Lou was waiting on the front porch of the bunkhouse when she saw Kid approaching from a distance. It was late afternoon and Lou was in a much better mood after finding out the girl looking for Kid was just a cousin. The sight of Kid made her spirits rise even more. Days apart were to be expected because of their job, but Lou still hated to be away from him.

"Rider coming!" she hollered. Buck ran out and jumped onto his waiting pony just as Kid rode up. Kid threw Buck the mail pouch and climbed down from his horse, Katy. Lou took Katy's reins from him and they both watched Buck's departure. "Ride safe, Buck!" Lou called after him.

Looking around to be sure they were alone, Kid ducked his head for a quick kiss. "Hi."

"Hi, yourself." Lou grinned. They began to walk towards the barn to stable Katy. "Did you have a good ride?"

"Not bad." Kid could hardly take his eyes away from Lou. "I missed you, though."

As always, Lou could feel a blush begin to creep over her face. "Well, I missed you, too, Kid."

Kid leaned closer for another kiss, this one more lingering. Lou was so happy for a minute she forgot about Kid's cousin.

"Come on, I got a surprise for you." Lou said when Katy had been fed and brushed. She grabbed Kid's hand and began pulling him toward the house.

"What is it?" Kid asked, not really caring. He would have followed Lou anywhere. Kid thought maybe Lou had planned a private dinner at the house to get some time alone. He soon decided he was wrong when they walked into the house and saw everyone standing around.

"What's going on?" Kid mumbled to Lou as he glanced around nervously.

Lou smile became even wider. "You'll see."

Just then a girl slowly began to descend the staircase. She was dressed in a simple green dress sprinkled with tiny purple and pink flowers. Her hair was a dark blonde and swept up in a bun. She walked tensely towards him a small smile playing upon her face. He noticed the way her nose crinkled up when she smiled. He glanced around at the others. Was this girl his surprise?

"Don't you recognize me, Kid?" She asked softly.

Kid started to say no, but then he noticed her eyes. They were wide and blue and so much like his mama's he wanted to cry. "Christy?"

Tears filled her eyes as she nodded and for a minute neither could speak. They embraced tightly as memories of Virginia and Jed and Kid's mama swelled between them both. Kid quickly held her back at arm's length to be sure it was really her.

"Lordy, what are you doin' here?" He felt like he would never stop grinning.

"I've been looking for you, Kid." Christy searched his eyes, which were the same blue as her own. "I never gave up trying to find you, just like Aunt Martha told me."

Rachel noticed the strong need to be alone between Kid and Christy and quickly ushered out the others. "Come on, ya'll. I need some help down at the barn."

"Aw, Rachel." Cody complained.

When everyone was gone, Kid simply stood and stared at Christy. She really hadn't changed much in the five years since he last saw her. She had filled out a little and the haunted sadness in her eyes had faded some. To Christy, Kid hadn't changed a bit. His blue eyes were as earnest as ever and his curly brown hair was the same as when he was a little boy. He grinned at her shyly, and for a minute, neither knew what to say.

"How did you find me?" He finally asked.

"It took awhile," she admitted. "I heard word a couple of years ago that you had gotten a job with the Pony Express. I can't believe I finally found you. I was on my way here when two men attacked me and stole my horse. Your friends Jimmy and Cody found me and brought me here."

"Are you alright?" His concern showed as he gently touched the fading bruise on her forehead.

"I am now." She said simply.

"Where have you been?" Kid led her to the couch and they sat down to talk.

She sighed. "Everywhere, it seems. Arkansas some, then I ended up in a little place called Pine Tree. Things got pretty hard after we got--separated, and a man took me in. I stayed with him until he got killed a month ago."

"Were you married to him?" Kid looked confused.

"No, no!" Christy chuckled. "He was much older than me, and more like a father. I was very happy there."

Kid looked at her somberly. "Then you were better off than when you were with us."

Christy was quiet as she remembered her shared past with her cousin. "So, what about you? How have you been?"

"Good." Kid nodded. "I've got a good job here."

"What about Jed?" She asked. "Do you know where he is?"

"Uh-- yeah." Kid paused. "He's dead, Christy."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Dead! Kid, no!"

He swallowed hard before he went on. "He showed up here about a year ago. He told me he was working for the Army. I should have known better; Jed ain't never had much respect for any kind of discipline. Turns out he was here to steal a gold shipment for the South."

"Jed was always wild, but I never would have thought he'd become an outlaw." Christy said sadly.

"He wanted me to join him." Kid continued. "I couldn't, though. Maybe if I had, I could have saved him. I tried to stop him and he shot me. Jimmy shot him before he could kill me."

Tears welled in Christy's eyes. "You couldn't have saved him, then. If Jed tried to kill you, even if you had went with him, you wouldn't have changed him."

Kid didn't answer. He stared darkly at the wall, lost in the past. Christy let him be. It was hard to believe Jed would have shot his own brother. She still remembered him bringing her candy from town and wrestling with Kid. She wondered how much their shared past had to do with the way Jed turned out.

Kid shook his head, as if to lose the bad memories, and stood up. "Come on, Rachel probably has supper ready."

Christy stood and hugged her cousin tightly to her. "It's good to see you again, Kid"

Kid smoothed her hair with his hands and smiled. "You too."

She took his hand and let him lead her to the bunkhouse. Everyone was already gathered there and looked at the two of them expectantly. Cody scooted over to make room for them at the table.

"Well, did you two have a nice visit?" Rachel asked as she sat two more plates on the worn wooden table.

"Yes, thanks." Christy grinned shyly. "We've still got a lot of catching up to do."

Teaspoon raised his glass to them. "Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again: To family; no bond as sacred, no love as strong.

"Here, here." They all said in unison and settled in for supper.

Chapter Four