The two acquaintances stood facing each other, not quite sure how the greetings should continue. It had been so long ago since they had met in school. Lou smiled as she reflected on how he had probably been her first childhood crush. Although they had probably not exchanged more than a few words when they were attending school together. Occasionaly there would be moments when she'd catch him looking at her, but would quickly turn away once their eyes met.

"What brings you to these parts?" She inquired finally breaking the silence.

They began to slowly stroll down the street, her arm gracefully laced through his. "Well," He started. "After we moved, my father turned his business over to me."

"The banking?" She asked, trying to remember what it was that his dad used to do.

"Yes, we are trying to merge with some of the banks out West." Bobby certainly sounded educated and more than likely, she assumed, had probably attended one of those fancy schools back East. His second statement confirmed that fact. "Then my father decided that if I was to handle his business affairs properly, that I should go to college. And after just graduating, here I am!" He added with a sweet smile. Well, all say this much for college. Lou thought to herself. They certainly teach them how to dress funny. She noticed his grey suit that must not have been more than a few days old........it was much too clean! The hat definitely wasn't fit for the west, but aside from his fashion statement, Bobby was just as cute as she had remembered.

They spent the next few hours together talking and laughing about old times. he asked her how her brother and sister were doing, and she told him about how they had chosen to remain there at the orphanage when she visited last summer.

Lou was so caught up in the exchanging of memories that she completely lost track of time when mid-afternoon approached. Kid! I have to get back before he does! She suddenly remembered that he was due back in from his ride this evening. If he found out what she had been up to........well, she didn't want to know. Of course not that she had done anything wrong, Lou just wasn't wanting it to become an issue.

Breaking up one of his lesser-interesting stories, Lou politely interrupted him. "Bobby, this has been a wonderful afternoon, but I think it's getting late. I should have been back at Rock Creek hours ago." She extended her hand and slowly stood up. "It really was wonderful seeing you."

He rose to follow her out. "Rock Creek?" His face lit up in surprise. "That's my next stop. Why don't we go there together? I can escort you back to your home."

Lou felt her face turn pale. She stammered for words, and found none which would surface. "Um, really, I'll be fine........"

Bobby extended his arm, which she nervously took. Lou looked away, not wanting him to see the dread in her eyes. "I insist." He added before leading her towards the door.

Kid stammered through the bunkhouse door, tripping over some piles of something he couldn't identify. "Cody, what's all this junk?" He asked the blond rider who sat on the floor sorting through books.

Cody looked up and took a bite of his apple. "Sumpthins formba skwol wrachle anted swurded."

Shaking his head Kid grabbed the apple from his hands. "Chew what's in your mouth." He ordered, watching the young man comply. "Now, swallow."

Cody exaggerated his swallow and extended his hand. "There, happy? Would you give that back, please?" His tone clearly uttering his frustration. He hated it when people stole his food.

"Not until you just repeat what you just said. So I can understand it." He said slowly, accentuating every word.

Rolling his eyes Cody stood up. "All I said was 'these are some things from the school that Rachel wanted sorted'. Can't you understand English?" He reached out and snatched his treasured belonging.

"Not the way you speak it." Kid added before dropping his things on his bunk and looking out the window. "Where is everybody?"

Cody started to take another bite but quickly stopped himself, realizing the fate his food might be subject to if he repeated his last offense a second time. "Jimmy's out feeding the horses, Jesse's........well, no tellin', Teaspoon's doing his job, Rachel's cooking, Noah's out on a run, Buck's cleaning the stalls, Lou went off somewhere, and I'm sitting here enjoying this fine food." He smiled before digging into it.

"Where's somewhere?" Kid asked.

"Somewhere. Well, it could be here, there, or everywhere. Just depends." Cody said, laughing at his own joke.

Kid took a deep breath and stepped outside. "Thanks." He muttered. As he stepped out the door he spotted a black horse and immediately recognized it. "Lou!" He called out running to greet her anxiously.

"Hey." She called out in response, sliding down from her saddle.

He hugged her tightly then released her. "What's with the dress?" Kid asked as he gazed down at it. He always worried when she went anywhere in a dress, it usually led to trouble. Although she was so pretty when she did assume her natural position as a woman.

She delayed slightly. "Oh, I just wanted to go into Blue Creek and do some shopping." She added a quick smile. "I got you something too."

Just then a second horse appeared, coming from the same direction. Lou saw Bobby arriving and motioned for Kid to go back towards the Bunkhouse. "Let's go inside." She added, trying not to seem suspicious.

"Hey Louise! Wait up, this is completely unfair, you are much faster than I am." Bobby called out as he came to a halt and lifted himself from his saddle.

Kid's face turned into a questioning glare. "Who's he?"

Lou closed her eyes and wished the whole situation away. "Oh, him? That's Bobby. Bobby, this is Kid." Bobby warmly walked over and extended his hand. Kid immediately noticed how well-dressed and sophisticated the young man seemed. "We went to school together for a year." She added.

Bobby excitedly added. "Well, not to be hasty, but I do need to check into the hotel and change these clothes." He turned to Lou. "Thank you for this afternoon. You are just a beautiful as I remembered." Bobby kissed her hand and turned to Kid. "Nice to meet you too." His attention went back to Lou once more. "And I shall call for you at eight. Tonight, we shall bring back some of that magic we shared in school." Bobby added with a smile and a wink.

Louise tried to call after him, but it was too late. "Uh, no, Bobby, please......" Her voice faded as she realized it was too late. "That won't be a good idea." She whispered.

Afraid to look at Kid's face, he turned her towards him. "You want to tell me what's going on here?" He said, his voice rising in anger. "Or is this a habit with you when I go out on a ride?"

"Kid, it's nothing, I swear! I just ran into him today. All we did was talk, and when I said I had to get back to Rock Creek, he said he had business here. Then he gave me no choice and wanted to bring me home." Her panicked response came out louder than she had planned. He stepped back and she saw the and she saw the hurt in his eyes. Oh, what have I done!? She pleaded with herself.

"Well if that........'thing'........is what you brought me, you better take it back. He won't be going anywhere near you." Kid said before walking away. He headed straight for the corral where Katy had resided. Grabbing his gear from inside the barn he walked over and saddled one of the chestnut mares that Teaspoon had recently purchased.

Lou ran out after him. "Wait, Kid! Where are you going?" She pleaded.

He looked at her briefly, his face not showing any signs of emotion. "Just on a ride."

She knew that there would be no point in asking him not to ride out. When he got upset, he usually resolved it by taking a ride. "Will you be back soon?" She asked timidly.

He gave no reply but quickly mounted and spurred his horse onward. She watched as he vanished into the sunset........the same type of sunset they had spent watching together only the night before. Louise reached up and brushed the tear that trailed freely down her cheek as she saw the last sign of dust from his horse slowly fall to the ground. Any sign of his presence a few moments before was now faded, much like her own hopes were at this instant.

On to Chapter Three