JUST
ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DAYSJUST
ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DAYS
Buck spurred his horse harder. The mount ran harder against the heavy sheets of rain. Visability was difficult. The way station was two miles ahead, and Buck couldn't wait for a hot meal, and a cup of Rachel's coffee. It was his last run for a few days, and he anxiously awaited rest.
Suddenly, the horse lost it's footing, and fell. Buck was thrown. Sharp pain struck every muscle in his body. Luckliy, the mochila coushioned his head from the fall. Buck slowly got up, and picked up the mochila. His horse struggled to get up. Finally, it stood up and limped toward it's rider.
"Easy boy. We are almost there. Your gonna get a good rub down, and plenty of rest." Buck ran his hand down the horse's injured leg. He reached for the reins, noticing that one of them was missing.
I hate days like this…he thought as he lead the horse the rest of the way.
Teaspoon walked out onto the porch, and looked in the direction that a rider would be approaching.
"Buck should have been back by now." He said with worry in his voice.
"The weather may have slowed him down," Rachel said as she cleared the dinner dishes from the table.
It was getting dark, and the riders were in the bunkhouse. Cody, Jimmy, Kid, and Lou were playing cards. Ike was tucked in his bunk, reading a book. He kept glancing up at the door, looking for Buck to walk in.
"I can't concentrate. I am too worried about Buck." Jimmy said as he placed his cards on the table.
"Well, I can't either," Cody said rubbing his tired eyes.
Lou got up and walked over to the window.
"It's not like him to be this late…" she said softly.
Ike closed the book he was reading, and tossed the covers aside. He got up and walked out of the bunkhouse. He saw Teaspoon sitting on the front porch.
Teaspoon looked in Ike's direction. "What's the matter son? Can't sleep?"
Ike walked over to Teaspoon and sat next to him. Teaspoon looked up at the stars in the night sky.
"I'm worried too son. You boys and Lou are like my own kids. We're all one big family."
The sound of crickets filled the night air.
Buck saw a cabin a few feet ahead. There was smoke coming out of the chimney. A sign that someone was home.
Buck was too tired to continue on to the way station. His horse was limping worse than before. A little hospitality would be appreciated. He walked up to the door, and knocked.
"Hello? Is anyone home?" He slowly opened the door, and peeked in.
"Hello?" He looked around the cabin. There's gotta be somebody here…He thought.
Suddenly, he felt a solid cold pistol, pointed at his back.
"Get in!" The voice ordered.
Buck raised his arms above his head, and walked forward.
"Sit down!"
Buck sat at the table, and looked at the gunman. Another gunman walked into the cabin, holding the mochila.
"He's a pony express rider," the gunman said, as he threw the mochila on the table. "What are we gonna do with him?"
The gunman holding the pistol at Buck, removed the bandana that covered his face, and then removed his hat. Long, silky black hair fell on the gunman's shoulders. Piercing green eyes glared at Buck. To his surprise the gunman was a woman.
"You seem surprised to find out that I'm a woman."
Buck sat speechless.
"Oh comon now. I know you can talk…so speak!" the lady gunman walked closer to Buck.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she rubbed the pistol against the side of Buck's face.
"Leave him alone!" the other gunman ordered.
The lady harrasing Buck, cast a stern toward her partner.
"You don't tell me what to do! You better remember who's in charge here. It ain't you!" She looked at Buck and smiled.
"My name's Sally, and that there is Millie. What's your name?"
Buck looked at both of the women, and answered.
"My name's Buck Cross, and yes, I ride for the pony express."
Sally picked up some rope, and walked behind the chair where Buck sat.
"Nice to meet you Buck. I've gotta tie you up for a while. Millie and I have some business to tend to in Sweetwater."
Millie and Sally rode into town. They stopped in front of Tompkins general store, and tethered their horses. The store was busy. Kid and Cody were asking Tompkins if he had seen Buck the past several days.
"You pony express riders can't keep up with yourseleves?" Tompkins sneered.
"You suppose they're looking for the fella we tied up at the cabin?" Millie whispered.
Sally placed her dirt stained hand over Millie's mouth.
"Shh…they probably are. Don't act suspicious."
Lou, Ike, Jimmy, and Teaspoon walked into the store. Rachel followed behind.
"Find out anything?" Lou asked Kid.
"Nothing!" Kid sighed.
"Well, some of us will have to ride out and search. Kid, Jimmy, come with me. The rest of ya'll take care of the station." Teaspoon said. His voice heavy with distress.
"Rachel," Teaspoon said.
"Yes, Teaspoon?"
"I'll send word if we find out anything." With that Teaspoon. Kid, and Jimmy left the store. Millie and Sally watched as each of the riders left the store. They both breathed a sign of relief.
Buck tried unsuccessfully to loosen the rope that held his hands together. He heard the sound of riders approaching. It was Sally and Millie. The two women seemed to be arguing about something as ususal.
"Just what are we gonna do with him? He doesn't seem to be a threat. He just happened to wander onto our property. That's all." Millie shouted.
"Like hell if we let him go now! Do you remember your dreams for a big ranch with lots of prized horses?" Sally asked.
"Well, yeah…but-
"No buts about it Millie! It takes money to make those dreams a reality. Now…where do you think we are gonna get that kind of money?"
"The bank in Sweetwater?" Millie asked as she unsaddled her horse. Sally lead her horse into the corral. She turned around to face Millie. With her hands on her hips, and a slight grin, she said,
"Where else? Now let's get these supplies in the house. I am gonna make a nice meal for the three of us."
Sally busied herself preparing dinner. The fragrance of baked bread, and apple pie filled the room. Millie sat scross the table from Buck. She kept a watchful eye on him. As she peeled the potatoes, she gave Buck a flirtacious smile. She had taken a liking to the pony express rider.
"Millie," Sally called out over her shoulder.
"Millie! Can you hear?!"
Startled by the shouting, Millie quickly turned around to face Sally.
"Where is your mind lately? Didn't you hear me call you? Hurry up with the potatoes. We need to get them started." Sally ordered.
Sally walked over to where Buck was sitting. She untied the rope that held his hands together.
"I'm keeping your legs tied, just in case you try to make a run for it. I'm sure your hungry by now." She threw the rope across the room. She then leaned in closer to Buck.
"Seems like my partner has taken a liking to you." Her facial expression hardened. "Don't get any ideas!"