Lou recognized the voice, but she frantically searched through the shadows. She had to make sure. Just then a tall figure stepped towards them. He was calm and collective.

"Glad you decided to wait for us, Jimmy." Kid didn't try to hide his sarcasm.

Lou cleared her throat, she almost felt like she'd swallowed a rock. It was obviously the anticipation of what Jimmy's response would be. Heaven help us if they get in to it tonight!

Jimmy pushed the brim down on the front of his hat. He shifted nervously. Kid had gone through the afternoon, just waiting to come at his neck....Jimmy just knew it. "I just had to take some time to think." After he had spoken those words, Jimmy wished he could take them back. That had been a very lame response.

Kid looked at Harvey, then at Lou, and before he dismounted, he threw one last glance at Jimmy. Proceeding over to their prisoner, he pulled him off of his sweating horse.

Jimmy almost wished that Kid would hit him, yell at him, or just do anything besides give him the gruesome silent treatment.

"Lou, do we have any of that food left from last night"? Kid asked.

She eased herself down from the saddle. "Um, yeah....it's right here." Lou pulled out some small packages of jerky from her saddlebag. Oh man, is this going to be a long night, or what!

Jimmy sat down on the rock that was near the fire he was trying to start. Should he say anything to Kid, or just ride this one out? If Kid's going to play these games, I can do the same. He smiled at Lou. "You know you're really sweet to haul our food for us. It's a shame more people don't appreciate you."

Nervously she handed him his portion. "Sure." Quickly trying to strike up a conversation, Lou noticed Kid's rising anger and flushed face. "So, are we..."

Before she was able to finish, Kid marched off. She recognized the stride....and it was definitely one of upsurging animosity. Oh great, oh great. Now what do I do? She turned to make sure that Harvey was securely tied, and then she ran after him. Stopping only for a moment to speak to Jimmy. "You two sure know how to strike up conversation, don't you"?

He sighed resting his forehead in his hands. Guess we do at that.

Harvey seemed quite amused by the whole scenario. "I'm glad someone around here has a close friend, Jimmy. Kind of reminds me of two friends I used to know." Jimmy realized that all of his anger had been building towards Cutter too.

"Just shut up!"

"Quit telling me that!" Kid pushed himself away from the embrace Lou had offered him. Trying not to feel hurt, she slowly backed away.

"I'm sorry." She spoke so softly. Kid knew instantly that he had wounded the woman he loved so much. He pulled her to him, and she welcomed his tenderness. Lou knew he didn't mean to take anything out on her, it was just with all that was going on, he didn't know how to handle his suppressed feelings.

"Lou, I'm such a fool. I never want to hurt you." He held her face in his hands. "Are you sure you want to marry me"? Kid smiled slightly.

Her return grin was so sensitive and caring. "Of course, how could I resist those blue eyes"?

Kissing her, Lou took his arm and they headed back towards the camp.

"Teaspoon, I'm telling you, he tried to kill Lou, then he took a shot at me, then one at the Kid. And you're telling me there's nothing we can do"? Jimmy pressed his hands down on Teaspoon's desk. The older man sat calm and composed. His feet were propped up on the shelf behind him.

"Now son, that's not what I said. I said we need to have more proof. I can hold him here until you find evidence to convict him. You were witnesses that he tried to kill Lou, so that right there keeps him in that cell for attempted murder." Teaspoon crossed his arms. He wanted to bust anyone that would lay a hand on Louise, but still, the law had to be followed.

Buck walked towards the desk. His stride was purposeful as always. "Then let's get out there and find some evidence."

Just then a large tough looking man stepped into the office. His face was covered in a thin layer of dirt, and it was quite apparent that he hadn't slept in several days. "I don't think that will be necessary."

Chapter 11

The surprised onlookers glanced at their new arriver. But of all the shocked visages, Harvey's was the best. Obviously he recognized the man.

Teaspoon pushed himself upright in his chair. "And just who might you be"?

He came closer, and the man's unshaven face cast a cocky smirk. "I'm the one that's been chasing your prisoner, Harvey Cutter, for the past two years. Thanks to these three," He motioned to Jimmy, Kid, and Lou. "I can now have him brought to justice."

They all eyed him curiously, wondering why it would take him that long to capture this man.

"Are you a sheriff"? Buck asked. He was carefully watching the stranger's face. You can always tell if they are lying by the shadows in their eyes.

He pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. "Yes, my name is Nathan Morris. I have all the proof you need right here." He handed it to Teaspoon, who proceeded to examine it carefully.

Teaspoon scratched his chin in deep thought. The boys who were watching anxiously awaited his profound statement. They were surprised by his response. " I guess I've got no choice but to turn him over to you. Seeing as this is his official warrant." He paused turning to Nathan. "Just see that this man is hung." Somewhat irritated that he wouldn't personally be the one to see to their captor's rightful execution, Teaspoon tossed the paper back towards the sheriff.

"Oh, you can be sure of it." Morris replied. He extended his hand which

Teaspoon quickly shook and released. "Buck, would you get Cutter, please."

Somewhat hesitantly, Buck did as instructed. Jimmy walked out, throwing one last "too bad so sad" look at his boyhood friend. Harvey responded with a chilling smile. "So long, James." Jimmy didn't even turn to face him, but continued out.

"Come on Cutter, we've got an appointment in St. Joseph." He placed the metal handcuffs on his prisoner, and with that Morris lead him outside. Shortly, the sheriff and his new traveling companion were on their way.

Nobody in that office missed the pressure that was lifted from their shoulders once they realized Cutter was really gone for good.

Kid had ridden out with Cody and Buck early the next morning to pick up some supplies for Rachel in their neighboring town. So it was when Noah excused himself to go outside, and Jesse had taken off for town, that Jimmy realized his chance to talk to Lou had arrived.

He waited until Rachel had cleaned the few remaining dishes and headed back for the house. Lou started to make her way outside, but Jimmy lightly grabbed her arm. "Lou, can we take a walk"?

She smiled. "Sure." Snatching his hat, Jimmy followed her outside. They strode in silence to the outskirts of town. The view from the rising flat was lovely. Jimmy and Lou sat on an obliging log, which helped to add to the peaceful atmosphere. The sun was shining brightly, and Jimmy found that had helped to dim some of his forlorn feeling.

Taking a deep breath he turned to face her. Why do you have to look so beautiful? Jimmy asked himself.

Lou looked at him. Although she was sure she knew what he was going to say, this helped to give a lead-in to it all. "What did you want to tell me? It will be easier if you just say whatever it is that's bothering you." Her eyes shone so brightly. Every day since she and the Kid had been engaged, the look of long-awaited happiness had become a permanent fixture in her radiant eyes.

Hickok cleared his throat. She sure wasn't make it any easier on him.

Lou could tell that he was having a hard time getting started. So she lightly touched his arm. "It's okay, Jimmy, just take your time." He looked up into the sky. "I know there's always been more than 'just friends' between you the Kid from the start." She agreed with a slight nod. "But I also know that something went on between us."

"Jimmy, I..."

He cut her off. "Wait, it'll be easier if you let me finish."

"Okay."

"Lou, what I'm trying to tell you." He fiddled with his hands. "I always thought maybe you and I....well, you know." He almost expected her to become enraged and start telling him how horrible he was, but instead she surprised him.

"Jimmy, I thought maybe we would too. I wanted to make it work, but I can't hide these feelings that I have for Kid. You're a wonderful man, James Butler Hickok, and one day the right woman is going to come along for you." She looked over and saw tears forming in the corner of his eyes. Her heart went out to him, but she remained silent.

"Are you going to tell him"?

"Tell him what"? Lou asked.

Jimmy shifted nervously. "About that night....you and me....the campfire."

She leaned back and contemplated for a moment. Why not just let the sleeping dog rest? "I don't see any reason to. He and I weren't really together then. Why should it matter? Kid doesn't need to know."

A look of relief washed over his face and he smiled at her with his handsome expression. "Yeah, but I still think there's something Kid and I need to talk about. He hasn't been blind to all of this you know."

She nodded in agreement. Heck, Kid had told her he'd seen something. "That is up to you."

Kid came back shortly before the others. He had helped load the supplies onto the wagon, and Buck had assured him that they could handle it from there so he could get back. Must to his dismay, he had not been able to find Lou anywhere. He spotted Rachel cleaning out the weeds in her garden, so he went over to see if she knew where Lou might have been.

"Hi Rachel, have you seen Lou around"? He asked as nonchalantly as he could.

"I don't know. I saw her and Jimmy walk off out of town." Rachel was almost afraid to tell him that. They all knew Kid could have quite a jealous streak if he had even the slightest inclination something might be going on.

His entire composure fell. "Thanks." He mumbled.

The two friends had sat in silence for a long time. Jimmy had been working up the courage to ask Lou something that had been on his mind for quite a while. He figured now was probably as good of a time as any. "Lou, had Kid not come around, do you think it would have worked between us"?

She really didn't know the answer to that. Jimmy had always been there for her, and she loved him dearly, but was he the kind of man she could be with forever? Lou was about to tell him so when someone came up from behind.

Turning they both found themselves looking up at Kid. His face was growing redder, and both fists were clenched. "I'd say that seeing as I am around, it ain't going to be working anytime soon!"

Jimmy turned ghostly pale, which made a sharp contrast to Kid's lava colored complexion. He rose to face him. "Kid, this really ain't what you think it is."

Kid took two steps and was in Jimmy's face. Lou moved herself out of the way. She thought about saying something, but knew that when Kid became that enraged, there was nothing she could do to ease that situation. "Jimmy, you've taken it too far lots of times in your life, but this is it!" With that Kid lunged himself onto Jimmy and they rolled down the hill.

Lou started down after them. "Kid! Jimmy! Stop it!"

They both ignored her and continued on a rampant blow of fists. "Jimmy, why? Why did you do this? You've been after Lou every since we first got together." Kid managed to say as they had backed away circling each other. Their fists were raised and ready.

Jimmy threw his hat off and lowered his hands. "Kid, I don't want to fight you anymore." He wiped the blood from his upper lip.

Kid wasn't impressed by Jimmy's willingness to stand down. He glanced over at Lou who was just standing with her arms crossed. This was something he had to do, even if Lou didn't approve.

"Alright, Jimmy, just tell me one thing. What do you want from her? And don't tell me nothing! I've just watched you chase her for the past two years. Anytime we fought, you were there and wanting to take my place. Now when we're going to get married, you're still chasing her!" His eyes pierced through Jimmy.

Lou stepped in closer. "Kid, it isn't what you think." Her voice was calm and soothing, but still his anger didn't budge.

Jimmy backed away. "I won't fight you. If you want to talk to me fine, you know where to find me." He turned and walked back towards town, only pausing to pick up his hat and brush it off.

Kid watched him leave. He closed his eyes and wiped his face. Jimmy had always been willing to fight him before, what caused him to stop this time? Kid turned to Lou, gently placing a her shoulder. She looked up into his face and he could see traces of tears that were forming in the corner of her eyes. "Did he touch you, Lou"? She pushed herself away.

"You didn't really take the time to find out first, did you"? Walking away, Lou wasn't around long enough to be a witness to Kid falling to his knees with his face buried in his hands.

Kid came back to the bunkhouse about an hour later to find that Jimmy was sitting on the steps. It was almost as if he had been waiting for him to return, so they could either hash it out there, or discuss it peaceably.

Jimmy was fiddling with his gun, polishing the barrel and reloading it. Kid wondering if he was loading it with a bullet that had his name on it. He strode up to the porch and sat next to him. There was a few moments of silence before either of them spoke. Although they knew what had just happened, neither one could stay upset at the other for long.

"I was wrong, and I'm sorry." Kid said. He didn't look up to see Jimmy's tender understanding eyes.

He re-holstered his gun. "No, you were right. Maybe I haven't been acting right." He paused and strained to find the words. "There was a time when I wanted her for myself. But Kid, that night we went out on the town, all she talked about was you. I saw clearly then, that she was only for you. And now, I wouldn't want to see it any other way." Jimmy smiled as he reflected, of course he wasn't going to tell him that she was also kidnapped.

"What night on the town"?

Jimmy bit his tongue. "Ages ago, doesn't really matter."

James Hickok had almost expected Kid to come after him again and that they would walk in dirty and bruised....while the other riders laughed and tried to guess what it was that they had possibly picked a fight about. Instead he was glad to see a warm smile cross Kid's face. "She really talked about me huh"?

"Oh yeah, and that was only BEFORE dinner!" They both laughed and stood up to go inside. Lou who had been carefully listening from the other side of the bunkhouse came around the corner in time to meet them as they headed in for lunch. She strode over to kiss Kid, who hugged her tightly, and then she positioned herself between them with her arms gracefully draped through their's.

"Come on you two, you're taking me out to lunch on the town. I already told Rachel we had plans." The two men looked at each other, then back at Lou.

"You've got yourself one fine woman, Kid." Jimmy grinned. Although he still knew many things needed to be resolved in his life, this was definitely a start. And with the magic in the expressions that passed between his two dear friends, he realized that he had resolved his feelings for Lou, which was a step in the right direction for getting back in control of himself. Why worry about tomorrow, when it is still only today?

There was a sparkle in Kid's eye, in spite of his straight face. "I think she's a keeper."

Sun was starting to set on the horizon, and the two figures that rode side by side stopped and faced each other. The older man threw a saddlebag to the other, and with that he rode off leaving the other man to the chilling desert evening alone.

"Thanks Nathan Morris, thanks a lot. You're a true Southerner." Cutter smiled through darkened teeth, and spurred his horse to head back home. Someday, yes, someday our paths will cross again James Hickok! Only this time, you'll be the one to pay!!