Sam was leaning against the post outside the Marshal’s office when the noon stage pulled in. Something told him to stay where he was and see who was getting off it. He got the feeling that trouble was aboard the stage and he wanted to know what form it came in. He was surprised when one lone person stepped out of the confines of the vehicle. A rather tall, thin woman with long red curls cascading down her back stood looking around, almost as if she were searching for something. There was something familiar about the woman but Sam was sure he’d never seen her before. Curious as to who she might be he walked over to where she stood with her bags and asked, “Can I help you with anything Miss?” Turning towards the voice, the woman gave him a startling smile. Holding out her hand she told him, “Why yes, Marshal you can. I’m looking for my sister’s place, Emma Shannon. Do you know her? I’m Abby Shannon…” Sam’s brows rose in surprise. Emma had never mentioned having a sister and certainly not one who looked like the woman in front of him. He’d already noticed how several of the male citizens had been eyeing her as they passed and he felt uncomfortable knowing that they’d been looking at Emma’s sister that way. “You’re Emma’s sister?” he said trying to keep the surprise out of his voice. “Emma’s a friend of mine. If you like, I could take you out there myself. I wouldn’t mind seeing Emma and the boys again.” Abby tilted her head at the mention of ‘boys’, she didn’t know Emma had any boys and said so. Sam laughed. “Oh, they aren’t Emma’s. I meant her Express Riders….she runs a Pony Express station…her and Teaspoon that is.” Picking up her bags, Sam offered her his arm and led the way to the livery where he had a buggy readied to drive her out to Emma’s. The rider out to the station was pleasurable for Sam. Abby Shannon was a talker and more then willing to share stories about when she and Emma were young. With a smile, Sam thought how he’d be able to tease Emma with a few things he’d learned from her sister. As they approached the station yard, riders seemed to spill out of all the buildings. Sam could see the looks of approval on their faces when they saw the woman next to him as they shoved each other to get a better look at Abby. ‘Oh, boy,’ Sam thought. ‘Looks like this could be trouble...’ Little did he know how right he was.

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