This is a story I started writing in 2001. I plan to post all my old stories here, and I want to make some changes in the writing, so that it sounds better to me. This is the very first fanfiction I ever tried to write. I enjoyed working out the plot, because of the very special circumstances under which the characters will find themselsves. This is going to be a journey to the past as I go through these past stories to make them more edible. :)

Chapter I

The bells of the small church rang joyously across the town. It was a characteristic sound for the people of Sweetwater to know that two of their neighbors had gotten hitched. Some of the people who were in town stopped to see the newly married couple emerge from inside the whitewashed chapel.

The bride and the groom were grinning from ear to ear as they made their way out, followed by their families and friends. Once they had reached the porch, they could not resist the temptation of kissing again, but they pulled away as their relatives and friends one by one came and wished them all the best for the life in common they started today.

Rachel could not believe that the handsome man beside her was her husband. Her husband. Just the thought of it made her grin wider and blush. She felt like the luckiest woman in the whole world. Barely some months ago she had been too lonely and her life had lacked sense. Her first true love, Henry Dunne, had been killed by a man looking for retaliation. Like always, it never rains, it pours, and Rachel had lost her unborn child when she had confronted her husband's murderer. As a result of this altercation, she had killed the wrong man and she had become an outcast, constantly running away from the law.

Her life had turned into an endless pain, a miserable existence. She had felt sour, empty and terribly lonely. Looking at her new husband, she had to shake her head and ward off her scaring thoughts. Today was her day, and she should focus on the gift life had given her, and forget the black clouds of her past.

Rachel smiled as she remembered how everything had taken an unexpected turn. Her arrival at Sweetwater looking for a job had been filled with apprehension. Knowing that she would be working for the marshal had not helped soothe her mind. She had thought that taking the job as a cook at a Pony Express station would give her the perfect opportunity to hide, at least temporarily, but realizing that her boss also was a lawman had spoiled her expectations. Yet, everything had been for the best. Although her relationship with the riders had been awkward at first, all of them ogling at her like owls and making inappropriate remarks, things had blown over once she had got things cleared. In addition, her outstanding matter with justice had also been solved thanks to the boys' and Teaspoon's efforts. Yeah, with her arrival at the Sweetwater way station she had found a home, her home, her family.

Rachel grinned at the boys as one by one kissed and hugged her on her happy day. Every one of them was dear to her and had a special spot in her heart. All of them were so different, but at the same time they were so similar in many ways. First came Cody, who was the buffoon of the group, and always raised everyone's spirits, even in the worst of situations with his wisecracks. Gentle Ike followed, so special and dear, who could say more than words could express; Then the rest came forward: Buck, who in spite of his eerie countenance was sweet and calm; Noah, a black man devoid of the chains; Jimmy, who behind that hard mask hid a loving human being; and Kid, who always did what was right in this time of violence and vice. Yes, they were a very unusual bunch but in spite of the differences they did not hesitate to put their lives in the line for each other.

Teaspoon came after the boys to give her a big bear hug. The station mistress could not stop the tears from making their appearance when he wished her happiness and told her how beautiful she looked. Teaspoon was eccentric and sometimes weird, but he was the unitary force of this family with his special wit and wisdom. Without him, things would not be the same.

After the congratulations were over, Rachel took her husband's hand and the two of them, escorted by their family, headed to the restaurant where they would have a small reception. Rachel gazed at the man by her side, who proudly escorted her through the town. She felt immense joy and remembered the first time she had seen him. It had been in the same church that they had just left. He had been sitting a few pews in front of her, and Rachel had immediately noticed him. He was tall, handsome, smart, everything in him had attracted the station mistress at once. She had not felt so affected by any man for a long time. Her husband had died a few years before and she had not had the need for any man… until now. And there she had been watching, staring, scrutinizing this man, who she did not know the first thing about. She had been so immersed in her own thoughts and in the handsome gentleman before her eyes that she had not noticed that the service was over. One of the boys even had to nudge her gently on her arm to catch her attention, and she had blushed awkwardly.

From then on she had tried to learn everything about this man. Sweetwater was a small city, and everybody knew everything about everybody. It had not been difficult to find out more about the handsome man in church. A few casual questions here and there, and her curiosity was fulfilled. Apparently, this man was the new manager of the Sweetwater Bank. He was a widower like her and had two young children: a ten-year-old daughter and a twelve-year-old boy. Rachel smiled as she reminisced the day that they had finally met. He had come to the station to talk to Teaspoon about a shipment of gold that was on its way to Sweetwater. The moment their eyes had met Rachel had felt a surge of energy run through all her body, and in a way she also sensed that the feeling was mutual. It had been love at first sight and the days that had followed this first meeting had deepened their initial friendship and then the increasing love for each other. Both of them had become inseparable and soon it had been common gossip in town that the new banker and the housekeeper of the Pony Express station were courting.

Rachel cherished these memories dearly, and would remember for the rest of her life. It had been so romantic and beautiful, and she had been as happy as a queen. Their relationship had felt so right from the beginning, everything had been perfect. John had been a real gentleman, bringing her flowers every day, taking her out for dinner in town, showing his love for her and granting her every single wish. Also from the beginning she had got on fabulously with the children. They had accepted her from the first moment. They were wonderful children, and Rachel had grown very fond of them. Besides, the boys and Teaspoon liked John very much and it was not strange to have him at dinner in the bunkhouse.

Then came his proposal, his very romantic proposal. Rachel had not hesitated to accept it and say yes. It was what she had been looking forward to for a long time. And here she was, a married woman with a wonderful husband, two children and a family of seven men. There was nothing else she could wish for. For once in her life, she was perfectly happy, and everything was perfect.

John had been so wonderful and understanding as they talked about their life after their wedding. He had accepted to move and live at the way station. In his own words, he did not want her to lose anything she cared for. He so understood, Rachel thought.

Rachel was taken from her reverie by the sweet voice of her husband. They were in front of the restaurant door and he asked: "Are you ready, Mrs. Boggs?"

Rachel smiled from ear to ear as she said, "More than ready, Mr. Boggs, more than ready."