© 2003 by Kathy .
The morning wore on, the tension getting on everyone's nerves. The canyon was long and narrow, and at any moment the posse could be ambushed. But nothing happened. Nothing. And somehow, that was worse than getting shot at; at least then they could fire back. A couple of times Buck split from the group for a few minutes, but he always returned, shaking his head at Sam and Teaspoon, who would just nod and continue on.
Finally, the end of the canyon came in sight. The cliffs of the dead end loomed before them with no sign of the Wiltshires.
"That's it boys," said Sam. "That's the end of the canyon. They're gone."
"Dammit, Buck!" Cody swore. "They cain't have just disappeared into thin air! You musta seen somethin'!"
Buck tried to stay calm. "I haven't seen anything since that hoofprint earlier this morning."
"The hoofprint nobody else could see?" Cody jibed.
"What are you saying? Are you saying I deliberately misled the posse?" Buck was furious that his honesty was questioned. He looked ready to launch himself from Warrior onto Cody any second.
"Buck! Cody! Settle down!" Teaspoon yelled. "Cody, how many times I got to tell you son, you got to think before you speak! Buck, nobody, I repeat nobody, here thinks you'd do that." Buck sat silently on Warrior, his eyes black with fury. Teaspoon moved his horse closer to the angry young man. "Son, you know I trust you. But, was there anything you mighta missed? Those times you thought you saw something?"
The Kiowa rider answered firmly. "No, there were only old tracks, much too old. The only thing I can think of is that they didn't come down the canyon at all; or only one of them did, just far enough to plant that print and leave. I'm sorry, Teaspoon."
"Now son, ain't your fault. Been throwed by that trick a few times myse'f over the years, and I didn't pick up on it neither.
"Might as well go back then," said Sam. He called loudly for the rest of the posse to hear "Go on home, everyone. They're not here." Disappointed, but somewhat relieved, the men and horses turned around and headed out of the canyon.
"Kid, you just missed the turn!" Emma exclaimed.
"Sorry Emma. I'll turn around," Kid said quietly. He pulled on the reins and began to turn back.
"No, I'm sorry Kid. I forgot I'd have to direct you."
"You mean you forgot I've forgotten?" Kid tried to smile.
"That's right, but I'll try not to forget again." Emma smiled too.
"Nothin' seems familiar at all?" Emma asked after a moment.
"No. Not places, or things, or...".
"Or people?" Emma asked knowingly. Kid nodded. "People like Lou?"
"Emma, what's going on between us? I mean, the other night, she tried to kiss me and ... I'm confused." Kid frowned.
Emma laughed. "Some things never change, Kid. You're always confused about her. It's simple, you're a young man and she's a young woman, and yes, you kiss sometimes. Don't worry about the rest, you'll sort it all out in time."
"But how can she be a rider if she's a girl?"
"Kid, she can ride, shoot, think, and deliver mail as well as any of you. She keeps this job 'cos she's good at it. Don't you worry about that. Just don't tell Mr. Spoon," she added firmly.
"Don't tell him what?" Now Kid was really confused.
"That she's a girl, silly. I cain't see him firin' her, after all, as Mr. Spoon always says, 'Family sticks together', and you're a family now. But I don't want to make him the meat in the sandwich, just the same. Comp'ny's got rules, and Mr. Spoon has to abide by 'em. Well, mostly." Emma shifted in the seat. "The house is just around the next bend, Kid."
But just as the wagon started to turn a voice called out "Stop or I'll shoot," and Ben Wiltshire appeared from behind a tree.
To be continued...
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