Chapter 2

Lou sat and watched the boys doing their chores around the station. It had been little over a week since that fateful night that they had lost Jimmy. Lou still couldn't sleep. She watched Cody leading Jimmy's horse out the barn. She watched as he tied the horse and set about brushing him down. She fought back the tears.

Teaspoon walked in from town for supper that afternoon. He sat down in his usual seat. He looked over to where Jimmy had normally sat. He looked at the empty space. He couldn't get past the fights and all the hurt that the boy had felt in his last few days. It tore him up inside. He felt like a failure. He slowly ate and looked at the others. Talk at the table had been quiet since it happened.

"I got a letter today from the company. They want to know why I haven't hired a replacement rider yet."

"Cause we lost more than just a rider." Said Cody.

"Business is business to them. I just wanted to let y'all know that I have to start looking."

"Why, can't you just put them off longer? I don't want some stranger in the middle of us right now." Said Noah.

"I ain't ready for that." Said Lou quietly.

"I'm sorry. I know it's gonna be hard but I have to hire someone else."

"It's ok. We knew it was coming." Said Kid.

"It's not ok!" Said Lou excusing herself from the table.

"Louise!" Yelled Rachel.

"Give her some space. I know this is hard."

Lou ran across the yard to the barn. She stopped halfway. She heard a noise come from Rachel's. She thought she saw movement. She wiped the tears from her eyes. She slowly edged closer.

"Hurry up, Wes. She's coming this way."

"It's not me. Do your thing and let's run."

Tessa laid her palm on Jimmy's face. She looked to Wesley.

"He'll wake in a few days. Let's go."

They jumped off the porch and ran off into the darkness.

Lou couldn't see anything. The lanterns on Rachel's porch were out. As she got closer, she noticed something laying on the floor. She held her breath as she climbed the steps. It was a person. She backed away and ran back over to the bunkhouse.

"Teaspoon!" She screamed as she raced across the yard.

"Teaspoon!"

Teaspoon and the others heard Lou screaming outside. They all jumped up and ran out onto the porch. They saw Lou running across the yard still screaming.

"Lou?!" Teaspoon yelled.

"There's someone hurt on Rachel's porch!"

"What?!"

"Get a lantern!" She yelled.

Buck grabbed a lantern and started running over followed by Teaspoon. Noah and Cody grabbed their guns and followed. Buck flew up the steps. Teaspoon knelt down beside the pile of blankets. He looked to Buck as he pulled the blanket away from the person's face. He fell back against the wall of Rachel's house in shock. Buck leaned over to look. He turned to face the others.

"It's Jimmy."

Rachel was standing on the steps with Lou. Lou started to sway. Rachel held her tighter.

"Louise, look at me. It's ok."

"He alive?" Asked Cody.

Buck pulled the blanket further off of him. He leaned in close. He looked at the others smiling.

"Yes."

Teaspoon gathered himself. Rachel pushed by them and into her house. She relit the lanterns.

"Get him inside. Now. Cody, grab the doctor." Said Teaspoon.

Kid, Noah, and Buck lifted Jimmy carefully and carried him inside followed by everyone else.

Wes and Tessa watched from the darkness. Wes looked at his sister.

"We got to move."

"I know. He'll be fine."

"We'll be back."