Trouble Trout strikes Again!

Trout's POV

All my hopes, tarnished, all my dreams ripped away…. All for what? An onion picker! As I swish the hot liquid in my throat for the fifth time, I swallow, the alcohol burning my throat. I'm depressed, and angry.

What has he got that I don't? Her heart… my mind tickles. I growl, throwing the whiskey bottle against the wall, watching it smash into smithereens.

I'd like nothing better than to see them both… yes! That's it! My alcohol drenched mind was feeble in coming up with a plot for revenge.

The schoolhouse, where the town children learned would burn straight to the ground. Katherine was a black lovin' witch so she deserved to burn with her lover and the school itself!

Make them pay for what they've done, and teach the children that that's what happens when children fall 'in love' with another race.

"Boys! We're going for a ride… get your torches ready… that school's gonna burn!" the boys whooped and followed my lead.

Just you wait Katherine. Just you wait and see what happens when you double-cross Trout Walker! Hahahahaha! Cough* choke*

Normal POV

Sam and Henry waited a few minutes before slipping out the back way to get to the Mary Lou. Pushing it off of the dock, Sam gently put his wife's belongings underneath the satchel of onions.

He grinned as his new wedding band glinted in the moonlight. What God had put together, no man would tear asunder. Not even Trout Walker.

They had all agreed that for Hattie's alibi, she needed to speak to Miss Katherine about one of her lessons that were giving her trouble. Mrs. McAdams had come over a visit, and Hattie had learned how to make quilting squares.

Sam smiled. It was almost time to go. After Katie returned with Laurence, they would leave.

Suddenly there was a gunshot. Sam looked over in the direction of town and noticed black smoke and orange flames seeping into the night sky.

Women were screaming and running away.

Sam's heart raced double time. Katherine!

Katherine's POV

Fear gripped me as Laurence and I saw the menfolk out riding with whiskey and torches. My stomach lurched as I saw they were heading in the direction of the school!

I ran to where the smoke was and watched in horror as the school, my beloved schoolhouse where I had taught so many of this town's youngsters, and had grown in relationship with my new husband, Sam, burned from the inside out.

As the torches and bottles broke the windows, I let out a scream. What were they doing? Why were they setting the school on fire? "Nooo!" I screamed, hoping that someone, anyone would help me to put out the flames.

Laurence had already rushed into the direction of the well to get some water. I ran over to Mr. Smith, one of the town's lawyers and officiators.

"Hey! Miss Barlow… glad you made it out of the schoolhouse!" he laughed. Tears flung to my eyes seemingly with no reason at all. What was he talking about?

"Stop it! Just do something!" I screamed. I thought… the sheriff! He could help me stop this!

As I ran back to the jail, where I had an inkling of that's where he might be, I could hear Trout hollering. "Yeah, girl! How you like me now?!" I ignored him. I rushed into the jail and saw the sheriff stooping over his desk.

"Sheriff, come quick! They're destroying the schoo-" I stopped in mid-sentence at the wolfish glint in the sheriff's eye. I gulped and took a step back.

He turned around fully to face me, a lecherous grin on his face. The next four words out of his mouth made my mouth dry and my face drained of color.

"Give me a kiss…"

Oh crap. Where's Sam when I need him?

Normal POV

"I've got to go back" Sam said. He was extremely worried on account of Katherine, his wife.

"Well… what are we gonna do?" Henry asked. "We can't just leave the boat here… Katherine's things are here" Sam nodded.

"Yes… I know… If I had brought Mary Lou…" there was a bray behind him. Sam grinned as Mary Lou stood behind him, grinning as if to say, did ya miss me? Sam went to her and petted her. He thought for a second.

"I'm going to put Katherine's things in the cart." Henry snorted. "Why do that? It's much easier for me to take it back to the onion grove… have things waitin' for ya'll when ya get back" Sam looked at him.

"Are you sure?" he asked. He didn't have a good feeling about this. Henry grinned. "Why not? I owe you one, after all" Sam grinned.

"You don't owe me anything" he said, shaking his head, "But I'm sure Katherine and I would be very grateful" Henry nodded.

"Don't mention it… by the way… better get your missus before somethin' bad happens" Sam nodded, hugging Henry for a strange feeling what he felt was the last time.

"Thank you my friend… we both love you and are very grateful" the old man's eyes filled with tears.

"Boy, if your daddy could see you now" Sam smiled. "Go'on… git!" Sam chuckled, heading in the direction of town.

"Be good Mary Lou!" he called. Mary Lou hawed back.

Picking up his pace, Sam hurried into town. He had to find Katherine!

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Cq: Yikes! Who's ready for the next chapter

Sam/Kate: raise their hands

Gus raises his hand

Shawn:... COOL!

Gus elbows Shawn furiously

cq: okay then...