Part Four

Jimmy lay very still as he stared down at Lou's sleeping head on his chest. Her hands were gripping him tightly — he was afraid to breathe and wake her! He was amazed to notice his own hands, one resting familiarly around the small of her back, while the other was laced through her hair — holding her head to him. Her hair...

The memory of last night came over him, as he remembered falling asleep with his fingers caressing her hair. But how did she settle against his side in the night? He glanced down to review his possessive hold on her. And hers on him...

Better not start to enjoy this, he warned himself, but it was too late. Jimmy was suddenly overwhelmed with the nearness of her. The feeling of her sleeping form molding against his side... and the memory of their kiss last night... He could still feel the pressure on his lips from her eager invitation of their embrace. His whole body trembled as he re-lived those precious moments. And few though they were, he now had this embrace to store away with the rest of their cherished encounters.

Still, it wasn't right. He knew he wasn't ready, and neither was Lou. Her behavior last night after their kiss had shown him that. Even so...he couldn't help but hope there might be a way for them to be together. But for now, he had to figure out how to disentangle himself from her grasp before she awoke and got scared.

Jimmy tried to pull Lou away from his side, but her grip on him tightened. He couldn't help but wonder at her subconscious at work here. Was she really holding on to him? Or was it Kid who filled her dreams? Sighing, Jimmy saw no choice but to wake her.

"Lou," he whispered toward her ear. He brushed a light kiss on her head, unable to resist himself. "Lou, honey, it's time to get up."

Lou moaned softly and started to rouse. When she took in her surroundings, she leaned up with a start.

"Jimmy! Uh... I'm... I'm sorry..." She didn't know what to say! Lou couldn't quite figure out what had happened, but considering their positions, she couldn't blame anyone but herself.

Jimmy tactfully gave her the option to ignore the situation. "Well, we'd better get saddled up..."

Lou slowly rose her eyes to his, seeing the gentle uncertainty there.

"Jimmy, about last night..." She blushed slightly and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I know I'm real confused right now and I need some time to sort things out. But I... I don't want you to think that last night didn't mean anything to me."

Jimmy thought his heart would break with joy and sadness at once. He smiled into her soft brown eyes. "It meant a lot to me too, Lou. I know it's been rough on you, and I don't want you to think I'd take advantage of you."

"I know that Jimmy. Thank you." Lou reached over to give Jimmy's hand a squeeze. "I hope you don't think I'd take advantage of you either." She ducked her head slightly at her oblique reference to their waking positions. Jimmy just smiled at her.

Lou sighed as she looked toward the horizon. "You know, when we get back to Sweetwater things will be different."

Jimmy eyed her cautiously. "Is that good or bad?"

Lou gave a soft laugh. "Well a little of both, I think. I've sure had a good time with you on this trip, Jimmy."

"And I've enjoyed having you all to myself for a change."

Lou blushed in embarrassment, but didn't lower her gaze from his. "Me too," she whispered.

Jimmy was anxious to get moving. No sense in spending more time in the middle of nowhere when there were people to face back home. And the sooner, the better. He finally felt he had a sense of purpose, and that realization brought a smile to his face. "Let's go home, Lou."

For the first time, that word didn't bring a stabbing pain to her heart. She grinned broadly as they saddled up their horses and rode out. It wouldn't be long before they got back to the station. And to Kid. She knew they had problems to overcome, but now she knew she could face them. And after that... well, who knows! :)