Disclaimer for Scandals books:

Thank you for taking interest in reading my newest Scandals book. The series is composed of fourteen interlocking stories. DO NOT read this story unless you have read the previous parts. Otherwise it will not make sense, because there is a lot going on in every part. The rating is for language, sexual references, mild violence, and adult themes. Some of these stories are based on things that actually happened in history, others are not. Please, enjoy the story, and look for the next part in the series!

"Well, it's nice to see you're finally up," Emma looked down on Cody, who was just coming to.

"How'd I get here? Emma?"

"You mean you don't remember?"

"No ma'am. All I remember is seeing Jimmy in the grove and then he shot me. The rest is all just a blur."

"Jimmy shot you?" Emma didn't quite believe him.

"Yes, but he was too drunk to tell me from a tree."

"Oh, I see. Do you feel fine, Cody?"

"Yeah, I actually feel pretty good, to be honest. I was thinking of going to town, actually…"

"Oh, I don't know…"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to the saloon. I just have some things I need to do." Emma pondered for a moment.

"Well, okay, but just be good, and don't stay too long. And take it easy." Emma called. But Cody was already out the door.

Although he felt fine, Cody still felt guilty for sleeping with Anabelle. He felt like Jimmy leaving was his fault. He just didn't know how to apologize, especially when he wasn't here. And then, as he entered Sweetwater, he knew. He hadn't been to church since he was twelve, but he knew that it was time to confess his sins to God…

Across the street that night, Jimmy was doing the exact opposite. Gambling, flirting, and drinking was the main purpose for this, and every, trip to the saloon. But he also had to wash away Anabelle and her memory. A man walked walked behind Jimmy, and bumped his elbow by accident.

"I'm sorry, it was an accident."

"Hey, I just bought this coat a month ago," Jimmy's temper was rising.

"Hey, I said I was sorry."

"I bet you are." Even when he was drunk, he still threw a hard punch. This began an all-out fist brawl. Both hands were flying, knuckles were white, and blood was dripping from their bodies. The fight eventually made it's way outside, into the middle of the street. Deciding this was out of hand, and was scaring away business, the bartender split them apart. But ask Jimmy backed away, his hand throbbed at his gun.

"Draw." Before the man could even think about his gun, Jimmy fired three shots, killing the man almost instantly. He fell to the ground in a limp lump, and Jimmy walked away back to the saloon as if nothing happened. Although he didn't feel it now, the guilt the would follow would be unbearable…

TO BE CONTINUED…