The Rustlers stayed out of town, hiding in the hills just west of Kennett County, but every day Ethan heard exaggerated reports of sightings—Diego seen dealing cards at a cantina south of the border, Crazy Kit single-handedly rustling a hundred head of Shelton’s cattle, Joey Jr. leaving Marie’s bed in the early morning light…
Well, that one Ethan believed, because he’d seen Joey himself, wearing one of Marie’s dresses and hiding his devilish grin behind a large feathered fan. When Joey saw him, he winked bawdily, and on his way out of the saloon, he dropped something on Ethan’s table. It was the silver cross Jesse wore around his neck. Ethan had fingered the warmed metal, remembering the taste of Jesse in his mouth and the feel of gentle hands on his body.
When he had turned to thank Joey, the outlaw was gone.