Teaspoon looked up from his desk as Kid, Jimmy and Buck stormed in his office, their eyes pleading with the grizzled station master. He had known they’d be coming to see him the moment Lou left, and he wasn’t disappointed. The three young men came to stand before him, ready to begin their argument, but Teaspoon held his hand up for silence.

“Cody and Noah’ll be able to handle the runs until you boys get back with Lou.” Teaspoon said simply.

Both Kid and Buck smiled, but Jimmy narrowed his eyes. “I thought there wouldn’t be a bunk waitin’ for her when she got back.” He said angrily. He’d heard every word Teaspoon had said to Lou and had been furious with his mentor. He knew that Teaspoon had only been trying to protect the petite rider, but he wondered about his methods.

“I was lyin’ Jimmy. She’s the best rider I got.” Teaspoon returned evenly, meeting Jimmy’s glare. “I don’t want you boys to interfere... a blood oath ain’t somethin’ to be taken lightly. We may not all agree with what Lou’s doin’, but she believes in what she’s doin’. It ain’t goin’ to be easy for her when she returns...killin’ a man ain’t easy on the conscience, but Lou’s old enough to make her own decisions. You boys just bring her home safe and we’ll deal with the rest later.”

Jimmy looked at the others a bit uneasily as if he were just realizing the weight of Lou’s choice. Hell, he knew better than any of them how much a man’s death could weigh on the soul, but he also knew the weight of a pact. As he looked into Teaspoon’s eyes, he realized that he did too.

She heard footsteps behind her and looked warily as Ben sat beside her. While he hadn’t exactly been hostile towards her, he hadn’t even tried to hide his disapprovement. She was surprised when he handed her a steaming mug of coffee.

“Here, this oughtta warm you up.” He said gruffly as he stared into the fire.

“Thank you.” she replied. She wasn’t sure of what else to say to the taciturn man.

“Why are you here Lou?” He suddenly asked.

Lou looked at him stunned for a moment. His tone was soft and his eyes looked like they used to, before Daniel had been killed. At that point, she knew how much their friend’s death had affected him. He had turned into a brooding, melancholy shell of a man.

“Same reason as you I guess.” she finally replied.

“I gave you a chance to back out and you didn’t...why? Sean said you looked pretty comfortable at that station...so why--”

“Why did I leave that to come hunt down the scum who murdered the kindest man I’ve ever met? You know... Daniel took me in, gave me a home, food, a chance. He knew I was a girl, but that didn’t matter to him. He let me do the same work as you all. He took me for what I was, and didn’t judge me. That’s why.” Lou said emotionally.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to make you upset. I just don’t understand you is all. I’m sure if I would offer to let Charlie out of this, he’d be on his way home... but you didn’t even hesitate.”

Lou rolled her eyes. “You know, I think you’re just being a little too hard on Charile...”

“No, I’m not. Look at him Lou... he’s too young to look like that. it’s all the drinking and gambling he does.”

“Gambling? Charlie?” Lou asked in disbelief.

“You know where I found him?? He was about to be tarred and feathered for not paying his debts in St. Joe. He hasn’t done an honest days work since Daniel died.” Ben spat bitterly. “I paid off his debts and brought him with me.”

“What about Sean?” Lou asked.

Ben smiled briefly before speaking. “He has a wife and son now. He owns the mercantile in White Oaks.”

“And what about you?”

“What about me?”

“What have you been doin’ these past few years?”

“Tracking Stall...doing odd jobs here and there to keep food in my mouth.”

Lou shook her head in amazement. Charlie had turned into everything he used to hate. She could remember vividly his tales about his alcoholic father and how he gambled away the family’s homestead. She wasn’t surprised that Sean was married, but she was surprised that he was running a mercantile. Sean had always been the wild one of the bunch and Lou couldn’t picture his domesticity. She felt sorry for Ben. While they had moved on and essentially established lives for eachother, he had been relentlessly hunting down their nemesis. She wondered for a moment what he would do when they finally found Stall and killed him. His whole life until that point had been built around him.

“Can I ask you a question?” Lou asked quietly.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you want me to come?”

Ben looked at her for a moment and Lou could have sworn she’d seen some color rise in his smooth cheeks. “It’s just something that Daniel told me once...”

Lou looked at him in amusement and smiled. “What?”

“He told me that one day you’d grow up to become a beautiful woman...”

“So, what’s that got to do with me not coming?” she asked, her brows knit in confusion. Ben cleared his throat and then looked at her soberly. “I was just realizing that he was right... and I didn’t want anything to happen to you. Daniel told me that I was always to look out for you...”

Lou smiled softly and squeezed his arm reassuringly. “I can take care of myself you know...but I appreciate the sentiment.”

Ben was about to respond when they heard Charlie and Sean approaching. Lou, sensing Ben’s discomfort removed her hand from his arm and smiled at the approaching duo.

“Well, the horses are all settled down for the night...so what’s for supper?” Charlie asked.

“Well, don’t look at me.” Lou returned.

“Don’t tell me you still haven’t learned to cook, girl. How do you expect to catch yourself a husband if you can’t cook?” Charlie laughed. “I think she’s doin’ just fine without cooking skills Charlie...you didn’t see the two fellas giving me the evil eye yesterday when I rode in. They was ready to kill me.” Sean teased.

Ben stood up suddenly and cleared his throat. “We better stand guard. I’ll take the first watch.” he mumbled as he walked away.

“What’s with him?” Charlie asked.

Kid and Jimmy looked up from where they were rubbing the horses down. It had taken them a while to finally catch the four-some who had been riding hell bent for leather. Kid tried to stifle a yawn as he sat down in front of the fire.

“So...when are you gonna announce our presence?” Jimmy asked as he sat beside the Kid.

“I think it’d be best to wait until we’re closer to Willow Springs. If they’re anything like Lou, I’m betting that they won’t take too kindly to outside help.” Jimmy replied.

“I think Jimmy’s right.” Buck contributed.

“I still don’t know what she’s doing here. She has a good life with the Express.” Kid mumbled to himself.

“You’re not goin’ to start on that are you? Look Kid, you’re the one always talkin’ about honor...well, Lou gave her word of honor and she’s keepin’ it.” Jimmy interjected.

Kid looked at him and nodded. “I know you’re right Jimmy, but it don’t make it any easier.”

Jimmy was surprised at the vulnerability in Kid’s voice. He clasped his shoulder and tried to smile reassuringly. “Don’t worry Kid, she’s gonna be fine. Nothin’s gonna go wrong...I’m here after all.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.” Kid returned, smiling.

On to Chapter Three

Be sure to send some feedback!

Fan Fiction

Main Page