THE ROCK CREEK ADVENTUROUS TALES PART ONE PROLOGUE The howling wind is sweeping down on the ranch located on the outskirts of Rock Creek the home of the long forgotten Pony Express Riders. In the distance the loud clattering and sweet songs of wind chimes can be slightly heard above the deafening gallop of hooves coming from the dozen or so restless horses that are trapped within the corral fence. A wooden plank engraved with the words The Kid & Buck Horse Ranch est. 1864 swings recklessly back and forth with a ghost town creaking noise coming from the rustic chains that hold the sign to the wooden posts. The view after the sign is of a ranch that has taken a couple of years and continues to be of hard labor from its owners Kid and Buck, to make it the largest horse ranch within a few hundred miles. To the left of the sign is an enormous wooden barn that has two corrals attached to it, and a third corral in the process of being built. The two corrals, that are already built, are located along the left side of the barn. Each corral has a set of large barn doors to allow easy entrance and departure for the many horses that reside inside. The partially built corral beyond the other two will be for wild horses that are not yet broke. There are three homesteads located on the ranch. One home is the old Pony Express Waystation home where Rachel Dunne lived during the Pony Express days, and still does. After the Pony Express was laid to rest, Rachel and Marshall Teaspoon Hunter bought the home, to start their new lives as Mr. & Mrs. Hunter. The second home on the ranch is located adjacent to the barn, but about fifty feet away. It is a newly constructed home that was built by Kid, Buck Cross, Jimmy Hickok, and on occasion Teaspoon would lend a helping hand other than supervising. This home is occupied by one of the families that are the co-owners of the ranch, Kid and Lou. The outside of Kid and Louise's home is white with dark green shutters around the windows. Several rockers and a wood swing are scattered about on the porch in an orderly fashion. Many family members often retire to Kid and Lou's porch furniture after a long hard day of work on the ranch. The wind chimes that hang from the porch roof ledge chime soft tunes whenever a breeze whistles through them. Lou constructed the chimes from pieces of rustic pipes held together by rope. She then attached a round base of metal at the top of the chimes. There are a few hanging baskets of flowers hanging from the rafters of the porch. The flowers are in full bloom making everyone aware that spring has just passed and that the hot air of summer is in full swing and here to stay for several months. The heavy breeze allows the fresh scent of the flowers to carry into the open windows of the house where the curtains whip out from their place against the interior of the windows. The last home on the ranch is located beyond Kid and Lou's home. Buck Cross the other owner of the horse ranch lives here. Buck's Pony Express family also built this home. The home is built along a harmonious flowing creek that also runs behind Kid and Lou's home, but a distance away from their backyard. The house is painted a medium brown with deep navy blue for the shutters surrounding the windows. The porch in front of the house extends the length of the home. Although there is a porch swing and several chairs on the porch, there are no flower baskets or anything else feminine that may lead one to believe that a woman lives here. Buck is a single man. He has yet to find a woman that can tolerate his Indian heritage. Upon Teaspoon's insistence that Buck will find a wife someday, he built a home large enough to accommodate a boundless family. Across from Kid and Lou's home is the old bunkhouse where six boys and one young lady had called their home while they rode for the Pony Express six years ago. The bunkhouse had been turned into a one-man home for Buck where he stayed until his home was completed. After the Pony Express had finished its last mail run, Buck was lost as to where he actually fit in the world. Other members of his Pony Express family quickly found their fate. Ike and Noah had each lost their life. Ike, earlier that year, died protecting the woman he loved. Jesse's brother, Frank James, shot Noah just before the Pony Express closed. Cody had joined the army. He left before the Pony Express actually closed down, much to everyone's disbelief, but especially the old stationmaster Teaspoon Hunter who couldn’t give Cody his blessing to go off to war to kill people. Cody became a scout for the army even against Teaspoon’s wishes. Kid and Lou had married in those final days before the express closed. Kid decided he would go back home to Virginia and fight in the war. Louise would stay on in Rock Creek with Teaspoon and Rachel who were already planning to be married. Jimmy had scattered about the countryside looking for what direction in life he should take. Teaspoon had sensed Buck's unhappiness at the family breaking up. Their family had been the first sense of security Buck and the rest of the boys, including Louise, had ever felt. Teaspoon had expressed to Buck back then no matter how many miles we are all separated by, we will always be family to each other. Teaspoon had offered Buck a deputy's job hoping that he would stay on in Rock Creek. He had said good-bye to all the boys except Louise. He was hoping he could keep at least one of them by his side. Buck wasn't sure. He thought maybe he'd try going home to his Kiowa family before making a permanent decision about settling in Rock Creek. Teaspoon had been understanding, but deeply saddened by Buck's decision. He had told Buck that he hoped life would be different for him in the Indian village this time around. Buck hoped so too. Even though leaving Teaspoon and Rachel was one of the hardest things Buck had ever done, Teaspoon didn't voice his concern for Buck directly to him. That didn't seem to matter Buck sensed that Teaspoon was sure he would not be treated any better then when he lived with the Kiowa tribe as a child. The day Buck left Rock Creek he kept Teaspoon's final words to him close to his heart. "Remember son, if life there doesn't work out the way you hope for, please come back home to us." Teaspoon had made Buck promise that he would. Teaspoon knew Buck would never break a promise. One year later in the autumn of 1862 Buck was home and wearing a deputy's badge. He was working alongside Teaspoon Hunter once again. Working with Teaspoon certainly allowed Buck to stay on in Rock Creek. He hadn't really confided to Teaspoon about his treatment at his brother Red Bear's village in detail. Only that his Rock Creek family made him feel better about himself. He hadn't wanted the only family he ever had to vanish before his eyes, and coming back only proved how strong their ties to each other are. Kid's idea about the horse ranch sealed Buck's fate to the people he cared about and loved the most in his life. A couple years of hard work by the owners and other family members has established Kid and Buck their future in Rock Creek. Along with running the horse ranch Buck stayed on as Teaspoon's deputy. Buck rarely shows up at the Marshall's office on a daily basis though. When his services are required as deputy, Teaspoon calls on his help. Most of Buck's days are spent working on the ranch along side his best friend and co-owner Kid. Both men have nurtured this ranch from its very beginning. Both men are proud of the long hours and hard work they put into the ranch to make it their future for themselves and their families. Their lives have never been without challenges though. They became a family made up of lost orphans trying to make it alone, but found each other along the way. They were brought together by one need. They all needed employment for one reason or another. Ever since that remarkable day when their lives finally had some security in them there have been some natural and unnatural forces trying to tear them apart. CHAPTER ONE The brooding gray clouds endangering their lives had appeared over Rock Creek for the past few days. After days of looking at a stormy sky with no raindrops Teaspoon had thought that maybe the skies were just being gloomy and that the violent storm that seemed so obvious at first would pass on to the next unsuspicious town. The first sprinkling of raindrops began to spill from the dismal skies by mid-afternoon on the third day of howling winds and dreadfully clouded skies. The gray overcast skies had become black as midnight within moments of the first outbreak of raindrops. Without stars to brighten the sky, the mid-day brilliance appeared to have shortened and turned abruptly into nightfall. The dirt streets of Rock Creek are bustling with the commotion of panicked townsfolk gathering the last of their purchased supplies from Thompkins’s general store and loading them onto their buckboards. Whenever there appeared to be a brutal storm descending upon the small community, it is an absolute must to have six weeks of supplies stored at one's homestead. It is more of a panic attack than a precaution. Never has any family from Rock Creek endured captivity at their homesteads for longer than a few days, and most of the time being secluded at one’s home involves a foot or two of snow in the dead of winter. Thompkins rushes out of his general store still wearing his white apron over his clothes with a hammer and nails grasped tightly in his hands. He grabs a plank of wood from behind a few chairs resting on the porch of his store. "There never seems to be anything good happening in this god forsaken town," he mumbled to himself. He places a board over a window and begins to hammer nails into the board. "Do you think the storm is gonna be bad enough to board up?" asked a customer holding his basket of supplies that he had just purchased from Thompkins store. Just as soon as the customer asks Thompkins about the store the two men observe the bank close their doors, and instantly the banker places a closed sign in the window. Both Tompkins’s and the customer's head turn when they hear the slamming of the saloon doors. "Does that answer your question?" replied Thompkins rather gruffly. "I can't tell you the last time the saloon closed its doors in the middle of the day." He continues to hammer the boards across the windows of his general store. The panic-stricken noise of the residents of Rock Creek spins Thompkins around to gasp at the view before him. The townsfolk are running hurriedly in every direction, causing more confusion then what is really necessary. They are trying to escape to the safety of their homes. But, in the mass of upheaval, many of the townsfolk are being trampled on, buckboards are racing down the main street of Rock Creek without a driver, and children are being separated from the security of their parent's hand. Thompkins shakes his head in amazement at the scene before him. The first claps of thunder roar across the town followed by a bolt of lightning. Thompkins has had enough. He high tails it inside his general store to find shelter, slamming the door and pulling the window blind down behind him. Back at the horse ranch the wind has mounted up to a destructive velocity. The loud thunder and streaks of bright lightning are turning the frightened horses that are trapped inside the corral into a wild pack of tormented animals! The animals seem as if they are in shock. They are racing at full speed circling the inside of the corral. The animals are hugging the fence tightly as if someone or something were attacking them. The horses are trying to pass each other in the circle they have formed. A few of them unconsciously gallop into the horse in front of them almost losing their balance and sprawling to the muddy ground. They have become out of control to handle and dangerous to themselves and anyone who tries to calm them! Buck and Kid are rushing out the front door of Kid's home. The skies suddenly open up to a violent downpour. Both men are trying to toss their coats on to protect themselves from the cruelness of Mother Nature. They desperately make their way toward the frightened horses before they become an unknowing danger to themselves. The tornado like wind is stalling their movements toward the corrals. Louise watches her husband and best friend battle the harsh elements from inside the warmth of her home. A roaring roll of thunder and a flash of lightning suddenly startle her. Horror is etched upon her face as she watches the two stumble and almost slip to the ground! The vicious downpour appeared like a waterfall before her eyes. Her visibility is strained. With every squint of her eyes she sees less and less of the two men who are risking their lives to save their livelihood. Before Buck and Kid are even a few feet away from the last porch step they are drenched from the buckets of rain pouring over them! Both men have their arms up covering their faces from the battering they are taking from the hard rain. The downpour is blinding them from reaching their destination! "We've got to get to those horses before they kill themselves!" shouts Buck trying to yell over the thunder and rain. The hard pelts of rain are beating against his face making it difficult for him to see even a foot in front of him. Even Kid who is just a step in front of Buck is nothing but a blur. He pushes a few strands of his dark hair out of his eyes. But, with the rain beating down straight at him even clearing his face from strands of long dark hair doesn't help clear up his sight. Both men finally make their way to the edge of the barn. Buck and Kid both stand against the barn trying to catch their labored breath. Kid wipes the rain from his eyes. Buck puts his ear to the barn wall and leans in close to listen to any disturbing noise that might be coming from inside the barn. "At least the horses in the barn are quiet," spoke Buck as he pulled himself away from the barn and tried focusing on the corral that is out of his sight, but not out of hearing range. The overwhelming sound that Buck hears is of stampeding horses. Kid hears the unusual noise at the very same time as Buck does. Both men dart from their protection against the barn and turn the corner to continue toward the frightened animals. They hug their bodies close to the barn as they walk to the corrals. Once they reach the corrals Buck slides underneath the corral fence. Kid tried, without much success, to open the corral fence gate."Kid, you'll have to climb under!" Buck hurried back over to Kid, and helps him climb underneath the corral. Once Kid is inside the corral both men try making their way to the animals with extreme caution. "I'll get the barn door!" shouted Kid over the thunder hoping that Buck heard him. Kid started to walk away from Buck, and swiftly begins to slip in the mud. Buck takes a hold of Kid's forearm before he goes down. Kid lets out a gasp as he tries to secure his footing in the mud. "Be careful! Those horses will trample you to death if you go down in this mud!" shouts Buck as both he and Kid almost end up in the mud. Buck balances himself and tightens his hold on Kid. Kid balances himself before Buck releases his strong grip on him. Kid starts out once again toward the barn door only this time his walk is cautious and unhurried. Another loud and prolonged clap of thunder sends the horses sprinting faster around the confinement of the corral! Buck senses the danger he is in as he sees the horses coming toward him at an uncontrollable charge. His eyes are wide open with fear as he stares blindly at the horses advancing toward him in rabid fashion. Buck turns his body and hugs himself close to the corral. The horses pass by him kicking up a lot of mud aimed toward the back of him. He lowers his head down closer to the top rail of the fence. It seemed like an eternity until the distressed animals have passed by his shuddering body. Once the horses have passed by him Buck turns himself around and tries to calmly figure a way out of this situation. Kid manages to reach the barn doors slipping and sliding all the way. He lifts the wooden latch that holds the doors closed. With all the energy he can muster up, he manages to get the doors to open against the wind that has grown five times in strength since the he and Buck had first walked out of the house. Kid is in the middle of getting the second door open when two horses walk past him in a hurry to get inside the barn. "I'll get these two into their stalls," Kid shouted back toward Buck. Kid walks into the barn behind the two loose animals. They have calmed down into the tame animals that they once were before the storm had hit their home. Kid glances around at the horses that are already in their stalls. There are forty some horses already in their stalls not paying any mind to the inclement weather outside their save haven. Kid takes a quick glance at his old Katy. She seems not to be unnerved by the raging storm outside her comfortable stall. Kid continues into the barn farther and begins to get the two loose horses settled in their stalls for the night. Buck is right behind him guiding a restless horse into the barn. Kid turns toward Buck and watches his friend calm the animal before walking her to her stall. Buck slowly walks the animal while he tries brushing some of the rain from her chestnut coat. She prances back and forth as Buck leads her around the inside of the barn holding onto her harness. Buck offers her a carrot. She gracefully accepts the carrot from his hand. She calms down within a few minutes, and Buck leads her to her stall. He puts some fresh straw down on the ground for her to chew on. "Good girl," Buck remarked to the horse. Kid watched Buck handle the horse with amazement. He wonders how Buck knows exactly what to do to tame a wild animal down. It's a gift the Kiowa has been blessed with for as long as Kid has known him. Buck reaches Kid and they both rush back out into the blinding rain to rescue the rest of their stock. "It's a good thing we brought the horses from the grazing fields in earlier today. We could have had a real mess on our hands," Kid spoke over the restless hooves making their way towards the young men. Kid hurriedly tries to get out of the way of the approaching horses. He dislikes being trapped in a deadly situation such as this. Kid wonders how Buck manages to stay calm to get the job done as quickly as possible, when in fact he acts nervous around the raging horses which slows down the process of retiring the animals into the barn. "Watch your step!" But Buck's warning was too late for Kid. He slipped and lands flat on his back down onto the soggy ground. Buck rushes to his side before the horses are upon them again. Buck reaches out his hand for Kid to latch onto. He pulls Kid to his feet. "Are you alright?" Buck asked with concern for his friend's well being. Kid is covered from head to boot in mud. He tries to wipe the mud off his clothes with his hands looking a little sheepish at Buck. "Yeah, just a little embarrassed about my stupidity." "Let's just get to those horses," Buck spoke as he clapped his friend on the back and smiled at him for his foolishness. The thunder continued to roar in the skies. The rain continued to beat down harshly on the two young men that are trying desperately to save their horses. A prolonged clap of thunder rages on and visibly shakes the windows of the old Pony Express station home! CHAPTER TWO Teaspoon pushes back a curtain that hampers his sight onto the outside world. He is downstairs close to the front door of the home he shares with his wife Rachel and their two sons, Addison and Daniel Hunter. He gazes out at the storm that is threatening the lives of two of the young men that he loves as if they were his own sons. Teaspoon watches with concerned eyes as Buck and Kid wrestle with the horses against the strong elements of the storm. Rachel stands behind Teaspoon with concern enveloping on her face. She knows her husband all too well. He won't stand buy helplessly while Buck and Kid's lives are in danger. Teaspoon turns around and places his coffee cup onto the table directly behind him. "I've got to get out there and help them boys before they get themselves killed," Teaspoon spoke not looking up at his wife knowing there would be pain and deep concern harboring in her eyes. "I know you do. Just please be careful," Rachel spoke somberly as she moved to be at her husband's side. Teaspoon grabbed his coat from the coat rack near the front door. He starts to put it on when Rachel is at his side helping him with the buttons. He kisses her softly on the cheek and opens the front door. The brut force of the wind almost blows the door shut before Teaspoon can take a single step outside. He suddenly realized just how strong the wind had become as the day grew older. He firmly holds the door ajar with an opening only large enough for him to exit the house. The cold wind hits Teaspoon immediately in the face when he walks out into the storm. Rachel stands at the door keeping just a crack of it open so she can keep a watchful eye on her husband as he calculates his every move toward the corrals. Teaspoon pulled the collar of his jacket closer to his chilled face. As he takes two steps towards the barn the unrelenting wind sends him back one step. He pushed his body forward into the strong wind; he knows he must hurry to get to his boys. Buck and Kid don't notice Teaspoon making his way toward them. They are too busy trying to calm down the remaining horses in the corral. But, with each new roar of thunder and each bright bolt of lightning, the horses become more agitated and more of a danger to themselves and the two men trying to rescue them. Buck finally gets another horse by her harness and begins to sooth her by walking her slowly toward the barn. He is only gone for a few seconds when he makes his way back out to the blackness of the corral. He looks up and suddenly sees Teaspoon climbing underneath the corral fence. "No!" Buck shouts as he runs full force to get to Teaspoon. He forgets to pay attention to the soft ground underneath his boots. Buck takes a bad fall into the sticky mud. He hits the back of his head on the ground and lays motionless. When Buck doesn't make any attempt to get up Kid and Teaspoon both are at his side in a few seconds. Buck slowly opens his eyes for fear of being trampled by a horse. He's also afraid he may see stars before his eyes. A soft gasp of pain escaped his lips as he tries to move. Teaspoon and Kid both extend their hand for Buck to grab onto them for support. "Now who's doing the rescuing?" Teaspoon asked as they pull Buck to his feet. "Thank God son that you've got a hard head." Kid is a little more compassionate than Teaspoon. He is concerned that his best friend may end up with a splitting headache."Either that or the ground gives in right now with all this rain we're having," Kid spoke softly so he wouldn't alarm the headache that he is certain is brewing in Buck's head right about now. Buck rubs the back of his head and ends up with a hand full of mud. The rain which seems never ending continues its assault on the three men. For once Buck is glad for the relentless rain. It washes the sticky mud from his long hair and his clothing. "Why are you out here?" asked Buck with pain from a headache etched upon his face. "The two of you looked like you could use some help," Teaspoon replied innocently. "You shouldn't be out here in this mess. You could get yourself hurt," Buck spoke with protest in his eyes. "Buck, do you know how foolish you sound. I'm not the one that just about killed himself hitting his head on the hard ground," Teaspoon spoke straightforwardly. "Yeah, but if you hadn't come out here I wouldn't have been rushing to get to you before you got yourself hurt by one of these stampeding horses," Buck spoke softly due to the pounding going on inside his head. "You two need my help. You two can't handle all these horses by yourself," Teaspoon spoke with confidence knowing he is capable of handling any situation that comes his way. "Please go back into the house with Rachel. If anything happens to Rock Creek’s marshal the townsfolk will have my hide," Buck spoke in a pleading tone to Teaspoon. "Buck, Teaspoon's right. The three of us can get this done a lot faster than just the two of us can. Let's just get these horses in the barn. When we're finished we can go over to the house and argue about it then," Kid spoke trying to reason with Buck. Buck shakes his head in disapproval not happy with the end result of his pleading. Teaspoon walks swiftly away from Buck before he can mount another protest. Kid puts his arm around Buck's shoulder in a comforting manner. "Don't worry. Remember when we were all riding for the Pony Express, Teaspoon was more cautious than all of us put together. Some things never change Buck," Kid spoke trying to persuade his lifelong business partner that nothing bad could ever happen to Teaspoon Hunter. "The only thing that's changed is that he's older now," Buck spoke in a quiet and sad tone as if he doesn’t want Teaspoon to hear his words. "Don't let Teaspoon ever hear you say that. He'll have your hide long before the folks of Rock Creek can get a hold of you." Kid walked away from Buck just in time to retrieve a horse that calmly pranced up to him as if the horse wants Kid to direct him into the safety of the barn. "Hopefully they'll all start to tire from their aggressive attack." Just as Kid opened his mouth about the horses finally becoming worn out the skies open up with an earth-shaking clap of thunder startling the horses that are still out in the storm causing them to react with another stampeding waltz around the corral. The wind has died down enough that the rain is not blowing directly into their faces, but it is still coming down by the buckets full! Buck watches Teaspoon grab hold of a rather meek horse that prances right along side of him. The horse allows Teaspoon to grab his reins and lead him safely into the dry barn. Buck breaths a sigh of relief that perhaps Teaspoon can still handle the elements of surprise. Buck thinks back to the days when they rode for the Pony Express. They were a close-knit family. When any one of them was in trouble the others were always there to help out. Teaspoon was always there. He never once let them down. He'd let them try and solve their own problems, but he was always close by to listen or help out. There had been so many times when they lived in Sweetwater and at Rock Creek when the townsfolk discriminated against Buck because of his Kiowa blood. Teaspoon always defended Buck even when others doubted him. Indian troubles were a daily battle in Sweetwater and Rock Creek. Somehow Buck always managed to get in the middle of the war between the White man and the Indian. Even if he didn't want to be, the townsfolk and Indians always placed him in the middle. Since he is a half-blood the townsfolk found it easy to place blame on him. Teaspoon always stood up for both the Whites and the Indians. He'd never take one side or the other without all the facts being laid out in front of him. If the facts looked more like mud water than clear water then he'd find the truth before doing any accusing. Teaspoon always knew how Buck felt. Being from two different worlds, but not really being accepted by either world. Teaspoon is definitely a man that any man, woman or child could easily respect. Even if the townsfolk thought Teaspoon was wrong deep down they all knew he was right. Finding Teaspoon and the Pony Express Waystation in Sweetwater was the best thing that ever happened to Ike McSwain and Buck Cross. Thoughts of Ike brought a warm smile to Buck's face. If Ike were alive today he would definitely have been a part of this ranch. Jeremiah is seated on a chair at the dining room table. He slips one boot on and is working on the second when Louise comes storming into the dining room as if the house were on fire. "Where do you think you're going?" Louise's tone, that matches her temperament, has never been anything to fool with. "I need to get out there and help Kid and Buck," Jeremiah replied not quite looking his older sister in the eyes. Jeremiah is sixteen years old and at least a head taller than his sister. But, Louise's wrath is one thing he tries to avoid at all costs. He has witnessed what Kid goes through on an almost daily basis being married to his sister. He has also noticed how Louise can easily put Buck in his place if need be. Yes, Jeremiah knows that when Louise speaks you damn well better listen! "I don't think you'll be going anywhere," Louise spoke commandingly. "How much longer am I gonna have to endure being treated like a ten year old?" Jeremiah asked making his way into a bad mood while meeting Louise's stubborn glare. "This storm is like a wicked witch. One minute she's looking like she's not gonna attack and then suddenly the thunder and lightning and downpours strengthen her victory. Kid and Buck don't need you out there getting in their way. They would only worry about you getting hurt. Then they wouldn't pay attention to what they're doing, and one of them would end up getting seriously hurt." Jeremiah couldn't believe his dumb luck that Louise had caught him before he could escape her over protective motherly ways. His sigh is one of exhaustion after listening to the same lecture he endures every time he tries to accomplish a task that proves he's a man and not a young child. He'll have to apply himself more to find a way to outsmart his persistent sister. Kid and Buck are gently easing two horses into the barn. "I'll take her Kid," Buck stated as he takes the reins of both horses and proceeds to lead them into two vacant stalls. "There are only three more horses out there," Kid spoke wiping rain from his face with the back of his hand. Yeah, the three wildest one's," Buck spoke as he walks one of the horses into her stall and starts to walk the other into her stall. "Better get back out there with Teaspoon.” Kid had already started toward the barn door. He couldn’t help himself but to turn around and smile at Buck's smothering remark. "You worry too much." Kid spoke as he makes his way back out into the bad weather before Buck can comment. When Kid gets back outside into the storm he notices that Teaspoon is trying to get a black stallion to listen to reason. It appears to Kid that the stallion has taken a slight liking to Teaspoon. The stallion allows Teaspoon to pat and brush the moisture from his mane. Kid hurries to one of the last two horses in the corral. He sees Buck coming out of the barn throwing a glance Teaspoon's way before making his way over to the last horse. Kid shakes his head smiling at his friend. What a mother hen Buck has become where the marshal is concerned. Buck tries several times to grab the reins of the horse closest to the barn doors. She prances around close to the barn entrance, but refuses to go inside. When Buck tries again to grab her reins she quickly turns away from him as if playing a game. "So you want to play hard to get," Buck spoke softly to the horse as not to alarm her. She throws her head back slightly which gives Buck the opportunity to grab her reins. Another loud crack of thunder rolls across the flat land of the ranch. A flash of lightning follows lighting up the sky as if it were daylight. The steady drizzle paces back up to a drenching downpour. Kid crouches down low to the ground as a piece of the barn roof tears loose and flies toward him! It lands on the ground behind him and crumbles to pieces as it hits hard to the ground. Kid straightens his stance slowly glancing up at the barn roof. He sees plenty of areas where the roof is completely missing or where pieces of roof are loose and trying to dislodge from the barn. Buck tries to locate Kid and Teaspoon in the sudden burst of downpour. The rain is like a blanket and is too thick to see anything or anybody in front of him. He hears the hail of sounds coming from a cornered animal. Buck struggles against the elements of the weather to make out the stallion pacing back and forth where Teaspoon has him cornered at the far end of the corral. He can barely make out Teaspoon's stance in front of the frightened animal. Teaspoon appears to be backing off the animal when Buck hears the violent pounding of the stallion's hooves hit their mark. Buck's eyes are wide open with terror as he sees Teaspoon slammed to the ground by the force of the stallion. When the stallion tries to get away from his captivity in the corner he tramples on Teaspoon's legs! "Teaspoon!" Buck bellowed deeply with fear etched on his face. CHAPTER THREE Without a moments hesitation Buck is at Teaspoon's side. He slides to the ground and pulls Teaspoon's head onto his lap. Buck gently strokes Teaspoon's face brushing back the blood that is pouring out from a gash above his eyes. It doesn't take long before Buck's shirt is soaked with blood from Teaspoon's head wound. Teaspoon lays on the muddy, cold, wet ground unconscious. "Teaspoon," Buck spoke softly. Kid witnessed everything that just happened from the far back end of the corral. He stands still in horrified disbelieve for a moment before he is able to gather his thoughts and quickly make his way over to Teaspoon and Buck. As he makes his way over to Teaspoon and Buck he slips and slides several times in the slippery mud. Kid is on his knees at Teaspoon's side. He takes in everything before examining Teaspoon's wounds. "The cut on his forehead doesn't look too bad, but it sure is bleeding heavily." Teaspoon's pants have been torn around the calf and knee area. Kid can't really tell if they are just badly bruised or maybe worse. "I'm not sure about his legs." "We have to get him over to the house and out of this blasted rain," Buck stated his voice cracking with emotion. Kid takes hold of Buck's forearm in a firm manner. Kid hears the stress and blame in Buck's voice. "Are you okay?" "Yeah I'm fine. Let's just get Teaspoon over to the house before he starts to get sick from this cold rain." Kid and Buck both stand up and gently pull Teaspoon up. They both have a strong hold on his waist. His legs drag behind him. The almost dead weight of their friend makes it a slow process to reach the corral fence gate. Jeremiah opens the front door and watches the pouring rain hit the already soggy ground. "We could end up having a flood if this keeps up much longer," he spoke to himself. He had hated to do it, but he had to wake little Emma up so that Louise would have to attend to her two-year-old toddler. The time it would take Louise to get upstairs, calm her daughter down, and resume her place back downstairs in the kitchen, would give him ample time to make his escape. He could have been a great help to Buck and Kid if only Louise could see things his way. Three sets of hands in a disaster such as this one would definitely be much better than two. Louise could only understand that when the third set of hands were her own. Jeremiah quietly closes the front door, and tiptoes off the creaking front porch. He only walks a short distance when he spots Kid and Buck wrestling with Teaspoon's limp body. He runs over to where they are without thinking about the slippery mud beneath his boots. Jeremiah does plenty of slipping and sliding, but manages to stay on his feet. Kid spots Jeremiah coming towards them at full speed. "Get back in the house! I'm sure Lou didn't give you permission to be out in this storm!" "I'm not a child anymore! I am capable of doing a man's work!" Jeremiah demands. "Yeah! Well Teaspoon isn't a child, and look what has happened to him," Kid spoke harshly at his brother-in-law. Buck is becoming very impatient at the conversation between Kid and Jeremiah. "Kid can we just get Teaspoon in the house. Jeremiah if you want to be all grown up how about saddling up your horse and get over to the Doc's office and get him out here," Buck spoke trying to hurry the conversation between kid and Jeremiah to be over. "Doc isn't going to come out here in this miserable weather," Jeremiah replied. "Tell him that Teaspoon has been badly hurt. He'll come out," Kid replied. Jeremiah ran to the barn almost falling down several times into a pool of mud. He quickly gains his balance and continues his journey into the barn. Buck and Kid make it to Rachel and Teaspoon's home. The hurricane like rain has slowed down to a drizzle. Buck glances down at Teaspoon's face when he hears soft pain-filled moans coming from the man. He tries to loosen his grip slightly thinking that he is hurting the marshal. Kid notices Buck's worrisome expression. "He's strong Buck." Buck doesn't acknowledge that he hears Kid. He is deep in thought praying Teaspoon's injuries aren't as critical as they appear to be. By the time the two men reach the house with Teaspoon, Rachel has already been alerted to the fact that Teaspoon is injured and she is standing in the open doorway. She tries to protect herself from the inclement weather, but she also wants to visualize her husband's injuries as the two men bring him closer to the front door. Her expression is of uneasiness. She fears that her husband may be badly hurt. If the truth were known though no one could have stopped him from helping his two boys. Buck and Kid ease Teaspoon into the house. "We sent Jeremiah for the doctor Rachel," Kid spoke softly to her. Jeremiah galloped his horse as fast as she possibly could go through the rain and muddy streets of Rock Creek. In front of the Doc's office Jeremiah brings his horse to a complete halt and slides off her back, throwing the reins over the hitching post. He hurries past his horse and walks onto the front porch of the Doc's office. Jeremiah raps on the front door a few times, but gets no answer. Jeremiah starts to shiver from the drenched clothes that he didn't have time to change out of. His entire body starts to tremble from the cold night air and the dampness. His pounding on the door causes the windows to rattle. The longer he stands outside without an answer the louder he bangs on the door. The thought crosses his mind that maybe he should just break into the Doc's home. "Come on Doc. Answer the door!" As Jeremiah shivers violently and clutches his arms together he raises his tightly clenched fist ready to pound on the door again. The door suddenly opens abruptly. Jeremiah almost falls forward into the doctor's arms. "Jeremiah what is your problem at this ungodly hour?" Doc, Teaspoon's been hurt real bad out at the ranch! He's out cold and he's got a large gash over his eyes. Buck and Kid asked me to bring you out to examine him. They both seem real upset at the way Teaspoon looks," Jeremiah spoke his voice stuttering from the cold. "Let me get my medical bag. Get my horse from the livery stables and saddle her up for me," Doc Barnes spoke wasting no time turning away from Jeremiah to retrieve his black medical bag. "Sure thing. I'll be right back with her," Jeremiah replied to an empty open door space. The boys had managed to walk Teaspoon up the stairs to his bed. His wet clothes heaped in a pile at the foot of the bed. Rachel is unwilling to leave her husband's bedside long enough to hang them over a clothes racks to dry. Buck is sitting on a chair close to Teaspoon's bed on the opposite side that Rachel is sitting on. He has his chin propped up with his hands, his elbows on his knees. There is no movement from the marshal. Buck runs his cold fingers through his damp hair trying unsuccessfully to calm his nerves. He continues to be too quiet. He is content to watch Teaspoon for any sign of his waking up to join them. Rachel places a damp cloth on Teaspoon's forehead to relieve some of the fever that is already raging inside the faithful marshal's body. Rachel glances over at the tormented expression that has been glued to Buck's face since they brought Teaspoon into the house. "He's going to be alright. You know how stubborn he can get. He won't stay down long." Buck doesn't take his eyes off Teaspoon's still form. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Rachel takes the cloth from Teaspoon's forehead to dampen it again in the basin of warm water she has sitting next to the bed on a nightstand. "Both of us, I guess." She wrings the cloth out and gently strokes Teaspoon's bruised face with it. "I know exactly what you're thinking. You're going to blame yourself for this. Thinking you should have dragged him back into this house the second he got near any of those horses. You know when Teaspoon gets something in his head he sees it through until the job is finished." "What he is, is a stubborn old fool Rachel. Thinks he still has to keep us in line like he did when we were riding for the Pony Express. When we were all his boys," Buck spoke softly so he wouldn't wake the man he loved like a father. "He's not that old Buck. Personally I think he can still handle you boys pretty darn well. It's those unrelenting horses he has trouble with." Buck glances over at Rachel and manages a half smile just to let her know that he's not totally blaming himself for Teaspoon's predicament."I just wish he'd let us take care of him now." "I know honey," Rachel spoke reassuringly. "You won't tell him I called him a stubborn old fool, will you?" "Not on your life! He'd probably have us both hung," Rachel replied. She places the damp cloth over Teaspoon's forehead once again while listening to Buck's soft laugh. She turns her attention towards the footsteps making their way up the stairs and into her bedroom. Doc Barnes steps into the room with Kid trailing close behind him. He walks closer to the bed and glances down at Teaspoon before looking directly at Rachel. "Kid has told me a little bit of what happened. I'll need to examine my patient if you could all wait downstairs." "Doc Barnes, I'd like to stay," Rachel stated calmly. Doc Barnes takes her hand in his and forces her to rise from the side of the bed that she has not moved an inch from since Teaspoon was brought into the bedroom. "Rachel go downstairs and make some coffee for these two exhausted boys of yours. I promise the second I'm finished with my examination I'll be downstairs to report my findings to you and the boys." Buck walks over to Rachel and takes her hand away from the doctor's hand. "Doc's here now. We need to allow him to find out what's wrong so Teaspoon can start healing." Rachel simply nods her head in agreement. She takes one last look at her husband and bends down to place an affectionate kiss on his cheek. "I'll be right downstairs. I love you," Rachel whispered to Teaspoon. Kid, Buck and Rachel leave Teaspoon in the good care of Doc Barnes. Louise is busying herself, in Rachel's kitchen, making coffee when the three worrisome faces walk to the table. Rachel, Kid and Buck each somehow musters up the strength to pull out a chair to seat themselves. Louise glances at each one of them hoping one of them will speak up about Teaspoon's condition. None of them do. Their eyes all hold a downcast appeal to them. Louise could swear that she can even feel their hearts breaking at the thought of their fallen husband, father, friend and marshal. She clears her throat, but still none of them pay her any attention. It rather troubles her that Kid, Buck and Rachel obviously don't notice her or even smell the strong pot of coffee brewing. You would think her coffee would wake up their senses! Louise places her arms around Rachel's shoulders. "How's he doing?" Louise asked still gazing from one anguished face to another. "Doc Barnes just arrived. He's upstairs examining Teaspoon right now. Who's sitting with Abigail and Emma?" Kid asked concerned about his two young daughters. "Jeremiah walked back over to the house to tell me what happened. The storm woke Teresa up. She came downstairs to make sure everyone got out of the storm safely. You know what a little worrier she can be. Anyway, they both said they'd stay up until we come back home," Louise replied a little upset that Kid doesn't seem to trust her younger brother or sister with their two children. Kid notices the disapproving tone in Lou's voice. He reaches out to bring her down on his lap and hug her. "I'm sorry. This storm just has me a little on edge." "Jeremiah wanted me to tell you and Buck that he managed to get the last three remaining horses into the barn and secure for the night." "I guess he's a lot more responsible than I gave him credit for being," Kid spoke softly to his wife. Buck and Rachel have remained quiet during the entire time that Kid and Louise have been holding their conversation. Louise gets up from Kid's lap and walks back over to Rachel to be by her side. She once again puts her arm around the disheveled woman's shoulders. "I'm sure Teaspoon is going to be alright. Teaspoon isn't about to leave Buck here in charge of the town," Louise chuckled softly at the mere thought of that happening. Rachel and Buck both manage to glance up at Louise and offer her a smile that brightens her face for a brief moment. "I wish Doc Barnes would hurry up," Rachel spoke her voice cracking with emotion. She gets up from her chair and begins to wear a hole in the dining room hard wood floor. "Rachel doc needs time to make an accurate diagnosis of Teaspoon's injuries. We wouldn't want doc overlooking anything that could be portentously serious later on," Buck spoke as he watched Rachel pace back and forth across the dining area. The doc’s footsteps can be heard walking down the stairs. Rachel stops abruptly and glances towards the stairs. Doc Barnes walks into the dining area where he faces an over anxious family waiting for some good news about their beloved family member. Buck and Kid both notice the concerned look on the doctor's face. They both stand to hear the news they are dreading. "The gash on Teaspoon's forehead is not too worrisome. I am concerned that Teaspoon is awake and complaining of a severe headache. I'm sure he has a slight concussion. He may endure other symptoms from the concussion such as blurred vision and perhaps some dizziness when he tries to stand up." Rachel's obviously tense structure is starting to relax somewhat from the doctor's news. She even is slightly smiling. Buck and Kid still sense the doctor is not through telling them the worst of Teaspoon's injuries. "I don't want to ruin your apparent better mood Rachel, but I haven't finished with my prognosis of your husband." Doc Barnes spoke calmly not wishing to alarm anyone. He turns to face Buck and Kid. "I'll need some wood to make a splint for his left leg." "It's broken?" Rachel asked as her spirit has been dampened. The doctor turns to face a semi fragile Rachel. He takes her hand in his trying to comfort her. "I'm afraid so. The break appears to be a clean break. It should heal without any complications." "Buck and I will go out to the barn and find some wood along with some rope," Kid spoke as he pushes Buck towards the front door. The two men leave Louise and Rachel to talk more with the doctor concerning Teaspoon's accident and recovery. Back outside again the boys don’t have to fight to walk, the wind has calmed down to a normal summer breeze. The rain is still falling from the overcast sky, but it is a mere drizzle. The thunder and lightning no longer exist. The two men walk towards the barn at a fast pace dodging the deep mud puddles along the way. Even with the night shadows lurking over the ranch the two men still can witness the damage the violent storm has done to their horse ranch. Buck and Kid both stop dead in their tracks as they approach the barn and corrals. They look upon the shambles the corrals are in due to the strong winds that descended upon the ranch. Parts of the corral fence are split in two and other parts of the corral are completely torn apart. One side of the barn door is torn from its hinges. Tumbleweed and sagebrush are littered throughout the corrals. The barn roof has a few gapping holes. The water trough next to the barn is completely flattened. Many of the small trees around the outside of the corrals have completely collapsed. "I guess we don't need daylight to gather how much work we'll have in store for us over the next few weeks," Kid spoke as he glanced Buck's way. “We don't even know what kind of damage has been done out back. How are we going to get the ranch back in shape and also replace Teaspoon as the town marshal and deputy?" Buck asked his attention totally aimed toward Kid. "I hadn't thought of our marshal and deputy duties. First we need to focus on Teaspoon. Let’s find some wood for Teaspoon's splints." CHAPTER FOUR It is early morning the day after the storm. The ranch rooster is crowing his head off. He knows that everyone on the ranch has an abundance of chores to do. What the poor old rooster doesn't quite understand is that everyone on the ranch has been up since before the crack of dawn. He continues his morning tune without giving it much thought. Jeremiah and Louise are walking around Teaspoon and Rachel's home surveying the damage the storm left behind. Jeremiah picks up a large stone and hurtles it at the unsuspecting rooster perched on his wooden post that survived the storm but is slanted semi sideways. "Can't that dumb bird see that we are all out of bed?" "Jeremiah the rooster only understands sunrise. Please don't throw any more stones at my rooster. The poor thing probably had a rough night in that awful storm," Louise spoke in a concerned manner for one of her animals. Louise, with her hands exhaustingly perched on her hips, looks out over the ranch from just outside the white picket fence that goes around the front of Rachel and Teaspoon's home. Her keen eyes don't miss a thing. The bunkhouse windows are completely shattered. The roof will definitely need patched up as well. The firewood once neatly stacked on the bunkhouse porch is strewn all over the ranch land. She should be able to help with restacking the firewood. Her eyes scan towards her home. Her clotheslines are lying on the ground. "So much for hanging clothes out today." Her porch looks about the same as Rachel's. Some of the flowerpots are broken with dirt and uprooted flowers scattered everywhere. Many of her flowerpots are simply overturned but not broken. Flower baskets that were once hanging from the porch rafters are now on the ground. The flowers completely smashed. I won't be able to breathe life back into those flowers she thought as she continued her survey of the ranch. The wooden chairs are over turned, many are broken and scattered in the yard. A few upstairs windows are cracked, but not completely broken out. Looking at the front of her home, a few pieces of roof will have to be replaced on the porch roof. There's no telling what damage has been done to the back of the house. "I'm sure my garden is probably flattened." From where she is standing Louise can't tell what kind of damage may have been done to Buck's home. Jeremiah scans the barn and corral fences. The barn roof has holes big enough to fall through. Kid and Buck will need his help to get things back in shape before cold weather hits in just a few short months. There is no way Louise will be able to say no to his offer of help. Even Kid who thinks he is immature will gladly accept his willingness to help with repairs. The corral fences suffered the worst damage. Many parts are completely down, or if not down, the wood is split in half. The water trough is completely ruined. Maybe that could be Jeremiah's first project. The horses can't go without a water trough nor could the ranch. A fire would surely destroy the ranch without water to put it out. As he looks around at everything he can fix Buck and Kid walk out of the barn. Kid and Buck meet up with Louise and Jeremiah standing in front of Rachel and Teaspoon's home. Kid opens the gate to the white picket fence. It falls off its hinges. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us," said Kid as he leans the gate up against the inside of the fence. "What about playing marshal and deputy?" Louise asked a teasing smirk playing on her facial features at Kid and Buck's poor misfortunes. "That's our job too," Buck replied discouraged. Buck follows Kid through the broken down gate. They walk up the steps leading to the porch. The destruction on the porch floor is scattered dirt everywhere and broken flowerpots. Jeremiah and Louise follow both men onto Rachel's porch. Louise begins to set the flowerpots right side up that had been knocked over. She tries to scoop some of the dirt into her hands to place it back into the pots. "This is really no use," Louise spoke disheartened. "Louise there is more important things to worry about then a few over turned flowerpots. Don't be so down in the dumps. If we all chip in the ranch will be back to normal in know time," Jeremiah spoke trying to cheer the frown from his sister's face. "You sound almost happy that this happened Jeremiah," Kid commented his voice showering the anger he's feeling. Before Louise can blast her husband on his cruel comment towards Jeremiah, Rachel wanders onto the porch from inside the house. "How is Teaspoon doing this morning Rachel?" Buck asked concerned. "He isn't awake yet. But his color has come back and he doesn't appear to have a fever any longer. I'm sure he'll be fine as far as his wounds go. His temper and disposition, well that's an entirely different matter." Jeremiah, Louise and Rachel share a quiet laugh concerning Teaspoon's sometimes foul and impatient disposition. It won't be easy for the marshal to be tied down until his leg heals. His family knows this all to well. The marshal has never been one to rest even when shot. If there's a job to be done the job gets done first and if there's time left over then there's resting. Kid and Buck glare at the three in bewilderment over their laughter at Teaspoon’s expense. Buck looks at Kid and they both shrug their shoulders. Kid glances at Louise with disappointment wrote all over his face. His voice on the other hand is filled with animosity. "What's so funny?" Jeremiah and Louise's laughter echoing loud in Kid's mind, but in reality their laugh is barely above a simple giggle. Rachel places her petite hand over her mouth to quiet down her giggles. Her misty bright eyes are the only evidence giving her recent bout of laughter away. Jeremiah and Louise can't seem to bring their quiet chuckles under control. It's Buck now who continues to glare back and forth from Louise to Jeremiah. He sees that Louise is trying to stifle her laughter. Jeremiah, on the other hand, is young and thinks everything is hilarious. Even if someone he is suppose to care about is in pain. This is definitely something Buck can't deal with or forgive. He aims his harsh words at a young Jeremiah. "I really don't believe Teaspoon's pain is something you should be snickering about. He could have been more seriously hurt last night or even killed. I suppose a more serious injury would still crack a smile on your face," Buck spoke to Jeremiah in a strong manner with bewilderment and hurt buried deep in his dark brown eyes. Louise faces her brother to speak directly to him. "I'm not entirely sure we should be snickering about this. I mean in reality we are all going to suffer just as much as Teaspoon." "That's why we should laugh now. We probably won't laugh again for at least six months," Jeremiah stated between his silent chuckling. Buck's anger finally reaches the point of not being able turn this episode into a simple misunderstanding. An immeasurable contempt for Jeremiah has embedded itself onto Buck's face. There's no way a smile will replace it anytime soon where Jeremiah is concerned. "I've had enough. I'm going to see how Teaspoon's doing," Buck spoke agitated that Jeremiah finds the situation with Teaspoon amusing. "We aren't laughing about Teaspoon's injuries. We're laughing about his foul mood Buck," Jeremiah yelled as Buck walked away from the tiny group gathering. "He really should learn to take a joke better than he does," Jeremiah spoke about Buck his laughter quietly disappearing. "Watch it Jeremiah. Buck is in no mood for your immaturity today," Kid spoke annoyed at Jeremiah as he trailed behind Buck into the house. Rachel clears her throat to obtain Louise and Jeremiah's attention. "I guess we were being a bit harsh. Louise lets see how that husband of mine is doing." "Jeremiah would you help Teresa with the girls. I'll be over home soon." "I suppose I should stay away from Buck for awhile." "Maybe we'll all have to stay away from Teaspoon and Buck for a while," Louise spoke now concerned about her family. Jeremiah nodded in agreement and turned to head toward Kid and Louise's homestead on the ranch. Louise followed Rachel into the house. Teaspoon is trying to shift into a sitting position on the bed when Kid and Buck come storming through the door to his rescue. "It's about time you boys decided to come help." Teaspoon is already quite annoyed at his situation. He has been trying to pull himself into a sitting position for the past thirty minutes. The splint binding on his left leg is bulky and awkward to move. Teaspoon's pillows have fallen to the floor with his struggle to sit up in bed. He tries reaching for the pillows and almost upends himself onto the floor with the pillows. Buck rushes to Teaspoon's bedside. He clutches onto Teaspoon before he tumbles onto the floor. Buck gently pushes Teaspoon back onto the bed. "What are you trying to do?" He takes Teaspoon's pillows and props them up behind the marshal. Teaspoon is able to sit back and relax. "This is very uncomfortable," Teaspoon replied sheepishly. "Are the pillows comfortable now?" Buck asked. "You both know I am not going to be tied down to this bed for too long. No matter what Doc Barnes or my beloved wife has to say about it," Teaspoon declared. "Teaspoon it's best if you listen to the doctor this time," Kid stated meekly. Teaspoon eyes up both boys. He knows his cantankerous mood is making both his boys apprehensive about saying too much to him. His features soften slightly. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to take this out on you two. I'm sure there's a lot of work out on the ranch to be done. You'll need help. I just haven't got time to lie around doing nothing.” "You don't have a choice this time Teaspoon. Kid and I can handle the work. You just need to concentrate on taking it easy and getting yourself healed up," Buck spoke with authority. "How much damage has been done to the ranch?" Teaspoon asked as he looked at both Kid and Buck who seem a little apprehensive about telling him the bad news. "I would like an honest answer to my question before I have to get out of this bed and check myself." "There's some damage, but nothing the two of us can't handle," Kid spoke softly. "Now both you boys know that I require details. Spit it out Buck before my already foul mood turns fouler." Buck glances over at Kid almost asking for approval to tell Teaspoon the truth about the damage done to the ranch. Kid nods his head for Buck to proceed. "The corrals are pretty much destroyed. There's some roof work that needs to be done to the barn, the bunkhouse, and the back of this house. The tree out back smashed into the roof of the spare bedroom. A few windows need replaced at the bunkhouse, Kid and Louise's home, this house, and my home. The white fence…" "I've heard enough Buck!" Teaspoon yelled holding up his hand to cease Buck's complex description of the devastation the storm buried onto their homestead. "You asked for details Teaspoon. I'm just trying to tell you everything so later you're not yelling at me for not including something," Buck spoke worked up into a bad mood from Teaspoon's shameful dependence and his own guilt feelings for not chasing Teaspoon away during the storm before he got hurt. Teaspoon can see the hurt and confusion in Buck's eyes. "I'm just worried about the two of you. You can't fix everything around the ranch and take care of the town too." Rachel and Louise walk into the room where Teaspoon is talking with Kid and Buck. They both stand at the bottom of Teaspoon's bed. "Just how are the two of you going to play marshal and deputy and fix up the ranch at the same time?" Louise questioned mostly aimed at her husband. "We'll tend to keeping order in Rock Creek during the day and we'll work on repairing the ranch in the evening. There's still plenty of daylight after dinner," Kid answered his wife. "You'll both be sick inside a weak," Rachel spoke concerned. "We'll manage. We've had to deal with situations just like this before. I think we've grown accustomed to a lot of long hours and hard work," Buck spoke with authority knowing that Teaspoon would bulk at his response to the work that lies ahead of him and Kid. "Maybe Jeremiah can help with some of the repairs," Louise spoke softly not wanting to get Buck unhinged again where her brother is concerned. Buck doesn't back down from the softness in Louise's voice. He looks straight at her as if they were the only two in the room. His eyes seem to penetrate right through her with anger. "I think maybe you should just keep Jeremiah in the house. Give him something minimal to do, something that he can't hurt or destroy." Teaspoon is watching the conversing between Buck and Louise with eyebrows raised. He isn't so sure about it, and he's actually afraid to ask. "I don't see how the two of you will be able to keep up such a schedule. You can try it for a few days to see if everything works out. If it’s too much of a work load for the two of you we'll have to get some help in the marshal department." Rachel turns to Louise who is still fuming over Buck's words about her insensitive brother or so at least that's what Buck thinks. "Louise may I have a word with you alone," Rachel insisted as she's pulling on Louise's arm before she clocks Buck with it. Louise won't budge at first. She soon gives in not taking her seething eyes off Buck and also her husband who didn't defend Jeremiah at all over Buck's harsh words. The two ladies leave the room and head downstairs to the kitchen. "We should be leaving. There's a lot of work to be done out there and we need to get over to the marshal's office," Kid spoke not wanting Teaspoon to worry about the hostility they all just witnessed between him and Buck with Lou. "Is everything alright between everybody? Sounds to me like there's some hostility brewing amongst all of you," Teaspoon asked turning his attention to Buck. Buck shoves his hands into his pants pockets. He hangs his head slightly low to avoid looking directly into Teaspoon's questioning eyes. He already feels shameful for his words about Jeremiah and treating Louise so badly. "Buck and I are fine Teaspoon. It's the rest of them were not too sure about." "What about this fermenting anger towards Jeremiah?" Teaspoon posed his question directly at Buck. Buck glances back up at Teaspoon. He can't seem to get past Jeremiah's immature nature. "He's just an unsympathetic sixteen year old out to prove that he's always right and everybody else is always wrong." Buck spoke in an angry tone. "That's right he's a sixteen year old. Remember you were once sixteen. Seems to me you boys were stubborn, always hell bent on getting yourselves into trouble and myself having to do all the rescuing." "I fail to see the comparison between Jeremiah and myself or any of us who rode for the Pony Express. We grew up fast riding day and night through territories and towns we knew nothing about. It was a miracle that none of us was killed on a mail run. We were never right Teaspoon. You were the one that was always right. We may have gotten ourselves into some trouble now and then, but nothing we couldn't get ourselves out of. We sure as hell didn’t express insensitivity to the feelings or pain of other people!" Buck spoke trying to avoid yelling so Louise and Rachel wouldn't hear his words. "I was always right wasn't I," Teaspoon spoke with assurance in his voice and mannerisms. "You boys all had to grow up fast. All of you were alone in the world at some point or another. Being alone makes a person sense things a lot differently than someone who's had shelter his whole life." "Another word, what you're trying to tell us is that Jeremiah takes people and their feelings for granted," Kid spoke his words rather harsh for his brother-in-law. "What I'm trying to spell out is that Jeremiah is a younger sixteen then what you boys were at sixteen. You are more sensitive to the people in your lives and the surroundings because you grew up with a lot more hostility, prejudice, pain and death. Those things tend to cause you to be more aware of other's pain and suffering. Jeremiah hasn't seen the prejudice that you've had thrown in your face since the day you were born Buck. Nor has he seen the suffering and pain it put you through. He didn't see how much pain you were in Kid every time Lou had a mail run. You knew how dangerous it was riding for the Pony Express. You love Lou and it nearly destroyed you a few times to let her go on her mail runs," Teaspoon stated with this sermon making more sense since the last sermon the boys were forced to listen to. Both men nodded as if they completely understood all of Teaspoon's words of wisdom. He still had the ability to make the boys sit and listen when he spoke. They had many experiences of Teaspoon's lectures, speeches and words of wisdom when they all lived together and rode for the Pony Express. They would never say one word until he was completely finished with his words. Usually by the time Teaspoon was finished speaking his peace there were no words left to say. After all, Teaspoon is always right even if he's wrong. Not one of those Pony Express riders ever argued that fact. Kid and Buck wouldn't attempt to argue that fact even now. "We better be getting over to town. With no marshal in town we could have all kinds of trouble coming by to pay respects," Kid stated flatly. "See you boys later." Kid and Buck walk into the dining area where Rachel and Louise have been deeply into a conversation of their own. Once they see Kid and Buck their mouths are quiet. Each woman sipping on her cup of coffee trying to not look so guilty about their conversation before Buck and Kid enter the room. "Are you heading over to your new job?" Louise asked hardly containing her apparent second attack of laughter. Kid bends down to kiss his wife on the cheek. "This isn't funny. Maybe Buck and I should send you and Rachel over to the marshal's office. I'm sure the bad guys won't mind a lady marshal and deputy." Rachel is baffled that Kid pulled her into this one. "I have a husband to take care of." "Buck and I can take care of Teaspoon and repair the ranch while you two are chasing outlaws," Kid spoke with a teasing smile on his face. "Sorry Kid. Louise and I have other plans for today. You two might as well give up and just get yourselves on over to town before someone decides to burn Rock Creek down." "Rock Creek's been pretty quiet lately. It should be a rather easy day," Buck spoke calmly. "Let’s hope so. You two will have plenty of work this evening to tire you out. You sure don't need a brawling, disorderly group in town today," Rachel spoke trying her best to reassure the men of their newly inherited duties. "Thanks Rachel," Buck spoke with some apprehension in his voice. "Rachel!" Teaspoon bellowed from his confinement in bed. All eyes turn upwards toward the stairs. Teaspoon's hostile bellowing for Rachel has let her know just what kind of mood her beloved husband is in. He is irritable, irrational and beyond the point of reasoning with. The boys and Lou head to the front door and start to make their way outside. Rachel watches them leave. "You're all just chicken." "I thought you said you could handle Teaspoon. Kid and I were willing to trade jobs. You wouldn't hear of it," Buck spoke smiling at Rachel's misery. "Is there a chance I could change my mind?" "Rachel!" The bear roars again. "Not a chance," Buck stated as he rushes out the front door behind Kid. Louise stays behind. "I'll be back over later for our trip into town. I'll just check on the girls first and make sure Jeremiah and Teresa are not pulling each other's hair out.” “Rachel!!!” hollered Teaspoon. “Better start praying for winter,” Lou stated as she heads to the front door. "Why would I want winter?" "Bears go into hibernation for the winter," replied Lou acknowledging Teaspoon’s bear like personality. They both smile at Lou's words of wisdom. "Teaspoon isn't the only one who can speak words of wisdom and have people listen to him." By the time Louise walks outside Kid and Buck have already road off into town. Rachel hurries up the stairs to see Teaspoon. She sits at the edge of the bed and places a kiss on his cheek. "What seems to be the problem?" "No problem. I…I was just getting a little lonesome sitting up here all by myself," Teaspoon stated sheepishly. Rachel tries to wipe the pleasing smile from her face. "I see. I can sit up here with you until Louise comes back. We have a few things to do in town this morning." "The doc should have my crutches ready." "You're bound and determined to get out of that bed before you're suppose to. Doc Barnes may just have another patient that will need those crutches worse than you." Teaspoon looks somewhat defeated. Rachel is Teaspoon's seventh marriage. She is a little bit of his other six wives mixed together, and then a whole lot of just Rachel. She doesn't take any of his cramp! Even though Teaspoon is always right, Rachel rules the Hunter household. "I promise I'll listen to the doctor and take it easy. If I could just walk around a little that would ease my jittery nerves." "Don't try and fool me Teaspoon Hunter. Your nerves are as calm as old Katy's are. Not even a storm like last night put fury into that animal." CHAPTER FIVE Buck and Kid are at the marshal's office cleaning up the place. Kid has a broom in his hand sweeping up the dust from the floor. Buck is hanging up the latest batch of wanted posters onto the bulletin board. He starts to hack and cough from Kid's housecleaning. "Kid, we're not going to be eating off the floor," Buck spoke as he continues to cough up dust. "Oh. Sorry," Kid spoke as he starts to realize that the dust from his sweeping is flying around the jail. He scoops the dust into a dustpan and throws it into the trashcan by the marshal's desk. "Now what do we do?" Buck shrugs his shoulders and sits down at the desk. "I guess we wait for trouble." Kid hears commotion coming to the entrance of the marshal's office. He peaks out at the main street of Rock Creek. "Here comes Thompkins. I guess our easy day has just come to an abrupt halt." Thompkins slams the door open to the marshal's office. He is somewhat displeased that he finds only Buck and Kid staring back at him. "Where's Hunter?" "Teaspoon had an accident out at the ranch last night. He broke his left leg. He won't be able to work for awhile," Buck spoke calmly to Thompkins who has always disliked him. "So you two are going to handle this town by yourselves," Thompkins stated with sarcasm behind a wide grin. "This should definitely be worth keeping an eye on." "What is it you want Thompkins?" Kid asked annoyed. "Oh yeah. I caught two young boys stealing from my store." "Well where are they?" Buck asked already starting to sound annoyed with the interruption from Thompkins. "I tied them up at the store so they couldn't get away while I'm here trying to get some assistance from you two marshal's," Thompkins spoke while grinning at the town's misfortune. "Oh that's a smart thing to do Thompkins. Their parents will likely have us arrested for an act of abuse," Buck stated annoyed more than ever by Thompkins overreacting attitude. All three men head out of the jailhouse and over to Thompkins general store. Once inside the store Kid rushes over to untie the two boys that look to be about four and six years old. Both boys have blonde hair and blue eyes and grins that are full of mischief. Kid's facial expression is bleak with fright that Thompkins may have hurt the two young boys by tying them up with heavy rope used for hangings. "Thompkins you can't tie up children that are practically babies," Buck spoke his words heated by the sight of the two boys tied to chairs that they had been seated on. "What about the candy they stole and ate?" "I'll pay for it. How much do they owe you?" Buck asked getting more upset the longer he's near Thompkins. Kid gets the two boys free from the chairs. "Their parents must be in town somewhere." "They owe me about five cents." "You're kidding. You caused this much of a commotion over five cents worth of candy!" Buck spoke not wanting to believe Thompkins could be this furious with two young boys who took five cents worth of candy. Buck retrieves the change from his pants pocket and tosses the five cents on the counter behind Thompkins. The children's parents walk into the general store. "I hope they weren't any trouble Mr. Thompkins," the mother spoke as her two sons run to her open arms.. "They were no trouble at all Mrs. Patterson. Right Thompkins," Kid spoke calmly not wanting to arouse the parents suspicious as to why the marshal and deputy were at the store with their children. "Thank-you Mr. Thompkins for keeping a watchful eye on these two while we were at the bank. Come along you two. We must get home. Your Pa has chores to get done," Mr. Patterson spoke. After the Patterson family gathers up their purchases and exits the store Kid rushes to get in between Thompkins and Buck. Kid is sure that Buck has lost just about all his composure with Thompkins. "You were babysitting," Buck stated through clinched teeth. He tries to get around Kid to get at Thompkins. Kid manages to keep a strong hold on Buck's arm so he can't punch the storeowner. "They aren't babies Buck," Thompkins spoke his voice trembling a bit. "Kid lets get out of here before I lose my normally calm patience," Buck spoke harshly. Both men head for the door before Thompkins can say or do anything else to disrupt their day. Kid lets the door slam behind him. Buck turns his attention towards the breaking of furniture, shouting customers, and flying fists coming from the saloon. "Sounds like something's going on over there," Kid stated as he watches the saloon doors. "You think we should get involved?" Buck asked apprehensively. Kid looks at Buck a bit confused by his question. "It's our job to get involved Buck," Kid points to the marshal's badge pinned on Buck's shirt. "Oh Yeah. Right," Buck spoke dishearteningly. Just as they start to cross the dirt street to get to the saloon two drunks come crashing through the front picture window of the saloon. The two men fly backwards taking out the horse railing along the street leaving it totally demolished. Glass, from the window, scatters into the main street. Kid and Buck are both startled from the cracking of glass shattering. They both jump back from the unexpected activity at the saloon. Buck and Kid use their arms as shelter to protect themselves from the flying glass pieces. The two drunken men who apparently don't even realize what has happened are laying flat on their backs at the edge of the street. They both appear to be out cold for neither one is uttering a sound or moving. The saloon owner comes rushing out of the saloon with a rifle cocked and ready to fire. "Best sober up fast boys! You've got a lot of things to pay for around this town!" He aims the rifle at the two semi-conscious men. Kid runs up and grabs the rifle out of the saloonkeeper's hands. "It's a bit early for all this violence don't you think?" "Keep those two drunks out of my saloon and breakfast would go smoothly around here," the saloon owner spoke as he barked out an order to Buck and Kid. "You're the one that served them whiskey for breakfast. Maybe tomorrow morning you should have coffee on the menu," Buck spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Don't you tell me what to have on the menu! You just sober those two up and get them back here to fix all the damage they've done," replied an anger saloon owner. He storms back into his saloon. Kid and Buck look at each other. Now they are both confused. Each man grabs one of the drunks and gets them to their feet. The drunks are holding their head in their hands trying to hide from the light of the late morning sun. Kid and Buck push them across the street towards the jailhouse. Both drunks stumble their way across the street occasionally falling to the ground. On the way to the jailhouse both men have fallen so many times they decide it would be best if they crawl to their destination. Buck and Kid walk ahead of the two men. Kid holds the jailhouse door open for the two drunks to crawl into. Buck is inside the marshal’s office with a jail cell already open for the two old men. Once the drunks are inside the cell Buck slams the cell door shut but doesn't bother to lock it. Immediately both drunks are climbing from the floor onto their cot while they struggle with consciousness. Buck and Kid both chuckle for a moment. "So this is what Teaspoon puts up with all day long. No wonder he's always sound asleep by seven in the evening." "Yeah, he needs a good night's sleep to capture all the residential criminals of Rock Creek," Buck spoke watching the two drunks snore away in the cell. Louise is re-planting some of her flowers when she hears the vibrating horse hooves on the ground coming her way. She glances up to see Kid and Buck ride in. She watches as the two men guide their horses into the barn. Louise stands up and tries to brush the dirt from her clothing. Kid and Buck walk out of the barn moments later. They head over toward Louise. "Dinner will be ready in about five minutes," Louise spoke as Kid walks up to her and places a kiss on her cheek. "How did your first day go playing marshal and deputy?" "Awful," Buck answered bluntly having the appearance of being worn out. Louise looks the two men over. She sees the tiredness in their eyes. The sight of their slumping shoulders breaks her heart. The frown on their face is deteriorating their otherwise handsome features. Both men seem to be taking turns yawning. Lou shakes her head and smiles slightly with amusement at her two overworked and under appreciated men. They won't be getting many repairs done to the ranch tonight. "That bad?" "It could have been better. Has Teaspoon ever complained to you about the problems he has with just the local residents of Rock Creek?" Kid asked searching for an answer for their miserable day. "You know Teaspoon. He never complains unless it has something to do with a member of his family," Louise answered Kid. "We're going to start on the barn roof before dinner," Kid spoke to Louise in between his yawns. "There's no sense in that. Dinner is just about ready." "Can you bring it out here Lou? We really need to get started before what is left of the daylight is gone," Buck stated tiredly. Louise watches Kid and Buck walk to the barn rather slowly. "Sure," Louise spoke barely above a whisper. Jeremiah comes out of the house. He's also watching Kid and Buck at the barn. "Are they going to start working before dinner?" Louise turns and heads up the front steps to her home. "They want their dinner outside tonight so they can start working on the roof." I'll have mine out here then too," Jeremiah stated in an overly enthusiastic tone. Louise grabs Jeremiah's arm and pulls him into the house with her. "Oh no you don't. Buck isn't in one of his best tolerable moods at the moment." "I'll hang around Kid." "Kid's in an even worse mood," Louise spoke as the front door closed behind her and Jeremiah. Buck and Kid both have dragged supplies, to fix the roof, onto a solid section of the barn roof. Buck is hammering down a new section of roofing over a large section of roof that was torn completely away from the barn. Kid is working on another section doing the same thing. "Boys," Rachel yelled from the ground below where the men are working on the roof. "What is it Rachel?" asked Buck in an unenthusiastic tone of voice. "Teaspoon just wanted me to find out how your first day went in town." "Should we tell her the truth or lie?" Buck asked Kid talking softly so Rachel wouldn't hear him. "Everything went just fine Rachel. Tell Teaspoon not to worry," replied Kid. Buck rolls his eyes. He continues to finish up the section he's working on. A crooked smile appears on Buck's face. He can't help but smile over Kid's lie just to keep everyone from telling them I told you so. "Teaspoon would like you to stop by tomorrow morning before you head over to the marshal’s office." "Sure thing Rachel," Kid replied smiling and throwing a few pieces of loose timber at Buck who is now laughing a bit louder. Rachel meets up with Louise as she is bringing Buck and Kid their dinner. Louise sits their dinners on a large cut off tree stump that is close to the barn. "They're eating dinner while they work?" Rachel asked a bit puzzled. "They said they needed the daylight that's left to get started with the repairs." "Isn't Jeremiah helping them?" Rachel asked. Louise shakes her head no. "I thought it would be best if Jeremiah stay away from Buck and Kid for a few days. When they're both good and exhausted then I'll throw Jeremiah out to help them." "Are you hoping they won't notice Jeremiah under their feet?" "Something like that," Louise spoke as she smiled and put an arm around Rachel's shoulder. Both women stroll away from the barn and leave each other to walk into their own home. "Goodnight Rachel." "Goodnight Louise." CHAPTER SIX The next morning Buck stumbles out the front door of his home tucking his shirt into his pants while trying to hang onto his gun belt with one hand. After he accomplishes that task with some difficultly he buckles his gun belt on as he walks over to Teaspoon's home where he is to meet up with Kid. Kid greets Buck by the white picket fence that leads to the entrance of the Hunter home. A white picket fence that is still in shambles from the storm. Kid is still yawning, but at least he has himself completely dressed. "What do you suppose Teaspoon wants to talk to us about?" Kid asked in between long drawn out yawns. "Probably wants to reprimand you for lying to his wife the way you did last night," Buck spoke as he strolled into the front yard and left a stunned Kid holding up the broken gate door. Kid propped the gate up and ran to catch up with Buck. "You are kidding right?" Buck just arched an eyebrow at Kid and smiled. Both men enter the house to the smell of fresh coffee brewing. They take the stairs two at a time and bust in on Teaspoon and Rachel in a loving embrace on the bed. Kid and Buck both clear their throats to get the couple's attention. "What you two didn't think we heard you coming? You sound like a herd a cattle walking up those stairs," Teaspoon bellowed. "Rachel places one last soothing kiss on Teaspoon's forehead.”I'm sure you men have a lot to talk about. I'll be downstairs." She leaves the bedroom. Teaspoon is laying flat on his back, but is reaching his hands out for Buck and Kid to help him sit up. "You think you boys could help an old man out here." "Sorry Teaspoon," Kid spoke rushing to Teaspoon's side. Buck props Teaspoon's pillows up in back of him while Kid helps Teaspoon into a sitting position. "You think maybe you could put a couple pillows underneath that bad leg?" Teaspoon asked pathetically. Buck grabs two pillows from a nearby chair. Kid lifts Teaspoon's bad leg up while Buck situates the pillows underneath the leg. Once Buck has the pillows fluffed and right under Teaspoon's leg Kid drops the leg onto the pillows without thinking about it being broke. Teaspoon lets out a stifling scream of pain as he grabs for his broken leg. "You could try being a little more gentle about it Kid." "Ah, sorry Teaspoon. I wasn't thinking," Kid spoke behind tired eyes. Teaspoon eyes his boys over suspiciously. After one day at the marshal's office they are both looking a bit under the weather. "You two sure everything's alright? You both look like you should be sleeping in your beds instead of starting a new day." "We were up pretty late last evening fixing the barn roof. Afterwards we had horses grazing in the pastures that had to be guided into the barn for the night," Buck spoke supplying Teaspoon with an answer to their yawns and bloodshot eyes. "You sure nothing happened in town yesterday?" "Nothing out of the ordinary," Kid replied lying through his teeth again. "Ok. I guess the town folks haven't been too hard on you then. I sure could go for a cup of that coffee Rachel's brewing," Teaspoon spoke with a hint of a request for the boys to fetch him his morning coffee. "I'll get it for you," Buck spoke turning his attention to Kid and shaking his head. He knows Teaspoon is up to no good. Buck leaves the room and heads downstairs for the coffee. Rachel is at the foot of the stairs with three cups in her hands. She hands the boiling liquid over to Buck. "Are you sure you can handle all three?" "I'm fine Rachel." Buck walks back up the stairs more quietly this time around. When he gets into Teaspoon's bedroom he hands Kid and Teaspoon each a cup of steaming coffee. Buck and Kid start to drink from their cups. Teaspoon glances down at the contents of his cup and shows dislike for the liquid inside. "Something wrong Teaspoon?" Buck asked with concern. "I thought maybe I'd try my coffee with some cream in it this morning." "Since when did you start drinking coffee with cream?" Buck asked confused. "Well… I…I thought maybe I'd just give it a try that's all," Teaspoon spoke rather soft spoken. Buck takes Teaspoon's cup of coffee from him and rushes out of the bedroom and back down the stairs to Rachel's kitchen. "My foot is getting cold. You think you could get a pair of my socks out of the drawer for me," Teaspoon asked Kid. Kid walks over to Teaspoon's chest of drawers and goes through all the drawers before finding his socks in the very last drawer. He hands them to Teaspoon. "I don't think I can reach my foot son," Teaspoon spoke sarcastically. Kid grabs the socks from Teaspoon and tries to putting a sock on the foot of Teaspoon’s broken leg with Teaspoon moaning in pain. "I'm trying to be careful." "You have a lousy bedside manner Kid." "I admit I don't have much experience in putting other people's socks on. Hell I have a hard time dressing myself in the morning." "I bet you do," Teaspoon spoke with a snicker. Buck walks back into the bedroom. He stops dead in his tracks with a silly expression on his face when he witnesses the scene before him. "Here's your coffee with cream in it Teaspoon." Buck hands the fresh cup of coffee with cream over to Teaspoon. Kid forces the sock on Teaspoon's foot. Which causes Teaspoon to spill some of his steaming hot coffee down the front of his shirt? "Kid I could have wrestled with the undertaking of putting my socks on a whole lot better then what you're accomplishing." "Sorry Teaspoon. I suppose you need a dry shirt now too." "That would be nice." Buck is standing in the background trying to hold in his laughter and not doing very well with the task. He watches as Teaspoon takes a sip of his coffee. He watches as Teaspoon's face turns sour. "You're right son. There's no way I can drink that god awful stuff," Teaspoon spoke gruffly as he hands the cup of coffee back to Buck. Buck takes the coffee cup from Teaspoon. "I suppose you'd like a fresh cup of black coffee." "That'd be nice of you to get me a fresh cup," Teaspoon smiled pleased with himself for causing both men a morning they won't soon forget. Kid takes Teaspoon's soiled shirt off and puts a clean shirt back on the disabled marshal. He's buttoning the shirt up when Buck comes back into the room with a cup of black coffee. He hands it over to Teaspoon. Teaspoon takes a pleasing sip of the black brew. "Now that's much better. You two best get into town. It's already eight o'clock. You've got a busy day ahead of yourselves," Teaspoon spoke commandingly. Both men start to leave the bedroom. "Oh and boys. Thanks for the visit this morning. It was…interesting to say the least." "Have a nice day Teaspoon," Kid spoke gruntingly to an amused Teaspoon Hunter. Addison and Daniel Hunter come barreling into their father's bedroom landing abruptly onto his bed. Teaspoon moans in pain pretending that the boys hurt his leg. Addison has beautiful brown chestnut locks like his mother with light brown eyes. He is five years old. He is Rachel and Teaspoon's elder son and he definitely shows his devilish side when his laughter lightens up a room. He starts to tickle Teaspoon. The same way Teaspoon is always tickling him whenever he doesn't obey his father. "How are you daddy?" Addison asked in-between his boisterous giggles. Teaspoon finally gets the boy down on the bed and gives him just a little taste of his own medicine. He tickles him feverishly. Addison giggles are uncontrollable. Teaspoon can't help but laugh at the boy's seeming torment. "Ok. I give up!" Addison muffled his scream mixed with giggles. Teaspoon gives him one last tickle and then stops. "I suppose you may have had enough tickles for one day." Daniel Hunter is Teaspoon's youngest son. He is three years old. He doesn't demand tickles. Teaspoon pulls Daniel up to his chest and gives the boy a big old bear hug. Daniel has reddish brown hair and a few freckles scattered on his face. He is a little quieter than his untamed brother. Daniel points at Teaspoon's bad leg. "Daddy you have a boo boo. You need me to fix it for you?" Daniel asked as he hugs Teaspoon back. "Ah… Daniel. The doc already fixed my boo boo." "Do you have to stay in bed because you're sick?" Addison asked getting into the conversation with his dad and brother. "I am not sick. Your mama won't let me get out of bed," Teaspoon spoke to both his boys. "You just make sure you listen to mama, Teaspoon Hunter," Rachel ordered from the doorway. "Mama!" Both boys yelled in unison. Both boys jump off the bed and leave their father in a mass of disheveled blankets. They run into their mother's open arms. Rachel bends down to give them each a kiss and giant hug to start their morning. "You two run along downstairs. Your breakfast is at the table," Rachel spoke softly to her two children. Both boys high tail it down the stairs. Rachel turns around to view Teaspoon straightening out his blankets. Rachel places a kiss on his cheek. "Those two are going to miss their daddy being confined to a bed for a month or more." "Once I get those crutches I'll be able to walk around a bit. I'll at least be able to sit outside and watch them play even if I can't join in." Rachel glances skeptically at her stubborn husband. "You ain't going to even let me sit outside?" Teaspoon asked a frown developing on his face. Rachel hates seeing Teaspoon so beside himself with anxiety over his bedridden state. She fluffs his pillows and props them up again for him to rest his back on. "I suppose if you sit still and don't do too much moving around. I can let you sit outside now and then." "Thank-you very much warden." "Your welcome," Rachel spoke beaming brightly at her husband. CHAPTER SEVEN Miss Cooper an elderly lady from town with poor eyesight is yelling at Buck and Kid in the marshal's office. She is shaking her walking cane at the two young men barely missing their faces. An elderly gentleman is standing behind the lady looking intimidated by the woman. Her hair is white and swept up in a bun. There are some loose strands of white hair around her face that are evidence of a slight struggle. She is losing her temper with the two men at the marshal's office. They don't appear to be taking her very seriously. Although the thrashing they are taking from her walking cane has the two men backed up to the wall, they are not sure how Teaspoon would handle this situation. "I demand you lock Mr. Larson up," Miss Cooper yelled loud enough for any town folk passing by the office to hear. "Miss Cooper, what did Harry do?" Kid asked stunned that two of the town’s most elderly citizens would be at the marshal’s office with a physical dispute. "What did you say?" Miss Cooper yelled as she leaned closer to Kid to hear what he said to her. "I said what did Harry do wrong?" Kid yelled. "Took me on a picnic,” claimed Miss Cooper without any resentment in her tone of voice. "Why that sounds real nice of you Harry," Buck spoke his attention turning to Mr. Larson with an amusing smile on his face. "I thought so too," Mr. Larson spoke meekly. "Nobody asked you to butt your nose into the conversation marshal," Miss Cooper spoke in a harsh tone aimed at Buck while pointing her cane up in his face. "I was only trying to help," Buck spoke defending his actions. "Miss Cooper, a picnic does sound nice," Kid spoke trying to get back to the matter at hand. "He tried to seduce me!" Miss Cooper yelled at the three men who by now are all trying to stifle their laughter. Miss Cooper looks from one man to the next. She is not finding any amusement in this situation at all. She has a scowl on her face and it isn't budging off her face anytime soon. "I want Harry arrested for his actions!" The laughter coming from all three men suddenly comes to a quiet stop. Buck and Kid straighten up and try to look the part of acting marshal and deputy that they have sworn to do. Mr. Larson's laughter has turned into a frown. "Miss Cooper I really don't think Mr. Larson meant to take advantage of a wonderful woman such as you," Kid spoke as he lays his smooth talk on pretty thick. He wants to make sure Miss Cooper can't see through his wicked ways to keep from having to lock poor Mr. Larson up. "Mr. Larson next time you take Miss Cooper on a picnic remember to keep your hands to yourself. Unless of course Miss Cooper should say otherwise," Buck spoke trying to offer some advice. "There won't be a next time!" Miss Cooper stated irritably. She proceeded to leave the jailhouse. On her way out she slaps poor Mr. Larson with her walking cane. "If the law won't protect a woman then a woman will just have to protect herself." She slaps the cane at Mr. Larson several more times before Kid and Buck apprehend her cane. "Miss Cooper it isn't a good idea to beat Mr. Larson with your cane right inside the marshal's office," Kid spoke. He hands the cane back to Miss Cooper, but escorts her out the door. "It's better if you beat Mr. Larson with it out on the street where we can't witness the action," Buck spoke with a smirk across his face. Kid watches from the doorway as Miss Cooper and Mr. Larson walk down the street to their buckboard. Kid watches as Miss Cooper allows Mr. Larson to take her hand in his and proceed to help her onto the seat of the buckboard. "She's actually going to let Mr. Larson take her home." "It figures. She's already forgiven him. But I bet the next time she sees either one of us on the streets of Rock Creek she'll use that cane on us," Buck spoke as he sits down at the desk. Kid walks away from the doorway and sits in a chair close to the desk. "I have the feeling we're in for another day just like yesterday. I can't believe our luck. Teaspoon never has this much trouble with the town folks." "Maybe he does and just never mentions it to any of us or complains about it." "I don't know Buck. You would think if he had to put up with Miss Cooper too much, Teaspoon would have shot her by now." A man who resembles a mountain man with a frame well over six feet tall and muscles that he has the right to brag about, walks out of the livery stables shouting at Mr. Jenson and Jason. Mr. Jenson and his son Jason own the livery stables in Rock Creek. Mr. Jenson is an elderly man with white hair who can barely stand up. At one time in his life he was a tall man, but his hunched over posture has shortened his physical appearance considerably. His beady gray eyes stare up at the brawny man through spectacles that have been fogged over from the man's heavy breath. His son Jason resembles him except that he is thirty years younger. "You best find my horse! There's no way I'm going to believe that horse of mine trotted out of this livery by himself!" "Look mister. My Pa's telling you the truth. We don't have your horse. Maybe someone you know came in and took your horse out of here," Jason spoke his voice trembling from fear. "I don't know anyone in this hell hole of a town!" The mountain man shouted loud enough for all of Rock Creek to hear him. "We happen to think Rock Creek is a pretty respectable town mister," Mr. Jenson spoke with confidence rising in his soul. "I don't give a damn about your town! The only thing I care about is you two losers finding my horse." "For the last time, we don't have your horse," Jason shouted back at the mountain man. The next thing Jason knew, he was lying on his back in an oversized mud puddle. He rubs his chin where the mountain man's fist met with his tender face. He shakes his head from side to side to make sure it is still attached to his neck. Mr. Jenson tries to help his son stand on his feet. "Don't you think that was a bit uncalled for mister?" Mr. Jenson asked annoyed at the burley mountain man for punching Jason in the mouth. "We can let you borrow a horse until you find yours." "I don't want to borrow a horse! I want my damn horse! I want my horse right now! If I don't get my horse right now I'm going to have to kill the both of you!" The mountain man proclaimed his intentions to the two livery stable owners. "What's going on out here? Buck asked as he and Kid are rounding the corner of the livery stable with the guns drawn to stand next to the three men who have been involved in an intensely heated discussion. "Marshal these two so called horse caretakers have misplaced my horse from their stables. I am simply demanding they find my horse so I can get the hell out of this town." "What's your hurry?" Kid asked suspiciously of the mountain man. "I've got trapping and fishing to do before nightfall." "Marshal we don't have this….this….animal's horse," Jason proclaimed. "What did you call me?" The mountain man asked in a bearish manner. His enormous calloused hands grasp tightly around Jason's scrawny neck not allowing Jason any room for breathing. Jason grabs onto the man's hands with his own, but there is no comparison in size and he is unable to free the hold on his neck. He begins to feel his life being choked from him. Buck and Kid stand in a disbelieving trance from the mountain man's strength. Jason's gagging coughs draw both marshal and deputy out of their state of shock. Both men cock their guns on the crazy man. "Put him down!" Buck ordered sternly. The only actions Buck's words enhance are a firmer grasp around Jason's red neck. The gasping and gagging sounds coming from Jason are putting everyone on edge except for the mountain man holding his hostage. Buck aims his gun at the man's knees. "Drop him or you won't be walking very well for a few months." The mountain man turns his attention to the marshal. Buck aims directly where the bullet will rip through the man's flesh just above his kneecap. He slowly releases Jason's neck from his strong hold. Jason's body crumbles into a heap on the ground. He groans softly from the pain that is overtaking his entire body. Kid kneels down next to Jason and tries to help him onto his feet. "I don't want to stand up again. He'll only knock me to the ground again. Maybe it would be best if I just stay on the ground," Jason commented his voice hoarse. The mountain man springs out towards Buck. But Buck is a little faster then the heavyweight. Buck backs away from the bullish man aiming his gun directly at the mountain man's heart. "Stand back," Buck shouted at the man about to attack him. “Jason are you alright?" Buck asked keeping his eyes glued on the mountain man. Kid gets Jason to stand again. The three men gather around Buck. Mr. Jenson actually hides behind Kid, Buck and Jason. He peeks his head out between Kid and Buck's shoulders. "Marshal, maybe you and the deputy should escort this man out of town. I offered him another horse until he finds his." "Mr. Jenson!" A young boy on an enormous horse comes riding up to the livery stables. "I'm returning the horse you let me borrow yesterday." "That's my horse!" The mountain man shouted. Jason turns to look back at his father whose mouth is wide open from shock. "Pa did you let this boy take that horse without the owners permission?" "Ah…ah… I forgot about the boy asking if he could take the horse for a little ride." Mr. Jenson said his voice trembling and barely above a whisper. Jason turns to the mountain man who is lifting the young boy from atop his horse. "Your horse's stay at the livery is on us," spoke Jason his voice trembling with fear. The mountain man pays no attention to what Jason is saying rides out of Rock Creek at a slow pace without even thinking about paying his fee for his horse’s stay at the livery. Mr. Jenson and Jason watch him leave praying silently he never returns. "Mr. Jenson. The next time you lend out someone's horse try to remember that you allowed it before you try convincing a man you don't have no idea what happened to his horse," Kid suggested. "Kid I don't know about you, but I'm calling it a day," Buck spoke with a tried voice. "Sorry marshal. We didn't mean to disrupt your day," Jason spoke sympathetically. Later that evening after an exhausting day at the marshal's office and an even more tiring evening making repairs at the ranch, Buck and Kid are stretched out on the porch steps leading up to Kid's home. Their hats are pulled down over their face. The evening sun is about to descend from the sky leaving dusk upon the two men. "You think they are right?" Kid asked barely able to move his lips to speak. "Whoever they are has to be right. Remember Kid, we are always wrong," Buck spoke barely above a whisper. "Teaspoon ran us raged this morning before we even got ourselves over to Rock Creek." "He did that on purpose Kid. To prove a point," Buck spoke tiredly. "What point?" Kid asked slightly angered and pulling his hat back onto his head. He sits straight up on the steps and looks over at his business partner and best friend who obviously wants to sleep. "What point Buck?" Buck pulls his hat back onto his head and glances over at Kid. "That he still is always right." Kid thinks about what Buck has just told him. He takes a deep breath to keep his temper in check. "We can't let Teaspoon be right again." "Teaspoon's been right since the day we met him Kid. I don't see that rule ever changing." "Then you're saying we should just admit defeat?" Buck hates the idea of admitting defeat knowing Teaspoon will get great pleasure from their failure to keep peace in Rock Creek without calling on his help. "You know Teaspoon's going to love this. We're going to get another one of those long lectures of his. Rachel and Louise will have an over abundance of I told you so's waiting for us. Louise will make us get along with Jeremiah. Eventually Louise will have Jeremiah out here repairing the ranch right along side us. Then for months to come he'll be bragging about how, without his help, we couldn't have got the ranch back into shape before winter arrives." Kid thinks about all Buck has just said for a total of two seconds. "I think I can live with Teaspoon, Rachel and even Louise getting on us. Jeremiah's smugness I won't be able to tolerate even if he is Louise's brother." "We could shoot him," Buck suggested with half a smile. Kid actually takes a minute to think about the possibility. "Shooting him is probably a bad idea. Louise would shoot us." "You sure had to think about it long enough. So our choices are humiliation or death." Buck thinks on their choices for a moment. "I guess we've been humiliated plenty of times before and we always rebound from it." "Yeah. I'm not so sure we'd rebound from death quite as easily," Kid replied disheartened. Louise steps out onto the porch with two steaming cups of coffee in her hands. She sits down in between her husband and best friend. She hands each man a cup of the hot brew. "You two are looking mighty worn out. Your conversation is proof of that. What were you discussing?" "Oh. Just on how much Buck and I enjoy being the topic of everyone's laughter." "That's not what it sounded like to me. I could have sworn you were both contemplating your death or someone else's. What I think is that the two of you need some help over at the marshal's office." "We could send Jeremiah," Kid joked with an amusing smile pasted on his face. Buck chokes back a chuckle. His eyes lock with Louise's eyes in an apologetic manner. "I'm sorry Lou about how I spoke of Jeremiah earlier," Buck spoke almost ashamed that he had been so harsh to a sixteen-year-old boy. "It's not your fault Buck. Jeremiah just wants to prove he's more a man then still a boy. He wants to forget about things a boy should be thinking about," Louise spoke already having forgiven Buck. "Like his school work. Last school year the school teacher was over here at the ranch discussing Jeremiah's poor attitude more than she was at the school teaching," Kid spoke harshly forgetting that Louise would be upset with him again. Lou keeps her cool but breaths a heavy sigh of disapproval. "I think we all need a good night of sleep." Lou gets up and walks into the house. "I think she's mad at us again," Buck spoke softly not wanting Louise to hear the turmoil in his voice. "She's only upset with me. You have an extra bedroom over in that house of yours made up for me tonight?" Kid asked sadly. "Nope. You get in your house and apologize. We need Lou on our side when we admit defeat," Buck smiled. "Yeah. I guess you're right." Buck gets up to head over to his home located behind Kid and Lou's home. "Hey Buck." Buck stops in his tracks and turns around to look at Kid. "Finally one of us is right about something," Kid spoke smiling. "Goodnight Kid." "Goodnight Buck." CHAPTER EIGHT Kid stands on the porch watching Buck walk down the path at the side of his and Louise's home to reach his own home. It bothers him that night after night, after working on the ranch, his best friend goes home to an empty house. Although Buck never complains about it deep down Kid knows it bothers him. He watches Buck until his friend is well out of his sight. "I just wish Buck's being alone was my only problem that warrants attention," Kid muttered to himself. Kid glances up at the dark window above the porch. He had hoped she would wait up for him so they could have a much-needed talk. They don't seem to agree on anything in their shared life anymore. Everything was so much easier before they were married. It's so easy to hurt someone's feelings without really knowing what you've done. Every event in their life is a conflict in the making. Like a pot of potatoes just about to boil over, and then at the last minute someone takes the pot off the fire! The problem is that he knows the fire with Louise and him is about to burn out unless he can put a halt on the bickering and disagreeing that's been going on between them for quite some time now. Kid walks up the stairs and into the dimly lit house. He blows out the single oil lamp that is burning near the foot of the stairs leading to the second floor. As he works his way up to the second floor he wonders what has made Louise become so infuriated almost on a daily basis with him. He reasons that he may not be spending enough time with her. Maybe he hasn't been giving her the attention that she desires. The ranch has taken a lot of his time over the past few years to build it into the reputation that he and Buck have developed it into. Before the ranch he had spent almost two years fighting in the war. At that time in their lives Lou was pregnant with their first child. Abigail was born in April of 1862 and Kid didn’t meet his daughter until she was a year old in the spring of 1863, but during the time that Kid was gone Lou had no idea from day to day if he were still alive or dead. When he did finally find his way back to Rock Creek they had a reunion that lasted for weeks and prove of that was Emma their second daughter who was born in February of 1864 just a few months before the ranch was officially doing business, but then came the tedious and hard work everyday that he needed to put into the ranch to make it successful. Now with his added deputy duties, to help Buck out, he hasn't spent any time at all with his lovely wife. "It can't be just the work load on the ranch and in the town. She's been moody longer than just this past week," Kid muttered to himself. He hopes as he wanders to their bedroom that she has waited up for him. The rest of the bedrooms, on the second floor, are dark behind the closed doors. He turns the doorknob to the bedroom that he shares with his beautiful wife of six years, and opens the door quietly so he doesn't disturb her peaceful sleep. Kid walks slowly over to where she is sleeping. The warm glow of the moonlight shines in through their bedroom windows giving him enough light to touch her alluring body with his eyes. He gazes down at his sleeping wife snuggled under the covers in the bed he made her after he returned home from the war. She appears to be so comfortable, yet in his heart he knows she's not. He starts to undress laying his clothes over a chair. He leaves his long johns on and crawls into bed lying on his back. He stares blindly at the ceiling. With her back turned to him, he takes the hint that she doesn't want to cuddle with him. His heart is crushed that she would pretend to be asleep to avoid talking to him. They can't go on denying the problems between them. He sighs heavily waiting for Louise to confess her betrayal. He waits for a few seconds. Louise makes no attempt to admit to him that she is really awake. "Louise, I know you're not sleeping," Kid spoke his voice cracking with emotion. Louise opens her eyes shamefully. She wonders when her husband has become so perceptive. Most days she feels that Kid doesn't notice that she's even around much less what she's doing or how she's feeling about things. "We need to talk about what it is that's upsetting you," Kid spoke softly. She continues to keep her back turned to him as she speaks to him. "There's nothing upsetting me," Louise spoke harshly. "It seems to me by your tone of voice that something I've done is bothering you." "Alright. You are not married to Buck!" "I hope not. I mean Buck and I have a lot in common, but I just don't see us being real well suited for one another," Kid spoke with a hint of sarcasm in his words. "You're not funny Kid," Louise spoke while sitting up in bed next to her husband. "You've been taking Buck's side on things lately and completely ignoring my opinions and not to mention my feelings." Kid pulls his body up into a sitting position next to his wife. He takes her hand in his while looking very confused by her words. "If this is about Jeremiah you haven't been real happy with him lately either." "He's my brother Kid. He is just a boy," Louise spoke softly wanting her husband's understanding. "He wants to be treated like a man. If he insists that we treat him like a man then he'll have to learn to deal with disapproval when he says or does something that hurts others." "I don't think Jeremiah really meant to act unconcerned about Teaspoon's condition." "You're right. His actions were that of a teenage boy. At that age most boys aren't concerned about anyone else's well being but their own. The thing is Louise, Jeremiah wants all of us to treat him like he's all grown up. If Jeremiah were all grown up, I believe he would have been more compassionate and affected by Teaspoon's injuries. He would have been asking how Teaspoon was doing instead of snickering about Teaspoon's bad disposition." "Kid, don't forget that both Rachel and I found it a bit humorous concerning Teaspoon's disposition," Louise stated sheepishly. "That's different." "How so?" "You and Rachel were both distressed over Teaspoon's well being. Having a good laugh about it was your way of releasing the fear that you weren’t sure whether Teaspoon was going to be alright or not. Jeremiah completely ignored the fact that Teaspoon was hurt badly from his accident and that it could have been a lot worse then it was. Jeremiah has growing up to do yet. I'm not ready to treat him like an adult until he shows signs of being one." Louise thinks on her husband's words for a brief moment. She truly understands how Kid feels, but she also knows her brother didn't purposely mean to upset anyone the night of Teaspoon's accident. "Alright, I can agree with what you're saying. Just please promise me you won't be as harsh towards Jeremiah as Buck can sometimes be," Louise spoke her eyes pleading with Kid. "Buck was just hurt by Jeremiah's reaction. You know how much Teaspoon means to Buck. If it weren’t for Teaspoon pleading with Buck to return back home to all of us, Buck might be dead by now.” Louise throws her hands up in the air. To her there is just no use trying to make him see that Buck is coming between them. "There you go defending Buck again." "Louise I'm sorry, but I happen to think Buck is right on this issue. Besides, Buck did apologize to you. I don't hear Jeremiah doing any apologizing." She looks at Kid with a confused but grouchy look on her face. "Buck should apologize for his mean words aimed at Jeremiah. Buck is an adult and he shouldn't be so harsh on a…..boy," Louise spoke fully understanding the meaning of the words that just came from her mouth. Kid is warmly smiling at his embarrassed wife. She has calmed down since their conversation first began. "I still think Buck is a little over-sensitive where Teaspoon is concerned,” Louise spoke wondering if Kid would take her side on this matter. "Louise, you know that Teaspoon and Buck have been through a lot together. Remember back six years ago when we were all going our separate ways after the Pony Express closed. Noah had been killed. Ike was already gone. Both their deaths really hurt Teaspoon more than any of us really knew except for Buck. Buck was going through the same pain and he knew Teaspoon had lost two boys that he thought of as his son's. Then Cody joins the army as a scout. Teaspoon loses another son. Jimmy decides to roam for a while, settling down in whatever town needs a lawman at the time. Teaspoon loses another son. I decide to leave and head back home to fight in the war. Teaspoon loses another son. Jesse had left to go on the run with his brother Frank. Teaspoon loses another son. Buck was the only one of us left." "I was staying." "That's different Louise. You're like a daughter to Teaspoon. I meant all his son's were leaving him. Teaspoon never wanted his family to break up. I'm sure he thought, before the war started to head west, that we would all live in Rock Creek together as a family forever. He wanted Buck to stay. Teaspoon knew in his heart that if Buck wanted to leave then he would have to let him go. I think it kind of broke Teaspoon's heart just a little that Buck needed to work things out with his Kiowa family. I also know from the letters Teaspoon was writing to me that he was deeply afraid Buck would get hurt again by the tribe's treatment of him." "Sure enough one year later Buck came back home to his real family," Louise spoke proudly. "I remember Teaspoon's exact words in the letter he had written when he told me that Buck had returned to Rock Creek. Kid, at this moment I am the happiest man alive." "I remember the day Buck came back. Teaspoon was so excited bringing Buck to the homestead. It was like Buck had been gone a lifetime instead of just one year," Louise spoke her eyes misting over from the thought of happy memories. "I believe some of that excitement from Teaspoon was because his family was returning to him. It started with Buck. I think Teaspoon envisioned all of us returning to settle down with our Pony Express family." "I realize Teaspoon and Buck have a special bond. But we all rode for The Pony Express. We are all a part of Teaspoon's life." "Yeah, but you haven't been Teaspoon's deputy for the past almost five years. Teaspoon and Buck have become closer than the rest of us because of their working relationship. Teaspoon worries about Buck and Buck worries about Teaspoon." "Why does Teaspoon worry about Buck?" "Because Buck is alone. Teaspoon is going to worry about Buck until Buck finds someone special to share his life with." "You don't have to be married to him until he does." "Are we back to that again? Louise you are beginning to sound as insensitive as your brother. I remember not to long ago you playing matchmaker. You wanted to get Buck married off because you didn't want him being alone." "Are you concerned about Buck?" "Not really. When the right woman comes along Buck will know. But, what I am concerned about is that you are bringing Buck into our marriage. I don't really think Buck is our problem. I think you are using Buck as a scapegoat to avoid the real problem in our marriage." "What is the real problem in our marriage Kid?" Louise asked not really knowing what the problem is. "I thought perhaps you could clue me in on the problem. Maybe I'm not spending enough time with my beautiful wife." Louise slips back under the blankets and covers Kid's body with her own. She showers him with pleasurable kisses until he reaches around and hugs her tightly to his body. He slides down on the bed and kisses Louise deeply. Her soft moans urge him to continue. The moonlight is bright this summer night. The sky is clear of any clouds. Brilliant stars can be seen scattered about the sky. Tonight is nothing like a few nights ago when the thunderous storm had caused havoc onto their homes. Buck stands on the edge of the porch to his home. The holds onto a steaming hot cup of coffee. The steam endlessly soars from the hot liquid and disappears into the heat of the summer air. Even in the summer heat, Buck prefers a hot cup of coffee to any other beverage. Louise often would say how crazy he is as she's gulping down a full glass of lemonade. He smiles to himself thinking about Louise. He gazes over at Kid and Louise's darken home wondering if he's the problem brewing in their relationship. Could he possibly be coming between them because of his friendship and business partnership with Kid? It was some years ago when he thought he had come between another couple. It was 1860. They were as close of a family as any blood relations were. There were seven of them riding for The Pony Express. Teaspoon Hunter was their stationmaster, friend and father. He loved them all as if they were his own flesh and blood. They all loved him back and respected the man also. Buck had meet Ike at an orphanage where they both had lived. With neither one of them really fitting in very well they found the courage to walk away from the orphanage. Neither one ever looked back. It was some months later that they ended up in Sweetwater. That's where they found The Pony Express and Teaspoon Hunter. They had a few bad times together as a family, but each of them knew they could lean on the others if need be. Isn't that how being part of a family works? They help each other when times are bad and laugh together when times are good. In 1861 Ike met a beautiful young woman who he lost his heart to. Buck feared that Ike would only get hurt. He had begged Ike to stay away from Emily. Ike had never had much luck with the women he fell for. Buck sensed that Emily's father was bad news. It wasn't to be. Ike helped Emily fix up the farm where she lived while her father was in another town. That night after Ike had come home to the bunkhouse; Neville had gone out to the farm and set the barn on fire. Emily wouldn't admit that it was Neville who had set the fire, the man her father had already gotten into some heated words with over a poker game. Ike invited Emily to The Annual Summer Dance. The happy couple had been enjoying themselves at the dance. They danced almost every song together. They left the dance after awhile to go for a walk. Later Buck had found them coming out of the barn. Ike seemed different. Happier then he had ever been. Ike seemed very much in love with the woman in his arms. Ike's clothes were a bit disheveled. Buck knew instantly that something more than a few kisses had transpired between Ike and Emily Metcalfe. That's when all hell broke loose. The gambler Neville had killed Emily's father. A man who witnessed the episode proclaimed the gunfight self-defense. Emily was beside herself with grief. Buck had figured that out later. She went to the saloon with the intentions of killing Neville. There was only one thought that stood in her way. That one thought would be guilt. Buck also knew a lot about that. Ike had found out about Emily's intentions. He tore out of the bunkhouse with the rest of the express riders close on his heels, but too far back to stop what happened next. In the process of coming to Emily's rescue, Ike was badly wounded. After the Doc had examined Ike and cleaned and dressed the wound, Buck was allowed inside to visit his friend and brother. The sight of Ike saddened Buck that day. Ike laid motionless in one of the Doc's healing rooms. Once Buck looked at the wound, he knew it was a wound that would take his best friend away from him forever. They cried together. Ike also knew he would be leaving his best friend. They were two friends who thought they had all the time in the world, and now that time was being taken from them. They told each other they loved the other. The tears and sadness wouldn't stop! They gazed into each other's tear-filled eyes and neither one could utter the words good-bye. This wouldn't be good-bye forever. Buck got up from the chair he'd been sitting on and walked out. Later that same day after Ike died, Buck killed Neville in cold blood. The man deserved to die. Buck felt no remorse in what he'd done to Neville. But as the years have passed since that dreadful day Buck has grown up and has realized that it wasn't his place to take Neville's life. He sipped on the hot coffee. He definitely knows a lot about grief and guilt. The two simply don't mix well together. He felt, for the longest time, his meddling into Ike's personal business was the fatal outcome of Ike and Emily's love story. Kid was the one friend that kept reminding him that Neville was the intruder in Ike and Emily's romance and not him. He would suggest tomorrow that Kid stay home and work on the ranch close to his wife. He could handle the town by himself. Kid needs to spend more time with his beautiful wife. He cares about Louise. He can sense that lately Louise has been acting more moody than her normal self. He sits on the porch swing tired of thinking, but sleep isn't quite ready to overcome him. The only light in the room comes from an oil lamp located on a nightstand next to Rachel's side of the bed. Rachel briskly walks across the wood floor in her bare feet. She is dressed in a long ivory colored cotton nightdress. She pulls the blanket back and climbs into bed next to her husband. She takes notice that Teaspoon is quietly awake and staring blindly up at the ceiling. "Is it too hot tonight for you to sleep?" Rachel asked puzzled by the fact that Teaspoon has yet to acknowledge her presence in their bed. She gazes up at the ceiling wondering if there is something up there. "Is the ceiling dirty?" That catches Teaspoon's attention. He clears his throat and turns his head to look at her. "I didn't hear you come in. How long have you been sitting there?" "You really are in a trance tonight." Rachel makes herself more comfortable in the bed. She turns to her side to face her husband. "Is everything ok?" "I'm just trying to figure out human nature that's all." "How's your leg holding up?" "My leg is fine. It's the rest of me that's a bit sore," Teaspoon spoke in a rather harsh tone to his lovely wife while trying to get more comfortable. She hadn't really wanted to ask. Rachel knew she'd get a grumpy answer back. She only asked because she didn't want Teaspoon thinking she didn't care about his condition. "So what kind of human nature are we talking about?" She reaches her hand up to his face to place a strand of loose hair back behind his ear. "Buck, Kid, Louise and the rest of this family." "Is there a problem?" "Just seems like they're all on edge lately. I'm thinking that it has to do with my being laid up. Buck and Kid don't get too much time away from the marshal's office or working on the repairs here at the ranch." "So you're worried about how Louise is holding up with Kid spending so much of his time being a deputy and repairing the ranch," Rachel stated knowing exactly what her husband is thinking. Louise has had problems in the past dealing with Kid's lack of interest in her and the girls. The ranch has to be top priority if they are to have any kind of a future that they can depend on for income. Buck and Kid both have always been hard workers. During the days of the Pony Express neither one of them ever shunned away from their chores. That was always Cody's job. Back then Louise was more content to have Kid fusing less then what he wanted. Nowadays Louise wants more of Kid's attention then he can give. Human nature definitely is difficult to figure out. We husband's all know that our wife requires a certain amount of loving and attention," Teaspoon spoke proudly as if he was just discovering something brand new. "Us wife's might require a certain amount of love and attention, but it's you husband's that get it all," Rachel spoke a little proud of herself for putting the men in their rightful place. Her husband knows perfectly well who gets all the attention in this relationship. "Are you telling me you don't get enough attention my lovely wife?" "What I'm trying to tell you is that for example, when a husband comes down sick, his wife makes him homemade soup for his nauseated stomach. She drapes a cool cloth over his forehead to comfort his rising fever. She props his broken limps up with pillows. She makes sure he is covered with blankets to keep him from getting a chill. She feeds him when he is too weak to get a spoon to his mouth. She cleans his gun wounds and changes his bandages to keep away infections. But, let a wife get sick and what does her husband do for her. He goes out and mucks out the stalls in the barn." "I guess you're trying to tell me that I get my fair share of attention around her," Teaspoon spoke somewhat apprehensive. Rachel places a warm kiss on Teaspoon's cheek. She smiles at him reassuringly. "I'm not angry from all the attention you receive. But let's just analyze your present situation. You have Buck acting like a mother hen. You've got Kid putting socks on your feet. That's something I won't even do. Louise and I are spoiling you with cooking anything your stomach fancies. Addison and Daniel keep you company practically all day long. Doc Barnes is out here every chance he gets to make sure you are as comfortable as you can possibly be." "He hasn't brought my crutches out yet," Teaspoon spoke saddened. Rachel laughs at her husband. "That's because I told on you. Doc Barnes wants you to rest for a few more days before you try hobbling about on crutches." Teaspoon seems to accept the news about his crutches rather well. He is unusually quiet. "What is it that is really troubling your thoughts tonight?" "Can you feel the tension between Buck, Kid, Louise and Jeremiah? Something doesn't feel right amongst the four of them. I feel like there's something going on that no one wants me to be aware of." Rachel sighs heavily. She wonders in her mind and heart if perhaps she should confide to Teaspoon what has them all on edge. Teaspoon gazes at her quizzically. He can tell by the sorrowful appearance in her eyes that she is hiding something from him. "Out with it," Teaspoon spoke more gruffly to her then he intended to. Rachel sits up in their bed and faces her husband. "I don't want you getting yourself worked up over any of this. They are all adults and they can fix their problems without you getting involved." "Is there too much for Buck and Kid to handle by themselves? They could rope Jeremiah into helping them. I'm sure the boy won't mind. He's usually always under their feet anyway pleading with them to let him help out." Rachel clears her throat trying to stall for time. Teaspoon isn't going to let her off the hook so easily. His eyes are glaring right through her very soul. She can't lie to this man. "Jeremiah is some of the problem." "Whatever it is, I can handle it," Teaspoon spoke annoyed that his wife would keep a secret from him. "I don't want you getting upset. Just stay calm until I'm finished." "I think I can hold my temper steady until you finish telling me what you're going to start telling me right now," Teaspoon demanded calmly. "Jeremiah had said some things about your accident and kind of laughed about how bad your disposition would get from being made to stay in bed." "Why would I get mad about that? He's just a boy. Boys have a tendency to be smart with their mouth once in awhile." "Buck took it to heart," Rachel spoke softly. "Buck took it to heart?" Teaspoon questioned confusingly. "Buck was real worried that you were hurt a lot worse than you was. Jeremiah was mouthing off a bit about your injury and your temper. Buck didn't appreciate the funning Jeremiah was having associated with your accident. Kid wasn't real pleased with the way Jeremiah was behaving either. I think more because Buck was upset." "I suppose Louise witnessed all of this between Buck, her husband and her brother?" "She was right there. Actually Louise and I let out a few quiet giggles about your mood as well. Buck and Kid didn't seem to take offense to us though." "You know what I think? I think I better have a talk with Buck," Teaspoon spoke harshly. "Teaspoon please don't be upset with or blame Buck for the tension that is going on between the four of them. He is only concerned about you. The trouble between Buck and Jeremiah is a situation that can easily be fixed over time. You know Buck has always been sensitive and caring toward others. Jeremiah is young. He says things before he thinks about what he's saying. Sometimes what he says hurts others. I don't really think Jeremiah means anything by it,” Rachel spoke worried that Teaspoon would be angry with Buck. "I already had a conversation with Buck and Kid about Jeremiah's immaturity. I thought they both understood what I was preaching concerning Jeremiah's maturity level compared to theirs at that age." Rachel kisses Teaspoon softly on the lips. "Personally, I think we all need a good night's sleep. Everything will look better in the morning." Rachel and Teaspoon both slide down onto the bed. Rachel turns out the oil lamp. Darkness is upon the Kid and Buck Horse Ranch. CHAPTER NINE The early morning sunrise shines brilliant hues of amber and golden honey as the late August sun makes its way into the sky above the ranch. The sky is luminous deep blue in color. There are a few powdery clouds floating endlessly in the breathtaking sky. With a beginning such as this how could any day be burdened with tension amongst friends and family? There isn't a sound being heard at the ranch except for the sounds of nature. The birds are chirping a rhythmic melody that only they can understand. Humans can appreciate the enchanting songs sung by the feathered creature, but understanding the carefree life of the bird is something humans have no idea how to achieve. The creek that runs along Buck's home is flowing smoothly. Occasionally the creek water runs into a shallow area. The water babbles serenely over a mountain of tiny pebbles rushing to escape the small stones only to return to the smoothness of a deeper portion of the creek. The crisp water on many occasions has brought relieve to the families of The Kid and Buck Ranch on a searing summer day. A pleasing summer breeze lifts the scent of wildflowers growing nearby to the open windows of the homes. In the early morning hours the vibrant floral scent reaches the senses of sleeping bodies and embraces them into a deeper more restful slumber. It's an explicit morning for anyone fortunate to be up and around to witness its allurement to the mind, body, heart, and soul. Buck unlocks the door to the marshal's office with Kid trailing right behind him. The two men enter the building closing the door tightly behind them. Perhaps they're thinking that if they shut the door they can ignore the outside world and the town of Rock Creek will ignore them. Kid pulls up a chair to sit at the front of the marshal's desk. He takes some papers from the desk and starts thumbing through them. He doesn't appear to be studying them much through his obvious weary eyes. He lets out a wide yawn that seems endless. Buck studies Kid carefully as he's opening an envelope of new wanted posters. "I'll try and keep my distance. If I'm not around Jeremiah than I can't lose my patience with him," Buck spoke quietly. He sorts through the posters and begins to post them on the bulletin board as he takes down old ones and distributes them into a nearby waste paper can. "Does anyone ever catch any of these criminals?" "We're not taking on that job as well. Let the bounty hunters hunt them down and shoot them in the back," Kid replied through a yawn. Buck glances over his shoulder at his friend. Kid is no longer shuffling through papers. He's leaning his chair back on its hind legs with his hands folded across his chest. "You tired this morning Kid?" "Louise kept me up late last night." "Yeah. I bet she did," Buck replied in a teasing tone. "Not for the reasons you're thinking," Kid replied seriously. "Don't tell me she kept you up late discussing Jeremiah and me." "That's exactly what she did." Kid looks up from his brief nap to talk to Buck. "You wouldn't believe how upset she is about me siding with you about Jeremiah. She even suggested I should be married to you." Buck laughs out loud and is mystified about Louise and her thoughts of late. "What did you say to that?" "I told her that I didn't think we are real well suited for each other," Kid replied with an amusing smile playing on his face. Buck walks back over to the desk and sits down in the chair behind the desk. "Oh, I don't know Kid. We might make a real charming couple. But, I'll tell you right now, I'm not wearing the dress in this marriage of ours." "We'd make a real charming couple alright," Kid spoke with sarcasm. "What? You don't want to be seen in public with me? Are you ashamed of us already?" Buck spoke in a sad but teasing manner. "Very funny Buck, your sense of humor is becoming quite wicked these days." "It's from lack of sleep," Buck spoke through yawns of his own. Kid places his hat down over his face and clasps his hands together leaving them lay on his lap. "If I could just get a little shut eye, I know I'd wake up feeling refreshed." "I'll wake you if any catastrophes happen by our way," Buck spoke softly hearing the light snoring coming from underneath Kid's hat. Buck half smiles at his friend who has quickly fallen into a deep slumber. Outside the marshal's office the late morning summer breeze is cooling off the scorching heat of the day. The sun is almost directly over the quiet town. Most folks will probably be at near by water holes trying to cope with the heat the best way they can. The only problem is that by mid-afternoon the refreshing water holes feel more like a sweat lodge. The town is just a little too quiet this morning. Nothing compared to the last two days the new marshal and his deputy have had to endure. The sudden sound of heavy boots walking on the wooden walkways could be a sure sign of trouble headed toward the marshal's office. The creaky wooden framed doors with glass centered in the middle of Rock Creek's law office open up allowing a swift burst of wind to whip through the room. Unfortunately the gentle breeze doesn't disturb the soft snores of the lawmen resting at the desk. The stranger enters the office and quietly shuts the doors. The stranger clears his throat as loud as he possibly can manage, but still no sign of life rises from the marshal or his deputy. The stranger gazes amusingly at the two snoring lawmen. His hands are resting on his gun belt as he shakes his head in disbelief while watching Kid and Buck snooze. "It's no wonder this town is in the shape it's in. If the law sleeps all day, the criminals are sure to have plenty of time to play," the stranger spoke to himself. The stranger walks closer to the desk. He tips his hat back a little from his face. "I understand this here town is looking for a real marshal!" He spoke boisterously. CHAPTER TEN The stranger's loud tone of voice overcomes the two soundlessly sleeping lawmen. Buck wakes up with a jolt just in time to see a startled Kid flip over backwards on the chair he was comfortably sitting on. The chair makes a loud slam on the floor as it hits. Buck wipes the sleep from his eyes and walks around the figure standing in his way as he tries to get over to Kid. "Hi Jimmy," Buck spoke softly still half dazed from his nap. "Buck," Jimmy spoke still amused by the twosome before him. Buck reaches his hand down for Kid to latch onto him. As Kid is about to grab Buck's hand, Buck takes his hand away and stands straight up upon realizing that he just spoke to Jimmy. Kid ends up flat on his back once again. Buck turns around to face Jimmy. His sleep-deprived face disappears and is replaced with a bright smile for his old friend. "Jimmy! What are you doing here?" But before Jimmy can answer, the two standing men hear an annoyed voice from the floor. "Does it matter to either one of you that my back may be broke and all you two can think about is ideal chit chat," Kid bellowed from the floor. Buck turns his attention back to Kid. By now Kid is trying to untangle himself from the chair that accompanied him unto the wooden floor. "Sorry about that Kid." Buck helps Kid up from the floor. A few moans of pain escape Kid's lips. Buck stands the chair up on all four legs while Kid brushes the dust from the floor off his trousers. "The floor looks pretty darn clean Kid. I don't think your pants are too dusty. Looks to me like one of you has been doing some housecleaning, in between your naps of course," Jimmy spoke still amused at his best friends and brothers. Kid straightens his shirt and hat up. "You didn't answer Buck's question."What are you doing here?" Kid spoke annoyed with Jimmy's careless mannerisms. "Don't I even get a, how have you been Jimmy? It's real good to see you Jimmy. What have you been doing with yourself Jimmy? Where have you been hiding yourself the last couple of years Jimmy?" "We can go over all that over supper tonight," Kid spoke harshly. Buck senses tension in Kid over Jimmy's surprise arrival in town. He walks closer to Jimmy and extends his hand to shake Jimmy's. Instead Jimmy grabs hold of Buck to hug him. Buck hugs him back. "It's real good to see you Jimmy," Buck spoke softly not wanting to further anger Kid. "It's good to see you Buck, and you too Kid." "You're not here looking for trouble, are you Jimmy?" Kid asked matter of fact and to the point. Buck is stunned by Kid's question. He's hoping he won't have to break up a fight between the two men. There had been fights between them before concerning Louise, but Buck can't believe that Kid still holds a grudge against Jimmy for caring about the woman he loves. "Why would I be looking for trouble Kid?" "I think what Kid is really trying to say Jimmy, is that we haven't seen or heard from you in such a long time that maybe you might be in some kind of trouble." "I don't think that's it Buck and I don't think you really believe that's it either," Jimmy spoke softly. “ Buck and I have a lot on us right now Jimmy. We had a brutal storm a few days ago and Teaspoon was hurt bad enough to keep him bedridden for awhile and the ranch suffered some damage," Kid spoke with authority. "I know. I also know the two of you are trying to handle the law around here and also repair the damages done to the ranch. All while you're trying to run the ranch as well," Jimmy stated. "How do you know all this?" Buck asked. "There are two caring women in your lives that worry about the two of you considerably…" "Louise and Rachel?" Buck questioned in a stunned tone. "Why does that surprise you? Those two women know when the two of you are way in over your heads even if the two of you don't know it," Jimmy stated with a smile. CHAPTER ELEVEN Simon Davenport is seated a top an enormous black stallion driving a herd of cattle from the grazing pastures into the corrals close to the barn. He shouts and hollers at the animals until every last one of them is snuggled in the corrals. The blinding dust from the stampeding cattle has Simon rubbing his eyes with his gloved hands that are also polluted with dirt. Simon watches as a ranch hand closes the corral gate shut and locks it, keeping the cattle inside from escaping. He leads his horse over to the barn doors and dismounts, giving the reins to another ranch hand. The ranch hand leads the black stallion into the barn while Simon slaps the dust from his clothing. Simon heads over to the ranch home that resembles a small mansion from a large eastern city. He lives in the home, but Oliver Anderson and his family own the home and the ranch. Simon is engaged to Oliver's younger daughter, Charlene, and he is expected to inherit the ranch once Oliver Anderson can no longer manage it. Simon is six foot tall and every inch of him reminds you of a rugged cowboy. He has a muscular frame with broad shoulders and rough calloused hands. He is not afraid of hard work. His hair is sandy brown and cropped short. He has a mustache and a smallish amount of growth on his chin that can't really be considered a full groomed beard. It appears to be a forgotten ten days worth of stubble growth. He wears a typical cowboy hat along with a plain colored shirt, black trousers, and cowboy boots. His eyes are a cold blue. His facial expression is harsh and stone like. He rarely offers a smile to anyone including his lovely fiancée. Simon walks up to the steps leading to the front porch of the spacious home. He notices her sitting on the porch swing, but she doesn't bother to glance up from her novel letting him know she is aware of his presence. Charlene Anderson is his fiancée. She is sitting comfortably on the porch swing, swinging back and forth lightly while gazing through a novel. Even through he believes she is aware of his presence, she refuses to acknowledge him in the way that a woman truly in love would do with the man she is about to marry. She swings her legs onto the swing to prevent Simon from sitting down on the swing next to her. His company she despises and the attention he makes her suffer through disgusts her. Simon is determined to make this defiant woman obey is every whim and order. He walks closer to the swing. He gazes down at her shapely legs resting on the side of the swing where he should be sitting. Without a single word to his beautiful bride to be, he lifts her legs up high enough for him to squeeze underneath them, and seats himself on the swing next to her. He gladly rests her legs on his lap and places his arms over them. Charlene makes an ugly face at his attempt of affection. She swiftly swings her legs back down until her feet are once again touching the wooden porch flooring. Her eyes refocus on her novel. Simon is rather stunned by Charlene's actions. He watches her intensely as she swipes a flying strand of her golden hair away from her blue-green eyes. "I intend to win this battle sooner or later Charlene. Why don't you make it easy for the both of us and let me win sooner rather than later." Charlene slams her novel shut and proceeds to halt the swing from swinging. Without a hint of warning to Simon she is off the swing and turns to face him, who is still sitting on the still swing. "You may win the battle Simon, but I intend on winning the war. Why don't you make it easy on yourself and surrender now," Charlene spoke with venom in her tone of voice. She swiftly turns on her heels and walks away from Simon's sight before he can retaliate with a response. Simon's face breaks its normal stone appearance. A shrewd smile plays along the edges of his lips. She is starting to play the little games that he has been playing with her all along. She needs to be put in her place. She meant for her words to be threatening to him. Perhaps he should take the little vixen's words seriously. He wonders to himself if Oliver would allow his daughter to treat her future husband in the manner that she is becoming too accustomed to. A private conversation with her stringent father might just bring Charlene back to her obedient senses. Charlene strolls into the study where she thought her father would be going over the financial books. Instead she finds her older sister Hannah sitting at her father's marble top desk going through the ledgers of the Anderson Ranch. Charlene walks into the study and shuts the door quietly behind her. "Did you acquire a new duty?" Hannah tucks her long black hair behind her ears as she gazes up from her paperwork to look at Charlene from deep blue eyes. She takes her reading spectacles off her face and lays them gently down on the ledgers she had been thumbing through. The two sisters look nothing alike. Hannah acquires her dark hair beauty from her mother. Charlene is an exact duplicate of her father. Both women though are blessed with sumptuous figures and intent on showing themselves off wearing the finest and most expensive dresses money can buy. The two sisters are both intelligent and witty. Both are intelligent enough to stand up and hold a conversation with the most intelligent of men. Witty enough to know the games some men play, and to play right along, not allowing the man to know she's out done him. Always let the man think he's victorious. That's the secret to keeping men content. While their guards are down because they are content, lash out at them like a panther stalking its prey. One such man is actually Charlene and Hannah's father. The only real difference between their father and other men is that Oliver Anderson taught his daughter's how to outwit a man! It is extremely difficult to manipulate Oliver Anderson, he's played the game for too long and his daughter's know it. In his case the girls are content to let their father spoil them with everything their hearts desire. The evening hours are normally spent with their father. Neither sister seems to have much time for men with the exception of their father. He has taught both his daughters how to survive the ever-challenging game of life. He also expects his daughter to look their best at all times. Hannah is wearing an everyday dress of marina blue with tiny white flowers throughout the fabric. The cuffs of the sleeves are made of embroidered white lace. The neckline is rounded and enhanced with the same embroidered white lace as the sleeves. The neckline is low and shows off her well-endowed bosom. Charlene is wearing a crisp cotton dress in emerald green with an attached cream apron over the dress. The dress is made with a square neckline that is cut low to reveal her well-rounded cleavage. Her long blonde locks descend over the front of her dress and her breathless chest. She continues to breathe heavily while talking to Hannah. "Where's the fire sister?" Hannah asked slightly amused by Charlene's obvious intent of rushing into the house probably to escape Simon's clutches. "Simon tracked me down again. I swear his nose is built like a bloodhound. He'd be able to find me if I were hundreds of miles away from him," Charlene complained loudly. "He's been father's right hand man for six years now. He's becoming a master just like our father." "Why did father have to insist on my becoming Simon's bride? Why couldn't father have chosen you for this terrible duty?" Charlene asked in a whiney voice. "This isn't like you to act so defeated Charlene. Father taught you better than that. All you have to do is outwit Simon and you'll be free of him." "So you think father is testing me?" "No. I think father wants his daughters to settle down, get married, and give him a few grandchildren before he dies. Unfortunately for you Simon is always seeking father's approval at everything he tries to accomplish and one of those things was winning your hand in marriage. It's a game to Simon. He knows father wants his daughters to marry strong men who are intelligent, hard-working and won't take any back talk from his daughters." "I am certainly not having any babies with Simon Davenport!" Charlene spoke with a sharp-tongue, her hands glued to her hips and her attitude becoming more unpleasant as each minute of the day passes by. Hannah is slightly amused with her sister's displeasing predicament with Simon Davenport. The family, except for their father, deeply sees how tormented Charlene is becoming due to her upcoming nuptials with Simon. Their brother, Phillip Anderson, had even suggested that he could take Charlene far away from Rock Creek. Since Phillip despises Simon he would be more than willing to take Charlene someplace where Simon Davenport would never find her. Charlene had agreed to the elaborate plan at first, but then the mere thought of having to stay away from her family for the rest of her life frightened her back to reality. There is absolutely no feasible way out of her marriage to a man that she can't even stand his touch. No, there definitely won't be any babies unless Simon rapes her. That thought also has crossed her mind. He certainly has shown extreme patience in their unaffectionate relationship so far, but how long can a man lay in the same bed with a woman unable to have her. Her only real hope is to convince her father that she deserves a better man for a husband than Simon Davenport. Hannah can see her sister's mind working feverishly to find a solution to her problem. Hannah wonders, to herself, if Charlene has yet to contemplate murdering the poor man. It would be an act that Charlene would be quite capable of doing, but it wouldn’t solve all her problems. Hannah knows that her father thinks highly of Simon. He has already voiced his opinion countless times that Simon will be a good provider for Charlene and not to mention an outstanding father to any children their union may present to the Anderson-Davenport family. "Father can't see through Simon the way you and I can. We both know his past is a tale untold, or at least a truthful version of it," Hannah proclaimed softly not wanting anyone outside the study to hear her accusations of Simon. "I believe Simon has his own agenda for wanting to marry me. He knows what he wants and nothing stands in his way of getting what he wants," Charlene spoke harshly about Simon. Hannah reopens the ledgers before her on the desk. She places her spectacles back upon her face. "You need to find the hidden meaning for Simon wanting to marry you. I need to seriously attack these ledgers before father arrives back home and I haven't finished sorting them out," Hannah spoke bluntly. "Is that your way of shoving me out the door?" Charlene questioned meekly. "Talk to Phillip. Perhaps he can come up with another plan besides hiding you away for life." CHAPTER TWELVE Rachel and Louise are busying themselves around the kitchen cooking supper for the family. Louise is taking the last dish out to the dining room table. Teresa is staying at the kitchen table with the four children that live on the homestead. She is serving up their plates while they all scream at her that they are hungry. Abigail who is five years old is quietly watching the chaos that the other three small children are causing. She is Kid and Louise's older daughter. She looks like her mother with the dark brown hair, brown eyes that melt her daddy's heart, and small dimples on her creamy white skin. She is petite in every way. Even her tiny voice is not loud when she yells, but instead it is rather soft. "Addison please sit down and start eating your supper," Rachel begged her older son. "Rachel go on out in the dining room with the others. I can take care of the children just fine," Teresa spoke calmly to a distraught Rachel. A crash of a plate falling to the floor causes Rachel to jump half out of her skin. Both women turn around to see Louise and Kid's younger daughter Emma picking her food up off the floor and placing it in her mouth. Rachel rushes to the toddler's side. "Emma honey let Grandma Rachel fix you another plate,” Rachel spoke as she quickly picks the plate and food up from the floor that had been spilled. Rachel fixes another plate for the little girl with locks of honey brown and slightly curly just like her father's. Her warm brown eyes tell Rachel that she is sorry about the mess she has made. Her mouth turns into a frown about ready to explode with tears. Teresa picks the toddler up in her arms to let her know that everyone is capable of having an accident. Teresa hugs Emma and places the child back at the table. Rachel sits a fresh plate in front of the little girl. "Now will you please go out to the dining room, I will eat my supper in here with the children.” Rachel hugs Teresa. "You have been such a savior with these children today while Louise and I prepared supper. Thank-you." "Thank-you. Now get yourself out there before there's nothing left for you." Rachel strolls out into the dining room with a bowl of gravy. She places it at the table and seats herself on Teaspoon's right side. Buck sits on Teaspoon's left side. Next to Rachel at the table is seated Louise and then Kid is next to her. Jimmy is seated next to Buck and Jeremiah is seated at the other end of the table across from Teaspoon. "Could someone please pass me the potatoes?" Jimmy asked. "Louise needs to say grace first Jimmy," Rachel spoke quietly to the young man. "Bless this food lord that we are about to partake upon. Keep our family safe from harm. Amen." "Amen." The entire family spoke in unison. "Thank the lord that you kept it short. I'm starving," Jimmy spoke comically. Buck notices that everyone at the table seems a little amused by Jimmy's statement, except for Kid. His obvious disapproval of Jimmy's remark is well written all over his face. Buck knows the real reason behind Kid's anguished appearance. After marriage to Louise and two beautiful daughters Buck is having a difficult time believing that Kid would still feel threatened by the love that Jimmy once had for Louise. Perhaps there is more going on in Kid and Lou’s marriage that none of them know about except for Kid and Lou. "Rachel and Louise it was a real nice gesture getting Jimmy to come back home to help poor Buck and Kid with the extra work load around here," Jeremiah spoke with amusement glistening in his eyes. Buck and Kid's eyes meet from across the table. Neither one has touched the food on their plate. Here comes the humiliation they both had been dreading. Teaspoon stops chewing to look at Buck and then Kid and back at Buck again. The dining room had had a relaxed atmosphere just a few moments ago. Jeremiah's supposedly innocent remark as left the room filled with tension as thick as pea soup. "Jeremiah, I'm sure Buck and Kid appreciate the relief from the marshal duties. The ranch has a lot of repairs that need to be done. You could offer to fix the fence around this here house tomorrow," Teaspoon spoke to the point putting Jeremiah in his place and easing the tension in the room a notch or two. "Yes sir," Jeremiah spoke disheartened that his remark didn't get Buck and Kid fuming mad. The people seated around the table that Jimmy remembers as a tight-knit family have suddenly become extremely quiet. So quiet in fact that Jimmy can hear everyone chewing the delicious food that Rachel and Louise had spent all day preparing. Jimmy glances around the table at everyone. He sees the past before his eyes. Teaspoon is registering the mood that all his family members are in. There was always one of the riders having troubles with someone or having a problem that needed solving. During those times Teaspoon often witnessed tempers rising and minimal bickering going on between the riders. Buck is picking at the food on his plate. Touchy situations and townsfolk with attitude problems could easily cause Buck to lose his appetite. Some things never change. Louise glances around the table at her family as she eats her dinner quietly. Afraid to start a conversation, but more than willing to jump in after someone else has shoved their foot in their mouth. Rachel has stopped eating. Her expression is still of motherly concern. These boys and one girl have been like her own children for years. Time and separations have not stopped her motherly feelings and concerns for any of her children. Kid's eyes are set on Jimmy. As Pony Express riders, years before, the two boys locked eyes often mostly over Louise. Jimmy watches Kid place his fork on his plate. Kid looks back up at him wanting to speak, but hesitating at first in search of the right words. "Jimmy, you'll have to excuse all of us. We're all just a bit on edge lately," Kid spoke calmly not wanting his remarks to send Jimmy's temper into a rage. "I understand Kid. I'll stay as long as my family needs me. I ain't fixin on going anywhere. I've really missed all of you. Truth is I'm glad I was so close by to be able to help out," Jimmy spoke from the heart. He wants all of them to know just how much they all mean to him even if he has been away from them for a few years. Jimmy's sincere words bring smiles to everyone at the table. Teaspoon's smile in particular is the most obvious. He's just downright happy to have another son home even if he did have to break his leg to get him home. "I'll still help you out over at the marshal's office Jimmy," Buck spoke. "No need to worry about Rock Creek Buck. You and Kid will need all your time for the ranch." "All right, but if you need me to help out don't hesitate to ride out here and get me," Buck spoke with concern for Jimmy. After what he and Kid went through as marshal and deputy Buck's a bit concerned about Jimmy being able to handle the townsfolk by himself. "Just wait till you have a run in with Miss Cooper and her walking cane," Kid spoke smiling broadly. Buck lets out a quiet laugh over Kid's remark about Miss Cooper. The two men hadn't really talked to anyone about the trouble they had had in town. Teaspoon's eyes look up from his plate to focus on Buck and Kid. "What's wrong with Miss Cooper? You two been picking on that poor little old lady?" "Little old lady!" That little old lady damn near killed Kid and I with that cane of hers!" Buck spoke seriously his amused expression wiped from his face. "Well, you and Kid must have done something to provoke her. Miss Cooper is the sweetest lady in town," Teaspoon protested stubbornly refusing to believe that Miss Cooper is capable of such violence. "Sweet! She obviously hasn't attacked you with her walking cane yet Teaspoon," Kid spoke no longer in a happy mood. Every one of the family members at the table are a bit taken back by Buck and Kid's story about Miss Cooper striking a Marshal and Deputy with her cane. Louise and Rachel are taking turns glancing at Buck and Kid. Both women are wondering if the two men are over-exaggerating just a bit. They are both having difficulties stifling their laughter at Buck and Kid's expense. Jimmy decides it's his turn to add insult to injury. "Perhaps it was a brilliant idea you women had to send me a telegram asking for my assistance with the marshaling duties. Buck and Kid here seem a little exhausted and overwhelmed with the work load that has been placed on them," Jimmy spoke in a teasing tone that doesn't get a smile from Buck or Kid, but gets a few chuckles from everyone else seated at the table. Teaspoon isn't sharing in on all the laughter. He's starting to sense hostility brewing amongst his boys. He watches all of them closely with each word they speak. He's certain all this funning that Jimmy is having is aimed more at Kid then it is at Buck. Jimmy was always able to get under the Kid's skin real easily. Louise notices the peevish appearance on Buck and Kid's face. The two have been working hard and not complaining about it. Perhaps they feel it's a slap in the face that everyone is acting like Jimmy has come to the rescue. "I'm sure everyone here is thankful you could help out Jimmy," Louise spoke apprehensively not wanting to upset her husband by complementing Jimmy's arrival too much. "Thank-you Louise." "Did you have any problems in town today on your first day as marshal?" Louise asked being bold with the conversation with Jimmy, but at the same time taking some pressure off of Buck and Kid by changing the subject away from the troubles they had had in Rock Creek. "Not so far. The town seems pretty quiet. I don't understand all the concern about the townsfolk. They have always seemed fairly orderly to me. Even back when we were all riding for the Pony Express, the town people didn't cause too much trouble it was always the outsiders," Jimmy replied looking only at Louise. "Like the people who wanted to burn down Sweetwater because they thought we had a Cholera epidemic spreading through town," Louise spoke with caution in her tone. "What about Neville? Buck I'm sure you remember the problems Neville caused here," Jimmy spoke turning his attention to Buck. Buck looks as if someone just punched him in the gut. The memories of that fatal day are something he tries to forget. Not only did Neville kill Ike, his best friend, but then he turned around and killed Neville in cold blood. That is something he's had to live with every day and not very proudly. Teaspoon is waiting for Buck to lash out at Jimmy. Under any other circumstances Buck would stand up for what he believes is right. Ike's untimely death and the circumstances surrounding Ike's death still manage to keep Buck unusually quiet as if he's still in shock over the entire incident. Teaspoon sighs heavily in relief. Because of Buck's quietness a quarrel amongst his boys seems highly unlikely. Kid sees the hurt expression on Buck's face. He's upset that Jimmy had to bring up a part of Buck's past that has left him with so many of scars. "I'm sure you'll have some problems to deal with soon. Rock Creek has become a larger town since you were last here Jimmy. We have a few more people which usually means a few more outbreaks of arguments, fist fights, and gunfights," Kid commented harshly trying to take the conversation away from Ike and Neville. Kid knows how much that day still ways heavily in Buck's heart. Louise turns her attention to her husband. "You sound as if you want Jimmy to endure unmanageable residents and predicaments he has trouble getting out of." Louise's silverware rattles against her dinner plate as she impolitely drops them. She is astounded by Kid's statement. Kid gazes around the table. Everyone, except for Buck, is looking back at Kid waiting eagerly for his answer to Louise's question. "I think what Kid meant…" Buck tries to bale out Kid the way Kid had just guided the conversation away from Ike and Neville. Kid's eyes meet with Buck's. They are best friends. They are always looking out and standing up for each other when someone is accusing one of them of doing wrong. Even though most of the time Buck and Kid are only trying to make life better for their family and the residents of Rock Creek, they often are asked to explain their views and actions. "Buck. It's all right. I can explain what I meant." Kid makes his family wait a moment longer while he gathers his thoughts together. He certainly doesn't want to be misunderstood a second time. "What I meant to say is that Buck and I had dilemmas everyday with the people of Rock Creek. I don't think those problems are going to cease to exist just because Jimmy is taking over as marshal. The problems are still going to be there." "Perhaps the problems will still be there Kid, but maybe I'll just handle those problems better than what you did," Jimmy spoke in an over-confident manner about his abilities. Kid's face becomes flush with anger. Jimmy has a quick response for whatever Kid or anyone else throws at him. Kid knows he shouldn't let Jimmy annoy him so much. Unfortunately through the years Jimmy has been a bit of a thorn in Kid's otherwise happy life. Everyone at the table takes notice to Kid's quiet temper about ready to explode. Teaspoon clears his throat. "I think it's time to call it a night. We all need a good night's sleep. The ranch, Rock Creek and even my old broken leg will look much brighter in the morning," Teaspoon spoke to his family with calm reassurance. "Jimmy you can stay over at my house. There's plenty of room," Buck muttered to his friend. Jimmy keeps his eyes fixed on Kid. "Ok. That way I can keep you informed about what's going on in town." Buck stood up from the table and walked over to place a kiss on Rachel's cheek. "Thanks for dinner Rachel. It was good. Goodnight." "Goodnight Buck." Rachel watches Jimmy get up from the table. "Goodnight Jimmy." "Goodnight Rachel." He glances over at Louise. "Goodnight Louise, Kid." "Goodnight Jimmy. See you tomorrow," Louise spoke softly not wanting to give in to Kid's temper, but also not wanting to fuel the fire between the two men anymore tonight. Buck and Jimmy leave the Hunter home. They venture out into the cool night air. Both men walk in silence for a moment before Jimmy senses that Buck is just a bit upset with him. "I'm sorry. It just seems like we are all back riding for the Pony Express. Nothing has changed between myself and the Kid." "They are married and they have a family. Please don't come between them," Buck stated angrily. Jimmy halted his walking toward Buck's home. He latches onto Buck's arm to get Buck to stand still. "Is that what you think I'm doing? You think I came back to break them up?" Jimmy spoke with anger and resentment in his eyes. "Not intentionally. But we both know you care for Louise," Buck spoke quietly. "You love her too," Jimmy spoke defensively. "Yes, I do love her, as family. You, on the other hand, care for Louise in a much deeper way. We all observed your feelings for Louise when we rode for the Pony Express. You didn't shelter your feelings for her very well. Kid knew it as well." "I guess if Kid died tomorrow, I would make sure I was close by to comfort Louise," Jimmy stated unemotionally at the thought of Kid's death. "I don't want to hear this. I want you to promise me that you won't come between them." "It isn't my fault Buck if Kid has become distant with his wife." "He hasn't become distant with her. He loves her. He always has and he always will. Louise loves Kid too," Buck spoke bluntly getting somewhat worked up over the situation between Kid and Jimmy. Jimmy slaps Buck on the back. They start walking again. "I can see this is upsetting you. If you want me to promise that I won't come between them, well then, I promise I won't come between them. But, don't ask me to stay away from being a friend to Louise just because Kid can't handle any other man being around his wife." Jimmy doesn't try to hide his reckless smile from Buck. He walks away from Buck's side leaving his friend to fret over what he may or may not do. Buck watches after Jimmy as Jimmy walks away from him. He is downright worried that Jimmy could ruin Kid and Louise's life together as husband and wife. Louise always had a soft spot in her heart for Jimmy. By her actions tonight, Buck senses that that soft spot is still in her heart. He slowly moves toward his home. Perhaps Teaspoon is right. Of course he's right. Teaspoon is always right. Tomorrow Kid will forget about Jimmy's cocky attitude. Louise will be much clearer on the love she has for Kid. Jimmy…well Jimmy will be Jimmy. CHAPTER THIRTEEN The warm morning sun beats down on the two men that are working in silence. The skies are a peaceful hue of brilliant blue. There isn't a single cloud in sight. The feel of the sun by afternoon will probably be unbearable to work in. Buck is sure Louise will keep them cooled off with fresh mugs of lemonade. Buck and Kid have just returned from Rock Creek with a load of wood on their buckboard. Thompkins had sent a messenger out to the ranch early evening yesterday to let Buck and Kid know that the wood they had purchased for the corrals had arrived. Kid pulls the reins to halt the horses causing the buckboard to a stop close to where Buck and he will be working. Both men jump off the buckboard and start to unload the wood. Occasionally Buck will glance over at Kid. Buck is aware that Kid is in a detestable mood this morning. Kid's destructive flinging of the new wood onto the ground has Buck questioning Kid's ability to think this problem with Jimmy through without it turning to violence. Buck has been working alongside of Kid, since Jimmy's surprise return to Rock Creek one week ago, mostly in silence. After the wood is completely unloaded from the buckboard, Kid crawls back onto the bench of the buckboard and takes it around to the back of the barn to unhitch the horses. Buck has to back away in a hurry when Kid drives the buckboard just a little to close to him. He watches Kid until he is out of his sight. Buck starts to work on the corral. He places sections of wood back into the beginning posts that were left standing after the storm. He swipes beads of sweat away from his brow with his shirtsleeve. He stands up straight and views the work that he has done so far on the corral when he hears Kid walk from around the barn. Without saying a word to Buck Kid hauls over a section of the wood and starts placing it into the posts. Buck starts to tear down the second section of corral fencing that had been damaged in the storm. Every so often he glances Kid's way to see if his bad mood and ill temper have changed. Buck takes notice that the features on Kid's face are still set in an unsociable, explosive, snarling mask that isn’t about to break anytime soon, or at least not without some help. The silence is getting the best of Buck's nerves. Now he kind of knows how everyone else feels when he gets into one of his stubborn I'm not talking to anyone moods. Buck fears that Kid's uncommunicative mood is a sign of past hostilities that Kid and Jimmy never resolved. Buck knows the feelings of revenge and how they work against you. Those feeling make you act on issues that you wouldn't normally act on if your mind were thinking straight. He wonders if Kid's mood could turn into a violent eruption aimed at Jimmy. Buck stands back away from the corral to watch Kid joining the planks together at the posts. Kid is working with such high intensity that Buck is worried that he may hurt himself. Kid stands back to eye the work he has done. From the corner of his eye he can see Buck ideally standing by watching him. "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to help?" Kid asked glancing at Buck. "I didn't want to get hurt. The way you're throwing those planks around one of us is sure to end up right along side Teaspoon keeping him company," Buck muttered in a soft-spoken manner. Kid notices the worried and frightened look on Buck's face. Buck was always the most sensitive to others feelings and moods. He could sense right away if one of the riders just simply wanted to be left alone or if they wanted to talk out their problems. That wasn't a gift that the rest of them possessed. Whenever Buck needed to be left alone five other riders would hound him to death about what it was that was bothering him. Kid's facial expression softens a bit. "I'm sorry. Jimmy just has me in a foul mood." "You shouldn't let Jimmy get to you like this." "Nothings changed Buck! He still thinks all of us should follow his lead! He's arrogant, self-righteous, over-bearing…" "Still shows Louise a lot of attention," Buck stated calmly as he interrupts his friend's monologue about Jimmy. Kid looks sorrowfully at Buck as he is thinking the same thing that Buck is saying. He couldn't totally admit it to himself until Buck spoke the words. He doesn't want to think that after six years of marriage, two beautiful children, a ranch that is starting to make a profit, and a family that he truly loves could be taken away from him just because Jimmy has feelings for his wife! "Yeah. What am I suppose to do? Am I supposed to ideally stand by while the two of them carry on with their two-sided conversations? Allow him to visit Louise anytime he pleases as if he were courting her! I can't help but wonder if Jimmy would be tickled pink if I weren't around anymore." "Tickled pink?" Buck questioned with a perplexed expression. Kid laughs lightly at Buck's dilemma over the expression tickled pink. "Never mind, It's just a figure of speech." "I wasn't asking," Buck spoke confused. "What would you do?" Kid asked the hurt showing in his eyes. "I don't have any experience with matters such as this," Buck stated quietly. Kid suddenly realizes how uncaring his line of questioning must sound to Buck. The fact that he is alone is something that Buck doesn't like to think about. He truly believes he'll be alone for the rest of his life. Buck hates to be reminded of that fact. But, Kid needs to know how others would feel if they were presented with the same set of circumstances. "How do you think you'd feel Buck?" "I'd be upset," Buck stated with a frown. Before Kid can continue their conversation the two men turn around to face the sound of a horse coming toward them at full speed. Before Jimmy's horse has completely stopped he has dismounted and is standing next to Buck and Kid. "I need your help! Seems there has been a few army soldiers found murdered outside Rock Creek. There are two soldiers in town right now waiting to take me out to where the bodies have been found. I thought it would be a good idea if both of us were present to examine the bodies and the area where they were murdered," Jimmy stated keeping his full attention to Buck as if Kid weren't nearby. Buck turns his attention to Kid. "I won't be gone long." "Go ahead. I can handle the ranch till you get back," Kid spoke calmly even with Jimmy's eyes watching his every move. CHAPTER FOURTEEN Jimmy and Buck are following the two soldiers on horseback over the flat open plains about seven miles outside Rock Creek. It is mid-afternoon and the blazing sun is shining directly in their faces. Jimmy wipes the beads of sweat threatening to trickle down into his eyes with a red bandana. The men soon embark upon a sparsely wooded and rocky terrain. They travel another mile before they approach a swallow creek with refreshing crystal clear water. Buck and Jimmy both stop their horses to allow them to drink from the creek water. The soldiers cross the creek splashing the water onto the over-heated horses, but they don't allow them to stop for a gulp of the refreshing liquid. Buck and Jimmy follow closely behind the two straight-backed soldiers as they ride though the creek until they come to a slight embankment. All four horses climb the slight embankment with ease. The other side is heavily populated with trees, brush and weeds. The soldiers slow down as they enter their horses into a larger patch of the forest. Buck notices the stench in the air immediately. He is perfectly aware of where the odor is coming from. On the other hand, Jimmy is looking at Buck with bewilderment in his eyes. He can smell the awful aroma, but he's having a difficult time believing it could be coming from a mortally wounded human. The soldiers stop their horses and dismount. Buck does the same. He dismounts and throws Warrior's reins over a low tree branch. When Jimmy doesn't dismount his horse right away Buck turns to him before following the soldiers. "What are you doing?" Buck asked somewhat impatiently. "Why should we have to view the bodies? It's obvious they've been out here for quiet some time," Jimmy spoke in a protesting manner. "I suppose because Rock Creek is the closest town to where they were murdered," Buck spoke with a gasp for fresh air. "You ok?" Jimmy asked concerned. "Would you please just get down from your horse so we can get this over with and get out of here." Jimmy still hesitates not wanting to see the blood and destroyed flesh that lay just a hundred feet up ahead of where they are standing. He notices ahead of him that the two soldiers have stopped their forward movement toward the murdered soldiers. Their unimpassioned expressions send chills down Jimmy's spine. "Look at the two of them. How can they be so heartless about other soldiers being killed?" Buck turns his head to briefly glance at the two soldiers. He notices that their eyes are blindly staring at him and Jimmy. Their bodies are stiff as if at attention. Their faces are built from stone. Not a single muscle from either soldier twitches. "You'll have to dismount and view the murder surroundings closer if you are to get an accurate record of what happened here," spoke the taller of the two soldiers. His voice is cold and monotonous. Buck turns back to face Jimmy. "Let's get this over with." Jimmy dismounts and throws Buck the reins to his horse. He walks away from Buck and toward the soldiers. Within a brief moment, Buck is right by his side again. "I shouldn't have dragged you out here. This is my job now." "I don't mind," Buck spoke quietly. Jimmy and Buck stop in front of the soldiers. "There are four bodies." The soldier turns and points to the area about fifty feet from where they are standing. Jimmy and Buck focus on the area in front of them. Jimmy can make out the shape of a man's body slumped over a fallen tree trunk. Arrows are sticking out of his back. There are too many to count from this distance. The shirt he is wearing has no color except the color of blood. Jimmy can barely make out another soldier that is lying on the ground in the tall grass. Jimmy swallows hard. He can taste the rotten stench that is in the air. He takes another glance over at Buck. He sees the apprehension in Buck that wasn't present when they first arrived in the wooded area. They have both seen death many times in their lives. They just never had to witness it long after the victims breathed their last breath. "We can see fine from here," Jimmy spoke his voice barely above a whisper. "Marshal, I am requesting that you take a closer look at what has happened here." Jimmy turns to Buck. "Why don't you stay here? No sense in both of us losing our breakfast," Jimmy spoke more like an order than a request. Buck smiles and shakes his head at Jimmy in disbelief. "Jimmy I can handle this," Buck spoke softly. With all the strength he can muster up Jimmy starts to walk toward the hollowed area in the woods where the bodies of four soldiers are decomposing to skeletons. Buck follows cautiously behind him. The two soldiers pace themselves behind Buck. As Jimmy gets closer to the four bodies he begins to cough and gag. He can hear Buck doing the same. He realizes he should have left Buck back at the ranch. There is really no logical reason for Buck to witness the merciless of these murders. It will only haunt him. Bring back bad memories of when he was a child living in the Kiowa Indian Village. He had told Jimmy the stories of when white soldiers would raid his village and kill the innocent women and children that had been unlucky in seeking out a worthy hiding place. Jimmy suddenly stops and extends his arm out to touch Buck's chest. The smell is unbearable! He takes a bandana out of his vest pocket and hands it to Buck. Buck takes the bandana and places it over his nose and mouth. His coughing has increased. His eyes begin to water from his coughing attack. Jimmy takes the bandana from around his neck and extends it up over his mouth and nose. He holds it there with his left hand for fear that it might slip from his face. His eyes make a quick survey of the horrifying scene before them. Buck is looking around. He sees the arrows embedded in two of the four soldiers. He makes himself walk forward into the center of where the men have fallen. Jimmy follows Buck's actions, but he heads to his far left where the one soldier is laying face down in a swampy marsh area. The two soldiers stay rooted to where they had stopped behind Buck and Jimmy. They watch the marshal and his deputy closely. They watch over the murder scene with no reaction to the outcome of what has happened to their fellow soldiers. "You two must be used to seeing this kind of devastation," Jimmy spoke his voice muffled from the bandana over his mouth. "We fought in the war. We've seen much worse than this." "Well we haven't fought in the war!" Jimmy proclaimed in an anger tone toward the cold-hearted soldiers. Buck glances over at Jimmy. He sees Jimmy is raging with many emotions. The ruthless act of the way these men were murdered and left here to rot in the smoldering sun is making Buck sicker to his stomach then the smell of deteriorating flesh. He watches as Jimmy pulls an arrow out of one of dead soldier’s back. Buck grimaces as a hunk of flesh comes out attached to the arrow. Buck diverts his attention back to a soldier that is laying a few feet from him face down in the tall grass. He makes his way over to the soldier. He doesn't witness any means of a wound that could have killed the man. Buck bends down and proceeds to turn the man over onto his back. Buck clasps the bandana tighter to his face. The stench is causing him to hesitate and rethink what he is about to do. He becomes over-whelmed with the smell and gags violently. He spits out the taste next to the dead man. He just wants this to be over with. He pulls on the man's right arm to turn him over onto his back. Buck's eyes become wide open with horror and shock! Buck tumbles backwards while trying to stand up on his feet! He can't seem to take his eyes off the tiny creatures that have eaten the man's face away! The churning in his stomach lands him on his hands and knees, clutching at his stomach while vomiting in the grass! Jimmy watches Buck with concern. When he sees Buck getting sick he is at his side in a split second. He crouches down next to Buck and gathers his hair away from his face. Jimmy waits patiently for Buck's gagging and heaving stomach to settle down. "Take it easy. What happened that has you so upset?" Jimmy asked his voice filled with concern. Buck latches onto Jimmy's arm for support. He tries to get up onto his feet that are a bit shaky. "Don't look at the man behind us. His face…face is…is gone." Jimmy looks at Buck with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Jimmy can't seem to help himself. Before getting Buck completely upright he turns his head around to view the morbid picture that Buck described. He starts to gag. His stomach heaves once and then he quickly looks away. He focuses his attention back on Buck. He gets his friend standing. Without looking at the faceless man Jimmy guides Buck back toward the two soldiers who have been watching the two grown men act weakly over a few bugs invading a dead man's flesh! "We've seen enough!" Jimmy stated flatly with anger for the two breathing soldiers. The marshal and his deputy stumble away from soldiers. CHAPTER FIFTEEN His strong hands gripped the colt revolver tightly. His mind made up about what he has to do in order to bring peace to everyone. It began with the four soldiers. He had to kill them and they had made it so easy for him to do so. No one would find out what he'd done. He had covered his tracks very well. A long time ago he was taught the fine art of covering a person's own tracks by a good friend. His over-anxiousness about the killings had left him slightly shaken when the job had been completed. He didn't want to stay long enough to plant the false evidence that would attach the wrong person to the brutal, senseless slayings. He'd stayed until the last soldier took his last breath. He just wanted to ride far away from the small clearing sheltered with trees. The tormented fixed expressions on his victim's faces left him no doubt that they died in agony and with no dignity. The blood! There was blood everywhere he turned! The red substance saturated the clothes of the men who lay bleeding to death on the ground. The ground was covered in blood. The tall grass looked as if it had been painted red! The tree trunks were spattered with spots from the soldiers clinging to them before slumping to the ground. He needed to get away from the horrible act that had been committed here. He felt as if he would drown in the red liquid if he didn't quickly get away! It was simply inexperience at this sort of thing that made him want to run. He wasn't totally sure he was doing the right thing. But his plan is already in action. There is no turning back now. He had to see every detail of his plan through till the end. When he has killed all of them his deed will be done and then he will stop the killing. CHAPTER SIXTEEN The late afternoon sun shines through the window of the marshal's office. There is a thick haze of sunshine on the windows of the office. No one can see inside the office. Buck and Jimmy can't see very well outside the windows. But then they have other things on their minds and don’t really have the time for Rock Creek problems at the moment. Jimmy is pacing back and forth in the office. His hands are positioned on his hips and his head is bowed down low. He has a hundred or more thoughts fighting for space in his head and he's having a difficult time unscrambling them. Buck had rinsed his mouth out a few times until he couldn't taste the death and destruction they had left behind them in the woods. He is sitting on the edge of Teaspoon's desk washing his face from a basin that he has placed on top of the desk. He is watching Jimmy pace back and forth. "We're going to have to put in a new floor if you keep up that pacing much longer." Jimmy stops pacing immediately. "Are you feeling better?" "Yeah. I'm sorry," Buck spoke embarrassed by his weak stomach. "Why are you sorry? It ain't your fault that there are idiots in the army. Cold-hearted idiots at that," Jimmy spoke his voice angry toward the army and the soldiers they employ. "I've witnessed death many times. Army soldiers aren't exactly my favorite people. It shouldn't have bothered me at all," Buck spoke confused by his own feelings toward the soldiers that were killed. "Buck you've always been soft-hearted when it comes to other's pain and sorrow. It ain't anything to be ashamed of. It's a good quality to have. I often wished I had that very quality." "You're cutting yourself short Jimmy. You have many…" "Jimmy, Buck, how you all been doing?" His familiar voice appeared from out of nowhere. Jimmy and Buck turn their attention toward the entrance to the marshal's office. "Damn Jimmy, Teaspoon finally got a badge pinned to your chest!" His appearance hadn't changed much as he stood lean and tall in the doorframe of the office. His once shoulder length blonde hair is now cropped a little shorter, but still lies past his ears. His blue eyes still glisten with a hint of mischievousness like a young boy of five who would taunt with danger but not really knowing what he was getting himself into. His only real noticeable change is the army uniform he traded his buckskin jacket and everyday Pony Express clothes for. Buck doesn't seem surprised by Cody's appearance. This is not Cody's first visit since leaving six years ago. Unlike Jimmy, Cody has made periodic stops to Rock Creek whenever he has been close by and his duty to the army allowed him to. On the other hand, Jimmy is speechless by Cody's sudden emergence at the marshal's office. He seems to be in a trance with his mouth almost hanging open to the floor. "I sure hope I get a better welcoming home from Teaspoon. Where is the old man of the law?" "Cody?" Jimmy questioned looking mystified by Cody's appearance. "Yep! In the flesh! Any problem with that Jimmy?" Buck walks up to Cody. They hug as brothers would when they haven't seen each other for a while. "Welcome home Cody," Buck spoke smiling at his brother. "Good to see you Buck. What's wrong with the new marshal in town? I could swear he acts like he's seeing a ghost. I'm pretty sure I'm not dead yet." Buck turns his head to view a stunned Jimmy. He's still standing stiff as a board and he's a lot quieter than when he's around Kid. "Jimmy it's only Cody. You do remember Cody don't you?" Buck asked perplexed by Jimmy's actions. Jimmy snaps out of his trance. He extends his hand to shake Cody's hand. "It's the uniform. I didn't realize you are still with the army." Jimmy looks Cody up and down still not believing that someone he once knew so well had joined the army in a permanent way. He wasn't happy with Cody's decision six years ago and after the experience he and Buck had had with the two soldiers earlier today he is sure he's still not happy with Cody's decision. "You still think I am wrong for signing up with the army, don't you Jimmy?" Jimmy hesitates and thinks about how he should answer Cody's question without opening up yet another can of worms since his own return home. "It ain't my place to say." Buck senses another heated conversation between another two of his family members. It seems whomever Jimmy comes in contact with from the past he provokes a disagreement with them. Kid and Jimmy aren't speaking to each other. He doesn't want to see that happen to Cody and Jimmy. Since Jimmy and Cody are both such hotheads it would take one of them to admit he is totally wrong before the other would back down from an all out fight. "Everyone has to do what is right for him. I did what I thought was best for me. You are no different Cody even if people don't agree with you. You did what was best for you. Apparently the army has been good to you because you're still with them," Jimmy spoke to the point. Jimmy's statement of honesty shocks Buck, but eases the tension that is settling upon Cody's face. Everyone had criticized Cody for signing up with the army, but he knew that he was doing the right thing for himself. He has helped many people through his travels with the army. Eventually the family did come around to see Cody's point of view about the army. After they all got used to the idea of him joining and being away from home they became proud that he had done something good with his life. "It has been a good life Jimmy. I have no regrets about the decision I made," Cody spoke with a bit of anger in his tone. "That's all that matters Cody. I have to admit I am a bit upset at the two soldiers who escorted Buck and myself out to where those four soldiers had been killed." "The soldiers were wrong. They should have cleared out the dead soldiers before taking you out there, considering the length of time the soldiers had been dead," Cody spoke with some hostility toward the soldiers concerning their actions. "We'll need to go back out there. We really didn't get much of a chance to check the arrows or the ground for tracks," Buck spoke hesitantly about returning to the murder scene. "No need. I can tell you whatever you need to know. I have the arrows. You can look them over Buck. Perhaps you can tell what tribe they are from. One interesting thing I noticed is that there are tracks for one shoed horse, other than yours and the soldier’s horses. It also appears that the soldiers were killed at that location and not somewhere else and just dumped off in the woods," Cody remarked without much emotion for the men that were killed. "Why would you think they might have been killed elsewhere?" Jimmy asked bewildered. "Two soldiers were killed a few months back near Blue Creek. Those two soldiers were killed someplace else and dumped where they were actually found. The tall grass had dragging marks all through it as if the bodies had been dragged and positioned in the spots we found them in." "Are you thinking there may be a connection between the two murders?" Buck asked. "I can't say that for sure since the two murder scenes are different. Anything is possible at this point. So where is Teaspoon?" "He's back at the ranch recovering from a broken leg. You can hear all about it over dinner tonight," Buck spoke. "Dinner? I thought you'd never mention dinner." Buck and Jimmy laugh at the man who always had and always will put food before everything else. The three men leave the marshal's office and head toward home. THE END Email Debra HOME