Jimmy's tears eventually slowed and then stopped altogether. Faith still held him close to her pushing the swing gently with her foot and kissing his head while stroking his long hair.

"I don't know why I reacted like that," he said at last straightening up and wiping the few tears that were still wet on his cheeks.

"People sometimes cry when they are happy," she said grasping his hand in both of hers, "And from relief, and regret and a whole host of other feelings too."

He nodded and raised her hands to his lips kissing them and delighting in her nearness to him.

"Should we check to see what Patience the Perfect has to say?"

Faith reluctantly opened the letter and immediately frowned upon reading only a few lines.

"What does she say?"

"More of the same," Faith said blinking rapidly a few times and then standing and heading into the house. "I should start supper."

Jimmy wanted to reach out for her but she bustled past him and he just let her. He heard the door shut harder than was necessary and looked to his side to see Patience's letter just sitting there. He wouldn't ever think to snoop in her private letters but then she left this right in the open so it wasn't really snooping, he reasoned. He picked up the paper and began to read.

My darling baby sister,

How are you little Faith? I understand you must be very desperate about your situation as you are still with that man. Honestly dear, you're so pretty and you always were such a good cook. If you had better taste in men you might even be perfect. First you marry the penniless man and now a man known the country wide for killing people. Do you even care what people think of us? Of you? Grief is no reason to throw your good name away and embarrass your family.

Now, stop with this silliness and come live with me. I could have you married off in less than a month to a respectable man who wouldn't even care that you can't give him children. Why there are one or two quite eligible widowers who already have children you could be a mother to. But the longer you insist on spending your time with that gambling murderer, the less chance you would have with any of them.

You know I love you sweet Faith or I would not nag you so. I am only looking out for your own good since you seem wholly incapable of doing that yourself.

Your loving sister,

Patience

Jimmy just stared at the paper in his hands with his mouth hanging open. He wasn't sure which appalled him more, the fact that someone would say those things to their own flesh and blood or that she professed such love for her sister while she did it. He wanted to hit something or go track this woman down and give her a piece of his mind but then his thoughts went to Faith. He knew she was upset and hurting and thinking about his own anger wasn't going to comfort her any. He stood and went inside leaving the letter on the swing.

Jimmy closed the door quietly behind him and was instantly glad that he hadn't made any noise coming in. Faith was apparently planning a stew for supper and was chopping the vegetables. Though he thought it might be more accurate to say she was murdering the vegetables. He now understood how she was never short of firewood even as she had lived alone. No doubt every carrot and celery stalk bore the face of Patience the Perfect.

He stood stock still, fearing to even breathe. Finally she put the knife down and took a step to the side doubling over the counter crying. The knife gone, there was nothing stopping Jimmy from getting to Faith's side. She didn't hear him come up behind her but she didn't even jump when she felt his hands rest on her shoulders. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss behind her ear. His arms wound the rest of the way around her as her shoulders shook from her tears.

"She shouldn't say those things about you," he whispered in her ear, "Though she has a point about your taste in men, at least your most recent taste."

"She's my sister," Faith said softly, "Why doesn't she want me happy?"

"I don't think she understands our kind of happy," Jimmy replied, "Happy for her is being what she thinks other people respect. You and me we have lived some different things than she has. I'm thinking she don't know what it is to be loved really."

"Are you feeling sorry for my rotten sister after the terrible things she said about you?"

"Did she really say anything that wasn't true?" he asked.

"She called you a murderer."

"Well, I have killed people," he pointed out.

"You're not a murderer, though," she choked out as she turned in his arms and looked up at him. "I'm sorry she said those things, she had no right. She's not a very nice person. You'd think I'd be used to it by now but damn if it doesn't still hurt."

Jimmy was momentarily taken aback by her words. He'd never heard such language from a woman outside of a saloon or a brothel. But then she was very upset. He just hugged her tighter.

"I guess that just shows how a reputation can take over," he soothed, "Besides, she's talking about Bill and there ain't no one here answering to that name. My pa's name was William but it ain't what my mama named me."

"Right, I'll be sure to tell her that," Faith said scowling a little, "I'm sure it will make all the difference."

"Well the important thing is that you know the truth," he told her.

"It just makes me so mad," Faith half growled, "I'm just tired of it, you know? She's been like this for as long as I can remember. She goes off all holier than thou and I end up crying and hurt. It's weak is what it is, Jimmy. I can't be that anymore. I'm not that. Aaron and I never had much but each other and Adam. Then he died and I stayed here on my own, thank you very much and raised that boy and took care of things pretty well if I do say so myself. No thanks to Patience who could not be bothered to come and help out. Then I buried my little boy and still I get nothing from Miss Perfect but snide remarks and criticism. She's never had real feeling for me; even that letter today was more about her own standing in the community than it is about worry for me. And here I am crying. It just makes me so mad!"

Faith slammed her fist onto the cutting board causing Jimmy to jump. Her other one landed mere seconds after the first and then she raised them both over her head. Jimmy's hands shot out and grabbed her wrists stopping her blows from landing on the cutting board again.

"I know you're mad and I know you need to let it out but this ain't the way," he said, his voice low. "You're only going to hurt yourself and that's letting Patience win."

She nearly went limp before him and her arms dropped taking his with them. Jimmy stood there a moment thinking and then got an idea. He pulled at her wrists and she took a couple steps with him before stopping.

"Come on," he said dropping one wrist and tugging lightly at the other, "Trust me. I think I've earned that much from you."

"But whe-" she began but his look stopped the question on her lips and she just followed obediently.

Jimmy kept walking until he was a few yards from the fence and then he released her hand. Faith watched while Jimmy scrounged around for cans and bottles and set them up on the fence. He then walked back and stood next to her. She studied him and saw him close his eyes and let out a breath and then almost faster than she could register he reached across his body, brought out his Colt and fired causing a can to go flying into the air. Without words he turned to her and spun the pistol in his hand so the butt of the gun was toward her and he extended his arm.

"Jimmy, I don't know the first thing about firing a gun," Faith protested taking a step backward.

"I'll teach you," he said, "If I can do it, how hard can it be?"

"You keep putting yourself down like that and I'll learn to use this thing just to turn it on you."

Jimmy pulled the gun back and raised his hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, I brought you out here to let out some anger, not make you madder."

Then he offered the gun again, "Trust me. I can help."

Reluctantly she took the weapon from his hand and just stood there letting it rest on her palm.

"Well, it's not going to do much good holding it like that," he said as he moved closer, taking her hand and wrapping her fingers around the butt of the gun. Faith looked at him uncertainly.

"Now don't look so scared," he said, "I been shooting these practically since I could hold one. I'm right here and I'll help you. It's just a gun, a thing, it won't bite."

Faith's brow furrowed in an attempt at a brave face. She hadn't actually lied. She knew how to fire a rifle. She'd never done it but she knew how. Pistols however were a mystery to her and a frightening one at that. She'd seen them strapped to Jimmy's hips. He wore them less and less now but they had just gone into town and when they did that, he strapped them on. The rest of the time they hung on a hook by the door. She never touched them and tried not to look at them and now here she was holding one. She was afraid of it even though she knew it was just an object, it wasn't a person or even an animal that could act of its own accord. Faith nearly jumped when she felt his breath hot on her neck as he whispered in her ear.

"Relax, there ain't no way I'd ever let you get hurt," he whispered, "You ought to know that by now."

She nodded and tried to relax as he told her to.

"What do I do now?" she squeaked.

He stood close enough to her that she could feel his body heat and lifted her arm. Then his hand closed around her own, the one that held the gun, and he pulled the hammer back.

"You got to make sure it's all the way back," he said, "Steady it with your other hand if you need to."

Faith brought her left hand up and steadied the gun in her hand. Her eyes darted to the side asking him if she was doing it right.

"Just like that," he confirmed, "Now pick one of them cans to aim for," he moved his hands to rest lightly on her shoulders. "Look down your arm, center the barrel on your target, relax and squeeze the trigger."

Faith tried to do what he told her but she was so nervous and afraid of the noise that was coming that she jerked her hand and the shot went way wide.

"Not bad," he said.

"Not bad? I missed completely," she argued.

"You hit air pretty solid," he joked trying to lighten her mood. It didn't work and he could see the tears start to form in her eyes.

"I can't do this, Jimmy," she said, "Just add it to Patience's giant list of my failings."

Jimmy at first thought his idea had failed but then at mentioning her sister's name he could see the anger sparking fresh in her eyes.

"Not a failure, Faith," he said in the most soothing tone he could, "Just takes practice. Give it another try."

Her eyes narrowed and she raised the pistol again. Jimmy stepped forward to cock it for her but she did it herself and was glaring at the cans on the fence as if they were every person in the world who ever wronged her. He stepped back not wanting to get caught in her anger. Jimmy stood a couple of feet from her and watched her take a deep breath, focus on one of the targets and pull the trigger. The can went flying. He was about to congratulate her when he saw her thumb pulling the hammer back once more. She fired and another can went flying. She kept this up three more shots until there was only an empty click when she pulled the trigger. He walked closer to her and she surprised him by grabbing his other gun. She spun away from him and he watched her shoot the rest of the targets off of the fence. Her eyes were on fire as she took aim at each of them, her breathing came more rapidly and he watched her breasts rise and fall within her dress as the color rose in her cheeks. He found his own pulse quickening as well.

Faith had been unsure at first with the gun in her hand but when that first can went flying she realized the power of it. She had never felt powerful before. Life happened to her but now she felt like she could happen to it. Each target she sent flying was a slight, a loss, a hurt to her. There was the stupid war that had taken her husband and cruel fate that had robbed her of her son and every person who looked down their nose at her in town and every one of her sister's hurtful and judgmental words. She knew she shocked Jimmy when she took the other Colt from its housing but she just had to finish them all off. He'd been right, she was angry and letting it out like this felt good. It felt so very good.

Jimmy watched the whole scene. There were no tears, just self-satisfaction and something else he couldn't put his finger on but seeing her there breathing hard, the color high on her cheeks and her eyes just daring someone to get in the way of anything she needed or desired made him want her more than he ever had before. In two long strides he brought himself behind her and grabbed her hips pulling her to him, grinding into her so that even through her skirts she could feel how hard she'd made him. He heard her groan and was just considering leaning down to kiss her neck when she spun to face him and caught his lips in a kiss that threatened to bruise. When she broke the kiss she was panting and rubbing her hand up and down his length through his pants. Her eyes were dark and excitement blended with fury, hurt and lust within them.

"I need you," she growled low at him, "Now."

She emphasized her point by squeezing him making his need even more urgent. He looked around and realized that he couldn't very well take her right there in the yard. Well, he could, he supposed but he would prefer a bit more privacy. It wasn't likely that someone would come along but just in case they did, he'd rather not be interrupted. He lifted her straight up bracing an arm under her bottom. Her arms tightened around his neck and her legs wrapped just as tightly around his waist. He could have completely let go and she would not have budged. Her skirt hiked a little in the process of lifting her up and he used one hand to snake up her leg. As he approached the meeting of her legs he could feel the wetness of the fabric. He walked toward the house his hand getting ever closer to its destination. Finally he reached the split in the crotch of her pantaloons. He wasted no time with play and thrust two fingers into her. She groaned and tightened her legs around him. Her mouth worked over his neck as he carried her into the house and to the bedroom. Her legs released as she lowered her feet to the floor and set to work on the buttons of his shirt but that wasn't fast enough so she just pulled it over his head. He had a little better luck with the buttons on her dress which was soon discarded. Her petticoats were a puddle at her feet just as quickly and she lifted her camisole over her head while he yanked the drawstring on her pantaloons and gave them a shove. His hand found its way back to the desperate wetness between her legs. His fingers were thrusting in and out of her and he could feel her hands working at the buckles on his belts so that she could free his need for her. And he did need her like he thought he'd never needed anything before. He needed her like a drowning soul needs air. At last he felt his pants being shoved downward and her hand wrap around his manhood gripping him tightly and rubbing up and down the shaft. She pushed him back onto the bed and straddled him crawling on her hands and knees to position herself over him and then lowered herself quickly onto him. Her hips began to move at a torrid pace against him.

Jimmy grabbed her hips urging them even faster and then pulled her toward him to claim one of her breasts with his mouth. He could feel her getting close and knew he was too. This was not over, not by a long shot and there was only one thing he could think of to do to slow things without giving up what they so desperately needed. He lifted her hips allowing himself to slip from inside of her and threw her down on her back on the mattress next to him. Jimmy rolled to be between her legs and hooked her legs over his shoulders.

Faith was ready to grab his hardness and shove it back inside of her when Jimmy forcefully threw her next to him on the bed. It surprised and half scared her but then it was also exciting. Before she knew it her legs were in the air draped over his shoulders and he was buried deeper in her than she knew was possible. His fingers were digging hard into the flesh of her buttocks. She was sure there would be marks but she just didn't care. It felt far too good. On the surface it might have looked like he was the one with the power but she was understanding that she had created this fire in him. She was the powerful one. If she didn't have more power than this formidable man, she at least had as much. He was pounding into her, his flesh slapping against hers and suddenly he pulled out of her.

Jimmy watched Faith's face and wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out with the look of pure lust he found there. Once he pulled out of her he straightened up to stand on his knees and rolled her onto her hands and knees and plunged into her. His hands spread her buttocks to better watch himself in and out of her glistening more with her juices with every thrust. Faith found his rhythm and soon was pushing back against him with every thrust he made into her. He wasn't sure if he was penetrating her or she was impaling herself on him and he didn't really care. He reached with one hand to grab one of her breasts harshly, digging his fingers into the soft firm mound and his other hand slid around to make damned sure that however rough things might be that she would feel that pleasure. Letting out the anger was one thing but there had to be the promise of the bliss, the joy, the elation or it just wasn't worth it. He rubbed hard, fevered circles over the hardened nub as he continued drilling into her as hard and fast as he could. Jimmy could see her thrusts back toward him were starting to become ragged and out of rhythm as she came closer to that edge that only he could push her over. The noises she was making belonged more to a wild animal than a proper lady like Faith but that only made him more desperate to seek his release in her. That release was coming fast and there was no stopping it. He could feel it like raging waters pounding upon a dam. Then the dam broke and he could feel his seed spilling into her with every thrust. He growled at her as his hand kept working toward her pleasure.

Faith was overwhelmed. The pleasure was mounting within her and even if she had wanted to, there would be no holding it back. She heard Jimmy reaching his climax and each time he pounded just a little deeper into her and his fingers continued their work, she got closer to her own and then it hit. Her mind went blank, she saw flashes of lights. It was as if there was a slow burning fire in her loins that flashed all of a sudden to an explosion. He had brought her pleasure before but there was something else here. Something she brought to the table and it was a level of ecstasy she wasn't aware existed. Her arms went out from under her and her legs trembled as well. Jimmy rolled onto his side and brought her with him allowing his body to contour to hers and just like that he became tender to her.

Jimmy lightly dragged his fingers over her sensitized flesh, up and down her arm and over her hips. He leaned and kissed her shoulder lightly.

"Please tell me you feel better," he said in a near whisper, "Because I ain't as young as I once was and I don't think I can do that again for a little while."

In response Faith just began to giggle.

"Can I ask what's so funny?"

"I was just imagining my sister's reaction if she had seen that," Faith answered, "I'll bet she's never felt anything like that and I'm pretty sure of that too because I never had either."

She rolled onto her back and reached to gently caress the side of his face.

"You're pretty good at this, you know."

"I aim to please, ma'am," he said with a smirk.

Faith wrinkled her brow and looked at him strange for a moment, "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat."

"I'm starved," she said, "And I think I can smell that stew. It must be near to done."

Things were different after that day, in a good way. Jimmy noticed Faith was more sure of herself. She had lived on her own and done a right fine job of it all that time but she always had doubted herself and her choices before then but she had found something inside that day that allowed her the knowledge she had done well. She was proud of herself. She was stronger and she no longer dipped her head or looked embarrassed about anything she wanted or needed and that applied to life outside the bedroom as well as in bed.

One day, maybe a week or so later, Jimmy was out seeing to the horse's stalls when he heard a rider coming toward the house fast. He made his way out of the barn wishing he at least carried one of his guns around the place. He soon realized he didn't need it though as the rider was merely the young man who worked as a messenger for the telegraph company. Jimmy watched as the young man handed something to Faith and rode away. Faith opened the envelope and he could see the color drain from her face as she read whatever was on the message. She staggered to the rail of the porch and doubled over it emptying the contents of her stomach onto the ground below. He broke into a run then and was just climbing the porch steps when he saw her wobble and sink to the floor.

Hmmm...mysterious telegram...mysterious, upsetting telegram...wonder what it could be. Oh yeah and women's pantaloons then were not sewn up between the legs...imagine trying to use an outhouse or, worse yet, a chamber pot, and you're holding your skirts up and trying to lower your bloomers...just not a working thing. But put to good use here I think.-J