Choices

Written by Wendy

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 belong to the author. Copyright 2000

Lou wasn't sure how long she had stayed curled up on the grass, before she felt something tug lightly on her hair. Slowly she turned her head in the direction of where the tug had come and wondered vaguely if an Indian had snuck up on her while she had been laying immobile on the ground. She knew that if one had, she was as good as dead. She was not in any shape to stand up, let alone fight off an attacking Indian. As tired and sick as she felt right then, she didn't think dying could be half as bad as she felt right now. She wouldn't be feeling any pain at all.

Lou felt a quiet detachment settle over her as she thought about what being dead would mean to her. She wouldn't have to worry anymore. She certainly wouldn't be feeling any pain, emotional or physical. She wouldn't have to put up with a bunch of boys telling her that she can't do the same things that they can do, she could forget about her problems with Kid, her confusion over Jimmy, and the miserable past that she had had. In Heaven all she would have to worry about his picking out her own fluffy cloud to lie down on and dream.

(Lou, you are definitely losing it.) She told herself firmly, shaking the last of her morbid thoughts out of her head. (You only have a little morning sickness and you're wondering what it would be like to be dead! Get a grip on yourself!)

Lou felt another tug on her hair and turned her face the rest of the way to the left. She let out a startled squeal as two flaming black buttons stared back at her from only an inch away. Lou began to giggle uncontrollably as she realized that the buttons she was looking into was actually Lightning's nostrils. As if anxious to make sure she was alright, the stallion's muzzle lowered again so that his teeth could clamp ever-so-lightly onto a strand of her hair and tugged on it. Lou lifted a hand and began to softly stroke his gentle muzzle.

"I'm alright fella. Just let me rest here for a little bit longer and then we'll head on to Ft. Kearney. Before you know it, you'll be in a comfortable stall eating your fill of hay and oats and I'll be soaking in a cool bath. We're both going to need some rest before we go any further." She told him.

Lightning's long tongue darted quickly out and Lou received a slobbery kiss in response. She drew her head away from the horse with another laugh and wiped the saliva off of her face with the back of her hand. "Don't be thanking me yet, fella. We've still got away to go before we can rest."

Another half an hour passed before Lou felt strong enough to get up. She stood up slowly and although her head swayed a little, she was able to quickly gather up her clothing and placed them back into the valise. After retying the valise to her saddle horn, Lou mounted Lightning. She kicked the stallion lightly in the stomach and the horse leaped into motion.

Chapter 37

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