Chapter 32

Lou was helping Buck ease out on the porch when she saw Rachel running across the yard waving her arms. Ike was running a short ways behind. Lou looked out at the horizon and saw a horse coming. She looked at Buck.

"Go. I got this." He smiled.

Lou ran down off the porch as she recognized Kid's horse. She stopped in her tracks when she saw that he had the girls. She watched him stop as Ike pulled each girl down. Rosalyn reached back and got Maddie's hand before running to her mom. Lou pulled both of them into a bear hug. Rachel wrapped her arms around all three of them as they sat in the dirt crying. Kid smiled at the reunion. Ike pat Kid on his back as he turned to look at him.

'Where's the others?' He signed.

"Helping a friend." Answered Kid.

Ike nodded and looked down. Lou pulled herself from Rachel and the girls. She stood and wiped her face.

"Jimmy." She stated quietly.

Kid looked around at all their anxious faces. He looked back at Louise.

"I don't know. I left them. They were taking him to Fairfield. That was the closet town."

"He's hurt."

"Yeah, Louise. He is."

"I knew it." She said as more tears started falling.

"Lou. I'm taking the buckboard and heading over to Fairfield. I will bring him home no matter what. Ok."

Lou nodded. She got both the girl's hands and walked them into the house. Rachel and Ike stood behind.

"Was it bad?" Asked Rachel.

"Honestly I don't know."

Rachel hugged Kid before following Louise into the house. Kid stood as Ike took his horse. He went to gather some things for his trip back.

Jimmy woke in a strange room to see Cody and Teaspoon beside his bed. He looked around slowly.

"Hey there Hickok." Said Cody smiling.

"Cody."

"Good to see you awake son." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy grimaced as he shifted on the small bed.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Son, we got some things to tell ya. It ain't gonna be easy for us." Teaspoon said looking down.

"Don't then. I know." Said Jimmy.

"You should understand it all."

"I'm gonna die. Ain't nothing to understand." Said Jimmy.

"Jimmy, just listen to Teaspoon." Said Cody.

"Ros and Maddie?" He asked.

"Fine. They're home with Lou and Rachel. But son about this..." said Teaspoon.

"Don't. Happy they are ok."

"Listen. As soon as Kid gets here, we are gonna take you home."

"No. I don't want to let Lou watch this."

"Well we ain't leaving you here either. Jimmy, they beat you pretty good fore we got there. The doctor here says they hurt that lung again. He ain't sure it will heal. He says it seems to be infected. He's afraid it is gonna strain your heart."

"Just when I started having second thoughts." Smiled Jimmy trying to breathe.

"He doesn't know when just that when it gives up, you won't be able to breathe like before."

"So any time."

"We don't know that. We're taking you home to see your girls. You will be with us."

"Leave me here, alone. This is what I wanted."

Jimmy shook his head and turned away as he saw Cody wipe his face.

A few days later, Louise watched Buck moving around slow with Ike as she finished hanging the laundry. She heard Rachel cough as she swept out her house. Rosalyn and Maddie were running in circles laughing. She smiled as she watched the girls. Maddie fell flat down in the dirt. She started to walk over but Rosalyn went to her and pulled her up. Maddie pushed her away and wiped the dirt off her small dress. Lou shook her head and turned to look back at the house when she saw it. She dropped what was in her hand. A wagon was coming.

"Rachel!" She screamed.

Rachel put the broom aside and came out into the yard. Ike and Buck walked out the barn. Kid was driving while Cody rode behind. Teaspoon sat in the back of the wagon. Lou went to meet them but stopped. She was suddenly afraid and felt sick. Rachel saw her stop. She touched her shoulder as she walked over. Cody got down off his horse. The two girls ran over squealing. He swooped both of them up. Rachel spoke with Kid before walking back across to Lou.

"Louise, we need to get him in the house." She said.

"You mean he's alive?"

"Yes. We'll talk more later. Let's just get him inside."

Lou felt like she couldn't move. She saw Kid and Ike help Jimmy out the wagon. He stood hunched over. They went to lift him but he pushed them away.

"I can walk damnit."

"Jimmy, not now." Said Kid.

Jimmy looked at Kid and Ike. He saw Cody holding his girls. Maddie instantly saw him and reached for him. He sat back down on the edge of the wagon and waved his hand for her to come over. She wiggled free and ran over to him. Kid handed her to Jimmy as he hugged her tight. Lou watched as he held the child and cried. Rosalyn eased over to look. She watched him look down at her. She held her arms up. Kid gave her to him. He sat and held both girls crying as Lou looked on.