Prologue Allie hadn’t been this angry with her identical twin since she had gotten them and Laura in trouble for following Ike and the rest of the boys to the swimming hole last summer. Stepping into the room she said “Jamie, you can’t just runaway. Why don’t you just calm down and wait?” “Allie, you know it wasn’t fair of them to tell me I couldn’t go with Uncle Cody. I thought they would understand, especially since Mom rode for the Express. Besides I’m a good shot, so are you for that matter. Uncle Jimmy taught us didn’t he?” Jamie replied as she tried to stuff another dress and a pair of pants into her bag and turned back to the dresser. “But you can’t just run off and leave like this. Who will keep you out of trouble? Do you even know where to find Uncle Cody?” Allie asked as she plopped down on the bed. “Look, I can take care of myself. You’re the lady and I’m the tomboy, remember? Good lord, you’re being as overprotective as Dad.” Jamie turned and leaned up against the dresser “And you’re being as stubborn as Mom,” Alexis snapped back jumping to her feet. “I can take care of myself just as good as you,” she said her voice lower. “I’m going,” Jamie stated as she threw her brush, comb and a couple of piece of jewelry in the carpet bag on the bed. “I heard from Aunt Camille that Uncle Cody is going to be in Curtis Wells, Montana next month and I’m going to join him.” “Mom and Dad said you couldn’t.” Allie was amazed her sister could be talking about running away. “I’m going anyway. I’m sure they’ll understand…eventually,” Jamie replied not even sure she believed that statement herself. She picked up her bag and headed out of the room. “Not alone you aren’t. I can’t let you go by yourself. I’m going with you,” Alexis stated a she grabbed her own bag out of the armoire and started filling it. “You can’t, what about Sam Jr.?” Jamie called from the hall. “What about him? He’s a friend. Besides he’s in love with Laura. I’ve just been helping them out by running interference with Uncle Buck.” Allie said trying to close the carpetbag. “Does Aunt Camille know they’re courtin’?” Jamie asked sticking her head back in the door. “She knows and she’s been looking for the right time to tell Uncle Buck that Laura’s in love. If it’s possible, he is even more overprotective of her than Dad is of us. You know Mom and Dad are due back next week,” Allie said to her sister who was standing in the doorway. Jamie couldn’t help but laugh. Allie had never been fooled by her or let her change the subject so easy. “I’m catching the evening stage as it passes the north pasture. You still want to come along?” “No,” Allie said matter-of-factly, “but who else is going to keep you out of trouble if I don’t? And I’m packed.” “Good Lord, Allie!” Jamie said exasperated. “I’m not going to get in any trouble!” “I’m coming.” “Then you leave Mom and Dad a note and I’ll saddle the horses,” Jamie said with a quick grin as she ran down the stairs and out the door. She had known once she told Allie her plans her sister would agree to come along. “Alright,” Allie conceded. She hated the idea of running away but she couldn’t let Jamie go on her own, God only knew the trouble her sister would get into. She scribbled a quick note to their parents, picked up her own bags and left the room. As Allie passed the mirror in the hall she examined her reflection closely. They were identical; both had their mother’s auburn hair and their father’s deep blue eyes. But where they looked exactly alike, they were different as night and day in their personalities. Where Alexis was a calm thinker and a lady most of the time, her twin was impulsive and hotheaded. As long as they were together both managed to stay out of trouble but when they were apart one or the other got into some pretty bad scrapes. And usually it was Jamie. The latest had been when their Uncle Cody offered to let them go with him and his show for the summer and their parents had said no. So now Jamie had decided that while their parents went on a horse-buying trip for the ranch, she would run away and join Uncle Cody. The more she thought about it the more Alexis liked the idea herself but she would never admit it to anyone. Well, maybe to Jamie when things returned to normal but not right now. She slowly decided the adventure sounded like fun. Where else would Uncle Cody find two girls that could ride and shoot as well as her and Jamie? Heck, they had been taught by Uncle Jimmy to shoot. And after he had gotten over being mad, their father had taught them more. Mom had taught them to be the best horsewomen in the territory. Uncle Cody would be lucky to have them and he did say he would pay them. “Allie, aren’t you ready, yet” Jamie called from below. “Just a minute, I have to leave this note to let Mom and Dad know we’re going to be ok, and I promise not to tell them where we are going,” Allie knew exactly what Jamie was about to say instinctively. “Tell them I love them, too,” Jamie called up. She knew that Allie would tell their parents where to find them anyway, she always did. A pang of guilt pulled at her to make sure that Allie told their parents where they would be but they should have let her go with Uncle Cody anyway she reasoned. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Allie paused considering her sister’s plan. “Have you thought of what we are going to tell Old Jake about us leaving on a north bound stage to Curtis Wells?” “Just that Mom and Dad said we could visit Aunt Teresa.” “Think he’ll buy it?” Allie still wasn’t too sure of her sister’s plan. Jamie’s plans always had a way of going astray. “I hope so,” Jamie said not so sure of her plan now. Looking down at her bags, a moment of doubt crossed her mind then she looked at her sister. With a wicked grin she said, “We are all pack and there’s no stopping now….” “Then let’s go,” Alexis replied with just a hint of the same grin. Chapter 1 Riding up to Kid and Lou’s house Jimmy became anxious; things were just too quiet. Praying he wouldn’t find anything wrong with his favorite nieces and only goddaughters he stepped up on the porch and knocked on the door. Sam Jr. opened it with a smile but pulled the door closed quickly behind him. Nervously he said, “Hi, Uncle Jimmy, what are you doing here?” “Came out to check on the girls,” Jimmy replied his suspicion growing that something was wrong. “Um, they rode over to see Miss Teresa,” Sam Jr. replied swiping at the dust on his pants with his hat. He was horrible at lying and nervous about lying to his uncle. “Really? I thought that Teresa was visiting Celinda and Nathan in Ogallala?” Jimmy knew the boy was lying he’d left Teresa at Celinda’s a few days ago because she was to start teaching there this week. “Uh, yeah….no. I promised I wouldn’t tell. They left yesterday. I came by right as they were leaving. They were going to meet up with Uncle Cody,” Sam Jr. confessed in a hurry. Jimmy smiled. Sam Jr. was really a good kid but the girls could talk him in to anything. “It’s ok, son. They tell you where they were headed?” “Curtis Wells, Montana.” “Guess, I better set out after them then. Tell Lou and Kid that I’m on their trail and not to worry. They can meet up with us in Curtis Wells. I’ll wire Teaspoon on my way through town. He’s got friends up that way I believe, they might be able to locate the girls if they get lost.” “Yes sir. Think they’ll be alright on their own for now?” “It ain’t them I’m worried about, it’s the rest of the countryside and Cody when Lou gets a hold of him,” Jimmy replied with a grin as he swung up onto Trickster’s back. ************ “Newt, that you boy?” Cody called out. The young man he was talking to looked nothing like the one he’d known just the year before. “Yeah, Cody, it’s me,” Newt Call replied, stopping to wait for Cody to catch up with him. When Cody was close enough Newt asked impatiently, “Why are you back here?” Newt didn’t want to admit it but Cody was one of the last people he wanted to see. He brought back too many memories of Hannah. “Well, boy, looks like you’ve seen some bad times. Where’s that pretty wife of yours?” “She’s gone,” Newt replied looking away. How did he tell Cody what had happened to Hannah. His mind wandered back to the time they had spent with Cody and his show. Hannah had been so full of life. “Gone? Did she leave you, boy?” Cody had really taken a liking to the young man and his wife. He couldn’t imagine what could have happened, though Curtis Wells was nothing like he remembered it. “Welcome back to Curtis Wells, Mr. Cody,” Clay Mosby said as he walked up to the pair. “Glad to have you back and I see you have brought your show with you.” “Yes, felt I should come back and put on a show for you folks, especially Newt and Miss Hannah. By the way where is Miss Hannah? Newt here said she was gone.” Mosby looked at Call; he could tell that Newt had not yet told Cody about Hannah. As Newt walked away Mosby realized he would have to be the one to do it. It hurt him as much as it did Newt to talk about her death but Cody was looking at him. “It was a tragic death, um…Come on over to my place and I’ll tell you about it, and the other changes around here.” Cody turned to Newt but realized he was alone. “Ok, but…um…you’re buying,” Cody replied trying to sound like his usual self and not succeeding. He had noticed the look that passed over Mosby’s face as he broke the news of Hannah’s death. Now he realized that the same look had been in Newt’s eyes. What had happened to change so much around here? Cody had known that both Newt and Mosby loved Hannah but why couldn’t they be like the other two he knew that loved the same woman and get along. Hannah had made her choice. At least Jimmy respected Lou’s. Thoughts of his friends brought him back to the twins and the offer he had made to take them with him for the summer. He hadn’t thought it was a bad idea, but Lou and Kid had objected so adamantly that he had actually felt bad about it for a while. The girls sure would have drawn the crowds in, what with their mother’s looks and father’s eyes, not to mention that they had learned from both Kid and Jimmy. At least Buck had let Ike come with him for the summer. The boy was as good with a knife as his father and as good with horses as his namesake. ****************** Lou and Kid arrived home on the stage a few days later. Sam and Sam Jr. were at the stage office to meet them. As Kid helped Lou from the stage, he said, “Guess, Jamie’s still mad about not going with Cody?” “Um…Kid, Lou, the girls left this for you,” Sam said handing Kid the note that the girls had left. Kid read the note then handed it to Lou. Watching their expressions, Sam said, “Jimmy took out after them the next morning. He figured they only had about twelve hours on him. He sent word to Teaspoon, who should be on the stage tomorrow morning. It’ll give you time to get some rest before heading out.” “Thanks, Sam,” Kid said worry and concern on his face. “Guess you’ve been looking after things at the ranch?” “Buck, the boys and I have been taking care of things. Though, Sam Jr. here has done more than his share,” Sam replied with pride as he helped Kid load the luggage into the waiting buckboard. ************ Noise from the hotel brought Cody out of his thoughts. He looked at Mosby who excused himself and crossed the muddy street to the Dove. They heard the shouts and a shot as they approached the door. “Look you no good coyote, you go near my sister again and I’ll personally shoot you,” came a threat. Cody groaned; he knew that voice. “Now Jamie, you know that won’t fix things, besides…” Cody heard Ike shout. And not for the first time chuckled to himself at how funny it still sounded to him to link Ike’s name with something like shouting. The boy always had though, what with his sister and the twins always following him around. “Ike, we can take care of ourselves, and I can take care of this piece of trash. Besides you would do the same thing if he had grabbed Laura and kissed her like that.” Stepping into the dining room of the hotel behind Mosby, Cody groaned again as he recognized the young woman at the other end of the gun. Kid was going to kill him, and only if Lou didn’t beat him to it, because wherever Jamie was, Alexis wasn’t far behind. And, speaking of Alexis, there she stood just behind Jamie a look of anger written all over her face. “Jack, you didn’t do what she said you did, did you?” Ike asked the young man standing next to him. “Hell, Ike, I thought that she was one of the girls that work here and wouldn’t mind a …” Jack wasn’t able to finish, because Ike punched him in the stomach. Cody shook his head again and in his best imitation of Teaspoon yelled, “That’s enough Ike, I’m sure Jack won’t let that happen again. Will ya, boy?” “But Mr. Cody, I didn’t mean anything, it was an….” Jack started. “Son, be careful what you say those are my goddaughters you are talking about,” Cody stated flatly no hint of his usual grin on his face. Mosby just stood next to Cody with a smirk on his face. Goddaughters, now that was interesting. And they were both very beautiful, and then he did a double take, the word was out of his mouth before he knew it. “Twins?” “Yeah,” Cody replied, “and they are just like their ma, stubborn, and beautiful.” Then he turned back to the girls saying in all seriousness, “Ladies, do your parents know where you are?” “Yes,” Jamie replied confident that Allie had told their parents in her note where they were headed. But Alexis had her own answer to his question. Her cheeks reddening she replied, “Not really. I just told them that we were going to find you.” “Allie! You didn’t!” Jamie exclaimed surprised that Allie hadn’t told their parent where to find them. She just couldn’t believe it. She stared at her sister in shock; Allie never did anything like this. “Well, it didn’t sound like much of an adventure, if they knew where to find us right off,” Allie started to explain, trying to head off Jamie’s anger before she started yelling. “You two sure did it this time,” Ike joined in. And as it happened most times when the three were together and when Ike’s younger sister Laura was with them, they all started arguing at once. Mosby couldn’t believe his eyes they were acting as if he wasn’t even there and it looked as though they all knew each other. It also appeared that he was off the hook for the time being regarding the explanation about Hannah. “Enough!” Cody shouted, “You children can continue your argument later.” Turning to Mosby, Cody continued, “Looks like we’ll have to get that drink another time, Mr. Mosby. Let me introduce my nieces and goddaughters, Jamie and Alexis. And this is one of my showmen and godson, Ike. Children, I’d like you to met Mr. Clay Mosby.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mosby,” Jamie replied a bit hastily, she wanted to finish her argument with Allie. She couldn’t believe that for the first time in their lives her sister had done something so impetuous. Not to mention the fact she didn’t like the looks the dandified gentleman was giving her or her sister. Alexis though hadn’t taken her eyes off of him; she thought he had to be the handsomest man she had ever seen. When Jamie caught her staring at Mosby, she blushed and looked away mumbling, “Mr. Mosby.” “Nice to meet you, sir,” Ike responded. “See, Mosby, when I was with the Pony Express, I rode with their parents,” Cody boasted with pride. “I’m sure their fathers are proud, Mr. Cody…” Mosby began but was interrupted by Jamie, who was always ready to set the record straight about both her parents having ridden for the Express. “He means both of ours and Ike’s father. Our mother was the only woman to ever ride for the Express. She could shoot as well and ride better than some,” Jamie stated proudly. Mosby was stunned and then angry when he heard someone in the corner in front of him laugh. “Mosby,” Jimmy said from his seat against the wall, “no offense, but your expression is priceless.” To his goddaughters he said, “You two can’t cover your tracks for nothing.” Turning to Ike, he questioned, “Didn’t you teach them, especially Jamie, any better than that? Oh, and Cody, you know Lou is probably going to shoot you when she catches up to you. That is if Kid doesn’t beat her to it.” Jimmy saluted Cody with his drink and started laughing again. “Well, I’ll be if it isn’t Jimmy Hickok. How long have you been here?” Cody asked. Aside to Mosby he said, “Jimmy and I are godfathers to both girls. Their parents figured they’d need two godfathers being as pretty as they are and about as much trouble as…how did Teaspoon put it…as…...” Jimmy over hearing what Cody was saying finished his sentence, “…as the bunch of us were when we started riding for the Express. And to answer your question, since well before the commotion started. I arrived at the ranch the morning after these two ran away. Thought it was best to follow them in case they found any trouble. I’m sure Lou and Kid will be here by next week,” Jimmy replied. “By the way, Ike, I wouldn’t be surprised if your father and mother are with them.” Ike rounded on Jamie. “Now see what you’ve done! I bet I have to go back with ya’ll. Lord, Jamie, couldn’t you just do what you were told for once!” “Now, Ike you know it wasn’t fair that they made me stay behind. I’m as good a shot as you and I ride as good too,” Jamie started, but Ike just walked away. “Ike, I’m sorry, I didn’t think that Uncle Buck would come after you,” she called after him. “That’s right Jamie, you didn’t think,” Ike threw over his shoulder as he walked out of the door of the hotel slamming it with a bang. A moment later his back still to the hotel, he shouted at the top of his lungs, “AGAIN!” Jamie watched him leave and felt bad; she didn’t like it at all when Ike was angry with her. The fact that Allie chose that moment to turn her attention from the handsome Mr. Mosby standing by Cody to her didn’t help matters. “He’s right you know. We didn’t think this through.” Jamie started to run after Ike but as she passed Cody and Jimmy, she ran straight into another man coming into the hotel. As they bumped into each other she lost her balance, and to steady herself she grabbed ahold of the man’s arms. When she looked up into his blue eyes she was stunned for a moment. Beneath the dirt she could tell he was a handsome man, but something seemed to haunt his eyes. Newt Call was just as taken aback, she was beautiful. Her auburn hair was pulled back and the men’s clothes she wore accentuated her figure. She just stared up at him. “Excuse me,” she muttered softly as she regained her balance and pulled away from him, running out the door. Jimmy’s laughter died as he watched the exchange. He had seen the drifter around town and the way he acted with Miss Amanda the owner of the hotel and not to mention the way he and Mr. Mosby were constantly at each other. He didn’t like the man. Cody though thought the whole scene was hilarious and would not stop laughing. “Well, Newt looks like you just met Jamie, one of my nieces and goddaughters. And this here is the other. Alexis come over here and meet a good friend of mine. Newt Call, this here is Alexis McCloud. The fella Jamie was after is my nephew Ike Cross. And this here is Jimmy Hickok,” Cody said as he pointed at Jimmy. “Gentlemen,” Jimmy said standing, then turning to Alexis, opened his arms. The young woman rushed into them. “I take it this time you couldn’t talk her out of what she wanted to do. That doesn’t tell me though why you are here?” “Someone had to keep her out of trouble,” Alexis replied not able to look him in the eye because she knew that Jimmy wouldn’t believe a word of it. “Okay, so it sounded like it would be fun,” she admitted to him in a whisper. Jimmy laughed as he told her, “You’re not doing too good at keeping her out of trouble. You go with Cody; I’ll find Jamie and Ike. I’m sure she’s fine.” ******* It didn’t take him long to find the two young people, considering the amount of shouting coming from the direction of the livery. Jamie and Ike were doing what they had done ever since they were children -- fighting. And looking at the pair arguing took Jimmy Hickok back in time. Jamie, Alexis too for that matter, looked so much like Lou and Ike took after his father. If he didn’t feel the age in his bones he would have sworn that he was watching Lou and Buck arguing. “I can explain Ike, really,” Jamie was pleading with her best friend. “No, I don’t want to hear it Jamie. Didn’t I tell you that I would talk to your parents when I got back and convince them that it would be all right for you to go? That once they saw that I was fine and none the worse for going with Cody that they would probably let you come next summer. But NO! You just had to come now. Now I’ll be lucky if my dad lets me stay when he catches up with me!” Ike was shouting at the girl. “Well, if it was fine for you to come, why should I have to wait? Besides, you promised to write and you haven’t,” Jamie argued. “Jamie, Cody has kept me hopping from the moment we left, just when was I suppose to write you.” “You couldn’t find five minutes to write your best friend.” “Best friend? You? No, more like my worst nightmare,” Ike said exasperated that she was still trying to talk to him. But that was Jamie, always making trouble and then trying to fix it. Thinking of his sister he said, “And what about Laura, how could you leave her with Sam Jr. breathing down her neck?” “He isn’t breathing down her neck, as you put it. As a matter of fact he was going to speak to Uncle Buck the next day and ask for her hand,” Jamie replied pleased that she had gotten one up on Ike and his attention away from the fact that she was there and his parents were on the way. “No! Laura’s too young, Dad won’t hear of it yet…” Ike began as he stepped closer to her. “Yes, he will. She is only a few months younger than Allie and me.” Ike rolled his eyes and looked out the back of the livery. “Jamie, we both know your father would have a fit if anyone offered to court you. He’d be even worse if you were to go and get married.” “Want to bet about that….” Jamie challenged only to be cut off by Jimmy. “Hold on, you two are not getting married and we’ll just have to wait to see if Laura is,” Jimmy shouted. Ike and Jamie started to protest but Jimmy held up his hand and added, “Is that Sam and Emma’s boy, that’s asking for her hand?” “Yes,” the two young people answered together. Jimmy just shook his head again. When had they all grown up on him? Here was Sam and Emma’s boy asking to marry Buck’s daughter, Kid and Lou’s twins had runaway to join Cody’s show. And Ike, Buck’s son, was working with Cody. Where had the time gone? And why did he feel so old all of a sudden? Jimmy sat down on a bale of hay just inside the livery. “You two get back over to the hotel, your parents should be here in a couple of days, a week at the most. And then we’ll clear all of this up.” Before they could get out of earshot he added, “By the way your grandfather is coming with your parents, you might want to keep that in mind before you get into any more trouble.” Jimmy laughed at the looks that crossed both of their faces, they all loved Teaspoon so much that to think of hurting him by getting into trouble appalled all of the children of the former Express riders. Chapter 2 Back in Rock Creek, Lou was angry and worried. To work off some the energy and to keep her mind off things she had cleaned the house until it shone. "Lou," Camille called, "Rider comin'. It's Buck, maybe he has word." "I hope so. The girls have been gone too long already," Lou replied coming out the door to join her on the porch. "I'm sure they are fine, after all they take after their mother don't they?" Camille tried to tease Lou into a smile. "And their father, and Jimmy and Cody," Lou continued for her. "At least Jimmy's on their trail." As they made their way out into the yard, Kid came running up with a piece of paper. "Jimmy's with them in Curtis Wells. He wired that they are fine and that Cody is there already. It shouldn't take us but a few days to get there. Teaspoon will be here in the morning and we can leave shortly after that," Kid told her, relief very evident in his voice. "I can be ready sooner…" Lou started. "Of course you can, but Buck and I are going with you and we have some family business to take care of tonight," Camille stated with a knowing look at Buck. "Besides you know how Teaspoon would feel if we left before he arrived." "You're right, guess we better see to that before we leave," Buck reluctantly agreed. "But I'm still not sure about him Camille. And besides Laura is too young…" "Hold it right there Buck Cross," Camille said as she approached her husband, "As I recall we were a few years younger than they are when we were promised to each other. And besides I thought you liked Sam and Emma's son." Kid butted in, "You mean that Sam Jr. is going to ask for Laura's hand, but I thought he was sweet on Allie." Lou reached up and touched her husband's cheek. "No, dear, he's been in love with Laura for much longer, but he didn't think that Buck would let him court her so Allie and Jamie have been covering for them." "And just how do you know that?" "Now, Kid," Camille teased, "you know that mothers know everything." She and Lou then turned and walk back into the house laughing and planning together. Kid just looked at Buck. "Will we ever figure them out?" "Doubt it," his friend said with a laugh and patted him on the back. ************** Allie couldn't believe her luck Cody had invited Mr. Mosby and that Call man to lunch. Now having lunch with a gentleman as handsome as Mr. Mosby was fine with her but that Call she wasn't too sure about. Besides he should never have looked at Jamie the way he had when they bumped into each other. He was just entirely too forward for her liking. But Mr. Mosby was such a gentleman. Allie was so lost in her thoughts that she only heard the last part of what Cody was saying. "…isn't that right, Allie?" "I'm sorry Uncle Cody I didn't hear what you said," Allie said with a blush. "I said, that you may dress like a lady but that you and your sister can shoot and ride as well as your mother did when she was your age," Cody answered her. "No, Uncle Cody I'd say that Mom could shoot better than us, considering that she had to in order to keep up with you all," Allie teased Cody. "And just as sassy," Cody teased back. Allie blushed at Cody's teasing. She really didn't mind it but in front of a man that she was attracted to she wasn't comfortable with it. "Miss Allie, if I may be so bold," Mosby started a slight grin on his handsome face, "what brought you and your sister here?" "Our Uncle's show of course," Mosby heard behind him. Jamie and Ike had returned but Allie noticed that he was still quite upset with Jamie. She couldn't blame him right now she wasn't too pleased with her sister herself. "I believe the gentleman was addressing me, Jamie," Allie replied with a slight sniff that had Jamie itching to tease her. Turning to Mosby she answered, "It was Uncle Cody's show but also the fact that my sister can't ever take no for an answer." "Allie," Jamie said becoming seriousness knowing that she was about to upset her sister, "Poppa is going to be with Mom and Dad, Uncle Jimmy just told us." Allie's smile faded as she looked at her sister. "OH! Great Jamie," she shouted angrily as she jumped up from the table and ran from the room. "Allie!" Jamie called after Allie as she ran for the stairs. "You know how she is about disappointing Poppa or your parents," Ike said from behind her. "I don't think you can straighten it out this time, Jamie." Jamie turned with a smile to the man she considered her best friend, a plan already beginning to take shape in her mind. "Just watch me," she replied with a twinkle to her eyes. Ike couldn't figure out why but he got a sense of dread at those words. Of course it might have been the fact that the last time she had said that they had ended up covered in mud and not allowed to attend the Founder's Day race. "You know what happened the last time you said that," he reminded her. "I was younger then, besides this is different," Jamie replied. It seemed to Ike that sometimes she was more like Jimmy than her own father, but she was definitely like mother. He could only stare as she ran after her sister. He noticed a moment later that he wasn't the only one watching her, the man that Cody had introduced him to earlier was watching her departure as well. Not to mention the other man, Mosby, he believed was his name, had started to follow both girls until Cody stopped him. "I believe it's time we left the girls to sort things out. I believe that we have something to discuss and a drink to get to, Mr. Mosby," Cody said as he draped his arm over Mosby's shoulders and steered him toward the door. Looking toward where Call had been standing, he noticed the man had suddenly disappeared, Mosby replied reluctantly, "Yes, I believe it is." Chapter 3 A few drinks and a couple of hours later Cody shook his head. Hannah Call dead, he was still amazed at that. He had liked Hannah; she was a sweet woman and she and Newt were good together. He would have preferred to believe that she had left Call, no wonder the boy didn't want to tell him what had happened. But why was he so angry with Mosby? Cody figured getting the answer to that would be harder, and since he had so much to deal with considering that Lou and Kid, not to mention Teaspoon, would be there in a few days. Lord, he hoped that Lou wasn't too upset with him, but knowing her he'd be lucky to escape her with just getting yelled at. Jimmy startled his old friend when he walked up and slapped him on the back. "Will you ever stop daydreaming Cody?" he asked smiling. "More like a nightmare," Cody replied as he downed the shot of whiskey in hand. "Just thinking about what Lou will have to say to me when she arrives. She's more protective of those girls than Kid, if that's possible." That got a laugh out of Jimmy, "You should have talked to her and Kid first, before you mentioned the job to the girls. By telling them first you had to know that Jamie would react the way she did when they said no." "It must have slipped my mind that they were so stubborn, just like their mother," Cody said with a smile. "They are, aren't they? Just like her, takes you back a little don't it?" "Yeah, it does," Jimmy replied as he sipped his own drink. Cody knew that only a few others would recognize the wistfulness in Jimmy's voice. He still loved Lou, Cody could tell, but he would never tell her. No, Kid was like a brother to Jimmy, and Cody knew that he would never hurt him like that. Mosby although taking care of other customers, eavesdropped on the two old friends. 'The young ladies' mother must be something,' he thought to himself, 'to have Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok talking about her like that. Yes, this was going to be a very interesting week. It might even liven up this town a bit.' ---------- As the stage rolled to a stop in Rock Creek, retired Territorial Marshal Sam Cain reached up and opened the door for the passenagers. He smiled as his old friend Teaspoon Hunter appeared in the doorway of the stagecoach. "Teaspoon you haven't changed a bit!" he exclaimed. Once Teaspoon was on the ground Sam pulled the man into a hug. "It's the bear grease and onions, I tell ya," Teaspoon replied back with a smile, as he turned to help his wife down from the stage. "Have they found the girls yet?" "Jimmy wired yesterday, they're in a small town in Montana, Curtis Wells." "Thank goodness," Polly said as she smoothed out her dress and tried to shake some of the dust from it. "How are Lou and Kid taking things?" "Well," Sam started to reply. But Teaspoon butted in saying with a grin, "I bet Lou is ready to kill Cody and Kid isn't far behind." "That's about it." "Now where are those sons of yours, Sam, I thought they'd be with you?" Teaspoon questioned, bringing a smile to both Sam's and Polly's faces. Teaspoon had doted on all of the children of the former Express riders, Sam and Emma's, too for that matter. He loved them all as if they were his own, and they in return loved him. "Sam Jr. and Emma are out at the ranch. Here comes Luke with the wagon." Teaspoon smiled when he saw the boy driving the team toward them. "Looks like ya doin' a mighty fine job of raisin' those sons of yours, Sam." "Thank you," Sam replied, the pride of hearing that from Teaspoon causing his voice to catch. When they arrived at the ranch, Laura and Sam Jr. were the first out the door. Teaspoon wrapped them both in a bear hug. The others waited on the porch, while they made their way forward. The first words out of Teaspoon's mouth were not unexpected but made them laugh anyway. "Kid, you ain't letting her carry a gun are ya? She might just forget how much she loves Cody and shoot him first." "I promise not to shoot him on first sight, Teaspoon, if you'll promise the same," Lou teased back. "Now where did Sam say the girls were? Curtis Wells?" Teaspoon questioned. "I believe an old friend of mine has a ranch somewhere around there, Captain Woodrow Call. Rode with him and Gus McCray when I was with the Texas Rangers. Mighty good men as I recall. Drove a herd up Montana way when it first opened up, beautiful country. Take us about a week to get there. Are ya'll set to ride?" "You know they are Papa," Laura spoke up. "They've been ready since yesterday, but wouldn't leave without you." "Well, we best get a move on then." Teaspoon turned to help Polly down from the wagon and offered her his arm as they moved toward the porch. "First we have some news for you," Sam Jr. added. "What?" Teaspoon questioned. "Are you in trouble, again?" "No, I promise it ain't that," Sam Jr. quickly added. "It's…I …I" "Well, spit it out son, we have a long day ahead of us." Teaspoon even at his age was looking forward to the adventure ahead. Leave it to Kid's and Lou's twins to give it to him. He smiled at the thought of the ride ahead with his boys and girl. Turning back to Sam Jr., he hooked his fingers under his suspenders and raise an eye brow. Sam Jr. gathered up his courage and proceeded to do exactly what his ma and Lou had told him to the night before when Buck had put him off about giving him Laura's hand. "I asked Uncle Buck and Aunt Camille for Laura's hand last night," Sam Jr. said in a rush. "OH!" Polly cried as she clapped her hands together. Lou and Camille exchanged smiles. They knew that Buck would give his blessing to the two if Teaspoon did. He was just holding out like any father about to see his little girl get married. Teaspoon arched his eyebrow at Buck as he had in the old days. "And did you give them your blessing?" "I told them that I would have to think about it," Buck replied uneasily, that one look from Teaspoon could always make any of them squirm. 'It just wasn't fair,' he thought that Teaspoon could make him so antsy after all these years with just one look. "And now that you have are you going to keep them waiting? Or are you going to give it to them?" Buck knew when he had been beat and also knew that Lou and Camille had set him up. It wasn't that he didn't like Sam Jr., but he just wasn't ready to let Laura, his little girl, grow up. "I…" looking at Teaspoon knowing that he expected him to give his blessing and not being able to come up with anything against Sam Jr., Buck agreed, "of course I give them my blessing." "Well, then if these two promise not to tie the knot til we get back, then I guess we can get at rounding up the rest of the children," Teaspoon said, his chest puffing up at the realization that they still needed him after all this time. A few hours later the former Express riders along with Teaspoon and Camille set out for Curtis Wells. They left Sam, Emma and Polly in charge of the ranch. Luke had begged to ride along but all had insisted that he stay behind and help out his parents. The newly engaged couple were too interested in each other to think about going after their close friends. Although Laura did call after them, "Tell, Allie and Jamie, I need them to be here for my wedding as bridesmaids." Sam Jr. added to her statement, "And tell Ike I need a best man, too!" *********** The next day in Curtis Wells, Cody decided against Jimmy's advice to let Jamie be in the show that evening. So the young woman decided to practice her shooting. Allie found her beyond the tents of the show shooting cans off of a log. Deciding to prove to her sister she wasn't the only good shot in the family, as Jamie shot a can Allie shot it while it was still in the air. "What do you think your doing?" Jamie asked totally exasperated with her sister. "I'm going to be in the show, too," Allie stated. "Did you think I would let you do it on your own?" "I wasn't sure. Allie, I'm sorry, I had no idea that they would get Papa to come along." "First, I know you're sorry, you've been apologizing since last night," Allie told her sister with a grin, "and it isn't your fault they wired him. I should have told them where we were headed in the note." "Admit it, you're having as much fun as I am," Jamie demanded of her twin returning the grin. "And what were you doing staring at that man with Cody yesterday?" Getting irritated with her sister again Allie replied, "Me? Oh, and you didn't just about fall all over that young man you ran into? At least Mr. Mosby is a gentleman, and clean." "What? Who are you talking about?" Jamie questioned knowing if Allie suspected she liked someone she'd never hear the end of it. "The one you ran smack dab into yesterday when you were chasing after Ike." Allie said as she crossed her arms across her chests and just looked at Jamie. The look was one Jamie knew too well it meant that Allie wasn't going to let up until she told her everything. "Him? He just startled me is all," Jamie tried to cover as the memory of the man rushed into her mind. He had been handsome. And Allie was right but Jamie would not admit it if her life depended on it. "Besides who said I thought he was handsome?" "You forget I know you, and that I know that look you get when you're interested in someone," Allie replied a smug smile on her face. "You just think you do," Jamie threw back. Just then the man in question walked up. "Um…Miss, er…, Ladies," Newt Call stammered. "Cody said that he needed you two inside." "Thank you, Mr. …." Allie began, "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" "Call…. Newt Call," he replied, as he started to leave. Allie looked at her sister as Mr. Call walked away, not missing for one moment the look of interest that crossed Jamie's face, then sashayed over beside her. "Not interested, huh?" Allie said. "Like Papa would say, 'you're bout as interested in him as an ant is in a picnic." Allie laughed as she walked away leaving her sister fuming behind her. 'Why, why can't I cover with Allie like I can with just about everyone else?' Jamie wondered. "I'm not interested in him," she called after Allie. "I'm not!" Allie only laughed harder, as she walked toward the tents of the show. ********** Rehearsal was in full swing as the girls entered the tent. Ike was the first to spot them as they came through the doorway of the tent. As he walked up to them he said, "Pretty impressive ain't it?" "Yes, it is," Allie replied, wonder filling her voice. And Jamie nodded in agreement. Ike just laughed. "You'll get use to it." They all turned as they heard a commotion on the other side of the tent. "I don't think this is a good idea," they heard Jimmy shouting. "I tell you Cody if you let them in the show, Lou is going to shoot you. That is if Kid or I don't beat her to it. You know her temper, and she's already mad at you." "Come on Jimmy, you don't really think she would shoot me do you?" Cody asked a bit concerned. "Normally, I'd say she wouldn't but this here is the twins we're talking about. Remember when her and Kid took that trip and we taught the girls to shoot while they were gone. She threatened to shoot both of us and didn't let us visit for six months. I tell you this is a bad idea," Jimmy replied. "Well, I don't think it is. Besides they won't be here for a week and by then the girls will have gotten it out of their systems and be glad to see their parents. So I'm going to put them in the show," Cody answered back. Jimmy just shook his head. When would Cody learn? ********** That evening, after rehearsing most of the afternoon, the girls turned in a stunning performance showing off their shooting and riding talents. Neither of them gave a second thought to the men that watched them. Every time one of them attempted something dangerous the men would just about jump out of their skin. Ike watched Jamie and jumped every time she attempted a different trick. He'd helped Jamie learn every one of the moves she was doing two summers ago and she was almost as good as he was but he couldn't help it. He was terrified she wouldn't make it or that she'd land wrong. Clay Mosby was caught off guard when he saw Allie enter the arena with her sister. The lady looked like she was in her element. But she had seemed so ladylike in the hotel the day before. Now here she was in pants and a fringed shirt, shooting and riding as well as any man he knew. As he watched them he noticed slight differences in the two girls. They looked exactly alike most of the time but Allie seemed to have a natural grace about her that her sister Jamie had to work to obtain. Jamie, though, had the confidence that made her the leader of the two. Newt Call watched the young women. He was beginning to wonder why he wasn't really attracted to either of them. Though he had to admit to himself he was concerned for them with the stunts they were doing. They were both very beautiful and they both looked to be really strong. Looking out over the crowd he spotted Maddie she was sitting by herself watching the performance. Shaking his head he turned back to the show deciding that tonight was not the night to ponder why he didn't feel anything for any of them other than friendship. As they finished the act, all three men, not to mention Jimmy, and Cody let out sighs of relief glad that the act was finally over and both girls were safe. ----------- That night in camp not far from Rock Creek, Lou and Kid talked quietly. "Do you really think they are safe?" Lou asked her husband. "Of course they are," Kid tried to reassure her but was having doubts himself. "I don't believe Cody, Ike or Jimmy would let anything happen to the girls." "I know but I can't help worrying." Camille walked over to her friend. "I'm sure they are fine, Lou. Like Kid said Cody and Jimmy won't let anything happen to the girls. And if I know my son he's about ready to clobber the both of them right now. Seems like they, our Laura included, have been following him and Sam Jr. around since they could walk." Lou laughed. "Yeah, they have." The next morning as the group was getting ready to leave Teaspoon informed them that they would be making a slight detour. "I think we should stop by Woodrow's place, The Hat Creek Cattle Company. He'll know where this Curtis Wells is." Chapter 4 Ike couldn't say what it was about Newt Call that bothered him, but he just didn't like the way the man was always watching the twins. Seemed every time he turned around the last few days, he saw the man watching the girls as they practiced for the evening performances. But Newt wasn't the only one watching; Mr. Mosby had been watching Allie quite a bit also. That though, didn't bother him near as much as Newt watching Jamie did, and that was confusing the young man. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear Jamie when she called to him. "Ike! I said how was that?" she called to him again. "I don't think he heard you," Allie giggled, "seems to be lost in his thoughts." Jamie decide to get their friend's attention and rode straight at him, stopping just as she reached him. "Damn, Jamie, what do you think you're doing?!" Ike exclaimed. "Getting your attention. I asked 'how was that', but since you weren't paying us any mind I guess you wouldn't know," Jamie responded with a laugh. "Oh, I was watching you, I just have a lot on my mind right now, and you both did fine. Seems everyone is pretty impressed with you, but then they don't know you like I do." "And just what is that suppose to mean, Ike Cross!" Jamie exclaimed. "Just what you think it does!" Ike yelled back a scowl appearing on his handsome face. "I knew you when you were dogging me and begging to learn to shoot and your pa said no. I knew you when you were thrown trying to ride a horse you knew wasn't broke yet." Jamie stared at Ike a bit stunned; hurt registering in her eyes. "Why are you being so mean? What'd we do to make you so mad?" "Allie hasn't done a thing, but you, Jamie, seem to be getting pretty full of yourself lately." Ike himself didn't know why he was being so ugly to her; the excuse seemed to work, though. Inside he felt like he was going to be sick. He really didn't like the way she always made him feel guilty for yelling at her. Walking up to them Allie said, "Ike that's not fair. Jamie is just excited and you've been with the show longer. We just want to do our best for Uncle Cody." She patted her sister on the back to try and sooth her hurt feelings. "Well, if you are going to take that attitude Ike, maybe he'll tell us what he thinks," Jamie snapped at she nodded toward Newt. "Go, right ahead!" Ike exclaimed as he stormed off. Allie watched as Jamie spun around and headed toward Newt. Then she heard someone behind her and turned around. "Miss McCloud, I just wanted to let you know how much I truly enjoyed watching your performance last night. You are a very talented young woman." Allie blushed shyly, then said, "Thank you, Mr. Mosby, but my sister is just as talented as I." "Um…yes…of course she is," Mosby stammered. Allie had the darnedest way of frustrating him. "I was just wondering if you would like to join me for dinner tonight at the hotel, since you don't have a performance." Mosby watched as Allie started to answer, then from behind him he heard, "I'm sure my nieces and I would enjoy that very much, Mosby." Jimmy had been watching the exchange between the two and wasn't too pleased with it. Smiling at Mosby, he added, "It wouldn't be proper for my niece to have dinner with you without a chaperon." "Of course not," Mosby added, not pleased at all by the interference. "Will seven this evening be convenient for you, Mr. Hickok. "Think you can be ready by seven, Allie," Jimmy teased. She was so like her father, it took a lot to make her mad, and Jimmy could tell she was real close. "Uncle Jimmy," Allie exclaimed as her face flamed red. She turned meaning to walk away then she stopped after only a few feet, and turning back said to Mosby, "Seven will be just perfect." Jimmy stepped up beside Mosby as they watched Allie walk up to her sister and drag Jamie away from her conversation with Newt. "Uh, oh," Jimmy said. "Something the matter, Mr. Hickok?" Mosby asked. "Not really," Jimmy replied as he took off after the twins. "Just the 4th of July looks to be coming a bit early this year is all." Mosby stared after him wondering what he meant by that. Jimmy could hear them before their argument got going good. "How could you, Allie? I was talking to him," Jamie almost shouted. Allie replied back in the same tone, "Because we have been invited to dinner." "By who?" Jamie asked. "Clay Mosby," Allie replied quieter. "Oh, that man that's been watching your every move every since we arrived," Jamie said coming to a stop on the boardwalk. "What? Well, you sure are one to talk. Guess, you haven't noticed how that Call fella has been watching you. Not to mention Ike," Allie shot back her voice dripping with venom and rising in volume to match her sister's. "What?" Jamie exclaimed her face turning red and getting ready to pounce on Allie. "Ike's just a real good friend. And Mr. Call has not been watching me…um us for Uncle Cody." "How long have you been so dense?" Allie snapped back at her twin and throwing her hands in the air. "You have a good man, who already cares about you, can't even take his eyes off of you when you're around and you don't even notice. You just go and practically throw yourself at some bounty hunter." Jimmy winced at that one. He and Cody would be lucky if the two didn't start going at it like the last they fought when he and Cody had charge of them. Reaching down he rubbed his shin, wincing at the thought of the bruise Allie had left there when he and Cody had tried to break the two girls up. He remembered though that Cody had gotten the worst of it, having received a black eye from Jamie. Cody at the opposite end of the street heard the two girls, also. Reaching up he rubbed the side of his face, recalling the black eye. He knew if Jimmy didn't show up soon, he'd have to break up the argument. That's when he heard Jamie shout, "You haven't a clue, do you, Allie. Sweet little Allie, always right about everything. Little miss prim and proper." "Oh, Jamie, just shut up!" Allie shouted back, getting right up in her sister's face. "Ladies," Maddie Shaw, the local gunsmith, said to the girls as she walked up to them, "don't you think you should take this inside, and not be airing your differences in front of my shop." Both girls had the good sense to stop arguing. Allie, looking rather embarrassed, stormed off toward to the hotel. Jamie looked at Maddie and with a shrug said, "Sorry, 'bout that," before taking off after Allie. Both Jimmy and Cody walked up to Maddie from different directions as she opened the door of the gun shop. "Did you see that?" Cody asked Jimmy impressed with the fact someone other than Lou or Kid had stopped the girls from going at each other. "Yep," Jimmy replied with a grin as he followed Maddie inside. "May I help you, gentleman," Maddie said from behind the counter of her shop. "Actually," Cody said before Jimmy could speak, "you could tell us exactly what you said to those two. They never stop fighting that fast, except for their parents." "I just reminded them they were in public," Maddie answered non pulsed. Jimmy laughed. "That's right, Cody, I've never seen them fight like that in public only at the ranch." Then smiling he turned to Maddie adding, "And Miss, for helping to stop those nieces of ours from making a scene, I'd like to buy you dinner." Maddie wasn't too sure of these two. As she was about to decline the offer Cody spoke up, "He's harmless, Miss Maddie, besides we'll all be havin' dinner at the hotel tonight." "That's right, Cody," Jimmy replied his eyes twinkling at Maddie, "you'll be chaperoning our nieces while they dine with that Mosby fella." "I haven't said yes, Mr.…" Maddie was starting to get irritated by these two. Just who did they think they were anyway. "Just Jimmy," Jimmy replied, then introduced Cody, "and this here is Billy Cody." "William F. Cody," Cody corrected him. "Mr. Cody," Maddie turned to Cody smiling, "I've heard about you." "All good I hope," Cody replied. "Yes, as a matter of fact it was," then to Jimmy she said, "I'd enjoy dinner very much." "The hotel at seven," Jimmy said. "Seven, it is," Maddie replied. ---------------- Watching from the porch of the cabin at the Hat Creek Cattle Company, Agostina saw several riders descend the hillside. Not sure what to make of them, she went into the cabin to get Captain Woodrow Call. "Senor," she said, "several riders are coming in." Woodrow Call stepped out onto the porch of the cabin with his coffee cup. He watched as Pea Eye greeted the riders, shook hands with what appeared to be the leader, then opened the gate for them. As they drew closer Woodrow thought he recognized one of them. When they reached the yard Teaspoon Hunter called out, "That you, Woodrow?" Reaching the porch of the cabin he dismounted from his horse. The rest of the riders dismounted after him. "Yes, sir. That you Teaspoon?" Woodrow called back stepping out to shake his old friend's hand. "Thought you were marshalling somewhere down south." "I was," Teaspoon said, "but it seems as if a couple of young'uns have done run off to see one of their uncles. So I'm helping their parents here to round them up." Teaspoon made the necessary introductions. "Where are they headed?" Woodrow asked as he led Teaspoon and the others into the cabin. "A little place called Curtis Wells," Teaspoon answered. "You know of it?" "Yup," Woodrow said, "It's a day or so ride from here." Looking around, Teaspoon asked, "Where's that old coot Gus at?" "Gus has done passed on," Woodrow answered. "Good God Almighty," Teaspoon said. He then caught sight of the young woman standing behind Woodrow. "Maria?" "No," Woodrow answered, "this here is Maria and Gus's daughter, Agostina. She's my partner since Gus passed on." "She's the spitting image of her mother," Teaspoon said. Uncomfortable with the subject, Woodrow attempted to change it. "I expect ya'll be staying the night." Teaspoon smiled at his old friend, same old Call not givin' a hint as to how he felt about anything. "Yep, if you don't mind, Woodrow." "Be fine I 'spect. Just keep these here women up here at the cabin. I don't want any trouble at the bunkhouse," Woodrow replied. "Now, hold on there…" Kid and Buck said at the same time. Teaspoon held up his hand to the two of them. "Now Woodrow, these here ladies are married to these young men and I take exception to that seein' how I look on them as my own." "Then I expect they'll be staying up here as well," Woodrow replied as he rose from his seat to get Sara Pickett to make sure things were ready for his guest. Lou and Camille just smiled at each other and giggled. To Teaspoon, Lou commented, "Another old friend of yours, Teaspoon." Then she and Camille burst out laughing. Chapter 5 The next morning Maddie was leaving the shop for breakfast at the hotel as Jimmy was coming up the steps of the shop. "Stopped by to tell you I enjoyed dinner last night. You're good company, Miss Maddie." "So did I," Maddie replied with a smile. "But I don't think, Mr. Cody did." Jimmy laughed at the memory. No, Cody hadn't really enjoyed his dinner last night. He had had to keep Jamie under control, seeing how she was determined to insult Mosby and Allie every chance she got. He'd managed pretty well, though. "He'll recover, I'll make sure of it. How about some breakfast?" Jimmy replied. "I'd be delighted," Maddie replied. Jamie and Allie were having breakfast and whispering as Jimmy and Maddie entered. Maddie was amazed at the fact the two young women could be so close, considering they looked like they were ready to kill each other the day before. Noticing what had attracted Maddie's attention Jimmy said, "They've been like that since birth, ready to kill each other one minute and plotting against the world the next. Guess it comes from one taking after their pa and the other after their ma." Laughing Maddie asked, "Have you known their parents long?" "We all rode for the Express. Their parents were two of the best." "You mean their mother rode for the Pony Express?" Maddie asked sure she had misunderstood him. "Yep, we kept her secret till she married the Kid," Jimmy said wistfully. "Then the war came and the Express ended. They bought the station and turned it into a horse ranch just before the war started. Kid had intended to fight but decided when we lost Noah that it wasn't worth it." "And you Mr.…Jimmy," Maddie asked, "What did you do when it ended?" "Oh, different things," Jimmy said, closing himself off. On the other side of the dining room the twins had decided to call a truce, especially since Uncle Jimmy and his lady friend were more interesting then their fight. "Think she can match him?" Jamie asked. "I think she's very nice," Allie replied. "Kind of reminds me of Momma." "Maybe," was all Jamie was will to concede. "Oh, give over, Jamie," Allie said feeling her temper rising. Putting her fork down she stated, "You know from all the stories we've heard over the years she does." Jaime tired of fighting her sister gave in. "Ok, she does," Jamie replied, "think he's aware of it." Looking at Jimmy, Allie answered, "Nah, or he wouldn't be looking at her like he is. You know he thinks of momma as a little sister." "Yeah, guess, you're right," Jamie said, then added, "You ready to go practice." "Sure, come on," Allie said as she stood up. Behind them Cody was choking on his last bite of food. He'd heard every word of the girls' conversation. "Uncle Cody, you ok?" Ike asked as he slapped Cody on the back. After taking a drink of coffee, Cody wiped the tears from his eyes. "Just fine, son," he said hoarsely. "You keep an eye on the girls, I need a drink." "Sure," Ike replied less then enthusiastic on the idea of having to watch out for the girls. "You ok, yourself Ike," Cody asked as he threw a few coins on the table to cover breakfast and they rose to leave. "Fine, Uncle Cody, just fine," Ike answered as they parted ways at he entrance to the hotel. "Then I'll see you later," Cody said. "Oh, and keep them two out of trouble will ya." "Like I can," Ike mumbled under his breath. Cody laughed at the pained expression on the young man's face. ------------------ Not far away, Teaspoon and the others were preparing to leave Woodrow's ranch. As they mounted up Agostina said, "Thank you for the stories of my parents, senor." "You're welcome, darlin'. Brought back some good memories." Teaspoon said as he reached up and patted her hand. Turning he mounted his own horse just as Woodrow rode up. Teaspoon looked at him questioningly. "Thought it was 'bout time I checked on Newt, been a while since I saw him last," Woodrow said. "You mean Newt's in this Curtis Wells?" Teaspoon asked. "Yep, last time I was there he was the deputy," Woodrow replied. "You ever tell that boy he was yours?" Teaspoon asked as they left the ranch. "Gave him my name," Woodrow answered, as he nudged his horse forward. "And my horse." Chapter 6 The town after being dually impressed with Cody's Wild West show decided to host a dance with the performers as guests of honor. Though pleased that a dance was to be held, Jamie was in a panic since she hadn't thought to pack one of her better dresses. Allie had laughed at her saying, "You know I brought one for you since I knew you wouldn't think to pack one." She hugged her sister adding, "Don't I always think of what you forget, and you did the same for me remember?" When Jamie just stared at her she added, "My pistol and riding skirt you packed. Guess you knew I was coming along all the time." Jamie laughed nervously, "No, I just hoped you would. "Thanks," she said returning Allie's hug. A short time later they stood before the looking glass in their room. As Allie smoothed the front of her dress, she had just one thought on her mind, 'I sure hope Clay asks me to dance.' Jamie actions at that moment imitated her sister's. Her thoughts were of Ike though. They'd had their quarrels and squabbles but he was the only one that understood how much she needed to prove herself. He had complained about her following him around but later he'd laugh about the scrapes she got them in by doing so. Jamie smiled to herself again; he was her best friend and she was falling in love with him. Ike - who'd of thought she'd fall in love with him. "Jamie, did you hear me I said I was ready," Allie said smiling at her sister. Snapping back to the present Jamie replied, "Oh, um, sorry, I was just thinking." Standing she smoothed down her dress again, and looked at her sister, "You look great." "So do you," Allie giggled. "So you finally decided that you love him, huh?" Allie knew what direction her sister's mind had wandered. Sure had taken her long enough to figure it out. She and Laura had known for the last year their siblings were perfect for each other. Blushing Jamie replied, "Is it that obvious?" "Only to your twin and his sister," Allie giggled. "Come on let's see how much trouble we can give Uncle Cody tonight." Jamie giggled,too, "If I look half as good as you do, he'll need Uncle Jimmy's help to keep the fellas away." They left the room, arm in arm, and headed down the short hallway to the stairs. Reaching the head of the stairs, they paused and looked down with smiles at their escorts. Cody was dressed in his signature buckskins, and Ike in his best Sunday suit. Mr. Mosby was also looking very handsome in his knee length coat and best shirt, his tie tied perfectly. Uncle Jimmy stood off to the side with Miss Maddie; he looked more dashing than any of the dime novels could ever describe. Cody moaned upon seeing his beautiful nieces. It was going to be a long night. No wonder Kid and Lou didn't want them going too far from home, they were stunning. Jamie was wearing a wine colored dress that caused her hair to darken, and Allie was dressed in a deep blue that brought out her eyes. They reminded him of Lou when she was younger and what she could have looked like had she been able to be the young woman she was deep down. If she had, they'd have all given Kid a run for his money, not just Jimmy. Jimmy was having trouble breathing, and for the moment forgot the young woman on his arm. Time had reversed itself and Lou was standing before him, however now there was two of her. If only it had been that way, he thought. Shaking the feeling off, he came back to the present. His nieces were their mother all over again, except for their eyes which they had inherited from his best friend. He finally understood Kid's overprotectiveness all these years. Ike though only had eyes for Jamie. She was beautiful. No one had to tell him which one she was since she had worn a similar dress to the last dance they'd had at home. He'd had to watch Andy Cummings dance with her several times that night, tonight though all her dances were going to be his. He watched as she descended the stairs holding Allie's hand. As she reached the bottom step, though she let go of her sister and reached to take his hand, giving him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. "I don't know how Kid does it," Ike heard Jimmy mumble under his breath. "Does what?" Cody asked not taking his eyes off of the twins. "Keeps all the boys away from the ranch with those two looking so much like their ma," Jimmy replied wistfully. "He doesn't," Ike put in from beside them, "Aunt Lou does. None of the fellas in town want to mess with her since she ran off Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill for teaching them how to shoot." "It was his idea," Cody said pointing at Jimmy. "I don't recall you objectin' to the idea," Jimmy replied, looking over at Cody. "Well, look where it's gotten us, escortin' these two beauties to a dance and tryin' to protect them," Cody quipped, back looking at Jimmy. Turning back to the girls he begged, "Ladies, just promise me to behave." Cody groaned as he watched Mosby look adoringly at Allie and offer her his arm. "Yes, sir," they replied in unison not really paying attention to what he said. ********* The evening had turned out nicely and everyone was enjoying the dance. Jamie had danced almost every dance with Ike. Every time someone made a move to approach Jamie to ask for a dance, Ike had intercepted them and asked her to dance first. Jamie didn't care though, she was enjoying dancing with Ike. As she watched the dancers, she noticed that Allie had once again accepted Clay Mosby's hand. Allie was having a grand time. Mosby was a fine dancer. He had been so kind to her since they had met and she found herself liking his company more and more. She was flattered that he seemed to like her as much as she did him. There was something about him though that made her nervous when she was around him. It had to be nerves she thought since she got this queer feeling in her stomach every time she was around him. Mosby was nervous himself, not since Hannah had he been this attracted to anyone. To him Allie seemed such a contradiction. On one hand she was very much the lady and on the other she was a fantastic shot and could out ride even him. He was sure that she kept a tight rein on a spirit that would rival her sister's if it was ever allowed to break free. Jimmy had been enjoying himself also. Maddie had danced every dance with him and had not asked any questions about Wild Bill. He felt better than he had in years. He was beginning to believe that no one even knew that Wild Bill was in town. Jimmy felt the shell he had built around himself over the years begin to crumble a bit. Cody was having a rather good time himself. It seemed that Miss Florie, one of Miss Twilia's girls, had taken exception to Mosby asking to escort Allie instead of her. Now it seemed the woman was set on making Mosby see what he was missing. Cody noticed though that the only woman the man was watching was Allie. Newt observed it all from the outside door of the livery loft. He watched the town have its fun and Mosby dance with Cody's niece. He'd admit that the girls were very pretty and talented but he didn't want anything to do with them. Getting involved with one of them he was sure would only lead to trouble or getting his heart broke again. No, he was determined never to let anyone get that close again. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a group of riders approaching from the other end of town. One of them sat a horse in a manner very familiar to him. As the group drew closer to the dance, Newt realized it was the one person he still wasn't ready to see, the Captain. He watched as the Captain and his group secured their horses and made their way over to the dance. Newt caught himself about to laugh as he watched Cody's friend Jimmy stop dancing with Maddie as the smallest of the group came toward him. Jimmy searched the dance floor for Cody ready to grab him as he went by. He wasn't facing Kid alone, much less Lou. As Cody danced between him and Lou, Jimmy reached out to grab Cody when Lou's voice stopped him dead in his tracks. "Billy Cody!" she shouted, "Where the hell are my daughters?!" Cody stopped suddenly causing him to step on this partner's toes. "Uh…Lou?" "Who else?" "Look, Lou, I didn't know…" Cody began but stopped as Lou swung at him catching him in the jaw. For a little lady she sure could pack a wollop even after all these years. 'At least she didn't shot me,' he thought. "Momma!" Jamie called as she spotted her parents and ran to them. Kid wrapped his daughter in his arms, noticing that Ike wasn't far behind her. Setting her back from him and smiling down at her, he said, "You look none the worse for your adventure. Where's your…." Kid trailed off when he suddenly spotted Allie dancing with and looking lovingly up at Mosby…Francis Clay Mosby. He stunned the rest of his companions when he made a beeline straight for the couple. Reaching them he grabbed Allie pushing her behind him. Getting right up in Mosby's face and staring him straight in the eye he said through clenched teeth, "Clay, I'll only tell you this once and only once. Stay the hell away from my daughter." His voice was so cold Allie shivered behind her father and jumped when her mother put her arm around her shoulders. Turning back to Allie he said, "Best we get on over to the hotel. We'll be leaving on the next stage." "Kid, what the…" Mosby final managed as he ran his hand through his hair. "Your daughter? I didn't know." Kid didn't even both to acknowledge what was being said to him. He was watching his daughter look at this man the same way his sister had years before. "Alexis, we're leaving now," he all but shouted. Reaching out he took his daughter by the arm and led her away. Allie looked back over her shoulder to see a stunned expression on Mosby's face. Not only stunned she noticed, but pained. She looked up at her father, she'd never in her young life seen him this angry or him behave in this manner. "Momma," she cried as they reached Lou. Taking her distraught daughter in her arms Lou quietly comforted her, "It'll be ok, sweetie." Once they reached Jamie, who was just as stunned as her sister by their father's action, she let Jamie comfort her twin as no one else could. She turned to her husband with concern, since he'd not behaved this way in years. Not since he'd severely beaten Jimmy when he found out about their kiss. "Kid, who's that man?" "Someone from Virginia, someone I use to know," he replied as his eyes scanned the crowd. 'She has to be here somewhere. He'd never leave her behind,' he thought to him self. Turning Kid came face to face with Mosby again. Quietly Mosby said, "She's not here." He tipped his hat to Lou and then the girls, his eyes lingering on Allie. "Excuse me, ladies," he said then turned and headed straight for his club and his best bottle of bourbon. Buck had stood back with Camille as Kid had allowed his temper to get the better of him. It'd been years since anything like this had happened. Getting Ike's attention and moved next to him. "Son," Buck said giving his first born a hug, "have they kept you busy?" Ike smiled. "Yep…um…Dad, could I talk to you about something in the morning?" Ike asked, as he watched the twins and their parents head to the hotel. "Sure," Buck replied as he looked at his son perplexed. "Mom," Ike said as he gave his mother a hug, "sure miss your cooking. Um…see ya'll in the morning." He abruptly turned toward the hotel following the others at a distance. Camille laughed at the look of wonder on Buck's face. "Looks like all our chicks are leaving the nest sooner than expected." Buck paled as she added, "I bet by this time next year we're grandparents." Teaspoon watched his children reunite with their offspring with pride. It looked like the odd bunch that had made a family from strangers were becoming one for real. He smiled, that was something he never hoped for, but his boys and Lou, and his grandchildren were always surprising him. ******* As everyone was settling in at the hotel and it was quieting down or starting to heat up as the case may be, the livery was seeing its own bit of action. Newt would never admit it but he had gone there to hide from the Captain. He'd watched from the loft as an older man helped a young woman bed down the horses that the Captain and his friends had ridden in on. She was small and looked to be part Mexican, but it was the old man that spotted him. "Newt, that you boy?" Teaspoon called out. "Whose askin'?" Newt replied from his perch in the loft, his hand automatically going to his gun. "Teaspoon Hunter. You might not…" "Delores' friend. You knew Gus and the Captain and…" Newt swallowed hard, he never really talked about her, "my ma." He decided to climb down to see the man he had once known. A slight grin formed as he said, "You and Gus threw me a birthday party once." Newt recalled how close the three Rangers had been. Teaspoon reminded him more of Gus than the Captain. Teaspoon grinned, "What's eatin' at ya, son?" The boy looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, not to mention the pain that he bore in his eyes. "Nothing," Newt replied his defenses coming back up. Reaching for the horses he said, "I'll take care of them for you." As he turned to do so he was reminded that they weren't alone. "Agostina, this here…" "Newt Call, I've heard much about you, senor." "Ma'am," Newt nodded and moved past her without a word. Teaspoon decided the two young people were more than capable of taking care of the horses and decided to seek his own room at the hotel. As he left he grinned at the two young people, they'd make a interesting pair he figured. Woodrow's son and Gus's daughter, yep, better than Jimmy and Lou would have made. After Teaspoon left, Agostina watched as Newt began to unsaddle the one of the horses and proceded to do the same with the ones she had. "You're a long way from home," Newt stated as he placed a saddle on the stall wall next to the horse it had been on. "Not as far as you think," Agostina replied tensing at his tone, as she led another horse into the next stall and then stopped as she passed the Hellbitch. Reaching out she scratched the horse's face. "You with the Captain or Teaspoon?" His tone impling more than his words. "Neither, I work at the ranch…" Agostina replied as she moved to lean against a post "Captain, never let whores…." New began as he worked to care for another horse Anger and pride taking over her tone, Agostina drew herself up as she replied, "I am not a whore, senor. I am a vaquero and Augustus McCray was my father." Newt stared at the young woman before him. Gus had a daughter, now that was a…no it wasn't, as much as that man liked the ladies Newt was surprised there weren't more of his offspring running around. "He never said anything about you," He stated flatly. "He did not know," her voice was equally flat. Newt began to laugh, something he hadn't done in a long time. "That bunch of rangers sure got around. It's a wonder they were ever able to catch any outlaws, let alone some of the ones they did bring in." Newt was floored when he looked up to Agostina smiling at him. His heart that had been frozen solid for so long began to melt. *********************** After her parents had left them alone in their room, and after Allie had cried herself to sleep in Jamie's arms, Jamie climbed out onto the roof to think. She'd done this since she was a child at home and her father had finally built a balcony outside of her window so she wouldn't fall off of the roof. Staring up at the heavens with the stars twinkling down at her, she could think. As her mind cleared, she thought about what mattered to her most. There was only one answer besides her sister and parents, and that was Ike. She couldn't remember when it became important to her what he thought of her. Or when she had first noticed how handsome he was. He was so like Uncle Buck but seemed to be more at peace with himself than his father was. She sometimes wondered how her mother could have ended up with her father and not Uncle Buck. She had never figured out either how none of the other girls in town had snapped Ike up yet. "A penny for your thoughts," Ike said from right next to her. She jumped causing her to slide down the roof a bit. "Thought I told you about doing that," she grumbled as Ike grabbed her arm to stop her decent. "Sorry," he apologized. "It's ok, I should have expected you or Allie to find me. Are you coming home with us?" she asked a bit afraid that he would stay. "Looks that way, but not because of you. Seems like I have family duties to attend to," he replied, thinking how beautiful she looked in the moonlight, even in britches. Reaching out he tucked her unbound hair behind her ear. "Guess, we need to get back since that must mean Laura and Sam Junior. are getting married," Jamie's words came out in a squeak, since Ike's action caught her by surprise. "Yeah," Ike paused unsure of what to say next, "um…sorry…I've given you such a hard time. I was…wasn't," he couldn't believe he couldn't say what he wanted to. He'd never had trouble talking to Jamie. But then again, he never had wanted to tell her what she meant to him. "I know I haven't been too nice to you either." Jamie looked up into his deep brown eyes ready to say she was sorry when she caught her breath. She was stunned to see the want and love he held there. 'Tell him a voice in her head that sounded distinctly like Allie screamed. "Ike, you've always been so nice even when you were mad at me. Ike, I don't want to be friends anymore…I…I love you," she stammered as she looked away afraid she had misread what she saw in his eyes earlier. "I love you, too," he said without a second thought. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms tighter around her. As Jamie leaned back against his chest she looked up at him. Not one to miss a chance Ike leaned down kissing her lips. He pulled back and looked down at her, like he'd been struck by lightening. He was surprise to see she was staring back at him. Jamie smiling slyly reached out placing her hand behind his head, pulling him back down to her and returning his kiss deeply. ************ Toward dawn Camille watched as Ike climbed back through the window of his parents room and went to the door, quietly exiting. She then rolled over wrapping her arm around her husband. She did believe he was sleeping as soundly as it appeared. A moment later she knew he'd not been when he pulled her closer and kissed her. "Ike just came in through the window and left. He was out there all night," she remarked when their kiss ended. "He's fine. I'm sure he behaved himself last night," Buck replied kissing her neck. "I just…" "Worry about him, I know. He was on the roof with Jamie last night," Buck said pulling her even closer and ending any further conversation. ********** In the room next door, Kid was pulling his wife close, too. "Did you sleep any?" Lou asked. "No," was his simple reply. "Who were you looking for last night?" "My sister. She's not here though." Lou pull away from her husband as she tried to get in a better position to look him in the face, "Sister? You never said anything before about a sister." "I thought she was safe where she was, but he's here….her husband is here but I didn't see her." Pain filled Kid's voice as he spoke. "I'm sure she's fine, Kid. Don't let it worry you," Lou replied trying to feel optimistic. "Jamie didn't come back in last night," he said changing the subject. Lou giggled, "I'm sure she's fine. Ike wouldn't let anything happen to her. Besides when I checked they were sitting on the roof talking." "How was Allie?" Kid knew Lou had checked on their daughters several times that night. "Still in bed, she cried herself to sleep," Lou replied a catch in her voice. "He's too old for her… and married," Kid replied the distance from the previous evening back in his voice. Lou stared at her husband and groaned. "Mosby is married to your sister? Then why was he looking at our daughter like that if he is married?" She exclaimed her temper flaring. "I intend on getting the answer before we leave to your other question," Kid replied with determination. Chapter 7 Breakfast was a quiet affair as the tension could have been cut with a knife. Lou was still angry with Cody. Kid was still fuming over Mosby being with Allie at the dance, and trying to figure out where his sister was. Mosby sat in a corner at a table alone but the small dining room of the hotel allowed him to watch Allie's every move trying to figure a way to speak to her. Ike was trying to figure out when it would be a good time to ask Kid for Jamie's hand. Newt couldn't stop staring at Agostina and trying to figure out how to approach the Capt. Jimmy was too preoccupied paying attention to Maddie to take note of his friends moods. Teaspoon wasn't and he decided to break the deadly silence. "Pay attention, Buck, this is how you get everyone talking," he said with a wink. With that he picked up his plate got Amanda O'Connell's attention and said, "Sorry, miss, I'll pay for it." And slammed the plate on the floor. Buck sat stunned. He'd never seen Teaspoon do that before. "Now that I have your attention, I believe some conversations are in order. Lou, ladies first, do you have something to say to Cody." "I sure do, Teaspoon." With a too sweet smile she said, "Cody, you ever offer my girls a job without my approval and I will shoot you." "Awe, Lou, Ifin' I'd known they'd runaway then I wouldn't have offered. I'm real sorry about that. I thought Jamie'd take no for an answer," Cody replied honestly and not a hint of his usual cockiness in his voice. "Since when have either one of them taken no for an answer," Lou replied her grin not quite reaching her eyes. "That's settled. Now Ike do you have something to say," Teaspoon asked his grandson. He knew the boy wanted to talk to Kid but couldn't figure out how. "Um…um…" he looked at Jamie and when she smiled at him that was all it took. "Uncle Kid, Aunt Lou, Jamie and I are in love and I would like your permission to marry her." It came out faster than he wanted, but it was done and he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at his father, he added, "I think that the six ponies I got from Red Bear last summer will be a good bride price." Buck couldn't help but nod his approval, he knew that Ike had been offered quite a bit for them before he left and wouldn't sell. He wondered if his son hadn't had this planned. Kid understood what Ike was saying to Buck and didn't take offense. He knew it was quite an honor to him and Jamie. "I don't see a problem, but it's up to her," he replied. Looking at his daughter and the smile on her face was all he needed to be sure she would be happy. Lou nodded her approval to him and hugged Camille who was sitting next to her. "You have our blessing," Kid told Ike with a smile. Jamie asked, "Do I have a say in…" Ike stopped her with a kiss. "That says enough. About time, I might add," Teaspoon said. "That's two down. Now Kid do you have something you want to say." "No," was Kid's flat reply. "Well, I do," Allie said standing up her voice taking on a tone and manner of speech that it only did when she was upset and hadn't had enough sleep, "I ain't goin' home. I ain't leaving until you tell me what is wrong with me dancin'…" Jimmy paled at the use of that particular word and looked at Lou and Kid. Lou had turned a bright shade of red. Kid had too but he wasn't sure if it was because of the memories or the angry look he was shooting at Mosby. "…with a perfect gentleman?" "Alexis, I said we were going home," Kid stated not taking his eyes off of Mosby. "No," Allie replied to her father, "I haven't ever disobeyed you before but you have never been so unreasonable. You always said we should find…." "He ain't no gentleman," Kid stated his southern accent stronger than it had been in years. "I beg your pardon, Kid, but I believe that you are the one that was never a gentleman. You put on airs but your family…" Mosby replied his voice taking on a quality that Kid's hadn't heard in years. Mosby had never used that tone around any of his family but Kid had heard it from others in Virginia. "My family what? Took your leftovers. Does that apply to Mary?" Kid sneered. "Damn you, you don't know everything, Kid. You left, you took Doritha's money and left," Mosby replied as he picked up his hat preparing to leave the dining room of the hotel. "Daddy, please," Allie said quietly. "Tell me what he did to make you hate him so much." Turning to Mosby she asked a note of sadness coming to her voice, "Who's Mary?" Looking at Kid perplexed then angry he said, "I'm sorry my dear but that's a question for your father to answer. Excuse me." Feeling more tired than he had in years, Mosby left the resturant. He couldn't believe Kid had never told his family of the sister he loved more than anything else in the world. Allie looked toward her father for the answer to her question. Kid, not knowing where Mary was just yet couldn't answer his daughter's question or the questioning looks from those around him. "Allie, baby, leave it be," Kid pleaded with his daughter; then he too picked up his hat and left. "Momma?" Allie turned to Lou tears filling her eyes. "I don't know, baby," Lou replied as she opened her arms to her hurting daughter. "We'll figure it out. I promise." Lou held Allie as she started crying again and wonder what was going on with her husband. Looking at Lou, Teaspoon said, "Then I'll leave him to you and see what I can do to help the rest of the family." With that he put on his hat and left, headed toward the livery. ********** On his way to the livery Teaspoon meet up with Woodrow, "Mighty fine morning' ain't it, Woodrow?" "Fine as can be considerin'," Woodrow replied. "You talk to Newt last night?" Teaspoon asked. "No," was the flat reply. "Now how do you expect to work things out with that boy ifin' you don't talk to him?" Woodrow Call looked at his old friend. It had always been Gus and Teaspoon who pushed him into things he wasn't ready for, or got him drunk enough to do something he didn't want to. The first had been Maggie; he'd slept with her and had fallen in love with her until he caught her with Jake. She swore that she was workin' that it didn't mean anything but it didn't change the fact that he felt betrayed. The next time was after she died; Teaspoon and Gus had insisted that they take Newt, her boy, in. Get him out of a bad element Teaspoon had said and Gus had reasoned that he owed it to Maggie because he had treated her so bad. "What happened to the boy?" Teaspoon asked his old friend. Woodrow looked off into the distantance. "Don't rightly know. When we parted a couple of years ago everything was fine. He had a fine wife and was a deputy marshal here. She was a spit fire of a thing a lot like Gus's Clara. Wouldn't let us part with out giving us what for for being so much a like." Teaspoon looked at this old friend he could tell the situation wasn't sitting right with Woodrow. "Hell, Teaspoon, I even called him son before I left. I thought I'd settled things with the boy. I don't know what happened." "Where's this Hannah now?" Teaspoon asked. "I don't…." "The cemetery over by the church. She died in an explosion," Josiah Peale said from behind them. "It was shortly after you found him. Newt and Sheriff Riddle rescued them from the being snowbound in the mountains. We thought we were doing the right thing in helping them but they were outlaws. They caused a lot of trouble here. Hannah was trying to get Molly away from them and went into the store they were in. Somehow an explosion happened and Hannah was killed with the rest of them. Newt left before she was even buried….before he even healed from the gunfight. When he returned…..well, you see how he is now." Josiah turned to leave. "You blamed him," was all Woodrow could say. Turning back Josiah confessed, "I did for a bit but….." Josiah searched for the right words to say and not wanting to admit to what he had done. "I came to realize that he would have taken her place if he could. He would have gone into the blaze after her if Mosby hadn't of stopped him." "The dandy stopped him?" Woodrow asked. "The place was ablaze and no one could have survived the explosion, it was horrible." Josiah couldn't believe he was talking like this, he'd not talked to anyone about Hannah's death since the day they buried her. "Newt came back a couple of years ago. He'd changed. It's like he looks for trouble, goes after the worst of the wanted that show up. It's like he wants to die." "Anyone try to talk to him?" Teaspoon asked looking acquiescingly at Woodrow. "Maddie's tried, and a few others but most leave him to himself. He and Mosby clash on occasion but have backed each other up when it's important. They don't like each other." "Well, Woodrow, you going to talk to that boy of yours or am I," Teaspoon asked placing his thumbs under his suspenders. Woodrow didn't say it but sure thought, 'Damn, I wish Gus was here. He'd be able to talk some sense into that boy.' To Teaspoon he said, "I'll talk to him." ********** Later that afternoon, Kid asked Amanda where he could to find Clay Mosby. She had told him at the Ambrosia Club, since he lived there. As Kid walked into the Ambrosia Club he was impressed that Clay had tried to make it look as nice as it did. He spotted the man he wanted to talk to behind the bar but did not see Jimmy and Cody, who were sitting in a corner talking over the night's events, and the morning's too for that matter, events. Clay spotted Kid the moment he walked into the room. Luckily, besides his friends there were only a couple of customers. Setting a glass on the bar, he poured himself a drink, dreading what was to come. Walking up to the bar, Kid said, "As I said last night, Clay, stay away from my daughter." "She's of an age, Kid, she can decide who to see," Clay challenged him. "Where's my sister?" Kid said cutting to the point and not taking the challenge. "Where's mine? Or didn't you ever see her after she ran off with Garth," Mosby replied staring at the man he had once called friend. "Dorthia was killed before the war started," Kid replied quietly. "Garth got mixed up with some outlaws and got himself killed. We tried to protect her but she ran off….I got to her too late," Kid trailed off. Even after all these years it was still hard to talk about. "I wrote your ma." "Mother never said anything," Mosby looked down at his hands, not wanting to go on but knowing he owed it to Kid to answer his question. "Mary's gone. I came home from the war to Hatten Willows burned to the ground and my family slaughtered." He threw back the shot he had poured, reaching down he took another glass out and sat it on the bar, then poured two more shots. He considered telling Kid the details of how he had found Mary and his family but a piece of the gentleman he once was wouldn't allow the words past his lips. "She loved you," Kid said choking back the sob that was in his throat, then killing it with the shot Mosby had poured. "She knew when she was only ten that she would be your bride." "Dorthia missed you when you left," Mosby offered. "I thought, as did Mary, that you would return when war broke out." "The Express and Nebraska became my home. I didn't come back because I had my own family in Rock Creek to look after. I considered it but what would I be going back to fight for? A place that I had run from. To the pity your ma always gave me, to your father looking down on his no-account sharecropper's son. There was nothing for me back in Virginia by the time the war came." Coming back to the present, Kid said, "Stay away from Allie, Francis, she's too young for you, and too good for the likes of you," Kid warned before he turned to leave. Mosby paused for a moment then replied as if nothing else had been said, "I can do as you ask, Galahad, but that doesn't keep her away from me." "Leave that problem to me. It's none of your concern," Kid replied as he shut the door behind him with such force it made the windows rattle. Kid was out the door before he heard Cody choke on his drink. 'No wonder Kid had never told them his name,' he thought. Jimmy though sat stunned. Sister? Kid had a sister. He'd never said anything, and from what he had just overheard she'd been killed during the war. "Galahad," he whispered, then as Cody before him thought, it was no wonder his best friend had never told him his name and had always gone by Kid. Cody smiled at Jimmy. It was going to be too easy. Too damn easy to tease Kid about. Galahad, King Arthur's most gallant and most chivalrous knight. Reading his friend's mind Jimmy said, "Cody, I know what you're thinking but I wouldn't right now. He'd probably clobber you if you did. Don't you think you should recover from that punch Lou nailed you with last night before you go asking for another." "But we've waited all this time, and it's just too easy," Cody replied with a cocky grin. *********** Woodrow found Newt later that day sitting outside the livery. "Newt." "Captain." Woodrow didn't know where to begin. Standing there he wasn't sure what to say to the boy; Newt had changed so much in the last few years. "What can I do for you, Captain?" "She wouldn't like it." Newt didn't ask who he was talking about. "You didn't know her well enough to say that," Newt growled. Woodrow looked at Newt not sure what he meant. Taking the same tone his son had he growled back, "Knew her well enough. Better than most actually. She wouldn't like what you've become. Hell, she didn't even like it when she found out we were Rangers. She was so angry when she did she didn't speak to the lot of us for a month. Gus changed her mind, explained that we were trying to protect Texas from the bandits. Maggie held it against all of us 'til the day she died. Newt was stunned. He'd never heard the Captain talk this much about Newt's mother. The shell that Agostina had put a dent in last night with her smile, cracked a bit more. Covering with anger he replied, "She wasn't much bet……" Woodrow moved faster than Newt thought he could. He had Newt backed against the front of the livery and by the throat. "Don't ever say a bad word about Maggie. She did the best she could and took good care of you. You wouldn't be here if she'd let those nuns take you to that mission. She made sure you were sent to us when she passed on. I was a fool. She cared but I couldn't get past what she did. But what else was there for her to do. She couldn't take care of you doin' anything else." Woodrow released his son and stepped back ready for the boy to attack. Newt knew the Captain was right and simply replied, "I thought you meant Hannah." "Her, too. And Sarah, and Clara. Hell, boy, they all had a hand in raisin' you." Woodrow thought for a moment then added, "Hannah was just like," he held up his hand as Newt started to protest. "She was as good as all of 'em, boy. I could see it the first time I met her. She had it better than your ma though, she had someone that cared and loved her and protected her. That father of hers allowed her spirit, where your ma's died before he could see her married and taken care of. You'd do well to remember that." Newt didn't know how to reply to what his father had said. He figured that was more than the Captain had said to him the entire time he was growing up. He started to speak, but Woodrow stopped him once again. "I'd like you to come back to the Hat Creek with me. Several of the boys have moved on and I need a good foreman…" "I got my own place here." "Well, half the Hat Creek will be yours someday. The other's Agostina's, I owe Gus that. If you ever want to see what's yours, you'll be welcome." "I'll think on it," Newt replied as Agostina walked out of the livery. She smiled as she observed the father and son. As she began to laugh, they both looked at her. Teaspoon walked up just then and asked her, "What have these two done that's got you so tickled, sugar?" She laughed harder as she replied, "They are just alike, the Captain and his son. They sure make a pair." Newt looked at his father and the memory of another woman saying the same thing flashed through his mind. "You, two, make the darnedest pair," Hannah had said. Newt smiled at the memory, it was the first time since her death that a memory of his dear wife hadn't felt like a knife in his chest. "I guess we do," he said looking at Woodrow Call. "I might ride back with you, just to see the place mind you. I ain't goin' to promise anything, I still have my place here." As Newt turned and walked away, Woodrow did the same thing, only in the opposite direction. "That boy is more like his father than he knows," Teaspoon said to Agostina. "Is that right, senor?" Agostina said smiling up at Teaspoon. Teaspoon smiled down at her replying, "Let me buy you a cup of coffee over at the hotel and I'll tell you more about your pa, Woodrow and me. We had some fine times rangering down in Texas. I might even tell you why they started calling me Teaspoon." He offered her his arm as they turned toward the hotel and an afternoon full of tall tales. ************* Allie had not left her room since just after breakfast and Jamie couldn't help but worry about her sister. As she climbed the stairs, she tried to think of a way to cheer her twin up. She could feel the ache in her heart that Allie was feeling. She didn't care for Mosby but her father's absolute dislike of him had her confused. Her father had never taken such an instant dislike to anyone. Which was part of the problem. Somehow they knew each other and the dislike came from that. She took a deep breath just before she opened the door of the room and pasted a smile on her face. Of course that wasn't very hard to do since all she had to do was think of Ike and she smiled. "Allie….what are you doing?" she exclaimed as she noticed her sister climbing out the window. "Getting some answers," Allie replied turning toward her. "Dad won't give them to me so I thought I would ask Clay." "So you're on familiar terms with the dandy?" Jamie asked with a smirk. "And you're going to be a married lady. By the way," she said climbing back through the window, "I owe Laura a new dress." "Huh?" Jamie asked confused. "I bet her that ya'll would wait 'til Ike got back to get engaged…" Allie began just to be cut off by Jamie. "Now who's changing the subject? When did ya'll make the bet?" Jamie asked as she shut the door and sat down on the bed. "At the last dance back home. Boy, he couldn't take his eyes off of you and the daggers he was throwing at poor Andy." Noticing that her sister's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, Jamie repeated her earlier question, "How long have you two been on such familiar terms?" Allie couldn't look Jamie in the eye as she sat down next to her on the bed, "You know we've all…." "Allie," Jamie said exasperated. "Don't change the subject again. You know I mean Mosby." "Since we went for a walk the other day. I told him about the ranch and we talked about him and Virginia. I didn't know 'til last night that the boys he grew up with were Daddy and Uncle Jed. He said that his friends left before the war and that he married their sister when she was eighteen and that he loved her very much. She died during the war when his home was burned. I'm guessing she would have been our aunt. But I don't know why Dad dis…. "Hates…" Jamie interrupted. "Ok, hates him so much." "And Dad won't give you any answers, Mom doesn't even know the answers, and that leaves Mosby the only one that can answer your questions. Do you think he knows why Dad dislikes him so much." "I think so. He said something happened and that his late wife's brother ran off a few years before the war. He didn't tell me what it was but he got a far away look in his eyes when he said it. I think it had something to do with his sister," Allie said looking sad. "She ran away too when she was our age with a neighbor's son. Said that she wanted an adventure before she settled down. He really missed her and hasn't ever heard from her again." "Hum," Jamie said as the wheels began to turn in her mind. "I've got an idea but it's risky. We could get them in the same room and eventually they'd have to talk and we could just be passing by and over…." "You mean lock them in a room until they started talking and then eavesdrop on them," Allie corrected with a sly grin. "I don't think it'll work Jamie, with the way they've been looking at each other we'd be orphans before it was over and Mosby'd be dead. Getting serious Jamie asked, "Don't you think that Mosby is a bit old for you?" "No. Age doesn't mean a thing when you love someone. He's kind to me, Jamie, and he treats me so nice. I know deep down he's a decent man. He's told me things, things that I didn't know about the war. How awful it was for most of the south and how much he lost." Allie stood and moved back over by the window. Looking out the window and spotted Mosby headed for the hotel. Walking over to her sister, Jamie put her arm around her. "Then we'll just have to get them both in the same room and hope they don't kill each other before they…." "Jamie, you know it won't work," Allie replied, "Besides I saw Clay headed this way. We don't have time to plan anything." Jamie got a twinkle in her eyes and Allie groaned knowing her sister had just had another of her "brilliant ideas." "You know Ike once said that Uncle Buck told him that Ma got in trouble once and Dad rode out after her. He said that Dad and someone else, you know he never told….." "Jammmieeee….." Allie growled, "I'm sure Clay is on his way up by now, can you get on with it." "Well, when Ma got in trouble, dad and this fella worked out their problems so that they could work together to help her. All we have to do is hid you and let them think that you ran off and I'll…. or you could….. be with Dad most of the time. And when they start working it out one of us will overhear what happened." Allie couldn't believe it. For once one of Jamie's plans sounded like it might really work out. Giggling she said, "I like it….." She stopped when she heard a knock on the door. "Hide behind the door," Jamie whispered. As Allie stepped behind the door, Jamie put on a serious face and opened it. "Mr. Mosby, what can I do for you?" "Umm….Miss Jamie?" Mosby asked unsure of which twin he was addressing but since she hadn't called him Clay he assumed it was Jamie. "Of course." "May I please speak with your sister?" Mosby asked acting every bit the gentleman he was raised to be. "Well, Pa said you couldn't but Allie is….well she does seem to like you," Jamie had started to tell him that Allie was smitten with him but she knew that it would bring her sister out of hiding and they'd never get to the bottom of things. Behind the door Allie rolled her eyes. Could her twin ever keep her mouth shut? "May I speak to her then?" Mosby asked trying not to become exasperated with his lady's twin. "Well, normally yes, but right now I'm not sure where she is. She wasn't here when I got back to the room this afternoon. You haven't seen her have you?" Jamie asked as she gave Mosby an accusing look. "Not since…" Mosby began to reply as Kid started down the hall toward them. "I told you to stay away from my daughter, Clay." "I just wanted to let her know that I regret that things have to end like this," Mosby lied with a straight face. He had intend to let Allie in on the depth of his feelings for her and ask her to stay. "Jamie, where's your sister?" Kid asked his daughter curtly. "I don't know, Dad. She wasn't here when I got back a bit ago," Jamie lied to her father. She really hated this part and knew that she was in for it when he found out she had lied. She noticed then that Allie was no longer behind the door so she really wasn't lying. Jamie took a deep breath; at least she wasn't lying to her father anymore. "You don't think she ran away do you?" she asked. "I'm sure she's around town somewhere. Probably just went out for a walk," Kid said hoping he was right. It wasn't like Allie to run off but then it wasn't like him to not answer a question she asked him. "I'll check the lobby. You check with the family and see if she is in one of their rooms," he told Jamie. "I'll check around town," Mosby offered. "We don't……" "Kid, what's going on?" Jimmy asked as he walked up with Lou. "Momma, we can't find Allie," Jamie said as she wrapped her arms around her mother. "What does she mean?" Lou asked going pale as she looked at her husband. "Allie wasn't in their room when Jamie got back earlier," Kid told Lou. "I was just about to go check the lobby. Clay's offered to look around town for her, and Allie was going to check with the rest of the family to see if she was with them." "She's not in the lobby or the restaurant we just came from there," Jimmy said a note of concern in his voice. "I'll go check with Uncle Buck and Poppa," Jamie said as she pulled away from her mother. "I'm going with Clay to check around town," Kid stated as Mosby started to walk away. Jamie walked toward Buck and Camille's room as the others left to search the town. She felt a bit guilty about lying to her parents and upsetting them but Allie's happiness depended on getting to the bottom of things. She watched as her uncle, parents, and Mosby left the hotel then dashed back to her and Allie's room. "Allie," Jamie called as she entered the room, "they're gone, you can come out now." Allie stuck her head out from under the bed and looked at her sister. "Couldn't let you lie to Dad too much," she said with the same sparkle that Jamie had in her eye earlier. "Come on change into this so you can catch up with them and find out what is going on,' Jamie said as she stripped and flung her favorite pants and shirt to Allie. Allie quickly changed and ran out to catch up with her father and the man she loved. *********** After about ten minutes of searching she spotted them by the livery. She took a deep breath as she approached them and prayed that she could pull this off. "Jamie, did you find your sister," her father asked as she approached them. "No, sir, she wasn't with any of the rest of the family. Did you have any luck?" she asked nervous she wouldn't be able to pull this off. "No." Kid replied as he noticed the worried look on his daughter's face. Thinking she was Jamie and worried over her sister he added, "I'm sure she's fine, Jamie. Why don't you….." "Please let me come with you to find her, Pa," Allie begged, "I'm scared something's happened to her." "I'm sure she's fin……" Ignoring Mosby least she give away who she was she said, "Pa, please, I promise to stay out of trouble." It was one of Jamie's favorite lines, but not a promise she kept very often. "Ok, but if she's in trouble you have to return to the hotel, while we settle things," her father replied. "But, Pa….." Allie knew that Jamie would argue that she could handle herself. "I know but I want you safe." Kid was getting scared, he'd never forgive himself if anything ever happened to either of his daughters. "I suggest we check the tents first," Mosby suggested praying that Allie was nowhere near that seedy part of town. "Fine, let's get moving," Kid replied as they started toward the tents. As they walked away from the livery with Allie following them, she heard Clay talking to her father, "You know you never needed to leave Virginia?" Kid stopped suddenly, "Your father was talking about having me hung. How could I have stayed? "Old man Evans and his boys came by the day you left and told my father that they had been responsible for the water getting poisoned. Daniel even admitted that he had said he saw you because he was afraid of what might happen to his family if my father had found out. He thought that Father wouldn't do anything to you since you were almost like family. Evans ended up signing over his place to Father in reparation for the loss of the horses." Kid stopped in the middle of the street stunned. "Doritha never said anything about….." Clay stopped and stood next to him. "Look, Kid, I'm sure she would have told you but….." Clay for once was at a loss for what to say to his once friend. He couldn't really say why his sister hadn't told Kid about the Evans. Allie grew angrier by the minute, the more the two men talked. Horses? A misunderstanding? Her father objected to Mosby over that. It came out before she could stop it, "Horses?! You left Virginia cause someone thought you killed some horses? You…….." "He didn't do it, miss," Clay said in defense of his old friend. "It was the boys of another neighbor, and they were very valuable. Folks thought that since my father objected to my sister seeing him that he'd done it. Of course, I knew he could never do it. Your father has a way with horses." "You don't have to tell me that," Allie snapped. For the first time in her life Allie lost her temper then, "You thought he blamed you for the horses. You ran away, just like we did only you had a different reason. So why is he so unfit for…..Allie?" Looking sheepish, her father replied, "I didn't know he didn't blame me. I thought that everyone believed I was guilty. It was a hanging offense." "You would have let them….." Allie stammered. "No, absolutely not. As a matter of fact the morning your father left I convinced mine that any boy that would stick around to care for his mother and sister, and work as hard as he did wouldn't jeopardize that by poisoning the very horses he was entrusted to care for." Turning to Kid he added, "Mother took in Mary after your mother passed, she said we owed your family that. But don't let anyone ever tell you I married her out of pity, she was the light of my life. It destroyed me when I returned to Virginia to find her dead. I could deal with losing Hatten Willows, but my family is a different story. Robert and I…..well, we weren't too honest in our dealing for a while after that." "What changed things?" Kid asked his old friend. "This place….." Mosby said as his eyes took on a faraway look. "I can't believe you two, have you forgotten I'm here!" Allie shouted. "And can I now assume that he is a gentleman and you two have put the past behind you?" she asked her father sarcastically. Kid looked at Mosby saying, "Guess I jumped the gun taking off like that." "I should have spoken up sooner," Mosby offered as he held out his hand to Kid. Kid took it with a smile and held on as he said seriously, "So what are your intentions regarding my daughter? She's somewhat like Mary, but underneath she's more like her ma, who's nothing like Mary. Allie couldn't believe it; here they stood in the middle of the street discussing her. She looked from one to the other fuming. But her anger turned to tenderness as she listened to Mosby's reply. "I thought so. I loved Mary, always will to an extent. But what I feel for your Allie is different. Stronger in ways. I can't explain it to you, Kid, just know if she's mine I'll do everything in my power to make sure she is always….." "Do I not get a say in this?" Allie asked standing there with her arms folded across her chest. Kid looked at his daughter; she was the spitting image of his Lou at that age. "Jamie….." "Darn it, Dad," Allie said angrily, "Horses? You left Virginia cause you thought someone believed you had killed some horses. You didn't stick around to find out if….." "Jamie…." Kid said but she cut him off again. "And you," she said turning to Mosby, "you let them blame him?" "No, I stuck up for him, argued that he hadn't done anything." "Jamie, let's find Allie?" Kid said to his daughter. "And straighten all of this out. "I am Allie," Allie confessed. "Allie? What the hell were you thinking? You had me scared out of my wits, young lady!" Kid shouted at his daughter as Lou and Jimmy joined them. "It was Jamie's idea she said that you made up with a friend of yours you thought was sweet on Ma once when she was in trouble to save her," Allie confessed. Mosby began to laugh as Kid, then Lou and Jimmy turned red. "What's so funny?" Allie asked. Mosby could tell by the look on Kid's face it was a story for another time. To distract Allie, he walked over to her and said, "Think you could live here?" "You going to keep that saloon of yours?" Allie asked. She wasn't sure if she could work running a saloon or even keep house over it. "It is my business," he replied. Allie saw fear darken his eyes for the first time. She could tell he was scared that he could lose her over this. "It's ok, guess I could learn to live with it…..but no whores. I won't have them coming on to my husband." "You have nothing to worry about my dear, Twilia has control of that," Mosby replied, then teasingly he added, "In case you didn't notice I haven't asked you to marry me." Blushing Allie looked down. Mosby gently tilted her face back up to look him in the eye. "Allie McCloud would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" All Allie could do was nod as she heard a squeal from behind her as Jamie and Ike approached them. Mosby kissed her in front of her family, causing her to turn even redder. As they parted Jamie hugged her sister. "See I told you it would work," Jamie whispered in her ear. ********** As the day approached for the family to return home Lou, Camille, and the twins planned two weddings. One to take place before they left Curtis Wells and one for when they returned to Sweetwater. Allie wanted to go ahead and marry Clay Mosby and begin her new life. Jamie and Ike had decided to wait until they returned home, so they could honor the customs of both families. As the men watched from the bar, Clay got Kid's attention. Looking in the direction Mosby pointed Kid smiled. It was a beautiful site to him one he never tired of his wife and daughters with their heads together planning something. "You know she reminds me a lot of someone I use to know," Clay said with a sly smile. "Yeah, who?" Kid asked not sure he really wanted the answer to that question. "Just a lady who knew everything we were going to do before we did it and kept both of us out of trouble more times than I care to remember….my mother," Clay said slapping Kid on the back. "Looks like life has been a lot better to your Louise." Clay's eyes took on that faraway look that Kid recognized as memories of what the war had cost them. Kid stood staring at his wife and saw the resemblance in her eyes as she looked at Allie and reached to touch her cheek. "Never noticed it 'til now but I have to agree." "I promise to do my best to make Allie that happy some day." "You better cause it won't be me you're answerin' to," Kid said with a grin and pointing at Lou added, "it'll be her. And you don't want to be on her bad side." "That bad, huh?" Clay said with a chuckle. He sobered quickly recalling how Lou had laid Cody out the night of the dance. Jimmy having overheard the conversation said a note of pride in his voice, "Nope, that good." The End Email Dee HOME