By Jessica
Copyright 1999
“There is no way I’m lettin’ you do this Lou, so just forget it.” Kid barked.
“First of all Kid, I think you’re forgettin’ that you’re here because we let you. This isn’t your fight. Secondly, and this is the last time I’m goin’ to say this, I can take care of myself. Why can’t you get it through your thick skull that I don’t need you, or anyone else, tryin’ to protect me?” Lou hollered.
“He’s right Lou, it’s too dangerous. If somethin’ were to go wrong--”
“Nothin’ is going to go wrong Sean.” Lou returned.
“You’re not doin’ it.” Ben said vehemently.
“Oh, I’m doin’ it...I guess the question you boys need to ask yourselves is if you’re goin’ to help me.” Lou replied as she walked towards Lightning.
“Where are you goin’ Lou?” Buck asked.
“I’m goin’ to town...I need to get a few things.”
The boys all watched helplessly as Lou mounted her horse and spurred him off in the direction of Willow Springs. Kid threw his hat down angrily and walked away from the group. Suddenly, Kid strode back and stood toe-to-toe with Ben.
“This is all your fault!” He exclaimed hotly.
“Look, I gave her a chance to get out of this.”
“Did you really think she’d take you up on it? How stupid are you? Lou’s more ornery than a mule. She has too much pride to back away from somethin’ like this.”
“Well maybe if you’d have tried a little harder to make her stay, she wouldn’t be here right now. Guess you didn’t have much to offer if she’d run off with us.” Ben spat.
Before Jimmy or Buck could react, Kid’s fist landed with a loud thud on Ben’s face. The other man stood stunned for only a moment before he returned the favor. Soon the two men were battling it out on the hard-packed dirt. Jimmy, Buck, Charlie, and Sean stood away from the duo, instinctively knowing the two needed to vent their frustrations.
After ten minutes, the pair lay sprawled on the ground, their chests heaving in exertion. Kid spat out blood and stood up, his glare never wavering from his opponent, who shrugged off the helping hands of Sean. He too stood up and wiped blood from his nose.
“Now that’s out of the way, maybe we can decide what we’re goin’ to do.” Jimmy said sarcastically.
“Nothin’ we can do. We all know how Lou is...once her mind’s made up, there’s no hope in changin’ it. We’re just gonna have to go along with it.” Charlie said quietly.
Kid looked into the direction Lou had ridden out to and sighed. She’d been gone for over three hours and he was getting worried. He gingerly touched the side of his face and winced. He hadn’t planned on attacking Ben, even though he was angry with him, but the man had pushed him too far.
He looked back at Ben now. His face was stony, but Kid knew that he was just as scared for Lou’s safety as he was. Even if Ben didn’t say it out loud, Kid’s aching bones and swollen face could attest to his deep feelings for the petite girl.
Kid was pulled from his musings as Jimmy approached him. The rider had been unusually silent since Lou’s departure, preferring to walk off by himself rather than stay in the company of the others. Now though Jimmy stood beside him, his long brown hair blowing gently on the small breeze.
“You worried?”
“Naw.” Kid replied. Jimmy cast him a doubtful look and Kid smiled. “A little.” He admitted.
“You think we’re doin’ the right thing?”
After Lou had left, and the subsequent brawl, the six men had begun to debate over what they should do. It was Kid who suggested they leave while she was gone and enter the camp without her. However, Jimmy had been quick to point out that she would never forgive them, and more than that, was likely to follow them anyway. Finally, the grudgingly agreed that her plan was better than any of the one’s they’d come up with.
“I don’t know if it’s right, but I don’t see as we had any other choice.” Kid replied.
Just then, the sound of an approaching horse caught Kid’s attention and he knew instinctively that it was Lightning. He and Jimmy walked toward the small fire that Sean had built, not wanting to anger Lou with their fretting questions. Charlie let out a low whistle as Lou finally dismounted. Although a long black coat covered most of the dress, they could see the various bits of lace and dark blue silk peeking out. Her hair was pulled back from her face and gathered loosely at the nape of her neck.
She twirled around playfully and smiled. “Well, how do I look?” She asked seductively.
“You look as pretty as a paintin’ darlin’.” Charlie replied. The others were still looking at her in a mixture of awe and incredulity.
“Lou what do you think you’re doin’?” Kid asked as he finally regained his senses and leapt to his feet.
“What does it look like Kid? I already explained everything to you.” Lou returned hotly.
“You remember what happened last time you dressed up like that?” Kid asked sarcastically, referring to the incident with Cole Lambert.
“Look Kid, I’m not goin’ to argue with you... what happened to your face?” Lou asked as she reached her hand out to gently touch his bruised cheek.
“Nothin’... I fell down.” Kid responded quietly as his fingers curled around her wrist.
“He fall too?” Lou asked, nodding toward Ben. Both men had the grace to look ashamed and Kid lowered his eyes. “I can’t leave you alone for a minute. Seems like I should be more worried about y’all killin’ each other than any of Stall’s men.” Lou continued.
“Lou--”
“Save it Kid.” Lou said, not unkindly. “Now, shall we go over the plan one more time?”
“Lou?” Lou looked up from where she was patting Lightning and smiled as Kid approached her. She could tell by the way both his hands were shoved into his pockets that he had something important to say. She turned from her horse to devote her full attention to the young man, smiling in encouragement.
“Yes, what is it Kid?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I understand why you’re doin’ all of this.”
“Yeah, well I don’t need your blessin’ to do this.”
“Dammit Lou, why do you have to be so defensive? I’m just tryin’ to apologize.” Kid said angrily as he walked off.
Lou sighed and felt guilty. She hadn’t meant to snap, but Kid had a way of putting his foot in his mouth, even when he was trying to patch things up. She followed him over to Katy, ignoring the curious glances of the others.
“I’m sorry Kid... I know this is hard for you.” Lou apologized, tenderly touching his arm.
He turned around and smiled. Suddenly he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “I love you Lou. Promise me that you’ll be careful tonight.”
“I promise... as long as you do too.”
Kid laughed and lowered his mouth to hers. Time stood still for a moment as they lost themselves in their passionate embrace. However, they were brought back to the present as Ben’s voice boomed.
“Hey, you two love birds wanna break it up? We gotta get a move on.”
Lou smiled ruefully at Kid. “Well, I guess it’s now or never.”
On to Chapter Six
