By Josette Smith
Inside the sheriff’s office back in Four Corners J.D. was opening the morning mail. Just then Vin walked in holding a telegram. “We just received word that Chris and Ezra never made it to the train. I’m going ta ride out that way and see if I can find any sign of them,” he said, “I’ll most likely be gone a day or two.”
“Maybe the stage broke an axle or something,” stated J.D. while looking over the latest wanted posters that had arrived in a large envelope. “Vin, look at this; lady outlaws.” JD handed over a poster that read: WANTED FOR STAGE COACH ROBBERY; ZEE KENDRICKS GANG; $5000 REWARD.
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Starr sat at the table cleaning her gun while a pot of beans began bubbling over the fire.
Chris eyed her curiously. With his hands tied behind him he was able to work the ropes loose that held him bound to the chair.
“What’re you starin’ at?” she demanded.
“Just wondering how a pretty lady like you and your two friends got involved in holding up stages,” he said.
Starr thought for a moment. “My father died when I was five years old. We were dirt poor and my mother worked day and night trying to put food on the table for the two of us. When I turned fifteen she remarried. He seemed like a nice man at first but after a few months he decided my mother didn’t satisfy him in bed and he wanted someone younger and prettier so he turned to me. He threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone. One night I just couldn’t take it anymore. He was drunk and came after me. I grabbed his gun and killed him. After that I ran away.”
“I’m sorry,” Chris said soberly, “sounds like the bastard got what he deserved. What happened to your mother?”
“She took sick two years ago and died.”
“Sounds like you’ve had a hard life but I still don’t understand why you ran. What you did was in self defense.”
“I was scared out of my mind. I just wanted to get away from there.”
“Are those beans about ready?” Chris inquired, “I’m getting hungry.”
“Shut your trap, I’m bringing em,” she answered lazily. She laid down the unfinished revolver, walked over to the fire and dished up a plate of beans. Walking over to the table she put the plate down and proceeded to sit herself at the table so she could feed him. Awaiting this opportunity Chris lunged at her, tipping the table over and knocking her backwards onto the floor close to the fireplace. He dove forward landing directly on top of her, overpowering her. “Well, what now?” she asked giggling, delighted at the unexpected position she found herself in with the handsome gunfighter.
“Now, you’re going to untie my hands!” he screamed.
Suddenly a gunshot exploded into the room and Chris looked up to see Zee holding a smoking revolver in her hand. Seconds later her image faded into darkness as he felt a sharp blow to the side of his head. Zee looked down to see Starr holding her revolver by the barrel and the butt end covered with Chris’s blood. It had flown off the overturned table and landed near the fireplace within her reach during the scuffle between the two.
“There was no reason to hit him!” Zee cried.
“I don’t like it when someone gets the drop on me!” Starr retorted.
“When I first walked in I didn’t get that impression,” remarked Zee.
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Chris awoke hours later back in a different bedroom than the one he had occupied earlier. Looking around he tried to remember where he was and what had happened. His head ached something fierce as well as his chest and it hurt to breathe. He felt a bandage wrapped around his head and looked down to see his ribs bandaged as well. Another bandage was wrapped around his gun hand. Zee walked in holding a cup of water. “Here, drink some of this, it will help clear your head,” she stated. She had left him untied this time since he had been out cold.
“What happened? Who are you?” he asked. Something about her seemed strangely familiar.
“Don’t you remember?” asked Zee. Pausing to consider his memory loss must be due to the blow on his head caused by Star pistol whipping him earlier, she lied to him and said, “You were hurt when you were thrown from your horse.”
He looked at her again studying her. “Are you my woman?” he asked.
Zee paused again to consider it for a moment and then replied “Yes, and this is our home.”
Chris slowly sat up and sipped the cup of water. He looked out the window by the bed and saw a green pasture with five horses in it. “Do we raise horses?” he inquired.
“No, you’d better get some rest, you don’t look well,” she stated trying to change the subject.
He finished the cup of water and laid back down falling asleep almost immediately.
Zee left the room closing the door behind her.
“Is he gonna be ok?” inquired Starr with Brooke looking on.
“I think so, but he appears to have lost his memory. He doesn’t know who he is or where he is. This could be beneficial in robbing the bank; we won’t have to use force. I’ve convinced him he lives here and I’m his woman. I put some sleeping powders in the water he drank. He should be out for a while. We need to get his friend out of here before seeing him triggers his memory. You two take him down the hill to that old abandoned shack. Brooke, you can stay there with him.”
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Chris slept through the night and awoke to the smell of morning coffee. He eased himself out of bed and walked to the outer room. Zee got up from the table. “Come sit at the table and I’ll get you a cup of coffee and something to eat,” she said. He sat down and she brought him a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of ham and eggs. Chris looked around the room still unsure of his whereabouts.
“You’re going to have to help me refresh my memory,” he said. “I still can’t remember much.”
“It’s ok,” she stated, “I’m Zee and you and I have been together for the past two years.” Just then Starr entered the room. “This is Starr.”
“And she is…?” questioned Chris.
Zee hesitated and the two women exchanged looks, “My sister,” she finally said.
“How did I get all of these injuries?” he inquired looking down at the bandages.
Again Zee hesitated. “You were shot at while we were escaping after holding up a stage,’” she finally said. “That’s what we do for a living. You fell after your horse was shot out from under you, that’s how you hurt your ribs and you hit your head on a rock. You cut your hand up trying to grab a knife away from one of the men you were fighting in the holdup.”
Chris was shocked at her statement. “We’re outlaws?” he cried.
“Yes, and we’re good at it,” she said.
“Outlaws!” Chris exclaimed again, “How? Why?”
“You and I had a small ranch back in Amarillo, Texas,” she lied. “Our neighbor who had a large spread tried to get you to sell our property to him. When you refused he framed you for cattle rustling. There was a trial and you were convicted and sentenced to hang. I was able to break you out but you insisted on revenge and killed the rancher. We made good our escape and found this place and have been in hiding ever since.”
Chris quietly pondered what he had just heard. He had finished eating and said, “Think I’ll go outside and get some fresh air.”
“I’ll go with you,” stated Zee, not trusting him to be alone by himself, “I need to gather some more firewood.”
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Clint Davis sat on his horse and looked over the site of the wrecked coach. He stepped down and examined the dead driver. “Who ever did this got off one lucky shot,” he stated. “Dead center, right between the eyes.”
“Who else could have known about the gold shipment and where we were gonna hit it?” exclaimed Virgil.
Clint paused to consider it. “I know who,” he finally said, “Zee. She spent the night two weeks ago and must have overheard us planning it, but she’s not gonna get away with it.”
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Vin rode up and hitched his horse in front of the saloon. Nathan and Josiah were sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee and the fresh morning air. “I rode the entire route ta where they were ta meet the train but couldn’t find a thing,” he stated, “Apparently there was a rainstorm out that way and it washed out all the tracks. I’m gonna get me some breakfast, a fresh horse, and some grub for the road and start out again.”
“Maybe I’ll go with you this time,” said Josiah.
“Me too,” said Nathan, “they must have gotten in to some sort of trouble and you may need some extra help. They may need some doctoring as well; I’ll go grab my medical bag just in case.”
“I’ll let J.D. know we’ll probably be gone a few days,” said the preacher, “He should be able to see to things at the jail and Buck can stay and watch after Ezra’s saloon. If he needs Buck’s help Inez will be able to manage the saloon by herself for a while.”
“Sounds good,” replied the tracker.
With in the hour the three were ready to ride with J.D. on hand to see them off.
“Take care of things J.D.,” said Vin as he mounted his horse.
“No problem,” he answered, “You can count on Buck and me. Try and get word to us as soon as you find out anything.”
“Will do,” Vin replied as he nudged his horse away from the hitching post.
With that the three lawmen galloped out of town in search of their two missing companions.
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Chris and Zee walked outside of the cabin and together they began to collect the firewood. They brought it back towards the cabin where an ax lay on a chopping block. “It needs to be split,” said Zee, picking up the ax.
“I can do that,” Chris replied, taking the ax from her. He started to chop the timber into kindling but swinging the ax tore at his ribs causing him excruciating pain.
“You’re not well enough for that yet,” said Zee, “let’s leave it for later and go for a walk.”
They walked down the path towards the creek. The running water made the air feel fresh. “It’s really beautiful out here,” said Chris looking around.
“You’ve always loved it here, and we’ve been happy here together,” she lied. As they looked at each other Zee found herself irresistibly attracted to the gunfighter and drawing herself close to him, kissed him gently on the lips. Chris pulled back slightly unsure about her and the situation he found himself in. As she persisted he found himself giving in to her unable to refuse her.
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Starr entered the shack to see Brooke washing up some dishes. Ezra sat over by the wall, tied to a chair with his hands tied behind his back.
“Zee told me to watch him so you could have a break,” she said.
“Ok, I need some clean water. I’ll go out to the well and refill the bucket,” said Brooke. She picked up the bucket and went outside to retrieve the fresh water.
“How’s Chris?” inquired Ezra.
“He’s fine, he’s getting all cozy like with Zee,” Starr replied. “How about you and I do likewise,” she added as she strolled over to him. She looked down at him and softly stroked his face. Straddling his lap she sat down facing him and slowly began unbuttoning his shirt. She slipped her hand inside his shirt and delicately stroked his chest while she began gently kissing his neck carefully avoiding the bruises and scrapes that covered his handsome features.
Ezra began to squirm uncomfortably. “My dear lady, this is hardly the time or the place for this,” he said uneasily. “Besides, I’m not quite back to my full capacity yet,” he said wincing from the pain in his side.
The fiery redhead continued to kiss him relentlessly. “Oh I think this is just the medicine you need,” she replied giggling, “Don’t worry, Starr’s gonna make it all better.”
Just then the door opened and Brooke appeared with the bucket of water. “Starr!” she screamed slamming down the bucket, “he’s in no condition for that! Besides…. Zee told ME to look after him; YOU’RE supposed to be collecting the supplies for the bank job!”
Reluctantly Starr stood up. “I’ll be back later,” she said looking down at him. Carefully cupping his chin with her hand and raising his face toward hers she leaned over and gave him one last kiss before leaving.
Brooke watched out the window as Starr walked away, steaming mad with anger and jealousy toward the redhead for trying to make a move on the handsome gambler.
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Chris and Zee arrived back at the cabin at dusk. “Why don’t you pour us a drink while I fix us something to eat,” she said.
Chris spied a bottle of bourbon and two glasses on a shelf and proceeded to do as asked. After the meal and a second glass of bourbon Chris began to feel very relaxed.
“You look like you could use some sleep,” Zee said, “What do you say we go to bed.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” said Chris smiling.
They walked back to the bedroom and Chris removed his boots and stretched out on the bed. Zee laid down as well cuddling up next to him. Chris turned to her and they began to kiss.
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Starr returned to the cabin late that evening with the bag of needed supplies for the bank job. Zee came out of the bedroom when she heard her arrival. “Were you able to get the nitro?” she whispered, being careful not to awake Chris.
“Yes, I stole it from some ranch a few miles from here. Apparently they keep it on hand for blasting stumps to clear their land. They also had blasting caps and fuse. I only took what we needed so I don’t think they’ll notice it missing.”
“Great,” replied Zee, “We’ll leave tomorrow night around 11 pm. It should be pretty quiet about then with no one around.”
“I think you’re taking an awful chance in trusting our cowboy friend. What if his memory suddenly returns?” questioned the redhead.
“Don’t worry about him, he won’t be any trouble,” laughed Zee, “I know how to handle men, I’ve got him wrapped around my little finger. Besides, I think he’s falling in love with me.”
“I’m worried about you Zee, I saw you two down by the stream earlier today, you went way too far with him, you’re starting to develop feelings for him and you’re gonna get caught with your guard down.”
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Clint Davis poured himself a shot of red-eye from a bottle that sat on the table in the rundown cabin he and his gang occupied. Virgil walked in and sat down beside him. “Jack and I have been out keeping an eye on Zee and her new man all day,” he said, “she’s been getting real cozy with him Clint; looks like you got some real competition on your hands there.”
“Did you find out what they did with the gold?” Clint demanded.
“No, apparently there wasn’t any; that stage was used as a decoy.”
“SHIT!” Clint cried out.
“Wait, there’s more. We found out Zee and her new boyfriend are planning to rob the First National Bank in Cimarron tomorrow night!” exclaimed Virgil.
“Well, well, well, what do you know about that?” Clint laughed, “Maybe we just better go lend them a hand.”
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Friday evening arrived and Starr saddled the horses for the trip into town. Zee and Chris met her out by the corral with the bag of equipment needed to perform the bank job. All day long Chris had been experiencing headaches and images of his past had been trying to surface but nothing clear would come to him. Something about this whole situation just didn’t feel right.
He hesitated before climbing into the saddle.
“Are you able to ride?” questioned Zee.
“I think so,” Chris replied.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take it nice and slow,” she said.
Reluctantly he mounted his horse with the two female bandits and began the journey into town.
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All day long Ezra had worked relentlessly to loosen the bonds that held him tied to the chair. He had finally managed to get that one loose but still there was the matter of his hands. He spied a nail sticking out of the wall several inches from where his chair was positioned. If he could manage to distract Brooke for a few minutes maybe he could scoot his chair close enough to use it to cut the rawhide strip that bound his hands. Looking for a method of distraction he noticed the empty water buck sitting on the floor. “Could I trouble you for a glass of water my dear?” he asked.
Brooke put down the medical book she was reading and picked up a cup and the dipper. Reaching down for the bucket, she realized that she used the last of it to wash the dishes. “I’ll be right back,” she said, “I need to refill the water bucket.” As she left to go outside Ezra took the opportunity to maneuver his chair so the protruding nail was directly behind it. Using the nail as a cutting tool he began to saw furiously at the tight strips that bound his wrists. When he heard the door open he eased up so as not to draw her attention to what he was doing.
“Here you go,” she said pouring the cup of water and bringing it to his lips.
Ezra took a long drink, thanked her and Brooke returned to her book.
“If I may be so bold madam, just what was it that encouraged you and your two lovely colleagues to take up a life of crime?” Ezra questioned.
Brooke looked up from her book and thought for a moment. “I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas just as the War Between the States broke out,” she stated. “Our farm was attacked by confederate soldiers. They looted and burned it. My entire family was shot and I was raped, shot and left to die. Zee is the one who found me and nursed me back to health.”
“I’m so sorry, I can see you’ve had a rough life,” Ezra said empathetically. He paused for a moment before continuing “And just what sequence of events led Zee to fall by the wayside?”
“She and her husband owned a small ranch back in Amarillo; a neighbor with a larger spread wanted to buy them out but her husband refused. The neighbor was determined to get their land so he framed him for cattle rustling. Her husband was convicted, sentenced and hung and their property was given to him as restitution for the cattle they allegedly rustled. Zee got revenge by killing the rancher, and since then she’s been on the run.”
Ezra sighed, “This world is full of injustice.”
“So what do you do for a living?” she inquired, tired of reading and eager to make conversation. “Are you and your partner US Marshals or something?”
“No, we’re just paid a mere $7 a week to keep the peace in town. Actually, I’m the entrepreneur of a saloon.”
“Well it must not be a very thriving business because you didn’t have much on you.” she stated.
Ezra appeared to be annoyed at her remark. “It gives a satisfactory return but, like most people I keep my money in a bank and not on my person.”
“Well, I hope it’s not the bank in Cimarron because that one’s gonna be cleaned out soon,” she said sarcastically.
Brooke closed her book and stood up. “Ezra, who do you think’s prettier? Starr or me?” she inquired twirling a piece of her hair and standing with one hand on her hip.
Ezra smiled; he couldn’t believe it, these two women were fighting over him. “I assure you you’re both quite ravishing, I couldn’t begin to choose one of you over the other,” he replied.
Slowly she strolled over to him. “Well maybe you can tell me which one of us is the better kisser?” she said easing herself down sideways onto his lap.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his lips to hers and kissed him seductively. “Have you ever been kissed like that before?” she asked and proceeded to kiss him again. Ezra played along; this was the opportunity he was waiting for. He gave the leather thongs a forceful yank and they broke apart. In a flash he overpowered her drawing his arms about her tightly. Grasping her securely he removed her revolver from her holster. Brooke began to kick and scream wildly.
“Sorry my dear but your little game is over,” he said angrily as he flipped her over and bound her hands tightly behind her with one of the loose strips of rawhide. “Now, you’re going to tell me what you and your friends have done with Chris!”
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The ride into Cimarron was quiet and uneventful. They tethered the horses back behind the bank. “Starr, you stay outside and keep watch; if you see anyone or anything looks suspicious whistle,” whispered Zee, “Come on Chris.”
They cautiously slithered along the side of the bank to the front of the bank. Picking the lock to the bank’s entrance was a cinch. Once inside they made their way to the back room towards the vault.
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Ezra mounted up and rode off at a fast clip toward Cimarron with Brooke bound tightly sitting directly in front of him. A few miles out he saw three riders coming fast. Unsure of who it might be Ezra slowed down and drew his gun. Suddenly he heard Vin’s voice, “Ezra, it’s us! Where’s Chris?”
“Come on, Chris needs help!” Ezra yelled, “I’ll fill you on the way!”
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“Ok, the first thing we need to do is putty down the seams of the door so we can create an airtight seal,” whispered Zee. They proceeded to putty down the safe’s seams and once done Zee pulled out Ezra’s watch to look at the time. “Ok, this will take about forty minutes to harden,” she stated quietly. She laid the watch down and started to get things ready for the next step which was to pump out the air so the nitro would draw into the vault.
Chris looked intently at the watch. What was it about it that seemed so familiar? He picked it up. Inside the front cover were engraved the initials E.S. Chris continued to stare at the watch. All at once it dawned on him. Ezra! This was Ezra’s watch! The memory of what had transpired over the past several days suddenly came flooding back. Where were they and what were were they doing here? It came to him. They were here to rob the bank! No! He had to stop it. Somehow he had to stop it! Zee looked up as she finished what she was doing. “How much longer?” she asked.
“Oh, we have a few minutes,” he said walking over to her and taking her in his arms. As they engaged in a kiss he slid his hand seductively up her thigh and quickly pulled her revolver from her holster. Spinning her around he pulled her arms tightly behind her. “Sorry Zee but your plans just fell through,” he said.
Zee was overcome with anger. “You’re gonna be the one who’s sorry, Chris! You just signed your friend’s death warrant. If we don’t show back at the hideout within two hours Brooke has instructions to kill your gambler friend.”
Chris laughed at this. “Brooke won’t kill Ezra,” he said.
Suddenly he heard the click of a gun and felt the cold steel of a revolver pushed into his back.
“Drop it Chris,” he heard Starr’s voice say. “Let her go.”
Chris reluctantly complied. Zee pulled free and swinging herself around slapped him hard across the face. “No one makes a fool of me!” she shouted angrily, “You’re going to regret that! Get over against the wall!” she screamed retrieving the gun from the floor. “Starr, tie him up good! I don’t want anymore trouble from him.”
Starr tied up Chris while Zee kept the gun aimed at him.
“Well, well, I just thought I might find you here,” came a voice from behind them.
“Drop you gun Zee; you too Starr.”
“Where’d you come from Clint?” asked Zee, reluctantly dropping the gun and turning to see Clint Davis behind her pointing his gun directly at her. Virgil and Jack stood alongside him with guns pulled, grinning at the turn of events.
“I thought you and your new boyfriend might need some help with this job but it looks like you and him are through. Maybe I’ll just get rid of him for you since he’s turned out to be such a nuisance.” Clint raised his gun and cocked it aiming it directly at Chris. As he pulled the trigger Zee screamed “Noooooo!!!” and threw herself directly in front of Chris taking the bullet intended for him. She slumped to the floor clutching her chest.
Suddenly a barrage of gunfire sounded. Clint Davis fell backwards as blood spurted from the front of his head. Virgil and Jack lay dead on the floor as well. Looking up Chris saw Ezra, Vin and Josiah all holding smoking guns. Nathan had remained outside to guard Brooke. Chris dropped to the floor and gently lifted Zee into his arms. “Why; why did you do it Zee?” he asked with surprise.
“Because…I…love you-----” she replied weakly and collapsed in his arms. Chris stared down at her, with tears welling up in his eyes.
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Several weeks later, Chris, Ezra, J.D., Nathan, Vin and Josiah sat at one of the tables in the Standish Tavern eating breakfast.
“I wonder how our lovely lady desperados will fair confined in Yuma prison?” questioned the gambler. “No doubt they’ll be a handful for the Territory of Arizona to deal with.”
“Yeah that’s for sure,” Chris said smiling, “Still, I’m glad you were able to save Zee,” he said looking over at Nathan. “She seemed to be on the mend before the bench trial with the judge. Even after all we went through with them I can’t help but have something of a soft spot inside for them.”
“Yes, well you didn’t have the opportunity to experience Starr and Brooke on your lap trying to take advantage of you. That was quite the ordeal,” commented Ezra.
“From the looks of it, Brooke knew what she was doing when she treated you two,” said Nathan. “I couldn’t see any signs of infection when I checked you out.”
“Maybe she can continue her medical training in prison,” joked Josiah, “they just may need help in the infirmary with Starr around.”
“That’s for sure,” said Chris, thinking back about his experiences with the fiery red-head.
Buck walked in then with a telegram he’d just received. “Guess what Chris? According to this the Zee Kendricks gang never made it to the Yuma prison.”
Ezra grabbed the telegram from Bucks hand quickly scanning it. “It appears that those three lovely vixens are so alluring they convinced the guards into letting them out of the prison wagon so they could perform their morning ablutions and before they knew it they were gone.”
“I don’t believe it, those three women are worse than ten outlaws!” exclaimed J.D.
“Need I remind you they WERE outlaws Mr. Dunne?” Ezra replied.
“Ah hell, they couldn’t have gone far,” commented Vin, “we’ll catch ‘em.”
“I sure would have liked a chance to get to know them better, there isn’t a woman alive that old Buck can’t handle,” added Buck laughing.
“You never know Buck, you may get that opportunity if they’re still around,” remarked Chris.
“If I were you I’d watch my back Chris, you know what they say; Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” commented Ezra.
“Yeah, but in the end she was willing to take a bullet for me; and fortunately I have six close friends to watch my back for me,” said Chris smiling.
THE END
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