The next morning Christy awoke with a start. She was embarrassed to find that during the night she had apparently gotten over her shyness of sleeping next to Jimmy. She was snuggled up very close to him and her head was lying on his chest. She quickly moved away from him causing him to stir.

“Whazzamada?” He mumbled sleepily.

“Nothing.” Christy lied. She surely didn’t want him to know how close they had been sleeping. “I thought I saw a bug.”

Jimmy slowly raised up and rubbed both his eyes. He yawned and Christy thought she caught a glimpse of what James Hickok must have looked like as a child. His expression was vulnerable and his dark brown hair was a mess, which made him look years younger.

Jimmy cocked his head, listening. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?” Christy asked after a minute.

Jimmy jumped up and ran to the barn door. “Nothing! The wind has stopped, the blizzard is over!”

He threw open the barn doors and a pile of snow rushed in to greet him. Although the sky was cloudy, the sun was peeping out and the driving snow had finally stopped. The bright sun reflected off the white snow making a glare that was impossible to look at too long, however Christy was glad to see it.

“We got lucky.” Jimmy stated. “If it had lasted three or four days, we could have froze to death.”

Christy glanced at the small pile of wood remaining and shivered. “Will we be able to leave?”

Jimmy tried to judge the depth of the snow. “I think so, we’ll just have to go slow.”

Within an hour, Jimmy and Christy were once again loaded in the buggy bundled under the quilts. The trip was slow going. The small pony had to be encouraged to brave the deep snow, but once she started, she pulled the buggy easily across the packed snow. Jimmy had to keep her at a walk to avoid falling into deep drifts where the pony would sink up to her flanks. Despite his precautions, twice the small mare foundered. Jimmy would then have to climb down from the buggy and pack the snow down until she could climb out. It was well after dark when the familiar buildings of Rock Creek rose up against the horizon and Christy breathed a sigh of relief.

Jimmy smiled at her sigh. “You weren’t worried, were you?”

“A little.” She admitted. “I just hope Kid is alright.”

As soon as they pulled into the barnyard, Buck ran outside to greet them. “Here, I’ll take care of the horse. Go on inside and get warm.” He grabbed the reins from Jimmy and drove the buggy into the barn.

Inside the bunkhouse, Rachel, Lou, Teaspoon and the others were waiting. Rachel looked very pale as she set about heating up coffee to warm Christy and Jimmy. Kid sat at the table with his head in his hands. He looked up as they came in, then jumped to his feet and engulfed Christy in his embrace.

“Are you alright?” He held her face between his large hands and looked at her worriedly.

She nodded tiredly. “I’m fine.”

“We’ve been so worried!” Rachel looked as if she might cry. “Cody and Kid were fixing to leave to start looking for you.”

“We stayed in an old barn.” Jimmy said simply.

Kid flashed him a murderous look. “How come it is, every time Christy is with you, something happens to her?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jimmy’s voice had a tone of warning in it. He was tired, cold, and in no mood to listen to Kid’s lecturing.

“I’m saying, why don’t you stay away from her!” Kid said hotly.

“Kid-” Christy began, but Jimmy cut her off.

“I think Christy is old enough to decide for herself whether she wants to spend time with me. Why don’t you stay out of it.”

“Because she ain’t known you long enough to make that decision.” Kid stated stubbornly. “Trouble seems to follow you around, Jimmy, and I don’t want her involved in it.”

“You tryin’ to say I ain’t good enough for her?” Jimmy felt his temper spinning out of control.

“Well, you ain’t exactly got a good history, do you? First, you try to take Lou away from me, and now you’re trying to get my cousin killed.”

“Kid, I’m warnin’ you.” Jimmy shook from his anger as he pointed his finger at the Kid. “This ain’t none of your concern, so stay out of it.”

“And I’m warning you, Jimmy. Stay away from Christy.” Kid said flatly.

Jimmy shook his head, then suddenly he made a lunge for Kid. The two of them fell to the floor, fists flailing. Jimmy sat astride Kid, but Kid managed to land a punch that caused Jimmy’s lip to start bleeding. Chairs fell over as the two men struggled with each other.

“Now hold on a minute!” Teaspoon struggled to be heard above the noise.

“Boys! Jimmy, Kid!” Rachel hollered helplessly.

“Cody, grab Kid!” Teaspoon yelled as he yanked a very angry Jimmy to his feet.

Cody pulled Kid up by his arms and strained to hold him. Jimmy also struggled to break free of Teaspoon’s grasp. The two men glared at each other menacingly.

“Let me go, Teaspoon!” Jimmy growled.

Rachel stepped in between them and placed a hand on each of their chests. “Stop it, both of you!”

Teaspoon pushed Jimmy down onto one of the bunk beds. “I don’t know what in tarnation is going on here, but both of you had better cool down!”

“He started it!” Jimmy protested as he rubbed his sleeve across his bleeding mouth.

Kid’s chest heaved as he pushed Cody away and sat down on another bed on the opposite side of the room. “You could of got her killed!”

“Enough!” Rachel yelled at the top of her lungs. “Will somebody please tell me what’s going on here?”

Both Jimmy and Kid began to speak at the same time, their voices rising as the tried to out talk the other.

“Hush!” Rachel bellowed. “Kid, why are you so upset with Jimmy? You know he would never do anything to hurt Christy! Jimmy, hush, let Kid speak!”

Kid hung his head. “I just don’t think Christy needs to get involved with him is all.”

“You don’t know what she needs! You still treat her like a child!” Jimmy snapped.

“Excuse me!” Christy interrupted loudly. “Do either of you think maybe I can speak for myself?”

Teaspoon raised an eyebrow at her. “She’s right. Christy, why don’t you tell us your opinion on the matter?”

“I think,” She began slowly. “Both of you are acting like children! Kid, you know perfectly well that I am capable of making up my own mind about Jimmy. Jimmy, likewise, I don’t want you to think that one kiss gives you the right to take charge of my life.” Christy turned on her heel and stalked out of the bunkhouse.

Cody stared at Jimmy with his mouth agape. “You kissed her? Dammit, Hickok, I can’t have nothin’ around you!” Then he too, turned and left the bunkhouse, slamming the door behind him.

Kid said nothing. He reached down and picked up his hat from the floor and walked out the door. The small room seemed to reverberate with the blast of the door closing. Lou followed closely behind him. After a minute, Jimmy stood shook his head, and left, too.

Teaspoon looked around at Rachel, Ike, Buck, and Noah. “Well, now, that’s better, isn’t it?”

The next morning dawned gray and cold. Christy hurried to the hen house to gather eggs in a foul mood. All night she had tossed and turned, thinking of the evening before. She didn’t know who she was angrier with, Jimmy or Kid. She began chunking the eggs into her basket, her face set into a grim scowl.

She turned when she felt a tap on her shoulder. “You’re going to break those eggs.” Ike signed to her.

“What? Slow down, you’re going too fast.” Christy watched as he repeated his movements. “Break the eggs? Yeah, well, I’d like to break something else right now; like Jimmy’s and Kid’s heads.”

“I think they both care for you.” Ike insisted.

Christy observed him carefully. “That kind of caring I can do without. Besides, I think it has more to do with some stupid grudge between them than it does me.”

Ike smiled. “Those two are very different people, but they are like brothers. If you mess with one, you mess with both of them.”

“Ike, can I ask you something?” When he nodded, Christy continued. “What do you think of Jimmy?”

“What do you mean?” He signed.

“I’m not sure.” She absently plucked another egg from the nest. “I like him, a lot. Maybe Kid’s right, though. Maybe I should stay away from him.”

“Why would you do that?” Ike asked.

Christy sighed. “Because I don’t want to mess things up with Kid. He’s the most important person in my life, and he’s all the family I’ve got left.”

“Kid will come around.” Ike comforted and he patted her shoulder. “Don’t give up. If being with Jimmy is something you really want, then don’t let anyone change your mind.”

“You know something, Ike? For someone who doesn’t say much, you sure are smart.” Ike grinned and grabbed the basket of eggs from her. Together they walked back to the house.

After a very quiet and tense breakfast, Kid and Christy set out to Thompkin’s store to pick up some supplies. They trudged through the snow without saying anything, their breath’s mingling in the frosty air. The warmth emitting from the buildings they passed beckoned them.

“Hello, Kid, Miss Tunstall.” Thompkins called to them as they entered the store. “Glad to see you two survived the blizzard. What can I get for you?”

“Just some supplies; flour, sugar, coffee, salt. And Christy wants to check on her dresses.” Kid handed over the list Rachel had written out for him.

“Let’s see, coffee I got, sugar I got, all out of salt, though. Folks been buying it like crazy to put down on some of this ice we’ve been having. Should come in on the next train, though. Check with me day after tomorrow. Miss Christy, your dresses should be done next week. My seamstress has been working on them night and day, but this blizzard slowed her down some.” Thompkin’s moved busily around the store gathering items as he talked.

Within minutes they were hurrying back towards the waystation, packages in hand. Kid’s stride was so long; Christy had to take two steps to his one to keep up. She glanced at him warily. His mouth was set in a firm line, and his blue eyes looked dark and cloudy.

“Slow down a little, would you?” She panted. “Kid? Come on, Kid, talk to me, please.”

“Ain’t nothin’ to say.” Kid muttered, shifting the flour to his other arm.

Christy grabbed his free arm, forcing him to stop. “So you’re not going to talk to me from now on? Just because I went for a buggy ride with Jimmy?”

“That ain’t all you did with him, is it?” Kid spat.

Her fair face flushed. “One kiss, Kid, one kiss. Is that a crime?”

“You’re missing the point.” His eyes flashed.

“Explain it to me, then. What is the point?” Christy led Kid away from the bunkhouse and into the barn, where they could have some privacy.

“The point is Jimmy’s reputation. Folks believe he’s a gunfighter and as long as they think that, he’s gonna be trouble. I don’t want you in that kind of situation.” Kid removed his hat and ran a hand distractedly through his curly brown hair.

“I’m not thinking of marrying him, Kid.” Christy sighed. “Besides I haven’t had any problems because of Jimmy’s so-called reputation.”

“Not yet.” Kid said ominously. “But believe me, you hang around ‘Wild Bill’ long enough and you will.”

“Know what I think? I think you’re no better than those people who believe he’s something he’s not. You’re saying just because he has gotten falsely labeled that he doesn’t have a right to happiness. That’s not fair, Kid.”

“Why do you have to be so hard headed about this?” Kid demanded. “Just listen to me, for once.”

“I am listening to you! What you’re saying is absurd. I am a grown woman. I have a right to make my own choice, and if that choice includes James Hickok, then it’s none of your business!” She snapped.

“Then I wish you never would have come here!” Kid yelled. “Cause messing with him will get you killed!”

“Kid!” He turned to find Lou standing in the barn door, her hands covering her face and her eyes wide in shock. Christy took one last look at her cousin, then ran, sobbing, out of the barn and down the street into town.

“Christy! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that!” Kid ran outside after her, but she had already disappeared.

Chapter Eight

“What do you mean she’s gone?” Teaspoon bellowed.

Kid and Lou had made a frantic search of Rock Creek to no avail. Christy seemed to have vanished into thin air. Finally, they had returned to the bunkhouse to enlist the help of the others. After explaining the situation to Teaspoon, a very contrite Kid waited for the haranguing he knew was coming.

“This is all your fault, Kid.” Jimmy said angrily. His dark eyes seemed almost black with rage.

“Jimmy, hold on a minute. I think what we need to do right now is find Christy and quit worrying about who’s to blame.” Teaspoon stepped between Jimmy and Kid before they could come to blows again. “Kid, you and Lou come with me. The rest of you boys split up and search this town inside out. Rachel, you stay here in case she comes back. Cody will be back from his run soon and you can send him out looking.”

“You think something’s happened to her, Teaspoon?” Buck asked quietly.

“No, at this point, I don’t. I think she’s just got her feathers ruffled, but you never know when another blizzard will pop up, and I’d feel better having her back here safe and sound.” Teaspoon grabbed his coat and headed out into the cold, followed by Kid and Lou.

Christy wandered aimlessly around town. Twice she saw Kid and Lou looking for her, but each time she ducked out of sight. Deep in her heart, Christy knew Kid hadn’t meant the things he said, and really his words were not what troubled her. She felt like she was in a game of tug of war, and she was the rope, caught between Jimmy and Kid.

Kid was her strength, her link to the past. No one would ever understand her like Kid did, simply because they had shared so many of the same struggles. Christy knew why Kid was so overprotective; there had been so much pain in their past, he wanted to shield her from anything else hurtful.

Jimmy, however, was new and exciting. He was charming, obviously good-looking, and so, well, masculine. Christy had heard that girls tended to seek out men like their fathers, and even though she had been very young when her father died, the few memories she did have reminded her somehow of Jimmy. It wasn’t merely the physical that attracted her to him; Jimmy made her feel womanly and safe. She didn’t know how Kid could worry about her being in danger with Jimmy around, because she had never felt so protected.

Christy also realized there was a flip side to the coin. If she choose Kid, he could marry Louise, leaving her alone again. And who was to say that things would even work out between her and Jimmy? Their blossoming friendship was so new and fragile; it wouldn’t take much to break it. Maybe he didn’t even think of her in a romantic light. The kiss they shared could have been just a whimsy of his. Christy didn’t know when she had been more confused.

She walked slowly past the saloon, thinking of the night that Cody had dragged her inside. Cody was another person who had been hurt during this mess, although Christy had the feeling he would be the first to recover.

The inside of the saloon was smoky and dim. She looked in the window, examining all the people moving around. The saloon girls were dancing around in their gaudy red costumes, rough looking men sat at tables, hunched over cards. Christy watched for a minute as the men placed their bets and laid down their cards. One of the men in particular caught her eye. He looked younger than most of the worn, grizzled cowboys he sat with. His brown hat was pushed down low on his head, obscuring most of his face. She studied him closer. There was something almost familiar about the way he was sitting, slouched down in his seat, with his legs sticking out straight in front of him. Just then the man turned to face her, and Christy gasped. It was Harry Turner.

Christy rubbed the grubby window to get a better look. It was definitely Harry, although he had changed since she last saw him. He had lost weight, making his already lean frame look slightly bony. He sported a week’s worth of stubble and his black hair was longer. She watched as he stretched his thin frame then quickly downed a shot of whiskey. He glanced casually around the saloon, his eyes following the saloon girls as they paraded by him. He absently glanced at the window where she stood, then did a double take as he noticed her there. He stood, knocking over his chair and tipping over his whiskey glass. The other men at the table grumbled at him, but he took no notice.

Christy waited nervously until he made his way outside. Up close, Harry’s appearance had changed even more. His eyes had a wild look in them, and his hands seemed to shake as they reached up to embrace her face.

“Hello, Harry.” She said quietly.

“Christy?” His eyes were disbelieving. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same of you.” Christy tried to hide the bitter tone in her voice unsuccessfully.

He glanced over his shoulder at the saloon doors. “Just got here this morning. I’m passing through actually.”

She noticed he didn’t tell her where he planned to go next. “It’s good to know you’re doing alright.”

Harry flinched at her sarcasm. “I know, I’m sorry. I should have let you know where I was.”

“It would have been nice.” She stared at him icily.

“Why are you in Rock Creek?” He asked again, obviously trying to change the subject.

“My cousin is here.” Christy felt a flash of guilt as she thought of Kid. He would be worried sick, wondering where she was.

Harry glanced at her, then looked away. “Look, Chris, I know you have every right to angry with me, but-“

“Christy!” Harry was interrupted as Kid ran up to them. “Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Just then Kid noticed the man standing next to his cousin. Kid looked the young man up and down and noticed he appeared very drunk. “Is he bothering you?” Kid asked with a steely glint in his eyes.

“Not anymore.” Christy replied. “I was just leaving.”

“Christy, wait! I want to talk to you.” Harry pleaded.

“I don’t think we have anything to talk about.” She said stiffly. She grabbed Kid by his arm and pulled him reluctantly after her.

Harry quickly stepped in front of her. “Please, wait. Can I see you before I leave?” His tone sounded desperate.

Christy studied him for a minute before replying. “Alright. I’m staying at the Pony Express station. You can meet me there tomorrow.”

Harry flashed his lightening quick grin, and for a second, he looked like his old self. “Tomorrow would be great. See you then.” He tipped his hat to her and jogged away.

“What was that all about?” Kid stood with his hands on his hips.

“Just an old friend.” Christy tried to sound casual.

“What’s he doing here?” Kid asked.

Christy seemed lost in thought. “That’s what I would like to know.”

“Christy,” Kid changed the subject, sensing he would get no further with her on her mysterious friend. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things earlier. You know I don’t want you to leave. I just-- I was just being overprotective, I guess.”

Christy’s eyes filled with tears. “Kid, I know you love me, and don’t want me to get hurt, but you have to let me make some decisions on my own.”

Kid nodded. “I just can’t stand the thought of losing you again. If something happened to you…”

“It won’t, Kid. Between you and Jimmy, how can it?” She teased. “But I can’t go on feeling torn between the two of you.”

Kid took her hand. “I’m sorry. Just promise me you’ll take it slow with him, please.”

“I promise.” She sighed.

They made their way back to the bunkhouse. Teaspoon and Lou were already there waiting with Rachel, but the rest of the boys were still out looking for Christy. Christy felt immense guilt at having the riders out in the bitter cold because of her.

“I’m sorry, Teaspoon, that was immature of me.” She apologized.

“Well, that’s alright. I reckon everyone of us in this room has done somethin’ foolish at one time or another.” The older man comforted.

Jimmy and Cody was the last to come in. “We didn’t have any luck-” Cody stopped as he saw Christy sitting quietly in the rocking chair.

“I’m sorry, Jimmy, Cody.” Christy said sincerely.

“Are you alright?” Jimmy asked. It was hard to tell if he was concerned or angry.

“Fine. I just let my temper get the best of me. I’m sorry all of you had to suffer because of me.” Christy couldn’t stand the thought of any of them being mad at her, but at the same time, she couldn’t blame them if they were furious.

“Well, now, everyone’s home safe and sound. Why don’t you help me start dinner, Christy?” Rachel said lightly.

The boys sat down at the table and began playing a game of cards. Christy helped Rachel cook, barely saying a word. As if she didn’t have enough to worry about, now she had Harry’s visit tomorrow to think about. Why on earth had she ever agreed to let him see her?

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Rachel said quietly to Christy. “These boys will have forgotten all about this in the morning.”

“I just feel so stupid and childish.” Christy explained.

“Believe me, I know the feeling.” Rachel laughed. “The best thing to do is forget about it, and get on with your life.”

Christy looked at the motherly woman with admiration. “You’re way too nice, you know that?”

“Shh.” Rachel put a finger to her lips. “Don’t you dare tell these boys!”

After dinner Christy wandered out to the barn. She went to Katy’s stall and fed her a carrot. While the brown and white horse munched, Christy absently stroked her mane. It must be nice to be a horse, Christy thought.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Came a voice behind her.

“Jimmy!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Sorry.” He said as he came closer. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Are you mad at me?” Christy glanced at him uncertainly.

Jimmy shook his head. “No.”

They stood looking at each other for a minute. Finally Jimmy took another step closer and reached out gently to touch her face. Christy closed her eyes.

“Jimmy-“ She whispered.

“Shh, let me talk. Christy, since the day I found you, I’ve been fighting these feelings I got for you, because I knew it would cause problems with the Kid. Kid-he’s stubborn. When he latches on to an idea, he don’t let go, and Kid thinks I ain’t right for you. I know what he means to you, but you gotta tell me, before this thing goes any farther; Christy, how do you feel?” Jimmy looked at the floor as he talked and Christy saw something in him she’d never seen before-Jimmy was scared.

“When I first came here, I was just so happy to see Kid again, I didn’t think I would ever look at another man. The things Kid and I went through, Jimmy, well, they made us closer than most cousins. I need him. He understands me in a way others can’t.” Christy tried to make sure Jimmy understood her love for Kid before she went on.

“Then you gave me that tour of Rock Creek, and you changed all that.” She sighed. “You made me realize I could trust someone besides Kid. I just never thought it would be this hard. I don’t want to have to choose between you and Kid.”

Jimmy nodded. “I understand.”

He started to walk away, but Christy caught him by the arm. “Wait.” She said. She pulled him back close to her, sensing his puzzlement as she wrapped her arms around him. She kissed Jimmy then, trying to express in that one kiss what words would not let her.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked gruffly. “If you’re not, say so now, because I think I’m falling in love with you.”

Christy leaned her head against his broad chest. “I’m sure.”

“Then damn Kid. Damn him and anyone else that gets in our way.” Jimmy held her closer and breathed for what felt like the first time in a very long time.