by Rita Hestand
"We need to get you to a doctor." Slim said.
"No, we've got to catch them. He gets over the border with her, we'll never find them." Cole told him.
"Alright boss, but at least let me bandage you." Slim told him.
Cole nodded, Slim helped him to his feet. Then they saw Shorty lying still half covered in sand. After Slim got Cole to a rock, he went to check on Shorty.
He was dead.
"What happened?" Cole shouted when Slim came back without Shorty.
"He's dead. Must have suffocated." Slim shook his head.
Cold shook his head, "Well, at least all we gotta worry about now is Butch."
"Yeah, the meanest one." Slim grunted.
Slim patched Cole up and put his arm in a sling, gave him some water and looked straight into his eyes. "You think you can travel?"
"Sure, I've had worse."
"Alright but rest up a bit while I water the horses." He told him. "They didn't take care of their horses and now Butch and Gabby are riding double.
Cole nodded.
When Slim brought the horses around, Cole shook his head adamantly. "I sure fowled that up."
"Don't worry about it, we'll catch them, they are riding double." Slim told him. "I noticed Shorty had obviously covered his horse from the storm. There was a kerchief by his side, the horse was gone though. Funny what a man will do when it comes to life and death. At least he cared about his animal." Slim shook his head in disbelief. Gotta respect that."
"I bet they took Shorty's horse, too."
"Yeah, the other two didn't fare so well, but they did run off." Slim told him. "I saw their tracks."
"Let's ride, pardner!" Cole told him.
Slim nodded and helped Cole up on his horse. "You're Bleedin' pretty bad, Cole."
"I know, and we'll take care of it as soon as we can."
***
"You killed him!" She shouted, tears clouding her eyes, so she could see. The sand was thick on her face and she had to wipe the tears away or suffer sand in her eyes.
"Bound to happen, I guess." Butch reflected. "He shouldn't have pulled his gun."
"And you left your partner back there."
"Shorty was dead, he suffocated. Stupid fool, he shielded his horse, instead of himself."
"And we're riding his horse because of it." She shouted.
"That happens too. Nothing I could do." Butch declared. "He cared more about his horse, than himself, he was a fool."
Gabby thought about that, then shook her head, "No, he just cared about his animal, that's all. He did right, but he had to pay for it."
She couldn't stop the tears now.
"In a situation like that, you think of yourself first." Butch hollered at her.
"You would, I'm sure." Gabby shot him a look of disdain over her shoulder.
"Quit griping, thanks to Shorty, we got a horse."
"You don't care about the fact that he died, do you?"
"No, an outlaw doesn't have the time or energy to waste on a fool."
"He was your pardner!" she shouted at him.
"You have to look out for yourself first." He corrected her. "Besides, now there's more for me."
Tears fell down Gabby's cheeks now, flowing like a river. "I can't believe you could be so low…."
Butch chuckled, "Better settle down or I'll rethink this whole thing. I can get a lot lower, so don't tempt me."
"Rethink what?" She gasped.
"I've decided to take you to Mexico with me." He declared.
"I thought you were going to leave me in the desert."
"That was before Shorty died. That was all his idea. Not mine. Now I got all the money and you!"
She whirled about to see his evil grin. "Why?" She gasped.
"Why what?"
"All this time, you never acted a bit interested in me, why now?"
He laughed heartily. "Because you ain't got no man now. Only me. And I've noticed you alright. You better hang on tight to me lady, I’m all you got left." Then he laughed aloud.
"You pig!"
"Aw, is that anyway to talk to your man, honey?" He chuckled.
"You'll never be my man!" She shouted. "I won't allow it. I'd kill myself first."
He held her tighter now and her head fell forward as he tried to kiss her.
"That's alright, you'll warm up to me, once you realize you ain't got no one else." He chuckled. "I can wait. I've waited this long."
"Don't you even care about your partner?"
"Shorty? Nah…he's dead, ain't no use caring about him now. Just leaves more money for me, and you…."
"There is no me and you, and I won't have any part of it. It's blood money now."
The wind blew, softly, making that terribly lonely sound and Gabby couldn't stop the tears from falling. She couldn't believe Cole was dead! Her life had taken a turn for the worse now and she was going to have to figure a way to survive…with Butch!
"Go ahead cry it out. Get over it. Your man is dead too. It's just you and me all the way." He laughed.
The landscape looked more like a real desert now, as the trees faded way to the open arid country where cholla, and prickly pears were scattered across the land. The soil was sand now, not dirt, and the wind blew ripples through it.
The sun bore down on them and sweat peppered her upper lip.
Gabby felt forlorn now, as though there was no hope for her future. She felt this same sadness when her father died, but knowing Cole was gone was even harder to accept. He was gone and there was no hope left. Her life had changed in an instant. It was so hard to grasp.
How could this have happened?
What could she do? Try to escape, but to where?
The only comfort she had was that Cole and Slim had bought the ranch back. It wasn't lost.
Hopelessness crowded her thinking right now.
But she had to use her head. How could she survive with a man like Butch? He'd eventually take her, and her life would be meaningless then. Could she dare stop him?
She had no reason to live, no reason to care, and no reason to hope now, and yet, something within her sparked. She was better than this. She did have God on her side, she knew that. And if she used her head, maybe she could survive until she could be free of this monster.
Slim had probably taken Cole to a town to have him doctored, but even if he managed to live, he'd never find her now. They were only hours from the border and her life was about to change for the worse.
How did one cope? How did one continue to fight when she had nothing whatsoever to look forward to?
She prayed a silent prayer.
She wondered if Cole might have survived somehow. If so, she prayed he didn't come after her any longer. He deserved to live a good life. Somehow, by the grace of God, she would survive too.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Butch stopped suddenly.
"Why are you stopping?" She asked, weary from the long journey.
"Over there, about five miles, is Mexico. My freedom, your prison, until you use your head and learn to live with me. And you will in time." He grinned. He stopped, and got down, leaving her in the saddle. He stared at her, "You got two choices, and you better make up your mind right now. You are either gonna survive with me, or I’m going to shoot you dead. Which will it be?"
Her insides tightened, as her face screwed up in a determined wad of frowns.
"You call that a choice?"
"It's all you get. If you fight me, just once more, you are dead. If you relent, and go willingly, I'll make you a happy woman again. Oh, it might take some time to gentle you again, but I got a feeling you'd be worth it." He grinned.
She studied him for a moment, knowing her answer could mean the difference between life and death, especially with Butch.
"On one condition," she told him.
"What condition?" He frowned.
"You won't take me against my will, you'll give me some time to get over things, and accept my new life."
"I know that. But wouldn't you rather have a willing woman, than one who fights you all the time?" She asked, anxiously waiting for his reply.
He bent his head, then looked up at her, "You got a point. Alright, you got a week to decide."
"A week?" she shrieked.
"Yeah, a week. That's as long as I'll wait."
"And if I don't cooperate, what happens?"
"I'll find someone who will, and turn you lose in the middle of Mexico to fend for yourself, that's what will happen. And if you think being with me is a problem, think what it might mean if you have no place to live, nothing to eat, and only filthy Mexicans to have you at their pleasure."
"Alright, a week!" She agreed.
Nothing would happen within that week, and she was sure of that. But it would give her time to reconcile her fate.
Her heart was heavy, first with Cole's death, and now with her fate.
***
It was midday and Cole was feeling the pain in his shoulder after riding so long and hard. He'd lost enough blood to weaken him and the heat was getting to him.
"How you feelin' Cole?" Slim asked concerned about his boss man and friend.
"Rough, but I'll make it. I've got to."
"They'll be crossing the border any time now."
"Yeah, I know. That's why we can't stop. We've got to keep going, they get lost down there, we might never find them."
"Alright boss but let me know if you need to stop a while."
"I'll be alright." Cole told him even though he honestly wasn't sure he would be. "Let's push on, the sooner we get this over and done with, the sooner we can take care of my shoulder."
Slim nodded. "One thing is for sure, there is only one of them now, and the odds are better for us."
"Yeah, I don't know how much of a gun this Butch is, but I guess we'll find out, soon enough." Cole told him.
"He ain't too slow, he hit you."
"That's the truth."
It seemed the more they talked the more Cole perked up. Obviously, he'd been worrying over Gabby all this time and Slim decided he'd do his best to keep him talking and alert. Although for Slim, that would be a feat as he wasn't much of a talker, himself.
Late afternoon they crossed the border at the Rio Grande. "Looks like they are headed for Piedra Negras in Coahuila."
"Looks like."
"Ever been here, boss?"
"No, can't say I have. Only been down this way once, in Paso Del Note. It sure is hot here though."
"Yeah, maybe we need to find a place to settle for the night now, and you can get some rest. The cantinas usually are cooler here."
"Fine. We'll see if we can pick up their trail in the morning, then." Cole nodded.
Mexico was not a lot different than Texas, except it had mountains further south. The terrain was the same, the heat was just as scalding, maybe more so.
Slim kept up with the tracks they were leaving, and it was a good track since they were riding double. But the closer they got to the settlement, the less they could distinguish tracks. If they didn't find her here, they might lose her, Cole knew this, and it bothered him greatly. He had to find her before they took off again.
Headed straight for the first cantina in town, Slim helped Cole off his horse and they went inside to get something to drink and cool off.
Slim got out some supplies as they sat down and proceeded to rewrap Cole's wound as he'd been leaking blood for some time.
As Slim wrapped his shoulder wound once more and readjusted the sling, Cole glanced about the bar. There were several old men sitting at one table, playing cards. A rather heavy senorita was dancing upon a table several tables away, her hair flying every which way, her shoes making time with the music, her skirt flaring.
Most all the people were either Mexican, black, or Indians. No one was friendly, they simply stared and then went about their business.
Slim went to the bar and ordered a couple of whiskeys and the bottle.
The bartender took his money, then handed him two glasses and the bottle. Slim nodded and backed away.
"I'm gonna see about getting us a room somewhere, and then I want you to rest a while. I'll go out and scout the place, see if I can find them anywhere." Slim told him.
"I'll go with you." Cole insisted.
"No, you rest. I won't do anything but scout about for them. If I find them, I'll come get you, but rest until then. Please, I'd feel a lot better if you rode back to Texas alive than me carrying you over my saddle." Slim warned him.
Cole sighed. "Be sure and come get me, if you find them."
"Yeah. Now you just sit here while I find us a place." Slim told him.
"I hate not being the boss," Cole scolded.
"I know, but you'll live through this if you do as I say for a change."
"You know I wouldn't let any other man talk to me this way, don't you?"
"I know," Slim smiled. "Be back as quick as I can."
Cole nodded with a slight grin.
Cole sipped his drink, the whiskey making him relax a bit. It was hard to even stay awake after losing so much blood.
Slim returned about an hour later, and Cole was barely able to stay awake now, the whiskey was taking effect.
Slim took him to the room he'd rented. "Now try to get some rest. I'll scout around, see what I can find out. Be back as soon as I can. You lay down and rest, okay?"
"Yeah, sure…but come get me, if you find them."
"Okay." Slim nodded, giving him one last glance as he left.
It was dark before Slim returned, but he had a doctor with him.
"What's this?" Cole asked as he came to for a few minutes.
"Figured you needed a doctor, so I got one for you." Slim told him.
"Did you find her?"
"Yeah, I found her. They got a room in a real shabby place across town. She's okay, boss."
"Good, let's go." Cole said, but as he tried to get up, he passed out.
Slim shook his head, "Sorry pardner, you ain't goin' anywhere."
He stayed until the doc got the bullet out of him and assured him, he'd mend, then since Cole was totally unconscious, Slim decided to strike out alone. The doctor said he'd be out a while.
That might give him time to get Gabby back. He had to do this for Martha and for Cole, his best friends. And for Gabby too!
When he went back to the hotel and cantina where they were staying, he didn't have time to think what he'd do. Butch recognized Slim immediately and drew on him. Smoke crowded the room, curling in the air. The stench of gunpowder perfumed the place. Gabby stood immobile for a moment, until she realized that Butch had fallen at her feet.
During the shootout, Gabby saw Slim too, she managed to jerk on Butch's arm as he was shooting, Butch's bullet went into the wall. People scattered immediately. Slim got a shot in and killed Butch dead on the spot. Smoke crowded the room, curling in the air. The stench of gunpowder perfumed the place. Seeing the blood and the dead stare of his eyes, she knew he was finally dead.
Gabby sighed, then looked up and ran to Slim, "Oh God, Slim, I didn't think you'd follow?" She looked bereft.
"Course I would. Had to get you back."
Gabby hugged him tight. "Thank you Slim, but, what about Cole, did you bury him somewhere close, or what?"
Slim looked down into her perplexed face, and a smile broke out. "Bury him? What for, he's alive."
"Alive?" Gabby's eyes rounded on him. "Oh my God! Where is he?"
"Back at the room. Just had a doc look at him, got the bullet out, and he's out cold right now, but he's alright." Slim told her.
"Oh…take me to him Slim, please."
"Sure will, come on." Slim smiled putting an arm around her waist and guiding her out of the cantina as others gathered around the dead man. Everyone looked from the dead man
to Slim, but no one got the Sheriff, no one moved until they had left the cantina.
When they got back to the room, Cole was still out.
Gabby went to his side and slid her hand to his forehead. He was sweating, but she didn't care. He looked so good, she bent and kissed his forehead.
"I thought they killed him," she murmured to Slim.
"He lost a lot of blood, coming here, but he wouldn't turn back for nothin'." Slim smiled as he sat in a chair and watched her.
"He's gonna be mad that I didn't wake him before I left to get you, but I figured I only had so much time to get it done and he was in no shape to follow. I couldn't worry over him and take Butch."
"You did right, Slim. I'm just glad it's over." Gabby cried.
"Yeah, and I'm glad you knocked his arm when he tried to shoot me, otherwise I might be dead now, too. Slim stared at her long and hard, "Did they hurt you?"
"No, there wasn't time for that. But I'd say you saved me from that in the nick of time."
"I figured as much. I wasn't sure I could out draw him, but you're stepping in, sure helped."
"It's been a long hard ride, but I'll be so glad when we can go home." Gabby told him.
"Well, he ain't gonna like the idea, but I figure we might ought to stay here a few days, let him rest up, get some strength to him, then we'll head for home, how's that?" Slim asked.
"That sounds very wise, Slim." She smiled.
"I'm just glad you are with us again, and they didn't hurt you."
She smiled.
Cole didn't stir the entire night, and although she slept beside him on the bed, Slim took the floor and they all slept late the next day.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The next day, a bit before noon, Cole stirred with something warm and soft in his arms. He opened his eyes and there she was, his Gabby.
"My God! You're here?" He nearly shouted.
She smiled before she even opened her eyes, "I'm here." She answered.
He raised up and saw Slim sitting at the small table in their room with a grin on his face. "Mornin' boss." Slim said matter-of-factly.
"She's here…how….?"
