The night had turned bitter cold. Inside the fire crackled as its flames warmed the house.
"You don’t think you should wait until tomorrow? And leave at first light?" Jonesy asked.
"Don’t reckon the trial is going last long," Jess said. "I best leave after Bonnor now."
"You can’t trail in the dark. I don’t know how you’re going to catch up with him anyway. His trail is days cold."
"He’ll head towards Canyon City."
"How do you know that?"
Jess didn’t answer.
"How..."
"I just do, Jonesy," Jess snapped. His eyes dodged Jonesy’s.
The old man walked to the kitchen and reached into the sugar bowl. He withdrew a small wad of bills. "You’ll need this."
Surprise flirted across Jess’ face. . "Where’d you get that?"
"Saving it for a rainy day. I reckon it’s down right pouring right now for Slim. Well take it!"
"Jonesy, I got some money saved. You keep it for the lawyer. He ain’t going to be cheap."
"Now you listen here, boy! I don’t want you to head out of here without any money. I know how you save. You’ll lucky to have a few pennies a day after pay day. And just coming back from Cheyenne a few weeks ago..Take it! No argument!"
Jess stuck the bills into his pocket. "I’ll telegraph you every now and then to let you know where I am and where I’m heading to. You keep me informed how the trial is going. There might not be a newspaper where I’m heading."
"Jess, I don’t know what I’m going tell Andy when he gets up in the morning. With Slim gone and now you..."
Jess glanced at the closed bedroom door. He shook his head. "I can’t, Jonesy. I just can’t. I can’t tell him goodbye. I ain’t good at it."
Jonesy nodded. "All right, I’ll explain. But since Slim’s been gone, Andy sure has depended on you. Follows you around like a puppy."
Jess gave a quick nod before putting a box of bullets into his saddlebags. He swung the leather bags over his shoulder and grabbed his bedroll. "I guess I’m ready."
Jonesy put his hand on Jess’ shoulder. "Jess, you take care. Place wouldn’t be the same without you. Don’t you forget this is home."
"You think Slim feels that way? I reckon he’s going to want me to leave once he’s out."
"Now you listen here," Jonesy said, "you’re as much a part of this outfit as any of us are, including Slim. You know how stubborn Slim can be. He ain’t like me."
Jess couldn’t help but grin. "No, you got the tolerance of a saint."
"Reckon I do at that," Jonesy agreed. "Slim ain’t thought all this through, that’s all. But he will. And when he does, why he’s going to be downright sorry that he was so ornery with you."
"Well then we best get him out of jail. I ain’t use to him apologizing to anyone. And to do it to me, be a first. I’d like to see that."
Jonesy followed Jess to the hitching post. The wind blew hard and Jonesy hugged himself for warmth. Jess didn’t look like he minded the cold. He wore his heavy sheepskin lined jacket. His hat was pulled tight down on his forehead. Jess tied his bedroll on to this horse.
"In them saddlebags, I put some sandwiches and..."
"I saw ‘em."
"Here’s your canteen."
Jess tossed the canteen over his saddle horn.
"You need anything. You wire. You hear me, boy."
"I hear you."
"Take care, Jess. Take good care. That’s a bad hombre you’re after."
"I’ll be all right, Jonesy. No need worrying about you. Now you take care, too. I hate leaving you to do all the stage work. You let them drivers help you. And Andy, he can do his share. He’s more grown up than you realize. You just be careful with that back of yours. I’d hate to come back and you not be able to cook me beans because you’re laid up."
Jess gave a quick smile before he mounted his horse. He looked at the house as memorizing every detail before he rode off into the night.
Despite the icy wind, Jonesy stood on the porch watching Jess ride away. As the night swallowed Jess, Jonesy glanced upwards. "Take care of him and help him. He’s a good boy. And he’s Slim’s only hope."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Though the moon shone bright, the road was dark. Jess picked his way around the ruts and rocks. Twice the horse stumbled. Still he kept going, pushing the horse until the animal was too weary to continue. Only then did Jess make camp.
Sleeping outside under the stars was not new to him. He had often opted to camp along the trail during the years that he had drifted. Many times he had not had the money to pay for a hotel room. So sleeping beside a fire had been his only choice for a bed.
He knew everything that need to be done to be comfortable and safe. He first took care of his horse. He picketed the sorrel and made sure the animal could graze on grass. He then took care of his own needs by gathering wood. The thin bedroll felt comfortable as he lay beside the fire.
As he watched the burning embers, he felt bone weary. He chewed on a sandwich but quickly lost his appetite. He was too tired to eat. He had been up since dawn doing chores. It was only after Jonesy returned from the jail that Jess had decided to leave to hunt Bonnor.
Jess knew in a few hours dawn would be peeking through the blackened sky. He planned on leaving at first light. Yet he was too restless to sleep. He had never been a man of sentimentality, being alone he couldn’t allow himself this luxury. So he was surprised that he couldn’t keep his thoughts away from the relay station.
It had only been a few months that he had signed on at the Sherman Ranch but now he hungered for the comfort and companionship that the ranch offered. He was shocked to realize that he was homesick.
As the horse snorted, Jess glanced quickly but all he saw was a rabbit jumping out of the brush. He laid back on his bedroll, his saddle cradling his head like a pillow. He stared at the moon. He listened to the wood crackling as it burned. He smelled the soft scene of the fire.
He closed his eyes, his gun belt nestled close to his body. Still sleep eluded him. At the relay station, he could sleep all night like a baby. But here, he was tense, listening to every sound around him. He suddenly realized what was wrong. At the ranch, he had someone to watch him back. Slim Sherman. He had proved to be the best friend he had ever known. Even Jonesy and Andy seemed more like family, the way they fussed over him. But now, here, alone, he had no one to trust but himself.
He was again both the predator and the prey. He wondered if the relay station would ever be his home again. He had drifted for so long that he had doubted if he could ever settle down. He had worked several ranches. Some had been good spreads that offered good meals and a warm bed.
But the Sherman Ranch had been different. From the start, it had given him more than food and lodging. He had mattered to the people there. In turn, they mattered to him, more than he wanted to admit. For the first time, in a long time, he had let his guard down. He had allowed himself to care. And now his future was as uncertain as Slim’s.
He tried to focus only on tomorrow. Two roads led to Canyon City. He was close to the fork. He wondered which road would be the fastest to the town. Or maybe he should get off the road and travel across country. He had done that when he had tried to elude posses.
His mind raced with thoughts of which was to ride come dawn. If he could only sleep, then he could think clearer. But he lay there hour after hour. Though his body was worn, his mind wouldn’t let him relax. He kept thinking of the relay station and the people he had left behind. He felt as if once again he had lost his family. But unlike the Bannisters, who had he had not found; this time, Jess swore he would find Bonnor. The trouble was would he find him in time to save Slim’s life.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"I ain’t never seen anything like it," Mort said. "Not in all my years."
Slim laid silently on the cot.
"Well maybe that lawyer of yours will have some good news."
Slim still said nothing. He didn’t even glance at Mort.
"Slim, if you need anything..."
Slim continued to remain silent. His hands clasped behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling.
But as the door opened, Slim jumped up from the cot. He moved to the cell bars and grasped them tightly.
"Evening Slim," Bret Carson greeted. The lawyer tried to smile but his grin wavered. "How you holding up?"
Slim’s eyes searched Bret’s face. "You talked to him?"
Carson nodded. "Late yesterday."
"You didn’t wire."
Bret shuffled on his feet. "I’m sorry, Slim. I did everything I could but..."
Slim looked away. "I see."
"He got turned down?" Mort asked. "He give a reason?"
"The governor said he trusted the wisdom of the Laramie jury. And that’s a direct quote."
Slim moved to the cell window. He could see the gallows being built. The sound of hammering caused his body to tense.
"I sure thought the trial would last longer," Mort said.
Bret glanced with uncertainty at the sheriff. "I tried my best but without really any witnesses and no evidence to present. It was a pretty open and shut case. Slim, I want you to know that I did everything I could."
Slim mumbled, "I ain’t holding it against you. You did your best."
"I’m sorry, Slim, I truly am."
Slim just gave a short nod. "Don’t take long to build that, does it? It’s almost done and they’ve only been working two days on it."
"You want me to ride out and tell Jonesy and Andy?" Brett offered.
"No!" Slim almost shouted. "I reckon Jonesy will be here soon enough. He’s been in every day. I’d rather him tell Andy."
"Well...you need anything, you let me know." Bret waited but Slim kept staring out the cell window. Bret turned and left the jail.
"How about some checkers..."
"Not today, Mort."
Mort’s forehead puckered with concern. "Slim, Jess could still..."
"He’s been gone for days. Don’t look like he’s going to find Bonnor."
"There’s still time."
Slim smiled without humor. "Yes, I’ve got all of four days until they hang me. What you reckon it feels like? You know I’ve helped in a hanging. Thought the man deserved it. But I never once thought of what he was feeling. Knowing you’re going to die like that twists a man’s gut." Slim glanced over his shoulder. "I’ve faced bears and coyotes; been in gunfights, but Mort, I never felt scared like I do now. You think I’m weak?"
Mort neared the bars. "I’ve seen men cry who was facing death from a hanging. I reckon you’re one of the brave ones."
"I don’t feel so brave." Slim looked back at the gallows. "I’d rather be shot or knifed."
"You can’t give up. Not yet," Mort encouraged.
"You sound like Jonesy."
"That old man can be pretty smart at times."
"Mort, you know I’m going to hang," Slim said. "Ain’t no need to try to fool myself. It’ll only make it worse when the time comes. I best be getting use to the idea. I need to make plans about Andy and the ranch. I ain’t got much time left you know."
Mort took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. "For the first time, I wish I wasn’t sheriff."
"I’m glad you are. It helps having a friend here." Slim didn’t turn as he heard the office door open.
"Evening, Mort. Slim..." Jonesy’s voice faded. His eyes glanced warily from Slim to Mort. "Something’s happened."
"Jonesy, you hear anything from Jess?" Mort replied.
Jonesy said, "Only that he’ll be in Canyon City by tomorrow."
"That far?"
"Well Bonnor did get a good head start before Jess went to tracking him."
"Does Jess know the trial’s over?"
"He knows." Jonesy walked to Slim’s cell. "I brought you some chicken for your supper tonight."
"You keep killing our chickens we won’t have any left." Slim turned with a smile. But too quickly his lips quavered.
"Slim, you want to tell me? Or Mort, are you going to tell me?" Jonesy insisted. "I can tell that something is wrong."
Slim’s shoulders sagged.
"I can guess. You’ve heard about the appeal," Jonesy said.
"Governor won’t intervene," Mort explained.
"I never voted for him!" Jonesy snapped. "He always was a low down polecat!"
Slim kept his back to Jonesy.
"Well it looks like Jess is going have to pull us out of this," Jonesy said. "Good thing he’s tracking Bonnor. I ‘spect I’m going to have to cook Jess his favorite for a couple of weeks for going to all this trouble. And you, Slim, are going have to do his chores for at least, I reckon, two weeks. That should pay him back, don’t you think? And..."
"Quit it, Jonesy!" Slim turned with fury. "Jess ain’t going to catch up with Bonnor. You best get use to the idea that I’m going to hang!"
Jonesy’s face paled. "Makes me wonder if I should have gone to all the trouble to cook you chicken, if you’re going to talk foolish."
"I’m sorry, Jonesy. I didn’t mean to yell."
"That’s all right, boy," Jonesy said but his voice cracked.
Mort lifted the cover from the chicken. "Smells good! Jonesy, I swear you cook better chicken than my wife does. You’re a lucky man, Slim." He unlocked the cell door and Slim took a step backwards. The sheriff placed the tray on the floor, then left, locking the door behind him.
Jonesy pulled up a stool and sat outside Slim’s cell. "Well eat up before it gets cold."
"How’s Andy?" Slim took a small bit of chicken.
"He’s holding up. You’d be real proud of the way he’s taken over changing the stage horses. Why I don’t even have to tell him to clean the halters."
"This is going to be hard on Andy. I worry about him. Losing Pa and Ma and now me."
Jonesy said, "Now you hold on! It ain’t over yet!"
"I hang in four days. It’s over."
"Jess might catch up with..."
"Even if he does, I don’t think he could make it back in time. Not if he’s in Canyon City."
"Well I know Jess.! And that boy would ride day and night to help you. He’d run his horse into the ground before he quit trying to get back to Laramie. And even then he’d walk..barefoot if he had to!"
"Maybe...maybe not. I never thought Jess would betray me. But he did with her."
"You’re wrong, Slim!"
Slim dropped the chicken leg back onto the platter with such force that the plate shook. "He kissed her! He didn’t deny that. So I’m going to put my faith in him? Someone who’d betray his friend?"
Mort cocked his head with interest.
"It ain’t Jess that you’re angry at! It’s knowing that you’re going to..." Jonesy chocked on the word.
Slim sighed as the anger left him in a rush. "Jonesy, you and me got to talk."
Jonesy swallowed back his words. "When you get out, you got that barn to paint. You’ve been putting it off way too long and..."
"Jonesy, we got to talk."
"And the roof is leaking again. I think it only needs a few shutters..."
"Jonesy!"
Jonesy nodded. "I know we need to talk, Slim. But I can’t. I just can’t. I promised your Pa that I would look after you and Andy if anything ever happened to him. And now...well I guess I failed."
"Jonesy, you ain’t failed. Not by a long shot! I don’t know what I would have done without your help when Pa died. I couldn’t have taken care of Andy by myself. More times than not I go the wrong way with him. But you...you know how to handle him. And me too, if truth be told. All them times you changed the stage horses so I could stay on the range working. And cooking for us. Cleaning. And now Andy’s going to need you to help him get through this. To understand...."
"Understand?" Jonesy echoed. "How can I help him understand when I can’t understand this myself. People in Laramie know you. Them serving on the jury, you’ve helped them out more times than I can count. You helped Barnes build his barn when his burnt. And you helped fixed Mr. Cannon’s fence when he was mending a broken leg. And there was the time that you..."
"Jonesy, what’s done is done. I can’t do nothing about the past but I can try to make sure the future is all right for Andy. He’s going to need you...and Jess."
"So you want him to stay on?"
"I ain’t got a choice do I? You can’t let Jess ride away and go back to drifting. Andy’s going to need him to take care of the place. I"ll admit that Jess is a good ranch hand."
"And a good friend."
Slim looked as if he wanted to argue but all he said was, "You just make Jess stay on."
"I’ll talk to him." Jonesy said. "But you’ll going to need to talk to Andy. That’s something that I can’t do for you."
Slim looked down at the floor. His boot hit against the cell. "I don’t know what I can say to him. I can’t explain all of this to myself. How am I going to explain to a young kid?"
"He’s grown up since you haven’t been around. He’s had to. And now he needs to talk to you before..." Jonesy stopped. He glanced towards the cell window. From his position he could see the top of the gallows. He looked away. "You know he’s talking about breaking you out."
Slim’s head jerked towards Jonesy. "Well you stop that kind of talk! He could get hurt!"
"And he’s sounding like Jess. He says if you die, he’ll hunt down Bonnor if Jess don’t get him."
Slim’s face broke out with worry lines. "You mean turn to the gun? He’s only fourteen!"
"Jess was only fifteen..."Jonesy said, "...when he went trailing after the Bannisters. He still talks about gunning them down for killing his Ma and Pa."
"Get Andy in here when you can. I ain’t sure what I’ll say..."
"Knowing you, you’ll say the right words." Jonesy pointed at the chicken. "Now you best eat."
"Why? I don’t need to keep up my strength. Ain’t going to take that much to walk up them stairs to the gallows," Slim joked.
Jonesy didn’t smile. "You might just fool the hangman yet. Jess is still out there looking for Bonnor."
"You got to face the truth, Jonesy. I’m going to hang."
Jonesy stood up so quickly that the stool fell over. "Guess I best be going."
Slim looked surprised. "You leaving already?"
"Got work to do at the ranch," Jonesy mumbled as he spun on his heels. But Mort saw the old man wipe the tears hurriedly from his eyes. Jonesy pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose loudly. "Guess I’m getting a cold," he lied. He started for the door then stopped. His shoulders sagged as he stood breathing hard.
"Jonesy, you all right?" Mort asked as Slim looked worried.
Jonesy turned slowly. He took a deep breath before moving back to the cell. "Slim, I want you to know something before I leave. You’re like a son to me. You’ve made me proud many a time. If your Pa was alive, he’d be bursting with pride. You done good when he died. It weren’t easy for you. You weren’t much older than a youngster yourself. But you done real good. Ain’t no one that could have done better. No one. Andy sure is lucky to have you as his brother. And I’m even luckier to have you as my friend. I just wanted you to know that."
Slim swallowed hard. "Thanks, Jonesy. I...I feel the same about you."
Jonesy nodded. "Now don’t you give up on Jess. He’s stubborn. He’ll see this through."
Slim smiled. "I reckon he is stubborn, at that. I know if anyone can find Bonnor, he can. It’s just...well...I don’t give much stock that Jess can find Bonnor in time to save me from the hangman’s noose."
"Maybe not but ...maybe he can," Jonesy encouraged. "I’ll get Andy in here tomorrow. ‘Night, Slim....Mort." Jonesy walked slower than usual as he headed out the door.
Mort neared the cell. "Jonesy’s right. If anyone can find Bonnor, Jess can. He’s ridden the hoot owl trail before. He knows where a man like Bonnor would hide."
"I don’t know, Mort. A man that’s been an outlaw as long as Bonnor has knows where to hide so even the law can’t find him. I reckon he’s buried himself under some rock until this blows over."
"Maybe but I’m still putting my money on Jess. To me, Jess is a sure bet."
"Funny, I thought that too. Then I met Margaret. I ain’t that sure about Jess anymore."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Jonesy peeked through the curtains of the house. "Well the stage is only thirty minutes late today. Let’s get to it." He started to remove the towel he wore around his waist as an apron.
"Jonesy, I can do it by myself," Andy announced as he put his hat on his head.
"It usually takes two. I don’t mind helping. The food’s ready so..."
"Jess and Slim can each do it without someone’s help."
"But they’re grown and..." Jonesy stopped in mid sentence. "I ‘spect you’re a lot more grown up than I’m giving you credit for. All right, Andy, I’ll put the food on the table for any passengers. You take care of the stage."
Andy didn’t race to the stage but walked.
"Howdy, Andy!" Mose greeted.
"Mose," Andy mumbled.
"You heard anything from Jess?" the driver sounded hopeful.
Andy just shook his head no.
"Say, why don’t I give you a hand with them horses?" Mose started towards the lead horse.
"I don’t need help," Andy said. The look on his face stopped Mose’s movement towards the horse. "Jonesy’s got hot coffee inside. Help yourself."
Mose frown was so big that his whole face looked puckered.
"Come on, Mose, we could use a good cup of coffee," the stage guard said. He pushed Mose towards the house.
"Howdy Jonesy," Mose said with less enthusiasm as he entered the house.
"Mose, got some hot coffee right here for you. Know that wind’s a howling today." Jonesy handed both men a cup. Steamed floated from each mug.
"Andy says you ain’t heard from Jess," the guard said.
"No. Nothing yet."
"You reckon Slim will hang?" The guard sipped his coffee.
"I reckon he will if Jess don’t get back in time with Bonnor."
Mose drank silently.
"Jonesy, that’s a real shame," the stage guard said. "Slim runs the best relay on the line. You reckon you and Andy will keep running this relay station once Slim swings?"
"We’re planning on it," Jonesy said tight lipped.
"I offered to help Andy with the horses but he wouldn’t have none of it," Mose said.
"Well, the boy’s taking all this real hard. He ain’t talking much. And now with Jess gone, he thinks he’s got to be the boss here. He hardly lets me help him. It’s getting so that I don’t even have to ask him to do chores. And you know, I kinda of miss getting to nag at him."
"How you holding up, Jonesy?" the guard asked.
"Could be better, I reckon. But I’m trying for Andy’s sake to keep this place going as usual. But all this can sure age a man. It’s funny, it ain’t the work but the waiting. The not knowing can make you feel you’ve aged more than normal."
"Maybe Jess will get back before Slim hangs," the stage guard said.
"Maybe. But as each day goes by..." Jonesy shook his head with sorrow. "We ain’t heard from Jess in two days. I been telling Andy that there’s still a chance but..."
"Mose, the horses are done."
All three men jerked their heads towards the open door. How long the young boy had been standing there, no one knew.
"That’s awful fast work, Andy," the stage guard complemented.
"You’re getting to be better at it than Slim and Jess," Mose added.
"No, I ain’t, Mose!" Andy snapped. "You were suppose to be Slim’s friend!"
"Andy!" Jonesy said. "Slim wouldn’t want Mose to lie."
"Slim would have for Mose," Andy argued.
Mose hung his head. "I reckon he would have."
"Slim believes in the truth," Jonesy said. "He always has. You know your brother don’t tolerate lying."
"The truth didn’t help Slim!" Andy argued back. "His friends should have helped him. Instead they helped to hang him! Mose, you might have well put the rope around Slim’s neck yourself ‘cause of your testimony."
Mose put the coffee cup down on the table. The driver looked so sorrowful that the stage guard said quickly, "I reckon we best be going. Now that the horses are changed."
Walking past Andy, Mose said, "Andy, maybe you don’t believe me but Slim is my friend. I’d take his place if I could. I truly would."
"I wish you could, Mose. And if you did, I wouldn’t cry a tear for you." Andy looked Mose straight in the eyes.
Mose was shocked to see the hate that burned in the young boy’s glare.
