ROCK CREEK ADVENTUROUS TALES
PART 2

GHOSTS FROM THE PAST

by Debra © 2001

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jack Morgan arrives back at the Hunter home just before six o'clock. He seats himself next to Teaspoon facing the door. He never sits at any table with his back to the door. There is always some punk out in the streets looking for an easy way to make himself look like a hero. A bullet in the back is the easiest and fastest way to accomplish heroism. This is usually Rachel's seat, but she doesn't say anything to make their dinner guest feel not welcome. Instead, Rachel takes the seat on Teaspoon's other side. Cody is seated next to Rachel and Jimmy is seated next to Jack Morgan.

Before Jack had arrived for dinner, Teaspoon had warned everybody that Jack is a bounty hunter, and that he is searching for The James Gang. Even though Teaspoon is finished with protecting Jesse, he still doesn't want him to end up with a bullet in the back from some ruthless bounty hunter.

Jimmy had suggested that Jesse's name not even be mentioned at dinner. Teaspoon is sure that that will be the main topic of conversation for Jack. So, according to Teaspoon's rules, they can talk about Jesse, but there is to be no mention that they know Jesse on a personal level. The family all had agreed that this is the best way to keep their secret from Jack.

The Hunter dining room table is bustling with commotion as everyone is engaged in passing plates and bowls of food around until everyone has a plate of food before him. Jimmy takes notice that someone has finally out done Cody in the amount of food that one person can put on a plate. Jack appears to have a larger appetite then Cody.

"So Jack, where have you been making your home since the last time you and Teaspoon saw each other?" Rachel asked curiously. Teaspoon's curious wife always wants to know more about Teaspoon's past. He doesn't share many details of his past life. She figures it is because he has had so many wives, and he fears she would become jealous.

"I never really settled in any one place Rachel. I was roaming before I met Teaspoon, and I continued to roam after we parted ways."

"How did you meet Teaspoon?" Cody asked a gleam in his eye that he might find out a dark secret or two about his old stationmaster.

"Well Cody, Teaspoon and I were both trapping further out west," Jack started to explain.

"I had just lost an Indian wife to a white man's disease," Teaspoon spoke saddened by the memories of his dead wife. "I had stayed with her tribe for a few weeks after her death, but I came to realize that there was really no logical reason for my staying. I was only a part of the tribe because I was married to her."

"Didn't the Indians want you around no more?" Cody asked engrossed with Teaspoon's story.

"They really didn't care one way or the other. I could have stayed, but her memory was haunting me. I took that has a sign that I was meant to move on. Of course I had to eat, so I started to do some trapping for a little money to get a decent meal once in awhile. That's when I met Jack Morgan."

"We traveled further west together, and made ourselves quite a bit of money as a trapping team," Jack spoke adding on to Teaspoon's tale.

"Well, how long did the two of you trap together before you went your separate ways?" Jimmy asked wanting to know more about Teaspoon's past also.

"We trapped together for almost a year. We raised a bit of hell across this territory along with the trapping," Jack spoke boldly.

"You were the one always raising the hell Jack. I sat back with my whiskey bottle and watched," Teaspoon spoke admitting the loss of his wife had hurt him deeply.

"That is until you meet that other pretty Indian maiden. She made you forget all about your dead wife," Jack stated bluntly.

"That's enough Jack," Teaspoon spoke gruffly. His eyes are set on Jack Morgan in an angry manner. He really didn't want the other Indian woman brought up in the conversation.

"I'm sorry Teaspoon. I didn't realize that you were keeping the Indian woman a secret and that you don't wish to speak about her."

"Teaspoon, if you're worried about me getting jealous over some woman that was in your life twenty some years ago, don't worry. I don't do jealously very well. It's a dreadful feeling that people only use to hurt each other. I'm really only interested in what your life was like before we met," Rachel spoke with a warm, loving smile for her husband.

"I understand Mister Cody that you are here on army affairs. I've heard there has been a number of murders committed near Rock Creek with nothing to go on as to whom is committing them," Jack spoke loud enough for Teaspoon to hear that he has diverted the evenings chatter to something other then Teaspoon's love life.

Cody has been shoveling food into his mouth intently as he listened to the dialogue going on between Teaspoon and Jack. "Uh…yes sir. We haven't found any clues as to who the killer is."

"Have you any thoughts on who it could possibly be?" Jack asked hoping Cody would give him the chance to help him if he suspects The James Gang at all.

Cody glances at Teaspoon to see if he should answer Jack's question honestly. Teaspoon nods his head slightly. Jack notices the silent conversing going on between them, but he doesn't intrude.

"I didn't have a suspect at first, but now I'm leaning towards Jesse and Frank James or possibly Simon Davenport."

"I've heard of Jesse and Frank James, but who is Simon Davenport?" Jack asked baffled.

"He works as a ranch hand on The Anderson Ranch a few miles from here. He has attacked two women who live here in town. The first woman is his fiancée. The second woman is Rock Creek's school teacher," Jimmy spoke offering the information so Cody can finish his meal before it gets too cold.

"Sounds as if this town is not a safe haven to live in," Jack spoke bluntly. He watches the family intensely as he notices that Teaspoon has been carefully gauging his reaction to Cody and Jimmy's answers to his questions. "Cody I'd like to offer my services to help you bring in Jesse and Frank James for interrogation.

"Well…uh…Mister Morgan I am sure you are an excellent bounty hunter. Unfortunately the army doesn't allow me to call on the services of bounty hunters to help me apprehend any suspects," Cody replied trying to stall Jack from asking too many more questions concerning Jesse.

Jack is satisfied with Cody's answer, and for now he won't push it. "Rachel, you are a magnificent cook. I haven't had a meal like this in years," Jack stated. He then lifts his coffee cup up to take a long taste of the hot beverage.

Before Jack places his coffee cup down, the Hunter front door bursts open with all of them staring up at Buck and Jane! When Jack sees the half Indian half white man he immediately chokes on his coffee!

Teaspoon sees the fear on Buck's face, but Jack's violent attack causes him to first give aid to his friend. Teaspoon abruptly stands up leaning on the table for support with one hand while he pounds on Jack's back with the other. Jack's choking ceases after a few jolts to his back.

"Are you all right? You act as if you're seen a ghost," Teaspoon spoke anxiously.

Jack gazes at Buck who is waiting patiently to speak with Teaspoon. "Perhaps I have."

Teaspoon doesn't hear Jack because he has already turned his attention to Buck. He only heard Jack mumble something. He turns back around to look at Jack. "What did you say?"

"Nothing Teaspoon. It isn't important. But, I think this young man has something important he wants to talk with you about," Jack spoke pointing up at Buck.

Teaspoon looks at Jack sternly. He knows Jack is hiding something, but right now Buck is his main concern. He turns back to Buck and Jane. "You two look a little worse for wear."

Cody can see that Jane has been crying. He stands up from the table and approaches Buck. "What did you do to her?" Cody yelled as he grabs hold of the front of Buck's shirt.

"Cody please stop it! Buck hasn't done anything to me," Jane spoke more harshly at Cody then she had intended.

Cody lets go of Buck slowly. He sees the way Jane's clothes are wrinkled and the way Buck looks like he quickly tucked half his shirt into his trousers. Her hair is messed up as if Buck had been running his fingers through it. Their lips both appear bruised and swollen like when he had caught them kissing at the dance. Cody only wishes he could stop thinking about the many ways the two of them are loving one another.

"Teaspoon someone was shooting at us," Buck announced to the family gathering.

Jimmy gets up from the table, and starts to fasten his gun belt to his waist. Rachel always insists the men don't bring guns to dinner with them, and if they do they must remove them. "Where at Buck?"

"It's probably too late Jimmy. I'm guessing that it was Jesse…"

Everyone in the room looks at Buck with a stunned expression. Buck notices how quiet the house has become. Teaspoon sighs as he gazes at Jack who is wearing a baffled look upon his face. Teaspoon looks back at Buck wearily. Buck senses he has said something wrong, but he has no idea what it is.

"But, I could be wrong," Buck spoke slowly as he finishes what he had been saying.

"Buck you should take Jane over to your home. We really can't do anything tonight. We'll figure this all out tomorrow," Teaspoon spoke tiredly.

"I'd like a word with you Teaspoon," Jack spoke gruffly. He takes his napkin off his lap and tosses it roughly onto his plate.

Buck and Jane walk out of the house. Teaspoon grabs his crutches and both he and Jack follow Buck and Jane out onto the porch.

Teaspoon turns his attention to Buck and Jane before confronting Jack's onslaught of questions. "Neither of you were hurt, were you?"

"No Teaspoon, we're both fine. I'm sorry if I said something wrong," Buck spoke softly to Teaspoon.

Teaspoon has a hand on Buck's shoulder. "Just go home son, and get Jane to bed. She seems a little shook up."

"I'll see you in the morning," Buck spoke as he eyes up Jack Morgan before he and Jane walk over toward his home.

"He's a half-breed, am I correct?" Jack asked intently.

"Don't get any ideas Jack. He's my deputy. He ain't no outlaw," Teaspoon spoke gruffly.

Jack Morgan walks to stand in front of Teaspoon. "I'm surprised you hadn't told me that you found him."

Teaspoon gazes at Jack with such confusion that it causes Jack to back away from the marshal. "What are you talking about?"

Jack suddenly realizes that Teaspoon has no idea what he is talking about. A quick change of the subject should keep Teaspoon's mind away from the torment Jack has been hiding for many years. "You lied to me Hunter. That half-breed mentioned Jesse by name as if you all of you know Jesse very well. I'm sure the half-breed is talking about Jesse James."

"The boy has a name. It's Buck. Please start using it and refrain from calling him a half-breed," Teaspoon spoke angrily.

"He isn't a boy Teaspoon. He's a young man. How old is he anyway?"

"Are we gonna stand around and discuss Buck? I thought your interests lie with Jesse James."

"Only if your are going to admit you know the outlaw. You have too many secrets Teaspoon."

"Apparently, so do you Jack."

"So, how do all of you know Jesse James? Did he shoot somebody who was near and dear to all of you?"

Teaspoon hesitates for a brief moment while he gathers his thoughts. "Back in 1860-61 I was a stationmaster for the Pony Express station here in Rock Creek. All these young men were my riders. Jesse came into our lives as an orphan. He stayed with us for a while until his brother Frank took him away. Until just recently I hadn't seen or heard from Jesse in six years."

"You certainly are full of surprises Teaspoon Hunter. I never figured you to be the type to raise a bunch of orphans or being a marshal for that matter. I have to admit it does look good on you. I'm not wrong in guessing that your Pony Express Riders became your adopted family?" Jack asked flatly.

"They are my family. I don't want any of them hurt from your visit, is that understood?"

"I wouldn't dream of it. I'm only here to bring in Jesse James. I already discussed that with you. As long as the rest of your family is innocent of any crimes then I won't have any reason to go after them."

"Jack, why are you really here? You could have searched for Jesse and Frank James without stopping by for old times sake. It isn't like you to want to visit an old friend. If my memory is correct, friends were only friends until they were no longer any use to you."

"You put a strain on our friendship when you kept me from having my way with that Indian woman."

"You were gonna rape her. I couldn't stand by and allow that to happen. You can't go through life just taking whomever you want," Teaspoon spoke slightly above a whisper, but his words are harsh for Jack Morgan.

"Don't worry yourself about my actions Hunter. Whenever I want a woman these days, I pay for her. It keeps my life just about as honest as yours. Good-night," Jack spoke gruffly as he strolls off the porch and mounts his horse.

Teaspoon watches Jack until his figure on the horse is a speck on the horizon.

Jimmy comes from out of the house to stand behind Teaspoon. "He may be a friend of yours, but I don't think you like him much," Jimmy spoke watching as Jack Morgan disappears.

Teaspoon turns around to face Jimmy. "No, I don't like him much."

"You want to talk about it?" Jimmy asked concerned about Teaspoon. He seems a little heart broken and Jimmy is wondering why.

"Jack Morgan and I are two totally opposite men. I don't really know how the two of us ever became friends. Perhaps it was just a need for survival that brought us together."

"The Indian woman, was that the breaking point in your relationship?"
Jimmy asked concern for Teaspoon.

"Jack was gonna rape her Jimmy. I couldn't allow it to happen. She was a beautiful woman alone in a vulnerable position. She had drifted away from her Indian village. Jack saw the opportunity to take her."

"And you wouldn't let him?"

"How could I? She didn't deserve that kind of brutal attack. No woman does."

Cody hurriedly comes out of the house. "I'm going over to Buck's and see how Jane is doing."

"No need to bother yourself Cody," Buck spoke as he walks up the steps to the porch. All three men turn to look at Buck as he approaches them. "Jane is asleep."

Cody moves forward as if he is going to attack Buck. "What did you do to her?"

Jimmy grabs hold of Cody to restrain him before he hits Buck. "Knock it off Cody! Buck didn't do anything to Jane!" Jimmy spoke as he eases up his hold on Cody when the hothead starts to settle down.

"If he didn't do anything to Jane, then why were both their clothes in disarray as if they had to quickly put them back on?" Cody asked bitterly.

Buck shakes his head as if he isn't going to even acknowledge that question with an answer. He then gazes at Teaspoon as if silently asking Teaspoon to help him out of this mess.

Teaspoon turns to Cody. "I think it's time you get on over to the bunkhouse. You have another long day ahead of you tomorrow," Teaspoon spoke calmly in hopes that Cody's temper will take a lesson from his.

Cody pulls himself from Jimmy's light grasp. He walks past Buck. "I know you are compromising Jane. The two of you weren't together tonight just making small talk. Your appearance tonight when you busted into the house told a much different story. I'm not just handing Jane over to you," Cody spoke gruffly as he walks away from all of them.

Teaspoon turns to Jimmy when he hears the bunkhouse door slam shut. "Jimmy, I'd like to speak with Buck alone. Charlene and Jane are alone over at the house. I want you to get on over to Buck's house so they're not unprotected."

"I hear what you're saying Teaspoon," Jimmy spoke as he walks past Buck. "I'll see you when you get over home."

Buck nods in agreement to Jimmy.

Teaspoon waits until Jimmy is out of hearing range. He grabs onto Buck's forearm to draw his attention to him." Come sit down with me."

Buck looks at Teaspoon as if he knows he's done something terribly wrong. He feels like a little boy about to be punished. "Who was that man that was here earlier?"

"An old friend," Teaspoon spoke somberly.

"I said something wrong when I burst into the house, didn't I?" Buck asked confused.

"Jack Morgan is a bounty hunter."

Buck realizes the mistake he had made. He becomes pale and honestly distraught with the realization that he may have sealed Jesse's fate. With Teaspoon and their relationship mending from their disagreement concerning Jesse, Buck doesn't want to start the fighting again. He's trying his best to understand why Teaspoon did what he did. "I'm really sorry Teaspoon."

"It ain't your fault. You didn't know," Teaspoon spoke quietly.

"Did he question you about knowing Jesse after I left?" Buck asked softly.

"Yep. But, Jack Morgan isn't whom I'm concerned about at this moment. I'm more concerned about what happened to you and Jane. You mind going over everything with me?"

Buck gets a guilty and embarrassed look on his face. Teaspoon senses it and realizes that Cody was correct. Buck and Jane wherever they were, was passionately involved with each other when the shots rang out.

"Where were the two of you?"

"We were in the clearing where we had Ike's ceremony. Whomever it was shooting at us, they were well hidden in the woods. I could tell what direction the shots were coming from, but I didn't want to leave Jane alone to track them."

"What makes you think it was Jesse?"

"Just a feeling Teaspoon. Jesse seems real interested in revenge where I'm concerned. He moved his camp. So it's a possibility that he moved closer to us instead of further away. I'm real sorry about all of this Teaspoon."

"I'm the one that should be saying he's sorry Buck. I let Jesse snare me into his lies and deceit and in the process I hurt all of you," Teaspoon spoke his voice tired from the day's events.

"I suppose this Jack fellow won't let us just handle Jesse?"

"I'm afraid not. Like any bounty hunter, Jack is after the money on Jesse's head. Lets get off the subject of Jesse for a while. It is tiring me. So, what's been going on with you and Jane? I understand from Jimmy that the two of you are…uh…well interested in one another.

"Is that what you call it?" Buck asked confused.

Teaspoon eyes the young man up before him. He understands that Buck isn't very experienced with women, but most everything comes naturally anyway. He isn't quite sure if Buck's appearance is confusion concerning women, or frustration that he isn't sure what he's doing is the right way to do things. "You need to get more aggressive with her Buck."

"Teaspoon, I practically made love to Jane on the sofa with Charlene right upstairs in her bedroom. How much more aggressive am I suppose to get?" Buck spoke unashamed of his desire for Jane.

"What stopped you?"

"Charlene stopped us."

"Oh. I see," Teaspoon spoke with disappointment in his voice.

"Charlene apparently heard all the noise that we were making, and she came downstairs to see what was going on," Buck spoke unsure of his feelings. "Then Charlene excused herself and went back to bed when she became totally upset with my being with Jane. Jane and I talked for a few moments, but that only lead to more uh…involvement between the two of us."

"So then what stopped you?"

"Then I stopped us. I wasn't sure," Buck spoke frustrated.

"Why's that?"

"I don't want Jane thinking that all I want from her is someone to tumble with in my bed."

"You weren't in bed with her. You were on the sofa," Teaspoon spoke trying to lighten the subject of lovemaking between Jane and Buck up a bit.

"There's no difference Teaspoon. Besides not long after that Jimmy came home. After Jimmy's intrusion on our tumble on the sofa, I think we both were just so exhausted from explaining ourselves that Jane just excused herself and went on up to bed alone."

"Oh. Well if it matters to you at all, Jimmy has been taking Hannah to the local hotel. I'm guessing that there's usually no interruptions in a hotel room."

"That's romantic."

Teaspoon smiles knowing what the young man before him is going through. "Uh…so you want there to be romance included in this… uh…this…uh…"

"Lovemaking."

"That's the word I was looking for," Teaspoon spoke a bit embarrassed to be having this talk with Buck. He had thought he wouldn't have to do this for a few more years with Addison and then later with Daniel.

"I want it to be special. The local hotel isn't exactly what I would call special."

"No. I guess those rooms are a bit humdrum," Teaspoon spoke flatly. He glances over Buck again. He senses how frustrated Buck is at the fact that he has strong feelings for Jane, but there seems to be so many obstacles keeping them from their love. Teaspoon smiles at the notion that Buck is falling or is already in love with Jane, and he just plain doesn't know how to deal with his feelings. And, it doesn't help that everyone keeps intruding on passionate moments between the two.

"You're falling you know," Teaspoon spoke softly.

"I am not," Buck spoke his voice filled with emotion.

"Yeah you are. When a man wants to make lovemaking special for a woman, then he's falling for that woman and there ain't nothing you can do about it except to just let it happen."

"How do you know?" Buck asked confused.

"I've been married seven times Buck. Not to mention a few women that I spent a little time with, but didn't actually marry them."

"Well, I don't plan on getting married seven times! Once will be enough for me," Buck spoke anxiously.

"I sure hope so. I don't think I could have this conversation six more times with you."

"Teaspoon, I always thought these kind of talks were suppose to help? This one hasn't helped much. I still don't know what I'm doing," Buck spoke disheartened.

"First of all you've got to move some of those people out of your house. There are far too many interruptions for a young couple in love in that there house of yours."

"You mean Charlene and Jimmy?"

"Yep. After you get that accomplished, tell Jane how you feel about her. Then when it happens, no matter where it happens, it will be special."

"Thanks Teaspoon."

NEXT

FEEDBACK

Back to
The Reading Room Complete Stories Continiuos Stories