Chapter 6

Lou led Sam and the horses into the stables to stow the animals. She soon found Ike, the bald mute shoveling manure out of a stall. She decided to introduce them. "Ike," Lou called.

The young man stopped what he was doing and looked up. His eyes settled on Lou and the stranger beside her.

"Ike, I want you to meet someone. This is Sam, my cousin." she smiled.

Sam waved, "Hi." She wasn't sure is she should offer a handshake or not.

Ike gave a nod to her. He then made a motion instead of speaking. Sam knew it was some kind of sign but it certainly wasn't American sign language.

Sam replied back in American sign, "What sign language are you using?" She knew he wasn't deaf for he responded when Lou called his name but she didn't know what was wrong with the young man.

Ike's interest peaked. He tried to explain in sign and managed to get a few squeaks out but he wasn't able to tell her clearly. Sam looked to Lou.

"Another rider, Buck taught him Indian sign." she explained.

Sam suggested, "Can Buck teach me it too?"

She shrugged, "Can always ask him. Ike can hear but he can't speak and lost his hair to scarlet fever."

Sam being a doctor worked in her mind what kind of medial issue the boy suffered. "If I had an O.R. I could probably restore his vocal cords. Must be some scare tissue."

Ike's eyes grew wide. He made another sign.

Lou guessed what he was asking. "Sam knows some doctoring."

"I'm a surgeon." she stated frankly.

Lou countered, "If you are gonna ride for the Express, I don't think you should go around telling everyone that."

Ike made a motion towards his throat and opened his mouth as if giving Sam permission to look.

"You want me to look?" she asked him.

He nodded eagerly.

She went to her horse and retrieved her bag. She dug out a few pieces of equipment.

Lou watched on wondering if that was such a good idea for the equipment was from the future.

"Just open wide." she instructed him.

Ike complied as Sam examined his throat and then felt his neck. She concluded, "It's scare tissue. A small lump. I could take that out in a same day procedure. Pretty basic."

Lou asked, "Is it basic here?" She pointed to the dirt floor.

She admitted, "Would be risky outside of the hospital." She asked Ike, "I can teach you American sign if you want to learn more than one kind of sign language."

He gave a nod in agreement. He instantly liked her for she seemed to have a genuine interest in him. He could tell she was a girl immediately. He wasn't sure why she was there nor why she did look a bit like Kid.

Lou stated, "Come on! Let's get the horses put away and then I will introduce you to the other riders."

Sam agreed, "Sure."

Ike watched them for a moment as they tended to the horses and then he returned to his chore.

In short time Lou and Sam made their way to the bunkhouse. Upon entering they spied a few of the riders: Jimmy Hickok, Billy Cody and Buck all talking with Kid at the table.

Jimmy looked up as the girls walked in. He looked upon the newcomer, "So…you are Lou's cousin, huh?"

"I'm Sam." she introduced herself.

Billy stood up and offered a handshake, "It's mighty nice to meet ya, Sam McCloud." He assumed her last name.

Lou didn't say a word as Sam decided it was a good cover to use Lou's last name instead of Cain. She shook his hand and replied, "And you Mr. Cody."

"How did ya know my last name?" Billy asked.

"Lou told me all about you guys." she simply explained. She recognized him from historical photos but couldn't tell him the truth.

Lou added, "That one there is Buck. He taught Ike the sign." She pointed to the end of the table.

Sam's eyes settled on the half Indian boy. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Buck. I was wondering if you could teach me some of that sign language you taught Ike."

Curious Kid interrupted, "Why do you want to learn that?"

"So I can speak directly to him without an interpreter." she explained as she took a seat and then looked at Buck.

"I can teach you some." he agreed. He then wondered, "Where are you from, Sam?"

Sam was from Rock Creek but could not say. She made up a story, "East Coast." She recalled her time in medical school. "Boston."

Jimmy told her, "You're a long way from Boston."

She agreed, "Yes…I am."

Billy wondered, "What did you do in Boston?"

"I went to medical school." she replied without much thought.

The boys all fell silent and glanced at one another. Jimmy asked, "If you went to medical school then why you looking for a job riding?"

"Because…" she winced and looked to Lou for help.

Lou came up with an excuse, "Because you didn't finish."

"Right!" She agreed with a uneasy grin. "But I'm still good at medicine. I just ran out of money." she lied. "I nearly finished. I'm practically a doctor. Almost a surgeon." She looked at the confused expressions surrounding her. "I worked in the E.R. at the hospital and got a lot of hands on experience." She wasn't sure if she was helping her position or not. "I'm practically a doctor…I just don't have my degree…" she tailed off.

Kid assured her, "You got more than our town doctor does. He's also the barber and the dentist."

She gasped, "You're shitting me!"

The boys all sat rather amused by the reply.

Lou rubbed the side of her head and muttered, "That didn't take long." She then shook her finger, "You better watch the cursing here. Rachel won't take to kindly to your language."

"Well, fuck man!" she started, "He just said the guy who cuts hair is the doctor and the dentist. That's insane!"

Billy warned trying to keep himself from laughing, "You better mind your language here. Lou's right about Rachel. She'll wash your mouth out with soap."

Jimmy added, "You certainly have some colorful language there, Doc."

Kid agreed, "I'll say."

Sam turned to Buck. "Can you teach me to swear in sign?"

"Um…" he never had a request before.

Lou asked, "Why? So you can swear without them knowing it."

"Yes," she confessed.

Lou rolled her eyes. "I can see you doing that too."

Rachel walked into the bunkhouse with a broom to clean. She instructed, "Outside boys. I have some chores to do."