The first snow of the season was falling as the small Express family gathered around the table for one of Rachel's delicious dinners. As everyone ate, they talked of Christmas coming up in a week and the special ones they had shared with their families.
"Well, boys…and girl," Teaspoon said with a nod toward Lou, "I got a message from the head office this mornin', looks like this snow ain't gonna let up and the company has decided that until Carson's Pass is cleared we'll only be making the runs to St. Joe to the east and Blue Creek in the west. So I figured that will give ya'll time to help Rachel decorate for Christmas."
Several of the riders groaned but Lou beamed at Teaspoon. She was actually glad that she would be able to help Rachel decorate for the holidays. Her smile slowly faded as she remembered she didn't have much money left to buy her Express family gifts after sending presents to the orphanage for Jeremiah and Teresa. Teaspoon smiled at her as he said, "I also figured we'd draw names for presents. Cody bring me a piece of paper, one of your pens and some ink.
Cody did as requested and Teaspoon thanked him as he took the items from the young man.
Handing the items to Rachel, he asked, "Will you do the honors?"
With a smile she replied, "I'd be pleased to." Sitting down she carefully wrote each name of the riders on a small piece of paper.
"Be sure to put yours and Teaspoon's in too, Rachel," Lou said.
"Yeah," Kid put in, "y'all should be in the hat, too."
After making sure the ink was dry on each piece of paper, Rachel carefully folded each each one. Teaspoon took off his hat and Rachel dropped them in. Teaspoon smiled at her saying as he did so, "Thank you. Now, no one is to open them up until everyone has drawn. Now ladies first," he said as he first held out the hat to Rachel and then to Lou.
Cody pushed his way forward and drew next, he started to try and peek at the name until he saw Teaspoon frown at him. Kid drew next, hoping to get Lou, and then Jimmy drew. Noah was next, and took a moment to decide which one he wanted. Buck drew after him and then Ike, both hoping to draw the other's name. When each was done Teaspoon pulled out the last piece of paper. Smiling and with a twinkle in his eye he said, "You may look now."
Cody was first to react, opening his slip quickly. A mischievous look crossed his face and lit up his eyes. He knew just what to get.
Jimmy frowned upon seeing the person he'd drawn. It was going to be hard choosing a present for his person. He had some ideas but a few of them would only cause trouble.
Noah kind of half smiled and shook his head. He didn't have a clue what to get the person he'd drawn. Looking across the room he wondered who had drawn his.
Buck hid a smile as he looked down at he name in his hand. He was very pleased to have drawn this person even though it wasn't Ike.
Rachel was pleased, too. She knew exactly what she would like to get him. She'd spotted it just the other day in town.
Lou's expression was kind of sad. She'd hoped to draw Kid and wasn't sure what the person she'd drawn would like. She smiled a bit anyway, figuring her person was so sweet he would act like he liked and appreciated anything she got him even if it wasn't quite what he want. Thinking hard on it for a moment she decided just what he should have.
Ike looked around the table. He wasn't at all sure what his person would like. He couldn't really give him the one thing he really wanted.
Teaspoon stared down at the name he'd drawn. Most of the others he could have figured out easily but this young man was going to be a bit more difficult. "I assume from the looks on your faces none of you drew yourself," he asked. He was answered with a chorus of no's and a couple of shakes of the head. "Then tomorrow we'll decorate the station for Christmas and go to town for supplies the day after. With Christmas only a week away, I expect you to start looking for something for the person you've drawn. Now let's get this place squared away and settle in."
Chapter 2
The next day everyone prepared to decorate the station for Christmas. There was a lot to do since none of them had expected to be there for the holiday. Jimmy, Kid, and Cody had left early that morning, before breakfast, to find a tree for Rachel's house. Just as breakfast was ready they were back with two trees.
"Figured we needed one for Rachel's and one in the bunkhouse," Jimmy said as the other two riders rode in dragging a tree behind each of them. One of the trees was huge, Rachel wasn't even sure it would fit in the parlor of the house. The smaller one was just as nice as the large one.
As Cody untied it and stood it up Lou exclaimed, "It's perfect, I know right where it should go."
"Quit your doddlin' then. The sooner breakfast is over and the chores done, the sooner we can get to decoratin' for the holiday," Teaspoon said.
Lou followed Rachel back inside to finish getting breakfast on the table while Noah, Kid, and Jimmy carried the large tree over to the porch of the house. Ike took the smaller one and propped it up outside the bunkhouse, while Cody and Buck led the horses to the barn and unsaddled them.
As soon as breakfast was done, the dishes washed and all the regular chores completed, everyone sat about decorating the station for the holiday.
Kid and Jimmy were helping Lou set up the smaller tree in the bunkhouse, and finding out that Lou had several right places for the tree to go.
Noah had helped Rachel in getting the Christmas things from the attic of the house. They had found a box of ornaments in a back corner and Rachel had told Noah to bring them over to Lou. She knew the young woman would appreciate the thought since she was still missing Emma something awful. As he approached the door of the bunkhouse he was glad that he had agreed to help Cody and Teaspoon with the outside decorating, especially when he heard Lou snap at Jimmy and Kid, "No, not there, just a bit more under the window."
"Ah, Lou we already tried it there once and you didn't like it," he heard Kid say.
Then Jimmy added, "Just make up your mind Lou cause I'm not moving this tree one more time. If you don't decide quick, I'm putting it in the center of the table."
Next he heard Kid start to laugh as Lou said, "Jimmy, it has to be in just the right spot. Kid, quit laughing this is serious."
That comment only lead to Kid laughing harder and Jimmy joining him. "Don't you two want the bunkhouse to look nice for Christmas."
"Sure Lou," Kid replied, "but aren't you taking this just a bit too serious."
"It's our first Christmas together as a family," Lou said a note of sadness to her voice and so quietly that Noah almost didn't hear her. "It should be special."
"It will be," Kid said. As he entered the bunkhouse Noah noticed his friend's gentle smile in Lou's direction.
"Yeah, Lou, it will be," Jimmy backed Kid up. "So can we find just the right place and get on with the decorating."
Trying to lend his friends a hand, Noah said cheerfully, "I even brought you some ornaments from Rachel. She said you might like them in here. She found them in the attic, she thinks they belonged to Emma." He sat the box on the table.
Lou walked over next to him and looked in the box. Reaching inside she pulled out a small toy solider. She smiled as she remembered Emma telling her about the time her father had given it to her. "Emma will probably want them," she said a sad note to her voice as she lay the solider back in the box.
"I don't think she would mind us using them this year. You can send them to her after the holiday," Kid suggested. Lou didn't look convinced so he added, "Besides the Express couldn't even get them to her and Sam in time for Christmas."
Lou looked at Kid. "You're right. She would want us to use them." Turning back to the tree she said, "All right, boys, put it in the corner between the dresser and the fireplace." They moved the tree to where she indicated and were rewarded with a beautiful smile as Lou said, "Perfect, huh, Noah?"
"Just right," Noah said trying not to laugh. "I got to get back outside to help Teaspoon. See y'all later."
As Noah, left the others started decorating the tree. First came the chain of paper rings Lou had conned everyone to working on last night. Next was a string of popcorn and red berries. Lou started handing ornaments to Kid and Jimmy then telling them just where to put them on the tree. In the bottom of the box she found a paper mache star. She started to put it on the top of the tree but had to have help from Jimmy to get it up there.
Kid wasn't too pleased that Jimmy helped Lou but kept the peace, after all it was Christmas.
********
Outside Noah and Cody were watching and listening as Teaspoon instructed them on how to make a wreath. They helped him make one for the door of the house, and one for the door of the bunkhouse.
Cody nudged Noah when they were finished hanging the wreath on the bunkhouse door and said, "I got a great idea, let's make a couple for the barn door, after all the savior was born in a stable it should be decorated too."
For the first time ever Noah agreed with Cody and started following him to the barn. They left a very pleased station master standing on the porch of the bunkhouse. Teaspoon pushed aside the sides of his coat and hooked his fingers in his suspenders. 'Yep, there's hope for this bunch yet,' he thought.
***********
Up at the house Ike and Buck were having an easier time putting up Rachel's tree than Kid and Jimmy had with Lou and the bunkhouse tree. Rachel knew right were she wanted it and had the parlor rearranged by the time Buck and Ike had gotten the tree in and standing up. Of course they had to cut about a foot off the bottom of the tree to get it inside the house.
"That's just perfect, boys," Rachel said her eyes sparkling with Christmas joy.
Buck looked at the tree and his eyes got a far away look to them. "Remember the first year I was at the orphanage?" he asked Ike.
Ike nodded with a smile, his eyes twinkling.
"Tell me about it," Rachel asked.
"I arrived at the orphanage around the first part of November that year, and shortly after that I met Ike. When Christmas came around the sisters got us a tree and decorated it for us. They didn't have much, but they made sure each of us had a little something under that tree. I was awed by the beauty of the tree. I had thought it silly at first until Ike explained it to me," Buck said with a slight smile. "There must have been twenty of us there that year."
Ike stared up at the tree as he recalled the rest of Buck's story, and only half listened lost in his own memories of that Christmas when he'd been given a best friend…no, a brother for life.
"I remember the first time I saw the tree all decorated. I ran to get Ike. It was so beautiful to me with all the candles lighting the branches. Some of the other boys laughed at me as I told Ike about it."
Rachel smiled at Buck saying, "No, tree is as special as the first one you remember. It can be small with hardly any decoration or huge and almost covered up with them, but it is always the most beautiful you have ever seen."
Buck smiled at Ike. "Remember how the sisters got even with Luther and Fred for always picking on us?" Ike nodded and Buck continued his story. "When they opened their gifts the next morning they got switches and coal. They were pretty nice after that for a while. The sisters even looked surprised at what they got."
Rachel laughed, "Maybe it was really Father Christmas and not the sisters that left the gifts."
"Sure," Buck laughed, and winked at her. Ike quickly agreed with him.
By dinner time everything was decorated including the two large wreaths Cody and Noah had made to hang on the outside of the barn. As they all sat around the table finishing up the delicious stew Rachel had made, they all shared memories of the special Christmases they remembered. They all became excited when Teaspoon reminded them they would be going into town the next day to shop for Christmas.
Chapter 3
After arriving in town the Express family split up each going their own direction to find just the perfect gift for the person they had drawn.
Jimmy had headed straight for Tompkins' store. He walked around the store for something Lou might like but he couldn't find anything. Walking down the street he looked in the windows of the different shops. He paused in front of the dress shop and Lou walked up next to him. "Guess you drew me or Rachel," she said.
"Nah, just looking for something for my sister," Jimmy replied staring in the window hoping that Lou would believe him. He'd already gotten Celinda's present last week when he was visiting her.
"Oh," she said sounding a bit disappointed, "Want some help?"
"Nah," Jimmy replied as he walked inside the shop glad for a moment to be away from Lou. Looking around he found exactly what he wanted to get the female rider. "Miss Lilly," he called out.
The middle age woman came hurrying out of the back with a young woman in following her. "Mr. Hickok, how are you today? May I help you find something?" They all knew Miss Lilly, she had a soft spot in her heart for the riders saying she'd raised five boys of her own and a daughter and they were all just like the riders. She'd even told Rachel that Lou reminded her of her own daughter who she'd not seen since she'd run off.
"How much is this?" he asked pointing to a gold chain in the display case.
"Why, that is $20 dollars, Mr. Hickok. Came all the way from New York. Ordered it for Homer Adams and then he skipped town before he paid for it. Such a shame too." Turning to the young woman that had followed her out of the back room she said, "Annabelle dear, why don't you go ahead and get changed back into your regular dress I can finish pinning up that hem later and have it ready for you Saturday morning in time for the dance that night."
"Mr. Hickok, will you be going to the dance or Mr. Cody?" Annabelle Sims asked as she batted her eyes at Jimmy. "Um….yes, ma'am, if Teaspoon and Rachel says it's ok," Jimmy lied. He'd trade runs with Cody if he had to but he wasn't about to go to the dance if Annabelle was going to be there. The young woman wanted one thing and that was a husband. Smiling he said, "But I'm sure Cody will be….come to think of it I believe he mentioned just yesterday he was hoping you'd save him a dance."
"Please tell him, I will make sure he has the first dance and the last," Annabelle replied her face beaming, as she hurried back into the changing room.
"Now Mr. Hickok, that wasn't very nice," Miss Lilly whispered as she hid her smile behind her hand. Even the shopkeeper knew how badly the young woman wanted to land a husband.
Flashing her, his most innocent look Jimmy asked her, "Think you could hold that necklace for me 'til next week? I've got a special friend that would like it a lot but it'll take me some time to raise that amount of money."
"I'm sure it won't be going anywhere, but I'll make sure it's here but only 'til next week after that I'll have to sell it," Miss Lily replied.
After thanking her Jimmy left. He knew only one way to raise the money for the necklace and figured it might be better to do it in another town.
"What a kind young man," Miss Lily said out loud to herself forgetting she wasn't alone.
With a wistful sigh, Annabelle answered her, "He sure is."
**************
Noah had watched Jimmy enter the dress shop and then he ducked into the leather's shop. "Afternoon, Noah," Mrs. Jenkins called from behind the counter as she finished wrapping up something. "Can I help you?"
"I thought you might have something in here that I could get Buck for Christmas?" he replied looking around the shop.
"What do you think he'd like?" she asked as she walked around the counter.
"I don't rightly know," Noah admitted reluctantly. "Um, Buck," Mrs. Jenkins paused thinking for a moment. "Hum…I can see the dilemma." A moment later her eyes lit up. "I know just the thing" she said walking over to the counter. She bent down and picked up something wrapped in buck skin. Placing it on the counter she unwrapped it saying, "My husband was told by the man that traded it, it's made of a white elk hide and those there," she said pointing at what looked like beads, "Are real elk teeth. He said only two from an elk could be used and there are six there. And look at all the bead work, must of took someone a long time to make it."
Noah marveled at the item on the counter. It was beautiful but he didn't know what it was. "What is it?" he asked the kind shopkeeper.
"He, my husband of course, was told it's a case for a bow. You know like the one the Indians use sometimes," Mrs. Jenkins replied. She held no prejudice toward Buck or any of the native in the area and her next statement proved that, "Not even Robin Hood would have had something so fine."
Noah laughed at her statement. She was one of the few in town that was kind to everyone no matter where they came from. Noah looked down at the bow case and thought of Buck. Buck's bow, that he was very proud of having been given it by his brother, was wrapped in an old saddle blanket and stored under his bunk. Noah also knew something this fine would fetch a hefty price. Scratching his cheek he asked, "How much?"
"Well, my husband said not to take less then forty for it but seeing how you boys were so kind to help us get moved in and set up, I'll let you have it for thirty," Mrs. Jenkins replied looking down at the case. Looking back up at Noah she added, "Now, my Charlie did pay twenty for it and another piece."
"Thirty dollars, you say. Hummm, that's a lot more than I can lay my hands on right now," Noah replied scratching his chin. "Think you could hold on to it for a few days?" he asked.
"I'm sure no one else is going to buy it. I'll make sure it's still here Friday. You just come back for it, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am," Noah said holding out his hand. Mrs. Jenkins shook his hand and they bid each other good day. Noah left the shop and paused on the sidewalk outside. He stared off into the distance as he tried to figure out where he was going to get the money to purchase the perfect gift for Buck.
**********
Lou was looking around the general store when she found what she wanted. Pulling her hat a bit lower on her face she asked, "Tompkins, can I see that fob in the case there?" She pointed to a gold chain for a watch in the display case.
"That there is very expensive," Tompkins replied as he placed his hand on top of the display case. "Doubt any of you, boys, have the money for it."
Lou looked at the man and pushed her glasses up on her nose saying, "I want it for a gift for Christmas. I got a bit saved."
"After what you spent in here last week, I doubt it," Tompkins grumbled as he reached in the display case and pulled out the watch chain. It was made of gold, with a beautiful scene of horses running across the prairie etched into the fob. She could tell just looking at it the quality was fine. Swallowing hard she asked, "How much?"
"It came all the way from New York, can't ask less than twenty for it. I won't be making any profit on it either," Tompkins replied.
"Twenty huh? Could you hold it a day or so?" she asked a bit disappointed. She'd just visited Jeremiah and Teresa and spent most of the money she'd saved on presents for them figuring they'd be working through Christmas. The chain was way more than she had left. She knew though that if she thought about it long enough she'd come up with a way to get the money.
"I'll only hold it until day after tomorrow, doubt you can find the money by then," Tompkins grumbled as she left the store.
Lou was preoccupied with finding a way to get the chain for Ike and bumped right into him as she hurried down the street.
*You all right Lou* he asked as he steadied her on her feet.
"I'm fine," she replied blushing at her clumsiness. "See ya later," she said as she hurried off.
**********
Ike shook his head as he watched Lou hurry off. 'She must have found what she wanted to give her person,' he thought as he headed off in the opposite direction. He was having a hard time finding anything for Kid. His friend had what he was sure a couple of the others, not to mention himself, would like….Lou. As he passed the livery, he noticed a saddle out front. It wasn't as fine as Noah's silver saddle but the quality of work was very fine. It was similar to the one Kid had admired in a window a few months earlier.
"Well, hello, Ike," Jackson, the owner of the livery called to him. "Can I help you with something?"
Ike patted the saddle and pointed to himself.
"You want to buy that saddle?" Jackson asked looking from the saddle to Ike.
Ike nodded smiling.
"Well, now that there saddle would be about thirty-five dollars, forty-five with the saddlebags that match," Jackson replied. "Came up from Texas with that last drive that passed by."
Ike shook his head looking down at the perfect gift for Kid. He'd spent most of his money a few weeks ago. He thought about it for a moment. He had a bit left but still needed more to get the saddle. He took out the note pad and pencil he carried with him. Quickly he wrote Jackson a note and handed it him.
Smiling Jackson nodded saying, "Sure I'll hold them for you. Be back on Friday?"
Ike nodded again.
"See ya then," Jackson said as he headed back into the livery.
Ike headed back toward the buggy parked by Tompkins' wondering if the others had been as lucky to find the perfect gift for their person…and how he was going to raise the rest of the money he needed for the saddle.
*************
Kid had been all over town trying to figure out what to get Noah. As he pasted Tompkins' store he spotted it then hanging in the window. He couldn't believe his luck as he stood staring at the saddlebags. They looked like they'd been made to match Noah's saddle. Looking around to make sure no one else was in sight he entered the store.
Walking up to the counter he asked Tompkins, "How much for those saddlebags in the window?"
Tompkins looked up at Kid. "Don't you boys have anything better to do today than bug me?" He replied looking toward the window. "Man traded for some food stuff yesterday, got 'em for twenty five. They'll cost ya thirty though." When Kid started to protest he added, "They're a bargain at that, and I ain't coming down on the price."
Kid walked over to the window examining the saddlebags. They were made of black leather with silver disks and the ties were tipped in silver. They were the perfect gift for Noah. Kid walked back over to the counter figuring to ask Tompkins to hold them for a few days until he could get the money for them.
"I guess you want me to hold them for you," Tompkins said pointing his pencil at Kid.
"Yes, sir, I'd appreciate it," Kid replied.
"I'll hold them until Friday with the rest, but I'm telling you and you tell the rest be here Friday or I'm sellin' all of it Saturday morning'," the shopkeeper growled.
Kid hurried out the door he wanted to get back to the station to see just how much he had. He'd spent a bit more than he planned last week on his run when Katy fell. Who would have thought that the old doc that had taken a look at the horse would charge him ten whole dollars to look the horse over.
************
Cody had hung around the saloon most of the day when he realized it was almost time to head back to the station. He turned toward the general store thinking to pick something up in there for Rachel when he noticed the perfect present for her in the dress shop window. It would go perfect with the brush and comb she had. She'd told them once it was the last thing Henry had given her before he'd been killed.
Opening the door of the dress shop he called out to the two ladies present, "Howdy, Miss Lilly, Miss Annabelle."
"Why hello, Mr. Cody. How are you today?" Miss Lilly called back while Annabelle blushed prettily.
"Just fine, thank you. Um…Miss Lilly, that mirror you have in the window, how much is it?" Cody asked trying to be charming.
Walking over to the window, Miss Lilly picked up the small hand mirror. "Why it's twenty, see that's real silver on the back," she pointed out.
Cody thought for a moment. He'd lost most of his money in the poker game at the saloon earlier. "Could you hold it for me for a couple of days?"
"I'll put it right back here with Mr. Hickok's, now you be sure to tell him that I'll expect you boys back in a couple of days," Miss Lilly told him in her best motherly voice.
"I will," Cody said as he moved toward the door. Reaching it he turned back to the ladies and taking off his hat said, "It was a pleasure seeing you ladies today, I'll see you Friday. And Miss Annabelle I expect you to save me a couple of dances."
Miss Lilly turned back to Annabelle. "Sure are some lucky ladies that have Mr. Cody and Mr. Hickok choosing such fine presents for them."
Annabelle sighed wistfully saying, "Yes, such fine young men. Do you think the rest are like them?"
Miss Lilly smiled at the young woman, "I'd say a young lady could do worse than take up with one of those boys. Mr. Hunter seems to have really tamed them."
***************
Rachel had looked all over town for something for Jimmy but nothing she saw seemed right. As she passed the gun shop she figured she might find something there. She really had wanted to get him something else but he was awfully attached to his guns. Going in she looked around as Mr. Holland walked out of the back with a couple of silver cylinders placing it in the case.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Dunne," he said as she walked up to the counter. "May I help you with something?"
Rachel looked down at the cylinders he had just placed in the case. "I was looking for something for Jimmy for Christmas," she replied.
"I got these in just today," he said pointing down at the silver cylinders he'd just placed in the case. "I know for a fact they'd fit Mr. Hickok's guns."
"I'm not sure those would be the best thing to get him," Rachel replied looking around. She didn't approve of Jimmy using his guns so much lately. She looked behind Mr. Holland spotting a pair of black holsters with silver trim. "What about those?" she asked pointing at the holsters.
"They ain't as practical but they'd work," the man shrugged.
"How much?" Rachel asked afraid that she'd not have enough. She'd just paid the taxes on Henry's farm so if she ever decided to return it would be there.
"Oh, their only fifteen each," he replied.
"Will you hold them for a couple of days?" Rachel asked.
Mr. Holland looked at the woman and for a moment started to suggest they make a trade but decided he'd better not if she was wanting to get Hickok something this expensive. He didn't want to anger the young gunfighter. "I…umm…I don't know…."
Rachel smiled at him saying, "How about if I brought you one of my apple pies when I come back for them?"
"Then they'll be here," Mr. Holland replied smiling not even taking a moment to consider what she said.
"Thank you, I'll see you Friday….with an apple pie, of course," she said heading out the door.
She stopped as she reached the sidewalk. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get the money for the holsters.
**************
Buck hated shopping at Tompkins' store. It seemed to him every time something happened Tompkins was always ready to blame him. As he looked around the store, Buck could feel Tompkins' eyes following him.
"Are you going to buy something or not?" Tompkins growled.
"I'm looking," Buck replied with a slight sneer.
"Anything in particular?" Tompkins asked uneasily. The boy had never given him a reason to distrust him or suspect him of stealing but with Indians you never knew was Tompkins' way of thinking. Better to get him out of the store before someone with real business came in needing something.
"Actually," Buck replied approaching Tompkins, "I'm looking for something for Teaspoon for Christmas."
"How about a new gun that one he has is pretty old? I got some new red suspenders in just last week, his are pretty faded," Tompkins suggested. He gave the half breed credit he was trying to fit in.
"No, I wanted something pretty special," Buck replied shaking his head. He knew he'd have a hard time making Tompkins understand how important Teaspoon was to him and the others.
"Hum?" Tompkins said he stuck the pencil he was holding behind his ear and crossed his arms. "You know that girl that came through claiming to be his daughter a few months back, she gave him a music box when she left and I got a couple more of those things it plays in last week."
"That might work," Buck said as Tompkins reached up to a shelf and pulled out a box.
"I think there are actually six of those disks it plays," Tompkins said opening the box.
Buck stared at the shiny disks. Teaspoon did seem to enjoy listening to that music box in the evenings. "How much for all of them?" he asked.
"I was going to sell them for five a piece but since you want all of them I'll let you have them for twenty five dollars. It's like getting one for free," Tompkins said.
"Twenty five dollars. I don't have it on me but do you think you could hold…."
"I'll hold them until Friday, with the rest," Tompkins told him. "I'll sell them Saturday if you don't come in on Friday."
Buck started to hold out his hand to seal the deal but decided it would be best not to since Tompkins probably wouldn't shake it any way. "I'll see you Friday then," he said as he turned and left the store.
**************
"Charlie," Teaspoon called entering the leathers shop.
"Back here, Teaspoon," Charlie answered from the back of his shop.
"Where's that pretty wife of yours? Someone ought to be mindin' the front of the store this near Christmas," Teaspoon said coming through the store room door.
Charlie shook his head at Teaspoon saying, "The only reason you want to know where Molly is, is that you know she's still mad at you for keeping me out all hours at that poker game last week."
"Now that just ain't true," Teaspoon said grinning. "Thought I'd see if she had some of that chocolate cake she had cooling in the window last week."
"If there was she'd not let you have a piece," Charlie teased his friend.
"Well, I did stop by for another reason. I'm lookin' for a special Christmas present for one of my boys," Teaspoon explained.
"Which one?" Charlie asked turning away from his work and wiping his hands on his apron.
"Cody," Teaspoon said scratching his head. "Can't rightly figure what to get the boy."
"Cody? That's the blond boy right."
"Yep."
"He's the one with the rifle right." Teaspoon nodded. "Pretty handy with it."
"Ain't seen many better than he is with it. Took the prize home last month at Founder's Day for shooting distance," Teaspoon said hooking his fingers under this suspenders and puffing out his chest.
"I might have just the thing," Charlie said reaching up on a shelf and taking down a long package. "I believe if he values that rifle of his, he'll like this." Charlie unwrapped a leather scabbard with beading down the center.
"Where'd you get that piece of work, Charlie?" Teaspoon asked.
"A trapper traded it to me last week. He was headed back east with his squaw and kids. Said he wanted to introduce them to his family and that he needed money for the tickets. His wife was a bit upset about it but he said something to her and she smiled real pretty like at him and calmed down. If I can sell this and the bow case for what they're worth, I should make a nice profit," Charlie told him.
"How much you want for it?" Teaspoon asked knowing the price was going to be a lot more than he could afford.
"I tell you what Teaspoon, I'll make you a good deal, twenty five dollars," Charlie replied. When Teaspoon looked at him like he'd grown two heads he added. "I ain't makin' much of a profit, gave the fella forty for both pieces."
"Hum, well, I'll have to think about it Charlie. Mind holdin' it for me 'til Friday?" Teaspoon asked.
"Don't see why not, but with it being Christmas Teaspoon, I'll have to sell it if you ain't back Friday. I'm sure someone else in town might like it."
"I'll be here Friday, you just hold on to that scabbard," Teaspoon told him. "Now are you going to be at that poker game tonight so's I might win that off of you."
Looking around to make sure his wife was nowhere in sight Charlie replied, "I'd really like to Teaspoon but Molly'd have my hide if I did. Maybe next week when she goes to visit her sister."
"I'll see ya Friday, Charlie," Teaspoon called on the way out the door.
Chapter 4
Christmas Eve arrived with all the riders still at the station due to the weather except Kid who had taken a package for one of the merchants in town to a friend in Beaumont a few hours away but he was due back anytime. The snow had let up earlier in the week so a couple of runs had been made but for the most part the station was still snow bound. Lou was sitting on the porch having finished her chores writing her sister and brother. Ike was sitting at the opposite end drawing Cody and Jimmy's discussion in the yard discussing which was better rifles or pistols. Lou covered her mouth and pointed as Buck snuck up on the pair dumping a bucket of snow on them. Buck managed to put Lou quickly between him and Jimmy and Cody. Lou was laughing so hard that she dropped her letter and pen. Ike was nodding and smiling at the ruckus, wishing he could laugh as he had when he was a child.
Jimmy was about to go around Lou one way and Cody the other when Buck said to Lou, "Duck."
She did as he told her to and he went sailing over her head and ran around the side of the bunkhouse with Jimmy and Cody in hot pursuit. Kid came into the yard at a fast trot. He'd finished his run at the last station but wanted to be home for Christmas. "Hey, Kid, glad you made it back." Kid nodded and led his horse in to the barn. Lou started to follow but he waved her off, like there was something bothering him. Shrugging the feeling off Lou watched as the three other riders came around the corner of the bunkhouse throwing snow balls at each other and laughing.
Lou laughed as a snowball hit Jimmy square in the face. She was surprised the next moment when one hit her from the side causing her to catch her breath. Looking for the culprit she noticed Ike laughing. Bending down slowly she scooped up some snow and threw her own snowball at him. Ike dodged the snowball and jumped from the porch.
Kid stepped out of the barn into an all out snowball fight with snowballs flying in every direction. Laughing he joined in. Lou noticed his change in mood and was glad to see him feeling better.
Teaspoon rode up with the few items Rachel had him pick up while he was in town checking on Barnett and making sure everything was peaceful for Christmas. "Boys," he called to the riders as his feet touched the ground, "are the chores done?"
They paused in their war and answered that they had finished their work. All was quiet for a moment when suddenly a snowball hit Teaspoon from the side. Rachel stood on the porch of the bunkhouse grinning with snow covering her mittens. And the war erupted again.
After some time everyone was growing tired and everyone was quite covered in snow, they all crowded into the bunkhouse for hot cocoa and cookies. None could remember a Christmas Eve that had been better.
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Christmas morning dawn bright but still bitterly cold. The boys were bringing in more wood for the fire and stove while Lou and Rachel prepared a simple breakfast of oatmeal and toast. Rachel had said it was simple because they were going to have a big dinner which she had already begun cooking the evening before.
After breakfast was finished with Cody still asking for seconds, the riders went about caring for the horses and the chores around the station. Lou stayed behind to help Rachel with dinner and a few of the chores to be done in the bunkhouse. Rachel was the first to place the present she'd bought Jimmy under the tree. Lou smiled when she did and placed hers under the tree also.
"Lou," Rachel said a twinkle in her eye, "why don't you put on that pretty blue dress you have hidden away? It's only us for Christmas."
Lou thought about it for a moment then with a smile she walked over to her trunk and pulled out a package that was hidden in the bottom. "I've been saving it for a special occasion. Reckon, there's not much more special than Christmas."
"Run on up to the house and change. I can finish most of this by myself, you can help when you get back."
"Thanks," Lou said as she headed out the door and up to the house.
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Returning a short time later, Lou spun around asking, "Does it look alright?"
"It looks perfect," Rachel replied smiling at her young friend. She never thought much about how hard it must be for Lou to dress as a boy, until moments like this. "Maybe next month you could go to the social in town as Teaspoon's niece or my sister."
"I'd like that," Lou said smiling.
"Lordy, looks like Santa dropped off a special guest for dinner boys," Teaspoon said as he and the other riders came tramping through the door of the bunkhouse. "Lou…ise, it's nice to see you, sugar," he teased with a smile.
"Merry Christmas, Teaspoon," Lou said as she kissed the station master on the cheek. "We figured since it's just us for Christmas you wouldn't mind me showin' my true colors." Looking behind Teaspoon to where the boys stood she blushed at their appreciative stares.
"It'll be nice to see you at dinner dressed as you should be for once," Teaspoon said. When he noticed the fire come into Lou's eyes he quickly added, "Not that you don't look fine in your boys' togs, but you just look more like you in that there pretty dress." He heard several snickers behind him and turning back to the other riders said, "Don't you think you boys should get yourselves cleaned up for the fine dinner Rachel and Lou have fixed us," Teaspoon growled as he put his arm around Lou's shoulders, "and for our fine lookin' company."
"Ah, Teaspoon do we…it's cold…," Cody started to complain but each time one of the other riders gave him a look that had him quieting down.
"There's warm water on the stove at the house you boys can use," Rachel offered. "Just be sure to put more on when you're finished."
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A short time later they were all gathered around the table for dinner. Buck had managed to kill a goose while on a run and that was the center piece of the meal. There were also sweet potatoes, corn, and stuffing which each rider had fond memories of having as a child. Rachel had place apple butter and pickles on the table also and two loaves of fresh baked bread. After dinner there was a chocolate cake, apple and pumpkin pie with whipped creamed. There was also several candies to choose from, like fudge, divinity, and rock candy.
"Rachel, that was a mighty fine dinner, best I've had in a long time," Teaspoon said with a grin.
Rachel blushed saying, "Thank you, I did have some help though. Lou made the pies and the candy."
"Sweets made by the sweetest rider the Express has," he said with a wink in Lou's direction. "Now before ya'll retire to your bunks for naps, how about we open the presents you got each other."
All the riders agree quickly, though Jimmy and Kid were already yawning.
"Well, you know the routine. Gather around the tree and we'll open the gifts," Teaspoon said smiling it his boys and girl.
As the gifts were handed out Rachel told them to hang on until they each had a gift. When Teaspoon reached for the last gift and handed it to Ike, he nodded at the rest of the riders to open their presents. They all tore into the wrappings of their gifts with a vengeance.
Cody was the first to finish unwrapping his gift. He stared in wonder at the beautifully made scabbard, whose bead work matched his jacket and belt. His smile lit his whole face for a moment then a sadness came to this eyes.
Buck was next. As he pulled the bow case from it's wrapping he reverently touched the white elk hide which was decorated with several sets of elk teeth and many colorful beads. He couldn't speak for a moment as he examined the case. Not even Red Bear had something so fine.
Lou untied the ribbon that held the small velvet box closed. She was terrified to open it afraid of what she would find in it. As the ribbon came untied and she slowly opened the box she nearly exclaimed as tears filled her eyes at the beautiful gold chain that lay on a cloud of cotton. It was all she could have dreamed of , her mother's cameo would have looked perfect suspended from it. As the thought crossed her tears escaped her eyes.
If Jimmy had noticed the tears on Lou's face he would have regretted ever setting eyes on the chain, but as it was he was too transfixed on the set of holsters laying in his lap. They were too fine for the plain colt he'd been wearing for the last few days. He ran his hand over the initials on each holster. It must have cost a pretty penny to have such fine work done.
Ike held the watch fob in his hand staring at the horses running across it. He'd seen just such a scene right before the snow hit. Horse running free. It was amazing and he knew a lot of love and care went into choosing it.
Kid ran his hand over the seat of the saddle. It was so smooth a person could ride for hours and never tire of it. The leather work was beautiful. He'd not seen such work since he'd left home and those saddles had been owned by the rich folks in town.
Noah sucked in his breath as he freed his gift from its wrapping. The saddlebags looked as if they were made to match his daddy's saddle. He knew the expense of them had to have been something, especially with all the silver that adorned them. He sighed at the thought that he would never know.
As Rachel watched the others unwrap their gifts, her heart sank. The riders had thought so much on the gift they were perfect. She was sure hers was going to be too and that was what scared her the most. As the wrappings fell away she sighed and ran her hand over the scene engraved on the back of the mirror. It would have matched the brush and comb so well.
Teaspoon unwrapped his present wondering just what one of his riders could have gotten him. All the gifts including Rachel's were going to be very loved and appreciated over the years but he couldn't think of what anyone could have gotten him that would mean as much. As the paper fell away he lifted the lid on the box to find several plates for his music box, the top one was labeled The Yellow Rose of Texas. He had to admit as much as he enjoyed the tune it played having more plates would be a welcome change especially one that brought back the memories the top one would.
As each person examined the gift they had received a silence so deep you could have heard a pin drop descended on the small bunk house.
As he watched his riders and examined his gift Teaspoon realized what must have happened. He was proud of his boys and girl. Yep, there was hope for the bunch of them; they were becoming a real family. Clearing his throat that had gotten tight with the emotion he was feeling Teaspoon said, "These plates are mighty fine Buck. Thank you. Only I traded the music box to Charlie for that there scabbard for Cody."
Cody looked down at the scabbard; his rifle would have looked good in it. Grinning he said, "When I get one back it'll look right fine in it, but I sold it to a trapper for the money to buy Rachel's mirror."
"Oh, Cody," Rachel said tears filling her eyes at how thoughtful the rider had been. "I sold the brush and comb to Tompkins so I could buy the holsters for Jimmy."
Jimmy ran his hand across his face all eyes turned to him. "I sold my guns to buy the chain for Lou," he said and as Rachel's tears ran down her cheeks he added, "But the old one I had put up will look right fine in it until I a nicer one to carry in them."
"Jimmy, you shouldn't have," Lou said as she hugged him. "I never expected anything so fine. But I traded my cameo for the watch fob for Ike." She noticed the sad look in Kid's eyes as he watched her from the other side of the the room and let go of Jimmy.
*I traded my pa's watch for Kid's saddle. I noticed he wanted it for Katy a while back.* Ike signed quickly the tears were filling his eyes too for he realized the great deal everyone had given up.
"Doc bought Katy for enough for Noah's saddlebags. It would have looked beautiful on her," Kid chimed in and again the room grew deathly quiet as the others thought about how much the Kid had given up to get Noah's gift. Lou got up from her place and went to sit next to the young man as she realized why he'd looked so down a couple of days before.
"Damn, Kid, you shouldn't have done that," Noah said shaking his head as he ran his hand over the black leather with silver trim. Looking up he added, "Especially since I traded my saddle for Buck's bow case."
Buck's head shot up. He hadn't expected that. "I've only seen a finer one once and it had been a great chief's. It took several elk to make something as fine as this. Thank you, but I traded my bow to the man that passed through last week for the money to buy the plates for Teaspoon."
Teaspoon smiled broadly as he leaned back in his chair. "Best Christmas I've ever had. And I'll tell you why, it's because you boys…and girl have become a real family. As I've told you before family is the most important thing in this world. Now Rachel, I believe you said you had some dessert to complete that beautiful dinner you prepared."
Drying her face with her apron Rachel stood and looked toward the dry sink. "Looks like I left it up at the house," she said taking her shawl from the hook by the door. "I'll be right back."
"I'll help you," Lou said standing up. She walked over and took her coat from the next hook and followed Rachel out the door.
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As they walked toward the house Lou and Rachel talked about the love each rider had put into the gift they gave by giving up what they cherished most. As they approached the gate to the yard of the house Lou reached out and petted the horse tied to the fence saying, "Merry Christmas, Katy."
Rachel laughed but a moment later the laugh died on her lips as she looked at the horse. "Didn't Kid say that sold Katy to Doc for ….."
Rachel didn't get to finish as Lou started yelling for Kid and Noah. For next to Katie thrown over the fence was Noah's silver saddle.
The other riders and Teaspoon rushed out of the bunkhouse and came to a stop as they saw Katy and Noah's saddle by Lou and Rachel. As Kid approached Katy nickered and nudged him bringing a smile to the rider's face. That is when he noticed a note tied to Katy's halter.
As Kid read the note silently first, Noah cautiously looked at the saddle. He began to smile as Kid read the note out loud, "To the riders of the Sweetwater station. You have shown the true meaning of Christmas in giving up what you loved most to get a present for a member of your family. May you have many happy Christmases to come. Father Christmas."
The others looked around wondering where their gifts were when Lou ran up to the house and burst through the door. She'd remembered a very special Christmas with her ma when they had present under the tree on Christmas morning for all of them and her ma has said they were from Father Christmas. "There in here," she called from the parlor of the house."
A moment later she was surround by her friends as they laughed and talked as they unwrapped the treasures they had given up to give each other gifts.
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Outside the window behind the tree a little old man watched. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes a bit red from lack of sleep but a smile filled his face. "You did well in finding this family for me this year, Noel. Not many around anymore."
Noel puffed out his chest proudly as they turned to go back to where they left the sleigh. It was the task all of the elves new to Santa's workshop were given, find a family that shows the true meaning of Christmas. And this year had been hard for there had been so many new elves. "Thank you, Santa."
"With the war that was coming I was beginning to doubt you new elves would find your families. You found a very special one since none of them knew each other a short time ago. Well short in our time," Santa laughed. "Next year I think it may be even harder for the new elves; I believe though with a bunch like this if they look hard enough the newbies will find their families. Now let's get home, I believe Mrs. Claus has some hot cocoa waiting on us," Santa said as they climbed into the sleigh and took off leaving behind one very happy frontier family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL! From Tennessee