| Songs
from the CD: Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing |
|
| Won't Let You
Down |
It's a few weeks after their wedding and Jimmy and Abby are looking to buy a place of their own. |
| Raise the Barn |
Their new home is missing something and the day's arrived to take care of that as friends and family come to give a helping hand. |
| When God Made
Woman |
Jimmy finally makes it back to Sweetwater in time to go to the dance where he reflects on his good fortune as he twirls Abby around the dance floor. |
| Everybody |
It's not long after Jimmy accidently kills a woman who ran out in front of him during a shoot out and he's racked with guilt and needing to talk to someone. |
| Got it Right
This Time |
Teaspoon and Emma are over for a visit and Jimmy has a heartfelt discussion with Teaspoon. |
| Once in a
Lifetime |
With a new addition on the way, Jimmy's got some doubts that only Abby can set to rest. |
| Shine |
Jimmy's being way to fond of his Navy Colt's and Teaspoon thinks it's time that the young man find something else to be known for. |
| I
Told You So |
Cody's excited about an invention that he's working on and Jimmy can't wait to see the finished product in action. |
| Stupid Boy |
Jimmy is remembering the one friend who believed in him when he was younger as he helps look for her. Thoughts of Clara bring back better forgotten memories of the Judge who thought he was nothing but a stupid boy. |
| Used to
the Pain |
Jimmy's been called out again and doesn't want Abby to find out about it. He'd go to great lengths to keep her from getting used to the pain he's been living with since being dubbed "Wild Bill". |
| Tu Compania |
Jimmy just returned from a run and stopped in to see Abby whom he'd been missing. |
| Faster
Car |
Jimmy's been helping Sam Cain out with an outlaw and it's taking him longer then he'd planned and he is wishing for a faster way to get home to his family. |
| I Can't Stop Loving You | Jimmy's having a hard time keeping his mind off of someone special and the need to be with her takes control of him. |
| Won't
Let You Down “I think I found the place,” Jimmy announced walking into the kitchen of Emma’s house. Abby looked up from where she’d been snapping beans for dinner. “Really?” the excitement couldn’t be kept from her face as she smiled at her husband of three weeks. They’d been living in Emma’s spare room since the wedding and though they both loved Abby’s sister, they were anxious to find a place of their own. “Where?” she asked throwing the last bean in the bowl. Grabbing one to munch on, he shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before. About two miles east of where Emma’s property ends is the Garner place. Old Mr. Garner passed away earlier this year and the place has been empty ever since. There’s a daughter who lives in town who is interested in selling it.” Moving out of Abby’s way by the sink, he continued. “I stopped by to talk to her today and she said we can go out and take a look at it. We could go anytime you like,” he told her as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Giving in to his kisses, Abby let herself be persuaded, though she would have went anyhow. “So?” he asked as he pulled back from a particularly passionate kiss. “What do you say? Shall we go take a look?” “Just try and stop me,” Abby told him wiggling out of his arms and making a beeline for the door. Catching up to her by the front gate, he asked, “Shall we take Sundance?” He loved it when Abby rode with him. Didn’t matter if she had her arms around him from behind or if his arms were around her as she leaned against his chest, he just loved being with her. “You’ve talked me into it,” she said coyly waiting for him to hand her up onto the horse. Hooking her leg around the pommel, she leaned forward so he could get up behind her. “Shouldn’t we tell someone where we’re going?” she asked as they rode out of the station yard. “Already told Emma. That’s how I knew where to find you,” he grinned. On the rider over to the Garner place, Jimmy described it to her from what he remembered it had looked like the last time he’d been out there. “From my understanding, the daughter has been seeing to its upkeep so it should be in pretty good shape.” “That would be wonderful!” Abby stated wondering how much the place was going for. That was going to be the biggest factor in their buying the place if they liked it. Abby had most of the money from the sale of the house her parents had left her and from the sale of the furniture that she hadn’t wanted to bring out west with her but she wasn’t sure if it would be enough for a house or not. “It’s just through those trees there,” her husband told her pointing up ahead. Looking hard, she could make out the shape of a building through the tree branches. “Oh, Jimmy!” she said softly as it came into view. The house was lovely. It was one story with a porch on three sides of it. Flowers were blooming in the yard in a riot of colors making it pleasing to look at. “Can we go in?” she asked as he helped her off Sundance. “Got the key right here,” he said swinging the key back and forth in his hand. “Let’s go check it out.” There was a light layer of dust covering the floor and a slight smell from being closed up but other then that, the house appeared to be in good shape. All of the rooms were empty and their voices echoed in them as they discussed what the rooms would be if they were to buy the house. “And this room would be our room,” Abby told Jimmy as she looked out the windows. “That way we won’t get the sun in the morning waking us before we are ready to get up but will have beautiful sunsets in the evening to watch.” “I like your way of thinking Mrs. Hickok,” he told her gathering her in his arms and kissing her. “Anything that will give me more time in your arms, Mr. Hickok,” she winked when he let her go. A slight frown crossed over her face before she asked, “Do you think we can afford it Jimmy? I don’t’ know how much a place like this would cost and you know what we have right now…” “Oh, I think we can work something out with Miss Garner. She seems eager to sell and what we have saved should be more then enough to purchase it. Besides, I’m still working for the Pony Express and that’s another hundred a month coming in. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down,” he promised. Looking up at him, Abby told him, “I know you won’t Jimmy. That never crossed my mind.” Giving her a hug, he said, “Let’s go buy us a house!” |
| Raise
the Barn Saturday morning dawned bright and warm. It was going to be a perfect day for a barn raising. Finishing dressing, Jimmy went out into the kitchen where Abby was already hard at work preparing last minute foods that would help feed the hungry men who would soon be arriving to help raise the barn that they were needing built on their new homestead. Coming up behind her, Jimmy wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck. “Mornin’ darlin’,” he said with a smile. There was nothing more he liked then waking up each day with this woman at his side. Turning her head, Abby gave her husband a quick kiss. “I’ve got some breakfast ready warming on the back of the stove,” she told him as she continued to peel and cut potatoes to cook for potato salad. The last of the hams were in the oven baking and the room smelled heavenly to Jimmy as he grabbed his plate and leaned against the counter eating and talking with Abby. “I think we’ll get a lot done today don’t you? I can’t believe that so many people are supposed to come out here to help with the barn. I’m glad Teaspoon worked things out with one of the riders over at the Rocky Ridge Station to take the run later this afternoon for us. Knowing my luck, I would have been the one to get stuck with it otherwise!” he humphed. Abby laughed. She’d heard of how he always seemed to draw the short straw when it came to runs no one wanted. “Oh, I have a feeling that Teaspoon would have let you off the hook this once…” The plans had been made over a month ago to do the barn raising this day and Teaspoon would have been forfeiting his life if he went and messed things up on them. For some reason the stationmaster didn’t like crossing Abby and she couldn’t imagine why. She’d never gotten short tempered with him or any of the other boys but maybe knowing how Emma could get when mad he may have figured she’d be the same way. Jimmy had just finished the last bite of food on his plate when he heard a wagon and horses arriving. “Looks like the first of our guests are here.” He gave her a quick kiss and went to see who it was. “What’s that I’m smelling?” Cody asked with a goofy look on his face as he sniffed the air as he walked up to the house. “Emma fed us already but that makes me hungry all over again!” he declared rubbing his stomach. Rolling his eyes, Jimmy gave Cody a playful shove away from the door. “Not until you do some work,” he told the blond rider with a laugh. “Abby’s inside already at work,” he told Emma taking a basket from her then helped her down from the wagon. “Would you boys mind taking those other baskets for me inside the house?” she asked grabbing another one from the back before following Jimmy inside. “Oh that smells delicious,” Emma told her sister as she gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Looks like you’ve been busy since I last seen you.” The table and counters were covered with desserts, breads and other delectable foods. “The men will enjoy this for sure,” she offered as she set her bonnet on a peg near the door. “What can I help with?” Emma asked rolling up her sleeves as the riders deposited the baskets they were carrying and headed outside once more with ‘good mornings’ to Abby before they left. As the two women continued working in the house, the men walked over to where the new barn was going to be built. “Looks like you plan on a nice sized barn,” Buck offered looking at the outline of stakes and twine that Jimmy had marked the spot with. *Here comes some more help* Ike told them as several more wagons were spotted down the road and a couple of riders along side spurred their horses faster and arrived ahead of them. As the women headed to the house, the men carried tools over to the site where Jimmy greeted them warmly. “I’d like to thank you on behalf of Abby and myself for coming out today to help us with the barn. We both really appreciate it.” Looking around at all the smiling and joking faces, he called out, “Let’s raise the barn!” |
| When
God Made Woman Jimmy had been running late from his run due to one of his horses stumbling and injuring its fetlock. He’d had to walk the animal to the next station and it had set him behind schedule by more then an hour. By the time he’d made it to the express station, it was empty except for Teaspoon who’d stayed behind waiting for Jimmy to get in while the others headed into town for the dance. “What happened son?” Teaspoon asked as Jimmy jumped off the horse he rode in on and made for the barn. “Horse stumbled in a hole, had to walk him to the next station. I suppose everyone went into town already?” Smiling, Teaspoon took the reins from Jimmy and motioned him out of the way. “If by ‘everyone’ you mean your wife, the boys went to pick her up on their way to the dance, insisting that they wouldn’t let her sit at home waiting for you. I do believe I heard the mention of this way they’d all get to dance with her without you around,” he chuckled. Jimmy grinned unashamed. He did have a way of monopolizing Abby’s time on the dance floor. “Hope they all took their turn by the time I get there then. Thanks for taking care of the horse for me Teaspoon. I’ll just hurry home to change then go into town. You going to be there?” “As soon as I’m done here I plan on heading there myself. I heard that the widow Darcy is in charge of refreshments and I have a hankerin’ for some of that delicious peach pie of hers.” Jimmy shook his head and waved as he lead Sundance out of the stall next to Cricket’s whom Teaspoon was giving a quick rub down. He urged Sundance to hurry home so that he could change and get to town before the dance was over. For the last week Abby had been looking forward to going and he was sorry that she’d had to go alone. ‘Well not exactly alone,’ he told himself. She’d had five escorts with the riders taking her with them. Within half an hour he was standing on the threshold to the dance hall looking over the milling throng of partygoers looking for one red head in particular. Finally spotting his wife on the far side of the room, a grin formed on his lips as he made his way around town folk, greeting each as he went. Abby was turned away from him talking with one of the ladies she knew from church when he stopped several feet from her. Just the sight of her with her hair swept up the way it was and dressed in a confection of emerald took his breath away. It never ceased to amaze him how just the sight of Abby could move him in ways he never imagined. A look, a touch or just the sound of her voice…it all sent love rushing through his body, making him long to gather her in his arms and hold her forever. Brought out of his reverie by the sound of her laughter, Jimmy smiled. As he moved forward, he let his arm slip around her waist, leaning in to kiss her cheek, he murmured, “Hello beautiful. Sorry I’m late.” When she returned his kiss, all was right with his world again. This was the way it was supposed to be, friends, family, a job he enjoyed and most of all the love of a good woman. As the music began once more, Jimmy swept his wife out onto the dance floor, totally entranced by her. As they twirled in each other’s arms, he couldn’t help but offer up a heartfelt, “Thank you god,” as he gazed into Abby’s smiling face. |
| Everybody Everybody, everybody needs somebody sometimes… (lyrics for Keith Urban’s Everybody) He was used to being alone. It was the only thing he’d known for so long anything else made him feel uneasy. But this time…this time it was different. The pain was too much to bear alone. He needed to talk to someone, but who? He knew that everyone at the station cared for him, that they were all family but he didn’t feel he could talk to just anyone about what was going on. Jimmy sat on the step to the bunkhouse wallowing in the guilt of what had happened to that woman when she ran out in front of him as his gun went off. He’d never felt so torn and helpless. It was eating him alive and he desperately needed to talk to someone. Lou was usually the one he went to when something was bothering him but he didn’t want to talk to her this time. She’d get all huggy and teary eyed and that wasn’t what he needed right now. Kid was a good friend but he’d never understand. He had a problem even shooting his gun at someone let alone killing an innocent bystander by accident. He couldn’t stand to see the pity in his blue eyes looking at him if he tried talking to him. Teaspoon was always there for any of them but he didn’t need a lecture full of well-meant advice or some kind of hidden message in the old man’s words. He needed someone who would listen to him with an open mind, someone who would be there to keep him company without expecting anything in return. That left out Cody. The blond rider was dependable in a jam but when it came to everyday things you just couldn’t count on him. He was too preoccupied with two things…food and pretty faces. No, Cody wouldn’t do. Ike was a good listener but when it came to giving advice it just wasn’t the same having to try and figure out what he was saying with his hands as if he were able to speak the words. They just didn’t have the same effect when they weren’t spoken. That left Buck. He and Buck were good enough friends and he valued the man’s wisdom. The only problem is he was out on a run right now and not due back for several days. So, he was out. Jimmy needed to talk to someone right now. A noise across the yard caught his attention and he looked up to see Emma coming out of her house carrying a basket of laundry as she went around the side of the house to where the clotheslines were. Emma! Why didn’t I think of her before? He wondered rising from the step where he’d been sitting. Hurrying across the station yard, he went through the gate around Emma’s house and to where she was hanging up a sheet on the line. “Emma?” he asked in a pained voice, “Do you have a minute? I could really use someone to talk to?” Emma took the clothespin out of her mouth and looked at the serious young man next to her. “Why of course I do Jimmy. Let me hang this up and we can go inside and you can tell me what’s on your mind.” ‘Yes, everyone needs someone to talk to at sometime. Even me…’ he thought following her into the house. |
| Got it Right This
Time The last few days had been wonderful, Jimmy thought as he watched the sun setting over the hillside. He’d come out to check on the horses for the night and was once again entranced by the beauty of the view in front of him. Lost in thought, he hadn’t heard Teaspoon come up behind him. “Sure is beautiful ain’t it son?” the former stationmaster asked laying a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “Yeah it is,” Jimmy replied giving the man a smile and nod. “You and Abby have done well for yourselves by the looks of things,” Teaspoon told him looking around the yard. The log house was well built. There was a sturdy barn with several cows, horses and a pen with two pigs nearby. A chicken coop was off to one side, providing eggs and meat. Yes, they were doing quite well for themselves, Teaspoon thought and it was about time. Out of all his riders, Jimmy had been the one who concerned him the most. The young man had been a lost soul with no place to call home. That is until he met Emma’s younger sister Abby. When she came into Jimmy’s life, he changed. You could see it in his eyes, Teaspoon thought. No longer was there an emptiness in the boy’s eyes, the sadness that had been glimpsed at times was banished and replaced by a look of hope and love that shined through every time he looked on the young woman who quickly became the world to him. “Abby’s looking well. Wont’ be to long and that baby’ll be here.” Teaspoon grinned. “I’m gonna be a grandpa! Imagine that!” he laughed with happiness. Nothing brought a family closer then the addition of a new member, especially if that new member was a tiny baby. Jimmy grinned at the man who was like a father to him. “You think that’s something…I’m gonna be a father!” He still had a hard time believing it. For two years he and Abby had hoped for a child but nothing. Then just after they began building the house, she found out she was expecting. From that moment on he refused to let her help in the building of the house. Instead, he rode out to where Buck and Ike were running a horse ranch and asked if they might be able to spare a few days to help him finish the shell of the house. Both men had gladly come out and helped. They insisted on helping with more then just the shell. They both stayed until the house was ready to move into and a barn was up. “Are you two going to stay out here all night or are you going to come in and have some pie with us?” Abby called out from the door of the house, one hand on her swollen belly. With a smile Jimmy waved and told her, “We’ll be right there sweetheart.” Putting an arm around Teaspoon shoulder he asked, “You ready to go get a piece of that peach pie before Abby and Emma eat it all on us?” Teaspoon’s eyebrows rose. “Peach pie you say? I have to tell you son, a beautiful woman, a baby on the way and a place like this plus peach pie….you sure got it right this time!” |
| Once in a Lifetime Abby had a feeling she’d find Jimmy staring off into the distance leaning against the rail of the corral and she was right. That’s where she always found him when he had something on his mind. This time was no different. A hand went to her still flat stomach and she smiled. Just that morning she’d told him the news…they were expecting their second child. He had been genuinely happy about the baby and wondered if it would be another son or if they’d have a daughter this time or not. As the day went on and he had more time to let the news sink in, she could see the concern overtake him. When Joshua was born a year and a half ago Jimmy had been a wreck. The baby came three weeks early and the midwife had not yet come to stay with Abby for the delivery. Never having birthed a baby before, Jimmy got a crash course in how it was done. He’d said he’d never do that again before collapsing in a chair by the bed as he watched his wife and newborn son. Both mother and son had been fine but Jimmy couldn’t help but think of what could have happened if there had been any difficulties with them living so far from town. He couldn’t go through that a second time. As Abby came up to him, she slipped her arms around his waist and leaned her chin on his shoulder. “A penny for your thoughts,” she said softly in his ear. He turned with a small grin to give her a kiss on the tip of her nose. “They aren’t worth that much I’m afraid….same old, same old,” he told her slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her against his side as the sun was setting in the west. Knowing that he’d speak his mind when he was ready Abby stood quietly by his side, enjoying the evening. “I love the sunsets we see from here,” he began with a resigned voice. “But I think it’s time I took that job back in town that Sam keeps offering me as Marshal, don’t you? I know we’ve talked about it before and it just wasn’t the right time.” Jimmy looked down at his wife to see if he could guess her reaction to his words but she was watching the setting sun, waiting for him to go on. “You know I worry about you and Joshua being out here alone when I have to go into town as it is. I’d go crazy knowing you were out here alone with two children. We don’t have to live right in town…” that was one of the reasons they’d moved so far away from Sweetwater in the first place. Neither of them wanted to live so close to town. But now that he had a family his thoughts were changing. With a squeeze to his waist, Abby smiled at him. “I know that Jimmy. I love it out here too with just you and Joshua but I agree. It may be time for us to move back near our family.” Watching his face, she could tell what he was thinking. “You’ll be just as wonderful a father with two children as with one. I can see it in your eyes that the thought of another one scares the hell out of you even when it fills your heart with joy. It scares me too…” When he looked at her questioningly, she went on. “I never expected to find love when I came to visit Emma and then when I did, my world couldn’t have gotten any better then it was with you in it. When Joshua came along, I knew that our lives were going to change for the better once again. I know you worry about someone coming along looking to take ‘Wild Bill’ down even more now that Joshua’s in your life. I can only imagine how it makes you feel now that there will be two children depending on you…but you aren’t alone. I’m here with you to raise our children and any time you start feeling those old doubts coming over you, just come to me….we’ll make it through the doubts and worries together.” Abby could still see the doubts in her husband’s eyes as he looked out over the plain below their homestead. Taking his hand in hers, Abby told him, “What we’ve got isn’t something you find every day Jimmy. I know you still have a hard time believing how much I love you even after all theses years…but we can make it…with one or two or even three children. As long as we have each other that’s what matters; not where we live. So if you think we should move closer to town I’m all for it.” “Really? You’re sure you wouldn’t mind? I mean, I know how much you love it out here…” Abby had been so in love with the spot when they’d first come across it that she had the whole house and everything planned out before they even found out if it was for sale. “I don’t relish being a lawman but it’s an honest job and you know how Sam’s been after me to take the position for a while now.” “I love where we live right now, true,” she told him honestly. “But I can love anywhere as long as we are together.” Closing his eyes, Jimmy wondered once again, how he’d gotten so lucky as to having found Abby. He’d given up on ever finding love with his troubled past and was thrown for a loop when he first met her. As he fell deeper and deeper in love with her, he found that she helped him be a stronger person then he’d been. She believed in him and was always there for him. Abby never thought his fears or insecurities were something to be laughed at. She’d always talked him through them, helping him see that together they could make it through anything. Now, they were having another child. Though they’d never really talked about it, after they’d gotten married it was two years before Joshua came along. For a time, Jimmy wondered if they’d ever have any. Now a second one was on the way and it left him amazed. All the things he’d dreamed of at one time then thought he’d never have in his life were happening. He had a home with a loving wife and son and now, now he was going to be a father again and the old fears were rearing up in his mind. But Abby was right. They could get through anything…together. Thinking back to the brief attraction he’d had for Rosemary and Sarah and the love he’d felt for Louise at one time, he knew that what Abby and he had was a once in a lifetime thing and their life just kept getting better and better. Turning towards the house he gave his wife a devilish grin before saying in a husky voice, “Why don’t we take advantage of Joshua’s nap and have some time to ourselves?” The look of desire that she sent his way had him grabbing her hand and winking as he started pulling her towards the house. “We won’t get many chances in a few months to do this so we’d better do it while we can!” Jimmy declared scooping Abby up in his arms with a sound kiss as he carried her into the house. I can see it in your eyes, And feel it your touch. I know that you’re scared, But you’ve never been this loved. It’s a long shot baby, Yeah I know it’s true. But if anyone can make it, I’m betting on me and you. Just keep on moving into me. I know you’re gonna see, The best is yet to come. CHORUS: Don’t fear it now we’re going all the way. That sun is shining on a brand new day. It’s a long way down and it’s a leap of faith, But I’m never giving up, ‘Cause I know we got a once in a lifetime love. Everybody’s looking for what we found. Some wait their whole life, And it never comes around So don’t hold back now just let go, On all you’ve ever known. You can put you’re hand in mine. CHORUS I close my eyes and I see you standing right there. Saying ‘I do’ and they’re throwing the rice in our hair. Well the first one’s born and a brother comes along and he’s got your smile. I been looking back on the life we had still by your side. |
| Shine Teaspoon had been watching Jimmy clean his guns for almost an hour now. He couldn’t get over the way the boy loved those guns of his. He stroked them like a man would his lovers body and the look in his eye was that of someone looking at something precious to them. If Jimmy didn’t change his attitude towards those guns of his, he was going to end up down a road in which there was no way back and it worried Teaspoon to no end. With a sigh, he got up from his seat outside the barn and walked over to the bunkhouse porch. “Son,” he said then cleared his throat as Jimmy looked up momentarily from his guns then continued to polish them. “I know you think the world of them there guns of yours Jimmy,” Teaspoon told him as he took a seat in the shade. “But you got to realize that by lovin’ them too much it’s only gonna bring you trouble on down the road.” Brows furrowed, Jimmy glanced up at the older man and frowned as his hand paused it’s back and forth motion with the rag. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Teaspoon. Alls I’m doin’ is cleaning my guns like I usually do. If you ain’t got a clean gun, you know it could mean the difference between livin’ and dyin’.” Tilting his hat back, the stationmaster wiped the sweat on his forehead with a kerchief from his pocket. “That’s the thing Jimmy. You go polishin’ them guns like that and with the way you wear ‘em every man in the territory can see ‘em and by drawin’ attention to yourself, you draw the eye of men lookin’ to make a name for themselves by killin’ other so called ‘gunslingers’. Which, unfortunately, you have the distinction of being lumped into that group thanks to J.D. Marcus!” Getting defensive, Jimmy sat up straight and glared at his boss. “Now look here Teaspoon! That business with Marcus wasn’t any of my making! It ain’t my fault if I’m known by my guns or that men come lookin’ to kill me!” Shaking his head, Teaspoon knew he wasn’t going to get through to the young man very easily. “Settle down son! I know the whole thing with Marcus wasn’t your fault. But you have to admit you sure don’t go out of your way to make people not notice you and your guns.” Seeing the angry look on Jimmy’s face, Teaspoon tried a different avenue. “What you need to do son is find another way to shine. Something that you are good at that doesn’t involve gunfightin’. Take me for instance,” he grinned at the young man as he hooked his thumbs in his faded suspenders. “I’ve done put the gun behind me unless it’s necessary. Instead I’m using my vast experience and wisdom to help you boys.” Jimmy snorted at that causing the older man to narrow his eyes at him but he ignored the slight and continued. “I try to guide you young men on the road of uncertainty. I’ve been passing on the things I’ve learned in life so that you all don’t make the same mistakes I did. And I think I’m doin’ a fine job of it. Except with Cody, but that’s a whole ‘nother story….” Teaspoon’s train of thought was lost and Jimmy shook his head. “Teaspoon, there ain’t much I’m good at other then shootin’ and ridin’. What do you think I could do other then what I am right now?” Jimmy asked hoping that the man would get frustrated with him and leave soon. He wanted to get back to polishing his guns. It was something that soothed him and allowed him to forget other ‘things’ that were going on in his life. “I ain’t tellin’ ya to give up the gun son. Out here you need one. It’s a way of life. But it doesn’t have to be your whole life. Like I said, you need to find a way to shine, make a life for yourself that includes a home and family.” Seeing he wasn’t getting very far with the rider, Teaspoon stood up disappointed. Throwing up his hands in defeat he told Jimmy, “One of these days you’re gonna remember what I told you and it’s going to be too late…” Jimmy watched solemn faced as the man walked away from him. Teaspoon had no idea how much Jimmy longed for the things he’d mentioned. He’d spent hours dreaming of having a place to call his home with a loving wife and maybe a few children down the road, but he knew it was nothing more then a pipe dream, something that others ended up with, like Kid and Lou. Not someone like him. No, a man like him needed to be prepared because one never knew what tomorrow would bring or who’d be calling out your name wanting to put a bullet in you. “Find a way to shine…” Jimmy mumbled holding up his beloved pearl handled Navy Colt. He grinned as the sun glinted off the barrel. “Now that’s the way to shine!” he declared looking in the direction that Teaspoon had disappeared. |
| I
Told You So “I really don’t think you want to be doing that Cody,” Jimmy said with a shake of his head. He’d been watching the blond rider for sometime now and had anticipated the outcome of Cody’s folly but the young man wouldn’t listen to him. Shrugging and throwing Jimmy a frown, Cody grumbled, “I done told you I know what I’m doin’ so would you just shut up if you insist on watchin’.” “Whatever you say Cody,” Jimmy replied with a devilish grin as he settled back against the barn to watch the final outcome. “Just remember I told you so…” he said with a grin. ‘This is going to be good,’ he told himself watching Cody continue what he was doing. Never before had Jimmy seen his friend work so diligently and with such enthusiasm. He just wished Teaspoon and the others were around to see things come to the ending he knew would happen. “Just wait Jimmy,” Cody bragged. “When you see how well this works you are going to be thanking me on your knees!” Jimmy snorted, “That’ll be the day!” but Cody chose to ignore his comment and kept working. Shaking his head, Jimmy watched as Cody cut boards and hammered here, measured there, all the while unaware of the catastrophe he was about to endure. Stifling a yawn, the dark haired young man asked lazily, “You ‘bout done there Cody? I’m needin’ a nap but I don’t want to miss your début with that thing.” “Just a few more minutes Jimmy and you will be amazed by what you see,” Cody answered not bothering to look at his friend. With renewed interest Jimmy sat up eager to see what was going to happen shortly. To his enjoyment, he noticed in the distance a small cloud of dust heading towards the station. Looked like Teaspoon and the others might just get to see Cody make a fool of himself after all. Standing up from the contraption, Cody stretched out a kink in his back from bending over so long. “There! It’s done!” Looking over at Jimmy he grinned. “You ready to be amazed?” he asked eager to show off what his invention could do. Hardly able to contain his grin, Jimmy nodded and said, “Don’t hold back on my account Cody….I can’t wait to see this!” To busy with his ‘whatever it was’ Cody didn’t see the others approaching the station yard as he called out to Jimmy, “Stand back. I wouldn’t want you to ruin this on me before the others get a chance to see it in action…” Holding up his hands, Jimmy moved away from where Cody and his ‘thing’ were. Waving at the others behind Cody’s turned back, Jimmy held a finger up to his lips indicating for the others to be silent. Curious looks were thrown his way but he could only shrug in reply. “Here it goes!” Cody yelled as he turned a crank and things began to creak and moan as parts moved. Doing a little jig, he looked over his shoulder gloating. “See! See it’s working!” he declared in glee as a wide angled board scooped up a load of manure from the pile in front of him and started to lift it in the air as he continued to crank. A large grin spread across Jimmy’s face as he continued watching the scoop as it went higher and higher. “Now it’s going to fling it into the wagon over there,” Cody told him not paying attention to what his contraption was actually doing as he cranked. “If you say so Cody,” Jimmy said with barely contained mirth. Looking over at the others he could tell that they too had figured out what would happen with Cody’s contraption by the grins on their faces. Teaspoon looked like he was about to say something to the young man then seemed to think better of it as his mouth closed and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Just about there….” Cody was saying as he looked up only to let out a strangled cry as the load of manure dropped straight down from the scoop onto his head. Jimmy broke out in laughter and was joined by the others who could no longer remain silent. With narrowed eyes, Cody looked around the yard at everyone as he tried shaking off bits of straw and droppings. “I don’t understand….” He grumbled looking at his invention. “It worked so well on paper!” Giving it a kick, he turned towards the others who were still laughing at him whole-heartedly. “Go ahead and laugh…when I get it right ain’t a one of you gonna get to use it!” he declared stomping off to wash under the pump. Holding his side, which was sore from laughing so hard, Jimmy called after him, “Hey Cody! You were right, I was amazed!” |
| Stupid
Boy A short vignette… Just seeing Brad again brought back all kinds of memories that Jimmy would have preferred stay buried for the rest of his life. Voice echoed in his head as he tried to fall asleep. Voices of Clara telling him how if he learned to read that between the covers of books he would find new worlds, new adventures and then the Judges loud, condescending voice telling both of them that he had no need for book learning, that everything he needed to know in life he’d be taught by the Judge himself. As Jimmy watched the book that Clara had been telling him about be tossed into the flames of the fireplace, the Judge went on about what a ‘stupid boy’ he was to think he could learn. Just the thought of those words again in his head was driving him crazy. It was that voice that tormented him the most. The man had been his mentor, his ‘father’, someone that he’d looked up to, loved and believed cared for him also. That was until he handed both Brad and himself the Navy Colt that he now wore around his own waist. The Judge was angry that the two boys had been shooting at targets, seeing who was the better shot. He gave the two a new gun from a wooden box and insisted that they pace off and turn to shoot at each other. Jimmy hadn’t wanted to do it. He thought the Judge was crazy but Brad told him to just do it, that they would shoot wide. Jimmy knew that if they continued on with the Judge that thing would only get worse, that one of them would end up dead, probably by the others hand. When they were through with their ‘game’ Jimmy told Brad he wasn’t staying, that he should get away from the Judge before he got hurt or worse too. Turning on his bedroll, Jimmy’s heart was filled with a deep sadness. Sadness for the one person who ever truly cared about his well being, the one person who never thought he was a ‘stupid boy’, the only person he knew that had a pure heart…. Clara who was gone, kidnapped because of the Judge. With a silent promise to find her and save her, Jimmy fell into a fitful sleep. |
| Used
to the Pain A/N: I’ve had several requests for more Jimmy/Abby stories from when they first got together and before they were married. Hope you don’t mind they are out of sequence since I’ve had them married and having a son in others… “Not a word of this to Abby…you hear?” Jimmy said in a tight voice as he looked over at Kid and Ike. While the three of them had been over in Blue Creek on some business for Teaspoon, a man named Jake Long had showed up and called him out. Jimmy didn’t even know the man and the last thing he wanted to do was fight him. But he had no choice. The man had called him out and once that happened, there was no backing out of it. The whole thing was over in the blink of an eye. The ragged looking man was no match for Jimmy. He was dead before his gun even cleared his holster. With sad eyes, Jimmy waited until his friends promised not to say anything to the young lady that Jimmy was engaged to. Abby Shannon had heard from him and he supposed others too, about his reputation as a ‘gun slinger’ even if the name was unwarranted. He knew she worried about him but he tried to shield her from the unpleasantness that sometimes cropped up, and this was one thing he didn’t want her to know about. Things were going good for him right now and he didn’t want anything to mar his happiness and telling Abby that he’d been in a gunfight would do just that. For the past few months he’d known what it was like to have a future, to have someone to love and be loved by, someone to dream with and share dreams with and he was afraid that if she found out about this, he’d end up losing her. The stab of pain at the thought was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. Abby had brought sunshine and happiness into his world and he was loath to let that go at any cost. “Sure, Jimmy,” Kid said in a doubtful tone, “Whatever you say…” Ike signed as if he were locking his lips and throwing away the key, showing he promised to. Kid looked away from his friend with a shake of his head. He didn’t think this was something Jimmy should keep from the young woman, but it wasn’t his place to say so or to tell her. Jimmy’s eyes narrowed a bit as he looked at the quiet southerner. “I know you don’t agree with me Kid, but this is the way it’s gotta be. I don’t want Abby worryin’ about me the way you do Lou…” The young man knew he touched a nerve when Kid turned his steely blue eyes his way. Without a word, Kid nudged Katy to take off running, leaving Ike and Jimmy in his dust. *I don’t think he liked you saying that,* Ike told Jimmy before the two urged their horses to follow. “Probably not,” Jimmy replied knowing that Kid would keep his word no matter what. When they arrived at the station, Abby came running from Emma’s house with a smile to greet her fiancé. “Hmmm, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Jimmy told her slipping from Sundance’s back and gathering her into his arms before kissing her soundly. “Hey you two, knock it off!” Cody yelled across the yard, teasing them but neither paid any attention to him. “How’d it go?” Buck asked Ike as he followed him into the barn to help cool down the horses. *Not good* Ike told his friend. *Someone called Jimmy out….but don’t tell Abby. Jimmy’ll kill us if you do* “Who was he?” Buck asked wondering if it was anyone from Jimmy’s past or just someone out to kill ‘Wild Bill’. Kid, who’d been brushing down Katy told the story of how they’d been in the restaurant eating and a man yelled from the street, calling Jimmy out. “Jimmy went to the door and looked at the man for a moment before he called out, ‘I ain’t got no quarrel with you. Hell, I don’t even know who you are!’ The man just laughed at Jimmy and told him to draw or he’d shoot him where he stood. You know Jimmy…that didn’t sit well with him so he walked out into the street and the two went to it.” Buck felt bad for his friend. It seemed that he’d finally found some good in his life and this has to happen. “He’s going to tell her right?” he asked, sure that this was something that shouldn’t be kept from Abby. If Jimmy didn’t tell her and she found out another way, he was sure they’d all see sparks flying. Abby Shannon had a temper that wasn’t easily riled but when it was, heaven help who she was angry at. Ike shook his head. *He doesn’t want any of us to say anything to her…* The three stopped talking as Jimmy entered the barn. He noticed how quiet the three were and that they were all looking at him funny. “You told him didn’t you?” he said accusingly. Turning to Buck he demanded, “Don’t you dare say a word of this to Abby!” He turned and left the barn, furious that Kid and Ike couldn’t keep their mouths shut, that they had to tell the first person they came across about the gunfight. If they kept it up, Abby was sure to overhear about it sooner or later and he was determined that she didn’t hear about it at all. The rest of the evening was strained over at the bunkhouse. Jimmy was glaring daggers at the three, just daring them to say another word about the fight and the three riders were trying to ignore the looks being sent their way. After dinner, Abby talked Jimmy into going for a walk with her. “Is something wrong?” she asked, her arm tucked neatly in Jimmy’s. “Why would you ask that?” he couldn’t meet her in the eye. She had a way of seeing right into his soul and would know if he lied to her. “Well, for starters you’ve been in a black mood since you got back and the looks you sent your friends, why if they could kill….” She let her words trail off. Abby was sure something had happened while Jimmy was gone but no one was saying a word to her. “It’s nothing,” he told her, hoping she’d let it drop. He knew he wouldn’t lie to her, but he also didn’t want to tell her about the fight. With a sigh, Abby leaned her head on Jimmy’s shoulder as they walked.I’ll just have to find out later, she told herself, not willing to let the matter drop completely. Jimmy was upset about something and she wanted to help in whatever way she could. “Let’s go down to the pond for a bit,” he suggested, needing some quiet time alone with her away from prying eyes and loose tongues. Abby let Jimmy lead her towards their favorite spot by the pond. It was a place the two came often for some private time together and right now, Abby got the feeling that with whatever was bothering Jimmy, he needed some reassurance from her that she loved him. It was late afternoon two days later when Abby rode into the station yard, her face red with fury. “James Butler Hickok!” she yelled searching the yard to see if he was around. Lou came out of the barn to see what was going on. At the look Abby sent her, Lou shook her head, indicating that Jimmy wasn’t with her. Cody had been chopping wood and set the ax down with a befuddled look on his face. Pointing to the bunkhouse when the fiery redhead looked his way, he started walking towards where Lou was standing so he could see what was going on. “James….” Abby had started to yell again when the man she was looking for came out the door of the bunkhouse quickly followed by the rest of the riders. Eyes ablaze, Abby marched towards her intended, fists curled in anger that he hadn’t told her that he’d been called out, that he’d killed a man. “What’s wrong?” Jimmy asked in an unsure voice. Whatever it was, Abby was hopping mad and it looked like she was about to take it out on him. “What’s wrong?” she said, fury lacing her voice. “What’s wrong?! I’ll tell you what’s wrong James Hickok. I’m in town and hear that you were called out in Blue Creek and that you killed a man, that’s what’s wrong!” “Oh, that…” Jimmy didn’t know what to say. His heart was racing and his palms began to sweat. He feared the next words he’d hear out of her mouth would be to tell him that she wasn’t going to marry a ‘killer’. “How could you…” Abby cried, tears filling her big blue eyes. “How could you keep this from me?” Jimmy could see the hurt in her face and hear it in her voice. It made his heart ache. “I didn’t want to worry you,” he told her, the excuse sounding lame to even his ears. “Worry me?” her voice was becoming shrill with anger and fear. How dare he keep something so important as a man trying to kill him from her? Why he could have been killed! Her mind screamed. When he tried to take her in his arms and calm her, Abby beat on his chest with her fists as tears raced down her delicate cheeks. “You could have been killed,” she sobbed, the fight going out of her as she let him pull her against his chest. “But I wasn’t,” he said softly, stroking her hair as she cried on his shoulder. This was why he tried to keep it from her. He didn’t want her going through the pain that he lived with in knowing that there was always someone waiting around the next bend, looking to do in ‘Wild Bill’. Lou pulled Cody by the arm into the barn, seeing that the two needed some time alone. Buck and the others quietly went back into the bunkhouse. This was something that Jimmy needed to take care of by himself and he didn’t need the others around. Rocking her back and forth in his arm, Jimmy held Abby until her crying ended. Wiping the tracks of her tears with his thumb, he looked deeply into her eyes. “I didn’t want to worry you. I don’t want you to live with the pain that’s been part of my life up until I met you. It’s something I never want you to get used to. And I’m afraid that’s all I’ll bring you…pain and heartache. I’ll understand if you can’t live with the way my life is, never knowing if someone’s coming for me.” He waited, his mind numb with fear that Abby would take the out he had just offered her. His eyes closed as he tried to keep the tears from falling. He just knew that she would leave him…everyone he ever loved had. Why would she be any different? His eyes flew open as Abby’s hands cradled his face between them. Looking into his dark, sad eyes, Abby’s heart fluttered. How could anyone not love him, she wondered. “I’m not going anywhere James Hickok so just get that thought out of your head right now. I’m going to be your wife and that’s that! But you can’t keep things like this from me…we need to be open with each other or we’ll be doomed from the start.” Her voice softened. “I love you Jimmy and nothings going to change that. I was furious that I had to find out about the fight from Tompkins and not you. Please, don’t keep something like this from me again,” she begged of him. “We’re in this together Jimmy, for good and for bad. And if the bad comes looking for you I want to know about it.” Abby leaned up and softly captured his lips with hers. Wrapping her once more in his arms, Jimmy returned the kiss wholeheartedly. When it ended, he stroked her cheek with one finger, promising to never keep things from her again. “You’d better not James Hickok or I’ll have your hide,” she declared as Cody came out of the barn, Lou quickly following in his tracks, unable to keep him from going to see if Abby had killed Jimmy or not. “Aw,” the blond man whined when he seen the two kissing. “Just once, I’d like to see her get the better of him,” he complained to Lou. “I think she already has,” was the young woman’s reply as she watched the two gaze into each others eyes, love radiating from them. |
| Tu Compania I love the way you look Love the way you feel And the way you roll your eyes At the kisses that I steal Love the way you stare When you're staring right at me I just love your company… Jimmy snuck into the kitchen over at Emma’s house. His stocking feet muffled his entrance. A smile twitched the corners of his mouth as he listened to Abby Shannon humming to herself as she kneaded a batch of bread dough. He almost laughed as she swiped at a long, red lock that had escaped the braid, leaving a trail of white flour across her cheek. When she put the last loaf into a pan and was about to move it so it could rise behind the stove, two hands spanned her waist causing her to let out a yelp of surprise which quickly turned into a breathless moan as Jimmy’s lips found a tender spot on her neck, caressing the skin until her knees were about to turn to jelly. “Oh, Jimmy….” She murmured, turning in his arms so that she could snake her own around his waist. Lips met lips eagerly. Abby had missed him while he was on his run. Just knowing he was away from the station made her feel like a piece of herself was missing and when he returned, she wanted to hold on to him like there was no tomorrow. When they finally broke away from each other, Abby asked saucily, “And what would you have done if I called out someone else’s name?” He knew she was teasing him and played along. “Why I’d have to steal you away and make you forget all about him…” Rolling her eyes she laughed. “I missed you.” “Not half as much as I missed you Abby,” his tone turning serious. “It’s harder and harder to leave you, you know.” Moving out of his arms to take care of the loaves of bread that needed to rise, she felt her heart soar at his words. Never did she dream that Jimmy Hickok would fall in love with her, but his actions and words reminded her that he had and it was the greatest feeling she’d ever felt. Smiling at him, Abby wiped her hands on her apron. “Just as it’s hard for me to see you leave…” The love that radiated from her big, blue eyes touched him to the very depths of his soul, shaking him to the core. Never had he felt anything as strong as Abby’s love for him. And it overwhelmed him, making him want to turn and run as fast and as far as he could but at the same time, it made him want to go to her and gather her in his arms and never let her go. Afraid of what he might do or say if he didn’t leave right then, Jimmy muttered something about needing to take care of his horse. Promising to come out soon, Abby watched as Jimmy headed for the back door. As he bent over to put his boots on which he’d left on the back porch, Abby could hardly contain her laughter when she noticed two white flour handprints on his black trousers. Abby waved as he tipped his hat to her and hurried towards the barn. She was sure his friends would have a fun time teasing him and she’d enjoy hearing about it later…. |
| Faster Car Two weeks away from home was two too many, Jimmy told himself as he took a seat on the train that would take him to Sweetwater. Sam Cain had asked him to come to the Territorial Marshal’s office in Omaha, on a matter of business escorting a prisoner accused of committing crimes all over the territory. Jimmy had been needed to testify against the monster who’d went on a killing spree having seen him commit two of his atrocities before apprehending him while working as a Deputy Marshal back home. Abby hadn’t been able to go with him on this trip due to her being almost eight months pregnant with their second child. He had been loath to leave her but the doctor assured him that his wife was not going to be delivering their child anytime soon so he reluctantly said good-bye and made his way to Omaha. The trial took longer then anyone had expected. Never in their life had Sam nor Jimmy seen anyone with so many killings to his name. The man himself was more then egar to supply them with names of victims that they were unaware of that they were required to verify as having been killed. Once the guilty verdict came in late in the afternoon the previous day, it had been to late for Jimmy to catch the last train heading west for the day. With a restlessness he couldn’t get rid of, he had dinner with Sam at the restaurant in his hotel and they talked about old times when Sam was still the Marshal in Sweetwater. It was late by the time the two men parted ways with well wishes for the new addition to Jimmy’s family and promises to say hello to all Sam’s friends back in Sweetwater. Lying in bed, Jimmy thought he’d never fall asleep he was so anxious for the morning to some so he’d be on his way back to his wife and son, Joshua. He could just imagine the two of them waiting on the platform when his train pulled in two mornings from then. With that picture in his mind, he fell into a dreamless sleep of a man bone weary. He was shaken out of his reverie with the whistle of the train blowing and the familiar chug, chug, chug of the wheels starting to turn. Looking out the window, he watched as the countryside slowly passed by until the train picked up full speed. Jimmy hated traveling by train. He’d rather have a horse under him any day but he was in a hurry to get home and this was the fastest way to get there. As the hours and miles passed by he couldn’t help wishing that he was in a faster car on a speeding train flying across the miles… |
| I Can't Stop Loving You
It had only been an hour since Jimmy had left the house and ridden over to the station to start his days work, but the longing for Abby's smile, the lilt of her voice had him wishing time away. He wondered if anyone would notice if he left. Cody disappeared all the time so why couldn't he take off for a little while. At least he had a good excuse unlike Cody who'd disappear for the sake of hating having to do any real work. Jimmy felt his reason was something that any one of the others would understand. Especially Teaspoon, seeing how he married not once, but six times! Finishing up stacking the wood by the bunkhouse and behind Emma's, Jimmy looked around to be sure no one was around to notice his leaving so soon. Seeing no one about, he hurried to Sundance and rode towards home. As the house came into sight, Jimmy grinned. His wife would be so surprised to see him home so soon. Tethering his horse out front, he hurried up the steps and opened the front door. It was quiet in the house and he wondered where Abby might be. In the stillness, he heard the sloshing of what sounded like water. It wasn't Monday, so he knew she wasn't washing clothes. Following the sounds, he walked quietly towards the mudroom at the back of the house. Abby didn't hear him as she hummed to herself, lathering up a long leg that she held up in the air as she bathed. Leaning against the doorframe, Jimmy watched with growing interest. A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth as she lowered the one leg and began washing the other. His hands itched to run over her limb as she lathered it with the soap. He bit back a groan as she lowered that leg and slid further up in the tub, the bubbles barely covering her breasts. The sight of her was to tempting. Moving further into the room, he hung his gun belt on the hook next to the door and knelt down, kissing the back of Abby's neck. She let out a little yelp of surprise and splashed water out of the tub as she turned. As soon as his lips had touched her, Abby knew it was Jimmy behind her but surprise at his being home so soon after leaving caught her off guard. "Jimmy! You startled me!" she said breathlessly, leaning back against the tub once more. She tilted her head to one side allowing him access to her neck once more. A low groan escaped her lips and her eyes closed at the sensations he was creating against her skin. How she loved it when he caressed the sensitive spot next to collarbone. "I just can't stop loving you…" he whispered as his hand slowly slid up and down her arm. |