Times Of Trouble -
© 2000
Author's Note: Contains some mild violence.
~ Chapter 1 ~
Two Months Later
Louise was tired and ached all over, but she still couldn't believe they'd actually pulled it off. Kid had hoped to have the KL&E ready for stock in two months, and she never thought they'd accomplish as much as they had in that short amount of time. The barn was as good as new after Kid's hard work, and husband and wife had worked long hours enlarging the corral and getting it in shape. Lou and Emily had painted the fence and house and re-hung the shutters, and Kid replaced all the broken windows and hung a porch swing outside.
Fortunately, the previous owners had left most of the furniture in the house, and Emily had spent most of her days making quilts for all the beds and curtains for the windows. She was even teaching Louise the finer skills of cooking, and Kid was their somewhat leery guinea pig.
Kid had surprised Lou with a clawfoot porcelain bathtub in their bedroom. Lou was thinking that she could use a bath right about now to ease her sore muscles, but she had to finish scrubbing the floor first, since Baby Ike was now scooting around on it on his hands and knees. She'd have her bath later, before they attended the town dance in Sweetwater that evening. Kid decided they all needed a break from physical labor, and it seemed like a good way to get to know more folks in town and the surrounding area.
Louise had only been in to Sweetwater once or twice since her and Kid's return. It was so different...so many new people and stores. It seemed like a completely different town compared to when she and Kid had worked for the Pony Express. For old time's sake, she'd walked out to the way station, which had been purchased by the livery. The town was growing out towards the old station, and the livery owners had decided to expand. Emma's old house was now the living quarters for the two brothers who owned the livery, and the bunks in the small bunkhouse were rented out nightly to local drifters who either couldn't afford the hotel or chose to stay away from the other enticements of Sweetwater's "nightlife". Emma's picket fence had been torn down and the place was in general disrepair. Lou felt a twinge of sadness at her discovery, but then she couldn't have expected things to stay the same.
Kid had been in town frequently, purchasing supplies for their upstart ranch. He'd introduced Louise to the general store owner, Clem Davis, and the marshall, Mel Basset. Mr. Davis was a likable gentleman who ran the store fairly and efficiently, and he appeared to have no open prejudices as Rock Creek's Tompkins had. Mr. Davis' wife, Lisette, was an outgoing young Eastern girl, not much older than Louise. Lisette Davis was quite active in the local Ladies Aid and other charities and had invited Louise and Emily to join, so far to no avail - there was too much to be done at the KL&E. Marshall Bassett now held the position Sam and Teaspoon had both held. The growing town seemed to be relatively crime-free, so the couple figured he must be a decent man.
Kid was heading out the next morning for Denver to purchase some stock horses that would officially open their ranch. Louise didn't want him to go without her, but she also couldn't leave Emily and Baby Ike alone for the two weeks Kid figured he'd be gone. Kid had written to Buck, requesting that he help herd the horses from Denver to Sweetwater, but Buck was translating for the army during peace talks with several tribes and wasn't free to make the trip. He'd written and promised to come visit as soon as he was available. Lou had assured her husband that she and Emily were capable of handling themselves for the two weeks he'd be gone. Louise, of course, was an expert with a gun and with practice, Emily was a crack shot as well. Both women were confident that in the unlikely event that trouble reared its ugly head, they'd be able to fight it off.
"Louise," Emily said, startling her companion who had been deep in thought, "I do believe that floor's just about clean enough for the Queen of England to eat off of! A little dust never hurt a baby - he'll just find it somewhere else anyhow."
Lou chuckled. She'd been so lost in thought about the past few months, scrubbing away, that she didn't notice she cleaned the entire floor twice and was starting in on a third go around. She sat up on her knees and replied, "Guess thinkin's a good way to forget the heat. How 'bout we head down to the cellar for a break?"
It had been dreadfully hot for the past month and the two women often spent the mid-afternoons in the cool cellar, the only place Emily could get Baby Ike to nap. Emily loved to hear Louise's stories about her and Kid's Pony Express days, how they met and fell in love. But she especially enjoyed stories that included Ike. It made her feel as if he were with her, and she clung to those stories whenever Baby Ike reached a milestone in his young life that she wished he could be there to see. She longed for Ike's love and companionship, but she had learned to be content with stories about the gentle young man she loved so deeply and who had died so tragically.
Baby Ike was wailing and Emily agreed it was time for his nap. She turned to go get him as Louise lifted herself to her feet. The oppressive heat and physical exhaustion hit her head-on, and she felt her legs give way underneath her. Emily noticed in time to catch her friend before she fell. "Lou?" she questioned. "You all right?"
Still feeling faint, Louise shakily replied, "I'm fine. I think I just need to go downstairs." She headed for the cellar door, Emily and Baby Ike on her heels.
