Emma arranged a “coming out” party for the daring young woman. How she had survived in that bunkhouse full of boys, Emma didn’t even want to consider. Emma was sure that some if not all the other riders knew of Lou’s gender, but she wondered if they had ever really seen her as a woman. ‘Silly boys’, Emma thought, ‘they probably think of Lou as a little sister -- well, it’s high time they see her differently.’
Emma gathered Buck, Ike, Kid, Cody and Jimmy around her parlor table. This being a special occasion, tea was served as well.
“What are we here for Emma?” asked one of the boys.
“You’ll see,” smiled Emma, “I have a surprise for you. Come on out Louise.”
‘Louise?’ Ten pairs of eyes widened; this could get interesting.
Lou’s voice from above the stairs rang out; “The first one of you that laughs is getting punched."
“Lulabelle,” chastised Emma.
The boys laughed, but it was a tense sound. They weren’t sure what or who to expect.
Lou slowly descended the stairs. Her hair was a bit mussed, but she looked every inch the lady in her new dress. She was at once shy and proud; the combination was intriguing.
Emma watched the rider’s reaction with great amusement. This was indeed better than she even expected. Each of the boys looked like they had been hit between the eyes. Some even looked as if they were hit beneath the belt.
Bucks’ reaction was instantaneous, and Emma couldn’t recall ever seeing him with that look on his face. Buck was definitely not seeing Lou as a little sister anymore.
Emma heard Jimmy suck in his breath as he caught sight of Lou in a dress. His knuckles whitened as he clutched the hat in his hands.
Ike was looking around at the other riders, amazement clearly on his face, but his gaze kept returning to Lou.
A comment was heard, “Kid, you better watch out.” Kid looked sheepish, but proud of this woman he had protected.
Cody let out a long whistle, “Kid who?”
The group chuckled, but Kid looked worried. He no longer had Lou to himself. The other riders may have known she was a girl, but they now saw her as a woman.
Lou looked pleased with the attention. Emma smiled, “she deserves a little recognition for her feminine charms.” Unfortunately Emma had no idea the amount of ‘appreciation’ that Lou was about to receive.
Part 2
Extra Attention
Things turned odd by nightfall. Lou was in the barn, Teaspoon was late, and all of the other riders were in the bunkhouse. Emma had supper ready, but the boys weren’t hastening to take their seats as usual.
“Boys, you planning to eat tonight?” asked Emma, puzzled.
“Oh, yes ma’am,” replied Jimmy, “but we aren’t all here yet.”
“Well, no need to wait on Mr. Spoon,” explained Emma, “there’s no telling when he’ll be in this evening.”
Ike moved his hands and Buck translated. “We’re waiting for Lou.”
Emma just stood there a moment, watching the five boys fidget around the table. “Are you telling me you ain’t sitting down to supper, ‘cause you are all waiting on Lou?”
“Well, yes ma’am,” smiled Kid. “That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of us.”
Emma looked at Cody as he stood near the door, his hands under his shoulders, rocking on his heels. “You waiting too Cody?”
“Well, of course,” the blonde rider replied.
‘Oh dear,’ mused Emma. ‘Things are serious.’ She bit back a grin. “Well, one of you boys best run and fetch her then, before your meal is too cold to eat.”
All five of them immediately started toward the door and the shoving began. Buck shot in front of Ike, so Ike pushed him to the side. Jimmy and Kid were already shoulder to shoulder, trapped in the doorway. Cody began looking for a window to crawl out.
“Boys,” called Emma loudly, “come sit at this table right now. I’ll go get her myself.”
Sullen, the each trudged back to the table, unwilling to take a seat.
“I said sit,” Emma repeated from the doorway, “now.”
They sat, glaring at each other. As soon as Emma was out of earshot the bickering began.
“I can’t believe you pushed me Ike,” accused Buck.
‘Like you didn’t cut in front of me,’ signed Ike, clearly irritated.
“Oh, so you’re blaming me?” replied Buck.
“Hey, I don’t know what’s got into the rest of you,” Kid interjected, “but Lou and I have been close for a while.”
Jimmy put up his hand, stopping the flow of words. “Kid, is there any kind of understanding between you and Lou?’
“Well, no, but..,”
“That’s all I need to know,” Jimmy smiled in reply.
Cody shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know what all this fuss is about anyway.”
Lou and Emma moved into the doorway. Cody was the first to his feet, contradicting his words. The other riders all glared at each other as they stood as well, but they smiled at Lou.
Lou looked at Emma and grinned, unbelieving. Emma returned her smile and shrugged her shoulders.
Each one of the boys seemed to indicate a vacant space open beside them and Lou was unsure where to sit. She finally sat between Kid and Jimmy, her usual spot at the table.
“Am I the only one hungry?” she joked as she reached for a bowl. The boys just all grinned at her; they looked downright silly. Back in pants, Lou couldn’t see what the fuss was about, but this was certainly entertaining.
She set the bowl back on the table to find Ike and Buck both handing her another one. “Why, thank you boys.”
“You’re welcome,” Buck said, beaming. Ike began signing furiously.
“What’s he saying?” questioned Lou.
“Aww, nothing amounting to much,” answered Buck.
He then returned a few signs to Ike, ‘Oh, so you going to blame me for talking to her when you can’t?’
Ike’s hands and fingers moved in a response that needed no translation. It’s meaning was clear. “Ike!” Emma chided.
Buck looked at his friend defiantly, “Right back at you Ike.”
Lou cleared her throat uncomfortably. “Can we just eat?”
“Great idea,” smiled Kid. Cody seconded the motion.
Half-way through dinner, Lou looked up to feel Cody’s eyes on her. He was studying her, as if torn in some decision.
“What is it?” she asked, worried.
“Well,” replied Cody, “I was just noticing the biscuits are all gone and you don’t have one – would you like mine?”
“Ah hell,” breathed Jimmy, “this is going to get ugly.
