Chapter Four
Mattie awoke right as dawn was breaking. The small store was warm despite the chill that had snuck into the air. She got and dressed quickly. She started a fire and then went to check on Frank.
She opened the door and peeked in. The room was light in the gray morning hue. Frank was still sound asleep. Mattie leaned against the doorframe, watching him. This man that she had found was so handsome. He had beautiful, dark, brown eyes that always seemed to have a thoughtful expression. His light, brown hair was worn long and fell in his face as he slept. Mattie walked over and touched his forehead. The fever was gone, and she felt happy about that. She gently brushed some hair away.
Frank sighed and moved his head. Mattie quickly backed away, leaving him to sleep. She walked into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee. She tried to clear her head of thoughts that were now racing through her head. She sat down heavily and felt the tears coming down her face.
Three Months Earlier
Mattie was standing in the sun drenched kitchen when she heard the horses. She ran out to the front porch and then stopped short. The men were huddled around one horse. She caught her breath as one of the men grabbed her. It was Buck.
"Mattie, you don't need to see this," Buck whispered as he pulled toward the front door.
Mattie screamed a pulled away. She pushed all the horses aside until she got over to the big gray. The rider was slumped over the saddle and there was blood everywhere. Mattie reached out to the rider and then screamed.
"No," she wailed. "No, it can't be!"
Buck grabbed her and pulled her to the door. She fought him once again, reaching for the man that they were pulling off the horse. They took him inside and laid him in the small bedroom. Buck and Mattie could hear men shouting out orders, but it was too late. Mattie finally struggled free and went into the bedroom.
The sun was falling on the bed and the young man in it. His long brown was matted and soaking wet. She knelt down next to the bed and felt everything in her die. She touched the man's face. He was young, probably a little younger than her. His eyes were a light blue, which were now closed tightly in pain. Mattie slowly reached out and touched his blood stained hands.
"James," Mattie whispered and then turned to Buck. "Get these bastards out of here."
Buck shuffled his men outside, but he stayed. Mattie glared as she looked at him. Buck slowly walked outside. Mattie got up and slammed the door. She had enough. She then returned to her brother side.
"James," she whispered again.
The young man looked over at her. His eyes were blank and lifeless. He moved his mouth but no words came out. He gently took Mattie's hand. Mattie felt tears rolling down her face.
"Mattie," James whispered softly. "I'm sorry I let you down."
Mattie felt tears roll down her face unchecked. She caressed her brother's hand and then pulled free. She wiped the tears away and looked at James.
"You never let me down," Mattie whispered. "I love you."
James lifted her hand to his lips. The kiss never happened. James dropped Mattie's hand as he died. Mattie sat up and screamed with all her might. Buck came back in and pulled her away.
"He's gone Mattie," Buck said.
"You killed him!" Mattie shrieked. "You killed him."
"I didn't kill him!"
Mattie froze. She stopped her useless fighting and sank down in the nearest chair. She ran her hand through her hair. The tears had stopped, even though there would be more.
"Who killed him?" Mattie asked in a whisper.
"Cole Younger, he rides with the James Gang," Buck said.
Mattie looked up. There was a strange look in her eyes. All the goodness she had once had was gone. There was only hatred to replace it. She stood up and walked over to the bed, taking James's gun.
"Kill this man," Mattie whispered. "Kill him with my brother's gun."
Buck took the gun and walked out. It was a long time before Mattie came out of the room. She looked older and much crueler. Buck swore, just as Mattie did to make the killer pay.
Mattie looked up at hearing a sound in the bedroom. It was most likely Frank moving around in his sleep. She had no idea why this man reminded her of her brother. She walked over to the stove and pulled the coffee pot off. She poured herself a small cup and walked over to the window.
"What have I done?" She whispered to herself.