"I do believe I've finally packed on some pounds," she said.

The Kid poked lovingly at her ribs with his finger and his smile was teasing. "Maybe just a bit."

Lou poked back. "You could stand to gain some yourself, mister. You're skin and bones."

Jimmy was watching his friends with a bemused eye. Jack was giggling.

Lou continued, "Why, I bet those scrawny arms of yours couldn't lift a ten-pound sack of feed."

"I could lift you, Louise McCloud, you and that big mouth of yours. Why, I bet I could carry you from here to the barn and not break a sweat."

"Is that a bet?"

"Why not?" The Kid stood, a big, handsome grin on his face. He put out his hand. "Shake on it?"

"Well, now, why don't we make it a bit more interesting?" Jimmy spoke up, his challenge a slow drawl. "I'll bet you, Kid, that you can't carry Lou from here to the barn and back again in less time than I can."

The Kid cocked his head to one side and thought for a moment. But only a moment. "You're on, Jimmy!" He bent at the waist to slip his arms under Lou's legs, but Lou was struck with another idea.

"Wait, wait!" she cried excitedly. "I have a better idea! Jack's the same size as me. We'll make it a race! Jimmy, you carry Jack, and Kid'll carry me. We'll race to the barn and back to the porch and first fella that don't drop his girl --"

"Or makes it back," Kid interrupted haughtily.

Lou waved him away impatiently. "Wins!" she finished. "And no piggyback! You have to carry her in your arms!" She jumped to her feet, triumphant, hands on her hips. "Come on, Jack!"

Jack followed Lou, unsure. "Lou, I don't know..."

"Too late!" Abruptly, Jimmy's right arm slipped under Jack's knees and his left arm around her shoulders. In one sudden move he swung her up and they were face to face. Jimmy was laughing. "Gotcha," he said.

Not to be outdone, Kid quickly picked Lou up. Lou winked at Jack. Jack could do nothing but laugh helplessly and hold onto Jimmy's neck.

"Ready?" Lou tightened her grip on the Kid. "Get set!" The Kid and Jimmy poised themselves for take-off. "GO!"

It felt more like Jimmy was jogging than running. Jack felt horribly guilty for the obvious strain she was, but then that went away as she remembered the fun of the moment. Soon she was cheering Jimmy on as loudly as Lou was cheering Kid on.

Jimmy and the Kid made it to the barn within seconds of each other, but it was when they made the turn back to the bunkhouse that it became clear Jimmy was going to win the race. He pulled ahead of the Kid and was halfway past the corral when it happened: his foot connected with a thick twig in his path and his ankle gave way. Suddenly he pitched forward and Jack went flying out of his arms. She tumbled and rolled and landed at the edge of the bunkhouse. Jimmy hadn't fared quite so well.

"Lord, Jimmy, are you all right?"

Jack stood, brushing herself off and shaking her head to clear it. Her eyes focused again and she saw Lou stooping over Jimmy in concern -- Jimmy who had landed in a mudhole, face first. Kid wasn't even pretending not to be amused. He was doubled at the waist, slapping his knee and laughing fit to bust. Lou was biting her lower lip in a valiant effort not to follow his example. "Jimmy, are you all right?" she repeated.

Jimmy glared up at her from two dark eyes in the midst of a mud-covered face. "Do I look all right to you, Louise?"

Jack snickered. Jimmy's eyes slid over to her. "You think it's pretty funny, do you?" he challenged. Jack nodded, covering her mouth with her hands.

Jimmy stood, as dignified as he could manage, and flipped his wet, muddy brown hair back from his face, splattering the front and shoulders of his shirt. Jack exploded with a snort of laughter. "Oh, Jimmy, I'm s-s-sorry," she stopped to choke hard on another giggle, barely able to get the words out. "I'm sorry, but you just look so funny!"

Jimmy watched her for a moment, his eyes strangely distant. "Well, I'm just glad I could amuse you all," he said finally.

He walked away. Lou and Kid were still giggling, but Jack had sobered, worried. Was Jimmy angry? From what she had seen of him these past few weeks he had as good a sense of humor as anyone, but maybe they had gone too far laughing at him like this. She didn't want to leave with Jimmy upset at her.

When she turned, Lou had been watching her watch Jimmy, and Jack felt that her keen eyes were taking everything in, coming to conclusions Jack herself hadn't come to yet.

Supper that evening was a quiet affair, much quieter than Jack had grown accustomed to. Cody regaled them with the thousandth retelling of one of the many exploits that had begun to sound like all the others, but instead of the usual comments and remarks that followed, everyone was close-mouthed. Lou kept staring at her sadly, and Jimmy wouldn't look at her at all. He had to be angry with her, though he was the same as ever to Kid and Lou.

After supper everyone gathered on the porch and the pleasant sound of cicadas filled in the silence. Rachel rocked slowly in her chair, fanning herself, and humming. Everyone seemed to be staring at the star-filled sky. It was so beautiful and clear tonight, and the air had that crisp, clean smell that only a late summer night could have. No one said a word about tomorrow's imminent departure, but Jack's eyes filled with tears anyway.

They fell easily into talk and the night passed quickly by. Far too quickly. When Teaspoond announced that it was nine o'clock everyone started with surprise. "You'd better get your rest, gal," Teaspoon said softly. "You've got a long ride ahead of you."

It was the first time the subject had been mentioned all day. "Yes, you're right," Jack agreed.

"We'll be up with you first thing," promised Buck. "All of us. We'll see you off."

"Thanks, Buck."

Slowly they all said goodnight and headed for bed. Jimmy excused himself and walked off in the direction of the stables. At last it was only Jack left on the porch. She sat on the railing, as she had a habit of doing, and looked at the stars for a long time. What she had told Rachel was true: she had grown to love this country. She still missed Searyshire with all her heart, but this place and these people had become dear to her. Especially these people. She dreaded tomorrow more than she had anything since leaving England.

In the stables Jimmy had lit a lantern and was cleaning his guns by its meager light. He heard footsteps and found Jack before him.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone clean their guns more than you," she laughed nervously.

He nodded.

"Jimmy -- Jimmy, I'm sorry."

He looked back at her, startled. "Sorry?"

"About earlier. About this afternoon. I'm sorry for laughing at you."

Jimmy's face brightened in a grin. "What are you sorry for? Lord, I'm sure I looked a sight drippin' with mud like that."

Jack was amazed. "I thought you were upset. You just stormed off, and you didn't say a word to me at dinner."

"Aw, I wasn't upset. Believe me, that was pretty mild compared to some of the stuff I've laughed at the others for. Nah, don't worry about it." He continued to clean his gun. "I -- I guess I was quiet at dinner because...well, I was thinkin' about how strange it's goin' to be when you're gone."

"Really?"

"You've really become a part of this place, Jack. It just reminded me that one day we're all going to be split up. I guess I don't like the thought."

One of their comfortable silences followed. Jimmy polished and Jack watched, and they were both content. But Jimmy knew that what he said wasn't entirely true. How could he tell Jack that he had been thinking about her laughter, about the sound of her laughter directed at him, about wanting to hear her laughter for the rest of his life?