This is quite a bit of the novel spoilers and all... I should have tried to keep it to small pieces since once this is published it will be a HUGE post. My apologies...
Jesse or James...he is called both here. Is a gentleman but he is also on a mission and willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish it and not quite so chivalrous as some of my other fellows....just so you all know.
Sophie
shivered and rubbed her arms to keep warm, she let her mind wander to the
swishing sound her skirt made, and did and impromptu twirl in the middle of the
sidewalk, she smiled and watched for her shoes to peep out from under her
petticoat and skirt as she walked. She hummed a little ballad her mother had
always sung in the long ago days, she loved the old ballads, her reverie was suddenly broken into by rising voices coming
from down the street at the saloon, pausing she turned. It was her duty to make
sure peace was kept, since her pa was away.
As
she hesitated wondering if the fight was just the beginning or if it would
squelch - though the latter thought was wishful thinking. There
was the glittering sound of breaking glass as a man came bodily through the
window rolling onto the street outside, another followed him a moment later a
scattered few hurried outside and now a mass was exciting through the swinging
doors.
Gathering
her skirt in one hand she began to run towards them, whatever was going on
needed to be stopped.
They
circled the two men and she could hear the sound of beating as they swore.
“Stand
back!” she shouted pushing herself forward through the throng who parted at the
touch of her hands.
But
she came to the inner ring, where were beating up a single man.
“Stop!”
They
didn't heed her even as other men stepped forward to help - they were pulled
into the brawl, taking out her pistol she cocked and fired it into the air.
The
men paused.
“I
said stop. Now what is going on here?”
“This
man here was disturbing the peace ma'am.”
“Really,
because it looks like to me you're the one's breaking the peace.”
“He's
a good fur nothin' outsider.”
There
was a chorus of agreements.
“Get
lost all of you, I'll take care of this mess.”
Soon
only five men and the man on the ground were still standing there.
“I
said get lost; I have it under control.”
“He's
a wild man miss you better let him take care of him for you.” The twilight had
dwindled the men into shadows. She couldn't see any of their face's but she
knew who was speaking. It was the voice of trouble, Twist head hand of a Mr.
Brand's ranch was known for his back and highhanded dealings.
“I
said he's my problem, Twist.”
“A
girl like you shouldn't have to deal with the likes of him.”
“You're
right I shouldn't but thanks to certain untrustworthy people he is mine. Now, I
said get lost.”
Twist
came and stood directly in front of her. Sophie could hear him moving the chaw
of tobacco in his mouth, he turned his head and spat.
“I
have a proposal for you, one of my fellows escorts you home, and we'll take
care of this rouge for you.”
Sophie
twirled the cold pistol stopping it as it pointed at the ground and fired.
“Watch
what you are doing girl!” Twist yowled as he stepped back.
“You
watch it next time I might aim for your foot instead of the ground.” Sophie
spat back.
“Come
on men we've got better things to do,” said Twist turning.
“You
ought to be ashamed of yourself, hidin' behind the skirt of the law,” one man
sneered.
“It
seems I am here facein' it, you're the ones runnin',” said the victim of the
fight, speaking for the first time his voice cracked with hidden laughter.
“Put
your arms out,” commanded Sophie taking the cuffs from their holster and
removing the key from the small pouch. She slipped the cuffs around his wrists
and tightening them with the key.
“Follow
me, and don't give me any trouble,” she said cocking and un-cocking her gun
with the proficiently of an experienced gunman - which she was. At least in
target practice.
“Wouldn't
dream of it miss.”
Sophie
glanced at him in the dark but could see nothing of his features, she wasn’t
sure if he was teasing her or if he was being truthful. He didn't sound shifty but anyone dealing with
Twists gang could be into anything.
He's probably some suave cheat, lucky to be
alive, don't be swayed by the sound of him. “You all right to get on
your feet?”
“Yeah.”
At
the sound of her voice, he had been surprised to find he was rescued. Her quick
fingeredness with her gun worried him a little, but was there really anything
to worry about? He nipped back the questions that came budding after that
thought.
She
had placed the cold metal around his wrists tightening it with a little key.
Her voice seemed worried as she asked him how he was feeling and other than the
fact he was sure he had bruised ribs from their steel-toed boots, he'd be fine,
at least that is what he told himself as he rose to his feet. Every movement
cried for pain - but he could let no one know he was in pain, if he could help
it. He winced as they walked, the movement and gravity caused a rush of blood
from his nose, and he almost growled under his breath, but he'd be all right
until he could take care of it.
In
a minute they were in the Sherriff's office and she was lighting a lamp, the
light hurt his eyes as they adjusted. She blew out the match and gathering the
lamp turned towards him. Her face turned white as if she had seen a ghost, her
body went limp as she dropped towards the floor.
Stepping
forward he grabbed the full kerosene oil lamp in his cuffed hands, leg rose to
catch her body as it fell. His shin hit the desk with painful thud, but at
least he had caught her. Setting the lamp down on the desk, he slid to the
ground.
“Miss?
Miss are you all right?”
She
didn't respond. He glanced around searching for anything that would possibly
assist but there were no signs of anything to assist him in rousing her, not
even a pitcher of water.
Going
to the pouch at her waist, he found the small key to his cuffs and freed
himself. Setting the cuffs aside, he grabbed his handkerchief to wipe the blood
from his nose, and set about reviving her.
“Miss,
miss please?”
He
wracked his brain trying to think what could have caused such a rare phenomenon
as fainting at the mere sight of him. “I didn't think I looked that bad,” he
said aloud.
At
last, she showed signs of reviving. Color came into her cheeks, her blue eyes
fluttered open, she blinked trying to gather her senses. Looking at him she
turned away quickly and started scrambling to her feet.“Promise
you won't tell anyone.”
“What?”
“Promise
me that you won't tell anyone I fainted like that.”
“Why?”
She
whirled around to face him, “Just promise me!”
As
she looked at him, again her face went pale again and he rose to his knees
catching her, pulling her towards himself, “Hey, don't you dare faint on me
again.”
Simon
nodded, and darted out the door.
Sophie
eased back in her chair letting out a deep breath,
“Your
kid brother?”
Sophie
glanced over at Jesse and nodded.
“He’s
a lot younger than you.”
“Wow,
he has eyes.”
Jesse’s
chuckle cut short as he gasped in unexpected pain.
Sophie’s
eyes darkened, with concern. “Are you sure I shouldn’t get the doctor?”
He
shook his head “I’ve had it worse than this, it’s just been a while,” taking a
deep breath slowly.
“I
don’t get the point of men fighting like that, when words could sort things out
just as well.”
“And
you’d know about that because you never use your pistol at all Miss Deputy
Brown.”
“When
in Rome do as the Romans–even if they are barbarians.”
“I
thought the Romans’ were a civilized people.”
“Sure
if you call putting people in arenas to be eaten by lions civilized, or
torturing people with spiked wheels or...”
“Where
did you read that?”
“Foxes
book of Martyrs.”
“Well
maybe they were civilized when they weren’t at war or torturing people they
didn’t agree with.”
“Yes,
if killing senators and mad rulers is completely civilized, they are the highest
specimen.”
“Are
you always this optimistic about men kind or is this a good day?”
Sophie
smiled a little. At least Aunt Martha’s rigorous teaching style had rubbed off
something worthwhile. “I feel more optimistic on days when I don’t have to
arrest people, or fire my gun.”
He
nodded. “I see.”
Unexpectedly
Jesse Garrison sat up from the cot, and rubbed his eyes, he glanced at the
clock.
“You
are brewing coffee in the middle of the night?”
Sophie
twisted her mouth wryly, “Just trying to stay awake that is all, what woke you
up?”
“After
being on the cattle trail for a little while your body wakes up to the smell of
coffee. Can I have some?”
“I
think I made enough for two. How do you drink it?”
“Black.”
Sophie
wrinkled her nose, and pulled down two tin cups from the cupboard, pouring them
both generous cups, she picked his up and walked toward the bars. He rose to
meet her.
“No,
stay where you are. I’ll put the cup down and then you can come get it when I
walk away.”
“You
trust me don’t you?”
“I
trust you as much as I’d trust a fox in hen house.”
“Even,
though I didn’t run away when I had the chance?”
“Like
I said – my father will decide it all when he comes back in the morning,” she
said slipping the cup through the bars and sliding it towards him. He waited
for her to step away before he rolled to his feet with a slight grimace.
“Are
you sure you are all right?”
“Right
as rain. Why do you keep asking?”
“Grimacing
is usually a sign of pain – not ease.”
“Haven’t
you noticed that some people go through their whole life grimacing at the
world,” and Jesse made an exaggerated grimace.
Sophie
giggled.
“There
I made you laugh, that has to count for something.”
Sophie
wrinkled her brow, “What on earth do you mean by that.”
“How
often do your prisoners or even the men whose fights you have to break up make
you laugh?”
“Daily,”
her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Then
you have a deeper sense of humor than I thought.”
“You
thought I had a sense of humor?”
“Anyone
who reads’ Jane Austen must have a sense of humor, somewhere in their bones,
even if is as dry as dust.”
Sophie
stirred her three spoonful’s of sugar around in her cup examining Jesse
Garrison.
“So
you’re a cowpuncher?” she changed the subject.
“Some,”
he said yawning.
“Were
you looking for work up here?”
Jesse
shook his head, “Nah, no one I want to work for out here. I am hot on the trail
of something else. Something of fortune.”
“It’s
a little late for the gold rush isn’t it?”
Jesse
smiled, “I haven’t pinned my hopes on that glittering star. No, something far
more important has my attention. Something money can’t buy.”
“Penance?
Who did you kill?”
Jesse
half laughed half choked on his mouthful of coffee, and Sophie giggled just
lightly.
“Do
you giggle all the time, or just to annoy me?”
“It’s late I giggle at anything,” Sophie, said trying
to hold together a serious face. “Now, go back to sleep, before we wake up
Simon,”
In
a moment her breath came in a sharp gasp that hurt her aching lungs, she drew
several quick breaths trying to catch up, when a hand touched her shoulder rolling
over to face him.
Fear
drained Sophie of all her strength, she knew the face instantly from the poster
hanging outside her father's office, the words hundred dollar reward wanted
dead or alive, written below it.
Slippery
Sam, a member of the Smithson smuggling ring.
Instantly
her hands went the gun at her waist, it was gone, her gun was gone!
“Pa!”
she screamed.
“He
can't save you now deputy darlin' you're all ours,” he said waving a piece of
rope before her.
“No,
no I am not,” she said pushing away from him and trying to scramble to her
feet. These men would think nothing of hanging her just to teach her father a
lesson. Before she could get her feet beneath her, a set of hands clenched her
shoulders, pushing her back to ground. She writhed, kicking and screaming for
every breath in her body. The possibility of death had never seemed so strong
or real before. If she wanted to live...to breathe. The whole gang seemed to
pin her down, but her voice was free until someone stuffed a handkerchief in
her mouth, she gagged it tasted - unspeakable. In a minutes bound and gagged
she was tied to her saddle and trapped in a pack of outlaws.
Sleep
seemed trivial to what was happening now and Sophie wished she had never set
eyes on Jesse Garrison that he was indeed strung on the nearest tree outside
town and that she - was on the trail with her Pa - or at least...or that she
would at least of had a chance at saving herself from these savage outlaws who
were at this very moment making colorful and unwanted remarks to her innocent
and now red tipped ears.
“Now
it's not all bad miss, think of all the fun you'll have,” howled on man patting
her on the back.
She
recoiled from his touch, his whole body seemed filthy from the inside out.
“He
haw! Boys look at the pretty girl now! You don't like that do you.”
Sophie
looked away, beyond insulted. How she would have given up everything in the
world at this moment to be standing in Aunt Martha's kitchen being scolded.
She'd give anything - anything...she'd never have the chance. Sophie Brown
would be dead before sundown.
Unexpectedly
all the men in camp were standing guns drawn.
Pa? the word flashed through her mind
causing relief and terror in single moment. If he had found her - if he tried
to save her....where were the others? Could they take them?
Then
she remembered the cattle - if startled they could stampede, and a shooting
match could start that very nicely. Her eyes sought shelter, any crevice or
cranny in the ravine would do nicely.
She
peered between them and her heart dropped into her shoes in disbelief.
There
stood Jesse Garrison, hands in the air, two guns at his side.
“Hello!
I came here to introduce myself. You all the Smithson gang?”
“Who
wants to know?”
Sophie
found herself speaking... “Jesse Garrison!”
Jesse
Garrison's eyes swung to the voice accusing him.
“I
should have known!”
Jesse
raised his eyebrows in innocence. “Should have known what?”
“That
you were a good for nothing, I should have let you rot in that cell.”
“You
know him Deputy Darlin'“ asked Sam.
“Yes,
I know him. I arrested him last night for disturbing the peace.”
There
was a burst of laughter from all the men. “You were arrested by her last night “
Jesse
Garrison seemed to change colors, “Yes, I was.”
There
was more laughter.
“Well
I call that a sufficient introduction, but what is your business here with us?”
Jesse
slowly eased his hands downward, “ I have a letter of introduction here, in my
pocket, from my employer who wishes to do business with you.”
It
had fallen out of Slippery Sam's pocket when he fell. Reluctantly he stooped to
pick it up, a few of the corners were stained with blood. He winced, he'd have
to get rid of that sooner than later. Tucking the money in his pocket he went
to Sophie, she was rousing from her unconsciousness.
“Pa?”
she murmured her voice blurry and uncertain.
“You're
going to be all right Sophie, you just need to rest.”
“Pa?”
“You're
safe Sophie, just rest.”
Her
hands reached out to him, slipping childishly about his neck, she rested
against his chest.
He
pressed his cheek against her sandy hair. Her vulnerable innocence made his
heart ache and he gathered her into his arms. Aching for something gone.
He
was torn. Did he take her home? It was the safest place for her but, he would
most likely be arrested and thrown in jail as an associate of the Smithson
Gang. Or did he...could he take her along? She could help with his cover and he
needed the law on his side of the matter. Though that might take some
persuasion but he couldn't just let her loose-if she indeed did make good on
her threat to make a poster of him. It wasn't something he could risk.
“I
am sorry Sophie but you don't give much of a choice,” he whispered. “You're
coming with me.”
Bolting, Sophie launched herself across the room to the door, she jerked
the bolt from its place and turned the handle, pulling the door open. She
stepped forward, towards her freedom.
An
arm circled her waist, turning her away from the door, it slammed shut and the
bolt slid into place. Sophie pounded her bare feet into Jesse’s boots. He
widened his stance, his arm tightened as the other circled around her pulling
her arms against her chest.
“Let
me go,” she squirmed against him, searching for leverage.
For
a moment he released her spinning her around to face him, she lunged away to
find his hands locked around her wrists, even as she twisted them.
He
stepped towards her and she stepped away only find her back against the wall,
there was no place to go. She kicked his shins and lunged forward trying to bite his hands.
“Ow,
hey stop it!” he said moving forward, pushing her
hands against the wall–making sure to keep his distance from her teeth and feet “You
are a little tigress aren’t you?”
“Let
me go, I demand it–you’re under arrest–I’ll have you hung for this.”
Jesse
threw back his head and laughed, his eyes dropped to a more serious light and
his voice was serious as he spoke. “I need you to listen to me Miss Sophie
Brown I need your help, and I am not going to let you go until I get it.”
“Then
you are going to have to stay like that forever–I hope you are comfortable.”
“The
same to you, I intend to hold out as long as you do.”
Dearest! Sophie almost chocked on the
word, and went to slam the door, if she couldn't come out there was no need or
reason for him to come in.
Just
as the door was about to shut, she felt it stop, Jesse yelped softly on the
other side of the door.
“Let
me in Sophie, darling.”
She
leaned all of her weight against the door. “I am not your darling,” she huffed
as she pushed her back against the door.
Glancing
at the door crack she realized Jesse's hand had come around the corner and was
taking the key from the lock. She lunged for it, the door slammed shut, the key
twisted in the lock. Sophie tried the door. It didn't budge and Sophie Brown
realized that she was locked in. Jesse Garrison had the key and now instead of
him being locked out. He held all the power and she had none. He had stolen her
advantage, and played her hand, leaving her nothing to barter with against him.
Slowly she sank to the floor, her head resting against the door. She wanted to
cry, no sob, but tears wouldn't come only and sad empty feeling, she could
share her sorrow and pain with no one.
She
could tell Jesse was kneeling on the other side of the door his mouth near the
key hole.
“I
know you are upset Sophie but you need to eat. We need to get ready. Please
Sophie.”
What
other option did she have? Sit there until he gave up on her, but he didn't
seem like the giving up kind.
Slowly
rising to her feet Sophie turned to face the door.
The
key entered the lock and the door swung open. Jesse leaned against the frame
looking at her with a soft reproach, she wasn't sure if she could bear.
He
offered her his hand.
She
glanced away.
“Come
on Sophie. Please dearest?”
She
gave him a beseeching look.
“Only
a little while longer, I promise, once we leave this town I'll stop calling you
dearest.”
“When
do we leave?”
“On
the two o'clock stagecoach.”
“What
then?”
“We
go to Larksburg and get it all over in a twinkling.”
“Promise?”
“I
promise, and I keep my promises.”
He
was offering his hand to her once again. Sophie gave a resigned sigh and placed
her hand in his, wanting to shiver away from his touch. Gently, persuasively,
he pulled her into the hall, pulling her close and resting her hand on his arm,
his other closed gently over hers.
“Sophie
dearest,”
She
shot him a daggered look.
“Sophie
darling....”
The
glare deepened.
“I
know you are upset, but people are watching us.”
“I
don't care. I can scream right now if it would make you feel any better.”
He
raised an eyebrow, “You do and I cut myself with my bowie knife and you faint
dead away. No one the wiser.”
She
dropped her gaze. So he knows.
Just
then a well-rounded woman was approaching the table, she leaned on it slightly.
“So
what are the love birds having today?”
Love birds? Ha! So that is what you call
this glaring contest we've been having. Love.
Jesse
envied Sophie's food as she plainly relishing the feast on her plate. His beef
was tough, and the beans cooked to mush, something he couldn't stand, the
potatoes and gravy was the only thing that saved it for him.
He
wanted to ask if he could help Sophie finish off her plate but she seemed to be
finishing it just fine. He sighed reluctantly and ordered peach cobbler for
desert, since it was on the menu, when Sophie was asked if she wanted anything
sweet, she only said something small and sweet from the kitchen and the lady
nodded.
“She'll
give you the worst desert in the house for that,” he said casually.
“I
wouldn't be too sure about that Jesse,” she said sassily. She was getting more
and more impudent. He would have to watch her.
Minutes
later a peach cobbler that smelled like something that had fallen from heaven
sat before him while a lopsided piece of pie, oozed juicily over Sophie's plate
(I should become a food critic).
He
sent her a look that said I told you so, and she lifted her chin and took a
dainty bite, her eyes closed and she savored the bite. Forking a generous bite
of the heavenly dish before him. The first bite revealed the only thing
heavenly about the dish was its smell. The peaches themselves were bitter and
tart, and no amount of sugar could sweeten that fact. He made a wry face and
glanced at Sophie. She was demurely looking down at her plate a smirk pulling
one corner of her mouth.
He
swallowed, and forked a piece of her pie.
Sophie's
jaw dropped in shock as he took a bite. It was good, fresh sweet and delicious.
Strawberry-Rhubarb.
He
was jealous, as he went for a second bite, he found the tongs of Sophie's fork,
trapping the neck of his.
“This
is mine.”
“I
am paying for it.”
Unexpectedly,
the door to the dining room banged open, accompanied with a sob. The pattering
of small feet fleeing, the small being rushed past her flinging herself at
their host.
“I
want my mamma, I want to go home!” Cried the young child into his waist coat.
Sophie
watched as their host changed colors several times, then glanced at Jesse who
seemed suddenly wound tight his eyes fastened on the small child.
Her
dark curls were all that Sophie could see, as the small child pressed herself
against him.
“Please
excuse the interruption, and allow me to introduce, my daughter May,” said Mr.
Carlson forcing a smile, that didn't hide in any way his real feelings.
“I
am so sorry sir,” said a maid coming up and lowly approaching May, whispering
in a coaxing tone “Come May, it's time for you to go to bed, I'll read you a
bedtime story.”
“No!”
screamed the smile as she twisted away from the maid. “I wanna go home, I want
my mamma.”
“Sweetheart,”
said Mr. Carlson through clenched smiling teeth. “We talked about that, there
is no mother.”
The
small child screamed and arched her back. “No!”
“I
am dreadfully sorry, my daughter lost her mother a few weeks ago, and I haven't
been around much I was so busy getting things ready for my family out
here...that the child has had a hard time adjusting to her life out here.”
The
maid was now reaching for her, and Mr. Carlson was pushing little May toward
her hands. May wouldn't stop screaming, somehow it all felt wrong.
Somebody has to do something. Sophie
glanced down the table, everyone was looking at them all with droll horror at
such behavior. Jesse had a tortured look in his eyes.
Surprising
even herself Sophie found herself sinking to her knees beside the child.
“May,
I miss my mother too, it's hard to lose your mother isn't it?”
The
child stopped her howling to look at the lady who was speaking for her. Tears
rolling down her round cheeks, she nodded slowly.
“Are
you lonely?”
She
nodded her mouth pouting slightly.
“I
was too, but you do have your father.”
May
glanced up at him suspiciously.
“But
he's always busy isn't he,” Sophie whispered very quietly.
Again
May nodded.
“Come child, it's time for you to go to bed,” said the
Maid, stepping towards May and extending her hands to take her. With a
lightning swift motion May slapped the hand of the maid and flung herself
around Sophie's neck, clinging to her for dear life.
There
was a soft jolt, then a series of tiny quakes before the depression was quite
near her. The feeling that someone was watching her was dawning upon Sophie as
she opened her bleary eyelids feeling stiff and unrested.
“You’re
still all dressed up. Didn’t you bring a nighty?” asked the small figure in a
curious voice her head cocked to one side as she stared at Sophie, one eyebrow
raised as if she was scolding her.
Sophie
sat up glancing down, she was still in the stiff red silk dress...But how? What…where?
Things
started flashing slowly back.
“I
am afraid I fell asleep when you did last night.”
May
giggled, and bounced closer to Sophie, curling up like a small kitten, resting
her head on Sophie’s lap. She let out a small content sigh and closed her eyes.
Reaching
down Sophie pulled the quilt up and tucked it around May so she wouldn’t catch
a chill in the morning air.
“Do
you miss your Mamma?” May asked in a soft whisper.
Sophie
took in a deep breath, “All the time, every day.”
“Does
it make you heart hurt?” she said placing her hands over her little chest.
Sophie
found tears coming to her eyes. “Yes, May it does, eventually it doesn’t hurt
as much. But it still aches and you never really stop missing her.”
May
nodded and let out another long sigh. Sophie ran her fingers through May’s
black ringlets careful not to tangle her fingers in the thick tresses.
Jesse
leaned against the wall outside of Sophie’s door listening to his “sister” as
she talked to May. His heart winced at May’s loneliness and Sophie’s replies.
He smiled at the story, full of adventure, treasure, bandits, kidnapping,
rescue…then of course the happily ever after.
May
was giggling, and begging for another story. He hated to disturb them but…there
were things to be done, and he needed to talk to Sophie about something’s,
besides it would never do to be caught outside listening to his sister tell a
story to May, a brother wouldn’t care and would have burst in long ago.
He
wrapped gently on the door, their talking ceased for a moment, then he heard
May’s little voice.
“Oh,
no, it’s Nanny. Hide me!”
“Shh.
Who’s there?”
“It’s
not Nanny,” said Jesse opening the door and peeking his head in.
May
took a giggling sigh of relief, and snuggled back against Sophie.
Taking
the disconcerted look on Sophie’s face as his welcome, Jesse stepped into the
room, talking to May.
“Now
what are you doing here little Miss Carlson?”
“Miss
Morgan’s telling me stories, you want to hear one?”
“I’d
love to hear one,” he said flopping down in a chair near the bed looking
expectantly at Sophie who had yet to say a word since his entrance pleased or
otherwise.
“Oh,
I don’t know, I don’t think any of the stories I would tell could even interest
Jesse.”
“Of
course they would, come on tell the kid a story.”
Sophie
stumbled for words, searching for one that even had a proper beginning.
He
prodded her with his eyes, her brow knit together, then an idea seemed to
strike her as she relaxed and looked at May, the hint of a smile pulling at her
mouth.
“Once
upon a time there was a girl named Sally. She lived in a very small town with
her father and brother.”
“She
didn’t have a mother?”
Sophie
shook her head and continued “And one day a man came into the town, and poor
Sally thought he was hurt so she went to help him. At first the man seemed nice
but then he kidnapped her and took Sally far far away from anyone she had ever
known. Sally tried to fight the man but he was very strong, so Sally thought
she’d wait to find a time to escape. Meanwhile the man told her of a treasure.
A rare, rare ruby...”
May’s
eye’s widened at the word Ruby and she seemed to hang on every word Sophie
uttered.
“So,
the man said if she’d help him find the Ruby, he’d let her go. Sally saw that
this was the best thing to do, so she followed him to a castle guarded with a
very handsome King and his daughter the princess. The bad man thought that the
King and the Princess could help them, but the princess most of all…” Sophie was
looking at him in a most pointed way.
It
hadn’t taken him long to figure out that Sophie was trying to get back at him, disguising
him as the “bad man”. The words hurt. But why did her word hurt him? He’s only
known this little deputy for he thought back, Can it really be only three days? The evening she arrested me, the
evening I had rescued her, and last night. Yes, only three days, somehow it
feels like three lifetimes. Why should I even care?
He
realized that Sophie hadn’t continued the story, and looked back at her and
May.
“How
does the story end?” asked May, pressing closer to Sophie.
“I
don’t know, I think you have to ask Jesse how it ends.”
May
turned on him, “How does it end Mr. Morgan, tell me, oh tell me please? Is
Sally safe?”
His mouth twitched, as he thought, he’d have to think
of a happy ending to this story.
Jesse
watched as the two strolled arm and arm, watching them made him uncomfortable.
Very uncomfortable. Sophie, wise as she was in her own right was no match for
Mr. Carlson, sly cunning and handsome as fox with his slick and spry ways.
Carlson was hunting, his prey was pretty innocent Sophie Brown and her supposed
fortune which he, Jesse had created for her.
Things
were going to be sticky, each ranch hand seemed to be armed to the teeth, guns,
bullets, knifes, and what did he have? Charm
and a fake fortune, he admitted to himself. And a girl who has no idea we just fell into the lion’s den because she
thinks you’re the lion Jesse. How could you let this happen?
Jesse
wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he was expecting from what he told her, he
hadn’t really planned on saying it either, it just came out because he meant
it.
But Sophie fainting dead away in his arms, wasn’t
exactly what he’d expected. Could he blame her? No, he didn’t want to imagine
himself in her shoes.
There
was a swift motion that Sophie recognized she moved for her own…but her gun was
gone.
“Sophie
Brown, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and robber of Clay Carlson and
his daughter Ruby May.”
“So
you don’t know where May is?”
A
quippy line came to her lips, and she let it slip. “Why don’t you?”
He
glowered at her. Somehow she couldn’t help but smile just a little as she
delivered the last part of her line, “Just before June.”
The
slap left her head spinning, and she was pushed into the water before she could
even take a breath to prepare herself.
Jerked
from the water she found herself falling backwards until the ground jarred her,
and she fell to the side.
“So
you think you’re funny, aye?”
It
didn’t seem like a good question to answer.
His
fingers grounded themselves amongst the roots of her hair, “Where is she?”
Sophie
closed her eyes, an unwanted tear slipping down her cheek, gathering herself
together as she answered. “I don’t know.”
There
was the sound of feet descending the crickety cellar stairs. Tears unwanted,
started to fall. God, I am not ready. I
can’t do this again? I can’t. I can’t…please help me I can’t do this.
The
words “Behold, God is mine
helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul,” danced through her mind.Please uphold my soul, I cannot
take anymore.
It was Carlson’s voice that broke into
her thoughts.
“Sophie, look I brought you a guest.”
The words made her heart lurch, Ruby…Jesse?
Her eyes opened.
Oh,
God no…no, no!
Simon.
He stood before her his eyes wide, his
mouth stuffed shut, hands tied. Terrified.
“Simon!” Her voice didn’t even sound
like her own, she struggled to a seated position and Carlson let his hand drop off
the boys shoulder. Simon ran into her arms, sobbing.
He hadn’t shed a tear since their
mother’s death.
Sophie looked at him, glaring daggers
into Carlson.
“How could you?”
“Be
ready to give me answers when I come back–or he suffers.”
“No!
Please no!”
“Choose
who you want to protect. Jesse and Ruby, or your little brother.”
Even
though he knew what was going on his heart was racing in his chest. Then, it
started…gunshots.
It
wasn’t supposed to go down like this…not yet, not so soon.
The
back door burst open and in the twilight light James saw Carlson burst forth,
his feet hurried, but not running…a gun in his hand.
Following
him, James made sure to stay in the shadows.
Slipping
into a barn, James listened as there was the creak of a cellar door being
opened, footsteps descended, and he heard a voice…
“So
who wants to be first?”
Closing her eyes she just wished the
world would end. She didn’t know herself anymore, who she was or what she
wanted to be. Her heart had awakened with desires hope and dreams, and yet they
had broken before her, turned into monsters of the night, beasts that wished to
devour her.
Her tears had stopped at last. But who
was she? Why was she even here anymore? Life had no point…at least not one she
understood.
Closing her eyes, she wished she never
had to open them again. She wanted her mother, so, so desperately.
There was the sound of footsteps, a
soft hand on her shoulder. It was her Papa.
“Sophie, are you awake?”
She nodded.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“No,” she whispered, her voice choking
on the tears that seemed lodged in her throat.
“What is the matter Sophie?”
“I-I want Mamma,” she burst into tears
again.
A moment later she was in her fathers’
arms as if she was a tiny child once again. He rocked her back and forth
softly, saying nothing for a long time, at last he spoke.
“I miss her too sweetheart…” there was
the sound to tears in his voice and Sophie regretted that she had made her
father cry. She hadn’t meant to open his heart with her pain.
“I am sorry Papa.”
“Shh, it’s okay, I am right here, we
have each other and Simon.”
“Can
I have Mamma’s book?” (it is a copy of Pride and Prejudice she brought with her from England when she immigrated, in case you were curious.)
There
was a long silence.
“Sophie,”
his voice was soft and steady the voice he used when he had bad news. She sat
upright in his arms.
“What
is it Papa?” Is it damaged it is it gone?
Did Aunt Martha use it as kindling?
“There
was a fire, while you were gone—set by the people who kidnapped Simon to
distract us to the fact he was gone. They set so much of the town on fire.”
“Papa!?”
“It’s
gone sweetheart.”
“Her
picture?”
“I
am sorry.”
“No!
NO! NO!”
She
extracted herself from her father’s arms and shook her head, as if doing so
would change the facts.
Okay...a lot has taken place but I didn't want to put it all here...sorry for the jump.
James soberly walked the
streets of London, soberly, finding himself wondering what Sophie would love the most.
One
soggy morning he had forgotten his umbrella, and in a downpour took refuge in a
bookstore. He’d never been keen on books, but something about the old store
drew him in. On a shelf towards the back of the store he found it. Pride and Prejudice. His memory flashed
back bright, and almost painfully true. It was the book that Sophie had been
reading the night she had arrested him. Flipping through the pages, memories of
her seemed to pour through him. It was so like the book, the book she had lost
in the fire. She had to have it...
Going
to the counter he purchased it, watched it wrapped up in brown paper and
waiting for the shower to pass he stepped out towards the post office. He’d
send it to her, she would love the surprise. It wouldn’t be her mother’s but it
would be just like it.
James
laid the book on the post office counter, about to state his business, when
suddenly the last memories of Sophie flashed through his mind.
“I hate you! I do not wish to
remember you or anything about you, ever for the rest of my life.”
This
book, would not bring her any pleasure, but there was something he could give
her. She could forget him for the rest of her life.
“I
would like to send a telegram please.”
The
woman behind the counter pulled out a telegram sheet and smiled at him.
“Who
would you like to send it to?”
“Miss
Deputy Sophie Brown.”
The
woman made a queer face that made him smile just a little, after this, there
would be no reason for her name to cross his lips, or even her through his
thoughts.
“What
would you like it to say?”
“Dear
Sophie, stop. Jesse died from complications after the ship wreck, stop. Please
do not contact me or Ruby May again, stop. It’s best this way stop. Best
wishes, stop.”
“I
am sorry for your loss,” murmured the woman.
“Thank
you,” Jesse murmured, taking the book he walked out the door. The jangling
bells seemed to laugh at him and the final click of the door, the last nail of
his coffin.
He was now dead to Sophie Brown. They would never see
each other again.
And because I won't be entirely mean and leave you there....
“Sophie?”
The
voice seemed to send an electric shock through her body and her head jerked up.
There
stood Jesse Garrison. She blinked, this must be some sort of mind mirage.
No
he was stepping towards her saying her name again. This wasn’t possible.
The
world seemed to coat itself in black and she felt herself suddenly tumbling towards
it murky depths.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Out
of all the people he could have dreamed of coming through that door, none of
them had the name Sophie Brown.
The look of shock on her face, he had seen the faint
coming, and now she was unconscious in his arms. Not exactly how he had
imagined a reunion, not that he’d imagined one at all, never in his wildest
dreams did he think Sophie Brown would come to Europe.
The End...
James
smiled, “Thank you for being there each step of the way. I wouldn’t have been
able to do without you, Deputy.”
Sophie’s
face suddenly burst into a smile and her gaze dropped, “I haven’t heard that in
forever.”
“Do
you miss it?”
“Maybe.”
“Really?”
She
giggled, “I don’t know.”
“Does
this mean we can be friends?” James asked leaning closer.
Sophie
nodded.
“Forever?”
“Yes.”
