Author's note....Based on hte television series "The Young Riders", created by Ed Spielman, produced by Ogiens/Kane in association with MGM/UA television. For entertainment purposes only, no infringement of copyright is intended.
Taylor Jansons
CHAPTER ONE
"Jimmy, we have to talk about it !" Lou exclaimed, as she followed him into the barn "we can't just pretend like nothing happened".
"Yes we can Lou, and there aint nothin' to talk about" replied Jimmy.
Lou remembered back to a couple of nights ago when she and Jimmy had shared a brief yet passionate kiss, in the night on the way to take Elias Mills to be hanged. They had been interupted by an old enemy of Mills', and since then, not much had been said by either Jimmy or Lou about that moment, although it weighed heavily on both of their minds, not to mention their consciences.
Lou not only wanted to discuss it with Jimmy because she needed to know how he felt (After all, she regretted what she had said to Jimmy about ending up like Elias), but also, she was ridden with guilt over Kid. How could she have let this happen?, she thought silently. Of course she loved Jimmy, but only as a friend. Her heart belonged to Kid. Although their relationship had cooled off somewhat, she still believed deep down in her heart, that she would spend the rest of her life with Kid. It was impossible (not to mention painful) to imagine a life without him.
"Jimmy", Lou pleaded "I need to talk about it, and I know you do too".
Of course he needed to talk about it. How could he not? He is surely feeling the guilt and confusion that was eating away at Lou. Jimmy and Kid are best friends, and no doubt he feels he has betrayed Kid as well as Lou with his actions. After all, it was him who initiated the kiss.
" Lou, it's not gonna happen again. It was a mistake." answered Jimmy, sounding as if he could care less.
This hurt Lou. He could see the pain in her wide brown eyes, and that was the last thing he wanted (or needed) on his mind right now.
"Jimmy...." Lou started, but was interupted by him. "Lou, I got a run to do now and I have to get going if I wanna be back by night fall. I'm sorry that I kissed you the other night, and okay, I admit we need to talk about it, just not right now. I promise we can talk later".
"Promise?" questioned Lou. A sense of relief evident in the look on her face.
"Yeah, promise."replied Jimmy, walking his horse out of the barn, closely followed by Lou.
In no time at all, Jimmy was urging his horse to get going, leaving a somewhat relieved Lou behind.
"Ride Safe Jimmy" she yelled, and with that, returned to the bunkhouse.
Little did Jimmy and Lou know, but they had not been alone in the barn. Kid had been heading out of the tack room, but had stopped at the sound of Jimmy and Lou entering the barn. He didn't know why he didn't let them know of his presence. Maybe he ws just a little curious of what they needed to talk about so urgently. But at this point Kid was sorry for not making Lou and Jimmy aware that he was there. He was in shock. Had he just heard Jimmy say he kissed Lou ? He was sure he had.
What was he going to do?
He didn't know, and at this point in time, he really didn't care. In his mind emotions and thoughts were running wild. Betrayal, anger, frustration, disbelief at what he had just heard.
All he knew is that he had to get out of here now. Yes, time to think was what he needed, and time to calm down. Kid saddled Katy in record time and rode out the barn like his life depended on it. He didn't know where he was going, he just new he couldn't be around Lou or any of the others right now, not in this state of mind.
As Kid was leaving, Lou was exiting the bunkhouse to come and look for him. She needed to be around him. Maybe it would ease the guilt she was feeling, maybe (she thought) she might even try to explain to Kid what had happened between her and Jimmy.
"Kid" Lou yelled as she saw him riding out of the barn,"where are you going?"
Kid seemed to hear Lou, but when he looked her way, all she could see was a cold and distant look in his usually deep, warm blue eyes.
"If looks could kill" Lou thought silently.
In no time at all Kid had ridden out of Rock Creek like never before.
Strange, Lou thought,. I guess he musn't have seen me after all.
To Be Continued......
Don't forget to tell Taylor your thoughts!!!
