The Visit: By Carla Mae West

by ultraknight

Used by Permission by a good friend Holly F. A Bravestarr adventure. A woman from Earth in the 23 century arrives on the Planet New Texas. She's a reporter and wants to do a story on one person there. The meanest outlaw in the galaxy! Tex Hex! So begins an adventure that will change his life and hers.

4. Chapter 4 Carla Robbed & Tex's Dang Mad!

The Visit, Chapter Four

Carla Robbed/Tex dang Mad!

About an hour later we arrived back at the Hexagon just as the moon began to rise over the desert. As we walked inside, I noticed Vipra standing far off in the corner of the room. Like clockwork she quickly walked up to the two of us with a tense expression onher face. "Where you been?" she nervously asked through her teeth. "For awhile we thought you got ambushed!"

"Not quite. . ." Tex answered in a rather arrogant manner.
Looking at me out the corner of his eye, he then added, "We just lost track of time, that's all." Sensing that he needed a little help, I replied, "Yeah. And we had a good ways to travel too." "Oh? Where'd you go?" She asked, rather curiously. Irritated from her prying, Tex sharply replied, "Canyon Gully. . .If you must know!"

"Ahhh. . .Say no more. That long trip, but worth it. Did you like?"

"Oh, yeah! It was so beautiful out there!" I said, as the three of us began walking through the corridor. "I know. It hard to believe that it's the only lush spot on this barren, dusty planet!" Stopping first in front of my room, I said, "I'll be right back. I needto go charge this mic up. My battery's dead."

"Well I'll wait outside. . ." Tex muttered under his breath.

"And I go in kitchen. . ." Vipra hintfully implied, giving me a playful wink. Not catching on, Tex muttered, "Ok. We'll be there in a minute." Decoding the lock I said,
"I just have to plug this up, and I'll be right back." As I stepped into the darkness, I could have sworn I heard people talking.

The further I walked in the louder they got, until a gruff voice hollered, "She's back. . She's back!" Suddenly before I realized what was happening, something hard and cold poked me in the center of my back. "Rrrrrr. . . . Start walkin!"

Petrified, I numbly found myself being led into the bathroom. "Get up against the wall and stay there!" Feeling as though my heart had lunged into my throat, I shakily asked,
"What do you want?"

"Shut up!" The raspy voice growled, shoving the barrel deeper into my back. "Hurry up and get her stuff so we can get out of here!" For the next few timeless minutes, I stood there feeling like I was in some sort of nightmare.

Thereafter I heard him hiss, "Start counting to a hundred, and don't come out until you're finished. Or else I'll freeze ya!" Now the barrel was released, and he quickly left me there. As they all began to clear out, I heard one of them holler, "When Tex finds out about this, he'll be thrilled!" Tex? How could he? Suddenly it felt as though everything came crashing down around me. Overwhelmed with disappointment, all I could do was slide down onto the floor and cry.

After about fifteen minutes I heard a knock, then Tex say,

"Carla? What's takin ya so long?" By then I was sitting at the computer, with my head cupped in my hands. When I didn't answer him, I heard as he walked inside and mocked,

"Ya didn't fall asleep on me, did ya?" Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that my entire room had been completely ransacked! Stunned, he looked down at me and asked,
"What happened in here?" Bitterly I glared up at him with tears sliding down my cheeks. "What does it look like? I got robbed!"

"What?!" Now I uncontrollably began to sob once again, covering my face with both hands. "It's true! And they took everything, Tex! The kerium, the voucher, my money, and even my jewelry! I don't know what I'm going to do!" Completely overwrought my by emotional display, Tex slowly walked up to my busted window. Slowly his head began to shake with disgust. "I'll bet anything it was them blasted dingos!" Through my tears I bitterly glared up at him and snapped, "Well, you oughta know!"

"What are ya talking about?"

"They said you'd be proud of them!" Mouth falling open, he asked, "Wait a minute! Are you suggesting that I set this up?!"

"I don't know. I mean, you're timing is so impeccable! They go out. . .you come in."

Almost immediately Tex began to get defensive. Glaring at me, he threw a hand on his hip and snapped, "Let me tell ya something, Missy! If I had set this up, they would have met me at the front door!" Now just as quick I saw a hurt look flash over his face. "Besides, I said didn't want that kerium in the first place! So why'd ya think I'd swipe it from underneath your nose?!" Roughly wiping my eyes I gave him a sarcastic shrug, then snapped,

"I don't know. Cause maybe it wouldn't go against your principles!" I angrily accused, watching as an insulted expression crept over his face. "To me that would be more your style! Besides, why should I be different from the hundreds of others you robbed?!"

By the way the sides of his face suddenly flushed, I could tell I'd pushed him too far!

Balling both fists he loudly shouted, "Cause I had nothin ta do with it! That's why! And I'm gonna prove it right now!" With that, he angrily spun away from me and headed out the door. Remembering his surprise, I quickly stood up from my chair. "Tex, wait. . ." I said, trying to catch up with him.

"No! Come on!" he hollered, as he furiously headed toward he kitchen. When Tex got to the entrance he stopped cold. Letting out a war cry, his leg flew out and he kicked the metal door with such force that it literally flew off the hinges!

Inside everybody convulsively jumped to the sound of Tex's boisterous entrance. This included the five dingoes who were all in a pack around the table. Quickly Vipra stood in front of Tex's birthday cake, trying to shield it the best she could. But I really think he was a little too worked up to notice.

"Uh, Tex?" She asked rather nervously. "What's your problem?!"

"I wanna know which one of you varmints stole Carla's money?!" Tex demanded.

Now everybody looked from me, to each other rather shocked. Thereafter Vipra's head slowly began to shake. "Tex. . .this time we had nothing to do with it."

By the solemn look in Tex's eye, I could tell that he actually believed her. Inhaling deeply he hissed, "Then I wanna know who did!" Slowly his gaze shifted back to the group of dingos, who were standing in the corner of the room. "Clyde?!" he cooed in a sarcastic voice. "You wouldn't happen ta know anything about this, would ya?" Now I watched as he glanced toward the others, then nonchalantly growled, "Rrrrr. . .I don't know what's the big deal. We've robbed from outsiders before!"

That voice! Aside from giving himself away, I immediately recognized him to be the one who held me up. By the way I gazed at Tex, I could tell he'd caught on too. Glaring at Clyde, he flung a hand on his hip. "Did I hear myself give an order?!"

"Nope. . ." he snidely answered.

"I didn't think so! Which means. . . that ya went over my head! All of ya! So I want her stuff brought back here! Cause none of ya are leavin till it is!"

Cockily Clyde looked at the others then mocked, "Well if this ain't a first! Judgin by the way you're fussin and carryin on. . .you'd think you'd be all sweet on her or somethin." That unexpected insinuation of his, caused the heat to rush to my cheeks At the same time, Scuzz looked from me to Tex and moaned, slowly rubbing a hand over his face. Apparently he knew his boss rather well. For through the dingoes cackling,Tex's eyes widened with humiliation, then outrage.

Before Clyde knew what was happening, Tex lunged at him. Grabbing him by the scruff of his jacket, he threw him up against the wall.

"Listen up you flea bitten coyote! Up until now, this lady was first person ta ever come over here and accept us for the people we are, and not judge us for the crimes we committed! And what do ya do? Ya steal from her!" he loudly shouted in his face. "Now even I knew when ta draw the line! And you fools crossed it tonight! Now. . .I want her stuff back, and I want it now. Or so help me. . .I'll skin ya alive, and use your hide to cover my floor! Where is it?!" Tex yelled, shaking him in a rage. This immediately caused Clyde to throw his hands up into surrender.

"Alright, alright! Calm down, Tex! Sheesh!" Quickly he glanced at the startled pack and shouted, "Well? What are ya sittin around, for? Go get her stuff, already!"

In a flash the group of them jumped from the kitchen table, and scurried out the door. Glaring towards Clyde, Tex snapped, "You tell um that I want it brought up to the balcony, understand?! And don't try ta run, either! Cause I got every booby trap set ta go off within a five-mile radius! Now get!" Squirming out of his grasp, Clyde yelped and ran out the kitchen door.

Swallowing hard, I watched as Tex slowly turned to me then hissed in a low angry voice, "And next time you start accusin, I suggest you remember where you are, and don't just let anybody in your room from now on. Got that?"

Swallowing hard, I nodded then looked away from him. "Yeah. . ."

"Good!" With that he silently turned and stomped away.

After about fifteen minutes, I gathered what nerve I had left and went looking for Tex. Holding the birthday cake in front of me, I headed straight for the balcony to find him alone in the dark staring out at the horizon. From where he stood, the moonlight reflected off the upset expression on his face. Timidly I approached him from behind and whispered, "Tex?" By the way he silently glanced in my direction, I could tell he was still angry with me. That is. . .until he saw the cake. Almost immediately the irritated look changed over into one of shock, then guilt.

"Ohhhhh. . . ." he moaned, slowly rubbing a hand over his face. "Where did you get this?" Timidly I set it down on the counter and shrugged.

"Why do you think I wanted to go so far away? I'd planned a little party for you."

"No way,"

"Yeah. . .As a matter of fact when you stormed in the kitchen, Vipra was shielding this with her body. She didn't want you to see it."

Now I watched as he stepped up to get a closer look. "Happy Birthday, Boss?" Shaking his head he chuckled, then said, "Let me guess. . .Scuzz did this, right?"

"Yeah. . .For four pieces of kerium. . ." Right away Tex's head cocked with disbelief.
"You mean you paid him?!"

"Sure. . .And I paid Vipra to cook your food. You know. Kinda like my own catering service?" Shaking his head, Tex grunted and began to chuckle loudly to himself. Laughing along with him, I asked, "What's so funny?" Gaping at me, he replied,

"You are! Do you realize that since ya been here, you've turned this place upside down? You've got my crew makin an honest livin, for pete's sake!"

"Well, what's wrong with that?"

"Here?! Everythin!" Sighing, he then gave me a serious expression. "But you want to know what the worst part of it is?

"
"What?"

"As long as I've been here, this is the first time that anyone ever noticed anythin special about me. . .And like a fool I had ta go and mess it up!"

"Now Tex. That's not your fault. Everything just blew up, that's all. I mean. How was I supposed to know I was going to come back and get robbed?" Giving me a wounded glance, Tex quickly turned away and folded his arms. This motivated me to approach him from behind. "Look. . .That's another reason why I came up here." I whispered, shaking my head with remorse. "After everything we've been through over the last few days, I'm so sorry that I accused you of being involved."

Peering at me out the corner of his eye, he gently muttered, "Forget it. It's not your fault. I mean, what cn I expect? Look at who I am, for pete's sake!" Now he looked away, shaking his head with disgust "For a minute. . .I almost forgot about that." Letting out a heavy sigh, I sat down and hung my legs over the balcony edge. Looking up at him, I asked, "Do you think their gonna bring my stuff back?"

"Oh, definitely!" Tex said, now sitting on the side of me. "They know I mean business. Trust me. They'll be here soon."

"I sure hope so. Some of the stuff they took had sentimental value."

"You mean the jewelry, right?"

"Yeah. . .A ring, to be precise."

"An engagement ring?" He blurted, overwhelmed by his own curiosity.
Rather surprised I replied, "Well, yeah. If you want to call it that!"

Right away the hurt tone in my voice caused Tex to shake his head. "Look uh. . . Maybe I shouldn't have asked. . ."

"No. . .It's alright." I said, throwing a hand up. "I mean, you opened up to me? So the least I can do is be honest with you." By the way Tex smiled at me, I could tell he appreciated my forthrightness. Thinking about it for a minute, I said, "Eric and I have been going off and on together for about three years. And it felt like I was the one pressuring him the most to commit. I mean, hey, I gotta a birthday coming up too! My fortieth one to be exact. And I wanted so much to be settled down by now. You know. . .have a husband and some kids?" I said, watching as Tex looked at me with surprise. "So I pressured him until he finally broke down and brought me an engagement ring."

Sighing I shook my head and replied, "But I know now, that was the worse thing I could've ever done. Because after that, he completely pulled away. Almost like he resented the fact that I wanted to settle down. But what really did it for me, was when I caught him with another woman." Now Tex's eyes actually widened with surprise.

"No way. . ."

"Yeah." I said, getting a lump in my throat. "When I found out, I got so mad I basically skipped the planet! I realized that it's just not meant for me to be with anybody. Especially him! That's why I need that ring back. When I get home, I'm cutting him off for good. I don't need this kind of grief."

"I don't blame ya. . ." Tex scoffed, rather annoyed. "You deserve better. And if ya ask me I think he's stupid for wasting that chance with ya! I know I wouldn't!" Suddenly Tex stopped cold when he realized what he'd actually blurted out. Mortified, he saw the way I smiled at him and inhaled deeply, rubbing a hand over his face. Unable to help myself I boldly looked him in the eyes, and whispered, "What a pity. . ." By the way his stare softened, I could tell he wasn't expecting to hear that. For a minute the two of us were so absorbed with each other's glance, that we didn't notice anyone else standing in the room. That is, until a throat loudly cleared. In a flash, Tex quickly stood to his feet
rather irritated.

"Yeah? Who is it?"

As we watched, Clyde and the other dingoes stepped inside the room. One of them came dragging in with my strong box, literally hunched over by the weight of it. Grinning with satisfaction, Tex glanced toward me and replied, "I told ya." Folding his arms, he then glared at the dingo. "Bring it on in here."

Slowly he approached Tex, dropping it on the cabinet with a heavy thud. "Come check and make sure everything's in there. . .And it better be!" he snapped, as I quickly ran up to it. Typing in the pass code, I was thankful to find that nothing had been tampered with. As a matter of fact, they didn't even get a chance to open it! Letting out a sigh of relief, I looked at Tex and smiled, "It's all here. . ."

"Everything?" he asked, giving me a serious glance. Knowing he meant the ring, I nodded, "Everything. . ."

"Good!" he snapped, glaring toward Clyde with aggravation. "And next time, don't be doin something without tellin me first! Now get out!" As they all cleared out the room, I gave him a look of gratitude. "Thank you, Tex," I said, watching as he gently stared at me. "Thank you for taking up for me. . .It means a lot." Smiling at me, he shyly muttered,

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad everything's still there."

"Now the problem is, where am I supposed to hide this? Specially since I have a broken window." Thinking about it, Tex gave me a serious stare then asked,

"Carla, do you really trust me?" Nodding, I promptly answered,

"Of course I do. Why?"

"Because I have a safe in my room that's buried in the floor beneath my bed. That's where I keep all the kerium I've heisted, and it has an alarm. If ya want, you cn put you're stuff in there until ya leave." Unable to help myself, I grinned and shook my head with amusement. "What?" Tex asked in a playful tone.

"Nothing. . .It's just that. . .Do you realize what you're saying? You got a safe to keep people from stealing kerium that you stole! A little contradictory, don't you think?" Knowing I was telling the truth, Tex rolled his eyes then peered at me in a crafty manner.

"Do ya want ta use it, or not?!"

"Yes. . ." I mocked, as he grinned at me.

"Alright. . .Cause when we're finished I want ta get a piece of that cake!"

With that in mind, Tex and I quickly headed across to the other side of the Hexagon so he could pick up my money. There far off in the corner, were his living quarters. Once we got there, he quickly began decoding the lock on his door. Tucking the box under his arm, he glanced over at me and said, "I'd invite ya to come inside, but fer one thing it ain't proper. And for another. . .My rooms a dump!" Rather thrown off by the bluntness of his statement, I chuckled then said,

"If you say so. . ."

Shooting me a playful glance he smiled, then muttered, "Trust me. You ain't missin nothin. I'll be right back. . ."

While waiting on him, I began to get this strange feeling that I was being watched from behind. Figuring it might've been Scuzz coming for Tex, I turned around, rather startled to find that nobody was there.

Swallowing hard, I nervously leaned forward and stuck my head in the doorway. "Uh, Tex. . .Could you get a move on, please?"

From inside his room I could hear him holler back, "Yeah. . .yeah. In a minute. . .Hold your horses!"

Letting out a tense sigh, I stood back only to find myself surrounded by this eerie presence once again. Only this time it felt as though I were being smothered, suddenly overtaken by a stench of what I perceived to be either wet leather, are rawhide! This was followed by a low vaporous sound that grew louder, and louder, almost as though steam were slowly being released. As I listened, the creepy noise began to turn more rhythmic, almost sounding like somebody or something was breathing down my neck! Tightly closing my eyes, I mustered up the courage to turn around once again, and glance over my shoulder. Only this time when they opened, I was horrified to find myself staring up at another huge pair of orange eyes that shined brightly like fire! They were connected to the head of this humongous steer like creature, who I immediately guessed to be the very one. Stampede!

Never in my life did I expect to be this close to something so hideous! His chest was massive and very muscular, with a horn span alone that spread at least 35 to 40 ft across! Surrounding Stampede was a thick black haze, which made him look so wicked that it was almost like I was staring at the devil, himself! Snarling at me, he growled in a deep echoic voice,

"Who are you?!... What are you doing here?!" Jaw dropping open, I couldn't reply. Instead I could only stand there, feeling as the blood drained out of my face. I think this only made him madder. For as I watched, his glowing eyes narrowed, and he drew even closer.
"Answer me!" He loudly ordered.

By then that was a little more than I could take. Suddenly overwhelmed by the impact of it all, I could feel my legs turning into jelly. Just as I began to swoon, Tex lunged out the door and threw his arms up in the air, as though to shield me.

"Hold it!" He loudly shouted at the top of his lungs.

Snarling, Stampede quickly drew back and growled, "Tex Hex! I might've known you'd have a part in this! You've got some explaining to do! What's this outsider doing here?!"

Right away I began to notice the beads of sweat breaking out over Tex's forehead.

"She's not an outsider!" he defensively replied. "S-she's a reporter!"

For a minute Stampede actually looked taken back by his unexpected answer.
"A what?!" Fidgeting rather nervously Tex repeated,

"I said she's a reporter from earth, who was sent to do a story on us!"
"Why?!" Throwing his arms up into a shrug, Tex replied,
"I don't know! I-I guess cause. . . maybe people were curious. That's all!"
Snarling once again, Stampedes head slowly began to shake. "Have you lost your ever-loving mind?! I'm gone four days and I come back to find you exploiting my lair!"

For a minute Tex just stood there with an apprehensive look on his face. But as I watched, his gaping eyes narrowed as though coming up with some kind of a his arms, Tex coolly peered up at Stampede and asked, "So what's wrong with that? I thought this is what ya wanted?" Narrowing his eyes, Stampede deeply muttered,

"Just what are you getting at?!" Realizing that Tex was reeling him in, I watched his slick little brain began to work under the immense pressure. "Well. . ." he cooed. "Ya said ya wanted ta get all the settlers off your planet, right?"

"Yes? So?"

"Well. . with her bein here, not only will the people of New Texas know ya mean business, but now the people of earth'll know too. It might just discourage any further visitin to this planet. . .If ya catch my drift," he said, in an almost chummy manner!

By the way Stampede's head slowly cocked, I could tell he was thinking hard about Tex's well put explanation. Inhaling deeply, he looked down at Tex, then barked, "Alright, she can stay. . .But I'm holding you responsible for her whereabouts. Understand?"

Nervously Tex swallowed hard, then answered, "Yes sir." Then as we watched, he began to disappear right in front of our eyes. Taking on the form of a black mist,
Stampede flew directly through a huge pair of double doors that led to his lair.
Rolling his eyes with frustration, Tex irritably replied,
"Come on. Let's get out of here!"

It wasn't until we got to my room that I realized Tex was more annoyed than anything. Glaring at me, he snapped, "Now do ya see what I got ta put up with round here?!"

Trying to be a little supportive, I replied, "Oh Yeah, Tex. . But you're still one slick cookie. The way you handled him, back there. That was ingenious."

Beaming from my compliment, he shrugged then said, "Yeah, well. When you pull yourself out of as many pickles as what I do, ya learn awful quick!" Hesitating, Tex then sighed heavily and said,

"Ya know. . .it's not going to be the same now, right? I mean. . .everybody round here is goin ta be on edge. Especially me. And. . .As far as you're concerned, it ain't safe here no more with him around."

Already knowing what was coming, I timidly shook my head and whispered, "I know." Sitting down across from me, Tex suddenly found it very hard to look me in the eyes.
"That's why I think it's better, if you quit while you're ahead, and go."

Putting my head down all I could do was nod, deeply saddened by the thought of having to say goodbye so soon. Out the corner of my eye, I watched as he slowly stood up and replied. "Get packin, and we'll leave in the mornin." As he headed for the door, I suddenly shouted,

"Hey. Wait a minute. This isn't over, yet."

Rather surprised, he glanced over his shoulder and muttered, "What are ya talkin about?"

"We had an appointment, remember? What happened to our cake?" Grinning at me, Tex nodded and said, "I'll be right back. . ."

With this being my final farewell, Tex returned with Vipra, Scuzz, and the rest of the group. And they winded up staying until one o'clock in the morning! By the time we finished eating and cutting up, the entire cake had disappeared, and we all had a major stomachache! Once they were gone, instead of going to bed like I should've, I stayed up half the night packing, and the other half thinking about everything that had taken place. By the break of dawn, I had plenty to say to Tex.

Day five
Around seven am, I heard a knock on the door. "Come in," I said, watching as he
walked inside. Immediately he saw me at the computer and stopped. Putting a hand
on his hip, he asked, "You didn't sleep at all, did ya?"

Giving him a serious peer I asked, "Nope. Did you?" Hesitating, he then nodded.

"No. . .I was up all night, watchin your room," Tex said as he sat down across from me. "And you?" Looking away from him, I sighed, finding it very hard to hide my frustration. "Oh. . .Just stayed up half the night packing my stuff. No big deal."

Picking up on the marred tone in my voice, Tex sighed, then asked, "So. . .I take it you're ready?" Unable to contain it anymore, I shook my head and replied,

"No, I'm not. To tell you the truth, I've been thinking about it all night and I don't want to go." By the way his eyes widened, I knew he wasn't expecting that. Leaning forward, I urgently pled, "Tex. . .Please don't make me leave. Not yet."

Gaping at me with disbelief, his head slowly began to shake. "You're kiddin me, right?! Carla. Ya know I don't have a choice!"

"Yes, you do." I argued. "Stampede said I could stay. . ." Throwing a hand up in the air, he let out a scoff of sarcasm. "Wait a minute. . .wait a minute! Am I missin somethin? I thought you were scared of him?!" Letting out a chuckle, I replied,

"I am. . ." Marveling at me, Tex sarcastically mocked,

"You are? ! Then what's your problem?! Why do ya want to put yourself in so much danger?"

"Because I'm doin my job, that's why. And this is considered to be an occupational hazard. Besides. . .I haven't been here that long. I don't want to leave just when I'm getting to know everybody. Especially you."

Inhaling deeply, Tex gave me a sober glance. "That's just it, Carla. I told you, you don't know me. Over the past few days, I've been on vacation. And now that Stampede's back, things are gonna start jumpin round here. And you're gonna see my
true, rotten, low down side. Not just ta the gang. . .but maybe ta you, too."

Looking away from me, he sadly muttered. "When this is over, ya might not like me very much." Although a little leery from his warning, I still felt like I had some hope.

Shaking my head I whispered, "Well, I like you now, Tex. Otherwise, I wouldn't be willing to take such a risk." By the touched expression that crossed over his face, I knew he wasn't expecting me to say that. And for a moment, he was actually at a loss of words. Leaning forward I asked,

"But the question is how do you feel, right now. That's what's important. Do you really want me to go?" Caught off guard by my question, Tex rolled his eyes with frustration.

Peering at me he irritably replied, "What I want is totally irrelevant, here!"

"Oh, no it isn't!" I quickly replied. "Under Stampede, you're in charge of this entire area. And he left the decision to you." Shaking his head, Tex sighed then debated,

"I just don't want you ta get hurt." Noticing how he was beginning to relent, I decided to add on a little charm. Scooting a little closer, I replied, "Now how is that possible when I got you to protect me? You've been so good at it, lately, that I really don't think I have anything to worry about. . ." Rather surprised by my bold comment, Tex's eyes slowly narrowed with suspicion, and a grin crossed his lips..

"Ya know. . .It's been a long time since I've been around the opposite gender. But if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were tryin ta sweet talk me. . ."

Smiling at him, I playfully nodded, then replied,

"You're very perceptive, Tex. Which tells me it hasn't been as long as you think."

Actually beginning to blush, Tex looked away from me, letting out an embarrassed chuckle. Shaking his head he blurted, "Alright! Alright! You can stay! But on one condition. . ."

Trying very hard to contain my excitement, I asked,

"What?" Now just as quickly, I watched as a very serious expression crossed over his face "That ya listen ta everythin I say. . .and don't get impulsive." Suddenly curious over what he meant, I asked,

"What do you mean by that?" Cocking his head he answered,

"I don't want ya jumpin inta things without thinking. Over here, that can get ya hurt. . .or even killed." Narrowing his eyes, he added, "And ordinarily, I wouldn't care. But in your case. . ." For a minute, he hesitated, then managed to look into my eyes. "I'm not quite sure. . .how I'd handle that." He whispered in a soft voice.

Stunned by his confession, I could only stare at him as though under a spell. This in turn caused him to look away, until he'd gotten up from his chair and began to walk out the room. Just as he got to the door, Tex slowly turned around, giving me a very confounded glance.

Shaking his head he replied, "I still don't get it. Ya know? For nearly twenty years I've scared people, taken hostages, and had them all begging ta get out. And now. . fer the first time in history I actually have someone beggin ta stay."

Letting out a scoff, he shook his head and asked, "What gives? I mean. . .is it me? Have I lost my touch? Or my mind?"

Actually laughing at him, I shook my head and answered,
"No, Tex. You haven't lost anything. You just have someone who sees more than just an outside appearance. . .That's all." By the way Tex suddenly gazed at me, it was almost like I hit the nail on the head. For suddenly, a troubled expression crossed over his face.
"That's what I'm afraid of. . ."

To Be Continued.