Evening had fallen on the town of Marysville, bringing with it a soft whispering breeze. It was a clear night, and all the stars were glimmering brightly. The Territorial Marshal and his wife wandered around the town enjoying the peaceful night, before heading to the restaurant for a late supper.

   “It’s so peaceful here,” Emma pointed out to her husband.

   “Yeah it is,” Sam replied. He had been enjoying their stay in Marysville. Emma and him had been traveling so much lately, it felt nice staying in one place for a while. The town’s little restaurant looked like a cozy place to have a meal, and all the dining citizens appeared content with their dinner. Sam had been observing his surroundings for some time before he spotted an old acquaintance.

   “Well, what do you know?” Sam exclaimed. “Emma, that fella over there look familiar to you?” His wife immediately turned her gaze to the young man Sam was gesturing at. The young man was James Butler Hickok.

   “Yep,” Emma cried happily. “So does the lady.”

   “You know her?” Sam asked puzzled.

   “Yep. So do you,” Emma stated matter-of-factly.

   “I don’t think so,” Sam reassured his wife. “I would have remembered any woman that pretty.”

   “Well, that’s the problem. She wasn’t a girl when you met her.” Emma knew Sam was completely baffled now. He had never learned the truth about ‘Lou’ McCloud.

   “Emma, what are you talking about?” His wife was saying crazy things.

   “Don’t they look cute together?” Emma asked, ignoring her husband’s question. “I always wondered what would happen if they ever hooked up.”

   “Who is she?” Sam was never much for guessing games, and the suspense was killing him.

   “You’ll see,” Emma stated as she made her way to the express riders’ table.

   The gunfighter and Louise were enjoying their dinner, and conversing softly when Emma approached them. Louise, who was sipping on a glass of wine, was surprise to see her old confidante.

   “Emma!” Louise cried excitedly. Quickly Louise jumped up and gave the former ‘den mother’ a hug. Jimmy followed her example. Once Sam arrived, Jimmy gave him a firm hand shake and inquired how he had been.

   “Sam,” Emma began cheerfully. “I’d like you to meet Louise McCloud.”

   “McCloud?” Sam repeated. “ Are you related to Lou McCloud?” The marshal’s companions had to work hard to suppress the urge to laugh.

   “No,” Lou began shyly. “I am Lou.”

   “Excuse me?” Sam exclaimed.

   “Lou McCloud,” Louise introduced herself in her ‘manly’ voice. Sam was astonished. He stood staring at the beautiful girl in front of him.

   “How come I never.....”

   “She fooled all of us for a while,” Jimmy declared. He hoped his words gave some comfort to his old friend.

   “Mind if we join you two for supper?” Emma asked even though she already knew the answer.

   “We’d love that!” Louise missed Emma so much. Emma was like a second mother to her. After Emma left, Lou felt all alone until Rachel arrived. Sometimes it was rough being surrounded by a bunch of boys. Not always, but sometimes.

   After Emma and Sam ordered their meal, Emma immediately inquired about her other ‘children’. It had been a long time since they’d left Sweetwater.

   “Everybody’s just fine,” Jimmy assured her. “Teaspoon too.”

   “Oh,” Lou exclaimed excitedly. “We have another rider with us. His name's Noah Dixon.”

   “Really?” Emma was eager to hear everything that happened while she was gone.

   “And a new housekeeper,” Lou added hesitantly. “Rachel. She’s real nice. Teaspoon was quick to hire her after tasting Jimmy’s cooking!”

   “Leave my cooking alone,” Jimmy stated half kiddingly. Gently he nudged his fellow rider’s elbow, causing her to giggle softly.

   Emma’s eyes shined with the joy she was feeling. Memories came flooding back to her, and she could clearly remember sitting outside on the porch with Lou, talking about the boys. Sometimes being around all those boys drove Lou crazy, and Emma was her only relief. Louise would bring all her problems to Emma, mostly dealing with the Kid. Things had changed while she was gone though. Lou and Jimmy had grown a lot closer. Emma could tell that is wasn’t the same bond siblings shared. It was definitely more romantic. She gave them a mischievous wink.

   “What?” Lou cried. Emma’s watchfulness was making both her and Jimmy blush. Emma’s thoughts were too easily read.

   “You two look so cute together!”

   Emma’s out burst made both the express riders squirm. Sam found the whole scene amusing. He never would have picture Jimmy Hickok as shy, but his body language certainly pointed in that direction.

   “We’re, well...” Lou muttered.

   “On a run,” Jimmy added. Neither one’s response made a whole lot of sense. They were too flustered. Emma had easily detected the attraction they had for each other.

   “You mean to tell me your not ‘together’?” Sam interrogated.

   “No,” They replied in unison. Not that the thought of being together hadn’t crossed their minds on many occasions.

   “Just friends,” Jimmy answered hesitantly.

   “So you’ve never thought about each other in a romantic..”

   “Sam Cain!” Emma cried loudly. She was wondering the same thing, but to straight out ask it was unbelievable!

   Lou and Jimmy threw nervous glances at each other before finding a permanent fixture like a dinner plate to stare at. Sam had hit on a very touchy subject. Both of the express riders had romantic feelings for each other, but they rarely acted on them. They were grateful for the brief distraction the waiter offered when he served the married couple their food. During the rescue, Jimmy and Louise accidentally made eye contact once more, and she threw him a delicate smile.

   Emma found the two to be adorable ‘together’ even if they weren’t technically together. The way they fidgeted when Sam asked about their romantic interests, convinced Emma that they would be an extraordinary couple. Louise was definitely woman enough to match Jimmy. She was adventurous, brave, loyal, and beautiful. Just the girl Emma had always pictured for Jimmy. Although, she was beginning to wonder what happened between Louise and Kid.

   The Kid was the first to discover Lou, and he laid claim to the beauty he found. He was a sweet boy, who always tried to do the right thing. Still, sometimes Emma believed that Lou was too much woman for Kid. Louise McCloud was too independent, and Kid wanted her to be the very opposite most of the time. The attraction she spotted between Jimmy and Lou made her wonder if Kid was even still in the running.

   “So,” Jimmy began, determined to change the dinner topic. “ What brings you two to Marysville?”

   “I decided to take some time off,” Sam explained simply. “Me and Emma have been traveling so much lately.”

   “I really like this town,” Emma added. Although the dinner topic had changed, she was still thinking about Jimmy and Lou as a couple. “Why aren’t they?” She wondered silently.

   “It is peaceful,” Louise agreed. Her cheeks remained rosy from all the blushing she’d done earlier.

   “So what brings you two love- I mean friends- here?” Sam asked, purposely making a mistake in his question. Louise’s cheeks grew a darker shade as did Jimmy’s! It was so amusing to both Sam and his wife. Watching these two try and deny the strong feelings they felt for one another, when it was so obvious to people around them, was so adorable you couldn’t help but smile.

   “We’re picking up a package,” Lou answered quietly.

   “Didn’t realize that require two...”

   “Sam! Be good,” Emma demanded. She could tell by the way Louise and Jimmy looked at each other, that they really cared about each other. Something was holding them back though. Emma suspected it had to due with Jimmy’s growing reputation, and all the heartbreaks he has had. Maybe the heartbreaks Lou might have suffered also. Nothing like the wound caused by someone you loved, can make you fear a new relationship more.

   “How long are you two staying?” Jimmy inquired, once again trying to change the topic.

   “A few days,” Emma stated. “Then we’re going to visit an old friend of Sam’s.”

   “That sounds nice,” Louise stated.

   “How about you?” Emma inquired.

   “We were suppose to be back today, but-”

   “But?” Sam asked curiously.

   “The package was delayed. It didn’t arrive ‘til late this afternoon,” Jimmy informed the former Marshal of Sweetwater.

   “Don’t you just hate that?” Sam replied jokingly.

   The rest of the evening was more peaceful. The married couple finished their meal, and stayed away from the ‘together’ subject. The foursome talked about other things like the weather, recent events, and their jobs. Even though the dinner topic had been changed, the riders’ relationship remained in the back of all their minds. Sam’s interrogation had got both Jimmy and Lou thinking thoughts they usually tried to avoid. Love was a crazy thing!

   Once dinner was over the group made their way outside for some fresh air. It was still a beautiful night even though the breeze had picked up. Emma and Louise walked a little ways in front of the gentlemen they were with. They whispered softly to each other, and giggled on occasion. The men were certain it was at their expense. Finally, they arrived back at the hotel in which they were both staying.

   “Well,” Emma began in a soft voice. “I guess this is good bye again.”

   “Yeah,” Louise said sadly. “It was nice seeing you both.”

   “Leaving tomorrow morning, huh?” Sam asked seriously.

   “Yeah.” Jimmy answered quietly.

   “How about breakfast,” Emma suggested suddenly. “Can’t go without eating!”

   “Sure,” Louise answered after throwing a pleading glance at Jimmy. Jimmy had no arguments. He missed Emma and Sam as much as Lou.

   “Nine sound good?” Sam inquired of the express riders. He knew they would have to leave early enough to get back to Sweetwater before dark.

   After parting with Emma and Sam, Jimmy insisted on escorting Louise to her room. It had been a lovely evening for both of them, in spite of some awkward moments. It had been fun visiting with the married couple, and both the express riders looked forward to breakfast.

   “I really enjoyed tonight,” Lou admitted once they arrived at her room. “I didn’t realize how much I missed them.”

   “Yeah,” Jimmy agreed. “They seem real happy.”

   “They are the perfect couple!” Lou exclaimed. She couldn’t help but wonder what Jimmy was thinking just then. Sam had called them ‘out’ so to speak. Obviously their attraction for each other was growing stronger every day.

   “What were you and Emma whispering about?” Jimmy asked suddenly. He had strong feeling that he was definitely part of their conversation.

   “Nothing really,” Lou lied.

   “Nothing?” Jimmy repeated suspiciously. “I could have sworn I saw you looking back at me...”

   “What?” Louise cried, feeling her cheeks flare up once again. Emma had asked Louise something that she didn’t want to repeat to Jimmy. Unfortunately, her companion knew she was hiding something.

   “Spit it out,” Jimmy encouraged.

   “She just asked me something, that’s all,” Lou replied with a smile.

   “Exactly what would that be?” His curiosity was beyond his control.

   “Emma asked if we ever... well, kissed.”

   “And?” Jimmy questioned. He wanted Louise to finish her tale.

   “That’s all she asked.” Lou answered, acting like she misunderstood what Jimmy was really wondering.

   “That ain’t what I meant,” Jimmy said to his mischievous companion. Lou obviously thought she was being real cute, and she was! He couldn’t resist her antics.

   “What do you think!” Lou stated, pretending to be offended by Jimmy question.

   Before Jimmy could respond, Lou gave him a soft kiss on the lips. It was so delicate he barely felt it, but greatly appreciated it! She ended the kiss as quickly as she initiated it.

   “Do I look like the type that kisses and tells?” She whispered in his ear. “Night James,” she called before darting into her room.

   “Night,” Jimmy answered softly. “Louise.” As he made his way towards his room, Jimmy realized that getting a good night’s sleep was going to be difficult. Now he really had Louise stuck on his mind.

   Morning took its sweet time arriving bringing with it a soft drizzle. The sky was grey and heavy, and it held the promise of a storm. Still, Jimmy was glad it was morning. Lou was lingering in his thoughts. He was surprised by how nervous he felt. Several times he had glanced in the mirror to make sure he looked presentable to Louise. It was absurd! Lou saw him every day, morning and night. All of a sudden he was worrying about how she might see him? “She had to kiss me,” Jimmy thought to himself as he headed to Lou’s room.

   “Darn it!” Louise cried as she attempted for the hundredth time to tuck up her hair. She hadn’t done much with it yesterday, but for no reason in particular she wanted it up now. Actually, she did have a motivation for wanting it to look nice, but she didn’t want to accept it. “He’ll probably think I’ve gone crazy,” Lou muttered to herself. Putting her hair up didn’t make much sense when she was leaving after breakfast. Still, she wanted to look as pretty as possible. “I’ll just say it was for Sam and Emma’s sake if he asks,” Lou reasoned with herself. The sudden knock on the door, made her pulse race.

   “Lou,” Jimmy called. “You ready?”

   “Yeah,” Lou answered. Her hair looked decent enough, but she wasn’t quite satisfied with it. A sigh escaped her lips as she opened the door. Immediately, she noted the effort Jimmy had put in his appearance. His hair had been very neatly combed, and his shirt was tucked in nicely. “Jimmy Hickok as nervous as I am?” She wondered secretly. The thought made her smile.

   “What?” Her companion questioned, unsure of the reason she was smiling.

   “Nothing,” Lou replied. “You look nice today.”

   “So do you,” Jimmy commented sweetly. “Not that you don’t usually... you do.. it’s just..” He felt like a fool. There he was mumbling like a child, unable to finish a sentence correctly. Jimmy quickly glanced at the floor, unsure of how to recover from his foolishness. Louise saved him by giving him a loving kiss on the cheek.

   “Your sweet,” She informed him.

   “So are you, Louise.” They gave each other a reassuring smile, before heading off to meet Emma and Sam one last time. It was amazing how special this trip was turning out to be. Not only did they get to see old friends, but they were starting to express their feelings for each other.

   “Morning,” Sam called across the restaurant. Emma and Sam had already been seated at a nice table. Emma’s smile revealed the joy she felt the instant she saw them.

   “You two are late,” Emma scolded teasingly.

   “Sorry. Guess we over slept.” Louise’s excuse wasn’t quite true, but she wasn’t going to admitted to how long she had worked on her hair.

   “Over slept, huh?” Sam questioned suspiciously. “A little late night loving?” Sam wondered silently.

   “How is the town doing?” Emma asked after the waiter took their orders. She was determined to give Lou and Jimmy an easier time this morning.

   “Fine. It’s gotten a little bigger,” Jimmy informed her. “Some new stores.”

   “Teaspoon keeping everybody in line?” Sam missed being the law of Sweetwater, but he knew he left it in good hands.

   “Yeah,” Jimmy stated matter-of-factly. “That includes us.”

   “Oh!” Louise cried. “I almost forgot. Teaspoon knows!”

   “What?” Emma asked.

   “He knows my secret,” Louise replied with a smile.

   “How in the world did he find out?” Emma had a feeling Louise had a real interesting story to tell.

   “It’s really embarrassing,” Louise declared. Jimmy tried not to laugh, but it was impossible. The look on Lou’s face when Teaspoon discovered her secret was comical.

   “Teaspoon went swimming with her!” Jimmy exclaimed still trying suppress his laughter. His comment made both Emma and Sam chuckle.

   “Jimmy!” She could feel her face flush.

   “I’m sorry Lou,” her fellow express rider said, finally surrendering to uncontrollable laughter. He could tell by her expression that she wasn’t angry with him. A little annoyed, but not mad.

   “All of you shut up!” Louise ordered, half teasingly. She wasn’t angry with her companions because if it had happened to them, she would be giggling as well.

   Luckily the waiter arrived with their breakfast. Their visiting slowed while they eat their meals. They were all content just to be seated with each other and eating as a ‘family’ again. As breakfast drew to an end, a wave of sadness swept over the group. Once more they would have to say farewell.

   The Territorial Marshal and his wife escorted the express riders back to the hotel. Louise had to change into her disguise before they headed off. The unpleasant weather wasn’t making their good byes easier. However, if the riders wanted to escape the storm that was heading in, they had to depart very soon.  “Sam,” Emma called to her husband. “Why don’t you go help Jimmy get the horses, while I walk Louise to her room.” Sam sensed that Emma wanted to spend some quality time alone with her ‘daughter’. The men took the hint, and went to get the express horses ready for the long ride home.

   Emma waited until Louise had changed back into her daily uniform before approaching the delicate subject of good bye. Today was the last day she would see Louise in a long while, and Emma wanted to make the most of their time together. Her ‘daughter’ had bloomed during the last several months. Her hair was longer, and she was letting her femininity shine through. Secretly she hoped that Louise and Jimmy would consider courtin’. Both were survivors.

   “Things have changed while I was gone,” Emma commented seriously.

   “Yeah,” Louise replied quietly. She knew exactly what Emma was talking about. Lou and Jimmy’s relationship.

   “You’d be good for him,” Emma stated. She believed Louise was perfect for James Butler Hickok. Louise was strong and she understood him.

   “Maybe,” the express rider answered hesitantly. Relationships were always difficult, and one with Jimmy would be no exception. Jimmy was a hard man to get close to in a romantic way. He was always putting up barriers, though Lou had managed to break through them on several occasions.

   “No maybes about it,” Emma reassured her. She watched Louise pack up her gear, missing being with her before she even left. “Ready?” Emma asked.

   “Yeah,” Louise said sadly. Tears were beginning to develop in her eyes, and she noticed that Emma too was starting to cry. Quickly she gave her ‘den mother’ a hug good bye. Emma comforted her for the first time in a long while.

   “I’ll write you a letter as soon as we arrive at Sam’s friends,” Emma promised. Her words made both of them feel better about parting. Slowly they went to meet the men who were probably getting worried that the ladies were never coming out.

   Outside the hotel, Emma hugged and kissed Jimmy and Louise farewell. Sam shook Jimmy’s hand one final time, ordering him to stay out of trouble. Lou gave Sam a quick peck on the cheek before mounting Lightning.

   “You two take care of each other,” Emma stated to them as Jimmy climbed on his beautiful palomino.

   “We always do,” Jimmy noted as both their lovely brown eyes met.

   Louise smiled, realizing that what he said was true. “And we always will,” she thought secretly to herself.

   Riding out of town the two express riders were deep in their own thoughts. Even though the weather was miserable, their spirits were soaring high. The last two days had been amazing. The recent events made the riders understand just how precious family was. How precious they were to each other.