Running With An Outlaw

3

That eavesdropper rushed off to the sheriff's station and came inside and rushed to the sheriff's office. "Sheriff! Sheriff!" he hollered.
The sheriff was sitting in a seat behind a large wooden desk, feet propped up on its wooden surface and a hat pulled over his eyes. He heard the call, but didn't move as he gave a rough sigh at the eavesdropper. "What do you want?"
"I know the name of the wanted man you've been looking for!" he yelled. The guy couldn't have been any older than seventeen at the most and just liked to stick his nose where it didn't belong, no matter what trouble he got into. He was a major eavesdropper, but maybe today it would pay off.
"His first name is Clinton!" he said and then looked at the sheriff.
"And how would you know that?" He asked in a calm tone, but was instantly interested. He lifted his hat to look at the kid, he was well known for putting his nose into people's business, but also for getting into trouble for it often by the sheriff's own men. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked him in the face. "Well?"
"He left the saloon with some guy and I overheard the guy asking for the man's name. His name is Clinton!" the boy said again and then grinned, way too excited he got this info. But was it smart for him to tell the sheriff that he was almost certain his son had been the man with the outlaw? He didn't know...
"Hmmm..... Sounds interesting, boy. If it turns out you're lying you're going to regret it", he growled as he dropped his feet off of the desk and standing up. Moving around the object and leaning against it."Tell me everything you know."
"I was sitting outside the saloon when he came ridin' up and he walked into the saloon. About thirty minutes or so later he came out with a slightly younger looking guy and they were talking and then they both rode off in the west direction away from town, sir. That's all I know." the boy said and looked at the sheriff.
"Hmm..." The older man thought on what he had said as he put a little chew in his lip.
"If you're correct, you'll be remembered when we catch the bastard," he told him finally with an arrogant expression, a plan already forming in his head. He knew of only one place to the west that consistently had a horse near it but had never met the occupant. He guessed that this is where 'Clinton' was staying.
"Anything else, sir?" the boy asked, eager to help because now he knew for certain there was a reward in this for him. He waited for the sheriff's answer, just a little too eager to please the sheriff's questions.
"No, you're free to go", he answered with a wave of his hand to dismiss him. He knew what he needed to know, the name and the whereabouts. If there was a second man he would make sure to let his men know. He walked out of the room to go find his deputies.
"Alright. Thank you, sir." the boy said before he took off, hoping his words to the sheriff wouldn't cause too much trouble. Although if he got a good reward what did he care of what happened to the two men he saw ride away?

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The outlaw slowly began to wake up and he yawned some and looked at Samuel and smiled slightly out of the corner of his mouth before kissing the top of the man's head, whispering, "You look cute." in a teasing tone.
The whisper woke Sam from his light sleep and he stretched lightly before looking up at him. "You look handsome", he replied with a coy smile.
The outlaw smiled some and then kissed Sam's lips and whispered on them, "Thank you, but you should really get going... Folks are going to get suspicious if you're not home soon, Samuel." he said and then leaned over and softly kissed the man's neck in a tender spot. "I mean it."
Sam groaned softly at the statement but knew Clint was right. A shiver ran down his back at the kiss on his neck. "I suppose your right. Folks will be wondering where I wandered off to", he sighed as he sat up feeling a great deal more sore than he had before.
"You going to be alright to ride? You look quite uncomfortable.." Clint said, slowly sitting up, the blankets covering his lower half of his body. He ran a hand down through his hair and over his neck, off his shoulder as he yawned. "I think I've still got a minor hangover..."
"Look at you all concerned," he teased as he started to get dressed, his eyes trailing over the exposed half of his body. "I'll be okay, Clinton. I'm tougher than I look", he answered with a half smile. "Well, you should get some more rest then."
He was unwilling to show the fact that his own head had a dull throb from the four shots he had had before, but couldn't hide the slight limp in his walk.
"I'm not concerned!" he huffed and then frowned as he noticed the slight limp. "Get back ov'r here." he said in more of a commanding tone and reached over, grabbing the younger man's arm and stopping him.
Sam yelped slightly in surprise when he was suddenly grabbed and looked at him.
"What?" He asked as he moved back over to him before pulling away his arm and crossing them across his chest.
"You hurt a lot more than you're lettin' on. Lay down for a while longer. I'll getcha somethin' for the ache." he said and got up, stretching some, obviously not caring that he was standing fully naked in front of the younger man. He had seen it all anyway and possessed the same parts. "Don't you even pout either. Sit."
"I'm okay, Clint. Really. I've been a lot more sore than I am now", he sighed but sat back down on the bed ignoring the fact that both he and the outlaw were completely naked.
"Have you ever sat on a horse after just having lost your virginity? Boy, it isn't fun." he said and then went to get some herbal stuff that he had that might help. He yawned and brought it back and sat down and then handed the younger boy a cup with some herb leaves in it. "This'll help some." he said and then laid back on the bed. "It helps with muscle pains and irritation and such.. Trust me."
Samuel looked at the cup skeptically and back to the man beside him not certain what to do with it. He tended to avoid herbal remedies since the last time he ended up high by accident, he cocked an eyebrow at the man and swirled the herb slightly trying to figure out what plant it came from.
"Go on. Drink it. It won't kill you. In fact, I tend to like you quite well... You'll appreciate the relief it gives you." he said and ran a hand through his hair and then yawned again.
Sam gave a soft sigh in defeat and downed the herbal mixture, grimacing slightly at the taste before looking at the brunette again. He sat the empty cup on the table and ran one of his hands through his wavy, black locks to smooth them.
"You know... someday you'll have to repay me, right?"
"Oh, yeah?" Sam asked turning his brown gaze back onto Clint as he waited for the herbal medicine to work.
"Well, yeah, someday I'm going to want you inside of me ya know." he said and then he pulled the boy down beside him and turned his head, softly kissing his lips. "It'll take a bit to kick in, so why don't you relax in the meantime?"
Sam cocked an eyebrow at him again before kicking his boots back off and moving so that he was more comfortable beside him.
"That 'ought to be interesting", he chuckled, before kissing the man's jaw.
"What? You making love to me? You'll get used to it." the outlaw laughed and then kissed the other man back on the chin. "You don't have to, though... I'll just give you your horse back and you can forget 'bout all this."
"I never said I wouldn't want to," Sam laughed as he threw an arm across the man's bare chest. "Plus, that horse is yours now. Just take care of him or I'll come after ya," he joked as he looked up at him again.
"Ah, but you hesitated!" Clint teased and then kissed the man and smiled some upon his lips. "A'right, don't worry he'll be well taken care of."
Sam rolled his eyes at the comment about his hesitation but a smile formed on his lips when he said the horse would be taken good care of. "Good", he stated as he kissed him back.
The outlaw looked around the cabin and then he exhaled slowly and looked to Samuel and smiled, kissing him back, his hand sliding to rest on the man's ass. "Once you're feeling better, you should get going. Maybe we can rendezvous sometime again and have some time together, but we'll see.."
The mixture had already started to work but he wasn't willing to go yet. He smiled at the touch of the outlaw's hand on his rear and looked back up at him. "I'd like that," he purred before kissing his lips for half a second. He liked the feeling of the man's lips against his own so he liked to steal away a kiss whenever he could considering he didn't know when he'd see Clint again. Samuel had no idea what he was doing, cuddled up next to the outlaw after doing something with him that most had deemed worthy to shoot a person over. But at that point, the black haired man didn't really care. The outlaw smiled and slowly stroked the man's rear cheek and kissed him back the same and then whispered on his lips, "Good." he said and then let his other hand play with the man's hair a bit and run his fingers through it. "You going to be able to get back to town on your own?"
Sam thought about the question and nodded in the end. "I think I can manage, I've got a pretty strong memory even though was a little drunk," he answered as he traced the lines on Clint's chest absent-mindedly with a careful hand, enjoying the feeling of his fingers in his hair.
"Once you feel better you really should go before it gets much later. I don't want to be caught by someone because they send out a search party for you." he said and then ran his hand over the man's chest. "Though I do wish you could stay."
"I guess I should go now," he sighed as he looked at him, chewing his cheek in thought. He'd been gone a long time as it was and he knew that someone would come looking for him, though he wasn't sure if his father would. He smiled lightly at the last sentence that came from the outlaw," I wish I could stay, too."
"I'll come and find ya again sometime soon." he said and then sat up slowly and looked at Samuel. "Safe ride, Sam." he said and then grabbed the guy's chin gently and kissed him once more. "And remember... nobody can know where you were and who you were with.."
"I'm usually with the horses," Sam told him as he sat up with him. The dark haired male kissed him back before pulling away. "Don't worry, Clinton. I'm not goin' to give you away," he smiled before standing up reluctantly and sliding back on his boots.
"Don't forget your pants." Clint said and sat up as well and brushed his hair back and then exhaled and stood up, looking at Samuel.
Sam rolled his eyes as he pulled on his pants and paused at the door.
"Bye, Clint."
"Bye, Samuel. Good luck on your ride back."
Walking out of the house and moving to his mare who wasn't too happy at being left out in the tack for so long, Sam untied her and swung up into the saddle thankful for the herbs that Clint had given him before before swinging the horse around and heading back down the trail.
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Sam made it back to town just as the deputies were starting to leave and flagged them down. "Where are you boys heading?" He asked out of curiosity.
"None of your business, boy." one of the deputies said earning a glare from Sam until he realized who the boy was and choked up some. "Um, west of here... sir." he answered, the others laughing.
Sam's mare danced under him slightly making him a little uncomfortable. "Want to tell me why?" He asked once the laughter had died down. He casually repositioned in his saddle.
"We have reason to believe that the man your father's been looking for, for the past couple weeks is residing out that way," One of the men said and then they mounted up on their steeds. "We're heading out to take a look... Now why don't you go on your way?"
Sam's heart jumped into his throat at the answer, but managed to keep a calm face. How would they know where Clint was? "What would make you think that?" He asked in feigned curiosity watching as they mounted their own horses. "I didn't think anyone lived out that way", he lied looking at the head deputy again. "And I will head on my way when I'm damn good and ready."
"A young man came to us and said the outlaw exited the saloon with another man and headed off west. The only thing within a couple of miles off is that cabin out there and we're going to search it." the head deputy said while the others headed off towards the West. "Now, if you'll leave me to my work, sir, I'd appreciate it."
Sam watched as the deputies took off. He he acted nonchalantly until he was out of sight before wheeling his horse around and racing her back towards the cabin. He took a different route through the trees, wincing when he had to jump his horse over a fallen one.
The sheriff's son knew the deputies would take their time getting there since they thought that they had the element of surprise. He pulled the horse to a sharp stop and jumped off, landing hard on the ground before running up to the door and knocking on it loudly.
"Clinton open the damn door if you're here!" Sam called as be gave it another knock. He didn't see the white and grey gelding so Sam couldn't help but wonder if he had taken off soon after he had.
"Samuel?!" The voice of the outlaw questioned and then opened the door and looked speechless to see the man back so soon.
"What the hell are you doin' back here?" he asked and looked pretty confused and slightly worried as well.
"Someone apparently told my dad where to find you. The deputies are heading here now," he managed before looking at the rifle in his hand, wondering how close he had been to getting shot.
"Well then you better get a helluva lot further away from here than you are now! Last thing you need is aiding and abetting charges by letting me go free, helping me escape. Go on, git!" he yelled and then rushed out of the cabin once he got on his boots and a jacket and rushed back to tack up his steed that he has released into a field behind his cabin.
"Where will you go?" Sam asked as he watched him move the horse and start tacking him. He swung himself up onto the mare, but didn't turn to leave, ignoring her impatient stomping under him.
"I don't know, but that's nothing for you to worry about." Clinton said before he finished tacking the stallion and mounted up, Sam able to now hear the impeding hoofbeats of the deputies. "You got to get outta here, Sam, they're comin'!"
Sam looked at him with concern and wheeled his horse around to leave but paused. "There's a hollow in the gorge by the river that you can hide out in until everything passes. I'll meet you there later tonight," he called to him before kicking his horse into a gallop and taking off back into the woods hoping that Clinton managed to get away unscathed.
The outlaw simply nodded that he understood to Sam before he watched him take off and he could then see the deputies in the horizon, headed right towards the cabin. He kicked the stallion hard and took off before they could see him; maybe.. now heading towards the river where Samuel had told him to go.
~~~
Meanwhile the deputies rode up to the cabin and all of them dismounted, and looked quite cautious when the door of the cabin was left ajar. They proceeded with caution and walked slowly to the door, the head deputy whipping it open and the rest of them aimed to shoot whoever or whatever was inside, but they found nothing. They walked in and began looking around. One of them picked up a pair of briefs, Clinton's... "What the...?" the deputy trailed off and the head deputy looked over at the dangling pair of undergarments in the other deputy's hand, "Someone's been here recently... Search the place, inside and out!"
~~~~
Sam managed to get home just before his father and was brushing down the horse nonchalantly.
"Where've you been, boy?" The sheriff asked in his usual gruff tone.
"Hunting out by marksman ridge, didn't get anythin' though", he lied without looking up from the mare.
"Well, next time let me know if you're going to take off," he sighed before looking towards the gate where one of the deputies had rode up.
"Well?" Sheriff Aldridge asked. "Nothing, sir. We found these, though..." the one said, throwing the briefs near the feet of the sheriff. "The other two boys are still scouting the area, but there's no sign of him." the one deputy said, the head deputy and his second in command having stayed back to continue to search.
A sigh of relief almost escaped the dark haired male but looked at the briefs nervously. He ignored the item and looked at the deputy.
"Must have left in a mighty hurry to have forgotten those," he chided in as he ran a comb through the horses hair.
"Yeah, or he's a gay fellow," The sheriff nearly spat before looking back at the deputy. "How would he had known to take off?"
"He could've heard us in the distance, sir. But we would've seen him go to get his horse." the deputy said and then sighed and looked at the sheriff's son. "Or he knew about it... We had told Sam that we were heading west..." he stated and then looked back to the sheriff. "I don't mean to accuse, but he's the only one who knew where we were going, Sheriff."
"How dare you even think to accuse me?" Sam growled looking at the man. "What the hell would I have to gain by running off and telling an outlaw y'all are comin'?"
The sheriff looked at his son for a moment and than back to the deputy to see what his reaction would be.
"Well, boy, who the hell else would've known we were headin' out that way? Didn't tell anyone, but you!" the deputy spat and then shook his head.
"You could have much to gain if you were the one sleeping with him!" he said and the other deputy raised a brow.
"Hey, that's too far, man..." he said and the fumed deputy shook his head and took off, pissed. The other one looked to Samuel, "I'm sorry, he's just... stressed..."
Sam was fit to kill the deputy at that point and watched him go, his hands balled into fists. He looked at the other deputy and made an angry noise before going back to the horse. He was playing his part well and he knew it.
"There's no need for any of that, Samuel's... odd, but he isn't like that," the sheriff sighed looking at the second deputy and talking as if his son wasn't there.
"I'm mad, not deaf," Sam growled before leading the horse towards the stall, debating on leaving at that point but figured it would raise suspicions.
"I don't believe there's anything wrong with your son, Sheriff. My partner does." the innocent deputy explained, hoping he didn't just get shoved under the wagon by his partner for the accusations his partner had made about the sheriff's boy.
If that was the case then he was now going to be in trouble. The other two deputies rode back up, with a shake of their heads to the sheriff to let him know they didn't find anything and their trail ran cold.
"We saw some hoofprints leaving the premises and followed them, but it was a dead end. Just a loose horse, probably. Couldn't find anything, not even the animal." the head deputy notified. "I'm sorry, sir."
Sam sighed and gave in before putting tack on his horse again, much to her displeasure. Once he was finished he walked back out with her, leading her by the bridle earning a look from his father.
"Where you off to now, boy?" He asked as Sam stopped to look at him.
"I'm tired of being talked about like I'm not here. I'm a big boy, I'm going out again, because frankly I'm going to hit the next person who accuses me of anything," he growled as he swung up into the saddle. He didn't let it show how relieved he was to hear the trail had ran cold.
"You're momma has been worried sick about you."
"She'll survive," he replied coldly before kicking the horse into a fast trot and leaving.
~~~~
The sheriff sighed and watched him go before looking back at the head deputy.
"As much as I hate to say this, your partner had a point. Follow my boy at a distance and report back to me. Don't do anything until I know", the sheriff growled looking up at the second deputy from before.
The deputy looked at the sheriff and nodded, waiting for the sheriff's son to get a good distance away before he started to tail his mare, riding on his gelding. He kept his distance, but made sure to watch where the son was going.
He knew he had to report back to the sheriff of whatever his findings were but he wasn't sure the sheriff would be too happy of the findings if his partner was right about him and the outlaw having been together.
If that were the case, then the son could also be arrested, and this deputy wasn't too fond of giving that kind of news to the sheriff. Hopefully the assumptions weren't true and his partner was dead wrong.