“Letter from Eddie!” Kate called into the sheriff’s office as she walked in with young Jake carrying a basket and baby Hazel on her hip. “Just arrived.” she passed the letter to Dan as Kit hurried in from the kitchen.

“About time. I thought he had forgotten the rest of us existed!” Kit sighed out in exasperation and pulled up a chair as Dan opened the envelope and read aloud:


Dear family,

I hope this letter helps fill the massive aching crater my absence has left in your lives. Hold it close and think of me fondly in your times of struggle. Know that somewhere in the world I am there and thinking of you often.


“Good lord.” Kit dragged a hand down his face as Dan laughed and read on.


But as you soldier on bravely without me, I should let you rest easy knowing that I am fine. I’m in the town of Fort Hawk Kill currently where I am finally being treated like a king! Thanks to me, I have rid the town of a gang of notorious bandits and I have not paid for a drink or an inn my entire stay. I have found Patch and we are doing well.
We have decided to stay the rest of the summer in Fort Hawk Kill to milk this town for all its praise and adoration that we can before moving onto better suckers/prospects.
I’m teaching Patch how to shoot and ride and he is teaching me how to eat something he calls ‘lentils’ but it's worth it, I’m assured.
Recently a photographer came into town and was selling portraits to folks here. Patch and I took him up on his offer and he left the fort one camera lighter afterwards. I’m still learning how to use it but Patch thinks he’s mastered it. I look forward to documenting our future adventures for you all to behold in awe, until then you can have the photograph that the photographer took of Patch and I, seeing as we see each other all the time and do not need it.

I do hope you are not suffering from lack of joy since my departure and rest assured that you will see me and Patch again some day. Until then, keep your chins up!

Humbly yours,

Red Eddie O’Shea’


“Cheeky little mongrel isn’t he?” Kate twitched her whiskers in amusement as Dan chuckled and pulled out the stiff salt print paper photograph showing Eddie standing with his chest puffed out beside a seated white buck with a spot around his left eye. Eddie had his hand tucked into his vest and the other on Patch’s shoulder while Patch was smiling at the camera looking equal parts amused and exasperated.

“I’m glad he’s happy.” Dan took the photo over behind his desk and pinned it to the wall. Across the room the door opened and Lupe strolled in.

“What’s going on in here?” he asked, seeing the small crowd around Dan’s desk.

“We were just reading a letter from Eddie.” Kit held up the envelope.

“Eddie left?” Lupe arched a brow. Dan Kit and Kate all snorted and started to laugh as Lupe rolled his eyes and snatched the letter.


–


Far away in the town of Fort Hawk Kill, Patch left the gun smith and made his way back to the inn where he and Eddie had been living the past few weeks.

“What’s this?” Eddie asked as Patch handed him a lumpy paper-wrapped package.

“Just a present.” Patch sat on the edge of the bed as Eddie unwrapped the bulky package and his eyes widened seeing a beautiful gun belt with a dark, almost burnt patina to the leather and etched deeply into each holster with twin triskelions.

“It’s beautiful!” Eddie looked it over then immediately buckled it on. “It’s almost exactly like my old one!”

“I held onto this piece.” Patch pulled the charred holster from his bag. “And this.” he reached behind his back and pulled out Eddie’s left pistol. “I found it after the blast, it needed some repairs, it should be as good as new.”

Eddie picked up the weapon and checked the barrel, admiring the shine on the metal. “Thank you!” he sputtered. “I thought this was long gone.”

“Just needed some work.” Patch beamed as Eddie spun the gun in his hand and holstered it. “I couldn’t afford a matching one for your right side so we’ll pick it up before we leave town.” he winked and Eddie grinned devilishly.

“You thievin’ little rogue.” He growled playfully and grasped his hands, pushing Patch backwards gently against the bedspread. Patch laughed and bit his lip looking up at him with bright eyes.

“What am I goin’ to do with you?” Eddie teased, nuzzling his nose against Patch’s and tickling his face with his whiskers, making him laugh.

“Surprise me.” Patch grinned and whispered in his ear, he laughed and Eddie wrapped his arms around him tight and crushed him playfully against the bed.

Outside, the rising sun barely crested over the top of the fort gates and started to shrink the shadows around town. The town awoke and started to go about their business and the two bucks stayed in to enjoy the morning together.

----
----
----

All done with Eddie and Patch's lil (49 page) story on how they met ;) I'm happy folks seem to like these two goobers and I'm excited to post more Hidden Stars shorts on here to expand the characters and world of Skytown