“I think I found the place,” Jimmy announced walking into the kitchen of Emma’s house. Abby looked up from where she’d been snapping beans for dinner. “Really?” the excitement couldn’t be kept from her face as she smiled at her husband of three weeks. They’d been living in Emma’s spare room since the wedding and though they both loved Abby’s sister, they were anxious to find a place of their own. “Where?” she asked throwing the last bean in the bowl. Grabbing one to munch on, he shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before. About two miles east of where Emma’s property ends is the Garner place. Old Mr. Garner passed away earlier this year and the place has been empty ever since. There’s a daughter who lives in town who is interested in selling it.” Moving out of Abby’s way by the sink, he continued. “I stopped by to talk to her today and she said we can go out and take a look at it. We could go anytime you like,” he told her as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Giving in to his kisses, Abby let herself be persuaded, though she would have went anyhow. “So?” he asked as he pulled back from a particularly passionate kiss. “What do you say? Shall we go take a look?” “Just try and stop me,” Abby told him wiggling out of his arms and making a beeline for the door. Catching up to her by the front gate, he asked, “Shall we take Sundance?” He loved it when Abby rode with him. Didn’t matter if she had her arms around him from behind or if his arms were around her as she leaned against his chest, he just loved being with her. “You’ve talked me into it,” she said coyly waiting for him to hand her up onto the horse. Hooking her leg around the pommel, she leaned forward so he could get up behind her. “Shouldn’t we tell someone where we’re going?” she asked as they rode out of the station yard. “Already told Emma. That’s how I knew where to find you,” he grinned. On the ride over to the Garner place, Jimmy described it to her from what he remembered it had looked like the last time he’d been out there. “From my understanding, the daughter has been seeing to its upkeep so it should be in pretty good shape.” “That would be wonderful!” Abby stated wondering how much the place was going for. That was going to be the biggest factor in their buying the place if they liked it. Abby had most of the money from the sale of the house her parents had left her and from the sale of the furniture that she hadn’t wanted to bring out west with her but she wasn’t sure if it would be enough for a house or not. “It’s just through those trees there,” her husband told her pointing up ahead. Looking hard, she could make out the shape of a building through the tree branches. “Oh, Jimmy!” she said softly as it came into view. The house was lovely. It was one story with a porch on three sides of it. Flowers were blooming in the yard in a riot of colors making it pleasing to look at. “Can we go in?” she asked as he helped her off Sundance. “Got the key right here,” he said swinging the key back and forth in his hand. “Let’s go check it out.” There was a light layer of dust covering the floor and a slight smell from being closed up but other then that, the house appeared to be in good shape. All of the rooms were empty and their voices echoed in them as they discussed what the rooms would be if they were to buy the house. “And this room would be our room,” Abby told Jimmy as she looked out the windows. “That way we won’t get the sun in the morning waking us before we are ready to get up but will have beautiful sunsets in the evening to watch.” “I like your way of thinking Mrs. Hickok,” he told her gathering her in his arms and kissing her. “Anything that will give me more time in your arms, Mr. Hickok,” she winked when he let her go. A slight frown crossed over her face before she asked, “Do you think we can afford it Jimmy? I don’t’ know how much a place like this would cost and you know what we have right now…” “Oh, I think we can work something out with Miss Garner. She seems eager to sell and what we have saved should be more then enough to purchase it. Besides, I’m still working for the Pony Express and that’s another hundred a month coming in. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down,” he promised. Looking up at him, Abby told him, “I know you won’t Jimmy. That never crossed my mind.” Giving her a hug, he said, “Let’s go buy us a house!”

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