A short time later they rode up to a large wooden building that even in the dark, looked like it was need of repair. Ike and Jimmy exchanged doubtful expressions as they dismounted.
“Sure don’t look like much.” Jimmy commented.
(As long as the horses are taken care of, it doesn’t really make a difference what the building looks like.) Ike replied.
“Guess not. Why don’t you start unsaddling the horses, while I open the doors.” Jimmy suggested.
Ike nodded and started to unfasten the girth of his saddle from around Thunder’s stomach. Jimmy moved toward the livery to open the doors. He couldn’t help noticing that the bar that held the doors in place was missing, but figured the livery owner was planning on checking the animals in his care again before going to bed. Jimmy gripped the handles on each door and gave them a hearty tug. The doors opened easily and soon Jimmy had secured them against the wall on either side of the entrance. Jimmy stepped into the livery and swept the walls on either side of him with his eyes, looking for a lantern.
He spotted a lantern and box of matches on a shelf to his left, struck one of the matches against the wall and lit the lantern. He turned the knob on the lantern at an angle, so that the interior of the livery was filled with a soft glow. Jimmy gave the large area he stood in a quick perusal and saw that his and Ike’s doubtful reaction to the exterior, wasn’t an accurate assumption for the interior. Blacksmith implements were arranged neatly on shelves, a keg of expertly crafted horseshoes stood in one corner, with barrels full of grain in another. Harnesses, bridles and other tack hung from nails on the walls and another shelf was covered with curry combs, hoof picks, tinned salves and other items used in the care of horses.
Ike stepped into the livery beside him and touched his arm. (Come on Jimmy. Let’s get this done so we can join Buck and Kid at the hotel. I’m hungry.)
Jimmy nodded and set the lantern back on the shelf, then stepped outside to help Ike finish unsaddling the horses. They made quick work of it and stacked the four saddles beside each other on the livery floor. Jimmy motioned to Ike that he was going to head to the back of the livery to see what stalls were available. He crossed the open front area and started down the long aisle of stalls. He’d barely gone a few feet when a loud whinny pierced the quiet interior, next to his ear, startling him into drawing both of his guns.
When Jimmy could breathe again, he realized that the sound had come from one of the horses in the stalls and feeling a little foolish re-holstered his guns. Stepping closer to the stall in which the whinny had come from, Jimmy took in the familiar dark muzzle of lightning. A slow grin spread across his face as he reached out a hand a to pat the stallion’s neck.
“Hiya fellow. You sure are a sight for sore eyes. You and Lou sure have given me and the other boys quite a run-around. Looks like that about to come to an end now that I’ve found you.”
He patted Lightning for another moment or two, before continuing on down the aisle in search of empty stalls. As he was passing by Lightning’s stall on the return trip, he heard a slight scuffling noise coming from within it. He paused to listen more closely, but when he heard nothing else, moved on to help Ike lead the horses to their stalls. This only took them a couple of minutes and soon both riders were heading back to the hotel.
They had only gone about a block, before something clicked inside of Jimmy’s head and he stopped walking. Ike stopped too and looked at him with a puzzled expression upon his face.
(What’s wrong?) He signed.
Jimmy shook his head. “I don’t know. Just something keeps telling me not to let the livery out of my sight.”
(What? Why?) Ike asked.
“If I knew the answer to that, I’d tell you.” Jimmy replied.
He made a snap decision. “ You go on to the hotel and meet up with Kid and Buck. I’m going to stick around here for a while longer. I’ll be along directly.”
Ike studied Jimmy for a moment, trying to decide whether or not Jimmy had found something out while they were in the livery and just wasn’t telling him. He had just come to the conclusion that Jimmy wasn’t hiding anything from him, when Jimmy’s voice broke through his quiet observation.
“Why are you staring at me like that for, Ike?” Jimmy questioned irritably.
(No reason.) Ike signed quickly.
“Well cut it out, you’re making me nervous.” Jimmy told him.
(What should I tell Kid and Buck about why you aren’t with me?) Ike asked.
“Tell them whatever you want to.” Jimmy said impatiently. “ Tell them I had a hunch that I wanted to play out and that I said I join you later.”
(If you’re not at the hotel in a half hour’s time, I’m going to assume you ran into trouble and come running.) Ike told him.
“I’m going to need all the help I can get if I find Lou. You know how ornery she can be when anyone tries to make her do something.” Jimmy replied wryly.
A wide grin split Ike’s face at Jimmy’s words. It faded as quickly as it had appeared as Ike considered what his friend had said. Lou was more stubborn and prideful than any other woman he had ever met, including his ma, and was determined to make her way in life by her own terms. When those terms or her abilities were questioned, she was downright dangerous to be around. He couldn’t recall how many times he had heard or seen Lou blow up at Kid for his being too protective of her, leveled an icy stare at Cody for some thoughtless remark he had made or confronting Teaspoon over him not giving her a particular run because he thought it was too dangerous for her.
(Thirty minutes, no more.) Ike said, before starting off in the direction of town.
Jimmy watched as Ike faded from sight, and then headed back to the livery. Once he reached it, Jimmy stepped into the narrow walkway between the livery and the building next to it and crouched down, allowing the shadows to hide him from view and began his wait. He was going to feel foolish if his hunch fizzled out, but it wouldn’t be the first time. He was willing to risk just about anything, if it meant finding Lou and convincing her to come back to Rock Creek.
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