The sun was just starting to rise when Mattie left the cabin. She followed a path through the woods. It always took her breath away to leave the dark forest for the open range. She galloped her mare, crushing Blue Bonnets and prairie grass. She could hear a Bobwhite repeat his name several times. It was these moments that Mattie relaxed completely. For a few seconds as the wind blew against her face and her horse flew across the range, Mattie felt joy and forgot her problems. As she drew nearer the cattle, she could their soft lowing. But her peaceful world shattered when she noticed the rider. He sat on his horse waiting for her. Her body tensed with apprehension as she approached him.
"Mornin'," Jess greeted.
Her hand dropped to her gun, touching the handle. She gasped. Jess had drawn with such speed that Mattie could not hide her amazement. She had heard he was a fast draw. But she had never suspected that he was that quick.
Jess had never drawn on a woman. It had been instinct that had caused him to pull his gun. It was impossible to tell which face, Jess or Mattie's,registered the most shock at what Jess had done.
"You going to shoot me?" Mattie asked, her voice slightly quaking with fear.
Jess grimaced. He slid his gun in his holster as quick as he could. "I just want a favor."
"From me?" She was more amazed.
"Mattie, I need your help," he explained.
"From me?" Her amazement grew even more.
"I got something to show you. Will you come with me?"
Mattie could not hide from her face the suspicious doubt that she was feeling. She knew how isolated she was on this range.
"There ain't much time," Jess urged.
"Does Slim know you're here?"
"He fired me last night."
FIRED!
Jess added, "Part of your herd is being rustled right now. We can catch him in the act if we hurry."
SLIM! HE'S TURNING ON SLIM BECAUSE HE FIRED HIM! Her eyes lit with knowledge. "Lead the way. But know I won't hesitate to shoot you in the back if this ain't what it appears to be."
"Trust me, Mattie."
"Trust a gun hawk?" Her tone showed there was no trust.
"I give you my word that you got nothing to fear from me."
She knew she had to trust him. This might be her only chance to stop the rustling of her cattle. She held out her hand. "Deal."
He shook it, his large hand covering her small one. But as soon as she withdrew, she wiped her hand across her shirt as if she had touched something dirty.
"Where to?" she asked.
"We're going to have to ride hard and fast to the east range where Slim's and your property meet."
He started to turn his horse.
"Wait!"
"Mattie, we ain't got much time!" Jess cried out impatiently.
"I know a short cut. It'll take us to the bluff overlooking that range."
"Then you lead on," he said as he backed his horse a few feet to allow her to move forward.
And she did. Forgetting that he was no longer in front of her where she could watch him, thinking only of catching a cattle rustler, Mattie galloped her horse as if the devil was chasing her. And glancing over her shoulder at Jess, she couldn't help wonder if the devil really was chasing her.
By the time they arrived at the bluff overlooking the Kings' east range, their horses were wet from riding hard.
