Jess’s Reckoning – The Exciting Finale
Releasing May 12, 2026
Epitaph Press
Some wounds don’t heal. They drive you.
Jess McIntyre has lived for one purpose, vengeance, since outlaws murdered his parents on the Texas frontier. Now, he’s finally within reach of the men responsible and the reckoning that’s coming. All he needs is silence, patience, and no distractions.
Then Abigail Farnsworth rides into his life—and refuses to leave.
Beautiful, fearless, and far smarter than anyone gives her credit for, the determined reporter senses a story behind Jess’s haunted eyes. One that could save her failing newspaper. She shadows him across the Texas plains and stumbles headlong into his war—only to find herself tangled in something far more dangerous than a headline.
A town ruled by outlaws. A sister Jess believes is forever lost. And a brooding lawman she can’t stop thinking about, no matter how hard she tries.
They clash at every turn. But when the shooting starts and survival hangs in the balance, there’s no one else either would choose to stand beside.
In the wild Texas frontier, the outlaws aren’t the only ones who can break you.
EXCERPT
Whoops and hollers coming from a crowd of men running alongside a gaily decorated wagon interrupted Jess’s thoughts. He stood and stared, unsure what to make of this.
As they came closer, he was shocked to find a large wagon filled with four women of various ages in big, plumed hats, parasols, and low-cut dresses. A rather large black man handled the team of perfectly matched white horses. Why on earth would they want to come here where life was measured in so many breaths? They had to be out of their minds.
Then a lone rider behind the wagon came into view and Jess’s heart froze when he recognized the pretty dappled gray gelding.
Abigail Farnsworth.
The dark hair didn’t fool him. Had to be a wig. The spit dried in his mouth and his belly twisted. There was no mistaking the bright smile as her gaze homed in on him. What was she doing here? Why wasn’t she waiting for her father? And why hadn’t that sheriff in Laredo kept her there?
Please don’t wave, he silently pleaded. She needed to treat him as a stranger or his goose was cooked good and proper.
His precarious mission had just gotten a hundred times riskier. Now, he’d also have to protect her in addition to trying to keep himself alive. If he was a cursing man, he’d sure be letting loose.
The women of ill-repute and their growing crowd of male escorts paraded on down to the cantina while Abigail reined up in front of the hotel and dismounted. Jess didn’t move to offer a hand. In fact, his feet were glued to the spot.
Abigail threw her saddlebags over one shoulder and strolled toward him. “Monty Flynn, isn’t it? Fancy meeting you in Diablo Springs.”
At least she used his outlaw name. That was a start. She paid attention to the little details.
“Miss Farnsworth, what are you doing here?” he asked tightly through his teeth.
“My friends decided to come and asked me to join them.” Her smile blinded him and she whispered back equally furious. “I’m here because you need help.”
“Do you have a death wish? If so, you’re in the right place.” Jess grimaced as though he’d bitten into a sour persimmon. But a gentleman always holds the door, no matter how much his insides churned. He gritted his teeth, held the lobby door open, and followed her inside.
She strolled right up to the short clerk. “I’d like a room please. Hopefully right next to this gentleman in case I need protection.”
The clerk stared at Jess with clear distaste, his right eyebrow shooting up. “Whatever you say, miss.”
The man’s position on the town’s affairs was still unclear. Jess wondered which side of the line he stood on and that bothered him. He really couldn’t afford to trust the man.
“Please honor my request, sir.” Abigail flicked her hand toward the door. “This place doesn’t appear to have a smidgen bit of law…or order.”
“Welcome to Diablo Springs.” The clerk handed her a key without batting an eyelash.
Jess took her saddlebags and held her elbow to the stairs. He waited until they’d climbed to the second floor where they paused. “Still traveling light, I see. What will your father think when he arrives in Laredo and finds you gone?”
“Oh, I telegraphed him back and told him to stay in Austin.” Flames shot from her green eyes. “That wasn’t nice what you did. And I had to pay that poor excuse for a sheriff before he let me leave. Again on your orders I was told. You’re playing fast and loose with my life and I’m not having it.” She jerked away from him and turned the wrong way at the hall.
“This way, Duchess.” He grabbed her elbow. She flounced back, straightening her wig that sat crooked and tucking her blonde locks out of sight. Jess rolled his eyes.
Once inside her room, he shut the door and placed her saddlebags on the bed. It looked similarly shabby and dirty. “Welcome to the luxurious Driskoll,” he said dryly. “You might want to remove the sheets altogether. I don’t think they’ve ever been washed.”
Abigail wrinkled her nose. “What died in here? Is that smell coming from…you?”
Of all the things she could’ve said. He put his hands on his hips, strode to the window, and opened it. “Place needs airing out.”
“Why are you so angry?” she asked, sitting on the bed.
“Let me put it to you like this. The man in charge is a cold-blooded killer who shoots people for sport. His minions follow every rule he makes or risk death. There’s at least a couple of killings every day, if not more. I’ve witnessed two in the short time I’ve been here. And that’s just for starters. Today I found out he hanged the first priest in town to terrify the people.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You don’t belong here. Can I make this any plainer?”
She glared. “I’m here and I’m staying.”
God never made a more stubborn woman.
Jess released an explosive breath. “Write down what you want on your tombstone. I’ll try to see that you get it—if I make it out alive.”
She fluttered her long lashes then said dryly, “Already trying to frighten the little lady? Men like you always try that first.”
Men like him! Nothing he’d said made a dent in her brain.
“You’ll see. Being a woman is no protection here and your father can’t save you either.”
A knock sounded and Jess opened it to find Jose. “I’m a little busy.”
The friendly Hispanic wasn’t smiling. “Boss want you. Now.”
“How did you know I was in this room?”
“We know everything, señor.” Jose looked past him to Abigail and whipped off his hat. He gave her a sudden smile, showing three of his mostly black teeth. “Welcome, señorita. Come to the cantina and I will show you a good time.”
“Thank you,” Abigail replied.
Jess gave her a look and rushed Jose out the door. The man’s words that they know every movement here in town sat in his belly like a bowl of rotten beans. If they in fact did, it meant they also knew about Cole’s visit to his room. The walls were paper thin so if anyone was listening, they also knew what they’d talked about. Maybe Lone Wolf had decided it was time for a face-to-face and it could end with a bullet to the skull. Jess found the gun in his boot a bit of comfort. He wouldn’t go down without a fight.
“Your lady is most beauteeful,” Jose said.
He started to correct the man but decided maybe it wouldn’t hurt if people thought they were a couple. Maybe that could be a good thing and work in their favor. “Yeah, she is. I told her it was too dangerous for her.” He barked a laugh. “That’s a woman for you.”
Jose nodded. “Si. They never listen. I show you to Boss’s hacienda.”
