By Michele Blackburn

Lou squeezed the satchel tighter in her hands as she stopped for Mr. Martin's wagon and then crossed the dusty road. It had been a year since everyone left.

Occasionally, she would hear about one of them and whenever the Army was close to Rock Creek Cody was always with them and hungry. Lou hit the dirty, wooden sidewalk just as she heard the shot. Dropping the satchel, she darted for Teaspoon's office.

"Teaspoon!" She called out as she saw a man run out of the sheriff's office. His black suit didn't hide his face or hair. Lou saw deep blue eyes, a strong face and slicked back hair. The man jumped on his horse and headed out of town as fast as he could.

Lou ran in the office. Her hair had come out of the hair clip Jimmy sent her for her birthday. The short brown hair was now straggly. She leaned down beside the rugged sheriff and touched his shoulder.

"Teaspoon?" She asked softly. The white haired man opened his eyes and stared at her. "I'll get the doc." Billy Wheeler, a young boy that hung around the way station, had just ran in.

"Billy, stay with him." The young woman ordered. Lou gathered her gingham skirt and ran for the doctor's office.

*********************************

"Ra-ch-el." The hoarse whisper came from a very pale Teaspoon.

"I'm right here, Teaspoon."

"Tell the boys to come home." Was what he said before he passed out.

Rachel walked out of the doctor's office. Kid was leaning against a post, his hat in his hands. Lou was wiping away tears that had fallen sometime during this whole mess.

"He wants the boys." Rachel told them.

"I'll get Cody and Jimmy." Lou told them.

"I'll get Buck." Kid told them.

*********************************

Lou raced to the Army camp.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't come through here."

"I need to see Cody. It's important."

"Ma'am."

Lou drew her gun and pointed it at him. "It's important."

"Always impatient." Cody came out of a white tent. He looked good. His blond hair was slicked back and cut shorter. His hat dangled down the back of his jacket.

"It's okay, Tiner, she's a friend. Lou, what's wrong?"

"It's Teaspoon." The woman said in a hurried voice. "He's been shot and he's asking for all of us."

"I'll get my horse." The young blond man grabbed his Army horse, told Tiner where he would be and rode off with Lou.

*********************************

Fifteen miles South was where Kid found Buck. The Indian was helping put up some kind of stone building.

"Kid?!" Buck sounded surprised to see his friend. "Ya come to help put up a new school?"

"No, I came to get you. Teaspoon's hurt real bad and he's asking for all of us."

"Let's go." Buck jumped on his black horse and rode off with Kid.

*********************************

"Are you sure he's here?" Cody asked Lou as they entered the crowded town.

"I'm sure. He wrote me a letter."

"He never wrote me." Cody still had humor. "Whad'he say?"

Lou took the note from her saddle bag and handed it to Cody. "I'm here." He repeated the two words written in pencil. "Well, that sure sums it up."

"Where would Jimmy Hickok be?" Cody asked out loud.

"The saloon." They both said in unison.

*********************************

"Well, gentleman, I believe I win." A gambler dressed to the nines said loudly.

"That two under your sleeve says otherwise." Lou said in a low voice. The sound of a hammer being cocked told the gambler Lou was armed.

"I guess then that the winnings go to Mr. Hickok." The gambler told him in a dry voice.

Jimmy stuck some of the money in his pants pocket. "Boy, Lou, am I glad to see you." He told his best friend.

"Now if any of you decide that you want your money back, I have a friend outside with a rifle and he can shoot the dot out of an 'i' so don't try it. Other than that, have a nice day."

Lou followed Jimmy out.

"Guys, it's good to see ya." Jimmy said as he swung up on his palomino.

"This ain't a social call, Jimmy. Teaspoon's dying." They slapped the flanks of their horses and stormed out of the town.

*********************************

Nightfall came quick as all the boys crowded into the doctor's office. The crickets could be heard from the open window that gave way to the smell of honeysuckles to hide the smell of death. The stars twinkled so brightly it was like several small lanterns in the sky.

"Teaspoon." Rachel called him when all the boys arrived. Teaspoon opened his eyes. That vibrant look that had filled them during all the fun times they had was now replaced by a vacant look. Teaspoon arched his head to see all of the boys. His boys. The boys he had taught the value of trick riding and all his bags of tricks too. He taught them how to play baseball, how to talk to women...and men. How to respect each other. Now as he looked out over all their young faces, he saw the three years that they had worked, played and laughed together.

"My boys. My boys are home." He breathed with his last breath.

*********************************

The bunkhouse wasn't filled with the sound of laughter and clanging forks as it had been. Now it was filled with silence.

"Is nobody hungry?" Rachel asked as she dished her more stew.

"I can't do this." Jimmy threw his napkin in his stew and walked out. The others followed.

"What are we supposed to do?" Lou asked Jimmy as they all gathered in the barn.

"You know good and well what we're supposed to do. This guy. This black suit guy shot Teaspoon. We've got to do something. We just can't sit here and eat while the guy that shot him is...is who knows where." Jimmy ranted. He threw an old chair at a stall. Both the chair and stall broke.

"First off, Jimmy." Rachel's tender voice invaded their talk. "I'll tell you what you're going to do. What we're all going to do. We're going to eat that stew I worked half the day on. Secondly, we're going to sleep. We've all had a tough day and tomorrow's bound to be tougher. Your bunks are clean. Kid, Lou, you both can stay in the spare bedroom tonight if you want."

She was on the verge of tears when she turned around to leave. She had all the boys as still as a cactus from her speech. "Now, we're going to bury Teaspoon tomorrow. I know you want to go after this guy, but I hope you have the decency and respect for Teaspoon to show up and say goodbye."

Sometime during the night, Rachel woke up from a fitful sleep. Teaspoon's journal lay on her nightstand. She never knew he kept one. The last entry was made the day all the boys left. Rachel rolled over and closed her eyes, but sleep didn't come. Hearing only the sounds of crickets, Rachel wrapped her coat around her and walked outside. The cool night air wasn't a shock to her system anymore. She padded across the yard to the bunkhouse. Opening the door quietly, Rachel peaked in. There were only three bunks not filled and those were reserved for Noah, Ike and Jesse. The other five were filled with sleeping riders. Heading back out, she padded across the yard and went back to bed. At least for tonight with all her boys sleeping peacefully, she could close her eyes and sleep as well.

*********************************

The next morning brought gray clouds and thunder. Rachel wrapped her black shawl around her and headed out. The boys had fixed breakfast for themselves that morning. Rachel walked outside and saw the chair Jimmy had broken the night before on the porch. It looked like brand new.

"I, uh, fixed it last night after dinner. It's good as new." Jimmy walked up and told her. She hadn't seen him in a pressed shirt and tie since Lou and Kid's wedding.

"Where are the others?"

"Kid and Cody went to get the wagon to pick up Teaspoon's body. Buck went to get the minister and Lou hasn't shown up yet.

*********************************

"I don't see why not unless you got any other secrets you're keeping from me." He leaned over to Jimmy. "As a matter of fact, I'm kind of relieved, I was beginning to wonder about them two.

Lou laughed as she ran her brush through her hair. Teaspoon wasn't supposed to die. He was supposed to live forever. She wiped a tear away from her cheek and grabbed her shawl. Today was going to be hard.

"Come here, sweetie." Rachel wrapped Lou in her arm when she came out of the hotel. "You okay?"

"Yeah." They joined the others at the cemetery. A crowd bigger than Rachel had ever seen was gathered around the dug grave. Kid grabbed Lou's hand and squeezed it. He was a comfort to her. Her husband. Her soulmate. She looked to her left and saw Buck and Cody. She could tell by the look in their eyes they had been crying. On her right, beside Rachel, was Jimmy. A somber look on his face as he held his hat in his hand.

The minister said a few words to them and then stood to the front. The ceremony was simple. Just as Teaspoon would have wanted it. After concluding the service, everyone went their own way.

Jimmy fitted his gloves over his hands and finished saddling his horse. He had already saddled Katie. Cody was finishing some business with the Army so he could get away.

William Blake. The name was burned into Jimmy's head ever since Walter's, Teaspoon's new deputy, approached them with the wire. Lou's description matched the criminal to a tee. Now all they had to do was find him.

Jimmy brought Katie and his horse out of the barn. Kid was coming towards him. His gun belt planted next to his right side. Cody reined in at the barn and jumped off his horse. Jimmy had a fresh horse saddled for him.

Lou rode up on Lightning. A blue shirt and brown pants was her normal riding gear. They all recognized it.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Kid yelled to her.

"I'm going with you."

"I don't think so."

"Why not, Kid? I'm a good rider and a good shot. Teaspoon said it himself."

"It's too dangerous, Lou." Jimmy told her.

"Besides, Blake's seen you." Buck reminded her.

"He's seen Louise. He's never seen Lou." She slipped on her hat.

"She's got a point, boys." Cody said.

"All right, Lou. You can go."

Lou smiled mischievously at him. They reined in beside each other. Each ready to go just as Rachel stopped them.

She handed something to Cody. "When you stop tonight, read the last page of this."

"What is it?" Lou asked.

"Just read it."

"We'll be back." He promised her. "Let's go, boys." Cody nudged his horse and it took off. The other horses followed.

"Ride safe." Rachel repeated the statement that Teaspoon had said so many

times as one of the boys took off. A fierce breeze blew her hair and skirt as she made her way into the two story house.

*********************************

"Here, Lou." Buck handed Lou a plate of beans and bacon. They had rode for seven hours resting their horses a handful of times before stopping for the night.

"Now don't panic, don't panic. I'm going in."

They all started laughing. It was like they were thinking of the same thing.

Cody laid against his saddle bag and felt the book pushing into his back. He took it out and opened it up.

"Hey, guys, Teaspoon kept a journal."

Jimmy sat back on his rock. "A journal."

"Yeah. Rachel said to read the last page." Cody flipped to the last page. He was silent for a few minutes and then he read it.

" 'The boys left today. Buck went to work on an Indian reservation. It's only fifteen miles from here so I can still keep an eye on him. Cody joined the Army as a scout after Rachel and I had talked to him about it. It's been two months since Noah's death. I still think the boy feels guilty about Noah's death. Jimmy took off for parts unknown. Lou's his best friend. I hope he at least keeps in touch with her. This nickname he's been given isn't good for him. Too many people pick fights with 'im. As for Kid and Lou, they're staying in town. I hoped that none of my boys would join the war efforts. War means death. I have two deaths already laying on my heart. I can't deal with anymore.

The last time I wrote in this blasted journal was the day Noah died. I saw and did things that day that I never want to do again. The others were angry at Cody. That's not what this group is about. This group is the best bunch of boys...and girl I have ever worked with. As months passed, I saw them turn into a family. To see the others against Cody like that pained me.

I wonder if my young riders will ever ride side by side again?' "

Cody closed the book.

Lou was the first to speak through the silence. "I'm going to get some sleep."

She tossed her coffee in the dust and rolled over. Not another word was spoken the rest of the night.

*********************************

The first town "the boys" came to was crowded. Prostitutes lined the streets. One of them winked at Cody. When Cody saw the hotel restaurant he reined his horse in.

"Where you going?" Lou asked.

"A person's got to eat, Lou."

"You just ate breakfast four hours ago." Buck reminded him.

"That was four hours ago, Buck. A man gets hungry, besides gossip is best

heard when one is filling his stomach. See ya later, boys." Cody jumped up on the sidewalk and sauntered into the restaurant.

Jimmy jumped off his palomino. "Lou, why don't you and Kid take the horses to the livery. Buck and I will get rooms and check the place out. Let's meet Cody in about thirty minutes."

"Yeah." Lou grabbed Jimmy's reins and Bucks and rode off with them toward the livery.

The livery was smaller and shabbier than Rock Creeks.

"Can I help you?" An older man came out. His white apron was smeared with dirt and grease.

"Yeah. We'd like to stable four horses."

"Ten cents a day for each horse."

"Sounds reasonable." As Lou led Lightning and the Palomino into the stable, she saw the black and white pinto.

"That's a beautiful horse." Lou commented to the owner.

"Sure is, ain't it."

"Do you know who owns it?"

"Some guy in a black suit. Why you askin'?"

"I'm interested in buying it for a friend."

"Well, if I see the guy I'll let him know you're looking."

"Thanks. Really appreciate it."

Kid followed Lou out of the stable. "What was that about?"

"That's the horse Blake rode out on."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Let's go tell the others."

Cody was still eating when all of them walked in. His bowl of peas and roast beef was almost gone.

"Leave any for us?" Buck asked.

"Help yourself." He handed Buck the two bowls. Then he licked his spoon and fork off and handed it to his friend.

"Uh, no thanks. I'm not that hungry." He slid the bowl towards the middle of the table.

"We found the horse." Kid said when he and Lou joined them a few minutes later.

"Where?"

"In the livery. The owner described Blake perfect. Save any food for us, Cody?" Kid asked when he saw the half-empty bowls.

"Here." Buck handed Kid the bowl of peas and roast beef. Then he handed him the fork and spoon.

"Thanks." Kid dug in not realizing what fate had taken place on the fork and spoon seconds earlier.

"Look who the dogs just dragged in." Jimmy uttered.

"Well, if it isn't Blake."

"I say we go to the sheriff. Let's try to do this legal like for Teaspoon's sake."

"Legal like. Was it legal like when he walked into Teaspoon's office and shot him?"

"Jimmy has a point, Cody, but you also have a point. Let's talk it over with the sheriff."

"Fine." Jimmy slammed his chair in.

*********************************

"I saw him with my own eyes." Lou told the sheriff again.

"And who's going to believe the word of a woman that dresses like a man."

Lou backed off. "Listen, Sheriff, if you're not going to take care of Blake then we will."

"Rock Creek is two hundred miles away from here. All I've got is the word of five ex Pony Express riders against a very well-known citizen."

"Killer, Sheriff. Not citizen." Buck corrected him.

"I'm sorry, boys, but I can't do anything."

"Fine. I told you this would be a waste of time." Jimmy ranted and then he walked out.

"I hope for your family's sake you’re not next." Cody told the Sheriff.

They couldn't find Jimmy anywhere after they left the Sheriff's office so they decided to just hang around town. Cody hung around the saloon playing poker, Buck hung around the store and Kid and Lou made themselves known around town. All four were close to the Sheriff's office. That came in handy, because a few hours after lunch a shot rang out. Cody dropped his hand of poker and ran out. He was joined by Lou and Kid. All four of them headed toward the Sheriff's station. The door was ajar when they ran in.

"I'm fine. It was Blake. Get 'im." A local boy helped the Sheriff to the doctor as the others saddled up and rode out. They weren't very far out of town when Jimmy rode up to them.

"What's going on?" He asked as he leaned on his saddle horn.

"Sheriff's been shot by Blake. He was headed this way. Care to ride with us."

"Thought you'd never ask." Jimmy turned his horse around and galloped beside Kid.

They found Blake's horse tied to a crooked tree. They got off their horses and walked around.

Boot marks had been wiped out by the wind. The only place he could have gotten away on foot was the rocky mountain behind the tree.

The boys started climbing. Jimmy spotted the black hat first.

"I found him." This declaration sent Blake running. Jimmy started after him. Blake tripped on a rock and fell over. When Jimmy got to him, he was laying on his back.

"Get up!" Jimmy hollered at him. His Colt cocked. The others had made it to the site by now.

"He's not worth it, Jimmy." Kid yelled to him.

"He kills Teaspoon, I kill him. Easy enough."

"That's not what Teaspoon would want." Lou told him. "Let's take the guy in and he'll hang, Jimmy. Jimmy, let him hang."

"Ahh!' Jimmy hollered in exasperation. He put his gun back and turned around.

Blake thought this would be the perfect time to get them all. He drew his gun.

"Jimmy!" Lou hollered. They all drew their guns. Jimmy ducked and turned around at the same time. Numerous bullets were fired from all the boys. Finally, Blake went down.

"Wasn't worth the rope." Jimmy muttered as he put up his gun.

Two days later, the Sheriff and his deputy met the five at the end of town. He had a basket full of food, which he handed up to Cody. Cody eyed it and Kid grabbed it from him.

"Thanks, Sheriff."

"Come back soon, boys. Your always welcome in this town."

Jimmy, suddenly, sniffed the air. "What's that smell?"

Lou sniffed the air as well. "It's not fried chicken."

They all looked over at Cody. "Cody!"

Cody looked over at them and smiled. "I was hungry so I had big bowl of brown beans at lunch."

"Aw, Cody." They all laughed.

Kid put his hat on top of his head.

"Where you, boys, headed?" The deputy asked.

Kid looked around at the other four. He knew the answer was mutual. "A place called Home deputy. We're going home." They nudged their horses and took off through the dusty air.

The Young Riders were once again riding side by side.