Hot Water
by Holly
Chapter Four
The next day, Jess and Slim had just finished cleaning up the house, when the stage arrived with Jonesy and Andy on board. Slim collected the bags from Mose, while Jess changed the team. Andy came running up to him.
�Jess! Jess! Guess what Aunt Jane gave me?�
�What was that, Tiger?�
�Look!� Andy held out a box. It was leather bound, and looked very old.
�So, don�t keep me in suspense. What�s in there?� Jess asked.
�Our family tree.� Andy grinned.
�A what?� Jess looked at the box.
Andy smiled. �Not a real tree. A list of all the family from way back . . right back to history. Aunt Jane copied it from her bible for me. Have you got one?�
�No.�
�Why not? Everyone has a family, don�t they?� Andy persisted.
There was a brief pause, while Jess looked deep in thought, and then he answered.
�Sure. Look Andy, I�m kinda busy.�
�Oh, alright, I�ll show you later.� Andy walked away, and Jess watched him for a moment, before he turned back to hitch up the fresh team of horses.
That evening, after Andy was safely tucked up in bed, Slim, Jess and Jonesy sat around the table discussing the situation.
�I think we should hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.� Slim said. �Jess, we�ll ride into town first thing in the morning, and while you collect more ammo from the store, I�ll go and have a word with Mort. You be all right here, Jonesy?�
�Sure, just you two boys be careful. Clay Richards might have been a friend Slim, but his back�s against the wall, and he�ll most like snap at anyone he thinks is a threat.�
�Yes, I know. The first sign of trouble, you get Andy down in the root cellar.�
�I just hope it don�t get that bad.� Jonesy said, pouring more coffee.
�Amen to that.� Slim said, looking at Jess who was checking his gun for the third time that evening.
�Jess, you feel okay about patrolling the stream after we get back? I�ll do it in the evening.�
�Sure.� Jess slipped his gun back into the holster in one smooth movement.
�I don�t want any unnecessary gunplay,� Slim warned.
�There wont be any, �less they start something.� Jess said. �But if they do, I ain�t promisin� you I won�t do what needs doin�.�
�Fair enough.� Slim agreed.
Morning found Slim talking to Sheriff Mort Corey. �...so, you see Mort, Clay just won�t listen.�
�Well, Slim, I can ride out there and talk to him, but as far as I can see, he hasn�t really done any wrong, except you say his men beat on Jess. If he wants to press charges, I�ll ride out and arrest the ones responsible, but that won�t stop Clay from just hiring others to take their places.�
�So, we just have to sit around and wait for him to have someone killed?�
�I can only act within the law, Slim. You want to lodge a complaint about the threats, I can ride out and warn him not to carry them out, or make any more. But you�ve worn a badge before, and you know as well as me that the law isn�t perfect. Still, it�s all we�ve got. You tell me he has done something illegal, and I�ll act.�
�Wait �til someone is dead, you mean.�
Meanwhile, down the street, Jess had collected the ammo and packed it into his saddlebags. He turned to walk Traveler down to Mort�s office where he was to meet Slim, when he saw a familiar face across the street. He crossed over the street, taking off his hat as he smiled.
�Hello, Suzie.�
The girl turned. �Jess! Are you all right? I was so worried Dad�s men had hurt you.�
�Take more than them to do that.�
�I wanted to tell you...� Her words trailed to a stop, as out of the saloon came a group of men, led by sandy hair.
Jess turned to see what had taken her attention.
Suzie continued. �I was going to say, Dad sent some men in with me. Please, go now.�
But it was too late, even if Jess had wanted to, which he didn�t. He stood his ground as the men approached.
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