If Jess expected any sympathy, lunch proved there was none. Much to Jess's chagrin, it had been the only conversation as they ate. Jess' sole consolation was there were no passengers or stage driver at this meal.
"I've never known Mattie King to be violent," Jonesy stated.
"She said if she caught me on her property again, she'd shoot to kill," Jess explained.
"Ain't known her to kill anyone--yet," Jonesy replied. "Jess, you'd be the first."
"This ain't funny!" Jess gulped down a huge swig of coffee. "Probably catch my death of cold."
"Cold!" Jonesy mocked. "I ain't never known it to be hotter than it is today. That's why you were swimming, weren't it?"
Slim bit back his chuckle. "I don't want any more trouble between us and the Kings."
"Well that's not likely to happen," Jonesy said. "Val's been after your hide since you two-"
"Never mind!" Slim cut in.
"Never mind what?" Jess demanded as his eyes locked with curiosity on Slim's face.
Jonesy explained, "Slim used to be sweet on Val."
"That was a long time ago," Slim clarified.
Jonesy nodded. "At least a month. Maybe two."
Jess frowned. "Well, if she's anything like her sister, I'd rather court a bobcat."
"Believe it or not, both of them are two of the sweetest girls in the territory," Slim defended.
Jess asked, "Then what happened to get them so mean towards us?"
Slim said the words bitterly "Val accused me of stealing her cattle."
Jess's fork froze in mid air. "She accused you of being a cattle rustler!"
"Don't that beat all!" Jonesy remarked. "Slim, a cattle thief."
Jess said thoughtfully, "So that's why Mattie wanted me off the King's land. Seeing that calf I chased, she must have thought I was stealing one of theirs. I'm surprised she didn't shoot me."
"Don't know why she'd think you were rustling," Jonesy argued. "How you going to hold on to a stolen steer, when you can't keep a hold of your own clothes?"
Andy burst out laughing.
"Listen, Jonesy," Jess waved his fork as if it was a weapon, "I've had about all I can take."
Jonesy tilted his head innocently. "You saying you're filled up and don't want no more food? Never thought I'd see the day..."
Jess threw his fork hard on the table.
Slim grinned, "Relax Jess. I ain't seen Jonesy smile this much since-"
"Since Slim fell out of the hay loft. You remember that, Slim?"
Slim lost his smile. "I still think I got pushed."
Jonesy winked at Andy.
"Well, I'm glad I could bring Jonesy so much pleasure," Jess mumbled then asked, "Slim, so when did the Kings start accusing you of rustling?"
The entire table grew somber.
"Their father died about two months ago. Right before you got here, Jess," Slim explained."Weren't long after that, Val accused me."
"She say why?" Jess persisted.
Slim's eyebrow rose. "She rode over here one day and said the fence between our properties had been cut. I helped her search, but I didn't find any of her cows on my land. But there were tracks there. Trouble is the tracks just stopped. Someone hid them good. From that day on, we've had trouble." Slim's forehead crinkled into a thoughtful frown. "Maybe I should ride over there and talk to her."
"Won't do no good," Jonesy said. "Unless you just want to see Val."
"She don't want to see me. She made that clear the last time we talked."
"Then stay clear of her place," Jonesy advised. "You ride over there, and you'll just bring on more trouble."
"And trouble's something I don't want," Slim acknowledged.
