By Kirsten Page
Copyright 1999
Kid and Jimmy searched the grounds extensively, looking for any trace that might lead them closer to Lou. It seemed like the harder they looked, the more dismal and hopeless the situation became. They couldn’t get witnesses to tell the truth, nor could they even find a shred of evidence leading to her murder.
“Kid, I’m about ready to give up on these people,” Jimmy stated, as they had made their third trip around the cabin.
Kid continued to scan the ground for any clues. As it stood now, they couldn’t even seem to find any sign of her horse, Lightning. “I know what you mean, Jimmy, but I refuse to believe that something happened to her and that there isn’t any way to prove it.” He said calmly, but firmly.
Jimmy was listening to Kid, but didn’t hear everything that he was saying. Instead, his gaze was fixed on something much more significant......a wooden cross which symbolized a gravesite. Nervously he interrupted Kid’s train of thought as he tugged on his arm.
“Kid....”
Responding to Jimmy’s summon, he turned and his gaze met the exact same thing. “Lou,” he said softly, not wanting to believe that it really could be her place of resting.
The two men didn’t even look at each other as they took off towards the site.
“No, you are not leaving yet. If it is that important, I’ll go,” Ellie persuaded. “You cannot get out of that bed! I don’t care if the President needs to see you.”
Lou realized that fighting against this woman was probably useless. She was determined to keep her in bed...end of discussion. In spite of the fact that she desperately wanted to get back to her family, the tender care of Rachel, and the loving arms of Kid, she realized that she had been through some serious injuries in these past two days and needed to rest.
Reluctantly, she laid her head back on the pillow, “You think you could get a message to Teaspoon Hunter in Rock Creek?”
Ellie smiled, “I used to ride in some horse races when I was about your age. I bet I can still sit a horse well.” She quickly rose and gathered a few things that were neatly stacked on a shelf. “I’d run to Denver with my bare feet if it would keep you in that bed!”
Lou smiled at the older woman’s enthusiasm, “Thank you, this means a lot. I’m sure everyone’s just worried sick about me too.” She blushed, “Especially....”
Ellie interrupted her and pointed a scolding finger, “Ahh, see, I knew there was some sweet man in your life,” she winked, “I’m an expert on these sorts of things. I can see it in your eyes.”
With a sheepish smile, Lou tried to quickly change the subject, “Do you have some paper that I can write my message on?”
“You bet,” Ellie handed her an old notepad and a broken pencil, “’Fraid it isn’t much to look at. I don’t do much letter writing around here.”
Lou took it gratefully, “That’s fine, it’ll do the trick.”
With strained effort, and pain in each movement, Lou began to write out the message to Teaspoon explaining what had happened, and what she remembered. She stated that she wasn’t sure what all was being planned, she just knew a few things to watch out for, and had a general idea of what these men were after.
Re-reading it to make sure that it sounded clear, she folded it neatly and wrote the Marshal’s name on the front. Ellie watched her and then took it as if it were a precious gem.
“Thank you,” Lou repeated.
Ellie shrugged, “Think nothing of it. I know how there are just some things in life that are important like this.”
She pointed to some of the various objects around the room, “Now, I don’t want you moving around anymore than you have to. If you get hungry, though, there are some supplies right over there in that cabinet. I always try to keep a variety, so there should be at least one thing you’ll like.” Ellie’s face broke into a childish smile, “And don’t mind the spiders, they usually keep to themselves.”
Lou shuddered at the thought of being locked in a room with a bunch of eight-legged creatures running around. She realized that Ellie was joking and tried to force a smile. “Just give me a gun.”
It is amazing how long you can go on fooling yourself that something isn’t true...that is until you see it right before you.
That relentless feeling was now digging deep into the hearts of the two men who had put everything aside on the chance that the young woman they loved was still alive.
“Dear God, please, not her,” Kid prayed as they both reached the gravesite at the same time. He bent down on his knees, his already weak ability to fight back the tears became obsolete. They flowed freely, and anyone within a mile around could have seen the pain of love that had been so viciously thrust into his very soul.
Jimmy closed his eyes and knelt beside his friend. Although he too cared deeply for the woman that was now beneath them, his heart was torn at the thought that she would never have the peaceful life with Kid that she deserved. He had heard them talk of settling down to a quiet life someday, and as much as he wished that he could be a part of that peaceful life with her, he knew how it was meant to be.
Using all of his might to push away his own character from the thoughts churning inside of him, he tried desperately to reach out to his best friend in his time of need. With a gentle touch, Jimmy placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder as the two men sat in a ominous silence. Both of them were sharing the same unsaught grief, and shedding the same salt-filled tears.
On to Chapter Eight
