Ch 17
Rachel was swinging Matt on the porch putting him down for his afternoon nap when she saw the horses. Lou was walking back from the barn holding her girl's hands.
"Louise!" Whispered Rachel.
Lou looked over to where she was looking. She saw the horses. Rachel eased her way inside to lay Matt down. She told Teaspoon and he ran out on the steps. Rachel recognized the horses as they neared. She got Lou's girls and took them inside with her until this could be sorted out. Ike came from the barn. Buck rode straight to Rachel's still clinging to Jimmy. Lou saw him in front of Buck.
"Jimmy!" She screamed.
Ike grabbed a hold of Lou as she sobbed. Teaspoon ran over to Buck and pulled Jimmy down.
"What's going on?"
"Long story but he was shot in his shoulder. The lead was in there when I found him. He has a bad infection."
"The kids are in Rachel's."
Ike pointed to the bunkhouse as he let go of Lou. She ran to Jimmy crying.
"Ike, go grab the doctor!" Said Teaspoon.
Ike jumped on his horse bareback and rode to town. Teaspoon and Buck laid Jimmy on one of the beds. Buck and Teaspoon began pulling his coat and shirt off. Lou gathered herself and ran outside. She came back in with water. Soon after the doctor came. They all left except Lou who insisted that she stay. The others walked outside.
"What the hell is going on Buck?" Asked Teaspoon.
"He got himself into some trouble. It's bad."
"Care to elaborate?"
"After he left, he made a bad decision. He decided to bounty hunt."
"Oh my Lord. Why would he do that?!"
"He said he went out to Lou's but it was empty. He said it tore him up inside. He didn't really care after that."
"Why would he even let her marry Kid? I could skin him alive and then what they did is even worse. I could skin both of them alive."
"That ain't all."
"Could it get any worse than what we already got?"
"Yeah it could. He went after Rick Johnson."
"The one and only I presume. Shit."
"Yeah, the marshal offered him a lot of money. He accepted, only he said when he tried to take him in, a gang of men showed up. They opened fire so he shot back. He shot Rick or so he thought."
"So he thought?"
"He accidentally killed his brother who wasn't even part of the gang.
"Shit. Shit. Shit."
"Yeah. He got hit in the shoulder and luckily only a nick on his side. He didn't go for help cause Rick is out for blood. He tried to get the lead out himself but couldn't. It was a few days old when I found him passed out on side of the trail."
"Buck, thank God it was you that found him."
"I saw them riding. I hid him in a cave. He begged for me to let him go so he could keep them away from Lou and his kids. I couldn't do Lou that way. I brought him here."
"Ya done right."
"They're looking for him, Teaspoon. More men than I can count."
"Lord. Anyone see you come here?"
"No I came from the canyons."
"Good, we'll keep him hidden until I can figure this out."
"He'll eventually come for him. He ain't gonna stop."
"I know. We'll just have to be ready."
The men stopped talking as Louise walked out crying. Teaspoon ran to her and hugged her tight.
"He's sick, Teaspoon."
"I know he is but he will be fine."
"He has a bad infection. What the hell was he thinking?!"
"Lou, he went to your house and it was empty. He wasn't thinking." Said Buck calmly.
Lou sobbed even more.
"He came to see us?" She asked.
"He did." Said Buck.
"He is such an idiot. I am such an idiot but God I love him so much."
"He will be fine. Give him a few days. Doc will know just what to do." Teaspoon passed her over to Ike.
Buck saw Lynn running across the yard. He ran and met her halfway. He kissed her and looked in her fearful eyes.
"I'm fine my love."
"I saw the doctor and thought the worst."
"I was on my way to you, I just had to help with Jimmy first."
"So you found him?"
"I did. He was shot a few days ago. He has a fever."
Lynn teared up and hugged Buck tight. Buck walked with her back over to their small house.
Teaspoon walked inside the bunkhouse with Jimmy. The doctor was making him drink something. He drank it and eased back down onto the bed. The doctor looked to Teaspoon.
"Tell Louise to keep blankets on him. We got to sweat out this fever. His shoulder looks decent. Buck did a great job."
The doctor left and Teaspoon pulled a chair next to Jimmy. He was looking at the ceiling.
"I spoke with Buck."
"So you know."
"It was a mistake, son. I'll think of a way out of this."
"Ain't no way out. The only way to stop this is for him to kill me. I have to get him away from here."
"We ain't gonna let ya do that. Now that we all know about you and my girl, you got responsibilities to account for."
"I can't account for nothin but trouble. She needs to find a man that can give her a stable life. For my kids."
"She don't want that. She wants you. And whether you admit it or not, you need her and those kids."
"Buck told me I have a son." Smiled Jimmy as he shivered slightly.
"Yes you do. A mighty fine young boy at that." Teaspoon said as he pulled the blankets up higher.
"I can't say those words that she wants to hear."
"Why not?"
"People that I love always die on me."
"Don't be so superstitious. I can't believe that y'all carried on like this behind Kid's back but now that I do know, it's time for you to make things right."
"I have to live through this first."
"You will. Don't worry. I'm gonna send Lou in. Start making it right."
Jimmy looked over as Lou entered. She ran to him and fell across his chest. She wept quietly.
"Don't do that. Please."
"I can't help it Jimmy."
"Lou I done something bad. I got men looking for me."
"Don't say another word, I already know and if they think they can kill you then they got another thing coming."
"Don't stand up for me. Get the kids and run."
Lou leaned forward and kissed Jimmy. He closed his eyes. She wiped the sweat from his face.
"I love you, Louise."
Lou started crying again. She laid her head on his chest listening to him breathe. She looked up at his face but he was asleep. He had one hand on her back. Rachel peeked in a few hours later and found them still sleeping the same way. She smiled as she walked back to her house.