"Hey Teaspoon, you working out the schedule?" Buck asked as Teaspoon sat at his desk at the jail.
"Yep, I'm tryin' to work out how we can all go see Amanda and I think I got it squared away."
Teaspoon said writing something down.
"About that. Do you think we can swing it to take Jenny to see the horse stables?" Teaspoon stopped and looked up. "Jenny mentioned wanting to see it. I could take her alone, but I think you and the others might want to come see what we own too."
Teaspoon ripped out his paper and crumpled it up. "I guess I gotta start in a new schedule. Maybe I could ask the company for a few extra hands for a few days. I wouldn't mind seein' the place and I think whatever Jenny wants, it should be granted to her. That poor girl has been through so much. And she don't ever ask for anything." Teaspoon said. "Say, where is she anyway? And the baby? You usually are no further away from either of them than a few feet at any given time."
"Jenny's helping out at the store and Noah and Cassie took Ike on a picnic. Casies so excited to see the baby standing, she's going to try a walk along the creek." Buck replied. "I really appreciate all you've done for Jenny. She just wants to feel wanted."
"She is wanted. And she should know it."
Teaspoon arranged the schedule and Noah would meet them at the stable in a few days. Rachel did decide to come along, so nearing end of March, off the merry crew went with a wagon for Rachel and the baby. For short periods one of the riders would sit Ike on their horse. The infant seemed to enjoy this but it led to a very tired, cranky baby. By the time they reached Amanda's hotel it was very late into the night, but she was anxiously waiting for them.
She first hugged Teaspoon then the rest, including Jenny and she even peeked over at a very cranky, crying Ike. "Poor little fella must be exhausted." She said. Cody was holding him while he whined. He didn't want to lay in his basket, he didn't want to held by Rachel.
"We pushed pretty hard to get here," Jenny explained, "I'll take him, Cody. Once he gets into bed, I'm sure he'll be fine." She gently rocked him and softly hummed a song from the Lakota. Buck and the others had taken the horses to be rested for the night. "Perhaps I can bother you to lead me to a stove? If I can warm him up some milk, he might settle down. His last meal was a bit cold and I'm sure he didn't enjoy it very well."
"Of course!" Amanda called over a young boy. "Chester, please light up the stove and warm up this milk." She ordered handing the boy the can. "Take it up to room 4." Then she turned to look at the others. "I reserved you all rooms. I've got the boys in a room with two bunks, and the ladies another room, I even have a crib settled in. We don't get many babies but on occasion so that crib comes in handy. And Teaspoon, I saved you the top room with the largest bed." Amanda said.
Teaspoon grinned broadly. "Yer gonna spoil me."
The boys all came back and settled into their rooms. Buck asked Jenny if she'd be ok with having Ike in their room. She told him it was absolutely fine. Jenny sat in the lobby rocking Ike until the milk was warmed then Buck carried him upstairs to the women's room. Lou would be staying with them in the two bed room.
"I'll share with Rachel." Lou volunteered. Jenny nodded. Buck placed the now sleeping infant into the crib.
"He's out." Buck whispered as he caressed his brown hair. "Good night" he said and leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Sleep well. I love you." Buck headed to the door.
"We'll all be fine." Jenny reassured him and she reached out and held Buck's hand. Buck looked from the crib to Jenny then around the room. Rachel and Lou were sorting through their bags.
"Good night to you too." Buck said with a grin and quickly pecked Jenny on the lips.
Jenny grinned broadly. "Good night to you too." Still holding his hand as he walked away, their interlocked hands raised up as the distance grew. She stood in the hall watching him walk away, the darkness made it difficult to see him.
"Come get in bed." Lou said in a whisper. " I promise he'll be back the first thing in the morning."
—
First thing in the morning, Buck stood at the door. He was up before daylight because the room of snoring riders was too quiet without the soft breath of the baby nearby. Buck wondered if he should knock and stood there a few minutes before deciding. Lou opened the door.
"Mornin', gotta go!" She said as she ran past him. She left the door opened and Buck stood outside but peeked his head in. Rachel came to the door but he saw Jenny still under the blanket.
"Let her sleep a bit more." Rachel whispered. "Let 'em both." And she came out the room and shut the door behind her.
"She ok?" Buck asked. "They both ok?"
"Of course Honey. Just tired." Rachel said and pat his chest. "Seems Ike was not having any of that crib 10 minutes after you left and only went to sleep once Jenny brought him into bed with her."
"Oh," was all Buck replied. He turned and followed Rachel downstairs. The others were at one of the tables where Kid sat next to an empty chair. Lou soon came in and sat next to him, noticeably in a dress and her hair down.
"Good Mornin'" Cody grinned tipping his hat.
Lou cleared her throat. "Ok so Kid and I were talkin. We've come up with a plan. Soon's we get back home we're gonna get married." Grins and congratulations went around the table. " so this is the plan. After we look at the horse corral, Kid and I are gonna head to St. Joes where we'll pick up Teresa and Jeremiah. Noah is already telling' folks that Lou ran his last ride and he's off to be with his family. Then later, Kid'll show up with his bride and her siblings."
"You gettin' married without us?' Jimmy asked. "I was supposed to walk you down the isle."
"You still will. I can be a cousin of yours." Lou said.
Jimmy didn't look convinced but began to look down at his food. " I suppose", he grumbled. Lou pat him on the back.
"I guess you got it all figured out." Teaspoon said. "We'll be down a rider or two, but we'll manage. You got yer date?"
"Yes, sir" Kid said and explained the details.
——
The visit with Amanda was both relaxing and enjoyable. There was even a band playing their last night and the riders enjoyed some dancing. It was good to forget the impending war. Lou had a dress and danced with Kid as well as the others. Jenny spent all her time with Buck. Little Ike even took a few spins around the dance floor in the arms of just about everyone. He readily went into the arms of his next partner, showing no favorites. It was happy times making good memories Amina family.
——-
The group stopped alongside the road to camp. If their timing was right , they'd meet up with Noah at the stable by mid morning.
"Rachel, set up the blankets into a bed fer you girls and the babe. The rest'll set up our rolls around the fire. Cody, you get first watch. Then Kid." Teaspoon directed. Lou walked past Teaspoon with her roll attached to her horse. Jenny had just changed Ike and was putting his night gown on. He was giggling and trying to roll away. After tickling him a bit she handed him over to Buck. "I know, you want to roam wild and free like the rest of us." Buck said. Jenny had quickly gotten more comfortable for bed as she came back around to stand by Buck. She reached over and tickled Ike's toes as he laughed gleefully.
"What do do think you're doin'?" Teaspoon said loudly. Rachel was now kneeling in the wagon almost ready to lie down. She looked up. Kid was kneeling by his bed roll and Lou was right next to him.
"Gettin' my self ready for sleeping'." Lou replied looking up at Teaspoon. "When's my watch? After Kid?"
"No you ain't. I said boys round the fire, girls in the wagon. You missy , are a girl." Teaspoon replied sternly.
"Teaspoon! Me bein' a girl ain't never bothered nothin. Why the change now?" Lou retorted. "I wanna sleep next to Kid. We're getting married soon." Now everyone stopped and were looking up at the scene unfold.
"The difference is boy Lou now done run off, and GIRL Lou is with us. Ain't nobody married here yet to be sleepin' together like that. I won't have it. Now go get in the wagon."
"Teaspoon! What do you think happens when we go on runs together or assignments from you? Huh?" Lou shouted. Kid tried tugging on Lou's arm. She shook his grasp off.
"I don't know and I certainly don't WANT to know. I ain't gonna be a part of no funny business between unmarried people. Boys by the fire, girls in the wagon." Teaspoon confirmed again.
"Funny business between unmarried people? How do you think we got Ike??" Lou shouted.
The entire camp was silenced.
"I don't want to know what you'll doin' on your own, but I also don't have to approve of nothin' happenin' under my nose. Now I've said where everyone is goin. Night Lou"
Kid said, " Lou, it's ok. We should respect-"
Then Lou pick up her roll and stomped away. As she passed by Buck and Jenny she said "and you two couldn't have said something ?"
"Us?" Buck asked incredulously. "What did we do? We we're going to follow Teaspoons sleeping arrangements as he asked."
Lou climbed into the bench seat of the wagon pouting and hugging herself. "Honey, it'll be so much warmer in between us." Rachel said.
"I'm fine." Lou grumbled.
Jenny climbed into the wagon. Buck felt uncomfortable about Lou's comment about the baby. It wasn't his fault at all for being here. She was just mad she wasn't getting her way of sleeping next to Kid.
As if Teaspoon read Buck's mind, he said " and Lou, don't bring up the baby's parentage. We love him and that's all that matters. But the sleepin' arrangements stand as long as I'm around." He looked around at everyone. " anyone got a problem?"
No one said anything.
Buck kissed Ike and handed him over to Jenny. He pecked her on the lips so quickly, Jenny wasn't even sure if it happened. " good night." He said.
Lou looked over at the couple and mumbled . "Sorry what I said."
No one else said anything and Cody sat up to keep first watch.