Ch 19
Teaspoon, Sam, and Kid rode into Willow Springs exhausted and dirty. They only stopped once. Sam went straight for the sheriff. He handed him the letter and watched his face as he read it.
"So reckon this boy will just walk away from what he done?"
"It ain't like that. He didn't know who he was. He was told what to think and do. He is a good young man that never would have done this had he known." Said Sam
"So I guess our town is just gonna have to let this go." The sheriff looked angry.
"That there paper gives him a full pardon. You have to abide by it." Said Teaspoon
"Well Jeb and his deputy were friends of mine. I ain't got to abide by shit if'n I don't have this badge on at the time. You just remember that." The sheriff stood and walked out slamming the door.
"That ain't good Teaspoon." Said Kid
"I knew that there was gonna be some hard feelins. But wow." Said Sam
"We got to get to Jimmy before he ever gets here and keep him away from this hell hole." Said Teaspoon.
"Which direction would even start looking?" Said Kid.
"Fellas hold on now. Let's take a minute. Let's grab something to eat. We can't keep running on fumes. Let's eat and see what we can see." Said Sam
"Sam's right. Maybe we should have a good meal. See what this town has to offer." Agreed Teaspoon.
Emma and Lou were slowly traveling behind Jimmy. Cody ran ahead to try to skirt around them and get to town first. Make sure no more surprises were waiting. Emma and Lou came to a stop as they saw them in the distance for the first time. They were off to the side of the trail.
"Ride on along Louise. They won't suspect two women." Said Emma
Lou kept the horses at a slow steady pace as they were soon coming to pass them. They saw Jimmy laying on his side. The other two men were checking a horses hoof. They spun around at hearing the wagon, guns drawn. Emma hollered.
"My goodness!"
"Sorry ma'am. You women shouldn't really be traveling alone. It can be dangerous country out here." Said Garth as he motioned for Mick to lower his gun.
"I'm sorry, we are just heading into town. We honestly didn't think." Said Emma
Lou looked over at Jimmy. He was laying facing away from them. She saw him roll onto his back as he heard Emma's voice.
"What's going on with that man?" Asked Emma
"Nothing to worry about. He's the type you have to watch for out here. We are just doing our duty and taking him in to jail. He's a wanted man."
Jimmy made eye contact with Lou. He looked so weak and tired. He looked like he had resolved to die this way. She saw his hand and lower leg. Blood seeping.
"He looks like he needs help." Lou said before thinking.
"No ma'am. He don't. Don't worry none bout that. Y'all best be moving on." Smiled Garth.
Emma tapped Lou's knee.
"Let's go honey. Y'all have a safe trip." Emma smiled back as they moved along.
Once out of ear shot, Lou whispered to Emma.
"Bastards shot him in the leg and his hand. They ain't even tied it up. Emma, he looked like he had given up. I saw it in his eyes."
"I know honey. I know."
Cody rode into Willow Springs. He made a quick ride through town to see if he noticed any other people of interest. He had to come up with a plan and quick before they made it here. He did a double take. Kid's horse was tied outside the saloon. Cody went in and saw not only Kid but Teaspoon and Sam.
"Cody? What in the world?" Asked Teaspoon
"We went to Cohen's Bluff. The local doctor told us that Jimmy left town headed this way. The bounty hunter on his trail."
"Emma and Lou?"
"Coming in behind me. I rode ahead. We caught up with them in the trail. They are close."
"Well Jimmy has been pardoned for it all. The poster isn't good anymore." Said Sam
"Only the locals around here ain't taking it well." Said Kid
"Anyone got a plan? I was just doing a quick ride through to see if anyone else was here that I should watch for. We were gonna take em on the trail." Said Cody
"How far out ya think?" Asked Sam
"Maybe an hour or less."
"And Jimmy?" Asked Kid
"He's there. Probably ain't gon be much help." Stated Cody
"He hurt?" Asked Sam
"Ain't really sure but the man we spoke to in the last town said he has given up. He has accepted the fact that he is going to die."
Teaspoon looked down at his hands. He finally looked back up.
"We have to try. Let's catch em afore they get here. It ain't but two. We will deal with Jimmy once he is free."
"We're ready when you are." Said Sam
"Let's do what we can. Emma and Lou aren't far behind me. I'm going out to fill them in." Said Cody
He went out and rode off. He didn't rode long before he saw their wagon. He pulled to a stop.
"How did y'all get ahead?"
"They are off to the side of the road not even thirty minutes behind. Their horse looked to have picked up a stone." Said Lou
"Y'all see Jimmy up close when you passed?"
"We did. He doesn't look too good." Said Emma
"I found Sam, Teaspoon, and Kid in town. All the charges have been dropped but the town ain't too keen on the idea. They are riding out. We gonna take em on the trail in."
"It's wide open out here. There ain't much cover."
"They gonna meet em head on. We need to get back behind. I think it is time for y'all to break a wheel. I'll stay close."
"Let's do it." Said Lou as she pulled off to the side of the trail.
"Be ready for anything." Said Cody as he turned and went out in the distance.