The Outlaw's of the South

Chapter Ten

  "Okay. I don't think it's a good idea to ride in as a group. It might draw too much attention." Ski says, as he climbs onto Ringo. "Jace, you can ride on ahead and check things out."
  "Right outside the sheriff's office is a board with all the wanted posters on them." Sam says.
  "Okay, that will be my first stop." Jace nods.
  "If the coast is clear, you stay. If not, ride out immediately." Ski says.
  "Got it." Jace replies with a nod.
  "The rest of us will wait outside of town. Kharlos? Don't you have some binoculars?" Ski asks, turning to the brunette scout.
  "Yep." Kharlos answeres, as he reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out the binoculars. "It's a necessity for scouts."
  "Okay, good. Jace can give us some sort of sign that it's safe to come in." Ski says.
  "He can step out so he knows we can see him and take his sunglasses off and clean them?" Rebel suggests.
  "That's perfect, babe." Ski smiles at his lover.
  "Y'all, please, just stay out of trouble but have fun." Lilly says with a smile.
  "Yes, ma'am." Ski smiles and tips his hate to the lady.
  "You boys stay safe." Sam says, as his meet those of the outlaw. "And hurry home."
  A lump rises in Skiler's throat as he studies the weathered face of the old cowboy. BEsides his gang, he had never been shown this kind of affection. Not even from his own parents. This elderly couple really does care for him and the boys.
  "We will." Ski says, hoping that the old man didn't notice the quiver in his voice. "We'll be home soon."
  The old man smiles and pats Skiler on the leg.
  "Let's go guys." Ski says.
  "YEEEEEHAAAWWWW!" Adan yells. "PARTY TIME< Y'ALL>"

~~~~~

  Skiler, Rebel, Adan and Abigor stand under a shade tree and watch as Kharlos climbs higher onto the high rocks to get a better view of the town below. Skiler had already divided the money that Sam had given them equally between each gang member. For a few days, they could actually live like kings.
  "So what's the first thing you gonna do when get to town?" Abigor asks, as he wipes the sweat from his forehead.
  "My first stop will definitely be the saloon." Ski smiles, as he licks his dry lips.
  "I'm finding the prettiest girl in town to spend some quality time with." Adan chuckles.
  "Just make sure that girl's father doesn't catch you this time." Ski says with a smirk.
  "Naw, this will be one that is paid to put out." Adan laughs.
  "I'm going to find me a hot poker game." Rebel smiles, as he leans back against the tree.
  "Do you think it's best that we act like we don't know each other?" Abigor asks.
  "I was thinking that. We'll just have to wait and see." Ski nods. "Of course, Rebel and I will ride in together. The rest is totally up to you guys. It would probably be safe for you three to ride in together if you want."
  "I SEE HIM!" Kharlos calls down from the rocks. "I GUESS HE'S LOOKING AT THE WANTED POSTERS!"
  "JUST KEEP AN EYE ON HIM! WATCH FOR HIS SIGNAL!" Ski calls up to the scout.
  "Wait for it...wait for it." Kharlos says softly, as he watches the man through the binoculars.
  Jace searches over the wanted posters. Making sure that he hadn't overlooked a single poster. A small smile plays on his lips as he turns around. Stepping off the wooden boardwalk out into the duster streets, he looks up towards the end of town and innocently removes his glasses and cleans them on his shirt.
  "Yes! YES!" Kharlos shouts, as he begins climbing down from the rocks. "COAST IS CLEAR!"
  "Great! Okay, you guys mount up and ride on in town. Have fun but try to stay out of trouble." SKis ays. "Rebel and I wil wait a little while before we ride in."
  It was decided that Adan and Kharlos would ride in together. Abigor would ride in alone a few minutes later. Skiler and Rebel decided to circle around the town and enter from the opposite side.
  Jace ties his horse, Jessie, outside of The Grand Palace Hotel. He walks in and is amazed at the beauty of the building. Definitely a high-dollar hotel. He had never stayed in such a fancy place. Mainly because he couldn't afford it. But for the next few days, he was going to live the life of a rich man.
  Skiler and Rebel walk through the swinging doors of the Golden Nugget Saloon. A few cowboys lined the bar quenching their thirts. Beautiful saloon girls were serving drinks to the men who had chosen to sit at the tables. An elderly man plays tunes from an old upright piano in the corner. A lively poker game was taking place in another corner of the building.
  "Wow. This is nice." Rebel whispers, as they walk up to the bar. Skiler answers with a nod as he looks aroud, seeing a familiar face at the end of the bar sipping a beer.
  Abigor smiles and nods at the outlaw, earning a nod in return.
  After ordering a couple of beers, they couple goes to sit at a table.
  "Damn, this is the nectar of the gods." Ski smiles after his first swallow. The cool liquid soothing his dry throat.
  Rebel eyes the poker game. He was studying each of the players and their techniques.
  "Mind if I join you?" A low voice asks.
  Skiler looks up to see Abigor standing next to his chair.
  "Have a seat." Ski smiles up at his friend. "We've not even gotten a second glance from anyone so I think we're safe. Where're the others?" He asks in a quieter voice.
  "I saw Tecumseh and Ghost tied out front of the brothel." Abigor answers.
  "Imagine that." Ski chuckles softly.
  "And I think I saw Jace heading inside the hotel." ABigor adds.
  "Learning anything?" Ski asks his lover.
  "Yep, I'm learning that these cowboys have more money than they have luck." Rebel smirks as he looks at the blonde. "Piece of cake."
  "Be careful, doll." Ski says softly, as Rebel stands to go join the next game.
  Skiler watches over his lover protectively as the poker players gladly welcome him into the game.
  "Rebel looks much younger than he actually is." Abigor says in a low voice. "They think he's inexperienced."
  "Yep, but little do they know, he's fixin' to drain them dry." SKi replies with a smile.
  Suddenly, a bottle of whiskey is say down infront of the two friends along with two shot glasses.
  "Can I buy you boys a drink?" A female voice asks.
  Skiler slowly turns his head to look up at their visitor. A beautiful blonde haired blue-eyed beauty was smiling down at him.
  "Hello there. So we meet again." She adds.
  "Jenika?" Ski chuckles, as he stands and pulls the blondes beauty into a hug. "What the hell? What are you doing here?"
  "Well...." She starts, as she joins them at the table. "After your little show in town, most of the people left. Business fell drastically. The girls and I left and came here. I decided to start a new chapter in my life when I found that this place was for sale."
  "That's awesome. I'm happy for you. What about the other girls?" Ski asks, as he pours him adn Abigor a shot of whiskey.
  "Olena and Sami are high-dollar girls at the brothel." Jenika answers. "So where's your sweetheart at?"
  "Right over there." Ski says, as he nods at the poker table.
  "Oh my lord. I walked right past him and didn't even see him." Jenika giggles.
  "He's too focused to even know what's going on." Ski smiles, as he watches his lover win another game. "Isn't he gorgeous."
  "You know, you two don't have to hide your feelings here." Jenika says, as she lays her hand on top of the outlaw's. "Believe it or not, this town is pretty open to gay men as well as women."
  "I was a little worried about that." Ski says. "We love each other but we didn't want to get killed either."
  "Times are changing, Ski." Jenika says, as she stands from the table and places a kiss on Ski's cheek before wlaking away.