"Dammit! What in the name of God is going on around here?!"
JD flinched and Buck Wilmington averted his gaze at Chris' outburst. The morning had gotten off to a poor start and by midday had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. Chris crumpled the piece of paper he held in his hand and threw it furiously to the floor.
"You can wad it up, tear it up, or burn it for all I care but that don't change what's on there." A voice filled with malicious amusement spoke up from the back of the room.
Buck crossed the small room in three steps. He reached through the bars of the cell desperately trying to grab hold of Evan, who swiftly stepped back just out of reach. Buck rattled the bars menacingly.
"You shut your mouth." He whispered angrily to the prisoner who under any other circumstances Buck would be so glad to get rid of. But not like this...
Just then the front door opened and Vin and Jay entered together. A blind man could sense the tension between the two but Chris didn't have time to worry about that now.
"Anything?" He asked hopefully.
Vin shook his head slowly. Nothing more that they didn't already know. The horses had been found but their riders had vanished. "What now, pard?"
"Well, I reckon the first order of business would be to let a free man out of this here jail." Evan interjected, careful to remain out of Buck's grasp.
Vin turned with raised eyebrows to face Chris.
"It's true." Chris growled. "A pardon from the territorial governor just arrived. I don't know what kind of pull this fool has but evidently it reaches pretty damn far."
"You ain't just gonna let him go, are you, Chris? What with Tommie..." Vin trailed off, his eyes sliding towards the jail cell.
"What about my sister?" Evan demanded.
"I ain't got much choice, Vin." Chris replied, ignoring his prisoner. "Accordin' to the law, I gotta turn him loose."
Buck shook his head in disgust. "If you ask me, it ain't nothin' but a bunch of horsesh--"
"I gotta turn him loose, Buck." Chris interrupted softly. "But there ain't nothin' that says I can't watch every move he makes. Buck, JD, I want to know where Evan Windmere is every second...Every second, do you hear me? I don't care how many boys you gotta hire to help you."
"I'll be damned!" Evan exploded. "I've got a full pardon from the territorial governor saying I'm a free man. I ain't gonna be followed around like some common criminal!"
Buck moved in threateningly again. "That's right, boy, you ain't no common criminal. You ain't nothin' but a low-down, filthy murderer who ain't worth spittin' on. What'd you do, huh? What are you hangin' over your poor sister's head that's so bad she thinks she's gotta leave her family?"
Evan stared at Buck hard. There was a fiery anger in his blue eyes but as the group of lawmen watched, it slowly faded away. Finally Evan snickered, the only sound in the still room.
"Let me out of here."
Deliberately Chris moved toward the cell, taking his time as he removed the keyring from his pocket. There was a dull metal clanking noise as the tumblers turned and then the door squeaked open. Evan Windmere was once again a free man.
Afterwards, Chris and Vin retired to a bench in front of the jail. They both leaned against the hard wooden back, surveying the business in the dusty street before them. A town going about its normal day to day routine, completely unaware of the evil unleashed among them.
"We've gotta find 'em, Chris." Vin muttered while staring straight ahead.
The man in black sighed. "I know. Buck will be back from his run this afternoon. I expect sooner or later, he's gonna wonder where his girl went."
"Do you think they ran into trouble?"
"Hard to say." Chris shook his head slowly. "We ain't got no reason to suspect any. Evan was still in jail last night."
"He could have somebody workin' with him." Vin pointed out. "It's mighty coincidental that he gets released the day after they just disappear."
"Yep."
"At least Tommie and Ezra are together." Vin said.
Chris followed the townspeople with his eyes, his expression never changing. "We hope." It was all that he could think to say.
Earlier...
It hadn't taken Ezra very long to figure out Tommie's plan. After leaving his sister, he had gone directly to the main house. He had entered cautiously, not wishing to disturb the girl but he soon learned he needn't have worried. As soon as he had opened the door to Tommie's bedroom, he had known he wouldn't find her anywhere at the station.
Outside he quickly ran to the barn, where a fast inspection showed that one of the relay horses was gone. In his mind, Ezra began to try to think what he would do if he was in Tommie's situation.
He would want to get out of town. And fast. The horse would be merely convenience. Better than any of them, Ezra knew how hard it was for the proud Thomasina to accept charity. She had once been indebited to him and had nearly broken her back to pay him back. No, Tommie wouldn't take the horse far, of that Ezra was certain.
Where, then? The train station! Of course! It was so obvious Ezra could have slapped his forehead. But he knew he could't afford to waste the time right now. Hurriedly he saddled a horse and galloped off towards town.
His initial search of the station turned up nothing and he was afraid that he had missed her. But then a flash of red hair caught his eye and she was there, right before him. She looked so forlorn that he had looked right over her.
"Tommie!" Ezra exclaimed, rushing over and grabbing her hands in his. "What do you think you are doing, silly girl?"
Gently he lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to meet his eyes. She had been crying, her face soaked with her tears. She trembled as she looked at him.
"What is it, Thomasina?" He asked gently. "What could possibly be so bad that you think you can't talk to us about it?"
She opened her mouth to speak then closed it again, shrugging helplessly. Ezra stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "You can talk to me."
"No...no." She shook her head frantically. "You would hate me. And I--I--I can't stand that! I have to leave, Ezra...Don't you see? I never should have left Aunt Marge's...I'm not good enough!"
Ezra grasped her shoulders and shook her gently. "Don't ever let me hear you say that again! Now, I don't purport to know what you have done, Thomasina, but I do know you...You are a wonderfully kind, magnificent woman...and you are also human, therefore entitled to making some mistakes."
"But Evan and Austin--"
"Are both where they should be. And so are you: you're with a family now that loves you, Tommie. And nothing you have done in your past is going to change that, sweetheart."
Tommie looked at him, desperately wanting to believe him. Then she thought of Amanda and all that Austin and Evan had put her through and Tommie began to cry again. How could she ever expect anyone to forgive her?
"Trust me, Ezra, it would be better for everyone involved if I just disappeared." She murmured.
He was silent for a long moment, his piercing green eyes boring into her. "Are you saying it would be better for none of us to ever see you again? For Buck to lose his fiance and Amanda her best friend...as if you never even existed at all?"
"Yes." Tommie whispered, her head hanging low.
"Then I will go with you." Ezra said determinedly.
"Wh-what?" Her head jerked up and her mouth popped open in surprise. "But, Ezra, you can't just leave!"
"Why not?" He asked.
"B-because! People need you here! Amanda would just die! And the others! You're part of the seven..."
"And you're a part of us." Ezra pointed out. "And you can no more leave than I could for the very reasons you just gave me."
Tommie leaned forward, resting her head upon her knees. "But you don't understand, Ezra..."
"Is it because you were involved with Austin? Is that the reason you're so afraid?"
Her eyes widened. "How did you--"
"I put two and two together." Ezra replied softly. "Tommie, no one will blame you for that..."
"There's more to it than that..." She stopped suddenly, her face registering her nervousness. "I've got to go, Ezra."
"Tommie, what is it? Why won't you tell me?" He pleaded.
"I can't! Leave me alone, please!"
She stood, grabbing her bag from the floor. Ezra tried to pull it away from her, but Tommie held on stubbornly.
"I won't let you leave." He growled.
"You can't stop me!" She bit back.
He stared at her then suddenly he removed his hand from her bag. "You're right. I can't. And you can't keep running, Tommie. You can't keep walking away from the people who love you just because things get hard."
Ezra turned around and stalked off, leaving Tommie to stare at his retreating back. With effort, she swallowed a lump in her throat and turned around to go board the train...
Ezra watched Tommie's train depart. A few well-placed bills in the conductor's hand had told him that her train was headed for St. Joseph, Missouri. Ezra filed this information away for later. He would, of course, be needing it later but right now he had another more pressing matter.
He went to the ticket counter, briefly wondering if he should take the time to inform one of the others of his plan. But he sensed a need for urgency and was reluctant to take even the few minutes needed to walk down to the jail.
"Can I help you, sir?" A bespectacled older man asked as Ezra's turn came in line.
"Yes, I believe you might." He answered. "I need one ticket, please."
"Where to?" Asked the gentleman.
Ezra hesitated, then flashed the man one of his winning smiles. "Fort Kearney."
The ticketmaster returned his grin. "Nice place...Ever been there?"
"Can't say that I have." The gambler replied. "But I think it's about time someone found out what happened there."
Ignoring the man's puzzled expression, Ezra deposited his money and grabbed his ticket. He had a train to catch...and Tommie's past to find...
Jimmy urged Sundancer into the last leg of the trail heading abck to Rock Creek..He had been out on an overnight run and he was anxious to get back home...for a bath,something to eat and some quality time with Lou. It was getting to where he didn't go long without thinking of the petite rider who had been such a close friend of his for so long and the new, confusing..yet wonderful feelings stirring up within him for her.
He had never dared to let a woman get under his skin this much..for fear of getting hurt..or worse, for the all too real fear that whomever he grew to love would ultimately pay the price for his loving her.Thoughts of such a thing happening to Lou still frightened him alot, but the thought of not being with her, not grabbing onto whatever amount of time they had together..frightened him even more. Of course, he didn't share any of these hidden insecurities with anyone..not even Lou..Well, at least not openly..But he was beginning to realize there wasn't much that Lou didn't catch on to, that she didn't realize about him...and vice versa.
There was almost a solemn feel about the waystation as he rode into it, despite the fact that the day had barely begun. He reined Sundancer to a halt outside the barn and slid wearily out of the saddle and began leading his equally weary horse inside. Jimmy had barely uncinched the saddle from Sundancer's back and carried it over to a vacant saddle stand in one corner, when he heard the barn door creak open. He was in the process of turning around when he felt slender hands slide around his waist and he felt a welcoming smile break through his dirt-stained face as he slid easily around in Lou's arms to face her.
Lou smiled up at him, wanting to convey in her first glance how much she had missed him..."Welcome home Jimmy." she said softly, and then, before he could reply, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
Jimmy reacted to the kiss, by wrapping his own arms around Lou and holding her closer to him..The chaste kiss that she had given him, turned into a much deeper...longer one that left both of them breathless when their lips parted a few minutes later. A rosy hue colored Lou's cheeks as Jimmy gazed down upon her upturned face and her does eyes sparkled. Jimmy's heart thumped madly in his chest, feeling again the wild rush of emotions that Lou's nearness illicited within him.
"Hmm...that was quite a welcome..A fellow might take to taking more trips, if he's going to be welcomed like that every time he comes home." Jimmy remarked casually.
"Oh, Jimmy!" Lou swatted his arm playfully, but felt a rush of pleasure in his compliment nevertheless. Who would have thought Jimmy Hickok had it in him. (Those people who don't know him like I do.) Lou answered her own question..
"You better not, you knows what other gent I might get interested in if you're gone too often." Lou told him, teasingly, knowing just how he would react...and loving every minute of it.
"Just see that you don't go getting any feelings about getting any other beaus Lou, you're already taken!"Jimmy remarked heatedly, the first flaring of anger making him try to break her hold around his waist.
"I don't want to be with anyone other than you and you know it, Jimmy Hickok!" Lou exclaimed, a twinkle in her eye.
Jimmy grinned sheepishly at her, catching sight of the twinkle in her eye and the sly smile spreading across her lips. "You shouldn't tease a man about something like that Lou..It's bound to stir up all kinds of trouble."
"But it's just so fun to see you get so mad..." Lou replied, giving him another peck on the lips.
"So, any new developments in the ongoing Tommie and Buck saga?" Jimmy asked as he broke away from her, stepped over to a nearby table and picked up a curry comb and began brushing Sundancer with it.
Lou seated herself on a bale of hay and looked at him with a troubled expression on her face. "If you mean have they reconciled yet?"
Jimmy nodded.
"No. But there have been some developments..Chris let Evan out of jail." Lou told him.
"What the hell did he do that for? Doesn't he know what a scumbag Evan is?" Jimmy exclaimed angrily.
"I think Chris knows all too well just what kind of a weasel Evan is,Jimmy. I should have phrased that better. It was more like he was forced from higher ups to let Evan out of jail..His hands were virtually tied behind his back..The news gets worse..Supposedly Evan told Amanda some things that didn't set well with her about Tommie's supposedly involve with him and Austin."
"That cretin..Surely Amanda wouldn't believe him over Tommie.." Jimmy remarked.
"Of course not. The bad part is Amanda hasn't been able to tell Tommie that..She ran away some time last night..We think Ezra went after her...but no one knows for sure...Just that both of them are gone." Lou told him.
"Damn. Poor Tommie..She's really going through a rough patch right now. I hope Ezra finds her and convinces her to come back." Jimmy said as he led Sundancer into a stall, filled his water bucket up and forked some hay into his stall..
"Me too." Lou replied.
Jimmy leaned the pitchfork against the wall, picked up his saddlebags and came over to loop one arm around Lou's waist and together the two started out of the barn.
"So, tell me about your run..Anything unusual happen?" Lou asked as they started across the yard toward the bunkhouse.
"No, but that reminds me." Jimmy halted in his tracks, forcing Lou to halt as well. He slipped his arm out from around Lou and fiddled in the pouch on the side of one of his saddlebags and withdrew a little wrapped package and handed it to Lou.
"What is it?" Lou asked as she started to unwrap the wribbon holding the paper wrapping in place.
"Open it up and find out." Jimmy prodded, his face wreathed in an anticipatory smile for her reaction.
The paper slipped free from around a small jeweled box that Lou;s fingers fumbled to open. Inside, nestled on a bit of velvet was a beautiful cameo. Tears filled Lou's eyes. "Oh Jimmy, it's beautiful." She exclaimed softly.
"I remember that time when we were still living in Sweetwater and Emma had sent us into town for supplies. We were waiting on thompkins to fill the order and decided to take a stroll. We did some window shopping and discussed the things that we wanted to buy ourselves once we had enough money too..I remember you telling me that you wanted a cameo to wear." Jimmy told her.
"Oh Jimmy, thank you!" Lou was crying even harder as she gave him yet another kiss.
"You're most welcome. I can't wait to see it on you." Jimmy replied softly, kissed her gently on the neck, then assuming their previous walking position..led a still crying Lou towards the bunkhouse.
Ike yawned heavily as he sat down on the porch swing, running his rough, callused hands over his face. It had been a long day. "Like they all had since Evan came back to town," he thought to himself as he leaned back into the swing.
Absently, he stared out at the horizon and his thought turned to Amanda. He glanced over his shoulder at the closed door, his mind traveling to the bedroom at the top of the stairs where she lay sleeping. He smiled. Oh, how he loved her.
She had just lain down for a nap when he arrived home from his ride. After scraping the layers of trail dirt off of his tired, aching body, he crept up to her room. A light soft snore filled the air when he entered the small bedroom. Gentle sunlight filtered in from the far window, casting an ethereal glow on her. His heart caught in his chest at the sight of her.
He wanted so much to crawl into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her and keep her safe. But she looked so peaceful, he didn't have the heart. Instead he sat in the old rocking chair in the corner of the room simply watching her sleep. Ike McSwain could not ever remember feeling such contentment.
He pulled his mind from that warm, cozy room and the love of his life, and turned his attention back to the fading day. He didn't know what life held in store for him, but he knew, without a doubt, she would always be a part of it.
"Hey Ike."
Ike jumped slightly, not realizing anyone was around. Immediately, Ike settled himself as he realized who the owner of the voice was. He prepared himself for the visit he had been expecting. Turning toward the side of the house, he saw Vin Tanner approaching.
The tracker walked stiffly, his hands hanging by his sides. He met the riders' eyes and offered him a half smile before stopping at the gate. "Can I talk to ya for a minute?" he asked, clearing his throat.
Ike jerked his head to one side, motioning for the tracker to join him.
Tanner opened the gate, hurrying to the steps that he quickly ascended until he stood directly in front of the rider. "Ike, I been waitin' for you to get back. I need to talk to ya 'bout somethin'. Somethin' that happened today."
When Ike had first met the seven, he hadn't been sure what to think of them. Each was so different from the other; yet together, they were almost invincible. And in the years that Ike had known the lawmen, there were many things he had learned. One was that if one was in trouble, you could guarantee that there were at least one of the others near. Another, and most important to Ike, was that people that mattered to one, mattered to them all. Amanda was one of those people.
"Ike, I uh...." Vin paused, hitching his thumbs in his belt as he shifted his weight from one foot to another. "I took Amanda in town today. She needed some supplies and was damn determined to go in." He said it all in one breath, as if he were afraid Ike would cut in before he could finish.
Ike leaned back in the swing, laying his arm against the back. He looked up at the tracker and shook his head in a knowing fashion.
Vin looked puzzled. "That ain't it though," Vin said, his nervous expression turning more to curiosity. "She went into the jail and had it out with Evan." Vin waited for the explosion, knowing full well how the rider felt about the convict.
But there was nothing, only the head shake and half smile. he finally signed, looking at the tracker with complete understanding.
Vin wasn't sure exactly what to say. He had prepared himself for a battle, to beg for Ike to forgive him. "I tried to stop her Ike," he added, wanting to solidify his point.
The response he received from the rider was not at all what he had expected. Almost as soon as the words left the trackers lips, Ike was nearly doubled over in a fit of silent laughter.
Vin was quiet for several seconds, again receiving a response far different from what he had expected. Finally, he understood what the rider was getting at. Vin joined his friends' amusement, laughing softly as he lowered his head. "No, I guess not." Meeting the riders' green eyes, his smile grew. "She sure is a handful."
Again, Ike laughed, shaking his head in agreement.
"So we're okay then?" Vin added, looking up at Ike with his bright blue eyes barely visible from under the brim of his hat.
Ike held his thumb up, nodding.
"Good then," Vin said, sighing in relief. "I just wanted to be the one to tell you. Wanted you to know that I was with her the whole time and I would have killed that bastard before I would have let him hurt her."
With that said, he was gone, heading down the stairs and to his horse. He stopped briefly before swinging up into his saddle. "You seen Ezra around?" he asked before mounting his stead.
Ike shook his head no, he himself puzzled by the gambler's absence Ezra was always at the stationhouse when Ike was on a ride, especially since the shooting. But as far as Ike could tell, the gambler hadn't been there all day.
Vin shrugged his shoulders, taking the reigns in his hand. He touched the brim of his hat, tipping it slightly to the rider before heading off toward town.
Once again, Ike was alone.
But not more then a few minutes after the tracker left, Ike heard the soft purr of his lady love. "Hey sweetheart," she whispered into his ear, wrapping her arms around his neck as a grand smile crossed his face. He reached up, wrapping his hands around hers and placing a tender kiss on her palm. He looked up over his shoulders at her, his eyes light with love.
"When did you get back?" she asked absently as she came around the side of the swing and sat down next to him.
As he pulled back, the loving smile slipped from Amanda's face. "Ike, I have to tell you something," Amanda said with grave certainty. She had feared this moment ever since she left the jail. He would be mad, of that she was certain. She just wasn't sure how mad.
As she sat by him on the porch swing, she stared at her hands, fidgeting with them endlessly as she chewed on her bottom lip. Quickly, she glanced up at him and felt her heart flutter. A brilliant smile covered his handsome features, giving way to small dimples. His clear green eyes fixed on her, and held nothing but love. Immediately, guilt clenched her heart.
"Ike," she started, pausing to swallow hard before continuing. "I went into town today." She glanced up. His expression did not change. She continued. "When I was there, I kinda......" she paused briefly, took a deep breath and spit out her words all in one long sentence. "....went to the jail and saw Evan."
Immediately, she looked up, wanting to clarify. "I just wanted to show him," she said, holding her left hand out to him, pointing at her engagement ring. "I wanted him to know that even after everything he has done, he didn't win. That we are still together and will be forever. Please don't be mad." With bated breath, she waited.
Ike tilted his head to one side, the smile on his face slipping into a sincere, loving gaze. Slowly, he shook his head. he signed.
Amanda looked stunned, her brow furrowing in concentration as she studied his face. "You know? How?" she asked. "My brother? Did he tell you?"
Ike shook his head no.
She thought for a moment, then it hit her like a ton of bricks. "Oh no, Vin. Did Vin come talk to you?"
Ike smiled, amused by her dramatics. He shook his head yes.
"Darn it," she uttered, completely perplexed by his calm demeanor. "I wanted to tell you. Ike, let me explain. Please don't be mad at Vin. I was the one...."
Before she could continue, Ike placed his hands on either side of her face. Drawing her to him, he kissed her gently on the lips, softly brushing his lips against hers before taking her bottom lip between his. He nibbled it ever so slightly sending waves of passion through Amanda's entire body. After several delectable, long minutes he pulled back, slightly out of breath but with the grandest smile she had
ever seen.
All the thoughts that had raced through her mind were now gone. She could think of nothing but his lips against hers, his tongue teasing her, his love embracing her. She felt like she was on a cloud, her heart racing as she stared into the eyes of the man she knew she couldn't never live without. "Umm," she said, stammering for words. After several long seconds of trying, she could only come up with "wow".
Ike chuckled, his cheeks growing pink as his tongue darted out to lick his lips. He smiled, shaking his head in agreement.
"So you aren't mad then?" she asked, finally able to gather her thoughts.
He shook his head no.
"Not at Vin either?" she added.
Again, he shook his head no.
"I love you, Ike," she finally said, throwing herself into his arms. "You amaze me."
He kissed her on the temple, then placed his hands on her shoulders. He turned her gently so that she had her back to him before drawing her back into his arms. Laying against his chest, Ike drew his arms around her waist and held her tightly against him.
"This is nice," she said, loving the way it felt when his arms were around her. She felt safe; like the world was good and everything was right with it.
She didn't know how long they stayed that way, rocking gently in the swing and watching the sun fade from the day. She couldn't imagine being anywhere else than with Ike. Soon, her thoughts drifted to Tommie and Buck, and a heavy sadness began to fill her heart. "I'm worried about Tommie and Buck, Ike. He's being so stubborn, and it's killing her," Amanda said, her voice filled with concern. "She loves him so much, and I know he loves her. I just don't understand why he keeps
pushing her away."
Ike laid his cheek against her temple, inhaling deeply. Ike had always thought that Amanda smelled like what he imagined Heaven would, of lilac water and soap, of innocence and purity, of summer flowers and warm evening rains. Sighing, he turned his thoughts to his best friend. He too worried deeply. He knew Buck was hurting; that he felt betrayed. But Ike couldn't help thinking that his friend was making a big
mistake.
Reaching into the pocket of his vest, he pulled out a small notepad and the stub of what used to be a pencil. Returning his arms around his waist, he began to scribble on the pad.
Amanda read aloud as he wrote. "Trust is hard for him." That was for certain, she thought to herself. Hard for them all. "I know," she replied. "But she loves him. Shouldn't that be enough?"
Ike shrugged, scribbling again as Amanda laid her head back into the crook of his neck. "He's proud," it read.
If there was only one word that were used to describe out Buck, it would be proud. "Damn his pride," she cursed under her breath.
Silence fell over them once again, but it was comfortable and warm. Finally, Amanda spoke. "Did Vin tell you what Evan said?" she finally asked, not sure of what all Vin had said.
He shook his head yes.
"Can you believe what that bastard was insinuating? That Tommie knew Austin. Was involved with Austin. I tell you he will stop at nothing to destroy her life," Amanda said, shaking her head in disgust at the mere thought of Evan.
She watched as Ike once again took to writing, his pencil marks rough, but legible. "Would it matter?"
Amanda thought about it for a moment, turning the notion over in her mind. Finally she shook her head. "No, it wouldn't. She's still Tommie," Amanda said with a smile. "She like the sister I never had. I love her way too much to let her past interfere." Thinking about it a moment longer, she added. "Maybe if she had pulled cons or something with him, that would be different."
Purposefully, Ike scratched through the word matter and wrote a word above it. Amanda read it again. "Would it really?"
She turned her eyes out to the vast emptiness that surrounded the house. Immediately, she thought of her mother, the Queen of Cons. Her mother had performed every deceitful act known to man; that's who Maude Standish was. Her brother was no saint either. Amanda smiled. With his refined charm and good manners, Ezra could swindle the jewels from the Queen of England if he so desired. Finally, she shook her head. "No. It wouldn't matter a single bit. The past is the past."
"Hey you two," a familiar voice said.
Amanda and Ike turned to see Jimmy and Lou, arm in arm, approaching the yard by way of the barn. "Hi Lou, Jimmy. What are you two up to?"
"Actually," Lou said, looking at Jimmy with a puzzled look. "We came to see how you guys were holding up." As an afterthought, she added. "You know, with what's going on."
A deep sense of dread immediately began to brew in the rider's stomach.
Jimmy swallowed, knowing immediately that neither knew of Evan's release. "Don't know how to tell you this, but...." Jimmy stopped.
"Just tell us," Amanda said as she sat forward, her body tense as she stared at Hickok.
"Larabee let Evan go."
In perfect unison, the couple jumped up from the swing. "HE WHAT!?!" Amanda exclaimed, her voice filled with anger. Ike's hands went too fast for most of them to have a clue as to what he was saying. As Jimmy watched him, his face consumed with rage, he wondered if Buck would have even been able to follow it.
"Had to," Jimmy added as he shrugged his shoulders. "Somehow, the bastard got an official pardon from the territorial governor."
"I can't believe this," Amanda said stunned, her voice was distant as she wrapped her arms across her chest. Instantly, her eyes turned to the empty vastness that surrounded the stationhouse. She wondered if he was out there, watching and waiting. "What if he doesn't miss next time?" Her question was mostly to herself as tears welled up in her eyes.
"You ain't got to worry," Jimmy said as he and Lou crossed quickly to the steps.
"Everyone's taking a watch. Larabee's out there now," he added, hitching his thumb in the air over his shoulder. "Evan ain't gettin' anywhere near this place."
Ike pushed past Jimmy, a deep frown creasing his forehead. Immediately, Amanda began to panic. "Ike, no," she cried, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck. She clung to him as if her life depended on it. Pain flared in her side, blinding white hot pain, but she didn't care. "Please don't leave me. Not now. Not with him out there. Please."
He held her tightly, his troubled eyes meeting Jimmy's.
"It's gonna be okay," Lou finally said, her hands buried deep in her pockets. She swallowed hard and looked at Jimmy questioning. Ike saw this. She hadn't meant for him to, but he had. And in his heart, he knew that she no more believed it than any of them did. Holding Amanda tightly, her head buried against his chest, Ike knew it wasn't going to be all right, not in the least.
It was near midnight and Josiah was the only one at the jail when a lone
rider stopped outside. He sat calmly and waited, figuring it was Vin
checking in or perhaps someone reporting a fight at the saloon. So it
was much to his surprise when Ezra burst through the front doors.
"Where's Chris?" The former conman demanded.
"We haven't heard from you in three days." Josiah reminded him mildly.
"I expect he's out looking for you."
"I've been to Fort Kearney." Ezra explained.
"What's there?" Spoke a voice from behind him.
Ezra turned to find Chris, Vin, Buck Cross, and Jay standing in the
doorway. It was Chris who had spoken.
"Nice timing." Ezra commented. "I went to Fort Kearney because--"
"It's where Tommie used to live." Buck interrupted.
"Precisely." Ezra nodded. "I was hoping to find out something that would
perhaps solve the mystery of her past and what Evan could possibly be
holding over her."
"Any luck?" Chris questioned.
"A little." He glanced at Buck uncertainly. "It seems that Tommie and
Austin were involved at one point...and there are rumors alluding to the
fact that they may have....gotten caught."
He saw the young Indian flinch but Buck remained calm.
"Anyway, the Windmere's evidently moved to Sweetwater to escape some of
the scandal."
"Well, that's not exactly what I'd call a terrible secret." Josiah
drawled. "I mean, I know it's probably not something a young lady would
want everyone knowing but I don't think it would necessarily change our
opinion of Tommie."
Ezra shook his head impatiently. "That's not all of it. Apparently at
about the same time, there was a series of con jobs being pulled in the
area. Several eyewitnesses placed a very specific suspect at the scene
of more than one of the crimes: a young red-headed girl."
"Tommie was helping Austin and Evan rob people?" Chris murmured
increduously. "She doesn't seem the type."
"I agree, and I hardly know the girl." Jay spoke up.
Ezra shrugged. "Nothing was ever proven, of course. But after the
Windmere's moved, the incidents stopped. Coincidence...or not?"
"I just can't see Tommie doublecrossing folks!" Vin argued. "She's
about as goodhearted a girl as I've ever met."
"Which is exactly why Austin and Evan used her." Buck said quietly.
"They knew people would trust her."
All eyes turned to look at him. In the past three days, Buck had hardly
eaten or slept and the strain was beginning to show on him. His face
held a pale haunted expression that made it hard to stare at him for very
long.
Vin frowned in puzzlement. "Surely you don't think Tommie actually did
any of those things, Buck?"
The smaller man met the tracker's gaze levelly. "I don't think; I know.
Tommie told me much of what Ezra has found out right after Amanda was
shot."
Ezra's head turned sharply. "You knew all of this?"
"Yes."
Understanding suddenly filled the gambler. "It's why you were fighting."
"You and Tommie were fighting?" Chris asked piercingly.
"We've been having some problems." Buck acknowledged. "That's why we
called off the wedding the second time."
Chris rubbed his forehead in frustration. "I think maybe it's time you
shared the whole story with the rest of us, Buck."
They sat quietly and listened as Buck told his story. Afterwards, the
six of them looked at each other mutely, unsure of what to say.
"Well...damn." Vin said finally.
"That about sums it up." Josiah agreed with a chuckle.
Chris leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs before him. His
expression was thoughtful. "I disagree, Josiah."
"What are you saying, Chris?" Vin questioned.
The blonde leader shook his head slowly. "I think there's more to this
story. Tommie had already told Buck everything that Ezra found out. I
think we can assume from what Buck has said here tonight that Tommie
eventually planned on telling the rest of us about her past. Now, I
don't know about the rest of you, but to me that suggests that Tommie
wouldn't run away just because Evan put a little jump in her plans."
Buck's brow wrinkled. "But that means..."
"Exactly." Chris nodded. "There's something else that Tommie didn't
want us to find out."
"How can we find out what that is?" Vin sighed.
Chris thought silently for a moment. "Ezra, any ideas of where Tommie
might be?"
"St. Joseph, Missouri." Ezra confirmed.
"Big place." Josiah noted. "Could take awhile to track down one little
lady there."
"And we still have Evan running loose here, the girls to protect, and a
jail and express station to operate." Vin pointed out.
"Buck, you and Ezra go to St. Joe. See if you can find her. Josiah, why
don't you round up a couple of the others and head back to Sweetwater."
Chris instructed.
Josiah raised his craggy eyebrows. "Sweetwater?"
"Tommie's folks." Chris explained. "You were in good with the mother at
one time; see if you can use that to your advantage. Vin, you and the
rest stay close to the station. I've got a bad feeling about our boy
Evan. I think he's gonna act and it ain't gonna be long before he does
it."
~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~TOMMIE~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~
~~~~~<*>~~~~~<*>~~~~~<*>~~~~~<*>~~~~~<*>~~~~~
