Lucas Blake were restless this mornin', cleanin' a weapon that weren't in need of cleanin'. Toe tappin' agin the worn wood under his foot as he sat on the porch, cigar rollin' across his lips. Occasionally lookin' n not really seein' the ranch as it moved around 'im. Thinkin' hard...
His wife had tugged his tail pretty good this mornin' after pullin' 'im close n teasin 'im a bit with her fingertips. This, after their first night of cuddlin' n enjoyin' each other a hell of a lot more than they had since her up n down pregnancy.
He were still needin', but figured the glass were maybe half full ag'in...
Luna had done well with her potions n gentle words n guidance n prayer. His wife were feelin' better. Linda Jean were neer herself ag'in... Mostly smilin' n movin' round the ranch; Tendin' the things she loved, teasin' a bit with Smoke n makin' small changes where she thought they were needed.
And then ag'in this mornin'.
"Well...?"
He'd held his tongue 'fore rollin' outta bed, his green eyes flashin'.
"Pesterin' me ain't gonna get it done woman."
She pulled her knees up tight as she could ag'in her chest n wrapt her arms around 'em. Lowerin' her chin n lookin' up at him with hooded eyes, she pouted.
"I want my sister back Lucas. All of her."
"N how in blue blazes is that gonna make her any better then she is Linda Jean?"
Her voice rose, her eyes narrowed.
"I told you... You wanna hear it again!"
She'd pushed. He were finally pushin' back.
She glared at her husband, her dark eyes blazin' n lips pulled so tight they were near white before hidin' herself under the store-bought sheets n then rollin' away. Luke wanted to slap her pretty, widenin' bottom now offered up, but chose not to. Stormin' into his wool pants n grabbin' his boots, he headed to the kitchen. Luna, in her worn, pale-yellow dress, were sittin' a steamin' cup of coffee at the head of tha table. He were still grumblin' n pullin' on his other boot when 'is breakfast plate were laid in front of 'im.
"Life can sumtymes be deefficult Padrone. Miss Linda is feelin... Mmmm... Better?"
Luke looked up into Lunas glowin' eyes, slow shook his head, n then chuckled...
Now, sittin' on the porch, the Walker Colt oiled n glintin' in the slow rising sun on the small table next to him, he tried to enjoy his third cup of coffee. The mornin' were a pretty one. The bird songs mixed in with the sounds of a ranch comin' to life. A sometimes breeze carried those sounds past 'im n then away. Wood being chopped. Chickens fussin. Sounds of horse n mule enjoyin' the sun while a new mustang were bein' broke in the near corral.
Smoke Garcia, clean shaven n wearin' a fresh washed shirt: his droopin' mustache waxed so tight lately it hung well under his chin. Restin' 'is foot on the lower rail of the near corral, he were watchin Boots Handly work a black n white mustang. When he seen Lucas sittin' on the porch, he sharp whistled to the barn. Quick, who were splittin' wood, pulled on his shirt over the top of his worn, once red long johns n headed toward the porch.
"Good mornin' Mr. Blake."
"Mornin' Quick. I'd like Patch tended to n ready when Smoke n me finish practice this mornin'... maybe an hour er so. Ask Smoke to grab 'is pistol n join me."
Quick tried to hide a smile that were tuggin' at his lips as he turned to do as askt. Damn! He were askt, not told. His chest swelled up tight as he strode towards Smoke.
Lucas tossed the leavin's in the glazed cup on the hard packed dirt in front of the porch, grabbed the Walker Colt he had fashioned for J.D. n went inside. Slippin' the fresh cleaned weapon into his gun belt that hung on the peg just below his hat, he collected n strapped the weapon low on his hip n tugged the worn black leather tight. When he turned to call Luna, it were Tiffany that came from the kitchen.
"Luna's in your room with Linda. They have the door closed."
Luke just nodded, takin' note of the cranberry color she'd added to her lips.
"I'll be headin' to the West ranch 'bout an hour er so. I need to see Luis Tee."
Her early mornin' blue eyes softened as she lookt at 'im.
"Want company?"
Damn those soulful eyes.
"Not this time Tiff. Just goin' to be there n back."
He saw a cloud pass over her pretty face as she turned away. Takin' a slow step away, she looked back over her shoulder.
"I could keep Mama company while you men talked."
Luke shifted a bit, wonderin' just how much she knew...
Luke n Smoke spent extra time practicin' with their pistols after putttin' enough distance from the barn n corrals so's not to startle the horses; yet close enough to have 'em get used to the explosions of the black powder firearms.
Luke was slowly takin' to the engraved Walker Colt. It were a bit heavier than his n fit 'is hand a little different. He still needed a little more time with it. The new Colt Dragoon he'd gotten through Oscar fer Smoke were pretty much the same as the modified Walker. Luke had wished he'd made a better offer to the gunsmith who bettered his weapons to join 'im in Winding Creek. The man were far ahead of his time in 'is abilities; shaving the cylinder on the Colt n the special made molds fer it's lead loads. He'd sweetened the pot in a letter after J.D. passed. Luke were still watin' for his response.
The roar of the Smokes Dragoon's shots fired were gettin' bunched closer tagether. They'd filed the hammer a bit on the Dragoon so's Smoke could draw it back a bit smoother n cock it quicker as he drew. The front sight was shaved off to avoid any catchin' that might be had during his slow improvin' draw. After all, the point was to learn to shoot as soon as the weapon cleared n leveled above the slick oiled holster. Luke still bested the big man, but not as often as he had. Smoke were hittin most everythin' he aimed at. Luke was startin' to hit tossed-out wood pieces makin' 'em dance as they skittered over the grazed-on grass. As the two men cleaned n reloaded their weapons, the usual silence that they'd oftin shared were broken by Lucas.
"I'd like yur thinkin' on Quick..."
The way the words were sed made Smoke think a bit. Lucas were askin' 'bout the man inside.
"He wurk hard. He think like hee move... Queeck."
He looked into Luke's eyes.
"Can 'ee be trusted. Yes... Other things... I em not sure. No won knows unteil thee time comess."
Luke held the big man's eyes. There were a long moments silence.
