The morning sun was barely peaking over the horizon as Kid was getting ready for the long ride that was once again ahead of him. Of course he was used to these long rides after his time with the express, but this one he was finding more difficult than any other. His mind weighed heavily at the thought of leaving Lou alone back in Sweetwater. Since the couple married they had barely been apart for more than a day at a time, let alone the week it would take Kid to finish up business in Denver and return to his beloved wife. He smiled at the thought of Lou and couldn't wait for them to welcome their new arrival into the world.
There was a time, many years ago now, that he thought they would never make it as a couple. But their love for each other had prevailed and neither of them had been happier in their lives, nor could they imagine life without each other. It was unthinkable.
Everything was finally coming together for the couple. As soon as Kid had his horse trading business up and running, he would be able to provide the kind of life he wanted for his family.
It had now been two full days since Kid had said goodbye to his wife back in Sweetwater. Lonely and tired from riding hard on the dustbeaten path, Kid was coming up to a small town in which he was hoping to get a good nights sleep.
He had a days ride before he was due in Denver. Willow Springs was just what he needed to get some peace and quiet.
Kid left Katy at the livery stable and then proceded to walk over to the Spring Hill Hotel. He was exhausted and the only thing on his mind at the time was how nice it would be to lay in a warm bed.
Even though the path from the stables to the hotel was short...trouble lurked around the corner.
Meanwhile back in Sweetwater, Cody had sent off the telegrams to Kid, Buck and Jimmy. From his experience with the express he had guessed that Kid would be about a days ride out of Denver. Since Willow Springs was on the trail, he guessed Kid would be needing to stop and rest there before the final leg of his journey. Atleast he had hoped that was the case! He was confident that Buck would also recieve his message. Although the two were not extremely close during their express days, he and Cody had kept in touch when ever they had the chance, since the express team was the only family that any of them really had. Jimmy was another story altogether. No one really knew where he had headed to after the end of the pony express and everyone knew he wasn't willing to mention it.
Kid was about to enter the hotel, when he noticed that there was a saloon just across the way. Now usually he wasn't one to frequent such places, but he hadn't realised just how much the ride had taken out of him until that moment, so he decided to head to the saloon for a quick drink to water his parched throat before checking in to the hotel for the night.
"What can I get for ya son ?" asked the bartender, as Kid seated himself at the end of the bar.He did not pay much attention to anything else that was going on around him.
"I'll have a sarspirilla thanks." answered Kid. Working for the Pony Express didn't allow drinking as long as they were employees of the company. As far as Kid was concerned, he never felt the need for alcohol.
A voice came from behind as Kid left set the coins down on the bar. "You never were the drinking type were you?"
There was familiarity in the mans voice, but until Kid turned around he could not match it with a face.
Kid quickly glanced over his shoulder. To his surprise it was his once best friend, Jimmy. Better known nowadays as Wild Bill Hickok.
"Jimmy?" Kid raised his brow to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
"Yeah, its me Kid."
At a time like this Kid didn't know quite what to do. His first instinct was to give him a hug. But his mind was telling him that too much time has passed and unforgotten feelings were still lerking. He remembered that him and Jimmy were at each others throats when the Pony Express was at its end, and never had spoken a word after Noah's funeral.
Luckily Kid didn't have to make the first move and even more shocking Jimmy shook the Kids hand and then embraced him in a welcoming hug.
Obviously, time was the remedy for this old relationship. Kid had noticed that the years had beaten Jimmy hard.
"Its sure nice to see you Kid!" Jimmy said as he smiled.
Kid smiled back and replied..."Its been a long time Jimmy...too long perhaps."
Kid patten Jimmy on the shoulder and invited him to have dinner. After riding hard and sleeping out on the trail, he was looking forward to a nice hot meal.
The two of them sat and talked about old times but at all cost avoided talking about the "heated situation" between Kid, Jimmy, and Rosemary.
"Yes, we are livin' out at the old Sweetwater Express Station. It need a lot of repairs, but its turned out mighty fine." Kid was proud of all that he had accomplished with the place.
"So how is Lou doin'? Is she still as fisty as ever?" Both of them laughed.
"Boy is she ever!" Kid replied. He continued with a beaming smile on his face. "Yeah, we are expecting our first born in a couple of months. I just feel sorry for the man that marries our daughter one day...especially if she takes after her ma!"
Jimmy couldn't help but notice the happiness that was gleaming from Kid's face. He seemed awful content with his life.
"Well, Kid I hate to eat and run, but I'm supposed to be in Denver tomorrow so I'm going to try to catch some sleep between now and then."
"Well Jimmy, I'm headed the same way if you would like some company on the ride, I'd be willin' to go along with ya."
Jimmy smiled, "I'd like that Kid. I've almost forgotten what it was like to have someone to talk to on the trail."
"Well, I'm going to head over to the hotel right now and get settled in. I guess I'll meet you in front of the livery stables at 5:30 in the mornin' then."
"I'll have a room thanks" Kid asked of the hotel clerk.
"Certainly Sir" replied the stubby little man behind the counter, "lucky last room," he added as Kid signed the hotel register. "Aaahh, Mr. McCloud, we were expecting you, a telegram arrived for you here earlier!" exclaimed the gentleman.
"Huh...what?", Kid asked a little confused "No one knows where I really am except......" Kid trailed off as a terrible sense of fear and dread set in. Only Lou would have known where he would be, and there was no need for her to be sending him a telegram unless..... Kid shook the thought out of his head as he grabbed the piece of paper from the man, opening it as fast as he could.
It read "URGENT, return to Sweetwater immediately."
Kid tore out of the hotel lobby quicker than lightning could strike, with the hotel clerk calling after him "aaahhhh sir, what about the room!!!!" but Kid had already dissappeared from sight before the man could finish his sentence.
He found Jimmy in the middle of a heated card game, but he didn't think twice about interupting, despite the protests of others involved. "Jimmy, I gotta go!!! I just got a telegram asking me to get back home right away" Kid said out of breath, the panic apparent in his voice.
Jimmy arose from his chair "I'm coming with you!!" he said without a second thought. He knew how much Lou meant to the Kid and that if anything had happened, and he prayed it hadn't, that Kid shouldn't be alone. Jimmy also cared for Lou, more than he would ever admit, and didn't know what he would do if anything serious had happened.
The two saddled up their ever faithful horses and set off into the darkness towards Sweetwater. Kid silently praying, never once taking his mind off Lou. He had to get to her and Jimmy filled with worry for his two best friends.
To Be Continued
