Morning dawned bright and sunny. Christy woke to the sound of knocking on her bedroom door. Rachel poked her head in. "Get up, sleepyhead. We've got a big day ahead of us."

Christy yawned noisily. "We do?"

"Sure." Rachel bustled around, gathering clothes and laying them at the foot of Christy's bed. "Rock Creek is having its annual pie-eating contest. There will be roping contests, which Billy hopes to win, and a horse race. Plus, I know you're getting tired of wearing my old clothes. We need to pick you up a few things."

Christy voiced a concern that had been bothering her for a few days. "Gee, Rachel, that sounds great, but I'm kind of low on money right now. Maybe I can get a job working at the hotel or something…"

"Nonsense." Rachel cut her off. "There's no need getting a job in town, when you've got one right here. I need some help around this place. Taking care of these boys is more than I can handle, not to mention cooking and cleaning and laundry…"

"Alright, alright!" Christy laughed and held up her hand. "Stop, don't tell me anymore, before I change my mind!"

Happily, Christy climbed out of bed and dressed. She understood why Kid was so content to stay here. Everyone had been so kind to her since she arrived. Christy was glad Kid had a little happiness in his life. Nothing would ever make up for the awfulness of their past, but maybe Kid's little surrogate "family" could ease some of the pain.

Christy hurried down the stairs and out the door, where she found everyone else gathered around waiting. She noticed the only person missing was Ike, who had left on a run earlier that morning.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting." She apologized.

"I'd say the effort was well worth the wait." Cody smiled at her appreciatively.

"Thank you, Billy." Christy blushed. "You're very kind."

Rock Creek was brimming with activity for the day's events. Women from the church were covering long tables fashioned from sawhorses and board with bright red and white checked tablecloths. Soon they would cover the tablecloths with many different kinds of pies, cakes, jams, and jellies to be sold. Two men were setting up a lemonade stand, where they would sell big dippers full of the cold, tart liquid for ten cents.

Cody was most excited about the roping contest. He had been practicing for ages, roping anything that would stand still, including the other riders, much to their annoyance. The prize for winning was fifty dollars, and in his mind, Cody already had the money spent.

"Will you be attending the roping contest?" Cody asked hopefully.

"Are you planning to enter, Billy?" Christy inquired; pretending she didn't already know Cody had thought of little else for weeks.

"Why, yes, as a matter of fact I am." Cody tried to look nonchalant.

"Then I wouldn't miss it for the world." Christy stated.

Jimmy snorted. "Neither would I. I never miss a chance to watch Cody make an ass of himself."

Cody turned red and stalked off, presumably to practice some more. Jimmy turned to Christy, noticing how much happier she looked today than the first time he saw her. She was wearing Rachel's bonnet, and it was the exact same blue as her eyes. Not for the first time, Jimmy was aware of how pretty she was.

"You shouldn't have hurt his feelings." Christy said reproachfully.

"Who, Cody?" Jimmy laughed. "He's too full of himself to have his feelings hurt long. Besides, I don't doubt that he will win that contest. He's good, bad as I hate to admit it. Now, would you like a tour of the town?"

Christy looked hesitantly at Kid, but he was deep in conversation with Lou. If she went with Jimmy, maybe Kid could spend some time with Louise. She remembered her conversation with her cousin last night. If only Kid could tell Louise how he really felt about her, Christy was sure they could work their problems out.

"Sure, why not?" Christy said, taking the arm Jimmy offered her.

Kid looked up in surprise as Christy left with Jimmy. His eyes narrowed. Jimmy was his friend, but Kid wasn't sure if he like the idea of Christy and Jimmy together. Jimmy's reputation preceded him. Kid and the other riders knew Jimmy wasn't a gunfighter, but try telling that to every outlaw in the territory. Trouble seemed to find "Wild Bill" Hickok everywhere he went.

"Kid?" Lou was looking at him with concern in her dark brown eyes. "What's wrong?"

"What? Nothin', nothin'." He muttered, still watching Christy and Jimmy.

True to his word, Jimmy gave Christy a thorough tour of Rock Creek. He was an excellent guide, and Christy was enjoying his company more and more. She found he lost some of his stiffness with her, and he actually had a wonderful, sly sense of humor.

"That's about it to Rock Creek, I guess." He said as they began to make their way towards the jail, which also served as Teaspoon's office as Marshall of Rock Creek.

"Thank you for showing me around. You're very kind." Christy smiled up at her handsome escort.

"Well, if you liked it, maybe I can give you another tour sometime. There's a pretty little creek about half a day's ride from here. We could pack a picnic, and I could show it to you." Jimmy's voice had a light tone to it that belied his direct gaze.

"That would be lovely!" She exclaimed.

"Good, then we'll plan to go when I get back from my next ride." Jimmy said firmly. "Now, weren't you looking for some new dresses?"

He deposited her in front of Thompkins' Store with a promise to return soon. "I'm just going to go look at this gun display next door. Take as long as you want."

Christy entered the clean, bright store and looked around. To her left were bolts and bolts of fabric. She made her way to them and began searching for patterns she liked. Soon an older gentleman appeared beside her.

"Can I help you, miss?" He asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, sir, hopefully. James Hickok told me you could help me with some new dresses." Christy began.

"So you're friends with those Express riders, huh? Loud bunch, I've had to kick them out of here a few times." The man boomed.

"Oh, well, he, uh, didn't mention that…" She stammered.

"Now don't get me wrong," The man said, noticing her expression. "They're a nice bunch of boys, just rowdy is all. The name's Thompkins, what are you looking for?"

Christy took the hand he held out to her. "T-thank you, Mr. Thompkins. I need a few new dresses…"

Within minutes, Mr. Thompkins had laid before her a vast array of fabrics to choose from. She carefully picked out three prints of a soft blue, and then she noticed a dark green taffeta.

"This is beautiful, it would make a lovely formal dress." Christy sighed. She held it up for Thompkin's approval. "What do you think?"

"Looks good, looks real good." A voice whispered menacingly in her ear.

Christy whirled around and gasped. Behind her was one of the men who had attacked her outside of Blue Creek, she was sure of it. Her memory of that night was vague, but there was no mistaking the man called Joe with the long, dirty-blond hair, and mouth full of tobacco.

"I'll come back later." She said to Mr. Thompkins.

Christy turned and fled the store. The man followed her, laughing wickedly. She heard Mr. Thompkins yell for him to leave her alone. In a panic, she looked blindly around for Jimmy. Joe grabbed her by the back of the arm and pulled her towards him.

"Leave me alone!" She cried.

"Now, where are you goin'? We ain't through talkin' here." Joe grinned, exposing a mouthful of tobacco and brown teeth.

Christy was debating whether to scream, when suddenly Cody appeared out of nowhere. Grabbing the man by his shoulders, Cody threw him against the wall of the store.

"I think the lady asked you to leave her alone." Cody said through clenched teeth.

"Cody! What in tarnation is going on here?" Teaspoon yelled as he came running across the street, at the same time Jimmy came around the corner and joined him.

Cody still had the man pinned to the wall. "I'm not sure. Why don't you explain, mister?"

Joe's eyes danced wildly back and forth between Cody, Teaspoon, and Jimmy. "Why, nothin's going on, fellows, I swear. I was just trying to talk to the lady is all."

"Christy?" Teaspoon turned to her.

Her face pale, Christy struggled to stop shaking. "H-he's one of the men who attacked me, Teaspoon, before Jimmy and Cody found me."

"Why, you-" Jimmy started for Joe, his fists balled up tightly.

"Jimmy!" Teaspoon held the hotheaded young man back. "Hold on a minute! Christy, are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm positive." She nodded.

"Looks like you're going with me." Teaspoon grabbed Joe roughly by the arm and led him toward the jail.

"Are you alright?" Cody asked Christy. Still shivering, she tried to nod. Cody wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tight. "Come on, let's get you somewhere you can sit down."

Within minutes, it seemed as if everyone had heard of Christy's near disaster. Cody led her back inside Thompkin's store, where he insisted she rest in a chair in the back. Rachel, Buck, and Noah soon appeared, concerned about her condition.

"I'm alright, really." Christy insisted. She felt embarrassed by all the attention.

"Christy! Christy!" Kid ran into the store, dragging Lou behind him. He looked frantic as he pushed people out of the way to get to her. He engulfed her in his embrace.

"Are you alright?" He asked, searching her face.

"Yes, I'm fine, thanks to Billy here. Once again, Mr. Cody, I am very grateful to you." Christy smiled her appreciation at her hero.

"Do you want to go home?" Rachel asked worriedly.

"No, don't be silly!" She exclaimed. "I'm fine, really, I'm much better now. Please, let's don't leave!"

"I'll stay with her." Jimmy spoke up.

"Like you did a few minutes ago?" Kid inquired sarcastically.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jimmy asked hotly.

Kid stood up straight and met Jimmy's eyes. "I mean if you had stayed with her, none of this would have happened."

Jimmy fought to keep his temper under control. "How was I supposed to know that lowlife was here?"

"Boys, boys!" Rachel quickly stood between the two angry men. "Jimmy's right, Kid. I don't think any of us would have left Christy alone if we knew one of the men who attacked her was in town. Now, why don't we put it behind us and enjoy the rest of our day. Cody, I think it's about time for your roping contest."

Kid and Jimmy continued to stare at each other. Lou tried to diffuse the situation by looping her arm through Kid's and pulling him gently towards the door. After a minute, Kid slowly followed.

Jimmy squatted in front of Christy. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I'm sure." She paused. "What was that all about?"

"Don't worry about it." Jimmy's face broke into a slow grin. "That was just Kid being Kid. Now, come on, we don't want to miss Cody making a fool of himself."

Christy looked at him doubtfully, then took the hand he offered. She followed Jimmy outside and down the street to the Express station's corral, which had been cleaned up for the contest. Kid, Lou, and the others were already lined up against the fence. Jimmy and Christy joined them, but Christy couldn't help but notice that Jimmy and Kid were careful to stay clear of each other.

Many of the ropers in the contest were good, but Christy had no doubt in her mind who would win as soon as Cody's turn began. He roped and tied the small calf in minutes with seemingly little effort. As he left the corral amid much cheering, Cody caught her eye and winked.

"You're right, he's wonderful!" Christy said to Jimmy when Cody was presented the small brass trophy and fifty dollars for winning.

"Don't tell him that, it will go to his head." Jimmy chuckled. "Especially if he knows you said it."

"What do you mean?" Christy asked innocently.

"Hasn't Cody made it perfectly clear? I believe he's sweet on you." Jimmy's smile grew wider.

Christy snorted. "Yes, me and every other female in the territory. I'm no fool, Mr. Hickok."

"I didn't say you were. In fact, I think you're smarter than most people I know." Jimmy insisted.

Christy looked at him incredulously. "Why do you think that?"

Jimmy shrugged. "I don't know. You survived on your own, without a ma or a pa. And you found Kid by yourself. That must take some smarts."

"No, Jimmy." Christy said seriously. "You're wrong, I've just been lucky. I never would have survived on my own without Charles Tunstall, and as for me finding Kid, well, I've got you to thank for that, don't I?"

As they talked, Jimmy and Christy made their way through the crowd of onlookers and back onto the main street. The lemonade stand was busy, as the day had turned unusually warm for the month of March. Little boys ran in the middle of the road, lighting firecrackers and quickly throwing them down. Christy hardly noticed the noise. The more time she spent with James Hickok, the more she liked him. To have led such a hard life, he was surprisingly gentle.

"How did you get your nickname, Jimmy?" She asked as they took a seat on a wooden bench outside Teaspoon's office.

Jimmy shook his head in disgust. "Fellow named Marcus wrote a book about me. He made up a bunch of lies, saying I killed a bunch of people. I guess most folks would rather believe a lie than the truth."

"It must be very hard for you, knowing most people think you're a cold-hearted killer." Christy said softly.

Jimmy tried to look as if he didn't care. "Teaspoon says if you believe something long enough, it becomes the truth."

"Not if you don't let it." Christy insisted. "You're not some hardened murderer, I haven't even known you very long, and I know that. Don't you?"

He shrugged. "I guess."

Christy tried to force him to meet her eyes. "You guess?"

Jimmy looked away, his eyebrows furrowing together. "The fact of the matter is, I am a killer. I've had to kill to survive and I'm not proud of that."

Christy gently touched his arm. "I think you're too hard on yourself. You defended yourself the only way you could. The fact that you feel bad about taking another person's life shows that you're not the cold-blooded monster some people think you are."

Jimmy stared silently at her. A dozen emotions conflicted within him. How could this girl who barely knew him understand him so well? He felt the beginnings of something stirring deep within him, and he fought to contain it. If there was one thing he didn't need, it was to get involved with someone, especially if that someone was Kid's cousin.

"Jimmy, I think you've hogged enough of Miss Tunstall's attention for one day." Cody suddenly appeared beside them. He was proudly brandishing his trophy, which shone almost as brightly as his smile.

"Maybe you're right, Cody. Why don't you take over for awhile." Jimmy stood and pushed his black hat further down onto his head. Without another word, he walked away.

Cody looked stunned to have won his argument with Jimmy so easily. His mouth hung open as he watched his friend disappear down the crowded street. For her part, Christy didn't know what to think. Had she said something wrong?

Cody quickly recovered from his surprise. "Well, that was easy! Now how about I show you a real tour of the town?"

Christy glanced again in the direction Jimmy had gone. Then she decidedly made up her mind and linked her arm through the handsome blond rider's. "I'd like that, Billy."

Christy didn't get a chance to talk to Jimmy the rest of the day. She and Cody arrived home late as Cody's idea of a tour included not only the saloon and the jail, but also dinner at the hotel restaurant. Everyone else was already tucked safely in their beds when Cody walked her up the steps to the house. They stood for a moment on the moonlit porch, laughing about the day's events.

"Thank you, Billy. I had a wonderful time. I don't know what people will think of me, though; a woman in a saloon!" Christy's eyes danced in the pale light.

Cody smiled softly. "They'll think the same thing I do-that I was the luckiest man in the place to be with such a beautiful companion."

Christy felt herself blushing and was glad it was dark. "You're very sweet, Billy."

"Sweet enough for a kiss?" Billy removed his hat and looked at her hopefully.

She hesitated. She adored Cody as a friend, but she didn't want him to get the wrong impression. She quickly leaned over and kissed his cheek. Cody looked disappointed but continued to smile.

"Well, goodnight…" He whispered.

"Goodnight, Billy."

Chapter Six