The saloon was hot and muggy. A cloud of cigar smoke hung over the room like a canopy. It was Saturday night and the saloon was a beacon to every ranch hand within riding miles of Laramie.
Jess and Slim spotted Jim the moment they entered the saloon. As they headed for the bar, Slim warned, "I don't want trouble."
"I won't start any," Jess promised. "But I won't run from it either."
It was only seconds before Jim moved to the bar. "Well...well...well," Jim waved a beer as if toasting Jess and Slim. "If it ain't the cowboys from the Sherman ranch. You found any more cows without brands?"
Slim scowled but it was Jess who reacted. He faced Jim with the quickness of a gunslinger. His hand stayed close to the butt of his gun. "You accusing me of something?"
The saloon grew quiet. All eyes were on the two men.
"Jess-" Slim warned.
"That's right, Sherman. Call off your pup. Unless you want trouble."
Jess challenged, "You want it now?"
"Jess, no!" Slim ordered.
"And here I thought you weren't a gun man. Only a hired ranch hand. Why you're calling me out," Jim taunted. "And I just might oblige."
Jess' eyes narrowed to slits. His hand hovered over his gun. His fingers opened and closed, ready for action.
"Take it outside," the bartender commanded as he pulled a shotgun from under the bar's counter.
"What do you say, Harper?" Jim asked.
Jess nodded. "Now's as good a time as any."
Slim blocked Jess from leaving. "Jess, no!"
"Slim, I ain't going to let him say we're cattle thieves."
"Jess, we know we ain't. You do this, and no matter who wins, it's the start of a range war."
Jess's temper was already lit and now it ignited, "You going to let this coyote get away with making that accusation about us! You ordering me not to-"
"I'm asking you as a friend, not to do this."
Jess glanced at Jim. Emotions played across Jess' face as he waged war with himself.
"Well?" Jim taunted. "What's it going to be?"
"Another time," Jess said, turning his back and leaning against the bar.
Jim laughed but there was no merriment only mocking. "Any time, Harper, I'll be willing to oblige you."
Watching in the bar mirror, Jess kept his eyes glued to Jim. He watched as Jim sat down at a table and began to play poker. Once again the saloon became alive with noise as men talked and gambled while the piano played music that some of the customers danced to.
"Thanks, Jess," Slim said.
"You know there's going to be a time. He ain't going to let it die. We'll face one another."
"I'm hoping that's not going to happen."
"He wants it to happen."
"And you?"
Jess drew his stare off of Jim and onto Slim. Slim's glare unnerved him. Jess looked down at the bar as his blue eyes avoided Slim's brown eyes. "Maybe I haven't changed as much as I had hoped. Maybe I'm not tamed yet. Maybe I never will be."
Slim chewed on his lip before replying, "I don't think so. But I do think your pride got hit." Slim slapped Jess on his shoulder. "Come on, let me buy you a beer."
Jess leaned against the bar, watching Jim's every move. By the time Jess was nursing his second beer, Jim had lost half his stakes.
Slim gulped the rest of his whiskey then ordered a beer. "You know, Jess," Slim positioned himself so he too could watch Jim, "for the King ranch being on such hard times, it's funny how that foreman has so much cash in front of him."
"I was thinking the same thing. Especially since I ain't seen him win a hand yet."
"Must be paid an awful lot."
"Or he's getting his money somewhere else. How long has he been at the King's ranch?"
"Got hired right before their Pa died. Rustling started soon after Jim signed on."
Jess faced Slim. "Well don't you think that seems awful coincidental?"
"I always did," Slim admitted. "But you try convincing a stubborn woman who appears to hate you that."
Jess pushed back his hat to get a clearer look at Slim. "You really court her?"
Slim only nodded.
"Why did you quit?"
"Well it wasn't because I was stealing her cattle."
Jess grinned. "I never figured that was the reason. Jonesy has fed me too many bean suppers to think different."
"My Pa had died just a few weeks earlier, and I had a responsibility. Andy. I couldn't take on more. I was just starting the relay station. I had a ranch to run. Maybe in time...but Val wanted us to tie the knot right then. She didn't want to wait."
"You explain that to her?"
"I tried."
"So that's why you think she's got a reason to dislike you? It ain't your fault that she didn't understand." Jess sighed. "Women. Now you take that Mattie. She probably would shoot me."
Slim grinned. "You like her don't you?"
"No!" Jess took a swallow of beer, then wiped his sleeve across his mouth. A very pretty saloon girl walked behind Jess, her fingers softly trailed across the back of his neck. He glanced over his shoulder. She smiled as she walked away.
"Jess, admit it. You ain't had a lot of women who turned you down."
Jess again gave Slim his attention. "She may be a challenge but-"
"That she is," Slim interrupted with a smile.
"Well she ain't my type," Jess stated.
"And what is your type?" Slim turned towards Jess with curiosity written all over his face.
"Any female that's soft and accommodating and ain't got marriage on her mind." He took a sip of his drink. "Oh yeah, and one that at least looks like a woman."
"You might just be surprised about what Mattie looks like under all that dirt."
"Maybe, but I don't want one that's as mean as a bobcat," Jess explained. "That Mattie's got more fire in her than I ever seen."
Slim laughed. "Well she and Val might appear strong willed; but they're both innocent. Get my drift?"
"I figured," Jess said, sounding disappointed.
"It's more than that. I mean they trust easily."
"Not in my book! Mattie wanted to shoot me before I even opened my mouth."
"That's 'cause they're running scared. They can't afford to loose much more cattle. And that foreman of theirs- They don't know how some men can be. I'd bet anything he's doing the rustling. If I could just prove it."
Jess glanced over his shoulder at Jim, who was still playing cards.
"I'm going to visit Mort. I want him to know about Val's visit. You coming?"
