Chapter 11

Jimmy sat and watched the men in the camp. He was listening to names and picking out the ones that he knew. He needed to come up with a plan and quick. He knew Cody, Buck, and Noah had to have seen by now. He knew that they were thinking. He needed to get out the way. He needed to get away. He thought of his family back home. He looked at his boots. Hunter was no longer his son. The realization hit him hard. He was going to have to let him go. It was over. He heard a horse approach. He glanced up. It couldn't be. He knew that face. The man was much older, but it was him. Blackcomb. The Pinkerton. The one and the same from all those years ago. He watched as he pulled Jared into a hug and patted his shoulder. This is why they have not been caught. This is the reason. Were they related? He watched the two ride away.

"Stop staring."

Jimmy saw legs block his view. He looked up to see Hunter towering over him.

"You know him, don't you?"

Jimmy didn't answer. Hunter squatted down in front of him.

"See I have nothing to worry about."

"Hunter…." Jimmy started as Issy came and wrapped her arms around Hunter's neck.

"Hunter, baby, I sent him away. We have some time." She whispered.

Jimmy stopped talking and glared at what used to be his child.

"Come on, we better make the most of it before he gets back."

"You know that I tell him what to do. Come on darling. Don't you fret none."

Jimmy watched as Hunter took her hand and followed her away. He watched as other men just turned to look in the other direction. They were wrong. Everyone was wrong. Jared McKay did not lead this outfit. Isabell did.

Teaspoon sat and watched Billy as he sat in the chair. He finally heard a horse make its way up to the small shed. The door opened and Tate wrestled a very angry Annie in the doorway. She stopped slapping him when she saw Billy. Tate pushed her away into the room and quickly blocked the door as she turned on him.

"Open the door, Tate! Get out of my way!"

"I can't!"

"Move!"

"Annabell." Teaspoon stated as he tried not to laugh at poor Tate's busted lip.

She spun on her grandfather.

"You!" She shrieked. "If you weren't so old, I'd beat the crap out of you too! How dare you kidnap me!"

"Sit down, Annie!" Teaspoon yelled which took her by surprise.

She flopped down in the empty chair.

"Thank God." Tate mumbled.

Annie looked over at Billy tied to the chair and crossed her arms. She cut her eyes back at her grandfather.

"Now, we are going to settle this spat, once and for all. Who wants to go first?"

Billy shook his head. Annie was so mad that she was sweating.

"You want me to pick?"

Neither said a word. The tension was thick.

"Times like this, I wish I still had a sweat lodge." He mumbled.

"Should I wait outside?" Tate asked.

"No, guard that door. Guess I will pick. Eeny, Meeny, miney, moe…Billy."

Billy looked at him and shook his head. Teaspoon cracked him in the shin with his cane.

"Damn! Teaspoon, what the hell?"

"Start talking or do you want another one?" Teaspoon raised his cane.

"No, no! Hold on."

Teaspoon put the cane back down as Annie stood and made a dash for the door. Tate blocked the way.

"I ain't got to listen to this! Move, Tate!"

"I can't do that."

"Move or I make you move!"

"You can't make me do a fucking thing."

Annie screamed out. Tate went to block the slap that never happened. Instead, Annie smiled as she proceeded to kick him between the legs. He fell to his knees gasping for air. She ran for the door but suddenly her feet were knocked out from under her. She fell to the floor. She glared back at her grandfather who had hooked her foot with his cane.

"Now Annie, that was uncalled for. Sit down now!"

Annie stood and dusted her dress off. Tate was trying to pull himself together as he leaned back against the door frame taking deep breaths. Annie flopped back down.

"Now, Billy, where were you….."