By C.C.
Copyright 2000
It has been such a long, hot stagecoach ride from Boston, all the way to Sweetwater Kansas. She was not accustomed to the dust and the heat she had encountered since leaving the east which now seemed a lifetime ago.
The stage pulled to a stop outside the local hotel. It’s arrival was always an event in Sweetwater, so those in town stopped their daily activities to watch.
Several of the boys from the Pony Express station were in town picking up the supplies that Rachel, the station mistress had ordered. Buck, Jimmy, Ike and Kid all stopped what they were doing to watch the passengers unload.
They watched as an older couple, the women short and plump and the man tall and skinny were the first to unload followed closely by a younger dark haired man dressed in a dark suit and a dusty derby hat - definitely out of place they all thought. The next to exit the stage caught the breath of all the riders. She peered cautiously out the door, scanning the street. She was a young women with long auburn hair that reached her waist. She slowly stepped on the stair leading down from the stagecoach. Kid noticed her eyes immediately. They were huge and as dark as the night sky. He though she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen; even though she was covered with dust and dirt from days on the trail.
The other riders too were entranced, but none as taken as the Kid. Ike slapped him on the back and motioned to Jimmy and Buck that Kid had lost his heart. Jimmy chuckled, “Nah, just his other brain that’s workin’ right now!” Kid didn’t seem to hear Jimmy’s comment though. They all chuckled and turned back to their chore of buying the supplies.
Kid however didn’t take his eyes off of her - he did notice the young man who got off the stage before her didn’t offer to help her down, maybe it’s her brother, he thought with hope. Can’t see how a husband would treat his wife like that.
She managed to get off of the stage alone, awkwardly because of her billowing skirts, and layers of ruffles. As she perused the street once again she notice the man standing outside the general store staring at her.
Kid seeing her notice him turned quickly and joined the other riders. His mind still on the girl from the stagecoach.
Louise briefly thought about the young cowboy who had been staring at her. Must have never seen a lady looking so dreadful, she thought to herself.
A few days had passed and Kid just couldn’t get his mind off the girl from the stagecoach. He just couldn’t understand his fascination with her, he didn’t usually go head of heels so fast. He prided himself on being level-headed and making slow, smart choices. But for some reason this girl occupied his thoughts.
The sheriff of Sweetwater had just polished off the lunch plate the pony express riders had brought to him from the station. Patting his bulging belly, Teaspoon stood to stretch, “Well Kid, Jimmy what’d ya say we make the rounds? Walk some of Rachel’s good cooking off.”
Jimmy and Kid chuckled at the grizzled older man and followed him out to door.
There was no mistaken that Kid had been searching the street for a glimpse of his ‘dream’ girl. As they were heading back to the office the family from the stagecoach emerged from the hotel, the trio almost bumping into the plump lady.
“Oh excuse me, ma’am” Kid blushed and then noticed the girl looking at him with amusement.
Teaspoon shook the gentleman’s hand and introduced the family to the riders. “Kid, Jimmy I’d like you to meet Sweetwater’s newest family. This is the Richardson’s, Richard and Anne, Richard here is the new bank president.” Kid and Jimmy acknowledged the couple. “And” Teaspoon continued “their son Stephen and his lovely bride-to-be Miss Louise McCloud.”
Kid felt his stomach churn at hearing that she was engaged. He internally scolded himself, don’t be ridiculous Kid, you don’t know nothin’ about her. She’s just another pretty face and you know it!
Jimmy tipped his hat to Louise but Kid just couldn’t find himself quickly enough and Louise spoke first as she extended her hand. “I’m Jimmy, nice to meet ya ma’am.” “Pleasure’s mine” she assured him. Turning her attention to Kid.
“So that must mean you’re Kid?” she questioned.
He took her outstretched hand “Yes ma’am, that’s right” he returned.
“Funny name, is it your real name?” she inquired.
“Oh no, just folks been callin’ me that for so long - just kinda seems natural” he released her hand and she immediately took hold of Stephen’s arm.
Teaspoon continued. “These are two of my pony express riders, two of the best” he beamed with pride.
Stephen almost laughed at Teaspoons pride.
“Pony Express riders you say?” he spoke diminutively. “Guess that’s about all a young fellow can do out in these parts without an education.”
Both riders were insulted by his crude comments but didn’t show it.
Kid commented, “Well, if you grow up lovin’ horses and lovin’ to ride don’t see there’s a better way to make a livin’, if you’ll excuse us. It was nice to meet you all” his eyes lingered on Louise for just a moment longer.
The threesome turned to go, “Ain’t he a son-of-a-bitch” Jimmy stated flatly. Kid just shook his head, should have known she’d be one of those high-society snobby types he thought.
Louise went back to her room after meeting the express riders. Something that the one called Kid said got to her.
“Guess if you grow up lovin’ horses and lovin’ to ride, don’t see there’s a better way to make a livin’.” Louise wondered what it would feel like to be able to do what you really wanted to do.
She had always been forced to play a part. The young daughter of a rich businessman of Boston, the lady she was expected to be becoming a nuisance to her.
She’d love nothing better that to wear one of the plain skirts she noticed most of the women out here wore, she had even seen some women in trousers. Oh, she thought how I’d love to not have to wear all of these layers and make sure every word I utter is proper.
She sighed as she approached the window to watch the people of Sweetwater. She saw Kid and Jimmy mount their horses. She noticed Kid pet his horse lovingly then it appeared that he whispered in the horses ear, Lou laughed. She watched as they rode expertly out of town - a longing to be free steadily growing within her.
Stephen had come to her room after dinner that night and knocked.
“Louise darling, let me in,” he whispered close to the door.
Louise was already dressed for bed and didn’t want to let him in. He had made advances on her lately, and she was not about to let them go further. A real lady would never sleep with a man until after marriage, she knew Stephen was frustrated but she also knew that she had never done anything to lead him on.
“It’s late Stephen, I’m dressed in my night clothes, I’ll see you tomorrow” she spoke tiredly.
“Come on Louise, we’ll be married soon, why not?” he whined.
“Stephen,” she became more stern, “We’ve already discussed this several times, now go to bed, I will see you in the morning.” She left the door and walked to the window. Again her mind wandering to the freedom she longed for.
Having stood by the window for sometime she headed toward the bed. Looking at it she shuddered.
It wouldn’t be long before she was sharing a bed with Stephen, she knew she was supposed to be happy, but the thought of it made her ill.
She didn’t understand sex, she thought she loved Stephen, but in her mind she couldn’t begin to imagine having sex with him, or any other man for that matter.
She pushed all of the troublesome thoughts from her mind and was surprised that the image she saw with the stress cleared from her mind was that of the blue-eyed express rider named Kid.
Kid had returned to the station with Jimmy. They both ended up laughing over the snobby family they had met earlier.
“Easterner’s think they’re so much better than anybody else” Jimmy remarked. “Wish they just stay the hell home!”
Kid had to agree with this last comment. The West was no where for a family like the Richardson’s. Probably couldn’t hold a gun much less shoot one, he thought wryly.
Glad however, to finally have that girl off his mind, he’d never have anything to do with a snob.
Louise awoke the next morning feeling a little spunky. “I think I just might buy one of those plain skirts today, I’m tired of all these frills” she told her image in the mirror.
After breakfast she visited a dress shop and found the plainest skirt and blouse she could find. She was pleased and anxious to wear her new outfit.
Exiting her hotel room she ran into Stephen. “What the hell is that Louise” he grimaced as het noticed her attire.
Obviously hurt, Louise sighed and smoothed her skirt. “Stephen, no one else around her dresses like I do, I feel.... well.. I feel so out of place, just humor me darling” and she leaned up to kiss his cheek.
Softened by her attitude he agreed. “Well alright, just don’t make it a habit, are you coming to lunch?” She nodded her head and followed him to the dining room.
The next day Stephen and his father were to begin the task of opening the new bank and Louise knew this would give her some free time. But Mrs. Richardson had plans for her today, ladies tea and social committee at the church. Louise sighed, maybe tomorrow.
She didn’t see Stephen or the Richardson’s the next morning. She decided to go talk with the Sheriff, he was a nice enough man and knowledgeable about Sweetwater. She might as well find out as much as she could about her new hometown.
Teaspoon almost fell out of his chair in his haste to stand as she entered the office. She had to stifle a giggle.
“Well, howdy Miss Louise, good mornin’ to ya” he bowed at the waist.
She smiled at him, “I’m find Mr. Teaspoon, thank you for asking” she responded politely.
“It’s just Teaspoon dear and I must say you look rather stunning today,” he eyed her appreciatively. Louise blushed remembered Stephen’s opposite reaction to her choice of outfits.
“Thank you again.... Teaspoon” she hesitated. “I was wondering if you had some time, to fill me in on the town and the do’s and don’ts. You know this is all so new to me, I’d like to make a good impression.”
Teaspoon was very happy to oblige her and took her on a tour of the town, interjecting the town gossip when necessary. Advising of the places to visit and those not to. As the tour of the town was concluding he offered to take her to the pony express station, he thought she might find it interesting.
Louise was excited about visiting the station. “I’ll grab us some horses” he indicated as he headed toward the livery.
“Oh no Teaspoon.... I don’t....I can’t... I mean I haven’t ridden a horse since I was a little girl.... and even then it wasn’t really riding, more like sitting on a horse” she looked at him sheepishly.
He grinned at her “Alright, I’ll get a buck board.”
He helped her to the seat and they headed to the way station. “If you don’t mind me buttin’ in to your business a little Louise, you really should know how to ride out here... it ain’t really a luxury, it’s more of a necessity.
“Oh” she replied dreamily. “I’d love to learn, Stephen says it’s not proper for a lady to ride like that.”
He laughed, “Better not let the ladies round these parts overhear him, then he’d find out just what unlady like is” he chucked as they continued toward the way station.
The scenery was magnificent and Louse didn’t say much more as they drove. She just drank in all that was around her. She had never imagined the west to be so beautiful. This is where she wanted to live, out her, away from the town. But she know Stephen would never. He’d probably live in the bank if his father would let him, she thought snidely.
Before she knew it they were at the station.
Rachel, noticing the buck board hurriedly approached, fearing something was wrong.
Louise immediately noticed her beauty, even though her face was tanned from the sun and her hair mussed from her work, she could tell she was a hard worker (work... Lou thought, wonder what that’s like) and she could also tell that she liked her and knew they could become friends.
“Rachel,” Teaspoon addressed her, “this here is Miss Louise McCloud, the fiance’ of the new back president’s son. Louise, Mrs. Rachel Dunne, best damn station mistress the pony express employs!” Rachel blushed furiously at his compliment.
“Well nice to meet you Miss McCloud, welcome to Sweetwater”, she beamed at her, not having much contact with other women, glad for the opportunity.
“Please call me Louise, and the pleasures mine Mrs. Dunne”.
“It’s just Rachel”, she replied non-chalantly.
Teaspoon held out his hand to help Louise down from the buckboard. Rachel looked at the petite women in front of her, a little envious of her youth and her beauty, but she could tell right away that she was going to like her.
“Well Louise” Rachel addressed her “what brings you out here to the way station?”
“Well I asked Teaspoon to show me around town and after the tour he offered to bring me here and I’m interested in seeing how it all works” she answered genuinely.
“Well, I’m not so sure you’ll find too much excitement round here, mostly just chores and boys bickerin’” she joked.
They walked toward the corral which house the pony express horses, Louise noticed some of the boys around. She recognized Jimmy and noticed he was mounting his horse.
“Rider Coming!” she heard one of the boys, an Indian, yell.
She watched with fascination as the rider approached and Jimmy took off in the same direction. She thought they were going to run headfirst into each other. She sighed loudly as she saw the horses barely miss each other, the pouch the approaching rider carried smoothely handed to Jimmy.
“Have a good ride Jimmy” Kid yelled as he pulled Katy’s reins to slow her to a trot. He looked to Teaspoon and Racel and noticed Louise McCloud standing with them.
He approached the three and dismounted Katy. Louise watched as he once again spoke to the horse, she chuckled to herself thinking it looked like they were conversing.
“How was your ride Kid?” Rachel questioned.
“It was fine, nothin’ unusual today” he replied non-chalantly eyeing Louise.
“Miss McCloud” he tipped his hat to acknowledge her presence.
Louise nodded her head, “Kid, nice to see you again.”
“Well if ya’ll will excuse me I’m tired, hungry and dirty, Rachel if you don’t mind I’d like to shower before eatin.”
“Find Kid, let me know when you’re ready, I’ll heat you some dinner, okay?”
Kid turned to leave but decided he’d like to know what brought Louise out here, he turned back and looked at her. She noticed him turn and when she met his eyes she felt her heart flutter. What was that she wondered.
“Miss McCloud, what brings you out here? Don’t seem this is your kind of place.” he spoke with a slightly sarcastic tone.
His tone did not go unnoticed by Louise wonder what he’s acting like that for. Teaspoon offered a tour of the town and the way station, I figured if this was going to become my home I might as well get to know it”, she replied curtly. “And you may call me Louise” she added.
Rachel watched the exchange with a little amusement. “You two know each other?” she questioned.
“Met her and her fiance’ in town the other day” Kid replied and once again turned to go.
Louise remembered Stephen’s rude comments to Jimmy and Kid and regretted that she hadn’t spoken up, realizing it may have made it look as if she too was a snob.
By the time Kid entered the bunkhouse for dinner Teaspoon and Louise had headed back in to town. Kid was relieved that they were gone, he had finally stopped thinking about her as much and he didn’t want that to change, he didn’t like her or her fiance’, he wished she just stay in town.
