Cody burst into the bunkhouse as if the devil was on his tail. "Lou, quick! Teaspoon says you've got to make a special run to St. Joe. Get your stuff together, they're leaving now!"

Lou sat in slight shock at the speed at which Cody had uttered all of that information. "Who's 'they'"? She asked slightly puzzled.

"All of them!" Cody turned to head back outside with the same speed he had arrived in.

She stood up and called after him. "Cody, wait. What's this about"? Lou grabbed her gun belt and coat.

"Teaspoon will explain." He motioned with his arm. "Come on Lou, hurry up!"

Slamming the door again, Cody raced back outside. Lou shook her head trying to shake off her frustration. Opening the door, she almost collided with Buck who was unloading supplies and bringing them onto the porch. "What's going on"?

"I don't really know. Teaspoon just said he had a special run and that he needed three riders." Buck smiled before he stepped around her and proceeded to the house.

"Lou, there you are. Teaspoon wants to talk to us." Kid pulled on her arm gently. No sooner had they started to make their way down the few steps when Cody shouted, "Rider comin' in. It's Noah!" They cleared the way for him to pass the mail off to the next rider and gave him space to dismount.

"How'd it go"? Kid asked.

Noah took his gloves off and wiped his sweaty palms. "Not too bad. That rain sure made the trail muddy though. Slowed me down a bit."

"There's some leftovers from breakfast if you're interested." Lou added.

"Thank you. Don't mind if I do." He replied.

Kid and Lou proceeded over to the opposite side of the house where Teaspoon and Jimmy sat waiting. Somehow it all looked so secretive and Lou had a bad feeling. Of course she realized that she had felt this way before and had been wrong. "What's all this secretive stuff about anyway"? She asked the two men sitting there. "Cody came busting in like hell fires were burning across the plains."

Teaspoon repositioned his hat and motioned for them to sit down. "I got word from Russell, Majors, and Waddel saying they needed three riders to come to St. Joseph. They didn't say what it was about, but I'm suspectin' that they've got some special delivery for you to make. Now I'm not forcing you in particular to take this. Cody is scheduled to leave for Denver tomorrow, Buck rides out tonight, and Noah just got back. If one of you wants to work a trade with them, that's fine. Just get going before too long so you can get some miles behind you."

Teaspoon looked around at the three of them. They glanced at each other and nodded in affirmation. Drawing in a deep breath Teaspoon turned to Lou. "Now I'm sure that Noah would take this for you, Lou. Seeing as...."

Lou raised her hand, stopping him in mid-sentence. "I already know what you're going to say, Teaspoon, but I can handle this."

Kid shot Teaspoon a 'better-not-push-it-any-farther-with-her" look, and he quickly got the message.

Teaspoon smiled slightly. "You boys ride safe." They all rose and began to hastily make preparations for the upcoming ride. Making their way back inside, the three riders collected the necessary things needed. Cody saw to their horses, and within an hour they were ready to go.

Lou took Lightning's reins from Cody's hand and looked down at him as she mounted. "Next time if something is really that important, do me a favor and don't tell me about it."

Cody shrugged his shoulders. "I was just following orders." He paused for a slight second, "Of course, I guess maybe I did overdo it." She chuckled slightly unable to respond as firmly as she had wanted to.

"If you two are ready, let's go." After receiving agreeing nods, Jimmy spurred his horse and took off with Kid and Lou right behind. Within moments the riders had vanished on the horizon. The only remaining trace of their presence there was the low-lying cloud of dust. Teaspoon stood leaning against the corral fence. "Take care you three." He whispered to himself.

Jimmy had been staying in the lead for several hours now. He slowed down allowing his other companions to catch up and ride along side. "Guess we should stop at that creek ahead and water our horses." Without waiting for a response he rode ahead and dismounted, gently guiding his horse to the flow of clear fresh water. Kid and Lou did the same. "I figure we can stop at Seneca tonight, and from there we should be able to make it to St. Joseph by tomorrow evening." Jimmy said stroking his horse's neck absentmindedly.

Lou bent down to splash her face with cold water. She her closed eyes at the cool chill it sent down her body. "That sounds good."

Kid grabbed his canteen and automatically gathered Jimmy and Lou's to fill as well. "I take it we don't have any more idea as to why we're here"?

Jimmy turned to look at him. He tried not to make his answer seem as stupid as the question. "You know as much as we do."

They rested for a few more moments, taking in the fresh scents that lingered after the spring shower. It seemed like ages since the three of them had been together like this. For once in a long time Lou was beginning to feel that the Jimmy she knew might be coming back. They laughed at the recollection of recent mishaps in their Express adventures. She smiled to herself as Kid and Jimmy playfully argued as to who was the fastest rider. Maybe this is what Jimmy needed. Time to get away and leave some of his feelings behind.

Lou finally interrupted her own thoughts. She listened for a few more moments to the petty bickering. "Hey you two, I hate to break this up, but don't you think we should be movin' on"?

"Yeah, guess we should. I'll deal with that one later." He pointed to Kid in a scoldful manner. Swiftly he lifted himself back into the saddle and shifted into a more comfortable position. Jimmy looked to see if his companions were ready.

"Let's get going!" Kid said answering the questioning look his friend gave.

Jimmy turned back around to leave, but was suddenly face to face with a well-dressed man who was holding gun and wearing a very sour expression.

On to Part Three!!