The Outlaw's of the South

Chapter Fifteen

  "Care to join me outside for a smoke?" Sam asks, as he reaches for a half smoked cigar, then holds a cigar out to Skiler.
  "No thanks." Politely declining the offered cigar. "I don't smoke but I wouldn't mind a glass of your brandy." Ski replies, as they get up from the dinner table.
  "Help yourself." Sam smiles, as he hobbles towards the front door on his crutches.
  Skiler looks at Rebel and nods his head in the direction of Lilly who was clearing the dirty dishes from the table.
 
  Rebel knew that Skiler was planning on confronting Sam about the lied they were being told. His job was to keep Lilly busy. Rebel nods before walking over to help Lilly clear the dishes.
  "Honey, you don't have to help me. Go on out with Skiler and enjoy the night air. It's such a beautiful night." Lilly smiles sweetly.
  "I don't mind at all. It's the least I can do after that delicous supper we just had." Rebel smiles, as he carries some dishes to the sink.
 
  "Would you just look at that? Not a cloud in the sky. Full moon tonight too." Sam smiles, looking up at the moon as Skiler joins him on the porch with a glass of brandy.
  "Ya know what?" Ski says, as he leans on the porch railing, looking up at the night sky. "You're a terrible liar."
  "I'm offended." Sam says with a sideward smile, as he turns his head to the younger outlaw. "I always pride myself at lying."
  "No, truthfully, the lie you told us really sucked." Ski says, turning to look at the old cowboy.
  "When did I lie to you?" Sam asks. Knowing damn well the lie he had told them about his accident.
  "About how you broke your leg." Ski replies.
  "I told you. I fell...." Sam starts, but was interrupted by the blonde.
  "Yeah, I know you told us you fell from the ladder while trying to fix the roof." Ski says, as he looks back up at the stars. "I want to know the real truth and why would you lie to us."
  "Why do you think I was lying?" Sam asks.
  "There's nothing fixed on the roof. It hasn't changed since before we left. If you fell from a ladder, then where the hell is the ladder? You wouldn't have been able to put it up with a broken leg and Lilly wouldn't have taken the time to put it up with you being hurt." Ski answers, looking back around at the old man with a raised brow. "Now. You mind telling me the truth?"
  "I guess I should have planned this better." The old cowboy chuckles. "I actually did fall from a ladder, son. Just not here."
  Skiler swallows the last of the brandy turning towards Sam waiting for an explanation.
  "I've been doing some work on a project." Sam continues, as he leans on his crutches. "It was supposed to be a surprise for you boys." He chuckles softly. "I blew the hell out of that. I guess you're right. Maybe I am too old to be climbing ladders."
  "What kind of project?" Ski asks.
  "I'll show you in the morning after breakfast." The old man says, as he pats the young outlaw on the shoulder. He turns and hobbles back into the house leaving an even more confused Skiler standing on the porch.

~~~~~~~

  "So, what do you think Sam is up to?" Rebel asks, as he slips on his boots.
  "I don't have a clue." Ski answers, shaking his head. "BUt we'll find out after breakfast."
  "It's so quiet in here." Rebel says, as he climbs down from the loft. He holds the ladder as his lover makes his way down. "I miss the guys."
  "Truthfully? Me too." Ski chuckles. "But don't tell them I said that."
  "Of course not. You have a reputation to uphold." Rebel laughs, as they leave the barn to go eat breakfast.
  "Good morning, boys." Lilly smiles, as she opens the door for them.
  Sam gives them a nod as he sits at the table sipping his coffee.
  "When are the others coming back?" She asks, as he sets a couple plates of home made biscuits on the table.
  "I'm not sure." Ski answers, as he eyes the food on the table. He knew he had to wait on the blessing before digging in.
  "Soon, we hope." Rebel smiles. "It's awfully quiet without them."
  "I knew you guys would feel that way but I honestly thought it would take little longer to start missing each other." Sam chuckles.
  "Who's that?" Lilly asks, as they ehar riders riding up.
  "You boys stay put." Sam says, as he grabs his crutches and heads to the door, grabbing his shotgun. He opens the door and steps out on the porch. He begins to laugh. "That's a good way to get shot."
  "We missed Ms. Lilly's cooking." Abigor laughs, as he and Jace dismount from their horses.
  Upon hearing Abigor's voice, Skiler gets up and walks to the door.
  "Where's Adan and Kharlos?" The blonde asks.
  "They decided on staying an extra night." Jace replies.
  "Yeah, Adan said that he was going to take advantage of it. He didn't know when would be the next time he would be able to get him some." Abigor laughs. "Kharlos was going to come back with us but Adan talked him into staying."
  "Well, you boys are just in time for breakfast." Lilly says, as she gets up to grab two more plates.
  "Awesome. I was hoping we hadn't missed it." Jace chuckles, as he sits down at the table.
  "I'm glad you're here. Sam is going to show us something he's been working on after breakfast. "Ski says, raising his eyebrows at the old outlaw.
  "I was hoping you had forgotten about that." Sam laughs.
  "Not a chance." Ski replies. "I want to see what was so important that you had to risk your life for."
  "I just hope you like it." Lilly says.
  "You were in on this too?" Rebel asks.
  "It was partly her idea." Sam says.
 
  They join hands as Sam says the blessing. The small chatter continues as they eat their breakfast.
  "Sweetheart, those dishes can wait until we get back. These boys are dying from curiosity." Sam chuckles, as he reaches for his crutches. "It's within walking distance but it would be easier for me in the wagon.
  Skiler and Abigor help Sam into the wagon as Jace helps Lilly. Rebel goes to get Sundance and Ringo. They weren't for sure just how 'a walking distance' was to Sam.
  "I really don't think you're gonna need horses considering it's just around that group of trees right there." Sam laughs as he points.
  "I'm not that energetic in the mornings and I'm sure there are ticks and snakes in that tall grass." Ski says, as he mounts his horse.
  "Probably right." Sam says, as he leads the way. It didn't even take five minutes to get around the grove of trees.
  "Wow, I didn't even know this was here." Rebel says.
  "Well, it was pretty well hidden with the overgrown bushes. I've tried to clear some away." Sam says.
  "I don't understand." Ski says, as he looks down at the older cowboy.
  "This was out first home. Then after I built the cabin for me and Lilly, we gave it to Abraham and Lucas." Sam replies.

  "It's now yours. That is if you want it. It has three bedrooms." Lilly adds with a hopeful look in her eyes. "It doesn't need that much work."
  "Son..." Sam says, as he looks up at Skiler who had an unreadable expression on his face as he stares at the older couple. "Don't wait until one of you gets killed before saying, 'I'm done'. If you're hoping to get rich robbing banks? It'll never happen. Don't wait until you lose the love of your life while trying to get rich."
  Ski blinks back some tears that were threatening as he quickly looks at his lover.
  "Rebel, don't wait until you see your lover hanging from the end of a rope." Sam adds, as he see's tears swelling in Rebel's eyes.
  "I truly don't know what to say." Ski says. His voice cracking as he looks back at the house.
  "Two words." Sam says softly. "I'm done."