Lonesome Dove

Trouble

We arrived in Arkansas and people gave us looks. Arkansans are very disrespectful. I don't like it. Macy could sense my irritation.
     "Don't let it get to you. Keep a low profile, don't start nothin now," she said. But I forgot about what she said when a cowboy came up and put his hand on my leg. He was very handsome. Dark hair, clean face.  Very pretty blue eyes.
     "Hey, sweetheart. You by yourself?" he asked with a goofy smile.
     "No sir" I said, already annoyed. He looked at Macy and then back at me.
     "Sir? Well I like the sound of that."
     "You're about to like the sound of this gun here in a bit" I threatened. He held his hands up and Macy kicked my leg. "What do you want anyway?" I added. He smiled again and placed his hand on my leg.
     "Just wantin a poke is all." I unmounted Doc and Macy grabbed his reins. I put my hands on the cowboys shirt and shoved him into the wall of a nearby market.
     "You listen here you son of a bitch. Do I look like a whore to you? I am a hardworking cowgirl, I don't sell my body to pigs like you" his eyes got wide and he started to stutter.
     "Alright alright, I'm sorry ma'am"
     "You best by God respect women." I snapped before letting go and getting back on my horse.
     "So much for low profile," Macy said laughing. I tipped my hat to the crowd that gathered and said,
     "Y'all have a nice day now" We kept ridin until we were greeted by hollering. Macy jumped off of Nano and ran to a familiar face. Carson. She jumped up in his arms and he spun her around. I rode up to them and got off Doc.
     "Nice to see you again, Madison" Carson smiled.
     "Wish I could say the same to you," I said before walking to tie up the horses.
     "Always with the negativity!" He called after me.
     "Im not negative. I'm just positive that I don't like you."
     "Then whyre you here?" he questioned.
     "Because I go everywhere with Macy. You ever seen us apart?" him and Macy laughed before disappearing in the cabin.
     "Cover for us, will ya? Im sure those brothers of y'all will be showin up shortly" Carson called behind his back.
     "Yeah yeah yeah" I said. I sat by the fire pit waiting on Macy so we could go back to Texas. I missed home. I saw two horses runnin up and immediately stood up. Uh oh. It was Call and Gus.
     "Howdy boys" I said with a smile.
     "Madison what the hell are you doin here!" Woodrow yelled.
     "Now, Now. Lets not get our panties in a twist, Call. Im sure my sister's got a good reason to come here without tellin anyone." Gus said looking at me.
     "Where the hell is Macy?" Woodrow said. Just then a loud moan came from the cabin. Of course. Woodrow got off and started marching toward the cabin.
     "Its the boy aint it!" He barked. I ran and grabbed him, pullin him back. He shot me a wild glare and back handed me. I doubled over from the force. I looked at Gus but he Just sadly looked down. Macy and Carson opened the door, clothes on thank God.
    "Call" I said, grabbing him again. This time he only shoved me, my nose connecting with a board. "Stop dammit!" I yelled as he went for Carson. I pushed him back harder than I thought I could. Woodrow grabbed the collar of my shirt and pinned me against the wall, my feet off the ground.
     "You stop! Dont you dare put your hands on me, girl!" He yelled. Macy was a little teary eyed, knowing I wouldn't let her help me. We have an understanding with each other, we always listen to one another, no matter how crazy the situation is. Woodrow threw me down, blood was on my face.
     "Call!" Gus yelled. Woodrow threw a few swings at Carson. Macy came by my side to see if I was okay. Gus got Woodrow away and I stood up. Furious.
     "Carson, ive done So many things for you and Macy!" I yelled, pushing him a little and getting in his face. "I always take the fall." I said. Walking away to Doc. Macy close behind me.
     "I'm sorry" she said.
     "Don't be. I'm not mad at you. Never can be" I simply said. I started to ride away. Gus caught up to me.
     "Hey sis" he said softly. I just kept on ridin. My face was in pain from the abuse of Woodrow. But, I understand. Its his sister, he wants to protect her.  "You okay?" Gus asked after a while.
     "Always am." I mumbled.
     "You know, I'm not a man of words, sis. But, I have the highest respect for you. You can kick a man's ass like you yourself are a man. You dont take anything from anyone. And you always put yourself last. You will go to hell and back for Macy. Y'all are a true team. Nothing can get between y'all. I want you to know that I'm not mad at you." I just nodded and smiled a small smile. Me and Macy were a good team, huh?
     We were back at Lonesome Dove and Woodrow hasn't spoke to me since Arkansas. Which Is fine, it's normal, he's not a talkin man. Macy and I hung out at the creek that we always go to.
     "Was Arkansas worth it?" I asked Macy with a smile. I had a black eye and the left side of my face was a bit bruised.
     "Yes and no. I hate that you got hurt like that. But I'm grateful that you helped me get to Carson." she answered. I laughed and laid back. "What's got you cacklin?" Macy asked.
     "You got pretty loud in that cabin, sweetheart. He musta been real good." I joked. Macy hit my arm and laughed with me.
     "At least one of us knows how to have fun."
     "Fun is my department" I answered back. She gave me a silly look.
     "More like trouble is your department" she joked. Pickin at the grass.
     "Trouble always starts out as fun." a pair of arms wrapped around me and say behind me, legs on either side.
     "Wanna go have some fun then?" Adam said. I leaned back into him, using him as a pillow.
     "I'll cover for y'all." Macy said, looking at me with a look that said 'for the love of all of us just go get You some.' I patted Adam's leg which got him excited.
     "Maybe tomorrow, cowboy," I said with a wink.
     "You're a tease," he whined. "But I gotta get back and help with the brandin, see y'all later!" He kissed my cheek and got up, walkin back to the ranch.
     "I swear to God if you don't do him tomorrow I will shoot you in the foot," Macy said. We both laughed and continued our creek visit.