Jake glanced at Jeff. “That woman has been able to lead me around on a leash since before we fell in love. I guess she saw something in me I didn’t know was there.” He reached for another cigarette.
“She told me you went your separate ways…told me about the trading post where you found her,” Jeff told him.
The darker, more dangerous look moved into Jake’s eyes. “Yeah. I thought it was best to ride out of her life, but I got to worrying about her, so I tracked her down. Needless to say, the men who were abusing her at that trading post regretted it. I took her out of there, felt like an ass for leaving her on her own like that. By the time she was well…” He closed his eyes and sighed. “I just knew I couldn’t ever leave her alone again. For the first time in my life, I loved a woman for more than…more than what most men want out of a woman. Hell, I’d been with so many women by then that she should have been just another one along the way. But she wasn’t…not Randy.” He paused, then surprised Jeff with his next candid statement, something a person wouldn’t expect to hear from a man like Jake. “People think I’m so strong, but my strength comes from Randy.” He lit the cigarette. “Back to you,” he said then, obviously wanting to change the subject. “Do you have family? Did you go to some special school to do what you do?”
“Yes…school, I mean. I went to a local college while already working part-time for the Journal and worked my way up to senior reporter. I have a married brother back in Chicago, and my father is a bookkeeper. My mother died two years ago. I’m not married. I’ve worked so hard at what I do that I haven’t even had time to look.”
Jake grinned and shook his head. “That’s too bad. Every man needs a good woman, Jeff. You should take care of that part of your life. Have you even been with a woman?”
Jeff blinked. “Sir?”
Jake laughed lightly. “I’m pulling your leg, Jeff. Just trying to figure out if I should set you up with a nice, proper young lady…or with some woman who can teach you what to do with a nice, proper young lady when she becomes your wife.”
“Well, I…I haven’t given any thought to either.”
“Sure you have. You’re a man, aren’t you?”
“I, uh, I just want to be a successful writer. That’s where I’ve put all my study and energies.”
Jake shook his head. “Jeff, when I get done with you, you’ll be thinking about a lot more than just writing. And you should know that when I joke around with someone, it means I like them, and there aren’t many people I like.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Next time Lloyd and I head out, you’re going with us.”
“Sir?”
“You can’t write a good book just from stories all of us tell you. You need to see what life is really like out there beyond this door. When I put on those guns of mine, it’s a whole different world, and you’re going to join me next time.”
“I don’t even know how to use a gun.”
“I’ll teach you. You’re going to buy yourself some trail clothes and gear, have Tobe pick out a good horse for you, and you’re going to buy yourself a six-shooter. That’s an order. But when I say stay out of the way, you’ll stay out of the way, got that?”
“Yes, sir.”
Jake frowned. “Jeff, please just call me Jake. And for God’s sake, relax. Don’t be afraid to ask me anything you want.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Jake.”
“Yes, Jake.”
“Did Lloyd get Marty Bryant off on that prison wagon okay?”
“Yes. Lloyd and Katie are on their way to visit Katie’s folks for the day.”
“Good. You spend the next few days getting together the things you’ll need to ride out with us. I’m figuring in eight or ten more days, I’ll be ready to go.”
“You sure? You said just talking wears you out.”
“I’ll be out of this bed by then. I’m going nuts in here. And I don’t like Randy working so hard.” He lowered his voice. “I don’t think she’s well, Jeff, and I’m really worried about her.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know for certain. I know she’s worn-out and went through hell over this shooting, but there is something else, and she’s not telling me what it is.”
“I hope you’re wrong.”
A dark worry moved through Jake’s eyes. “So do I.”
“Can you answer one question for me before I leave?” Jeff asked.