and peace in knowing that worthless outlaw is rotting behind bars. Any other way and it just gets too messy. The look on your face tells me what you want to do but let the sheriff handle it.”

He hated the plan but Ben was right. He’d end up cell mates with Jack if he did things his way. He agreed with a nod of his head and was in his saddle and headed back to town with Ben at his side and Lewis, Silas and the others tied to their horses and trailing along behind them.

“You’re making a big mistake,” Lewis said. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Jack isn’t one to trifle with. He wants his money. If I were you, I’d just concentrate on doing exactly what he told me to do instead of wasting your time trying to turn us in.”

Ben turned and yelled, “Shut up, Lewis. I’ve heard enough of your mouth to last me a lifetime.”

The sheriff’s office held a sign by the door that read, Bill Tilgham, Ford County Sheriff. Jesse knew nothing of him but many famous lawmen had stood behind those wooden walls of the jail, Wyatt Earp, and Bat Masterson being the two who he’d heard the most about.

Ben was the first to the door, opening it, then freezing long seconds before he backed out, pulling the door shut behind him. “You’re not going to believe this.” He motioned to the window. “Take a look.”

Jesse looked inside the building, irritation gnawing at his gut when he saw Jack inside smiling. If he had to guess, the man was telling lies long enough to stretch clean to Texas and back. He turned toward the window, placing both hands on his hips and Jesse ducked down so he didn’t see him. The vantage point caused the sun to shine through the window and hit an object on Jack’s chest that nearly stopped his heart. He was wearing a badge. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

“What?”

He cussed under his breath, jumped from the sidewalk and climbed back into the saddle. “He’s a lawman! Crooked as the day is long but that badge says we can’t touch him.”

Lewis and the others laughed. “Jack is untouchable, which makes us untouchable. Best cut your losses now and just let us go.”

Jesse ignored Lewis and grabbed the reins to all their horses and urged them away from the building. “We have to unload that herd, now. The sooner I’m done with this town the better off I’ll be.” He held the reins out to Ben. “Take them back to camp. Once we’ve dealt with Jack, we’ll take this lot back to the sheriff. I’m sure there’s warrant’s out for them somewhere. Holden said someone was causing a ruckus in Willow Creek before I got back home and I’d bet money it was Lewis.”

“Where are you going?”

“To meet with the buyer and get the money. We’re out of options. I’ve no choice but to play this however Jack sees fit. It’s the only way to get Alex back that won’t end up with me hanging from a noose. I’ll meet you back at camp as soon as I can.”

Ben nodded and took the reins. “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m away.”

“I won’t. There’s too much at stake.” He rode away, weaving through the wagons and townsfolk crowding the street while making his way to the rail station. He passed The China Doll and was half tempted to just barge inside and check every room for Alex but Jack wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t leave her in a position to just walk away or let him walk inside to take her.

As much as he hated to admit it, Jack would walk away with Holden’s money unless he could think of a way to get Alex that didn’t involve the sheriff. He didn’t know if he could trust him yet and wasn’t going to risk Alex’s life in finding out.

Alex stoodas the door locks clicked. Jack walked in, a wide smile on his face. “Let’s go sweetheart. Your hero is here to rescue you. As soon as I get my money, you can go.”

She hesitated, then walked to the door as he stood waiting. He led her down the hall, stopping at a door at the end and ushered her inside. The room was opulent, with red satin curtains over the windows that matched the coverlet on the bed. The scent of flowers hung heavy in the air, the furnishings expensive. There were a few carpet bags near the foot of the bed and dresses were thrown about the room as if someone had packed in a hurry. Rose entered the room a moment later and smiled. “He’s here. Shall I show him in?”

“Is he alone?”

“Yes.”

“Smart man.” He nodded. “Bring him on up.”

Rose pulled the door shut behind her, the soft click sounding thunderous inside Alex’s head. Her heart started pounding, her hands sweating and fear nearly stole her breath.

The wait seemed to last an eternity. Jack grabbed her arm as the door opened again. “Behave or I will kill you both.”

She sucked in a breath as Rose walked inside followed by Jesse. Her eyes stung with tears the moment she saw him but she blinked them away and smiled, trying to look calmer than she felt. He looked so tired. Dark circles hung under his eyes, his clothes so wrinkled and dirty she was sure he’d been in them for the past week. He hadn’t shaved, dirt clung to his cheek and neck and every step he took left a muddy footprint on the floor.

---