After Kid had washed up, the party, including an excited Tom Jenkins, settled into the living room of the ranch house. Jamie was a bundle of energy ducking in and out of the room, but Adam remained placidly by Teaspoon's side as the four of them caught up some more.
The Kid still seemed amazed that after all this time Jimmy had finally come to visit them. He had missed his friend greatly, only his wife knew just how much. When their first son was born it seemed only right that he had been named after Jimmy, the man who in the beginning had helped them both with their relationship. It was true that in the year or so that had followed there had been disagreements and falling outs, but Kid was relieved to see that perhaps after all this time they could forget about these things and leave the past where it belonged.
"Things certainly seemed to have worked out for the two of you out here," commented Jimmy as he looked through the window at the corral. "I hardly recognized the place."
"Well, the business is going well, better than we expected anyway." Kid smiled proudly. "We're the main supplier of horses to the town and surroundin' farms, and things have grown even more since the railroad came through."
"We've been very lucky," agreed Lou, referring more to her sons than the ranch. Laying an affectionate hand on their future arrival she glanced lovingly at the Kid. The look of intimacy that passed between them excluded everyone else in the room, but only Jimmy seemed to be acutely aware of that fact. He glanced away hastily, for the first time noticing how close they were.
All those years ago he had watched the two of them fall in love and get married, but this was entirely different. This was something he would never be a part of, he knew deep down. Concealing the revelation within him behind a stony façade, Jimmy wandered over to the fireplace where he found the framed picture Ike had drawn of the other six riders.
"When are you gonna tell us what you been up to, son?" Teaspoon spoke up from the corner, as Adam clambered into his lap. "We ain't heard from you in so long, 'cept in stories."
"Well, there ain't much to tell really," sighed Jimmy, but the Kid would not let him get off so easily. After endless questions it was finally revealed that he had been involved in mostly covert operations against the South, as well as some slave smuggling before the emancipation. Jimmy knew they were just curious, but his answers became more abrupt with every utterance.
"What about Rosemary? Didn't you bring her with you?" Kid finally bit the bullet and brought up the one subject that had threatened to destroy their friendship. Time healed old wounds, and Kid was willing to forgive her for Noah's death, even if he couldn't forget.
"I haven't seen her in a coupla years," Jimmy replied in a dismissive tone. "I do believe she's real good friends with a married politician in Washington now."
No one said anything, Teaspoon raising his shaggy eyebrows in response.
"So, what do you have planned now, Jimmy?" asked Lou a little too brightly, trying to change the subject.
"I don't know," he replied curtly, suggesting his mind was still on Rosemary. "I thought I'd knock around Sweetwater a while, see what's happenin' round the place… Which is the best saloon in town? I could do with a hand or two of poker and some good whiskey."
"Ah, I don't really know, Jimmy," Kid said awkwardly. "We really don't have time for that sort of thing ourselves."
Jimmy laughed almost bitterly, his eyes dark and dangerous. "Don't tell me you're still a teetotaler, Kid? You're ain't workin' for Russell, Majors and Waddell no more."
"No, but I have more important things to do with my time here," came the surprised reply.
Teaspoon glanced down at Adam, refraining from getting in the middle of whatever was going on between the Kid and Jimmy. He learned long ago that the pair had their differences, and they were best left to sort it out themselves. Lou shifted uncomfortably in her seat and watched the anger building within her husband. She knew he was puzzled at the change in Jimmy's behavior more than anything—suddenly he was sullen and withdrawn, and she guessed that it had to do with more than just Rosemary Burke.
"You know, Jimmy," Kid tried again, "there's plenty of work to be done around the ranch… I mean, if you wanted to stay we could always do with an extra pair of hands."
"Thanks, Kid. But I stopped doing menial work a long time ago," Jimmy said derisively, snatched up his hat from a side table and cleared his throat. "I think I'll head on into town a while and see if I can't rustle up a game of cards."
Tom had been sitting in the shadows hanging off Hickok's every word, but now he jumped hastily to his feet.
"Um, d'you mind if I come too? I could do with a drink myself." The young man's face was bursting with eagerness, despite the incredulous gasp that escaped Lou's lips. She knew, just as Kid and Teaspoon did, that Tom didn't drink.
"Well sure, Jenkins, it's a free country," shrugged Jimmy.
Tom grinned excitedly and ran out to get his horse back from Cholo. Jimmy glanced quickly at the others, wanting nothing more than to escape their questioning stares and hurt expressions. This wasn't what he came all this way for. The real reason was one that he couldn't admit, even to himself. Without an explanation he stalked towards the door, Kid and Lou to following him, dismayed by his abrupt exit.
"But don't you want to stay for supper?" Lou cried after him. "Jimmy, you just got here!"
"Don't worry, Lou, we'll eat in town," Jimmy called over his shoulder, not bothering to turn around
She said nothing as she and Kid stood on the porch and watched him ride off, not even waiting for Tom who had to gallop after him straight out of the stables. They watched until the riders were nothing more than billows of dust in the distance, blood red from the setting sun as it dipped behind the hills.
"What's happened to him?" Lou shook her head sadly. "'Wild Bill Hickok'?"
"I don't know," Kid said grimly as he placed an arm around her. "Maybe the reputation has finally caught up with the man… I never thought it would happen to Jimmy though."
He kissed her forehead absently and wandered back into the house in search of Jamie and Adam. Lou looked after him with concern, knowing how upset he felt after what Jimmy had said, particularly the crack about menial work. Only she knew just how hard the Kid had slaved for over five years to make something of the run down station—something for their children. Jimmy had degraded everything Kid had worked for right to his face. Her husband was a proud man and would never admit that he was hurt by the comment, but Lou knew all too well. Perhaps it had been unintentional, she thought to herself… but even she couldn't pretend that was true. She cradled her small belly for comfort and waited until the burning sun had disappeared completely before going back inside.