“Hey Lou, got a minute?” Kid called to Lou as she rode in.
Lightening was covered in lather and breathing heavy from the quick
ride he’d just been asked to make.
“Sure but you’ll either have to wait until I cool him down or come in
the barn with me.” Lou responded indicating the steaming animal.
“OK” Kid answered smiling as he followed Lou into the barn.
“Katie seems really restless, is she feeling ok?” Lou asked as they
rubbed down Lightening together.
“Well, that’s kinda what I wanted to talk to you about. Buck says she’s
coming into season and she could be bred if I wanted to try….” Kid
stopped as Teaspoon and Jimmy came into the barn.
They exchanged pleasantries and Teaspoon explained to Jimmy about some
sort of job he was supposed to have done but somehow it had been
forgotten. Jimmy grumbled something about Cody and left to get the
necessary tools and supplies. Teaspoon continued through the barn and
left out the back door.
“OK, like I was saying… wanna try and have a beautiful baby?” Kid
pointed to Lightening and Katie and smiled.
Outside the barn Teaspoon nearly choked on the ladle of water he’d just
begun to sip. Moments later he heard Lou’s answer and was sure he was
going to have a heart attack.
“Kid, I think that’s a wonderful idea. I can’t wait! When do you think
we can start trying?” Lou’s words were followed by a sound that could
only have come from a kiss.
Teaspoon was about to go and see if he could get some advice from
Rachel, he was pretty sure he could talk to Kid but he wasn’t sure he
could have a talk to Lou without blushing. He was certain he’d heard
everything when Kid’s words almost caused the heart attack he’d
imagined himself having.
“I’m not sure, Buck’s had more experience then either of us so I think
he better help us. I’d feel better if he was there to make sure
everything goes OK. I know he’s been successful before, about six times
I believe he said…” Kid’s words were also followed by a kissing sound.
“Me too, I want this to work and I don’t want anyone hurt, I think
we’re done with Lightening. Rest up boy. Lets go find Buck and talk to
him.” Lou said as she patted the horse and the couple walked out of the
barn so Teaspoon couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation.
Teaspoon stumbled to the house and into the kitchen where Rachel was
preparing dinner. She looked up and was shocked by his appearance.
“Teaspoon are you alright? You’re white as a sheet….sit, I’ll get you
some water.”
“I think I need something stronger….I…I…Kid and Lou…ooohhhh” He mumbled
sitting heavily in the offered chair and putting his head in his hands.
“Are they alright? I thought I just saw them, what’s happened?” Rachel
asked in alarm, craning her neck to look out the window and pouring two
glasses of amber liquid, one for each.
“They’re fine, more than fine actually. I just overheard them
talking….I’m getting too old for this.” He drained his glass in one
gulp and when Rachel left her untouched glass on the table to look out
the front window, checking on the young couple; he drained hers too.
“They look OK; they’re sitting on the bunkhouse porch talking with
Buck.” Rachel said walking back into the room. Teaspoon groaned.
“They’re plannin’ on having a baby…and they’re asking Buck to help
them…apparently he’s the local expert. He’s going to coach them,
Rachel, he’s going to be there while they…while they do it….the two of
them and Lou….How do I? What do I? I don’t even know where to start.
What have I done wrong……” Teaspoon shook his head and looked at a loss.
“BUCK?” Rachel asked incredulously? “I hadn’t exactly figured him as
bein’ all that experienced…Other than Tompkins daughter I’ve never even
seen him with a woman. Kid and Lou, well I thought they….um, never
mind. Do you want me to talk to Lou?”
“Would you? Or maybe we should try to talk to them together?” Teaspoon
reached for the bottle again but Rachel snatched it away from him.
“That’s not gonna help. We’ll need clear heads for this. Dinner is
almost ready, we’ll see if we can get them alone tonight, all three of
them.” Rachel returned to her cooking and Teaspoon sat there, head in
hands wondering what he could say to prevent the threesome from
carrying out their plan.
Rachel carried the dinner over to the bunkhouse and was surprised
to find it deserted. She walked outside and rang the dinner bell. All
the riders except Noah, who was on a long run, came out of the barn.
Rachel let out a breath she didn’t realized she’d been holding and
thought that at least nothing could happen with all of them there.
Teaspoon apparently thought the same thing as he gave her a weak smile
as the boys and Lou sat down for dinner.
The dinner conversation was the usual banter about town goings on and
adventures on runs. As usual Cody had some wild story about his run and
everyone laughed. They were almost done and ready to pick up the plates
when Cody asked Buck, “So, Buck when do you think you can do it?”
Teaspoon was glad he didn’t have anything in his mouth because he was
sure it would have either choked him or splattered on the table.
“I checked her just before dinner and I think we can try tomorrow.”
Buck said as he picked up his dish and headed for the sink. “I’ve got a
run first thing but we can try when I get back….does that work for the
two of you?” Buck asked Kid and Lou, who nodded.
“Who’s colorin’ do you think it’ll have, light brown or dark?” Jimmy
mused.
“With her temperament and intelligence….” Kid added as Lou punched his
arm playfully.
“His ain’t so bad either, right Cody?” Lou asked the others.
“I ain’t getting’ in that one, which ever I’m sure it’ll have those
beautiful brown eyes!” Cody laughed as he too picked up his plate. Lou
batted her eyes at him and smiled. Buck and Kid both laughed.
Teaspoon and Rachel just sat there with their mouths agape. They
couldn’t believe their ears. “Um… Boys….” Teaspoon began but in the
distance the sound of gunfire shattered the evening air and soon cries
of FIRE were heard from the town. Everyone jumped into action grabbing
their coats and running from the bunkhouse and into town just stopping
long enough to grab buckets and shovels.
They ran toward the sounds and soon found the source of the flames. The
public privy near the saloon was fully ablaze and the wind the fire
generated threatened to spread the flames to neighboring buildings.
Everyone pitched in and the fire was kept from spreading but everyone
agreed it one of the smelliest fires they had ever been to. Two hours
later the flames were out and the patrons at the saloon discovered the
dark alley behind the building was a perfect place to drain off some of
their excess, much to the chagrin of the saloon owners. The riders all
trudged home exhausted and after quickly washing some of the smell off
of their bodies and depositing their clothing in the wash bucket fell
into bed and were asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows.
Teaspoon’s questions would have to wait until tomorrow. Rachel checked
the bunkhouse before turning in herself and was relieved to find all
the riders in their respective beds sound asleep.
Buck was up and gone before sunrise and the fire was all anyone talked
about at breakfast. Teaspoon decided that he’d gather the three riders
together as soon as he saw Buck ride in; he was expected back just
after lunch. The morning seemed to drag by for both Teaspoon and Rachel
as they waited anxiously for Buck’s return, all the time keeping an eye
on Lou and Kid’s activities. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The
riders went about their daily chores as if nothing was planned at all.
Just before lunch shots were heard over in the direction of the saloon.
Teaspoon groaned as he reluctantly reached for his gun belt and headed
toward the sounds. “Not again, not today…” He mumbled as another shot
was heard followed by a loud crash. Teaspoon broke into a run and
almost ran into Barnett who stumbled out of the saloon covered in
plaster dust. “What in the name of…..What happened to you?”
“I finally got that rat that’s been stealing things from Miss Lucy’s
room….see!” Barnett held up a dust coated, still breathing stunned
squirrel. “It was sittin’ on the upper railin’ just knawin’ on a piece
of bread when I spied it! I shot at it but it jumped to the lamps then
ran up the rope to the center lamps, I fired at it and I fired and I
got him!!! ‘Course the lamps kinda fell but I don’t think anyone got
hurt….” Barnet smiled proudly looking at the squirrel.
“Barnett how could you do something so….so…..SO STUPID? First that
ain’t a rat it’s a squirrel and it ain’t dead…..” Teaspoon was
interrupted by the other saloon patrons who had picked their way
through the rubble and were pouring out onto the street; no one looked
happy.
The owner of the saloon came over and was just about to say something
when Barnett screamed, dropped the now very conscious squirrel and
fired off two wild shots. The squirrel, and most of the saloon patrons,
ran for cover. “The damn thing bit me!” Barnett yowled in pain holding
his bleeding pinky finger.
“I’m going to bite you if you don’t stop shootin’ at that damn fancy
tailed rat. Gimme your gun….NOW!” Teaspoon took the six shooter away
from Barnett, “Before I really loose my temper., go over to the Doc’s
and get that looked at then come back here and clean up the mess you
made.” Once Barnett left Teaspoon turned to the others who had come out
of hiding once Barnett had been disarmed, “Anybody else hurt?” Teaspoon
and the saloon owner walked into the building to survey the damage.
It was late afternoon when Teaspoon had finally sorted everything out
and was able to get back to the station. Rachel met him at the door
with a stricken look on her face. “Buck’s been back for hours and the
three of them have been in the barn a long time. I’ve heard them
laughing and talking so maybe we’re not too late….dinner’ll be ready in
a hour or so….do you want to talk to them now?”
“Let me wash up first and we’ll call them in here OK?” Teaspoon headed
to the mud room and the wash basin kept, there taking a deep breath as
he did so. Ten minutes later he heard Rachel call Kid, Lou and Buck
over to the house. He sighed again and entered the parlor just as the
three riders did. “Have a seat boys, and um, ladies. I want to talk to
the three of you about what I over heard you talkin’ ‘bout yesterday in
the barn and a bit at dinner. I want to be sure you know what you’re
getting’ yourselves into before you go and get in too deep, if you know
what I mean.” Teaspoon began.
“I’ve been thinkin’ on this awhile, Teaspoon, Lou and I had talked
about it before but the timin’ just wasn’t right.” Kid answered and Lou
nodded beside him.
“I know it’s a big step but I think we’re ready….” Lou added.
“It’s a lot of responsibly…” Rachel started. “Are you sure?”
“We know that Rachel, Teaspoon, but Buck’s done this before and he’s
agreed to help us.” Kid looked in Buck’s direction and he nodded.
“I’m, um, glad Buck’s helping out but, um, how’s that workin’ out…..he
can’t be there all the time can he?” Teaspoon was trying very hard to
stop images from forming in his mind of the three riders.
“I can be there for most of it but I’m needed mostly at the beginning
and at the end, just in case there are any problems. You know, some
times the little one gets stuck a bit and you have to help them out.”
Buck stated and looked at Rachel’s face. “Rachel, is anything wrong?”
“No, nothing, well…..maybe, Louise, honey, are you really alright with
this?” Rachel asked holding Lou’s hand.
“Sure Rachel, why? I mean it was a little scary this afternoon but Buck
helped Kid get everything lined up and….” Lou was stopped by Teaspoon.
“That’s more than I need to know…. How many times did you say Buck’s
done this?” Teaspoon glared at Kid and Buck.
“Um, six or seven….” Buck started but he too was cut off by gasp from
Rachel and Teaspoon stood up quickly.
“Buck, I’ve only got one child and I didn’t know about Elizabeth until
it was too late. I would have given everything to have been a part of
her life….How in the name of God can you not even know if you have six
or seven…..what about their mothers? At least I had the decency to get
married…” Teaspoon stopped when he noticed the shocked looks on the
three rider’s faces.
“Teaspoon, I’ve nev…um, well I don’t have any children….what are you
talking about?” Buck looked a bit pale.
“I’m talking about you and them and, and, and…..” Teaspoon was very red
in the face and spluttering.
“The three of you having a baby….” Rachel finally blurted out.
“A BABY!?” all three riders answered at once.
“Yeah you know little thing cries a lot, wiggles and wets?” Teaspoon
continued to splutter.
“Honey, Lou, I understand you and the others are close but having Buck
there while you and Kid….It’s really just not right….” Rachel was
trying to compose herself.
“I think you have the wrong idea….I didn’t coach Kid while he and
Lou…..well you know…I ,um, helped them breed Katie. You know, big brown
and white thing eats a lot of oats, has four legs, whinnies…. But the
other might be fun to watch….OOOF!” Lou’s elbow caught Buck firmly in
the ribs knocking his breath away and causing him to fall off the sofa,
doubled over in pain and gasping for air.
Kid’s mouth kept opening and closing giving him a striking resemblance
to a fish out of water. Rachel started to laugh and held her sides as
tears streamed down her face. Teaspoon sat down in the chair nearest
him. “Don’t get smart, Buck, you deserved that by the way.” He smiled
at Lou. “Good job!”
“A horse? I’ve been worried ‘bout out of my head over a horse?” Rachel
laughed still hugging herself.
“Well its Katie and this will be her first colt and it’s a big deal to
us….how did you ever think we were talking about us? You were there at
dinner last night you heard Cody and Jimmy….” Kid finally found his
voice. “And Buck you really did deserve that elbow! Our horses yes,
us……not in this or any other lifetime!”
The conversation was interrupted by Cody who stuck his head in the
front door. “Dinner almost ready? I’m starvin’!”
Challenge from
Ty:
Characters: Teaspoon, Kid, Lou
and anyone else
Setting : -
Situation: Kid wants to breed
Katy to get a foal, but Teaspoon over hears Kid and Lou talking and
gets the wrong idea. He thinks they are planning a child of their own.
Mood : misunderstanding and
confusion,
Reference : -
Required : Teaspoon has to try
to talk Lou and Kid out of what he thinks they are planning, but both
sides are thinking something different.
How’d I do? Jo