Chapter 33

WARNING  This chapter contains explicit material.  If you are under thirteen years of age, you probably shouldn't read this chapter.  But for those of you who are old enough,  I hope I don't make you blush.  Enjoy.


"I thought she said 'private tents.'  You and me in one tent and her and Evie in the other don't sound too private to me."   Kid was reclining on the soft cushions of his cot.  "This cot is nicer than the bunks we had back at the ranch.  Geez, a man could get used to having a woman with all that money, couldn't he, Heyes?"   There was no response from his partner.  "Heyes, couldn't he, huh?"
Kid turned his smiling face to look behind him.   His smile faded when he saw Heyes still standing in the folded back tent opening and staring off towards the east where Evie and Livvy's tent stood.
He'd been standing there for a while.

"Heyes would you stop staring.  You know Livvy's not going to let you near Evie for a  while.  At least not until she's had a chance to 'talk some sense into that head of hers,'  Kid said in a girlish voice, imitating a stern Olivia Vanderbilt.

"I knew that once she saw that we were all going to survive she'd turn a little frosty towards us,  but I didn't think there would be six tents, four wagons and a remuda of horses between our tent and theirs either."   Heyes said with a sigh.

"Real subtle  ain't she?"

"Yeah,"  Heyes smirked.  "But who can blame her?  Would you want your only niece within arms length of a wanted outlaw?"

"Heyes,  Livvy's  just a little miffed at us right now, that's all.  Don't worry.  You'll get to see Evie again real soon."

Heyes didn't answer.  Truth be told he was glad Olivia had sequestered Evie after the doc had gotten a look at all of them.   He needed time to think before he saw her again.   There was still so much to think about and so many decisions to be made.   After the caravan of loaded wagons had made its way to the north side of the canyon where the flat grasslands spread out in all directions,  a small village of tents had been set up.  Livvy had whisked Evie away  for a bath after the doctor had declared her in perfect health and Heyes hadn't laid eyes on her since.  That had been hours ago.  He was sure Livvy would do everything in her power to keep him from getting near her for as long as she could.  That way she could make sure she had plenty of time to "talk some sense into that head of yours."  He could just hear Olivia saying that to Evie now, just as the Kid had said.   He hated to be the one to break it to Olivia Vanderbilt but Evangeline Webb wasn't going to give Hannibal Heyes up that easily.  And there wasn't anyone who could do anything about that.  Except him.

After the  doc had declared Evie in perfect health,  he had diagnosed  Heyes  with mild dehydration and Kid would be fit as a fiddle with a couple of days rest and plenty of red meat.  He'd ordered Kid to take a bath, get fresh dressings on his wounds,  and go straight to bed and stay there for twenty four hours.  Servants had been in and out all morning asking if he needed anything.  And of course he had needed everything.  Food, drink, cigars, blankets, pillows.  He was in Kid Curry heaven.  All that was missing was a pretty woman.

"You think you'll be alright without me for a while?"

"Sure, Heyes."   Kid picked up the bell from beside his cot and rang it loudly.  An eager young woman of about twenty came running immediately into the tent ready to grant any wish Mr. Jones may have.   Kid Curry heaven was complete.  "I think I'll be just fine.  You going to try and see Evie?"

"No.  I got a lot to figure out.  I'm going to go take my turn in the bath tent."     Heyes just rolled his eyes as  he left his partner feigning discomfort and pleading the need for a pillow fluff.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


It was warmer today than it had been in over a week.  The afternoon sun and the steam of the hot bath water were making it very warm and humid here inside the bath tent.  Heyes scooted down in the tin tub until only his head was visible above the layer of bubbles and foam that floated atop the steaming  water.   It felt good to relax.  His tired muscles seemed to say "ahhh" as they were massaged by the soothing heat and moisture of the water.  He had needed this time of solitude.  He had needed it to relief the stress of the last five days and he needed it to think.  He was pretty sure he had his mind made up already, but he wanted to go over all the pros and cons one last time before making his final decision.  He lifted his left hand out of the water.  The small silver band with its tiny sparkling diamond barely fit on the first joint of his pinky finger. He would have to talk to Preacher before he headed out, he knew that much for sure.  The rest he hoped would work itself out like it should.  And he had to talk to Evie.  He would have to find some way to get her away from Olivia long enough to talk to her.  His nimble mind began to churn.   He knew just how to keep Livvy occupied.   Satisfied that he had a plan that would work he arose from the bubbly water and stepped from the tub.  "And you can thank me later, Kid,"  Heyes said out loud to himself as he toweled the moisture from his freshly washed body and hair.   He had to hurry.  It would be getting dark before long and Livvy would be expecting everyone in their tents for supper.  


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"You just need me to keep her busy for a few hours?"   Kid's blue eyes sparkled and a wide grin split his handsome face.  "Don't worry, Heyes.  You get her in here and believe me,  she'll be good and occupied for at least a couple of hours."

Heyes grinned back at his partner and slapped him on his good shoulder.  "I knew I could count on you.  Just don't go reopening any wounds now, ya hear."

"I'll try, but I'm not making any promises."

Heyes left the tent confident in his partner's  ability to keep Mrs. Vanderbilt otherwise engaged.  Now he just had to get Mrs. Vanderbilt into his and the Kid's tent.  He crept behind the four tents that sat in a perfect row from east to west between their tent and the ladies' tent. He didn't know how he was going to get Livvy out of her tent.  But divine providence shown down upon him.  He heard Livvy's voice before he actually saw her.  She was giving orders to the army of servants and drivers and cooks she had hired for the journey.  "What do you mean, you've lost it?   That trunk contains all of my niece's undergarments.  Hurry and find it.  It can't have gone too far.  It's a very large conspicuous trunk for Pete's sake.  Make sure there is plenty of fire wood.  It will probably be cold tonight.  And I want supper ready by seven."   Heyes peeked around the corner of the tent that was being used as the servants' quarters.  There she stood.  Five feet and two inches of pure spunk and spit disguised as a blonde haired blue eyed angel.  Luckily he knew just where her tender spot was.   Heyes put on his best actor's face and painted on a look of worry, before emerging from behind the tent to march determinedly towards the young female servant that Olivia had been scolding.  "Pardon me, miss.  I could really use your help.  The doctor has ordered my friend, Mr. Jones, to stay in bed.  He has to be waited on hand and foot.  But I'm afraid he's not following those orders very well and now he's suffered a slight setback.  I've got to go round up my horse.  It may take hours.  Do you think you could go in and sit with him while I'm gone so he won't be tempted to get up and do anything he shouldn't."

"Oh, I would be glad to, Mr. Smith."

Heyes could see Livvy's spine stiffen and her lips pucker out of the corner of his eye.  "You, my dear, have a trunk to find,"  Livvy interjected, pointing her finger in the young woman's direction.  "I will see to Mr. Jones' needs.  Now, go."   With that she shooed the young woman off to find the missing trunk.    Livvy eyed Heyes suspiciously through narrowed eyes.   "Are you telling the truth?  Has he really suffered a set back?"

"Olivia, would I lie about something like that?"

"Why didn't you go find the doctor,then?"

"You know Thaddeus, always insisting that he's fine, even when he's not.  He wouldn't let me go for the doc.'

"Are you really going out to look for your horse?   Or are you just hoping for an opportunity to get my gullible young niece alone?"

"Of course I am."   He saw her eyes flash and her nostrils flare.  "To look for my horse, I mean,"  he interjected.   "I'm going to saddle Rusty up, right now."   Heyes brushed back his hair with his hand and fixed his black hat atop his head as he walked towards the remuda of horses.  "Take good care of Thaddeus for me,"  he turned to say over his shoulder.

"Don't you mean 'Kid!'"  she retorted to his back.  She stood there and watched with her hands on her small hips as he saddled the horse.  "And don't even think about going in that tent.  Evangeline isn't decent.  She can't have visitors, especially male visitors."  Only after he had mounted and headed out of the camp did she head towards the tent at the farthest end of the camp where Kid Curry lay expecting her visit.  Heyes pulled up and turned in the saddle to watch as she entered the tent and pulled the flap closed.  He dismounted and strode quickly to the tent that Evie and Olivia shared and ducked inside.

Evie whirled around when she heard someone come into the tent.  Butterflies fluttered in her chest and her heart skipped a beat when she saw her beloved standing in the tent opening.  Even after all they had been through together he still made her feel like a schoolgirl having her first crush.  She crossed the room and closed the distance between them and threw her arms around his neck.  She kissed the dimple on his clean shaven left cheek then hugged him tightly.    "I was wondering when you were going to be able to get past Livvy.  She's being a little difficult right now about you two.  But she'll come around.   And it seems the staff have misplaced the trunk she brought along that had my underclothes in it.  So she thinks it's indecent to have only a shift and petticoats on underneath.  She has forbidden me to see anyone, especially a man,"  she said with melodramatic flare to mimic her aunt's overly serious and ridiculous instructions.   "I thought about telling her I'd see you anytime I wanted no matter what she said, but I decided it would be best to humor for a while.  At least until she's come to terms with who you and Thaddeus really are.   Or until they find my underwear,"  she laughed as she hugged him tighter and snuggled her nose into his throat.  "Um, you smell so good."

Oh, no.  Heyes swallowed hard.  He should just leave and forget about taking her out on a horseback ride.  It was only asking for trouble.  And he had sworn to himself he wouldn't touch her again.   "You mean you're not wearing anything under your skirt and petticoats?   No bloomers, no corset, no stockings?"

She stepped away from him and spun around.  She looked so lovely.  Freshly bathed skin,  newly brushed hair that was pulled back into a long loose braid that hung down her back and was secured with the lavender binding cord that was made from her mother's dress.  She wore  a simple white blouse and a belted navy skirt.  She was more breathtaking in her simplicity than most women were in their finest silks, gloves and hats.  "You can't tell can you?  Except for the corset.  I'm glad they lost the trunk.  I hate corsets.  I love to meet the sadistical bastard that came up with that idea."   Her eyes grew large and she threw her hand over her mouth, hearing the blackguarded words come from her own lips.   He cocked his head to the side and stared at her for a moment before giving a small chuckle.  "You know you've really developed quite a mouth on you lately."   He couldn't keep from drawing her close and holding her for a long silent moment.   He loved her so much, sassy mouth and all.  The knowledge that she had no bothersome corset or anything else on under her skirts was going to present quite a challenge for him to keep his mind on what he had to do.  It was nearly four o'clock.  Livvy had said she wanted supper ready at seven.  That meant they had about three hours.  He hoped Kid could keep Livvy busy that long.   "Hopefully Livvy's going to be busy for the next few hours and I was hoping you and I could go somewhere to be alone.  I need to talk to you."

"Any chance to be alone with you I'm taking.  Let's go."  She grabbed her straw bonnet and riding gloves before entwining her hand with his and leading him out of the tent.  

"I've already got Rusty saddled over there.  I thought we could ride together out to that little valley where you said you saw Odin yesterday .  Maybe he's still out there somewhere."

Evie's stomach did a little flip flop.  Everytime she even thought of riding double with him all the  nerve endings in her body seemed to tingle.   "Lead the way."  she said and  let him lead her by the hand to where Rusty stood waiting.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Livvy floated like a fairy into the tent that Kid Curry shared with Hannibal Heyes.  She stood and stared at him for a brief moment before marching to the wash stand and pouring water into the basin.  She busily gathered clean linens and towels.   Kid started to speak but she held up her hand before he could get a word out.  "Don't bother trying to butter me up Mr. Curry.  I am still quite angry with you at the moment and I don't trust myself to have a civilized conversation with you.  I might say something we would both regret.  I'm here merely to see to your needs.  Your medical needs."   Kid didn't speak, just watched as she went to work pouring water from the pitcher into the bowl at the other end of the tent.  

"Mr. Heyes tells me you've had a set back.  What may I ask did you do?  Did you strain yourself ringing that bell so that Abigail would come bounding in to wait on you?"

Kid smiled.  He stood silently and crossed the room to stand behind her.   He would have to handle this just right or she would be storming out of here as mad as an old wet hen and he and Heyes would have a lot of explaining to do.  But not only that, he wanted to make things right with her.  He didn't want her to be angry with him.  He knew she had questions and he owed her the answers.  He cared for this woman and he knew that this was probably going to be the last time he would ever be able to hold her in his arms.  He made no sound but she knew he was there.  She drew a ragged breath and continued to make a display of folding the clean linens.   "Do you need medication for your pain?  Hasn't Abigail been seeing to you properly?"

"If I didn't know better, Livvy, I'd swear you were jealous,"  he said softly against her ear.
She spun quickly around on her heels and slapped him across the face.  Kid's mouth hung open for a minute, shocked by the slap.  "What was that for?"  he asked angrily.

"For lying to me.  We've been...I've been letting you....you've......oh, you know what we've been doing!  For weeks now we've been doing it.  How could you not let me know who you really are?"    The anger in her voice and the fire in her eyes were laced with hurt and betrayal.
 
He reached up to tuck a stray strand of her soft hair behind her ear and let his hand linger on her ivory cheek.  "Livvy,  you now know what my real name is.  You've known all along who I really am."
Her face softened a bit.  She looked away, not able to hold his penetrating blue gaze.  Then before either of them knew what was happening she slapped his other cheek.

Kid was mad now.  "What was that one for?"   he barked.

"For daring to drag my innocent niece into all of this mess.  And....and for making me care about you."  She turned her back to him and grabbed the small wash stand for support.

Kid took a step closer and put his hands to her tiny waist, made even tinier by her snug corset.  He brought his mouth to her ear.  "So you do care.  Even if I'm Jed Curry?"  he said  before gently kissing her earlobe, then trailing soft gentle kisses down the side of her slender neck.

She wanted to be mad.  She was mad.  She wanted to be furious.   But she just couldn't get furious with him.   Yes, she cared.  Probably more than she should.  They had made a pact that very first night in the bunkhouse.  They shared a passion for each other and they would let that passion burn as hotly as it could until it burned itself out.  And then they would part without regret or hard feelings.   But her need and her desire for him had not cooled.  It had grown hotter with every secret rendevous.  And it burned like a hot poker in the center of her belly now.    And her feelings for him had grown deeper with every moment they shared.  "Of course I care.  You don't think I would let a man I didn't care about do the things I've let you do to me, do you?"   He took a step closer, closing the miniscule space between them.  "You mean things like this,"  he said as he lowered his lips to the soft ivory skin of her neck, knowing well and finding with ease all the most sentiive spots.   Oh, she really should step away from him.    She really should insist that he stop.   But she had missed him so much in the past week.  Had worried herself sick about him.  And oh how she had missed his touch.  The burning grew hotter and threatened to  consume her.  She gave up.  She exhaled a long slow breath then sagged back against his chest with a heavy sigh as she forgot eveything except what he was doing to her with his mouth at this moment.

He turned her in his embrace and searched her eyes for any sign that she didn't want to take this where he so hoped it was going, where it always went when they were alone together.  All he found was a hunger that matched his own.  This tiny woman was unlike any he'd ever known.   She was a headstrong, opininated ball of fire in front of everyone else.  But when he was alone with her,   she was like a different person.   When they were alone together she transformed into a vulnerable, needy woman who just wanted to be taken care of and made to feel special.   He wasn't only doing this as a favor to Heyes.  He had missed her.  He craved the feel of her in his arms again.   He reached up to pull the pins from her bound hair, letting loose the honey blonde locks, before lowering his mouth to hers in a slow burning kiss.

Livvy threw her arms around his neck and brought herself up on her tiptoes to better taste his  mouth.  He leaned her back against the wash stand bringing his pelvis in contact with hers.   The kiss became more urgent, greedy in the want and need it displayed.  She became like a woman possessed, tearing his shirt from his body, clawing at his back as she returned his fevered kiss with ardor while his hands found their way beneath her voluminous skirts.    She brought her knee up against his hip.   He grasped her thigh holding her in place there as he pressed forward into the center of her.  She was practically climbing up his body.   He pulled her other knee up on his other side, creating a cradle with her legs for him to fit perfectly into.  He pressed harder into the juncture of her thighs with his already aroused body.  She wrapped her legs around his waist as he lifted her to carry her to the empty cot.

"Stop. Wait,"  she said, pulling her mouth away from his and lowering herself to the ground.

Kid reached for her, "But I don't want to stop."

She stepped out of his reach.  "I don't intend to stop, Mr. Curry.  You are not supposed to over exert yourself.  You can't be lifting me like that."  He rolled his eyes, exasperated, knowing that lifting her slight frame would not hurt him.   She took his hand and lead him to the cot and gave him a gentle push sitting him on the edge of the cot.  "I told Mr. Heyes that I would see to your needs.  You sit back and relax.  I'll do all the work.  We wouldn't want you aggravating those wounds now would we,"   she said in a silky voice that made Kid's mouth go dry.  He could only watch, captivated as she slowly unbuttoned the pink blouse she wore and let it drop to the floor.  This was followed by the tan skirt and petticoats which pooled around her feet.  She stood there, a vision of loveliness in her white lacy undergarments and corset.

She placed one foot on the cot's edge next to his thigh.  He unlatched the buckle, taking time to caress her stocking clad calf before removing her shoe and tossing it aside.  The entire ritual was repeated with her other leg and shoe.   Livvy bit her bottom lip, never taking her eyes off his, as she began a slow, sensual striptease for the wounded outlaw who had ignited a fire in her weeks ago.  She had to admit that the fire had started when she had watched him walk towards her after she had disembarked from the train in Cold Springs.  It was a fire that had not been extinguished.  What was it about this man that brought out every wanton, base and feminine instinct she had?  In her everyday life she was in control.  She was the boss, the head mistress of the household.  But when she was with this man,  this very masculine man,  she felt soft and fragile and out of control.  Every time they had made love in the past he had dominated her,  taking fierce possession of her body, and she had revelled in it.  When she was in his arms she didn't have to be strong and in charge.  She could be vulnerable and feminine.  He had brought to life a femininity she never knew she possessed.   And she wielded that femininity now like a weapon as she taunted him to the point of delirium with her slow deliberate movements, as she removed each article of clothing she wore and let them fall to the ground at her feet.

Kid was blown away by her boldness.  Usually she was more than willing to let him take the lead.   He enjoyed knowing that his male dominance over her body had forced her to step out her comfort zone.  He had loved watching her reactions when he had first begun to reawaken the hot blooded woman that had been asleep inside of her for years.  In fact he wasn't so sure that her husband or any man had ever awakened it in the first place.   But one thing was for sure.  It was certainly awake now.  She was being more bold than he'd seen her.  Hearing her insist that she do all the work had set his loins on fire.  He could hardly wait to see what she had in store for him.   His eager hands reached out to touch her.  She swatted his hand away and stepped out of his reach.  "Uh,uh.  Not yet,"  she said playfully.

When at last she stood naked, except for her stockings, which she knew he liked for her to keep on,  she  stepped within his reach to stand between his knees.  At last he was able to touch her.  He let his hands roam over every hill and valley of her tiny frame.  He was familiar with her body and knew every sensitive and erotic spot.  Then his lips traced the same path his hands had just taken,  leaving no part of her quivering body untouched or untasted.  When he had finished with her she stood trembling like a leaf in the breeze.  She looked down at the hungered expression on his face with her own hungry eyes.   "You are woefully overdressed, Mr. Curry,"  Olivia observed.

"And here I am injured and all,"  he pouted with sorrowful blue eyes.  " I think I may need some help."   She flashed him a wicked smile and began the splendidly arduous task of making Kid Curry as naked as she was.

She knew they needed to have a serious talk.  There were so many questions she had, so many answers she demanded.  But that would have to  wait.  All she could think about in this moment was getting to his flawless smooth skin and muscles underneath his clothes.  His skillful hands and mouth had left her burning with a need that only he could fill.   A need that would not be denied.  Talking would definitely have to wait.  She knelt at his feet and removed his boots and socks.    They joined his earlier discarded shirt.  She pulled  him to his feet.   The sound of leather rasping against the cloth of his denim pants was the only sound heard in the otherwise silent room as she slid his belt from his pants, then moments later the soft flop of cloth hitting the ground as she lowered his jeans around his ankles.   He stood before her splendidly naked and aroused.  True to her word, she did all the work,  pushing him down onto his back so she could reacquaint herself with every inch of his muscular lean frame.   Being careful of his wounds, she did so with her hands, her mouth, her tongue.  She writhed upon him like a feral creature, greedy and wanton.   She couldn't get enough of the feel and taste of him.   This time she wanted to dominate his body.   She felt almost like she was staking a claim and marking her territory as she let her hands and her mouth explore his magnificent body.   Once she had covered every inch of him from head to toe with kisses, nibbles, licks and caresses,  just as he had done to her so many times,  she sat on her knees between his outstretched legs and gazed into his smoldering blue eyes.    She could see in his eyes,  and had heard in the animal like groans he had made, that she had succeeded in her quest to dominate him.  He was on fire for her as much as she was for him.  He reached for her.  Hooking her under her arms he pulled her up the length of his body until her legs fell to either side of him, straddling him.   When at last the union of their bodies came they both gasped aloud at the thrilling sensation.   Their overheated and anxious bodies demanded release.  It was a frenzied mating, full of pure carnal need, but there was also a tenderness and a caring that softened the edges of the frenzy.   Kid marveled at the blonde beauty who was riding him like a bucking bronco, her sleek body glistening with perspiration.    He had never seen her so brazen.   He only needed one thing to make the moment complete.  His eyes captured hers. "Say my name, Livvy.   My real name."      She looked down into his face with understanding and said quietly,  "Jedediah."   Their pace quickened.   "Jedediah,"  she said more loudly.  Their mating reached a fever pitch, and Livvy cried his name out loud one last time as the shock waves of their shared release threatened to rob her of her senses.  She collapsed, spent atop an exhausted Kid Curry.   They lay there for long quiet moments,  waiting for their breathing and their pounding hearts to return to normal.   In the foggy haze of her sated and love drugged mind Livvy could have sworn she heard him say quietly,  "Thanks,  Heyes."


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A couple of miles away,  Hannibal Heyes wasn't as happy.   He held the woman he loved loosely in his arms as they rode through the early evening sunshine.  He had shed his coat and Evie her cloak,  as the beating sun had made it quite warm.  And having his Evie snuggled up in his lap did little to cool him.   This ride was bittersweet for him.  He was reminded with sadness of the poem he had read to her just last night.

'I said---Then, dearest, since 'tis so, 
Since now at length my fate I know,  
Since nothing all my love avails,  
Since all, my life seemed meant for, fails,  
Since this was written and needs must be---
My whole heart rises up to bless    
Your name in pride and thankfulness!  
Take back the hope you gave,---I claim 
---Only a memory of the same,  
---And this beside, if you will not blame,  
Your leave for one more last ride with me.'"


Little had he known when he had read those words to her last night, that today he would be experiencing one last ride with her.   He had been trying all day to come up with the right words to tell her that he wouldn't be coming back to Red Rock with her.  And everything that he would come up with in his mind, even though logical and practical, still sounded hollow and cold to his ears.  And he knew Evie well enough to know that no matter how logical or practical it sounded she wouldn't go along with it.    Eternally hopeful and faithful that their love could survive anything, she would fight him tooth and nail and he knew it.   The dread began to well up inside of him again as he mentally prepared himself to explain to her all the reasons it was best if they parted now before she got herself into water too deep for her to swim in.

"It really is beautiful here isn't it?  Isn't it strange that you can come from the mountains into a canyon and then be in a grassy meadow on the edge of a forest, all in a couple of hours ride,"   Evie observed from under the brim of her straw bonnet that was secured under her chin by a white ribbon.

"Yes, it's beautiful country.  Kid and me have ridden through this part of the country a lot on our way from Colorado to Texas."

"I wish I had known you back then.  When you were a practicing outlaw."

"Well, I'm glad you've only known me as a non practicing outlaw.   It's not a very glamorous life like some people think it is.   It's a hard life sometimes.  Even when there's plenty of money and the men are all happy and the laws not looking for you, you still have all this doubt and guilt to contend with.  Especially if you're the leader.  Then all the responsibility for everything falls on you."

"I'm sorry.  I've made you think about bad times again haven't I.  I'm just glad I know you now and we have a whole lifetime ahead of us to make all kinds of new memories that will overtake all the bad ones."   She turned and planted a kiss on his dimpled cheek.  "I love you, you know.  More than anything."

He could see the look in her eyes and knew that she was waiting for him to kiss her lips and tell her he loved her too.  She was waiting for him to say, "Let's continue with our plans and get married."  But he couldn't.  He changed the subject instead as he kept Rusty at a steady walk.  "So, has Olivia told you what a fool you are yet?"

"Oh, of course.  'Let me talk some sense into that head of yours,'"  she mimicked.    "I'm surprised you didn't hear us yelling at each other across the camp.  But I told her in no uncertain terms that I would never change my mind about you and she had better get used to the idea or get used to never speaking to me again.  When she saw she wasn't getting any where, she had to mumble something about my knowing you had turned me into a smart mouthed delinquent.  But I just ignored her."

"You do have quite a sassy mouth on you these days, you know.  And all the lies that just seem to roll right out of there without missing a beat.....tsk, tsk tsk."

"What are you referring to exactly?"  she turned her head and batted innocent looking eyes up at him.
"That bluff you pulled with McMaster.  I never told you to only bluff if you had nothing to lose.    And Kid never told you to carry a pocket pistol in your boot either."

"Well what good does it do to keep company with con men if you can't learn to pull a con or two for yourself?"

"Your conning days are over, I can promise you that."

"Don't be so sure.  A lot can happen in two years.  I might have to save your necks again before we can find the perfect spot to build our fortress.  And you can't tell me that you weren't glad to see me ride into that canyon this morning."

"I was glad and terrified at the same time.  It's a terrible feeling when the person you want to protect the most is putting them self in danger to protect you."   And I'm going to make sure that it never happens again.  


"I know that feeling.  I felt the same way when you saved me from Harlan.  I felt safe and yet terrified that something would happen to you at the same time.  But I don't want to think about things like that.   I only want to think about good things, happy things from now on.   I don't think I've ever been this happy in my whole life."    Her hand found his free one and laced her fingers in his.   Guilt stabbed his heart like a knife.   He was about to shatter that happiness.  He hoped Kid was making good progress with Livvy, because this might take longer than he had figured.   He was losing his nerve.  "And speaking of being happy,  what did you do to get Livvy away long enough for you to shanghai me?   Get your partner in crime to suddenly need a long session of fresh air?"

He gave her a look of pure shock and innocence.  "What?  Me?  Do something like that?  I thought you had a higher opinion of me than that."

"My opinions aside, I just know you and I know Jed Curry well enough by now to know that there are two things that will never change.  One,  Kid will go along with just about any plan you come up with, and two Kid Curry will never pass on the opportunity to eat, sleep or spend time with pretty woman.   So I know that's what you did.   You lured her into your tent somehow and you know that he will be able to seduce her  and thereby keep her occupied for a while.   And I think I know Livvy well enough now too, to know that for all the front she's putting up about you two, she's still got a soft spot for Thaddeus Jones.   And Lord knows she's been wound so tight since she arrived this morning,  she could use a good roll in the hay, if you know what I mean."

Heyes just gaped at her.  "There you go again.  The things that come out of there.  What am I gonna do with that mouth of yours?"   he said teasingly.

She turned her head and smiled a beguiling smile at him.  "Do you really want me to tell you, Mr. Heyes?   Or shall I show you instead?"     Her hand snaked up around the back of his neck and her fingers threaded through the fringes of his hair that hung below his hat.  

Oh, why did she have to say that?  Why did she have to lean back against him and then touch him like this while staring at him with her needy blue eyes?   He could feel his traitorous body responding to her closeness.  He couldn't touch her.  He wouldn't touch her.  But he wasn't touching her, she was touching him.   Her delicate fingers gently pulled his head towards her.  He watched her mouth parted in anticipation as she lifted her head to meet him.  He closed his eyes as his mouth captured hers.    She opened her mouth beneath his granting him free access to as much of her sweetness as he was willing to take.  He should stop.    She darted her tongue tentatively into his mouth inviting him to taste her lushness.  He had to stop this before it went too far.   He grasped her head in both hands and lifted his mouth regretfully from hers.  He looked into a pair of eyes that were hazy with the clouds of desire.  He inhaled deeply hoping the intake of fresh air would clear his head, but instead it only filled his nostrils with the intoxicating scent of her.  She had bathed not long ago and her hair and her skin smelled clean and fresh and....like Evie.  He closed his eyes.  He wanted her so much right now it took every ounce of will power he had not to pull her off this horse and show her just how much he loved and wanted her.   He shouldn't.  He couldn't.  He wouldn't.  Her fingers left his hair to feather across his neck and along his jawline.   Her breathing had quickened and her unfettered breasts rose and fell rapidly beneath her white blouse.  Her back arched slightly causing her breasts to thrust forward, inviting his touch.   He knew what she wanted.  Could read the signs.   It was what he wanted too, but.... this is not what he had come out here to do.  This was not the plan.  He couldn't.  He shouldn't.  He wouldn't.  He swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure,  when she lowered her lips to his throat where his pulse hammered.  He closed his eyes and groaned.

He couldn't.  He shouldn't.  Her mouth opened on his throat and her novice tongue came out to bathe the brown skin of his neck.   He felt his body tighten.  He couldn't,  he couldn't.   Couldn't ...stand it any longer.    Lost now in his need for her he jerked her head away from him and held it firmly between his gloved hands.  His eyes connected briefly with hers before he slammed his mouth down upon hers.   He caught her sigh in his mouth as he worked her mouth further apart with his own, seeking her tongue and finding it.  It was not a gentle kiss.  It was needy and lusty and full of greed.  Their mouths mated as their tongues imitated the coupling that their body anticipated and she began to shiver.  Evie turned her upper body closer into his,  wanting desperately to be holding him closer.   Frustration led her to throw her left leg  up and over Rusty's neck.  She was  across the saddle now with both legs hanging from the right side.  This was better.   She turned so that her hip rested against the saddle between his thighs and she was able to wrap her arms around his back as he pulled her flush against him.  She lifted her mouth from his and stared into the fathomless depths of his brown eyes.   She saw the passion and desire that she had for him mirrored there and knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him.     Their eyes remained locked as she found her right leg somehow squeezed up between them and then dangling from the left side of the saddle.  She was astride again.  Only now she was facing her beloved, her  thighs resting across his.   The provocative position they found themselves in sparked and uncontrollable fire.

Suddenly in a fit of desperate need,  they began to tear at each others clothing.  Belt buckles were loosened, shirt tails yanked from waistbands,  buttons yanked from button holes.  Hats, bonnets and gloves flew haphazardly through the air to land unheeded on the ground.  Each was frantic to reach the bare skin of the other.   Heyes made quick work of her blouse and tossed it negligently to the ground with the rest of their clothes which left a trail behind the still moving horse.  Evie worked madly to undo the buttons of his shirt, while he  lifted the hem of her skirt and ran his hands up the length of her smooth legs to find them  bare already.  His hands ventured further upwards.  Still only bare skin.  He was finding it hard to breathe.  When he reached her hip and still found no barrier of clothing his eyes met hers.  "They lost my underclothes remember,"  she managed to say in a quivering voice as she undid the last button of his shirt and dropped her head to his chest and flicked her tongue across his small brown nipple.  That was his undoing.  Any vestige of self control he may have had evaporated.   He gathered her skirt and bunched the material up around her waist and grasped her  hips and pulled her forward.  She cried out when her pelvis came into full contact with his.  She pulled at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against her.  He helped  her remove it and threw it to the ground.  She wrapped her arms around his naked shoulders and her legs around his hips, her feet coming to rest on Rusty's slick rump.    When the soft skin of her under arm came in contact with the small bandage on his left shoulder she gasped and pulled back to stare into his beautiful chocolaty eyes.  "Your wound,"  she managed to breathe out.   "To hell with it,"  he growled before devouring her mouth once more.

She had to pull her lips from his to let the moan that was stuck in her throat escape when the evidence of this arousal pressed hard against her naked flesh.  Her mouth hovered above his,  their breath mingling as he pulled her hard against his groin. The rough material of his heavy cotton pants came into contact with the mound of sensitive exposed flesh between her thighs. She followed an instinct she didn't know she had and she began to grind her hips down against his.   Rusty continued to walk, oblivious to the display of raw need and emotion that was taking place on his powerful back.  As the horse moved, it caused Heyes to move and that part of him that was nestled in the cradle of her thighs to move.  She couldn't keep another  moan from escaping her lips as the undulating muscles of the horse caused an undulating of his hips and that in turn caused his jean covered manhood to perform an erotic massage of the warm moist delta it rested against.   He had never seen a more powerfully erotic sight than his beautiful Evie with her head thrown back, a look of pleasure that resembled pain on her face and moans of ecstasy falling from  her parted lips.  And they still had most of their clothes on.  She buried her fingers into his golden brown hair,  as his mouth found the rounded tops of her breasts  and his hands kept their firm grip on her bare hips beneath her skirt.

How had he let this happen?   It wasn't too late to stop.   He had to stop before it was too late.  He couldn't make love to her again.   He had promised himself he wouldn't.  A million thoughts raced through his mind in a split second.   But two thoughts kept repeating themselves over and over in his head.  One, he still had to tell her that he was leaving tomorrow and she wasn't coming with him.  And two that someday after she'd gotten over her heartache and she had moved on with her life,  some other man would be touching her like this.  Holding her, kissing her,  hearing her soft whimpers of desire.  That thought created an animalistic urge deep inside of him that threatened to send him into a primitive state.  She was his.  Would always be his.  No matter who came after him, she would still always belong to him.  And he wanted to make sure that she never forgot who had loved her most and who had made love to her best.  But being the nimble minded creature he was he also thought about how selfish he was when it came to her.  And that it was time for once that he did something selfless for her instead of something selfish for himself.  As badly as he wanted her right now,  he knew he had to stop before he became powerless to do so.   He was just about to tell her they must stop when she pulled her head back and looked him deeply in his eyes and whispered in a voice full of desperate longing,  "Hannibal, please."

Heat scorched through his veins.  He plunged his hands into her hair, wrecking the braid and pulling it free from the lavender cord that bound it.  He pulled her mouth to his in a devouring kiss.  He gave up the last remnants of his self control.   Her hands, now not completely inexperienced, found their way between their bodies.  Her knuckles grazed the hard ridge behind the row of buttons that fastened his pants.   She began to claw at the fastenings,  determined to release that part of him she knew would fill the empty ache he always seemed to cause inside of her.   When at last all the buttons were freed and the full length of him sprang forth from the opening of his tan jeans,  her soft hands timidly touched the velvet steel of his manhood.   A look that resembled agony crossed  his face  "Good God,"  he hissed out between clenched teeth.

"Oh, I'm sorry.  Did I hurt you?"  she asked breathlessly,  jerking her hand away from him.

He smiled slightly and shook his head.  "No, you didn't hurt me."   This was madness.   They were on the back of a horse for God's sake.    If this was to be the last time he ever held her and made love to her he wanted it to be unforgettable.  He was consumed now with only one thing.  He hadn't changed his mind about leaving tomorrow.  But he did want to leave her knowing that he had branded her forever as his.   As much as he wanted to be selfless and self sacrificing,  he simply could not let her go without leaving an indelible mark on her heart.   He knew it would be easier for her is she were able to easily forget him.  But his primitive male need to mark his territory would not be denied.   He wanted this moment to be forever emblazoned in her memory so that years from now when she was lying in the arms of another man, she would still not be able to forget how he had made her feel.

He dismounted the horse and reached up to catch her as she slid into his embrace.  He pulled her cloak and carried it with them.   She again wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to a soft mossy spot under a nearby tree.   He spread her cloak on the mossy ground and laid her gently down and began the masterful possession of her body that would leave his name and his face forever seared into her mind and her heart.
  
She lay on the soft mossy ground,  her black cloak spread beneath her, trembling in anticipation of his body joining with hers.  Any moment now he would shed the remainder of his clothes, position himself between her legs and put an end to this ache.   She waited.  Instead he just stood over her.   He stared down at her, his bare chest heaving.    What was he waiting for.  All he had to do was lift her skirts and this agony would end.    At last, she thought, as he dropped to his knees at her feet.  But he didn't move to push her skirt up. Instead he began to remove her shoes.  He kissed the souls of her feet and her ankles as he removed her black leather mary janes.  As  he lifted her feet high to remove her shoes her skirt slipped down around her hips exposing her shapely legs.  He bathed each calf, each knee,  each thigh with kisses and caresses.   She propped herself up on her elbows to watch as he made a feast of her feet and her legs.  She never knew she had so many erotic and sensitive spots on her body.  But his mouth seemed to know exactly where to go to cause her body to tighten and swell further with longing.    He moved between her thighs but the barrier of her skirt still remained.   She whimpered in frustration and reached between them, trying to remove the barrier so he could at last enter her aching body.  But he had other ideas.  He tugged at the hem of her camisole, the only undergarment she wore besides her petticoats, and pulled it off over her head.  She delved her hands into the silk of his hair as his mouth laid claim to her lips, her chin, her throat, her arms her hands, her collar bone and at last her breasts.   He worshipped the creamy, soft globes with his tongue and his lips.   Evie gripped his shoulders and fought the urge to beg him to end this torture.   His mouth descended to her midriff kissing his way down to the waistband of her skirt.   He hooked his fingers in the waistband and began to tug.  She helped him by pushing at the cumbersome clothes with her feet, until at last he pulled the layers of navy and white away from  her body and tossed them aside.

He looked at her now with a different look in his eyes.  The smoldering longing was still there, but there was a fleeting moment of a  distant sadness there that she didn't understand.   It quickly passed to be replaced only with a look of raw, male need.  That look made her insides go quivery and she felt the flow of desire at that most intimate part of her body.   At last, she thought, the waiting is over.  But instead of covering her body with his, he laid his cheek against her belly and closed his eyes.  He caressed her there with his cheek, loving the feel of her soft skin.  He lifted his head to place a tender kiss to her navel.  He looked up into her beautiful face, clouded with passion and so full of love for him before letting his lips travel further down.

She felt his hands come beneath her to cup her firm rounded bottom.   What was he doing?   Suddenly her hips were lifted from the ground.  Her head shot up, her eyes grew wide with horror.   "Hannibal Heyes, don't you dare,"   she gasped out,  paralyzed with fear of what he was about to do.   "Don't!"   Her protests died on her lips when he lifted her like a chalice to his lips and began to sample the wine of her body.   Her eyes rolled back in her head.  Then her head fell back.  Her arms couldn't support her anymore and she fell back onto the ground.  Her head began to thrash about, so lost was she in the deliciously torturous things he was doing to her.  She had never experienced anything like this in her life, and didn't think she ever would again and her body began to weep with the indescribable joy of arousal.   She had never dreamed that a man could do this to a woman, bring her to the point of near hysteria with only his mouth.    Her hands groped for anything to grab onto as she felt the tight coiling in her belly about to break loose.  She could hear the sounds of sexual ecstasy drifting in the air and bit her lip when she realized they were coming from her own mouth.  She grabbed onto the only thing she could find.

He felt her hands in his hair locking onto his head as he drove her mad with his mouth and his tongue.  He knew she would protest at first, but he also knew that once she had experienced the most intimate of kisses, she would be helpless to protest.   He continued his slow and delicate assault until she was calling out his name like a litany in the throes of an earth shattering  release.   And still he didn't relent.  The physical and emotional experience she was having was almost overwhelming.  She didn't know if she wanted to scream, or laugh or burst into tears.   Soon she was begging him for mercy.  When at last he took pity on her and shimmied his way back up her body to settle himself between her shaking thighs,  she was a quivering mass of mindless need.

He hovered above her like a bronze god, his dark eyes filled with so many emotions she was hard pressed to define them all.   She reached out a tremulous hand and brushed a wayward lock of his hair from his brow then caressed his cheek.    She opened her mouth to speak,  to tell him just how amazed she was at what he had just done to her, how moved she was at the intimacy of it, but found she couldn't find the words to describe the way she felt at this moment.

He could see her struggle for words and knew that she was overwrought with emotion.  He smiled down at her with that dimpled smile that she loved so much.   He buried his face in her fragrant hair that spilled over her shoulder as he sank his  hardened body into her softness.   Their simultaneous sighs mingled as he let his lips hover just above hers.  And then he was moving, and she was matching his every move, rising off the ground to meet him thrust for thrust.    He never wanted it to end.   But he could feel the tension mounting in his body, growing tighter and tighter.    She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside.  She began to mutter those incoherent little whimpers he had learned were the start of her fulfillment.   When she cluthced his back and cried out his name  he felt the spasms of her release tugging him into the depths with her and he gave himself over to pure sensation and found his own fulfillment.   As he left his seed deep within her, he felt he had left a part of his soul there as well.

How long they lay there silently holding each other they couldn't have told. Neither was willing to spoil the perfection of the love they had just made with words or movement.  As the evening sun began to lay its head down in the western sky, a proud black stallion stood on the horizon watching the two young lovers, one with a blissful smile of contentment,  the other with a far away look that could only be described as bittersweet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Morning came much too soon.  Heyes woke from a troubled sleep to face what he knew was going to be the most difficult thing he had ever had to do.  He had messed up yesterday.   He had promised himself that he wouldn't touch her again.  But being alone with her, riding double with her, knowing he would never have another chance to make love to her again, he had given in and broken his own promise.  But he knew he had to keep the other promise he had made to himself.   He washed and dressed and went to find the Preacher.  He had to have a talk with him before he rode out and he knew Preacher was planning to ride out soon after breakfast.

Kid was still sleeping.  He was probably tired from distracting Livvy yesterday.  He hadn't ask Kid how it had went, because when he and Evie had rode back into camp around six thirty, Livvy had never left his and Kid's tent.  She had never even known that Evie had been gone.  So he knew that his partner had had no trouble keeping the feisty Mrs. Vanderbilt occupied.  But Kid would be up soon enough.  Abigail would be in any minute with a huge tray, laden with more food than most people saw in a week.   Kid could have it all.  He had no appetite.  His stomach was in knots.

"Mornin', Heyes."

"Mornin', Preacher.  I've been thinking about what we talked about yesterday.  If you've got a minute I'd like to discuss it a little more."    The two men ducked into the servants' tent where Preacher had slept last night.

Evie exited the tent to see Hannibal enter the servant's tent with Preacher.  She smiled secretly to herself, remembering his masterful lovemaking from yesterday.    Her mind still reeled with the thought of it and a hot blush crept up her cheeks.  Livvy had never even missed her yesterday, so she knew that Livvy too had been treated to a proper roll in the hay herself.   Evie, no longer the innocent virgin, could see the rapturous look in her eyes when she thought no one was watching, and knew she was recalling her time in the arms of Kid Curry.    And her frosty disposition had warmed up considerably.  She was no longer referring to the boys as "those two" or  "the resident outlaws."     Though she had not shared anything of the intimate details of her time with the Kid, Livvy had told her some of the conversation she had shared with him.  Kid had explained their amnesty deal with the governor of Wyoming and she was glad that at least they would have a chance to live normal lives in the future.   She had even lifted her former decree of isolation for Evie.  She could visit Hannibal if she chose, but only in the company of others.  Evie had only nodded in agreement and played the part of the subservient niece with great aplomb.  Evie knew that in time she would give them her blessing and she and Hannibal could continue with their plans to marry and then disappear.  Who knew, maybe she would even go with them.  She could leave the businesses in the hands of her responsible staff and take a permanent vacation.    But right now she couldn't wait to leave this place and get back to the ranch so they could continue their life as before.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You're sure about this?"  Kid asked.

Heyes looked at his life long friend with a mixed look of pain and determination and simply nodded.

"Alright.  I'll tell Livvy what's going on.  And I'll meet you where we planned."   Kid put his hand to his parnter's shoulder and squeezed, showing as best he could that he would support whatever decision he made,  and that he'd be there to help him through the aftermath of that decision.

Heyes ran a brisk hand through his hair before picking up his hat and plopping it down on top of his head.  He could do this.  He was a train robber.  He was a bank thief.  He had cracked safes just by using his hands and his ears.  He had been the leader of the most successful outlaw gang in the west.   He could do this.  He had to.  For all their sakes.  Firm again in his resolve he went in search of the person he loved most in the world.  So he could break her heart.

He found her in her tent searching through a trunk full of hats and bonnets.  "Hi,"  he announced his presence from behind  her.

She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice then spun around with a beaming smile on her face to practically run to where he stood.  She hadn't seen him since they had arrived back in camp last night except when she'd seen him following Preacher into his tent earlier.  As she closed the distance between them she wanted to hug him, but he stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, clearly not inviting her display of affection.  Evie just mentally shrugged and said, "Good morning.   I was wondering when you were going to come and see me.  I thought I was going to have to come and find you."

"What are you doing?"

"I was looking for my straw bonnet.  Livvy expects me to wear it today and tomorrow and I can't find it.  I think I left it out in the meadow yesterday.  Will you take me back out to where we were so I can look for it?"

"Sure.  But I think you should let her know where you're going.  Besides, I never did get to talk to you yesterday."

"Oh, yeah.  I guess we got a little side tracked didn't we?"  she said suggestively, expecting him to pull her flirtatiously in his arms and show her the love she knew he had for her.  Instead he just gave her a half smile and nodded, as he looked at the ground.  Strange, she thought.  He must have something on his mind and he would tell me about it when they rode out.  But still her feelings were a little hurt.  They found Livvy instructing the staff on how best to pack the belongings for their trip back to White Oak in the morning.   They told her they were going for a brief ride and would be back shortly.   Livvy protested only slightly, but waved them off with a smile nevertheless.  They mounted their horses and rode in the direction of the tree they had lain under the day before.

Evie saw the white sash of her bonnet flying in the breeze a few yards away.  "There it is!"  she called to him as she sprinted Rusty ahead to find her bonnet in the tall grass.  She was shaking the dew from it when he reined Odin in beside Rusty and dismounted.    "Thank goodness I found it.  I would have had a hard time explaining its absence when Livvy saw it lying on my cot just yesterday.  She expects me to wear it when we leave tomorrow.  She doesn't want me to freckle any more that I already have."

He remained silent.  There was a troubled look on his face and he kept nervously licking his lips and stroking the leather rein he still held in his hands.    "Is something wrong?  You've been acting strange all morning.  And yesterday there were times when I swore I could pick up on something that wasn't quite right.  What is it?"  she asked as she lifted the skirt of her cranberry colored day dress to wade through the tall wet grass towards him.

He knew he had been a little cold to her this morning.  But he had to be.  If he showed her any kind of affection he would lose his nerve and he wouldn't be able to go through with his plan.

"Preacher's already gone," he said flatly.

"Already?  I didn't get to say goodbye."

"He was kind of in a hurry.   He has to get to Devil's Hole and take care of some business."

"Oh.  Well, I saw you speaking with him this morning, so I guess you got to say goodbye to him."

"I'll be seeing him again soon.  He's going to Devil's Hole to take care of some business for me and the Kid."

Her brows came together in a questioning frown.

This was it.  It was now or never.  And he knew it had to be now.  He swallowed hard and licked his dry lips.  "Me and Kid are going to be leaving today too."

He was nervous.  She could tell by the way he was fidgeting.  Him being nervous was making her   a little nervous.  "So...you two are going to ride ahead of the caravan and make sure the way is safe?"  she asked hopefully.

"No.  We're going north.  We can't really afford to go back south this soon after we've been spotted.  There will be too many people looking for us that way."

"So where are you going?  And for how long?   You've told me before you don't like to spend the winters up north without having steady work and a place to stay."

"That's why Preacher is going into Devil's Hole.  He's going as sort of an advocate.  He's going to talk to Wheat and see if under the circumstances we can't stay there until spring."

Her mind was racing with thoughts and questions.  Why was she just now hearing about this?  "Spring?   You mean you're not coming back to Red Rock until spring?"

"We're not coming back to Red Rock at all."

"What?  I don't....if.....if your not coming back to Red Rock then I'm coming with you, right?"  He was shaking his head as she spoke.  "Then I'll stay at the ranch until spring and then I'll meet you wherever you want me to meet you.  I won't like it but I can survive without you for one winter, I think."

He remained silent, staring at the ground, unable to meet her gaze.   She was getting scared.  She came and stood directly in front of him and lifted his face in her hands until he was forced to meet her eyes.  He pulled her hands away and let them fall back to her sides.  "It'll be more than one winter, Evangeline."

She stood there blinking, not knowing what to say.  She simply didn't understand and she obviously needed it to be spelled out for her.  "What are you trying to tell me?"

"I'm telling you that what I think is best for you...and for me and the Kid and for everybody is for you to go back to Nashville and live with your family.   You can go to school in Boston,  get an education.   Become a fine lady in Nashville society.  Do all the things a young lady your age should be doing."

"And where do you fit into that picture?"

"I don't.  I never have and I never will.  You don't belong in my world.  And I doubt if I could ever fit into the one you're fixing to be a part of."

"Are you saying you don't want to marry me?  You don't want the life we planned anymore?"  she asked in a voice that was starting to tremble.

"Of course I want it.  But like most things in my life, what I want I can't have."   He could see the panic start to churn in her eyes.  "You belong in a fine house with servants and books and pianos.  You deserve to be pampered and cared for and dressed in pretty dresses and hats.  You shouldn't be racing across deserts and mountains  chasing after maniac lawmen to safe the necks of your outlaw boyfriend and his partner.  I refuse to sentence you to a life with a wanted man.  It would be the ruin of you and I am not going to let that happen."

Her mouth was agape with a million questions and arguments hanging from it, but she couldn't voice any of them.  She could only stand there and stammer.   She walked away from him for a moment and took several deep breathes.    She had to talk sense to him.  They loved each other.  Their love could survive anything and it would survive this.   She whirled back towards him.   "Where is this coming from?  I thought we had gotten past all of this.  When are you going to stop sacrificing yourself on the alter of your past?  It doesn't matter to me if I can't live in a fine mansion or have servants and money.  I don't care if I have to live of the run for a couple of years.  Or if I have to do without a few comforts.   None of it matters as long as I'm with you."

"You think that now, but a few years of it and you'll start to resent me and maybe even hate me.  This is what's best for you."

Anger sparked in her eyes.  "I am so sick of everybody telling me what's best for me.  When do I get to decide what's best for me?   I am a grown woman and I can make my own decisions.  And I know what I want right here and right now.  And what I want is you and the life we planned."

"Do you realize you could have been killed yesterday?   At the very least you could have been arrested for aiding and abetting.  That can carry a sentence of three years in prison.  You shot a man for God's sake.  You could have killed him.  It's just a miracle that things worked out the way the did.  But eventually miracles stop happening.  You have been put through more in the past three months than most people have to go through in a life time and most of it's because of me.  I won't endanger your life or jeopardize your future anymore.   I just hope you can forgive me for taking what I've already taken from you."  He turned from her, not wanting to see the devastated look in her eyes.  He pretended to be checking the gear and saddle bags on Odin's back.  It was only then that she noticed he was already packed to leave.  He wasn't leaving sometime today,  he was leaving right now.

"I....I....I don't....I can't....I don't understand."   She let out a half laugh half sob that sounded comical to her own ears.  Was this a bad dream or a joke?    She couldn't believe this was really happening.  She could not wrap her brain around what he was telling her.  He was leaving her.  He was abandoning their future together.

She held her head in her own hands and struggled to take air into her lungs.  "How can you do this?   After all that we've been through together?    You saved my life when my family was murdered.  You saved me from Harlan.  We managed to turn Livvy around and then we survived Laura's craziness and now Sherman McMaster's.   We've  survived everything that has been thrown at us so far and we'll survive whatever gets thrown at us in the future."

"That's just it.  If I'm not in your life, things like that won't get thrown at you.  And some day when your older and you've forgotten about me, you'll meet somebody else.  Somebody that can give you the kind of life you deserve."

"Why?  Why are you saying these things to me?  Why are you doing this to me...to us?   Did Olivia have anything to do with this?"

"Olivia had nothing to do with it.  In fact Kid is telling her right now that we're leaving."

She had to do something.  She had to bring an end to this insanity he had unleashed upon her.  "When I was a little girl and Mama would read "Evangeline" to me she would look at me and say 'One day you will find your Gabriel.  The one man you can't live without.  The one man you would die for.'   Well she was right.  I have found that man and that man is you.  I am only half of what I am supposed to be when you're not with me.  And don't deny that you feel the same way about me because I can feel it and I see it all over your face every time we're together.  Every time you make love to me."

He wanted so desperately to tell her how right she was.  To tell her that she was the other half of the whole that made him who and what he was supposed to be.   But he couldn't.  Letting her stay with him was dooming her to a life of segregation, want, and danger.  He had to stick to his guns no matter how much it was killing him to do so.  "Like I said, there will come a day when you'll find somebody else that you care about and he will be able to give you a home and security.  Things I can't give you."

"Never.  I will never feel for anybody what I feel for you."

"You can't say that for sure.  You're still so young and you've got so many things left to see and do.  But me.  I'm almost thirty years old, Evie and I'm already getting tired.  A man my age shouldn't be getting tired.  But I am.   I'm tired of running.  But that's what I have to do if I want to stay free.  You've got an opportunity that most people only dream about.  And I want you to take advantage of it.  I want you to live your life without worrying or having to look over your shoulder and doing without.  Olivia can provide you with that and anything else you could ever need or want."

"Except you.   All the money and privilege and opportunity mean nothing without you."

"I'm not changing my mind."

She turned her back to him, feeling that she was going to be sick.  Her eyes landed on the patch of mossy ground beneath the tree where he had made love to her so completely less that twenty four hours ago.  "Oh, my God,"  she whispered.  She spun around to face him once more.  "Oh, my God.  Last night.  You were...you were saying goodbye to me, weren't you."

What could he say?  Yes he had been saying goodbye.  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, stroking the leather reins he held in his hands, while he looked at the ground.  He owed her at least some part of the truth.  "That was my way of taking a part of you with me.  I'm not doing this because I don't love you.  I'm doing this because I do love you.  I don't think you will ever know how much."

He turned when he heard the sound of a horse and rider approaching.  Livvy came into view at the top of the hill.  Kid had told her the plan and she had come to take Evie back with her.  Heyes went to Evie and touched the side of her face.  Then he placed a soft kiss to her forehead.   They exchanged one last lingering look before he turned and quickly swung himself up onto Odin's back.  And with a snap of the reins he turned the steed and trotted off towards the west.

Evie watched frozen, unable to move  as horse and rider became smaller and smaller.  "No!"  she screamed as she lifted her skirts and started running.  "Nooo!"  she continued to scream.  Livvy called out to her as she passed her and her horse.  But she kept running.  As fast as her legs would carry her she ran.  She could still see him.  It wasn't too late.  "No, don't leave me!"  she yelled, still running.  Smaller and smaller he became as her legs grew weaker and slower.  Then he was gone.  Her legs came out from under her and she dropped to the ground like a rock.  Her skirts captured the air and poofed out around her like a balloon as she sat there on the ground trying to take air into her lungs.  He was gone.  Gone.

Livvy rode to where her niece had crumbled to the ground.   Jed had informed her of their plans to leave.    While she agreed with them that planning a life with a wanted man was not a wise thing to do,  she had been determined to stand by her niece's decision and give them her blessing.  But this had not been Evangeline's decision.  It had been Hannibal Heyes's decision.  She admired him for the sacrifice he had made to protect the woman he loved,  but was furious with him at the same time for leaving Evangeline so hurt.  She dropped to her knees beside her niece and laid a gentle, loving hand to her shoulder.  Evie turned and looked up into her aunt's sympathetic and understanding face.  "He's gone,"  she whispered.

"I know,"  Livvy said.

"He's gone," she repeated on a sob as Livvy cradled  her against her breast.  Evie let herself wilt into her aunt's arms as her sobs turned into despairing wails of inconsolable grief.   In a few short moments her world had shattered into a million little pieces and the only person who could ever put them back together was riding away and out of her life.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


A couple of miles away, Kid Curry waited at the edge of the large forest that spread northward.  Heyes should have been here by now.   Maybe he had changed his mind about leaving.  Or maybe he just hadn't worked up the nerve to tell Evie yet.  Kid nudged his horse forward.  He would ride out to where they were supposed to be and see if he could find out what was keeping Heyes.  He didn't have to go far.  He spotted  Odin tethered to a tree less than a mile away.   He dismounted and searched the area.  His trail was easy to find.  He hadn't gone far when Kid saw his friend squatting behind a tree with his back against the trunk.  His head was bent low and his hands covered his face.  Kid approached slowly and quietly.  And for the second time in his life,  Jed Curry found Hannibal Heyes in the woods, bawling like a baby.