TRAIL OF DREAMS

by Courtnee

Standard disclaimer

© Courtnee

Chapter Seven

The week before their scheduled departure found everyone busy with last minute preparations. The first part of their journey would take them to Ft. Kearney where they were sure to meet up with a large wagon train. Lou, Rachel, Kid, and Buck practiced driving the prairie schooners around with oxen hitched to them. They couldn't afford for any of the wagons to tip over, spilling precious supplies, because the driver wasn't accustomed to how it handled.
Rachel had finally made it into town with the finished list. She purchased hundreds of pounds of food supplies: flour, bacon, vegetables, lard, beans, rice, salt, and citric acid. She also bought matches, coffee, and linseed oil. The oil would be applied to the wagon bonnets to aid in the protection from the rain. As it had a tendency to wear off, they were determined to bring along extra.

Kid and Buck had the chopped firewood already loaded into the wagon to keep it dry as well as the feed. The water barrels were filled and fixed to the schooners. Rachel and Lou had most of the goods packed in the wagons. It had been hard to decide what furniture and personal belongings to bring along and what could be purchased in Oregon.

But, at last, everything was in order.

Teaspoon and the boys went into Rock Creek to acquire the last of the supplies of the day before they were to leave. They needed buckskin to make the repairs on the harness, saddles, and bridles. Jeremiah and Theresa sat on the front porch, enjoying the company of Noah.

Lou and Rachel sat on the porch swing, relishing their last few moments of peace. Lou couldn't believe how much Jeremiah had grown in the last year and a half. She'd went to visit her siblings a few times after Kid had left, but her pregnancy, and later birth of her child had prevented the long trip. Jeremiah was now fourteen and Theresa thirteen.

They'd already wiggled their way into the express family, a fact for which she was greatly relieved. She'd worried about them to no end, and needed them to have a better life than she'd had at their age. And, she knew Kid would be a great father figure for them. Jeremiah doggedly followed him around everywhere he went, and Theresa went out of her way to please him.

Lou studied her younger sister. She was well on her way to becoming a young woman. Rachel was teaching her to cook and sew, which she learned very quickly. Lou envied this of her, for she could do neither. Theresa showed no interest in horses or "men's work." In fact, she was afraid to go anywhere near a horse. Lou encouraged her to ride, but to no avail.

Jeremiah, on the other hand, was more like Lou. He already showed a gift with horses, and wanted to be around them day in and day out. He insisted on being taught how to drive the prairie schooners, so that he could help out.

Both children didn't quite know what to think of Buck. But, Noah fell in love with him. He had never seen a man with so much hair, which was there only for his pleasure. Lou had learned early on to tie her hair back, out from reach of prying hands. However, Buck felt no such compulsion, so, when little sticky hands reached for the black locks, he gave them full access.

"Momummaw," Noah gurgled, while pumping his arms up and down.

His vocabulary had grown considerably since Kid's return, and he was getting into everything. Of course, Rachel thought it was cute, but Lou just thought it was tiring. She hadn't realized how much trouble a year and a half old baby could get into.

Theresa held out her arms to him, beckoning for him to come to her. He shakily rose to his feet and headed for the thick braid that hung over her shoulder. She hugged him into her arms, and proceeded to tickle him.

Jeremiah had lost interest, and impatiently stared toward town. "Lou, when's Kid coming back? He said we could go ridin'"

Lou shook her head, and chuckled, "They'll be here soon, Jeremy. Why don'cha go on and give Katy a rub down. I bet she'll like that."

He jumped to his feet enthusiastically, and headed for the barn. Theresa nervously watched him disappear through the big doors. Lou could imagine what was clouding her thoughts. After years of having only each other, she knew the small girl overly worried about her older brother.

Rachel knew it too. "Theresa why don'cha come help me fix supper, honey?"

Lou threw her a thankful glance as Rachel stood to leave. "Theresa bring baby Noah to me."

Theresa, her troubles already forgotten, happily handed the baby to Lou before following her mentor into the house. She sat him on her knee, gently bouncing him up and down. He thought it was hilarious. She didn't hear the return of the men over his bubbling laughter, until they stepped up to the porch. Teaspoon and Buck went into the house, but Kid sat down beside her.

After a few moments of silence, Kid spoke up, "Ya did good Lou. Real good."

She looked at him questioningly, "What'ya mean?"

He gestured to their son, "I know I wasn't hear when ya needed me, and I'm sorry. I should've…."

"Kid we did just fine without ya. I had Teaspoon an' Rachel here to help out. I don't want'cha to be apologizen' for what happened in the past. We're startin' over now." She reached for his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Noah shifted in her lap and held out his arms to his dad.

Kid put him in the crook of his arm. Noah settled down for a nap, his eyes drooping and his cheeks stained red. "I don't deserve a woman like you, Lou."

"Well, now you're stuck with me. Forever." She laid her head on his shoulder, and Kid wrapped his arm around her. Lou closed her eyes, wanting to keep this moment locked in her heart. She was going to miss this place, with all of its memories. And even though death had laid its roots here, she had never felt more content or safe.

"Went by Sheriff Johnson's office. Said he didn't have a reason ta' keep the man locked up for much longer."

Lou sat up, "He ain't wanted or nothin'?"

"Nope. Johnson said he kept him as long as he legally could. Found out his name was Pete Sanders, though."

She shook her head in puzzlement. "Did yall find out what it was he was after?"

Kid shook his head, "Sanders said he was passin' through and was lookin' for a warm place to bed down the night, when he caught sight of the station."

"Can't figure why he threatened ta hurt Rachel or why he didn't get a room at the saloon." She said it more to herself then to Kid.

He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "Can't make any sense of it either. Anyhow, Johnson is gonna keep him behind bars until after we pull out tomorrow."

Ready to put aside the disturbing topic, Lou cast her eyes around the yard, stopping on the barn. "Jeremy's waitin' for that ride you owe 'im."

A deep chuckle erupted from Kid, "That boy'd sleep on a horse if given half a chance." With a kiss to his wife's soft lips he limped to the barn.

"Reminds me of someone else I know." The words, though said aloud, went unheard by her husband. Lou stood from the swing and quietly went inside the house, determined not to wake her sleeping son.

The delicious aroma of frying chicken greeted her nose as she entered the kitchen. Rachel and Theresa were busily preparing the food while Buck and Teaspoon sat at the kitchen table. Both men looked up and nodded their hellos.

Lou seated herself across from Buck. She decided it'd be best to stay out of Rachel and Theresa's way.

Teaspoon's attention was fixed on Buck. "Last we knew of Cody he was scoutin' up North for the army. And Jimmy, well, we ain't heard a word from 'im."

Buck slowly nodded his head, his eyes cast down toward the table. When he finally spoke, the words were barely audible, "I saw Jimmy a few months ago." He stole a quick look at Lou, not sure how she'd take the news he was about to share. Though he hadn't been aware of the events that had transpired between them, Buck knew Kid and Jimmy had both been in love with the girl rider. "He married a woman in a small town south of here. He's the marshal."

Teaspoon sat up in his chair, surprised at the news. "Well now, ain't that somethin'!"

Lou consciously had to quell the raging emotions in her mind. She didn't know how to react to the information. She had to admit that she'd been attracted to Jimmy, even though she loved Kid. And she honestly held no desire what so-ever to change anything from her past. But the simple fact that he'd moved on so quickly left her a little disappointed. She wasn't vain enough to think he'd pine after her for the rest of his life, but it had certainly been an appealing thought that he'd stay unhitched for a couple more years!

The pure absurdity of her thoughts sent Lou into a fit of giggles. She was starting to sound like a young schoolgirl with her first beau. Finally she regained control of her thoughts and raised her eyes to the family. They all stared at her with curious smiles tugging at their mouths. Theresa, on the other hand, must of thought her older sister had gone crazy, because she stood, a leg of breaded chicken poised over the frying pan, with her eyes wide open.

Of coarse that only added to Lou's humor. With twinkling eyes she spoke to her sister, "Might wanna close that mouth of yours, afore a varmint decides to make a nest in it."

Theresa's cheeks flamed read as the attention was turned on her. She quickly turned back to her task and tried to ignore the snickers that consumed the rest of group.

Buck chuckled quietly to himself, he admired Lou more than he would ever admit aloud. She was a beautiful woman, her hair now hung down her back a ways, which only added to her appearance. He'd wondered a few times what would have happened if he'd been the first to find out her secret. But he wasn't the type to linger on the past. What's done is done. He couldn't deny the feelings of wanting a wife and child that had risen since his return. An empty place in his heart went unfulfilled with every lonely day that passed. And though there were children underfoot it still wasn't quite the same, because none of them were of his blood, of his heritage. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and turned his attention back to reality.

Supper was ate that night with an underlying edge of sadness and excitement. The sadness of leaving behind a way of life they'd all loved, and the excitement of beginning a new life where anything was possible.

Every one of them was up the next morning before the day had even dawned. Rachel fixed a hasty, but nourishing breakfast before packing away the last of the supplies.

Lou gave the two older children the task of capturing all of the chickens, which was an amusing thing to watch. They raced about the yard, laughing and carrying on until Jeremiah decided to make it a competition. Then their faces were scrunched up in acute concentration. Lou stood beside the schooner that carted the chicken-pen. She held Noah in one arm while offering encouragement to her siblings. But Noah wanted to be a part of the fun; he wiggled and squirmed in her arms, fussing until she released him. He took off on shaky legs after the nearest chicken. Theresa and Jeremiah paused their game too laugh and giggle at their nephew's awkward actions.

Lou joined in their amusement; she couldn't hide the smile that graced her features. Kid walked up beside her, curious as to all the commotion. "What's goin' on?"
Lou quickly explained, as she watched her son plowing head on after the squawking bird. He was yelling at the top of his lungs, which only added to the fright the chicken must have felt.

They were joined minutes later by the rest of the express family. Teaspoon leaned against the wagon, looping his thumbs in his worn pants. "Looks like maybe this is a good sign, ya reckon?"

Rachel rolled her eyes, knowing Teaspoon was aiming for a lecture.

Teaspoon plunged on, ignoring the impatient sighs around him. "Not ten minutes ago, no one of us could have pulled a smile ta' save our sorry hides." They'd all woken up in a bad way, nervous about the change forthcoming, no doubt. "Now it's t'other way around, entirely."

Buck, Rachel, and Kid made their excuses, determined to get away before he could say anything else. Lou shrugged and joined the kids in collecting the chickens. Teaspoon emitted an exasperated sigh before heading back to his chores.

By noon everything was finished. The children, excited about riding in the wagons were situated in one, their heads peeking out from the back flap. Theresa would be taking care of Noah, while Lou drove one of the wagons. Lou and Kid stood hand in hand silently saying their farewells to the only home either had ever really known. This moment was beyond words. Nothing could be said aloud that either didn't already feel or know.

Kid lowered his face to hers, their lips meeting softly. "I'll find ya that dream, Lou. I promise."

The gruff voice of Teaspoon Hunter split through their thoughts. "Let's move 'em out!"

With a final kiss they headed to the two remaining wagons. Lou gave the oxen a firm slap with the reins. They pulled out in a bumpy walk, the old way station disappearing with each bouncy step. Lou wiped away a single tear, and squared her shoulders.

She would not look back.

To chapter 8