Chapter 17

Louise rode with Elijah, Rachel, and Teaspoon to the dance. She kept her eyes going back and forth between the two couples. Annie and Billy kept smiling at each other while Lori and Tate talked. They pulled to a stop. Once inside the group spread out. Lou sat at the table with Rachel while Teaspoon stood laughing with some men in the corner. Elijah was over playing with some boys his age from town. Annie and Billy danced. The two seemed almost too perfect. Lori and Tate danced as well but the boy looked to be walking on eggshells.

Lou sat deep in thought. The days had flown by since Jimmy had left in search of their boys. She had not gotten a single letter but she expected that he was busy trying his damndest to get to them. Almost three months without the love of her life and her two sons. She felt sadness welling up deep inside. She sat thinking of how good it would feel to be back in her husband's arms. Then she heard it.

"You pig!"

"Lori, I swear that girl is lying. I ain't never courted her!"

"You are such a liar!"

Lou looked to see Lori shoving Tate. He was trying to explain and the little slut in question was over on the side smiling proudly. Lou had enough. She stood and marched over.

"Shut up!" She screamed.

The crowd that gathered quieted. Lou turned toward her daughter.

"Lorilei, I thought we had raised you better than this!"

"Momma!"

"I don't give a shit who that little tramp is over there. Can't you see that she is only trying to come between the two of you! My Lord! Believe your man every once in a while. You chose him after all!"

The girl's mother heard Louise referring to her child. She stomped up.

"And to whom are you calling a tramp? My daughter is most certainly not one!"

"If the shoe fits then wear it."

"You should talk. You run that farm when your husband should be the one doing it. Now he is off running behind those two criminals of yours while you have boys living right there on the farm with you and your daughters. Improper to say the least."

"At least I have a man you old hag. And don't you dare talk about my sons."

"Why not? They take after their criminal father. A murderer. You think we don't know who he was. Nothing but a killer."

Lou lost it. She punched the woman right in her face. The woman fell back screaming. She charged back at Lou. Soon both women fell to the floor. Lori took that chance to run over and tackle the daughter. The girl tried to get away but Lori held on. Teaspoon ran over to Tate.

"Get your girl!"

"Fuck no, she might hit me!"

"Get her!"

Tate groaned but grabbed Lori. He pulled her off kicking and screaming as the girl stood holding her face. Teaspoon and Billy got Lou. She spit blood from her mouth as the other woman slowly pushed herself off the floor. Larry came and got between them. He shook his head.

"What is it with you McCloud women?! Jail now!" He said.

Lou sat in the cell with Lori later that night. She smiled over at her daughter.

"Well, I don't know about you but that was the best dance we've had in a while." Laughed Louise.

"I dare that bitch to ever look at us cross again."

"I have a good idea that she won't."

"If she does, I got more just waiting for her."

"Nice hit, by the way." Said Lou.

"I learned from the best." Smiled Lori.

Lou pulled Lori into a hug as they closed their eyes waiting for the morning to come.

Jimmy and the others rode back in to Durango. Cody took the two boys to the marshal's. He came out smiling. Lucky for them, the two alive were wanted. They laughed as they separated the reward money. Lucas jumped down and made a beeline for Maggie's house.

"Impatient." Said Cody laughing.

"Head over heels is more like it." Said Jimmy smiling.

Hunter slowly slid down gasping.

"You ok? You need the doc?" Asked his father.

"No just sore. I'm ok."

"Same here. I think I'm gonna head over and get this leg taken care of. I'll be right back."

Jimmy limped across the street. Cody and Noah were talking when Lucas ran up. He jumped on his horse.

"Lucas?" Asked Noah.

"Four men came and found Penny. They took her."

"Lucas wait!" Yelled Cody but the boy didn't even turn back as he rode away.

Hunter pulled himself clumsily on his horse. He didn't utter a word as he followed his brother.

"I'm going for Jimmy. Silas go grab a few supplies. Seems we won't be staying a few days in town after all." Said Noah.

Silas nodded as he ran off. Noah looked back toward Cody. He shook his head.

"How does this always happen? I mean it's like a black cloud following them everywhere."

"I don't know but I think I'm gonna start calling it the Hickok curse. I'll make sure our horses are ready."

Noah jogged over to the doctor's small office. He told Jimmy what had just happened.

"Fuck this."

Jimmy rushed as fast as he could over to his horse. He didn't wait for the others as he swung into the saddle to gallop after his boys.