Eventually, everyone got used to Teaspoon knowing I was a girl. It was nice not having to thoroughly disguise my looks or my voice whenever I was in Teaspoon's presence. I still had to be on my guard in town or when another rider passed through the station, but the freedom at home was worth the mild inconveniences.

"We're all going to town, Lou. Want to come?" Cody invited me.

"Maybe next time," I replied. "I need to finish this letter to my brother and sister-it's overdue already. Are we still going on that picnic you promised me tomorrow?"

He nodded, "I have the perfect site in mind. You finish your letter. We'll be back in a while. Enjoy the quiet." Cody kissed me before leaving with the others.

Not half an hour later I heard the horses whinnying from the corral. Someone must have forgotten their shopping list, I smiled to myself.

Curious who it was, I stepped on to the porch. To my surprise someone was by the corral-and letting out the horses! I had to make a decision. If I went back in the bunkhouse and got my pistol, he might hear me and I'd lose the element of surprise. So instead, I ran to him, gaining strength as I ran, and did a flying tackle, knocking the thief to the ground. We fought tooth and nail for a few minutes, but he was much larger than me and I took an awful beating. He found a blunt object and with one blow to my temple, everything faded to black.

The first thing that I was aware of was that I hurt from my head to my toes. There was no other way to describe it. Involuntarily, I let out a groan.

"Lou? You awake?" the voice belonged to Buck.

"What happened?" my jaw ached more with every word I said.

"As far as we can guess you saw someone trying to steal the horses and tried to stop him. We found you out by the corral a couple days ago when we got back from town. How do you feel?"

"Like something the cat dragged in," I answered. "Buck, did he get the horses?"

Buck sighed, "A few, but don't worry. You probably stopped him from taking our whole stock. I should get Emma. We've been taking turns keeping watch over you. She said to fetch her when you woke up." It was then that I noticed I was in Emma's spare room.

"Where's Cody?" I asked. "I want to see him."

"He didn't leave your side for a long time," Buck said gently. "But he's on a ride now. He should be back later today. I'll tell him you want to see him first thing."

"Thanks, Buck."

"You're welcome. You heal up now."

Emma walked into the room a few minutes later followed by Noah and Ike.

"How are you feeling?" greeted Noah as he gently took my hand.

"Not so good," I replied drowsily. "That was about the worst beating I ever had."

"Do you think you're up to having some broth?" asked Emma.

"Yeah, guess I haven't eaten for a while."

Ike helped prop me up in bed so Emma could put a tray of broth in front of me. The chicken broth tasted good even though opening my mouth to insert the spoon was painful.

"Lou, we know you're feeling pretty bad now, but do you remember what the horse thief looked like?" Noah wondered. "We want to track him down before he strikes another Pony Express station."

"I don't remember too well," I faltered. "He was big -- felt like he was about twice my size. His hair was kind of like Jimmy's. Sorry that's not much to go on."

"I'll tell Sam," signed Ike. "He'll be glad for the information. Bye, Lou."

"When is Cody due back?" I asked after Ike had left. "Buck said sometime today."

At the mention of his name, both Emma and Noah started to look uncomfortable.

I grew nervous, "What's wrong? Is he alright?"

"Lou, Cody wouldn't leave your side when we first found you. He didn't eat or sleep-just watched you like a hawk," Emma explained. "He didn't want to take a run but Teaspoon said it would be good for him to get out and get some air."

"That's sweet of Cody, but still doesn't explain what's wrong."

"He blames himself for what happened to you," Noah answered me honestly. "We tried to tell him it wasn't his fault, but he won't listen. I'm afraid he's gonna make himself sick."

"Oh, poor Cody."

"Why would he think that Lou?" Emma wondered. "He won't talk to us very much either."

"I think I might know why, but it's something he told me in confidence," I revealed to them. "I want to see him as soon as he comes in."

"We'll let him know you want to see him," Emma assured me. "You get some rest now."

"I don't know if I can. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, but I think I ache too much to sleep."

"Probably a blessing you were out for a couple days," grinned Noah.

"I think I have something that might help," she said. "I'll be back in a bit."

"And I'll see if there's any sign of Cody yet," said Noah as he backed out of the room. "You take it easy."

When Emma returned she slipped me a couple of spoonfuls of some kind of liquid. It smelled okay but burned going down my throat. I coughed and sputtered but managed to get it all down.

"What is that?" I choked. "It's awful!"

"If you must know, it's whiskey," Emma looked a little flushed. We all knew her to be a teetotaler. "I just keep a mint for medicinal purposes. It might help with the pain, but more'n likely it'll help you sleep."

"I could use that," I admitted, yawning.

Emma tenderly patted my arm, "Close your eyes and sleep now."

After a while I began to feel extremely relaxed. It was easy to drift into a deep sleep.

"I don't know if I can face her, Emma," I thought I heard Cody's voice say. I was just coming out of a heavy sleep and not sure whether I was dreaming or not. I decided to listen to the rest of the conversation to see if I could tell. The voices sounded kind of muffled.

"She wants to see you, sweetheart. She woke up asking for you."

"I-I just don't know if I should do this," said Cody, his voice sounding shaky.

"Cody, listen to me: there's nothing you could do or say to make Louise care for you any less."

"You said she's probably sleeping; maybe I should come back later," he hesitated.

"You go in right now, young man. Lou'd kill me if I didn't send you in."

"Will you go with me?"

"No, you have to do this by yourself," she replied. "But I'll be right down the hall if you need me. Now go."

A few moments later I felt a hand softly brush my cheek. I struggled to open my eyes, and saw Cody's sky blue ones staring back down at at me.

"Hi," I smiled.

"Hi sweetheart. How are you?"

"Had better days," I tried to joke.

"Emma says you'll be up and around in a couple of days," he informed me.

"Good. I don't actually feel too bad." I fibbed. Cody's face looked so haunted that I wanted to make him feel better. "Just a few bumps and bruises."

Cody sat down in a chair next to the bed but wouldn't look me in the eye. "Lou, I know you hurt worse than you're letting on. I feel responsible. I-I should have stayed behind, or insisted that you come with. This is my fault." I saw a tiny tear escape from the corner of an eye.

"No, it's not. You quit thinking that," I chastised him as I tried to sit up. "You didn't know this was gonna happen. No one could have known. I certainly don't blame you."

"But still...I want to be able to protect you. First I couldn't protect my ma and now you. Why can't I protect the people I love?" The expression on Cody's face was one of pure agony. I reached to take his hand. "I-I want to take care of you, Louise." He reached out to caress my face with a trembling hand.

"You're a kind man, Cody. Kind and caring," I assured him.

Emma knocked and slipped in quietly, "Everything alright?"

"I think everything is gonna be just fine," winked Cody, his voice sounding more confident.

"I'm glad to hear that. Well, we'd better let Lou get her rest."

"I'd like Cody to stay with me, Emma," I asserted.

She seemed to understand, "Fine. Just let me know when you need a break, Cody, or if you need anything."

As she closed the door behind her, I began to yawn. Cody noticed and adjusted my pillows so that they lay flat on the bed, "She's right.*You'd* better get some rest. I'll be here if you need me."

"I know. Thanks, Cody."

On to Chapter 4!