TRAIL OF DREAMS
TRAIL OF DREAMS© Courtnee
"Lou!"
Rachel stumbled from the wagon, tripping on the hem of her skirt and nearly tumbleing head first onto the hard, dirt-packed ground. She was clutching a letter to her heaving chest, excitement written clearly across her face.
Lou pulled the door open, confusion shining brightly in her eyes. "Rachel? What is it? Is something wrong?" But before Rachel could say anything, Lou noticed the envelope. Her hand shook as she reached out to take it.
"Oh, Lou." Quietly Lou turned and made her way upstairs, needing to be alone as she read the letter.
Rachel fell back against the door, aching for her friend. The letters amplified the pain Lou felt for Kid, but at the same time brought happiness in the knowledge that her husband was still alive. It had been two years since the war had ripped the newly married couple apart, and every day had been a struggle for Louise.
Kid had promised he would write and so far had honered that promise, although at times it had been months in between each letter. Louise had tried to ride out several times in search of her beloved husband, but had been successfuly talked out of it by Rachel and, sometimes, Teaspoon.
A war was no place for a lady. Even one that had once succeded in pretending to be a man.
Rachel sighed, she missed her boys, missed the family that she had grown to love. But now they were scattered, the war had made sure of that. Pitting brother against brother, father against son, friend against friend, the war had turned America upside down.
She wished life would return to normal, but knew that would never happen. With a deep breath she headed for the kitchen, glad to have the task of preparing dinner to occupy her thoughts.
Kid was coming home!
Lou read the letter again, not believeing her eyes. Kid was coming home. She jumped from the bed and ran down the stairs. In her excitement she threw open the door, the loud crash echoing through out the house.
"Rachel!"
Lou raced to the kitchen, nearly toppleing a startled Rachel. "Here, here. Read this, tell me if it says what I think it says!"
Rachel's eyes scanned the paper, a slow smile spreading across her face.
"He is coming home isn't he, Rachel!"
Dropping the letter, Rachel reached for Lou. Peace settled over the women as they stood embracing each other. Lou let her tears fall unchecked, something she rarely ever did. Suddenly she realized Noah was crying. Finnaly her husband would meet his child and the life they had put on hold would begin anew.
The sound of boots on the wooden porch reminded Rachel of the dinner she was preparing. Teaspoon would be hungry.
A smile was plastered on her face, as Lou swept from the kitchen. Noah was a little over a year old and looked exactly like his father with the same blue eyes and curly brown hair. She had written to Kid about Noah, filling her letters with all the things he did. She only wished her husband had been there to take part in their childs growth. Soon, soon he would be.
"Oh, my sweet little Noah." she wispered, as she gently rocked him back to sleep, "Daddy's comin' home to us."
Dinner was a happy occasion, the first in months, filled with excited chatter and genuine laughter. Although Teaspoon was happy Kid was coming home, he was worried about the reason behind it. The army wouldn't just let one of their soldiers come home. They were desperately recruiting any able bodied man and in many instances, boys. He knew either Kid was hurt or he had deserted the cause.
Refusing to spoil the girls' carefree mood, Teaspoon lit up a cigar. A sure sign of contentment among those who knew and loved the old man.
"Lou, first thing in the mornin' I am going to town. Noah's gonna need a new outfit for the occasion."
"Rachel, I can't let you do that. We hardly have enough money for supplies. I won't ask ya to spend your teachin money on us." Lou stood up from the table. She gathered up the dishes, determined not to let Rachel see the red staining her cheeks. She didn't like being dependent on anyone for money, let alone someone who didn't have any to begin with.
"Now hold on there, Lou." Teaspoon piped up as he balanced his chair on two legs instead of four. "We're all family here. And the way I see it is we are the grandparents and we are entitled to spoil or grandchild." Teaspoon winked as he slid the cigar back between his teeth.
Rachel turned her eyes in Teaspoons direction, with a scowel she swatted at his booted feet, planted on her table, "Teaspoon Hunter, you have no more manners than if you had been born in a barn!"
Lou watched the couple in their comical role as husband and wife, and then laughed as Teaspoon scrambled to recover his balance as his feet were no longer acting as an anchor. "Okay, Rachel. Teaspoon. Please nothing expensive. And I will take over your chores for the next two weeks."
Lou turned and left the kitchen before either could protest. Although Lou had come along way from acting the tough little guy she had for so long pretended to be, she still had the same spirit.
"Uh, Rachel, I think I'll be eating in town for the next couple of weeks."
