NOTE: This is a "spicer" version of Karen's story for the 11 Part Harmony Challenge on the Ranch. The character of Nikki is borrowed from the Buckette's "Forever and For Always" Series. Thank you, Maria, for sharing. Jimmy sat on the bunk house porch pretending to clean his guns. As he absent-mindedly ran the cloth over the barrel, he intently studied the young lady working in the station yard. She was busily hanging the laundry out to dry. She hummed to herself as she worked, and occasionally he could hear the merry tune. He leaned forward trying to catch more of it in an attempt to figure out what it was. Finally, he put the gun away and sat watching her. The sun made her blond hair glisten. As he watched her, he let his mind drift… He stood and made his way to where she was hanging the last of the sheets. As she turned to pick up the empty basket he pulled her so they were standing face to face, hidden by the laundry blowing softly in the breeze. He silently undid the ribbon that held her hair in a single braid and pulled the strands loose so he could run his fingers through it. As he played with her hair, he captured her lips with his and kissed her playfully. Then he slid his hands down her body until they circled her waist. He pulled her so that their bodies were touching. He once more took her mouth with his. This time, he ran his tongue across her lips so that she opened them and allowed him inside. He ran his tongue around her mouth, and was pleased when she pushed hers into his. He gently sucked her tongue a few seconds before moving his lips off her mouth and to her neck. As he slowly unfastened the first button of her dress, he… "A penny for your thoughts." Her soft voice broke into his daydream. Jimmy quickly looked away to hide the blush he felt creeping into his cheeks. Then he turned to look into her bright blue eyes. "They ain't worth it," he said. "From the smile on your face," she teased as she reached over and mussed his hair. "They must be worth a lot more." She paused and studied him closely a few minutes. Noting the blush on his cheeks, she asked, "You thinking about the upcoming dance and your date with Violet?" Jimmy simply nodded. It was best not to let her know the truth - that she; not Violet Johnson, was the reason for the smile. "Something like that," he finally said. Nikki smiled at Jimmy's shyness. She wondered why he seemed to have no trouble showing this side of himself to her. As she sat next to him, she once more mussed his hair. "She sure is a lucky girl." Jimmy's blush deepened. He prayed that Nikki didn't notice the manner in which his body was responding to her touch. He sighed. As much as he loved her company, he hoped she would leave soon so he could go some place private for a few minutes. Sensing that Jimmy was in one of his quieter moods, Nikki stood and picked up the laundry basket. "I should be getting back over to Rachel's. She's going to help me make an apple pie for tonight's meal, and I want to be sure to get it right since it's a special night." Jimmy managed to keep his voice even. "What's special about tonight?" Nikki giggled. "Buck is due home, Silly," she said. "I wanted to have something special for him; I still feel bad about how things were between us when he left." Jimmy took a deep breath. "You have nothing to be sorry for," he said, fighting down the urge to hug her to him. Nikki's smile faded just a bit. "I know," she said softly, "but still…" Jimmy reached up and placed his hand on hers. "But still, nothing," he said. "Buck just needed time to think; it's what he does when he's upset. Things will be fine," he reassured her. And if they ain't, he thought to himself, I'll take care of you for as long as you want. Nikki bent down and kissed Jimmy's cheek. "You are such a good friend," she said. "I don't know if I would have made it through these last few days without you." With that she turned and headed across the yard. Jimmy watched her go. He waited until she'd been inside the house a few minutes before heading off into the trees behind the bunk house. Once there, he searched the area to make sure he was truly alone. Finding that he was, he carefully undid his pants and took his throbbing member into his hands. As he took care of the business he once more let his mind turn to thoughts of being with Nikki. He imagined the hand that was stroking him belonged to her… She held him firmly yet gently at the same time. She moved her hand up and down slowly, feeling every inch of him and sighing softly in his ear. Then she surprised him as she knelt in front of him and took him in her mouth. As she worked her mouth up his shaft, he felt himself nearing release. He managed to stifle the moan that started to escape as he released his seed, he questioned why he didn't just tell Nikki the truth - that he loved her and wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives. That's why, he said to himself, because if she takes up with me, the rest of her life might not be that long. It would be so easy for someone to go after her in order to get to 'Wild Bill.' He sighed once more as he turned to go back to the porch and his gun cleaning. I'd rather be sorry I never took the chance then sorry I did and was put down, or worse yet that she decided she like me better and getting her killed. He shook his head. No, I'd rather be sorry I didn't tell her than be sorry I did. Email Nerak TYR EXPRESSions Home