It was a day much like any other day—Lou had gone out on a ride, Noah, Kid, and Buck stayed at home to do chores. And Cody and Jimmy had been elected to go to Tompkin’s store to pick out supplies for Rachel. Even before they got there, Cody was flirting with all the pretty women in town, tipping his hat and flashing that charming smile. Jimmy, of course, was all business, constantly reminding him that they had a job to do, so they’d best get to it. Cody grumbled, but followed along after his friend.

Once they entered the store, they spotted a breathtaking redhead standing near the back and both stopped in their tracks. "Well, it’s official. I’ve just died and gone to Heaven," Cody said.

"Yeah, and they’re about ready to throw you back," Jimmy grumbled. He handed Tompkins Rachel’s list, while Cody approached the young woman. Her sky-blue eyes met his as he addressed her. "Hello, Ma’am. My name is William F. Cody. Don’t believe I’ve ever seen you around here before."

"No, you haven’t," she said coolly. She paused as her eyes lit up. "William Cody? Don’t you ride for the Pony Express?"

Cody was momentarily stunned speechless by her question, but he quickly recovered. "Well, yes, I do. Anything I can help you with?"

"Well, if you could tell me where to find your station master, I’d be very grateful," she explained. "We have some urgent business to discuss."

"Teaspoon? Why, he’s just across the street. He’s also our town marshal," Cody explained. "Why don’t I walk you over there right now?"

"That’s very nice of you…if you’re sure it isn’t too much trouble."

"Not at all," Cody replied, receiving an infuriated glance from Jimmy. The expression on Jimmy’s face said it all: Once again, he’s leaving me with all the work! How does he manage to weasel his way out of everything?

He had to admit, Cody was good. He could charm the pants off just about anyone. But Jimmy wasn’t sure that Cody had what it took to stay faithful to one woman over an extended length of time. He had always been a man of the moment kind of guy. It would take an extraordinary woman to win his heart for life.

Cody asked the woman her name, to which she said, "Rebecca Dalton." Moments later, they breezed out of the store while Jimmy was left to take care of the business at hand. It was clear that Cody had other matters on his mind.

.........................

"Teaspoon?" Cody asked as he and Rebecca entered the office. "I brought someone who said she wanted to see you."

Teaspoon had been leaning back in his chair, half-asleep, but his eyes popped open and he leapt out of the chair when he saw who it was. "Becca!" he said loudly as a grin appeared across his face. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you," she said. "Big things are happening in my life and I wanted you to be a part of them."

He looked at her with interest. "What big things?"

She glanced at Cody. "Well…"

"Cody, Son, you can head back now. Thank you for bringing Becca by," Teaspoon said. Cody had no choice but to leave the office, his head down.

"So what’s going on, Darlin’?" Teaspoon asked once they were alone.

In response, she removed the heavy coat she was wearing, revealing a very pregnant figure. That had explained why she was wearing a coat when it was June. "Well, I’ll be," Teaspoon said as he quickly helped her into a chair. "Congratulations. But aren’t you a long way from home? Where’s your husband?"

She looked down. "He’s dead. He died some months back."

"I’m sorry," Teaspoon said sympathetically. He could only imagine how tough it was for an expectant mother all alone in the world. Rebecca admitted, "I thought I could handle this alone, but the closer it gets to the time, the more afraid I am. What if something goes wrong? I don’t want to be all alone."

"No, and you shouldn’t be." Teaspoon smiled at her. "And you do have someplace to go. Come with me."

Rebecca wasn’t sure what he meant, but she carefully pulled herself to her feet and followed him out of his office. She didn’t say much on the ride back to the station, but when she got there, she saw three young men working on a fence. Teaspoon helped her out of the wagon, then they approached the men. "Boys, this here’s my daughter, Rebecca. Rebecca, this is Buck, Noah, and Kid. They ride for the Pony Express."

Rebecca smiled, but it appeared strained. They nodded and mumbled it was nice to meet her, but all of them were thinking along the same lines: Teaspoon has a daughter? I didn’t know that. And where’s her husband? Surely she’s got one.

About that time, Cody rode up in the yard, pausing when he noticed Rebecca. He took note of her pregnancy and immediately, could have kicked himself for flirting with a prospective mother. Trying to stay neutral, he approached the group as Teaspoon said, "You’ve already met Cody. Cody, this is my daughter, Rebecca."

"Daughter?" Cody was stunned. "Teaspoon, I didn’t know you had a daughter."

"Well, I was married six times. Surely, I had to have at least one child, right?"

Cody shrugged. "I guess so. It’s nice to see you again, Rebecca."

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Likewise."

"Becca’s going to be staying with us till she has her baby," Teaspoon announced. The boys were shocked by this news, but knew better than to argue. Teaspoon was boss, and what he said went. He led Rebecca up to the house, then Cody muttered, "Well, I feel like a fool now."

"Why? She turn you down?" Noah asked, chuckling.

Cody cast him a pained glance. "How was I supposed to know she was expecting? It was hard to tell from what she was wearing. And another thing: for somebody who’s going to be staying, she doesn’t have any suitcases with her."

"Maybe she left them at the hotel," Kid suggested.

Cody shrugged. "Maybe, but I doubt it. There’s something unusual about that girl. I just wish I could put my finger on what it is."

"Well, she turned you down, so she must have some taste," Buck said, laughing.

Cody looked back toward the house as he silently wondered about the mysterious young woman who had just made herself at home with them. Something about her seemed strange to him, and he intended to get down to the bottom of it—or his name wasn’t William F. Cody.

.........................

At dinner that night, Rebecca was noticeably very quiet. Everyone tried to draw her into their conversation, but it was clear she didn’t want to be a part of it. She excused herself and went to the house where Rachel and Lou stayed. Staring after her, Buck asked, "Why is she so quiet? She just seems so sad."

"Her husband’s dead and she’s got a child to raise all alone," Teaspoon explained. "I’m sure that would be tough on anyone. That’s why I want you boys to be specially nice to her."

"Of course we will," Kid assured him.

Two days later, Teaspoon realized why his daughter had been so silent, unwilling to talk about her past or her husband’s death. As he entered his office, he saw a sign that read WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. And underneath, was a likeness of Rebecca. Teaspoon was horrified. Dropping the paper onto the desk, he muttered, "Oh, Rebecca, what have you done? You’re in a world of trouble."

To Be Continued…