Matters To Me

Chapter 51

Missie slowly woke up as the sun started to rise. She slowly rubbed her eyes, yawning, nuzzling her head on Billy's chest.

"Morning," Billy mumbled.

"Mm," she hummed, slowly closing her eyes again.

Eventually she slowly sat up, rubbing her arm. Billy followed her, sitting up and started rubbing her shoulders, kissing her temple.

Missie smiled, resting her hand on his, turning and looking at him.

"Morning," she whispered, kissing him.

Billy softly smiled through their kiss, gently brushing his nose against hers.

They slowly got dressed and ready for the day and Missie cooked some breakfast for Billy and the men.

Slowly the men started to wake up from the smell of food and made their way to the table.

Once everything was ready and set Missie sat beside Billy who sipped at his coffee.

Everyone chattered throughout the meal and once they were all done Billy helped Missie clean up.

"Up for a game of round ball?" Jesse asked Billy.

Billy shrugged. "Why not."

Billy kissed Missie's cheek before he headed outside.

"Have fun," Missie called, staying inside.

Billy took position as the game started. Missie occasionally glanced out watching them play for a moment.

"C'mon, Morris. Hit that thing," Billy said as he stood on base. "Come on."

Beckwith took a swig of his bottle before he threw the ball.

Morris struck the ball and Billy started running as the other did too.

Suddenly a gunshot rang out.

"We got company, boys!" The man on watch yelled.

They all ran to the fence where they had put all their rifles and guns. They cocked their guns and waited as three men on horses came into sight.

"Jesse! It's me, Baker!"

"Hey, hold your fire! Hold your fire!" Jesse yelled. "I know 'em! I know 'em! They're friends."

Jesse slowly stepped forward, dropping his gun. "Boys, allow me to introduce a very old friend of mine, Frank Baker."

"Sure am happy to see all of you," Baker said. "Me and Jesse go back a while. We've always talked about going into business together. That's why I'm here. We have an opportunity for you boys. Opportunity for us all to make a great deal of money, as well as having some fun. You know, I know you need to quit this place. I read the papers. I understand you got Willam Bonney here with you?"

Jesse looked back at Billy.

"Yeah. I'm here," Billy answered, stepping closer as Baker dismounted his horse.

"It sure is a real pleasure to meet you," Baker said, taking off his gloves, stepping towards Billy. "We've all heard a lot about you," he said, shaking Billy's hand.

"Let's go inside," Jesse said, smiling, patting Baker's arm.

Missie had been standing by the window, she had heard the gunshot and watched carefully as the men talked.

Once she saw them walking towards the house she stepped away just as they all entered.

Billy found her and stood beside her as the stranger took his hat off to her, nodding.

"Missie, this is a friend of Jesse's, Frank Baker. This is my wife, Missie," Billy introduced.

"Well that's something the papers don't know. A pleasure Ma'am, not everyday you meet someone brave- or perhaps dangerous enough to marry an outlaw."

She nodded her head to him without saying anything. Already she wasn't exactly fond of this man. She glanced at Billy who looked at her, placing his hand on the small of her back protectively a sign that he didn't necessarily trust him either.

"Let's hear this opportunity," Jesse said as they all gathered and sat around the table.

Billy however stood at the back, guiding Missie in front of him, signaling her stay close to him as he leaned on a post. He gently squeezed her shoulder as she stood there as Baker started talking.

"The plan, boy, is for us to join forces and ride across the Pecos River and head on in to Lincoln County. You know anything about Lincoln County? It's still a pretty wild place. Most important thing is there's no real law in Lincoln County. They got a fort and a handful of soldiers, but most of the law comes from a barrel of a gun. There's a big player in Lincoln. His name's Lawrence P. Murphy. He owns stores, he owns cattle, he supplies Fort Stanton and the reservation offices there with grain, cattle, horses, everything you need. Naturally, he wants to protect his operation," Baker said.

Billy shifted and sighed, looking in the opposite direction. Missie glanced at him as Baker continued.

"And that's where we come in. His cattle regularly gets stolen, and he's got criminal types moving in from Santa Fe and elsewhere tryin' to muscle in on his other businesses. So, he needs his own people to discourage them, and he's prepared to pay good money to get 'em. What do you say?"

"Oh, I think we could probably help him out. Right, boys?" Jesse answered.

The men laughed around the table.

"And Billy..." Baker said. "I need to know where you stand in all this. If you agree to join us, I guarantee Murphy's gonna hire us. And I'll tell you something else. We'll make sure you get the biggest slice of the cake when it comes time for remuneration."

"Just... wait a minute there, Frank," Jesse slowly said.

"Well, Billy's name alone is worth that," Baker said.

Pat glanced at Billy who glanced back before looking away. The only reason his name was worth that was because he was a wanted man.

Missie gently wrapped her arm around his waist, rubbing her hand on his back, comfortingly.

"This is my gang. These are my boys," Jesse stated.

"You got to understand, Jesse. It's just not the same," Baker said.

Jesse stood up quickly, obviously angered at his pride being wounded.

"Calm down, Jesse," Billy called out. "You know he's right. I'm William H. Bonney. The reason you came here, right, Mr. Baker?"

Baker grunted, tilting his head in small agreement.

"So, from now on, if people want my services..." Billy started, stepping closer to the table. "They're gonna have to pay for 'em. Simple as that. Now, sit down, Jesse."

Jesse leaned on the table, staring at Billy before he glanced back at Baker slowly sitting down reluctantly.

Billy glanced back at Missie nodding his head. Missie slowly nodded back, showing support for his decision. Whatever opportunity this was she needed to trust Billy in that this was the best option for them. They had to leave the hideout and maybe this Murphy man could help Billy by offering protection or getting his name off the wanted posters.