Author's note....Based on the 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 3
Kid awoke the next morning feeling like death. He tried to lift his head from the pillow, but it was no use. The pain was like nothing else he had felt before, and he didn't know why he was feeling this way. His eyelids didn't want to open either, they too were like a lead weight.
He groaned at the pain he was feeling as he rolled to his side, and was startled to feel someone lying beside him in the bed.
"Lou?" he tried once again to open his eyes, but still the pain was too bad.
"Lou?" he said again, this time forcing his eyes open.
Sure enough, lying beside Kid was a woman, but it definitely was not Lou. As the realisation hit him, he jumped out of the bed, a little unsteady on his feet at first, but finding his balance after a few seconds.
"Oh my god, what have I done ?" he questioned himself out loud, burying his face in his hands, and desperately trying to remember the events of the previous evening, but to no avail. The last memory he had was of himself sitting at the bar, downing whiskeys (which, he thought to himself, explained the rotten headache, but not much else).
**********
Back in Rock Creek the other riders were finishing up breakfast and getting started on their usual daily chores. Lou couldn't stop worrying about the Kid though. She had barely eaten anything at breakfast, just moved the food around on her plate. She had made up her mind that she was going to search for Kid, and no one was going to stop her,besides she thought to herself, I'm no use around her if i can't keep my mind on anything else.
Teaspoon was sitting on the porch of the the marshall's office, sipping a hot cup of coffee, when Lou found him.
"Teaspoon, i'll be riding out in a few minutes"
The wise old station master and father figure to the riders was well aware that there was no use arguing with the determined Lou, it wouldn't change her mind, only make her more determined to go and find Kid.
"I figured as much" answered Teaspoon "and that's why i asked Jimmy to go with you".
"But Teaspoon"
"Sweetheart, i thought a lot about this, and it ain't like Kid to just ride outta here without telling anybody, 'specially yourself, and it certainly ain't like him not to return. Anyway's i'm hoping it isn't the case, but if he did run into some trouble it would be wise to have one of the boys with you and since Jimmy hasn't got a run scheduled, he is the obvious choice".
Lou also knew there was no point arguing with Teaspoon. As much as she didn't like the idea of Jimmy going with her, she also knew that Teaspoon was usually right, and it would be wise to take his advice.
"He's waiting in the barn for you" added Teaspoon, and with that Lou turned and headed to the barn. "Ride Safe" Teaspoon said although Lou was now out of earshot, "ride safe".
**********
"What's wrong sugar ?"
Kid was startled by the sound of the sudden voice. Taking his hands away from his face, he looked at the woman lying in the bed. A feeling of guilt washed over him. Sure he had been angry about Lou and Jimmy's kiss, but this was much worse. How was he going to explain himself.
"Who are you ?, i mean what happened, how did i get here and did we...." There were so many thought's and questions running through Kid's mind right now, he didn't quite know what to say first.
"Whoa, slow down sugar" said the lady, who was obviously a 'working woman'. "And i think you should sit down too" she added, seeing that Kid was still a little unsteady on his feet.
Kid took a seat in the corner of the room, while the woman sat on the edge of the bed. "Can you tell me what happened last night ?" Kid asked in a worried tone.
The lady looked at him sympathetically. He was obviously quite worried about the events of the previous evening, or more what he was thinking happened, she thought. He was not like other men she had met, infact, she thought he was quite a nice young man, who was obviously hurting real bad for some reason, which was the reason for his actions last night.
"Honey, don't look so worried, it's not as bad as your thinking, i'm sure of that".
Kid sighed, still not really wanting to hear what happened, but on the other hand needing to know, before it drove him insane.
"You had a little too much to drink last night. When the bar tender refused to serve you anymore, well, you got just a little angry and you were pretty much ready to take on anyone who was willing to fight !".
"So how did i end up here" he still questioned
"Well sugar, i had my eye on you right from the moment you walked into the saloon. I guess you caught my attention cause you just don't look like the type that we see in here a whole lot. You look like a nice young man, and you were in way over our head, with the sorts you find in a place like this".
Kid just looked at the woman in a mix of confusion and surprise.
"Anyway, i just didn't want to see a nice young man like yourself end up doing something you would regret, so i brought you up to my room to let you sleep it off. Although the boss thinks it was more than that obviously, but i'm sure i can trust you to keep that a secret ?".
"Ofcourse " answered Kid with another sigh, more of relief this time. "So, nothing happened between the two of us then ? " he questioned once more.
"No honey, nothing happened. But can i ask you something ?" She didn't wait for Kid to respond, figuring it would be alright with him. "I've been around a lot and seen a lot, and from my experience it seems there is only one thing that can make such a nice young man as yourself act that way".
"Huh" Kid looked at the lady questioningly.
" Sweetheart, it don't take a genius to figure out that your hurtung in some way. A nice young man like you don't just turn to the bottle for no reason. I'm guessing that your suffering from a broken heart right now" she added looking at the Kid through sympathetic eyes.
" I guess you could say that", once again Kid buried his face in his hands, "and i know it was a stupid thing to do",heck, i didn't even try and talk to Lou before i rode out, there could be more to the story than i know.
"Well, it seems to me, that whoever this young lady your hurting over is, is certainly a lucky gal. She'd be crazy to let a fella like you go".
"Actually, i think i'm the lucky one" Kid said "I just didn't realise it until now"
"Ma'am., I sure do appreciate you helping me out and all, but I really should get going. I'm guessing there will be a few people worried about me right about now", Kid added as he walked to the door to let himself out.
"No problem sugar, i'm glad i could help" she said winking at the Kid as she closed the door after him.
Kid headed to the barn to collect Katy and head home. All the while thinking to himself, how am i going to explain this to everyone ?!.
To Be Continued......
