"Come in Thomas. I'm here in the sitting room. The doctor said I can sit up in a chair for a while. Oh, hello Miss Stevens. It's nice to see you, too. Matthew isn't here. He's down the road at the Johnsen's. He'll be back in a little while." Mrs. Hall looked very well and pleased to see Thomas. "Come here and tell me what is going on in the city today. Did the Kleepers make it to the ....?"

Since it seemed that Thomas and Mrs. Hall needed to discuss the daily news, Louise excused herself and left the house. It was a beautiful late April day and she decided to see the country. The winter around Laramie had been quite severe but the spring chased away the snow and mud leaving the weather warm and balmy.

Louise sat on a stump and listened to the sounds of the woods and the sounds of spring. Oh, how peaceful. "I'd like to live in a place like this. Peace and quiet. A slow life. No violence, only peace." Her mind began to wander.

She turned her head and listened to a noise rustling a short ways away. Was there a wild animal? Or was someone out there? Her imagination presented many dangers but the sound kept getting closer. She watched in the direction of the sound.

Soon a little toddler came walking out of the woods. He looked very small, almost too small to be walking and definitely too little to be in the woods by himself.

"Hello," Louise said quietly. "Would you like to talk to me?" She tried to get his attention without scaring him. He was cute and in a way reminded her of someone she knew, but couldn't place who.

He studied the lady talking to him. She seemed to be nice. Ella was nice too but she didn't have time to talk to him any more. Cautiously he approached the lady on the stump. He liked her smile and her soft voice. When he was a few feet away she asked him softly, "May I hold you? My name is Louise."

It would be nice to be held by a lady like Emma was again. This lady reminded him of Mother Emma, so he slowly walked to her. He gave her a big smile and held up his arms to her for her to pick him up. She reached down and gently took him and sat him on her lap.

"Do you talk? Can you tell me your name? I like boys." Louise wanted to find out something about this little urchin. She wondered if he was lost. Would someone come to claim him?

He didn't say anything but laid his little head on her and looked up at her face. His eyes were deep blue pools of wonder. He smiled and gurgled, his face lighting up like a shimmering mirror.

"Your face and hair remind me of someone I know but I can't place it. I'd sure like to be your friend. Will someone be looking for you? Are you lost? Stay with me and I'll keep you safe."

He snuggled up to her and closed his eyes. Soon a thumb was in his mouth and he fell fast asleep. "This feels good." She said to herself. The thought of a baby, her baby, swelled in her heart. She tried to bury so deep in her mind the memories of her baby. After a couple of months in the Lakota camp she realized she was going to have a baby. She only cared for him three months before Crazy Goat, the chief that owned her, sold her baby to another tribe. She never saw him again. Lou suddenly wished she never picked up this lost child, the hurt so deep. No tears came to her eyes only the pain of her lost one.

"There he is," screamed a woman's voice. "That lady there is holding him."

"Wait, Ella, let me catch up, Why that's Louise, Thomas's daughter. She won't hurt Jimmy."

The couple entered the clearing and approached the young woman holding the missing child.

"Is he alright?" Ella asked, clearly distraught. The thought of losing her charge was enough to cause her to gasp for her breath.

"Has he been here long, Louise? We just realized that he was gone. He was sleeping and we went in to check on him. He disappeared."

"No not long, Matthew. I heard him walking through the woods. He came up to me and let me hold him. I thought someone would come for him so we stayed here waiting for you."

"He must trust you. Most of the time he cries." Ella added.

Louise looked down at the small child and asked, "How old is he? He seems so small to be walking around so well." She looked up at the couple standing by her. They looked upset, but not for the child, just for the disruption he caused them. She smiled as she realized what they must have been doing, but inside her heart cried. She knew love and the joy of being held close and of kissing. This little boy needed her now. He filled the void that the loss of her son left.

"He's sixteen months now. He doesn't eat very well, kinda sickly most of the time." Ella was quick to explain.

"Have you had him to a doctor to see what's the matter? Kids all need to eat and..."

"That's not his problem." Ella and Matthew sat beside Louise on a log. "Ever since his mother was killed and his pa took after them murderers, the little guy lost his will to live."

"You're not his mother?" Louise was puzzled.

"No, he was left in the care of the family I work for. They went to Cheyanne for a few weeks and they didn't think they should take Jimmy in case Colt, that's his pa, should return. So I took him home."

"This family you work for, they relatives to him?" Lou nodded at the boy.

"No, Colt's a deputy marshall. He worked for Marshall Cain."

"Marshall Sam Cain? You work for Sam and Emma Cain?" Lou felt fear rushing through her heart.

Ella seemed shocked that this stranger knew her employers. "Yes, I'm their governess. Do you know them?"

"I'd met them a long time ago. The marshall has a name that stuck in my head that's all. When will they be getting back?"

"Why, do you want to meet them again? Marshall Cain's about the biggest gun around here. Except when Colt Miller was around, he was faster. Too bad about his wife though. She was running away with a traveling man when the stage was robbed and everyone was murdered. I heard Emma say Colt's got a ghost, a love he lost, that haunts him. That's why his marriage failed."

"No you can't take him. Give him back to me. Come back! Come back!"

"Wake up Louise, wake up. You're having a nightmare. Wake up." Thomas kept shaking the moaning girl until her eyes opened. "You were screaming. Has that terrible nightmare come back again? You haven't been bothered by it in a long time."

"No," she barely whispered. "It was a different one. Something else. Please leave me alone. I don't want to talk about it. Go now." She laid back down on the bed and turned her back to Thomas.

He looked down on her, troubled. "This is not like you at all. What happened to trigger this dream?" Thomas thought to himself. "If you would only talk about it dear you could beat this new devil." He slowly walked back to his own room but turned before he went through the door. He did hear crying, and it was coming from the bed.

The next morning Louise cheerfully joined Thomas as he was eating his breakfast. No mention was made of their middle-of-the-night conversation. He was almost finished but he stayed at the table while she began her meal.

"Louise, could you take me to the department store? I'd like to get a special present for Ruth. She should be able to get out of the house in a couple of days and I thought she would like something new to celebrate. She said it feels like she is a prisoner in her own house. Matthew has been good, but he gets out for a while. She can't wait to leave and go for a ride."

"Sounds like you've got everything worked out. Sure as soon as I dress, we can leave to go get this thing and deliver it to her." She gave him a charming smile.

"What, you want to go to Ruth's house again? Are you and Matthew up to something? Louise be careful where you let your heart go, I don't want to see you hurt."

Louise saw Ella and Jimmy sitting in the garden as they drove by. Her heart leaped. She wanted to jump out of the surrey and run to the boy and hold him tight, but she controlled the urge. Her longing gaze at them did not go unnoticed by Thomas. "Why would she be thrilled by seeing Matthew's girlfriend and that little boy?" He never saw her show interest in children before.

Matthew met them as they drove up to his mother's house. "Mother is waiting to see you. The doctor was by a while ago and well, I better let her tell you. See you later Thomas. Louise, could I talk to you for a minute?">

"Sure, Matthew what's on your mind?"

"You get along so good with Jimmy. Would you spend the day with him? Ella can't go anywhere alone. Her aunt won't watch him. The Cain's should get back next week, but until then would you mind watching him? Now that Ma's better, well I, ah we, ... Oh how do I say this? Ella and I like each other a lot but well the boy, he's in the way. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Matthew was getting flustered.

The cheerful gal beside him said, "Sure. I'd love to take care of him for a week!"

"Come on Jimmy, I've got something for you to try. It will make you grow up strong like your daddy. He sure has a strange name, 'Colt'. See I told you that you would like this drink." Louise, concerned how little the boy ate, saw he was not well. She put together a mixture she learned from the Sioux for ill children. The concoction helped them get their strength back quickly so she had hoped it would do the same for him. The correct herbs were difficult to obtain but fortunately they all grew near streams in the springtime.

The little boy drank the flavored milk concoction and made a disgusting face. He took to Louise and loved to sit on her lap and snuggle up to her. Often he fell asleep in her arms. Her body and soul ached from holding him for an extended time but she didn't protest. Hopefully, the Sioux recipe would give him an appetite and eating more food would give him energy to get strong. Then when his father returned, Jimmy would be solid and full of energy, suffering no ill effects from his abandonment.

Louise kept feeling that she was looking into a familiar face when she stared at Jimmy, but she couldn't place of who he reminded her. She got the same feeling with Thomas but she couldn't place where or who he reminded her of either.

As the week passed, Jimmy seemed to gain strength. She saw little of Ella and Matthew. She hoped they enjoyed their time together. Thomas spent most of his time with Matthew's mother, Ruth who was able to be up but preferred to stay at home. Jimmy stayed with Louise all the time. He slept on a mat in Louise's room at the hotel, but they didn't spend much time there. She often took him to the park or out into the woods to play and explore.

"What will Emma and Sam think when they find out I've been caring for their foster child? What will they think when they find out about me? Well it doesn't help to worry about it. They will either accept me or turn me out. I hope they aren't too hard on Ella, though, but then I doubt if she will stay working in their household much longer. Matthew probably planned her life all out for her anyway." Louise daydreamed as Jimmy slept in the middle of the afternoon. They went to the park early in the morning, ate their dinner there and she laid beside little Jimmy on a blanket. In a short time he fell asleep. He cried little since she cared for him. Either the milk-herb drink or her undivided attention to him kept him satisfied.

"Louise, why are you caring for this child? Do you know him? Is he somehow related to your past? You are becoming too attached to the boy. Ever since you met him at Ruth's, you haven't hardly left him. Aren't you afraid of becoming so devoted that it will be devastating when you give him back?"

"No, Thomas. Jimmy is giving me so much joy now I can't think about the future." Louise put the toddler down for the night and thoroughly relished the role of substitute motherhood.

"But dear, Ruth told me his folks will be back next week. What are you going to do then?" Thomas was very concerned about Louise's obsession with caring for the baby.

"I'm going to talk them into letting me keep him permanently." She turned to leave the room. To her this conversation was over and she wasn't going to let Thomas try to talk her out of it. She wanted to keep Jimmy so bad. He would never replace the son she lost but he would give her another chance to repair her torn heart.

Thomas left the apartment at the same time the next morning but he didn't proceed to Ruth's house immediately. Afraid of the pain Louise would suffer when the child's foster family returned and demanded the boy back, he resolved to do something about the situation. Even if Louise was able to keep the child for the present what would happen when his real father returned? Was he a violent man? Would he be angered that a total stranger now cared for his son?

The Territory Marshall's office sat a short distance from the hotel so Thomas, using his crutches, walked to it. He wanted to find out some information about Jimmy's father. Would someone at the former deputy's office share the knowledge he needed?

"Hello, may I help you?" asked the deputy sitting behind the desk, busy doing some paper work.

"I am looking for some information about a deputy that worked out of this office. Would you be able to help me?" Thomas hoped the direct approach would profit the most information.

"Well, I can try. Who is it you want to know more about?" the deputy replied.

"I don't know much about him. I believe his name is 'Colt' and that his wife was killed last year." Thomas asked hesitantly.

The deputy looked at the crippled man. "Why do you want to know anything about him?"he asked.

"Please believe me. My daughter is caring for his son. I'm only trying to protect her. If he's some kind of wild man, I don't want her caught in the middle of something." Thomas began to doubt Louise's involvement in Jimmy's family.

"I thought Ella Johnsen was watching the kid and I know you're not her father."

"No I'm not her father, but she asked my daughter to care for Jimmy for a while. Louise became very attached to the boy and would like to continue caring for him after the Cains' return. I worry about the reaction of Jimmy's father. I just want to know what kind of man he is." He laid all the cards on the table and waited for the deputy to reply.

Scratching his head, the deputy pondered what to do. He could tell the guy to come back when Sam was in, or he could tell him about Colt."I can understand your concern, sir. What is your name?"

"I am Thomas Stevens. We're staying at the Stahlberg Hotel."

"Well Mr. Stevens, you've got to understand. Some stranger coming in here asking a lot of questions about a deputy gets my suspicions up. Not that Colt Miller has anything to hide. He left to hunt down the murderers of his wife. Colt's always played fair. If your daughter takes good care of the boy I wouldn't worry for her. Besides I don't know if Colt will ever return. When he left he gave the boy to Marshall Cain. No one's heard from him since."

"Thank you. I can rest a lot better knowing what you have told me." Thomas turned to leave but stopped at the door. "Did you say Colt's last name was Miller?"

"Yeah, why? You know him?"

"I doubt it. Do you know where he hailed from before he became a deputy?"

"Sure, he rode for the Pony Express up near Sweetwater. I think he was from some where in the south but he didn't fight in the war." The deputy added.

"Do you know why?"

"Nope, he never talked much about his life before he came here. He knew Marshall Cain back when he was riding with the Pony."

"I enjoyed talking with you, Deputy." Thomas left the office and slowly proceeded back to the hotel, thinking to himself as he walked. "Would he used his mother's name? But the world is full of Millers." He thought about his remaining relative. Jed was killed near Sweetwater, could little Purtus have been there too?

The week was over and Louise knew she would be required to return Jimmy to the Cain's. Every night she prayed that Emma would understand and allow her to continue caring for this little child. She experienced no nightmares the entire week of sharing her room with the toddler. While he napped she would daydream about her child. He would be five now. Lou was sure he inherited Kid's features-blue eyes and light brown hair. Was he learning to be a warrior in some Indian tribe?

A knock at the door brought her back to the present. She sighed as she approached the door. Ella must have come to pick up Jimmy. Oh, it hurt to think she was about to loose him, too. "Ella he's ..."

The opened door revealed not Ella, but Emma. "Oh Emma!" Forgetting her fear of meeting someone from the express day, she rushed to the lady, her only female confident that first year riding with the Pony Express.

"Loulabelle, it is you! I couldn't believe Ella when she told me about you but now, Oh my, all these years. How are you? Where have you been all this time? Why didn't you ever write?"

Louise laughed and hugged her friend. "I'm fine. I didn't know where to look for any of you and I wasn't sure that I wanted to find any one." She looked away from Emma out the window, afraid of the memories.

"But Lou what happened to you? It's been over six year since we heard anything."

"I was held by a band of Lakota up near the Black Hills for over five years, Emma. I don't want to talk about it. What I do want is Jimmy. I want to keep him."

Emma slowly shook her head. "You don't understand. Louise, little Jimmy is Kid's son."

Louise's eyes got wide and her face paled. "Kid's son? Ella said his father's name was Colt. What are you saying? Kid's alive?" Lou stumbled to the chair and sat down, her legs unable to support her any longer. "Kid is alive?" She looked up at Emma, "You're not joking are you? Jimmy is Kid's son. Oh my." Her hands covered her face and she began to cry.

"Lou what is the matter? You're as pale as a ghost." She walked over to her friend and sat beside her. Taking her into her arms she said, "You didn't know Kid was alive, did you?"

Lou shook her head, "I thought he died when I was captured." She swallowed hard. "Where is he now? Will he becoming back to get Jimmy?"

"We don't know Lou. We've heard from him once since he left last year. I hoped he would return while we were in Cheyanne. That is why I left Jimmy here with Ella. How did you meet her and what brought you to Laraime?" Emma was curious about the young woman in front of her.

Before Louise could answer a sleepy little boy emerged from the bedroom. He saw the lady sitting by Lou and looked at her questioningly.

"Mama?" asked the little voice.

"I'm Emma, Jimmy. Do you remember me? I left a while time ago but you used to sit on my lap. Would you like me to hold you like I used to do?" She noticed the little boy's chunkier legs and good color.

Louise added,"This is Emma, Jimmy. We talked about her, remember? She left for a while but she was coming back. You lived at her house with her children." Lou's eyes filled with tears but she kept trying to hold her voice emotionless. "Emma is your friend. She is my friend too."

Jimmy looked at Emma and then at Louise. He smiled at them both and crawled up into Emma's lap. He sat there for a few moments, watching both ladies faces. They didn't say anything but watched him, too. Suddenly he gave Emma a hug and a juicy kiss. Just as quick he climbed down and up into Louise's arms and gave her a kiss and hug too. Then he sat smugly on her lap, all snuggled in for a long stay.

"Well, I guess that settles it." Emma said giving the toddler a pert smile. "You made your own choice. Lou, I can't promise what will happen when Colt, I mean, the Kid returns. He loved his little boy dearly and well after all these years and all that has happened to you both I wouldn't expect to pick up where the two of you left off before."

"I know. Emma, I loved little Jimmy from the minute I laid eyes on him. I didn't know. I believed Kid was dead."

Thomas walked in the door and looked at the trio sitting in the room. "Hello," he said cautiously. "You've come for the boy? My daughter took good care of him. Please consider her offer."

"Sir, I know you are not Louise's father. I knew Lou when she rode for the Pony Express and I know she is a good person. Jimmy already decided he wants to stay with her." Emma hastily interrupted.

"Emma was just telling me about Jimmy's father. He is someone I knew." Lou didn't say anymore but left the room with Jimmy to dress him. She knew she'd better leave before the tears in her eyes ran and exposed the feelings still bottled up inside her soul.

Thomas watched her leave the room and wondered. Turning to the woman still seated he said, "Louise has been my daughter ever since I met her in St. Joe. She saved my life and needed a job. I needed an assistant so we assumed the roles of father and daughter. There is nothing inappropriate between us. She has been the joy of my life these past few months and I would do anything to protect and help her fulfill any dream she may have."

Emma believed this gentleman. She seldom looked at the outside of a person but chose her friends by their spirit. She trusted him. "I'm happy to meet you. I am Emma Cain and my husband is Marshall Sam Cain. Would you and Louise and Jimmy like to dine with us tomorrow evening? I would love to have you come and my children will be disappointed if Jimmy doesn't come to visit."

"That sounds wonderful, Mrs. Cain." Thomas looked down at the floor and said sheepishly, "I am Thomas Stevens. I am glad to make your acquaintance and I look forward to meeting your family tomorrow."

"Are you in business here in Laramie, Mr. Stevens?"

"No, I made my money during the war. I always wanted to see what was west of the Missouri, so for now we travel and meet new people."

"That is what you and Lou have been doing?"

"Yes, we have been to Denver and other parts of Colorado, We spent a few weeks in Kansas. Eventually I hope to see the Pacific and California. But that is a long way off in the future, Mrs. Cain."

"What brought you to Laraime?"

"I hired a young man to assist me this winter in Denver. He was from here originally and after his mother was hurt, he came back to care for her and we came along, too. Maybe you know her, Mrs. Ruth Hall? She was run over by a freight wagon."

"Yes the name sound familiar. Is she alright now?"

"Oh, yes she is fine. Up and around. Her son has been seeing your governess. Jimmy got in their way, I'm afraid."

"I understand. We didn't expect Ella to stay on very long but she was a great help when Jimmy was added to our family. He seems so well now, so much more energy and has finally begun to grow. I was so worried about him. What has Lou done for him?" Emma asked.

"She gave him an Indian herb drink. I too see his progress in the short time I have known him. Mrs. Cain, may I ask you a personal question? If you don't want to answer I'll understand. Lou said when I came in that Jimmy's father was someone she knew. Is he the same man she promised to marry before she was taken captive?"

Emma took a deep breath before she answered. "I didn't know that they were engaged but yes they were very close friends. The Kid, Jimmy's father, he now goes by the name of Colt Miller, came to my husband for a job after the Pony Express was out of business. He changed, a very bitter man, not at all like the caring boy he was when we lived in Sweetwater. I'm sure a lot of his bitterness was do to loosing his brother and then Louise. He searched for her but coyldn't find a trail. I've said more than I should have. We'll look forward to seeing you then tomorrow." Emma quickly departed the room and the hotel.

The coach approached the Cain's brick two-story home. Inside Jimmy jabbered away describing the street scenes before him. He loved to go for rides on anything that moved. The two adults in the carriage sat quietly. Thomas watched the boy and enjoyed his enthusiasm for the ride but he was concerned for the woman by his side. Ever since her talk with Emma yesterday she remained subdued. She cared for the child but refused to leave the apartment and wasn't pleased that he accepted the invitation for this evening without her consent.

Arriving at the Cain's home, the carriage was met by three children anxious to see the little boy inside. They missed him while they were gone, they even missed his whining. But the toddler that climbed down was strong and vocal and bubbly. The children ran off to their garden to play.

Louise preceded Thomas down from the coach. Not knowing the accessibility of the Cain house he only brought his crutches, but he needed assistance to climb down to the pavement. She steadied him until he could maneuver himself and then they made their way to the door.

Marshall Sam Cain greeted them. "Good to see you again Lou. Can't say I'd have recognized you though. Last time I saw you, you were wearing pants. Hello Mr. Stevens. It nice to meet you. Won't you come in?"

"Hi, Sam. You look good. It has been a long time hasn't it." Louise got over with her pleasantries but the sullen look shrouded her face again.

"Marshall Cain, I am so glad to meet you. You have quite a reputation here in Laraime. Thank you for inviting us to your home." Thomas would loved to talk to this man alone but Louise remained at his side until the meal.

Also joining the party for the evening was Matthew and Ruth Hall,and Ella and her aunt Inge Johnsen. The older ladies sat in the parlor with Emma. Matthew and Ella whispered and giggled in the garden with the children.

Louise looked around at the assembled group and the tears filled her eyes again. These people all knew what was meant by family and had families. What were she and Thomas doing here? Their whole existence was phony and she felt the lie crushing her soul. The voices around her became a drone and she remembered her first weeks as a captive. She didn't understood the Lakota language and felt lost in a foreign world. The fragile world she recently built with Thomas tettered on collapse and she saw no solution.

"That was an exquisite meal, Mrs. Cain. Thank you for inviting us." Mrs. Hall was very pleased to be dining with her friend, Mr. Stevens. This was her first evening out since her accident. "You have a beautiful home and such darling children. You and the Marshall must be so proud of them. Children are such a joy. I don't know what I'd have done if Matthew hadn't come back to help me. But then again if he hadn't brought Mr. Stevens I would have had an even longer recovery."

Almost all around the table laughed at her attempt to tease Thomas. He enjoyed it, but Louise looked sad again.

"Please excuse me, I need to check on Jimmy. Are your children going to bed soon, Emma?"

"Yes, if you like Jimmy could rest in his own bed until it is time for you to leave. He might like being tucked in by you while I put mine to bed. Excuse us ladies. If you like you can go into the parlor. The men can stay here and visit."

"Louise, what is the matter? Ever since you arrived you looked like you were ready to cry. Have we upset you some how?" Emma stopped halfway up the stairs to talk to Lou.

"I, its just that, I don't know Emma. I loved Kid so much but I thought he was killed. And now to find out that I was wrong and the child I fell in love with is his has been such a shock. I'm afraid. When he comes to get Jimmy and finds me. . . what if he thinks I'm trying to entrap him, that I'm using his son to influence something about us? I love Jimmy and the Kid too much to do that." Tears ran freely down her flushed cheeks.

"Lou you are working yourself up for no reason. I do believe that he will return. When, is impossible to guess but he needs to remember that Jimmy had needs too when he deserted him. Don't worry about tomorrow. Jimmy knows he wants to be with you. You are good for him. Continue to love him and when Kid returns he will have to deal with the fact that you are alive. It will shock him too. Come on let's get these children to bed."

"Marshall Cain, may I ask you about Jimmy's father?" Thomas asked hesitantly.

"What do you want to know? Were you the man asking questions at my office yesterday?" Sam wondered why this man was fascinated with Colt.

"Yes, sir. Have you known him long? I want to know about him because of Louise caring for his son. I don't want her to get hurt."

"Colt got his name from the way he handles his gun. He is fast and deadly. You may have heard of Wild Bill Hickok, well, he was another of the Pony Express riders up there at Sweetwater. He has a reputation for being the fastest gun. I think Colt could outdraw him."

"Does he have any family, that is other than the little boy? His wife was killed, right?"

"He's been hunting her killers ever since. I don't know of any family. The boys hired back then were orphans. I never heard him mention any one else. His brother showed up but was killed trying to rob the bank in Sweetwater. I think he said once that his father had been a share cropper, but that he lived with several different families. No, I doubt that there is any family. That is why he's such a loner. After the Express ended he drifted around and then he showed up here looking for a job."

"So Colt Miller is not his real name?"

"I know that the 'Colt' part isn't. I'm not sure about Miller or if he pulled the name from the air."

"Do you know where he came from?" This was the question Thomas hesitated asking. Was he digging for too much information?

"You sure ask a lot of questions, for an unrelated father! Let's see he was from the South but refused to fight in the War. I think he said it was Virgina, Manasas I believe."

"He didn't fight in the war? For either side? I didn't realize there were any boy North or South that didn't fight in the War."

"He had strange feelings during the War. The Pony Express ended shortly after the War started but he didn't feel the urge to join up. The fact that his brother was killed trying to steal money for the South influenced some of that. So did his boss for the Express. Teaspoon fought at the Alamo and often told the boys about the horror of war. But that didn't stop the Kid from learning to handle a gun. I'd hate to come up against him." Sam added.

"I think I will look forward to meeting this young man. We may have some common acquaintances. I lived near Manasas for a while too." He decided he gleaned enough information without revealing his true intention for asking. Thomas looked at Matthew and directed his next question to him. "Have you and Ella made any definite plans?"

"Well, Thomas, I don't think I'll be able to work for you any more. We plan to get married in June."

"You going to stay here in Laramie?" the marshall asked.

"I think my wandering days are through. Ella wants to be close to her aunt. I should be able to find a job here somewhere. Don't get me wrong, if you hadn't hired me I don't know what I would have done there in Denver. I've had enough of that big city life. Laramie is big enough for me. What about you and my mother, Thomas? Now that she is recovered she doesn't need me to take care of her, but she sure enjoys your visits."

It was Thomas's turn to be speechless. He did like Ruth. Was there something there for them both? He looked at Matthew and said, "Nothing straight forward about you, son. You have a way of hiding the issue at hand."

Matthew smiled at his former boss's sense of humor. Sam sat through the entire conversation and was glad the days of courting and making marriage plans was behind him. Emma was the best for him and none of this aggravation to experience again.

Thomas lay awake that night and thought about the evening. The marshal and his family were nice, the way families should be. Mother and father and children all caring and loving each other. He was very happy for Matthew and Ella. They made a nice couple and hopefully would have a fruitful marriage.

But that comment about Matthew's mother bothered him. How does he feel about Ruth? Is that feeling love? It had been so long since he had experienced true love. Once Ruth was on her feet would she feel encumbered with a man on crutches or in a wheel chair? Or would she only see him and what he could offer her? A personal relationship would certainly be a change for him.

Lou certainly was worried since she found out about Jimmy's father, a shock to find out after six years that the man of your dreams and nightmares was still alive and available. Would Colt return and welcome Lou or would he be bitter about their past and reject her? Or even hate her for winning his son's heart?

Would his search for his son end soon too? Could the man be his estranged son? Colt Miller certainly sounded like a grandeur man than Thomas ever expected to find for a son. Closing his eyes, Thomas prayed that his son would return soon to Laramie, love the woman caring for his son and accept the father that deserted his mother many years ago.

Thomas Stevens was not the only one to lay awake that evening reliving the night's events. Lou couldn't sleep and thought about the dinner party. Sam and Emma were as nice as ever and they had three lovely children. A wonderful life, one that she would never have. Family! Why couldn't she be a part of a real family, one that really cared about each other? Every time she got close, fate stepped in and snatched her hope away.

After her mother died, she and her brother and sister in the orphanage didn't live as a family. When she ran away and tried to make a living, she was so alone. Even that year in the Express, she lived in disguise. The last few months, when she and the Kid were close, was the only time of feeling like a real family.

Would he return soon? Had he really changed like they all said? If he returned full of hate would their love be given a chance? She thought about little Jimmy. She loved him before she knew who his real father was. Would Kid hold that against her, thinking she was trying to entrap him? Life was so complicated and so unfair but she would never give up hope.

On to Chapter Fifteen

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