Thorns of the Past...Roses of the Future

Lou readied four year old Jordan for his first social. She’d dressed him in a black suit and a new pair of shoes.

“NO!” he stated defiantly, as Lou tried to fix his hair. “I want my hat!”

“Jordan, no hat tonight,” Lou pleaded.

The little boy proudly placed a miniature version of Jimmy’s hat on his head. “Ready!”

Lou sighed. There was no use arguing with him. Jordan hadn’t taken the hat out of his sight since Jimmy gave it to him a month ago.

Kid poked his head inside Jordan’s bedroom. Lou hadn’t changed much in the three years they’d been married. Her hair was past her shoulders, and had an occasional gray here and there. Her eyes held the same fire, yet at times they looked tired, especially after a long day at school. She was still the small spry Louise he’d fallen in love with, so long ago, but some of the Lou he’d ridden with had disappeared. He blamed that on Andrew, and all he’d done to her.

Tonight she’d braided ribbons a shade lighter than her midnight blue dress into her hair. The sweetheart neckline softened her growing bosom, but didn’t hide her swelling middle as much as she’d have liked it to. They were three months from having the precious bundle, but at times, it felt like it would never happen.

“Everybody ready?” he asked.

Lou smiled at the man who’d won her heart so long ago. “Ready as we’re ever gonna be!”

“Mommy, mommy,” Jordan yelled, bringing both parents’ attention to him. In his little hand, a Sheriff’s badge. “Put on my Uncle Jimmy badge!”

Sometimes, to Kid, it seemed Jordan looked up to Jimmy more than him. Jordan turned to Kid, a brilliant smile on his face, making his brown eyes twinkle. He reminded him of Lou.

“Just like your Uncle Jimmy badge, daddy,” he announced walking to Kid’s side.

Kid felt Jordan’s tiny hand in his. All the doubts he had of the little boy’s admiration, melted away as he looked at their reflection in the mirror.

“Why, you two are the most handsome men I’ve ever seen,” Lou said, admiring her husband and son. “Whad’dya say we get a move on?”

In moments, the three were in the wagon, headed for town.

Claire stood in the shadows of her hotel room. Her dress was new, but she didn’t feel pretty. It didn’t matter, really. She had a job to do and her feeling pretty wasn’t part of it.

She stared at the reflection in the mirror. Chestnut spirals were secured with a simple black barrette. The plum dress accented her hazel eyes, that part she liked. Around her slender neck was a gold chain and cross. It was a present from someone she’d left, long ago.

Claire felt her heart sink as she remembered the look in his eyes when he’d found her gone, only months after their wedding. She watched from the trees that lined their property as he hunted for her. She saw him sit on the porch, crying her name. In his hand, the note she’d left, on the dresser, which said only four words: Good bye, love Claire. She’d wanted to tell him so much more, but he didn’t need to know that. That was the last she’d seen of Josiah Bidwell. That was a different time, a different place.

Claire brought her thoughts to the present, wiping away the tear that had begun its trip down her lightly rouged cheek.

“All right, Claire Dumont,” she said to her reflection. “Time for you to do your job, collect the money, and get the hell outta here.”

Sheriff Hickock stood against the wall of his office, watching the festivities from afar. He wasn’t one for dancing, never was, and never would be, unless, of course, Lou asked him. Well, in that respect, he couldn’t refuse Elizabeth Cross, whom he watched now. She was beautiful. She had Buck’s black hair and tanned skin, and Nicky’s piercing green eyes. Lizzie, as he nicknamed her, would be turning thirteen in just a few weeks. Jimmy smiled to himself as he remembered holding her the night she was born.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Lou said, bringing his thoughts back to the present.

He looked at the woman who’d become his best friend, long ago. She still held a beauty he couldn’t describe.

“You wouldn’t have enough pennies!” he whispered in her ear as they embraced.

Lou smiled shyly. “I’d listen for free.”

Jimmy went to reply, but was tackled in the knees by Jordan. “How’s my favorite law man?” he asked lifting up the boy.

“He’s fine, ain’t ya?” Kid replied, tickling Jordan’s ribs, causing the boy to squeal with delight.

“Sure sounds fine!” Jimmy laughed. “You done gone an’ made me deaf, boy!”

Jordan laughed as Jimmy lifted him high in the air. Kid wondered if Jimmy would ever settle down. Over the years he’d been back, he watched him with Jordan and Buck’s son, James. He’d make a good father, maybe even a good husband, if he could just show the side of him that he kept hidden the most. The side who cried at Teaspoon’s funeral. The one who brought Lou a bouquet of wildflowers when she’d lost their baby two years ago. Someday, he thought. Someday he’d find a woman that would love him for who he was, just like he had.

“Kid,” Lou said. “Did you hear a word I said?”

He stared at her blankly. “What?”

Lou smiled and shook her head. “Must be somethin’ in the water ‘round here. First Jimmy, now you!”

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Kid apologized. “What did you say?”

“I said,” she began again, ignoring the snickering that was coming from Jimmy. “We should go say hello to the others.”

Kid looked over to Jimmy who was trying to hide his smile. “Sure. C’mon, Jordan, Uncle Jimmy has to get something else on his mind, other than me an’ your ma.”

“I don’t know, Kid. I sorta like…”

Jimmy stopped in mid thought, his brown eyes fixed on a figure in the crowd.

“What is it, Jimmy?” Lou asked, trying to see who he was looking at.

“Lou, get inside and lock the door,” he instructed handing her Jordan. “Kid, come with me.”

“What’s…” Lou persisted.

Kid caught who Jimmy was looking at. “Do as he says, Lou.”

Trouble had returned to Sweetwater.

She’d tried to get away from him. Even tried to catch Cody’s eyes as soon as she saw him. No luck. He’d cornered her, and now she was walking towards the livery stable. Not a good thing, she was definitely in trouble.

“What’s your problem?” Nicky asked as Andrew threw her to the ground.

“My problem?” he laughed. “You double crossed me.”

“Double crossed you?” She asked. Why didn’t she bring her knife? Who’d have thought she’d need it at a church social? “It was more like I turned you in, Andrew!” She corrected him as she got to her feet.

“You’re gonna pay for what you did!”

She had nowhere to go. The walls of the stall were empty, and she was in the corner. She could probably out-maneuver him, but running in the dress she’d worn was out of the question.

Everything seemed to happen slowly, as if she was watching it from afar. A shot rang out, but Nicky never saw Andrew pull his gun. Pain seared through her body, telling her she was hit. Another shot rang out in the night followed by shouts. It all happened as if it was a dream, but the darkness that pulled her under was all too real.

Lou paced the floor of Jimmy’s office, holding Jordan close.

“Mommy,” he cried as the shots rang out, sending everyone scurrying in all directions.

“Ssshh,” she whispered, her voice calm and soothing. “Everything’s gonna be all right.”

In her mind, she envisioned Kid lying bloody on the street. There was nothing she could do locked inside the office. She wouldn’t let it happen again, not this way.

“Daddy’s gonna be just fine,” she whispered, assuring herself more than the sobbing child in her arms.

In the pit of her stomach, Lou knew who Jimmy had seen, but she refused to believe it. Surely, Kid or Jimmy would’ve known if Andrew had escaped. Why wouldn’t they have told her? Damn them for always wanting to protect her. They treated her like a child, and all she wanted was for them to treat her like they used to.

“Lou,” Jimmy’s voice echoed off the walls as he let himself in. There was blood on his tan shirt, some on his left hand. His eyes didn’t hold fear, but a fire that had been there a long time ago.

“C’mon,” he said, not waiting for her to reply. How could he tell her that the man that tortured her, changed her, had returned?

“Jimmy,” she said quietly as they walked quickly down the street. “What the hell’s goin’ on?”

“Don’t ask.”

Lou stopped dead in her tracks. “Jimmy, I asked you a question!” She hated it when he acted like this. Just when she was sure that he had lost the cockiness that he used to have, it came right back.

He sighed, looking up at the stars in the sky. She always did this to him. Why couldn’t she just do as he asked, just once? Slowly, he turned to face her. “Lou,” he began. “Just come with me.”

“Why? Where’s Kid?”

“With Nicky at Doc’s…”

“Is he…”

With those two simple words, he realized he’d been giving her the wrong idea. “He’s fine, Lou. Just come with me an’ see for yourself.”

Without another word, Lou was walking after Jimmy. Jordan was quiet, causing Jimmy to look back. His brown eyes were wide with fear, eventhough Lou held him close.

“You okay there, Marshal?” he asked the little boy.

Jordan simply put his head on Lou’s shoulder, out of Jimmy’s view. His little right hand found Lou’s hair and he began wrapping a lock of it around his finger. Jimmy tried to remember if he’d ever done that. Other memories began to flood his mind. As he pushed them away, they walked into Doc’s office. Kid sat in a chair, waiting to hear about Nicky.

"What’s goin’ on?” Jimmy asked.

Lou joined Kid, relief on her face. Now she feared for Nicky.

“I don’t know,” Kid confessed. “Buck’s in there with her. Cody took Lizzy an’ James home. Doc hasn’t said anything yet.”

Lou hated being in the dark. ‘What happened?”

Jimmy and Kid exchanged glances, knowing that Lou needed to know what had happened. Neither of them wanted to work her up.

“Look,” she said, her brown eyes darting from Jimmy to Kid. “Stop treatin’ me like I’m a baby. Both of you know me! I can take whatever it is you’re gonna tell me.”

“Fine,” Kid began. “Andrew was here. We’re guessin’ he wanted some sort of revenge, cause he went after Nicky. By the time we got there, he’d shot her. There was another shot, but not by me or Jimmy,” he looked at the ground, hating the words he had to say next. “Lou, Andrew got away.”

Lou allowed herself to feel the fear that washed over her. “He’ll be back, y’know.”

Jimmy agreed. “Yeah, we’re gonna watch for him, Lou.”

“I think you an’ Jordan should stay…” Kid started to say, bracing himself for her wrath.

All the fear from before, Lou had pushed away, turning it into determination. “I will not allow Andrew to drive me from my own home.”

Before anyone could argue, Buck joined them. His brown eyes were consumed with a fire none of them had seen in a while. When he spoke, they could hear the anger he tried to hide.

“She’s gonna be fine,” he reported looking at each of them. “Bullet went clean through her shoulder. Doc wants her off her feet for a coupla days…”

“Mister Cross,” the doctor called from the other room. “May I see you, please?”

Buck left the others to think about the situation they were all in. Just like in the past, one event affected all of their lives. They were all put in Sweetwater again for a reason: to become the family they were in the past.

The hotel room was dark and humid. The wind stirred the whit lace curtains, carrying with it the scent of rain. Claire sat, wide eyed, on the bed, staring out the window. Her mind replayed the shooting over and over. The look of fear in the woman’s eyes, her body lying lifeless in the hay.

What had she done? Was the woman dead? No money was this important! A knock on the door brought her back to the present.

“Who is it?”

“Just open the door, Claire,” the man replied from the other side.

After a few moments, she opened it. Andrew stood in the door way, his blue eyes angry. She knew he’d be mad, but she did what she thought she was being paid for.

“What the hell were you thinking? I thought you knew better than that.”

Claire closed the door behind him. She’d met Andrew only two months ago, and agreed to help him. He’d told her that his wife had cheated on him and so he’d left her, only to be put in jail for something he didn’t do. She wasn’t that stupid. She was sure there was truth in his story somewhere, but she wasn’t sure. All she wanted was the money.

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

“What would you like me to say?” Claire fumed. “It wasn’t like you weren’t gonna shoot her! Besides, you shot at me afterwards!”

Andrew pulled her towards him by her arm. “I run the show!”

“I was doin what I thought you hired me to do!” She explained. “Now let go of me.”

Andrew stared deeply into her eyes. Finally, he let go. “I hired you to get the kid, and that’s all,” he reminded her. “The rest is my business, and keep out of it.”

Claire didn’t say a word. She knew her role, and she’d play it well. As he left, she prayed she’d find Andrew’s son, and get this part of her life behind her.

Lou was up before sunrise. Sleep was a stranger to her these days, unless it was the middle of the day. The events of the previous night ran through her head. She knew it was just a matter of time before Andrew returned.

She vowed to herself that she wouldn’t let Andrew take what she’d worked so hard to regain. She’d given up most of her life to him, and wouldn’t give him anymore.

The sun was just beginning to come up. The pale blue sky held pink, red and orange hues, as the sun burned off the mild morning fog. There were no clouds in the sky, giving the promise of yet another warm Sweetwater day. Everything was perfect, giving her a feeling of insecurity. Something was going to happen, always did. It wouldn’t be her life if it didn’t!

“Lou,” Kid’s voice brought her attention to the door. “You okay?”

“Mhmm,” she replied. “I couldn’t sleep.” She looked at Kid and smiled to herself. His hair was messed from sleep, his eyes were still tired. Every day she spent with him, was another day she was happy. His face was rough with stubble, giving him a rugged look. Secretly, she liked it.

“You gonna be okay today?” he asked sitting down next to her.

Lou took his hand in hers. “I’m gonna be fine,” she assured him and put her head on his shoulder.

“I’m only a few feet away,” he reminded her.

She looked up into his brown eyes. “I’m going to be just fine. Stop worrying!”

Kid smiled. “How can I do that?”

“Guess you’re just gonna hafta force yourself!” she teased. “I’ve gotta get ready for work.”

He watched her go inside, amazed at her confidence. Granted, he’d known Lou for a long time, but not a day went by that she didn’t surprise him. He loved her more than life, and the child she carried inside her was the most precious gift she could give him.

“You gonna sit there all day or what?” Lou yelled, walking past the door.

“I’m comin’!” He shouted back.

So another day begins!

Jimmy burst into the office, a grin planted upon his face.

“What’re you so happy about?” Kid asked.

Jimmy sat down with a sigh. He put his feet up on the desk, and pushed his hat back from his eyes. “Kid, I’m in love!”

Kid laughed. How many times had he heard that before?

“Don’t laugh, Kid,” Jimmy scolded. “She’s the one.”

“Who is it this week?”

He ignored the comment. “She’s got these eyes that I lose myself in, and this hair that’s simply perfect. Don’t even get me started about her eyelashes. Kid, she’s perfect, and so beautiful!”

“She’s got a name don’t she?”

Jimmy’s smile disappeared. “You think I don’t know it, don’t you?”

It was Kid’s turn to grin. “Well, do you?”

Jimmy furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

“Don’t hurt yourself, Jimmy,” Kid teased. “I believe ya.”

He went to answer, but Lou walked in.

“Though you boys might be hungry,” she announced, placing a basket of muffins of the desk.

“Thanks, honey,” Kid said, kissing her.

She looked over at Jimmy, who was obviously still thinking. “What’s with him?”

Kid laughed. “He met a woman, fell in love, and can’t remember her name.”

Jimmy jumped up from his chair. “Claire!” he shouted. “Her name is Claire.”

“Must’ve been very special if it took you that long to remember her name,” Lou teased. “Here, have a muffin.”

“You make ‘em?” Jimmy asked.

“No,” she replied, backhanding his arm. “Lizzie brought them this morning when she came to watch Jordan.”

“Then I’ll take one.”

Lou shook her head. “I’ve gotta get goin’,” she said, kissing Kid good bye. “See ya at supper.”

“Bye, Lou,” Jimmy said. “Thanks for the muffins.”

She stopped at the door. “Jimmy,” she began, turning to face them again. “Why don’cha come for supper? Bring along your lady friend.”

Jimmy smiled. Finally, someone took him serious. “I’ll be there.”

“Fine,” she replied, grinning. “Remember, her name is Claire!”

“Good bye, Lou!” He shouted over her.