Ch 21

After two weeks in Benton, they all decided it was time to head back home. They were close only a days ride away. Teaspoon and Cody walked around making final preparations for their trip. Ike and Buck were up trying to help. Kid finally had their horses ready and led them to the front of the doctor's office. Teaspoon pulled the wagon up as well. He looked to all his boys.

"Y'all ready for this?"

"I was ready yesterday." Said Noah carefully easing his way down the steps.

"I will just be happy to put all this behind us." Said Cody.

"Well. Let's get this show on the road. We should be home in a few hours. Buck, you sure you are up to riding?" Teaspoon asked.

"Yeah. I'm good. We'll be moving slow anyway." Answered Buck.

"Alright, let's get Jimmy in the wagon."

Teaspoon and Kid walked inside to help get Jimmy to the wagon. Lou and Emma stood up from beside his bed as they walked in.

"All set?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Bout as ready as we can be." Said Emma.

The ladies moved out of the way as Teaspoon and Kid went to Jimmy who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. The doctor came up behind them.

"I gave him something to make him sleep and ease his pain. Mrs. Shannon has another bottle but he should sleep all the way home. As I told her, have your doctor check him once he gets settled. That leg needs to be checked regularly."

"Much obliged. I thank you for all that ya did here." Said Teaspoon.

"It's my job. I just wish I could have done more. Have a safe trip home."

Teaspoon shook hands with the doctor as Lou and Emma went to the wagon. Emma sat up front while Lou climbed in back to wait for them to bring Jimmy. Teaspoon and Kid tried to carry him out as carefully as they could. They laid him in back and Lou covered him with blankets. Once she confirmed that he was good, the others mounted up. With a click of the reins, the group set off toward home. After quite a few hours of riding, the windmill slowly came into view. It was the most comforting sight to all of them. They pulled up into the station yard. The boys all dismounted slowly. Many still sore and healing. They helped take Jimmy to Emma's house before they set out to care for the horses. Each ate a sandwich and fell into bed exhausted.

The following weeks found most of the riders up and healed. Noah felt more like himself with most of the tenderness completely gone. Ike was up and going, his arm better. Buck was up and helping Ike as always. Buck's side healed. Kid walked and watched his friends. He had not been to see Jimmy lately. Lou had been there most of the time and he hadn't quite got his feelings under control. He had lost Lou to his best friend. Deep in thought, he heard the door to Emma's house open. He glanced up to see Lou walk out smiling. She turned to look back inside. Jimmy came out with Cody and Teaspoon under each arm. They walked him to the swing and eased him down. Lou smiling, came out with a blanket to wrap around him. Kid looked at his friend. His dark hair stood out against his still pale complexion. Kid saw Emma pull a chair out of her house. She then picked his leg up and put it in the chair. Emma went back inside while Teaspoon and Cody went toward the barn. Kid sat and watched Lou. She smiled as she sat beside Jimmy. He could see her talking as she laid her head on his shoulder. He saw Jimmy kind of smile. He said something to Lou and she got up to go back inside. Kid pushed away from the fence and made his way over. Jimmy looked up at him as he walked over.

"Mind if I sit?" Asked Kid.

"Nope."

Kid walked up on the porch and set in the rocker beside the swing. Lou started to walk back outside but saw Kid on the porch. She slipped beside the wall right inside by the front door and listened. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke.

"Sorry I ain't been over to see ya sooner."

"It's ok."

More awkward silence. Kid looked around the station. Jimmy stared at his foot.

"How are ya feeling?"

"Gettin there I guess."

"Look. I know you know that I said some things to Lou that was uncalled for. I just have been dealing with a lot where she is concerned."

"You ain't got to say any more. I understand. I would feel the same way. I'm sorry for how all this turned out. I really am."

"Jimmy...I see how she smiles when she is with you. She is happy. I couldn't give her that and you can. I want her to be happy."

Jimmy looked down at his leg again.

"I guess I just want you to know that if she had to be with anyone else in this world, I'm glad she chose you."

Jimmy looked up at Kid. His face full of emotion. Kid looked away.

"Thanks Kid. That means a lot."

"Well, just don't ever hurt her or you'll have to answer to me."

Jimmy smiled. Kid went to stand.

"Kid. I have to tell you one more thing."

Kid looked down at Jimmy sitting.

"Thank you for saving my life. You didn't have to but you did."

"I'd do it again Jimmy. Your my best friend."

"I feel like I did wrong. I feel like I stole your girl. I'm not your best friend."

"When I think back on it Jimmy. Lou and I, we weren't ever really happy. Ya know I see it now. We both have to find happiness and it didn't seem like it was going to be together. You didn't steal anything. Forget about it."

"Think we can ever get back to the way we were before?"

"I think we already are." Smiled Kid.

"Sit for a few. Ya ain't got to leave."

Kid smiled and nodded as he sat back down. Lou was crying happy tears inside the house. She slowly eased her way back into the kitchen with Emma leaving the two friends to talk.

"How long before you think you will be able to walk on your leg?"

Jimmy looked out in the distance. Doc Barnes had told him the bad news at his last visit but he had yet to tell anyone else besides Teaspoon. Lou didn't even know. He took a deep breath.

"He doesn't know if I will walk on it again." He said quietly.

Kid felt like he was hit by a brick wall. He looked at his hands.

"How can he be sure?"

"It ain't really healing right. He told me that it would always be weak and need support. Reckon they should have just cut it off."

"I don't know what to say."

"Nothing to say."

"There has got to be a way. Have you tried standing?"

"I can stand. I just can't put weight on it to walk. Teaspoon is the only other person that knows. I can't ride for the express anymore. It's over."

"It's not over. You can't just quit Jimmy."

"It's out of my hands."

"It can't be."

"Look at it. You'll see. Take off the wrappings."

Kid looked unsure but he carefully pulled the wrappings off. He looked at Jimmy's leg. It was still a little swollen. There was a knot right below his knee and you could clearly see his leg wasn't going to be straight. Kid was at a loss.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do. I haven't told Lou yet."

"Jimmy, you are gonna think I'm crazy but can I measure your leg?"

Jimmy looked oddly at Kid.

"I reckon, why?"

"I saw this thing one time long ago. Kid cut a piece of the cloth from the bandage and wrapped it around Jimmy's leg.

He held the cloth and tied it.

"Tell Lou. She needs to know. You try to walk as much as you can, please."

"What's up?"

"I'm going to see what I can do about my idea. Don't you give up yet."

Kid stood and strode from the porch. Lou walked back outside and sat beside Jimmy.

"Saw you had company." She said.

"Yep."

"Everything ok?"

"Fine."

"Sounds good."

"Lou, I need to tell you something."

Lou sat and listened as Jimmy told her what the doctor said. Her eyes teared up but she didn't let them fall. She told him that he would walk again. She would be by his side to help him. He nodded even though he thought it was doubtful.