Outlaws

Chapter Ten

(Jade's POV)

That was the hardest part, giving up the name. The name of Jade Evans, most lawless criminal of Arizona.
Now it's just plain old Jade Evans. Or, Jade Dale I should say.
See, Caleb and I, we got married not long ago. We did so in some old church north of our new town. No one was invited and no one chose to come. We left on a horse drawn carriage, Hero and Firefly pulling us home. I wore a big long white gown and he wore a suit and tie. And, of course, he wore his hat. He always does.
But, anyway, home. We drove the carriage home to our new ranch. It had acres of land for Hero and Firefly to gallop around in. It's got a barn with a block of stables. There's a big ranch house with a porch for you to sit on. Caleb and I often sit up on the wooden chairs and sing songs, play guitars or watch the stars.
Anytime there's a rodeo or parade we ride your horse there and watch. Caleb's great at reining and barrel races; he loves showing off at the rodeo. I like the parades. Men and women ride through the street on horseback and being pulled on carts. The women always wear big dress in bright red, orange, yellow and pink colours. Their horses wear patterned blankets beneath their saddles and jewelled bridles. They wear feathered headdresses and have plaited manes.
The town is nice enough too. Not as good as Tombstone though. I think I'm only saying that because I miss wreaking havoc on the place. But, this town has the standard mines, churches, school, gambling halls saloons, and dancing halls.
Caleb works with the Sheriff in this town. He says he likes him more then he liked that Sheriff Marshal. I open a corral on our ranch. We rent out stables and fields to other horse owners and the keep their horses there. I muck out stables, groom horses, turn them out and feed them.
Caleb bought a dog. He named him Boots after the song 'Take me back to my Boots and Saddle'. Caleb used to sing the song to him when he was a puppy to send him to sleep. I guess Caleb got what he wanted; A ranch, with lots of land, a dog and a big house which he could share with a some pretty dame.
And, me, I was never the most notorious criminal to ever live. Men do not quake in their boots at the sight of me. But, I did get something that I never knew I wanted. I got Caleb, loving and devoted Caleb. Sure I don't need him but he does make my life a thousand times better.

I walked through the front door to find Caleb sitting on a rocking chair, holding his guitar. He was strumming a sweet tune; Boots sitting beside him with his head resting on Caleb's leg. Hero was tied to a post next to the porch, chewing at a pile of hay.
"I'm findin' it easy to mind my own business,
I'm keepin' my nose out of ev'ryone's way,
I'm takin' no orders, ain't hirin' no people,
Just takin' it easy, it's my lazy day," He sang, loudly. He turned around when he heard me chuckle and he smiled, softly.
"A lazy day sounds great right about now," I laughed and sat beside him. We both couldn't help but smile.
The End