A Teaspoon of Advice: “Beware of women in the family way -- they tend to spring leaks.”

Lou had been weeping for two months straight. Rachel and Teaspoon were at a loss to either console her or understand her mood swings. Most of the time, she seemed happy about the baby, so they guessed the overwhelming sadness must stem solely from Kid’s absence.

Teaspoon lost count of the number of letters he had already taken into town for Lou. So far, there had been no letters to pick up. Teaspoon had got to where he hated going into town, he hated crushing the expectant look that Lou wore when he returned home with the news that Kid had not written. Teaspoon was weary of trying to figure out how to fix things in the household. Being the only man around and hating to see her hurting, Lou’s weeping chafed Teaspoon’s last nerve sometimes.

Fortunately, Lou had not experienced any of the morning sickness that Rachel had warned her about. She had felt a bit tired, often hungry and always lonely for her husband, but never retching. Instead, she moped around the yard, wiping her eyes and looking out over the land.

After their marriage, Kid and Lou had returned to Sweetwater, buying Emma’s old place and settling in. In all actuality, Kid had only wanted to settle Lou in before he left for Virginia. Of course, Teaspoon and Rachel had joined them in Sweetwater. The Pony Express family had shrunk, but those left were holding tight to one another.

“If she’d just stop that infernal crying,” Teaspoon complained one day.

“You hush up,” Rachel scolded, waving the spoon in her hand. “This is a very difficult time for any woman, especially if you don’t have your husband with you.” She had been cooking, but the spoon was instead being used to emphasize her words.

Teaspoon planted his thumbs behind his suspenders, raising an eyebrow at Rachel. “Alls I’m saying is that Lou is having a tough time and I, for one, don’t like seeing her like this. I’ve a mind to write Kid a letter myself. ”

“A lot of good that would do,” scoffed Rachel. “He hasn’t even replied to his own wife’s.”

Teaspoon changed direction at that comment, taking up for the young man. “Now Rachel, it’s a war. Kid might not have even received any of her letters yet, or his might have got waylaid,” Teaspoon reasoned, trying to see both sides.

Rachel made a “ummphhh” sound as she returned to her cooking. “If you ask me, Kid needed someone to talk some sense into him before he even left.”

Lou walked into the kitchen, her eyes swollen and red and she looked guiltily at Rachel and Teaspoon. Lou felt terrible because she couldn’t seem to stop weeping. She knew that Rachel and Teaspoon must be sick of her, she was sick of herself. She sniffed and tried to look composed. “Hi,” she said. Her voice cracked a little and she frowned at hearing herself.

“Hi there honey. Hungry?” asked Rachel warmly. “I have some beef steak and mashed potatoes fixed.”

Lou offered a quick smile for her friend. She and Rachel had only grown closer during the pregnancy. “Sounds nice.”

Teaspoon sat down at the table beside the young girl, motioning Rachel for a plate and leaning in toward Lou.

“You okay there Lou?” he asked, his voice like a bark, but gentle and without bite. “I’m fine, honest. I just can’t seem to stop all this crying,” Lou replied, hiccuping.

“Aww, don’t worry none about that,” consoled Teaspoon. Rachel, remembering his earlier comments about his last nerve had to hide a smile behind her hand.

Lou looked up, earnestly nodding, “I’ll do better, I promise.”

Rachel heaped up her plate and reached to pat the back of her hand.

“It ain’t easy expecting,” Rachel soothed.

“Well ladies, what do you think we oughta plan for Christmas? It’s only a few days away,” asked Teaspoon, changing the subject.

A Christmas tree for sure,” smiled Rachel, looking at Lou. “Want to help me with some decorations?” she asked.

would love to,” grinned Lou. Unaware, her hand moved to touch her stomach. Even without Kid, she already felt blessed this holiday season.

Three pairs of eyes looked toward the door as they heard shuffling on the porch. Teaspoon stood at the knock, moving toward the handle.

“Who could that be?” wondered Rachel, as Teaspoon opened the door.

“JIMMY!!” squealed Lou, jumping from her chair. “Next to Kid, you are the best Christmas present I can think of.”

Jimmy Hickok walked into the cozy kitchen and into Lou’s warm embrace. He smiled over her petite shoulders at Rachel. “Good to see you too,” he grinned sheepishly, relieved at the warm welcome.

“Where in tarnation you been son?” asked Teaspoon.

“Well, I got Rosemary to her destination and then I just rode for a while.” Jimmy moved to the table during his explanation and Rachel moved to serve him a plate of beef.

“You been riding a long time then,” pointed out Rachel.

Jimmy cleared his throat. How could he explain that he’d stayed away because of Kid and Lou? Jimmy had left Rosemary, knowing he couldn’t commit to her fully; Isaiah had already treated her that way and he wasn’t going to do the same thing. He’d been drifting for a few months. Buck had rejoined the Kiowa people, Cody was off scouting for the Army and his only family was here in Sweetwater. The call of home and family had gotten too much for him, so Jimmy turned his horse for this cozy kitchen. Besides, if he hadn’t fought Kid for Lou, he didn’t deserve her anyway, reasoned Jimmy.

Realizing that they were all looking at him, Jimmy smiled broadly. “What can I say, I missed you.”

Rachel served the other three and sat down with coffee as Jimmy, the last to finish, mopped up gravy on his plate with a biscuit.

“So, I’m tired of wondering, where’s Kid?” asked Jimmy innocently. Rachel gulped on her coffee, Teaspoon shook his head and Lou’s eyes filled with tears. “You mean you don’t know?” responded Teaspoon.

“Know what?” asked Jimmy carefully.

Lou fought to regain her composure. It was a difficult battle, but one that she won. “He left for Virginia last month,” Lou declared softly.

“What?” cried Jimmy. “That fool went off to the war?”

Lou’s victory was short as she began to cry again. All she could do was nod in reply.

“But we do have good news to share,” smiled Rachel warmly, and encouraging look at Lou.

On a hiccup, Lou smiled through her tears. “Rachel’s right. There is some good news.”

“Well, I’d like to hear it,” demanded Jimmy, still in shock his friend could leave his bride so soon after their wedding.

“We’re going to have a baby,” announced Teaspoon.

“Well, we aren’t,” corrected Rachel, smirking at Teaspoon, “but Louise is.” Jimmy felt an odd feeling creep through his chest. He looked over Lou, who sat across from him, wondering how he ever saw her as a boy and recognizing the woman she had become.

“Lou, you mean it?” he asked with wonder.

“Yep, I’m going to be a mother,” Lou nodded, a small smile on her lips.

“That’s wonderful,” smiled Jimmy. Feeling a wave of protectiveness wash over him as watched that little smile, he turned angry again. “How could he leave you like this?” he demanded.

“He didn’t know,” three voices chorused in unison.

“I honestly don’t think he’d have left if’n he’d known,” added Teaspoon.

The words calmed Jimmy. He leaned across the table, touching Lou’s hand. He was so glad he had decided to return. Lou may need him in the coming months. “I’m here for you Lou.”

“We all are,” sighed Rachel. ***

January arrived with more cold air, drifts of snow and cozy kitchen meals. The family was small, but the love was large in their home. Jimmy was a brother to Lou and seemed to enjoy the parenting of Rachel and Teaspoon even more than he had in the past.

Teaspoon was unsaddling his horse when Jimmy strolled into the barn. “Any mail?” asked Jimmy. He knew Lou waited with bated breath every time Teaspoon rode into town.

“One,” came Teaspoon’s bleak voice.

“From Kid?” insisted Jimmy.

“I don’t think so, but I worry it’s about him,” sighed Teaspoon, his voice rough.

Jimmy grabbed the post, looking at it. “Looks official.”

“’Fraid so and that can only mean one thing - Kid’s injured or worse,” Teaspoon said softly.

“No,” denied Jimmy as tears filled his eyes. “She can’t handle bad news.”

“Jimmy son, it might be better than what’s she’s been getting - no news at all. It also might explain it.”

“I’ll be the one to give it to her, to wait with her while she reads it,” Jimmy resolved, shoulders bent, heading toward the house.

Teaspoon stood in the barn door, watching Jimmy’s slow steps cross the yard. She’s a lucky woman, thought Teaspoon, having two men love her so much; I just hope she realizes it.

Continuing to stand in that position, Teaspoon closed his eyes and said a quick prayer - for Kid, for Jimmy and most of all, for Lou and the baby. It wasn’t too much later that he heard the heart-wrenching wail from inside the house. His worst fears were confirmed; Kid was dead. He only hoped that Jimmy could pick up the pieces. ***

“You sure you’ll be alright?” asked Rachel for the tenth time. She sat upon the wagon, Teaspoon at the reins. They were heading to a nearby town for supplies. Fire had destroyed the store in Sweetwater and the difficult winter, the war back east and a fast growing population had made supplies scarce far too fast for the town. Rachel and Teaspoon had been chosen to bring back enough stock to help the whole town and fill the makeshift store being built.

“We’ll be fine,” assured Lou, looking over at Jimmy. “Rachel, the baby ain’t due for another month and you’ll be back in a few days.”

Jimmy spoke up. “Rachel, I’ll take good care of her, make sure she naps every day and eats when she’s ‘sposed to.”

Rachel frowned, but nodded to Teaspoon to proceed. He clucked the reins urging the horses to move forward. They moved away from the house, but Rachel turned to call over her shoulder. “I’ll bring you and the baby a nice surprise Lou!”

Lou grinned. “Somehow that don’t surprise me none.”

“Me either,” chuckled Jimmy.

It was June and the morning sun was beginning to heat the yard. “Let’s get you inside,” Jimmy urged, his hands on Lou’s shoulders.

“How many times I got to tell you, I ain’t helpless,” sighed Lou.

“I know that, but you got to take care of yourself and that baby,” argued Jimmy.

Lou sighed again. Jimmy had been her backbone when she had fallen and didn’t want to ever rise again. The news of Kid’s death had nearly killed her, but Jimmy constantly reminded her of the baby and made her want to live again.

Nearly six months had passed since the “official” letter had arrived and Lou leaned more on Jimmy everyday. He made her smile when she thought her face was frozen in misery.

Once she had began waddling, Jimmy teased her, calling her Ducky. He walked with her everyday, keeping her strength up and generally helped her face a life without Kid in it.

“So, what you want for dinner?” teased Lou.

“How about I fix dinner?” offered Jimmy.

“Now Jimmy, you know that I can cook as well as Rachel.”

“You sure can, but your feet are swollen and you need to stay off of them Ducky,” Jimmy insisted.

Placing a hand in the middle of her back, Lou lumbered toward the front porch. “Now how would you know about my swollen ankles?” laughed Lou.

Jimmy’s grin was lopsided as he guided her up the front porch steps. “Those dresses you wear don’t stay near to the ground all the time Lou.” Her awkward climbing of the steps an obvious reference.

Laughing the two entered the house. The teasing banter continued all evening and through dinner until the two headed for bed. Jimmy was bunking in a room upstairs. Meanwhile a room had been made for Lou downstairs, so she wouldn’t have to navigate the stairs as her girth widened.

“Night Jimmy,” called Lou up the stairs.

“Night Lou. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will,” replied Lou with a sigh. Jimmy’s help had been a godsend, Lou thought as she pulled back her covers.

Hours later, Jimmy awoke to a sound of crashing glass. Startled, he sat up in bed. “Lou?”

“Jimmy,” came her voice, but it was tight and strained.

“I’m coming Lou,” yelled Jimmy as he barreled down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

Lou was standing in the kitchen, the bottom of her white nightgown soaked. “I had to go out to the privy and when I got back in the house, I made a mess,” she explained calmly. Suddenly her voice got strained again as her hand gripped a chair.

Jimmy rushed over to support her, his face full of concern. “Lou, what do you mean mess?”

Lou didn’t answer for several moments, her face pale as pains wracked her belly. Finally, she looked up at Jimmy, eyes wide. “My water broke Jimmy,” she spoke softly.

What? But Rachel ain’t here,” said a panicked Jimmy.

“Looks like you’ll be delivering a baby Jimmy. I don’t think there’s time for a doc,” gasped Lou. “Help me to the bed.”

Jimmy hastened to get Lou back into her bed. Sweat already beading on his forehead, he frantically tried to calm himself.

Lou reached to touch his hand. “Jimmy, you’re going to be fine. We’re going to be fine.

Just take a deep breath, remember the horses you’ve seen foal, boil some water and let’s get busy.”

Just then, another pain wracked her body. At her words, Jimmy took a deep breath, grasped her hand in comfort during the contraction and then moved to boil the water. He was calm.

Three hours later, the pains were on top of one another. “Jim-meeeeee,” cried Lou.

“You’re doing great Lou, just keep pushing. I can see the head,” his voice shook with excitement.

Bearing down, Lou pushed with all her might. She was exhausted and the end of the struggle was in sight.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh,” she screamed as she felt the huge release.

“Oh Lou, Lou, it’s a girl,” exclaimed Jimmy, cutting the cord as the baby let out it’s first wail. Tears coursed down his cheeks as he placed her on Lou’s chest.

Moving back to finish the birthing, Lou began to cry. “Oh baby, oh my baby,” began the chant. Finishing up, Jimmy moved next to Lou, cleaning the baby that lay on her chest - mother and daughter both crying.

“Isn’t she just perfect?” smiled Lou through her tears.

“Just like you,” gulped Jimmy, unashamed of the tears that stained his cheeks. Lou smiled, grasping his hand. “Jimmy, how do I thank you?”

“You don’t,” nodded Jimmy. “I’m just grateful to have been a part of it.”

Lou nodded in return and grinned slyly. “Rachel’s going to be so jealous.”

Laughing, Jimmy agreed.

Later, mother and daughter both clean, linens changed and the baby asleep, Jimmy sat in a chair next to Lou’s bed.

“What are you going to name her?” Jimmy questioned Lou softly, his voice almost a whisper.

“I want to name her Emma. Emma Jane McCloud,” announced Lou, smiling.

“I think that’s a beautiful name for a beautiful baby,” agreed Jimmy.

“Jimmy, thank you, for everything. For being here to help me with Emma and for being with me these last months.”

“I can’t think of a place I’d rather be Lou,” admitted Jimmy. Leaning over, he placed a soft kiss on her brow. “Now, get some sleep,” he instructed.

Lou didn’t need to be told twice. She closed her eyes and was soon sleeping peacefully. Jimmy sat and watched them until day broke through the window. Jimmy was certain of one thing -- that he loved these two girls more than anything else on this earth and he’d die to protect them.

On to Chapter Five

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