The Cowboy and the Angel | ✓

Chapter Ten

"So you told Hyde?" Annalyn questioned, stabbing the black-eyed peas in her plate with a fork.

Jason took a gulp of his sweet tea. "Yep, sure did. He's gonna be keepin' an eye out for Slick."

"Are we gonna catch Slick and shoot him?" Cohen asked after devouring the last biscuit.

Leroy gave a small chuckle at the question. "Why, no. We're gonna get him, then hand him over to the law. They'll do with him as they see fit."

Laramie lowered his gaze, poking at the remnants of food in his plate. "I hope they hang him."

Cohen agreed. "He deserves it."

Tavin looked at the Archer twins, a soft glow in his eyes. "He just might, but he also deserves forgiveness. Remember what Jesus said about that in Matthew 6:14?"

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you," Laramie and Cohen rattled off from memory.

"Right." Tavin smiled. "We must forgive, just as He forgives us."

Annalyn sat her fork down. A slight smile formed on her face as she looked across the table at Tavin. "Tae?"

"Yes?"

"You really should become Abilene's next preacher."

"Who's Abilene?" Laramie asked, a look of puzzlement on his face.

Dixie laughed, eyes alight with merriment. "What, not who. Abilene is the name of our town."

Laramie's confused look was replaced by a big grin. "Ohhhh. I've always known it as just town."

Cohen shook his head at his twin. "No, Pa's told us the actual name before."

"Yes he did." Jason smiled, sitting his empty cup on the table.

"I don't remember." Laramie shrugged. "Everytime he was headin' up there and I'd ask where he was goin', he'd always say 'I'm goin' to town'."

Dixie flashed a bright smile. "That's what my Pa always says. It is a little confusin', ain't it?"

Cohen nodded vigorously. "Yes ma'am. It is pretty confusin'."

"Ya learn somethin' new everyday." Jason rubbed his head, feeling the slightly rough spot of scab above his eye where Stoney's hoof had grazed him. He stretched out in his chair, sprawling out his legs and putting a hand just above his stomach.

Dixie beamed seeing Jason in that position. "You full?"

"Full ain't a strong enough word," Jason joked as he gave his belly a pat. "I think I could put a cow to shame."

Tavin guffawed. He stopped mid-laugh, a painful expression on his face as he grabbed his stomach. "I feel ya brother. I believe I could make a hog cry with how much I ate."

Leroy looked up at the ceiling sheepishly. He raised his shoulders in a tiny shrug. "I'm still hungry."

"You're WHAT?!" Annalyn nearly shouted, almost shooting up out of her chair in disbelief.

"I'm still hungry," Leroy repeated with a slightly embarrassed smile.

Jason shook his head. "My goodness! You ate more than me!"

"And that is sayin' somethin'," Tavin whistled with a shake of his head. "Where'd you put all that food?"

Annalyn searched over Leroy with her eyes. She even looked under the table. "That's what I'm wonderin'! 'Cause I sure ain't seein' it anywhere."

Leroy reached behind himself and grabbed the Stetson from the back of his chair, using it to hide his face. "I don't know."

Cohen nudged Leroy with his elbow. "Your ears are turnin' red."