"I thought you were going sleep the whole day away." A young woman said as she stepped behind him, placing her arms securely around his waist.
"I was just tired Anna." Jesse replied quietly as he gently extricated himself from her embrace.
The young woman came to stand before him, her dark eyes looking at him in suspicion. Usually he was more affectionate with her, but ever since he'd returned the night before, he had been trying to avoid physical contact with her. She suspected it had something to do with the woman he'd returned with.
"What is wrong?"
"Nothin'." Jesse replied in irritation.
"Nothing, hmm?"
"I have some things to think about…I'm goin' for a walk." Jesse said as he brushed past her. She watched him go with a feeling of dread. Before she had time to ponder her feelings, her brother stepped out onto the porch.
"I don't want you throwing yourself at him, it is an embarrassment."
"What are you talking about Miguel?" She asked angrily, avoiding her brother's dark eyes.
"I'm talking about the way you have made a fool of yourself, and our family. He does not love you." Miguel said softly, trying to lessen the hurt he knew his words evoked.
Anna looked him straight in the eyes and knew what he was saying was true. She didn't care, however. She loved Jesse and she wasn't going to let anything or anyone stand in her way. Throwing her hands up she walked back into the small house, muttering to herself while Miguel watched her curiously.
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Jesse squinted his eyes against the bright sun as he walked through the small town. Various people waved and smiled at him and he felt warm inside. He and his brother had discovered the town while running from the army after a robbery in Benton. The poor peasants had hidden them, pretending they didn't speak English to avoid the officers' questions. To show their appreciation, the two brothers had donated their money to the destitute town, replacing leaky roofs and rebuilding the burned down structures. They had become heroes to the population, a role that sometimes became burdensome.
He had stayed the night at Miguel's drinking strong tequila and telling anyone who wanted to hear of their latest adventures. They only made it back to Blanca Sierra every few months and were always welcomed with expensive alcohol and home cooked meals. He was anxious to get away from Anna as he walked towards his house. At first he welcomed her attention, but soon it began to consume him and he couldn't bare to be around her for long. Especially since Lou was in town.
Lou. He quickened his pace to the small house he used whenever in Blanca Sierra. Maria stayed there in his absence to make sure nothing was disturbed and that it stayed ready for his return. As soon as he turned the corner, he spotted her sitting on the porch, her head thrown back to soak up the sun's rays. She was wearing a thin white blouse that billowed in the wind and a long colorful skirt he knew was borrowed from one of the local women. Her long auburn hair fell across her shoulders and back, shimmering in the sun. His stomach felt like a sledgehammer had slammed into it and it took a few moments to regain his composure.
"Mornin' Lou." He said almost shyly as he took the seat beside her. He could see the remnants of her breakfast sitting on the table as she opened her eyes to study him.
"Mornin'." She replied noncommittal.
"I'm sorry about everything Lou…I didn't know you'd get hurt."
"When can I leave?" She asked in clipped tones, ignoring his apology.
"Leave? I thought I made it clear to you. You're gonna stay here, with me."
Lou snapped her neck around to look at him and her eyes flashed dangerously. "I'm not stayin' here, do you understand? I have a husband to go back to."
"Seems to me like he'd come to get you if he really wanted you back." Jesse said harshly.
Lou stood up suddenly, ignoring the excruciating pain at the bottom of her feet. She tried to rush back into the house before Jesse saw the tears his words had evoked, but it was too late. He had already seen the glistening water in her wounded eyes.
"I'm sorry Lou, but it's the truth."
"Yeah, well, here's another truth…you'll have to kill me if you want me to stay here with you because it will be over my dead body." She spat as she slammed the door behind her.
Jesse stood staring at the door, her words still ringing in his ears. He turned around as he heard steps behind him. Maria stood with her broom in her hand, eyeing him sternly. Her matronly bosom heaved with indignation and her face was red.
"You must not upset her so. Is not good for baby."
"She needs to hear the truth…Kid doesn't love her, not like I do. I'd give my life for her."
"You will only end up making her hate you. You can not make someone love you, and you can't keep them against their will."
"It may take a while, but she'll come around and realize how much I love her. I know I can make her happy."
"You are a fool Jesse. I will not let you keep her if she wants to go."
"Don't try to stand in my way Maria, I'm warning you." Jesse spat as he turned around, not noticing Anna standing behind him, nor Maria crossing herself repeatedly.
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Jimmy hadn't spoken a word to Frank since the day before when they had found the dead body, and what was left of Lou's dress. Frank recognized the man and told Jimmy so. The young man was filled with dread at the sight of the discarded rags and his heart feared the worst. They hadn't found Lou's body, so Jimmy was sure that she was alive, but if the dress was any indication of her health, then he knew she would not stay that way for long without help.
Frank had sat stiff, scared of Jimmy's reaction. He knew the man meant every word he said when he threatened him. He knew that Jesse would never let anything intentionally happen to Lou; he was in love with her. He remembered the way his younger brother used to prattle on about the young woman, praising her. That's why he was so surprised when Kid had told him that she had been taken in exchange for him.
Frank was lost deep in his thoughts when they heard horses approaching them from the front. Jimmy drew his gun faster than Frank had ever seen and lay in wait for their company. He saw Jimmy's body relax slightly as the three riders came into view. Reholstering his gun, he smiled softly. He was about to greet the visitors when Kid launched himself at his friend. Both men fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs, exchanging blows before they even hit the hard dirt. It wasn't long before Jimmy felt himself being pulled away from the angry man and he was thankful. He still had the marks from the last fight he and Kid had.
"What in the hell is wrong with you Kid?" Jimmy bellowed as he spit blood from his mouth.
"You're under arrest." Kid said simply as he effortlessly slapped the metal handcuffs on his wrists.
TO BE CONTINUED….CHAPTER 11
