DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
'Teaspoon it's so good to see you.' Kid spoke as he climbed down. Kid waited until Teaspoon was on the ground before he embraced him tightly slapping him on the back.
'Where's Rachel?' Kid asked warily
' She's in the back of the wagon, having a little nap, she didn't want to be all tired out when she got here' Lifting the wagon cover a little he called her softly
'I'm coming Teaspoon.' she spoke and all the riders were more than a little shocked when she emerged from the wagon, not only was she carrying a toddler on her hip, but she was also noticably pregnant again.
'Rachel, its so good to see you.' Kid embraced her as well. Emma spoke from the porch
'I'll start fixing breakfast' she smiled happy to see everyone together again.
'I'll help.' Rachel spoke, handing her son to his father
She crossed to the porch and introduced herself to the lady she knew was her predesessor.
'Hi, You must be Emma Cain, I'm Rachel Hunter. I took over from you in the express days'
'Thank you for looking after my boys' Emma spoke instantly liking the other woman
'Our boys' Rachel answered her.
Both women went into the kitchen, Teaspoon took his son and sat on the porch to talk with Sam while the boys unhitched the wagons. Jenny took the sleepy Star with her and prepared a bedroom for Teaspoon and Rachel.
When they were finished Kid swore them all to secrecy, and went upstairs to his wife. Finding her dressed and sitting in the rocker with her son in her arms he smiled.
'Lou when are you going to learn to do as you are told.' he admonished her with a smile
'I don't need to stay in bed Kid, please don't make me.' her eyes filled with tears
He knelt by her feet 'I'm not going to make you, but you must rest.' He lifted the sleeping baby James from her arms and placed him back in his crib. Returning to his wife, he slipped an arm under her legs and lifted her from the rocker and carried her down to lay her on their sofa. Pressing a kiss on her lips he returned to the bedroom and carried the crib holding both of his children down to their mothers side.
'Lou I have someone here to see you.' he started as he spoke he opened the door, Rachel and Teaspoon walked through arm in arm
'Rachel. Teaspoon' she exclaimed as they crossed to her side and embraced her warmly. Lou looked carefully at her old friends, Teaspoon was not discernibly different, his hair a little whiter, his waist a little thicker, but still the same old Teaspoon. Marriage was obviously agreeing with Rachel, her hair much longer and worn hanging down her back, her face glowing with good health. Obviously pregnant, she looked accustomed to carrying her blond two year old son on her hip.
'Who are these little angels?' Rachel peered into the crib.
'this is Emma Rachel and Jimmy Noah, our babies.' Lou answered watching as Rachel swung the toddler who was tugging on her skirts onto her hip
'Rachel smiled and jerked her head toward her baby ' This is our baby Ike.' Rachel introduced him to the others. Lou's eyes moved from Rachel and her baby and scanning the room full of her friends saw her baby sister, her eyes filled with tears.
'Theresia' she spoke hoarsely 'You came' was all she could manage
'I couldn't miss seeing my niece or nephew could I' she smiled and moved to hug her sister
'That should be neice and nephew' Kid smiled waiting as his sister in law's face filled with confusion and then happiness as she realised that meant twins. She stood and left the room returning a few minutes later a beautiful doll in her hands. 'I brought Miss Annabelle back with me to give to my neice, she had been my only friend in the orphanage for a long time, she should belong to a little girl, especially a little girl of yours' Theresia smiled and hugged Lou again placing the doll that had belonged to both of them through their childhoods.
Jenny walked into the room then not wanting to intrude on the reunion holding a telegram in her hand.
'I've been over to see father and he gave me a telegram for you Lou' she smiled knowing what it said
Lou took the paper from Jenny's hand and accepting her glasses from Kid, she put them on before she read the telegram.
'Passing through soon stop Make bed in bunkhouse for me stop will stay awhile stop Cody' she smiled at the demand for a bed in the bunkhouse.
'Everybody will be here' Teaspoon spoke
'It will almost be like old times' Kid answered with a smile his mind wandering back to the happy days of the express.
For five weeks the rest of them waited at the ranch for Cody to arrive. The men all happy to help Kid out with the horse ranch. The women content to feed the men and happily care for the new babies and children. Even Lou who slowly regained her strength, reveling in the renewal of the friendship of the other women . Each day spent working and each night the adults would spend the evenings reminiscing of their days together while working in the Pony Express. Finally, five weeks after they had recieved Cody's telegraph they began to worry about their friend. Lou was more and more agitated that he had not arrived and Kid could sense her agitation.
'Lou, tommorrow I'm going to ride out to Denver see if I can find out where Cody is'
Kid stated as they sat on the sofa in the living room , Teaspoon sat on the other sofa with Rachel in his arms, Sam sat on Kid's armchair with Emma resting comfortably on the arm of the chair, Buck sat on the floor leaning against the doorjamb with Jenny happily cradled against his side. Jimmy sat at the end of the dining table being the only single person feeling distinctly out of sorts with his surroundings.
'We need to take some horses to Denver to sell. Jenny and I could go with you as company' Buck suggested 'just in case something is wrong' he added
'You don't think anything is wrong do you.' Rachel asked
'No, I think that Billy has gotten sidetracked by a good card game and forgotten he has family waiting for him' Jimmy spoke knowing his old friends penchant for getting into trouble without even looking for it
'I know that you all have lives to go back to, but if its not imposing on you can you all stay until we get back.' Kid looked at his old friends
'Well damn Kid, we haven't had your birthday party yet, you needn't think that you are getting out of that' Teaspoon laughed 'besides Rachel is in no condition to travel, we may be with you for a while yet.'
'I don't mind staying on to keep an eye on the ranch for you' Sam stated happy to stay where his wife and children were so content
'Jimmy I know you were planning on moving on, but I would really appreciate it if you could stay and keep an eye on my family for me' Kid asked him
'Sure thing Kid, look what happened last time you went away.
Late the next morning, Kid saddled Katy, Buck and Jenny saddled their horses and prepared to ride out. In their bedroom, Kid cradled both of his babies and kissed them goodbye, and returning them to their cradle he turned his attention to their mother. Pulling her into his arms he hugged her tightly against him.
'Promise me you'll be careful Lou' he kissed the side of her head 'Something doesn't feel right Lou, I just want to find Cody and get back here.'
'Jimmy will look after us, just be careful whatever you do' she spoke then kissed him deeply
Kid kissed her back and then led her downstairs to meet everybody else on the porch where they found Buck tickling his little girl. Seeing Kid was ready to leave, he kissed star and passed her to her mother who spoke to her gently for a few moments explaining that mummy and daddy were going on a business trip for a few days and would bring her back a present. Lou embraced the young girl and lifted her onto her hip. watching through tearfilled eyes, she cradled Star to her side waving as the three of them herded the small herd of horses away from the town and their property.
'Ride Safe' The others chorused from the porch
Star and Lou watched their families ride slowly away, when they were out of sight Lou put star back on her feet and she ran off to play with the other children. Lou sighed marvelling at the ability of children to put unpleasant thoughts from their minds. She shook her head and walked inside to help Emma and Rachel prepare supper.
Jimmy leaned against the corral fence speaking to Sam and Teaspoon, all of them keeping well out of the women's way.
'Kid seemed a little preocupied didn't he' Teaspoon questioned
'He called me aside and said that something didn't feel right, he couldn't put his finger on it, but something is wrong' Jimmy spoke
'Kid's hunches have never been wrong before. I hope he's wrong now' Sam stated
'I think we should all stay alert, don't let the kids or the women for that matter, stray too far from the house.' Teaspoon suggested
'Should we tell them?' Jimmy questioned
'I don't think so, they'll all pitch a fit, but rachel is too close to term and Lou has enough to worry about, Theresia is too young and hell if we tell Emma she'll just tell the others.' Sam chuckled 'No just keep you eyes open' he stated as he watched his wife walk onto the porch and ring the lunch bell.
Shortly after supper that evening, the children all sleeping they were all startled to hear Emma announce 'Rider coming' All emerging from their current tasks they stood around the house watching as the horse came closer.
'My god' Lou exclaimed as she ran down the stairs towards the lathered horse 'It's Buck he's hurt'
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
