Ch 15

Jimmy woke the next morning before Buck. He eased himself up holding his breath. He had walked over to his horse when Buck spoke.

"You know you ain't going to get far."

Jimmy grunted and stopped.

"I'm taking you home. Lou needs you. Those kids, your kids, need you."

"They don't need me. They need a father who won't get shot in the back at any day."

"That ain't true and you know it! Lou loves you for God's sake! Kid left her and now she is raising your kids all alone! You created this mess for her and you're damn sure gonna fix it!" Yelled Buck.

"I can't go home, not now. I went and got myself in a fine mess, Buck, with my stupidity all over again. I am so stupid." Jimmy leaned against his horse.

Buck walked over next to him.

"I love her. I have always loved her but I couldn't promise a future. I still can't. I do stupid shit. Look what I did to her and to Kid. Look what I've went and done now."

"Why did you do this to start with? You had a job and you were with us."

"Because I was selfish. I couldn't stand watching all of y'all be happy. When I left, I went straight to Lou's but she wasn't there anymore. I felt like I died right there knowing I'd never see her again. Then I just didn't care, I went and did this stupid shit. Fuck!" Yelled Jimmy.

"Calm down. Please sit. First off, you're not well enough to ride. Second, you can't take on an entire gang of men on your own. Third, you're coming home with me where you belong."

Jimmy looked at Buck.

"We can't stay here. They'll find me. That's why I couldn't stay in town. They are close on my heels."

"Then I guess we'll have to go as quick and hard as you can."

Jimmy nodded as he sat while Buck saddled his horse. Jimmy was already sweating and they hadn't even began their trip yet. Buck finished and knelt down by Jimmy.

"I still ain't too sure about you making the trip. You still have fever and that wound is gonna open up again. You can't afford to lose any more blood."

"If we don't get moving, then all our blood is gonna be on this ground. This man will stop at nothing to kill me."

"Come on, let's get you up on your horse. We will lose them on the way home. We can hide you there while Teaspoon comes up with something."

Jimmy nodded as Buck helped him on his horse. They set out at a steady pace. As they rode for half the day, Jimmy got increasingly sick. He wiped the sweat off his brow and pushed forward. He felt every step that his horse took. He pulled to a stop. Buck rode up beside him as he leaned over to vomit. He slowly straightened back up on his horse and wiped his mouth. Buck looked at how he slumped forward.

"We need to stop for the day. You can't take anymore."

"I'm sorry, I'm sick."

Buck looked around for a good spot to camp out of sight. He saw a pocketed stand of trees.

"Stay here. I'm going to ride over and see if we can hide out there."

Jimmy slightly nodded as Buck rode over. After deciding it would work, he went back to Jimmy.

"That should be fine. Another day and we should make it back home."

Jimmy nodded but didn't make a move. Buck watched him. He reached over and got his reins, leading his horse to the trees. Buck made camp and they slept through the night.

Buck was already up saddling horses when Jimmy woke. He turned tired eyes to Buck.

"You look some better, got some color back."

Jimmy grunted.

"I'm gonna check that shoulder before we go."

Jimmy didn't bother to answer as Buck came over.

"Looks fine. You ready."

"Looks like I'll have to be." Said Jimmy looking in the distance.

Buck turned and saw the cloud of dust.