The End of the Line
Dedicated to those who demanded 'To the Pain'. You know who you are!
Chapter 1
He didn't know what had made him lift his head and look across the street at that moment but he had and that was when he'd seen him. Kid wished with all his heart he hadn't but he had and now he wasn't sure what to do.
"Here you go, Kid." His attention was drawn to the piece of paper, being given to him and he briefly looked down, as Mr. Lawson placed the receipt for the plough parts in his hand. "Pleasure doin' business with you as always," the man continued, offering his hand, which Kid took and shook, but his attention was focussed on the boardwalk across the street. There were a few people still walking along but there was no sign of him now.
"Thanks, Mr. Lawson. I'm sure I'll be back soon for somethin' else," Kid responded, sliding the receipt into his jacket pocket. With one last look over his shoulder across the street, he climbed up onto the seat of the buckboard, glanced around once more before giving the reins a shake and urging the horses to move on.
As the horses plodded their way back to Rock Creek, Kid did a lot of thinking. He could say nothing but then he felt as if he would be betraying his friends. There again, if he did tell them it could stir up a whole mess of trouble. There were a good few miles to travel before he got home and hopefully, by then, he would have been able to make up his mind as to what he should do for the best.
O-O-O-O-O
Rachel smiled appreciatively at the tray of hot biscuits in her hand. It felt good to be cooking for everyone – made her feel useful and she did enjoy being part of this unconventional family. She looked up as the door of her kitchen clicked open to see Lou come in, carrying a dish covered over with a chequered cloth.
"It took me all afternoon to cook this darn apple pie and if anyone as much as makes the smallest comment about it not being any good I swear they'll be wearin' it!" she grumbled.
Rachel let out an understanding chuckle. "It'll be fine, Louise and I hope you didn't go over doin' it. You need to get as much rest as you can because as soon as that little one joins us you won't get much sleep for a while."
Lou put her pie on the table and gave her swollen stomach an affectionate stroke. "I feel just fine, Rachel. I get a little tired sometimes but I've never felt better," she replied, giving the older woman a warm smile.
"Well, I hope everyone gets here soon or the biscuits'll get cold," said Rachel, as she placed the tray on top of the stove to keep them as warm as she could for a little while longer.
"Kid should be back pretty soon," Lou told her, "and I saw Teaspoon and Jimmy comin' up the street together. Looked like Teaspoon was sharin' some more of his wisdom with Jimmy from the expression on his face," Lou added, causing Rachel to laugh out loud.
"Jimmy's gonna be the wisest man in the county if he listens to all Teaspoon's advice! So that just leaves Buck. You seen him?"
"Yeah, he had a last minute customer at the livery so will be along in a while, after he's seen to the horse."
The door clicked again and Jimmy and Teaspoon entered. "Kid's comin'," Jimmy informed the two women, as he unbuckled his gun belt and hung it on the coat rack.
Lou didn't need to be told twice and went to the door to greet her husband. She stood on the porch as he jumped down from the buckboard, came over to her, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Did you get what you wanted?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, tying off the horses on the hitching rail.
"What's wrong?" Lou asked. She knew Kid almost as well as she knew herself and it was clear something was bothering him.
"Nothin'," he replied but turned his back to her as he did so, knowing if she saw his face she would know that he was not being wholly truthful.
"Rachel's cooked supper for us all so why don't you get washed up and see to the horses and then we can eat."
Lou was about to go back inside when Kid said, "Where's Buck?"
"He's still at the livery but he'll be along soon. Why?" Lou was even more certain something was troubling Kid now as he darted a furtive glance in the direction of the livery.
With one last look at the livery, Kid came up the steps swiftly, took Lou by the arm and led her into Rachel's house.
"What's goin' on? " Lou asked, her brow furrowed in consternation.
"I'll tell you inside," Kid replied.
As they entered Kid looked back out through the door before closing it.
"Welcome home, Kid. You have a successful day?" Teaspoon started to say but instantly saw Kid's troubled look. "What's happened, son?" he asked, concerned.
Jimmy looked up from his seat at the table and Rachel came from the kitchen area, wiping her hands on her apron. "What's goin' on?" she asked.
Kid looked about at the assembled group, still unsure whether to say something.
"What is it, Kid?" Lou took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze and looked up at him with large, dark anxious eyes.
Still holding her hand, Kid swallowed and took a breath. "I saw that bounty hunter, Brody, when I was in Millersville."
A hush fell over the room.
Jimmy was the first to speak, letting the words spill out in a soft growl. "I hope you shot him."
Kid shook his head.
"What did you do?" Teaspoon asked.
"Nothing," Kid replied. "I was just settling up with Lawson when I happened to look up and saw him across the street. I looked away for a moment and when I looked back he was gone."
"You sure it was him?" Jimmy pushed.
"Yes," Kid replied assuredly. "I recognised him right off."
"Well, why didn't you do nothin'?" Jimmy was on his feet now, an angry scowl forming on his face.
"I ain't you, Hickok. I don't go around shootin' people," Kid answered angrily, bristling at Jimmy's animosity.
Jimmy glared at Kid's accusation.
"Easy now, boys." Teaspoon stepped forward. "You did the right thing, Kid. Ain't no point in antagonisin' a man like that. No sayin' what he'd do."
"Isn't that all the more reason to make sure he don't go around doing what he did to Buck to no one else?" By now Jimmy was gripping the edge of the table, his abhorrence of the man clear in his narrowed eyes and clenched jaw.
"Well, seems to me it would be Buck's decision as to what to do about the man. As you said, Jimmy, it was him Brody treated so badly," Teaspoon said, with a sigh as he folded his arms across his chest.
"So, do we tell him that I saw Brody?" Kid asked.
Each person in the room considered the question for a moment before offering their answer.
"I don't know what good it'd do tellin' him. I mean, he's doin' real well at the moment and has put all that behind him. No point draggin' it all up again," Lou replied.
"I agree," said Rachel. "It'll only upset him and he's seems pretty content so I don't see tellin' him will do much good."
"Well I ain't forgotten what that man did. I think Buck's got a right to know," Jimmy stated. "As Teaspoon said, it'll be up to him if he wants to do somethin' about it and if he doesn't, well, I just might."
At that comment, everyone started to talk at once, arguing their points and the noise level rose to such an extent no one noticed the door opening and a certain dark-haired rider enter. His timing couldn't have been better, or worse, depending on whose point of view was deemed to be right, because as Buck entered Jimmy was just saying once again, "I think Buck's got a right to know."
"Right to know what?"
At the sound of his softly spoken words the room fell quiet with an awkward hush.
"Buck, honey, supper's almost ready," Rachel said, trying to divert him.
Buck merely eyed her sceptically and repeated, "Right to know what?"
Teaspoon came over to him and put an arm about his shoulders, making him immediately uneasy. The older man's tone was one used when about to break bad news. Buck's thoughts went to the only remaining rider not in the room.
"It's Cody isn't it? What's happened?"
"Cody's fine. This ain't about him," Teaspoon replied, proud that the boy's concern had gone to one of his family members. "Sit down, son."
Buck did as he was bid and looked around the room at the worried faces, his anxiety rising.
Clearing his throat Teaspoon started to talk. "Well, it's like this, Buck. As you know Kid was in Millersville today, gettin' that part he needed for the plough and, well it seems he saw someone." Teaspoon paused unsure whether he should go on but aware he couldn't go back now.
Buck's brow furrowed as he stared at the older man's face, waiting for him to finish. He looked over at Kid, pleadingly, for an answer.
Unable to bear it any longer, seeing his friend's bewilderment, Kid blurted out, "I saw him, that bounty hunter, Brody."
If the room had been quiet before it went deathly still at Kid's words. Buck's eyes widened as he took in the information. He found he was clenching his fists under the table and his jaw tightened at the mention of the man's name. Outwardly, to the other people in the room, he appeared fairly composed but inwardly he was in turmoil. He had tried to put the episode behind him and bury his anger but he still suffered from the memories of the ordeal. Over the last couple of months he had managed to hide it from the rest of the family, not wanting them to worry and fuss over him. He still woke at night, gasping for breath, imagining a noose tightening about his throat, with images of Ike and Noah colliding with those of a sneering Brody, who seemed to revel in his distress.
He realised that everyone was looking at him expectantly so got calmly to his feet and gave them a tight-lipped smile and turned to leave.
"Buck, where ya goin', honey? You haven't eaten," Rachel reached out to take his arm but Buck discretely shrugged it off.
"I'm not hungry," he said as he grasped the door handle.
Teaspoon placed his own hand over Buck's. "Son, I think you ought to stay and talk about this," he said leaning in close and speaking in a low voice, so as only Buck could hear.
"Nothing to talk about," Buck told him as he turned the handle. "I just need some time on my own. It's been a long day and I don't feel like discussing this right now."
"I understand but I don't think you should be alone. Your family's here for you." Teaspoon maintained his grip on Buck's hand.
"I know that, Teaspoon. I just need to think about this and I don't need people to tell me what they think I should do. This is my problem and I'll deal with it in my own way," he answered resolutely.
Teaspoon released his hold. "Alright, son but you know where we are if you want to talk about it."
Buck nodded and looked back over his shoulder at the others. "Thank you," he said huskily, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "Appreciate you telling me, Kid and I understand how you feel Jimmy but this is my problem and I'll deal with it as I see fit." With that he opened the door and stepped outside, taking a deep, grateful breath of the cool, evening air.
Many thanks to my lovely betas who were oh so kind!
