IN
THE FAMILY WAYIN
THE FAMILY WAY
Rock Creek
Jimmy leaned against the counter of Tompkins' store, drumming his fingers against his head. About every ten seconds he would glance at the person to his right then go back to his drumming.
Kid wouldn't take his eyes off the catalog he was looking through, turning the pages back and forth. He was chewing on his thumb like this was the most important decision he'd ever have to make.
Tompkins walked up to them for the third time. "You make a decision yet, Kid?" When Kid looked up, shaking his head, Tompkins said, "Well, I got some things need tending to in the storeroom. Call me when you decide what you want to order." He didn't wait for an answer as he went through the door to the back.
Jimmy had had enough. "Come on, Kid, we gotta get these supplies back to Rachel. Will you just hurry up and order something."
Kid still didn't take his eyes off the catalog. "It's not that easy, Jimmy."
"Yes it is. It's a sofa, chair and bed that you want. You're a single man who just bought himself a ranch, since the Express is almost over. And you want a few things so you can live in the house that comes with it, now that you've fixed it up. Just pick anything; it's not like it matters what they look like." He paused as a thought came to his mind, causing him to grin. "Unless you plan on having someone share them with you." He watched Kid for his reaction.
Kid ran his hand through his hair at the thought. There was only one person he ever wanted to share all of this with - the ranch, the house, this bed he was ordering. He shook his head to clear his mind. She was gone. He always had the feeling that something happened to make her not come back when she said she would; they had started getting close again after their breakup and she had seemed as excited about it as he was. Maybe the others were right and she just went to start over somewhere else - if it only made sense.
Kid didn't answer so Jimmy decided to prod him on further, "So who is it, Kid? Who do you want curled up next to you on the sofa or lying in that bed with their legs wrapped around you? Is it that proper Southern Belle girlfriend you've been seeing a lot lately or the former Pony Express rider you've already danced with? I'm sure it'll get cold and lonely in that big, new house of yours, Kid." He took the last couple packages off the counter and headed toward the door. "Just something to think about. I'm gonna wait outside."
Kid was thinking about it, a lot. "Jimmy," he called out, causing his friend to turn around. "Can you unload the supplies at the station without me? I'm gonna place this order then I wanted to head over to the ranch to figure out a couple things."
"Sure. My experience is either put heavy curtains on the window or put the bed on the opposite side of the room. The women I've known tend not to like the sun waking them up in the morning. Course now, I don't know the same type of women as you." He indicated the sidewalk with his head.
Kid looked past Jimmy and saw the blonde young woman he was referring to. Kid suddenly got very nervous; he was having all these thoughts and they weren't about her. He relaxed a little when he realized maybe they didn't have to be - he and Heather had only been seeing each other a couple months now and they hadn't gone beyond holding hands and good-bye kisses. Of course, he hadn't wanted to go beyond that and even if he had, Heather wouldn't have let him. It just didn't feel right anyway, not like before.
"How are you, Jimmy?"
"Hey, Heather," Jimmy said as he climbed onto the buckboard. "You're just in time - that boyfriend of yours just can't make up his mind. You might be just the person to help him out." With that said, he drove away.
Heather Fulmont looked after him puzzled then turned back to the store and entered. She saw Kid standing by the counter, looking at her and a big smile crossed her face. She felt like the luckiest girl in all of Rock Creek that such a kind and handsome man as the Kid would choose her to be his girlfriend. She knew he'd had a bad breakup with another girl before he and the others had moved to Rock Creek. She also knew it had hurt him real bad so she didn't mind that he was taking things slow. A proper lady didn't rush into anything or go too far before she was married.
Kid returned her smile. She always had a way of making him feel better and he did like her. What was there not to like: she was beautiful with long blonde hair, light blue eyes and a pretty smile; she was kind and sweet and understood him a lot since she was also from the South. "Heather, what are you doing here?"
"Morning, Kid. I needed to drop off a shopping list for Mama." She joined him at the counter. "Jimmy said you could use some help making a decision."
Kid blushed at the thought of what he wanted to order. "Well, I wanted to get some furniture for the ranch house. Since the Express is slowing down and it's only a matter of time til it closes altogether, I thought I'd get a sofa, chair and bed so I'd be able to start livin' there."
Heather blushed when he mentioned a bed. "I'd be happy to give you my opinion, if it'll help."
Kid looked at her and smiled. "Alright. I like the sofa in blue and the chair in cream and blue print." And so would Lou since blue is her favorite color, Kid thought, then shook his head to rid himself of the thought.
"Oh, the rose one sounds beautiful!" Heather said excitedly as she read the descriptions in the catalog, then quickly added, "Except I suppose it would look kind of funny in a single man's house so I guess the blue is a good choice. Now what about the bed? I figured you'd make yourself a headboard since you're so good with tools."
"Maybe someday but right now I need to build a corral. I'm just gonna get this brass bed. It's similar to one L ... I mean, I saw somewhere and liked." Yeah, Kid thought, the one Lou and I spent our first night together in at the Redfern Station.
"Well, that didn't take too long."
"No, it didn't. Heather, if you're not doing anything, want to come out to the ranch for a while?"
Heather smiled. "That would be nice. I'll tell Mr. Tompkins I'll be back in a few hours to pick up the order."
Kid placed his order and Heather gave Tompkins her list then they headed out
to their horses and rode off toward Kid's ranch.
