TWISTER

By Carol Pahl ©1998

Chapter 1

The grieving members of the Rock Creek Station slowly wandered back to the bunkhouse. Another member buried. Who would be next? The North and South divided and that line alienated the Pony Express riders. Needlessly murdered rescuing a woman, Noah Dixon, the only colored member, was laid to rest.

It should have been a week of happiness and joy for the young riders who met a little over 18 months ago. Riders Kid and Louise married four days earlier. Differences in politics were put aside during the simple ceremony but the death of a young soldier dampened the spirits for any celebrating. Noah was killed the next day. Jesse, a young boy the riders took in, learned a hard lesson about the finality of war. He was forced to leave Rock Creek with his older brother, Frank James. Bill Cody signed on with the army as a scout. Only Kid, Buck and Jimmy still rode for the Express.

Several months earlier the Sweetwater Station express riders transferred to the Rock Creek Station. Marshall Teaspoon Hunter, the stationmaster, moved his seven riders and housekeeper, Rachel Dunne, and rebuilt the express station. Located closer to the Nebraska - Kansas border brought the riders closer to the hostilities. The united family created of these orphans crumbled.

James Hickock joined the pony express at Sweetwater. A troubled young man, Jimmy was the most often at odds with Teaspoon and the other riders. His ability with his pearl handled revolvers spread a reputation that was not always beneficial.

William F. Cody, an expert with a rifle, was also the clown of the group. Often his pranks resulted in the wrath of the other riders.

Buck Cross was the spiritual member of the company. With a white man for a father and a Kiowa woman for a mother, he was raised in the tribe but felt discrimination from both sides.

Buck's best friend, Ike McSwain, was killed a month after the riders moved to Rock Creek. As a result of scarlet fever, Ike had no hair and was unable to speak. Buck and Ike met at a mission school and joined the express at the same time.

Noah Dixon joined the riders in Sweetwater. The country was willing to fight a war for others of his race but wouldn't let him join that battle or its army. He gave his life helping in his own way.

Soft-spoken Kid originally came from Virginia. A natural leader, he shared little of his past or his real name. Joining the express with his horse Katy, the Kid tried to stay out of most of the other rider's disagreements. An expert rider, dead shot and champion boxer were no match for the emotions in his heart when he discovered the smallest rider's secret.

Lou McCloud was wiry and spry. With short brown hair and wire rimmed glasses the petite rider hid a secret, Lou was short for Louise. Proving herself to the other riders in horsemanship and handling of a gun gave her a special place in all their hearts. Kid discovered her gender first and felt the need to be her protector even though her stubbornness led to an on and off again relationship. Eventually both realized that the only solution to their dilemma was to commit to their hearts and marry.

No one spoke as they walked into the bunkhouse, their home for the past few months. Ike and Noah were dead. Cody planned to leave the next day to begin his career with the army. Kid and Louise lived at the local hotel since their wedding, a planned trip canceled after Noah's death. Rachel's lunch sat untouched on the table.

Teaspoon motioned for the riders to sit at the table. "Boys, I guess this is the end."

"Teaspoon, what are you talking about?" asked Buck.

"What do you plan to do, Jimmy? Are you quitting, too?" Cody asked his friend.

"I'll stay on for now. Teaspoon you're shorthanded as it is." Hickock answered. He looked across the table at the Kid. Recently these two fought more often than acted like friends. Lou worked hard to separate the two important men in her life. Kid nodded his approval.

"What about you two? Where are you going to live?" Buck asked his friends.

"I'm still riding. Louise's express days as a rider are over. I don't know what we're going to do. The hotel is too expensive and I need to be close to the station. Anyone have an idea?" Kid questioned.

"Can't we live here in the bunkhouse?" Lou piped into the conversation.

"No, not now that we're married. We need our own place." Kid replied somewhat embarrassed.

"But I lived here before. You'll be gone most of the time on runs with Teaspoon being shorthanded. If it's OK with all of you, we can put a wall across my corner. What do you think Buck, Jimmy?"

Both men looked at the bridegroom for an answer. Teaspoon added his opinion. "Sounds like a good solution to me."

"But Teaspoon," queried the chagrined southerner.

"What's wrong, Kid? You two found enough privacy before. If Louise is game to stay living here, maybe she can learn some cooking with Rachel. Seems foolish to pay for a room at the hotel when there's plenty of room here."

Kid could see everyone's agreement with his wife and he knew this was another battle lost. Sighing, he relented. "I suppose we could put up a wall. It's sure not what I planned for, Lou"

Touching his arm, she laid her head against his shoulder. "It's OK, Kid. Someday we'll have that place of our own. Thank you for understanding."

"Now that is solved, please eat." Rachel reminded. "Noah never let good food go to waste and neither will you boys."

The riders in agreement, began to eat what would be their last meal together. Too much sadness impeded their normally healthy appetites. After the meal Cody left for the army camp. Kid and Louise excused themselves for one last night at the hotel. Teaspoon's job as the Marshall required his presence at his office. Rachel left with the others to go to her own house. Buck and Jimmy sat alone in the bunkhouse.

"I think it's a good idea for Lou to stay here for now." Jimmy said.

Buck nodded in agreement. "I think so too, but I can understand Kid's reluctance. Do you suppose he'll ever win an argument with her?"

Jimmy laughed. "I doubt it. Maybe he'll stop worrying so much about her, knowing she'll be safe here while he's gone."

Shaking his head no, Buck added, "I wouldn't count on it. When it comes to Lou, he's always worrying what she'll do next. I'm glad you're staying for now, Jimmy."

"Yah, well I doubt if the express will still be in business much longer. Seems to get longer between paydays around here and those telegraph poles are sprouting up pretty fast. I suppose we'd better get some sleep. Someone will need to take the run tomorrow and I'm sure the Kid will want to stay here and supervise the building of the wall. Good night, Buck."

"I'll take the run. Good night, Jimmy.''

A few weeks later Lou sat at the bunkhouse table, trying to write a letter to her sister, Teresa. Louise left her younger siblings at an orphanage in St. Joe several years ago. She promised to return for them someday when she could make her own way. She hadn't told Teresa she'd gotten married. Somehow Lou still wanted to have a home for her sister and brother but the way things were, well, it would be difficult. Would Kid accept the responsibility of two more?

No one was home with Kid on his final run. Buck and Jimmy finished theirs the week before and moved on to other jobs. It was quiet around the bunkhouse. Even though it was fall the temperature was hot. The young woman sat with the door and windows open trying to catch a small breeze.

"Hi, Lou," said Teaspoon, standing in the doorway. "Are you busy?"

"Hey, Teaspoon. No, not really. I tried to write to my sister, but I didn't really know what to say. Did you need something?"

He sighed before answering. "I need a rider and I don't think any of the boys will be back in time. I thought they were on the last run but this really needs to get through to the west."

The former rider shook her head. "I promised, Teaspoon, otherwise I'd take it."

"I know, but there is no one else. If we don't keep it on schedule this last pouch won't never make it to California. There's no trouble between here and Kearny. I'll explain if he gets back before you do."

"He'll be so mad but I've got nothing else to do. Just a normal run right?"

"That's all. The rider from the east should be here soon. Just hightail it back."

Lou quickly changed back into her 'boy' clothes. Kid would be furious but she should be safe. She saddled a horse and looked for the familiar cloud proclaiming an approaching rider. She didn't have long to watch. A boy covered with dust rode into the way station within the hour and passed the pouch off to the waiting rider. Lou took off on her familiar route.

The journey to Kearny was uneventful. The horses wore down quickly in the Indian summer heat but fresh saddled mounts waited at every station. Could she wait till morning and deliver an army dispatch on her way back to Rock Creek? Since she planned to rest the one night, she agreed.

The next morning the heat was oppressive. Hot dry winds blew from the south. Lou was ready when the courier brought the papers which she stuffed into the mouchila. She headed home, hoping Kid wasn't back yet. After an hour on the trail, Lou noticed the sky getting darker. She urged her horse on to the next way station, only a mile away. Changing mounts she took off from the way station as the way station master begged the rider to wait out the coming storm. She didn't want to wait especially at this station. Hard telling how long it would be before the storm passed. The sky continued to darken but Lou kept riding hard to the east. She turned to look at the approaching storm cloud and was shocked. Close behind her the dark cloud hung down to the earth. A twister swept the ground.

Lou dove off the horse into a narrow ravine and ducked below the edge. The horse panicked and raced away with the pouch and her bedroll. She held on tight to the exposed roots of the small bushes as the terrible roar and winds overtook her. The sky let loose with a torrential downpour filling gullies and dry runs to the brim. Louise survived the winds of the tornado only to be grabbed by the surging waters, coursing down the ravine.

She tossed and tumbled, hitting the rocks and sides of the gully, often under the water level. The water tore loose her clothes and boots. Knocked unconscious, Lou bobbed along with the flooding water. Eventually the small ravine joined a larger creek. The storm, further to the south continued dropping rain. Louise came to rest along a sandy flood plain, littered with the flood's aftermath. Clothed only in the cotton long johns, the injured rider, still breathing, lay unaware of the shining sun overhead.

Chapter 2

"What? You did what?" the Kids eyes flashed in anger. "She was done riding and you know that. Where is she?"

"I'm sorry, Kid. A pouch came and no one was left to take it. She's all right, Kid. I'm sure of it."

"Then where is she? Why isn't she back?"

The older man looked down and apologized again. "I thought it be OK. She should'a been back before you did."

"That's it. I never want to see you again, Hunter." Kid stormed out of the bunkhouse as panic overtook his breathing. Lou gone. No it couldn't be. They only had such a short time together.

Resaddling his horse, Katy, he turned to see a rider approaching from the west. Was it his wife? No, a different rider but he might know something.

"Anyone here to take this army pouch?" yelled the unknown rider.

Kid walked over to the man and asked, "Where'd you come from? Did you see anyone else out on the trail?"

"You mean the missing rider? I found the dead horse and this pouch near the beast. I don't know what happened to the rider. The horse wore an express brand."

"You didn't see anything else?" Kid asked his voice shaking. By now the others circled around the new rider. "Son," Teaspoon questioned. "What happened out there?"

"From the look of the damage, there was a twister, back a few days, when it was so hot. I guess that got the other rider. Are you missing someone?"

"Where did you find the horse?" yelled Kid as he ran to his horse.

"Just east of Turtle Creek, five miles from the Spring Ranch station. The bedroll and saddle, Griffin has 'em."

The distraught husband pushed his horse west, heading for the Spring Ranch Station, while feelings of dread coursed through his veins. Only this morning he returned home filled with excitement at the thought of seeing and being with Lou. Would he have lost her again?

Their relationship had its ups and downs until both realized that only with a life together could each be happy. How could she ride again after what they'd promised each other?

Pushing his horse hard, Kid arrived at the station half way between Rock Creek and Kearney. The stationmaster emerged from the cabin and slowly sauntered over to the panting rider. "Kill a horse riding it that way, Kid."

"That other rider said he found a dead express horse. You seen Lou? Came west a couple of days back." It was still difficult for the distraught young man to breathe normally.

The older man shook his head. "I thought Lou quit riding. Yeh, maybe that was him a few days ago. Ain't seen him since. That army boy showed up with two bags. Said he got the other off a dead horse down by the creek."

Speaking slowly, trying to remain calm, Kid asked, "Where's the horse?"

"Stinking pretty bad by now. I brought the saddle and gear up to the barn. Never seen a horse tangled up like that. We had one hell of a storm blow through here. I'd never seen a black cloud like that before. Must have been a cyclone. Don't suppose you'll ever find hide nor hair of your missing fellow."

"Let me see the saddle and gear." Fear and anger boiled within the Kid as he followed the other man into the barn. It was Lou's coat and bedroll tied to the saddle. "Could he have gotten to safety before it hit the horse?"

"Is it your friend's? I'm sorry, Kid. I rode around the area after the other rider told me about the dead horse but I didn't see anything that anyone was in the area. Them twisters is dangerous, blowing stuff for miles before giving up its surprises."

Kid didn't listen to the man's ramblings. He needed to know for sure. What was his wife's fate? Could she survive a ride in a twister? He held her coat to his face and mounted Katy. Before he left the station the tears were streaming down his face. No, his soul screamed, Lou was alive somewhere. A mile from the station he couldn't ride any further. He stopped the horse and let the sobs rack his body. By the time he was cried out, anger started to rise. How could she ride again after she promised? Why did Teaspoon even ask her to take this run? Kid wiped his face with Louise's coat. Crying wouldn't find his wife. Nothing would stop him until he knew the truth. She was somewhere between Rock Creek and Kearney. He would search the entire territory if need be to discover what happened to his bride.

Kid survived a prison camp, accidents, shootings and poverty but none compared to the ache in his heart. He loved his strong willed wife and wouldn't rest until he found her.

"Pa, there is a body down by the river."

"Ja," chimed in a second child, "and he's dressed only in his underwear."

The older man looked down at his sons. "What you boys chattering about? Better show me now." He hated to be distracted from his chores but a body could mean trouble. The anxious youngsters led their father down the path to the now calm Elbe River. Earlier in the week the gentle, gurgling stream roared through their pasture. Heavy rains further south swelled the stream past its banks. Silently, the father prayed that the body would still contain life. Too many already died in this wild land.

Johanns Schultz moved to the Nebraska territory shortly after the land opened to settlement. Emigrating from Prussia with his wife, parents and two brothers ten years earlier, the family hoped for a better life than the poverty left in Europe. Amma blessed him with two fine sons but died during the birth of their stillborn daughter. Ami and Jutte Schultz died when their wagon overturned crossing the spring flooded Platte River. The three men, Johanns, Pater and Reinke, along with the two small boys laid claim to land along the Elbe Creek. They began the task of carving a ranch out of the unrelenting prairie.

The building site consisted of a sod house, sod barn and corral. They began their herd with sixteen bred cows. Slowly with lots of work, they created a money-making business. The men traveled to Fairfield, a small village, twice a year for supplies. Cattle were driven to Fort Kearny for sale to the army stationed there.

The Schultz's located on a parcel of land with good grass and excellent water supply. Their secluded valley protected them from the hot dry winds of summer and the blast of arctic air in the winter. Few in the area knew the exact location of the Schultz brothers' ranch.

Many from Prussia settled in the immediate area and the common language was German. They had no need to learn English, the language of the land.

The small, broken body lay still along the river, just where the stream deposited its victim. Johanns swallowed hard when he saw the body lying motionless along the water. He remembered his parent's swollen bodies when they were recovered from the Platte. Why hadn't he insisted the boys remain up at the house while he checked on the body? Slowly he turned the petite body over, expecting the surge of nausea from seeing the drowned person before him. The body was badly bruised but not sickly swollen. The left arm lay at an acquired angle, the face more purple than white. A wound above the eyebrow continued to ooze.

Johanns knew better than to lift an injured body without checking for broken bones. "Wolfgang, Rolf, go the barn and get Onkel Pater. I'll need help now."

The two boys ran up the hill to locate their uncle and returned with him in a few minutes. While they approached, Johanns carefully rolled the victim over on its back. He could see the shallow rise and fall of the chest from breathing, a good sign. The majority of the bruises on the face were superficial. As he carefully guided his hands along the ribcage, looking for broken ribs, he suddenly jerked his hands away. This wasn't a small man but a woman. How could he care for a woman? What was she doing out here in the wilds of Nebraska?

"What did you find, Johanns?" asked his brother, Pater.

"The boys found her," he answered.

"Did you say HER? That is a girl?"

"Ja, all female."

"Is she hurt bad?"

"We'll need to make a litter to get her up to the house. Her arm is broke. I'm not sure about the ribs. I stopped before I could check them all." He looked up at his brother, Pater, and exchanged glances.

"I'll go get two poles," Pater replied. "Wolfgang, go get the blanket from my bed, but don't drag in on the ground. Schnel."

Johanns looked at his other son, "Rolf, Onkel Reinke is further down the creek. Carefully walk to him and tell him we'll need his help too. Tell him you found someone by the river."

The two little boys obeyed their father. When all three left to accomplish their errands, Johanns continued his survey of the girl's battered body, avoiding any area that would be inappropriate for him to touch. One broken left arm, three ribs on the same side, various cuts and bruises on the legs and the bad gash on the forehead were the extent of the injuries.

All four returned at the same time. Quickly they made a litter from the two poles and Pater's blanket. Johanns tied the broken arm to her body using his belt to keep it from cutting through the skin. The three men carefully slide their arms under the girl's body and lifted together, placing her on the blanket stretcher. A slight moan escaped from her lips as she was moved, but no one spoke.

With Pater at one end, Reinke at the other and Johanns walking along side the men progressed up the hill to their home. The small sod house provided enough room for all of them to sleep but where would they put this stranger? How could they provide her with privacy? Who would take care of her needs? All these questions raced through their heads but none were spoken aloud.

"Papa," asked little Rolf, who was almost five, "where will we put him?"

Johanns looked at his two small, motherless sons and shook his head. "For now she will sleep on my bed."

Wolfgang said little since returning from the cabin with the blanket, but with a worried look on his face he asked, "You said this was a woman. Is this to be our new mother?" The father was surprised at his eight-year-old son's grasp of the situation and realized how much the boy must miss his real mother. "No, Wolfgang. We will help her get better and help her go home. Maybe she is someone else's mother."

"Kinda small and young to be that, bruder." replied Reinke, the quietest and largest of the Schultz brothers.

"We'll see," was all that Johanns said.

They placed her on his small cot and removed the poles from the blanket. Pater returned with a well-worn shirt. "Put this on her. Them's underwear are shredded and it isn't descent for the boys to see a naked woman. I've got milking to finish."

Johanns sent his sons outside with the uncles while he attended to the newest resident of the Schultz's ranch. Carefully, he removed the dirty and torn underwear, trying not to look at the young woman's undressed body. She moaned again as he tried to set the broken arm. He tore strips of fabric and got hoarded sticks from the kindling pile and went about setting and tying up her left arm. Having no clothing small enough for her to wear, Johanns dressed her in Pater's large shirt and covered her bare legs with the extra blanket. All of his wife's and mother's clothing were given away on the trip west to save room for food and supplies

Tenderly, he washed the mud and blood from her face and arms. What happened to harm such a lovely face? How had she come to rest in their pasture? Why hadn't she drowned in the flood that carried her to them? Who was she and did she have family looking for her?

Chapter 3

Kid returned to the Spring Ranch Station late in the night, discouraged and exhausted. He had just returned to Rock Creek from a long run and hadn't slept for three nights. Teaspoon called to him as he rode into the station. "We've come to help you search, Kid." He walked up to his friend and took the reins. "Get some sleep. You need the rest."

Shaking his head he replied, "I can't sleep. She's out there somewhere and I've got to find her before it's too late."

"You can't help her if you're asleep in the saddle, son. Get some rest and in the morning we can see what we're looking for."

Kid looked forlornly at his former boss. "I've got to find her." As he stepped toward the way station his legs buckled and he would have fallen if Teaspoon hadn't grabbed his arm. Griffen the stationmaster helped the marshal carry the young man into the cabin and laid him on a bunk. "No more riding tonight, Kid."

The two men searched Turtle Creek from source to mouth for clues. Damage from the recent twister scarred the landscape but no trace of the missing rider was discovered. They widened their search to the surrounding countryside. How could her horse end up along Turtle Creek without her? No one voiced the feared thought. Could the twister have carried her further northeast? Would she survive a ride on a tornado?

Kid refused to give up. Every morning at sunrise he began searching for any clues. Teaspoon sought the missing girl east of the Turtle Creek Station; Kid searched every creek and gully end to end looking for leads. All of their searching, fruitless.

A week after beginning their search, Teaspoon voiced all of their fears, "I think we need to accept the fact that we may never find her." His voice cracked with regret. If only he hadn't suggested that she take that one last pouch. It was his entire fault. All of the hopes he felt the day he married the Kid and Lou evaporated. He would never bounce their little ones on his knee. He knew he'd lost two friends.

Kid's heart broke and with it his spirit. He couldn't look his former mentor directly in his eyes without the feeling of betrayal. Even though he knew it wasn't really the marshal's fault; Louise made up her own mind to take this ride; the pain was too great to forgive. No, he wouldn't give up until he knew for absolute certain that his beloved Louise was in heaven.

The older man left to return to Rock Creek. No good-byes were spoken. Kid and his longtime horse Katy rode the opposite direction. Neither party knew if they'd see each other again.

Kid's searching took him west to Kearney where the stationmaster confirmed his fears. Yes, the rider Lou brought in a pouch and waited until the next morning to return east. Teamsters reported severe weather that day to the east. October was late for a twister to threaten the area but one was sighted. No, no unidentified bodies were discovered following the freak storm.

With supplies running low, Kid stocked his saddlebags with provisions to continue his search. Somewhere between Kearney and Rock Creek was the clue to his wife's disappearance. He wasn't going to quit until he found it.

Louise slowly opened the one eye not swollen shut and surveyed the dark room. She remembered nothing of the turbulent ride down the river. She couldn't even remember her own name. Pain shot through her head and side as she tried to sit up on the small bunk. It was no use; her body was not yet ready to move. She lay back down and sighed, even breathing hurt. What caused this anguish?

A small rustling noise near her side prompted her to slowly open her good eye again. A small face stared at her. "Hallo, vie gehts?"

The injured girl shut her eye and thought, "I must be dead. I don't know who I am and can't even understand that child." She felt a larger hand slip under her head and a cool metal cup touched her lips. "Water," she thought as she realized how thirsty she was. Slowly she sipped the refreshing liquid until the cup was removed. Carefully opening the good eye again she saw a man's bearded face gazing at her.

"Gut Morgen, Machen. Wie sint Sie? Is die Pein schlect?"

Barely audible, Lou answered in English, "I don't know what you said but I hurt all over. What happened?"

Johanns shook his head. This would be difficult. He didn't understand the English of this land. He dealt with others from his homeland and knew the German language from the old country. How would they be able to help this poor girl if they couldn't understand each other?

Time and the healing wonders of warm broth helped Lou regain her strength. Getting up slowly from the bed, she walked outside to relieve herself. She knew the oversized shirt and lack of undergarments were clues but no answers to the many questions that bounced around in her head.

The two small boys seldom left her side and were eager to communicate by showing her their special treasures. She rewarded them with smiles. Their constant chatter cheered her discouraged soul.

A week after the Schultzs found the mystery girl, vague memories started to surface. She couldn't remember her name but the town of Kearney kept resurfacing. Was that her home? She didn't even know where the Schultz's farm was. How could she know which way to Kearney?

By the time the Kid reached the Fort Kearny station searching for Louise, his wife was only beginning to remember small details. Kearny, bunkhouse and pouches, what do all these words have in common? Were they really clue to her identity? Questions, questions and more questions. Would she ever get the answers? Where did she belong?

The hot weather gave way to the season and the fall temperatures cooled off the country. Three weeks after the late fall flood; dark clouds again filled the skies. The early snow began with large fluffy flakes that soon covered the ground. The temperatures dropped below freezing and the Schulz men scurried to finish the fall harvest.

"This is too early for snow. We need to get to Fairfield for winter supplies." Pater said.

"What about the girl?" Reinke wasn't looking forward to sharing their small soddy for another winter. The little boys were bigger than last year. Having a young woman in close quarters for several months would be dangerous for them and the woman's reputation.

He wondered about the visitor who arrived with the flood. She was too comfortable living with the Schulz men. Most women he knew would demand female companionship the minute they were alert. She trusted them even though neither understood each other's language. Reinke puzzled over her while he picked the corn. The first snow melted from the warm earth but next time they wouldn't be so lucky. Winter wasn't going to wait this year.

Lou knew she needed to leave the farm but her injuries prevented her from walking away from the security of the Schulz's farm. How could she communicate her need to get to Kearny? Was she even near Kearny? Who was she?

The next morning she received an answer of sorts. The wagon was hitched and the boys' father lead her to it. Johanns motioned for her to climb up in the seat. Where were they taking her? Had she done something wrong to incur their wrath, or had they read her mind and knew she needed to get someplace where she could recognize her surroundings. That would be hard considering she didn't remember enough to even give them her name.

The two were silent as they drove toward the small village of Fairfield. Johanns wanted to explain they didn't want to abandon her but knew she needed to find her way home. It was difficult to have a woman living in their home. All three of the brothers denied themselves the company of a woman. The temptation was great but before anything happened it was time to take her to the town. Maybe someone there would recognize her or she would see someone she knew.

Louise rode along with hundreds of questions racing around in her mind. She looked around the small town as they approached it. Nothing was familiar. She knew she never set foot in this town. They stopped by the only general store in town. She looked at the signs for a clue but couldn't read the German. The owner of the store looked at her and spoke to Johanns.

"Where did you find such a ragamuffin? Is she from around here?"

Johanns shook his head no and asked also in German, "You don't recognize her then. We found her out near our place a while back in bad shape. She doesn't speak Deutsche. She can't stay at our place. Do you know a place she could stay?"

"Why is she dressed like that?"

"That is none of your business. Is there anyone here who speaks English?"

The storekeeper, upset by Johanns answer, said, "Nein." He turned around and went back into his store. Johanns followed him through the doors. He needed to apologize; this was the only place to get the needed supplies for his family for the winter.

Louise realized that no one here could talk to her. Sitting in the wagon with only the oversized shirt and blanket was drawing stares. 'Thank you. I won't forget you,' she spoke silently to the man who rescued her from the creek and quickly climbed out of the wagon. She walked toward the few houses near the small business area in her search. Soon a clothesline was short one pair of pants. The oversized shirt covered her broken arm and she carried the blanket too. She knew she was no thief but saw no other opportunity to blend in with the local residents until she could find out where she was and how to get to Kearny.

Near the livery stable a teamster tried to get the stable master to understand his broken German/English. Finally the two came to an agreement and the driver climbed up into the seat. Louise approached him and asked, "Mister, do you speak English?"

He looked down at the small framed boy and smiled, "Finely someone who knows how to talk proper. What can I do for you, boy?"

"I need to get to Kearny. You headed there?" Lou answered trying to lower her voice. Why did it seem natural to act like a boy?

"Sure am. I'd be glad for the company unless you're in trouble with the law or something?"

"No, just got stranded here. I'd sure appreciate the ride. Do you speak any of what they talk around here?"

"A little, why?"

"Could you explain to the man that brought me to town that we're going to Kearney?"

"Climb aboard. Let's leave this two-bit town of Fairfield. That him by the general store, staring at us?"

Why did that name sound so familiar? She didn't speak the German language like most of the people here did. She couldn't be from this area, could she?

Chapter 4

"Marshall Hunter, you here?" yelled the teenage boy.

"What do you want?" Teaspoon answered surely. Ever since Louise disappeared, Teaspoon blamed himself.

"Sheriff Miller, from Summit, sent me. We found something might belonging to that rider you're missing, from the twister."

"What did you find?" Teaspoon asked excitedly.

"Some boys were fishing down on Elbe Creek and found this gun belt up in a tree. They was going to keep it but the sheriff thought he'd seen your rider with an outfit like this." He handed the belt and holster over to the older man who carefully caressed the leather. It was Lou's! If those boys found it near Elbe Creek, Kid was searching in the wrong area. Lou must have gotten off the horse sooner.

"Thank you, son. We've been searching the wrong place. Where abouts on the creek did they find it?"

"Near the cliffs, just below them that's stripped. Do you know the place?"

Teaspoon smiled. He sure did. Now to find the Kid and tell him.

Two days later Marshall Hunter cautiously approached the pinto mare belonging to Kid. Where was that boy? He'd been out alone hunting for Lou close to three weeks. Would he shoot first and ask questions later?

"Kid, you around here? I've got some news for you. Kid?"

"What do you want to mess up now, Hunter?" The bearded, dirty man walked out of the woods with his rifle aimed straight at the older man's heart. Teaspoon slowly raised his arms and looked directly at his former employee.

"Kid, we've been looking in the wrong place. Some boys found Lou's gun belt over on Elbe Creek, no where near Turtle Creek. The twister couldn't have dropped there."

"I've been to Kearney and back. Every stream and gully between here and there were flooded. I'll try anything." He walked toward his horse when Teaspoon reached out to touch his shoulder. The Kid struck out and hit the older man, knocking him to the ground. Katy stepped nervously around the man laying by her hooves.

"Don't you dare touch me, old man."

Slowly Teaspoon got to his feet and spoke, "I'm going to help you search. I'm no good as a Marshall anymore. She's like my daughter, Kid. You aren't the only one who loves her. Just don't shoot me."

The two men mounted their horses and rode west. Kid hadn't said the old man was welcome but he hadn't told him to go to hell.

Three hours later they began the search of the small meandering stream. It was on the route from the Summit station to the Spring Ranch Station. Kid rode down in the streambed looking for evidence while Teaspoon rode up on the bank. Two miles downstream the water deepened before passing through limestone cliffs.

"They found the gun belt on a tree just past these cliffs," Teaspoon stated. Kid walked his horse through the pass and both men scanned the trees for more evidence of Lou. A white flag of cloth blew in the breeze further down the stream. Teaspoon untangled it from the tree and exclaimed, "It's part of a shirt."

"O, Lord," Kid said quietly. "Where are you, Lou?" Finding her clothing remnants gave proof she was somewhere in the vicinity. Had she survived and lost her clothes or was she dead and some animal stripped her? His weeks out in the rough played tricks on his mind and with his imagination.

"Kid, have you looked at the sky recently? It looks like snow, pretty early for storm." By afternoon the sky let loose with its winter cargo. Snow fell and accumulated, covering everything including clues. Teaspoon and the Kid made camp in the woods near a grassy pasture. The calm stream gurgled, not yet frozen over for the winter. If the river could talk, they would know this was the very spot Louise was deposited after her wild ride down the river. The snow covered everything. The surrounding hills hid the lantern light of the small soddy and barn of the Schultz brothers' farm.

By morning the second snow of the season in central Nebraska territory stopped. The two searchers continued down the river searching for more clues. Kid was the first to spot the lone shoe stuck on a stick. It was Louise's. He had her coat, one shoe, gun belt and holster and a patch of cloth from her shirt, but no clue as to where his wife might be.

The teamster drove his wagon into Kearney. During the two-day journey his passenger said little. "He" explained about getting caught in the flood and being deposited in the Schultz's pasture and that he had no memory of who he was. Lou looked around the small city and realized another recollection surfaced. She needed to get to Fort Kearny not the town of Kearney.

"Sorry, can't help you there, son. The fort's another five miles down the road. I've got to get loaded and back on the road. Looks like more snows on its way. Just follow this road a couple of miles till you see a big white building. Take a right and that road will get you real near the fort." He shook Lou's good hand as he said, "Wish you luck boy in finding what you need to know." "Thanks," Lou responded. "I appreciate all you did for me."

She picked up the blanket and started the journey back east. Would someone recognize her at the fort? The temperature dropped all afternoon and large snowflakes began to fall. She wore no shoes but the teamster gave her some rags to tie on her bare feet that were soon wet in the soggy snow. She wrapped the blanket around her head and body to protect herself from the winds. Not a gentle flurry but a full-fledged blizzard descended on the Nebraska plains.

Lou knew she'd better find shelter for the night. Her body began to shake because of the cold. Her broken arm sent shooting pain through her entire body. Up ahead she could see the outline of someone's barn. Dare she seek shelter there? Hypothermia was setting in and soon she would fall asleep, the kind a person never wakes up from, making the barn her only choice.

Inside the cows and two mules looked at the person letting the bitter wind into their home. Lou snuggled down into a pile of straw in an empty stall and gave into the need to sleep.

Chapter 5

Running low, Teaspoon and Kid stopped in Fairfield for supplies. The gray clouds in the west threatened more snow. Both men knew their time for searching was about to end. They found no more items in the river. Unshaven and unwashed, they walked into the general store and asked in English, "Has anyone here seen a lost person?"

No one understood so no one responded. "How can we find out anything if no one speaks English, Teaspoon."

"Patience, son. I've got this gut feeling we're going to find out something here. I'll get the supplies. Take the horses to the livery and get them some good feed. Ask him, maybe we'll get lucky and he'll speak a little English.

Each man went about his task. The elder purchased the needed supplies by pointing to the items but got no answer to his other questions. The younger man was surprised by the answer to his question. "Yah, a small person fitting that description left this town, maybe five days ago. Caught a ride with a teamster, heading west to Kearney."

Kid could hardly contain his excitement as he looked for the Marshall. "The livery saw her, getting a ride to Kearney, just a few days ago." he exclaimed. "Come on, Teaspoon. Let's get to Fort Kearny."

"Are you sure? He understood you enough to describe Lou?"

"He saw a small boy, dressed in an oversized shirt, get in a wagon with a teamster headed to Kearney. Lou came to town with a farmer who lives near the Elbe Creek. It's got to be her!"

"Don't get to excited. We'll check it out. Hope the snow holds off till we get there."

The two men mounted their horses and rode hard to the west. Why had Lou gone to Kearney when she lived east at Rock Creek? The temperature dropped as the approaching front brought cold Canadian air to the plains. Traveling faster than a loaded freight wagon, the two men went straight to Fort Kearny Pony Express station. Kid held back his disappointment in not finding his wife waiting to greet him. Had they just followed a wild goose chase? The late fall blizzard blanketed the area and everything shut down.

"Kid, be patient. If she's here, we'll find her. Or at least we'll find that teamster who came from Fairfield." Kid took their horses to the barn and bedded them down for the night. Though the cold wind blew into the barn, the hair on the back of Kid's neck prickled. He didn't want to return to the station and answer lots of questions. Damn snow and damn tornadoes. Nebraska weather was determined to keep him from his woman.

"Pa, there's someone sleeping in the barn. At least I hope they're just sleeping and not frozen. I almost jabbed him with the fork when I went to feed the cows." The teenager and his father trudged through the deep snow to the barn. The Swedish Swanborg family moved to the Kearney area last summer and was surprised by the severity of blizzards. "I didn't try to wake him. Why would anyone be out in a storm like that?"

"It would be shelter, something better than nothing."

"Why not come to the house? It would be warmer."

"Who knows? The barn may be the safest place at the time."

"See there he is. Do you suppose he's dead?"

The older man reached down to shake the prone body. A slight moan answered him but there was no movement.

"I think you are right. Help me carry him to the house. He may be alive now but I don't know. He's awfully cold already."

"I can't get to his other arm."

"He's small, just a boy. I'll carry him. Get the door and shut it tight. The temperature must still be going down. Go tell your ma we'll be having a guest for dinner."

The stiff 'boy' was laid on the warm bed near the stove. It was then Mr. Swanborg realized his guest wore no shoes or coat. Had he imagined the moan in the barn? How terrible to be caught so defenseless in the freakish November weather.

"Father, this is a girl. She is so cold." Kristin told her father.

"Son, get some warm rocks. Wrap them in flannel. We need to warm her up."

The Swanborg family moved to Nebraska in hopes of a better life than they found in the crowded cities out East. Immigrating from Sweden five years earlier, they were stranded in the Chicago area. Saving their money, the six-member family worked to earn enough to buy the small dairy between Kearney and Fort Kearny. The members worked together to produce cheese for the locals. They were a happy and close family.

Lou slept through the day while the family continued to reheat the rocks and warm her body. Miraculously she survived yet again the ravages of weather. Kristin, the oldest Swanborg, offered her warm tea. The blonde's friendly smile warmed her even more. The Swanborg parents knew only the language of the homeland but their children were encouraged to learn the talk of the land.

"Welcome to our home. My name is Kristin Swanborg. My brother, Erik, found you in our barn this morning. You are welcome to stay until you feel better."

Feebly Lou replied, "Thanks. I don't remember. . ." She shut her eyes hoping that would help her remember. Fort Kearny, that was were she needed to be. Why? She had been hurt and got a ride to Kearney. She was walking to the Fort. Someone there knew her.

As her body warmed up, so did her mind. Kristen sat by and listened as Lou explained the little she remembered. "I need to get to the Fort. They can find me there."

"Who's looking for you?"

"My. ." She thought for a moment. "My husband is looking for me. I did something, I left our place and I was coming back." She shook her head. "I don't remember nothing more until I woke up at a farm near Fairfield. The men only spoke German. They took care of my broken arm but we couldn't talk. I got a ride with a driver to near here."

"Where are you from? "

Lou thought some more. "Rock Creek, the Pony Express. I remember, I rode a pouch to Fort Kearny and was on my way home. Oh my, the Kid must be worried. I've got to get to the Express station so he can find me!"

"Not tonight anyway. The winds are still strong. Does it always get so cold so early?"

Lou smiled and felt happy. She finally remembered. She was warm and she knew who she was. Certainly the Kid looked for her. Was he near or waiting in Rock Creek?" After another bowl of soup, lots of blankets and a warm fire burning nearby, Louise feel asleep relaxed for the first time in many days. "Kid, I'm coming home."

The blizzard lasted another two days but the third day was warm and bright. The snow sparkled in the dazzling sunlight. Lou sat by the window. The peace she felt after remembering was replaced with frustration at waiting to return home.

Kid and Teaspoon waited out the blizzard at the former Pony Express station. The riders received word October 26 the Express ended but some members still lived in the existing stations. Most of the talk centered on future plans. Kid saw no future without his wife and sat out most of the discussions. The rest of the former riders didn't understand Kid's remorse. They thought he was looking for a missing rider, a boy, not the woman Kid married two months before. As soon as the winds abated, the two men from Rock Creek mounted their horses to continue searching the area for the teamster. They rode north from the fort, passing local farms. By one they saw two men hooking a mule to a sled filled with straw. The two men waved at the farmers and the Swanborg men waved back.

Two hours later the men reached the shipping company of Rust and Brooks, competition of Russell, Majors and Waddell, the owners of the Pony Express. Taking advantage of the break in the early winter weather, the teamster left earlier in the morning headed west towards Gothenburg. He wouldn't be back for two weeks, longer if the early winter storms continued. No one saw any passenger come with him from the last run, but one man remembered the driver talking about someone he'd picked up near Fairfield.

"Lou, where are you?" Kid asked himself. Was this some wild goose chase he'd followed? The doubts crept into his mind. Could Louise still be alive? Maybe she decided she didn't want to live with him any longer and left the territory. Would he ever know for sure? Could he live without Louise by his side?

The two men helped Louise into the waiting sled. She snuggled down into the straw to escape the bitter cold and wind. Kirsten gave her a sack filled with bread and cheese; she wouldn't be hungry for the next few days. The small sled held two, Erik driving. Louise's mind raced with options. Getting to the fort would be the first step, but returning to her home would be a major challenge. The winter weather threatened her progress at every turn. Would this nightmare ever end?

"Where at the fort do you need to go?" Erik asked. He delivered the family's dairy products regularly to the officers' families and knew his way around area. Did she dare go to the Pony Express station? Would she be safe there as 'Louise' or was the Express still in business?

Erik stopped in front of the officer's barracks to deliver fresh milk before it froze. The Major saw the blanket robed woman nestled in the straw and he asked Erik, "Who is that in the sled? New girlfriend?"

"Oh, no, sir. We found her in our barn during the blizzard. She needs to find someone here at the fort but I don't know where she needs to be. Could you tell me where to find the old Pony Express station?"

The Major smiled, walked out to the sled and spoke to the shivering form, "Miss, is your name Louise McCloud?"

Lou eyed the uniformed officer. Did he know her? She didn't recognize him. "Do I know you?"

"Please, come into my house. Your husband is around Kearney looking for you. I'll send word for him that you are here."

Erik looked at his passenger before offering her his hand. "Do you want to stay here? Or we can try to find that other place?"

"I'll stay here. Thank you Erik. Major, I don't know your name, but I also don't remember" She let the sentence drop. Kid was near. Today she might finally be reunited with her husband.

"I'm Major Erbach and I've known Teaspoon for a long time. We're both from Texas. Private Collins, help Miss McCloud from the sled." The soldier helped her down and led her to the Major's door. "Go find Teaspoon Hunter and that other man with him. Bring them here. Tell them I have what they're looking for. They headed out for Kearney this morning." The officer turned towards Erik, "Did you bring me some cheese? You're family makes the best cheese around here."

Chapter 6

"Sir, are you Marshall Teaspoon Hunter?" the uniformed man asked the whiskered older man standing at the bar. Slowly turning towards the soldier, the older man slowly nodded. He was so tired. Weeks out in the cold weather had taken its toll. Seeing the soldier filled him with consternation, he didn't need anymore bad news.

The soldier asked again, "Sir, I need to find Marshall Hunter, Major Erbach sent me."

"Yes, son, I'm Hunter. What does Erbach want this time?" the old man asked slowly.

"He said you and that other man with you should come to his place. He's found what you're looking for."

Slowly the man's speech penetrated Teaspoon's alcohol deadened brain. Erbach found something? What did the soldier say? Erbach had what they were looking for? But they were looking for Louise and she wasn't anywhere to be found. She wasn't at the fort this morning when they left. "Oh my Louise." he moaned.

"I don't know the lady's first name but Major Erbach called her Miss McCloud."

Teaspoon's eyes brightened as a huge smile crept across his face. He bellowed, "KID we've found her." He bounded up the stairs to the sleeping rooms above the bar and ran to their room. "Kid, wake up. We've found her."

The young man, aged beyond his twenty years, looked at the shiny face of his drunken companion. "Leave me alone old man. Go drown yourself."

"No, Kid. There's this soldier downstairs. Major Erbach from Fort Kearny sent him. He has Louise. She's at his place at the fort. Come on." Seeing no reaction from his depressed young friend, he sat on the bed beside the Kid. "This is the real thing Kid. You can see her tonight. Let's ride to the fort."

Shaking his head, Kid grumbled. "You're drunk and its cold. Leave me alone."

Teaspoon grabbed the sullen man and said. "I know where Louise is and I'm going to see her now. Sit here and stew in your gloom."

He left the room and walked down to the stable. The temperature dropped to record lows but Teaspoon was immune to the cold. Only one purpose in life directed his actions, Go find Louise, to hell with the Kid. He'd go get the girl and bring her to her husband. As he rode out of the livery another rider on a pinto mare passed him. He would have to push his horse to catch the former Pony Express rider headed for Fort Kearny.

Both men arrived together at the fort in the middle of Nebraska Territory along the Platte River. The older man led the way to the officer's quarters. Approaching midnight, most of the rooms were dark. Behind which door was the woman they searched for over a month? The left door on the first floor opened and light spilled out onto the boardwalk.

"Teaspoon, Kid, in here."

"Erbach, you sent a soldier to get us?" Teaspoon asked.

"Come in out of that cold. I'll tell you what I've got."

Kid wasted no time waiting to enter the officer's room. "Where is she?"

"She's sleeping. It sound's like she's had one heck of a time, son. Don't scare her," the major added as he pointed to the bunk on the opposite side of the room.

Approaching the sleeping figure with trepidation, Kid licked his lips. What if this wasn't his wife? What would he say if it was Louise? He quietly knelt beside the sleeping form, oblivious to any other persons in the room. "Louise," he said gently, as he touched her arm. "Louise," he repeated.

Slowly she opened her eyes, looking directly into the blue pools of her husband's eyes. She shut them tightly before opening them again. The blue eyes and huge loving smile hadn't vanished. Reaching her uninjured arm up to touch his face, Louise returned the smile. Neither knew what to say, there was so much that needed saying.

Kid gently picked Louise up into his arms and held her tight never wanting to let go. Life didn't value if she wasn't part of his. Following the lengthy embrace, Kid released her so she could sit up. She began her tale and late in the night all four finally slept.

Epilogue

Three days later, two men with trimmed hair, and a young woman dressed in warm clothes rode into Rock Creek. Winter came early and the snow refused to melt in early December. No one was at the bunkhouse or Rachel's house so they rode on to the schoolhouse. They knew they shouldn't interrupt Rachel's class but no one wanted to wait until the school day ended. Louise and Kid, hand in hand, walked into the room. The students looked up from their studies while the teacher continued to write on the blackboard.

"Rachel, I'm home." Lou said.

The schoolteacher and Louise's friend started shaking at the sound of the missing girl's voice. Turning slowly, she started laughing and crying at the same time. The men found her, she was HOME!

Oblivious to the young students watching, Rachel hugged Louise. Both women were crying. Two students eyed the couple cautiously.

"I'm sorry we interrupted your class but I couldn't wait to see you. Kid and I just found each other three days ago at Fort Kearny. I'm so sorry to worry you like this."

"I'm glad you're safe. When Teaspoon left to find the Kid and none of you came back for weeks, I was so scared." Rachel smiled, "But here you are, safe and sound."

"Hello, Louise," said a young thirteen year old boy, one of the students.

Lou looked at the voice and her eyes got large. It was her younger brother, Jeremiah. She quickly scanned the room for Teresa, her little sister. Spotting her, she looked to Rachel for an explanation. Separated over five years ago, Lou had seen her siblings only once since leaving the orphanage.

"I finished your letter and sent it to Teresa, telling her you were married. St. Joe's become a dangerous place with all the guerrillas in the area. The Sister's closed the orphanage. Since you were missing I offered to take in your brother and sister and they live with me now."

Lou reached out to her brother and sister and said, "I've missed you so much."

"You're not mad, we came here?" asked her brother.

Tears streamed down the young woman's face as she looked at her stoic brother and scared sister. "No, I'm not mad. I can't believe we're back together again." She looked at her husband, realizing what the appearance of her siblings would mean to their beginning a life together.

His smile gave her the confidence that no matter what happened, he would support her and her family.

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.

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