lookin’?”

Jenna smiled.

“He might try the only meat store in town.”

With that she turned and ran off.

Balto’s stare continued long after Jenna had vacated the doorway.

Suddenly, a tap on his shoulder shook him out of the daze.

“I wouldn’t go messin’ with her young fella.” A voice said.

Balto turned and saw an older chow sitting beside him.

“…and why not?” Balto asked.

“That there is trouble fer sure.” The Chow said.

“She doesn’t look like trouble.” Balto responded.

“Oh sure.” The Chow said. “Miss Thatcher is the most beautiful thing from here to El Paso, but it’s not her you’ve got to be worryin’ about.”

“Then who?” Balto asked, intrigued.

“It’s her father, none other than Baron Von Earl.”

“Really?” Balto asked.

The Chow nodded.

“No one but Steele is allowed to go near her, on threat of death.”

“Is that so.” Balto said. “Well uh mister I plan to go see the young lady tomorrow, I’ll be sure to let ya know how it pans out.”

He turned to the counter.

“Hey Barkeep.”

The greatdane turned and Balto flipped him a silver coin. Then the young wolfdog stood up and left the saloon.

Chapter 2:

True to his word, Balto found out where the only meat store in town was, and showed up at around two ‘o clock.

Jenna smiled as she saw him enter.

“Hey Mister… Balto, right?”

Balto smiled and nodded. “You remember me Miss Thatcher.”

Jenna smiled. “Please Balto, it’s Jenna.”

“As you wish Miss Jenna.” Balto replied.

“So, need anything Balto?” Jenna asked.

Balto shook his head.

“Actually I’m pretty well stocked already.”

Jenna smiled again.

“Then what brings you here Mister Balto?”

“Well…” Balto said, stuttering a bit. “…well, I was thinking that maybe you’d… I don’t know, want to go on a picnic, or come to my home for dinner or something.”

Jenna’s smile disapeared and she sighed.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea Balto.” She said.

Balto shook his head.

“I already know about your father, and he doesn’t scare me. I’ve been chased by worse.”

“You don’t know my father.” Jenna said.

“I don’t need to Miss Jenna.” Balto answered. “I can tell that he’s the controlling type. You need to get out and live; make your own decisions about things.”

Jenna looked confused.

“I am living.”

Balto sighed.

“Jenna, how old are you?”

“Excuse me?” Jenna said, a hint of anger in her voice.

“Beggin’ your pardon Miss Jenna.” Balto said. “It’s just that you look old enough to make these kind of decisions on your own.”

Jenna sighed and shook her head. “You really don’t know my father; what he’s capable of.”

Balto smiled at her.

“Please, just give me this one chance, and then if you want me to leave you alone, I will, alright?”

“Promise?” Jenna asked.

Balto nodded and Jenna smiled.

“Alright then,” Jenna asked. “When is this dinner planned for?”

“What time do you close up tonight?” Balto asked.

“Six thirty.” Jenna answered.

“Well,” Balto said. “I’ll be by here to pick you up around six forty-five.”

Jenna nodded. “Alright Balto... it’s a date.”

Balto smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get busy preparing for your arrival.”

He tipped his hat to Jenna.

“Good day Miss Jenna.”

Jenna smiled.

“Have a good one Balto.”

With that Balto turned and walked out the door.

Unbeknownst to the two young dogs, a brown chow walked off the porch of the Meat Shop, walking quickly toward the center of town.

The brown dog walked quickly into a small, exclusive bar at the center of town.

He looked around the room, searching for someone.

The bar was full of the town’s leadership; the Sheriff and his deputies, the judge, lawyers, all were drinking and carousing.

The dog finally spotted the person he was looking for and walked over to the oak bar.

He stopped beside a stool, on which sat a handsomly dressed German Shepard.

“Hey Barkeep.” The brown dog said. “Beer please.”

As the dog behind the bar hurried to fill the order, the brown dog tapped the German Shepard on the shoulder.

The German Shepard looked up and smiled.

“Nikki, what brings you here?”

The barkeeper placed the beer on the bar and Nikki picked up the glass, taking in a gulp before setting it back on the bar.

“I have some information I’m sure you’d like to know about Baron.” He said.

“Well information is power.” The German Shepard said. “What sort of information do you have for me?”

Nikki took another drink of his beer.

“It’s about a certain young lady…”

Ever one to be punctual, Balto arrived at the door of the Meat Shop at exactly six forty-five. He was riding his horse, and pulling another behind him.

Jenna smiled as she walked down the porch steps to him.

“You know how to ride?” Balto asked.

Jenna smiled again.

“…of course I do.” She said, jumping up in the saddle of the unoccupied horse. “...who doesn’t out here?”

Balto laughed.

“Well, you can follow me to the house, just keep close and…”

Jenna suddenly spurred her horse and it took off.

“Me follow you?” Jenna called back. “I don’t think so Mister Balto.”

“…but you don’t know the way.” Balto thought.

“…ah hell.” He said, spurring his own horse and trying to catch the fast vanishing form of Jenna.

Balto and Jenna sat against one another, a campfire in front of them. Jenna finished the last of her fire roasted sausage.

Balto smiled. “Can I cook or what?”

She returned his smile, leaned her head down on his shoulder and sighed.

“You were right Balto. This was definitely a good idea.”

“See.” Balto said. “I told you to trust me.”

“You’re also right that I need to start making more of my own decisions.”

Balto nodded his head.

All was silent for a while, and then Balto spoke up.

“Hey… uh… Jenna…”

He paused and looked down.

Jenna was asleep on his shoulder.

He could feel her warm breath on his shoulder and could feel her heart thump alongside his.

The young outlaw had never felt like this before, and it was somewhat of a confusing feeling.

Finally he smiled and pulled his coat from the ground, covering he and Jenna with it, then sank slowly to sleep.

Jenna awoke the next day to a thundering crash.

She blinked her eyes a few times, and then heard it again.

“Gunshots!” She thought.

She jumped up.

“Balto!” She cried.

Balto turned, his twin peacemakers in his paws.

“Oh…” Jenna said. “It’s you.”

Balto nodded.

“…just some target practice.”

“Can you teach me to shoot?” Jenna asked.

Balto nodded.

“Sure.”

He flipped one of his pistols into the holster at his left hip and flipped the other around, handing it butt first to Jenna.

“You right handed?”

Jenna nodded.

“Well then this should be easy then.” Balto replied.

“Here, hold it with your right hand, stick your index finger through the trigger guard…”

He paused and stepped behind Jenna.

“…now, raise it up.”

Jenna did as she was told.

“Now, these are single action only revolvers, which means you have to pull the hammer back everytime you want a shot.”

Balto paused.

“Now, a quick thing about aiming. Don’t use the sights, sights will get you killed in a gunfight. See your target, visualize it in your mind, let your muzzle, that’s the barrel, find it’s mark, then cock the hammer and let fire. Don’t jerk the trigger or you’ll throw off your aim.”

He looked at Jenna.

“…got it?”

She nodded.

“Shoot that bottle over there then.” Balto said, indicating an empty beer bottle about fifteen yards away.

Jenna focused on the bottle.

“…also,” Balto added. “Don’t close your eyes when you fire. You’ll lose your sight picture, the ability to hit your target if you do. These pistols are .38 special, and won’t kick much, so don’t be afraid.”

Jenna sighed and Balto could feel her starting to shake.

“Take a deep breath and do it.” Balto said.

Jenna took a deep breath, cocked the hammer back with her thumb and gently squeezed the trigger.

A plume of dust erupted almost twenty feet from the bottle.

“I missed.” Jenna said.

Balto smiled. “It takes some practice, try it again.”

Jenna