Ch 2
The next day Lou wakes before sun up. She notices right away that Cody and Buck were both missing from the bunkhouse. She looks out the window to find Buck standing in the middle of the station yard looking straight up at the sky.
She wakes Kid and Jimmy to join her. They walk to the window to witness Buck's actions for themselves. They stand there in disbelief of what they see. Buck and Cody were standing chest to chest looking up at the sky not moving, not talking, just staring into the darkness.
"I don't know about y'all but I find that disturbing." Lou says to the pair of onlookers.
"What the hell are they doing out there in the dark like that?" Jimmy asks.
"It's like they're waiting for someone or something." Kid says quietly.
Jimmy opens the door and shouts, "What y'all doing out there? Kissing?" he shouts and laughs.
"Jimmy, no." Lou says but it was too late.
Kid watches as their heads snap to Jimmy. They walk over to him fast in perfect unison with each other. Cody grabs Jimmy and gets close to his face . Jimmy freezes as fear rushes over his face. He doesn't say a word.
"That's it for you." Cody says softly breathing on Jimmy lips he was so close.
Cody stands up and walks out with Buck in the dark. Kid comes over to help Jimmy up from the suppressed position that he was in.
"What was that all about?" Jimmy says standing up.
Lou looks at Kid. "It almost sounded like a threat."
"Never mind him. I'm going back to bed. I got a run later today." Jimmy says climbing back in his bunk. Lou and Kid walk outside. Cody and Buck were nowhere to be found.
"That was the weirdest thing I have ever seen, Lou." Kid tells her.
"I'm not sure what to make of it myself." she says.
The sun finds its way out to illuminate another day. Teaspoon walks outside rubbing his face and kicking at the rooster crowing outside his door. Ike walks over for breakfast. Teaspoon, Lou, and Kid join him. Teaspoon looks around the table at the three empty seats.
"Where is Hickok and the other two?"
"Jimmy said he was going to get some rest before his run today. He should be over later to eat and I ain't seen the other two." Said Lou not wanting to make a fuss about the events from that morning so she did not mention it to Teaspoon. The others had finished their food and set out to do their chores by the time Jimmy walked in.
Rachel and Teaspoon was still talking as Jimmy slid down in the chair and slumped over.
"Jimmy, are you ok honey?" Rachel aaked.
"I'm fine. I did not sleep too good last night."
"You probably just need to get up and going is all." Teaspoon wisely suggested.
Jimmy drank a glass of water and picked at his food killing time before the rider was suppose to be coming in.
"You don't look like you feel too good." Rachel says to Jimmy with a concerned tone in her voice. "Why don't you see if Ike will take this ride?"
"No, I'm fine." he says pushing up from the table. He walks out and turns to the barn to saddle Sundance for his ride.
"It's only an over night trip. He will be back tomorrow morning. You can play doctor then." Teaspoon says to Rachel.
"It ain't funny. The boy looked weak and he did not even eat his food."
"He might just be feeling inside out from something he ate yesterday. who knows with Jimmy."
After saddling Sundance, he walks his horse back outside and waits ... and waits... and waits...
"Damn Teaspoon. Where the hell is he?" Jimmy asked frustrated from all the waiting.
Just then Kid yells out, "Rider coming!"
They look and see a dust trail headed right for the station yard . The rider passes Jimmy the mail. Jimmy waves and rides out.