Chapter Nine:
One blustery day, while Lou was in town getting supplies, Jimmy saw the telltale trail of dust that signaled a rider coming in from the east. For a moment, his body jumped to attention, as if Cody was riding in hard and Buck was standing at the porch rail calling out, "Rider comin'!" He was almost prepared to mount up and receive the mochila for the next leg of the run. But those days were long gone now.
He covered his eyes and strained to see, but whoever approached was still too far out yet to identify. He busied himself around the station yard and waited. Before long, he recognized the silhouette that approached and felt a moment of dread. The familiar rider waited to pull his horse up until he was in the middle of the yard and didn't immediately dismount.
Jimmy was the first to speak.
"Hey, Teaspoon."
"Howdy there, Jimmy. Long time no see." There was a lightness to Teaspoon's tone, but Jimmy had a sinking suspicion that this wasn't an entirely friendly visit.
"What brings you all the way out here?"
Teaspoon swung ably down from his mount and looked at Jimmy appraisingly.
"Well, let me see. If I recollect, though I'll admit that my memory ain't what it used to be, I sent my only deputy off quite some time ago to see to some personal business. We received one letter, lettin' us know he'd arrived and sharin' some pretty devastatin' news. That was several months ago, at least, and we haven't heard nothin' from him since. Seemed like pretty good reason to come check things out for myself, wouldn't ya' say?"
Jimmy suddenly felt very defensive. "You're right, Teaspoon. I shoulda' written. We've just been so busy, and…"
"We?" Teaspoon raised his eyebrows, and there was an edge in his voice.
"Lou and me."
"I see." And Jimmy was only too sure that he did. Teaspoon could always read him like a book. "Speakin' of Lou, where is that girl of ours? I've been achin' to get my arms around her."
"She's in town, but she'll be back real soon. Why don't you take a look around the place 'til she gets back, for old time's sake. I'll see to your horse."
"That's a good idea, Jimmy. I think I just might do that."
Jimmy took the reins of Teaspoon's mount and watched him stride off across the yard toward the bunkhouse. He realized his mistake too late, and cursed under his breath as he watched Teaspoon disappear inside.
It wasn't more than a couple of minutes before Jimmy heard Lou ride up. Teaspoon must have heard her as well, because he sauntered down the bunkhouse steps and came to stand beside Jimmy as she approached.
"We'll talk later, son," was all he said, but Jimmy swallowed hard at the undertone he heard there.
It took a moment for Lou to register the presence of their visitor, but when she did, she called out his name and rocketed off of Lightning before he could come to a complete stop. Teaspoon opened his arms to her, and she flung herself into them. She began to cry, and Jimmy wasn't sure that even Lou could fully identify the reason for her tears.
Teaspoon just held her and patted her back. "I know, darlin'. It's gonna be all right."
When all her tears were spent, she looked at both of them, shook her head, and smiled. "I can't believe you're here, Teaspoon. It's so good to see you. Why didn't you tell us you were comin'?"
"Well, I always feel like a good surprise goes a long way to keepin' life interestin'. Wouldn't you agree, Jimmy?"
Jimmy just nodded. His mouth had gone dry.
"Well, we're glad you came! You must be starvin'. I'll go get us some supper!" And with that, she whirled around and jogged into the bunkhouse, leaving Jimmy and Teaspoon standing shoulder to shoulder.
Teaspoon turned slowly to face him. "Jimmy, you've got some explainin' to do."
"It ain't what it looks like, Teaspoon."
"Really? 'Cause it looks to me like there's two people livin' in that bunkhouse and only one bunk bein' slept in. Did I get that about right?"
"Yes. But nothin's happened, Teaspoon, I swear! She needs me, is all." His voice trailed off. He felt like a kid again, defending himself to this man who was like a father to him.
"You're playin' with fire, son. And somebody's gonna get burned." He paused and took a deep breath, rubbing the stubble on his chin as he exhaled. "Look. You're a grown man now, Hickok. And I always done my best to stay out of your private life. Never seemed like any of my business. But that girl in there, she is my business. And she's already been through enough. She don't need you comin' in here and turnin' her world upside down again."
"I wouldn't do that to her, Teaspoon." Jimmy could feel the heat rising in his face, but he wasn't sure if it was from anger or from shame.
"Well, son, in my experience, we often do a lotta things in life without really meanin' to." He turned from Jimmy and strode up the porch steps and into the bunkhouse without looking back.
Lou had taken special care with the meal, in honor of their guest, and Jimmy had to admit that she'd done herself proud. They had chatted together lightly as they ate. Teaspoon filled them in on what he and Rachel had been up to and the latest gossip in Rock Creek. Lou told of her hopes for the waystation and what they had accomplished so far. The conversation then shifted to reminiscing about the old days of the Express. They had laughed over the many missteps and mishaps that had often befallen the wayward young riders, still too immature to know any better. Throughout it all, Jimmy remained mostly quiet, preoccupied by Teaspoon's earlier words.
When they had all finished eating and Lou had started to clear the plates, Teaspoon pushed back from the table and removed the napkin he had tucked into his shirt front.
"Well, I best be goin'. Wouldn't wanna outstay my welcome."
"Aw, no, Teaspoon. Do you really have to go so soon? You just got here!" Lou pleaded.
"Sorry, darlin'. I left a new deputy, wet behind the ears, in charge of the whole town." He glanced at Jimmy, whose absence was what had necessitated the hire of a new deputy in the first place. "I just can't chance leavin' him alone any longer. Best get some miles in before dark. Once things settle down, I promise I'll bring Rachel back for a nice, long visit. She's itchin' to see ya."
Lou and Teaspoon stood comfortably together on the porch while Jimmy saddled Teaspoon's horse and led it out into the station yard.
Teaspoon put his arm around Lou and gave her an affectionate squeeze. "You take care of yourself, now, you hear?" He winked at her before walking down the steps. Lou leaned against the porch rail and watched him go.
When Teaspoon had mounted up, he had a final, quiet word for Jimmy.
"Son, if you hurt her, you'll answer to me. Do we understand one another?" Teaspoon stared at him with a steely gaze that he had only ever seen leveled at others. It was enough to make even the seasoned gunfighter blanch.
Jimmy nodded.
"Good."
Teaspoon pulled his horse around sharply and kicked it into motion. Jimmy stood in the station yard and watched him leave until he disappeared against the horizon.