The place was dimly lit by only a few lanterns and, to Lara's surprise, deserted…except for one table in the back. A man was seated there, but his hat was pulled down low over his forehead and in the shadows it was impossible to see who it was.
The tall outlaw escorting them pointed to table a along the right wall. "Sit there, folks. Spade'll be along directly.
"What's all this about, Alison?" Lara asked.
Alison shrugged. "Beats me. We'll just have to wait and see."
A noise attracted their attention and Lara turned to see men filing into the room from a rear entrance. A lot of men. As they drew closer, Lara recognized Pete and Chad. Then Arizona and other members of the outlaws. Matt Branson was in the crowd, too. Soon the four seated prisoners were surrounded by what must be the whole outlaw gang.
The figure at the rear table got to his feet and came toward them. It was Spade.
"On your feet, Lara Croft," he demanded. "And step out here."
Lara got up slowly and stepped behind Britches and around the table. Unlike her dresses earlier in the week, the one she had on tonight had been made especially for her by a friend in London. It was a western dress, to be sure, with a long, full skirt that almost brushed the floor, and long fringe which hung from the sleeves and a yoke across her back. But the low neckline and the cut of the dress offered little doubt that a beautiful woman was wearing it.
Lara's auburn hair hung behind her shoulders, long and full, and she had spent a good deal of time getting her outfit just right. For that reason, she found herself smiling at the stunned look on Spade's face.
She glanced at the other men. While each was dressed individually, all were wearing black hats and a black and yellow neckerchief with the Silverado logo. It gave them a unified look and Lara found herself suddenly a little sad that their time together was over.
"Miss Croft," Spade began formally. "The Outlaws of Silverado would like to express their gratitude for you coming to visit us this week. We've enjoyed having you and you are hereby extended an open invitation to come and visit us again whenever your schedule permits." He turned. "Chad, bring out that package, would you?"
Chad stepped out of the crowd and handed Lara a beautifully wrapped package. "From all of us, Miss Croft. With our thanks."
* * * * *
Britches watched the proceedings with great interest. It was good to see all the outlaws again and she looked to see if Arizona was in the crowd. She saw him in the second row and her eyes widened. He had shaved and his long hair, which normally fell around his shoulders, was gathered at the back of his neck and hung down his back. She was hoping to catch his glance, but he seemed to look everywhere but at her.
Lara opened the package that Chad had given her. It looked like a picture of some kind, but it wasn't until Lara turned back to the table that Britches could see that it was a group picture of all the outlaws, beautifully framed in dark wood. The picture was covered with the signatures of all of the men and it was easy to see that Lara was touched at the present.
"Thank you all," she told the men. "I don't know when I've received a nicer gift. I've enjoyed myself here. It's been fun, even that night up on the hill." She joined in the laughter and held up the framed picture. "This is really nice. If I could, I kiss each of you."
"I'll wait for my turn," yelled someone and again the room subsided in laughter. Lara put her fingers to her lips and blew the man a kiss, to the great delight of everyone.
"Thank you, Miss Croft," Spade said and Britches was startled when he turned in her direction. "Julie Darwood, please come up."
"Go ahead, Britches," Alison whispered. "They want to thank you."
Julie got to her feet and pushed her chair under the table. She passed Lara and her dark-haired friend gave her a squeeze on the arm.
Spade smiled as she came up to him. "Miss Julie, we'd like to thank you for bein' with us, too. I won't mention what happened earlier in the week, except to say we're glad you came back to be with us. You're a special young lady and there's not a man here wouldn't marry you tomorrow if he could. Isn't that right, fellas?"
There was a chorus of "you bet", "right on" and "I'll say" comments from the crowd and Julie glanced around at Lara, who had her hand to her face, trying to hide a grin.
Like Lara, she received an autographed photograph and Julie blushed when the men applauded for her.
"Now, Miss Julie," Spade said. "We have a another gift for you. It's a special gift from all of us. Arizona, would you do the honors? After all, it was your idea."
Julie's eyes swung to the man coming toward. Without the black outfit and the scrowl on his face, he looked five years younger.
"Hi, Miss Britches," said Arizona. "This is for you."
The package was small, about eight inches wide by three inches high and an inch thick. She looked up at him. "What is it?"
He laughed. "Well, open it and see."
Britches tore open the paper and removed the top of the small box. Her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. She looked up at Arizona in surprise and saw his shy grin.
"What is it, Britches?" asked Lara from behind her.
Julie reached in the box and lifted out the gold chain. There were oohs and ahhs from those watching, for at the end of chain was a gold, heart shaped locket.
Britches felt an arm slip around her waist and looked up to find Lara standing next to her. "Turn it over, Britches, let's see the inscription."
Julie read the words on the back of the locket and her eyes misted.
"Tell us what it says, Julie," called Mr. Trimble.
Julie couldn't talk just then, so Lara did the honors. "It says, 'To Little Britches, from the Outlaws of Silverado. Courage comes from the heart.'"
Arizona lifted the chain from Britches' hands and stepped around behind her. She felt his hands on the back of her neck and a few seconds later the locket hung in front of her, the gold color sparkling with the reflected light of the room.
"Remember the words, Miss Britches," he murmurred in her ear as the crowd applauded. Then, without another word, he rejoined his friends.
"Mr. Trimble," said Spade. "Would you like to say a few words before we go?"
"Why, certainly, Spade." Jason Trimble got to his feet and came forward. "Julie? Lara?" he said, passing them. "Would you wait a moment, please?"
He turned to the assembled crowd with a smile. "This has been an extraordinary week, hasn't it? Silverado was created for adventure, and I can't imagine a more appropriate person to share it with us than Miss Lara Croft. Let's tell her we love her." He joined in the applause and Lara smiled and bowed.
"Secondly, we've had the privilege of getting to know a second young woman. We've seen a real change in her this week. From someone who was unsure of herself when she came here, she has bested our best. And when she face a real-life challenge, she faced that with courage, too. We're proud of you, Julie." Again he joined in the applause and Britches felt herself blushing at the feeling of warmth she received from the men in front of her.
"As you know," he continued, "I invited Lara to come here and evaluate Silverado, with an eye as to how we might improve. I met with her this afternoon, both with the board and in private and she had a number of valuable suggestions to make. I'm pleased to announce that she has decided to make a sizeable monetary investment in Silverado."
There was a murmur of surprise from his listeners and Mr. Trimble waited for it to diminish before proceeding. "She had one observation in particular that we have decided to act on immediately." He turned to Lara and smiled. "Your turn."
Lara stepped forward, a grin on her face. "I told Mr. Trimble that he didn't have enough women working here. I suggested that he start developing personalities that the public could identify with and want to come and see. We had an excellent example of that this morning. The people were awed by the performances of Britches, Arizona and Sheriff Matt. Did you see how they lined up to get Julie's autograph? Buffalo Bill had Annie Oakley in his show and folks were willing to pay to come and see her. If we can develop that kind of thing, it would serve as important money-making addition to our real purpose in being here.
"Mr.Trimble and the board have agreed to my suggestion. And so, it is my great pleasure to tell you that the first lady outlaw of Silverado is…Julie Darwood."
Britches had been looking out into the crowd and her glance snapped to Lara in stunned surprise. An outlaw at Silverado? The perfect, dream job? And for her?
"Come over here, Britches," Lara beckoned.
"You do want the job, don't you," she teased, when the younger woman reached her. Everyone laughed and Britches gave Lara a big hug.
When they separated, Britches found Spade standing next her.
"Little Britches," he said. "Welcome to the Outlaws." He pulled a yellow and black neckerchief from his pocket. Still a little in shock, Britches stood quietly as he fastened the cloth around her neck. That done, he presented her with a black hat.
"And now," Spade continued when he stepped back. "I think we should have a few words from our newest outlaw."
He stepped aside and waited expectantly.
For a moment, Julie didn't know what to say. But she saw the smiles and the friendly faces and knew then that she would be happy here.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Trimble," she began, glancing back at the older man. He had a broad smile on his face and nodded in acknowledgement of her greeting.
"You've all made me feel so welcome," she told them. "I don't know what else to say. I'll try to be good outlaw."
Everyone laughed.
"I think you'll be a great outlaw, Britches," said Lara. "And now everyone, I'm also pleased to announce that our second lady outlaw is Alison Kennedy."
* * * * *
If Britches had been surprised, Alison was amazed. She had been sitting quietly at the table, enjoying Julie's happiness. And, if the truth be known, she had been a little sad, seeing Julie's dream come true while her own was on indefinite hold. Mr. Trimble had made it clear he needed her in her present job. What had changed his mind?
"C'mon, Alison," Spade beckoned. "I've got something to give you."
She got slowly to her feet and walked around the table.
"Alison," Spade said. "I'm pleased to welcome you to the outlaws. For the moment, I only get you part time. Until Mr. Trimble can find someone to replace you."
He finished tying the neckerchief around her neck, presented her with the black hat, and stepped back. "Let's have a hand for our two new bad girls!"
* * * * *
"Are you sure, you can't ride back with me?" Britches asked as they stepped out onto the sidewalk. She and Lara carried Lara's luggage to the car standing in front of the hotel.
"I wish I could, Britches," she replied. "It would have been fun, but I have to be in Denver tomorrow morning. Maybe another time."
They put Lara's things in the back and Lara pulled open the passenger door.
"Have a good trip, Annie," Britches grinned.
"You, too, Little Britches. See you again soon." They embraced and Britches stepped back on the sidewalk as the car drove away.
"Britches?"
Julie turned to see Chad coming up the sidewalk.
"Hi, Chad."
"We're having an 'outlaws' meeting in ten minutes. Spade would like you to you to come, if that's all right?"
"Sure, Chad. I want to get out of this dress. I'll be along shortly."
Britches hurried up to her room. It would be good to get back in her jeans again. She wondered what the meeting was about.
After lighting the lantern, he hurried to the closet. She pulled open and blinked in surprise. Lara's silver studded gunbelt was still hanging in the closet. Gosh, she must've forgotten it.
But then she saw the white piece of paper tucked into one of the holsters. Curious, she pulled it out.
Hi, Britches.
No, I didn't forget the belt. It's yours to keep. After all, a soon-to-be-famous lady outlaw should look the part, right?
I can't tell you how proud I am of you.
With love, Lara
Britches fingered the leather. Wow. She'd never dreamed of owning anything so fancy.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. She opened it…and gaped in surprise. It was Alison, but the normally sophisticated woman was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, her red hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"You going to the meeting?" she asked.
"Yeah. Gimme a minute." Clothes flew in all directions and a few moments later the two new lady outlaws crossed the lobby and headed outside.
"Are you as excited as I am, Alison?" Britches asked.
"I certainly am," Alison replied. "But we're going to have to stick together."
"Really? How come?"
"I know these guys, Julie. They're going to give us trouble."
She was right. No sooner did they walk into the saloon for the meeting, than the two women were grabbed and dragged kicking and screaming to a nearby stream, where they were promptly tossed into the icy cold water.
"Well, ladies," laughed Spade from the bank. "Now you're officially members of the outlaws."
Go to The Epilogue