By Lyn
Copyright 1999
Jimmy and Noah pulled extra chairs up to the table as Rachel and Lou set out plates and silverware. The original riders were all asking questions, excited at seeing their old friends. Noah even joined the conversation. Rachel and Buck seemed content to sit back and listen.
When supper was over teaspoon and Sam went out onto the porch for a cigar. Emma insisted on helping Rachel with the dishes. Emma shooed the boys out onto the porch, saying she didn't need them underfoot anymore now than she had before.
"We'll be out shortly! Now go!" She flicked a towel at their retreating backs.
"So, how's Buck really doing?' she asked , taking the first plate from Rachel to dry.
"It's hard to tell with him. He barely ate the first two weeks. He seems better now, but he's still quieter than normal, and he often seems far away. The boys tell me he had nightmares for awhile, woke up in the middle of the night yelling Ike's name."
"He and Ike were so close. He's got to be feeling a little lost."
"No one knew what to do for him. We tried to give him a little space to grieve. But everyone else was hurting too. Sometimes it got a little hard."
"What happened to the girl. Emily wasn't it?"
"She tried to help, but she was feeling responsible and a little guilty I think. She still owns some land here, but decided to travel for a bit. She said she'll be back, but I don't know."
"Ike was so special." Emma said, sitting the towel down as Rachel wiped off the table.
"He certainly was." Rachel poured water for tea and the two women retired to the porch. Sam and Teaspoon were comparing stories as the riders sat around the porch listening. Emma sat next to her husband while Rachel took a seat between Jimmy and Noah. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards the other woman, unfounded as that feeling was. She knew the boys loved Emma, looked at her as a mother figure. Rachel had the position of an older sister or maybe an aunt and that was fine with her. But she couldn't help but like Emma. The woman had fire.
"We should head to the hotel, Emma." Sam said as the evening grew late. "These boys need to be up in the morning." There was a chorus of groans and don't go yets.
"Now, we'll be here for at least a week, boys. There will be plenty of time together." Emma said.
"But I won't hear of you staying in the hotel" Rachel chimed in. "There's an extra room up at the house with your name on it."
"We don't want to be an inconvenience."
"Nonsense. There's plenty of room. Besides, it will give us a chance to compare notes on this group." Rachel slipped her arm through Emma's and headed to the house.
"Guess we're staying here." Sam said, looking at the others, then grabbing a carpet bag from the wagon, he followed his wife toward Rachel's. Everyone called out good night and headed to the bunkhouse.
Noah took Jimmy's ride the next day so he could visit with Emma and Sam. Kid gave him the pass off, then groomed Katy before heading to the bunkhouse. None of the others let on to him about their visitors as they went about their chores.
Without paying attention, he walked into the bunkhouse, not even glancing at the woman working at the counter.
"Lunch going to be ready soon Rachel? I'm starving." he said as he tossed his saddlebags on his bunk and hung up his gun belt and hat.
"It'll be ready shortly, Kid. Just you make sure you wash up."
Kid stopped in his tracks, then slowly turned to face the woman.
"Emma?" Kid went quickly to the womn's outstretched arms. "Emma! What are you doing here? Where's Sam?"
"Sam's over at the office with Teaspoon. We received Teaspoon's letter about Ike and came as quickly as we could."
"Yeah, Buck's taking it real hard."
"I can tell. he just needs some time. It's not easy losing family. With Buck it's probably harder since he doesn't always know where he belongs. But he'll be fine. Now you go get washed up and call the others for me. Rachel went up to the house for a moment. We'll be ready to eat as soon a she gets back."
Buck returned from his run the next day, sending Lou on her way with the pouch. He cooled his horse down, then took it into the barn to groom. Emma walked in while he worked carrying two glasses and a pitcher.
"Buck?"
"Over here!" She located the stall he was working in.
"How about a break? I brought lemonade."
"I'm just about finished."
She sat on pile of hay bales just outside and waited until he joined her.
"Pull up a bale, Buck. We haven't had much time to talk."
"It's been kind of busy."
"Like always. Some things never change do they? So how have you been?"
"I'm all right. How about you?"
"Buck, you know what I mean. Quit avoiding the question."
Buck paused for a moment, not used to talking about his feelings. Not used to having people ask him about them.
"Buck?"
"I miss him Emma." He looked up into the sky as an eagle flew overhead.
"You know he's still with you. In your heart."
Buck looked at her, trying to decide if he should tell her about Ike's death. He knew he could trust her, knew she wouldn't make fun of his beliefs.
"The Kiowa believe everyone has a spirit guide or helper. When Ike was captured and I went to the Kiowa camp to get him, I had a vision. My spirit guide in the vision was an eagle."
"I knew the moment Ike died because an eagle appeared to me. I believe that Ike's spirit was released and joined with the eagle and he still watches over me."
"That's a nice thought. I like it. It's like what white folk call a guardian angel." Emma replied quietly as she too watched the eagle in it's flight. "I like it alot."
"That could be him. Perhaps he came to say hello to you."
"Hello to you, too, Ike. We all miss you." she said in the direction of the eagle as she pulled Buck close to her.
On to Chapter Three
