It was a pleasant morning in Rock Creek. Birds were happily chirping in nearby trees. The main street was busy with people going about their daily business and there wasn't a cloud to be seen in the sky.
At the pony express station, on the outskirts of town, the riders were just finishing breakfast preparing for chores that needed doing and for scheduled daily runs.
As the last of the riders exited the bunkhouse, Rachel Dunn the cook, housekeeper and mother figure to the young riders, began cleaning the mess of dishes that were left behind.
Startled by the creek of the bunkhouse door, Rachel looked up only to see Kid only to see the worried and confused look on his face.
"Kid,don't tell me your still hungry ? I thought that only Cody had a bottomless stomach !" joked Rachel, both of them having a chuckle at the other riders expense.
"No, no, it's nothing like that Rachel", answered Kid "I was just hoping I could have a word with you?, Actually, I need some advice about Lou ".
"Sure Kid, what's the problem?" asked Rachel, motioning for the two of them to sit at the bunkhouse table and hoping the she could help the worry-some rider.
"Well," Kid started, "you know that the wedding is only a few days away now, and we still have a few small details to organise".
Rachel nodded with agreement.
"I feel like Lou is avoiding me Rachel. I've hardly seen her in the last couple of days and everytime I catch up with her, she makes a ridiculous excuse not to talk to me."
"Kid," said Rachel, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It's only natural for Louise to be feeling a little, well more than a little nervous at the moment. This is going to be a big change for her. She's giving up being Lou to be Louise, and it's gotta be a little frightening considering what her past has been like."
Rachel gave Kid a reassuring smile, as Kid nodded in agreement as to what Rachel had just said.
"I'm sure all she needs is some time to sort out her feelings and she will realize just how bright the future looks for the two of you".
"You think?" Kid asked in a doubtful tone.
"Yeah, I think" said a smiling Rachel.
Kid stood and turned toward the door pausing and turning once again to to speak to Rachel.
"Marrying Lou is the most important thing I'll ever do Rachel, I just pray that she knows that. Wild horses couldn't stop me from marrying Lou. Oh, wait!" A suprised look came over Rachel's face as if she was in shock. "Come to think of it, there is one thing that could keep me from marrying Lou".
"What's that?" replied Rachel, a worried tone now evident in her voice."Nothing" answered Kid with a cheeky grin, "Nothing".
Rachel hits his arm with a dish towel and gives him a smile.
Have you gotten the rings yet?" Rachel curiously asked. "No I haven't. Actually Jimmy and I are leaving tomorrow on a run and I thought I would pick them up then." Kid continued to tell Rachel his plans. It was apparent to Rachel how much the Kid loved Lou.
"Rachel, I was thinking of getting matching rings. Do you think Lou would like them?" Rachel gave Kid a grin that pointed out the answer to his question. "Kid, if they are from you I know she will adore that ring and treasure it for the rest of her life."
"Thanks Rachel...and can I ask you one more thing?" Rachel nodded her head. "Will you speak to Lou for me?"
"Of course I will, but just remember what I told you. She loves you Kid and this is going to be a big change for her."
"I'll remember that Rachel." he said in graditude.
A lonely and concerned Lou awaited for the arrival of her soon to be husband. He was already a day late in coming home from his runs and Lou was certain that he was having doubts about the wedding.
As she stood staring across the western sky as the sun began to set, she thought back to the first time she had met Kid. Her stomach was weak thinking how it could have very easily been Cody or Jimmy or any of the other riders to find her laying in the field of grass at that station where she was shot.
She laughed at the thought of her falling in love with Cody, but it temporarily got her mind off the Kid.
She probably wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for him. He kept her secret when it counted the most, and he never gave up on her no matter how stubborn she got.
She gazed at the sunset a little while longer when she heard footsteps come behind her.
Rachel, keeping the promise she made to Kid, walked up to check on Lou. It was apparent Lou had things on her mind as it was only natural to experience doubts as the wedding day grew near.
"Thinking about Saturday?" Lou shook her head in reply to Rachels question. "Yeah, and next Saturday, and the one ten years from now." Rachel knew that Lou was worried about the Kid being a day late from his run. Lou commented,"maybe he just kept goin'." Rachel stopped Lou right there and told her. "Marrying you was the best thing the Kid has ever done."
A non convinced Lou asked, "How do you know." Rachel replies and looks over at Lou, "He told me." A slight smile escapes from Lou's mouth. "He did?" Rachel smiles back, "Uh huh, he said there was only one thing that would keep him from marrying you." Lou's smile returns to a more worried look. "What's that?"
"Nothing!" Lou's sign of relief was evident to Rachel.
Rachel knew how hard it must be for Lou to give up her lifestyle to become Louise. Even if Kid wouldn't have asked Rachel to speak to Lou, she felt like she would have anyway. Lou was the closest thing Rachel was probably ever going to have as a daughter. She knew there was a special bond between them the night Rachel had the inevitable conversation about the difference in each women's anatomy. Out of all the riders she couldn't help but have one favorite...Lou.
It seems like Lou had the toughest time after Emma had left. Emma's shoes were very hard to fill, but it didn't take long before Lou had been confiding in Rachel.
Rachel was lost in her memories as she almost forgot to give Lou a little wedding present. "Here, I almost forgot!" Rachel handed Lou a little pouch. "Atleast it's too small to be a crib!" Lou exclaimed as she remembered the wedding "gag" that Buck, Noah, and Jessie had given her on her last ride. Lou had a hard time thinking about children with the war coming. She was still uncertain if Kid was going to fight for the south like he always talked about.
Lou opened the pouch and with her breath nearly taken away she noticed that there were a pair of Cameo earrings.
"Oh Rachel!" She exclaimed over the beauty of the gift. "They're pretty aren't they?" Rachel asked. "My mama gave them to me the night before my wedding and her mama gave them to her the night before." Lou couldn't accept a generous gift like that, especially knowing they have a sentimental value. "Please Louise, it means alot to me, I may never have a daughter...but if I did I want her to be just like you."
Those words nearly brought tears to both of their eyes. Lou felt the same way about Rachel. She recalls the night her friend Charlotte died. She told things to Rachel that she would never have told the Kid.
They gave each other a hug and embraced just as a mother and daughter would. Rachel said goodnight to Lou and went back to the Bunkhouse. Lou remained out by the corral.
The colors of the sky are now beginning to darken as the sun has long been set. Lou holds Rachel's gift in the palms of her hands as she looks up at the starry sky.
Flashbacks of all the memories she has shared with Kid are running through her mind.
She remembers the long rides they used to take, and the first time they made love. Their quarrels seemed so distant at this point in time.
But now it became as clear as day, that there was nothing to keep her and Kid apart. She knew that their destiny would be always and forever.
