“You know, Mitch, we could get this job done a lot quicker if you’d help us,” Frank said.
“I don’t work beside outlaws, especially when they’re tattletales,” Mitch ground out.
Jesse pulled the wire over to the next post. He knew Mitch was blaming him because Tanner had warned Mitch and Frank that they were to stay put. He knew it had irritated Mitch that Tanner hadn’t given the same instruction to Jesse.
Jesse was still having a difficult time believing that Tanner had left him a horse.
Frank positioned the nail.
“I didn’t tell Tanner about the two of you going swimming,” Jesse said quietly.
He couldn’t figure out why he cared what they thought. Maybe he was just getting tired of being accused of things that weren’t his fault.
Frank glared at him. “Then who did? You’re the only one who knew.”
Jesse shook his head. “I don’t know how Tanner found out. I didn’t say anything to anyone. It’s none of my business if you take off.”
“But it’s our business if you do,” Frank told him. He hammered the nail.
Bang.
“Tanner told us to keep an eye on you that first day.”
Bang.
“So it was more than just not working on the fence that got us in trouble. It was not staying where we were supposed to.”
Bang.
Frank straightened. “So why didn’t you run?”
Jesse strung the wire over to the next post. Frank tagged along like a puppy nipping at his heels.
“How come you didn’t take off?” Frank repeated.
Jesse held his gaze. “Wasn’t willing to risk getting sent back to prison. Nothing in this world is worse than prison. And that’s a fact.”
“Mitch bet me two bits that you’d run. Think it aggravates him some that he keeps guessing wrong where you’re concerned. Although he made me pay him back the quarter he lost on that bet we made about you tattling on us to Tanner—since he figured you did it.”
“Well, he’s wrong, so he owes you that money,” Jesse said.
Frank grinned and held out the hammer. “You want to do some hammering for a while?”
“Reckon.”
Jesse took the tool and waited while Frank stretched the wire taut and held it in place. He brought his arm back.
“Did you see Amelia—”
Jesse swung.
“Yeow!” Frank yelled as he jumped back, holding his hand.
Jesse swore beneath his breath. No cussing, Judge Harper had said.
But hearing Amelia’s name had distracted him, changed his focus. He’d stopped looking at the nail and jerked his head around, halfway expecting to see Amelia riding up.
Mitch started laughing.
“Are you hurt?” Jesse asked, knowing the question was stupid but not knowing what else to say.
“Of course he’s hurt,” Mitch said. “Why do you think he’s hollering?”
Frank flicked his hand. “Nah, I’m all right.”
“You idiot. Don’t you know better than to trust him?” Mitch asked.
Jesse clenched his teeth to keep his anger from erupting. No fighting, Judge Harper had said. But if ever there was a man who needed hitting, Jesse figured it was Mitch.
Jesse held the hammer out toward Frank. “Maybe you’d better do the hitting.”
“Nah,” Frank said as he grabbed the barbed wire. “Accidents happen. I shouldn’t have distracted you with talking. I was just wondering if you saw the notice Amelia posted outside the bunkhouse about the dance this Saturday night.”
Jesse moved in closer to the post. “Yeah, I saw it.”
“You going?”
“He’s not invited,” Mitch said.
Frank glanced over at him. “The invitation said for everyone.”
Mitch unfolded his body and strolled lazily toward the fence. He stopped a few inches away from Jesse and held his gaze. “The invitation didn’t include you.”
“Didn’t think it did,” Jesse ground out.
This time when he swung the hammer, he embedded the nail into the post with only one strike.
“Make the bow just a tad fuller!” Colleen called up to Jesse as he crouched in the barn loft.
A tad fuller? A bow was a bow, as far as Jesse was concerned, but this bossy lady was acting as though it were a matter of life or death if Jesse didn’t do the thing just right. He didn’t understand why they needed to fancy the barn up anyway. The dance was taking place in the main house.
Today Tanner had ordered him to be at the ladies’ beck and call while they were getting things ready for Amelia’s birthday celebration. He couldn’t believe all the fussing going on.
Of course, he didn’t even know when his birthday was, and he was certain no one had ever celebrated his birth.
Kneeling in the loft, though, he struggled to make the bow fuller, but the looped portions just sort of drooped down.
“Have you no idea how to tie a proper bow then?” Colleen asked.
She had a funny way of talking that made Jesse sort of grin inside.
But she didn’t make him smile inside as much as Amelia did. Ever since the day of misunderstanding—as Tanner and her brothers referred to it—Amelia hadn’t approached him while he was working alone.
Sometimes he’d spot her watching him, but she didn’t come over and talk to him. Today was probably the first time that he’d actually spent any time with her. And that was only because she was helping Colleen in the barn.
He’d taken the animals out to pasture earlier and then cleaned out the stalls. He’d laid down fresh straw. And now he was doing this decorating thing. And not doing a very good job of it, if the way the ladies were snickering was any indication.
He shook his head. “It’s just a bow.”
“But it looks sad,” Colleen shouted up. “It’s supposed to look happy.”
“Happy? How can a bow look happy?” he called down. They wanted him to hang bows around all the posts supporting the roof. At this rate he’d be here come evening. And he definitely wanted to be gone long before then—before the guests started arriving.
In the bunkhouse, he’d overheard the men talking about this event all week. Tonight was the big night, Amelia’s seventeenth birthday. After tonight she could officially begin entertaining suitors.
Amelia’s laughter echoed around the barn. “I’ll show you.”
He watched her march toward the ladder that led into the loft. His heart started hammering as she climbed up. He wrapped his hands around the ladder to steady it. If he were smart, he’d tell her to head back down.
Instead as she climbed into the loft, he scuttled back.
She gave him an impish smile. “My brothers can’t tie a decent bow either.”
Leaning over slightly, she slipped her arms around the beam and went to work at undoing the mess he’d created with the strip of red silk.
“How does that look, Colleen?” she asked.
“Perfect, lass. Maybe you’d best do the others as well since you’re up there.”
“All right.” Clapping her hands together, Amelia settled back on her heels.
“Reckon you don’t need me up here if you’re going to do the decorating,” he said.
“Don’t go,” she pleaded softly. “Colleen’s down there working, so we’re not really alone.”
She took a length of silk from the pile he’d brought up earlier and ran it through her slender fingers. “I guess it’s silly to decorate the barn, but I’m sure a few people will wander outside for a walk. And if anyone brings their children, they’ll probably play out here.”
She peered over at him. “How are your ribs?”
“Getting better.”
Reaching out, she trailed her fingers over his cheek, down along his chin. He nearly forgot to breathe.
“Your bruises are fading.”
He thought maybe he should say something, but for the life of him he couldn’t think of anything to say.<
br />
“Are you going to come to the dance this evening?” she asked.
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
With the sunlight spilling through the opening in the loft, he was able to see the disappointment cross her face.
“I wish you would.”
“You’re gonna have plenty of attention tonight. You don’t need me there.”
“But I want you there.”
He shook his head. “I have no interest in coming.”
“Hey, my beauty!”
Amelia’s eyes widened. “That’s Robert!” she whispered.
With a sly smile, she pressed a finger to her mouth. She eased farther back until she was close enough to Jesse that he’d only have to turn his head to brush his lips over her cheek. He couldn’t believe how incredibly tempting the realization was.
“And what would you be wanting now, with all that sweet talk, I’d like to know?” Colleen’s voice drifted up through the rafters.
“Amelia tells me that you’re not coming to the dance tonight.”
“That’s right; I’m not.”
“Come here,” he commanded in a voice filled with persuasion. “I’ll convince you that you want to be there.”
“Robert, we’re not—”
Jesse had a feeling Colleen had been about to inform Robert that they weren’t alone. Amelia leaned into him.
“I think he’s kissing her.” Her face was bathed in sunshine, her smile bright. “I knew they liked each other.”
“Robert! I’m trying to tell you—” Colleen began, then fell back into silence.
Jesse could only assume Robert was kissing her again. He remembered the kiss he’d shared with Amelia.
His thoughts must have shown on his face, because her mouth shifted from a smile into an invitation. He couldn’t say exactly what the difference was, but he was certain it was there.
He cradled her chin and stroked his thumb over her lower lip. It was so soft. Her breath warmed his skin.
He slowly lowered his mouth—
“What!” Robert suddenly yelled.
Jesse jerked back. Amelia looked as disappointed as he was that he hadn’t reached his destination.
“Amelia, are you up there?” Robert called out.
She grimaced, moved to the edge of the loft, and fluttered the silk in the air. “I’m making bows. Don’t pay any attention to me. Just go back to your kissing.”
He glared at her. “Are you up there alone?”
“Not exactly.”
“Jesse!” Robert yelled.
Jesse scooted over so he could look down into the barn. Robert had a voice almost as booming as his father’s.
“I trust both of you to keep my little indiscretion to yourselves,” Robert ordered.
Colleen planted her hands on her hips. “Indiscretion, am I?”
She shoved him before storming toward the door.
“That’s not what I meant,” Robert called after her retreating back. “Colleen?”
Shaking his head, he looked up at the loft. “Now look what you did.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. “Me? I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who hurt her feelings. Go apologize.”
“For what?”
“For worrying more about what we thought than Colleen’s feelings.”
“Convince her to attend the party tonight, will you?” Robert asked.
“If you’ll convince Jesse to come,” Amelia challenged.
Robert’s gaze swung to Jesse before returning to his sister. “Amelia—”
She climbed down the ladder, tossed a balled-up bit of silk at him, and continued on. “Help Jesse finish putting up the bows.”
“Are you gonna talk her into coming?” he yelled after Amelia.
But she didn’t answer before disappearing beyond the barn door. Robert scrambled up the ladder. “So are you going to come tonight?”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” Jesse answered, surprised the man had bothered to ask.
Robert clambered into the loft and made his way to a wall, where he dropped down and sighed heavily. “Women. I can’t figure them out. Amelia is interested in you because she’s not supposed to be. Colleen acts interested in me, but she tries to hide it. Makes no sense.”
Jesse didn’t particularly like hearing Robert’s thinking on the reason that Amelia had shown an interest in him, but the words made sense. He’d been trying to figure it out for himself.
She had a passel of men to choose from. Men who’d never been to prison. Men who’d never broken the law. Men who at some point in their lives had probably been loved by someone.
Robert glared at him. “You think it makes sense?”
Jesse shrugged. “Maybe Colleen doesn’t think she’s good enough.”
“That’s crazy. Why would she think that?”
“I was just giving an opinion. It’s been a while since I’ve spent much time with females, so my knowledge is a bit limited.”
Robert snorted. “I don’t think time spent with them makes a difference. How are your ribs?” he asked, changing the subject.
Jesse was really getting tired of everyone asking him that question, but still he answered. “Healing.”
“That’s good. Do you like Amelia?”
Jesse wondered if Robert was trying to trip him up by hopping back and forth between subjects.
“A man would be a fool not to, but I know my place, and I know it’s not with her.”
“You ever wish you hadn’t robbed those banks?” Robert asked.
How was Jesse supposed to answer that? If he hadn’t taken the money, he would have gone hungry, possibly died of starvation or cold or neglect. If he hadn’t gotten caught, he never would have met Amelia. But was meeting her worth all the suffering he’d endured?
He slowly shook his head. “Can’t say I do.”
Robert grinned. “I’m beginning to think you’re an honest outlaw. An outlaw by definition isn’t honest, but somehow you are.”
“I don’t believe in lying or breaking my word,” Jesse admitted.
“And Amelia?”
“Is better off if I stay away from her.”
But he knew that was easier said than done.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Amelia found Colleen in her bedroom. Colleen’s room was just down the hallway from Amelia’s. Amelia had knocked on the door five times before Colleen had finally given her permission to enter.
Although Colleen was their servant, Amelia valued her friendship more than her skill at managing the house.
Colleen was sitting in a rocker, rocking fast and furiously, her arms folded against her stomach. “I’m not going to the dance, so save your breath,” Colleen said.
Amelia sat on the edge of the bed. “Robert likes you.”
“He likes to kiss me,” Colleen admitted. “He’s always sneaking into the kitchen when I’m baking to give me a little kiss. But you see how he reacts when he’s caught. Indiscretion, indeed.”
“I think he probably just said that because Jesse was there. He was worried about your reputation.” Gnawing on her lower lip, Amelia scooted to the edge of the bed. “You must like kissing him. You didn’t seem to try too hard to let him know Jesse and I were in the loft.”
Colleen blushed and nodded. “I like kissing him.”
“Then you’ll enjoy dancing with him.” Amelia dropped to her knees in front of the rocker and took Colleen’s hand. “Please go. You’re my very best friend. I want you at my dance.”
Colleen nodded. “All right. I’ll go.”
“And you’ll dance with Robert?”
“If he asks.”
Amelia hugged Colleen tightly. “Oh, he’ll ask,” she assured her.
She only hoped her brother had as much luck convincing Jesse to come.
“Look at that line of buggies,” Colleen said.
Amelia joined her friend at the bedroom window and glanced out. As far as she could see, buggies were rolling along the dirt path that led from
the main road to the ranch house. In addition to all the ranch hands, her father had invited various associates and important Fort Worth families. And, of course, their sons.
Tonight her father was at long last lifting his restriction. Tonight she could begin to be courted.
And he’d wanted her to have a host of eligible suitors from whom to choose. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stop thinking about Jesse and hoping he’d be there.
“My goodness. I don’t know how I’m going to remember everyone’s name,” Amelia said.
“You’ll do just fine.”
“From here, it sure looks like some of them are dressed fancy. I think I actually see top hats.”
“I’ve no doubt,” Colleen said. “They’ll be wanting to impress the judge’s daughter.”
Turning, Amelia took Colleen’s hands. “Thank you for everything you’ve done to make tonight special.”
Colleen had prepared a wonderful assortment of foods and arranged them on the large table in the dining room. Candles were flickering in crystal chandeliers in the parlor. Throughout the house flower arrangements sweetened each room.
“I was glad to do it for you,” Colleen said, smiling.
“I’m so happy you’ll be there.”
“Somebody has to do the serving.”
Amelia scowled at her. “The guests can serve themselves. Colleen, I want you to enjoy tonight. Maybe there’s a gentleman for you.”
“Why would I be wanting one?” she asked.
“To make Robert jealous?”
Colleen lowered her gaze. “He’s a fine man, your brother is.”
“Do you love him?”
“I don’t know,” Colleen admitted. “I know I can’t sleep at night for thinking about him.”
Amelia released Colleen’s hands. “I feel the same way about Jesse.”
“Amelia, he’s an outlaw,” Colleen reminded her.
“I know, but I want him to be here so badly, to dance with him just once.” She shook her head. “But I don’t think he’s going to come.”
She gazed back out the window at the stream of buggies and carriages. Her father didn’t even want her to be courted by one of the ranch hands. He preferred that a man of wealth and prestige set his sights on her.
She’d always anticipated this night with a great deal of enthusiasm.
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