Chapter 15 [Trail's End]

Blue rubbed his eyes. Exhaustion pressed down on his shoulders. He hefted the rifle on his shoulder. He looked around for what seemed like the thousandth time. Vigilance prodded him to attention. He glanced toward the livery barn and then to the attached living quarters. He knew the town would begin stirring in earnest shortly.

Despite their fears, the Comancheros had made no attempt to pursue Mercedes into town. In fact, it'd been oddly silent. Other than the occasional drunken cowboy stumbling toward the barn or down the dirt road, not a soul had darkened the livery's threshold.

Buck had relieved him for three hours at midnight allowing a short nap.

Pa'll want us right back. Still Mercedes can't be moved. That shoulder's going to take at least a few days to heal up right! He stifled a yawn. And what about Penny? I know Uncle Buck and Pa'll just say to let her do her own thing. But I can't! She helped me. She's helping Mercedes right now. She really cares. I really like her too! He slapped at the hitching post. "Why can't anything ever be easy? Dang it!"

"What's wrong, Blue? Everything seems kind of quiet." Penny walked up with a steaming cup of coffee.

"Sorry about that, Penny. Just got a lot to think about. Long night is all. Just hope Pa, Manolito and the others are okay. How's Miss Mercedes?" he explained.

"She's sleeping. Your uncle's watching her. Meantime I thought you like some company," she reported. Her eyes drifted into his. Her heart skipped a beat.

"You did huh?" His mood picked up. He sipped on the coffee. "You remembered."

"Course I did, Blue. Why don't you come on in and get some breakfast? I'll scramble some eggs. I don't know if it's like what you get at your Pa's ranch but…." she offered.

"It'll be great. Thank you." He grinned. His eyes twinkled back at her. "You sold me. Can't wait to taste that cooking."

"You won't regret it, Blue."

"Never would say that, Penny. Want to know why?" he replied.

Penny arched a brow. "Why's that?"

"Because you're putting your heart into it. That's why I know it'll be great!" he complimented.

She blushed. Affection shone in her eyes. "Gosh, Blue! That's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me! Come on." She led him into the house.

Blue took a gulp from his coffee. He noticed Buck lying on the long chair in the corner with his hat over his eyes. "Has Uncle Buck eaten yet?"

"Yeah. I made him some eggs earlier." She scraped the pan. Then she broke a few more eggs in it. "What do you like in your omelet?"

"Oh…lots of things. Surprise me!" he informed her.

"Okay…you asked for it." Playfulness glittered in her eyes and her voice. "I got some beef, onions, cheese and peppers."

"Can't wait." He watched her put the ingredients together in that hot pan. If there was any remaining thought about her being "just a girl" from the previous trip, it was long gone at that point. She had money issues. She had to worry about losing the roof over her head. And yet…she was more concerned about them all…

…him especially….

She stole occasional glances at him. Insecurity bubbled up inside of herself. She worked the bubbling egg mixture. Still she couldn't help but look at him. She studied his expression and body language to detect Criticism's presence therein.

"Eyes on the pan, Missy. Don't be burning your creation there!" he teased. He toasted her with the coffee mug.

"You just be like that, Blue!" she retorted albeit with a big smile on her face. "You might not get what's warming in the other pan."

"Yeah?" Blue supposed.

"Yeah," Penny affirmed. Sauciness shone through in her eyes. She flipped the omelet in the pan.

"You two mind keeping your caterwallin' to a low roar? Some of us are tryin' to get us shut eye," Buck growled at them from under his hat.

"I figured you could sleep through that the way you did through guard duty, Uncle Buck," Blue sassed.

Buck tipped his hat. He squinted at the younger man and shook his head. "I may have my eyes closed, Blue Boy. I am aware of what you're up to. Best eat up. We still got to get to the general store." He stretched and pulled himself into a sitting position. "See anything out there?"

"Nope, Uncle Buck. Not a peep. It's real weird. I expected those guys to come in here after her guns blazing," Blue reported.

"They ain't going to do that. They know the townspeople would string them up, Hey, you two keep an eye on her. I'm going to rustle up the sheriff," Buck told him.

"I'll be right there as soon as I eat," Blue replied.

"Nah. You just watch things here. I'll be right back. Hear?" Buck stood up and walked out the door.

"Gosh! I was about to offer him some more coffee," Penny lamented.

"It's nothing you did. He's just got a burr under his saddle. Besides he's worried about what my Pa'll say. He'll understand when we tell him about Miss Mercedes," Blue assured her.

"I sure hope so! I don't want him getting mad at you two on our account." She slid the omelet onto a plate with her fork. Then she took the top off of the second pan. From that one, she served some hash browned potatoes beside the eggs as well. "There you are. Hope you like it."

"Smells great! I'm powerful hungry," Blue declared. He watched as he placed the breakfast in front of him. He took a forkful of eggs. Then he sampled the potatoes. "Penny, these are as great as my Ma's or Victoria's. Mmm…MMM!" He rifled in a couple more forkfuls.

"Glad you like it." Penny served up another plate. "Eat up. I'm going to give Miss Mercedes her breakfast." She walked over to the door and peered inside. "Be back. She's awake." She disappeared into the room.

He sampled another forkful and nodded to himself.

They definitely had to help Penny find something closer when this was over. That's for sure….