By Kirsten
"Hey Jimmy, I'm going into town to do some shopping, you need anything?" Lou asked as she trotted to catch up with him. Although she could ride and shoot with the best of those guys, she had the hardest time keeping up with their long strides.
He stopped, letting her catch up. "Are you going over to get those supplies for Teaspoon?"
"Yeah."
Jimmy motioned towards town. "Let me go with you. That's a lot to handle by yourself."
She appreciated the gesture. Louise knew that she could handle the load, but it would sure be nice to have some strong arms to help her lift. They would buy supplies in extremely large quantities, which ended up weighing at least 50 pounds. "Thanks."
Louise had also been grateful that Jimmy seemed to be getting things sorted after that unfortunate accident in which he shot an innocent woman. It wasn't Hickok's fault that men were constantly calling him out wherever he went. But still, the compassionate heart of this young man caused him to hate killing........especially when it lead to the deaths of the innocent.
Silently they hitched the wagon and headed towards town. Jimmy skillfully steered them down the jostling trail that lead to the center of town. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and that made it all the more enjoyable.
In town, things were a bit different. The streets were full of people, and horses were tied up around every corner. Jimmy brought the wagon to a gentle stop in from of the general store. Lou hopped down with list in hand and they entered it to pick up their supplies.
It was shortly thereafter that the two friends began emerging from the store with goods in hand. It was going to take a few trips to get everything loaded. Lou hastily jumped out of the way as she lowered the sack of flour in hand. "Stupid stage!" She mumbled under her breath. The driver obviously wasn't paying attention and almost knocked her off of her feet.
Jimmy saw what happened and checked to make sure she was alright. "I'm going to go talk to him." His statement was not open for discussion as he headed towards the stopped stage. The driver was unloading baggage from the top, and barely turned to acknowledge the man approaching him.
"Didn't you hear me?" Jimmy asked as he gave the man's shoulder a push, which forced him to look directly into Hickok's eyes.
"Look mister, I ain't got time for this." He said shortly, and then turned back to helping unload his passengers.
Jimmy was irritated and he didn't try to hide it. He stepped directly into the path of the driver. "You almost killed my friend over there!"
Still not seeming to concerned, the man continued about his business. He extended his had to a beautiful young woman, who took it gracefully. Her long flowing curls of blond hair carefully and delicately accented her rosy cheeks and fair complexion. This girl had apparently not spent much time in the sun. Her radiant smile caused Jimmy to stop in his tracks and glare without blinking. She didn't seem to notice him as she turned around and placed her attention back on another girl who was now stepping down.
"Come on Molly, the ground won't bite, I promise." She called softly to her. "See?" Illustrating her point, the blond girl stomped the ground with her foot as if to show its steadfast security. Molly sighed and took the driver's hand, being especially careful not to let the long ends of her skirt touch the ground.
"Oh Christy, now what?" Molly whimpered. Jimmy noticed that the two girls had very similar features, Molly, was also by definition, exceptionally lovely. Her darker hair was flowing freely around her shoulders. Her grey eyes were harsh, but gentle at the same time. She was the younger of the two girls, or so he guessed by her appearance. Her velvety green skirt didn't fit this area at all. Jimmy decided that she belonged in a tea party with the most elegant women of the East.
Christine, on the other hand, was also quite elegantly dressed, but she also held an appearance of strength and carried an countenance of vitality, the kind of girl who knew how to take care of herself.
This is ridiculous. Jimmy thought to himself as he tried to bring his focus back to reality. What am I thinking? These aren't the first pretty girls to come through Sweetwater. But still, there's something about them.....
"Could you please tell us where the hotel is?" Christine asked the short driver who started to leave them alone on the streets with their bags. He had, after all, finished his duty with the ladies and was anxious to get down to the Saloon.
"Just right down the street." With that the man made sure that his horses were secure, and he went down to find himself a cold drink and perhaps a real woman. Not one of those East Coast girls that he'd been carting halfway across the country. Their sophistication was grating on his nerves.
Jimmy turned around and saw that Lou wasn't immediately in sight. With his last trip, he had loaded the remainder of supplies into the wagon. Lou had said that there was something of a more personal nature that she wanted to check in to, and so he figured that's where she had gone.
"Excuse me." He said, before he realized that his voice had gone higher pitched. Embarrassed, he quickly cleared his throat. The girls smiled, it wasn't the first time a man had been 'uncomfortable' around them.
On to Chapter Two