When Laura showed up the next day to fishing with Ike and Jesse she found them both gone. She was slightly crestfallen; she had been looking forward to showing Ike her sketches of the riders. Jimmy was sitting on the porch, relaxing when she walked up with fishing pole and drawing pad in hand. "Goin fishin'?" he drawled. "I was. But Ike and Jesse aren't here. Guess I'll just go back home now." "How 'bout I go with you?" "Go where? Fishing?" "Sure." "Okay." Jimmy went inside to borrow a pole. Rachel saw his face and grinned. "Have fun Jimmy." She winked. Jimmy couldn't keep his ears from turning red as Rachel chuckled. Laura was already waiting on as Jimmy saddled his and they left. They headed for the pond, going a little upstream this time. Laura noticed Jimmy seemed much more at ease with her now and wondered at the change. Once she had her pole in the rippling water she took out her sketch pad and started doodling. She drew pictures of the quiet green scenery around her and drew the little bubbling creek. While Jimmy dozed with his hat shading his face she drew him. It was actually a very good likeness. She liked watching him sleep. His face lost the stern lines and frowns; he looked like a sleeping little boy. Except this little boy had captured her heart without knowing it. A thought came to mind, one that stole her breath. She loved him. Not just liked, like she had told Lou. She loved him. How it had happened she did not know; all she knew was that this was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Jimmy's pole jerked abruptly, waking him. Laura jumped up in excitement, yelling encouragement as Jimmy sat up. She took a step forward and heard a strange buzzing, rattling sound by her foot. "Jimmy!" she squeaked in fear. "What?" He glanced at her and frowned when he heard the strange sound. His gaze flickered around. "Laura don't move!" "No problem." She was frozen with fear. The rattler coiled at her feet, buzzing a warning. Jimmy moved slowly, so slowly it seemed to take an eternity. Then he moved with blinding speed. One minute the snake had been raising to strike, the next it was flailing around, spurting blood everywhere from its severed body. Laura didn't know whether to scream, cry or faint. She ended up doing all three. She gave a shriek of delayed fear and burst into frightened tears. Jimmy caught her as she swayed, eyelids fluttering. He laid her down in the grass and wet his handkerchief. Dabbing at her face he stroked her cheek with the other hand. She opened her eyes slowly and focused dazed eyes on him. "Are you all right sweetheart?" His already husky voice was deep with concern. "I-I think so," Laura stammered. She clutched his arm. "Is it gone?" "Yeah the snake's dead." He brushed back her dark curls. Laura couldn't help shuddering. "it was so terrifying. I've thought it would bite me." She shivered again. Jimmy gathered her into his arms and stroked her hair. She sniffed and snuggled into his arms. this was where she wanted to be. As Jimmy patted the tangled fall of dark hair he knew that this was where he wanted Laura. He wanted to hold her like this forever. Laura's shivering stopped, but she didn't move out of his arms. The fishing trip had been forgotten. Jimmy kissed the top of her head. She didn't move. She knew this time they would have no interruptions. Jimmy put a hand under her chin and tilted her face up. Laura gave him an expectant smile and puckered her lips comically. He couldn't help laughing as he leaned down and kissed her. Jimmy had kissed many girls and been kissed by girls, but this was something totally new. He'd heard the expression "bells and whistles" before, but never experienced this. It wasn't bells and whistles; it was an onslaught of warmth and a desire for more. He crushed Laura to him, tangling his fingers in her hair as he kissed the living daylight out of her. Laura let out a contented sigh when Jimmy finally pulled away, albeit reluctantly. "Well now darlin' what're we gonna do?" he asked as he touched her cheek gently. "Right now, this is all I wanna do," she answered in a quiet voice as she slid her arms around his neck and planted an inviting kiss on his lips.
It was nearly sundown when they finally returned, smiling and laughing. "Did you catch anything?" Buck asked as Jimmy swung Laura down off her saddle. Not a bite," Jimmy answered giving Laura a special look. Rachel came down the porch and saw them. "From the looks of it, I'd say something bit the two of you pretty hard." Laura blushed and peeked at Jimmy who was tryin to maintain a stern look on his face as he went to take care of the horses. Laura followed him at a distance and waited until they were inside the barn. "Oh Jimmy," she whispered. "Huh?" "Here." She leaned up and gave him a lingering kiss. He kissed her back, delaying her departure by another ten minutes. Ike and Noah were waiting on the porch when Laura finally emerged from the barn. =What's going on?= Ike asked Buck. "I dunno." Buck shrugged. "But I think Jimmy finally found himself a girl." Ike raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.
That evening when the riders were sitting down to supper Cody spoke up. "So, what do ya'll think of Laura?" "She's sweet," said Rachel. "And smart," Kid volunteered. Lou grinned. "She's gonna be a good friend." Noah shrugged. "She's all right." Buck nodded. "Curious too. Always asking questions." =I like her= Ike signed. =She draws good= Cody grinned. "What about you Jimmy?' Jimmy's fork stopped halfway to his mouth. "Um..." Rachel and Lou exchanged looks. This could get ugly. "I like her a lot. She's got spunk, but the rattler scared her pretty bad." "Rattler?" "Yeah, we went fishin' and she spooked the snake." "Is she all right?" Cody became concerned for his "beloved." "Yeah. It took a while to calm her down." "Uh-huh." Cody shrugged it off. "Glad you all like her so much, because I think she's it. The woman I want to marry." Everyone froze for a minute, but then they laughed; Cody had said this several times before. Only Jimmy did not laugh. Rachel watched in concern as he frowned and left in a hurry. Oh darn, thought Rachel, I hope Cody won't pitch a fit when he finds out.
Laura decided not to tell her family right away about her and Jimmy. She wanted to savor the special secret and treasure it alone for a little while. She still went to visit the riders every chance she could, but now she went more to see Jimmy. But Cody was becoming a nuisance. Whenever she tried to speak to Jimmy alone he would pop up grinning and flirting. She knew he liked her, but was trying to think of a gentle way to break it to him that she loved Jimmy. She finally got the chance during late October. Most of the other riders were busy elsewhere so she asked Cody to go for a walk. He was delighted to oblige. They started out just chatting, but once out of sight of the other riders Cody sobered. "Laura." He took her hand. "I have something I have to say to you." Laura swallowed. This was her chance. "Cody, William, before you go any further I have something to tell you too." "Let me say mine." "No, I need to tell you this becuase I know what you're going to say." "Okay. Go ahead." "William, I don't care for you like that. I know you think you love me, but I'm not worth it because I can't return it." Cody's light blue eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" "I mean that I don't love you like that." Laura removed her hands from his and exhaled. There. She'd done it. But Cody wasn't giving up. "Laura, let me say my piece first." "No, Cody, I can't. It will only make it worse." "Is there someone else?" Cody asked in a hurt voice. "Yes." "Who?" He frowned, a storm brewing in his pale eyes. "Jimmy." "Hickok!" Cody exploded. "What does he have that I don't?!" he demanded angrily. "My heart Cody." Cody turned on his heel and stomped back to the bunkhouse. Laura followed more slowly, knowing there'd be trouble when Jimmy got back from his ride to Fort Laramie. Rachel walked out to meet Laura as Cody stormed past into the bunkhouse, slamming the door behind him. "What happened? Did you tell him?" "Yes, and he's livid." "So I saw. Oh, Jimmy gets back soon. There's gonna be trouble." Buck strolled up just then. "What's wrong?" Rachel and Laura explained. "I'll go talk to Cody. Maybe calm him down." "Would you? Thanks Buck." Buck went inside where soon issued forth angry shouts from Cody. Laura could also hear Buck's more rational, reasoning voice. Jimmy came galloping up then in a cloud of dust, looking tired. Laura ran down the porch steps, skirt billowing behind her. "This is a nice welcome home," Jimmy teased as he leaned down for a kiss. It was then that the bunkhouse door burst open and a flushed and angry Cody stomped out. "Hickok!" "What?" "C'mere. I got somethin' to say to ya!" Jimmy rolled his eyes. "What's the fool so mad about now?" "Us," Laura whispered. "I told him a few minutes ago." "Oh boy." Jimmy groaned and began leading his horse toward the barn. Cody followed, still bawling at Jimmy. Finally Jimmy, in irritation yelled back, "Yes I love Laura and she loves me! Not you!" Cdy lost it then as he tackeled Jimy with an angry yell. The two rolled over kicking up dust, throwing and taking punches. Jimmy was mostly trying to fend off Cody's flying fists. With every breath Cody accused Jimmy of going behind his back and stealing his girl. "Cody! Jimmy! Stop it!" Rachel shouted. They paid no attention. Laura winced when Jimmy's clenched fist connected with Cody's jaw, sending him sprawling. Cody retaliated with a right to Jimmy's eye. She knew they'd both be black and blue tomorrow. Buck, Ike, and Noah finally succeeded in pulling Cody off of Jimmy, and Ike and Noah had to hold Cody back. "Cody, Jimmy, what's wrong with you two?" Buck asked. Cody glared at Jimmy. "He's been sneakin' round behind my back with Laura." Buck shot Laura a harassed look, then turned to Jimmy. "Is that true?" "No." Jimmy frowned. "Liar!" Cody spat out. Jimmy's eyes narrowed. "Why don't you ask the lady yourself?" "Fine!" Everyone turned to look at Laura. She felt like she wanted to be swallowed up by the boards underneath her boots. Wishing she could disappear she sighed. Either way someone was going to be hurt. She liked Cody, she really did, but it was more of a brotherly affection. Jimmy was the one she loved, longed for and wanted to be with. Cody planted his feet in an impatient fighting stance. "Well?" Laura walked slowly down the steps and stopped in front of Cody first. "William Cody, I love you-" "I knew it!' Cody crowed in triumph. "Cody let me finish." "Oh." "Cody, I love you as a friend and a brother. One day you'll find a girl to love and she'll love you back. But I'm not her." His face fell and his eyes took on a hurt-little-boy look. "Are you sure?" he asked in a small, defeated voice. "Yes" She gave him an encouraging smile and kissed his cheek. Then she turned to Jimmy. HE was fidgeting with his shirt collar, tugging at it in nervousness. He, "Wild Bill" Hickok who'd face down some of the worst situations a man could face was going weak-kneed as the woman he loved came toward him. Laura's eyes darkened as she stopped in front of him. "James Hickok?" He gave her a nervous smile as she crooked a finger. "C'mere." He shuffled forward, Adam's apple bobbing. Everyone else waited to see what would happen next. Laura put her arms around Jimmy's neck and smiled as he tensed. She gazed deep into his chocolate brown eyes and said in a loving whisper, "James Butler Hickok, I love you." Jimmy let out a breath and put his hands on her waist. A grin spread across his face and the hardened, tough-guy expression left his eyes permanently. "Laura Elizabeth Sierra, I love you too." And with that said he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground in a passionate kiss. The rest looked on with smiles; even Cody wore a pained, but admiring smile. Jimmy and Laura were blissfully ignorant of their intrigued audience. Rachel grinned and Lou put her arms around Kid's waist and gave him a happy hug. Ike was smiling and Buck was trying not to laugh. Noah just grinned. Jimmy had finally found himself a girl. "All right everyone," said Rachel, "let them have some privacy." They went inside, pausing to cast a last smile over their shoulders at the happy couple. Back To The Fan Fiction Page Back To The Index Page Back To Sierra, Part 1 |