Candle of Love

Written by Helen

Disclaimer: This story is in no way meant to infringe on the rights of the creator of the series The Young Riders, Ed Spielman and Ogiens/Kane. All other characters are copyrighted by the author.

Chapter 21

Coughing, trying to regain his breath, he looked up into his friends' eyes & winced in pain. "Buck, where am I?" he breathed.

"Kid, you're with my tribe. What are you doing here?" Buck asked. He had a feeling something was wrong back home. Maybe Kid had been looking for them. Maybe someone's been hurt back home. Buck prepared himself for the answer.

Gaining his breath, Kid finally answered "Ahh, Tory was using me. She's got someone else. I saw them in town, & FRIENDS don't kiss like they did. I just took off & then I found myself here, hearing the drums I tried to figure out where "here" was, & tried to figure out how safe I was." he reminisced.

"Oh, Kid. I'm so sorry." Lou apologised. She saw the hurt in his eyes & felt bad for moving on & even getting married.

"So what's happening here? Lou that's a nice dress…you becoming Pocahontas on us now?" he asked, laughing.

Buck & Lou just looked at each other, unsure of how to explain to Kid that they had just married. Lou looked down at her feet trying to sort out what she was going to say, when she heard Kid's voice " Lou, what's wrong?"

She looked into his eyes, seeing only concern in them, then she decided that she would just tell him, no beating around the bush. " Well, ah, Kid…Buck & I, well… well…" "we just got married, Kid. So Lou can come back to Sweetwater with me. Otherwise she was to marry someone in the village, & I couldn't let that happen." Buck interrupted. He looked up at Kid's face as the news sank in. He knew it would hurt him, but maybe he'd understand…hopefully!

"Oh" was all Kid could muster. He felt his world was crumbling down around him. First Victoria had used him, now the only other woman he thought he could spend his life with had gotten married secretly. He felt sick.

"Brother, the elders say you must leave tonight, otherwise they believe something bad will happen!" Red Bear exclaimed. Buck looked at his brother, understanding what the elders had foreseen – Kid's arrival at the village had brought a possible threat to his people, & they had to leave. Lou moved to her & Buck's Teepee to pack their stuff & prepare to go home – back to the white world. As she packed she thought of her family back in Sweetwater, & of her brother & sister. She made up her mind that when they got home, she was going to get them & bring them to live with her. Over the time she had spent with the Kiowa, she had learnt that a family should stick together, no matter what the circumstances. As Buck came in to help her, with kid following behind, she was finishing the last of their packing. She was ready to start a new life, with her new husband & with her family starting today!

As day became night, the trio left the village & headed for home. Lou decided to ride double with Buck, & let Lightning carry their belongings. After all, this was a new beginning for both of them as husband & wife. After a few hours, Lou dozed off in Bucks arms & dreamt of their future…their future together.

Chapter 22

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