As soon as she left the office, tears of fury and indignation in her eyes, she went straight to Kid in the Marshall's office. She knew it probably wasn't a good idea to repeat Jimmy's words to Kid, and Jimmy probably didn't realise just how deeply his words had cut her. She had hoped and prayed that she would never have to tell the boys why his words had upset her so. She just wanted, no needed to be with the people she loved and to lick her wounds before she had to face Jimmy or his new boss again, because she refused to let them see her pain. Buck saw the look on her face as she walked into the office and immediately turned to lift his hat from the hatstand. Smiling at Lou he spoke. 'I'll give you two some time, I'll be outside if you want me' he stated and then walked outside closing the door behind him.
Lou ran straight into Kid's outstretched arms, her only thought to feel loved again.
'What's happened Lou?' he spoke softly his hand caressing her silky hair.
'O'Day has hired Jimmy to discredit you, but somethings wrong with Jimmy.' she stated knowing that she didn't really want to tell Kid, but knowing that she would have no choice now that she had started and the thought that he could possibly think of her in the same way reduced her to tears.
'Why?' Kid frowned knowing that beside him, Lou probably knew Jimmy better than anyone else.
'He called me a whore Kid.' her velvet eyes liquid with unshed tears.
Kid judiciously avoided discussion on the subject of Jimmy's words he just drew her into his embrace and hugged her tightly.
'We'll get through this Lou, trust me.' he vowed hoping that his friend was just playing the part that was needed to win the saloon owners trust.
'Best you go back to the saloon and keep your eye on Jimmy, just in case.' he murmured releasing her after placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He put her away from him and looked deeply into her eyes.
'Be careful okay' he spoke sincerely 'I don't want anything to happen to my favourite girl.'
'I will be fine Kid' she murmured, she kissed him deeply and walked from the room, nodding at Buck as she passed him at the door and walked along the boardwalk back toward the saloon.
Buck walked back into the Marshall's office, his face a picture of concern, knowing that something had taken a turn for the worse.
'What's happened?' he asked.
'Jimmy said some nasty things about Lou, they upset her, she just wanted a shoulder to cry on' he spoke his voice tight.
'Kid you know Jimmy wouldn't intentionally hurt Lou. What did he say?' Buck spoke thinking that Kid was about to do something silly.
'I know, but something's going on, he called her a whore, and what's worse is that Jimmy is working for O'Day now.' Kid watched the amasement on Buck's face.
'When did that happen?' Buck spoke weakly not fully understanding the new turn of events.
'Sometime this morning, I don't know what's going on in that thick head of his, but I hope he's not going to mess this up. If he blows our cover, he's putting everyone in danger.' Kid spoke absently worried for Lou and Cody, as he stood and watched Lou continuing on her way back to the saloon.
'What are we doing about it?' Buck spoke his fce an angry mask also concerned that Jimmy's hot temper had put their friends in danger.
'We can't do anything, just hope that he doesn't say anything. Just keep your eyes open and watch Jimmy.' Kid spoke.
Lou wasn't quite prepared to face Jimmy again yet, so she walked down the alley at the side of the saloon and in through the kitchen entrance. Cody had been wiating there, hoping that she would come in the back entrance, he saw her walk in and walked straight to her side, enfolding her in a tight embrace.
'Honey, I don't know what's going on inside that thick head of his, but none of us think that of you honey.' Cody realease her a little embarrased by his own display of emotion, but he just wanted to erase the pain he saw in her eyes when the words had left Jimmy's mouth.
'I'm alright Cody.' she smiled, glad that she didn't have to explain to the boys the reason why Jimmy's words had hurt her so deeply.
'When this is over, he will have to answer to me for hurting you.' Cody spoke sincerely.
'Why Billy, I didn't know you cared.' she spoke flirtaciously trying to lighten the mood and change the subject.
'What a cosy little party this is?' a sinister voice spoke from behind them, Cody heeled around to face the speaker and pushed Lou behind him, to protect her.
'Who are you and what do you want?' Cody spoke his voice full of authority.
'You, young man are in no position to ask questions, you are both in great deal of trouble.' the large solidly built man at the kitchen door spoke a gun trained on Cody's chest. He threw a length of rope at Cody. The rope hit him squarely in the chest and fell uselessly to the floor.
'Girlie, stop hiding behind your big brave friend and pick the rope up.' he spat at Lou. Lou took offense at his comment and pulled herself up to her full height as she stepped forward to pick up the rope.
'I aint hiding behind no one' she spoke her voice full of fury.
'Well be a good little girl and tie your boyfriend here's hands up.' he spoke, cocking the gun as he spoke. Lou picked up the rope and moved to stand in front of Cody, her back to the man with the gun as she started to tie Cody's hands.
"I'm sorry Cody' she mouthed wordlessly as she began to tie the hands that he held out in front of him.
'It ain't your fault Lou.' he murmured 'I just hope it aint to late for the others to help us.' Cody spoke knowing that he couldn't make a stand for their safety without Lou getting hurt, depending on their friends to come to their aid.
On to Chapter Ten