by Connie Mason
Making love to Meg had opened his mind to emotions he never knew existed. Nothing in his experience had prepared him for Meg Lincoln. He deeply regretted asking her to marry him. Not because he didn't want her, but because it was unfair to expect her to care for an outlaw. At least Meg had been wise enough to refuse. God, why did life have to be so damn complicated?
Were Rafe and Sam experiencing the same problems he was? Jess wondered. Had they found a special woman to love despite being pursued by the law? He prayed they were both safe, and that they showed up at the appointed time in Denver.
Meanwhile, Jess had his own problems to contend with. His days were fairly busy but his nights, like this one, were filled with memories of Meg. Somewhat taller than the average woman, she was lush and voluptuous, her body an unexpected delight. Despite her lack of virginity she'd been an innocent in almost every way that counted. Her ebullient response had surprised him. She had been so fearful of making love he hadn't expected her to respond so enthusiastically to his lovemaking.
Meg was so beautiful, he thought, closing his eyes and picturing her memorable features. Hair, dark as midnight, perfectly framed wide green eyes, lush lips, and heart shaped face. He ached just thinking about her.
Tomorrow, Jess thought, smiling to himself. Tomorrow he would see her again, fill his eyes with her beauty...and try to keep his hands off of her.
Jess awoke early and opened his door to his first patient. He doled out cough syrup, bound a turned ankle, and diagnosed a pregnancy. By noon the patients had all been treated and Jess decided to have lunch at the local cafe before heading out to Meg's place.
Jess was perusing the menu when Sheriff Bufford entered and sat down across from him.
"I'm glad I ran into you, Doc," Bufford began. "Do you mind if I join you?"
Jess's heart gave a wild leap. Had Bufford finally looked over the wanted posters and found his picture? "Sit down, sheriff, I'll be glad for the company. What can I do for you?"
"I know you and Meg Lincoln are..." he hesitated over the word, "close, so I thought you should know that someone has been inquiring about her."
Jess tensed, every nerve ending jangling in warning. "Who? Do you know his name?"
"It's that gambler who drifted into town yesterday. I knew he was trouble the moment I laid eyes on him. He wasn't in town two hours when a cowboy took exception to his cheating and pulled a knife on him. Fortunately, I was there to witness the confrontation. The gambler suffered only a minor wound. Too bad I couldn't prove he cheated."
"That must be the man I treated yesterday. Cold bastard, that one. Said his name was Skully."
"Yeah, Arlo Skully. Arrived on the 9:15 from Dodge City yesterday morning. Do you know why he would be asking about Meg Lincoln?"
Jess leaped to his feet. The chair fell to the floor with a crash. Now he knew why he hadn't liked Skully. How many men were there named Arlo? If he was the man who had hurt Meg, she could be in danger this very minute.
"Sorry, sheriff, I just remembered something I have to do."
Bufford studied him through narrowed lids. "Do you know something I don't? I don't believe Skully is wanted for anything."
"I'll explain later," Jess said as he rushed out the door.
"If you see Meg, tell her I have her reward money," Bufford called after him.
Jess ran all the way home for his guns, making sure the
chambers were loaded before strapping them around his hips. Then he saddled his horse and rode hell for leather out of town.
Meg arose early that morning and dawdled over her coffee. She missed Zach and didn't have enough to do to keep her mind occupied. If she were truthful, she'd admit that she missed Jess as much if not more than she missed Zach. In the short time she'd known Jess, he'd gotten under her skin. He'd saved her life and she'd always be grateful, but her feelings went deeper than that. Jess had shown her that making love with a man could be a glorious experience.
For the first time in her life she felt like a complete woman, thanks to Jess's patience. The shame of what Arlo had done to her had sloughed away, gone along with the fear of being close with a man. Vaguely she wondered if her fear of Arlo would ever be gone completely, and was glad her courage where Arlo was concerned had never been put to the test.
Meg knew a trip to town was inevitable. The reward money should have arrived by now and she needed it to replenish her dwindling supply of provisions. She didn't look forward, however, to the gossip that would follow in her wake. She knew exactly what the townspeople thought of her and tried not to let it bother her, but it was difficult to ignore. They considered her a whore because she had dared to engage in a profession totally unsuited to a woman and become good at it.
Would Jess still be in Cheyenne? she wondered. She was torn. On one hand she wanted him to be there, but on the other she feared for his safety. No matter how much Jess was liked or well thought of, the sheriff wouldn't hesitate to put him behind bars once Jess's past caught up with him. She was almost afraid to go into town for fear she'd learn he was gone. For some reason she liked to think Jess was nearby, though she knew she should forget him.
Meg finished her coffee and placed her breakfast dishes in the sink. She walked into the bedroom to make her bed when she heard a rider enter the yard. The first thought that came into her head was that Jess had finally come out to visit her. She rushed to the door at the first knock and flung it open.
Uttering a cry of dismay, Meg shrank back. A moment later she came to her senses and tried to shut the door in Arlo Skully's face. He caught it with his uninjured arm and flung it open.
"What are you doing here?"
"Aren't you happy to see me, wife?"
"I ceased being your wife a long time ago." Dear God, seeing Arlo again brought back all those terrifying memories she'd fought so hard to forget. She shouldn't let him intimidate her but her courage deserted her where Arlo was concerned.
Arlo frowned. "What in the hell are you talking about? Of course you're my wife. I had no idea you were even alive until I heard talk about a female bounty hunter named Meg Lincoln who operated around Cheyenne. I knew it had to be you."
"Get out of my life!" Meg hissed. "You used me to repay a gambling debt. You beat me when I objected. Doesn't that bother your conscience?"
"If it makes you feel any better, I went looking for you after Tad Dunbar told me you'd escaped his bed when he went out for a bottle of whiskey. I searched for a whole day before deciding to move on. Dunbar was breathing down my neck. He insisted I make good on the gambling debt."
"You looked for me," Meg repeated dully. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? I was sixteen years old! You took my innocence like a rutting animal, then sold me to another man to settle a gambling debt. You beat me when I defied you. You're a real bastard, Arlo Skully. Get out of my house and don't darken my door again."
"Sorry, honey, I can't do that. You're my wife. I still have the paper to prove it. You've grown into a stunning woman, Meg. I'm ready to take up where we left off. Your parents sold you to me. That gave me the right to do what I liked with your body, even sell your favors to another. I didn't intend for Dunbar to keep you. You were too good a lay for me to give you up. I'd never had a virgin before."
"Go to hell!" Meg shouted. She was literally shaking with anger. How dare he turn up in her life now. Just looking at him brought back all her old insecurities, her fears.
She remembered how Arlo had spied her walking down the street one day. He'd kept his eye on her a few days before following her home one day and speaking privately with her parents. After that he'd come around nearly every day. At first she'd been flattered by his attention. She didn't learn what kind of man he was until her father told her he'd given her to Arlo, that he'd offered a sum for her he couldn't turn down.
Her parents were poor as church mice. They lived in a soddy in Nebraska along with her seven younger brothers and sisters. She really couldn't blame them for accepting money for her, but she'
d never felt the same about them since. Her father thought he was doing right by her by insisting that Arlo marry her before carrying her off. She'd never forget how utterly helpless, how frightened she'd been when the preacher pronounced them man and wife. They had left immediately after the brief ceremony in Arlo's wagon.
She recalled how Arlo had pulled into a stand of trees not far from town and ruthlessly relieved her of her virginity. He'd assaulted her several times after that. And then the final degradation came when he'd offered her favors to a stranger in exchange for gambling losses.
"My, my," Arlo said, stepping into the parlor and shutting the door behind him. "That's no way for a wife to talk. You've changed from that little mouse I married."
"I have you to thank for that," Meg spat. "Did you expect me to remain the same after you beat me up and handed me over to another man?"
Arlo frowned. "I admit I have a vile temper. When you defied me about Dunbar, I went a little crazy. I had no other way to repay my debt without you. It was a damn tough situation to get out of. I'd lost everything of value I owned. I'd never had luck turn on me like that."
"Maybe you were being punished," Meg charged. "You no longer have a claim on me, Arlo Skully. I had our marriage annulled years ago."
"Annulled?" He gave a hoot of laughter. "On what grounds? I signed no papers, received no word. The annulment isn't legal."
"The grounds were desertion. The judge saw things my way and granted the annulment. Get out of my house."
"Your house! Ha! This house belongs to your lover. It's common knowledge that you're living in sin with that washed up bounty hunter. Can't you do better than a cripple? You're nothing but a whore, Meg, and the whole town knows it."
"If you believe that, why do you want me?"
He stared at her breasts, then slowly aimed his hot gaze downward, to the juncture of her thighs. "You've probably learned a few things in five years. You could be an asset to me in my business."
"I'm no longer sixteen, Arlo. You no longer frighten me. I've learned a thing or two about men like you. I make my living capturing outlaws, or have you forgotten?"
He grabbed her before she could turn and run. She stiffened in his arms but it didn't deter him. Pulling her roughly against him, he seized her mouth in a punishing kiss. It went on so long Meg thought she would die from lack of air. Then abruptly he released her, laughing when she scrubbed at her mouth with the back of her hand.
"You're a damn sight more woman than you were at sixteen," Arlo said in a seductive purr. "As far as I'm concerned there was no annulment. I'm leaving town tonight and taking you with me."
"You're crazy. I'm not going anywhere with you."
He shook her until her head rattled.
"Aren't you? Your lover's not here to stop me. Heard tell he left town. Did old Zach Purdee tire of you?"
"I don't need Zach to protect me, I can do that on my own."
Her bravado suddenly deserted her. Why did Arlo make a shambles of her courage? Where was the independence she'd fought so hard to for, had been so proud of? She despised Arlo for his ability to reduce her to a frightened child again after all these years.
Arlo appeared aware of her thoughts for he smiled and tightened his grip on her. "You're frightened of me, aren't you?"
Meg searched frantically for her guns, trying to recall where she'd left them. In her bedroom, she remembered, but Zach's loaded rifle rested against the parlor wall, directly to her right. She darted a quick glance at the rifle, gauging the distance she'd have to travel and how long it would take Arlo to react if she twisted away from him.
"Don't even think about it," Arlo growled, following the direction of her gaze. "Take off your dress. I want to see what I've missed out on these past five years. Then we'll go to your bedroom, where you can show me all the little tricks your lovers have taught you."
Meg broke free and turned to flee, but Arlo was ready for her. Grasping her arm, he whirled her around to face him. She saw raw determination in the cold depths of his gray eyes and knew real fear. This man had no heart, no compassion, he was utterly merciless. When he tried to kiss her again, she bit his lip.
His hands dug into the soft flesh of her upper arms. "Bitch!"
Meg spat in his face. He raised his fist and Meg closed her eyes, waiting for the blow.
Jess saw the horse tethered outside Meg's front door and immediately assumed the worst. Fear contorted his features as he leaped from the saddle and stormed up the front steps. He flung open the door and momentum carried him inside. It took but a moment for the scene before him to sink in, then, howling in rage, he launched himself at the man threatening his Meg.
Arlo Skully had already let his fist fly, but Jess's timely intervention prevented it from connecting. Skully's blow landed just short of Meg's face as Jess hauled him backward, shook him like a rag doll, and tossed him to the floor. As Skully lay there shaking his head to clear it, Jess pulled Meg into his arms.
He searched her face. "Did the bastard hurt you?"
Meg shook her head, too stunned by Jess's appearance to reply.
"I came as soon as I heard."
"You knew Arlo was in town?" Meg asked, finally finding her voice.
"I treated him in my office yesterday but didn't realize he was the man who hurt you. I didn't know until the sheriff told me just this morning that a gambler named Arlo Skully was asking questions about you. I headed out here as soon as I could."
He sent a menacing glance at Skully, who was picking himself off the floor. "He is the same Arlo who hurt you, isn't he?"
"I never thought I'd see him again," Meg said shakily, "though Zach feared he'd show up one day."
"What in the hell is he to you?" Jess demanded to know. "What did he do to you?"
"I believe I can answer that question," Skully said, dusting off his clothing. "Meg is my wife."
"Wife!" Skully's words sent Jess's world spinning.
"No!" Meg shouted. "Not anymore. Our marriage was annulled years ago."
"The annulment isn't legal," Skully declared. "I knew nothing about it. All I know is that I have a document in my possession that says we're husband and wife."
Meg's chin firmed. "And I have a document saying our marriage ended years ago."
"You heard the lady," Jess barked. "Get the hell out of here and don't come back."
Skully sent Meg a knowing smirk. "Is the doc another of your lovers, Meg? You do spread your favors around, don't you? That will have to stop. You're the one who needs to leave, Gentry. My wife and I have things to...discuss."
Jess searched Meg's face. "Is that true, Meg? Do you want to be alone with Skully?"
"Good God, no! I never want to set eyes on him again. I hate him!"
"You heard the lady, Skully. I suggest you leave before I throw you out."
Skully hesitated but a moment before reaching for his gun. Jess saw Skully's overt movement downward and with lightning speed drew his own weapon before Skully's hand reached the butt of his gun. Skully paled, his gaze trained on Jess's six-shooter.
"How in the hell did you do that? You're a doctor, not a gunslinger."
"I can be many things when the need arises. My brothers and I perfected quick draws when we were boys down on the family farm, trying to outperform one another."
Skully stared at Jess through narrowed lids. "I know you from somewhere. One day I'll figure out where I've seen you."
"We've never met," Jess insisted. "If you're wise you'll leave town as soon as possible. Now get out. Only a coward would bully a woman. It's obvious Meg wants nothing to do with you."
"We'll see about that," Skully growled. "Meg is my wife, nothing will change that."
Jess had taken all he could of Arlo Skully. He started forward, intending to bodily toss Skully out the door, but Arlo didn't wait for him. He turned and fled. Jess didn't relax until he heard Skully's horse pounding down the road. Then he turned back to Meg and pulled her into his arms.
"So that's Arlo,
" he said tightly. "Don't you think it's time you told me about him?"
"Meg nodded jerkily. "I suppose, though in truth that episode in my life is one I'd prefer to forget."
Jess lifted Meg into his arms and strode over to the sofa. Then he sat down, arranging Meg on his lap. "Go ahead, I'm all ears."
Meg grew quiet, wondering how to proceed. The story was such a complicated and sordid one she didn't know where to begin. She sucked in a deep breath and began at the beginning.
"My parents were dirt poor farmers. I was the eldest of eight children. We lived in a soddy near Pine Bluffs, Nebraska. Arlo Skully was a professional gambler. He was passing through town one day when he saw me with my father. He started coming around to call on me. Shortly after that, Papa told me I was to marry Mr. Skully. I learned later that Arlo offered Papa money for me. No matter how much it hurts, it still boils down to the fact that my parents sold me."
"Didn't your father know the man was a gambler? That he wasn't the right kind of husband for an innocent sixteen year old?"
Meg shrugged. "There were too many mouths to feed and so little money. They thought Arlo would be good to me, I suppose." She shuddered. "Papa thought that making Arlo marry me before he took me away would make everything all right."
"But it didn't, did it, sweetheart?"
Meg shook her head. "Arlo swore to them that he'd be a good husband. Unfortunately they didn't delve too deeply into his character. I learned the hard way."
"Did you have nothing to say about marrying a man you knew nothing about?"
She gave a bitter laugh. "I had no say whatsoever. Arlo would have dragged me off had I refused. I hated him when I learned he'd paid Papa for me. I tried to tell myself the sacrifice was worth it, that the younger children wouldn't go hungry during the long winter, but even that wasn't enough to make up for the pain, the degradation, the utter hopelessness of my situation."
"I should have killed him," Jess gritted. "You should have been led into lovemaking gently."
Meg covered her face with her hands. Jess pulled them away and looked deeply into her eyes. "You can tell me. Perhaps you need to talk about it to make it go away."