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.
Buck tenderly cradled the sobbing Lou in his arms crooning softly to her as she calmed. Acutely aware of Kid hovering behind him, his first concern was to sooth Lou's distress and help her sink back into her healing sleep.
'Louise, are you alright?' Kid asked softly as he moved to sit on the other side of the bed.
'I'm fine.' She spoke an occasional sob causing her to draw a hiccupping breath. 'It's silly really, he looked so much like the man I keep seeing in my head. I'm sure he must be a good man, he's the Marshall. But I couldn't help but feel scared by him.' she tried to explain. Buck and Kid looked at each thoughtfully over the top of Lou's head.
'He must just remind you of someone.' Kid spoke pensively rising as Buck released his hold on the relaxing Lou and she subsided back against the pillows, the little strength she had regained leaving her in her distress. She closed her eyes but both men remained at her side until they were sure she was sleeping.
They descended the stairs silently and went in search of the others, their search ended when they found everyone on the porch.
'Who is he Teaspoon?' Buck asked without preamble
'Marshall of Blue Creek, I believe he said.' Teaspoon answered calmly.
'You know what he means.' Kid prodded his usually calm temper beginning to fray.
Teaspoon looked at Jimmy and nodded for him to tell what he knew 'Schmidt, was the deputy of Blue Creek until the death of the Marshall. According to all the townsfolk I spoke to Schmidt has been itching to get his hands on the top job for a while. Thinks he is a born lawman.' Jimmy answered.
'How did the Marshall die?' Buck asked almost afraid of the answer.
'According to Schmidt, Lou killed him.' Jimmy answered softly waiting for Kid to explode in fury. Ignoring the obvious fact the Lou would not have killed the Marshall Kid continued.
'Do you think he recognised her?' he questioned.
'I don't think so, he was looking for a young man not a sick hysterical young woman.' Teaspoon replied.
'Do you think she recognised him?' Rachel asked softly, her concern for the young woman almost tangible.
'I don't think she realises it, but I think she did.' Kid spoke.
'She said that she sees that man's face in her nightmares. I think that she is having flashes of memory without realising it.' Buck concluded.
'What do we do now?' the for once silent Cody spoke
'Just wait, protect Lou and see what his next move is.' Teaspoon spoke thoughtfully
'At worst Lou's days of pretending she is male are over. but at best we will be able to prove that she is innocent and reveal the culprit.' he continued.
The boys all scattered from the porch, Jimmy and Cody going to the bunkhouse, , Buck turned and immediately went back inside to watch over Lou, Kid walked dejectedly towards the corral and rested his head forlornly on the top rail, watching a horse and foal playing.
Rachel and Teaspoon remained on the porch swing for a little longer watching their young charges, full of pride and sorrow. Tears welled in Rachel's eyes as she watched Kid's pain.
'It will be okay Rachel.' Teaspoon spoke embracing her
'What if she never remembers Teaspoon?' she spoke softly, 'this is hurting him so much.'
'It's hurting all three of them Rachel, Buck is beside himself, he loves both of the people he knows are hurting. They will all survive, trust me, we have to let them find their way through this.'
Rachel rested her head on Teaspoon's shoulder and wiped the tears from her eyes. Several moments later she stood and straightened her skirt.
'I have dinner to make' she stated and walked into the house. Teaspoon walked into the barn and busied himself with some work that he had been neglecting.
Buck stood for a time at Lou's window watching Kid at the corral as the sun set, he could almost feel the pain emanating from Kid. Buck knew that if he was in Kid's position he would not be able to be as noble as Kid was being, they had all seen the way that Kid suffered from Jimmy's obvious affection for Lou, but somehow this was even crueler because Lou really believed that she was in love with someone else.
Turning back to the frail young woman in the huge bed that held the deepest affection from so many, he moved to sit on the straight back chair at her bedside and lifted her hand in his. Enfolding her hand in both of his he tenderly traced her fingertips with his and placed a gentle kiss there. Realising that he was in far deeper than was good for any of them, he released her hand and moved away from her bedside. Refusing to leave the room he turned the chair around and rested his weary head against it.
A short time later he was woken by Rachel entering the room with a sandwich for him and a bowl of broth for Lou. Buck accepted both gratefully and woke Lou gently, feeding her the thick filling broth before letting her sink back into her curative slumber.
He took her bowl and his own meal and left the room, returning the dirty bowl to Rachel's kitchen he walked out onto the patio and sat on the swing to eat his meal.
'How is she?' Kid asked quietly his own suffering evident in his voice.
'She'll be alright Kid.' he paused watching Kid's tortured eyes 'she's sleeping at the moment'
He finished, 'I know I shouldn't take this out on you Buck, if I have done or said anything that I shouldn't have I'm sorry.' he spoke as he moved to sit on the swing beside Buck
'Kid you don't need to apologise.' Buck spoke as he turned to his friend 'I don't know where Lou got this idea from, but nothing has happened. I will promise you one thing though.' he paused as Kid looked up at him. 'I will protect her, with my life if I have to.' he spoke earnestly. Kid never doubted for a moment that he was telling the truth. He stood wordlessly and walked from the porch towards the warm welcoming lights of the bunkhouse. Buck went back into the house and left his plate on the kitchen table then climbed the stairs to Lou's room distressed to find her sobbing softly in her sleep. He climbed onto the side of the bed and took her into his arms, her head cradled against his chest.
'Lou what is it?' he spoke softly his voice stirring the hair on crown of her head.
'I keep seeing that man, he frightens me Buck, in my head he wants to hurt me.' she murmured drowsily against him. For several moments, Buck lay there content to let her fall asleep against him, but when he was sure she was sleeping he started to slide from the bed.
Lou's arm tightened around him "Please don't leave me Buck?' she almost pleaded lifting her head her sleepy tearfilled eyes looked at him sadly.
Unable to refuse her, he sank back onto the bed, knowing that this action would be the cause of many sleepless nights for him, and if any of the boys found out it would probably cause a huge fight, but he could not refuse the plea he saw in her eyes.
Back to the last chapter
Back to Ridingtall
Back to Tall Tales
On to the next chapter
