On a hill on the east side of Saint Joseph, Missouri a young man stood looking out over the town. This town was situated on the Missouri River. It was a stop for cattle drives, wagon trains and people going west, north, or south. There were saloons, hotels, general stores, seamstresses, a livery, a blacksmith, a school and a church. It was also home of the Pony Express. He slowly headed down the hill towards the livery, which is located on the side of town.
This young man was known as The Kid. Kid had curly light brown hair, blue eyes, and was a bit shorter then most young men his age. Kid was a very well off person. When his parents had died they had left Kid a large sum of money. He had it in the bank. He also had money on him. He was heading for the Pony Express building. He didn�t want to live off his parents� money alone so instead he was going to try and get a job. He went in the livery first planning to buy a horse if one was for sale. To his amazement he saw a paint mare standing tied to a post. The sunlight was shooting across the mare�s head and touching her forelegs. She stood tall with long muscular forelegs. Kid, engrossed with the mare�s looks walked over to her.
�Git away from there,� the livery man said.
�Just lookin I ain�t meanin no harm,� Kid said.
�Nice, ain�t she?� the older man said.
�Sure is,� Kid answered running a hand over the mare�s neck and legs.
�Ya can have her for twenty-five dollars. Not like you�ll ever see that much money,� the man offered.
Kid nodded and took twenty-five dollars out of his pocket. The man�s mouth opened then closed surprised but took the money and walked off.
He went into the saddle room and brought out a saddle, bridle and saddle bag. He saddled the mare and handed the halter and lead rope to Kid. He also handed him the reins. Kid nodded his thanks and led the mare outside. He mounted up and rode over to the clothes store where they sold clothes. He dismounted, tied up Katy, the mare�s new name, and walked inside the building, which had weathered looking wood. He went to the seamstress and got fitted for a shirt, a jacket, and jeans. He also picked out a new hat and boots. They told him to come back the next day and he left. He went over to the Pony Express�s main building, leaving Katy tied and saw a sign which asked for young teenage boys, strong and orphaned for the Sweetwater branch of the Pony Express. He went inside to the front desk.
�Yes,� a man at the desk said.
�The sign out there,� Kid said.
�You want the job?� the man asked.
�Yes.�
�Any living relatives that you know about?�
�No sir.�
�The job is yers. Day after tomorrow go to the main corral behind the livery. You�ll meet your fellow riders and the man who�ll be your station master.�
�Thank you sir.� Kid walked out of the office and down to the hotel to rent a room. There was one room and he got it for the next two nights. He went outside and over to a general store. He chose a Colt Revolver and a gun belt and paid for them. He left and took Katy over to the livery and paid for the mare�s keep for two nights. He found a Palomino mare in a corral outside the barn. He went into the corral and walked towards the mare while he studied the mare�s movements. She came over to him and he rubbed his hand along the mare�s strong nose. She had a long flowing mane and tail. She looked as though someone looked after her real well. He went into the corral and looked the mare up and down.
�Why you in there with my horse?� A young male voice asked. He turned and saw a young man, a bit older then himself watching him. He had on a long tan tweed coat, black pants, a gray ten-gallon hat, a Colt Revolver, and black boots.
�Sorry I was just lookin at her. She�s a nice lookin mare,� Kid replied giving the mare a last look before heading out of the corral.
�I�m James B. Hickok, call me Jimmy though. Your name?� The fellow asked.
�Everyone calls me Kid,� Kid answered.
�Well nice to meet ya. I saw that paint mare in the barn and livery man said she belonged to ya. Are ya joining the Pony Express with her?� Jimmy asked.
�Yup, are ya?� Kid replied.
�Yea, I need a decent days work with good pay and something to eat in the evenings,� Jimmy answered.
�Ya got a place to stay tonight and tomorrow night?� Kid asked.
�Nope.�
�Ya could stay with me at the hotel if ya like, ya could sleep on the floor.�
�That�d be great, thanks.�
The two boys walked off together talking and getting to know each other better. That evening after they�d had dinner at the hotel restaurant they retired to the room. Kid looked at Jimmy.
�Where are they sending ya?� Kid asked him.
�To Sweetwater,� Jimmy answered.
�Same,� Kid answered.
�Well, don�t know about ya but I�m ready to sleep,� Jimmy said.
Kid nodded and grabbed some extra bedding and a pillow for his new friend. They fixed a makeshift bed on the floor and soon they were both fast asleep.
Two mornings later Kid and Jimmy with their horses headed towards the main corral at the livery. They found four other boys about their age. One looked like a half-blood Indian, one had no hair, one was really short with a hat covering his face and the other had blond hair. They all were strong looking fellows. Kid and Jimmy tied Katy and the Palomino, who was called Blaze, beside five other horses, a sturdy looking bay filly, a black mare with a stripe, a chestnut colt, a black colt, and a light bay filly. They walked over to where the others were standing. The six boys stood and waited and waited. Suddenly bubbles from the horse trough started coming up and the water moved. A man sat up and grabbed the bay filly�s tail. He rubbed his face on it.
�That felt good. I�m Teaspoon Hunter, ya�ll boys must be the Pony Express fellows fer Sweetwater. I�m yer boss and yus better listen to everything I tell ya. You�ll be ridin thousand miles. You�ll go through Indian Territory, unsettled country and through bad towns. There�ll be thieves, and Injuns watchin yer every move but the bag�s gotta get through,� the man said. He stopped for a breath and looked at them. �Names and ages, starting with that smallest one over there,� Teaspoon finished up.
�Lou Jones and I�m 15,� came the reply.
Kid was next. �Kid, 15,� he said.
�James B. Hickok, call me Jimmy and I�m 16,� Jimmy said.
�William F. Cody, call me Billy and I�m 16,� said the next person.
�I ain�t callin ya Billy, I�ll call ya as I please, Cody,� Teaspoon said.
�I�m Buck McDaniels and I�m 17,� the Indian said.
�A half-blood?� Teaspoon asked bringing some arrows over. He picked one out. �Who?�
�Kiowa,� Buck answered.
�This,� Teaspoon choosing another.
�Comanche.�
�And this?�
�Apache.�
�Ok. Next?� Teaspoon said.
�He can�t talk,� Buck said.
�Well what�s his name?� Teaspoon said.
�Ike Johnston, and he�s 17,� Buck answered.
�Ok boys if you have everything that belongs to ya with yer horse let�s go. We�ll start going to Sweetwater. Emma Shannon, and Rachel Dunne will be doing the washin, cookin, and cleanin, ya boys will do what they tell ya with no excuses otherwise I�ll have ya cookin fer a few days,� Teaspoon said.
The six nodded and headed over to where their horses were tied. Kid took Katy�s reins and mounted up. On one side Jimmy mounted Blaze and on the other Lou mounted a black filly. Teaspoon got the stocky bay filly and mounted her. A wagon came around the corner of the barn pulled by two gray colts. A young woman stepped out of the wagon. She had blond wavy hair and light blue eyes. She wore a long calico work dress with a light flower print on it. In one of the pockets was a golden pocket watch, on a black rope-string.
�I�m Emma Shannon and I�ll be lookin after yer well being,� the lady said. �Let�s git goin. Rachel Dunne, who is already in Sweetwater will also be lookin after you,� Emma finished.
The boys turned their horses to the edge of town. Emma led the way with Teaspoon right behind her. Buck and Ike followed closely, then Cody and Lou and last was Jimmy and the Kid. Kid rode silently beside his friend thinking about his new life with these people, all with different pasts but together with one common thing; for a decent job, money, a place to sleep and meals; to feel as part of a family. These were to be his new friends, and family. He would have to put his past life behind him. Teaspoon rode over to Kid and Jimmy.
�Where are you boys from?� Teaspoon asked.
�I�m from Virginia,� Kid said.
�New York,� Jimmy answered.
�A Southern boy you for slavery?� Teaspoon asked Kid.
�It�s part of my way of life, my father always owned slaves. I don�t know though,� Kid answered.
�And Jimmy, you against it?� Teaspoon asked Jimmy.
�A little because everyone deserves the right to their freedom. After all America is supposed to be a free country,� Jimmy said.
Teaspoon nodded and rode up to Lou and Cody. �Where you two come from?� He asked them.
�Iowa,� Cody answered.
�No where special,� Lou said.
Teaspoon looked at Lou for a moment and then rode forward. �And Buck, where you and Ike from?� Teaspoon asked the remaining two.
�I�m from a Kiowa village and Ike has never been able to tell me where he�s from. He uses Indian Sign Language, which I�m teaching him but he can hear perfectly fine,� Buck answered.
�You teach it to the rest of us, sometime so we can understand, Ike but until then you gotta translate what he�s sayin to us,� Teaspoon said.
�Yes, Mr. Hunter,� Buck said.
�Don�t call me Mr. Hunter, we�re family now you call me Teaspoon,� Teaspoon told him.
He rode back to the front and the rode in silence.
Chapter Two
A few weeks later they had settled into their new life. They were all good friends and looked out for each other. They were all learning Indian Sign Language for Ike. But there were separate friendships such as Ike�s and Buck�s, Cody�s and Jimmy�s and Lou�s and Kid�s. Kid and Jimmy were still very good friends. Their days consisted of riding, going into town, eating Emma�s meals, getting into trouble in Sweetwater and doing chores around the farm. One afternoon it was their day off and they were hanging around the farm. Jimmy had found a rattlesnake and was playing with it. Buck was making something with wood. Ike was breaking a horse. Lou was watching Ike. Cody was sitting on the porch on the bunkhouse trying to nap and Kid was washing Katy off. The mare was very dusty and needed cleaned.
Lou watched as Ike led the young chestnut filly for the first time. He rubbed her muzzle as he walked her.
�How do you do it, Ike?� Lou asked him with a smile.
Ike smiled and shrugged. �I don�t know, I just do,� he signed to Lou.
�Could I try?� Lou asked.
Ike nodded and Lou came into the corral. He handed the rope tied to the filly�s halter. Instantly the filly pulled back at the different person holding her rope. Lou handed the rope back to Ike and the filly calmed. Ike smiled and Lou left the corral and went over to where Kid was finishing up with Katy. Kid nodded a hello and untied the mare. Lou walked beside him as he put the mare in for the night.
�I saw ya try to led that filly. She�s a tough one made to be a wild horse not ridden. Ike�s good with her,� Kid said.
�Yea, but I like to try sometimes. Maggie is easy to handle. I bought her as soon as I left the place where I was living,� Lou said, speaking of the black mare that he owned.
�Yea well, lets go see what Jimmy�s up to,� Kid said, walking to where Buck sat and Cody joined them from the porch. �What�s he doing?� Kid asked them.
�Messing with that rattler over there,� Buck answered.
�Who�s got first ride tomorrow?� Cody asked.
�You,� Lou answered.
�I hate havin the first ride in the mornin. I prefer the mid-day ride,� Cody groaned.
�I�ve got the next ride after you and then Jimmy,� Kid said to him.
�I�ve got a ride the next day after Buck and then Ike,� Lou said.
Buck suddenly picked up his tomahawk and threw it at the rattler. The snake had been ready to strike Jimmy. It hit the rattler and sent it through the air. Jimmy glanced over and came towards them. He sat down beside Kid and looked towards Ike.
�How�d he get so good at that?� Jimmy asked.
�He�s just a natural I suppose,� Kid answered.
�Oh Kid you wanna go into town tomorrow? I need to pick up something from the store, before our rides?� Jimmy asked.
�Sure, I ordered something and was told to pick it up then,� Kid replied.
�Can I come?� Lou asked.
�Of course, let�s see what trouble we can get ourselves in,� Jimmy kidded. In Sweetwater they were always getting into trouble. It was one thing after another. So Jimmy�s remark was half teasing, half serious.
�Boys, lunch,� Emma called.
They all stood and walked over to the bunkhouse, which served as kitchen and a bedroom the six boys shared. It consisted of three bunks, a kitchen table, a wood stove, and places for them to keep their things and racks for their hats, gun belts, and coats. They all sat down in their usual places; Jimmy, Kid and Lou on one side and Buck, Ike, and Cody on the other. Teaspoon sat at the head and Emma and Rachel at the other end of the table. Teaspoon came in and joined them.
�Rides, are switched tomorrow, Kid you go first, Ike you next and then Buck. Cody, you, Lou, and Jimmy the day after tomorrow,� Teaspoon said.
�Teaspoon but I need to go to town,� Kid said.
�I�ll get whatever it is you need,� Jimmy offered.
�Just go the general store and ask for my package, it�s under my name,� Kid said.
�That�s cool, Lou you and Cody can come with me,� Jimmy said.
They all finished their meal slowly. Kid was staring at his plate. He finished and left the table. The others watched as he walked outside. Cody shrugged his shoulders.
�What�s got into him?� Cody asked.
�I dunno. He seems angry at somethin that he�s holding inside,� Jimmy said. �When we first became friends he was happy with no anger towards anything.�
�I don�t want him riding tomorrow, so it�ll have to be Ike, then Buck and Lou last. Is that ok?� Teaspoon said changing plans.
�Sure, Teaspoon, but is there another horse I can ride other than mine. He�s got a bit of heat in his left foreleg. I want give him a few days rest,� Buck said.
�You can use my bay mare or the gray filly that we sometimes use,� Teaspoon answered.
�Ok,� Buck said.
�I�ll be back,� Lou said. �I�m gonna go see what�s wrong with Kid,� Lou finished.
�Ok, but don�t push him if he doesn�t want to tell you anything then don�t force it,� Teaspoon said.
Lou nodded and walked outside. He found Kid sitting on the corral fence rubbing Katy�s cheek. He headed over there. Kid heard him and turned around. Kid grinned briefly then turned back to Katy. Lou climbed up beside him on the fence.
�Kid, what�s wrong?� Lou asked him.
�Nothin, I�m fine,� Kid answered puzzled.
�Somethin�s wrong, you can tell me,� Lou persisted.
�Well, I just get angry when I can�t do something as well as Jimmy, or be as good with the horses as Ike. I�ve never been good at something and I�ve always been teased by fellow friends, but because I�m so kind and caring I never fight back yet I hurt. I�m hurt now,� Kid said.
�Hurt by what? That you�re not as strong as the others and you feel put down?� Lou said.
�Yes, I feel very put down,� Kid said. He jumped down from the fence and into the corral he mounted Katy without a bridle or saddle. �This is when I feel like I can do anything. I feel as one with Katy,� Kid finished. He turned Katy and trotted around the corral. Lou turned and walked back to the bunkhouse. Inside he sat down beside Jimmy.
�Find out anything?� Buck asked.
�He seems angry at the world but he won�t go into details,� Lou said.
�There�s not much we can do for him. Just give him some space and see if he�s ok,� Teaspoon said.
Everyone nodded. Teaspoon stood up and walked outside. Emma cleared the dishes and washed them. Rachel helped Emma before heading out to get the sheets off the line. The boys were tired. They�d been up since six that morning. They�d been in town, come home and worked on different things. Emma left and the boys got ready to lie down. Teaspoon came back in with Kid following quietly. He looked sad and depressed. Teaspoon came over and pulled a chair out. He sat on it. Kid unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. Then he pulled his boots off. He took his hat off. He�d left his jacket when he�d gone outside. He walked over and sat on Lou�s bunk, which was under Kid�s.
�Boys I want you to know something, you can come to me for anything. I�ll try my best to help you with your problems and if I can�t there�s Emma, Sam, or Rachel and you�ve also got each other. I don�t want us keeping everything secrets,� Teaspoon said.
�Thanks, Teaspoon,� Ike signed from his top bunk above Buck�s. The other bunk was Cody on top of Jimmy.
Kid nodded and looked at Teaspoon. �Teaspoon, thanks for everything,� Kid said.
�No need to thank me. Why I think of you boys as my sons,� he said shyly. �Now you boys get your sleep,� he finished standing up. He put his chair back under the table and left the room.
Kid climbed into his bunk and lay down. Jimmy came over to him. �You ok, Kid?� Jimmy asked him.
�I�m fine jus tired. I�ll tell you more tomorrow,� Kid said. Jimmy nodded and went back to his bunk. Cody looked at Jimmy and shrugged. Lou finished getting ready for bed and looked up to Kid.
�You sure, you�re ok, Kid?� Lou asked.
�I�ll tell ya sometime tomorrow,� Kid answered. He looked down and smiled at him. Lou nodded and ducked back to the bed under Kid.
Ike was signing something to Buck. �Ike says be quiet he�s got first ride in the mornin and he needs his rest. Kid nodded and Lou got up and went to blow out the lamp. He went and lay back down.
Chapter Three
When Kid woke up in the morning Ike was getting ready for his ride. Cody was sitting up in his bed rubbing his eyes. Jimmy was heading out the door. Lou was buttoning his shirt and Buck was pulling his boots on. Kid sat up, �Why didn�t anyone wake me up?� He asked.
�Morning Kid we thought we�d let you sleep this morning,� Cody said.
Kid nodded and hopped out of his bed. He grabbed his pants and pulled them on. He slipped into his shirt and buttoned it up. He grabbed his hat, while slipping on his gun belt. Kid pulled his coat on and went outside, placing the hat on his head. He went into the corral and cut Ike�s horse from the rest and led the colt out and tied him up. He went into the barn and got the horse�s saddle and bridle and brought them back out. He quickly saddled the colt. As he was tightening the girth the rider from Ft. Laramie galloped around the corner. He finished quickly.
�Ike, yer up!� He called walking the horse to the bunkhouse. Ike flew out and mounted up. �Take care,� Kid said. Ike nodded and rode forward.
Later on that afternoon Kid, Jimmy and Cody sat in the saloon having a drink when Buck came in. They greeted him and finished their drink. �What�s with Lou? I was trying to tell him somethin but he just grabbed the mail and left. There were some Comanche and Kiowa out there. They might go after him,� Buck said getting a drink from the bartender.
�I�ll go find him,� Kid said running out the door. He untied Katy and mounted up. He headed out of town towards Lou�s route. Katy galloped quickly heading towards the place where her friend, Maggie was headed.
Kid raced down the trail hopping to find Lou still on his horse. The worst happened Lou�s horse galloped around the bend but Lou wasn�t in the saddle. The mail pouch was still attached to the saddle horn, flapping in the wind. Kid trotted Katy beside Maggie until the black mare walked and halted. Kid grabbed the reins and led the mare back the way she came. Kid finally found Lou laying the dirt. There was a wound in his right side near his chest. Kid halted and dismounted. He picked Lou up and placed him on Maggie. He remounted and turned back riding at a walk, leading Maggie. He reached a cabin, which he�d passed on the way and stopped. He dismounted and helped Lou off of Maggie. He carried Lou inside and laid down on one of the beds. He started to unbutton the shirt and Lou tried to fight him off but he couldn�t. Kid looked down then and saw somethin.
�What�s wrong Kid, never seen a girl before?� Lou asked.
�Why didn�t you tell me? This is no place for a girl,� Kid said.
�I couldn�t, I need the money to get my brother, Jeremiah, and my sister, Theresa. I didn�t have much choice,� Lou explained.
�Well, what am I supposed to do?� Kid asked.
�Don�t tell anyone, please,� Lou said. �If Teaspoon finds out he�ll have to fire me.�
�He wouldn�t,� Kid said.
�He�d have to,� Lou said.
�I won�t tell but now�s the time for you to get some rest,� Kid said. He pulled a blanket up over her.
Chapter Four
The next morning, they heard hoof beats and Kid went to the window. It was Ike, Buck, Jimmy, and Cody. Kid looked towards Lou then walked outside, she watched him.
�Lou ok, Kid?� Jimmy asked.
�I�m fine, Jimmy,� Lou said coming outside.
�Well we found the people who tried to kill ya. They�re on their way here,� Cody said.
�Well lets go find em,� Lou said.
�I�ll stay and wait for them, the rest of you ride on ahead,� Kid said taking the big rifle out of the holster on Katy�s saddle.
�I�ll stay with you,� Lou said.
�No! Go, with them it�s too dangerous,� Kid said looking in her eyes.
�Lou, can stay if he wants,� Cody said.
Kid nodded and Lou grabbed the rifle from her bag. The others turned and galloped off. Kid looked at Lou. �Why�d you want to stay?� Kid asked.
�You need help and I can help you,� Lou said looking towards a place where the ground went into a valley. There were fifteen to twenty men heading that way on many types of horses. Kid and Lou ran to their horses and hid them behind some bushes. Then, they went and watched them. The men reached the cabin looking carefully around them. Two dismounted and went inside. Another man watched the valley seeming to expect someone to come along any minute. Kid mentioned to Lou and they walked back to the horses careful not to tread on any leaves or stones. They led the horses away and mounted up once they were a safe distance from the men. Katy and Maggie took off at a gallop in the direction Ike and the others had gone. The men looked up and started shooting at them but missed. Two of them pointed in the direction they were going and the others came outside. They mounted and followed Kid and Lou. Katy whinnied sharply and pulled her head up, knowing the way she raced through bushes and places where it would be hard for riders to track them. Maggie followed closely behind Kid and Katy. The rounded a bend and galloped down a slope. Kid and Lou looked back and didn�t see the men. They galloped until they saw Buck, Cody, Jimmy, and Ike. They slowed beside them. Ike looked over.
�What happened?� He signed.
�Those men were chasing us as we came this way,� Lou answered.
�They were shooting at us,� Kid added.
�Let�s go we should reach Sweetwater by night fall,� Cody said. They turned their mounts and headed home. Katy and Maggie, worn out followed the other horses quietly. Kid noticed after a few minutes that something was wrong with Katy�s foreleg.
�Hold up, a sec,� Kid said halting Katy and dismounting. He picked up the left hoof that felt all wrong and looked at, cleaning dirt out with his finger.
�Well, what�s wrong?� Jimmy asked, resting his hand on Blaze�s neck.
�I�m not sure,� Kid said, putting the hoof down. He checked the mare�s shoulder and found a wound from a bullet. �She�s been shot,� Kid said.
�Well hop on up behind, me and we�ll lead her back,� Jimmy said. Kid nodded and walked over to Blaze. Jimmy gave him the stirrup to use and he mounted up, holding Katy�s reins. They set off again. It took them an extra hour to get home due to the slow pace that Katy set. The came to a halt in front of the house and Kid dismounted from behind Jimmy. He led Katy slowly over to the corral fence, his head hanging low. Lou walked up beside him, tying Maggie beside Katy. Katy gave a small wicker but she was too tired and injured to take notice. Teaspoon came outside and walked over to them. Exhaustion hit Kid smack in the face.
�What�s wrong with Katy?� Teaspoon asked.
�She got shot,� Kid answered removing the mare�s tack.
�Well let�s get it out,� Teaspoon said. The mare was completely exhausted laid down when Kid untied her from the fence.
Teaspoon nodded and went to the mare�s shoulder. He got a fire going, and put pressure on the area. He pulled a knife out of his pouch and used it to pull out the bullet while he held a burning piece of wood against it. The mare nickered and stood up.
�Thanks, Teaspoon,� Kid said walking the mare into the barn. He put her in the second stall, on the left side of the barn. In the stall beside Katy was the mare who had a young foal. Kid patted the mare�s neck and took off her halter. He put it on a hook outside the stall and shut the door. He turned and left the barn for some hay. He went back into the barn and put some hay in the wooden box in the stall. Kid took the water bucket from the stall and filled it at the tap outside. He took it into the stall and hung it up. He relatched the stall door. Katy nuzzled him and gave a soft wicker. He rubbed the paint�s nose and scratched her ears. He left after a moment and went outside. Lou came over to him.
�How�s Katy?� Lou asked.
�She�ll be ok in the morning,� Kid said.
�Oh, Kid, I�m sorry, why don�t you come in and have dinner?� Lou asked.
�I�m coming,� Kid said, pulling the barn door closed. Together they walked up to the bunkhouse. Kid walked in first and took his hat and jacket off. He put them over the rack and went to sit down beside Jimmy. Lou sat on his other side. Teaspoon watched him from the head of the table.
�How�s the mare?� He asked.
�She�s ok but a bit uncomfortable. I put her beside the mare and foal,� Kid said. Emma came around and put some food on his plate.
�This is what we�re gonna have to do. You�ll have to ride in pairs tomorrow. That means, Lou, Ike and Buck, you�ll have an extra ride tomorrow. Lou you�ll ride with Kid. Jimmy you�ll ride with Cody and Ike you and Buck will ride together. Anyone want to switch any of these rides around?� Teaspoon said. �I�ve also written to the headquarters in Saint Joseph, for more help.
�Why, are we doing this?� Ike signed.
�Those men might attack you, because your all apart of the Pony Express and they might try and get the bags,� Teaspoon answered. �No matter what happens them bags gotta get through. It�s also come to where we need extra riders. I asked for two or three.�
�Ok,� Kid said. �Can we take those big six-shooter rifles with us?�
�Yep, one of you from each ride will carry one of them rifles. I suggest Kid you carry it, Buck you carry it and Cody cause you�re the better long shot then Jimmy,� Teaspoon said.
�Well I�ll go and have my shower. Then I�m going to bed,� Kid said standing up.
�Ok,� Teaspoon said. Kid walked out and over to the shower house. It consisted of a single shower stall, with a huge water barrel up top and when you pulled a rope handle the water would come out. After he finished and dressed in clean clothes he went to Emma with his clothes. Emma looked at him.
�Want something?� She asked.
�Could you wash these tomorrow?� Kid asked.
�Sure, I wish those other boys were like you, staying clean all the time,� Emma said.
Kid nodded. �Could I talk to you about something?� He asked.
�Sure, go ahead,� Emma said.
�Well it�s like this, I found out somethin about one of the boys and I gave my word I wouldn�t tell Teaspoon but I feel bad about keeping it from him. What do you think I should do?� Kid asked.
�Well if you think that Teaspoon really outta know then you should tell him. What�s yer heart tellin ya?� Emma said.
�I�m confused because I want to do what�s right but I don�t lose my friend�s trust,� Kid answered.
�Well follow yer heart it�ll tell ya what to do in the end,� Emma said.
�Thanks,� Kid said.
�Good night, Kid and if you want to talk about it again, just come n see me,� Emma said.
�Night, Emma, see ya in the mornin,� Kid answered. He turned and went into the bunkhouse. Lou came over to him as he was taking off his clean jacket, and shirt. He pulled his gun belt off and hooked it over his bed post.
�What was you talking about with Emma?� She asked him.
�Nothing just having a casual talk,� Kid answered taking off his brown hat.
�Come outside for a minute,� Lou said.
�Ok,� he answered. He followed her out of the bunk. �What�s wrong?� Kid asked.
�Nothing but I just want to thank you for keeping my secret today with the boys,� Lou said.
�It�s not easy, especially Jimmy. He was my very first friend in this world. Other then you he�s me best friend,� Kid admitted.
�I understand, and I will tell them all,� Lou started. �Not yet though. I still feel like I�ve gotta prove myself to them. I�ve never done anything good in my life until now. I couldn�t even keep Jeremiah, my brother, Theresa, my sister and myself together. I worked for a brothel doing the laundry, and got attacked by the owner, Wicks. My only friend, Charlotte, helped me buy a train ticket to St. Joseph,� Lou finished.
�I�m sorry Lou, but I�ve had it pretty rough as well,� Kid said.
�Tell me,� Lou encouraged.
�Well my parents died when I was very little and I was sent to a foster home. My brother was sent to another one. They were mean to me, treating me like a slave. They made me work in the fields with their slaves. When I was almost 15 I ran away from them. I tried to find my brother, but by then he�d left his home. I wandered around without a horse to ride, without a place to sleep or proper food. When I arrived in St. Joseph I looked terrible. I received money from my parents but I didn�t want to use it. I was trying to persuade myself that I could and can do things on my own. Then I met Jimmy, through some sort of luck,� Kid said.
�That�s not terrible, but it is pretty bad. We�ve all had tough pasts but I hope those times are over,� Lou said.
�Well, lets go in and get some sleep tomorrow�s going to a tough day,� Kid said. Lou nodded and they walked into the bunk.
Chapter Five
The next day, Buck was on the early ride, much to Teaspoon�s objections
for
him to ride alone, and first. On the way, he heard lots of gunshots in
a
small town to his left. Curious, he turned to see what was the problem.
In
the middle of the town, a young boy with dark shoulder-length hair was
shooting
at a gang of outlaws from behind the corner of a building. With him was
a
trembling little girl of about five years old. The boy had an arm
around
her as if he was protecting her.
More curious than ever, Buck asked a bystander what was going on.
� You new around here, huh?� said the man standing next to him.
� Yeah, I�m just ridin through doing my Pony Express job,� Buck replied.
� Well, those outlaws were attackin that poor lil girl over there. So,
that
other boy stepped in and told �em to leave her alone. And the rest of
the
story you can see.�
� Oh. He�s sure puttin up a good fight,� said Buck.
Then suddenly, while the boy was still reloading, one of the gangsters
fired
a shot that got the boy in his shoulder. Then the fight got very ugly
as
the gang began to try and corner them. The injured boy picked up the
little
girl and ran, the wound bleeding heavily, staining the ground. The boy
placed
the girl on the back of a sleek black horse with a white star on its
forehead.
Then he mounted himself, urging the horse into a gallop away from the
attackers.
Buck followed on his own horse.
The boy, whose name was Dani, was growing steadily weaker. Then,
without
warning, Dani became unconscious, and fell from his horse. Buck quickly
caught
the boy�s horse and slowed. He lifted Dani back onto his horse and the
two
horses galloped back to the station.
� Hey, Jimmy!� Buck hollered.
� What?� Jimmy yelled back.
� Injured boy for you ta take care of while I take this girl back to
where
she came from. Ike, take his horse to the barn, okay?� said Buck. Ike
nodded,
and took the black horse�s reins from Buck. � I�ll tell ya the whole
story
later.� Then Buck rode off, his horse kicking up clouds of dust.
Jimmy took Dani�s limp body inside the bunkhouse and laid her on one of
the
bottom bunks. Dani was still unconscious, as Jimmy had to unfasten
Dani�s
shirt to have a better look at the bullet wound. It was at this moment
that
Dani�s eyes fluttered open to meet Jimmy�s. Then Dani colored up to his
forehead.
Or rather, HER forehead, when Jimmy looked. Jimmy�s mouth dropped open.
Literally.
Dani then reached out a hand to shut his hanging jaw.
� Yer gonna choke on a fly if you don�t shut that trap o� yours,� Dani
said.
� Now, quit gawking at me and check the wound will ya?�
� Oh yeah, sure,� babbled Jimmy as he examined the bloody hole in her
flesh.
The bullet wasn�t in too deep because he could see the dull gray metal
embedded
inside. � Hey, could you just wait a moment? I think I can get that
bugger
out with a small knife that Emma�s got in the kitchen.�
� Please yerself,� replied Dani, and Jimmy ran out of the room, glad to
leave.
He had never felt so nervous in his life.
While Jimmy was gone, Dani looked around but there wasn�t much to look
at,
so she closed her eyes. Then her eyes snapped open again. What had
happened
to the little girl? She could remember getting shot, then mounting
Bright
Star and riding off, and then she had blacked out�Dani gasped, and
tried
to get up, but she was still weak from losing all that blood. She was
also
dreadfully pale. A while later, Jimmy was back, with a small but hot
knife.
� Okay, this is gonna hurt�a lot, so get ready,� said Jimmy, reaching
for
the bullet with the end of the knife.
� Argh!� yelled Dani, the knife hot, very hot on her flesh. With one
quick
movement, Jimmy snatched the bullet and drew the knife quickly out,
tossing
it somewhere. Then he bandaged her wound with a strip of cloth. �
Thanks.
Yer pretty good at this,� said Dani, re-buttoning her shirt.
� Not really. You should thank Buck instead. He was the one who brought
you
back here,� said Jimmy.
� Buck, huh? Oh, well then, what�s yer name?� asked Dani.
� James. B. Hickok, but you can call me Jimmy, ma�am,� answered Jimmy.
� Dani, and don�t call me ma�am. If word gets out I�m a girl; I�ll get
fired.
And if I do, I�ll kick ya till you can�t sit down no more,� snarled
Dani.
� Now, where�s my horse and where�s that lil girl I was with?�
� Your horse is in the barn with Ike Johnston, a good friend of mine.
And
Buck is takin that little girl back to wherever �tis she came from.�
� That�s good, I was worried. But I hope Buck knows that gang ain�t
gonna
be friendly when he goes back with Rebecca,� said Dani.
� He�ll be fine. Would you like somethin ta eat?� asked Jimmy.
�Yea sure,� Dani answered.
Jimmy nodded and walked outside. Teaspoon walked in after he left.
�Hey, there Dani. Jimmy told me yer name. Can ya ride good?� Teaspoon
asked.
�Yea, I can ride,� Dani answered.
�You need a job?� Teaspoon said.
�Sure, I could use one,� Dani replied sitting up weakly. � I�m gonna
get
fired from my old one anyhow. I think I scared my boss�s regular
customers
outta their wits.�
�Ya can join us here as a Pony Express rider. We need the help. Ya can
start
as soon as yer wound has healed,� Teaspoon offered. �I�m Teaspoon by
the
way,� Teaspoon finished up.
�Thanks, that�d be wonderful. Now I�d like to get some sleep,� Dani
finished.
Teaspoon nodded, got up and left.
Meanwhile Kid was outside working on the corral fence when he heard
hoof
beats. He looked up and saw a bay horse coming on fast. �Someone�s
comein
fast! And they�re not on schedule!� Kid hollered.
The other boys raced out the bunkhouse, barn and other places, guns
ready.
Teaspoon came out hands on his hips. The rider pulled his horse to a
halt
and looked down. �Is this the Sweetwater Pony Express station?� He
asked.
�Sure is,� Cody answered.
�Well I�m Rae, the headquarters sent me here for a job. I�m to ride
with
ya,� the rider answered dismounting. �This is Young Thunder. Will there
be
any problem that I�m Native American?� Rae finished.
�Nope, Buck here is Native American and so is our other new rider,
Dani,�
Jimmy said.
�Gotta bed fer me?� Rae asked, leading Thunder over to the corral where
he
tied the colt up and began un-saddling him.
�You can go into the second bunkhouse with Dani. Lou I�m gunna move you
in
there as well,� Teaspoon said. �Kid, you as well. That�s so we�ve got
four
in each bunkhouse instead of six and then two,� the older man finished.
Kid nodded and went to get his things out the other bunk. He put his
clothes,
second pair of boots, bedding and everything else into his wooden
trunk,
which each of them had been given when reaching Sweetwater, picked it
up
and carried it off into the next bunkhouse. Lou followed him in with
her
own things.
�What�s this all about? How come we get two new riders in one day?� Lou
asked
him looking in his eyes.
�I dunno, but I think that�s a good thing,� answered Kid, putting his
things
away and Lou did the same.
�Hey, Kid, do you notice anythin strange �bout those new riders? They
don�t
seem much like guys, y�know,� said Lou.
�Like you, y�mean?� asked Kid.
�Well, maybe,� said Lou, a faint flush of red staining her cheeks.
�We�ll probably never know, anyhow. And they probably are men. They�re
just
thinner than the guys �round here. Don�t worry �bout it,� said Kid.
�Sure, whatever ya say,� said Lou. But to herself, she was still
thinking
it.
Later, Emma called everyone in for lunch, and all the Pony Express
riders
got to meet their two new riders.
�Hi. Who�re you?� asked Rae.
�Dani, one of the new riders. You must be Rae. Teaspoon already told me
you
were here. Pleasure,� said Dani, grinning.
�The pleasure�s all mine, Dani,� said Rae, smiling back. �Which tribe?�
�Apache, well, half anyway,� answered Dani. �How�d ya know?�
�I can tell. Kiowa and Paiute,� said Rae.
�Good ta see ya gettin acquainted,� said Emma. �Dani, help me set the
table.
You too, Rae. Rachel�s still gettin the sheets off the line.�
�Sure,� said Dani, and the two of them went into the kitchen.
Meanwhile,
the rest of the riders came in.
�So his name�s Dani, huh?� said Buck, listening to Jimmy.
�Yup. I think Dani would like ta thank ya for savin his life,� said
Jimmy.
Dani and Rae came back in, carrying plates of food for everyone. While
Dani
was laying the plates on the table, she glanced at Buck, who glanced
back.
�Are you alright? I�m Buck McDaniels,� said Buck.
�Fine, thanks. How�s Rebecca?� asked Dani.
�She�s alright. I took her home an� her mother wants ta thank ya fer
savin
her little girl,� answered Buck.
�She�s awful welcome. I�ll drop by ta see her tomorrow,� said Dani.
�No, ya ain�t. Yer still hurt. You ain�t goin nowhere,� Jimmy
interrupted,
his frown deepening.
�Why can�t he? He ain�t no girl,� Buck said. Jimmy opened his mouth,
but
after a poisonous look from Dani, he shut up.
�Stop talkin so much and start eatin,� said Teaspoon, settling into his
seat.
�Save the chatter fer later.�
Everyone fell silent and started to dig into their food. Lou kept
glancing
suspiciously at Rae and Dani, who were silent. They were both slim,
with
dark hair and eyes. Dani had dark skin, but Rae�s was a bit darker.
Dani�s
arm was in a sling, so she had to eat with her left hand. Dani had also
tied
back her hair into a short ponytail. Ike was also watching the new
riders
as well. But what really caught his glance was Dani. It was like Dani
was
familiar somehow, like he had met Dani before. Then Ike shook his head,
telling
himself silently that was impossible.
When everyone had finished, Teaspoon made everyone get acquainted.
�Dani, him over there is Kit Saunders, call him Kid. Next to him is Lou
Jones.
You of course already know Emma and Rachel. That�s William. F. Cody,
call
him Cody. Rae, these two here�s Jimmy and Buck. And this is Ike
Johnson.
He can�t talk, but he�s great with horses. Now, I�ll leave y�all ta
talk
while I take care o� some business,� said Teaspoon, opening the door
and
leaving briskly.
�So, do you have any family?� signed Ike to Dani.
�Only a sister, but she�s being raised by another family until I�m of
age
to take care of her,� Dani signed back.
�I can hear,� signed Ike.
�I know, but I like signing,� Dani signed back. Ike smiled. While they
�talked�,
the rest of them were having a conversation with Rae.
That night, when they had all changed into longjohns, they began to
settle
into their bunks.
�Top bunk�s mine,� said Dani, climbing up quickly, despite her injured
arm.
�Hey, I wanted top bunk,� Kid said going over to the other top bunk,
above
Lou.
�Pity, Kid, pity,� said Dani, smiling.
�Are ya sure yer arm is hurt? How can ya climb that fast?� laughed Kid.
�I git injured everyday of my life, Kid. I�ve even been shot in the
butt.
Twice,� said Dani.
�Did ya just have to share that with us?� said Rae.
�Just proving a point, Rae. Don�t git yerself in a knot,� said Dani.
�Excuse me, but I�m tryin ta get some sleep here,� Lou said from her
bunk.
�Sorry, Lou,� said Kid, Rae and Dani in unison.
�Just a moment. Who�s got first ride in the mornin?� asked Kid.
�I do,� said Rae. �G�night.�
Kid sat down on Lou�s bunk and looked at her. She wasn�t yet sleeping
and
opened her eyes to look at him. She sat up. �I think yer right, there
is
somethin strange about them,� Kid whispered.
�I think they�re girls, but we can�t ask them,� Lou whispered back.
�Why? Maybe Jimmy knows if Dani�s a girl,� Kid whispered. �I�ll go ask
him.�
Lou followed Kid outside. Dani and Rae watched as they left. They
stepped
into the other bunk. They were all still awake and talking. Jimmy
looked
up at them when they entered.
�What�s up?� Jimmy greeted them.
�Could we talk with you?� Lou asked.
�Sure,� Jimmy answered. He stood up and followed them outside. �Yea?�
He
asked after they�d sat down on the porch step.
�What do you know about Dani?� Kid asked.
�Not much,� Jimmy answered nervously. �Why? What�s wrong?�
�Tell us please,� Lou pleaded.
�I�ve got nothin to say,� Jimmy snapped going into his bunk, slamming
the
door behind him.
Kid pointed to the barn and Lou nodded. They walked out there. Kid
wanted
to check on Katy after what had happened to the mare a couple of days
or
so ago. She had been shot on the day Kid found out about Lou.
�What do you think?� Lou asked.
�I really believe you now, Jimmy�s never been like that around me.
Normally
we�re really close. I mean we�ve known each other since before we
started
this job. Do ya think he knows? He did, after all, remove that bullet,�
Kid
said.
�How did you know that? I thought Buck removed it, but obviously Jimmy
knows
something,� Lou answered.
�Well, I�m just guessing cause I saw Buck leave to take that lil girl
back
to that town. That reminds me what town do you think it is? We know
everything
about this Territory. We should go and check it out tomorrow after we
come
back from our rides. I�ve still gotta go into town for my package from
Sweetwater,�
Kid finished watching her carefully.
�I guess we could,� Lou said her cheeks turning red with the warm look
Kid
was giving her.
�Well should we keep askin him?� Kid asked giving her a very warm
smile.
He loved making her feel embarrassed. It was fun watching her start
blushing.
It was funny because she always tried to look away from him so he
wouldn�t
see her turn red.
�Stop smiling like that!� Lou exclaimed.
�Like what?� Kid teased with a bigger smile.
�You know, very well what I�m talking about.�
�No, Lou I don�t know, why don�t you give me an example.�
�Like the way you are smiling right now.�
�Let�s go to bed.�
�Ok.�
Meanwhile in the room Dani and Rae were talking quietly.
�Why do ya think they left?� Dani asked.
�Do ya think Lou�s a girl?� Rae asked not answering Dani�s question.
�Well those two act like they know each other better then friends could
ever
know each other,� Dani answered.
�Maybe, I think they went to talk with Ike and the others. After all
it was just the six of them until we both came on the same day,� Rae
stopped
for a minute. �Maybe they�re having trouble acceptin new people into
the
tight knit family that they seem to have. Teaspoon treats em like sons,
and
Emma and Rachel treat them like their boys. What do you think?� Rae
finished.
�I dunno. But I think that Lou is very much so a girl. And so are you,�
Dani
said.
�Well I know you are,� Rae answered not giving a straight
answer.
�And so?� replied Dani.
�Wouldn�t Kid feel funny, if he found out he was sharin a bunkhouse
with
three girls. Then again it doesn�t bother him that he�s sharin a bunk
with one girl. He seems to like it�Ya know?�
�I know. It�s plain as day,� said Dani.
�When
do ya think they�ll tell everyone the good news?�
�What good news?�
�Don�t play dumb, Rae. You know perfectly well what I mean.�
�And if I do?�
�Since ya do, say somethin bout it.�
�Tell me, now!�
�Tell you what?�
�What yer talkin bout!�
�Kid and Lou who else?�
�What on earth are you talkin bout? You think they want to get marri��
Suddenly
the door opens making Rae stop in the middle of the word
�What�s goin on here, we thought you�d both be sleepin,� said Kid.
�You outta be sleepin too, in case ya haven�t noticed,� Dani replied.
�Well our rides are later, not first and besides, Kid, Buck, Ike,
Jimmy,
Cody and myself have been known to go into town around this time and
get
ourselves in big trouble. We never go to sleep when Teaspoon says,� Lou
retorted.
�So why should we? Even though Rae has first ride, I don�t, so why
shouldn�t
I be up?� Dani said.
Lou opened her mouth to make a smart remark but Kid laid a restraining
hand
on her arm. She shut up and sent him a deadly look. �What?� She asked
innocently.
�I know what yer about to say. Don�t say it!� Kid told her sternly.
�Say what Lou?� asked Rae.
�Umm, please Kid let me say it!� Lou pleaded.
�Oh, go ahead and get yourself in trouble,� Kid replied.
�Well the new ones hardly ever stay up late cause they are very lazy,�
Lou
said not telling the whole truth.
�That�s all?� Kid asked incredulously, raising his eyebrows, surprised.
�That�s all?� echoed Dani, her own eyebrows rising.
Lou turns and goes back outside, slamming the door on her way. She went
to
Maggie, her horse, put a bridle on and mounted up. Kid, gave Dani a
dirty
look and walked out. He grabbed Katy, put the bridle on and mounted up.
Lou,
however, was trying to get away from the station. Kid, galloped at the
corral
fence, and Katy, listening to her owner, tried to get over it. She
tripped
and fell on the other side, landing on Kid. Lou turns back and galloped
Maggie
to him. Running to him she yelled �Teaspoon, hurry quick, Kid and Katy
are
very badly injured!�
Chapter Six
�What?!� Came hollers from both bunks, the house, and Teaspoon�s shed. Lou was knelt at Kid�s side holding Katy down. She knew that if the horse stood she would trample Kid. The others came out and ran to Lou, Kid, and the mare.
�What happened?� Teaspoon asked kneeling beside Lou. Lou had tears streaming down her face.
�It�s� all� my� fault� He� ch-chased� me out� of the bunk� I� I� heard� him.. rac-racing� Katy� trusted him,� Lou stopped for a breath between sobs. �They� couldn�t� make� it� over� the fence� she fell� la-lan-landing on� hi-him,� Lou finished.
Together they all flipped Katy to her other side. She stood up, not even touching Kid.
�I�m sorry, Lou. I never meant ta make ya and Kid so mad�,� began Dani, not knowing what to say.
They pulled Kid away from the mare and Ike led Katy off, who was limping, keeping her left foreleg off the ground. Lou ignored Dani and put Kid�s head in her lap. He suddenly gained consciousness. �Is she Ok?� Kid cried out.
�She�s fine,� Lou reassured him glancing at the mare. �Ike�s with her, in the barn.�
Kid nodded and everyone helped him up. Together they helped him into the room where someone who was sick or injured stayed, in the house. It was quiet there, where no one was allowed to be noisy. While everyone was fussing over Kid, Dani slipped out the door. She scribbled a note and took her stuff to the barn. She mounted Bright Star and rode off without anybody noticing.
�Is he gunna be ok?� Lou asked worriedly.
�He�ll be fine in a few days, no riding fer him, or sleepin on that top bunk after he comes round,� Teaspoon answered. Rachel brought a pail filled with lukewarm water and a rag. Lou took it from her and started to wipe Kid�s face.
�It�s my fault, I shouldn�t have snapped at him,� Jimmy said miserably.
�No, it�s mine if I hadn�t gotten angry with Dani, he wouldn�t come after me and gotten hurt,� Lou told him stubbornly. Suddenly, Ike came in.
He went straight to Buck. �Dani�s horse, is gone, so�s her things,� Ike signed so fast that Buck barely caught what he was sayin.
�Dani�s gone? Teaspoon, Ike says Dani�s horse and things are gone!� Announced Buck.
Teaspoon, however was more concerned about Kid�s injuries and didn�t hear him. Kid had definitely ripped muscles in his leg, but he couldn�t determine anything else. After all, he wasn�t a doctor or anything. Lou looked at a bruise that was getting bigger on the back of Kid�s head as she was wiping his neck with warm water to get him cooled off and a bit clean. Lou�s heart ached for him as she saw a bunch of cuts and plenty of bruises as she cleaned up his arms.
�We�ll have to get the doc out here in the mornin,� Teaspoon said. Cody went to the window and looked out.
�You don�t have to wait, we�ve been up all night. The sun�s wakin up,� Cody tried to lighten up the tense atmosphere
They took a blanket and covered Kid. There was nothing else they could do until the doctor came. Lou still had tears streaming down her face.
�Lou yer a girl ain�t ya?� Teaspoon gently asked.
�Well�yes,� answered Lou slowly. �But don�t you gotta fire me?� Lou finished with frustration. She wanted Kid to wake back up and stand up and say that nothing was wrong. Meanwhile, Jimmy had calmed down a bit from Kid�s accident, and went off to the other bunk. He found a piece of paper lying on the table, and quickly read it, barely understanding the poorly written note.
�Teaspoon! Dani left, fer good!� yelled Jimmy, running into the house.
�Good!� snapped Lou.
�What do you mean good?� Jimmy demanded, glaring at Lou furiously. But, before they could continue their argument, a horse�s galloping hooves caught their attention.
�It�s Doctor Mathis!� hollered Cody.
�But how did he know we needed him?� asked Teaspoon. Then the door opens and slams shut as Dr. Mathis comes in. �Dr. Mathis! What�re you doin here?�
�A young halfblood Injun boy came in and told me that Kid was hurt, so I came as quick as I could,� Mathis said. �I�ve seen him ridin with ya�ll.� Everyone fell silent. They knew exactly whom he was talking about. Jimmy glared at Lou even angrier, and Lou�s face was frozen between disbelief and gratefulness.
�Stop bein so angry, Jimmy that ain�t gunna help any!� Emma exclaimed at him getting a bit angry herself.
�Sorry Emma, but it�s just that, Lou doesn�t seem to care bout Dani,� Jimmy said lowering his head.
�She�s got enough on her mind without thinkin bout Dani as well,� Rachel said.
�Well, ya don�t have ta worry bout her no more, cause she quit! And yer all too quick ta forget that she got the doctor here!� Jimmy exploded. Everyone gaped at him. Then Kid suddenly jumped awake, exclaimed, �Damn it! Why�d you put me in a bunk with those girls? Teaspoon�!�
�How was I supposed ta know?� said Teaspoon, scratching his head furiously. No one had noticed Ike had escaped and galloped off on his horse, Razor. He followed Bright Star�s tracks and soon caught up with Dani, who was checking Bright Star�s hooves for stones.
�Why�d ya quit?� Ike signed furiously.
�Cause it�s my fault Kid�s hurt,� said Dani bitterly, picking the stone out and mounting again.
�It�s nobody�s fault. It�s just an accident.�
�It�s my fault, and I�m movin on, like I meant ta before I met yous. It�s ironic, that I only spent a day or so with you guys before one o� ya started hatin me,� spat Dani.
�That ain�t true. Lou and Kid don�t like anything comein between em. When somethin does they get angry with them or it. Don�t be hard on Lou. This a lot to take in at once. She cares fer Kid and he�s her best friend. Just come back please. At least come back and make things right cause Jimmy and Lou are fighting, and Buck is worried. Rae seems nervous without ya there. Please, Dani,� Ike signed, trying to help everyone.
Dani was silent, and there were some deep crease lines in her forehead. She looked tired and older than she should. �I suppose I should go back to settle everyone, but I�m leavin when it�s over. I gotta apologize to Kid personally and quit myself.�
�Let�s go!� Ike said pleased with himself. Together they turned and galloped back to their friends. They reached it and dismounted throwing the horses� reins over the hitching post as they ran into the house, anxious to see how Kid was.
When they entered Lou glared at Dani. �Why�d you come back?� Lou snapped.
�I want to set things right. Lou, I don�t want you angry with me. I didn�t mean for all this to happen,� Dani whispered.
�You should�ve come to me earlier, not waited. Look, at him. What�s he supposed ta do now?� Lou asked still very upset.
�Lou, I�m gonna be ok,� Kid said still awake. She looked at him and smiled.
�I�ll send a message to the other stations that we aren�t workin today, so�s they avoid this station,� Teaspoon said. �In the meantime lets all try and get some sleep. Dani, stay, we need the help. No one caused Kid�s accident, it just happened,� Teaspoon finished.
Dani looked at him. �But I don�t see how I can after everythin that�s happened. It just doesn�t seem fair that Kid�s the one who�s injured. He didn�t deserve it,� Dani said miserably
�I�m sorry, Dani, I didn�t mean to be so mean but I�m so upset, I can�t think straight,� Lou said softly.
�Well, I dunno know bout the rest of ya but I�m hungry,� Cody said.
�Yer not the only one,� Rae chimed in.
�Yea, I�m supposed to get better but I can�t if Emma or Rachel don�t cook somethin,� Kid added on.
�Kid, what do ya want?� Emma asked completely ignoring Cody.
�Well Kid if you ain�t ready to die, I�m gonna wait in the kitchen,� Cody said tryin to joke. Kid grabbed Lou�s rag and put it in the pail. After it was soaking he hit Cody smack in the back as he was walking out the door. Cody turned around. �Hey!� He exclaimed.
Everyone laughed as Cody got outta there to go change his, now wet shirt, so he looked nice when he went into town that afternoon.
�Hey, I�ll git both you two somethin while yous have a moment alone,� said Dani, herding the rest of them out, including the good doctor.
Lou smiled tightly, and as the doors closed, Lou turned to Kid and they just sat there looking at each other, a silent conversation passing between them. Lou smiled blushing a bit at what was going on through her head. Kid slowly sat up wincing as his leg hurt him. She helped him put a pillow behind his head. He pulled her into his arms and she laid her head on his chest. She decided to shut her eyes for just a minute. Her brain however had different ideas, she was asleep in seconds. Kid looked down at her and smiled. He knew she�d been up looking after him. Kid stroked her hair as she relaxed into sleep. The door opened then and Cody came back in with a clean shirt. Emma followed with the food. Kid put a finger to his lips telling them to keep silent. Emma smiled at them, looking happy yet tired for him.
�I�m gonna go lay down fer a little while,� Emma whispered leaving the food on the table beside the bed. Kid nodded as she left the room. Cody took up the chair that Lou had been occupying.
�She ok?� Cody whispered.
�Yea, jus completely worn out,� Kid whispered back. Cody tried unsuccessfully to hide a yawn. �Go ta sleep yerself,� Kid told him. Cody got up and left as Dani came back inside.
�You twos were meant fer each other, so don�t let her go, Kid,� said Dani quietly, bringing some fresh water for Lou to cool Kid down with later. Then she left as well and Jimmy came in then.
�Lou asleep?� He asked. Kid nodded. �Well when she wakes up tell her I wanna talk to her but let er sleep, she needs it,� Jimmy said.
When he left the room like the others, he joined Dani, who was curled up on a chair, nodding off, her head rolling slightly. There were slight shadows under her eyes from lack of sleep, like Lou�s but Lou�s were darker due to her being more worried then the rest about Kid. Dani thought Kid and Lou looked good together but she tried not to let her feelings get the better of her. Rae was sitting in another chair also dozing.
�Rae?� Cody asked. �You ok?�
�I�m fine, just worried bout him. I�ve been tryin to keep quiet to stay outta the arguments and the tension. How�s Lou?� Rae said.
�Sleep with her head on Kid�s chest,� Cody answered.
Rae smiled and nodded. �I�m not surprised the way she�s been lookin after him all night,� Rae murmured quietly. �And Kid? How�s he?�
�He�s gonna be ok,� Cody answered, settling into the chair beside Rae.
Teaspoon walked up to them and looked at all of them gathered outside. �What�s goin on?� He asked.
�See fer yerself,� Jimmy said pointing to the closed door. Teaspoon nodded and quietly opened the door. He looked at the bed. Lou and Kid were both fast asleep. He saw what Jimmy had meant. He noticed that neither had eaten. He also noticed how they were sleeping. She was curled up against him with her head resting on Kid�s chest. Kid had his arms around her with his chin resting on top of Lou�s hair in such an adorable way that Teaspoon would hate to interrupt, so he left the room like everyone else. He then met another cute sight. Dani was asleep, deeply now, and Jimmy was gently brushing all the loose strands of hair out of the way of her face.
�Cody,� Rae said. �There�s somethin I need to tell ya and everyone else.�
�Go ahead,� Cody urged.
�Guess,� Rae told him.
�I dunno, tell me,� Cody replied.
�I�m a girl� like Dani and Lou,� Rae whispered.
�Great, three girls but why didn�t you tell me?� Cody asked incredulously.
�I couldn�t,� Rae answered.
�I wouldn�t tell. I would�ve kept yer secret.�
�Jimmy promised Dani, but today he just let it slip.�
�Damn�Kid has been sharing a bunkhouse with three girls. I can�t believe it.�
�We didn�t do nothin, in case yer gettin ideas.�
�I ain�t. I�m just wondering, that�s all,� said Cody.
�Look at Jimmy and Dani, they�re so cozy together, like Lou and Kid. But I still don�t know what�s gonna happen when this is done, cause there�s still plenty of tension even if we�ve lightened it a bit.�
�What did you think about when you first met Lou and Dani?� asked Cody.
�That they definitely weren�t boys. But Kid and Lou are meant for each other.�
�Yer right, but you should git some sleep yerself, okay?� said Cody gently.
Rae nodded, stood up and walked outside. She headed over to the bunk glad to have told Cody, about herself. She turned and headed to the barn first to find out how Katy was doing. Katy stood in the stall beside the mare and foal with her head hanging low. She still had the foreleg off the ground but Ike had rigged up a sling so the mare couldn�t put her leg down on the floor. She walked over to the mare and rubbed the mare�s nose. Katy gave a distressed wicker and she looked over Rae. Rae could see that Katy wanted to see Kid, her owner and partner. She scratched the beautiful paint�s muzzle. When she heard footsteps she turned to see who it was. It was Doctor Taylor, the animal doctor.
�How�s the mare?� He asked.
�Injured pretty badly. She hurt her foreleg and has bruises. She�s better off then Kid, however,� Rae told him.
The doctor nodded and went into Katy�s stall. He felt the mare�s leg for swelling. �She�ll be ok, that leg�s just got some swelling. It�s not broken. I�m more worried about that wound on her chest though. It looks like she lost a lot of blood. I�ll just stitch it up and someone�s gonna have to keep her clean. You can walk her around when she seems more comfortable. There�s nothing else I can do for her now. It�s all up to her if she wants to get better,� the doc said finishing up his examination and starting to stitch the chest wound. He finished up and gathering his things he left. Rae left the mare and headed up to the bunk. She went inside and lay down on her bed. In seconds she was out like a lamp.
Up at the house Lou was still sleeping but Kid had woken up. He shifted
a bit so that he was more comfortable. Emma came in and looked at him.
�How are ya feelin?� She asked.
�Better but my leg hurts like heck,� he answered. �But it don�t hurt so much when Lou�s here.�
�Ahhh, that�s so sweet Kid,� Emma smiled at him.
Lou stirred beside him and he looked at her as she began waking up. Her eyes opened and when she saw Kid, she smiled, and then colored furiously when she found herself practically in Kid�s arms. He just smiled at her ignoring the fact that she was blushing. �How�re ya doin?� Kid asked her.
�Tired, hungry, hmm, and comfortable,� Lou said her cheeks bright red. Emma slipped quietly out of the room, but they didn�t notice.
Suddenly the door came open and Marshal Sam Cain walked through it. �What happened, Kid?� He asked going over to the bed.
�Didn�t someone tell ya?� Lou asked sitting up.
�No everyone�s dead asleep out in the hall,� Sam answered.
�Kid and Katy tried to jump the corral fence but Katy fell on top of him. He�s got ripped muscles in his leg,� Lou told him.
�I get it now, Lou. Are ya a girl?� Sam asked.
�Yup,� Lou answered, laying her head back on Kid, wanting more sleep.
�I�m glad cause the way you and the Kid are around each other. Not that I didn�t already have an idea that you were,� Sam said. Emma walked in then, and she was surprised to see him. He smiled at her. �Rough night?� He asked.
�What do ya think?� Emma asked him, smiling back.
�I shouldn�t ve asked,� Sam told her.
Together they left Lou and Kid to themselves. Lou looked up at Kid with soft eyes. He looked back with a warm look and their eyes locked. Neither wanted to look away and break the trance. Then, Buck came in, and after one glance at his friends, he rolled his eyes heavenward and escaped. Outside the room everyone was starting to wake up. Rae came up from the bunkhouse. Dani was mortified with Jimmy, cause his hand was still on her hair. Teaspoon came up from his place and walked over to them.
�Why ain�t anyone inside?� Teaspoon asked.
�See fer yerself,� Rae told him. He nodded and walked in but with one glance he turned, and like Buck escaped into the real world.
�I see what ya mean. How long they been like that?� Teaspoon said.
�Since last night,� Emma told him. �I brought up their food and they didn�t eat it. Lou jus fell asleep.�
�Aww, that�s sweet. But they ain�t gonna stay that way. They gotta eat sometime, and Lou�s gotta do her job.� Teaspoon told em.
�Jus leave �em fer a while. They need some time together. Lotsa time,� said Dani, her eyes glittering. Her dark hair was mussed up, thanks to Jimmy hanging on to it while he fell asleep.
�Yea, they�ve had a lot of things happen,� Cody added. He had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep.
�I suppose,� Teaspoon said.
Rae sat down in the chair she�d occupied last during the night. Everyone wore dark circles from lack of sleep. Even Sam was still there. �I�ve gotta get back to Sweetwater, if you need any help, I�ll be there. I�ll come and check on the Kid after I�ve taken care of some things.� Sam said walking out the front door.
�What do we do now?� asked Buck, breaking the silence.
�Whatever you want
but I imagine that�ll probably want to sleep some more,� Teaspoon
answered.
Chapter
Seven
�I�m takin a walk outside,� said Dani, taking up her hat and placing it
on her head. She stepped outside and went to the hitching post, where
Bright Star was still tied up. She mounted Bright Star and nudged her
into a lope.
�Hey, where�s Dani running off to?� said Jimmy, about to go after her,
when Ike put a hand on his arm and signed, �She�s comin back.�
�But where�s she goin?� Jimmy demanded of Ike. Ike shrugged.
�I don�t know, but she�ll be back. Trust me,� Buck translated from
Ike�s signing.
�You�d better be right about that, Ike,� said Jimmy, sitting down again.
�Yea she�d better come. I�m goin inta Sweetwater. I have to get outta
here,� Rae said jumping up.
�Want company?� Cody asked.
�Hurry up,� she told him. They walked out and grabbed their horses from
the corral. They saddled them, mounted and left.
Suddenly Thunder reared up. Rae heard a sound, a sound she knew better
then any other. It was a rattler ready to strike. Cody shot it but Rae
fell. Thunder still wild with anger trampled her and turned back home.
He galloped off leaving Rae, Cody and Glory. Cody halted and
dismounted, terrified. He knelt beside her to see what he could do. He
gently lifted Rae onto Glory and mounted behind Rae�s limp body. He
wheeled Glory around and raced back home. �Help!� He hollered reaching
the yard. Teaspoon ran out with the others following closely behind.
Standing near the barn Thunder had his head low. Teaspoon and Jimmy
gently lowered Rae to the ground. Cody dismounted and threw Glory's
reins over the hitching post. They carried her up to the house and put
her in the bed beside Kid. Lou, hearing all the noise watching as Cody,
Jimmy, and Teaspoon carried Rae inside and laid her on the extra bed.
�What happened?� She asked anxiously.
�Thunder reared up at a rattler and she fell. I shot and killed the
snake but Thunder, turned and trampled her on his way here,� Cody
answered.
�How�s Kid?� Buck asked.
�Getting bored of laying around. He wants to see Katy, to see if she�s
all right. He�s still blaming himself fer hurtin that wonderful mare,�
Lou answered. Teaspoon, working on Rae�s wounds, un-buttoned his shirt
or rather HER shirt.
�This is weird,� Teaspoon said.
�What do ya mean, Teaspoon?� Lou asked.
�Another girl, that�s what,� he answered.
�I think I�d better let Kid know that he�s sharin a bunk with not two
girls but three,� Lou said quickly walking outside of the room. She
walked into Kid�s room and smiled at him. He smiled back. �I gotta tell
ya somethin that ya ain�t gonna like,� Lou said sitting down on the
bed.
�What?� Kid asked curiously.
�Yer in a bunk with three girls,� Lou told him arrogantly.
�Damn it!� He shouted. �What is this the Women�s Pony Express?�
�If it was you sure wouldn�t be here, nor would Jimmy, Cody, Buck or
Ike,� Lou said.
Cody came in then. �What�s all the hollerin about?� Cody asked.
�I jus told Kid bout Rae,� says Lou, smiling even more wickedly.
�I can�t believe it! How dare Teaspoon put me in the same bunk as three
girls!� exclaimed Kid.
�Kid, are you sayin you wouldn�t want to be in the same bunk as me?�
Lou asked trying to sound hurt.
�Lou, that�s a whole different matter and you know it,� Kid told her.
�You still didn�t answer my question,� said Lou.
�I�m not sayin with Cody here. He might tell Jimmy what I say, or even
tell the whole gang,� Kid answered turning beet red.
�What you don�t want them to know how much you like me?� Lou asked now
very hurt.
�Ya know that ain�t it at all, Lou Jones!� Kid said, now scarlet. Lou
smiled at the sight, thinking him very cute and lovable.
�Oh please!� Cody exclaimed leaving the room in a huff.
�Kid, are ya ashamed o� me or somethin?� said Lou, with a pained look
on her face.
�No, I jus feel very embarrassed when ya want me ta say it in front of
Cody or the others,� Kid replied, his face now practically maroon. Lou
almost expected his face to glow now.
�Hmmf!� grumbled Lou, crossing her arms across her chest.
�Lou, please don�t be angry, I�ve never had these kinds of feelins
�afore now,� Kid pleaded, slowly pulling her into his arms.
Lou was about to reply, but it died in her throat when she saw the warm
loving look on Kid�s face. Closer and closer�and finally, Kid�s lips
met hers in a gentle kiss. Lou�s heart was racing. She put her arms
around him. They didn�t know how long they kissed, but they couldn�t
have cared less. That is, until Emma came in, carrying some more water
and things. They didn�t hear her come in though, but they definitely
heard her when-
�Ahem,� said Emma slyly, leaning on the doorframe. Kid and Lou broke
apart guiltily, their faces going an alarming shade of scarlet.
�I was jus helpin get some dirt outta her eye,� babbled Kid.
�It looked more like you was kissing to me,� Emma said with an evil
smile.
�What�s wrong with that?� Lou asked innocently.
�Nothin much, but why don�t yous two git married and have it over
with?� said Emma, grinning broadly. �Ya might as well announce it,
�cause everyone already knows yer goin ta anyway, sooner or later.�
�I�uh�um�� stammered Kid nervously. Lou sent him a heart-melting smile
that made him feel warm all over.
�Go ahead say it,� Emma told him.
�Bu-bu-but� sa-sa-say, wh-what�� Kid said still stammering.
�I said, say it! For Lou, ya big idiot!� Emma urged.
�I�m no idiot! I can�t ask Lou to move everytime I decide to run from
one place. What would happen to Jeremiah and Theresa,� Kid complained.
�It wouldn�t matter,� said Lou softly, holding Kid�s hand.
�I don�t know, I just don�t know,� Kid whispered feeling like he was
being ganged up on. But Lou�s way of trying to soften him, was working
slowly but surely.
�Maybe you need some help,� murmured Lou, her lips brushing his flaming
hot red cheek.
�Lou, stop it,� Kid whined at Lou. Emma quietly left the room.
�Kid, say somethin!� said Lou impatiently. �I wanna hear it very soon,
or else.�
�Say what or else?� Kid asked playing dumb.
�Kit Saunders, if you ain�t gonna say nothin ta me, than I�m leavin!�
Lou exclaimed.
�Louise Jones, what the heck are you talkin about?� Kid said playing
even dumber.
�Okay, Saunders, I�m givin you till the count of three ta say somethin,
or I�m leavin ya behind.�
�You wouldn�t do that ta me; ya love me to much to leave me!� Kid
exclaimed triumphantly.
�One�Saunders, I ain�t KIDdin this time�Two��
�Well you wouldn�t! What would ya do without me? I�m perfect for ya and
you know it soo na na na na na,� Kid said in a teasing voice.
�I�m gonna marry Hickok then, so you�d better say it�Two and a half��
�But its too early, Jimmy wouldn�t marry ya anyways. Haven�t ya seen
the way he looks at Dani?� Kid answered.
�I�ll use my charm on him, you�ll see�Two and three quarters��
�Yer MEAN. I don�t even know what� how� to� well ya know�WILL YA MARRY
ME?� Kid shouted.
�What the heck?� Jimmy hollered.
�Shhh�� Teaspoon whispered to him, straining to hear Kid and Lou.
�YES! YES! YES! YES!� Lou shrieked, jumping up and down with joy.
�Congratulations!� Everyone shouted from all directions. They all ran
into the room like a herd of horses.
�Yippee!� Kid shouted.
Rachel, who�d been outside at the clothesline had no idea what was
going on until she heard Kid�s shout. Rachel left the basket and went
inside to fine out what all the damn noise was about. She ran up to the
room.
�What�s goin on?� Rachel asked.
�Do you need to ask that question? Jus look at those two grinning
idiots over there,� Jimmy told her grinning at his best friend.
Rachel smiled. �When?� She asked.
�Dunno,� Kid answered, his eyes never leaving Lou�s face.
They celebrated all afternoon and throughout the evening. Suddenly, a
horse�s galloping hooves could be heard coming towards the station. Ike
looked outside the window and saw Bright Star and Dani coming back. As
she came in, she smiled at all the happy faces, including Rae�s. �Let
me guess,� Dani said, pretending to ponder on the thought, �Kid
proposed to Lou.�
Lou nodded, her face glowing with happiness.
�Congratulations, Missus Kid Saunders to be,� said Dani. �Oh and here�s
some herbs that my friend gave to me to help Kid and Rae. It helps the
pain go away,� she finished, glancing at Rae and her injuries. Silently
she beckoned for the others to leave. They understood and left, leaving
Kid and Lou to themselves.
�I can�t believe it,� Lou whispered to him excitedly.
�I love you, you love me what could be more important?� Kid asked
holding Lou to him.
�Let me think�� Lou murmured letting the sentence trail.
�No,� Kid softly whispered against Lou�s ear. �Yer ain�t allowed ta
think now, cause yer mine and I�m thinkin for ya.�
�No ya ain�t. I got a mind of my own. I�ll think and act fer myself,�
Lou said stubbornly.
He tenderly kissed her on her hair. �Fine, fine. But you haven�t
said ya love me yet,� Kid said.
�Well I do,� Lou said modestly.
�I�ve gotta get ya a ring,� Kid told her.
�Do ya?� Lou murmured.
�Yes, if you�ll go into my trunk there�s a box on the top corner bring
it to me. Also bring me some clean clothes,� Kid told her. She nodded,
got up and left.
Lou walked into the bunkhouse and over to the trunks. She found Kid�s
and did as he had asked. She took the box and clothes up to him. He
took the box from her and opened it.
�Lou, these are all the things I have left from my parents. They left
me money, but my brother Jed got most of their things. What I really
want to do is find my sister, Carrie,� Kid talked softly. He lifted a
ring out of the box. The ring was very simple with a diamond and silver
band. �This was my great grandmother�s. She handed it on to my
grandmother who gave it to my father who gave it to my mother. My
mother gave me this and said that I would find the prefect person to
give it to one day. She was right, I�ve found the person to give it
to,� Kid said taking Lou�s left hand and placed the ring on her ring
finger. Lou held it up to the lamplight and it shined brightly. �I also
received these,� Kid continued lifting out two small boxes. He opened
their lids. �These were my parents� wedding rings. When we marry we can
wear these, unless you object,� Kid finished.
�They're beautiful, Kid and I�d be honored to wear it,� Lou answered
him softly, her eyes shinning brightly. She glanced at the ring on her
hand. They heard noises and turned to look at the door. The doctor,
Sam, and Teaspoon came inside.
�Um, Lou, the doctor needs ta do a complete check-up,� Teaspoon told
her, pointing to the door. Lou glared at him.
"Ha, we're gettin married and yer tellin me ta get out? I don't think
so," Lou told him sternly.
"Ya ain't married till ya marry, so git," Sam said. Lou walked out in a
huff.
"Just leave it," Kid demanded. "When can I ride again?�
�In a few weeks,� the Dr. Mathis told him.
�This is boring,� Kid groaned.
�How could it be when Lou is staying with you?� Sam asked.
�I wanna be ridin. When can I go back to the bunk? I'm movin back in
with the boys. I wanna see Katy,� Kid told him.
�I heard that, Kit Saunders!� Lou said sounding hurt from outside the
room.
�If you can walk, you can go back tomorrow,� said Dr. Mathis.
Soon of course, the men all got tired of Lou�s complaining and finished
the check up before she came in anyway. But Sam could have sworn that
Kid was enjoying Lou�s fretting.
Later, Dani was going into town to meet a friend of her parents. She
had dressed up for it in a fringed skirt and top. She also had on her
best boots and gloves but she was still carrying her guns, just in case
something happened. When she came out, Buck and Jimmy were very
surprised. She usually looked filthy and her hair was usually a mess.
But now she looked good, with clean clothes and neat hair.
�What�re ya gawking at, you two?� asked Dani as she mounted Bright Star.
�Nothin,� said Buck and Jimmy in unison. They got back to work as Dani
rode off, her dark hair flying in the wind. Jimmy stared after her.
�Jimmy, you fancy Dani, don�t ya?� Buck said. Jimmy reddened.
�No. What makes ya think that?�
�You stare at her the way Kid looks at Lou, and yer always worryin when
she goes on rides. Everyone knows that except fer Dani. She�s blind ta
stuff like that,� said Buck, grooming his horse.
�Yep, and she�s also blind to yer affections, McDaniels,� retorted
Jimmy.
�What do ya mean, Hickok?� asked Buck.
�You like her too. As more than a friend. And don�t you deny it! I know
what I see,� said Jimmy.
�Yer wrong, Jimmy.�
�I ain�t, even though I wish I was. Then Dani could be all mine.�
�I�m gonna prove you wrong, Jimmy. She�s all yers fer the takin.� Buck
replied, and went back to grooming his horse.
�Yer gonna regret ya said that, Buck,� warned Jimmy. �Cause when yer
finally realize ya got feelins for Dani, ya�ll want ta take what ya jus
said back.�
�I�m sure I won�t, Hickok, so shut it.�
�Suit yerself.�
Buck led his horse back to the barn and Jimmy shook his head
exasperatedly with a knowing smile on his face.
Lou and Kid, of course, were having practically the time of their
lives. Now that they were alone, they had started talking about their
wedding and sweet-talking to each other. Of course, Emma interrupted
them from time to time, bringing in things to help Kid recover, sighing
enviously at the tenderness between them, which sometimes reminded her
of Sam in some bizarre way. Once Lou caught Emma watching them a bit
enviously.
�What�s up Emma?� Lou asked her.
�Oh nothing. Just when I see ya two the way ya are round each other. I
wonder what�ll become of me and Sam,� Emma told her.
�Who knows. I wasn�t bout us but obviously it worked out fer the best,�
Kid told her.
�Yer right, no need ta worry,� Emma answered with a smile. �Now I�m
gonna leave ya two alone.� Emma walked out of the room.
To be continued.......