Chapter 46: Outlaws and Lawmen

~All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you…~—Richard Adams

Jake and Sam rode into Hopewing and stopped in front of the town’s bank. A boy sitting by the post greeted them with a smile.

“Need me to watch your horses, Misters?”

“Sure, sonny,” Sam said with an answering smile. He pulled a dollar from his pocket and handed it to the boy. “That’s for both horses,” he pointed out as he tied the reins of his horse to the post. The kid gave another grin and took the reins from Jake.

“Just remember, Jake,” Sam said, turning to his partner, “we’re only here for about an hour so we can get back to the Cora Belle tonight.”

“You can stop remindin’ me,” Jake retorted. “I remember how long we’re gonna be here. It’s all you ever told me in comin’ here.”

“I’m just makin’ sure you know it’s a quick visit,” said Sam, “and not one you actually had to tag along for. I’ve only got to settle some personal business an’ I don’t need your help.”

“Glad to hear that, ’cause I’m not here to help ya.”

“Then why did you want to come to town?”

“I’ve got reasons.”

“Reasons that have to do with a wedding band?” Sam winked at Jake.

Jake rolled his eyes. “Will you pack of idiots ever get off my case? For the past two weeks, all I’ve been hearin’ about from the sorry lot on that ranch is my weddin’ day.”

Sam let out a hearty laugh and thumped Jake on the back.

“Yeah, well, what did you expect? I was sure you were gonna propose when the two of you left the dance hall. Can’t believe you haven’t gotten around to it yet. Don’t you remember where you live?

“If you don’t ask her, Cal will grab his chance. Sheriff Grant seems to have backed off once it became clear Dannie preferred you, but Cal is still young, with hot blood. He won’t give up so quickly.”

“Oh yes, he’ll give up,” Jake growled. He hated it when anyone brought Cal up. “Dannie don’t even like him. She’d never agree to his offer. Besides, I don’t understand—what’s the rush? Can’t a man take his time?”

“Not in Hopewing, he can’t. There are ten men for every woman. If you don’t claim her soon, some smart-ass will whip her right from under yer nose.”

“Just get your rear end into the bank,” Jake said, losing his patience.

“Hey, mind your manners, I am the foreman.” Sam waved his finger at Jake and, with another laugh at him, went inside the Hopewing bank.

Jake turned and made his way to the sheriff’s office.

Sam and the other cowboys didn’t understand. He couldn’t make an offer to Dannie right now because of the whole tangled mess with Calhoon.

He could never ask for Dannie’s hand with Calhoon still hunting him down. There was no reason to drag her into this stupid mess created by his silly sister.

Jake sometimes wondered if Rachel ever realized just how far-reaching her actions had been. Did she even suspect that he was still suffering because of her reckless behavior?

While she was happy and out of danger—or so he hoped—Jake was at constant threat of attack from a bloodthirsty criminal. When there had only been cattle and horses in his life, Calhoon’s hunting hadn’t bothered him as much as it did now.

He had been alone and unattached, free to pick up and run to wherever he darn well pleased. Now, with the appearance of the little lady, everything was different.

Suddenly, Jake found himself with thoughts about settling down, building a home, and maybe even starting a family.

But with Calhoon on the loose, it was all only wishful thinking.

The fact that Calhoon wasn’t exactly the easiest outlaw to catch didn’t help matters. Jake never knew where the man was hiding, or from what direction he was going to attack. Now, however, it seemed fate was finally being kind to him.

The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that he really ~had~ glimpsed Bessie two weeks ago. And the sight of her had given him a little clue as to what Calhoon might have in mind. Perhaps, if Jake played his cards right, he’d be able to somehow track that outlaw down and settle the score with him once and for all.

It was with this resolution that he entered the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff raised his head, and the hint of a shadow crossed his face. He rose, however, and extended his hand to the cowboy. “Howdy, Jake. I’ve been waitin’ for ya.”

Jake shook his hand heartily. “Howdy, Sheriff. Have ya been able to find the woman I described to you?”

Sheriff Grant motioned for Jake to take a seat as he resumed his own.

“I’m afraid I’m gonna have to disappoint you. I haven’t seen anyone even close to the description you gave me. I’ve had my deputies on the lookout these past two weeks, but your Bessie hasn’t been seen by them, either. I’m thinkin’ she probably left these parts.”

“That’s not very comfortin’.” Jake frowned. “It probably means she went back to wherever it is Calhoon is hidin’, no doubt to inform him that I’m alive and kickin’.”

Sheriff Grant leaned forward, placing both elbows on the table. “Just why is that cattle rustler trying to get you?”

“An old vendetta,” Jake summed it up. “He’s tryin’ to get even with me for outsmartin’ him once.”

“Mind if I ask how long he has been chasin’ you?”

Jake scrunched his face as he tried to remember. “Five years, I’m thinkin’; six, maybe. I’ve lost count.”

“Why didn’t you try and catch him before?”

“Why do I feel like I’m being questioned at a crime scene?”

“Ain’t no need to get upset, Jake. For one, Calhoon is a wanted man. Texas is tremblin’ at the thought of him, and now it seems he’s gonna weasel his way into Arizona as well. Apart from that, you’ve made it pretty clear that yer intent on courtin’ Miss Preston—but if you think I’m gonna let ya put her in harm’s way, think again.

“She may prefer you to anyone else, but that don’t mean she has to put her life on the line because of an old vendetta of yers.”

Jake huffed a little. “Calhoon and I have been playin’ cat and mouse for several years. Much like the law, I have no idea where to find him, so my only option is to wait for him to come and get me.

“So far, he’s been refusin’ to do the work and sendin’ his henchmen. He lost me when I came to Arizona, but it looks like he found me again—and I took three bullets from his gang. I reckon he’ll try somethin’ else soon.”

“Well, you seein’ his little female has given us a bit of the upper hand,” said the sheriff. “I’ve wired Fort Rivers and the surroundin’ settlements, lettin’ them know Calhoon might show up. My deputies are on the lookout night and day. If we can at least catch one of his gang, they can help lead us to him.”

Jake gave a halfhearted nod. He didn’t think anyone from the outlaw gang would give away their leader, but maybe Sheriff Grant would be able to pull it out of them.

“I am gonna have to ask you to stay away from Miss Preston.”

That had been the last thing Jake expected to hear, and a frown settled deep into his face. “Why?”

“Because there ain’t no reason for her to be dragged into yer blood feud with a dangerous outlaw.

“You jumped the gun, as is, by making it known that you have intentions toward her. She is now directly in harm’s way. Should Calhoon and his stooges find out, they’ll use her as bait to get you.

“The further you stay away from her, the better. Miss Preston is a smart woman. I am sure she’ll understand.”

It was the truth, of course, but that didn’t make it easier to hear. “I hear what yer sayin’, Sheriff, and I’ll keep it in mind.”

Sheriff Grant nodded, and Jake took his leave.

Dannie could quote Latin phrases about the stars all she wanted, but Jake was born under a heap of unlucky stars, and he darn well knew it.

Now, he was a threat to everyone he knew, no one more so than Dannie.

The sheriff had been correct when he said Calhoon would try to use the people Jake loved to get him. It was for this very reason that he had broken ties with his brother.

Jake hated the idea of not being able to see Dannie, but her safety was the most important thing to him. He wasn’t going to let that monster get hold of the most precious thing he had, the person he treasured most in the world. He’d write Dannie and explain the situation to her. She would understand.

Jake was so lost in his thoughts that, as he neared the bank, he crashed right into a young lady.

“Pardon me,” Jake mumbled, reaching out to steady her. “I didn’t see you…”

The words died in Jake’s mouth as he found himself staring into the large, hazel eyes of Bessie.