Chapter One

“Please,” Cody beseeched Jimmy, “you owe me,” he added as he followed his friend to the bunkhouse table. No one else was around; thus Cody had taken this opportunity to ask his friend for a favor. One little favor and Jimmy was balking.

“I owe you?” Jimmy exclaimed loudly. “Who covers for you each time you need to get rid of a run? Who lent you the money you needed last week? Who -”

“You,” Cody interrupted. “But this is different.”

Jimmy made a rude noise.

“I’m in love,” Cody continued.

Jimmy laughed out loud. “Yeah, just like you were in love with Beth Morgan last month.”

He rose from his seat at the table and Cody leapt to his feet blocking the bunkhouse door. “I’ll pay you,” he added quickly.

“You ain’t got any money,” Jimmy retorted.

“First thing I’ll do when I get my wages is pay you,” Cody told him.

When Jimmy remained silent, Cody took that as a good sign. “You’ll see, ‘Cilla ain’t that bad.” When Jimmy’s narrowed his eyes at him, Cody realized he had just made a critical error. He hadn’t understood that Jimmy’s hesitation had nothing to do with Pricilla Washington’s reputation as the town terror but it was just a general reluctance in going out and socializing with a new girl.

But he was desperate. Mr. Washington had caught him with Pricilla’s younger sister, Lorna, in the barn and had forbidden him from ever seeing her again. However, Mr. Washington had softened considerably when faced with Lorna’s tears. Cody was now permitted to see Lorna as long as they were not alone.

“I can’t go to the dance with Lorna if you don’t take Cilla,” Cody wailed.

“Fine,” Jimmy grumbled. “Just see that you don’t forget about that money.”

Cody beamed at him.

“What did you mean about Cilla not being so bad?” Jimmy asked hesitantly.

“Well,” Cody began cautiously. He now regretted regaling the other riders with his tales of the Washington family earlier. The stories were true, but he did not want Jimmy to be scared off by what he has said. So he decided to be play up Priscilla’s good points and be truthful. “She ain’t as pretty as Lorna, but who is?” he said cheerfully.

Jimmy frowned.

“But when she walks away,” Cody let out a low whistle, “it’s as good as some other women walking in.

“You are a true friend,” Cody said, clapping Jimmy on the back. Now all he had to do was make the arrangements with Lorna. It would be Lorna’s job to get Priscilla to agree.

“And you are a true pain in the - ”

Cody hurried out of the bunkhouse, slamming the door behind him. Maybe Jimmy deserved whatever Priscilla would dish out.