JULY 30, 1861

Teaspoon stopped the buggy in front of Hagan’s home. He helped Rachel down, and they climbed the steps to the porch. Teaspoon knocked, and Melissa opened the door. “Howdy Melissa, we’re here to see how Cody’s doing.

Melissa smiled. “Please come on in.” She opened the door wider, and Teaspoon and Rachel stepped inside. They followed her to the living room and saw Cody lying on the couch.

“Hi Teaspoon, Rachel,” Cody said.

“Hi boy, how ya doing?” Teaspoon asked.

“Well, alright, considering,” he didn’t say any more.

“Oh Cody, I’m sure you’ll be walking around soon. You’ve got to keep faith. Go to church with us this Sunday. A couple of the boys could come over and help you.” Rachel prompted.

Cody shook his head. He wasn’t ready to go out looking like this yet. He wasn’t sure he would ever be, but he knew for sure that he wasn’t ready yet.

Teaspoon saw that Rachel was about to urge him some more, so he stepped in. “It’s alright boy, but when you do decide that you want to get out to church or just even to town, just let me know, and I’ll have some of the boys come over and give you a hand, ok?” Cody nodded. “Well, we just wanted to see how you were doing. It looks like you’re in mighty good hands.”

Cody nodded again. Although Cody wasn’t so sure about that, cause he kind of wished that he wasn’t staying at Jacy’s home since he wanted to drive her away from him, and by him being there it was hard, but there was no other place for him to go. He didn’t want to be a burden to Rachel since she had the others to take care of and deal with, especially Lee since she had lost the baby. Also he hadn’t left yet because Jacy hadn’t told him too, and maybe just maybe there was a slim chance that he might walk again, at least deep down he wished that it might be true. But of course if it didn’t happen, he thought it was best that Jacy had a man that had two good legs to be there for her.

“How’s Lee and Jimmy doing?” Cody inquired.

“As good as can be expected.” Teaspoon replied. “It will take some time, but they’re both strong. I’m sure they’re going to be all right. Well, I have to get back. I have to keep an eye on the town.” Teaspoon said.

“Cody if you need anything, please let me know, alright?” Rachel stated.

Cody nodded, “I’ll do that Rachel.”

“Goodbye Cody. We’ll see ourselves out.” Teaspoon turned and followed Rachel. Teaspoon untied his horse from the buggy and headed to town while Rachel headed back to the station.

*****

Ike stopped the buggy, jumped down and walked up to the door of the hotel. He was the happiest man alive. He had never known himself to be as happy as this before. His sister was alive and well. He wished he could scream it out loud, but unfortunately, he couldn’t. She didn’t seem to mind that he couldn’t talk. He had told her that he just couldn’t talk after what had happened to their ma and pa, and she seemed to understand.

Jennifer was trying to put words on paper, but nothing would come. Her mind kept reliving yesterday, in particular the moment that she saw her brother and knew it was him. A knock on her door brought her back to the present. She rose and went to her door, but before opening it, she asked, “Who’s there?” No voice answered, but there was another knock, and then she remembered that Ike couldn’t talk. “Ike if that’s you, please knock again.” There was another knock, and Jennifer opened the door. “It is you. We’re going to have to come up with a special knock, so that I know that it is you on the other side. I don’t open the door for just anybody.”

Ike nodded and started signing, but quickly stopped when he saw Jennifer’s puzzled face. “Wait, I’ll get you some paper." She ran over to her stand and grabbed a pen and paper. She gave it to Ike. Ike wrote, ‘That is good that you don’t open the door for just anybody. We will have to get a special signal.' Jennifer nodded after reading the note. “I need to learn sign language, too. Can you teach me?” Ike smiled and nodded. “You said you wanted to take me to meet someone today. Is that right?” Ike nodded again. “Ok, well, I’m ready if you are.” She smiled even though she was nervous. She was always nervous about meeting new folks unless she was doing it so that she could write an article or put something in her book.

Ike held out his arm, and Jennifer took it. Ike escorted her over to the jailhouse. She was perplexed when she saw where they were going, but she didn’t say anything. As they entered the jailhouse, Teaspoon smiled, stood up and tipped his hat to the pretty lady. “So what do I attribute this visit to?” He saw that Ike and the pretty girl were very close. He hoped that Ike had found him another girl, because since Karen had left, he hadn’t been very happy.

Ike signed to Teaspoon, and Teaspoon’s eyes got wide. “You don’t say. Why this is wonderful Ike!" With a beaming smile, Teaspoon rounded the table. “May I be the first one to give you a more proper greeting. He leaned over and gave Jennifer a kiss on the cheek. “I’m really glad that Ike has found his sister, and here you were all along right under our noses.” Teaspoon shook his head as if it was a miracle that this had occurred. “I’m Teaspoon Hunter, the sheriff and Ike’s boss, the station master for the Pony Express. And you are?”

“I’m Jennifer . . . Jennifer McSwain. I’ve been looking for Ike for a very long time. I’m so glad that I’ve found him.”

Teaspoon nodded and smiled. He could see that Jennifer was genuinely happy to have found Ike. “I’m sure you are.” Teaspoon backed up and sat on his desk rubbing his chin. “Were going to have to let everybody know that she’s your sister, Ike.” Ike nodded.

"I think a party would be best. That way we could let everybody know at once." Teaspoon pulled on his suspenders. "I---"

"Did I hear somebody say party?" Caller Bob walked in. "I would have knocked Teaspoon, but you know how nosey I am, and I heard you say party. Who's having a party?"

"Ike, Jennifer, do you think it's alright to tell him." Ike looked at Jennifer and she nodded, so Ike turned back to Teaspoon and nodded. "Well, Caller Bob, Jennifer here is Ike's sister, and we want to have a party to tell everybody."

"That sounds great! I volunteer my services and my place, too. We could have some dancing and if some of the ladies around town would make some refreshments, we can have a grand old time and announce that Jennifer is Ike's sister. How does that sound?" He directed his question to Jennifer.

"It sounds good." She looked at Ike, and he nodded.

"Alright, but Bob no one is to know until we announce it." Teaspoon stated.

"Don't worry Teaspoon, I can keep a secret. So when do we want to have this party?"

"Hmmm . . .  I haven't thought about when, but the sooner the better." Teaspoon replied.

"How about August twenty-fifth?" Caller Bob asked. "I know that’s a month away, but maybe by then Charlie and Grace will be back in town.”

“Grace is my niece.” Teaspoon explained for Jennifer’s benefit.

Jennifer nodded. “That sounds good to me.”

What can we say as to why we're having it if we don't want anybody to know that Jennifer is Ike's sister?" Caller Bob inquired.

"Hmmm," Teaspoon rubbed his chin.

"How about a special square dance?" Caller Bob suggested. "Jennifer probably doesn't know how to square dance, but she can watch Ike. It's pretty fun to watch, too."

"That sounds good. I'd like to see Ike square dance." Jennifer smiled at her brother.

"Good, then it's all settle. We'll have a special square dance out at my place. How should we invite them?" Before anybody could answer, Caller Bob continued, "I could have Jacy write something up about it, advertise it in the paper. Oh I forgot, you write for the paper. You could write something up for it, couldn't you?"

"Yes, I can do that." Jennifer replied.

"Great! Write something up and then let me know how much I owe you, ok? Well, I think I'll go and let you three finish your meeting. I was just stopping by to see how things were going with ya Teaspoon. Just something to do to kill time while I'm waiting for my supplies to be loaded on the wagon." Caller Bob always stopped in to see Teaspoon when he came into town. Teaspoon smiled and nodded, and then Caller Bob left.

Ike, Jennifer and Teaspoon talked a little more about the party, and then Ike took Jennifer for a ride in the buggy to show her the countryside and to get more acquainted with her.