Jimmy had been running late from his run due to one of his horses stumbling and injuring its fetlock. He’d had to walk the animal to the next station and it had set him behind schedule by more then an hour. By the time he’d made it to the express station, it was empty except for Teaspoon who’d stayed behind waiting for Jimmy to get in while the others headed into town for the dance. “What happened son?” Teaspoon asked as Jimmy jumped off the horse he rode in on and made for the barn. “Horse stumbled in a hole, had to walk him to the next station. I suppose everyone went into town already?” Smiling, Teaspoon took the reins from Jimmy and motioned him out of the way. “If by ‘everyone’ you mean your wife, the boys went to pick her up on their way to the dance, insisting that they wouldn’t let her sit at home waiting for you. I do believe I heard the mention of this way they’d all get to dance with her without you around,” he chuckled. Jimmy grinned unashamed. He did have a way of monopolizing Abby’s time on the dance floor. “Hope they all took their turn by the time I get there then. Thanks for taking care of the horse for me Teaspoon. I’ll just hurry home to change then go into town. You going to be there?” “As soon as I’m done here I plan on heading there myself. I heard that the widow Darcy is in charge of refreshments and I have a hankerin’ for some of that delicious peach pie of hers.” Jimmy shook his head and waved as he lead Sundance out of the stall next to Cricket’s whom Teaspoon was giving a quick rub down. He urged Sundance to hurry home so that he could change and get to town before the dance was over. For the last week Abby had been looking forward to going and he was sorry that she’d had to go alone. ‘Well not exactly alone,’ he told himself. She’d had five escorts with the riders taking her with them. Within half an hour he was standing on the threshold to the dance hall looking over the milling throng of partygoers looking for one red head in particular. Finally spotting his wife on the far side of the room, a grin formed on his lips as he made his way around town folk, greeting each as he went. Abby was turned away from him talking with one of the ladies she knew from church when he stopped several feet from her. Just the sight of her with her hair swept up the way it was and dressed in a confection of emerald took his breath away. It never ceased to amaze him how just the sight of Abby could move him in ways he never imagined. A look, a touch or just the sound of her voice…it all sent love rushing through his body, making him long to gather her in his arms and hold her forever. Brought out of his reverie by the sound of her laughter, Jimmy smiled. As he moved forward, he let his arm slip around her waist, leaning in to kiss her cheek, he murmured, “Hello beautiful. Sorry I’m late.” When she returned his kiss, all was right with his world again. This was the way it was supposed to be, friends, family, a job he enjoyed and most of all the love of a good woman. As the music began once more, Jimmy swept his wife out onto the dance floor, totally entranced by her. As they twirled in each other’s arms, he couldn’t help but offer up a heartfelt, “Thank you god,” as he gazed into Abby’s smiling face.

It never ceases to blow my mind It does it to me every time
Standing here looking at you It makes me wonder what he was up to
Was he thinking about me
When he thought about you

Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!