Lou stared up into the clear night sky, watching the moon traverse its orbit. Her whole being trembled with uncertainty and dread as her mind raced. Just two nights ago she had been crying her eyes out over Kid, and here, this evening, everything she had known and loved had turned on end. She was more confused than ever. Her feelings for Kid had seemed to vanish in the day's ride back from Willow Springs, and they were still muted. Though impulsive, she never considered herself flighty, and refused to give into that false view of herself now.

More pressing than her concern over how she felt about Kid was her consuming guilt over her behavior toward his best friend. Her senses betrayed her in spite of herself, and she shivered as her arms prickled with goose bumps as she flashed back to the sensual embrace she and Jimmy had shared. As swiftly as the arousal came, it was properly squelched under her terribly guilty conscience. How could she betray Kid like that?

But then...how could he betray her like that? Her eyes welled up for the hundredth time this ride over Kid's crush on Samantha. Her mind conjured up torturous images of the two locked in passionate kisses like the one she had experienced tonight. A single tear trickled down the side of her face. She didn't brush it away, but concentrated on sulking in her misery until it was spent.

Jimmy lay awake in silence, only an arms length away from Lou. His nerves were stretched taut in concern and anxiety over what had occurred that evening. Out of the corner of his eye, Jimmy saw Lou's tears reflecting in the moonlight. He knew her thoughts were taking the same direction as his own guilt-ridden musings.

A couple of hours ago it seemed as if all his dreams had come true -- holding Louise in his arms and finally loving her as he had so longed to do. But reality hit like cold water when the memory of Kid came back to haunt them. It was a fragile web of hurt emotions they were all weaving. All three of them were vulnerable and it wouldn't take much for any one of them to break.

Jimmy's heart ached for Lou's pain, but he was conscious of his own jumbled hurts. He was still grieving over Alice, and felt like he had betrayed her, and himself, with his actions tonight. He tried to shake the lingering regret he still felt over his failure with Alice. He still loved her. He always would. How could he have forgotten that tonight? Even so, deep inside he knew that Lou had always been there. He couldn't deny he was in love with two women. But realizing that made things even more confusing.

And Kid... Jimmy felt he had betrayed Kid most of all. Jimmy knew Lou was hurt and Kid was acting crazy. Jimmy hadn't played fair, no matter what the circumstances. And school teacher or no, Jimmy knew better than anyone that Kid still loved Lou. And she him.

Jimmy sighed. He was amazed all of the riders weren't vying for Lou's affections. But Kid was the lucky one... He found her first. Jimmy felt a pang of envy. Their kindred spirits couldn't be separated.

Or...could they?

Jimmy reflected that perhaps Kid and Lou weren't so similar after all. Lou had spent a great deal of time arguing with Kid about his over-protectiveness. And she did turn his marriage proposals down twice. But those were just surface details. His loyalty to Kid and Lou wouldn't let those doubts about their love take hold in his head. Deep down Jimmy knew Kid was the kind of man a woman like Louise would want. He was strong, kind, impulsive yet reserved. And he would provide for her in ways Jimmy never could. But...could he match the fire in her soul?

Jimmy shook his head, feeling slightly ridiculous for thinking such romantic thoughts. Kid was who Lou deserved, and that was that. It was only a matter of time for those two to realize it and do something about it.

Lou had heard Jimmy's sigh and it sparked one in her as well. The flow of tears ebbed and she began to examine things in a more rational light. Sure she loved Kid. She always would. He was the first man who had ever shown her kindness, and who had touched the deepest part of her soul. But she couldn't bring herself to truly have a life with him. She sure wasn't ready for marriage! She'd been too controlled by men in her young life to view marriage as anything but surrender.

True, masquerading as a boy was dangerous, but it also allowed her to live. She hated to give that up. Even so, there was a large part of her that yearned to be a lady. But growing up the hard way taught her how impossible that life was out West. Unless...she were married... Then she could be the true woman she was inside. And with Kid...she could be that, and not have to pretend to be refined and genteel.

So why did she turn him down?

She was afraid to think the one reason that seemed the only answer. Perhaps she didn't love Kid enough to be his wife.

Lou choked back a fresh sob as she denied her mutinous thoughts. Of course she loved Kid enough! But she just wasn't ready right now. But now...it was too late. Kid had moved on. Maybe she should think about doing the same...

Concentrating on Kid had eased Lou's inner tension due to Jimmy's proximity, and she finally drifted to sleep, exhausted. Jimmy noticed the change in her breathing, and knew she was asleep. He rolled over on his side to gaze at her peaceful form.

"Sleep tight, Lou," he whispered into the night.

He reached over to lightly caress her cheek -- careful not to wake her. Despite his distress, he could not deny his love for her. And the ever recurring doubts...what of her love for him? His fingers trailing lightly through her short hair, Jimmy found sleep at last.

Lou roused slightly from her dream and nuzzled her cheek into the warm hand there. She sighed happily as she felt the hand caress her cheek and then slip behind her neck to draw her closer. The chill of the night left her immediately as she snuggled against the encompassing body next to her. She wrapped her arms around it and held on tightly as she fell back into a deep sleep, a smile curving her lips.

The sunlight began to penetrate Jimmy's eyelids, and he groaned to fight off waking. Just a little longer to stay in this warm embrace. He pressed closer to the small form at his side. Bushing a sleepy kiss on the head resting on his chest, he buried his head in the hair to block out the sun. He heard a soft moan and felt a hand run across his chest in a light stretch. It's no use, Jimmy thought, as consciousness came more insistently. He slowly pulled his head back to submit to waking.

Reality came upon him as his first sight was of auburn hair splayed across his shoulder. He gasped in shock and froze, though his heart pounded in his chest. What happened while he was asleep?

On to Part 4!