Note: Based on the television series "The Young Riders", created by Ed Spielman, produced by Ogiens/Kane in association with MGM/UA television. For entertainment purposes only, no infringement of copyright is intended.
Part 1
"Teaspoon, when are the others going to get here?" Kid asked the new Marshall of Rock Creek.
The gray haired man looked at the young rider and answered, "Come into the bunkhouse, Kid. The others are there and I'll tell you all at once."
The two men entered the newly constructed building and joined Cody and Jimmy. "Boys, have a seat. I just got word from St. Joe on what they want to happen here. Now the Kid just asked me outside when the others are coming from Sweetwater. We all know why he's interested but I don't think any of you are going to like the news in this letter."
"Come on Teaspoon, tell us what's in the letter." Jimmy added impatiently.
The older man looked around the room at the three young men he'd grown fond of over the last year. Had it only been a year since the Pony Express began and six young 'boys' showed up on Emma Shannon's doorstep ready to ride the trails? He sighed. They weren't going to like the company's directive.
"Seems like the company likes what you're doin' here and they want you to stay in Rock Creek. Keep this station open. I've been appointed the Marshall so I'll be here to keep an eye on you."
"That don't sound so bad, Teaspoon. What's the bad news?" interrupted Cody.
"Noah and Rachel should be getting' here real soon with the rest of your stuff. Rachel will live in the small house across the way. We're to hire a couple new riders to add to the four of you, that's countin' Noah."
"You saying Buck, Ike and Lou ain't comin', Teaspoon?" Kid asked.
The Marshall shook his head. "Nope, they ain't. The company wants them to run the Sweetwater station. In fact, Lou's in charge of it, scheduling, supplies and such. They're hiring new riders, too."
"But we're too far away from their route to ever see 'em."
"I know Jimmy. I wasn't any happier about it than you but the company's trying to use experienced fellows to stay operating."
Kid chewed the inside of his lip to keep from screaming at his mentor. His breathing came shorter and his heart rate increased. Without excusing himself, he left the small building and strode toward the barn. Teaspoon watched him leave before continuing.
"I'd hoped they'd moved everyone here, boys, but there just ain't anything else I can do. Anyone trying to change the company's orders will be fired.." Looking out toward the pinto mare leaving the yard, he added, "Maybe this is for the best. Give them two a chance to figure out what they really want."
Jimmy looked down at his hands clasped tightly together but didn't see the knuckles turning white. Sure he'd miss Buck and Ike but at least they still had each other but leaving Lou behind caused an deep ache in his heart. Though he never admitted it to anyone else, thoughts of the petite rider helped him through many crises. When she and the Kid broke off their relationship, he welcomed the opportunity to offer her his shoulder for support. It seemed like the Kid and Lou reached an understanding before the two men were sent to Rock Creek to reopen the burned out way station but Jimmy held hope he still might hold a spot in her heart. If she wasn't coming. Jimmy let the thought drop. Kid would be hard to live and work with in the next few weeks.
"When will Noah and Rachel get here, do you think?" asked Cody.
"Why? You getting tired of Hickock's cooking already, son?"
Cody smiled at the thought of Rachel's fine meals and answered. "No, actually I was hoping to get my extra shirts. I only brought a couple along when we came."
"Ain't there anything we can do to keep us all together, Teaspoon?" pleaded Jimmy.
The older man shook his head. "Don't worry so Jimmy. Things will work out just like they're suppose to. It ain't like they sent you boys to prison. You'll get some days off. We're still a family, just a little further apart is all."
"If Lou's in charge of the station, that mean she won't be riding anymore, doesn't it?" Teaspoon nodded his head in agreement to Jimmy's question.
"Did the company find out about her?"
"I don't think, Jimmy."
"Well I don't know about you Teaspoon, but it sure will be quieter around here without all her and Kid's arguments," Cody added.
Part 2
Lou sat at the table reviewing the April schedule. Three new riders rotated into the list and runs were to be fair between experienced and novice. Through the window she could see the empty house, Rachel's house, reflecting the setting sun. Formerly her favorite time of day, Lou fought back the tears threatening to fall. So much happened in the last four weeks. First Kid and Jimmy left to rebuild the station back east. Then Teaspoon and Cody went to help them. Two weeks ago she helped Rachel and Noah pack the wagon sending them to join the others.
Buck and Ike missed the other riders but kept pounding the trails until new riders joined the Express. Lou never expected that frosty March morning when she bid Kid to ride safe that it would be the last time she saw him. Just beginning to repair what they thought lost, their reemerging romance snapped. Lou threw herself into the work of running the express station, keeping stock fit and ready for runs, supplies stocked and schedules organized. Her time was occupied but her heart ached at the loss of her friends, her new family.
"Rachel, a letter came for you. It's from Lou. And of course here's one for the Kid, like always." Cody handed the envelopes to the young woman trying to sweep mud from the bunkhouse floor.
April 20, 1861
Dear Rachel,
I've missed you so much, our late night talks, sitting on the porch. Please don't forget me. I have a favor to ask of you. I received a letter from the orphanage in St. Joe. It closed because of the troubles in Missouri. I need to get my brother and sister. Since I'm here and you're closer, could you get them as far as Rock Creek? I'll come and get them to live with me here at the station. I've saved my money and can take care of them as long as the Express stays in business. It will give me a chance to see all of you. Thank you Rachel.
Love Lou
"Jeremiah, hold the reins like this. Yeah that's better." Lou's brother, Jeremiah, and her sister, Teresa, arrived in Rock Creek May 4th with Lou scheduled to arrive sometime the next week. Kid began teaching the younger boy how to ride and use a pistol, skills he would need to know living out in the western territory. The two hit it off well. Kid enjoyed spending his free time with Lou's younger brother, sharing and teaching him. Between his scheduled runs he spent the time tutoring the boy and Jeremiah seemed to share an inherited ability to stick on a horse though he'd little opportunity before to ride.
Still upset his older sister left him and Teresa at the orphanage five years before, Jeremiah seldom spoke of her. A week after arriving at the station, he broached the subject with Lou's former boyfriend. "Kid, can't I stay here at the Pony Express station and learn from you? Why do I gotta go with Louise? Why does she want us anyway? She left us and I don't think she cares about what happened."
"Your wrong there, Jeremiah," Kid responded. "Your sister cares more about you than anything else in her life. It's a long ways out to Sweetwater and she didn't have much time off to come back to Missouri to see you. She stayed workin' to make a life for you and Teresa."
The boy shook his head unconvinced as they rode along Rock Creek. Spring blossomed around the creek banks and birds sang from the budding trees. Too wrapped up in his own frustrations the younger boy missed seeing the pained look on Kid's face. Here one boy dreaded the appearance of Louise and the other agonized about the fact she wouldn't be staying in Rock Creek.
Daily, Jeremiah proved his horsemanship and gained proficiency with a pistol. All of the Express riders shared their talents with the new, temporary member of their bunkhouse. The impending arrival of part of the former group kept them all excited.
"Teresa cooked desert for you tonight," Rachel proudly explained as the boys gathered around the bunkhouse table Saturday night. Lou's younger sister spent her time with Rachel, helping clean and cook for the others or reading and studying. She didn't seem interested in riding or shooting like her brother.
"Maybe she can teach her sister how to cook," Cody said.
Blushing at the compliment, Teresa didn't reveal her trepidation at going west to live with her absent sister. Too many years separated the two girls; too many actions made them seem unrelated.
"Shouldn't Lou have gotten here by now?" Jimmy asked. The girl rider was expected Friday.
"I expect she'll be showing up tomorrow or the next day," Teaspoon added. "If'n they decided to come with the buggy it'll take a little longer."
"Rider up, Tom," Cody said as the pounding hoofbeats of the approaching rider were heard.
The newest rider ran for his coat and was out the door to grab the pouch from Kid before anyone else left the table. Teaspoon smiled at the young boy's exuberance. Noah left to help Kid with his horse.
"Good ride, Kid?" he asked as he approached the dirt covered rider.
"Is Lou here yet," Kid asked before listening to the question directed at him.
"Nope," was Noah's only reply.
Kid smiled and said, "The ride was lousy. They had a lot of rain near Marysville and the Blue River was out of its banks. They should build a bridge across it before someone drowns."
The two men walked into the bunkhouse in time to see Rachel and Teresa clearing the table. Kid's stomach protested; he'd missed another meal.
"Don't look so down, Kid. Get washed up. Rachel saved you a plate from these hungry vultures," Teaspoon laughed.
The hungry rider sat at the table and watched the rest continue with their evening chores. His eyes caught Lou's little sister helping Rachel with the dishes. Had Lou looked like that when she was younger? He doubted Lou worked in the kitchen at the orphanage very often. He missed her so much, these past weeks creeping by slowly. Why hadn't she arrived yet? Was something wrong? No one else seemed worried he told himself. In fact he was sure Jeremiah was glad of his sister's tardiness.
Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, the previous day's rain encouraging the new spring growth. Kid lay in his bunk dreaming of a certain brown haired woman soon to arrive when Teaspoon stormed into the deserted bunkhouse.
"Kid, I'm sorry but you'll have to make the next run east. Russell and Johnsen just quit. They got a better offer driving freight for Peterson."
Kid opened his mouth to protest but stopped before speaking. He nodded his head and started packing his gear. He prayed Lou would wait to see him before returning to Sweetwater. Sitting around here dreaming of what could have been only made the hurt in his heart increase. "Tell Jeremiah to keep practicing while I'm gone." He looked out the open window to the west, looking for the approaching mail pouch but also for the tardy sister.
Part 3
"Rachel, we'll be taking off early tomorrow morning. I've got a station to run. We're already several days late."
"Don't you want to wait till..?"
"More than anything, but with all this rain the trail will be greasy. On horseback I wouldn't worry about it but with the buggy, I'll probably get stuck again."
"Maybe he'll get back yet tonight."
Lou didn't answer but looked to the east wishing a beautiful paint mare would appear on the horizon. It would be hard to leave tomorrow morning but she and Buck needed to return to the Sweetwater Station. Rachel left the young woman to her thoughts and walked into her house.
"Hey, how are you?"
"Kid, when did you get back. I never heard you ride in."
"I came back from Beatrice, the Blue River refuses to stay in its banks."
He pulled his girl into a loving embrace and buried his face in her hair. Forcing himself to let go, he asked, "Come to the barn, I have something I want to show you."
"What do you want to show me?"
"Come on, I got something for your brother but I want you to see it first. He's trying so hard to grow up."
"What did you get him?"
"He needs his own horse. Me and the rest of the boys chipped in to buy him one. We also got him a gun and outfit. I was teaching him since he'd been here."
"I guess it's a good idea, but I wish he didn't have to know how to use it."
The young couple entered the barn and walked hand in hand towards Katy. A small mare stood patiently in the next stall. "Oh, Kid, she's beautiful. It's awful generous of you to buy her for Jeremiah."
"So you approve? I didn't want to spring this on you, wanted to get your OK."
She smiled at him and hugged him; "I miss you so much, Kid."
"You could move here?"
"No, I gotta take care of my brother and sister. If I quit working at Sweetwater, I couldn't support them otherwise."
"I know, just wanted to tempt you is all. I'm already missing you. These past few weeks have been awful. So many times I wanted to talk with you, share something with ya, so much I woulda got on Katy and rode west to see you but that wasn't practical either."
She reached up and drew her hands across his face, cupping his head in her arms, and pulled him down for a kiss. The kiss continued as their passion built. Both knew this would be last chance to work out their relationship's difficulties and the last chance to share time alone. Neither returned to their respective beds. Passion ruled the night and both dreaded the coming sunrise. Almost a thousand miles would separate their hearts. When would they be reunited again?
Tears ran down Louise's face as she gave each of the riders present a hug. These men were closer to her than her own brother. Would this be the final time she might lay eyes on some of them? Putting on her bravest face she turned to say good-by to Rachel and Teaspoon, the two adults that allowed her the opportunity to do things her own way. "Good-by everyone. You know where to find us. Surprise us and show up sometime." A chorus of good-bys followed the buggy and two riders.
Kid said nothing but watched with dread as the woman of his life drove out of sight, taking his heart and soul. He turned from the group and mounted his horse. "Kid, where you goin'?" Noah questioned but no answer returned. They all knew he was hurting and the days ahead would be hard for all of them.
Part 4
"Louise, it isn't fair. Why'd they give Jeremiah a horse and gun and everything? It just isn't fair. Boys get everything and they get to do all the exciting stuff. All girls ever get is the chores and crying babies." Teresa sat sulking as the buggy rumbled west. Lou laughed to herself. Hadn't those been about her exact words years earlier when she cut her long brown hair and began dressing and acting like a boy?
"Don't worry, little sister. When we get to Sweetwater, I'll teach you how to ride and shoot as well as your brother can. Out here girls have to be able to do everything boys do, just to survive. Never forget that."
"I can hardly wait, Louise. How long will it take us to get there?"
"Just two more days, sugar. We should get to Fort Casper tonight; we'll have to spend one more night outdoors and then we should be to Sweetwater. The station's not too far from town."
"Will I really get to ride a horse?"
Lou smiled, "I don't expect you to ride for the Express, but I'm glad you want to learn how to ride. I've missed you two so much. I know Jeremiah feels I abandoned you but it was hard those first years, hard to survive. I was really stupid and made some bad choices. But now I've got a good job and we have a home. Buck and Ike will teach Jeremiah and I'll teach you."
"Lou, I'm going to try to catch us some supper before we get any closer to the fort. Stay on this road and I'll catch up with you later. I told Jeremiah to ride point." Buck explained to the older girl winking. She smiled in return.
"We'll see you at the fort, Buck. Hope you have good luck hunting."
The three McClouds rode in silence, enjoying the spring afternoon. The blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds extended forever. Each was lost in their own thoughts and imaginations when Lou heard a thundering roar approaching them. A group of horsemen rode down the hill toward them.
"Jeremiah, come here quick. Teresa get on the horse behind him. Hang on tight. We don't have much time. Ride west toward those trees. We've got to separate. Go on, there's no time to argue."
Lou wished she was on her own horse rather than driving the buggy as she watched them ride away. Hopefully Jeremiah and Teresa would escape the wrath of the men if their intentions were criminal and she could lead them away from her siblings. She slapped the reins and drove away from the road.
Buck found the children and backtracked to find his missing friend. At dusk they discovered the overturned buggy in a small ravine, their possessions scattered. The Kiowa left Lou's brother and sister by the buggy and climbed the small rise alone. He knew what to expect and didn't want the two youngsters to witness the gruesome scene awaiting him.
A couple of the marauders dragged the girl away from her carriage while the rest searched for valuables in her possession. The injured former express rider lay comatose, not conscious of their brutality. Leaving their victim to die a slow, painful death alone, they took their booty and continued looking for more unsuspecting travelers. Buck carefully assessed his friend's injuries through tear filled eyes. He never expected trouble this close to the fort. If she would die, he would blame himself.
Her injuries seem superficial; bruises on her arms and legs, cuts on her bare skin from the rocks, and a nasty gash on the back of her head. Buck knew the worst damage would be inside her head when she awoke and realized what the renegades did. He covered her bare body with his own shirt and carried her back to the waiting children. They picked up their few remaining belongings and waited for the man to return.
Jeremiah held his gun in his hand, anger raging across his face. As Buck came across the rise, the boy pointed the loaded weapon at the approaching pair. "Jeremiah, stop! It's Buck and Louise," Teresa screamed.
The boy froze, his finger clenched tightly around the trigger. Buck stopped when he heard the little girl's cry. "Jeremiah, put the gun down. Lou's hurt. I need your help."
Slowly the reality of the situation sunk into the terrified boy's mind and the gun dropped towards the ground. Buck resumed his way towards the two children; pleased they worked around the buggy while he was gone.
"Lou's hurt pretty bad. We need to get her someplace safe where we can help her get better."
"Will we still make it to the Fort tonight?" Teresa asked, not looking directly at her older sister.
"No, we'll have to find someplace near here. I don't think they'll be back. They got what they came for." Buck's voice expressed his anger towards the men who'd violated his friend.
The three righted the overturned buggy and put Buck's horse between the traces. It wasn't broke to pull but Jeremiah's new horse was too small. The boy rode along behind the buggy as they returned to the road to loose their wheel tracks with the others.
No moon rose after sunset so Buck allowed them a small sheltered campfire. During the entire week's journey home to Sweetwater he'd been coaching the other boy the best techniques for camping in the wild.
"Louise wake up. Please. You can't die. Please Louise." Teresa pleaded to her sister's inert form. She washed and redressed her sister, but the young woman didn't respond. No fever racked her body but she didn't awaken.
"We'll stay here until she gets better, Teresa."
Jeremiah looked at his sisters. Louise seemed so strong before. Why didn't she fight? "Buck, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Is my sister a coward? Why didn't she fight? I never even heard her shoot her gun. We could of beat them."
"Is that what you think Lou did?"
"She ran away again."
"She ran and led them away from you and Teresa. She did it because she loves you both so much. She took a chance they didn't see you ride away. All they saw was the buggy with one person, an easy target."
"She ran to protect us?"
"Lou would die to protect you and Teresa. She was always telling us stories about you. To tell you the truth she'd do anything even giving up everything else she loved to protect you. She loves you and always will." He looked over at the prostrate form, his own heart breaking. He would never forgive himself for leaving them alone.
Teresa walked over to the other two and put her arms around Buck. "It's not your fault either. Jeremiah, you know you couldn't shoot another person. We'd all be dead if we tried to fight. Lou sacrificed herself and now we have to help her heal. All of us. Carrying around a mess of guilt won't help Louise."
"How'd you get so smart, little sister?" Jeremiah asked.
"Louise taught me."
By midmorning, Lou opened her swollen eyes and saw her brother and sister sleeping in the shade of a nearby tree. Buck sat leaning on another tree, watching the surrounding landscape. "Buck," she whispered.
He quickly came to her side and helped her sit up. A faint smile broke through, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Are they alright? Did they?"
Buck stopped her question, shaking his head. "They're fine, just a little tired. As soon as you feel ready we should be going. I haven't seen any sign of anyone, but I hate to sit here any longer than necessary.
"Buck, promise me you'll never tell anyone what happened out here, especially the Kid."
"But Lou."
"No buts, Buck. Just another delay. I'll talk to my brother and sister. Let's go home."
Part 5
The four travelers arrived in Sweetwater three days later, welcomed by Ike and two of the newest riders.
(I thought you got lost, Buck)
"Things look good here, Ike. Anything new?"
The mute boy looked down at the ground before looking at his best friend with a huge smile. (Nothing much except I'm getting married. We've been waiting for you to return.)
"What? Who? Can't leave you alone for a minute without you getting into trouble."
Ike laughed at his Indian friend. (Come meet Emily. Her father was killed in town and she had no where else to go.)
"Picking up strays again."
(This is Emily. Emily this is my friend, Buck. Here is Louise. She runs the station.) Ike noticed the former female rider's bruised face and missing smile but didn't comment on the fact. He'd ask Buck about it later.
"Nice to meet you Emily. Welcome to the Sweetwater Station."
"Hello everyone but no need for a formal welcome. Ike did that several weeks ago."
Lou looked lost, her mind racing. Ike getting married? Where would everyone live?
"I know you didn't expect to find me here, but Ike and I talked about it. We'll find a place in town and.."
"If you don't mind, you can live here in the house with my sister. The men can stay in the bunkhouse," Lou added pointing to Buck and Jeremiah.
"Are you sure, Lou?" Buck questioned.
She shook her head positively. "It's time to get to work. I've been gone too long."
The station settled into its summer normal routine. The new riders worked well with Buck and Ike. Jeremiah helped the older boys and cared for the livestock. Lou never spoke of the attack on their way home and no one else dared to mention it either.
Weekly a letter was sent east to friends at Rock Creek and a returning letter informed the Sweetwater station of activities of the rest of their friends. Lou managed the station, learned to cook and welcomed the friendship of Ike's new bride.
Emily's life matched many of the orphans. Her father's gambling habit left the father and daughter penniless and often homeless. One debt too many cost him his life but offered Emily the chance to escape his dominance. Finding a soulmate with the bald express rider helped her blossom. Gaining the petite former rider's friendship was an added bonus.
Lou watched her brother and sister flourish at the station. Jeremiah practiced riding and learned to hunt game for the station. Buck taught him to track and survival skills needed living away from civilization. Teresa learned to ride and often cared for the trusty mounts. Life at the Sweetwater Station seemed bliss and the summer soon passed.
Talk of war between the South and North reached the western settlements but little affected the scattered outposts. They feared raiding renegades and outlaws interested in the Express' fine horses.
Buck watched Lou serving the evening meal. She seemed tired, resigned to doing her duty. No spark lit up her brown eyes and he seldom saw the spirited, stubborn nature they used to admire and fear. Was she ill? Did she regret not staying in Rock Creek nearer the Kid? Midway through the meal she ran from the bunkhouse. Concerned about her sudden departure, Buck excused himself.
"Lou, are you alright? What's wrong?"
Lou looked back at the Kiowa man standing beside her, tears streaming down her face. "Oh Buck," she said as she fell into his arm. "I'm not alright. Everything is wrong. I think I'm pregnant." She sobbed onto his shirt as he held her tight. Holding her close, he realized why the Kid and Jimmy fought so often. She was worth every blow they gave each other.
"You're sure?" He scowled, remembering finding Lou following the attack.
"Yeah, Buck, I'm sure. I'm scared. It ain't suppose to be like this." She wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I often imagined getting married and havin' a family, I just wasn't ready to do it yet. That's why I told Kid no but now." Her sobbing prevented further conversation.
He wrapped his arms around the petite woman, trying to shield her from the danger already present. "I'm so sorry, Lou. I should never have left you. The child will only be half white."
"It's not your fault, Buck." She looked up into his face. "it's just." She didn't finish the sentence. Gaining her composure she said, "The company will fire me. How can I take care of my brother and sister and a baby?"
"Let me help you, Lou. Marry me."
The stubborn young woman shook her head, "I can't do that, Buck."
She paused before continuing. "Remember your promise. No one in Rock Creek can know what happened. Now go back and finish your supper."
"Lou, I just got a letter from Rock Creek. Jimmy and Cody are coming next week. They're on a special run for Teaspoon." Buck shared with the young woman.
Her face fell as she contemplated the boys seeing her. Then her anger turned toward Teaspoon. Couldn't he have sent the Kid? She hadn't heard from him for several weeks. He really needed to hear in person about the situation . She hadn't told Buck that there was a chance the baby might be from an act of love not from an act of violence. Until she looked at her child, she wouldn't know the father's identity.
Buck kept a watchful eye on his female friend. At times her spunky spirit showed but more often she seemed lost. He wished he could solve her problem but knew she would refuse his suggestion, again.
Gradually the small rider dropped her disguise. She moved into the main house with her sister and the McSwain family. The job of running the Sweetwater Station was her main focus, a job she took seriously. Still wearing pants when needed but more often than not wearing a dress, she tried to hide her expanding figure from the rest of the station's occupants. Emily kept the secret as did Buck and Ike but Lou refused to share the news with her siblings. She still feared the company would fire her if they knew she was female, expecting and unmarried.
Part 6
The hot, dry summer months metamorphosed into a wet, cool fall. Jimmy and Will Cody arrived on schedule and were greeted by their former bunkmates. Lou gave each of them a quick hug but avoided a prolonged embrace in front of the other new members of the express crew.
"Why they sending you two out this way?" Buck asked the duo.
"We get to share the bad news." Cody bluntly stated. (What bad news?)
"The company's broke. The telegraph lines are about finished and so's our jobs." Jimmy added.
Cody continued, "Yeh, they figure we've got till the end of October. Everything's to be sold, the horses, the stations, everything. Russell, Major and Waddell are bankrupt."
Jimmy watched the petite member of their 'family' preparing the evening meal. Something was wrong but Buck and Ike didn't seem bothered by her quiet disposition.
"Never expected you to be the first Papa, Ike." Cody said, watching Emily's waddling walk towards the bunkhouse.
Ike smiled and licked his lip. (At least the first to admit it,) he signed.
Cody was taken back, "What? You think one of us got a kid hidden somewhere?" At the mention of their anonomous friend's nickname, smiles vanished. "Why hasn't Teaspoon sent the Kid out here?" Buck asked, lowering his voice.
Jimmy watched for Lou's reaction but the brown haired woman didn't hear the question. He took a deep breath before answering. Cody glanced at his friend and nodded his head. "Kid ain't riding anymore. He took a run to St. Joe and never come back. Teaspoon figured he headed back to Virginia. We ain't heard from him since August."
"We've got a letter for Lou from Rachel but thought we'd wait till tomorrow when we got to head further west to give it to her. Is she sick? She seems so," Cody paused in his observation. "Like she ain't got no spirit left."
"It hasn't been an easy summer for her." Buck volunteered, but refused to share any more details. The news of Kid's desertion from the Express troubled him. Though Lou made Ike and himself swear to not to tell the other riders, he always hoped she wrote and told Kid the truth. Had the news sent him back to Virginia and headlong into the war? Would he desert the woman he professed to love, knowing she carried another's child? Too many questions invaded his thoughts. Tomorrow's news could break her fragile heart.
"Kid wouldn't just ride out without telling someone. He's too loyal to abandon his job." Lou looked down at the letter from Rachel, dry-eyed. "Didn't you check to make sure nothing happened to him?"
Cody shook his head negatively. "We didn't have 'ta, Lou. He'd been upset about somethin' before he took off and often spoke of Virginia. We didn't believe he'd really do it though."
"Lou, he changed. Never would explain what was botherin' him." Jimmy looked at the woman sitting across the table in the bunkhouse where so many bonds were formed between the seven orphans. She only stared at her lap; tears started to flow down her cheeks. She knew something more, so did Buck, but neither spoke. Other than the tears and lackluster eyes, she seemed to accept Kid's disappearance without a fight. Before she'd be ready to ride through the territory and Missouri looking for him, now she just sat dejectedly. Had the distance really extinguished their love? Something was wrong.
"Damn it, Lou. Get mad." Jimmy yelled. "We saw you two, back in Rock Creek this spring, You couldn't keep your eyes off each other. Kid was miserable when you left to come back here. He kept begging Teaspoon for time off to, so he could come see you. Then poof, suddenly something snapped and he left. He didn't come here. In fact he ran the other way. What's going on, Lou?"
She looked at Jimmy, a small fire smoldering in her eyes. "You don't know nothing, Jimmy Hickock. Get out of here; go deliver your unwelcome news to the rest of the stations. Don't go judging stuff you don't know nothin' about." She jumped up from the table, leaned across the table at the two riders and yelled at them. "You don't know nothin'."
The two boys stared at Lou's swollen middle. In her anger she revealed her secret.
"Then tell us what we don't understand, Lou. We're your family and we want to help. You don't have to go through this alone. None of us do." Jimmy spoke so softly, the rest strained to hear his voice. He reached out to hold her hand but she quickly pulled it loose as she sat down humiliated.
"I ain't part of any family no more."
Buck put his arm around his friend, "Lou, maybe now's the time to share what happened."
Eyes brimming with tears, shame filled her face. "You promised ta never tell."
Buck ignored her and began relating what happened during their return to Sweetwater. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have left them. I offered to marry her but she wouldn't do that neither."
"Did the Kid know?" Cody asked.
She shook her head no. "I couldn't hurt him that way," she said humiliated.
"Glad you two decided to return. We still have runs to make. The company hasn't ended yet." Teaspoon sarcastically greeted Jimmy and Cody as they returned from the west.
"Where's Rachel, Teaspoon? We got some news from the others we need to share." Jimmy solemnly told the marshal.
"She's teachin'. Should be done in about an hour. What happened?"
"We got your message delivered all the way to Fort Bridger. Nobody was surprised but the boys out west weren't none to happy about it either," Cody shared as he dismounted.
Jimmy refused to share what had him rattled. "Noah around?"
"He should be riding in anytime now. Since you two were gone I had to send him east into Kansas. I only pray he didn't run into any trouble. Billy Tomm's riding. He can take Noah's pouch."
The two riders took care of their horses while waiting for Rachel and Noah, not looking forward to sharing the news from Sweetwater. The hour quickly passed and they greeted Rachel.
"Teaspoon said you had some news to share. By the looks on your faces it can't be good."
The two riders looked at each other before Jimmy said, "Lou's going to have a baby. They were attacked last spring returning home from here. Teresa and Jeremiah were ok but." He let the sentence hang.
"She ain't handling it too well. Said she hadn't told Kid about it, either." Cody added.
"Where was Buck?" Teaspoon asked.
"He's about killing himself that he left them to hunt some meat. It was a renegade band. Buck even offered to marry Lou. It's like part of her died; she's so miserable."
"Cause of the baby?" Rachel queried.
"No, not really. It's more like that fire that drove Lou to be Lou went out. She's so passive. She didn't believe Kid went to Virginia but the old Lou would have mounted up and rode back to look for him. Jimmy got her mad but in a little while she was quiet again."
"Rider coming. Gotta get Tomms off. Noah will want to hear about them too." Teaspoon left the bunkhouse to supervise the exchange. A beautiful sunset colored the western sky but the recent news left an ache in his heart.
"How was the ride, Noah? Any trouble?" Then he noticed the beautiful paint mare Noah was leading.
The black rider shook his head. "I see Jimmy and Cody are back. I got news to tell all ya."
"Where did you get Katie, son? The boys brought back some news from Sweetwater. Come in, Rachel's got supper waiting for you."
The two men walked into the bunkhouse together. Rachel looked at the arriving rider's face and a shiver of dread trailed down her spine. Before he spoke she knew it was more bad news.
Cody spoke first; "Lou's going to have a baby. Some renegades attacked them on the way back to Sweetwater. She don't look too good. Buck and Ike are trying to help but she seemed so lost."
Noah sighed before he spoke "Kid didn't go to Virginia." The others looked at him in surprise. "They arrested him in Jefferson City, arrested him for murder. The trial should'a been already. The man that told me said it was an open and shut case and that the Kid would swing. They gave me Katie to bring home."
The rest sat in silent shock. Could it be true? Should they have searched for him before? Was he dead?
After a short pause, Noah continued, "I couldn't find out anything else. No one wanted to talk about it. I don't even know where the trial was."
No one spoke. They had all been wrong about the Kid; Lou was right. The Kid wouldn't ride off without telling them. And now, had he already hung?
Rachel stared off into the darkness outside, the ache in her heart renting it in two. Rape, murder, abandonment. What was happening to their family? It hurt to breathe and tears ran down her cheeks. The young riders faced their entire lives. Such pain and heartache shouldn't be part of it.
Part 7
"Sir, Marcus Brown was found dead this morning. Looks like he died a couple of days ago."
"Who's that?" the spit and polish captain looked up from the stack of paperwork covering his desk at the sergeant standing in the doorway.
"He's the old fellow who fed the prisoners. Brought the food over from the mess hall and took the dishes back."
"So why are you telling me this, sergeant?"
"Sir, it means the prisoners haven't been fed for the last two days."
The captain shook his head. At noon he was finished with the guard detail; he had no time for the prisoners. He'd let the next officer on duty solve yet another petty problem. Oh he hated his rotation in the guardhouse. Once he was promoted to major he'd be in charge of his own men. He couldn't wait.
"I don't have time to worry about a bunch of hungry traitors. Two days isn't going to kill them. Is there something else, sergeant?"
"Sir, it's been raining hard all night. Water's starting to fill the cellar cells. Are there any prisoners down there?"
"I don't think so; I didn't lock any down there. What about this office?"
"The river is coming up fast. The cellar will fill up soon and this whole building will be flooded if the rain don't quit."
Fear crossed the officer's face. "Start evacuating the prisoners to the mess hall. That's high ground. Put cuffs on them." This shift couldn't end fast enough.
"Time for a change of scenery boys. The river's rising so its time to move you to higher ground."
"Excuse me, sir," came a quiet voice from the back cell.
"What is it private?
" "Did you get that civilian fellow out?" The man nodded toward the floor.
The sergeant looked at the man questionably. "There ain't no one down there."
"Marcus always had a tray to take down there. Poor fellow locked up with no trial. Someone lost his paperwork. Them officers in the front don't even know he's 'ere but Marcus did. Why ain't he been bringing us nothin' to eat?"
The career soldier ran out the door around to the cellar opening. The river lapped at the building foundations. Waist deep water filled the cellar. "Any body down here?"
"Help!" came a weak voice from the corner cell.
Sergeant Miller could see a head barely out of the water. He grabbed the ring of keys and splashed toward the cell. "Can't you stand up?"
"I'm cuffed to the bed. I can't move. Get me out, don't let me drown.
The non-commissioned officer looked at the key ring. There wasn't a key for leg or arm irons. "I gotta go back up and get the other keys. We'll get you out."
He swam to the opening and slipped up the hill to the guardhouse door. The captain was not in his office. Where would the keys be? Miller searched the desk, through the papers. If this office was about to be flooded why hadn't the man taken the paperwork with him? Damn officers expected the others to always do everything. Sergeant Miller's eyes scanned the walls for another set of keys. Suddenly he saw them hanging on the door to the gun cabinet. Not wasting time he ran back to the cellar. Muddy water swirled around the opening. Did he still have time to rescue the prisoner?
Two other soldiers saw the sergeant climbing down into the rising water. "You need help, Sir?"
"Get some rope and more men. There's someone trapped down here. I've got to help him before he drowns."
Not waiting for them to return with the rope he entered the cellar. Trash from the river bobbed in the murky water and he hoped no snakes took refuge on the floating branches. "Hey mister, I'm coming" No one answered.
Miller found the keys still hanging in the cell door. The lock refused to budge at first but finally it turned and he swung the door open. No head appeared above the water. He took a deep breath and swam into the cell. The murky water obscured his vision but he felt the man's arm down to the cuff holding the fellow below the water level. The first key worked and Miller pulled the prisoner toward the cell opening. Water kept surging into the guardhouse cellar, almost reaching the ceiling. The river's current slowed his progress toward the door. Once they reached it, Miller feared the swift flooded river current would pull them downstream. With one arm locked around the unconscious man's chest and the other grasping the iron bars in the door he hoped the other soldiers had a rope ready to rescue them both. Time was critical. How long had the other man been under water?
Suddenly a thick rope appeared in the door's opening. Help had arrived.
"Man, its cold out there. I don't remember last November being this cold." Bunk entered the bunkhouse, stamping snow off his boots. "I don't think its going to stop snowing tonight. It's nights like this that I'm glad our express days are over."
"We can sure be thankful last winter wasn't this wet, that's for sure." Lou said as she put the bowl of potatoes on the table. Teresa carried the platter of meat as Buck took his place beside Jeremiah.
After the demise of the express, sale of livestock and equipment the newest riders moved on to new jobs. The original Sweetwater express members continued to live at the station. Emma Cain, owner of the small ranch, agreed to rent the place to her 'family'. Buck and Ike hoped to raise cattle and horses. Lou and her family were expected to stay and be partners in the operation.
Wanting to give the McSwain family some privacy, the McClouds and Buck ate in the bunkhouse though Lou and her sister still slept in the main house. Emily and Ike welcomed the newest McSwain a week earlier, a little girl they named Emma Louise. Both mother and daughter did well and Lou was happy to do Emily's daily chores. By the time Emily recovered it would be Lou's turn for her confinement.
"I don't remember snow blowing into the bunkhouse last winter either." The four young people casually ate and enjoyed each other's company. Following the meal, the girls finished the dishes and the two boys discussed plans for the next day.
"I sure hate to go back out in the wind," Teresa complained to her brother. "I don't know why we can't all live in the same house." Lou looked over at her sister and thought her suggestion a wise one. Buck still insisted Lou marry him. She hadn't heard from Kid since early August but didn't want to make any decision until after the baby's birth. The Rock Creek members wrote to Buck about Kid's arrest but he never shared the news with Louise. She seemed to gain back some of her spunk and accepted Kid's absence but still expected him to appear eventually. Buck patiently waited for the resistant woman to realize what she would need to do. The Indian's feelings for Lou evolved from brotherly love to a deeper level.
Buck walked the two girls back to the main house. Ike and Emily had already retired and Lou told her sister to go on up and get ready for bed. She and Buck sat on the settee.
He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Don't worry Lou. We'll take care of you." He kissed the top of her head and caressed her face.
"Buck you know how I feel about you, but it's like a brother. I like this, you holding me, but I can't love you like you want."
"That ok, just let me hold you. I want you to feel safe, let me protect you. Your sister and brother, you and the baby are welcome to stay, Lou." He didn't say more but just pulled the soon to be mother closer.
Buck hated keeping secrets from Lou, but he was afraid sharing the news about Kid would only scare her away from her family. If only he hadn't left Lou alone on the trip back from Rock Creek, if only Kid came west rather than heading east, if only the company hadn't sent Kid, Teaspoon and the rest to Rock Creek. Buck feared Lou's love for the absent Virginian would break her heart when she finally discovered he wasn't returning.
Part 8
"Ma'am, I represent the firm of Tigher, Harrison and Jones. I'm trying to locate a Pony Express rider only known as the Kid. I was told you might be able to help me. It is most urgent that I speak with him."
Rachel stood in the doorway, the cold December air chilling her. "What did you say your name was, mister?"
"Who is it Rachel?" came a male voice from the kitchen.
"I am Richard Jones, the son of the third partner. Like I said."
Before he finished his sentence, Rachel interrupted the tall man. "Come in so I can shut the door. It's too cold to stand here with it open."
"Teaspoon, this fellow is looking for Kid."
"What you want the boy for, Mr.?" The Marshall asked.
"Ah, its Jones, Richard Jones. I represent the law firm of Tigher, Harrison and Jones from Springfield, Missouri."
Teaspoon and Rachel looked at the stranger waiting for him to continue.
Realizing the couple wouldn't help until he shared more, the man cleared his throat. "Like I said to your wife Marshall, I was told that someone here could help me locate the express rider called the Kid."
"And we asked you what you wanted to know for."
"Ah, well he preformed a valuable service for a client of ours and I need to make reparations for that service."
"And when did this valuable service take place?"
"I'm not a liberty to discuss the details. If you would please tell me where I can locate." "The boy was arrested in Jefferson City last August and no one would tell us nothin' then neither. Now start talking."
"Arrested? Those charges were dropped. I delivered the papers myself."
"Mister Jones I think you'd better start at the beginning and don't leave out the insignificant details."
"I can't do that."
Teaspoon quickly reached out and grabbed the resistant lawyer's coat. "That boy's life ended because of you, now tell us what you know."
Color drained from the man's face, "Ended?"
"Start talking Mr. Jones."
"Last summer we hired your boy to deliver something for us. He was to receive a payment of one thousand dollars."
"A thousand dollars?" Rachel gasped.
"Yes, but there was a mix-up. We knew about his arrest but when the information was recovered I told the commander. He told me the charges would be dropped, the trial canceled and the boy released. After these past three months and he still hadn't shown up to collect his money, Father sent me here to give it to him in person. He never came back?"
"The news we received was that he was hung, hung for murder."
"I'm truly sorry. Did he have family, anyone surviving him?"
"These boys who rode for the express were all orphans, Mr. Jones. But living and fighting together made them a family. Even the company movin' half of us out here from Sweetwater couldn't sever that bond." Tears filled Rachel's eyes as she continued. "The Kid was a kind, thoughtful boy. He was honest and trustworthy."
"No one in Missouri would tell us the truth. Some of the other boys looked for him, or for his grave." Teaspoon's voice choked but he threatened, "If you had anything to do with that boy's death."
"I think I'd better be going. I'll leave the company's address, if you have any questions." The man quickly exited the house leaving two frustrated and confused adults. Just as fast he returned and handled Rachel a thick envelope. "Give this to that boy's family. He earned the money."
"What did Kid do, Teaspoon?" Rachel sat down. The older man sat down and gave her a hug.
"Darling, I have no idea. He seemed so distant after Lou left. I should'a let him go back to Sweetwater. If only."
"You and I both know if onlys never change anything. What are we going to do with Kid's money?"
Teaspoon looked out of his one open eye and smiled, "Let's go visit the new mama and papa for Christmas. Maybe Lou would like family around when it's her time. We can share the money with them, sort a Christmas present from the Kid."
"But Lou doesn't even know, does she?"
He pulled Rachel close, kissed the top of her head and sighed, "Having family around will help."
Part 9
Ike and Emily smiled at the crowd in their parlor. Teaspoon and Rachel sat on the settee holding Emma Louise while Buck and Jeremiah sat on the stairs talking about the new mares in the barn. Teresa walked into the room carrying another tray of sandwiches to Jimmy, Cody and Noah who sat around the table remembering the good and bad times of the Sweetwater Station.
"Where's Lou?" Teaspoon asked the group assembled.
Emily said, "She was real tired. She's up in her room."
"Can you get her to come down for a while?"
Buck looked worriedly at Teresa. Both knew Lou was physically and emotionally drained. She was excited about the reunion with her former bunkmates but the fact that the most important member was missing and hadn't written for months weighed heavily on her heart. The small woman's time was close and she felt her once abundant energy ebbed.
"I'll go see if she's awake, Emily." Teresa said as she passed Buck and her brother on the stairs.
"Buck, Jeremiah, come over and join us. Lou's little sister makes some great food," Cody invited. The small room filled with happy conversation, laughter and smiles.
"I can't come down."
"Is it time, Louise? Do you want me to get Emily?"
The sad woman shook her head. "No it's not the baby yet." Tears streamed down her face, "How can I face them, Teresa. I lay up here listening to them talk, sharing, remembering. It's as if, as if Kid never existed. He should be down there reminiscing too, but they can't even say his name, like they all know something but are afraid to tell me. If I don't go down they can't tell me. Oh Teresa, I know this baby's his. Where is he?"
"What are you talking about, Lou. We all know who. . ."
"No, no you don't. Kid and I were together that last night in Rock Creek. That's why I can't marry Buck. I'm sure Kid's the father."
The young girl put her arms around her older sister and pulled her close. "Don't give up, Louise. If the baby is the Kid's, well then you'll have him with you every time you look in your baby's eyes. Right now a room full of your friends, your family, are waiting to help you. You're not alone. We're all here to help you."
"When did you get so smart little sister?"
"I learned it from you."
The two McCloud sisters gradually descended the stairs arm in arm. All eyes in the room turned to watch their descent, reminding the boys of the first time they saw Lou in a dress at Emma's coming out party. No longer the shy girl, the mother-to-be looked radiant. Stoically holding her head high, she smiled at the friends gathered around her. No matter what anyone said, Louise came to terms with the life dealt her. Her sister was right. When they told her bad news about the Kid, she'd still have her baby to remind her of the love she and the boy from Virginia shared. Give him peace Lord. "Merry Christmas, everyone."
Teaspoon and Rachel moved apart to make room for Louise on the settee. Rachel put her arm around the young woman and gave her a quick hug and kiss. "We've missed you, Louise. Merry Christmas."
"I'm glad you all came. I've missed you all so much." Lou looked around the room, pasting a smile on her face but felt the hurt in her heart escalate.
"I'm glad we could get together one more time. All of us. Thank you to Ike and Emily for sharing their house with us." The smile left Teaspoons face and he stared at his hands. 'This ain't going to be easy', he thought to himself. "I'm glad all of you are here for another reason. Louise, darlin', what I gotta tell you, I sure wish I didn't but it's time." He paused and almost didn't hear her response.
"He isn't coming back is he? You heard from him?" She looked up at the older man, eyes brimming with tears but hope sparking through.
He gave her a half smile and no one else in the room spoke. Slowly he began to shake his head. "We ain't heard from him, sweetheart, but, well, no the Kid ain't coming home. We all thought he went back to Virginia, to fight for his homeland."
"That's what Jimmy and Cody told me last fall."
"That isn't what happened." Teaspoon took a deep breath. This was so hard. "We didn't learn all the details yet but, some how he was arrested. He was hung last October. We didn't know he was even in jail."
The young woman gasped and started shaking. Her eyes opened wide. Hung? That meant he was. . . "No! You're wrong. He can't be." She turned toward Rachel, not caring who saw her tears. She could understand him returning to Virginia, joining the Confederacy, but to be dead. There was no way she'd believe the Kid done anything to deserve to be hung.
"Last month a lawyer fellow from Missouri showed up looking for the boy. Said the Kid did some work for them but never collected his pay. When we told him what happened he left the money with us, for his family. Me and Rachel decided to split it between all of you." He handed an envelope to each of the young men in the room.
"Teaspoon, there's a hundred dollars in here. How much did that man give you?"
"It was a thousand dollars."
"What did the Kid do to be worth that?" Noah asked.
"We don't know but thought the money would help all you get a start with finding your new lives."
Jimmy sat looking at the money in his envelope and shook his head. "I can't take this money. What about Lou? I mean if we hadn't been sent to Rock Creek, Kid and Lou would most likely been married by now." He looked directly at the young woman. "It don't matter who's the baby's father, Lou. Kid would'a claimed it as his own. He had to have planned to get this money to start, for his family. For him and Lou. I'm giving my share to you. You got your brother and sister, the new baby and yourself to think about. Here use it well."
One by one the boys each laid their envelopes in Lou's lap. "Anytime you need something, don't be too proud to ask us for help," Cody added. "We may not have treated you like it, but we all love you like our little sister."
"Like Teaspoon always told us, family is family. No bond so strong." Noah added.
Buck smiled at his friend and said, "Besides we all plan to spoil your baby like we're going to spoil Emma Lou."
A baby can't have too many uncles. Ike added.
"Thank you, all of you. I don't know what else to say. I fought so long to survive by myself. Thanks," Lou whispered the tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
Rachel smiled at her boys and started singing. "Oh Come all Ye Faithful". Before long the entire house shook with the sound of Christmas carols and hymns, restoring their faith and hope for the future.
Later in the afternoon, Rachel, Emily and Teresa were in the bunkhouse preparing a special holiday meal. All the boys went to the barn to help Ike and Buck with the chores. Louise and Emma Lou napped in the main house, well deserving of a rest following the exciting morning. The sun warmed the day; the sky cleared and spirits rose even with Teaspoon's sad revelation. Everyone looked forward to the new year, safe from the war in the East, and anxious to begin new lives.
Lou sat up startled. What had she heard? Emily's baby slept peacefully in her cradle. She lay back on the pillow; it must have been a dream. Suddenly she heard someone knocking the snow off their shoes. It must be one of the boys come to tell her the meal was about ready, though it didn't seem dark enough to be supper time. She sat up again, wrapping the quilt around her.
"Hello, anybody home?"
Who was that? Lou sat frozen to the spot. Her hand covered her mouth. No, it couldn't be. Teaspoon just told her this morning that he was.
"Hello, Lou?"
Still wrapped in the quilt she walked to the door and opened it to see if ghosts do come back to life.
Upon seeing the woman of his dreams standing in the doorway wrapped in a patchwork quilt, her hair disheveled from sleeping, he reached for her. "May I come in?"
Emma Lou woke from her nap and started fussing causing Louise to come back to reality. She reached out and touched his arm. It was real. This was no ghost come to haunt her and she certainly wasn't dreaming any longer.
"Kid," she whispered. "You're not dead!"
Smiling at her statement, he came stepped into the house and shut out the cold. "Miss me? Merry Christmas." He pulled her into his arms and held her tight, kissing the top of her head. Emma Lou resented being ignored and exercised her lungs. Kid looked over at the squalling baby and back to Lou.
She picked up the child, "This is Emma Lou, Ike and Emily's little girl. I can't believe you're really here. Teaspoon just told us this morning about you and he said." She couldn't finish the statement.
"Teaspoon's here? I stopped in Rock Creek but no one was there. I found Katie in the barn. Glad someone got her and took care of her."
"I think Noah said he brought her back."
"He's here too?"
"Everyone is. And now that you're here too. It's perfect."
"Let me look at you. You look radiant. There's something glowing about you." He lifted her face to look into her eyes.
"I think there's something you should know."
"What I know is that I can't get enough looking at you for real. When I was locked up I pictured us dancing, you remember back behind the hall in town. It helped me forget. I don't want to get into that."
"You were locked up? Is everything ok now?"
"Yes, now what did you want to tell me?"
Slowly she unwrapped the quilt from around her shoulders, let it drop and placed his hands on her protruding middle.
His face dropped as he stared at her. "What? How? When?"
"May was almost nine months ago, Kid. You're about to be a daddy. I kept waiting for you to come to me, to us. It wasn't something I could tell you in a letter. Please forgive me."
"I think we both have a lot to talk about. Are you alright?"
About to answer, she suddenly gasped and her eyes got large. "I think you just got here in time. It's time. Help me get up stairs."
"Lou, I don't know what to do."
"I'm just glad your back, Kid. I'm just glad your back. Now help me get upstairs. Then go shock the rest at the bunkhouse. Send Rachel and Emily better come get Emma Lou. I won't make a very good baby sitter for a while," she said while returning the infant to her cradle.
Epilogue
The small white building was full of happy wishes and smiles, expectations keeping everyone present on the edge of their seats. Sitting in the front row waiting for the ceremony to begin, the young men nervously squirmed, uncomfortable in suits and string ties.
Escorting Rachel to her seat, Teaspoon Hunter took his place at the front and motioned for those waiting to rise. He turned the nervous groom around to watch his bride process to the front of the church escorted by his best friend.
Louise spoke her vow and all eyes turned to the groom for his response to a question, an answer he refused to reveal. Whispering to the Marshall, the older man grimaced in reply.
He restated the question again refusing to reveal the groom's given name. Ignoring the congregation's moans the ceremony concluded with Teaspoon addressing the newly married couple. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride. Kid, kiss her." Teaspoon broke the young man's reverie and Kid deeply kissed his bride, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other tenderly holding their little light brown haired daughter.
"May I present Mr. and Mrs. McCloud, the most welcome news I've every shared."
