By Katya
Prologue
As Jimmy stepped off of the porch, he grunted. He was sick of it. Sick of them all. He'd just wanted a quiet, peaceful dinner for a change. That wasn't what he got. Cody was just as loud and obnoxious as always. Not to mention chewing and talking all at once. Buck was too quiet, although Jimmy didn't blame him. Since Ike's death he hadn't been the same. Noah just sat there and cracked jokes on him for being in a foul mood. Kid and Lou....well that just topped it all. They'd finally gotten back together and were sitting with their heads together giggling the whole time. It made him sick. At least they didn't eat in the bunkhouse. He'd never be alone if they had.
"Jimmy?" Lou's voice reached him and he closed his eyes. He loved her voice.
"Yeah?" he asked, a little rougher than he intended.
"Are you ok? I mean, if this has to do with what Noah said, he apologized and...."
" No, Lou. Why'd you have to come out here?" He questioned quietly. Her presence just made his heart ache more.
" I didn't have to. I just wanted to see if you were ok. Sorry I bothered you," she answered, the hurt ringing through clearly. Jimmy paused and turned to say he was sorry, but she'd already gone back into the main house.
As he opened the door to the bunkhouse, He decided he needed a lot of sleep. He'd expected to see his bunk waiting there for him, inviting him to rest. Instead,
"What the hell?" Jimmy's voice rang as the girl rummaging through the room jumped about a foot off the ground. She just stared at him with wide eyes. Her long sandy blond hair was all over the place and Jimmy couldn't help but notice how attractive she was.
"I.....uh...I think...I'll just...uh...leave," she stuttered as she tried to run past Jimmy. However, he was too quick for her and had her arms pinned at her side and held her still.
"Now hold on just one..." he began. This girl had other ideas.
"Let me go!!! Let go or I'll scream!! I will, I swear!!!!" She yelled. She wasn't loud enough for anyone in the main house to hear, but she was loud enough for him.
"You already did!" he told her, his ears still ringing slightly. But against his better judgment he let her go. She took a step back and stumbled. She ended up on her backside. Jimmy couldn't stifle the laughter soon enough.
"You think this is funny?" she screeched. Her hair had gotten even more wild and Jimmy noticed how green her eyes were. He extended his hand to help her and she took it with a sigh of defeat. She straightened out her dress and brushed her hair back behind her ears.
"Rainie?" Kid's voice amde Jimmy whip around to see him. He was in total shock.
" Kid? Oh, it IS you!!" Rainie ran to Kid and hugged him tightly. Jimmy was lost beyond all comprehension.
"Where have you been? Where is Daniel?" Kid asked hurriedly.
"We went to Boston, but I left him to come find you," she explained, still enveloped in a bear-like hug.
"So you two know each other?" Jimmy interrupted, wanting to know just what in the world was going on.
"Uh, yeah....Jimmy, this is Rainie. My sister."
Chapter One
As Kid walked into the main house everyone stared at him expecting to see a bruise or two on his face. Jimmy's foul mood had caused Lou to go out after him. When she came back, she wouldn't talk to anyone. Kid decided enough was enough. He wanted to know what was wrong with Jimmy. However, when Kid walked in, his smile was huge.
"You didn't kill him did you?" Cody asked, wondering what in the world could have made Kid so happy.
"What? No...um guys, I have someone I want you to meet. Everybody, this is Rainie.."
Rainie stepped through the door, not at all nervous. These people were evidently what Kid considered his family. They definitely were....unique. She wanted to meet them.
"Rainie, you've already met Jimmy. This is Buck,"
"Hello. I love your name," she smiled. He had to be Indian. At least partially Indian. He was definitely attractive.
"Thanks," Buck responded quietly, not too sure as to how to respond to the compliment.
Kid continued, "This is....."
"William Frederick Cody, at your service ma'am. You must be new in town. I'd have recognized a face like that....."
"Cody.." Rachel warned. Rainie just laughed.
"Sorry, I tend to talk a lot," Cody grinned sheepishly.
"That's quite alright. I do the same thing," she smiled. Cody's face immediately lit up.
"And this is Noah," said Kid.
"Hello, miss."
"Well, hi to you too."
"Rachel."
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"You too, Miss...?
"Please just call me Rachel,"
"Alright, Rachel," Rainie beamed.
"This is Teaspoon Hunter, the head master of the pony express station here in Rock Creek," Kid moved on.
"Hello, sir."
"Hello, madam," Teaspoon smiled as he kissed her hand.
"Why, sir! You flatter me," Rainie smiled brilliantly.
"And Lou," Kid turned to Lou and everyone else did the same. The tension between the two was stifling.
"Hi."
"Hi."
Kid hoped his next sentence would clear away all the friction.
"Everyone, this is my sister."
Everybody let out a sigh of relief. They all thought Lou would go off for sure until he said that.
"Um, Rachel?" Kid asked, nervously.
"Yes?"
"I was wonderin' if....well, if maybe,..." Kid hated to ask people for things.
"Of course she can stay with me, if she wants,"
"Thank you very much," Rainie chimed in.
"Alright boys and girls, time to get some sleep! You all have busy days comin up here!" Rachel reminded them as she shooed them out the door.
"G'night Rachel!" They called simultaneously.
"Good night, sweet dreams!" she wished them as she shut the door.
"Well, I guess I ought to get some sleep, too," Rainie yawned," unless you'd like some help with those dishes."
Rachel smiled." No, that's alright. Your room is the second door on the left, upstairs."
"Goodnight and thank you again," Rainie reiterated. She already liked this woman.
"Goodnight."
Rainie stood by the window of her room and sighed. The moon seemed to beckon her and she was willing to listen. She never had much luck getting sleep, and tonight was no exception. She decided a nice, soothing walk might help. She put on her coat and left her room. As she snuck down the stairs, she tried to be as quiet as possible, so as not to wake up Rachel. She was as good at sneaking out as she used to be. When she opened the door to the porch, she stopped dead in her tracks. Jimmy sat with her back to her. He had an aura around him that caused her to stare.
" You gonna stand there all night?" Jimmy questioned, without turning around. She almost jumped when he did that, but she was too calm.
"Maybe. What are you doing out here?" she wondered. He seemed to be lost in thought when she came out here.
"It's a free country, ain't it?" he snapped.
"Fine. Sorry I asked," she snapped back. She made her way past him and out onto the moonlit ground.
"No, I'm sorry. Come on back," he apologized. That was the second time today he'd snapped at someone like that. He knew it wasn't her fault. She turned and walked back to the porch. She sat down next to him in silence. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him.
"Why are you out here?"
"Just thinking," she replied, staring into the night.
"This is a good place to think," he responded. He felt stupid afterwards. Come on, Hickok. You can do better than that.
He never got the chance.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" she asked him as she stood up. He looked at her in the moonlight and noticed again how beautiful she was. Her hair shone and her eyes glittered. He shook those thoughts out of his head and reminded himself that this was Kid's sister.
"Sure," he answered They stood up and walked out onto the land.
They walked on in silence for a while. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a comfortable one. Finally, Jimmy said,
"It's beautiful out here, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is," Rainie added. The comfortable silence slid over them again and Rainie guessed he wanted it that way. She did, too. A few minutes later, Rainie let out a giggle. Jimmy turned to look at her.
"What?" he asked, curious as to what was so funny.
"Nothing," she giggled, " I was just thinking about Kid. If he saw us, together, lord knows what he'd say,"
"There's nothin wrong with taking a walk," he claimed.
"Oh I know that and you know that, but Kid..... he'll think the worst."
"Let him," he stated calmly. Kid could think what he wanted. Just as long as he didn't get in Jimmy's face. Rainie closed her eyes and walked forward a few steps. Suddenly, she couldn't tell if Jimmy was next to her or not. She opened her eyes and whirled around to see Jimmy gesturing to come over to him. She came to where he was and followed him up a small path. They came to a hill which Jimmy went up first, and then helped Rainie up, since she had no shoes on. When they reached the top, Rainie gasped. Jimmy had brought her to a small pond. The moonlight danced on the water in little silver slivers and it took her breath away.
"Oh, Jimmy, it's beautiful," she cried.
" It's my favorite place to think," he told her. He'd never shared this spot with anyone. He didn't know why he was sharing it with this girl he barely knew. But the look on her face was enough to wipe the thought away.
"Let's go for a swim," she added suddenly.
"Rainie, don't you think it's a little cold for that?" he asked.
It was too late. She'd already removed her coat. Jimmy knew he should close his eyes at what was about to come off next, but instead, Rainie dove into the water, nightgown and all.
"Come on in, Jimmy! The water's fine," she insisted. How could he resist?
Chapter II
"Good morning, Rachel," Rainie came down the stairs, smelling the sweet aroma of a home cooked meal.
" Mornin' Rainie," Rachel smiled knowingly. Rachel knew that the girl hadn't gotten much sleep, being outside with Jimmy, but whatever sleep she did get, it was peaceful. Rainie sat at the table and looked out the window dreamily.
"So..... what did you all talk about?" Rachel began, but never got to finish.
"Morning, Rachel. Hey, little sis!" Kid walked in the door. Rainie jumped up and gave him a big hug. He'd missed that. She walked back and sat down again.
"Mornin' Kid,"
"Rachel, did Lou leave yet?" he asked, not as nonchalantly as he had hoped.
" I'm sorry, Kid. You just missed her," she informed him. The look of disappointment was hard for either of the women to miss.
" So who WERE you talking to, Rainie?" Kid pried.
Rainie turned to look at Rachel, but she had conveniently slipped out.
"Um, actually, I was talking to Jimmy," she conceded.
"Oh," he said quietly. She knew he wanted to know more.
"Mornin' Jimmy," Rachel announced, somehow sneaking back in without her noticing.
"Mornin' " he replied. Kid noticed that Jimmy seemed in better spirits than he did last night.
"Smells good, Rachel," Jimmy commented as he sat down.
"Why, thank you."
"So what all did you two talk about last night?" Kid asked, unable to stand the suspense.
"Nothin', " they said simultaneously. Rainie giggled and Jimmy smiled. Kid let it drop, for now.
"James, since Noah, Lou and Buck are all out on runs this morning, and Cody and I are heading into town to pick up supplies, why don't you show Rainie the horses? " Rachel prompted. However, Kid had other ideas.
"Well, I could do that now, if you want," Kid offered eagerly. He genuinely missed his sister. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.
"Actually, I was planning on eating this wonderful breakfast," she began, but seeing the disappointment on his face, said, " but maybe you can show me the town later,"
" Sure, " Kid jumped at the chance." Guess it had better wait til I get back from my run. I'll be back by tonight," He said as he got up.
"Be careful, Kid," Rainie said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Ride safe," Jimmy called.
As Kid walked out the door, he couldn't help but wonder about what was said between Jimmy and his little sister. He was already beginning to worry, but it wasn't her he was worried about.
" I'll meet you outside, Jimmy," Rainie said after Kid had left. She went out the door and Jimmy walked over to Rachel.
"Rachel, what do you think you're doing? " Jimmy questioned slowly, not sure he wanted the answer.
"James, I bought you two some time, so I suggest you use it wisely. You are still doing your chores, " she reminded him.
" Thanks, Rachel," he smiled.
As he walked out the door, she said,' " And don't forget to feed the horses!"
" I won't, " he replied as the door shut. Sometimes Rachel had the hardest time getting him to have fun.
"Oh, and Rachel?" Rainie popped her head through the door.
"Yeah?"
"Just for this, I'm doing the dishes tonight," She flashed a brilliant smile and shut the door.
"You ready?" Jimmy asked. She nodded. They walked out to the barn and he opened the door. he was showing her all the different horses. He had just started talking about Lightning when…
"Oh, Jimmy!" Rainie exclaimed from the last stall. Jimmy's heart about stopped. That was his horse's stall.
"Rainie, get out of there! She ain't too fond of strangers," he warned as he walked toward the stall. That was an understatment. The horse was about as volatile as he was. He was the only one who'd been able to ride the thing when they got it. It wouldn't let anyone else on its back. Jimmy opened the stall door and got the shock of his life.
TO BE CONTINUED...Chapter III
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
