“Lou?” he asked through sleepy eyes.
“Yeah Kid, it’s me.” She said softly.
“What are you doing back here so late?”
“Well, did you not want me to come back at all?’ She asked calmly, still thinking about what would change if everyone knew.
“No I mean where were you? I got worried when you weren’t in the bunkhouse and then not up here. Cody said you weren’t feeling good. Did you go see the doctor or something?”
“No I had business in town. An old friend of mine met up with me there and I lost track of time.”
“Is that the pretty girl Noah was talking about? The one that took Cody away from helping him with the barn door?”
“Yeah, Lynn.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing why?”
“Well, usually when you find out I’ve been worrying over you, you get all mad and start yelling at me to give you room and that you aren’t a little girl and stuff like that.”
“I thought that all went through one ear and right out the other.”
“No, I just, I have to worry about you, it’s my job.”
“I understand it just bothers me when you’re the only one worrying and no one else is. I worry about you to Kid, I just don’t proclaim it in front of everyone standing around that might hear.”
“Sorry. It always seems like the best time.”
“That’s okay. I understand.” Lou came out of her thinking state of mind and realized Kid was worried about her.
“So what’d you and your friend do?”
“I sent her to Seneca because they had no rooms here in Rock Creek.”
“Anything else?”
“No, we just walked around town catching up on old times.”
“Rachel said she was real pretty and kinda….well, she said she wasn’t very, um, ladylike.”
“I know. It’s okay Kid I understand that Lynn isn’t the perfect lady, but she is my friend.”
“From where?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well is she from the orphanage…”
“Or Wicks’? Yeah, she’s from Wicks’. We we’re friends there.”
“I thought you said Charlotte was the only one who accepted you.”
“Well, Lynn didn’t accept me right off, but after awhile she got used to me, and the three of us, me and Charlotte and Lynn, all became close friends. They both took care of me, and made sure that I didn’t get killed or something worse since I was so young.”
“I thought you were outta there only after a year. You sure did take advantage of that time, making so many friends I mean.”
Lou took a deep breath. Should she lie again to Kid? Or should she tell the truth? She had to do it sometime, why not now? She was leaving in the morning anyways, he could think about it for a couple of days, have it out with her, then they would make up, right? But the little “ifs” stuck in the back of her head. If he accepted her. If he didn’t think her a liar and a whore. If he didn’t think he should continue a relationship with her. She couldn’t do it. The chance of losing Kid caused tears to come to her eyes.
“Lou? What’s wrong? Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bring back-unwanted memories. I’m so sorry. Lou?” She shuffled over to him and put her head on his shoulder.
“It’s okay Kid. I guess just the thought of it hurts now. It’s not your fault. It’s just my own stupid dependency on the past. I look to the past as something to fight. That’s why I try to work so hard for the Express. That’s why I couldn’t bear to be fired, that and I need the money to get Teresa and Jeremiah outta that orphanage. I have almost enough for a house and supplies for almost a year, but that’s just for me. The Express is winding down and now I’m gonna have to find a new job, I’m just afraid of becoming the past if you know what I mean?”
“I understand, I have that same fear too. I’m afraid of becoming my Pa. I’m afraid of what I might do if I ever do become like he was. Will I be a better person then him? Or will I rely on the bottle just like he did?”
“I know you’re better than you’re Pa was or ever will be for that matter. You care about people in such a compassionate way that people have to care about you too. I know that’s what you did to me. You made me care about you. You made me want to look out for you when you’re away on runs. You made me care about if we’re going to fast and what might happen if that caught up with us. You did that to all the boys, Teaspoon, and Rachel too. You’re nothing like you’re father. You never will be. You have a soul.”
“Thanks Lou.”
“Why don’t we go down to the bunkhouse? I need some rest I’m riding out tomorrow.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m meeting up with Lynn in Seneca and we’re going to catch up a little. I’m going to ask Teaspoon for just a couple of days off and then I’m going to send Lynn on her way.”
“Cody’s going to Seneca tomorrow morning.”
“I know I figured I’d keep him company.”
“What if I decided to do that too?”
“Huh?”
“Could I come along with you to meet up with your friend Lynn and then spend a couple of days with the two of you and then help you send Lynn off?”
“Well, you see I wanted to just spend time together just the two of us.”
“I see.”
“But, if you want to meet us the day after tomorrow then that would be great.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Okay, that sounds good. Lynn’s been dying to meet you so that works out good.”
“Let’s go to bed, I’m tired.”
“Yeah me too. I definitely need some sleep now.” The two headed to the bunkhouse hand in hand.
St. Jo that same night…….
“So, Mr. Sanes, you have still failed to get me the girl.”
“I’m sorry sir, It’s hard running a big business like yours.”
“I didn’t set up my death for nothing. That boy of Charlotte’s did a fine job of convincing her to kill herself and everything. He now gets to suffer in jail. Now, you’re going to ruin the other part of the plan by not finding Louise?”
“I’m sorry Mr. Wicks sir.”
“You are allowed failure. I also failed to catch her, she is a swift one, must get it from her Pa.”
“Yes sir, probably does sir.”
“You have no reason to fear me Sanes. I just control the business through you. You have been an apt pupil, now you must learn how you hunt down a good for nothing whore.”
“I am trying sir, I have bounty hunters looking for her and everything. I told them if they killed her that they would be killed.”
“Very good Sanes, very good. You are certainly one step ahead of everyone else. Louise owes me a lot of money and grief. She is going to pay me back ten fold. First I have an idea. She was obviously attached to one certain boy there. I believe he was called The Kid.”
“He’s as good as dead sir.”
“No, not dead. I want to bring him her to my establishment. Perhaps we can teach him what his little girlfriend did. Perhaps that will turn the others against her and she will come weeping back into my arms.”
“What about the brother and sister? Could we maybe take them out of the orphanage under Louise's name and hold them here. Maybe show the little girl what Louise did? Maybe that could also be a back up?”
“Perfect! The boyfriend and the siblings! I like it. Have it done by the end of the week.” “Yes sir!”
“I am proud of you Sanes.”
“Thank you sir.”
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