Busted Gulch vol 10

Behind the Cell (Ruechari)

Behind the Cell

Petra came into the jail

And suddenly she did pale

There sat Buck behind bars

The very sight, her heart jars

"Buck what are you doing here?"

"Lou, left me I fear."

"That doesn't sound right?

Wait, she left you?"

"She doesn't think we belong together

Went off is search of Bruce I gather."

"Are you certain she didn't go to find

Your brother to change Justice's mind?"

Buck gave a shrug

"Doesn't matter much now,"

Billy did tug,

two prisoners tied

Throwing them in the cell beside.

"Billy, what do you mean?"

On Billy a sheriff's badge Buck seen.

"Justice is dead. Took a bad fall.

Now I'm sheriff is all."

"Oh then am I ever glad to see you!

And of course Petra you too!"

"Always second place."

Buck palmed his face.

"Petra that not what I meant.

Just Billy here is heaven sent

As he can get me out."

He'd seen Petra pout.

"So what happens when you do?

You go running back to Lou?"

"If things don't work out between

Lou and me

And that's how things seem to be.

Then I guess I'll call it quits."

Petra realized she wasted her time

She was the last thing on his mind.

She handed him a box

With muffins inside.

"I guess that's something

Only you and she can decide."

Buck watched Petra walk away.

"Wait!" He had more to say.

"I'm done with her

And she's done with me.

The only thing keeping

Me from you are these."

Buck pulled on the bars.

"She MAY be done with you

But you only THINK you are.

Of all the things you said so far

None of them had to do with me.

I'm so tired of being the consolation prize

For once I'd like to place first in someone's eyes.

If Billy lets you out, I'll be

at the hotel in town... maybe."

"I'll meet you as soon as I'm out.

We'll eat these muffins together!"

Buck did shout.

"Yeah, sure Buck."

But the look on her face left him with doubt.

Billy waited till Petra had her say

And then she walked away.

As he watched her go

There was one thing he needed to know.

"How is that you're in here?"

Billy asked lending Buck an ear.

"Justice was keeping me for collateral

Until Lou came back with Bruce or

Something else compatible.

He wanted from her proof.

That Domain as indeed insane."

"How long has Lou been gone?"

Billy was concerned something went wrong.

"It's been quite awhile.

I've been stuck here meanwhile."

"None of this makes sense.

Justice already has Wade

The county judge

Pearce could easily have swayed."

He could tell by the look on Buck's face

That this was news to him

Why send Lou on a goose chase?

This plot was wearing thin.

Billy looked at his new Deputy

And asked for the key

To set Buck, free.

"Finally!!!"

"Buck, don't screw around with Petra

If you're still love with Lou.

Let her go, so she can find someone new.

She's been hurt time and time again.

By many people not just men.

Buck nodded happy to be out of his cell

Now the decision was 

find Lou 

or go to the hotel?