Love is…Sweetwater

By Renee Novak

Kid had been on the train for a day and a half. It had been that long since he thought of what his life used to be like. What Lou’s smile used to look like, how she smelled, how happy she used to make him. Happiness…he hadn’t experienced that emotion in a while.

It was a gray, autumn afternoon when Marianna and Joanne had died. The doctor had told him it was influenza. He cursed the days he never became sick, then the days after he’d recovered. It wasn’t fair that it took his two-year-old, just as she’d started chasing butterflies. Just when she’d begun curling up in his lap, so he could tell her a story. She had her mother’s dark hair and eyes, his smile. She was always happy, even when she was sick. He was thankful she passed on in her sleep, only one day after Joanne.

"Take care of her," Joanne had told him.

He was hopeful of Marianna’s recovery. She’d sat up, eaten, and the fever had subsided. In the end, it seemed God had given him a chance to be with her, like it was before she’d gotten sick. He was grateful for those hours. They’d forever be etched in his mind, and her laughter would always haunt his dreams.

"Sweetwater," the conductor announced.

Kid gathered his things and waited for the train to stop. This was it. He was going to start over. Everything, well almost everything, had stayed the same in the town that held his heart. Jimmy was the sheriff now, and he’d heard Lou taught at the school. It had been a good six years since he’d left Sweetwater. It felt good to be back.

Chapter 2

The classroom was empty. Lou sat at her desk, grading papers, enjoying the peace and quiet.

"Hey," Jimmy said, opening the front door. "You busy?"

Lou looked up from the mountain of papers. "A little," she replied, removing her glasses.

He smiled slyly. "Got somebody I want you to meet."

"Jimmy," she began, running a hand through her hair. "I wasn’t kiddin’. I’m real busy…"

"C’mon, Lou," he persisted. "It’ll only take a minute."

Lou sighed. Jimmy was forever finding the wrong time to bother her, but he was Jimmy, her protector and savior. If he only knew what the private side of her life was like. At times, even she couldn’t believe it.

"So, who is it?" She asked, giving in.

Jimmy smiled brightly. His brown eyes twinkled, making her smile. What could be making him so damned happy?

"Okay, you can come in," he said over his shoulder.

Lou gasped, seeing Kid walk in. He was the same Kid, but there was something in his eyes. A shadow of sadness, a shadow she’d never seen before, except for the day he left. She couldn’t stop herself. In moments, she found herself in Kid’s arms. A she felt safe. A feeling she’d thought had disappeared long ago.

"Kid," she said, pulling away. "It’s been so long."

"Yes, it has," he agreed, holding her hands in his. "You look great."

"Thanks, you too." She felt like a school girl, gushing over him. "Why don’t you come for supper tonight?"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," she assured him. "Andrew’s away on business." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jimmy cringe at the mention of Andrew’s name. "You can come too, Jimmy."

"Nah," he declined. "You an’ Kid got a lot to catch up on."

Lou looked at her friend. It wasn’t like him to turn down a free home cooked meal.

"All right," she said. "It’ll be you and me."

Kid smiled. "Fine."

"Be there around seven," Lou ordered. It was going to be like old times again.

"I’ll be there." Kid gushed. "I’ll let you get back to work."

Lou smiled, something she hadn’t been used to doing lately. She watched Kid and Jimmy leave. There was something about the two of them together again. They reminded her of two boys, not the men they’d grown to be.

Chapter 3

Lou changed Jordan’s clothes. The ten-month-old boy had his mother’s eyes and pleasantness.

"You’re gonna meet mommy’s first love tonight," she said putting him in his high chair. "So, please be on your best behavior."

Quickly she checked on the chicken, then set the table. She wanted everything to be perfect. Her nerves were on edge, and she hated it. Over the years, she’d learned to keep her feelings in check, remaining calm and collected through everything. With a husband like Andrew, you had to. The littlest thing seemed to set him off lately.

A knock at the door brought her mind back to the matter at hand.

"Evenin’, Lou," Kid greeted. "You look beautiful."

Lou’s cheeks blushed. "Thank you," she replied. "C’mon in."

Kid entered the home that he’d spent most of his life in. Nothing had changed much. It was quieter now though. He watched Lou fuss over Jordan, who’d begun to cry. She was as beautiful as the day he realized he loved her. She was dressed, simply in a pastel blue gingham dress. There was a matching ribbon in her hair, holding it away from her face.

"So," she said, laying Jordan in his cradle. "What brings you back to Sweetwater?"

"Nothin’ back in Colorado for me."

Lou looked at him in disbelief. "What about Mariana and Joanne?"

Kid looked down at the floor. "They died."

She just about dropped the soup she was carrying to the table. "Oh, my God, Kid," she said walking over to him. "I’m so sorry."

"They had influenza," he reported. "Doc said he was surprised they lived as long as they did."

Lou’s heart broke. She knew Kid had loved Joanne. He met he three months after they’d realized they’d never work out. He left rock Creek with her, a month after the Pony Express disbanded. Her heart broke as she watched them ride off. She wished Kid only happiness, and he’d found it with Joanne.

"They’re better off," he tried to convince himself, as well as Lou. "At least they’re not sufferin’."

Lou nodded, unsure how to get him to smile again. She’d give anything to take his sadness away. "Oh," she suddenly remembered the chicken in the oven. "Supper!"

It wasn’t burned, but she silently hoped he didn’t mind crispy chicken.

Kid walked over to the cradle. "He’s adorable," he said, looking down at the sleeping child. "What’s his name?"

Lou smiled. "Jordan Louis," she announced proudly. "He’s my only joy these days, well, him and the school children."

"Not Andrew?" Kid inquired. He sat down at the table, amazed at how much Lou acted like a woman. He knew she had it in her, but she seldom let it show. He liked it.

Lou didn’t answer. She had said those words in her head, never wanting them to escape. Unfortunately, they had, and she didn’t know how to fix things.

"Well, eat up," she ordered.

Kid dug in. "This is really good."

Lou wrinkled up her nose, "You think so?"

Kid nodded. "Yeah. It’s real good!"

She watched Kid while he ate. For this one moment in time, everything was how it should have been. Both of them sharing supper while the baby slept, only steps away. She pictured Kid reading Jordan a bedtime story, while she did dishes. Wasn’t that the way things were supposed to be? Man, woman and child together, loving each other. Funny how things don’t turn out the way you expect them to.

"Kid," she said, clearing the table. "Would you bring Jordan into the nursery for me?"

"Sure."

She watched him disappear around the corner, Jordan cradled lovingly in his arms. Tears welled in her eyes as she cursed herself for letting him leave.

Chapter 4

Kid heard the door bang open, waking Jordan.

"Ssshh," he heard Lou say. "You’ll wake Jordan."

"Who’s here, Louise?" The male voice boomed. "And don’t tell me it’s the sheriff, ‘cause that ain’t his damned horse."

"Andrew, please," she said. Kid didn’t like the fear he heard in her voice. "Jordan’s…"

"I don’t care ‘bout the brat, Louise!" Andrew shouted. "Who’s here?"

Kid covered Jordan and entered the kitchen. Andrew towered over Lou. She looked afraid. As if she knew, something was going to happen. "Everything all right, Lou?" he asked, still standing in the doorway.

"Kid," Lou said. "Just never mind…"

Andrew focused his attention on Kid. "So you’re Kid?" He asked, standing a good six inches over him. "Heard a lot about you."

"Never heard anything about you," Kid answered.

"Kid," Lou began again, her voice a mixture of fear and warning. "Please, just leave…"

Andrew glared at her. "Now, you tellin’ him what to do? You got your nerve."

"Look, I’m not sure what your problem is, but Lou ain’t doin’ anything wrong," Kid said. All he wanted was for Andrew to focus on him and leave Lou alone.

Andrew’s blue eyes locked onto his. They were full of fear and hatred. How could anyone look at Lou with those eyes?

"Look, Kid," he began. "You ain’t Louise’s man no more. You have no say in how I run her life…"

"Maybe you should let her run her own life…"

Andrew laughed. "A woman don’t know what’s best for her…"

"And you know what’s best for Lou?"

"Yep," Andrew answered. "Sometimes she forgets though, and I gotta remind her of things."

Kid could feel his temper getting the best of him. His hands formed tight fists at his sides. "You remind her?"

"Kid…" Lou tried to stop the exchange she knew was about to take place.

"Yeah," Andrew replied proudly. "Nothin’ puts a woman in her place like a good slap…"

Lou interrupted before Andrew finished. "Kid, don’t."

He calmly looked from Lou to Andrew. He pictured him hurting Lou, and had to bite his cheek to keep from going after him.

"Just leave, Kid," Lou pleaded. "I’ll be all right."

Kid glared at Andrew. "You have no idea what…"

Lou stepped in between Kid and Andrew. "Kid, if you ever loved me, you’d leave," shed said, knowing she’d pay for it later.

He looked into the eyes that used to hold his entire world. They were filled with tears, breaking his heart. Of course, he loved her that’s why he wanted to stay.

"Please," she whispered.

Angrily, Kid broke her gaze, focusing on Andrew. "I’ll leave, Lou," He said. "But rest assured, I’ll be back."

Lou watched him walk out. She longed to be in his arms. Instead, she’d spend the night in tears, wondering how her life had come to this.

Chapter 5

Jimmy awoke to a banging on his hotel door.

"C’mon, Jimmy," Kid shouted. "Open up."

Sleepily, Jimmy went to the door. "Kid," he said. "This better be pretty damned important…"

"Why didn’t you tell me?" He stormed.

"I’m too tired for games, Kid."

Kid walked into the hotel room. "About Lou, Jimmy. Why didn’t you tell me ‘bout Lou?"
Jimmy ran his hand through his hair. He should’ve seen this conversation coming. "Look, Kid," he began, taking a deep breath. "I’ve never done nothin’ Lou ain’t told me not to. She don’t want anyone to know…"

"You knew about this?" He stormed. "And you didn’t even try to stop it?"

"What was I supposed to do, Kid," Jimmy asked. "It’s not like I haven’t tried."

"Apparently, not hard enough."

Jimmy knew his friend was justifiably angry, but he didn’t do anything. "I’m not the one to blame, Kid," he said stepping up into his face. "You know Lou. By the time she said anything, it was too late."

Kid was the one to back down. It wasn’t the first time the two friends had fought about, or over Lou. This time, Jimmy was right, and he knew it.

"So, sheriff," Kid began, sitting down on Jimmy’s bed. "What’re we gonna do about this?"

Chapter 6

Kid sat outside Tompkins’ store. Tompkins’ son owned the store now that his father retired. It was a busy Saturday in Sweetwater. Children and parents shopped and visited with friends. All typical of the town he missed.

"Well?" Jimmy asked taking a seat next to Kid.

"Ain’t seen her yet."

"How ‘bout him?"

Kid shook his head. "Nope."

"What say you ‘an me go check on Lou," Jimmy said, mounting his horse.

Without a word, Kid joined him. They rode hard, leaving the town in a cloud of dust. They’d taken the ride between Sweetwater and the way station so many times, they knew every rut, hill and rock. It was a trip they’d both made with their eyes closed.

"Hold up," Jimmy ordered Kid, slowing his own horse.

"What?" He asked, puzzled by this sudden move.

"We can’t go in there all fired up…"

Kid couldn’t hide the surprise he felt. "You’ve changed, Jimmy," he said, shaking his head. "Used to be me talkin’ sense into you."

"Guess I was listenin’!" he replied.

Jimmy had changed, in some ways, for the better. He still had an itchy trigger finger, but he was bale to control it better. His eyes were still sharp, but they held wisdom, instead of pain. He was still the same broody Jimmy he’d grown up with, but now it just made him more mysterious. It was almost as if he was hiding something.

"So…"

"Ok, I’ll go in first," he instructed. "Kinda like I’m visitin’ Lou…"

"You do that often?"

Jimmy couldn’t stop the grin that had surfaced. "Jealous after all this time?"

Kid shook his head. "Just curious, is all."

"Yeah, Kid," Jimmy confessed. "I still call on her. We’re friends, always will be."

"Apparently, neither of us was very good at bein’ her friend if this is what her life’s come to."

"You won’t get an argument from me, Kid. Not today anyway." Jimmy assured him. "Now, if I’m not out in five minutes, come get me."

"Get you?" Kid asked as Jimmy began to ride.

"Use you imagination, Kid."

Kid watched as Jimmy rode off. There was energy in the air. Energy that he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. Underneath the excitement, he felt fear. Something wasn’t right. He fought the urge to ride after Jimmy.

"Kid," Jimmy yelled. "Get in here!"

In an instant, Kid rode full speed towards the house. Images of Lou, bloody and beaten, flashed through his mind. He blamed himself for all of this. He should’ve never left her. Kid walked into the home he’d visited the night before. Guns drawn, Kid and Jimmy searched the house. Tables were over turned, chairs strewn about. In the bedroom, clothes were pulled out of drawers.

"Jimmy," Kid shouted from the nursery. "I found her."

Jimmy stood next to Kid in the doorway. Lou sat in the rocker, staring out the window. She clutched a pillow against her chest, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. They looked at each other, unsure what to do.

"Lou," Kid said softly, walking towards her. "What happened?"

She didn’t look at him. "He’ll be back," she said. Vacant eyes staring out the window. "He only took Jordan into town. He’s coming back."

"What happened, Lou?" Jimmy repeated the question.

"They went into town," she answered. "Make yourselves at home."

Kid looked over to Jimmy, who only shrugged. He maneuvered himself in front of Lou. She’d clearly been beaten. Her left eye was almost swollen shut. There was a cut along her right cheek, and a bump began to bruise on her forehead.

"Lou," Kid said firmly. "You’ve gotta tell us what happened here. Where’s Andrew? Where’s Jordan?" He looked into her eyes. "Lou, answer me!"

She blinked slowly, replying softly, "Kid?"

"Jimmy’s here too."

At the mention of his name, Jimmy was at Kid’s side. Lou looked bad, but he knew the fire that burned inside her would rekindle itself. There was fight in her eyes.

"He took Jordan," she recalled. Her voice was strong again. "But I don’t know where they went…"

"I know somebody that can help," Jimmy said, and headed for the door.

Chapter 7

Buck poured himself a cup of coffee and took the newspaper off the table, before retreating to the porch. Nicky had taken Elizabeth and James to Saint Joseph for their fair a little over a week ago. He’d suggested she take the trip to relax .She insisted on taking the children along.

He looked out over the land that was his. The fields were bountiful and the pasture green. They’d moved shortly after Kid had left, to Widow’s Bluff. They purchased the land with the money Nicky’s mother had left her.

He saw the dust kicked up by the rider before he saw the rider himself. There was trouble brewing, he could feel it. His skin prickled with excitement. Out of habit, he stood, his hand resting on the butt of his gun. His senses were alert, as the rider approached. A smile crossed his lips as he realized it was Jimmy.

"Jimmy," he greeted. His smile disappeared as he saw the seriousness on Jimmy’s face. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s Lou…"

"Come inside," Buck ordered. "I’ll get’cha some water."

Jimmy followed him inside. It had been a while since he’d visited the Cross home. They used to come to Nicky’s all the time, but now, they were too scattered about, and had families of their own.

"Now," Buck began, handing Jimmy a glass of water. "What’s wrong?"

"Andrew took Jordan," he reported. "Kid an’ me…"

"Kid?" Buck interrupted. "He’s in town?"

"Yep," he replied. "Want’s to move back."

"That’s great!"

Jimmy nodded finishing the water. "Anyway, we rode out there this mornin’. Found Lou all beat up, Jordan an Andrew missin’…"

"Any idea where they went?"

Jimmy grinned. "That’s why I came for you."

Chapter 8

Kid cleaned the cut on Lou’s head, his heart breaking.

"Lou, what happened?"

She closed her eyes. "You mean last night, or since you left?"

He didn’t answer. Silently, he cursed himself for what happened to Lou.

"He wasn’t always like this, you know," she said in Andrew’s defense. "When I met him, he was the nicest man. He smiled a lot, teased me like all of you did. He reminded me of you an Jimmy all rolled up in one." She remembered fondly. "Then he got this job in Willow Springs. Said he was a foreman at the mine. He’d come home on the weekends…"

"Why didn’t you go with him?"

"His idea," she replied sadly. "Said I’d be better off here. He didn’t wanna worry bout me while he was at work," she paused. "It sounded good at the time."

Kid tried to understand how leaving your wife was a good idea. He’d lost his, and would give anything to have her back. How could a man leave behind the person he’d vowed to love and cherish? His question went unasked.

"Anyway," Lou continued. "He’d come home, it seemed, only to make love to me. Oh, hell, I wouldn’t even call it that. We’d have sex, and then he’d leave again. It was every weekend at first, then it’d be once a month, and the money he’d send stopped comin’," she recalled painfully. "The first time he hit me, I hit him back. That was my first mistake."

Kid saw the tears in her eyes, as she struggled with her memories. Carefully, he pulled her to him. Holding her, he felt her sobs. Her body shook and trembled and there was nothing he could do to stop them from coming.

"We’ll find him, Lou."

"I don’t want to find him," she cried. "I want to find Jordan. That’s all I care about."

Kid stroked her hair. Silently he vowed to end her pain, and see that Andrew paid for what he’d done to her.

"We’ll find Jordan, Lou, I promise."

Chapter 9

Jimmy opened the door to Lou’s house. Inside, Kid and Lou had cleaned up the mess Andrew had made.

"Brought help," he announced.

Buck walked through the front door. He was more muscular than Kid had remembered. His black hair seemed longer, and his eyes a little darker. The smile was the same, from the heart. The two embraced.

"Been a while, Kid," Buck said.

"Not anymore," Kid replied. "I’m stayin’ in Sweetwater now."

"Told him ‘bout what happened," Jimmy informed them. "He agreed to track Andrew."

Buck looked at Jimmy. "Why wouldn’t I?"

Jimmy simply shrugged. "We’ll leave at first light."

"There’ still light left, Jimmy," Lou said looking out the window. "We can leave now."

Jimmy looked from Lou to Buck. "If you think so, Lou."

Without another word, Lou walked out.

"Told you she wasn’t gonna wait," Jimmy said, walking past Buck.

Buck grinned. "Didn’t expect she would."

Kid followed everyone else to their horses. A lot of old, feelings had surfaced in the two days he’d been back. In some ways, it was as if he’d never left. He could tell Jimmy still cared deeply for Lou, that was one emotion he couldn’t hide. If you were lucky enough to get Jimmy Hickock to be your friend, he was your friend for life.

Lou was right, and they all knew it. There was plenty of light left for Buck to track Andrew. They followed them all the way to Beaver Creek.

"They lead to that old farmhouse," Buck reported as he rejoined the group. "There’s no horses, and I couldn’t really get a good look inside."

Lou looked to Jimmy for help. "Well, what do we do?"

"We ain’t got much of a choice, now do we?"

"Like you said before, Jimmy," Kid spoke up for the first time. "We can’t go in there all fired up…"
"Hickock said that?" Buck asked, a grin on his face. "Sounds more like Kid than Jimmy."

"Fine," Jimmy said, putting an end to Buck’s harmless teasing. "Here’s what we’re gonna do."

Chapter 10

The moon was high in the night sky as Jimmy gave the go ahead for his plan.

Lou had changed into pants and a shirt long before Buck and Jimmy had gotten back to her house. She was grateful that she had, now that she lay in the brush giving them cover.

Buck, stealthy made his way onto the porch of the house. The adrenaline that ran through his body made him feel younger than he’d felt in some time. He was back with his friends again, riding for the Express. Secretly, he found himself enjoying every minuet of this adventure.

Jimmy had his gun drawn as he approached the back door. In the back of his mind, he hoped to find Andrew dead. He hoped he’d at least find him suffering as he’d made Lou suffer. Maybe by Andrew dying, Lou could find happiness again. He smiled to himself as he pictured Kid and Lou together again. He’d make Kid a deputy, give him some honest work, so he could feel proud again. If they all got through this.

Quietly, Kid joined Buck on the porch. The night was still, almost too still. It seemed like the night was holding its breath, waiting for the outcome of their fight. He wondered if Lou would ever take him back, as he settled in next to the door. He put his hand up, stopping Buck from bursting in the door. He’d heard something inside, or had he? Kid gave the go ahead.

Buck burst in through the front door, stopping in his tracks.

"What the hell?" He shouted. "What’re you doin’ here?"

Chapter 11

The small farmhouse was brightly lit by the fire in the fireplace. In a rocker near the fireplace, a familiar red head held little Jordan.

"You’re supposed to be in Saint Joe!" Buck fumed. "Where’s the kids?"

"At Rachel’s," she replied.

"Did ya get him?" Jimmy asked, putting his gun away.

"He’s tied up in the bedroom," she reported. "Had to shoot him."

"Would somebody tell me what the hell’s goin’ on here?" Kid stormed.

As Jimmy went to explain, Lou and Cody walked in.

"Look who I found," she announced, then noticed Nicky and Jordan. "Can I have my baby?"

Nicky handed Jordan to his mother. She knew she had a lot of explaining to do. She only hoped her friends would understand. More than that, she hoped Buck would.

"Nice to see you had me protected, Cody," Nicky said sitting down at the table.

"Well, I couldn’t just go shootin’ ‘em could I?"

"All right, look," Kid began. Again becoming the voice of reason. "We’re gonna get to the bottom of this…"

"You’re right, Kid," Jimmy interrupted. "And I’ll explain everything, just as soon as I check on dear ol Andrew."

Buck glared at Nicky. She’d deliberately gone and put herself into danger. What was she thinking? If something happened to her, what would he and the kids do? His eyes softened a bit when he realized she could be thinking the same thing about him.

Kid stood next to Lou. She seemed happy, but underneath it was something else. He was having a hard time figuring her out. Well, he figured, it wasn’t the first time! Her eyes were angry, justifiably so, but there was a sadness shadowing them. He wanted to say something, try to comfort her. Instead, he stood silently at her side. If she needed him, he’d be there.

Cody was among his friends for the first time in over a year. They’d been together two Christmas’ ago. Silently, he promised himself that if they were still friends after this little charade, he’d spend the holidays in Sweetwater. Maybe even, move back there for a while.

"So, now," Jimmy said, entering the room. "Y’all wanna know what happened, right?"

The consensus was yes.

"Mister Cody, master storyteller, why don’t you tell ‘em!"

Cody grinned, making his blue eyes sparkle. "Ya see, Jimmy knew what Andrew was doin’, but there was no legal way to arrest him. Now, we all know, hittin’ a woman ain’t right, but ya can’t arrest a man for doin’ it…"

"So, I got together with Cody an’ Nicky," Jimmy interrupted. "We knew, from Lou, that good ol Andy spent most of his time up in Willow Springs. We found out he was gamblin’ all your money away, Lou…"

"And, none of you could tell me this?"

Nicky took her friends hand in hers. "Lou, we knew you’d confront him. We didn’t wanna see you hurt more than you already were."

Lou looked down at her son. "Guess you were right."

"So, I asked Nicky an’ Cody to pose as husband and wife…"

Buck stood up, anger etched in every muscle of his body. In that moment, if Jimmy hadn’t been his friend, he would have been on the floor, unconscious. "You had them do what? Hickock, you done some stupid things in your life…"

"Buck," Cody interrupted. "Nothin’ happened. We had separate rooms an all."

Buck looked from Nicky to Cody. He wasn’t sure who he should be mad at more, Jimmy for coming up with the idea, Nicky for going agreeing to it or Cody for being with his wife. Nicky knew better than to say anything. She hated to see him angry, but it was worse when she saw the look of betrayal in his eyes.

"So, go on," Kid urged Jimmy.

Jimmy shook his head. "Buck, I’m sorry. I ain’t never put Nicky in any danger, and she told me not to tell you…"

"It’s fine, Jimmy," Buck lied. He and Nicky would have a long talk about this later.

"So, Cody an I posed as husband an’ wife. Cody acted like he was hooked on gambling like Andrew. Only Cody was able to pay his debits. Andrew gave him a sob story about his sick wife and son back home that he had to send money too. So, Cody borrowed him some money for his debits, only thing bein’ he had twenty four hours to pay it back…"

"How long have you been here?" Buck asked, not really needing to hear the answer to know.

Nicky replied quietly, "For as long as you thought I was in Saint Joe."

"Did he pay you back?" Lou asked. Jordan slept in her arms, unaware of the proceedings that were taking place.

"He wanted to trade Jordan for the money," Jimmy replied. "I told Nicky an’ Cody to go ahead with their plan."

"We knew he wouldn’t have hurt Jordan," Cody confessed. "Besides, we thought he’d be safer with us than in the arms of somebody else."

Jimmy’s voice was soft. "We’re sorry if we hurt you Lou, that wasn’t what we wanted."

"Can you arrest him now?" Lou asked.

Jimmy simply nodded.

Without a word, Lou handed Jordan to kid and walked past her friends to the bedroom.

Andrew sat, tied to the bed. His left shoulder was wrapped, a small amount of blood still on the bandage.

"How are you?" Lou asked, sweetly.

"I’m sorry, Louise," Andrew began. "You know how I get sometimes…"

"Yeah, Andrew, I know how you get," she said, trying to control her anger. "You’re a sorry excuse for a man…"

"You say that now, cause I’m tied up…"

Lou interrupted. "I say that now, because I can. See, you let me think I was nothing. Well, there’s five people in the other room that think I’m worth savin’!"

"They don’t know you like I know you…"

"No, they know me better than you! They know Lou that rode with the Pony Express, and didn’t take shit from anybody!" She walked closer to him. Close enough for him to feel her breath on his cheek as she whispered in his ear. "And that Lou is back to stay, and there ain’t a damned thing you can do about it!"

Lou backed off, silently wondering where her new found strength was coming from. Maybe it was because Andrew was tied up, helpless, to the bed, or maybe it was because Kid was back at her side again. Either way, she was glad to be back!

Chapter 12

Andrew was sent to the mining camp for five years for kidnapping Jordan. The same judge ordered and immediate divorce for Lou and Andrew, appalled at the conditions that Lou had to endure.

Little Jordan began calling Kid, dad, shortly after he moved in with Lou. For now, he’s strictly a boarder, as well as the deputy of Sweetwater.

"Wild Bill", and the Kid, together again! What will Sweetwater do!!

The end

Authors note: Nicky is a fictional character that I’ve made up. There is an entire series devoted to her and Buck.