Ch 20

Lou rode hard on her way to the Tisdale place. She could only think of Jimmy and the state that she would find him in. Jack sat on a hill watching her approach. It was time. He walked back toward the old homestead. He looked at Josiah and nodded his head. Josiah went to Bart.

"She is coming. Pull him out and sit him in front of the well."

"Yes sir."

Jimmy felt his arms being tugged up above his head. He couldn't grip what was going on. He felt his body being pulled upward. He shouted in agony.

"Shut up down there!"

He panted trying to control the pain of the movement. He tried to look up. He was being hoisted out of the well. He felt someone grab his shoulders at the top and pull him over the side. He fell onto the hard ground. Shadows came to stand over him.

"Damnit Bart. He can't even move you dumb son of a bitch."

"I reckon I got carried away."

"You think so. He looks like he is barely there. Fuck."

"It will still work boss."

"It better. Untie his hands, he ain't going anywhere. Prop him against the well. Jack, is the black powder out?"

Jack nodded.

"Good. Let's get in our places boys. Time to make a dynamite impression."

Josiah, Bart, and Jack went up onto the hill behind the remains of the old house. Lou rode up to the clearing. She tied her horse in the woods. She pulled her gun as she slowly began to walk forward to the clearing. She neared the edge when suddenly she felt like the life had been sucked out of her. She saw him. Propped up beside an old abandoned well. She didn't even know if he was alive. He didn't look to be breathing. She fought the urge to run to him. She eased back trying to think of her next move. Suddenly she heard an all too familiar voice.

"Louise, my love."

She froze. It sounded like Gerald but he was dead. She saw him buried.

"Oh come on out, Louise. I know you recognize my voice. I know you are there my dear."

Lou was trying to think of a plan.

"I'm glad to see that you did indeed come alone. I knew you would. Put your gun down and come on out. Let's talk."

"Ain't nothin to talk about!"

"Ah, there she is. Yes my love, there is plenty to discuss. Like how you are responsible for my brother's death. Like how you ruined all the hard work that was put into our little operation."

Lou shook her head. Brother. Gerald had a brother? A man walked out into the clearing with Jimmy. She heard a gun cock from the side.

"If you shoot my man, then my other will shoot yours. Simple as that. Put it down Louise."

She knew the man as he walked closer to Jimmy. Her heart skipped a beat. It was that lousy no good son of a bitch guard from the mine. He had lived?

"Times wasting my love."

"How do I know you won't just kill him anyway? Is he alive?"

"Show her Bart."

Bart nudged Jimmy with his boot. Jimmy made no move, he just fell over. Lou felt hot tears roll down her face.

"That don't tell me nothin!"

"Bart let her know."

Bart smiled over in her direction. He walked over and stomped his foot on Jimmy's leg right below his knee. Jimmy let out the most gut wrenching scream. Lou started shaking all over. She couldn't take this anymore. She threw her gun down and walked out with her hands up.

"There she goes. Good girl. Take off your coat and turn around."

She did as he asked. She looked to Jimmy. He laid on his side shaking all over.

"Jimmy! I'm here! I'm gonna help you!"

"Don't talk to him! He is gonna be gone shortly anyway."

"Who are you?"

Josiah stepped into the back of the clearing.

"Gerald was my brother and you my dear are responsible for his death."

Lou looked around at where she stood. She saw black powder poured all around her in a circle. She followed it back over to where Jimmy laid. The keg was right behind him.

Teaspoon and the others eased upon the scene as it was unfolding. They saw Lou standing in the yard with her hands up. They saw Jimmy shaking on the ground. Teaspoon touched Kid's shoulder. He pointed toward Cody. They eased toward the other side. He looked to Buck and Ike. They eased their way to the opposite side. Teaspoon watched Lou in the middle.

"If you want revenge on me, then just do it. Don't hurt Jimmy anymore."

"Bart wants the pleasure of finishing him off. Why would I deny him that? You on the other hand, will watch him suffer and die. Just like I watched my brother die. Then you will follow him."

Bart walked to stand over Jimmy with a large hammer in his hand.

"I get great pleasure outta this, you stupid fucker." Laughed Bart.

Bart lifted the hammer above his head. A shot rang out. Bart grabbed his chest, the hammer fell behind him to the ground. He looked at his shirt. Red quickly spreading all over it. He fell to his knees. He spit on Jimmy before falling to his death on the ground.

Lou heard the shot and took the chance to run to Jimmy. Jack took aim and started to pull the trigger. Buck and Ike came up behind him.

"Drop it!" Screamed Buck.

Jack smiled to himself and dropped his gun. He slowly turned around and drew his other. He fired off two shots. One struck Ike in the shoulder, the other hit Buck in the side. They fell to the ground and Jack stepped over them headed into the woods. Cody heard the shots and saw Jack walking off.

"Stop it right there! Don't make another move!" Yelled Cody.

Jack grinned and turned on Cody. This time another shot rang out. Jack looked surprised. He looked down at the wound square in his chest. He looked to Teaspoon still smiling. He fell back to the ground.

Josiah saw Lou run over to Jimmy. He lit the powder. He watched as the spark started running down the trail. Kid saw Lou kneeling over Jimmy. He saw the spark of the powder. He ran to her.

"Lou! We have to run now!"

"I ain't leaving him Kid! Get off me!"

Kid looked at the spark getting closer. He looked at Lou trying to move Jimmy. He called her name again. She looked up at him pleading. He hit her on the side of her face. She slumped on top of Jimmy. Cody came running over.

"What the hell Kid?!"

"Get her out of here Cody!" He yelled pointing to the powder kegs around Jimmy.

Cody lifted Lou and ran off into the trees. Kid did the only thing he knew to do. He lifted Jimmy as much as he could. He stepped back and they both fell into the well. The wind knocked out of him momentarily. He came to his senses and put himself over Jimmy. The blast from above was deafening. Rocks fell pelting him on his back. He felt himself slipping as he fell unconscious.

Teaspoon ran over to Buck and Ike. Ike was holding onto Buck's side pleading with Teaspoon. He looked at his boys. Ike was bleeding from his shoulder. Teaspoon's ears were ringing. He couldn't hear anything. He turned back to where Jimmy had laid. There was nothing there. He saw Josiah walking through the chaos. He saw Cody bent over Lou shaking her. He grabbed Buck's gun, turned and fired. Josiah stopped and looked at him. He shook his head before falling to the ground. He turned back around to Buck and Ike. He pulled his shirt off and pressed it on Buck's side. Ike held it into place.

"I'll be right back Ike. Just hold on son."

Ike nodded, crying.

Teaspoon ran over to Cody and Lou.

"Is she ok?"

"I think so. Kid just knocked her out to get her out of danger. She's coming around."

Lou opened her eyes and jumped up.

"Jimmy!"

"Lou! Sit down!" Yelled Teaspoon.

"Where is he?!" She yelled looking to the well.

"I don't know honey."

"Get out my way Teaspoon, Cody!"

"He's gone Lou!" Yelled Cody.

"He ain't fuckin gone! Let go of me!"

"Lou calm down for a minute!" Yelled Teaspoon.

Lou sat back. Teaspoon turned to Cody.

"Buck and Ike have been shot. See what you can do for em!"

Cody left to run over to them. Teaspoon looked at Lou. She was sitting there with her arms wrapped around herself crying. Teaspoon surveyed where the well had been. He looked for any sign of Kid and Jimmy. He left Lou and walked over to the well. The sides were gone. It was just a hole. He looked inside. He smiled at what he found. His boys were down there.

"Lou! He's down there!"

Lou ran over. She wiped her eyes and peered down. She could faintly see. Kid was laying on top of Jimmy.

"How are we gonna get them out?" Asked Lou.

"I need you to ride back into town for help, Lou. I need you to ride fast."

"I ain't leaving."

"You have to darling. They need you to."

Lou nodded. She ran for her horse.

"Go to the Marshal. He's an old friend of mine. Tell him I need him and as many men as he can find. Let the doctor know we have hurt coming."

"I will Teaspoon."

"Ride fast Lou."

She turned her horse toward town. Teaspoon went to check in with Cody.

"Lou's gone for help. How are they?"

"Ike is ok I think. Buck I ain't so sure."

"Do what you can, help is coming."

He ran back to the well and laid on his belly looking down.

"Kid!"

No movement.

"Kid!"

He thought he saw something.

"Kid!"

Kid heard his name. He moaned as he rolled off Jimmy. He squinted as he looked up at the sky. His head throbbed. He touched the back of his head. His hand was wet with blood. He looked at all the rocks. One of them must have hit him. He heard his name again.

"Kid!"

"Teaspoon?!"

"Thank God. How are you?!"

"I'm ok I think. One of these rocks hit me. I'm a little unsteady."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, I'm sore but that's it I think."

"Jimmy?!"

Kid kneeled beside him and looked him over.

"He ain't good Teaspoon."

"I've got some rope. Think you can tie it around him so I can get y'all out of there?"

"Yeah send it down."

Teaspoon ran and got his horse. He tied the rope around his saddle then threw the end to Kid. Kid rolled Jimmy and tied the rope under his arms.

"Ok. Try it Teaspoon!"

Teaspoon walked his horse slowly as the rope pulled Jimmy to the surface. He saw him at the top. He stopped the horse and ran to him. He lifted him the rest of the way out. He threw the rope back down and pulled Kid the same way. Kid rolled onto his back once at the top. He felt dizzy so he laid there for a few. Teaspoon was on his knees over Jimmy.

"He alive?" Asked Kid.

Teaspoon looked his boy over. His leg was badly broken. His chest was black and blue. He could see boot prints bruised on his skin. His face was beaten. He looked down the length of him. Teaspoon took in a deep breath and held it shaking his head. Men usually didn't live after something this bad and Jimmy looked no different. He turned to Kid.

"Kid, he is for now. I've never seen anything like this. Most men don't live through this kind of thing. He is all broken up." Teaspoon felt his eyes tearing.

Kid looked up at the sky. All that he just did to save him and he was still going to die? Cody came over.

"Buck's awake. He says he is ok but he is still bleeding. Ike has passed out. His shoulder is pretty bad. Jimmy?"

Teaspoon looked at Cody with tears in his eyes and shook his head. Cody put his hands over his face. All this and he was going to die. He sat looking at his still form. He saw his chest barely moving.

"He still breathing ain't he?"

"For now."

"Well if'n he's breathing, then I have to believe that he will make it." Cody stated as he stood and went back to the others.

An hour passed before Teaspoon heard the roar of several horses and a wagon. The group came into the clearing. The Marshal told his men to split into groups and help the doctor in anyway.

"Who needs me first?!"asked the doctor.

"See to him first." Said Buck leaning back against a tree.

The doctor went over to where Teaspoon sat holding Jimmy. Teaspoon laid him flat as the doctor examined him. Teaspoon hugged Lou as they looked on. The doctor looked his chest over, pressing down. He shook his head and wrapped it as tight as he could. He looked at his leg in dismay. He pushed and pulled until he was satisfied. He looked at Teaspoon.

"I need two limbs or boards. Bout this long as quick as you can."

Teaspoon nodded and passed Lou over to Cody. He found what he thought would work. He held them in place while doc wrapped Jimmy's leg from his knee down to his foot. He cleaned his face and looked him over again.

"Teaspoon, this is bad. I don't have words. I've done what I could. I'm sorry."

The doctor went on to Buck and Ike. Teaspoon looked at Lou. She sat beside Jimmy and held his hand. She silently cried.

The doctor cleaned and stitched Buck. He did the same for Ike.

"These two have lost a fair amount of blood, Teaspoon. I think if they can keep the infection away, they should recover fine."

The doctor went to Kid. He cleaned and stitched his head.

"Kid, you are gonna have to deal with one hell of a headache for a while. Take it easy ok."

"Yes sir."

The sheriff and his men walked around looking at everything. They piled the dead into a wagon. Teaspoon stood looking around at his family in shock. How was he gonna get them through this? He saw Buck and Ike being helped into the back of a wagon. He saw Kid standing off to one side staring at Lou and Jimmy. He saw Cody trying to occupy himself so his feelings wouldn't show. The doctor was back to Jimmy again.

"Please give me good news. I need some right now." Said Lou.

"My dear. I'm not very good at saying this."

"What?"

"I just don't know how to say anything to ease your mind. All I can say is that he may be pain free very soon. He won't suffer any more."

"What the hell you mean by that?"

"Lou, look at me." Said Teaspoon as he knelt in front of her.

"What is he saying Teaspoon?" Cried Lou.

"Honey. He is trying to say that our boy may be slipping away from us. That he won't have to suffer no more."

"He ain't dying Teaspoon!"

"Lou, this don't look too good right now. I know this ain't what we want to hear..."

"You can't just give up on him! None of y'all can just give up on him! He's still breathin and he is alive!" Lou yelled cutting Teaspoon off.

"Lou, stay calm honey. That's not what I meant. Ain't no one giving up. Let's see if we can get him back to town. We are not losing hope."

Lou looked down at Jimmy. He was barely breathing. She put her face against his. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek. He took a long deep breath. He breathed out and then there was no more. Lou fell back away from him. Teaspoon looked at her with sadness on his face. He reached for her but she pushed him away. She started screaming.

"Jimmy! Why the hell are you giving up?! Why now?! Please don't leave me here alone!"

Jimmy felt his pain subsiding. He felt his body growing cold. All the voices of his family seemed to grow farther away. He felt a peace come over him. Then he heard it. He heard Louise screaming. He heard her pleading and begging. He heard the pure torment of her voice. He didn't want to let go. He tried to push back. He tried to go back to the pain. He could endure the pain if he could spare her from hers.

Jimmy gasped out. Lou fell back across him crying. Teaspoon took his hand. He was breathing again albeit harshly.

Jimmy felt weight upon his chest. He felt pressure on his hand. He forced his eyes to open. He saw some of his family. He saw Lou's hair splayed across him.

"Lou."

Lou jumped up and looked at Teaspoon.

"Jimmy?!"

"Lou." Jimmy forced out swallowing hard.

"Son? I've never been so glad." Said Teaspoon.

"Tea."

"Yeah son. I'm here."

"Kid."

"Right here Jimmy."

"Thanks."

"Anytime." Smiled Kid.

Jimmy squinted his eyes in pain as the doctor looked him over. He fell back unconscious.

"Teaspoon. Let's get him loaded and back into town. I still can't promise anything but it sure looks better than it did a few minutes ago."

"He is one of the strongest boys I know, doc. I think he's gonna be just fine."

They loaded Jimmy into the wagon with Buck and Ike. Once back in town and settled in at the doctor's house, Teaspoon went to check on Noah. He was sitting propped in bed.

"Noah, it's good to see you up."

"I'm glad to be here."

"Thank the Lord."

"You find Jimmy? How is he?"

"He is in the next room. He is pretty broken up but he is alive. You and me both know that if anyone can pull out of this, he will."

Noah nodded.

"I wished this had went different. I should have been paying more attention."

"This is not your fault. The man that got you was a hired gun. He was paid to do shit like this. He ain't around no more."

Noah nodded again.

"Emma?"

"She is as fine as a box of daisies. She is over there with our boy now."

"I'm so ready to be home. I don't think I want to leave again anytime soon."

"I know. We will be heading home shortly I suppose. Get some rest Noah. It's been a hard few days."

Teaspoon went to check in on Buck and Ike. Both were laid up. They had gotten some color back to their skin. Both were napping soundly so he didn't wake them.

He went into the room with Jimmy. The doctor was just coming out.

"Well?"

"He seems to be fairing a little better. I don't know if he will ever be able to use that leg the same way. He will always walk with a limp if he can ever put any weight on it again. Hopefully he can get past all that and live. Most men don't come back from these type of injuries."

"He ain't most men."

"Keep the faith." The doctor said as he patted Teaspoon on the back.

Teaspoon walked over to Jimmy. He was really a sorry sight to see. He didn't look anything like the young man that was so full of fire. He sat down beside him.

"As soon as they say you can move, I am taking you home. Whether you choose to live or die, you will do it in a place that you were loved. I hope for all our sakes that you choose to live. I can't imagine life without your hot head in it." Smiled Teaspoon.

Jimmy didn't stir.

"I got to tell you son. Thank you for what you did for my girl. I know you love her. Always have. She is a mess right now. I hope you can hear me. She needs you to stick around. What ever comes about, I will be right here with you. Understand?"

Jimmy didn't move.

"If this is the end then I will be here with you til the end. You are like a son to me and I love you."

Jimmy cracked open his lips. Teaspoon watched him breathe.

"I mean it." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy opened one eye and looked at Teaspoon. He tried to talk.

"Don't." Whispered Jimmy.

"What son?! Jimmy! Thank the Lord!"

"Sappy." Jimmy lifted his mouth in a slight smile before sliding under again.

Teaspoon sat back and laughed. He went to tell Lou and the others. They all smiled in relief.