Chapter 3

Kid rode into Lincoln with a smile on his face.  He'd made good time getting there and if things kept going in that direction, he could deliver his mail, see if anything was heading back, then get a few miles underway before nightfall.  He missed being with Lou so much;  the nights were the hardest, sleeping on the hard ground, all alone, knowing she was in that big fluffy bed wearing that new nightgown of hers.  The thought drove him so crazy because he couldn't take it off her like he usually did.  He had a lot of nights to make up for once he got back.

Riding down the street, he noticed a commotion going on in front of the bank so figured he'd better stay clear of that area when he left.  He entered the Express office and got a big greeting from the young man behind the counter.  "Hey, Kid, it's good to see you."

"Hey, Phillip.  How ya been?"  Kid asked as he handed the pouch over.

"Not bad,"  Phillip answered as he took out the letters.  "Especially now that I know I'll be working the telegraph starting next week."  He paused to indicate the machine in the room behind him then came around the counter.  "I was sure worried what I'd be doing to bring some money in for my family.  My wife just found out she's expecting our first."  He smiled proudly at Kid

"Congratulations,"  Kid smiled and offered his hand.  He couldn't imagine what it would feel like the day Lou told him he was going to be a father.  He'd probably go around with a goofy grin on his face, telling everyone, just like Phillip was.

"Thanks.  So what are you going to be doing with yourself?" 

Since the riders were not allowed to be married, Kid hadn't revealed to anyone outside of Rock Creek that he wasn't single anymore, so he didn't want to let the news out now.  At least not until he got his last paycheck.  If the company even had enough money left to pay the riders, that is.

Smiling at Phillip, Kid admitted,  "Oh, I got some plans back in Rock Creek.  Nothing's set yet but they will be once I get back."  His mind started drifting off to all the ideas he's been trying to work out.  This ride put a delay in what he wanted but it would all be worth it in the end.  He suddenly realized the other young man was asking him a question.  "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I said, I guess that means you're not getting involved in the war either."

Kid shook his head.  "Not a chance.  I've waited too long to get what I have now - there's no way I'd jeopardize it.  Besides, this is my home now and if I'm gonna fight anything, it's gonna be a horse's spirit as I try to break it to saddle."  He grinned as he tried to imagine what that day would be like.  Was it possible that he could have his own horse ranch and make money doing what he loves more than anything?  Well, anything except Lou, that is.

The two young men had made their way to the open door and now stood just inside the building.  "Well, Kid, as I'm sure you guessed by me not handing a pouch to you, there's no more mail going out of here.  You made the last delivery."  Phillip held out his hand to Kid.  "It's been a pleasure knowing you.  You take care."

"I will and good luck to you and your wife,"  Kid told him.  He smiled inwardly, thinking of his own wife waiting for him back home.

Kid was about to step off the sidewalk toward Katy when he remembered something.  "Hey, Phillip,"  he called out, causing the young man to return to his side.  "What's going on by the bank?  I saw a lot of people hanging around there when I rode in."

"You didn't hear?"  Phillip asked eagerly.  Anxious to share the news he had come across, he stepped next to Kid so his voice wouldn't carry.  He didn't know if everything he was about to tell was public knowledge or not so he didn't want to be overheard.  Besides, he only knew what he was about to say because he was visited by one of the town's deputies and told to send an important telegram to the territorial marshal.

"The bank was robbed at opening time this morning.  It was the Flemington gang and not only did they take everything in the safe, they killed the bank president, Mr. Caplan, and shot another employee,"  Phillip announced.  "It's the first time they ever killed anyone, that's why I had to send an urgent telegram to the territorial marshal."

This caught Kid's attention.  "The territorial marshal?  Is he coming here?"

"More than likely will, now that the gang is wanted for murder as well as robbery.  It's a shame,"  Phillip remarked.  "We haven't had this kind of trouble here in years.  That gang needs to be stopped before they do it again.  Mr. Caplan was a fine man, he didn't deserve what happened to him."  He looked in the direction of the bank and sighed.  Most of the people in town knew one another and this was hard on all of the citizens.

"Well, if Marshal Cain's involved, he'll take care of it.  He's a good man, he'll know what to do,"  Kid assured Phillip.  He could sense how upset his companion was now that the subject was brought up.  Kid didn't like knowing that the gang was in the vicinity of  Rock Creek;  he hadn't had to worry about them when they were doing their robbing on the other side of the territory.  Hopefully Sam got to the gang before they could cause any more harm.

Kid glanced down the street then walked toward Katy.  "I better start heading out.  Maybe we'll meet again, Phillip."  He climbed into the saddle, waved then rode out of town in the direction he'd entered from.  Home, that was all that was on his mind.  He knew the image of a certain petite dark haired woman with large brown eyes would make him travel as fast as he could.