Chapter Thirteen

Langley was sick to his stomach but knew that the plan he'd come with was his only option. He had to do everything within his power to keep Jessie safe even if she would be madder than a hippo with a toothache come morning.

Langley knew he should tell her what he'd heard but then the woman would go gunning after Billy herself, possibly even the mustached man, and Langley didn't want her to be hurt.

Jessie was busy at the dress shop and so Langley took advantage of that time and headed over to the apothecary's. It took his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness when he stepped inside. Once he could see, he nearly cried out when he saw the man standing behind the counter. He was tall, pale and thin with white hair, gaunt cheeks and a hooked nose.

"Can I help you, sir?" the clerk asked, sounding quite bored with life.

"I need some laudanum, sir. I've been getting headaches...." Before Langley could finish a bottle of medicine was placed on the countertop.

"That'll be seventy-five cents."

Langley tossed his change down, snatched up the bottle and slid it into his pocket as he walked out the door. He met Jessie coming out of the dressmakers shop. "Did you get what you wanted?" he asked.

"I sure did," she replied with a nod. "Tonight, dear husband, we are the Winterbournes. Your beloved father recently passed away and we found ourselves suddenly overwhelmed with more money than we know what to do with. We are in search of your uncle Benjamin Gray because part of your father's inheritance fell to him."

Langley swallowed as guilt plucked at his stomach. "You really enjoy all this don't you?"

"Yes I do.' Jessie smiled. "My pa always said I had an overactive imagination and I helped come up with all our ideas."

Langley hated this. He hated what he was going to do. But it had to be done. He didn't want to risk Jessie's safety and if she stepped into that Greenhorn saloon tonight, there was a good chance she wouldn't be stepping out of it—at least not under her own free will. And there was always no way the woman would listen to reason and stay behind to let Langley get the answers they needed. He knew her well enough to know that would never happen.

"Are you okay?" Jessie asked as they walked along the boardwalk to their hotel. "You've been very quiet today and that's highly unusual for the likes of you."

Langley attempted what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. I didn't get to check my eyelids for clues today like you did. I'm tired."

"Go to your room and get some rest then, Mr. Winterbourne. You'll need to be well rested for tonight."

Langley didn't speak. He was sure he'd end up sounding guilty if he did. Instead he kissed he brow gently and bounded up the stairs to his room. Rest was the last thing on his mind, however, as he paced back and forth.

He should do what he was going to do but he had to. He'd been raised to never put those he loved in harm's way. There was no way that his pa would let his mama put herself in danger. As a matter of fact, Marston had threatened on more than one occasion to tie his mama up to keep her out of danger. Langley was smart enough to know that Jessie would be able to kick his ass real good and proper if he tried something like that. Which meant his only option was to drug her.

He could imagine his mama slapping him silly for doing such a thing but his pa would probably be proud.

Several hours later, Langley knew it was time to get down to business. He went to the diner and ordered supper before bringing the tray back to his room. There he took out the bottle of laudanum and poured some into Jessie's lemonade before swirling it around.

With a rock in the pit of his stomach and his palms slicked with sweat, Langley went to Jessie's door and knocked.

"Come in," she called.

He opened the door and saw her standing to the side with her gun drawn. "If you're going to shoot me, can we eat dinner first? I'd like to have a final meal."

Jessie shrugged and holstered her gun. "Force of habit. I didn't know you'd bring dinner."

"Yeah I figured we'd might as well fill our stomachs up good before I run my first con."

Jessie laughed as she led him to the small table. Langley sat her plate and her doctored lemonade next to her. "Are you sure you're okay, Langley? You look pale," she asked as she took a sip.

She made a face and shivered as she glanced at the cup. "Wow, this is bitter," she mumbled before shrugging and taking a second gulp.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Langley assured her, drinking his own lemonade.

Jessie began talking about her plans for their night ahead and Langley felt guilt twist in his gut. She was going to kill him when she woke up. Already her eyelids were getting heavy. As she drank more, her words began to slur and she seemed to have a hard time finishing a thought.

"I'm so sleepy all of a sudden," she grumbled, rubbing at her face. She frowned at him. "Langley? What....?"

"I'm sorry, Jessie," he whispered just as she slumped and he caught her before she hit the floor.

"You..did...this?" she gasped.

Before Langley could answer, Jessie's head lolled back and she was asleep. Langley carried her to the bed and gently laid her down, covering her with the blanket. Langley knew he was doing what he had to do to keep her safe. Billy was trouble and it'd be best for Langley to learn what he needed to know without Jessie being in harm's way.

The saloon was already in full swing when Langley arrived. There was a crowd of eager men awaiting the poker game to start. Langley paid the steep twenty dollar entry fee and took a seat at the table the tournament boss sent him to.

He thanked his lucky stars when Billy walked in and was placed at the same table. Langley hated cheating at poker but he had brought along a deck of cards that was the same as the saloon was using. He knew because he'd checked before coming.

Langley's plan was to make sure that Bill did poorly and then strike out about the same time. The two could then go up to the bar and feel sorry for themselves together over plenty of whiskey—It was Langley's hope that then Billy's tongue would loosen.

As the game began, Langley didn't worry about being caught cheating. Jeremiah might be a backstabbing jackass but, he had taught Langley a thing or two about card games.

Langley lured Billy into a false sense of security by letting him win more than a few hands. Billy laughed, boasted and gulped down beer as if it were going out of style. Once Billy was overly confident and a bit intoxicated, Langley began using his hidden cards to turn the game in his favor.

It wasn't long before Billy was out of chips, throwing back his chair and storming to the bar. Langley went all in on his next hand though he didn't even have a pair and he joined Billy at the bar.

"Foolish game is all that is," he grumbled, settling down beside Billy.

Billy threw back a shot of whiskey. "Then why do we play it?"

"Cuz we're fools I reckon," Langley noted and the men chuckled. Langley tapped the barn. "Two more whiskeys."

"Thanks," Billy said.

Langley held up his shot glass. "To being foolish."

With a chuckle Billy replied, 'To being foolish." The glasses clinked together and Billy downed his quickly while Langley simply sipped a bit and sat his glass back in the bar.

"I'm Langley," Langley introduced himself as Billy went back to nursing his beer.

"Billy."

"Nice to meet you, Billy." Langley grinned. "Sorry I took all your money."

Billy snorted. "That's alright. It seems you lost it just as quick as you took it."

Langley nodded in agreement and that was all it took. Soon the two men were talking like old friends. Langley supplied Billy with beer and whiskey while barely touching his own. More and more Billy's tongue began to loosen.

"So what brings you to Armadillo?" Langley asked after a while.

Billy shrugged, his fingers beating a rhythm on the bar top. "A job. I'm waiting for someone."

"Who?"

Billy's eyes narrowed a bit. "Why?"

"Just curious." Langley grinned widely and winked. "Making conversation, Billy."

Billy sneered as he downed another shot of whiskey. "I'm waiting on a damn Frenchman. An ugly, no-good Frenchman who was supposed to be here weeks ago and still ain't shown up."

Langley laughed. "So you're an errand boy? Waiting around here on some frilly Frenchman?"

"I ain't no goddamn errand boy!" Billy slurred, pointing a finger at Langley's face. "I happy to work for Benjamin Gray, a well-known man in these parts. And the man ain't just some frilly Frenchman. He's a trained killer."

"Well I ain't never heard of a Benjamin Gray." Langley shrugged. "And I wouldn't work for nobody but myself," he added, thumping his hand on the bar. "I don't take orders and wind up sitting around twiddling my thumbs. Nobody tells Langley Howell what he can and can't do." Langley decided that using his old name was the safer option. No point throwing Marston's last name around.

Billy seemed mad for a moment as he finished off his beer. Then he sighed. "I respect that. As a matter of fact, I'm fixing to take a page out of your book."

"Is that right? What about your boss?"

Billy took a quick look around and leaned in close, the whiskey and beer on his breath nearly strong enough to tranquilize a horse. "By the time he realizes I've done it, I'll be long gone. You see this Frenchman, Pierre, he's bringing a girl with him. Now, I'm supposed to take the girl to Benjamin's spare house up in Bingham so Benjamin can have some fun with her. There's just one problem—I know the girl and I want her for myself."

Langley forced a smile despite the anger boiling in his gut. "Is that right?"

Billy threw his shoulders back and nodded. "Yep."

Langley knew it would be a cold day in hell before he let either man lay a hand on Jessie. Langley adjusted himself on the stool, leaned his elbows against his thighs and met Billy's gaze. "What if I told you I'd been lying before? What if I was to tell you that I knew that Frenchman and I killed him and took the girl?"

Billy laughed. "You? Kill Pierre?" His laughter grew louder and downright offensive. "There's no way!"

"There must be," Langley replied calmly. "Because I shot him and I took the girl. Jessie's her name."

Billy's face paled. "You're serious?"

"Hell yeah," Langley chuckled. "She's a feisty woman, though. Damn near kicked my teeth out. I think what I like best about her is those eyes. I'd never seen eyes that color violet before."

Billy's hand went to the pearl handle of one of his revolvers. "Friend, I wish you hadn't told me that. Now I have to kill you."

Langley laughed. "Well why in the hell do you want to do that? I don't want to keep the woman. She's too strong-willed for my tastes. I got her tied up and hid real good outside of town. If you kill me, you'll never find her alive."

"Shit." Billy's hand fell. "I don't want a cold, lifeless corpse. I want her hot and full of life beneath me."

Langley fought the urge to pull his gun and put a bullet in the sneering bastard right then and there. Not because murder was wrong but because there were far too many witnesses in the saloon.

"I'll tell you what, Billy. We're friends now and I don't have much use for the girl. How about you give me one hundred dollars, I'll take you to her and you can have her." Langley chuckled. "Maybe she won't kick your teeth down your throat the way she did me."

Billy was silent for a long while and Langley began to fear he might say no. But then the other man nodded. "Okay. You take me to Jessie and show me that she's alive and then I'll give you your money."

Langley felt dirty as he shook Billy's hand to seal the deal. He knew that Billy was lying just as well as he knew he was lying. Billy stumbled toward the door and Langley followed after him.

Once they'd saddled their horses, Langley began to lead Billy out of town. They'd have to travel fairly far to ensure the gunshot wouldn't be heard by those enjoying themselves back in Armadillo.

"How far isshe?" Billy slurred, fighting sleep in the saddle.

"Another mile or so," Langley assured him.

Langley was surprised by his lack of nervousness. It would seem that killing people got easier each time you did so. There was the Mexican, the Frenchman and now Billy. He knew he should feel guilty but each of these men would have done terrible things had Langley not ended their lives.

"I lied again, Billy," Langley spoke up as they rode side by side in the moonlight. "I did kill Pierre and Jessie is with me but she's not out here. She safe and sound back at the hotel in town. You see, I love the woman and I just can't let you men hurt her."

Billy turned and found himself staring down Langley's revolver. He blinked several times as he weaved in the saddle. "What are you saying?"

"Thanks for telling me where to find Benjamin." Langley took a deep breath. "Bye Billy." He pulled the trigger and Billy fell lifeless to the ground as the shot echoed in the night.

Langley jumped to the ground and wasted no time in emptying Billy's pockets. Wouldn't his pa be proud? He wasn't surprised to find that Billy didn't have any money on him. The bastard hadn't planned on paying him for Jessie. He'd planned on taking her and killing Langley.

Langley wondered why people always seemed to assume he was dumb enough to fall for tricks. He had been raised by Marston Jacobs and he knew how to spot a rat.

After dragging Billy's body behind an outcropping of rocks and removing his horse's saddle and headgear, Langley gave the beast a swat and it ran off into the night.

He headed back to town with a heart heavy with guilt. He didn't like killing. And he didn't like knowing he'd tricked Jessie the way he had. Damn, but Langley wasn't really cut out for an outlaw life. He was a gunsmith.

Langley went to her room at the hotel and stood at the closed door. He took a deep steadying breath and knocked. Silence followed. Langley frowned. Was she still asleep?

Maybe he'd used too much laudanum.

Langley threw open the door and barely managed to twist his torso out of the path of the knife that was sent sailing in his directions. The blade sliced across his arm before sinking deep into the door frame.

"You stupid, son of a bitch!" Jessie bellowed, her wild mane of gold hair surrounding her flushed face. "How could you do that to me? What the devil did you put in my damned drink?"

Langley pulled the knife from the wood and slowly stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Calm down, Jessie," he urged gently.

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down, you bastard. I trusted you!"

Langley saw the hurt in her violet eyes and his heart ached. He closed his eyes and took a breath before looking at her once again. "It was laudanum and I'm sorry."

"I knew I shouldn't have trusted you," Jessie spat as she jerked her knife from his hand. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I care about you, dammit," Langley insisted, yanking off his hat and shoving his hand through his hair. "And I couldn't risk your safety."

"What are you talking about?" Jessie asked, as she took a step back. It wasn't often that Langley yelled.

"It was just chance that had Billy in town," Langley replied.

Jessie rolled her eyes. "You better get to explaining why you drugged me a little quicker, Langley." She waved her knife. "My aim will be better next time."

"Pierre, the Frenchman I killed at the cabin, wasn't there to kill you. He was there to kidnap you. He was supposed to bring you here, to Billy, who was supposed to take you to Benjamin. At least that was the plan. I heard Billy say he was gonna be at the Greenhorn so I decided to stop in there too."

Jessie put her knife away and scratched at her temple. "So you drugged me just so you could go talk to Billy without me? Why the hell did you do that?"

Langley shrugged. "To keep you safe."

Jessie's eyes flashed with temper. "I don't need you or anyone else to keep me safe, Langley. I can tend to myself."

"Too damn bad," Langley snapped back, plopping his hat back on his head. "I won't let anyone I love be put in harm's way. I was raised different than that."

Jessie's eyes widened as she stepped back. Langley realized what he had said and swallowed hard. He hoped she'd just ignore that confession. Now wasn't the time for talks about love and emotions—not when he was pretty damn sure she hated his guts.

Jessie sat down hard on the end of the bed. "So you went to the saloon without me and what happened?"

Langley leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "Turns out Billy had no intention of giving you to Benjamin. He was going to keep you for himself. But he's took care of now and I know exactly where to find Benjamin."

"You do?" Jessie demanded, not even bothering to hide her surprise. Langley simply nodded and Jessie kicked at the rug. "You had no right to do what you did."

"I know," Langley admitted. "I should have just tied you up."

Jessie's face flushed. "You should have told me what was going on!"

"And would you have stayed here safe if I had?" When Jessie remained silent, Langley nodded. "That's what I thought. Now what I did might not have been right. Hell, it might have been downright wrong but, it kept you safe and that's all I cared about at the time."

Langley took a step toward her but Jessie raised her hand. Her eyes didn't meet his. "Where's Benjamin?"

"Billy was supposed to take you to Bingham Oklahoma. To a second home that Benjamin owns," Langley replied with defeat. Those stone walls were back around Jessie and whatever progress Langley had made during the last weeks, had been completely erased.

He knew he had no one to blame but himself but that didn't mean he was happy about the change.

"Then that's the next stop," Jessie replied.

Langley sighed. "Jessie, please listen. I know I deserve your anger but try to understand... I was only thinking about keeping you safe. You're too stubborn headed to stay out of harm's way and you know it so I did what I thought I had to do. Thinking that Billy could have taken you and the thoughts of what he'd have done to you...." Langley growled and his fists clenched tightly. "God, I can't even begin to make you understand what that makes me feel. Apparently I have more outlaw in me than I realized because I'm willing to lie, cheat and steal to keep you safe."

"Just go," Jessie insisted, standing and walking to the window so her back was to him. She didn't want to hear him speak any longer. He had let her down and hurt her by what he'd done. Worse, she was going to cry soon and Jessie did not want him witnessing that.

"Jessie, I did the best I could. I am Marston Jacobs' son, after all. Pierre is dead. Billy is dead. We know where Benjamin is and you are safe. You might be mad as hell, but you're safe."

"I told you to go," Jessie snapped, a tear slipping down her cheek as she stared at the darkness. "We'll leave first thing in the morning."

Langley's heart hurt but even he knew when to shut his mouth and walk away. He closed the door quietly behind him as he stepped into the hall and laid his hand over the blood cut on his arm.

The lump in his throat made it hard to swallow. Langley had just hurt someone he loved. He had never really done that before. It sure as hell didn't feel good.

Regret filled him. He should have done things differently but, hell, he hadn't been thinking clearly! All he'd thought of was keeping Jessie out of danger and nothing else.

Right now, Langley wished he could speak to his mama and his pa. Marston would understand what Langley had done and Rose would no doubt know just what to say to Jessie to have her forgiving him.

But that wasn't going to happen. Langley had a feeling he had lost Jessie. He had broken what bond they had forged with his own misguided good intention.

That's why Langley wasn't a bit surprised the next morning when he went to her room and found her gone. Jessie had left him again and this time Langley knew why—and worse, he knew he deserved it.