Just Like Old Times

Reunited

Micah and Lilly headed into Colter, the abandoned mining camp that Dutch and the gang had taken shelter in a few days before. Micah gave her the rest of the details as they rode in. Lilly regaled her own story about the bear, her horse, the cave, the wolves, and everything else until they met up. Micah glanced back at Lilly and frowned.

"You've been through quite a bit, O'Callaghan, but Dutch and Hosea and everyone else will be happy to have their little Irish lady back."

Lilly quirked a brow. "I thought that was Molly?"

Micah barked with laughter. "Right, I forgot. A woman of fine and rich breeding, that one. No, I suppose you're not really a lady, are you?"

Lilly would have been offended if she had, in fact, considered herself a lady. But as she contemplated what he meant, she spotted Lenny. He was there to greet them. She waved at him enthusiastically and jumped off the horse.

Lenny stopped midwalk and gasped in surprise. "Holy hell, Lilly! We all thought you got eaten or somethin'!"

The Irish girl shrugged as she ambled up to Lenny. "As a matter of fact, I almost did get eaten. By a bear."

Micah slid off Blaylock and handed the reins to Lenny. "Here," he said. "Ain't gonna tell this negro what to do." And then Micah chuckled and walked towards one of the shacks.

Lenny rolled his eyes up in irritation and took a deep breath. "Why is he so...so..."

Lilly placed a hand on Lenny's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry about that gobshite. Every time he talks, manure comes spilling out." She leaned in and smirked. "That's why his breath smells so bad."

Lenny laughed and hugged Lilly. "Thanks, I feel better already. But I'm so glad you're back!" he exclaimed.

Lilly chuckled happily and nudged his shoulder. "Ah, shucks, you sweetheart. Here, let me help you with the horse."

Lenny disagreed. "Nah, you better get inside and get warm. Folks was worried about you. Especially Arthur."

Lilly took a sharp breath in. "Was he? How worried?" she inquired curiously. Had Arthur missed her after all?

"Eh, he spent most of his time lookin' for you. More than anyone else."

Lilly smiled to herself and gave Blaylock a thankful pat on the rump. "Well, uh...okay!" she scanned the area before making her way towards to what she assumed was the main shack. Lilly paused at the door, suddenly feeling awkward. Was Arthur in there? Should she just walk in? Should she announce herself? Should she make an entrance of grandeur? Lilly took a step back. Why was she so anxious? Lilly's heart was pounding so tremendously, she thought it might burst from her chest.

"LILLEH!" someone shouted.

The Irish girl snapped around with a pivot. It was Arthur in his winter gunslinger attire. He was dashing to her. Lilly thought this was odd, considering their estrangement, but seeing Arthur again...made her shout awkwardly. "Hey there, partner!" she replied in an attempted American West accent. "As ucht Dé, Lilly, what is wrong with you?" she growled at herself.

Arthur slammed into her with a fierceness that Lilly hadn't expected of her friend to do. He clutched her as if she were a cherished doll or teddy bear. Lilly was surprised at the behavior. The severance of their bond made her presume Arthur no longer desired any interactions with her, but now? Ha, that didn't seem to be the case, and Arthur's body against hers bestowed upon her a rush of overwhelming feelings she could not categorize. Lilly clung to him tightly in response to him. One of the feelings she recognized was...needing him. In what way, she was unsure of, but it was amplified as his natural scent of pine trees filled her nostrils.