There was little conversation between the two friends, each involved in their own thoughts.
Jimmy pondered once again his situation with Victoria, slowly digesting the words of wisdom he'd received from Kid the night before. Kid's thoughts focused on his friend's plight and what he could personally do to help Jimmy endure the trialsome period ahead. Kid understood that Jimmy was the kind of man that always got what he wanted, but this time things weren't so cut and dry. One of their dear friends, family was involved. Jimmy would need his support. Kid's attempts to lighten his companion's somber mood went for naught.
"Come on Jimmy, cheer up."
"I'm in love with a woman I can't have and you're telling me to cheer up?"
"I know it ain't easy Jimmy, but look at the things you do have. I mean you've still got your health, and all your teeth."
Jimmy found no humor in Kid's comment. "You're testing me Kid." he said as he encouraged his horse from a slow walk to a trot.
***************
As the two friends continued on their journey, the sight of a body in the near distance caught their attention. "Think he's dead?" asked Kid.
"I guess we better go find out." said Jimmy.
They moved in closer to the lifeless body and dismounted. Jimmy bent down, inspecting the trail of horse tracks left in the dirt. "He was riding alone that's for sure. The tracks are all the same." he noticed.
"Maybe his horse threw him."
"Maybe." Jimmy said suspiciously. His gut feeling told him something wasn't quite right.
Kid approached the body which had been laying face down. As soon as he turned it over, the seemingly lifeless corpse came to life, pulling a gun on Kid.
"Howdy boys." greeted the grungy man with a wicked grin.
Jimmy at once drew his gun. "I wouldn't do that if I was you boy, unless you want to see what your friend here had for breakfast."
He waved his gun motioning Jimmy to cast both of his aside. Turning to Kid he requested
the same. "Throw them over there. Easy, or I'll kill ya."
"We don't want no trouble Mister." said Kid.
"And I won't harm ya as long as you do what I say. Get over there with him." he ordered.
The man looked like pure trouble to Jimmy. An outlaw for sure. He could pick that sort out of a crowd. The man's eyes were dark and evil; a cold stare petruding from them; a look that would bring fear into any man's heart. Not Jimmy's. He'd looked down too many barrels in his short life; faced too many foes that wanted to take his life. This man was just like them, not deserving to walk on the same earth with decent people.
The stranger walked over to Katy and took the rope that had been looped on the saddle and threw it to Kid. "Your friend here looks like he'd like to shoot me in the back real quick-like. Tie him up; hands behind if you please." Kid complied.
"I never shot a man I wasn't staring right in the face and I wouldn't make an exception for you." Jimmy said in an almost cocky manner.
The man just laughed. "I like your attitude boy; reminds me of myself. Fast with a gun ain't ya? Yeah, I could tell the minute I seen ya. It's men like you I gotta watch out for."
After Kid had finished with Jimmy, the stranger tied Kid's hands with the remnants of the rope. "I'm sure glad you boys come along. Didn't know how much longer I'd be able to survive out here."
"Look Mister, if you're in some sort of trouble we can help you. We know the Marshal in Rock Creek." Kid's comment induced an almost uncontrollable laughter from the man.
"Marshal?!" he cried. "Boy, the only good thing a lawman's good for is... target practice." he said with a wicked grin. "Don't mind if I help myself to your horse. I gots a long ways to go." he said grabbing the reins of Jimmy's horse.
"You can take mine, she's faster." encouraged Kid.
"Much obliged for your helpfulness son, but markings like that on a horse makes a man too easy to find and that ain't in my plans right now. This palomino will do me just fine."
He went ahead and mounted the horse. "Sorry to leave you boys like this. By the way, don't go gettin' brave and try following me or I promise, I will be the last thing you see."
"Hyah!" he shouted and galloped out of sight.
"Great, now what?" asked Jimmy as they stood there in the middle of nowhere, their hands tied behind their backs.
"Well, like Buck says, never go on a run unprepared." Kid said.
"What?" asked Hickok with a puzzled frown.
"I need you to reach in the back of my pants."
"Kid, I know we're friends and all but I ain't going that far."
"I have a knife under my jacket." he said matter-of-factly.
"Well that's different." he said reaching for the knife.
"Is it just me or are you in a better mood for some reason?" Kid asked puzzled.
"Facing death Kid'll always make a man cheerful he's still breathing."
Jimmy managed to get the knife and with great difficulty they finally cut themselves loose. Retrieving their weapons, they both mounted Katy and were soon off in pursuit of the horse thief. The two riders were fortunate they had picked up some pointers from Buck about tracking and soon found themselves not too far behind their nemesis. About a mile further down the road, they encountered a man that had been gagged and bound, stripped down to his long underwear. It appeared their old friend had struck again.
"Bless you boys." thanked the older man as he was let loose from his bonds. "I thought for sure I was a goner."
"Who did this to you?" asked Jimmy.
"Jonas McBride."
"What?" asked Kid surprised. "How did you know it was him?"
"Told me right to my face he did, the old scoundrel. I tell ya this country's gettin' more dangerous by the minute. A man can't even come out for a simple ride anymore." he said as he stood stretching his back.
"What did he look like?" inquired Jimmy. The old man described the one responsible. His description fit the stranger the two had met earlier.
"Took my horse too. Tell ya if I ever get my hands on him..."
The sound of rustling leaves caught their attention. Kid and Jimmy quickly drew their guns only to see that the intruder was Jimmy's palomino, which had been abandoned nearby for the older man's fresher horse.
"I say, can I ask you boys to give me a lift home? I stay just about a mile from here. Besides you look like you could use a couple of fresh horses...I mean if you think you'll be goin' after that no good horse thief."
The boys took the man up on his offer. He supplied them with two horses, light provisions and bid them luck on their hunt.
***************
Victoria and Cody waited patiently by the creek. "Do you think he'll show?" she asked. Cody realized he was being selfish, hoping Taylor wouldn't show his face so he could have her all to himself, but of course refrained from telling her that.
"Don't know." he said annoyed.
"Is something troubling you?" she asked him with narrowed eyes.
"Yeah, if you need askin'. I don't like this whole idea, you coming out here by yourself. I know you mean well but it ain't safe."
"Cody, we've been through this already. I have you here so you needn't worry."
"So what are you gonna do when I'm not here?! When I'm off on a run?!" he cried.
"I'll figure something out." Her stubborness pushed him over the brink.
"That ain't good enough Victoria." he said with a raised voice.
"I can take care of myself Cody. I don't see why you're giving me such a hard time about this." she retorted angrily.
"Because I love you damn it!" he shouted.
Victoria turned pale. Her entire body froze. Her worst fears had come true. Those three little words she hoped Cody would never utter. Those three little words she hoped she'd never hear. Yet there they were; those three little words.
Instead of the happy excitable feeling a woman would get when told she was the object of a handsome man's affection, those words felt more like aching stab wounds in her heart.
She couldn't bear hurting Cody but she knew now she'd have to break his heart. There was no way she could love him in any other way but as a dear friend.
Cody could've kicked himself. He couldn't believe he had just blurted out his deepest feelings for her just like that. He saw the panic in Victoria's eyes and instantly knew his timing had been horrible. Seeing she hadn't been ready for such a revelation, Cody began to apologize.
"I'm sorry Victoria."
"Cody you don't need to be sorry but we do have to talk about this. Things are not so simple."
"Why not? I don't understand." The look he gave her was one of total confusion.
Victoria's heart was breaking, her eyes starting to well up with tears as she looked into Cody's searching blue eyes. "I could make you happy." he said softly as he held her arms.
"Did I come at a bad time?" asked Taylor who had been standing there unnoticed.
They both turned in Taylor's direction and in unison Cody shouted "Yes!" but Victoria "No!" Taylor stood there feeling rather uncomfortable, sensing he was now in the middle of a very intense moment.
Cody felt like he was losing grip on the entire situation. At this most critical time, Taylor's arrival had been dreadful. Why couldn't he had just let them be so they could've settled this? he thought. Before Cody could say another word Victoria turned to him and whispered, "We'll talk about this later." She knew it probably wasn't fair to leave him in a state of limbo, but with Taylor present the matter would have to wait. She felt the boy's arrival was of some fortune since she wasn't quite sure what and how she was going to say what she had to say. Stalling bought her some time to get herself together.
Concentrating on Taylor's first lesson wasn't easy. The sudden events that had just unfolded
spun like a tangled web in her mind. Somehow she had managed the first 15 letters of the alphabet and the spelling of his entire name.
"Make sure you practice these and I'll meet you back here the day after tomorrow."
She handed him a writing book to practice the things he'd learned and was glad to see the excitement in the young boy's eyes.
"A writin' book of my own!" he exclaimed.
"And before you know it, you'll have it all filled."
Taylor noticed Victoria's saddened glance at Cody who had been sitting by the edge of the creek, no doubt thinking about what had been said.
"Ms. Victoria, do you not love Mr. Cody?"
"Taylor! What made you ask me that?" she said startled at the boy's inquiry.
"I know I should've said somethin' when I heard you and Mr. Cody you know, talkin'...I'm
sorry." he apologized, looking down at his book.
"First rule of being a gentleman Taylor, never eavesdrop on other people's conversations." she pointed out.
"Are you upset with me?"
"No." she said understandingly, patting his hand.
"So are you gonna tell him you love him?" he asked, looking at her.
She smiled. "You ask too many questions. Now go on, get out of here...and practice those letters!"
***************
Kid and Jimmy spent the next few hours tracking McBride's trail from the point where they found the old man all the way into the rocky hillsides just outside Blue Creek.
"Sure's keeping a step ahead of us." said Kid. "We're gonna be losing light soon too. So what do you want to do?"
"That's a tough one. I just keep seeing $600 dollars staring me right in the face. That's a lot of sarsaparilla and good steak dinners to turn back on." added Jimmy.
"Five hundred." corrected Kid.
"I thought the bounty was 6."
"In Cottonwood, not Blue Creek."
"So if we catch him we take him to Cottonwood."
"Are you crazy? You may not need to be back home tomorrow but I better be or I'll have to face a fiercer opponent than McBride...a woman called Lou McCloud. It ain't a road I'm willing to take.
"I hear that Kid. Like they say "hell has no wrath like a woman's scorn." "
"Thanks. Well he can't be too far. No food, little water, tired horse. He's here someplace. I can feel it." finished Kid as he surveyed the area.
The boys had been able to keep close track of McBride following the hoof prints and horse manure left behind, but still weren't able to catch even a glimpse of the elusive cattle rustler. When they had almost given up hope and considered calling off their hunt, the faint smell of burning wood caught their senses. The two friends looked at each other and smiled. No doubt McBride thought he had discouraged them enough so they would follow no more. Little did he know, these Pony Express riders were more persistent than he'd given them credit for.
Kid and Jimmy left their horses behind and proceeded towards the smell of fire on foot. They reached a small clearing in the midst of dense trees and sure enough there he was, tending to the fire he so carefully had built.
"We'll wait 'til he's asleep, then we'll take him." said Jimmy.
"It's your call."
***************
Cody had been unwilling to speak about the events at the creek. How he had hit Victoria over the head with his expression of love, he still couldn't believe. He was afraid. By her reaction he could sense the feelings were not mutual. To think, to even consider the thought that she didn't love him in return, the way he wanted her to love him was
heartwrenching. His plans, his dreams had been dashed, and she hadn't said one word.
Tossing such negative thoughts aside, he convinced himself he'd rather not know the truth choosing to hold on tight to vanishing glimmers of hope. He did not allow her to speak. He knew what she would say. He was sure of it, he just didn't want to hear it, not now not ever.
As they sat quietly at the dinner table, there was still a connection they shared. They both felt it, even though they knew the road ahead would take them in seperate directions. They had shared too many moments together just to dismiss them as nothing. The
conversation of the others present, Rachel, Teaspoon, Buck, Noah and Lou fell on deaf ears as they mingled into muffled sounds in the background. All that mattered were the feelings stirring inside of them.
Victoria knew she had hurt him deeply. If only he had allowed her to explain things, maybe he would've understood. Her growing love for Jimmy though, was something she couldn't fight any longer. He would be home tomorrow. Guilt overcame her as she thought about how happy she would be to see him again at the expense of Cody's pain. She wished she could make all of his pain go away, make things all right, but that wouldn't happen. She had waited what seemed like a lifetime to make an attempt at Jimmy Hickok, but now for the sake of her friend, she would not reveal those special feelings. They would have to be burried deep down inside of her, for as long as it took Cody to accept the fact, they could only be friends.
***************
The once blazing fire had dwindled to a glowing pile of black coals. McBride, exhausted from the day's events had fallen fast asleep. Kid and Jimmy ceased the opportunity they had been waiting for. Quietly they snuck into the outlaw's campsite. Cautiously, Jimmy approached the sleeping bandit, his gun aiming at the target. Kid, standing nearby with his gun drawn, held the rope they would use to apprehend their enemy.
Ever so silently, Jimmy knelt at the head of Jonas McBride. The clicking sound of a cocking gun, immediately awoke the sleeping outlaw, whose first instincts led him to go for his own weapon. "Don't do it." warned Hickok, as he pressed the barrel of his gun against McBride's back. Kid at once came to his friend's assistance and relieved McBride of his hardware.
"Remember us?" asked Jimmy sarcastically. "I personally didn't appreciate your kindness last time we met."
"Sorry you feel that way but, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." McBride returned the wry remark.
"Get up." commanded Jimmy as he pulled him by his coat.
"So what are you boys gonna do now that you caught me?" The crooked smirk on the outlaw's face showed little respect for his two young captors.
"I don't know Jimmy, what do you think?"
"A horse thief? I don't know...there's only one kind of justice for his kind. Give me the rope Kid." Kid obliged by tossing him the brand new rope.
"You don't have the guts." McBride shot back at Hickok, the smirk now gone and replaced by a stinging glare.
Jimmy turned to speak, just inches away from McBride's face. "Really? You obviously don't know who I am. I mean I'm one of the fastest gunfighters in this territory. I've had to kill many men before, one more ain't gonna make a difference to me." he stated cockily.
McBride wondered who was this young punk who had the nerve to stand up to him. Men twice his age looked away from his deathly stare. Some even squirmed at the sound of his name. Maybe this boy wasn't afraid of dying. Heck, he knew he wasn't afraid. McBride was a smart man though. Realizing he wouldn't be able to play the intimidator, he resorted to a less confrontational tactic in order to get out of his predicament.
"You and me, we're the same boy. Rebels. Cheated out of a good life by the 'society' we live in. We need to get what we can outta it while we're here."
"I ain't nothing like you." retorted Jimmy coldly.
McBride smirked. "Face the fact boy. Ain't many men like us out here in this world."
McBride's speech became more determined as he spewed his philosophy trying to gain the understanding of his captors. "All we are to them is dirt; dirt they kick around. Well I had enough kicking around and it was time for them to pay. Two kinds of people live on this earth; the givers and the takers. I ain't seen nobody givin' nothin; so I'm a taking. It's only fair."
"The only fair thing for you is to be put in jail where you can't harm anyone." said Kid.
McBride's eyes darkened. "Ain't no jail in this world that can hold me boy. Don't you know who I am?"
"Sure. I know who you are...a no good cattle rustler, a thief and a murderer." retorted Kid.
"True, true, that all may be true but I got the last laugh and I ain't ashamed of what I done. Besides I got what I came for, money. I have more money than you boys'll probably see in your lives. See, what I've learned boys, is that money is a very invaluable commodity. With money comes power, with power comes control, with control comes fear, with fear compromise, with compromise...I'm a free man. I have too many friends in many high places with too many favors to repay. It's amazing what people'll do just to get their hands on more money. Not that I'm excusin' myself 'cause I understand that perfectly fine. A man would sell his soul, just to have a taste of the good life."
"It's men like you that make this world the hell it is today." remarked Jimmy, tying McBride's hands.
"It ain't hell for all. I know it ain't gonna be for me and it don't got to be for you boys either. I could make you both very rich, powerful men. I'm on my way to New Orleans. Once I get there, I'm taking my money and disappearing. You boys are more than welcome to come along."
"Thanks, but no thanks. First chance you'd get you'd shoot us down like two dogs." said Jimmy.
"Amen to that." agreed Kid.
"Can't blame a man for tryin'."
***************
Kid and Jimmy headed to Blue Creek immediately with their prisoner. Jonas McBride was a ruthless outlaw. A man, who by the age of 15 had committed his first crime. An orphan, who was forced to work on the farm lands of the rich, seeing first hand their abusiveness of the lower classes. Their self-proclaimed hallowed place in the human family made them a loathesome sight to him. He had determined he would make them all pay, at any cost. His life had been one consisting of one crime after another. His share in many bank robberies and stagecoach heists made him a wanted man at a very young age, but it was his hand as the leader of the most feared cattle rustling gang that made him the target of every lawman and bounty hunter in these territories. McBride reveled in his legendary status all of his life. Now at 45, he had to come to grips with the realization that he couldn't run forever. He was getting older, the pursuers younger.
Getting to New Orleans was his sanctuary. Fifty thousand in gold awaited him there; the fruitage of his hard labor. He could only dream about his final destination, the ticket to his everlating freedom but for now, a hanging was in sight. That was the road he was headed for, a road he wasn't willing to walk; not yet. These two boys had gotten the best of him, but it was only a temporary setback he thought. Nothing would get in the way of his self-assured destiny.
***************
The loud crowing of the homestead rooster echoed in the early morn'. Victoria threw the sheets off her head and quickly sat up in bed. The warm rays of sunlight beaming through her window, made her feel happier than she had been in almost a week. "Saturday!...He's coming home today!" she exclaimed quietly as she wrapped her arms around her knees. "I can't wait to see him." Feelings of excitement were welling in her. "But you have to be reserved, a lady never gets overly excited." She leaped out of bed and walked over to the changing screen were she'd hung a dress. Pressing the garment against her, she turned to look in the standing mirror. "Why Jimmy, of course I'd love to go for a walk with you...What? Kiss me? I thought you'd never..." A knock on the door interrupted her one on one conversation. "Come in." she said.
"Good Morning." greeted Rachel. "I see you're up and around already."
"I could hardly sleep last night."
"Believe me, I don't think you were the only one. It sure is excitin' isn't it?"
"What?" Victoria asked as if Rachel knew her deep secret.
Rachel looked at Victoria a bit puzzled but figured the girl had been so distracted as of late she only smiled and said, "The dance."
"Oh right." Victoria was relieved.
"Don't forget we have to go into town to pick up your dress and the wagon Mr. Tompkins is letting us borrow. Here are some clean towels. We'll leave in an hour, so hurry."
"I'll be ready." she said as Rachel left the room.
Victoria threw the dress on the bed and took a seat at the vanity. She picked up the picture frame next to her. It was the last picture she had taken with her family. "I wish you all could be here. I miss you so much."
Opening the small drawer in the vanity, she took out some stationary and began writing...
Dearest Robert,
I hope all's well when this letter reaches your hands. I have safely made the long journey to Rock Creek, albeit a minor accident on the way. This land is beautiful. I'm sure you would agree. My father was right when he said he hadn't seen anything like it. I feel such a sense of freedom, I couldn't begin to explain with mere words. The sadness with which we departed is fading, slowly. I see now what you meant when you told me my family would want me to go on living even though they are no longer with us. I am happy here. I've met some wonderful people worthy of being called friends. They've watched over me and taken care of my every need, though I was a virtual stranger among them.
The most wonderful thing has happened. I've met a man. I believe with all of my heart he's the one I've been waiting for all along. He is not rich, neither is he refined but he is kind and gentle, a contradiction you may think, being that he is known as a gunfighter. Am I crazy? Goodness! I certainly don't feel so. We have no understanding as I do not know if he has any interest in me, but my heart swells with love for him. I've never met anyone like him. I had to write to tell you for fear I may burst seeing I'm keeping my feelings quite secret. Do wish me luck and think of me often, as I think of you.
Your loyal friend,
Victoria
She quickly folded the letter, sealed it in its envelope, penned the address in front and then commenced getting ready.
***************
Kid and Jimmy had arrived in Blue Creek around midnight. After delivering the outlaw into the hands of the town Marshal, they were lodged in the fanciest rooms at the Blue Creek Hotel. A bath and hot meal had been provided for them a gesture of the town's gratitude for their courageous deed. After a good nights rest, they headed to the Marshal's
office to collect on the reward.
"Mr. Hickok, Kid." greeted the Marshal. "Hope you enjoyed your stay last night."
"Couldn't have asked for better." said Jimmy, obviously satisfied from the broad smile on his face.
"Thanks, we appreciated it." added Kid.
"Guess you came for the big pay-off heh?" They both nodded.
"Well step on up here. It's all here for you." The Marshal unlocked a drawer of his desk and handed each an envelope with their cash money. "I don't know what you boys did to get your hands on McBride; heck we've been tryin' for years and couldn't get close."
"That's because you're too stupid." said McBride as he leaned on the bars of his cell.
"Just dumb luck I guess." said Jimmy.
"Well whatever it was, we sure owe you fellas a heck of a debt."
"Don't mention it." said Kid modestly. "We just did what needed doing."
The boys pocketed their money and were heading out the door when McBride called out.
"Hickok!" Jimmy turned to see the outlaw staring at him, his arms petruding through the cell bars as he held on to them. "Remember...we're too much alike you and me. I know you, I know your life...I'll be seeing you again."
"Don't mind if I don't hold my breath." Hickok replied.
McBride let out a boisterous laugh. "I like him." he said as the two boys exited the lawman's office.
"You're crazy." noted the Marshal.
"Think of me what you like Marshal, but like I always say...ain't no four walls gonna hold me for long."
"We'll just see about that."
***************
The boys determined to leave Blue Creek as soon as possible. Kid, wanting to buy something special for Lou, convinced Jimmy to join him at the dress shop. Jimmy, picking up on the Kid's gesture looked around at a few hats sitting on their racks. He wanted to get a gift for Victoria now that he had enough money to buy her something really nice but still wasn't sure what.
"She hates hats you know." said Kid approaching his friend.
"What?"
"Victoria, she hates them."
"And how would you know that Kid?"
"Like I told you, inside information. Anyway, you may want to think twice about gettin' such a personal gift if you don't want to raise suspicions." he advised.
"You're right, but she's a fine lady and I want to get her something special." After a moments pause he continued, "I think I know just what. Leave the dress Kid. I know something Lou would like, something better than that."
"What?" asked Kid curiously.
"Just come on."
The two friends made their way across the street to the jewelers. Jimmy had explained to Kid the piece that Lou was interested in; a cameo on a gold chain. Jimmy had seen the perfect one on his last trip to Blue Creek, that fateful day he saw Victoria for the first time. While the jeweler helped the Kid with his purchase, Jimmy saw exactly what he hoped would still be available...a gold filagree charm with a small ruby stone in the center, threated on a gold chain.
"Find something?" asked Kid. Jimmy pointed to his choice. "Whew...that is beautiful and expensive." he noted.
"Yeah, but she's worth every penny." he commented, not taking his eyes off the piece.
"Have you found something to your liking sir?"
"I'd like this one."
The jeweler looked at the two boys unsure. "Pardon me?" Jimmy pointed at his selection once again. "That one." he repeated.
The man started nervously, not wanting to offend the two gun toting men in front of him. "You do realize this is a sixty-five dollar piece."
"I can read just fine." Jimmy retorted, annoyed at the man's obvious assumption that he couldn't afford such a fancy thing.
"Gentleman sure has fine taste." he said taking the charm and showcasing it on a black velvet cloth. "She must be one special lady."
The comment induced a smile from Jimmy. "That she is." he responded holding the delicate jewelry in his hand.
After receiving payment, the man arranged the necklace in its black velvet box and bid the boys luck with their ladies.
Jimmy anticipating the thoughts twirling through his best friend's head about this most intimate purchase for Victoria, opened the door to his friend's waiting questions, as they walked to their mounts.
"Go ahead say what's on your mind." Kid gave no response. "Alright, let me put your mind at ease Kid. I'm not crazy. I ain't giving it her no time soon. One day...and when you see her wearing it, you'll know she's all mine."
Kid smiled at his friend, giving him a hefty pat on the back. His friend's happiness was his to enjoy also. The two friends mounted their horses and headed back to the old man's ranch to retrieve Katy and Jimmy's palomino and finally home to Rock Creek.
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