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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2994434" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 152, “Picture Time”, Friday, March 24th 1882, 9:15 A.M.Morning comes and unsurprisingly Ruby wakes first. She stays very still, watching Jake sleep, enjoying the moment. She turns her head towards the warm light coming through the window and she is surprised to see ‘Ruby I Miss You’ scrawled in Jake’s handwriting on her mirror. She leans her head forward and kisses Jake again. “I missed you too,” she says softly. “And I’m sorry.”Jake groans and winces when he opens his eye's to tiny slits. "I learned an important lesson last night," Jake says slowly and seriously, "Drinking too much Tequila can leave you with a mean hangover." He moans a bit and then says with a bit of a surprise in his gravely voice, "You came back."  Ruby runs her fingers through Jake's thick hair. "Did you really think I wasn't going to?""A little part of me was worried, but that little part talked really loud." He covers his eyes with his arm and softly moans out, "Mierda."  His voice is horse and he speaks slowly but he does continue. "I am glad you came back. I was acting foolish yesterday. I didn't buy into your poor excuse for not coming back, but was afraid to ask why. I don't much care if you need a girls night out, or any other time for yourself. You aren't a prisoner here. I just let my imagination run wild, seeing trouble in every little thing. I should have just said something."“Jacob Cook, you are a silly man. You should have just said something.” Ruby tenderly kisses Jake again before continuing softly. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. I was the foolish one for thinking I belonged anywhere but here, with you. Listen, you know I had that dream and I’ve been trying to figure things out for myself. I didn’t want to scare you with some of the thoughts I’ve been having. I thought if I was away from you then maybe I could think straight.”He tries to sit up but his pounding head protests. "Ugh. I don't think I am ready to think straight yet. I need some water, and then I need some whiskey." Ruby nurses Jake for a little while with an amused look on her face. "After poker was done, Job and Niles came over and told me how bad I played." Jake makes another grimace. "They kept me company for a while. After that it was just me and the tequila. I don't remember coming to bed, well to the floor." Jake settles himself into the stuffed chair and motions Ruby to come sit on his lap. "Job and Niles also told me about Mrs. Barker's motivations for wanting to be deputy. She is superstitious about playing without her lucky pistol, wants to influence the town ordinances on women voting, and wants to kill Johnny Ringo for embarrassing her at the table. They think she is crazy, and they are probably right." Ruby takes in a sharp breath to speak and Jake puts a finger to her lips. "I'm not ready for you to be that loud. You can have your turn later." She starts to protest but Jake keeps talking, "Yesterday you wanted to know what is troubling me? I have decided I need to hunt down Johnny Ringo and kill him. I don't just mean kill him if we get a chance, and I don't mean that I am going to be all loco and ride out of here like the cavalry either. I do mean to take apart his gang and kill him. Do it slowly, methodically and mercilessly. I don't want to wait for him to come at us again, I want to put an end to this. We do it on our terms. It is time for him to be afraid."Ruby slips into Jake’s shirt and slides onto his lap, her arms wrapped around one side of his neck, leaving his other hand free for his whiskey. She bends her knees and rests her feet on the arm rest. She is quiet rubbing her fingers across her lips as she thinks over his declaration of intentions. Ruby adds, “As for Helen, well, she is insane that’s no secret. And there are plenty of saloons around that will allow her to keep her gun on while playing cards so I’m sure she’ll find somewhere to be happy.”“And the books,” she says simply. “We bring Ringo to us, use the books as bait. I figured when we talked about it yesterday that is what we would do.” Ruby looks out the window momentarily. “I can understand why thinking about Ringo would make you play badly but to get drunk over him? That's not like you.”  "I won't stand for him threatening the people I care about any more. I also won't run this time." Jake swallows hard before he says, "Nanuet told me he and the others see me as the leader of out little troop. Tribe he called us." Jake snorts after he says that. "I'm not accustomed to making decisions for others, I don't like how it feels. I also knew when I decided to go after Ringo to keep you and the others safe that none of you would let me do this alone. So to keep us all safe I need to put us all in harms way. I just didn't like the way it made me feel.""Our fearless leader," Ruby smiles before turning serious. She puts a couple of fingers under Jake's chin and persistently turns his face to hers. "We're already in harm's way, you didn't put us here. You're only trying to figure out a way to get us out of this trouble. And yes, I... I mean... we would follow you where ever you go and whatever you do. No matter what that means in the end." Ruby releases her grip on Jake's chin. "You're right it has to end, if we're to stay here we can't continue like this, always looking over our shoulder, afraid to walk down the street. Someone like Kate, like Minerva, they need to be able to live their lives." Ruby again looks away from Jake and to the window, "They might want husbands, families one day... you or I might not always be around to look after them, we can't leave them with danger like this.""I know you didn't mean it that way, but every time I wrestle down the panic feeling I get about you running off you mention leaving." He grabs the end of her hair and pulls her down to him. She is off balance and they bump heads. "Ow." Jake shuts his eyes hard. "Fine, that was stupid. I'm not even smart enough to swear off drinking after feeling like this. I know I'd be lying anyway." He turns his head towards her and says, "Kiss me before I hurt myself again." “Leaving’s always been my way Jake.” A dark look crosses Ruby’s eyes. “I didn’t mean leaving, I meant if you or I or both of us don’t return from one of these little outings that have been becoming more frequent. Our luck can’t hold out forever can it? I don’t have any false illusions.” "Yes, we are leavers. Familiar habits die hard." Jake frowns. "What a poor companion I am becoming, generating all these morbid thoughts. Of course our luck can't hold out forever, we just need it to hold out a long time." He chuckles, "I need to help you build some false illusions." Ruby smiles at Jake, although he can't tell if it's genuine or not. "You can try." "To live is the rarest thing in the world, Ruby West. Most people exist, that is all. We live." Jake sighs. "We have a lot of work to do. Berg, the books, the names Isby gave you, festival crap, get some night time security for the saloon all need working on. Oh, about Gonzalez." Jake tells Ruby all about his conversation with the old wizard. Afterwards he is stroking his beard and Ruby says, "Spill it, what are you thinking about?"   "The festival," he flashes his wicked smile, "I wonder if we could use festival planning as a cover to help find out information about Ringo's gang and those names in particular?" Ruby shakes her head, her hair flying around her and the dark thoughts finally leaving her mind. “Yes, work, work, work. Blah.” Ruby shakes her head again. “We certainly have a lot to do. I don’t know what these ley lines are that you and Mr. Gonzales are talking about. He may have mentioned it but you know my memory isn’t the best. That or I wasn’t really paying attention in the first place,” she smiles. “I will try to speak to him. He’s going to come by the saloon on Saturday so I can try something new, something to keep the crowd in place. That’s something else we need to take care of,” Ruby rolls her eyes. “Of course using the festival is a good idea. But that might mean you actually getting involved with it,” she says innocently. "And hey, you don't think that Grovesnor guy has anything to do with... no, it can't be the same family, can it?"  He says, "I would doubt it. Besides I don't hold any grudge against them. It was my fathers doing." An evil smile crosses his face. "Well, who knows if it was the same family I might enjoy it."  "You might, you naughty boy.." In a playful tone Ruby continues, “Now about this kiss you were referring to, you know, the one you asked for after you tried to knock me silly so I wouldn’t remember that my boyfriend is a lousy drunk…” she teases, “What’s in it for me?”"Lousy! Hardly. Nanuet is a lousy drunk, that savage can hardly hold his liquor. I put an admirable dent in that bottle senorita, and that was after enjoying my nightly poker whiskey. I even found my way upstairs... somehow." Jake stretches, starting to feel better. “What’s in it for you?" Jake frowns again then suddenly flashes a crooked smile. "Consider it one of your daily offerings to the goddess?”“Savage!” Ruby acts shocked, “How could you say that about our friend? He could kick your butt…now you’re going to have to bribe me so I don’t tell him you said that,” she giggles. “You’re going to try to use this goddess stuff on my all the time now, aren’t you? Huumm..” Ruby bites her lip and moves her face within inches of Jake’s. “I’m not sure I’m buying that Mr. Cook. Although I guess if I want to get what I want I’d better start paying up huh?” With that she leans in the rest of the way and kisses Jake passionately. “How’s that for my daily offering?”  He states, "That was divine. How could the goddess not be pleased?"Ruby smiles at Jake and kisses him again. “Now we’re going over to the El Parador for breakfast and you’re going to drink that foul wake up hang over concoction of Dorita’s so you will be fresh for the photograph you promised me... So it's time to get dressed. I'm going to wear my green dress, what are you going to wear?” She hops off Jake's lap and starts dressing."I'll be wearing that rank bile she calls a cure if any of it crosses my lips," He grouses. Jake tosses back the rest of his own cure and rises. "I'll wear the new black and silver vest." Though not as quickly as Ruby is moving, Jake washes up and dresses.  Ruby shakes her head and adjusts the dark maroon scarf on his pale yellow silk shirt, straightens the black vest with silver diamonds and brushes the dark grey woolen herringbone pants with her hand. "Heh, I almost look conscious," he says and she only laughs.Ruby looks Jake up and down. He was no worse for the night before, even if he did have a hangover. She wouldn't make him drink Dorita's tea, it was foul, no doubt, if he didn't need to. He looks quite handsome, she thinks, it'll be a good photograph so I can always remember how he looks right now. Ruby just stares at him and smiles. "Alright, you look passable," she teases, "Let's go get our photograph taken then." Jake and Ruby grab some apples on their way out and eat them as they walk. "We'll eat afterwards," Ruby comments. Soon they arrive at Fly's Photography studio. “Hello Mr. Fly, we’re here for our photograph,” Ruby calls out.   He greets them warmly and gets to work. Mr. Fly goes about preparing to take their picture. Ruby watches him excitedly as he arranges the drapes and the backdrop just so. Fly pushes two stools next to each other and motions for them to sit. Ruby watches Jake sit uncomfortably on the stool and smiles. She strides towards him and bending forward, while keeping her eyes locked on his, she gently pushes his knees apart. Then she slides the other stool in between Jake’s legs and hops on. She pulls her long hair over her shoulder, exposing her slender neck to Jake. She leans back and rests her head on his shoulder. Jake doesn’t need to be told to wrap his arms around Ruby. “We’re ready,” she says to Fly, “Take a good one, it's going to last forever.”Fly takes their photograph and says "Stay there, I'm going to take another." He goes about resetting all the machinery. Meanwhile Jake whispers something in Ruby's ear causing many smiles and giggles. The second photo is taken, with Jake and Ruby looking much more relaxed and like themselves. After Fly is finished him and Ruby discuss when she should come back for her 'other' photos, the ones for the Lucky Lady and his advertising, and also the festival plans. They thank him and head out. "Thanks baby, it means a lot to me that you did that for me," Ruby says kissing his cheek. "Now let's eat at the Promise City Hotel for breakfast." Jake agrees and they head over. As they walk Ruby takes Jake's hand. "So, are you going to tell me why you've been acting so nuts lately?" she asks glancing at him.   Jake looks a little embarrassed but it passes quickly. "Yes," he says simply, "First we get some food started." They order breakfast and enjoy a few sips of coffee while waiting for it. "You see it’s very simple... in a complicated way. That's not a very good start is it?" Ruby gives Jake a confused look but says nothing. "Now don't be getting mad at me for this first part, but even though my head knows you aren't going anywhere a little piece of my heart worries still. You said it yourself, leaving is your way and all you have known. I watched the expression on your face over the last couple of weeks, trying to decide to stay or run over and over again. Then I am just getting over the whole surprise visitor from Rochester nonsense when you show up wearing priestess robes after telling me the goddess has called to you. So you convince me there is nothing to that but then the next night you don't want to sleep in your own bed! I am trying, Ruby West, to believe every word you tell me. That little piece of my heart will quiet down when I stop seeing the ‘I need to run’ panic on your face every day. I'm here, you're here and most of me believes you. You'll have to settle for that for now." “I’m not mad.” Ruby is quiet for a moment, twirling her hair on her finger. Finally she speaks up, “You’re right about all of that, I’ve been acting crazy too. All I can tell you is I’m really trying. And… I’m not going anywhere without you. That you can believe,” Ruby says placing her hand over his on the table. “The robes, no, I’m not becoming a priestess of Aphrodite. Minerva made me wear them for that ceremony to honor the goddess. I was so excited to come back and see you that I forgot to go back and get my clothes. But I can’t lie and tell you nothing came from that dream. There is a reason that she came to me and I can't deny that I hope what she said comes true.” Jake looks like he is going to ask her a question but instead just nods. "Now leaving isn't just your way is it? I have been wrestling with selling everything, putting us on some horses and hightailing it out of here. Maybe I've seemed confident to you about staying put, but the thought of running for it has crossed my mind a few times..... each day. The thing is, I just can't bring myself to do it. What if there IS something special about us that is HERE? Plus we do have a business and friends. Not everyone in town is trying to kill us." Jake chuckles at that. "Damn It!, in the last few days I discovered I have been calling the saloon home. I looked in the mirror and saw the same face, but who in Hades had taken over my head? I began to wonder if I was loco for real, if I was truly making bad choices, stupid choices." “I didn’t know you thought about leaving.” Ruby actually seems relieved at this comment. “I thought I was the only one who thought that way sometimes. Last night, not being in our bed, for the first time I actually felt like I missed being home. That I wasn’t where I should be. You know, there with you.” She smiles at Jake, “So I know what you mean.” She scrunches her nose at Jake and cocks her head, “But what do you mean making stupid choices?” "That takes me to the last thing that has been making me loco, and the one that is most complicated." Jake stops speaking while their food is placed before them. He smiles and nods thanks. He starts again but more quietly. "If I am not going to run, neither I am just going to sit and be a target. I can't imagine that my friend Johnny is going to negotiate a peace, or realize he is outmatched and run away. So that only leaves the war. No matter how many of his soldiers we put in a grave, he will just hire more. That means to end the war, my friend needs to go to his reward. Now it wouldn't be the first time I helped someone find their reward, it is not something I talk about. Nor am I particularly troubled that I have done so. Those times were necessary and unexpected; I was usually given no real choice. Here I am making a choice and planning it. It feels, different." Jake shrugs and has a few bites of food while Melissa moves around the room. He waits until she is back in the kitchen. "That is only a small part of it. I have taken plenty of risks and I will take plenty more I imagine. Those were my choice. Here I am making a choice that will bring more than me into danger. I know full well that you and the others will not let me do this alone. Not only that, but the Indian tells me I'm the blasted chief! So I make this decision not only for me, but for other lives I care about. I was having a little trouble with the irony of risking the lives I am trying to protect." Ruby picks at her food as Jake talks, trying to take in and understand everything he is saying. “I don’t know how you feel,” she says slowly, “I’ve never had to make decisions for anyone but myself. So why don’t you offer everyone a choice? Tell them this is what you’re doing and make sure they understand what is at stake before they agree. And just know that when they do agree, you have to make smart decisions.” Ruby thinks over her last comment. “So what you are really saying is you’re scared of making the wrong choices, that for maybe the first time you’re not only thinking about what’s best for you.” "Easy girl, don't give me too much credit." Jake frowns. "I dunno, maybe. Would you stay behind at the saloon if you didn't like the plan? Would you let me do it my way alone? Even if I asked you to let me go after him alone?" "No," she answers without hesitation, "But we both know that one, I'm just a stupid foolish girl and two, I'm crazy about you. Don't go where the other can't follow, right?" Ruby looks at Jake then looks away. "How can I save your butt if I'm not there?" she smiles. "Indeed, how could you?" Jake laughs. "Like I said, like you said, I make the decision, others will follow. I'm also not buying the stupid foolish stuff. Besides all that, I am tired of being a meager companion." "So is Silver Jake Cook a fool? Perhaps instead he is reckless and egotistical? I am neither. Gonzalez was right. So was Job. I already knew what they told me though. I already knew I just needed my confidence back. Turns out the answers are simple. Are you going to run again? Probably not, but if you do I'll just throw you in the mud again. Is the Lucky Lady my home? It is for now. If I stop liking it or Ringo blows it up, I'll make a new home. Should I be risking my closest friend’s lives? I know that the odds must be better for all of us to survive if we go after Ringo, Jake style, than if we just wait for him. Could I be wrong about some of those things? I could. I do believe, right here,” Jake taps his chest, "that those are the best odds I can come up with. We will make some mistakes for sure, but at the end of the night we will have won the pot. Sometimes the best time to figure out who you really are is when you are drunk out of your head." Jake smiles, looking confident with a twinkle in his eye. "How's your eggs?" Ruby looks down at her cold eggs which she has been pushing around with her fork. Then she looks up at Jake and rising from her chair, she leans across the table, “That’s my baby,” she says before grabbing his face and planting a big kiss on his lips. “I think I’d better get drunk out of my head tonight,” she laughs as she sits back down. “Do you feel better now?” "Even with a bit of a hangover, I feel better. Maybe better than I have in a very long time." Ruby gives Jake a genuine smile, "I'm very happy to hear you say that. I really want you to be happy." Ruby waves for Melissa Smith and asks for some fresh eggs. "So who ever said you were a meager companion?" Ruby chuckles. "I did. No one had to tell me, I could see it in their faces lately. You, Nanuet, others would leave a conversation with me afraid, upset, unhappy, uncertain or worse. That is NOT Silver Jake Cook. I won't stand for it any more." Jake laughs again. "That's not how it used to be. Even my old pokers players when I took their money used to go away happy. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. Existing just won't do Miss West, we are going to live."   Ruby takes her coffee and raises it. "To living!" She waits for Jake to raise his coffee too, "And to friends, and home and love," she shrugs with a smile, "I had to say it." Jake just laughs and taps his cup to hers.After breakfast Jake and Ruby leisurely walk back to the Lucky Lady. "So I've been thinking," Ruby asks, "What do you think of a kissing booth for the festival? That could make a lot of money, don't you think?"  He replies, "Don't you think the vigilance committee will be angry if all the women in town are lined up to kiss me? I wonder if Dorita has an ointment for chapped lips."Ruby laughs, "No darling, they would be VERY angry because their husbands would be lined up to kiss ME." Ruby takes Jake hand and swings it as they keep walking. "They're already jealous, so who cares. Just think of all that money though..."  "I just don't feel like sharing. They can look but no touching. Those are my lips now." He laughs, "Besides Dorita's chapped lip ointment probably tastes like her hangover cure.""Probably," Ruby laughs as she puts her arm around Jake's waist, "You'll just have to keep these lips of yours busy on your own then and Minerva will have to find someone else for her kissing booth." She gives him a squeeze. "So tell me how much you missed me last night."Jake seems back to himself and does indeed tell Ruby how much he missed her, waxing eloquent about her beauty and how much he enjoys her company. He throws in some more personal favorites while he is at it.   Back at the saloon Jake tells her he needs to spend some time running this place, "You are welcome to work or maybe just go have some fun." She seems to prefer to avoid work and Jake smiles unsurprised. Jake goes up to change from his picture outfit. A few minutes later he comes down stairs, his lanky frame covered in a light brown shirt and dark brown trousers. His well worn boots move with a spring in his step and his flat brimmed black hat sits level trying to hold in his short but thick brown hair under it. Instead of just his favorite fast draw Colt Peacemaker hung low on his right side he also has another pistol holstered higher and cross draw on the other side. The extra weight does not seem to bother him physically or mentally. He seems lost in thought, stroking his bearded chin but there is a faint smile on his face. He scratches his cheek, thinking he could have done a better job shaving. "I shouldn't be holding a razor that early and hung over." That seems to amuse him. Jake spends the rest of the morning at the Lucky Lady checking, looking, inspecting and planning. He locates individually Henry, Niles, Job and Jeff. Each he reminds about the Cowboy threat to blow the place up, and asks for their ideas about defending against that. He also asks for the names of any trustworthy and competent folks who might be interested in earning some cash in the short term for watching the Lucky Lady at night. "Might be prudent until the Cowboy trouble is over." He makes mental notes of some things to change, places to watch for trouble. None of it darkens his mood, he seems pleased no matter what he finds. He also tells Chester to send for him when Berg would like to hear what he has to tell the new marshal and his deputies.Satisfied with Jake's compliments Ruby also seems to be lighter in mood. She also goes upstairs and changes into a white blouse and thin white skirt. She keeps her boots off, heading downstairs barefoot. She spends the rest of the morning on stage, practicing some dancing and new songs, trying different combinations of melodies and dance steps. She gracefully glides around the stage, letting her hair and feet move freely. Occasionally Harry isn’t busy and he comes and plays for her.After her morning of practicing Ruby gets her boots and wanders her way over to Kelly's Dry Goods. She speaks with Mrs. Kelly and gives her specific instructions for the costume she would like made. Kelly measures her and agrees to have it finished by Thursday, excited by the prospect of doing something challenging and different. Next Ruby heads over to Lacey's. "Mr. Lacey?" she calls out after entering the store, looking for the owner.   Judge Lacey stands up from a seat in the corner of the room where he had been blocked from Ruby's view by a table full of merchandise. As she approaches she sees on the chair some white material as well as needle and thread, as it appears that he was sewing something. He asks, "What can I do for you Miss West?""Good afternoon Mr. Lacey. I was wondering if my book had come in yet. I ordered it two weeks ago."   He replies, "Why yes, it came in on yesterday's stagecoach. That little man Chumbley was in here this morning selling me an advertisement for his newspaper and I asked him to pass on the message to you when he saw you."   She says, "Oh. I just haven't seen him yet today. I'm so excited to get started with it! It's going to be tough for me to get through but I'm determined." She looks curiously at the white material. "I'm curious, what were you working on, if I might ask?"   He replies, "Oh, I started it as my costume for the festival next week, I was originally going to go as the hero Odysseus so was making a toga. But last night I was talking to Laurie Gilson and she convinced me that I would make a better pirate.”   "Yes," Ruby laughs, "You'd be a wonderful pirate, I can see it. I think Jake Cook should be a pirate too, but I don't know if he'll really dress in costume. I just came from Mary Kelly's, she's going to help with my costume. I'm sure you guessed I don't know how to sew." Ruby cocks her head, "Who was Odysseus?"   He replies, "He was a great Greek hero. So you've never read Homer's Odyssey? Here, I have a copy right here, you can borrow it for as long as you'd like."  A blush comes across Ruby's face, "I really shouldn't take your book, you know, being so busy and all...but you're very kind to offer." He then says, “So I didn't know what I'd do with this, then today there was a fencing match over at the El Parador. Old man Gonzales lost to a pair of young whippersnappers. They're going at it again tomorrow so instead of having him embarrass himself again I thought I'd give him an opponent more his age, so am turning this into a fencing jacket and plastron. Don't know how well I'll do, I haven't used a sword since the war."Ruby states, "Did you say fencing? Mr. Gonzales knows how to fence? And you too? Who else was playing? Oh I'm mad I missed it. I always thought it looked so exciting to learn to use a sword, I know it's not exactly the same thing. Maybe I should take some lessons myself, you know, to keep myself out of trouble." Ruby flips her hair over her shoulder. "What do you think?"He replies, "The other two men were that tall young guy who was with Judge Isby and another guy who I don't know but have seen around town this week. They'll be another contest tomorrow morning before nine if you'd like to watch. I'm not sure how well I'll do with a fencing foil, I have used one before but most of my experience is with real swords."She says, "Oh that's Kevin Tom... something, the man with Judge Isby. Maybe I will come and watch although I'm not quite accustomed to rising so early." Ruby continues softly, "I guess you had to use your sword often in the war?"He replies, "Just a few times thankfully. Saved several of my men with it, that's what earned me the citation.”       "I'm sure it was well earned." Ruby is quiet for a moment before she speaks again. "I should be going. How much do I owe you for my book?"  Lacey tells her that because it was special ordered it will cost her a $1. She takes the book by Homer, thanks and pays Mr. Lacey and heads back to the Lucky Lady.Ruby returns to the Lucky Lady. She wanders around looking for her friends, none of which can be found. So instead she places her gun in its normal home and walks over to the El Parador where she prepares, then mounts her horse. She rides out to the spot where her and Jake had once done weapons training. She ties up her horse then glances around the landscape, taking in the scenery. She finds the tree that her and Jake napped under then made herself comfortable. She pulls up her skirts, takes out her book and opens to the first page. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents’ strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love, And the continuance of their parents’ rage, Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours’ traffick of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Ruby scrunches her nose as she looks at the front cover. She slams the book closed in a huff and throws it to the ground. What in Hades did that mean? she thinks, glad that the frustrated look on her face wasn’t witnessed by anyone. “Stupid book.” She pushes it further away from her. “Ruby West, how are you going to perform this if you can’t even understand it?” She sighs loudly. She looks up at the landscape again and her thoughts start filling her head. She leans her head back against the tree and stares up into the sky. Jake was acting so strange yesterday, but it seems like today he is back to his old self. That little speech earlier, well, it certainly is reassuring that he feels better. And he mentioned worrying about me; he mentioned a little piece of his heart worrying about me. Ruby couldn’t stop the smile that came unbidden to her face. Girl, why have you been so unsure of him? Look at all the crazy things he’s done. Just as he said earlier, he only knew you a couple of weeks when he came after you and threw you in the mud. And what about the saloon? He made a home for you! Why have you doubted his feelings? It’s not like you Ruby to not be confident and sure. She pulls at her hair as her thoughts keep assailing her. And what about everything that happened with George? Have you ever seen a man so jealous over you? Ok, you have... Ruby actually laughs out loud at that not new revelation. But I think Jake really means it. Her laughter dies down and a serious expression overcomes her face. He turned down $50,000. Now THAT is something no one has ever done for me. All her thoughts focus on that last very real event that had occurred. She thinks on it for some time, her heart and mind in battle for what could possibly be the truth staring her right in the face. This whole love thing has you in such a knot and you need to get a hold of yourself! It’s obvious that you’ve been blinded by your own confusion, and how could Jacob Cook not love you? You’re beautiful, sexy, talented, smart, ok maybe not so smart, but he doesn’t care about that anyway, and have the ability to charm any man you wish. AND now you’re a favored one of Aphrodite, whatever that means but it has to be good right? SHE showed you the vision of Jake being happy and SHE sent you that dream of you and Jake getting married, so it’s meant to be. Fate, Destiny, whatever that crap is, that’s it. It’s fate. And you need to do whatever it takes to help keep it this way. Ruby stands slowly, not her old self but somehow new and different. She pats her black stallion, his coat shining in the bright sun. She hops up and doesn’t waste any time starting him towards home.</blockquote>

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