Bunny Kisses

by Charla

Chapter 1

The moon settled with a pale face over Sweetwater. Its dim glow made the cold night wrap its eerie fingers around both the town and the Pony Express waystation. In the distance, a solitary wolf’s howl echoed, but inside the bunkhouse, the riders slept peacefully. As the darkness of the evening stole across the land, the even breathing of Ike, Buck, Lou, Kid, Jimmy and Cody hummed within the large room.

A chilly mist invisibly wafted around the bunkhouse cabin, under the door and through the window cracks. Every crevice allowed the entrance of the strange fog into the room and into the nostrils of the riders. Completely unaware of the benign swirling haze, the chorus of sleepers continued as kindred fantasies began within the imaginations of their minds. A white bunny, with soft fur and a pink nose, rendered its image upon their subliminal visions. Peace penetrated them subconsciously, enveloping their dreams.

Lou rolled over noisily, the only rider appearing fitful. The sublime mist appeared to almost nod in her direction as its hazy charm wrapped around her bunk. Suddenly, Lou quieted, as if settled by the indistinct spell.

At that exact moment, Buck’s eyes opened wide, instantly awake and alert. He looked around to see what had startled him to wakefulness. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, nothing except for the fact that Cody was not snoring for a change. Remaining quiet and observant, Buck sensed a strange awareness creep over him.

‘Could a spirit be visiting me this night?’ he wondered. Shuddering, Buck squeezed his eyes closed, trying to pinpoint the feeling that was both within and around him. Instead, a vision of a rabbit moved through his mind. He shook his head, trying to clear the strange image from his mind. He only slightly opened his eyes again, as his peripheral vision caught sight of the same bunny on Lou’s bunk, atop her chest. Again, he snapped his eyes wide open. The bunny seemed to peer at him for a moment, with a twinkle winking from its vivid blue eyes. The vision then disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Buck settled his feet onto the cold floor with the stance of a warrior. He gazed around the dark room, noting the moon cast a pale glow through the window. Looking over all of the other riders carefully, he saw nothing amiss.

Buck stood over Lou for a long time; her breathing was rhythmic in sleep, her forehead free of the worry lines he often noted on her brow. Her chest was rising and falling with each breath and it made a shallow, soft noise in her throat and out of her mouth. Just when Buck decided all was well, he noticed the blanket over her chest. Several hairs showed stark white against the rugged, brown blanket, and Buck could see the definite shape of a small animal impressed in the folds.

Quickly, Buck moved back to his bunk, sitting cross-legged upon the top of it. He watched the room until dawn, but nothing else unusual occurred.

Chapter 2

The next day dawned clear, cold and white. Snow had fallen during the night and the winter blanket brought groans to the riders.

“I don’t want to ride in this. The cold is bad enough, but to slosh through the snow too…,” whined Cody.

Ike moved his hands. ‘It’s almost Christmas; it’s supposed to snow,’ he signed good-naturedly.

“Well, it ain’t your turn to ride now is it?” Cody said snidely.

Lou hopped off her bunk with a broad smile across her face. “Sounds like you ain’t got any Christmas cheer,” she laughed, looking at Cody.

“Yeah, sounds like it to me too,” agreed Kid.

Jimmy just shook his head, quietly putting his bunk in order and dressing for the day. The union suit he had slept in wasn’t keeping him very warm. “I think I’ll get a fire goin’,” he said softly, moving to the door.

Buck continued to sit on his bunk, watching the activity around him. No one seemed aware of the night’s strange events except him. Something kept him from voicing his “visions.” He didn’t expect anyone to understand anyway.

Cody glared mutinously at the other riders. “Cheer, schmeer,” he scoffed. “Christmas time or not, I’m about to take a ride in this weather.”

If possible, Lou’s smile grew broader. “You’ve still got a few days ‘til Christmas Cody. Maybe you’ll be happy by then,” Lou spoke the words more with affirmation than suggestion. Kid and Lou walked outside, marveling at the snow covering everything.

Ike glanced up at his friend. ‘You coming to breakfast?’ he asked with the movement of his hands.

Buck nodded solemnly and began to move off his bunk. “Did you sleep well last night?” Buck questioned his friend.

‘Very good,’ answered Ike. ‘Why do you ask?’

Buck merely shrugged. “Do you recall dreaming?”

Ike gazed at Buck, thinking. ‘Would you believe I dreamed about a rabbit?’

The glint in Buck’s eye was the only visible sign of his brief surprise. Something indeed strange had taken place in the bunkhouse last night, but he was without a clue what exactly.

“I’d believe you,” nodded Buck. “Maybe we should track some rabbits for dinner?” Buck suggested in reflex.

Ike grinned. ‘Should be easy in this snow,’ he agreed with the fluid motion of his hands.

Shortly after breakfast, the call of “Rider Coming’ sounded across the yard. Cody dutifully mounted his horse, caught the mochilla and headed West on a sturdy horse by the name of Bunny. The crunch of snow beneath the horse’s hooves grated on Cody’s nerves. Somehow, he couldn’t shake the bad mood he had awakened with. Being saddled with the silliest named horse in the corral didn’t help matters either.

“Well Bunny,” Cody barked, “you get me down the trail today without any problems, and I promise not to tell anyone your name.”

The horse whinnied in response, lifted his head high and raced farther down the trail. The icy wind caused Bunny’s mane to whip into Cody’s face. The rider spit for a moment, blinking his eyes and wiping his face. The sting of the mane was enough to make a harsh expletive release from Cody’s throat.

“That ain’t a good start,” he stated firmly. At his sharp words, Cody hunched deeper into the saddle, leaning forward and hastening Bunny forward.

If Bunny understood the biting tone from its blonde rider, the horse ignored it. Cody set his jaw, pulled down his hat and tried to ignore the snow. Bunny’s piercing dark blue eyes scanned the land as he galloped to the next station.

The whooshing sound of a snowball penetrated Kid and Jimmy’s unsuspecting ears just as it sailed into Jimmy’s chest. Lou let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her gloved hand. “Sorry Jimmy,” she called across the yard. “That was meant for Kid.”

Jimmy turned toward her, his look menacing. Lou wasn’t sure if he was truly angry or only teasing her. Before she could worry further, a snowball pelted her right on the cheek.

“Meant it for me did ya?” laughed Kid, proud of his shot.

Lou squealed and ran for cover behind a stack of wood. She quickly surveyed her arsenal; she hoped she had enough ammunition ready.

The two young men were approaching fast, so Lou volleyed several shots in their direction in rapid succession. Both immediately took cover behind the corner of the bunkhouse.

Kid was relieved to see Jimmy participating in the fun. Jimmy was often moody, but since last night, he was worse then usual. Jimmy flung a large snowball at Lou just as she darted up to throw one at them. A broad grin broke over the men’s faces as Lou spit snow from her mouth.

“Uh-oh,” chimed Kid, as another round came at them. Jimmy was once again pelted in the chest as Kid felt the icy powder trickle down the side of his head.

Lou’s gleeful giggle echoed across the white yard. Jimmy and Kid smiled at one another as the sound of her laugh trickled over to them.

“We’re acting like children,” Jimmy stated. Kid wasn’t sure if he was being critical or merely observant.

“Do we care?” Kid laughed loudly, as he threw the snowball in his hand at Jimmy instead of Lou. Nailed up close, in the face with a handful of snow, Jimmy stood speechless, jaw open for a moment.

“I can’t believe you did that,” breathed Jimmy. But before Kid could respond, Jimmy was bending to get more snow. Kid took off running, trying to get a handful of snow himself. Meanwhile, Lou continued throwing her stash of snowballs in their direction. Chaos ensued for at least an hour.

Finally, breathless and joyful, the three trudged up Emma’s steps. Before they could even knock, Emma was opening the door. The smell of baking drifted from the open door.

“‘Bout time the three of you decided to stop playing. I’ve got cookies for you,” Emma cajoled them.

They settled around Emma’s fire, secure in both its warmth and Emma’s care. She was like a mother to them and a peace settled over the group.

“Would you look at that?” drawled Emma, motioning to the window.

A white bunny sat in the windowsill, it’s nose twitching near the glass. All the snow in the background almost made the rabbit disappear into the landscape, but Emma noticed the slight movement.

Just as the other three turned to look, the bunny hopped away. “Well I’ll be…” muttered Emma.

“What is it?” asked Jimmy, concerned.

“Nothing to worry about,” assured Emma. “Just a creature tired of the cold I’d imagine.”

Kid and Lou shrugged and smiled at one another. The love they shared shone bright in their eyes.

A few miles away, Ike and Buck rode slowly through the white flurry. Buck’s eyes were trained on the ground, looking for tracks. Ike seemed to be simply enjoying the ride as he listened to the sound of birds overhead.

Ike patted his chest to get Buck’s attention. ‘You really hungry for rabbit?”

Buck shook his head. “Just wanted to find one,” Buck explained without detail.

‘Looking for a pet?’ Ike signed, making a joke.

Buck tilted his head, as if considering that thought seriously. “I don’t think a rabbit like I’m searching for could be a pet.”
Ike knitted his brow in question, waiting on further comment from Buck.

“I dreamed of a rabbit last night too,” Buck finally offered. After another moment’s silence, Buck continued. “I had some sort of vision last night.”

Ike nodded, seeming content with Buck’s explanation. ‘You’ll tell me when you are ready,’ Ike signed.

“I’ll tell you if I ever understand it,” sighed Buck.

The two best friends continued their journey in search of the bunny.

Chapter 3

The snow began falling in icy blankets, the large gusts of wind hammering it onto Cody and Bunny. The horse’s hooves stomped through the snow, plodding forward slowly, but persistently. The cold was making Cody sleepy and the howling wind was lulling the blonde rider into a daze. The situation was quickly becoming dangerous.

The two were definitely off course, and Bunny seemed to be weighing all options. If Cody actually drifted into complete unconsciousness, dropping the reins, then Bunny could easily lead them to shelter. Unfortunately, Cody would think he had somehow saved himself.

Bunny whinnied loudly at her rider. Tilting her head back toward Cody, Bunny startled him into full awareness. Cody shivered and he rolled his eyes when he saw icicles forming at the end of the fringe on his buckskin clothing.

“Shoulda known I’d be the one caught in this,” grumbled Cody softly, his chin and mouth tucked into his heavy jacket. In the building blizzrd, even whining required effort.

In response, Bunny whinnied, almost sympathetically. Cody ignored the horse, and began looking around.

“Can’t tell nuthin’ in all this snow,” Cody muttered. “Horse, did you lead us in the wrong direction?” he demanded of the horse.

Bunny shook her head from side to side. Cody’s blue eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you understand what I’m saying?” drawled Cody sarcastically.

Bunny’s head then moved up and down. Cody visibly jumped, jerking at the surprise of Bunny’s strange manner.

Cody then guffawed. “I must be losing it if I think I’m talking to a horse. If I can believe Bunny,” he said the name as a slur, “could talk, then I’d have to believe in Christmas too.”

A loud disdainful snort issued from Bunny’s nose, the steam rising into the icy trees overhead.

Again, Cody burst forth with a deprecating laugh. “Yeah, and you’re really a bun….” Before Cody could finish his accusation, Bunny’s tail smacked him in the back.

“Hey, you better watch your attitude,” Cody advised. Looking up, Cody was surprised to see a cabin in distance. His “conversation” with Bunny had kept him awake as Bunny led them to shelter. Cody could see smoke billowing from a small rock chimney and Cody let out a long whistle.

“Well I’ll be,” grinned Cody, “lookee what I found.”

Bunny rolled her eyes, her displeasure obvious, but Cody wasn’t paying attention.

Buck sensed the impending blizzard quickly. He and Ike had been wandering around the woods for quite a while. Buck had been searching for something just out of his reach, but the weather was forcing them back to the Waystation.

Ike merely followed his friend, thinking about the upcoming holiday. Ike still remembered special Christmases with his family; for the first time in years, he was able to recall the happy memories without vivid flashback of the tragedy that killed them. Whatever “spirit” Buck had sensed last night, Ike found its power healing. Ike wanted to embrace this holiday season and find joy in celebrating with his new family.

‘Buck, where are we?’ signed Ike.

Buck stared at the landmarks, but did not answer.

‘Don’t tell me you got us lost,’ teased Ike. ‘Tracker like you never loses his way.’

Buck’s eyes narrowed. “Something is wrong. Even in a blizzard, I should be able to find our way to the bunkhouse.”

‘If we don’t find it soon, we’ll be out in the blizzard,’ Ike observed.

Buck merely nodded, but his attention was drawn to a small movement about ten yards away. Buck held out his hand, gesturing silently for Ike to stop. Ike halted immediately, following Buck’s gaze.

With a warrior’s ability, Buck stalked the small creature that Ike finally recognized as a small white bunny. Ike moved quickly but quietly to Buck’s side.

The hare, white as clean cotton, sat next to a snow-covered bush watching the two men. Its blue eyes penetrated them as the bunny seemed to stare into their hearts.

Ike was surprised when Buck began reaching into his boot, where he kept his knife. Placing a hand on Buck’s arm, Ike stilled the motion.

‘What are you doing?’

“About to get the main ingredient for rabbit stew,” explained Buck simply.

‘You can’t kill the rabbit,’ replied Ike, adamantly.

“Why not?” Buck asked.

Ike thought for a long moment. ‘You don’t really want stew,’ was the only answer Ike gave his Kiowa friend.

Buck watched Ike, then the rabbit. He looked back at Ike as if waiting for further explanation.

‘Even if you kill that bunny,’ Ike began, ‘you can’t kill them all.’

Buck winced at Ike’s accurate statement. Somehow, Ike had known that Buck wanted to kill the ‘spirit’ that had hovered around them all the night before. Strangely, Ike sensed more what the bunny represented; Buck still didn’t understand.

Instead of replying, Buck merely nodded. Ike crept forward, nearing the white bunny. Bending, Ike picked the small furry animal up gently and tenderly. It’s pink nose wiggled and the rabbit burrowed into the crook of Ike’s arm.

Buck closed his eyes, trying to sense any evil inside the bunny. Instead, Buck was filled with peace.

“Come on, let’s find our way home,” motioned Buck.

Ike nodded and carefully placed the animal on the ground. It hopped away a few feet and stopped, turning to look back at them.

‘Look,’ Ike moved his hands, ‘it wants us to follow him.’

“You think that bunny knows where it’s going?” Buck asked, chagrined.

‘Well, we sure don’t,’ Ike pointed out.

Buck shrugged his shoulders and followed Ike. Almost immediately, the area around him looked familiar. Within minutes, Emma’s cabin and the bunkhouse were in sight.

“How could we have been this close and not known it?” said Buck, surprised.

Before Ike could answer, Emma walked out on the porch. “”Bout time you boys came home. We’ve been wondering how long you two were gonna wander round out there in the snow.”

“You mean, you could see us?” Buck gasped.

“Ya’ll been within sight of the porch most of the day,” replied Emma, puzzled. Then, changing the subject, she added, “You boys go put on dry, warm clothes and come on back to the house. We’re having cookies by the fire.”

The invitation was so welcoming, both Ike and Buck headed for the bunkhouse at a run. Temporarily forgetting their odd encounter with the rabbit, the two men quickly changed so that they could gather with their “family.”

Watching with almost a smile, the bunny hopped back into the forest. This job was nearly done. Now if only Cody’s thick skull could be penetrated.

Chapter 4

Miles away, Cody entered the cozy log cabin. He surveyed the room with pleasure, taking in the homemade quilts, pretty white curtains and sturdy table and chairs. This was more than a cabin – it was a home – and a very well cared for home. A warm fire burned in the corner fireplace while soup simmered in a pot near the blaze. Cody inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of the burning wood and the aroma of the beefy stew. A sense of peace overwhelmed his cold, weary body.

Cody was standing just inside the door as contentment seeped into every pore; his nose was in the air as he felt a nudge from behind. Bunny had her nose in the door, pushing it open wider. She whinnied at the blonde man.

“What the…?” gasped Cody, instantly losing his newfound serenity. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t come in here.”

Bunny simply ignored him and pushed her head further into the cozy room.

“I’m telling you, you ain’t coming in this place. It’s not even my house, but even if it were, you ain’t getting an invite.

Bunny’s eyes seemed to stare into Cody’s, blue into blue. Cody suppressed a shudder as he noticed awareness in the horse’s eyes – an awareness that shouldn’t be found in any animal. Cody inhaled deeply, his heavy respiration evidence of his frustration and confusion.

The stare was quickly turning into a standoff, until Bunny slowly began backing up from the doorway. Cody let out a sigh of relief, but his relief quickly turned to dismay as Bunny nuzzled his neck.

“Ya just had to get in the last word, didn’t ya?” protested Cody, as he pushed Bunny all the way onto the porch. “You get on back to the barn,” Cody instructed, closing the door and latching it securely. “I’m talking to a horse for crying out loud,” he complained to the empty room.

With that scold to himself, Cody again began perusing the room. He clapped his hands, rubbing them together in anticipation of the stew. ‘I don’t know where the owner is, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing with a cold stranger,’ Cody reasoned.

Just as Cody began a comprehensive exploration of the large one-room cabin, a knock sounded at the door. ‘Must be the owner,’ Cody thought as he again headed for the cabin’s sturdy wooden entrance. Instead, Cody was surprised to find a small elderly woman hunched over on the front porch. Her knock sounded firm and loud, much stronger than this frail lady could manage.

Her white hair was piled in a bun upon the top of her head. The wrinkled face appeared both wizened and leathery and the small pink lips were pursed in a slight frown. Her coarse gray dress was wrapped in a dark blue apron and her shoulders were covered in a white shawl. Snow blanketed her hunched back and her deep, navy blue eyes regarded Cody with steady perception.

“Well Sonny, ya gonna invite me in?”

The woman’s terse question shook Cody from his reverie. He quickly moved to allow her entrance, not sure what to say.

She walked in slowly, leaning heavily on a cane. Meanwhile, her piercing eyes surveyed the young man as efficiently as they surveyed her surroundings.

Cody finally found his voice. “Ma’am, this ain’t my place, but I’ll be glad to share the shelter with you.”

“How can you share something that ain’t yours?” the old lady demanded.

Cody cleared his throat. “What I mean is, I’m sure the owner wouldn’t mind us using his place to get out of the cold,” Cody corrected.

“You think a lot of yourself, don’t ya boy?” she observed, taking in his arrogant stance and showy clothes. “Looks like them icicles melting off your fringe ain’t thawing you none. You still act like you own the place.”

Cody was becoming frustrated with the woman, but tried to maintain calm out of respect for her advanced age. “I’ve been telling ya it ain’t my place,” he again explained, aggravation in her voice.

“I heard what you said, but your attitude tells me something else,” she commented while hanging her snow covered shawl on the hook by the door. “Now quit your jawing and ladle me up some of that soup.”

More bemused than irritated, Cody moved to fix her something to eat. “Lucky we found a way out of that storm,” Cody remarked.

“Ain’t much in this life the result of luck, Sonny, and don’t you forget it.”

Cody nodded solemnly, suppressing a smile as he handed her a large bowl full of the steaming vegetables and meat. As he leaned down, the wrinkled hands grabbed his cheeks, squeezing a pucker on his lips. “You can get that smug grin off your face boy. You’ll do well to listen to what I have to tell you.”

Unable to do much else in her grip, Cody nodded eyes wide. His blonde eyebrows raised up at least an inch and when she finally released him, he opened his mouth wide to loosen the pucker. Light red marks stained his cheeks, both from a blush and her squeezing fingers.

“Now get yourself a bite to eat; we’re in for a long night,” the woman instructed.

Ladling another bowl full of soup, Cody tried to figure out if his company was nice or mean. She was certainly bossy and quick to judge.

“My name’s William F. Cody,” he said, by way of introduction.

“Yep, and I’ll call you Cody,” she said agreeably. “You can call me Hare.” Noticing his lifted eyebrows, she quickly corrected herself. “Harriet. Call me Miss Harriet.” Noticing relief flooding his features, she cackled. Still laughing, she took a big bite of the hearty soup, smiling around the wood spoon. Cody could see a gap where a tooth should be just as her lips closed around the spoon and she swallowed a huge bite.

After several bites, Harriet looked over at her companion. “You ever heard of the Wise Men?”

“Ma’am, can’t say that I have,” began Cody.

“Ever heard of the baby Jesus?”

“Of course I’ve heard that story,” answered Cody.

“Don’t surprise me none you missed out on part of the story,” cackled Harriet. “Wise men are ‘bout the same as lost men who ain’t found their way yet. Let me tell you their part in the Christmas story.”

Cody listened intently as Miss Harriet wove the tale of three kings coming to find the baby Jesus. “They followed a star in the sky, looking for a wee baby. ‘Course, they knew what they were looking for. What are you looking for boy?”

Taken aback at her question that had interrupted the story that had him enthralled, Cody was surprised. “I was looking for a warm place to stay tonight.”

Once again, Miss Harriet cackled loudly, head thrown back in laughter. “I can think of a mighty warm place you can spend more than just a night…”

Catching on, Cody clinched his jaw angrily. “I don’t believe in Hell.”

Miss Harriet licked her dry lips. “You don’t much believe in Christmas, that wee Baby in a manger or the Wise Men either,” she observed. “What do you believe in, boy?”

“I believe in myself and I believe in my friends,” answered Cody smugly. “And I do believe in baby Jesus.”

“Well now, we’re making progress. You may not be completely lost,” she returned. “You just might become a wise man yourself yet. Let me ask you this,” Miss Harriet said, as she bent toward her young audience. “How come you left your friends with angry words?”

“I didn’t fuss with any of the other riders,” Cody protested.

“You left with nary a kind word for any of them. The last they heard from your mouth were grumblings and mumblings about your run. Christmas is coming soon boy, and you don’t have love in your heart. Son, you ain’t even grateful your horse led you to this shelter. You could be outside freezing to death in the snowstorm,” Miss Harriet spouted off pointedly.
Cody just stared at her a moment before jumping to his feet. Spinning on his heel, he walked out onto the porch to get away from her insightful comments, but they continued to ring in his head. Cody shuffled his feet, staring out onto the bright whiteness in front of him. ‘Am I really that lost?’ he wondered. ‘Do I really seem that ungrateful and angry?’ He could almost hear Miss Harriet’s resounding ‘Yes!’ shouted inside his head. Grudgingly, he turned and walked back inside the house to find Miss Harriet sipping hot apple cider.

“Where did that come from?” he asked quizzically.

Miss Harriet shrugged her shoulders and indicated a steaming cup on the table for him. “I figured if you didn’t come back in, you might as well walk out into that blizzard and not come back.”

Cody tried not to let the hard words cut into his emotions. He didn’t like this woman; she made him think and feel things he didn’t want to face as well as make him deeply uncomfortable.

“My attitude might have been a bit bad this winter,” Cody began.

Miss Harriet cackled. “What an understatement.”

“Ma’am, you ain’t exactly sweetness and light,” he asserted.

“Would sweetness and light get into that thick skull of yours, Sonny?” she demanded.

“Just finish your story,” Cody requested, “about the Wise Men.”

“Well, they brought gifts to the baby Jesus and worshipped him. And instead of going back to tell King Herod where the baby was, they went home a different direction. An angel warned them that King Herod wanted to kill the baby, and they listened to her words of warning.”

“And then what?” asked Cody.

“Why that’s all,” replied Miss Harriet, “but that’s enough.”

“So the point of your story was, these three guys heard about a new king being born, traveled a long way following a star just to give him a present and then they went home?” Cody surmised, disappointed.
“Oh, but you keep missing so much of the story. They recognized the importance of that babe’s birth, and wanted to celebrate it. Then, they followed their hearts when they followed that star. Plus, they listened to what the angel told them,” she pointed out.

“I believe it all happened, but I don’t see what it has to do with me,” he shrugged.

The old woman shook her head ruefully, looking up at the ceiling. Her lips moved as she muttered to someone invisible above. Cody watched mesmerized as her white hair took on an unearthly glow. Soon, the woman quit her chanting and stared into Cody’s eyes, blue into blue.

Standing slowly, she rubbed her back. “I’d best be getting on now,” she said absently.

Cody cleared his throat. “It’s still storming out there; you can’t leave. I didn’t even see a horse with you.”

“Don’t worry about me, Sonny,” she patted his hand, worry evident in the lines of her face and the dull blue in her eyes. The caring gesture touched Cody, and he realized he had been blessed to have her company.

“I want to talk to you more,” Cody insisted.

“You hear, but you don’t listen,” she sighed.

“I’ll listen, just like the Wise Men listened to that angel,” Cody continued earnestly.

The old eyes lit up and the disappointment in them faded into a slight twinkle. “I really must go now,” she said again, but this time, she said it with relief and a touch of joy. “Suddenly, I know you’ll be just fine after all.”

Cody was clearly confused, but filled with a sense of well being. He watched her trudge onto the snow just off the porch. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Don’t worry a minute about me; I’ll be just fine. You keep thinking on the things I told ya,” she instructed.

“Merry Christmas ma’am,” Cody called out, but her lone figure had already disappeared in the drifts. Briefly, he wondered if she was a nearby neighbor, but his thoughts turned to Bunny and he headed toward the barn.

“Come here girl,” he called, but the horse didn’t meet him at the barn door.

He looked in all the stalls, but Bunny was gone. Worry began to set in just as he heard a neigh behind him. “Bunny, where did you go?” Of course, the horse couldn’t answer him, but followed obediently as he led her to the cabin. Cody walked the animal right into the doorway of the warm cabin, set a bucket of feed in front of her and took a seat.

“Bunny, if you have ta…well, you know, you better let me know before you do it in this house!” Cody instructed. He lifted his feet, leaned back a chair and began to nap. The horse watched, tail wagging. Cody was unaware when the horse nudged his cheek in a kiss.

Chapter 5

Cody arrived back in the bunkhouse late Christmas Eve night. The other riders were fast asleep, so he wasn’t able to greet them. The blizzard had made his mail delivery late, and left him with no time to shop for his friends. Instead, Cody decided to rush back home, so he could spend Christmas Day with those most important to him. He also had a gift for them more important than any present.

He crawled into his bunk, the room still warm from the fire and stared at the dark ceiling. Contemplating all that Miss Harriet had told him, Cody felt a surge of comfort overwhelm him. Cody needed comfort, for strange events had befallen him on his way back to Sweetwater.

He’d left Bunny at a waystation along his route and planned to pick up the animal on his way home. When he passed back through, the filly was gone. No one at the station even remembered her and certainly didn’t know what had become of the horse. Then, Cody tried to find the cabin that had sheltered him during the blizzard. Either the snowstorm had moved him way off course or it had disappeared as well because Cody wasted three hours trying to locate the place. Time was running out if he wanted to reach Sweetwater by nightfall, so Cody turned his horse toward home.

Unable to connect with any tangible evidence of his journey through the blizzard, Cody felt uneasy and disoriented. His first glimpse of the Sweetwater station brought relief, yet even crawling into his own bunk, Cody felt perplexed. At least thoughts of Miss Harriet eased his confounded conscience.

Drifting off to sleep, a waft of invisible fog seeped underneath the door. It moved about the room and over the bodies of each young person. It seemed to nod in approval as it escaped out a small crevice of the window, disappearing as quickly and efficiently as it appeared.

The next morning, Cody awakened before all the others. If that weren’t strange enough, he awoke in a pleasant and jovial mood.

“Good morning everyone and Merry Christmas,” he called out, causing the room to stir to life. Ike and Buck sat up, staring Cody.

‘When did you get home?’ signed Ike.

Before Buck could translate, Cody broke into a grin. “I made it home late last night – just in time for Christmas.”

Buck’s mouth curved into a sardonic smile. “And you’re up this early?”

“Of course,” Cody’s voice boomed. “It’s Christmas Day.”

During this exchange, Lou and Kid had sat up on the bunks. Lou lifted her arms over her head, stretching as a yawn escaped her mouth. Kid’s hand found its way through the opening in his union suit, scratching his chest. The two shared a bemused glance.

“I told you the Christmas spirit would get to you,” Lou reminded Cody.

“That it has my fair damsel. And I have a surprise for all of you.” Cody agreed.

Only Jimmy remained in his bunk and one eye cocked open to look at Cody. “What’s got into you Cody?” Jimmy asked, suspicion evident in his voice.

“Don’t ya want to know what the surprise is?”

“I do,” chimed in Kid and Buck in unison.

“We’re going to church,” Cody announced, chest swelling.

“I’m going back to sleep,” Jimmy mumbled as the others stared at Cody incredulously.

“We don’t never go to church,” Lou pointed out. “Everybody’d stare at us.”

Ike moved his hands. ‘Is there a girl there you like?’ he asked Cody.

“No, it ain’t cause of a girl,” Cody drawled. “It’s Sunday and it’s Christmas and I think we oughta all go to church.”

“I for one think it’s a good idea,” said Kid.

“You’re right,” agreed Lou. “Why not go today?”

‘I think we should go,’ Ike signed to Buck.

Buck shrugged and began to get dressed. As the rest of them began putting on their better clothes, Jimmy rolled over.

“Come on Jimmy,” Lou chided. “We might as well all go together.”

Jimmy started to speak, but changed his mind. He began dressing in silence, glaring at Cody for starting this silliness.

The six riders arrived more than a few minutes late. All eyes turned on them as they filed into the church. As if providence expected their arrival, an empty pew awaited them three rows from the back.

“We welcome all visitors into God’s house, on Christmas and any day,” the pastor intoned kindly.

The group shuffled, uncomfortable at any further attention called to them. The boys all quickly removed their hats, having forgotten when they first entered the building.

Lou looked worried and hoped that her glasses hid her gender. Kid reached over and gently squeezed her hand, then quickly released it before it was noticed.

Cody smiled and looked around for a moment. Then, his attention turned to the pastor and his message.

“We are here on this blessed holiday to worship the birth of baby Jesus and to retell the story of his birth,” the preacher intoned.

Cody listened with rapt attention as the other riders became enthralled as well. They listened to the full story of the Wise Men, the angels, the shepherds, and the birth of a baby in a manger. They listened to the story of a miracle and to the plan of God becoming a reality. And the six listened with their hearts to the Christmas message.