Lou readied four year old Jordan for his first social. She’d dressed him in a black suit and a new pair of shoes.

"NO!" he stated defiantly, as Lou tried to fix his hair. "I want my hat!"

"Jordan, no hat tonight," Lou pleaded

The little boy proudly placed a miniature version of Jimmy’s hat on his head. "Ready!"

Lou sighed. There was no use arguing with him. Jordan hadn’t taken the hat out of his sight since Jimmy gave it to him a month ago.

Kid poked his head inside Jordan’s bedroom. Lou hadn’t changed much in the three years they’d been married. Her hair was past her shoulders, and had an occasional gray here and there. Her eyes held the same fire, yet at times they looked tired, especially after a long day at school. She was still the small spry Louise he’d fallen in love with, so long ago, but some of the Lou he’d ridden with had disappeared. He blamed that on Andrew, and all he’d done to her.

Tonight she’d braided ribbons a shade lighter than her midnight blue dress into her hair. The sweetheart neckline softened her growing bosom, but didn’t hide her swelling middle as much as she’d have liked it to. They were three months from having the precious bundle, but at times, it felt like it would never happen.

"Everybody ready?" he asked.

Lou smiled at the man who’d won her heart so long ago. "Ready as we’re ever gonna be!"

"Mommy, mommy," Jordan yelled, bringing both parents’ attention to him, in his little hand, a Sheriff’s badge. "Put on my Uncle Jimmy badge!"

Sometimes, to Kid, it seemed Jordan looked up to Jimmy more than him. Jordan turned to Kid, a brilliant smile on his face, making his brown eyes twinkle. He reminded him of Lou.

"Just like your Uncle Jimmy badge, daddy," he announced walking to Kid’s side.

Kid felt Jordan’s tiny hand in his. All the doubts he had of the little boy’s admiration, melted away as he looked at their reflection in the mirror.

"Why, you two are the most handsome men I’ve ever seen," Lou said, admiring her husband and son. "Whad’dya say we get a move on?"

In moments, the three were in the wagon, headed for town.

Claire stood in the shadows of her hotel room. Her dress was new, but she didn’t feel pretty. It didn’t matter, really. She had a job to do and her feeling pretty wasn’t part of it.

She stared at the reflection in the mirror. Chestnut spirals were secured with a simple black barrette. The plum dress accented her hazel eyes, that part she liked. Around her slender neck was a gold chain and cross. It was a present from someone she’d left, long ago.

Claire felt her heart sink as she remembered the look in his eyes when he’d found her gone, only months after their wedding. She watched from the trees that lined their property as he hunted for her. She saw him sit on the porch, crying her name. In his hand, the note she’d left, on the dresser, which said only four words: Good bye, love Claire. She’d wanted to tell him so much more, but he didn’t need to know that. That was the last she’d seen of Josiah Bidwell. That was a different time, a different place.

Claire brought her thoughts to the present, wiping away the tear that had begun its trip down her lightly rouged cheek.

"All right, Claire Dumont," she said to her reflection. "Time for you to do your job, collect the money, and get the hell outta here."

Sheriff Hickok stood against the wall of his office, watching the festivities from afar. He wasn’t one for dancing, never was, and never would be, unless, of course, Lou asked him. Well, in that respect, he couldn’t refuse Elizabeth Cross, whom he watched now. She was beautiful. She had Buck’s black hair and tanned skin, and Nicky’s piercing green eyes. Lizzie, as he nicknamed her, would be turning thirteen in just a few weeks. Jimmy smiled to himself as he remembered holding her the night she was born.

"Penny for your thoughts," Lou said, bringing his thoughts back to the present.

He looked at the woman who’d become his best friend, long ago. She still held a beauty he couldn’t describe.

"You wouldn’t have enough penny’s!" he whispered in her ear as they embraced.

Lou smiled shyly. "I’d listen for free."

Jimmy went to reply, but was tackled in the knees by Jordan. "How’s my favorite law man?" he asked lifting up the boy.

"He’s fine, ain’t ya?" Kid replied, tickling Jordan’s ribs, causing the boy to squeal with delight.

"Sure sounds fine!" Jimmy laughed. "You done gone an’ made me deaf, boy!"

Jordan laughed as Jimmy lifted him high in the air. Kid wondered if Jimmy would ever settle down. Over the years he’d been back, he watched him with Jordan and Buck’s son, James. He’d make a good father, maybe even a good husband, if he could just show the side of him that he kept hidden the most. The side who cried at Teaspoon’s funeral. The one who brought Lou a bouquet of wildflowers when she’d lost their baby two years ago. Someday, he thought. Someday he’d find a woman that would love him for who he was, just like he had.

"Kid," Lou said. "Did you hear a word I said?"

He stared at her blankly. "What?"

Lou smiled and shook her head. "Must be somethin’ in the water ‘round here. First Jimmy, now you!"

"I’m sorry, sweetie," Kid apologized. "What did you say?"

"I said," she began again, ignoring the snickering that was coming from Jimmy. "We should go say hello to the others."

Kid looked over to Jimmy who was trying to hide his smile. "Sure. C’mon, Jordan, Uncle Jimmy has to get something else on his mind, other than me an’ your ma."

"I don’t know, Kid. I sorta like…"

Jimmy stopped in mid thought, his brown eyes fixed on a figure in the crowd.

"What is it, Jimmy?" Lou asked, trying to see who he was looking at.

"Lou, get inside and lock the door," he instructed handing her Jordan. "Kid, come with me."

"What’s…" Lou persisted.

Kid caught who Jimmy was looking at. "Do as he says, Lou."

Trouble had returned to Sweetwater.

She’d tried to get away from him. Even tried to catch Cody’s eyes as soon as she saw him. No luck. He’d cornered her, and now she was walking towards the livery stable. Not a good thing, she was definitely in trouble.

"What’s your problem?" Nicky asked as Andrew threw her to the ground.

"My problem?" he laughed. "You double crossed me."

"Double crossed you?" She asked. Why didn’t she bring her knife? Who’d have thought she’d need it at a church social? "It was more like I turned you in, Andrew!" She corrected him as she got to her feet.

"You’re gonna pay for what you did!"

She had nowhere to go. The walls of the stall were empty, and she was in the corner. She could probably out-maneuver him, but running in the dress she’d worn was out of the question.

Everything seemed to happen slowly, as if she was watching it from afar. A shot rang out, but Nicky never saw Andrew pull his gun. Pain seared through her body, telling her she was hit. Another shot rang out in the night followed by shouts. It all happened as if it was a dream, but the darkness that pulled her under was all too real.

Lou paced the floor of Jimmy’s office, holding Jordan close.

"Mommy," he cried as the shots rang out, sending everyone scurrying in all directions.

"Ssshh," she whispered, her voice calm and soothing. "Everything’s gonna be all right."

In her mind, she envisioned Kid lying bloody on the street. There was nothing she could do locked inside the office. She wouldn’t let it happen again, not this way.

"Daddy’s gonna be just fine," she whispered, assuring herself more than the sobbing child in her arms.

In the pit of her stomach, Lou knew who Jimmy had seen, but she refused to believe it. Surely, Kid or Jimmy would’ve known if Andrew had escaped. Why wouldn’t they have told her? Damn them for always wanting to protect her. They treated her like a child, and all she wanted was for them to treat her like they used to.

"Lou," Jimmy’s voice echoed off the walls as he let himself in.

There was blood on his tan shirt, some on his left hand. His eyes didn’t hold fear, but a fire that had been there a long time ago.

"C’mon," he said, not waiting for her to reply. How could he tell her that the man that tortured her, changed her, had returned?

"Jimmy," she said quietly as they walked quickly down the street. "What the hell’s goin’ on?"

"Don’t ask."

Lou stopped dead in her tracks. "Jimmy, I asked you a question!" She hated it when he acted like this. Just when she was sure that he had lost the cockiness that he used to have, it came right back.

He sighed, looking up at the stars in the sky. She always did this to him. Why couldn’t she just do as he asked, just once? Slowly, he turned to face her. "Lou," he began. "Just come with me."

"Why? Where’s Kid?"

"With Nicky at Doc’s…"

"Is he…"

With those two simple words, he realized he’d been giving her the wrong idea. "He’s fine, Lou. Just come with me an’ see for yourself."

Without another word, Lou was walking after Jimmy. Jordan was quiet, causing Jimmy to look back. His brown eyes were wide with fear, even though Lou held him close.

"You okay there, Marshal?" he asked the little boy.

Jordan simply put his head on Lou’s shoulder, out of Jimmy’s view. His little right hand found Lou’s hair and he began wrapping a lock of it around his finger. Jimmy tried to remember if he’d ever done that. Other memories began to flood his mind. As he pushed them away, they walked into Doc’s office. Kid sat in a chair, waiting to hear about Nicky.

"What’s goin’ on?" Jimmy asked.

Lou joined Kid, relief on her face. Now she feared for Nicky.

"I don’t know," Kid confessed. "Buck’s in there with her. Cody took Lizzy an’ James home. Doc hasn’t said anything yet."

Lou hated being in the dark. ‘What happened?"

Jimmy and Kid exchanged glances, knowing that Lou needed to know what had happened. Neither of them wanted to work her up.

"Look," she said, her brown eyes darting from Jimmy to Kid. "Stop treatin’ me like I’m a baby. Both of you know me! I can take whatever it is you’re gonna tell me."

"Fine," Kid began. "Andrew was here. We’re guessin’ he wanted some sort of revenge, cause he went after Nicky. By the time we got there, he’d shot her. There was another shot, but not by me or Jimmy," he looked at the ground, hating the words he had to say next. "Lou, Andrew got away."

Lou allowed herself to feel the fear that washed over her. "He’ll be back, y’know."

Jimmy agreed. "Yeah, we’re gonna watch for him, Lou."

"I think you an’ Jordan should stay…" Kid started to say, bracing himself for her wrath.

All the fear from before, Lou had pushed away, turning it into determination. "I will not allow Andrew to drive me from my own home."

Before anyone could argue, Buck joined them. His brown eyes were consumed with a fire none of them had seen in a while. When he spoke, they could hear the anger he tried to hide.

"She’s gonna be fine," he reported looking at each of them. "Bullet went clean through her shoulder. Doc wants her off her feet for a coupla days…"

"Mister Cross," the doctor called from the other room. "May I see you, please?"

Buck left the others to think about the situation they were all in. Just like in the past, one event effected all of their lives. They were all put in Sweetwater again for a reason: to become the family they were in the past.

The hotel room was dark and humid. The wind stirred the whit lace curtains, carrying with it the scent of rain. Claire sat, wide eyed, on the bed, staring out the window. Her mind replayed the shooting over and over. The look of fear in the woman’s eyes, her body lying lifeless in the hay.

What had she done? Was the woman dead? No money was this important! A knock on the door brought her back to the present.

"Who is it?"

"Just open the door, Claire," the man replied from the other side.

After a few moments, she opened it. Andrew stood in the door way, his blue eyes angry. She knew he’d be mad, but she did what she thought she was being paid for.

"What the hell were you thinking? I thought you knew better than that."

Claire closed the door behind him. She’d met Andrew only two months ago, and agreed to help him. He’d told her that his wife had cheated on him and so he’d left her, only to be put in jail for something he didn’t do. She wasn’t that stupid. She was sure there was truth in his story somewhere, but she wasn’t sure. All she wanted was the money.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"What would you like me to say?" Claire fumed. "It wasn’t like you weren’t gonna shoot her! Besides, you shot at me afterwards!"

Andrew pulled her towards him by her arm. "I run the show!"

"I was doin what I thought you hired me to do!" She explained. "Now let go of me."

Andrew stared deeply into her eyes. Finally, he let go. "I hired you to get the kid, and that’s all," he reminded her. "The rest is my business, and keep out of it."

Claire didn’t say a word. She knew her role, and she’d play it well. As he left, she prayed she’d find Andrew’s son, and get this part of her live behind her.

Lou was up before sunrise. Sleep was a stranger to her these days, unless it was the middle of the day. The events of the previous night ran through her head. She knew it was just a matter of time before Andrew returned.

She vowed to herself that she wouldn’t let Andrew take what she’d worked so hard to regain. She’d given up most of her life to him, and wouldn’t give him anymore.

The sun was just beginning to come up. The pale blue sky held pink, red and orange hues, as the sun burned off the mild morning fog. There were no clouds in the sky, giving the promise of yet another warm Sweetwater day. Everything was perfect, giving her a feeling of insecurity. Something was going to happen, always did. It wouldn’t be her life if it didn’t!

"Lou," Kid’s voice brought her attention to the door. "You okay?"

"Mhmm," she replied. "I couldn’t sleep."

She looked at Kid and smiled to herself. His hair was messed from sleep, his eyes were still tired. Every day she spent with him, was another day she was happy. His face was rough with stubble, giving him a rugged look. Secretly, she liked it.

"You gonna be okay today?" he asked sitting down next to her.

Lou took his hand in hers. "I’m gonna be fine," she assured him and put her head on his shoulder.

"I’m only a few feet away," he reminded her.

She looked up into his brown eyes. "I’m going to be just fine. Stop worrying!"

Kid smiled. "How can I do that?"

"Guess you’re just gonna hafta force yourself!" she teased. "I’ve gotta get ready for work."

He watched her go inside, amazed at her confidence. Granted, he’d known Lou for a long time, but not a day went by that she didn’t surprise him. He loved her more than life, and the child she carried inside her was the most precious gift she could give him.

"You gonna sit there all day or what?" Lou yelled, walking past the door.

"I’m comin’!" He shouted back.

So another day begins!

Jimmy burst into the office, a grin planted upon his face.

"What’re you so happy about?" Kid asked.

Jimmy sat down with a sigh. He put his feet up on the desk, and pushed his hat back from his eyes. "Kid, I’m in love!"

Kid laughed. How many times had he heard that before?

"Don’t laugh, Kid," Jimmy scolded. "She’s the one."

"Who is it this week?"

He ignored the comment. "She’s got these eyes that I lose myself in, and this hair that’s simply perfect. Don’t even get me started about her eyelashes. Kid, she’s perfect, and so beautiful!"

"She’s got a name don’t she?"

Jimmy’s smile disappeared. "You think I don’t know it, don’t you?"

It was Kid’s turn to grin. "Well, do you?"

Jimmy furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

"Don’t hurt yourself, Jimmy," Kid teased. "I believe ya."

He went to answer, but Lou walked in.

"Though you boys might be hungry," she announced, placing a basket of muffins of the desk.

"Thanks, honey," Kid said, kissing her.

She looked over at Jimmy, who was obviously still thinking. "What’s with him?"

Kid laughed. "He met a woman, fell in love, and can’t remember her name."

Jimmy jumped up from his chair. "Claire!" he shouted. "Her name is Claire."

"Must’ve been very special if it took you that long to remember her name," Lou teased. "Here, have a muffin."

"You make ‘em?" Jimmy asked.

"No," she replied, backhanding his arm. "Lizzie brought them this morning when she came to watch Jordan."

"Then I’ll take one."

Lou shook her head. "I’ve gotta get goin’," she said, kissing kid good bye. "See ya at supper."

"Bye, Lou," Jimmy said. "Thanks for the muffins."

She stopped at the door. "Jimmy," she began, turning to face them again. "Why don’cha come for supper? Bring along your lady friend."

Jimmy smiled. Finally, someone took him serious. "I’ll be there."

"Fine," she replied, grinning. "Remember, her name is Claire!"

"Good bye, Lou!" He shouted over her.

Elizabeth had just put Jordan down for his nap when Lou came home.

"You’re home early," she said, picking up toys that had been strewn about.

"Jimmy’s comin’ over with his latest lady friend," Lou explained. "Since I’m slow at doin’ stuff lately, I thought I’d get right home. How’s your ma?"

A sparkle appeared in her green eyes, as she tried to hide a smile. "She’s fine."

"Elizabeth Cross," Lou scolded. "What are you hidin’ from me?"

"Nothin’," she lied, returning to the toys on the floor.

"Lizzie, you wouldn’t lie to me would you?"

She’d always told her Aunt Lou everything. She was the one person who really understood her, but she’d promised her father.

"I can’t say anything, Aunt Lou," she confessed. "I promised my dad."

A promise to Buck was a promise. If Elizabeth even hinted at what was going on at her home, Buck would never forgive her.

"Enough said," Lou let her off the hook. "I know what it’s like to make a promise to your father."

Elizabeth was relieved. She hated keeping secrets, especially when she knew everyone would really be happy if they knew.

"You’re ma needs you, Lizzie," Lou dismissed her. "Why don’t you go on home now?"

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked, putting the toys in the toy box.

"Yes, go!" She said, hugging the girl she loved as her own. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Aunt Lou."

Lou smiled as the girl practically ran to the barn, her black hair flying behind her. Lou waited until she emerged from inside the barn with Ebony, Raven’s offspring. The girl waved and rode, bareback, towards her home. Buck had confided in Lou on more than one occasion how proud he was of Elizabeth. Of how she was interested in her Kiowa roots, and he was more than happy to share all he knew.

The sun began to move towards the west. Kid and Jimmy would be home for supper soon. It wasn’t anything special: stew, biscuits, and an apple pie that Lizzie had brought with the muffins in the morning. For now, she sat on the porch, sipping an iced tea. The child inside her moved as she swayed in the swing. Lou closed her eyes, a cool, rain scented breeze relaxing her.

Lou allowed herself to drift off and begin to dream. She held in her arms a small child, happy and healthy. She was smiling, and Kid was at her side. Suddenly, Kid became Andrew, and he’d stolen the child from her. No matter how fast Lou ran, she wasn’t able to catch him. A clap of thunder awoke her. It had begun to rain, finally. She pushed the last remnants of the dream from her mind and went inside.

"Hi, mamma," Jordan greeted from his bed, as she walked into his room.

"Well," Lou said, lifting him up into her arms. "Hello sleepy head."

Jordan hugged her. He was still warm from sleeping. Lou loved this time with him the most. He was cuddly, and enjoyed being held. Sometimes she wished he’d never grow up.

"Where’s daddy?" he asked, his brown eyes looking into hers.

"He’ll be home soon," she answered, washing his face. "And Uncle Jimmy’s comin’ for supper."

At the mention of Jimmy’s name, Jordan’s eyes lit up. "Uncle Jimmy?"

Lou couldn’t help but smile. "Yep."

Jordan tried to sit still while Lou brushed his hair. She could tell that as soon as she left the room, he would begin to run around. He’d probably make one of his famous messes in the process. Just what she needed with company coming over!

"Now," she began, turning him to face her. "No runnin’. I want you to draw daddy a picture, okay?"

"And Uncle Jimmy?"

She nodded. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his Uncle Jimmy. "Yes, you can draw one for Uncle Jimmy too."

She went back into the kitchen, after changing Jordan’s clothes. A few minutes later, Kid came home.

"Supper smells great," he said, pulling her to him. "So do you."

All of Lou’s worries from the night before seemed to melt with his kisses.

"Why, thank you," she said. It was nice to be able to hold your husband because you loved him, and not because you’d fallen into his arms, bloody and unconscious.

"All right, you two!" Jimmy said, walking up the steps. "There’s children in the house!"

A woman’s giggle caused Kid to turn around. He couldn’t believe his eyes. His past had returned, and just walked right through his front door.

"Kid, Lou, I'd like you too meet Miss Dumont," Jimmy announced proudly.

"It’s nice to meet you," Lou said, extending her hand.

"Nice to meet you too," she replied. "But, please, call me Claire."

Kid took her hand. "Nice to meet you, Claire."

The name sounded strange coming from his lips. Did she remember him? It was so long ago, but he definitely remembered her. It’s hard to forget the first person to break your heart. He looked into hazel eyes that used to look into his. She knew him.

"And you, Kid," she replied. His name was foreign to her, but his face wasn’t. "Have we met before?"

Lou turned to her husband, waiting for his answer.

Kid hesitated. Did he want to reveal the part of him that he’d kept hidden all these years?

"Kid?" Lou pressured him. Why was it taking him so long to answer? How did he know this woman?

"Why don’t we go sit down…"

Jimmy looked from Claire to Kid. "Claire, you know Kid?"

She’d come face to face with the man she’d left behind. The story she vowed to take the grave was about to be revealed, only because it would help her cause.

"Well, not Kid," she began. "But I do know you," she directed her attention to Kid.

From behind Kid, Jordan ran. "Uncle Jimmy!" he shouted, tackling his knees.

"Hey there!" He said picking him up. "I didn’t know you were up."

Jordan smiled proudly. "I took a nap!"

Claire shifted uneasily. She was bout to ruin the little boy’s life, and somehow, she didn’t care.

"Why don’t you," Jimmy said softly. "Go an draw me a picture or two, while your daddy an me have a talk." Jimmy’s brown eyes glared at Kid.

Jordan hugged Jimmy and he put him down. "Okay," he said and ran for the bedroom.

Kid watched the boy he loved as his own as he left. His heart sank as he realized that it could be the last time he saw him.

"Let’s sit down," Kid said, heading for the kitchen, out of Jordan’s earshot.

"So, what do you have to say, Kid?" Jimmy asked as they sat down.

He took a deep breath. "My name is really Josiah Duncan Bidwell…"

"You couldn’t tell me this?" Lou interrupted.

"Lou," he said, wanting only to get through this night. "Please, let me finish."

Lou looked from Kid to Claire. She knew there was more, but she was afraid to hear it. "Fine," she simply said, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"It was a long time ago, and I was just a kid," he began. "My father arranged for Claire and I go be married," he paused, knowing that Lou probably had a million questions that he couldn’t answer. "My father owned a horse farm. Jed and I had everything we ever wanted. I didn’t care about the family business. All I wanted was to be myself, not my father’s son…"

"Get to the point, K…Josiah," Jimmy said, uncomfortable with the name he had said.

"I married Claire," he admitted. "Okay? Now you know. That’s my past!"

Claire laughed. "Wow! You sure did leave some holes, Josiah."

How could she come back after all these years? How did she find him? More than that, why did she come back? How could she try to destroy the life he’d tried so hard to get with the life he’d tried so hard to leave behind?

"Let’s see, Claire," he fumed. "What did I forget? Was it the way you left me? Maybe it was the way I could never make you or my father happy? How bout the night’s I stayed up waiting for you to never come home?" He’d never been so mad in his life. Josiah Bidwell was someone he never wanted to be ever again. Now he had to justify his existence to his wife and his best friend. "What part of my past would you like to share, Claire?"

Claire’s hazel eyes shifted nervously between Kid and Jimmy. "Look, Josiah…"

"The name’s Kid," he corrected.

"Fine," Claire continued. "I don’t know why you felt the need to change who you are. What we had was special, something you can’t find everyday…"

"That’s not what you thought," Kid said loud enough for Claire to hear.

Claire turned to him, instead of focusing on the table. "We were forced to love each other…" she contradicted herself.

Kid stood up angrily, sending his chair sailing across the floor. "I never had to be forced into loving you," he said, trying to control his anger. "I loved you, Claire! Is that what you wanted Lou and Jimmy to hear? Does that make you happy?"

He’d had enough. Without waiting for an answer, he walked out into the summer night. What he did was wrong, and he’d be the first one to admit it, but it still didn’t answer why Claire had come back. He had…no, Josiah had loved Claire more than life itself. He changed his name, ignored his past and left, the same as Claire had left him. Only Jed knew where he was, and he’d promised to keep it a secret. Kid had promised himself that he would never love another woman as much as he’d loved Claire. His heart would remain his, and no woman would ever touch it again. Then he met Lou. For so long, he’d hidden his love from her. Even when they’d both agreed to go their separate ways, she still had his heart.

The hurt in her eyes tore at his heart. Never had he meant to hurt her. She was his whole world, and without her, he was lost.

He rode hard and fast through the night, as tears fell from his eyes. He wasn’t heading anywhere, he was just trying to get away from the image of Lou’s face. She’d trusted him with her secret, why the hell didn’t he trust her with his? They’d work through this, even though he half expected his clothes to be on the porch the next time he got home.

Kid didn’t hear the shots that rang out in the night. Another shot, and he was on the muddy ground, a searing pain in his side. Blood began to soak through his shirt. He finally came to rest near the trees. The shooting stopped, and the pain disappeared. He stared into the blackness of the night, an eerie peace consuming him. For the first time in a long time, he was scared. Scared to close his eyes and never wake up again. Scared that he’d never see his child, but even more than that, he was afraid he’d never hold Lou again. Her face was the last thing he saw, before the darkness embraced him.

Jimmy ran his hands through his hair. What had he done? He should’ve never brought Claire over for supper.

Lou watched her friend as he stared out the window. The rain had passed, leaving the full moon’s silvery light to cover the land.

"It’s not your fault, Jimmy," Lou comforted him. "He should’ve told us. We trusted him."

Jimmy knew Claire was the one who should be feeling the way he felt. Fortunately for her, she left shortly after Kid.

"I brought her here, Lou…"

"That’s all you did. You brought your friend over for supper," Lou explained. "I’m gonna be fine, Jimmy. You can go home now."

He knew Lou was politely throwing him out. "You sure?"

Lou smiled. "Yes."

As Jimmy went to reply, a frantic knock came at the door.

"What the hell!" Jimmy said, nearly jumping out of his skin. "You expectin’ anyone?"

Lou shook her head, causing Jimmy to draw his gun before he opened the door.

"Buck," he greeted his friend, promptly holstering the gun. There was a look of fear in Buck’s brown eyes. A look that he hadn’t seen in some time. "What’s wrong?"

Buck tried to catch his breath as he began. "There were shots fired, not far from my place. I went to check it out…"

"Take a deep breath, Buck," Lou ordered. "You’re breathin’ so hard, I can hardly understand you!"

"It’s Kid, Lou," he told them. His heart broke as he looked into her eyes. His entire life, he’d silently sworn to protect their small friend, and now he was breaking her heart.

"How?" she asked, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Two kids," he reported, turning to Jimmy. "They were pretty drunk, and had taken to shooting at things. I brought them to the deputy, after I brought Kid to Doc’s."

Lou took a step towards Buck. "Is he…"

Buck took her hands in his. "He’s pretty bad, Lou."

"I’m going to him," she said turning to get Jordan.

Standing in the doorway, Jordan stared at the three adults he trusted with his life. He had tears on his cheeks, and his brown eyes reflected Lou’s sadness. How long had he been there? How much had he heard? How much did he understand?

"C’mon, Jordan," Buck said, lifting the boy into his arms. He felt Jordan’s hand in his hair, as he began to twirl it around his finger. "You’re gonna come by my house, okay?"

The boy nodded and placed his head on Buck’s shoulder. James and Elizabeth were too old to hold like this, but in seven months, he’d be holding his new baby. He wanted to tell his friends, but now wasn’t the time. They all had other things on their minds.

Kid lay in a bed in a quiet upstairs room. Doc had told them that he’d hopefully recover, but he still hadn’t regained consciousness. The bullet had lodged itself in the ribcage. No damage was done to his lungs, but he’d lost a lot of blood. Only time would tell.

Lou looked at her husband. His pale face looked so peaceful, as if he were sleeping. She sat down, taking his hand in hers. "I love you, y’know," she whispered, tracing his forehead with her fingertips. "Whether your Josiah, or Kid, my heart will always belong to you. Nothing will ever change that."

She stopped long enough to dry her tears. She prayed Kid could hear her, and that he’d return to her soon. "When you left Rock Creek, all those years ago, I missed you terribly. I knew that letting you go was the right thing to do. If we were meant to be, then fate would bring us back together. When I saw you that day, in the doorway of the schoolhouse, I knew my life was gonna change. I knew I still loved you, and I could tell by how nervous you were, that you still loved me. Hell, Kid, you looked as nervous then as ya did the first time we made love."

Again she stopped, hoping against hope that he’d open his eyes. "The way you held me, you were strong and gentle at the same time. The way your eyes were so filled with love and trust. I trusted you with a secret one day long ago, but I also trusted you with my heart that very same day. Only you didn’t know that. No one did, except for me an’ my ma. She came to me in a dream once. She was so beautiful, Kid, all dressed in white, surrounded by this soft light. Her hair seemed to shimmer, but it was so soft, just like I remembered it. She told me that you were gonna come back to me, that we were meant to be. She told me I’d only be happy with you, and I believe her, Kid, I really do."

She paused, waiting for some sort of sign from him. None came. "I’m gonna be waitin’ here for you, Mister Josiah Duncan Bidwell," she said, kissing his lips. With a smile, she whispered in his ear, "I like callin’ ya Kid better."

The sun had risen and set on another summer day. Jimmy had spent the day running between Doc’s and trying to find Claire. She seemed to have fallen of f the face of the earth. He’d deputized Cody until Kid was able to work again.

"Just like old times, huh, Jimmy?" Cody asked as Jimmy walked into the office.

"What the hell are you still doin’ here?" Jimmy asked. "I thought you’d be over at the saloon by now!"

Cody’s blue eyes met his friends’. They held no sparkle, no fire. "Don’t really feel like it."

"I know how you feel, Cody."

The two had formed a bond since Cody had returned to Sweetwater. They still fought, especially since Cody still found it easy to put his foot in his mouth. They’d rekindled the friendship they used to have and both finally realized what everyone had always known: they were more alike than either cared to admit.

"I’m gonna ride out to Buck’s," Cody finally announced. "See how Jordan’s doin’."

"Mind some company?"

Cody smiled. "That depends upon whose company your referring to."

Jimmy shook his head. "Let’s go, Cody."

The ride to Buck’s was as it usually was, short and sweet. There was no moon in the night sky. Dark clouds on the horizon promised rain again.

"Cody," Jimmy said as they neared the house. His brown eyes stared at the farmhouse in front of them. "Somethin’ ain’t right."

He’d felt it before Jimmy had said anything. Something wasn’t right. Usually, by this time of the day, Lizzie was outside taking the clothes off the line, but they still hung where Nicky had put them. Buck should’ve been tending the barn, and Nicky was usually busy inside the house. There was no one around, anywhere.

"Well, sheriff," Cody whispered as he dismounted. "What say we go on in for a visit?"

Jimmy’s brown eyes narrowed. "I’d say they look like they could use some company."

Cody went around back as Jimmy peeked inside. Buck and Nicky were tied to the chairs they sat on, both bound and gagged. The children were gone, or at least they couldn’t be seen. Obvious signs of a struggle littered the house.

Finally, Jimmy burst in the front door. "What the hell’s goin’ on?" He asked, cutting them free.

"They got the kids…" Nicky replied, jumping up from her chair as soon as she was freed. Blood from a gash on her forehead ran into her left eye, but she ignored it.

"Nick!" Buck shouted as she walked out the door. "Damned fool woman!"

Cody came from the back of the house. "Tracks out back look like they lead towards Lou’s."

"How long ago did they leave?" Jimmy asked.

"Three, maybe four minutes ago," Buck informed them. "It was Andrew and a woman."

Jimmy mounted his horse, then looked down at Buck. "Hazel eyes, brown hair, real pretty?"

Buck nodded, and mounted his own horse. How could he know one of his assailants? "She wanted or somethin’?"

"She was," he confessed, leaving out the fact that he was the one who wanted her.

The four rode hard and fast to Lou’s house. Jimmy silently blamed himself for bringing all of this down upon his friends. The house was suddenly directly in front of them. Two horses were secured outside, and Jordan’s cries could be heard. They were muffled, but distinctly his.

"All right," Jimmy said as they secured their horses behind the house. "We’ve done this before, we’ll do it again."

"No shootin’ you guys!" Nicky informed. "Those kids have been through enough all ready."

"Nicky…" Cody began, only to be stopped by her piercing green eyes.

It was Nicky who gave in. "Fine," she reconsidered. "No shooting, unless you have to." She trusted their aim, but not their trigger fingers.

"Where are you goin’?" Buck asked as she began to walk to the back of the house.

She turned back, her brow furrowed. "Usual drill! Me an’ Cody take the back, you an Jimmy…"

Buck shook his head. "Not this time."

Jimmy and Cody looked at each other, obviously confused.

"Look," Cody interrupted. "We ain’t got time to argue!"

Nicky took that as her cue to head for the back. Cody began after her, only to have Buck grab his arm.

"Damn it, Buck! What?"

Buck’s brown eyes became dark and serious. "Watch her."

Cody rolled his eyes. "She’s a girl, Buck, but she’s a good shot…:"

"She’s pregnant, Cody!"

His eyes twinkled as a smile burst across his face. "I’ll congratulate you later!"

Jimmy and Buck settled in on either side of the door. Buck relayed to Jimmy that Andrew was on his side, and Claire on Jimmy’s. On the count of three, Buck burst through the door, his gun trained on Andrew.

"Lizzie," Buck shouted. His heart stopped until he saw her emerge slowly from Jordan’s room. He could tell she was going to burst into tears at any minute. "Honey, I need you to get James and Jordan outside."

She nodded, afraid that if she went to say anything, she’d begin to cry. She knew she couldn’t show any fear or the boys would be scared.

Cody and Nicky came from the back, guns drawn. Nicky looked into Buck’s eyes, and knew the children were fine. The four of them relaxed slightly, giving Andrew an opening. In one fluid motion, he snatched the gun from Claire’s holster, and fired at Cody. Out of instinct, Nicky shoved Cody out of the way. Another shot rang out and Andrew fell to the floor.

"Nicky," Buck shouted, seeing her motionless on top of Cody. When he got close enough, he saw blood on the front of her white shirt.

"She okay?" Jimmy yelled as he kept his gun trained on Claire. No one answered, which chilled him to the bone. "Somebody answer me!"

"Would somebody please, get me off Cody!" Nicky said, happy to be breathing. "Poor guy’s gonna suffocate!"

Jimmy laughed. "That’s the closest Cody’s had to havin’ a woman in a long time!"

"Shut up, Hickok!" Cody said getting up, and turning to Nicky. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Just a flesh wound."

"You’re lucky none of my friends here got killed," Jimmy told Claire.

"Did Jos…Kid come home last night?"

Jimmy narrowed his brown eyes. "Nope," he answered flatly. "Because of you, he got shot last night."

Claire couldn’t hide the hurt in her eyes. "He should’ve been honest with you…"

"Lady, as far as I’m concerned, he was."

Lou lay in a bed next to her husband. She’d watched him for two days, and today she was exhausted. She slept most of the day, and now, she watched him again. Lou had tried, so many times, to will him into opening his eyes. Now she just held his hand.

"I love you, Kid," she whispered. Letting go of his hand, she rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. "I can’t imagine my life without you. When I was with Andrew, not a day went by that I didn’t dream of what I used to have. Y’know, you were the whole reason I went back to Sweetwater. I was afraid if I left, you’d never find me again. Then what would I do?"

"You could’ve found me," Kid whispered from her left.

Lou was afraid to move. What if she’d only fallen asleep? What if it was all a dream? "Kid?" she said his name unbelievingly. She looked over to him, her eyes meeting his. He looked so sad. She walked to his side. "You’re awake."

He carefully moved over for her to sit next to him. "Lou, I have to apologize to you…"

She put her fingers to his lips. "I love you. It doesn’t matter if your name is Josiah or Kid. I don’t care if you have tons of money, or none at all. Your past is yours, and if you want me to know about it, I’ll listen, but it doesn’t matter."

Kid wiped away the tears that fell from Lou’s eyes. "I thought for sure you’d throw me out."

Lou shook her head and managed a smile. "How could I? You’re my sun and my moon. You’re the air I breathe, and the tears I cry. You’re my heart and soul, Kid. You’re my entire world."

He sat up, and pulled her close, ignoring the pain that ravaged through him. "I’m so sorry, Lou," he said crying tears of his own. "You’re my wife, Lou. I took that trust we have, and I betrayed you. I kept things from you that I should’ve told you."

"That doesn’t matter, anymore," she assured him. "What matters is that you’re all right, and that we’re together."

The air had begun to turn cool. The heat of summer had been lifted seemingly overnight. On that same day, Lou gave birth to Rose Marie. She had her father’s hair, and Lou’s soulful brown eyes. Buck dubbed her Little Dove, and at the mention of that name, Rose smiled and let out a delighted squeal.

Andrew died the day Jimmy had shot him. He wouldn’t admit the fact that he was the first man he’d killed without regret. There was no remorse when he pulled the trigger, only the question: Why? Why did he wait so long to do it? Finally, Kid and Lou could go on with their lives without worry.

Claire Dumont disappeared on her way to trial. One story tells of how a careless guard fell asleep and she got away. A more trusted source told of how a man knocked out her guards and took her. One of the guards told the Marshall that the man had worn a sheriff’s badge. None of the stories were proven.

All was right in Sweetwater again. Well, at least for today!

Authors note: Thank you to: Joanna for the name Josiah, Stacie for inspiring me to use Duncan, and for Cass who suggested Bidwell. Also this story and all the stories I write, are dedicated to B.J. & Nicky, my "Young Riders" in the sky!