CHAPTER 9

A few weeks later…

Cody sat on the corral, Noah leaning beside him, both riders' eyes glued to the tool shed. They had been on their way to get started on putting up a new fence but instead came upon the pair clambering their way into the little shack mid-embrace.

"How long should we give 'em?"

"I dunno Noah." With a roguish look, lifting a finger to his chin as if pondering his options, he continued, "but we need tools, if we're gonna get that fence built." He jumped up and beelined it to the shed.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Cody." Noah pushed off the corral and followed after his friend.

Lou's back hit the tool shed wall, various articles clattering to the floor, as Jimmy diligently explored her exposed neck with his lips. He pulled back, taking in the sight of her, finding her dirty, sweaty body just as appealing as if she'd been in a fine dress. The salty taste of her lingered on his lips and he imagined tasting other parts of her.

Cody paused in front of the shed door and listened. He heard laughter. Nothing more. He shoved the door open with both hands and stood there waiting for the inevitable slam.

His hands on her lower back pulled her closer, her own hands tangling in his long hair. Their lips were just about to meet when the shed door swung open with a clang.

Jolted by the loud noise, Lou shoved Jimmy off of her, sending him reeling into the shelf behind. They both looked to the door to see Cody standing there, Noah peering over his shoulder.

"How'd all these tools fall down?"

"We were just looking for a shovel," Lou answered quickly. Her eyes darted around the small room.

"Found 'em." Jimmy held up a couple post hole diggers which had been conveniently digging into his back.

"Oh good." Lou sounded a little too relieved.

"You two are supposed to be taking it easy." Noah reminded them.

"We were getting 'em for you." Jimmy handed them off to Cody, slipping by him.

Together, they walked up to the posts where the new fence was going. Two shovels already lay on the ground. Noah and Cody broke into uncontrollable laughter.

Jimmy trudged up to the bunk house. Getting tossed around the tool shed exacerbated his tender torso, though he'd never admit it. He got to the door and turned to watch Lou let herself into Rachel's house. She checked on Kid several times a day. He knew her guilt was eating at her. Thankfully, Kid's fever had passed and he was getting stronger, even going for short walks around the yard in the evening.

All three of them were on the mend and looking a whole lot better than they had after Wicks came through. Jimmy expected to be riding in another couple weeks and maybe Lou too. He didn't like splitting her attention with Kid and part of him thought maybe the other rider was milking his injury just to have her tend to him. It wasn't the worst idea he'd ever heard of. At some point, Kid wasn't going to be able to hide in his sick bed anymore and the two of them were going to have a talk.

I seriously have no idea where I'm going with this anymore…..somewhere…