Chapter 17

Jimmy opened his eyes and looked up at the moon. He looked around. He was laying in the station yard. He jumped up and stumbled around looking. He heard a door closing behind. He saw Teaspoon and the others walk towards him.

"Where ya been Jimmy?"

"What?"

"Where have you been?"

Jimmy looked around confused.

"Where are they?"

"Who?"

"Tessa and Wes."

"Don't know anybody by that name son."

"She was right here. He was with her."

"Come on. You been back in the bottle again. I can't believe you. You are better than this."

Cody and Noah got his arms to pull him back to the bunkhouse. They pushed him down on his bunk. He heard Teaspoon talking. His head was spinning.

"Don't let him leave. I'm gettin tired of this shit." Teaspoon said as Jimmy's eyes closed.

Jimmy woke the next morning. He rubbed his eyes as he sat up. He walked outside to see everyone else up doing their chores. He sat on the steps and held his head. Lord he had a headache. He groaned as Cody flopped down beside him.

"Too much fun last night again?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Must have been then."

"Where did Wes go?"

"Who's Wes?"

"Nevermind."

The group ate lunch. After Iunch, Jimmy made his way over to the barn. He looked around to make sure no one was there. He picked up a small piece of metal hinge. He tossed it in the air and moved his hand toward it. He watched as it fell to the floor.

"Was it all a dream?" He said out loud.

He sat down in the barn to think. He saw Lou walking over. He sighed.

"Can we talk for once without fighting?"

"Have a seat."

"Jimmy, I can't say I'm sorry enough. I did you wrong. I know that we can't go back to being friends but maybe..."

"I'd like that Lou."

She stopped and looked at him.

"Really?"

"Yeah Lou, I'd like that a lot."

She smiled as she hugged him.

"Well. I'd best get back to my chores." She said as she stood and walked away.

Jimmy smiled watching her go. He no longer felt the hate toward her. He felt better. He saw an old empty whiskey bottle of his in the corner. He stood and walked away. He didn't need that shit anymore either.

He walked into the yard as a wagon was pulling up. He saw Teaspoon speaking with someone.

"Yes sir, we just bought the next farm over. We'd thought we would ride over and say hi."

Jimmy walked over to see who the newcomers were. He stopped in his tracks. It was Wes and Tessa. She walked over to him.

"Hello, I'm Tessa. This is my brother Wes. We are your new neighbors."

"I'm Jimmy." He pushed out.

"Lookout everybody, the cat done got his tongue." Said Cody laughing as Jimmy stared at Tessa.

"Will you come for supper?" Asked Rachel.

"We'd love to." Said Wes.

Tessa watched Wes talk with the others. She moved over closer to Jimmy.

"It wasn't a dream." She whispered.

Jimmy looked at her blankly as she climbed back up in the wagon. Wes winked at him as he went by. Jimmy smiled. Tessa smiled back.

A voice sounded in his head. ' I love you.' Jimmy looked right at Tessa who smiled broadly. The others went back to their chores as the wagon pulled away. Jimmy felt his heart soar. He watched them leave. Wes stood up in the wagon and turned around to face him. He snapped his fingers. A small flame jumped up. Jimmy laughed.

They disappeared on the horizon. Jimmy watched Cody work with a bucket of nails. He smiled as he walked by and flicked his hand. The bucket flew over, nails going everywhere. He still had it after all. He laughed.

"Son of a? How the hell?" Said Cody.

Jimmy laughed harder. Tessa was here and she wasn't leaving. He saw his future in her eyes. They had a secret. A big one at that and a life full of love ahead.

The End.