Matters To Me

Missie fiddled with her skirt as she and Billy walked towards Mr. Mutiny's house. 

A few days ago he invited Billy to a party he was having, a frequent thing he did apparently. Missie spent all her time making a new dress with some gorgeous blue fabric Billy gifted her with the first pay Murphy had given him. She even managed to make him a nice white shirt with a matching black vest and tie. 

Billy sensed her anxiousness and gently took her hand, gently pulling her closer to him. 

"You look beautiful," he assured her. 

"Really?" She asked, unsure about her hair that she left down and was now frizzy and wild in the summer heat. 

Billy smiled and gently kissed her lips. "Really."

"What if I make a fool of myself? I've never been to one of these before."

Billy's smile widened. "Neither have I."

He gently brought her hand up to his forearm allowing her to hold onto him as they entered the house greeted by a swarm of people and fiddle music. 

The two of them made their way through the crowds greeting those they knew, the majority of them being the Seven Rivers Gang. 

"Missie! Billy! Welcome!" Walker smiled, approaching them. 

Billy stiffened as he watched Walker take Missie's free hand and kiss the back of it before he stood up again and tipped his hat to Billy.  

"Make yourself at home! Have some fun, drink," Walker encouraged before he headed off. 

Billy's eyes followed him until he couldn't see him anymore. He took a deep breath, trying to let go of the twinge of jealousy he had just been feeling, and failing. He tried to convince himself it was just a friendly gesture, respectful, yet he couldn't help but wonder if the look in Walker's eyes as he had done it was more than friendly. 

He was broken out of his thoughts when Missie looked up at him. He smiled, clearing his throat. 

"Do you not like Walker?" Missie whispered. 

He could only shrug. "I don't know him well enough."

The twinge of jealousy had suddenly returned. Why did she care if he liked Walker or not? 

He relaxed a moment as she gently fixed his tie, resting her hand on his chest. 

"Remember when there were parties at the hotel we all used to work at? You, me, and Carlos?"

Billy smiled. "I do."

The three of them were always sneaking out of bed to spy on the guests, dancing along with the music. On a few occasions, Carlos and Billy would fight over Missie and her hand to dance, only to be told she wouldn't choose until she was older. 

It had only been a few days before Carlos was murdered there had been a party. They had snuck down and Missie had whispered to Billy she wished to dance with him. 

"Who knew we'd eventually be at one," Missie smiled. 

The two of them continued through the house as the music stopped and cheering erupted. 

"Billy," Mr. Riley called out as he saw him. "Come here," he motioned, grabbing Billy's arm. "I would like to introduce you to my wife. Honey, this is the fella I was telling you about. This is Billy the Kid. Billy belongs to The House now. This is Irene."

"Howdy," Billy greeted, taking her hand to shake. 

"So, you're a cowboy, are you?"

"Oh, he's an outlaw, baby," Mr. Riley drawled. "This man is wanted for murder."