DIFFERENT WORLDS

C.C.

~CHAPTER 3~

She didn’t see Stephen or the Richardson’s the next morning. She decided to go talk with the Sheriff, he was a nice enough man and knowledgeable about Sweetwater. She might as well find out as much as she could about her new hometown.

Teaspoon almost fell out of his chair in his haste to stand as she entered the office. She had to stifle a giggle.

“Well, howdy Miss Louise, good mornin’ to ya” he bowed at the waist.

She smiled at him, “I’m find Mr. Teaspoon, thank you for asking” she responded politely.

“It’s just Teaspoon dear and I must say you look rather stunning today” he eyed her appreciatively. Louise blushed remembered Stephen’s opposite reaction to her choice of outfits.

“Thank you again.... Teaspoon” she hesitated. “I was wondering if you had some time, to fill me in on the town and the do’s and don’ts. You know this is all so new to me, I’d like to make a good impression.”

Teaspoon was very happy to oblige her and took her on a tour of the town, interjecting the town gossip when necessary. Advising of the places to visit and those not to. As the tour of the town was concluding he offered to take her to the pony express station, he thought she might find it interesting.

Louise was excited about visiting the station. “I’ll grab us some horses” he indicated as he headed toward the livery.

“Oh no Teaspoon.... I don’t....I can’t... I mean I haven’t ridden a horse since I was a little girl.... and even then it wasn’t really riding, more like sitting on a horse” she looked at him sheepishly.

He grinned at her “Alright, I’ll get a buck board.”

He helped her to the seat and they headed to the way station. “If you don’t mind me buttin’ in to your business a little Louise, you really should know how to ride out here... it ain’t really a luxury, it’s more of a necessity.

“Oh” she replied dreamily. “I’d love to learn, Stephen says it’s not proper for a lady to ride like that.”

He laughed, “Better not let the ladies round these parts overhear him, then he’d find out just what unlady like is” he chucked as they continued toward the way station.

The scenery was magnificent and Louse didn’t say much more as they drove. She just drank in all that was around her. She had never imagined the west to be so beautiful. This is where she wanted to live, out her, away from the town. But she know Stephen would never.
He’d probably live in the bank if his father would let him, she thought snidely.

Before she knew it they were at the station.

Rachel, noticing the buck board hurriedly approached, fearing something was wrong.

Louise immediately noticed her beauty, even though her face was tanned from the sun and her hair mussed from her work, she could tell she was a hard worker (work... Lou thought, wonder what that’s like) and she could also tell that she liked her and knew they could
become friends.

“Rachel” Teaspoon addressed her “this here is Miss Louise McCloud, the fiance’ of the new back president’s son. Louise, Mrs. Rachel Dunne, best damn station mistress the pony express employs!” Rachel blushed furiously at his compliment.

“Well nice to meet you Miss McCloud, welcome to Sweetwater”, she beamed at her, not having much contact with other women, glad for the opportunity.

“Please call me Louise, and the pleasures mine Mrs. Dunne”.

“It’s just Rachel”, she replied non-chalantly.

Teaspoon held out his hand to help Louise down from the buckboard. Rachel looked at the petite women in front of her, a little envious of her youth and her beauty, but she could tell right away that she was going to like her.

“Well Louise” Rachel addressed her “what brings you out here to the way station?”

“Well I asked Teaspoon to show me around town and after the tour he offered to bring me here and I’m interested in seeing how it all works” she answered genuinely.

“Well, I’m not so sure you’ll find too much excitement round here, mostly just chores and boys bickerin’” she joked.

They walked toward the corral which house the pony express horses, Louise noticed some of the boys around. She recognized Jimmy and noticed he was mounting his horse.

“Rider Coming!” she heard one of the boys, an Indian, yell.

She watched with fascination as the rider approached and Jimmy took off in the same direction. She thought they were going to run headfirst into each other. She sighed loudly as she saw the horses barely miss each other, the pouch the approaching rider carried
smoothly handed to Jimmy.

“Have a good ride Jimmy” Kid yelled as he pulled Katy’s reins to slow her to a trot. He looked to Teaspoon and Rachel and noticed Louise McCloud standing with them.

He approached the three and dismounted Katy. Louise watched as he once again spoke to the horse, she chuckled to herself thinking it looked like they were conversing.

“How was your ride Kid?” Rachel questioned.

“It was fine, nothin’ unusual today” he replied non-chalantly eyeing Louise.

“Miss McCloud” he tipped his hat to acknowledge her presence.

Louise nodded her head, “Kid, nice to see you again.”

“Well if ya’ll will excuse me I’m tired, hungry and dirty, Rachel if you don’t mind I’d like to shower before eatin.”

“Find Kid, let me know when you’re ready, I’ll heat you some dinner, okay?”

Kid turned to leave but decided he’d like to know what brought Louise out here, he turned back and looked at her. She noticed him turn and when she met his eyes she felt her heart flutter. What was that she wondered.

“Miss McCloud, what brings you out here? Don’t seem this is your kind of place.” he spoke with a slightly sarcastic tone.

His tone did not go unnoticed by Louise wonder what he’s acting like that for. Teaspoon offered a tour of the town and the way station, I figured if this was going to become my home I might as well get to know it”, she replied curtly. “And you may call me Louise” she added.

Rachel watched the exchange with a little amusement. “You two know each other?” she questioned.

“Met her and her fiance’ in town the other day” Kid replied and once again turned to go.

Louise remembered Stephen’s rude comments to Jimmy and Kid and regretted that she hadn’t spoken up, realizing it may have made it look as if she too was a snob.

By the time Kid entered the bunkhouse for dinner Teaspoon and Louise had headed back in to town. Kid was relieved that they were gone, he had finally stopped thinking about her as much and he didn’t want that to change, he didn’t like her or her fiance’, he wished she just stay in town.