The New Rider

by Danielle
© 2000

Part V

They rode back into Sweetwater, where they met up with Kid and Lou, who had been at Thompkin's Store picking up some things for Emma. The four rode back to the Way Station. Emma welcomed Ike and Abe back and made them something to eat.

"Now Emma you never make me a meal after I get back form a run." Cody complained his mind always on food.

"This was Abe's first run, and it looks like he could use a good hot meal." Emma gave Abe a caring look.

Abe wondered if Emma could read her thoughts and knew what had gone on. Ike promised not to tell anyone she was a girl, but maybe he had said something about her being shot. Abe shook the thought from her mind. Emma didn't know about her wound or her being a girl. After the meal Abe and Ike walked to the bunkhouse together. They were the only ones in there so they spoke freely.

"Thank you for not tellin' anyone. I owe you." Abe said to Ike, who was across the room at the bunk he and Buck shared.

Changing the subject, Ike signed, "What's you real name?"

Abe cracked a smile, "Abigail, but don't go usin' it, cause no one's called me that in a long time and I wanna keep it that way."

Ike smiled back at her, "That's a beautiful name though, you shouldn't hide it." He signed.

"I don't have much choice in this matter." Abe replied.

Cody walked in the bunkhouse and the conversation Ike and Abe were having stopped. He looked back and forth between the two of them, "Were ya'll talkin' about me? Cause if ya were I could leave" he motioned to the door, "and you two could continue."

Abe shook her head, "Don't worry Cody, we weren't talkin' about you."

He walked over to the bunk he shared with Abe and climbed atop. He lay back, placing his hat over his face. The bunk tilted to one side as it normally did, "Damn bunk. I swear…" His complaints continued.

Ike moved from his bunk to Cody's side. He poked him in the shoulder. Cody removed his hat and turned to face Ike, "Let's switch bunks." Ike signed.

Cody looked at him suspiciously, "Now why would you want to trade bunks? This bunk's broke." He said.

Ike glanced at Abe then back at Cody, "I don't mind if it's broke. Plus I owe you one, remember? You took my run a couple weeks ago." Ike signed.

"That's right, you do owe me." Cody jumped down from the bunk and it tilt once again. He patted Ike on the back and took his things over to his new bunk. He climbed atop of it and returned to his former position. Ike settled his possessions into their new home. Then Abe and he walked out of the bunkhouse, leaving Cody snoring quietly inside.

Over the next couple weeks a bond quickly formed between Ike and Abe. Ike, who was best friends with Buck, spent more and more time with Abe. The other riders noticed the change, but didn't mention it because they didn't think it odd for him to be the one to make a close nit relationship with Abe. Ike was a very kind hearted fellow, and he always tried his best to help people. He knew what it was like to be out cast, and always tried to make others feel welcome. Ike, who was left bald and mute because of a sickness he had when he was little, was often treated differently by others. But the other riders didn't know the true reason for Ike spending so much time with Abe.

While doing chores the two friends would always seem to be with each other. The other riders for, the most part had absolutely no clue Abe was a girl, so no one seemed to act strangely towards the friendship. When the two couldn't get together, they would leave notes for each other. Ike would slip his notes for Abe in her coat pocket and vise versa. Late at night they would sneak away to see each other in private.

One night they met behind the barn. Abe was talking and in mid-sentence Ike pulled Abe close and pressed his lips against hers. Abe wasn't experienced in such an area and was unsure what to do, but she followed Ike. He slowly softened his lips and backed away. Abe stared into Ike's eyes with a pure hunger for him now. She leaned forward, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Ike hands rested at the small of Abe's back. He pulled her so close she thought she would melt into him. Then his tongue found it's way into Abe's mouth. It softly massaged itself against her tongue. For a long while they were so wrapped up in the passion of the kiss they hardly heard the noise that came from the side of the barn. Ike reluctantly let go of Abe. He knew if anyone found them like that, there was sure to be some trouble.

"What was that?" Abe whispered.

Ike motioned to be quiet and then slowly moved to where the noise came from, holding his arms out as if protecting Abe from something. They reached the area, but found nothing. Ike sighed, turned to Abe kissed her one last time, and then signed, "We should go back to the bunkhouse."

Abe agreed and they returned to the bunkhouse. Everyone was asleep. Ike and Abe slowly and quietly climbed into their bunks and fell asleep with the taste of each other still on their lips.

On to Part VI!

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