Chapter 9

"Doc, how's she doin'?" Teaspoon asked with a worried expression written on his face.

"Marshall Hunter, I gotta be honest with ya. She is facing infections from the multiple

lacerations and broken bones. If she makes it through all this she will have a long road to recovery.

The girl has broken ribs, possible internal hemorrhaging with the amount of blood she spit out earlier.

This is not even mentioning the fact that she is five months along and has lost weight instead of gaining

it because she felt the need to hide her pregnancy. Because she hasn't taken care of herself she is

malnourished and dehydrated. She is lucky the horse didn't kill her when it fell on her."

"But, is she gonna make it?" Kid asked the Doctor yet again.

"I am surprised she has made it this far, but considering how stubborn she is I don't see her

giving up anytime soon."

"Tell me about it," Kid said.

"Kid you need to move for a minute. I need to check their heart rate before I continue working

on her."

"Their heart rate?"

"Yes, hers and the babies." The Doctor looked at him in disbelief.

"She is still...all right? She is still pregnant?" The Kid looked at the Doctor with longing.

"Yes, so far, now move so I can check on them both. If we can keep its mother safe and get her

healthy it will stand a good shot. Especially if it is as stubborn as the both of you are. In which case

God help ya."

Kid grinned with hope for the first time that day but also full of more questions to pester the

Doctor with. Teaspoon looked at the rider, his adopted son, and prayed that everything would work

out. He then turned and left the room so he could update everyone else to what was going on.

Chapter 10

Once out of the guestroom he knew he would not have to look very far. He slowly walked

down the stairs of the house with his hands rubbing his tired eyes. It seemed like they had been there

for days when it had merely been hours.

"Boys," he said gruffly.

"Teaspoon, what's going on? They've been in there for hours. Is she gonna make it?" Cody

asked as he continued to flood the old man with questions.

"Boys, we don't know yet. Her leg was pretty mangled, she has broken ribs and who knows

what the hell else. We jest don't know yet. She is still kickin'. Where's Jimmy?" He looked around

and noticed that her other protector was no where to be seen.

"He rode off about an hour ago in that direction." Noah stated .

"He prob'ly went to his thinking spot." Cody chimed in.

"I am gonna go and fetch him. We are gonna need him here to help guard the fort, so to speak.

Cody and Noah, you are gonna have to get ready to ride out and let the St. Joe express station know

what has happened. Tell 'em we are gonna need some riders sent."

"K, Teaspoon. When you wantin' us to go?" Noah inquired.

"As soon as I bring Hickock back. Ike back yet?"

"No, but he should be soon." Noah looked over the horizon for their other friend not wanting to

be the one to fill in the emotional young man.

"Well, when he gets here, have him eat, and then fill him in on everything, Buck. You and he

can stay here and watch for anything until Barnett comes back with his men and Marshall Cain."

"You sent for Sam and Emma?" Cody asked with a bewildered expression on his face.

"Yep, I figured they'd want to visit and with Lou not having her mom I figured Emma is the

closest she has to a mother. At this time in a young woman's life she needs that. I am off to fetch

Jimmy."

Teaspoon headed in the direction of Jimmy's thinking spot as Ike rode toward the station.

Chapter 11

Jimmy stood up quickly when he heard someone approaching.

Teaspoon had been there for a few moments watching the boy rock back and forth with tears

streaming down his face. He felt bad for watching but knew Jimmy was not one who would want

others to see him cry. Teaspoon finally decided that he should slowly begin to approach the young

man so he could compose himself.

Jimmy saw it was Teaspoon and thought he was there to give him bad news. "She dead?" He

could barely speak those words let alone think of having lost her. Though he would never act on his

feelings Jimmy knew he loved the girl more than a sister. For her he would change his life. He

shuddered and looked Teaspoon in the eyes confessing all his feelings through his expressions.

"No, son. She's still fightin'?" Teaspoon climbed off his horse and threw a pebble into the slow

flowing creek.

"Why's this happenin' to her? Ain't she been through enough?" Jimmy yelled as he picked up a

large stone and threw it in.

"Some people have to fight for all their life. That is how they define their life and how they

succeed in standing through it all. She and Kid are that type. They have a fight for everything. They

will make it through this though and be stronger for it. That is why they have us. We are to help them

through these moments and they make us stronger too. That's what family is."

At the mention of Kid, Jimmy glared at Teaspoon and grunted. "Hunh, He don't deserve her.

He left her when she told him. He walked away from her and his own child. He don't deserve

happiness after what he done."

"He didn't know about the baby. She hadn't told him yet. She has known about it for months."

"She told him today. I heard him say he di'nt want it!"

"No, he just found out and is sitting with her. He loves her and wants this baby and its ma."

"He better not hurt her again or he'll answer for it." Jimmy looked at Teaspoon with worry in

his eyes.

"You will be in the long line of people who'll make him pay. Come on. We need to get back.

By the way before you think of chewin' him out about any of this. This is his baby. She would want

you to give him a chance."

"Yeah, but she wasn't goin' to. She was runnin' away"

"She was scared."

Jimmy chewed on his lip for a bit as they rode. "I guess you are right. I ain't gonna let nothin'

hurt them. Not any of them 'ceptin maybe the Kid. I may hurt him just for getting her pregnant before

makin' an honest woman of her." He said that last comment with a smirk on his face and Teaspoon

looked at him and laughed.

Chapter 12

Cody and Noah rode hard once Ike got there until they had to stop and make camp for the night.

Most of the trip was uneventful and quiet but considering the events of the day they decided to sleep

with their backs to the rock wall and in shifts.

Both were quiet because neither of them wanted to think their thoughts aloud. They both knew

the other was worried about what was going on at their home. They were both worried about Lou, who

had come into their hearts as a sister. They also had to think about how much she had hidden from

them. A baby, they would have welcomed that news with open hearts. They just wanted her and Kid

to be happy. Why did she have to hide it from everyone. They knew the relationship between her and

Kid was shaky, but also knew he loved her and would have wanted to know before it was too late.

Noah had to laugh. If this kid survives it would be the most loved child on the planet between all its

uncles, Teaspoon and its parents.

Thinking on the same page, Cody piped up. "I wonder what it'll look like?"

"If it's a girl hopefully like it's mother and not Kid." Noah laughed at the thought of Kid as a

girl. "Maybe it'll have her big, brown eyes." He added in as a last thought while he remembered her

big, puppy dog eyes that got him to switch rides with her.

"What d'ya think will happen with them now?" Cody asked.

"If she and the baby survive this, there'll prob'ly be a weddin'. If not I don't know. I just know I

am glad we are not the ones who shot Jeff, especially when Kid and Hitchkock get through with them."

Cody shuddered at the thought of his two friends and their being out for vengeance.

Chapter 13

Ike rode in slow knowing something was wrong. He could feel it. He saw Buck on the porch

of the house waiting for him and no other riders around. He glanced over at the cemetery and saw a

fresh grave. He jumped off its horse while it still moved and ran to Buck awaiting an explanation.

"Good to see you Ike." Buck hugged him.

Ike began to sign quickly trying to figure out what it was that Buck didn't want to tell him.

"A lot has happened. Sit down and let me fill you in." He watched Ike sign and point to the

cemetery. "That is Jeff from the St. Joe station. He was shot on the way here. This note was found on

him and left by whoever shot him."

Ike then signed a question about Lou's whereabouts to Buck right after.

"She is upstairs in the guestroom with the Doc."

Ike then got mad and began to ask why as Buck tried to stop him and explain it all. Buck told

him about her trying to catch Jeff as he fell and then the horse falling and dropping dead on top of her,

about the hidden pregnancy, and about the confusion over Kid and his knowledge or in this case lack

thereof.

Unfortunately, Ike was already angry with Kid for the way he had treated Lou and how she had

suffered. He felt even worse once he knew she had hidden this from them all because she was afraid

of what they would say. It pushed Ike over the edge. He asked where Kid was. Buck, not realizing,

how angry Ike was told him Kid was upstairs with her and the Doctor.

Ike ran into the house, past Rachel, and up the stairs. He grabbed a surprised Kid by the shirt

collars, threw him out of the room and down the stairs. He pointed at Rachel and told her to go by

Louise. She looked at him in shock while Kid was still stunned. He grabbed Kid by the vest and threw

him outside the still opened door while Buck looked on.

Buck tried to stop Ike from doing any damage to Kid but Ike just shot him a dirty glare telling

him not to get involved. Rachel just stood on the porch with her hand covering her worried mouth.

Ike proceeded to throw Kid off the porch still signing as he showed his anger.

Kid continued to try and talk to an angry Ike not knowing what he had done to infuriate his

friend. Ike turned as if he was walking away from Kid when he pivoted and punched Kid in the face

hitting him in the cheek. When his fist connected there was a large popping noise and Ike held his fist

in pain. Kid fell to the ground and sat up looking at his friend.

"Ike, you done now?" Kid looked at his friend bewildered.

Ike sat there angrily signing. "I was mad! I needed to get his head straight!'

"wha'd I do?" Kid asked.

Jimmy and Teaspoon were just arriving back at the house as Ike was hitting Kid.

"I guess Ike knows," Jimmy chortled.

"Ike what are you thinking?" Rachel yelled at Ike as she grabbed him.

"Any word yet?" Teaspoon asked.

"No Mr. Spoon. He was workin' on her ribs when Ike here came running in and throwin' Kid

around." Rachel said through her teeth.

Ike signed to Kid, "You got her pregnant and then moved on to the school teacher leaving her to

fend for herself. Don't give me this crap that you didn't know she needed you because she went to

you several times to talk and you always pushed her away. You don't deserve her or this baby."

"What and you do?" Kid said laughing.

"Maybe I do and maybe I will just take her from you and raise this baby. I would be the better

man for the job."

Kid looked at Ike with anger and began to approach him acting as if he was going to deck him.

Buck got between the two and said, "He didn't mean it Kid. He just is trying to protect her from

anymore hurt."

"I ain't gonna hurt her!"

"Boys, you either need to quiet down or leave! MY patient is trying to rest. She needs sleep

and quiet!" Doc had come outside and was watching the boys arguing for a moment. He happened to

see Ike holding his fist still and called him over so he could look at it.

"Put some meat on this and try not to hit anything else for the next few days or you're gonna

bust it."

"She gonna be o.k. Doc?" Kid looked at the Doctor trying to figure out whether he needed to

worry more.

"Kid, only time'll tell. I have her leg set, I have bandaged her ribs, I checked for internal

problems but can detect nothing thankfully. Their vitals are strong."

Doc looked at Rachel. "She needs food right away. She is eating for three. She needs plenty

of milk, broths, vegetables, fruits, and well, hell you know. She is to be given these tablets every four

hours. Try to dissolve them in her food. This is for her to sleep. These are for infection. Give them to

her every twelve hours. She is not to be moved for any reasons. She has a vertebrate in her back that is

crushed and if she is moved before ready there is a chance it will do more damage, not to mention

paralyzing her."

"Excuse me Doc, did you say eating for three?" Kid asked with a look of giddiness on his face.

He had apparently not heard any of the other care instructions.

"Yes, Kid. You and Lou are expecting twins. Now listen as Rachel tells you everything I have

said."

"When?" Kid interrupted the Doctor again.

"When WHAT?"

"When are they coming?"

"Never if she doesn't gain any weight. She is five months along now. I told her four months

ago and she has lost a lot of weight. That is not good for any of them. Your children should be here

around Christmas if not a little earlier. Now get her some food, and I will be back in the morning to

check on her."

Chapter 14

Kid ran in the house, up the stairs and to Louise's bed. He held her hands and kissed her

forehead.

"Lou, I hope you hear me. I love you and I'm sorry for the way I been treating you. I am so

sorry you were facing this alone. I am not going anywhere. I am here and I want you and our children.

You hear me, you're gonna be a ma and I am gonna be a pa and we are gonna be happy."

Jimmy stood on the other side of the door hearing his best friend finally do the right thing. He

grinned. He knew that he loved her but he also knew her heart was with Kid. She was carrying Kid's

children and the best thing he could do would be to let them be happy. He listened as Kid talked to his

unborn children. He watched as Kid gently laid his head on her stomach and said, "Your ma is gonna

be mad at your uncles and I but we are gonna have to keep her in this bed until you come. But no

matter how mad she gets, just know we love each other and I will always be here."

The babies, as if they could understand what their father was saying began to kick. Kid shot up

and Jimmy rushed in thinking something was wrong. Kid looked at Jimmy and said, "Jimmy, I think

they just moved."

Jimmy started laughing and covered his mouth so he wouldn't wake Lou. "I suppose they do that."

Teaspoon and Rachel came in with some food for her as the occurrence happened. Teaspoon

just grinned. Kid stood up and said, "Teaspoon, you're gonna be a grandpa!"

"I guess I am," said the old man with the largest smile anyone had ever seen.

"Can I feel?" Jimmy asked.

"Sure, Uncle Jimmy!" Kid said.

A few minutes later Rachel shooed the boys out of the room so they could go and eat while she

fed Louise.

Chapter 15

Kid was going to turn in for the night when Teaspoon stopped him.

"Uh, Kid, we got a little situation here. We still have that note and whoever sent it to worry

about."

"Yeah, I know."

"Well, I's thinking whoever is after Lou may also be after her sister and brother as well. I think

me, Sam, and some of the others may need to go and get them from the orphanage."

"What about Lou?"

"I got that covered. I am gonna leave you, Jimmy, and Barnett here to protect the homefront."

"What about town?"

"I'm gonna deputize Thompkins, the blacksmith, and a few other men in town so they will be

covered. Noah and Cody should be back late tomorrow night or the next morning."

"You're right. She would want her brother and sister close by."

"Go on and get some sleep Kid. You are gonna need to be ready to fight her when she wakes

up and wants to ride."

"I'm not looking forward to that fight."

The old man looked at his young friend and laughed.

Kid turned around and went to lay on his bedroll on the floor by the bed. He no more than laid

down and he was asleep. He had dreams of the bright future that lay ahead for him and Louise. He

dreamed of the ranch they had talked about starting and of his future wife holding his children. He

promised himself he would never become his father abandoning the most precious gifts God could give

him.

Chapter 16

Emma Cain heard a loud knock at her door. She had hoped nothing was wrong but had a

feeling all day that something had happened. She just did not know who it happened to. She set down

her towel after drying her hands and went to the door. Floyd from the telegraph station was there.

"Sorry Mrs. Cain, you and Sam got a telegram. I woulda waited until mornin' but it's

important. It's from a Marshall Hunter over in Rock Creek."

"I hope my boys are o.k.?" she muttered aloud.

She opened the letter and sat down as she read it.

Emma, Sam. Stop.

Our Louise has been in an accident. Stop.

Turns out she is in the family way. Stop.

There are some other things we need help with Sam. Stop.

We really need you both here. Stop.

Sam if you have any men who can come with you, we may need extra guns. Stop.

Teaspoon. Stop.

"Oh, my!" Emma choked back tears. "Floyd go get Sam right away and give him this. Tell

him I am packing. We gotta trip to make."

Floyd took off in a hurry to get the message to Sam. Sam read it and knew what he had to do.

Chapter 17

Cody and Noah made camp very short. They each slept just a few hours and decided they

needed to keep moving on. When they made it to the St. Joe station and told the station master about

Jeff and the accident, omitting Lou being Louise and being pregnant, he became angry. I knew that

gang that came through her last week was up to no good.

"What makes you think it was them?" Noah asked.

"There were about eight of them and they had a ton of questions about the express. They even

mentioned Lou and said they had been a friend of his dads before his dad passed. They wanted to

know how many men were at each station and all their locations and stuff. Just odd questions. I had

a feeling they was up to no good. Then one of my other men recognized the main guy Adam

Something or other and told me he was a gunman and a gunrunner."

"Well, can ya send us a man to do some runs considerin' your rider took out one of our fastest,"

Cody blurted out.

"You guys can have Petie and Lucas. Petie is kinda new but a quick learner, a good shot, and a

good rider. Lucas is kind of hot tempered but will do whatever it takes to get the job done."

"Thanks."

The boys started to mount their horses.

"Don't ya want some food or to rest up?"

"Nah," Noah said. "We gotta get back and see what we can do at home."

"Ride safe boys. Ya need anything else let me know. Always did kind of like that scrawny little

rider."