Chapter 16

(Chapter song ‘Wanted Dead or Alive' by Bon Jovi, ‘Aerials' by System Of A Down)

JESSE It’s a good thing Penelope is as innocent as she is. I wouldn’t be able to pull this off if she was a weathered woman. Clearly, she never caught a man in a lie which works perfect for me.

I don’t need her to worry her head about me. I don’t need her trying to stop me either.

I’ve been running my own and I’m not stopping now. She can ride the back of saddle. I don’t got no issues with that as long as she keeps her mouth shut.

Over the next few weeks, I go out like I’m working hired hand labor for her. A ranch jockey can bring in a safe amount of coin. They’re hard to get too, seeing as how the ranches usually hire the border people. So with me telling her that, she sits pretty.

In truth, I sit back in a spot, sipping neck burner while I wait for lone riders to ride by. It’s actually not that bad. I didn’t realize how many dumb and stupid dudes run these plains. Sure, they worked hard for their purse, but I need it to keep my woman smiling. They can work for more.

After holding up three riders, one nursing a leg shot after he found his balls, I stop in a town to the north. It’s not as big as Langston, but it has what I need.

I dust off my chaps and take off my hat as I walk into the local dress shop.

A woman was straightening some dresses when I clear my throat. I’m uncomfortable as hell, but I need to do this.

“Can I help you? The saloons across the street if you’re lost.” She smiles.

“No, ma'am. I’m…” I look around. “I’m shopping for a dress.” I give a little smile.

She arches a brow.

“For the Missus. A surprise…of sorts.” I fake an even bigger smile even though I want to run.

“Oh. Alright. Size?” She stops in front of me.

“Size.” I look at her confused. I have no idea.

“Yes. What size is she?”

“Um…Shit. I dunno.” I scratch my head.

“You don’t know your wife’s dress size?” She places her hands on her hips.

“We…um…Just recent…we…No. I don’t.” I say as I get irritated.

She giggles. “New nuptials. I understand. You’ll learn in time.” She smiles as she taps my arm. “Is she my size.” She stands with arms out and spins. Her blue dress flails out.

I stand, rub my chin and look her over. I point to her body parts. “Less in the hips.” I nod. “And waist. More up top. A lot more.” I smirk. “A nicer backside too.”

She blinks at me, an offended look crosses her face and she clears her throat. “Yes, well.” She walks over to a rack and pulls some off. “She sounds like a two.” She walks over to me. “Tell me when.”

She flips the dresses one by one. She pulls out a darling pink one and I love it. I instantly see her in it. “When! That one!”

“Excellent choice. The finest cotton and carefully made. Your wife will love it.” She puts the dress aside. “I’ll just get her accessories and you can choose a hat.” She points to the wall.

“I just wanted a dress.” My brows go up.

“She not a proper lady without a hat.” She cocks her head to me.

Dang it.

I scan the wall of felt and feathers. I see a sweet little hat with pink flowers on it. “That one.”

“Good choice. You have good taste.” She says as she takes it down.

“I know my pretty ladies.” I smile.

She gives me a once over. “I’m sure you do.”

She wraps up everything as I pull out my purse. “That’ll be 15.” She blinks at me.

“15? Dollars?” I go wide eyed.

“Pretty ladies aren’t cheap. You’re beautiful wife is worth it.” She holds her hand out.

“She better be.” I grumble as I hand her the coins.

“Thank you. There you are. I hope your wife enjoys it.” She hands me the wrapped packages.

“Thank ya ma'am. She will.” I bow and put my hat back on.

I walk out onto the board and a paper catches my eye. I look and see my face. A wanted poster. I rip it down and crumple it. I better get out of here before someone recognizes me.

As I walk to the corral, I’m called.

“Stranger! Hey, sir!”

I stop and turn.

The pudgy man runs to me. “Sir, you dropped your hat.”

I look down and yep, I dropped Penelope’s hat. “Much obliged.” I say as I reach out and our eyes connect.

I tilt my head back and bite my cheek. It’s the fucking bank manager from Langston.

His eyed widen and I see him start to panic.

I shake my head with a whiney look. “Awe…please don’t.”

“OUTLAW!!!” He screams and everyone turns my way.

I look around. “Damn it!” I grab the hat and run for the corral.

“SHEERRIFFF!!” I look over my shoulder and Mr. Guthrie is running for the sheriff house.

Fuck!

The sheriff meets him in the road just as I unhitch my horse, mount him and spur him out of there.

Gun fire rings out and a bullet grazes my arm knocking me out of my saddle. I still have Penelope’s dress in my arms as I roll across the dirt. I scramble to my feet and dive behind a building.

I slam my back against the wall and pull out my gun. This was not the plan, Jesse! I slam my head against the wood.

“Come out!!” The Sherriff yells.

I bite my lip, flip around the corner and fire two shots. I slam my self back as two come from his peacemaker. The bullets splinter the wood at my shoulder.

“I’m just leavin’ Sheriff!” I yell to him.

“Don’t think so, Ghost. You’re wanted. I can’t let ya leave.” He yells back.

A bullet hits the dirt at my feet. My head whips to the building where I see the deputy.

I fire four shots his way and duck behind a barrel. I place Penelope dress down, flip the wheel and reload. “I'M NOT COMING QUIETLY!”

I slam my wheel and aim at the deputy. I fire three and hit his arm. He screams in pain and falls. I watch him run out of there and scramble up the street.

I come back to the corner and peek quick. I look for my bronc. He's waiting up the street chewing on a bush. I whistle for him and he just looks at me and goes back to eating. Thanks a lot, ya idiot. The distance to run is probably a good five quick shots away.

I contemplate this as the sheriff gets closer. He’s hiding behind poles and barrels on the walk.

I watch him stepping my way. I fire three more shots and reload.

“Come on, Jesse. Be a man and take yer time.” He says.

“Mister, I ain’t done a stitch of time in my life. I ain’t about to let you cuff me now.”

There’s only one way out of this. Damn. I love this jacket.

My eyes turn yellow and I burst out of my clothes to a cheetah cat. I pick up Penelope’s dress in my teeth and with the cats speed, I run up the road. My cat growling the whole way. The Sheriff was confused at first then fired. I leap into the air, over the back end of my horse, shift back to my human and land in the saddle. More guns go off in my direction.

“HA! GIT GOING!!” My bronc rears and runs out of town. My naked balls are bouncing on the leather and hurting like hell, but I still have my skin.

Lesson learned, I guess. Artemis got the word out. He knows I won’t start an all out brawl in the middle of town, but now even more know my secret. This is getting out of hand.

I’m gonna have a hell of a time replacing what I lost too.

I look at the package in my hand. I suck in my upper lip as I tuck it under my arm.

Running across the flatlands, an eagle screams above me. I shake my head and keep running.

This is fine. I can deal with this. Penelope will be happy. I can replace the peacemaker and all the ammo. My clothes. I breathe deep. My oilskin. She’s got her pretty dress. That’s all that matters right now.

I rush the fence and whip the reins. “Git!” I turn him into the yard and run him to the barn.

“Jesse?!”

I slow him down and dismount. I throw up a hand to Penelope as she runs from the house. “Eh! I ain’t decent!”

She stops, looks at my bare shoulders behind my horse. She turns away. “What happened?”

“That’s a discussion for later. Right now, go git Dakota to toss me some clothes.” I bark.

“Yes. Of course.” She says.

After Dakota gave me some clothes, I filled them in.

“So your face is everywhere now.” Harley says.

I nod. “Yep. They’ll be on alert now. I’m public enemy number 1 by the Sheriffs book.”

“Wow. I think that beats Bart and the Kid!” Bill says.

“Yeah, well, I don’t plan on ending like them so it’s not something I wish to brag about.” I glare at him.

Penelope stood at my side. “Can I talk to you?” She says.

I grunt at her and turn to my boys. “Shell out some notes for me. I’m headed to Mason at first light. I’m getting my gun back.”

Dakota gave me a salute and I escorted Penelope to my room.

“What do need, darlin'? I say as I shut the door.

“An explanation.” She folds her arms. “Weren’t you supposed to be working at the ranch? How did you end up in a shoot out? You weren’t due back until sundown.”

I picked up the package off my changing table. “Yes…I…” The look of trust and confusion on her face hit something in my chest. I had to come up with something good. “As you know it’s pay day and I told the boss about ya. Said I wanted to do somethin’ special like. He let me off early to do it.” I squish the package in my hands as I start to sweat. My nerves go haywire and my heart thumps. “Um…here.” I shove the package her way.

She slowly takes and walks to the bed.

I take off my hat. “I…I hope it fits. I didn’t really know your size and…”

She gasps as she opens the package. “Jesse.” She breathes. “It’s beautiful.”

“Ya like it?” I feel the corner of my mouth tick up.

She pulls it out and holds it to her waist. “It’s perfect.” She looks down and then pulls it up. She spreads the fabric and puts her finger in the bullet hole she found. “Almost.”

Damn. I get a whine on my face. “Ah, shoot. I’m sorry.” I drop my hat to my thigh.

She inspects the hole. She drops the dress and smiles. “It’s fine. I can fix it. Don’t worry. I little patch and it will be good as new.” She walks up to me. “Thank you.” She kisses my lips.

I smile. “You’re welcome.”

I put my hat back on. “There was more to that too. Don’t worry, Sweet Pea. I’ll git the rest.”

“Please. Don’t trouble yourself.” She says to my back.

“No. No. A proper woman needs a proper dress. You’ll git what ya deserve. Count on that.” I nod to her.

She smiles and nods back.