As soon as he moved closer to the front of the horse and bent to cinch the girth up tighter, Sundancer once again began to nuzzle his coat pocket. This time, though, he didn't wait to see what Jimmy would do. His rough tongue darted quickly out, once, twice, licking the pocket and the side of Jimmy's face. Jimmy drew away from the horse, laughing, as he wiped saliva from his cheek.
"You sure are a pushy fellow, aren't you?" he told the horse affectionately. "Can't you wait until I'm done saddling you, until you demand your treat?"
The palomino shook his head, negatively, as if he could understand what Jimmy had asked him. Then he waited patiently for Jimmy to offer him the treat he knew he was hiding, eyeing Jimmy's coat pocket hungrily. He didn't have long to wait. Jimmy glanced quickly around the barn to make sure they were alone, then reached into the pocket that held Sundancer's attention and removed a folded up handkerchief. He could just imagine how much ribbing he would take if the others saw him acting so affectionately towards his horse. He could just hear the remarks they would make about it, Kid ribbing him the most. He couldn't say that he would blame Kid either. Not after all of the remarks he had made about Kid's relationship with his own horse, Katie. Kid treated his horse better than any treated everyone else, including Lou.
(What do we have hear?) Kid would say. ('Wild Bill' Hickok feeding his prized palomino lumps of sugar? What will the Association of Gunfighters say about that? I don't expect that they'll take too kindly to finding out how soft one of their infamous gunfighters has become.) Then Kid would say, (What do you boys think?)
He shook his head to clear it, laughing at his own foolishness. It was better to not try and imagine what sort of nonsense the other riders would come up with to goad him about his relationship with his horse. He unwrapped the handkerchief, revealing what was wrapped up inside: four crystallized lumps of white sugar. Jimmy had carefully hidden the four lumps of sugar in his handkerchief that morning, before Lou had returned to the bunkhouse. He had awakened before the other boys, dressed and received the first cup of steaming hot coffee from Rachel when she had entered the bunkhouse. He dumped the lumps of sugar into his left hand and held it out to Sundancer. Sundancer took the lumps of sugar from his proffered hand, swallowed quickly, then greedily eyed the handkerchief again. He stretched out his muzzle as if to take a closer look at the handkerchief. Jimmy drew the hand that held the empty handkerchief out of Sundancer's reach and declared,
"Oh, no you don't. Them four lumps of sugar were the only ones in the handkerchief. Maybe you won't be so greedy next time I bring you some and take a little more time to enjoy the ones you got."
Sundancer snorted his retort as Jimmy led him out of the barn and mounted him. The palomino tossed his head back and forth, as if he was angrily protesting Jimmy calling him greedy. Jimmy laughed at his horse's antics and made a quick note to never tease Kid about his belief that the horses understood whatever they said. Judging Sundancer's response to what he had said Jimmy now believed Kid to be right. Horses were a lot smarter than most people gave them credit.
Jimmy slowed Sundancer to a walk as they neared the pond two miles outside of Rock Creek, then dismounted. Jimmy left Sundancer to graze, untethered, in the ankle-high grass that lined the banks of the pond. He walked over to an oak log that had fallen years earlier and now provided a perfect place to sit and gaze out at the pond. The water looked cool and inviting, its calm blue depths, several shades darker than the pale blus sky above. Jimmy sat down on the log and then removed his jacket and gloves. Slowly he rolled up the sleeves of his balck shirt and undid its top two buttons. The day was already warm and it wasn't even noon yet. He felt sorry for Lou and Ike. Both riders had runs that day. Lou had already left on hers, but Ike wouldn't leave until noon. He didn't know whom to feel the most sorry for: Lou, because she was going the farthest, or Ike, because he would be starting out on his run during the hottest part of the day. He decided that he felt for them both. He was glad that he didn't have a ride scheduled.
Just thinking of Lou, brought an image of her to his mind. He remembered how tiny and warm her body had felt next to his, how velvety smooth her lips had been against his, and how right it had felt to hold her in his arms. He had cherished every second of that kiss and wondered if he would ever get a chance to do it again.
(Stop it Jimmy! Why torment yourself over a girl who can never have! She doesn't love you! She loves Kid! And as much as you don't want to accept it, she will never stop loving him!) A voice whispered inside his head.
( No, that's not true! You can't make me think that there isn't a part of Lou that cares about me! Lou does cares about me I know it!) He told the voice angrily. He got up from the log and began to pace back and forth, while wrestling with his conscience.
(Of course she cares about you. This is Lou we're talking about! She cares for all you boys. You're her family. BUT SHE LOVES KID!) The voice continued. (Face it, Jimmy. Lou will never choose you over Kid. Never, Never, Never!)
(Shut up, already! If I wanted advice from you, I would have asked for it!) Jimmy told the voice inside him. Suddenly weary over the war his emotions were raging inside of him, Jimmy sank onto the grass beside the log. Folding up his coat into a pillow, Jimmy was soon fast asleep, his slumber haunted by a certain female rider with auburn hair and beautiful doe eyes.
It was late afternoon when Lou and Lightning finally rode into the Seneca waystation. She passed the mochilla over to the next rider and wearily dismounted. She led Lightning over to the livery and started to unsaddle him. A small, older man came forward and took the reins out of her hands. He smiled sympathetically at her.
"Go on Lou. I'll care for your horse. Looks like you could use a cool bath and a cold drink." The man told her.
"Thanks Avery. I'll be back to check on him later." Lou said gratefully, dragging her bedroll off Lightning's back and heading towards the nearest hotel.
Lou hoped that there would be a bed vacant in the nearest hotel she came too. As tired and hot as she was, she didn't care how much the room cost. All she wanted to do was take a bath and lay down. She trudged wearily down the wooden sidewalk, eager to find a hotel and get out of the heat. She came upon a large wooden sign painted in burgundy, gold and green that said," Home Away From Home Hotel." Lou smiled and walked inside. Her jaw dropped open as she took in the majestic looking décor. Burgundy brocade drapes hung from the four windows lining the entrance to the hotel. Oriental rugs with the same colors covered the floors of the lobby and the dining room. Accents in the three colors made the room stand out. In one corner was a large mahogany desk. Behind the desk, stood a black-haired, young man watching her with a wide grin on his face. Lou blushed and walked towards the desk.
"Pretty fancy ain't it? My pa wanna to own a place that any'un would feel comfortable-like in and my Mexican-American wanna to decorate it fancy. So's they compromised. Would you like a room?"
"Yes, for two nights. I'd also like to wash some of this trail dust off. Will you send up a bath and water." Lou answered gruffly, affecting the deeper voice she used when away from Rock Creek. She dug into her pocket and pulled out some money.
"That will be one dollar. I'll send someone up right away with the bath, Mr. McCloud." The young man said as Lou signed the register.
"Thank you." She said, taking the key and going up the
stairs. She found her room easily, since it was close
to the staircase, unlocked the door and went in. She
re-locked the door as she closed it. She never felt
comfortable leaving her hotel room unlocked unless one
of the other riders was with her. Of course, when she
had been with Kid, they had found other reasons to
keep the door locked.
(Stop it Lou! Don't even think about Kid! Or Jimmy!
You have other things to worry about!) shes colded
herself. (For instance, how are you going to see a
doctor without someone realizing you're an express
rider?) She thought as she sat down on the bed and
removed her boots. She lay back against the pillows
and tried to think of something that would work. ( I
hope they bring my bath up soon. I'm really sleepy,
but first I'd like to wash up.) Deciding that she
would rest for only a few minutes, until they brought
her bath, Lou closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
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