Inside the cabin, Jess was pleading with Em. “If you think I love you. Well I don’t. So ain’t no need sacrificing for me. Now get out there before that stage leaves and…”
The sound of horses caused Jess to try to stand.
“Where are you going?” Em asked worriedly. “You’re causing your wound to start bleeding.”
Jess fell back weakly on the cot. “Em give me the gun.”
“You’re too weak.”
“I got to protect you!”
“You just said you didn’t care!”
“Em!”
The sound of footsteps drew her attention. She moved so she was standing in front of Jess.
“Please Em, get out of the way!” Jess pleaded.
The door slammed open. The man filled the frame. “You should have left,” the man greeted.
“Did the others?”
He nodded. “I kept my word.” He then took one step forward. “Move away. Though I planned different, for your sake, I’ll kill him fast.”
She glanced over her shoulder at Jess. He gave a short nod, but she didn’t move. “Em, do as he says,” Jess ordered.
She slowly moved away, the gun hidden in the folds of her skirt.
Jess warned. “You leave her be. You want me, not her. You leave her be.”
The man took another step forward towards Jess. His eyes were locked on Jess’ pale face. “You ain’t in any shape to give me orders.” He never saw her raise the gun. She fired the gun, hitting him in the shoulder. His other hand grabbed for his wound. She fired again this time hitting him in the chest. He dropped his gun, and she raced for his weapon.
Jess tried to stand but he was too weak. “Em no!” he tried to yell, but it came out as a whisper.
With blood turning his shirt scarlet, the man forced himself up. He reached the gun at the same time as Em. He roughly pushed her away as he grabbed the gun.
“No!” she screamed.
He pointed the gun at Jess.
“No, please! No!” Em ran for the man, throwing herself at him, her fingernails clawing at him.
“You wildcat,” he hissed, then he shoved her hard. She fell backwards, hitting her head against the wall. For a few seconds, she was dazed.
But a few seconds was all he needed. He swung the gun around so it was aimed right at Jess’ heart. “Harper, I may die today too. If I do, I’ll see you in hell.”
The gunshot was loud, roaring through the room.
Em shivered from the terror that she had witnessed. “He’s dead.”
Jess and Em glanced at the door, both looking stunned. There stood Mose with the shotgun pointed at the dead man. “I ain’t never shot a man in the back before. But I guess this polecat
deserved it. Pardon my language, Miss Em.” Mose glanced for a quick second at Em then focused his attention on Jess. “I hurried back as fast as I could.” Mose’s breathing was labored. “Jess, you all right?”
Jess laughed softly. “Mose, you old cougar! I never expected to see you again!”
“You think I’d run out on a friend?” Mose replied. “Especially a good one? Miss Em, you all right?”
Jess’ gaze flew to Em. She now stood, leaning against the wall. “I’m fine. Mose, we need to get Jess to the doctor. Where’s the stage?”
“I stopped a few feet past the trees. Just far enough that this hombre wouldn’t see it.” Mose glanced back at Jess. “I couldn’t leave you, Jess. I was going try to draw ole Betsy here when I boarded the stage but that hombre was watching the whole time. Kept looking until we cleared them trees. Didn't think Tom could drive a stage but he had the reins in his hands before I had cleared sight of them. I reckon Tom has the stage halfway to Medicine Bow by now. I told him to come with me but that polecat-pardon me again, ma’am, climbed up in the seat as I was leaving. I reckon they’ll send someone back for you, don’t you, boy? Guess we got to look on the bright side. I’m thinking this is a lot more pleasant than that ride you were having getting here. You looked like a cat caught between two dogs.” Mose let out a laugh. Out of the corner of his eye he glanced at Em. She was smiling broadly.
“Mose…” There was no laughter in Jess’ voice.
Mose’s laugh died in this throat.
A grin suddenly flashed across Jess’ face, “I ain’t never in my life been so glad to see a friend as I was to see you standing there.”
Mose chuckled, but very quickly his laughter quit. “Looks like your wound started up again. You’re bleeding something fierce. Them bandages are soaked.” Mose leaned the shotgun against the wall. “Best lay back on that cot while I get some new wrappings for you.”
Mose started forward but the sound of the stage caused the driver to move to the doorway. “Well I’ll be,” he said to himself. “I guess that little gal does have some backbone. She got Tom to bring the stage back.”
Jess though paid no attention as his eyes sought Em. He tried to follow along with Mose’s conversation. “Claire…” but Jess didn’t finish his thought. He lay unconscious on the cot as blood darken his shirt. He never saw the tears that flowed down Em’s face.
