Thirty

Duel lowered Two Bit to the middle of the big bed. The child didn’t move a muscle, even when he tugged to remove her shoes. Only after he got them off did he realize he’d forgotten to put on her socks before he’d stuck the blasted things on her feet that morning. Her heels were raw where the shoes had rubbed her tender skin.

He reached into his saddlebags for some salve and dabbed it on the sores.

Fine parent he made. She needed a mother. Not just any mother, she needed Jess. Earlier, seeing the two of them reunited, his heart had swelled. Now all he had to do was make sure the two of them stayed that way.

A painful lump in his chest kept air from reaching his lungs. He felt as though he stood on one side of a huge chasm with Jess on the opposite rim, and there was no way across it.

He stood staring at Marley for some time. He couldn’t remember the last time the child had slept so soundly or looked so peaceful. Not since her mama had ridden away from the farm.

Though the bed beckoned his weary body, he knew sleep would not come. A quick stroll over to the saloon he’d spied across the street could relax his taut muscles. He might even find Luke over there and wheedle a drink out of him.

One last glance at Two Bit assured him she’d not miss him. But to ease his peace of mind, he informed Judge Parker, who occupied the adjacent room.

“Would you mind keeping an ear open for Marley? I gotta unwind. Be across the street. Won’t take more’n a few minutes,” he told Parker.

Though the retired judge gave him a curious look, he nodded. “I understand, McClain.”

The man’s pleasantry took Duel aback. He had become accustomed to Parker’s spiteful tongue. This sudden bend toward congeniality required a similar return.

“I suppose I owe you thanks for arranging a bed for Two Bit. It’s plain you fancy her a great deal.”

“Sam Hill, you mule head! You’re the one who paid for it.”

Weariness washed over him anew. The late hour had befuddled his brain. What the devil was Parker talking about?

“Judge,” he began, trying to stifle his growing impatience, “I gave you all the money I had in the world.”

“And I’m giving it back.” Leaning heavily on his gleaming cane, Parker pressed a sack into his hand.

Astonished, he stared at the bag. Without opening it, he knew it held the remainder of the two hundred.

“Why?”

“I wasn’t sure I’d take this case. Indeed, I wanted to for all the wrong reasons. Until I met Miss Jessie.”

“You were taking it merely to stick a knife in my back?” The man hadn’t meant to help at all. Parker had intended to send Jessie to the gallows as revenge for Annie.

Parker rubbed his wrinkled face. “I’m not proud of my intentions. I wanted you to hurt. Not just some, but a lot. I wanted to settle the score for you ruining my daughter’s life.”

“And your feelings for Marley Rose?” Had the love the little girl gave so freely merely provided Parker with the means to destroy them all? The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Was that an act?”

“I worship that child. Getting to know her is the best thing that ever could have happened.” Light shone from Parker’s gunmetal-gray eyes. “She brought happiness again to my life when everything inside had died.”

“You said meeting Jessie changed your mind?”

“I saw how much she loves Marley Rose—and you. Also, I can’t envision that warm, compassionate woman as a coldblooded killer. Horrendous circumstances had to have forced her hand.”

“Let me get this straight. You’re still going to take Jessie’s case, but you don’t want my money?” Might as well clear up all the loose ends.

“The relationship with my granddaughter is payment enough. I thank you for that, McClain.”

Words didn’t come easy to Duel. He guessed in Parker’s own way, his acceptance of Jessie and Marley Rose was an apology of sorts. It seemed the man wanted to bury the hatchet after all these years. A big man would accept it. Could he be a big man?

Duel bit back a lifetime of hateful words he’d stored up for Parker. It wouldn’t accomplish anything to use them now. A small child’s unfettered love had brought about a miracle he’d never thought to see.

The deadman’s hand that had given Two Bit to him had not dug him a grave on Boot Hill but brought happiness beyond compare. If he hadn’t camped outside Cactus Springs to put some space between the girl and her reprobate father, he might never have found Jessie. Now, it appeared the tyke had single-handedly glued together his broken relationship with Annie’s father. Everything had fallen into place after Marley Rose had come into his life. He’d finally made the right choices.

Duel had learned something about survival and a little about love. He’d traveled a far distance from that night. Regardless of the overwhelming hurdles facing him in the upcoming trial, he didn’t view his cup as half-empty, but as half-full. And when Jess became a free woman, the darn thing would gush over the top. Knowing all this made him a big man.

“I would’ve walked to the ends of the earth to keep Annie and my son alive. In loving her, I only brought her death. I’m truly sorry, Judge.”

Parker placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Do me a favor. Can you call me Tom?”

* * *

Opposite the Imperial Hotel, in the White Elephant Saloon, Duel downed a shot of whiskey. Thoughts of the day ran rampant in his head. He’d made peace with Tom Parker, and he was with his love at last, for better or worse, for richer or poorer.

Till death do you part.

Damn! The words chilled his blood. If, heaven forbid, the worst should happen, they might as well hang him right alongside his wife, for he wouldn’t want to go on living.

Jess had shown him that a body can survive anything if the will is strong enough. Because of her he had learned a man can find love and satisfaction again. Even after he’d buried all hope of it six feet under. But hellfire! He couldn’t—wouldn’t—a second time. That asked too much from him.

“Hey, ain’t you that McClain feller? The one that’s married to that murderin’ husband-killer?”

The fighting words pierced his thoughts. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. While Duel glanced around to find the source, one hand moved to the Schofield in his holster.

Though he wanted to recoil from the one-eyed jackal, he forced a deadly calm. For Jess and Two Bit’s sake he’d walk away from this fight. He slowly set the whiskey glass on the top of the bar and turned to leave.

“You bein’ impolite, ain’t you, mister? I asked you a question.” The man now blocked his way.

Up close, the black eye patch lent an evil touch to the sneering face. Though he’d never seen the man before, Duel recognized the type. Mean as a rattler and spoiling for a fight.

“Step aside.” His hand poised over the smooth handle of the forty-five.

Duel knew he’d spoken in a quiet tone, so it amazed him when the room became deadly still. Conversations ceased; the piano player stopped the music. All eyes focused on him.

“Or what? You gonna shoot me for asking something the whole town’s itchin’ to know?”

“I’m not looking for trouble. Just want some peace and quiet.” His gaze scanned the curious faces of the crowd. They all appeared angry and sullen.

“Now that’s too bad. All the good folks in this town want is justice.”

“By lynching, I suppose.”

“If we hafta. Jeremiah Foltry was a friend. Mebbe that slut of a wife of his was keeping your bed warm the whole time she carried the Foltry name. And that brat of yours.”

Duel felt the heat rising. An ache to silence the man’s loud insinuations became overpowering. “Leave the child out of this.”

“Seems to me she didn’t waste any time in marryin’ up with you. Mebbe you helped her plan on doin’ poor Jeremiah in.”

“If you have proof of that, why don’t you take it to the sheriff?”

“I reckon that kid cain’t be hers. Know fer a fact that Jeremiah fixed her good where she cain’t—”

Rage enveloped him. Before Duel could stop, his doubled fist slammed into the one-eyed jackal’s face. The man sprawled backward onto the floor. Satisfaction settled over him at the sight of the unconscious form.

While the crowd gaped in astonishment, Duel pushed through the doors into the night.

Given Jeremiah’s friends that he’d met so far, he had an even greater respect for Jessie and her endurance through eight years of hell.

* * *

Jessie woke the next morning much happier than she’d been since leaving Tranquility. Though the three of them might be considered misfits in anyone else’s book, Duel, Marley Rose, and she were a family. And they were together come what may to the bitter end.

Luke and Sheriff Daniels both snored fitfully on cots tucked against the furthermost wall. The younger McClain gripped the pistol that lay across his chest.

Yellow Dog raised his head when she stirred, and gave her a sorrowful stare. The dog seemed to know that trouble followed and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Hey, fella.” She stroked the soft, golden coat through the bars. “You’re part of our little family too. A misfit like the rest of us.”

A sudden knock at the door brought the animal to his feet with a threatening growl. Luke’s boots hit the floor as he jumped to attention. The startled look on the man’s face made her laugh softly. Yet Sheriff Daniels slept on, completely oblivious to the disturbance.

“Luke, open up.” Duel pounded as if pursued by demons.

It took Luke a good minute or so to get the sleep from his eyes and locate the keys. Jessie watched it all with amusement. Why they’d bothered to lock the door escaped her. After last night’s ruckus, most of the panes in the front window had been shot out. Should anyone want in, they had only to crawl through the opening.

“Grandma was slow, but she was old.” Duel greeted his brother cheerfully. “Gonna sleep your life away?”

“Cain’t a man get some rest?” Luke ran his fingers through his hair and stumbled to the washbasin. “Better yet, can you come back at a decent hour, brother?”

“Where I come from, Luke, six o’clock is a decent hour.” Duel’s gaze met Jessie’s, and she melted inside with wanting. “Besides, wasn’t you I came to kiss. The lady I traveled halfway across the state to be with, and whom I intend to kiss when you get that blasted cell open, is awake.”

Blubbering in the remains of yesterday’s water, Luke wiped his face. Then he pitched the last of the contents on Bart Daniels’s prone form. “Wake up, old man.”

“Jiminy crickets, Duel!” Wet from his head to his waist, Bart rubbed his bristly mustache. “Fine way for a lawman to git woke up. Anyone ever tell you to respect your elders?”

“I didn’t do that, Bart. Blame Luke.”

While they waited on Luke to mosey over with the keys, Duel caressed Jessie’s cheek through the bars. “Have a good night, milady?”

Warm, languid ripples stirred her imagination. Thinking of lying with him in a field of clover, or in their bed in Tranquility, made her feel as if she’d been dipped in smooth, rich molasses. Her legs threatened to give way while her mouth filled with longing for his taste. A good night? She could describe every minute they were together as simply fantastic.

“Exceptional, now that you and Marley Rose are here.”

“Why the devil do you hafta keep the cell locked anyway, Luke? Surely you see by now Jess isn’t gonna try to escape.”

Jessie loved the husky gravel in Duel’s voice, knowing that his deep caring put it there. He loved her. He still wanted her, and she ached for him. His chiseled jaw looked more square today, more determined to see the right of things. Muscles flexed beneath her touch. Her knight was strong and tough.

“You got manure for brains, Duel? In case a mob gets through us, they cain’t get to her that easy. Precautionary measure’s all,” Luke explained as if he were talking to a child. “By the way, where’s Peanut this mornin’?”

“Having breakfast with Parker. She’ll be along soon. Why? You thinking of giving her a ride on your shoulders?”

“Lord help a sinner! Ain’t never doing that again.”

The door squeaked when it swung open at last. Duel swept Jessie into his arms, kissing her long and hard.

“I’ve missed you, darlin’.” He breathed heavily against her ear, causing tingles to sashay down her body.

“It’s only been a few hours,” she reminded him.

“One second away from you is too long. I can’t wait to get you back home where you belong.”

A heavy anvil dropped, squashing her rising passion. “If things go in our favor.”

“Don’t say ‘if.’ It’s ‘when.’ I’ll not give up. Not ever. Tom Parker’s the best there is. He likes you, you know.”

“He’s awfully sad, but he’s nice. I felt a kinship with him right off. I’m glad Marley thinks of him as her grandpa.”

“Those two are close; that’s a fact. We had a long chat last night. Jess, he gave back the two hundred dollars I gave him.”

“He’s not going to take my case?” Panic ricocheted off all her hopes and dreams.

“Slow down. Tom Parker’s gonna defend you. He’s gonna do it for free.” Duel raised her hand to his mouth and kissed first the palm, then the back. “Seems you made quite an impression on the man, my dear.”

“For free?” The magnitude of the gift overwhelmed her. No one had ever done anything for her for free before. Except for Duel taking her in, of course. But that didn’t count, because in the beginning, their relationship had been purely a business arrangement—she took care of Marley Rose in exchange for marriage, a roof over her head, and a place to hide.

“Yep.” His wide grin reminded her of George or Henry.

“I take it you talked about other things besides me. You seem rather lighthearted this fine morn, Mr. McClain.” She lovingly brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.

“Yep. Talked about forgiveness. The judge asked me to call him Tom.”

“Guess that clinches it, then. Anyone who wants you to use his first name considers you a friend. Pure and simple.” She fell into the deep amber lights of his eyes. “What I want to find out is do you finally forgive yourself for what happened?”

He looked away, unable to face her. “Their deaths were my fault. Always will be. Time ain’t gonna change that.”

The demons of the past continued to haunt him. Until he forgave himself for the tragedy, they would always walk in his shadow. She hoped one day he’d see that a man wasn’t liable for things he had no control over.

Tom Parker chose that moment to appear with Marley Rose.

“Mama,” Marley clamored, scrambling across the uneven floor toward her.

“How about a big hug, little lady?”

The girl ran into Jessie’s outstretched arms with her mouth puckered for a kiss.

“Mine Mama,” she informed Duel in Marley Rose fashion.

“You got some of that loving left for me?” he asked her.

Marley kept a grip on Jessie’s dress while she leaned out, her lips resembling a catfish’s. The loud smack drew Luke’s attention.

“Hey, Peanut. Don’t be giving away all my kisses, now.”

Defiance glistened in her brown eyes. “Mine Papa.”

“Darn it, I know he’s your papa. What’s that have to do with anything?”

“Watch it, Luke. I’ll put her on your shoulders.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’ll just watch from a distance.” Luke grabbed the blackened coffeepot and hurried outside for water, ignoring Duel’s laughter.

“Papa?” Marley pulled on his arm impatiently.

“Yes, I’m your papa. What do you want, Two Bit?”

Jessie’s heart almost burst with joy. He’d finally accepted that he was the girl’s father. Praise be!

“Boobie.” She pointed to Yellow Dog.

“Sure is, darlin’.”

“Cheeba?” This time Marley shrugged her shoulders and turned her hands up.

“Cheeba’s at home. You’ll see her in a few days.”

Satisfied, the girl scooted from Jessie’s arms and sat down by Yellow Dog’s side.

“Duel, you let her call you Papa. No more fuss about it?”

“Guess that’s the way of it, Jess. Reckon I am.”

Suddenly, a man burst through the door, waving a piece of paper.

“Sheriff, the circuit judge’ll be arrivin’ this afternoon on the stage.”

“Oh no.” A fit of nausea swept over her. That meant her trial would be tomorrow. They hadn’t had time to prepare.