Chapter One
"September 19, 1870. Dear Family Journal, I know it has been a long time since I or any other family member has written a passage on these blank pages. Sometimes with the daily life of raising children, Lily, Jake and Emily, taking care of the farm and taking care of the daily household chores, I have found it increasingly difficult to set aside quiet time so that I may write on the pages of this journal. I will try to get caught up on what has been going on over the last few years and then I will pass this journal onto another member of the family in the same fashion that we used to since the days of the Pony Express. It is now 1870. It is hard to believe that ten years have now passed since the days when Kid and I rode for the Pony Express. We still are living at the ranch just about half of a mile west of the old Rock Creek Pony Express Station where Teaspoon and Rachel live with their two sons, Noah and Nathan. The last entry that I had made in the family journal Jimmy wasn't living here in Rock Creek, but now Jimmy is living in the old bunkhouse. When Jimmy came back home about a year ago, Teaspoon, Buck, and Kid pitched in to restore the old bunkhouse so that Jimmy could stay there while he is here in Rock Creek sometimes visiting, but other times staying for what I could call an extended visit. Jimmy rarely stays in one place for too long, and so it is somewhat surprising that he is still here, and has become a deputy to help out Teaspoon and Buck at the marshal's office. Buck along with his deputy duties still has a ranch just a little distance from where Kid and I live. Buck still raises milking cows and a few horses while Kid and I are raising beef cattle. Buck, Kid and I are still raising pigs and chickens to butcher and we raise hens for eggs. Most of our farming products we sell to the two markets that are now in Rock Creek that includes in the summer months when we grow vegetables to supply Thompkin's General Store; Thompkin's is older, but still a strong and highly opinionated man, and Johnson's Food Market, a family owned food market that came to Rock Creek two years ago. Even though Johnson's put a little bit of a strain on Thompkin's business at first, the two are now friends and actually work together to make both their businesses successful. Farming is a wonderful living, but the days are long and filled with laborious work from dawn to dusk. Since my last entry the town of Rock Creek has grown in size. Besides the main street of town that has grown in size to accommodate many new businesses, there is an actual neighborhood growing rapidly behind the store fronts of the main street. We have a railroad station where the train comes through a few times a week and the townsfolk of Rock Creek will soon be celebrating the opening of our first library. Buck is totally excited about all the books that he will soon be able to read. We are getting a true librarian traveling from Wyoming Territory within a few weeks. Well journal I hear Kid hollering about something. I promise this time to write more often. Lou."
The rustling leaves that had fallen from the trees are being swept up into the faces of the townsfolk walking from store shop to store shop making their purchases for the month. The joyful sounds of neighbors chatting with neighbors about the cold winter that is expected to fall upon the western town and the whisperings about who is taking who to the upcoming annual Rock Creek Autumn Festival can be heard throughout town even as far as the marshal's office where a furious Kid has just entered the office arousing Jimmy from a sound sleep and taking Buck away from doing his normal deputy paperwork. Something that Buck really doesn't mind Kid doing at the moment since he is up to both elbows in wanted posters.
"Which one of you did it this time?" Kid asked as he plops the remains of one of Lou's flowering hanging baskets on Jimmy's desk with hard dry dirt crumbling onto Jimmy's desk top.
Jimmy shoves his hat away from his face and settles his booted feet on the floor. While trying to stifle a yawn he touches the remains of Lou's flowering basket. "Looks like a wild animal was gnawing on Lou's flowers," Jimmy spoke innocently while running his hands across the stem stubs were there were once long sprays of green stems and blooming flowers growing.
"Lou found her flowering baskets in the corral with our cows," Kid exclaimed as he makes a slight gesture toward Buck wondering if the Kiowa might know who the troublemaker might be.
"Perhaps if you fed your cows they wouldn't have went after Lou's flowers," Buck stated with a wicked grin.
Kid picks up what is left of the flowering basket and dumps it on Buck's desk. "Are you trying to make me believe that the cows were somehow able to get the hanging baskets off the hooks on the front porch of my home and drag the baskets to the pasture to devour them," Kid stated with a quizzical look on his face.
Buck quickly sweeps the remains of Lou's flowering hanging basket with wanted posters off his desk and into the trash can at the side of his desk. Buck knows that there is no way the cows could have achieved such an enormous feat, but perhaps he can make Kid believe that he has highly intelligent cows. "It's a possibility, that's all I'm saying."
Kid gets right down into Buck's face. "It is not a possibility and you know it."
The marshal's office door opens and abruptly slams shut from a swift breeze that follows Teaspoon into the office. "Mornin boys," Teaspoon stated as he stands ghastly pale near the front door with a telegram dangling from his hand not able to move toward Jimmy, Buck and Kid.
Immediately from Teaspoon's grief-stricken appearance in movement Buck, Kid and Jimmy sense that something is terribly wrong. All three young men gather around the old marshal who has been their father figure for the last ten years, since the days they all rode for the Pony Express.
"What is it Teaspoon?" Buck asked grimly.
Before speaking Teaspoon looks hard into the eyes of all three of the young men that he cares for as if they were his own sons. His hands are shaky as he holds up the telegram. "I received this here telegram from Sam Cain this morning."
"September 19, 1870. Dear Family Journal, This morning Teaspoon had arrived at his office like any other morning to start his day as the marshal of Rock Creek with his two deputies. Kid was at the office questioning Buck and Jimmy about my flowering hanging baskets that had been eaten by our cows, of course all of that was easily forgotten about with the news that Teaspoon had received by telegram from Sam Cain. Emma had been murdered by a gang of outlaws at her and Sam's home. Sam fears that their three children, Willis, Rose and Grace would have also been murdered accept for the fact that Willis and Rose were attending school, and Grace was visiting with Sam's parents. Of course Sam is blaming himself for Emma's murder because he had recently captured three of the members of this same gang. These three outlaws were tried and convicted of robbery and murder. The hanging of all three men took place just two weeks ago. Sam is planning on going after the rest of the gang, but he needs someone to watch over his and Emma's three children until he returns home. Teaspoon has suggested that Buck raise Sam's children until Sam's return. Goodnight, Lou."
Buck and Jimmy had gathered at Teaspoon and Rachel's home, the old Rock Creek Pony Express Station. "Teaspoon, I know absolutely nothing about raising children. What if I do something wrong?" Buck asked wearily.
"Listen to me Buck. There is no way that you could possibly be a bad father for Sam and Emma's children."
Teaspoon had suggested Buck raise Sam and Emma's three children because of the lonely life that Buck leads. He has often been worried about how Buck goes home every night to an empty house with no wife or children there to greet him. Teaspoon also knows that more than anything else in life that Buck wants a family of his own. Keeping Sam and Emma's children until Sam comes back home isn't really Buck's own family, but with the three children staying at Buck's, the house will be filled with laughter and noise. On too many nights Teaspoon senses that Buck's home is too quiet.
"How am I going to raise three children with farming and being a deputy?" Buck asked sounding like a man desperately trying to find a way out of the situation that Teaspoon has put him in.
"Buck, during the day Willis and Rose will be attending school and Lou has agreed to look after Grace. In the evenings Willis who is nine and Rose who is eight will be able to help with some of the chores around the farm," Teaspoon spoke trying to assure Buck that this is a great idea.
"Buck, you know that the rest of us will be here to help you out every day that you have the children," Rachel smiled assuredly toward Buck.
With Rachel's offer of help, Buck walks over and lightly hugs Rachel. "Thanks Rachel. Perhaps I can raise Sam and Emma's children if I had some help," Buck spoke feeling a little bit more confident about this recent life change coming his way.
With that Buck walks toward the front door with Teaspoon close behind him. "Buck, this family has been through tough times in the past. We'll get through this together as a family."
"I'll see you all tomorrow," Buck stated feeling a bit tired as he walks out the door.
Teaspoon turns and looks directly at Jimmy. "I know exactly what you're going to say Jimmy."
"Teaspoon, are you even thinking for one minute what raising Sam and Emma's children could do to Buck? What if Buck starts to think of those three children as his own family? What will happen to Buck when Sam comes back home to claim his family?" Jimmy asked his voice filled with fear for what could end up being a very heart-broken Buck.
Teaspoon thinks quietly for a moment before answering Jimmy. "At this very moment I can't think that far ahead. At this moment Sam needs a home for his three children. Sam and Emma and their three children are a part of this family. We need to be here to help Sam in any way that we can."
"All I'm saying is that Buck is lonely, but after Sam comes back home to get his children, Buck could end up being more lonely," Jimmy stated wearily.
"As a family, we'll deal with that when it happens," Teaspoon stated sadly.
Chapter Two
"September 26, 1870. Dear Family Journal, It has been one week since we received the telegram from Sam telling all of us the sad news that Emma had been murdered, and that Sam needed our help with raising his and Emma's three children until he returns home from searching for the outlaws that killed Emma. Since then it had been decided, mostly by Teaspoon that the children would stay with Buck. Buck has a large home where he lives alone, but all of us will help Buck with taking care of the children. Teaspoon figures that Sam should be arriving within the next day or two. Sam decided not to take the train, and instead is traveling by horse and wagon. That way he will have two horses for his own traveling after leaving the children in Rock Creek with us. The news of Emma's death has made everyone particularly quiet and somber over the past week. It is the sort of news you never expect to hear, but with the threat of outlaw's in our lives every day it is a reality that sooner or later someone you love will either be hurt or killed defending their home and family. Even though Emma's death is causing great heartache for me, I'm thankful that her children weren't home at the time to meet the same fate that Emma had suffered. I need to get around this morning and get over to Buck's home where Rachel and I have been helping Buck get the house in order for three small children to live in. Buck's bedrooms are all furnished, but the bedding needed striped from the beds and washed. Buck figures to put Willis in one bedroom and for Rose and Grace to share another bedroom. I will write again when the children have arrived. Lou."
The morning hours seemed to quickly fly by as Lou and Rachel worked quietly on getting Buck's home ready for the arrival of three small children. The beds each had been striped and the bedding washed. Rachel had hung the bedding outside on the clotheslines and the early autumn breeze of the morning is quickly drying the heavy bedding.
Rachel doesn't allow it to slip by her that Lou has been extremely quiet over the past week since hearing about the death of Emma. She knows that when she arrived in Sweetwater and become The Pony Express mom sort of speaking that she had to earn the love and respect of a strong family bond that was left by Emma. Lou was very close to Emma with Emma knowing that Lou was actually a girl and not the boy that she had pretended to be. Emma was wonderful with Lou with their secret woman to woman talks. At first Rachel had a difficult time adjusting to having one on one chats with Lou. Her own life was such a mess that she had a hard time helping a young Lou with her life.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Rachel asked as she tucks her end of the sheet underneath the mattress of what will be Willis's bed.
"Talk about what?" Lou questioned grimly.
"How about we go downstairs and make a pot of tea and chat about Emma," Rachel stated with a grim smile.
"We have a lot of work to do before Sam and the children arrive and there's a possibility that they could arrive by tomorrow. I really would much rather just keep working," Lou stated the coldness in her voice not reflective with the breaking of her heart.
Rachel understands how Lou is feeling. Eventually the young woman will need and want to talk about Emma's death and when that time comes Rachel figures on being there to help Lou through her grief. "What would you like to work on next?"
"I am game for a nice hot cup of tea. We could go down to the kitchen and clean out the cupboards and stock the shelves with the groceries you bought from Thompkin's and Johnson's stores this morning," Lou spoke her voice cracking a bit as she clears her throat.
"I think that is a great idea," Rachel stated enthusiastically as she places her arm around Lou's shoulder and guides her downstairs.
Later that evening the entire family had been invited for dinner at Teaspoon and Rachel's home. Rachel and Lou had worked hard all day long getting Buck's house cleaned and ready for three small children to run about the floors in their bare feet. Jimmy had arrived in the early afternoon to help and it was his idea that he helps Rachel cook a meal for the entire family.
After dinner Teaspoon, Buck, Kid and Jimmy had retired to the chairs on the Hunter front porch as a light breeze makes everyone aware that autumn has arrived. There is a slight chill in the air that hadn't been there all summer. Rachel and Lou serve coffee to the men and then they also take seats on the porch. The sunsets were appearing earlier each evening as summer had just come to an end and autumn is just beginning. Everyone was being too quiet and so to break the silence Teaspoon takes it upon himself to try and find something to talk about. The weather seems to be the most likely topic of conversation.
"The sunset sure does look beautiful this evening," Teaspoon spoke quietly hoping to at least get a respond from one member of his family.
"I should go with Sam," Jimmy spoke slightly above a whisper, but breaking the silence that had fallen over Rock Creek during the past few days.
"I had thought about sending someone to accompany Sam, but we'll first have to ask Sam if that is what he would want," Teaspoon spoke unsure that Sam would want someone to hunt down Emma's killers with him.
"Why would we have to ask Sam what he would want? His wife has just been murdered. My guess is that Sam has no idea at this moment what he wants," Jimmy exclaimed loud enough for everyone to understand that he is upset about Emma's death.
"Jimmy, you have to understand that sometimes when tragedy strikes a man's life that he has to do things his way to right that tragedy," Teaspoon spoke wearily.
Jimmy, Kid and Buck are glancing at Teaspoon wondering exactly what it is that the old marshal is trying to say. Rachel picks up on the fact that the boys aren't exactly sure of what Teaspoon is trying to tell them.
"I think what Teaspoon is trying to say is that Sam may want to do this on his own. He is probably blaming himself for not being home when Emma was murdered and so he may want and need to track Emma's killers down alone," Rachel stated trying to put her own thoughts into the situation that Sam is in and what she would want and need to do.
"I understand that, but I'm thinking about Sam's safety. I'm thinking that his mind isn't right after losing Emma and he'll need someone to help him track those outlaws down," Jimmy spoke sighing heavily.
"Sam may welcome the company, but just keep in mind that when Sam gets here he may also want to do this alone," Teaspoon spoke as he turns his head when he hears the sounds of horses and a wagon drawing closer to the house.
The entire family walks off the porch and out past the fence when they see Sam pull up the wagon close to the house with his three children sitting in the back. Before anyone gets to Sam he is off the wagon and unloading the children one by one. They all notice that Sam seems like a man determined to leave Rock Creek immediately!
Teaspoon is the first one to approach Sam. They shake hands. "Sam it is good to see you, but we weren't expecting you until tomorrow morning."
Sam shakes Teaspoon's hand and notices that the rest of the family lingers behind Teaspoon wondering if it is okay to approach him. "I needed to get here as quickly as I could. It is good to see all of you. I appreciate what you are all willing to do for me by giving my children a home until I'm able to come back for them," Sam spoke his voice loud and clear of emotion.
Jimmy approaches Sam quickly. "Sam, I'd like to help out. I could go with you to track Emma's…"
Sam puts a hand on Jimmy's shoulder. "You're needed here in Rock Creek Jimmy, but I do appreciate the gesture."
Teaspoon interrupts hoping that Sam will stay the night, but it doesn't go unnoticed by Teaspoon that Sam is in a hurry to unload the children and their belongings very quickly from the wagon. "Sam, won't you at least consider staying the night and getting a good meal and a good night's rest before leaving?" Teaspoon asked somberly.
"I needed to leave yesterday so I won't be staying the night. Where are the children going to be staying?" Sam asked without emotion in his voice.
Buck steps forward. "The children will be staying with me," Buck spoke quietly as he watches the rage building up inside Sam.
Sam walks over to Buck to stand in front of him. "Thank-you Buck, the children won't give you any problems."
"I know that Sam. I just want you to know that I'll take real good care of you and Emma's children."
Sam shows no emotion with the mentioning of Emma's name. He had been married to Emma for the past ten years, but yet there is no emotion. He's behaving as if Emma is still alive, but just away for a visit somewhere and that he needs someone to watch the children until her return. Sam picks his younger daughter up into his arms and swings her toward Buck. "Grace, I'd like for you to meet Buck," Sam spoke quietly as he gestures Grace toward Buck.
As Grace willingly opens her arms up for Buck to latch onto her, Buck opens his arms just as Grace escaped from her father's hold on her. It is amazing to everyone that Grace so willingly goes to Buck and once in his arms her head collapses onto Buck's shoulder and her tired eyes quickly close.
Rachel makes her way over to stand next to Buck. "Sam, are you sure you won't stay long enough for me to at least cook you a good meal. There are leftovers from our dinner that I could simply heat up. It wouldn't take much time," Rachel spoke softly trying to convince Sam to stay and worried that once he starts his search that he will neglect to take care of his own health.
"I really appreciate what all of you are trying to do, but if I'm going to have any luck tracking these outlaws I need to leave tonight," Sam spoke without much emotion for a man that has just lost his wife. Sam walks over to Willis and Rose. He kneels down to their level. "Just remember what I said. The two of you need to help take care of Grace. Do your school work and help out with the chores around here."
"We'll help out pop, don't worry about us," Rose said barely above a whisper.
"We'll do our school work," Willis said sadly.
"Come here and give your pop a hug," Sam said as the two children rush into his arms. "I'll be back to get you just as soon as I can."
"September 26, 1870. Dear Family Journal, It is late evening. Kid and I with our children followed Buck to his house in our wagon to help Buck tuck the children into bed for the first evening. On the ride to Buck's farm as I held my youngest daughter Emily in my arms while she slept, I kept thinking about Grace and how she had refused to allow anyone else to hold her once Buck had taken her into his arms. I had thought it would be easier for Buck to drive the wagon to the house if Grace would sleep in the back of the wagon where Willis and Rose were sitting, but the young girl would not release her strong hold that she had on Buck. And then there is Sam so determined to leave the very minute that the children were off the wagon. He wouldn't even allow himself one night's rest in a bed before heading out to track down Emma's killers. I can't help but wonder if we will ever see Sam Cain again. His good-bye to his children seemed cold and disconnected as if he was trying to separate them from his life permanently. Only time will tell if Sam will find what he is searching for, but I'm sure that what he is searching for is just not Emma's killers. Goodnight Journal, Lou."
Chapter Three
Early the next morning Buck woke to the smell of bacon cooking and a fresh pot of coffee brewing from downstairs in his kitchen. Before he could even get down the stairs to see who it was that is cooking breakfast, Grace cried from her bedroom for Buck to come to her. When he walks into her bedroom she is in her bed reaching for him with arms wide open and her long dark hair flowing softly around her face.
Buck takes Grace into his arms and she immediately quiets down. "We need to get you dressed. What would you like to wear today?" Buck asked as he puts her down so that she may pick out some clothes to wear.
Grace picks out her clothes, a gray pair of pants and a pink flowered shirt and Buck helps her to get dressed. Rachel had brought over a hair brush and when Grace is completely dressed Buck brushes her long dark hair for her. She is happy and smiles at Buck as she reaches for him to pick her up into his arms.
Downstairs Willis, Rose and Rachel's older son Noah are sitting at the kitchen table eating their breakfast. Buck and Grace walk into the kitchen.
"Good morning. I was wondering who was down here doing the cooking," Buck said as he places Grace into a chair next to him. Buck takes his seat and Rachel comes over to pour him a cup of coffee.
"How is Grace this morning?" Rachel asked as she places a plate of eggs and bacon in front of both Grace and Buck.
"Good," Grace replied as she takes a sip of her orange juice.
"You didn't have to come over and make us breakfast Rachel. I'm going to have to adjust to getting up a little earlier to get Willis and Rose to school on time," Buck spoke as he watches over Grace.
"Don't pretend that you won't need my help. Besides Noah has to go to school and so I thought until we all adjust to three new family members that I could come over in the morning and get the children ready and then take Rose, Willis and Noah to school with me. I already dropped Nathan off at Lou's for the day. That way you can drop Grace off at Lou's and then go on into the marshal's office without having to worry about getting Rose and Willis to school on time," Rachel replied knowing that this is a very new situation for Buck to adjust to.
"I guess that sounds like a good plan," Buck spoke as Grace crawled onto his lap from her chair.
It doesn't go unnoticed by Rachel that Grace is already developing a strong attachment to Buck. "That is of course as long as a certain little one will allow you to leave her with Lou," Rachel spoke as she gestured toward Grace holding tightly onto Buck's shirt sleeve with one hand while she eats her eggs with her free hand.
Buck takes a notice to the sudden attachment that he hadn't really noticed until Rachel pointed it out to him. "I'm sure Grace will enjoy being with Lou and she'll also have Emily and Nathan to play with. They are all about the same age," Buck stated not thinking that Grace is already attached to him.
"If you think you'll be fine with Grace, I'm going to take the other children and get them to school," Rachel said while clearing off the table.
Buck stands up from the table and puts a pink sweater over Grace's shirt. "Rachel, can you bring Rose and Willis home after school today?"
"Of course," Rachel spoke as she rushes the children out the door looking back at Buck as Grace tightens her arms around Buck's neck. "Don't worry sweetheart, I'm not taking you away from Buck," Rachel said grinning as she leaves.
"You're not helping Rachel," Buck said as they all leave out the front door of Buck's home.
Teaspoon looks up from his desk when Buck walks into the office at a little after eleven in the morning. "You're a little late this morning. Everything all right with the children this morning?" Teaspoon asked knowing that Rachel was over at Buck's helping out this morning.
Buck sits down at his desk. "Everything was fine until I had to leave Grace with Lou," Buck replied as he glances over at Jimmy's desk which is empty.
"That didn't go well?" Teaspoon asked wondering how leaving Grace with Lou could have gone badly.
"I think Rachel cursed me this morning."
"How did Rachel curse you?"
"Rachel noticed that Grace was becoming attached to me and she kind of implied that Grace may not want to stay with Lou," Buck stated wearily.
"I guess Rachel was right," Teaspoon mumbled with a grin.
"It's not amusing Teaspoon. Grace wrapped her tiny arms around me so tightly that I couldn't pry them loose. Even when she would sit down on the floor and play with Emily and Nathan she would continue to watch me. I couldn't leave. When I tried to leave she would cry and reach for me to pick her up," Buck stated in a stressed tone.
"And I suppose that you picked Grace up when she would reach for you?" Teaspoon asked with a grin.
"I couldn't just let her sit and cry," Buck stated disheartened at the thought of Grace crying and being upset about his departure from Lou's home this morning.
"Why couldn't you?" Teaspoon asked trying to teach Buck a very important life lesson on being a parent. "I didn't pick any of you boys up when you would throw your fits," Teaspoon stated with a grin.
"We didn't throw fits Teaspoon and we were all too big for you to pick up," Buck replied with a slight chuckle but with a tired tone in his voice.
"That's my point. You can't give in to Grace every time she calls for you. If you do, you'll be crazy within a week. You have to just leave and let her cry."
"I can't do that to Grace or to Lou for that matter."
"Buck, believe me when I say this, Lou is a mother and she is used to crying children. If you don't allow Grace to settle in with Lou then every morning you and Grace are going to go through a lot of pain, not to mention the fact that you're going to be extremely late getting to your job. You need to let Grace cry it out. She'll be fine within a week."
Buck isn't too sure about what Teaspoon is saying, but Teaspoon has always given good advice and contrary to Cody's lack of listening to Teaspoon when they were all part of the Pony Express, Teaspoon is always right.
"Monday, October 3, 1870. Dear Family Journal, It has been one week since Sam left his and Emma's three small children with all of us. I hadn't really expected to hear from Sam, but a telegram to his children would be a nice thought on Sam's part, but there has been no word from Sam. The first couple of days with Grace were almost unbearable. She has become very attached to Buck. Every morning Grace would cling to Buck making Buck incredibly late for work every morning. By the end of the first week Grace was doing a little better about Buck leaving her with me. Once Buck was able to leave the house, Grace would crawl onto a chair that I have near a front window and she would watch Buck ride out until she could no longer see him. The first day that Grace was here she stayed at the window all day waiting for Buck to come back to pick her up. When she first saw him approach the house she quickly crawled off the chair and run to me grabbing my hand and leading me to the front door yelling Buck's name over and over again. Buck had tried to ignore the fact that Grace has become attached and he doesn't quite understand how this could happen and why it would happen, but now after a week of crying and torment Buck realizes that he could never leave Grace. What I feared would happen has happened. Buck has become just as attached to Grace as she is to him. Buck believes that Grace has become so attached so quickly because she misses Sam. I however think that Grace believes that Buck is her new pop pop. Today Grace allowed Buck to leave with just a little resistance. She hugged Buck tightly for a few minutes and then said that he could go if he promised to pick her up soon. Buck promised and Grace allowed him to go to work. The rest of the day was uneventful. Grace, Emily and Nathan play so well together that I hardly notice the three of them in the house. Goodnight Journal, Lou."
Chapter Four
Teaspoon looks up from sweeping the office when Buck and Jimmy both stroll into the marshal's office late as usual. "Jimmy, I can somewhat understand way Buck is late almost every morning since he has three children to tend to in the morning, but do you mind telling me why you are late every morning?" Teaspoon asked wearily as he puts the broom and dustpan back in the corner of the office.
"Believe it or not Teaspoon this morning I woke up to find my firewood having been scattered all over the backyard of the bunkhouse," Jimmy replied with a loud yawn.
Teaspoon gives Jimmy a perplexed expression as if he thinks this is more of an excuse for Jimmy to be late for work rather than an incident that actually kept him from being to work on time. "So what you're saying is that someone took all your firewood that is stacked on the front porch of the bunkhouse and carried it to the back of the bunkhouse," Teaspoon spoke unsure as to whether he believes Jimmy's story.
"That's exactly what I'm saying, and they didn't just sit it down in a nice neat pile. Whoever did this scattered it all over the back of the bunkhouse," Jimmy spoke as he sits down at his desk and props his feet up on his desk.
"Now who would do something like that?" Teaspoon asked with a slight grin on his face finding the situation rather amusing.
"I don't know, but I spent half the morning restacking the firewood back onto the front porch. I sure am tired," Jimmy spoke with another yawn.
"Perhaps it was Kid," Buck spoke as he takes out new wanted posters from an envelope that lay on his desk. "Kid kind of blamed you for the incident with Lou's flowers being eaten by their cows."
Jimmy gets up from his desk and suddenly becomes wide awake. "You could be on to something Buck. I'll have to have a little chat with Kid," Jimmy spoke as he starts to get up from his chair.
"You'll have to have your little chat with Kid later. The train is due to arrive within the next few minutes. The new librarian is due to arrive on the train today. I need for you to get over there and escort her to the library, and show her the home behind the library that is there for her to live in," Teaspoon spoke adamantly to Jimmy.
"Being a deputy in this town can sure be boring. I should have insisted on going with Sam. At least then I would have been involved with outlaws and guns," Jimmy replied unhappy with his new assignment as one of Rock Creek's deputies.
"Jimmy, don't always wish for your life to be surrounded by gunfire, someday you could end up with a bullet in your back from one of these outlaws," Buck stated gesturing to the new wanted posters that he is posting on the bulletin board.
Jimmy walks to the front door. "At least I would go out knowing that I was able to rid this territory of the outlaws that roam free terrorizing innocent townsfolk," Jimmy replied as he leaves the office.
Buck and Teaspoon look at one another both with questioning expressions on what has Jimmy in such a bad mood this morning as Buck looks out the window following Jimmy over to the train station with his eyes. "He couldn't be that upset about the firewood being relocated at the bunkhouse, could he?"
"No, I don't think firewood is Jimmy's problem except that he had to restack it this morning," Teaspoon stated wearily.
"I'm sensing that you know what's eating at Jimmy," Buck spoke somberly thinking that perhaps Jimmy is tired of Rock Creek again and getting ready to move on.
"Buck, I know you like the family to stay together and even though Cody and you didn't always see eye to eye, I know that you miss him, but Jimmy has been here for a little over a year now and I think he's getting the itch to move on for awhile. I'm not saying that he won't be back, but if he chooses to leave we have to let him go," Teaspoon spoke disheartened that Jimmy may be thinking that he has stayed in one spot for too long.
"If Jimmy needs more to do he could move in with me and help me raise Sam and Emma's three children," Buck replied not wishing to hear that Jimmy may be thinking about leaving his family again for awhile.
"I don't think raising three children is exactly how Jimmy wants to spend his life. I think as Jimmy gets a little older that might be how he'd like to spend his days, but at this moment I truly believe that Jimmy wants to rescue the territory of every outlaw he could find," Teaspoon replied disheartened.
"I suppose we'll have to let him do just that if that is what Jimmy wants," Buck spoke walking back to his desk to finish more of his paperwork.
Teaspoon sees the despondent mood that Buck has suddenly gotten into. He wants to take his mind off the possibility of Jimmy departing Rock Creek again. "Have you given any real thought on who our practical joker is?" Teaspoon questioned a bit amused by the ransacking that has been going on at all three homesteads including the bunkhouse.
Buck glances up from his paperwork and eyes Teaspoon suspiciously wondering if Teaspoon could be the corrupt. He rationalizes that Teaspoon could be the person responsible for all the disruptions at the three homesteads, but he also thinks that Teaspoon would need a helper.
"Don't look at me like that. Only a damn fool would carry all that firewood from the front of the bunkhouse to the back of the bunkhouse. I'm not that fool," Teaspoon spoke affirming his innocence on the matter.
"I'll have a chat with Kid about Jimmy's firewood and see if we can come up with a plan to catch whoever is ransacking the farms," Buck replied with a slight grin.
"You have no ideas on who it could be?" Teaspoon asked wondering if it could be Buck.
Buck senses where Teaspoon is going with his line of questioning. "Perhaps you are too old to carry firewood from one location to another location, but I'm too busy to do something so foolish with raising three children, working the farm and being your deputy. Sorry to disappoint you Teaspoon, but it's not me," Buck stated affirming his innocence.
"Okay. I was just asking," Teaspoon replied with a grin still thinking that it could be Buck.
When Jimmy gets to the train station he first notices that Lou is there with Emily, Grace and Nathan all of them holding hands and being very good. He walks up to Lou and lightly kisses her on the cheek. "What are you doing here?" Jimmy asked smiling.
"Hi Jimmy. Rachel told me this morning that the new librarian would be on the train today and so I thought I would bring the children to meet her and perhaps help her out at the library for awhile. What brings you here?"
"Teaspoon asked me to escort the new librarian to the library and to also show her the house she will be living in. Lou, do you know anything about the librarian?" Jimmy asked thinking that a librarian would have to be an elderly lady and not a young woman that he would find attractive.
"I really don't know anything. Rachel said that the only information that was forwarded to let us know that we were getting a librarian was that her name is Lindsey Mackerson," Lou stated with a grin thinking that Jimmy might have an interest for the new woman of Rock Creek.
"I guess they didn't send along her age with her name?" Jimmy asked somberly.
"I'm afraid not Jimmy, but the train is due any second," Lou spoke just as they hear the train whistle not far from the station.
Lou and Jimmy stand back on the platform with the three youngsters as passengers from the train start to walk off the train. Lou soon spots a woman with long dark hair that must be about her age walking toward her holding the hands of two young children. Lou steps out to see if this beautiful young woman is the new librarian.
"Hello, are you Lindsey Mackerson?" Lou asked quietly.
Lindsey who has beautiful long flowing dark hair and dark green eyes has Jimmy mesmerized, but she pays full attention to Lou. "Yes, I'm Lindsey Mackerson."
"I'm Lou," Lou replied as she notices that Jimmy is staring at Lindsey and so to get his attention his elbows him in the side. "And this is Jimmy. We were both sent to meet with you and take you to the library."
"That would be such a help. I have six pieces of luggage that is being unloaded from the rear of the train," Lindsey spoke in a grateful tone that she won't have to figure out how to get her luggage to her home on her own.
"Jimmy could you take my wagon and load Lindsey's luggage onto it and take it to the house behind the library? Lindsey and I can walk to the library with the children," Lou spoke as she and Lindsey start to walk down the wooden walkway to the library that is located on the main street of Rock Creek and across from the marshal's office.
"Yeah, sure thing Lou," Jimmy mumbled as he can't take his eyes off of Lindsey as he watches the two women with five children in tow walk down the main wooden walkway of Rock Creek. He continues to watch them until they enter the new library.
Once Lindsey and Lou are in the library they release the hands of the children and immediately the children are on the floor playing with some wooden blocks that Lou had brought along.
Lindsey looks around at the library with its wooden shelving and several wooden table and chair sets placed in the room for the townsfolk to read at when they visit the library.
"Have any of the books arrived?" Lindsey asked without seeing the boxes stacked in the one corner of the library behind her desk.
Lou points in the corner and Lindsey looks to see that there are six boxes filled with books. "The boxes have been arriving by train over the last few weeks. Rachel Hunter, the school teacher, and myself have been putting them in here for you to unpack," Lou stated excitedly.
Lindsey turns to Lou. "Thank-you Lou for helping me out today," Lindsey replied gratefully.
"How old are your children and what are their names?" Lou asked curious as to why she hadn't noticed a husband or a wedding ring stating that a husband is arriving at a later date.
"My son's name is Eli and he is five years old. I need to enroll him in the school tomorrow, and my daughter is Mandy, she is three years old and sometimes quite a handful," Lindsey stated as she looks proudly at her children playing quietly with Grace, Nathan and Emily.
"I'm thinking that all three of those children are not yours since they all seem about the same age," Lindsey stated as she wonders about Lou's situation.
"The little blonde girl is mine, her name is Emily and she is three. Nathan is the boy and he belongs to the school teacher Rachel and Teaspoon Hunter. Teaspoon is the marshal of Rock Creek. Grace is the dark haired beauty and she is three. She belongs to Buck Cross one of the deputies of Rock Creek," Lou stated thinking that for now the story surrounding Grace would be too complicated to repeat at this moment and so for now Grace is Buck's daughter.
"So you watch children while their parents work?" Lindsey questioned hoping that Lou might be the solution to her immediate problem with what she will do with Mandy while she is working at the library during the day.
Lou catches onto what Lindsey is asking her. "Do you need someone to watch Mandy for you? I will gladly watch Mandy, but you'll have to bring her to my home in the morning," Lou stated more than happy to help Lindsey out with her situation.
"Are you sure it won't be too much trouble to have one more child to watch?" Lindsey asked thinking that maybe Lou has her hands full with three youngsters.
"These three play great together. Most days I hardly notice that I have three small children in the house. I'm sure that Mandy will have a fun time being at my house and having three other children to play with everyday," Lou replied hoping that Lindsey is secure with the idea of her watching Mandy.
"Thank-you Lou. I hardly know you and you've become such a big help to me."
Lou hesitates at first to ask Lindsey about her children's father, but since her and Lindsey are fast becoming friends she decides to go for it. "If you don't mind my asking, where is the children's father?"
"I don't mind you asking Lou. My husband was killed a little over a year ago. Someday I'll tell you what happened, but it is a long story and right now I really need to get to work on getting this library in order so that I can open it within a week," Lindsey replied answering Lou's question, but not wishing to dwell on her husband's death.
"I'm sorry to hear that Lindsey. This Saturday is the annual Rock Creek Autumn Festival. I hope you will bring the children for lots of food, fun and games and there's always dancing for whoever is brave enough to dance to our very own Rock Creek Band's music," Lou stated with an amusing smile.
"Perhaps the children would enjoy the festival," Lindsey smiles wondering if maybe she will see Jimmy there.
"Monday, October 10, 1870. Dear Family Journal, Today the librarian finally arrived in Rock Creek. Her name is Lindsey Mackerson and she seems to fit right into our cozy little town. Jimmy definitely has his eyes on her. I'm sure that Jimmy thought that a librarian had to be elderly and boring, but he found out differently when he met Lindsey, young, beautiful and suddenly single, but with two very young children. I'm hoping that Mandy doesn't have the same difficult time that Grace had settling into a new situation when Lindsey drops her off starting tomorrow morning. Lindsey would like to open the library next Monday and in order to do that she needs to work at a steady pace getting all the books that have arrived onto the shelves. We had talked for a long time and she even discussed with me how much she loves to read and some of the titles of the books that will be in the library. I'm rather interested in reading 'Little Women' but Buck will probably be more interested in a book titled 'Great Expectations'. Either way I'm sure Buck will spend as much time as possible at the library, and of course Grace will be right behind him. Lindsey tells me that there is going to be a large section of books for the children to read. Rachel will be very pleased with that as she has told me that several of the children attending school are having a difficult time with their reading. Lindsey also said she plans on developing a play area for children so that when parents come to read their children will have a play area and plenty of toys to play with. It sounds like the new Rock Creek Library is going to be an exciting and fun place to visit. Until tomorrow goodnight Journal, Lou".