A Soldier's Return
by: Jo
It was raining, a cold, chill your body to the bone type of rain. The road was muddy with puddles deeper than his ankle boots. The *trench* dug beside the road for drainage was full and he knew if he fell in, he'd drown in the murky water. His feet were nearly frozen but he was determined to reach the small house he could now see in the distance. He hoped the she still lived there; five years was a long time. He'd left over five years ago to fight for what he believed in; right or wrong. The last year he'd been in a prison camp in Maryland. It was the best year of the war for him. He'd been wounded at Manassas and again in Fredericksburg. The last battle at Sharpsburg he'd been wounded, captured and spent the rest of the war in the camp. Her letters had stopped finding him early on and he hadn't heard anything about her since.
The house was slowly becoming larger as he trudged forward. He could see a large barn with a corral beside it. The main house had a large porch with a swing to the right of the door. There was a well tended *flower* garden on both sides of the stairs and the bright colours of the blossoms were a stark contrast to the gloom of the day. He had almost reached the outer edge of the property when the barn door opened and a familiar figure emerged. He was a little shocked. He expected to see Jimmy. The next person to exit the barn surprised him even more, a little light haired boy reached for Buck's hand.
Kid brought his hand to his mouth and the sudden movement attracted the attention of the two males. "Papa look is that a *solider*? The small child asked innocently.
Buck scooped the little boy up and turned toward the mud soaked man. "Kid! Is it really you?" Buck had reached Kid's side and threw his free arm around his friend. "You're shaking, come on let's get you in the house and out of these wet things." Buck began to lead his old friend toward the house when Kid stopped walking and peered curiously at the child.
"Maybe this was a bad idea Buck. If it's all the same to you, can I wait out the storm in your barn and then be on my way?" Kid looked intently at the blue eyed child in Buck's arm. "You have a fine boy there."
"My name is Jed and this is my Papa and you are all dirty! My Momma's gonna make you take off your shoes before she'll let you in!" The little boy prattled on but Kid didn't hear much else, he looked at Buck.
"Still want to go to the barn?" both men heard the door latch lift and looked at the house. "Too late, Kid." Buck smiled.
"OH MY GOD! KID!" Lou *howled* as she rushed down the stairs mindless of the mud and rain. She flung herself into Kid's arms and hugged him tightly. "I thought you were dead. Your letters came back unopened. Oh Kid, I can't believe it's really you!" She took his hand and practically dragged him to the house.
Lou reached the porch and reached for her son. I'll take Jed inside and dry him off you take Kid to the mud room and get him out of those clothes before he catches his death of cold. I'll put the water on for a bath and start dinner." Lou hustled her son into the house and Kid caught a glimpse of another small dark haired child just inside the door.
"Did your son say his name was Jed? Why Jed? I would have bet money that you'd name your first son Ike." Kid let Buck lead him to the mud room and gratefully stripped out of his worn uniform. Buck was shocked to see how gaunt Kid had become. Buck handed Kid an old *quilt* to wrap up in and then set up the tub.
"You'd win the bet, if I have a son I will name him Isaac and call him Ike. I have a daughter." Buck let the words hang as he went into the house to get the hot water.
Kid sat heavily on the old milking stool and waited for Buck to return; the words "if I have a son and I have a daughter" ringing in his head. "Buck, are you saying…." Kid didn't know what to say.
"That's enough water to start I'll bring out another kettle in a few minutes. Here's everything I think you'll need. I'm afraid my clothes may be too big for you right now but they're clean and warm. We'll talk later, once we get you settled, all three of us….." Buck left Kid to his own thoughts.
Two hours later Kid was sitting at the kitchen table warm, clean and full. "Lou, I haven't eaten a meal that good since the last one I ate at Rachel's table. Thank-you."
Jed was falling asleep in Buck's arms and the other child, a little girl about two years old, sat sleepily listening to her mother read her a story while they rocked gently in a *rocking chair*. "I'm going to take Jed up stairs now I'll come back for Mary." Buck kissed the little boy's head as he lifted him gently and carried him upstairs. He was down a few minutes later and did the same with his daughter.
"Let's go into the parlor, we need to talk and it's more comfortable in there. Would you like more coffee Kid? Buck?" Lou began walking to the stove but Buck cut her off.
"I'll get it. You need to let me do more for you, you heard the doctor, rest a little." Kid's head snapped around and he looked at Lou closely.
"Are you sick?" She looked OK to him. She'd filled out in all the right places and now had a very feminine figure. Why did I ever leave you? He asked himself.
Lou let the question ride until they were all seated in the living room with steaming mugs of coffee and a warm fire burning in the hearth. Kid sat on the sofa and much to his surprise Lou sat beside him while Buck took a chair.
"I guess you've guessed that Buck and I are married and that Jed is your son." Lou held Kid's hand. When you left and refused to marry me I held out the hope that you would change your mind. I wrote to you often and I don't know how many of the letters actually reached you because many of them were returned. I wrote to the army and requested information about you when I found out I was pregnant and this is what we got back."
Lou handed Kid a well read letter. There were water marks on the letter and the ink was smudged in places. It read: We regret to inform you that the solider you referred to as Kid was killed in action at Manassas. Kid looked up and saw tears in Lou's eyes. Buck stood up and came over to her; sitting on the floor at her side.
"She was pregnant, scared and alone. I asked her to marry me so the child would have a last name and a father. We thought you were dead. I'm sorry." Buck looked just as sad as Lou. "It didn't start as a real marriage we even had separate rooms but about six months after Jed was born he caught the fever and we almost lost him. That's when we realized we loved each other. As you can see he pulled through and we now have Mary and another on the way. I'm so sorry Kid." A *guilty* look passed over Buck's features as he took Kid's other hand.
"We've always told Jed about his real father and he's always asking questions. He rides Katy all the time, she's his horse now. She's still doing well and I'm so glad you didn't take her with you. What are your plans Kid? Do you have anyplace to go?" Lou was fighting tears. Buck had one arm around her waist; his head rested on her thigh.
"I figured you'd be married to Jimmy actually. I was hoping there would be a place for me out here so I could start over. I'm very happy for you, I really am and a bit relieved too. What are you going to tell Jed now?" Kid looked happier but a tad worried.
"We'll introduce you properly to him tomorrow. We have a couple of extra rooms and I could sure use a hand here on the ranch. Please stay with us, at least for awhile." Buck and Lou were both nodding as Buck spoke.
"Ummm, Before I say yes to your offer I need to tell you something then we can discuss the future. I was shot and woke up in a prison camp but they were good to me there. I met someone, a nurse, and asked her to marry me. She's waiting for me to send for her. I needed to see you before I did that; I left you crying and it always bothered me. I also need your permission to marry this young lady, Lou…. it's someone you know…Her name is Teresa."
Lou's hand had shot to her mouth and she bit her nails. Buck sat back waiting for the reaction, not knowing what it would be. Lou moved quickly and threw herself into Kid's arms. "You ARE the solider she met, Seymour!"
Buck and Kid exchanged glances they had no idea the sisters had been in contact with each other.
"Seymour" Buck asked raising his eyebrow, "Really?"
Kid shrugged and smiled slightly!
"Er, Honey you never mentioned this to me, why?" Buck turned to Kid "You will be living with us I can guarantee that! Did Teresa ever talk to you about us?" Kid was shaking his head when Lou answered.
Laughing Lou kissed them both. "Well, we McCloud girls like to keep our men guessing!"
The End
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