Chapter 3

(Chapter song ‘Send Me An Angel’ by Scorpions, ‘Devil Gonna Come' by Raphael Lake)

JESSE After slinging some coin to the bardog, it’s around 9 before I get around to moving Edward. He was still safe, but I still don’t feel right. After cracking the shell and spilling the liquid everywhere, I pull him out and put him over my shoulder. I gotta find another spot quick. Before I leave, I watch the last of the shell crumble and turn to dust. Our touch destroys it so it can’t be found to tip anyone off.

I use shifter speed to run through the trees. I finally find a small cave. Inside, I set Mr. Fancy pants up again. It’s half past 2 in the morning before I’m finished, so I decide to just lay my head here. I grabbed my clothes from town half way through so nobody laid eyes on them. I roll my riders jacket and lay my head on it like I’ve done plenty times before.

I think about the job and what I’m gonna do with my cut of the 50 thousand, when a weird thought popped into my head.

The lady with the big, brown eyes.

I don’t know why I’m thinking of her. Women are never a subject of interest with me. This one though, I don’t know if it’s the way the sunlight hit her skin or how she smelled of vanilla. There’s something that has my attention.

I can’t get wrapped up in that. This bank job is better than some widowed filly.

I settle myself in for a nap. Place my hat on face and sleep off the bit of whiskey I have left in my gut.

Crows wake me at dawn. The call of the lands devil. Here to remind me of the black soul I carry with me. I sit up and scrub the sleep off my face.

I dreamed about her last night. It was strange because it wasn’t like any regular dream I’ve had involving the loose women I usually partake. This was almost spiritual. What’s more? It was like she was really here. Her face was almost shining like a star as she laid beside me. Her naked body was taunting me to touch it, but I couldn’t.

It…didn’t feel right.

Her auburn hair was spread out around her head and she faces me. She says she sees me inside. She says she knows me and that I’m not who I think I am. I don’t know what she’s getting at. I know exactly who and what I am.

When I finally decide to touch her, my fingers grazed her skin and I shot awake. I was back in the cave. After, I must of laid there for a good hour. It rattled me. I have no idea what it means.

I shake off the dream and make sure Mr. Pembrooke is cleaned up before leaving the cave. I hide the entrance then walk through the trees to town. Another day and I’ll have the manager down for the mimic. Before I do, I'll head to the ranch and grab the boys.

I come out of the trees and, once again, almost cold cock the pretty lady from town. I bumped her shoulder and she stumbled. I don’t know why I didn’t hear or see her coming.

I rip my hat off my head. “Please excuse me, Miss. I’m so sorry.” I lean to her with concern.

I was expecting her to lambaste me for hitting her, but instead she smiles. “Edward.” She sounds like she’s happy to see me out here.

I bow a little. “We just keep running into each other.” I give a little smile back.

She stands proper in her white walking dress and red wrap. “Yes, we do. Two chance meetings must not be chance at all. Especially out here of all places. What are you doing out here?”

I needed my demon tongue to work right now. I searched Edward’s mind. “Um…reading.” I reach into my bag and pull out a book. “I like quiet.”

“I can definitely understand that.” She gives a little giggle. It’s like bird song. Why is it so soothing to me?

“Well. I’ll let you on your way.” I raise my hat to her.

“Are you…heading to town?” She adjusts her wrap around her shoulders.

“Yes.” I nod.

“Walk with me.” There’s that feeling again. That one I can’t touch.

“It’d be my pleasure.” I motion her to go first.

She ticks her head and continues down the path. I step in line beside her. I shouldn’t be doing this. This is the distraction I’m trying to avoid. There’s something she's putting out that makes me not turn her down.

“Where were you back there?” I ask, casually looking back.

“My home.” She answers.

“You live in woods?” I arch a brow.

She looks down and giggles. “No.” She glances at me. “The church. It’s on the other side of the woods.”

This kind of tripped me a bit. “The church.” I state.

“Yes. My father’s the preacher.” She supplies.

“The preachers daughter.” I hold Edward’s pointed chin up high. “Does the preachers daughter have a name?” I look to her with a smile.

“Penelope. Penelope Williams. ” Her cheeks glow with that light pink color I eyed the day before.

“Penelope.” I say. That feeling rushes through me the minute her name left my lips. “I have to say, that’s the prettiest name I’ve ever heard.”

She laughs. “No need for false flattery.”

“My flattery is never false, Miss.” I lift my hat to her.

Her cheeks flush more. “Thank you, Mr...”

“Pembrooke. You’re welcome.” I say quietly.

The dried leaves crunch under our boots as we get closer to town. I know I can’t get deep with her, but damn. Her presence stirs me up. Her scent and butterfly wing skin just…scare the shit out of me.

Keep to the plan, Jesse. Keep to the plan.

Once town got close, I glance at her. “Where we headed today, Miss?”

“Please. Penelope.” She eyes me with a tiny grin.

“My apologizes. Penelope.” I tick my head.

“I’m heading to the school house. I’m meeting with Miss Atwood.” She folds her arms around her.

“Sounds lovely.” I say as I place my hands behind my back.

“It is. The children are wonderful and to see them enjoy what my father teaches warms my heart.” She sounds so soft. I can barely stand it.

“You teach.”

“Yes, I do. A lot of these children don’t get to the church so we have Bible study every Thursday.” She says.

“Bible study. I think that’s a very fine idea.” I agree.

“You’re welcome to sit and listen. I’m sure Miss Atwood wouldn’t mind.” Her big brown eyes get a lick of excitement in them.

I smile. “I appreciate the invitation, Miss, but the Good book is one I haven’t felt belongs with me.”

When we arrive at the edge of town, I help her onto the walkway. We walk down the street to the school house.

“The Lord’s word belongs with everyone, sir.” She holds her hands at her thighs.

When we come to the school house, the children were already gathering in the yard. Miss Atwood, I assume, was with them. She was a handsome woman. Blonde hair, blue eyes like the sky and you can tell she was from across the pond. She held herself proud like a lot of these types do.

Penelope sits on a bench by the schools wooden fence. I remove my hat and sit next to her. “I'm sure the Lord’s word would be a waste on me.” I say as I sit back.

“Why do you think that?” She turns her pretty disposition to me with question.

“Several reasons that are not proper in conversation. It just is.” I straighten my jacket and look up the street.

“You know He knows. He listens.” She says.

I turn Edward’s head to her. “You think the Lord listens?”

She nods. “He’s always listening, good sir. He’s also talking. It’s just up to you if you want to hear him.”

I’m not a religious man by any means. You can’t do what I do and be one with the Good book. I understand what she thinks, but I doubt the Lord converses with the demons.

I adjust myself in my seat. “Miss, the last person the Lord is talking to is me. Men like me don’t get conversations or forgiveness that there book talks about.” I slightly lean to her.

“There’s nothing a man can do that’s so shameful that Lord will turn his back, Edward. He loves you. He knows you. He knows who you are inside even if you don’t know it yourself.” Her eyes meet mine and my brows stitch. My mind immediately goes to the dream. Her eyes flick down to her lap as she pulls her shawl up.

“Believe me, Miss. The Lord doesn’t forgive everyone.” I tick the corner of my lip up. In my 600 years, I’ve seen plenty of men get sent to hell. Forgiveness is not something expected out there. A man can pray. Even beg for it. It’s not guaranteed he gets it.

She tilts her head and smiles. “That’s where you’re wrong. He’s forgiven you already. It’s you, my dusty friend, who hasn’t forgiven yourself. If you struggle with who you are and what’s to become, it’s because you don’t hear. I’m sure if you take but a moment to sit and listen, you’d find your answers.”

“There’s no changing a man once he’s set. A book certainly won’t accomplish that.” I cross my leg and fold my hands on my lap.

“I suppose…you may be right. It’s up to the man to change, but sometimes that change requires guidance. They need to be sent on the path to that change.” She pulls out her Bible. “These words…these are the guidance any man needs to find his direction. I believe with the right words from the right guidance voice, any man can be put on the path of righteousness.” She places her slim, delicate hand on the leather bound cover.

I lower my head and give a little chuckle. I roll my eyes to her. “You, Miss, have too much faith in people.”

She leans with a little smile. “And you, kind sir, don’t have enough.” She nods and leans back.

I stand and put my hat on. “Miss, I’m afraid I’m anything but kind.”

The school marm rings the bell for school to start. I watch the little girls line up to go in. My heart pains a bit.

Penelope rises and stands in front of me. Almost too close for gossip. “I think…You’re kinder than you present. I see it. I hear your words. I think you hide behind these unforgivable sins because you don’t want others to know who you really are. You don’t think you’d be accepted and you don’t realize there’s only one you truly need acceptance from.” She smiles and turns away. She heads to the school.

“Who do I need acceptance from?” I call.

She spins and her white skirt billows. She smiles as she walks backwards. Her eyes turn up and she points to the sky. Her eyes then meet mine and her smile grows. She spins back around and joins the children.

I stand there chewing the inside of my cheek. My eyes flick to the sky and back to the school.

The Lord is the last thing I need.

I head back up the boardwalk and stop. The guy who blew in with the tumbleweeds was posted up outside the Sheriffs office. The first thing I notice, the shiny tin on his chest. So, there is a second Sheriff. Should a known this plan would roll snake eyes.

Balls.

I collect myself and walk on by to the corral. I find Mr. Pembrooke's mare.

As I’m fixing the gear, wouldn’t ya know, the cat’s curious.

“Mr. Pembrooke.”

I put on my fancy pants and turn. “Yes.”

He walks that telltale lawman walk as he crosses the threshold. His boots thudding on the wood. His spurs jingle as he walks.

Now, I get a look up close. His dark tanned skin is old and pock marked. His beady, brown eyes look as if they’re trying to read me. His fingers twitch on the holster on his hip. He’s looking to start something.

I close my saddle bag. “Can I help you Sheriff?”

He holds out his hand. “Sherriff Jackson.”

“Sherriff Jackson. Interesting name.” I smile.

“It’s a family name.” He looks around then back at me. “You were suppose to leavin’ town, were you not?”

“I was, but I was…delayed.” I answer as posh like as I can be.

“I see. Where were ya last night?” He casually eyes the street then his squinty eyes find mine.

I step a little closer. “Why is that a concern of the sheriff?”

“Well, a friend of yours reported you missing this mornin’. Clearly you’re not, but I’m interested to know where a man of your position, went last night?” He crosses his arms and his tin catches the light a flash of sun reminds me of who I’m talking to.

“I fell asleep…in the desert.” I don’t need this lawdog barking up my leg.

“The desert.” His brow ticks up.

“Yes.” I start fixing my hitches. “I’m afraid I had a bit much last night and wandered out to the desert. Woke up with a pounding head.” I chuckle a right dude laugh.

He places his hands back on his hips. “Ok, Mr. Pembrooke. I suggest ya find yer friend and let him know yer fine.”

“I will.” I nod to him.

“Have a good day.” He says, gruffly as he tips his hat and I catch something quick. A little gold flicker in his eye before he leaves.

The smile falls off my lips. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw a horse against the wind.

I grab the mares reins and saddle up. Kicking her sides, the she turns and we ride down the main street. The Sheriff is leaning on the wall again. I side him as I ride past. He brims his hat and watches me. I feel his eyes. Those looks are personal.

I know who it is.