“Would you look at that?” Cody said with a huge grin. “I think Jimmy’s in L-O-V-E!” Noah who’d been sitting next to him on the bunkhouse porch looked up to see the man in question strolling arm and arm with Abby Shannon. A sly grin crept across his face as he told Cody, “I wouldn’t be sayin’ that to loud if I was you…teasin’ Jimmy could be bad for your health!” “Teasin’ Jimmy about what could be bad for his health?” Kid wondered as he came out of the bunkhouse with his saddlebags over his shoulder. Holding the reins of Katy for him, Lou shook her head. “About Jimmy bein’ in love,” she answered Kid as he made ready for his run. Kid looked over to where the couple was standing in front of Emma’s house. “Don’t see nothin’ wrong with that,” he told the others. Noah snorted and shook his head. “Course you don’t Kid,” he muttered under his breath. Cody let out a loud laugh causing Kid to look in their direction. “What was that you said Noah?” He didn’t hear the words but from Cody’s face he could tell it mustn’t have been flattering. “Didn’t say nothin’ Kid, not a word…” Noah grinned as Lou sent him a doubtful look. Across the yard, Jimmy was wooing Abby in ways the others never would have imagined he could do. He’d laced his fingers through hers as they walked up the steps to the house and sat down on the porch swing. Over the last few weeks, he’d been pursuing Abby with a determination that had been the talk of the bunkhouse inhabitants and he made sure the others knew she was going to be his. The first to bow out was Cody, which was a shock to him. The blond rider had been looking like a love sick cow when Jimmy had first laid eyes on Abby and had seemed as determined to win her heart as he had. Over the last several weeks something happened and Jimmy didn’t know what it was but suddenly Buck and Ike also stopped hanging around Abby every spare moment they had. Kid had never really been in the race since he was seeing Lou, so his not being around wasn’t surprising. Whatever the reason for the others leaving her alone, Jimmy didn’t care since it meant he didn’t have to share her with anyone else anymore. What he didn’t realize was that the others had noticed the way Abby had looked at the young man every time they were in the same room. Anyone of them would have given a months salary for her to look at them that way, but she never did. She only had eyes for Jimmy Hickok. Knowing that they had no chance with her, they gracefully bowed out and left Jimmy to his courting. As the Express rider from the west came riding into the station, Kid jumped on Katy and took off in a cloud of dust to yells of ‘Ride safe’. Jimmy looked over at the woman sitting next to him and said honestly, “I’m glad it’s not me going on a run right now. I’m enjoying being with you to much to leave you…” Blue eyes met brown. “So am I, Jimmy. I’ve gotten used to seeing you around every day that when you’re gone it gets lonely…” she said feeling a bit shy at the look that flashed in his eyes at her words. Abby’s breath caught as he lowered his head in a lingering kiss that had even Lou letting out a low whistle with the other boys. Jimmy had to have it bad if he was kissing Abby where anyone could see them Cody mentioned propping his feet up on a chair. “Who wants to bet that he asks her a certain question in the not to distant future?” Noah asked ready to lay his hard earned money on it. “What?! You think Jimmy’s gonna ask her to marry him? No way!” Cody said loudly in disbelief. “Jimmy might ‘dance’ with a woman but he ain’t the type to ask them to marry him! I’ll lay twenty on it that he don’t!” Noah looked over at Lou and asked, “How ‘bout you Lou? Willing to bet on it?” Lou looked over to the couple and thought for a moment. “I’m with you on this one Noah. Count me in…” she said as Cody groaned, “You’ve to be kidding me Lou!” Ike and Buck who had come out of the barn when Kid was leaving listened to the others betting on Jimmy and both wanted in on the bet. So far, everyone had sided with Noah and Cody was grinning thinking he’d be in the money when they lost the bet for sure. Back on the porch, Jimmy was whispering how he’d like to get Abby alone out by the pond again for a little star gazing. Laughing softly she told him, “You know I’m not going to give in James Hickok.” “I know that Abby,” he said putting little kisses down the side of her neck. “But I sure like trying to talk you into it…” Abby leaned back with a smile. “Oh, do you now?” she asked teasing him. He knew she enjoyed it just as much as he did. “Well, why don’t you come over one of these evenings and we can take a blanket out back into the field and check out those stars you were talking about?” Jimmy’s heart did a little flip as she ran a finger down the front of his chest and gave him that innocent look of hers. “You’re playing with fire Abby…” he said, his voice trailing off as his eyes darkened. Standing up she leaned over and kissed him full on the lips. “Well maybe we need to do something about putting that fire out,” she stated with a wink, and then went into the house without another word. Letting out a deep breath, Jimmy sat on the swing for several minutes until he got himself back in control. Standing up, he looked at the door Abby had just gone into and shook his head. He’d be knocking on that door later in the evening with a blanket under his arm for sure after her words. Walking across to the bunkhouse he noticed the others watching him. With a scowl he asked, “What?” Cody had a goofy grin on his face and couldn’t help saying, “Ain’t that cute? Jimmy’s in love…” Noah and Lou shot him a dirty look, knowing he was asking for it and were surprised when Jimmy grinned as he passed saying, “Got that right!” Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!