2. Goin' to Dodge

Cassidy's fingers work diligently as she laced up her boots, the tight brown canvas pants hugged her figure and the maroon colored button up enhanced her facial features. At her waist, the leather holster hugged her colt single action army, the silver detailing was sure to shine in today's sun.

Cassidy laughed silently to herself as she looked herself over in the cracked mirror. A woman wearing pants was always an attention getter.

"I got coffee and-" Thomas' warm brown eyes gave his friend a once over, she didn't seem to notice. Thomas always loved her hair the best, besides her eyes, and today as it was twisted into a bun behind her head, he admired the simple style. "Water."

"Eh," She spoke softly, grabbing a black bandanna and tying it around her neck. "I'll just take some water," Thomas, already knowing the answer, had a glass of water in his hand and ready to give it.

"I'm ready to leave when you are," Thomas spoke, then let the hot beverage burn the back of his throat; bitterness kissed his lips. Cassidy, already packed and ready to move, smiled and sat the now empty glass down, and moved towards Thomas.

"Where shall we go?"

"Missouri? Colorado territory?" Thomas asked as she then faced the window, blue sky and sunshine blanketed over Kansas. Below the window, many women and men made their way to church and cried for God to redeem them. If, Cassidy thought, there was a God, he sure the Hell ain't here...

"No, let's stay in Kansas... Just a few more weeks,"

"Are you givin' up, Cass?"

"Never," She spat and instantly her wildfire anger showed. Cassidy turned around and faced her friend once again. His light tanned skin and warm brown eyes made her anger melt almost instantly... How could someone one so perfect be so wrong? "Let's go to Dodge, that bastard will probably be playin' cards and gettin' drunk there..."

And they were off, as quickly as they went from town to town, they left. Card games and going to the theaters took up most of their nights, their horses satisfied from river to river, both keeping a watchful eye for Indians.

Stopping in Abilene, Cassidy and Thomas were both hungry.

"Let's stay till 'marrow," Thomas sighed as he hopped off his horse and grabbed both of their luggage. Purple crescent moons were painted beneath his brown eyes as Cassidy helped him -much to Thomas' disagreement- and hauled a few bags into the saloon/hotel. A short, pudgy man met them as Thomas rang the front desk bell.

"How may I help ya' today?" His voice reminded Thomas of his late grandpa, both sweet but with a touch of dominance. His bald head was offset by the tiny specs that rested on his nose, a full mustache underneath it. The man's stiff and bland blue eyes that seemed to have no life to them wondered down at Cassidy's chest.

"One room,"

"Two beds?"

"Surprise me," Cassidy smirked and purposely showed off her ring-less left hand, always ready to bother those who undermine her. Thomas, already sick of the same charade, grabbed the dull iron key and Cassidy's hand with the same hand, then continued to lead her up to their room. Once inside and comfortable, Thomas sighed and looked at Cassidy.

"Should I thank God you're alive or pray to him since you ain't dead yet?"

"That," Cassidy smiled and fluffed the white pillows. There was only one bed, one small bed. "Is up to you Mr.Witt," She laughed and took Thomas' hand. "You needa rest, it's been too long since you've seen a bed,"

"Haven't seen one the same amount as you,"

"But I don't need beauty sleep... You are almost lookin' like a four week old, decayin' raccoon."

Thomas agreed, he has been looking quite pale lately. Secretly, Cassidy feared something was up but she knew Thomas wouldn't go to the doctor, he always said "If God wants me to live, I'll live."

Together, they slept through the night.

Cassidy rubbed her blue eyes after finishing up at the bathhouse and dressed into the same brown canvas pants but opted for a white blouse top instead. She pulled her wet blonde hair into a braid, picked up some apples and bread for breakfast, then decided to go back to the hotels room and wake Thomas up.

"New 'round here, Miss?" A kid, no more than fifteen, asked her as she reached the outside of the hotel. He only had to be no more than three years younger than Cassidy. His black hair and almost black eyes seemed to be deeply saddened.

"Sure, am." She offered him a smile to which he returned, then held his hand out and offered her two pieces of jerky. "What about you?"

"Yes ma'am." Rubbing his dark tanned skin, Cassidy noticed many scars on his hands. "Mexico is where I came from. Abilene through... A rough town this place is."

"Cassidy," She offered her hand, and was glad when the boy finally took it on his own.

"Teo," Cassidy nodded and sized the kid up. He was only a few inches shorter than her, but she had no doubt he grew into a handsome man one day.

"Well, Teddy," Teo laughed at the nickname, his abuela used to call him that. "It was grand to meet you, maybe we'll see each other again before I leave town." After saying a quick goodbye, they both went their opposite ways, Cassidy to her friend and Teo off to his worthless mother and abusive older brother.

*

"Well," Thomas, with one hand, adjusted his glasses and with the other, slid the bible to the bartender. "The way I see it, God wanted people to sin. It makes us real honest in the end,"

Cassidy rolled her eyes and excused herself. Walking across the street to the general store, she took in the sight of coffee beans, spices, fruit, cigars, and everything in between. But, as usual, she made her way to the front counter and gazed at all of the candides. Sugar cakes, fruit pies, marshmallows, and liquorice stared back.

"How may I help you?" A tall, young man stepped out behind the shop's curtain and shut away the room that acted as a back office. His onyx eyes were untrusting.

"Some licorice and marshmallows, if ya' would."

"'Course," He smiled and Cassidy noticed a small crack on one of his bottom teeth.

"Oh," Cassidy spoke again, noticing the barrel full of coffee beans, their smell dancing through the air. "A small bag of coffee beans too,"

He nodded and rang up the price. "Mateo, saca tu trasero aquí. Esta señora necesita un puñado de granos de café!" His voice was loud, demanding. Cassidy almost smacked him for practically screaming in front of her. Giving him a small smile, Cassidy grabbed her sweets and waited by the barrel, looking at wheat, corn, and whatever else was on the shelf behind her.

"Darse prisa!" The man yelled again, running a hand through his black locks.

Suddenly, a kid came almost running out, grabbed a small bag, and started to shove coffee beans into the small bag with a spoon.

"Teo?" Cassidy smiled then dropped it almost suddenly as he looked up to her. Gone was the almost relaxed exterior, his eyes now stale and almost-black seemed to be deepened with some emotion... Fear?

"Hello, Miss," Teo addressed her like a stranger, has he already forgotten her? While rushing, coffee beans splattered onto the floor.

Suddenly, Cassidy was thrown to the ground as Teo's brother made way towards them. She hit the wooden floor with a 'thump' the exact moment a slap was heard; Cassidy's hand instantly went to her colt, the chambers already locked and loaded as she cocked back the small metal hammer on top of the gun. Jumping to her feet, she aimed right at the man's head.

Teo, held up against the wall by what Cassidy was guessing was his brother, scrambled to breathe. She took a deep breath as her blue eyes gazed down the front sight, ready to pull the trigger.

"I suggest you put that boy down and pick up those damn beans like the man you try to be,"

"Or what?"

"Or I'll have to waste one of my dear and precious bullets... Then again, I may kick my boot so far up your ass that you'll have to throw it up."

He dropped Teo harshly on the ground, put his hands up, and faced Cassidy. Teo's hand immediately went up to his own throat, his coughing loud and deep. The man, whose voice didn't waiver or break, smiled at Cassidy.

"If I would've known my hermano found such a beautiful woman to bed," His eyes trailed down to her blouse. "I would've-"

Cassidy shot his hand.