Give Me Tonight

"Addie," he said thickly, raising his hand to touch hers. "Watts…"

"I know." Her eyes were clear and serene as they met his. He realized that somehow, the knowledge of Watts's death had lightened a burden on her shoulders. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't over yet, but the exhaustion was too strong to fight now.

"The rest… tomorrow."

Addie nodded in understanding. "Together," she said, and he shook his head wearily.

"No. No, Addie." Those were the last words he remembered before falling asleep, turning his face into the sofa cushion with a sigh.

Addie stayed with him for hours, ignoring May's remonstrances to go to bed. She knelt by him and stroked his black hair, her eyes wandering over him frequently to make sure he was really there. May dozed lightly in a large chair, waking to find Addie curled up close by Ben with a protective hand on his shoulder, her gaze fastened on his slumbering face.

"For goodness sake," May said, sounding a

Addie looked up at her gravely. "He's been hurt," she said, leaving her hand where it was. "And he's mine."

Did she mean to imply Ben was actually in need of such outrageous pampering, or that the way she treated him was her own business? It was unclear to May. But she didn't offer another word of criticism, perhaps deciding Addie was as much an enigma as Russell had been, and there was no use trying to understand her. In the silence, an awareness came to the two women as they each thought over the short exchange.

Addie was no longer May's most dependent child, in need of spoiling and soothing and understanding. She was as much a woman as May, stronger in a perplexing way, more self-contained. It was not lost on the older woman that much of the difference had been made by the man sleeping on the sofa.

Ben was livid the next morning as he talked with the sheriff in Russell's office. "Dammit, Je

"For nothin'?" Dary interrupted quietly, reading his answer in Ben's scowl. "No, I didn't think so. You'd have to pay her. Most folks will believe she'd say whatever she was paid to say. An' I'm not sure I wouldn't believe that too. "

"The point is, she'll swear up and down Watts was paid by the Johnsons to murder Russell Warner."

"Anyone else hear his confession?"

"I did!"

"So…' Dary said, sighing and chewing on the end of a fat cigar, "We got your word and the word of a whore…" He paused and looked at Addie sheepishly. "'Scuse me, ma'am. I meant-“

"I know what she is," Addie assured him dryly. Dary turned again to Ben. "Your word and Je

"I've already told you one of the hands saw his bunk empty the night of the murder."

"He mighta just gone outt' take a… " Dary paused and looked at Addie, clearing his throat. "T' relieve himself. 'Scuse me, ma'am."

"One look at Ben's shoulder is proof of what he claims," Addie said. "Why do you think Watts shot him? Because Ben found out the truth and confronted him with it."

"Or maybe it was.just a cussin' match that got outta hand. Cowmen have been known to shoot each other with less reason."

"Dammit to hell. You're falling all over yourself to make excuses for him."

"Ben, I know how riled y'are. I know what you believe, an' I believe it too. But you can't convict a man without more evidence than we got. You know that. "

Ben muttered something under his breath, staring out the window with hard green eyes.

"Tell you what I can do," Dary continued. "I'll take the Johnson boy t' my office in town and question him. And I'll have a talk with Big George, let him know the suspicions a whole lotta folks have 'bout him. The Johnsons are go

"We'd appreciate that," Addie said quickly, before Ben could reply.

"Alrighty," Dary replied, and picked up his hat. "Well, I'm go

"I'll have one of the boys show you the way," Ben said, swallowing his frustration as best he could.

"I'd do more 'f I could, Ben."

"I know."

The two men shook hands, and Addie preceded them out of the office. She stood on the porch with Ben and watched the Sheriff ride off in the direction of the burned-down line shack. As she looked up at Ben's stiff-jawed profile, she understood how painful it was for him to have to sit back and do nothing, knowing the Johnsons would get a slap on the wrist.

"I know you feel helpless," she said quietly.

The words seemed to spur him into action. "Not for long." He settled his hat on his head and pulled the brim low over his eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"To pay the Johnsons a visit. Before Dary gets there."

"You mean you're going to settle the score," Addie said in panic, following as he started to walk away. "Wait. I'm going with you." He wouldn't do anything rash or dangerous if she was with him.

Ben stopped and faced her. "No."

"You can't keep me from going. I'll follow you."

"You'll stay here if I have to tie you to a tree."

"Why not lock me in my room? I'll be less trouble to you that way. Or don't you remember what you told me that night about giving me freedom?"

"No. You're not going to win that way. This has nothing to do with that."

"I believed you when you said you wouldn't hold me back."

"Dammit, Addie-"

"I have a right to go. He was my father. And I was practically engaged to Jeff. "

"I have to keep you safe-"

"What's the danger in this visit? What are you pla

He looked at her without saying anything, his face set with anger.

"Take me with you," she urged. "I won't say anything. But I have to be there. You're not the only one who has ghosts to put to rest. How can I face the future, always looking over my shoulder?" She went over and touched his hand, her eyes locked with his. "Don't leave me behind. My place is by your side."

For a moment she thought he would refuse her. But then his fingers closed around hers.

They weren't stopped by the Double Bar men as they rode over the property line and up to the Johnsons' main house. The sleeves of Addie's black dress fluttered in the breeze like ba

When they reached the house, Ben helped Addie down from Jessie, his hands tightening around her waist. She threw him a quick, nervous smile. They walked up the steps and were met at the front door by Harlan, who was trying to conceal his anxiety.

"Mornin', Ben, Miss Adeline-"

"We're here to see Big George," Ben interrupted. "Ben, I'm sorry t' tell you he's in the middle of somethin', some business stuff, but if I can help you with somethin' -"

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind sparing a minute or two for a neighborly visit."

"No, but-" Harlan was cut off as Ben shouldered him aside.

"I didn't think so." Solicitously Ben took Addie's elbow and drew her to his side. "George in his office, Harlan?"

"Yes, but-"

"Thank you."

Addie swallowed hard as they entered the cluttered office, unprepared for the tide of hate that swept over her as she saw Big George and Jeff sitting at a mahogany table. They rose to their feet as she walked in, Big George grunting with the effort of raising himself out of the chair. Jeff stared at her with unblinking blue eyes. How could they look her in the face after what they had done?