"Yeah well, that's nice and all, but I need a ride back to the waystation too." Jesse was trying to catch Lou's eye. Here he was trying to rescue her and she wasn't catching his meanin'.

Louise motioned for him to lean in closer, "Jesse," she whispered, "it's okay. I can handle myself. Tell the boys to take you back home."

"But," he began to protest.

"But nothing, I know they're all standing outside waiting to hear what happened.... now scoot!"

Jesse looked a bit sad and wounded but Lou knew he'd recover as he recounted his tale for the others.

Jordan looked relieved when he finally saw the door close and Jesse hopped down the stairs to join the other riders. "Worse than a bunch of gossiping women," he said under his breath.

Lou tried to stiffle a laugh... "I'm sorry Jordan... I guess the boys are just watching out for me."

"It's funny," he grinned at her, "for you, I would put up with twenty of them."

"Really, well....I wanted to tell you before-"

"Oh dear god, tell me you aren't se-" he saw the laughter in her eyes and his smacked the table, sending some of the silverware jingling against each other. "You are joking!" 'Thank the Lord,' he thought to himself.

It was well past ten when Lou was deposited on the porch of Rachel's house. Jordan had left after a few quiet words... and a chaste kiss on her cheek.

She stood against the rail, leaning out into the cool night air. Her hair was still in a bun, but some waves had escaped framed her face like a fine gilt frame.

Jimmy Hickok stood off to the side and watched her. He hadn't been close enough to hear their parting words, but he wasn't worried... he had heard in town that Jordan would be leaving in the morning. The last rider in had delivered a letter to Jordan from his father. Apparently, Jordan has been neglecting the other stores nearby and the elder Mr. McInnerny was less than pleased.

Lou touched the cameo at her neck, she had borrowed the pin from Rachel, and a soft smile touched her lips.

Jimmy was amazed at how something as simple as a smile could make her even more beautiful than she was the moment before. As much as it pained him to admit, Jordan could give her everything she ever wanted. Including, bringing her brother and sister home, but there was something about Lou that would never be at home in a fancy ballroom. Sure she'd enjoy a turn on the dance floor, but she's not like the empty headed ladies who preen behind fans and painted faces. Lou was like the first true breeze of spring, warm and sweet and so very strong.

Jimmy chuckled to himself, leave it to Lou to bring out the poet in a man like him.

Lou stood out in the moonlight for another moment before she walked back into the house, taking off the dainty brown jacket as she walked.

For a moment he considered going in after her and spending a few quiet moments alone. He took a step toward the house, but the bunkhouse door opened and Cody, clad only in his longjohns and his hat stared out into the moonlit night. "Hickok? You comin' in or what?"

Hickok threw down the piece of straw he'd been chewin' on and headed across the yard to the house, "Cody? What the hell are you doin' sleepin' with your hat on?" Cody just shrugged his shoulders and walked back into the darkness of the bunkhouse.

He climbed the few steps to the porch and stopped for a moment, 'I can wait until tomorrow... she'll be back in the bunkhouse, right where she belongs.'