Victoria Hamilton's Intro

Victoria should have been happy. She had a new baby brother, but she wasn't happy. Her mother hadn't even survived to name the child. Dr. Poor looked at Vic and asked as gently as he could, "So, Victoria, what are you going to name him?"

"Well, Daddy's name was Victor and I have his name, his middle name was Allen. I think I'll call him Allen. And then Pa's name is Vincent so Allen can have Vincent as his middle name."

Vin stepped in, "Vic, Darling, you don't need to name him after me."

"I know, but I want to. Let me honor you like this, Pa."

Vin was touched that the girl he thought as his own would name her brother after him. Vin thought for a moment then led Dr. Poor outside of the small cottage that had been the Hamilton's home for the past 18
years. "Dr. Poor, how will feed this baby? We have no wet nurse."

"There is some powder milk that I can make up for you. I heard about the formula when I was in Med school. They taught us how to make it. This doctor in Sweden invented it because his son wasn't nursing
correctly."

Vin thought about what he had promised his best friend, Victor. Victor had been shot and was dying. He needed to know that Vin would take care of Gloria and the baby and Vic. Vin promised his friend that his
family would be safe and never want for anything. He had been wrong. Gloria had wanted Victor back everyday since the shooting 6 months ago. She just wanted to be in his arms. Dr. Poor thought she was lucky to have made it to deliver the child. She had given up on life all together. Gloria never blamed Vin for her husband's death and had asked him to look after thechild she was carrying and raise him as his own. She also asked Vin to look after Vic until she married and asked him to make sure she got a good husband, one that would love her. Vic knew that her mother was dying of a broken heart but couldn't seem to pull her mother out of the depression. Vin knew that he had to take in the children. But would Vic allow it?

Vic was head strong and had tried to pick up her father's job when he was killed. She quickly learned that she would have to start at the bottom, and work herself up. Wade was in line after her father. So she got to work taking on more than her share of chores. Vin and Wade kept a close eye on her to make sure she didn't over do it. Vic needed to do physical labor to work through her grief. Veronique was also worried about Vic.

While she missed Daddy too, it seemed as though Vic was taking much harder. She tried to get her sister to open up to her. Finally, Vic revealed that she felt close to her father when she was working and
Veronique understood. But now to loose her mother and her father all with in 6 moths? Vin didn't know if Vic could take it.

Vic agreed to live in the main house with Pa and Andre and Veronique. She didn't think she could stay in the cottage with just Allen to keep her company. Vic insisted on getting up and feeding Allen every time he cried. Vin tried to get Vic to allow one of the servants to tend to Allen in the late night hours, but Vic wouldn't hear of it. She would tend to her little brother. Vin soon realized that it was Allen that was
keeping Vic from going into a deep depression like her mother.

A few months later, after Allen didn't need Vic as much, she announced that she was getting a job. Vin had told her that it wasn't necessary, but Vic told him that she felt like it was. He then realized that
maybe the ranch held too many memories for her to keep working there. So he gave her the permission she was looking for.

The next day Vic and Veronique went to the bakery. "Hello, Mrs. Gentry." Veronique said.

"Well, hello girls. What brings you buy here?"

"Well, Sally, our new cook is lazy and wanted us to come get some rolls for everyone tonight."

"Vic! Miss Sally said that she didn't have the time to bake them today. You know it's not nice to call someone lazy" Veronique scolded.

"It may not be nice, but it's true. I saw her sitting on the swing today when she was supposed to be baking the rolls. And she wasn't alone. I'm not sure who he was, but he was sitting awful close to her."

"Now, girls, you both now that it's not nice to gossip." Mrs. Gentry reprimanded them. Then she added, "But let Miss Sally know that if she wants to spend more time with her suitor that I'll be glad to help
bail her out."

Vic smiled. "Oh you don't have to worry Mrs. Gentry, I won't tell Pa that she's lazy. I love her Roast Beef and that's what we're having tonight."

"Oh yeah I almost forgot, She wanted some donuts for breakfast in the morning. All the hands love your donuts." Veronique added.

"Sure, girls, here you are." Mrs. Gentry said as she handed them a bag.

"Oh, Before we leave, do you need any help?"

"No, Vic, I'm sorry I don't. I just don't have any money to pay for someone to come in and help me out. Sorry." Mrs. Gentry said as Jerusha came down the stairs.

"Hey, Vic and Veronique! How are you?"

"Good." Veronique replied for both of them.

The girls visited for a few minutes and then as Jerusha was walking them out, three handsome men were talking to Teaspoon, the temporary Marshall. While Veronique noticed the look on Vic's face, she did not notice that Jerusha had the same look on her face. The three girls overheard the boys tell their names as Kid and James Hickok. They also heard that the black man siting down was called Noah. As Veronique and Vic were walking home, Veronique started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Vic asked

"You. The look on your face when you saw that Hickok guy."

"Oh yeah! Well it couldn't be any sillier than when that Indian guy, what's his name?"

"Buck"

"Buck came to ask Teaspoon for job!" She said triumphantly her point being made. Veronique had remembered his name. Then she smiled brightly.

"Vic what are you thinking? The last time you had that look on your face we ended up on Kitchen duty for a month because of that stunt."

"You know that Pony Express Station just might need a stable hand and I'm good with horses. I'm going to ask the Marshall right now!" She said and she turned on her heal and headed north of town where the jail house sat.

"Vic! Vic! Wait!" Veronique shouted. She didn't want her friend working when she didn't have to. But there was nothing she could do except hope and pray that she didn't get hired.

Meanwhile at the Jailhouse, "Hello, Marshall?"

"Yes, young lady, what can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you might need a stable hand at that Pony Express station? I have to feed my baby brother. He's only a few months old. My daddy was killed when some cattle thieves tried to rob the ranch that we lived on and he worked at. And my mother died giving birth to Allen. She didn't even get to name him. I'm a good worker, Mr. Vin Bernard can give you a reference if you need one."

"Well, I think I will need some help. After all the boys will be busy delivering the mail. Humm...Would you be able to help out our cook also and help out with the cleaning up after the boys?"

"Yes, Sir." Vic said eagerly.

"Well alright, we can do this on a trial basis. But I need you to understand that if it turns out that I don't need a stable hand after all, I'll have to let you go."

"Yes, Sir, I understand and thank you for giving me a chance."

"Sure, Miss...."

"Victoria."

"Well then Miss Victoria, the station is about a mile south of town. Why don't go introduce yourself as the stable hand and Rachel and Cody will show you around and tell you what needs to be done."

"Yes, Sir." Vic said as she ran down the sidewalk to where she left Veronique. "I got a job!!!!! Tell Pa I'll be home later. I got to get to work as a stable hand at the new Pony Express Station!!!!" Vic got to her horse and jumped up on his back and rode out to the station.

Veronique was stunned. She knew that Vic was a hard worker and she should be happy for her, but she felt like they wouldn't have time together anymore. She just walked her horse home.

"Hey, Angel!" Vin said then he saw her expression. "Why so down?"

"Vic got a job, said she'd be home later."

"Well, then shouldn't you be happy for her?"

"I guess. But I just can't bring myself to be happy. I just lost all of our time together."

"Don't I recall that you share a room?" Veronique nodded. "And don't you two stay up all night talking?" Again she nodded. "Well then think of this as new material to talk about. Besides I'm getting tired of
hearing about the `same ole boring boys' as ya'll put it." Veronique's eyes went wide. She hadn't realized that her father could hear everything they said at night. His room was next to theirs, but she had no idea how thin the walls were. "Where did she get a job?"

"The Pony Express station as a stable hand."

"Well look at this way, she can introduce you to the one that you think is so handsome." Vin grinned as he teased his daughter.

Then it hit her. Because of Vic, she would be able to meet Buck!!!!! "Oh this is the best thing that ever happened to us Pa!! Thank you for allowing her to get a job!!!"

It never ceased to amaze Vin the quick mood changes in his teenage daughters. But he was glad he could help.