Chapter 12

Buck, Noah, and Cody watched the camp trying to come up with some sort of distraction to get Jimmy and Hunter out. Jared had left with someone, but they couldn't make out who he was. He was back now so their time was running short. They were going to have to make a move soon.

Jimmy watched as Jared made his way back. He came back with another man. A different man. He went to speak with the others. He couldn't make out what they were saying but he could see Isabell getting more than frustrated.

"You think I am that stupid. You dumb fuck." Isabell calmly stated.

Jimmy watched as she pulled a gun from her waistband. She laid it on the man's forehead right between his eyes.

"Now tell me the truth." She said quietly.

"That is the truth. It was all I was told. Your brother is dead. They killed him in an ambush. I was told to let you know."

"He isn't dead. We have an arrangement. That Pinkerton will keep them off our tails. You liar."

Jimmy closed his eyes as she easily pulled the trigger. The man slumped to the ground. She waved her hands out as if shooing him away. Two men pulled him off.

"What if he turned on us, Issy? What if he was telling the truth? Cris could be dead." Jared was saying.

"Cristobal is not dead. He can't be. We have an arrangement!"

"It might be time to lay low for a while. You overheard what was said to Hunter. One of them have turned on us."

"Go find out what he knows. I need a drink."

Buck and Noah sat trying to convince Cody to try something different.

"Cody, Hunter has a price on his head. If you go to the army then they will take him in also." Noah said.

"We will cross that bridge when we get there. Come on, we need the manpower. You know it, and I know it."

"He's right. We will figure that out when it happens." Buck conceded.

Cody nodded and turned to ride away. Buck and Noah watched the cloud of dust in the distance.

Billy finished spilling his guts as Teaspoon turned to Annie. She looked down in embarrassment.

"Want to tell your side?"

"He was looking at her, Grandpa. He was really looking."

"No, I wasn't!"

"Billy! It ain't your turn. Go on."

"Molly told me what he was saying to his friend, Tucker. I know what his intentions were."

"So, you just took matters into your own hands." Teaspoon stated.

"I damn sure did!"

"You went and kissed Tucker and Richard!"

"So! Ain't that what you did! You man whore!" Annie yelled.

"I ain't did nothing! That's what I tried to tell you!"

"You liar! If you can whore around then so can I!"

"Well….that don't sound right….." Teaspoon said as he listened.

"That ain't fair! I have not done a thing to you! I wouldn't do that! Yet you went and did what you did!" Billy yelled.

"How could you even say that! Molly told me what was said!"

"That's all it was!"

"How could you!"

"Me! You broke my heart!"

Annie got quiet when he said it. She turned to leave. Tate bent over, crossed his legs, and put his hands up as he was still blocking the door. She stopped and fell back in the chair.

"I would never do that to you, Annie. It's always been you. Since the first day I laid eyes on you. It's been you. I should have never said what I said. My stupid friends."

Annie sat in silence as tears rolled down her face.

"Annabell, you should know by now that boys and men do some stupid things. We do. We can't help it. Most times the words fall out before we even know that there could be consequences. Billy here is just like the rest of us. You have brothers and a father after all. You know how it is. We all have our moments." Teaspoon said softly.

"Look at me Annie, I have never touched any other girl. Only you. You have to know this."

Annie looked at Billy and cried harder.

"But look what I did, Billy. I did it just to get back at you. I guess I'm mostly embarrassed at my own actions. How can you ever trust me again? I hurt you."

"If I didn't want to make things right with you, then I wouldn't have been riding up in your yard. Annie, I love you. I don't care what happened. I just want you to know that I did not do anything. I want you."

"I don't know if I can forgive myself. I was so mean and spiteful. I wanted to hurt you."

"Billy, my boy, that right there should tell you how she feels about you. Annie has strong feelings for you. If she didn't then she would have just let you go. Look, I think both of you should put it away like this didn't happen. Move forward and see how things go. Billy, don't say anymore dumb shit. Annie, actions speak louder than words. I hope you both have learned a lesson from this.

"Annie, please." Billy pleaded.

"Can you forgive me?"

"Already have."

Billy tried to stand as Annie walked over only to realize that he was still tied to the chair.

"Can you?" He asked Teaspoon.

"Oh, my bad. Tate?"

"I'm coming." Tate said as he wobbled over.

Billy stood and pulled Annie into an embrace. Teaspoon smiled as the two kissed. Tate stood half bent over beside Teaspoon.

"Can I please go now?" He asked.

"Reckon you earned it." Teaspoon laughed as Tate hobbled away.