For Better Or For Worse
a story by Dana
© Dana 2000
Chapter 3
Lou found Rachel in the kitchen making bread. She quietly approached her.
"Hey, Rachel," Lou said apologetically. "Sorry ‘bout this morning. I don’t know what’s my problem. I didn’t mean it...I know you’re just lookin’ out for me."
"You’re right, Lou, I am," Rachel answered. "I thought we were friends, but that’s not how friends treat each other."
"I know, Rachel," Lou cried, nearly in tears. "And then I ran off and left you with all the chores again. I feel terrible all around!"
Rachel moved towards Lou and embraced her. "Louise, I’m worried about you. I just want you to be happy. But you can’t take out your fears and concerns on others, either. Just share those feelings with us instead of bottling them up. That’ll help -- I guarantee it."
Lou began crying. "I know I’ve been childish lately, Rachel. I don’t mean to be so hateful. But I’m so worried about Kid. What if..." She couldn’t finish her sentence as sobs wracked her tiny body.
Rachel sat her down and went to the stove to get Lou some tea. "Calm down, honey," she said to her friend. "We’ll cross that bridge when and if it comes," handing the hot cup to Lou.
Lou wiped away her tears and sipped on the tea, trying to pull herself together. "Rachel, I know I don’t deserve to, but can I ask a favor?" Lou questioned, almost afraid of Rachel’s response.
"Yes, Louise," Rachel answered.
Lou related her story about her walk and Emily and her "situation."
"Louise, I’m ashamed of you!" Rachel exclaimed. "What kind of person do you take me for? Do you honestly think I’d ever turn her away?"
"Well, no, but after this morning..." Lou replied.
"Lou, we’ve already discussed that. Now where is she? Bring her on in for goodness sake!" Rachel said.
Lou smiled through her tears. "On the porch. I’ll go get her." Then she asked, "What about Teaspoon?"
"I’ll tell him, but you’ll have to tell Buck," Rachel answered, not envying Lou that task. Both women knew Buck still harbored a deep resentment toward Emily for Ike’s death.
Lou laughed. "Kid’s doin’ that! I bribed him!"
Rachel chuckled to herself as Louise stepped outside to bring Emily in. Dinner sure would be interesting tonight
Rachel had Kid bring Emily’s things in, showed her to her room, and got her settled. The poor girl was tired from her travels and needed a good rest.
Rachel walked down to the jail and spoke to Teaspoon about the day’s events. He was more than happy to have Emily join them, and looked forward to seeing her again. He’d always felt bad about how the riders had treated her following Ike’s death and her eventual disappearance. He hoped now they could make things right. He looked forward to dinner that night and the chance to find out what brought her back to Rock Creek, all things considered.
Kid found Buck out working on the roof of the bunkhouse. He climbed up to talk to the only remaining rider at the waystation. Kid knew this conversation wouldn’t be easy, but he’d promised Lou.
"Got a minute?" Kid asked.
"What’s up?" Buck responded.
"Why don’t we sit down for a break? You been at this most of the day," Kid answered.
"Sure. What’s on your mind?" Buck figured Kid needed more woman advice. Kid respected Buck’s opinions, and they’d shared a lot of conversations lately about Lou and her need for space with all the recent changes in her life.
"There’s no easy way to say this really, so I guess I’ll just go for it," Kid stated. "Emily’s back, Rachel’s offered to take her in, and she’s expectin’."
"Emily Metcalfe?" asked Buck in disgust. "She’s havin’ a baby?"
"Yeah," Kid replied. "Buck," he added quietly, "The baby’s Ike’s."
Buck was silent for a moment, trying to process the surprising news. "How’d ya figure?" retorted Buck, clearly unhappy.
"Think about it, Buck. It doesn’t take a math genius to figure it out. It’s been almost nine months. They must have had a chance to...you know...before he died," Kid said.
"Well then why’d she take off after he died? And what’s she back for now? Do we know the whole story, or is this girl just trouble?" Buck questioned angrily.
"I don’t know, Buck. But she’s in trouble, and as Ike’s friends, it’s our place to help her. You of all people should realize that," Kid responded. He knew Buck wasn’t over Ike’s death, and probably never would be. He also knew that for Buck, seeing Emily would bring back all the pain he’d felt when Ike first died. "I’ll leave now. I think you need to be alone for awhile. Smells like Rachel’ll have dinner ready soon," Kid said as he climbed off the roof. Well, Lou, I tried, he thought. Now it’s up to Buck.
Dinner was interesting all right, but not in the way Rachel had hoped. Upon seeing Emily, Buck merely nodded a greeting and sat down. Rachel could tell he was in no mood to talk. Emily, sensing his irritation, apparently felt uncomfortable and would hardly say a word, despite Rachel and Teaspoon’s tries to get her to open up about her life the past few months. Lou had suddenly returned to her sullen self, something that surprised both Rachel and Kid after her upbeat mood earlier in the day. She ate like a bird, just pushing the food around on her plate and keeping to herself. Kid watched her worriedly, confused about how to help her. He knew she’d just get mad at him if he encouraged her to eat, as had happened so many times lately.
Finally, Lou said, "Sorry Rachel, I just ain’t hungry," and left the table. Kid watched her leave and realized it was futile to chase after her. He didn’t want a fight, and he knew that’s what he’d get if he said anything to her at this point. Emily looked confused.
"Honey, it’s not you," Rachel explained to her new charge. "Lou’s just been feelin’ poorly lately’s all."
Suddenly, Buck stood up, too, saying, "I ain’t hungry myself." He stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
Rachel tried to think of something to comfort Emily, who she could tell was near tears. "He just needs time to get used to the idea."
"Buck!" Teaspoon yelled, to no avail. "Get yerself back in here and be gentlemanly fer once!"
"Maybe I shouldn’t have come here," cried Emily. "I never ever should have set foot in Rock Creek and none of this ever woulda happened!" referring both to Ike’s death and her pregnancy.
"Don’t be ridiculous," Rachel replied. "You belong here now. We’re thrilled to have you! Now we got to start preparing for that little one. It shouldn’t be long, from the looks of things. We’ll take a walk on over to Doc’s tomorrow so he can check you out."
Emily smiled at the graciousness of her hostess. Maybe this will work, she thought.
Kid, worried about Louise, politely excused himself to find her. He looked outside in the barn in Lightning’s stall, figuring he’d find her there, but the horse was there alone. Kid searched all around the waystation and didn’t see her anywhere. He started to panic, hoping something hadn’t happened to her. Then he remember he hadn’t checked their room upstairs, and that was where Lou’d been spending most of her time lately. Sure enough, he discovered her there on their bed, fast asleep. He covered her with a blanket, then gently caressed her soft hair. Louise, how can I help you? he wondered. His mind began to race and he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. What if she’s really sick and tryin’ to hide it from me? He knew Lou was keeping to herself, waiting for his decision about fighting in the war. What if she figures I’ll change my mind if I find out and she doesn’t want it to affect my decision? Kid knew there was no way he’d convince his stubborn wife to see a doctor, even though he’d finally decided that’s what she needed. When he’d brought it up a few days before, she nearly bit his head off. Maybe Rachel can help, he hoped.
· Chapter 1 · Chapter 2 · Chapter 3 · Chapter 4 · Chapter 5 · Chapter 6 · Chapter 7 · Chapter 8 · Chapter 9 · Chapter 10 · Chapter 11 ·
