Hot Water
by Holly
Epilogue
Several days later, Slim rode into town to visit Jess, who was recovering from surgery to remove the bullet in his shoulder. The doctor led him into a small back room that served as an office or recovery ward, depending on the need.
�Okay, Slim. Don�t keep him talking too long, he still needs rest.�
Jess sat propped up in the small bed, and Slim didn�t think he looked too bad, at all.
�Hi, Slim, how�s things?�
�Oh, we�re coping as best as we can without you. Here, Andy sent you this.� Slim handed across the leather bound box.
Jess looked at it closely. �This is that family tree thing, ain�t it? Why is he givin� it to me?�
Slim smiled. �Look at it.�
Jess carefully opened the box, and took out the scroll of paper. He unrolled it and looked at Slim.
�So?�
�Look at the bottom.� Slim advised.
Jess peered down to where the last name was scrawled by a childish hand, and then looked up in disbelief. �It�s my name.�
�Sure, you�re family, so Andy wanted to make kinda official.�
�I don�t know what to say.�
�Well, don�t say anything right now, wait �til you�re back home.�
Jess grinned. �Well, I�m awful weak. You know it might be awhile �til I�m fit for work.�
Slim�s smile faded quickly. �Jess, I think you should know Richards has been arrested.�
Jess nodded slightly, and Slim continued. �He has agreed to sell everything and move out of the territory, if you agree not to press any charges.� He looked to Jess for a reaction, but there wasn�t any.
�What about you?� Jess finally asked.
�I am willing to agree to that. Burton is dead, and the rest of the gunmen have dispersed. I can�t see a jail term really helping things. Clay losing the ranch is enough punishment, don�t you think?�
�I guess so, but I�m still pressin� charges.� Jess replied firmly.
�If you are wonderin�, Suzie left for San Francisco yesterday. She is going to her grandmothers. Didn�t know what would be happening with Clay; couldn�t face it. I guess she was right..if her father does have to stand trial.� Slim said, pointedly.
Jess looked from under dark lashes at Slim. �Okay, okay, I�ll drop the charges, on one condition.�
�What�s that?�
�You get me home now.�
�Now? But the doc� said��
�I don�t care what he said, Slim, you gotta get me outta here now.� Jess was raised up on the bed, gazing out of the window, a look of panic on his face.
�Why? What�s the hurry?�
�I can see Milly crossin� the street; she�s on her way here right now! She�s got it in her head that I need nursin�.�
Slim looked serious. �You know Jess, that calf, Betsy, doesn�t give you half as much trouble as your women, you were right about that.�
The End
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