"Ellie? Say something..." the young man snapped the twig he was holding nervously.
"Where are you going to go?" she asked looking away from him.
"West"
"So you've said, but west covers a lot of places!"
"I don't know Ellie, maybe somewhere like Fort Laramie."
"And what the hell are you going to do in a place like that?" she spat out at him, this time holding eye contact.
Her companion dropped his head and threw the broken twig into the stream where they were cooling their feet. He sighed, he had known she would take it badly. His Aunt had cried when he told her and his Uncle had paced around a few times and lit his pipe, trying to buy time to find the right thing to say as he had expected but Ellie was unpredictable in her reaction.
"I'll find something," he said quietly.
She stood up quickly and walked knee deep into the water with her dress and petticoat hitched high enough to expose her lacey undergarments. The young man smiled at the sight of her. Her mother had decided on her daughter's 14th birthday that it was time that her daughter got rid of her trousers and donned a skirt and petticoats on a more regular basis. That was a month ago and while the child involved had reluctantly relented to her mother's urges, she had yet to master the art of acting like a lady.
She spun around as though something had struck her. "I'm going with you"
He joined her in the water "No you are not!"
"Why not?" she demanded.
"Because your brother has just ridden off to god knows where and your Father after him. How would your Ma feel with both children and a husband riding around the west somewhere? Sounds kinda selfish to me don't you think?"
She glared at him knowing he was right but hating him for it. "Selfish! How come you can ride out and leave your family behind and that's ok?"
"Because I have to if I want to get by in life" he paused wondering if he should say what he was thinking. "Besides its not the fact that I'm riding out on my family that's bugging you is it? It's me leaving you behind that you're sore about"
She made her way to the bank and sat back down "I'm scared that you won't come back like Teddy. I...I don't know who I'll have to talk with and ride with and stuff"
"Ellie, you don't know that Teddy's not coming back and I promise I will come back just as soon as I can." he glanced sideways at the girl beside him, with her damp skirt clinging to her legs and her hair flying around her face as usual, wishing he could tell her the truth about why he had to leave, and teased "besides now that you are a lady you can spend time with other young ladies and discuss young lady things like patchwork and cooking and...party dresses!"
Ellie looked at her friend wondering whether to laugh or hit him, he made the decision for her by pulling her into an embrace and tucking the loose wisps of hair behind her ears. She sighed, how was she going to live without him. Suddenly the seeds of a plan started to grow in her head and she smiled as she realised that there may be a way where she wouldn't have to.
Chapter I
Flour, sugar, blue ribbon and...Eleanor had no idea what the fourth thing was that she was meant to get at the store. Why hadn't she written it down, she chided herself for her laziness. She tried walking faster, perhaps it would jolt her memory and then she realized that she was going to have to get it all delivered anyway since she didn't have the wagon. Oh well, at least the walk was pleasant and after all that rain she was pleased to be out of the house.
"Mornin' Miz Eleanor"
"Morning Robert" she replied cheerfully to the young banker as she turned the corner of the saloon to be on the main street of Rock Creek.
Several horses trotted by leaving hoof prints in the damp road. Eleanor was careful to keep close to the buildings to avoid the splatters of dirt tossed up by the riders, her dress was clean this morning and she wanted to keep it that way for at least another couple of days. Wash day was far from her favourite day of the week.
Near the store were two young men talking, they were new to this town, possibly some of the express riders that had just moved into town.
"Bound to bring trouble with them," she thought in an adult disapproving kind of way but she also felt a hint of childish excitement at the prospect of it.
Her father had mentioned that an old friend of his, Teaspoon Hunter, was going to be the new Marshal and manage the Pony Express Station. Eleanor had heard of Mr. Hunter many times and the stories of fun and mischief that her father and he had gotten into in their younger Texas Ranger years, but that was before she was born and before her father had moved to Irwin to marry her mother.
As she approached the store a third young man skipped down the steps towards them, Eleanor's heart froze.
"Surely that wasn't him, what would he be doing here, he wouldn't be in Rock Creek, he would be ..." she wasn't sure what he'd be doing but that gait was too familiar for comfort.
The young man's friends had noticed her staring and had alerted him. As he turned to reveal the face that Eleanor had tried so hard to forget she spun on her heels and briskly returned the way from which she had come.
Once home she collapsed in a chair at the table, her heart was still beating like Indian tom-toms. It wasn't him, she tried to convince herself but deep down she knew it was. Her past was returning to torment her as though living with the ghosts of memory hadn't been hard enough for these last few years. Her head was spinning, Aunt Jane had offered to have her stay for a while after her mother had died, Eleanor wondered if the offer still stood. Charleston was a decent distance from Rock Creek and distance was what she wanted right now! She knew that there would never be enough distance between them, and that sooner or later their paths were always going to cross and she would be forced to face the past, the memory of that awful day, but she wished that it could be delayed until she was a lot older.
"Ellie? You alright?" her father stroked her head with a concerned tenderness.
"Yeah," she lied, forcing a smile "I'm just a little tired is all."
"How did you get the supplies home?"
"Um... I haven't been yet. I just went for a walk earlier"
" I need to get the ax mended, so I can give you a ride to town after lunch if you like."
"That sounds great, Pa" Eleanor tried to muster some enthusiasm and must have succeeded because her father failed to notice the fear in her voice.
Eleanor pulled her bonnet tight over her head to shield her face as the old cart rattled past the newly refurbished Way Station and Marshals Office. Once she braved a glance in the direction of the Pony Express Station, but turned away as soon as she detected movement from the barn.
At the store Eleanor hurried around ordering the things she needed, including the thimble that she had forgotten earlier. Common sense told her that the riders were unlikely to return to the store today but she couldn't help feeling jumpy.
On the way home her father informed her that he had run into Teaspoon Hunter at the blacksmiths and invited him over for lunch tomorrow. A chill ran down Eleanor's spine as she calmly asked if he would be coming alone or bringing the riders with him. Even her father's answer of "alone" failed to comfort her very much.
Another glance down the road told her that Teaspoon was coming alone, as he had said the day before but Eleanor knew that keeping the fact that Cody was in town a secret from her father was going to be a near impossible task. Teaspoon was bound to mention that one of his charges was from Irwin.
"Well Good day, Ma'am" said Teaspoon tipping his beaten old hat as he climbed the steps. "Surely a weather-beaten old hound dog like Jack couldn't have such a beautiful daughter!"
Jack Cicely laughed "We always needed to watch you with the women Teaspoon. This is my daughter Eleanor", to which Eleanor smiled and bobbed politely. He was just as she had pictured him, rugged with a friendly face and a quick tongue to match, she liked him immediately.
Lunch was followed by a collection of "Did he ever tell you about the time...." tales and more laughter than Eleanor could remember hearing since her mother died a year ago.
Much to Eleanor's relief Teaspoon never mentioned Cody, or any other riders for that matter, during lunch and all too soon it was time for him to leave to "get back to his boys". As he was climbing on his horse Eleanor was beginning to feel a little more confident, then Teaspoon mentioned that there was one of his riders that he would like her to meet. Eleanor felt her heart rise to her mouth as she stumbled around for a polite excuse to avoid the situation. She missed the knowing look passed between the old friends which would have only sent her into a greater panic if she had caught it.
A sudden crash awakened Eleanor and she darted for the door with her wrap streaming behind her.
"Ellie, grab a lantern!" came her father's voice from the direction of the barn.
She hurried across the damp ground towards the remaining structures of the barn. Under the light her father sighed at the sight of the illuminated chunks of wood where the barn had been. Luckily the horses had been moved to the new stable two weeks ago but the barn still housed all the hay and vegetables from the season before.
"Not much we can do tonight, Ellie, might as well try and get some more sleep and start on the mess tomorrow"
It never ceased to amaze Eleanor how calmly her father faced each new obstacle, her mother would have been distraught over the night's incident but her Pa just looked for a way to fix it.
Things looked worse in the light of day and the hay was soggy from the rain that had followed the winds. As they were moving the produce that was salvageable to the stable, two riders approached, Eleanor strained to identify them. One was Teaspoon but the other she was unsure of. Once closer Eleanor recognized the other rider as one of the boys who had been outside the shop the other day. He was small and wiry and something about him interested her but she was unsure what it was exactly.
"See the storm caught you too," called Teaspoon as he dismounted, "several folks on the other side of town had a bit of damage too. Mornin Miz Eleanor, This here is the rider I was talking to you bout yesterday, Lou Macloud". The rider looked embarrassed as he dismounted. "Well I can see there's work to be done so I'll leave you two ladies to get to know each other!"
"Ladies" Eleanor nearly laughed when she realised why Teaspoon had wanted her to meet Lou, and no doubt her father was in on this too! He had never understood why Eleanor had shunned all the other girls in Irwin and had been puzzled over his daughter's lack of friends.
"Hi" said Lou in a manner that told Eleanor that she had about as much time for female friends as Eleanor did.
"Hi," she replied "I think I saw you by the store the other day," Eleanor could have kicked herself - what did she bring that up for!
Lou smiled a little "Don't think I'd have recognized ya, ya high-tailed outta there that fast."
"I forgot something" Eleanor lied unconvincingly.
"Uh huh" nodded Lou sensing that something was amiss.
"I'm sorry. I should have asked if you wanted a drink or something."
"Yeah Teaspoon thinks we should play ladies so we might as well."
Eleanor laughed and beckoned Lou inside.
"Do the express riders bother you?"
"What d'ya mean?" queried Eleanor placing the kettle on the fire.
"A lotta folk round here aren't that comfortable with us bein this close to town. Thought you might be one of them after the way you took off when you saw us!"
"No. I just remembered something is all. Is it hard dressin as a boy?"
"Sometimes" Lou stated thoughtfully "But I bin doin it so long now I don't know any other way."
"I used to spend all my time playing boys games as a kid and my best friends were all boys, sometimes I wish I could go back to those days".
"You lived in Rock Creek long?"
"No. Pa and I moved here after Ma died last year, this used to be my Uncle's place but he's moved back to Kansas and told Pa to look after the place. It's quite nice really, but ..."
"But what?"
"Folk are a little hard to get to know, they've all been friends since they were kids and I'm an outsider," stated Eleanor
"Yeah, I noticed that too. They're polite but we're not really one of them."
"Cuse me ladies," Teaspoon's head poked in around the door "but we are goin to need a hand here with this barn. Lou ride back and get a couple of the boys to come back with you and tell Rachel we may be a little late for supper"
"You could stay here for supper, it wouldn't be any trouble" Eleanor offered hoping he'd turn it down. She knew her father would expect her to offer but she was afraid of who she might end up feeding!
"After lunch yesterday I'd be a fool to turn down an offer like that!" Teaspoon winked at Lou "You should try to learn her secret Lou!"
"I'll be back soon," said Lou as she rose from the table, playfully glaring at Teaspoon.
Eleanor helped the men awhile until she heard the sound of horses approaching and without remaining around to see who Lou had brought back, she excused herself and busied herself in the kitchen with preparations for the evening meal. After peeling potatoes for a few minutes her curiosity got the better of her and she crept to the window to survey the new comers.
Eleanor could see three more horses, one rider was spreading the soggy hay across the lawn in an attempt to dry it out, when he turned she could see his fresh-faced youthfulness. Another came from the stable talking to Lou, from the distance she could see his broad shoulders and long black hair blowing in the wind, she guessed him to be Indian, but he was too far away to be sure. Another rider came to help spread the straw, he was tall and wore a black Stetson and was, Eleanor thought, quite good-looking. Contented that Billy was nowhere to be seen she returned to her task of peeling potatoes. So engrossed in thought of what might-have-been was Eleanor that she didn't hear the approach of another horse.
"Well I'll be... Ellie get out here now!" bellowed Jack Cicely. Eleanor dropped the knife and ran for the door confused and concerned.
"What is it Pa? Is everything alright?"
"Take a look who turned up to help!" her father pointed to the buck-skin clad rider that Eleanor had scampered from in town, "Well...!"
"Hello Billy," she said straining to control her voice, her whole body felt tense and shaky.
"Eleanor," Cody nodded, "How've you been?" The sound of her full name from him surprised her. His look was cold, almost hateful. She had never seen that from him before. Her father was enthusiastically telling Teaspoon about how he knew the rider and missed the barely concealed hostility between the former friends but Lou didn't.
"Fine and you?" replied Eleanor civilly.
"I've got by" The depth of the message was not lost on Eleanor who bit her lip and nodded.
"I gotta get dinner" she mumbled, anxious to return to the safety of the kitchen and turned towards the house. Her knees were still shaking when she got inside, she picked up the knife she had dropped and attempted to resume her work but her hand was shaking so much that she sliced the end of her finger bringing blood. "Damn!" she cursed shoving the affected finger in her mouth.
"Give me that," Lou pried the knife from her other hand "There's enough meat already without you adding more."
"Thanks" Eleanor smiled, surprised but relieved to see her new friend beside her.
"You ok?" Lou asked.
"I'll be fine," Eleanor wrapped a piece of cobweb around the cut to stop the bleeding, "look, it's nearly stopped already."
"I wasn't talking about the finger," said Lou, looking hard at Eleanor.
"Oh."
"What happened out there with Cody?"
Eleanor shook her head "We use to be friends..."
"What went wrong?"
"I needed to grow up faster than I did," Eleanor could tell from Lou's quizzical expression that she hoped for more of an answer.
"I've never seen Cody react that way before," stated Lou.
"Me neither," Eleanor replied quietly.
Dinner was a little easier than Eleanor anticipated, she was kept busy serving her guests and had little involvement in the conversation about how Teaspoon ended up as Way Station manager and Marshal. Cody avoided eye contact with Eleanor which, while it upset her it also made the evening a little easier to face.
"Well boys, we best be goin before that rain starts coming down again. That was one of the best meals of my life Miz Eleanor and I'll be back next time the barn blows down as long as you're cooking!"
Eleanor felt the color rising in her cheeks as she became aware that Cody was watching her "Thank you Mr Hunter."
"Jack," he nodded towards his old friend.
"Come any time Teaspoon, and you boys as well. After the work you did today you are more than welcome to visit again. D'ja hear that William!"
Cody managed a smile "Yessir"
"There was a time I use to pay this boy to keep quiet - never stopped talking long enough to take a breath!" Jack Cicely laughed.
"Not much changes does it!' quipped Jimmy.
"Aw come on Jimmy, he ain't talked that much tonight" Lou shot Kid a glance that left him wondering what he'd just said wrong.
The riders mounted their horses and headed off into the darkness.
To be continued...Chapters II-III
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales