by Barbara Goss
“Jesse, you seem unsure. Do you like me enough to at least try it?”
“I do, but it’s a big step to take just so you can stay in Sunset Creek.”
Charlie touched his hand. “I'll bet you’re sorry you suggested marriage, aren’t you?”
Jesse smiled at her. “No, I want you to stay in Sunset Creek, too. I like you enough to want to keep you around.”
Charlie leaned over to kiss Jesse’s cheek. “There. That seals it.”
Jesse and Charlie turned around and rode back toward home, but they stopped at Sterling’s Mill along the way. Jesse booked two hotel rooms and left Charlie to unpack their things while he visited a church to make arrangements.
Charlie rushed Jesse to the hotel's dining room as soon as he returned.
He escorted her to the small, somewhat shabby dining room. Jesse had been in a lot of towns, but that hotel was probably the worse; it was a small town, and they didn’t get much traffic, being that far from a big city.
Despite the creaking wooden floors and a waiter with a soiled apron, the meal was delicious. They both ordered the roast beef dinner, which they ate at a long table, usually shared with other guests, but since they were the only ones there, they had the table to themselves. It was late, and Jesse supposed the other guests had already eaten.
“What did you find out at the church?” Charlie asked.
“We have to register at the town hall tomorrow, and then we can marry any time after that.”
“It’s becoming real and a bit scary, isn’t it?”
Jesse nodded. “It is, but it’s like I keep telling myself, I’m not only helping you out but myself, too. It will keep Delia off my back, and I could use the company, especially someone as bubbly and fun as you are, Charlie.” He reached out and put his hand over hers. “Even if love never comes, we are good together, don’t you think?”
“Definitely. I enjoy being with you. You scared me a little at first. You looked rough, and I knew you were a bounty hunter. I was surprised to see that your roughness seemed to disappear a little every day, replaced by a smiling, clean-shaven, handsome man.”
“Was I that intimidating?”
“Oh, yes,” she said emphatically. “When you walked into the church at my sister’s wedding, I cringed when you stood beside me. All I could think of was that right beside me was a man who had killed other men.”
Jesse grimaced. “Does that still bother you?”
“No. Now that I know you, I realize that you probably only killed when you had to, and those men you were chasing were dangerous and evil.”
“You are a very smart young lady, Charlie. That’s exactly how things were. Most of the time it was a matter of self-defense. The men didn’t want to be turned in and spend years in jail, so they did their best to kill me, and I defended myself.”
Charlie looked up at him. “So, when we get home, how will we break the news to Sophia and Sean?”
“We’ll simply ride out together to tell them. But remember: we have to act as if we are in love.”
Charlie smiled. “I think I can handle that.” Then, she frowned. “What about Delia?”
“Delia is history as far as my friendship with her goes. She and my supposed friend, Roy, were plotting against me. They must think I’m richer than I am.”
“What’s your plan to deal with Roy?” Charlie asked.
“I plan to call him out.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means a gunfight.”
Charlie gasped. “No! What if he wins? I’m too young for widow’s weeds.”
“It’s a matter of honor,” he said.
Jesse put his napkin down on the table. “Do you want dessert?”
“No, I’m stuffed and feeling tired.”
Jesse cupped her chin. “Is that why your eyes are drooping? Come—I’ll walk you to your room.”
In the morning, after a light breakfast at the hotel, they went to the town hall to register their marriage. The church was just four buildings away from the town hall, so they walked to it with their license.
The minister performed a quick wedding with his wife and the church's janitor as witnesses. Jesse paid the man, and it must have been more than the minister had expected because his eyes lit up and he grinned. The newlyweds thanked him and walked back to the hotel.
Jesse warned Charlie, “Don’t mention that we're married to the hotel clerk, or he’ll put us in the same room.”
Charlie laughed. “We’ve slept beside each other on the trail, so it wouldn’t be too bad. However, I do like the comfort of having an entire bed to myself.”
“I’ll give you the large bedroom when we get home. I’ll move my things into the smaller room.”
“I don’t want to put you out of your room, Jesse. The size of the room isn’t important, it’s how comfortable the bed is,” she said.
Jesse laughed. “Yes, we’re going to get along just fine. I’ll let you choose your room when we get home.”
“Home,” Charlie said dreamily. “It sounds so wonderful.”
In the morning, they packed their horses and began the short ride home. Jesse felt nervous about confronting Sean and Sophia, and he wondered how they’d take the news. He’d promised to see Charlie off to New York, and instead, he'd married her and brought her home.
Charlie and Jesse brought their horses to the small horse shed where he unpacked their things and unsaddled the horses.
“Is this shed large enough for two horses?” Charlie asked.
“It’ll be a mite crowded for now, but I’m going to have a barn built soon. First thing in the morning, we’ll let them out and put them in the small corral for the day.”
“Can I help with the horses?”
“No, why don’t you open up the house and pick out your bedroom?” Jesse said. He dug into his pants pocket and brought out a large key. “It’s for the front door.”
Charlie took the key and ran off to investigate the house.
Jesse stayed out to brush down the horses and feed them for the night. He’d just started brushing one of the horses when he heard Charlie scream.
He dropped the brush, ran to the house, went in through the front door, and stopped in his tracks when he saw what had made Charlie scream.
Not only had someone knocked over furniture, but they'd sliced some of it with a knife and strewn Jesse’s things all over the place.
Jesse felt swear words form on his tongue, but since he never sworn in front of a woman, he changed his words. “Dagnabbit!”
“What happened, Jesse?”
Jesse went to the kitchen, reached up to the highest cabinet, and opened the door; the safe was intact. He let out the breath he’d been holding.
“It looks like someone was looking for our money.” He pointed at the safe. “They didn’t find it, though.”
“Our money?”
“Yes, Mrs. Morgan. Everything I own is yours now, too.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you've found such a clever hiding place, then, but if I were you, I’d put a sack of flour and some other things up there so the safe doesn’t show at all when the door is opened.”
“Good idea.” Jesse put his arm around her and hugged her. “We’re going to be fine despite this ransacking, and I think I know who’s responsible.”
“Roy?” Charlie asked.
“Yep. He’s really in deep trouble now.”
Charlie took a tour of her new home. Jesse followed her as she peeked into each bedroom. “This one. I’d like this room, if it’s all right,” she said.
“It’s fine, but I’m curious as to why you chose the smallest room of the three.”
Charlie smiled up at him. “It has a window facing east, so I can see the sunrise each morning.”
Jesse laughed. “So, you shall.”
Once the couple had settled in, Jesse asked, “When do you want to break the news to Sophia and Sean?”
“I’m tired,” Charlie said. “Can we do that tomorro
w?”
“Whatever you'd like, but it has to be done.”
Chapter Eleven
Sean came out to meet them as they approached his house. Instead of looking confused, he seemed more amused.
“What’s going on? I thought Charlie would be on the train to New York by now,” Sean said.
Jesse slid off his horse, and before he could help Charlie from hers, she was already walking to him. She put her hand in his and smiled up at him lovingly. “We discovered something on the way,” she said.
Sean smiled. “Is that so?”
“I apologize for not making good on my promise, but Charlie and I... we sort of fell in love on the way. We married in Sterling’s Mill.” Jesse handed Sean their marriage certificate.
Sean scanned the certificate before handing it back. “Welcome to the family.”
Charlie cuddled up closer to Jesse and squeezed his arm. “We’re so happy... Aren’t we, Jesse?”
Jesse pulled Charlie closer and nodded. “Where’s Sophia? I suppose I should explain this all to her.”
“I’ll tell her,” Sean said. “She’s doing some shopping in town.”
“We also had our home ransacked while we were gone,” Jesse said.
“Really? Why would someone break into your house? Any idea who would do such a thing?” Sean asked.
Jesse gave him a knowing look. “I’m sure it was Roy. He tried to get Delia to seduce me so I’d have to marry her. When that didn’t work, I’m sure he broke into my house, looking for money. I wonder what I could have said to make him think I had a load of money.”
Sean sighed. “He’s been acting strangely lately. Word has it his wife is about ready to toss him out into the street. He still hasn’t found a job, and that flat behind the saloon is a dump.”
Jesse shrugged, “Funny that he never mentioned he wasn’t working. Does he have a trade?”
“Not really. He worked at the livery before he married. He claimed he quit, but gossip has it they fired him for sleeping on the job.”
“How did he ever become friends with you and Mac? He doesn’t seem to fit in with you two.”
“We grew up together and went to the old schoolhouse. He was an all right guy back then, but he's changed lately. I don’t know what his problem is. It seemed to start shortly after he married Gwen. I think she wants more than Roy can give her.”
“Well,” Jesse said as he mounted his horse, “I hope this won’t affect our friendship, but I plan to call him out.”
Charlie hopped onto her horse and waited for Jesse.
Sean went over to Jesse’s horse. “You have nothing to worry about, Jesse. You’re family now and will always be my friend. If you have a shootout, I want to be there to ensure it’s a fair fight.”
Jesse nodded and waved as he and Charlie started their ride back to the main road.
Jesse and Charlie stopped in town to get supplies. They saw Sophia loading her wagon with boxes, but Charlie put a finger to her lips. “Let Sean tell her. I’m not in the mood to deal with her now.”
They waited for her to ride off before entering the general store. The clerk put their purchases in burlap sacks which Jesse tied to his saddlebag, and they walked their horses home.
Charlie asked, “Why don’t you put your... um... our money in the bank?”
Jesse sighed. “I’ve seen too many bank robberies. I also don’t like small-town gossip. Everyone in town would know exactly how much we had if I did that.”
“How much do we have?” Charlie asked.
“Not a fortune, but it's enough to see us through the winter and then some.”
Charlie was silent for several moments before asking, “What will we do then?”
Jesse shrugged.
“You won’t leave me alone to go hunting down bounties, will you?”
“I don’t have a trade, Charlie. It’s all I know.”
Charlie frowned and bit her lip, but she kept silent.
The following day, Jesse rode into town to look for Roy. He wasn’t at home, and his wife seemed distressed. She said she hadn’t seen him for two days, and Jesse wondered if he was trying to avoid being called out. Then, he decided to see what Delia might know.
Delia opened the door with a shocked look on her face. “Jesse!”
Jesse nodded as a greeting. “Do you happen to know where Roy is?”
She shrugged. “Not exactly, why?”
“You wanted me to forgive you for your part in the trick you and Roy tried to pull on me; now’s your chance to get that forgiveness.”
“So, if I tell you where Roy is, you’ll forgive me?”
“Yes, I will.”
“He’s hiding in Sterling’s Mill. He heard you were going to call him out.”
“Aha,” Jesse said. “The coward.”
“So, we’re friends again?” Delia’s eyes it up. “Can we continue having lunch together?”
Jesse couldn’t wait to give his answer. “I don’t think my wife would appreciate that.”
“Your wife?”
“Yes. Charlie and I didn’t even get as far as Cheyenne before we fell in love, and we were married before we came home.” He stared at her shocked face. “Aren’t you going to congratulate us?”
Delia slammed the door in his face.
Jesse walked into the house, glad to see Charlie’s smiling face.
“Hey,” she said. “I’ve made a delightful supper for us.” She pulled the lid off the pot as if she were a magician pulling a rabbit from his top hat.
Jesse couldn’t help but laugh—she was so unique. “I don’t know what it is, but it smells heavenly.”
“My mother’s Sunday favorite: chicken, and dumplings.”
“How interesting—I’ve never had chicken and dumplings before.”
“Go on—are you serious?” Her eyes were full of excitement.
Jesse walked closer to her. “I’ve never had it, but I'd bet it involves flour.”
“How’d you guess?”
He touched her nose. “You’ve got flour on your nose.”
They both laughed, and Jesse thought how glad he was that he’d married her. Even if love never came, he sure liked her enough to not care.
They sat down to eat. Jesse loved her dinner, and he praised it, which brought a smile to her face that made her eyes sparkle.
“How was your day? Did you find Roy?”
“Nope. His wife hasn’t seen him in two days. Then, I went to see Delia.” Jesse expected a look of jealousy to appear on his wife’s face, but he was wrong—she smiled instead.
“Poor Delia—how is she? Did she know where Roy is? Did you tell her we’re married?”
Jesse laughed. “Shall I answer your questions in that order? Fine: yes and yes.”
Charlie gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. “Scoundrel!”
“She said Roy’s in hiding because he’s afraid of my calling him out. When I told her we’d married, she slammed the door in my face.”
Charlie had that excited look on her face that told him she had news, too. “I got to meet your friend, Judd, today.” Her smile faded. “He came over to tell us he’d spotted two people messing around our house one morning while we were traveling. He said they scampered away when they saw him. Naturally, I told him about our break-in, and it shocked him. He invited me over to meet his wife, Molly, one day. I like Judd.”
“Did he wonder who you were?” Jesse asked.
“No, he sent his congratulations. He ran into Sean in town and heard the news.”
“I figured—small towns and all. I wanted to tell him myself, though.”
Charlie’s eyes lit up again. “I’d offer you a second helping of chicken and dumplings, but I want you to have plenty of room for dessert.”
“You made a dessert? I’ll soon be too heavy for my horse, at this rate.”
Jesse went over his day while in bed that night. Should he go to Sterling’s Mill to look for the coward? He knew he felt genuine feelings for Charl
ie. He’d never enjoyed coming home so much in his life, and she sure kept things lively. He also loved her vivacious personality; how could anyone be depressed around Charlie?
While Jesse was in town getting supplies, Charlie decided it was time to give the house a good cleaning. She scrubbed the floors, dusted, and washed the windows. She concluded that in all the time Jesse had lived there, he’d never cleaned. She smiled. That only meant he needed her. She felt so happy that she hummed as she worked.
A knock on the door jarred her from her scrubbing, and she wiped her hands on her apron and answered the door.
“Sophia!” she exclaimed. “Come in. What a delightful surprise.”
Sophia took a seat, and Charlie put the kettle on for tea.
“I just had to tell someone, and we’ve always shared our news.”
Charlie hadn’t seen her sister this excited in ages. “Do tell.”
“We have consummated our marriage,” she said excitedly. “Isn’t that part of married life wonderful?”
Charlie sat. “I... um... wouldn’t know about that yet.”
“You and Jesse haven’t... ”
“No. We are in love... but, you see,” Charlie stalled to think up a good reason, “we thought we’d wait until we know each other better.”
“What?” Sophia said.
“Well, it all happened so fast. We fell in love, and of course, we kissed and all that, but we both decided that we didn’t know each other well enough yet.” Charlie felt relieved when Sophie nodded. It meant she believed her, although her story was close to the truth.
“Sophia, let’s keep this between us, all right?”
When Jesse came home, she relayed the conversation she'd had with Sophia to him as she helped him put away the supplies. “It wasn’t a big untruth.”
“Of course, it wasn’t. You did well.”
“What’s this?” Charlie held up a large ham bone. “Did you want me to make pea soup?”
“Not exactly. I’ve brought you home a little surprise. Are you ready?”
Excitedly, she asked, “Do I need to close my eyes?”