The next day, Kid took Molly and Andy into town. Although Lou wasn't happy about that, at the very least, she could talk to Rachel privately. When she asked her about Molly, Rachel looked at her with a frown. "Why are you even asking me my opinion? It's plain that you've made up your mind about her."

"Rachel, don't you think there's something just a little bit strange about her?" Lou asked.

The blond woman shook her head. "No, but I do think there's something strange about you! What's the matter Lou, are you mad because she's spending time with Kid?"

Now it was Lou 's turn to frown. "No! I don't like her because I think she's lying!"

"About what?"

"About everything!" Lou replied. "About being Jed's widow, and about being in mourning for him."

"Oh Louise, honestly!" Rachel sighed. "Why would she come all the way out here just to lie about something like that?"

"I don't know." Lou said.

"Besides, she knows all about Jed, and the Kid." Rachel said. "You've known her not even a full day and you're accusing her of lying."

Lou hadn't heard the rest of Rachel's sentence, because an idea had occurred to her. "Maybe she knows so much about Jed and Kid because she was involved in Jed's operation!"

"What?"

Lou nodded. "Of course! She's come back here because Jed left some unfinished business. She's here to complete it!"

Rachel looked concerned. "Louise, I know I wasn't here when Jed came to visit, but Teaspoon's told me all about it, and so I think it's understandable how you might have hard feelings against anyone associated with Jed, because you want to protect Kid. But you shouldn't think that just because Molly was engaged to him, she's guilty by association."

"Rachel, she knows I'm a girl." Lou said, her tone serious.

Rachel was puzzled. "So, she's a smart lady. You can't tell me you're keeping up your disguise very well these days Louise. It doesn't surprise me that Molly saw the truth."

Lou realized she was going to get nowhere with Rachel, so she nodded. "Well, I guess you're right Rachel. Anyway, I've got a run pretty soon. I'd better get going." Rachel watched Lou as she closed the screen door carefully behind her and walked away. Lou was a bad liar when it came to some things, and Rachel knew she hadn't heard the end of this one.

Lou was happy to find Jimmy in the barn when she got there to get Lightning ready for her run. She wanted to ask him some questions about Jed. "Hi Jimmy!" "Hey Lou. I was just getting Lightning ready for you." He said, finishing tightening up the saddle.

"Thanks!" Lou said.

"Don't mention it." He smiled as she took the reins from him.

"Listen, there's something I want to talk to you about." She said, biting her lip, not knowing quite how to phrase it. Talking about Jed was a sensitive subject with him.

"I knew this was coming." Jimmy said with a sigh.

"You did?" Lou asked in surprise. Jimmy's mouth turned up into a mischievous smile. "You want me to keep an eye on Kid while Molly's here and you're out on a run."

Lou frowned. Why did everyone assume she was insanely jealous? "No, Jimmy, that doesn't really concern me right now…"

"Well that's a first!" Jimmy remarked.

He anticipated her swipe at him and dodged out the way. Lou, however, was losing her patience. "I want to talk to you about Jed."

Jimmy's playful demeanor disappeared at the mention of Jed's name. "What for?"

Lou told him her suspicions. He looked at her like she was out of her mind. "You think Molly is lying, and that she's some kind of outlaw? First of all, I think your jealousy is starting to affect your mind Lou. And second of all, there's no business for her to finish here anyhow."

"You don't believe me either, do you?" Lou said, crestfallen.

"Come on, Lou. You have a history of being a little critical of other women…" Jimmy pointed out.

"Jimmy, this time I'm serious." Lou said. When she saw she wasn't getting anywhere, she added, "What did you mean, no business for her to finish here?"

"Lou, I don't want to talk about Jed." Jimmy said, his jaw tightening. "It's time for your run. Maybe the ride will clear your head."

Jimmy watched her as she angrily grabbed the reins and led Lightning out of the barn. He shook his head. Lou was the most stubborn person he'd ever met, but she meant a lot to him, a lot more than he would ever let anyone know, including Lou. He knew she was hurt that he wasn't going to back her up on this one but sometimes she did go too far. And sometimes that's what good friends had to do, is tell them that they were wrong. He watched her gallop away after grabbing the mail from the other rider and felt a mixture of love and admiration sweep through him.

He lingered outside, watching her until she disappeared over the horizon. Yes, Lou definitely had his respect, as well as a good part of his heart. He went back to his chores, trying first not to think of how deep his feelings for Lou really were, and also trying not to think about Jed and how he had killed Kid's brother.

Lou was undeterred by Jimmy and Rachel's lack of support; in fact, she was more determined now than ever to prove her point. When she got back from her run the next day she wasn't surprised to find Molly and Andy still there. When she rode up, the boys were teaching Molly how to ride a horse Western style. They waved to her, as if inviting her over, but she ignored them and went straight to the showers. Without stopping to even eat, she then went straight into town to find Teaspoon.

He sighed, as if suspecting trouble just from the look in her eyes. "Why do you want to know about Jed, Lou?"

"You won't believe me if I told you, Teaspoon," Lou said, "So why don't you just tell me what you know and I'll be satisfied."

Teaspoon shrugged. "As I recall, Jed's gang camped out a few miles outside town. Right around the bend in the creek."

"Do you know if they left any unfinished business?" Lou asked.

Teaspoon raised his eyebrows at her. "Now that's a loaded question."

Lou sighed. "Thanks for your help Teaspoon."

"Now Lou hold on a minute." Teaspoon said, standing up and laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I don't want you goin' off all half-cocked and not seein' straight."

"I can see just fine." Lou replied. "A lot better than all of you right now."

"This is about Molly, isn't it?" Teaspoon asked her.

"Yes." Lou admitted, "But if you say that I'm just jealous of her I'm going to have to scream."

"Well, have you considered the possibility?" Teaspoon asked.

Lou looked furious and let out a muffled scream, which sounded more like a frustrated growl. She stormed out of the office. Teaspoon shrugged and sat back down in his chair.

The place where Jed's gang had camped was two miles outside of Sweetwater. It was a beautiful area nestled in the rolling hills that surrounded the creek. It made an ideal camping site, with the tree cover and stream running through.

Lou reached it easily and set about searching the large area for any kind of proof she could find--anything that Jed's gang of outlaws could have left behind. After a good two hours of riding and walking the myriad of trails, she was about to give up on herself; then, she stopped and held completely still when she thought she heard voices. Lou could hardly believe her ears, but it was Molly!

Lou slipped off her horse and crept as close as she could, hiding behind a rock. Molly and Andy were in a small clearing. Andy was digging a hole in the ground and Molly was holding a piece of paper. Lou watched in surprise when Andy pulled an old, dirt-covered bag out of the ground.

Her eyes bulged when Molly reached inside and pulled out a bar of gold. She had been right! A small surge of victory ran through her, before she realized she had a responsibility to do.

Lou stepped forward, her gun drawn. "All right. Put the bag down and put your hands up in the air."

Molly looked startled, but immediately tried to smooth things over. Neither put their hands up. "Louise! What are you doing here? And why are you pointing your gun at us?"

"That's property of the US government you're holding there." Lou said. "I'm going to turn you in to the Marshall."

"For what?" Molly asked, still looking innocent. "I was going to return it to the authorities."

"You expect me to believe that you came all this way to dig out some gold from the ground using a map Jed probably sent to you before he died, just so you could turn the gold over to the authorities?" Lou sniffed in contempt. "You may have fooled the others, but you haven't fooled me."

Suddenly Molly seemed to change in front of her eyes. The sweet, wide-eyed woman was replaced by a sneering, cold, and condescending criminal. "You're right, Louise, I didn't fool you did I? What a shame, because now you're in my way."

On to Chapter Three