Western Trails & Beyond (For DarkWarrioress and myself)

[DarkWarrioress]

Still stunned by his kiss and her response, Sara picked up her spoon and dipped into the steaming bowl of chicken and dumplings in front of her. She had always wondered what being kissed by Jack would feel like and even though he went by a different name now and they weren’t back in their own time, this was still real. It felt real.

Jackson’s words flowed over her and they also made her smile. She would like nothing better. Even if they never went back to their own time, they were together and would continue that way.

“This is really good, Jackson.”

Sara dipped her spoon into her bowl again and savored the taste of food he had made for them. Even Taff seemed to approve. Maybe he didn’t understand what had just happened but from under the table, his tail wagged enthusiastically before his head bent back to his bowl and he licked up the remnants of his meal.

Life here in the wild west, on the Oregon Trail, was never a sure thing. She had learned never to take anything for granted and life was to be lived in the moment and right now, she was grateful for Jackson and Taff.

Once their meal was over, Sara gathered the dishes and filled the tub with water so she could wash them. She had chased Jackson away saying that he had made supper, so she would do the dishes. If he wanted to be helpful, he could go out and feed the animals their last meal for the night. Taff chose to go with him, which made Sara laugh. Taff had been close to her side since she and Jackson had come back to her cabin. Elbow deep in wash water, Sara looked out the window as she washed. Winter still had its hold on them, but there were signs of Spring. It had been a cold, brutal winter but she had made it through another one. This time, she had found Jackson. There would be so much to do as Spring settled in and Jackson would be right beside her, helping her. That brought something else to mind. She needed to ask Jackson if he still intended to buy the land across from her property line. They could use it, she was sure, but did he still intend to build a house over there as well? There would be questions and decisions to make tonight, she knew.

 

[JackHemingway]

One of the simple pleasures you find out on the trails is having company for a meal. On the frontier, if you aren't with a group, you spend plenty of time alone, so when you're in a lively saloon crowded fort or Indian lodge, despite the pitfalls of sharing space, you appreciate having someone to talk to and maybe share some food. Being with Sara was even better, it was catching up with an old friend with the added twist of a new and different life. Back home dates, at least the first few, were an interview process, finding out if you have anything in common. He already knew he and Sara had a connection, which seemed to be a good path. Now they were in a different world, enjoying some quiet time together. It was a bonus that she liked his cooking, which he was proud of since coming to Western Trails. He'd never split wood, built a cabin, and stalked wild game in his old life, but he learned, and was respected. He also felt good and learned to mend clothes, cook meals, and care for animals. His parents hadn't even let him keep a dog, but he'd driven herds of cattle. The finished, and Sara insisted she handle the cleanup, which seemed fair, though he would have been happy to help. He took Taff out into the cold night to do his business, but this wasn't a walk in the park, so he took a rifle and they circled the farm.

Taff sniffed around and marked a few trees before finally doing his business and emptying the field. Jackson took a long look at the empty field and saw for a moment all the empty acres could hold, including livestock and buildings. Maybe it was time to settle down and enjoy life. He'd moved around a lot, and when he'd get things established, fate or an urge inside would make him move on down the trail. He'd crisscrossed the frontier more than a few times, gone to sea, and travelled from the Northern Canadian frontier to the South of Mexico. How many farms, ranches, and other houses had he helped people build, find some good horses, and head out again for nowhere special? There had been women, but nobody like Sara, and that wasn't something you could toss aside. After some daydreaming, he headed back towards the light of Sara's home, and interestingly, Taff headed towards the barn. After a bit of back and forth with his K9 companion, it seemed Taff wanted to watch the horses he'd gotten fond of during the trip. After securing the barn and watching Taff find a hay bale to lie next to one of the horses. Jackson smiled and headed into the house, and greeted Sara.

"It seems the little guy wants to watch the horses. He did that on the trail often. You care about your animals; you gave them plenty of room to lie down. I like that frontier woman," he smiled. He went through his belongings and soon found a bottle of bourbon.

"Care for a drink, honey? I want to talk about our living arrangement. It will take a while to get things moving. I can build a shelter if you like in a few days. Done them plenty of times on the plains," he laughed.

"Always seemed to be just what you needed to make it work. I mean well, I guess that is the beauty of Western Trails. You're what makes it special, though. I'm happy to have found you again even if it is here."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The front door opened, letting Jackson back in and the cold air with it, but he was alone. She was about to ask about Taff but Jackson was quick to inform her. Sara smiled. Taff would be alright out in the barn and when he wanted back into the house, he would whine at the door she was sure.

The cold air that came in with Jackson made her shiver and reminded her of how cold out it still was, this time of year. A drink sounded good, well, a drink and the company that came with it. Sara had finished up washing and putting away the dishes. She was wiping her hands dry as she turned to lean against the sink, watching him.

“A drink sounds good. I’ll get the mugs. Toss another log on the fire for me will you Jackson?”

Hanging up her drying towel, Sara reached up and took down a couple of mugs from her shelf and walked over to join him by the fireplace. Sitting in one of the chairs, Sara held out both mugs for him to put some bourbon into. She used her toes to set her chair rocking slightly.

“You don’t have to go through the trouble of building a shelter, Jackson. You’re more than welcome to stay inside here, in the cabin, with me. Unless of course, you feel the need to build one. That’s up to you. It’s kind of cozy with you and Taff sharing this space with me.

You know,” she smiled as she took a sip from her mug, “For the longest time, I wondered if we would ever meet in person. I know we made plans and all but it always seemed like something cropped up to keep us from doing so. Then, to meet up here, of all places. When I heard your voice. I knew it was you. How you got here, I don’t know but we had talked so much on the phone back then, there was no way it couldn’t be you. I don’t want us to be apart for any reason, Jackson. Not now. Not ever. That is, if that’s okay with you.”

 

[JackHemingway]

"Sara, that sounds really great to me—better than great, in fact. Honestly, if we find ourselves in this world together, I'm glad it's with you. I realize I hesitated for too long; while calls, texts, and emails are nice, I should have been getting on a plane to see you more often."

With that, he walked up to Sara and kissed her passionately on the lips, caressing her beautiful hair as he hugged her close. After a few heated moments, he took her by the hand, led her to the edge of her bed, and gently guided her to sit down. Since it was colder out, he removed his gun belt and stetson, followed by his clothes, until he was left in a native loincloth. It was clear he was aroused as he looked at her and smiled.

"I'm done searching for something that feels right. You're here with me now, and I want us to build a real relationship."

He settled beside her, passion radiating from him as he began to kiss her, his hands confidently exploring her curves through her clothes. His lips brushed against her neck, and he spoke with unwavering conviction, "I'm determined to get the land across the way so we can start a ranch and build a home together. It might take years, but every second will be worth it. Do you like kids? I love kids, and while I've traveled extensively, I see this not as settling down but as putting down roots. You know how to run a ranch and even create a community, Sara. I want to partner with you in doing that."

Jackson continued kissing her, fully aware of their shared passion and connection. The time had come for them to take their relationship to the next level. After years of navigating different paths, he faced the truth: they had given this enough time, and now was the moment to embrace all that lay ahead.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"Sara, that sounds really great to me—better than great, in fact. Honestly, if we find ourselves in this world together, I'm glad it's with you. I realize I hesitated for too long; while calls, texts, and emails are nice, I should have been getting on a plane to see you more often."

She protested.

“Jackson, please. You don’t owe me any explanations. Life happens, we both understand that.”

Her hands came up to frame his face, her eyes looking deeply into his own.

“I want us to build something deeper and more meaningful as well, Jackson. We’ve always had a relationship, but now we’re blessed with being able to go much further and deeper.”

He had asked her if she liked kids. She hadn’t really thought about it, not since losing…

Jackson brought her back to the present to find him naked as a jay bird. When had he shed his clothing? As his lips touched her neck, she gave a small moan, her fingertips digging into his bare back.

“Jackson?” she whispered, “Stop talking.”

 

[JackHemingway]

Jackson understood that Sara was not interested in discussing future plans or land management at that moment. He thought about the appropriate time and place for such conversations, smiled to himself, and loosened the knot on the side of his loincloth, allowing it to fall and reveal his manhood. Although his body wasn't like a model's, he had developed the lean physique of a frontiersman after all these years. He was scarred, tattooed, muscular, and had a deep tan from years of exposure to the elements. Building character, he realized, often left one with visible marks.

He didn't need to say how beautiful she was to him. She would know that by now. This was the time for action, and he began pulling off her clothing with help as he worked from her shoulders down, slipping off her top, then moving to her boots and pants, and then tossing her undergarments aside, all while caressing her skin through her clothing or once her lovely flesh was exposed. Soon, he had her naked as he was, and he began kissing everywhere on her body. He pulled her close, and his hardness rubbed against her thigh as he kissed her and caressed his hands down her back and cupping her butt and kissing her hard on the lips.

Jackson loved kissing her and inhaled her natural scent as he nibbled on her earlobe and kissed down her neck. His hands moved up her body and caressed her lovely mane of hair. This was a wonderful and very real moment. Jackson lifted Sara by her hips easily and pushed her onto her soft bed, and slid her down so her head would rest on the soft pillows. Jackson moved along side of her and began kissing her agan as one arm went under her body pulling her close while his other hand sliding down between her legs gently caressing her vagina.

Leaning closer, Jackson kissed as he began caressing Sara between her legs, rubbing her clitoris vigorously. He had a raging hard-on, and there were even drips of precum showing how eager he was to be with her, but he would take his time. He wanted her hot and bothered, along with her emotional desires. This was passion, lust, and love on a higher level, and he was going to make this special. He looked into her eyes wantonly. Jackson didn't need to say a word.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The only sound in the cabin was the crackling fire across the room. A quick glance told Sara that Taff was sound asleep. When Jackson removed his loin cloth, the tip of Sara’s tongue protruded slightly from between her lips. Oh mercy. Her fingers came out to gently caress the scars on his body, wondering, briefly, how he had acquired each one. Her attention wasn’t on them for long. Jackson was undressing her and Sara helped him. It wasn’t long before their clothes littered the floor and she was as naked as he was. He was exquisitely gentle with her.

As Jackson’s lips found hers, she felt like rest of the world melted away and what was left was just her and Jackson. His kisses ignited a fire in her, making her moan softly. Her body arched up to meet his lips as her hands went from gripping the sheets to gripping his body. Jackson gently shifted her until her head rested on the pillow, her hair fanning out on it. She turned her body to face his. His hand slide down her body to find her core already wet for him. She could feel that his cock was rock hard as it throbbed against her leg. Her hips arched to meet his hand as she slowly spread her legs for him.

“Jackson….” Her voice held a plea, “ please….”

 

[JackHemingway]

Jackson looked at her hair fanned out on the pillow, her body stretched out to him, exposed in all its feminine glory. How many nights had he dreamed about this, and now he was enjoying it and doing his best to savor it in another world. He leaned into her face and nuzzled with her, moved his lips down, closed his eyes, and began kissing her neck. He softly tasted her flesh again and whispered, "Not yet."

He kept rubbing her cliterous intensely wanting her behind moist and ready he wanted to take her over the top with passion before he took her with his cock. Jackson had every reason to rush this moment. After all, it was years in the making, and they finally found each other in a different realm. So badly wanted to push inside her, but he was going to make her feel good. Really good, and he kept kissing her neck and taking little bites as he vigorously rubbed her sex. She would let him know when she orgasmed, and then they'd go to the next stage. he wanted to make his moment last all night.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

He was driving her mad. She could feel him pulsing against her thigh and yet, he was still refusing her plea. She wanted to feel him inside her, filling her, driving her toward an orgasm. Instead, it was his fingers and he knew how to use them.

Her fingers slid to his forearms, her fingernails lightly digging into them as her orgasm mounted. She could feel it start in her lower back and traverse down her spine to settle in her core. Her toes curled on the mattress. Her hips rose up to meet his plunging fingers.

“Jackson…” her voice was breathless, ”I going to… to….” A small keening wail left her lips as her orgasm hit the pit of her stomach, tightening it. The ripples came in waves, washing over her. All she could see was black and white stars as her pussy clenched against his fingers, sucking them inward. Her spine constricted. Her thighs closed around his hand, holding it prisoner.

 

[JackHemingway]

There was a list of memorable moments shared in a relationship, ranging from holding hands to sharing a first meal, but there were the more intimate ones, like being naked together and bringing your lover to orgasm for the first time. At that moment, Jackson was savoring it as much as Sara was experiencing it. The wonderful reactions of her body let him down. Just how much pleasure she was feeling, and, what's more, her wet thighs clamped down on his hand.

He stretched out his arm enough to lean up and kiss her after the sounds of pleasure escaped her lips. Jackson then shifted on top of her, sliding his hand free, panting in anticipation as he slid between her smooth thighs. He kissed her again, and his cock slid down against her wet vagina until he pulled back enough so he could push inside her all at once. For a glorious moment, all was right with the world, and he felt totally surrounded by passion and love.

Then with hands on her shoulders, Jackson began thrusting in and out of her over and over as his bare cock went inside her slick warm vagina. It was heavenly, and he was moaning and groaning as he made love to her in this world they'd help create. At that moment, what was happening in this world or the next didn't matter. He wanted this moment to last. He did his best to work her to another orgasm, but he so wanted to cum inside her as well. Jackson looked into Sara's eyes and felt the passion as their bodies pushed against each other on the quilt-covered mattress in the cozy cabin.

At one point, Jackson lifted Sara's left leg and slid in deeper, holding it up to the side and thrusting away. The wet, sloppy noises, the moans of passion, and the many vigorous thrusts built up all the juices inside. Soon Jack felt an explosion building up as his back tightened and his balls exploded through his cock like a cannon. He orgasmed hard as he filled Sara with a warm, gooey flood of sperm. Jackson's body shook and tingled, but he continued to thrust for a while longer.

As he sensed his cock softening and he slowly withdrew from her warm honeypot and slid out from between her legs. He panted and crawled next to Sara and kissed her hard and whispered, "Love you, baby, my only regret was waiting so long. Love you, honey."

With that, he lay down next to her and pulled Sara close. Jackson did tease a little by saying, "Night isn't over either, honey."

In the background were the sounds of the country, behind the sounds of the fire crackling and the wind chime in the night breeze. Animals went about their business as they always did on the plains. Taft circled the barn inside and out a few times, checking on the horses before finding a bale of hay close to one of Jackson's mounts. The dog cuddled up and fell asleep.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Her body had tensed in anticipation as Jackson slid over her and between her thighs. She was trembling as she felt the head of his cock nudge her lower lips apart. When he slid the full length of himself into her channel all at once, she couldn’t contain the moan of pleasure that escaped her lips. He felt so good inside of her. Caught up in their first lovemaking, neither of them heard the crackle of the fire or the small sounds of the outside world that penetrated that little cabin. All Sara could hear was the fast beating of her heart even as she felt Jackson’s.

Sara felt the rising of another orgasm flow up from her toes. She felt tightening of her spine as heat crawled along it, racing toward the base of her belly to flood her core. The sounds of their lovemaking bounced around the walls, mingling with their heated breaths, the soft sounds of passion each elicited from the other. Sara didn’t want this moment to end but as her orgasm exploded within her, clamping down and rippling across his hard length, her fingers dug into his shoulders as her body arched up and pressed against his. Moments were meant to come to an end. Eventually.

As Jackson lay beside her, she had to smile at his words.

“I love you too, Jackson. We’re here now. Together. That’s all that matters.”

She snuggled up next to him, absorbing his warmth. Her eyes slowly closing. For her, the world had come full circle.

 

[JackHemingway]

Jackson savored the feeling of Sara's warm naked body against his in the dim light of the cabin for a long time before he reached down and pulled the quilt over them. He slept for a while with her head on his chest, and all felt right with the world; they'd found each other, so things were perfect. It being an ideal moment didn't mean the world was perfect, so it was late at night. Jackson didn't bother to look at his pocket watch. He got up and slid out from under Sara. She stirred a little and moaned softly, but he kissed her on the forehead and laid her head down on the pillow.

The night was cold, so he went to the end of the bed and found a large chest. He smiled as he opened it and took out several Indian blankets. It was a generic term for the beautiful, Native-inspired designs, but they were even factory-made these days. It was amusing in the world of Western Trails that they advanced but remained in the same place. Nobody would ever develop computers or cellphones, just a better ledge, and a faster telegraph. At that moment, though, Jackson just wrapped himself in two warm blankets and tossed a third over Sara.

Sara had prepared by chopping wood in advance, eliminating the need for Jackson to venture outside. With wood available in the bin, he was able to restart the fire. Jackson also took precautions to ensure the house's security by conducting a thorough inspection. In the area known as Western Trails, wildlife can be pretty aggressive, with some animals capable of breaking down cabin doors. Additionally, he was accompanied by Taft, a small but brave companion who would alert them to any threats and protect the horses. Notably, Taft had even displayed remarkable courage by catching a rattlesnake in the past.

Sara maintained a pristine and organized home, where each item was in its rightful place, leaving little for Jackson to tidy up. He began sorting through his belongings, gathering them into two distinct piles. As he rifled through his collection, he retrieved a few colorful jars of homemade jam, their sweet scents wafting through the air, and several bags of aromatic coffee that hinted at morning rituals filled with rich, comforting brews. He also selected a versatile kitchen knife, its gleaming blade catching the soft light of the room, a tool for culinary adventures yet to come.

He felt a profound sense of belonging wash over him—this was not just a place to stay but a sanctuary where he was welcomed and wanted. After taking a moment to ensure the fire crackled gently, casting a warm glow throughout the space, he padded back to the bedroom. The blankets were still draped over the edge of the bed, a cozy invitation. He slid back under the soft covers, feeling the warmth envelop him as he nestled next to Sara, the world beyond fading away in the comfort of their shared tranquility.

Jackson spooned Sara gently from behind, moving her lovely long hair enough to kiss her neck and cheek before wrapping his arms around her and gently holding her breasts as his front rubbed against her back. Legs touching, he could feel he was aroused again, but he just let her sleep for a while. Then Jackson began gently rubbing and caressing her body. He wasn't trying to wake her but rather tease her with wonderful feelings of pleasure.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Vaguely, in her sleep, she felt Jackson stir but she snuggled deeper under the covers and let her mind sleep. She couldn’t begin to describe the feeling of having found Jackson here. It felt strange yet wonderful. What they couldn’t accomplish in the other world, they had found here. Fate always se4emed to find a way to make things happen. Having Jackson made her feel whole and with a profound sense of peace.

It wasn’t long before she felt the mattress dip and there was Jackson’s warmth at her back, spooning her. She snuggled up against him. Her lips curved into a small smile as she felt his lips on the back of her neck and his hands cradling her breasts. Oddly, she didn’t exactly wake up as he touched her. Her actual consciousness was hazy as her body began to respond to Jackson. A soft, sleepy murmur of approval slipped from her lips as she wiggled her backside into his warmth. She did not want to wake up just yet. Even as his name slipped from her, her hands were lazily skimming over his body. Her fingers found past scars before moving on along his body, running over muscle and sinew that the West had forged upon him.

 

[JackHemingway]

Sara was responding to his touch, and even his name escaped with the sounds of pleasure from her soft lips. Jackson was beyond aroused again as he felt her incredible body under the warm quilt. After a taste of flesh and caress of her breasts took him to another level of pulsing joy as his body and mind reacted to her pleasure. Finally, he couldn't be satisfied with spooning alone, so he pulled back the quilt and slid to the end of the bed.

He began by massaging Sara's feet and caressing her legs as he parted them and kissed her calves and thighs. He even licked her thighs from her knees to her vagina. He kissed around her pubic bone and licked and kissed her belly before savoring her lovely breasts again. It was a whole new level of satisfaction being with Sara in this intimate way. He wouldn't like Jackson to have lain with more than a few women since he awoke in their digital version of the old west that had become real, but this was that perfect feeling when all the planets aligned and love soared.

Already between her legs, he spread her thighs apart and began licking her vagina as his hands pushed apart her knees as he caressed her legs. He'd make sure Sara woke up in the dark night and loved every minute of it. Getting her all hot and bothered would be the best way to start again.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Slowly Sara merged from the realm to sleep to come awake, feeling Jackson making love to her again. She certainly couldn’t find a single fault in Jackson’s lovemaking. In her mind he was just perfect. Her fingers laced through his hair as her hips lifted to press against his mouth. Her hips moved in time with his licking tongue. Her head pressed back against the pillow with a soft moan. He was driving her out of her mind.

“Jackson, oh damn, Jackson….”

Her breath suddenly caught on an inhaled breath. She felt like she was burning up. Her sense were spiraling out of control as was her body. It felt like fire racing down her veins. Her thighs, as if they had a mind of their own, spread wider apart for him.

“Jackson.. I need.. you.”

She implored him unashamedly. Her core wept and throbbed. A little while later, she implored him again.

“Jackson, pleeeease….”

 

[JackHemingway]

Sara pleaded in the most wonderful, passionate way as she enjoyed the waves of pleasure he was giving her. For Jackson, it was something he'd had on his mind for a long time. What a night with t his woman would be like, and how he'd show her how much he cared. Licking, kissing, and nuzzling her lovely pink sex while playing with her clitoris. He wanted her all hot and bothered again in the dim firelight as they got lost in this first fantastic night together. He kept going until he knew she was expressing her primal pleasures and slid up between her legs.

Jackson readjusted as he caressed up her sides until he could grab her shoulders, and he pulled himself all up at once and pushed his stiff cock into her warm wet vagina and began thrusting hard. He ended up grunting right away, loving the feeling and thrust hard, rough the bed creaked as they bounced on top of it. He leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips, and then as he moved his hands under her breasts and squeezed them, he whispered something that sounded like I love you and kept going hard and fast.

Since they had made love earlier and taken time to rest, he took longer, but eventually, he felt his balls tighten and his body tense along with it. Jackson went harder, thrusting into Sara until he exploded inside of her, and his body tingled all over. He went for a little bit longer before collapsing on her and hugging Sara, holding her for a long moment. He slid out of her, feeling the warmth and stickiness, and smiled.

Jackson went over to tend the fire, still feeling a completely different glow, then excused himself briefly, did his business by a tree, and returned. He walked over to Sara, who was by the bed, picked up his cowboy hat along the way, and gently placed it on Sara's head. He hugged her and whispered into her ear, "Love you, cowgirl."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She tipped the hat back on her head and grinned up at him.

“You know, under any other circumstance I would feel funny saying this right back at you, but, I love you too, cowboy.”

It was true. She and Jackson had history together. Granted it was defined in another place, in another time. Sara had had feelings for this man even back then. She had always wondered on those nights after they got off the phone or their computers what it would be like to make love with him. Now she knew. They were like two puzzle pieces that clicked together. They just fit. As a lover, he was everything she could ask for and thinking about building a life together made her smile as she hugged him back.

“You know, Jackson, Even to this day, this world we find ourselves in? It’s incredible and add to it, finding you here as well… it’s unbelievable. I’m so very blessed.”

 

[JackHemingway]

It was a wonderfully romantic moment to share, and while Jackson loved looking at Sara in nothing but a cowboy hat, the realities of the situation became clear. They were in a frontier cabin, and it was still a cold night. He tended the fire one more time, and then the pair cuddled up together in the extra blankets and snuggled in the dark. He nuzzled Sara and caressed her beautiful mane of long, natural hair, smiling in the dark as he reacted to her words.

"Finding you made all this make sense, Sara, you know that. I got to do a lot of things and see many incredible things. Had adventures and met a lot of interesting people, but something was missing, and I don't feel that way anymore. I'm not sure if there's a way back to the old world, but I say we make the best of our time here. Time seems to work differently here, and well, we know how to live. Maybe it isn't exactly paradise, but it's special because it's something we share together. We know how to do everything. So we make a ranch happen and build a home together. We'll take it as it goes. Maybe our destiny will appear, but we can face it together."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Together. That sounded wonderful. Jackson was right. They should and would, live in the present. To build a ranch together sounded amazing and they could do it too. They were going to need more land though. She tilted her head toward his face and glanced upward.

“I guess you better go to town in the morning and see about getting us some more land then. Building a ranch together sounds wonderful. We’ve got a start with the small herd of cattle I have now. I’m hoping to build on that. Whatever comes, we have each other, that’s for sure. I love you, Jackson.”

 

[JackHemingway]

Jackson rested gently against the footboard of the bed he shared with Sara, lovingly massaging her bare feet that were wrapped snugly in blankets. He couldn't help but smile at how she was wearing his hat, a gesture that felt so meaningful. Despite his origins in another world, he had found his place as a cowboy frontiersman, and sharing his hat with her felt like a special bond. Sara was a treasure in both worlds, and every moment spent with her made this one feel brighter. The sheer joy of tickling her and hearing her laughter filled his heart, reminding him of the profound connection they shared.

"Well, it would be better if we went together. I assume your town has all the typical amenities of a Western Trails town. Land claim office, general store, etc? I only got a short look at your bustling little outpost when I first got in, but it looks like a nice place. You do anything to help it grow?"

Jackson moved over to the other side of the bed and cuddled up with Sara, holding her and nuzzling her softly. "We get more land, more cattle, look for some gold, and make things happen. We could pick a friend for Taft to help out. Well, I have some money, so we can settle down and build a life. Who knows what the next chapter will be for us."

For a while, he confidently recounted his adventures, having followed a steep learning curve. At first, the challenges were tough, but he quickly discovered the wealth of knowledge he had gained about the world and its inner workings. Jackson was convinced that Sara had even greater potential. He shared tales of trading, engaging with Native Americans, and witnessing the signing of significant treaties. He described herding cattle and selling horses in Mexico with pride. He spoke of encounters with bandits, train robbers, and bounty hunters that added excitement to his journey. Having traveled on over a dozen wagon trains and experienced the majesty of the Rocky Mountains as well as the vibrant streets of San Francisco, his stories were rich with experience. Finally, as both of them began to drift off, he said goodnight.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Sara groaned with pleasure as Jackson worked her feet.

“Oh my god, Jackson. That feels so good.”

The man was attentive and all hers. She sat on the opposite side of the bed from him, watching. All she wore was his cowboy hat.

"Well, it would be better if we went together. I assume your town has all the typical amenities of a Western Trails town. Land claim office, general store, etc? I only got a short look at your bustling little outpost when I first got in, but it looks like a nice place. You do anything to help it grow?"

“Of course, I’ll come with you,” she smiled, “Our little town has everything you possibly need. Well, I was the school marm for a while. I enjoyed teaching the children. I also volunteer at a local saloon in the next town over. I, uh, help the working girls there if they need it, “she shrugged, “Doc asked me if I would and I owed him something for the care he gave me when I first ended up at the fort. I support the local with whatever vegetables I don’t need and I do the same thing with meat that any of our needful families may request. I used to work at the diner we met in as well.”

They talked well into the night. As Sara listened, watched Jackson’s face and was mesmerized by the animation she saw there. The man still had a more colorful life than she had, but that didn’t bother her. She enjoyed listening to him speak of his adventures, realizing that the world outside of her own was grander and by that token, more dangerous.

“Life sounds amazing with you around Jackson,” she confirmed as she smuggled up against him when he came to join her at the head of the bed.

In reply to his soft good-night, she leaned up and kissed him gently, whispering a good-night as well. She didn’t know what she had done to deserve this good fortune, but she winged a silent prayer of thankfulness to the heavens.

 

[JackHemingway]

While the people who lived in the world of Western Trails could be friendly, interesting, and even engaging, Jackson always felt they were a bit limited. They focused on their professions, their immediate circle of friends, and a few thoughts about the future. Once they established a farm or got a store up and running, they were satisfied with their lives. In some ways, this simplicity was refreshing. Most people were honest about their intentions, and when they called you a friend, they truly meant it. However, the deeper layers that make up a human being are not as present as they were with Sara. With her, you could feel the energy and the love, and now they shared a complete connection.

That morning, Jackson woke up early and moved as little as possible to avoid disturbing Sara, who was wrapped in warm blankets with his cowboy hat over her head, allowing her to enjoy the darkness. While some girls might wear their boyfriend's shirt, Sara looked great in his hat. As he got dressed, Jackson chose a crushable hat from his gear and decided which saddle to take out to the barn. Over the years, he had accumulated a vast collection of items related to the game world, but he had given most of it away to help others. While he did earn some money, he was generous, one of the many benefits of the insight he had.

He should have gotten the fire going again, so that was the next order of business, and soon, he had it blazing again and filling up Sara's lovely cabin with heat. Jackson knew Sara had more wood, but they'd have to do some lumberjack work. That was another thing he liked about the world: everything seemed to have a purpose. He'd stream videos for hours back home and order food on his phone and barely move. In this world, you worked to survive and thrive, and you didn't waste your time.

Before he partnered up with Sara for anything, including some intimate fun, he'd check on the animals. He had bags of feed and other supplies, and he was sure Taft would want to run about the yard chasing chickens. The world, with all its joys, was a rugged one, so he put on his gun belt, took a lever-action rifle, and headed out to the barn. It wasn't far, so he took a leisurely pace until he heard Taft barking. His furry little friend was that rare type of dog that didn't bark at everything, so he picked up the pace and chambered a round.

As soon as the barn came into view, he immediately understood the problem. Taft was standing firm in the doorway, barking, growling, and fiercely challenging three large coyotes that seemed to be contemplating their next move. The three coyotes could easily overpower one dog, but they were still assessing their approach. Jackson wasn't willing to wait around. As one of the coyotes turned to confront him, he raised his rifle and fired a shot, striking the coyote squarely in the body. He quickly flicked the lever, aimed at the next coyote, and did even better, hitting it in the head. It collapsed to the ground, leaving the third coyote to face a man with a rifle and an angry dog that was now charging forward.

Taft was growling at the wounded coyote, which Jackson mercifully finished off before kneeling to pet the dog. In the old world, wild animals would attack humans and livestock, but it wasn't something that most people had to worry about. Generally, most animals, even predators, would avoid humans if they caught their scent, so when attacks did occur, it was a significant event. In Western Trails, the struggle was truly about man versus nature, and Jackson had encountered his fair share of dangerous beasts.

As he had done many times before, he took out a long knife and began skinning the animals. So accustomed was he to being alone that he didn't even think about Sara; instead, he spoke aloud to Taft about how brave the dog was for protecting the horses.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Sara burrowed down in the bed as she felt Jackson leave it. She simply reached up and tipped the brim of his hat further over her eyes with a soft incoherent murmur. She was hurtled out of sleep by Taff’s insistent barking and growling. THAT, she knew, was not anything good. Flying from the warmth of the bed, Jackson’s hat was still on her head, she hurried into some clothes and her boots, grabbing her coat as she threw open the door and stepped out, breathing rapidly. Taff’s barking was coming from the barn. Sara practically ran in that direction just in time to see Jackson crouching over a coyote, skinning it as he spoke with the dog softly.

Breathing heavily and totally aware that the threat had been eliminated, she walked up to Jackson and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

Her concerned eyes moved over his body. He looked okay. Then she crouched down and called Taft to her after Jackson was done speaking to him. She held out a hand and let it float over his body to insure herself he was okay too,

“You’re good boy, Taft. You would have taken them all on, wouldn’t you? I’m glad Jackson was here to help.”

She ruffled his fur and buried her face in his neck. Taft licked her ear in response, making her giggle.

“Sweet boy,” she told as she stood up again.

Standing behind Jackson, she was quiet as she watched him do the skinning. The pelts would come in handy unless Jackson wanted to use them for trade. She bent over him, kissed the place just behind his ear and whispered in his ear.

“I’ll go make coffee before I start breakfast.”

 

[JackHemingway]

This morning was hardly the first time Jackson encountered some dangerous animals in Western Trails. Back in the old world, he never really had any interest in hunting or shooting, but here it was practically a daily occurrence if you wanted it to be. There were always dangerous animals about, as well as bandits and desperados who always felt they had something to prove. What made today different, though, was that he had someone to protect besides himself. He was sure Sara could handle herself, but it was part of being together. You were there for each other.

He nodded and replied, "Coffee sounds good, and I think we have enough to make Johnny cakes. We need to determine where to obtain supplies in town. Maybe see about some friends for Taft. You have firearms, right?"

Sara had come running, but she didn't bring a rifle or a pistol, so they'd have to work on that. You only had a ranch on the frontier if you knew how to defend it, and they would do that. At that moment, though, he had three coyotes to skin, which he did quickly, thanks to all the skills he developed through experience. Eventually, he had three pelts to bring in, and after caring for the horses and cleaning up, he came into the warm cabin.

Sara was busy in the kitchen, still wearing his hat, which made him smile. Taft had staked out a nice warm spot by the stove. He put the rifle and the pelts by his gear before walking over to Sara, and Jackon hugged her from behind.

"So glad I can hold you now and not just dream about you. I'm sure we can sell those pelts, but do you have a use for them here? We're partners in all this, but a hell of a lot more."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Oh, I have firearms, Jackson,” she grinned, “most of them are under the bed. They’re all primed and ready to use.”

Sara turned and headed inside to make them a pot of coffee and while she was there, she checked on the supplies to make Johnny Cakes and Jackson was right, they had enough. Sara wasn’t worried about weapons. She always kept hers clean and ready to use. You had to, out here in the wild west. You just never knew where danger would present itself.

She stood at the kitchen window, looking out and thought about how perfect johnny cakes sounded this morning. She also thought that she should have clarified with him what exactly he was thinking in relation to friends for Taft. She hoped he meant puppies. What other kinds of friends could there be?

It wasn’t long before Jackson came back inside. The sound of the door opening and closing drew her away from her thoughts just as a cold nose pressed against her leg, causing her smile and hunker down to pet Taft between the ears.

“You’re a good boy, Taft and an excellent guardian. I put some food in your bowl for you. Go eat.”

She urged him before giving him one more scratch behind the ears and drew herself up to pour them each a mug of coffee. Her smile grew larger as she felt his arms come around her from behind. Still holding both mugs she let herself lean back against his chest. He felt warm, reassuring and familiar.

“We can sell the pelts if you like. I still need to check my traps for beavers later. We shouldn’t have any shortage of pelts around here. Here’s your coffee.”

Turning in his arms, she held up his mug for him to take and smiled into his eyes.

“We’re definitely more than partners, partner.”