Busted Gulch vol 6

The Door Closes (baileygaines)

The Door Closes

Buck followed Lou's trail back to BG.

He only stopped once to let his horse feed.

He arrived in the town just after first light.

Hoping Lou wouldn't want to fight.

Before he found Lou, Billy found him.

"Stay away from Lou," he said, looking grim.

When he knocked, Lou answered the door with a frown.

She swayed, blinked, and then fell down.

Buck picked her up and carried her to her bed.

He started to make coffee to sooth her aching head.

Billy busted into the house, guns in hand.

"I told you to stay away! Didn't you understand?"

"Coffee won't be strong enough." Billy sent him away.

So Buck went for an elixir from AJ's cafe.

Buck tried to ask questions, but Billy ignored them.

Lou drank the elixir, sat up, and scorned him.

Buck offered her noodles, but she pointed to the door.

"Leave," she commanded, "I don't want to hear more."

Buck started to leave, then mentioned Bruce.

Lou sat up straight and motioned him close. They had a truce.

Buck told about Bruce and the confusion on Oh Aces.

Lou realized she must have mixed up their faces.

"Buck, there's something I have to tell you.

I thought he was you, so I kissed Bruce.

It was just a kiss, it didn't mean a thing,

I thought you were dead and I felt guilty."

Billy left to give them some space,

Buck and Lou stood face to face.

Lou said softly, "I owe you this."

Then she leaned in for a kiss!

Leaned in, but then pulled back.

"Wait...did you take care of my pack?"

"I sure did," Buck's grin was wide.

"Deputy Darkly showed me what was inside."

Lou backed away, doubt clear to see.

"You weren't surprised about Shamus and me!

And the kiss with your brother, your surprise didn't show.

What's going on? How did you know?"

"I knew because Shamus and Bruce told me,"

Buck answered."

"Why ask ME what happened when your brother told you?"

Came the question from the irate Lou.

"Are you double crossing me?

If you are, you should just leave!"

"I don't trust my brother or Shamus," Buck quietly said.

"The last time I trusted Bruce, I almost ended up dead."

"Goodbye, Buck. You're not welcome here anymore!"

Lou frowned at Buck, who stared at the floor.

"I'm sorry about Bruce. He shouldn't have kissed you."

Buck paused, then said, "Good luck, Lou."

He walked away, saying nothing more,

Then Lou slammed and locked the door.

"He's just like his brother," she said silently.

"Good thing I saw through him before he got to me."

Her words were partially true, because Buck had a past.

It wasn't too different from Shamus' or Bruce's, but it didn't last.

Buck had wanted to tell Lou the truth about his life,

But the conversation had gone south, and they'd ended with strife.

Now he couldn't tell her; the door was closed.

But so was that part of his life, he supposed.