Cody was still smarting over the incident with the widow Cain, quite literally, his rear was still tender and the fact that Lou had read it in the journal and told the guys just made it worse. He was never going to live this down. Cody was hoping he could find something embarrassing in Lou's journal to tease her with. He knew about Ike walking in on her and Buck but that wasn't something he could bring up in front of the rest of the guys and Teaspoon like she had with the dog incident. He wanted to embarrass her not get her fired.
Cody searched through Lou's belongings until he found her journal under her bunk. She was getting sloppy on her hiding places was Cody's thought as he took the journal and got comfy on his bunk to read. He skimmed through a couple of entries until he found one that looked interesting.
After the incident with Cody and Suzette Cain, Emma decided to have a private word with me and Buck about our behavior. She just wanted us to be more careful about where we practice our private activities. But I guess she thought it would be a good idea to get all of us into church to try and get us to straighten up or something.
I was ready to pull my hair out almost immediately. I felt like such a hypocrite sitting in that church listening to the preacher telling us to be honest and that lying was a sin when I do that every single day. I lie to everyone I meet just by pretending to be a boy. If there was a way for me to make the kind of money I do with the express that wouldn't require me acting as a boy or wouldn't be something I will never ever do, I do it in a heartbeat. I miss being able to go around in dresses, not that I was ever overly girly but I am a girl and it's nice to be recognized as one.
I kept fidgeting in my seat as the preacher droned on. I looked to my left where Buck was sitting completely still. He was looking at the preacher but I could tell he wasn't paying attention to anything he was saying. Buck was here because Emma asked us to come with her and no other reason. He didn't believe in the white man's God. He believed in the spirits and the Great Spirit, the creator. Which to me is the same thing as God but some would argue with that.
Jimmy looked like he was nodding off until Emma elbowed him in the ribs which earned a snicker from Cody. It was that snicker that made Kristy McCormick the preacher's daughter to look over at us. Her eyes looked us all over before they settled on Cody. I was surprised when I saw what appeared to be a look of lust cross over her face. I have heard several men say what a beautiful woman she is; she can have her pick of men. So it surprised me that it appears she is interested in Cody. But then again if the rumors are true she has a real wild streak. She just might be perfect for Cody.
Maybe I should tell Cody that I saw her eyeing him in church. Of course Cody already has a big enough head I don't need to add to it by letting him know the most sought after lady in Sweetwater might be sweet on him. He already thinks he can get any girl he wants, if he knew he could get her, lord help us.
Cody closed the journal not bothering to read the rest of Lou's entry. He had some plans to make. Kristy McCormick the preacher's daughter was sweet on him, William F. Cody. Cody wondered what kind of things Kristy liked; he wanted to make a good impression on her if he wanted to court her. And Cody did, he was ready for a real relationship and she was the perfect girl for the job. Cody returned Lou's journal to her bunk and left the bunkhouse whistling happily as he went to the barn to saddle up completely unaware of the three figures watching him from the side of the bunkhouse.
After Cody had ridden out Lou, Buck, and Ike all started laughing.
"I think it is safe to say that Cody fell for that one like a rock." Buck said grinning.
"Do you think he is going to approach her today?" Ike signed.
"Knowing Cody he probably will. I can't wait to see how this plays out." Lou replied snickering.
"Just what are you three up too?" Teaspoon said sneaking up behind them causing them all to jump.
"Oh uh we are just playing a trick on Cody." Buck said.
"What kind of trick?" Teaspoon asked his eyes narrowing.
"Well I might have put in my journal that I saw Kristy McCormick making eyes at Cody in church Sunday." Lou muttered.
"And did you?" Teaspoon asked.
"Nope." Lou replied.
Teaspoon laughed, "That boy is going to get himself into a world of trouble over this. He better not mess around with the preacher's daughter is all I'm going to say."
"I don't think he has a chance with her Teaspoon. That's why we picked her; Cody thinks he can have any woman. We thought it'd be funny for him to go after the one woman he'd never get." Ike signed.
'You three are just plain evil." Teaspoon snickered before turning gruff again. "Not get to work."
The three riders scampered off to do their chores leaving Teaspoon chuckling at their antics. Ah to be young again, Teaspoon thought before shaking his head and going about his own business.