Emma wanted us to keep near the fire which was fine by me. The storm continued to grow worse. Although it was only late afternoon, the sky had already gone completely dark and it looked like nightfall. Even Teaspoon began to look nervous. I tried to read the latest issue of Emma's "Godey's Ladies Book" but found it hard to concentrate with the wild weather.

Soon, the other five riders appeared at the door, looking visibly shaken.

"Uh, we just wanted to make sure everything was alright over here, Emma," explained the Kid.

She grinned slyly, "All five of you? How considerate.

"In case you needed anything," Noah piped up.

"Well, in that case, why don't you boys come in and see for yourselves that we're all fine," she offered. She knew the boys were a little scared of this fierce storm as well. With everyone in the parlor, we made quite a crowd.

Cody, who had been unsuccessfully trying to take a nap, finally gave up and started talking with the others. Emma took this opportunity to give me a cooking lesson. I helped her make chicken and dumplings for our supper. They didn't turn out too bad, probably because Emma did the majority of the work and corrected my mistakes before they got out of hand. As we ate our meal, the thunder and lightning raged on. Thankfully all the livestock had been put in the barn at the first sight of rain.

"I think you should stay here tonight," Emma declared to the boys. "You can sleep on the floor by the fire." Not suprisingly, no one argued with her.

When supper was over I helped her find blankets for everyone.

"You warmin' up yet, Cody?" I asked as I passed him an extra blanket.

"Gettin' there," he replied.

His answer seemed to alarm Emma, "You best take one of the spare rooms tonight. That goes for you also, Louise. Don't need anyone coming down with pneumonia."

We protested mildly but Emma would have none of it. She put some rocks on the fire to heat up our beds with. In the meantime each one of the boys was taking turns at telling tales. Kid used his captive audience to hone his harmonica skills. We were relieved when practice was over. Ike requested 3 oranges from the kitchen and showed off his juggling talent.

"I never knew there was so much talent in this room," I laughed.

"Do you have a secret talent, Lou?" asked Buck.

"It's pretty silly-just something I learned at the orphanage," I blushed.

"We want to see it," Cody insisted.

Reluctantly I headed for the kitchen and retrieved four spoons. I proceeded to hang them from my nose, chin, and both ears. This brought down the house. Even Emma, who would normally not approve of such antics, had to wipe away tears of laughter.

"And what are you doing back there, Mr. Hickock?" asked Teaspoon.

Jimmy had been sitting in a far corner, working on a mysterious project.

"Well, as long as we're showin' off, I thought I would, too. I'll let you know when it's ready."

"Nice to know you all have talents other than horses and guns," Emma commented. "Why don't we pop some corn before going to bed?" Everyone agreed that it was a good ideas. We pursuaded Kid to read aloud to us as we munched on the treat. When the story was over, Emma annoucned it was time for bed.

"Wait, I'm finished," Jimmy annouced. He produced a wood carved rose with many intricate petals and leaves. It was one of the most beautiful piece of whittling I had ever seen. Everyone marveled at his work.

"This is for you, Emma," he offered.

"That's sweet of you, James. I'll put it on the kitchen table where we can all enjoy it. Now, to bed, y'all. Come on, Cody, I'll show you where you can sleep."

We followed her up the stairs. I headed for the familiar guest room and Emma showed Cody the room across the hall from it. She had left my nightgown on the bed and I slipped it on gladly. Anything warm and cozy was welcome on this night, I thought as the wind howled on and the rain continued to pour. Because it was such a "dark and stormy night" I didn't turn down the lamp completely. I did snuggle under the blankets and tried to find a comfortable position because I knew sleep would not come easily tonight.

A few minutes later as I lay dozing in the semi-darkness I heard a light tap on my door, "Lou, you asleep?"

"No, Cody, come on in," I called quietly. I sat up in bed, "Can't sleep?"

"I've never cared much for storms," he admitted a little sheepishly. He crossed to sit at the foot of the bed.

"I usually don't mind storms but this one seems so-" I searched for the right word. "Ominous."

"It's an unusual one, coming so quick and staying right over Sweetwater for so long," he commented.

"It reminds me of that one we got caught in a while back. You know, when we stayed in that cabin?"

"How could I forget?" he grinned. "That was some night. It was the first time I realized I had feelings for you. Seeing you in that nightgown for the first time-you were a sight,"

I thought back to that night and remembered seeing Cody's shoulders heave with sobs as he lay by the fire. When I didn't respond he gave me a little nudge, "Hey, what are yout thinking about?"

"I was thinking about that night, too. Cody, I have to tell you, I didn't sleep so well that night. The pain in my ankle kept me awake. One time when I woke up I heard you-I saw you-" I lowered my head so he wouldn't hear the last word.

"I was having a hard night," he said huskily. "Ghosts, you know?"

I reached for his hand, "I know. I wanted to go to you-comfort you, but I thought you needed your privacy. I'm sorry Cody, I should have told you earlier."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Lou. And thank you for letting me have some space. I was missing my parents that night and wishing I could've done more for them."

"I've had that same thought myself, many times," I said softly.

Cody looked at me tenderly, "I can imagine. Well, I'd better let you get some sleep."

"Stay for a while?" I asked, not letting go of his hand.

"Sure," he whispered. "As long as you like."

Satisfied, I leaned back again and closed my eyes.

On to Chapter 7!