In Town
“Folks, you need to settle down,” Teaspoon ordered the angry mob that had formed outside his office. “Getting all riled up ain’t gonna accomplish nothing!”
“Teaspoon!” Tompkins cried in despair. “Have you seen what those beasts did to my supplies?”
“It ain’t my fault this prankster let my goats out!” Mr. Carter wailed as he waved the note he received. After the goats were released, they discovered the sacks of grain outside Tompkin’s store and helped themselves. They also dined on clothes being set out to dry.
“And I almost got killed yesterday after Tompkin’s store sign almost fell on me!” A farmer hollered.
“That’s not my fault!” Tompkins fired back. “I had that sign securely up!”
“That’s nothing!” The town’s bank owner declared. “This prankster painted ‘Just been robbed’ on the side of the bank!” Concerned murmurs grew in the crowd. “Do you know how many angry citizens were pounding on my door this morning?”
“Yeah, well he painted ‘only serves watered down whiskey’ on my saloon!” Daniel, the saloon’s new owner, yelped. That was bad for business! “That ain’t so!” Well, not always!
“Probably stole the paint from my shed,” another citizen barked. How else could he explain the sudden disappearance of the item?
“Everybody calm down!” Teaspoon hollered again. “Does anybody have any ideas as to who this prankster is, or what he looks like?” The crowd shook their heads. None of the citizens had been able to catch the now notorious prankster at his dirty deeds.
“It’s your job to catch him Marshal,” the banker pointed out. The crowd shouted words of agreement.
“And I will,” Teaspoon reassured him. “But I’m gonna need a little help.”
“I think I might be able to help ya,” a young man spoke out. He stepped away from the crowd. “I can’t be certain though.”
“Well, why don’t you tell us what ya know, son,” Teaspoon encouraged the young man.
“I saw a fella the other night, looking at that man’s goats,” the stranger stated. “I didn’t pay him much mind at first.” Then the stranger grew quite.
“AND?” Tompkins demanded. The young man remained quite.
“Details boy!” The saloon’s owner cried. “We need to find this troublemaker!”
“I can’t say for sure if he’s your man,” the stranger stated. “But from what you all said, it’s certainly pointin’ to him.”
“How’s that?” Teaspoon interrogated.
“Well, like I said he was lookin’ at the goats,” the young man with blue eyes stated. “But then I saw him again.”
“And?” All the business owners cried in perfect unison.
“He had paint on his hands,” the young man explained. Excited whispers danced in the crowd.
“Could you point him out if you saw him?” Teaspoon questioned the young man.
“Sure, but I don’t think we’ll be seein’ him for a while,” he answered the marshal.
“What makes you think that?” Deputy Barnett asked. He had been investigating the reported incidents, but couldn’t find any leads.
“This morning was the second time I saw him.” The stranger grew quite once more. The group drew closer. They were very, very anxious to hear his words.
“AND?” The people cried out again.
“He was leaving town,” the stranger informed the mob. “I’m pretty sure of it.”
“Good riddance!” A woman called from beside her husband.
“Good riddance?” Tompkins repeated in disbelief. “Who’s gonna pay for all the damage he’s caused?” Worried whispers plagued the crowd.
“He need’s to be brought to justice!” The banker barked. “Taught a lesson.”
“He will,” Teaspoon reassured. “But leave the law to me.” He motioned for the crowd to disperse, and hesitantly they did. Then he turned back to the young man. “What’s you’re name son?”
“Ty. Ty Morales,” the young man informed the Marshal as he extended his hand.
“Well son,” the older man began as he grasped the stranger’s hand firmly. “How about givin’ a description of the man you saw?”
“Sure thing, Marshal,” Ty stated as he followed him into his office. He loved helping the law.
Back At The Station
“I can’t believe this!” Lou screamed as she stared at the note in the box. The box should have contained a beautiful necklace. A beautiful cameo on a delicate chain. Instead, the box revealed another trick. They had wasted a good hour of their time to uncover another note! “This is getting rather old!”
All good things must come to an end my friend.
And so my game with you is through.
Dear Romeo your cameo is waiting on the first right hook.
Just look!
“The first right hook,” Rachel repeated as they glanced at the door way. “Under the old coat!”
Both the women raced to the coat. “I hope we’re right,” Lou said before lifting the worn coat. They were. “It’s beautiful!” Lou called as she gently removed the necklace. “Jimmy had to of helped him.”
“He did,” Rachel admitted. She had known about Lou’s present all along, but had to play innocent. Kid made her swear on her best dress. “It was so hard not to tell you!”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” Lou said. “It’s kinda nice being surprised.”
“We’ve been getting enough of those around here lately,” Rachel noted. Her switched ingredients came quickly to mind. “Now that we’ve found your present, why don’t you help me figure out which supplies he messed with!”
“Sure,” Lou agreed. It was the least she could do. After all, digging through hay wasn’t exactly an easier task. She owed Rachel.
Back at the Marshal’s Office
“I really appreciate you helping out,” Teaspoon stated to Ty. “If there’s anyway I can repay ya, just let me know.”
“Actually,” Ty began as he rose from his seat. “I’m lookin’ for work.”
“Is that so?” Teaspoon questioned. “What kinda work?”
“Anything really. But I do have a way with horses,” Ty informed the marshal. “Been around ‘em all my life.”
“Horses, huh?” Teaspoon noted with a smile. “I just might be able to help ya out.”
Outside of Town
“Well, we tracked him to town,” Cody pointed out rather sacrastically. “Now what?”
Kid shook his head in frustration. “I guess we go talk to Teaspoon.” He looked down at Katy’s butchered mane. He had really wanted to find this fella. Especially after the treasure hunt the Prankster sent him on.
The riders halted their horses outside the marshal’s office and wandered in. They found Teaspoon conversing with a young man close to their age. He was very surprised to find his riders standing before him.
“Jimmy?” he called. “Ain’t you suppose to be headin’ for Fort Laramie?”
“Plans changed,” the young gunfighter answered. “I’ll let the Kid explain.”
Kid threw a ‘thanks a lot’ look before explaining, “Seems some fella who calls himself ‘The Prankster’ has been visiting the station.” What he wouldn’t do to get a hold of that fella.
“I know who you’re talkin’ about,” Teaspoon informed them. “I got Barnett and two volunteers tracking him now.”
“Barnett?” Buck cried in surprise. With the news, Buck reasoned that the man would easily escape.
“He’s gone!” Cody agreed as he rolled his eyes.
“Have a little faith,” Teaspoon stated. Then remembering the young man with him, he stated, “Boys, meet Ty Morales.” Greetings were called out before Teaspoon announced, “He’s gonna be a new rider at the station.” Unsettled looks were passed around. Was it safe to take on another rider?
After Teaspoon explained that the new rider would only be a temporary addition to the station, the boys calmed down. The Marshal of Sweetwater wanted the riders to give the young man a taste of express life, show him the ropes. Then, if he liked it, Ty would join the crew over at Pole Creek. That station was in desperate need of riders, but didn’t have the time or the men to train a new rider. So, for two weeks, Ty would be bunking with the riders. Surely they could keep Lou’s secret safe during that brief time span.
At The Station
The cake made from the correct ingredients, in the correct amounts, was almost done. The notorious prankster had switched the sugar with the salt, and the baking soda with the powdered sugar. That’s why the icing tasted so bad, and the first cake was a disaster. Before the cake was done, Louise had already put the finishing touches on being a lady.
She wore a beautiful lavender dress with lace designing its edges. Her hair was done up with some of Rachel’s hair pins, and Kid’s gift made her feel real special. To fully enjoy being a lady for the day, Louise put on a touch of Rachel’s sweet perfume. So far, her birthday was quite eventful!
When the sound of horses galloping toward the station reached the ladies attention, Louise and Rachel hurried outside to greet the boys. They were eager to hear news about the mysterious jokester.
“Who’s that with the boys?” Rachel asked, immediately spotting the attractive young man riding with them.
“Ty Morales,” Lou informed her friend after recognizing the guest. “Met him in Blue Creek.”
“The same fellow who was having an affair with-” Rachel began, remembering the story Lou told her.
“Yep,” Lou answered. She watched the riders halt their horses by the barn. All except Kid. He rode to the house, eager to see Lou. He smiled warmly at her, but his blues reflected the worried feelings he had. She had worried feelings of her own. What was Ty doing here? Not, that she completely minded seeing him again.
“You look beautiful,” Kid said, leaving Katy to approach her. “And you found the cameo!” Seeing his gift framed around her lovely neck, made him very happy.
“I love it,” Lou informed him, tracing her fingers along the necklace. They stood there looking into each other’s eyes before Rachel’s voice interrupted their moment.
“I see we have company,” Rachel stated, searching for information.
Breaking his love sick gaze, Kid struggled to turn his attention to Rachel. “Yeah, Teaspoon hired on another rider,” Kid informed the ladies.
“What?” Lou cried, very surprised.
“Just temporarily,” Kid assured her. Before Kid could further his explanation, Jimmy approached them, leading a fresh mount behind him.
“Did he already tell you how pretty you look?” Jimmy asked, his bed roll in his arms. “Cause if he didn’t he’s blind.”
Lou smiled warmly, feeling her cheek grow a little warmer. Jimmy had that affect over her. “He did,” She reassured him.
“Did he wish you happy birthday too?” Jimmy interrogated. Lou shook her head. That’s the one thing Kid hadn’t done. “Well happy birthday, Lou,” Jimmy said.
“Leaving for Fort Laramie?” Lou asked, disappointed. She wanted all her family to be near her on this special day.
“Yeah, I gotta being going,” Jimmy said, tying his bed roll behind the saddle. He had already lost a lot of daylight.
“Ride safe,” she encouraged as Jimmy mounted up. He tipped his hat in regards to her caring words and rode off.
The new rider watched Lou intently from the barn. The others riders had offered him a tour of the station, but he graciously declined. He wanted to get acquainted with everyone first. After excusing himself, Ty wandered over to the trio. He tipped his hat, smiling at the ladies. “Hello Louise,” he said, easily recognizing her. “You look remarkable as a woman!”
“Thanks,” Lou answered hesitantly. Ty’s careful examination made her a bit uncomfortable. His attention was flattering, but it also spurred suspicious looks from the Kid.
“You two know each other?” Kid questioned, trying to sound casually interested.
“We met in Blue Creek,” Ty answered.
Ty could tell the news upset the Kid. So could the woman beside Louise. That’s why she suggested Ty go get settled in at the bunk house. Naturally, he asked Louise for assistance. Predictably, Kid insisted on helping too.
After entering the bunk house, Ty took some time to glance around. He had to act as if he’d never seen the place before. After several moments, he picked his bunk.
“That bunk’s already taken,” Kid informed him, heatedly.
“By whom?” Ty asked angelically. He didn’t want to give up Kid’s bed. Not when it was right below Lou’s.
“By me,” Kid answered, ready to fight it out.
Lou, stepped in to end the battle. Pointing to a bunk in the north corner, Louise stated, “There’s a free bunk over there.”
Ty took the hint, but not before engaging in a staring contest with the Kid. A rivalry was established during their show down, that would make the next two weeks very interesting. Ty looked forward to the challenge, but he wasn’t going to let it distract him from other obligations. He still owed Hickok a gift.
On to Part Six
