For a while, she simply stood in the rain, letting it lash down on her, soaking her through, unsure what to do or where to go. Willow snickered occasionally, pawing the ground in obvious discomfort and when she tried to walk her once again, the horse protested by tossing her head and trying to back away. Her mind alternated between racing and falling blank until eventually, as the cold started to seep into her bones, she decided that they needed to somehow get out of the weather.

"Alright…alright girl, we should take some shelter." Pulling as gently on the reins as she could, she led Willow into the treeline under large foliage, looping them around the trunk and then divesting herself of her sodden coat. Immediately, she started to shiver, wishing she had had the foresight to bring some kind of provisions with her. Perhaps Horace had been right. Perhaps she should have spoken with Hank after all. He could have made sure that she had everything she might need. "You're so stupid," she muttered to herself. "What do you know about anything?"

She wondered if Hank even knew that she was missing.

The branches above her swayed ominously in the wind, and she slid down onto her bottom, ignoring the damp seeping into her underwear and tried to think clearly. With Willow lame, there was no prospect of being able to ride back to town. One option was to leave the horse where she was and try walking back, but she had no idea how far from town she was or how long it might take, especially in the dark and rain. The other option was to stay put, wait the weather out and then travel on foot in the daylight, but it would be hours yet before dawn, and she was perhaps more likely to end up freezing to death.

Neither option was particularly appealing.

"What would Hank do?" she pondered aloud, looking towards Willow as though she could offer some sort of answer. "Hank would probably never have come out here in the first place." Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back against the tree trunk, only to suddenly jerk awake some time later and realise that she must have fallen asleep. Shifting slightly, her body protested, and she dragged herself to her feet to try and bring feeling back into her limbs. As she moved over towards Willow, she could see that the horse was shaking and wished that she possessed some knowledge as to why that might be, or what she could possibly do to help. "It's alright," she said softly, running her hand along Willow's neck, knowing she didn't really believe her own sentiment. "We'll be alright." Willow snickered again in response. "If only my parents could see me now," she half-laughed, feeling it about to turn into a sob and pushing her emotion down. Crying certainly wasn't going to solve anything.

Unsure of how much time had passed, all of a sudden, as the wind quietened, she thought she could hear the sound of hoofbeats on the road. Her heart started to race, conscious that it could be anyone, someone who might intend to do her harm as opposed to someone who might be in a position to help her and she held her breath, going back and forth in her mind whether to call out or not, knowing that if the person rode on, there would no telling if anyone else would pass by the same way. But if they stopped…

"Ellie!"

At first, she thought she might be hallucinating, then the sound came again, someone calling her name…a voice she recognised.

"Ellie!"

"Hank?!" The hoofbeats slowed, a horse neighed loudly, and Willow jerked her head and responded to the call. "Hank!" Rushing forwards, she broke through the treeline and back onto the road, relieved beyond belief to suddenly see him riding towards her, his expression upon seeing her changing from concern to relief and then quickly to anger. "Oh, thank God!" she exclaimed. "I had no idea how far away from town I was or how to get back! Willow's hurt and…" She broke off as he pulled Hurricane to a halt, swung down from the saddle and strode over to her, pulling her roughly into his arms and squeezing her tightly. "I…" For a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond to the pressure of his body against her, but before she could make up her mind, he pulled back.

"Have ya lost yer damn mind! Have ya actually lost complete control of yer senses?!" Reeling from his touch, she found herself incapable of a response. "Answer me, goddamn it!"

"You don't have to yell at me…"

Seizing hold of her by the arms, he shook her firmly. "Don't I?! What in the hell did ya think ya were doin'?!"

"Delivering a package."

"A package?! One of yer damn hats?!"

"Yes!" Finding her strength, she struggled out of his grip. "Horace told me that the stage wouldn't run for another two days and that it wouldn't get to Manitou before the weekend, but this customer had told me that she needed it before then, so I thought that…"

"Ya thought that ya'd just ride out to Manitou and back all by yerself?!"

"Horace said it was only fifteen miles each way and that it was a straight road! If Willow hadn't gone lame…"

"Anythin' could have happened to ya Ellie, do ya understand that?! Anythin'! Do ya have any idea what went through my mind?! Ya could have fallen off and broken yer neck, bin abducted by Injuns, had the misfortune to come across men who wouldn't have simply tipped their hats and rode past ya…! God Almighty woman!"

She paused in the face of his anger, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to worry anyone or…or cause trouble. I just wanted…I just wanted to deliver the package."

He paused and took a deep breath. "What happened anyways?"

"I don't know, we were just riding along, and it was as if she suddenly tripped over her own feet. I fell off…"

"Ya fell off?"

"My foot got caught in the stirrup and she dragged me…" his expression grew angry again. "When I looked, she was holding up her right leg and, when I tried to walk her, I saw she was limping on it. I thought I'd be best just to walk her rather than trying to keep riding her, but she wouldn't move, so we took shelter in the trees." A violent shiver suddenly ran through her, and he immediately divested himself of his coat and slung her around her body.

"Where's the horse?"

"Here."

Slowly, she led him through the treeline whereupon he moved over to Willow and, crouching, ran his hand over her leg. "Looks like it's broken."

"So, what do we do? How do we get her back to town?"

He paused before turning back to face her. "We don't."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Can't do nothin' for a horse with a broken leg. Ain't gonna be able to fix it so…only thing to do is put her out her misery."

"You mean…shoot her?" He nodded as a wave of revulsion swept over her. "No…no, we can't…we can't do that! There has to be something else we can do!"

"Like what? Can't walk her back. She's gonna be in pain every step she takes."

"But…"

"Kindest thing to do is put a bullet in her head."

"No!" she moved in front of him. "I can't let you do that! Hank, you can't…!"

"Ain't got no choice!"

"But…but it's not her fault! We were just…we were just riding along, and she tripped and…" breaking off, she put her hand to her mouth. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"Ain't yer fault," he said, moving closer to her as she put her head in her hands. "Hey, look at me." She lifted her head again. "Ain't nobody's fault. Sometimes these things just happen. Can't predict 'em, can't change 'em." Reaching out, he touched her shoulder gently. "Ya don't have to watch."

She held his gaze for the longest time, feeling the compassion there, grateful for it and yet, if she was to be accepted, if this was to be her life, for whatever length of time, then she knew that she needed to be able to do what he was saying needed to be done. "I should do it."

"No."

"She's my horse and I did this…I should do it," she said, holding out her hand.

"Ain't gonna let ya."

"Please."

"No. Go around behind that tree, turn yer back and close yer eyes."

"Please…" the tears pooled in her eyes so that she could barely see him and spilled down her cheeks. "Please let me do it."

Pausing for an infinitesimal moment, he stepped forward and suddenly cupped her face with his hands, his fingers surprisingly warm against her cold skin, his thumbs grazing over her cheeks to wipe away her emotion.

"I'm your wife," she heard herself say shakily, "and I'm asking you to let me do it."

He shook his head slowly. "Fact ya are my wife is exactly why I can't let ya."

For perhaps the second time, she wondered if he was about to kiss her, felt herself move closer to him in anticipation of it. But then, seconds later, he stepped back, releasing her, and the moment was gone.

XXXX

The ride back to town was undertaken in relative silence, Eloise sat behind him, her arms around his waist, her head resting against his back. When she had finally agreed to go behind the tree, he had quickly removed Willow's saddle and bridle, given her a last stroke and then shot her between the eyes. Fortunately, it had only taken one bullet, and she had fallen where she stood.

"Can we bury her?" she had asked shakily.

"Ain't got nothin' to bury her with."

"So, we're just going to leave her?"

He had opened his mouth to explain about how much rich food one horse carcass could provide for the animals roaming the hills, but something in her expression had made him change his mind, unsure that she was truly ready to accept such evidence of nature. "She ain't here anymore," was all he had ended up saying. "Come on, we should make our way back 'fore this weather gits any worse."

Feeling her suddenly shiver violently against him, he drew Hurricane to a halt and twisted to face her. "Ya should ride up front so as I can keep ya warm." Before she could reply, he swung his leg over the horse's head and slid to the ground, forcing her to move further forwards in the saddle, before pulling himself up behind her again and sliding his arms around her to take the reins. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you," she replied softly as they began moving again. "I can pay you back…for Willow."

"Ain't needin' to do that. She was a gift."

"But…"

"Gotta stop blamin' yerself, Ellie. Could have happened anywhere. Could have just ridden her down the street and have it happen." She sighed heavily and leant back against him. "If ya need to sleep, just sleep."

"I'd probably fall off."

"I'd catch ya."

"I'm fine," she insisted and yet, moments later, when he chanced to look, her eyes were closed, her breathing steady, her body warm against his own despite the wet chill and he fought down the arousal in his pants.

Half an hour later, they arrived back into town and he slowly walked Hurricane towards the livery, torn between the need to wake her and not really wanting to. To his surprise, Robert E was still there, greeting them with a relieved smile that quickly turned to confusion.

"What happened to Willow?"

"Broken leg," he replied, hoping the other man would take enough from his words to avoid going into the details.

Robert E nodded, "She alright?"

"Yeah, just tired. Ellie…" he shook her gently and her eyes suddenly flew open. "Wake up Sleepin' Beauty, we're home."

"Oh…sorry…" she said, blinking rapidly as Robert E reached to help her down. As he did so, she winced and let out a hiss of pain. "Must have bruised myself when I fell off earlier."

"Better let Michaela take a look tomorrow."

"I'm sure I'll be fine. Thank you, Robert E."

"No problem. I'm…sorry about Willow."

Eloise nodded and then fell into step beside Hank as they made their way back down towards the saloon. Pausing at the door, she swivelled her gaze to meet his. "I could use a drink."

"Reckon ya could use a hot bath, we both could." Pushing open the doors he allowed her to enter first as the last few customers bid them farewell. From behind the bar, Olivia eyed them both suspiciously. "What ya lookin' at?"

"Nothin'," she replied. "What happened to ya?"

"Never heard of a little thing called rain?"

"Ya look a right sight," the other woman said mirthfully, her gaze raking over Eloise. "Like ya were dragged backwards through a hedge."

"Not needin' any kind of comment from ya," he said acerbically. "Git out of here."

"Whatever you say," Olivia replied with a toss of her head before stalking out of the bar.

"That one's gettin' too big fer her boots," he commented, but Eloise simply slid into a vacant chair, seemingly unconcerned by the other woman's remarks. Moving over to the bar, he grabbed a bottle and two glasses and returned, pouring them each a measure.

"I'm so stupid."

"No, ya ain't."

"You bought me that horse and I killed her."

"If ya wanna be truth-telling, I killed her." She said nothing. "Don't know how many times I gotta tell ya it was an accident."

"I know, but…" she looked down into the glass. "I never seem to get it right."

"What do ya mean?"

"I mean…something always happens. Just when I think I've got a handle on things…on my life…something happens that shows me I don't. I thought I knew how to ride…I thought I knew what I was doing with my hats...," She shook her head. "I've tried to tell myself so many times that I fit in here, that I belong but maybe…maybe I don't, maybe I never will."

"Reckon ya fit in here better than ya think."

"What makes you say that?" she asked, looking at him.

"Well, I keep forgettin' ya ain't from around here for one thing."

"No, you don't."

"Well, sometimes I do. And you do know how to ride. Ride better than some of the women that have been here all their lives. And ya know how to shoot and…well…serve whisky…" She laughed then and he found it gratifying to see. "All taught by yers truly of course."

"That's true. I wouldn't know half the things I do if it wasn't for you taking the time to show me. I think you still owe me a wagon driving lesson though."

"Yeah well, ya owe me a letter writin' lesson. Wanna send something back to my grandma."

"I'd be happy to do that whenever you wanted."

"Fine, then I'm happy to let ya practice drivin' the wagon whenever ya want."

"Good."

"Got ourselves a deal then." He held out his hand for her to shake, her skin cold to the touch, bringing him back into the moment. "Yer freezin'. Need to get ya out of them wet clothes."

"You don't look much warmer yourself."

Rising, he offered his hand. "Bin in worse situations than this, believe me."

"Where are you intending to take me?" she asked, allowing him to help her up before gently pulling her hand back.

"Figured I oughta walk ya to yer room, make sure ya don't git into anymore trouble on the way there." Smiling, she moved in front of him, and he followed her out of the bar and along the corridor to her door, whereupon she turned back to look at him.

"I didn't say thank you."

"Fer what?"

"Coming to find me. You could have just left me. You didn't need to…"

"Wouldn't be able to call myself much of a husband if I left my wife out all night in the rain now, would I? 'Sides, like I said, anythin' could have happened to ya out there." Reaching out, he plucked a small leaf from her hair and dropped it onto the ground.

"Well…" she said after a long moment. "Goodnight then."

"Myra's pregnant."

The words were out before he could stop them, before he could think about the propriety or the timing or whether it was even his news to share. He expected her to be surprised, but instead, she simply smiled gently. "I know…Horace told me this morning." She paused. "How do you feel about it?"

"Ain't got no right to feel anythin' about it, ain't my kid," he shrugged and looked away. "Good luck to 'em, I say. Wouldn't catch me wantin' to be around a screamin' kid, changin' diapers and cleanin' up God only knows what. Already bin there with Zack…kinda."

"You changed diapers?"

"Well, maybe not as such..."

She smiled briefly and then grew serious again. "It makes it seem all the more…final…though, doesn't it?"

He looked at her again, finding himself surprised at the fact that she appeared to be able to read his very thoughts. "Guess so."

She looked down at the floor. "I'm assuming she won't be coming back over here in her nightgown any time soon."

"No, guess not. Anyways, night Ellie."

"Goodnight Hank."

Once the door had closed behind her, he made his way back down the corridor into the bar, pulling off his wet shirt as he did so, unbuttoning the top of his union suit and sliding his arms out before lifting the remaining chairs up onto the tables.

"Hank?" He started at the sound of her voice and turned, finding her standing just inside the door. "I'm sorry, but with the material being all wet and my finger so cold…" her cheeks reddened, "…would you mind?"

For a moment, he wasn't sure what she meant, until she half-turned, and he took in the neat row of buttons on the back of her dress. Of course, he was no stranger to removing a woman's clothes, but something made him pause, rooted to the spot by the bar.

When he didn't move, she turned back to look at him, the blush deepening. "I'm sorry, I can ask one of the girls…"

"No!" the word came out harsher than expected and he had to quickly collect himself on her look. "What I mean is…no point disturbin' 'em when I'm right here." Moving across the room and coming up behind her, he slowly lifted his hands, fingers sliding one button out after another, watching the material loosen around her. Tempted beyond belief to touch her, yet mindful of the promise he had made, he quickly stepped back, swallowing hard. "All done."

"Thank you," she turned and smiled at him, her gaze flitting to his naked torso and then back up again. "Goodnight."

"Night Ellie." He stood watching as she walked away, until he heard the sound of her door closing once more and the lock turning, then he poured himself another drink, draining it quickly, slamming the empty glass back down on the bar and shaking his head.

"She thinks she's stupid? Only stupid one round here is, you, Hank Lawson. Thinkin' for one minute..." He sighed heavily. "Gotta forget it, just...gotta forget it."