Ch 2
Teaspoon sat in the shade of the barn to hide from the afternoon sun. The station yard was quiet. It seemed that like him, his boys were trying to avoid the heat of the day. Emma waved to him as she walked over to finish the evening meal. He snacked on his apple as someone flopped down beside him grunting. He cut his eyes over at Jimmy.
"Where have you been?" Asked Teaspoon.
"Back of the barn."
"Any cooler?"
"Nope. Just avoiding Cody."
"You are the third person today to hide from Mr. Cody. What he got going on?"
"He wants to go into town tonight but not by himself." Laughed Jimmy.
"I see."
"Been back there most of the afternoon. Thought I'd chance it."
They saw Kid and Lou ease out from behind them. They tiptoed towards the pond.
"This is interestin." Snickered Teaspoon.
"Cody always stirs up trouble and it's too damn hot for that. I'm tired and I ain't going."
"Just tell him that."
"You know how he is. I can't take all that whining and begging. Not today." Jimmy said as he saw Buck sneak through the corral on his way to wash up.
"This is gettin real interestin. Most fun I've had all day." Laughed Teaspoon.
"I'm glad you can laugh at our expense."
"It's just like a long game of hide and go seek." Laughed Teaspoon.
"Well I'm tired and ready to wash up. He needs to leave soon or shut up about it."
"I bet a dollar that Noah caves."
"He has a ride in the morning so I'll take that bet."
Teaspoon looked up as he heard footsteps coming out the bunkhouse door.
"Shit." Said Jimmy as he ran back inside the barn.
Teaspoon laughed as Cody made his way out and looked around. He walked over to Teaspoon.
"You seen the others?" He asked.
"No son. Can't say that I have."
"I've been looking for someone to go into town with me all day. Either it's my imagination or they're hiding from me."
"Maybe. I couldn't tell ya."
"This is just ridiculous." Snorted Cody as he walked inside the barn.
Teaspoon bit his apple and smiled. He looked to his right as he heard a noise. Jimmy eased his way around from the back of the barn and over to the bunkhouse. Teaspoon laughed.
Teaspoon was watching Cody make his way around when he saw dust heading their way. He stood and walked out in the open to get a better look. It wasn't a wagon. It was a carriage carrying three women. It rode right into the station and pulled to a stop. Teaspoon walked over as all his boys came out of hiding.
"Ma'am's, can I help you?"
"You can if you're Teaspoon Hunter." Said Mary.
"That's me."
"My name is Mary Wright."
"Nice to meet you Miss Mary. What can I do for ya?"
"You knew my father. Byron Wright."
"It's been years but yes I did. I hated to hear of his passing."
"Thank you. I'm his only daughter. These are my friends."
Teaspoon looked at the ladies as the boys gathered around. Emma walked out the bunkhouse.
"My father once told me that if I ever needed help, to look for Teaspoon Hunter. Well here I am."
"I owed Byron my life. He was right. Come on down, we were just getting ready for supper."
"Boys, get those ladies horses and unload their trunks. Take em to my house." Said Emma.
The ladies climbed down holding lacey umbrellas. They fought the heavy ball gowns as they stepped down.
"This is Audrey Smalls. This over here is Sheila Darcy. We have come a long way. It hasn't been easy."
"Ladies, why wear those dresses. It would be much easier to travel in something lighter." Said Emma.
"This is what we are accustomed to wearing. We wouldn't feel right otherwise." Said Mary.
Emma walked down and showed the ladies over to her house. The boys watched them go.
"Y'all will be staying with me in my house away from prying eyes."
"You have a wonderful place here." Said Audrey.
"Why thank you. My name is Emma. No miss now, just Emma."
"Your welcome Emma." Said Audrey.
Emma showed them to a small room that they would share. She left them to tidy up.
"Odd little room " smirked Sheila.
"Oh stop it. Let's play this right and don't be so snobbish." Said Mary.
"Who are you calling snobbish, bitch." Said Sheila.
"Enough! You want to be ladies then act like one." Said Audrey.
"She's right." Said Mary sighing.
"Let's secure our trip west without any further problems. We already got two men killed because of us." Said Audrey.
"Well they were stupid." Scoffed Sheila.
"No, Max's men are never going to give up no matter how far we go. Maybe we should give up." Said Mary.
"Give up. We've come too far for that. Let's get ready for dinner. Fill your father's friend in on our fear for our safety and have him take us. Easy as pie." Said Shelia.
"Sheila, you should know. Things are never quite that easy."