Jesse

by Barbara Goss

  “You’re a good friend to offer, Jesse, but it wouldn’t be decent for the two of you to travel alone together.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ve been out of society too long, I guess.”

  Sean sighed. “I’ll figure something out.”

  Jesse hadn’t been sure if he should offer his services or not, but he liked Charlie. He still had feelings for Delia, too. Delia was feminine and lovely, but Charlie was cute and fun. Being with Charlie was like being with Judd or Sean—he felt right at home with her. Delia was beautiful, but Jesse hoped there was more to her than her appearance. So far, he had seen nothing exciting about her other than her exquisite beauty.

  “If you need some time alone with Sophia, I’ll take Charlie off your hands for a few hours. We had fun today. We never made it to town—we did target shooting, instead. She’s a crack shot.”

  “Are you sure she won’t be a burden?” Sean asked.

  “Not at all.”

  “You’ve just given me an idea, but I need to talk to Sophia about it first. For now, let’s make one day a week your day with Charlie. How would Wednesday be for you?”

  Jesse shrugged. “Fine. I still haven’t decided if I want to work again or not.”

  “You mean go back to bounty hunting?”

  “It’s all I know, Sean.”

  Charlie had loved her time with Jesse and thought him amusing for such a tough-looking fellow. She hoped she’d see more of him if she stayed in Sunset Creek. Jesse was a lot more personable than Sean’s friend, Roy, and she didn’t care for his wife, Gwen, either. Mac was nice enough, but his wife, Ida, was high and mighty acting. So far, Jesse was her favorite of Sean’s friends.

  As she changed out of her riding outfit, she wondered why Sean and Sophia seemed to push her at Jesse. She supposed they needed some time alone. She’d have to make a special point to take more horseback rides through the meadows.

  She slipped into a cotton dress and cringed as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Charlie much preferred pants to dresses. Had she meant to be born a male? She dismissed the thought when she realized that she loved the company of men more than women.

  What bothered her was that lately, whenever she mentioned staying in Sunset Creek, Sophia and Sean exchanged odd looks. Did they want her to leave? She loved it there. New York had nasty winters, and while she loved her parents, she longed for her independence. As Sophia’s older sister, she should have married first, but the men in New York seemed to prefer more feminine women.

  Sophia had been engaged to a man named Simon, but he had left her for her best friend, Melinda. Rather than stay in Niagara Falls where Sophia would run into them often, she became a mail-order bride. Luckily, Sean had turned out to be a proper gentleman, and she thought they’d fall in love in no time. Still, Charlie felt like a fifth buggy wheel.

  She turned and prayed with all her might that she’d be able to stay in Sunset Creek and that she might meet someone with whom to spend her life, as Sophia had. So far, the only single man she’d met was Jesse, who was definitely a candidate. She smiled. Definitely.

  Jesse continued with his daily lunches with Delia, but on Tuesday, he had to explain why they could no longer have lunch on Wednesdays. He tried to find the right words while packing away the remains of their lunch. “I enjoy our lunches together, but I have to make a slight change in our schedule.”

  Delia sat up straight and frowned. “Why?”

  “Every Wednesday I plan to do a favor for my friend, Sean.”

  Delia seemed to relax, and she lay her head back against the tree. “What kind of favor?”

  “Sean has a houseguest from the wedding named Charlie, and he wants some alone time with his new wife, so he asked if I’d entertain Charlie once a week.”

  “How nice of you.”

  Jesse felt he had picked just the right words. He enjoyed his lunches with Delia, but one thing bothered him: he got the impression that she wanted more from him than he wanted to give at that point. He’d always been careful when it came to his romantic liaisons. Women could be tricky characters. His male friends talked, and he heard many stories that caused him to be cautious. He hadn’t had many affairs, just a few when he was in his late teens and later, with a woman named Ellen. On the trail, men sat around telling stories of women who purposely became with child to trap a man into marriage. One man said a woman he was courting made sure her father would catch them in an improper setting and force them to marry.

  Though Jesse was thinking it was time for him to marry, he wanted it to be his decision and not be tricked into it. So, each time Delia touched his thigh or came too close when they stood up to hug goodbye, he backed off. He knew he could take her up to his room, and she would not refuse. He liked her a lot, but he wasn’t sure if he could trust her. At first, he’d thought she was "the one." Sure, she was beautiful, but there was something in her eyes when she told him how much she cared for him that just didn’t look authentic. Was he being paranoid because of all the stories he’d heard? Maybe so. Still, it paid to be cautious.

  He’d purposely left out the fact Charlie was a woman when speaking to Delia, but he wasn’t sure why. It just didn’t seem right to tell a woman he’d been seeing for lunch every day about how he was spending time with another woman.

  Delia sat up quickly, her eyes wide. “I know. . I could pack a lunch for both of you.”

  Jesse rubbed his forehead. “I’ll ask Charlie.”

  Chapter Five

  On Wednesday, Jesse picked Charlie up at Sean’s. They mounted their horses and rode side by side.

  “What would you like to do today, Charlie?”

  “How about we go swimming?”

  “Swimming! Did you bring a bathing outfit? I don’t even have one.”

  Charlie gave him a sly smile. “I don’t either. It could be interesting.”

  Jesse’s mouth hung open, and he knew his eyes must have looked like saucers.

  “Oh, Jesse,” she said with a laugh. “I was joshing.”

  “Now, that was cruel humor. You know that I haven't been around society much over the last ten years. I thought it might be a new fad, like women riding astride as you do.”

  “It’s perfectly fine for a woman to ride astride as long as she’s wearing a riding outfit,” Charlie told him. She gave him a contrite expression. “I’m sorry for the humor.”

  “Forgiven,” he said with a chuckle.

  “I find you interesting,” she said as they rode along. “Your lack of social interaction and knowledge, I find quite endearing.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. It makes you different from anyone I’ve ever known.”

  “And I find you different from any woman I’ve ever known.”

  They had reached Jesse’s house. While Jesse hitched the horses, he wondered what they would do for the few hours they had together.

  “What games do you play?” he asked.

  “Checkers, chess, five-card stud, and hearts.”

  “I have chess and checkers, and I know five-card stud. You’d have to teach me hearts.”

  “Let’s start with chess,” Charlie suggested. “Where did you learn to play it? Surely not chasing outlaws.”

  “My father died when I was small, and my mother went back to Sweden as soon as I left home to become a bounty hunter. We exchange letters once in a while. She remarried and seems happy. She taught me to play chess when I was about twelve.”

  Charlie’s hand touched his. “I’m so sorry about your father. Will you ever see your mother again?”

  “I keep saying that I’ll go to Sweden someday, but that day never comes. I’d love to see her before... well, she’s sixty-one, so before she passes—which I hope is a long way off.”

  “That’s sad, Jesse. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “No, I was the first and last born. My father died when I was an infant. It was a fair fight, my mother said. He called a man out, accused him of cheating at ca
rds. Word had it the man was truly cheating. My father lost the gunfight, so I never met him.”

  “So, you lived alone with your mom until... when? How did she manage alone?”

  Jesse shook his head as he recalled the days in which they didn’t know from where their next meal would come. “My mother worked hard. She did laundry and ironing for people who could afford to pay her. Often, they paid her with food instead of money. That’s when I swore I’d be rich someday.

  “I lived with her until about ten years ago.”

  “And that’s when you went into bounty hunting? Sean told me what you did before we met, but he also convinced me you were harmless.”

  “After the war, I didn’t have the experience to get a regular job, and a friend of mine steered me into becoming a bounty hunter. I got to travel, and I helped clean the world of criminals.”

  Jesse walked to the door of the house. “Where do you want to play chess? Inside, or should I bring the set outside?”

  “I put a little packed lunch in my saddlebag. We could sit over yonder under that enormous tree and eat while we play chess,” she said. “It’s far too beautiful a day to be inside.”

  “I agree. I’ll be right back.” Jesse ducked into the house to round up a tablecloth and the chess game.

  He spread out the cloth and sat leaning against the tree to eat the lunch Charlie had packed. They prepared to eat when a horse thundered up the dirt road and stopped with a skid in front of them.

  “So, this is your favor?” Delia asked. “Another woman?”

  Jesse was speechless.

  Charlie looked back and forth between him and Delia before saying, “We’re just friends.” Charlie stood. “My name is Charlotte, but I’m called Charlie.”

  Delia raised an eyebrow at Charlie.

  Charlie continued, “My sister married Jesse’s friend, Sean, and they needed a bit of time alone, so Jesse was nice enough to spend some time with me to give them some privacy.”

  Jesse stood. “Charlie, this is Delia. She and I usually eat lunch together. I told her I was doing a friend a favor by being with you on Wednesdays.”

  “Nice to meet you, Delia. Jesse has told me so much about you. Won’t you join us?”

  Delia, who was riding side-saddle, slipped off her horse, brushed off her gray skirt, and removed a package from her saddlebag. “I packed enough lunch for the three of us, thinking you were a man, Charlie.”

  While Delia walked over to them, Jesse stared at Charlie in amazement. She’d somehow gotten him out of hot water when he’d been too shocked to speak.

  Now, they had more than enough food. Their conversation was light, but Jesse got the feeling that Delia didn’t trust Charlie. She kept asking her questions about her past.

  “So,” Delia asked Charlie, “when will you be returning to New York?”

  Charlie sighed. “Not soon enough to please Sean, I’m sure. It's not that I don’t understand their wanting to be alone, but I love it here and wish to stay.”

  “I could get you a job at the saloon. It comes with room and board,” Delia said.

  “Really?” Charlie asked.

  Jesse kept from frowning or interfering, lest Delia think he was sweet on Charlie, which he wasn’t. Still, the thought of her working in a saloon angered him. Charlie was too... too... he had no words. He was practically courting a saloon woman, so why did the thought of Charlie doing the same anger him? Maybe because if a cowboy got out of hand at the saloon, Charlie would probably shoot him.

  “I’ll think about it, Delia,” Charlie said. “I’ll need to talk to my sister and Sean about it. They might be so happy to get rid of me they’ll allow it.”

  “Just let me know,” Delia said. Then, she looked at Jesse. “Now that I know your friend is a woman and not a grumpy old man, I’ll pack a lunch every Wednesday and join you.”

  Jesse smiled and nodded, but he noticed Charlie frowning. “That would be wonderful,” she said while looking down at her lap.

  Delia looked at Jesse.

  “Sure, why not? I must warn you both that I’ll soon have to get back to work, and that means leaving town.” He stood. “Let me walk you to your horse, Delia.”

  When they reached her horse, he helped her up onto it. “And Charlie is staying?” she asked.

  “Yes, for about another hour. We’re about to play a game of chess.”

  Delia nodded. “See you tomorrow, then.” She turned her horse and galloped away.

  When Jesse returned to the tablecloth, Charlie had the game all set up. She sat cross-legged in front of the board. “It’s your move.”

  When he returned Charlie to Sean’s, she kissed his cheek—much to his embarrassment, and darted into the house. He was about to mount his horse when he heard Sean call him from the barn.

  “Jesse—we found a solution to our problem.” Sean walked over to Jesse. “You can accompany Charlie to Cheyenne if you’re still willing.”

  Jesse shrugged. “You said it wouldn’t look proper.”

  “All we have to do is dress Charlie like a man. She’s as tough as one. I think she could pull it off. Even her voice is husky for a woman.”

  “I like her voice. I wouldn’t call it husky, just not high and squeaky as most women,” Jesse said.

  “Well, what do you say?”

  Jesse sighed loudly. “If it’s all right with her, it’s fine with me. When were you thinking we’d leave?”

  Sean grimaced. “Next week?”

  “Whew. So soon? I have some affairs to put in order, but I think I can make next week work.”

  Sean held one hand over his heart. “I promise, Jesse, I owe you one. A big one.”

  “Nah, that’s what friends are for.”

  “I’ll have Sophia pack extra clothes and a contribution to the food rations. The price of food at the train rest stops is expensive.”

  All the way home, Jesse thought about what he’d tell Delia. He still felt something for her, but he had to admit that after meeting Charlie, his feelings for Delia had somewhat lessened. Charlie was fun, and she was tough; he admired her. His feelings for the women gave him an uncomfortable feeling. No good could come of this.

  “What do you expect me to do?” Delia asked her brother-in-law. “I’ve tried everything except physically attack him.”

  Her brother-in-law slammed his fist down on the kitchen table. “We have to get rid of Charlie. You need her out of the picture.”

  “It’s too late. He told me this afternoon that he’s escorting her to a train depot in Cheyenne.”

  “How cozy,” he yelled.

  Delia shrugged. “He said it was business, not pleasure.”

  “And, of course, you believed him. You’re more like your sister than you know.”

  “I told him it wasn’t proper, but he said they'd planned to dress her up as a lad, it would be fine.” Delia sniffed into her handkerchief. “I tried.”

  Her brother-in-law paced the floor. “She isn’t going anywhere.” He laughed. “An accident might befall her long before she reaches Cheyenne.”

  “And how is that supposed to help me get Jesse to propose?”

  He laughed at her. “I have a plan for that, too.”

  Delia held her temples. “Like what?”

  “All in good time. One step at a time.”

  “Wouldn’t it be easier to rob the bank?” she asked.

  “Nope.” He sneered. “We’ll get rich legally.”

  Chapter Six

  The following Wednesday, he picked up Charlie from Sean and Sophia’s house, and he led her in a different direction. He galloped ahead of her, and she followed, but Charlie wondered why they weren’t going to his house as usual.

  Jesse finally reined in at a park-like area, jumped from his horse, helped her down, and tied the horses. He took her hand and led her down an embankment, where she stopped and gasped in awe. It was a lovely spot, with a babbling brook in between two large hills.

  He took a tablecloth from his saddle
bag and spread it out. Charlie sat while he went back into this saddlebag for a bundle, which she assumed was their lunch.

  “Jesse, this place is beautiful.”

  “I thought we could use some privacy today.”

  “Privacy, from whom?” she asked, though she thought she knew.

  “Delia, of course.”

  Charlie elbowed him. “You’re joking, right?”

  “No. Don’t get me wrong—I like Delia, but I wanted a quiet lunch today.”

  “But isn’t she your... aren’t you courting her?”

  “No, we’re just friends. I was attracted to her at first, but... well, lunch with her every single day gets smothering.”

  Charlie was pleased that Jesse wasn’t courting her. Delia wouldn’t have liked their traveling to Cheyenne together, either.

  “I think she has more than friendship on her mind, Jesse. I could see the jealousy in her eyes when we first met.”

  Jesse sighed. “For the past ten years, I haven’t been too socially active. I slept in caves and woods. Sometimes, I didn’t see another person for months. What I’m getting at is, I don’t know all the rules of society. By having lunch with Delia every day, did you mean that I was courting her?”

  Charlie hesitated, wanting to give him the best answer. “No, not really. Although, in a small town like this, being seen with the same woman too many times could start a rumor that you were courting her, but since your lunches were private, I think you’re safe.”

  “So, can't a man have female friends without it being called courting?”

  Charlie laughed. “I don’t think it happens much in this town. There aren’t that many women deemed suitable for courting.”

  “The saloon is full of pretty women,” Jesse said.

  “I told Sean and Sophia about Delia’s offer to get me a job at The Rusty Spur Saloon. After they calmed down they told me that decent women in the community didn’t speak to saloon women, not even a passing hello.”