The Return Of Belle Starr
Chapter 2
All the family were very surprised to see her. Belle sat down on Colleen's bed. "So, how ya'll been doing? Miss me?" she asked. No one answered except Brian. "I've missed you," he said sitting down next to her. Belle smiled. "I missed you too kid," she said while ruffling his hair. Sully was next to talk. "I thought you said you were going to go straight. No more being an outlaw," he said. Belle looked away from him. "I lied," she stated. "But why?" asked Dr. Quinn. Belle skeptically looked at the older woman. "It was the only way I could get you to let me go," she said. "How about we drop the subject?" asked Colleen. "Yeah, listen to Colleen. It's been so long since I've been here," said Belle. Matthew sighed. "I'm going to bed," he said. "I'll put Thunder in the barn for you Belle," he said without looking at her. "Thank you," said Belle to Matthew sweetly. "I'll go too," said Sully. The two men left out the door to the barn without another word.
"So, what happened to the brothers that were with you?" asked Brian. Belle sadly looked down. "They're dead," she said while holding in the sadness. "What happened?" asked Colleen. "We were robbing another saloon, and things got out of hand," she stated. Everyone sighed as if to say 'That is wrong.' Belle noticed this and ignored them. "Belle, how long do you plan to stay here?" Dr. Quinn asked. "Well, how long may I stay?" Belle asked. "A month okay?" asked Dr. Mike. "That would suite me just fine thank you," said Belle. "You can sleep in my bed again," said Colleen. "I'll stay with Ma," she finished. "You're offering?" asked Belle. Colleen looked at her and smiled. "Yes. You helped me get over my fear of riding, so now it's my turn to do something for you," she said. Belle smiled back.
Meanwhile, Sully and Matthew were in the barn getting the horses ready for the night. They were talking about Belle and the last encounter they had with her. "I still don't trust her," said Matthew tying Thunder up. "Me either," said Sully raking the barn hay. "Should we wire the Marshall?" asked Matthew. "Let's see how she handles herself. If Belle tries to run away like she did before, we turn her in, if not, we'll give her a second choice," Sully said. Matthew nodded in reply and headed up to the hayloft. Sully headed back to the house to go to bed.
Belle was out of her red dress and in one of Colleen's sleeping gowns. It was all white. Belle was kind enough to allow Colleen to brush out her hair and put it into a braid for the night. It was very beautiful. Belle looked like an angel. She got into bed careful to bang her bruises. Goodnight Jim and Cole she thought to herself while drifting off to sleep.