Wanted: Dead or Alive

by Faye Byrd

  Leaving Star tethered, I sneak toward the back of the buildings in an attempt to avoid running into anyone. Staying low, I duck around and in between ‘em ‘til I done made my way to the small, wooden building that’s currently holding the reason I live and breathe.

  A quick assessment of the sides and back reveal that there ain’t even a window for me to peep through. I slide down against the back wall and take deep breaths in an attempt to figure out what the hell I’m gone do and why the hell she done left me in this position.

  Course I need a trust her, but she damn well has to know how hard this is for me. Am I ‘posed to just leave her alone and hope she makes it out? Surely, she don’t expect me to wait very long. I can’t. Even right now my mind’s going wild, imagining her locked behind cold, steel bars.

  I can be a patient man, after all, look how long I waited to find Josie, but even a patient man has limits and mine’s a wasting away. I watch as the sun makes its movement over the sky, every single minute like torture. When I can’t stand it no longer, I stand and pull out my lone Colt, making my way to the front door.

  I stop and listen for a second, and all’s quiet on the other side. Placing my fingers on the handle, I go to turn the knob, hopefully being quiet enough not to draw attention. But as soon as I’m inside, I know that’s a lost cause.

  My shoulders sag in relief when Josie jumps up and comes running my way soon as she sees me. I take her in my arms while giving the nosy looking lawman the stink-eye over her shoulder. He just looks at me with his furry mustache twitching, a frown pulling down his lips.

  “Outlaw, what took ya so long?” Josie asks as she pulls out of my arms. I want to just grab her and run out the door, the Montana Territory be damned. Mexico’s looking better and better every second.

  I finally pull my eyes from Sheriff Stache and focus on my crazy wife. “What you mean, what took me so long? What the heck ya doin’ here, Cowgirl?” My eyes go wide as I move ‘em ‘round the room so she gets exactly what I’m saying.

  She laughs at me and moves closer, her fingers landing to do a little walk up my chest. Now normally, this’d be all she needs to do to distract me, but not today. Not while we standing here under the scrutiny of Sheriff Stache. And his eyes ain’t left us for one second.

  I grab her hand and stop it, receiving a frown. “Cowgirl, this ain’t the time or the place. Now tell me what ya doin’ in here, talkin’ to him.” I tilt my head behind her, and she turns, a big ole smile forming on her lips.

  “Nathan, this here’s, well, he’s my pa,” she says, cutting her eyes back to me and grabbing my hand in an attempt to draw me deeper into the room.

  But I don’t move.

  My eyes narrow on the man still seated behind his desk. Taking him in, sure, he has red hair and green eyes, but so do a ton of other people. My mind works fast to process this information while Josie just stares at me strangely, waiting for me to give in.

  But I don’t.

  I have my Colt pointed at him so fast it causes her to gasp. “What the hell, Nathan!” she exclaims and attempts to push my pistol down. But I don’t relent, in fact, I move closer to Sheriff Stache.

  “That’s my question,” I respond, but my eyes are on him, cold as ice. “What the hell kind of crap ya spewin’ to my wife?”

  He crosses his arms and huffs, looking to Josie. “Mighty fine man ya done married there,” he says sarcastically.

  I pull the hammer back. “Damn right I am,” I say with every ounce of conviction I possess. “She married a man who’s gone look after her and take care of her no matter what. And right now, it looks like she’s needin’ just that.”

  He stands, and he’s an imposing figure in the small space, but that makes no matter to me. A bullet works whether they big or small. “Look, Nathan, I understand ya gone be weary, especially ‘cause of my profession, but—”

  “But nothing,” I state, moving even closer, my jaw clenched even tighter. “I don’t know what game you playin’, but whatever it is, ya can forget involving my Josie.” I hold my Colt up high, aiming it right between his eyes. “I ain’t one to kill a lawman, but when it comes down to them or us, it’ll always be us.”

  Josie’s grabs her double barrel from my back, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe she’s finally listening to me. But then, the most unexpected thing in the world happens. The hard steel presses into the back of my head, right behind my ear.

  “Outlaw, I love ya more than anythin’, but ya ain’t gone shoot my pa,” she says, and her voice is dead serious.

  Even though I don’t want to, I drop my Colt, but still keep it clenched tight in my hand. Sheriff Stache could never draw and shoot before I could plant one in his skull.

  “Josie,” I say not taking my eyes off the sheriff. “Ya know I’ll do anythin’ to keep ya safe, right?”

  She sighs, but the gun stays right where she planted it. “I know ya would, Outlaw, but this here ain’t one of them times,” she says softly, her voice begging with me to understand.

  But I can’t.

  And if it’s him or us, Pa or not, he’s gone be the one not to walk away. “Please, just … just sit and listen ‘fore ya make up ya mind. We got nothin’ to worry ‘bout here.”

  It’s hard to keep hold of my anger and worry when she begs me this way, but I got to keep it within me. I can’t allow myself to be lulled into a false sense of security like she apparently has. Who would’ve thought, that in this tiny town, way up north, we’d run into such trouble?

  Not me, that’s for sure.

  But that’s what makes it all so unbelievable. Out of all the towns we could a picked, we pick the one holding Josie’s pa? And then, he’s the sheriff too? It’s just too much of a coincidence, and frankly, I ain’t buying it.

  But I guess my cowgirl is, so I relax my stance, and say, “All right, Cowgirl. I reckon it won’t hurt to listen.”

  “Good,” she breathes, but instead of dropping her barrel, she just nudges me forward. I have to laugh at that ‘cause what’s the alternative? I know Josie, and ain’t no way she’d actually shoot me, but I also know that for her to pull this move, she really believes what she’s saying. So for that, I guess I can listen too.

  And then I’ll shoot him and steal her away.

  Sheriff Stache’s lips twitch as I move forward to take a vacant chair across from him. As I do, my eyes scan the rest of the room. There’s one tiny cell, empty, and that’s about it, besides this desk area where we currently sitting.

  Josie grabs another chair that was off to the side and pulls it right up next to me, I breathe a little sigh of relief at her closeness. She smoothes her palm down my arm and guides my hand to holster my Colt.

  And I let her.

  When I’m done, she keeps a hold of my hand. “Outlaw, I know this is hard for you to believe, but it’s true. This is my pa.” She turns her eyes from me to Sheriff Stache and grants him a smile. And it’s a real smile, a smile that brings wetness to her eyes.

  “Josie, baby,” I say easily, trying not to rile her up again. “How could ya believe that out of all the places we chose to stop, that we just so happen to stop where ya pa is?”

  She practically bounces in her spot. “I know, ain’t we lucky?”

  My eyes widen, they ain’t no getting through to her, so I turn to Sheriff Stache. “I don’t know how ya done convinced her of this, but you can bet I’m gone be a much harder sell.” I lean forward and push my pointer finger into his desk.

  He leans closer himself and props his meaty elbows on all the paperwork scattered before him. “Well, Nathan, it’s actually gone be quite easy.” At my lifted brow, he continues, “Aside from the fact that my name’s George Brady, father to Josephine Brady Hess, there’s the simple, clear fact that Josie here actually remembers me.” He motions to her and leans back, crossing his arms and smirking.

  I gape at him for a second ‘fore my eyes snap to Josie. “You remember him? I thought ya was like five when ya last saw him.”<
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  Her eyes narrow to slits. “I was five, but ya think I’m an idiot, Nathan?”

  My shoulders slump.

  The last thing I want is to have tension with Josie, she’s my everything and on the off chance that this really is her pa, well then, I guess I’m gone have to accept it. But first, I’m gone get to his motives.

  I chance a look back to Sheriff Stache, my eyes catching on something peeking from the other paperwork scattered on his desk. I reach for it and hold it up. “And this here?” I ask, my own smirk forming.

  He sighs, his eyes glancing to the wanted poster. “That actually came from Helena. You have to understand that it’s the first time I laid eyes on my daughter in so many years. It was … hard to accept, actually. But I made my peace with it, got in touch with a Texas Ranger, who’s been kind enough to keep me informed.”

  I freeze in my spot and so does Josie. Sheriff Stache’s been talking to Ranger Frank. How we know he ain’t already on his way here to take us in. ‘Fore I can open my mouth and make those accusations, though, Sheriff Stache holds up his hands.

  “Calm down, the both of ya. I can see the wheels a turning already. Listen,” he says, his eyes pleading with us to hear him out, “I know ya got no reason to trust me, to trust any lawman, but ya safe here. No one in town has ever heard of the Outlaw Nathan King or his sidekick Josie. Last I communicated with Frank, he’d found out what actually happened in Texas that started this whole mess, and he was hanging up his hat on the hunt.”

  My brows rise. “Really? How am I supposed to believe that?”

  He shrugs. “’Cause it’s true. I can’t force ya to believe me, but I can offer ya a life away from crime. This here’s my town, and Josie’s my daughter, I want her safe and happy, and I can give her that.”

  It’s a strange thing hearing this man talk like he can grant our wildest wishes; that he has the power to make our dream life come true. But it’s also scary. Can I trust him? That’s the honest to goodness real question here. ‘Cause if I make the wrong choice, I risk my cowgirl’s life.

  Josie’s hand tightens on mine. “What ya mean, Pa?” The expression on her face is a mix of fear and hope.

  He leans forward, looking my cowgirl dead in the eye, his expression more serious than it’s been this whole time. “Did ya leave a trail this way?”

  Josie shakes her head no. “Last place we was seen was in Nevada, and, it was south of Reno, which is where our last big job was.”

  He nods. “Good. So as far as people know ya still roaming ‘round down there?”

  “Well, uh,” Cowgirl goes to say, but I squeeze her hand real tight causing her to look at me. I give her a slight shake of my head. We can’t go laying all our cards on the table, yet.

  His shrewd eyes snap to mine. “I can’t help ya if I don’t know what’s goin’ on. You can’t be keepin’ things from me.”

  I lift my chin and snort. “How am I supposed to trust that ya really are tryin’ to help us?”

  “Look, Nathan, I know plenty about ya, as much as I could find out without makin’ the trip to the Arizona Territory. I know ya a half-decent man who’s helped some people out, but also one who’ll kill if he’s pushed. I ain’t lookin’ to push, okay? I’m just wantin’ to look out for my daughter.” His words are clear and to the point, and I find myself wanting to believe him, even dreaming of the life we could have here with the protection of the local lawman.

  So I ask, “Okay, so what ya propose we do?”

  “It’s simple really,” he says matter-of-factly. “Just settle into town as new people, like the names on that there letter ya sent, and I’ll be more than welcoming. There’s an old cabin ‘bout a mile out of town that’d be perfect for the two of ya, and I just happen to own it.” He looks to Josie. “It’s yours if ya want it.”

  My cowgirl looks to me with all the hope in the world shining in her eyes. I can’t help myself, I nod. A smile as bright as the sun lights her face, and she jumps over in my lap, circling her arms ‘round me so tight. I hold her close and pray that this ain’t our downfall.

  Over her shoulder, I meet Sheriff Stache’s eyes, my own narrowing. “You do realize that if ya tryin’ to double cross us, you’ll die a painful death?”

  Josie leans up and twists ‘round to look at her pa.

  “I second that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The New Residents

  NATHAN

  The first few weeks in this sleepy town keeps me on edge. I’m constantly watching my back, just a waiting on someone to try and take us down, but it never happens. The people are warm and welcoming, nice as they can be, and Sheriff Stache is constantly present, offering any kind of help we might need.

  This town is so different from the dry, dusty landscape from which we came. It’s green and lush and full of huge trees with large mountains in the distance. The cabin is a decent, little two bedroom on the outskirts of town with a small barn for the horses. Sure, it needs some spiffing up, but I got all the time in the world it seems. We got nowhere to be, no job to do, and that alone is taking a little getting used to.

  It’s a Sunday, about two months after we arrived, and I’m out on the porch replacing some broken boards when Sheriff Stache rides up in a carriage. I stop my hammering and wait as he approaches. “Mornin’,” I greet as soon as he’s in hearing distance.

  He tips his hat as he walks up the first steps. “Mornin’, Nathan.” He holds out an envelope I didn’t notice he was carrying. “Got this in late yesterday, and I thought you’d want it as soon as possible.”

  My brows rise and excitement bubbles in my veins. I toss my hammer to the side and jump up to grab the letter. “Thanks, George.” I don’t even pay him no mind as I rip into the envelope.

  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cole,

  We were so pleased to hear from you after so long. Then to receive a second letter only a week later, we feel we are truly blessed. The family is doing wonderful, thank you for asking, and we are so happy to hear that you’ve finally found somewhere to settle.

  Your cousins just visited with us, and we were able to pass along your good news. They asked us to send their good wishes and inform you they will do their best to travel to see you.

  We hope this letter finds you well and look forward to hearing from you again, soon! The whole family sends our love and wishes you the greatest of happiness in your new home.

  Much Love,

  Roy and May

  I read the letter again, unaware of the smile that’s lit my face.

  “Must be good news,” Sheriff Stache muses from his spot leaned up against a post.

  I tear my eyes away from the letter and nod. “It’s just good to hear from my family.” I sigh. “Usually, we just get to send letters, this time, we gettin’ to receive ‘em too.” And then the reality really hits me. “And I guess I got you to thank for that.”

  He walks away from the post and slams his meaty palm into my shoulder. “No need, Nathan. Like I said, I just want my daughter safe and happy. And if ya can trust me completely, I’m gone give y’all that. The both of ya.”

  I ponder his words and can’t find much fault. He’s had plenty time to take us down or call in whoever, and it just ain’t happened. He dotes on Josie and treats her like she’s the sun in his world. I can’t ever see him turning his back on her, and me by extension.

  I give him a slow nod. “I’m gettin’ there, George.”

  He smiles wide and removes his hand after one more, firm squeeze. “Good. Now, where’s Josie?”

  I tilt my head toward the door. “She’s workin’ on breakfast. Let’s go see if she’s got it ready.”

  We both head inside and find my cowgirl just pulling a pan of biscuits from the cast iron oven. She sports a shining smile when she sees the two of us. “Well, if it ain’t my two most favorite men.”

  I walk over and give her a big ole kiss then take my seat at the table while Sheriff Stache gets his own hug. “Morning, Josie,” he mumbles a
s he pulls back.

  “Morning, Pa. You just take a seat at the table, and breakfast will be ready as soon as this here gravy’s done.” She plops the biscuits on the table and turns back to the stove.

  I clear my throat. “Ya pa here was just delivering some mail,” I say easily, already anticipating her reaction.

  She don’t disappoint, she spins ‘round so fast, her eyes wide as saucers. “Mail?” she asks, her voice about ten octaves higher than normal.

  I smile real wide and nod my head, holding up the envelope. She practically squeals and runs around, snatching it out of my hand. I chuckle at her giddiness, but I expected no less. This is a pretty big moment for us.

  Sure, the letter don’t say much, but we all got parts to play. Distant relatives just looking to keep in touch, nothing too personal can be relayed in order to keep our anonymity. But it says everything we need a know. Our family is healthy and happy, and Baby Face and Piano Girl know where to find us.

  I watch my cowgirl as her eyes scan the page over and over, a huge beaming smile on her face. When she finally looks back at us again, she rushes to her pa and gives him the biggest hug ever. “Thank ya, Pa, for bringin’ this out. It means the world to me.”

  He pats her on the back as he accepts her hug and meets my eyes over her shoulder, giving me a brow raise as if to say, see this is all I want in life. And I can’t help it, I agree. It’s all I want too. I want to see my cowgirl this happy for the rest of her life.

  When she’s done with him, she grabs the pan of gravy from the stove and sits it on the table, then she finds her place, right in my lap, planting her lips on mine in a way that’s so not appropriate for the breakfast table. Sheriff Stache clears his throat loudly, but she don’t budge, for a second anyway.

  Finally, she pulls away, giggling, and turns to him. “Sorry, Pa. I’m just happy.”

  His cheeks are tinged pink, but he gives her a small nod.