We honestly appreciate every reader and reviewer. We are thrilled at the reception for our story and hope it continues!
When Jack saw Eddie leaving Griff's room, he decided to tell Eddie he has outstayed his welcome. "Hey, you!" He pointed to Eddie and quickly approached him.
Eddie looked around but saw no one else in the hallway. "Who, me?" Then he recognized Jack. "Hey, you're the klutz who spilled a whole bottle of beer on me!"
"I am," Jack snarled. "And you're the jackass who tried to cheat everyone at that table!"
The crook took a step back, putting a bit of distance between himself and Jack. "It ain't your business if I did," he stated with neutrality.
Jack closed the gap with one long stride. "Considering I own this place, it is my business."
"Oh," Eddie nervously giggled. His eyes darted around, looking for an escape plan. "Well, uh, you can't prove a thing now! My word against yours. Nobody knew what was happening what with that fight."
"I think you'll find my word is pretty strong around these parts." He angled his head to look down on Eddie, emphasizing the height he has on the criminal. "But I won't say anything if you ride out now and never come back again."
"Well, hold your horses," pleaded Eddie. "Can't we just let-"
"Alone," Jack accentuated. "This is where you and that kid you've been hustling part ways."
When he realized Jack was concerned about Griff, Eddie smiled to reveal his chipped tooth. "Who, Griff? Oh, he and I go back, way back."
Hoping but doubting Eddie is lying, Jack stood his ground. "Nevertheless, I don't want you influencing him. He's young enough to straighten up without the likes of you."
Still leaning on the bed where Eddie had left him, Griff finally got his breathing under control enough to attempt to get back on the bed. Working off of sheer determination, Griff forced himself to a sitting position and bits the inside of his cheek to keep from crying out. Using the bed for support, he almost got to his feet without curling over, but the sharp stabbing pain in his torso was too much and he fell to the floor. "Oh, God… This time, there was nothing Griff could do to stop his agonized moaning.
Alarmed at the noise, Jack turned his back to Eddie. He figured that the thump must have come from inside the room. "What was that?" No answer was heard, as Eddie had already slipped away and bolted in fear. Jack sighed, but when he noticed the room's door was open a crack, he decided to seem what the commotion was.
Jack walked in and was horrified to discover Griff sprawled out on the ground, hanging on to consciousness by a thread. A soft whimper reached Jack's ears and he was quick to spring into action. He quickly hooked an arm under Griff's knees and back and lifted him with ease. Jack was surprised and concerned with how light the young man was. A nineteen year old, as Ben had said, who was this tall should have been heavier. At the movement, Griff stirred and mets Jack's eyes.
Griff gasped weakly, "Where's Eddie?"
"Don't you worry that good fer nothin' scoundrel," Jack humored. He lowered the boy down on the bed. "Now let's take a look at ya." He gently removed Griff's arms from his torso and placed them by his sides. He lifted up the young man's shirt and laid eyes on the bandages wrapped around the lower half of his body. He could just make out the dark bruises to the boy's belly peeking out from under the bandages.
Griff let out a tortuous groan as the bartender started to palpate his ribs.
"Easy now, easy," Jack whispered, appalled at the state the boy was in. "Did Eddie do this to you?"
Griff tried to answer, but the pain was too intense and all he could manage was a whimper.
Jack fought to keep his anger in check and sighed heavily. He vowed the next time he ran into Eddie, he was going to teach him a lesson of his own. For now, he needed to concentrate on helping the youth before him. "Griff, you don't have to answer but if you can just nod for me, kid, there's something I need to ask ya. Do you know Ben Cartwright?"
"Yes," Griff shortly croaked out when he felt the pain subside enough to speak.
"He was lookin' for you last night," Jack explained. "Says he's with two others. I saw 'em in town this morning." Griff's expression did not change he was concentrating on breathing too much. "Have they harmed you?"
"No, they was my friends," the young man responded. "But...I...they think..."
Jack was unsure if Griff meant the Cartwrights were still his friends, but he ultimately decided he would have to risk telling Ben about Griff. The boy was hurt as Ben had said he was and the older ranch-owner did seem concerned. Griff's answer and reaction did not indicate he was in fear of him. The boy's tone, though filled with pain, sounded regretful and saddened. He places his hand on the boy's forehead and frowns. "Seems like you got a real good fever going, too." Griff started to rise but Jack's gentle hands restrained him. "You shouldn't mess around with this." He knew that Griff needed medical attention beyond his abilities.
"I'm f-fine. It's nothing." Griff winced as Jack's thick fingers brushed up against his stomach. "I've had worse. Ben Cartwright and his friends don't need to know nothing 'bout it."
"Sure, sure," patronized Jack. As a sheen of sweat broke out over Griff's face right before Jack's eyes, the bartender knew that he needed to find Ben. If left alone, the boy's stubbornness would probably kill him. He silently promised that he would search for Ben first thing in the morning. Moving Griff right now would be unnecessarily painful and nearly impossible, judging how Griff was gripping at the sheet for dear life. "You just sit tight now, you hear? I'll be right back. I'm gonna get you some salve for those bruises."
Tensing his jaw, Griff slowly nodded. "Okay, okay. Th-thank you." He blinked, wondering when he eyes got so heavy. Jack slowly backed out of the room. Through a fog, Griff heard his quiet footsteps and the click of the door handle. Returning to his senses, Griff's eyes popped open. "W-wait, don't shut the-" An unforgiving slam cut off Griff. "Door!"