By noon that day Jason was on the back of Spirit. The general was outside near the fence as he watched Jason continue to break this fine animal. "I must say lad you have proven you are well trained with horses." He stated and Jason tipped his hat at him. "Thank ya sir. Before I joined the Marshall I was a stable boy on governors ranch. Started breaking when I was six." He stated and the general was shocked. "Six? What kinda childhood is that?" he asked and Jason stopped Spirit. "Well when your mother passes and father abandons ya. Ya learn to defend and provide for yourself. I'll admit I started with being a thief at first until I robbed the governor. He saw how young I was and took me in. Been working ever since." With that said Jason turned Spirit and had him trot around the ring. The general looked at Jason and then down to the ground. He couldn't help but think this was one hell of a man. Over thirty years younger than him and has been working just as long. "Well when ya get done. Take the rest of the day off and watch Abby. Ya did well with breaking him son. If ya keep joining today and you'll break yourself. I cant loose a good hand on the first day." The general stated with a smile and Jason nodded. "Thank ya sir." He said out of breath. Jason looked at Spirit and patted him. "And to think we started out as enemy's. I say we have a friendship growing." With that said Spirit bucked and Jason fell right off. He looked at the horse and Spirit smiled. "Alright I take that as a yes."
Abby was in the kitchen making some lunch for her and her sisters. Renee came in and smiled. "So I see your boyfriend is working here." She said with a smile and Abby glared at her. "He's not my boyfriend. I hardly know him." She stated and Renee smiled as she took some butter and plopped it on Abby's nose. "Then go to town silly." Abby rubbed her nose and then looked at Renee. "What do you mean?" she asked and Renee smiled. "Abby he is your bodyguard. He has to go where ever you go. Tell father that you are running to town for me. I have to do some cleaning around the house and I can't go." She said with a smile. Abby laughed and playfully slapped Renee. "You are just trying to make me spend time with him." She said and Renee smiled. "And like who wouldn't want to? He's cute, smart, sweet, strong, and so on. I mean come on Abby. Don't you at least want to get to know him better?" she asked and Abby blushed a bit. "Then get going girl." She said as she pushed Abby down the hall. Abby started walking and smiled back at Renee. "Thanks Renee. You're a great sis. Both you and Isabella." She said and Renee smiled.
After a few minutes Abby was in her dress she had to wear when she went to town. Heading down the hall she went to her father. "Ah Abby, what can I do for you sweety?" he asked and she smiled. "I need to go to town for Renee. She wants me to pick up some supplies for sowing. She said she would go but she needs to do some cleaning around the house." She stated and her father nodded. "Well then, find Jason and tell him you need to head to town." He stated and she nodded as she went out the door. Walking down near the barn she saw him brushing Spirit. "I see you two have come to a understanding?" she said with a smile. Jason stood up and looked at her. "Ha for now." He said and then looked at her again. "Let me guess. You're going somewhere?" he asked and Abby nodded. "Yes out to town for Renee. She needs sowing supplies." She stated and Jason nodded. "Alright well lets go." He said as he grabbed his jacket and hat. They loaded up onto the wagon and headed to town.
"Turn right up here for a second please." Asked Abby and Jason looked at her lost but did it. There on the path a half mile up was a house and two horses in the field. Abby got down and went up to the house. She opened the door and Jason got off the wagon. Looking around he was confused. Abby came back out in a pair of pants, white shirt with a black vest, his old jacket, and a hit on. She was definitely not that pampered girl that had walked in. Now she was woman who looked like she knew what she was doing and could fend for herself. Jason gulped a bit at seeing her dressed like this. It was a lot better in his mind then that dress and her pampered. She walked over to the field and saddled up the two horses. Jason walked over to her and was lost. "So I'm guessing you won these?" he asked, not that he cared but still. "Yes they are mine and my sisters. We use them when we go to town. Its nicer then the dresses and the wagon." She stated and mounted. She smiled down at Jason as he shook his head and mounted the other horse.
It was an hour later that they finally arrived into town. They stopped at the store and Abby went inside. Jason followed her and went to look at the guns in the case as she shopped for more supplies for Renee. As they were gun fire went out in the streets. Jason ran over to Abby who was ducked onto the floor. He covered her and peeked out the windows. There in the street was his group with Frank. He bit his lip and looked around the store. "Abby crawl over behind the counter. Quietly and don't make any noise." He spoke as she went behind the counter. He swallowed and crossed his chest as he stood up and looked out the doorway. "God help me." He whispered and walked out the store. "HEY IF IT ISN'T JASON!" shouted Frank. Jason closed his eyes and walked down the steps and out to the group. "So how is the generals house son?" he asked and Jason was praying Abby wasn't listing. "I'm here now with the girl Frank. If ya want this to work pipe down and don't cause a scene." Jason stated in a stern voice. Frank smiled. "Oow Mr. Big Shots. He thinks he's in charge of this. Well listen here boy. I will listen this one time, but..." he grabs Jason's collar and chokes him, "Next time I will shot you instead." With that said he tossed him and rode off.
Abby got up and ran outside to Jason's side. "Are you ok?" she asked and Jason yanked his arm from her hands. "I'm fine!" He said in a harsh tone as he got up and brushed himself off. Abby stepped back a bit and looked down as she walked back into the store. Jason sighed and ran after her. "Hey Abby wait!" he shouted and she stopped at the top of the steps. "Look I'm sorry I was harsh. It's just that guy gets under my skin and….it wasn't right for me to yell at ya." He stated and Abby smiled. She put her hand on his face and smiled. "Don't worry. Now come on you need new cloths." She tapped the tip of his nose and smiled. Jason looked down at the ground and blushed a shade of red under his hat. They walked into the store and she had found some new clothes for her and Jason. He was fitted with a nice white shirt, black vest, pants, boots, gun belt, and hat. He looked at the outfit and felt a bit proud of himself. Abby walked up in a white and black dress as she grabbed his arm. In the mirror she smiled at him. "You look cute." She said and he chuckled. "Ya don't look bad yourself Ms. Abby." He stated and she slapped his arm playfully. "It's just Abby." She stated and Jason looked at her.
They paid for the clothes and headed out of the store with their old clothes in bags. They tied them to the saddles and walked to the quilt shop. As they were walking behind the shops, Abby stopped and Jason looked at her. "What is it?" he asked her confused. All of a sudden she had her arms around his neck and her mouth against his. He was backed against the nearby wall. Her hands were behind his head as she nipped his bottom lip. Jason's mind was in a complete tail spin. His heart was beating ninety to nothing as he hands landed on her hips. They broke the kiss only to gasp for air. Once she pulled back he gulped and opened his eyes. "Where in the hell did that come from?"