Jesse by Barbara Goss (best romantic books to read TXT) 📗

sure the sheriff here went after them, right?”

“I don’t know about that,” he said.  “They shot our sheriff, and there was so much fuss over him that I don’t think anyone chased 'em.  The deputy might have.  I don’t know.”

“How’s the sheriff doing?” Jesse hoped he hadn’t died.

“He’s with Doc Reynolds now, but the word out is that he’ll make it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jesse said, shaking the man’s hand.  “I’ll go talk to the doctor and the sheriff.”

Jesse didn’t get much more from the doctor or the sheriff, so he rode north and stopped at Tom Abernethy’s house.  His wife answered the door.  “Can I help you?”

“Is Tom at home?”

“No, he’s not.”

“Do you recall the day of the bank robbery?”

“Yes, it was terrible, what with the sheriff being shot and all, just terrible.”

 “Did you or Tom happen to see the men make their getaway?  Word has it they came this way.”

“I sure did,” she said emphatically.  “They raced by here like their horses were on fire.”

“Which way did they turn?”

“That way.” She pointed west.

 “Thank you, Mrs. Abernathy.  I appreciate your help.”

“Are you going to apprehend them?” she asked.

“I’m going to sure try.”

Jesse raced westward, and the road turn north after a few miles.  A scary thought entered Jesse’s mind.  What if Leo’s trail led to Sunset Creek?  He calmed himself with the thought that Leo would never harm his sisters, and he kept following the trail.

When the sun went down, he looked for a good place to camp for the night along the Smoky Hill River.  He trotted along the banks of the river, looking for a clear, flat place where his fire wouldn’t be seen.

Something caught his eye.  He squinted at it, thinking it might be someone else’s campfire.

Now, he had a dilemma: should he camp there or investigate the other campers?  They could be the gang he was trailing.

He kept his promise to Charlie by praying each day, and so he stopped to pray, asking God to help him decide what to do.  Thinking of Charlie made his heart pump harder.  He recalled their sweet lovemaking and intimate conversations while in bed, and he could almost feel her cuddled beside him as he sat on his horse.

 He opened his eyes and stared at the fire, trying to estimate how far away it was.  If he kept on their trail, he might be able to get closer to them the following night. Then again, he might miss a turn off they'd make.  The sooner he caught up to Leo, the sooner he could be home in his wife’s arms, he decided, and he trotted slowly toward the distant fire.

Chapter Fourteen

Sophia and Charlie rented a flatbed cart pulled by two horses to bring the furniture back to Sunset Creek.  The furniture Jesse ordered had arrived, plus Charlie had purchased everything else they needed.

They brought the cart to Sophia and Sean’s to pick up Sean and one of his ranch hands to help carry in the furniture.  As soon as everything was in place, Sophia and Sean left to return the cart to Sterling’s Mill.  They told Charlie they planned to stay at the hotel and return in the morning.

Charlie fiddled with the furniture.  She wanted everything to be perfect for Jesse when he returned.

She jumped to attention at the sound of a horse approaching the house.

Jesse!

She ran from the house and out across the field toward the horse and rider, stopping short; it wasn’t Jesse.  Charlie squinted against the sun.

It was Leo!

He slid from his horse, and they ran to each other and embraced.

“I didn’t know you were coming out,” Charlie said. “Did you take the train?”

“Can we talk in the house?” Leo said as he gazed around the area.

“There’s no one nearby, but we can go in.” She escorted her brother into the house.  “Sit down. I’ll make us a brew—tea or coffee?”

“Coffee, good and strong,” Leo said.  “And what in blazes did you do to your hair?”

“I needed a change.” Charlie set the pot on the stove and then sat across from her brother.  “Now, what brings you here, and how did you travel?”

“Horseback.  We stopped at so many interesting places along the way.”

“We?” Charlie asked.

“You remember George (Slim) Jenkins, Wally Franklin, and Pete Swagger, don’t you?  We traveled together, but—”

“Sure I remember Slim, Wally, and Pete—where are they?”

“They’re staying in town.  They’re enjoying Lilah’s Ladies.”

Charlie gasped.  “But that’s a... a—”

“And that’s why I came to stay with you for a few days.”

Charlie got up and poured their coffee.  “I can use the company.  My husband is out of town.”

Leo winked. “Congratulations. I found out when I asked at the livery for directions to where you lived.  The livery owner asked if I meant Mrs. Morgan.  You can imagine my surprise.”

“It’s a recent marriage.  We fell in love rather quickly,” Charlie said.  “I miss him so.”

“What kind of business is he in?”

Charlie grimaced.  “He’s a bounty hunter.”

Leo nearly choked on his coffee.  “Really?  When is he due home?”

“I’m not sure...  A week or two.”

Leo seemed to relax.

“You have nothing to be nervous about. He’s formidable but friendly. You’d like him.  Not all bounty hunters are heartless, you know.”

“I suppose,” Leo said.  “So, you don’t mind me sleeping here for a day or two?”

“Of course, not.  You’re my brother.

“You won’t be able to visit Sophia until later tomorrow.  She and her husband Sean are in Sterling’s Mill.”

Charlie and Leo talked for a while about their childhood memories before Leo stood.  “I’m gonna hit the hay.  I’m exhausted.”

“Sure.  I’ll show you to your room.”

Leo sat at the kitchen table the next morning, drinking coffee.

“What would you like for breakfast, dear brother?”