The Young Riders Series

By RhonyLynn Winklepleck
Copyright 1999

The Reunion

"Home-Coming"



The front porch swing swayed slightly as she sat fanning herself. Her long, chestnut brown hair, falling to her waist, absently rubbing her swollen belly.

Had they really been on the farm for seven years now? She surveyed the land she and her family had called home since the start of the War.

Of course, neither the house, or the property looked anything like it had s even years ago. The house had been falling down, and the land was so thickly overgrown that there were times, when it was just herself, her little broth er, and her husband trying to clear the land, that they nearly didn't get th e first crop planted in time.

But in the seven years, Kid and Lou had made the land into a prosperous far m, and the house into a huge, seven bedroom house, and they had even had a s uccessful go at ranching.

And now, with Teaspoon and Rachel, the foursome were raising seven beautiful children. Life was good. But it could be better.

Sighing as she continued to rub her belly, she thought of her missing brothers. And the familiar anger filled her. She knew she shouldn't be mad at them, that they all had their own reasons for staying away, but Lou could n't help it. She missed them! And now, with the troubles she was having, she NEEDED them!

 "Louise?" A soft voice called to her from the house.

Turning towards the twelve year old, Lou Morgan smiled, "Yes, Theresa? "

Brushing a stray lock of her light brown hair out of her eyes, she informed her, "Kid says you need to come in. That the heat's too much for you. quot;

Irritation rang through her voice as she replied, "Tell that husband of mine that it's no cooler in that house!"

Like her older sister, Theresa McLoud was small for her age, and had Lou's dark brown eyes, but there is where the similarities ended. Where Louise lov ed working the fields with the guys, and occasionally strapping on her six irons and helping the sheriff track down a horse thief, (Kid hated it when sh e went, but he'd learned to keep his mouth shut about it.) Theresa preferred staying home and learning to cook, or sow herself a new dress.

Sometimes both sisters worried that they were too different from each other. But they both loved the other dearly, and Jeremiah secretly believed that Louise came back more for Theresa than for him, but he didn't mind it too much, at least.

Hearing his wife, Kid appeared on the porch, "Lou, Please? Don't argue with me this time? You know what the doctor said?"

Lou cut him off with a dismissive hand. "Yeah, I heard him." She spat in irritation, "I shouldn't have gotten pregnant again. That the twins did a lot of damage to my insides, and I should have had that operation he wanted, the Hy-ster-ekt-omy." She struggled over the unfamiliar wor d, "But I feel fine, Kid, really I do. And I feel cooped up in the house!"

Realizing that Lou wasn't going to listen him, he tried a new tactic, " Then I'll make you a deal." He inticed her.

"I'm listening." She replied neutrally, suspicious of his " deals."

"If you come in and lie down for a few hours, we'll go for a ride this afternoon."

Louise Morgan was no dummy. Smiling her sweetest smile, she answered, " ;I have an appointment with David this afternoon, don't I?"

Caught! He thought to himself, grinning despite his concerns. " Well, yeah. But I was thinking that maybe you and I could stop by the lake f or a picnic?"

Brightening at that, Lou held her hand out to him as she struggled to get o ut of the swing, "Alright, you got a deal!"

Sighing in relief, Kid helped her into the house. Following behind them, Th eresa volunteered, "I'll start packing a picnic for you two."

"Thanks, Sis." Kid acknowledged, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.



James Butler Hickok had faced down gun fighters, Indian War Parties, Slave Traders, and the bad guys that had ruled the streets before he had come to D odge. But he had never felt quit so much fear as he did at this moment, sitt ing and waiting. The box in his pocket felt heavier than any of the drunks h e had tossed out of the saloon.

The Rider's Stop had become the most popular place in Dodge. With a place f or family dining, a poker room, and a hotel upstairs, it appealed to just ab out everyone in town. But now it was closed, and Jimmy sat waiting for the p roprietress.

"Hi there." Came a sweet voice from behind him. "Why are you sitting here looking like a man about to be lead to the gallows?"

Amanda O'Connel was beautiful. Her dark, almost ebony, hair hung freely in ringlets to the small of her back. And her black eyes gave her lovely face a look of elegance. And Jimmy had found himself deeply in love with her.

Unsure where to start, he stammered, "Uh... Amanda...you and I have know n each other a long time. And...well, I...A uh... I really like you...LOVE you, a ctually. And...well... I was wondering..."

Trying to hide the amusement she was feeling at his nervousness, she decide d to let him off the hook. "Jimmy? Are you planning on asking me to mar ry you?"

"Well, yeah, that was the idea." He told her, a little miffed tha t he had been so tongue tied.

"I accept." She replied so suddenly and calmly that it took Jimmy a second to realize what had happened.

Looking at her in shock, he asked, "Uh, excuse me Amanda, but did you just say...?"

Nodding, Amanda repeated, "I accept!"

Before she knew what was going on, Jimmy let out a loud "WHOOP!" and picked her up in the air, twirling her around until they were both dizzy .

Falling on the floor together, both laughing, Jimmy reached into his pocket and took out the velvet box. Opening it, he removed the small, but classy, diamond ring, which had an opal on either side, and slipped it on her delica te finger.

As the two kissed, the door suddenly, and unexpectedly, flew open. Seeing t he two on the floor, in what looked to be a compromising position, Bert Ster ling, only fourteen years old, he back-stepped so fast he nearly fell off th e stoop. "Oh, I'm sorry..." He stammered, "But, I..A uh...I have a telegram for the Deputy. It looks kinda important."

"Give it here, Bert." Irritation and amusement mixed in Jimmy's voice as he took the telegram out of the boy's hand and he got out as quickly as he could.

They laughed together as Jimmy tore open the telegram and began reading, hi s smile quickly replaced by look of fear and worry. "What's wrong Jimmy ?" Amanda asked, concern etching her own face.

Wordlessly he handed her the telegram:

Dear Family. Stop. You all must come quickly. Stop. Louise is pregnant, and the Doc doesn't know if she'll live through the birth. Stop. You must co me immediately, if you want to say your good-byes. Stop. Both Kid and Louise need all of you. Stop. Please come now! Stop. Love Rachel.

Amanda looked at Jimmy in shock, but said nothing. She knew how much Lo u meant to Jimmy. She was special to all the boys, but there was a special b ond between Lou and Jimmy. Call it a mutual need. Jimmy's need to be a big b rother, after all the years of being the youngest, and Lou's need to be a li ttle sister, after years of having to be the oldest. Whatever the reason, if Lou died, a part of Jimmy would go with her.

"I'll start packing." Amanda said, rising from the floor and stra ightening her green work dress.

Jimmy sat there another second, before standing. "I'm going to telegra m Cody and Buck," He informed her, "Maybe they can meet us here an d we can all go together."

Amanda knew he was looking for a stall. They were only three days away from Saint Jo, but if they waited for Cody and Buck, it'd be a good week and a h alf before they got there. But she didn't argue. "Alright." She le ft it up to him.



Dear Family. Stop. You all must come quickly. Stop. Louise is pregnant, and the Doc doesn't know if she'll live through the birth. Stop. You must co me immediately, if you want to say your good-byes. Stop. Both Kid and Louise need all of you. Stop. Please come now! Stop. Love Rachel.

William F. Cody stood numbly in his livingroom, rereading the telegram. "Hey, Cody?" Buck called from the front doorway, "Earth to C ody?"

Buck grinned as his old friend looked up at him, but the grin quickly faded as he saw the tears threatening to spill out of his blue eyes. "Cody? What's wrong?!"

"It's Lou..." He began, pausing, finding the words hard to say, &qu ot;She's... she's sick. She might die."

"What?!" Buck yelled, bringing Sarah running into the room as Cod y read the telegram aloud to them. When he finished, all were silent for a t ime.

Sarah looked from one man to the other, "Well fellas," She said s imply, but not unkindly, "Kid and Lou need you. What are you going to d o? Allow them to go through this alone?"

Although she was not trying to hurt them, the words struck like a bullet. They knew that Lou had wanted them to come back to her for years, and that it hurt her deeply everytime they refused.

"Start packing, you two." Cody answered, "I'll make our trav el arrangements.

As he reached the door, a knock sounded loudly, and made him jump. Opening it, there was yet another delivery boy, with another telegram. Cody held it at an arms length, looking at it like you would a snake, or some dangerous s pider. "I-I can't open it." He said finally.

Buck nervously approached him, taking the telegram from his hand and slowly opening it. After reading it quickly, he smiled in relief. "It's just Jimmy." He explained, "Wants us to meet up with him and Amanda in Dodge, then we can all go the rest of the way together."

As the others let out the breaths they had been holding, Cody swung the doo r open again, "Okay, I'll stop by and telegraph him that we'll be there as soon as possible."

And with that, he was gone before anymore bad news could find him.



Doctor David Miller, a relatively young man, in his late twenties, with nea r jet black hair, a thick mustache, and gray eyes, had worked along side Doc Barns in Rock Creek, and had quickly become friends with Lou. Injured on a ride, Lou had been forced to reveal the truth to the young doctor, and he ha d kept her secret.

When Saint Joe's own Doc Tate suddenly passed away, Lou sent a letter to David, begging him to come take care of the town until a replacement could be f ound. That had been three years ago, and David hadn't regretted a minute of it.

But today Dr. Miller was worried. Louise sat on the examination table, nervously fiddling with the tie at the front of her white blouse. They both knew she was in trouble. "Lou," the doctor began, "If you want to live through this, you have to stay in bed the rest of your pregnancy." ;

"David," She replied, smiling thinly, "I have five little children running around my house, Rachel is still too weak to chase after them, Kid, Teaspoon and Jeremiah have the farm and ranch, and Theresa, she's too young to ask to take on more responsibilities."

David smiled knowingly at the young woman, "From what I heard, at her age, her big sister had a lot more responsibilities than that!"

He was surprised by the dark look that came over her face, as she answered, "That's exactly why I won't ask her. I know what's it like to loose yo ur childhood, and I don't want Theresa to go through it too."

"We're not talking about a permanent arrangement, Louise." He tol d her

Giving him an amused smile, Lou replied, "Doc, you and I both know that it may very well be forever." Never one to mince words, she launched in, "The fact is, I've got more of a chance of dying during this birth, than I got of making it, right?"

David could be just as stubborn as the young woman before him, if the need arose. "If you give up, yes. There are some doctors who believe that th e state of mind a patient is in has a lot to do with their survival."

"I know," Louise answered, her head bobbing in agreement, "I've talked to a few of them during my...Travels." Lou didn't need to sa y what traveling, the doctor was very well aware of his patient's past as a Pony Express Rider. "And I can't say I fault their logic. I'm not givin g up, Doc, I'm being practical. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst ."

David was confused, "Preparing? Just WHAT are you preparing?" He asked warily, knowing Lou had a tendency to push her limits, and the limits of the patience of those around her.

With a non-committal shrug, she shimmied off the table, too large for her usual graceful leap. "Oh, just a few things in the works. Got a couple of friends comin' for a visit."

Smiling broadly, he happily exclaimed, "Oh! Jimmy, Cody, and Buck are returning?"

He instantly regretted the words when he saw the look of pain and anger that flooded her face for only a second, before her usual mask of nonchalance w as quickly in place, "No, not them." She simply said, "Some other friends."

"And you won't say who?" He asked, his curiosity peaked.

With a quick nod of her head, she stated firmly, "No." Grabbing up her things, she faced him with a broad smile, "Well, if you'll excuse me? I have a picnic date with my husband."

Despite the seriousness of their dilemma, and his irritation at his stubbor n patient, David laughed, "Have fun!" He replied, waving his hand dismisively, "Consider that doctor's orders."

"Will do!" She said, giving him an exaggerated salute.

A sigh of exasperation escaped his lips as he finished sarcastically, " ;Sure... NOW she'll do as I say!"

Giggling, she sensed a break in his resolve, and made her escape before he could start another attack.






The ride from New York City to Dodge City Nevada was long and hard, but the travelers made it there in under a week, proud of the time they made.

Entering the saloon and hotel, they stopped at the bar, eager to see the fa miliar face they knew awaited their arrival.

Amanda O'Connel stood with her back to the bar, cleaning glasses. Although she heard the door open, and heard footsteps behind her, she didn't turn ar ound, "What can I get ya?"

"Sarsaparilla." Came a familiar voice, that caused Amanda to drop the glass in surprise.

Twirling quickly on the tired, grime covered group, she exclaimed loudly, "Cody!" Seeing the others she amended, " Buck! It's so good to see you both!"

Not caring about the dirt and grime that covered them, she quickly ran arou nd the bar and caught took turns hugging each of them.

Laughing at her antics, Cody gently disentangled himself from her and took Sarah's hand, "Amanda O'Connel, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sarah. Sa rah, this is my sister, Amanda."

"OUR sister." Buck spoke up from behind Sarah, grinning wildly.

"OUR sister." Cody corrected with a twinkle in his eye.

Catching Sarah off guard by hugging her too, Amanda replied, "It's a p leasure to finally get a chance to meet you!" She breathed, "Cody' s letters are so filled with information about you and Kit, that I feel like I know you already."

Sarah smiled warmly, picking up Kit, who was clinging shyly behind her skir t, "Speaking of Kit. Here he is." Extending a hand to Sunny, who a lso was standing back from the crowd, quietly observing, "And this is S unny. Children, say hello to your Aunt Amanda."

"Hi Aunt Manna." Sunny tried to form the words as best a two year old could. Her red curls flailing wildly around her round face.

"Hi Aunt Amanda." At nearly three, Kit could form words better th an Sunny, and loved proving it.

Amanda instantly adored both Sunny and Kit, "And hello to you two too! "

"Where's Jimmy?" Buck asked, surveying the busy bar room.

With her attention still focused on the children, she answered absently, &q uot;In the Sheriff's office. We weren't expecting you for at least four more days!"

Sarah nodded, exhaustion etched on her pale face, "We drove  stra ight through. Taking turns driving and sleeping. It's amazing the children a ren't complete grumps from lack of sleep and being cooped up."

"You must be ready to collapse!" She exclaimed, feeling guilty fo r not realizing it sooner. "Why don't I show you all to your rooms? You can take a bath, and sleep. Then, when Jimmy comes in for supper, we can al l eat together? I won't even tell him you're here until then, okay?"

Sarah gave Cody and Buck a no nonsense look and replied, "I vote yes.& quot;

Giving Buck a withered glance, Cody asked, "Why do I get the feeling that this really isn't UP for a vote?"

"Because you=B9re absolutely right!" Sarah shot back, "The children and I are exhausted. I know you two are too, even if you won't admit it."

"I admit it." Buck replied evenly, smiling at his sister-in-law's spunk. Ever since Buck and his family had come to live with the Cody's, it had amazed him how much Sarah reminded him of Lou. Smart and quick, her toug h exterior covering a heart of gold. Although the two women looked each othe r=B9s opposites, everything in their nature matched. They'll either adore e ach other, Buck thought ruefully, or they'll kill each other.

Looking at the smirk on Buck's face, Sarah narrowed her eyes, "Wha t ARE you grinning at, Buck?" She asked, exhaustion making her short te mpered.

Buck turned innocent brown eyes on her and answered truthfully, "Just trying to figure out how you and Lou will get on." His smile widened as he continued, "You two may be TOO MUCH alike!"

Coming to both her sisters' defense, Amanda cut in, "I think they'll l ove each other!" Seriousness took over her expression as she glared kno wingly at him, "If I were you, I'd be more worried about Lou's reaction to YOU!"

"Amanda's right," Sarah backed her up, "I'm not the one she's s mad at!" Glancing worriedly at Amanda, she put in, "Unless she f igures I'm guilty by association?"

Both the guys, and Amanda quickly put her fears to rest, "That ain't L ou." Cody assured her, "She ain't one to blame a person for who th ey're married too." Placing a strong, loving arm around her, he added s ensarily, "Personally, I think Lou will love you. What's not to love?&q uot;

With a sly grin, Sarah ran a light, teasing, hand over her husband's face, "You sweet-talker you!"

Amanda and Buck each picked up a child and led the way upstairs, rolling th eir eyes at the couple behind them, still playing those newlywed games. Both were struck with an odd sense of jealousy. One for what they had and lost, and the other for what they prayed desperately they would have soon.




Jimmy and the Marshal took weekly turns on night. Night was when Dodge City usually came alive, and, unfortunately, when all the riff raff came out to cause trouble.

This was Jimmy's week. So far, so good, The deputy thought to himself, as he idly picked at the grass growing on the lawn outside of the bank. & nbsp;Beginning to daydream about the wedding he hoped would happen soon.

Of course Rachel would be the Bride's Maid, Sammy and Alex the flower girls , and Lou would be the Maid of Honor.

Sudden gun shots brought him abruptly out of his daydreaming. His gun was o ut of it's holster and aimed towards the bank before Jimmy ever got up off t he grass. He didn't even remember drawing the gun. Years of livin' by the gun'll do that to ya. He thought absently as he rushed forward.

Just as he approached the door, it slammed open with such a bang, at first, the seasoned gun fighter thought it might be the first shot.

Ducking behind a water barrel that had been strategically placed, (Bank rob beries were commonplace in Dodge City.) he fired at the two figures, both cl oaked in dark clothing, with bandanas covering their faces.

With his first shot, he saw the smaller figure fall to the ground, and hear d a small cry of pain and gripping his left arm tightly. Gun fire erupted th rough the streets as the robbers tried to make their escape.

Picking up the downed robber, the larger man tossed his partner haphazardly over the saddle of a black mare that stood waiting for them. Jumping into t he saddle himself, he took off as quickly as he could.



Having heard the sounds of gun fire, and knowing that their old friend was most likely right in the thick of it, Buck and Cody had quickly jumped out o f their beds, dressed, and rushed out of Amanda's place with guns drawn.

They had reached the street just in time to see their friend's trusty old B ay riding after the two robbers.

Without a second thought, both ex-Pony Express Riders rushed for the barn, and their own mounts. Before anyone quit knew what had happened, they were f ollowing their friend. "Just like old times!!" Cody yelled at Buck as they rushed on, his sky blue eyes dancing with a joy that Buck rarely sa w anymore.

Buck merely smiled, and continued following the sounds of gun fire.



These fellas sure must have done some serious plain' on this! Jimmy thought to himself as he struggled to keep them in his line of sight through the rugged territory they were leading him.

As he fought the darkness, and the terrain, Jimmy couldn't help but feel li ke he was being followed. Maybe it was just paranoia, but then again...

Deciding to double back, the Deputy wiped his steed around, and behind a ne arby bush, gun drawn, awaiting his pursuers.

"Now where do you suppose they went?" A strikingly familiar voice asked, irritation apparent in his husky speech.

Probably annoyed at being woke up! James Butler Hicock thought as he holstered his gun and made his way to his old friends.

"What in Tarnation are you fellas doing?!" He reprimanded them cr ossly. "And why are you hear so early?"

"And a fine hello to you too!" Cody replied evenly, his typical b oyish grin planted firmly on his face.

No longer able to hold onto his fiend annoyance, Jimmy returned the grin as the three friends jumped off their horses and said their proper hellos.

Buck looked around nervously, "I'm sorry we made ya loose those fellas ." He said, "How's about we camp here, and start tracking them at first light?"

"Sounds great!" Jimmy answered, "But when was the last time either of you slept on the ground?"

"You saying we're going soft, Hicock?" Cody asked, his grin still shining.

Jimmy's eyes twinkled with mischief as he shook his head, "No, I'm say ing you already went!"

Knowing exactly where this familiar banter was headed, Buck groaned good-na turedly and stepped out of the line of fire... So to speak.

And soon Cody had tackled the Deputy and both were rolling on the ground, l aughing and enjoying their wrestling. "Uh, I hate to interrupt," B uck cut in, grinning from ear to ear, "But what if those fellas are nea r by? They might hear you two."

Getting up off the ground, and dusting himself off, Jimmy shook his head, & quot;Not likely. I know this area backwards and forwards, and this is the la st patch of flat ground for at least two miles. I got a good idea where they might be." He continued, "Head some prospectors talking about a l ittle old shanty they seen about three miles west of here. And I know it was n't there a week ago. I was planning on paying a visit to whoever was taking up there next week. Guess I'll be making that visit sooner than I figured o n."

"And with some help." Cody shot in.

Jimmy grinned at his best friend, "And just what'll you think Sarah will have to say about you traipsing off playing lawman?"

"Oh, she'll complain," Buck answered for him, "But she'll re ally be proud as a peacock that Cody helped get these bank robbers."

"Well, let's get a fire going, and you can tell me all about her. And the kids too."

Since none of them had their bedrolls with them, the trio simply built a fi re and laid on the hard earth. And they were in heaven!

The rest of the night passed quickly. Buck and Cody regaling Jimmy with sto ries of their families. Jimmy telling them stories of being a lawman in a la wless town. And both envying the other their life.

Jimmy kept quiet about he and Amanda's engagement, knowing that Amanda had wanted to tell everyone together, once they got to Kid and Lou's.



Setting out at first light, the trio followed Buck's keen tracking sense, a nd were soon at a tiny little shanty, obviously meant merely as a temporary shelter.

Approaching silently from the deep woods that surrounded the shanty, the th ree were shocked when the door opened and a young girl stepped out, carrying a basket of clothes. Her left upper arm had a bandage wrapped tightly aroun d it. Her long, black hair hung in one single braid that fell to her waist. Looking at her, she couldn't have been more than sixteen, at the most.

"You don't really think that little girl...?" Cody didn't finish hi s sentence, he knew from first hand experience that girls could do anything men could, and he knew that Lou would have been on him in a minute if she ha d heard him, but he just couldn't stomach the idea that this...child... Could be one of the robbers.

Jimmy merely nodded and quietly drew his gun as he approached the shanty. A fter taking a second to share a disbelieving glance, Cody and Buck followed.

"Excuse me?" Jimmy called lightly, trying to hide what he suspect ed. "I'm sorry to bother you this early in the morning, but we're searc hin' for a couple of bank robbers that might have come this way." He sp oke quickly, when the girl turned on him in fear and surprise.

The tension in both the girl and the Deputy was obvious as they stood toe to toe. "Bank robbers?" She repeated nervously, "I-I don't thi nk I've seen anyone." Turning towards the shanty house, she shouted, "Joe?! Some lawmen here to see us about a bank robbery!"

The words were barely out of her mouth before the door swung open and a tall, lean, dark haired man stepped out and approached the trio. "Name's Joe Starr." He introduced himself, extending his hand to Jimmy, "An d I see you already met my wife, Belle. How can we be of help, Deputy?"

To be continued...

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