The day had started out like any other, the sun was shining and all the riders were enjoying a nice peaceful day off but of course like always that was about to change. Ike was sitting at the table in the bunkhouse sketching a new picture; Lou was on her bunk taking a nap. Kid, Buck and Noah were playing poker. Jimmy was lying down resting and Cody was reading another ten-cent novel. The minute Teaspoon entered the bunkhouse all that changed. He slammed the door so hard it woke up Lou and made Jimmy draw his guns and yelling,

"Teaspoon you ought to know better than to storm in here like that."

"Jimmy you need to learn to think before you act. Now boys and Lou we have a problem. Seems there is an important document that needs to reach St. Joe and I need a Lou and some one else to act like husband and wife to deliver them to proper person."

Kid rang out "I'll go" We maybe broke up but I sure don't want her to pretend to be some one else's wife.

"Sorry Kid you have a run tomorrow, Jimmy you will go with Lou, you leave tomorrow so get some rest."

Lou was relieved that she didn't have to go with Kid. Things between them were tense to say the least and to have to pretend to be his bride would be more then she could take.

Jimmy however couldn't believe his luck; he was going to be spending time alone with Lou. No boys, no Teaspoon and no Rachel around, just him and Lou.

The next morning Lou and Jimmy were packed and ready to go. Lou had packed a couple of dresses she had stored away and Rachel loaned her the one she was wearing at the moment. It was a pale blue with a tight fitting bodice and a long flowing skirt, Lou had pulled the front and sides of her hair up into a matching ribbon. The minute Jimmy saw her his jaw dropped open and he stood there staring at her.

"Well do I look that bad?" teased Lou.

"Aw Lou you know you are the prettiest women I have ever seen. Now quit fishing for complements."

Teaspoon walked up and gave them their assignment. "You are to meet with Lt. Daniels and hand over the papers to him. Hopefully there will be no trouble, after you have delivered the papers then you may take the rest of the week off. Just be back here next Monday ready to work." Just as he was finished telling Lou and Jimmy what to do the others walked up. "Now Teaspoon how come they get some time off, why don't you ever give me time off?"

"Well Cody unlike you these two actually do some work around here." Cody not knowing what to say stormed off while everyone got a laugh on his behalf.

Holding his arm out for Lou to take Jimmy smiles and says "Well dear wife of mine, let's go get on the stage."

"Lets go oh husband of mine" giggled Lou as she took Jimmy's arm.

During the ride Lou thought about the last few weeks and how things had worked out between her and the Kid. He had asked her to marry him and she turned him down. Boy it didn't take him long to move on with little miss perfect Samantha. If it hadn't been for Jimmy how would I have made it? Jimmy has been my rock through these last few weeks. Smiling she thought about their kiss, I just wish he would kiss me again.

On to Chapters 3-14!