By Lisa R.
Chapter I
"Kid, it sounds like a fine idea, but are you sure Lou will like it?"
"Who doesn't like surprise parties, Cody?"
"Lou!" answered all of the riders seated at the bunkhouse table.
Kid shook his head at their pessimism.
"Why doesn't Louise like surprise birthdays?" asked Rachel innocently.
<< Lou thinks birthdays are evil.>> signed Ike.
"That's not true Ike and you know it." Kid was beginning to feel like he was getting nowhere. "Actually Rachel, Lou just hasn't had too many good birthdays. From what she's told me, bad things either happen on her birthday or she was in a bad way and didn't have a birthday."
"Rachel, you should have seen last year," laughed Jimmy. "I thought Lou was gonna push the cake Emma made her right in Cody's face.
"Jimmy that ain't fair. Lou was different then, at least to all of you."
"Kid, it don't matter that we thought "she" was a "he". He was still surly about the whole day. I never seen anybody who didn't like birthday cake before."
"It sure was good cake", sighed Cody wistfully. "A lemon cake with chocolate topping. What I wouldn't give for a big piece right now."
"I'll see what I can do about that when the time comes Cody. I'm no good as a baker, but I sure like to try."
"I won't mind helpin' Rachel"
"I'm sure you wouldn't," she laughed.
"Actually Cody, you're going to be too busy with extra chores & runs to help Rachel if y'all agree with the next part of my plan."
Kid was determined to make this Lou's best birthday ever. Now that everyone, including Teaspoon knew she was really a girl, he could give her the kind of presents a lady deserved, but he had an extra special present in mind that he knew would mean the most to her.
Noah was growing tired of the Kid's dramatics. "Kid, you'd best just spill it. You look like you're gonna bust."
Kid actually felt like he just might bust. This part of Lou's surprise had been brewing in his mind ever since Christmas. They hadn't been allowed to leave Sweetwater and take any time off for the holiday. Too many folks sending too many letters and packages.
"I want to go get Lou's sister and brother from the orphanage and bring them here for a visit."
Nobody spoke so Kid continued. "Lou wanted to see them something awful this Christmas, but when Teaspoon said Russell, Majors & Wadell had made the rule about there bein' no extra time off, she knew she couldn't ask to leave. She can't risk upsetting the company and them firin' her, but at the same time, she's just gettin' to know her sister and brother again and she doesn't want it to be another five years before she sees them again."
"Kid that's a wonderful idea," Rachel smiled at the young man. "It sure will top anything we can get for Louise."
"I'm not trying to show y'all up or nothing. This is just something I want to do for Lou. You know, show her how special she is to me."
"Honey, you know she already knows that."
All of the riders just rolled their eyes and chuckled while the Kid blushed at Rachel's statement. Now that his and Lou's romance had progressed, it was hard for either of them to conceal their feelings.
"Rachel, we all know how "special" they are to each other," said Cody. "You should just try being around those two when they think no one else is lookin'!" And as if to demonstrate, he and Ike started to make loving glances at each other and Noah and Buck started to roll with laughter as they pretended to kiss.
Kid just chose to ignore his friends. "I know Rachel, but this is what I really want to do."
Jimmy knew he could be setting himself up for trouble with his next question, but before he could stop himself, it came out.
"Kid, what do you know about takin' care of children?"
"'Bout as much as you do Jimmy, but how hard can this be. They're not tiny babies."
By now, Noah had recovered enough to laugh one last time at Kid's expense. "Those are some famous last words, Kid. Let's see how you feel after their visit."
Kid got up from the table and started to pace and talk excitedly.
"I already sent word to Sister Marie, the nun at the orphanage who's in charge and she's expecting me at the end of the week. Teaspoon said I can take his special run rather than Buck, but I really think I'll need some help with this plan. Jimmy since you're already scheduled to make a run in that direction, what do you say? I figure, Rachel needs a new buckboard, right? So we get it in St. Joe and hitch Katy & Sundancer to it and bring Teresa & Jeremiah back in that."
"Whoa Kid." Jimmy put his hands up as if he was stopping a wild horse. "If you don't slow down, you're going to make us all dizzy. Now, I do have a run in that area and could help you, but you already said it, I don't know about children."
"Are you saying you won't help me?"
'Now Kid, you know I didn't say that, heck I usually pull the short straw anyway, but this isn't like bringing back a letter or a parcel from St. Joe, Teresa & Jeremiah are livin', breathin' kids. And if I remember correctly, Jeremiah didn't like us very much."
"That was just the shock over seeing Boggs killed, They'll be fine."
Lou McLoud dug her heels in and gave Lightning a swift kick. She was heading back to Sweetwater and four Sioux Indians were hot on her tail. What a perfect way to end this miserable run, she thought to herself. She knew if she could just keep up this pace she would make it to the outskirts of the station and the Sioux would slow up and back off.
With a loud "Ha" and another kick to Lightning's side, Lou made the final push to the station. She bent low over the horses neck, making herself as streamlined as possible and for once, was thankful for her small size. She spoke to her beloved horse and urged him on. "Come on boy don't fail me now. I promise you extra oats and a good rub down if you get me home in one piece."
The station came into view and just as she suspected, the Sioux pulled up and turned for home. It wouldn't do any good to catch her in front of a crowd.
The riders gathered in the bunkhouse heard the riders coming fast and spilled onto the porch. Buck looked on the horizon and recognized the black horse and small frame of the female rider. "It's Lou and she's got company!"
Kid immediately ran to the hitching post and was ready to mount Katy and ride off to her rescue. He knew it would irritate her and most likely cause an ugly argument, but it was his immediate reaction. He couldn't bare the thought of her in any danger or his natural reaction to protect her. He loved her that much.
"Kid get back here", yelled Jimmy. He started after Kid to get him to hold up. "They're turning away, she's fine. Let her ride in on her own. You know you're just gonna make her mad at you."
"Jimmy, don't you think I know that? It was just a gut reaction. She's always getting on me for it. We'd better get back on the porch before she catches us by the horses."
Jimmy smiled as they turned and walked back to the other riders and Rachel. He might actually be getting it, he thought. Could Lou's strong will finally be wearing him down? Jimmy thought again. Nah, he'll worry about her until the day he dies.
"Rider up!" called out Rachel. "That means you Mr. Cody."
"I'm ready, I'm ready. Lou's still a few minutes out"
"Cody, must you make everything such a drama? Can't you just be ready to go once in a while?"
"I like to do everything with flair Rachel. Now don't you forget about that cake!" With that said, Cody & Lou exchanged the mochilla and he was off to Cottonwood.
"What cake? Is there cake Rachel? I'm starved!" Lou hopped off Lightning and handed the reins to a waiting Buck.
"Hey Lou! Good ride?" Kid smiled at Lou as he stepped off the porch to greet his girl.
"Don't even get me started Kid!" snapped Lou. Kid stopped dead in his tracks. "I'm wet, I'm hungry and I'm very tired. What's this about cake?"
Rachel tried to avoid the cake issue all together. "Louise! Just 'cause you had a rough day doesn't mean you can get sassy with the rest of us. Now, go wash up, all of you and I'll see to getting some lunch on the table."
Lou looked down at the ground and regretted her harsh tone. She knew she'd sounded like a child and hurt the Kid's feelings, but sometimes…She looked up at Kid sheepishly and mouthed a silent "I'm sorry". Just looking into his warm blue eyes and seeing the sparkle return, she knew all was forgiven. She turned to Rachel and gave a quick "Yes, ma'am".
The rest of the riders just smiled. It was another typical day at the Sweetwater Pony Express station. If it wasn't Cody or Lou getting chastised, it was someone else. If not, it meant it wasn't a normal day and God help them then.
Lou headed for the wash basin on the side of the bunkhouse and the boys followed.
"We heard you riding in like the devil himself was after you," said Noah. "What happened?"
"Nothing special. I was just heading back and making good time at that when I sensed I was bein' followed. I looked back and saw those four Sioux braves were comin' up on me.
"I heard from the guys in Big Bend that they'd noticed a lot of Indian activity too," added Jimmy.
Lou dried her face and turned to lean against the wall of the bunkhouse. "Yeah I guess they were just looking to stir up some trouble, but Lightning and I had a good enough lead. He had plenty of energy and I knew they'd turn back once we got close enough in."
"Lou, one of these days you're…"
Lou cut Kid off and put up her hands as if to hold him off. "Kid, please don't. I really have had a rough day. I had to wait on the bank notes, got caught in the rain, chased by Indians. I don't want to argue with you."
The others knew this was their cue to leave. Ike looked at Jimmy & Noah and started to sign.
Noah caught his look. "I agree Ike, lunch sounds good to me too."
They started to walk off and Jimmy called over his shoulder, "Be nice to 'em Lou."
Kid started to walk closer to Lou with a wicked grin on his face. "Yeah Lou, be nice to him."
"Kid, what are you up to?"
Kid crept even closer and put his hands on the bunkhouse wall, one hand on either side of her head, effectively pinning her to the wall. He kept grinning.
"Kid?"
"Lou, sometimes you talk too much." With that said, Kid started to kiss her. It was quick and passionate and it caught her completely off guard. Before she knew it, her arms were around his neck and her fingers were entwined in his soft curly hair.
After another minute, Kid stopped the kiss as abruptly as he started it. He backed away, walked around the corner and called out, "See you inside!"
Lou stayed leaning on the wall, her breath coming raggedly. She brought her hands to her lips. They were warm from Kid's kiss and she knew she was blushing furiously. Lou plunged her whole head back into the wash basin to cool off. All thoughts of cake were gone from her mind.
Inside the bunkhouse, Kid sat down at the table and Rachel served him some chicken & dumplings. "That was too close for comfort. I'll kill Cody if he wrecks this."
Rachel smiled as she served the other riders. "You know Cody, if there's not food going in, there's something wrong coming out. He didn't mean nothin' by it Kid."
"I know, I just want it to be a surprise."
>>Did she ask you about the cake again?<<
Kid felt the blush creep out from his collar. "Nah, Ike. I think she's gotten it off her mind."
>>How?<<
Kid's smile spoke a thousand words and he went about eating his lunch.
Dawn came quickly on this cold January morning, but the Kid was already up and waiting on Jimmy. He was too excited to sleep. Lou, sleeping directly above Kid, heard and felt him get up and leave the bunkhouse. Damn these bunk beds, she thought. No matter how hard he tries, the whole thing shakes. She figured since she was already up, she might as well say goodbye. Besides, Jimmy was starting to stir and he would want his privacy to get dressed.
Lou hopped off her bunk and still dressed only in her woolen long johns, grabbed her quilt off the bed. Wrapping the quilt around her shoulders, she quietly opened the door and stepped outside to a beautiful sunrise. Kid was seated on the bottom step and Lou sat on the step above him. She opened the blanket, wrapped it around him so they were both covered and kissed the back of his neck.
"Mornin' Kid."
"Mornin' Lou. Did I wake you?"
"Nah, Buck's snoring did." She'd never tell him how often he woke her. It would just upset him to know.
"It's a beautiful morning, smell's like snow."
"You think? We haven't had much this winter."
Kid looked up at the sky. "Yeah. Definitely snow."
"Tell me how a southern farmer knows what snow smells like," laughed Lou.
Kid turned on the step to look into her sleepy eyes and kissed her nose playfully. "I just know."
Lou had to smile. She loved peaceful times like this. It was when she knew she could live like this, with him, forever. "How long will you be gone?"
"Only about a week."
"I'll miss you Kid"
"I'll miss you too. What do you say to a special night out, just the two of us, when I get back?"
"I'd say yes, but what's the occasion?"
"You know, Lou."
"No Kid, I don't"
"It's comin' up on January 22nd and I thought, you know, maybe I'd treat you to a night out to celebrate."
Lou just sat and stared over the top of Kid's head with a weary look in her eyes. "I never should have told anybody when my birthday was. You know I'm not fond of my birthday. Really, I'd rather not go out that night. I'll probably trade for a ride so I'm not here."
"But Lou."
"No buts Kid. Please. I know you mean well, but my birthday's jinxed.
"Now you're talking crazy."
Lou stood up and walked over to the rail. She wasn't angry with him. She looked sad almost. "Kid, I'm not being crazy. I've told you before that something bad always happens. It started out with small things, like my new baby doll breaking the same day I got it and it got worse from there. On my tenth birthday was when mama passed." With this, her voice faded.
Kid stood up and walked to the rail. He pulled her into a hug. "I know it's been tough on you Lou, but I'm here now and I want this to be special.
"Kid, I'm asking you nicely, please forget my birthday. If you don't need to have a name, I don't need to have a birthday!"
Jimmy walked out of the bunkhouse to see the two young lovers looking deep into each other's eyes. "OK, OK. It's too early for this mushy stuff." It really was too early, but he knew in the back of his mind that he just wanted them to separate so the jealous feelings it stirred in him would settle down.
The two riders smiled at their friend and separated. "Mornin' Jimmy."
"Mornin' Lou. You're up early. Any special reason?" He asked this with a nod of his head towards the Kid.
"Buck was snoring, so I thought I'd see y'all off."
"Awful kind of you Lou." Jimmy knew Buck wasn't snoring. He, like the rest of the riders, could hear Lou and Kid tossing on their bunks all night long. The two of them tossed so much, no one else would have them as bunkmates. "He's done snorin' now."
"Well then, I guess I'll go back to sleep 'til its' time for chores. I promised Lightning a special rub down if he got us home safely."
Lou kissed Kid on the cheek and whispered into his ear, "No birthday surprises." She squeezed past Jimmy and into the bunkhouse.
As the door closed, Kid looked at Jimmy. "We're in trouble."
Jimmy just shook his head. "What do you mean, we?"
To be continued...Chapter 2
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
