Lou blew out the candle that rested on the table beside her. The moonlight was shining in through the bedroom window and a gentle breeze swayed through the curtains.
Her hands rested on her enlarged belly. Without realizing it she took one hand and twisted her wedding ring repeatedly as if it were a habit. She concentrated hard on her thoughts on Kid, hoping he would return safely back to her, and as well as the future.
Being a mother was going to be harder than any other run she has ever made. Lou often doubted her motherly abilities concidering she grew up without her ma.
Kid will help me through it...he always did before.
She couldn't help letting out a smile that reflected on the day that they said "I do." And with that thought Lou fell quickly asleep.
All was quiet on the old Sweetwater Pony Express Station turned ranch. The horses were sound in the barn and Lou was fast asleep in the old white house. It seemed as though it was a normal summers night, but in reality it was about to change as quick as the direction of the wind.
Lou was awakened by a loud noise coming from downstairs.
"Kid?" she asked with a trembling voice. "Kid is that you?" Her voice was just loud enough for her to hear it. She sat straight up in bed hoping to recognize the strange noise.
She lit the candle that she once extinguished a few hours earlier and proceded to walk towards the doorway.
The age of the old house was very evident with every step she took. As she wondered down the hall, the sound of the noise appeared once again. This time it sounded as if it were someone knocking on the door.
Lou grabbed the material of her nightgown in one hand and the candle in the other and proceded to walk cautiously down the stairs.
Once the front door was in her view of sight she noticed what had appeared to be a shadow of a man.
She froze and did not move. Who would be out here at this time of night? Even though her instincts told her not to answer the door, her mind was outweighing that decision.
Lou realized that the light that the candle was emitting did not help her situation. If they see this, they will think someone is here. And I don't dare want them to think I'm alone. There was a time I used to trust the people in Sweetwater...but that was five years ago...and before the war. I can't chance it. Oh Kid, the one time you leave me alone...and I let you down!
Lou quickly blew out the candle and proceded down the last few stairs. She tried hard to keep herself between the door and the table that held her gun. Kid and I promised to hang our guns up for good after the express...unless an absolute emergencies. I would say that this is an absolute emergency! Lou reached over into the drawer over the table and pulled out the old gun. I just hope I can remember how to use this thing! She held the gun in her hand thinking of all the times it came to her rescue. One last time...and I promise...
Her thoughts were interupted by another knock on the door. Only this time it was soon followed by the turn of the knob.
Lou knew that she had to be out of the line of sight, and if anything be behind the perpetrator.
Sure enough, the door slowly opened. The wind blew directly through the house leaving an eerie feeling in Lou's stomach.
The boots of the tall man could be heard with each step he took. The door was now blown completely open as the man let go of the knob. He stood there as his eyes wondered aimlessly around the living room of the house.
All Lou could do was pray he would walk in that direction in order for him to avoid seeing her. If I can just get behind him...I could catch him off gard and nail him. It seemed as Lou's prayers were answered as the man started to walk towards the living room.
Now could be my only chance...so here goes nothin'. She tiptoed slowly breaking the distance between her and the uninvited man. She raised up her hands, and before the man could even turn around she hit him with the butt of the gun right behind the head.
The man fell directly on the floor.
Even though Lou didn't know who the intruder was, she still hoped that she hadn't caused any harm...perminatly anyway.
Lou went over to retrieve the candle that was over on the table. As she was returning to where the man layed she could hear the groans. She lit the candle but never took her eye off of the man.
The groans became louder as he began to return to his feet. Lou cocked back her gun in defense.
The man was still laying on the floor but had managed to look up at the young woman. He could tell that she had long brown hair and was rather short. But more noticably he saw only the gun that was pointed at his head.
Finally, the man spoke in a questionable tone.
"Lou?"
A surprised look came over Lou's face. She didn't recognize the voice or what she could make up of the man's face. She did however almost let her guard down in confusion. She quickly noticed her mistake and continued aiming at the man's head.
"What is it you want mister...and how did you know my name?" She said, with a harsh tone.
The light was still shining from the candle but it was still too dark to make out the man's face.
"Oh now I'm really heartbroken...I saved your life a couple times and this is the respect I get? Or is this my revenge for never repaying that five dollars I owed you.
Immediately it clicked in Lou's mind who the man was. "Cody!?" She asked with a little hint of enthusiasm.
Well, who did you think it was, Santa Claus?" he joked sarcastically.
"Well Rachel said she was sending a little package but I never in a million years dreamed it would be you!!" Lou said as she uncocked the gun and help him return to his feet. "I'll take that as it was a compliment!" Cody mentioned as he laughed.
Lou gave Cody a big hug, and he kissed her on her cheek. "Oh we've missed you so much!!!"
Even though Cody couldn't really see her very well in the dim light he told her how beautiful she was. "You look..." Cody was then interupted by Lou. "Big?"
Cody couldn't help but laugh. "No, you've never looked more beautiful than you do right now."
"Coming from you Cody, that means alot!" Of course, now that I said all those wonderful things about you I expect your first born to be named Billy." He couldn't help say without a laugh. "Oh good idea! We can call him big mouth for short!" Before he had the chance to say anything on her last comment she thought she had better change the subject and ask what he was doing there in Sweetwater.
"Well after the war was over, I figured it was about time to pay visit to my old friends...my family." Lou smiled still disbelieving that he was standing in front of her.
He continued to speak. "I guess I went back to the place where we all said our last goodbyes...I figure that was as good as place as any to start over. So I ended back in Rock Creek."
"So I take it that Rachel was the one who sent you here."
Cody laughed, "Yes, she felt bad that she couldn't make it out here...not by herself anyway. The weather has been bad in those parts."
Lou once again gave Cody a hug. "Well, I'm glad your here...and I'm kinda sorry about the bump on your head. Not that it hurt anything up there of couse!"
"Oh, very funny Lou...atleast you haven't lost your touch after all these years."
The continued to talk until the wee hours of the morning until the both of them were completely wore out. It was amazing at all the things that have changed in their lives since they have last seen each other. On the other hand there were many things that haven't changed a bit.
Cody still had his dreams as well as a little sense of humor to go along with it. He was bound and determine to be a showmen. As opposed to her feelings back in the Pony Express days, she thought this time he might just get to be one.
Cody on the other hand saw a more peaceful Lou. He could tell that married life has treated her well. He had never been as close to Lou as he had been with the other riders, and in a way had always regreted that. Nonetheless she had been like a sister to him, and he still had that sense of protection for her.
Lou continued to talk about those wonderful memories. "Remember that time when you were convenced that there were no "spirits" and exchanged the spices in Buck's medicine pouch with dirt?"
Cody laughed in embarrassment and Lou laughed even harder until tears came out of her eyes as she recalled what they all did to him as revenge.
"I didn't think it was THAT funny Lou!"
"Besides," Cody continued on. "I can think of plenty more entertaining moments of your life as well."
"Oh really!" she calmly said, inquiring some more details.
"I can not remember a time more funny than the day teaspoon found out you were a girl. Just the look on his face after he came out of that water...oh and remember that time when you and Kid got caught doing...!!!!"
The look on Lou's face clearly showed that she was not enjoying what Cody's comments. Cody was quick to catch her change in attitude. "Oh come on Lou, you have to admit those were two very funny..."
Lou looked him in the eye after interupting his conversation. "CODY! Somethings not right.
"What do you mean? I have a great memory! Besides, I have 4 people who would love to back me up on each one of these..." Once again,she interupted him only this time she became more intense.
"CODY!!! Do you...do you...know how to deliver a baby?"
To Be Continued......
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