"I have never and I mean never met a more pig-headed man then you James Butler Hickok," Abby yelled at the retreating figure as it made a hasty retreat out the screen door over at the main house, much to the amusement of the other riders who were sitting on the porch of the bunkhouse, taking in the cooling evening air. A huge grin broke out on Cody's face as a loud crash was heard across the yard as Abby threw something at the now gone Jimmy for emphasis. "Wonder what he done this time," Cody said in hushed tones as Jimmy hurried across the yard towards where he and the others were sitting. "Don't know, but it sure must have been somethin'," Buck stated, seeing the black look on Jimmy's face as he marched up the steps of the bunkhouse. "What?!" the young man snarled, looking over his co-workers as they all stared at him. "We didn't say nothin'," Lou replied, not wanting Jimmy to turn his bad mood on any of them. It wouldn't take much to set him off like a match to a powder keg. As Jimmy stood glaring at them, he heard the door of Emma's house slam shut. Looking across the yard, he could see Abby standing, hands on hips, eyes burning a hole in him even from a distance. "Women!" he muttered, going into the bunkhouse and slamming the door, pointedly closing everyone out. "Abby sure looks upset," Kid remarked, watching Emma's sister from where he sat. "You think you should go talk to her Lou?" he wondered, looking over at the female rider. "Me?!" squeaked Lou, sitting up quickly. "Why me? I ain't goin' over there. Uh uh, no way. Crossing Abby isn't my idea of fun," she declared as the others looked at her. When they continued to look at her, she squared her shoulders and sneered, "I don't see any of you goin' in to talk to Jimmy!" Throwing an angry look over her shoulder, she stomped down the steps and started walking across the yard towards the main house. Kicking at stones as she went, Lou hated being the only girl right then. She knew that Abby wasn't likely to talk to any of the other boys like she might another female. Resigned to the task ahead of her, she slowly walked up the steps of Emma's house and stood next to Abby who glared at her. "Go away Lou. I don't want to discuss it. Damn pig-headed man…" her words were mumbled as they trailed off, anger still lacing her voice. Raising her hands as if to ward off an attack, Lou took a step back. "Sorry, Abby….I just thought you might like someone to talk to is all…" Sighing, Abby looked at the young woman. "No, I'm the one who's sorry Lou. It isn’t your fault that Jimmy is so darn stubborn. I just don't want to talk about it is all. Please," the young woman said, sadness etching her face. Lou was surprised by the look and wondered, 'What on earth did Jimmy do?' Now she was curious to find out what her friend had done to make his sweetheart so upset. If she didn't know Abby better, she would have stayed and pushed the issue but she knew she'd only make Abby mad at her if she questioned her further. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me," Lou mentioned as she went down the steps. She heard the door to the house close as Abby went back inside. Taking her place on the porch once more, Lou fended off all questions with a curt, "She didn't want to talk about it so I don't know nothin'." Disappointment flashed on the others faces; all anxious to find out what Jimmy did that had gotten Abby in such a state. The riders sat in silence, until Lou asked with a glint in her eye, "Which of you is gonna go talk to Jimmy?" Not seeing any takers, she turned her eye to her own sweetheart. "Kid?" Kid looked uncomfortable. "Why don't we let it be, Lou…" he said feebly, knowing he'd be heading through the bunkhouse door anyhow. Batting her eyelashes as him, Lou said in a very feminine voice, "But Kid, you're his best friend…" Buck and Cody grinned at each other. It wasn't often Lou used her 'I'm a girl…' on any of them and they enjoyed seeing Kid squirm. "She's right you know," Buck added to Kid's discomfort. "You are his best friend…." "Only right that you go see if he's okay," Cody chimed in, hoping to find out what happened. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Kid glared at the three of them. "Alright, alright….I'm going!" With a heavy sigh, he opened the door to the bunkhouse and closed it again. "I ain't talkin' to ya Kid," a stone cold voice came from the back of the darkened room. Kid was surprised that Jimmy knew it was him. Stopping just inside the door, he stood, not sure what to say. "I said I ain't up for talkin'," came again, more stern this time. Clearing his throat, Kid cringed. Whatever had happened, Jimmy was in a foul mood and he didn't appreciate being the one sent into the lion's den. "We…I was wonderin' if you're alright…" he said lamely. Rustling could be heard from Jimmy's bunk. Kid thought the man might have sat up but he wasn't sure in the dark. He just hoped Jimmy hadn't been reaching for his gun. "Just go away will ya, Kid? 'N tell them I don't want ta talk to any of them either. That includes Lou!" Shuffling his feet, Kid wasn't sure what to say. "Uh, sure Jimmy. I'll tell them. If you do want to talk, I'll be outside…" Three faces were watching him as he hurriedly closed the door behind him. Taking a deep breath, he let it out. "Well?" Cody demanded, anxious to find out what was going on. "He don't want to talk. And that means with you too," he pointedly looked at Lou who had stood up at his words, ready to go inside to demand she be told what was going on. Sitting back down with a 'humph', Lou pouted. "Just leave 'em both alone," Kid told the others as he took a seat near Lou. "If anyone should know to stay out of a lovers quarrel it should be you. You hate it when anyone sticks their nose in our business," Kid admonished Lou who was staring daggers at him. Cody leaned back in his chair and whispered to Buck, "This is gettin' good. First Jimmy and Abby and now Lou and Kid." Buck rolled his eyes, but sat back to watch the fireworks. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The riders were sitting at the table eating breakfast when Abby waltzed through the door, as if nothing had happened the night before. She greeted each person with a smile and a cheery 'good morning', all but one that is. When her gaze lit on Jimmy, her smile hardened and she pointedly ignored him, causing Jimmy's eyes to turn steely. Whatever had made the both mad the evening before looked like it was going to carry over into a new day. Instead of taking her usual seat, which sat empty next to Jimmy, she asked Kid if he would move down. Glancing quickly at Jimmy and then at Abby, he slid over one seat, giving her his. Shrugging, he went back to eating, determined to stay out of their business. "Kid, could you ask Mr. Hickok to pass the biscuits?" Abby asked in a stilted voice, not looking at Jimmy. Kid lifted his head, looking confused. "Can't you ask him? He's sitting right there…" Kid's voice dropped off at the look Abby gave him. "Uh, Jimmy? Could you please pass the biscuits?" Kid asked getting a dirty look from Jimmy, but was handed the bowl with the biscuits, which he handed to Abby. No one said a word for several minutes, the tension around the table so thick it could be cut with a knife. Teaspoon cleared his throat and gave his rider and the young woman sitting next to him a questioning look but neither enlightened him as to what was going on. Wondering what had went on in her absence the night before while she was in town having dinner with Sam, Emma set her cup of coffee on the table. "Would someone like to tell me what I missed last night?" A sparkle coming into his blue eyes, Cody was more then ready to part with what he knew. "Them two got into a fight and won't talk to each other and then Kid and Lou got into it over the whole thing…."Cody paused to see if he had caught the attention of those who'd missed the fireworks the night before. With a grin he started to open his mouth again to continue but all that came out of it was a loud "Ouch!" as he was swiftly kicked from under the table. He wasn't sure who'd kicked him but he glared at Kid, Abby and Buck who were all across from him looking innocent. "Abby? Is this something I should be concerned about?" Emma asked quietly. She'd never heard a harsh word pass between her sister and Jimmy since the day the two laid eyes on each other. This was so unlike them and whatever was the problem must be something big if it caused a fight. Keeping her eyes on her plate, Abby replied a bit curtly, "It's nothing Emma, don't worry about it." "Nothing? Like hell it ain't!" Jimmy slammed his fork on the table and stood up. Hands leaning on the table in front of him, he looked at Abby whose eyes had flown to him at his outburst. "What do mean 'nothing'? I'd say it was something by the way you were acting!" Abby's eyes narrowed. "Well if you weren't so darn stubborn!" "Me? Me stubborn?! Well look who's talkin'!" he declared, hands gesturing in front of him in anger. "I'm not the one being irrational here," Abby retorted, anger making her cheeks flushed. A loud whistle pierced the air causing everyone at the table to turn towards Teaspoon who was now standing, anger written all over his face. "I don't know what in tarnation is going on here but that's enough! Do you hear me?" he demanded, looking from Jimmy to Abby. The couple nodded but everyone could see they were both unhappy and ready to go at it again. Sitting back down in his chair, Teaspoon looked around the table. "Now finish up and git goin' on your chores. Ike should be comin' in soon. Who's up next?" he asked trying to get things back to normal at the breakfast table. "I am," Lou chimed up, eager to be gone. She'd had enough of Kid's opinions the night before and she didn't feel like getting into things with either Abby or Jimmy. Scraping the last of her eggs off the plate she hurried from the table to gather her things and go get Lightening ready for her run. "Good," Teaspoon said taking a sip of coffee. As the others began to finish up, Abby asked, "Cody, would you please ask Mr. Hickok if he still planned on escorting me into town later? If so, I think I'd rather stay home." Cody gulped. He took one look at the thunderous look on Jimmy's face and scrambled from the table calling out, "I think you'd best tell him yourself Abby..." "Abby!" Emma admonished, shocked at her sister's behavior. Abby ignored her and put her dish in the sink, then turned and walked out of the bunkhouse, never giving Jimmy another look. Furious beyond words, Jimmy shoved his chair back and stormed out after his intended. "Abby!" Jimmy yelled, hurrying after the fiery redhead. He grabbed her by the arm and swung her around to face him. "Who do you think you are involving the others in our fight?" he demanded, outraged that she'd use the others the way she had at breakfast. Abby was seething. She couldn't believe he had taken such umbrage over a simple request like he had. Squaring her shoulders, she looked him in the eye. "I think we could do with some time apart, before we say something we'll both regret." The words hung between them as they continued to stare each other down. "Fine!" he told her between clenched teeth. Letting go of her arm, he stormed off towards the barn as Lou emerged with her horse, ready for her run. Because she was the only one in the yard at the time, she alone saw the look of sadness that passed over Abby's face as she watched Jimmy disappear into the barn. Her shoulders drooped as she turned towards the house. Before Lou could go see if she were all right, she heard hoof beats approaching at a fast pace. As she swung up into the saddle, Ike rode into the yard, arm outstretched with the mochila held out for her to take. Speeding out of the yard, she briefly noticed Kid standing on the porch of the station watching her ride away. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "When I was in town earlier, there was a letter waiting for me from Sara. I think I mentioned her before didn't I?" Abby asked Emma as the two were in the kitchen chopping vegetables for dinner. "Sara Majors, right?" Emma asked, reaching for another carrot. "That's the one. Well, she misses me something awful. Her brother Logan is going to be home from University in a few weeks and she wants to know if I couldn't come for a visit." Jimmy stopped outside the porch door when he heard Abby telling Emma about a letter she'd received. He knew he shouldn't listen in on their conversation like he was but if he didn't, he wouldn't know what was going on with Abby right now. The two were so at odds, it was tearing him up inside. They'd never had an argument before and he didn't know what to do to make things right between them. "Were you thinking of going?" Jimmy heard Emma ask. Leaning closer to the open door, he held his breath, waiting for Abby's answer. "I'm thinking about it," he heard her reply. His heart started racing at the thought of her leaving. "I've always enjoyed spending time with Sara and Logan. He's going to be a lawyer you know. Out of all my friends, the two of them were some of my dearest and I do miss them so." Wistfulness crept into Abby's voice as she talked, causing Jimmy's stomach to sink. Who was this Logan and why did she sound so sad when she talked about him….had there been something between the two of them before Abby had come to Sweetwater? If she went back, would she return to Sweetwater? More importantly, would she return to him? Feeling sick, he slowly backed down the steps and headed for the bunkhouse, forgetting all about letting Emma know that Teaspoon had a special run he was being sent on. Lost in thought, he almost ran into Teaspoon, who was waiting with a package and letter that he was sending Jimmy to Fort Collins with. "Whoa there son!" Teaspoon said, holding out a hand before he got knocked over by the young man. When Jimmy looked up, Teaspoon noticed the look on his face and asked with concern, "You all right son?" Squaring his shoulders, Jimmy nodded. "I'm just fine Teaspoon. That the package I need to give Captain Jamison?" Handing it over, the stationmaster eyed the rider. "Yes it is. You sure you're all right Jimmy? I can always send one of the others if ya ain't." "I'm fine," came the curt reply as Jimmy stomped into the bunkhouse to grab his things. Stashing the package in the saddlebag, he threw it over his shoulder and headed for the barn. Within minutes he had Sundance saddled and was racing off towards the Laramie Mountain Range. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It wasn't until Abby was setting a pot of stew on the table did she notice that Jimmy was missing. At first she thought he had decided not to show up for the meal, his anger with her still simmering. It wasn't until Emma came in and asked, "Where's Jimmy?" that she thought more of it. Grabbing a piece of bread, Teaspoon wrinkled his brow. "Didn't he tell ya he was going on a run?" At the surprised look on both women's faces he shrugged. "Well he has. I sent him to Fort Collins. He'll be gone five, maybe six days dependin' on if he runs into storms up in the mountains." Abby couldn't believe that Jimmy had left without a word. She felt like she didn't matter to him, that he didn't bother telling her like her feelings were nothing. Not wanting anyone to pity her, she tried putting on a brave face as she sat down to eat. During dinner, she remained silent, her thoughts on the missing rider. When dinner was over, she asked Emma if she minded if she went to lay down for a bit. "I have a terrible headache," she offered when Emma asked if she were okay. Emma 'tsked' as Abby left the bunkhouse. She knew her sister was fretting over Jimmy and his leaving without a word. Earlier she'd tried to find out what their argument was about but Abby didn't want to discuss it. "Maybe time apart is all they need," she said to the empty bunkhouse, clearing the table and starting the dishes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Not even noticing the majestic mountains that he was traveling through, Jimmy's mind was still worrying over who Logan was and what he meant to Abby. He wondered if by the time he returned to Sweetwater if she'd have left to visit her friend and the mysterious Logan. 'I bet Logan has hair that's kept short and always in place,' he grumbled, urging Sundance to run. 'What's the big deal about my hair?' he wondered for the thousandth time. 'Why do women try to change you once they get engaged to you?' Thinking about being engaged, his spirits sagged. 'Would Abby still be willing to marry me, especially if she seen her friends brother again?' All his insecurities surfaced as the sun began setting behind the mountains, turning the night air cooler. Pulling his collar up, Jimmy hunkered down on the horse, thinking about making camp for the night when in the distance he heard the lone howl of a wolf. Sundance danced skittishly for a moment until he got him under control. Patting his faithful horse on the neck, Jimmy murmured, "Don't you worry boy. I'll take care of you." He rode a bit further until he found a clearing near a stream. "This looks like a good place," he said in the stillness, pulling back on Sundance's reins. After making camp and seeing to Sundance, Jimmy fixed a meager supper and tried to relax against a log in front of the fire. The stars in the night sky were so bright and appeared so close he couldn't help but think that if he reached out with a hand, he could pluck them from the sky. 'Abby would love this,'he thought, thinking on all the times the two of them sat upon the prairie looking up at the stars. Even though the two of them were at odds, Jimmy still missed her and wished she were with him. He thought about the first time he'd ever seen her. He'd just gotten back from a run and she'd been sitting on Emma's porch swing. When he'd looked into those blue eyes of hers, he was a goner. He knew in that moment that he'd met his match, the woman whom he could give his heart and soul to. Settling down on his bedroll, he watched the flames dance in the darkness. His thoughts turned back to Abby and their courtship. He couldn't believe that she'd chosen him over all the others. Well, all the others but Kid. No matter what Kid may have told all of the riders, his heart belonged to Lou and one of these days both of them would realize it was forever. Abby had led him on a merry chase. She showed interest but kept him at a distance until it was driving him crazy. Finally, he realized that what he wanted was the right to wake up with her every morning for the rest of his life, that it was her he wanted to come home to each night. His stomach tightened at the memory of the night he asked her to marry him. When she said she would be happy to be his wife, he was the happiest man on earth. 'How did we come to this?' he wondered, closing his eyes as exhaustion overtook him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ After delivering his package and letter, Jimmy headed over to the bathhouse to wash off the trail dust. Looking in the mirror after washing, he took a good look at himself, trying to see what Abby would see when she looked at him. He wasn't bad looking, he thought. His jaw was squared and he was tan from being out in the sun so much. As his hair began to dry, he noticed how ragged it looked. It had been a long time since he'd had it trimmed. Maybe Abby's request that he get it trimmed before the wedding wasn't so terrible after all. Why he had overreacted to her suggestion, he wasn't sure. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he could see her request wasn't such a bad thing. He knew that she wanted their special day to be perfect and both of them looking their best would be part of that. With a sigh, he finished dressing and went in search of the forts barber. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Have you decided if you are going to go visit your friends?" Emma asked several days after Jimmy's departure. Shaking her head, Abby told her, "I've already written Sara and told her that even though I would love to see her and Logan again, I won't be able to. There's just too much to do right now and with me having to go oversee the selling of mother and father's house in a few weeks, I think it best that I stay. Besides, when Jimmy returns, I think we need to talk…" Emma was glad to see that her sister didn't seem to be mad at her fiancé any longer. Whatever had passed between them, she hoped that Jimmy was over it too by the time her returned. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Abby had been anxiously watching the eastern horizon since daybreak for Jimmy's return. By the early afternoon, Emma had suggested she take a walk down to the pond and she had reluctantly gone. As she sat by the water, throwing rocks and watching the ripples radiate across the surface, she couldn't wait for Jimmy's return so she could tell him she'd been wrong to ask him to trim his hair. He looked handsome in her eyes, even when he came in from a run covered in dirt and all disheveled. She fell in love with the man he was and that included his sometimes-ragged hair. She'd stood up, turning, ready to head back to the station when she looked up and noticed the object of her thoughts standing nearby, watching her with a smile playing upon his lips. "Jimmy!" she said, her breath catching at the sight of him. Racing into the arms he held open, she held him tightly to her. "I've missed you so much! Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" she whispered, her eyes searching his. "I'm so sorry…It was wrong of me to ask you to get your hair cut. I love you the way you are." He threw back his head and laughed. "Too late now my love. Take a good look," he threw his hat onto the ground and shook out his hair. Upon closer inspection, Abby noted that it was shorter. It was still down to his shoulders, but it was neatly trimmed. Reaching up to cup his cheek, she smiled. "Oh, Jimmy…" He'd gotten his hair trimmed while he'd been away. Even though the wedding was a ways off, it'd look good. "I can't believe you cut your hair," she murmured, placing a feather light kiss upon his lips. "I did it for you," he confessed. "I love you Abby and if me cutting my hair was going to make you happy then why not?" Smiling, Abby told him, "You make me happy just being yourself Jimmy. Don't ever change. Not for me or anyone else." As he held her close he blurted out, "I was afraid you'd be gone when I got back." Abby's brow wrinkled. "Why on earth would I be gone? Where would I have gone?" "I thought you'd go back to your friends…to Logan," he said sheepishly. Surprise flashed in Abby's eyes. "What? How do you know about Logan?" Letting his arm slid down around her waist, he led her to 'their spot' and helped her sit down before dropping next to her. Not proud of himself for listening in on her private conversation with Emma, he admitted what he'd done. "I didn't mean to listen in, it just happened. I was going to tell you and Emma I was leaving when I heard you talking about him…" Leaning towards him she grasped his arm and gave it a squeeze. While he was talking she heard what it was he wasn't saying. "Oh, Jimmy! Logan doesn't mean anything to me. He never has been nor will he ever be more than a friend. It's you I love and that will never change." They sat in comfortable silence for several moments before Abby tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and whispered, "Have I told you how handsome you look?" With a playful growl, Jimmy laid her on the ground as she laughed in delight. When she stopped laughing, he leaned down, looking into her eyes. "I love you Abby Shannon." Her hands snaked around his neck bringing his lips down to hers in a passionate kiss. With a groan of contentment, Jimmy settled over her, intent on making up for the past week that they'd been apart. Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!