By Lyn
Copyright 1999
Emma slipped into the bunkhouse late that evening after the riders had gone to sleep. She was still concerned about Buck, and though she would never admit it to anyone except Sam, she missed be a mother to the lot of them.
She couldn't help herself. She went about pulling up blankets and picking up or moving articles of clothing that had fallen to the floor. Jimmy was snoring lightly and Cody was talking in his sleep. She really missed this! As she quietly moved about, Buck began to toss and turn, caught up in a dream.
When he sat up suddenly she moved quickly to his side. Placing her finger to his lips she motioned for him to join her. He pulled the blanket off his bunk, wrapping it around his shoulders and followed her outside. They sat on the top step.
"So, tell me about it."
"About what?"
"The dream. Sometimes it helps to tell them, get them out in the open."
Buck sat silent, staring at the stars. Emma followed his gaze, watching the tiny diamonds above sparkle on and off. As they watched a shooting star raced across the sky.
"Buck?" She placed her hand on the back of his head, her fingers stroking his ebony hair before settling on his shoulder. He tensed ever so slightly.
"I'll be fine, Emma."
"I know you will. But I'd like to help if I can."
"The dreams aren't as strong as they were."
"Tell me about them anyway. I want to hear."
He turned to look at her, studying her face in the moonlight.
Sam awoke before dawn. His wife wasn't with him. He dressed quickly and slipped out of the house. Studying the station yard, he saw two figures on the bunkhouse porch and headed toward them. Emma motioned for him to sit next to her on the step.
"You two throw a party and forget to invite anyone?" Sam knew by now that he couldn't control Emma even if he wanted to, so he rarely questioned anything she did anymore. She always had her actions thought out. If she felt the need to stay up all night then she had a good reason for doing so.
"I missed you last night," he added as he gave her a kiss and sat down. They could just see the beginnings of the sky lightening to the east. The sun would be up soon.
"I missed you too. Buck and I were just catching up. Looks like it's gonna be a beautiful morning."
The week flew by. Emma managed to spend some time alone with each of the riders. At supper Sunday night Sam and Emma announced they would have to be leaving Tuesday morning. Sam need to be in Fort Laramie soon. The announcement led to a chorus of groans all around.
"Now boys. We'll back. Besides," Emma replied, reaching over to take hold of Sam's hand, "We'll expect a visit from all of you for the baby's christening. This baby is going to have a lot of godfathers- and godmothers!"
There was stunned silence for a split second and then the bunkhouse nearly exploded with noise as all the riders got up to hug Emma and shake Sam's hand. Rachel had been in on the secret and had baked a cake for the occasion.
Noah took the run the next morning so all the riders could spend one last day with Emma. Sam had business in town, so Emma and Rachel packed a picnic lunch and they headed to the nearest pond.
The boys fished or played a game of baseball. Emma acted as umpire and even Rachel got into the game. Afterwards the boys took a dip in the pond while the women talked and laid out lunch.
It was a tired but contented group that rode back to the station late that afternoon. Sam and Teaspoon sat on the porch waiting for them, smoking cigars. Sam rose to help his wife and Rachel down from the wagon.
"Did you have a nice day?"
"Sure did!" Emma replied giving him a hug. "Only way it could have been better is if you two had been with us." They walked toward the bunkhouse as the riders headed to the corral with the wagon and horses.
Over supper that night Sam told them that he had to go back to St. Joseph, picking up a prisoner along the way.
"I'm going to have to make a couple extra stops when I'm done before I head to Fort Larmie. So I asked Teaspoon if a couple of you boys could escort Emma there for me. That way I could meet up with her there."
Six "I'll goes" followed the statement.
"Now boys. And girl!" he added quickly, "Of course a couple of you can go. But the fairest way to decide is to draw straws. Jimmy, would you run out to the barn for me?"
Jimmy returned shortly. Teaspoon took the straw from him, turning his back from the group to trim them.
"Okay boys. Short straws go. Now, one at a time, one at a time!" When the straws were compared it was determined that Buck and Jimmy would be going.
"Well boys, morning comes early. Best get some rest."
Jimmy sat on the seat of the wagon, his horse tied to the back as Emma said her good byes. Kid moved up, putting his arm around Lou as tears threatened to spill over her lashes. Emma was fighting off tears of her own. They all watched as the three rode off.
On to Chapter Four
