This is simply intended as entertainment. That said, comments are always welcomed.
*
Jess Lange surveyed the small cow town of Alden as his gelding plodded down the dusty street. It appeared to be a replica of the town he had recently left, and much like the town he rode through the day before that. The Civil War was over, but the distrust and prejudices it had fostered still remained. Jess couldn't imagine that things would be getting better anytime soon.
He dismounted in front of a mercantile with the intention of restocking his dwindling supplies. Jess had long made it a point of completing that chore as soon as he entered a town. He had been known to leave in a bit of a rush on occasion and had learned to be prepared.
As he stepped into the store, he immediately realized he had encountered a situation. He silently mulled over leaving the store, at least until things became more stable. He wasn't normally the kind of man who got involved with the problems of others. He avoided conflict as long as he was left alone.
"Mister, just hike your ass back out the door. Go get a drink to cut the dust. You can come back when we're done," stated a big bearded man in a stained brown vest.
That demand went directly into the face of what Jess considered to be his biggest flaw. Ever since he had mustered out of the Army, he hated being told what to do. He looked briefly at the man before turning his attention to the others in the room.
A very pregnant woman was sitting on the plank floor with her back against the wall. She was sobbing as she cradled an unconscious man's head in her lap. The man had blood running down his face from some sort of head injury. Two nondescript armed men hovered over the pregnant woman in what could only be considered a threatening manner.
Jess glanced around the room and found the shopkeeper cowering in a far corner. "I have a list of supplies I need. I don't have a lot of time. I want you to work on this list now. I'll wait."
As he spoke, Jess took several steps toward the shopkeeper. That placed him in the center of the room, a few feet from the large bearded man.
"Maybe you didn't understand me, Stranger," began the large man angrily. "I told you to get the fuck out of..."
He stopped talking when Jess's boot heel caught him in the knee. As he began to crumble, Jess grabbed the back of his head and pulled his face down as he savagely raised his bent knee. Blood spurted from the man's beard as he dropped silently to the floor.
By the time his companions realized their friend was down and out, Jess had them covered with his revolver. They both raised their hands slowly as Jess strode toward them. Without warning, he swung his pistol around and caught the shorter man in the temple.
Seeing his cohort drop, the second man went for his gun. Jess quickly brought his weapon down on his skull, causing him to collapse on top of his companion.
"Ma'am, let me help you up. Is this your man? How badly is he hurt?" asked Jess with a surprisingly gentle voice. "Do you live around here?"
"Jack's my husband. He tends to say things that these damn morons don't understand, so they think he's insulting them. The big bastard with the beard and the newly ruined knee clubbed Jack on the head with his gun, about like you did to these two shitheads.
"We have a ranch twelve miles west of here. We rode in on a buckboard. If you'll help me get Jack to the wagon, I'll take him home," the woman added.
"You helped Jack and me when we needed it, but I'm afraid your ass is going to be in trouble. You just ruined Sam Jackson's knee. You gave his two toadies major headaches and embarrassed all three of them. They won't be forgetting that. I'd suggest you keep on traveling."
"Thanks, Ma'am. I appreciate the advice, but I'll be finishing my business before I leave," replied Jess before bending over and scooping up the inert form of her husband. "Lead the way to your buckboard."
Once Jess had gently placed Jack into the back of the buckboard, he helped the woman up to the seat. As she leaned forward to take the reins, she winced.
"Suppose I tie my horse behind your wagon and drive the wagon home for you?" suggested Jess. "You're getting pretty close and shouldn't have to worry about a damn horse. If he kicks over the traces, you'll be in a hell of a mess."
"Mister, I don't even know your name, but you're treating Jack and me better than most of the assholes in this shit town. I'm Maggie and I sure appreciate that offer. I'll take you up on it. I didn't look forward to fighting the reins. The horse is a little green. Jack was using the trip to town to train him."
If the plain talking women noticed Jess didn't surrender his name, she never mentioned it. Jack considered her as he tied his horse to the buckboard and climbed up to the seat.
She was a product of her times and environment. She had her dark hair tied back, but it was obvious she had to struggle to control it. She was plain looking with a small nose and a ruddy complexion. She certainly wouldn't be considered pretty by most men, but she showed strength and determination. As Jess guided the horse down the street, the woman kept looking back at her husband.
"I saw how you looked at me when I called the people in the town assholes," said Maggie as she tried to start a conversation. "I know I'm a bit coarse, as Jack says, but I grew up with three brothers and no mother. It's the only way I know how to talk."
"Maggie, I find your honesty refreshing," replied Jess. "There's no reason to apologize."
"I'm afraid you'll change your mind before long," responded Maggie as she once again winced. "We have to go slow so we don't hurt Jack, but I don't think the baby will wait till we get home. Please don't leave us alone in the middle of nowhere."
"Maggie, I won't desert you, but I'll admit that I'm not very keen on delivering a baby. Hold off as long as you can. We may get back to your ranch before you deliver, or Jack may come around by then and help you."
"Jack won't be much help," replied Maggie. "He's real smart but isn't too good with practical matters. Ask him to build a windmill and he'll come up with a great design, but someone else has to do the construction. A pencil is his tool of choice."
Jess smiled as he listened to Maggie's description of Jack. He had always been like that, even when they were kids. Jess had seen firsthand how people reacted to Jack's lack of social skills. He always stated what he was thinking, and often it was uncomplimentary to others. Jack was smart as hell, except he had no idea how to act around other people. Many men, especially insecure bullies, took offense when Jack stated his opinion of their mental limitations. Jess had come to Jack's defense on more than one occasion.
"Do you and Jack have your own spread?" asked Jess. "Do you have some hired hands? Your husband isn't exactly the world's best cowboy."
"That's true," agreed Maggie as she studied Jess thoughtfully. "We live on a decent sized ranch with Jack's parents, his sister, one of my brothers and his wife and kids. We all work so we only hire extra hands when we need them for branding or something."
"Does Jack's sister have any kids, or a husband?"
"She married a guy just before the war broke out, but he left to join the army and she hasn't seen him since. Do you know Jack's family?" asked Maggie.
"I've heard of the Masters from someplace," replied Jess a bit too casually.
"How did you know their last name? I never mentioned it. Who are you, Mister? If you're here to cause trouble for the Masters family, we're going to have a problem. You can stop right now, climb on your horse and ride the hell away. I'd rather take my chances delivering the baby with Jack being hurt than lead a wolf to their door."
Jess tried to conceal the admiration he felt for the woman sitting next to him. She was obviously loyal to her husband and family. "I know the family, but wish them no harm. Sorry if I asked too many questions."
"I noticed that you didn't tell me your name," stated Maggie. "I think it would only be proper for you to tell me who the hell you are and how you know my husband and his family."
"Jess? Is that really you?" interrupted a weak voice from the back of the buckboard. "Maggie, he's Jess Lange!"
"Jack! Are you okay? I think the baby's going to come before we get back to the ranch. How do you feel?" asked the concerned woman as she leaned back to look at her husband.
"I have a killer headache and I'm sleepy as hell," was all Jack managed before again losing consciousness.
"Which Jess Lange are you?" demanded Maggie as she turned her attention to Jess. "Are you the one who abandoned Becky, or the one who risked his life to save Jack from the Union soldiers? They surely can't be one and the same."
"That's pretty accurate," admitted Jess. "I'm not the same man I was back then. The war and circumstances have changed me, maybe not for the better."
"If you think you're going to ride in and have Becky rush into your arms, think again. She's got no use for a man who abandoned his wife and ran off to play soldier. She deserves a lot better than the likes of you."
"She should be very pleased to have such a staunch supporter in the family. I'm not here to discuss my character, or the lack of same. I didn't know Becky lived in this state, never mind in the area," replied Jess. "I'm just going to make sure you and Jack make it home safe, and then I'll ride away. If I'm lucky, Becky won't even see me."
"You'd ride off without talking to her? No explanation for being such a bastard? You don't sound like the same man Jack's always carrying on about. He pretty much thinks your shit don't stink."
"Jack's always been a good friend. We shared a lot of adventures growing up together back in Virginia. He's probably a little biased in his opinion of me," acknowledged Jess.
"You talk like you're smart like Jack, except you know how to handle unruly fellas a hell of a lot better," observed Maggie.
"Jack's brains rubbed off on me when we were growing up," responded Jess with a chuckle. "I wasn't much at defending myself back then, either. That was something I picked up in the war."
"That's another thing. Jack, Becky and their parents supported the Confederacy, but Jack said you were a Bluecoat. How could you grow up in Virginia and fight for the North?"
