True Love, One Soul

Chapter 5
By Jocelyne

Just as they sat there talking, Jimmy brought the wagon around. Stopping in front of Sarah, Jimmy grabbed her cruchets and placed them in the back of the wagon. He walked back over to her and said, "If you’re ready, we can get started toward town."

Cody stood and helped Sarah to her feet and she said, "Yes I’m ready. I need to get away from my father. Every time I see him, I get mad and that isn’t going to help me straighten any of this out." Then Jimmy picked her up and walked over to the wagon. Then he placed her on the seat, and then he went around and climbed up on the other side and sat down.

Cody walked over to the side of the wagon. He looked up at Sarah and said, "I don't know if you know, but all of us here are orphans. I just want you to remember that you still have your father and he dose love you."

Looking down at him, Sarah said, "I will remember that, but that doesn’t give my father the right to destroy my happiness. But thank you for your concern. I know you are only trying to help me." Cody nodded yes and backed up so Jimmy could head the wagon into town. Sarah turned and waved to Cody and he waved back as they headed to town.

As they proceeded to town Jimmy said, "Sarah, I know it hurts right now but why did Buck leave like that yesterday? I don't want to hurt you by asking, but I would like to help if I can."

Turning to him Sarah said, "The only way you could help is if you get Buck to understand that I would never lie to him. If I had known about the hide, I would have told him about it. Oh, Jimmy what am I going to do? It hurts to think that he doesn’t trust me anymore."

Stopping the wagon, Jimmy turned to her and said, "Oh Sarah I know it’s not what you want to hear, but is it possibly that your father did do that?"

Looking at him, Sarah said, "Well, Jimmy I know you don't know my father. There is no way he could do something like that. It is the same as someone accusing you of doing that. I know you couldn't do it. So believe me when I say that my father could not have done it. He didn't do it."

Staring at him, Jimmy saw the tears in her eyes so he gave her a hug and said, "I’m sorry. I should have known better then to think that. If your father had done that, he would have never giving Buck permission to court you. Please forgive me."

Smiling at him, she said, "Okay. I forgive you." Then she gave him a kiss on the check. Jimmy started the wagon moving again. As they pulled up outside Tompkins store, Jimmy got down from the wagon and went over and helped Sarah down.

Sarah took a hold of the side of the wagon while Jimmy reached in the back and grabbed her crutches. As he handed them to her, he said, "I have to get some stuff from Tompkins here."

As they walked into the store, Tompkins came out of the storeroom. Looking up he said, "Well, who is this lovely lady with you Mr. Hickok?" As he kissed her hand, Sarah down cast her eyes and smiled shyly.

Then Jimmy said, "Well Tompkins, this is Rachel’s niece, Sarah. I need to run across the street to the livery and see about some grain Teaspoon ordered. Is it okay if she stays here while I do that?" Looking at him in shock because he was leaving her with a stranger, Jimmy could see that she was a little scared, so he walked over to her and said, "It’s okay. Tompkins is a nice man. Besides if he tries anything, I know of three people who will have a fit and one lady who will kill him if he hurts you." Leaning closer Jimmy whispered in her ear, "Why don't you buy something for Buck. I just know that you two will make up. I will be back before you know it." Nervously Sarah nodded yes. Jimmy left the store and headed across the street.

Sarah was looking around the store when she spotted a book of poems. walking over to where it sat on the shelf, she knocked over a barrel of apples. Looking up at Tompkins she said, "I’m so sorry for that. I am still not very good with these yet. I have only been using them for two days now. Here I will help you pick them up."

Kneeling down Sarah started to pick up the apples when Tompkins said, "OH, don't worry about it those boys from the Pony Express are always doing that and I don't mind picking up something a pretty lady like you knocked over. Besides if you are staying at the station you must be able to handle yourself."

Smiling Sarah said, "Well believe it or not all the boys at the station are perfect gentlemen with me, even Jimmy. But I can handle myself pretty good. Thank you." She stood up and continued to walk over to where the book was. Reaching out she took the book of the self, and after reading the cover she saw that it was the same book her mother use to read to her when she was little. Deciding that she would buy the book she walked over to where she saw some jewelry. Sarah said, "Mr. Tompkins can I see a couple of pieces out of here?"

Smiling Tompkins said, "Sure! What do you want to see?"

Looking closer she said, "How about this brochet and this ring. Is it a man's ring?"

Pulling out the few pieces of jewelry that Sarah had asked to look at, he said, "This is a man’s ring. This is a very pretty brochet. Are you sure you have enough to pay for these?"

Smiling at him Sarah said, "Yes I do. My father is very wealthy. So don't worry. If you are that concerned I can order it through the catalog. Just because I am staying out at the Express station doesn’t mean I don't have money."

Jimmy had finished at the livery and headed over to the restaurant to get the picnic lunch for them. As he was coming out of the restaurant, he bumped into Cody. Looking surprised Jimmy said, "Cody what are you dong here?"

Smiling Cody said, "I’m here to let you know that Sarah’s father is very upset that Sarah won’t talk to him. Can you please talk to her? You know how it is not to have a father."

Looking at him Jimmy said, "I know. But I will not make her any madder then she already is. She has been hurt enough already. I brought her with me and am taking her on a picnic to help her feel better. She will talk to him when she is ready to. I hadn't seen her smile since Buck rode out yesterday and she is finally smiling and happy again. Well, as happy as she can be with her heart breaking. Now if you will excuse me I need to get back to the store and load the supplies. I don't want you to say anything to her about her father." Cody nodded yes and mounted back up and rode off toward the station.

Jimmy watched Cody ride off then he walked over to the store. As he entered he heard what Sarah said to Tompkins. Looking at Tompkins Jimmy said, "Is this how you treat people?" Turning to Sarah he said. "Are you ready for lunch?"

Smiling at him Sarah said, "Yes I am. Just let me pay for these things." She paid Tompkins and then they left the store. Jimmy helped her on to the seat of the wagon then headed back into the store. As he entered the store he picked up the box of supplies Tompkins had put together for him.

Tompkins said, "I'm sorry for the way I treated her. I guess I just didn't think. Please tell her I’m sorry."

Jimmy looked at him and said, "That young lady out there has had a rough couple of days. I think you better think before you speak next time. Thanks for putting this together. You know where to charge it. " Tompkins nodded yes.

Jimmy left and put the box in the back of the wagon and climbed into the seat and as they started down the street Sarah said, "Will you allow me to read to you? I found a book that my mother use to read to me."

Jimmy smiled and said, "Sure! I think I believe I can handle that. It’s not that much to do for having lunch with a pretty lady."

Placing a hand on his arm Sarah said, "Well I’m glad to see that at least you know how to treat a lady and show her a good time."

Turning and looking briefly at her Jimmy said, "You know that Buck really dose like you. He can be a little hard headed at times. But I have never seen him act the way he dose when he is with you. He is usually very quiet and laid back. But when you are around he is just as bad as Kid. So please don't be mad at him."

Shrugging her shoulders she said, "Lets not talk about him today. Let’s just enjoy this beautiful day." Nodding yes. They rode in silence for awhile. As they reached a small wooded area, Sarah thought she saw a small lake tucked in the middle of the trees. As she watched the trees get closer she could make out that there was a lake. Smiling with excitement she said, " Oh, Jimmy it is absolutely beautiful here. How did you find this place?"

Hiding his smile he said, "I’m glad you like it. I come here when I want to be alone. The only thing this place needed was a beautiful lady here to make it complete." They came out into a clearing and stopped beside the lake. Getting down Jimmy grabbed the blanket from the back of the wagon and laid it out on the ground. Next he reached up for Sarah and helped her down. Then he helped her over to the blanket. As Sarah settled down on the blanket Jimmy went back to the wagon and took the basket out of the back of it Walking Back he sat down beside her.

While they ate cold chicken and drank cider. Sarah said, "So Jimmy tell me about yourself. I don't want to believe all the stories I hear about the famous Wild Bill."

Swallowing he said, "Well those stories aren't true for one thing. I’m just a guy who is trying to make a living and some author saw someone call me out one day. So he thought he would make all that up."

Smiling and touching his arm Sarah said, "I know that. What I want to know is who you are and about your family."

Rolling his eyes he said, "Well I have three older sisters. My mother was a sweet lady but my father was abusive. I would try to stop him from hitting my sisters by getting into trouble. Finally, one day I was defending one of my sisters and I ended up killing him. That’s when I left home. I felt bad. Now my mother had no one to support her. I was only 13 at the time. So I have never returned home. But I do write to them sometimes. This is the first place I feel like I have a family who cares and loves each other. Now that’s enough about me. Tell me about yourself."

Smiling shyly Sarah said, "Well there's not much to tell. I’m the oldest of two children. I have a younger brother. I lost my mother when I was 10. But then the thing I find the hardest is that my father has forced me into an engagement with a man I don't love and can't stand. That’s why I ran here to my Aunt. I knew she could help me figure out what to do. I never thought that I would fall in love. But don't get me wrong, all you boys are sweet and I would gladly trust any of you with my life."

As he stretched out Jimmy said, "Well, I’m glad to hear that. I know that he loves you. And I for one will do anything to make sure both of you are happy. Now how about that book your were going to read to me."

They spent the rest of the day by the lake. Then Jimmy sat up and said, "Well, I guess we better be getting back. Rachel will have dinner ready before we get there. Besides she'll have my head if I keep you out after dark."

Looking down as she folded her hands together, Sarah said," Jimmy do you think Buck is back yet. I don't like the way things ended between us yesterday? I really don't want to see my father, but I don't have much of a choice do I?"

Kneeling down next to her Jimmy said, "I'm sure Buck is back and is looking for you to straighten this all out. As for your father I can't help you there. But I will be there if you need me and so will the other riders. Come on lets get back before they start looking for us." Placing one arm under her legs and the other around her back, Jimmy picked her up, carried her to the wagon, and placed her on the seat. He went and gathered up the blanket and the basket and put them in the back and then he climbed into the wagon and they headed for the station.

Chapter 6 in next week's issue!