Chapter Twelve

The rider rushed into the house, stumbling as Gaston shouted at him. "Don't bother to knock, will you?"

"Fitzherbert's coming." One of the men declared as they held up the injured rider.

Gaston looked in shock as they continued explained. "He's killed two for sure. Paddy and Oliver."

"Fitzherbert said to tell you he's coming for you." The rider panted. "He'll get us all. I know he will."

"Oh, shut up." Gaston spat, shaking his head. He jumped to his feet, disgust clear on his face. How did he end up getting idiots to work for him? Eugene should have been killed days ago. "One man and he's beaten all of you."

Gaston growled slamming a drawer shut. "Brophy, you and Mitchell ride with me as far as the gap." The two men glanced in fear at each other as Gaston continued barking commands. "Dobkin, get every available man. I'll find Ashley-Pitt."

"Yes, sir." Dobkin said.

"And get him out of here. He's bleeding all over the rug." Gaston scoffed, waving at the injured rider. He wanted nothing to with any of his men right now. They were so disappointing to look at.

xxx

Eugene had been given another horse when he left the little town. He had tied it to the back of his horse and rushed back to Rapunzel and Little Bit. He hoped they would be just fine and there would nothing to worry about.

But as he approached the cave, he saw the carcasses of dingoes.

There was a blood trail leading from inside the cave that was now dried. Flies buzzed around the cave signaling death.

His heart bean to pound in fear as he pulled out his gun. He prayed that nothing had happened to them. He prayed that they would be alright. But what he was seeing told him to expect the worst.

Slowly, he walked into the cave. There he spotted Rapunzel, her face laying in the dirt with the pistol tight in her hand. "Lady. Lady?" He exclaimed, shaking her.

She gasped, bolting upright in fear. "No, no. It's alright." Eugene's comforted. She sighed, beginning to sit up. "What happened?" Eugene asked.

Instead of saying anything, she just groaned and pulled him into a hug. She was so glad he was back. He was safe and didn't leave her and Little Bit to die. "The Comanches came." She frowned once she was safe in his arms.

Eugene began looking around. When she had first told this story, Jack Jr. had been accidentally suffocated. Knowing his fear, Rapunzel looked over her shoulder. "But Little Bitty's just fine." She grinned.

Off in the corner, Little Bit laid on the ground, sucking in his thumb.

Eugene let out a sigh as Rapunzel pressed on. "I killed the Comanches and he's just. . ." She trailed. "He's just fine, honey." She said, crawling back into his arms.

Eugene pressed his face against her as she snuggled into the crook of his neck. She chuckled as he leaned against her. "You're quite a woman, Rapunzel." He said.

She pulled away, grinning at him. "You get any sage hens?" She asked.

Eugene smiled, laying down his gun. "I got the next best thing." He promised, digging in his back pocket. She smiled as he pulled out a large brown package. "They didn't have a red one." He chuckled.

"Oh." She giggled, looking at the package. "No matter." She said, opening her gift. She looked up, arching her eyebrow. "Is it pretty?"

"Looks good on me." He teased, making her laugh.

xxx

"I missed you." Rapunzel said as they rode their horses back to the small town. They had to go at a slow, even pace to prevent from losing anything.

"You did?" Eugene asked, glancing back to look at Rapunzel in her stunning purple dress. "Who'd you miss?"

"You." She said, a smile on her face.

"Me?" Eugene asked, trying to clarify which one he was. "Not that other fella?"

"You." She repeated, her voice more sure now. She missed Eugene Fitzherbert.

Eugene softly smiled as he realized she really was talking about him. Not Jack. She missed the real him. And for a few seconds, he allowed himself to fall in love with her.

"I don't want you to go." Rapunzel said, cutting him off from his thoughts.

Not wanting to get to emotional, he decided to try and change the subject. "You sure look pretty in that new purple dress." He grinned.

Knowing what he was doing, she pushed on. "If you go after Gaston, he'll kill you."

"Kid," Eugene said, looking at Little Bit sitting on Rapunzel's lap, "next time she talks like that, pee all over the dress."

xxx

The sun was just setting at the group made it back to the small town. Knowing where he was welcome, Eugene took them back to Mr. Grimmelman's.

After having been fed, Eugene slowly walked around the bedroom, lightly tapping on Little Bit's back. The baby was already asleep, tired from the long day out in the sun. Worried about what to do, Rapunzel stared out the window.

Down below was a group of Aborigines. They were talking with Mr. Grimmelman, who was good friends with them. They did many trades over the last few years and grew very close.

Seeing the distress on her face, Eugene walked over and slid Little Bit in her arms. Rapunzel smiled, slowly rocking him in her arms.

Eugene knew she was debating about giving him back to his people. But after the way he had seen her take care of him and love him as her own, Eugene knew that it was wrong for him to force her to give him up. "You have every right to your happiness, Rapunzel." He said.

Eugene then walked out the door and went outside. Mr. Grimmelman looked at Eugene, wondering where the baby was. For his answer, Eugene shook his head. Little Bit was going to stay with Rapunzel.

But then to everyone's surprise, Rapunzel walked out to the group, Little Bit sleeping soundly in her arms. Almost like she was in a trance, she went straight for the Aborigines.

Sad smiles broke out on their faces as she carefully handed him over. He didn't belong to her. She would have to be some selfish, heartless woman to think that he was hers. He needed to be with his people. He wasn't her baby.

Giving him one kiss, she nestled her nose in his soft blonde hair and pecked his head. Slowly, she backed away, no words spoken from her lips as she stood alone.

One of the Aborigine men began to speak and then the group walked away. Mr. Grimmelman and Klaus went back into the house, leaving Rapunzel and Eugene alone.

Rapunzel took a few deep breaths, trying to keep her tears to herself as she watched them walk away with Little Bit. She knew this would be the last time she would ever see him again. The last time she would ever hold him in her arms.

Unsure what to say to comfort her, Eugene walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. No words could comfort a mother who had lost another child in her eyes.

xxx

Just as he was about to leave the next morning, Rapunzel came rushing out of the house. Her blonde hair was tangled from the night and her eyes seemed greener the grass around her.

Eugene thanked Mr. Grimmelman then walked to Rapunzel, whose tears were present on her smooth checks. "You know something, lady? I ain't figured you out yet."

"Good." She smiled. She reached out, touching his bandana. "Crazy people are blessed that way, don't you know?"

Silent fell between them as the thought spin in both of their heads. "I'll never see you again, will I?" She asked.

His silence answered her question. She frowned, his hand gently touching her cheek one last time. "You sure look pretty in the morning sun." He said.

Then he walked away, slowly hopping onto his horse and riding off into the distance.

Rapunzel watched him leave her one last time. She tried to remember this feeling. The feeling of love for a strong, passionate, and kind man. Her heart ached as she knew he was never coming back for her.

Eugene then turned around, getting one last look at the most gorgeous woman had ever seen. Her hair looked like gold from a distance and he could almost see her emerald eyes. How had this crazy girl stolen his heart so fast?

Tears pooled in her eyes as he gave her one last wave.

She waved back. "Bye." She softly cried, a smile on her face.

~~~~~~~~~~~