Busted Gulch vol 6

Back in Tent City (baileygaines)

Back in Tent City

As Shamus and Buck rode back to BG,

Buck was thinking about Lou and Brody.

Shamus wanted to know how Buck had died,

so Buck had to make something up on the fly.

"I hid out at Lou's 'til Buck came, then shot him.

It was harder than it should have been, but I got him."

"Lou let ya kill Buck?" Shamus wondered.

"That's odd. She really loved him," he pondered.

"But enough of that. What're you after?

You'd normally run, so what's the matter?"

Buck fumbled for an answer, and finally said,

"I want to live like Buck, now that he's dead.

But if Lou's on the loose I'll be living in fear,

so that's why I came to you. That's why I'm here."

Shamus grinned. "Don't worry. Lou'll go down without a fight.

Because I plan to shoot her on sight."

Shoot Lou?! Buck almost fell off his horse.

This was the worst thing that could happen, of course.

"But...why? You love her!" Was all he could say.

"Why go to all this trouble, then throw it away?"

"I love her, yes, but I've got a job to do.

You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

"No problem." Buck covered his worry.

"Shouldn't we be getting back in a hurry?"

Buck had to think of some way to warn Lou,

but he couldn't think of anything to do.

They reached Tent City and swung to the ground.

There were no signs of Lou and Brody around.

"Where are they?" Shamus was ready to roll.

But Buck had to play for time. He had to stall.

"I'm sure they're in bed. That's where I'd be,

If I'd stolen a girl from my boss, you see.

Why don't we sit and have a muffin?

Wait 'till they're up, then interrupt 'em?"

Shamus rolled his eyes, but he sat down with Buck.

Until Lou and Brody got back, they were stuck.

They sat in the shade at the back of Lou's house,

waiting for the emergence of Shamus's wayward spouse.