Chapter 5
Jimmy laid flat against the rock watching the gang mill around below. He closed his bad eye to get a better look through the spy glass that he brought. He had finally caught a glimpse of Hunter this afternoon. He had watched as his child rode in and spoke with the some thirty odd men within the gang. He laughed as he made his way through the pack. Jimmy swallowed past the hard lump in his throat as he watched how easily his oldest made his way around. He was at home here. He looked down and back again. He saw Hunter speaking with whom he presumed to be Jared McKay the leader. He wished his eyesight was better at a time like this. He slowly pushed away and walked back to his horse.
Cody, Buck, and Noah knew they were on the right track. The last train robbery had been a messy one. Cody turned out to have friends everywhere or so it seemed. They had been able to get some clues as to where Jimmy had been and was headed. Buck knew that if they could find the gang, then so could the law. He thought how odd it was that they were still free.
Tate brought the supplies in from town. He carried them into a quiet house. He saw Lou sitting in her chair in the living room. Annie sat staring at the table. He placed the packages on the counter. Everything had been quiet ever since Jimmy had left. Even Lori. Lucas. Penny. Eli. It was like they had all lost their voice. He knew it was mixed emotions of worry and fear. He just didn't know how to fix things. He turned hearing a horse come into the yard.
Jimmy watched Hunter the following day. He saw him laugh with Jared. Jared and another man mounted up to leave. They left in a cloud of dust. Hunter laughed as he made his way around. He saw him skirt back behind some tents out of sight. He put the glass down and crawled around so he could see better. He finally found him off from the rest of the camp. He saw Isabell saunter over. He saw Hunter say something to her. He watched as she slapped him then put her hands around his neck. She shoved him back against a tree. He blinked and looked again. She was kissing him. Jimmy looked down at the dirt. He shook his head. When he looked up again, they were gone. He crept back to his original position and waited. He saw Jared ride back in a while later. He saw Isabell walk over and wrap her arms around his waist. He froze. Isabell was Jared's. The hell was Hunter doing?
"Howdy, Billy? What you doing here?" Tate asked stepping onto the porch.
"I'd like to speak to Annie please."
"I didn't know that you were seeing her again."
"I just want to talk to her." Billy stated ignoring the comment.
Tate walked back inside.
"Annie, Billy is here."
"The hell he is."
"He is. Right outside. Said he'd like to talk to ya."
"Tell him to get lost."
"Ok." Tate went back outside.
"She said to "get lost". Her words."
"You tell her to come out here and face me." Billy said.
Tate went back inside to find Annie standing with her arms crossed.
"He said to come outside."
"Tell him it is over, and he knows why."
"Okaaaay."
Tate walked back outside.
"She said it's over and you know why."
"The hell it is. She can't just do me like this and not expect me to confront her about it! Tell her to come outside."
Tate groaned and went back in.
"He said…."
"Oh, I heard what he said stupid! You tell him…." Annie said as she started shouting, " that he can't talk to me and I am sick of his pussy ass following me around like some sick puppy! Get lost!"
Lou came from the other room then as well as Lori.
"What the hell is going on?" She demanded.
"Billy is outside." Tate said.
"And that's where he will stay!" Annie screamed.
"What you want me to say?" Tate asked.
"Tate, my God, get rid of him!" Lori yelled.
Tate looked to Lou who nodded.
Tate walked outside and spoke to Billy. They saw Billy take a cautious step back before climbing back on his horse. He took off out the yard. Lucas came jogging over. He ran in the house.
"What the hell was that about?" He asked.
They all looked to Annie who just turned and went upstairs.