Ch 17

Another week passed before Emma thought Jimmy well enough to travel. Most of the others left for home a week ago. They had to get back to the station. The only ones remaining were Teaspoon, Emma, Noah, Lou, and Jimmy. All the men had gone back to their lives and the camp was finally empty. As Teaspoon was packing up the last of their items, he saw the sheriff riding into camp.

"Sheriff."

"See y'all are bout packed up and ready to head out."

"Yeah, it's time. We need to get them away from the memories of this place and we kinda are missin home right about now."

"I hope you have a safe trip back, Teaspoon."

"Me too. It will be slow goings but we will get there."

"I didn't just come to see you off. I need to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"I have had a posse out searching for Josiah. He hasn't yet been found. He is still out there."

"I see."

"Maybe you should hang around for a few more days least til I get a tip on his location."

"Naw. I think we are still gonna head on out. It's been long enough."

"Well watch your backs out there."

"Thanks for the heads up."

"Again I'm sorry I didn't catch on to all this. Be safe Teaspoon." The sheriff nodded and turned his horse back toward town.

Emma walked up behind Teaspoon.

"I heard the news."

"Yeah. Hopefully that is all it is. Just news."

"Should we tell Noah and Lou?"

"I don't think we should worry them with it. They have been through enough. He was just a middle man after all."

"Well, I think we are all set. You ready?"

"Jimmy ready?"

"As ready as we can make him."

Teaspoon nodded and followed Emma into the last remaining tent. Lou and Noah were at the wagon making last minute checks before leaving. Teaspoon followed Emma as she walked over to Jimmy. He was sleeping quietly.

"Think he is ready for this Emma?"

"I do. I think he will do much better at home. We have packed the wagon with hay and blankets. He should be comfortable enough."

"He still looks so weak. I hope we ain't rushing things."

"I don't think so, Mr. Spoon. He is getting stronger with each day. The faster we can get him away from here the better. If we have to stop, then that's what we will do."

"Let's load him up then."

Teaspoon gathered Lou and Noah. Emma shook Jimmy slightly.

"Jimmy?"

He opened his eyes and looked up at her.

"It's time to go home honey. We are going to load you in the wagon now."

Jimmy nodded and tried to sit up. He got dizzy and fell back.

"No Jimmy don't do that. It's only been two weeks. We got you."

Emma motioned to the others. They picked him up as carefully as they could and carried him to the wagon. They settled him in the back. Lou sat beside him in the covered wagon. Jimmy watched her face.

"Don't worry over me Lou."

"I have never seen you this bad. I can't help but worry."

"I'm fine now. Just got to get back to myself." Jimmy said as he closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep Jimmy. We got a long ride ahead of us."

Teaspoon and Noah got up on the front seat while Emma climbed in back with Lou. With a click of the reins, the group set off toward home. As the day wore on, Teaspoon began to rethink about not telling Noah. He couldn't get what the sheriff told him off his mind.

"Noah, the sheriff came fore we left. He said Josiah is missing."

"What? He didn't catch him?"

"No, said they been looking and so far nothing. Just wanted you to know. Don't tell Louise. It's just the more I think about it, the more uneasy it makes me feel."

"I got you. It definitely changes things knowing he is still out there." Said Noah looking around.

"He is just one man son. It's just my gut is still tore up over this whole thing."

"Teaspoon, I have never seen anything like what went on back there. I still ain't quite past it."

"It will take some time. Honestly I ain't never encountered anything like this either. Seeing my boys locked in a cage near death, has really gotten under my skin."

"I keep replaying Hickok stepping in for Lou. They almost killed him. They would have surely killed her."

Teaspoon put his hand on Noah's shoulder.

"This will pass with time."

"I suppose your right."

The group made decent time for the next two days. Teaspoon figured they had about three more on the trail. Using a wagon would add an extra day of travel. They pulled to a stop a few miles outside of a nearby town. Teaspoon and Noah set about making camp. Lou gathered some wood for a fire. Emma sat with Jimmy. Once they were all set for the night, Teaspoon went to sit with the others.

"We will need a few more supplies before we head out again. Emma, can you get me a list of things?"

"I've already got it ready. Can you stop by the local doc's? We need some more of this for Jimmy." Said Emma handing a small bottle to Teaspoon.

"Sure will. Lou? Think you can ride and help me out?"

"Sure. I'll unhook the horses." Lou stood and walked over to them.

"Noah, stay here with Emma and Jimmy."

Noah understood and nodded.

Teaspoon and Lou mounted the backs of the two horses and left for town so they could get back before dark. Noah went and sat by Jimmy in the back of the wagon.

"Jimmy?"

"Yeah, Noah."

Noah watched Emma setting about preparing supper for them.

"Ok today?"

"For the most part. I just can't seem to get up the strength to move. I'm just so tired."

"They almost killed you Jimmy. Do you know how close you were?"

"Yeah I do."

"Lou's been back here with you. How's that going?" Smiled Noah changing the subject.

"I don't know. I think she is just confused. This thing just got her messed up."

"Come on now. She said she loves you. I know how you feel about her."

"Well, we'll see."

"You can't think like that. If she is what you want, then you should at least go for it."

"Maybe. I just don't want her making her mind up based upon what happened."

"You know damn well this has been coming for a while. Just relax and focus on getting yourself up. I was just making talk anyway."

"Yeah."

Noah looked at Jimmy. He had fallen asleep. Noah laughed and climbed down to see if he could help Emma.

Teaspoon walked into the doctor's while Lou went to the local mercantile. He spoke with the local doctor and was able to grab another bottle for Jimmy. He then went to the local express office and sent word to Kid that they should arrive in another three days if all went well. He went to finish helping Lou.

A man went into the express office shortly after Teaspoon left. He walked up to the counter and asked to send a letter. As he handed the letter to the clerk, he looked at Teaspoon's sitting to the side. Sweetwater. They were heading back to Sweetwater. He sent his letter and left.

Teaspoon and Lou loaded up their supplies and headed back to camp. The group ate and settled down for the night.

The man walked back over to his two friends.

"They are from Sweetwater so they still got a few days on the trail."

"You see the others?"

"Nope. They must have rode out early."

"She is with them. Correct."

"Yes sir. She is and the other two as well."

"The old man seems to be on edge. We need to get her away from him."

"Won't be a problem."

"Well there are five of them and three of us. I can't take any chances. I want her to suffer."

"She will. One of them is still in no shape to help. We won't even count him."

"Take him on the trail. The one she is close to. She will do anything for him."

The man nodded and walked away. Josiah looked over to Bart.

"You sure that one is the one."

"Damn sure. He took one of the worst beatins for her. She has feelins for him even Gerald knew. She'll come for him."

"You better be right. I want her to come alone."

"She'll come for him. Sides, I got me some unfinished business with im." Said Bart

"We wait to here from Jack then."

"It won't be long. Ole Jack ain't got no feelins. He'll do anything for money."

"Again, you better be right."