Title: THE LOTTERY

Author: Donna McIntosh

Fandom: Brokeback Mountain

Genre: Slash

Rating: Adult rated

Disclaimer: Brokeback Mountain and all it's characters belong to Anne Proulx. I make no money from these stories. I just can't seem to quit them.

Beta: My deepest gratitude goes out to Mike for all his hard work. This would be a real mess without all his un-tiring efforts.

CHAPTER ONE

"What's this?" Ennis asked as Jenny tucked an envelope into his jacket pocket.

"Just a little thank-you note for givin me away, Daddy. I know you had a hard time gettin away from work and drivin all the way down here to Cheyenne for my weddin. I wanted you to know that I appreciate it. You think your boss is gonna fire you?"

"I don't know, baby girl, but it don't matter none. I wouldn't a missed your weddin for anythin." He gave his youngest daughter a hug before she was hustled away to the waiting car to take her and her new husband away for their honeymoon.

The crowd faded away, off to their own cars. Ennis climbed into his truck and lit a cigarette. He was glad he came. Justin seemed like a real nice guy, and the two of them seemed over the moon in love. He wished them well. With a sigh, he headed on back to Riverton. He wasn't looking forward to work. His boss hadn't been at all happy about letting him off work.

"Oh well." Ennis tossed his cigarette butt out the window. If he fires me, he fires me. There ain't nothin I can do about it. I couldn't a missed Jenny's weddin. He thought. He was worried though. This time of year work wasn't exactly easy to come by. "January sucks! I just hope I can make it home in this mess." He grumbled as he headed down the icy road toward home.

"Home." He gave a little huff of disgust. He'd hardly call his dingy little trailer 'home'. He couldn't complain though. At least it was paid for, and it was his. His girls had both turned out great and he was proud of them. Both had careers of their own now – Junior was teaching school up in Alaska where she lived with her husband; and Jenny just graduated from nursing school.

And he had Jack. At least he hoped he did. They had had words last time Jack was up in November. It wasn't as bad as the set-to they had a couple years ago in May, but he had a bad feeling about it. He wondered if Jack would meet him again this May. He said he would, but things change. People change, and he had noticed a definite change in Jack last time. It was like the light had gone out of him. He had given up on any chance of the two of them being together permanently. He wished he could give Jack some hope, bring back that special glow that Jack always had when they were together, but he didn't know how. There was only one thing Jack wanted, and that was something he couldn't give him. He wished he could. He really wished he could.

It was dinner time when he got home. He sat alone at his tiny dinner table and ate his can of stew. His jacket hangin on the hook by the door caught his eye. He could see something sticking out of his pocket. It was the envelop that Jenny had given him. He smiled as he thought about her again. She had looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, and seemed so happy. He was happy for her. She had been the shiest of his two girls, but had turned into a real beauty with her long wavy blond hair. He got up and retrieved the envelope.

He pulled out the thank-you card and opened it. A piece of paper fluttered to the floor. He let it go while he read her sweet sentiments in her beautiful hand writing. His two girls couldn't have been more different. Junior, while kind and loving in her own way, would never have been called sweet. She was forward, blunt, and didn't take anything for anybody. Her letters were always dashed out in bold print. Jenny, on the other hand, was soft, shy, and sweet. Her penmanship was lavish and beautiful. Each letter perfectly formed and flowing into the next.

"Ahh baby girl." He smiled. "A baby no more." He reached down and picked up the paper that had fallen out. It was a lottery ticket. Jenny had written in tiny letters across the edge, "Good luck Daddy. I love you!" He stuck it back into the envelope with the card and forgot about it.

x x x x

"Well shit!" Ennis slugged his way through the snow to his truck. He tried to slam the door, but it took him three tries to get it to latch. The old truck had about had it. He cursed again, as it groaned into life. He needed another tune-up. It'd be a new battery this time for sure. He drove carefully from the ranch and cursed the foreman. He never did like the guy, never believed the son of a bitch knew what he was talking about. "What the hell does a college diploma have to do with ranchin anyway?" He'd find another job. He had a couple hundred in the bank, he could stretch it out, make it last. Maybe even until spring when most places start hiring again.

He stopped at the stables on his way home to check on his horses. They were covered, and inside the barn. He liked their set up. He'd have to see about getting them into a cheaper place soon. Maybe he could find work before then. He'd start looking in the morning. The radio said the snow would stop soon.

A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of chicken noodle soup was just what he needed for dinner. He turned the TV on to catch the news as he ate. There was a big commotion going on. The announcer was interviewing some people. They were saying something about the lottery. Two local people had won fifty dollars each and were talking about what they were going to do with their earnings. One guy was saying he was going to have a beer-bash with his buddies. A woman was crying and thanking the Lord for her windfall saying now she can afford to buy her daughter a crib for the new grand baby.

"Man, I wish I'd a won that fifty dollars." Ennis said around a mouthful of sandwich. "I'd get me a tune-up."

The announcer went on about the lottery saying that someone had actually won the million dollar jackpot, but had not claimed it yet. He said the ticket had been sold by a place in Cheyenne. Ennis shrugged and went on with his dinner. All he was interested in right then was getting to the weather report.

When it finally came on, he was at the sink rinsing out his dishes. He wiped his hands and turned the sound up a bit. "Damn!" True enough, the snow would finish that evening, but the next day they were expecting freezing rain. There'd be no running around from ranch to ranch tomorrow looking for work.

x x x x

The next morning he smoked his last cigarette, crushed the packet and tossed it in the trash. As much as he hated to, he'd have to go out in the rain on his nearly bald tires, and hit the convenience store. He could do without a lot of things in life, but not his cigarettes. No matter how his daughters, and Jack had been after him to quit, he just couldn't do it. And especially not now.

As he was getting dressed, he noticed the thank-you card from Jenny on the dresser. He picked it up and pulled out the lottery ticket. "Might as well check it out while I'm at the store. Maybe I'll get lucky and win fifty bucks." He stuck the ticket in his shirt pocket, grabbed his jacket and hat, and headed out.

There was a line of people checking out their lottery tickets. They were all laughing and joking about what they'd do if they won any money. Ennis chuckled as he listened to their pipe dreams. He was silent though. All he was hoping for was maybe enough to get a tune-up for his truck, and maybe a re-cap tire or two.

"According to this, you're definitely a winner." The clerk was telling the man in front of Ennis.

"All right!" The man yelled. "I won! How much? How much?"

"Ummm..." The clerk was checking the numbers against his list. "Twelve dollars."

"Oh shit!" The guy laughed. "Oh well. It's enough to take the ole lady to the movies tonight." Everyone around was congratulating him, and saying twelve dollars was better than nothing.

Ennis handed the clerk his ticket and waited. Even twelve dollars would be a help. It wouldn't get a tune-up or a recap, but it'd get him a few groceries. He thought as the clerk read the ticket and checked his list. He let out a gasp and stared at Ennis.

"Somethin wrong?" Ennis asked.

"This is it!" The clerk gasped. "You won! You won!"

"How much? Twelve dollars? Fifty?" Ennis asked as the clerk left long enough to show the ticket to the store manager. Others were gathering around to see what his windfall would be.

"I'm bettin it's another twelve dollars." One guy said.

"Could be fifty." Someone said.

"I heard someone up in Cody won a thousand." Someone else said.

The store manager returned with the clerk and reached out a hand to congratulate Ennis. The clerk was still hyper-ventilating and announcing to everyone, "He won! He won!"

"How much?" Everyone was asking.

"The big one! The big one!" The clerk was gasping and pointing to the winning numbers displayed over the counter. "One million dollars!"

Next thing he knew, the entire store had erupted into shouts. People were pounding him on the back, everyone was talking at once. "Huh?" Was all he could get out. "You sure?"

"Yes sir, I'm sure." The manager had come around the counter and was shaking his hand again. "Just look at all them beautiful numbers!" He pointed to the numbers on Ennis' ticket, and then to the numbers on the display. Sure enough – each and every number matched.

"I won?" He still couldn't believe it. "The whole thing? Not just twelve or fifty dollars?"

"The whole thing! All one million dollars!" The manager had slung an arm around Ennis shoulders and escorted him over to his small desk. "Now of course we don't have that kind of money here. What you need to do is give me your name and address, proof of I.D., and someone will be in touch with you about when and where you can pick up your check."

Ennis gave him the information.

"I thought the TV said the winner was out a Cheyenne?" Someone was asking.

"My daughter bought the ticket for me. She lives in Cheyenne." He explained as he made his way out of the store and headed for his truck.

"So what are you gonna do with all that money?" A couple of guys were asking as they followed him out.

"Don't know." He answered quickly and jumped into his truck. He was thankful it started up as others had come around the other side and were trying to talk with him. He was shivering with cold and excitement. All he wanted to do was go home.

At least the rain had let up. Maybe I should head on out and see if any body's hirin. He thought. Then he caught himself. "Hell, I got a million dollars comin! I don't need to be thinkin about work right now." He gave a little huff. "I'll believe it when I have the check in my hand. Not a minute sooner!"

He hadn't been home but thirty minutes when his phone rang. It was Alma.

"Oh, Ennis, honey! I'm so happy for you. No one deserves this blessing more than you do." She was oozing.

"How'd you come to know about it?" Ennis asked.

"It's on the news! You're rich! You won the million dollars!"

"Shit!"

"Now don't be foul mouthed, honey. You've got nothin to be cursin for."

"Why you callin me, Alma; and why you callin me 'honey'? You ain't called me that since we got divorced."

"Well everythin's changed now. There's no reason we can't celebrate our good fortune." Alma reasoned.

"Our good fortune?" Ennis questioned.

"We're family! A course I expect you'll be sharin your good fortune with your family."

"You couldn't be more wrong!" Ennis shook his head, and for the millionth time was glad this woman was out of his life.

"Why not?" Alma whined. "You didn't even pay for that ticket! Jenny did. She got me one too; it could a been my ticket that won. And you know that I'd a shared it with you."

"The hell you would!" Ennis slammed down the phone.

He'd barely got off the phone when it rang again. He wasn't going to answer it, but then thought it might be about the ticket so he picked it up. It was some guy he didn't know babbling on about how he had a wife and six kids, he was out of work and his wife needed an operation, blah blah blah.

"Sorry I can't help you. I ain't even got the money yet." Ennis explained and hung up.

Someone was banging on his door. He opened it to find half a dozen people all talking at once. Some asking for loans, some asking for interviews. He closed the door on them. The knocking began again, voices called to him. He pulled down the shades, turned off the lights and waited until they left. The phone began again.

By evening he was a nervous wreck. The phone rang non-stop, as did the knocking at the door. People wanting money for any number of reasons, or offering investment opportunities, or wanting interviews. He stayed silent. He stuffed cotton in his ears and paced the floor, peeking out the window now and then.

It was after ten o'clock before things finally quieted down. He pulled out a beer and turned the TV on. There it was, all over the news. "Local Man Wins the Big One!"

He was stunned. Shortly after daylight, the phone calls began again, so did the knocking at his door. He ignored them all. He did answer the phone though, just in care it was the people from the lottery. Around noon on the second day, they called. After a short discussion, he opted to have the check deposited in his account at the bank. That way he wouldn't have to actually go pick it up.

He did have to go out and pick up some groceries. He hated to, but his pantry was bare. He dashed out during a moment when no one was out front. In the store he was recognized by someone who knew him, and it all began again. Everyone in the store had something to ask for, something to say. He grabbed his few purchases, paid for them, and hurried back home.

There were three people at his door when he got home. He hurried past them, locked the door and again, pulled down the shades. He paced the floor and wondered what he should do next. He no longer had any need to answer the phone so he unplugged it. At least there was a little peace. "A million dollars!" He said the words aloud as if that would make it more real to him. It didn't.

He plugged the phone back in and called the bank. He wanted to check and see if the money had actually been deposited into his account. "It's him!" He heard the teller. "It's Ennis del Mar!" A few minutes later, a man came on the line and introduced himself at the president of the bank. He confirmed that the money had indeed been deposited into Ennis' account, minus the taxes, which left him – along with his three-hundred and twelve dollar previous balance - approximately eight-hundred-thousand, five-hundred and twenty-three dollars in his account. He thanked the man and hung up.

More knocking at his door, more voices calling out to him, the phone rang while his hand was still on it. The din went on for days. When he got to the point where he couldn't stand it anymore, he plugged the phone back in, and dialed the number he had memorized years ago.

"Newsome Farm Equipment, Jack Twist speaking. How can I help you today?"

The sound of Jack's voice made his heart swell. "Jack... can you talk? I need to talk to you real bad."

"Sure I can. What's up?" Jack got up from his desk, and closed the door to his office. "You haven't called me in ages. Everythin all right?"

"I need to talk to you, I don't know what to do!"

"What is it? What's happened? What's all that noise?" Jack got up and started to pace.

"They won't leave me alone! Everyone's wantin somethin or other." Ennis complained.

"What's going on? Do you need to call the police?"

"No, no. Oh hell, you probably don't even know what's happened. I still can't believe it myself."

"What Ennis? What?"

"Just before Jenny left on her honeymoon, she give me this thank-you card, and inside it was a lottery ticket." He started off. "Jesus, Jack – I won! I won a million dollars!"

"You what?" Jack beamed. "You won the lottery?"

"I did! Sure enough! Now people won't leave me alone. They're bangin on my door all day long, and I have to unplug the phone cause it keeps ringin with people wantin money, or a interview, or tellin me how to invest. They're drivin me crazy, Jack."

"Well that's crazy, all right!" Jack chuckled as he sat back down. "Congratulations!"

"How do I get rid of 'em, Jack? And what the hell am I gonna do with all that money?"

"Ha ha ha." Jack laughed. "That's some kind a big problem you got there for sure."

"I'm serious, Jack. What do I do?"

"That's easy, Cowboy. Now you can do whatever you want to do, buy whatever you want."

"All I was hopin for was enough money to get a tune up, and maybe a couple a re-caps. I never expected to have to deal with anythin like this."

"There must be somethin you've always wanted. Besides stuff for your truck, I mean."

"There's only one thing I've always wanted, Bud; and that's you."

Jack was silent for a moment before he spoke. "You've already got me. Any time, any place, under any conditions."

"Jack... with this money..."

"What?" Jack coaxed.

"We could get us a ranch – our own place." Ennis said as the idea dawned on him.

"Is that what you want?" Jack was afraid to hope.

"It's what I've always wanted. You and me on our own place. But Jack..."

"I know. You don't think it's possible." Jack sighed, trying not to get his hopes up.

"If we could find us some place... way away from any town... we'd have the money to put us up a good fence, maybe get some guard dogs. What do you think?"

"Cowboy... are you askin me what it sounds like you're askin me?" Jack was afraid to believe he'd heard right.

"I am!" Ennis said, as the loud banging on his door began again. "How soon can you get up here?"

"Oh, Jesus H. Christ! Are you serious?"

"I am. I want out a this place before they come through that door. I don't know how much more pounding it can take." Ennis assured him.

"I'll need at least an hour or so before I can get on the road. I've gotta talk to Lureen, pack, get to the bank, and the drive is fourteen hours remember. It'll probably be somewhere in the neighborhood a two or three o'clock in the mornin. Will you answer the door if I come knockin at that time?"

"You better believe it."

"Okay, okay. I'll go talk with Lureen then, and be on my way."

"I'll be waitin."

"Ennis?"

"What?"

"You sure about this? You're not gonna change your mind on me now after I get up there; are you?"

"Nope. You go get your do done, and get on up here. We got a lot a work ahead a us."

"All right. I'm on my way then. See you this evenin."

"Can't hardly wait." Ennis hung up the phone and immediately unplugged it.

At a little past three in the morning, Ennis awoke to a soft knock at the door. This was different from all the other knockings he'd had over the last several days. He hopped out of bed and flung the door open. Jack came in with a rush of cold air, his grin lit up the room as he grabbed Ennis the minute the door was closed behind him. "C'mere," was the only word spoken for the next thirty minutes.

Ennis pulled the covers up over their naked bodies, and asked, "Need a cigarette?"

"Nope. I'm quittin as of right now. I won't need nothin but you from now on."

"All right." Ennis snuggled down beside him. "If you're gonna quit, then I will too."

"Deal." Jack settled in, already half asleep. "Wake me when you get up."

"Um hmm." They were both sound asleep within two minutes.

They were startled awake by the jangling of the telephone.

"Damn!" Ennis said as he reached across Jack, lifted the receiver and dropped it down again.

"I thought you said you unplugged that thing?" Jack muttered as he pulled Ennis in close.

"I have been, but I thought you might call while you were on your way last night, so I left it plugged in after we talked." Ennis explained.

"What time is it anyway?"

"Holy cow! It's half past nine. We're burnin daylight!" Ennis hopped up out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

The phone rang again and Jack did as Ennis had done. Lifted the receiver and dropped it again. He crawled out of bed and unplugged the phone.

Ennis got the coffee started and pulled out a box of Pop Tarts – Jack's favorite breakfast food.

"All right!" Jack grinned as he nuzzled a kiss behind Ennis' ear before taking a seat at the table. "Thought you didn't like Pop Tarts for breakfast."

"I don't normally. But I packed everythin but the coffee pot last night. Figured I could stand it for one mornin." He grinned as he joined Jack with two steaming cups of coffee.

Before Ennis could take his first sip, there was a knock at the door. "Now you're gettin a taste a what my life has been like since this whole lottery thing happened. I had hoped we'd get an early start and be gone before all this got started again.

"Ennis honey, it's me. Let me in. I've got news for you about the girls." Alma's voice called out as she continued to knock.

"You wanna get that? I can make myself scarce – wait in the bathroom." Jack offered.

"Uh uh." Ennis nodded and began eating. "She's got nothin. She just wants to stir things up."

"She still call you 'honey'?" Jack teased.

"Not until she heard about me winnin that lottery. Seems Jenny gave her a ticket too. She feels like it could a just as easily a been her that won, and thinks she's got a right to a share a the money."

"She's delusional." Jack said as he unwrapped his second Pop Tart.

The door banging gave way to whining and pleading, but they ignored it and finished their breakfast.

"I see you're all packed." Jack commented after noticing several boxes.

"I am. But we need to talk before we take off; make some kind a plan. You got any ideas?" Ennis poured a second cup of coffee for each of them.

A car door slammed and Jack nearly turned his chair over jumping up to peek out the window. It was just Alma leaving angrily.

"What're you so jumpy about?" Ennis asked noticing the look of fear as Jack slumped back into his chair. "It ain't like we done nothin wrong." He watched as Jack got up, dug through his jacket pockets and came back with a pack of cigarettes.

"I know, I know." Jack said as he lit up and offered Ennis one. "I said I was quittin, but I need this right now, and I think you do too. We can quit later on once we get settled."

Ennis took the offered cigarette and leaned over for Jack to light it for him. They smoked in silence for a few minutes before Ennis asked, "What is it, Jack? What's botherin you? Best to get it out in the open."

"Oh, it's just somethin silly. Probably my imagination playin tricks on me." He tried to brush it off, but Ennis was having none of it. He didn't say a word, he just stared at Jack... waiting."

"I was gonna tell you..." That was as far as Jack seemed able to go with it.

"Get it out so we can deal with it." Ennis advised.

"It's probably nothin." Jack shrugged.

"I saw your face, Bud. You nearly jumped out a your skin when that car door slammed. Now I know we ain't done nothin illegal, so it must be somethin else. Somethin happen before you left Childress? You did talk with Lureen; didn't you?"

"Yeah." Jack sighed. "I guess I need to get the whole story out from the beginnin."

"That's always a good place to start." Ennis encouraged him to go on.

"Lureen's whole family, her folks, aunts, uncles, cousins – every last one of 'em is rollin in money. Got it comin out a their ears. I always wondered where it come from, and one day I saw somethin I wasn't supposed to. A couple a guys were in L.D.s office. His secretary was out so I just gave a knock and walked in. I saw the old man passin an envelope full a cash to the men. After they left, I got a hell of a lecture from him about not walkin into other people's offices unannounced. I figured it was strange, but kind a put it out a my mind. That evenin on the news I heard about a fire. A big one. It was a new farm equipment store that had recently opened. The building was a total loss, as well as hundreds a thousands a dollars worth a new equipment."

"You're thinkin L.D. had somethin to do with that?" Ennis asked wondering where this was all leading, and how it could affect them since the old man had been dead for years.

"I probably wouldn't have if he hadn't thrown a big party the next evenin. There were all kinds a people there I never saw before. Strangers from out a town. Strangers that had long foreign names and looked remarkably like L.D."

"Could a been a coincidence." Ennis suggested.

"It wasn't. If you'd a seen how they were celebratin, you wouldn't a had any doubt about it. Course next day, the strangers were all out a town. Arson was suspected, but they never could pin it on anyone. At least, that's what they said on the news."

"How's that got anythin to do with us?" Ennis asked.

"I found out early on, that Lureen can't hold her liquor very well. A few glasses of wine and she'll tell you anythin you want to know about anythin, and not remember the conversation the next day." Jack confided. "So one night after I noticed several of these little coincidences, I decided to do a little diggin. It was our anniversary so I ordered a bottle of champagne. We got to talkin and I found out a lot a interestin things. Like for instance, Newsome was her momma's name. L.D.s real name is Fabertini. Louigi DeAngelo Fabertini."

"Maybe he figured he'd do better in the business world with a more American name." Ennis suggested.

"That's what Lureen said. So when he married her momma, he took her name. Then one time when Lureen was out a town on business, I went to the library and did a little research on the Fabertini name."

"What did you find out?"

"They're Sicilian mafia." Jack said, cringing slightly as he barely spoke the words aloud.

Ennis frowned. "Mafia? As in... the mob? The Godfather? That kind a thing?"

"That's right." Jack shook his head and gave a little shudder.

"And just exactly what has any a this got to do with us?" Ennis was not liking where this conversation was headed.

"Lureen has always been sweet as she can be with me. But then, I never crossed her before."

"You're not sayin..." Ennis fumbled with his words. "You don't think... L.D.'s been dead for years!"

"I know. But Lureen ain't. And she's his daughter through and through."

"You really think she'd... do somethin... have someone do somethin to you for leavin her?"

"Lureen and me, we haven't ever had a big row. I've always let her have the lead, and I never went against her before; but she didn't like it none when I told her I was leavin and I wasn't comin back. She got pretty nasty about it."

"She threaten you?" Ennis asked, appalled at the thought that their lives seemed to always be dictated by the actions of others.

"Sort of." Jack nodded.

"Sort a how?"

"She said I'd be sorry for crossin her. She said she'd see to it personally."

"Jesus!" Ennis stood up and peeked out the window. "You think you was followed?"

"I didn't see anybody, but these people are professionals."

"Let's don't get too worried about this just yet." Ennis began to pace. "Did you ever suspect that Lureen was involved with these people?"

Jack looked down, unable to face him right then.

"Jack?" Ennis pressed for an answer.

"Course, I don't know anythin for dead sure, but... yeah, I've seen those guys around, and I know they don't come to the place cause they're interested in farm machinery." Jack admitted.

"And anythin happen? To competitors, people Lureen didn't like?"

Again, Jack looked away.

"Jack! This is important."

"Some things have happened over the years since L.D. passed. Things that I'd have to say were probably a little more than coincidental."

"Oh my god! So we got a lot more to worry about than a bunch a nutters after my lottery winnins."

Ennis plopped down on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. "So she threatened you? What exactly did she say?"

"I don't remember her exact words, but it was somethin like all she had to do was make a few phone calls and she could make me regret the day I was born." Jack answered miserably; ashamed that he'd brought this possible danger to Ennis. "She said if I left her, it'd be the same way I came to her – penniless. She'd have my bank accounts seized. But I outsmarted her there. I went to the bank before I talked with her and transferred all my money up to my account in Lightnin Flat."

"And you're sure all a that money was yours? She don't have no claim on it at all?"

"Positive."

"Maybe it'd been better if you give it back.

"No way! I earned every single penny of it."

"How much we talkin about here? We don't need it, with my winnins and all."

"We're talkin in the neighborhood of a hundred-fifty grand. It's mine, I earned it, and I ain't givin it back."

"Whew. That's some neighborhood. And her name wasn't on the account or nothin?"

"No, it wasn't. She had her accounts and I had mine."

"And you didn't take nothin a hers when you left?"

"Nothin. I wouldn't a taken nothin that didn't belong to me." Jack assured him.

They were silent for some time before Jack added. "Now you know why I stayed with her as long as I did."

"And she was really mad? Really, really mad?" Ennis asked.

"Uh huh. Madder than I ever seen her." Jack hung his head. "I'm sure sorry to bring this mess to you, Cowboy. I guess I should a told you all a this before. Are you mad at me?"

"No." Ennis got up and went over to him, gave him a hug. "I couldn't never be mad at you for somethin that ain't your fault. And this ain't your fault. None of it is."

"I was scared to tell you. Scared you'd change your mind about the two of us gettin a place together."

"This don't change none a that." Ennis assured him. "We just got a be a lot more careful is all."

Jack's relief was visible. "I'm sure sorry about it."

"It's okay. We got it all out now. So it's time to figure out what we're gonna do about it." Ennis sat back down and took Jack's hand. "Did you tell her you was comin up here to be with me? She got any idea about us?"

"No. I just said I was goin home to Wyomin. I didn't mention you, you winnin the lottery, or nothin but that I was movin back up here."

"Okay, that's good. So she and her 'friends' might not even try to contact me. If they do, they won't find me in Riverton. We'll be long gone."

"They'll probably contact my folks first if anyone actually does come lookin for me. I haven't called and told 'em nothin. They don't expect to see me before spring. I don't want them knowin I'm with you just yet. I figured I'd wait until things cooled down a bit and we get settled in someplace."

"You really think Lureen would do somethin like that? Send someone after you?"

"I don't know." Jack shook his head. "Like I said, I never crossed her before. I do know that she's got a reputation for bein pretty ruthless in business."

"Okay. So it's just a possibility then. Not a sure thing." Ennis said like that actually made a difference.

"Yeah, but it's best we play it safe. I figured the first thing I should do is get rid a my truck and get a new one. Maybe I should put the new one in Momma's name."

"How about just getting rid a your truck and not even buyin another. I'll get us one to get around in. We'll get you one later on when Lureen's had time to cool down."

"That's a good idea." Jack agreed.

"It'd only be natural for me to buy a new vehicle and take off. I imagine that's what a lot a people do after comin into money."

"I'm sure you're right about that." Jack agreed. "I probably shouldn't try and sell my truck here in Riverton."

"We need to get rid of it though." Ennis worried.

"What do you think about me just takin it out to the ranch and leavin it? Dad's old truck is a real mess and I know momma hates to drive it."

"You could do that all right, but won't that just lead whoever's after you right to your folks?" Ennis asked.

"They're gonna go there first lookin for me anyway. If they question the folks, all they can tell them is that I left my truck there. They won't know nothin else to tell. We can even do it at night. Just leave the truck and take off."

"I s'pose that'd work." Ennis thought about it a while. "So that'd take care a your truck. Where should we go when we leave here?"

More cars pulled up outside and the knocking on the door began again.

"Jesus, this sucks, Cowboy. It been like this every day since you won?"

"Yep. Like this and worse cause I still had the phone plugged in. Now I only plug it in when I need to use it."

"You got any idea where you wanna go?" Jack asked.

"Nope. I was hopin you might." Ennis went to the door and hollered, "Go away!" But it didn't do any good. "We gotta come up with a plan soon, Bud; think a some place where they can't find us."

"Okay, okay. Gimmie a minute here to think." Jack tried hard to think of someplace. "Just to be safe, I think we should assumed that they are lookin for me."

"I think that's wise." Ennis agreed.

"Stayin in motels would be the first place they'd start lookin after not findin me at the folks place. So that's out. It's January, so I'd rather not hit any a the campgrounds around; we'd freeze our asses off. And it's gonna take some time to find a place. Jeez, I can't think of... Wait a minute! I got it!"

"What?" Ennis asked, intrigued by Jack's excitement.

"I got a little background story to tell you first. I want you to listen to it all, and then we'll talk afterward. Okay?"

"Go ahead." Ennis shrugged. "What're you thinkin?"

"Gimmie a minute." Jack paced as he got his thoughts together. "If Lureen did send someone after me, the first place they're gonna check is the folks. The next place they'd check would be motels in the area. The only other place she'd know to check would be here, at your place. And once they did that, they'd find out about you winnin the money. And if you've moved, they'd figure you to be buyin a ranch some place, and they'd be checkin all the real estate places. So we'd best wait a while before lookin to buy us a place." Jack was silent for a few minutes.

"I'm followin. Go on." Ennis encouraged.

"You think we could do anythin with a hundred acres?" Jack asked. "The folks have three hundred acres, and they don't use but about a third of it. What do you think?"

"You know of such a place? You think we could buy it without goin through a real estate company?"

"It's way up in the foothills a the Big Horns, maybe twenty or thirty miles out a Sheridan."

"What are you talkin about, Jack? There ain't been any land for sale up there in years."

"That's right. That's what makes this place so perfect. There ain't any places for sale up there. Hasn't been in some time. Not since the '60s. But back then, there was one area where they did sell off some land. The government was all set to develop up there. They were gonna put in a military base. Then somethin come up – don't know what – but their plans changed, and the base was never built. Bout all they got done was they put up a fence. Most people who'd bought out there, sold their land back to the government before they ever even built on it. In fact, they all did. All but one. And that one person who still holds a hundred acres up there is Momma."

"Your momma owns a place up in the Big Horns? How come you ain't never mentioned it before now?"

"Mostly because I forgot about it. I just never give it no thought. It's only a hundred acres, and there'd be no chance of enlargin the place. And whenever we talked about getting us a ranch, we talked about a three or four hundred acre place."

Ennis stared at him for a few minutes, "How'd she come to buy a place way out there when she already had the place in Lightnin Flat?"

"I was just gettin to that. Momma didn't buy it. She had six brothers; they bought it. Five brothers were older than her, and one younger. The youngest one, Harold, was in the Korean war. He had a real hard time of it, and when he come home, he just couldn't handle things. He couldn't hold down a job, he kept gettin in fights. He was a real mess. The brothers took turns havin him live with them and their families, but it never lasted very long. He just couldn't seem to get along with people. So the brothers got together and bought him a piece a land way away from everyone else. They'd take turns every few days or so and go out and visit him; take him supplies, some ice for the ice box, and see to him. He lived out there ten or twelve years before he finally passed away."

"How do you know she even still owns the place? She could a sold it years ago."

"The land come to Momma after the last a her brothers died; and she still owns it. She told me before that I could have it if I wanted. Like I said, it's only a hundred acres, so I never give it any serious thought. It's a short ride west a Sheridan, and just a short distance from the Tongue River. Uncle Harold used to walk there and do some fishin. And the place has got a little house on it. It's just one big room, but it's got a water well and a septic system the uncles put in."

"That was a long time ago, Jack. That house is probably gone by now."

"Yes, it was a long time ago; but the house is still gonna be there. They had it built out a cinder block. Harold was a chain smoker, and they were scared to death he was gonna burn the place down, so they built the entire thing out a cement and cinderblocks, and the roof was made out a sheet metal. They had put in a well first, then built the house around it. They had the septic system put in, so the place has a bathroom, and they brought in some of Grandma Sullivan's old furniture for him. There's a wood cook stove, and I don't remember what all is there. I was just there once or twice when Uncle LaRue came and took Momma and me to visit him when I was about thirteen or fourteen. Momma had made some things for him, and she wanted to see him."

Jack stopped and lit another cigarette before going on. "It's way the heck out in the middle a nowhere. There's no road up to it. The last five miles or so we were drivin through the woods, I remember that. He used to do some trappin out there, and he had a small vegetable garden." He waited for Ennis to say something, but he remained silent. "Well... what do you think?"

"I'm thinkin..." Ennis started but Jack cut him off.

"Oh shit! What am I thinkin? You just won a million dollars. The last think you'd wanna do is go live in some tiny rundown shack out in the middle a nowhere." Jack gave a sigh, disgusted with himself for not coming up with something better to offer.

"Hey," Ennis gave Jack's arm a squeeze. "What I was so busy thinkin was that a buildin built out a cinderblocks probably would be still standin. I think we should go take a look, but you'd probably need to call your momma first to make sure she still owns it, and see if it's still okay for us to use it until we find us a place."

"You mean it?" Jack brightened considerably.

"Yeah, I do. What I was thinkin was it's gonna take some time cleanin the place up before we could move in, so I thought maybe I should see about gettin us a camper. You know, one a those that fit on the back of a pickup. We could stay in it until we got the place fit. And even if the place ain't still standin, we could still stay there, and we'd have the camper we could stay in until we found us a place."

"Oh, that would be great!" Jack grinned. "So we got us a plan then?"

"We do." Ennis grinned. "While you're talkin to your momma on the phone, I'm gonna head on in to town and see about gettin us a new truck and camper. It's gonna take me a couple a hours now, so don't go gettin worried. I'm gonna take my time and have a good look around to make sure I find us exactly what we need."

"All right. Just be careful and hurry back. I can hardly wait to get goin." Jack gave him a hug.

x x x x

"Hi momma. How are you this beautiful mornin?" Jack sat on the bed, leaned back against the wall and beamed with happiness as he spoke to his momma.

"Jackie! This is a surprise. I didn't expect I'd be hearin from you until spring. Are you comin up sooner than that?"

"I'm already up here, Momma. I'm over in Riverton with Ennis, and I got all kinds a news. First of all, is Dad around?"

"Why no, Son. He's out in the barn. You want me to get him for you?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you privately. I got me a serious situation goin on here Momma, and I need your help."

"What is it son? Are you in trouble? You know I'll help you in any way I can."

Jack gave a little chuckle. He loved his momma so much. "I'm not sure if I'm in trouble or not, but I'm not takin any chances now that Ennis is gonna be with me."

"What on earth..."

"Now don't go gettin too worried, Momma. It may be all just so much hoo-haa, but it's best to be prepared."

"What's happened? Why are you up here this early? I didn't expect you until spring. Somethin's happened; hasn't it."

"Momma, I've left Lureen, and I'm movin up here for good. I don't know exactly where we'll be livin, but Ennis and I are gonna be lookin for a place."

"Well, I know that's what you've been hopin for, for years, Jackie; but how can I possibly help you with that. Are you needin some money? I have some put away, I could help with a down payment on a place if you need it."

"No, Momma; but thanks for offerin. That's not what we need. We got the money problem all taken care of. What we need is a place to stay so we can lay low for a while."

"Lay low? Jackie! What kind of trouble are you in? Or is it Ennis? Is he in trouble?"

"No, Momma. Neither of us has done anythin wrong. I promise you. It's just that... well... Lureen was pretty upset when I told her I was leavin. In fact, she was mad; really, really mad. Madder than I've ever seen her before. She made some threats, Momma. Serious ones. I don't know if it was all talk, or if she'll really try and get back at me. So I wanna play it safe and stay outta sight for a while. I was thinkin about Uncle Harold's place. You think it'd be all right for Ennis and me to stay there for a while?"

"Oh honey, that old place? You know there's no heat or electricity out there."

"I know. But there's a wood stove. That should keep us warm. And it'd probably only be for a couple of months. Just until we find us a place."

"Well, it's yours if you want it. No tellin what shape it's in though. No one's been in it in years."

"That won't matter none. We can fix it up, whatever it needs."

"You really think that Lureen would try and get back at you? I mean, send someone to... beat you up or somethin?"

"I don't know, Momma; but I can't take the chance now that Ennis has finally agreed that we can be together. Has anyone been out to your place lookin for me, or called askin for me?"

"Why no, Son. Not a soul."

"Good. Of course, it's early yet. She always likes to take her time to think things over. Maybe she'll change her mind. So the favor I'm gonna ask you is that you don't tell no one where I am; not even Dad. Can you do that for me?"

"Certainly. That's the least I can do. Is there anythin else I can do? I can bring you food, and ice each week."

"No, Momma. That won't be necessary. You start doin somethin like that and people will start to wonder, and ask questions. We can take care a all that. We won't be that far out a town. We can run in and get whatever we need."

"What about money then. I can send you some."

"That won't be necessary, Momma; and I love you to pieces for offerin, but I been savin for years, and Ennis recently come into a bunch a money, so we got that covered. The only thing we gotta worry about right now is Lureen, and see if she follows through with her threats."

"I just can't believe that she'd seriously threaten you, Son. She seemed like such a lovely thing when we met her."

"She is, Momma. A lovely, beautiful, wonderful person. As long as you don't cross her. She learned a lot a dirty tricks from her daddy, and I wouldn't put anything past her. Believe me, she's capable of just about anything."

"Oh dear."

"Now don't you go get yourself in a state, Momma. With Ennis and me tucked away at Uncle Harold's place, there's no way anyone she sent after me can find me. Things will cool down after a bit, and I'll call you whenever we make a run into town for supplies. That way you can tell me if any body's been askin for me."

"Promise me you won't forget to call. I'll go crazy worryin if I don't hear from you."

"I promise, Momma."

"Okay then. Hold on a minute and I'll get you the directions you'll need to find the place. I've got 'em written down so I don't forget 'em. You remember about the key?"

"Wasn't it hidden under a rock somewhere?"

"That's right. Hold on now, and I'll get all that information for you. You got paper and pencil ready? You'll have to write it down. It's too complicated to remember."

"Uh... yeah. I got some out in my truck. I'll run get it while you're gettin the information."

It took a full thirty minutes for him to get everything written down, and the little map drawn.

"I don't remember it bein this complicated." Jack said when he was finished.

"That's because you weren't drivin; your Uncle LaRue was, and he knew it all by heart cause he'd been out there so many times."

"We'll find it. Don't worry about that. Just remember to keep my little secret. No one is to know where I am. Especially not Dad. I hate to say this, but I don't trust him."

"Oh Son."

"I know, Momma. I just don't wanna take any chances."

"I'll do as you ask, Jackie. That's a solid promise."

"Thank you, Momma. And as soon as things get settled down, I'm gonna bring Ennis over so you can meet him."

"I would truly love that, Son. He's been such an important part of your life for such a long time now and... Your dad's comin. I'd better hang up. Don't forget to call me."

"I will Momma. I promise."