Chapter Nine
“Kid, Louise!” Rachel greeted them warmly. “I’m so glad you’re here! You feelin’ better, Lou?”
Lou merely nodded, then crossed the room to were Noah sat comfortably in the rocking chair, his legs propped up, and a blanket over his lap. Louise bent down and hugged Noah tightly, surprising the dark rider. Knowing this may be the last time she’d be able to speak freely to him, she knelt down and whispered, “Noah, I’m so glad you’re better. You had us all so worried.” Louise continued to cling to him until Kid came and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
“You gotta let ‘im breathe, Lou,” Kid told her. “Remember the man’s still healin’.”
Noah looked at Louise quizzically, but her eyes averted his gaze. She stood up quickly and went to find Rachel.
Lou found her welcoming Jimmy, who had brought Rosemary along as a guest, to the surprise of both women.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” Rosemary apologized. “I just wanted to thank Noah for saving my life.”
“Well, of course you’re not intruding,” Rachel said graciously. “I’m sure Noah will be real happy to see you’re doin’ so well.”
Lou gave Jimmy a look of reproach. How could he bring Rosemary here when she was the one that had caused their family such heartache?
“What?” Jimmy challenged.
“Nothin’. I just thought you woulda had more sense is all,” Lou answered. “Did you bother askin’ Rachel if it was okay? Or even Noah for that matter? You ever think after all he’s been through he might not wanna see her?”
“Lou,” Jimmy said shortly, “Spare me the lectures. I don’t need ‘em.”
“No, Jimmy,” Lou shot back. “You don’t need anyone or anything. I forgot.” With that, she turned and headed back into the parlor where everyone was gathering.
Upon seeing Rosemary, Kid had moved away from Noah and was talking with Buck. He and Jimmy greeted each other with a mere nod. No friendly smiles or chatter passed between the two. Louise could tell her husband was doing his best not to burst with anger. She imagined he was just as incensed as she that Jimmy had the audacity to bring Rosemary with him to the gathering.
Louise sought out Cassie, who seemed a bit lost in the crowd, although she knew everyone, but not well.
“Cassie, about the other day...” Lou began.
“Louise, don’t worry. It was no big deal,” Cassie assured her.
“Well, it was rude at the very least. I’m sorry for that,” Louise answered. “Did Buck take the horse and buckboard back?”
“No. Actually, Teaspoon used it to give Quinn and I a little tour of Rock Creek. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was trying to sell it to us,” Cassie said. “It’s a nice enough town, just a bit too close to the border skirmishes for my taste. I don’t want Quinn gettin’ himself involved in all that. He’s so impressionable.”
“Must be the age,” Lou said thoughtfully. Quinn reminded her of Jesse in a lot of ways. She wondered how Jesse was, what he was doing, where he was sleeping.