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Ike couldn’t say what it was about Newt Call that bothered him, but he just didn’t like the way the man was always watching Jamie. Seemed every time he turned around the last few days he saw the man watching the girls as they practiced for the evening performances. But Newt wasn’t the only one watching; Mr. Mosby had been watching Em quite a bit also. That though didn’t bother him near as much as Newt watching Jamie did, and that was confusing the young man. Lost in his thoughts he didn’t hear Jamie when she called to him. “Ike! I said how was that,” she called to him again. “I don’t think he heard you,” Em giggled, “seems to be lost in his thoughts.” Jamie decide to get their friend’s attention and rode straight at him, stopping just as she reached him. “Damn, Jamie, what do you think you’re doing?!” Ike exclaimed. “Getting your attention. I asked how was that, but since you weren’t paying us any mind I guess you wouldn’t know,” Jamie responded. “Oh, I was watching you, I just have a lot on my mind right now. And you both did fine I’m sure. Seems everyone is pretty impressed with you. But then they don’t know you like I do.” “And just what is that suppose to mean, Ike Cross!” Jamie exclaimed. “Just what you think it does!” Ike yelled back. “I knew you when you were dogging me and begging to learn to shoot and your pa said no. I knew you when you were thrown trying to ride a horse you knew wasn’t broke yet.” Jamie just stared at Ike, “Why are you being so mean? What’d we do to make you so mad?” “Em hasn’t done a thing, but you, Jamie, seem to be getting pretty full of yourself lately,” Ike himself didn’t know why he was being so ugly to her, and the excuse seemed to work. Walking up to them Em said, “Ike that’s not fair. Jamie is just excited and you’ve been with the show longer. We just want to do our best for Uncle Cody.” “Well, if you are going to take that attitude Ike, maybe he’ll tell us what he thinks,” Jamie said pointing Newt. “Go, right ahead!” Ike exclaimed as he stormed off. Em watched as Jamie spun around and headed toward Newt. Then she heard someone behind her and turned around. “Miss McCloud, I just wanted to let you know how much I true enjoyed watching your performance last night. You are a very talented young woman.” Em blushed, then said, “Thank you, Mr. Mosby, but my sister is just as talented as I.” “Um…yes…of course she is,” Mosby stammered. Em had the darnest way of frustrating him. “I was just wondering if you would like to join me for dinner tonight at the hotel, since you don’t have a performance.” Mosby watched as Em started to answer, then from behind him he heard, “I’m sure my nieces and I would enjoy that very much, Mosby.” Jimmy had been watching the exchange between the two and wasn’t too pleased with it. Smiling at Mosby, he added, “It wouldn’t be proper for my niece to have dinner with you without a chaperon.” “Of course not,” Mosby added, not pleased at all by the interference. “Will seven this evening be convenient for you, Mr. Hickok. “Think you can be ready by seven, Em,” Jimmy teased. She was so like her father, it took a lot to make her mad, and Jimmy could tell she was real close. “Uncle Jimmy,” Em exclaimed as she walked away. She stopped after only a few feet, and turning said to Mosby, “Seven will be just perfect.” Jimmy stepped up beside Mosby as he watched Em walk up to her sister and drag Jamie away from her conversation with Newt. “Uh, oh,” Jimmy said. “Something a matter, Mr. Hickok?” Mosby asked. “Not really,” Jimmy replied as he took off after the twins. “Just the 4th of July looks to be coming a little early this year is all.” Mosby just stared after him wondering what he meant by that. Jimmy could hear them before their argument go going good. “How could you, Em. I was talking to him,” Jamie almost shouted. Em replied back in the same tone, “Because we have been invited to dinner.” “By who,” Jamie asked. “Clay Mosby,” Em replied quieter. “Oh, that man that’s been watching your every move every since we arrived,” Jamie said. “What? Well, you sure are one to talk. Guess, you haven’t noticed how that Call fella has been watching you. Now to mention Ike,” Em shot back. “What?” Jamie exclaimed. “Ike’s just a real good friend. And Mr. Call has not been watching me, he’s been watching us for Uncle Cody.” “How long have you been so dense?” Em snapped back at her twin. “You have a good man, who already cares about you, can’t even take his eyes off of you when your around and you don’t even notice. You just go and practically throw yourself at some bounty hunter.” Jimmy winced at that one. He and Cody would be lucky if the two didn’t start going at it like the last they fought when he and Cody had charge of them. Reaching down he rubbed his shin, wincing at the thought of the bruise Em had left there when he and Cody had tried to break the two girls up. He remembered though that Cody had gotten the worse end of it, having received a black eye from Jamie. Cody at the opposite end of the street heard the two girls, also. Reaching up he rubbed the side of his face, recalling the black eye. He knew if Jimmy didn’t show up soon, he’d have to break up the argument. That when he heard Jamie shout, “You have not clue, do you, Em. Sweet little Em, always right about everything.” “Oh, Jamie, just shut up!” Em shouted back. “Ladies,” Mattie said to the girls as she walked up to them, “don’t you think you should take this inside, and not be airing your differences in front of my shop.” Both girls had the good sense then to stop arguing. Em, then stormed off toward to the hotel. Jamie looked at Mattie and with a shrug said, “Sorry, ‘bout that,” before taking off after Em. Both Jimmy and Cody walked up to Mattie from different directions as she opened the door of the gun shop. “Did you see that?” Cody asked Jimmy. “Yep,” Jimmy replied as he followed Mattie inside. “May I help you, gentleman,” Mattie said from behind the gun case. “Actually,” Cody said before Jimmy could speak, “you could tell us exactly what you said to those two. They never stop fighting that fast, except for their parents.” “I just reminded them they were in public,” Mattie answered. Jimmy laughed, “That’s right, Cody, I’ve never seen them fight like that in public only at the ranch. And Miss, for helping to stop those nieces of ours I’d like to buy you dinner.” Mattie wasn’t sure of these two. As she was about to decline the offer Cody spoke up, “He’s harmless, Miss Mattie, besides we’ll all be havin’ dinner at the hotel tonight.” “That’s right, Cody,” Jimmy replied, “you’ll be chaperoning our nieces while they dine with that Mosby fella.” “I have said yes, Mr.…” Mattie was starting to get irritated by these two. Just who did they think they were anyway. “Just Jimmy,” Jimmy replied, then introduced Cody, “and this here is William Cody.” “William F. Cody,” Cody corrected him. “Mr. Cody,” Mattie turned to Cody, “I’ve heard about you.” “All good I hope,” Cody replied. “Yes, as a matter of fact it was,” then to Jimmy she said, “I’d enjoy dinner very much.” “The hotel at seven,” Jimmy said. “Seven, it is,” Mattie replied.
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Watching from the porch of the cabin at the Hat Cattle Company, Agostina saw several riders descend the hillside. Not sure what to make of them, she went into get Captain Woodrow Call. “Senor,” she said, “several riders are coming in.”Woodrow Call stepped out onto the porch of the cabin with his coffee cup. He watched as Pea Eye greeted the riders and then opened the gate for them. As they drew closer Woodrow thought he recognized one of them. When they reached the yard Teaspoon called out, “Is that you, Woodrow?" “Yes, sir. That you Teaspoon?” Woodrow called back. “Thought you were marshalling some where down south.” “I was,” Teaspoon said as he dismounted. “but it seems as if a couple of youngins have done run off to see one of their uncles. So I’m helping their parents here to find them.” “Where are they headed?” Woodrow asked as he shook Teaspoon’s hand. “A little place called Curtis Wells,” Teaspoon answered. “You know of it?” “Yes,” Woodrow said, “It’s a day or so ride from here.” “Looking around Teaspoon asked, “Where’s that old coot Gus at?” “Gus has done passed on,” Woodrow answered. “Good God Almighty,” Teaspoon said. He then caught sight of the young woman standing behind Woodrow. “Maria?” “No,” Woodrow answered, “this here is Maria and Gus’s daughter, Agostina. She’s my partner since Gus passed on.” “She’s the spitting image of her mother,” Teaspoon said. Uncomfortable with the subject, Woodrow attempted to change it, “I expect ya’ll be staying the night.” Teaspoon shook his head, same old Call not givin’ a hint as to how he felt about anything. “Yep, if you don’t mind, Woodrow.” “Be fine I ‘spect. Just keep these here women up here at the cabin. I don’t want any trouble at he bunkhouse,” Woodrow replied. “Now, hold on there…” Kid and Buck said at the same time s they dismounted. Teaspoon held up his had to the two of them. “Now Woodrow, these here ladies are married to these young men and I take exception to that seein’ how I look on them as my own.” “Then I expect they’ll be staying up here as well,” Woodrow turned and walked back in the cabin. Lou and Camille just smiled at each other and followed him in. As they past Teaspoon, Lou commented, “Another old friend of yours, Teaspoon.” Then she and Camille burst out laughing.
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Chapter 5
The next morning Mattie was leaving the shop for breakfast at the hotel as Jimmy was coming up the steps of the shop. “Stopped by to tell you I enjoyed dinner last night. You’re good company, Miss Mattie.”“So did I,” Mattie replied with a smile. “But I don’t think, Mr. Cody did.” Jimmy laughed at the memory. No, Cody didn’t really enjoy dinner. He had had to keep Jamie under control, seeing how she had tried to insult Em every chance she got. He’d managed pretty well, though. “He’ll recover, I’ll make sure of it. How about some breakfast?” Jimmy replied. “I’d be delighted,” Mattie replied. Jamie and Em were having breakfast and whispering as Jimmy and Mattie entered. Mattie was amazed at the fact the two young women could be so close, considering they looked like they were ready to kill each other the day before. “They’ve been like that since birth. Ready to kill each other one minute and plotting against the world the next. Guess it comes from one taking after their pa and the other after their ma.” Mattie laughed at that. Then asked, “Have you known their parents long?” "We all rode for the Express. Their parents were two of the best.” “You mean their mother rode for the Pony Express?” Mattie asked. “Yep, we kept her secret till she married the Kid,” Jimmy said wistfully. “Then the war came and the Express ended. They bought the station and turned it into a horse ranch after the war.” “And you Mr.…Jimmy,” Mattie asked, “What did you do when it ended?” “Oh, different things,” Jimmy said, closing himself off. On the other side of the dining room the twins had decided to call a truce and that Uncle Jimmy and his lady friend were more interesting then their fight. “Think she can match him?” Jamie asked. “I think she’s very nice,” Em replied. “Kind of reminds me of what momma might have been like when she was younger, from the stories we’ve heard.” “Maybe,” was all Jamie was will to concede. “Oh, give over, Jamie,” Em could feel her temper rising. “You know from all the stories we’ve heard over the years she does.” Jaime tired of fighting her sister gave in. “Ok, she does,” Jamie replied, “think he’s aware of it.” Looking at Jimmy, Em answered, “Nah, or he wouldn’t be looking at her like he is. You know he thinks of momma as a little sister.” “Yeah, guess, you’re right,” Jamie said, then added, “You ready to go practice.” “Sure, come on,” Em said as she stood up. “Behind them Cody was choking on a fork full of eggs. He’d heard every word of the girls’ conversation. “Uncle Cody, you ok?” Ike asked as he slapped Cody on the back. After taking a drink of coffee, Cody wiped the tears from his eyes. “Just fine, son,” he said hoarsely. “You keep an eye on the girls, I need a drink.” “Sure,” Ike replied less then enthusiastic on the idea of having to watch out for the girls. “You ok, yourself Ike,” Cody asked. “Fine, Uncle Cody, just fine,” Ike answered as they parted ways at he entrance to the hotel. “Then I’ll see you later,” Cody said. “Oh, and keep them two out of trouble will ya.” “Like I can,” Ike mumbled under his breath. Cody laughed at the pained expression on the young man’s face. Not far away, Teaspoon and the others were preparing to leave Woodrow’s ranch. As they mounted up Agostina pulled Teaspoon aside and gave him a hug. “Thank you for the stories of my parents.” “You’re welcome, darlin’. Brought back some good memories.” Teaspoon said. As he mounted his horse, Woodrow rode up. Teaspoon looked at him questioningly. “Thought it was ‘bout time I checked on Newt, been a while since I saw him last,” Woodrow said. “You mean Newt’s in this Curtis Wells?” Teaspoon asked. “Yep, last time I was there he was the deputy,” Woodrow replied. “You ever tell that boy he was yours?” Teaspoon asked. “Gave him my name,” Woodrow answered, as he nudged his horse forward.
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