Chapter 13

Rachel had heard the commotion in the doctor's small parlor earlier. She had peeked out the door but had slowly closed it as she made her way back over to sit by Louise. She folded her hands in her lap when she noticed Lou looking up at her. She smiled.

"Are you ok, honey? You need anything?"

"What was all that?"

"I'm not sure."

"You're lying." She said quietly when she realized. "Oh my God, they found him. They found him... It's bad." Lou said as she started crying.

Rachel reached and grabbed her hand. She let her own tears fall.

"I'm not sure, sweetie, they just carried him in. I didn't get a good look."

"Is he alive? Please, go see. Please, Rachel."

Rachel nodded and stood. She walked out and closed Lou's door behind her. She saw the others standing around in a circle talking. Kid noticed her and ran over.

"She's fine for the most part. She's sore and had some pain but she's resting well."

"Thank God." He said.

"She heard the noise. She, um, wanted me to see how he was." Rachel looked at Teaspoon almost scared to ask.

Teaspoon walked over and pulled Rachel into a hug. He held her tight for a while longer before looking into her eyes. He couldn't ease any of her thoughts so he just spoke the truth.

"We finally found him at the bottom of the ravine. They beat him pretty bad. I really don't know anything else. He was so cold from the nights. We thought he had already passed on until Ike noticed a heartbeat. We got him here as fast as we could. It's in Doc's hands now."

"I can't believe all this. It's just too much."

"I'm going in to see Lou. I'll tell her Rachel. You need a break anyway." Said Kid walking away.

"I need to go check in on Jesse." Said Rachel.

"We'll go check in. Why don't you wait and take a minute here with Teaspoon." Said Cody.

"I'm heading back also. I should try to keep out of sight." Buck said.

"Go on, boys. We're gonna wait it out. I'll be by later." Teaspoon said as Cody, Buck, and Ike left.

The boys nodded and left the small office. Teaspoon watched as Rachel went to sit in a chair in the corner of the small living room. He looked back to the closed door.

"You might as well come sit. You ain't doing him or yourself a lick of good just standing there. Come on." Rachel said patting the seat beside her.

"I know. I just feel like I should be doing something and yet, I am just stuck in place."

"You are doing all that you can given the circumstances. You know that."

"I ain't sure."

"I am. Come sit. It's probably gonna be awhile, sides that, you need some rest."

"I can't just sit there and wait. I know I should but I can't. I can't explain it but I feel like something is choking me inside. It makes me feel like I could break at any time."

"I know how you feel but we are going to have to keep it together for everyone involved. Lou, the boys, the towns folk, they look to us."

"Another reason that I feel this way, Rachel. I am failing miserably. I have no answers for anyone. About this Indian mess or the missing boys. The weight of the town and our family is on my shoulders."

"I know. Still, give yourself this time. Please."

"No, I can't wait to hear the news. You didn't see him, Rachel. I can't get it out my mind and then there's Louise. I'll be back. I need to see about Barnett and the town."

Teaspoon didn't say any more as he left leaving Rachel sitting in the living parlor. Alone, she finally let her tears fall. She couldn't fall apart in front of Lou and the boys and keeping it all inside was killing her. She let her tears fall silently until she felt better. She wiped her face and eased back in the chair waiting on any news about Jimmy.

Cody, Buck, and Ike made their way back to the station. After making sure that the station was empty, Ike led their horses into the barn while Cody set out to find Jesse. Buck made his way back over to Rachel's. Cody looked around calling for Jesse but he didn't answer. He walked into the barn to ask Ike.

"Jesse in here?"

Ike shook his head.

"Reckon he is in town."

'Do you want to go see?'

"I don't know if I should leave yall here."

'Go see. I'll finish here and stay with Buck. We'll be fine for a few.'

"It would make me feel better to see where he is. Guess I'll go. Be back in ten minutes."

Ike nodded as Cody left. He went back to hurry his task so he could sit with Buck just in case. He felt nervous about Jesse. He didn't know why.

Teaspoon walked around town after checking in on Barnett. He said that he had gotten no more reports of missing boys and so far that happened to be the best news all day. He strode around looking for any unusual comings and goings but again there was nothing odd. He turned the corner when he walked right into Mrs. Betty Carr.

"Mrs. Betty, I am so sorry. Guess my mind was elsewhere."

"Oh don't you worry none. Matter of fact, I was hoping to see you today."

"Something wrong? How can I help ya?"

"Something is definitely wrong and I demand answers." She said clearly in a tizzy.

"Now, Mrs. Betty, just tell me what it is and I'm sure that I can get to the bottom of it."

"Marshal Hunter, I proceeded to let that thieving Maxine Baker borrow my chili recipe and since I lent it to her, the old bag has purposely stayed away from town. I want you to know that I want it back."

"Mrs. Betty, I am sure that she has a good reason."

"Don't make excuses for her. She has been asking about it for years and just when I finally gave in, she ran with it. That's why she is sending her so called sister to town to get their supplies."

Teaspoon listened as the old woman ranted on and on but as she talked, his mind was working overtime. Maybe the old woman was tied to all this and just where were the Bakers. Cody hadn't seen them when he had ridden out to help. He was mulling it all over when he heard the woman in front of him yell.

"Excuse me, are you listening?"

"Of course, ma'am. I'll tell you what. I'll ride out to her homestead myself and get it for you. Will that work?"

"As long as you don't read it, I guess that will be alright."

"You can trust me, I won't take a single peek."

"Good."

"I'll come see you once I have it."

"Fine. Afternoon."

Teaspoon watched the old lady walk away. He turned back around to see Cody walking over to him. He looked at Cody's face.

"What else is wrong?"

"Jesse is gone."

"What?"

"And I found this in the alley." Cody said holding up a feather.

Teaspoon took it and held it up.

"What the hell does all this mean?"