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“Jamie, can’t you just wait and calm down a little?” her sister asked. “Em, I can’t take it any more they treat me like I can’t do anything. And after mom rode for the express and fought along side dad so much. I mean I ‘m a good shot, you know it, besides Uncle Jimmy taught me.” Jamie replied. “But you can’t just run off and leave like this. Besides, where would you go and who would keep you out of trouble?” Emma asked her identical twin. “Look, you’re the ladylike one, I can take care of myself! You’re being a hard headed as Mom.” “And you’re being as stubborn as Dad,” Emma shouted back, then looked around to make sure no one saw her not acting like a lady. “I’m going, Uncle Cody is going to be in Curtis Wells next month and I’m going to join him.” “Mom and Dad said you couldn’t.” “I’m going anyway.” “Not alone you aren’t. I can’t let you go by yourself. I’m going with you,” Emma stated. “You can’t, what about Alex?” “I could care less about Alex, he’s just a friend. Besides he’s in love with Laura. I’ve just been helping him get up the nerve to ask her out.” “Do Uncle Buck and Aunt Camille know that he wants to court her?” “I told Aunt Camille yesterday, and she promised to talk to Uncle Buck. But he’s even more over protective than Dad. So when are we leaving? You know that Mom and Dad are due back tomorrow.” “Tonight, are you sure you want to come along? “No, but whose going to keep you out of trouble if I don’t?” “I’m not going to get in any trouble! Now are you coming or not.” “I’m coming.” “Then you pack and I’ll saddle the horses.” “Alright.” Emma conceded, she hated the idea of running away but she couldn’t let Jamie go on her own, God only knew the trouble she would get into. As she passed the mirror in the hall she looked in to it. They were identical; both had their mother’s auburn hair and their father’s sky blue eyes. But where they looked exactly alike, they were different as night and day in their personalities. Where Emma was a calm thinker and tried to be a lady most of the time, her twin was impulsive and hot headed. As long as they were together both managed to stay out of trouble but when they were apart one or the other got into some pretty bad scrapes. The latest had been when their Uncle Cody offered to let them go with him and his shows for the summer and their parents had said no. So Jamie had decide that while their parents went on a horse buying trip for the ranch, she would run away and join Uncle Cody. And the more she thought about it the more Emma liked to idea herself but she would never admit it to anyone, well maybe to Jamie when things returned to normal. But not right now. As she headed up the stairs to pack she decided the adventure sounded like fun. Besides where else would Uncle Cody find two girls that could ride and shoot as well as her and Jamie, heck, they had been taught by Uncle Jimmy to shoot. And after he had gotten over being made their father had taught them more. And Mom had taught them to be the best horsewomen in the territory. Uncle Cody would be lucky to have them and he did say he would pay them. “Em, you ready,” Jamie called from below. “Just a minute, I want to leave mom a note to let her know we are going to be ok, and I promise not to tell her where we are going,” Em knew exactly what Jamie was about to say instinctively. “Alright, tell them I love them, too,” Jamie called up. She did feel a little guilty about leaving but her parents should have let her go with Uncle Cody. “I did,” Em said as she appeared at the top of the stairs. “So are we riding all the way to Curtis Wells, or are we going to take the stage?” “I thought we could catch the stage out by the north pasture and leave the horses there.” “And have you thought of what we are going to tell Old Jake about us leaving on a north bound stage to Curtis Wells?” “Just that mom and dad said we could visit Uncle Cody.” “Think he’ll buy it?” “I hope so.” “Then lets go.”
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Chapter 1
“Newt Call is that you?” Cody called out. The young man he was talking to looked nothing like the one he had just seen the year before.“Cody, it’s me. Why are you back here?” Newt called back. “Well, boy, looks like you’ve seen some bad times. Where’s that pretty wife of yours?” “She’s gone,” Newt replied as he looked away. “Gone? Did she leave you, boy?” Cody had really taken a liking to this young man and his wife, what could have happened. Curtis Wells was nothing like he remembered it. “Welcome back to Curtis Wells, Mr. Cody,” Clay Mosby said as he walked up. “Glad to have you back and I see you have brought you show with you.” “Yes, felt I come back and put on a good show for you folks, especially Newt and that pretty wife of his. By the way where is Miss Hannah, Newt here said she was gone.” Mosby looked at Call, he could tell that Newt had not yet told Cody about Hannah. And as Newt walked away he realized he would be the one that had to do it. He felt it hurt him as much as it did Newt to talk about her death but Cody was looking at him. “It was a tragic death, um…Come on over to my place and I’ll tell you about it, and the other changes around here.” Cody turned to Newt but realized he was alone, “Ok, but you’re buying.” Cody replied with a choked laugh. He had noticed the look that passed over Mosby’s face as he broke the news of Hannah’s death to him. Now he realized that the same look had been in Newt’s eyes. What had happened to change so much around here? He had known that both Newt and Mosby loved Hannah but why couldn’t they be like the other two he knew that loved the same woman and get along. Hannah had made her choice, well, at least Jimmy respected Lou’s. Thoughts of his friends brought him back to thinking of the twins and the offer he had made to take them with him for the summer. He didn’t think it was a bad idea, but Lou and Kid had objected so adamantly about it that he had actually felt bad about it for a while. But they sure would have drawn the crowds in what with their mother’s looks and father’s eyes, not to mention that they had learned from both him and Jimmy. Well, at least Buck had let Ike come with him for the summer. The boy was as good with a knife as his father and good with horses like his namesake. Noise from the hotel brought him out of his thoughts and he looked at Mosby who just shook his head and started to cross the street. They heard the shouts and a shot as they approached the door. “Look you no good coyote, you go near my sister again and I’ll personally shoot you,” Jamie threatened. “Now Jamie, you know that won’t fix things, besides…” Cody heard Ike shout. Then chuckled to himself at how funny it still sounded to like Ike’s name with something like shouting. But he always had, what with his sister and the twins always following him around. “Ike, we can take care of ourselves, and I can take care of this piece of trash. Besides you would do the same thing if he had grabbed Laura, and kissed her like that.” Cody shook his head as he recognized the voice and the young woman at the other end of the gun. Kid was going to kill him, that was if Lou didn’t beat him to it. Cause where ever Jamie was, Emma wasn’t far behind. Speaking of which, there she stood just behind Jamie a look of anger starting form on her face. “Jack, you didn’t do what she said you did, did you?” Ike asked the young man standing next to him. “Hell, Ike, I thought that she was one of the girls that work here and wouldn’t mind a …” Jack wasn’t able to finish, because Ike punched him in the stomach. Cody shook his head again, and in his best imitation of Teaspoon yelled, “That’s enough Ike, I’m sure Jack won’t let that happen again. Will ya, boy?” “But Mr. Cody, I didn’t mean anything, it was an….” Jack started. “Son, be careful what you say those are my god daughters you are talking about,” Cody stated. Mosby just stood next to Cody with a smirk on his face. Goddaughters, now that was interesting. And they were both very beautiful, and then he did a double take, the word was out of his mouth before he knew it, “Twins?” “Yeah,” Cody replied, “and they are just like their ma, stubborn, and beautiful.” Then he turned back to the girls, “Ladies, do your parents know where you are?” “Yes,” Jamie replied, but Emma interrupted her, “Not really. I just told them that we were going to find you?” “Em! You didn’t!” Jamie exclaimed. “Well, it didn’t sound like much of an adventure, if they knew where to find us right off,” Em started to explain. “You two sure did it this time,” Ike joined in. Mosby couldn’t believe his eyes they were acting as if he wasn’t even there. It looked as though they all knew each other. And appeared he was off the hook to explain about Hannah, when Cody spoke to him, “Looks like we’ll have to get to that drink later, Mosby. And let me introduce my goddaughters, Jamie and Emma. And this is one of my showmen and godson, Ike. Children, I’d like you to met Mr. Clay Mosby. He’s from Virginia just like your pa, girls.” “It’s a pleasure to met you Mr. Mosby,” Jamie replied. Emma though couldn’t take here eyes off of him, she thought he had to be the most handsome men she had ever seen. When Jamie caught her staring at Mosby, she blushed and looked away. “Nice to met you, sir.” Ike responded. “See, Mosby, when I was with the Express I rode with their parents,” Cody told him. “I’m sure their fathers are proud, Mr. Cody…” Mosby began but was interrupted by Jamie. “He means both of ours and Ike’s father. Our mother was the only woman to ever ride for the Express. She could shot as well and ride better than some,” Jamie stated proudly. Mosby was stunned and then angry when he heard someone in the corner in front of him laugh. “Son,” Jimmy said from his seat again the wall, “Your expression is priceless, and you two can’t cover your tracks for nothing. Oh, Cody, Lou said to tell you she’s going to shoot you when she catches up to you.” Jimmy couldn’t help it and started laughing again. “Well, I’ll be if it isn’t Jimmy Hicock. How long have you been here?” Cody asked. “Since well, before the commotion started. I arrived the day after these two ran away and decided to follow them. I’m just making sure that they stay out of trouble till Lou and Kid can get here, which should be sometime next week,” Jimmy replied. “And Ike, your father is with them.” Ike rounded on the twins, “Now see what you’ve done! I bet I have to go back with ya’ll. Lord, Jamie, couldn’t you just do what you were told for once!” “Now, Ike you know it wasn’t fair that they made me stay behind. I’m as good a shot as you and I ride as good too,” Jamie started, but Ike just walked away. “Ike, I’m sorry, I didn’t think that Uncle Buck would come after you.” “That’s right Jamie, you didn’t think,” Ike threw over his shoulder as he walked out of the hotel. Then added at the top of his lungs, “AGAIN!” Jamie watch him leave and felt bad, she didn’t like it at all when Ike was angry with her. And the fact that Em chose that moment to turn her attention from the handsome stranger standing by Cody to her didn’t help matters. “He’s right you know. We didn’t think this through.” Jamie started to run after Ike but as she passed Cody and Jimmy, she ran straight into another man coming into the hotel. As they bumped into each other she lost her balance, and to steady herself she grabbed a hold of the man. And when she looked up into blue eyes she was stunned for a moment. Beneath the dirt she could tell he was a handsome man. But something seem to haunt his eyes. Newt Cal was just as taken aback, she was beautiful. Her auburn hair was pulled back and the men’s clothes she wore accentuated her figure. Sky blue eyes stared up at him. “Excuse me,” she muttered softly as she pulled away from him, and ran out the door. Jimmy’s laughter died as he watch the exchange. He had seen the drifter around town and the way he acted with Miss Amanda the owner of the hotel and the way he and Mr. Mosby were constantly at each other. He didn’t like the man. Cody though thought the whole scene was hilarious and would not stop laughing. “Well, Newt looks like you just met one of my nieces. And this here is the other Emma come over here and meet a good friend of mine. Newt this here is Emma McCloud. Newt here is a good friend of mine. And this here is Mr. Clay Mosby. And gentlemen, the other young lady was her sister, Jamie. And gentlemen, this is man here is Jimmy Hicock,” Cody said as he pointed at Jimmy. “Gentlemen,” Jimmy said. Then turning to Emma, opened his arms. The young woman rushed into them. “I take it this time you couldn’t talk her out of what she wanted to do. But that doesn’t tell me why you are here.” “Someone had to keep her out of trouble.” Emma replied. Jimmy laughed as he told her, “You’re not doing too good at that. You go with Cody; I’ll find Jamie and Ike. I’m sure she’s fine.” It didn’t take him long to find the two young people. Jamie and Ike were doing what they had done every since they were children, fighting. And looking at the pair arguing took Jimmy Hicock back in time. Jamie, Emma too for that matter looked so much like Lou and Ike took after his father. If he didn’t feel the age in his bones he would have sworn that he was watching Lou and Buck arguing. “I can explain Ike, really,” Jamie was pleading with her best friend. “No, I don’t want to hear it Jamie. Didn’t I tell you that I would talk to your parents when I got back and tell them that it would be all right for you to go? And that once then saw that I was fine and none the worse for going with Cody that they would probably let you come next summer. But NO! You just had to come now. Now I’m going to be lucky if my dad lets me stay when he catches up with me!” Ike was shouting at the girl. “Well, if it was fine for you to come, why should I have to wait? Besides, you promised to write and you haven’t,” Jamie argued. “Jamie, Cody has kept me hopping from the moment we left, just when was I suppose to write you.” “You couldn’t find 5 minutes to write your best friend.” “Best friend? You? No, more like my worst nightmare. And what about Laura, how could you leave her with Alex breathing down her neck.” “He isn’t breathing down her neck, as you put it. As a matter of fact he was going to speak to Uncle Buck the next day and ask for her hand.” “No! Laura’s too young, dad won’t hear of it yet…” Ike began. “Yes, he will, she is only a few months younger than Em and I.” “And Kid would have a fit if you were to go and get married.” “Want to bet about that….” Jamie began this time only to be cut off by Jimmy. “Hold on you are not getting married and we’ll just have to wait to see if Laura is. By the way is that Sam and Emma’s boy, that is asking for her hand.” “Yes,” The two young people answered together. Jimmy just shook his head again. They all had grown up on him. Here was Sam and Emma’s boy asking to marry Buck’s daughter, Kid and Lou’s twins had runaway to join Cody’s show. And Ike, Buck’s son, was working with Cody. Where had the time gone? And way did he feel so old all of a sudden? Jimmy sat down on a hale of bale just inside the barn. “You two get back over to the hotel, your parents should be here in a couple of days, a week at the most. And then we’ll clear all of this up,” then before they could get out of ear shot he added, “By the way your Grandfather is coming with your parents, you might want to keep that in mind before you get into any more trouble.” Jimmy laughed at the looks that crossed both of their faces, they all loved Teaspoon so much that to think of hurting him by getting into trouble appalled all of the children of the former express riders.
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Chapter 2
Back in Rock Creek, Lou was very angry and taking it out on the house by cleaning it. “Lou,” Camille called, “Rider comin’. It’s Buck, maybe he has word.”“I hope so the girls have been gone a week,” Lou replied. “I’m sure they are fine, after all they take after their mother don’t they?” Camille tried to tease Lou into a smile. “And their father, and Jimmy and Cody,” Lou continued for her. “At least Jimmy’s on their trail.” As they made their way out into the yard, Kid came running up. “You ready to ride as soon as the stage gets here, Jimmy’s found them. They’re in a place call Curtis Wells, and yes, so is Cody. But he didn’t know that they were there till after he arrived.” Kid was trying to keep Lou from getting too angry with their old friend. But to be honest it was much easier for him to do so since he had read Jimmy’s telegraph first. “Jimmy’s had his eye on them for a couple of days, so they are fine. And if you want we can head out as soon as Teaspoon arrives.” “Of course I want, and I can be ready sooner…” Lou started. “Of course you can, but Buck and I are going with you and we have some family business to take care of tonight,” Camille stated with an arch look at Buck. “Besides you know how Teaspoon would feel if we left before he arrived.” “Yeah, guess we better see to that before we leave,” Buck reluctantly agreed. “But I’m still not sure about him Camille. And besides Laura is too young…” “Hold it right there Buck Cross,” Camille said as she approached her husband, “as I recall we were a few years younger then they are when we were promised to each other. And besides I thought you liked Sam and Emma’s son.” Here Kid butted in, “You mean that Alex is going to ask for Laura’s hand, but I thought he was sweet on Jamie.” Lou reached up and touched her husband’s cheek, “No, dear, he’s been sweet on Laura for much longer, but he didn’t think that Buck would let him court her so Jamie has been covering for them.” “And just how do you know that?” “Oh, the things us mothers know,” Camille stated as she and Lou walked off laughing and planning together. Kid just looked at Buck, “Will we ever figure them out?” “Doubt it,” his friend said with a laugh. --------------------------------------------- Emma couldn’t believe her luck Cody had invited Mr. Mosby and that Call man to lunch. Now having lunch with a man as handsome as Mr. Mosby was fine with her but that Call man she wasn’t too sure about. Besides he should never have looked at Jamie the way he have when they have bumped into each other. He was just entirely too forward for her liking. But Mr. Mosby was such a gentleman. Emma was so lost in her thoughts that she only heard the last part of what Cody was saying, “…isn’t that right, Em?” “I’m sorry Uncle Cody I didn’t hear what you said,” Emma said with a blush. “I said, that you may dress like a lady but that you and your sister can shoot and ride as well as your mother did when she was your age,” Cody answered her. “No, Uncle Cody I’d say that Mom could shoot better than us, considering that she had to in order to keep up with you all,” Emma teased Cody. “And just as sassy,” Cody teased back. Emma blushed at Cody’s teasing. She really didn’t mind it but in front of a man that she was attracted to she wasn’t comfortable with it. “Miss Emma, if I may be so bold,” Mosby started, “what brought you and your sister here?” “Our Uncle’s show of course,” Mosby heard behind him. Jamie and Ike had returned but Emma noticed that he was still quite upset with Jamie. She couldn’t blame him right now she wasn’t too pleased with her sister herself. “I believe the gentleman was addressing me, Jamie,” Emma replied, then to Mosby she answered, “I was Uncle Cody’s show but also the fact that my sister can’t ever take no for an answer.” “Em,” Jamie said in all seriousness, “Grandpa is going to be with Mom and Dad, Uncle Jimmy just told us.” “OH! Great Jamie,” Emma responded as she jumped up from the table. “Em!” Jamie called after her as Emma ran for the stairs. “You know how she is about disappointing him,” Ike said from behind her. “Think you can straighten this one out Jamie.” Jamie turned with a smile to her best friend, a plan already forming in her mind, “Just watch me.” Ike couldn’t figure out why but he got a sense of dread at those words. Of course it might have been the fact that the last time she had said that they had ended up covered in mud and not allowed to attend the Founder’s Day race. “You know what happened the last time you said that,” he reminded her. “I was younger then, besides this is different,” Jamie replied. It seemed to Ike that she was more like Jimmy than her father, but definitely like Aunt Lou. He could only stare as she ran after her sister. He noticed that he wasn’t the only one watching her though, the man that Cody had introduced him to earlier was watching her departure as well. Not to mention the other man, Mosby he believed was his name, started to follow both girls till Cody stopped him. “I believe it’s time we got to that drink and your tale Mr. Mosby,” Cody said as he draped his arm over Mosby’s shoulders. Looking toward Call whose job it should have been to tell Cody about Hannah, Mosby replied, “Yes, I believe it is.”
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Chapter 3
A few drinks and a couple of hours later Cody shook his head. He had liked Hannah; she was a sweet woman and had reminded him of Lou at times. He would have preferred to believe that she had left Call, no wander the boy didn’t want to tell him what had happened. But why was he so angry with Mosby, Cody figured getting the answer to that would be harder. And he had much more to deal with considering that Lou and Kid, not to mention Teaspoon, would be there in a few days. Lord, he hoped that Lou wasn’t too upset with him, but knowing her he’d be lucky to escape her with just getting yelled at.Jimmy startled his old friend when he walked up and slapped him on the back. “Will you ever stop day dreaming Cody,” he asked. “More like a nightmare,” Cody replied. “Just thinking about what Lou will have to say to me when she arrives. She’s more protective of those girls than Kid, if it’s possible.” That got a laugh out of Jimmy, “You should have talked to her and Kid first, before you mentioned the job to the girls. By telling them first you had to know that Jamie would react the way she did when they said no.” “It must have slipped my mind that they were so stubborn, just like their mother,” Cody said with a smile. “And they are aren’t they? Just like her, takes you back a little don’t it?” “Yeah, it does,” Jimmy replied. Cody knew that only a few others would recognize the wistfulness in Jimmy’s voice. He still loved Lou, Cody could tell, but he would never tell her. No, Kid was Jimmy’s best friend, and Cody knew that he would never hurt him like that. Mosby although taking care of other customers, eavesdropped on the two old friends. “The young ladies’ mother must be something,” he thought to himself, “to have Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hicock talking about her like that. Yes, this was going to be a very interesting week. It might even liven up this town a little.” As the stage rolled to a stop in Rock Creek, retired Territorial Marshal walked over to open the door. He smiled at his old friend as Teaspoon Hunter’s face appeared in the doorway. “Teaspoon you haven’t changed a bit!” he exclaimed. “It’s the bear grease and onions, I tell ya.” Teaspoon replied back, and then turned to help his wife down from the stage. “Have they found the girls yet?” “Jimmy wired yesterday, they're in a small town in Montana, Curtis Wells.” “Thank goodness,” Rachel said. “How are Lou and Kid taking things?” “Well,” Sam started to reply, but Teaspoon butted in, “I bet Lou is ready to kill Cody and Kid isn’t far behind.” “That’s about it.” “Now where is that son of yours, Sam, I thought he’d be with you?” Teaspoon questioned, bring a smile to both Sam’s and Rachel’s faces. Teaspoon had doted on all of the children of the former express riders and Sam and Emma’s, too. He loved them all as if they were his own, and they in return loved him. “He and his ma are out at the ranch. And here comes Luke with the wagon.” Teaspoon smile when he saw the boy driving the team toward them. “Looks like ya doin’ a mighty fine job of raisin’ those sons of yours, Sam.” “Thank you,” Sam replied, the pride of hearing that from Teaspoon putting a catch in his voice. When they arrived at the ranch, Laura and Alex were the first out the door. Teaspoon wrapped them both in a bear hug. The others waited on the porch, while they made their way forward. The first words out of Teaspoon’s mouth were not unexpected but made them laugh anyway, “Kid, you ain’t letting her carry a gun are ya? She might just forget how much she loves Cody and shot him first.” “I promise not to shoot him on first sight, Teaspoon, if you’ll promise the same,” Lou teased back. “Now where did Sam say the girls were? Curtis Wells?” Teaspoon questioned, “I believe an old friend of mine has a ranch somewhere around there, Captain Woodrow Cal. Rode with him and a friend of his when I was with the Texas Rangers. Mighty good men as I recall. Drove a herd up Montana way when it first opened up, beautiful country. Take us about a week to get there. Are ya’ll set to ride.” “You know they are Poppa,” Laura spoke up, “They’ve been ready since yesterday, but wouldn’t leave without you.” “Well, we best get a move on then.” “But first we have some news for you,” Alex added. “What?” Teaspoon questioned. “Are you in trouble, again?” “No, I promise it ain’t that,” Alex quickly added. “It’s…I …I” “Well, spit it out son, we have a long day ahead of us.” Alex gathered up his courage and proceeded to do exactly what Lou and Camille had told him to the night before when Buck had put him off about giving him Laura’s hand. “I asked Uncle Buck and Aunt Camille for Laura’s hand last night,” Alex said in a rush. “OH!” Rachel cried. Lou and Camille gave each other a smile. They knew that Buck would give his blessing to the two if Teaspoon did. He was just holding out like any father about to see his little girl get married. Teaspoon looked at Buck, “And did you give them your blessing?” “I told them that I would have to think about it,” Buck replied. “And now that you have are you going to keep them waiting? Or are you going to give it to them?” Buck knew when he had been beat and also knew that Lou and Camille had set him up. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Alex, but he just wasn’t ready to let Laura, his little girl, grow up. “I…” looking at Teaspoon knowing that he expected him to give his bless and not being able to come up with anything against Alex, Buck agreed, “of course I give them my blessing.” “Well, then if these two promise not to tie the knot til we get back then I guess we can get at rounding up the rest of the children,” Teaspoon said. A few hours later the former express riders along with Teaspoon and Camille sat out for Curtis Wells. They left Sam, Emma and Rachel incharge of the ranch. Luke had begged to ride along but all had insisted that he stay behind and help out his parents. And the newly engaged couple were too interested in each other to think about going after their close friends. Although Laura did call after them, “Tell, Em and Jamie, I need them to be here for my wedding as my bride’s maids.” Alex added to her statement with, “And tell Ike I need a bestman, too!” The next day in Curtis Wells, Cody decided against Jimmy’s advice to let Jamie be in the show that evening. So the young woman decided to practice her shooting. Em found her beyond the tents of the show shooting cans off of a log. Deciding to prove to her sister she wasn’t the only good shot in the family, as Jamie shot a can Em shot it while it was still in the air. “What do you think your doing?” Jamie asked her. “I’m going to be in the show, too,” Em stated. “Did you think I would let you do it on your own?” “I wasn’t sure. Em, I’m sorry, I had no idea that they would contact Poppa.” “First I know you’re sorry, you’ve been apologizing since last night. And it isn’t your fault they wired him. I should have told them where we were headed in the note.” “Admit it, you’re having as much fun as I am,” she demanded of her twin. “And what were you doing staring at that man with Cody yesterday?” Getting irritated with her sister again Em replied, “Me? Oh, and you didn’t just about fall all over that young man you ran into? At least Mr. Mosby is a gentleman, and clean.” “What? Who are you talking about?” Jamie questioned. “The one you ran smack dab into yesterday when you were chasing after Ike.” “Him? He just startled me is all,” Jamie tried to cover as the memory of the man rushed into her mind. He had been handsome. And Em was right but Jamie would not admit it if her life depended on it. “Besides who said I thought he was handsome?” “You forget I know you, and that I know that look you get when you’re interested in someone,” Em replied. “You just think you do,” Jamie threw back. Just then the man in question walked up. “Um…Miss, er…, Ladies,” Newt Cal started. He hadn’t been this bothered by a woman since Hannah, and felt very unsure of himself. “Cody said that he needed you two inside.” “Thank you, Mr. ….” Em began, “I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name?” “Cal, Newt Cal.” He replied, as he started to leave. Em looked at her sister as Cal walked away. Then walked over beside her, “Not interested, huh?” Em said. “Like poppa would say, your bout as interested in him as an ant is in a picnic.” Em laughed as she walked away leaving her sister fuming behind her. “Why, why couldn’t she cover with Em just like she could with just about everyone else?” Jamie wondered. “I’m not interested in him,” she called after Em. “I’m not!” But Em just laughed harder. Rehearsal was in full swing as the girls entered the tent. Ike was the first to spot them as they came through the doorway of the tent. As he walked up to them he said, “Pretty impressive ain’t it?” “Yes, it is,” Em replied, wonder filling her voice. And Jamie nodded in agreement. Ike just laughed, “You’ll get use to it.” Then they all turned as they heard a commotion on the other side of the tent. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” they heard Jimmy shouting, “I tell you Cody if you let them in the show, Kid is going to shoot you. That is if Lou doesn’t beat him to it. You know her temper, and she is already mad at you.” “Come on Jimmy, you don’t really think she would shoot me do you?” Cody asked. “Normally I’d say she wouldn’t but this here is the twins we’re talking about. Remember when her and Kid took that trip and we taught the girls to shoot while they were gone. She threatened to shoot both of us and didn’t let us visit for six months. I tell you this is a bad idea,” Jimmy replied. “Well, I don’t think it is. Besides they won’t be here for a week and by then the girls will have gotten it out of their systems and be glad to see their parents. So I’m going to put them in the show,” Cody answered back. Jimmy just shook his head. When would Cody learn? That evening after rehearsing most of the afternoon, the girls turned in a stunting performance showing off their shooting and riding talents. Neither even noticed the two men that watched them. Every time one of them attempted something dangerous two of the members of the audience would just about jump out of their skin. Newt Cal was one of them, and Jamie’s trick riding made him awful nervous. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was about the girl that made him so anxious but he was. She was pretty enough and had a lot of spirit about her. No, she wasn’t Hannah, he would just have to keep telling himself that. But still he didn’t take his eyes off of her til she left the arena. Clay Mosby was caught off guard when he saw Em enter the arena with her sister. The lady looked like she was in her element. But she had seemed so lady like in the hotel the day before. Now here she was in pants and a fringed shirt, shooting and riding as well as any man he knew. As he watched them he noticed slight differences in the two girls. They looked exactly alike most of the time but Em seemed to have a grace about her that her sister Jamie lacked. But Jamie had the confidence that made her the leader of the two. As they finished the act, both men let out sighs of relief glad that the act was finally over and both girls were safe. Little did they realize that three others had also done the same thing, two uncles and a good friend. That night in camp not far from Rock Creek, Lou and Kid talked quietly. “Do you really think they are safe?” Lou asked her husband. “Of course they are,” Kid tried to reassure her but was having doubts himself. “I don’t believe Cody, Ike or Jimmy would let anything happen to the girls.” “I know but I can’t help worrying.” Camille walked over to her friend, “I’m sure they are fine, Lou. Like Kid said Cody and Jimmy won’t let anything happen to the girls. And if I know my son he’s about ready to clobber the both of them right now. Seems like they, Laura included, have been following him around since they could walk.” Lou laughed, “Yeah, they have.” The next morning as the group was getting ready to leave Teaspoon informed them that they would be making a slight detour. “I think we should stop by Woodrow’s place. The Medicine Hat Ranch. He’ll know where this Curtis Wells is.”
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