by Nancy Pirri
Janie thought, why not? Maybe Katie was right; maybe Simon would regret the annulment and ask her to marry him again. Nodding, Janie said, “I think you’re onto something, my friend.” She laughed then and gave Katie a hug. “Who shall be my first victim?”
Katie’s laughter rang out as she hugged Janie. “Now you’re talking!”
The first man Katie suggested Janie flirt with was Horace Manley, a blacksmith in Bozeman, because he’d asked Katie more about Janie than any other man. So, early the following morning, Horace arrived for breakfast. Janie approached his table. Stopping beside him she smiled and softly said, “Well, hello Horace. What can I get you?”
Horace hardly looked at her, but she saw his face go red. Of course, it just happened that Horace had been blessed with carrot-colored hair and a fair complexion so most of the time his face looked flushed.
“Well,” he drawled, “think I’ll have the steak and eggs, Mrs. Hopkins.”
“It’s Mrs. Miller,” Mr. Manley. “Simon and I have parted ways.”
His head jerked up at that and his face glowed even redder as he looked into her eyes. “Oh, yeah. I heard about that. Real sorry, ma’am.”
She nodded. “Yes, it was unfortunate.”
Janie braced herself as he gave her a long, intent sweep of her body, a grin forming on his full lips. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine those lips kissing her yet she straightened her resolve and smiled at him. Then she saw movement at the palace entrance and saw Simon walk in.
“I see.” Horace rose to his feet and saw they were eye level with each other, though his frame was big and bulky. Taking her hand, he raised it to those full lips, kissed it and said, “Then do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Anderson’s picnic next Sunday?
“Why, Horace!” Janie said with a sweetness in her voice that made her want to spit, “I’d be honored to attend the picnic with you.” She caught the stunned look on Simon’s face, saw how he turned around on his heel and strode outside.
Horace grinned. “Thank you, ma’am.”
He stood staring at her for a while before she replied, “I’d better get your order in. I’m sure you’ve work to do.”
“Sure do, ma’am.” He sank into his chair with a smile still lingering on his lips.
In the kitchen, Janie held a plate while Annie dished up the breakfast. She hadn’t realized she had a scowl on her face until Annie commented on it.
“What’s wrong?”
Janie sighed. “Horace Manley asked me to the Anderson picnic just as Simon walked in.”
Annie smiled. “Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? You’re trying to make him jealous.”
“Jealous, yes, but what did the darned man do but turn on his heel and leave, without a word.”
“Then he’s really jealous, and he might be mad, too,” Annie replied. “As I said, that’s a good thing. I guarantee it won’t be long before he’s knocking on your door again.”
A month later, Janie decided it best to inform the besotted Horace Manley that she didn’t want to see him again since their courtship had made no outward difference to Simon.
She’d arrived at a few dances on Horace’s arm only to find Simon with the town’s librarian, Miss Mary Hunnicut, who was younger than Janie. Let him take up with the younger woman, Janie thought, it made no difference; she knew it was all a sham, just as her courtship with Horace had been. Simon could deny his feelings for as long as he wanted, but she knew he loved her, yet his fear for her safety kept him away from her. And she’d just received a letter stating hers and Simon’s annulment had been finalized. Her heart broke at the thought they were no longer married.
Now Horace stood before her in the doorway to Katie’s Palace kitchen, hat in hand, sad look on his face.
“I’m sorry,” Janie apologized. “We’re just too different. I can’t see that our seeing each other more would draw us any closer, Horace. You’re a fine man, but we’re not meant to be together. Because Simon’s the only man meant for me!
“Well, Miz Miller, if you ever change your mind…”
“I won’t,” she inserted. “Thank you, though. Now, if you’ll excuse me?”
He stared at her for the longest time, then shook his head, as though clearing his brain.
“Oh! Of course. I’m taking you from your work”
She nodded. “Good day, Horace.”
In the kitchen, she slammed an iron skillet on the stove and started frying eggs. She looked up with a scowl at Katie who ambled into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Janie sighed, then turned off the oven burner and sank into a chair. Swiping at the tears in her eyes, she murmured, “This farce to make Simon jealous isn’t working. He’s seeing other women.”
Katie scoffed, “Yes, James and I noticed and Simon’s miserable, believe me. What happened between you and Horace?”
“I told him we aren’t meant for each other.”
“I suppose that was for the best. I could see you were having difficulty being convincing about your feelings for him and I suppose it wasn’t right to lead him to believe there could ever be something between the two of you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Janie exploded.
With a laugh, Katie said, “You are not an actress, Janie. If you want to convince Simon to have a change of heart you must be convincing. You weren’t, at least not with Horace.” Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she said, “We have to find a handsome, virile man you can take up with to convince Simon that you’ve found someone new.
Janie rose to her feet and turned the burner back on. “No. I’ll be a spinster or the rest of my life—unless Simon changes his mind.”
“So, you mean to tell me you’ll carry a torch for him for the rest of your life?” At Janie’s nod, Katie snapped, “Over my dead body.”
Glaring at Katie, Janie said, “Why are you so intent on me making Simon jealous? It hasn’t worked!”
Katie sighed. “I know. Simon is the most stubborn man I’ve ever met—second to James, of course.”
Janie chuckled. “You are so lucky to have James, and you know it.”
“True, I am the luckiest of women. And you could be too. Let’s just give things a rest for a while and see if things happen on their own. Maybe Simon will change his mind without our intervention.”
“That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said of late, Katie,” Janie remarked.
Simon scowled at his reflection in the hallway mirror as he wound a tie around his neck. His thought was centered on the same person they’d been on a month ago…two months ago. Janie. After all was said and done he still missed her, still wanted her for his wife, but what could he do now? He’d ruined everything between them—had lost her trust and likely her love.
Snatching up his hat in the hallway he left this new monstrosity called ‘home’ and headed to the barn. Quickly, he saddled his horse, swung into the saddle and concluded that he’d made a mistake and he’d admit it, to Janie, the one and only woman he’d ever be satisfied with in life.
He’d made a mistake annulling their marriage and he’d find her, this day, after he was done with court, and ask her to marry him again. She’d been right all along; she said she’d rather have as much time happily married to him than not have him in her life at all. Finally, he knew what she meant—knew she’d been right. He’d been miserable without her.
Deciding to take the rode that meandered along the river to Bozeman instead of the direct route he usually took, a pretty picture of Janie settled in his mind. They’d spent many delightful moments sitting along the river bank kissing and talking, though he’d never made love to her. Janie had suffered enough injustices in life that she deserved nothing less than marriage before he took her to his bed. Truth be told, she was always in his mind and until he married her again, his life would be meaningless.
A gunshot resounded in the quiet of the morning. He came to an abrupt halt and narrowed his eyes, ducking low in the s
addle, scanning his surroundings. A loud pounding from behind him came and he whipped around to see two men heading his way on horseback. Wondering for just a second where they’d come from he whipped his horse into a gallop. Any man he didn’t recognize shooting at him meant trouble. That shot had been meant for him but had fallen short due to the distance separating them.
Town was only five miles away. Damn! He realized he’d left his gun behind.
James strode into the kitchen with a deep scowl on his face. “Have you seen Simon about lately?”
Janie’s eyebrows lifted. “Why, no, not since last night when he stopped for supper. Janie bit her lower lip then asked, “Is something wrong?”
“We’ve got a full courtroom of cases to be heard and he hasn’t shown yet. Think I’ll ride out to his place.”
“He’s running late is all,” Katie said reassuringly. “You’ll probably meet up with him along the road.”
Janie frowned. “But Simon’s always punctual.”
“Yeah, I thought the same thing,” James said.
James started to leave but paused when Janie said, “Is Clive still locked up?”
“No. He got himself a clever lawyer and is now out on bond as of a week ago.”
Chills crawled up Janie’s spine and she gasped. “I don’t like the sound of that. I’ve a feeling Clive is up to no good.” She tore off her apron. “I’ll be back later.” She followed James outside.
“Wait! Janie, you can’t do anything,” Katie protested, rushing after her. Pausing outside the saloon she added, “Let James take care of this.”
“If it were James, would you sit still and do nothing?”
Katie scowled. “Of course not, but…all right…I get it. You can’t sit by, can you?”
“No. Simon saved my life once, now maybe, it’s my turn.” Tears filled her eyes and she added, “Though I pray nothing’s happened to him.”
James rode all the way to Simon’s and found no sign of the judge. On the way back to Bozeman he froze in his saddle and slowed down when he saw Janie riding full tilt toward him, stunned, because Janie did not ride horses. She was barely in the saddle and nearly passed him by when he reached out and grasped her horse’s reins, forcing her horse to stop.
“What do you think you’re doing?” James snapped.
“Trying to help you find Simon.”
James sighed. “Get back to the saloon. Simon wouldn’t want you looking for him—hell, I don’t want you to, either.”
“You can’t stop me.” She cast him a cool-eyed look, her gaze never wavering from his.
James swore under his breath, then snapped, “Fine. Have it your way. But do me a favor before you do any more looking.”
“What’s that?”
“Look for him on foot or in a buggie. I don’t want to be responsible for you if you fall off that damned horse and break your neck.”
“He’s not home, is he?” Her heart stalled at James’s expression.
He shook his head. “No.” Looking far down the road, he had a pensive look on his face. Finally, he looked at her and asked, “Did you two used to go somewhere—well—private?”
Janie felt heat seep into her cheeks. “Yes, we have a few.”
“Where? He could very well be sitting under a tree somewhere calm and peaceful, dreaming of you, for all we know.”
“Not Simon, but I’ll tell you where. You know the old apple orchard past his place?” At James nod, she added, “That’s one place. And then there’s a huge old oak tree along the river, close to the west side of his property line.”
James nodded. “I know exactly where that is. I’ll take the river
and—”
“No, I’ll go to the river. But first, can you take me the rest of the way to Simon’s place? I’ll use his buggie.”
“That’s a sensible plan.” James told her. “Hold on to the pummel while I lead you down the road to his house.”
Now that James had arrived, Janie felt much safer and more optimistic about finding Simon. He tugged her horse along behind him while she held on tight. At the farm, James hitched a horse to Simon’s buckboard instead of the buggie, knowing the road to the river was rugged. They parted ways with James admonishing Janie, “Be watchful and don’t be afraid to use that gun.”
She glared at him. “Now, what makes you think I’ve a gun with me?”
He grinned. “Cause you are so much like my Katie, and I can’t imagine her looking for me without one.”
Janie laughed and saluted him. “I’ll meet you back in town.”
As Janie drove the wagon along the road that led to the river she was watchful. She brought the horse to a slower pace when she thought she saw movement in the brush up ahead alongside the road. Then she came to a complete stop when a horse tore out of the woods and galloped down the road away from her—Simon’s horse!
She just started to raise the reins to snap them against the horse’s back to search for Simon, thinking his horse had thrown him but stopped when a man stepped out of the woods and onto the road. He had his arm around Simon’s neck. Another man stepped out as well and faced Simon. He waved his arms around then poked Simon’s chest a few times.
Janie had a perfect view of the three men since they were facing sideways. She gasped when the man who’d been poking Simon’s chest pulled a gun out of his holster. Neither of these men was Clive, though she had a suspicion that Clive had put these men up to the dastardly deed.
Her gasp caught the men’s attention. She was too close. They’d heard her. The one who’d been poking Simon swore and started running down the road toward her, pointing his gun.
“Get out of here!” Simon shouted.
She ducked down but managed to slap the reins against the horse’s back and started to turn the horse and wagon around to head back the way she’d come. Once she’d completed the turn she slapped the reins again, squatting in front of the seat, keeping low when she heard gunshots whizzing past her. Keeping her eyes on the road she was relieved to see James barreling toward her and she pulled the horse to a stop.
“No, James,” Simon warned. “Get Janie out of here.”
Filled with relief, Janie watched with wide eyes as James kept coming. She knew he wasn’t going to stop. Thank you, James! Once he tore past her, she whirled around, kept low, eyeing the frightening scene between the slats of the back of the old wooden seat. James, riding faster than she’d ever seen a man ride a horse, also ducked low. He rode, one hand on the reins, guiding his horse, the other holding his gun straight out and pointed at the man still running toward him. The man had to be a fool! Then she knew he was for he came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the road, dropped to his knee and pointed his gun at James.
James made a maneuver that prompted a gasp of surprise from Janie. He launched himself off his horse, did a roll into the brush alongside the road, then popped up and shot the man. Two hits and the man was down. He didn’t move and James slowly rose to his feet, his gun still out of its holster.
Janie had been occupied by James and the man attacking them she hadn’t looked toward Simon. Horror filled her heart when she saw the man facing them now, his arm still wound around Simon’s neck, a gun to his head.
“Shit! Come any closer, Sheriff, and he’s a dead man,” the man cursed.
James started walking toward them. “Gordon? Is that you? I thought Simon put you away for life.”
The man snickered, “Nothin’ can keep me imprisoned, no walls, no men, no guns—nothin’!”
Janie noted the wild-eyed look on his face and his voice trembled when he spoke again.
“Ain’t no one gonna lock me up again. No one!”
Amazingly, his words didn’t give James pause; he just kept on walking. His voice was calm, almost soothing Janie thought.
“Gordon, you’re just making it worse for yourself. By the way, how did you escape the prison in Texas, anyway?”
“A desperate man finds a way,” he said illusively. “Damn it
all, Sheriff, I said stop right there.” He cocked the gun.
One of the men Simon had put away had escaped and come for retribution, Janie realized. Isn’t this exactly what Simon had warned her about? Gasping then, she shouted, “Wait, James!” He’s going to shoot Simon.”
James stopped but kept looking straight ahead. “Janie, I said stay down.”
“Listen to him, honey,” Simon begged.
She jumped down from the wagon, pulled up the buggie seat and yanked out the gun she’d brought with her. Then she started moving forward until she was nearly eye to eye with the horse.
“Janie,” Simon warned, “Don’t come any closer.”
Gordon’s eyes honed in on Janie. “My, my, ain’t she just a purty little thing.”
Janie gulped and stayed glued against the horse, trying to remember the last time anyone called her little. Fury started boiling inside her then. This scum of the earth would not kill Simon, or James or her. She kept her gun hidden in the folds of her skirts as she walked toward them.
“That’s right, sweet thing, you come right on over here.” Gordon pressed the nose of the gun harder against Simon’s head. “She yer girlfriend, Judge?”
Janie saw the spittle on Gordon’s face but managed to keep her expression calm, hiding her revulsion. She drew closer still and in a soft, alluring tone, she said, “I’m no one’s girlfriend. Listen, Gordon, is it? I work over at Katie’s Palace in town. Why don’t you stop by tonight? We’ll have a few drinks, share a dance or two…” She shrugged. “Then we’ll see where the rest of the night takes us.”
“Janie! What in the hell are you saying?” Simon stormed.
She didn’t reply but drew up alongside James and stopped. Glancing at him she thought she saw his shoulders shaking. Then, the longer she looked at him, she knew they were. His lips were pressed together tightly, and he met her eyes for just a quick moment. Humor blazed in them and she huffed to herself and thought, the man thinks I’m hilarious, doesn’t think I can play the part of a siren. Why, I’ll show him! She took a step, passed him by. He snapped the gun into his left hand and reached out with his right. She side-stepped him and kept heading toward Simon and his attacker.
