Ram on the Lamb

Jacob headed to the store to get some more supplies to prepare, for his upcoming show at Rue's Casino.

Yesterday been a long hard day at the forge as Petra cracked the whip the heat had nearly made him sick of course the hangover from the booze hadn't helped him beat his blues.

Last night with Mary Sue had also not helped much it was true. Because she wasn't the girl in his head just a girl to warm his bed.

He wasn't looking forward to seeing Rue not after he knew what she and Billy had been up too. Petra cautioned him to hear Billy out. To find out what that night was all about.

Jacob hadn't talked to Ruechari he was still too hurt and angry. He'd been avoiding her for a couple of days now, but tonight he'd talk with Billy to sort things out.

When he returned and opened the door. He certainly wasn't prepared for what he found. Gyn had come around. Scraps of fabric lay on the ground.

Josie's face turned red when Jacob saw what lie on the bed. It seems that Gyn was helping her friend, making some ladies undergarments. Jacob didn't really know what to say. He knew this was coming, but dreaded this day. When Josie was no longer in need of just a chemise, but also a corset indeed.

His own faced bloomed as Josie asked him to leave the room. He threw his packages on the bed, and silently nodded his head. Josie had covered her corset with a blanket and blocked his view.

He bumped his knee in his haste to get out of the room. After he closed the door behind him, he heard Gyn giggling and mocking the color of his face. The awkwardness of the situation, she tried to erase. Jacob tried to figure out what to do. It was clear he couldn't return to the room, at least anytime soon.

He immediately thought of Rue but she had lots of work to do and he remembered he was pissed at her too. He often got the impression, by her irritated expression, that sometimes it was best to give Rue, a bit of breathing room. He didn't want to come off as desperate to Rue. Even though he knew, he was in too deep.

Thoughts of her made it hard to sleep. He couldn't stop thinking of the kisses they had shared. It had taken him time and effort to get there. Now, it felt even more bittersweet. Was Rue a mistake he didn't want to repeat? He didn't want to do something he would regret, so lying low with Rue was his best bet.

Right now his emotions would get the best of him. He decided a swim on this hot day at the waterfall, was the best call.

He grabbed some lunch to go from the hotel, filled a canteen of water from the well. He went to the stable and saddled his horse. He'd brought an apple for Lady, a carrot for Knight of course.

For his own mount Lady Imogen, a turnip was her favorite thing. The day was blazin' hot, as Lady Imogen set out at trot to that beautiful spot.

Rue had said this waterfall was hard to find, but he had no trouble when he took her there to dine. The same went for this time.

The water looked cool and inviting too, and Jacob knew just what to do. First, he checked that no one was around before he stripped down.

Lady Imogen, the horse he had newly bought, was a disciplined horse. So he had thought, to name her after his mother. Though he'd told that to no other. His mother had always been so proper and prim. He'd often thought she was ashamed of him. A willful child was he, though secretly, he believed he was his mother's favorite son.

She often asked him to sing her church hymns, but Lou often teased Jacob had the devil in him. He missed his old life in Tennessee. While living it he complained he wanted to be free. He thought the farm life wasn't for he. So he took the news of traveling west with a wagon party, with excitement and glee. Now he found the irony, that he dreamed to be home again. With all his family surrounding him.

He wondered how different his life would be, if his family had stayed in Tennessee. He tried to put dark thoughts aside. At least he really tried, not to think about those who'd died. As he swam in the cool water of the falls, he tried to get away from it all.

It felt divine, a nice time. As he floated on his back, while Lady Imogen did snack, on the vegetation around. At least until he heard a sound.

It seemed he and his horse had some company, as a herd of bighorns roamed free. Not the cuddly kind farmers sheered, for the wool they yield. No, these Desert Bighorn Rams grew heavier than the average man.

They had wicked curved horns strong as can be, and unfortunately, it was a mating season which could lead, to another level of aggression entirely.

Often for dominance, the males butted heads, it was even worse when they chased Ewes instead and it seemed a couple of rams but had their eyes, on one Ewe prize.

Jacob watches as the Ewe, lapped up water from the pool. While two rams went at it locking horns, Lady Imogen neighed with scorn. By their strength, Jacob was amazed, but the Ewe didn't seem to fazed.

It likely happened every day. The rams butted horns for quite a bit. Even threw in some kicks, until one bowed out of it.

The victor was a mighty beast, two hundred fifty pounds at least. Jacob figured it was safe since they seemed to be on the far side of the place.

Bighorns weren't known to attack men, even though it was rutting season. Jacob wanted to have a bite to eat. The kitchen had thrown in a special treat. And afterward perhaps a nap then another swim. By then it should be safe for him to return to his room again.

Jacob tried not to dwell, on what was going on back at the hotel. Josie's growing up, he wasn't taking so well. He got out of the water and made for his sack, gave his horse a stroke oh her back.

He ate his bread and ham, then a pastry covered in jam. Watching the herd of rams. The sun dried his skin rather quickly, as he enjoyed a welcomed breeze.

After he finished his meal, he looked forward with zeal took a nap in the shade made, by some rock, he laid. He had a nice sleep. At least until a sheep, began to bleat.

He opened his eyes, and much to his surprise several sheep had huddled around, the spot near which he laid on the ground, as he hadn't made a sound.

It was a bit nerve-wracking he had to admit. Those horns could certainly split his skin. If they got the notion, so he was careful not to cause a commotion.

He sat up slowly, not too worried, as Bighorns were more likely to run away than to attack him anyway.

Jacob watched this herd up close. The smell was a bit of the worst. Lady Imogen was drinking from the pool. And Jacob didn't lose his cool, at least until a Ewe, moved closer to him.

Much to the disliking of a big ram. The animal put his head down, charged twenty feet across the ground.

Jacob scrambled to his feet. The pool, the only place to retreat. To say he ran faster than he ever had, was an accurate account.

He felt the breeze on his backside. From the charging ram out for his hide. As into the pool, he did dive. Made it just in the nick of time.

Heart pounding. Jacob laughed, "You can have her my friend. Just don't try that again."

The ram paced at the edge but didn't get in. Lady Imogen was gone with the wind, had run off as soon as the trouble did begin.

Surely, the ram had to move on at some time and this would be a funny story down the line. In time the ram would tire of stalking him. He'd find his horse and be on his way again.

So he decided to enjoy his swim. At least until the sun began to burn his skin, but soon the situation was no longer so funny. As it had turned into a standoff indeed the ram grew aggressive each time he tried to leave.

Jacob debated swallowing his pride, and leaving the pool on the other side. But then he has to leave his clothes behind and find Lady Imogen in his bare hide.

He decided to wait the ram out, for a bit more, before he decided to come to shore but the sun began to sink lower. And the Bighorns milled around without haste. Seemingly in no hurry to leave this place.

And by now Jacob was tired, wrinkled, and red by the sun, and now his getaway was no longer fun. "Oh for crying out loud! This is crazy!"

Now the sheep looked quite lazy, foraging and lounging near the reservoir. Jacob tried to leave once more.

A few sheep scattered as he came ashore. But that big fellow came back for more. Jacob grabbed a stick and ran for his clothes. That ram charged and he knocked him on the nose.

But it only further enraged the son of a gun, and Jacob turned and took off at a faster run. He retreated back towards the pool once more. Jacob hollered and swore, as the ram plowed into his hindquarters and up in the air, Jacob Craven did sail.

He landed with a groan, played dead in a crumpled heap hoping the ram would leave him alone. He said not a peep.

As the ram nudged him once more, Jacob again moaned and swore. If he hadn't been in pain, he might have found it funny once again.

Of all the ways he thought he'd die, death by a ram hadn't crossed his mind.

As soon as the ram had walked away, Jacob forced himself up back into the pool again that day. More than just his pride was bruised. Jacob had challenged the ram and did loose.

He was covered in scrapes, black and blue. He laughed like a fool. He was pretty sure, his tailbone was broken, as he rubbed it and swore.

He dragged himself out of the pool. On the far side, away from the deranged ram and ewe.

He limped through the desert in search of his horse. He used a tumbleweed to cover his front of course. The rocks and sand were harsh against his feet. His skin was red as a beet.

The sweat made his scrapes burn, not to take on a ram was a hard lesson to learn.

He knew he was hard-headed, but he'd just met his match. He called out for his horse to come back.

Finally, he heard her hooves against the sand, and towards him, Lady Imogen ran.

He muttered a thank you to the man above. He greeted her with a smile and a good rub down, gave her a turnip from his sack, before he headed towards town.

But this put him in a tricky spot indeed. He couldn't just ride into BG, in the buff for all to see. He had no other choice, but to borrow the saddle blanket from his horse.

The ride was slow and agony, but he put on a grin for the first face he did see.

It wasn't too long before he heard the giggles, whispers, and scorn. As Jacob rose towards the hotel only adorned, in a blanket wrapped around his waist. With scratches and bruises from his toes to his face.

He waved and grinned, did pretend, it didn't bother him. He knew he would be the talk of the town. Near the café, he said Hi to Bella and promised to see her around. She looked at him with a speechless frown.

Sister Mary Grace muttered a prayer and lowered her face. Luckily, Jacob made it back to the hotel, without seeing any lawmen or other friends as well.

He sent up a prayer up towards the sky, hoping he wouldn't run into Rue, or he would surely die, of embarrassment.

The man at the desk shouted he was indecent. But Jacob held his head up high, walked through the hotel with his blanket tied.

He tipped his head at the ladies he passed, they giggled and gasped.

He was in a predicament. He hoped Jujube could help him out of it. He kept the easy grin, when into the bar he walked in.

Jujube face wore a frown when he looked Jacob up and down. Jacob swaggered toward him.

"Where have you been? Jacob, you look like you've been rode hard and laid out to dry."

"You should see the other guy."

In an effort to save his pride, naturally, Jacob lied.

Jacob told Jujube, all about him being jumped by four guys in Tent City. He weaved a fantastic tale indeed. He took down three, the last guy was a brute of three hundred pounds easy.

He made off with Jacob's clothes and money, only after he, had pulled a gun on Jake and his life he threatened to take.

Jujube gave him some gin on the house. Though his story he did doubt. He warned Jacob to tend to his wounds. Rather soon to keep them from going sour.

Jacob finished his gin. Then looked at Jujube with another grin, "Jujube, could you do a solid for me? Let me borrow some clothes, so no more ladies see, me so indecently. Josie especially."

Jujube nodded and compiled. Returned with some clothes, which hung loosely off Jacob's hide. Jacob thanked God when he made it back to his room. Without running into Rue.

But facing Josie didn't prove, much better.

She asked him a bunch of questions and made quite a fuss, as she insisted on cleaning his bumps and cuts. She grew annoyed when refused to sit on the bed, trying to clean his scrapes while he stood instead.

"Whose clothes are you wearing, for pity sake? Have you been fighting again, Jake?"

"Only to defend myself, Josie Pie. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"That's' what you said last time!" Josie forced him to sit down. Jacob managed it with only a wince and frown. "Did you break a table again? By the looks of you, you didn't win."

Jacob laughed as Josie cleaned his face. He rather let her think about him in disgrace. Better to let her believe, he got injured in a bar fight melee.

Than pummeled by an angry sheep. That was a secret he wanted to keep. Josie winced and sucked in a deep breath when she saw the scratches on his arms and chest.

"Just how many of them, did you try to take, Jake? Maybe I should get Rue."

"No Josie, that's something you aren't going to do. Don't bother Rue. She has a lot to do. I'll heal up just fine."

Josie rolled her eyes, "You mean you don't want Rue, to know what you've been up to? She'll be angry at you."

Before Jacob could say anything more, a knock came upon the door. Mostly likely Jujube, returning for his clothing.

Jacob was still wearing his pants, and he wanted the chance, to have them washed first.

But when Josie opened the door. It was Rue who burst in. Holding a tin of Ice, and a pot of tea. Jacob swore and rose slowly. This was awkward indeed. He couldn't stop picturing her with Billy. 

With concern on her face, Rue took his battered skin in, "Jacob, I heard you were robbed by some men?"

"Robbed? You said it was a bar fight again!" Josie did chime in.

Both women looked at him to explain, but Jacob didn't want to reveal his shame.

"I didn't want to worry you, Josie. And thanks but I'm fine Ruechari. I'm sure you have lots to do."

"They certainly did a number on you, you should probably see the doctor, then Sheriff 3Gun when your through," suggested Ruechari.

Jacob shook his head as he sat back down the bed. "I'll be just fine. Just some scratches. No need to waste the Sheriff or the doc's time."

"Jacob, robbery is a crime," argued Rue, as she walked farther into the room. Yes so is stealing my heart Rue, then crushing it too.

She eyed his wounds critically, before pouring him a cup a tea.

A blush crept to her cheeks, when she eyed his bare torso a bit too long and Jacob gave her a devilish grin when he caught on. At least until he remembered what she'd done to him and then he turned sour again.

"Thanks, but I think Josie and I got this handled in here, Ruechari."

Rue grinned. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to get rid of me."

"Guilty...I don't think you can handle these."

He flexed his biceps which made him wince and regret.

Josie sighed, "Oh Jake, would you stop it!"

But right now he knew was quite the sight. Covered in scratches, bruises, and bumps, and he couldn't sit just right.

The tea had worked well before. He eagerly gulped down some more.

"Thank you, Rue."

He meant it too. Right now his stubborn pride could take a break because the pain was almost too much to take.

"I'll get an ointment for you. Should help with your sunburn, and scrapes too. Tent City is still under the jurisdiction of BG. Those robbers can't roam free. Jacob, word will get back to the Sheriff indeed. If you don't tell him, it'll come from me. By the state of you, they're dangerous men. Do you want them to strike again?"

Ruechari face was determined and set, and Jacob knew there was no talking her out of it.

He muttered a curse under his breath.

She pressed a cloth against filled with ice against his cheek. It took a while before he began to speak.

"There's no need to alert the Sheriff, Rue, I wasn't robbed. I was attacked by a Bighorn after a ewe."

Rue got a confused look alright. Not sure she'd heard him just right. "What?" she asked for clarification.

As Jacob recounted his tale, Josie and Rue laughed so hard they needed air. Tears Leaked from their eyes.

"Thanks for your concern, I nearly died. I think I broke my backside."

"I'm sure Doc U B Well would be happy to take a look for you," grinned Rue.

Jacob laughed. "Oh for that you'll do Rue. Will you kiss it Rue and make it feel better then?".

Josie grimaced, "Jacob, ew."

Josie groaned and Rue uttered, "Men."

Jacob fell quiet once again.

As his sadness and anger came creeping back in. She joked and smiled like she'd done no wrong. When she'd just been stringing him along and to think he was getting close to telling her how he felt.

"Josie go on down with Rue to get some pie. I need to ice my..."

This sent both young women into giggling once more before they walked out the door.

"Josie and Rue, the story I told you, doesn't leave this room. Understand?" Jacob made his demand.

"I'm not going to make a promise I can't keep Jake," said Josie.

"As for me, I'll see," grinned Ruechari. "It seems too good of a story not to tell. I mean what kind of person would I be, if I didn't warn the good folks of BG that a feral ram was on the lam?"

They both got to giggling again. Jacob preferred it wasn't at the expense of him. He sighed and wished he could hide. Rue promised to return to his room, with that ointment she promised and soon.

Jacob set about the task of pining for his lost pride and dignity,

As he iced his .....