“You mean that you’ve gone honest?”
“Heck fire, no!”
Jesse could hear the undercurrent of laughter in Pete’s voice.
Pete leaned near, bringing his unpleasant breath with him. Funny how it had never really bothered Jesse until now, how he was looking at Pete through a different set of eyes. Looking at him as he imagined Amelia would.
She’d be disgusted by what she saw.
“We’ve taken to robbin’ passengers on trains. But we don’t make much, and we gotta take from a lot of folks to make the effort worth our while. But I’m sittin’ at that card table tonight listenin’ to that fella talkin’ ’bout how successful Harper is with his judgeship and his ranch and his cattle. And I’m thinkin’ it ain’t fair. He needs to spread the wealth a bit. But how am I gonna get him to do that?
“And then it hits me. His daughter.”
The hairs on the back of Jesse’s neck bristled. “Amelia?”
“Yep. I just figured I’d take the little lady, and the judge could pay me a bundle of money to get her back unharmed.”
A fissure of fear ripped through Jesse. “Pete, no disrespect, but I don’t think that plan is going to work.”
“Had doubts myself about it workin’ ’till I seen you kiss the judge’s daughter.”
Jesse’s stomach quivered with the thought that Pete had been spying on them.
“You were watching us?”
“Watchin’, listenin’, workin’ up a plan better than the one I had before. And here it is: you lure the judge’s daughter out of the house and we take her.”
“No!” Jesse took a step back and repeated, “No. I’m not going to help you kidnap Amelia.”
Pete knotted Jesse’s shirt in his beefy fist and tugged him closer.
“Yes, you will. I want that man’s money.”
Pete released his hold and pushed Jesse back.
Jesse slid his eyes closed. Maybe when he opened them, he’d discover that he’d been asleep and all this was just a nightmare. But when he opened them, Pete’s silhouette was still there to haunt him.
“Think about it, Jesse,” Pete said in a conspiratorial voice. “Do you honestly think the folks around here are gonna believe you had nothin’ to do with us takin’ her?”
Jesse thought about how quickly they’d jumped him when Amelia’s horse had thrown her. They’d think the worst.
“You’re gonna be blamed,” Pete said with conviction. “You might as well help us out and share in the reward.”
Jesse released a deep sigh, stalling for time while he tried to figure a way out. He could agree to help them, and then warn Judge Harper. He didn’t know if the man would believe him, but he knew that Amelia would. “All right. Pete, I’ll help you.”
Pete clapped his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “Good boy. And don’t get any ideas about warnin’ anyone. You don’t fulfill your end of the bargain and that sweet little lady is likely to get hurt real bad.”
Jesse clenched his fists at his sides to keep them from hitting Pete in the mouth. He’d never known such anger or frustration.
“I said I’d help you. I didn’t say I’d kidnap Amelia. I’ve got a better plan. I’ve seen the judge’s safe. He keeps it in his office in the house. If all you want is his money, I can get it for you.”
He’d never planned to steal again, but he didn’t see that he had much choice. If Pete was determined to get the judge’s money one way or another, Jesse could hand it over to him without involving Amelia.
Of course, afterward he’d be on the run—or back in prison. Pete was right about everyone thinking the worst of him. When the money was discovered missing, they’d all be pointing the finger at him. As soon as he walked out of the judge’s house with the loot, he’d have to keep walking.
“He keeps his money in the house?” Pete asked.
“Why else would he have a safe?”
“Well, well, well,” Pete muttered. “Who would have thought they’d be dumb enough to put the fox in the henhouse?”
Jesse knew Pete was considering him to be the fox.
“So we’ll just take the money and leave the girl?”
“Yeah. There’s less risk of us gettin’ caught this way, too. You was always a smart thinker, Jesse. But there’s too many folks around right now. Tomorrow night, though—”
“No. I’ve gotta do it tonight, Pete. By tomorrow I might chicken out. When the guests leave, I’ll give the judge’s family time to fall asleep. Then I’ll slip into the house and get the money. There’s a shack on the north end of the ranch. You just ride straight north from here. You’ll see a windmill. It’s near there. I’ll meet you at the shack just before dawn with the money.”
“I don’t know, boy. I’m thinkin’ I need to go into the house with you. Be there when you open the safe—just in case you have a change of heart at the last minute, like you did durin’ our last robbery.”
“I won’t change my mind.” He’d do anything to keep Amelia safe.
“But remember, if you don’t uphold your end of the bargain, don’t meet me at dawn, that little lady might end up gettin’ hurt real bad.”
“I’ll keep my end. You just leave her alone.”
Pete cackled. “I was right. You do care for her. She’ll be fine as long as you put the money in my hand. I’ll see you at dawn, then. It’s good to be workin’ with you again.”
Pete quickly disappeared into the darkness.
With his body quaking so badly that he was surprised he remained upright, Jesse turned and headed toward the bunkhouse.
He wanted to run like he’d never run before.
Amelia was wrong. He couldn’t escape his past. It would always catch up with him.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lying in bed, Amelia couldn’t stop thinking about Jesse.
After he’d kissed her, she’d gone back into the house and danced with other gentlemen. She’d been polite and shown interest in their conversations. She’d smiled, laughed, and flirted.
But it had all seemed meaningless.
No one fascinated her as Jesse did. No one set her heart to beating faster.
She thought she was quite possibly falling in love with him.
Never having been in love before, she couldn’t be certain if what she was feeling was indeed love. But it simply made sense to her that it had to be.
Why else would she think about him constantly?
Click.
Her breath caught at the unexpected sound.
Clink.
She moved nothing but her eyes as she searched the room trying to determine where the noise had come from.
Clack.
The window.
She scrambled out of bed and rushed to the window. She could see the silhouette of a familiar figure standing in the moonlight. Another tiny rock hit the glass.
She raised the window and leaned out. “Jesse?”
“Get dressed to ride and come down here,” he whispered in a voice loud enough for her to hear.
Dressed to ride? That made no sense. It was the middle of the night.
“What are you talking about?”
“We’re going after the white mustang,” he called up.
“Now?”
“Now,” he answered.
Goodness gracious!
“I’ll be right down!”
She couldn’t believe it as she tore off her nightgown and hurried to change into her split riding skirt. She stilled.
She couldn’t do this. Yes, she was finally seventeen. She was allowed to have gentlemen callers, but she still wasn’t allowed to spend time alone with Jesse. Dancing with him outside—alone—had been unexpected, and they’d been fortunate that no one had spotted them.
But she couldn’t deliberately go with him now, because she knew that in so doing, she risked having him sent back to prison.
Still, she finished dressing. She decided that explaining the situation to him in person would be better than yelling out the wind
ow and hoping no one heard them.
Opening the door, she glanced cautiously into the darkened hallway. No one was about. She imagined everyone was sleeping soundly after dancing most of the night.
She crept down the stairs and made her way outside. Jesse stood in the shadows beside the front porch. He already had two horses saddled and waiting. The temptation to go with him was almost more than she could bear.
She crossed the porch and wrapped her arms around a beam to keep from advancing farther. “Jesse, we can’t do this.”
“Yes, we can.”
She shook her head. “I told you what my father said. If he finds out that I went off with you alone, he’ll send you back to prison.”
“I know.” He bent his head. “During my whole life, Amelia, I’ve never given anyone a gift.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “I want to capture this horse for you.”
“In the morning when Papa wakes up, we’ll get permission—”
“It has to be now.”
“Why? Why can’t we wait?” she asked, confused by his insistence that they go right now.
“Trust me, Amelia. Please.”
During the time he’d been here, Jesse had never asked anything of her. Never asked anything of anyone that she knew of.
“But you’re risking—”
“I know what I’m risking. I’m going after that horse one way or another. I’d rather you go with me.”
“I didn’t think you wanted to capture the mustang,” she reminded him.
“I changed my mind,” he said before turning away from her and mounting a horse.
“Why?” she asked.
“It’s your birthday, and I want to give you something special, something no one else can.” He prodded his horse into a gentle lope.
She waited a heartbeat before climbing onto Duchess and following him.
As he galloped his horse over the moon-washed landscape, Jesse was relieved that Amelia was riding beside him. He knew a chance existed that they wouldn’t find the horse before anyone noticed they were gone.
But he also knew that horses tended to range in the same place. Amelia knew where the mustang she was interested in grazed, and with luck, they’d find it.
Earlier he’d lain in his bed and listened while the men had returned from the party long after he had, guffawing and making a ruckus as though they didn’t have a worry in the world.
While he’d been contemplating his fate and his options.
If he told anyone about Pete—and Pete found out—Amelia would pay the price for his betrayal. Jesse knew Pete well enough to know that he never made empty threats. Oddly, it was one of the first things that Jesse had admired about the man. He kept his promises, even when they involved retribution.
Jesse realized now—a little too late—that he’d been a stupid kid at twelve when he’d grabbed onto Pete’s shirttail.
If he did as Pete demanded, no one would get hurt. But Jesse would have to run. He figured he might even succeed at escaping. If he didn’t, he’d go back to prison. Either way, he’d never see Amelia again.
That thought caused an unbearable ache in his chest.
So he’d decided to capture one last memory with her—and grant her wish in the process.
He just didn’t see any other way out of his dilemma.
And he wanted—needed—these last few hours with Amelia. To pretend for a little while, at least, that he was like every other fella she’d danced with…to imagine that his past was untainted and he was good enough for her.
Even though he now understood that he never would be. He’d always be shackled to his past.
He slowed his horse as they neared the rise where they’d been going that fateful day when she’d fallen from her horse and he’d taken the beating. She drew up alongside him.
“Why couldn’t we wait to go after the mustang?” she asked.
It was the first opportunity they’d had to speak to each other since they’d headed out. He’d purposefully kept them traveling at a rapid pace, hoping she’d forget his words. Apparently she’d been chewing on them since he’d spoken them.
He glanced over at her. She was beautiful, limned by the moonlight. He knew he’d never forget Amelia’s delicate features. She was emblazoned on his heart.
Where had that poetic notion come from? Before her, his life certainly hadn’t allowed for such fanciful thoughts. And in another day or so, they’d once again become foreign.
“I just figured you wouldn’t have much time for me once all those fellas you were dancing with tonight start calling on you,” he lied.
He couldn’t tell her the truth because her dedication to justice would require she tell her father—even if it meant putting herself at risk. He hoped she did become a lawyer someday. Maybe if he’d had someone like her, someone he could have trusted, he might not have found himself punished so harshly at such an early age.
She laughed softly. “It’s not like a gentleman will take me away from the ranch and hold me prisoner while he’s courting me.”
He could only hope no one would abduct her. He tried to make light of his earlier comment. “You’ll have to forgive me, but I don’t have experience when it comes to wooing.”
“It makes me sad when I think of all the things you’ve missed out on, Jesse.”
“I don’t want to make you sad. I just want to get the horse for you.” So she’d have something to remember him by. He wouldn’t be around long enough to gentle it, but hopefully someone else would.
They brought their horses to the top of the rise. He heard Amelia catch her breath. His very nearly stopped.
Beneath the vast expanse of stars, a herd of mustangs rested. At the edge of the group, pacing like a sentry, was a white horse. Jesse had no doubt this animal was a stallion, setting itself up to guard the herd.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Amelia whispered.
“That must be his bunch of mares,” Jesse said, his voice equally low. “Probably his foals as well.”
“I hadn’t considered that he’d have offspring,” she mused.
He imagined there were a lot of things that a person who’d always had freedom didn’t take into consideration.
“I have to figure out the best way to capture him,” he told her. “Why don’t we stretch out here on the rise and watch them while I figure out a plan?”
Amelia lay on the ground, her hand wrapped around Jesse’s. He’d stiffened when she’d first taken it. She didn’t think he was accustomed to being touched. It had taken him a few minutes to finally relax.
His hand was rougher than hers. Calluses lined the pads of his palm and the tips of his fingers. But she felt the strength he possessed, even at rest.
She was torn between watching him and focusing her attention on the mustangs. Jesse had told her that as long as they stayed upwind of the herd, they probably wouldn’t be detected. He’d tethered their horses on the other side of the rise, away from the herd.
“Does he ever sleep?” she asked quietly as the white stallion continued to amble back and forth.
“I imagine. When I make my move, the horses will take off at a gallop. The fastest mare will lead them. She’s his favorite,” he told her.
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I’ve spent a lot of time under the stars, a lot of time watching horses. The stallion always favors the fastest and the smartest. She’ll be the one in the front.”
“I figured he’d lead them,” she admitted.
“No. He’s probably the quickest of all, but he’ll run at the rear, putting himself between the herd and us. Even though it increases his risk of capture, he’ll hang back. He’ll sacrifice himself to protect his mares.”
She turned her head so she could look at him. He was already watching her, and she wondered how long his gaze had been focused on her.
“What will the mares do once you capture their leader?” she asked, suddenly worried about their survival.
“There’s probably a younger
stallion in the group who’s been biding his time, waiting to challenge the lead stallion. He’ll take over, or maybe a couple of stallions will battle it out to determine who is in charge.”
She returned her attention to the herd. She could see foals nestled close to their mothers. “Do you really think those are his colts and fillies?”
“He wouldn’t let another horse mate with his mares.”
“It seems sort of sad to take him away from them,” she said softly.
“Yeah, it does.”
She watched the animals for several minutes before daring to ask, “But you’ll do it?”
He rose up on his elbow, drawing himself closer to her until she could no longer see the stars, until all she could see was the shadow of his face.
“If that’s what you want,” he said quietly.
“But you don’t want to do it, do you?” she asked.
“I’ll do it for you.”
She trailed her fingers along his cheek. What sort of man was he? He cared so much about the freedom of a wild horse…and yet he had no regard for the law.
“Why did you rob the banks?”
Against her palm, she felt his throat work as he swallowed.
“Because I was hungry, scared. I’d done without for so long that when Pete said that money was just sitting there not being used, I believed him. When we discovered that I was skilled at opening a safe, I felt important. I was tired of feeling like something to be scraped off somebody’s boot. In the end, though, I felt lower than a snail’s belly.”
“You mean when you got caught?”
He shook his head. “After we robbed the first bank. When we made camp that night and Pete counted out the money and tossed my share over to me, it just didn’t feel right resting in my hand. When we stopped in a little town, I took what I needed from my stash for supplies and left the rest in a church.”
Stunned, she asked, “You gave most of it away?”
“Yeah. Pretty dumb, huh?”
She didn’t think it was dumb at all.
“Did you tell them what you did with the money during your trial?”
He shrugged. “Nobody asked. Besides, what I did with the money wasn’t important. What mattered was that I’d robbed the bank to begin with.”
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