Chapter 15

Teaspoon sat in his office with Kid and Cody. He rubbed his face. The world was upside down. Town folk screamed outside his office demanding answers for their missing boys. Two of his family were hurt. Now Ike, Buck, and Jesse were missing. He looked at the worry on Kid and Cody's faces.

"I'm beginning to think that somehow the boys and this gang are tied together. Along with Lucille Baker. I just can't fit all the pieces." Teaspoon said.

"From what you were told in town about the old lady Baker and the recipe, I might be thinking the same thing. All this started not too long after the sister showed up." Said Kid.

"And not to mention that I didn't see either of them at their home." Said Cody.

"I know. We only got the three of us left. We need to go after Buck. Damn. We need to see what is going on out there too. Damn. Damn."

"I'll go out to check on the Baker's." Rachel said from where she had pushed through the door.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I got a feeling about that place."

"I'll take one of y'all with me. The other two can go after Buck."

"Rachel, I don't know."

"Look, someone or something has turned this town upside down. Not only that, but they have already hurt two of us not to mention all the others that are now missing. I said that I will go."

Teaspoon sighed and looked from Kid to Cody.

"Take Kid. She doesn't know that he is tied to me. Cody you're with me."

"Sounds like a plan." Said Kid.

"Rachel, what do you know about Mrs. Carr's chili recipe?"

"Not much, why?"

"I think Mrs. Lucille Baker might can help you with that."

"Well. Kid get the buckboard ready. Seems we need to find out how to make a pot of chili." Rachel said smiling.

The two rode along on the buckboard out to the Baker homestead. Kid kept glancing over at Rachel.

"What do you want to ask Kid?" She said smiling.

"How was she when you left? She hasn't really said much to me."

"She is going to be fine, Kid. She has a lot going on right now. She hasn't really said much to me about what happened either. She will open up in her own time."

"She kept telling me that she left him behind. She was stuck on it."

"Lord, you don't think that there is something more there. Kid, now is not the time."

"I'm sorry but how can I think anything else. They were too close before this happened and now all that comes out her mouth is his name."

"Stop this wagon right now."

"Rachel?"

"Listen, if you love Louise as much as you say you do, then you have to accept her friendship with Jimmy. She has told you before that he is like a best friend to her and that's all that it is. How do you think she felt as she ran away leaving him behind? She saw what was happening. They beat her too Kid. She knew how it felt. The only reason that she got away was because he shot that man in turn condemning himself. Your friend saved the love of your life and here you are thinking the worse of him."

"I'm sorry. I, I know. I already feel guilty about it after seeing him."

"Then stop. She needs you right now so stop being an ass and get in there for her."

"I just didn't know how to take the fact that she wanted to be in the same room with him. Stupid, I know."

"Yeah, stupid. She feels partly responsible for running like she did. Think about it."

"I'll go see her as soon as we get back."

"Good, now let's carry on."

The two rode on a little farther until they rode into the gate leading up to the Baker house. Rachel looked around and saw exactly what Cody has been talking about. The house was closed up. Curtains drawn and there was no activity. Kid helped her down off the wagon when the front door opened and the old lady Lucille stepped out onto the porch.

"Afternoon! I was hoping someone was home. My name is Rachel Dunne. I was trying to ask Mrs. Maxine a question."

"I'm afraid that she is napping at the moment. Is there something that I can help you with?"

"Goodness, has she taken ill? She hasn't been in town for a few weeks. Her husband, Clarke, either? Is he ok?"

"He left to go visit his brother. Should be back in a couple of days."

"I didn't know that Clarke had a brother. I guess you learn something new every day. Maybe you can help me. I asked Mrs. Carr for her chili recipe and she told me that she gave it to Maxine a while back. I thought she could pass it along to me."

"I'm not sure where it could be. Maybe you could check back later when my sister is awake."

"I'm sure that she would keep it in her kitchen."

"If it will make you happy, I'll go look. Wait here."

Rachel glanced back over her shoulder at Kid who was standing beside the wagon. Rachel made her way up onto the porch and quietly eased in the front door. Kid waited for Rachel to step inside before walking quickly to the barn and the back of the house.

Rachel glanced around the room as Lucille ruffled around the kitchen. She noticed the door to the back room was pulled closed. She lightly stepped around the chairs as she made her way over to the door.

"I don't think that I invited you inside."

Rachel jumped around smiling as she faced Lucille.

"I didn't truly think Maxine would mind. I have visited quite often."

"Like, I said, she is taking a nap. I can't place the recipe right now but I will find it and bring it to you in town when I return for supplies."

"That will be fine. Maybe I will see Maxine then also. Let her know for me that I stopped by."

The old lady made her way over to hold the door open for Rachel to leave basically ending any conversation. Rachel smiled and walked louder than normal so Kid could hear her coming back outside. Kid was standing looking at the tracks in the yard. He went to look at the lock on the cellar door when he heard heavy footsteps. He rushed back over to the wagon just as Rachel came smiling back outside. She bade Lucille a good afternoon as the two left the yard.

Jesse heard Rachel's voice. He looked around at all the other boys chained down there with him in the dark. He yelled against the gag in his mouth but he couldn't seem to get the sound to push past the cloth. He tried to scream until his throat and head hurt. He fell back against the wall. They were gone. He heard another horse ride up. He strained to listen.

"Momma!"

"What?!"

"I'm back."

"Anybody see you, you idiot?"

"Not a soul, sides no one knows who I am. What's wrong?"

"Woman from town was sniffing around here just now. You just missed them. Why else would they be coming here if it wasn't for some of your stupidity?"

"Maybe it was cause they noticed the old man and woman missing. You killed them. I didn't do that."

The old lady slapped him in the face.

"Don't you ever think any of this is my fault. You idiot. Did you take care of the other Indian lover?"

"I got some bad news about that but the men searched that Express station and that injun wasn't there."

"Did you do it when you caught the blonde one? And what the hell did you do?"

"No, momma, I had some men check after we took him. I need to let you know that they got the wrong guy. They took some bald man. We left him as some as I let them know that it was the wrong one. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on him."

"Idiot. Damn fool, you should have been with them and then you gave that Indian time to leave, I swear I was cursed when I had you."

"I'm sorry, Momma. We did kill five braves out there. Got some more men wanting to help wipe em out, too."

"At least, you are good for something. Go, git. I need time to think. Now they will be on edge."

Jesse listened as the two spoke. He fought the chains again. He needed to tell Teaspoon. He needed to warn them all.