Walking in, he held up the basket. "A picnic."
Turning, she gazed outside. "It's a little dark for us to go to the park."
A grin spread across his face. "True, but we could have one right here in the room."
Anything to cheer her up and wipe the sadness from her face.
"What else?"
Staring at her, he laughed. "You're awfully curious."
"Get on with it, I'm hungry," she said, her voice trembling. "It’s been awhile since breakfast."
"Well, after today, we needed some fun tonight. That Ethel was a character."
"More like a bitch, if you ask me," she said.
Since he met her, Dora had always been a woman who let him know how she felt, but the words were a little harsh even for her. Yet, he could see the pain on her face and knew she spent the afternoon crying. For her sake, he would be glad when this was over.
"That's more like my girl," he said, trying to be cheerful. "Well, I bought us a bottle of whiskey, because I never drink in front of the kids and I longed for a little adult refreshment."
"What if I don't like alcohol," she said.
Most women didn't like the taste and he couldn't argue with them. The liquor was strong, but the whiskey certainly went down easy and sometimes it helped him relax. They both needed to calm down and for one night forget about this frustrating hunt. When they found Leo, they would need their wits about them.
"I'm sure you won't be offended by me taking a little sip."
He walked into the room and sat everything on a table. "Also, I bought a deck of cards. Instead of sitting around moping tonight, I'm going to teach you the fine art of playing poker."
"Too late," she said. "My father taught me."
"Oh, he did," he said. "Good, then you won't mind me taking some of your hard-earned cash."
"You ain't getting a dime," she said.
"Strip poker?"
"Oh no," she said turning to the food. "Where's the whiskey?"
Well, that was certainly not what he expected to hear. Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out the small bottle of liquor.
"Do we have glasses?"
After he found two, he carried them to the table where he opened the bottle and poured them each a small amount and then lifted his glass. "To Leo. May he soon land behind bars and spend the rest of his life there."
They clinked their glasses together and he watched as she took a chug of the drink. With a gasp, her eyes widened, and tears formed in her eyes. The woman had never tasted whiskey.
"Are you trying to poison me?" she choked.
"No," he said, laughing. "This stuff is great whiskey."
Shocked, she poured herself another half glass and lifted her cup to his. "To Leo. May a bullet with his name etched on the metal find its way into his chest."
Once again, they clinked their glasses and she downed a second glass. This time, she handled the liquor a little better.
"We need to eat. That alcohol is going to hit you and you're going to be drunk soon."
The idea of her hanging her head over the slop jar or passing out from the alcohol was not something he wanted to experience.
"I've never been drunk in my life," she said, sitting at the table as he opened the dishes of food. "What did you bring us?"
"A couple pieces of cold chicken, potato salad, and apple pie." Her eyes lit up and a warmth rushed through him.
When she was happy, she was such a beautiful, exciting woman. Whatever happened that made her upset today, he hoped this would cheer her up. With everything Leo put her through, she deserved some happiness. She warranted a man who would love and care for her. And Jesse wanted her.
"I'm starving."
In a matter of moments, they finished the dinner Jesse had brought. After dropping her chicken bones, she wiped her hands and moaned. "Thank you for doing this."
"I thought we should have a picnic since you needed some cheering up today."
"Was it that obvious?" she asked, her face questioning. "Everything sort of came crashing down on me this afternoon. First the sheriff's total disregard for the fact Leo had married two women and was about to marry a third. And Ethel not believing that Leo would do something so egregious. Are women that crazy over men?"
In some ways, she was such an innocent as he busted out laughing, wiping his hands. "Some are. Never seems to happen to me, but yes, some take a look at a man and go all nuts over him."
Twirling the empty glass in her hand, she shook her head.
"For years, I wondered what my father saw in Leo that he would push me toward him. I can't answer that question. Papa made it clear I should marry him."
With a sigh, she set down her empty cup. "So, I married Leo thinking this was what I was meant to do, only to learn very quickly my husband was an impatient man. Someone I never seemed to make happy."
Jesse sighed and remembered his sister saying almost the same words. "Ida said the same thing to me, so you weren't the only one who found him difficult. That she didn't know what he wanted, but whatever she did, it was not enough. Maybe no woman will ever make Leo happy. There is something he's searching for and women are just stepping stones on his journey to find what he wants."
"Money?"
Oh yes, that was exactly what he meant. Leo had dollar signs in his eyes, selling poisonous drink, marrying ladies with cash and stealing. Never working a day, but rather trying to con his way through life.
"Like wealth and riches, which will never make him content," Jesse said.
While they sat eating their apple pie, she asked, "We still playing cards?"
"Oh yes," Jesse said. "The plan is to show you what a smart poker player I am."
"What are we betting on? No, don't say Leo because I won the shooting contest. Don't forget, I'm the one who is going to kill him."
"Don't get your hopes set too high on that one," he said.
Pouring them yet another drink, he gazed at her in amazement as she lifted her cup. "May the best person for the job shoot him. Me."
He laughed and clinked his against hers as he took a sip while she downed the entire glass. Pouring her more whiskey, he lifted his glass. "May my bullet find him first."
"If we keep doing this all night, trying to outdo the other, we're going to be mighty drunk. Bad things happen when people have too much to drink," she said, gazing at him. "You are one handsome man. And your lips feel really good against mine. Remember, I'm no longer a widow."
As he stared across the table, her full mouth beckoned him, and he wanted to growl. If she wasn't careful, she would be experiencing his lips again. Something had to give before he had her naked in bed.
"Let's play cards before you pass out."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to pass out," she said. "By golly, if I can survive Leo's miracle cure, I can withstand whiskey."
Famous last words spoken by a drunk. Leaning toward her, he whispered, "Remember, I saw you naked."
"How can I forget," she responded softly. "But being ill is not the way to see a woman. My memory recalls, I was throwing up and other ghastly things a nice person doesn't discuss."
Still the woman's curves were in all the right places, her shapely hips and full breasts were something he dreamed about. "Everything looked pretty spectacular to me."
"I bet I look better now," she said softly. "Especially since I'm not sick."
Did the woman realize what a temptation she was? Did she realize every night it was all he could do not to ravish her while they shared the same bed? Did she realize he was in a constant state of arousal because of her nearness?
"Dora, unless you want me crossing the line, stop. In the morning, you would hate the fact your vows were broken because we got drunk and things went too far. Deal the damn cards before you find yourself naked in that bed."
Laughing, she grabbed the deck and began to shuffle. As she leaned back and dealt the hand, she sighed softly. "Why are you such a good, tempting man? But you're right. Leo doesn't deserve m
y loyalty, but I made a pledge before God I would not cheat and I'm sticking to that vow."
Not saying anything, he watched her, making up his mind. The temptation was too much and too soon, he would not act on his desires.
"Seven card stud it is. Once this is over, we're going to talk."
"No, once this is over, the talking is done. We're going to have sex," Jesse said, staring at her as her mouth dropped open. "Hot, raunchy, loving sex. Be prepared."
With a toss of her blonde hair, her brows raised in a question.
"Then, by golly, my bullet is the one that will take him down."
"Woman, you have to have the last word," he said almost growling. "Deal the cards or I'm taking you to bed right now."
A grin spread across her face as she dealt them each a hand.
An hour later, Jesse held her blonde hair as she barfed into the slop jar.
“Were you trying to kill me?" she asked.
Shaking his head, he glanced down at his dusty boots with colorful puke on them.
“Don’t tempt me.”
“I’ve never had hard liquor.”
“Really?” he said sarcastically. "At least last time you were naked when you were throwing up.”
She glanced up and glared at him. "Thanks for reminding me.”
He shrugged. “Honey, you look gorgeous no matter what you're doing. Though I must admit, I like you better when you’re all curled up next to me.”
Dora moaned as she retched again.
The memory of all those luscious curves now hidden made him groan. What was it with this woman? She left him hard and wanting and dreaming of the two of them between the sheets.
The next morning, Dora sat over a cup of coffee, her head pounding. What possessed her to drink so much whiskey? Sadness.
Today, she kept the demons at bay, though she knew as soon as this was over, for Jesse's sake, she would leave.
Even last night, his comments regarding them having sex made her smile at the thought. Dora loved this man. Probably had fallen in love with him before they left Gainesville. There was no way they could ever be together.
"You all right this morning?" he asked. "You look a mite peaked."
Lifting her eyes to his, she gave him a painful stare. The light from the window was like an arrow piercing her skull. "Fine."
"Would you tell me if you weren't?" he asked, grinning.
Hell would become a sanctuary for angels before she would admit to him how the alcohol left her queasy, her head pounding.
"This morning, I feel like a new Georgia peach. Sweet and delicious."
"Liar," he said. "You've been staring at your coffee cup for ten minutes.
"I'm savoring the liquid," she said, thinking she didn't know if her stomach would revolt. Never again would she partake of whiskey. Never again would she drink until Jesse put her to bed. This morning, she awoke in her chemise and pantaloons. At least he hadn't taken all her clothes off.
"Well, savor a little faster. We need to stake out the widow's house before Leo shows up," Jesse said.
"Maybe we should wait until tomorrow," she said, wondering if the alcohol affected her aim. Missing her target, especially a man she had waited so long to kill, would be devastating. A man who had taken everything from her.
The glance Jesse sent warned her they couldn't stay in this room any longer. "Eat your breakfast."
A quick gaze at the eggs let her know they were still there. Still waiting for her to take a bite. "You're treating me like a child."
A laugh erupted from him. "That's because you're acting like one. You're acting like Ella when she doesn't want to eat. If she doesn't like the food, she ignores it, hoping it will magically disappear."
For a moment, Dora closed her eyes as the image of Ella appeared, and Ben, and even Grace. All three and she knew for their safety, she had to gather her strength. "Just remember, I'm never drinking with you again."
A grin spread across his face. "Never is a long time."
"Well, it's true," she said, taking a bite of her eggs. They didn't taste too bad. In fact, her stomach growled loudly.
"See, you were needing food," he said.
"A gentleman does not draw people's attention to the sound of a woman's stomach," she chastised as she took another bite.
"Yes, we have so much company," he said with a laugh.
In fewer than five minutes, she pushed back from the table. Already the effects of the alcohol were less.
"Now we're going to Ethel's house?"
"Yes, and don't forget to bring your canteen. The day is going to be long and hot."
Sitting outside in the heat with her stomach queasy, her head pounding, sounded like a disastrous way to spend the afternoon.
What possessed her to drink so much? The overwhelming depression she felt yesterday. Some days it overpowered and dragged her down. After visiting with Ethel, she left feeling beaten.
"Does she have an outhouse?"
His brows drew together. "I think so."
"Good, I may need to use it," she said. "I detest going in the bushes."
A grin spread across his face. "Come on, let's get going."
While Jesse went to the stable to procure their horses, Dora waited outside the hotel. Standing on the corner, she saw a man dressed in a suit, who looked like Leo hurrying down the main street. No way she could be so lucky.
Stunned, she hurried after the figure, hoping to identify the man. The suited man disappeared into a jewelry store. When she caught up, she peered through the window as Leo looked at the wedding rings and finally chose the cheapest one.
Disbelief filled her at the audacity of the man and the urge to run in and shoot him almost overwhelmed her, but this wasn't the time.
Trying to act nonchalant, but get close to the window, she heard the clerk laughing. "Are you going to ask her."
"This afternoon," Leo responded. "Need to finish up some business this morning, and this evening, I'm taking her to dinner."
As he paid for the ring, Dora turned and all but ran down the street back to where she waited for Jesse. Should she tell him what she learned? Or should she keep this information to herself. Soon, this would be over. Soon, she would kill Leo and move on with her life.
Thirty minutes later, they were riding toward Ethel's house, their horses making clip-clopping noises along the dry dusty road. "Did you find Ethel attractive?" she asked.
Shaking his head, he laughed. "Not especially. Sure, she was a pretty woman at one time, but I never was attracted to mean redheads."
"Yes," Dora said. "Redheads can be a bit touchy," she said, thinking of Meg who owned the dress shop in Zenith. The woman was her friend, but she never wanted to cross her or find herself on her bad side.
They rode along in silence until Dora asked, "Where are we going to hide?" She cocked her head, thinking. "Somehow, we need a view of him riding up the road. There are the woods on the side of the house. What about there?
“We would see him walking up to the house, and before he entered, kill him and take his body to the sheriff."
"All right, but we're going to capture him, not kill him," he said, not looking at her.
She gave him a glare that clearly told him what she thought of that idea. "Why are you so determined to turn him in? Have you forgotten he killed your sister?"
The man kept teetering back and forth between taking him in and killing him. After everything he'd done, he had to die.
"Because three children are waiting for me to return," he said. "I'm not going to murder anyone."
Always the practical one, when she would just like to end the man's evil.
"So, we're going to hide in the woods on the side of the house. He's going to run as soon as he sees us," she said.
Jesse frowned. His horse made a snorting noise as a fly buzzed him. "Probably. I'll be ready in case he tries to get away."
An eerie sense of foreboding overcame her. Like they were riding toward trouble instead of stopping ch
aos from happening.
As they neared the home, she faced him. "Why don't we hide in those bushes near the house? There’s plenty of cover. Let's leave our horses tied up in the woods."
"Sounds good," Jesse said.
In a comfortable hideout, not far from the house, they spent the next few hours, watching the comings and goings of the mansion. All afternoon, Dora waited, hoping somehow she could ditch Jesse before Leo arrived.
This was her chance, her opportunity, and she planned on taking advantage of the skills she learned in bounty hunting school. After all, that was what would keep her from starving after this was over.
"Wait here," Jesse said. "I've got to use their outhouse. Hopefully, nothing will happen while I'm gone."
"Sure," Dora said, smiling, knowing her chance was at hand. After a minute, she followed Jesse, picking up a broken limb. The door closed behind him and she lifted the stout branch to place it against the door, effectively jamming the handle.
Jesse rattled the door. "What the hell?"
"Sorry, Jesse I've got to do this on my own. Talk to you soon."
Loud cursing filled the air and she hoped the door held while she hurried back to the house. Once again, she hid in the bushes, waiting. Before long, Leo appeared driving his wagon up the street to the spinster Ethel's house.
Dora took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. For months, she'd been anticipating this showdown. The man was about to die.
The woman had locked him in a stinking outhouse in July. A place where the flies and yellow jackets loved hiding out. A place where even the snakes liked to hide from the hot Texas sun.
"Dora," he screamed, not caring that the spinster might find him. Better to face her than die in here of heat exposure or of the stench. No response to his yelling.
He hit the door. It wouldn't budge. He slammed his back against the barrier and nothing happened. Sweat started to bead up on his neck and face, his breathing labored.
The woman would be in so much trouble when he found her. Running his hand along the boards, he noticed several in the back were loose. Leaning back, he kicked the wall of the structure and saw the first rays of daylight. Thirty minutes later, after struggling, he managed to kick the last board that would free him.
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