Ch 18
Jimmy was moving around somewhat four days later. The fever had finally broke and he was slowly getting his strength back. He was sitting on Rachel's steps playing with his girls. Lou sat beside him with Matt in her lap. Teaspoon looked at the pair. He couldn't understand why they would deny themselves such happiness together. Jimmy's kids seemed to fall right into place with him like they knew who he was. Lou looked happier than he had seen her in a while but the danger was growing. Buck felt Jimmy would bolt as soon as he could slip off in order to save them all. Teaspoon had the thought cross his mind as well even as he watched them smile and laugh together.
Teaspoon left them on the steps and rode on into town. He sat at his desk looking through posters when Thompkins knocked on his door.
"Thompkins."
"I had some men come into the store asking bout Hickok this morning. They didn't seem too friendly."
"What did you tell them?"
"Just what I know. He rode off a while ago and ain't been back since."
"Mighty helpful."
"I thought so. Just wanted to let you know so you could, you know, prepare."
"Thanks, William."
"Barnett!"
"I'm right here."
"Oh. I got to run back home. I'll be back."
"Yeah, yeah."
Teaspoon rushed home to speak to Jimmy, Buck, and Ike. The time was upon them.
"I'm going Teaspoon."
"You can't leave! We'll help you!" Said Lou.
"I can't let them hurt you or the kids. I'm going."
"You sure that's what you want?" Asked Teaspoon.
"Teaspoon! You can't be serious!"
"Go inside Lou!" Yelled Jimmy.
"They are in town, Lou. It's only a matter of time before they come here to look." Said Buck.
"Oh my God! Y'all are ridiculous!"
Teaspoon and the others looked as they heard riders approaching fast.
"Get the fuck inside Lou! Now!" Screamed Jimmy.
"Not without you!"
"They're too close. You can't run!" Said Buck.
'The barn, away from the girls!' signed Ike.
Buck yelled for Lynn. She came racing outside. He kissed her and pushed her towards Rachel's. She nodded and rushed over. Jimmy pushed Lou away.
"Go Lou."
"I can't."
"Yes you can." Jimmy kissed her.
"Now go!" He yelled.
Lou stumbled back trying not to cry. She closed the door as twenty or so men flooded into the yard. Teaspoon walked out the barn.
"May I help you?"
"I'm looking for Hickok. Send him out."
"He ain't been here in a while. He must be out on the plains."
"I know better. Little old lady from town likes to run her mouth."
"I see."
"Send him out and we'll take care of our business. Then we'll leave peacefully."
"I can't do that."
"Then you'll be the first to die." Rick said as he pulled his gun. Teaspoon leapt back inside the barn.
The men began shooting the barn. Pieces of wood splintered everywhere.
"Stop!" Yelled Rick.
The men stopped shooting.
"There's women around here. Find them."
The men began ransacking all the houses. Teaspoon heard the girls screaming.
"I ain't gonna have this happen!" Yelled Jimmy. "I'm here! I'll be right out! Let them go!"
Jimmy walked out and dropped his guns. Rick looked at him and smiled. One his men had Lou by her hair. They had Lynn and Rachel too. Jimmy walked straight out to the middle of the yard. Teaspoon and the others looked on.
"You have to pay for my brother with your life."
Jimmy didn't have time to respond before Rick pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Jimmy square over his heart and threw him backwards onto the ground. Teaspoon and Buck yelled. Lou screamed at the top of her lungs.
"It's done. Let's go."
The men let the women go and mounted. Rick tipped his hat to Teaspoon and rode away. He stood and watched them leave. Louise ran and flung herself on Jimmy screaming. Rachel heard the children crying. She and Lynn ran back to her house. Buck and Ike stood dumbfounded. Teaspoon watched until the gang was far off on the distance. He walked over to Lou. He pulled her off Jimmy.
"It's ok Louise. Stop. It's ok."
"He killed him. He killed him."
"He's fine. Just give him a minute."
"What? Have you lost your mind?!"
He stood Lou to the side and got down beside Jimmy. He shook him gently at first then harder. Jimmy moaned and started coughing.
"Buck go get the doc."
Buck still looked on confused.
"Go Buck. We gonna need him."
Buck rushed off toward town. Ike went to kneel beside Teaspoon. Jimmy coughed and reached over to grab his chest. Lou fell down to her knees.
"Jimmy?"
"Fuck that hurt! God it hurts!" He gasped.
"Jimmy!"
"Just lay still. I didn't say it would be easy. Doc will be here soon. He said it'd probably break some ribs." Said Teaspoon calmly.
Jimmy tried to control his breathing and let the pain subside. Soon the doctor knelt beside him. He helped Teaspoon open his shirt to reveal a metal plate. The bullet was lodged in the plate.
"How did you know he would aim there?" Asked Lou in disbelief.
"Rick always aims for the heart. He takes no chances." Said Teaspoon.
'I can't believe it.' signed Ike.
"Pretty brilliant actually." Said the doctor as he removed the plate.
"I'm dying. I feel like I'm dying." Gasped Jimmy.
"No son, far from it. I told you it would hurt like hell. Now be still." Said the doctor as he worked.
Jimmy held his breath and laid still.
"You have to breathe Mr. Hickok. We are bout there."
The doctor finished and stood up.
"You'll be just fine. Take it easy for a few months."
Lou threw herself on Jimmy and squeezed him. He tapped her on the back.
"Hurts."
"I'm sorry. Sorry. I thought he killed you. I can't help it."
Teaspoon and Ike eased Jimmy to his feet and over to Rachel's. The women stopped crying and hugged Jimmy when he staggered in the front door unable to believe that he was alive. They helped him sit in the chair. Lou and the girls gathered around him. Rachel walked over holding Matt. Jimmy looked around at all of them. He smiled as he closed his eyes.