Red West II.

Chapter thirty five - Bound for Fort Collins

When the spring night spread its dark blanket over the hidden camp, the atmosphere around the small fire was quite relaxed. Just the idea of Horace Tabor fuming over not only the stolen money, but also the lost rights for the Cursed Mine's profits made the Black Riders keep smiling and for that moment, they considered the revenge on the Lieutenant Governor for their lost friends to be sufficient.

"I'm still a bit shocked, though," Ryo said after they finished their late dinner, seated on pelts as close to the flickering warmth as was possible. "I've never thought that Tabor's wife would be... like she seems to be."

"Me neither," Kame reacted from the opposite side of the campfire, still with that thoughtful expression he had ever since they had left Leadville. "It was just a short encounter, but she really is an admirable woman."

"I'm shocked about something else then," Koki joined the discussion with a satisfied sigh, since his stomach was finally pleased enough. "Why would she want to stick with someone like Tabor? Giving us those papers and all..."

"I'd say that she just wants to get the best out of their divorce," Jane, sitting with her legs folded under her and covered with the warm blanket, added her opinion shrugging. "I'd do the same."

"Then I'm glad you don't have a reason to," Leo noted with an exaggerated relief, gaining a smack over the shoulder from his girlfriend, while Jack tried to suppress his amused chuckling unsuccessfully.

"But still, that doesn't explain why would she tell you to take that deed for the mine as well. It will influence her badly too, won't it?" the black-haired Rider objected.

"You're right, both Tabors have been involved in the mines' business from the very beginning," Nick confirmed.

"Maybe she's not such a cheapskate as her husband," the blonde Rider offered one explanation.

"I don't think that we're able to explain Augusta Tabor's motives properly," Kame assumed, altering the half-burnt sticks on the edge of the fireplace.

"And it doesn't matter, does it?" so far silently smoking Cullen summarized. "I don't see a single reason why we should care, since we've got what we needed."

Kamenashi didn't seem to agree with that statement completely, but he had enough respect towards the older man to keep quiet. On the other hand, Leo nodded slowly: "True enough... And it was quite easy for once."

"Deservedly so," Ryo stated with a sad smile.

A short, pleasant silence fell upon the camp, before the leader of the group straightened up: "All right, we should get some rest, guys. I want us to be on the way again with the first sunbeams. Who is up for the first watch?"

"No watching, but a great idea about sleeping, Chief," Koki got up too and yawned. "Even though it's damn too wet for that all around here, really..."

"You'll live through it. We cannot risk a bigger campfire," Ryo scolded him mockingly.

"I know, I know," the blonde one's eyes suddenly beamed, as every time when he had one of his 'super' ideas. "Hey, Kame-chan, would you mind to warm me up during the night? You obviously did so well with Jin before..."

The Riders began to laugh except for Kame, who looked at Koki rather reproachfully and for quiet Jin, whose dark eyes literally stabbed the blonde one. And also except for Jane, whose expression turned more than thoughtful at that moment, as she eyed all three young men.

Suddenly, the brunette stood up and gently, but unexpectedly pushed grinning Koki from behind, so that the Rider staggered and fell upon surprised Ryo. His weight made both Riders roll away, right into the wet grass in each other's arms.