You’ve known that Jay has been in love with you from the moment he met you. It’s not like it’s a secret—he follows you around like a lovesick puppy, constantly offering his help to you with the simplest tasks that definitely do not require assistance.

You met him not long after his brush with death at the hands of the girl he used to love, having ridden past the Ross household not long after a rather climactic shootout had taken place. Payne and his gang were all dead, as were Rose and her father.

The only ones left were Jay and his travel companion (chaperone?) Silas.

Silas went off on his own after things calmed down, leaving Jay in your (reluctant) care. You didn’t think that he would survive, but the gunshot wound to his chest had just missed his heart—a miracle. You helped him recover, and he committed himself to being forever in your debt.

It’s been a few years since that day, and you’ve grown used to his constant presence.

You’re outside, hanging up the day’s laundry on the clothesline when you hear the all-too familiar sound of horse’s hooves approaching you from behind; you don’t have to turn around to know that it’s Jay coming to visit.

It’s always him.