Chapter 9

Lou swept her porch while watching Annie make her way over to Billy with a mug of water. She leaned against her doorway. Lori and Elijah were working pulling weeds in their small garden. She smiled watching Lori's patience with her little brother. Rachel walked across from her house.

"You look a million miles away."

"Today is Hunter's birthday. Twenty one years old and I don't know if I'll ever see him again."

"You will."

Lou nodded watching the others. She turned her attention to Tate. She watched him working on the corral fence. He suddenly threw down the hammer and kicked the rail. She shook her head hearing all the colorful words fly out his mouth.

"That boy there. I swear. He can get on a body's nerves."

"He'll get there."

"I ain't so sure." Said Lou as she watched him rip off the board that he had just started replacing. He tossed it in the dirt and continued to cuss it out as he stomped on it.

"I find it entertaining." Laughed Rachel as Teaspoon flew over to him.

"He just doesn't seem to have a lick of common sense."

"I can't complain. He keeps Teaspoon out my hair."

They watched as Teaspoon yelled back at him. The boy nodded and picked the board up. Teaspoon sat on a crate to watch as he went about putting it back. Rachel saw Lori staring. Louise followed her gaze.

"What is she doing?"

"Watching the show I guess."

"Rachel, I get this feeling that she likes that boy. Maybe it's just me."

Rachel wasn't sure how to answer when Lori and Eli came walking up. Eli rushed inside.

"Lorilei?"

"Yes, Momma?"

"Have you taken a liking to Tate?"

"God sakes no. That boy ain't got no sense. He don't know how to act. I would never." She laughed as she walked inside.

Lou glanced over at Rachel who was looking at her feet.

"My Lord."

Rachel couldn't hide her smile. She tried to gather herself.

"Louise, it ain't that bad."

"Rachel? Ain't that bad? Have you seen that boy? Jimmy will die."

"Oh don't overreact. It hasn't really became anything and it will probably just die away. Just a passing fancy."

"I hope so. I truly do. Now I have to keep my eye on her and him. Does he fancy her?"

"Honestly he hasn't really shown if he does. Either he doesn't look at her like that or he's smarter than we give him credit for."

Lou was shaking her head looking at the horizon as Teaspoon walked over.

"I'm going to check the pigs. Thought Eli might want to go."

"Eli!" Lou yelled.

"What's on your mind Lou? You ok?" He asked as Rachel tried not to smile.

"On my mind. That." She said pointing toward Tate.

"I got ya."

"My Lord, you know too? Am I the only one that didn't know?"

"No, I don't think Annie has paid any mind."

Lou groaned as Eli flew out the door.

"Want to go check the pigs?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Fuck yeah!" Eli yelled rushing across the yard.

Lou turned wide eyes toward Teaspoon as Rachel covered her mouth.

"Don't worry. I'm working on that." Said Teaspoon as he tried to hurry across the yard glancing back over his shoulder.

Lou looked back to Rachel who was failing trying not to smile. Lou shook her head and laughed. She laughed until her eyes teared up.

"Honey?"

"It's gonna be hell to pay when Jimmy gets home. Please just let him and my boys get back home."

"Come here. They will. I'm sure they are on their way now." Rachel said hugging Louise.