Jimmy Hickok was not having a good day. All he wanted to do was get the saddle on Sundance and ride off where he could be alone for a while. He was checking the cinch on the saddle when he heard someone come up behind him. He didn’t reach for his guns. He knew who it was by the sound of the footsteps. Not looking up he said angrily, “Go away Lou.” Lou stood still, surprised at the tone of his voice. “Jimmy?” she said needing to talk to him. “I said go away Lou!” Jimmy practically yelled as he turned to look at her. “Go on! Git!” He was sick and tired of everyone dogging on him for how he handled his personal life. They tried to tell him who he shouldn’t see, how he should act and how he shouldn’t reach for the gun so quickly. Now Lou was standing there ready to start in on him again, not satisfied at having called him on the way he was treating everyone around the station just moments ago. Well, he had had enough of little Miss High and Mighty passing judgment on him. Who did she think she was telling HIM how to live his life when she was the one living a lie, disguising herself as a boy, doing a man’s job and seeing one of her fellow riders behind everyone’s back, as if they didn’t know? Not trusting himself to speak he turned and started to walk away. “TURN AROUND this minute James Butler Hickok!” Lou yelled. “I’m not through talking to you yet!” Jimmy stopped in his tracks and stood still counting to ten before doing as she ordered. He didn’t turn around because she demanded him to, but so that she would realize that she had stepped over the line this time. His eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth, anger barely in check as he glared at her. “Just WHO do you think you are to go telling ME what to do?” He took a step closer, then another. Lou gulped at the look in his eyes. She had never seen him looking like he did right now and it was scaring her. “You ain’t my Momma, you ain’t my boss and you sure ain’t acting like my friend!” he yelled back. “Jimmy, please…” she begged, her eyes beseeching his. She reached out to touch him. Seeing what she was about to do, Jimmy grabbed both of her wrists tightly and held them in front of her. “Didn’t you hear? I’m a dangerous man, Lou. Now go!” He let go of her and swung up on Sundance’s back. With a look of indignation, he clicked his heels against the horses flank and took of. Lou stood where he’d left her, holding her wrist, not believing Jimmy could hurt her like he’d just done. Tears formed as she watched him ride away, not sure if their friendship could survive what had just happened. Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!