"Okay. I don't think it's a good idea to ride in as a group. It might draw too much attention." Tim says as he climbs onto Ringo. "Rob, you can ride on ahead and check things out."

"Right outside the sheriff's office is a board with all the wanted posters on them." Sam says.

"Okay, that will be my first stop." Rob nods.

"If the coast is clear, you stay. If not, ride out immediately." Tim says.

"Got it." Rob replies with a nod.

"The rest of us will wait outside of town. Nate? Don't you have some binoculars?" Tim asks, turning to the blonde scout.

"Yep." Nate answers as he reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out the binoculars. "It's a necessity for scouts."

"Okay, good. Rob can give us some sort of sign that it's safe to come in." Tim says.

"He can step out so he knows we can see him and take his glasses off to clean them." Adam suggests.

"That's perfect, Babe." Tim smiles at the blonde.

"Y'all, please, just stay out of trouble but have fun." Lilly says with a smile.

"Yes, Mam." Tim smiles and tips his hat to the lady.

"You boys stay safe." Sam says as his eyes meet those of the outlaw. "And hurry home."

A lump rises in Tim's throat as he studies the weathered face of the old cowboy. Besides his gang, he had never been shown this kind of affection. Not even from his own parents. This elderly couple really does care for him and the boys.

"We will." Tim says, hoping that the old man didn't notice the quiver in his voice. "We'll be home soon."

The old man smiles and pats Tim on the leg.

"Let's go guys." Tim says.

"YEEHAWWW!!!" Austin yells. "PARTY TIME, Y'ALL!!!" 

~~

Tim, Adam, Austin and Chance stand under a shade tree and watch as Nate climbs higher onto the high rocks to get a better view of the town below. Tim had already divided the money that Sam had given them equally between each gang member. For a few days, they could actually live like kings. 

"So what's the first thing you gonna do when you get to town?" Chance asks as he wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"My first stop will definitely be the saloon." Tim smiles as he licks his dry lips.

"I'm finding the prettiest girl in town to spend some quality time with." Austin chuckles.

"Just make sure that girl's father doesn't catch you this time." Tim says with a smirk.

"Naw, this will be one that is paid to put out." Austin laughs.

"I'm going to find me a hot poker game." Adam smiles as he leans back against the tree.

"Do you think it's best that we act like we don't know each other?" Chance asks.

"I was thinking that. We'll just have to wait and see." Tim nods. "Of course, Adam and I will ride in together. The rest is totally up to you guys. It would probably be safe for you three to ride in together if you want."

"I SEE HIM!" Nate calls down from the rocks. "I GUESS HE'S LOOKING AT THE WANTED POSTERS!"

"JUST KEEP AN EYE ON HIM! WATCH FOR HIS SIGNAL!" Tim calls up to the scout.

"Wait for it....wait for it." Nate says softly as he watches the bearded man through the binoculars.

Rob searches over the wanted posters. Making sure that he hadn't overlooked a single poster. A small smile plays on his lips as he turns around. Stepping off the wooden boardwalk out into the duster streets, he looks up toward the end of town and innocently removes his glasses and cleans them on his shirt.

"Yes! YES!!!" Nate shouts as he begins to climb down from the rocks. "COAST IS CLEAR!!"

"Great! Okay, you guys mount up and ride on in town. Have fun but try to stay out of trouble." Tim says. "Adam and I will wait a little while before we ride in."

It was decided that Austin and Nate would ride in together. Chance would ride in alone a few minutes later. Tim and Adam decided to circle around the town and enter from the opposite side.

Rob ties his horse, Jessie, outside of The Grand Palace Hotel. He walks in and is amazed at the beauty of the building. Definitely a high-dollar hotel. He had never stayed in such a fancy place. Mainly because he couldn't afford it. But for the next few days, he was going to live the life of a rich man.

Tim and Adam walk through the swinging doors of the Golden Nugget Saloon. A few cowboys lined the bar quenching their thirst. Beautiful saloon girls were serving drinks to the men who had chosen to sit at the tables. An elderly man plays tunes from an old upright piano in the corner. A lively poker game was taking place in another corner of the building.

"Wow, this is nice." Adam whispers as they walk up to the bar. Tim answers with a nod as he looks around, seeing a familiar face at the end of the bar sipping a beer.

Chance smiles and nods at the outlaw, earning a nod in return.

After ordering a couple of beers, the couple goes to sit at a table.

"D*mn, this is the nectar of the gods." Tim smiles after his first swallow. The cool liquid soothing his dry throat.

Adam eyes the poker game. He was studying each of the players and their techniques.

"Mind if I join you?" A low voice asks.

Tim looks up to see Chance standing next to his chair.

"Have a seat." Tim smiles up at his friend. "We've not even gotten a second glance from anyone so I think we're safe. Where're the others?" He asks in a quieter voice.

"I saw Tecumseh and Ghost tied out front of the brothel." Chance answers.

"Imagine that." Tim chuckles softly.

"And I think I saw Rob heading inside the hotel." Chance adds.

"Learning anything?" Tim asks his lover.

"Yep, I'm learning that these cowboys have more money than they have luck." Adam smirks as he looks around at the brunette. "Piece of cake."

"Be careful, Babe." Tim says softly as Adam stands to go join the next game.

Tim watches over his lover protectively as the poker players gladly welcome him into the game.

"Adam looks much younger than he actually is." Chance says in a low voice. "They think he's inexperience."

"Yep, but little do they know, he's fixing to drain them dry." Tim replies with a smile.

Suddenly, a bottle of whiskey is sat down in front of the two friends along with two shot glasses.

"Can I buy you boys a drink?" A female voice asks.

Tim slowly turns his head to look up at their visitor. A beautiful blonde haired blue-eyed beauty was smiling down at him.

"Hello there. So we meet again." She adds.

"Jenika?" Tim chuckles as he stands and pulls the blonde beauty into a hug. "What the hell? What are you doing here?"

"Well...." She starts as she joins them at the table. "After your little show in town, most of the people left. Business fell drastically. The girls and I left and came here. I decided to start a new chapter in my life when I found that this place was for sale."

"That's awesome. I'm happy for you. What about the other girls?" Tim asks as he pours him and Chance a shot of whiskey.

"Olena and Sami are high-dollar girls at the brothel." Jenika answers. "So where's your sweetheart at?"

"Right over there." Tim says as he nods over at the poker table.

"Oh, my lord. I walked right past him and didn't even see him." Jenika giggles.

"He's too focused to even know what's going on." Tim smiles as he watches his lover win another game. "Isn't he gorgeous?"

"You know, you two don't have to hide your feelings here." Jenika says as she lays her hand on top of the outlaw's. "Believe it or not, this town is pretty open to gay men as well as women."

"I was a little worried about that." Tim says. "We love each other but we didn't want to get killed either."

"Times are changing, Timmy." Jenika says as she stands from the table and places a kiss on Tim's cheek before walking away.

********

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