Ch 8

Cody came back with the wagon and the undertaker. He pulled it to a stop beside Kid and Lou.

"Let her go Kid." Said Teaspoon putting his hand on his shoulder.

Kid looked up and wiped his face on his sleeve.

"Kid, let's get her to town. Let her go."

Kid eased her head back down onto the grass. Cody, Teaspoon, and Kid loaded her in the wagon. Kid climbed up in back with her while Cody got in the seat.

"Get her to Rachel, Cody. Get some help. I'll be along shortly."

With a snap of the reins, Cody charged the wagon as fast as he could. Rachel saw the wagon coming from her porch. She watched them fastly approach. She gasped when she saw Lou in the back. Cody helped Kid carry her in then he ran like hell to town for the doctor.

"Oh my God, Kid! Louise?" Rachel cried looking to Kid for answers.

"We found her when we went to look at the stage robbery. Her horse had fallen on top of her."

"She is going to be fine. Let's keep it together."

Cody came along with Doc Barnes. Cody grabbed Kid and pulled him out onto the porch. Kid fought trying to get back to her.

"Kid, come on! You'll just be in the way!"

"She needs me! I have to be in there!"

"No she needs help right now. Listen to me, let's take a walk over to the bunkhouse."

Kid nodded and let Cody pull him away.

"Where's Ike?"

"In with Jimmy, why?"

"Just wondering."

Cody kept Kid in the bunkhouse until he heard Teaspoon ride back into the station yard. Cody walked outside to him leaving Kid laying on his bunk inside.

"What's going on? Any news?" Asked Teaspoon.

"No. I got Kid in here. He is a mess. I haven't heard anything yet. The stage?"

"Taken care of. I'm gonna head over and check in. I'll be back to talk with Kid."

Teaspoon went over to Rachel's. Cody sat on the porch in the chair watching for him. Teaspoon and Ike walked out the door and over to the bunkhouse. Cody stood as they got closer.

"Well?"

"She has a broke leg. Doc says he can save it. She has some cracked ribs. All in all, she will be ok. She is gonna be down for quite some time."

"Thank God, that's all." Said Cody.

They all walked inside to let Kid know. Kid listened and went to push past Teaspoon. He grabbed his arms.

"Wait son! The doc has to finish up then you can go!"

"I need to go to her now!"

'Wait Kid. He needs his room to work.' signed Ike.

Kid turned to Ike.

"And where were you all this time?!"

'Jimmy.'

"Really? Are ya sure?"

"Kid, Ike was here the entire time with Rachel." Said Teaspoon.

"It's just so damn odd that so far everyone has seen you at every one of these killings! I bet Lou will say the same thing! So where were you really Ike?!" Yelled Kid.

"Stop it! You know Ike isn't capable of this! He has been here with us!" Teaspoon yelled trying to get a grip on Kid.

"I ain't so sure no more! Let me go!"

Ike looked at Kid and Cody. He pushed past them and ran toward the barn.

"Ike! Wait!" Yelled Teaspoon.

Cody grabbed ahold of Kid as well.

"That was uncalled for! He ain't got nothing to do with this!"

"Let me go!" Yelled Kid.

Teaspoon and Cody let go of Kid. He rushed out and over to Rachel's. Cody went to run over to the barn as Ike burst out the barn door riding at a full gallop.

"Ike!"

"Let him go. We'll give him some time alone. All this has to be eatin at him."

"I'm going to walk and check in on Hickok."

"I'm going too."

They made their way over to Rachel's. Teaspoon knocked on the door and Rachel opened it for him.

"Kid is in with Louise. Dan just left. Jimmy woke just a while ago."

"At least we got some good news. I'm going in to see if I can find out anything. Cody, ya comin?"

"Yeah."

Teaspoon and Cody walked over to Jimmy. Teaspoon touched his shoulder and lightly shook him to try to wake him. Jimmy grunted but opened his eyes.

"Jimmy, how is it?"

"Been better."

"Son, anything you can tell me about what happened out there?"

"Ain't sure."

"Tell me all that you remember."

"I heard a noise off to the side so I left the main trail. They came up behind. I never got a good look but y'all will think I'm crazy."

"Go on."

"I went to run and I thought I saw Ike behind me."

"Lord."

"He looked just like him."

"Jimmy are you sure."

Jimmy groaned and nodded.

"Ok, take it easy now. Try to rest."

Jimmy closed his eyes and laid his head back. Cody just listened and watched as he fell back asleep.

"Think he is gonna be alright?" Asked Cody.

"I think so. Just like Lou, he has a long road ahead of him."

The two got up and walked over to where Kid was watching Lou. Teaspoon put his hand on Kid's shoulder.

"She was awake for a few. She is in so much pain." Mumbled Kid.

"That's to be expected son. She is a strong young lady. She will be back on her feet in no time at all."

"She saw Ike there."

"What?"

"She told me that she saw Ike there. Says she got a good look before it all happened."

"It couldn't be. He was here Kid." Said Cody.

"I know. I'm just so confused right now. I shouldn't have taken it out on him like that. It isn't his fault."

"Son, we are all just as confused as you are. Let's all step back and take a moment to get it together. We've had a lot happen today."

Kid nodded and kept watching Louise.

"Think I need to go find Ike?" Asked Cody.

"Give him an hour. Then go. This has got to be hard on him."

"When's Buck due back?"

"Morning. Hopefully he can shed some light on why they jumped Hickok."

"I hope so. We got to catch a break soon. With Hickok and Lou down, our odds are dwindling." Said Cody.

Ike rode hard until he came to the river. He leapt from his horse and fell on his knees next to the water. He splashed water on his face. He didn't understand what was happening. His own family acted like they were starting to doubt him. He didn't know what to do. He listened to the water rush by. He thought he heard a rustling behind him but nothing was there. Back to his thoughts, he sat there just feeling lost.