Hot Water
by Holly
Chapter Five
A small boy met Slim as he left Mort’s office, saying he was to deliver a message from Jess. The message was simple: he’d see Slim back at the ranch, later. Slim looked towards the store, but everything seemed quiet. So, mounting his horse, he slowly made his way home.
Slim was talking to Andy when they heard Jess ride in. Jonesy was busy preparing dinner, and joining in the conversation at intervals, between the clanking of pots and pans.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and Jess came striding in. He didn’t say a word, but his face was like thunder as he went to the fireplace. He quickly removed the stone that covered the hiding place where he kept his gun, the one with the hair trigger that he’d carried when he first arrived at the ranch. Slim was out of his chair in a fluid movement, and pushed in front of Jess before he could take out the gun.
“What are you planning to do with that?” He could guess, as he saw the cut lip was bleeding again, and there were fresh bruises on Jess’ face.
“I’m going to pay a visit to Clay Richards.”
“NO! It’s my problem, Jess.”
Jess pointed to his lip. “This makes it my problem too.”
“You can’t go riding over there and take all those men on, alone.”
“Okay, so what do we do? Just sit around here and let them take your land; maybe kill you?”
“No one will take my land, Jess.”
“Well, you had better do somethin’ real quick, Slim, cause if you don’t, I will.”
Dinner was a quiet affair. Jonesy finally said: “I thought this here quarrel was between the Shermans and Richards, not you two.”
Jess licked his sore lip. “It seems to be Harper versus Richards, most of the time.”
Andy looked hard at Jess’ bruised face. “Jess, you won’t leave us, will you?”
“No, why?”
“Well, I thought you’re being hurt because you’re here with us.”
Jess half smiled. “It ain’t just because of that, Andy.”
“What else could it be?” asked the boy.
Slim looked at Jess, before saying, “Jess rather likes Suzie Richards.”
“No, I wouldn’t go that far.” Jess insisted.
“You like Suzie Richards?” Andy asked, amazed.
“Well..she..”
“Oh, Jess! How could you like girls?” Andy asked.
Jess had the feeling he had just lost his credibility in Andy’s eyes.
“Just wait ‘til you’re older,” he tried to explain.
“NEVER!” Said Andy, with feeling.
“You know somethin’, Andy, you just might be right. They ain’t nothin’ but trouble.” Jess agreed.
The following morning, Slim rode out to check the cattle and patrol the length of the stream. Jess, not wanting to be too far from the ranch, decided to mend a split fence rail up north of the house. It was another very warm day, and both men took extra canteens, and clean shirts so they could change if things got too uncomfortable.
The morning was drawing to an end, and Jess decided he would go back to the house for lunch. As he was packing away his tools, he heard the sound of gunfire. Dropping the hammer he was using, he ran, and mounting Traveler in a bound, he headed back towards the house.
As soon as he got there, Jess could see there was no one about. Even so, he drew his rifle from its boot, and carefully approached the house.
The walls were peppered with bullet holes, and the kitchen and main room windows were smashed, making the place look like it had been used for target practice. Jess dismounted and rushed to stand to the left of the door. He dropped his rifle and drew his colt, then took a deep breath and kicking in the door, waited for a moment then rushed inside, ready to gun down any intruders.
The room was empty. Smashed china littered the table. The picture of cattle grazing, which had hung on the far wall, was pierced with bullet holes.
Jess slowly looked into the bedroom he shared with Slim and Jonesy. It was empty and seemed untouched by the salvo. As he turned back to the main room, he thought he heard a sob coming from the kitchen.
“Andy? Jonesy? You in there?” He yelled. “It’s alright, you can come out.”
Andy rushed out from a corner, followed closely by Jonesy. The boy threw his arms around Jess and hugged him tight. Jess gently ruffled Andy’s hair, as he looked across to Jonesy’s pale face.
“You both all right?” he asked.
Jonesy nodded, unable to speak at first, then said: “Yes. We hid as soon as the first shot hit. There was no chance to get to the root cellar, so we just hid here, best we could.”
“How ‘bout you, Tiger? You okay?” Jess asked, as he carefully maneuvered out of the tight embrace. He held Andy at arm’s length, looking at the shaken boy.
Andy nodded, still unable to speak. Jess hugged him close again, not letting go until Slim arrived. He’d also heard the shooting, and rode hard to get back to the house.
Jess steered Andy to Slim, saying, “Andy needs you, Slim.”
The brothers talked quietly for a few minutes, and when Slim was satisfied that Andy was all right and over the shock of what had happened, he turned to find Jess, but he wasn’t in the room. Turning slowly, Slim looked across to the fireplace. The stone lay to one side. The gun was gone.
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