Hot Water
by Holly
Chapter Three
The Richards ranch was on the other side of the basin, and Jess drew his rifle as they approached the main crossing point. Slim indicated he was to put it away, and reluctantly, Jess obeyed. He thought Slim was crazy, but did it anyway. They had no trouble, but Jess suspected they were being watched as they rode up the long, brush-lined road that led to the main house and outbuildings.
They passed the barn where, only a few weeks previously, they had attended a barn dance. It had been the first really big public gathering Jess had attended since his arrival in Laramie, and Slim had spent most of the evening answering questions about his new hand. He had hoped to spend a romantic evening with Les Tramley’s daughter, but she soon disappeared with a cowboy who obviously paid her more attention than Slim had.
The ironic thing was, none of the women asking about Jess dared approach him themselves. Maybe it was the fact that he insisted on wearing his guns, even over his best suit. He could look quite menacing at times, but Slim suspected the ladies liked the hint of danger.
Slim had looked for him halfway through the night, but couldn’t find him. It seemed Jess left early, leaving Slim to travel home alone that night. Jess came in hours later, reeking of woman’s perfume, and that made Slim’s failure with Jill Tramley seem a hundred times worse.
Slim couldn’t believe they were riding back to Richard’s place, now, maybe on the brink of a range war, if what Jess said was right. The marks on his throat certainly needed some kind of explanation. Slim hoped it was nothing more than a few hands with a grudge against Jess, and not acting on Clay’s orders. Hell! He and Clay had been friends for years, despite the age difference.
Clay Richards was standing in the yard waiting for them. Slim noted the tough looking men hanging around the place, watching their every move. Jess was right; they didn’t look like working cowboys. Clay’s expression was hard and he led them into the fine house without a word of welcome.
“I guessed you’d be out here, Slim.” He looked at Jess’ face, noting the bruises, and swollen lip. “Sorry about that; I heard my men got a bit out of line. But you must understand, without water my cattle will die.”
Slim removed his hat, and stood facing Clay across the ornate room.
“I don’t understand, Clay. All the ranchers around Laramie are struggling for enough water. You aren’t an exception. But there was no need for your men to beat Jess like that. All you had to do was come and talk to me. I would have willingly agreed to share the water, within reason.”
Clay grated, “Within reason?”
“Well obviously, I need to put my stock first.”
“Ah, and there you have it!” Clay sneered. “You are just like the rest of us, when it comes to the end of the line, Slim. You’ll do what’s necessary to survive...well, so will I.”
Slim tried to calm things. “Look, Clay, things are bad, but not hopeless. There could still be rain. We’ve been friends a long time, let’s just hold on a while and maybe...”
“No! I am not taking that chance, Sherman. I am taking the stream. My father settled this ranch. He died fighting Indians for this land, and I am not letting it go down, even for the sake of a friendship. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Clay. I really want to help, but you know I won’t let you just take Sherman land ‘cause you’re too stubborn to share. The Miller boys are in far worse straights than you, but they’re not threatening their neighbors.”
Slim couldn’t help noticing how Jess was glaring at the sandy haired man standing next to the door. It seemed Jess couldn’t take his eyes from the gunman, his hand hovering next to his colt. Slim attempted to defuse the situation. “Please, Clay, let’s talk this over. I’m sure we can come to some sort of understanding, given time.”
At that moment, Clay’s daughter, Suzie, entered the room. “Pa, who’s...” She stopped and blushed warmly as she saw Jess. “Oh, hello.”
Jess smiled briefly, his cut lip still painful.
Slim acknowledged her with a nod, and “hello, Suzie” before turning back to Clay. “What do you say, can we talk about this?”
“I say you’ve had your warning. Now get out and stop wasting my time.”
“I’m sorry you won’t listen Clay. Maybe the sheriff will be interested in all these ‘hired guns’ you’ve brought in.”
“They’re no different from yours.” Clay said, staring at Jess. “Oh, and by the way, Harper. Just you keep away from my daughter!”
Surprised, Slim turned to face Jess. He had never guessed there was anything between Jess and Suzie Richards. Jess sure was a dark horse all right. In that instant, Slim saw Jess move, and was just in time to prevent him from crossing the room, and going for Clay.
“Don’t you try tellin’ me who I can see,” Jess snapped. The sandy gunman moved forward.
Suzie, who had remained silent during the conversation, turned and ran from the room in tears.
“Get out! And take that saddle tramp with you!” The rancher shouted.
Now Slim really had to drag Jess outside. He was all set for bear. As they left the house, Jess turned to the sandy haired gunman and said: “You and me got some settlin’ up to do!”
“Anytime you want, Harper.”
“Now do ya?” Jess tugged to pull free from Slim, but couldn’t get loose from the bigger man’s grip.
“JESS!” Slim warned. “No!”
Reluctantly, Jess mounted Traveler. But as they rode out, his hand never left his gun.
As Slim and Jess rode back towards the ranch, Slim’s curiosity got the better of him. He turned to Jess, and trying to make it sound casual, said, “So, you’ve been seeing Suzie Richards?”
Jess mumbled, “Yeah.”
“When did this all start?”
“It ain’t started. It ... Hell, you make it sound like it’s serious or somethin’.”
“Well, Clay sure is taking it serious, an’ Suzie seemed right taken with you.”
“Ain’t you got enough to keep you busy, without worryin’ about my problems?”
Slim pulled up his horse. “So, Suzie is a problem already?”
“Well, not exactly. She just takes stuff too serious, that’s all.”
Slim was fascinated. “What kind of stuff?”
Jess was getting irritated at the questions, and urged Traveler to a quicker pace. Not to be distracted, Slim caught up and as they rode side by side, he continued. “What kind of stuff, Jess?”
“You know, woman stuff.”
“What is, woman stuff, exactly?”
Jess turned in the saddle and glared at Slim. “You know! Stuff women keep goin’ on about.”
Slim shook his head, completely lost, so he changed the topic of conversation. “How’s Milly? You seen her lately? She was askin’ after you, last time I was in town.”
Jess muttered something under his breath, then said, “What you goin’ to do ‘bout the water, Slim?”
“I guess I’ll give Clay time to calm down and think it through. He might come to his senses, given time.”
“And iffen he don’t?”
“Then I’ll go and talk to Mort, I guess.”
“You know, calves will sprout wings afore Clay Richards sees sense.”
“Well I know one calf I really would like to do just that; then he could up and fly outta here!”
Jess looked horrified. “You don’t mean little Betsy, do you?”
“I SURE DO! Come on, we’ve got to tidy up before Jonesy and Andy get home.” Slim rode off, leaving Jess thinking life in Laramie was about to change, and not for the better. He’d been in a range war before; lost good friends, and he didn’t want to lose Slim. The thought frightened him, and that came as a surprise. He was getting soft, and that was a dangerous thing to be in a war.
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