words were silenced by the bandanna he slipped into her mouth. He secured the ends behind her head. She worked at the material, trying to spit it out, but it didn’t budge. Shrieks of outrage cut through the afternoon, but they weren’t as loud as her screaming and Jesse knew it was the best he could do.
“I have to go talk to a friend of mine,” he said, crouching in front of her, careful to stay out of reach of her bound but kicking feet. “I won’t be gone long, but I need to make sure you’ll be here when I get back.” He motioned to the ties at her wrists and ankles. “I’m really sorry, Haley.”
Muffled sounds exploded from her. Obviously she wasn’t impressed by his apology. He stood up.
“You’ll be safe enough here. I’ll be back before sundown.”
She shrieked. This time he thought he made out what she was saying. What if you don’t come back?
She had a point. Bound and gagged, she was as vulnerable as a newborn. It was a risk they were both going to have to take.
“I’ll be back,” he promised. “You’ll see.”
He secured her horse to a tree, then got on his mount and headed out. Her muffled screams of protest faded quickly.
Less than an hour later, he’d reached the meeting place. A few minutes after that Bart Baxter rode up on his black gelding.
Bart grinned. “I don’t have to ask if you got her,” he said. “Everyone’s talking about it. You made a real impression on a couple from back east. They’ve been talking up a storm about how you held up the stage and attacked poor innocent passengers.”
Jesse grimaced. “The man pulled a gun on me.”
“I saw it, Jesse. It wasn’t much of a gun.”
“Agreed, but he was less than a couple feet from me. Even a fool like that wouldn’t have missed.”
“Did you have to go and break his wrist?”
“I just kicked him. How was I to know he was delicate as an eggshell?”
Bart’s grin broadened. “To hear him tell it, he wrestled you to the ground like a bear, but ultimately you got the better of him.” He’d raised his voice slightly so it sounded cultured and easternlike.
“Great,” Jesse muttered and pulled his hat lower over his forehead. “Lindsay got men out looking for me?”
“Some. I asked around and so far they haven’t found your trail.”
“A blind man could see it,” Jesse said, wondering how on earth they’d missed the very obvious clues he’d left. He looked at his friend. “Anything from Stoner?”
Bart shook his head. “Nothing. I got him word that I was the one he should come see and I was real obvious when I was in town today, but he didn’t talk to me. You want me to go to him directly?”
“No. You’re in this too deep already. I don’t want to give Lindsay an excuse to arrest you. So far there’s just a rumor that you’re involved.” He frowned. “I wish you’d change your mind about helping me. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Christine would kill me.”
“My wife understands and wants to help, too. Don’t worry. Lindsay isn’t going to do anything to me. You’re the one in danger here.”
Maybe, Jesse thought. But so far the plan wasn’t working. Stoner was supposed to be frantic over the loss of his bride and willing to talk. Or at least pretend he was.
“Stoner hasn’t said anything about Haley?” he asked.
“Not that I heard.”
“You think he’s going to want her back?”
Bart grimaced. “He paid for the ticket. You can bet he’s going to want to get his money’s worth. He’ll want her. I think he’s trying to wait you out. He’s probably hoping you’ll get nervous and make a mistake.”
Maybe he already had, Jesse thought grimly. Maybe the kidnapping hadn’t been a good idea, although it was too late to change that now.
Bart shifted in his saddle. “How’s it going? Is she giving you a lot of trouble?”
“Not if you don’t count her trying to escape twice in two days.”
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