The wind blew gently through the small town, swinging the doors as a trio of men thundered through, kicking up dust in their wake as they traveled.
Two kids, no older than 10 and 12, watched them ride out of town, the girl holding her hat on her head while he boy shuffled the deck of cards in his hand absentmindedly, his arms hanging over the top rung of the fence she was perched on.
Neither spoke for a while, watching the riders in comfortable silence, save for the piano music drifting from the saloon.
"I'd like to be like them one day," the boy commented, jutting out his chin in the direction of the fading riders.
The girl watched him curiously, head tilted slightly. "They're outlaws, Josh," she reminded him and he shrugged.
"I know that. But they ain't afraid of no one and people respect 'em," he pointed out, counting the cards while she shook her head at him, smiling teasingly.
"You just want out of this town," she accused, pushing his shoulder lightly. His face reddened slightly and he ducked his head to hide it.
"You don't?" He asked and her smile faded. "I don't know," she shrugged, suddenly very interested in her hands, her blue eyes downcast.
"That's a damn lie and you know it." He snorted and she shot him a disapproving glance. "Don't cuss, Josh," she scolded and he rolled his eyes, facing forward again, both gazing out into the desert.
"Would you do it?" He asked quietly after a while and she looked up, watching the clouds before answering. "Maybe," she looked back at him, "would you?"
He kept his face turned forward, a longing look overcoming his features. "In a heartbeat."
Her face fell and he studied her out of the corner of his eye. "But not until I got you to come with," he added. She glanced up, surprised, a hopeful smile creeping onto her features. "Promise?"
He nodded, shoving the cards in his pocket. "Know why?" He questioned softly, standing on the bottom rung of the fence to move closer.
Her face flushed and she shook her head, her hair bouncing around her face. A mischievous grin split his face as he plucked her hat off her head.
"'Cause I like doing this too much," he grinned, hopping off the fence as she gaped at him.
"Joshua Faraday, you get back here and give that back!" She shouted, jumping down after him, his laugh carried to her by the breeze as he sprinted away.
"Catch me and maybe I will!"