CHOICESCHOICES
"Boys, it looks like we've got our work cut out for us. We're going to
have to decide which of you are going and who's staying." Teaspoon said.
He held up a
hand to fend off the protests he knew were coming. "I know everyone's anxious
to find Lou. If I thought that Lou was in danger, I wouldn't hesitate on sending
you all after her. That isn't the case. Lou left on her own accord and despite
what some of you think, she is very capable in depending herself. The lot of
you,
minus Kid and Jimmy, are going to draw straws to see who goes."
"Wait a minute Teaspoon! If you think-," Jimmy began.
"You're not going to keep-,"Kid started.
"Hold up you two! Can't a man think without the two of you going off?"
Teaspoon told them irritably. "Do you think I'm crazy enough to try and
keep you from
going?"
"Sorry, Teaspoon." Kid said.
"Now, barring anymore interruptions-,"Teaspoon started, just as the bunkhouse door opened and Jesse entered. "What's for breakfast Rachel, I'm starved!"
Teaspoon threw his hands up in surprise. "I'm going to the barn to get the straws!" he exclaimed, stalking out of the bunkhouse.
"What did I say? What's going on?" Jesse asked.
"Nothing. Teaspoon's just upset right now. Rachel will fill you in." Noah said, heading for the door. The other riders filed out of the bunkhouse after him.
"What's Noah talking about Rachel?" Jesse asked worriedly.
Rachel led Jesse over to the table and told him to sit down. She sat down in a chair beside him and handed Lou's letter to him. "What's this? Why would Lou write us a letter?" he asked.
"Just read the letter Jesse." Rachel told him gently. "It'll be easier than explaining it to you."
"Okay." Jesse said. By the time he had finished reading the letter, there were tears dotting his cheeks. She sat down in a chair beside him. Rachel's heart went out to him knowing how much he admired Lou. Before she could say a word to comfort him, Jesse leaped to his feet and hit the door running.
"Jesse! Jesse wait!" Rachel called out. She rushed out onto the porch,
just in time to see Jesse slip inside the barn. As much as she wanted to run
after him, she
knew that it wouldn't do any good. When it came to stubbornness Jesse's was
second, only to Jimmy. It often amused her to no end how much like Jimmy, Jesse
was. It was uncanny how tow people who weren't related could be so alike. She
shook her head and reentered the bunkhouse. She was confident that Teaspoon
would be able to diffuse a situation between Jesse, Kid and Jimmy if one occurred.
Secretly she thought that Jimmy and Kid got anything they deserved for their
poor treatment of Lou. She only hoped they were successful in finding Lou and
convincing her to come back home.
