The day dawned windy and lightly snowing. Teaspoon observed in his usual wisdomful way that there was a norther’ blowing in fast and furious. This had not helped Lou’s disposition - she missed Kid severely when he was on a run and this one was no exception. Buck and him had been gone for almost four days. They were due back that day, and Lou hoped that they would be back before the storm got worse. She stood by the window, peering out into the distance as Emma finished breakfast and worked on her last minute supply list.

“It’ll be okay Lou, the boys will be back before the storm really hits” remarked Teaspoon as he put his arm around the young rider’s small shoulders. He thought back to the day when she first showed up passing herself off as a boy. Lou had proven her worth long before Teaspoon found out she was a girl. By then, he was so amazed at her abilities and the adopted family he had that he promised to keep her on. She would be sorely missed if her and Kid ever got married, he mused. That thought brought a smile to his face since those two seemed to fight as much as they got along. Their relationship, or lack of, was a source of constant amusement to the other riders.

The sudden burst of cold air brought Teaspoon out of his thoughts as Jimmy, Cody, and Ike plowed through the door and headed straight to the stove. As they held out their hands to warm them, their conversation steered towards the storm that was brewing in the north and how they were glad they weren’t out on a run. Their conversation made Lou even more nervous as she kept alternating between staring out the window and glaring at the others. Ike finally realized that Lou was upset and went over to give her a hug. He signed that he was sorry and that Buck and Kid will be back soon he can feel it. This brought a small smile to Lou’s face as she returned his hug.

“Mr. Spoon? Mr. Spoon?”

“Sorry Emma, was just thinking that the boys finished this addition here in the nick of time. Since we have all this extra space in here, why don’t you move some of your things over here after breakfast. This storm looks like it could last awhile,” said Teaspoon quietly to the housekeeper. She glanced over to the lone figure standing watch at the window and nodded her head yes.

Emma finally called out that breakfast was ready. Everybody hurried to the table, knowing that there were many chores to finish before the storm got worse. Between mouthfuls of food, Teaspoon started going over the chores that needed to be finished. Emma volunteered herself and Lou to go to town to get supplies. Much to the amazement of the others, Cody volunteered to chop wood. He even managed to get a smile out of Lou when he joked that he didn’t know if he could chop as much as the Kid could and Emma needed the wood so she could cook. ‘Leave it to Cody to worry about food when there’s a storm moving in,’ signed Ike. That brought a laugh to the whole table as they quickly finished their breakfast.

“Lou, just stack the dishes on the counter. We’ll wash them as soon as we get back. I’m going over to my house to pick up some stuff and change into something warmer. Be right back.” Even Teaspoon looked at Emma in amazement - she never left dishes undone. Emma looked at Teaspoon and replied with her usual matter of fact manner, “Well, I need to get these supplies and would like to be back before this storm gets any worse.” With that thought, the others scurried into their coats and gloves to hitch up the buckboard and finish chores.

“Emma, can I ask you something?”

“Of course Lou. I figured we hadn’t had a good woman to woman talk lately and that’s why I suggested you come with me. Now, what’s on your mind?”

Lou smiled, Emma knew her well, “It’s about Kid. I don’t know what to do Emma. When he’s gone, I’m lonely and miserable and think I can’t live without him. But when he’s here, it seems like all we do is fight. When I’m around him or thinking about him, my stomach does somersaults and I feel warm and tingly all over. But when he’s gone, I feel empty inside. And I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.” Lou rapidly continued, “He’s asked me to marry him, but I told him not right now, I’m just not ready yet. I don’t know what to do, I love him, but I like my independence too.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could put them back, especially since she knew her face was turning red from embarrassment and not the cold wind.

Emma looked over and patted her leg, “I know you love him Lou. I have the same feelings when it comes to Sam. Sometimes, us women get so used to doing things on our own, that we forget that the men in our lives like to protect us. Kid is a good man and will make a great and loving husband someday. But I wouldn’t worry about Kid leaving you anytime soon. I’m pretty sure that he feels the same way about you. And don’t think you have to rush into marriage either, if Kid loves you like I think he does, he’ll wait for you to decide, besides you are both young and have plenty of time ahead of you. A true marriage relies on each other’s strengths and weaknesses as well as honesty and love. Make sure you have those four ingredients and you will have a happy life.”

“Thanks Emma. If we weren’t so close to town, I’d give you a big hug, but Thompkins would probably see us and then start his usual gossip.” Lou and Emma both broke into giggles at that thought as they pulled into town and saw that Thompkins was indeed outside and looking directly their way.

Emma stopped the wagon and gave Lou the supply list, “Would you please start getting the supplies? I’d like to stop and see Sam for a few minutes if you don’t mind?” “No problem. Thompkins.” While Lou picked up supplies, Emma warmed up by the stove in Sam’s office and listened to his tirade about being out in this weather. Emma calmly turned around and smiling her ‘I’m so in love with you’ smile, replied “Well, we needed the supplies and I think you would have rather had me come into town today instead of tomorrow or the next day when this storm is really blowing in.” Sam glanced out his office window and after a moment got up and gave Emma a big hug and kiss.

“You know Emma, you’re right. I don’t know what I’d do without you. When are you going to give me an answer?”

“My answer is yes. But I don’t want to announce it just yet - Lou and Kid have some things they need to work out and I don’t want Lou to feel any pressure or be disappointed. She’s like a sister to me Sam. I want her to be my maid of honor, but since everybody in town but you & doc thinks she’s a boy…..” Emma’s thoughts were interrupted by another one of Sam’s hugs and kisses.

“Emma, you talk too much sometimes” Sam got in between kisses. They were interrupted when the wind blew the door open. As Sam shut the door, he noticed that the wind and snow had picked up rapidly in the last half-hour. “Emma, as much as I enjoy your company, I don’t want you to get caught in this mess, so we had better help Lou finish with the supplies and get you two headed home.”

By the time that Sam got his coat on and helped Emma with hers, Lou had pulled up with the buckboard. Lou came in, headed straight to the stove and poured a cup of coffee. “Emma, let me drink this and then we have to get going. Teaspoon was right when he said that this storm was moving in fast.” Lou downed the coffee and went outside to give Sam and Emma a couple minutes alone, knowing that it would be several days before they would be able to see each other again. She wondered to herself if her and Kid would ever be that much in love. They finally came out and Sam helped Emma into the buckboard. “Take care and hurry.” Sam leaned down for one last kiss before Lou slapped the reins.

“So, do I hear wedding bells?”

“Lou, how did you know? I didn’t want to tell anybody else yet, because I know what you’re going through with Kid. You’re not mad at me are you?”

“No Emma, I am very, truly happy for you. I suspected something, especially after our conversation into town, but I wasn’t sure until I saw you and Sam today. Have you picked a date yet? Are Kid and I that obvious?” Lou was full of questions and was a little saddened at the thought of losing Emma, but she knew that Emma and Sam were truly happy and made for each other, as Emma had said, they had all four ingredients. They continued back to the station, asking questions and telling stories.

By the time they arrived back at the station, there was almost 3 inches of snow on the ground and it was coming down harder, while the wind had picked up another notch. Jimmy and Ike had just finished chores and were helping Teaspoon move Cody’s wood pile. Although he hadn’t chopped as much as Kid did on that infamous day, he still had a good-sized pile going. Lou looked at Emma and humorously asked if she was sure they had bought enough supplies. They both started to laugh as they unloaded the buckboard so Ike could put the horses in the barn. As they finished up, a strange horse and rider rode into the yard. The stranger introduced himself as Noah Dixon and asked if they would mind if he stayed out the storm in the barn. Of course, Emma, being the mother hen that she was, would not hear of such a thing, especially in this weather. “You will not stay in that drafty barn, there’s plenty of room in the bunkhouse and it’s much warmer in there.” Noah flashed her a smile of gratitude, as Teaspoon led him to the barn to help Ike put up the horses and the buckboard

“Pardon me for asking son, but I’m just curious as to what you are doing?” “Don’t worry, I’m not a runaway. I was born free and I’m just passing through,” Noah replied somewhat defensively.

“Well son, that’s fine. This here is Ike, he can hear, but can’t talk….communicates with Indian sign, and one of the best horse trainers around.” Teaspoon noticed that Noah has somewhat relaxed, but is still on his guard. Must be an old habit of his when dealing with strangers Teaspoon thought. Lou came in and helped finish putting up the horses.

“Any word of Kid and Buck yet?” The voice caught Noah off guard, it came from the small rider that had been unloading supplies earlier, but it sounded unnatural, like he was trying to force it to sound deep. He figured maybe he just had a cold, but there was definitely something different about the small rider the others called Lou. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

The afternoon drug on for Lou as she kept checking the window between hands of poker. Her heart wasn’t into the game like usual, and she ended up losing. With Noah there, she wasn’t comfortable helping Emma in the kitchen either. Emma’s maternal instincts kicked in and she could sense that something was bothering Lou. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw Lou look at Noah, with a look of frustration in her eyes.

Emma asked for help with setting the table and Lou volunteered. “I’m losing anyway, so I might as well quit while I’m ahead.” Lou quickly sat the table, not taking her usual care; Noah didn’t know she’s a girl yet and she didn’t let trust him enough to let him know. Lou forgot how hard it was to put on her act in the bunkhouse. It had been a long time since she had to do it. Thank goodness the others had picked up on Lou’s attitude and hadn’t said anything either. Everyone else dug into Emma’s special chicken noodle soup and cornbread except Lou. Jimmy noticed and tried to brighten the mood with a joke. However, his efforts backfire, making Lou even more upset.

Cody blurted out “Jimmy, why don’t you just leave her alone? She’s got every right to be upset, Kid and Buck should have been back hours ago!” Noah’s head switched back and forth between Cody and Lou, finally realizing what was different about Lou. Lou sat quietly for a minute before breaking out into tears. Cody went over to Lou, and gathered her sobbing body into his arms, “I’m sorry Lou, it’s just I’m so used to everyone here knowing about you being a girl, I forgot about Noah. I’m so sorry, will you forgive me?”

“Yes Cody, I’ll forgive you….you’re too good of a friend to lose. I just wish Kid and Buck were back. It’s getting worse out and I am worried, they should have been back by now.” Lou managed to get in between sobs and hiccups. Once her crying had subsided, she turned to Noah and gave him on of her rare timid smiles, "Guess you’re really confused now.”

Noah nods his head and waits for Lou to continue. “My actual name is Louise. I disguised myself as a boy so I could get hired on by the Express and make enough money to get my brother and sister out of the orphanage in St. Joe. Kid was the first to find out that I was a girl and we’ve been somewhat seeing each other since then. Everyone here knows and is okay with it. There’s only a couple other people in town that know and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell anybody either right now.” Noah tells her that everyone has to have a few secrets and hers will be safe with him.

Lou turned and finished eating; signaling that she was done talking about it for now. In an effort to resume conversation, Teaspoon asked if there was anything new in town. Emma and Lou just glanced at each other and replied no together, with a twinkle in their eyes. Everyone pitched in to clean up and then got comfortable as Cody read a story to them. Midway through, Lou could have sworn she heard a horse and rider, but couldn’t see anything out the window except snow and darkness. “Must have been my imagination,” she muttered to herself, as no one else had noticed anything and no one was coming up the porch steps. At Lou’s insistence, all available lamps and candles had been placed in the windows to light the way for the ones caught in the storm. By now, she hoped that Kid and Buck had found someplace warm and dry to stay.

On to Chapter Two

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