The Unknown


by Patricia Henry



Chapter Twenty One

“Hello in the cabin.”

Gwen opened the door, a shotgun nestled in her arms.

The sheriff tipped his hat. “Morning, Missus Jackson.”

“Sheriff.” Her voice was cold and loud.

Jess heard her in the barn. He moved back in the shadows and watched. He studied both riders. He should have brought a gun with him to the barn. He couldn’t explain it but his eyes kept going to the tall blonde rider. There was something familiar about him. Jess stared for a long time at the blonde rider but try as he might Jess couldn’t place him.

“What are you doing here?” Gwen asked, her voice showing her unfriendliness.

“Stage was robbed a few days ago. And we’re looking for a man. Name of Jess Harper,” the Sheriff informed.

Jess moved back into the barn and started saddling his horse. If the law discovered he was here, his only chance was to make a run for it. He hated to leave the woman and the boy behind. But if he was to survive, he might have to do that.

Muller leaned on his saddle. He looked as tired as he felt. “Ma'am, you seen any strangers around here in past few days?”

She prayed that Ronnie would stay inside the cabin. “No.”

Slim studied the woman. She was younger than she looked. He glanced around him. The ranch looked run down. The corral over ridden with weeds. The barn and house both needed painting. But surprisingly, the wood pile was stocked.

“This here fellow is Slim Sherman.”

Her eyes darted to the blonde’s face.

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Slim tipped his Stetson.

Gwen didn’t return a greeting.

The lawman explained, “Jess Harper works for him near Laramie.”

“More than that. He’s a good friend of mine,” Slim clarified.

Her eyes bore into Slim’s face as if she was memorizing his every detail. She said sharply, “I done told you that I ain’t seen hide or hair of anyone out there. Except you and him. Now I want you off my land.”

Muller warned, “If you see this Harper fellow, he could be dangerous.”

“Ma’am, the sheriff here thinks that Jess robbed the stage. But he didn’t,” Slim stated.

“That ain’t known yet,” the lawman argued.

“I know it!” Slim growled.

“No need to worry about me, sheriff. I got my shotgun here. And we both know I’m a good shot.”

Muller sat up straight in his saddle. “I know you’re blaming me for your husband’s death. But I didn’t do nothing but search for him. That’s what comes from living out here all alone. You need a man.”

“When I see one...but I ain’t seen one lately.”

Muller pressed his lips tightly together. “Come on, Sherman. We ain’t welcome here. And Missus Jackson, if you do see Harper, you be sure to let us know.”

“Sure will, sheriff.” Though she spoke to the lawman; her eyes stayed locked on Slim’s face.

As soon as the sheriff and Slim were out of sight, Jess hurried to her. “I couldn’t hear everything. That tall blonde. He looked familiar.”

“They’re the law, Jess. And they’re looking for you all right.”

Jess asked worriedly, “Then I am wanted?”

“They mentioned the stage robbery. The sheriff says you did it.”

He remembered the bodies. How could he have done such a callous deed? He looked at her, studying her, but she didn’t look shocked or condemning. How could she look at him, knowing he was responsible for so many deaths?

Her words jarred him back to reality, “We need to get out of here.”

“You thinking they’re coming back?”

“We got time to pack. I’d hate to leave what things I got. That rocker was my Grandma’s.”

“Gwen, maybe I should just ride out. I got a horse saddled, thought I might have to make a break for it. Maybe I should go on and ride out, if you think they’re coming back,” Jess said quickly.

“No! They won’t! The sheriff believed me when I said that I hadn’t seen any strangers. Tomorrow morning we’ll ride out liked planned. But not to Laramie.”

Jess looked taken back. “Why not?

“‘Cause, Jess, that tall man was from Laramie. He’s the uh sheriff there. His name is Slim.”

“Slim?” Jess repeated. “He’s the sheriff of Laramie? But if I’m wanted, then why would I be calling out for Slim?”

“You said you didn’t remember your dream. Maybe you were running away from him. Or you were fighting him.”

“But you said I sounded like he was a friend,” Jess stated.

“Well he isn’t! I think he’d kill you if just saw you. He seemed awful anxious to find you. Jess, we have to go far away to Mexico or Canada. It ain’t safe in Wyoming for you.”

“Well I’ve been to Mexico.”

Her eyebrows rose with surprise. “You have? You remember?”

Jess shook his head hard. “Why do I say things like that? I don’t remember. I just know...Canada too I think.”

“Then which, Jess?”

“Mexico. It’s warmer.”

“All right.” She touched his face. “It’s going to be all right, Jess. It’s going to be all right. You can trust me. ‘Spect I’m the only one you can trust.”

“Gwen, you sure about coming along?” Jess said each word as if it was painful to say, “From what I know, I ain’t a good man. Maybe they didn’t tell you all about that stage robbery?”

Her eyes searched his face. She saw his sorrow. “I don’t care. I want to leave this place. And you promised to take me and Ronnie along. You promised!”

Jess replied, “You sound like you’d make a pact with the devil himself to get away.”

She put her arms around him, clinging to him. “Please...please. You promised!”

He gave a slow nod. “Just as long as you know that you may very well be making a pact with the devil himself.”

She saw his fear. Fear of what kind of man he was. She replied, “I’ll start packing. We’ll leave at first light.”


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The Unknown

Chapter Twenty-Two