Taking two steps closer to the tree, Shane suddenly threw himself to the ground and under the branches of the tree, coming out a couple of seconds later, with Amanda's right arm held tightly in his grip. "Look what I found."
He grinned as he dragged Amanda completely out from under the tree. "Glad to see me?" He practically giggled as he pulled her to her feet.
"Let me go." Amanda pleaded as she weakly struggled against him.
But Shane's grip was strong and Amanda's strength was waning fast. Still, she wasn't about to give up. Raising a leg, she kicked Shane between the legs as hard as she could.
Roaring with pain and anger, he lashed out and struck her across the cheek, knocking her back down to the ground. "Right where I want you." He said, as he started down after her.
But he had barely bent over her when suddenly out of nowhere an angry man on a brown horse came sweeping in. Jumping from the horse, Lee landed squarely on Shane's back, knocking him flat.
Both men went to the ground but Lee was up first, grabbing a stunned Shane by the front of his shirt, he pulled him up and punched him as hard as he could. Shane put up a feeble defense but he was no match for the furious agent. Pulling his fist back, Lee struck again and again and again and was pulling back for another blow when Fergus finally got to him and grabbed his arm.
"He's already out, Son." Fergus told him. "Ain't no use in pounding dirt. Sides, your little girl over there needs your attention." He nodded over to where Amanda laid sprawled out on the ground, looking at him like he was a ghost.
Lee dropped Shane to the ground and stumbled over to Amanda as Fergus looked at a stunned Rita and shook his head. "Ya best not try and go nowhere." He told her. "There ain't nowhere to run and no way you can get away lessin' ya want what your boyfriend got."
Numbly, Rita nodded and sank to the ground besides Shane, knowing their adventure was over.
When Lee reached Amanda, he gently reached for her and pulled her up to lay her head in his lap, Fergus' words ringing in his head. "Your little girl." Was she?
"Amanda?" He swallowed hard, as he noticed the torn and bloody shirt and how pale she was.
"Hey, there, Lee." Amanda smiled despite the pain she was in. "I've been waiting on you. Where's your white horse."
Lee grinned despite himself. "It was dirty, I had to take the brown one instead."
Amanda nodded slightly. "Guess it'll have to do." She said before finally giving into the blackness that had been courting her for most of the day.
"Amanda?" Lee quickly checked her pulse, relieved to find it but worried at how fast it was. "Fergus," he looked back over at the rancher who had taken a section of rope and managed to tie up the two bandits. "I need your horse. Mine ran off and I've got to get Amanda out of here."
"Wouldn't do ya much good." Fergus said regretfully. "Mine stepped in a hole back there. He's gonna be laid up for a spell."
Lee looked at Amanda and then back at Fergus. "I'll carry her then." He said resolutely. "I've got to get her to help."
But Fergus put a hand on his shoulder. "You wouldn't make it carrying her. The main road ain't too far west of here. You give me that fancy radio of yours and I'll walk down there and call for help. The ornery horse of mine ain't likely to come back for a spell till he's got his run out of him."
Lee nodded and pulled the back pack off, reaching in and pulling out the radio. "Here." He said as he handed it to the rancher. "Just pull up this antenna and press this button to speak."
"Will do er." Fergus nodded as he took the radio and looked over at Shane and Rita. "Them two's tied up good. Ain't no need of your messing with them. Understand?"
Lee glared over at where Rita sat next to a still unconscious Shane. "I understand." He answered. And he did. Fergus was afraid Lee would finish what he started with Shane. Though the thought was tempting, Lee resolved not to give in to it. Right then Amanda was his only concern and worry.
Taking a final look at him, Fergus nodded, turned and walked off heading west. "Be back as quick as I can." He called over his shoulder.
Lee didn't answer as he carefully laid Amanda down, took off his jacket and balled it up, putting it under her head. Then reaching into the backpack, he pulled out the blanket and draped it across her. Pulling out the water and the first aid kit, he pulled out a small package of gauze. It wasn't nearly big enough to either clean her wound or dress it.
Pulling off his sweatshirt, he took off his shirt, tore it into strips and used that instead, making a crude field bandage out of the back. It wasn't good but it was the best he could do right then.
Looking up, he saw saddle bags on Fergus's horse and got up, crossing over to look into them. He found a bandana in one and a small handgun in the other. He put the gun in his waistband and took the bandana back to Amanda wetting it down and wiping her slightly fevered brow with it.
"You care a lot for her, don't ya?" Rita asked watching him. She'd seen the gentleness he'd displayed and the way he looked at the stricken woman.
Lee didn't look at her. "She's my friend." He answered as he continued his ministrations.
"Ut uh," Rita shook her head jealous of what she saw. "She's more'n that to ya. The way you come swooping in and started punching Shane, she's a lot more'n that."
Lee didn't answer. He couldn't answer. He didn't want to examine his feelings for Amanda. For far too long he had convinced himself that it was best for him to be alone and stay alone. Amanda did not fit into his life.
Still, a small part of him that Lee pushed down with as much force as possible, screamed at him that Rita was right. He cared a lot about Amanda. He hadn't wanted to and he sure wasn't willing to admit it, but deep inside of himself, he recognized the truth of it.
"She gonna die?" Rita asked.
"No!" Lee snapped at her without thinking. "No," his voice was softer the second time around but trembled slightly. "She won't."
"Awful glad to hear that, Scarecrow." Amanda smiled up at him. She had come to just as Rita had asked. "Who'd watch your tail if I did?"
Lee broke out into a grin and without thinking leaned over kissing her on the cheek. "Nobody." He answered. "Guess I'm stuck with you."
TBC