PART SIX

When dawn broke, the ranch house was silent. Jimmy, Melanie and Teaspoon had spent a sleepless night in the parlor holding vigil for Adam, just as his parents did by his bedside. Melanie was exhausted both physically and emotionally. They waited to hear the worst, to hear that Adam's short life had ended far too soon. The morbidity of waiting for the announcement was taking its toll on them all.

Still, Melanie knew that her pain and anguish was nothing compared to that of Kid and Louise. She could not begin to imagine what it must be like for them to watch their son die, knowing there was nothing they could do to save him. Melanie had no children of her own, but she knew how Louise felt about Jamie, Adam and Charlie. She wasn't sure if Lou could bear to lose one of them.

Melanie uncurled her stiff legs from under her as she rose from her chair. She hobbled slightly as the circulation returned feeling to her lower body, not realizing how long she had been sitting there unmoving. Without a glance at the men in the room, she walked out onto the porch and waited as the rising sun began to heat the crisp morning air. It didn't seem right that the warm dawn light she be so beautiful, not today. Today was not one for beauty. Melanie blinked back tears as she watched the golden light creeping over the top of the barn.

The front door shut quietly behind her then, and she heard his footsteps behind her. Melanie didn't want to turn around and face him, ashamed that she might feel the way she had the night before. She couldn't face him again knowing how she felt about him. She had no right to feel love for him, nor to crave the feeling of his arms around her again. She knew this to be true, but Melanie ached for him to be close to her.

Jimmy wasn't sure what to say to her. He couldn't comfort her with words and he couldn't say how he felt about her. All he could do was take her hand and hold it clumsily, just to reassure her that he was there. Melanie didn't seem to notice his adroitness. She looked down at their entwined fingers and leaned in slowly to rest her head on his chest. The intimacy of the moment was more profound than anything that had happened in the barn. It shocked Jimmy to think that she might need him, that Melanie might love him too.

He could not stop to consider this turn of events when they heard someone run down the stairs. Alarmed, Jimmy and Melanie stared for a long moment at one another before they quickly went back inside. The Kid was standing with his arm on Teaspoon's shoulder, and there were tears flowing freely down the old man's cheeks. Melanie chest tightened as Kid turned to face them now, but her worst fears were dashed when she saw the look in his eyes.

"The fever broke, he's all right!" The relief in the Kid's voice was matched only by the joy that lit up his face.

Melanie sobbed in disbelief and threw her arms around his neck. Kid laughed as Jimmy slapped him on the back, the tension of the previous day draining rapidly from his entire body. The indescribable euphoria he felt was kept in check when he remembered his other children waiting just as patiently in the bunkhouse for news of Adam.

"I have to go tell Jamie and Charlie," he said, peeling Melanie's arms from his shoulders. She laughed, embarrassed, as he squeezed her hand in thanks.

"D'you think we could go see the lad?" asked Teaspoon with a croaky voice. Tears still glistened on his bristled face, and he made the request tentatively.

"I'm sure Adam wants to say good mornin'," Kid replied.

Teaspoon almost started crying afresh, but he mustered his composure as best he could. The Kid left for the bunkhouse as Jimmy and Melanie followed Teaspoon up the stairs.

Adam's room was still dark when they entered, the windows covered with blankets. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light, and then they saw Louise sitting by Adam's bed, still clutching his small white hand. She turned when she heard them, and smiled.

"I told you you had visitors, darlin'," she whispered and nodded for them to approach.

Adam opened his bleary eyes and saw Teaspoon, Melanie and Jimmy behind his mother. His face was deathly pale and his body weak, but he still managed to smile wanly. Lou's eyes glistened with love for her son.

"Hey there, partner," said Teaspoon in a low, gruff voice. Lou took his hand as he wept.

"We'll come and see you again when you've slept some more," said Melanie after a moment, and she received a grateful look from Louise. The last thing she wanted was for Adam to be worn out when he was still so weak.

Teaspoon managed to control his tears of relief and allowed Melanie to lead him out of the room. Melanie was surprised how frail he was, how the long night had almost been too much for him. Leaving Louise to be with her son, he put the old man to bed for some long needed rest.

When she emerged from Teaspoon's bedroom, Melanie found Jimmy in the parlor resting his weary head in his hands. The night had been arduous for them all. Her face softened immediately when she saw him, his brown hair tucked haphazardly behind his ears. He looked like a boy himself, tired out after a long day. Quietly she stole over to him and rested a gentle hand on his head.

Jimmy looked up into her eyes and felt lost in their depth and emotion. She smiled slightly, lovingly, as her hand ran through his hair. For a long moment he was caught in her beauty, trapped by his own feelings which urged him to take her and damn the consequences. He didn't care that she was married, he didn't care that he had nothing to offer her but a gambler and a gunfighter's life. For one long moment Jimmy actually contemplated what it would be like if Melanie Brooks was his. The thought was intoxicating.

He stood up quickly, startling Melanie. Before she could say anything he kissed her again as he had the night before in the barn, possessing her. She didn't fight him, or break away. Instead she returned his passion and lust with her own desire. The naked emotion she had felt since her arrival at the ranch yesterday, both grief and joy, could not be suppressed now. Melanie could not hide behind politeness and strict upbringing now.

They eventually broke apart when they heard Kid on the porch. Jimmy was breathing heavily as Melanie turned away from the door to catch her breath. When Kid came into the house with Jamie in tow and Charlie in his arms, he was so happy he did not notice the distracted look in his old friend's face, or the color in Melanie's cheeks. Oblivious to their discomfort and embarrassment, he began ushering the children upstairs to see their brother.

"Melanie, I wanted to thank you," he said before leaving the room. "Thank you for stayin' like you did and lookin' after everyone. I'm sure Lou appreciates it too."

"It was nothing, Kid," Melanie managed. "I'm just so glad that Adam is all right."

"Why don't you go home and get some rest? You look exhausted. We'll let you know if there's any change."

Melanie was reluctant to answer, she wasn't prepared for the Kid's insistence. She looked helplessly at Jimmy but he didn't meet her eyes.

"All right," she said quietly.

"Jimmy, could you do me a favor and see Melanie home? I don't think she should travel alone in this condition."

The Kid didn't wait for a reply and Jimmy wondered if there was some ulterior motive to the request. But the innocent look on Kid's face reassured him that he was thinking only of his son, not of Jimmy and Melanie. He didn't suspect anything.

Melanie looked equally amazed at Kid's suggestion, her face reddening ever so slightly. They watched Kid and the children go up the stairs, and then found themselves alone once again.

"I'd be happy to take you home," Jimmy said with forthrightness. Melanie smiled and took his outstretched hand.