I do not own the Young Riders.
Charlotte and Lou woke up a sleeping Jesse.
"Jesse"
"Yes, Charlotte," Jesse said shaking the cobwebs out of her head.
"Lower your voice, Lou here has an idea of how to get you out of here."
"Jesse do you know how to ride a horse," Lou questioned her?
"Yes, I probably cannot ride as well as you but I can ride a horse. I worked on my parents' piece of land using a horse for plowing, but I can ride. Why?"
"I have a plan on getting you out of this place, but it could be a little dangerous. So I needed to know if you could ride a horse."
"You're going to get me out of this place," Jesse jumped out of the bed and hugged Lou. "Can I ask you why," she let go of Lou and sat back on the bed. "You don't know me, so why do you care."
"Charlotte told me your story and how you father owed Wicks money and he's took you as payment. That's not right," Lou sighed. Lou took a deep breath, "a couple of days ago I couldn't save myself, but I have an idea to save you and in a way I would be saving myself. Besides, we would be sticking it to Wicks and he's taken so much already."
"What's the plan?"
"Well," Lou moved across the room to sit next to Jesse. "Tomorrow night I'm going to win the auction for you for the whole night. I'm going to leave my horse in the back of the saloon as soon as we come up here we will get you on the horse and on your way to Sweetwater."
"No this is too dangerous for you," whispered Jesse. "Why would I want to go to Sweetwater?"
"I know what I'm doing. The reason why I'm sending you to Sweetwater is because I have family there that will protect you for no other reason than because I sent you there. When you get to Sweetwater go to the Marshals office. Tell Marshall Teaspoon Hunter that I sent you. If anyone else is in the office just whisper it to him. Back here, I will play that I was drunk and passed out and I have no idea where you are. I will meet you back at the pony express station."
"Louise this sounds like it might work but it is going to cost you too much money and you might get hurt. Wicks is not the kind of man to mess with."
"Listen, I wouldn't have made it away from Wicks without a little help from a friend." Lou looked at Charlotte and mouthed thank you. "Do you think you can ride in the dark, Jesse?"
"I think so."
"Ok well tomorrow supposed to be a full moon and if it is not cloudy you'll be able to ride like it is day. I want you to rest, Jesse. I have to get out of here and prepare for tomorrow." Lou picks up her hat and glasses puts them on and tips her hat to Charlotte. "Charlotte it's been a pleasure, as always," Lou spoke keeping up the charade for anyone listening.
_OOOOOO_
Back in Sweetwater at the Marshal's office, Teaspoon was working on the revised schedule for the pony express, but was trying to figure out what McDonald, the lawyer, and Hopkins were up to.
"Teaspoon," Rachel called as she walked into the Marshall office. "I came to see if you're done with the revised schedule yet."
"You know Hopkins; I think your right in stay here and signing on with the express when we are released from jail. So many beautiful women," leering at Rachel was Stewart.
"Here, Rachel! Thanks for picking it up." Teaspoon grabs Stewart and bangs his head into the bars.
"Teaspoon do not be getting into trouble," Rachel smiles at him. "Besides I do not see them getting out of jail anytime soon," as she waves goodbye to Teaspoon.
"You are wrong Marshall, I think you will be letting us out very soon, just wait for our lawyer to come back," Hopkins laughed.
_OOOOOO_
Back in St. Joe's Lou left Wicks establishment. She had to work out the next part of her plan. She went to a dress shop at the other end of town.
"Good afternoon young man is there something I can help you with, my name is Laurel, and I'm the owner of this dress shop."
"Yes, I need to buy a dress for my twin sister that will be suitable for traveling by stage."
"For your twin sister don't you mean…"
Lou cut her off, "yes my twin sister. She will need everything." Lou did not know who was on Wicks payroll anymore and if she wanted her plan to work she had to be careful.
"Everything should be ready by tomorrow afternoon Mr."
"Just call me Lou. I'll be back tomorrow then and will 40 dollars cover the cost."
"That will be more than enough Mr. I mean Lou."
Lou left the dress shop and went to the bank in St Joe's.
"I need to close out my account in this bank the name is Lou McCloud."
"Sign here and here Mr. McCloud."
Lou recounted all the money in front of the teller. Thank you and good day."
Next Lou went and bought a ticket for the stage that just by coincidence was leaving the morning after the night of saving Jesse. Lou then found a livery for Lightning to rest in and she checked into a room herself to get some rest.
Lou was having trouble resting and kept fidgeting around being nervous. She heard the church bells sounding and looked out her window to the church. It looked like a celebration or a baptism was just performed. Lou stared at the church. It's been a really long time since I've been in to talk to you. She left her room and went to the church.
She pulled open the heavy door to the church and wearily stepped inside. She sat in a pew off to the side. "I know it has been a real long time since I've come to talk to you," Lou started to speak not realizing someone was watching and listening. "I guess you're surprised I am here to talk to you. I know I am."
Lou was looking to alter when Lou heard "can I help you my son?"
"I'm sorry, Father I thought I was alone," Lou looked at her feet like she was ashamed to be caught talking to the Almighty.
"God is always here to listen, my son. I will leave you alone; I can see I am making you uncomfortable."
"It's not that Father. You're not making me uncomfortable. I'm about to… I just had a question. Do you think Jesus had doubts the night before he died?"
"He was human after all. So to answer your question, yes I do, but think that is why he went to the garden to pray. Can I ask what brought on this deep question to your mind?"
"Well Father, I going to help a friend. His employer is not always on the right side of law, and let's say I'm going to help him quit. Once his employer knows he is gone will look to me for answers and will be very persuasive in getting the information and where he is at. When I don't give him the answers, I'm going to bloody and beaten if not dead."
"Well my son could the law help you?"
"No, this employer owns the law here in St. Joe's with money and other amenities. I can't ask people in town to help because I don't know who I can trust and also I don't want to cause harm to innocent people."
"Now my son, I will pray that God gives you the guidance you need. My name is Father John if you need any help."
"Thank you for listening Father John and my name is Lou and I will let you know if you can help. Wait a minute Father do you have a pen and paper I could use to send a letter."
"Sure Lou, could you follow me into my office. Here you go Lou uses my desk to write your letter."
"Thank you Father."
Lou started her letter.
Dear Emma,
I know it been a longtime since we have spoken last. I was happy to hear that you and Sam are expecting. I'm sorry that this letter is short, but I have an important question to ask you. You have been like a mother to the boys and I even when we thought we didn't need one. There's a 13 year old girl who needs a mother so others will not take advantage of her. I thought of you. Send me word if you and Sam can help her out.
Love,
Lullabella
Lou addressed the letter to Emma Cain, Sennca. "Father John could I ask you a favor could you post this letter for me at the pony express station? Here this should be enough to send the letter."
"Sure Lou. This is all I can do for you," he asked questionably?
"For now, thank you Father John, but I have to rest for tomorrow."
Lou walked by Wicks place on the way back to her hotel room. She saw Charlotte standing by the bat winged doors and nodded to her. She didn't want Wicks men to notice her too much, so as much as she wanted to let Jesse know that everything is working out, she didn't go near Wicks place.
-O-
Back in Sweetwater McDonald was visiting with the prisoners, while Teaspoon made some rounds on the town. As Teaspoon finished his rounds and walked back into his office "McDonald are you do yet talking to these criminals, because I have work to do around my office and I don't like you.
"The feeling is mutual Marshal Hunter. Please go about your business, of using the law to your own advantage," McDonald said stepping into Teaspoon's face.
Next thing Teaspoon heard was Hopkins voice. "Mr. McDonald this here is the letter that I want sent to Russell, Majors, and Waddell's if my death is untimely or if we get incarcerated." Hopkins had wanted Teaspoon to hear what he said as well as see him hand McDonald a sealed envelope.
"Hopkins, Stewart, or Saunders is there anything I can bring to you tomorrow," McDonald asked. They shook their heads no. Hopkins wanted to tease the Marshal of his plans. Since he noticed Teaspoons head lift up in curiosity at the sound of Russell, Majors, and Waddell's. "Alright just remember it's not a good idea to talk without me present," he warned his clients as he left the marshal's office.
Saunders leaned against the bars and asked Hopkins "do you think we should tell him about the letter," directing his eyes to Teaspoon?
Hopkins was eyeing Teaspoon, "yeah he wants to know what's in that letter," lifting his chin towards Teaspoon. Teaspoon got up out of his chair and turned towards the jail. "That little letter tells your bosses about the little whore who rides for the pony express if we end up dead or imprisoned." Hopkins had a smirk on his face when Teaspoon put his hand through the jail and started strangling Hopkins.
Ike and Buck walked into the office and pulled Teaspoon off Hopkins. "Teaspoon, you wanted to see Ike as soon as he came in," Buck reminded him trying to cool down Teaspoon.
"Outside boys I need some fresh air," Teaspoon puffed in anger towards Hopkins.
"What's going on Teaspoon," Buck question.
Oh, how I wish I could tell you boy. You two would be a little easier to keep your head on straight than if I told Jimmy and Kid. That those animals in the cell beat, raped, and marked Lou, and then will have a letter go to Russell, Majors, and Waddell's telling them about her if they go to prison or get killed for what they done. "Nothing, Hopkins knows what buttons to push to get under my skin."
Later that evening back at the station the riders, except Kid who was on a run, Rachel and Teaspoon were having dinner.
"I'm telling you that is the quickest time I made to Blue Creek. I bet you couldn't make it that fast Jimmy," Cody was bragging. The rest of the boys were trying to talk over each other that they could do it too.
Rachel was watching everyone at the table. She came to Teaspoon and saw that he looked beaten down by something. "Teaspoon everything all right in town," she asked with worry. This made the others look to Teaspoon as well.
"Rachel, everything is fine. Just thinking that's all."
"Is it about you strangling Hopkins," Buck said hoping to know what Hopkins did to make Teaspoon almost kill him.
"You did what," Rachel exclaimed?
"Calm down now, everyone," Teaspoon rubbing his head from the headache of everyone talking loudly. "Listen, I will tell you all what happened. I came back from making my rounds around town and McDonald was finishing up talking with Hopkins about their case. Then, Hopkins hand a sealed envelope to McDonald and said to make sure this gets delivered to Russell, Majors and Waddell's if they have an untimely death or get imprisoned. After McDonald left, Hopkins flaunted to me that the letter tells the company about Lou being a girl and how we all know about it."
Jimmy threw his fork on to the plate and pushed it away. "I should of killed him in Blue Creek, or we should of let you Teaspoon killed him when we caught them with the banknotes."
"Now Jimmy, you did the right thing by not shooting to kill," Rachel replied. "Besides I doubt that Lou would want you to kill anyone for her even if they are threating her way of life. As for Teaspoon, you know it would have eaten you up if you just killed him. You were doing your job."
"Rachel you understand that this means I can't let them go to trial. I have to let them go to protect Lou secret to keep our family together." Tears were stating to form in Teaspoon's eyes. "The fact she will not be able to get any justice for what's been done to her, except for a few uncomfortable nights in jail." Teaspoon spoke without thinking who was in the room besides Rachel.
"What was done to Lou, Teaspoon," Jimmy said in a rough manner thinking that Teaspoon and Rachel were hiding something?
"Jimmy you should know you saw her at the end of a rope," Teaspoon tried to cover his slip up again.
"No I'm not buying it again." Jimmy got up and started pacing the floor. "You and Rachel had had you own silent conservation with each other for days. Rachel said Lou was here when you sent us after Kid. You stayed behind for a little while. You saw Lou." Jimmy was putting everything together in his head. Teaspoon and Rachel could see it in Jimmy's eyes, as the others were putting it together too.
"Sit down Jimmy and boys, Rachel and I will tell you everything." Please sit down!" "Your right, Lou was here and I saw her. Lou told us that she did not want you boys to see her and to go after Kid," Teaspoon looked to Rachel. Rachel's eyes told Teaspoon that she stood by whatever Teaspoon told the boys. "She was beaten pretty badly that I had to go and get Dr. Banes after you all left to go help Kid."
"So the blood I found was probably from her," Buck said as he shook his head and pulled his knife out from his boot and placed it on the table.
"With how she looked Buck I would assume so," Teaspoon sighed.
Jimmy slammed his hands on the table and stood to look Teaspoon straight in the eye, man to man. "Did he force himself on her, Teaspoon?" Just asking Teaspoon the question ate a whole in his gut knowing the answer was probably yes.
Rachel stood up and walked over to stand in between them Jimmy and Teaspoon. She put her hands on Jimmy arm. "Jimmy sit down, please." Cody grab at Jimmy to sit down because he too was concerned what happened to Lou. Rachel continued, "Lou came to the station almost unconscious, that how hurt she was. She was only able to say don't let the boys see me, while I got her into the sick room. I told her that I needed to get the doctor. She then started to tell me about the trouble Kid was in. She then agreed to Teaspoon going to get the doctor. She was determined not to have you all see how badly hurt she was." Rachel took a deep breath and then said a silent prayer that Lou would forgive her for telling the boys. "Louise told me that as much as she tried to fight them off, they each had their turn with her. She made me promise not to tell you. So you can see how difficult it's been not to tell you all." Rachel looked at each of them in the eye. "I'm the one who keep this from you, not Teaspoon. If you're going to be mad at anyone be mad at me. But since I told you all this you might as know everything," that happen now, I will not burden them with what happen in her past, she thought.
"How much more can there be," hollered Jimmy?
Rachel shook her head, "they branded her like an animal."
"They're dead." Jimmy stood up pulling his gun and checking the chambers. The rest of the boys stood up as well. Cody grabs his rifle. Noah pulled his whip into his hands and snapping the rope to check its strength. Ike stood and moved towards the door with tears in his eyes. Buck seized his knife off the table and pulled it out and checked the blade.
"Now boys we can't kill them. If we do that letter goes directly to Russell, Majors, and Waddell, and Lou as well as all of us lose our jobs," Teaspoons voice was pleading with them. "Go and take some time for yourselves. But stay away from the jail," as the boys wander in different directions.
-OOOO-
Each one of the boys went indifferent direction. Ike walked over to where Samson was in the correl. Tears were falling from Ike's eyes; we should have known what happened to Lou. We as her brothers should have known something was wrong. She probably gave a good fight, but that lead to her getting a beating. She is so much smaller than those three animals. Hopkins and his friends should hang for this. Ike thought as he pet Samson.
Jimmy was so upset he went into town, Teaspoon said to stay away from the jail but he said nothing about the saloon, he thought. "Mike," he called to the barkeep.
"Let me guess sarsaparilla and cheese sandwich," Mike chuckled.
"No, I need a whiskey," I need something a lot stronger than sarsaparilla, he said to himself. She got hurt again because of me. How will she ever be able to look at me and not see Hopkins and what he did? I want to kill them. Not just shoot them make them suffer. He throws back the whiskey Mike just placed in front of him and signaled Mike for another. I should have stayed with her, if I did they wouldn't had the chance to hurt her. If Kid didn't hit her she'd never of left and she wouldn't have been hurt. He throws the second shot down just as fast as the first. It burns down his throat, this time. Kid, he was always afraid of something like this happening to Lou. But it didn't happen on a run it happened because I let my guard down, and let her into my heart. I caused her this pain. I wonder if that's why she took that run, so she wouldn't have took look at the person who caused her pain. How can she look at me when I can't look at myself. He ordered his third shot, paid Mike, and walked out the batwing doors.
Buck walked out to the barn and climbs the ladder to the loft. He opens the doors in loft and watched the sun set like Lou does so often. Lou, why does she take on everything by herself; I wonder if my mother was beaten too, when she was taken. Another woman who I loved was hurt by a white man again. I wouldn't call Hopkins and his accomplices' men. Why couldn't I feel that she was in trouble? Those pieces of shit in that jail cell should be dead but we can't or Lou will lose her job, probably just like the rest of us. I wish she was here so that, I could see that she's alright. But, if she was here she'd probably wouldn't have told us what happened. Please Great Spirit, bring her home to us.
Noah was sitting outside the bunkhouse. Lou, she's my sister. How I want to bring those assholes pain. Teaspoon said we couldn't kill them, he said nothing about bringing pain to them, he thought as he saddled his horse and road off to town.
Cody was in the barn brushing down Soda. Lou, if I'd of known what had happen to you; I would have taken the long shot and killed them back when we were sneaking into their camp. You always try to help us, whether it's keeping us in line, or calling us on our bullshit. I know every one of us is hurting for you, look I couldn't even finish my dinner. He smiled to himself at the thought. Please come home so that we can see you for ourselves. Maybe I could go to that lawyer and persuaded the letter out of his hands, then kill them.
In the bunkhouse, Rachel and Teaspoon were cleaning up the interrupted meal that looked like no one was coming back too.
"You did have to take the blame of the decision of not telling the boys," Teaspoon started the conversation off with.
"Yes, I did Teaspoon those boys are going to need someone to talk too. This way they won't shut themselves off from both of us. Do you really think that they will stay away from the jail?"
"No, I do not. That's why I'm heading there after I finish helping you clean up."
"Alright, Teaspoon. I hope I did the right thing by telling them what happened. I hope Louise understands why I told them."
"Rachel, I think she will," he said as he kisses Rachel on the head.
"I'm heading over to the jail now to keep those boys from putting themselves behind bars."
"Good luck with that Teaspoon," Rachel yelled out the door.
Later that night Teaspoon had caught each one of the boys trying to get into the jail. But he told each one of them, "Do you think Lou would want to see you behind bars for killing them? The answer is no, she wouldn't. So why don't you go back to the station because we still have work to do tomorrow." Each one went back to the station, but sleep didn't come that easily for each one of them.
-OOOO-
That night Lou was having trouble sleeping. She woke up just before dawn and watched the colors of night disappear in the oranges and blue of the morning. Lou left the hotel looking to keep herself occupied from thinking of the troubles of the night to come. She decided to go and see her Jeremiah and Teresa and spend the day with them.
"Louise"
"Hey Sugar Bear," Lou hugged Teresa. Jeremiah was standing there with a chip on his shoulder. "Jeremiah," Lou stretching out her hand to shake his. "I thought we could spend some of the day together."
Teresa was jumping up and down looking forward to the day. Jeremiah just rolled his eyes at his sisters. Louise took them out from the orphanage. First, they went and had some breakfast. Jeremiah glanced over at his sister and saw some of the bruises still left on her face and his face soften.
"Louise, what happen to you face."
"Oh, I took a spill on Lightning on my way to St. Joe's, but I'm alright. How's school going Miah?" Lou wanted to get the questions off of her.
"It's school Lou. Sr. Anna Marie hates me and is just mean."
"That's not true," Teresa butted in. "She just doesn't let you get away with anything." Louise loved listening to the banter between the siblings.
The three siblings spent the morning and afternoon together. Louise noticed they needed new shoes and new pair of pants for Miah and a Teresa needed a new dress. They enjoyed their time together and took Louise mind off of the trouble she was going to be in tonight. She had to tell them that it may be a while till she was going to be able to see them again. She figured that it was going to because of everything that was going to happen.
"Miah and Teresa I had a great time with you today."
"We had a great time to Louise," Teresa reassured her sister.
"The thing is it may be a couple of months before I can see you again. Since the talk of the war our mail has picked up and has us running all the time." She didn't want to trouble their young minds on the situation she was going to be getting into. "Bye Miah and Teresa. I will miss you and promise to write when I can."
After leaving her siblings Lou, when to the dress makers to pick up her dress for tomorrow, but she already checked out of her room and didn't know where she should keep it. Again she heard the bells of the church. Lou thought she would go in a pray for a solution. As Lou, was walking in, she ran into Father John and dropped her packages.
"I'm sorry Father John," Lou using her deep voice.
"Lou it is nice to see you again. Are you here for more guidance," he asked while looking up helping to help pick up the packages.
"Maybe some."
"Well if you need anything…" he started as Lou was looking around the church, when she noticed another priest walking out of a confessional.
"Father could I ask a favor of you?"
"Anything my son."
"Could I keep my thing here until tomorrow morning? This is my clothing for leaving tomorrow on the stage. I gave up my room this morning at the hotel. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't have another option."
"Sure you can keep it in my office."
"Um I was wondering if I could keep it in one of the confessionals. That way I would be bothering you in the morning." If you found out that I'm a girl, I think you would be helping me. You would probably try to talk me out of it.
"Sure! But we do keep them locked so I'll come by and unlock it first thing in the morning."
"Thank you Father John, you are helping more than you even know."
"Are you sure the law cannot help you out in your situation." He was trying to get more information out of Lou.
"No Father, Wicks owns the law." Louise noticed her mistake right away. "Father you cannot say anything, I beg you."
"No Lou, I will not say anything, in fact I was trying to figure out which one of our local devils you were going up against. You just up against worst man in town."
"I know Father! I just hope I'm doing the right thing."
"That's all we can hope for my son," as Lou puts her belongings in the confessional.
"Well, Father if you can keep me and Jesse in your prayers tonight that would be great."
"I will Lou, good luck."
"Thanks Father."
As Lou walked out of the church she noticed the time on the clock tower. "Well, I guess it is show time," as she made her way to Wick's establishment.
Alright I wasn't planning on telling the boys here what happen to Lou. The boys or Jimmy was screaming to let him know what going on. Thank you all for your review and comment. I hope you are enjoying the story.