Mr.
& Mrs. CodyMr.
& Mrs. Cody
Chapter 10
After visiting with Emily and Ike for a few hours, Rachel and Lou went into town. They headed over to Tompkins and Lou gravitated toward the baby clothes that were on display. Tompkins was eyeing her strangely and she knew it wouldn't be long before the whole town suspected her of being pregnant. She knew she wouldn't be able to hide it forever, but would have liked to have some time to get used to the idea of being a mother before everyone in town started congratulating her and Jimmy.
After paying for their few purchases, they stepped out onto the boardwalk just as the stage was pulling in. Rachel and Lou climbed into the buckboard and was about to drive away when they heard someone calling, "Louise". Lou stopped and turned, she knew who that voice belonged to.
"Teresa! Jeremiah!" Lou ran toward them and hugged them fiercely. "You're here early! I had no idea that was the two of you on that stage."
Jeremiah spoke up excitedly, "We were able to leave the orphanage early. As soon as Sister Angeline received the money you sent for our fare, she asked if we wanted to stay or leave right away. We just couldn't wait to see you!"
"Who's Sister Angeline? I don't remember her. Is she new to the orphanage?" Lou asked.
"Uh huh. She's the nicest nun. You wouldn't believe it, Louise. I didn't think they were supposed to be nice. But she sure is. She kind of took Jeremiah and me under her wing. I'm really gonna miss her. But I'm glad we're here with you now." Teresa quickly added.
"Oh, come here you two. I've missed you both so much." Lou hugged them again. "I've got someone for you to meet. This is Rachel Dunne. She's the stationmistress and cooks the absolute best meals."
"Thank you, Lou." Rachel blushed. "It's nice to finally meet you two. Lou's talked about you both so much I feel I already know you."
Jeremiah was instantly and hopelessly in love. Rachel Dunne was the most pretty lady he'd ever seen before. Lou noticed his lovesick eyes right off. When did her little brother start noticing girls…or in this case women? He was really growing up fast and she had missed so much.
"Would you like to go out to the waystation or see our new home first? We won't be moving in 'til me and Jimmy get married on Saturday so you two will be staying in Rachel's house until then."
"Can we eat? I'm starving." Jeremiah complained.
Lou and Rachel exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.
"You sound just like Cody!" They said at the same time.
"Looks like I'm going to have to start fixin' some extra food while you're around, Jeremiah." Rachel put her arm around him. He was in absolute heaven.
"Yeah, well you wouldn't be so hungry if you hadn't eaten all the food Sister Angeline packed us. It was supposed to last the whole trip, but you ate it all the first day!" Teresa scolded her brother.
"Do you mean you two haven't eaten in two days?" Lou asked.
"Nah, Sister Angeline gave us some extra money just in case we needed it along the trail, so we bought some food along the stops. We just ate a couple hours ago." Jeremiah told them.
"Then how on earth can you be hungry already?" Lou inquired.
"Dunno. Just am." He said sheepishly.
"Lou, he's a growing boy. He has to eat. Look at how Cody is." Rachel spoke up. Jeremiah winced when she called him a 'boy'. He was fourteen years old, some people would call him a man at that age. But here was the love of his young life calling him a boy.
"Tell you what, why don't we go back to the station and I'll show you around the house tomorrow. I want you to meet everybody before somebody has a run." Lou suggested.
They all climbed into the buckboard and headed home.