Cowboys And Angels

Chapter 18

The ride back home was painfully tense. John was exhausted but after the stunt that Jack pulled, John couldn't take him back to the MacFarlane's ranch. The tide took a bit longer than wanted due to the limited visibility, John had no clue what time it was by the time they had ridden up, but the lights in the house were out and John was relieved that Abigail was asleep.

John and Jack walked into the house and turned on the lights in the living room, both of them were uneasy... Jack's anger had all but dissolved, he now just felt... Conflicted. John, on the other hand, didn't know what to feel, he was still furious at Jack for nearly getting himself killed but at the same time, after he was told the reason behind the daring escape, he too was conflicted.

"Sit." John said shortly, pointing at the couch.

"P-Pa I would rather just go to-"

"Sit." John repeated, narrowing his eyes, obviously in no mood to be argued with, Jack sat without another word, quickly too.

John walked into the kitchen and walked back out with a rag filled with ice pieces. Nearing Jack he sat down next to him and gently pressed the ice against the black eye that was forming. Jack hissed but didn't move away, the cold was calming and would help in the long run.

"P-... Pa?" Jack finally asked.

"Hm?" John hummed softly as he looked Jack over.

"... Can I ask questions about... You know." Jack sighed and John hesitated but he breathed.

"... It would be cruel to say no, but don't ask questions you don't want the answers to." John said carefully.

"How did it start?" Jack asked.

"... It's hard to say if I'm being honest..." John began but recalled how they met. "... Uncle Bill shot me, real bad I thought I was a goner... But I opened my eyes and I was indoors and there was a blonde woman nursing me back to health... It was Miss MacFarlane, she never tried anything funny on me, nor the other way around she was just a good friend... It just happened... I know it sounds stupid, but it was one of those things... I knew that when I looked at her and she looked at me... That she saw what I saw." John recounted and smiled a little at remembering.

"... You really love her... Don't you..." Jack muttered sadly.

"I do... I can't help the way I feel... I love you very much, I know you don't wanna believe it and you might not accept it... Hell, you may never accept this... But I gotta do this... I'm tryin' to make sure you and your ma are set up before-..." John stopped himself and Jack looked over.

"... Before you leave?" Jack asked and John sighed softly, he reminded himself he was laying it all out right now he had to be honest.

"... Yeah." John sighed and Jack looked away. "... You're welcome to come see me anytime but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't... But this isn't Miss MacFarlane's fault, it's mine." John said.

"... I dunno." Jack muttered and John nodded in understanding.

"... Where else did they hurt you?" John asked and Jack shrugged.

"Just kicked my stomach nothin else." Jack said and slightly moved away from John.

"... Well, keep this on your eye for a while you should probably get to bed... Oh, by the way, I found this lookin' for you." John said and handed Jack his book, Jack gasped softly and snatched it and sighed with some relief, but obviously, it was certain Jack wasn't sure how to act around his father yet, he managed to nod his thanks. "... You're welcome. Get to bed now." John said and Jack walked into his room shutting the door.