” Quietly, just above a whisper, she continued, “I wanted my boyfriend to do that.”“Oh. You OK now, you think, honey?” I was pretty sure she...meant me, but you never know. Maybe, if I was lucky she was talking about some future young man who would be her knight in shining armor.“Absolutely. I’m fine. Amarillo. It’s right off the interstate. We’ll be on 40 through Texas going to Missouri, right?” I nodded. She didn’t seem to look up. Maybe she heard my head rattle and took that as a yes. And. And then, with the precious confidence that belies your soft vulnerable visage, you took my head in your hands and kissed my eyes, my nose, and then traced my lips with your fingers. Your smile held such kindness, so much love, as you said, “No need. I already knew when I arrived, Daniel: I don’t intend to leave.” Stunned, I wept. My amazement only grew when you stepped away from me and undressed. Naked in front of me, I beheld you, incredulous. Before me, you fell to your knees and said as you. I can afford to lend you this amount.”“No. It’s too much. You can’t give this much money to me.”“It’s not a gift, Jess. It’s a loan. An interest-free loan, but still a loan. Someday, I want this money back from you. And there are no strings attached to this, whatsoever. I’m not expecting that loaning you this money will mean you owe me any favours at all. Really. I just want you to take it, and put it in your bank account, and pay off that other debt.”“Why? Why would you do this to me? What. He then rode down the line of Indians, shooting alternately with his right and left hands until he had used all ten rounds in his pistols. With eight dead Indians and two badly wounded, the remaining Indians decided that a tactical retreat was in order; in other words, they ran like Hell!The shooting stopped when the Indians rode off, so Cletus quickly reloaded and holstered his guns. He rode up to one of the wagons and asked who was in charge. Cletus was directed to the first wagon in line.