It had taken six weeks but finally Teaspoon had decided that Lou was ready to resume her duties as one of the riders. Each of the riders was concerned about her first ride, but they all knew that she was capable, probably more capable then each of them so they resigned themselves to the fact that she would once again be riding. All except for Kid, he had resumed his role of protecting Lou from herself, from the moment she had ridden into the waystation with Buck six weeks ago. Buck's ribs had long since healed and he had become the quiet stoic rider they all knew. Whilst he was still the same Buck they all remembered, something was different and not even Lou could make him smile
On the morning of her first ride the riders all rose early to give her the support she needed as she returned to work. She sat astride Lightning, and looked into the faces of the people she loved, knowing that as annoying as it was their concern was for her safety was out of their love for her, the same as the love she felt for them. Kid stood beside her, holding Lightning's harness, his other hand on her thigh.
'Lou please don't do this, you don't need to work, I can support us, we're going to be married soon anyway.' he pleaded.
'Kid, I can't let you do that, I have to work. Please understand. Don't make me ride out of here crying.' she stated quietly as tears brimmed in her velvet eyes.
'Just remember that I love you and be careful' he relented and released the harness as Cody approached handing off the mochila smoothly to Lou.
"Good Luck Lou' he called as she spurred Lightning into movement. No one noticed Buck sitting on the end on Rachel's porch watching the mornings events from a distance
'Ride Safe Louise' he murmured as he watched her ride away watching until she was a spot on the horizon. Rachel watched quietly, shaking her head at Buck's torment, she knew he would find his way out of his own private hell, it was just a matter of when. She left him to brood and entered her house to perform the morning chores. Neither of them noticing that one of the riders was watching Buck a little too carefully.
The bunkhouse that night was filled with six nervous anxious men. Lou was due back by sundown and by the time they sat down to a belated evening meal, several hours after sunset she still had not returned. It was all Rachel could do to keep all the boys in the bunkhouse and not go charging out into the darkness looking for her.
'Boys she's only two hours late, if you go charging out after her now she will think that you don't trust her to do her work. You'll hurt her worse than her last fall did.'
'Rachel, if she's not back within the hour I'm riding out to find her.' the tormented Kid, who was almost beside himself with fear for his beloved.
'I'm going too' Jimmy spoke trying to keep some semblance of his control.
'Listen boys, nobody is leaving this room without my permission.' Rachel leaned on both hands on the end of the table. "give the girl some trust, she will be back, she's just running late, I'm not going to let you lot destroy her belief in herself just because of some silly macho belief that she can't cope on her own without you big strong men to look after her.' At the sound of a horse trotting into the way station, she lost her complete audience as they ran from the bunkhouse nearly knocking each other over in their rush to get outside and find the identity of their visitor. Shaking her head Rachel following the boys outside and found Lou tightly ensconced in Kid's embrace, summarily having the breath squeezed out of her in a bear hug. Teaspoon sat astride his horse a silly grin on his face.
'Kid, you can put me down now, I'm not going to disappear believe me' she laughed swatting his back with her hat.
'I'm sorry Lou' Kid released her but kept one firm arm around her shoulder, almost as if he was frightened she would evaporate if left untouched. 'I was worried about you.'
'Lightning picked up a stone, I left him with the blacksmith in town and Teaspoon was kind enough to give me a ride back home.' she gave her explanation and smiled at the looks of concern on the boys faces.
It took some time for the boys to convince their rattled nerves that Lou was indeed fine, but they finally settled down for a night of sound sleep.
Early the next morning, Kid prepared to ride out haven risen early and saddled Katy he waited patiently sitting n the bunkhouse top step. As he sat a sleepy Lou, dressed only in longjohns, emerged from the bunkhouse and sat on the step below him, sinking into the space between his legs, her arms resting on his thighs.
'I'll miss you Lou.' he murmured as his lips met hers in a gentle morning kiss.
'I love you Kid' she responded her heart full of love for her man.
'You know that I will always love you Lou, even if we are parted I will love you for all time.' he murmured as he placed another kiss on her lips. Rising he bounded down the stairs and mounted Katy as a rider rode in and with the same quick efficiency he had always shown, Kid took the handoff and spurred Katy into action.
'He loves you so bad Lou.' Rachel spoke as she emerged from the bunkhouse to stand behind her tiny friend. She had tried to give the young lovers a little privacy but she had opened the door just in time to hear Kid's declaration.
'I know Rachel, sometimes it scares me' she paused 'but I know that I love him just as bad' she rose with tears shimmering in her eyes and turned to embrace the woman who aside from Emma was her best female friend in the world.
Later that morning, Lou was working in the barn with Noah when Jimmy came into the barn and motioned for Noah to go outside. Turning a broad smile on her face Lou greeted her friend and returned to her work.
'Lou' Jimmy started his throat tight 'I need to talk to you.' She heard the concerned tone in his voice and turned to look deeply into his tear shiny eyes.
'Jimmy what is it?' she asked full of concern.
'I have some bad news for you honey' he continued.
'What's happened Jimmy?' she could hardly contain her fear, tucking her hands into her armpits she folded her arms across her chest as she always did when nervous.
'It's Kid, Lou' he paused watching her liquid eyes overflow.
'Katy has come home alone, she has his blood on her neck and an arrow in her saddle.'
'No!!' Lou let out a bloodcurdling wail and sinking to her knees in the straw she cried as if her heart was breaking.
On to Chapter Two
