“Nice to meet you, Delia. Jesse has told me so much about you. Won’t you join us?”
Delia, who was riding side-saddle, slipped off her horse, brushed off her gray skirt, and removed a package from her saddlebag. “I packed enough lunch for the three of us, thinking you were a man, Charlie.”
While Delia walked over to them, Jesse stared at Charlie in amazement. She’d somehow gotten him out of hot water when he’d been too shocked to speak.
Now, they had more than enough food. Their conversation was light, but Jesse got the feeling that Delia didn’t trust Charlie. She kept asking her questions about her past.
“So,” Delia asked Charlie, “when will you be returning to New York?”
Charlie sighed. “Not soon enough to please Sean, I’m sure. It's not that I don’t understand their wanting to be alone, but I love it here and wish to stay.”
“I could get you a job at the saloon. It comes with room and board,” Delia said.
“Really?” Charlie asked.
Jesse kept from frowning or interfering, lest Delia think he was sweet on Charlie, which he wasn’t. Still, the thought of her working in a saloon angered him. Charlie was too... too... he had no words. He was practically courting a saloon woman, so why did the thought of Charlie doing the same anger him? Maybe because if a cowboy got out of hand at the saloon, Charlie would probably shoot him.
“I’ll think about it, Delia,” Charlie said. “I’ll need to talk to my sister and Sean about it. They might be so happy to get rid of me they’ll allow it.”
“Just let me know,” Delia said. Then, she looked at Jesse. “Now that I know your friend is a woman and not a grumpy old man, I’ll pack a lunch every Wednesday and join you.”
Jesse smiled and nodded, but he noticed Charlie frowning. “That would be wonderful,” she said while looking down at her lap.
Delia looked at Jesse.
“Sure, why not? I must warn you both that I’ll soon have to get back to work, and that means leaving town.” He stood. “Let me walk you to your horse, Delia.”
When they reached her horse, he helped her up onto it. “And Charlie is staying?” she asked.
“Yes, for about another hour. We’re about to play a game of chess.”
Delia nodded. “See you tomorrow, then.” She turned her horse and galloped away.
When Jesse returned to the tablecloth, Charlie had the game all set up. She sat cross-legged in front of the board. “It’s your move.”
When he returned Charlie to Sean’s, she kissed his cheek—much to his embarrassment, and darted into the house. He was about to mount his horse when he heard Sean call him from the barn.
“Jesse—we found a solution to our problem.” Sean walked over to Jesse. “You can accompany Charlie to Cheyenne if you’re still willing.”
Jesse shrugged. “You said it wouldn’t look proper.”
“All we have to do is dress Charlie like a man. She’s as tough as one. I think she could pull it off. Even her voice is husky for a woman.”
“I like her voice. I wouldn’t call it husky, just not high and squeaky as most women,” Jesse said.
“Well, what do you say?”
Jesse sighed loudly. “If it’s all right with her, it’s fine with me. When were you thinking we’d leave?”
Sean grimaced. “Next week?”
“Whew. So soon? I have some affairs to put in order, but I think I can make next week work.”
Sean held one hand over his heart. “I promise, Jesse, I owe you one. A big one.”
“Nah, that’s what friends are for.”
“I’ll have Sophia pack extra clothes and a contribution to the food rations. The price of food at the train rest stops is expensive.”
All the way home, Jesse thought about what he’d tell Delia. He still felt something for her, but he had to admit that after meeting Charlie, his feelings for Delia had somewhat lessened. Charlie was fun, and she was tough; he admired her. His feelings for the women gave him an uncomfortable feeling. No good could come of this.
“What do you expect me to do?” Delia asked her brother-in-law. “I’ve tried everything except physically attack him.”
Her brother-in-law slammed his fist down on the kitchen table. “We have to get rid of Charlie. You need her out of the picture.”
“It’s too late. He told me this afternoon that he’s escorting her to a train depot in Cheyenne.”
“How cozy,” he yelled.
Delia shrugged. “He said it was business, not pleasure.”
“And, of course, you believed him. You’re more like your sister than you know.”
“I told him it wasn’t proper, but he said they'd planned to dress her up as a lad, it would be fine.” Delia sniffed into her handkerchief. “I tried.”
Her brother-in-law paced the floor. “She isn’t going anywhere.” He laughed. “An accident might befall her long before she reaches Cheyenne.”
“And how is that supposed to help me get Jesse to propose?”
He laughed at her. “I have a plan for that, too.”
Delia held her temples. “Like what?”
“All in good time. One step at a time.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to rob the bank?” she asked.
“Nope.” He sneered. “We’ll get rich legally.”
Chapter Six
The following Wednesday, he picked up Charlie from Sean and Sophia’s house, and he led her in a different direction. He galloped ahead of her, and she followed, but Charlie wondered why they weren’t going to his house as usual.
Jesse finally reined in at a park-like area, jumped from his horse, helped her down, and tied the horses. He took her hand and led her down an embankment, where she stopped and gasped in awe. It was a lovely spot, with a babbling
