Cody and Lou have just begun the tender stage of a new romance. But will their strenth and love for each other be enough to conquer their biggest fears?

"Lou, can I ask you something?" wondered Cody as we approached the station.

I was in a playful mood, "I think you just did."

"You got me there," he laughed. "But I wanted to know if we could just keep things between us for a few days. It's not that I'm ashamed of you or anything, I'd just like to enjoy this without the boys joshin' me for a few days."

"Sure," I answered. "That's a great idea. I'd like a couple days of peace myself." Cody leaned over and sealed our agreement with a kiss.

At supper time it became apparent that we might as well have come in waving a banner announcing our new status. The other boys snickered, winked, jostled Cody and generally made fools of themselves. Even Emma just smiled and made no effort to stop their behavior. The only reason the boys didn't actually say anything or pester me was due to Teaspoon's presence.

"Do you mind sharing with the rest of us, Buck?" asked Teaspoon after Buck had nudged Cody with an elbow.

"Uh, yes, Teaspoon. It's kind of between us riders," he explained with a remarkably straight face.

"Well, I suggest you keep it that way and not bring it to meal times," recommended our station master. "What is it with these boys tonight, Emma?"

She shrugged, "Boys will be boys, Teaspoon."

It was the wrong thing to say. Her comment sent the boys into a fit of giggles. The sight of Jimmy giggling was contagious, and soon Cody and I were laughing right along with the others. Eventually my stomach began to ache because of laughing so much after a meal. Teaspoon sighed in resignation as he dug into his apple pie.

After supper, Teaspoon and Emma returned to their respective places, Emma having promised me a "good long talk" in the morning.

The boys were no better as we prepared for bed.

"Why don't you read out loud to us tonight, Cody?" asked Kid. "You know what I'm in the mood for? A good romance story." This comment sent the boys into hysterical laugher once again.

"Knock it off, Kid," Cody admonished without much feeling. I think he was actually enjoying the teasing.

"You boys need to behave yourselves around Teaspoon," I chided, and the boys seemed to calm down. We turned down the lights except for one so Cody could read. After Noah came to us, he had started us in the pattern of taking turns reading aloud before we went to sleep at night. Sometimes it was a book, but usually they were shorter stories from magazines. Listening to someone read before bed had become a nice ritual for all of us.

I was so tired from the day's ride that I had a hard time focusing on the plot, but it was relaxing to listen to Cody's voice. Eventually I fell into that state of complete relaxation-right between being half asleep and half awake.

"Cody, is Lou asleep?" asked Jimmy. My ears perked up and now I was more awake-this could be interesting. I was fortunate enough to be turned towards the wall and I kept perfectly still

"Yeah, I think so. It was a long ride today," Cody whispered. I could hear the warm smile on his lips. "Why?"

"'Cause I think you're a lucky guy, Cody," admitted Jimmy. "That's why we were givin' you such a bad time."

"Been teased about worse things," Cody said casually. "Goodnight, fellas."

After chores the next morning, Emma found an excuse to invite me over to her house. I collpased into an easy chair and looked around at all her feminine belongings. A pretty china cup and saucer here- a doily there-made me feel comforted and served as a reminder that I still could appreciate the daintier things in life.

Emma noticed my admiration and smiled, "It's nice to see soneone else appreciate a few of my finer things. Men don't seem to have an eye for it."

"My mama had some pretty things, but she had to sell them when she was sick to pay for the doctor. Only thing I have left of hers is the family Bible."

"It's a shame you don't have more things of hers," agreed Emma."You must be missing her now."

"How did you know?"

"'Cause I remember missing my mother when a new love came into my life. It's good to see you happy, Louise-does my heart glad."

"We had a good trip. We stayed up almost all night talking. I-I told him everything, and he understood. He also told me about his past, and his demons. He really cares for me, Emma."

"Of course he does. It's written all over his face when Teaspoon ain't around. He's smitten and I think it's sweet." Emma stood up and put her arms around me in a celebratory hug. She dismissed me with a kiss on the forehead. "Anytime you need to talk, I'll be here."

A few days later I returned from a short run, the last one of the day. Noah and Jimmy were doing chores and came to greet me.

"I'll care for your horse," Jimmy offered. "Emma'll want you washed up before supper."

"So will Cody," teased Noah.

I chuckled as I made my way to the bunkhouse. As I neared the building, I caught part of Emma and Teaspoon's conversation.

"-cozy with Lou," Teaspoon's words stopped me cold in my tracks.

"Lou needs a little extra mothering right now, Teaspoon. You know how those boys can be and he's the youngest."

"I just think you might be sending him the wrong signals," he continued.

"HE's an impressionable young boy, Emma, and if you keep hugging him like I saw you doing he might get the wrong idea about you. After all, you are an attractive lady."

"Teaspoon, you are a suspcious old man."

"Maybe so, but I think I should have a talk with that boy."

My heart was about to fly out of my chest. How could he think...? Me and Emmma? Without thinking, I rushed inside, "You don't have to do that, Teaspoon."

"Oh?" he sounded startled and looked embrassed to see me, "And may I ask why not?"

For an answer I removed my glasses and hat, shook my hair out a bit, and tried to look as feminine as I could through a layer of dirt.

Teaspoon looked astounded. A couple of times he looked like he was going to say something, but then changed his mind. And I didn't know what to say either, so we both stood there staring at each other.

Emma took in the scene before her and found it amusing, "Teaspoon, meet Louise McCloud, one of your best riders."

"How long have you known about this, Emma?"

"Since she came here when she was so sick with anthrax. I knew right away."

"Do the boys know, too?"

"Yes, they've known for some time."

"So you're telling me I'm the only one who hasn't noticed before?"

"No Teaspoon, you're the only one who didn't find out until just now," I explained."Does this mean you're gonna fire me?"

He sat down wearily at the table, "Well now, I don't know. Never ran into this kind of situation before. This was never brought up at the station masters meetings."

"You can't fire her, Teaspoon," Emma came to my defense. "Only difference between yesterday and today is that you know."

"Well, I guess if everyone knows and it hasn't interfered with the job, I'll keep you on," he conceded.

Impulsively, I hugged the grizzled station master, "Thank you, I won't let you down."

"This might not be so bad after all," he agreed teasingly.

"Lou, don't let the boys know that Teaspoon found out just yet," said Emma, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I have an idea..."

Good fortune must have been smiling down on Emma, for the next series of events played right into her hands. As we gathered here for supper one night, we noticed the Kid was missing.

"Anyone seen him?" Teaspoon asked.

"Said he was going into town," informed Noah as he took his place on the bench. "Don't know what could've kept him this long."

As if on cue, Kid opened the door, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "Hi Emma. I hope you don't mind if I brought along a friend for supper."

"Well, if Cody can spare his third helping there should be enough," she replied in good humor. "Bring him on in, Kid."

The next face that appeared in the doorway did not belong to a him, but a her. She was petite with short brown hair and eyes that were the color of grass in spring. She smiled nervously.

"Everyone, this is Aimee," Kid announced.

None of us did very well at hiding our surprise. Still, since she was a guest, no one gave her or the Kid a hard time. We welcomed her politely.

"Where are you from, Aimee?" signed Ike. Buck interpreted for him.

She swallowed her bite of fried chicken before answering, "My family is from Mississippi. My pa always had a wandering foot so we moved West. Ma liked it here so here we stayed. She said she was done wandering."

Aimee proved to be good company throughout the meal. She was friendly and outgoing and part of me wished to be able to tell her who I really was. Emma was a good friend but I sometimes longed for another girl my age to talk to. However, I noticed of the riders, it was only Cody, Ike or myself who asked her questions and kept up the conversation. Kid harldy said a word to his guest, although he did beam at her admiringly.

When desert was over, Kid said tht he needed to see Aimee back to her place.

"Why don't you take the wagon, Kid?" Emma offered.

"Thanks. Well, I'll be back in a while."

"It was nice meeting all of you. Thank you for the wonderful meal, Miss Shannon," nodded Aimee politely. "Hope I get to see y'all again real soon."

Emma smiled at her, "Come any time you like. We're not formal, but there's always plenty to eat."

Once Aimee and Kid were safely out of earshot Cody observed he'd never seen the Kid so bashful.

"Didn't he talk to any girls at the dance?" asked Teaspoon.

"He danced more than he talked," said Jimmy.

"That's like the pot calling the kettle black, Jimmy," Buck dared to say.

"Now you just hold on a minute-" Jimmy made a threatening gesture, but was quickly cut off by Emma.

"Seems to me you could all use a few lessons in how to behave with a woman. I'll see you Sunday after church at my house. We'll get started right after dinner."

It was barely perceptible, but I saw Emma give Teaspoon a quick wink from the corner of my eye. I caught on to her plan.

"Aw, Emma..." groaned Jimmy.

"You heard her, son," said Teaspoon. "Be sure to tell the Kid, too."

The boys didn't look too happy about the whole arrangement, but knew better than to argue with Emma any further.

"What do you think of this whole idea of Emma's, Lou?" asked Cody after Emma and Teaspoon had gone to their respective homes for the night. We riders ususally had an hour or two between supper and bedtime to just relax.

"Well, you boys could do with a little refining," I answered honestly. "I'm the only girl you're around mosat of the time, and it's not the same with me. I could probabl use a few lessons in how to behave more like a lady myself."

"Why don't you get all dressed up and we could practice?" suggested Buck. "Emma could probably find an excuse to send Teaspoon away for a few hours."

"I wouldn't mind that a bit," agreed Cody.

"I'd like that, too," I said.

"This idea of Emma's is souding better already," grinned Cody.

Conveniently, Teaspoon had some out of town business to attend to the next weekend. Emma arranged for me to stay in her guest roon on Saturday night so that she could put up my hair in rag curlers and to go over the plan with me.

"When Teaspoon walks in and sees you all prettied up-well, I just can't wait to see the looks on the boys' faces!" she chuckled as she rolled my hair in torn pieces of rags. It had finally grown long enough to where this was possible.

"Don't you think it's a little bit, well, tricky" I wondered.

"That is the whole point," she giggled. "These boys can take a joke. Besisdes, remember when Jimmy and Ike thought it was so funny to put a snake in the crock pot?"

I laughed out loud at the memory, "Yeah, they've had something comin' to them for a while."

On Sunday morning I stayed home to get ready while Emma accompanied the boys to church. I realized that it was the first time I had ever been all alone at the station. As I dressed I sang and whistled to myself, something I hadn't done in years. The freedom to be me-Louise-was a good feeling indeed.

Emma and the boys returned home shortly before noon. They admired and fussed over me until my cheeks started to turn color. Cody especially took great pride in seeing me all dressed up.

"You look even more beautiful than usual," he said softly. "Wish I could take you out and show you off."

"Maybe some day," I replied.

After we finished dinner Emma stood up and annouced, "Gentlemen-and lady-school is now in session. Please follow me to the parlor."

Our first lesson was in fine dining. Emma had set a fancy table out in the parlot with a dizzying array of plates, glasses and utensils. At first it was very confusing, but eventually we all got the hang of it bu working our way into the main plate. Emma also made sure that each one of the boys got a turn at helping me into a chair before seating themselves.

Next was the art of conversation. Emma asked the boys what they might talk about in the presence of a lady.

"Horses," Buck suggested.

"Gunfights," was Jimmy's contribution.

She tried not to smile, "Now James, let's hope you were just making a joke. Girls like-"

We were interupted by Teaspoon, who had managed to sneak in unnoticed, "Well excuse me, Emma. I had no idea you were havin' a party."

The boys clammored to get in front of me and shield me from his view.

"This-this ain't what it looks like, Teaspoon," Noah explained nervously..

"What do you mean? Who is that pretty girl you're hiding from me?"

"Uh, no one, Teaspoon, no one at all," said Cody.

"Really? I know my eyes are getting older but I could swear that she looks a little bit like Lou."

Jimmy sighed in resignation, "Well, you got us, Teaspoon. Emma wanted us to practice being gentlemen in the presence of ladies and Lou was the only one who fit into the dress."

At Jimmy's comment, I doubled over in laugher and made my way from behind the boys.

"You don't have to cover for me anymore boys," I panted, out of breath from laughing so hard. "He found out a couple days ago."

"It was my idea to play a joke on you," confessed Emma. "Looks like you boys have been had."

One by one they broke into smiles of realization. They were good sports and even gave Emma credit for being a good practical joke player.

"Anything else I need to know?" asked Teaspoon.

Cody simply slipped his arm around my waist, "Well..."

"I think I have seen it all," sighed our stationmaster.

On to Chapter 3!