High Plains Heartbreak (Love On The High Plains Book 3)

by Simone Beaudelaire

  What the hell is he talking about? That's not what happened! She lowered her eyebrows in question and Jesse made a quick face at her, a stern one. He's protecting me, she suddenly realized. He's choosing words that are true to lie. I am in shock. We were alone together and we did think our biggest problem was people finding out. And then this happened.

  “So y'all came home from… being alone together, and found Bear Mills dead on the floor?”

  “Mmmm,” Jesse replied, a hum which the sheriff clearly took for an affirmation, though Addie noted how neutral it sounded. “Imagine my shock walking through the door and finding him like that. Poor Addie.”

  “So you brought her back here before you came for me? I would have preferred to be notified first.”

  “Sorry,” Jesse replied, looking contrite. “Yes, I brought her into this very room and then went and got you. I didn't know what else to do. I had to be sure Addie was someplace safe. She's my priority now. She and…” He trailed off but glanced at her belly. Addie blushed. She could feel the heat right to the roots of her hair.

  “Oh Lord have mercy!” the sheriff exclaimed, bumping his forehead with the heel of his hand. “What the hell was Bear doing up there anyway.”

  “He was looking for me,” Addie replied, though she couldn't quite steady her voice. “He seemed to think we were courting no matter what I said. I ran him off once before.”

  Jesse gave her a hard, questioning look. She returned one that begged him to trust her judgment. He tilted his chin almost imperceptibly.

  “Yeah, I know about that,” the sheriff replied.

  “You do?” Addie turned and stared.

  “Well sure, Miz McCoy. As much as he talked about you, I knew he was sweet on you, and as many times as you shut him down, I knew you weren't interested.” He eyed her again. “From the look of you, I'd guess you were increasing before you even arrived in town. That right?”

  “Yes,” Addie replied. “Though I don't know why it matters.”

  “Just trying to establish the facts,” he replied. “No wonder you weren't interested in Bear.”

  “Sheriff, I wasn't interested in Bear because he doesn't appeal to me. He's too bossy and more than a little scary.”

  “Aw, c'mon. Bear's harmless. It's a shame what happened. I suppose he walked in on a burglar or something.”

  An image of Bear floated up in Addie's mind, looming over her, big hands grabbing, gagging on blood as she drove the knife into his already slashed jugular vein. She retched.

  “Easy, honey,” Jesse said in a soothing voice. “I know it's a terrible thing to have seen. I'm sorry you saw it. But try not to panic, Addie. Everything will be okay.” He patted her hand.

  Addie sighed, trying to release the tension in her shoulders.

  “Can anyone confirm your story?” the sheriff asked.

  “Probably the Hiliards,” Jesse replied. “Josiah has seen me here and there, but I'm sure he didn't see Addie. We're… cautious.”

  The sheriff made a face, but Addie could see the story made sense to him. It sounds terribly plausible.

  “Well, folks, I don't suppose we'll ever solve this one. Some crazy drifter must have been wandering through. Bear was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Poor boy never could do anything right. Sorry you had to see that, ma'am.”

  “Thank you,” Addie replied in a tiny voice. Tears were threatening to push their way out of her again.

  “I'll send the undertaker to get the body. Give him some time to work. I'm sure you don't want to come back too soon.”

  Addie nodded. The sheriff plopped his hat back on his head, tipped the brim, and stalked out.

  She sagged against Jesse's shoulder. “I thought I was dead.”

  He shook his head. “Even if you'd confessed, who would believe a little slip of a girl like you taking down a man as big as that? I doubt you were ever in any danger from the law. And in my mind, self-defense is justifiable. Especially with a baby on the way.”

  Addie swallowed hard. Her eyes felt heavy and dry. Her throat and leg hurt.

  Jesse must have seen the weariness stealing over her. He swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs to his room.

  “Jesse, someone will see!” she protested, but weakly.

  “I don't give a damn,” he replied. “What difference does it make now?”

  He locked the door behind them and set her down on the bed, crouching to remove her shoes before cuddling up beside her.

  “I won't be able to sleep,” she insisted as a huge yawn threatened to split her face. Just before blackness crashed over her, she thought she heard Jesse's dry chuckle.

  Chapter 17

  “May I ask just what the hell is going on here?” Beth demanded, stomping into Addie's bedroom and glaring at Jesse, who returned her stare with sleepy eyes.

  “Morning, Auntie,” Addie said sheepishly, holding the blankets up to her chest, though failing to conceal the lacy shoulder straps that revealed she was wearing only a chemise.

  “Don't 'morning' me, silly girl,” Beth retorted. “It's nearly noon. You two naughty children better get out of there before you cause a scandal.”

  “Too late,” Jesse muttered. Rising from the bed, he grinned inwardly to see Beth's eyes widen as she realized Jesse was only wearing his underwear; a one-piece gray union suit he'd left unbuttoned down most of his chest. Ironically, though he and Addie had spent the night together, they hadn't made love. After the terror of Bear's attack two days ago, neither had felt much like it. But holding each other to stave off worries and nightmares, that was another story.

  “Come on, Beth,” Addie said and Jesse was delighted to note that a teasing light had sprung up in her eyes. He hadn't seen her looking so playful since before the incident. “Aren't you coming to us straight from your lover's bed?”

  Beth blushed, her embarrassment staining her pale, freckled cheeks crimson. “I'm an old woman. What difference does it make?”

  “You're not old,” Addie retorted. “And Jesse and I are betrothed, so what difference does it make?”

  Beth smiled. “You see? I told you he'd take it well.”

  “And you were right.” Addie reached out and ran her fingers down Jesse's arm. He shivered at the pleasurable tickling sensation.

  “So, what scandal did you two stir up while I was away? Did someone catch you? Is the cat out of the bag about the baby?”

  “All of those things,” Jesse admitted. “But there's more. Can you give us a few minutes to get dressed, and then we'll sit down with you and fill you in?”

  Beth nodded. “I suppose. But no sneaking out the window, young man.”

  “Of course not,” Jesse replied.

  Beth turned to leave, and then turned, saying over her shoulder, “It's good to meet you, Jesse West.”

  Jesse shook his head. “Addie, you and I have got to stop doing everything backwards.”

  Addie laughed, and some of the pinched, haunted look faded from the corners of her eyes.

  “You must be joking!” Beth gasped, her cup of tea rattling in the saucer, a little splash sloshing out to stain the fabric of her chocolate colored skirt.

  “I wish I were,” Addie replied in a harsh, breathy voice. She looked down into her lap, where her hand clutched tight to Jesse's.

  “What on earth was Bear thinking?”

  “He was thinking he wanted to bed me and could bully me into compliance.” Jesse stroked his thumb over hers as she spoke, trying to help her retain her composure.

  “What are people saying about it? Has anyone given you any trouble?” Beth looked from Addie's eyes to Jesse's and back.

  Jesse answered. “I implied to the sheriff that Addie was with me and he decided Bear must have interrupted some burglar. No one suspects Addie had anything to do with it, which is all to the best. Though small as she is, no one would really believe she's capable. But in her condition, and with everything that she's gone through, between my stupidity and his, I'm glad not to
have to deal with a shadow of suspicion. She had every reason to defend herself, from what she told me.”

  “I did,” Addie insisted, “though I'm not proud to have taken his life. He gave me no choice. I couldn't let him hurt the baby. It makes me mad, though, how everyone keeps insisting he was harmless, or misguided.”

  “I assumed it,” Jesse admitted, and Addie narrowed her eyes at him.

  “It's the gentleman's code,” Beth replied. “Men are always quick to assume other men are fine, have the best intentions and are misunderstood. That women are being hysterical. They don't perceive the danger other men pose, because they don't pose that danger to them.”

  Addie nodded. “I think that must be true.”

  Jesse made a face. “He just seemed like a slow and rather stupid man.”

  “And that was the impression he cultivated,” Addie retorted. “Everyone fell for it.”

  “I didn't,” Beth insisted. “He always seemed evil to me.”

  “And me,” Addie seconded.

  “Okay, okay,” Jesse said. “I'm sorry I didn't listen. You were right.” He held his free hand up in the air.

  Addie shook her head. “I feel horrible.”

  “I know, honey,” he said, stroking the hand he was still holding. “No matter how justified, it's terrible to take a life.”

  She nodded.

  “Well, you two,” Beth spoke up, changing the subject, “what are your plans? You say you're betrothed. I assume, as far into her pregnancy as Addie is, you're going to do it soon. When and where is the big day going to take place?”

  “I don't want anything big,” Addie replied. “But we're going to go to Jesse's hometown. His childhood friend is a church organist, and he wants her to play. Also, he's going to interview for a job there, as a sheriff's deputy.”

  “So you're relocating?”

  “Yes, Auntie,” Addie replied.

  Beth made a face. “I'm sure that's for the best, but I'll miss you.”

  “I'll miss you too, Auntie. You can always visit though.”

  Beth's expression turned considering.

  “Are you thinking about Bill?” Addie probed. Beth shot her an evil glare. “What? Did something go wrong?”

  Her aunt sighed, shoulders sagging. “Not wrong exactly. It was like you thought, Addie. He asked me to marry him.”

  “Wonderful!” Addie jumped from the sofa and crossed to the rocking chair to hug her aunt.

  Beth held up her hand in a 'stop' motion. “I said no.”

  Addie froze in place, her fingers pressed over her mouth. “What? Why?”

  “You know why,” Beth replied darkly. “I have a reputation as a loose woman. I can't let him damage his career and future with me.” She looked down at her hands.

  “Beth,” Addie told her aunt gently, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, “if he's done as well as he has all this time, he's not stupid. He understands your reputation, that it's in the past. He's offering you unreserved support.”

  “He's thinking with his prick,” Beth replied crudely. Even Jesse flinched.

  “Bullshit.” Addie's grip tightened on Beth's shoulder. “If that was the case, he wouldn't ask you to marry him. He must love you, Beth. And if you turned him down because you think it's somehow protecting him, you're a fool. Is he a good man?”

  “The best.” Beth's expression went far away.

  “And do you really want to stay here in this house alone?”

  Beth shuddered. “I can feel a difference. I could feel it when I came back, before I found out about Bear. It's not the same house it was.”

  “Then go. Marry Bill and be an honest, foul-mouthed woman. Nothing wrong with any of that,” Addie insisted.

  A slow smile spread across Beth's face. “You know, maybe I will. I'll try to sell the house and relocate.”

  “Good,” Addie told her. “Then I won't have to worry about you being alone. Write me a lot, Aunt Beth. Every week. Promise?”

  “Of course, Addie,” Beth replied. “And you two come visit. I want to see that baby.”

  With wistful smiles and hugs all around, the young couple gathered up their belongings and Beth escorted them into town to catch the train for Garden City.

  Addie stood beside the black, puffing engine of the Santa Fe Rail Line train that would take her to her new home. Though she'd seen bigger engines, there were only a few cars. No need for something more powerful. Smoke belched from the stack and the whistle blew in an earsplitting shriek. An answering scream from the stock car told her Jesse's horse was not too interested in railway travel. She wondered if that proud beast objected to being housed with a herd of smelly pigs.

  A few minutes later, her intended arrived and took her arm, escorting her onto a passenger car for the four hour trip down out of the mountains to the High Plains.

  “This is nice,” Addie said, scanning the wood trim and aquamarine brocade upholstery of the car. Jesse walked her to a seat and tucked their luggage into the overhead compartment. Addie couldn't tear her eyes away from the window. So far away from everything I've ever known. I wonder if it can possibly be better. Everywhere I go, I take my uncouth, overly strong, half-Kiowa self with me. I don't think I'm bad, but most people see that combination and have no further interest in me. Or worse. Thank God for Jesse. I hope he's right about this place. His hand slipped into hers and squeezed.

  You are my rock, Jesse West, and I love you from your prissy manners to your stalwart courage to your perfect golden hair and charming smile. I'm so glad you're mine. She would share him with the memories of Lily. That was no great hardship. We'll be okay, Jesse and me. A memory, lost in the darkness and fog of her horrible experience, suddenly popped into her mind. Did Jesse say he loves me? I think he did. But that makes no sense. He can't love me. He's said so a whole bunch of times.

  Regardless, she loved him, and that would be enough for her. With luck, they could love their child together. I don't think that will require luck. Jesse will be a wonderful father.

  As she watched, the steep grades and winding curves of the mountains slowly flattened until they were skirting hills and speeding through tunnels. And then even the hills gave way to the utter flatness of the prairie, with its endless, waving grass, tall as a man's shoulder in places. The pines all but disappeared, replaced by stunted and wind-blasted oaks, short but glowing with greenery. What a desolate place. But far off on the distant horizon, a sight she'd rarely seen – an unobstructed view of the blue and cloudless sky – spread out before her, dazzling in its scope. Suddenly Addie felt smaller than she ever had in her life. The endless expanse of grass below and sky above rendered her smaller than a little red ant, and about as significant.

  His eye is on the sparrow, but I've never thought about exactly how much like a sparrow I am. One small life in a sea of millions, in this country alone. How vast an array of different peoples are out there, all different colors, races and nations, all jabbering like birds, and all about as important. Right now I'm heading into a town full of people who will someday know me, but in all likelihood those in the next town over never will, let alone the next state. Just a little sparrow in a wide, wide world. The thought produced a strange, wistful sensation in the vicinity of her heart.

  But here, in her own little corner of the vast world, was a man who had chosen her, had made her the center of his life. She smiled, taking in the vista that would soon become normal to her. She had a strange sense that life was holding its breath, waiting for something momentous to happen. I'm poised on the brink of a new chapter in my life. She savored the moment. All too soon it would be nothing but adjustments and difficulties, but for now, she could bask in the hope that everything could be as magical as she imagined.

  Full dark had fallen by the time they pulled into the Garden City train depot. Addie's first view of her new hometown was that of a dark and silent street, in which small trees and low brick houses seemed to slumber by the light of a huge full moon. Leafy branches whispered in a l
ow wind that seemed to be blowing from every direction at once. The temperature at this lower elevation was warmer, and sweat beaded on Addie's brow as they navigated the streets until they stood at the base of a large brick block on which the words Occidental Hotel were barely visible in the soft, silver light.

  Jesse led his bride-to-be into the lobby and secured them two rooms. Then he escorted her to hers and left quickly. New town, time to act right. He did steal a kiss though.

  No worries, Addie thought as she stretched out on the cream-colored sheets of her empty bed. We'll be married in a day or two. Then all the gossips can mind their own business.

  Tired after such eventful days and so much travel, Addie closed her eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.

  Chapter 18

  Morning woke Jesse in a blaze of bright sunlight. It filtered through the small hotel room window with an intensity he'd almost forgotten during his years in the mountains. Home. He hoped Addie would like it there. He had a feeling it would be their last address.

  Rising, he washed at the basin and dressed in a more formal outfit than his usual jeans and plaid shirt. Today he pulled on a pair of black slacks and a button-up shirt, with a bolo tie. Then he crossed the hallway, his boots echoing on the wood of the floors, and knocked discreetly on Addie's door.

  “Are you decent, sweetheart?” he called. She opened, dressed in a dove gray skirt with a white shirtwaist and her boots.

  “Yes, Jesse,” she replied, taking his arm, casting her eyes to the floor. He grinned at her demure expression, as well as the conservative bun restraining her hair. Like trying to keep fire in a box.

  “Come with me, love. I know a great place to get some breakfast.”

  “Wait,” Addie replied. “Isn't there a restaurant downstairs? I'm sure I saw one last night.”

  Jesse chuckled. “Yes, there is. But we're not eating there. Remember the name of this place?”

  “Occidental Hotel.” Addie sounded befuddled. “Why?”