By Marie
Copyright 1999
"Rider Comin'!" Buck ran to his horse, ready to take the pouch from Jimmy. As they made the exchange Lou headed to the barn, determined to corner Jimmy right away. He had to take care of his horse, so he wouldn't be able to avoid her.
Jimmy ignored her as he walked in with his horse, but Lou didn't care. He was going to talk to her, and he was going to talk to her right now.
"Jimmy, we've got to talk," Lou started right away. When he continued to ignore her, she took a deep breath and began again. "Jimmy, you can continue to ignore me, you don't have to say anything. But you are going to let me have my say. What happened between us at the fire the other night isn't something we can just pretend never happened."
"Yes it is Lou," Jimmy said harshly. "It was a mistake, and it will never happen again."
"Yes Jimmy, it was a mistake," Lou said, very gently. "But the kiss isn't really what happened. It's what caused the kiss, what the kiss contained."
"What are you talking about Lou?"
"Jimmy, what we went through with Elias is bothering you isn't it? That night you actually let yourself think about what your future will be like, but you can't seem to think that it can hold anything good for you."
"Lou, you're not making any sense."
"Don't play that game with me Jimmy Hickok. I know that you know exactly what I'm talking about. You've let others tell you for so long what kind of person you are that you can't let yourself believe you could be anything else. But I'm telling you now that your future is what you make it. Only you can decide what kind of person you are."
"Lou," Jimmy began.
"No, don't interrupt me right now. You have to decide what your future is going to be Jimmy, because that is also a decision that only you can make," Lou finished.
"Lou, I think I need to be alone right now," Jimmy finally managed to say.
"I know," Lou smiled. "Jimmy, I'm sorry if some of the things I said sounded harsh, but,"
"I know Lou. Thank you," Jimmy smiled back at her. "Tell Rachel that I'll be in for dinner will you?"
Lou smiled knowing that Jimmy wasn't mad at her for what she said. She left the barn, and almost ran into Kid. She started to smile, but quickly stopped when she saw the look on his face. "Kid, what's wrong?"
"Where's Jimmy Lou?"
"In the barn. Why?"
"There's a man here looking for him. I think it may be trouble."
"I'll get him," Lou went back into the barn and emerged a moment later followed by Jimmy. The trio walked toward the bunkhouse where a man was waiting on the porch for Jimmy.
"Ah, so it is you," the man said.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Jimmy asked, looking at the man before him. He looked a little familiar, but Jimmy couldn't remember having met him before.
"I'm afraid I interrupted a dinner you were having with a young lady in Moss Grove a few months ago."
"Who are you and what do you want?" Jimmy asked.
"I am Richard Chambers, Esquire. I am a lawyer from St. Louis and I represented your late father."
"What do you mean represented?" Kid interrupted.
"Well, whenever he had a legal problem, he came to me."
"And how does this concern me now?" Jimmy asked. "My father died a long time ago."
"Your father entrusted me with a rather delicate matter just before his death. Could I speak with you privately Mr. Hickok?" The lawyer seemed uncomfortable with Kid and Lou standing there.
"Um, Kid and I will be inside," Lou said, pulling Kid towards the bunkhouse with her.
"What do you want Mr. Chambers?" Jimmy asked once they were alone.
"Mr. Hickok, before your father died he entrusted me with a matter of the utmost secrecy. He left instructions that I was to tell no one about this matter until you were eighteen, at which point I would give you this letter. Unfortunately, on your eighteenth birthday, I had no idea where you were."
"What's in the letter?" Jimmy wasn't sure he wanted to read it.
"I think it would be better if you read it for yourself," Chambers said. "I'm staying at the hotel until the stage leaves in the morning. If you have any questions you can find me there."
Jimmy didn't even notice the man leave as he looked at the letter. He recognized his father's handwriting, but nothing prepared him for what he read when he opened it.
Dear Son,
Since you are reading this, I know that I am dead. I'm sorry for not telling you this while I was alive, but I had no choice. I know you have always known that you were the youngest of my children, but that is not the truth. James, as my only son, it is now your right to know that you have a younger sister.
On to Chapter Six
