Shadows I Remember

Disclaimer: This story is in no may meant to infringe on the rights of the creator of the series The Young Riders, Ed Spielman and Ogiens/Kane. All other characters belong to the author.

The young man walked along the dusty streets of an old Texas town. Really it was hardly a town more like a village right along the Mexican border. He walked until he saw a saloon on the right side of the street. He started to it only to nearly be run over by a 15 year old on a horse. He rolled his eyes and muttered a curse before continuing on his way.
He walked through the swinging doors. And up to the bar. Behind it stood a man with dark brown hair and a mustache that was in great need of trimming.
"Drink mister?" The bar tender asked. " No sir. I am here to see a man called Lou."
" Well, we got a Lou. She ain't no man though." '' I am here to see a 91 year old man who rode with the Pony Express in 1860 when he was supposed to be 16. Went by the name of Lou McCloud." The barkeep looked around and then said," Follow me".
He walked around the bar across the room and up the stairs. The young man on his heels. He entered a small dark room at the end of the hall. An old woman lay on a small bed, sleeping peacefully. The barkeep told the young man to have a seat. There was one chair in the room it was next to the bed. He sat down and watched as the barkeep placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Kid is that you, dear? " The lady asked with a flicker of hope in her voice. "No Momma. Its me, James." Said the barkeep. "James Hickok?" asked the lady. She didn't wait for him to answer before she continued. " Jimmy its Lou. Kids dead. Where have you been Jimmy? I waited. I waited as long as I could. You didn't come... I.." James cut her off. " Momma I'm your son. James Hunter. Not James Hickok. He's dead too, Mom. Shot in the back. In Deadwood. Remember momma."
"Yes", she said with a note of realisation and sadness in her scratchy voice. " I remember all too well." "Somebody's here to see you." The lady turned her head. The young man stood up to introduce himself. " My name is Travis Cain, I am here to write a book. About you. I was told you were a man though." Travis said.
" I pretended I was for quite some time. My name is Louise Mary McCloud. I've had other names but that one seems to suit me. Are any kin to Sam Cain?" asked Louise. "No ma'am. I am sad to say I'm not." The slight smile faded from her lips. She sighed. " Well Mr. Travis. If you wanna write a book about me I spect we should get started. My story is a long one." He nodded and she closed her eyes and began a story he would never forget.

1860 Nebraska Territory
There were six of us. All about 16 or 17 years old. There was a half breed Kiowa Indian called Buck Cross. His friend Ike McSwain was mute. He lost his hair to scarlott fever when he was young. Next there was a blonde boy dressed in all Buckskin with a long riffle. Cody talked as if he could hit a Turkeys eye at a hundred yards with that thing. We didn't ever find out if he could really hit a Turkeys eye. But he sure could hit Obadiah Bartlett's dogs eye ball. Then there was Kid and Jimmy. Though they never met until that day, and hated each other most of the time after, They were like brothers. They were best friends. There was only one thing that could ever come between them, Me. At first when they all thought I was a boy. Things couldn't have gotten better. But Kid found out.
I was shot, laying beside the remount station that had been robbed. When he found me I was unconsious. I remember he carried me inside and put me on the bed. When he opened my shirt to see the shot he saw I was a girl. He never told any one I was a girl. I tricked myself into thinking the brotherly love I felt for him was more. He didn't trick himself though. He truly loved me. Over the next few months I pretended over everything. When we were alone I pretended to love him. When we were not alone I pretended I was a boy. Life was fine and pretending was fine until I went to see my brother and sister.
I learned they had been kidnapped by my father. I went to find them, my father caught me. He didn't know me because of my disguise. He had one of his men beat me then lock me in a room. As usual my boys knew I was in trouble. They came to my rescue. And found out I was a girl. Everything changed. Kid told all the boys about 'us'. I didn't want to hurt him so I played along. As I was pretending with Kid I was falling in love with Jimmy.
One hot August day I was taking a swim. I was floating and looked up to see all the boys running toward the creek. Teaspoon right behind them. That was the day he found out I was really a girl. We had a nice long discussion. Finally my boys talked him into letting me stay and ride. Everyone at the station knew my secret, but we hid it from the town.
Sometimes I think it would be better if Teaspoon would have fired me. I would have gotten married, probably not to the right person, I would have got my brother and sister, I would have had children sooner. But then I think of my boys and the memories we share and I wouldn't give it up for all the world.

One November I remember it felt like December. Cold as anywhere I ever been to. I had a run that night around five-thirty maybe six o'clock. It was already beginning to get dark Cody was gonna be riding in. Kid was trying to get me to stay. But I wouldn't, so he told Jimmy to come with me because Jimmy didn't have a run for 2 days. Kid had one the very next day. I didn't want Jimmy to come I knew what would happen if he did. But Teaspoon made him. We saddled our horses and led them out of the barn just as Cody came riding in. We quickly mounted. Cody slung the mail pouch at Jimmy, he caught it and we rode away.
In a way that night would be the best one of my life, but then again I've often thought it the worst.

To Be Continued

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