OUTLAW

Chapter 15

"Care to join me outside for a smoke?" Sam asks as he reaches for a half-smoked cigar then holds a cigar out to Tim.

"No, thanks." Politely declining the offer cigar. "I don't smoke but I wouldn't mind a glass of your Brandy." Tim replies as they get up from the dinner table.

"Help yerself." Sam smiles as he hobbles toward the front door on his crutches.

Tim looks at Adam and nods his head in the direction of Lilly who was clearing the dirty dishes from the table.

Adam knew that Tim was planning on confronting Sam about the lies they were being told. His job was to keep Lilly busy. Adam nods before walking over to help Lilly clear the dishes.

"Honey, you don't have to help me. Go on out with Tim and enjoy the night air. It's such a beautiful night." Lilly smiles sweetly.

"I don't mind at all. It's the least I can do after that delicious supper we just had." Adam smiles as he carries some dishes to the sink.

"Would you just look at that? Not a cloud in the sky. Full moon tonight too." Sam smiles, looking up at the moon as Tim joins him on the porch with a glass of Brandy.

"You know what?" Tim says as he leans on the porch railing, looking up at the night sky. "You're a terrible liar."

"I'm offended." Sam says with a sideward smile as he turns his head toward the younger outlaw. "I always pride myself at lying."

"No, truthfully, the lie you told us really sucked." Tim says turning to look at the old cowboy.

"When did I lie to you?" Sam asks. Knowing d*mn well the lie he had told them about his accident.

"About how you broke your leg." Tim replies.

"I told you. I fell...." Sam starts but was interrupted by the brunette.

"Yeah, I know you told us you fell from the ladder while trying to fix the roof." Tim says as he looks back up at the starts. "I want to know the real truth and why would to lie to us."

"Why do you think I was lying?" Sam asks. 

"There's nothing fixed on the roof. It hasn't changed since before we left. If you fell from a ladder, then where the hell is the ladder? You wouldn't have been able to put it up with a broken leg and Lilly wouldn't have taken the time to put it up with you being hurt." Tim answers looking back around at the old man with a raised brow. "Now. You mind telling me the truth?"

"I guess I should have planned this better." The old cowboy chuckles. "I actually did fall from a ladder, Son. Just not here."

Tim swallows the last of the Brandy before turning toward Sam waiting for an explanation.

"I've been doing some work on a project." Sam continues as he leans on his crutches. "It was supposed to be a surprise for you boys." He chuckles softly. "I blew the hell out of that. I guess you're right. Maybe I am too old to be climbing ladders."

"What kind of project?" Tim asks.

"I'll show you in the morning after breakfast." The old man says as he pats the young outlaw on the shoulder. He turns and hobbles back into the house leaving an even more confused Tim standing on the porch.

~~

"So what do you think Sam is up to?" Adam asks as he slips on his boots.

"I don't have a clue." Tim answers, shaking his head. "But we'll find out after breakfast."

"It's so quiet in here." Adam says as he climbs down from the loft. He holds the ladder as his lover makes his way down. "I miss the guys."

"Truthfully? Me too." Tim chuckles. "But don't tell them I said that."