Twenty-nine

A telltale wetness in his lady’s blue eyes captured Duel’s attention first. The sparkling orbs glistened, beacons of light from a colorless face.

His inadequacy as protector of the one he loved rolled around in his belly like a gut full of buckshot. He should’ve taken her and Marley Rose so far away no one, not even Luke, could’ve found them. High up in the Rocky Mountains lurked many hiding places.

But he hadn’t. The heavy bars between them told more than words that he’d let her down. He removed his hat and twirled it between his hands.

Do you, Duel, promise to protect, to cherish her, to keep Jessie in sickness and in health, as long as ye both shall live, so help you God?

Damn! He’d broken every vow he’d made when they stood before the preacher. How could a man claim to cherish his wife if he hadn’t protected her? And the sickness and health part—right now she didn’t appear too healthy.

When his gaze traveled past her face, he noticed how frail, almost gaunt she’d become. Her clothes hung on her frame, her once lush curves no longer rounded. He’d failed her in every way that mattered. Now, she couldn’t help but see the mistake she’d made in taking up with a man like him. Guilt forced away his scrutiny until the toes of his boots slid into focus.

“You came!” Jessie’s breathless declaration stirred his remorse until it became a frothy foam. “I was worried, afraid something had happened.”

“Or that I changed my mind?” There, he might as well say what she already thought. He stopped the hat-twirling and held the worn Stetson in a steel grip. Her tone told him what he knew he’d find written on her face if he dared look up.

“But you didn’t.”

From the corner of his eye, he watched her hands slide from the iron bars that separated them. His jaw clenched.

“Nope.”

“You’re not that kind.”

Hope fluttered on bruised, battered wings. Maybe Jessie wasn’t disappointed in him after all. Maybe she didn’t regret claiming his name. Maybe she could find a reason to return the love he felt for her. Suddenly, the toes of his boots held about as much attraction as a tree full of hoot owls.

He searched for the right words to tell her how he felt. In the silence, a whine drew her attention again to Yellow Dog. She knelt and rubbed his head. “Hey, boy. I didn’t expect to see you here. Duel?”

“The fool wouldn’t stay behind. Walked all the way to Austin. Guess he’s come to trust me. At least he tolerates my rough ways.” Duel’s confidence returned. “Or maybe he hungered for your tender touch…like me.”

Jessie reached for his hand. Palm to palm they stood. The heat from her gaze drove away any remaining doubts. He pitched his hat toward a spindly chair, ringing it on the sharp wood that rose from the high back.

She ran her tongue slowly across pearly white teeth. “I’ve missed you, sodbuster.”

The steady beat of his heart picked up the pace. Without taking his gaze from her face, he hollered, “Bart, open this door so I can kiss my wife.”

“Orders, orders, orders, that’s all I git around here.” Bart pushed aside the rifle he’d been cleaning and stood, his arthritic bones creaking. “A body would think I ain’t nothing more’n a lackey.”

The jangle of keys mingled with Bart’s grumbling.

When the cell door swung open, Duel scooped Jessie into his arms. “I’ve waited too long for this, Mrs. McClain.”

Then, he kissed her forehead, her eyes, and her nose before he settled his mouth firmly on her lips and sampled his fill. His topsy-turvy world righted on its axis for one brief moment. He was with his lady.

Her breath came in excited gasps when he released her at last. “I’ve lived in fear that you wouldn’t get here in time. That they’d hang me before I got a chance to see you again.”

“And deprive the world of the best sweet-potato pie maker I ever saw? I gave my word I’d come, and a McClain never goes back on his word.” Except the one about protecting. He felt the shiver that coursed through her.

“Those men seem bent on keeping me from reaching trial.”

“Hush, darlin’.” He held her tight, his chin resting on the top of her head. “I’m here now. No one is gonna hurt you. No lynch mob, for sure.”

They stood as one until her trembling stopped.

“I love you, Jess. Don’t ever forget that.” The pounding against his chest, where her breasts were becoming familiar with his shirt, aroused a desire so strong he almost forgot where he was. He wanted to take her to the nearest bed, kiss away every problem that worried her.

“I won’t forget. No more than I can lose sight of how much I love you.” Her husky reply made tracks up his spine.

“Hey, Jessie, look who I’ve got.” Luke ducked through the door with Marley Rose riding on his shoulders, oblivious to the scene he’d interrupted.

“Mama, mine Mama!” The excited child put a stranglehold on Luke’s head and dug one leg into his collarbone as she tried to climb down from her perch.

“Whoa, Peanut.” Luke turned in a circle in his attempt to disentangle himself. Yellow Dog added to the melee, barking and nipping at his heels. “Duel, help me. I’ve crossed the trail of mountain lions, cougars, and some of the meanest desperados in the territory, but this little girl puts ’em all to shame.”

“Marley Rose! You didn’t tell me our daughter came with you.”

Duel accepted her look of reproach with good grace. The sound of that “our daughter” part turned his insides to jelly. The buckshot that’d rolled in his belly earlier melted from the warmth. Everything that he’d endured had been worth it just to see the pretty flush on her face.

Grinning, he followed on her heels. “I didn’t get around to it yet. Had a few other little incidentals on my mind.”

Luke yelled again as Marley bounced up and down, grabbing two handfuls of hair.

Leaning back in his chair at his desk, Bart howled with laughter until tears ran down his face.

“Ain’t a dadblasted thing funny, you old coot. You could offer me a hand, you know.” Luke grunted in pain as he plucked Marley’s fingers from his right eye.

“This is the darn-tootin’est sight I’ve seen in all my born days.” Bart wiped his face on his shirtsleeve.

Stretching over Jessie’s head, Duel lifted Marley from his brother’s shoulders. “I could’ve warned you about putting Two Bit up there. I learned the hard way.”

“Lord have mercy!” Luke rubbed his afflicted eye, then the reddened skin on his neck. “That child is dangerous.”

Marley snuggled in welcoming arms. “Mine Mama,” she said, patting Jessie’s cheek while glaring at Luke as if daring him to object. Which he didn’t, because he was busy nursing his wounds.

Duel cleared his throat, suddenly overcome by the sight of the two people who filled his world. The girl had missed the comfort of her mama’s caress. More than that, Two Bit missed her cooking, because she’d eaten very little of what he’d stirred up.

The excitement over for the moment, Yellow Dog sat on his haunches, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. Duel wasn’t surprised that the animal’s watchful eyes never left his beloved family.

Tom Parker ambled inside, doffing a handsome black derby when he passed through the door. His cane thudded on the planks as he joined the party.

Duel brought his former father-in-law forward.

“Jess, this is Tom Parker, retired judge and the best darn lawyer in the whole state of Texas.” He basked in the light of hope that shimmered in her eyes. “Just like I said.”

Jessie’s chin quivered as she grasped Parker’s extended hand.

“Judge, meet Jessie, my wife and this little angel’s mama.”

Marley Rose pointed to the silver-haired man. “G’anpa.” Then, she patted Jessie’s cheek again, her voice soft with love. “Mine Mama.”

This time Luke coughed, clearing the way for speech. Duel could see the emotion in his brother’s face. “Judge Parker, Duel forgot his introducing manners. Don’t rightly know if you remember me. I’m his brother, Luke, and the codger wearing the silver star over there is Sheriff Bart Daniels.”

“Wouldn’t have recognized you, son. Last time I saw you, you were wet behind the ears.” The man accepted Luke’s handshake.

“Not much has changed, Parker,” Bart said, sauntering over. “Still wet, though I tried to teach him ever’thing I know.”

“Now, look here, you old goat.” Luke waved a finger beneath Bart’s nose. “I’ve got more sense than you can shake a stick at.”

“Depends on if you’re usin’ a puny twig or a hickory limb,” Bart returned, not letting Luke get one up on him.

“How about an olive branch, boys?” Duel shoved his way between the squabbling twosome. “We have some business to get to.”

“Mister Parker.” Jessie ignored the ruckus. “I’m pleased to meet you. You were Annie’s father?”

“None other.”

Through narrowed eyes, Duel watched the former judge size up his lady. Whether Parker accepted Jessie or not remained to be seen. But one thing for sure, he’d best not hurt her.

Jessie touched his arm lightly. Then, with deep sincerity spilling from her face, she spoke from her heart. “I’ve got some awfully big shoes to fill, sir. Not in a million years can I measure up to the special kind of woman Annie was. Heaven forbid I try to replace her, that’s not what I want. I’ll do my best to keep her memory alive. I only hope to never bring shame to the McClain name.”

Judge Parker looked astounded. Whatever picture of Jessie he’d formed in his mind, Duel could tell this hadn’t been it.

“I thank you for your honesty, madam. I wasn’t prepared to like you.”

The man’s brutal frankness didn’t put a dent in Jessie’s smile. “I’m sure you miss your daughter terribly.”

“For a fact.” A soft swoosh of air left the man’s mouth. “For a fact,” he repeated sorrowfully.

“Did my husband explain what you’ve gotten yourself into, Mr. Parker?”

“The main parts. Tomorrow will be soon enough to fill in the gaps.” He stared wistfully at Marley Rose resting her head on Jessie’s bosom. For a moment, Duel could’ve sworn he saw a mist clouding the man’s eyes. “That’s a fine girl you’ve got there, Miss Jessie. She’s mighty lucky to have a mother who loves her so much.”

Parker turned to Luke. “Now, son, show me to the nearest hotel. These weary bones need a soft bed.”

“Yes, sir.”

Before Tom Parker turned away, he winked at Jessie. “Don’t worry about a thing, madam. The cavalry’s here.”

“Duel, you coming?” Luke asked.

“Not yet. Be along in a while.” He hadn’t come all this way to sleep.

Since his hands were pretty well tied in regard to breaking Jess out of jail, making sure she got a fair trial was one promise he meant to uphold. Come hell or high water.

“G’anpa?” Marley pointed after the men.

“Duel, how come she’s calling Mr. Parker Grandpa? Seems to me he’d take offense to it, considering he lost his daughter and all.”

“Strange thing. When I went to the judge’s hotel room in Austin, he nearly threw me out. The man still hates my guts. After getting a full dose of his hostility, I started to leave. Two Bit refused. She climbed up in his lap and declared right then and there that Parker was her grandpa.”

Jessie squeezed the girl to her. “One small thing from our special little package made such a difference. I could tell how much the title pleases Judge Parker.”

“Proud as a kid with a new pair of shoes, all right.”

“The bond they’ve forged seems every bit as strong as the one she has with your own father.”

“Sure seems like it.”

“Does this mean you’ve cleared the past between you two?”

“Let’s say we’ve reached a truce for the time being.” A shaky truce at that. Whatever he had to agree on to get the judge’s help in freeing his Jess, he’d do in a heartbeat. Even if that meant standing on his head in the middle of Main Street.

Marley raised her head and yawned big.

“She’s sleepy, Duel. Why don’t you take her over to the hotel?”

The air backed up in his lungs. Admitting his shortfalls came hard. “Can’t. Gave Parker every cent I have.”

“Then where are you and Marley going to sleep?”

“Wasn’t thinking much on anything other than getting here. Guess we can always stretch a bedroll under the stars.” The thought of separating from Jess again, even for the length of a night, made him ill. Precious little time might remain. “Or in the jail doorway.”

“She’s just a baby, Duel!”

“Two Bit hasn’t complained yet.” Still, guilt that he couldn’t provide better accommodations brought back the buckshot in his belly. What kind of man dragged his child on such a journey with no thought to her comfort? For once, he wished for Tom Parker’s wealth.

“She can sleep here with me, if Sheriff Daniels agrees.”

Jessie’s quiet calm did little to ease his conscience. Behind iron bars wasn’t any place for a child—or his wife.

Never had he felt so inept. That he’d not had any choice in the matter didn’t hold water with him. He watched Jessie smooth back the dark curls on their daughter’s head. Opportunity had been there. He’d simply chosen the wrong paths when the choices presented themselves. His problem appeared to be not seeing far enough down the road.

Noise and bluster announced Luke’s return. “Big brother, Judge Parker said to tell you there’s a room waiting for you and Peanut over at the hotel.”

Dad-gum it, the man’d done it again! Just like when Parker bought Annie that fancy wedding dress, and the bed, and countless other things he couldn’t provide for her. Now, Parker was doing the same with Two Bit, rubbing Duel’s nose in his lack of funds.

His jaw jutted out stubbornly. “Don’t need it. Already—”

Jessie’s firm grip on his arm stopped him.

“Duel, let the judge do this. Don’t let pride stand between your child and a soft bed. She’s so tired. Please?”

How could he refuse her request? He stared down into her upturned face, his heart melting. He wanted to make love to his wife until she begged for mercy. Then he’d take delight in knowing he caused the rapid pulse in the luscious hollow of her throat.

“Sure, Luke.” He took the dozing girl from Jessie’s arms. “I’ll go put her to bed. A little rest won’t hurt anyone.”

The parting left him feeling as if he’d eaten raw cactus, needles and all. He lowered his head and kissed his wife soundly. Something to carry with him through the long, lonely night.

“I’ll be back at dawn. Luke assures me the rabble-rousers have settled down—at least for now.” He knelt to the dog’s level. “Boy, it’s your job to guard our lady. Don’t let anyone hurt her.”

Yellow Dog snarled, a rumble coming from deep inside, as if to say he’d protect Jessie with his life if necessary.

“Good boy.” Standing, he touched his wife’s cheek with his knuckle. “You’ll be safe, darlin’. I promise.”