JACK FELL DOWN
by Sidney McCabe
© 2000
CHAPTER 7
Monday morning dawned with welcoming sunshine. As Buck had promised, everyone was up and waiting while Jack finished saddling her horse and packing up what few belongings were hers. Her horse, Molasses, didn't seem any more eager to be leaving than Jack was. But her few minutes of preparation were over at last, and there was nothing left but to say goodbye.
Rachel stepped forward first, unashamed of the tears in her clear green eyes. She thrust a bag of food into Jack's hands and pulled Jack into her arms. "You be careful now, sugar," she whispered into Jack's ear. "Remember you are always welcome here. *Always*." Her embrace was loving and maternal, and Jack fixed an image in her mind, to remember Rachel always, no matter what happened...Rachel standing on the porch in the fading light of day, her arms crossed over her chest, leaning against the railing with a broad smile on her face, calling them to supper.
Ike smiled at her and his hands moved rapidly. She had begun to learn his signs, but still needed a translator most of the time. Buck moved to Ike's side. "He says to be careful," Buck informed her, "and to write us, and he wants to know if he can have a kiss?" Everyone laughed and Ike grinned wickedly. Jack leaned forward and pressed her lips softly to his cheek. They hugged and Ike back away with a friendly nod...Ike at the table, sketchbook in his hands, his pencil skimming like lightning over the paper.
Buck hugged her, too...Buck walking into town with that proud tilt of his head, that proud assuredness in his step, daring anyone to think he was less than they were because of the color of his skin...and said, "You can always come back, you know." His dark eyes told her, 'Come back.'
Noah's grip was strong when he shook her hand. He stiffened when she pecked his cheek lightly...the white flash of Noah's teeth when he opened his mouth wide to laugh uproariously, the way he clapped his hands when something struck him as especially funny...and he only nodded. "Goodbye, Jack. Ride safe."
For once Cody's face was almost serious. He squeezed Jack tightly in his arms and patted her back, then tapped his cheek with his forefinger, inviting a kiss, which Jack bestowed on him. "Ride safe, Jack"...Cody's eyes lighting up with enjoyment at the telling of his own story, the delighted chuckle he gave when he was finished, his ever-present smile of smugness.
The Kid's arms were protective around her. "You watch out for yourself, for our sake, too, all right? You're a part of this family now. We can't lose you." He kissed the top of her head...the way the Kid ducked his head when he was embarrassed, shifting on his feet, looking up anxiously, eyes full of kindness.
Teaspoon with his surly drawl, the way he narrowed his eyes and seemed to see right through you...stepping up to her, he kissed her and held her hands in his. "You come back to us, you hear me? You ain't got to leave like this, but I understand why you are." Then he stepped back and wiped his eyes, characteristically sentimental.
Jack could hardly bear to look Lou in the eye. She felt as if she
were leaving a sister behind, and knew she could never choose just one
memory of Lou to keep. There were far too many: Lou laughing, Lou teasing,
Lou looking at the Kid with consternation and then five minutes later
with gushing love. Lou's friendship would sustain her for the rest of
her life if necessary, but Jack prayed that wouldn't be necessary. She
wanted to see a Lou as a blushing bride walking down the aisle on Teaspoon's
arm to a waiting Kid.
She wanted to see Lou as a mother, bustling about in her own kitchen,
her own stables. She wanted a friendship for a lifetime, but who knew
what lay in store? Her hug with Lou was as sad as only two best friends
saying goodbye could be. "Write me, Jack."
"Yes."
"Don't just say it, *do* it. And I'll write you, too."
"Yes."
They squeezed hands and said no more.
Many memories of Jimmy came to mind, but she knew that as long as
she lived, when she thought of him, this would be the memory fixed in
her mind: Jimmy standing beside Molasses, one hand on the horse's back,
looking at her with serious eyes, his hat off his head for once, long
hair laying on his shoulders. What complicated feelings she had grown
to have for Jimmy were not quite apparent to her, but her affection was
strong, she knew that. They shook hands, a litte uneasily.
"Take care, Jack. Let us know you're all right. Maybe we'll bump
into each other on a run, who knows?"
"Who knows?" Jack agreed. She placed her foot in the stirrup
and swung up to sit on Molasses. "Thank you all for everything,"
she said to them. "Everything."
"Jack..." Jimmy cleared his throat. "I wanted to say that
I'm sorry...I'm sorry we didn't catch those men who hurt you. I know I
promised you, but I didn't follow through on that promise, and...I'm sorry."
Jack looked down at him from atop her horse.
"Jimmy," she said, and their eyes met again, "sometimes we don't always catch the bad guy."
Chapter 1 ¤ Chapter 2 ¤ Chapter 3 ¤ Chapter 4 ¤ Chapter 5 ¤ Chapter 6 ¤ Chapter 7 ¤ Chapter 8 ¤ Chapter 9 ¤ Chapter 10 ¤ Chapter 11 ¤ Chapter 12 ¤ Chapter 13 ¤ Chapter 14 ¤ Chapter 15 ¤ Chapter 16 ¤ Chapter 17 ¤ Chapter 18 ¤ Chapter 19 ¤ Chapter 20 ¤ Chapter 21 ¤ Epilogue ¤