Chapter 13

Louise carried the wash out to hang on the line. She smiled as she passed Annie in the yard with Eli. She was taking him over to begin his morning chores that had been given to him. He had to feed the chickens and collect the eggs before heading over to tend the pigs. Usually Teaspoon went with him to watch him do his chores but he was busy as a buyer was coming to purchase some horses. Lou began hanging the wash as the men came riding into the yard. She turned to look over at them. Teaspoon was hard negotiating while the other three boys sat on their horses listening. Lou remembered that day long ago when they had listened to him do the same thing. She remembered Jimmy back then. Young, hot head Jimmy. She could even recall that ugly black shirt that he had been wearing. She hated that thing. She stood staring letting her tears fall.

"Louise?"

Lou jumped and wiped her eyes. She turned to find Rachel standing behind her.

"I'm sorry, Rachel."

"You ok?"

"I'm fine."

"What is wrong? You aren't fine."

"It's stupid."

"Is it?"

"I was just watching Teaspoon sell the horses. It just brought back memories of long ago."

"I see." Smiled Rachel.

"Back when Emma took care of the station, he did that same exact thing with an Indian named Running Pony. I can still see each one of us sitting around the corral listening." Lou laughed.

"I hope his negotiating skills were far better back then." Laughed Rachel.

"Not at all." Lou said still laughing as she wiped a tear.

"Was that all?"

"I remembered Jimmy that day. Long before I ever knew that I would love him so much. He had on this awful black shirt. I hated that shirt." Lou said as she cried.

Rachel walked over and pulled her into a hug. She rubbed her back.

"He will be home anytime. I know it."

Lou moved back and pulled another piece of clothing from her basket.

"I hope so. It's been almost two months."

"I know it's hard but try not to worry. It will be any day now."

Lou watched as the men left with about ten head. She saw Teaspoon talking with his young crew. Lori came walking over from the house.

"Mom, I finished the kitchen. Can I please run into town? I ordered some material and it was supposed to come in this week. I want to see if it came."

"I guess but let me get someone to ride with you." Lou was saying as Teaspoon crossed the yard.

"Well, I already asked the boys and Tate is free. He can ride with me."

Lou stopped and looked at Rachel who looked down at the laundry. She knew it. They were hiding something.

"Maybe Billy can go?"

"But I already asked and Tate said he could?" Lori said looking at her Grandpa.

"Um, yeah, Billy and Hansen are helping me."

"See Mom."

"I don't know. Tate doesn't know how to handle himself, Lori. Not that I don't trust you, but he always, and I mean always, finds trouble wherever he goes. I just don't think it would be a good idea."

"But Mom, I just want to go get my things and get right back home."

"Lou, I think it would be alright." Whispered Teaspoon.

"Why is that?" Lou said spinning to glare at him.

"Um, well, I've been working hard on that boy and he is really starting to, um, you know, make a turn around." Teaspoon said looking at Rachel for help who just shook her head at him.

Lou watched how both of them acted. She turned back to Lori.

"Is that the only reason that you are going to town?"

"Yes, Momma, I swear. Won't be gone thirty minutes."

"Fine. You got thirty minutes then I come looking."

Lori nodded and went over to the barn. Lou saw Teaspoon creeping away out the corner of her eye as well. He hobbled on into the barn. Soon after, Tate and Lori rode out the yard in the buckboard. Lou watched for any sign that they were sweet on each other but they sat as far apart as they could without falling off the wagon. She heard Rachel snort.

"They think they are pulling one over on me but they ain't. What do you know?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Rachel."

"Honestly I don't but I think we both know someone who does."

"That old goat. I'm gonna kill him. That boy. Uh." Lou stomped back to her house with her now empty basket.

Rachel tried not to laugh as Lou turned back around.

"Thirty minutes! Tell him I need a horse ready and waiting!"

"Sure thing, sweetie."

Louise sat impatiently waiting for the next thirty minutes and not much to her surprise the two problems had not made their way back home. She stomped over to the barn. She glared at Teaspoon as she walked by him.

"Lou, I'm sure you'll pass them on the trail."

"When I get back, everyone around here is gonna come clean. And I mean it!"

Lou swung up on her horse and sped off toward town. She didn't pass the wagon on her way to town and the more she rode on, the hotter she got. She came roaring into town and spotted their wagon in front of the store. She stomped in but her child wasn't there.

"Mrs. McCloud?"

"What Earl?" Lou said angrily.

"I saw Lori and that fella that works for y'all. They are over at the marshal's."

"I'm gonna kill her. Thanks."

Lou slammed the door causing Earl to wince. He felt sorry for the two youngins. Lou stormed over to the jail. She pushed the door open hard making Larry jump. She saw them in the cells.

"Lou, let me explain what happened." Said Larry.

"Shut up, Larry."

Lou stomped over to where Lori was sitting with her arms crossed. Tate looked down at his boots.

"What did you do?" Growled Louise.

"I want you to know that this here ain't my fault." Said Lori.

"Spill it."

"Got into a small squabble was all. I don't know why Mr. Larry had to get in the middle of it." Lori said glaring over at the marshal.

"Tate." Lou said.

"I'm sorry. So sorry."

"Oh shut up. Larry, tell me."

"Your two there went over to the store. The boy, Tate, there, waited in the wagon for Lori. According to witnesses, a young girl stopped to speak with Tate."

"Keep. Going."

"Miss Lori there seemed to get rather mad. She ran out the store and pushed the girl. The girl said something back to her and that's when your daughter punched her in the nose. Gave her two black eyes. Then your daughter grabbed a broom from the barrel outside the store and started hitting Tate there with it until I broke it up. I was just going to send someone out to get you."

Lou turned slowly around to face the two in the cell. She saw Lori still sitting there with her arms crossed. She could still see the heat rising off her head. She turned to Tate who was holding and rubbing his arm. She couldn't help it. She broke down and started laughing. Larry tried not to smile but soon he was laughing too. Tate looked scared to death while Lori fumed at the two. Once their laughter subsided, Lou wiped her eyes.

"When can they get out?" Asked Lou trying to contain herself.

"I was just waiting for one of y'all to come collect."

"The girl's parents ain't mad?"

"Naw, the girl's Momma said that her daughter was too open. She needed to be taught a lesson. As for the store, you just need to cover the cost of the broom that she broke on ole boy there."

"I'll go settle up then I'll be back for them."

"They'll be right here waiting."

Lou went over and paid Earl who really didn't want the money. He was just surprised that quiet Lori had beat the crap out of both of them. Lou spoke with him for a few then went to to collect the two prisoners. She made Tate ride her horse back while she rode in the wagon with Lori. They slowly made their way back home. She looked over at Lori who still sat with her arms crossed.

"Might as well get over it." Said Lou.

"I'm sorry, Momma." Lori said starting to relax.

"What is going on around here?"

"I've been lying. I do Mom. I do like Tate." Lori said ashamed.

"Figured that. I'm talking about in town."

"That little whore, Tiffany thought she could just come up and talk to him."

"Why'd you beat him with a broom?"

"Cause he talked back!"

Lou shook her head and laughed. Tate looked back over his shoulder.

"I'll kill you next time! Ya hear me!" Lori yelled at him.

Tate looked back ahead.

"Lori, Lori. Why that one? Why him?"

"Momma, I don't know. I can't explain it. I know he's not thought of as good and he's hard to handle but I promise you, that he ain't as bad as people think."

"I guess we'll see, won't we."

"You ain't gonna run him off now?"

"No, maybe your Grandpa is right and he just needs a little guidance. Sides that, I think he'll think twice before he ever crosses you again." Laughed Lou as Tate rubbed his arm again.

"Next time, I'll aim for the head. Maybe knock some sense into it."

"Oh, Lori. You're more like me every day."

Lori giggled then as Lou saw Tate turn around to look at her again. She saw Lori blow him a kiss. He winked back at her. Lord help her, they would be a hell of a couple.