by Connie Mason
Jess groaned. "Is there no end to your deviousness?"
Her determined gaze bored into him. "Not when you're life is in jeopardy."
Jess sighed. "I suppose you think this is over? That no one will ever know that I'm a fugitive?"
"It is over," Meg insisted. "The telegrapher who received Arlo's message was killed during the bank robbery. I would never have wished his death, but it does solve all your problems."
"It solves nothing, Meg. I've already made up my mind to return to Dodge City. My life will never be my own until I prove that the Gentry brothers are innocent of any crime. Perhaps Mr. Wingate will recant and tell the truth if I confront him."
"And perhaps he won't. You could end up behind bars."
"That's the chance I have to take. I'll go by stage, it's quicker than waiting for the train."
"I'm going with you."
"Like hell! You're going to stay here and attend Zach's wedding."
"Like hell!" Meg mimicked. "You might not feel the same about me as you once did, but that changes nothing. Everything I've done is for you. I went with a man I loathed to keep you out of jail. I even contemplated killing in cold blood for you. Does that tell you anything?"
Jess's eyes shuttered. "It tells me you're too damn reckless for your own good, and crazy too boot." His voice lowered. "It also tells me you love me. It might be easier for both of us if you didn't."
Chapter Fifteen
Meg stared at Jess as if he'd just sprouted horns. He understood that she loved him but wished she didn't? What kind of statement was that?
"If you're trying to discourage me from going with you to Dodge City, you're not succeeding. You can't stop me, Jess. I have as much right to be on that stage as you do."
Jess pulled her on top of him and brought their lips together, effectively stopping her words. Meg struggled a moment then kissed him back. Kissed him until her heart began to thump and blood pounded through her veins. Then, before she lost whatever good sense God gave her, she broke off the kiss.
"This isn't going to work," she said, panting.
Jess gave an exaggerated sigh, his expression pained. "I know. We need to take off our clothes this time."
"Dammit, Jess, this is no time for levity! If you carry through with your ill-advised scheme to go to Dodge City, it could mean the end of your freedom."
"It could be the beginning of my freedom," Jess maintained, turning serious. "You're not going to talk me out of this, Meg. I owe it to my brothers to see those charges dropped. If Mr. Wingate won't listen to me, I'll..." he paused, his expression bleak with determination, "...marry his daughter."
Meg sucked in a startled breath. "You'd marry a woman you don't love?"
"I would if it gained my brothers' freedom. I did dally with Delia Wingate. Her child could be mine, though in all probability it's not. But I'm hoping it won't go that far. I'm counting on Wingate to tell the truth about the robbery."
Meg admired Jess's determination to sacrifice himself for his brothers, but deplored his reasoning. The man was utterly selfless when it came to family. But what about her? He could deny it all he wanted but she knew he loved her, just as she loved him. Oh, yes, she was going to Dodge. And there was no way she was going to let Jess marry another woman.
While Meg had been pondering Jess's astounding words, Jess managed to loosen the fastenings on Meg's dress and chemise. She wore no stays; she didn't believe in them and was willowy enough not to need them. It made it easier for Jess to strip her dress and chemise down over her arms and pop a breast into his mouth. Meg writhed atop him as he suckled her nipples, each in turn, arousing her slowly with nipping little bites then tenderly laving them with the rough pad of his tongue.
Heat uncoiled low in her stomach, sending spirals of sensation to the place between her legs that ached for him. She shifted restlessly, her hands gripping his shoulders.
"Jess, wait. We have to talk."
Jess lifted his head from her breasts and met her gaze. His eyes were heavy-lidded and glazed with passion. "No, Meg, I'm not going to let you talk me out of this. My mind is made up. I'm going to Dodge, and if worse comes to worse I'll marry Delia Wingate."
"What about us?"
"Things could have worked between us at one time," he said wistfully. His shrug was deliberately nonchalant. "Then, again, maybe I was kidding myself. I have no business falling in love when my future is in doubt."
Meg couldn't believe her ears. "You loved me once, Jess. Do you still love me?"
He pondered his answer so long Meg felt a terrible squeezing sensation in the vicinity of her heart.
"It no longer matters," Jess intoned dryly. "I have no right to love. I ask but one thing of you, Meg. Let me try to resolve this my own way. Then, when I return, if I return, I'll answer your question."
Meg gave him a brilliant smile, one filled with all the love she harbored in her soul for this special man. "You've already answered my question. Help me remove my dress so we can make love properly this time."
He kissed her mouth and returned her grin. "What do you think I've been trying to do?"
They undressed each another slowly, their hands and mouths exploring, arousing one another until the scalding passion leaping between them demanded release. Lifting her, he placed her astride him again.
Holding her eyes prisoner with his, he inserted his hand between their bodies and stroked down into her soft curls. He found the taut little button at the entrance of her sex and massaged it with his thumb. Fire speared through Meg, and with a cry of surrender, she thrust her hips down upon is engorged staff.
Meg lost all sense of time and place as Jess filled the gnawing emptiness inside her. Higher and higher she climbed, until she reached the top and tumbled down into a well of shimmering ecstasy. Jess followed close behind, grasping her hips to hold her in place as he stroked himself to a frenzied climax.
When her breathing slowed enough to allow her to move, Meg lifted herself from Jess and snuggled against his side.
"What time does the stage leave tomorrow?" she asked sleepily.
He slanted her a shuttered look. "Ten o'clock. Are you hungry?" he asked casually.
"A little, but I can wait until morning."
"I can't," Jess said, rising. "Lie there and rest. I'll rustle up something from the kitchen and bring it up."
"Ummm," Meg moaned, her eyes already closing.
Jess pulled on his trousers and went downstairs. Meg didn't fool him one damn bit. He knew she thought he needed her with him, but in truth he didn't want her involved. She was too damn hotheaded, like a loaded canon waiting to go off. No telling what mischief she'd stir up in Dodge City. She'd placed herself in danger too many times on his account and he feared her luck might run out the next time.
Jess went directly to his examining room and removed a bottle of laudanum from his medicine cabinet. Then he went into the kitchen and prepared something for them to eat. First he made coffee, then he sliced roast beef one of his patients had sent him and put it on a tray with slices of bread he'd purchased this morning. By the time the coffee had finished perking, the tray was assembled but for the addition of two pieces of apple pie, another gift from a patient.
Jess poured coffee into two cups and placed them on the tray with the food. Before he left the kitchen, he poured a generous dose of laudanum from the bottle he'd purloined from his office into the coffee meant for Meg. By the time she awakened tomorrow, the stage would be well on its way. He hated having to drug Meg but it was the only way to prevent a free spirit like his Meg from following him. Should he succeed in clearing his name without having to marry Delia Wingate, he'd come back to Meg, if she'd still have him.
Meg was sleeping when Jess returned. He had to waken her and literally hand feed her, admonishing her to chew and swallow when her eyes began to close. He got all the coffee down her however, and after a few mouthfuls of beef and bread, he let her sleep. Then he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms.
> Jess tried to sleep but guilt rode him. Had he done the right thing? Should he have let Meg accompany him to Dodge? He quickly discounted that notion for there was nothing Meg could do to help him should Wingate demand that he wed his daughter or refuse to admit that he'd lied about the robbery. This was something he had to do on his own.
Jess finally slept. Meg was still sleeping peacefully when he arose at eight the next morning. He expected her to sleep at least another six hours. He went downstairs and placed a closed sign on the door. Then he went into the kitchen and heated the leftover coffee from the night before. He drank two cups of bitter brew, ate two slices of bread, then returned to his bedroom to finish packing.
Meg hadn't stirred. She lay on her side, her hand curled beneath her cheek and her mouth slightly open. Jess finished his packing and carried his bag downstairs. Then he went into his office to restock his medical bag, placing it beside the door with his carpetbag. He returned to the bedroom and pulled a chair beside the bed, staring at Meg as if he couldn't get his fill of looking at her.
Her hair was splayed over the pillow like ebony silk. He reached out and carefully pushed an ebony strand away from her forehead. Unable to resist touching her, he ran the back of a callused finger down her smooth cheek. He removed his finger quickly when she sighed and flopped over on her back. The sheet covering her shifted, baring her breasts. Jess inhaled sharply and leaned forward, memorizing every sumptuous detail of her face and form.
Her throat was slim and graceful, her shoulders and arms gently curved. Her breasts were perfect in every way; creamy mounds topped by mouthwatering cherries. They were not overly large, but sufficient to fill his hands and mouth. He knew from experience that her legs were sleekly muscled, her body firm and athletic, but soft and womanly where it counted.
He also knew she was going to be madder than a wet hen when she awoke and learned he had left without her. And an irate Meg was something to be avoided at all costs. He smiled to himself, recalling the way her green eyes kindled with fire when she was angry, and how it never failed to stir him.
Finally Jess could linger no longer. He kissed Meg's lips one last time and walked away without looking back. He feared if he looked at Meg a moment longer he wouldn't be able to leave her. Then he'd be right back where he started from. Wondering when someone would turn up and identify him as a fugitive.
Meg was still slumbering when the stage pulled away from the depot. Jess could only look forward now, and pray that he wouldn't end up behind bars. Returning to Dodge was risky, but he couldn't go on living outside the law.
In the far reaches of her brain, Meg dimly heard an insistent pounding. She buried her head beneath the pillow but the annoying noise grew louder. She groaned and opened her eyes. She looked around her and blinked, disoriented. It took several minutes of concentration to recall where she was. Almost at the same time she realized that someone was pounding on the front door.
She rose from the bed, swayed dizzily, and wondered why she was so unsteady on her feet. She was fuzzy-brained and lethargic, not like her at all. Usually she bounded out of bed raring to go. She didn't stop to wonder what was wrong as she quickly dressed and made her way downstairs, hanging onto the railing to steady herself. The knocking persisted until she unlocked the door and flung it open.
"Zach! What is it? Is something wrong?"
"I was just gonna ask you that," Zach said, searching her face. "Are you all right, honey? Jess didn't hurt you, did he?"
Jess! Where was he? Suddenly comprehension dawned.
"That bastard! What time is it, Zach?"
"After one, Meggie. I was worried when you didn't come home this morning, so I had to ride into town to find out what happened."
"One!" Meg spat. "Was the stage still in town when you came through?"
"Stage? Why, no. It left hours ago."
"Damn, damn, damn. He left me. I can't believe I overslept."
"You're not making sense, Meggie. Who left you? Where is Jess?"
"There's no time to lose, Zach. I've got to change and meet the stage at the next stop." She would have dashed off if Zach hadn't grasped her arm.
"Hold on, honey. You ain't going no place until you tell me what's going on."
"Jess boarded the stage for Dodge City this morning without me. I never sleep this long."
A sudden, disturbing thought came to her. "He drugged me! Damn him!"
"Why would Jess go to Dodge City? That's where all his trouble began. Why would he drug you?"
"Jess can't bear living the life of a fugitive. He's going to Dodge City with the intention of clearing his name."
Zach rubbed his temples. "That's crazy. How does he propose to do that?"
"He's going to confront the banker who started this whole mess and plead with him to tell the truth."
"That ain't gonna happen. Pride is a powerful emotion, honey. That banker ain't gonna admit to wrongdoing now. Jess is sure as hell gonna end up in jail."
"That's what I told him. I planned to be on that stage this morning but he found a way to stop me. He drugged my coffee last night." She paused, gnawing on her bottom lip. "Jess said he'd marry the banker's daughter if he had to. Do you know what that means? I can't let him do it, Zach, I just can't."
"You love that boy, don't you, honey?"
"I do, even though he makes it difficult."
"He loves you, too."
She made a disgusted sound deep in her throat. "He has a damn poor way of showing it. He spurned my help. He doesn't want me."
One of Zach's shaggy eyebrows shot upward. "Where did you spend the night, Meggie? My guess is in Jess's bed. And I'd be willing to wager my fortune he'd lost his anger before he left this morning."
"Keep your fortune, Zach. I won't wager anything where Jess is concerned. He runs hot and cold. I never know where I stand with him. If he loved me he'd let me go with him."
"What if he has to marry the banker's daughter? Jess's family means a great deal to him. I suspect the reason he doesn't want you along is because he doesn't want to see you hurt."
"Too bad," Meg gritted. "Saddle my horse, will you? I'm going to change and go after that stage. If I leave right away I might be able to catch up with it at the next stop."
Meg didn't give Zach a chance to argue as she bolted up the stairs to don her trousers, vest and jacket. Before she left, she piled her hair beneath her battered hat and grabbed bread and cheese from the pantry. Then she picked up the bag she'd left beside the door yesterday and headed out.
"Be careful!" Zach called after her as she mounted her mare and rode hell for leather out of town.
Jess paced impatiently beside the coach that sat disabled in the roadway. Twenty miles out of Cheyenne the driver hit a hole in the road and cracked a wheel. Fortunately they carried a spare wheel and the driver and man who rode shotgun had almost finished with the repairs. They would soon be on their way again.
The other passengers were sitting in the grass beside the road, chatting among themselves. They included a matron returning home after a visit with her son, a businessman from Garden City, a cowboy going to his sister's wedding in Dodge, and an elderly woman joining her husband, an army major, at Fort Leavenworth.
"Climb aboard," the driver announced to the waiting passengers as he wiped his greasy hands on his trousers. "Don't worry, folks, we'll make up the lost time by evening.
Jess sincerely hoped so. Now that he had made up his mind, he was anxious to get this ugly business over with.
The passengers began piling inside the stage. Jess entered last and fit himself beside the cowboy, garnering a window. Had they taken on one more passenger, the stage would be filled to capacity.
When the stage didn't start forward immediately, Jess stuck his head out the window and asked what was wrong.
"Rider coming," the driver called back. "He's signaling for us to wait up. Don't know what he wants, but maybe it's important."
More delays, Jess thought irritably. What else co
uld go wrong? In a few minutes he found out and didn't like it one damn bit.
Jess recognized Meg the moment she drew close enough to be identified. His eyes widened and a curse flew past his lips. Both the matron and elderly lady glared at him and he quickly apologized. Then he opened the door and stepped to the ground to confront his rebellious Meg. Did she never do anything she was supposed to?
Jess waited until Meg finished speaking with the driver and he had walked off before he lit into her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jess blasted.
She shot him a fulminating look. "I just bought passage to Dodge City."
His gaze drifted down her trouser-clad body body. "You sure know how to draw attention to yourself."
Her eyes glared defiance. "Trousers are comfortable," she hissed. "Besides, you're the only one who knows I'm not a man."
The driver returned. "You're lucky, mister, there's room for one more passenger. I'll secure your bag with the other luggage and tie your horse to the back of the coach." He reached for her bag.
Meg slanted Jess a look that said, I told you so.
"Much obliged," she said gruffly, pulling the brim of her hat lower over her forehead.
"Don't you ever do anything you're told?" Jess raged, brimming with anger. "I don't want you with me, how plainer can I make it?"
"This isn't your decision, Jess Gentry, it's mine," Meg threw over her shoulder as she entered the stage and took the empty seat opposite Jess.
Jess followed her inside and sat down, their knees almost touching. He sent her a thunderous look, which she ignored. Then she leaned her head back against the back of the seat and promptly fell asleep.
Jess fumed in impotent rage. He'd been unpleasantly surprised to see her and he didn't like those kind of surprises. He'd given her enough laudanum to keep most women her size sleeping well into afternoon. He should have realized her determination was exceptionally strong for a woman. But he'd be willing to bet it had been an ordeal for her to remain in the saddle with sleep still tugging at her.