“Oh?”
“The real reason I came into town tonight had nothing to do with the outlaws,” Chancy made bold to confess. “I wanted to see you.”
“Oh?” Missy repeated herself.
Chancy looked deep into her eyes. “From the moment we met, I haven’t stopped thinking about you. I couldn’t hardly sleep. I couldn’t hardly eat. And then this happened.”
“I bet you’ve liked a lot of girls.”
“You’d lose the bet.”
“I’m flattered that you’re so fond of me,” Missy said, “but to be honest, that happens a lot. All a girl has to do is smile at a cowpoke and he thinks he’s in love.”
Now it was Chancy’s turn to go “Oh.”
“That’s probably all it is.”
“No.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Chancy took another deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about it and thinking about it and I’ve made up my mind. I’d like to take you away from here. I’d like for you to come with me to Wichita, and once I’m paid for the drive, I’d like for you and me to become better acquainted.”
“Oh, really?” Missy said. “Men offer me money to do that all the time.”
Chancy felt himself blush from his toes to his hairline. “That’s not how I meant it. We would live together.”
Missy laughed.
“As husband and wife.”
Missy stopped laughing.
“What do you say?” Chancy asked when she didn’t respond.
“You’re crazy.”
“I’ve never been clearer about anything in my whole life,” Chancy said. “Sure, we’ve only just met. But I feel for you like I’ve never felt for anyone.” He mustered a grin. “And as folks like to say, I should strike while the iron is hot.”
Missed bowed her head and said softly, “Chancy, Chancy, Chancy.”
“What?”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I sure as blazes do.”
“I’m not for you.”
“Says who?”
Missy looked up. “You hardly know anything about me. We might not be compatible. Could be if we moved in together, you’d toss me out on my ear inside of a week.”
“Didn’t you hear the part about husband and wife?”
“Some men don’t take that any more seriously than they do sleeping together.”
Chancy’s ears burned fit to fall off. “I’m not one of them. If I say ‘I do,’ you have me forever.”
Missy smiled with genuine warmth. “You’re a romantic cuss. I’ll say that for you.”
“So, what do you say? Come with me when I go.” Chancy added jokingly, “I’ll make an honest woman of you.”
Color bloomed in Missy’s cheeks. “Are you suggesting I’m not now?”
“Never in a million years,” Chancy assured her. “I’d stake my life you’re as virtuous as any gal alive.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Missy said, her color deepening.
“I don’t care about any of that,” Chancy said. “All I care about is you and me. I reckon what this boils down to is I’m asking you, Missy Burke, to be my wife. Not right this moment, you understand. But I’d like you to marry me, and I promise to do my best to make you proud.”
“Oh, Chancy.”
“I’d like an answer.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You already said that.”
“You’re really crazy.”
Chancy reached across the table and placed his hand on hers. She didn’t draw back, and he took that as encouragement. “What do you say? Would you do me the honor of becoming Missy Gantry?”
“If I said yes, I’d have to be as crazy as you.”
“Then we’d be two peas in a pod.”
Missy laughed, but her face was troubled. “I honestly don’t think you know what you’re asking.”
“I think I do.”
“We’re going to get married? Just like that?” Missy snapped her fingers.
“Well, I have to make it out of here alive, and we have to make it to Wichita, but after that, as sure as the sun rises and sets, I’ll take you for my wife if you’ll admit you’re as loco as you claim I am.”
“Oh God.”
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain. Look in your heart and give me an answer.”
“Right this second?”
“Those outlaws could bust in that door any minute and fill me with lead,” Chancy said. “I’d like to die happy.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
“Then what will it be?”
“You badger a person. Do you know that?”
“I’ll badger you until doomsday if there’s any chance you’ll say yes. That’s how serious I am.”
Missy stared at him. Really stared, as if trying to see inside him. Abruptly rising, she came around the table, startled him by cupping his chin in both of her hands, and bent. “You want an answer? I’ll give you an answer you’ll never forget.”
And she pressed her lips to his.
Chapter 45
Chancy Gantry thought he had died and gone to heaven. He woke well before dawn and lay in the dark with his eyes open staring at the ceiling and marveling at the miracle that had occurred.
Careful not to wake Missy, Chancy tilted his head to admire her profile. Her cheek was on his chest, her hand on his shoulder, exactly as she had fallen asleep after they talked and talked and talked about their future together. She still wore her robe over her dress, and had fallen asleep with her shoes on.
Chancy wanted to stroke her hair but refrained. He would let her sleep awhile yet. The day ahead promised to be fraught with peril, especially for him. Somehow he must sneak out of Prosperity and back to his outfit without being caught. At night it had been easy sneaking in, but broad daylight was another matter. Especially since Missy was going with him.
They had made up their minds. From here on out, they stuck together. He refused to leave her for any reason.
Chancy imagined Lucas Stout’s reaction. The trail boss might fire him on the spot. But that was all right. He had a few dollars in his war bag, and Missy had more than a few socked away. They’d head north, be married by the first parson they came across, and start their new life together. They didn’t need his pay from the cattle drive, although they could surely use the extra money.
Chancy thought of Ollie and frowned. His pard might take the news hard. He consoled himself with the notion that while Ollie might be a bit simpleminded, he was a grown man and would eventually come to accept Chancy’s new status in life.
Missy stirred. She smacked her lips and made a soft cooing sound, and her hand drifted from his shoulder to his chest.
Chancy sensed that she was awake. To be on the safe side, he whispered, “Morning, beautiful.”
“Morning yourself, handsome.”
Chancy nearly burst with happiness.
“Have you come to your senses?” Missy asked.
“We’re still getting hitched, if that’s what you mean.”
“Still loco, then,” Missy said, and turning her face up to him, she smiled and kissed him on the chin.
“If this is a dream I hope it never ends.”
“You should be so lucky,” Missy said, and ran a finger along his cheek. “You proposed and I accepted, so now you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”
“I can’t tell you how much I like it,” Chancy said.
“What is it about you?” Missy said.
“Me how?”
“All the men I’ve met, all the gents who have bought me drinks, and you do what none of those others could.”
Chancy scowled. “That’s the last time we’ll bring them up.”
“Jealous, are you, Mr. Gantry?
” Missy giggled and nuzzled her nose against his neck.
“Jealous as Hades,” Chancy admitted.
“Don’t be. Not one of them could hold a candle to you. From here on out it’s you and only you.”
Chancy hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “If I died right this second, I’d die at the best moment of my life.”
“Do me a favor and don’t,” Missy said drily. “There are a lot more best moments to come.” She suddenly raised her head and looked toward the front. “Say. I wonder where Della got to. She stayed out the whole night.”
“Maybe she took up with one of the outlaws,” Chancy said.
“Could be. She does that from time to time. When she has the itch, as she likes to say.”
“That’s the last time we’ll bring up itches too.”
“Not if you’re married to me, it isn’t.”
“You’re downright scandalous, Mrs. Gantry,” Chancy teased.
“And proud of it.”
They embraced and kissed. After a while Missy disentangled herself, sat up, and patted him. “That’s enough. We carry this any further, we’ll get carried away. And you were the one who insisted we wait.”
“It seems right,” Chancy said.
“My perfect gentleman,” Missy said tenderly.
“My ma would laugh herself silly to hear you say that. She used to say I had the manners of a goat.”
“How old were you when she said that?”
“Eight or nine.”
“You’ve grown since then.” Missy slid off the bed and went to the stove. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll have coffee perking. How do you like yours?”
“Usually black, but today with sugar and milk if you’ve any to spare.”
Placing his hands behind his head, Chancy closed his eyes and listened to her patter about. The cupboard opened and closed, and then the door to the stove squeaked.
“I have to go out and fetch some firewood,” Missy informed him. “The pile is right around the side. I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” Chancy said. He wasn’t in any hurry. He aimed to stay there half the morning, at least. Grinning, he sighed with absolute contentment.
The latch rasped and the door hinges creaked. A gust of cool breeze filled the cabin, and Chancy broke out in gooseflesh. He was so at peace he started to drift off.
It was only with an effort that he jerked himself out of the deep well of sleep. He listened for Missy and thought he heard her at the side of the cabin.
A minute or two went by.
Chancy yawned and perked his ears. He wondered what was keeping her, and went to call out but thought better of it. Someone else might hear. Figuring he’d better go see, he opened his eyes and found himself staring up into the muzzle of a cocked six-shooter.
“Morning,” Ira Reid said.
Chapter 46
Chancy’s reaction was to sit bolt upright and tense to stab for his Remington. He saw others in the cabin, saw a man who had hold of Missy around the waist and his other hand clamped over her mouth, and he turned to stone.
“Shucks,” Reid said. “I was hoping you’d do something dumb.” Smirking, he relieved Chancy of the Remington and took a couple of steps back. “Rise and shine, cowboy. The last day of your life is about to commence.”
Filled with fear for Missy, Chancy slowly swung his boots to the floor and sat up. “Don’t you harm her, damn you.’
“The little dove?” Reid said, and laughed. “Hell, I’ll slap her silly later. Right now it’s you we’re going to have fun with.”
Chancy’s mouth had gone so dry that he had to moisten it in order to say, “How did you catch on that I was here?”
“You have Della to thank,” Reid said. “Everyone at the saloon was talking about you cowboys and she mentioned how scared she’d been when Margie and her showed up and saw the three of you near that curtain.”
“How did that give me away?” Chancy asked when the gunman stopped.
“I’m not there yet,” Reid said. “Then she let drop how Missy had come walking in, and she was scared the three of them might take a stray slug.”
“I still don’t—” Chancy said, and stopped.
“Figured it out, have you?” Reid said. “When I was here last night, little Missy there led me to believe she hadn’t been to the saloon. That she’d been here the whole time because of her womanly complaint. It got me to thinking. Why would she lie to me?” Reid’s mouth curled in a vicious grin. “Guess I have my answer.”
Chancy couldn’t stand seeing Missy manhandled. “Tell that lout to let her go. He shouldn’t be pawing her like that.”
“You have a high opinion of doves,” Reid said, but he motioned with his Smith & Wesson. “Release her, Simmons.”
The moment she was free, Missy darted past Ira Reid and threw herself into Chancy’s arms.
“Isn’t this sweet?” Reid said, and snorted.
“I’m sorry,” Missy whispered in Chancy’s ear. “They were waiting outside. I didn’t have a chance to warn you.”
“Enough of that,” Reid said. “On your feet, girl.”
Missy turned in Chancy’s lap. “No.”
“Are you hankering to be pistol-whipped?”
Thrusting her chin out defiantly, Missy replied, “Do what you will with me. I’m his now, and whatever you do to him, you have to do to me.”
“Missy, no,” Chancy said.
“You’re his?” Reid said in puzzlement.
“He asked me to marry him and I accepted.”
Reid snorted, then said to the men behind him, “Lord help us, boys. What we have here are two jackasses in love.”
Some of them laughed.
“Stop treating her like she’s a no-account,” Chancy said, bristling.
“She is what she is,” Reid said, and shook his head. “I’ve known women to pull stupid stunts, but this takes the cake.”
“People fall in love all the time,” Missy said.
“Get off him and step aside.”
“I will not,” Missy said, and wrapped her arms around Chancy.
“Enough of this,” Reid said. “Simmons, you and Ackerman haul her off him, and if she resists, club her.”
The two men moved toward the bed.
Swinging Missy behind him, Chancy prepared to protect her as best he was able. “They’re not to touch her, you hear?” Unarmed, he couldn’t do much, but he might get in a few licks.
The pair was grinning like wolves about to pounce on prey when several newcomers filed through the doorway. The other outlaws were quick to make room.
“What do we have here?” Artemis Krine asked. He was flanked by Mayor Broom and Ives.
Reid didn’t appear happy about the intrusion. “I caught one of the cowboys. This sow was hiding him.”
“Is that a fact?” Krine said. He flicked a finger, and Simmons and Ackerman hastily got out of his way. “What do you have to say for yourself, girl?”
“She’s in love,” Reid said.
“I didn’t ask you,” Krine said.
“What are you mad at me for?” Reid said.
Krine faced him. “We hear tell you learned about the cowboy a while ago. Yet you didn’t get word to us.”
“We don’t like being kept in the dark, Ira,” Mayor Broom said.
“No,” Krine said. “We don’t.” He placed his hand on his Starr revolver.
“Whoever told you got it wrong,” Reid said. “I wasn’t sure for certain anyone besides the girl was in here until a little before you got here. Ask the others.”
Simmons and Ackerman and another man nodded.
“I didn’t bust in sooner because I figured you’d want him alive,” Reid explained hastily, “so I took him by surprise.”
Krine took his hand off
the Starr. “You did right fine.” He turned toward the bed. “As for you two, I don’t kill women. That’s not to say I won’t let Reid teach you a lesson, girl.” He paused. “Your boyfriend is another matter. I can use him as a bargaining chip.”
“A what?” Missy said.
“Ever played poker?” Krine said. “Those cowboys might be out to cause more trouble.” He wagged his thumb at Chancy. “With his help, I believe I can persuade them to change their minds.”
“I’ll never help you,” Chancy declared.
“That’s where you’re wrong, boy,” Krine said. “You see, I don’t need you to cooperate. All I need is your body.”
Chapter 47
Reid gleefully pointed his six-shooter at Chancy’s head. “Let me blow out his wick.”
“No,” Krine said.
“But you just told us—”
“I know what I said.”
Mayor Broom held out his hand to Missy. His head had been bandaged, and he wasn’t wearing his bowler. “Come on, Miss Burke. It’ll be daylight soon and we have things to do before the sun is up.”
“I’m staying right here,” Missy declared.
“You know me, Miss Burke,” Broom said. “I don’t hurt ladies. I’m always polite. Always considerate. I only have your best interest at heart. Come quietly and I give you my word no harm will come to your young cowboy friend.”
“He’s my betrothed.”
Broom glanced at Chancy and snickered. “My word.”
“Well, he is,” Missy said.
“He’ll be your dead betrothed if you don’t stop being so stubborn. There’s only so much pigheadedness Krine will abide. Do you and your young man a favor by getting up and coming with us and convincing him to do the same.”
“I don’t know,” Missy said.
“Otherwise,” Mayor Broom continued, “these gentlemen behind me will beat him to a pulp and carry him out. So you see? One way or the other he’s coming with us. How damaged he is, that’s up to you.”
Chancy wouldn’t have let go of her for the world, but Missy reluctantly unwrapped her arms and rose.
“I have your word?” she said to Broom.
Broom glanced at Krine, and Krine nodded. “You do,” Broom said. “His and mine. Mr. Reid will holster his hardware now to demonstrate our good intentions.”
Ralph Compton Outlaw Town Page 17
