MORNING GLORY
by HBK © 2002
Buzzing with energy, the town of Rock Creek was unsurprisingly busier than Sweetwater. Pretty women paraded the streets in their colorful shades of dresses. Children ran across the wide spaces, holding wooden guns, pretending to be cowboys. Some families were heading to the store to buy a week supply of goods. Young couples held hands lovingly as they took a promenade, completely oblivious of the world that surrounded them. A group of old men sat lazily in front of the store, smoking their cigars and cleaning their guns.
Rachel led the young group of men to the store. She was very proud of their polite manner and the polished way they carried themselves. She was especially thankful that Cody remained quiet throughout their short walk to the store.
Her thankfulness did not last long as Cody began to speak. "What did I tell you about the ladies? Didn't I tell you how fine they were?"
Jimmy smiled. For once, Cody was right. "I sure am getting tired of nodding my head to these women."
Cody suddenly grabbed Kid's arm. "Take off your hat."
Kid frowned, unsure if he heard his friend correctly. "Take off my hat?"
"No, Kid, your pants," Cody said, rolling his eyes. "She's comin'! Oh Lord, here she comes!"
"Who?" Buck asked curiously.
There was no need for Cody to answer as a beautiful woman in tight pants and white blouse approached them. She had an exquisite smile, which revealed a clear set of perfect teeth. She extended her hand to Kid as she greeted him, "Hello, welcome to Rock Creek. I'm Samantha."
If Kid was surprised, he sure didn't show it. Instead, he nonchalantly shook her hand. No sign of nervousness reflected on his handsome face as if meeting women as beautiful as Samantha was something he did everyday.
"Hi. People call me the Kid," he said.
"That's an unusual name," Samantha said. Her smile never left her face. She then turned her attention to the other Pony Express riders, shaking their hands as each one introduced himself. "We are so happy to have you here in Rock Creek."
"Thank you," Rachel said politely. She liked the woman, but she didn't like the way she was looking at Kid. Rachel was certainly too young to be their mother, but she was also too old to be their sister. Nonetheless, her affection for the young men rested in the realm of motherhood. She always had their best interests at heart, and she worried and cared for them like they were her own.
"If you guys ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask. I live by the houses near the school. I'd be glad to help," Samantha said, still smiling at Kid.
Jimmy frowned, wondering if she was talking to them or just to Kid. Cody was certainly infuriated with the lack of attention the woman gave him. Buck could have sworn Samantha was undressing Kid with her eyes. With hands in his pockets, Ike continued to stare at Samantha, somewhat taken by her presence.
"We must be going now, Samantha," Rachel told the woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Samantha returned her smile. "Well, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of eachother." She gazed at Kid for the last time through her thick lashes, and Jimmy continued to wonder if she was really addressing them or just Kid.
"She made quite an impression on you, Kid," Cody told his friend as he patted his shoulder.
"Huh?" Kid was distracted by the noise coming from the second floor of the saloon.
"Or should I say you made an impression on her?" Cody said, shaking his head. "Kid, she was trying to talk to you, but you just stood there. And why the hell were you staring at the saloon?"
"I wasn't," he lied.
"Don't tell me you've developed a new liking for prostitutes," Cody teased him.
"Cody!" Rachel scolded the blond cowboy. "You don't have any right talking like that. Don't make me tell you again!"
Cody rolled his eyes, following the woman inside the store. "If Samantha's gonna be Jesse's teacher, I'd offer to walk that kid everyday to school."
Buck laughed, remembering Jesse's hardheadedness and unwillingness to be treated like a kid. "Yeah, if Jesse lets you."
"If I had teachers as pretty as she is, I wouldn't cut school so much," Cody said.
"If I had teachers as attractive as Samantha, I'd probably learn how to read," Jimmy admitted.
Dinner at the station was a quiet affair. Noah and Jesse had arrived several hours before. Noone had the energy to talk, much alone joke around.
"Boys, how do you like this town?" Teaspoon asked, finally breaking the silence.
Noah sighed. "I don't know. It just seems too much. Too many people, too many dogs running around, too many houses, too many of everything."
Jimmy said, "I guess if it comes to too much food, Cody won't mind."
Cody glared at Jimmy, fighting the urge to throw a potato across the table.
Jesse cleared his throat, seizing the moment to declare his announcement. "Guess what?"
Teaspoon and Jimmy cocked an eyebrow in the young lad's direction.
"I found a job," Jesse said,
Buck and Cody hollered good-naturedly, happy for Jesse's luck. "That's great, man. What are you doing?"
"I am working at the saloon," Jesse declared proudly, his grin widening.
Teaspoon almost choked on his food. Cody dropped his glass of water. Kid's heart pounded.
"What?" Rachel said, shocked at Jesse's announcement. "Did you just say you work at the saloon?"
Jesse nodded.
Noah frowned, furious with the lad whom he never thought could be so stupid. "As a what? A prostitute?"
There, the question on everyone's mind was finally asked. Everyone watched the boy's face, anticipating Jesse's answer.
Jesse frowned, slamming his spoon on the table. "Of course not! What kinda person do you think I am?"
Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God! he thought, feeling so happy that he wanted to give everyone at the table a big hug.
"Well, what are you doing working at the saloon?" Ike signed, still nervous about Jesse's new occupation.
"The owner hired me as an aide. He said he's looking for someone to take care of his horses, unpack the deliveries, fix broken chairs, just do basic stuff."
"And he can't do that by himself?" Kid asked.
"No. He said he has no time, and his daughter ain't much help either. Anything she does just leads to trouble. He describes her as a pain in the ass."
"Sounds like a great girl," Jimmy commented.
"Why? 'Cause she sounds like you?" Cody asked.
"Enough you two!" Teaspoon turned his attention back to Jesse. The whole idea fascinated him. "Why would he hire someone so young?"
Jesse shrugged, shoving a piece of chicken in his mouth. "I don't know. He mentioned something about having a son younger than me. I guess his son's away or something. Besides I'm not young."
"Well, we're happy for you Jesse," Kid spoke for all of them. "Just stay away from all the alcohol and women."
Jesse beamed with a devilish grin. "I guess I'm one of the luckiest men in the world."
"Don't be too sure," Rachel said. Once again her maternal instinct
was taking hold of her emotions. She said a silent prayer for the boy. She wasn't
too confident that Jesse would stay away from trouble. How could he just work
at the saloon? Rachel thought. And why the saloon of all places? She knew well
enough that Jesse was no angel, but the saloon with all its trouble and chaotic
atmosphere was certainly one of the closest things to hell on earth.
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