tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040338919595134572024-03-19T12:14:13.779-07:00The Young Riders Post ScriptsA site for me to make my favorite TV Western end the way it should have. Enjoy my scribblings. =)
Please, let me know what you think of my stories! Tell me the good, the bad and the ugly. Or leave me suggestions for future installments.Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-66641835053946090582023-11-02T18:16:00.000-07:002023-11-02T18:16:30.755-07:00'Til Then... by JennaLynn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVSsKL_DZzQcbh8SCB-OED-P8D31zK-qGf83Fb33S5hPnGDDWaSjsuPSuJdo6yiXP-5DIsfOky2UBM_nKb0mBcRMXpTNZTw7GuVy8i9sG6OUz9Z2p9iY8Ajjh1iUygyDihEqgB2vtW2AEmT9p1CfMyCSBm-iSqsJvKy_n4PebKflu9AJpUFB4LUD9s74/s1280/wild%20bills%20story%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVSsKL_DZzQcbh8SCB-OED-P8D31zK-qGf83Fb33S5hPnGDDWaSjsuPSuJdo6yiXP-5DIsfOky2UBM_nKb0mBcRMXpTNZTw7GuVy8i9sG6OUz9Z2p9iY8Ajjh1iUygyDihEqgB2vtW2AEmT9p1CfMyCSBm-iSqsJvKy_n4PebKflu9AJpUFB4LUD9s74/s320/wild%20bills%20story%20pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody stood and brushed the dirt from the knees of his pants. He dared one last lingering look at the fresh grave and sighed. </span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-360bbe70-7fff-8b43-3ef4-d684e8f32144"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He had said his piece already but he still wasn't quite able to walk away. It was quiet here in the cemetery. Quiet and devoid of people–of the living variety anyway. He wasn't quite ready to dry his tears just yet. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Placing a hand on the cold stone grave marker, he swallowed hard before speaking. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I love you, baby."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As Cody took one more shaky breath and wiped at his face with a handkerchief, a voice spoke from a few yards behind him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I thought I'd find you here."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The voice startled him and he thought about reaching for his gun but then he just didn't care. His reason for living was in that grave. A bullet could only serve to reunite him with his true love. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody turned to the direction of the voice and saw there was no threat anyway. Standing in front of him was Buck. It had been years since he'd last seen Buck and, as heartbroken as he was, the sight brought a smile to his face. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Of course he also hoped Buck hadn't been close enough to hear what he'd said. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The two came together in a warm brotherly embrace. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"It's good to see you, Buck," Cody said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You come to pay your respects, too?"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck shook his head. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I didn't need to be here to say my goodbyes," Buck said. "For me, Jimmy's not here. I came for you."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody furrowed his brow at his old friend. Buck saw the look and decided to change the subject for the time being. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"So, how's the family?"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"That really why you came here, Buck? To ask after my family?"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck shook his head while leading Cody out of the cemetery. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I came to check on my brother. Kid and I dealt as well as we could together. He'd have come too but he's got the children to look after."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody just looked at the ground. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"We're all that's left now," Buck continued. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"No," Cody said simply. "I'm not okay. I'm tired of burying my brothers, Buck."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck stayed quiet. There was more to be said and he might have to prod some of it along but maybe Cody'd get to some of it on his own. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"How are you holding up?" Cody asked. "He was your brother too."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck frowned. He had thought Cody to be close to opening up.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"He wasn't your brother though, was he?" Buck asked but then continued speaking. "He was your soul mate."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody's head shot up ready to deny everything. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I've known almost as long as you have," Buck explained. "Don’t worry, no one else knows. I could see things pass between you. Your world doesn't allow for such things but mine does."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"You never said anything," Cody said incredulously. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck leaned against a tree just outside the cemetery gate. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I went back and forth on that through the years," Buck said. "Sometimes I thought it might help to know that someone saw what was there and was pulling for you. Others I guessed it wasn't really my business and wouldn't really change much for you. You'd still have to hide from the rest of the world."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody nodded sadly. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He couldn’t do it anymore, Buck. The hiding, I mean.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody sighed heavily and sagged against the tree.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I guess I’d gotten used to it. I mean, it wasn’t how I wanted things but I knew he loved me and I knew I loved him and that was all I needed. When we could be together–well, that was wonderful.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jimmy needed more?” Buck asked more to keep Cody talking than anything else.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I know this is going down in the books as a murder,” Cody said. “It’s a suicide though. He wanted to die–for everything to be over. He did it like this because I made him promise…”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck could see this line of thinking wasn’t going anywhere good.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Cody, you didn’t cause this.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I made him promise to never make me go on without him,” Cody said sadly. “Stupid of me, I know. At the time all I cared about was him being more careful. He was so reckless.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“You still can’t think this is your fault.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I don’t just think it–I know it. I could have saved him. I was the only one who could have. I told him I’d figure it out…I told him he’d never be all alone in the dark.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The tears were back and burning rivers down Cody’s cheeks. He had failed Jimmy. And now the only true love he’d ever known was gone.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I don’t understand,” Buck said, thoroughly confused by his brother’s words.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jimmy was mostly blind,” Cody answered. “He was terrified of being alone–of me not being there. Or me thinking he was a burden.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I didn’t know he was in that bad of shape.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“We hid it best we could. I didn’t think hard enough–or fast enough. I just couldn’t figure a solution.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pushing himself away from the tree, Cody began to pace.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He was so sure he was weighing me down or that folks’d figure it out with me keeping him around when he wasn’t in the show anymore. He met Agnes and she was a sweet sort.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody whirled around to face Buck.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He didn’t love her–he couldn’t even fake it,” he told Buck. “Minister that married them even noted on the marriage certificate that he didn’t think Jimmy meant his vows. Hell, I know he didn’t. But I think he cared about her though.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck shook his head. If there was one thing he’d never figure out in the white world, it was all the limits on love. Love was never shameful and never bad or evil. Being kept from love–denying love–that was destructive. Love, itself, could never be that damaging.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jimmy thought if he married that he’d have someone to look out for him as things got worse with his eyes,” Cody went on. “But I think he felt like he was just using her. He knew better than anyone what it felt like to be used like that. I guess that’s why he came here.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“You tried,” Buck said in an attempt at comfort. He knew Cody would be hurting but had no idea the guilt he would feel he had to bear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“No.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was barely a whisper and Buck had to strain to hear it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I didn’t try. We’d talk sometimes about starting up a ranch or something. Just two old friends with a business together. Two old confirmed bachelors. No one would need to know how the rooms in the main house were being used. We’d still have to hide some but we would’ve been together. I could’ve kept some of the demons from latching onto him. I could still be holding him in the night when he was scared.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Why didn’t you two go that route?” Buck asked. He’d never heard anything about starting any sort of business from either man,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“My aspirations of fame…” Cody’s embittered voice trailed away. “Jimmy said he couldn’t let me give up those dreams.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Sounds like Hickok alright.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Thing is, those dreams were the dreams of a child. They were the dreams of a boy.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody shook his head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“How I loved him–how it made me feel to know he truly loved me…those are dreams for a man. A man knows what’s really important. He was important. I didn’t fight for him. I didn’t.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The tears overtook the last two words as Cody sank to his knees palms helplessly toward the heavens.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck knelt next to his brother and put an arm around the man’s shoulders. There were no words of comfort to be offered. All Buck could give as Cody wept against his shoulder was his presence. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In time the tears slowed and the two just sat comfortably crossed-legged on the ground.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So,” Buck ventured to speak. “How did the two of you fall in love anyway?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody chuckled as the memories hit him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Before I answer that, when did you first see there was something between us?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was Buck’s turn to offer a small laugh.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Well, something was weird between you after that Valentine’s Day when you were fighting over Clara. I thought I was seeing things or reading them wrong because it looked like when Kid and Lou didn’t want anyone to know they still had feelings for each other but they did all the same. I was sure I was misinterpreting.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck offered a smile then.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Well after the two of you got back from that special run Teaspoon sent you on, it was obvious. I always figured something happened on Valentine’s Day and you two sorted it on that ride but it left me curious. I could tell neither of you usually gave another man a second look. You genuinely liked the ladies…until after that ride.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody gave perhaps his first real smile of the day.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Teaspoon found out,” he said. “Thought we’d given the old man a heart attack when he caught us kissing in the barn. He ordered us into the sweat lodge. He told us that you couldn’t control who you fell in love with but sometimes the package they came in didn’t make sense.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck laughed heartily. That was Teaspoon alright.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody sighed and continued speaking.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Valentine’s Day. And Clara. I guess you’ve heard by now that on that day when we all got the Valentine hearts that Kid’s didn’t say the same as everyone else’s.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck nodded remembering being told about how there was almost a knock-down, drag-out fight between Kid and Lou that day over what had been written to Kid.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Well, Jimmy and I lied that day too. We said we got the same little poem that you all got but we didn’t. Ours were even signed. Clara and one of her friends sent those hearts and cookies that day. If I had to guess, it was her friend Hortense who wrote to Kid. I think she had a crush and wanted…oh Hell, I don’t know what she thought she’d accomplish with that letter. But Jimmy and I got notes from Clara telling us to meet her that night.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody’s eyes stared out to the horizon and beyond. He had traveled back in time to those young men who each thought they could ask for nothing more than the affections of Miss Clara Cassidy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“She led us on a merry chase that night. We were sent in different directions and each place we were sent to there was another note telling us where to go next until finally we were headed to her–or so we thought.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody paused and offered a laugh at the foolish boys they had been.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“It was black as pitch that night. New moon. Couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. We could hear each other but just thought it was Clara. When we came together…well, I guess we both had the same idea of kissing the daylights out of that girl. We realized pretty quick that we wasn’t kissing a girl at all.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck laughed heartily at the image that conjured in his head and he figured that both of his friends had been embarrassed and disgusted by the kiss.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody joined the laughter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“We swore we would take that event to our graves. We didn’t want to ever speak of it again.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“What changed?” Buck asked to prod the story along as he could see Cody’s eyes drifting across the years to the innocent young men they had been.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Not really anything,” Cody answered, visibly shaking himself back to the present. “But then I guess everything changed. I’d think about some pretty girl I’d seen in town and start thinking about kissing her and her kisses weren’t enough.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody shook his head slowly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Women seemed too passive. Jimmy was fiery and passionate and commanding.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I’d start out fantasizing about some girl and before I knew it, the lips I was kissing and the body I was touching was his. I couldn’t even look him in the eye. And he was so angry at me then. I thought it was because it was probably something I did that soured Clara against him.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I remember how tense it was between the two of you. When Teaspoon sent you on that run to sort yourselves out, we were taking bets on if you’d both make it back and if you didn’t, which one would survive the ordeal.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Who won?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Ike,” Buck said. “He was the only one who thought somehow the two of you would remember that you’re family.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody had to chuckle at that. Ike had a faith in love despite all that his life dealt him. He might have been thinking more of brotherly love when he made the bet but it was love that triumphed all the same.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So,” Buck began hesitantly, “Which one of you got the talking started?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I guess that would’ve been me,” Cody replied. “I just couldn’t take being glared and growled at. I told him enough was enough and he could hit me or holler at me or whatever. I was sorry I messed it up with Clara and I just wanted my friend back.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“That was brave,” Buck noted. “He might’ve had a mind to shoot you, for all you knew.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I thought about that too but then I figured if he did, he wouldn’t shoot to kill. He never liked killing anyway. I’d been shot before and at least Jimmy was such a good shot he’d hit what he aimed at so it would probably be a minor enough wound and I could make it to the next town easily enough–if I even needed a doc.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck offered a wry smile and figured that Cody was right. Jimmy was a decent and honorable man. He’d usually try to avoid killing no matter who he faced.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So there I was with my eyes screwed shut just waiting for something,” Cody continued. “I figured most likely he’d punch me so I was bracing for it and then he grabbed my face and was kissing me. I didn’t know what to think but I kissed him back because, well, I wanted to. I knew I should have been mad or disgusted but it didn’t feel wrong.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Love isn’t wrong, Cody,” Buck said gently. “Love is just love and if we accept that, it can fix nearly anything wrong with this world.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I know that now,” Cody sighed. “A day late and a dollar short but I understand it all now. I thought I did before–but I didn’t appreciate what it really meant. You know my mama said I was destined for greatness. I didn’t understand until it was too late that loving someone with your whole being is greatness. Being a strength for them and the reason they keep living–sharing the depths of your soul–even if no one else knows…well, that’s all the purpose anyone should ever need. Why couldn’t I see it before? Why couldn’t I see it when I still had him?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The tears renewed their tracks down Cody’s cheeks. He hadn’t seen his true calling. He failed Jimmy. He promised Jimmy he wouldn’t let him be alone in the dark but where was Jimmy now? Yeah, he broke that promise.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck pulled Cody into his embrace and just held his brother and rocked back and forth and tried to soothe the pain, the guilt. He knew there was no real comfort to be offered to Cody. No sympathy would console him in this moment. No simple platitudes of Jimmy being in a better place or being free from pain now would heal the wounds within his brother. This was a pain Buck knew only too well. He knew that soul mates weren’t always romantic partners and he knew how devastating it was to lose that.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He couldn’t heal Cody. He couldn’t stop his friend’s pain. He couldn’t make it better. But he could offer love.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I’m here,” he soothed his heartbroken friend. “I’ll be here as long as you need me. You need to talk, I’ll listen. I won’t let you try to go through this alone.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody tried to push away from Buck.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I’ll get through it,” he said, trying for stoicism and missing it by quite a bit. “Can’t say I’ll get over it but I’ll get through.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Buck nodded.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“You will. But you won’t do it alone. I got Kid through after Lou passed. I’ll stick with you too.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I can’t ask it of you, Buck”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“You’re not asking a thing,” Buck said softly. “And I ain’t offering. I’m stating a fact. You will not be alone through this. I said love can fix the things that are wrong in the world. You still have people who love you. Maybe not the same as he did but we love you just as fiercely and just as tenaciously and just as unconditionally.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody just knelt there on the soft grass under the tree completely bewildered.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“C’mon Cody, if you have anything else to say at the grave, say it. I’ll meet you in town and we’ll head out to go visit Teaspoon.”<br /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody nodded slowly and pushed himself off the ground. He walked stiffly back to the grave. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I told you once that I’d never stop loving you as long as I lived, Baby. Well, I don’t figure I’ll stop even then. I figure we’ll see each other again someday. I know you still love me. I can feel it. I’m sorry, Baby. I left you alone and the darkness took over, didn’t it?”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cody gave one more shaky breath and trailed his fingers over the stone that marked the grave.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I can’t say goodbye. I can’t. I’ll hold you again. I will. So, ‘til then…”</span></p><br /><br /></span>Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-86167338461304156142022-07-06T13:36:00.003-07:002022-07-06T13:40:34.683-07:00The Whole Truth: His Truth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKhm4EZwiYsO-DTXFLYDtuL3zEmG4Fy-rh2Tjee_FWfOhQ3_32PgtLVjkvkuHnpoMqedA4Qfw9nPcDhFr3KLCXGOfeHm9bZZi71TwEywjvHLRXwy3LBI1y1orZcrYZYa0mpB81UcoJF9jQqMdXc6vMLkukpTRFBBnq3FB2YB52-u8rlkZqo3KHbDU/s1280/twt%20his%20truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKhm4EZwiYsO-DTXFLYDtuL3zEmG4Fy-rh2Tjee_FWfOhQ3_32PgtLVjkvkuHnpoMqedA4Qfw9nPcDhFr3KLCXGOfeHm9bZZi71TwEywjvHLRXwy3LBI1y1orZcrYZYa0mpB81UcoJF9jQqMdXc6vMLkukpTRFBBnq3FB2YB52-u8rlkZqo3KHbDU/w400-h225/twt%20his%20truth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: This story picks up at the end of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Presence of Mine Enemies</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but mostly takes place during </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just Like Old Times</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It doesn’t deviate much from the original storyline, which I’ve always considered pivotal in the growth of the Kid/Lou relationship, except to make room for the changes developed by </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Whole Truth</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> storyline.</span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-09a04654-7fff-9a8f-abbb-16d17d78357e"><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I Didn’t Have You,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Thompson Square</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Sugarland</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glass,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Thompson Square </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ike. Was. Gone. Her Ike was gone. Oh, his body still struggled for one last breath. With every exhale she held her own breath until his next shuddering inhale. But whatever it was that made her gentle, quiet brother the man she loved – that was gone. She’d known that ever since Buck had come out and told Emily that Ike was asking for her. Buck had then just walked away from them all, not even responding to Teaspoon’s call.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, Buck was nowhere to be found and Ike was just… fading away before their eyes. Lou’s soul screamed for her to do something to fix it, to bring him back, to make everyone she loved safe and whole again. Except, she couldn’t think of anything that would fix this.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pressure behind her eyes made her feel if she didn’t hold on tightly, her whole body would just explode into a million pieces of pain. In an effort to regain control, she began to count between breaths. Not hers. His. First one count and he would inhale, then two, three… then nothing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come on!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> her mind screamed at him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just breathe! In, out. In, out. You can do it, Ike.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, nothing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jimmy sighed, stepped closer to the bed Ike lay on and reached down to close her brother’s eyes. She hadn’t even realized Ike was staring off into the nothing of beyond, into whatever place his soul had flown, until Jimmy moved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unable to bear it anymore, she turned and fled, one hand to her mouth trying to quiet the sobs forcing their way past her lips. The door of the Doc’s office slammed shut behind her. A hard baby kick to her ribs left her gasping for breath, halting her in her tracks. She grabbed the post on the porch of the Doc’s office and bent over, trying to catch her breath as tears streamed down her face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She jumped when a heavy hand landed gently on her shoulder.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid,” she whimpered, turning and burying her head in his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His arms wrapped around her just as tightly. She could feel his tears dripping onto her shoulders, leaving the material of her dress slightly damp.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shhhhh,” he crooned. “It’ll be alright.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Will it?” she sobbed. “How can things ever be alright again?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know,” Kid sighed, hugging her more tightly to him. “But they’ll haveta be. Somehow.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It hurts so bad, I just wanna run away from the pain,” she whispered into the cloth of his shirt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He just hugged her tighter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The creak of the door opening and closing behind them finally broke their reverie. Lou pulled away just far enough to see what was happening.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon walked up to them, followed by Jimmy, Emily and Noah. The man they all looked to as a replacement for the fathers they’d lost looked like he’d aged ten years in that room. He placed one hand on each of Kid’s and Lou’s shoulders and sighed, shaking his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Someone oughta find Buck, let him know,” Jimmy muttered, tilting his head back and clenching his nose between two fingers to hold back his own tears.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noah shook his head. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’d lay bets he already knows, close as those two were,” he muttered before stepping off the boardwalk into the street, obviously headed over to the laundry just a few doors down and the comfort of Cassie’s arms.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emily just stood there, dazed, not speaking, not moving.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">******</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That had been three weeks ago. Things hadn’t changed much since. Buck and Emily were both still just going about the motions of living, doing what they were told but with no real emotion behind the actions and no will to start something on their own. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unless it was Buck sniping at anyone handy. His most frequent targets had been Emily, Cody and the shopkeeper Tompkins, for some reason. And if he could come up with an excuse his verbal jabs turned into physical ones. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He blamed Emily for getting Ike killed more than Emily blamed herself. He blamed everyone else for not mourning Ike’s loss as heavily as he was. Apparently, he blamed Tompkins just for existing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though Buck had started improving after that solo run he’d come back from with a widow woman and her newborn he’d helped deliver. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou looked down at her belly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You might just be what holds us all together, little one,” she whispered. “There seems to be something about a new life that brightens people’s worlds.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And Lord knew that’s what her family needed, something to bring them back together. Everyone had retreated to their proverbial corners to lick their wounds after Ike’s funeral, leaving Lou wondering how her family was going to weather this storm as a unit. She found herself constantly trying to get them back into the same room at the same time again, trying to fit the broken pieces back into a single whole. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She reached for the engagement ring Kid had given her the night of the dance. For now, it hung on the same chain around her neck as her wedding ring. They still hadn’t told anyone. She wasn’t sure if they would. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right after the funeral Kid had said it wasn’t the right time. They needed to let everyone else grieve Ike’s death, first, before making their big announcement. But he hadn’t said anything else since and he was back to spending all his free time off alone, just sitting and thinking, or riding off on Katy and thinking. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When she’d complained about Kid’s constantly wandering off, Teaspoon had told her, “Some folk just need ta work things through fer themselves before they can be civilized ‘round other folk. And the Kid, well he’s got a lot of figgerin’ ta do. You do realize it’s nigh on a year since he lost Jed, too, dontcha?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She hadn’t. She’d been so caught up in all the changes in her life, in her body, she’d plumb forgot. So, she’d been learning to bide her time. Not that she had much left of that, she grimaced, rubbing her ever-increasing belly, again, after the baby kicked her, again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s alright, little one,” she whispered, pushing through the prairie grass. “We’ll figure it out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took her a half hour of trudging across the prairie to reach Kid’s thinking spot. It wasn’t that far if you rode, as he’d done. By foot, and pregnant, the journey had been another story. She breathed a sigh of relief when she crested the slight ridge and found him there, sitting on a fallen tree staring off into space.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid?” she called quietly. He didn’t move. She tried again, a bit louder this time. “Kid!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He startled and looked up at her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There ya are,” she breathed, ducking under a last branch to come to a standstill in front of him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sucked in a deep breath, as if suddenly remembering to inhale.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “How’d ya find me?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Took a while,” she shrugged. “Jimmy said you rode out bright and early.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shifted on her feet uncomfortably, one hand going to her back to brace the weight of her belly dragging her forward.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can I sit down?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure,” Kid said quickly, reaching out a hand for her to lean on as she carefully lowered her bulk to the fallen tree he sat on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou picked up the framed daguerreotype resting on the log between them and looked at the image of the two young men, one tall and lanky, the other obviously much younger and, equally obviously, closely related to the older boy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You and Jed?” she asked quietly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sighed, trying to fill her cramped lungs, leaning back a bit to give the baby more room. She traced the edges of a younger Kid’s face, thinking that’s how her baby might look someday, so young and innocent.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she looked at the older boy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was a year ago today he died, wasn’t it?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid tossed a rock in his hand into the dark waters of the nearby pond, listening to the small splash it made and watching the ripples as they flew out in all directions.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yep,” he nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon’d been right,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lou thought. He was grieving more than just Ike, but all he’d lost a year ago when Jed had died, and the role Kid had played in Jed’s death.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She held the daguerreotype out to Kid, watching his hands as he reached out to take it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You still blamin’ yerself?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Staring at the images, Kid nearly whispered, “I keep thinkin’ there’s somethin’ I coulda done.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When yer brother stole those rifles fer the South, he made a choice. And even if he did believe in what he was doin’…” she paused for a moment to breathe. “He still killed a man.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She’d liked Jed, the short time she’d known him. He’d been fun to hang out with, but with little thought to the future or to how his actions might harm others. Her approval though had waned as she saw how his behavior was hurting Kid. It had turned to outright dislike when Sam had discovered he was killing and stealing, and, worst of all in her mind, trying to drag Kid into his plots.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sighed, dropping the framed picture onto his lap. He looked over at Lou, but he kept his eyes down, focused on her belly instead of her face. He shook his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. “</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She tried another tack.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ya know, I remember somethin’ that Teaspoon told me, after my father died,” She started, glancing at Kid at her side, then looking up to search her memory and get the telling right. “He said, ‘Son…’</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shifted, looking at her in questioning confusion. She caught the look out of the corner of her eye and smiled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He still thought I was a boy back then,” she half-laughed. “‘Son, there’s only one thing you can’t save a person from….and that’s themselves.’”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid nodded, still mulling things over, obviously not done with either his thinking or his grieving. Lou leaned into his side and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him as tightly as she could from her awkward angle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If she couldn’t comfort him with words, she’d try to use her physical presence. Now obviously wasn’t the time to bring up their engagement. He responded, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her mouth, then jumped back as the baby kicked him through her belly. At the same time her stomach began to gurgle with hunger. They both laughed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I bet I know what she wants,” Kid smiled, standing up and reaching down to haul Lou to her feet. “She’s a lot like her mother that way! Food first, last and always!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*******</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another day passed with little change. Kid was… listless, doing what he was told, but otherwise mostly staring off into space. He’d come back to himself if Lou was around, but even then, not for long. He simply couldn’t shake the doldrums.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid knew his depression was getting to Lou, especially. He loved her all the more for trying to be there for him even if she didn’t understand quite what he was going through. But, somehow, he still felt… lonely. He watched the families in town and knew he’d never have that again. Not in the same way, at least. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of his attitude, Teaspoon had been keeping him on short runs that brought him back to the bunkhouse every night. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Come on, Katy,” he grunted, giving her cinch strap another yank. “We don’t want me falling off yer back in the middle of a run, now do we? Stop holdin’ yer breath!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She snorted, letting the air she’d been holding escape her belly. He sighed. Finally. With Katy fully saddled, he grabbed his gunbelt off the saddle horn to strap around his hips.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he turned away from his faithful steed, he patted her rump.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good girl!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Excuse me, sir,” a soft voice with a very familiar accent floated up to him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stood up taller and looked at the woman walking toward him. Her skirts swayed with each step closer, but the shadows from her parasol hid the details of her face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is this the Pony Express Station?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Yes, ma’am, it is,” Kid nodded agreeably as he finished buckling on his gun belt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The woman was looking down at papers in her hands.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I’ve got a letter for Sacramento and I was…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She stopped in mid-phrase as she looked up at him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Oh my God! I don’t believe it!” she laughed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kid just looked at her, confused.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Is it really you?” she asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> He ducked his head, trying to get a better look at her face under the parasol.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I’m sorry,” he smiled. “Have we met?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She tilted her head up to him, the parasol moved back allowing sunlight to shine on carefully coiffed golden curls. Finely shaped and very familiar blue eyes twinkled up at him mischievously.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Met?! Why I have never been so insulted in all my life,” she trilled. “Chesapeake Bay? Summer of ’47? Weddin’ rings made from Dogwood bark.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her voice turned soft with a memory as vivid as yesterday in Kid’s mind. Though it wasn’t a memory he’d visited in months… a little over a year, to be precise. Not since meeting Lou.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“‘Course, I wasn’t quite 6 years old so I don’t suppose it was legal,” she finished in her soft drawl.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha?” Kid questioned, uncertain he could believe his eyes and ears. Was a part of his Virginia family, however tenuous that definition might be applied to Doritha, actually here in Rock Creek? Was he truly not so alone in this world?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah,” she half-laughed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He swooped in for a big hug, engulfing her small frame with his broad shoulders. He couldn’t believe how… tiny she was. She was so much larger in his memory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha!” he laughed. “I never thought…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Me, neither,” she said, smiling up at him flirtatiously. That was something else he’d never forget, her no-holds-barred flirting. It was part of why he’d fallen in love with her all those years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">********</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou watched through the bunkhouse window, frozen with her hands in the soapy dishwater, as Kid greeted the strange blonde woman in the yard like a long-lost friend, smiling and laughing with her like he hadn’t a care in the world. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she could read Kid’s body language just fine and this was a woman he was very comfortable with. She might almost suspect he was intimately familiar with the stranger if she hadn’t’ve known for a fact she herself had been the first woman he’d lain with.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something about the way Kid was hovering over her protectively, and she was cozying right up to his hovering, sent a thread of despair shooting straight to her stomach. She wanted to throw up, but couldn’t pull her eyes away long enough to do anything other than watch.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">********</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Only the name’s Maxwell now,” Doritha corrected Kid after he’d introduced her to Rachel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You and Garth?” he said, putting the name with the other member of their trio, the one who’d always been jealous of any attention Doritha sent Kid’s way when they were younger.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. Three years ago, December,” she said, her smile dimming a bit. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid wondered about the story behind that, but decided now wasn’t the time to go prying at scarred over wounds. He had enough of his own he’d like to let be.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You look good, Doritha,” he said instead.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She blushed prettily. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So do you, Kid.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, what are you doin’ here?” he asked, looking down at his hands, into which she’d pushed the envelope she wanted posted to Sacramento. It felt a bit… empty. But then many used rice paper to save on weight and cost. That must be it. “Besides sendin’ a letter?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*********</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Rider up!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou heard Rachel’s call that it was time for Kid to take off on his run. Kid didn’t seem to be in his usual hurry, though, barely taking his eyes off this new woman as he accepted the pouch and dropped it over the horn of Katy’s saddle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou gasped as he then used her trick mount to skip the stirrup on his way into the saddle, obviously showing off for this woman. Then he started bouncing from one side of his horse to the other. She’d taught him how to do that. How dared he use it to impress this interloper?!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the pounding sound of Katy galloping out of town receded, Lou concentrated on not losing her temper. Surely, she hadn’t seen what she’d thought she’d seen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, that was certainly interestin’,” Rachel murmured as she walked in, drying her hands on her skirts after hanging up the wet laundry outside.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who is she?” Lou asked, not bothering to hide her interest from the other woman in the bunkhouse. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Apparently an old friend of Kid’s from back in Virginia,” Rachel said. “He sure seemed shocked to see her.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shock didn’t last long,” Lou said shortly, picking up the stew pot from lunch to begin scrubbing its innards with a vengeance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’d hazard a guess it was a real pleasant surprise after all we’ve been through lately,” Rachel said, trying to put a good face on things.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, that’s why he was showing off,” Lou muttered. “‘Cause it was a pleasant surprise. ‘Sides, no matter what he was thinkin’, shore looked ta me like she’s interested in more than rekindlin’ an old friendship.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wouldn’t worry about it, Lou,” Rachel said, patting the younger woman’s shoulder reassuringly. “It’s just the excitement of the moment for him. It’ll wear off. He loves you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mmmhm,” Lou frowned, continuing to scrub the pots while thinking of the engagement ring she still wore on a chain around her neck, nestled between her breasts next to her wedding ring, because it was ‘too soon to announce their plans to the rest of the grieving family.’ </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*******</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou had spent the afternoon stewing over the Kid’s interaction with Doritha, Doritha Maxwell. Rachel had shared the woman’s name with Lou, along with the fact she was married to some man named Garth and they now lived out at the old McCaskill place.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou wasn’t sure what made her saltier, the fact a married woman was making cow eyes at Kid or the fact she and her husband had snatched up a ranch Lou’d been eying for their future spread. Now, no matter what happened with the Maxwells, the place would forever be tainted in Lou’s mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou worked hard to hold onto her temper. It had been an hour since Kid got back from his late run and he still hadn’t come in for supper. She closed the door to the heating compartment in the oven with his plate in it with exaggerated care, keeping his supper warm for him. With equal care she untied the apron she was wearing and hung it on its hook by the counter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou,” Rachel said quietly as the younger woman walked past her to the bunkhouse door, “take a moment to consider, this is what Kid feels every time he gets jealous over you and Jimmy or some other young man. Don’t hold others' actions against him. Give him a chance to explain himself.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou paused. She sucked in a deep breath and opened the door without acknowledging Rachel’s words. She would try. That’s all she could do. She wouldn’t make any promises.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**********</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid had given Katy an extra special rub down when he came in, taking his time about making sure her coat was shining. Seeing Doritha today had shifted something inside him and he couldn’t figure out what, how or why.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha had been a playmate, a first love, the woman he’d based all others on. Doritha had been the model Lou had feared she’d never live up to, or had feared he wanted her to live up to. In a way he had. Doritha always turned to Kid when she needed something. Around her he always felt strong, capable, invincible, even.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But that meant he knew her ways and there had been something off about the way she’d responded to him. He could’ve sworn she wasn’t surprised to see him this afternoon. Which raised the question, why? And what did she want or need from him? Was it something he could still freely give? Or even wanted to give?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Startled out of his thoughts, Kid realized he’d climbed up onto the wall of Katy’s stall and was sitting there picking a piece of hay apart even as he tried to pick Doritha’s motives to bits.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Over here, Lou,” he said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He watched as she walked over to him. He could tell she was holding herself very tightly, like she was trying not to lose control. He wondered what was wrong. Knowing Lou, he’d find out soon enough, he supposed, smiling a bit to himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was one of the things he loved about her, no games, no pretense. He always knew where he stood with her, even if he didn’t like that particular spot.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou came to a stop in front of him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You got back an hour ago. I was wonderin’ if somethin’ happened?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shook his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just thinkin’.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou sunk her hands to the bottom of the deep pockets of her work skirt, pulling it taut over her stomach. He watched as their child made her stomach bulge and swirl beneath the skirt. He heard the tremor in her voice as she asked, “About what?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sliding down off the wall, he took her hands in his and bussed her cheek, grinning slightly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nothin.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking a deep breath, Lou stepped back, pulling her hands out of Kid’s grasp.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That… that lady who was here before… Who is she?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid kept this grin to himself. He’d known that question would be coming, sooner or later. His Lou had spent enough time hanging in the shadows, watching others, she could read just about anyone. He shrugged.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just someone I used to know,” he said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“In Virginia?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid nodded. It was his turn to sink his hands into his pockets as he looked down, studying the toes of his dirty boots.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Were you two, uh, you know, close?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, we grew up together.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s not what I mean.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Look, Lou,” Kid started, not wanting to hurt her. He paused, not sure how to go on. “We were young. It was a long time ago. We’re both married now. She’s just… a nice reminder of the good things I have to remember, ‘stead of the bad.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I get that,” Lou said. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She invited us over tomorrow to catch up,” he added, looking up at Lou hopefully. “She and Garth, that’s her husband, are living out at the old McCaskill place.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know,” Lou said quietly. “Rachel tol’ me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want to introduce you,” Kid said proudly, reaching up to sweep a hand down her cheek, then letting that same hand come to rest at the top of the rise of her belly. “Both of you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou stiffened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How? It’d look strange, you bringing along a co-worker to meet up with old friends like that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As my wife!” Kid said, as if Lou was short a screw or two for not figuring it out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anger covered her features.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lemme get this straight,” she grit out, “you won’t tell our </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">family</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we’re engaged, won’t plan a weddin’ with me, but you’ll tell some woman I’ve never met that we’re married and havin’ a baby?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shook her head so hard her hair pulled free of the ribbon tying it back and flew in her face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. I don’t think so, Kid. Family’s family and company’s company.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned to walk away before she said something she’d regret. She knew the green-eyed monster was riding her hard and didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s late and I’m tired,” she said wearily. “Yer supper’s in the oven. Better go eat.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid watched her walk out of the barn, closing the doors behind her with a bit more force than necessary.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure, Lou. Whatever you want,” he whispered, shoulders slumping.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**********</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid slowed Katy as he rode up to the old McCaskill place. Despite another try on his part, Lou’d refused to come with him, so he was alone. He liked how being around Doritha again had made him feel and looked forward to spending more time with her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he came around the bend in the road, he immediately saw Doritha sitting in a ladylike sprawl. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And how was that possible, by the way?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> he wondered. He’d never seen Doritha do anything that wasn’t ladylike. She was playing with her miniature dolls and their dollhouse. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How had she never grown out of playing with dolls?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When he’d left Virginia three years ago, she’d been 16 and already taking guff from others throughout the community for not putting away her childish ways. He’d’ve thought, being a married woman and all, she’d have finally moved on. Guess not.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But he still couldn’t resist the bright smile she turned his way as he reached the wide porch of the big ranch house to greet him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I was afraid you’d forgotten me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid hopped off Katy’s back and tied her to the hitching post.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I doubt anyone could forget you,” he laughed slightly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why, Kid, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid basked in her adoring gaze. He knew coming here was a good choice, even if he couldn’t bring Lou with him. Spying the now closed up dollhouse out of the corner of his eye, he stop his mind from comparing the two women yet again. Lou would never waste her time on a brand-new ranch playing with dolls. Well, not unless she was teaching their baby to play with them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I just always knew we’d see each other again,” Doritha said, graciously handing him a glass of cold cider.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid startled, looking at her in surprise. He’d given up thoughts of seeing her again years ago. Too much life had come between them and what they’d had. Though in the last months he’d thought frequently about whether he had enough money to send back to her, paying off his debt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You did?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Friends like we were all those years, that’s not somethin’ that just goes away, ya know,” she purred.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid felt a shiver of discomfort slither down his back at her tone. Unsure why, he changed the subject.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I see you’ve still got your miniatures.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha chuckled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Garth gets upset every time we move because we have to pack ‘em and handle ‘em so carefully. But, oh, they do give me comfort.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For once in his life, Kid thought, he agreed with Garth on something.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uncomfortable sitting on the porch with Doritha staring at him so adoringly, Kid had suggested a walk. Now they ambled along down by the river, Doritha picking flowers and Kid tossing sticks and stones into the water, reliving the best parts of their childhoods, one memory at a time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With each memory, guilt pricked at Kid’s conscience. He’d noticed Doritha never said anything about the time when his Pa had turned mean, then abandoned the family, or about his own departure from Manassas. He knew he owed her the money she’d lent him to come West and an apology for not sending for her, like he’d once promised. Was that why she’d tracked him down to Rock Creek? And how’d she manage that anyway?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, Doritha stopped and turned to face him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s me, Kid. Remember? Ya gonna spit it out or keep me guessin’?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid inwardly cursed himself for getting distracted by his own concerns. Instead of asking what he really wanted to know, he asked, “After I left Virginia, what happened?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now it was Doritha’s turn to avoid answering.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why talk about that, now? Those days are over now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid’s eyes narrowed. Something was up. He reached out to grab her upper arm, keeping her from turning away.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a softer tone, worried what the answer might be, he asked, “Doritha, tell me. Please.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sighing, Doritha finally said, “A few months later, Papa died and we ended up losin’ everythin’.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused, as if forcing herself to forget the sadness and retain her trademark cheerful babbling tone, then continued.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Then Garth asked me to marry him. I said, ‘No,” at first. But he finally wore me down.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She laughed as if at an unspoken joke she knew Kid would understand.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Garth’s nothin’, if not persistent.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid raised an eyebrow in grim acknowledgement and shook his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sorry,” he said, patting her hand where it rested on his forearm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whatever for? You always wanted to see the world,” Doritha smiled softly. “I knew that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ve got some money now,” Kid said, thinking of his grubstake. It’d take a chunk out of what he’d saved to start a ranch with Lou, but being debt free would be worth it. “Let me pay you back.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha just shook her head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s very sweet of you, Kid. But I don’t want your money.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha, you don’t understand. If it weren’t for you, I…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha stopped him by pressing the fingers of her free hand over his lips.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I understand just fine. Now, you hush up,” she said. “Besides, you’d have done the same for me and you know it.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He smiled slightly. He would have. Her smile widened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, enough of that. It’s so pretty out here it’d be a sin not to enjoy ourselves.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned and resumed her ramble along the river. When he realized she wasn’t waiting for him, Kid quickly tossed the last stone in his hand into the water and then trotted to catch up with her. Maybe she hadn’t deliberately sought him out, after all. Maybe, just maybe, this was the happy coincidence she presented it as.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou just didn’t buy the story that Kid’s old friend had accidentally stumbled on him here in Rock Creek. They were too far from Manassas, in too small of a town, with no reason for their names to get out to the wider world. Coincidences this big just didn’t happen in her book. That snake in the grass wanted something from Kid, and Lou feared what it might be.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Already, she was stealing Kid’s help and attention away. Lou’d woken this morning with her back aching and, forgetting Kid had promised to go visiting, she’d asked him to help her hang the laundry.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’d said he couldn’t. He’d promised that other woman he’d be by today. Was this the way it would always be? His promises to her, Lou refused to think the woman’s name, taking precedence over his responsibilities to his wife and child? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou knew she was being unreasonable. She was the one who’d wanted to put off making their relationship public for so long. She understood why Kid wanted to take things slow this time. But it just felt like slow really meant not at all lately.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha grabbed Kid’s hand, holding on to it almost desperately as he got ready to mount Katy and head home. He’d had a nice time walking down memory lane, but he knew Lou had wanted his help today. At the same time, he still felt like Doritha needed, wanted something from him she wasn’t spitting out. He felt torn between the two women.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid found himself staring deeply into Doritha’s eyes, trying to make her tell him what was going on. Then he started as he realized she was slowly leaning toward him, as if for a kiss, like Lou had done a time or two. Except, this time, he felt no temptation to match the lean in and meet her lips with his. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He wondered at that. There was a time he’d’ve given anything for the chance to kiss Doritha. But, Doritha wasn’t his Louise, he realized. He shook himself free of the momentary trance.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well,” he muttered, pulling back from Doritha’s grasp and turning to Katy. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded a farewell as he mounted, tipping his hat and using his knees to turn Katy toward home.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I hope you don’t mind,” that already hated almost breathless Virginia drawl sounded behind Lou, “but I so enjoyed catchin’ up with Kid the other day, I thought I’d return the favor.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou stiffened, turning to see the blonde woman standing there with a covered dish in her hands.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I came bearin’ my famous lemon gingerbread cake,” she said, holding the dish out like a peace offering which her next words negated. “It’s Kid’s favorite!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is it,” Lou muttered, leaning the dasher of the butter churn she’d been using up against the bunkhouse wall and wiping the sweat off her forehead.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My name’s Doritha. Doritha Maxwell,” the other woman said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know,” Lou sighed, resting her tight fists on her hips. Kid liked this woman, said they’d been great friends as children. She would force herself to be polite. “Kid ain’t back yet. Won’t be here for another hour or so.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha climbed the steps to the bunkhouse, set the cake pan down on the bench and took a seat next to it. She appeared to be settling in for an afternoon visit. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t mind waitin’,” she added, leaning back against the bunkhouse wall.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can’t talk much,” Lou muttered, reaching out to grab the dasher again. “Gotta finish the butter or Cody and Noah’ll throw a fit. They like butter on their biscuits.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, butter is quite lovely on biscuits, fresh from the ice house, nice and cold, then melted over a warm biscuit,” Doritha sighed. “Almost as good as biscuits and gravy. That’s another of Kid’s favorites.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou bit her tongue. She wasn’t so sure about that. Kid had never once even tasted Rachel’s biscuits and gravy, almost as if he hated the dish. She straightened a bit as she began to pound the dasher down into the churn full of half butter, half buttermilk.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Name’s Louise,” she grunted. “Louise McCloud.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She had decided to do all she could to be pleasant to this woman, for Kid’s sake. She’d been doing a lot of her own thinking the last couple of days and had decided to follow Emma’s advice. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When she’d been visiting Emma and Sam, they’d talked a lot about relationships and how to grow a strong, enduring one. According to Emma and Sam both, Kid had the right of it right now with taking things slow. It went against the grain, but Lou was trying to play along. She wanted this to work.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But something else Emma had said had been niggling at Lou’s mind since Doritha came to town.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid’s got a past, so do you, everyone does,” Emma’d said. “There’ll be times that past will rear its ugly head. In the process it can make or break a relationship. That’s why you’ve got to decide ahead of time what’ll happen.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t understand,” Lou’d said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s like this, Lulabelle, love… it ain’t somethin’ that happens to you, it’s somethin’ you do, a choice you make. When you’re young, it’s easy to get caught up in the feelings of the moment, that shortness of breath every time he comes into the room, the butterflies in your stomach every time he swoops in for a kiss, the fluttering of your heart when he asks you to dance.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emma had a dreamy smile on her face as she explained. Lou wondered what moments with Sam she was thinking about.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But, that ain’t love,” Emma concluded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It ain’t?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Emma shook her head, “No.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Love is gettin’ up first on a cold mornin’ ta get the fire goin’, Love is holdin’ his hand when he’s mournin’ his first wife. Love is him bein’ there ta carry in the firewood cause yer heavy with his babe,” Emma paused to look straight into Lou’s eyes. “See, all them feelin’s… they come and go. But the little things you do, the partnership you build, that’ll see ya through all the between times, too. If you don’t have those little things, your relationship will fall apart as soon as the feelings fade away. And they always fade away!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But, what’s that got ta do with our pasts showin’ up?” Lou questioned. “How’s being a partner, doin’ fer each other, how’s that help ya survive when old…stuff comes up?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Old stuff… or old loves will bring back those feelin’s at first. Especially if it was happy old stuff,” Emma grinned conspiratorially. “But, if you’ve both made a decision ahead of time not to let anything come between you, to love each other with your actions, not just chase yer feelings, then that old stuff, no matter how good or bad can’t steal him from you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Old love,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lou thought to herself. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve already decided you can’t have him. I won’t let you get between us. Leastwise, not on my part. The rest is up to Kid.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Half-listening to Doritha’s chatter about how she’d made the cake sitting next to her, Lou sighed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The deciding had been easy,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> she thought, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">compared to the doing</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which apparently included being nice to a woman who’d obviously been Kid’s first flame.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So there we were in a ragin’ river with the rain just pourin’ down on us, holdin’ on fer dear life.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou watched with an increasingly sour stomach as Doritha held court at the bunkhouse table. She had the rapt attention of everyone there, Jimmy, Buch, Noah, Rachel, as she shared stories from Kid’s youth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Garth was already turnin’ blue and, all of a sudden, Kid comes divin’ in, shoutin’, ‘Hold on! I’m comin’!’ Saved our lives.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rachel smiled as she topped off everyone’s coffee cups. The bitter brew was needed to cut the super sweet flavors of Doritha’s cake.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s the Kid, alright,” Rachel said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never told us you were a genuine, real-life hero,” Buck laughed at the incongruity of calling such a paltry rescue ‘heroism’ in the face of what they’d all gone through over the last year.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou appreciated that Doritha’s stories had at last brought a smile to his beloved face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shook his head, smiling at Buck’s teasing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It wasn’t a river,” he told Buck. Turning to Doritha he added, “It was a creek.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You can call it whatever you want. But all I know is I was in over my head.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou’d had enough being nice. Her polite-o-meter had done run out. Kid’s entire attention all evening had been focused on Doritha, her neat blonde curls, her carefully manicured hands, her polished repertoire of stories and conversational gambits.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou looked down at her own hands, the nails ragged, the palms callused. She ran a hand over her own growing, but still short hair, not long enough yet for any sort of styling.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Excuse me,” she said quietly. “I got chores to do.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid turned to watch her leave, his heart hurting. He knew Doritha’s presence was hard on her, but he needed to find out what was going on. He’d have to find Lou and explain. Explain he had a debt to pay. It was something he’d meant to tell her months ago, but it just seemed like other things kept taking precedence.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the same time, he knew he’d been avoiding the conversation because he feared admitting to his past with Doritha would hurt Lou, the last thing he wanted to do.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He didn’t see Doritha’s questioning gaze as she watched him watch Louise leave the room. Doritha wondered who this young, very pregnant woman was to him. They’d introduced her as a widow of a former rider. But Doritha would lay odds there was more to it than that.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Lou walked away from the bunkhouse toward the big house she shared with Rachel now, she heard Jimmy ask, “Doritha, there’s something we’ve been dying to know for a long time, now. Maybe you can help us out. He does have a real name, right? Besides the Kid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jimmy,” Kid practically begged him to drop it with just the way he said the other man’s name. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou half-smiled. She knew Jimmy as well as Kid. That would just egg him on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha’s bright laugh trilled through the night air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course he does. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you. It’s… “</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou paused, waiting to hear. This, again, was something Kid had never told her but this other woman already knew.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you know? It seems to have slipped my mind.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rachel had watched it all, Lou watching Kid and Doritha, Kid watching Lou, Doritha watching Kid. She, too, thought something was off with this old friend of Kid’s and the coincidence of her sudden appearance here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was a wonderful dinner,” Doritha said as she pulled her shawl around her shoulders in preparation for the drive home. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid had gone out to saddle Katy and tie her to the back of Doritha’s buckboard. He didn’t want her driving all the way out to the McCaskill place after dark. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why, thank you,” Rachel said. Then, unable to help herself, added, “You know, I just can’t get over what an amazing coincidence it is, you and the Kid running into each other all the way out here?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha laughed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It is amazing, isn’t it? Now, if you’ll excuse me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She walked through the open bunkhouse door into the brisk night air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha!” Rachel called, pulling her attention back. “Look, whatever you’re here for is your business. I just don’t want to see him getting hurt. Alright?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha raised her eyebrows at Rachel’s mild reproach but didn’t respond.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">******</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sighed. The McCaskill place wasn’t far out of town, but the drive had felt like it was taking forever. He was exhausted. While he loved having Doritha at dinner, the surprise had come on the heels of a strenuous run. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou would never have done something so thoughtless. If she’d wanted to spring a surprise dinner on him, she’d have made sure it was on a day he didn’t have a run. She was thoughtful like that.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He snorted to himself, realizing he was comparing the two women yet again. And, again, Lou was coming out on top. The whole thing made him wonder what Doritha and Garth’s relationship was like.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sorry Garth couldn’t make it,” he said, breaking into Doritha’s cheerful babble.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you?” she asked. Then she changed the subject. “Your friends are nice.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid smiled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, I’m pretty lucky, I guess.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If you ask me, I’d say they’re very lucky to have you,” she said. Then added, “What about that girl, um, Louise?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From her change of tone, Kid could tell this was what she’d been angling to ask him ever since they’d left the station. He shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to tell Doritha that Louise was everything to him, his wife, the mother of his coming child, his best friend. But Lou didn’t want him to share that with her yet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, he responded with a question, “What about her?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha chuckled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“C’mon, Kid. I know the look you were giving her,” she chided. “I was nine when you first gave me that same look.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid doubted that. He didn’t think he’d ever looked at Doritha the same way he looked at Lou. Louise. He’d loved Doritha, true. At the time he’d thought it was romantic love. But time, distance, age, and Lou, had shown him otherwise. It had been more the love of a brother for a sister. And, as Jimmy’d once pointed out, he’d never looked at Lou like a brother!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sighed in relief to see the ranch house come into view. Saved by the bell, so to speak.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Here we are,” he announced almost eagerly, pulling the buckboard to a stop. He quickly hopped out and reached up to help Doritha down.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, whadda ya know. Look who’s here?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid turned, surprised by the voice wafting from the dark porch, full of a sarcastic anger.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Garth!” Kid said, recognizing the man stepping out of the shadows. Garth had always been as much enemy as friend in their younger years. “Good to see ya!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garth looked pointedly down at the ticking pocket watch he held in one hand.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha,” he said, without looking at her. “Go inside.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha paused in her path up the steps onto the porch, looking at Garth as if she hadn’t understood him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garth just stared at her. Kid shifted uncomfortably. He’d worried about this. He wasn’t sure if this was the normal state of their marriage or if this was just Garth’s reaction to seeing him. He’d always seemed to be jealous of any time Kid spent with Doritha. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Either way, he just wanted to yell at the other man, he wasn’t a threat. He had his own lady love safe at home.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s gotten into you?” Doritha hissed under her breath at Garth, though Kid could still hear her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I said go inside,” he repeated. “Me and the Kid here we just got a little catchin’ up ta do, that’s all.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha sighed and looked over her shoulder back at Kid. He nodded tensely. Her staying out here would just make Garth twitchier. She walked inside, Garth watching her every swaying step. Kid watched Garth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s quite a woman, isn’t she?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid knew better than to say anything.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, isn’t she?” Garth prodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid just smiled half-heartedly. If this was what Doritha wanted his help with, he wasn’t sure he could do anything. He couldn’t see Garth physically hurting Doritha and that was the only reason Kid might step into the middle of their marriage. Anything else was up to them to figure out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’d better go,” he said, not giving the other man a clue as to his thoughts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garth wasn’t done, though. He stepped up to the edge of the porch as Kid moved to Katy, unhitching her from the back of the buckboard and mounting up</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You know, I really oughta be thankin’ you…” Garth opined. “If you hadn’ta taken her money and left when you did, it might’ve been you who was there when she needed a friend. Maybe you’d be rich, have a fine woman for a wife. And I’d be the two-bit hero riding for the Pony Express. That’s kinda funny, now, don’tcha think?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shook his head. He’d never understood Garth’s insecurities and had no time to pamper them now.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good night, Garth.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stay away from her, Kid,” Garth said in a new, much harder voice. “She’s mine, now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shook his head in disbelief and turned Katy toward home. He needed to talk to Lou. But he’d barely gotten out of the front yard when he heard Doritha screaming from inside the house.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He swung Katy back around just as he heard Doritha yell, “For God’s sake, Garth, what is he talkin’ about?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flying off Katy’s back, Kid ran quickly, and as quietly as possible, to the front door, his revolver already in his hand, cocked and ready to fire. Kicking the door open, he quickly realized what was happening. Some bandido was holding Doritha and pointing a gun at Garth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the sound of Kid’s entrance, the muzzle of the bandido’s gun tracked in Kid’s direction. Not taking any chances, Kid fired twice, sending the gunman flying back.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou had been sitting on her bed brushing her hair, thinking about how to stick to her decision, to actively love Kid at a time when she wanted to smack him upside the head, when she heard the increasing sound of rapidly pounding hooves headed into the station yard. From their rhythm, she could tell it wasn’t Katy. She could also tell it was trouble.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She ran to the window to look out on the yard. A young man, barely more than a boy, sat atop a winded horse, calling for the Marshall.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There’s been a shootin’! Come quick!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who’s been shot?” she breathlessly yelled down. <i>Please, not Kid!</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t know,” the youngster responded. “Kid jes’ tol’ me ta get the Marshall out ta the McCaskill place fast! I work out there and I heard gunshots comin’ from the main house!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m comin’,” Teaspoon grumbled, walking out from his room behind the tack shed. He was pulling his suspenders over his shoulders, his marshal’s star already hanging on his shirt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m comin’, too,” Lou shouted down.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon waited until she’d gotten downstairs and joined him in his rush toward the barn.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You sure this is a good idea?” he asked her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If Kid’s callin’ fer ya, he’s involved somehow, even if he ain’t been shot, Teaspoon,” she said. “I gotta be there.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon nodded reluctantly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon looked at the body laying in the back of a receding buckboard as the undertaker drove off. Doritha and Garth had stayed back at the ranch. But Kid wasn’t satisfied with their answers to Teaspoon’s questions. Heck, Teaspoon wasn’t happy with them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Marshal rubbed the back of his neck.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wished I could help ya, Kid,” he said to the younger man who was pacing back and forth in front of Teaspoon. Lou lay curled up on the bench under the office window, snoozing. She’d fallen asleep on their way back to town. “But your friend’s never seen him before.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid came to a stop. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. I know,” he sighed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon understood how Kid felt, though, and he hadn’t even been the one to pull the trigger that ended the man’s life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s a terrible thing, killing a man and not knowing why,” he said. “But ya done what ya could, Kid. Ya gotta remember that.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused, lowering his voice a touch so as not to wake Lou in the middle of this conversation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is there somethin’ else eatin’ at ya?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid leaned down to pull Lou’s blanket up around her shoulders a bit tighter. Standing, he turned back to the Marshall and continued.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I used ta know Garth real well, Teaspoon. He ain’t a bad sort. It’s just, he was always the kind that would take what they want. You know what I mean?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah,” Teaspoon shrugged. “People change,” he added, trying to be helpful.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not Garth.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You got the feeling you busted up somethin’ more than a simple robbery?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know,” Kid sighed. “It coulda been.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Want me ta go out there and talk ta him again?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Naw. That’s somethin’ I better do myself,” Kid decided, turning toward Katy, tied to the hitching post in front of the Marshall’s office. “Will ya make sure Lou gets home?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The older man nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thanks, Teaspoon.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid, uh, you and Doritha, you was, uh… “ Teaspoon ended by shaking his hand back and forth meaningfully.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid smiled in resignation. “A long time ago.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For you, maybe,” Teaspoon said, shaking his head. “Be careful, son.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou’s eyes slitted open as she heard Katy begin trotting down the street. She’d awoken when Kid tucked her into the blanket. His words to Teaspoon had confirmed at least some of her suspicions. The question was, did he still love that other woman? Did he regret his marriage, engagement, whatever it was they had? Or was he still willing to fight for them?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid stopped by the barn to switch horses, giving Katy a quick rubdown and a generous portion of oats and mash to reward her for all her hard work through the night. Then he quickly saddled up one of the Express’ Indian ponies.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He walked out of the barn leading the pretty little mustang by the reins, talking quietly to her as she looked around nervously.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ridin’ to the rescue?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sighed. He’d hoped Lou would sleep through his departure. He wasn’t ready for this conversation, a conversation she apparently was determined to have right now. Trying to buy himself time, he turned to the pony and double checked the cinch strap, yanking it just a bit tighter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid, even if she is in trouble, you may not be able to help out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I gotta try.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why?” Lou asked softly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Because she needs me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I don’t?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lou thought to herself sarcastically. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Out loud, she said, “You sure it’s you she needs? Or just a way out?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I gotta go,” Kid said shortly, putting his foot in the stirrup and starting to swing himself into the saddle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you owe her, Kid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gathering the reins in one hand, Kid looked down at Lou.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My life,” he started, then paused. Taking a deep breath, he pushed on, “After my Ma died, I needed to leave Virginia. I needed ta make my way somewhere else. Doritha gave me the money to pay off her debts.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You could always pay her back.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid strangled a morbid laugh at that. He’d tried. Oh, how he’d tried! But there was one more thing Lou needed to know, something else he was feeling guilty over.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, it ain’t that simple,” he sighed. “I said I’d send for her.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And you never did?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid shook his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou tilted hers in question. “Why not?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I meant to. I was fifteen. Things were rough. Before I knew it, time passed,” Kid explained slowly. “I could hardly remember what she looked like.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I met you and you took my breath away,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> he thought. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And isn’t it ridiculous I’m now feeling guilty fer fallin’ in love with my own wife?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “About that time, her family had lost everything they had and she married Garth.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You couldn’t help that,” Lou pointed out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I don’t know.” Kid paused. He shrugged again. “If I hadn’t left like I did, things would be different. She wouldn’t be in trouble now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid…”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou, I know you’re tryin’ ta help, but leave me alone, alright?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But it ain’t yer fault,” Lou continued stubbornly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe it was his conflicting emotions and feeling guilty for everything, no matter what he did. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. But Kid suddenly felt his temper snap. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He swung his horse around and leaned down to hiss, “And you ain’t listenin’! I tol’ ya ta leave me alone!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He regretted it the instant the words were out of his mouth. He could tell Lou was trying hard to be reasonable in the middle of a mess that was none of her doing but was still tilting her word on end as much as his.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He sighed as her eyes rounded to twice their size. Suddenly, she turned and headed for the pony standing, saddled, ready for the morning’s first run.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou!” he called, afraid she was about to mount up and ride off. But she suddenly clapped a hand to her side, almost as if she already had a stitch in it, and swerved around the edge of the bunkhouse. Her other hand came up to cover her mouth.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid blew the last of the air in his lungs out into the morning sky, knowing he’d screwed up. Again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jimmy watched Lou running off into the prairie, Kid looked dejectedly after her. What had happened now? He turned and lit out after Lou at a slow jog. Her fastest run right now wasn’t hard for him to catch up to.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s wrong, Lou?” he asked when he got within speaking distance.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She didn’t answer, continuing to run toward the rising sun.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jimmy paused for a moment to watch her go. Raising his hands out to his sides, he called after her, “Where ya goin’?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When she still didn’t respond, he shook his head in exasperated indignation and picked up his pace to catch her up again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou, hold up!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes blinded by tears, Lou stumbled over a clump of prairie grasses, falling to her knees. Jimmy skidded to her side with immediate concern.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dammit, Jimmy! What’d ya follow me for?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You had me worried, the way you took off out of there,” Jimmy explained. Running a hand down her back in concern he asked, “Are you alright?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I guess so,” Lou said, falling back onto her rear and rubbing at the knee she’d landed on. “I just don’t like feelin’ this way.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like what?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know,” she muttered, picking up a clod of dirt she’d kicked up and tossing it out into the prairie. “Crowded when I’m with him, crazy when I’m not.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yup. It was Kid again, Jimmy grimaced to himself. He shook his head in disbelief. Would these two ever get on the same page?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I just feel like I’m losin’ him,” she whispered. “And I don’t understand why. Why’s he gotta keep goin’ ta her rescue?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou looked up at Jimmy with tear tracks on her cheeks already drying. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why do people need each other, anyway?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jimmy chuckled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know, Lou,” he said. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If only he did, life would be so much easier!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “That’s a tough one.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, that second trip out to the McCallister, or rather the Maxwell Ranch had been a waste of time and energy. He’d gotten nothing new from Garth. Even Doritha had kept silent, though he could tell she wasn’t happy about something.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sighed, then half-grinned to himself. Seemed he’d been doing that a lot lately. But he felt a decision coming, one he wasn’t quite ready to admit to, but needed to settle, for Lou’s sake as well as his.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He needed to find a way to cut the ties binding him to Doritha. He’d loved her once. But their time had passed. And it just wasn’t healthy, for either of them, to dwell in the past as they’d been doing the last few days.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked over at his bunk, where the money he’d just withdrawn from the bank rested in his saddlebag. It was time to pay off his debt and cut the ties that bound him so tightly to Doritha. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garth had made it clear he was no longer welcome at the ranch, so he moved over to where Rachel kept pen, ink and paper stored. He’d write a letter, explaining, and send one of the others over with the money and the letter. Maybe Buck? No, not a good idea. Noah, either. Jesse. He’d send Jesse. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sitting down, Kid stared at the blank sheet he’d pulled out, trying to formulate the words he needed to write before putting ink to the paper. He didn’t want to waste Rachel’s supplies.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, he dipped the pen in the inkwell and began.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Doritha,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know you didn’t expect this, but I…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused as a knock sounded at the bunkhouse door. That was odd, he thought. No one really knocked at that door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s open,” he called.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha stepped through the door, closing it quickly behind her and leaning back against it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hello, Kid.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid could immediately tell something was off. He quickly flipped the letter he was writing over to hide the words and stood up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha? What’s wrong?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s just amazin’ how long you can go on foolin’ yerself.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What are you talkin’ about?” Kid asked, moving around the table in the middle of the room to stand directly in front of Doritha. “Garth’s in trouble, isn’t he?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her face crumpled as she flung her arms around his shoulders, leaning her head into the crook of his neck and wailing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes. Oh, please, take me away from here, Kid.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ridin’ ta the rescue?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lou’s words echoed in his mind as Doritha outlined a plan for the two of them to run off together. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do ya owe her, Kid?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We can start over again, just the two of us. I’ll do anything.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha suddenly broke off her words to pull his shoulders toward her, leaning up on tiptoe to press a kiss to his lips. He stiffened in surprise, then pushed her away from him, trying to be gentle about yet but not giving her a chance to continue.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please!” Doritha begged.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha, I… I can’t. I’m sorry. It’s too late,” Kid said. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our time has passed. You’re married. I’m married. And I just don’t feel that way about you anymore. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But he could hardly tell her that. It would mortify her and she was already obviously upset.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“After all I did for you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha!” Kid remonstrated. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before he could add another word, she pulled away, turning to flounce out the door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just stay away from me!” she suddenly said in heated anger.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid followed her out onto the bunkhouse porch, grabbing her arm to stop her as she reached to begin unwrapping her horse's reins from the hitching post.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha, just tell me what happened!” </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell me what I’ve gotta fix so we can move on with our lives,</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> he thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid had found himself unsurprised by all that Doritha had told him about what she’d discovered. Theft was something he’d expect of a Garth struggling to survive. He’d always been a taker.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s goin’ ta happen to us, Kid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know,” Kid said, shaking his head. He kept Katy to a slow walk, matching her gate to that of Doritha’s smaller horse so they could talk. “If Garth was tellin’ the truth and those other fellas did the robbery, it may not be too bad.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He’ll go to jail, though.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid couldn’t say no to that. It was definitely a possibility.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When I find out all he’s done, what if I can’t forgive him?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pulling Katy to a stop at the ranch house porch, Kid dismounted.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shrugged. He wasn’t Teaspoon. Advice wasn’t his thing. He had enough of his own romantic struggles to figure out without delving into others, even Doritha’s. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All you can do is try,” he said after a pregnant pause.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finished tying Katy and Doritha’s horse to the hitching post, Kid looked up and caught a glimpse of boots, toes up, laying in the dirt just off the edge of the porch. He stiffened as he realized Garth was still wearing them, but he wasn’t moving and never would again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon stood next to the buckboard, holding up the blanket covering Garth’s body. After a long look, he slowly lowered the blanket back over what was left of the man.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He scratched the back of his neck.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, it might have been one man. It might have been more,” he told Kid. “Whoever it was, do you s’pose they got what they come for?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s gone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the almost whispered words, Teaspoon and Kid looked over at Doritha. She was sitting on the buckboard’s front bench, her arms wrapped around her middle.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon stepped closer to her, leaning in as if to better understand her. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I beg yer pardon, ma’am?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha spoke again in a low monotone.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The money Garth stole? I threw it away.” She finally looked up at Teaspoon and Kid. “If I hadn’t, he’d still be alive.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ma’am, you can never know that,” Teaspoon tried to reassure her. She nodded though nothing about her body language indicated her agreement. “You gotta ease up on yerself, Miz Maxwell.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Marshal turned back to Kid, pulling him back toward the end of the buckboard, and lowered his voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid… whoever shot him might be comin’ after her.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid looked back at Doritha and sighed. Again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Listen, boys, I know we’re a bit shorthanded right now with all the special runs we’ve been doing for the Army lately,” Teaspoon said. “So, I need anyone who’s not on a run to take a shift on guard duty, alright?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou straightened from the oven door, closing it behind the pan of biscuits she’d just slipped inside. She turned her head toward where Teaspoon was meeting with riders.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can help, too,” she called over.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lou,” Teaspoon started to object.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She walked over and held out a hand to shush him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I may not be able ta ride right now, but my eyes work just fine,” she said firmly. “And I can still pull a trigger and hit what I aim at!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s right,” Jimmy spoke up from the other end of the table.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon held up both hands in surrender.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Alright, Lou,” he said. “You, too.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned to Jimmy and pointed a finger at him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m puttin’ you on the same shift and you can explain ta Kid.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is Kid’s rescue mission ta begin with,” Lou said. “He oughta know I’d help out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon stood up and squeezed her shoulder on his way to the door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I ain’t so sure that’s how he’s thinkin’ right now, girl.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know,” she said softly. “But I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaspoon nodded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s my gal!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid felt antsy. He wanted to get back out to Teaspoon, looking for the man or men, or women, who’d shot Garth. But Doritha seemed to keep coming up with things to keep him standing there in the middle of the bunkhouse, despite his reassurances she was completely safe here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Wait. I… I got somethin’ for ya,” she said this time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She set her carpetbag down on the bench at the table and reached inside, pulling something out. She hid it in her hand as she walked back over to Kid, flipping her hand over to reveal a cheap brooch with a large green “gem” made of glass in the middle of it. A gift Kid had given her when they were children.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He laughed at the sight and the memories it evoked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Remember?” she whispered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He reached out, taking the brooch from her. He shook his head in disbelief that he’d ever thought it a worthy gift for anyone, let alone a woman he’d thought to one day marry.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah,” he said softly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why do we ever grow up?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid sucked in a deep breath. She’d hit the nail on the head for why he was struggling. He’d grown up. She seemed to have done her best not to. What had appealed to him as a child, well, it no longer did. He still felt warmly toward her, but, well, she just couldn’t hold a candle to Lou’s blazing torch.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He reached out to pat Doritha’s shoulder comfortingly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Get some rest. I’ll be back soon.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This time he didn’t give her a chance to stop him, turning and heading straight for the door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Kid?” she called. He turned to look back at her. “Be careful.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do we ever grow up?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou’d heard Doritha’s words and they kept echoing in her mind. She wondered what they meant for her and Kid. Were they a clarion call he couldn’t escape or an acceptance that things had changed so much and he was lost to his childhood sweetheart? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She shook her head to try to free it of the circling thoughts as Buck took over for Jimmy, who had to go get ready for a run.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buck, who’d relieved Jimmy a few minutes ago, leaned against the far porch post, watching down the street toward town for any oncomers. Lou sat stretched out on the bench by the door, feet up on a wash bucket, staring out toward the prairie, watching for anything that didn’t belong.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite her apparent preoccupation, she heard the door creek and Doritha’s quick, mincing steps as she walked out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can we talk?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou shifted on her seat, suddenly uncomfortable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure,” she said, unwittingly falling back into the gruffer voice she’d used when out of town on a run.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Alone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou looked up at Doritha, aggravated.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Buck?” she called, getting his attention. She nodded toward the cross street. He nodded back and walked around the corner of the bunkhouse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She doubted he was really out of earshot, but that’s as far as either of them was willing to bend at this point.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou struggled to her feet, maneuvering the bulk of her belly carefully as she stood and faced Doritha, crossing her arms over her chest</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you mind if I ask you a question?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou wanted to roll her eyes but forced herself to just nod.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s kind of personal,” Doritha said, getting quieter and stepping closer to the shorter woman.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou just looked at her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know how you and the Kid feel about each other,” Doritha said. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lou wondered. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Had Kid said something?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why aren’t you…” Doritha let the question trail off.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou finished it for her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Together?” She shrugged. “We tried it once. Time wasn’t right, I guess.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No way in hell was she telling Doritha a single thing about her relationship with Kid, her hopes and dreams.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doritha nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There was a time I’d have given anything for him to belong to me.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou just stared at the blonde woman. Like that was any sort of a revelation. The urge to roll her eyes grew.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Just tell me one thing, does he have any idea how lucky he is, having you for a friend?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou relaxed her stance minuscully. Doritha turned away, walking to the bunkhouse door. She paused to look back at Lou.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You be good to him, Louise,” she said, then disappeared back inside.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou’s body sagged as she relaxed completely, almost sliding back down onto the bench. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been another long day and a fruitless search for information. Kid trudged back to the bunkhouse from the barn after settling Katy in for the night. He wished he had better answers for Doritha, who he knew must be fretting.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He frowned when he realized Lou was still sitting on the bench by the bunkhouse door, as if she’d spent all day on guard, instead of taking shifts with the others. She better not be over-exerting herself, he thought. It wasn’t good for her or the baby.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Any luck?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sound of her words startled him out of his reverie. He just shook his head no, lacking the energy to say much else. The last week had drained him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Kid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stopped to look at her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can see why you loved her,” she said quietly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsure what to say, Kid just looked deep into Lou’s eyes, searchingly. When this was all over, they were going to need to have a long chat about things. But first… he opened the door to the bunkhouse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Doritha?” he called out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the room was empty, the back door open, swinging in the evening breeze.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*****</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dearest Kid,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for me, but my staying here puts you and your friends in danger. And that’s something I cannot allow.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a long time since I left Virginia. Perhaps it’s time I went home.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever happens, please don’t forget me. I know I’ll never forget you. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love, Doritha</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid folded the missive and slipped it into the pocket of his Sunday suit. Doritha had left the letter for him sitting on the bunkhouse table before taking off and ending up getting herself killed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her final words gave him a lot to think about. He was so lost in thought he didn’t hear Lou’s steps as she approached.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I had a feelin’ I’d find ya here.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up with a sense of déjà vu. She pulled her hat off her head. He half-smiled at the incongruous sight. Despite the frilly lavender dress she wore, she still clung to the hat from her riding days. It made for an odd match, but one that was entirely his Lou.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You did everything you could, Kid,” she said, coming to slowly lower herself onto the same fallen tree he was sitting on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. I know,” he murmured. “Don’t tell me you can’t save people from themselves.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou quirked her head to the side, looking at him oddly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s true.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know, Lou,” he said, shaking his head. “I never felt so alone, before. Even after Jed died. Even after Ike died.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou groaned as she lumbered to her feet, one hand resting protectively on the side of her belly. She looked down at him seriously.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You ain’t alone, Kid. You got Teaspoon and the boys and Rachel.” She looked away and then back to him as if deciding to commit herself. “And I… I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid peered up at her, a question on his face. As their eyes met, his slight smile returned. She reached out a hand to him and he grabbed it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I understand now,” she said quietly. “What ya meant about needin’ ta be sure I wasn’t just pickin’ ya ‘cause you were the… easy choice, the one right in front of me. I kinda needed that this last week myself.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid tugged on her hand, pulling her down into his lap. He nestled his chin into the crook of her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her belly, resting his hands atop hers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Before Doritha and Garth showed up,” he started slowly, “When we got word President Lincoln was calling up state militias to stop the South from seceding, I thought a lot ‘bout goin’ home. ‘Specially after Jesse told me, maybe I shoulda been helpin’ Jed, instead of tryin’ ta convince him what he was doin’ was wrong.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But, Kid,” Lou started to interrupt him, turning her head to peer up at him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I know he was wrong. Let me finish,” he said softly. She nodded. “It just got me thinkin’… about everythin’ I left behind to come out West. Friends. Family. What’s left of ‘em. The land itself.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For a long time I thought it was the last time I’d see ‘em. I though they’d be just memories. And if… when war started, if those folks tried to take away my memories, I’d be goin’ back home. Ta defend it, ya know?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou shifted, full of worried questions but struggling to let him finish as he’d asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Leavin’ you… leavin’ you woulda been the hardest thing I’d ever had ta do.” His voice broke at the thought and he had to clear his throat to keep speaking. “But stayin’ woulda been harder. I thought. I realized somethin’ this last week, though.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stopped speaking. Finally, Lou couldn’t take it anymore.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What did ya realize, Kid?” she asked softly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That Virginia, those people, they’re not my home anymore,” he whispered. “You are. You and our daughter. And Teaspoon and Rachel, Emma and Sam, the boys. Yer all my home. Yer the memories I need ta protect from destruction, the people I need ta defend at all costs. Yer the only ones I want ta be ridin’ ta the rescue for. When ye’ll let me,” he ended on a teasing note.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lou felt a knot in the vicinity of her heart suddenly release, untying itself with terrifying speed. An incoherent sound slipped past her lips as tears began streaming down her cheeks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kid reached out and tugged at the edge of the chain around her neck that carried her wedding and engagement rings.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think… I think it’s time ya start wearin’ this on yer finger,” he whispered in her ear. “I think it’s time ta tell the world yer my home, forever and always.” </span></p><div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-62409036442320820672018-02-09T20:16:00.003-08:002018-02-09T20:16:37.434-08:00Between Breaths<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvdAEMvjltYvMjpCrp31rY8oWuOU5oKwSVZv9VGzFeihzXkaLqzFDw5263AveuJBFd-eJm2Ta_URXKqHnFUMjKZj75b7aFCjKU6jn8BdOrBonwFMbDhTkji0O3IFz9z5JYna_71AYtEs/s1600/between+breaths+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvdAEMvjltYvMjpCrp31rY8oWuOU5oKwSVZv9VGzFeihzXkaLqzFDw5263AveuJBFd-eJm2Ta_URXKqHnFUMjKZj75b7aFCjKU6jn8BdOrBonwFMbDhTkji0O3IFz9z5JYna_71AYtEs/s400/between+breaths+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">This falls toward the end of the series finale, <br />'Til Death Do Us Part, as a young couple <br />faces the crossroads between hope for the <br />future and another heart-wrenching loss.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Breathe in. Breathe out. She tried to reduce all life to that one,
simple, basic action.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The soft silkiness of the water lapped rhythmically at the edges of her
consciousness as she slipped lower into its welcoming warmth. It had lost the biting heat of earlier but
still provided a comforting retreat from the crisp autumn air the fireplace
couldn’t quite hold back, despite the roaring fire she’d built in the primitive
stone hearth. </div>
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<br /></div>
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She imagined it was the
same sort of soft warmth that kept a babe sleepy in its mother’s womb, and left
that infant screaming in defiance months later when pushed out into the cold,
often cruel world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Her breath sounded harsh to her ears as she sucked the air in through
her mouth and blew it back out through her nose.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Despite her best efforts to completely blank her mind, it insisted on
rambling frantically from one possible disastrous loss to another. Things had been going too well in her life
lately. Something bad was coming
soon. She could feel it in her
bones. It left her cold in a way no fire
or hot bath could completely thaw.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The rise and fall of her chest as she deliberately slowed each breath
to half the pace her body wanted kept the water moving in gentle waves around
her. It was the only movement as she lay there, thinking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There’d been so much loss in her life.
It had started with her mother… her father… then, as she’d built a new
family, she’d lost those members, too, one by one, to violence and tragedy. Ike’s loss had hit her particularly
hard. Though her new husband had already
agreed they’d name this babe after him.
Her hand moved crept across her belly to gently cup the slightly rounded
mound that had been a flat plane just a few scant weeks ago. The curvature held the promise of a brighter future to blot out the dark past.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The thought of her husband brought a smile to her face. He was off at his new job. She wasn’t fond of the hours it kept him away
from her, but they were still better than his old job. She didn’t fear for his life every second he
was out of her sight anymore. She still
missed him. She didn’t know if she could
take anymore losses. But life just
seemed to keep handing them out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She’d spent the day mucking around in the dirt outside their new
home. He’d suggested planting flowers,
even offered to buy her a rose bush from some travelers heading west on a
nearby wagon train. But her mind had
turned to things more practical. With a
new job in a new town and a new home, they needed food. She’d been planting onions, turnips, collard
greens in her new winter garden to feed them through the hard, cold months
quickly closing in on them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The thought had her reaching over the edge of the tub to check the
temperature in the bucket of what had been boiling water that she’d left near
to hand. It was that perfect level of
warm, not too much, not too little.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Deep breath in. Slow
release. She steeled herself to
move. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sitting up she grabbed the bucket and dumped its contents over her
head, rinsing away the soap she’d used to scrub her hair. The split second of heat that drenched her
body was welcome. The bone deep shiver that followed in its wake, as cooling
air hit overheated skin, was not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She heard familiar steps come crunching up the porch and the door begin
to creak open. Her husband was
home. It was still strange to think of
him as that, despite how long they’d been close before and how they’d both
twisted and turned through their difficult courtship. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Husband. Such a simple word to
hold so many feelings. It was strength. It was support. It was love.
It was also freedom in a way she’d never really expected. She felt the edges of her lips turn up in a
half smile as she reached for the toweling cloth she’d left sitting over a
chair by the fire. It, at least, was
still warm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Perhaps her fears were unfounded.
Maybe this time things would be good.
With the Express ending the boys were no longer risking their lives to
get the mail through. They were
beginning to find other, often safer, jobs.
Teaspoon was doing his best to keep them out of the war, despite the
youthful stubbornness of Jimmy and Billy.
Cassie was sure to convince Noah to stay home, she thought, maybe even
move on further West. Despite the
looming war she felt sure her family would sit the fighting out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stepping the rest of the way out of the tub, she wrapped the toweling
cloth around herself bringing the sunshine saturated cloth to her nose,
inhaling the comforting scent deeply.
Maybe, just maybe, she could relax now and enjoy the good things in her
life, assured her loved ones were safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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********<o:p></o:p></div>
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He stopped dead at the sight of her.
No matter how long they were together he didn’t think she would ever
stop taking his breath away. She was so
beautiful. He thought of the poem she’d
read him the other night as they’d lain in bed, entwined beneath the warm
quilts, talking about everything and nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She walks in beauty… yeah. That
was her, alright. His wife. She was so slight, you’d think a slight
breeze would send her flying across the plains like a tumbleweed. But she was sturdy and strong, as deeply
rooted in the western soil as the prairie grass outside their window. She was
his Prairie Rose. </div>
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He couldn’t imagine his life without her. Best friend.
Wife. Soon to be mother. Home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He hated to break the news to her.
Breathing in all that she was to him, he could hear the harshness of his
lungs filling to capacity as loudly as a scream in the silent room. He stepped closer, pushing his hat back off
his head and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her tight against his
chest, offering the only comfort the could.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Emma,” he said quietly, his rough voice scratchier than ever as he
whispered into her ear, “Teaspoon just wired.
It’s not good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-27188257851524335722017-08-05T18:29:00.003-07:002017-08-05T18:29:45.440-07:00The Sacrifice*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7EOOgOVy-cOBswDto98dLvjqCaWQBfMadmkHxWu-bZhjj4bzOJvG_TTUI1RBLl8XRwYGZhEPHXdzEswwq6iARTPjs-Ta0sh43YN1m6Gk8knQ5mKnA3DEtw8QpkGRIDu30xLpJ7VtRjo/s1600/The+Sacrifice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7EOOgOVy-cOBswDto98dLvjqCaWQBfMadmkHxWu-bZhjj4bzOJvG_TTUI1RBLl8XRwYGZhEPHXdzEswwq6iARTPjs-Ta0sh43YN1m6Gk8knQ5mKnA3DEtw8QpkGRIDu30xLpJ7VtRjo/s400/The+Sacrifice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>This is an A/U version of the season 3 episode The Sacrifice. From the first time I saw it, I marveled at the similarities in character between Adrian Dawkins and The Kid. I wondered, is that what would have happened to The Kid if he hadn't joined the Pony Express, for whatever reason? So, what if Adrian really was The Kid? This is my re-envisioning of that episode if the answer were yes.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
nervously shifted from one foot to the other, the hand holding the horses’
reins clenching and unclenching, the shadows of the alley hiding his eyes more
effectively than the brim of his white hat.
The quiet was getting to him. All he could hear was the chirping of
birds, a dog barking in the distance, a lone rooster crowing. The way his heart was racing the streets
should be full of people yelling for help already.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
didn’t like this plan. Not a bit. But he was the youngest member of the group
and didn’t feel like he could change Bart’s mind, let alone everyone
else’s. He owed them, too, so he
couldn’t exactly walk away from the gang, the only family he’d had since
heading west two years ago. He just
prayed no one got hurt today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
felt the explosion before he heard it, the rumble shivering up his bones and
into his heart. Tugging his hat down lower over his eyes, he pulled on the
reins, clucking at the horses to get them moving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yah!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By
the time they reached the entrance to the alley they were moving at what was
for him a full run. Head down he doggedly headed toward the bank where Rufus
and Harvey stood guard, rifles at the ready.
Bart and Angus came running out of the building with bulging bags gripped
tightly in one hand, guns in the other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That’s
when the gunshots started. He slouched
further down into the saddle he’d just climbed into, his shoulders practically
reaching his ears under the brim of his hat as he turned his horse in the
opposite direction of the gunfire and spurred his horse forward. He hoped…. nope. His companions were returning fire. He just hoped no one got hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly,
he realized the rest of the gang was headed in the opposite direction. HE
stared off toward the end of the street for a split second in longing, then
sighed, and tried to force the horse to turn around. It reared, neighing in distress at the harsh
tug of the bit and the noise of the gunfight.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Git
goin’!” he grouched under his breath at the recalcitrant equine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
the animal’s front hooves pounded back down into the dust of the street, a
sudden, sharp pain blossomed in his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ahhh!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
force of the bullet propelled him sideways, off his horse. The hard landing left himgasping for breath
for a moment. AS he slowly managed to refill
his lungs, he heard steps crunching across the dirt road toward him. Rolling over, he saw a young man about his
own age, standing in trousers and long johns, staring down the barrel of a six
shooter at him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Alright,
you got me,” he grunted in acknowledgement, wondering where the Marshal
was. “Now what’re ya goin’ to do with
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Jimmy!” The old Texas Ranger’s growly voice pierced
the rain drenched morning, slicing through the young man’s slumber. “Jimmy,” he repeated again, a touch more
quietly this time, walking over to prod the younger man with the toe of his
boot. “Come on, son, it ain’t like we’ve been ridin’ all night.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
younger man pulled the oiled canvas down from where it sheltered his face,
peering out from under his black hat and scowled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It
was dark when we left Rock Creek,” he grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It
was a cloudy mornin’, yes,” the older man sighed, clasping his hands in front
of his ample belly. “You know, if you had your way you’d sleep through the best
years of your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
I wouldn’t,” came the reluctant answer, as the younger man began to push
himself to a full sitting position. “But I would on my days off, which is what
today is supposed to be!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
know that. I told you I’m sorry,” ,” his grey haired elder apologized
again. He turned and walked back toward
his horse, still talking. “Lou and Noah are out on a special run. The rest of
the boys are out, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Standing,
Jimmy wrapped up his slicker and tied it to behind the saddle of his own horse.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
could’ve waited for Lou and Noah to come back, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
I couldn’t,” the older man said, the ‘no’ coming out as an explosion of air as
he heaved himself into the saddle. “For one thing, they had some time off, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
paused to look up at his boss, “Now wait a minute!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
older man didn’t give him a chance to continue. “And for another, although I’m
hoping against it,” he sighed, “well, I may just need your gun.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
really think so, hunh?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watching
Jimmy mount, Teaspoon continued explaining. “Davenport’s a small town in the
middle of a big nowhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
mounted up and they turned their horses back toward the trail they’d left
behind an hour earlier when stopping to give the animals a rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teaspoon
continued his explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“And
with a gang that’s already killed a marshal and a prisoner this gang might want
to spring and a deputy wet behind the ears between ‘em, what we got is.. “<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
finished for him. “A lot of trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teaspoon
cleared his throat. “Maybe. But seein’
as it’s three days away, I figured ridin’ made more sense than waitin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
resigned himself to his fate, while mentally throwing few curse words Lou’s
way. “I just hope Lou’s havin’ a grand ol’ time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So,
Lou, what are you thinkin’ ‘bout doin’ with your time off when we get back to
Rock Creek,” Noah asked as he and the female rider tied their bedrolls onto the
backs of their saddles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Actually,
I’m plannin’ on doin’ somethin’ with it before I get back,” she smiled, fondly
patting the saddlebag with one hand and grabbing the reins with her other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Like
what?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Gonna
go visit Theresa and Jeremiah,” she smiled, leaping nimbly into the
saddle. “Feels like I haven’t seen them
in a coon’s age. Certainly not since we moved to Rock Creek, despite it bein’
closer to St. Joe.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s
an awful long way for just a three day vacation,” Noah said, looking back over
the site of Fort Kearny as he mimicked Lou’s motions, mounting his own
horse. “You’ll get, what, an afternoon
with ‘em, before you have to head back?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If
I ride hard, I can swing a whole day there,” she said. “Besides, family’s worth it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ain’t
that the truth,” Noah smiled, a sadness he rarely spoke about tinging his eyes
and the edges of his lips. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“See
ya back in Rock Creek,” she smiled over her shoulder at him. “I got a date with a couple of hooligans.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hope
you’ve got a dress in that saddlebag,” Noah laughed. “Cause restaurants in St. Joe are goin’ ta
expect you ta take that hat off. No
passin’ fer a man, then!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No
pretendin’, this week,” she grinned back at him, tipping her hat to him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So
I take it yer not goin’ to wait fer me to keep up?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sorry,
Noah,” she said, turning her grin into a mischievous snort, “but not this
time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With
a whoop she dug her heels into Lightning’s sides, urging the gelding into a
flat out run. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Wouldn’t
ya figure?” she muttered to herself a few hours later, looking down at the shoe
Lightning had thrown a few yards back.
Luckily she’d noticed the change in his stride right away. So the horse hadn’t suffered any permanent
injury. But now… now there was no way
she’d make it to St. Joe. It was going
to take her the rest of the day just to make it to the nearest town, some place
in the middle of nowhere called Davenport, if she remembered the sign she’d
seen about a mile back right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pulling
the saddle off the horse’s back, she threw it over one shoulder, grabbing his
reins with the other and settled in for a long hike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on, boy,” she urged. “We gotta get goin’
if we’re goin’ ta find a comfy place ta rest tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
horse neighed at her, bobbing his head up and down as if in agreement, then
skittering sideways a few steps as thunder rumbled in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh,
joy,” she groaned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
walk, hike more like, had been just as long and painful as she’d expected. Not only did her feet hurt from the
unaccustomed action, but she had blisters, a lot of them. First her boots, meant for riding not
walking, had rubbed her heels raw, then the saddle had dug into her
shoulder. She’d tried switching it to
the other shoulder, but that had meant leading Lightning from the off side and
the horse, already skittish from the short downburst they’d walked through,
wasn’t having any of that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
now they were almost there, the church’s steeple from its spot anchoring one
end of main street, so common in these small territorial towns, a welcome
sight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
the pair, woman and horse, drew nearer, the equine raised his nose, sniffing
almost delicately, then whinnying in greeting to the horses standing outside
the fenced cemetery on the edge of town.
The crowd gathered there a silent testimony to someone’s recent loss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
grimaced. She’d been to far too many
funerals in her young life already, starting with her mother’s. But, reaching the edge of the cemetery, she
paused out of respect. The preacher’s
words reaching out to her as she waited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If
love can be measured by what one is willing to sacrifice, Marshal Oakley is the
best friend this town ever had. But as
our Lord gave Himself to be taken, that we might live, Marshal Oakley, too,
gave his life for us. We should reflect on those aspects of our lives that we
so often take for granted.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
nodded, trying not to get emotional as the preacher’s words transported her
back to those days not too long ago fresh with the pain of Ike’s loss. She knew any of her brothers from the Pony
Express would die for her, and vice versa.
And she’d spent a lot of time thinking about the importance of family
since Ike’s loss. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Aspects
Marshal Oakley realized were worth dying for.” The preacher paused for a moment
to let his words sink in. Then wrapped
up the service. “Let us pray.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
waited until the funeral had broken up, and only the preacher and the grave
digger remained. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clearing
her throat, she asked, “Can either of you point me in the direction of the
blacksmith? My horse threw a shew a few
miles back.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
sorry, young lady,” the preacher said gently.
Lou started, surprised he’d sussed out her gender so easily. Most men were fooled by the boy’s clothing
she wore. “But he’s out of town this
week. Went to visit his daughter over by
Fairbury way. She just had a baby, his
first grandchild. A boy, I hear.” A soft smile crossed his weathered face. “At
any rate, he won’t be back for a couple of days. You might could trade your mount in for
another at the livery or,” he quickly added seeing her look of negation, “you
could spend a couple of days at the hotel, there.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
pointed with his chin to the only two-story building in the small town, a sign
out front advertising rooms to rent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thank
you kindly,” she said. “And,” she paused
a moment before adding, “I’m sorry for your loss.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
opened her eyes and sighed. As exhausted
as she was, she couldn’t sleep, her muscles seemingly jumping around of their
own will beneath her skin. The preacher
had helped her find the livery where she’d arranged to stable Lightning until
the blacksmith could get back to town. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
almost laughed out loud as she remembered her encounter with the clerk at the
hotel. She’d walked in alone, trail
dirty and weary to the bone, barely dragging her feet through the door. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Good afternoon,” the pleasantly plump
clerk had smiled at her in welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Afternoon,” Lou said with a sigh. It had been hard to believe it was only
afternoon. It felt more like midnight.
She could ride for days on end without feeling this exhausted. “I’d like to get a room.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sure.
Mr. and Mrs… “<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou hid a smile behind her hand. “Uh, it’s just me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh,” sudden disapproval dripped from the
woman’s lips as they turned downward. “I’m afraid I’ll have to give you the
attic chamber. It’s the only one we have
safe for,” a slight change in her tone indicated her doubt about the next word,
“ladies travelling alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou ducked her head this time, trying hard
not to laugh. The woman’s reaction was
so predictable once she’d figured out Lou was female. Though how she’d done so
so quickly niggled at the back of Lou’s brain.
What was it about this town that everyone seemed to see through her
disguise? Maybe it was time to cut her hair again, despite what Rachel had
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s on a separate floor,” the clerk said
warningly. “Separate from everyone but
me!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’ll be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Supper’s at six. Sharp.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No thanks,” Lou said. “I’ve had a long
day. Doubt I could stay awake that late.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That
had been three hours ago. She’d napped
for a while, but her body’s complaints about the abuse she’d subjected it to
today had woken her up a half hour ago and, despite her best efforts, it wasn’t
letting her return to her slumber.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
sighed and rolled over. Might as well
take advantage of the enforced rest to do some window shopping. Maybe she’d find something for Buck’s
birthday. It was coming up soon and she
still had no idea what to give him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
stood, transfixed, outside the big picture window of the dressmaker’s
shop. She had the blue party dress
Rachel had made for her stowed in her saddlebags back at the hotel. But something about this brown on cream
ensemble just called to her. She lifted
her hat off the top of her head, nervously running a hand over her short locks
before carefully placing the hat back down.
What could it hurt, she asked herself?
Everyone else in town already seemed to have figured out she wasn’t the
boy she pretended to be. And the town
was too far from Rock Creek for anyone here to somehow connect her to a Pony
Express rider there. It should be safe
enough. Should.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Aw, what the hell</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, she
thought. <i>You only live once, right?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Besides,
even if caught, what difference would it make?
Teaspoon had already told them the Express would only last another
couple of months. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Making
her decision, she squared her shoulders and turned to the door a few feet
away. The tinkling of the bell as she
went through it sending a shiver of delight deep into the recesses of her soul
she usually neglected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
nervously smoothed the soft satiny fabric of her new dress with one hand as she
clutched the package with her boy’s clothes in the other. Stepping carefully out onto the boardwalk,
she took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back, chin up. The dressmaker had even helped her put her up
into an up do, the brown curls pulled gracefully back into what she’d called a
French twist. Lou had never felt so grown-up,
polished, feminine. Despite her care,
she still tripped over her own feet, or maybe it was the long skirts of her new
dress as she crossed the street. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
dropped her work clothes in her room and headed back out. Her shopping trip had cost her a chance to
eat supper at the hotel, but she had no regrets. Lou stopped in front of the hotel’s big
picture window to double check her appearance, carefully tucking a few strands
of hair that had come loose back into the dressmaker’s carefully crafted
chignon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
she turned, she ran straight into the preacher.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sorry,
miss, I couldn’t help but watch you,” he laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
guess I was puttin’ on quite a show,” Lou murmured, embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
no, no, no. Don’t be embarrassed. This
town could use a whole lot more people with pretty smiles on their faces like
yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
blushed at the compliment, ducking her head in sudden shyness. She wasn’t used to male attention like this
and didn’t quite know how to respond. In
an effort to change the topic, she blurted out, “I heard it was your Marshal
you were burying this afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
dressmaker had talked of little else while she’d performed Lou’s
transformation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
guess it hit people pretty hard, hunh?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
preacher’s smile dimmed. “Yeah, I keep
trying to tell them something good can come from a man’s death. But I see they’re
having their doubts.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
guess you can’t blame ‘em.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
I guess not.” The preacher shook his head cynically. “Faith is in such short
supply these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
distinguished looking man of God started to turn away. Lou reached out to grab the edge of his coat
sleeve gently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Uh,
someone said Teaspoon Hunter’s coming to get your prisoner. He’ll make things right again,” she reassured
him. “He’s a good man.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So
was Marshal Oakley.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With
a nod, the preacher returned to his ramble down the boardwalk, shoulders
hunched.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
shook her head and turned back to the window for one last check of her
appearance before heading to the restaurant at the other end of town the
dressmaker had told her about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“My,
my, my,” a familiar voice drawled out.
“If I’d known this town had such pretty ladies I might’ve visited
earlier.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Noah?!”
Lou gasped, whirling in place to find the tall black man standing a few feet
away, at the end of this section of boardwalk.
“What are you doin’ here?! I
thought you were headed straight back to Rock Creek.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
could ask the same thing of you,” he said, climbing the steps up onto the
boardwalk and coming to a stop next to her.
“Why aren’t you halfway to St. Joe by now?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Lightning
threw a shoe,” she said. “I’m stuck here
‘til the blacksmith gets back in town day after tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s
a mighty fine spell of bad luck.” Noah shook his head mournfully, despite the
bright grin splitting his lips. “I
decided to follow your idea of taking my days off before going back to Rock
Creek. Didn’t have any place to be so
just started wanderin’. Ended up here. Heard there’s a good restaurant in town, run
by a freed man who don’t care who eats there.
Thought I’d check it out.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
was headed there, myself. Care to join
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
stepped back, taking another long look at her from head to toe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
looked down at her outfit nervously.
“What are you lookin’ at?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
laughed. “You. You’re beautiful.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hah! No need to act so surprised! You’ve seen me in a dress before.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
shrugged, almost bashfully. “Never…
quite like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
headed out this afternoon and went to some shops.” Lou stepped up next to the
taller man and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, which he’d presented
automatically to her. “Now, what would
Cassie think of you talkin’ to me like that?” she teased.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
laughed as he led her down the walk toward the restaurant. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Cassie
ain’t here, now is she? Besides, why’d
she object to me callin’ my little sister beautiful?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Little
sister?!” she squealed in mock outrage, reaching into his side with her friend
hand to pinch him. He skittered away while at the same time keeping her hand
wrapped around his upper arm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
giggled and looked up into his dear face.
“Looks like you may’ve been right. This could turn out to be a special
vacation after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
and Noah walked away from the restaurant, though waddled might be a more
accurate description Lou giggled to herself.
The owner, who was also the cook, had laid out a spread to rival
Rachel’s or Emma’s at Thanksgiving. And
they’d eaten every damned, delicious bite of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
feel like a pig being fattened up for the butcher,” Noah said. Then a belch made a run for it, escaping like
a man fleeing the hangman’s noose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
and Noah both burst into insane laughter at the sound. They’d had a glass of fine wine each with
dinner, just enough to take the edge off, not to cause the stupidity Jimmy was
capable of when he dove into a bottle of whiskey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That
was one of the best meals I ever had,” Lou agreed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Silence
surrounded the two as they smiled and enjoyed the peaceful evening, something
neither was completely used to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Awful
pretty out, ain’t it,” Lou said, smiling as she stared up at the night sky, the
Milky Way sparkling and twinkling above them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah,
you are,” said a voice coming from the shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
ground to a halt, her hand reaching to her side where her gun normally rested,
the fingers closing on air. She’d left her
piece in the hotel room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Who
are you? Come out of them shadows and
say what you got to say!” she demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah,
stood silent at her side. But she knew
by the tenseness in his arm that he was ready to jump into action if needed. If
she guessed right, his other hand was already resting on his gun even if she
didn’t have hers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
tall, slender man a few years older than even Noah, the oldest of the riders,
stepped out of the shadows. A black hat
cast a shadow over his face for a moment longer, then he stepped fully into the
light cast from a nearby window. Sharp,
masculine lines defined his face.
Brilliant blue eyes sparkled at her.
A mobile mouth topped by one of the most luxurious mustaches she’d ever
seen tensed as he took in the man at her side, her hand twined about Noah’s
arm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
you doin’ with that nigra?” he demanded belligerently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That
ain’t none of your business,” Noah began.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s
it to you,” Lou said at the same time, even as the stranger continued.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’d
heard there was a new, pretty young lady in town, travellin’ alone,” he
added. “Wanted ta invite ya to dinner,
maybe offer ta marry you. But I won’t
have a woman what’s defiled herself with a nigra.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
laughed derisively before he could finish.
“What makes you think I’d want to marry you? We ain’t even been properly
introduced!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yer
travellin’ alone, ain’t ya?” the man snorted.
He turned and spat a wad of tobacco juice out onto the street. “I’ve got a farm three miles down the road. Own it free and clear. I’m a good hand with a
gun and kin give ya all the youngun’s ya
want. I’ve already got three at home
from my first wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
looked at the stranger, handsome in his own way, dressed in what she now
guessed must be his Sunday best. Her
mouth hung open as she fought to come up with some sort of response.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gunshots
rang out through the clear night air.
Lou looked across the street toward the sound and reached for her gun
again. Just as she remembered she didn’t
have it, Noah grabbed her arm and dragged her toward a nearby wagon for
cover. The stranger followed them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ahhh!” A young man wearing a deputy marshal’s badge cried
out from his hiding spot across the street.
His gun fell from his hand as he dropped it to grab at his knee, blood
already blooming through the trouser leg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Dang
it!” Noah muttered, reaching out to grab at Lou a moment too late. He watched with a helpless feeling, firing
occasionally to cover her, as she raced to the young man’s aide. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’d
have to be able to outshoot and out ride her, before she’d even consider you,”
Noah grinned, fiercely to the befuddled man at his side. “My little sister’s picky that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yer
sister? She’s a nigra, too?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’d
have to ask her, that,” Noah grunted, firing again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
skidded to a halt next to the deputy, almost going head over heels as one foot
got caught in the tail end of her skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
turned to her, desperation in his face and voice as he said, “They come fer
Dawkins. The… the prisoner. They robbed the bank and killed the marshal. He’s one of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
deputy picked his gun back up and held it out as if to start shooting. But it
was shaking so hard he couldn’t pull the trigger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Let
me see that,” she demanded, already reaching for the gun. She stepped to the side a few feet and took
careful aim, toppling one of the gunmen in the street with a single shot. Another shot from Noah winged the second
mounted gang member. The injured man
managed to jump up behind the last mounted invader and they rode away, firing
wildly behind them as they went.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
burst out from his shelter on the other side of the street, yelling for
her. “Lou!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
turned to say something to the deputy and realized he was on his back, staring
at the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Lou! Are you alright?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
set the borrowed pistol down on a nearby barrel and looked at the fallen
deputy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
better than he is.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
preacher and several other townsfolk slowly filtered out onto the street,
surrounding the small group on the boardwalk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“They’ll
be back,” the preacher warned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There
any other law in town?” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,”
the preacher shook his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
straightened to a full stand, her head not even reaching the preacher’s
shoulder, and shook her head, her mouth set in a grim, determined line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah,
from where he now stood behind the preacher, started cursing as he holstered
his own gun. He knew exactly what she
was about to do, stick both their necks in a damned noose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
paced back and forth in front of the window in the Marshal’s office looking out
onto Davenport’s main street. The first
golden rays of sunshine poured over the horizon as a cock crowed at the other
end of the block, behind the restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The
sun’s comin’ up,” she said unnecessarily.
She caressed the holt of the dead deputy’s gun, still grasped tightly in
one fist. “Do you think they’ll come back?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
turned to the prisoner who was pretending to sleep in the single cell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
do you think?” he asked, taking a step closer to the bars separating them. “Huh?” he goaded, “Do your friends want you
bad enough?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For
the first time, the young man, taller than Lou, but not as tall as Noah, long
and lithe, opened his crystal blue eyes and stared straight at Lou as he stood
up. She could see him pulling on a coat
of bravado.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Course
they will,” he bragged. Something about
his intense eye contact with her raised an unfamiliar fluttering in her lower
belly. Finally he pulled his distracting gaze away from her and met Noah’s
eyes. He clenched his jaw, sticking out his chin in stubbornness. “We stick
together.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah’s
eyes narrowed as he noted the interested gleam glowing from the man behind the
jail cell bars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How
old are you?” he demanded. Lou was just
17, the youngest of the riders, if you didn’t count Jesse, which he
didn’t. This man child looked too old
for her, in his view. “Nineteen?” he
guessed. “Twenty?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Seventeen,”
the prisoner muttered, turning away from the two others in the room as if to
hide his shame. Then he turned back to
add defiantly, “Almost 18!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lou, who still hadn’t taken her eyes off the
other man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How
could you ride with men like that?” Noah demanded. He wasn’t sure what Lou’s interest in this
guy was, it could be purely academic, trying to figure out how to use him to get
out of this situation and protect the town.
But a sinking sensation in his gut said otherwise. “Didn’t your family teach you better?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“They
are my family.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
two men stared at each other, neither willing to be the one to break eye
contact first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How
long do you think it’ll take Teaspoon to get here,” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“At
least tomorrow. Next day at the latest.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed minutely as he turned to look at Lou. “It’s too long. They’ll be back before then.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why
don’t you just let me go?” the prisoner, Dawkins the deputy had called him,
said with an insouciant twinkle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Do
I look like I was born yesterday?” Noah grumped, not bothering to look back at
Dawkins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
prisoner pulled himself higher up on the bars to look over the back of Noah’s
head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
about you, miss?” he called. “Ain’t this a little dangerous for a lady like
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
shrugged. He wasn’t saying anything she hadn’t heard before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s
assuming you <i>are </i>the lady you’re
dressed like,” he added with a nasty twist to his mouth. “I ain’t never seen a lady could handle a gun
like you, let alone one that talks to a nigra like he’s family.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
gonna shut yer mouth or am I gonna shut it for you?!” Noah exploded, stomping
back toward the jail cell. Dawkins
dropped from his perch on the bars and stepped backward, out of reach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Whooo!”
Dawkins laughed. “Tell me somethin’. Why
do you care what happens here anyway?”
He’d never admit it to these two, the woman who he couldn’t keep his eyes off and this strange black man who
talked like an educated white plantation owner, rather than the slave he
should’ve been, but they confused him.
Their actions outside his experience.
Why stick up for a bunch of strangers, risk their lives? What was in it
for them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“We
just wanna do what’s right,” Lou said quietly from where she sat at the
Marshal’s desk. The man in the jail cell was too distracting, so she refused to
look at him, instead digging through the wanted posters on the desk, looking
for she knew not what.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well
that’s a big job for someone who ain’t even wearin’ a badge.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
nodded. He had a point there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Maybe
yer right,” she murmured, reaching over to pick up the dead deputy’s badge,
rubbing the letters engraved into the star absent mindedly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
leaned back against the wall, looking back and forth between the other two with
growing concern.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There’s
a crowd of the townsfolk growing outside, Lou,” Noah warned under his breath,
uncomfortable with the backs turned to the Marshal’s office and the occasional
looks thrown their way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Guess
I’d better go find out what they’re talkin’ ‘bout,” Lou said quietly, reaching
up to pin the deputy marshal’s badge to the front of her new dress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Standing,
she silently glided out the door and down the boardwalk into the street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkin,
who hadn’t taken his eyes off Lou in the last hour or two watched her every
move like she was the only thing in the world that existed for him. His reaction to her confused him. He didn’t have much experience with women, at
least not since he’d left Doritha back in Virginia. And, to be honest, she’d always been more of
a child than a woman, even once she’d reached her teens. He shook his head as if to get Lou, Doritha,
and all womankind out of his brain as the door closed and turned to take in the
nigra. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
tall… man confused him even more than the woman who handled herself like a man
did. He didn’t have anything against
Noah personally, like some folks he knew might have. He just didn’t know what to make of
him. He’d never really met any blacks
back in Virginia. They either stayed out
on their plantations or followed their masters too closely to have time to stop
and chat with a poor farmboy like him.
And, though he’d seen a few freed blacks and some slaves since coming
West, he’d almost immediately fallen in with Bart and his gang. They didn’t have anything to do with nigras,
so neither did he. Bart had saved his
life when a cougar had attacked him one night and he’d been loyal ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But,
Noah? He just didn’t act like any black
he’d ever seen. He acted like… well,
like a free white man. And he hovered
over Lou like any protective older brother would. Even if they didn’t look much alike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
mind worried and fretted over the conundrum these two raised, unable to make
sense of it all, until noise from outside distracted him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
could see the wheels turning in the teen’s head as he looked from Lou to him,
then out the window, and wondered what he was thinking on so hard. But then the sounds from outside caught his attention,
too. After checking to make sure the
prisoner was safely secured and his gun was primed and loaded, he stepped
outside, closing the door behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Here
she comes,” a voice said from the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
sighed as she saw the looks on their faces.
They’d be getting no help from these folks. She could feel Noah stepping out the door at
her back, staying there by the entrance, one hand on his gun as she moved
closer to the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
crowd stopped talking at the sound of the door closing and just stared at her,
then began breaking up as she stepped off the boardwalk. One man, an older gentleman in a suit and
bowler hat walked in her direction, obviously intent on going right on past
her. She reached out a hand and grabbed
the edge of his coat sleeve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Just
a minute,” she said as politely as she could. “I could use some help.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
man shook his head. “Ya ain’t gonna find
none here. We don’t want any trouble.
‘Specially not raised by a reckless girl who ought ta stay home where
she belongs an’ stop meddlin’ in mens’ affairs.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
grimaced internally at his words. She
shouldn’t be surprised by them, but she’d gotten used to being treated as just
another one of the riders while at the Express so when she found herself face
to face with this sort of attitude it always rubbed her the wrong way. Calling
him on it wouldn’t help the situation though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’ve
already got trouble,” she said instead. “I’m just tryin’ ta keep it from
gettin’ any worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
looked down with disapproval at the badge pinned to the front of her dress. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Wearin’
that badge probably ain’t the best way to go about it,” he said. “Why don’t ya
take yer nigra back there and get on home.
Ain’t ya got chores that need doin’? A husband waitin’ fer ya?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not
waiting for any answers to his questions, he brushed past her brusquely to
disappear into the nearby mercantile.
She watched after him for a moment, then looked back at where the crowd
had been gathered to see the rest of the townsfolk had taken the opportunity of
her distraction to disappear, as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
sighed before heading down the boardwalk toward the hotel. She’d at least take advantage of this chance
to get her own kit. She’d feel more
comfortable in her boy’s clothes and wearing her own gun on her hip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A
strange tapping echo followed her down the boardwalk. As she passed one store’s window she took a
quick glimpse out of the corner of one eye and caught the shadow of someone
following her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At
the next alley she stepped quickly into it and waited. The preacher caught up to her and she reached
out to pull him into the shadows of the alley with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Wha?!”
the startled man gasped. Then he relaxed
as he saw who’d grabbed him. “You’re right,” he said, “to be on your
guard. They’re watching us. The men who want Dawkins. Said they’d give
you until sundown, then they’re going to come and get ya.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Is
that really all they said?” she asked acerbically. He shrugged.
They both knew the threat had been much worse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No
one’s gonna help ya,” the preacher warned flatly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No
one?” she asked quietly. He looked away
from her, refusing to meet her eyes. “You could ride out towards Rock Creek,
meet up with Marshal Hunter, let him know that he’s headed for a lot worse
trouble than he expects!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still
not looking at her, the preacher shook his head, a soft, “No,” slipping past
his lips. “Please.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
shook her head in disgust, pushing him away from her. “I guess you were right,” she spat. “Faith
really is in short supply!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
turned and started walking away, already mulling over other ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Alright.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sound of the man’s voice, strengthened with sudden resolve stopped her in her
tracks. She turned to look back at the
black clad preacher. He nodded to her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Alright,”
he said again, a little softer, but more certain. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
nodded back, shoulders relaxing in relief, then turned and headed back to the
Marshal’s office.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkin’s
couldn’t take it anymore. He’d spent too long sitting her, uncertain as to what
was going to happen next, not to mention worrying about what the gang had
planned. The confusion this pair raised
in him wasn’t helping his discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
keepin ‘ me here, yer goin’ against some real outlaws!” The sudden outburst
caught him by surprise as much as the tall blackman watching through the
shuttered window for his sister.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
turned and looked at him, raising on eyebrow and crossing his arms over his
chest, while leaning back against the wall lazily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If
they’re such a mean bunch,” Noah asked in his educated diction, “what do they
want with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
can ride and shoot with the best of ‘em,” the teen bragged. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah’s
eyebrow raised even higher, if that were possible. Then he nodded, as if answering his own
question and stepped closer to the jail cell’s bars. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s
your name?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
question caught the teen by surprise.
Yet again, this man wasn’t acting the way he expected. He wasn’t rising to the bait. Instead he was asking strange questions no
black man he’d ever met would have dared.
They already knew his name. At
least the name he’d been using since he came West. He didn’t really have a real name. His dad had been a no account drunk who’d
never bothered to properly name him. His
mother, too beaten down to go against his father had just accepted it when the
man started calling him the kid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Dawkins,”
he muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
know that, boy,” Noah drawled. “Your
first name?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ain’t
important.” No way was he sharing his
personal shame with this impertinent nigra.
He turned away, unable to hold the man’s gaze, though. “That other one… she really yer sister?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
chuckled as he walked back toward the door.
“In every way that matters.
Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s
her first name?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
looked back at the man, kid really, and did not like the spark of interest he
saw in the boy’s eyes. “Not important.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
ain’t never had a sister.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sudden outburst surprised Noah. But he
quickly forgot the exchange as Lou burst back through the door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
ripped the badge off her dress and threw it on the desk with enough force to
send it skittering across the wooden top and clattering off onto the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Askin’
fer help around here is like sendin’ a bucket down a dry well!” she exclaimed
in exasperated anger. She paused and
looked over at the man behind the bars.
He grinned at her, a slow, teasing smile that made the corners of his
eyes crinkle appealingly. Sensing the
devil inside him and knowing Noah’s own occasionally short temper, she asked,
“How’d the two of you get along?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
flashed his own grin at her. “Oh, he’s alright. As long as you don’t listen to anything he
says.” Looking from one to the other, he
asked, “He’s right about one thing, this isn’t your fight, Lou.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Noah!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
just saying, you don’t owe these folks nothin’.
Neither of us does. And it ain’t
like they’re lining up to thank us for trying anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There’s
no way I’m leavin’ Teaspoon to stumble on this mess without back-up.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He’d
want you to get out safe, too,” Noah persisted.
“You know he thinks of you as a daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
smiled gently. “And I love him for
it. And I love you, too, brother. But that ain’t goin’ ta change my mind. I can’t cut and run. If you want to leave, you could probably
still get out of town before the gang comes back, though. I wouldn’t hold it against you. This is even
less your fight than mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“We’re
family. I’m staying.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
nodded, knowing that’s what he’d say before the words came out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hope
you two are prayin’,” Dawkins warned from the cell. “Cause the Lord’s the only one’s gonna get
you out of this mess.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He
don’t know how right he is,” Lou chortled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
paced back and forth across the small room of the Marshal’s office. The walls seemed to be just that little bit
closer with each turn, closing in on her.
The hours of daylight had passed slowly, with nothing to interrupt them,
the town preternaturally quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
envied Noah his ability to stand so still and silent, a sentinel on duty at the
boarded up front window. Folks had
stayed off the streets all day so it wasn’t like there was much for him to see,
either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sound of horses pounding down the main street caught her attention. Her had snapped around to Noah as he turned
to look back at her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Two
riders,” he said quietly. “Looks like
they’ve got someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her
heart dropped. Even before she got
outside, she knew what she’d find. She
had to push her way through a growing crowd, the only evidence of people in
town all day, to reach the man left gasping for breath in the middle of the
main street. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’ve
done enough,” one man spat at Lou as she knelt in the dirt. “This is their way of telling us what’ll
happen to us if they catch us with you!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
ignored him, quickly checking over the prone figure of the black clad preacher
for serious injuries. He’d obviously
been beaten up, but didn’t appear to be seriously hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He’ll
be alright,” she breathed in relief, stepping back out of the way as two men
from town helped the preacher to his feet and supported him as he hobbled away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
told ya how important I am,” bragged Dawkins as Lou and Noah retreated back
inside the Marshal’s Office, barring the door behind them. “How bad they want me….”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
sniggered at the pair of Pony Express Riders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
reached for his whip, pulling it out and flashing it just millimeters in front
of Dawkins’, the snap of the leathers causing the blood to drain from the
younger man’s face. To his credit, Lou
thought, he didn’t flinch or step back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
collapsed into the chair at the Marshal’s desk, tears slipping out of her eyes
and down her cheeks. Noah hunkered down
beside her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
happened to the preacher isn’t your fault, Lou,” he comforted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Are
you sure?” she asked, her voice strangled in her throat. “Is what we’re doin’ wrong here? Should I just back off, like everyone wants?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
sighed and hugged her tighter to his side, resting his cheek on the top of her
head as tears slipped down her cheeks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That
isn’t the Louise I know asking that kind of question,” he said soberly. “Where’s the woman who’s full of fire to
protect everyone around her?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
shoved the deputy’s six shooter across the top of the Marshal’s desk, sending
it skittering into the nearby shotgun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“We
can’t defend this office with a couple borrowed guns and high hopes,” she said,
mad at herself for not making it all the way back to her room at the hotel to
get her own gear. “At least not long
enough for Teaspoon to get here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So,”
Noah drew the word out slowly, “what do we do instead? If one plan don’t work, we come up with
another. Isn’t that what you’re so good
at?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
laughed ruefully, then looked back at the man sitting in a jail cell watching
her with a curious tilt to his head. She
nodded to herself in sudden decision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“We’re
going to have to make a run for it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
nodded. He’d known that was coming. There really wasn’t much else they could
do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
watched the interplay between the two with rapt attention. He didn’t understand what it was about them
that they felt so duty bound to protect this town. The town wasn’t theirs, they didn’t have
family here, friends. Why weren’t they
giving up? Anyone else he’d ever met
would have split long before now! He had a feeling if he could just crack this
mystery open he might find something he’d been searching for his whole life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
paced back and forth by the entry to the office, watching for Noah’s
return. She turned and told Dawkins for
the umpteenth time, “When Noah shows up, do as I say or I’ll shoot ya dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
wanted to laugh at her seriousness, but, to be honest, he was starting to find
himself responding to the petite woman’s intensity. He wanted to follow her lead. More.
He wanted to understand her, how she ticked, what it was that made her
so ready to fight instead of cut and run.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
ain’t met the woman yet that’d want any part of this,” he found himself telling
her with 100% honesty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well,”
she said, strapping on the deputy’s borrowed rig and tying her skirts up out of
the way, “maybe you just ain’t met the right kind of woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
scared?” He knew he would be in this situation.
Hell, he was scared anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Be
a fool if I wasn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
must really love him,” he said, unaware of the longing that had slipped into
his voice. He wasn’t even sure who the
‘him’ was he was talking about. Was it
the black man she claimed as brother?
Was it this mysterious Teaspoon she kept talking about? Whoever ‘he’
was, Dawkins found himself insanely jealous of him for a blinding instant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
didn’t answer at first. She silently put on a borrowed overcoat, then grabbed
the handcuffs and walked over to the cell, motioning for him to put his hands
out. He did as she asked without a
thought of fighting or resisting. Apparently
she understood what he meant better than he did.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Noah,
Teaspoon, they’re family. I’d die for
them. What’s the matter?” she asked,
“Ain’t ya never done somethin’ cause ya loved someone?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
didn’t know how to answer her. He’d
thought he loved Doritha, but he’d had no problem leaving her behind when he’d
fled Virginia. He’d loved his Ma, but
she’d abandoned him, dying from a combination of drink and desperation. He’d thought he loved his brother. But Jed had taken off shortly after their Pa
did and never looked back. He didn’t
know how he’d react if he ever saw the polecat again. He’d only ever hated his Pa, who’d beat on
him and Jed without a second thought when the drink got into him. He didn’t think he’d be truly willing to die
for any of them. He’d never thought a
love that strong actually existed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lost
in thought, he followed Lou’s directions as she opened the jail cell and
motioned for him to follow her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
couldn’t see them, but he heard the horses arriving, the men walking
around. Lou was distracted, watching for
the planned diversion from Noah. Dawkins
took the opportunity to slip out the door and start heading toward the
gang. His steps though were slow,
unsure, as if his feet were no longer sure this was the direction they should
be going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Dawkins!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
heard her voice calling for him and had to fight not to turn around and go back
to her. Then a bullet whizzed past his
elbow, missing by a scant inch. He
flinched away, stopped in his tracks.
The only people in that direction shooting were members of his own
gang. He stared at them, befuddled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on!” Her voice came from much closer
this time and then he felt her hand tugging at his arm, wrenching him out of
his stupor and pulling him toward their waiting horses in the alley. He didn’t fight her, following her lead out
of the sudden hail of bullets headed his way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This
should do,” Noah said a half hour later as he led the odd grouping into a copse
of trees in a hidden valley not too far from town. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
unexpected sound of his voice dragged Dawkins out of the stupor he’d fallen
into since they’d fled the town. He
couldn’t believe the men he’d been so loyal to for most of the last two years,
including Bart who’d saved his life!, had been shooting at him. And they’d been shooting to kill!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
and Lou dismounted, beginning to care for their animals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey!”
Dawkins called, as the other two seemed to be ignoring him. “Give me a hand!” He held up his shackled wrists to illustrate
his need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
paused what he was doing to look at Dawkins, then shook his head and went back
to untying the cinch holding the saddle to his horse’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s
wrong with you?!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
finally came over and roughly grabbed his arm, pulling him off the horse’s back
none too gently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“For
starters,” she said, “we’re lost in a territory you probably know like the back
of your hand! And you ain’t openin’ your mouth to help us!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why
should I?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Maybe
because we’re helping you,” Noah interjected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
forced a chuckle he wasn’t really feeling, unwilling to let these two in on his
personal confusion. “You’re crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Did
you notice anythin’ strange about yer friends back there?” Lou demanded. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Like
what?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
straightened from setting his saddle down on the ground and met Dawkins
eyes. But Lou spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Like
they were shootin’ at you.” She didn’t
shout, or make a big production out of it.
The words came out calmly, quietly, with little inflection, a simple
statement of facts. Her lack of accusation making the statement all the more
damning. “Not us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Been
missin’ a little too much sleep lately?” Dawkins derided her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Got
nothing to do with sleep,” Noah said.
“She’s right and you know it. You
don’t have much to say for yourself now, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
wasn’t Noah’s words that struck him so hard, though, it was the look of pity in
Lou’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s
some family you got,” she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
looked down, breaking her gaze. Her pity
would destroy him. And if that happened,
he didn’t know who he’d be, what would be left of him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
fire’s flames flickered merrily, creating a happy dance of light and shadow
across the faces of the two self-appointed deputies. Dawkins watched them from
where Noah’d sat him down, hands still handcuffed in front of him, on the other
side of the campsite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
petite woman who continually drew his eyes and made his heart beat faster for
no discernible reason leaned comfortably against the tall black man. They murmured quietly to each other, talking
randomly about those back home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
Lou asked Noah about someone named Cassie, Dawkins could’ve sworn the man’s
dark skin flushed a hot red, despite the cool overnight temperatures. They spoke of future plans, concerns about
what would happen to their improvised family in the coming months as the Pony
Express, which he finally leaned was where they both worked, came to an
end. He’d thought about applying for a
job as a rider with the Express when he’d first seen advertisements for it
shortly after he came West. But first
he’d been convinced they wouldn’t take him, between not having his own horse
and not being able to read. Then, it’d
been too late. He’d owed his life, his loyalty, to Bart and his gang.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
mostly, they spoke of their worry for Marshal Teaspoon Hunter, who was headed
into the mess back in town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Do
you think he brought any back-up?” Lou asked, idly tossing stray leaves into
the flames, making them flare up in a variety of colors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well,
Cody and Buck are off on runs. But Jimmy
should’ve been around,” Noah mused. His
mobile mouth flashed a bright-toothed grin at a passing thought. “Can you imagine his joy at Teaspoon dragging
him out of bed in this weather?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
laughed. “He’ll be on his way, too,
then. Jimmy might gripe, but he’ll never
tell Teaspoon ‘No.’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
dunno,” Noah sobered. “I dunno
anymore. They’ve been arguing an awful
lot lately about the War.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
shook her head, grimacing. “I just don’t
understand Teaspoon on that one. I mean,
even more than normal. He’s always
talking about how we’re all the same and all deservin’ of respect. Then he says he’ll go back South to fight if
there’s a War. It just don’t make
sense.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
was a sentiment Dawkins understood well. He’d thought about going back to
Virginia to fight whenever he heard the latest gossip about the War. But that was assuming he was even welcome
back there. It wasn’t like he had any
family left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
really think he’d go against the rest of the family, like that?” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
got a bad feelin’ about this War, Lou,” Noah said mournfully. “It’s like ta tear many a family apart ‘fore
it’s done.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Not
ours,” Lou declared adamantly.
“‘Company’s company, family’s family.’
That’s what Teaspoon always says and no War’s gonna change that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
huffed angrily. “Don’t be stupid,
Lou. Men like him, they’re set in their
ways. Teaspoon may see me and Buck as
family. But he still obviously thinks
it’s more important to protect them white folks down in Texas from a ‘Union
invasion’ than worry about the rights and freedom of my people, or Buck’s! When it comes down to it, white folk like you
are still more important to him than anyone else!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
jumped up and stomped away from the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Noah…”
Lou started to say pleadingly, but he was gone before she could finish her
thought. “We love you!” she whispered to
herself. Dawkins swallowed at the look
on her face. He didn’t think anyone’d ever looked at him like that. And she was looking at a man she thought of
as her brother. His mind wondered what
she’s look like if worried about a man she loved as a man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
stood by his horse, checking to make sure it was securely cinched to the
animal’s back. He saw Lou stomping back
into camp from where she’d disappeared to take care of her morning ablutions a
half hour ago. He sighed. It was obvious she was still upset about last
night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean
for things to come out like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sounded
like you knew what you was sayin’, to me,” she muttered, not looking at him as
she tightened the cinch strap of her own saddle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Lou…” Noah started, then stopped. Starting again he said, “You know I love you,
Lou. Damn it! Teaspoon, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah?”
she asked, finally turning to look him in the face. “Well, you sure got a strange way of showin’
it. You really think Teaspoon cares more
about some strangers down in Texas than you and Buck?!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
sighed, shrugging slightly, unsure how to explain things to her. Lou shook her head and walked away. Within a couple steps she practically ran
headlong into their prisoner. She took a
half step back, taking an aggravated sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
do you want?” she snapped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“To
help you,” he said, a slight hoarseness tightening his voice. He looked back and forth between the two,
finally fastening his gaze on Noah. “Yer
right. I do know my way around here.
Maybe we can give those fellas the slip.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Is
there some reason we should believe you this time?” Noah barked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
looked from the prisoner standing docilely next to her, to the angry man
striding toward them. “I do,” she said
firmly, turning back toward her horse.
“Let’s get goin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
looked back and forth between them again and sighed. He’d hoped his offer would get them working
together again. He’d liked it when
they’d been working as a team. It had
made him feel…. safe. He didn’t like the
hurt and anger pulsing between them right now.
It made him itchy, reminding him too much of memories he’d tried so hard
to forget the last couple of years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
golden glow of the rising sun gave way to a dismal gray of another cold
rain-filled day as the trio rode through the woods, trying to find the gang’s
hideout. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
worried he wouldn’t remember the way.
Bart had rarely let him out of camp.
Generally assigning him to care for the animals and cook the meals. But he felt like he owed it to these two. And, the longer he was with them, the more he
felt drawn to them, bound to them.
Especially Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
know, seein’ as how we’re helpin’ each other out, it wouldn’t hurt you ta open
up a bit.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
heard her words as if his thoughts had brought her voice to life. He loved the sound of it, the soft timber,
the slight drawl. He hoped she’d say
more. He wasn’t much of one for talking,
but he could listen to her all day long.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It
ain’t as if I’m askin’ yer first name,” she added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Good,”
he grunted, unwilling to go into that story with her right now. Trying to get her onto another topic, he
asked something he’d been increasingly curious about. “What were yer parents
like?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hmm?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Your
parents,” he repeated. “You were raised
up good. You must’ve had good parents.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Me,
Noah… all of us really, we’re orphans,” she said simply. “Just like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
eyes widened as he started deep into her coffee colored eyes, absorbing the
truth of her words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ain’t
that somethin’,” he finally said softly, pulling away from the dive he was
taking into her gaze. “Ain’t that
somethin’,” he repeated to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why?”
she asked. “We seem different to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Different
than anyone I ever spent time with.” He
turned to look at her again, his voice lowering in sincerity to a quiet
purr. “You love each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
sighed. “Sometimes I ain’t so sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
looked ahead to where Noah rode. “You
like bein’ with him, don’t ya?” he asked.
“He feels the same way about you, don’t ya think? He makes ya feel like ya belong?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Do
ya feel safe with him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well,
yeah, but….”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
laughed. “Ya love him. I seen the way he watches out fer ya, follows
ya even when he disagrees with what yer doin’, protects ya. He loves you, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
chuckled, shaking her head. “When’d you become such an expert on love?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
looked away again. “I just thought a lot
about it, is all.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
found himself smiling at their conversation, and softening his anger. Fact was,
he did love Lou like the sister he’d never had.
He only got angry when she couldn’t see the things that were so obvious
to him. But, as Sally’d been prone to
tell him, not everyone saw the same things cause not everyone lived the same
life. Lou, any of their Express family,
would die for him. Despite the frustrations
of getting some of them to open their eyes to the way the world he lived in
worked, it was worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
were you doin’ with that gang, anyway?” Lou asked even more quietly, hoping to
keep Noah’s sharp ears from picking up on their conversation. Something about the confidences they were
sharing felt… intimate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkin’s
face hardened. “I told you! I’m real--”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
interrupted him. “Important. I know.”
Her voice turned acerbic. “I
know. You told me.” Then it softened. “Now tell me the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
slumped a bit in his saddle, defeated by the honesty in her eyes. “It’s all they’d let me do,” he admitted,
afraid to meet her eyes. “They didn’t
want no part of me. I just kept doggin’
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why?” There was no judgement in her voice, just
curiosity. It was a salve to his wounded
soul.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Bart
saved my life, shortly after I come out West.
Now… I’m not so sure he meant to, but he did, stepped right between me
and a wagon ‘bout to run me down, knocked me out of the way. And.. I just wanted
someplace to belong. Ya know?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
paused to meet her gaze for a moment before sighing and looking away again. “I
wanted them to be my friends. Now they’re tryin’ ta kill me. Probably think I’m
goin’ ta give you their names. Hell!” he
paused in growing frustration in anger.
“’Ceptin’ Bart, I don’t even know what they are. And I don’t know what his last name is!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
a moment of silence he turned to look at Lou again. With complete sincerity in
his voice, he said, “I’d give anythin’ in the world to have somethin’ like what
you two got. You don’t know how lucky ya
are.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hmph,”
she grunted. “Guess I don’t.” She looked back and forth between Dawkins at
her side and Noah in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He
asked me if I’d ever done somethin’ cause I loved someone,” he said. “Well, I
guess you know the answer to that.” He
paused. “But I’ll tell ya… I could die
happy if I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
was the first to flinch when the report of a six shooter broke the morning
quiet. He felt the bullet whiz past his
head. Lou and Dawkins pulled back on
their horses’ reins as they looked around frantically, trying to figure out
where the shooting was coming from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
circled his horse around behind them. Dismounting, he ran toward the other two,
slicing through the bonds tying Dawkins to his saddle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
are ya doin’?” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ride,”
Noah demanded. “I’ll hold them off. Now go on!
Get!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
Lou took off, he grabbed at Dawkins’ lapel, pulling him in close. “Stay with her,” he demanded. “Don’t let her
turn back, ya hear?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins’
eyes widened as he nodded, in both understanding and awe at the responsibility
just handed him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Go
on!” Noah shouted again, pushing Dawkins away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just
as they topped the nearby hillock, with a chance to escape unscathed, they
heard a pained shout come from behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
looked back and shouted in fear and worry, “Noah!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
tried to turn her horse back to help her brother as the members of Bart’s gang
rode up and surrounded him where he’d fallen. Then, a bullet found her, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Unh!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking
between the two, Dawkins made up his mind.
He’d keep Lou safe no matter what.
He reached over and grabbed her horse’s bridle, urging it forward again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on,” Dawkins found himself repeating a half hour later. The gang hadn’t bothered to keep chasing
them, letting them reach safety. Now, he
was trying to tend Lou’s wound. “Hold still so I can tie this off,” he
grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Leave
me alone! Noah could be dead out
there. I gotta go find out!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“They’ll
kill you,” Dawkins answered in a tight voice.
That was his chief fear at this point, that something worse than a hole
in the shoulder would happen to this beautiful, ferocious spitfire before him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
don’t care,” she spat, finally pulling free from his grasp. She immediately headed toward her horse,
struggling to pull her coat back on over the lumpy bandage now tied to her
shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
followed her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Then
let me help you,” he offered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Like
ya helped Noah?!” she spat, turning her back on him. “It’s yer fault he got shot. You’ve been about as much use to us as you
were to that gang.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
wanted to turn tail and run at her words.
But Noah’s plea to keep her safe and his own desires to see her happy
kept his feet rooted in place. He
reached out to touch her arm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Listen!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
whirled around, shoving the elbow of her injured arm into his diaphragm. She gasped at the pain of the contact and
started to fall, taking him with her. He
could barely breath for a moment from her hit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
can take ya to their hideout,” he said more quietly, once he managed to get a
little air back into his lungs. “If
Noah’s alive, and ain’t pissed Bart off yet, they’ll be holdin’ him there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
hope that sprang into her eyes made his heart leap with joy that he’d put it
there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
would they even want with him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“They
want me,” Dawkins admitted. “They might
figure you’ll come after him and ring me along.” He breathed in, wrapping her hand in his
tightly, comfortingly. “Come on,’ he
said gently. “We got no choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
let him help her back to her feet, grimacing as the movement jostled her
injured shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why
are you willin’ ta do this? They want ta
kill you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
eyes caressed her face, but he said only, “I got my reasons.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
looked at the shuttered doors of the Marshal’s Office, jerking at the handle in
frustration. He turned and stepped off
the boardwalk, meeting Teaspoon in the middle of the main, and only, street of
Davenport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
the hell’s goin’ on?” Teaspoon grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
don’t know,” Jimmy said, glaring at those along the boardwalk who were
deliberately ignoring his presence. “But it don’t look like anybody’s too
interested in talkin’ about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
will.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
duo turned to see a tall man, dressed in black form head to toe, sporting several
cuts and some pretty bad bruises on every inch of uncovered skin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What?”
Jimmy asked. “You seen what happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“They
all did,” the man said, looking around. “But they lost their faith. And with
it, their courage. Finding your friends might go a long way to returning both.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Lou lay next to Dawkins under some scrub at the top of a rise overlooking the
gang’s camp. She could see Noah where he sat, tied to a tree, on the other side
of the clearing. She nodded. Alright.
They could do this. But first, she had
something to say to Dawkins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
I said before,” she whispered, turning to meet his eyes, “about this bein’ yer
fault?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
was right,” he answered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No. I wasn’t. It’s mine. Noah can be bullheaded. Takes things real serious. Especially all
this talk about the War. I shoulda
remembered that. He also… well, he tends
ta feel responsible for keeping me safe.
He’s been that way ever since his stepma, Miss Sally, died.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
think it’s proof how much he loves you,” he said gently, brushing one hand down
the side of her cheek. Her skin was as smooth and soft as he’d thought it would
be. Already he wanted to touch her
again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
turned away from him to look back out over the camp. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
don’t have to be a part of this, ya know.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah,
I do,” he said. She looked back at him,
a question on her face. His mouth quirked into a half smile. “I’ve been waitin’
for this my whole life,”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
didn’t wait for her to say anything, crawling backward out of their hiding spot
and down the hill, out of view of the gang’s camp. By the time he reached his horse, Lou was at
his side, her gun drawn, locked and loaded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
took out the first guard easily, thumping him over the head with the butt of
her pistol. She confiscated his revolver
and handed it to Dawkins, who quickly checked to make sure it was serviceable
before following her on to the next guard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dawkins
took out the next guard, clipping him sharply under the chin with a quick right
upper cut to the jaw. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They
took two more unawares as they stood guard right next to where they had Noah
tied up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’ve
got ‘em,” Dawkins said, motioning toward Noah.
He began to disarm them while Lou rushed over to her fellow rider. Suddenly, Dawkins realized they were short
one man. “Where’s Bart?!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lou
stood and began to scan the camp, her gun at the ready. But Dawkins saw him first, stepping out of
the brush behind Lou, where she couldn’t see him. There was no thought as he rushed Lou,
pushing her out of the way as Bart’s gun barked out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Argh!”
he shouted, falling to the ground as the bullet struck him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
two Dawkins had been disarming grabbed their guns and turned to fire at Lou,
but she took them out before they could pull the triggers. She turned toward the direction of the
gunfire that had knocked Dawkins out of the fight, but before she could take
aim, he fell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teaspoon
and Jimmy stepped out from behind nearby trees, revolvers still out and
ready. But Lou relaxed, knowing they’d
gotten the entire gang.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jimmy
came running toward Lou in a half panic.
“You alright?!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
glanced quickly back at Noah. “Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How’d
you find me?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
checked his wounded shoulder. “Dawkins helped.
Didn’t ya?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
he didn’t answer, she turned to ask again.
But he was lying face down on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh
God!” She rushed to his side and rolled
him over. He groaned at the movement, a blossom
of blood on his chest showing where the bullet meant for her had caught him
instead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
panted in pain for a moment. Then his crystal
clear blue eyes opened and met hers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What?”
she asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Kid. That’s what my folks called me. My first name.” With each word his speech became
clearer. Then he stopped speaking to
cough, a spot of blood appearing on his lip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One
hand came up to surround hers where it rested on his chest and his lips curled
in a smile. He breathed through a pained laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
always wanted to do something, for someone I loved.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">His
eyes met and held hers, not letting go this time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Epilogue:</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
opened his eyes slowly. Her heartshaped
face, eyes scrunched in worry, was the first thing he saw. Then the rest of the room came slowly into
focus behind her. Several other faces
peered over her shoulder. There was Noah’s
familiar dark skin with the bright smile.
A sharp faced man with long golden hair stood next to a hard-looking guy
with matching pearl handled pistols strapped to his hips, long brown hair
trailing his shoulders. On her other
side stood a tall Indian, dark eyes watching him suspiciously. All of this he registered without breaking
eye contact with her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So,”
she smiled gently. “You’re back with us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Where?”
His voice was so hoarse he barely recognized it, only able to push one word
out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yer
back at the station,” she said, pushing a stray curl off his forehead. “We brought ya back from Davenport with
us. Yer safe here. Teaspoon’s a big one for second chances. Said you’ve earned yours the hard way. You
almost died savin’ my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
turned back to the others. “These are my
brothers. You know Noah. That’s Cody, Jimmy’s next to him. This is Buck.
Jesse’s out on a run right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He
tried to push himself up to a sitting position, but with a gentle hand placed
on the middle of his chest, next to a sparkling white bandage, she kept him in
place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Guys,
this is the Kid.” She grinned
mischieviously at them all. “Alright, ye’ve
met him right and proper now. So go on,
get out of here ‘fore Rachel catches ya shirking your chores. He’ll still be here come supper.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Kid’s
an awful strange name,” Cody mumbled as he led the way out the door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Wonder
if he’s any good with a gun,” Jimmy pondered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Noah
shook his head, following the two out the door.
Buck paused in the doorway to look back at them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey,
Kid,” he said with a smile, “Welcome to the family.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kid’s
eyes widened as he looked back at Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thank
you,” she whispered. “Thank you for
reminding me how blessed I am. We all are.
I think we started takin’ it fer granted.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
leaned down to gently press her lips to his cheek in thanks. He turned his head
to watch her approach moving his lips into position to catch hers. She tasted just like he’d always thought she
would. Butterscotch. His favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite
her start of surprise, she let the kiss continue for an eternal moment before
sitting back up. She laughed slightly in
embarrassment. Then ran one hand down the
side of his cheek, copying his earlier caress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Promise
me somethin’, Kid,” she smiled at him. “Promise
ta never ride on without me. If there’s
danger, I want ta face it with you at my side.
Like family.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
promise,” he said huskily. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Only
the future would tell what sort of family they’d make, but he was going to grab
on with both hands and never let go.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-60694381219564041012014-08-01T19:33:00.003-07:002022-07-06T13:40:12.261-07:00The Whole Truth: Growing Pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuUI2-sXliIewfpw1VKQ4izGLRFE-TBf1phyphenhyphentZm_kWXf70nsz5oH006A6-ZvY-b_mnydZgK2ckI_dblfTDEFSVsBBtDrDroC5w81DaZ0gNYD_tT2sg-E6Ixzn6dzlQaxjNCRxM-x_TIU/s1600/growing+pains.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuUI2-sXliIewfpw1VKQ4izGLRFE-TBf1phyphenhyphentZm_kWXf70nsz5oH006A6-ZvY-b_mnydZgK2ckI_dblfTDEFSVsBBtDrDroC5w81DaZ0gNYD_tT2sg-E6Ixzn6dzlQaxjNCRxM-x_TIU/s1600/growing+pains.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Author's Note: This is the 10th installment of the <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/p/the-whole-truth.html">Whole Truth</a> series, following <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-whole-truth-true-colors.html">True Colors</a>. It takes place during Presence of Mine Enemy, Season 3 Episode 5.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You don’t have ta come along every time I go to
town fer somethin’, Kid,” Lou said, smiling as the tall, delight of her heart
bounded toward her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He just grinned, tucking her hand into the crook of
his arm and slowing his pace to match her more laborious one. After guiding her
cautiously up the steps to the boardwalk, he said, “I like it. We’re courtin’,
remember? I’m s’posed ta escort ya
around town any chance I get.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou blushed, ducking her head to hide the sudden surge
of hot color.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“’Sides,” he added, grinning unrepentantly, “I gotta
watch out ya don’t stumble an’ fall.
How many times’ve you tripped over them skirts today already?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou punched him in the arm, hard, with her free
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ow! What’d
ya do that fer?” Kid yowled in mock outrage. “I was just askin’!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou ignored him, lifting her chin into the air and
sniffing audibly. That was, until she
felt fingers suddenly climbing up her side, as if counting her ribs. Then, a giggle escaped past her tightly pursed
lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She pulled away from the offending hand and tripped
over her own skirts, again, as she stepped through the door into Tompkin’s
Mercantile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whoa, there! You better watch where your goin’ a
little better,” a soft, sweet voice warned in amused tones as a pair of
chocolate dark hands caught Lou about the waist before she could fall over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou gasped on a laugh as she looked up into Cassie
Ellis’ warm, friendly eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cassie,” she grinned. “Thanks fer catchin’ me. That rapscallion back there made me trip
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hm hm,” Cassie murmured. “And it had nothin’ to do with you runnin’
full tilt ahead and forgettin’ you were wearin’ skirts again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shrugged.
“Let’s see if Tompkins has gotten any more of that embroidery thread
in,” she said, changing the subject. “I
need some greens and yellows.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still working on that christening gown?” Cassie
smiled as they walked toward the tables with all the sewing goods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes. But it’s
been so long since I’ve done any needlework I find myself pulling out half of
what I do. You wouldn’t believe the
piles of ruined threads I have. So much
I’ve started using it for kindling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The two giggled at the word picture Lou drew. Kid smiled.
It was so nice to see her relaxing into this new role of hers, making
friends, getting out. A slight frown
flitted across his features. If only
she’d learn to take more care of herself and the baby. He’d tried to let it go, but he was still…
irritated with her for the way she’d risked herself protecting Noah. He tried to see her side of things. He knew
she had a bone deep need to protect those she considered family, not so
different from his own need to protect her and their baby. But why couldn’t she find a way to do so
without throwing herself in front of possible bullets?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Feeling his irritation rising to a head, he decided
it was time for him to head back to the station. Cassie was there to keep an eye on Lou and,
whether she realized it or not, she needed that right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve gotta go check on Katy,” he said quietly to
Lou, dragging her attention away from her conversation with Cassie. “She was off her feed this mornin’ and I need
ta decide whether ta take her on my run this evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou frowned.
“Katy was just fine,” she muttered.
“What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothin’, Lou,” Kid sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t tell me <i>nothin</i>’!”
she hissed under her breath. Neither noticed Cassie shifting uncomfortably at
their public spat. “You think I can’t tell when yer upset ‘bout somethin’ by
now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“This ain’t the time or the place, Lou,” Kid said,
looking about uncomfortably, noticing the disapproving looks from two matrons
across the store and the frown Tompkins was leveling their way from behind the
counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I ain’t seen
one better,” Lou half-growled. “You been
‘bout as stable as the prairie wind fer a week now, one minute blowing this
direction, the next blowing that.” Her
arms flung left and right with her words as she gained steam. “Why don’t ya
come on out with what’s been eatin’ at ya!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fine!” Kid practically stomped as he spit the word
out. “I’m tired of constantly worryin’ ‘bout you takin’ stupid risks. That’s right, I said stupid. It ain’t like the rest of us can’t help
protect ya right now. I get it. Ya wanna take care of yerself and the rest of
the world at the same time. But
sometimes you gotta step back and let others do the work. This,” he pointed
savagely at her belly, “is one of those times.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I thought we’d settled this,” she sighed
heavily. “I thought you understood my
point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But you never understood mine,” Kid said
roughly. “I get it. You didn’t think you had any other
choice. I’m sayin’, there’s always a
choice. And I just wish ya’d take the
time ta think about other ways of doin’ things.
Fer all our sakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Frustrated, Lou let out a huff. She’d talked and talked until she was blue in
the face and he just didn’t get it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Feeling the tears gathering and unwilling to break down in public, she
muttered, “And maybe ya just don’t like the responsibility we represent to ya
now! Maybe that’s what’s behind all this
‘courtin’’ we’ve been doin’, a way ta avoid dealin’ with us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pulling away from Kid, Lou stormed out of the store,
pushing past the two frowning matrons on her way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid sighed.
He knew he’d mishandled things. Again.
He just didn’t know how to explain his concerns to her. He’d seen what losing one baby had done to
her. How could she ever recover from a
second such loss? How could he? Yet that was what she courted with her
headstrong, act first, think about the consequences second outlook on life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Shaking his head in frustration, he trudged slowly
out of the store after her, shoulders hunched, hands shoved in his pockets as
he trailed a short distance behind to leave her some privacy while making sure
she made it back to the station safely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sat on a log behind the barn, thinking about her
spat with Kid. She’d known it was coming, but had been determined not to push
things. She was trying to let him do his thinking first and then bring things
up. But, well, patience wasn’t her
strong suit at the best of times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She winced as she remembered the conversation she’d
overheard the day before coming out of Sunday services at the chapel down the
street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She and Cassie had been discussing plans for Sunday
dinner, walking along arm in arm, when they’d heard the two women ripping them
apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They’d called Cassie a whore, and worse, for letting
LeBrand do what he’d done to her. Said no respectable woman would’ve allowed
herself to live with the shame of it.
Then they’d gone on to speculate which one of the riders was the father
of Lou’s baby and to question if she even knew herself. One had suggested Kid, but the other said he
was just Lou’s man of the moment. Both had questioned how Teaspoon could keep
her on at the Express, even if she was his niece, given Mr. Major’s Christian
beliefs and the oath they’d all signed when taking the job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie had laughed it off, saying she was used to
talk like that from uppity white women.
But it had hit home with Lou. She
understood, to a certain extent, Kid’s determination to take things slow and
get them right this time around. But she
was starting to feel cornered. If they
didn’t announce their marriage soon, it would be too late. No one would believe them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou grimaced as she wiped at the tears streaming
down her face with the edge of her apron.
She’d been doing alright, taking her anger out on the wood that needed
chopping for winter. That was, until she
began to run out of breath and couldn’t keep chopping and breathing anymore.
The baby was pressing up tight against her lungs now and she found herself
running out of breath just walking across the station yard anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A sudden kick against her ribs had Lou laughing
shakily. One hand rubbed the sore spot briefly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s alright, little one,” she murmured
tenderly. “I know yer Pa and I still go
things ta figure out, but neither one of us will let anythin’ happen to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a promise she meant to keep, even if it
killed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid pushed his food around on his plate. He’d had a short run this afternoon, but had
been able to make it back in time for supper. He’d been hoping to talk to Lou
before they sat down to eat, but she’d been nowhere in sight. And she hadn’t shown up for the meal. No one could tell him where she’d disappeared
to, either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He feared he’d wrecked things, again, by opening his
stupid mouth. Now, his stomach rejected
even the thought of accepting anything that came by way of that mouth, turning
once again as he looked at the food Rachel’d dished out for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You might want to try looking for her out by the
pond,” Rachel whispered in his ear as she passed by him with a fresh platter of
biscuits. “She said she needed some time
to think.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou, thinking? Kid practically grinned at that
idea. But he didn’t take the time to
truly react, jumping up and heading out the door, barely remembering to grab
his hat from the nail it hung on as he went.
The time for thinking was up, for both of them. They needed to talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid watched as Lou stormed off, back toward town and
the station. She hadn’t really let him
say anything, just jumped down his throat with a ferocious fury, accusing him
of not wanting anything to do with her and the baby anymore. She’d never let him get a word in edgewise.
If she had, she might have learned that he wanted to discuss ways to move
toward going public with their marriage.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He sighed as he watched her stomp away, slightly off
balance because of the baby, and a slight smile began to spread across his
mobile face. Her fire was sometimes,
like now, frustrating. It was also a big part of what he loved so much about
her. Life with Lou would never, ever, be
boring. And he knew he’d never have to
worry about wondering what she truly thought about something. But sometimes it had its downside, like now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Shaking his head, Kid tucked his hands in his
pockets and began a slow stroll back toward the station. He’d give her some time to cool off before
trying to approach her again and begin planning their future as a family. In the meantime, he’d start scouting out
local properties, see if there wasn’t something she might like in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid’s patience was wearing thin. It had been a week and Lou was still giving
him the cold shoulder. Not quite the
silent treatment, but the next best thing.
She’d been avoiding him at every turn, always seeking out someone else
to pass the time with if he even looked like he was about to come talk to her. And she’d been scurrying off to bed the
second his back was turned so he couldn’t walk her over to the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s what Kid missed the most, their nightly walks
across the yard, taking time to dissect the doings of the day and settle in for
the evening before a sweet kiss goodnight on the porch. It had been just as long since he’d held her
in his arms as it had been since they’d had a civil conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If Lou didn’t simmer down soon, he was about ready
to haul her off to Teaspoon’s sweatlodge and hog tie her in it until she cooled
off. They couldn’t continue this way for
much longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s watchin’ you, again,” Cassie giggled. “When you goin’ ta take pity on that man?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou harrumphed and continued to keep her eyes on the
miniature nightgown she was sewing for the baby from some beautiful white linen
Emma had sent her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll talk ta him just soon’s he’s ready ta admit he
cain’t have his cake and eat it, too.” She raised her eyes to meet Cassie’s and
added, “Either I’m his wife and this is his baby,” one hand fell to gently run
across her ever larger rounded belly, “or we’re not. There ain’t no in between. I just cain’t do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie sighed and let the lacy curtains Rachel had
just put up in the bunkhouse window fall back into place. She walked over to the stove and gave the
stew simmering on a back burner a quick stir before returning to the chair next
to Lou’s and picking up the matching bonnet she was working on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You two can’t keep this up forever,” she prodded.
“Noah says it’s been pure misery in the bunkhouse with Kid mopin’ around all
the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aw, ain’t like he’s Jimmy,” Lou muttered, using her
teeth to sever the thread at the end of a seam.
“He ain’t likely ta shoot ‘em. All’s they gotta do is ignore him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou,” Cassie said, a warning note coming into her
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed.
“I know,” she said quietly. “I
know. And we will talk.” Her voice hardened. “But it’ll do him good ta
stew in his juices a little longer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie shook her head. “You oughta do it soon,
before the big summer dance next week.
Just imagine it, walkin’ in on his arm, the whole world envyin’ you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You sure yer talkin’ ‘bout me?” Lou asked with a
teasing grin as she knotted the end of her thread and started the next seam.
“An’ not you an’ Noah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie blushed and ducked her head to escape the
other girl’s all too knowing eyes. She
shrugged. “I ain’t never been to a
proper dance before, with a proper escort an’ everythin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Me either,” Lou admitted, thinking back to all the
dances Teaspoon had forced her to attend as a boy and all the time she’d spent
holding up the wall rather than lead some poor girl on, if they’d even have
agreed to dance with her in the first place.
A small blush edged her cheekbones as she thought of one particular
social and a stolen dance out by the corral.
Not to mention what had followed.
A kick in the ribs had her chuckling as she ruefully rubbed the suddenly
tender spot. That and other moments were
what had led her to this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then yer gonna straighten things out in time ta
go?” Cassie asked eagerly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head.
“Even if I do, I ain’t goin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whyever not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cassie,” Lou sighed in exasperation. “I don’t know
how ta dance like a girl. And somehow I
don’t think Kid would like me draggin’ him out there and leadin’ him around the
floor. Not to mention I hardly have a
proper party dress that will fit over this,” she said, rubbing her injured rib
again to indicate her belly. “’Sides, I ain’t exactly light on my feet no
more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t think Kid would mind,” Cassie grinned,
thinking back to the longing look she’d seen him throwing their way from across
the yard. “Besides, I need ya there for support.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou looked up at Cassie at the sudden note of
shyness that entered her voice and then winced. Things hadn’t exactly been easy
for her since that whole LeBrand affair.
Many in town had blamed her for it, saying she’d asked for the
attention, flaunting herself around town the way she did when picking up and
returning laundry orders. Never mind
that was her job and there wasn’t anything underhanded about it. Some of the old town biddies seemed to think
Cassie should let herself starve rather than show up at a man’s door in the
hotel to get paid for her work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…. I’ll think about it,” she muttered, squirming
in her seat. She didn’t want to go to
the dance. She really didn’t want
to. She’d had her own run ins over the
last few weeks with the ‘right and proper’ folk of Rock Creek and wasn’t
exactly eager to socialize with them. But, for Cassie she’d at least think
about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou pulled the pan of breakfast casserole, full of
yummy baked eggs, cheese, onions and oatmeal, out of the oven with pride. It was perfectly crispy along the edge and
melty in the middle, just like Rachel made it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing was for sure, her standoff with Kid had let her concentrate on
her cooking skills, which had improved by leaps and bounds. Oh, she still had her battles with the
temperamental stove, but at least she no longer forgot important ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Turning, she set the casserole on the table, next to
the perfectly browned biscuits before wiping her hands on the pretty black
apron with a ruffled border and shoulder straps, a recent gift from Cody. She
turned to grab the porridge off the stove.
Continuing to stir it, she stepped out the bunkhouse door to call the
others in for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Breakfast is ready,” she called, lifting the spoon
from the pot to blow on it and take a taste to see if it needed anymore butter
or salt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know, I think it’s real nice, Rachel takin’
Jesse ta get his teeth fixed in St. Joe,” Cody grinned at her as he walked
toward the porch. “But I don’t know if I kin survive another week of yer
cookin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou scrunched her face at his teasing. “I seem ta remember you eatin’ every last
bite last night at supper without any complaints.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are we havin’ porridge again?” Jimmy asked, coming
around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou leaned against the edge of the porch railing,
relaxing as the boys pushed and play grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yup,” Cody grinned, turning to him. “Has yer horse
eaten yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Noticing Lou’s growing glower, Jimmy hissed,
“Enough, Cody! You don’t watch it, ye’ll
be wearin’ breakfast ‘sted of eatin’ it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou suddenly straightened at the sight of a strange
woman walking into the Express Station’s yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Boys,” she warned, “we’ve got company.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy and Cody turned to see who it was as Ike
crossed the yard from the barn and joined the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll say we do….” Cody murmured, watching the
pretty young brunette near them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She came to a halt a short distance in front of the
gathered riders and cleared her throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hi. I’m
Emily Metcalfe,” she said, introducing herself. “My father and I just bought
the Hatchet Place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cody, predictably, broke the frozen tableau and
stepped forward first, reaching out to grab the young lady’s hand and lift it
to his mouth for a kiss. He beamed his most charming smile at her. “Well, nice
ta meet ya, Emily. My name is William F Cody. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Miss Metcalfe barely seemed to notice his presence,
her eyes seeking out… Ike? Lou
straightened as she realized where the other girl’s attention was at. What did she want with Ike?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ike, I was kinda upset before,” Emily said softly,
a strange accent rounding her vowels. “I didn’t get a chance ta thank you
personally for what ya did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou’s eyes flashed to Ike as Jimmy voiced her
question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’d ya do, Ike?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t know,” Cody whispered not so quietly to Lou
as he stepped up onto the porch next to her. “But whatever it was, I wish I did
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou chuckled.
Ike continued to stand there, looking at the pretty young woman with a
slightly dumbfounded expression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, if you’ll excuse me, the man at the feed
store is loadin’ our wagon,” Emily said into the uncomfortable silence. “It was
nice meetin’ you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned and started to walk away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cody leaned forward and pushed Ike’s shoulder none
too gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t just stand there, Ike!” he hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ike jumped as if suddenly waking from a trance and
bounded across the yard to Emily’s side. Lou and the others watched as he
struggled to communicate with her, Buck eventually coming to the rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou liked the look of the young lady. There was something sweet about her that made
Lou think she wouldn’t hurt Ike, like so many before her had. All the same, Lou figured to keep a close eye
on those two. She wanted to make sure
Ike had a chance at a ‘normal’ courtship, something few of them had ever truly
had. She found herself slightly envious
of that as she watched the two of them chatting. But she’d do anything to protect this first
blush of… whatever it was… for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid looked at the package in his hands. It had come
in with the morning stage from Omaha.
Lou’s name was scrawled across the front in Emma’s distinctive
handwriting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Here,” he said, pushing the package into Teaspoon’s
hands. He added with a mutter, “You give it to her. She’ll never get it if I try ta deliver it.” He didn’t give Teaspoon a chance to respond,
whirling to walk toward the corral with a last comment tossed over his
shoulder. “I got chores ta do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon watched the boy walk away with a heavy
heart. Those two would be the death of him yet.
He’d watched them dance closer to each other, than jump back more times
than he could count. He thought once
they talked Lou into coming back things would all work out. But then there was the baby, and now </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">whatever
bee Lou had in her bonnet, er, hat.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He
shook his head and turned toward Rachel’s house to find her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Moments later he was handing the package over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Here, Lou,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s that?” she asked, wiping her hands on her
apron before taking the brown paper wrapped parcel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I dunno,” he shrugged. “Looks like somethin’ from Emma.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou walked over to the table and carefully sank onto
the bench along one side, one hand supporting her back as she did so. She set the package on the table and grabbed
a nearby knife to cut the twine holding it closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A moment later, she had the brown paper peeled back
revealing a pile of beautiful dark blue calico sprigged with little white
flowers, with occasional bits of frilly lace showing along edges. On top of it,
lay a sheet of white paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou frowned and picked up the paper to read it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear
Lulabelle,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
know you told the seamstress you didn’t have the time to wait or money to pay
for a special party dress for while you were increasing. But I have a feeling you’re going to want
something nice you can feel pretty wearing.
If nothing else, it can be an extra nice dress for Sunday best. Wear it
with all the joy I can wish you, my dear.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let
the boys and Mr. Spoon know I’m doing well and the baby’s healthy as an ox,
according to Sam and the doctor. We’ll
be there soon to see you all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Say,
‘hello’ to Rachel for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Love,
Emma<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“So?” Teaspoon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou set the note aside and reached down to lift up
the blue fabric, shaking it out to reveal the pretty dancing frock it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s a party dress,” she said in awe.
“Special. Just fer me and the babe. From Emma.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon nodded.
“You’ll look real purty in that.
Kid’ll be the proudest man at the dance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou let the dress fall back to the table and turned
away from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I already tol’ ya, I ain’t goin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And I already told ya, yes, you are. We’re all goin’. Gotta make nice with the townfolk here, get
settled in right. And that includes you
and Rachel,” Teaspoon said firmly. “Now
you’ve got a proper dress, I won’t be hearin’ anymore protest from you, young
lady.” He stood and stepped toward the door, pausing to look back at her as he
opened it. “Is that clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The dress was about the prettiest thing Lou had ever
owned. Except maybe for that pink one
she’d bought in Blue Creek once, with the French lace. But that had been consigned to the fire in an
effort to wipe the memory of Tyler DeWitt completely off the face of the
earth. This dress held none of those
memories, just the beautiful soft fabric and flowing lace. Instead of the
traditional lowered waistline, the skirt was gathered up beneath the bust,
emphasizing its size. The skirt then flowed gracefully down over her belly to
the floor, de-emphasizing its size. For
once she felt beautiful again, not like a lumbering ox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou, hurry up,” Rachel called from the base of the
stairs. “Remember, Ike wants to draw a
picture of all y’all before we leave for the dance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly, all of Lou’s peace and contentment and joy
with the dress evaporated. The thought
of having to head out into public view caused her stomach to pitch
uncomfortably. But,she couldn’t deny
Ike’s request. With a sigh, she tucked
one last curl back into the chignon Rachel had devised using a clever
combination of her slowly lengthening locks and flowers and straight pins to at
least give her the appearance of a full head of hair and walked out of her
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Teaspoon, why do I gotta go to this thing?” Buck
was whining as Lou walked into the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I tol’ ya, we gotta make nice with the townsfolk,”
Teaspoon said, tying his string tie into a neat bow. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wouldn’t want them ta think my boys were
nothin’ more than a bunch of scallywags.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Buck grunted in annoyed disagreement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*Would you go stand behind the bench?* Ike asked,
pushing Buck impatiently to where he wanted him, standing behind the middle of
one of the benches he’d pushed away from the table, right next to Cody.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is this goin’ ta take long?” Cody whined. “I gotta get there ‘fore all the pretty
girls’ dance cards are filled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou glared at him as she sat down where Ike told her
to, in the middle of the bench in front of Buck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cody just shrugged. “Sorry, Lou, but yer card’s
already full.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He looked pointedly at Kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou glared harder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy slid onto the bench to Lou’s left and Kid,
reluctantly, slid in next to her on the right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Immediately, Lou began to feel flushed from all the
body heat surrounding her. And, the baby
was sitting on her bladder, making her squirm in discomfort. She tried to be
patient, really she did. She carefully
tucked an errant curl back into the pins on her head and waved the fan Rachel
had given her vigorously in front of her face, trying to cool off. But, finally, it got to be more than she
could handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ike. I’m gettin’ tired sittin’ here,” she said,
trying to be polite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Her voiced complaint increased the uncomfortable shifting of those around them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ike, how long is this gonna take?” Jimmy muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve been smilin’ so long I don’t think I can
stop,” Kid put in as he tried to pull his heavy suit coat away from his body
and let a slight breeze in to cool off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned to glare at him. “That’s alright,
Kid. I’m sure the girls’ll love it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid looked at her sharply, as if trying to figure
out what she meant, then went back to using his handkerchief to wipe off the
sweat trailing down the back of his neck.
Lou continued to fan herself vigorously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*Sit still,* Ike demanded of all of them. *Lou stop
fiddling with that fan!* he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou carefully folded
the fan and set it gently down on the table. “Alright,” she sighed. “Alright.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ike, you sure you
don’t want to come along, now?” Noah asked from behind her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They were all worrying
about Ike who’d decided not to go to the dance if his new sweetheart, Emily,
wasn’t going after having some problems out at her farm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah,” Jimmy put in. “Just
‘cause Emily ain’t comin’, don’t mean ya can’t have a good time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ike ignored them,
pausing to stare at his drawing assessingly, his lips pursed in consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that it?” Kid asked
eagerly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ike nodded
consideringly, then looked up at the rest of them and nodded again, this time emphatically.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Finally!” Cody sighed
in relief as he took the lead toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou stumbled as she
tried to stand up too fast and Kid grabbed her arm to steady her. She shook him off and moved over to Ike’s
side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let’s see!” she
demanded. Ike pushed her away with a
grin and hid the picture against his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“See ya, soon, Ike!”
Jimmy called as he trailed after Cody, the others all trooping along behind
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou took one last look
at Ike before they left and shook her head.
There was something about the twinkle in his eye, the briskness of his
movements that told her he had something up his sleeve. She just hoped it turned out alright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shifted
uncomfortably on her feet. It hurt to
stand on them so long these days and she knew when she got home tonight they’d
be swollen again. But every time she
tried to find a seat along the walls, where all the older and married women
were seated, more than one of them as pregnant as Lou, the seat was suddenly
full before she managed to get there.
She knew it was deliberate on the part of some of the women and was
getting fed up with the games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She’d danced a couple
times, with Jimmy and Teaspoon, but was avoiding the attentions of some of the
other men gathered here tonight. There
was something about the way they looked at her that just made her
uncomfortable. She couldn’t pinpoint
what it was, but she’d learned to trust her instincts with men. If they made her uncomfortable, she avoided
them at all costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seeing another one
coming her way, she ducked behind a group of older girls talking about their
sweethearts, headed for a corner with a large plant she could conveniently hide
behind. A sudden tugging at her arm had
her whirling about, ready to lash out at whoever had grabbed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sorry, Teaspoon,” she
half laughed when she realized who it was.
“I… thought you were someone else.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whatcha doin’ hidin’
back here, gal?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She shrugged, not
willing to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on,” he said,
taking her arm and pulling her toward the dance floor. “Purty young thing like
you oughta be whoopin’ it up and havin’ fun.
Can’t figger what Kid was thinkin’, leavin’ ya all on yer lonesome like
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe that I wasn’t in
the mood fer him ta pretend,” Lou muttered as Teaspoon swung her out onto the
floor, twirling her about to the fast paced music as if she weighed nothing. Soon he had her grinning and laughing like a
loon, loving every minute of the dance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid watched Lou’s face
light up with joy as Teaspoon goaded her into having fun. The discomfort and unhappiness on her face
earlier as she’d tried to hide from everyone, even him, earlier had near to
broken his heart. He was glad Teaspoon
had managed to drag her out of her shell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who’s the pretty gal
in the blue dress?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid turned to see two
youngish looking farmhands standing on the edge of the dance floor, eyeing Lou
speculatively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Never seen her
before,” the taller of the two said, hawking wad of tobacco juice into a cup in
his hand. “Wonder if she’s that new one
in town I heard about…. without a husband.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The grin that spread
across the shorter man’s face at that comment turned Kid’s stomach and he
started toward the duo, to say what he didn’t know. But Jimmy grabbed his arm and pulled him back
with a quick shake of his head. Best not
to make trouble here and now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead, Jimmy motioned
for Kid to follow his lead and he pushed between the men to get to the table
laden with treats and punch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s just passin’
through,” Jimmy said casually in answer to the men’s question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s the new Marshal’s
niece,” Kid added as he leaned forward to grab a coconut macaroon, one of his
favorites. He wondered if Lou’d made them.
“Just visitin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The two men shared
bewildered looks, then shrugged and moved away from the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you think they
bought it?” Kid asked nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy shrugged. “I dunno.
I’ll keep an eye on them, though.
You better go make up with yer gal,” he added more severely. “So’s we can all be done with this fuss.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid ducked his
head. He knew Jimmy was right,
especially if Lou’s apparent solitary status was drawing this kind of
attention. It was time to move forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I need a breather,”
Lou gasped, laughing, as the music ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What? A young filly like you?” Teaspoon teased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, I am dancin’ fer
two here, Teaspoon,” she shot back, resting one hand fleetingly on her belly as
he led her off the dance floor toward the refreshments table. “All the cookin’ and cleanin’ Rachel’s had me
doin’ lately don’t hold a candle ta this sort of exertion. Ain’t worked this hard since I stopped
ridin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon laughed and
patted her hand where it rested on his forearm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, Marshal Hunter,
Mrs. McCloud, good to see you two again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned toward the
speaker with a frown. What was Tompkins up to? His raised voice made her think
he was putting on a show for someone. But who?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tompkins,” Teaspoon
said with a nod and a smile. “I see you
haven’t forgotten my niece here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, sir,” the normally
taciturn storekeeper grinned broadly.
Then his grin faltered a bit and he turned a serious look Lou’s
direction. “I been meanin’ ta tell ya how sorry I was ta hear ‘bout Danny’s
death. We all miss him. Too bad he
didn’t have any other family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou’s frown of
confusion deepened. Danny hadn’t
died. The slightly slow boy had gone to
live with some friends of Eli’s back in St. Louis, after the bad meat had
killed his guardian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins allowed his
grin to broaden again as he added in an even louder voice, “But I’m sure Kid’s
doin’ a fine job watchin’ out for you like he promised Danny he would. Are you
planning on naming the little one after him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shrugged, not quite
sure how to respond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins reached out
and patted her on the shoulder. Continuing in the booming voice meant to carry
across the room, he said, “I’m sure you’ll find the right name in time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded, still not
sure what to say, confused by Tompkins words. Teaspoon nodded at the other man
as well and began to lead Lou away.
Leaning down he whispered, “That oughta take care of the gosspin’ ol’
biddies!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What
had Tompkins been saying to them?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Kid wondered<i>. To
Lou? He’d better not have said anything
to upset her,</i> the rider thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Squaring his shoulders,
he began to push his way through the crowd of townsfolk toward where Teaspoon
and Lou were exiting the dance floor.
Luckily they were headed in his general direction and he didn’t have to
chase them down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid, you havin’ a good
time?” Teaspoon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid shrugged, not quite
knowing how to answer the man’s question.
He turned his attention to Lou and asked, hesitantly, “Can… would you
do… may I have the pleasure of this dance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You may,” she
reluctantly answered, knowing Teaspoon wouldn’t let her say no, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Moments later, she
found herself back out on the dance floor being gently whirled in circles to a
familiar, slow haunting tune. It took her a bit to figure out the band was
trying to play a version of Auralea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ah…. Lou,” Kid finally
said, clearing his throat slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, Kid?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are ya still mad at
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are ya still avoidin’
me?” she asked a tad acerbically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wasn’t avoidin’
you,” he said. “I was givin’ ya time ta
cool off. So’s we could talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s there ta talk
about, Kid?” She sighed wearily. “I
think it’s pretty obvious the blush has worn off the flower and ya ain’t
interested no more.” She paused, then added, speaking to her toes, “Not that I
kin blame ya.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I ain’t got no idea
what ever made ya think I didn’t care no more,” Kid huffed. “I love ya, Lou. More’n ever. I thought ya promised no more
runnin’ away? What happened ta that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wasn’t the one
runnin’,” she hissed, trying to keep her voice down. Then her shoulders slumped and the anger left
her. “But who’d want ta stick around
this, anyway? I’m bigger’n a cow, cain’t
ride, kin barely buckle on a gunbelt, am only now learnin’ how ta cook
proper. Who’d want me fer a wife and
mother, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I do,” Kid said
quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah,” she muttered.
“That’s why yer tryin’ ta hide ever’thin’ between us away from the world. Cause yer proud of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid suddenly stopped
dancing, oblivious to the crowd around them, and reached down to tilt her chin
up, so he could see her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I couldn’t be
prouder,” he said with a quiet seriousness that spoke directly to her
heart. “But, I gotta be sure <i>I’m</i> what you want an’ need. That ya ain’t choosin’ me first just ‘cause I
was there when no one else was, and now,” he glanced down at her stomach,
“’cause ya feel like ya have to, like it’s the right thing ta do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You ain’t never been
convenient, Kid,” she half-laughed, half-sobbed in relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hey, dance already, or
get off the floor!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid looked up and
blushed when he realized they’d come to a complete standstill in the middle of
the room, blocking other dancers’ way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on,” he muttered,
tucking her hand into the crook of his arm and leading her off the floor.
“Let’s find someplace a bit more quiet, where we can really talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded and let him
lead her out the front doors and on a slow stroll down the boardwalk. For a bit they walked in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did you really mean
that,” Lou asked, breaking the quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What? That I was just
tryin’ ta give ya a choice?” Kid asked.
He didn’t wait for her response. “Yes.
Like I tol’ ya, I did a lot of thinkin’ while you were gone. And one thing I know is, much as I want ya in
my life, I want ya there, cause you want ta be there. Not cause ya feel like ya
have ta be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid,” she said softly,
“there ain’t nothin’ I want more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then, marry me,” he
said, a hint of urgency in his voice. “Let’s go to the courthouse and file our
certificate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, Kid, I don’t think
I’m up ta a ride back ta Wyomin’ Territory right now,” she said, laughing as
she patted her belly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, we can’t keep
goin’ on the way we have. It ain’t good fer you an’ the baby and.. well, there’s
been some talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know,” she said
quietly. “But, I… .I don’t think we have
ta worry ‘bout that anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid gave her a
questioning look and she smiled, then told him what Tompkins had said, making
sure everyone could hear him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then… then let’s do it
all over again,” Kid suggested impulsively once she’d finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid dropped to one knee
and pulled something out of his jacket pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou… Louise… McCloud..
will you do me the honor of -“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She squealed and leaped
into his arms, almost toppling him over as she peppered his face with
kisses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” she finally
whispered against his lips. “Oh, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou rounded the corner
from the outhouse at the back of the school building, heading toward the front
door. She flushed slightly as she thought of how her body’s changing needs had
interrupted her reunion with Kid. She
looked down at the small ring now riding on her third finger and couldn’t help
grinning at the sight. Kid hadn’t given
her her wedding ring back yet. Instead,
he’d gifted her with a promise ring, a promise that they’d figure things out
and be a real couple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She felt like hugging
herself with happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I see yer feelin’ a
mite more pleased with yourself tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned to see
Tompkins leaning against the wall of the schoolhouse, puffing away on a cigar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mr. Tompkins, just the
man I wanted to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Somehow I doubt that,”
he grinned at her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She flushed and looked
away shyly, then looked back at him, determined to have her say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I… I wanted to thank
you,” she said. “For what ya done in there, I mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No problem. I heard what the so-called upstanding ladies
of this town were saying about ya and figgered I’d better do something. It’s nobody’s business but yer own how ya
live yer life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Something about his
words and his looks told her he was talking about more than the baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You knew?” she asked
incredulously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins laughed
heartily. “From the moment you hit me in
the head with a fryin’ pan!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She joined him,
remembering the fight in Tompkins store over his insults to Buck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve got ta say
though, I’m relieved ta hear you and the Kid are going ta be making things
right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She cocked her head at
him. How had he learned about their plans already?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“There was always
somethin’ squirrelly about you two,” he smiled, patting her on the shoulder.
“But Teaspoon assures me everything’s been done right.” He paused a moment to
look down at her sternly. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Although I expect you two to make things right </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">publicly</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> before that child’s born. He or
she doesn’t deserve to suffer from your antics.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded. Tompkins was right. And she knew he was
speaking from his own experiences as a parent. Yes, it was beyond time for her
and Kid to finish growing up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There you are!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned to see Kid
walking out the front door of the schoolhouse, a big smile on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ready for another
dance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She smiled and nodded
back, walking up to him and tucking her arm through his. Just before disappearing through the door
into the party, she looked back and said one last, “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Guess they must’ve
patched things up,” Jimmy said, nudging Buck to turn his attention toward Kid
and Lou coming back into the schoolhouse, where the dance was being held.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Again,” Buck
chuckled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wonder how long it’ll
last this time,” Jimmy pondered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“With those two? Who knows!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid smiled, enjoying
the feel of holding Lou in his arms as they swayed to the tune of a slow
waltz. All was right with his world once
again and he could see a bright future for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Catching a glimpse of
Noah twirling Cassie around the dance floor, he chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?” Lou asked, not
raising her head from where it rested on his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s right,” he
mused. “You missed it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Missed what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ike’s grand entrance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At that she did raise
her head to check and see if Kid was pulling her leg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He came?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“With Emily on his
arm,” Kid smiled. “I guess he waited ‘til we’d all left, then got dressed up
and headed out ta her place ta persuade her ta come after all. Last I saw them, he was grinnin’ like a loon
and dancin’ the night away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou smiled as she
pressed her cheek to Kid’s chest once again.
It was a scandalously close position, but she didn’t really care. It felt so good to be back in his arms. She was considering ways to lure him up to
her room after the dance<i>. It wasn’t like they could do any damage by
renewing a closer relationship,</i> she thought with a grin, <i>a more personal dance, so to speak.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of gunfire
from the streets had her stiffening and looking around, instinctively trying to
locate all the members of her family.
She found Teaspoon and Rachel, Buck, Noah and Cassie, Cody and Jimmy
easily enough. But…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where’s Ike?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2022/07/note-this-story-picks-up-at-end-of.html" target="_blank">His Truth</a></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-72853856509144043822014-07-28T12:00:00.000-07:002014-07-28T12:00:02.380-07:00Virginia Nights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D4mmCU5ifGrw4oWX9OntTZwx-5oH54_uEmyQZAMW7m8i90-aPLBB0CGpXHfgPT3h30YX6ioR2uB1AYtoKZ1a8AAEujCNU9Ypy27nng01-qNU0rnPkh4E7k_-4T-PfaofQ1Op0UfCfDc/s1600/virginia+nights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D4mmCU5ifGrw4oWX9OntTZwx-5oH54_uEmyQZAMW7m8i90-aPLBB0CGpXHfgPT3h30YX6ioR2uB1AYtoKZ1a8AAEujCNU9Ypy27nng01-qNU0rnPkh4E7k_-4T-PfaofQ1Op0UfCfDc/s1600/virginia+nights.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author’s
Note: This is a gapfiller, a moment of
experience, set within the events of <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/p/fighting-for-love.html">Fighting For Love</a>, while Lou and Kid are
in the Confederate Army in Virginia. While reading the longer story can help
with understanding points in this one, it is not necessary.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou paused her horse at the top of a rise and sighed
as she looked out over the verdant vista before her. She’d never seen anything like it. She could understand why Kid loved this
country so much. She’d ridden and lived
throughout much of the West, from Texas to Wyoming Territory, Colorado to
Nebraska Territory, Kansas and Missouri.
She hadn’t thought there was anything the land could do to surprise her,
but Virginia, ah, Virginia, was constantly doing just that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pretty, ain’t it?” Kid asked as he paused his horse
next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What makes them hills look all blue like that?” she
asked curiously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I dunno,” Kid shrugged. “They just do. You should see it down south of here, two,
three days ride. That haze gets so thick
it looks like the slopes must be on fire.
They call ‘em the Smoky Mountains.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou laughed lightly, reaching over to squeeze Kid’s
hand. He turned his bright blue gaze
from the mountains to her and grinned.
Slipping his fingers between hers he lifted her hand to his lips and
kissed the palm softly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ain’t half as pretty as you, though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou blushed a fiery red to match the sun setting in
the western sky. Pushing Kid away with a
laugh, she urged her mount into an easy lope that quickly ate up the green
fields surrounding them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was nice to have this time alone with Kid. These moments of peace, and the relief that
came of being able to be herself, not having to worry any of their fellow
soldiers would find her out and betray her, were all the happiness she could
ask for in the middle of this dreadful war.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Refusing to give free reign to thoughts of the death
and destruction that surrounded her, that she’d agreed to participate in to be
able to stay at Kid’s side, she lifted her face to the sun and smiled,
determined to enjoy this time they had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had sent them out, alone!, to
scout for any signs of McClellan’s men in blue.
And he didn’t expect them back for at least a couple of days. All of which
meant she was free for the moment. Free
to be a wife and lover. Free to enjoy
this beauty around her, to better understand Kid’s fascination with this
land. Free to ride with the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of pounding hooves closing the distance
told her Kid was catching up and she urged her horse faster with a laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Forgetting their
assignment for the moment, the duo chased each other back and forth, up and
down the hills, through corn fields and into stands of tall trees crowded so
close you couldn’t see the sun through the leafed canopy above, laughing and
smiling all the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sat deep in her
saddle, relaxing as she let her horse follow along behind Kid’s. They weren’t
staying in town because they didn’t want to give away their position to any
bluecoats that might be scoping out the same terrain. Kid said he knew of an old hunter’s cabin,
used only in the summertime, up on the side of a nearby mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite their brief
interlude of fun, they’d stuck to their duty and searched diligently for any
sign of the Federals. But they’d found
nothing. Now, she was happy to sit back and
let Kid lead them to their evening camp, the gentle sound of their horses’ slow
steps and easy breathing lulling her into a quiet sense of wonder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As they climbed ever
higher, she lost sight of the landscape around them, hidden by the trees of the
wooded mountaintop. She knew from a
distance they grew so close together they looked more like a wooly green
buffalo robe covering the top of the hill.
But up close, their horses slipped easily along the paths between the
old growth trunks of maple, oak and hickory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, with no warning,
they stepped into a small clearing. Not
like she was used to back home, but a clearing in the sense that the trees were
pushed back just far enough to make room for a small house on stilts. But up above, the tree tops gathered close
again, continuing to provide their welcome cooling shade from the hot Virginia sun. Only occasional droplets of light filtered
through the covering to illuminate the little building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Made of handhewn planks
of a dark wood, the house had a short set of steps leading up to small porch in
front of the simple door with a rope latch.
The walls only rose two thirds of the way from the floor to the roof of
the house, leaving a two foot wide gap at the top for cooling breezes to blow
in. Lou could see why it was only used
in the summer. This structure wouldn’t
protect you even from Virginia’s comparatively mild winters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dismounting, she
hobbled her horse and followed Kid into the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Careful,” he
warned. “The steps are slippery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She looked down in
surprise to note that they were covered in a thin film of water and wondered
where the moisture had come from. Taking
a deep breath, she laughed at herself. The very air here was full of
water. She didn’t need to look any
further for the source.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inside, she found a
small fireplace on one side and two, wide plank platforms, one above the other
along the opposing wall.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid was already
laying out their bedrolls on the lower and wider of the two platforms.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Their rucksacks rested on the higher
platform.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She smiled. It wouldn’t be the most comfortable place
she’d ever slept. But it would hardly be
the worst, either. And at least she and
Kid would be able to share the platform tonight, never worrying about an
accidental caress causing problems, only pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Running a hand
self-consciously over her mouth to hide her grin, she hurried to Kid’s side to
rummage through her rucksack for some lucifers and her mess kit. She’d get the supper fire going while he set
up in here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With a sigh, Lou set
her plate down on the ground next to her and snuggled closer into Kid’s
one-armed embrace. She felt him press a soft kiss to the top of her head, as he
was wont to do, and smiled against his chest, one hand splayed across the taut
muscles of his stomach, grown even more steely in recent months with the
shortened rations they’d been living on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They both stank to high
heaven after days in the hot, muggy Virginia sun without anywhere to clean up.
Or a place to safely to do so, on her part.
They were in the sort of shape that would have Rachel banishing them
from the bunkhouse until they’d cleaned up and Teaspoon dumping them in the
horse trough for expediency’s sake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But there was no handy
creek here to wash up in. Just the water
they pumped from a nearby well. It was so deep and took so much effort they’d
looked at each other, shook their heads and walked away once they’d refilled
their canteens. It wasn’t worth the effort.
Besides, by now, they were so inured to each other’s smell, neither
really noticed it. Too much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They had spread their
woolen grey coats and butternut trousers out by the fire, hoping to dry out the
smell of sweat and smoke out any bugs that might have infested them. For now, the duo sat there, wrapped around
each other, in nothing more than their longjohns. Both had been a bit shy about wandering
around outside in their underclothes, but had decided it was the best option
open to them. Besides, it was obvious
from the ramshackle condition of the hunting house that no one had been by here
in quite some time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou allowed the comfort
of Kid’s embrace to warm her against the oncoming chill as evening leached away
the heat of day. Staring into the
dancing flames of the fire, she slowly let her thoughts drift, the soft sounds
of chirping birds and buzzing insects, the swishing of leaves in the breeze,
providing a musical lullaby conducted by Mother Nature herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think we better turn
in,” Kid grunted, jerking her out of her somnolent trance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?” Lou asked,
confused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve asked you the
same thing three times now and you haven’t responded. It’s obvious yer dead on
yer feet. Let’s get some shuteye.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He heaved himself to
his feet then reached down to offer her a helping hand. She gratefully took it
and followed his lead up into their home for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou rolled over and
grunted in annoyance as the urge to pass water became more than she could
ignore. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With a sigh, she pulled out of
Kid’s warm embrace and crawled out from under their blanket wrapped
warmspot.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She shivered as she scurried
out of the little house on stilts and made for the nearby trees to do her
business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few minutes later,
walking back toward their ‘camp’, she paused as an odd sound registered. It sounded almost like rain, but nothing was
making it to the ground. Looking up, she
peered into the tree tops, trying to figure out what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou, whatcha doin’
standin’ out there in the rain?” Kid called, leaning blearily against the door
post, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s just it, Kid,”
she said in wonder. “It sounds like it, but ain’t no rain comin’ down. I’m dry as a bone.” She held up one hand,
palm out, to demonstrate what she meant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid huffed a laugh. “Ya
won’t be fer long. It’s rainin’
alright. Just the leaves up there are…
slowin’ it down. You stand out there
long enough, ye’ll be plenty wet.
Without ever feelin’ a single drop o’ rain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou looked at him
quizzically as she crossed to the steps and climbed to his side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do ya mean?” she
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He reached over and
brushed his hand across her exposed collarbone and she shivered at the moist
feel of his touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“See?” he said, holding
up his fingers for her inspection. “Wet already. Just like those steps. The water, it’s just in the air.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hmmm,” Lou murmured,
inspecting everything closely and wondering what else this state had to offer
her. Besides Kid, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on,” Kid said,
tugging at her arm. “Let’s go to bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Still thinking things
over, Lou followed him back inside and happily crawled under the covers,
shivering despite herself as she snuggled into the residual warmth. Kid slipped in next to her and wrapped her in
his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She grinned as his lips
covered hers inside their own little cocoon, protecting them for the moment
from all the world would throw at them, from rain that didn’t fall but still
made you wet to a war that seemingly wouldn’t end. For this one night, in this one place, in
Kid’s occasionally magical, mystical state of Virginia, all was right with her
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The End....</span></div>
</div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-34351326562731160182014-07-27T10:57:00.002-07:002014-08-01T19:34:23.128-07:00The Whole Truth: True Colors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGPNKKdZHDDkCLHD8ElLFF9o42Vb9DDpQyfwpgWHbvqbGvpCaDNmnH078nrOHJJdoawGBFfJe-lstE2Xs4lnrvDufJh5_grN6UxljKeLDnNsOJVf7HXut6dSpAQ-p4NJM9k8WtC9TmaM/s1600/true+colors+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGPNKKdZHDDkCLHD8ElLFF9o42Vb9DDpQyfwpgWHbvqbGvpCaDNmnH078nrOHJJdoawGBFfJe-lstE2Xs4lnrvDufJh5_grN6UxljKeLDnNsOJVf7HXut6dSpAQ-p4NJM9k8WtC9TmaM/s1600/true+colors+final.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Author's Note: This is the 9th installment in the <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/p/the-whole-truth.html">Whole Truth</a> series, following <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-whole-truth-to-tell-truth.html">To Tell The Truth</a>. It takes place during Between Rock Creek & A Hard Place, season 3, episode 4. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What
are you talkin’ ‘bout, Emma?” Lou asked, bewildered by the other woman’s
growing anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
marched, more like stalked, across the room to Lou’s side and briskly moved the
towel away from her to press one hand to Lou’s belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This!”
she exclaimed. “I know you didn’t get this way all by yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
no,” Lou blushed a little to think of her recent indulgence in gluttony.
“All the boys helped some. Teaspoon and Rachel, too, for that
matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
aren’t telling me you and… all the boys?” Emma whispered in horrified tones,
the blush of fury suddenly bleaching from her face. Then she shook her head as
if to rid herself of the thought. “No, you aren’t that sort of young woman,
Lou. I know you better than that. If it isn’t Kid, which one is the
father?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Father?”
Lou’s face scrunched in complete confusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
father of your baby,” Emma sighed in exasperation. “Which one is the
father of this baby? I know you didn’t put it there all by yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I…
I don’t know what Kid’s been tellin’ you in his letters, but… but I lo…lost our
baby… weeks ago,” Lou stammered out, barely suppressing the sobs that always
seemed to come when she thought about the loss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
jerked away from Emma and walked over to the bed, where she’d laid out her
clean clothes before bathing. Dropping the towel, she reached for the
shirt and shoved her arms into the sleeves, rushing to close the buttons down
the front, not bothering with her breast bindings in her hurry to get covered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
watched her, confused herself now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Slow
down, Lulabelle,” she finally said, breathing carefully to control her thoughts
and emotions. With one hand held up, she walked over to Lou’s side as Lou
slid into her trousers. “I think we’re talking at cross purposes here.
Why don’t we go back to the beginning. You lost a baby?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
nodded, refusing to meet Emma’s eyes. Sucking in her stomach, she
struggled to fasten the buttons of her trousers and then sat down on the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
long ago? I haven’t been gone long enough for Kid to get you with child,
you to lose the baby and end up with another one already? Have I?”
Emma’s words came out wonderingly, as if she spoke her thoughts aloud
unwittingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Again?
No, Emma, I ain’t expectin’,” Lou said, astonished. “There ain’t
been…. well, it just ain’t possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Honey,
it’s not only possible, it is,” Emma said with such deep assurance that Lou
almost believed her. “I know the form of a young pregnant woman.” She
rested one hand unconsciously on the mound pushing the front of her dress out
in front of her. “And I’d say you’re more’n a third the way to giving birth.
Just starting to show. By my figuring, this child should be born sometime
October, maybe November of this year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
stood up, backing away from Emma, the sob she’d subsumed earlier rising to the
surface as tears suddenly poured out of her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Stop
it, Emma! If this is some sort of joke, it ain’t funny!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Lou,
what’s wrong? This is good news,” Emma soothed, walking toward Lou with
hands outstretched to gather her into a hug. “Well, mostly. We
still need to get Kid to own up to his responsibilities. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No,
no, no, no…” The word, repeated over and over again, became an unceasing
chant as Lou’s back hit the wall behind her and she slid down to the ground,
clutching her knees to her chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Darling,”
Emma crooned, seriously worried, “talk to me. I don’t understand what’s
wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My
baby… our baby… was s’posed ta come….” Lou paused to hiccup as she stammered
through the explanation, “ta come in October, maybe November. That’s what
the doc tol’ me. But then… then I lost her…. Kid says it was a girl cause
he wanted a baby like me…. but I lost her cause I was too stubborn, too
determined ta be a boy, I rode too hard and fought too much… and I killed my
baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t know what all happened, but I seriously doubt you did anything to kill
your baby, Lou,” Emma said. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> “I’ve known women who rode ‘til the day they
gave birth with nary a problem. Few women have the time to take it as
easy as doctors say they should. Personally, I think it’s part of an
effort to make women seem weaker, less capable, so the men can feel all manly
taking care of us,” Emma ended with a slight laugh at the thought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
just looked at Emma, the younger woman’s face covered in tears of grief that
she still struggled with almost daily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
hugged the distraught young woman tight to her side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
say there hasn’t been any… chance of a new baby since?” she asked quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
nodded morosely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
what I saw says there’s a baby in there, so either the doctor you saw before
was wrong-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But…
all the blood,” Lou interrupted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
nodded and continued, “Or maybe there’s something else going on. The best
way to figure this out is to see the doctor here. He’s the best in the
area, trained back East and everything. Sam won’t let me see anyone
else. Doc Hopkins knows what he’s doing,
Lulabelle. He’ll figure this out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If…if
you think it’s best,” Lou said in a small, weary voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So,
how’s our Lou?” Sam Cain asked with a smile when he saw his wife hurrying down
the stairs. Then she turned to face him and he saw the worry and stress
in it. He rushed to her side, wrapping one arm around her shoulders and pulling
her to him. “What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
shook her head. “We don’t know, Sam. I… I need you to call Dr. Hopkins, right
away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are
you alright?” he asked, pulling back so he could see her face and laying one
hand gently on her rounded belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
smiled and placed her own hand over his where it rested. “We’re fine,
Sam. It’s Lou.” She shook her head in instant reassurance. “Oh,
it’s nothing life threatening. I don’t think. Get the doc, Sam.
I’ll explain while he’s with Lou.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sam
nodded, hurrying to the door, grabbing his hat off a hook by the entrance and
slamming it down on his head as he went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So?”
Emma asked anxiously as the doctor came out from examining Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
shook his head. “Let’s wait until Mrs. McCloud gets out here, that way I
don’t have to explain this all twice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m
here,” Lou said quietly, moving to sit next to Emma on the sofa. Emma
reached over and grabbed her hand. Sam, standing behind the sofa, laid a reassuring
hand on Lou’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
young lady, you are most definitely expecting,” Dr. Hopkins began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But….
how?!” Lou asked, squeezing tightly to Emma’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My
best guess is that you did indeed lose a baby, but that it wasn’t the only one
you were carrying at the time,” Dr. Hopkins explained with a comforting smile.
“I’ve seen this before. It’s something called the ‘disappearing twin’.
The long and the short of it is, you had two babies. You’ve still
got one. And, Mrs. McCloud, despite your fears, I seriously doubt there
was anything you could’ve done to prevent the miscarriage. Often when
there’s twins, there’s something wrong with one of them. The baby most
likely couldn’t survive and that’s why you lost it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I…
I’m goin’ ta have a baby?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
yes you are. In about four, maybe five months, if I don’t miss my guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
turned to Emma, joy suffusing her features. “I’m goin’ ta have a baby!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That
you are, my dear,” Emma smiled, hugging her. “Not too much longer after
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
two men shared a smile as they watched the women celebrate, hugging, laughing,
crying, talking the entire time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ve
got to write Kid, let him know,” Lou said as she and Emma walked back upstairs,
ready to turn in for the night. “He’ll be so excited.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
hope that letter will include plans for a wedding,” Emma said a touch
acerbically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
ducked her head and blushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Um,
there’s no need,” she practically whispered, talking to her toes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And
just why would that be?” Emma’s eyebrows practically disappeared into her
hairline with her disbelief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Um,
cause we’re… well… we’re already married. Sort of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sort
of?” Emma shook her head as they reached the door to Lou’s assigned room.
“Either you’re married or you’re not, young lady. Which is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Legally?
We’re married,” Lou muttered. “Kid’s got the certificate.
But…. well… .things got messed up for awhile. Real bad. So…
for now… we’re courtin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emma
sighed and shook her head. “You’ve always got to do things the hard way,
upside down and backwards, don’t you child? Well, so long as the
courtship ends and the marriage begins before this child comes, I s’pose I’ve
heard of worse things than havin’ your own husband court you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
shrugged, still blushing furiously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
fully expect you to tell me exactly what’s been going on the last few months,”
Emma said severely. Then she smiled. “But for now, get a good night’s
rest. Sam’ll let Teaspoon know that you won’t be coming back right away,
not at at all as a rider.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
made a moue of distaste and Emma laughed. “Oh, I know what I said and the doc
said. Neither of us thinks your riding would harm this baby. Look at how
you’ve been doing it for months, non-stop, without a problem. But, you’re
not going to be able to hide your condition for much longer. And once
that happens, there goes your disguise as a boy. You’d know better than
me, but I’d imagine there are some of those stations you wouldn’t last long at all
without the protection of being a boy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lou
barked a bitter laugh. “Ain’t that the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So…
spend a couple weeks here with me. We’ll get you kitted out with the
clothes you’re going to need soon anyway. And, when you join the others
in Rock Creek, it’ll be as Louise McCloud, not Lou.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,”
Lou sighed, “the Kid should be happy about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Kid was not happy. Not happy at all. He missed Lou. He’d really been looking forward to her
arriving with the others. Except she
hadn’t. They’d come instead with letters
for him and Teaspoon that said she’d be along in a couple of weeks. Something at Emma’s was keeping her longer
than expected. And, when she came, she’d
be coming as Louise, not Lou. They had
to hire a replacement for her as a rider.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid didn’t know what to make of that last, especially
after the emotional turmoil of the last few months. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What he did know was that he was very, very
worried about her traveling cross country, on her own, without her disguise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Teaspoon,
please, let me go get her. It ain’t safe
fer her out there, not if she’s comin’ as a lady,” he’d begged.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Son,
don’t worry about it,” Teaspoon had told him, pounding him on the shoulder in a
way that was meant to be reassuring, but in reality only left a growing bruise.
“Sam’ll make sure she’s got all the escort she needs. And, dress or no, she’s still right handy
with that six shooter of hers. That
ain’t somethin’ she’s gonna change with her clothes.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But now, finally, she was due to get here any
day. Teaspoon had, mercifully, pulled
Kid from the riding rotation to make sure he’d be here when Lou arrived. The new rider, Jesse, though young, was
competent and happily handling Kid’s runs along with Lou’s, now his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Add to all that the way Teaspoon had been acting the
last couple of weeks and Kid was pretty sure the older man’s letter had
contained more of an explanation than Kid’s had. And not knowing what was going on was driving
the Kid nuts. No, Kid was not happy at
all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dadblamed skirts,” Lou muttered as she climbed back
into the saddle and the edge of the split riding skirt got caught under her
leg. She continued muttering irritably
as she jerked it loose and into its proper place. “Why am I wearin’ these things again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sam laughed.
“Um, cause I don’t think you could fit into yer pants anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou smiled at the reminder and looked down at her
belly which had seemed to pop out overnight sometime in the last couple of
weeks. What had been merely an annoying
thickness of the waist when she’d arrived at the Cain’s was now, no denying it,
a child well on its way to arriving. And
she couldn’t wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the end she’d decided not to tell Kid in a
letter, but to surprise him when she arrived, wanting to be there when he
learned the truth, to see his face. Now,
she thought a tad nervously, she questioned that decision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But it was too late
to do anything about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, come on,” she said. “We’re almost there and I’m hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You sure that’s not Cody’s babe your carryin’?” Sam
asked good-naturedly. “You’d be able to
beat him in any eatin’ contest these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou glared, but couldn’t really be mad at Sam. He was right.
Now that the morning sickness had passed, she was constantly hungry and
could, and did, eat everything in sight.
She also had to relieve herself </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">practically every hour on the hour.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Both Dr. Hopkins and Emma had told her that
was completely normal and not to worry about it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, the doctor had told her everything about
her pregnancy was normal and she had nothing to worry about at all. He’d told her to check in with the local
doctor, assuming there was one, once she got to Rock Creek, but otherwise to
live her life the way she would anyway.
Emma had also promised to come be with her for the baby’s arrival. Her own baby should be old enough to travel
by then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They’d both told her to live her life the way she
normally would. As long as she felt
fine, all was fine. The only problem
was, Lou had no idea what normal was anymore. Not for her. She was about to enter not just a new town, but
what was, for her, literally a whole new world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taking a deep breath, she urged Lightning forward,
toward the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<br /><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Riders comin’! Two of ‘em!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The shout rang out, bringing all activity in the
Express yard to a stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid straightened from where he was nailing a new
piece of the corral fence into place and looked with excited expectation in the
direction Jimmy was pointing. Two riders
trotted toward the Express Station from the main street in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost immediately he recognized the tall form on
one horse. Sam Cain. But the smaller form was too small to be
Emma. Not to mention she didn’t look to be a redhead. Kid held his breath, it had to be…. then she
turned her head to say something to Sam that made him laugh, and Kid’s
suspicions and highest hopes were confirmed.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou!” he shouted, dropping his hammer on the ground
and running toward the incoming riders.
“It’s Lou!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid,” he heard her shout and then she was flinging
herself off Lightning’s back and into his arms.
“Oh, Kid it’s so good to see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I missed you,” he whispered, his nose buried in her
hair as he hugged her close, glorying in the feel of her soft warmth pressed
tight to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We missed you, too, Lou,” Jimmy said from behind
Kid, laughter in his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“All of us,” Buck added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s great to be back,” Lou smiled from where she
stood in Kid’s arms, peering over his shoulder at each one of the boys there
individually, and then at Teaspoon who was rounding the corner from the Marshal’s
office and Rachel who was coming around the edge of the barn, drying her hands
on her apron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, yer lookin’ a mite different there, Lou,” Jimmy
said gruffly, clearing his throat uncomfortably, eyeing her feminine outfit
from head to toe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah,” Lou’s smile faded a touch as she looked up at
Kid nervously. “About that…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Without another word she stepped back from Kid and
placed one hand protectively over her stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The boys stared at her, gape-mouthed, in
uncomprehending silence for what felt like forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy was the first to speak, his voice a strangled
question. But Lou had eyes only for Kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is why I was so long catchin’ up with y’all,”
she said shyly. “Turns out… we only lost one baby, Kid. We’ve still got one on the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid stepped closer to her, transfixed by the sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our… baby?” he asked, disbelieving, even as he
reached forward with a yearning expression on his face, to hesitantly place one
of his large hands next to Lou’s slender one on her belly. His touch carried a
reverent gentleness that spoke of his deepest dreams coming true in one small
bundle. She moved her hand to cover his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our baby…” she repeated, then paused as they both
jumped. “Alive and kickin’,” she added
with an awed smile. “That’s the first
time he’s done that. Leastwise, that I
could tell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She,” Kid corrected without raising his eyes from
their two hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But…. I saw… you lost….” Jimmy sputtered to a
confused stop, not even knowing how to put his question into words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded her head, a little of the brilliance of
her happy grin fading. “Yes, I lost a
baby. Dr. Hopkins says that’s not too
unusual with first pregnancies that are twins.
Called it a ‘disappearing twin.’
Said there was nothing anyone could’ve done, you or me, to save the
baby. There was probably somethin’ wrong
with her and that’s why she died.” She
turned back to Kid and added in a breathy voice, “But this baby, he’s hale and
hearty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She,” Kid whispered again, his eyes still glued to
where their hands intertwined over her bulging stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So, which bunk’s mine?” Lou asked as she followed
the rest into the new bunkhouse, looking around curiously. The layout was slightly more spacious than it
had been back in Sweetwater, with room for seven bunks instead of six. One
looked quite cozy off in a corner by itself.
She half hoped that one was hers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Uh,” Kid started to answer but Teaspoon jumped in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re not in the bunkhouse no more, Lou. You said you wasn’t comin’ back as a rider,
so we had ta give yer bunk to yer replacement.
‘Sides, how would it look, you sleepin’ in here with all the boys but
livin’ like a girl?” He shook his head sadly at the thought. “Can’t have my girl gettin’ no reputation
like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou looked at her toes guiltily, one hand resting
protectively over her stomach. He’d
never worried about things like that before.
What else was going to change now?
What other things would she have to give up? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She flushed in guilt at the thought,
reminding herself she should be ecstatic over the coming child, not mourning
over her lost independence. It looked like Kid was finally going to get his
wish, after all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve got the other room over in the manager’s
house,” Rachel said, wrapping one arm around Lou’s shoulder and squeezing her
close for a moment, smiling broadly.
“Right next to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou looked up at the other woman with a grateful
smile, “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sam, ‘fraid yer stuck with me in the tackroom,”
Teaspoon chuckled. “Unless ya’d rather
try out the cot in the cell over at my office?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No thanks,” Sam shook his head with a grin, rubbing
one hand across his scruffy jaw. “I’d
never hear the end of that back in Omaha!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The two older men wandered off toward the barn as
Rachel pulled Lou toward the table, the boys pushing in around her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sit yourself down, girl,” Rachel smiled. “You look tuckered out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shrugged.
She looked over at Kid and admitted, “I ain’t ‘xactly been sleepin’ well
lately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t imagine why,” Rachel laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?” Cody asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I bet it was the hard ground on the ride here,”
Jimmy smirked, knowing how much Lou’d always loved sleeping outside on extended
runs, not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid glared at him, but didn’t move from where he’d
seated himself next to Lou, one arm wrapped around her waist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*No,* Ike signed.
*It’s the sore muscles she’s got from tripping over her skirts all the
time.*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You better watch out I don’t ‘trip’ over you,” Lou growled
at him, shaking her fist, but loving being back at the center of her brothers
affectionate teasing. Even more, she
loved the feel of Kid pressed tight to her side, his arm wrapped securely
around her. As long as she didn’t let her mind wander, in this moment, at this
time, all was right with her world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, Rachel, ya got anythin’ fer a snack?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned to look at Kid in question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You had a long trip here, Lou,” he said
quietly. “You never eat well when yer
travelin’. It wasn’t that long ago you
were so thin a good wind could blow ya away and now yer eatin’ fer two.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His voice softened at the end and she couldn’t do
anything but smile at his concern. And,
truth was, she<i> was</i> starving. Again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It just so happens I’ve got a plate of oatmeal
cookies here,” Rachel said, turning back toward the table to lay the platter in
the center. She paused just before
setting it down on the wooden table to glare at the others. “You’un’s can wait
‘til after supper,” she said sternly.
“These are for Lou and the young’un.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Awwww, Rachel,” Buck moaned, snatching his hand
back from where he’d been reaching out to grab a cookie off the plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t ‘Awww, Rachel’ me, young man,” she said,
turning to snap a towel at Cody who was still trying to sneak a cookie while
her back was turned. “Don’t you all have
chores to finish?” she asked pointedly.
“Lou’ll still be here come dinner time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, ma’am,” they groaned and began to shuffle back
out the bunkhouse door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou couldn’t help but giggle at the hangdog
expressions each and every one of them wore as they snuck glances back toward
her, cookie in hand, first bite already being eagerly crunched in her mouth. She leaned back with a contented sigh and snuggled into Kid's embrace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And you shoulda seen her face when she realized I
wasn’t even the errand boy she thought I was when she first opened the door,”
Lou giggled in remembrance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Emma with a maid,” Jimmy shook his head. “I just can’t credit it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It wasn’t exactly her choice,” Sam smiled. “There was a lot of pressure from the other
‘Society’ ladies to have a proper staff.
And when we found out she was expectin’, I gotta say, I joined in. Ain’t like we’re payin’ fer it,” he added
with a smug grin. He plucked at the
badge pinned to his shirt. “Perks of the job an’ all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait a minute,” Teaspoon interrupted in mock
outrage. “Yer tellin’ me they not only gave ya the house but are payin’ fer a
staff, too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yup,” Sam grinned, leaning back in his chair with a
satisfied sigh. “Cook, housekeeper, maid
and gardener.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And all’s I get is this bunch of rapscallions, a
cot in a jail cell and the tack room?” Teaspoon grumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Aw, you love us and you know it,* Ike gesticulated,
grinning. *You wouldn’t change places
with Sam fer nothin’. ‘Sides, what’d you do with a maid?*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon tilted his head in rueful recognition of
Ike’s words. “Still…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And little Miss Abigail is still tryin’ ta figure
out her place in things,” Sam said, bringing the conversation back to the
spitfire maid Lou’d been telling them all about. “Emma agreed to hire a staff, but she didn’t
precisely take the normal route.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’d she do, hire the first three beggars to come
to her door?” Teaspoon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Purt near,” Sam nodded. “Mrs. Peabody’s a widow lady who was about ta
lose her home. Emma found her at church,
prayin’ fer rescue. Abigail just aged
out of the orphanage and had nowhere’s else ta go. Timmy, the gardener, is barely big enough to
pick up the hoe. But he’s another
orphan. Emma rescued him from …. well,
let’s just call them some nasty folks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Didn’t you say y’all had a cook, too?” Buck
asked. “I can’t imagine Emma lettin’
someone else cook in her house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She doesn’t much, despite his title. He’s a Chinaman whose store burned down about
a month ago. He didn’t have nowheres ta go, so she offered him the job. Can’t speak a lick of English, but somehow
they communicate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou smiled.
It was all just so… Emma. But this
talk of staff had her thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Teaspoon, now I ain’t a rider no more, what am I
gonna do here?” she asked suddenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou, you know I’ll--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid,” Lou said, interrupting him. “I’m carryin’, not helpless. I need ta be doin’ somethin’. I gotta carry
my own wait or I’ll go crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ll help me out in the kitchen,” Rachel
smiled. “Cookin’ and cleanin’ fer this
lot really requires two people anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So, what’re ya makin’ fer breakfast, Lou?” Cody
asked, grinning. “Porridge?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The table burst out in laughter as they all looked
at Jimmy, notorious for not being able to cook anything else but porridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wouldn’t laugh,” she said. “Leastwise, not ‘til ye’ve at least tasted my
cookin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buck suddenly lifted his head and listened intently,
then jumped up from the table, stuffing the last of his biscuit into his mouth
as he grabbed his hat and ran for the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Rider comin’,” he shouted over his shoulder as he
ran out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou watched through the open door as Buck darted
across the bunkhouse porch and flew onto the back of his horse, nudging it into
motion with his knees. She gloried in
the smooth handoff of mochila from a strange rider to Buck and kept her eyes on
Buck until he disappeared down the street.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh,
how she missed it already,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> she thought sadly, turning her
eyes back to the plate in front of her.
The conversation continued to flow around her as she began to push her
food around on her plate, having lost her appetite with the reminder of what
she could no longer do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A soft nudge against her ribs pulled her out of her
thoughts and she looked up just as the other rider came trudging into the
bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ignoring those seated at the table he moved straight
to one of the far, top bunks and stripped his dirty, sweaty shirt off over his
head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hard ride, son?” Teaspoon asked kindly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The boy ignored him and dropped his shirt on the
floor. Then he walked across to the wash
bowl and pitcher set on a counter by the window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You hungry?” Rachel asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He paused to look at her a moment and shake his
head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too tired to eat,” he said, pouring a bit of water
into the bowl and using it to wash his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Looks like it was a hard run,” Kid empathized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too hard,” the boy grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hard work builds character,” Teaspoon opined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The boy slanted a devilish look at the assembled
group as he walked back over to his bunk and pulled a fresh shirt out of his
trunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just what this place needs,” he said, pulling the
shirt on and walking over to the table as he buttoned it, “another character.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon laughed, then nodded at Lou and said, “Lou,
this here’s yer replacement, Jesse. Jesse James. Jesse, this is Lou.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t look like much of a rider ta me,” Jesse
grunted as he grabbed a biscuit and plopped it on his plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let me guess,” she smiled. “I’m a bit puny? Ain’t that the kettle callin’ the pot black?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t let looks fool ya, boy,” Sam smiled. “Lou here was one of the best in the business,
‘fore she found a new job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed as the conversation once again began to
ebb and flow around her. A new job Sam
had said. She just wished she knew what
that was, who she was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou found herself staring at the pile of ingredients
in front of her without the faintest idea of what to do. Rachel had told her to make biscuits. She’d even left a recipe for her to
follow. But, how much was a pinch? And what was a dash? Lou sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel came trundling into the bunkhouse with a
basket over her arm and a smile a mile wide on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s got you grinnin’ like the cat that ate the
canary?” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think Noah’s got himself a sweetheart,” Rachel
said, grinning even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Really?
Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A new girl here in town,” Rachel explained. “He met her a few days ago. She’s real sweet. Her name’s Cassie, Cassie Ellis. Works in the laundry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell me all about her,” Lou demanded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel laughed at the protective tone in Lou’s
voice. “Well, she’s almost as new to town as we are. She’s got a younger brother, Quinn, who helps
out at the laundry. The two of them are
inseparable. From what I hear she raised
the boy herself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds like a good choice then,” Lou grunted in
provisional approval. “Just how serious
is this courtship?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Give them some time and space, Lou,” Rachel said
warningly. “They’re just getting started
and need to figure some things out for themselves before we go interfering. You ought to know what that’s like.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou ducked her head, blushing, and nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t believe they managed to walk out without
something so basic,” Rachel said, suddenly rifling through the box of supplies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s wrong?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The boys didn’t pick up the flour I needed when
they got supplies yesterday,” Rachel sighed, shaking her head. “Guess I’ll have
to run down to the mercantile and get it myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou put her hand on Rachel’s arm, stopping her move
to untie her apron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let me do it,” she said. With a half smile, she added, “I am s’posed
ta be yer helper now, ain’t I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I guess you are at that,” Rachel agreed, smiling
back at the smaller woman. “Do you know
where it is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yep, passed right by it on our way here,” she said,
nodding as she headed for the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just tell him to put it on our account,” Rachel
called after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rock Creek sure was a lot more crowded than
Sweetwater, Lou thought to herself as she pushed past several people standing
on the edge of the boardwalk. She heard
a commotion down the street, but didn’t pay it any mind. She figured it was a couple of cowboys who’d
had too much to drink and Teaspoon would take care of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Slipping past the last of the bystanders gawking at
the fight, she walked into the mercantile and looked around. It was very similar to Tompkin’s store back
in Sweetwater, but that wasn’t much of a surprise. Most general stores she’d been in around the
territory had much the same look about them.
Along one wall were the barrels of dried goods and fresh fruits and vegetables
for sale. Another wall held assorted
farm tools and weaponry. On tables down
the middle were the fabrics, hats and shoes, along with various other sundries.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She paused to look at a beautiful white baby gown,
carefully embroidered with a yellow and green edging. Reaching out she tenderly caressed the soft
fabric and silky threads, her other hand coming up to unconsciously soothe her
child. She realized she needed to buy
materials for baby clothes, diapers, blankets.
There were so many supplies they’d need before the baby came. Would they be ready in time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I tell you, that boy of yours is headed for trouble,
Teaspoon,” a familiar voice rang out as heavy footfalls pounded down the
boardwalk and into the store. “If you
don’t keep a closer reign on him, he’s going to cause some serious trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou blanched as she turned and recognized the
speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t you be worryin’ none ‘bout Noah,” Teaspoon
said. “I’ve already had a talk with him. He’ll leave Sgt. LeBrand alone as long as
LeBrand leaves the Ellis girl be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins, <i>Tompkins?,</i>
shook his head. “I don’t think that’s
enough with that young firebrand, Marshal.
I tell you, you gotta keep them nig…. black folks under a closer
watch. They can’t hold their tempers’ as
well as the rest of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou started to slowly back out of the store, not
really wanting to face the man. She’d
had no problem appearing as a woman in Rock Creek so far. No one here really knew her. But, Tompkins? He knew her all too well, as Lou, not
Louise. He could ruin her chances of a
normal life here if he let one word spill about what he knew. <i>And how had he gotten here anyway? </i> she wondered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, her efforts at making a stealthy
departure were trumped when she knocked a large stack of dime novels off the
table with her burgeoning stomach while turning around. She winced when she heard Teaspoon call out
to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou, that you? Come over here and say, ‘Hello,’ to
our old friend Tompkins.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She sighed, her shoulders slumping, as she turned
back around and made her way over to Teaspoon’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins raised an eyebrow as he looked her up and
down, carefully noting every feminine thing about her, his perusal coming to a
halt as his eyes reached her belly.
Teaspoon wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her tight to his
side even as she put her hands protectively over her stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tompkins, you remember my <i>niece, </i>Louise McCloud, dontcha?” Teaspoon asked jovially, with a
slight warning note underlining the word niece<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou stiffened, wondering what Teaspoon was up to
now. Why claim her as kin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins cleared his throat, then said, “Nice ta see
ya again, Lou. I see you’ve filled out
nicely since we last met. Who’s the
lucky fella?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon shook his head, “Tompkins, you sure ain’t
changed much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tompkins shrugged, keeping his gaze on Lou as he
answered, “Well, when I find somethin’ that works, I stick to it. Somethin’ I’d recommend for everyone in
life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So, what’re ya doin’ here, darlin’?” Teaspoon
asked, changing the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh!” Lou started, tearing her gaze from Tompkins,
though still trying to figure out what he was thinking and planning. “The boys forgot to get flour when they
picked up supplies yesterday. Rachel
sent me to get some.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll have that right out,” Tompkins said,
immediately heading toward the backroom, letting nothing interfere with a
sale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No, he hadn’t changed a bit. Though he hadn’t acted
all that surprised at seeing her in a dress, just showed surprise at her
condition. <i>But what did that mean for
her?</i> Lou wondered uneasily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ready?” Kid asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded, hanging her apron on the nail by the
stove. Teaspoon had added it yesterday, right next to the nail for Rachel’s
apron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Slipping her hand through Kid’s crooked arm, she
allowed him to lead her out the door.
She’d only been in Rock Creek a couple of days, but this walk across the
yard had become a nightly ritual for them and she relished the few minutes of
alone time it gave them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s been nice seein’ Sam again,” Kid said after a
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” she agreed. “I’ll be sad ta see him go
tomorrow, but I know he’s anxious ta get back ta Emma.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s hard ta believe she’s really expectin’,” Kid
grinned ruefully. “Oh, sure, I can see
her as a mother. But increasin’? It’s
just hard to imagine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou laughed, the silvery notes carrying across the
Express Station yard, causing Jimmy to raise his head from where he was working
with Sundance and look their way. Her
free hand came to rest on her own expanding girth as they climbed the steps to
Rachel’s house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t say I ever could’ve imagined myself lookin’
like this, either. I dreamed about
family, a hu… husband, children, plenty.
But, this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid turned toward her, one hand tilting her chin up
so their eyes met as they stopped by the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I could. A
hundred times over,” he said softly.
“And you’re just as beautiful… no, more beautiful, than I ever
imagined.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She blushed but he didn’t let her pull away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t hardly wait for the day I can claim the two
of you for my own,” he whispered, lowering his head to gently brush his lips
across hers. “But for all of us, I can’t
let this little one speed our courtship up too much. We still need ta figure us out before baby
gets here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded, as much to keep him kissing her as in
agreement with what he was saying. She missed his presence, even on the
occasional basis it had been before, in the bed next to her. She always slept better in his arms, even
when he snored. She pressed herself
closer to him, glorying in the strength of his embrace, the warmth of his
muscles beneath her seeking fingers, the firmness of his lips as they caressed
hers, again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, with a sigh, he pulled back. “I better go,”
he said with tender regret. “Good night,
Lou. I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He turned and began to head across the yard, her
words wafting after him on the spring night air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you, too, Kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou waited until she’d watched Kid disappear inside
the barn to check on Katy before opening the door and heading up to her own
room. There, she heaved a relieved sigh
as she began to peel off the often times uncomfortable layers of her dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There were days she’d happily run around in her
trousers and shirt, belly and all. They
were so much more comfortable and lighter.
But she just couldn’t get them fastened anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once in her nightgown, she moved over to the window
to look out and see if she could catch a glimpse of Kid as he returned to the
bunkhouse from the barn. When she’d
shared the bunkhouse with them, she’d always been unable to relax enough to
truly sleep until he’d turned in for the night.
That hadn’t really changed. So,
she kept a nightly vigil from her room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This time, though, he didn’t head straight to the
bunkhouse. He wandered over to say something to Buck, who was leaning on the
edge of the buckboard. Then, Noah came
stomping out of the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She shivered at the look on Noah’s face. He’d been
silently fuming throughout dinner, his face marked with cuts and bruises from
his fight with that Army recruiter, LeBrand.
She worried what he might do in this mood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And she could tell that whatever Kid and Buck were
saying to him wasn’t helping. Noah
exploded over something, then turned his back on the others and stomped
away. She watched him leave the yard,
headed off into the night. Her eyebrows
rose a bit as she noted he was headed in the general direction of the laundry
and Cassie Ellis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed as she turned the page. She was bored and not even Cody’s latest dime
novel was helping. She’d slept poorly
the night before, worrying about Noah and Cassie and LeBrand. So when she’d come down this morning to help
Rachel with breakfast, the other woman had insisted she spend the day taking it
easy, instead. Only problem was, Lou
didn’t handle having nothing to do very well.
Cody had seen her moping around by the horse paddock and offered her his
latest precious adventure story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was really very sweet of him,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> she thought. But she just couldn’t get into the account of
an enterprising cowboy stopping a bank robbery in a small no-name town only to
get accused of being part of the gang of robbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe that had to do with their own mystery right
here in Rock Creek and the accusations being flung against one of her brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t believe anyone would think Noah was a
murderer,” Cody said pensively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned to look back at where Cody sat, leaning
against the wall of the bunkhouse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“From what I hear, no one’s given him a chance,” she
said protectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It ain’t gonna matter much if they find out we
don’t know where he went last night,” Kid muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They’d heard the news at breakfast. Jesse had found Sgt. LeBrand dead behind the
mercantile last night while on his way back to the bunkhouse from the
saloon. Everyone in town assumed Noah’d
killed him cause of the fight the two had had over Cassie Ellis and the threats
Noah had made then to kill LeBrand if he ever bothered Cassie again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly, the bunkhouse door banged open and Noah
came storming out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I went for a walk.
I guess a man my color ain’t allowed ta do that around here, hunh?” he
growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know it ain’t like that, Noah,” Rachel said,
placing a placating hand on his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He shook her off. “The hell I don’t. Teaspoon wants
me ta hole up here like a caged animal!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Teaspoon’s got yer best interests at heart,” Kid
said, moving to stand next to Lou, where she sat on the top step.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, that’s easy for you to say. ‘Cause you ain’t
colored,” he sneered pointing at Kid, “and you ain’t accused of killin’ a white
man,” he added pointing at Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid bristled at the insult to Lou and started toward
Noah with fists curled, but Lou grabbed his arm and shook her head firmly. The last thing they all needed was a fight
inside the family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah saw the interaction and sneered again, before
jumping off the edge of the porch, deliberately keeping his distance from Lou,
and storming away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid wrapped both arms around Lou and pulled her
tight against him. She rested her cheek
against his chest and sighed in near contentment, despite her worry about Noah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You alright?” he asked in concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She laughed, reaching up to pat his cheek. “I think
I can handle a few harsh words from Noah without breakin’ down, Kid. He didn’t even really mean them. He’s just
under a lotta pressure right now. We’ve all been there at some point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid nodded and pulled her tight into his embrace
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neither of them noticed Cody’s not so discreet
cough, or Rachel’s pushing the blonde rider back into the bunkhouse to give
them privacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Across the street, two women huddled on the
boardwalk, watching the goings on at the Express Station with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t understand why the Marshal hasn’t put that
nigger in jail yet,” the taller woman muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Does it really surprise you? Look at the lack of morals over there?” the
slighter, darker woman hissed. “She’s
expecting and there’s no sign of a husband.
But she’s sure been real familiar with several of those riders. Why, look at how she’s shamelessly cavorting
with that one right out in plain view of the street.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both women shook their heads in dismay before
turning away sharply and walking down the boardwalk toward Tompkins’ store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou desultorily moved the broom across the bunkhouse
floor. Teaspoon had asked them to stay
close to the buildings at the Express Station after the Army unit had arrived
to investigate LeBrand’s death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her hands clenched, white knuckled, around the handle
of the broom as she fought off another wave of fear and worry for Noah. Even if he had killed LeBrand, she knew he’d
never do it by stabbing him in the back, like Teaspoon’d said the sergeant had
died. But the rest of the town just didn’t
know Noah that well. And as a black man… well, they weren’t willing to give him
a chance. Not this town, not in this day
and age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You got no right to do this.” Rachel’s worried voice came floating through
the open window, accompanied by the determined tromping of at least two men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned toward the door as it opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“With all due respect, ma’am,” said a kindly looking
but determined older man dressed in Army blues.
“I do have the right.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou recognized him as the man Teaspoon had told them
was Colonel Edwin Sawyer, head investigator for the Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel turned to Teaspoon who had followed the two
of them into the bunkhouse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Teaspoon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He sighed.
“Rachel, I’m afraid we don’t got no choice. The Territorial Governor ordered me to
cooperate with the colonel as much as possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Colonel Sawyer stood in the middle of the bunkhouse,
slowly surveying every corner .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Which one is Dixon’s bunk?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon pointed to the bottom bed nearest the wash
counter. Sawyer strode over to it and
immediately began pulling the blankets back.
When he found nothing there, he lifted the straw-filled tic that served
as a mattress. Still nothing. Then he
bent down and pulled a trunk out from beneath the bunk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou started to say something, anything to stop
him. She knew Noah had personal things
in there he didn’t want anyone looking at, things that reminded him of the
past. They all had things like
that. Ike had his parents’ Bible, Jimmy
his guns, Buck.. well, she didn’t know what Buck had, but she knew he had
something. They were those little bits
of a beloved past that none of them wanted to share with the world for fear the
world would somehow snatch the reminders away just like it had the people
they’d loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon grabbed her arm and shook his head
warningly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you expect to find?” she asked, instead of
saying what she really wanted to scream at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t expect to find anything, young lady,”
Sawyer said, never looking away as he shoved things around in the trunk. “But I’m going to look.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, you’re wasting your time,” she huffed,
crossing her arms over her chest and tucking her hands into her armpits in the
comfortingly familiar defensive gesture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly the colonel’s movement stopped. Then he
turned back toward Lou, Teaspoon and Rachel, holding something up in his open
hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Am I?” he asked heavily. He pointed to something engraved on the back
of the pocket watch. “E. L. Earl
LeBrand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head, denying what the colonel was
saying without saying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Someone musta put that in there,” she maintained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The colonel ignored her, striding toward the door
and out to his aide, waiting outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get the rest of the men,” she heard him say
urgently. “Find Noah Dixon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She, Rachel and Teaspoon shared a tense, worried
look as they waited for the Army men’s footsteps to fade into the
distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When she was sure they were gone, she asked,
“Where’s Noah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon shrugged.
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t stay
here, like I asked him to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel sighed. “He took Cassie for a ride, down by
the creek. Said they needed some time
away from all this…” she waved her hand feebly to indicate the problems
surrounding them. “Wanted to get to know
her better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded decisively. “I’m going after him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?!” Teaspoon exclaimed, reaching out to grab her
arm as she pulled off her apron and headed for the door. “You can’t do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then who will?” she demanded. “Rachel can barely
stay on a horse. If you take off
suddenly, they’ll know where you’re headed.
Buck and Jimmy are off on runs. Jesse’s disappeared. And ya sent Kid and Ike over ta Fairbury ta
pick up them new horses.” She shook her
head. “That leaves me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She pulled away from Teaspoon and hurried toward the
door again, pausing in the doorway, she put one hand on her belly and looked
back at the two older adults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll be careful,” she promised. “Don’t worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I feel so ridiculous,” Lou muttered to herself as
she rushed to fasten on the gunbelt. Her
own hadn’t fit anymore when she’d tried to put it on and she’d had to ‘borrow’
Teaspoon’s old one from the tackroom. But
she didn’t feel right riding out without a weapon right now. “Finally!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Relieved to have the thing finally wrapped around
her hips and slung below her belly, as odd as that felt and looked, she heaved
herself up into the saddle on Lightning’s back, the lead lines to Noah’s mount
in one hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Alright, boy,” she said, leaning forward to pat his
neck. “Fast, but not too fast. Don’t’ ferget yer carryin’ two of us
now. But we gotta find Noah before them
Army men. Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon, all that could be heard was the pounding of
hooves as the two horses and one rider disappeared in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed in frustration as she pulled Lightning to
a stop atop the hill. She looked around
in all directions, hoping for some clue as to where Noah and Cassie might
be. She’d already checked all the places
by the creek where Kid had taken her on walks and rides since she’d
arrived. But, apparently, Noah preferred
something even more secluded. She’d now
ridden further from Rock Creek than she had since the day she’d arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of creaking wheels and the jangle of
leather leads, accompanied by the slow clip clop of horses’ hooves pulled her
attention to the northwest. There! She saw Noah and Cassie coming into distant
view in a buckboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She waved her arm frantically over her head, as she
spurred Lightning into a gallop toward them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Noah!” she called.
Then, as she got closer, she added, “Noah, you gotta get outta here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She panted as Lightning pulled to a stop next to the
buckboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?” the slim, dark lady seated on the buckboard
next to Noah asked in confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s wrong?” Noah asked, worried about would make
her ride so hard in her condition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Colonel Sawyer ain’t gonna listen ta reason and we
ain’t got time fer a discussion,” Lou spat out as fast as she could. “Now get!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie gasped in horror and turned pleading eyes to
Noah. “She’s right,” she said in her
soft voice. “You have to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah grasped Cassie’s hand and held it to his chest
as he said, “Cassie, I’ve-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She lifted her hand to his lips to stop him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’d kill me to see you in jail,” she said. “You’ve gotta go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There he is!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They all turned at the distant shout to see a group
of soldiers galloping toward them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do it for me?” Cassie pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah nodded and jumped out of the buckboard, headed
for the horse Lou had brought him. Just
as he landed a shot rang out and one leg buckled beneath him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie, seeing the blood blooming along Noah’s pant
leg, screamed. But Noah nodded
reassuringly at her as he limped quickly to the horse and threw himself into
the saddle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Damn it,” Lou muttered, struggling to pull her
revolver out of the holster while having to maneuver around her skirts and
enlarged stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go!” Cassie yelled after the fleeing Noah. Then, seeing the soldiers weren’t slowing
down, she jumped out of the buckboard, too, and into their path. “No! No, please! Don’t shoot him! Don’t shoot
him!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The colonel pulled his horse to a stop and held up
one hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hold your fire!” he called out to his men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou, finally having her gun free of her skirts, held
it up in a competent hand and cocked the trigger. “I wouldn’t go no further,
Colonel Sawyer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You will regret this,” Sawyer said through gritted
teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe so,” Lou answered. “But you won’t be hanging an innocent man
today. Not on my watch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She didn’t lower her gun until the last sounds of
Noah’s racing horse had faded into the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou struggled to hide a grin at the looks from the
town’s people as they took in the preposterous sight of an Army unit bringing
back a pregnant woman in chains. They
gaped at the sight like a school of fish suddenly flung up on the shore and
unable to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The urge to giggle faded as they came to a stop
outside the Marshal’s Office and she saw Teaspoon’s eyes widen at the
sight. Suddenly, things didn’t seem
quite so funny anymore. Teaspoon came
storming out of the door, spitting epithets she’d never heard from him before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What in tarnation is goin’ on, Colonel?” Teaspoon
finally sputtered coherently. “Yer never
goin’ ta convince me this little gal killed LeBrand. ‘Sides, I know she’s got aley-byes. Several of ‘em.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Marshal, this woman is charged with aiding and
abetting the escape of a wanted man,” Sawyer calmly responded as he
dismounted. He motioned to his aide to
help her dismount and take her on into the building. “I expect you to lock her up, just like any
other criminal. Her condition is no excuse for violating the law of this land.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon gritted his teeth and glared as they
escorted Lou into his office and straight to the first, empty, cell. Once she was inside, he walked up and sighed
profoundly as he locked the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What the hell were ya thinkin’, gal?” he hissed
under his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was savin’ Noah from a hangin’,” she answered tartly. “And I was right to do it. They never even gave him a chance ta
surrender. Second they got within firin’
distance, they shot at him, Teaspoon.
Noah, he’s hurt. I don’t know how
bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cassie?” he asked, worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head. “She’s fine. She was followin’ us back with the buckboard.
She’s probably over at the barn, now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon nodded and turned back to Sawyer, who had
stepped back to the front of the office and was waiting with his aide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You had no right to shoot at Noah,” he stormed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sawyer shrugged. “He was fleeing from an officer of
the United States government who had ordered him not to resist.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did he draw on ya?” Teaspoon demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At that question, the colonel looked a tad
uncomfortable. “No,” he said. Then turned to glare at Lou, where she stood
in the jail cell clutching the bars. “But she did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And she’s locked up,” Teaspoon harrumphed. “She
ain’t gonna do ya a lot of harm.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The harm is done.
So from now on I don’t want to see you or your riders, or any of your
other employees, male or female. And if
I do, these cells are going to be very crowded.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Turning, Sawyer marched determinedly out of the
Marshal’s Office, his aide following along behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon watched him go, glaring the entire
time. When the door had swung shut behind
him, he’d mounted up and the entire troop had ridden off down the street,
Teaspoon turned back to where Lou stood in the cell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What the hell were ya thinkin’, Lou?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t believe you did this,” Kid raged, pacing
back and forth across the Marshal’s office, one hand running worriedly through
his hair. He stopped mid-pace to
ask,”What the hell were you thinkin’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But he didn’t wait for an answer, resuming his rapid
movement back and forth across the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed as she watched him. He’d been there for a
good 15 minutes, railing at her without giving her a chance to say a
thing. At first, she’d understood his
upset and been willing to let him have his say. But she was started to get fed
up with his attitude. If he asked her
one more time….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You coulda gotten the baby killed…. or worse,” he
raged on. “Did ya even stop ta think
about that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That did it. She’d had enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What the hell should I have done? Sat on the porch and cried?” she returned,
each word getting a touch louder until she was practically shouting at the top
of her lungs. “Noah’s family, same as
the rest of y’all! I couldn’t just sit
back and wait for word they’d shot him, or worse!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the
room, staring at her in astonishment as she finally let loose all the worry and
fear she’d had inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…. I had ta do somethin’, Kid,” she finally said
as her tirade slowed. “I didn’t take
risks. I woulda put the gun down before
I’d let them shoot us, but no way they was goin’ ta shoot a woman with child! I had ta help,” she said at last. “At least, I had ta try.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid sighed and sank down into the chair Teaspoon had
left next to the cell doors. He reached
in and grabbed her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry,” he said. “I.... it’s just.. the thought of what coulda
happened ta you tears me apart. I
thought I’d lost ya once, you and the babe.
I can’t go through that again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou ran a soothing hand along his arm in
understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know, Kid,” she said quietly. “And I am tryin’ ta be more careful. Believe me, our baby’s safety comes
first. But that doesn’t mean I can stop
bein’ me, stop carin’ about the others in our lives, stop tryin’ ta help and
protect ‘em. Fact is… I feel stronger
‘bout that now, than ever before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What now?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now?” She
looked around the jail cell. “I guess
now it’s up to y’all. I’m sorta stuck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid half smiled at her jest. He thought for a moment, running his hand
through his hair in another agitated gesture.
Finally he said, “I’ll get the others and we’ll ride out, see if we can
find Noah. Get him some supplies, let
him know what happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded.
“Sounds like a good idea ta me. But.... be careful, Kid. I don’t like y’all ridin’ out alone like
that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid turned his boyish grin on her as he reached out
to tweak her nose, “Well, it’s yer own fault this time. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We didn’t clap ya in irons and put ya behind
bars.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou smiled at the memory. His reaction to her choice to go after Noah
had been just as explosive as she’d expected, but once he’d had a chance to let
off steam, he’d been able to see her side of things. It was an improvement over the way things had
been for awhile before. He was learning to deal with his desire to protect her,
just as she was learning to think about others concerns before risking herslf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She sighed forlornly. She had absolutely nothing to do, except sit
here watching the life of the town pass by outside the big plate glass window
at the front of the Marshal’s Office. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the sound of the backdoor creaking open, she
turned to see who was coming in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Jesse?” she asked uncertainly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hey, Louise,” he said despondently as he wandered
into the room and slid into the seat by her cell. “You doin’ alright?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m fine,” she said. “A bit bored, but safe as a bug in a rug.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“At least ya know why they left ya behind,” he
muttered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What ya talkin’ ‘bout?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I thought I was startin’ ta make friends with the
rest of them, Kid, Jimmy, Ike…. but soon’s trouble comes, they go ridin’ off ta
the rescue and leave me behind ta ‘protect’ you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let me guess,” she smiled. “Kid?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wouldn’t take that as an insult,” she said. “If he trusts you to protect me… well, that’s
a right fine complement.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s just that they keep treatin’ me like I’m a kid
or somethin’,” he near growled. “I do
the same work they do, ride the same runs, face the same dangers, but they
never quite accept me as one of ‘em.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Jesse,” she said softly, “we’ve all been together
fer over a year now. It’s goin’ ta take
more than a few weeks ta become one of the gang. But the fact yer here, now, tells me yer well
on the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He made a rude noise at that and she grinned a
little. Boys were boys, no matter the
age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ya know, it took us all awhile ta get used ta Noah,
after he joined us,” she said, smiling. “And did anyone ever tell ya how I
tried ta chase Rachel off when she first come?
Bein’ the new kid’s not easy, but if ya stick it out, you’ll find soon
enough that yer just one of the boys.
Give it some time. More’n I ever was!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ya swear?” Jesse asked plaintively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are ya a Pony Express rider?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then I’m sure,” she said. Looking around, she leaned forward and
whispered, “Listen, I been thinkin’ since Kid and the others left. I think I know where Noah’s at. If I tell ya, think ya could get some
supplies and a message to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesse brightened immediately and leaned forward
eagerly. “Sure I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou?
Louise?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou rolled over and sat up with a groan. She’d lain down on the cot because she was
bored. But apparently she’d been tired,
too, for she’d fallen asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” she said, blinking to make the world come
into focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Standing in front of the jail cell’s bars stood the
pretty young lady with the chocolate colored skin who’d been with Noah when
Lou’d found him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Cassie?” she asked. “Cassie Ellis?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, ma’am,” Cassie said, smiling hesitantly and
nodding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you alright?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, yes, I’m fine,” Cassie said. “And so’s Noah, thanks to you. That’s….
that’s why I came, to thank you. Ain’t
many white women would stick their necks out for a black man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head. “First off, if he was innocent,
I’da tried ta help no matter what. I don’t care about the color of his skin.
And second, Noah’s not just any man.
He’s family. And family takes
care of family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie nodded again, this time slowly,
consideringly. “That’s what he said, but
it’s hard fer me ta believe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, it ain’t somethin’ that’s gonna change,” Lou
grinned. “And things keep goin’ the way they
are ‘tween you and Noah, you’ll be a part of this family soon enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie blushed and ducked her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You like him a lot, dontcha, Cassie?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s…. he’s a good man,” she said. “Maybe too good for the likes of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In an effort to change the topic, she reached down
to pick up a basket she’d set on the chair by the cell bars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Here,” she said. “I don’t know how long Marshal Hunter’ll
make ya stay here. So… I brought ya
somethin’ ta tide ya over.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sniffed and inhaled the enticing scent of warm
zucchini muffins. She reached through
the bars and eagerly grabbed one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Maybe it’s the other way ‘round and yer too good
fer him, ever think of that?” Lou asked with a twinkle in her eye as she
brought the muffin to her mouth. She
took a large bite and moaned in pleasure as the flavors burst on her
tongue. “Delicious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie laughed.
“Guess I was right ‘bout ya needin’ a snack.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shrugged, continuing to munch on the
muffin. Cassie turned to set the basket
back down on the chair. But Lou stopped chewing when she noticed Cassie freeze
for a moment, wincing in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lowering the hand with the muffin, she reached
through the jail cell bars with her other to gently touch Cassie on the arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s wrong?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No…nothin’,” Cassie said quietly, shying away from
Lou’s touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, somethin’s wrong,” Lou insisted. “Talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I.. I can’t,” Cassie whispered so quietly Lou could
barely hear her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An unsettled feeling sunk in Lou’s stomach like a
stone plummeting to the bottom of the watering hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He hurt you, didn’t he?” she asked, suddenly certain
of her conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, Noah’s never hurt me,” Cassie whirled, fiercely
protective. As she turned, her bodice
shifted, revealing the edge of a purple, green and black bruise along her chest
and neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know that, Cassie,” Lou said gently. “But it’s obvious someone did. Someone named
LeBrand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie deflated, sinking into the chair by the bars,
hugging the basket of muffins to her chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It was a long day. And I was workin’ very late. I
was just about finished…. when Lebrand showed up,” she whispered hoarsely. “’So there you are!’ he yelled when he
grabbed me, pushing me up against the wall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shifted uncomfortably on her feet, then sank to
her knees at Cassie’s side, reaching one hand out through the cell bars to
settle it over Cassie’s hands on the basket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie stared straight ahead, not meeting Lou’s
eyes, as she shared her horror story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He was drunk,” she said. “I… I tried to run, but he yelled at me to
come back and then grabbed me and threw me to the ground. He had his mind on
only one thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shivered, all too able to imagine the scene
Cassie was describing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He kept saying things like he’d show me how to
enjoy it. I guess he thought havin’ me
was the best way of getting’ back at Noah.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie paused to gulp in a breath. She looked down at her hands and noticed
Lou’s. Her fingers twisted to curl
around the other woman’s, dark brown skin entwined with pale golden skin in
shared pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I tried ta fight him,” she said, each word getting
a little bit quieter. But Lou didn’t
really need to hear them. She knew what
Cassie was saying. “But he was too strong.
He forced himself on me. All I
could see was Mama. She died tryin’ ta
save me from this. And I wasn’t gonna
let it happen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie started breathing harder, as if fighting him
off again, in her memories. Lou winced as Cassie’s grip tightened around her
fingers, pinching them. But she didn’t
pull away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I got my hands on some scissors. I didn’t think twice about…” She stopped,
not completing the sentence, but Lou knew what she wasn’t saying. Cassie had killed LeBrand. “Quinn came out right after I killed him and
helped me get rid of the body. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “If Noah had
known what LeBrand had done to you, he’d have killed him without a second
thought. Any one of us woulda taken him
on fer ya, Cassie,” Lou said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie nodded jerkily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The two women sat quietly, connected by their hands
and their own unique, yet quite similar, painful experiences. Neither said anything as they contemplated
their own thoughts and experiences, how it had changed them, and where they
went from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A sudden shouting outside the big window at the
front of the Marshal’s Office, followed by the rapid stomping of boots racing
down the boardwalk jerked them out of their contemplation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s goin’ on?” Lou asked anxiously, trying
frantically to see out the window and through the crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…. I don’t know,” Cassie murmured shakily. She
stood up and walked toward the window to get a better view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She gasped at the same time Lou heard a familiar
voice floating through the window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hear you’ve been lookin’ fer me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s Noah!” Lou said unnecessarily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s he doin’ out there?” Cassie asked nervously,
standing on tiptoe as she peered out the window, wringing her hands in front of
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you think?” Lou asked a bit shortly. “Tryin’ ta save you. He’s goin’ ta let the soldiers arrest him,
take his chances on a trial.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie turned back to face Lou, her face stretched
taut with fear, worry and inability to make a decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve gotta go out there, Cassie,” Lou said
quietly, trying to keep the other woman from fleeing. “You gotta tell the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But… my brother….. I can’t….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, you can,” Lou said. “Ain’t no shame in what happened to ya. It weren’t yer fault. And what ya did, that was just self-defense.
Teaspoon won’t let ‘em arrest ya fer that.
He’ll… we’ll all… keep you, and Quinn!, safe. Like we shoulda done before this ever
happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as she was saying the words to Cassie, a part
of Lou, deep inside, realized they were the truth for her as well. Rachel, Kid, they’d told her similar things,
but she’d never quite believed them. Not
until this moment, in this place, with this woman who’d suffered just like
here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can do it,” Lou whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cassie gulped back a half sob and nodded jerkily
before pulling open the door and stepping out onto the boardwalk. Lou nodded with pride as she watched the
slender woman push past several burly cowboys, farmers and soldiers to reach
the front. Quinn came racing to her
side, pressing close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait,” Lou heard Cassie call out, calmly, full of
assurance. “Noah didn’t kill that
man.” Then, a little quieter, “I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Looks like ye’ll get ta eat dinner at home with the
rest of us tonight, after all,” Teaspoon grinned as he walked up to the cell
doors and quickly unlocked them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped out
from behind the bars and into freedom once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t get me wrong, I’d do it all over again, fer
ya, Noah. You, too, Cassie,” Lou
smiled. “But I sure am glad ta be shut
of that cell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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circumstances. It definitely ain’t made
ta handle a pregnant woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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into a joint hug. Lou smiled, wrapping
her arms around them as well and holding them close. Family.
She loved having a family again.
And she’d do anything, anytime, anywhere to keep them safe and
together. As the others stepped back,
Lou realized there was a new family member who maybe didn’t feel quite sure of
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Cassie’s hand, drawing it through the crook of her elbow, like a beau courting
his sweetheart, and patted the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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she was worth. “Let’s go see what
Rachel’s cooked up. I guarantee it’ll be worth all this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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as she let Lou lead her out onto the boardwalk and toward the Pony Express Station. Noah and Teaspoon trailed behind them in
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-whole-truth-growing-pains.html">Growing Pains</a></span></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-28624057502817043632014-06-25T21:32:00.002-07:002014-06-25T21:32:41.585-07:00#AskTy<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">If you can't make Rock Creek this weekend, or you haven't had a chance to chat with <a href="http://www.tymiller.org/">Ty Miller</a> yet, don't miss out on all the fun! Join us at 5pm CDT on Google+ and Twitter!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Check out the<a href="http://rockcreekroundup.blogspot.com/2014/06/live-tweet-along-and-google-video.html"> Rock Creek Round-Up</a> blog for details!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-87257692093005858072014-06-24T08:39:00.002-07:002014-06-24T08:43:17.799-07:00Rock Creek Round-UpThis isn't a story but a chance to meet and greet with other TYR fans. Check it out!<br />
<br />
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<br />Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-70504985140399975132014-05-04T19:45:00.000-07:002014-07-27T11:07:04.698-07:00The Whole Truth: To Tell The Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD8vjikLuvHWm1Qrt7S7DCFm0IKHcZMT2xyJhj7W2GMeD1O5yNeDRJJw2CWb7Xq4eebGTenQxGmIrUrBHNtjfY2dmyWXv6pVxSAaLu1qi9CMP9bEhG0rgmhRTaebedaegI8_qpqpaaBA/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD8vjikLuvHWm1Qrt7S7DCFm0IKHcZMT2xyJhj7W2GMeD1O5yNeDRJJw2CWb7Xq4eebGTenQxGmIrUrBHNtjfY2dmyWXv6pVxSAaLu1qi9CMP9bEhG0rgmhRTaebedaegI8_qpqpaaBA/s1600/Slide1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Author's Note: This story continues The Whole Truth saga, picking up where Moment of Truth left off. It takes place from the end of </i>The Exchange <i>through </i>A House Divided<i> and into</i> Jesse<i>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid dropped his gaze to his hands as he continued
fiddling with his hat, unable to continue watching Lou, waiting for her to say
something and losing hope. Finally, he
sighed and stood up, pushing his hat back onto his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He didn’t know how long they’d sat there, staring at
each other in silence. But it had been
long enough to leave a knife of pain vibrating in his heart. He’d thought when she’d come to help, and,
though she’d been captured, that’s exactly why she’d been there – he knew her
that well. But he’d thought her very
presence meant she’d gotten his letter and at least taken the first steps
toward forgiving him, toward coming home and trying to make their marriage
work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Evidently he’d been wrong. Maybe he’d hurt her more than he’d
thought. Who knew? He certainly didn’t. Not anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I… I guess I was wrong,” he stuttered. “Guess you weren’t comin’ home…. Leastwise
not ta me, after all. I’ll just leave ya
in peace.” He paused at the door, not
looking back. “I hope ya got my letter,
Lou. I cain’t say things any better than
I did there. I love you. But I won’t force myself on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, she said nothing. His shoulders slumped and
he reached for the door handle, turning it with dread and pulling the room door
open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid!” she suddenly shouted in a hoarse whisper,
throwing herself against his back. “Don’t... don’t go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He stumbled from the force of her weight as she
rammed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist so tightly he doubted he
could have pried her off. Not that he
wanted to. Instead, he turned on his
heel and looked down at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m…. I’m sorry,” she muttered, her face now
pressed into the cloth of his shirt, worn soft from so many washings. “I…. I was afraid I misunderstood your letter
and you wanted ta talk about endin’…. endin’…. our…. our…. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our marriage?” Kid whispered, reaching out to
tentatively touch the hair on her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She nodded, her chin digging into his chest with
each downward arc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I came back after ya left, intendin’ ta ask ya to
go to the county seat and file our marriage certificate at the courthouse,
Lou.” He reached down to slide his hand
under her chin, lifting her face so he could see it. “Endin’ it was… and is… the furthest thing
from my mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No buts,” he shook his head, interrupting her. “I love ya and I fully intend ta spend the
rest of my life with ya. If ye’ll let me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A shudder of relief shook her body against his and
he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him as he breathed in
deeply the unique scent that was hers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That said,” he added slowly. “I cain’t… won’t keep chasing after ya. Either ya want this… us…. same as me, or ya
don’t. Either yer willin’ ta work for
it, or ya ain’t. Every time ya walk
away, it just ‘bout kills me, Lou. I
can’t handle it much more. Can ya do
that fer me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She nodded again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This ain’t gonna be easy,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know,” she whispered. “I… I messed up. Big time.
And that lost us our baby. I… I
killed our baby, Kid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, Lou. You
didn’t. I didn’t. Jimmy didn’t.
It… it’s just somethin’ that happens.
Somethin’ we gotta learn ta live with. All o’ us. But we can’t stop
livin’ and lovin’ ‘cause of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly, her hands slid up his chest to cup his
cheeks. She stood up on tiptoe and began
frantically kissing his neck, his cheeks, his lips, any part of him she could
reach. One hand slipped to his shirt and
began unfastening the buttons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid relished the feel of her pressed so close to
him, her mouth on his, her skin against his. It soothed his soul in ways
nothing else could. But when he realized
what she was doing he knew he had to stop her.
It was almost painful, but he knew he had to do it as he pulled back
from her embrace, stopping her motion with one of his hands over hers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He shook his head sadly, wearily, fearfully. “No, Lou.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her big brown eyes started to fill with tears and
she moved to pull away from him, to turn away from his rejection. But he didn’t let her, knowing he had to
explain but unable to lose the comfort of her nearness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We moved too fast, Lou,” he said hoarsely. “ I done
a lotta thinkin’ while you were gone. We
put the cart before the horse and we’ve been payin’ the price ever since. If we’re goin’ ta make this work… I think we
gotta go back to the beginnnin’ and start over, proper. I think there’s a
reason it’s called that, proper.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean, Kid?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He didn’t need to drown in her wide brown eyes to
feel her confusion and hurt at his actions and words. It practically thrummed
through her entire body where it rested against his side. He rested his chin on her head wearily as he
stared off into space, trying to find the words to tell her what he meant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I married ya ‘cause I love ya and respect ya and
wanted ya ta know I never woulda…. done what we did…. if that hadn’t been the
case. But ya weren’t ready for what came next.
Neither was I, not really. Not
with someone special as you, leastwise.
We need ta go back… court proper…. take things slow…. so we can learn ta
be married, the right way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She stared at him for a long moment and he held his
breath. Had he gone too far? Would this be the restriction she couldn’t
handle? She’d been the one pushing so hard to move their relationship to the
next physical level. Would she see this
as a rejection of all she had to offer, rather than an attempt to fix the
things they’d broken between them? He
bit his lip in fear, telling himself he had to stay strong, cause he couldn’t
see any other way forward. Finally,
after what felt like an eternity to him, she nodded, slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Alright, Kid.
We’ll do it yer way,” she whispered, lowering her head so he couldn’t
see her expressive face anymore. And she stepped back from him, pulling out of
his embrace. “We’ll take things slow and
I’ll wait ‘til yer ready ta move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid sighed.
She still wasn’t quite getting it.
“It ain’t about me bein’ ready or you bein’ ready, Lou. It’s about us
bein’ ready. That’s the point. Learnin’ ta be us, not you and me. Do ya see the difference?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She shrugged.
“I s’pose I will someday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How’d ya figure all this out, Kid?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Like I said, I did a lot of thinkin’ while you were
gone. And…. I talked ta Teaspoon. Though, honest to God, I’m still tryin’ ta
figure out more’n half of what he told me,” he chuckled ruefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was her turn to nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Alright,” she exhaled. She still didn’t really
understand where he was going with all this, what he meant about learning to be
“us”, but she’d promised herself before coming back to get better at
compromising. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She knew she tended to be stubborn and didn’t want that to
ruin what she had with Kid, at least not more than it already had. Deep
down inside her, there was a small part, that little girl longing for love and
comfort and security, who wailed in anguish, deeply frightened this meant he
really didn’t love her anymore. Lou mentally slammed the door shut on that part
of herself, trying not to shudder at the sound of furious fists pounding on the
door in desperation. Kid loved her. He’d said so. She <i>would</i>
believe him. She<i> would</i> trust him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“That don’t mean ya can’t kiss me goodnight,” he
smiled, melting her heart. “Just one kiss. Like any other courtin’
couple.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That had been four weeks ago. That one kiss had turned into a dozen before
Kid had ruefully slipped out of her room to the sound of the others coming down
the hall. They’d been ‘courting’ as
regularly as their schedules would allow since then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon had kept both of them off the ride rotation
for the first week after they’d returned, due to their injuries. They’d spent practically every moment of
every day of that week together. Kid had taken her to see the memorial he’d
built to their baby, near where Emma’s baby boy was laid to rest. They’d cried together over the loss and healing
had begun. Since then they’d talked,
they’d laughed, they’d argued and made up.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once they resumed their regular ride schedules,
they’d had less time together, riding off in opposite directions as often as
not. And they had to be secretive when
other riders were overnighting at the station.
Rachel had helped there as much as she could, assigning them chores
together and often sending them off to the big house together on some errand or
chore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But then Kid had drawn the short straw, along with
Jimmy, and Teaspoon had sent him to the Rock Creek station a week ago. He’d promised to write, but nothing had
arrived yet and she couldn’t believe how much she was missing him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What do you mean start packing up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou turned toward the sound of Rachel’s voice out on
the porch. She stepped out of the door from Rachel’s private parlor where she’d
been waiting for the other woman to return for tea and saw Rachel looking at
Teaspoon with a bewildered expression on her face. A strange man stood next to Teaspoon with a
group of what were obviously riders, some of whom she recognized, ranging
around him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s going on?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel voiced the question Lou was thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon shook his head. “Russell, Majors & Waddell are movin’ us
all ta Rock Creek. They need someone
steady ta anchor the station there.
They’ve had too many problems, what with the fightin’ ‘tween the states
and all.” He gestured broadly at the
others standing around. “Ennis, here,
and his boys are takin’ our place in Sweetwater startin’ now. We need ta be packed up and on our way in two
days. I’m takin’ Cody with me and
headin’ out tonight. That’ll leave ya
Lou, Noah, Buck and Ike ta help pack up what ya need, household goods,
etc. No more’n a single wagon. The rest stays here fer Ennis and his boys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel nodded and turned distractedly toward the
bunkhouse, already taking mental count of what she’d need to pack up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll get my boys settled in,” Ennis said. “They’ll be ready ta start takin’ over the
runs soon’s as yer’s start comin’ in.
When’s the next run?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Buck’ll be back tonight. Noah in the mornin’. Ike’s in town coverin’ the Marshal’s office
fer me this afternoon.” Teaspoon wearily
scratched his sparse, grey hair as he considered what needed doing. “Why don’t ya come with me. I’ll show ya the schedules.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ennis nodded and turned to the five riders that had accompanied
him. “Why don’t you boys go pick out yer bunks. Remember, they
ain’t really yers till Teaspoon’s boys clear out, but ya can get started
settlin’ in.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I want a top bunk,” called the tall blonde with a straw hat
perched precariously on his jugshaped head.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Not if I get there first,” shrieked a slender black boy who
looked to be no more than 14, already racing toward the bunkhouse.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You better leave the bunk closest ta the fire fer me,” growled
another as he lumbered after them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ennis and Teaspoon watched them go, pushing and shoving the entire
time, and shook their heads while sharing a beleagured grin. Then the two
men turned toward the barn.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Teaspoon?” Lou asked hesitantly from where she’d been listening
on the porch steps.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Teaspoon turned back and quirked and eyebrow in question as Ennis
continued crossing the yard.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Why… why are you and Cody leavin’ early? Is everythin’ alright?”
She paused, looking to be sure they were alone before asking, “Is….
is Kid alright? And Jimmy?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“They’re fine, darlin’,” Teaspoon smiled at her. “Jimmy and
the Kid both. It’s just a volatile situation back there.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou stiffened and her eyes shifted frantically toward Ennis, now
almost all the way to the barn doors. Teaspoon laughed.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t worry none ‘bout Ennis there,” Teaspoon reassured her.
“He’s seen more unusual things than a girl rider in his time. And
he ain’t much of a talker.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As
if hearing them from so far away, the other man turned back toward them and
doffed his hat to her, winking charmingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think that about does it,” Buck said, tightening
the rope holding an oiled canvas cover over the top of the heavily loaded
wagon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Where’d you find all this stuff?* Ike asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rachel shrugged. “It’s the stuff I didn’t find that
worries me,” she muttered. “We won’t
know we don’t have it until we need it and then it’ll be too late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t worry, Rachel,” Noah grinned. “I’m sure Rock Creek’ll have a mercantile
where you can get replacements.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They all laughed.
It was a relief to have completed the packing in time for their
departure the next morning. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou would be
sorry to leave the Sweetwater Station behind.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It had become the home she hadn’t known she was looking for over the
last few months. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But she was beyond
ready to see Kid, and Jimmy, and to reassure herself they were alright.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The letter she’d gotten from Kid today had
been worrisome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed wearily.
It was their third day on the road and she’d forgotten how slow a trip
like this could be with a heavily loaded wagon.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou, I been thinking,” Buck said quietly from where
he sat on his horse at her side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She snorted.
“Well, ya ain’t Cody, so I ain’t got no idea what ya been thinkin’
‘bout.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This trip is gonna take awhile,” he said. “That
wagon’s slower’n molasses on a January mornin’.
And it don’t exactly take four of us ta ride shotgun.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What else am I s’posed ta do?” she asked. “Teaspoon’d wring my neck if I showed up in Rock
Creek without y’all. ‘Sides, even if we don’t need everyone on guard duty, how
come I get picked fer relief?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buck looked around at the others before taking a
deep, fortifying breath and answering her.
“First off, Emma wouldn’t be upset if you stopped by for a visit. And…. we all know how much you’ve missed her
since she and Sam moved to Omaha. You
could easily visit them and catch up with us before we reach Rock Creek. And… we’ve all discussed it and we think you
should be the one to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Buck,” she began with a warning note hardening her
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He held up a hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It ain’t about you being a girl or nothing,
Lou. It’s about… well, you’re still not
up to full strength. We can all tell
that. If any of us need more rest and
coddling it’s you. And…. well, I figure
there’s things you maybe can talk to her about that you can’t really share with
the rest of us. We… wouldn’t
understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The haunted shadows in his eyes got his message
across more effectively than any words he said. They’d all suffered losses,
both before and during their time together with the Express. But none had experienced the sort of loss she
had. None except Rachel, that was and
things hadn’t been the same between her and Lou since the miscarriage. And Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wiping her hands nervously on her pantlegs, Lou
gulped nervously as she stared up at the fancy house the man at the train
station had told her belong to the Territorial Marshal and his wife. It was an imposing three story home with
dormer windows peeking out of the attic and a wraparound porch that hugged the
entire ground floor. It was so big Lou figured all of Sweetwater could’ve
stayed there with room to breathe. What
on earth was Emma doing in a place like this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, Lou raised her hand, forming a fist, to
knock on the door. But just as she was
about to, the door jerked open and a young lady in a black dress covered with a
white apron stuck her head out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Deliveries go around back, feller. Don’t ya know no better?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou stared at the girl, mouth hanging open in
surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um…. I’m not making a delivery. I’m here to see a friend of mine. Emma Shannon… uh, Cain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, Mrs. Cain isn’t here right now,” the girl
sniffed, starting to pull the door closed.
“You’ll have to come back later.”
She looked Lou up and down, from her dusty boots to her overly long, for
a boy, tangled hair and the battered hat hanging down her back. “And somehow I
don’t think you’ve got a card.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She sniffed again.
“A card. With your name on it, maybe an address or calling times? It’s what civilized people do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ain’t much room to go carryin’ around a bunch of
useless cards in a saddlebag. Kind of
need that space for food and such. How
‘bout I just tell you my name and where I’m stayin’? I’m Lou McCloud and,” she pushed against the
door, knocking the impertinent girl back from her guard position and entering
the grand house, “I’m stayin’ here. With my friend, Emma Shannon Cain. Who I’m visitin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The girl gasped and Lou took great delight in how
red her face turned as she struggled to find the words to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Abigail, what are you doing at the front door,
girl? You know better than to answer the
door!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the girl suddenly curtsied
deeply to an older woman dressed all in black, with a lacy, black cap on her
head. “I saw this vagrant loitering on
the porch and just opened the door to chase him off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I ain’t no vagrant!” Lou ground out through gritted
teeth. Stiffening her shoulders and
standing as tall as her slight height would allow, she added, “I’m a Pony
Express rider. And I keep tellin’ ya.
I’m a friend of Emma’s, Mrs. Cain. I’m here ta visit her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And just what would your name be, young man?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou. Lou
McCloud.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of course!
Come in, come in!” The woman
suddenly smiled at Lou. “Mrs. Cain has
told us all about you and your friends, Mr. McCloud. Her ‘boys’ she calls you. You just come with
me and I’ll get you settled in one of the guestrooms upstairs. You must be
tired after your journey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou found herself following the other woman down the
hallway, unable to get a word in edgewise.
A quick glance back found Abigail glaring after her as she left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry Mrs. Cain isn’t here right now. She’s out at a Lady’s Aide meeting. She’ll be back in a few hours. The Marshal is out of town on a case right
now. Here we go, the Blue Room. I think you’ll be plenty comfortable
here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She guided Lou into a room the size of the bunkhouse
with a giant, four poster bed situated against one wall. Everything, from the thick rug on the floor
to the coverlet on the bed and even the paper on the walls, was in shades of
blue. Lou’d never seen anything like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you sure?” she ventured, looking from the room
to her own dusty, dirty, bedraggled self.
“Ain’t there some place a little less… fancy? Where I could at least wash up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, I’ll have Timmy bring up the tub and send
Abigail with hot water for you. And I
wouldn’t dare put you anywhere else.
Nothing but the best for Mrs. Cain’s boys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head in disbelief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You just sit back and relax. I’ll have that bath up in no time. And… if you need anything else, just ask for
me. I’m Mrs. Peabody, the housekeeper.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With that, the woman, Mrs. Peabody, darted out of
the room, leaving a blessed silence in her wake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hmph,” Lou grunted as she struggled to unfasten her
trousers. “Guess I’d better stop eatin’
all that food the boys’ve been pushin’ on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, she managed to undo the buttons by sucking
in her stomach and holding her breath.
She’d gotten her appetite back, finally, after returning to
Sweetwater. But before that she’d lost
so much weight the boys, and Teaspoon and Rachel, had all been worried about
her. Every time she turned around one or the other of them had some tempting
treat for her. And she’d been more than
happy to accept. But it looked like she
needed to stop or she’d need a new wardrobe.
Not exactly something she wanted to spend a bunch of money on right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally shed of her clothes, Lou stepped up to the
bathtub and ran her fingers through the steaming hot water before climbing
in. She sank down into the deep tub and
sighed in bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although the boys generally gave her first dibs on the
tub, it was only a hip bath and, even as small as she was, she couldn’t really
relax and enjoy the opportunity. And
that was before one considered all the dips she’d taken in cold creeks and
rivers while at other stations where she didn’t dare disrobe near the bunkhouse
for fear of being discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A smile crossed her face as she felt the heat from
the water seep into her muscles, tight from the hard riding she’d done to get
here. She’d pushed hard to get here as
fast as she could, but she’d still only have one full day before she’d have to
leave again to catch up with the others before they got to Rock Creek. No way
she wanted to explain to Teaspoon why she wasn’t arriving with the others. And she still worried about what Kid, and
Jimmy, were getting themselves into in Rock Creek. If it weren’t for concern about what Teaspoon
would do to her, she’d have headed on to Rock Creek instead of coming here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a quick wash, Lou simply sat back and enjoyed
the experience, until the water began to cool. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eventually, she sighed forlornly and reached over to grab the
towel.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Standing, she used it to rub dry
her short hair.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Already it was starting
to grow out, but it hadn’t really gotten back much of the length she’d chopped
away yet.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was still at the shaggy
stage.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But she was looking forward to it
getting long enough she could actually do something with it again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lulabelle!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou looked across the room in surprise at the sound
of Emma’s shocked voice. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t
heard the door opening. The look of
shock and growing anger on Emma’s face confused Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You tell me you’re here to invite me to your
wedding. Cause if it ain’t already
scheduled, I’m about to schedule it with my shotgun.” An angry fire lit in her eyes as she added.
“I thought better of that boy than this!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-whole-truth-true-colors.html">True Colors</a></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-58957074947198677062014-04-08T10:16:00.001-07:002014-05-04T19:45:49.378-07:00The Whole Truth: Moment of Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWAlluns9F8267BegHTgbi43apBVHgMZjBZX5LVfN1ykIdABNHjjfWiQIi5yOHlMcZSngspMW39bJiL7sDuyd0EV10UwakyvwNrW6VL14WHpATdtun2YvDAPizcA7CPRY-8jTBieLUQ0/s1600/twt+moment+of+truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWAlluns9F8267BegHTgbi43apBVHgMZjBZX5LVfN1ykIdABNHjjfWiQIi5yOHlMcZSngspMW39bJiL7sDuyd0EV10UwakyvwNrW6VL14WHpATdtun2YvDAPizcA7CPRY-8jTBieLUQ0/s1600/twt+moment+of+truth.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid sat in frozen shock, his eyes locked on Louise’s
slender frame, suspended from the cross Pike’s men had just raised over the
edge of the Mission’s wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> he wondered inanely<i>, how had she gotten there? She
was supposed to be safe at her new station!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as his breath was stuck in his chest from fear,
his heart was leaping with joy to see her again, the competing emotions keeping
him from moving or reacting in any discernible way. All told, probably not that bad a thing
judging by Pike’s expectant look, which Kid caught out of the corner of his eye
when the other man moved impatiently.
But Kid never took his eyes off Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She looked sooooo good to his eyes, starved for her
as they were. Yet, he was scared stiff
by her appearance. He’d forgotten how
fragile she was, her slender body so easily bruised and broken. Usually her fierce personality overwhelmed
her appearance, leaving people with the impression of a strong, sturdy
individual. Having been separated from
her for so long, her fragility was fully apparent to his eyes and heart. It didn’t help that her position, with arms
stretched out on the cross, just pulled her skin tight over muscle and bone,
exaggerating her innately petite frame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou found her eyes locked on Kid’s face as soon as they
raised the cross they’d tied her to up onto its end. But she couldn’t meet his gaze, looking
quickly away in shame at her position.
She’d come to help, but now she was just another problem they’d have to
deal with, a liability to her brothers, just like Kid was always saying. The thought that she might prove him right infuriated
her and she frantically tried to think of ways to rescue herself. She’d spent years learning to take care of
herself, so she’d never have to scream for help again and be let down. It broke
something inside that she might now have to wait to be rescued. She knew they’d try, but they shouldn’t have
to endanger themselves for her. As she
fingered the ropes that bound her hands together, feeling the weakness in her
muscles that meant she couldn’t break free, a small part of her, deep down
inside, broke instead. Who was she if
she wasn’t ‘Lou McCloud, Pony Express Rider,’ the puny but spry youth who was
as rough and tumble and tough as any of her brothers? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unable to find an answer, her eyes wandered back
toward Kid, almost against her will. She
could see the tension in his body as he held himself back from charging the
Mission gate singlehandedly. She closed
her eyes and prayed, with every fiber of her being, that her presence here
didn’t cause her brothers or, most especially Kid, to get hurt. The thought that she could be the one to
injure them in some way was almost more than she could bear. The pain of that
bit deep and a slight shudder ran through her.<s><o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite her pain and shame, she couldn’t keep from
sneaking peaks at him though. It had been too long since she’d seen him, really
seen him. When she’d run into him on that run a couple weeks ago she’d never
gotten a good look at him. That had been
a night of feelings, emotions, not appearances.
So now she drank in the sight of him.
While she felt small, puny as Teaspoon had once described her, he looked
strong, vibrant in a way that drew her, heart and soul, to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">His strength drew her, like a moth to a
flame, and she found herself unable to look away. She could feel it wrapping around her, calming
the fear and pain and anger warring inside her, letting her relax and think
logically. She longed to fly down off
the cross and throw herself into his arms, to soak up the strength he so freely
offered her. He always seemed to be
there when she was at her lowest, sharing his strength with her, helping her
back to her feet. It was an effect she’d
never realized he’d had on her before and she marveled at it. She only now realized just how tight the
ropes that bound them together were, when she needed his strength so badly yet
couldn’t quite reach out to him the way she wanted. </span><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;">She
hadn’t really noticed it in his absence. Only now, when he was there yet still
just out of reach,did his effect on her truly blossom in her soul.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, now I
wouldn’t try that if I were you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou’s head jerked to the raised platform just behind
the mission wall that Frank Pike stood on.
She blanched as she saw him cock his raised pistol. Another swing of her head back to Kid and she
saw his hand slowly, carefully move away from the pistol on his hip as Frank
spoke again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You never know who might get caught in the
crossfire.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She knew who Pike meant. Her.
He’d found her letters and figured out who she was to Teaspoon and the
others. As she watched Kid wheel Katy
around and gallop off she cursed herself for being so stupid, not only in
getting caught but in carrying with her the evidence that made her a threat to
those she loved. Had it only been three
days ago she’d ridden out, so sure she was on the way to help her family escape
this situation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Three
days earlier….<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The small fire she’d lit to cook her supper over
flickered merrily, casting valleys and mountains of light across her sharply
carved features, the skin pulled taut over her bones with all the weight she’d
lost in the last few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her slender hands trembled slightly as she held the
letters in front of her and read through them again. She’d carefully wrapped all of the letters
the boys, Teaspoon and Rachel had sent her in an oiled cloth to protect them,
Kid’s on top. Some of them she’d re-read
so many times by now she had them memorized.
This time, though, she set the others aside and opened Kid’s missive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As she re-read the dear
words, certain phrases jumped out at her this time, making her pause and purse
her lips in frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“T<i>reating you like a proper woman…
I flirted with her shamelessly…. I know you and you’d be right in the
thick of things, trying to save Amanda, protect Teaspoon, help all of us. …..
But I would spend my time worrying about your safety and not concentrating
on what I need to do.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How can someone so
special be so infuriatin’ at the same time?” she muttered to herself
questioningly. “I should be with ya,
Kid. You and the others. Whatever yer goin’ thorugh, I should be goin’
thorugh, too.” She sighed and pressed
the letter closed, holding it to her lips as she continued to mutter to
herself. “Half yer letter is you tellin’
me how much ya still care about me. And
the other half if you tellin’ me how glad ya are I’m not with ya.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as she growled in
frustration at the Kid’s pigheadedness, she could hear Rachel whispering at her
from the back of her brain. It was
something she’d told Lou during one of their conversations earlier when Kid had
been getting on Lou’s nerves with his protectiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
know, the funny thing is, it’s only the ones that you really care about that
can get to ya like that,” Rachel had half-laughed, her green eyes twinkling.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
they’re all like that,” Lou’d argued.
“Cody and Hickok and…” She’d let
her words trail off at Rachel’s look, daring her to continue lying to both of
them. She’d laughed slightly herself,
shaking her head. “I guess yer right,”
she’d admitted ruefully before heading off to make things up with the Kid.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou smiled as she put
the letters away, tucking them into the inner pocket of her coat as she lay
down to sleep. Rachel was still
right. But that didn’t mean she could just
stay out of things as Kid obviously wanted.
They were family and she had to go help, in whatever way she could.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou leaned forward,
shadowing her eyes as she watched the group of riders heading out of the fort
at a gallop. The one in particular
looked a lot like Jimmy, the way he hugged his palomino horse, brown locks
flying out behind him. And there, that slender dark one could so easily be
Buck, the stockier man next to him, Ike.
She couldn’t see the man on the far side of the group very well, but he
definitely had Noah’s height as he sat upright on his steed. But they hadn’t responded to her call, not
even looking her direction when she’d given their standard owl hoot, something
Buck had taught them all to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shaking her head, she
moved on down the street toward the Army’s main office, to see if the others
had gotten here with Emory Pike yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you think we fooled her?” Buck asked anxiously
as they slowed to a stop on top of the hill overlooking Fort Laramie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah shrugged.
“She didn’t follow us, at least.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I still don’t see why we couldn’t stop and let her
catch up,” Jimmy groused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*That’d be a big mistake, Jimmy,* Ike signed
wearily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why? Cause
it’ll make the Kid angry?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,” Noah shook his head. “Because of where we’re going and the odds
that we’ll make it out of there alive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s family,” Jimmy persisted. “And she can carry
her own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Family or not, I say she stays out of it,” Noah
said. “Besides, how do we even know
she’s here because of us and not some special run?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*We don’t want to scare her off so she never comes
back,* Ike added. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yer right, Jimmy, Lou is family,” Buck
continued. “And whatever her reasons for
coming here are, I think we owe it to ourselves to make sure at least one of us
survives this. I gotta side with Noah on
this one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy grunted in frustration and pulled on his
horse’s reigns, turning the palomino toward the west. “Still got a lot of ground ta cover between
here and the mission, so let’s split up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah nodded.
It only made sense to make the best use of their numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buck uncharacteristically chimed in, “I’ll trail Jane. She’ll be harder to follow than the buckboard
and, the way she took off, she might have a better idea than us where Pike’s
headed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before the others could respond, he spurred his horse off at a tangent to
their direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*Who’s Jane?* Ike asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed as she pushed the food around on her
plate. The beans were unappetizing, only
half cooked and overly salted. The
perfect ending to a perfect day.
Not. She’d ridden hard to get
here in little more than a day, then spent all of this day first finding out
she’d missed the others by less than an hour and not being able to find their
tracks. The authorities said they’d
hanged Emory Pike yesterday and didn’t see any reason to help her search. Now
she was at a loss as to what to do next.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A heavily perfumed working girl pushed past Lou,
where she sat huddled in the corner by the stairs. She didn’t even have the manners to apologize
as she continued to chatter and laugh with her companion. Lou steadfastly ignored the couple, turning
her own problem over and over in her mind, trying to find a solution, until she
heard the name Pike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her head jerked up as her eyes trailed the couple
meandering up the stairs, her ears straining to catch more of their
conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was hopin’ you’d come out ta the ranch with some
of the gals tomorra,” the cowboy grinned loopily. “It’s the boss’ birthday and we’re tryin’ ta
get him somethin’ special.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, I’m that alright,” she giggled back at him,
tapping her closed fan on his chest flirtatiously. “But ain’t none of us gonna be available
tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why not?
It’s a Sunday, ain’t like this place’ll be open fer business,” he
whined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s why we’re headed out ta Pike’s place,” she
murmured so low Lou could barely hear her.
“And he thinks I’m somethin’ special, too. No tellin’ how long he’ll
want me ta stay around, now that he’s back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The conversation continued as the couple turned the
corner down the hallway toward the bedrooms upstairs, but Lou couldn’t make out
any more of it. She didn’t need to,
though. She knew how to get to Pike’s hideout and how to get inside without him
even knowing he’d been infiltrated. A
seraphic smile lit her face. This was
something only she could do. None of the
boys would be able to pull this one off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<br /><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You sure you want ta do this, fella?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou nodded as she grabbed the saloon girl’s hand and
started leading her toward the stairs.
Her other hand dipped into her coat pocket to finger the bottle of
laudanum she’d bought off a China man down the block. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The girl, Diamond Lil’, laughed and skipped to catch
up with Lou, wrapping one long, white arm around her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can see yer eager ta get started,” Lil’
trilled. “But…well.. ya do seem a bit…
ahem… young….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m older’n I look,” Lou huffed in her gruffest boy
voice, trying not to laugh in Lil’s face at her concerns. She was obviously at least three years
younger than Lou. “And it ain’t like I
ain’t seen the upstairs of a saloon before.”
<i>Probably about the same age you
first did,</i> she thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That seemed to pacify the girl who was now content
to lead Lou to her room upstairs.
There,Lil’ immediately started trying to wrap herself around Lou. But Lou shrugged uncomfortably and peeled her
off, saying, “I’m feelin’ a mite thirsty.
You got anythin’ ta drink up here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure!” the girl sang out, thrilled at the request,
for it would mean a bigger payday for her.
She turned and pulled a key out of her bodice to unlock a cupboard along
one wall. “Whiskey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds good,” Lou murmured. “Get one fer yerself while yer at it. I’m feelin’ generous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ecstatic at her good fortune, Lil’ poured two full
tumblers of whiskey, then put the cap back on the bottle and turned to lock it
away again. While her back was turned,
Lou quickly pulled out the laudanum and dribbled several drops into the tumbler
closes to the other girl. She just
barely managed to tuck the bottle back in her pocket before Lil’ turned back
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To cover her motion, she reached down and quickly
grabbed the tumbler closest to her, the undrugged one, and lifted it in
toast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“To a fun-filled night,” she murmured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bottoms up,” Lil’ giggled and suited action to
words. Lou barely sipped hers as her
eyes watched Lil’ avidly finish off every last drop of the pseudo-whiskey, no
way would they sell the real stuff at a place like this, along with the
sleeping draught Lou’d added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So, Lil’,” Lou said, reaching out to take the other
girl’s hand, “Where ya from?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, here and there,” the girl fumbled, her tongue
already thickened by the drug Lou’d given her.
“Mostly right here,” she giggled loopily pointing at the bed beside
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ever wanted ta go anywhere special?” Lou asked,
playing for time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure, don’t every girl?” Lil’ shrugged as she
reached out to wrap her arms around </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou’s neck again, stumbling over her own
feet in the process.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Uph,” Lou grunted as she caught Lil’ and kept her
from falling to the dusty floor. “Come
on,” she muttered as she half led, half carried the quickly fading girl to the
bed. “Let’s sit down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oooh, are we gettin’ to the fun part now?” Lil’
asked, slurring her words. She flopped
backward onto the bed and flung her arms wide in invitation. “Come show Lil’ how much you love her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her eyes fluttered shut, saving Lou the need to come
up with a suitable response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed despairingly as she pulled the frayed and
tattered quilt out from under Lil’ and used it to cover the girl warmly. Lil’ snorted in her sleep and rolled over,
curling up like a child, one hand tucked under her cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou reached up and gently pushed the light brown
locks away from Lil’s suddenly frighteningly
young face, covered by garishly bright cosmetics in an attempt to
disguise it’s youth. She shook her head
as she turned away from the now peacefully sleeping girl and began to ransack her
wardrobe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That ain’t love, darlin’,” she whispered
sadly. “And I hope someday ye’ll meet a
man that can show ya the difference. And
that you’ll have the courage ta accept real love when it does comes knockin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bam, bam, bam!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of a heavy fist landing repeatedly on the
door roused Lou from her light slumber in the chair next to the bed. She’d dressed in a skirt and chemise of Lil’s
that she’d found at the back of the closet.
It was the least revealing clothing she could find that still left her
looking like the working girl she was impersonating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lil’, up and at ‘em. We’re leavin’ in five minutes. You’d better have yer raggedy butt down here
by then,” a rough, masculine voice called through the door. “You don’t want me havin’ ta come in after ya
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m comin’,” Lou called in a slightly falsetto
voice, trying to sound like Lil’. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently it was good enough because the sound of heavy footsteps moved
away from the door and down the hall, followed by a repeat of the knocking and
message she’d gotten obviously at the next room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou quickly stood and checked on Lil’, who continued
to snooze the sleep of the untroubled in her drug induced dreamworld. Lou straightened the covers over her and then
reached into the drawstring pouch she’d tied around her waist to pull out a
couple of coins. She’d kept Lil’ up here
all night and the girl would be expected to give the majority of the money from
the night to the proprietor. Lou didn’t
want her in trouble because of what Lou’d done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She started to lay the coins on the dresser, then
looked back at the sleeping girl and, shrugging, pulled the pouch off and left
the whole thing there. Maybe the extra
would give the girl the courage to leave, find something else, somewhere else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wrapping a shawl around her head to disguise her
shorn hair and shield her face, Lou took a deep breath and opened the
door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An hour later, she was sitting in an old red
stagecoach, trapped between two other women as they all bounced and jounced
their way across the prairie. Lou’d
tried to get a window seat, so she could at least breath fresher air, but a
last minute arrival had pushed her away.
Now, she just caught glimpses of the outside world in the middle of the
up and the down of each bounce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One hand rested against her thigh, where she’d
carefully hidden Kid’s letter inside the handkerchief she’d been embroidering
for him, wrapped tightly around one leg.
The rest of the letters and her other things she’d left behind at the
livery stable with Lightning. The feel
of the crackling paper as she moved brought her courage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sudden sound of a different set of galloping
hoofbeats from the stagecoach’s horses had Lou straining to see through the
window yet again. She caught a glimpse
of a woman bent low over a horse, her long, dark hair flying out behind
her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amanda?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Lou mouthed silently. Had she made her
escape? Then, another bounce brought the
entrance of the hideout into view and Lou saw Amanda disappear through the same
gate the stagecoach lumbered through minutes later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Present
day…. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid leaned low over
Katy’s neck, pushing the paint to move as fast as she could, racing back
toward camp almost as face as his own brain was racing. What had Lou been doing in Pike’s camp? How’d she gotten there? She must have somehow followed them, but
how? When? Why hadn’t she come up to them instead of
heading to Pike’s hideout?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Topping the ridge, he plunged down into the copse of
trees where they’d camped and his gaze settled on Jimmy walking across the
clearing. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t know how, but somehow, he knew
Jimmy was responsible for Lou being in Pike’s grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With no more thought, Kid launched himself from
Katy’s back onto Jimmy, taking him down into the dirt. Even as he raised a hand to punch him, Jimmy
rolled free and pushed away from his enraged brother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid! What
the hell are you doin’?” Jimmy exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid stood there, breathing heavily, hands fisted at
his side as he uttered the damning words, “They’ve got Lou!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?!” Jimmy responded, confused. “How’d--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid!” Buck interrupted urgently. “We’ve got bigger problems!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Like what?!” Kid growled, never taking his eyes off
of Jimmy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pike’s dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This earned Buck a quick glance, but then Kid’s head
whipped back toward Jimmy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I don’t care
if Pike died. I want ta know what Lou’s
doin’ in the middle of this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*She showed up in Laramie,* Ike gestured, stepping
between Kid and Jimmy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She showed up in Laramie?” Kid asked
incredulously? “And you didn’t tell me
about it? You didn’t tell her to go
back?” The last was aimed at Jimmy, who
looked away, unable to meet Kid’s probing gaze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid, we gave her the slip,” Noah said quietly,
trying to calm the situation. “She was
just getting into Fort Laramie as we were leaving. She never even knew we were there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, that sure worked out,” Kid gritted out,
stalking toward Jimmy. “Tell me the
truth, Jimmy. Did you want her to go back ta Sweetwater, or wherever she’s been? Or did you want her go to with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy looked desperately at Teaspoon for help, but
Teaspoon just shook his head warningly at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally Jimmy shrugged and said quietly, “I just
wanted her ta come with us. I wanted her
ta come home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Damn you!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All the fear Kid felt for Lou’s safety combined in
that moment with his longing for her he’d surpressed for the last few weeks,
his grief over her loss, his guilt over not being there for her when she’d
needed him most and his jealousy of Jimmy, who had been there to help her. Unable to think clearly anymore, he lowered
his head and rushed Jimmy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy grunted as Kid collided with his chest,
pushing him to the ground. Trying
desperately to free himself without hurting the other rider too badly, he put
one arm up to guard his face, while pushing at Kid with the other, until the
two of them rolled over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At that point, he felt the others intervening,
reaching in and pulling them apart and heaved a sigh of relief. He really didn’t want to have to beat Kid up,
again. Especially not if Lou was about
to come back to them. He shuddered to
think what she’d have to say about him hitting Kid. Again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s enough!” Teaspoon thundered. “Kid, we gotta
get inside that Mission.” He moved over
to Kid as the others let the young man go and grabbed his arms tight. “We’re gonna get Amanda. We’re gonna get
Lou. And I got the feeling you wanna
help us. But you gotta set aside whatever you got goin’ on with Jimmy ‘til we
get that done!” He paused peering deeply
into Kid’s eyes. “ You understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid nodded jerkily in acceptance as his rage cooled
and he concentrated on the need to rescue Lou.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Seeing reason return to Kid’s gaze, Teaspoon nodded,
too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You been closer ta that mission than anyone else.
Can ya tell us somethin’ about it?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll do my best,” Kid answered, looking nowhere but
at Teaspoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’re we gonna do now that Pike’s dead, Teaspoon?”
Cody asked, worry coloring his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon’s voice hardened as he answered. “Pike
deserved to die. That don’t mean he still can’t help us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shifted uncomfortably on the cross. She was starting to lose feeling in her arms,
the way they were stretched out. And she
had to breathe very shallowly, her position didn’t allow for anything else,
leaving her constantly feeling out of breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even more distracting than the physical was her
mental frustration. Everything had been
going perfectly. She’d gotten inside the compound without a second glance, even
managing to evade the attentions of the saloon girls’ admirers as she slipped
away. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That was, until she’d run into
Amanda.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She’d been so furious at her in that moment, when
Amanda’s very presence wearing the same clothes she’d seen on the woman on
horseback confirmed she wasn’t being held captive. Lou hadn’t been paying close enough attention,
had let the confrontation with Amanda distract her and hadn’t noticed until too
late the arrival of Pike and his men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First Amanda had handed her over to them, giving
away her connection to Teaspoon. Then
they’d searched her thoroughly, embarrassingly so, quickly finding Kid’s
letter. That had been all the
confirmation Pike had needed to have her ‘interrogated.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She tentatively probed at a loose tooth, wincing as
her tongue hit a bruise inside her mouth.
The wince itself a reminder of the growing black eye she sported. And she wasn’t sure but thought she might
have a cracked rib or two. Pike’s man,
Ramirez, hadn’t taken it easy on her because she was a woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou let out a huff of humor at the irony. One of the few times she wished her gender
had won her a little consideration and… nothing. Luckily, for all Ramirez’ admiration of her
stamina, the damage he’d inflicted was no worse than a bad fall off a horse,
something she’d had plenty of experience with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But now she was nothing more than a tool, something
Frank Pike could use to threaten her family into bringing him his brother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why’re ya doin’ this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of Amanda’s distinctive voice floating up
from behind her, jerked Lou out of her contemplations. She turned her head from side to side, trying
to catch a glimpse of the other woman, to no avail. But she heard everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A demonstration,” Pike said. “She’ll be the first
ta die if they try and trick us. And
you’ll be the second.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shivered as a sharp wind slipped past the thin
shield of her clothes with his words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What are you talkin’ about?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The outraged confusion in Amanda’s voice, hinting at
a suspicion of what Pike really meant sent the shiver to Lou’s bones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Comin’ back with my coin was brilliant. It was just brilliant,” Pike purred. “And turnin’ her over ta me. That was very good. Too good ta be true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Frank!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve never met Teaspoon Hunter. But what he’s done in the past few days has
made me respect him,” Frank said, his voice suddenly hard as flint. “And what
she went through at the hands of Ramirez made me respect her. These people cannot be deceived easily. They know you. The real you.
That’s who they’ve risked their lives ta rescue.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re fools!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even Lou could hear the desperation in Amanda’s
voice. Maybe she had been telling the truth
when she said she was trying to warn Teaspoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,” said Pike. “Just loyal.” He grunted. “Like
you. I’m a fool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as she strained her ears to listen in on the
conversation, Lou was keeping her eyes glued to the horizon. So she saw the others riding toward the
mission even before Ramirez, who called a warning to his boss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Riders! Four
of them. One of them’s your brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou narrowed her eyes as she watched them getting
closer. There was something wrong with
the fourth rider. She couldn’t quite peg
what it was, but had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, as she flicked her eyes across the group, she
realized Teaspoon had included Kid. She
had not doubt the others were out there, sneaking in somehow, but wondered why
Kid was there. She could see the brittle
worry in his eyes as they lifted to meet hers when the riders passed by her on
the way to the front gates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Couldn’t Teaspoon see Kid was barely in control of
himself? Why would he have brought him
along like this? He was jeopardizing the
entire plan, whatever it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once they entered the mission, she couldn’t see what
was going on anymore and had to rely on her ears again. Whatever was off with Emory Pike, it was
clear Frank had noticed as well because gunshots quickly started peppering the
yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frustrated and worried about her family, Lou twisted
against the ropes tying her to the cross, trying to get free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kill the girl!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She heard the command and knew he was talking about
her. She opened her mouth to call for
help and the only thing she could think of came out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She heard more scrambling and flinched at a rifle
shot coming from above her, but opened her eyes again when she felt
nothing. She hated getting shot! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A sudden sound of boots trampling across the wooden
walkway just below the top of the wall had Lou looking down at her feet, hoping
to be able to see something. When a pair
of slender, feminine hands appeared, reaching toward the ropes tying her in
place, Lou relaxed. Amanda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Within moments, she was free and leaning against the
other woman to half limp down off the walkway to the ground below. She frowns in concentration, trying to ignore
the painful prickles of circulation returning to her arms and legs after so
long up on the cross. She hated looking
weak, especially after having to be rescued when she was supposed to be the one
doing the rescuing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as she felt safe to walk on her own two
feet, she pulled away from Amanda’s supporting grasp and took refuge inside the
nearest tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thought fer sure I was gonna die,” Lou muttered,
panting a bit at her recent efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So did I,” Amanda, equally out of breath, grinned
at her. Then she turned and began
exploring the contents of the tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’re we gonna do ta help ‘em?” Lou asked,
determined to get Amanda back out into the fight and helping those who’d come
to rescue them both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amanda turned back toward Lou from the back of the
tent, holding up what looked like an odd candle she’d pulled out of a crate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How about a little fireworks?” Amanda smiled
wickedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recognizing the ‘candle’ as a stick of dynamite, Lou
jumped to her feet and ran to inspect the box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She didn’t remember
much after that. It was a flurry of
running, lighting sticks of dynamite and tossing them whichever direction would
do the Pike Gang the most damage, and running some more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid looked around
frantically. He’d practically had a
heart attack when he’d heard Lou calling his name in desperation and seen the
rifle pointed at her head. Thank God
Cody had already been in place and heard his warning in time to take the
would-be shooter out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But in the furious
firefight after that, he’d lost track of her.
Now he found himself ducking through rows of tents, searching hurriedly
for both Lou and Frank Pike. He had a
score to settle with him that went well beyond Amanda’s capture. He knew the bruises he’d seen dotting Lou’s
face and arms, and most likely the rest of her body, were Pike’s fault. And he intended to exact full payment for
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid ducked as he heard
one bullet hit the wall near his head, but not fast enough. A follow-up bullet punched its way into his
arm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ugh!” Kid grunted, falling and turning to see the
man who’d been next to Pike on the wall pointing a pistol at him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid raised his own gun and fired
rapidly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not even waiting for the man to
fall, Kid began seeking some cover where he could reload.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He knew he was down to just one bullet in the
chamber.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">**********</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: dotted windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou never knew what made her look in that direction,
whether it was a familiar sound, something she’d seen out of the corner of her
eye but not really recognized, or just pure God driven intuition.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But for some reason she turned her head to
peer down an ‘alley’ between two rows of tents.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no fighting coming from that direction, no reason for her to
go there, nothing there for her to blow up.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But she looked anyway.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And she
saw Kid, struggling to get to his feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kid!” she yelled in sudden fear, knowing he had to
be hurt to be down on the ground the way he was.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She ran quickly to his side and began
searching him for wounds, finding the blood soaked sleeve of his coat
easily.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh my God!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m alright,” Kid reassured her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Assured he was going to live, she reached under his
arm and started trying to help him to his feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ve gotta get outta here,” she grunted trying to push him toward the
entrance to the mission.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But Kid
resisted her efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pike’s gonna pay!” he growled as his eyes covered
her face again, taking in each and every bruise she suffered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou shook her head, more worried about Kid’s safety,
especially with her lack of a gun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’ve gotta get outta here,” she repeated
stubbornly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid shook his head, just as stubborn.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Pulling out of her grasp, he rolled back into
the position he’d been moving toward before she’d seen him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I gotta get ta Frank,” he muttered persistently as
his eyes tracked the bandits running frantically to and fro, trying to escape
the fire coming from the various riders.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Suddenly he stiffened as a familiar figure stepped out from behind the
cover of a trellis. Squinting, he took careful aim and squeezed the trigger,
grunting in satisfaction as his target fell.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That was fer Lou.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed in exasperation.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe now he’d listen to her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let’s get outta here, Kid,” she muttered, reaching
down once again to grab his arm and help him to his feet.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This time he followed her lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Within moments the reached the riders’ horses, still
standing calmly where the boys had left them when the firefight began only a
few minutes earlier.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Guiding Kid to
Katy, she helped him mount up, then climbed onto the rim of the saddle behind
him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I kin ride fine,” he muttered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou ignored him, reaching around his waist to grab
the reins from his hands.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking up,
she realized the others had coalesced around her and were mounting up as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Boys, let’s get out of here!” Teaspoon yelled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou couldn’t have agreed more as she dug her heels
into Katy’s sides and followed the others out of the mission, to safety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">**********</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Looks like nobody’s followin’ us, Teaspoon,” Cody
called after they’d been riding for a good hour.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Should we maybe stop for a bit?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Make sure everyone’s alright?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He tossed his head pointedly back at Kid, who rode
stolidly in Lou’s arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yep, might be a good idea, son,” Teaspoon nodded in
agreement.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Should be a small restin’
place just over the next hill there.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ll take a break, water the horses, check on any wounds, while we’re
there.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed with relief as they pulled up on the
horses and dismounted a few minutes later.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The trees provided a break from the increasingly chilly prairie winds.
It was only March and this part of the country didn’t really start Spring until
June or so.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The short break they’d
experienced in the weather was obviously over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stepping away from Katy, she started to rub her
arms, but Kid wrapped his larger arms around her, hugging her close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ain’t ya got any more clothes than this?” he asked,
really noticing for the first time how little she was wearing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not here,” she muttered shortly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Pulling away from him, she said, “Come on,
I’m sure Buck’s got somethin’ we can use ta treat that arm.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m pretty sure the bullet went straight
through, but it needs ta be cleaned--”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She stopped when she saw him shaking his head at her
words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,” he said.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not until ya get into somethin’ warmer. I could make it back ta Laramie
easily enough as is, but you’d freeze ta death.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He eyed her up and down, taking in the
unusual fragility of her limbs and added, “’Specially with as little meat as ya
got on yer bones right now.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And just what do ya ‘spect me ta wear?” she
snapped, losing what little patience she had.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ain’t like I could carry a full carpetbag in on the whore-wagon.” She
looked around and grunted, “What?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Expect
me ta make a dress outta leaves or somethin’?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I figured ya’d wear yer own trousers,” Kid grinned
suddenly, reaching up to untie the saddlebags on Katy’s saddle.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou tilted her head quizzically, trying to
figure out what he was up to.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her jaw
practically dropped as her cheeks heated to a fiery red when Kid pulled out a
pair of her own pants and handed them to her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You, uh, left these behind… the last time,” he muttered shyly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She looked down at the fabric in her hands and
recognized the ripped trousers she’d asked the hotel laundry to sew up for her
when she’d run into Kid weeks ago. She wondered why he'd kept them with him, even on this trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, thanks,” she muttered, not raising her eyes to
meet Kid’s.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She blinked in consternation
as he pressed another piece of fabric into her hands and finally looked up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He shrugged. “You need a shirt, too,” he smiled
gently.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ain’t got one o’ yers, but it
ain’t like ya ain’t stolen mine before, anyway.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go,” he said, turning her around by the shoulders
and pushing her toward a nearby bush. “Get changed before ya freeze to death.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She walked away, bemusedly considering the clothing
in her hands, so lost in thought she totally missed his gentle caress across
her bare shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">**********</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her hands shook as she tied the last of the bandage
in place over Kid’s arm.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a good
thing he’d made her change first.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If she
was this shaky with nerves, she’d never have managed to clean his wound
shivering in that thin camisole and skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Biting her lip, she wrapped the sling around his arm
and tied it together, trying to figure out what to say to him, not that they
were alone and could actually talk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The
rush of exhilaration and seeing him again was gone, replaced by a stone in the
pit of her stomach.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, as she was tying a knot in the sling to
hold it in place, she said, “Yer gonna be alright, Kid.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Kid looked up at her, but she looked down at her
hands, refusing to meet his gaze.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s you I’m worried about, Lou.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou sighed, lettingher hands fall to her lap. “Kid,”
she started to object, but he kept on going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You never shoulda come.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I told ya in that letter.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You told me what you wanted, Kid,” she said,
shaking her head and reaching up to pat his shoulder.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But what you and I got.. well…”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She paused, looking around the rest of her Express
family scattered about the clearing, then added, “What we all got, is
stronger.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We’re a family.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when one of us is in trouble the rest of
us got ta help out.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her hand clenched in the fabric of his shirt as she
prayed he’d understand what she was trying to tell him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Staring deep into his eyes, absorbing the
warmth of his small grin, she thought just maybe she had.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">**********</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hope they’ve got a good steak,” Cody moaned.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m starvin’.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">*Like that’s unusual,* Ike signed, grimacing behind
Cody’s back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou swallowed a giggle at the familiar complaints.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It had been a long ride back from Pike’s
mission hideout to Fort Laramie and she was looking forward to getting some
rest.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Although, truth be told, her
stomach was still upset from the emotional upset earlier in the day and the
thought of a giant, juicy steak, oozing blood the way Cody liked them, was a
bit more than she could handle at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well,” Teaspoon harrumphed, walking back from the
hotel desk with a handful of keys.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’re gonna have ta double up, boys.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We got the last three rooms left.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Amanda, you and Lou can take one. Kid and Jimmy, yer with Hack.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Cody, yer bunkin’ with Buck an’ Ike.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou raised one hand to cover the grin threatening to
take over her face as she saw Kid glaring at Jimmy and Jimmy at Hack over the
room assignments.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not to mention Cody’s
loud grumblings over being stuck with the snorer, Buck, and Ike’s hands
flashing in derision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What about us?” Noah asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon shrugged laconically.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They only had the three left and I don’t
figure we kin stuff four of us in one of them beds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So you and I get the barn.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And glorious silence.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The last was said as he glared Cody’s direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah’s eyes narrowed as he considered Teaspoon’s
explanation.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They could all tell he
figured there was more to it than what Teaspoon had said and were waiting for
him to explode.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But he let it go this
time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“As long as I get a good steak dinner, that’s fine
with me,” he said finally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, hurry up and get yer stuff up ta the rooms,
boys,” Teaspoon said, nodding. “And then we’ll eat!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Amid the chorus of cheers that announcement brought,
Lou tugged at Teaspoon’s sleeve.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When he
looked down at her, she said quietly, “I.. I think I’ll just turn in fer the
night.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m awful tired.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Sides, I ain’t all that hungry anyway.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Teaspoon smiled at her gently and patted her
shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You have yerself a good rest, gal,” he said
softly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ye’ll be feelin’ fine as rain
come the mornin’.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lou slipped her feet out of her boots and sighed
with appreciation to finally have them off.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They weren’t really hers, but had belonged to the saloon girl she’d
borrowed the rest of her outfit from, and they’d pinched her toes like
crazy.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, though Kid had
been able to provide her with her own trousers and his shirt to wear, he
couldn’t do anything about her footwear.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So she’d been stuck with them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Luckily, her own clothes remained hidden in Lightning’s stable down at
the livery.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She yawned.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She’d get them tomorrow morning, she decided, moving toward the bed and
pulling the coverlet back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She jumped at the sound of her name accompanied by a
light tapping on the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You in there?” Kid’s voice asked, floating through
the oak door. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lou?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She shook herself at his renewed call, realizing
she’d never responded.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">With a jump she
hurried across the room and opened the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You… you weren’t asleep yet, were ya?” he asked,
looking her over carefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She shook her head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can I come in?” he finally asked when she failed to
say anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Silently, she stepped back and made room so he could
pass through the door.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She shivered as
his arm brushed her on his way through.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She wanted so much to reach out and wrap her arms around him and never
let go. But she was afraid.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Afraid to
hope, to dare wish that things might work out, that she’d truly understood what
he’d been saying in his letter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She jerked when his fingers wrapped themselves
around hers and he tugged her gently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why don’t we sit down?” he said quietly, leading
her toward the bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She slowly sank down onto the edge of the
straw-filled mattress and watched as he carefully sat down in the single chair
in the room, facing her.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He ran his
hands up and down his thighs, as if drying sweaty palms, in a familiar, nervous
gesture.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, he suddenly reached up
and snatched his hat off his head and began twirling it in his hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We need to talk,” he said quietly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The two sat there, staring at each other while
silence was the only sound filling the room.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-whole-truth-to-tell-truth.html">To Tell The Truth</a></span></div>
</div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-38159040720347743642014-02-09T17:41:00.003-08:002014-04-15T13:34:29.490-07:00The Whole Truth: Self Evident<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18XOY51TLHutQDeDGXtL8m3PS9S7utSH5kPd_CNw5TZ3yrbTUi9uEgNox3MS0L-1x6AgixfYWJbUyr2A2S6dXwa99zKObMXe1jfyLTjYp18idceCspqR3fA_sihY-VwW2Rb-z31Bpo-Q/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18XOY51TLHutQDeDGXtL8m3PS9S7utSH5kPd_CNw5TZ3yrbTUi9uEgNox3MS0L-1x6AgixfYWJbUyr2A2S6dXwa99zKObMXe1jfyLTjYp18idceCspqR3fA_sihY-VwW2Rb-z31Bpo-Q/s1600/Slide3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>This story comes after <a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-whole-truth-love-loss.html">The Whole Truth: Love & Los</a>s. It falls during the events of the episodes between</i> Color Blind<i> and</i> The Exchange <i>in Season 2.</i></div>
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“Are ya sure, Doc?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m afraid so,” the doctor
said ruefully, wiping his hands dry after washing them in a basin on the
counter. He stood next to the bed in
which Lou lay, sleeping like a pale angel.
“She’s lost the babe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Damn it!” Jimmy roared quietly,
being careful not to wake Lou even as he let loose his hurt and anger. His fist flew until it impacted on a nearby
door post. The dull thud made Lou shift
and mutter on the bed. Jimmy swore
again, even more softly, as he shook his now throbbing hand and looked guiltily
at his friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“These things happen,” the
doctor consoled, patting Jimmy on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry. It was a natural
miscarriage and early on the pregnancy.
She’ll be perfectly able to try again in a few weeks. Now,” he said more briskly, taking a look at
Jimmy’s hand with the knuckles seeping blood, “let’s get that cleaned up before
the missus wakes up, hmh?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jimmy didn’t say anything else
as the doctor led him out of the room by the hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lou’s eyes popped open as soon
as they were gone. Jimmy’s conversation
with the doctor had roused her. She
hadn’t heard it all, but she hadn’t needed to.
She’d known as soon as she’d started bleeding what was happening. She didn’t deserve to have a child to love, a
happy family, to have all her dreams come true.
She was nothing more than a two bit whore. Not even, really. She’d given it away for free. And just cause he’d ‘made it right’ by
marrying her afterward didn’t cleanse her soul of that blight. Not to mention her pride in her ability to
ride as hard and as well as the boys and her unwillingness to let that go. Her very pride had put her child in danger.
Now, the most precious of innocents had paid for her sins. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The sun streaming in through
the window was suddenly too much for her and she turned her head toward the
wall, the shadows, where she belonged.
She closed her eyes against the pain, but the tears just wouldn’t come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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**********<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But, Lou, you need ta rest,
take time ta recover,” Jimmy argued through the hotel room door later that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lou shook her head, even though
she knew he couldn’t see her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“No,” she said as she finished
buttoning her shirt. “I need ta get
home. Get back ta work.” Pulling her coat on, she grabbed her hat and
saddlebags and opened the door. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Lou, please,” Jimmy
practically begged.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Let’s just go. Please,” she said. “I… I just want ta forget this trip ever
happened.” Looking down at the bulging
saddlebags filled with the bonds and bank drafts they’d been sent to pick up,
she added, “’Sides, Teaspoon must be frantic ‘bout this shipment. We gotta get it to him ‘fore he sends a posse
out after us fer stealin’ it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She didn’t say anything else,
just pushed past Jimmy and tromped determinedly down the hall toward the
exit. Jimmy watched her go until she
disappeared around the corner, racking his brain for a means to change her
mind. Then, suddenly realizing she was
leaving without him, he leaped forward and pounded after her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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**********<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Don’t….don’t say anything ta
the others.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jimmy’s head swiveled toward
his riding partner in surprise. Those
were her first words in the day and a half they’d been on the road back to the
station. She’d ridden like the hounds of
hell were after her, despite his begging her to slow down and take it easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon’s probably already
sent out a search party fer us, we’re so late,” had been her response as she
urged Lightning on faster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He’d been able to force her to
stop for frequent breaks, citing the horses’ health since they weren’t riding
relay. But he could tell she’d still been pushing herself too hard Looking
at her now, her normally pale face was several shades paler. One might even call it grey-tinged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But he wasn’t trying to slow
her down anymore. They were almost home
anyway. He could see the top of Emma’s
windmill on the horizon. She’d get
plenty of rest and time to recover there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Whatcha talkin’ ‘bout?” he
asked, confused by her request.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What happened,” she said
quietly. “On this trip. That stays ‘tween us, alright.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“And when they ask why we’re so
late?” He wanted to say, <i>And when they ask why ya look like death
warmed over?</i> But he knew better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She shrugged. “We tell the truth. The shipment came in late.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why?” he asked, still trying
to make sense of her request. She’d need
rest, time to recover. Hiding her
miscarriage wouldn’t let that happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“It’s fer the best.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She didn’t explain further,
simply pushing Lightning back into an all-out gallop. How could she put into words all the things
she was feeling right now? She didn’t
know how she could hurt over losing someone she’d never even met, had barely
even known existed before losing them.
But it was a pain that washed over her with every breath, carrying with
it the guilt that it was her fault Kid’s baby had died. She’d been the one taking risks the doctor
had warned them against. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>No,</i> an inner voice mocked her.
<i>It’s even worse than that. You’re the one who thought you could buck
reality and grab things you just weren’t meant for. You should’ve known God would put you back in
your place.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou leaned down over
Lightning’s neck, urging him even faster, trying to escape that devilish voice,
but it was always right there, as if riding on her shoulder, taunting her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Come on, girl,” Kid whispered
in Katy’s ear, urging her on faster as he sped away from the station. He was glad this run would last a few
days. He needed the time away, away from
the others’ constant teasing and interfering in his life, away from Lou’s
presence everywhere he turned. Even when
she was off on a run, he’d see her by the corrals, sitting at the table, laying
on her bunk above his. She’d permeated
every second of his life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He’d loved her with all his
heart and she’d tossed him aside like he was trash, leaving his heart tumbling
in the dirt of the barn floor with her wedding ring. He’d tried to assuage that hurt with a new
love. But he’d constantly found himself
comparing Samantha to Lou. And,
honestly, deep down inside, he’d known who the winner was every time. It had never been Samantha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Samantha’s words as she’d left
had hit home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>“I don’t care what ya are,” he’d told her. And he’d meant it. “I only care who ya are.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>“Kid, I don’t even know who I am,”
she’d said, her soft voice sending the
deep southern accent flowing around him in familiar, comforting waves.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>“Maybe I can help ya find out.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>“It wouldn’t be fair ta either one of us,” she’d said. “Ya see, I ran away from Robert. But I never stopped lovin’ him. I just need a little more time before I can
feel that way again.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She’d managed to put his own
feelings into words. He’d been running
away from Lou as fast as he could, straight into Samantha’s arms. But he’d never stopped loving Lou. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
And, the thought occurred to
him, maybe if he’d spent more time helping Lou figure out who she was instead
of telling her who he thought he wanted her to be, he might not have lost
her. Should he try again? Was there still a chance for them? These were questions he needed to answer for
himself, without her presence there to…. distract him. Then, he could handle seeing her again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Hah!” he shouted, urging Katy
ever onward. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’m sorry you two had ta wait
so long fer the shipment ta arrive,” Teaspoon said, taking the reins to their
horses while Lou and Jimmy wearily dismounted.
“But glad ya made it back safely.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou handed him the saddlebags
filled with the bonds and such they’d been sent to pick up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Gotta say, I was gettin’ a
mite worried,” Teaspoon smiled a bit. “I
was about ta send out a search party fer ya.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou looked up at Jimmy as if to
say, <i>See?
I told you!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“We’re fine,” Jimmy said,
distracted as he watched Lou trudge up the steps of the bunkhouse porch, her
shoulders slumped as if they carried the weight of the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She alright?” Teaspoon asked
quietly, watching alongside him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy looked at the grizzled
stationmaster incredulously. Of course
she wasn’t alright! Anyone could see
that. But he couldn’t tell the man they
all looked to as a father what, exactly, was wrong. He’d promised Lou. Sort of.
Enough not to tell Teaspoon right now, anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ask her,” he finally grunted,
annoyed, and followed Lou into the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy elbowed Lou at the table.
When she turned to glare up at him, he looked pointedly at her practically
untouched plate. It wasn’t like Lou not
to eat everything in sight. Normally,
her appetite rivaled Cody’s, not that she’d admit it. That had fallen off in the last couple weeks
with her morning sickness, but now… now she simply wasn’t eating at all. And the doctor had said she needed to eat
hearty to get her strength back, build her blood back up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou shrugged and picked up her
fork, but mostly pushed the food around on her plate. Only occasionally did she actually lift it to
her mouth with food on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy sighed. This was all his fault. If only he’d done a better job protecting
her. This was why he’d had to leave
Alice. Why he could never have a family,
a wife, children, why he could never, ever, let himself fall in love
again. It ended up hurting too many
people, people he loved more dearly than life itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Wonder what the Kid’s up to,”
Cody sighed meaningfully.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ridin’,” Buck answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Dreamin’ ‘bout it, more like,”
Cody grinned mischievously. “With that
pretty little schoolmarm of his.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“After she nearly got him
killed?” Noah asked. “I don’t think so.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ah, he’d a taken care of
things himself, if Teaspoon hadn’t been there ta interfere in the first place.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I was tryin’ ta keep anyone
from gettin’ killed,” Teaspoon grunted.
“But if someone had ta die, damned straight it wasn’t goin’ ta be one of
my boys!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I still can’t believe he even
agreed to that damned silly duel,” Noah shook his head. “Just ain’t like the Kid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“That’s ‘cause he’s in
loooooove,” Cody crooned, drawing out the last word like a caress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy felt Lou shudder at the
words and looked down in time to see her set her fork down, with extreme precision,
next to her plate. Her face white as a
sheet, she stood up, shoulders stiff, and walked out of the bunkhouse without a
word. He winced as if it had slammed
when the door closed gently behind her without a sound. The lack of fire screamed her grief louder
than the most furious tantrum ever could have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I bet he’s thinkin’-“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why don’t ya just shut it, Cody!”
Jimmy yelled, slamming his own fork down and leaping to his feet. “Think about someone other than yerself and
yer own twisted desires fer a change and keep yer damned thoughts ta yerself!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Then he followed Lou out, much
more noisily, with everyone else staring after him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What’d I say?” Cody asked
plaintively, breaking the stunned silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou?” Cody asked tentatively as he stepped up
beside where she stood leaning against the corral fence, watching the young
colts gamboling about. She didn’t move,
didn’t acknowledge his presence. “I’m..
uh, I’m sorry. ‘Bout… what I said at
supper. I… I wasn’t thinkin’. It was just talk, anyway. She’s left.
All they ever did was dance a few times at the church social.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She shuddered at the word
‘dance’ and all the other connotations it now held for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Cody,”
she said so softly he almost wondered if he’d imagined it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Listen,” he said, “why don’t I
take yer run later this week? Ya had a
hard trip and look like ya could use the rest.
And.. well, I owe ya.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I ain’t a ba… a baby,” she
retorted, her voice catching suspiciously on the last word. “I can do my job.” It was really all she had left at this point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou pushed away from the fence
and walked into the barn, leaving Cody to stare after her, his face twisted in
an unaccustomed frown of worry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou, you in here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You need somethin’, Rachel?”
Lou asked, poking her head out of Lightning’s stall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Rachel smiled gently as she
walked up to the stall and saw Lou leaning comfortably against her horse’s
side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon…. thought ya might
need a friend,” she said softly. “I know
things ain’t been so easy for you lately.
What with the Kid… and… all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou stiffened and turned her
back on Rachel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’m fine. Just need ta get back ta doin’ my job and
stop foolin’ around, that’s all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou...”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’m fine, Rachel, really. Just leave me be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Alright,” Rachel sighed,
patting Lou on the shoulder gently. “But
don’t forget I’m here any time you want to talk.” She waited a pregnant moment, hoping against
hope Lou would turn around and start talking.
But she didn’t and Rachel finally gave up, turned around and left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou sat in the hayloft, staring
out the window at the big, round moon that lit the station yard as if it were
midday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She’d harbored some hope that
there might still be a chance for them, despite the interest Kid had shown the
teacher lady. But Cody’s words tonight,
and Noah’s, on top of what had happened on this last run, had stripped her of
all hope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Even if he hadn’t moved on, fallen
in love with another woman - and why else would he be willing to get in a
duel? The only other time he’d willingly
called another man out had been on her behalf! – he’d never forgive her for
losing their baby through her own reckless actions. That was, if he even
believed she’d lost it and not deliberately killed it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
One hand crept down to cover
her now empty belly and she curled around it, trying to draw comfort from this
place where she’d always been so happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But it wasn’t working. There were just too many memories here. Over there, by the pile of stacked firewood,
that’s where she’d first kissed Kid.
She’d aimed for his cheek, but he’d turned and she’d ended up with her
lips pressed to his. And there, by the bunkhouse steps, that’s where she’d
almost given in and kissed him, right in front of Teaspoon, after he’d returned
alive from being captured by Indians.
And over there… and there… and there… he was everywhere she looked,
everywhere she went.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Even here, in this hayloft, she
could feel his ghost hovering over her.
They’d often escaped up here for a few moments alone after their
wedding. Who knows, perhaps this was
even where they’d conceived the life she’d so briefly carried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The grief, too heavy to bear,
slowly bore her under. Her eyes closed
and she slept, one hand tucked beneath her cheek, the other still cradling her
empty womb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>A few days later…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon?” She winced at how
rusty her voice felt after not having been used much over the last few days.
“Teaspoon, you got a minute?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon straightened in his
chair behind the desk in the marshal’s office and set aside his pen<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Fer you darlin’? Always,” he smiled with a forced joviality
that hurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She walked the rest of the way
into the office and sat down on the chair by his desk. She perched uneasily on the edge, unable to
relax.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What is it?” Teaspoon asked,
hoping she was finally ready to talk. They’d
all watched with increasing concern as she’d gone about her duties without
talking to anyone, without even truly seeming to be aware of the world around
her. “How can I help you this find
day? Did ya come fer some of my silver
minted advice?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She shook her head, the edges
of her mouth tilting up in what could, if one were generous, be called a
smile. Teaspoon took it as a win, until
the next words out of her mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I want a transfer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I…. I can’t stay here no more,
Teaspoon,” she said quietly, never looking up to meet his eyes. Hers remained glued to the sight of her
hands, clenched around each other, on her knees. “I… can’t take it no more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon stood up and walked
around the desk to squat in front of her, resting one hand on her
shoulder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Now, I know things ain’t
exactly been easy fer ya here lately,” he said gently, “what with the Kid and
all. But don’t let that chase ya away
from yer family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Family’s the problem,
Teaspoon,” she broke out with the first true sign of emotion since she’d come
in. “All of ya. Ya think I can’t feel it? See it?
Watchin’ me, protectin’ me, babyin’ me.
I….” she paused to catch her breath and try to put her thoughts into
words. “I got knocked down, hard. I ain’t down fer the count, but I gotta learn
ta stand on my own two feet again. And I
cain’t do that with y’all…. hoverin’ over me, waitin’ fer me ta break. Much more of this and I will break.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon rocked back on his
heels and sighed heavily. He knew what
she meant, had been there himself a time or two. Sometimes a wounded creature needed to withdraw
from the world to lick its wounds. He’d
just never suspected Lou would be one of them.
She’d always been so…. strong, feisty… spry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What ‘em I s’posed ta tell the
boys?” he said heavily, trying one last tack to get her to stay, afraid of what
might happen without them to watch over her, no matter what she said. “Ya know they’ll just come after ya and drag
ya back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Don’t,” she said shortly,
standing up and walking toward the door.
“Don’t tell ‘em I’m leavin’. And,
once I’m gone, don’t tell ‘em where I’m at.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I cain’t do that, Lou,” he
protested. “They love ya. We all love ya.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She looked back over her
shoulder at him. “Yes, ya can,” she said quietly. “Or I’ll just leave without a new job and
head out on my own.” She saw the shocked
look on his face at her threat and smiled a smile that made him want to
cry. “I’m serious, Teaspoon. I gotta do this. How is up ta you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He stared at her, reading the
truth in her deep, wide, wounded eyes and finally nodded. “Alright, Lou,” he sighed, slumping down into
his chair. “We’ll do this your way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Thank you, Teaspoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The quiet words barely wafted
across the room with the puff of air that swirled through the open door, and
then both were gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I know Fort Kearny ain’t yer
favorite place, Lou, but it’s the only home station with an openin’ right now,”
Teaspoon said, standing in the door of the bunkhouse a couple days later,
watching as she packed her bags. “If ya
wait a little longer, maybe I can find ya a better post.” <i>One a
little closer,</i> he thought, where he’d be able to keep a better eye on her
while she was gone. He had no intention
of letting her departure be permanent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He watched as she stuffed the
last dress into a carpetbag willy nilly, using none of her usual care for her
things, especially her dresses. She’d
become even more drawn in the last twenty-four hours, large dark shadows now carving
out hollows beneath her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“This’ll do,” she grunted,
standing up to take the paper from him. Turning her back on him, she tucked the letter
into a saddlebag. “I’ll leave in the mornin’,
after the boys have taken Rachel ta pick up supplies in town.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He said nothing, knowing now
there was nothing he could do or say to sway her. She picked up the carpetbag she’d finished
packing and walked over to him with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’d appreciate it if… if ya’d
keep this fer me,” she said hesitantly.
“I can’t exactly take a bag full of dresses and frillies with me, not
when I’m s’posed ta be a boy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’m sure Rachel’ll watch over
it for ya,” he said, reluctantly taking the bag from her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She nodded and turned back to
her now Spartan bunk, just her hat, coat and saddlebags laid out on it. Less than she’d come to him with. He turned his back and left the room before
his emotions betrayed him and he cried the tears she was refusing to let fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou watched, dry eyed as the
boys rode out, escorting Rachel to town on her weekly trip in to Sweetwater for
supplies. Teaspoon had taken off earlier
that morning, reluctantly answering a summons from Barnett. She was just as
glad. It let her leave without any messy
goodbyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She’d told the others she wasn’t
feeling well and asked to stay behind today.
It hadn’t even been a lie, not really.
She hadn’t felt well since…. since… well, since. And she didn’t know when she would
again. That’s what she had to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
When they’d disappeared over
the horizon, she grabbed her packed saddlebags from where she’d stashed them
under Kid’s bunk and headed toward the barn to saddle Lightning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Alright, boy,” she whispered
as she led her horse from the barn a few minutes later. “We’ve got a long, hard ride ahead of
us. We gotta get all the way ta Fort
Kearny in four days. It’s gonna take
everythin’ we got. But you can do it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lovingly patting his shoulder,
she gathered the reins in one hand and leapt into the saddle. As the buildings of the Sweetwater Pony Express
Station flashed past her eyes, the tears started to fall. At first they came by ones and twos,
trickling down her cheek. By the time
they’d left the yard and hit the trail, she could barely see through them they’d
become such a flood and uncontrollable, gut-wrenching sobs had joined them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon, where’s Lou?” Jimmy
asked as he, Cody, Buck, Ike and Noah came out of the barn from putting away
supplies. “She’s not in the bunkhouse or
the barn, and her horse is missin’. You
didn’t send her on no special run, did ya?” he asked suspiciously. He’d been suspicious from the minute they’d
come back from town to find the marshal back at the station instead of in his
office in town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You know I was gonna take her
next run, Teaspoon!” Cody exclaimed in surprise. “We agreed!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Any of us could’ve taken it,”
Buck added. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon shook his head and
motioned for the riders to come nearer.
They clustered around where he sat on the top bunkhouse porch step.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Boys, Lou’s gone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What?!” they chorused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
*What do you mean gone?*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Where’d she go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She weren’t that sick!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Come on, let’s saddle up,
boys!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Hold yer horses,” Teaspoon cut
through the shocked responses, holding up his hand for quiet. “She don’t want ya followin’ her. Said she needed some time ta…. ta get her
head straight again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon, where is she?” Jimmy
spat out between gritted teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Son, I can’t tell ya that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why not?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I promised Lou,” he said
quietly, turning and sitting down heavily on the steps to the bunkhouse porch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why’d ya go do a fool thing
like that fer!?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You know how stubborn our Lou
is, Jimmy,” Teaspoon placated wearily, running a hand across his forehead in
frustration. “If I didn’t promise, she
said she’d leave without tellin’ me where she was goin’. At least this way I know where she’s at and I
can keep an eye on her, if only from a distance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
*So, tell us anyway,* Ike
signed urgently. *We don’t have ta tell
her that’s how we know. We can just say
Buck tracked her down.*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon shook his head. “That won’t work, Ike. She sees any of you and she’ll leave for
good. Don’t matter the reason.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Cody plopped down on the step
next to Teaspoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What’re we gonna do,
Teaspoon?” he begged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid smiled as he topped the
rise and saw the station below him. It was
good to be back. He’d spent a lot of
time thinking the last few days and he realized there was one thing he knew for
sure. He didn’t want to spend the rest
of his life feeling the way he’d felt when Lou had thrown her wedding ring at
his feet. He couldn’t imagine living the
rest of his life without her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He knew he had a lot of
groveling to do, a pretty big, downright heaping, serving of crow to eat. But he was ready to take his licks. He’d
spent so much time thinking about what he wanted, he hadn’t taken enough time
to consider what she needed. She needed
time. He knew that better than anyone.
She needed control. She needed…
she needed trust. To give her what she
needed, he needed to let her go, then show her what she was missing and hope
she’d be willing to take him back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But first he had to get her to
forgive him. Forgive his grossly unjust
accusations. He knew she’d never do
something to deliberately hurt their child. He’d let his own fears and desires
cloud his judgement. Even worse, would she ever forgive his flirtation with
Samantha, compounding insult on injury?
Nothing inappropriate had happened, thank goodness, just a few
dances. <i>Not that you wouldn’t have jumped at the chance for another sort of
dance,</i> his mind mocked him. He
ducked his head in shame as he admitted the truth to himself, at least. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Pounding into the station yard,
he grabbed the mochila off his saddle horn and held it out at arm’s length,
waiting for Noah to take it. The others
all sat, scattered in various slumped positions around the bunkhouse porch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Where’s Lou?” he asked, as
soon as he slowed Katy to a stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Gone,” Cody said glumly,
digging in the dirt with the toe of his boot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Oh.” Kid’s shoulders fell in disappointment. “When will she be back?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s not on a run, Kid,” Buck
said softly, his tone of voice filled with such sadness, Kid stiffened in fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s… she’s alright, ain’t
she?” he asked in growing desperation.
“She came back fine from her last run, right? Teaspoon, tell me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s alive,” Teaspoon said
wearily. “As for alright? Ain’t a one of us can say fer sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What the hell’s goin’ on?” Kid
half-wailed in confusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
*She ran away,* Ike
signed. *And Teaspoon won’t tell us
where.*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I can’t!” Teaspoon
roared. “Can’t y’all get that through yer
thick heads? Not if we ever want ta see
her again!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She ran away? What’d you do to make her run away?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Us?!” Buck asked. “Why don’t you look in a mirror. We didn’t do
nothin’ except try to clean up your mess!”
Disgusted, he pushed away from the porch railing he’d been leaning on
and started stalking across the yard to the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What’d I do?” Kid barely
breathed. “She-”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy suddenly exploded off the
upended log he’d been perched on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What’d you do?!” he
practically screamed as he rushed at Kid, head down. “You almost killed her!” The infuriated rider slammed into his
erstwhile brother headfirst, taking them both to the ground. There, the fists
started flying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“If you hadn’t accused her of
plannin’ ta kill yer baby, then started flirtin’ around with some southern
floozy, maybe she wouldn’t’ve lost it!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Me?” Kid rolled clear of Jimmy
for a moment, holding one hand to his now streaming nose. Most of Jimmy’s words hadn’t registered, only
the accusation that he’d almost killed Lou.
“Maybe if ya hadn’t’ve constantly urged her ta reckless behavior we
wouldn’ta had so many fights.” He took
his own swing, landing a solid blow on Jimmy’s left eye. Kid grabbed the edges of Jimmy’s shirt and
dragged him in close to hiss, “And maybe if ya’d kept yer damned advice ta
yerself in the first place, my wife never woulda run away!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Oh, please! You were only lookin’ fer someone ta tell ya
it was alright ta do what ya already wanted,” Jimmy spat, nose to nose with
Kid, his fists clenched at his sides.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
This time Kid landed the first
blow as open hostilities resumed. The two fell to the ground and began rolling
about as the punches continued to fly, each accompanied by an accusation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
After a stunned moment of
silence, Teaspoon huffed and said, “Get them apart, boys.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Watching as Buck and Cody
struggled to pull the two fighters apart, he mouthed, “wife? baby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon sighed as he surveyed
his boys. Most of them anyway. Jimmy sat, flanked by Cody and Buck on one
side of the fire in the sweatlodge. Kid
sat next to Teaspoon, with Ike on his other side. They’d carefully kept Jimmy and Kid separated
to prevent any more fights. Kid’s nose
was swollen, Teaspoon was pretty sure Jimmy’d broken it, and he had a cut along
one cheekbone. Jimmy sported his own set
of bruises, including a nice shiner developing around his left eye. Both of them now sat, staring sullenly
anywhere but at each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
It had taken a lot of prodding
and badgering on Teaspoon’s part, but he’d finally gotten the whole story out
of the two. He could tell there was still
a lot of guilt riding each of them, but had no time to coddle the duo at the
moment. First, they needed to figure out
how to get their Lou… their Louise back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What are we gonna do,
Teaspoon?” Buck asked, voicing the question the grizzled stationmaster was
still trying to answer himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I don’t rightly know, son,” he
sighed. “All’s I know is what we can’t do.
Ain’t none of us can show our face around her new station or we’ll lose
her fer good. The stationmaster there is
keeping an eye on her-”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid started. “Teaspoon, how
could you tell-”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He held up a hand to forestall
Cody’s protest. “I didn’t tell him a
thing. Just said Lou’d nearly been
killed and asked him ta send me updates on how he was doin’. Far as McKenzie knows, Lou’s just another one
of his boys, albeit a mite damaged.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Thank you, Teaspoon,” Kid
said, his voice low and gravelly after his shouting match with Jimmy earlier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Didn’t exactly do it for you,
son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I know. But… thanks, anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon nodded silently in
acknowledgement of all Kid wasn’t saying, the responsibility he was owning up
to, with those words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“If we can’t go, how ‘bout we
send her letters, let her know we want her back?” Buck suggested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
*That’s a good idea,* Ike
signed excitedly. *We can show her how
much we miss her and need her.*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I think you two are on to
somethin’, there,” Teaspoon mused, rubbing his chin as he thought. “If each of us writes letters to her, I can
send them with the mail pouch to her stationmaster. But y’all’ve got ta promise me you won’t try
ta follow!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
A chorus of nodding heads,
hands over hearts, ‘I swear!’s and ‘I promise!’s followed as Teaspoon directed
a stern look at each of them. He nodded
in acceptance and said, “Then I reckon we better get ready fer supper. Rachel’ll have a fit if we turn up lookin’
like this!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Almost as one, the five riders
started to get up and push eagerly toward the entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“NOT you two,” Teaspoon ground
out, grabbing Kid and Jimmy by the elbow and dragging them back down into their
seats. “You two still got some thinkin’
ta do, to my mind. I’ll see ya in the
mornin’, ready fer chores.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Assuming his command would be
followed he left the Kid and Jimmy staring across the firepit at each
other. Teaspoon whistled contentedly now
that he had a plan as he headed for supper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou looked around her as the
stationmaster of the Fort Kearny Pony Express Station led her past the various
Army buildings and tents to a dugout on the edge of the military camp. The
facilities at Fort Kearny weren’t nearly as nice as the Sweetwater
station. But she hadn’t expected it to
be. It wasn’t nearly as bad as others
she’d stayed at either, and that was good enough for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The station sat next to the
stables where the Pony Express horses were kept with the Army’s animals. The walls, floors and ceilings were all sod,
chunks of dirt cut out in brick-like squares from what became the center floor
of the hut. There were no windows. The only light came in from the front door or
from lamps or the fire in the fireplace.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
For a moment, as Lou followed
the stationmaster, Bart McKenzie, into her new bunkhouse, their bodies blocked
out all light and she felt like she was descending into a deep, dark pit. She reached out and groped blindly for the
wall as she felt carefully for the edge of the next step down with her
foot. This was something she’d have to
get used to. From now on she’d wait for
her eyes to adjust to the dim interior lighting before trying to go down the
steps into the cabin itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You can drop yer stuff over
there,” McKenzie said gruffly, pointing to the top bunk along one wall. It was obviously empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
There were six bunks, three on
each side of the room, she noted as her gaze swept around the confined
quarters. The top bunks barely left enough
room for a rider to slip between the hard mattress and the ceiling with prairie
grass roots dangling from it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Just don’ ferget and sit up in
the middle of the night,” McKenzie wheezed with laughter. “I’ve had a boy or
two knock themselves plumb out that way.
I sleep over there,” he added, pointing to a hammock strung up in the
corner by the fireplace along the wall opposite the door. “Do yer share of the work, I ain’t got no
patience fer slackers, and show up on time fer meals and we’ll get along
fine. Don’t expect ta have any problems
with ya,” he added at last, “comin’ from Teaspoon, an’ all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou nodded. There really wasn’t much for her to say. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Get settled in,” he added,
switching his wad of chewing tobacco from one cheek to the other, “supper’s at
seven. You can start work in the
mornin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou looked around the table,
mentally cataloging her new co-workers.
To her left sat George Youngston.
He was a tall, blonde man with heavily muscled, broad shoulders. The others all seemed to defer to him, but
his sneering attitude about women left a strong distaste in Lou’s mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Across from them sat twin
brothers, Ed and Benjamin Banks.
Mmiddling in height, slender, with arms that seemed too long for their
bodies, they didn’t seem to have an original thought between the two of them.
Benji, the younger of the two, spoke with a stutter. He actually didn’t seem like he’d be that bad. The fifth rider at the table didn’t speak any
English. A Chinaman, he was great with
the horses. But he didn’t make any
effort to communicate with the others.
There was another rider out on a run.
They just called him The Swede.
McKenzie rounded out their group. Like the Chinaman, he didn’t say
anything beyond the obligatory prayer to start the meal. Then he concentrated on downing as much of
the poorly cooked food as quickly as he could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou listened to the chatter
between the George, Ed and Benji and sighed.
Like the Sweetwater station, there was a lot of teasing banter going
back and forth. Unlike home, this
teasing carried with it an underlayer of meanness that turned her stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Hey, Lou!” George called. “Sure yer old ‘nough fer this job? Like a might puny, ta me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“McKenzie says ya’ve been
ridin’ since the beginnin’,” Ed simpered.
“Were ya ridin’ on yer pappy’s coattails?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The others laughed uproariously
at his joke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou shrugged, standing up from
her barely touched plate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Anyone’s got any doubts ‘bout
my ridin’, they’re welcome ta join me exercisin’ the horses in the mornin’,”
she said. Turning her back on her would
be tormentors, she walked over to her bunk and climbed in, pulling her hat down
over her eyes to drown out the sights and sounds of the dinner table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid sighed, staring over the
horizon, wishing with every fiber of his being that Lou would come galloping
into view at any second. But, he knew
the wish was a waste of time. Teaspoon
said he’d had a report that she was settling in. She’d apparently put the riders at her new
station in their place right smartly her first day on the job, much as she’d
done them. Kid wished he could’ve seen
it. He was as proud of her riding skills
as his own. He wished he’d told her
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
There were so many things he
wished he’d told her. So many things
he’d done wrong. He’d spent so much time trying to hold on tighter for fear of
losing her that he’d pushed her right out of his life. So much so, that she’d never been afraid to
tell him when she’d suspected she carried his child.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
There was another ache he
couldn’t soothe. A family, children,
they were things he wanted in this life more than anything. He wanted them with Lou. And he’d had it all in his grasp, only to
lose it. He just didn’t know what to do
with himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The distant sound of the dinner
bell roused him from his reverie and he turned to Katy, standing patiently at
his side. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Time ta go home, girl,” he
said softly as he mounted up and turned the horse in the direction of the
barn. “Hopefully she’ll forgive us and
come back soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The blank sheet of paper in her
new journal glared up at her accusingly.
The pencil stub in her right hand twirled about absently, unused. She’d bought the diary after her first week
here, remembering how Ike would always be scribbling away in his. He’d told her once it helped him figure out
what he was thinking. Unfortunately, it
wasn’t working for her. The things she
needed to figure her thoughts out on were too painful to revisit, the regret
too big, the losses too much for her to handle.
So her mind simply refused to go there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She’d always known she’d never
felt quite comfortable when spending the night at other stations, but had just
put it down to her not being a regular member of that ‘family’. Somehow, she’d assumed all Pony Express stations
had developed the camaraderie and close ties she and the other Sweetwater
riders had. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The last two weeks here had
shown her otherwise. Oh, they all got
along well enough, but that was about it.
One couldn’t even really call them friends, although they lived, literally,
on top of one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She reached up to brush the
hair off her face and winced when the once again painfully short strands caught
in the rough skin of her palm. She
missed the luxury of being able to relax and be herself around the others,
never having to worry she’d be giving away her secret. She missed spending
evenings talking fashion and cooking and boys with Rachel. She missed the special soaps and lotions
Rachel always held aside for her to mitigate the damage this job did to her
skin. She missed getting first crack at
the bath and knowing no one would walk in on her. She missed being able to be
Louise when she wanted. She missed-- <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou instinctively slammed the
door shut on that last thought. No. She
wasn’t ready to go there yer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Hey, Lou!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She turned her head to look in
the direction of the rough voice calling out to her. George strode her direction, swaggered more
like, followed by the twins, Ed and Benji.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She quirked an eyebrow in
question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“It’s payday,” George said
unnecessarily. Her pay sat in her pocket
at that very moment. “We’re headed over
ta Dobytown ta have us some fun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yeah, play some poker, drink
somethin’ tastier than sarsaparilla,” added Ed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Maybe dance with so….so…some
la…ladies,” stuttered the much more shy Benji.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou shook her head. There
wasn’t a real lady to be found within a mile of Dobytown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Come on, Lou,” George
pushed. “Don’t be a stick in the
mud. You never do nothin’ but ride,
sleep and stare at that blank book of yours. We’re startin’ ta wonder if yer a Nancy Boy. Come be sociable fer a change.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She sighed and nodded. “Alright,” she muttered, more to shut them up
than because she really wanted to go. By
now she knew George was stubborner than Ike’s donkey Samson. Once he got something in his jaws he wouldn’t
let up until he’d pushed and pulled it into precisely the position he wanted
it. Looked like she was the project of
the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
***********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’m out,” she said, slapping
her cards down on the table and pushing her chair back. She’d probably had a winning hand, a full
house, but just take another minute of the other boys’ talk. Their
chatter and laughter grated on her nerves.
It was like the worst of Cody, times three, without the heart of gold to
mitigate the annoying excesses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br />
Walking away from the poker table, she pushed her way through the crowds of men
determined to spend every last dollar of their pay before heading back to work
on Monday. Luckily, she couldn’t smell
the unwashed masses, or the mess of sawdust, tobacco spittle and who knew what
all else under her feet. The cloud of
tobacco smoke that covered everything in a grey haze filled her nose instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Reaching the bar, she winced as
someone began pounding on the out of tune piano in the corner. A frowzy blonde emitted a high pitched squeal
that could almost be, in a gracious moment, called a laugh. Then she proceeded to launch into the worst
rendition of <i>Auralea</i> Lou’d ever
heard. She hated that song. It reminded her of all she’d—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Barkeep, pour me a whiskey!”
she demanded, cutting off the unwanted thought, pounding on the bar in
emphasis. The tears she refused to shed
anymore made any efforts to lower her voice unnecessary. “And leave the
bottle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Here ya go,” the tall, slender
man behind the bar grunted, sliding a filled shot glass her way. A little of the amber liquid sloshed over the
top onto her hand. “That’ll be six
bits.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She slid three quarters out of
her pocket and pushed them across the bar.
He pocketed the coins and turned to answer the next customer’s
demands. Only then did she realize he
hadn’t left the bottle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>Not that it really mattered,</i> she
grimaced to herself at the taste of the rotgut he’d served her instead of
actual whiskey as she licked the drops off her hand. She couldn’t have drunk it. She sat there, chin resting on her arms where
they lay folded on the edge of the bar, and stared into the liquid, watching
the light shimmer and dance off it and through it. She couldn’t figure out what Jimmy found so
soothing about it. The taste was
repulsive. It made her feel out of
control, something she didn’t like at all.
And it left her head aching the next day. Yet, he always turned to it when things got
tough. If it worked for him, she’d
thought it would work for her, too. But
that didn’t seem to be turning out so well for her tonight. The way the taste
instantly made her stomach turn just drove home how different she was from the
others, both here and back home, which is how she still thought of Sweetwater.
She’d never fit in, find her real place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Angrily, she swiped her hand
across the bar, knocking the shot glass over and spilling the noxious mixture
of tea, tobacco juice, sugar and who knew what else into the sawdust at her
feet. She turned away from the bar and
pushed her way toward the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Buy a hardworking lady a
drink?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou stiffened as a heavily
scented, overly lotioned arm wrapped around her shoulders. She raised one hand and pushed hard on the
working girl’s hand, shoving it away as if it were diseased. She most definitely wasn’t interested in romance.
Not even the joke she and the boys, the Sweetwater boys that is, had made of it
when saloon girls came on to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Save yer efforts,” she
muttered, hitching up her pants. “I
ain’t interested.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Damn,</i> she thought as she finally escaped the saloon’s confines and
paused to suck in some of the clear, sweet night air, cleaning out her
lungs. She knew she’d been off her feed
lately. Food just didn’t seem to interest her. When she wasn’t working she was
generally sleeping or staring off into space, trying to think. She hadn’t realized she’d lost so much weight
though. Time to punch another hole in
her belt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She shrugged
philosophically. There were worse things
in life, she supposed, as she set off on the three mile hike back to the
station. She didn’t know where the
others had stabled their horses and wasn’t inclined to search Dobytown’s
dubious businesses for them. The walk
would do her good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid, I hate to see you mopin’
around like this,” Rachel said softly, putting her hand on the tall rider’s
shoulder. “Why don’t you come up to the
house for some tea. We can talk about it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ain’t much ta talk ‘bout,” he
said morosely. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I think there’s more than your
lettin’ on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Like what? Like I drove Lou away? Like my whole life’s fallen apart right
before my eyes?!” he demanded, pulling away from her to pace restlessly toward
the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Like your mournin’, hard as
she is, for what might have been,” Rachel said softly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He stopped in his tracks. Without turning around he asked, “What do you
mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“It was your baby, too,” Rachel
said softly. “Your child, Kid. You think I don’t know you’re hurting over
that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ain’t nothin’ I can do ta
change it,” he muttered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“No,” she nodded,
agreeing. She walked up to his side and
patted his arm consolingly, “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let yourself
grieve. When a loved one dies, you’ve got to find a way to say goodbye, or it
eats you up inside.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Looking up at her, he asked,
“What did you do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I cried. A lot.
And I found a way, once I got settled here, to make my baby real. I set up a memorial on that hill over there,
next to where Emma buried her son. She
suggested it, actually, in a letter to Teaspoon.” Rachel shrugged. “It was real kind of her. And it lets me visit my baby, when I feel the
need.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou contemplated her
surroundings. She’d taken yet another
double run, anything to keep busy and silence her mind. This time it had landed her at a station that
was actually worse than Blue Creek had been. If that were even possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Supper’s in an hour,” the
skinny, dirt encrusted man standing over the stove said around the cigar
clamped between his teeth. “Don’t be
late, or the other boys’ll leave ya nothin’ but the bones.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou shook her head. “Uh, no thanks,” she muttered. “I think I’m gonna ride on inta town. I’ll… I’ll get somethin’ ta eat there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Suit yerself,” the cook
shrugged, turning his attention back to whatever it was he was stirring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou carefully closed the door
behind her and skedaddled out of there as fast as she could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid, I’m tired of yer gloomy
guss all the time,” Cody whined. “We’re
goin’ inta town and gettin’ a decent meal and a nice bed ta sleep in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“We need ta get back,” Kid
demurred. “Teaspoon’s expectin’ us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon gave us a week ta finish
this delivery and we’re already ahead of schedule,” Cody answered, shaking his
head. “No, we got plenty of time ta take
a break from the road. And you need some
cheerin’ up.” He spurred his horse
forward. A moment later, realizing Katy
was still standing still, Cody looked back over his shoulder and sighed in
exasperation. “Come on!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou chewed her way through
another bite of the steak on the plate in front of her. In all honesty it was pretty good, but it
wasn’t Rachel good and that’s what her mouth and heart were really hungering
for. She swallowed thickly and washed
the morsels down with a swig of the beer she’d ordered. She’d felt quite rebellious getting beer
instead of sarsaparilla. And, like so
many decisions lately, it just wasn’t sitting right with her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She set her fork down and wiped
her mouth with the large cloth napkin that had come with her meal. She started to lean back in her chair when a
familiar sounding laugh had her whipping her head around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
There! A slender man in fancily decorated buckskins
with long blond locks dangling down his back stood at the bar, laughing
animatedly at something the saloon girl next to him was saying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Cody,” she whispered,
surprised at the piercing feeling of pain she felt darting through her
heart. She’d known she missed the
others, but didn’t figure it would actually hurt to see them. Then, another familiar figure pushed past
some of the others crowded at the bar to reach Cody, clapping a large hand on
his shoulder and saying something to him with a smile. Cody, predictably shook him off, shaking his
head and sending his blonde hair flying.
Kid laughed and said something else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou could feel the pain that
had begun as a single dart suddenly engulfing her from head to toe. She couldn’t say anything as the flames of
love, pain, regret, loss and other emotions she couldn’t name licked at
her. A whimper was all that escaped as
she paled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid, you alright?” one of the
older cowboys she shared the corner table with asked with concern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The words broke the shell
keeping Lou frozen in place and she suddenly stood up, not even noticing as her
motion sent her chair flying backward, and exited the saloon as quickly as her
heart and feet would move her. She was
racing not just from the man at the bar but from all the things seeing him made
her feel again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid shook his head at Cody’s
insane insistence on spending the night here, rather than heading on home. He
just wanted to get back and see if maybe Lou’d returned while they’d been gone. The sound of a chair clattering to the
sawdust covered wooden floor caught his attention and he swung his head around
to see what was going on. You never knew what might turn a sociable night at
the saloon into an all out brawl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He quickly located the chair,
rolling and rattling around on the floor where it had fallen. He checked the table and saw three men, all
older miners by the looks of them, staring toward the entrance in
consternation. Kid followed the
direction they were looking just in time to see the form of a small young man
with closecropped short hair stumbling out the front door. He casually followed the odd sight through
the pane glass window as the boy took off down the boardwalk at a half
run. Suddenly he straightened in shocked
recognition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou?” he whispered, even as he
sprinted toward the door, afraid he’d lose sight of her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid, where ya goin’?” Cody
called after him, but Kid didn’t respond, too intent on catching up with her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou could barely see through
the sheen of tears in her eyes. She kept
her head down and walked as quickly as she could, determined to make it back to
the hotel, where she’d taken a room for the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
As she stumbled down the
boardwalk, through the hotel’s front doors and up the stairs to her room, she
thanked God for the dim lights that helped hide her from the notice of curious
strangers. At best they’d think she was drunk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Reaching her door, she fumbled
with the key, dropping it twice before she managed to slip it into the lock and
twist it to open the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Stepping inside, she quickly
closed the door behind her with a determined thud. Hidden from the public’s sight, she scrubbed
the salty water leaking from her eyes off her cheek with her coat sleeve. She couldn’t believe how much it had hurt to
see him there, in the flesh, smiling as if nothing had happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
*********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid burst through the doors of
the hotel lobby and looked around frantically, but, as he’d feared, Lou had
already disappeared from sight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He caught a glimpse of the
clerk in a back room behind the check-in desk and rushed over, pounding on the
counter to get the man’s attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Excuse me,” he asked,
breathless from his race over, “I was… uh… supposed ta meet a friend of mine
here. But, I’m runnin’ a little late and
it looks like he’s already turned in. I
was wonderin’ if ya could give me his room number?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“And his name would be?” the
clerk asked, his mouth flattening in disapproval of Kid’s rambling state of
mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Oh,” Kid shook his head as if
trying to straighten out his thoughts.
“Lou… Lou McCloud.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The clerk ran a finger down the
register as he checked the names.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“We have an L. McCloud, room
210,” he finally said. “That’s upstairs,
second door-” His words cut off as he
looked up to finish giving the flustered customer directions, only to realize
he was already gone. “Crazy cowboys,” he
muttered in disgust, closing the register book carefully and sliding it back
under the counter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou, let me in!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou jumped as a familiar voice
shook the door behind her to the accompaniment of a vigorous pounding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou, we gotta talk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She stepped away from the door,
moving back toward the bed against the opposite wall, staring in frozen
fascination as the door handle suddenly turned and the portal opened to reveal
the tall, sandy haired rider she still dreamt about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou,” he said, rushing up to
her and grabbing her arms with both hands, holding on tightly as if afraid
she’d run. “You can’t disappear,” he
said desperately. “We didn’t know you
were here. I swear, we weren’t followin’
you!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She stared at him in awestruck
silence for endless moments. Then all
the barriers she’d worked so hard to build around her heart and her mind the
last few weeks suddenly dissolved into dust, blowing away in the wind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid,” she gasped as the first
sob overtook her, unsure herself if the single word was a question, an
exclamation of welcome or an accusation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou struggled to open her eyes,
wincing at the pain that bounced around in her head. That and the grit sealing her eyes closed
were all that remained of the crying jag that had enveloped her at the sight
and feel of Kid in the same room with her again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
As consciousness slowly
returned, she reveled in the feel of his strong arms wrapped tightly around her
and the solid, soothing rhythm of his heart, beating strongly under her
ear. She could feel his breath gently
ruffling her hair with each exhale. For
the first time in weeks, all felt right with her world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
That was, until she remembered
something he’d said as she’d sobbed in his arms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>“Why, Lou? Why’d you do it?”</i> he’d whispered into her hair as he’d
picked her up and carried her to the bed, where he’d cradled her in his arms
and rocked her back and forth as she sobbed out the last of her grief over
losing him and their child.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>What had he meant with those words?</i> she wondered. <i> Did he still think she’d killed their baby.</i> She sniffled and the strong scent, a
combination of the fresh prairie air, horse and something that was uniquely
Kid, filled her nose. A quite sense of
purpose came with it. There was only one
way to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Moving quietly, she gently
extracted herself from his embrace. She
grabbed her coat and hat which he’d left sitting on the nightstand by the bed,
buckled on her gun, and tiptoed out of the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid groaned as a crick in his
neck woke him. He’d fallen asleep with
Lou nestled in his arms, his chin resting on her head. But during the night, his head had fallen
slightly sideways and his neck had stiffened up from the odd angle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ow,” he muttered, reaching up
to rub the sore spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
A sudden quiet pounding on the
door had his eyes opening wide as he struggled to sit up, still blinking the
sleep from his eyes and brain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Where was Lou?</i> was his first thought as he looked around and saw
now sign of her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The pounding continued, now
accompanied by a quiet, accented voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Sir? Laundry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid wrinkled his brow as he
stood up, stumbling slightly over his own feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Comin’,” he muttered just
loudly enough to be heard through the door.
Confused, he opened it to see a short, slender Chinese woman holding out
a package wrapped in brown paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Laundry, Sir,” she said,
pushing the package at him. When he
reached out automatically to take it, she let go and scurried off down the
hallway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“But…” Kid shook his head in confusion. What was this? Closing the door he turned back to collapse
into a seat on the bed and carefully undid the string holding the package
closed. It came open to reveal a pair of
Lou’s trousers, a rip in the back of one pantleg carefully mended.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He looked around at the empty
hotel room and sighed. For now, this was
all she’d left him. He’d give her some
more time. Time and space. That’s what she kept saying she needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Two weeks later….<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid, why ain’t ya written Lou
yet?” Teaspoon demanded in an exasperated tone.
“We’ve all been writin’ her fer weeks now. Yer the only one that ain’t. And ta my mind, yer the one should be writin’
her more than any of us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid shook his head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I can’t, Teaspoon,” he said
quietly, leaning wearily back against the wall of the Marshal’s office. He’d come to help keep an eye on their new
prisoner, Emory Pike. The outlaw would
only be there for a few days, until Teaspoon took him to Fort Laramie for
hanging. But in the meantime, Teaspoon wanted
extra guns around, on guard at all times.
Unfortunately, Teaspoon was also taking advantage of the opportunity to
grill Kid on things he’d rather leave unsaid.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She left ‘cause she needed
more room. I’d been crowdin’ her. I didn’t mean to,” Kid added quickly, to
clarify. “I… I just wanted her ta be
happy. Instead I ended up makin’ her
miserable ‘cause she couldn’t be… wasn’t ready ta be… who she thought I wanted
her ta be. So, I’m givin’ her her
space. When she comes back, then I’ll go
ta her, try ta make things up, make things right. Tell her I love her just the way she is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s a right fine woman, our
Louise,” Teaspoon mused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid nodded. “She’s so beautiful it hurts sometimes,” he
said. “Not in the common way,
though. It’s a beauty all her own. And I
almost stole it from her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon sighed heavily. “Sounds ta me like ya ought ta be tellin’ her
that, not me, young man. How’s she
s’posed ta know that’s what yer doin’, givin’ her her space, if ya don’t say
so? Especially the way things ended, her
hearin’ ‘bout yer little flirtation with that schoolmarm. She don’t hear from ya, she’s goin’ ta assume--”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He paused at the sound of
hesitant footsteps outside the front door.
Putting a finger to his lips, he slipped into his chair at the desk by
the front of the one room office, while Kid scooted back into a corner, hidden
by the shadows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
A tall man in farmer’s togs
strode through the door and straight to Teaspoon, who now had his nose buried
in a pile of paperwork he’d never really do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“My name’s Lucas Redfern,” the
man started out. “And I got a message
for ya, from Frank Pike.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon frowned in annoyance,
not even looking up at the man. He knew
Kid was tracking the farmer’s every move anyway. “The Frank Pike I’ve heard of don’t ride with
farmers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Redfern shrugged
minusculely. “He crosses my land every
now and then. I stay away from him.” He
hesitated for a moment, then continued, his words speeding up a touch. “But
he’s seen me, seen my family. Told me if I didn’t come here somethin’d happen
to ‘em.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
That caught Teaspoon’s
attention and he finally looked up at his visitor’s face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Well, what’s he want?” he
grouched impatiently.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Frank Pike knows you got his
brother and he knows yer takin’ him to Fort Laramie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“And how’s he know that?” A suspicious note entered Teaspoon’s voice as
he leaned back in his chair and took a closer look at this farmer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I don’t know. But he wanted me to tell you he’s willin’ ta
make….” Redfern paused and looked around
nervously, as if expecting someone to jump out of the shadows at him. “An exchange.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“An exchange, hunh?” Teaspoon reached up and pushed his hat back a
touch. “Well, I know what I’ve got that
he wants. What’s he got that I want?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Redfern reached into a rawhide
pouch hanging off his belt and pulled out a silver hair comb. Handing it over to Teaspoon, he said simply,
“Amanda O’Connell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid strangled the angry gasp
that wanted to explode from his lungs.
His hands clenched around the rifle he held as he forced himself not to
give his presence away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon stood up abruptly and
reached out with a remarkably steady hand to take the comb. He stared down at it for what felt like
forever to Kid. He didn’t say anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Knowin’ Frank, fer yer lady’s
sake I hope she ain’t as pretty as that comb,” sneered the prisoner from his
jail cell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Pike!” Teaspoon exploded
across the room, grabbing Emory Pike by the collar and hauling him face first
into the cell’s bars. “You can shut up
or yer hangin’s gonna be a waste of time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Frank says if somethin’
happens to his brother, like bein’ hung or gettin’ shot while tryin’ ta escape,
he’ll kill Miss O’Connell,” Redfern hastened to warn at the angry outburst.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid’s eyes narrowed. There was something suspicious about
Redfern’s use of Pike’s first name. Not
something a normal dirtgrubber would do when referring to someone threatening
his family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon turned back to the
farmer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You know where I’m s’posed ta
bring him?” he asked, his voice tight with the effort it took to control
himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You’ll take me there?” The question was more an order than a
request. But Redfern still demurred at
first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I got a family ta think about.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“So do I,” Teaspoon said. “Amanda O’Connell’s like a daughter ta me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Redfern nodded
reluctantly. Teaspoon sat heavily back
down in his chair. “Go make sure yer
family’s alright,” he said. “Be back
here first thing in the mornin’. We’ll
be leavin’ with first light.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Redfern nodded and left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You heard?” Teaspoon asked,
his voice suddenly cracking with fear and pain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid stepped out from his hiding
place. He crossed the room and placed a
comforting hand on the older man’s shoulder as he nodded. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I heard,” he said. “We’ll find her. We don’t let one of our family get hurt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon nodded. “Go get the others. I’ll meet y’all at the bunkhouse soon’s I
find Barnett.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid matched Teaspoon’s nod and
turned toward the door himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“And Kid,” Teaspoon called
after him. “I’d think ‘bout this if I
was you. I know yer young, but time
still ain’t always yer friend. Write ta
Lou. Before it’s too late.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid leaned back against the
bunkhouse wall, watching the others while Teaspoon explained what had
happened. The initial discussion slipped
past him as he mulled the old man’s last words to him. Should he write Lou? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“We already said we’re in,”
Jimmy’s voice broke through Kid’s reverie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Amanda’s like family ta us,
too,” Cody added, as if the conclusion were obvious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“So, what’s the plan?” Jimmy
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Alright,” Teaspoon nodded. Not
that he’d expected anything less from his boys. “Emory Pike’s supposed ta be
hanged at Fort Laramie next week. Jimmy,
I want you, Buck and Noah to take him there. Dooley’s deputy will be ridin’
with ya.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“And again and again,” Jimmy
added morosely. Kid wondered what that
was about. How could this deputy have gotten on Jimmy and Cody’s bad sides that
quickly? They’d only just met the day
before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon ignored the byplay and
continued laying out his plan. “Kid,” Kid straightened at the sound of his
name, “Cody, it’ll be up ta us three ta rescue Amanda ‘fore Frank Pike realizes
I ain’t bringin’ his brother to him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid nodded. It made sense, though it was by far the more
dangerous of the two assignments. Not
that escorting Emory Pike to Laramie was going to be a cakewalk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“But how’re we gonna know
whether or not you got her before Pike’s s’posed ta hang?” Buck asked, concern
weighing heavily in his voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You won’t,” Teaspoon answered
shortly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Now hold on, Teaspoon!” Jimmy
protested. “We ain’t gonna let ‘em
string up Pike before we know Amanda’s safe!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Jimmy, you got one job ta do
and one job only. You get Pike ta
Laramie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy met Teaspoon’s eyes, pain
lighting their centers but hardened with resolve to do the right thing. He nodded slowly. He understood. Teaspoon wouldn’t be the man they all loved
if he gave in and parleyed with this outlaw. “Alright.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Having gotten Jimmy’s
agreement, Teaspoon softened his gaze a touch.
“We got plenty of time before the hangin’. We’ll meet you there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Teaspoon,” Buck tried again,
not won over by Teaspoon’s silent exchange with Jimmy. “If you don’t get to Amanda before Frank Pike
knows his brother’s dead –“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“We’ll be there!” Teaspoon
interrupted. Then, more slowly, more heavily, “We’d better.” He looked away from all of them, losing his
vision in the crackling flames in the fireplace. “We’ll leave at first crack of
dawn.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Teaspoon was right,</i> Kid thought, <i>as usual.</i> He’d been waiting
for Lou to come home to talk to her, try to work things out. But, what if she never came back? What if he never came back? This mess with the Pikes was almost as bad as
when he’d gone spying against The Hawk and his gang. It was very possible at least one of them
wouldn’t come back, maybe more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
If he didn’t write to her, how
would she ever know how he really felt?
How would she know that the only thing stopping him, even today, from
running straight to the nearest courthouse and filing their marriage
certificate was not wanting to make any more decisions for her. He’d learned his lesson there!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But, what to write? Where to start? He stared down at the paper in front of him,
dipped the pen in the inkwell and started scribbling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“ What’cha writin’, Kid?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid looked up to see Jimmy
staring at him curiously from the other side of the table in the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Nothin’,” he muttered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Probably his will,” Noah
joked. “Hey! Make sure you spell my name
right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Fer yer information I’m
writin’ a note ta Lou,” Kid sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Took ya long ‘nough,” Buck
said from where he was packing a saddlebag at his bunk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s goin’ ta be hotter than
a pistol when she finds out we left without her,” Jimmy commented.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ain’t our fault she’s not
here,” Noah said, glaring in Kid’s direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“It’s better this way, anyway,”
Kid sighed. “You and I both know that
havin’ her along would just somethin’ else ta worry about.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I don’t think Lou would see it
that way, Kid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“The trouble with Lou is that
she’s always tryin’ ta prove herself,” Kid said shortly, wishing the others
would let him alone to think. He’d never
get his letter written this way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s proven herself ta me,
that’s fer sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Kid’s head jerked up at Jimmy’s
tone. “What the hell’s that s’posed ta
mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She hasn’t let any of us down
in a fight, yet. Unlike some others in
this room I could mention,” Jimmy sneered. “What the hell d’you think I meant?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“If memory serves, Kid, I
thought that Lou said you shouldn’t treat her any different,” Noah put in,
trying to smooth things over before Kid and Jimmy came to blows again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She can say whatever she
wants, Noah,” Kid said, swinging his head toward the other rider. “But the fact
is is that she’s different to me. No
matter what her or any of ya say! I
can’t watch my wife in danger without wantin’ ta protect her, and that’s a
distraction in a gunfight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid,” Noah said placatingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But Kid didn’t’ let him finish.
He’d had enough. He jumped to his feet and practically shouted, “Listen, ever
since Lou and I got together I’ve been havin’ ta listen to y’all tell me what
ya would or what ya wouldn’t do. What
ya’d say or what ya wouldn’t say,” he spat out as he crossed the room toward
the bunkhouse door. Turning back to face
the others, he added, “Now she’s gone and yer still givin’ me advice. It’s between Lou and me. I’d appreciate y’all just mindin’ yer own
business!” His head swung in Jimmy’s
direction. “Especially you, Jimmy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
With that he opened the door,
stomped out onto the porch and pulled it shut forcefully behind him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy smiled grimly. “Well, guess it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,
hunh?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I need a volunteer for a
special run fer the Army,” McKenzie announced as he walked into the station
dugout. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’ll take it,” Lou muttered
before anyone else had really even registered what McKenzie had said. She pushed herself up on her elbows, as far
upright as she could get in her top bunk, and looked toward the barrel of a man
who was her new boss.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou, you just got in from a
two day run,” McKenzie sighed. “You
gotta let yerself take at least sometime ‘tween runs ta recover. No, not this time,” he added. Looking around at the others, he asked, “So,
who’s it gonna be? Or do I haveta
volunteer someone myself?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou plopped back down onto her
back on the bunk, her eyes already closing in exhaustion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Aw, let Lou take it,” George
whined. “He wants it. No skin off my back if he don’t wanna sleep.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I think you should go,
George,” Hiram Perry said. “Lou leaves
won’t even put a dent in the offerin’s at dinner time. You go and there’ll be
enough fer all of us ta have seconds.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Benji wheezed laughter at
Hiram’s jab at George.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I do believe it’ll be you
going, this time, Hi,” McKenzie said.
“Grab yer bags and go report to the Captain fer orders.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
McKenzie waited for Hi to leave
before walking over to the tower of bunks where Lou was rapidly falling
asleep. He reached up and slipped an
envelope into her hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You got more mail, Lou,” he
said softly. “Might want ta think ‘bout
answerin’ them one of these days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s hand clenched around the
letter, even as she sighed and settled into a true slumber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Dear Lou,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I hope you are better. Please
come back. I promise not to baby
you. We miss you. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Love,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Jimmy<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The first letter she’d received
was less than a page long. Scrawled out
in painfully careful handwriting, she could just imagine how long Jimmy had
worked on it. She’d long since memorized
the words. But, as with all the others,
she continued to go back and re-read it almost every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
A few days after Jimmy’s
letter, she’d gotten Billy’s. Where
Jimmy’s had left her wondering what was going on, Billy’s had left her no room
for questions. Three pages long, it had
described in detail how Cody’s life was falling apart because she wasn’t
there. He had too many chores, now. He had no one to sew up his coat when it got
ripped. He missed his poker partner. Who else would stake him when they went into
town to play at the saloon?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Buck, Ike and Noah had all made
their own contributions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Buck wrote about Ike’s
encounter with a man who’d been part of the gang who’d massacred his
family. He told how the man had changed
and Ike had decided he wasn’t the same person.
He wrote how Ike had forgiven both the man and himself for not being
able to save Ike’s parents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Ike wrote about the
animals. He described Samson’s latest
antics, told her all about the new foals born since she’d left, even described
how Katy was languishing because, other than runs, Kid never rode her anymore,
just stood around, staring off into the horizon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Noah wrote about helping
Teaspoon answer a call for help from a friend at a Mexican village. He told her all about how Teaspoon’s friend,
the priest, had been just as strange as you’d expect from someone who would
call Teaspoon for help. He explained how
they’d helped the villagers fight off the outlaws determined to steal their
silver. He’d commented again and again
on how much they’d needed her gun in the fight and her brain in the planning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Rachel and Teaspoon had been
more explicit in their letters. Both had
told her the family was falling to pieces without her there, called her the
heart of the family. Jimmy’d been hurt,
again, in a gunfight. He and Kid
continued to be at each other’s throats all the time, fighting over anything
and everything, neither willing to admit their argument centered around someone
who wasn’t even there. Cody spent more
and more time off on his own, chasing women and losing money in poker games at
any handy saloon. Ike often would go for
days without talking to anyone but Samson. They begged her to come home. Her bunk was waiting for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The one person who hadn’t
written was the one person she really wanted, needed, to hear from the
most. Did he want her back? Or was he just as glad not to have to think
about her anymore? Kid had remained
nothing more than a mention in the other’s letters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
So, though she’d read and
re-read them so many times they’d already become tattered at the edges, she
hadn’t responded to any of them. How
could she tell her family she couldn’t return to the site where all her dreams
had died once and for all? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Until now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She looked back down at the
latest letter. She’d recognized Kid’s
handwriting the second she’d woken up and read her name on the envelope, though
the address was written in Teaspoon’s distinctive, cramped scrawl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Skipping out on breakfast,
she’d rushed through her morning chores and then taken off for her favorite
spot, high in a tree along the edge of the Platte River. There she’d slowly re-read the others’
letters one more time, putting off the moment of truth. But the moment of truth had come. What would Kid have to say?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Practically holding her breath,
she picked up his letter and carefully slit it open, pulling out several sheets
of paper covered in his familiar scrawl.
Unfolding them, she realized there were actually two letters. The first was from Rachel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Her hands shaking, Lou set
Rachel’s missive aside to read later and slowly opened the second letter. For a moment, her eyes caressed the belovedly
familiar, careful, looping script. Then
she focused on the words and began to read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Dear Louise, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I miss you and I love you. I
think that’s the most important thing to say.
That and I’m sorry. I’ve tried
writing this letter so many different ways, but Teaspoon says always start at
the beginning. Well, that’s the
beginning, middle and end for me. I love
you.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I know I messed up. I was just
trying to show you how much I respected you by treating you like a proper
woman, the way my Ma would have wanted me to treat my wife. I forgot you aren’t my Ma, or any of the
other women I grew up around. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>That’s not a bad thing. What
makes you different, what makes you unique, Lou not just Louise, is what makes
me love you. I’ll just have to figure
out a way to treat you with respect in a way that truly respects you. If you’ll just give me a chance.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I know your job is important to you and you take great pride in doing
it well. As you should. You’re one of the best. No one can deny that. But, just remember, the road doesn’t love
you, it doesn’t care if you leave or stay, or how often you come to visit. We, your family, do.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I know the world hasn’t treated you fairly, especially certain men in
it. Sadly, I became one of them when I
accused you of trying to get rid of my, our child. I know you’d never do that. I know you.
I just didn’t stop to think about you in my shock over thinking you were
with child. I felt my own panic and put
that on you. I’m sorry. I can’t ever take those words back, but, if
you’ll come back, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make them up to you.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I love you. Have I said that
yet? I want you in my life for the rest
of my life. I came back from my last run
planning to ask you to go to the courthouse with me and file our marriage
certificate, make things official. But
you were gone. And, to a great extent, I
think that’s my fault. I’m sorry. I beg of you, please, forgive me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>As for Miss Edgars, I flirted with her shamelessly when I wasn’t free
to do any such thing, not in my eyes nor God’s, let alone yours. I hurt you
horribly with my actions. I can only say
I was hurting from your rejection and seeking relief from the pain. Yet, I still found myself always comparing
her to you. And she, my darling, was no
Louise McCloud and never will be.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I’m waiting for you, here in Sweetwater, whenever you decide to return.
Rachel’s including a note about what’s going on here. I’m glad you’re not here right now. I know you and you’d be right in the thick of
things, trying to save Amanda, protect Teaspoon, help all of us. That’s what you do. It’s who you are. But I would spend my time worrying about your
safety and not concentrating on what I need to do. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Besides, you need time to rest and heal. Jimmy told me what happened and I will bear
the sin of that for the rest of my life.
If I hadn’t been such an ass, you wouldn’t have been under all that
stress and lost our baby. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know I
keep saying that, but what else can I do except apologize, over and over again
and beg your forgiveness? I promise to
wait until you’re ready to come home.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>While I’m waiting, I’ll be here, tending our daughter’s grave. I know
it was really too early to know for sure, but I truly believe she was a darling
baby girl, perfect in every way, just like her mother. I’ve set up a memorial cross up on the hill,
next to Emma’s baby boy’s grave. I visit her everyday I’m here, bring her
flowers, tell her about her beautiful mother and our lives.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Take your time, get healthy.
When you’re ready, please, please, please come home to us. We’ll all be back, safe and sound, by then. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>You and I can talk, figure out how to make things work between us,
then. I’ll be here waiting until
then. I promise not to crowd you ever
again.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Love,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Your Husband, the Kid<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The last words Kid had penned
answered so many of her questions and fears about their relationship and where
it stood. He hadn’t written her, or
their marriage, off. She couldn’t begin
to describe how much that meant to her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou didn’t even realize she was
crying until the sound of the first sob burst out. But this time, the tears were tears of relief
as much as grief. They were healing
tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
When the tears slowed after
only a couple minutes, she reached for Rachel’s letter with shaking hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Dear Louise,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>I don’t know how to tell you this, but Amanda O’Connell’s been
kidnapped. She’s being held to blackmail
Teaspoon into not delivering a prisoner for hanging. I’m sure you know Teaspoon well enough to
know he won’t stand for that. The boys
are all riding out to help rescue her or to take the prisoner, a certain Emory
Pike, to Fort Laramie for hanging.
Everyone’s going except you and Ike, who’s on a run to St. Joe. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Lou, this is a dangerous mission and I think they’re going to need
every bit of help they can get. If you
still hold some love for us, please, come home.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Rachel <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s heart lurched. She’d heard of the Pike brothers, same as
most others in the territory. Suddenly,
she felt an incredible urgency to get home.
Her family needed her. In a rush,
she folded the letters back up and slipped them into her saddlebag. She practically ran the rest of the way
across the fort grounds to the Express station dugout. There she shoved her clothes into the bags
with the letters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You ain’t got a run fer
another two days, Lou. So why’re you
packin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She didn’t pause in her motions
at the sound of McKenzie’s voice, just nodded as she kept packing. He couldn’t peg it, but there was something
different about the rider that afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I’ve gotta go. It’s… a family emergency. They need me,” Lou said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Despite the words, McCloud’s
entire being thrummed with an energy, a vibrant life force, McKenzie had yet to
see out of him. To date, he’d been doing
little more than going through the motions, with no enthusiasm for life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“How long will ya be gone?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Don’t know,” she said,
shrugging as she tossed the stuffed saddlebags over her shoulder and reached up
to grab her hat off its hook on the wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I can’t hold yer job forever,
Lou,” he said, shaking his head. “Hell,
I only made room fer ya ‘cause Teaspoon begged me to. That, and yer better’n any two of the others
put tagether.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Don’t worry ‘bout it,” she
said. “I doubt I’ll be back. I’m goin’ home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Brushing past him and out the
door, she hurried toward the stables. She had an appointment in Fort Laramie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
McKenzie shook his head,
watching the rider practically bounce out of the dugout bunkhouse. He didn’t know what it was that had brought
that child back to life, but he couldn’t wait to write Teaspoon and let him
know, Lou McCloud was back.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-whole-truth-moment-of-truth.html">Moment of Truth</a></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-81099799498410878252014-01-17T20:00:00.002-08:002014-02-09T17:48:35.379-08:00The Whole Truth: Love & Loss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVai1xLGmK-RMUuMV9bU8qpxsrZdSs679WnMuqL4E88H5xm9AA7HGCprLULOZG1k374VLBnvpyOHVG0-zxd7qvrgzLIW4ZGq6_Zb8oPsLHoqaI3GlZ0TT65EWjo3kNlk5sNyF3AUCjQ54/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVai1xLGmK-RMUuMV9bU8qpxsrZdSs679WnMuqL4E88H5xm9AA7HGCprLULOZG1k374VLBnvpyOHVG0-zxd7qvrgzLIW4ZGq6_Zb8oPsLHoqaI3GlZ0TT65EWjo3kNlk5sNyF3AUCjQ54/s1600/Slide1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Author's Note: This installment takes place during the season 2 episode </i>Color Blind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Now that’s just plain
disrespectful of Rachel’s oatmeal casserole, Lou! If not outright sacrilege!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why don’t you just
absquatulate, Cody, and leave me the hell alone,” Lou growled, wiping her mouth
with her sleeve once the last of the retching had finished. Straightening, she kicked dirt over the
remains of her breakfast, now left in an unsightly mess ironically close to the
manure pile. Without another word she
stalked off toward the barn entrance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Still grouchy, hunh?” Noah
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yep. Tetchy as a bear in mid-winter,” Cody sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She’s been like that ever
since things… cooled off between her and the Kid. Wonder what’s up with them two. They went from hot to cold so fast it’d make
your head spin,”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I dunno, but sure wish’d
they’d figure it out. They’re makin’
life miserable fer the rest of us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Ain’t that the truth!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s stomach rumbled angrily
at its lack of sustenance as she walked down the boardwalk, trailing Noah,
Cody, and Ike. She didn’t know what
she’d caught but wished it’d finish with her and go away. Then again, maybe it was just nerves. Lord knew she’d been more than a mite stressed
out lately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Who’s that?” Cody asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou looked up to see what he
was pointing at. Kid was sitting on the
seat of an uncovered wagon next to a dark-haired, quite pretty, young
lady. Katy was tied to the back of the
wagon. The woman said something,
pointing toward Tompkins’ store. Kid
turned his head to look down at her, flashed a smile and answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I dunno,” Noah shrugged. “Looks like the Kid done already staked his
claim, though.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s stomach turned a
somersault as she took note of just how close Kid was sitting to the pretty, no
beautiful, woman on the bench next to him.
She could tell their thighs were pressed close together, despite her
voluminous skirts. Lou gulped to quiet
the sudden surge of nausea threatening to overwhelm her yet again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>Good,</i> she thought to herself.
<i>He’s moving on. That’s what I want. Isn’t it? </i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
But she couldn’t completely lie
to herself. She’d given him back his ring, told him to take his freedom. But
inside she’d really hoped he’d wait for her, that he’d see all she was asking for
was time, that he’d be there when she’d found her balance and was ready to come
back. Better yet, that he’d grab that
ring off the floor and come chasing after her, that he wouldn’t let her run
away. But he hadn’t done any of those
things. He’d just let her go. He’d said he loved her. Apparently what he’d loved was his ready
access to her body. And, without that,
he was ready to move on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>“You’re a natural born whore.
You’ll learn to like it soon enough, my dear. And then, Louise, you’ll make us both a lot
of money.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Wicks words echoed through her
brain. Had they been a prophecy? Or a curse?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Suddenly, she couldn’t take it
anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I… uh.. I forgot ta do
somethin’,” she muttered to Ike. “I’ll….
I’ll meet ya back at the station.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
He frowned at her as she turned
without another word and rushed back to where they’d hitched their horses. She flung herself onto Lightning’s back and
turned his nose down the main street out of town. She bit her lip to keep from crying as she
rushed to escape the pain of her heart as it shattered in her chest. She tasted blood didn’t care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Whoa there,” Jimmy scowled up
at her as he jumped out of Lightning’s path.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
At the sound of his voice, she
pulled back on the horse’s reins, pulling him into a neighing, protesting rear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Watch where yer goin’!” Jimmy
shouted as he stepped in to grab the bottom of Lightning’s halter and help
steady him. “Ya tryin’ ta kill yerself
or me? Cause yer most likely goin’ ta
kill yer horse ya keep up at this rate!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Sorry, Jimmy,” she muttered as
she slid off Lightning’s back. Leaving
the horse in his hands, she wandered over to the woodpile and sat down, slumped
really, on one of the upended logs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy watched her for a moment
as she rested her chin glumly in one hand and looked off into nowhere. Sighing, he shook his head and tied Lightning
to the corral fence and returned to his wood chopping, leaving Lou to her
silent contemplations. He had enough on
his own mind to deal with her drama right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yer grievin’ that church lady
you was courtin’, ain’t ya? Alice, right?” Lou finally said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy lowered the ax and looked
over at her. She wasn’t looking at him,
instead watching her own feet as they dug a trench in the dirt beneath
them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Really ain’t much ta talk
‘bout,” he said finally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“She was special. You probably
won’t never forget her,” Lou said slowly, as if she were thinking things
through as she said them. Looking up at
him with hope brimming in her eyes, she added, “But… but there’ll be
others.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The statement ended up sounding
more like a question to Jimmy’s ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Is that what you say about the
Kid? There’ll be others?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I try to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Do you believe it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Sometimes…..” Lou shrugged as
the word trailed off into silence. Her
gaze returned to the distance horizon. “Sometimes
love don’t always make sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Love don’t never make sense,
if you ask me,” Jimmy grunted, hefting the ax and swinging it down on the log
waiting to be chopped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Silence reigned for the next
few minutes as both became lost in their thoughts. The rhythmic sound of Jimmy’s grunts as he
swung the ax and the thump of it hitting wood, the crack of the wood splitting
into pieces, soothed some of the pain in Lou’s soul and provided relief for the
angry grief in his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Finally, Jimmy set the ax aside
and began to stack the pieces of scattered chopped wood along the back wall of
the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You wanna tell me ‘bout it?”
he asked, continuing to work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
She looked at him for a long
moment before lowering her gaze to her now entwined hands, the knuckles turning
white as the fingers suddenly tightened against each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Kid and I…. we’re through.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yup,” Jimmy grunted. “We sorta picked up on that one. What happened?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I… I wasn’t ready for marriage
I guess,” she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Marriage?!” That shocked Jimmy
into inaction. Moving to Lou’s side, he
grabbed another unchopped log, upended it and sat down next to her. “Did the Kid actually propose? And ya turned him down?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“No,” she said even more quietly. <i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Should she tell him?</span></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> she wondered. The last time she’d tried to
confide in Jimmy he’d brutally turned on her, using something beautiful to
insinuate something… awful. Of course, he’d been hurting awful bad at the
time, too, over that woman who’d run in front of his bullet in the middle of a
gunfight. She’d nursed the hurt from his betrayal for weeks afterward.
On the other hand, he’d trusted her enough to tell her about Alice, when
he hadn’t said a word to anyone else. Of course, as volatile as Jimmy
was, he might get mad that he’d opened up to her so much and she’d stayed quiet
about something so big in her own life. “I didn’t… turn him down.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Huh?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<i>What the hell?</i> she mentally shrugged. It wasn’t like she had much to lose
anymore. “We…. we got married,
Jimmy. During that trip ta Red
Fern. But… things just didn’t work out.” How to explain to him that she’d been too
scared to let go of her disguise and live life as a woman? “I… I needed time ta adjust…. and he… he
wanted us ta be any normal couple. I
ain’t never gonna be ‘normal’, Jimmy.”
The last ended on a near wail.
Even she wasn’t sure how much of what she’d say was fact and how much
was her deepest, darkest fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Course not,” Jimmy grunted in
agreement. “Not the feller in the
bunkhouse with the funny name.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I told him ta forget it,” she
said, straightening. “No one knew, ‘cept
the witnesses. And they ain’t likely ta
ever see us again. We never filed the
certificate at the county courthouse. So
it ain’t really legal, now is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Why?!” Jimmy asked, still
reeling in shock at the news which explained so much about the last few
weeks. “You two always worked out every
argument you had. You couldn’t get this
one figured out, too?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Suddenly, Lou crumpled, her
face twisting in pain as tears started leaking from the corners of her eyes.
Jimmy shifted in alarm, looking around to make sure no one else was around, or
in search of help. Even he wasn’t quite
sure which.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I can’t stay ma…. marr….
married to a man what don’t trust me!” she gasped out between hitched breaths
as she fought back the sobs crowding her chest.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy, unable to stand her pain
any longer, pulled her into a tight embrace.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What foolishness are you
talkin’?” he asked as he awkwardly patted her back. “Ain’t a one of us wouldn’t trust you with
his life!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
And then the whole story began
to spill out…. the reason for their hidden, hurried marriage, her determination
not to let it change anything about the life she’d worked so hard to build,
Kid’s desperate desire to be a ‘real’ husband and the mistaken assumption he’d
made that had spelled the end for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I just couldn’t believe it,”
Lou said, letting the warmth of Jimmy’s arms calm her some. “I couldn’t believe a man who said he loved
me would think I’d do somethin’ like kill my own baby?” Pulling out of Jimmy’s embrace, she
straightened up, surreptitiously wiping at her eyes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Don’t mean he don’t love you,”
Jimmy said slowly, trying to frame his words with care. “Maybe… maybe it just means he understands
how much your…. your freedom, I guess… means ta you and was afraid of what it
might push you to do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou just shook her head and
leapt to her feet, refusing to accept Jimmy’s explanation. Somewhere deep
inside her, in the part of her that felt her heart, maybe even more than that, still
somehow belonged to Kid, Jimmy’s words made sense. But she couldn’t bring herself to let Kid off
the hook so easily. Not after what he’d
suggested. Not after what he’d said!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I don’t even know where he’d
get an idea like that in the first place,” Lou said. “If I were carryin’ he’d
be the first one I’da told.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Well, it ain’t like ya ain’t
been showin’ a lot of the symptoms lately.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“What…. what are you talkin’
‘bout?!” A note of suspicion and fear crept
into her voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I watched my Ma carry several
babes,” Jimmy shrugged. “Some lived,
some didn’t. But some things were the
same regardless. She’d get short-tempered,
sick to her stomach over certain foods, didn’t have her courses, not that I was
s’posed ta know ‘bout that part,” Jimmy grinned like the unrepentant little boy
he’d been. “And she’d start… well…
fillin’ out.” He gestured with his hands
to indicate what he meant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou looked down at her own
chest, which she’d stopped binding unless she was on a run or going into
town. Right now she wore the bindings
and as she looked at her own chest realized they were a lot more uncomfortable,
and less effective, than she remembered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
As her mind ran over the way
she’d felt that morning when wrapping the bindings in place, her lost
breakfast, her lost temper, oh, so often lately, her face whitened and she
practically fell back down onto her log seat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“You don’t think…..”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jimmy nodded. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I think ya ought ta at least
check with a doctor,” he said. “If ya are,
I guarantee the Kid’ll want ta be there with ya.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“But… but he’s already moved
on,” Lou gasped, thinking about what she’d seen that morning in town. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I wouldn’t be so sure about
that,” Jimmy said darkly, obviously thinking of what he’d willing give or do
for just one more chance with Alice. “A
man don’t forget love that fast. No
matter how things look.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou reached out and grabbed his
hand in hers, holding on tightly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s footsteps slowed as she
neared the bunkhouse. She needed to talk
to Kid, tell him what she now suspected was the truth. See if there was still a chance to work
things out. Apologize for the way she’d
treated him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Come on, Kid! We saw the way you were lookin’ at her.” Cody’s voice wafted out through the window as
she neared the building. “Your eyes were bigger than a lovesick calf!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yer crazy, Cody,” responded
Kid’s distinctive voice, that could still make her stomach leap in excitement.
“I was helpin’ her out, that’s all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“It looked like more than
helpin’ goin’ on ta me,” Noah’s deeper tones reached her ears as she stepped up
onto the porch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“So, what’s this new
schoolteacher’s name, anyhow?” Buck chimed in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Samantha,” Kid said after a
short, pregnant pause.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The tone of his voice stopped
her in her tracks. Her fists clenched
tight at the sound of the other boys’ sniggering laughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“See! Ya can’t even say her name without blushin’!”
Cody crowed, putting her worst fears into words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yeah,” Noah said. “Maybe ya
oughta give yerself some… time ta get over things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou raised one hand to press it
flat against the door. <i>Please,</i> she
thought. <i>Oh, please say you agree. Deny
what they’re saying about you and… and her.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
That’s not what she heard,
though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Get over what? You mean Lou?”
Kid asked. “How long am I supposed ta brood over somethin’ that wasn’t meant ta
be?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou’s other hand crept down to
cover her lower belly at his words. She
was so caught up in their meaning, she didn’t notice his voice getting louder
as he neared the other side of the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou’s sweet. She’s….. good hearted. But it just didn’t
work out. Maybe it never coulda worked
out, the way we live and work together,” Kid finished, wrenching the door open
and stepping through the doorway, running right into Lou.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
They both paused for a moment
that felt like a millennium, staring deeply into the other’s eyes. Lou fought every instinct she had not to
reach up and caress his cheek as she’d been accustomed to. Oh, how she missed him with every fiber of
her being. But his last words continued
to echo in her brain and as their meaning broke through the shock of being this
close to him again she felt the pain beginning to pound at the back of her
temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Lou!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Teaspoon’s strident voice
shattered the silent tableau. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jerking away from Kid, Lou
hurried to the edge of the porch and jumped to the ground. Not even she was sure if she was in a hurry
to respond to Teaspoon’s call or to get away from Kid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“Yeah, Teaspoon? What is it?” she called, trying to keep the
incipient tears out of her voice. Lord,
she hated being this weak!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
“I got a special run for ya,
Lou. There’s a shipment of bonds and bank drafts intended fer Russell, Majors
and Waddell comin’ in from San Francisco,” Teaspoon explained, walking toward
her from the corral. “But we got ta pick
it up at Willow Spring tomorrow mornin’. So you best put some miles behind ya
‘fore sundown.” He paused a moment, then
added, “And.. I’m… sendin’ Jimmy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Lou narrowed her eyes, taking
the addition as an insult because it was easier than dealing with her own
emotional turmoil. She hardened her
voice as she said, “I can handle it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
“I didn’t
say ya couldn’t,” Teaspoon says, stepping back as she pushed past him toward
the corral, holding up both hands in a peace gesture. “I just want a second gun
on this one, is all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Lou
grunted as she continued on to the tack room to get the gear she’d just put
away a short time earlier and saddle up Lightning for the second time that
morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
“This
looks like a good place ta stop fer the night,” Jimmy said, breaking the silence
that had ridden with them all the way from Sweetwater. “It’s gettin’ dark and I don’t think we can
go much further without riskin’ the horses.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Lou
didn’t say anything, just pulled her horse up and dismounted. She hadn’t said a word since they’d left the
station. Jimmy was starting to get
really worried. He didn’t know what had
happened between her and Kid in front of the bunkhouse. But he’d seen how her face had gone sheet
white. Whatever it was had definitely
overset her on a day when she was already dealing with a pretty heavy shock. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
The
silence continued as they cooled off the horses and hobbled them for the night,
tying two legs together so they’d be free to roam and graze but couldn’t run
away. And it stayed with them as they
started the fire, laid out their bedrolls and got supper started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Finally,
Jimmy dished out some beans on Lou’s plate and handed it to her. “Here, you better eat somethin’,” he
muttered. “You ain’t had but a nibble
all day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Lou took
the plate unenthusiastically and began pushing the beans around with her
spoon. The second she lifted it to her
mouth though, she turned green around the gills, grimaced and set the spoon
back on the plate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
“Here,”
she muttered. “You eat it. I…. I think
I’ll just turn in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
“Lou,
that ain’t smart,” Jimmy chided. “If yer
really expectin’, ya gotta feed the baby, even if you don’t wanna eat.” Turning, he dug into the saddlebags next to
him. He pulled out a cloth wrapped
package and quickly opened it up to reveal a couple biscuits. “Rachel gave these to me fer our
breakfast. My Ma used ta say, even when
she couldn’t eat nothin’ else, at least plain bread would stay down.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Lou eyed
the biscuit Jimmy was holding out to her warily. Eventually she took it and lifted t to her
mouth, pausing to let her nose catch the scent.
When her stomach didn’t protest, she slowly began nibbling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
Still
nibbling on the biscuit, she lay back on the bedroll, turning her back on Jimmy
and pulling the blanket over her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
painful hitches and exhalations of someone sobbing against their will broke
through his troubled slumber. Rolling
over, Jimmy looked across the campsite to Lou’s bedroll. Sure enough he could see it shaking as she
sought to fight the grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You
alright Lou?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
froze, one hand surreptitiously wiping at the tears on her face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Yeah,”
she ground out in a gravelly hoarse whisper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Wanna
tell me ‘bout it?” he asked, not sure he wanted her to, but knowing from his
sisters that she really needed to talk to someone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
shook her head wildly without turning over to face him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Come
on, Lou,” Jimmy cajoled. “Ya know ya can
tell me anythin’. I’m a good
listener. Or so I’ve been told. And I won’t go spillin’ yer secrets.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I… I
can’t,” she gasped. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“It
ain’t gonna hurt any less keepin’ it all bottled up inside like that. Maybe… maybe it’ll hurt a bit less if
shared?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Like
ya shared how ya felt ‘bout Alice with us?” she practically sneered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
winced. She had him there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“It’s…
it’s different fer gals,” he tried. “My
sisters had ta share ever’thin’. They’re
good at talkin’ about stuff, figurin’ it out.
Why do ya think I told ya ‘bout Alice?
Guys…. they just wanna be left alone ta try ta ferget.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Then
just leave me alone!” she snapped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Problem
is, Lou, fer all yer playactin’, ya ain’t a guy. Not down deep inside where it really
matters.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Well,
I’m certainly not a woman!” The angry
statement hovered in the air between them, followed closely by a much quieter,
more pained, “Leastwise, not woman enough fer Kid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“What
happened, Lou?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“He….
he’s over me,” she said quietly. “He
told the others…. we was never meant ta be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
sighed, wishing Kid were there right then so he could punch him in the nose,
maybe knock a little sense back into him.
“The Kid was just talkin’, that’s all.
Fellers just seem ta talk a lot. It don’t mean anythin’, believe me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Yeah,
that or I didn’t mean nothin’ ta him,” she spat bitterly. “Apparently nothin’ that happened between the
two of us did. I was just a convenient,
warm body ta him.” <i>Just like Wicks told me would happen,</i> she thought. Much as she’d seen with her parents, where
the only value her mother had had to her father was as a bedmate and broodmare.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“That
ain’t what I meant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I
know,” Lou sighed apologetically. “It’s
just that… when the Kid and I went our own separate ways it was more my idea
than his. And… now he’s courtin’ that new teacher lady…. and… and.. he’s free
ta do what he wants. It just…. it hurts seein’ him fall for another woman. Especially now,” she suddenly sobbed, losing
the control she’d fought so hard for. “He’s
probably thinkin’ about her right now.
Whiles all I can do is think ‘bout him!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“No,
Lou! That’s not true. The fool ain’t thinkin’ nothin’ at all,” Jimmy said,
trying to comfort her, yet shocked to hear Kid was actively courting someone else
while still married to Lou. Jimmy
strangled the urge to get up, race back to Sweetwater and strangle Kid. “Go to sleep,” he said softly, reaching
across the distance between them to comfortingly pat Lou’s shoulder. She covered his hand with one of hers in
gratitude and closed her eyes, slowing falling into a much needed rest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Here,
you take this,” Lou said waspishly, handing over a chunk of cheese and some
beef jerky. They were meant for
breakfast, but “I just can’t stomach them.
Maybe I’ll be able ta find somethin’ in town.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
sighed and took the food back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Would
ya at least take my biscuit?” he practically begged. He’d deliberately left it uneaten, afraid of
exactly this happening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
nodded, accepting the biscuit as she turned to Lightning. Swinging up into the saddle, she grunted,
“Let’s get this thing over with.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
nodded and they turned their horses toward Willow Springs, Lou nibbling slowly
on the biscuit, her stomach still unsettled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
tensed as the clerk announced the shipment hadn’t arrived yet. Lou’d been pricklier than a scared porcupine
all day. She hadn’t slept well, was
still sick to her stomach and now hungry enough to eat a horse, to boot. As expected, she blew up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“So yer
sayin’ we have ta spend the night here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Lou,
the bank drafts were delayed. They should be here tomorrow. There’s nothing more I can tell you,” the
clerk said placatingly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Oh,
that’s just great!” Lou exclaimed in anger, pounding on the counter in emphasis
before stomping out of the office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“What’s
the matter with him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
winced as the door slammed shut behind her.
Looking at the beleaguered clerk who’d never seen Lou in such a fit, he
sought a quick explanation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Oh,
toothache,” he shrugged, before following her outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She was
leaning back against the wall a couple stores down, arms crossed over her
chest. When Jimmy reached her, she
sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Everything. Just everythin’ seems ta be goin’ wrong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Oh,
come on, Lou. I’d say this is a stroke
of good fortune,” Jimmy laughed. “Got
the day off. All to ourselves. Beautiful
sky, bright sun. In Willow Springs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
just looked at him, not even cracking a smile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Seriously,
Lou, this could be the answer ta yer dilemma.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“What’re
ya talkin’ ‘bout, Jimmy?” she asked, straightening up and lowering her hands to
her sides.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Willow
Springs… it’s big enough fer you ta disappear fer awhile… and go see some folks
about things ya needs ta take care of.
If ya get my drift.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
started nodding slowly. Yes, that just
might work. But…. “I can’t go like
this,” she said, indicated her clothing.
“Walk in dressed as Lou, the Express Rider, and say,” she lowered her
voice to a barely audible hiss, “I think I’m in the family way!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
smiled as he grabbed her elbow and started dragging her down the
boardwalk. “We can fix that,” he
said. “First get some rooms at the
hotel, tell ‘em ya ain’t feelin’ well cause of a toothache. ‘Lou’ can take a nap with a bottle of
‘medicine’ and Louise can come out ta take care of business. While yer doin’ that, I’ll stop by the
mercantile a couple streets over. Saw
they had some ready made clothes, and get ya somethin’ more appropriate ta
wear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
looked at him skeptically. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“It’ll
be easy,” he promised. “Long as you do
yer part. Stopping outside the hotel, he
pushed her toward the door. “Go on, get
rooms. I’ll meet ya at the livery in an
hour.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“How’d
ya get this without lettin’ on?” Lou asked suspiciously, holding up the pretty
dark blue dress Jimmy’d bought for her, trimmed with handmade white lace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
shrugged. “First of all, it’s a store we
never go to when we’re here, so none of
‘em knew me,” he said. “Go on,”
he added, pushing her toward the nearest stall.
“Get changed.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Once
she was inside and he could hear the sounds of her changing clothes, he
continued. “I just told ‘em my wife was
expectin’ and couldn’t fit none of her clothes no more. Said she wouldn’t come ta town like that and
made me buy her somethin’ new. They was
real sympathetic. Even gave me some extra
material so’s ya can let the skirt out later on, when ya…. well, ya know…. when
ya….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Get
fat?” she asked sarcastically, hands on her hips as she stepped out of the
stall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Damn!”
Jimmy whistled. “Louise just gets
prettier and prettier every time I see her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Oh
stop it,” she grumbled, punching him in the arm as she passed him. “You see me everyday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
winced, rubbing his arm in pain as he followed her. “Well, yeah, but that ain’t Louise. That’s Lou.
It… .it just ain’t the same.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
looked up at him with a question on her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Don’t
ask me why not, but it ain’t,” he shrugged.
“You ready?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
tugged a few more pieces of hay over the boys’ clothes she’d just hidden in
Lightning’s stall, then straightened her skirts and breathed deeply. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Then
come on,” Jimmy said, reaching out to grab her hand and tuck it into his arm at
the elbow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
looked up at him in surprise at the gentlemanly action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Hey,
my momma raised me ta treat a lady right,” he smiled down at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
blushed and looked down at the black toes of the boots he’d also bought her as
they stepped out into the early evening air.
She took long, deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves as she followed
Jimmy’s lead down the boardwalk, toward the center of town. She hadn’t been here near as often as Jimmy
and rarely explored beyond the hotel where Express riders put up for the night
when they had to stay here. But Jimmy
apparently knew exactly where he was headed and the closer to downtown they got
the harder it was for her to breathe. It
felt like someone was tightening a vice around her lungs with each step she
took.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Hey!”
she yelled as she tripped over something.
Looking down, she saw a man dressed in some silly, polka dotted outfit,
his face covered with white goop and giant eyes and a smiling caricature of a
mouth painted on. He held up a flyer
which she took without really looking at it, then waved and gamboled gleefully
on down the street which she suddenly noticed was filled with odd people, one
man swallowing sticks of fire, another dressed as a woman, someone else walking
along on a pair of outrageously tall stilts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Here
we are,” Jimmy said, drawing her attention back to their location. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
looked up and saw the sign hanging out over the boardwalk proclaiming the door
in front of them the entrance to Dr. Nicholas Hicks’ office. She clamped down on Jimmy’s arm in sudden
agitation, missing his wince of pain at her grasp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“It’ll
be alright,” he said, patting her hand in an effort to get her to release him.
“You’ll see. I’ll be with ya the whole
way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
nodded and he pushed the door open for her, motioning for her to go in
first. Stepping over the doorstep, she
tripped over the skirts she wasn’t used to wearing and grimaced at the stumble.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Can I
help you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
A tall
man with grey hair growing wildly in every direction, a round, reddened nose
and sharp chin came walking out of the back room at the sound of the tinkling
bells they’d set off when Jimmy opened the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
froze where she stood, unable to speak.
Jimmy looked down at her and sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Uh…
my… Lou… Louise.. we think she’s expectin’,” Jimmy stumbled through an
explanation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Ah,
well, the best sorts of cases in my experience,” the man said, pushing a pair
of wire rimmed spectacles higher on his nose.
“Come right this way and we’ll find out if you’re right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
They
followed him down a short hall to a small room with only a thin cot in it and some cupboards and a counter on the
other side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Doctor
Hicks pointed at the bed and said, “Mrs… uh…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
looked down at Lou when she still didn’t respond, her face white as a sheet.
“Hickok,” he finally said, answering the doctor’s unspoken question. “The name’s James Butler Hickok.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Mrs.
Hickok, we’ll leave you alone for a moment so you can take off your dress for
the examination. You can leave on your chemise if you wish, but I will need you
to remove the pantalettes,” Dr. Hicks said, smiling gently at the obviously
terrified young woman. “This won’t hurt
a bit,” he promised. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Jimmy…”
she said, turning to look up at the man she clung to. “Can… can Jimmy stay? For the exam, I mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Why,
of course. Now, you just get changed,
leave your clothes on the hooks here,” he pointed to the back of the door. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Will you
be alright, Lou?” Jimmy asked, worried by the slightly panicked expression on
her face. He could feel her breathing
accelerating, become rapid and shallow in a dangerous way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Hearing
the worry in his voice, Lou looked up and met his concerned eyes. In them she saw something she’d never thought
she’d see, a weak woman needing a strong man to protect her from a scary
situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<i>No!</i>
her mind screamed at her<i>. No! This is what you fought so hard NOT to
be! Do not fall down this hole! There’s no coming back.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Straightening
her shoulders, she forcibly took a deep breath and relaxed all her muscles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I’ll
be fine, Jimmy. You go on out with the
Doc,” she said quietly in a calm, serene voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Well,
you two were right,” the doctors said, standing up from the examination and
gently lowering the blanket back over her legs.
“You are most definitely expecting.
Congratulations!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
turned to Jimmy and held out his hand.
Jimmy, startled, looked down at the hand and, for the first time,
realized the Doc thought he was the husband, he was the father. “Uh,” he stumbled, holding out a surprised
hand to accept the congratulatory shake, “Thanks?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
response came out more a question than a statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou sat
up and pushed herself back against the wall, the blanket tucked carefully
around her legs to protect her modesty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“So,
now what, Doc?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Well,
first you get dressed and this handsome husband of yours takes you out for a
special meal at the hotel restaurant, to celebrate,” the doctor smiled at first
Lou and then Jimmy. “Then, you take it
easy for the next few months. Based on
what you told me and the exam I’d say this young one will be making his or her
entrance sometime around October or November.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Uh,
Doc,” Jimmy asked cautiously, “we rode to town, ain’t got a buckboard or
nothin’. Will…. Is it alright fer her ta
ride?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“As
long as you take it easy, for the next month or two, sure,” Hicks said. “But as soon as you start showing you must
stop all forms of exercise until the baby arrives. And even now you should avoid hard riding, or
anything else that raises your blood pressure.
Undue excitement of any sort has been known to dislodge a child that
hasn’t taken proper root.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
frowned as he looked down at Lou, still sitting on the bed, looking almost as
much a child as an adult. He nodded at
her shortened hair, “I’m guessing from your hair, ma’am, that you’ve been sick
fairly recently. That makes it more important
than ever that you not cut your hair. It
opens you up to all sorts of infections that can hurt your baby. And, given your size, I’d suggest Mr. Hickok
here be the one to get anything from the top shelf for you. Once you start showing, you shouldn’t even
raise your arms above your head. It
could wrap the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“But….
but how can I do my work-” Lou started to protest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Don’t
worry about it now, Lou,” Jimmy smiled down at her warningly. “We’ll deal with that when we get home. For now, why don’t we go get something to
eat?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“But
not too much,” the doctor warned. “It
can be dangerous for an expecting mother to eat too much. The child can grow too large for her and not
be able to make it down the birth canal.
You must be very careful to limit how much you eat for the next few
months.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
looked down at the food on her plate.
For once she was hungry and her stomach was cooperating with her. But suddenly she was afraid to eat what she
had for fear she’d make the baby grow too big.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
placed a hand on her arm and said softly, “Don’t worry ‘bout it. My Ma always ate like a horse once she got
past the mornin’ sickness. Never seemed
ta make no difference with the babies.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You
ever think about the future?” Lou asked as she brought a forkful of stew to her
mouth. “Where you’ll be five years from now?
Ten? Where we’ll all be?” She
took the bite and chewed vigorously, looking to Jimmy for his answer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“No,”
Jimmy said thoughtfully. “No, I can’t
say that I do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Seems
like that’s all I’m thinkin’ ‘bout right now,” she said softly, a sense of
wonder overlying the fear of the future in her voice. “This baby…. he’s goin’ ta change ever’thin’,
I just know it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I
don’t blame ya,” Jimmy smiled at her.
“And Kid’s gonna be the proudest pappy on the planet when he finds out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
looks away and says quietly, “I don’t know’s I’m goin’ ta tell him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“It’s
his child, Lou,” Jimmy said seriously.
“He’s got a right ta know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You
know the Kid, Jimmy,” she said urgently, leaning in close. “He’ll make this marriage real, stay with me
‘cause of this baby. I don’t want no man
what’s only with me ‘cause he has ta be.
Things were over ‘tween us before this.
I’m not so sure that’s changed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Really,
Lou?” Jimmy asked. “Were they really
over?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Over
enough,” she muttered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Lou,”
Jimmy said, suddenly worried about what she might do, “promise me somethin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“What,
Jimmy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Promise
me ye’ll give Kid at least one more chance when ya get back?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
opened her mouth to protest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Ya
don’t gotta tell him ‘bout the baby right away,” he said quickly, holding up
his hands to forestall her words.
“Just…. give it one more try. For
the baby’s sake. He, or she, deserves ta
know his father. Deserves the kind of
childhood none of us really had, growin’ up in a home with two parents what
love him and love each other. Safe. Secure.
Loved.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
closed her mouth as she thought about the picture Jimmy was drawing. Then she thought about what it would be like
on her own, raising a child out of wedlock, or as a supposed widow, always
fighting to survive, for just a token amount of respect from the people they
lived near, or not living near anyone, in constant danger from outlaws because
of their solitude. Slowly, she set down
her fork and nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I’ll
give it another chance,” she said softly.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Good,”
he said, smiling at her proudly. “Are ya
finished?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
looked at her plate and, to her surprise, discovered she’d cleaned it. “I… I guess I am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Then
why don’t we go see that circus, you know, the one we practically tripped over
on our way to the Doc’s?” He grinned his big, infectious grin. “Who knows, all those clowns and play actors
might help ya understand the Kid a bit better.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
laughed, slapping him with her napkin as she stood up to follow him out the
door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You’re
a funny man. A sweet man,” she said,
leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. “You’ve
been a good friend to me, Jimmy Hickok.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy
wrapped his arm around her waist and slowly guided her out of the
restaurant. Neither of them noticed the
tall man sitting by the kitchen, a scar running from his right eye to his chin,
his left sleeve pinned up because there was no arm to fill it. But he noticed them, his eyes narrowing as
they turned around and he saw Jimmy’s face in the shimmering candlelight. Standing, he followed them out the door and
down the street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
smiled, relaxed and enjoying herself completely for the first time in days, as
Jimmy led her, paraded with her really, down the street. The sound of a sweet song came from a
trumpeter and she laughed as Jimmy paid him to play their favorite, <i>I Dream of Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair</i>. Teaspoon loved the song better than
anything. He was always singing it,
whistling it, humming it. They’d all
picked up on it after awhile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Jimmy pulled
her into his arms and swung her in twirling loops around and around down the
middle of the street for the duration of the song and she lost herself in the
moment, letting the fears and worries for tomorrow take flight, drifting up
into the sky along with the notes of the trumpet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
When
the song ended, they continued on their way, marveling at the delights before
them, acrobats leaping and twisting in the air, the fire eater swallowing
swords fully aflame, the strange animals lounging around for the public to gawk
at. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Finally
they stopped before a magic show to watch the marvels there and try to figure
out how they were done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You
don’t think it’s really magic, do ya?” Lou asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Naw,”
Jimmy shook his head. “I know it’s
tricks. The fun’s in tryin’ ta figure
out how he’s doin’ it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
laughed and nodded in agreement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Do we
have a volunteer from the audience?” the magician called out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
People
started looking around to see who would volunteer, some pushed others forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Hey,
this is our chance,” Jimmy whispered, pushing her slightly forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Ah
ha! We have a beautiful volunteer,” the
magician announced, stepping toward Lou and holding a hand out toward her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
stepped back, pressing against Jimmy’s safe warmth, not sure she was ready.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Come
on, Lou. Go on,” Jimmy urged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
laughed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Alright,
I will,” she said, stepping forward and taking the magician’s hand, letting him
lead her up the stairs to what looked almost like an upright coffin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
He
opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
She smiled and did, turning to wave at Jimmy as the magician closed the
door. The sound of a muffled explosion
of some sort startled her and she jumped slightly, just as the floor of the box
started to lower beneath her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
squealed slightly in surprise, then covered her hand and laughed at her own
foolishness. <i>Of course, a moveable floor. And
the magician would open the door and, voila!, she would have disappeared. This was sooo much fun, </i>she thought. She almost wished she could see Jimmy’s face
when the door opened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
stiffened at an odd sound coming from behind her. As she tried to turn to see what was going
on, a gloved hand suddenly wrapped around her shoulders, pressing an oddly
scented cloth to her nose and mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
reached up with her free hand, trying to pry him away, scratching and kicking
for all she was worth. But whatever was
on the cloth was affecting her, she could feel the edges of her sight…. dimming…
the world suddenly going black around her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
groaned as her stomach rebelled, causing her to retch herself to
consciousness. As she slowly tumbled to
full wakefulness, she realized she was tied up, hand and foot. The swaying motion making her sick to her
stomach was the result of her lying in the back of a wagon. The night sounds around her told her they had
already long since left the town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She
began to struggle, unsure what had happened or why she was trussed up like a
pig on its way to market, but quite sure she needed to get away now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Stop
your fussing, Mrs. Hickok,” a slow voice from the front of the wagon called
out. “I won’t hurt you. Though your husband might. We’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
chuckle that followed sent shivers down her spine. She struggled harder, more determined to get
free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“If you
don’t quiet down back there, I’ll have to give you more chloroform,” he warned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<i>No! </i>she screamed in her head, suddenly
stilling. What could a drug like that do to her baby? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
wagon continued on its way into the dark of night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Wakey,
wakey,” her captor sounded out in a sing song voice as he grabbed her bound
hands and tugged her upright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Please,”
she said in a rough voice. “Please,
don’t hurt me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“That’s
all up to your man,” he said smilingly.
Lou saw the gun attached to his horse nearby and her fingers twitched,
practically itching to wrap around it and blow him away for threatening her and
her child this way. “And he should be
here, soon. I left him a note, you see.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
didn’t have time to respond, she was too busy trying to stay on her feet as he
dragged her out of the back of the wagon and toward a nearby tree with a noose
dangling over one branch. Her scared
eyes traced the path of the rope as it looped over the branch and down to where
it was tied to the saddle horn of the man’s horse. The closer she got to it, the more she
struggled, desperate to escape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Stop
it!” he suddenly yelled at her, pulling back and walloping her across the
cheek, leaving behind a quickly darkening bruise. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I will.
Now stop fighting!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
could feel the throbbing pain from where he’d hit her and her will to fight
suddenly drained away. The doctor’s
warnings echoed in her ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<i>Undue excitement of any sort has been known
to dislodge a child that hasn’t taken proper root.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
She let
him lead her to the large rock underneath the noose, and stood passively while
he lowered the noose around her neck, then walked to his horse and tightened it
so she had to stand on her tiptoes to keep it from digging in and cutting off
her air. All the while she prayed God,
and Jimmy, would keep her child safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
It
wasn’t long before she heard the familiar pounding of hooves presaging the
quick arrival of a rider. As the
staccato sound neared and slowed, Hopkins spoke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I
appreciate you’re punctuality. Your lady
friend and I were getting chilled.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“You
alright, Lou?” Jimmy called out, ignoring the other man for the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
kept her eyes on her feet, not looking up, afraid with all her heart of what
was going to happen. If Jimmy saved her
child, he might not survive. But if he
didn’t, she and her baby wouldn’t live. Her captor hadn’t exactly explained his
plan, but it wasn’t hard to deduce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Yeah,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Oh,
she’s fine now. But, as you can see, her
situation is somewhat…. tenuous,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Why
the hell you doing this?” Jimmy demanded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Just
returning the favor you did me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
heard the exasperation in Jimmy’s voice when he said, “It was a fair fight,
Hopkins.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Gunfighting
was my trade. And you took that away
from me,” Hopkins indicated his missing arm. “You call that fair?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
argument continued, but Lou’s concentration wandered. She wondered what Kid was doing right
now. Would he even care if Jimmy chose
his own survival over hers? Would Kid ever
find out about the babe in her womb?
Suddenly their words pierced her conscious again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“By the
time you reach her, she’ll hang,” Hopkins laid out the choice in bald words
that never took into account her condition, a condition he knew nothing
of. Nor would he have cared about, from
what she could tell. “Or, you can shoot the horse. If you do that, I’ll have
time enough to drop you, sure. It’s your
choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Her
eyes flew to Jimmy’s, wondering what choice he’d make. The calm love she saw there reassured her. He
nodded slightly. He’d watch out for her
and her child, to the death if necessary.
The conundrum tore what was left of her heart in two. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Cut
her loose,” Jimmy demanded. “I’ll face ya with no guns.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Ah,
that wouldn’t be sporting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
could hear the creak of Jimmy climbing off his horse, the slap as he unbuckled
his gunbelt and the thud as his pearl handled Navy Colt revolver hit the dirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I
ain’t doin’ it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Pick
it up!” Hopkins demanded. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Lou
glanced at Jimmy through her eyelashes, afraid to move because it might
distract him but desperate to see what was going on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“I
ain’t gonna draw on ya, Hopkins. I just want the lady,” Jimmy said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Strap
on your gun! Do it, Hickok!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Yer
gonna have ta shoot me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Oh,
when would this torture end? she wondered.
She just wanted to go home with those she loved, to rest and relax, to
enjoy the knowledge of her coming child, to fix things with Kid, to live the
life she’d dreamed of since she could remember.
She felt her stomach cramping in protest at the tension eating into her
from the two men.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Alright! My gunfire’ll spook this horse and you’ll
both die.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
It all
ended in seconds. She heard the sound of
Jimmy’s clothes rustling, and the bang of his gun as it went off, then she was
falling. Her head and shoulder hit the
ground first, causing stars to sparkle across her vision. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Ow!”
she grunted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
Before
she had time to pull the rope off over her head and see if there were any way
she could help, two more gunshots followed and she could hear Hopkins’ body hit
the ground and Jimmy’s footsteps as he raced to her side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“Lou,
you alright?” he gasped as he pulled her tight into his embrace. “Oh, God, Lou, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
The
cramping and clenching in her belly increased.
For a moment she wondered why.
The tension was over. She and her
baby were safe. Then it hit her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
“My
baby!” she cried as the first gush of blood flooded the ground beneath her.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Author's Note: This story, the entire series, wouldn't be half of what it is if it weren't for the beta work of two wonderful TYR ladies, JennaLynn and CindyPio. I can't thank you two enough for helping me get my muse back. Sometimes she came kicking and screaming, but you never gave up on me and that means the world!</em><br />
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></em>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Bitstream Charter, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-whole-truth-self-evident.html">The Whole Truth: Self Evident</a></span></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-20884256426028300112014-01-08T07:43:00.003-08:002014-01-17T20:57:39.661-08:00The Whole Truth: Misunderstandings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuL-m2vzGE-SIOxQe27BYaH4kuvMSLPR9GvZE2qBoFMEEyasSo3qveu-zhBbEdUyORYdnb0NQYGI1J0Idp7YBOrslIwF5Admg1VNxrlbv2-mT8DVRgVaI6XnEZjOXqpf2CB7oBzsnPLM/s1600/twt+misunderstandings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuL-m2vzGE-SIOxQe27BYaH4kuvMSLPR9GvZE2qBoFMEEyasSo3qveu-zhBbEdUyORYdnb0NQYGI1J0Idp7YBOrslIwF5Admg1VNxrlbv2-mT8DVRgVaI6XnEZjOXqpf2CB7oBzsnPLM/s1600/twt+misunderstandings.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>Author's Note: This story falls during the Season 2 episodes from </i>Requiem for a Hero <i>to </i>Daisy<i>, but takes place mostly during </i>Daisy<i>. It is a sequel to </i><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-whole-truth-whats-hidden_20.html">What's Hidden.</a><i>.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
leaned forward over the horse’s neck, stretching her face into the wind kicked
up by their rapid progress across the hard prairie soil. The pounding of
the animal’s hooves soothed the ache that threatened to rip her heart out of
her chest. Really, she’d already done that all on her own. She
should’ve known better, known she wasn’t destined for a traditional life as
wife and mother and never tried to reach for the forbidden. It was all
her own damned fault. She pressed her face into the soft hide of her
mount to wipe away the tears once more leaking down her cheeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
No
matter how hard she thought over the last few months, she could never quite
place just when or where things went wrong. It had been more of a gradual
slide down a very slippery slope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
At
first, things had been blissful, all she could have ever asked out of marriage.
He’d been loving, attentive, considerate. Christmas had come and
gone in a haze of pleasure. It had been all walks in the moonlight and
stolen kisses beneath the stars. Had been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
But
then, the loving became claustrophobic jealousy. The attention drew too much
notice from others. What had been considerate was suddenly over-protective.
He struggled to accept the continued secrecy of their relationship, their
marriage, even from their family. He wanted to be a ‘normal’ couple, to
show his appreciation in public, to treat her like a woman. She’d tried
to explain to him, so many times, why she needed time, space to get used to
this huge change in her life. Not to mention why she couldn’t be ‘normal’. But
it never seemed to come out right and the explanations began turning into
fights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The words of
their increasingly frequent disagreements slithered through her brain yet
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You
ain’t hidin’ a couple other husbands on me, are ya, Lou?” he’d asked half
suspiciously, half jokingly after Barnett’s failed wedding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
It
wasn’t long after that he’d started harping on her about doing what was proper,
the way they’d been brought up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“If we don’t do
things to make things proper, something terrible could happen, and that scares
me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
He’d started
pushing her to go public, at least with their family at the station. Said
he was tired of hiding his feelings all the time. It wasn’t like the
others didn’t already know the two of them were a couple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Then, he was
trying to tell her what to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’m taking this
run! The Comanche are acting up. It ain’t safe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
When she’d
argued, he’d reminded her of the vows she’d made in that meadow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Why is it so
hard for you to understand that I am the same person I was before you and I…
you and I started… ridin’ double.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Because yer not
the same person to me, Lou. Yer my wife,” he’d hissed. “Damn it, Lou,
it’s my job ta protect ya now!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Eventually she’d
lost her temper with him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Why don’t ya
stop bein’ my mama and stick ta bein’ my man?” she’d demanded as she took off
for the run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
They’d
always managed to get back on track. Until… well, until he’d thought she
was expecting. That had been the beginning of the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>”Three weeks earlier….</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Why cain’t ya
just give me some room ta breath?” Lou practically screeched, pushing past Kid
out through the open bunkhouse door. “All of ya, just leave me alone!”
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Kid watched her,
bewildered, as she stomped off toward the barn, still muttering under her
breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Looks like I
just missed Hurricane Lou,” Cody teased as he walked up to the bunkhouse steps,
looking back over his shoulder repeatedly at the annoyed woman he’d just
passed. “What’s got her dander up this time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“I dunno,” Jimmy
said, just as flummoxed as Kid. “We was just jokin’ around, and she flew
off the handle like we was tryin’ ta murder her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Sounds
like her woman’s time to me,” Buck murmured from his bunk at the back of the
bunkhouse. “’Cept the time’s all wrong. That’s only s’posed ta be
once a month and this seems ta be all the time now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid
blanched. No, it couldn’t be, he thought. They’d been so careful.
He knew they needed to take things slow and he knew he’d been pushing her
probably faster than he should’ve. But this would take all choices away
from them, from her And it would be his fault. He had to fix
things. But, how? Without a word, he jumped off Lou’s bunk where
he’d been sitting and strode, practically ran, out of the bunkhouse.
Unlike his errant wife, he headed toward Rachel’s place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
just don’t know what ta do,” he said, resting his chin on his hands, his elbows
on his knees. He never felt quite comfortable on Rachel’s, well Emma’s
actually, pretty white settee. And the current topic of conversation
certainly wasn’t designed to put him at ease. He sat perched on the edge
of the couch as if ready to take flight at any moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel
hid a smile behind her tea cup as she raised it to take a sip. She didn’t
say anything for a moment, then decided to take pity on the bewildered and
worried young man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
think ya need ta give her the space she’s askin’ for,” Rachel said quietly.
“If it’s true, changes’ll come fast enough without ya pushin’ them on
her. Let her deal with them in her own time and her own way, Kid.
Just be ready ta help her when she needs it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Are
ya sure?” he asked plaintively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Rachel nodded and
patted his shoulder reassuringly. “And, Lord knows, I don’t have to ask
if you’re ready to do the right thing by her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
It
was hard but he
was determined to follow Rachel’s advice. He didn’t say a word as Lou rode off the next morning. She
should only be gone for the day, back in her own bunk that night.
Although the thought of her riding hard in her condition worried him, he
figured she’d probably be alright. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
By
supper she still wasn’t back. Unable to eat, he settled in on the front
porch of the bunkhouse, his eyes glued to the horizon for any sight of her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Here,
ye’ll need some coffee if yer gonna keep vigil, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Startled,
Kid looked over his shoulder to see Teaspoon standing with a tin cup of coffee
outstretched in one hand. At Kid’s look Teaspoon nodded and waved the cup
his direction again. He could see the steam wafting up from the dark,
fragrant liquid even as the savory smell reached his twitching nostrils.
Gratefully, Kid accepted the offering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He
took the cup and lifted it to his lips, blowing gently to cool the still hot
beverage before sipping at it. Already his thoughts and his eyes had
returned to the horizon and his missing wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“She’ll
be fine, Kid,” Teaspoon said gently. “Ain’t nothin’ special ‘bout this run.
Probably just a sick or missin’ rider at the next station made them keep
her fer an extra run or somethin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Probably,”
Kid murmured in agreement. But the roiling in his gut disagreed mightily.
So intent was he on keeping watch he never noticed Teaspoon’s heavy sigh
or when the older man finally gave up and sought out his own bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He
sat there through the long night, worrying about what had happened. He
sat there through breakfast and on into the morning. Until Teaspoon
finally had enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Kid,
I don’t pay ya ta watch the horizon. There’s stock needs feedin’.
Now get to it!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid
reluctantly pulled his stiffened body up off the bench he’d been sitting on and
headed toward the barn and his daily chores. But his eyes continued to
stray toward the horizon at every possible chance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That
does it,” he muttered angrily to himself as Rachel rang the lunch bell.
“I can’t do this no more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You
can’t do what anymore?” Rachel asked, overhearing him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“This,”
he spit out between gritted teeth, waving his hand around to indicate himself
and the current situation. “Sittin’ here, worryin’ like crazy, not able
ta work. She’s movin’ inta the big house with you and findin’ somethin’
safer ta do. I can’t risk her… I can’t risk them, like this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel
shook her head mournfully as she watched Kid move purposefully into the
bunkhouse and start opening up trunks and packing up Lou’s stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
reveled in the feel of the fresh spring air as it rifled past her face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Come
on, boy,” she urged Lightning. They were almost home. It had been a
long run, double run, really. When she’d gotten to the next home station,
all the riders had been down with some illness. The stationmaster had
sent her on with orders to bring back backup riders. She’d ridden
straight through the night, only to turn around and head back. She was
just now finally almost home. She couldn’t wait to eat some of Rachel’s
stew and collapse on her bunk. She figured she’d sleep straight through
til morning, at the least.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Kid,
it’s Louise!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
heard Rachel’s faint call from where she stood outside Emma’s house hanging
laundry. She smiled at the homey feel of that alert. Lowering her
head, she pushed Lightning ever faster and soon they were galloping up to the
bunkhouse porch. Lou leaped off the horse’s back with more energy than
she’d felt since the day before. There was just something about being
home again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
smiled as she saw her husband come rushing across the porch toward her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hi,
Kid,” she started to greet him, but was interrupted when he grabbed her up in a
bear hug that like to break her in two. She could tell from the tension
vibrating through his arms just how worried he’d been by her delayed return.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Thank
God yer alright,” he breathed in her ear loudly enough for everyone to hear
him. “I’ve been worried about ya. Where ya been?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Annoyed
by his lack of discretion almost as much as she was pleased by his concern, she
pulled back and muttered, “Workin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Kid didn’t get
the message. “When ya didn’t come home last night Jimmy had ta
practically tie me down to keep me from ridin’ after ya.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou glared at
him. “Glad someone around here’s got some sense.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She pulled away
and turned toward her horse, ready to start cooling Lightning off and settling
him for the night so she could get some rest herself. But Kid wouldn’t
let up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Lou!” he called
excitedly, grabbing her arm to slow her down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Uh, Kid, I don’t
think now’s such a good time,” Rachel said, hoping to put off the coming explosion.
Kid never heard her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Got a surprise
for ya,” he said, tugging Lou toward the big house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Can’t it wait
‘til after supper,” Lou sighed, exasperated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Nope,” Kid shook
his head, his eyes bright with a fevered form of excitement that half scared,
half amused her. “Jimmy, could ya take her horse?” he asked, tossing the reins
to the other rider. “Come on,” he added, beginning to tow her toward the
big house in earnest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’m comin’.
I’m comin’,” Lou muttered, stumbling over her own tired feet trying to
keep up with his rapid pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
On the porch, Kid
paused, turning to Lou. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Alright, close
yer eyes,” he said softly. And, despite her exhaustion, the fading
anxiety mixed with excited nervousness made her want to kiss him silly.
Instead, she just closed her eyes as he’d asked and let him lead her into
the house. He carefully guided her into what she knew was the parlor and
stopped, positioning her so she faced one of the front windows. She could
feel the sunlight pouring in through the glass, warming her face. It was
so pleasant she just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“You can look
now,” he said softly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
slowly opened her eyes to see a bed set up in the corner, blankets hanging from
the ceiling, pulled back for now, but obviously designed to be closed for
privacy. Her breath hitched as she tried to absorb what she was seeing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Trying
to keep her temper, she asked very, very quietly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What’s
this about, Kid?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He
looked at her, suddenly nervous at her tone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well,
see… things are changin’, and yer not gonna be able ta ride fer the Express
much longer and I didn’t think it was a good idea fer ya ta stay in the
bunkhouse now….” his voice trailed off at the growing fury in her eyes.
He added, quietly, “I… I couldn’t take worryin’ so much over ya…both.”
His last word was lost in the sudden storm of her words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You
low down, mealymouthed coyote. Who the hell do you think you are?
You got a lot of nerve movin’ me in here!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
picked up the glass vase he’d set by the bed filled with Black-eyed Susans, her
favorites, and threw it at his head before turning and throwing herself back
out the front door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He
watched her go with a leaden lump growing in his chest, flinching as she
slammed the door behind her. He slumped down on the bed he’d so lovingly
made for his wife, hoping to share it with her soon, to begin planning their
family. He heard the door open and close again and soft steps approach him.
Looking up, he saw Rachel watching him with a worried face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What
do I do now?” he asked, not really expecting an answer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Despite
her exhaustion, Lou found she couldn’t relax enough to sleep after that awful
trick Kid had pulled on her. She still couldn’t believe he’d tried to
change her life like that without even consulting her about it. This…
this was one of the many things she’d feared about marriage, she thought to
herself, trying to drown out the part of her heart that saw his actions as
worried concern simply taken too far. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
As a young child
she’d seen it all happen before, her father slowly tightening the noose around
her mother, all in the name of love, until it was so tight she couldn’t move
without arousing his wrath over her ‘endangering herself’. She’d seen
love turn to abuse in the most insidious way possible. She’d stood at her
mother’s side when it had all gotten to be too much and helped her run, far and
fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She didn’t really
think Kid could ever be like that. He didn’t have the same hate in him,
the same greed and possessiveness her father’d had. But she’d fought so
long and hard to achieve her freedoms just the thought of losing them could
send her into a panic!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Yet, she longed
for the sort of loving relationship she saw Sam and Emma building.
Obviously not all marriages were like her parents. Emma had no
problem letting Sam worry about her, in private and in public. And Sam
never crossed the line in trying to protect her. Emma wouldn’t let him.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Oh, how she
wanted to have Emma’s strength. Yet she had no idea how to do it.
The only thing she really knew how to do was to run away when things got
too scary for her. And she didn’t want to run away from Kid. Not
ever again. Somehow she had to find the strength to stay. If he’d
just back off a little and give her time to adjust.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
After
what seemed forever tossing and turning in her lonely bunk, she climbed down
and marched across the room, ignoring the boys busy with their various evening
pursuits, and out the door. As expected, Rachel was ringing out the day
sitting on the porch swing with a cup of tea in her hand. Lou crossed the
yard to join her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
For
a long time, they sat there saying nothing, simply enjoying the quiet peace of
the deepening twilight and the uncomplicated nature of each other’s company.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Eventually,
Rachel broke the silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“So,
you never said what exactly made you so late,” she said. “We were all
worried about you, ya know? Even Teaspoon was talkin’ about mountin’ a
search party if ya weren’t back by dinner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
know,” Lou muttered, nervously shoving an unruly hank of hair behind her ear
and looking off into the distance to avoid meeting Rachel’s gaze. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lovin’
a woman like you ain’t easy,” Rachel said with a small smile, letting her hand
fall comfortably to Lou’s leg on the seat next to her. “Kid’s doin’ the
best he can. He’ll learn. Give him some time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
looked away without answering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou,
you comin’ in?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
stiffened at the sound of Kid’s voice as he called to her from the bunkhouse
porch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m
talkin’ ta Rachel,” she growled back. “I’ll be in when I’m done. Do
you mind?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid’s
shoulders slumped and he nodded before heading glumly back into the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel
shook her head. “Don’t you think yer bein’ just a little hard on him?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou turned her
head stare at Rachel in astonishment. “After that trick he pulled
today?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Rachel nodded.
“He’s just tryin’ ta do the right thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’ve been livin’
in the bunkhouse fer about a year now. Are you sayin’ that that’s the wrong
thing?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“No, of course
not. It’s just that sometimes things…. change,” Rachel said, trying to tiptoe
around what Kid had told her without letting on that she knew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou looked down
at her hands clasped in her lap in front of her. In a small voice, she
asked, “What if you don’t want ‘em to?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Hmh,” Rachel
grunted, smiling a touch sardonically. With a half laugh she added, “You
don’t always have a choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou shook her
head vigorously, as if trying to shoo away a fly. “Maybe not. But I got
one here and I plan to keep things the way they been,” she said firmly, before
standing up and walking away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Rachel watched
Lou cross the yard toward the barn with a frown on her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Just
what are ya plannin’ ta do ta make that happen, young lady?” she asked
worriedly. “How do ya think ta keep a baby from changin’ yer life?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Only
the wind answered her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Kid,”
Rachel said after breakfast the next morning, “help me with the dishes?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Uh,
sure,” Kid said, looking longingly over his shoulder as the other riders filed
out of the bunkhouse, Lou in the lead. He’d been hoping to make things up
with her, somehow, this morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel
tossed him a towel and he began drying the plates and bowls as she handed them
to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Kid,
are you sure Lou’s… expectin’?” she finally asked hesitantly, not sure how or
if she should tell him her suspicions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid
sighed. “’Bout as sure as I can be without seein’ a doctor,” he said,
setting a plate aside and picking up a tin cup. “She ain’t had…. had her
courses since ya sent us off ta Red Fern. She’s suddenly highly
emotional, more so than normal. And.. well, she looks more like a woman
every day, if ya know what I mean. Not ta mention her appetite lately.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“There
could be a number of reasons for each of those changes,” Rachel said quietly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“But
all together?” he asked. “At the same time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel
sighed. That’s what she’d been afraid of. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
think ya need ta talk to her,” she said heavily. “Let her know ya know
and yer there for her, that ye’ll help her deal with all the changes comin’.
If ya don’t…. well, I think she’s goin’ ta do somethin’ she’ll regret the
rest of her life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid
set the bowl he was drying down on the counter very carefully and turned to
look Rachel full in the face. “What are ya sayin’, Rachel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
think…. it’s just somethin’ she said last night, ‘bout plannin’ ta keep things
the way they been. I… I think she’s goin’ ta get rid of the baby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Have
you seen Lou?” Kid asked urgently. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
*No,*
Ike signed. *I think Teaspoon sent her to town with Jimmy for supplies.*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“If
you see her, tell her I’m lookin’ fer her, would ya?” he asked. “I gotta
talk ta her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
*Sure,*
Ike signed, shrugging.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hey,
Kid,” Buck called from the other end of the barn, “I think I heard them pulling
up behind Rachel’s place a few minutes ago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Thanks,
Buck!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
********** <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
grabbed a sack of feed from the back of the buckboard and started to move
around the end of the conveyance toward the side of the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Jimmy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yeah?”
he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“What would you
do if you were in my position?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Jimmy looked
pointedly at the bundle she carried. “I would put that feed bag on the pile.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou shook her
head, smiling slightly at his joke. “That’s not what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She sat down on
the pile of feedbags, hugging the one she’d been carrying to her chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“You mean the
feller with the funny name that lives in the bunkhouse?” Jimmy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou nodded and
flashed another mini-smile his direction. He grunted, glad his jibes had
brought some joy to her face. He didn’t know what was up, but it was
obvious something was wrong these last few days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Aw, Lou, what’s
the trouble?” he asked, turning back and grabbing a crate off the buckboard. “I
thought you two was regular lovebirds.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Lou shrugged as
he sat the crate on the ground by her feet. “We are. …. We were. I don’t
know. Somethin’s changed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Jimmy paused in
his unloading to face her. “I know. Ever since you been looking and actin’ more
like a girl, he’s been wantin’ ya more and more for himself.” He smiled a
bit and shoved her shoulder when he added, “I can’t say that I blame him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“That’s sweet,
Jimmy,” she said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“You scared?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“You know the
Kid,” she said by way of explanation. Jimmy laughed. “He can’t have
his wi… uh, woman doin’ a man’s job, livin’ a man’s life. Not for very
long, anyway. It would drive him crazy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Jimmy rested his
hand comfortingly on her shoulder, even as he wondered at her stumble. What had
she really been about to say? It certainly hadn’t been ‘woman’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“This is more
than just him wantin’ ta treat ya like a lady, Lou. That’s what ya said
ya always wanted,” he said, sitting down next to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She nodded.
“It’s all just happenin’ so fast. I feel like I can’t breathe.
I just… I just need ta get away fer awhile. Stop my head from
spinnin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She wanted to be
a wife and mother, longed for it with every fiber of her being. But she
liked who she was now, who she’d managed to become as that ‘feller with the
funny name’ as Jimmy so aptly put it. As a rider she was strong,
independent, capable of protecting those she loved as well as herself How
could she still do that, be that person and be a woman? Hell, she couldn’t
even walk properly in a dress anymore. She kept tripping over the hems.
How was she supposed to be able to take care of herself, let alone the
others, like that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She supposed she
could just give in, put on those pretty dresses, let Kid buy her jewelry to
wear, walk down the street on his arm, go to dances with him. It wouldn’t
be hard, really. But could she survive if she did? Would she
still be her? Or would she have lost herself in the fantasy, much like
her mother had? Would she still like who she was on the other side of
that door? She just didn’t know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
“Tell him that,”
Jimmy suggested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
She shook her
head. “It’s too late. The time fer talkin’s over. I’ve gotta
do somethin’… at least buy me some thinkin’ time.” Lou stood up and flung
her arms around Jimmy’s shoulders, hugging him tight, clinging for a moment as
if afraid he’d disappear, as if he were the part of herself she was most afraid
of losing. “I just don’t know if I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Well,
he hadn’t gotten to talk to her, but he’d sure gotten his answer, Kid thought
from where he stood, frozen, around the corner of the barn. He hadn’t
heard all of their conversation, but he’d heard enough. She was planning
on getting rid of their baby. How could she?! He knew things were
moving faster than they’d, either of them, ever expected or wanted. But….
kill their child?! He’d thought better of her than that. That
wasn’t the action of the woman he’d thought he’d fallen in love with!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He
could feel the rage growing in him to explosive levels and knew he had to get
out of there before he did or said something they’d both regret. Turning
around, he raced into the barn and began saddling Katy. Soon, he was
galloping away from the station and the woman he suddenly didn’t think he knew
anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou
inhaled deeply, loving the scent of the morning air after a storm had passed
through. Limping about from her fall off Lightning the night before, she
moved out into the yard, running her eyes across the station complex. The
lines they’d used to tie down the windmill were still in place and the
temporary gate repair to the corral had held, despite the increasingly violent
storm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Looking
toward the barn, she noticed a few boards out of place and headed over to begin
fixing the damage. She quickly tied her lengthening hair back with a
strip of sinew used to repair saddles. She was growing it out for Kid,
not that she’d ever told him that. But that meant it had gotten to the
point where it was long enough to get in her face while working, without being
long enough yet to put up properly. She patted her hair. Soon, she
thought. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Within moments
she was immersed in the soothing work of sawing and nailing new boards in
place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
turned to look up at the sound of her name. Kid stood in the barn
doorway, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his trousers. She couldn’t
figure out the expression on his face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“We
need ta talk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
nodded and stood as he approached her. She wondered why he stopped
several feet away from her, though. That wasn’t like him. Usually
he got as close to her as he could. especially when they got to the making up
part of a fight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou….
please, don’t do this. We can figure somethin’ out. Don’t get rid
of our baby. Please,” he begged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
know ‘bout the baby. And I know ya don’t want it changin’ yer life.
I’ll…. I’ll stay here and take care of it. I can take over some of
Teaspoon’s job as handyman. He needs help now, anyway, since he took over
marshalin’ in Sweetwater.” The words came out in a hurried rush, as if he
were determined to get his whole plan out before she had a chance to object.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What
the hell are ya talkin’ ‘bout, Kid?” she asked, exasperated. “What baby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I
know yer… yer expectin’. I seen all the signs. I watched my Ma go
through them often enough,” he said. “And… and ya tol’ Rachel ya had a
plan ta keep it from changin’ yer life. I know bein’ with child will mean
ya have ta admit ta bein’ a lady. But we can keep it here. Just don’t
go in town. Hide when others come around. We can figure out ways so
ya can go back ta ridin’ after the baby’s born. Please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
gasped in horror as she finally figured out what he was saying. One hand
crept down to cover her flat belly. “You… you think I’d actually kill our
baby in order ta keep my secret?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well….
that’s what ya said, ain’t it? I mean….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“If
you could think that ‘bout me, ya don’t know me at all!” she raged at
him. “I can’t believe I’ve been…. dancin’… with someone… that could
believe I’d do somethin’ so despicable! Let alone that I’m married to
him!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She
frantically pulled out the ring hanging on a chain around her neck, ripped it
off over her head and threw it at him. It bounced off his chest and
landed in the dirt at his feet. “Take it! Far as I’m concerned,
this marriage is over. Ain’t like it’s ever been registered or nothin’.
And no one but us knows it ever happened. Burn the damned certificate and
leave me alone. You ain’t the man I thought you was.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
A
shocked Kid watched, frozen in horror, as she ran out the other end of the
barn. He could already hear the sobs pouring out of her. What had
he done?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>Present day…</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
By
now she’d cried so many tears over her lost love that she was plumb dried out.
But that hadn’t relieved the continuing ache threatening to tear her
apart from the inside out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Suddenly,
Lightning’s harsh breathing punched through her fog of misery and she pulled
back on the reins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Sorry,
boy,” she muttered as she slowed him to a walk and began to look for a place to
camp. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Within
the hour she’d settled Lightning down with some oats and plenty of green grass
to nibble on and seated herself by a roaring fire. She huddled there on
her side, curled into herself, head leaning on the saddle behind her. An
embroidered handkerchief lay tightly clutched in one hand next to her heart.
She’d been making it for Kid. But now it was all she had left of
him. She bitterly regretted throwing her ring back at him in anger. It
felt like she’d lost a limb in losing that talisman.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
If
only that fight had been the end of things, there might still have been a
future for them. But oh no, she’d had to go and make things worse.
Now…. now, she couldn’t even stay at the station with him anymore.
Once he learned what she’d done, accidental or not, he’d never forgive
her. And she couldn’t bear to see the hate in his eyes every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“We
just went too fast,” she murmured to herself. Lightning’s ears flickered at the
hoarse sound of her quiet voice. “And now we can’t never go back ta the
way things were. There’s no startin’ over from this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
She
shivered in the spring coolness and wished her heart could freeze as cold as
winter ice to save her from this fiery grief.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-whole-truth-love-loss.html">Love & Loss</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-40419951466099174742013-11-19T08:47:00.000-08:002013-11-19T08:47:06.024-08:00Somebody's Louise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTdRCuZWoJcyO6FWD3RzPXogqZmEFiOtCkM3HanhcHVyTLX0nTRtRp9jHXfkgzZqcx88z9dl1Rcc6Y9_EuHkN6Ue4GtcILQCT2YkGavZ-DVgOP_V90CRPHyh2PJJiU6Zda5phiTAIjk/s1600/louise+ii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTdRCuZWoJcyO6FWD3RzPXogqZmEFiOtCkM3HanhcHVyTLX0nTRtRp9jHXfkgzZqcx88z9dl1Rcc6Y9_EuHkN6Ue4GtcILQCT2YkGavZ-DVgOP_V90CRPHyh2PJJiU6Zda5phiTAIjk/s640/louise+ii.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry,
miss, but that’s not enough. That’ll
only get you to Omaha.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But… but it’s
all I have.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, you
can buy a ticket to Omaha and walk the rest of the way or you can come back
some other time when you’ve got the money to get to Lincoln,” the ticket agent shrugged. Raising his eyebrows he asked, “So, which is
it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She just
stared at him blankly, with no idea what to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s a
real beauty, Sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That she
is, and as high strung as they come.”
The tall, sandy-haired man smiled easily as he gently stroked the
graceful, fine-boned horse’s head. She started to snort anxiously as the stable
boy stepped closer. He held out a
restraining hand. “Careful there!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The boy
quickly stepped back. “Sorry, Sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He watched
the older man continue to quiet the horse, then take the leading lines and
begin to guide her toward the boxcars of the train. The horse kept snuffling and shaking her head
in nervousness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following
as closely as he dared, the young boy asked in a quietened tone, “What kinda
horse is she? I ain’t never seen one
what looked like her before. And I seen
all kinds a horses come through here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s an
Arabian, son, all the way from the Ottoman Empire.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow!”
marveled the boy, impressed. “How’d she
get all the way out here ta Missourah?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I ain’t
rightly sure,” the man with the sparkling blue eyes answered. “I--”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His answer
was cut off when a porter ran past them, pushing a noisy cart piled high with
luggage. One trunk slipped off the cart,
landing with a noisy thud on the boardwalk edging up to the train tracks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The flurry
of motion and noise spooked the excitable horse, who reared, whinnying her
distress in a trumpeting bugle call that could easily be heard over the sound
of the train’s chugging engine. Twisting
about, she jerked the reins out of the man’s strong grasp and took off down the
boardwalk, seeking escape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was so
lost in her own misery she missed the clattering of hooves coming up behind
her. But the voice chasing after the
runaway animal roused her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Help! Someone stop that horse! “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She looked
up just in time to see the whites of the horse’s eyes as it rounded the corner
and nearly smacked into her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without
thinking, she dropped her bag and instinctively reached out to grab onto the
trailing leadlines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather than
try to force the horse to a stop, she began to run with it, using the lines to
simply guide the horse to a quiet corner in an alley behind the bakery across
the street from the train station.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There, she
stood still, breathing heavily from the unexpected run. The horse stood facing her, tossing its head
in continued agitation, its sides heaving, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shhhh,”
she finally said in a quiet, soothing voice.
“It’s alright. No one’s going to hurt you my beauty. You’re safe here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once she
was sure she had captured the animal’s attention, she deliberately turned her
back on it. The horse’s high forehead
and widely spaced eyes indicated it was an intelligent creature and she trusted
the mare’s curiosity to get the better of her.
So she waited patiently, continuing to talk in the same soft, dulcet
tones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her efforts
were quickly rewarded as the animal pranced daintily up behind her and nosed
her neck and head curiously. She laughed
quietly when the mare’s slightly whiskery muzzle tickled her and turned to face
the beautiful horse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re a
beauty, for sure and for certain,” she whispered, leaning into the creature as
it leaned into her, each finding a measure of comfort in the other’s presence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, thank
God!” came the relieved cry in a breathy baritone. “I was afraid she might’ve run off with ya. Or hurt ya while getting away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” the
young woman said, turning her head to look toward the newcomer, but not moving
from her embrace of the horse. “She just
needed some space from all that noise and confusion.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man
‘hmphed’ in frustration as he pulled his hat off his head and slapped it
against his thigh. “Well, she’s going to have to get used to it. I can’t <i>ride</i>
her all the way to Nebraska. Ain’t got
that much time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’ll be
alright,” the slender girl-woman smiled.
Finally she stepped back, but kept a tight hold on the leadlines. “She just needed a little reassurance,
first. That’s all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She stepped
confidently toward the alley entrance and the busy street and the horse moved
eagerly after her, keeping within a hairsbreadth of her new handler. “See, she’s eager to get on with the trip.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man
shook his head in consternation as he watched the duo disappear around the
corner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clang! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s
alright,” she said softly, poking her fingers through a crack in the wooden
slats of the side of the boxcar. “I’m
right here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The horse
snuffled at her fingers for a moment.
Then, contented that all was well, turned to the bucket of oats the man
had measured out for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be
hornswaggled,” he muttered. “I only seen
one or two people with yer way with horses my whole life. Where’d ya learn how ta handle ‘em here in
the city?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He tossed
his head to indicate the busy streets surrounding them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I grew up on
a farm,” she said simply. “I always
loved animals and was always helping out in the stables. I was an only child and my…. Pa… taught me
everything he knew about animals.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, ya
sure learned right an’ proper,” he allowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, Miss,
ya fergot yer bag!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She turned
to see the excited young stableboy trotting up to her, lugging the small carpet
bag stuffed with everything she owned in the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank
you,” she smiled at the youngster.
“Thank you so much! I don’t know
what I would have done without this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He blushed
and ducked his head shyly. “Awww,
tweren’t nothin’, Miss.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, boy! Get over here and do yer job,” a large man
with dark hair and buck teeth yelled toward them. “I ain’t payin’ ya ta moon over some birdie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She watched
him run back to his boss, father, whatever the big man was, her fists clenching
around the handles of her carpetbag until the knuckles turned white. Its return had reminded her of her
dilemma. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are
ya headed, anyways, Miss?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” She
turned startled eyes toward the tall man she’d forgotten was at her side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He nodded
at the bag in her hands. “Ya were outside
the train station, possessions in hand.
Seems ta indicate yer goin’ somewhere.
Where might that be?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I… I don’t
know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He cocked
his head in question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I… I was
going to Lincoln. I’ve got relatives
nearby, or so I’m told. But apparently I
don’t have enough money to get there.
And I don’t have any idea of what to do to get the money.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can’t you
go back to the farm?” he asked. “Surely
your parents will help.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Uh…
no.” She turned her head away, blinking
furiously to keep the sudden tears from falling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He waited a
moment for her to explain. When she
didn’t, he sighed and continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a
proposition for you--”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just who
do you think I am, mister?!” she rounded on him in sudden fury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He held up
a placating hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not<i> that</i> sort of proposition,” he
laughed. His smile crinkled the corners
of his mouth and reached all the way up to his eyes. “An honest one. Since we were both wantin’ ta go the same way
an’ ya seem ta be the only one that can get the Queen of the East here ta do <i>anythin’</i> without a fight… I thought I
could pay the rest of yer ticket and ya could travel with us. All honest and above board, I promise. My wife’d have my head if it were anythin’ else.
“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was his
laugh that swayed her. There was
something straightforward and true about it that convinced her he meant what he
said. Well, that and the way he’d said
the word wife, full of equal parts love, respect and fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She
followed him onto the train and toward an empty bench at the back of the
car. As he took her carpetbag from her
and lifted it onto the rack overhead, she reached up to unfasten the ties of
her bonnet. She removed the annoying
headgear as she slid onto the bench, all the way over to the window to make
room for the gentleman.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What the
hell happened to your hair?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She reached
up and ran an embarrassed hand over the unruly, chopped off curls of barely an
inch that rioted in an undisciplined mess all over her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Uh… it’s
part of why I can’t go back,” she finally explained without explaining.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Settling
onto the bench next to her, he raised an eyebrow demanding more details.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She sighed
and continued haltingly. “I left the
farm last year. I… became a novitiate at
an orphanage run by nuns. Against my
family’s wishes. There was no going
back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But, you
said you were visiting family near Lincoln,” he said, slightly confused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The train’s
whistle, and the increasing chugging of the engine and squealing of the wheels
as it began to build up steam for departure made it impossible to hear anything
said for a moment and she just nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He waited
impatiently for the train to get underway, so they could talk without shouting
again. Finally, “Well?
If you’ve got family, how come you had to stay?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She
shrugged. “I didn’t know about them,
yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He could
tell she didn’t want to say anymore and decided not to press her, yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know
it’s… unusual,” he said instead, nodding toward her curly mop. “But I think it’s real pretty. Reminds me of my wife, when I first met her. If ya didn’t know better, ye’d have thought
she was a boy. But ain’t no woman more a
woman than she is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
girl-woman on the seat next to him turned pleading eyes his way, begging
without the words for more details. He
laughed, pleased to talk about his favorite subject.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We were
just kids then, of course,” he added. “Maybe
a big younger than you, even. But she
sure shocked the stuffing outa me, I must say.
Once I knew, though, I couldn’t never see nothin’ but the beauty she was
tryin’ ta hide from the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She was
real good at it, too. Why, this one
time, a friend and I, we got in this fight at a saloon in Denver. We did that a lot. Well, she come in, took one look, and grabbed
the nearest chair to smash over both our heads.
Didn’t have no patience fer our shenanigans. But that started the whole place ta
fightin’.” He laughed at the
memory. “That chair she grabbed? This gent was seconds away from sittin’ in
it. Instead, he set down hard on the sawdust
floor, not ta mention all the stuff the sawdust was down there ta hide! Needless ta say, he weren’t right
pleased. She walked out of there with a
black eye. He had two … and a limp!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She…. she went
into a saloon?! And got into a fight?”
she asked in amazed wonder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh yeah,”
he nodded, smiling. “Like I said, she
was just one of the boys. Leastwise ta
the rest of ‘em. Most of the time,
anyways. This one time--” he started to
relate another story as she eagerly ate up every word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stories
continued, one after the other, as the miles passed by outside the window,
nearly unnoticed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Omaha,
they got off the train to stretch their legs and get a bite to eat. He kept right on telling stories, even as the
lady at the restaurant set the food in front of them and he dug in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I kin
still remember her face the first time she ate his porridge. Looked like she’d swallowed an entire lemon,
whole. Now, it weren’t the best thing in
the world, but it sure was better then them biscuits had been the last trip,” he laughed, as he shoveled a bite of steak
and potatoes into his mouth. “Wasn’t ‘til
shortly ‘fore we got engaged, she finally ‘fessed up that she could cook. And boy, can she cook.” He paused and looked at the food in front of
them. “This is good, but it don’t hold a
candle ta hers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some were
happy, others sad. But all carried the
same thread of love running through them.
As the daylight faded to darkness, the stories continued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway,
she’s been real down, missin’ him since then,” he said tenderly. “So,” he straightened with a sigh and a
slight smile, “when I saw that mare on the auction block in St. Louey, I knew I
just had ta get her. It’s just the thing
ta perk her up. If I kin only get her
there in one piece.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is she
really as good with horses as you say?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He
nodded. “Better, really. The only one was better ‘n’ her was one of
the boys we rode with, ‘fore he passed.”
He turned to face her and the soft smile spread, reaching up to his
clear blue eyes. “You’ve got her talent,
ya know? A little work and ya could be a right fine
trainer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Next stop,
Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln, Nebraska, is
the next stop, ladies and gentleman.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She
straightened in her seat as the conductor walked past, shouting out his warning
to the passengers. Excitement lit her
eyes, with a small flame of trepidation at its depths.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He stood up
and began to pull their bags off the rack above them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She could
see his own eagerness to be home and back with his beautiful wife soon. “What’s her name? You never said.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Louise,”
he said, his mouth caressing each letter of the name. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a nice
name,” she smiled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You never
rightly said who yer family is hereabouts,” he commented, as he handed her
carpetbag over. “Or how come ya didn’t
know ‘bout them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She tucked
the bag up against her chest and wrapped both arms around it possessively. Then she turned and stared out the window to
watch as the train passed through the edges of town.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He’d almost
given up on getting an answer when, just as the train started pulling into the
station, she said, “I said I grew up on a farm.
It was a typical childhood, until I wanted to get married. My parents warned me off him, I don’t know how
many times. Until finally, we came home
and said, ‘We’re engaged.’ Then….” she
paused to swallow the knot that suddenly filled her throat, “they sat us down
and explained why. I… I am… was…
adopted. So’s he. And there’s a better than even chance he’s my
brother. Half at least. He took off and I never saw him again. Guess he didn’t love me all that much after
all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She waited
for his explosion of disgust and/or pity.
When nothing came, she finally gathered her courage to look his way and
found only empathy shining in his bright blue eyes. It helped her finish her story. “The nuns… at the orphanage… that’s where I
was adopted from. I went there to find
out more about my past. They said they
didn’t know anymore than what they’d told my…. parents, I guess.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They
raised you and loved you like their own,” he said softly, resting a hand gently
on her shoulder. “That makes them your
parents in all the ways that matter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She nodded
as soft tears tracked down her cheeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway, I
stuck around, hoping to find out more.
Last week, one day, they had me cleaning in the office. I knocked over some boxes with files. And there was one with my name on it. I couldn’t help myself. I read it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She turned
tear blurred eyes his direction as the train chugged to a stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My… my ma
gave me up ‘cause… ‘cause she’d been vi… vi… violated. Said I’d be better off never knowin’
her.” She suddenly reached up and
violently rubbed the tears leaking from her eyes out of existence as if denying
the pain behind them. “According to the record,
she’d come in with another woman, a former prostitute. They left both of us at the same time. The other baby, that had been my fiancé. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“And… there was one last
surprise. She’d tried to come get me a
few years later. Said her life was
different, settled. She was
married. Had a husband who knew everything
and wanted me. But the nuns told her I’d
already been adopted and wouldn’t tell her where I was. Well, once I knew… I had ta find her. Find out who she was, what she was like. Do you have any idea what it’s like growing
up not knowing who you really are?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The train
jerked to a stop as if in punctuation of her plea. At the sound of the train’s whistle she stood
up, pushing past him into the aisle. Looking
down she added, “The only thing she ever gave me was my name. I’ve sat here listening to you talk about the
woman you love more than life itself and there’s nothing I’d like more than to
be somebody’s Louise. To be loved half
so much as you love her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who..,” he
paused to clear his suddenly thick throat and changed his mind about what he
wanted to say. “You never said who your
family was around here. Maybe… maybe I
can help you find them.” He looked up
and met her gaze square on. “What’s your
name, young lady?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Charlotte. Charlotte McCloud.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Author's Note: This story was inspired by Reba McEntire's song,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V88ibS2q-BU"> Somebody's Chelsea.</a> Although, as often happens, the characters tore the story out of my hands and went a few totally unexpected directions. This was supposed to be a purely anonymous meeting, after Lou's died. Instead, she's still alive, Lou and Kid aren't that old... and then Charlotte went and told me who she was! My beta readers have asked me if there's a sequel planned. At this time, no. This was conceived as a one shot. But, if Charlotte, Lou and Kid gang up on me, who knows what will happen.</i></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-61537189144224753012013-10-20T18:48:00.002-07:002014-01-08T07:49:04.027-08:00The Whole Truth: What's Hidden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVREGO7xpwNxefwhTJky6l3R6eEIzy8kATGBVT3v07PnyYLP_ZLbqzr9hbnYD6RjWFLBtVyf0bB2l7wMTmEqLLZCfFXQgdfD_XlXmgf9yPhV1q8yLAY8LAsUlNXXXHdi6h74RSg4eyRrQ/s1600/hidden+truth+bookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVREGO7xpwNxefwhTJky6l3R6eEIzy8kATGBVT3v07PnyYLP_ZLbqzr9hbnYD6RjWFLBtVyf0bB2l7wMTmEqLLZCfFXQgdfD_XlXmgf9yPhV1q8yLAY8LAsUlNXXXHdi6h74RSg4eyRrQ/s640/hidden+truth+bookcover.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Author's Note: This is the third installment in a series of shorts called The Whole Truth, based on the idea of what would have happened if Lou had told Kid about her rape after their first night together.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The pounding of the horses
hooves, the familiar rhythmic sway of her mount beneath her was soothing,
almost lulling her into a half asleep state after the last few days. So much had changed so fast, Lou wasn’t sure if
she could handle it. Not that the changes
were bad, necessarily. But any change
was dangerous. She’d just started
figuring out how to handle her life as it was, how to add Kid to it. Now, this.
Marriage. Was she ready for
it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The unfamiliar weight of the
band of gold he’d bought her that morning echoed the thumping of her horse’s
hooves as it bounced against her chest hanging from a chain around her neck,
keeping time to the animal’s movements against her chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Without thinking about it, she
found herself reaching for the slender band with one hand, patting it through
her shirt, whether to reassure herself it had all happened or to hold it in
place, not even she was sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
After that impromptu wedding
ceremony in the meadow, the traveling preacher had insisted on accompanying
them back to town, where he’d filled out and signed a marriage certificate,
duly witnessed by the boardinghouse mistress and one of her boarders. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She’d barely seen the marriage
certificate after putting her own signature on it. The preacher had handed it to Kid who’d
quickly slipped it into the inside pocket of his coat, where it rested even
now. But she knew what it said and what
it meant, and that was plenty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The marriage was as legal and
binding as anything she’d done in her life.
More, really. And that scared
her. Because she knew what the law would
let him get away with. Not that she
really thought Kid would be like him, her father, but still. She couldn’t help shivering at the thought
that now he could and there wasn’t anything, legally, she could do about
it. The hand that had been touching her
ring slipped down her side to rest almost lovingly on the butt of her weapon,
worn crosswise for a quicker draw. The
feel of it calmed her nerves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d begin this marriage as she
meant to go on, letting go of none of her independence. She wanted Kid in her life, but she wouldn’t
let him take over her life, not for nothing.
She refused to end up like her mother, running for her life and the
lives of her children, always hiding in fear.
She’d already had to put her foot down once and she and Kid hadn’t even
been married 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Walking out of the boarding house, Kid paused to pull Lou close to his
side and press a quick, elated kiss to her lips. She’d laughed at the expression of pure
happiness on his face, trying to fight off the fear boiling in her own gut.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Suddenly he’d grabbed her hand and begun pulling her down the
boardwalk.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Come on,” he’d practically shouted to her exuberantly.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Where are we goin’?” she’d asked, breathlessly, as she tried to keep
up with his long legged pace.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>He skidded to a stop in front of one of the store windows and, with a
grin, pointed at it. “Here.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i>Goldberg’s Jewelry and Fineries<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>“Kid?” Lou turned a puzzled glance to her newly minted husband, looking
for the answer she couldn’t find in the store’s name. He pointed again, this time to a tray of
rings laid out on one side of the window display. Wedding rings. Her tone changed, but still the question was
there, “Kid?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>He’d just grinned and pulled her on inside. The next twenty minutes or so had passed in a
blur as he’d gone over the available rings, making her try them all on until he
found exactly the one he wanted, the one he said fit her like it was made for
her.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“But, Kid, it’s too much. You…
we… can’t afford that,” she’d tried protesting.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“I been savin’ up,” he‘d shrugged bashfully, blushing. The rest was half mumbled, barely audible as
he turned his head slightly away. “Knew
this moment would come sooner or later.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>The man behind the counter had barked with laughter as he’d moved
toward the register to ring up the cost.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Wait!” Lou had called after him.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Yes, ma’am?” he’d asked, smiling.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“What about you?” she’d asked Kid.
“If you get to mark me as yers ta the world, don’t I get ta do the
same?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“I, uh, guess I never thought much ‘bout it,” he’d shrugged.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“We have some beautiful men’s wedding bands, too, sir,” the jeweler had
quickly offered, pulling out another tray from under the counter. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Lou had glanced through them quickly, before finding a simple gold
band, similar to the one Kid had picked out for her, and pulled it out of the
tray. Turning to Kid, she’d grabbed his
hand and started to slip it onto his finger.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Except it got stuck at the second knuckle. She struggled for a moment, then her
shoulders slumped in defeat.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“I don’t get it,” she muttered, frustrated. “It looks like a perfect fit.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Most rings that fit right get stuck on the knuckle, ma’am,” the
jeweler said helpfully. Nodding to Kid,
he added, “You’ll probably be able to twist it on right easy.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Kid fiddled with the unfamiliar jewelry for a moment and it slipped
right into place. He grinned and reached
out with his now beringed hand to grab hers, the two golden bands gleaming in
the sunlight that streamed through the shop’s window.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“We’ll take them both,” Kid said, never pulling his eyes from Lou’s now
blushing face.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“If that’ll be all,” the jeweler said, moving once again toward the
register.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Wait!”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i> “Ma’am?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“We’ll need two chains, to hang the rings on, too,” Lou blurted out,
not meeting Kid’s gaze. “We, uh, don’t
want to risk these doin’, uh, farmwork,” she added by way of explanation.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Of course, ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Only after they had paid and stepped out of the store, back onto the
boardwalk did Kid ask the question.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“What was that all about?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Lou sighed. “You know I can’t go
wearing this ‘round the others, Kid. How
would I ever keep up my disguise.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>“I guess I just figured you’d leave the ring with me when ya went on
rides elsewhere,” Kid said.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Kid, ain’t no way we can even tell the boys ‘bout this, lessen yer
tryin’ ta get me fired,” Lou said, forcing sternness into her voice.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Aw, Teaspoon won’t fire ya. He
didn’t fire ya fer bein’ a girl, despite all yer worries, now did he?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“That’s different from bein’ married, Kid. Even Teaspoon’d have trouble keepin’ me on as
a rider knowin’ I was married, that we’d been doin’… well…. what we’ve been….
doin’. That… that there could be a ….
you know,” she finished off, practically hissing the last two words at
him. “And I don’t figure on this
changin’ my life. I love ya, Kid, with
all my heart. That’s why I agreed ta the
weddin’. But I can’t just stop bein’ me
‘cause I let ya put a ring on my finger.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“When did I ask ya to stop bein’ yerself,” Kid asked, hurt. “I… I just want the world ta know how I feel
‘bout ya.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“I know, Kid,” she whispered, her stance softening as she reached up to
caress his cheek. “And it will. But… not now, alright? Not ‘til I… ‘til we’ve got ‘nough saved fer
our own place and ta bring Teresa and Jeremiah home. ‘Til then, the rings are gonna have ta stay
on these chains. Tell me ya understand.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Kid nodded mutely, but she could see the hurt still in his eyes. To block it out, she leaned up on tiptoe to
press her lips to his, ignoring a catcall from a passing cowboy as she kissed
him deeply right there on the boardwalk.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Pulling back, she smiled as brightly as she could, “Thank you, Kid.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Sneaking a glance at the man
riding by her side, Lou smothered the sigh that tried to escape. She still felt bad about hurting him like
that, but she just wasn’t ready to have her life change that much. She’d finally settled into the way things
were and she liked them that way. For
now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She turned her head fully to
meet Kid’s blue-eyed, questioning gaze.
“Yes, Kid?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Want to stop for a bit? Give the horses a rest and grab a bite to
eat,” he asked, a tad tentatively.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’d love to, Kid,” she
smiled. “But we’re already a day late
getting back. Teaspoon’s going to be mad
as a wet hen when we get back as it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid laughed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yeah, yer right.” Lowering his voice and leaning closer, he
added, “But I’d still rather stop and take a break with ya. It’s real purty round here and you make it
even purtier.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou blushed and pushed him away
smilingly as she urged her horse onward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Where in tarnation have you two
been?” The first blustery words out of
Teaspoon’s mouth were red hot enough they could have started a prairie
fire. “You two were due back here
yesterday mornin’! Here it is
practically dark the next day!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Sorry, Teaspoon, we, uh….” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lightning threw a shoe and we
had to wait until this mornin’ fer the blacksmith ta get back in town from
another job,” Lou threw in hurriedly, rescuing Kid from his own innate
honesty. Tossing him a meaningful glance,
she added, “Sorry we’re late.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well,” the chastened older man
harrumphed. “I don’t s’pose ya can ride
a shoeless horse. Leastwise not that far
nor that hard. But next time send a
message through, ya hear!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yes, sir!” the duo chorused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Come on in and get some
supper,” Rachel said from where she stood on the porch smiling down at
them. “Buck, why don’t you take care of
their horses.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Sure thing,” the dark rider
flashed a broad white grin as he took the reins from first Kid then Lou. “Threw a shoe, hunh? Is that what they’re callin’ it these
days?” He murmured to Lou teasingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She could feel the blush trying
to climb up to her face and forced it back down again. She didn’t dare show any response around
these boys. If there was one thing she’d
learned about them by now, that was it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What would you know ‘bout it?”
she taunted back as she turned to head inside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Buck just shook his head and
meandered over to the barn, trailing the two horses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That was great, Rachel, as
always,” Kid said, smiling as he wiped his mouth and stood from the table. “Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel smiled, pleased, and
collected Kid’s plate from the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m gonna go check on Katy.”
Kid turned his attention to Lou, laying on a hand on her shoulder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She nodded, looking up at him
quickly, almost shyly. “I’ll be out in a
few minutes,” she said quietly. “I
should check on Lightning, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Rachel hid her smile at their
fumbling attempts to hide their attraction and desire to be alone by turning
her back on the room and stacking the dishes for washing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She heard a moment of whispering
and then the door opening and closing. A
moment later, Lou came up beside her with the rest of the dirty dishes from the
table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well, what?” Lou answered,
keeping her eyes studiously on the dishes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“So… how’d it go? Did you like my surprise?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“It was beautiful, Rachel,” Lou
said honestly as she thought of the white, lacy nightgown Rachel had pressed on
her just before she and Kid had left.
“Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Every woman deserves to feel
beautiful on a night like that, Lou,” Rachel said tenderly, reaching up to
brush a strand of hair off Lou’s forehead.
“She also deserves a gentleman who treats her right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou blushed. This time there was no stopping the rush of
blood to her face as she thought of just how tender and considerate Kid had
been, even after. Especially after.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Uh, I gotta go… check on
Lightning,” she muttered, handing the last cleaned dish to Rachel to dry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“So… what happened while you two
were out there, Kid?” Cody asked as he caught up with Kid just outside the
barn, Noah and Buck trailing behind him.
“That special run turned inta a three day trip. And it weren’t even yer turn. Shoulda been Ike and Jimmy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What’s it matter to you?” Kid
asked, trying not to blush in front of the other boys. “We… got ta… spend some time together. Somethin’ that don’t happen much around
here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Aw, come on, Kid,” Noah
grinned. “You two spend practically all
your time together around here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That ain’t what I mean, Noah,”
Kid grumped, turning his back on the others as he walked into the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“So what did ya mean, Kid?” Cody
persisted, following him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid shrugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Is he blushin’?” Cody suddenly
asked, peering more closely at the taller rider. “Buck, get that lantern over here. I think the Kid’s blushin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“He sure is,” Buck agreed as he
raised the lantern a little higher, revealing the rosy hue of Kid’s normally
tanned face. “Now, I wonder…. just what
happened out there that could be makin’ the Kid blush like that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You sure you gotta ask, Cody?”
Noah grinned knowingly. “I think we can
all guess.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Maybe there’ll be a bit less
botheration round the bunkhouse, now that you two got yer…. itches scratched.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Don’t talk ‘bout Lou like
that!” Kid demanded, rushing toward Cody, hands clenching into fists. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Noah and Buck grabbed him and
held him back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Now, Kid, we’re just playin’,”
Buck soothed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You know we all love Lou like a
sister,” Noah added. “We just want to
make sure you treat her right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That’s right, Kid,” Cody added
self-righteously straightening the hem of his jacket. “So make sure you do that, alright?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid growled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I think we’d better leave the
little lovebird be,” Noah smiled. “I
think his partner’s headed out here.” He
nodded his head toward the partially open barn door, where he could see Lou
jumping down off the bunkhouse porch.
“Don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I’m not sure I could stand
sticking around for all that cooing and such.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Letting go of Kid, Buck and Noah
stepped around the still seething rider and wrapped their hands around Cody’s
arms to hustle him out of the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
But Cody, as always, had to have
the last word. “Guess now we know why the Kid never wanted ta spend any time at
the saloons or dance halls. He was
savin’ himself for his own entertainment right here at home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He laughed at the sound of Kid’s
growl erupting from the barn behind him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Mmmm,” Kid murmured, pulling
back from their most recent kiss. They
stood in the dark shadows of the barn, as far from light and the door as they
could get. Lou had lost track of how
long they’d been there, snuggling and kissing like there was no tomorrow. Kid rested his forehead against hers and
added reluctantly, “We’d probably better head back ta the bunkhouse. Teaspoon’s gonna be out here soon lookin’ fer
his bed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“And the boys’ll come lookin’
fer us, no doubt,” Lou grumbled in reluctant agreement. She slowly began to pull back out of Kid’s
embrace, only for him to cinch her in tighter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“One last kiss?” he
pleaded. “It’s the least you can do,” he
added mischievously. “If I can’t hold
you in my arms tonight. I’m gonna miss
havin’ ya by my side, wakin’ up ta ya in my arms.” With exaggerated care he glanced around the
barn to assure himself they were alone before leaning closer to whisper the
last in her ear, “Lovin’ my… wife.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou shivered at the tenderness
he put in that one word. But even as
their mouths came together in one last caress, another part of her shivered at
the way Kid had acted before saying it.
It felt…. wrong… somehow. And she
wasn’t sure if it was the word and what it represented or the secrecy around it
that bothered her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Teaspoon watched from Rachel’s
porch as his last two riders exited the barn and headed toward the bunkhouse
for the night. His eyes narrowed as he
took in the new, unconscious familiarity between the two, the looks, the
touches, the air between them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
He grunted. A lot more had happened on that last run than
just a thrown shoe. He’d been married
six times, he ought to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hope they know what they’re
doin’,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Love was hard enough without complicating
things the way those two obviously had.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>A week later…..<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>A week, a whole week. More
actually,</i> Lou mentally grumbled as she bent low over her mount’s neck,
urging the gelding on. She’d been
married all of nine days now and hadn’t seen her husband for seven of
them. She could almost think Teaspoon
was conspiring to keep them apart. The
morning after their return, he’d sent Kid off on a run that was supposed to be
Jimmy’s. He said it was because Jimmy
had had to take Kid’s run the day before ‘cause they hadn’t gotten back in
time. But she wasn’t so sure of
that. It just wasn’t Teaspoon’s normal
style. This run was so long Kid hadn’t
made it back before Lou’d had to leave on her regularly scheduled run. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
It had been so long, or felt
like it anyway, that their peaceful little wedding in the meadow had started to
feel like nothing more than a dream. She
often found herself reaching up to clasp her wedding ring, still hanging on its
chain, tucked safely beneath her shirt, as if it were a talisman of some
sort. It was the only thing, these last
couple of days, that had kept her centered, let her get her job done, instead
of worrying over other things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
But finally, finally, she was
headed home. And when she got there, Kid
should be waiting, if Teaspoon hadn’t sent him off on another errand or
something. Lou grumped unhappily to herself,
shifting in the saddle a bit at the thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The seemingly sudden sight of
Emma’s windmill cresting the horizon sped-up her heartbeat. She was almost home. Dropping the wedding band she held in one
hand, she urged Lightning to faster speeds.
Realizing why, he eagerly complied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yah!” she shouted as she
reached down to grab hold of the mochila with one hand. Rounding the corner of Emma’s house she saw
Jimmy come running out of the bunkhouse and leaping onto Sundancer’s back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Without a word she tossed the
mail pouch to him and slowed her horse as his sped off. A quick glance showed no one else in the yard
and her shoulders slumped with disappointment.
Evidently Teaspoon had all the boys off on chores somewhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lifting one leg over the
saddlehorn, she agilely slid off the side of the saddle to the ground and
gathered the reins in one hand to begin cooling Lightning off herself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
A short time later she walked to
the barn doors leading her horse, who was beyond ready for some food and rest
in his stall. Heaving a sigh, she pushed
the barn doors open and tugged on the reins, directing Lightning into the cool,
dark interior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
As she turned from closing the
barn doors behind her, she yelped in surprise.
A strong pair of familiar arms wrapped themselves around her waist as
Kid reeled her in for a long welcome home kiss.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Where were you?” she asked when
he finally let her up for air. “I was
lookin’ fer ya outside.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I knew I couldn’t do nothin’
but kiss ya the minute I saw ya, so I figured it’d be better ta wait where no
one could see me,” he whispered, dipping his head for another taste. “I missed ya, Lou. This has been the longest week of my life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Mine, too,” she murmured
against his mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
The clanging of the dinner bell
finally broke their embrace and they rushed to bed down a restless Lightning
and make it to the table before Cody and Teaspoon ate all the food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
As they exited the barn and
latched the doors, Kid wrapped his arm around Lou’s waist to escort her to the
bunkhouse. She stiffened and shot him a
surprised look, which he missed as he watched Teaspoon walking from the house
to the bunkhouse perusing something in his hand. Then she relaxed. There was only family around tonight. They all knew her secret. Well, one of them
anyway, she smiled to herself as one hand brushed the ring tucked inside her
shirt. Leaning her head into Kid’s
shoulder she let him lead her to the dinner table and let herself enjoy the
experience of being escorted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I don’t think I oughta be part
of the welcomin’ party,” Lou said as she sat on the fence rail outside the
bunkhouse that night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
*Why not?* Ike questioned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“She don’t want him catchin’ on
ta the fact she’s a she,” Cody answered for her. “That’s alright, I’ll go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well, yer not goin’ alone,” Teaspoon
said. “Kid, you and Ike go with
him. Last thing we need’s for that
reporter ta think Cody’s the best we got ta offer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid laughed. “Aw, it’ll be some stuffy ol’ man from back
East. He won’t know the difference.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Still, we need ta put our best
feet forward,” Teaspoon said. “The
Express needs this. So you all treat
that reporter right. With respect.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Buck grunted. “Hopefully he’ll be gone ‘fore I get back,
then. Can’t say as I can respect a
newspaperman much. I’ve seen too much of
how they can twist the truth ta say what they want. Publicity or not.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m with you,” Noah
smiled. “Something about all this just
seems to stick in my craw wrong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Someone oughta warn Jimmy,” Lou
spoke up thoughtfully.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid, who was leaning casually
against the post next to her, looked down with a question in his face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“He ain’t gonna like some
reporter tryin’ ta dig up stories ‘bout him,” she explained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You gotta point, there, Lou,”
Teaspoon agreed. “Why don’t you take
care of that? Oughta keep both of ya out
of this reporter’s way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou nodded agreeably.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou, Jimmy ain’t due back for
another couple hours,” Rachel said, as she came out of the house wiping her
hands on her apron. “Could you and Kid
head into town and pick up the week’s supplies for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Rachel,” Kid groaned. “I just got back from town.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“And now I need ya to go again,”
Rachel smiled with a hint of steel behind the friendly expression. “If you two leave now ya should be back
before Jimmy gets in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’ll go hitch up the
buckboard,” Lou said, pushing her glasses further up on her nose and crossing
her arms across her chest as she tried to use a manly swagger to cross the yard
to the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m tryin’ ta keep her out of
the way of that reporter,” Rachel hissed to Kid. “Why’d she have ta be a woman? She’s much more likely ta notice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well, I ain’t gonna tell her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Not with words, maybe. But ya keep lookin’ at Lou like that and
ye’ll give the whole thing away in no time.
Put yer eyes back in yer head fer a few days, would ya?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Who woulda guessed J.R. Walker,
New York Dispatch, woulda been a woman?” Lou marveled in a combination of
disgust and envy as they began loading the boxes and bags of supplies onto the
buckboard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Well, I sure never guessed Lou
was...” Kid lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper, “Louise.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou pushed him away and laughed. “Well, no one ever accused you of bein’
overly observant. But it makes one
think, don’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Whatcha mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Taking another crate of bottles
and tins, Lou settled it carefully on the bed of the buckboard. “Well, if she can be a reporter, what else
are women doin’ now they didn’t used to?
And she even uses her own name, well, sorta, and dresses in skirts and
such. What I’m sayin’ is she don’t have
ta pretend ta be a man ta do it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid smiled at her as he picked
up a barrel of molasses and hefted it to his shoulder to deposit in the
buckboard. “Guess not.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou grabbed another crate and
followed. The sound of pounding hooves
caught her attention as a horse galloped into town. Looking up, she recognized the horse and
rider.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Jimmy!” she called out wondering
what he was doing here so early and why he was in town, instead of back at the
station. He didn’t appear to have a
mochila with him, so maybe he’d just gotten back early. But he must’ve ridden like the hounds of hell
were after him to do that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
When he didn’t respond to her
call, she slashed a worried glance Kid’s way.
Kid nodded and she took off to catch up with Jimmy. By the time she did, he was hitching his
horse up out front of the saloon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“You alright?” she asked,
concerned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Why?” he grunted, not meeting
her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Uh, saw ya ridin’ in here like
a bat outta hell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Somethin’ ya wanted, Lou?” he
asked brusquely. Without waiting for an
answer, he turned away and walked toward the boardwalk and the entrance of the
saloon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She followed, thinking
fast. This wasn’t really the right time
to warn him about the reporter lady. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yeah!” she said in sudden
inspiration. “Yeah. Um, I just, uh, I…
wanted ta thank ya.” Her hand
unconsciously moved to the ring underneath her shirt, fingering it as she
spoke. “About.. what ya told the Kid about….” Her voice lowered even more. “You
know… about… well, dancin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Jimmy’s mouth moved in a parody
of a smile. “So, you two finally did
some dancin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou nodded, forcing herself not
to blush, although she couldn’t stop the foolish grin that spread across her
face. She avoided meeting his eyes and
shrugged her yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Glad ta hear it,” Jimmy said,
patting her on the shoulder. His voice
said something completely different. It
said he could care less about what was going on in her life. He started to push past her, then stopped and
reached out grab at her hand. “Whatcha
got there, Lou?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She jerked away, turning her
body protectively away from him.
“Nothin’ of consequence.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Did Kid give ya a momento fer
the big night?” Jimmy practically leered
at her. “Lemme see? Make sure he did right by ya and all.” His voice practically dripped with
sarcasm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What’s wrong with ya, Jimmy?”
she asked, backing away from him, tears in her voice. “This ain’t… ain’t like ya at all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hey, yer the one brought it
up,” Jimmy shrugged. He turned without
another word and walked, stalked really, up the stairs and toward the saloon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She watched him for a moment,
worry clouding her features. Why was he
acting this way? Had the reporter
already gotten to him?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Jimmy?” she called after
him. He reluctantly turned to find out
what she wanted. “You talk to that
reporter?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“What reporter?” he asked in
confusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“The reporter Russell, Majors
and Waddell sent out ta do a story on the Express? Teaspoon thought it might be best if you and
I stayed out of her way while she’s here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Fine by me,” Jimmy
muttered. “Let me know when she’s
gone. Better yet, just let me
alone.” Without another word, he flung
himself through the doors into the saloon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Jimmy?” Lou whispered, pain and
worry fighting each other for dominance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Lou, what’s wrong?” Kid asked,
stopping what he was doing when he saw her slowly walking back toward the
buckboard as if in a daze. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou looked up at him. “Somethin’s wrong with Jimmy, Kid. He was…. he was just an… an… ass about….” she
paused and looked around before finishing.
“Well.. about… us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That ain’t like him,” Kid
muttered as worry and anger began to clash on his face. “Let me go talk ta him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Kid,” Lou said, grabbing his
arm as he started to walk after Jimmy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Yeah?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Be…. gentle,” she pleaded. “I… I think he’s really hurtin’ this time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid nodded slowly, then
continued after Jimmy, still unsure if he was going to find out what was wrong
with him, or just knock him into next week for putting that look on Lou’s face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Stepping cautiously into the
saloon, he peered around the corner in time to hear Jimmy tell the bartender,
“Leave the bottle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I better get my eyes checked,”
he muttered. Lou was right, something
was desperately wrong with Jimmy. He
plastered a friendly smile, completely unfelt at the moment, onto his face and
sidled up to Jimmy to cheerfully say, “I must be seein’ things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Whadda ya want, Kid?” Jimmy
asked, knocking back a shot of whiskey like it was water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Forcing himself to keep smiling,
Kid asked, “You forgettin’ the company rules about drinkin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Nope.” Still Jimmy wouldn’t look at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m sorry if that reporter’s
bein’ here is stirrin’ up old demons,” Kid tried again. “But… this ain’t the way ta handle it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“We don’t want ta disappoint
Russell, Majors and Waddell, now do we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That ain’t what I’m talkin’
about,” Kid shot back, starting to lose his barely held temper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Coulda fooled me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid straightened. “Come on,” he said, reaching out to grab
Jimmy’s shoulder. “Let’s get outta here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Jimmy jerked away. “I’ll leave when I’m good and ready,” he
ground out. “Now Kid, why don’t ya go
outside. Yer sweetheart’s waitin’ fer ya.
Go outside and play, maybe do a little dancin’. Seems my advice done ya
good, Kid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Back off, Jimmy!” That was more
than Kid could take. “I made the worst mistake of my life followin’ yer advice
‘bout ‘dancin’,” he hissed. He reached
out and grabbed the front of Jimmy’s shirt, pulling him in close, and ground
out between gritted teeth. “Thanks to
ya, I pushed too far, too fast. And that
ain’t somethin’ I kin ever fix!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Jimmy shrugged, a half smile
forming on his mobile mouth as he turned back toward the bar, leaning on his
elbows. “Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Kid reached out and put his hand
over Jimmy’s as he grabbed the whiskey bottle again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“That reporter will be gone in a
couple days,” Kid growled. “You don’t
wanta talk to her, don’t talk to her.
Just stay away from her. That’s
all Lou was tryin’ ta warn ya ‘bout ta begin with. But ya ain’t gonna find any answers in here,”
Kid added. “And ya ain’t gonna find ‘em
by hurtin’ yer friends, either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Jimmy jerked free of Kid’s
grasp, leaving Kid’s hand alone on the neck of the whiskey bottle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Have one on me, Kid.” Glaring, he dropped a coin on the bar and
stalked out of the saloon. Kid’s
shoulders drooped in defeat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou heard the footsteps coming
toward the saloon door and hurried away, wiping at the tears gathering in her
eyes. She plopped down on a nearby rain
barrel that had been capped, one hand keeping a white knuckled grip on the ring
hanging beneath her shirt. Kid’s words
kept rolling through her mind, again and again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>I made the worst mistake of my life followin’ yer advice ‘bout
‘dancin’.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She’d heard those words loud and
clear, though the ones that had followed had been too quiet for her to pick
up. What had he said next? Did he regret
marrying her already? Or was it more
than that? Had he had her and realized
that’s all he really wanted? All he needed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i>…the worst mistake of my life…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
She was so caught up in her
self-doubt she didn’t hear or see Jimmy mount up and ride off, or Kid walk up
next to her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I don’t know what’s with
Jimmy,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hunh?” Lou looked up at Kid, confused. What was he talking about Jimmy for?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“He ain’t actin’ like himself,”
Kid continued as he walked past her toward the buckboard they’d been
loading. “He just got back from Benton,
didn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
Lou reluctantly slid off the
barrel and followed him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Hm hm,” she answered non-committally. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“Somethin’
musta happened,” Kid said as he held up the clothesline for her to duck
under. The worried tone in his voice
finally got her complete attention and she looked up to see him staring off
down the street.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
He was thinking
about Jimmy right now, not about them, Lou realized in wonder. And he was worried. She looked down the street, too, catching the
last plumes of dust kicked up by Jimmy’s horse as he disappeared over the
horizon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“I…” she paused
to clear her throat then continued. “I
don’t have a run scheduled for a couple days… I could, ah, go find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
<i>Getting out of town, and away from Kid for a
couple days, would give her time to sort through some things,</i> she thought
to herself. And, given how little time
they’d been able to spend together since the wedding, his reaction to the offer
would tell her a lot about what he was feeling and thinking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
He slowed,
turning to look down at her searchingly as they stopped. His eyes searched hers for a moment, then
arrived at a decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“Take Katy,” he
said, glancing over Lou’s shoulder at his horse tethered to a hitching post. “She’s rested.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
Lou looked
away. Not the response she’d
expected. He wanted her to go. Either that meant he didn’t really care, or
it meant he was more worried about Jimmy than he was letting on. But then he was offering her his horse. His horse!
He never, ever, let anyone else ride Katy. Not once in the time she’d known him had he
let anyone else do anything with or for Katy.
Still in shock, she looked back up to catch his next few words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“If you leave
now you can make it before dark.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“You’re… you’re
gonna let me ride yer horse?” she asked, still stuck on that one shocking fact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
He nodded, a
glint in his blue eyes warming her from the inside out. A slight grin broke out on her face. Maybe she hadn’t heard what she’d thought
she’d heard, Lou mused as she turned to mount up. She must have misunderstood. That had to be it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
Kid smiled
easily up at her as he handed her the reins and her heart lifted. Turning Katy around, she pushed the big paint
into a gallop, Kid’s goodbye ringing in her ears this time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; tab-stops: 74.7pt;">
“Be careful,
Lou!”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-whole-truth-misunderstandings.html">Misunderstandings</a></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-82729230601584717242013-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-06T00:00:03.158-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, Epilogue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s1600/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s640/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia
smiled as she leaned against her father’s side, Buck’s arm around her
shoulders. She looked down and
admiringly caressed the silky soft white buckskin of her wedding dress that
Dawn Star had lovingly sewn for her, complete with traditional dyed porcupine
quills etching out colorful patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia
had been deadset on a traditional church wedding. Jamie had given it to her, but had insisted
they honor her parents’ heritage as well with this ceremony. In a few short hours, she’d be walking down
the aisle of the Rock Creek church wearing an incredible white lace gown who’s
design came straight out of the most recent issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book. Her bridegroom would be waiting for her,
fighting to look as solemn as the occasion called for, but his crystal blue
eyes smiling grandly only for her. They
would make their vows before the white man’s God and all their friends and
neighbors, then have a wonderful wedding supper and escape on their honeymoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
first, she was waiting here, in this pretty meadow near their favorite place at
the swimming hole, with just their close family, waiting for him. He’d insisted on holding this ceremony, just for
their families, first. He’d even
promised not to talk to Dawn Star ever again after the wedding, following the
Cheyenne tradition. It just made her
love him all the more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia
looked around, counting all the beloved faces that surrounded her. Her parents, standing at her sides, her
numerous brothers and sisters scattered about behind her. Well, most of them anyway. Harry had gone off with Willie and Jed to get
Jamie ready for the big day. They and
Jamie’s parents would be escorting him here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
fact, Julia tilted her head as she strained her ears. Yes. That
was Harry’s flute she could hear, sending it’s dancing tune into the air,
preceding the procession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon,
they broke through the treeline and entered the meadow. Aunt Lou and Uncle Kid were leading a
beautiful, shining black stallion upon which Jamie sat, tall and proud,
grinning for all he was worth. His
brothers followed behind, leading four other horses. Harry came last, providing the triumphant
fanfare on his flute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Several
feet away from where Julia stood, surrounded by her family, Lou and Kid came to
a stop and stepped aside. Jamie
dismounted and took the reins of the other horses from his brothers, limping
slightly as he led them toward Julia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
last few months hadn’t been easy, she mused.
As Buck had feared, Jamie had never quite healed completely. He’d always walk with a limp and his thigh
pained him anytime the weather changed.
But he was whole and he was hers.
She wanted to leap and skip in celebration and hug herself with the joy
of that knowledge. But contented herself
with moving in place to the music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie
stopped in front of her, his beautiful eyes boring into hers as he tried to
contain his smile long enough to talk.
Holding the reins of the four horses out to her, he said, “I bring this
gift as a sign of my ability to care for and protect you in our life ahead, you
and our children to come. Do you accept
them? Be careful, for they carry my
heart to yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia
swallowed a giggle. That last bit wasn’t
what they’d planned, but his own sweet whispered addition just for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
take these animals as a promise of the future,” she said smilingly as she
reached out and practically snatched the reins out of his hand. Passing them to her father she added, “In
exchange, I promise to care for you and our children for all the days we shall
travel this path together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come,”
Jamie said huskily, holding out his hand.
“See the home I have made for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia
put her hand in his and followed his lead back to the stallion he’d been
riding. He leaped aboard the unsaddled animal, then pulled her up in front of
him, to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight to his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Using
only his knees, he wheeled the horse around and they sprinted away from their
families, toward the house he’d spent the last two months building for her, in
total secrecy, toward the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuing
to ride without his hands, Jamie framed her face with his palms instead and leaned
forward to kiss her deeply as they rode, together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The End... or maybe just The Beginning.</span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-62997972001665065802013-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-06T18:00:26.691-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, chapter 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b>Chapter 13</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia looked back at the palefaced man lying on the travois
dragging behind her horse. They’d tied
her Aunt Lou’s bedroll to two young saplings in a triangle formation, with two
ends of the saplings tied together over the haunches of Julia’s horse. The wide end of the triangle dragged on the
ground behind the horse. Jamie had lost
consciousness when they’d moved him into the makeshift bed. That had been a godsend, given how much the
travois bumped and jolted with every step the horse took. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
They’d had to go slow because of the extra weight the
travois put on the horse. And every
second felt like a millennium to Julia, each clop of the horses hooves like a
spike being pounded into her heart. Lou
seemed certain Jamie would be alright.
But he appeared half dead already. Julia didn’t know how much more he
could take. Thus the frequent, frantic
glances back to assure herself he was still breathing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“We’re almost there,” Lou said, her breath puffing white
into the early dawn air. “I’m goin’ ta
ride ahead and let ‘em know we’re comin’ in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia perked up as she realized they had just one more
hillock to top and a short jog across the plains to the ranch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“You keep my boy safe,” Lou said as she spurred her horse
into action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia nodded as she watched Lou’s horse leap into a full
out gallop and wished she could hurry her mount along the same way, get Jamie
in out of the cold faster. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I will,” she half whispered, looking back at him
again. “He’s not just your boy anymore,
after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“You grab his legs,” Uncle Kid ordered Jed and Willie. “I’ve got his head. Let’s get him into the infirmary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
It might have been funny watching six grown men scramble to
grab any part of Jamie’s body they could reach to cradle a single man like a
baby as they transferred him into the Big House and Buck’s medical treatment
room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia ran ahead and laid a folded up blanket down at one
end of the raised pallet her dad used for an examining table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Here,” she said.
“Careful with his head. He’s got
an awful big goose egg on it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I’m much more worried about that leg of his,” Buck
said. “At least the cold helped keep his
body temperature down. That will have
slowed any swelling. There’s still a
chance I can straighten the leg and set it proper.” He looked deeply into Julia’s eyes as he
added, “But there’s a good chance it won’t heal perfect. He may have a serious limp the rest of his
life. If he doesn’t catch an infection
from the treatment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia looked away even as she nodded. She knew how bad his injuries were and just
what his chances of full recovery would be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“He’ll…. he’ll be alive,” she mustered. “That’s all that matters.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lou put a comforting hand on her shoulder as Kid gave her
the hug Buck couldn’t at the moment. The
three of them watched, Jed and Willie standing right behind them, as Buck moved
over to Jamie’s side and began checking him over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Julia grab the shears and cut the rest of this pant leg
off,” Buck ordered brusquely. “We’ll
deal with the leg first, then his other injuries. We can worry about the rest of his clothing
later.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia rushed to do as bid and soon Jamie’s injured leg lay,
the thigh slightly twisted at an odd angle, ready to be set.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Buck shook his head as he completed his examination. “There’s a good chance settin’ that leg’ll
rouse him. Normally I’d give him some
chloroform ta prevent it, but I don’t want ta risk that with his head
injury. Head injuries can be strange
things. Never good ta add anythin’ to
‘em that might muddle the mind. That
means y’all are goin’ ta have ta hold him down while I set his leg. If ya can’t stay strong durin’ this, then
leave now.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
He looked around at the concerned family members gathered
around the examining table and near the door to the room. His eyes met Dawn Star’s and she nodded and
began gathering the younger children up, chivvying them toward the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I’ll have a hot meal on when you’re ready,” she said
softly as she followed them youngsters out of the room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Buck nodded, his face softening with love and
appreciation. He took a deep breath and
looked around those still in the room.
Harry, Jed and Willie stood uncertainly at the foot of the examining
table. Julia stood at her father’s side
and Kid and Lou were on the other side of the table. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
He moved to the end of the table and picked up Jamie’s
foot. Looking at the three boys he said,
“One of you will have to pull hard on his foot.
You can’t waiver for even a second until I tell you I’m done. The other two will have to hold down his
other leg, keep him from moving. It’s
vital he be kept still while I piece his leg back together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The three boys nodded and Jed stepped up to take hold of
his brother’s foot while the other two moved over to his other leg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Buck moved back toward Jamie’s thigh while looking at his
other three helpers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Kid,” he said, “you’re gonna have ta hold down his head
and shoulders. Lou, you and Julia will
each take an arm. Be ready. At first there’ll be no resistance, but once
he wakes up, he’ll fight hard. This is
gonna hurt like hell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Looking around to make sure everyone was in position and
ready, Buck nodded. “Alright then,” he
muttered. “Here we go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
With deft, sure hands on Jamie’s thigh he ordered, “Jed,
pull.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia put all her weight into pressing down on Jamie’s arm
at the command, flinching only slightly at the chest deep groan that escaped
her childhood love as Buck began maneuvering the two ends of the broken thigh
bone back into position.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She looked away after a moment, no longer able to watch the
disturbingly gruesome picture of the pieces of Jamie’s leg poking out at skin
again and again, in a way never intended by nature, as Buck pushed and prodded
them into place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Gaaaaah!” Jamie suddenly screamed in her ear, struggling
to sit up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“NO!” she yelled at him.
“You’ve gotta stay still, Jamie.”
Tears rolled down her eyes at the pain he was going through. But she gritted her teeth and stayed the
course. “I know it hurts,” she said
hoarsely. “But we’ve gotta do it. Just hang in there, Jamie. Hang in there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Hold him still, damnit,” Buck grunted. “Jed, pull harder, I need more room ta work.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The fight to hold Jamie still seemed to take forever as he
shouted, groaned and squealed in pain, right in Julia’s ear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Finally, Buck stepped back, “Done. You can let him go now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The others released their hold on Jamie, who, beyond
knowing what was going on, continued to struggle. As Julia released his arm it went
flying. The knuckles of his hand landed
right in her face, knocking her over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
***********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia sat in a corner of the infirmary, a hand-sized slab
of fresh meat plastered to her face over the growing bruise that was once her
eye. Her gaze had remained tight on
Jamie for hours as she waited for him to awake. Shortly after hitting her, he’d lost
consciousness again. But this time it
was a peaceful, healing rest. Eventually
exhaustion had claimed her, too. Now she
slept where she sat, snoring lightly, her head resting against the wall behind
her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Jamie felt the warmth of the room first, then heard the
rumbling sounds of someone snoring. <i>Hmmm,
things were heating up in hell,</i> he thought idly to himself. His Ma had always told him sleeping in a room
with a snorer was pure hell, but this sound was almost… soothing. The Devil was off his game today. Even the warmth was comforting, not scorching
as he’d always imagined Hell to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Eventually he got tired of looking at the red-gold insides
of his eyelids and slowly flickered his eyes open. The pattern of the wood above his head looked
oddly familiar. He frowned. A snort off to the side had him turning his
head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Julia?” he whispered.
<i>What was she doing in Hell?</i>
Frowning slightly at the thought, he turned his head to look around the
room some more, wincing as the movement and light sent shards of pain lancing
through his brain. He was in the…
infirmary? “I’m not dead?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“No, you most certainly are not. Although not for lack of trying, both on your
part and with the help of others.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Ma?” He turned his head quickly toward the sound of
his mother’s soft voice, then groaned at the pain that attacked him in
retaliation. Closing his eyes against
it, he said, “What’s goin’ on?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Bet that head of yours is hurtin’ ta fit the dickens,” Lou
muttered, half-smiling as she moved toward him with a cold cloth. “Forget geese. What you’ve got is more
the size of an ostrich egg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Ostrich?” Jamie latched onto the unfamiliar word in his
confusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“A big bird, taller than a yer Pa. Read about it once in a book about strange,
monstrous looking animals,” Lou chattered on as she checked her son over to be
sure he really was going to be alright. Buck
had said so, but….. “They’re from Africa, though by the look of the animals in
that book I swear half of them are made up.
Maybe more. Then again, I’d a
never believed there existed a horse-like creature with a giant hump in its
back if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes.
And it spits.” She chuckled. “How’s the leg feeling?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
At the mention, Jamie remembered his leg hurting
horribly. But now? Not so much.
Suddenly concerned, he struggled to push himself up on his elbows and
look down at the leg. Lou jumped in to
support his shoulders while he completed his inspection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“It… aches.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“That’s good. You let
us know if that changes. Achin’ means
it’s healin’ good. Anythin’ else, or the
least sign of a fever, could mean ya got an infection after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Jamie nodded distractedly as she helped him lay back
down. His head turned back to where he’d
seen Julia, curled up asleep in the chair.
She was no longer snoring. Instead,
her eyes were open and staring at him. Well,
at least one eye was open. The other
remained hidden beneath that slab of steak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lou looked back and forth between the two of them and hid a
smile behind her hand. “Um, I think I better
go check on our prisoner. Now that yer
awake, I’ll need ta get him ready ta take ta town and put in a proper
cell. Tyin’ him up like a hog fer
butcherin’ may be personally satisfyin’, it just ain’t…. proper.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She set aside the cloth she’d been wiping Jamie’s forehead
with and stood up to leave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I still think we should let him go,” Julia said quietly,
looking down at her hands in her lap. “This
isn’t his fault.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Like hell it ain’t!” Lou ground out through gritted
teeth. “And I’ve about had enough of yer
standin’ up fer the man what was gonna rape ya and kill my son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“But, I… I led him on.
He thought I loved him. I… I just
wanted to help. His Pa is such a mean
ol’ drunk. How was I to know he’d take
it otherwise? I just don’t think he
should be jailed for misunderstanding.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Oh, Julia, stop it!” Jamie grunted. “Yer always willin’ ta forgive everyone. Everyone but yerself. Other men misunderstand what a woman
wants. Hell, I’ve done it myself with
you a hundred times. But they don’t go
tryin’ ta kidnap and violate her. Which
was exactly what he was gonna do. He
shot me in the back, Julia. That’s more
than a misunderstandin’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Exhausted by his outburst, he leaned his head back on the
pillow and closed his eyes with a strained sigh. Julia immediately jumped to her feet and
rushed to his side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“You need to take it easy, Jamie,” she chided him, pulling
the blanket up to his shoulders and straightening it. “I’ll…. I’ll let you get some sleep.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Jamie’s eyes snapped open again at the way she said the
last and he looked into her eyes and knew, knew to his bones that she was
running away again. He reached out and
snatched one of her hands with his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What the hell are ya plannin’ this time, darlin’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I… I….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Don’t lie ta me, Julia,” he warned grimly, then softened
his look with a lopsided smile up into her face. “Ya were never any good at it, anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She pulled free of his grasp and walked over to the window
by the door, staring out into the swirling morning snow. She couldn’t look at him when she told
him. “I… I’m leaving in the spring.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Iowa State College offered me a teaching position before I
left. I’ve decided I’m going to take
it.” She managed to get the words out
without breaking into the tears she could feel battering at her from the inside
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“But… why?” Jamie said so softly she could barely hear him,
sounding almost like a wounded little boy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Look at yourself, Jamie.
That’s what I do to people,” she huffed, using anger to control her
emotions as she turned to face him. “Look
at Carl, headed for prison. Because of
me.” She kept rolling in her tirade,
right over Jamie’s partially voiced objection.
“Because I’m Indian. Well, that’s
something that’ll never change. It
doesn’t matter how smart I am, how educated I am. It doesn’t matter what I wear or how I talk
or if I know which fork to use at the dinner table. I am, always have been and always will be,
nothing but a Red Savage in the world’s eyes.
My presence just paints a bright red target on you and everyone else in
this family. And I won’t be responsible
for that! ….. I… can’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Julia Wiggle Girl Cross, you get over here right now or
I’m getting’ up off this bed and comin’ after ya,” Jamie grunted, feeling his
own ire rise to match hers. Struggling
he began trying to push himself up to do just as he’d threatened and Julia
rushed to his side<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Don’t! You can’t
put weight on that leg yet! Pa hasn’t
finished splinting it!” she scolded him.
“That’s just a green splint for now.
You can’t get up until he comes back and fixes it proper so you can walk
on crutches in a few days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Well?” Lou whispered.
“What are they sayin’?” She stood
with the rest of the family just outside the door. The two in the infirmary had never even
noticed her departure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“They’re still arguin’ over whether she should go teach at
Iowa State,” Kid answered, his ear pressed to the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Teach? At Iowa
State?” Buck asked, his brow wrinkled in confusion. “Did she say anythin’ ‘bout that to you?” he
asked Dawn Star.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not a word.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Hush! I can’t hear
what they’re sayin’ with y’all natterin’ on,” Kid hissed, waving a shushing
hand at the rest of their combined families crowded behind him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Then don’t leave,” Jamie smiled triumphantly as he grabbed
both her hands and pulled her up against him.
“Cause every time ya do, I’m just goin’ ta get up and follow. No matter how far, no matter how often. Bum leg bedamned.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia stared at him, her eyes filling with tears. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What…. what are you saying, Jamie,” she whispered
hoarsely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I’m sayin’ that I love ya, you fool woman,” he answered,
pulling her even closer and smashing his mouth against hers, letting go of one
of her hands so he could reach up and press her head closer to his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia lost herself in the power of his ardor. The feel of his lips hungrily searching hers,
the pounding of his heart pressed so tightly to hers, the strength of his hands
as he held her to him, as if afraid she’d leave, all sent her pulse skittering
sideways and froze her lungs in mid-breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
It was passion with an edge and it could only last for so
long. Eventually he pulled back and
collapsed on the pillow behind him, as if he’d used up all his strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Do ya understand now?
If ya gotta go back ta Iowa State ta teach, I’m comin’ with ya. If ya try runnin’ back ta live with yer Ma’s
folks, I’ll follow ya. I let my own
stubborn pride come between us enough.
No more.” Smiling, he reached up
and gently cupped her cheek in one hand.
“You’re mine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Tears of relief and love started escaping from the corners
of her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Alright,” she hiccuped, smiling mischievously at him. “But only if you marry me first.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
His eyes widened at her unexpected words. He opened his mouth to respond, but she
pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him before he said a word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“You don’t really think, after a kiss like that, things
would stay platonic between us, do you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Lord, I hope not,” he breathed, pulling her down on top of
him as he pressed his lips to hers once again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The duo was so caught up in each other they didn’t hear the
cheers and whistles from the crowd gathered outside the infirmary door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud.html">Epilogue</a></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-63846100636372899522013-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-06T18:01:01.360-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, chapter 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s1600/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s640/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b>Chapter 12</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“No, no, you can’t be gone, Jamie, no!” Julia panted the
half-prayer, half-diatribe over and over again as she pushed the snow away from
first a hand, then an arm, a shoulder and, finally, a face. A cold, immobile face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“No,” she let out a wail to wake the dead as she collapsed
over Jamie’s body in grief, sobs pouring out of her like water from a broken
pitcher. Guilt over what she’d said and
done, and what she hadn’t, filled the empty places he’d left behind, burning
their imprint into her soul. Eventually,
she quieted, not for lack of grief, but because the deepest levels of emotion
can only be maintained for short periods of time. As her sobs drained away to nothing, a tiny
corner of her brain wondered where her Aunt Lou was. All the noise should have had her coming on
the run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lifting her head, she suddenly noticed the chest she’d been
resting on wasn’t… still. It moved up
and down slowly, painfully slowly. Then…
she felt the soft pat of a hand on her back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Jamie!” she exclaimed in joyful realization as she turned
to look at his face, still blue with cold.
But now his eyes were slitted open.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Must’ve decided on Hell,” he muttered. “Gonna spend eternity with women cryin’ all
over me.” Then his eyelids fluttered
shut, once again hiding the beautiful crystal blue of his eyes from the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Jamie,” she gasped again, this time plastering hot kisses
across the cold skin of his face. “No,
wake up, darlin’. Don’t leave me. Wake up!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Don’t worry none, I ain’t gonna let ‘im pass just yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The cold words, colder than the wind and snow surrounding
them, followed by a quick, vicious kick to Jamie’s ribs that elicited little
more than a groan, brought Julia’s head up with a snap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Carl!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
He stood there looking down at the bedraggled female,
hunkered protectively over his rival’s body. <i>What had he ever found attractive about
her,</i> he wondered idly to himself. Not
that it mattered now. She was his, even
if she didn’t know it yet. Once he had
his revenge on the worthless snot at his feet, he’d take her home. She could cook, he knew that much. Maybe she could make his Ma’s life easier
while keeping him warm during the cold winter nights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
But, first things first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Carl, what’re you doin’ here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
He leered down at her as he reached for something inside
his ratty jacket. “Gettin’ what you’ve
been promisin’ me since grade school, Injun gal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Carl?” Julia’s voice grew small as she heard the outright
hatred in his voice and saw the Colt revolver he’d pulled from his jacket, already
cocked. “What… what do you want?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Oh, we’ll discuss that at length,” he promised, his
disturbing gaze sweeping her from head to toe.
“But first, come with me. We’re
gonna wake yer beau up, so’s he kin join the party.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>Splash!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The cold water running across his face, down his cheeks,
through his hair and into his clothes jerked Jamie out of his pleasant
haze. The sounds of Julia quietly
sobbing in the background caressed his ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Yep, Hell,” he muttered to himself as he tried to escape
the Devil’s plans for him for at least a few more minutes in the warmth of his
dreams. Dreams where Julia plastered his
face with kisses and whispered sweet nothings in his ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Oh no you don’t,” Carl hissed, leaning down to wrap his
fingers tightly around Jamie’s chin and shake his head back and forth. “Yer gonna wake up and yer gonna watch while
I get my share of that slut over there. And
yer gonna know that she’s mine from now on. Yer gonna watch us ride off together, knowing
that even if you get out of here alive,” Carl’s voice dropped to a harsh
whisper as he finished, “You’ll never see her again. And I’ll be havin’ her every night and most
days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
**********<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The only thing that kept Julia from losing it, from
striking out at Carl with every ounce of her frame no matter how futile, was
knowing her Aunt Lou was out there somewhere.
That and the fear that anything she might do would push Carl even
further over the edge than he’d obviously already gone. She worried what he might do to Jamie then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She cast another worried glance at her childhood love, now
propped up against a tree, barely hanging on to consciousness. His face was beaten to a pulp. She could barely make out his features
anymore through the bruising and swelling.
She knew from helping him move that he had a major goose egg on the back
of his head, most likely from when he fell off his horse. Not to mention the bullet hole in his back
and the odd twisting of his leg that told her it was most likely broken. There was little he could do to help them out
of the situation other than groan and struggle to stay upright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Take off yer clothes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What?” Julia turned wide eyes toward her tormentor. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Ya heard me. I know
ya ain’t got no problem gettin’ nekkid in front of him,” Carl sneered. “So one more watcher ain’t gonna make no
never mind to ya. Though I gotta warn
ya, after this ya take yer clothes off in front of anyone but me and ye’ll look
worse’n him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I will not,” she sniffed at her haughtiest, even going so
far as to tip her nose into the air. Though she regretted that move almost
immediately when a snowflake went straight down one nostril.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The ominous sound of a hammer clicking back on a gun
sharpened her focus on Carl as he grinned maliciously at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Oh, ya will, or I’ll shoot him again,” he sneered. “Somewhere what won’t kill ‘im, just make ‘im
hurt a bit more. Ya wouldn’t want that,
now would ya?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia looked back over at Jamie, trying to shake his head
at her, telling her in his own, silly, protective way not to do what Carl was
ordering. Her heart twisted. She could handle much of his foolishness, but
she couldn’t let him get shot, again, over her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Slowly, her hand moved up toward the top button of her
coat. As it slipped free and her hand
moved down the line to the next button, she kept her gaze focused on
Jamie. She’d imagined many times
disrobing for him. But not like
this. If she kept her eyes on his and
the way they devoured her in their unique blue heat, she could pretend it was
just the two of them, their wedding night.
It really wasn’t so hard, then, she thought as she pulled the shirt off
her shoulders and let it drop into the snow on top of her coat. She shivered in the winter wind, nothing but
her thin cotton chemise left to stop the cold.
But the heat in Jamie’s eyes warmed her from the inside out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Hurry it up, Injun,” Carl panted, wetting his lower lip as
his eyes followed the movement of Julia’s hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
And she realized there was a way to distract him. Ripping her gaze from Jamie’s she began to
watch Carl instead. The pistol he’d held
to Jamie’s head had begun to waiver as his arm tired and his attention focused
on her. Instinctively slowing her
movements, she bent over as she pushed the trousers over her hips and let them
slide down her legs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“That’s it,” he whispered, a fevered light in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Uh, I need some help here,” she murmured as seductively as
she could manage through her inability to breathe properly. “I can’t get them off over my shoes and...
the snow is too cold.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Carl stumbled as he rushed to her side, dropping the pistol
on the ground when he fell to his knees in front of her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I knew it,” he muttered as he reached for one foot. “I knew ya wanted me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Wanted you to drop the pistol, you bet,” Julia murmured as
she pulled back and kicked him in the chin as hard as she could with both legs
still trapped in her pants. She had
enough force to throw his head back and push Carl onto his back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
She jerked her trousers up and held them closed with one
hand even as she bent over and began scrambling through the snow, searching for
the pistol with the other. Just as her
hand closed over the cold steel of the muzzle, her head was jerked back by the
handful of hair Carl had wrapped his hand in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Thought ya could put one over on me, did ya? I ain’t so stupid as that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Dragging her kicking and squirming into his embrace, he
wrapped both arms around hers to hold her in place and plastered his mouth on
hers. But she’d managed to hold onto the
gun and get it turned around. Just as
she was about to cock the trigger, Carl’s hold on her relaxed, his eyes widened
and he fell away from her with a surprised grunt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Without Carl’s possessive clutch, Julia fell to the ground
as well, crumpling in place. Still
cradling the pistol with her finger on the trigger, she looked up into the grim
face of her Aunt Lou.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What took you so damned long?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Had ta wait ‘til ya had him occupied and distracted. What took <i>you</i> so long?” Lou responded
with a warning bite in her voice. She
bent over and hit Carl in the back of the head again when he started to
stir. This time he slumped over, finally
completely unconscious. “Least I got
here before you shot him. Woulda hated
havin’ ta take ya home in handcuffs. Yer
Pa woulda killed me fer sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“He was holding a gun on us, on Jamie,” Julia sputtered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“So?” Lou shrugged. “You’da
been acquitted at trial fer self-defense.
Wouldn’ta changed me havin’ ta arrest ya. Things ain’t the way they was ‘round here
when I was young. They’ve gotten <i>civilized.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Without waiting for another word from Julia, she knelt down
at Jamie’s side and carefully began inspecting his injuries. “Didn’t stop you once ya made up yer mind ta
do something. ‘Sides, I couldn’t get a
clear shot at him ‘til ya got him distracted enough fer me ta leave cover.”
Pointing at Jamie’s leg with her chin, she added, “Check that leg. Is it as bad as it looks?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Would you two stop chattering like a pair of hens and help
me out here?” Jamie muttered through gritted teeth. v“It’s cold, I’m barely
holdin’ on ta my wits and I hurt,” he complained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Julia knelt on Jamie’s other side and ripped open his pants’ leg to inspect the flesh
beneath. The material unexpectedly tore
all the way up to the hip, leaving his muscled limb completely bared to her
gaze. Julia flushed at the sight and
what it made her feel, especially sitting there<span style="color: magenta;">
</span>staring at him while he was barely conscious,
under his mother’s gaze. She tentatively
reached out and ran her hand up and down the skin, marveling at how soft it
was, despite the tensile strength of the muscles beneath. The sight of the bruises already mottling his
thigh distracted her from her growing curiosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Concentrating on the injury, she began to gingerly push and
prod at it to get a feel of the bone wrapped in all that interesting skin and
muscle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Ow!” Jamie suddenly screeched, pushing her away with
surprising strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Sorry,” she muttered. “Sorry.” But she went back to her probing, trying to
be a little more gentle. Finally, “It’s
definitely broken,” she said. “I can
feel both ends.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“I guess it’s a blessing the bone didn’t break through the
skin,” Lou sighed, rocking back on her heels.
“But if it’s broken there’s no way he can ride. Not even double.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“What are we going to do?” Julia asked,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“We’ll have to build a travois,” Lou answered. Looking at her son, she added, “It’ll still
hurt like you ain’t never felt before. But
it’ll be easier than tryin’ ta ride.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
“Let’s just get this over with,” Jamie sighed, letting his
head fall back against the tree trunk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud_29.html">Chapter 13</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-66344239560165546342013-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:002013-09-22T08:04:58.895-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, chapter 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 11</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie tried to lose himself in the rhythms of
his racing mount. He welcomed the sharp
pain of the cold wind as it tore through his inadequate clothing. He hadn’t been dressed properly for his
impromptu ride and the prairie had no pity on a mourning man. That was exactly the way he wanted
things. The more physical pain he took
on, the more it distracted him from the pain in his chest. He could barely breathe, but he could blame
the cold air for his troubles, not a chest paralyzed with loss.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leaning down over his horse’s neck, Jamie urged
it on, trying to outrace his troubles.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia sat by the window, staring out into the afternoon
sky, grey with clouds. Abe’s impassioned
words to her still ringing in her ears.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We could be happy, sure. But is that enough? I had parents who were deeply in love. I want what they had. And I just don’t see that spark with us. You have it, though, with your Jamie. Don’t let others’ prejudices steal it from
you. You wouldn’t let them keep you from
getting your degree. Don’t let them take
your happiness instead!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Was he right?
Was she letting what others thought get in the way of what she and Jamie
could have. When it was just the two of
them they’d never worried about white or Indian, about male or female. They were just… Jamie and Julia. Could they be happy with that, despite the
reactions of people like Carl?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She began nibbling on the fingernails of her
right hand as she contemplated the possibility. The sounds of her family, both her families,
celebrating the holiday enveloped her in a blanket comforting warmth as she did
so.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t until he realized his horse was
struggling that Jamie slowed his pace to a walk. That’s when he realized tears were streaming
down his face unchecked. The salty
moisture freezing before it reached his chin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He hastily wiped the tears away with his sleeve
and looked around him. Without thinking
about it, he’d headed in the direction of their favorite thinking spot at the
swimming hole. Shrugging to himself, he
let the horse continue on its way, unchecked.
If he couldn’t have her, at least he could have his memories of her.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe, someday, that would be enough.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Have you seen Jamie?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia turned haunted eyes to her Aunt Lou and
shook her head.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No,” she said, barely above a whisper. “Not since shortly after breakfast. He… he … went for a ride.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without another word, she resumed her vigil at
the window, watching as the clouds blocked out the lowering sun and darkened
the prairie sky.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Ungh!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie never heard the gunshot, just felt the
pain of the bullet tearing open the flesh of his back. The force of the impact had him startling
forward in the saddle momentarily, then slumping over to slide completely off
and land in a nearby ditch.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">His mount, still young and easily excitable,
took fright at the fall and the follow-up gunshot that struck his flank. With a bellow of pained anger the animal
bolted.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m gettin’ worried,” Lou said, standing near
the front windows of the Big House, Kid’s arms wrapped around her from behind. “He’s been gone all day. He left his chores completely untouched fer
the others ta do. And he didn’t take his
winter gear with him.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s not stupid, Lou,” Kid sighed, resting his
chin on top of her head wearily, trying to hide his own nagging worry behind
logic. “He knows how ta handle the
prairie. He’s a grown man, ye’ve got ta
let him be. We rode out in a lot worse
than this, with a lot less preparation than he’s had.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou snorted.
“Please, these children aren’t half as grown as we were at that
age. We’ve coddled them.” Then added, much more quietly, “Maybe too
much.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ve also taught them to take care of
themselves,” Kid whispered reassuringly, nuzzling against her neck as he hugged
her tighter. “And he’s got yer smarts. He’s fine.
You’ll see.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou subsided, but continued to worry. This wasn’t like her eldest child. Not at all.
Something had happened. She felt
it in her gut. A searching glance across
the room showed Julia still seated in the chaise lounge, chin resting on her
arms as she nibbled at her fingernails and stared out the window in the
direction in which Jamie had presumably ridden.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie stared up at the gloomy sky, wondering
what had happened. He was numb, except
where he hurt. His leg felt like it was
on fire and he couldn’t move his head without someone pounding a sharpened
railroad spike through it. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Julia,” he whispered, the word lost in the
increasingly fierce prairie wind.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands
dry on the dish towel she’d been using to help Dawn Star clean the dishes. She paused at the entrance to the living room
and looked straight toward the seat Julia had occupied all day long. She still sat there, staring out the window
and Lou’s eyes followed hers.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was getting dark out. The sun set early this time of year. And her boy still wasn’t home.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m going out,” Julia suddenly announced to the
room in general, practically jumping out of the chaise lounge in which she’d
been ensconced. “Something’s wrong. He wouldn’t stay out after dark, no matter
how mad.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou dropped the dish towel over the back of the
nearest chair and moved toward the door, meeting up with Julia just short of
the entrance. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m goin’ with ya,” she said. “Yer right, somethin’s wrong and I’m not
leavin’ my boy out there ta freeze ta death.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kid looked up from the checkers game he was
playing with Buck and sighed, shaking his head.
“We’d better go along, if nothing else to protect the boy from his
mother’s wrath when she realizes she worried over nothing.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Buck laughed tensely. “You sure about that? She’s been known ta be right when she gets a
feelin’ somethin’s wrong.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kid tossed an odd look at him, almost a warning
glare, as he reluctantly moved over to where his wife and Julia were huddled
together, rapidly laying out plans.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“If yer gonna start a search ya might want ta
start with the proper clothes,” he muttered, plucking at Lou’s skirts. “You two ain’t gonna get far dressed like
that.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou looked at him and nodded briskly. “Yer right.”
Turning to the younger woman, she began to issue orders like a
general. “Julia, go change. I’ll meet ya at the barn in five minutes. We’ll start our search to the west, since ya
said that’s the direction you and Abe saw him ridin’ off in.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without another word, she wrapped her scarf
around her head and tossed the end over her shoulder. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia turned toward the stairs but stopped when
she heard Lou’s pained gasp. Spinning on
her heel she ran to the door Lou was holding open and peered out, over the
shorter woman’s head.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie’s horse was trotting into the yard,
looking around, seemingly bewildered. The
young horse looked blown and… was that blood streaming down its flank?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia pushed past the gathering cloud to grab
the horse’s trailing reins. Then she
turned to examine the animal’s flank, running her hand gently, soothingly across
the shivering skin as she crooned to the frightened animal. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“He’s been shot,” she breathed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I told you my boy was in trouble,” Lou stormed,
smacking Kid upside the head with the back of her hand as she rushed toward the
barn. “Now we’re goin’ ta find him.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia was right on her heels.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kid jogged to catch up with his furious wife and
grabbed her arm, dodging her reactive strikes until he had hold of both her
arms. “Will ya calm down long enough ta
talk ta me,” he gritted out. “I’m just
tryin’ ta help.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Like ya helped by tellin’ me he was fine and ta
let him be, he’d make it home on his own?
Well that obviously ain’t the case!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I was wrong.
I admit it. But how could I have
foreseen this? Tell me? What in the last twenty years would lead you
to believe one of our children would be shot off his horse? Well?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou stilled in his arms and just glared up at
him. Kid sighed. “I was just tryin’ ta tell ya you’d be better
off changing, like ya’d planned. Buck
and I can saddle the horses. We’ll do
this search right. Think like the
Marshal ya are, instead of like a distraught Ma.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou inhaled a quick, deep breath and nodded
shortly. Still not speaking, she ripped
out of his grip and stomped off, changing direction toward the house. Kid sighed.
It would take awhile for her to forgive him for this, even longer for
him to forgive himself. He shared a
worried look with Buck. But first, they
had to find his son. What had happened?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, Kid, you and Buck ride toward the
Tarkoski’s, check if he’s there, get Janusz out searching as well, if he isn’t. Rachel can come here with the children, if
she wants.” Lou paused in her spate of
commands to think a moment, then turned to the older boys, including Jed and Willie. “You boys head toward town. We don’t know which direction he went and who
knows who might’ve seen him or what he’s done.
Spread out to cover all approaches.
If you don’t find anything, roust out my deputy and get him in on the
search.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was as if having put on what she considered
her work uniform, from the men’s, well boy’s, boots to the star on her chest
and the hat on her head, had forced her to push aside her frantic grief and
worry until she got the job done. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The rest of you men, head north. Check all the regular riding paths we
use. Don’t stop until you reach Canada,
you hear me?” The gathered hired hands
nodded in understanding. Finally, Lou
turned to the young woman mounted at her side.
“Julia, you and I’ll ride west. You
said that was the direction he was headed when he left?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia nodded. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ll check the riding trails there, the
swimming hole and any other favorite spots you two might have out there. I don’t care how private or hidden they might
be, you’re going to tell me where they are,” Lou ground out firmly. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, ma’am,” Julia said, ducking her chin and
blushing slightly. Then she shook her
head and looked over at her Aunt Lou, calmly sending the searchers off on their
various tasks. There was no time for
embarrassment, or even fear, now. They
had to concentrate on the task at hand and find Jamie. Before it was too late.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s ride,” Lou said urgently and kicked her
horse into motion. Julia turned her
mount and followed at what quickly turned into a hard gallop.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Here,” Lou said, handing over a piece of jerky
she’d pulled out of her saddlebag. Julia
looked at it with distaste and Lou smiled dryly. “You need the energy in this cold. You’re no help to him if you drive yourself
into a state of exhaustion.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia nodded quietly and ripped a bite off with
her teeth. Something about the necessary
force of the motion was slightly satisfying to her need for urgency and force,
so she chewed heartily with renewed relish.
Glancing over, she saw Lou swallow the last of her first mouthful and
tip the canteen up to her lips.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She’d always loved and admired her Aunt
Lou. But her respect for the older woman
had grown by leaps and bounds this night.
Not since that first moment of frantic fear had she lost control or not
thought about what had to be done to get Jamie back. She’d been tough as leather and dangerous as
a rattler all night. It was no wonder
the town had kept her on as marshal all these years, despite her being a woman.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Chew,” Lou ordered quietly and Julia shook her
head to free it of the noisome thoughts and fears tumbling about even as she
obeyed Lou’s command and took another bite of the tough jerky.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie drifted in and out of awareness. One moment sure and certain he was dying, the
next feeling the warmth of a friendly fire.
Maybe God hadn’t decided yet exactly where he belonged, Jamie thought to
himself at one point, and had chosen not to let him die until He’d made up His
mind.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Buck stood up from the tracks he’d been
investigating and turned back toward his horse.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Well?” an impatient Kid asked. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Buck simply shook his head and remounted. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“If it wasn’t him, who was it?” Kid demanded
impatiently.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The Unruhs from over by Fairbury,” Buck said
quietly. “They’ve got a horse with a particular notch in the shoe. Easy to recognize.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kid seemed to deflate with the confirmation that
they had tumbled down another blind alley.
Buck reached over and punched him lightly in the arm.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t worry,” Buck reassured his old
friend. “He probably never came this way
anyways. Either Lou and Julia’ll find
him or the boys will tumble across him safe and sound in a saloon, tryin’ ta
drink away his sorrows with no idea anything’s happened.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I hope yer right,” Kid muttered as he clicked
to his horse to get her moving again.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Violent shivers overtook Jamie’s body as he
opened his eyes. Fat, wet flakes of snow
drifted down to the ground around him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Jamie murmured, barely audibly. The snow would cover his tracks, the horse’s
tracks. They’d never find him if a true
storm set in.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Nobody in town’s seen him since Sunday
services,” Harry said as he stepped out of the bakery to rejoin Jed and
Willie. “Y’all have any luck?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie’s brothers shook their heads, their faces
carrying twin looks of worry and exhaustion.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Guess we better head over to the Marshal’s
office and find Horton,” Harry sighed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I just hope Ma and Julia are havin’ better luck
than us,” Willie said as they all turned and headed down the boardwalk. Head bowed, hand stuffed in his coat pockets,
he added under his breath, “Jamie, if yer dead and dyin’ in a ditch somewheres,
I’ll kill ya soon’s we find ya.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Frustrated, Jamie began to try to move. Maybe, if he could crawl closer to a regular
trail, that would increase his chances of being found. Suddenly, he couldn’t stand the thought of
Julia at his funeral, leaning on Abe’s arm for comfort. The image gave him strength and he began to
actually make progress.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh no you don’t. Can’t have you gettin’ outa here on yer own,
or dyin’ on me ‘fore she gets here.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There!” Julia pointed excitedly toward an area
where something had obviously stumbled around in the drifts, creating a large
crater of dirty snow, some if it even looking… bloody. She started to push her horse forward, but
Lou reached out and grabbed her arm.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia looked at her in question and opened her
mouth to object, but Lou held up a finger to her lips. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“There’s somethin’ odd here,” Lou whispered,
barely heard above the rising winter wind.
“We gotta tread careful.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But… Jamie, he could be hurt out there,” Julia
objected in a furiously lowered voice. “We
can’t waste time jumping at shadows.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lou shook her head. “We won’t do him no good, if we’re dead or
injured, too. Just….” she waved a hand
aimlessly at the anxious younger woman, “just let me think a minute.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia grumbled a bit, but subsided, letting her
eyes search the trail in the snow as far back as she could see. Finally Lou grunted.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, looks ta me like this trail leads back
ta the swimmin’ hole.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia nodded.
“I know, that’s what I was tryin’ ta tell ya earlier.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But there’s somethin’ odd ‘bout it that I can’t
quite put my finger on.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia shrugged helplessly. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You follow the trail. Think both of us know
where it’s goin’ ta lead, in general anyways,” Lou continued. “I’m gonna ride around and come up from the
other direction, out of the wind and the weather. If there’s anyone there worth worryin’ ‘bout,
they’ll be busy with yer arrival when I get there.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright,” Julia nodded doubtfully. “Can I go now?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No, wait here and count to 100,” Lou said. “That’ll give me time ta work my way around
without bein’ noticed.” Looking at Julia
finally, Lou smiled reassuringly. “Trust
me. He’ll be alright.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tightness around the edges of her smile and
eyes put the lie to her words, but Julia didn’t challenge her. She just started counting.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Jamie? Are
you here?” Julia paused, straightening after ducking under the low hanging
branches of yet another tree. She’d
tried the obvious spot first, but Jamie hadn’t been there, nor any sign that
he’d ever been there. Now she’d spent
the last 20 minutes walking through the dense growth surrounding the swimming
hole. Her hopes were waning. “Can you hear me, Jamie? You better not be dead, James Hunter McCloud,
I’ve got a few things ta say to you!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The threats bouyed her spirits momentarily, but
then her mind began to go back over her fruitless search as she continued to
move through the copse of trees, searching every nook and cranny. The trail she’d followed to the swimming hole
had mysteriously disappeared just outside the first ring of trees and bushes,
as if the animal that made it had come out of nowhere. And she’d found no sign of--</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Oof!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia shook her head as she pushed herself back
up onto her knees. What had she just
tumbled over. Looking back over her
shoulder she saw the edge of a piece of blue wool sticking out from under the
snow. It was the exact same shade as the
shirt Jamie had been wearing at Christmas breakfast. Had it only been a few hours ago?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Jamie?!” she shrieked as she scrambled toward
that slice of blue hope and began frantically shoveling snow out of her way. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<br />
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud_22.html">Chapter 12</a></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-30781871507577710992013-09-13T17:26:00.001-07:002013-09-13T17:27:31.628-07:00War Correspondents: The Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Author's Note: This is the first in a new series inspired by Ken Burns' The Civil War series. It is simply a series of letters between Lou and Kid during the war. This is a personal challenge as the format severely limits what I can say and how while still getting the story told. I hope you enjoy.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 15, 1862<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Near Manassas, Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My dearest <s>Lou Louise </s>Lou,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I miss you. I miss you
so much at times I feel like vomiting.
You know I’ve never been good with words, but there’s the truth of
things. I knew leaving you would be the
hardest thing I would ever do, but actually doing it was even worse. Every night on the way here, I would close my
eyes and see your face, tears streaming down your cheeks as you waved goodbye
to me. You have no idea how close I came
to turning back. I may be back in
Virginia now, but my heart remains in Nebraska with you and our child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I pray you are doing
well. I am sure Teaspoon and Rachel are
taking good care of you, if you’re letting them. Please, darling, let them. For my sake, if not yours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">While I continually
found myself looking for you on the trip here I am eternally grateful you
didn’t come. I won’t go into details
about the trials of the journey. It’s
nothing you aren’t familiar with yourself, except for the number of brigands
afflicting the country right now. It
seems like every man with an ax to grind between Nebraska and the Atlantic
Ocean is taking advantage of these hostilities to carve out a little piece of
the pie for himself. I almost lost my
horse three times. And that was just in
Missouri! Thank God I left Katy with
you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Ever
since I arrived in Virginia last week, I’ve continually found myself looking
for you at my side, wanting to share some new sight from my childhood with
you. You have no idea how exciting it is
to be back home again. The sights, the
smells, the sounds… the feel of the air itself.
I had no idea I’d missed it so much.
No matter how I try I simply cannot put it into words to describe it all
to someone who’s never been here, never felt it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I
returned to my hometown, near Manassas, but there was no one left I wanted to
visit. The town itself is practically
deserted. All the men are off to fight
the War and the women and children have mostly left to stay with friends or
family farther away from the fighting.
It’s been so close I can hear the cannons booming in the distance
sometimes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> The
old homestead is still there, as deserted as the rest of the town. I spent the night sleeping on the floor of
the room I used to share with Jed. It
wasn’t the same. Too much has changed
since we were children. I cherish my
memories of our childhood, but I guess it’s official. I’ve grown up and I can never forget what Jed
did, what he was willing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Talk
of the War is everywhere. The papers all
say the War should be finished within the year, especially if Lincoln continues
to put idiots like McClellan in charge.
That man couldn’t find his own shadow without the help of a hundred
other shadows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I haven’t joined up
yet. I’m not sure why not. I had the chance. Just a few days ago I passed a cavalry
regiment leaving the area. They were
heading out to intercept the Federals, one of them told me. But, for some reason, I’m just not ready
yet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> So
much here is familiar, is safe, is home.
Yet, so much is not. I just need
some time to get comfortable with those changes first, I guess. I always thought you were the one who
struggled the most with change, but look at me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I’m
moving on to Richmond, now, closer to where the fighting is headed. I hear tell the Federals are landing near the
Rappahannock River, east of Richmond. I
figure it’ll give me more time to reacquaint myself with my Virginia and the
changes she’s undergone since I left.
Then I’ll join up down there, I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Speaking
of changes, I cannot begin to wonder how you are changing, my darling. Already you were rounder and glowing when I
left. But it’s been two months. I imagine the child is making her presence
well known by now. I hope and pray it’s
a girl, with big, brown eyes like her mother.
I’ll have to fight the boys off in a few years, so it’s best I get some
practice in now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> All
my love to you. I hope to hear from you
soon. You can write me in care of my
Aunt Tallulah in Richmond. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I
pray this War will end soon and I will be home before our child is born. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT';"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> With
all my love, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'French Script MT'; font-size: x-large;">your husband, Kid</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "French Script MT"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;">April 3, 1862<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rock Creek, Nebraska Territory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dearest Kid,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I
was overjoyed to get your letter. I
cannot believe how long it took to get here!
Nothing like when we used to deliver the mail. Was it really so long ago? It seems like yesterday, yet like another
lifetime at the same time. What other
disruptions is this war going to cause before it’s over?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I’m
sorry. I don’t mean to complain, but I miss you horribly. I know we agreed I should stay behind because
of the baby. But it gets harder every
day. Have you heard what happened at the
Battle of Shiloh in Tennesse? It’s in
all the newspapers here. Over 20,000
dead and wounded between the two sides, another nearly 4,000 missing. In one battle. I just can’t comprehend that. And that’s what you’ve ridden into, my
love. Please, be careful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I
continually find myself turning to share something with you, a sunrise, a
beautiful flower, Katy and Lightning’s latest antics, our child’s first movements. But you’re never there and I burst into tears. I feel
like I’m constantly crying, and usually over nothing at all. Rachel says it’s the baby. I’m not so sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Rachel
says I should write you happy stuff, not depress you with my troubles
here. So, what’s going on here you
ask? Well, let me tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Tompkins
has started courting the owner of the new bakery in town. She’s half his height and twice as big
around. But she makes him smile, a rare
sight indeed. We’re hoping they make a
match of it. This town could use more
smiling Tompkins and less of the grouch he can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> They’re
not alone. Rachel’s friend, that
detective fellow who worked for the Express and caused her so much trouble with
his drinking? He’s back in town, sober
as a preacher, and trying his damndest to court Rachel. She’s not sure she
trusts him, though. So she’s holding him
off for now. I don’t think that’ll last
for too long, however. She has a true
hankering for him, I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Teaspoon
and Polly are settling in real nice together.
He spends most days over at her saloon now, instead of napping the day
away at his office. Just as well, seeing
as how things around here are getting rougher every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> With
all the Army units getting pulled back East for the war, there’s few left to
enforce the law out here. A lot of
ruffians have been coming into town, and their first stop is usually the
saloon. It’s almost more than Teaspoon
can handle on his own, or even with Barnett’s so-called help. Many’s the night Buck’s had to come in and
help them round-up the troublemakers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Buck’s
new livery is going great. He’s almost
got more business than he can handle.
I’m so glad for him. And Rachel’s
still teaching. She loves that job. I
think that’s part of why she’s so reluctant to let Mr. Staulder court her. She could lose her job if she even looks like
she’s thinking about marrying, or, worse so far as the town’s concerned, not
marrying him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I
got a job at the new telegraph office they were building when you left. They didn’t really want to hire a woman,
particularly one with child, but no one else could read and write so well as
me, except maybe Teaspoon and he wasn’t exactly interested. The code was easy to learn and the pay’s
decent, though not as much as they were going to offer a man. I swear, Kid, if it weren’t for this belly
I’m growing right now, I’d have cut my hair and put my trousers back on just to
spite them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> But
that means if you ever need anything, you just have to find the nearest
telegraph office and I’ll be the first to get your message!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Speaking
of our baby, I know you said you want a girl, but I’m sure it’s a boy. He’s just like his Pa, won’t let me sleep a
wink at night and wants nothing but for me to shovel food down his throat all
day. What I wouldn’t give to have you
‘bothering’ me like that right now, Kid.
I do miss you so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Since
you gave me a specific place to send things, Rachel and I are including a care
package, cookies, a fruitcake, some of her blackberry jam and biscuits. Don’t worry, she supervised anything I had a
hand in cooking so it’s all edible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I’m
glad you’re enjoying seeing your childhood home again, Kid. But please, don’t forget you’ve got a home
here in the Territories now, too. and are well missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> I
love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Lou<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-67251389521523929392013-09-08T08:33:00.003-07:002013-09-22T08:04:08.936-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, chapter 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s1600/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s640/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 10</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia turned at the sound of someone knocking at
the dispensary door. Brushing her hands
free of the dust from the herbs she’d been grinding into a powder with the
metate, she turned to see who was there.
The knock meant it wasn’t family.
Family would just barrel right on through, even if the door were locked!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Opening the door, she smiled when she saw a
familiar face.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Leaning Bear!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tall man from the nearby Meskwaki
reservation leaned nonchalantly against the doorframe, much as he seemed to
lean against anything handy, at any time, rather than stand straight on his own
two feet, thus his name.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Come on in,” she urged, reaching out to grab
one of his hands and drag him into the house.
He pulled off his otter fur cap to reveal his shaved head with only a
scalplock of hair left on top, held up by a porcupine roach. She laughed affectionately at the sight. His peers dressed mostly the same as whites
these days. But Leaning Bear insisted on
wearing traditional clothes, at least when he was out ‘in public’ as he termed
it when he roamed amongst the nearby white towns. The leather moccasins, breechclout and
leggings and poncho, with no shirt beneath, were his own private
rebellion. “What are you doin’
here? Everyone alright?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yep,” he smiled, shrugging. “Just heard you were back in town and thought
I’d drop in and see you all dressed up like a white lady.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Well?” she asked, twirling obligingly so he
could check out her bright blue and grey checked dress with black braid trim at
the edge of the collar and sleeves, along the waist and dancing around the
bottom flounce of the skirt.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leaning Bear grunted. “You look like a white woman alright. Guess that’s to be expected, the way you were
raised and all those years at school.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The smile dropped off Julia’s face at his words
and she turned back to the counter and the grinding she’d been working at. Picking up the metate stone she ground it
against the larger base stone with all her strength as she muttered, “Clothes
can’t change who you are.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s wrong, Wiggle Girl?” Leaning Bear asked
in concern, using her childhood name. “Having
trouble with those white boys next door again?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia shook her head slowly, refusing to look at
him in fear she’d start crying. She’d
done enough of that the last couple of days.
“Just facing…. reality, I guess. There’s
no room for a mostly native woman in this white man’s world. No matter how smart she is or how hard she
tries to fit in.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leaning Bear grunted in silent acknowledgement
of the truth of her words as he leaned back against the counter and crossed his
arms over his chest. The move brought a
slight smile to Julia’s troubled face, it reminded her so much of her Pa.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m thinkin’ ‘bout openin’ a medical shop at
the reservation,” she said in sudden inspiration. “At least all my knowledge could do some good
there.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Thought you studied languages and literature.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia shrugged.
“I spent more years studying at my parents’ sides than I did learning
from books in Iowa. And that knowledge
just seems more useful right now.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Your help wouldn’t be turned away,” he sighed,
turning his head to peer through the window that overlooked the wide open prairie
beyond the ranch grounds. “Lord knows
it’s hard enough on the reservation. Even
the people the white men send to help us are second hand, at best. And they don’t send half the help they
promised.” He turned back to look at
Julia, peering searchingly into her face.
“But you shouldn’t come if you’re just trying to run away from your
troubles here. Deal with them, then, if
you still feel the call, come set up shop.
We’ll welcome you with open arms.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pushing himself to his feet, he strode to a
cupboard where Buck kept his supplies. He opened the door and pulled out a
package. Holding it up for Julia’s
inspection, he asked, “This mine?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She nodded.
“Pa said he put a little extra willowbark in there. Thought you might need it with the winter
months comin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leaning Bear smiled. “Tell him I said, ‘Thanks,” he said and confidently
toward the door, opened it and stepped out.
His hand still on the handle, he turned back to Julia and added with an
insouciant grin, “You figure out your problems here and come join us, I’ll be
the first one in line, little Wiggle Girl.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie watched from behind the half-opened barn
door as Julia bade a smiling farewell to the tall familiar form of Leaning
Bear. The Meskwaki warrior was one of
many Indians from nearby reservations, and more than a few there weren’t so
nearby, who visited the ranch to pick up medical supplies from his Uncle Buck. Leaning Bear had been coming around since
they were all children. But it seemed he’d
been around much more often than was necessary in recent years, Jamie thought
with a distasteful moue. He’d never
really worried about the man before as a rival for Julia’s affections. But now…. something was wrong and he didn’t
know how to fix it. He knew what his Ma
would say, ask her what was wrong. But Julia
wouldn’t even talk to him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">For the last several days she’d been avoiding
him like the plague. He recognized all
the signs, the sudden need to get something in another room when he entered,
the refusal to look his direction, because he’d played the same game not that
long ago himself. What he couldn’t
figure out was what had sparked it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It had all started after that confrontation with
Carl. Sure, Carl’d been an ass, but when
wasn’t he? She’d never let that get to
her before. Was it because he’d fought
back? What had she expected? He wasn’t going to stand around and let that
ass insult his sweetheart. She knew he
had a temper, though he did his best to keep it under control, and was more
than a bit protective of those he… cared for.
His reaction should’ve come as no surprise to her. But hers sure had surprised him. They’d known each other all their lives and
he still hadn’t figured her out.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course, Pa said he’d yet to figure out Ma,
too. So maybe it was that whole
man/woman thing. Jamie sighed. He just didn’t know anymore.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, Harry, you been past the telegraph
office?” Tompkins, Jr, asked as he packed up the last of the other young man’s
purchase.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No, why?” Harry asked, perplexed. Usually, if there was a telegram for the
ranch the office just sent it out with Marshal McCloud, aka Aunt Lou.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Benton was in here earlier looking for the
Marshal. Said he had a telegram for your
sister, Julia. But no one’s seen the
Marshal today, either.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now Harry was even more confused. A telegram for Julia? “I’ll stop by there, next,” he answered. “Thanks for the heads up.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harry looked down at the slip of paper in his
hands as he sat on the seat of the buckboard and frowned slightly. It was from that Abe fellow. He wondered what it said, but forebore to actually
open the folded paper. It wasn’t his and
Pa had drilled the importance of respecting his sibling’s privacy into him from
day one, not to mention the sanctity of the mail, even if it was a telegram and
not a real letter.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Slipping it into his jacket pocket, Harry
unwrapped the reins from their place on the brake and prepared to head
home. He just hoped it contained good
news. He didn’t know what had happened
between Julia and Jamie, but she was moping around like she’d lost her best
friend. Heck, for all he knew she had.
Something needed to change. And
soon.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Abe’s coming back!” Julia squealed in
excitement after reading the short telegram.
“He got the job in Plum Creek , but they don’t want him to start until
after the New Year. So he’s asking if he
can come spend the holidays with us!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And I take it you plan to tell him he can,”
Buck smiled gently at his daughter.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia blushed as she looked up at him. “May I?” she asked belatedly.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Buck laughed.
“Of course he’s welcome. He’s a
fine young man with a good head on his shoulders. And, apparently, a good job lined up.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What’s goin’ on with you and my sister?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Jamie asked, startled by the unexpected
question.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You heard me,” Harry demanded. “What’s goin’ on with you two? I thought you
were finally gettin’ down ta some serious courtin’. Now she can’t seem ta stand bein’ in the same
room with you and is all excited about this Abe fella’s return.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Abe’s comin’ back?” Jamie asked in
surprise. “I thought he was off to start
a new job.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Turns out it don’t start ‘til next year and he wants
ta spend Christmas here. Sounds ta me
like <i>he’s</i> the one doin’ the courtin’ around here.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jamie turned away from his friend and started
raking up the hay from the stall with unnecessary vigor. “Julia’s her own woman. Does what she wants,” he grunted. “I can’t control her, no one can. Ya oughta know that by now.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I also know she’s been hankerin’ after you fer most
of her life,” Harry said. “So what’s
goin’ on?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’d have ta ask her that,” Jamie said
shortly. “If she answers ya, I’d sorely love ta hear what she says, ‘cause she
ain’t talkin’ ta me. Now… ya gonna help
with chores or just chatter my ear off?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was Christmas Day, one of her favorite
holidays of the year. Uncle Kid sat in
the corner surrounded by the younger children, dressed up like Santa, as he did
every year, handing out gifts. Her
entire family was here, including her oldest sister with her Cheyenne husband,
Grey Wolf, and their new baby. Even her
best friend from college was here, her eyes came to rest on Abe where he sat
with Victoria and Rose, laughing at something one of them had said. He looked up and caught her eye.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She shook her head, smiling sadly and turned
away to walk back to the kitchen to help her Ma with the last of the breakfast
preparations.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hey,” Abe called softly. “Don’t run away from me, too.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She turned at the touch of his hand on her arm,
just as her Aunt Lou squealed, “Kiss!”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rest of the room, or most of it anyway, took
up the chant, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” and Julia sighed in resignation as she
looked up at the mistletoe she’d forgotten about hanging in the doorway over
her head.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abe laughed and leaned forward to kiss her
softly on the cheek. Julia blushed and
pushed him away as the rest of the room clapped, cheered, stomped and whistled
in appreciation. Her Aunt Lou took particular
glee in this tradition. Julia couldn’t
figure out why.*</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s go for a walk,” she suddenly suggested.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abe looked confused for a moment, then nodded in
agreement. It took them a bit to put on
their winter clothes, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots. The prairie winter had finally hit the week
before, chomping down on the land with a vengeance, dumping more than a foot of
snow on the ground overnight. And temperatures
had yet to warm up. They might not until
spring, now.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite the fact the walk was her idea, Julia
moved along in the white cloaked world without saying anything, turning an idea
over and over in her head as she stared without seeing at the horses snuffling
and stomping through the snow looking for grass.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abe followed her meandering course through the
ranch buildings until they reached the main gate and she leaned up against the
fence, still without talking.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You want to talk about it?” he finally asked.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You remember how it used to be at Iowa State?”
she asked, answering his question with a question.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abe laughed.
“Like I could ever forget.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“It was the two of us against the world. We were the only ones who understood each
other. And no one bothered us about
being… together.” Julia stopped speaking
for a moment and looked down at her hands.
“In fact, they seemed to throw us together whenever they could, like
just happened back there.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Yep,” Abe agreed, nodding. “I had more than one classmate ask me when we
were going to tie the knot.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So how come we never….”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Courted?” Abe asked, helping her finish the
sentence.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia nodded. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abe shrugged.
“Just never felt… right.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But it could be… right,” she said. “If we actually gave it a try.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe if you weren’t already in love with
someone else,” Abe said gently, maybe even a little sadly. “Someone who lives right across the yard, no
less.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was Julia’s turn to shrug. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That ain’t goin’ nowhere,” she muttered. Abe winced at her sudden lack of diction, then
his eyes flew wide in surprise as she unexpectedly pushe</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">d up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite his best intentions, Jamie found himself
following Julia and Abe out of the house.
He kept his distance. He’d
promised himself that if she’d decided Abe was the one she wanted he’d butt
out. She had a right to choose for
herself. But that couldn’t kill the
morbid curiosity inside him. It was the
same part of him that had his fist flexing in anger when his mother had pushed
the couple into that embrace under the mistletoe. He wasn’t even sure who he’d wanted to hit
more at that moment, his mother for pushing that little game of hers -- he’d
seen the wicked light in her eye and knew she’d done it a purpose to push him
to action – Julia for allowing it to happen, Abe for participating or himself
for just sitting back and watching it all happen.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When the couple came to a stop at the front
gate, Jamie paused in the overhang of the last building, letting the early
morning shadows hide his presence from the other two. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but
could tell it was a pretty serious conversation from Julia’s body
language. He’d known her long enough he
could always tell how she was feeling, what she was thinking, by how she moved
and interacted with those around her. He
didn’t always know why, but he always knew what. That’s how he’d known that the last thing
she’d wanted these last couple of weeks was to have anything to do with him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He stiffened as he saw her shoulders straighten
with resolve as she turned to face the tall black man at her side. Then she lifted her face up to his, placed
her hand on his chest and pushed up on tiptoe to press her lips to his.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The anger, fear and sense of loss he felt at
that moment twisted and curled inside his stomach until he felt he would throw
up last night’s supper. So. She’d made her decision. She’d made her choice. And he wasn’t what she wanted.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He knew if he stuck around for anymore he’d do
something they’d both regret. With a low
voiced curse, he turned and headed straight for the barn. Moments later he came bursting out again,
mounted on the young stallion she’d helped him train and raced away from the
ranch, jumping the fence around the main compound rather than go anywhere near
the couple by the front gate.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">**********</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Julia closed her eyes as she stepped up and
pressed her lips to Abe’s, praying that she’d get that same giddy feeling that
stole her breath away when she kissed Jamie.
But that wasn’t to be. Abe’s lips
were soft and fine against hers, but they didn’t make her wish they were
somewhere private or lose her sense of what was going on around her like
Jamie’s did.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So it was no surprise when Abe’s hands came up
and took a solid grip on her arms to push her away. He stood looking down at her for a moment,
before clearing his throat and speaking gently.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I appreciate the thought,” he finally said,
“but I don’t think this is our time.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She looked a question up at him. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’d be honored to court you, if you were free,”
he smiled. “But I think you need to figure
out what’s going on between you and that young man who just rode out of here
like the hounds of hell were after him.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>*This goes back to<u> Fighting For Love</u> and
Teaspoon’s last Christmas.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud_15.html">Chapter 11</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-41185402348104136792013-08-26T21:15:00.000-07:002013-09-08T08:36:02.536-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, Chapter 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s1600/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRVwzNxqCTz35Y1C22gAzz2vS9PG91HHp4WRtbS3q7xn4-Lx2ONCk_Lf0epVJ2UsrZtQ0GeyLN4PuKySrpGgTwlk0FLp0VoOuMWhkrfYWkkVjr5XfbdoygW2pnGcbE5LotfU5ol7Ag3g/s640/The+Courtship+of+James+McCloud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter
9<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why don’t you go get the training
bridles,” Jamie suggested. “I think this
guy is ready to hit the trails. And I
know some of the others could use some exercise, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia nodded. Over the last few days, she and Jamie had
fallen into an old, familiar rhythm, working and playing together as if little
had changed over the last few years.
Once again he was the playful, caring man she’d grown up loving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Be right back,” she smiled at him. They’d said nothing about the future, but she
could tell this courtship was headed in the right direction, finally. And she was looking forward to spending some
time alone with her young man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her hopes crashed when she returned with
the bridles to find not only Jamie, who smiled a bit abashedly and shrugged,
but also her brother Harry standing by with three horses ready to be saddled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Heard you were going to exercise some
horses,” Harry grinned unrepentantly at her.
“Mine could use a stretch of the legs, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia pressed her mouth into a straight
line and moved to begin saddling the horses without a comment. As the trio moved in a well practiced dance
around the animals, settling saddle blankets, saddles and bridles into place
and tightening straps and buckles, Jamie sidled up to her and whispered,
“Sorry. I tried to tell him no.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia smiled at Jamie
flirtatiously. “There’s no tellin’ my
brother, ‘No’, when he’s of a mind to be obnoxious and irritating. Just ignore him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She deliberately raised her voice at the
end so Harry could hear her. Leaping
onto the back of her young mount, she grinned wickedly at the two young men
mounting behind her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Catch me if you can!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t know why your young man didn’t
pick up potatoes the last time he was in town,” Dawn Star muttered as she
rifled through the contents of the pantry.
“I know I put them on the list.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t worry, Ma,” Julia smiled as she
stepped back from the irritated woman.
“I’ll just run into town and get them.
It’s no big deal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is too a big deal,” Dawn Star
continued to mutter. “This place relies
on all of us doing our part. Always
has. Now someone’s picking and choosing
what to do and what not to do? It just
isn’t right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m sure it was just an oversight,
Mama,” Julia smiled, knowing there was no talking her occasionally irascible
mother out of her mad at the moment.
“I’ll just go hitch up the buckboard and get them now. I’ll have them back in plenty of time for you
to begin preparations for Sunday dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And what would’ve happened if I hadn’t
decided to check supplies today instead of tomorrow morning?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia shook her head in fondness as she
walked away, her mother’s voice trailing down the hall after her, still
muttering in annoyance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where ya goin? There’s chores ta do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia looked up from the rig as she
finished tightening the last strap tying the matched pair of chestnut geldings
to the buckboard and smiled up into Jamie’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Seems someone forgot to get spuds last
time he was in town, so I’m savin’ him from my mother’s wrath.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a long pause as Jamie
contemplated how to answer. Finally he
offered up a half apologetic, “Oops?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah well, that oops’ll get ya kicked
out of Sunday dinner next week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Heaven forbid!” Jamie laughed as he
helped Julia up onto the seat of the rig.
Then, in sudden inspiration, “Listen, it was my error, why don’t I come
along?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia blushed a becoming shade of pink
as she realized he was angling for some time alone with her. They’d been getting along better and better
over the last week, as she’d helped him with chores every day. They’d even started talking again. Really talking, not just trading insults and
caustic barbs. But they’d rarely been
alone after that first day. There always
seemed to be someone nearby, one of their parents, a sibling, a hired hand, a
visitor. But they would be alone for the
duration of the ride into town and back.
All…. alone. Her lips burned in
remembrance of what had happened the last time they’d been…. alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Julia?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Uh, sure,” she answered belatedly,
scooting over to make room for him but unable to meet his eyes in a sudden bout
of inexplicable shyness. He clambered up
into the rig and gathered the reins, clucking to the horses as he shook the
lines in his hands, urging the pair into a lurching start that had them flying
down the ranch road toward town before anyone had the chance to realize what
the two sitting on the buckboard’s seat were up to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The triumphant look on Jamie’s face when
they turned onto the main road to town and realized they’d gained no followers
nor hangers-on startled a giggle out of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s better,” he smiled at her,
winking. “How’s a fella s’posed ta court
a gal if he can’t spend no time alone with her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, is that what we’re doing?” Julia
smiled, still laughing slightly to lessen the import of his words, neither one
had yet spoken of formal intentions. “I
thought I was saving you from starvation by running into town to buy the
potatoes you forgot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No need to rub my nose in it,” he
muttered, looking away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She wondered what he was hiding but
never got the chance to ask as he turned back to her and said, “Hey, maybe if
we get the spuds fast enough we could sneak back in, grab a couple of mounts
and…. erm… exercise them a bit. You
know… out on the prairie… with no little brothers hangin’ around?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s the matter?” she asked
innocently. “I thought you liked my
brothers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl whistled beneath his breath as he
sauntered down the boardwalk. It was a
good day. His pa had let him be the last
several days and his cuts and bruises had healed over enough he’d felt alright
to come to town. And, he’d made a good deal at the livery, selling several
items of worked leather goods to the ostler there for a tidy profit. He’d gotten enough that he could be sure his
ma had plenty to eat for the next couple of weeks, and maybe even a bit extra
to spend on himself, if he lied to his pa about what he’d gotten. Luckily he was an old hand at that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jamie, stop that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl stumbled over his own feet at the
sound of her voice. Turning, he saw her
laughing up into the McCloud boy’s face, his hands resting around her waist as
she tried to disentangle them both from her skirts and he did his best to make
sure they remained tied together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The smile fled Carl’s face as anger
chased it away, leaving only a snarl in its place. Bad enough she spurned him, but to flaunt her
whorish ways here? In front of the
entire town? Just went to show you could
never truly civilize a wild Indian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“James Hunter McCloud, we don’t have
time for this,” she admonished in laughing tones, jerking herself away from him
to step down the boardwalk toward Carl.
Jamie leapt eagerly after her, barely remembering to wrap the reins of
the buckboard around the hitching post before he chased her down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a smile, she gracefully wove her
hand around his elbow and continued on her way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, well, well,” Carl drawled,
stepping in front of the duo, breaking into their laughing conversation. “Looks like the apple don’t fall far from the
tree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Leave her alone, Carl,” Jamie
immediately stepped up, pushing the other, taller man back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the same time, Julia smiled at her
old classmate. “Hello, Carl. Nice to see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m talkin’ ta her, not you,” Carl
rasped, pushing Jamie back. “I kin see
yer just like yer father,” he added, leering down at Julia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She frowned, disconcerted by his tone
and confused by his words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh, I’ve heard the stories… about how
yer Pa got run out of the last town he was in fer sniffing after some white
banker’s daughter. Disappears fer a few
years then reappears with not one, but two injun gals fer wives?” Carl rudely scanned Julia’s appearance from
head to toe, pausing for a long moment at her bustline. “Ya may dress like a white woman, but yer
already showin’ yer red roots, the way yer pantin’ after Jamie here. Gotta say, if yer anythin’ like yer Pa, it’s
gonna take more’n him ta satisfy ya.” He
stepped closer, reaching out to wrap a hand around her waist and pull her flush
against his chest. “That’s alright,
darlin’. I don’t mind sharin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Carl!
Let me go this instant!” Julia
hissed, slapping his face as he lowered it toward her neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mmmm, you got spirit,” he
murmured. “I kin just imagine--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The meaty sound of a fist impacting on
skin interrupted his next insult, sending him flying back off the edge of the
boardwalk to land on his back in the dust of the unpaved street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What was that fer?!” an indignant Carl
blustered, rubbing his already bruising jaw as he stood up and began to dust
himself off with his hat. “It weren’t
like I was tryin’ ta steal her or nothin’.
I just offered ta help her…. scratch an itch. Ya know… share what she was already obviously
givin’ away fer free.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jamie, no!” Julia cried, putting
herself in front of the now furious man she’d arrived with. “He’s not worth it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll kill him fer talkin’ ‘bout you
that way!” Jamie gritted out through his teeth, even as he picked her up and
set her behind him so he could turn and jump off the edge of the boardwalk onto
the road in front of Carl. “You ain’t got no call ta talk ta a proper lady like
that! A lady what’s always been nice ta
ya, no less!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl sneered. “Her, a lady?
Ya gotta be joshin’ me. Ain’t no
injun whore ever gonna be a lady, proper er otherwise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie responded with another punishing
right hook to Carl’s jaw. Carl responded
with a growl and a running headbutt into Jamie’s stomach, pushing the slightly
shorter yet burlier man into the edge of the boardwalk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He swung wildly, intending to begin
pounding Jamie’s face into mud, but a strong, slender hand caught his fist and
the cold steel of a pistol pressed into his neck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I wouldn’t if I were you,” a steely
soprano said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl slowly straightened, slightly
hampered by the fact the Marshal wouldn’t let go of his fisted hand and kept
her six gun cocked and aimed at his chest the entire time. He towered over her, yet felt completely overwhelmed
by her presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yer part of what’s wrong with this
town,” he snarled down at her. “Prancin’
‘round in pants and wearing a gun and a badge, stead of stayin’ home and takin’
care of yer family like ya ought. Ya
ain’t no better than that red whore over there moonin’ over yer son. It’s no wonder he carries yer name and not
his Pa’s. Maybe ya ain’t so sure he
really is his Pa. I heard ya named him
after one of the other men ya shared a bunkhouse with back then. Or was he some Johnny Reb’s bastard?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lou didn’t rise to his taunts. In a calm voice she simply said, “You don’t
like the way I run this town, ya got every right ta leave it. But so long’s the people here an’ the governor
in Omaha want me here, this is my town.
And I’ll run it the way I see fit.
That means no fightin’ in the streets, no insultin’ ladies and a night
behind bars if ya cain’t handle the rules.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ya know,” Carl mused, ignoring her as
best he could, “I gotta wonder if that middle boy of yer’s isn’t the Indian’s
get. He’s got some awful dark hair and
eyes. And yer sure protective of them
redskins, ain’t ya? Indian lover!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So what if I call Indians and Negroes
my friends? My family? It’s better than bein’ a bully, which is all
yer Pa’s raised ya ta be,” she responded acerbically. “Now, ya got a choice. I kin either let ya go, ya go get yer Pa, --
I happen ta know he’s over in the White Horse Saloon -- and leave town. Or I kin escort ya over ta my office and lock
ya up until ya can act like a civilized human bein’, which might be ‘til the
next century comes round the way yer actin’.
It’s yer choice, son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Indian
lover! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yer
part of what’s wrong with this town…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ya
may dress like a white woman, but yer already showin’ yer red roots…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ain’t
no injun whore ever gonna be a lady, proper er otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carl’s words swirled through Julia’s
mind, over and over again, as Jamie drove them back to the ranch. Each word lashed out at her, hitting with an
impact that left behind a bruise so deep it couldn’t be seen, but that she
couldn’t move without feeling. <i>Was he right</i>? She’d certainly proven in the last week that,
despite the degree she’d earned, the education she’d gotten, she hadn’t really
changed. <i>Was she still unworthy?</i> <i>Maybe she never would be</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And feeling the anger still radiating
off of Jamie in waves, she couldn’t help but wonder how much of it was aimed at
her. A quick glance in his direction out
of the corner of her eye confirmed her earlier analysis. He was already
developing quite a shiner thanks to the altercation with Carl. Although Carl had definitely come out the
worse for wear from the meeting. That
gave her some satisfaction. But, could
she handle being responsible for Jamie being hurt this way? Being treated as an outcast the rest of his
life? The ranch was his life’s
blood. He couldn’t leave it behind. She could never ask him to do that. But she’d never be more than that Indian gal,
at best, in this town. That’s why her
elder sister had married a Cheyenne warrior and gone to live on the reservation
with him. At least there she was
accepted. Here? Here she was a pariah. And always would be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The buckboard jerked to a stop in front
of the Big House and Julia didn’t wait for Jamie to come around and help her
out. She quickly climbed down on her
own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come on inside and I’ll get you
something for that eye,” she said, never looking up to meet his pained eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Julia…” he started to say, but she
didn’t wait for him to speak, just walked quickly inside to the backroom where
her pa kept all his medicines. With a
sigh, he followed her. He could tell The
Incident in town had seriously upset her.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sit,” she said, pointing to the
elevated bench set against one wall as she scanned the jars of medicines,
salves and powders his Uncle Buck kept ready for any and all emergencies. Finally, she pushed herself up on her tiptoes
and grabbed a jar of salve from one of the higher shelves. Opening it, she turned and marched across the
room to his side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without ever speaking, she tenderly
washed his face, getting all the dirt and dust from the fight and the drive
home off the cuts and scrapes marring his tanned skin. Then she generously spread the salve on his
face. He winced as the moisture
discovered a couple of cuts in the skin he hadn’t yet been aware of. But then it began to gently sooth and numb
the throbbing pain from the injury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were so many things Jamie wanted
to say to her right now, but not a single one came to mind. He couldn’t figure out how to tell her what
he was feeling, the pride, the anger, the fear.
They all overwhelmed him. So he
closed his eyes and simply enjoyed her gentle touch as she ministered to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He felt the loss when she stepped away
from him, as if it were more than the simple loss of the welcome heat from her
body. Opening his eyes, he watched as
she carefully put everything away, leaving the room as neat as it had been when
they’d entered it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then she turned back to look at him
again and the look in her eyes, the weariness, the pain, the acceptance in
them, struck right to the core of him. Now he was afraid to say anything, afraid of
what she might say in response, afraid of ruining everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, as she stepped toward him, he
stiffened. She noticed and slowed her
pace, then came to a stop in front of him.
She reached out with one hand and gently brushed the hair back, off his forehead. He closed his eyes again, savoring the feel
of her touch. He felt her lips brush
across his cheekbone, eyebrow, than his forehead and he started to relax,
thinking it was going to be alright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But then she pulled away from him again.
He could tell not just from the loss of her touch, but the loss of the heat she
brought into his life anytime she was near.
He opened his eyes to see her stepping out into the hallway, her
shoulders bowed. <i>Were they shaking? </i>he wondered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Julia?” he called after her. But she didn’t answer, never slowed, never
turned to look back his direction.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br />
<a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud.html" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chapter 10</a></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-75136727093335627062013-08-03T17:18:00.002-07:002013-08-03T17:23:52.251-07:00Embracing Destiny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVt3-ZYhyphenhyphenASMQYCxhKFyxVS_mY5HDRXyqBFTzL12lm1B1qzd5vrf_SuOP9Mdfb6Flf68GF3hfOtXYRBtylZiScnKRIQXviTwtsN4GaMJ7Z4kUpTCBvSpdEolm74iK8OesVFDW-vabXfg/s1600/Embracing+Destiny+iii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVt3-ZYhyphenhyphenASMQYCxhKFyxVS_mY5HDRXyqBFTzL12lm1B1qzd5vrf_SuOP9Mdfb6Flf68GF3hfOtXYRBtylZiScnKRIQXviTwtsN4GaMJ7Z4kUpTCBvSpdEolm74iK8OesVFDW-vabXfg/s640/Embracing+Destiny+iii.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Author's Note: This takes place at the end of the season 1 episode, Gunfighter.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You don’t understand, there’s only one
way you’re going to get what you came here for.
And we both know what that is.”
The tall gunfighter’s words were matter of fact, but his eyes and his
smile laughed at Jimmy, scoffed at his attempts to do right by Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, he had known. He’d known all along where this would
end. He’d known he’d end up here… seemed
like his entire life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jimmy,
don’t go.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
young teen ignored his little sister’s wide, pleading eyes shimmering with
tears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aw,
leave him alone, Celinda,” Horace grumped.
“The rest of us had ta get jobs after Pa died ta help out around
here. He should, too. It’s his own danged fault he’s too ornery for
anyone around here ta hire him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
ignored the two of them. Only three
years separated the three in ages. Horace
was a year and half older than Jimmy.
Celinda a year and a half
younger. But at his 13 years of
age, that year and a half, in both directions, was a gulf wider than that Lake
Michigan his teacher was talking about in Geography class last week. It was supposed to be a thousand times bigger
than Lake Clinton. And Clinton was so
big he couldn’t see to the other side. He refused to look at either of his
siblings, busying himself stuffing a last pair of longjohns into his carpet
bag. Neither of them would understand,
or accept, why he had to leave. So he
just wasn’t going to bother explaining.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Of course, he’d only been 8 when Pa’d taken
them all to Lake Clinton one summer on a camping trip. Maybe it wasn’t as big
as he’d thought then. That was back
before Pa had got caught up in his stupid Abolitionist Movement. Even in Jimmy’s thoughts the words were
capitalized. That’s just the way Pa had
always said it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
sniffled and wiped a hand under his nose as he snapped the carpet bag closed. He’d never admit it, but in a way he’d miss
the big, comforting presence of his Pa.
Oh, he hadn’t been perfect, Jimmy thought, surreptitiously swiping the
cuff of his worn sleeve across his cheeks, under his eyes, as he lifted the bag
and turned toward the door, pushing past his little sister and older brother.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
didn’t dare look at them, one accusing, one pleading, or he’d really lose
it. Squaring his shoulders with
determination and steeling his jaw, Jimmy stomped through the family room to
the kitchen, where his mother stood wrapping sandwiches and shoving them into a
burlap sack for him. They were big,
thick slices of her homemade bread, filled with the delicious cheese she made
every fall. Cheese sandwiches would
always make him think of the comfort of her arms. Not that he needed that now. He was too old
to be hugged and cuddled like a baby.
And a good thing, too. There was
no time or energy left for it these days.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Here,
Jimmy,” Ma said quietly, her voice hoarse from her crying. It seemed like she’d done nothing but cry in
the month since Pa’d been killed by them slavers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
took the bag of sandwiches and stuffed them careless into the carpetbag on top
of his clothes. One more thing and he’d
be ready to go. He turned toward the
formal sitting room at the front of the house and walked up to the wall where
Pa had mounted the family weapons. There was a large shotgun, a sword of some
sort and two revolvers. One was old and
well worn, the other newer and shiny.
Both were obviously well cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
reached up and plucked the older of the two pistols off the wall and turned
away from the wall as he stuffed the gun into the belt of his pants.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh,
Jimmy, I wish you wouldn’t,” his mother sighed from the door, twisting her
apron in her hands agitatedly.
“Guns cause nothing but death and
destruction.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aw,
let him be, Ma,” Horace practically purred, his eyes narrowed in contempt as he
checked out his ‘little’ brother’s appeareance.
Horace had had it out for Jimmy ever since he’d outstripped him in
height the last fall. Never mind Horace
was the smart one. Did great in school,
would probably even finish this year, while Jimmy still had to work out of the
first primer with the little ones.
“He’ll need somethin’ ta protect him out on the frontier.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you really goin’ all the way out to the territories, Jimmy?” Lynda, his
youngest sister at just eight years old, asked, worry shining in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Horace
barked a derisive laugh. “Course he is,
small fry. Don’t think anyone closer’s
gonna hire the little troublemaker do ya?
With an attitude like his he belongs out there with the outlaws and the
wild injuns.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Is
it really that dangerous?” Celinda asked, perching up on her tiptoes to see
over Horace’s shoulder into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
shrugged. “Dunno. But better safe than sorry.” He patted the
gun in his belt with a show of confidence he wasn’t sure he really felt.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jimmy,
please don’t,” Ma said softly. “Surely
you can get a job around here if you try hard enough. Have you asked down at th--“<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve
tried ever place in town, Ma,” Jimmy sighed wearily. “Ain’t a one of ‘em gonna hire me. They all think like Horace over there.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Alright,
son,” she relented, forcing a smile onto her worried face. “Be safe.
And… try not to use that gun.
Guns… they never brought anyone any good. You mind me, son, no good at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
pushed past her, unable to look at her without feeling and odd sense of both
pity and hatred at the same time. He’d
never wanted to do anything but protect her, from the youngest of ages,
especially from Pa’s temper. But he
couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t felt betrayed by her inability to
protect him. She was the adult,after
all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A slight smile, full of derision for
Longley and his type, quirked the corner of Jimmy’s lips as he took a slow step
back. No, guns may not have ever brought
anyone any good. But they were damned
good at removing the bad. For good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And… he was meant for this moment. He felt it in his bones. He clenched his hand repeatedly at his side,
the weight of the ivory handled Colt revolver that now rested on his hip a
comforting reminder of its presence. As he thought of the lessons he’d gotten
from the Judge when he’d gotten the weapon as a gift, Horace’s last words
floated through his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Keep
that firestick close ta hand, little brother.
Yer a troublemaker, that’s fer sure.
And sooner or later, yer gonna need it.
Just make sure yer ready when ya do.
Yer good with that thing. It’s
yer talent. Don’t know why, but seems
like it’s what God made ya fer.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Horace
had looked at him, for once, without derision or contempt. The clear blue eyes of a sibling, concerned
for his brother, peering up at him on top of the nag he was mounted on, ready
to ride away. His words had almost had…
wonder… in them at Jimmy’s almost preternatural skill as a shootist.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, everything just went away as his
world narrowed down to the man standing so confidently a dozen paces down the
street from him. He noted, with a small
corner of his brain, as Longley caressed the small gold chain that led to
Emma’s watch, tucked into the gunfighter’s pocket. But it didn’t disturb his concentration as
his eyes remained glued to the man who thought to take his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He’d never been in a stand-up gunfight
like this, but to the very marrow of his
bones, he already knew who was going to win and who would lose. There was never any question as every muscle
in his body relaxed and tightened at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stood there, in the loose, ready
stance of a man ready to pull his weapon and use it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s your play,” he vaguely heard
Longley say, a slight smile in his words.
But Jimmy didn’t react.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He just waited. He didn’t even jump when he heard Cody’s
Hawkens go off behind him. Then Kid’s
unwieldy old six shooter fired. Longley
jumped though, turning his head to see what was going on. His body stiffened
with shock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But Jimmy’s focus never changed. He continued to watch the man. For what, he wasn’t sure. He saw Longley draw and fire frantically. But, though he flinched as the other man’s
bullet slammed into his arm, he somehow knew Longley’s bullet was never close
to hitting anything serious. Then his
Colt was in his hand, the bullet already ripping down the street and into the
gunfighter, who fell to the ground.
Gone. He’d never made a conscious
decision to draw, to shoot. He’d just
known where his bullet needed to be. And
now… there it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stood there in shock at the corpse
slowly bleeding out into the dusty street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You alright?” Kid asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,” Jimmy answered, realizing he was
panting for some reason. He wondered
silently when that had happened. Then
again, he wondered, when had he become a killer. For the first time in his life, a man was
dead because of him. And he wasn’t sure
what he thought about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Curious, he walked slowly up to the body
and looked down at it. Light from a
nearby torch glinted off the chain to Emma’s watch. Emma.
She reminded him in so many ways of his mother. Always worried about him, taking care of them
all, mothering them. He always felt the
strongest pull to protect both of them.
That’s what had led him here, to right a wrong done Emma. But unlike his mother, she had a core of
steel. She hadn’t wanted this showdown
anymore than his mother would have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy squatted down and slowly drew the
watch out of the dead man’s pocket.
Holding it in his hands he found he could feel no guilt for this night’s
work. Standing, he looked down at what
had been the man Longley. Now it was
just slowly cooling meat in the middle of the street. No. No
guilt. He’d been… bad. And his being gone was…. good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, would Emma feel the same way? He worried what she would say. She might reject him, just like his mother
had, over his attachment to the gun at his hip and what he could do with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he started to walk away, he came to
the conclusion, he was what he was. He wanted to stay here. He felt welcomed, dared he even think
loved. But he couldn’t change who he was. Who he’d always been. Who he was destined to
be. They’d have to take him as he was,
or he’d leave. Move on to someplace that
could accept him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But first, he had something to return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He stood there with the watch held out
in his hand, his heart full of fear about what she might say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Was it worth it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A question he’d asked himself already a
dozen times. He thought back over the
entire encounter, his entire life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I had no choice.” He couldn’t fight who he was. He wouldn’t.
It’s why he’d left the civilized East to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did you want one?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He cocked his head, looking
at her in confusion. What did she mean by did he want a choice? How could one choose what God had created you
for?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Author's Note: Inspired by the song<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5GXbk58R0"> Bad Company</a>, as used in the episode of the same name.</i></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104033891959513457.post-50544021111672251962013-06-28T03:52:00.001-07:002013-08-26T21:17:24.271-07:00The Courtship of James Hunter McCloud, Chapter 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Chapter 8</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A frustrated Julia rifled through the
contents of her wardrobe yet again.
Pinks, reds, blues, greens, blacks, flashed past as she pushed dress
after dress aside. Because of school she
had twice as many clothes as any of her sisters, all in the latest fashions. But nothing to wear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia’d always been taught that you
dressed up to go courting, you looked your best. But she couldn’t exactly wear her Sunday silk
dress for what she had planned. It would
look ridiculous for one thing. And for
another, it wouldn’t survive five minutes.
No, she had to have something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With that thought, she dove back into
the wardrobe, hoping to ferret out some old outfit she’d forgotten about at the
back of the closet, something that would be appropriate for courting Jamie. But moments later she fell back on her behind,
weight braced on her hands as she emitted a groaned growl of frustration. Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Whatcha doin’?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia turned her head to glare a brusque
comment at her brother, Harry. But she
stopped as she really looked at how he was dressed. Without a word in response she scrambled to
her feet and pushed past him into the hall..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey!” Harry squealed in annoyance as he
fell back against the wall from the force of her shove. “Watch it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But she never heard him. She was already climbing the stairs to the
attic, where her mother kept trunks of their old clothes. Within a matter of moments she was holding up
an old pair of dungarees one of the boys had outgrown. They were so badly stained and ripped up that
Dawn Star hadn’t forced the next child to use them. But they were perfect for what Julia had in
mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She smiled broadly as she imagined
Jamie’s reaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Julia
took a huge, fortifying breath and pulled open the barn door, slipping
inside. A north winter wind ripped the
door out of her hands and slammed it shut behind her with a loud bang! She jumped at the sudden loss of control as
much as at the noise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two mops of brown hair, one longer and
shaggier than the other, popped out of different stalls. The shaggy head bore a quick smile for her,
nodded and disappeared back into his stall.
The other, the one with the tightly shorn hair that almost wasn’t,
didn’t look nearly so friendly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie scowled as he saw who’d invaded
what he considered his domain. He leaned
the pitchfork he’d been using against the opened stall door and wiped his hands
crossly on his pants as he stepped out into the center aisle of the barn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’re ya doin’ here?” he growled, as
menacingly as he could when he could barely breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The pair of trousers she’d donned used
to be white, at some point, so they shone bright even in the dim lights of the
barn’s interior. And it would be
generous to say they fit her. They were
so tight he wasn’t sure how she could move in them. He knew he could barely move without
embarrassing himself, as his own trousers got tighter by the second just
looking at the way she was dressed. And
that was before he started to consider the possibilities presented by all the
tears and rips scattered up and down the legs.
There was a quite interesting one….. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I came to help,” Julia said matter of
factly, walking toward the tack room.
“Haven’t seen much of you around since I got back. And, to be honest, I’ve missed being around
the horses. I got to help out some at
the barns at school, but, being a <i>lady </i>and
all,” she sneered slightly at the term lady, “they wouldn’t let me really dig
in and help. Kept telling me not to get
my hands dirty and to go back to the kitchens, where I belonged.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie winced at the bitterness slicing
through her words. He could just imagine
how that attitude had rankled her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah, well, maybe they had a point,” he
grunted in sudden inspiration. If he
could make her mad maybe she’d leave on her own and he could… relax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia felt rage swell in her chest at
the comment. But, instead of railing at
him the way her tongue demanded, she almost literally bit her lip, tightened
one hand into a fist at her side, and… let it go. Instead, she pasted a smile on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are you trying to say I’m not capable
of working with the horses?” she asked in dulcet tones, tones that held an
undercurrent of threat in them, despite her best effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie shrugged casually and slipped his
hands into his pockets as he leaned against the wall. Julia had to swallow hard to get past the
sudden dry patch in her throat at the sight he presented, all lean, lanky and
unperturbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All I’m sayin’ is, this ain’t you no
more. You an’ those fancy, silk dresses
of yers that go along with that high falutin’ degree. You’ve got more important things to do than
waste yer time, and mine, playin’ in the dirt with us nobodies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia took a determined step forward,
forcing herself to look past the hurtful words and really listen to what he was
saying. She wanted to cry at the pain
she saw then, but knew that wasn’t going to help her cause. He didn’t want her pity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I can do anythin’ you can do,” she
muttered through gritted teeth. “Better
than you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hah!” Jamie threw his head back and
laughed, loud and long. Finally he
lowered his chin and met her gaze. “You
wouldn’t last out the mornin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m the same girl who used to beat you
at cleanin’ out the stalls mornin’s, and then race ya down to the swimmin’ hole
ta cool off after,” she bragged, unconsciously falling into the accent of her
youth, instead of the cultured language of her education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie straightened and walked over to
her, roughly grabbing her hands in his and turning them palm up. He stared down at the silky soft, smooth
skin, gently running one thumb back and forth across it, to verify it was just
as unmarred as it appeared. He snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Holding up one hand between their faces,
the other still clasped in his, he said, “You think you can keep up with me
with this? You’d be so blistered by noon
you’d be crying. You’ve gotten soft
along with educated. And that’s
fine. Fer you. But it don’t do me no good, here in the
barn.” He suddenly dropped her hand and
pushed at her shoulders, shoving her toward the barn door. “Now, git.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia stumbled slightly, then let loose
with the glare that had been trying to escape for awhile now. “Who died and made you boss?” she
growled. “I did plenty of hard work at
college. If you think working in the hot
kitchen in the middle of a sweltering Iowa summer is ‘soft’, you’ve got another
think comin’. Not ta mention all the
long, hard hours I spent bent in half helpin’ tend an’ harvest the crops. ‘Soft!’” she snorted back at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That wasn’t real farm work,” Jamie
muttered, trying desperately to get her to leave him alone. To just leave him, so he could stop fighting
the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her until neither one of them could
breathe. “That was just wimmen’s work,
cookin’, tendin’ the garden. You’d never
be able ta keep up with real work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The sound of the slap rang through the
barn, causing several horses to nicker and stick their heads over the stall
doors to see what was going on. Julia
tried not to wince at the bright red handmark now standing out starkly on
Jamie’s cheek. But he’d deserved it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You better be glad yer Ma and Pa didn’t
hear what ya just said,” she muttered through gritted teeth. “Aunt Lou’d tear ya ta pieces and Uncle Kid’d
bury what was left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jamie tried not to quail under her
diatribe, even though he knew she was right about how his parents would
react. He didn’t really believe the
words he’d said. He just figured they
were his best chance of getting rid of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, it ain’t goin’ ta work,” she
continued, unconsciously voicing his next thought. “I’m here ta work, and that’s what I’ll be
doin’. And make no mistake about it,
I’ll keep up with you all day long!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning her back on him, she didn’t wait
for a response. She marched over to the
tack room and grabbed a pitchfork of her own.
Jamie grunted as she came back out and entered the next stall down from
the one he’d been cleaning. He leapt for
the pitchfork he’d left leaning against the stall door. The race was on and he had no intention of
losing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia winced as she tossed another
pitchfork full of hay over the edge of the hayloft. She’d spent the last hour racing Jamie
through the remainder of the stalls, cleaning them out and laying new straw
down on the floors. She could feel a
tightness in her shoulders that would be real pain tomorrow and, despite the
gloves she’d carefully donned, she knew there would be blisters to testify to
her labors today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her lips stretched into a taut grin of
triumph at her next thought. No matter
how fast and hard Jamie had worked, she’d kept pace with him. He stood below, panting slightly from his
efforts, waiting for her to toss down the next bit of hay. He’d given in and admitted she was helping. But he still maintained she wouldn’t last out
the day. He should’ve known better than
to toss down a challenge like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re not quittin’ on me now, are ya?”
he called up, slightly breathlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Naw,” she grinned mischievously down at
him. “Just waitin’ fer ya to catch yer
breath. Wouldn’t want to go leavin’ ya
in my dust or anythin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She could hear the growl that started to
rumble in his chest at that comment, but gave him no time to properly
respond. The next pitchfork of hay
landed right on top of him. Most slid
off and ended up scattered around his feet.
But there was plenty left sticking out of his hair, his ears, his
shirt. She couldn’t help laughing at the
sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You look like an indignant scarecrow,”
she gasped out between giggles at the affronted look on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Plop.
Another shovelful of manure landed in her wheelbarrow. There.
She smugly patted the top of the pile of horse…. leavings…. to make sure
it wouldn’t slip off the wheelbarrow and set her shovel aside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With only a slight twinge in her legs,
she bent forward and grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow to start it on its
way to the compost pile at the far end of the big pasture. Picking up speed, she concentrated carefully
on keeping the wheelbarrow properly balanced on its one wheel and never saw
Jamie coming back from his last run to the compost pile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first hint she had of his presence
was when she suddenly found herself airborne, her toes stinging from the hard
as a rock foot they’d just stumbled over.
She landed with a loud Splat! as the load of manure she’d been
transporting landed with her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia looked up in outrage at the loud
guffaws emitting from the man she’d thought she loved. The man who’d just deliberately tripped her
and was now laughing at her…. mucky… state!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Might wanta watch where yer goin’,”
Jamie gasped out between rolls of laughter.
“You never know what might be in… yer…. way!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
ya never know when ya might be hoist on yer on petard,” she muttered,
sinking her fingers into the muck surrounding her and suddenly letting fly with
a handful of glob. She watched with
satisfaction as it landed with a resounding thump right in the middle of his
workshirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey!
What did ya do that fer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pushing herself to her feet, Julia
glared at him. “If ya have ta ask yer
dumber than I thought.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all the dignity she could muster
she grabbed the now slimy handles of the wheelbarrow and picked it up to head
back to the barn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Ya can clean up yer own mess,” she
tossed over her shoulder at him as she left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia glared at Jamie through her
eyelashes as she used a mallet to pound the needle through a tough piece of
leather. Of all the chores on the ranch,
she hated mending tack the most. And
Jamie damned well knew it. That’s why he’d said it was mending day. Just to spite her. It had nothing to do with the fact it was
Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was a fair hand at sewing itself but
simply didn’t have the strength to finesse the needle through the leather with
just her hands. Not like he could. His hands were naught but muscle and sinew. They flexed with each push and pull of the
needle, setting the tendons into stark relief.
It was hard to imagine hands with such power in them could be so
gentle. But she’d seen it for herself,
not so long ago, when they’d been grooming the horses. He touched them with such care, caressed them
almost. She grew warm and flushed just
at the memory of how his hands had molded to the muscles of the animal’s side
and back as he brushed and curried them.
She’d desperately wished it had been her he’d been touching as the
animal’s hide had shivered in a pleasure she very much wanted to feel for
herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yer never gonna get done, ya sit there daydreamin’,”
his brusque voice interrupted her thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She flushed madly to realize she’d
gotten lost to the world while staring at his hands. A quick glance at the piles of torn bridles,
reins and saddles lying at their feet and she gulped. While she’d been staring hopelessly at his
hands, he’d finished repairing one bridle and started on another. She hadn’t even finished her first
project. At this rate she’d never keep
up with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buck’s eyes narrowed as he watched two
figures come out of the barn, one much shorter and slighter than the tall young
man at her side. <i>What was Julia doing dressed in trousers?</i> he wondered. He didn’t question it was his second eldest
daughter. She’d spent enough time with
her Aunt Lou he knew she wouldn’t think twice about wearing pants when the
occasion called for it. It just took him
by surprise that she’d decided to put herself to work in the barns. Then again, she’d do anything to spend time
with Jamie. Always had. He knew that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buck stiffened as the pair turned to the
Breaking Corral as they called it. That’s
where they took the green yearlings and began to train them to saddle and
bridle. Given, they began putting a
halter on the foals almost the day they were born and laying things over their
backs, weighted according to what they could handle, shortly after that to get
them ready for saddle and bridle training.
It was a much more effective method than green breaking them like they’d
done back in the Express. But it was
still too dangerous for his daughter to be involved in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A red rage began to cloud his eyes as he
watched Jamie bring out one of the highest spirited young colts at the farm and
tie it to the post at the center of the corral while Julia stepped up to the
nervous animal’s head and began whispering to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How dare--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t worry,” Lou said softly, putting
a restraining hand on Buck’s upper arm.
“He won’t let any harm come to her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buck looked down at her and quirked one
eyebrow in silent, sarcastic doubt. Lou
laughed lightly and patted his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He won’t. He’d die first, no matter how he’s tryin’ ta
hide it. He’s got it bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Besides,” she continued, not letting
him complete his protest, “Julia’s done this plenty. She knows what she’s doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Like hell she has!” Buck practically exploded. “I never let them near the breaking until
they were 16. By then she was off ta
college.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t fool yerself, Buck,” Lou smiled
up at him as she began to lead her mount toward the barn to unsaddle it. “All the children started breaking in the
foals by the time they were ten. Didn’t
ya ever wonder why they spend so much time in the foaling barns? Or why some of the yearlin’s seemed so easy
ta train? They are ours after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaking her head in wonder at his
self-delusion, Lou wandered off, while Buck’s eyes turned back to watch as
Julia leaned slowly over the young equine’s back, letting it feel her entire
weight. The horse jumped slightly,
whickered in concern and turned its head to look back at Julia, but once again
calmed as she spoke to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buck twitched with as many nerves as the
young horse was exhibiting, but he refused to move or take his eyes off his
daughter as she slowly inched her way into the saddle and began to teach the
animal the meanings of the various signals of reins and knee and heel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">**********<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Leading the horse back to its stall,
Julia began to reward its hard work that day with a gentle brushing, crooning a
tuneless melody softly as she moved.
Jamie brought in a double ration of oats and grain for it and the horse
relaxed completely, whickering softly and nuzzling her with its soft nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Exhaustion etched in every fiber of her
being, she eventually stepped out of the stall and sighed as Jamie latched it
behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn’t say anything to him, too
tired to try to trade barbs with him anymore.
Instead she began to slowly walk out of the barn toward the Big House,
thoughts of a hot bath dancing in her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?” she asked, surprised to hear his
voice coming softly from so close behind her.
Turning her head, she found him standing mere inches from her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I was wrong. Ya can keep up with me,” he admitted quietly,
reaching out to finger the strands of her silky hair that had come free of
their confinement throughout the day’s labors.
“Better’n most.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The words seemed to cause him some sort
of pain, as if they were the last thing he wanted to, or expected to, say. But being the honest man he was, he couldn’t
lie to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She nodded and started to push the barn door
open when the feel of his hands on her shoulders stopped her. He pulled her slowly toward him, then reached
down and tilted her chin up with one hand so that he was staring straight into
her caramel brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Maybe ya ain’t changed so much after
all,” he murmured as he leaned forward, never taking his eyes off of hers,
right up until their lips met. His eyes
fluttered closed even as hers widened in surprise. The light kiss brushed across nher lips and
along her jawbone to end at the edge of her cheek and ear. “Good night,” he whispered. Then opened the barn door over her shoulder
and pushed past her out into the chilled air of the gathering evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A cheek splitting grin, very reminiscent
of her father’s, ate up her face as she walked away. <i>Maybe
today had been worth it after all,</i> she thought to herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Pleased with yerself?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia turned her head to the side to see
her Pa leaning against the far corner of the barn, arms crossed over his chest,
a gently teasing light in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll see,” she muttered, turning away
from him and blushing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buck chuckled as he walked up to her and
grabbed her hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How long’ve you been breaking horses?”
he asked in a determined voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Glad for the change in topic, she looked
up at him slyly through her eyelashes, trying to keep a look of innocence on
her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why do you ask?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Cause as yer Aunt Lou so astutely
pointed out to me, you knew what the hell you were doin’ out there taday,” he
muttered, scowling slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Awhile,” she shrugged, trying to pull
away from him. Buck tightened his hold
on her hands, determined not to let her escape until she answered his
question. The pressure pushed on one of
the blisters she’d developed and she gasped in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What?!” Buck asked, moving quickly from
gentle disciplinarian to concerned parent.
Turning her hands over, he grinned slightly. “You weren’t goin’ ta say nothin’ to him,
were ya?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia again shrugged in answer and this
time he let her go when she pulled away from him. Buck shook his head as she started to walk
toward the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Better have yer Ma tend them hands,
missy,” he called after her. “’Specially
if ya plan ta be back at it tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://tyrpostscripts.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-courtship-of-james-hunter-mccloud.html">Chapter 9</a></span></span></div>
Pilarcitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03653897263145723280noreply@blogger.com0