DISCLAIMER: The Young Riders is the creation of Ed Spielman, and the property of Ogiens/Kane productions in association with MGM/UA television. This Story is created for entertainment purposes only, no infringement intended. Not to be copied without permission from the author.
'Dammit Kid, you'll be fine, we're all here to help' Jimmy spoke
'I just don't want her to be alone if anything happens' Kid spoke, then turned back to Jimmy his mind now intent on catching this escapee and his gang
'When do you think this will happen?' Kid asked
'Dunno, but I'd lay low until we find them. Jimmy was keen to keep his friend out of danger
'Can you stay with Teaspoon and the others tonight?' Kid asked his friend
'Sure but where are you going?' Jimmy probed
'Lou and I were going into two for dinner. It's our second anniversary of moving here, I have a special evening planned.' Kid almost blushed explaining his romantic plans to the man who was once his best friend. Jimmy pulled him into a brotherly embrace to show his support when Buck walked into the barn.
'Cody sent me out here, said that you might need help with the horses?' Buck asked obviously not believing Cody's story 'What's wrong?'
'Collins has broken out of prison and word has it that his boss is gunning for Kid.' Jimmy filled Buck in on the situation as he knew it.
'How Long?' Buck asked quietly knowing the threats that Collins had thrown at Kid like confetti when he was being led away to prison. He knew that Kid had put the threats out of his mind as the ramblings of a delusional convict, but Buck had seen the look in Collins' eye, he had meant every word and even more he believed them to be true.
A shiver went down Buck's spine as he remembered the man's words.
'No idea.' Jimmy spoke as he watched Kid walk towards the barn door.
'Buck, no-one else is to know, the four of us can handle this. I don't want the girls or Teaspoon to worry.' Kid spoke as he ran across to the house.
Two hours after Jimmy and Cody's arrival, Lou and Kid, both dressed in their Sunday best set out towards town in their buckboard. Lou snuggled into Kid's side against the slight chill of the early evening air.
'Why weren't you happy to see Jimmy and Cody?' she asked Kid demurely so perfectly attuned to his feelings that she knew something was bothering him, she just couldn't put her finger on it. She had tried hard since she had moved here two years previously with her new family to be the perfect demure ladylike wife Kid deserved, but all pretence of a ladylike nature fled when Kid answered her question with a non committal shrug.
'don't start that with me Kid. I know that something is wrong or the four of you were closeted up in that barn for so long.' she held up a delicately gloved hand when he started to speak 'I don't want to hear that Sundancer had picked up a stone. What is the real story?' she spoke calmly and rationally knowing that the way to get information out of her husband was not to lose her temper with him.
'We were just catching up Lou?' Kid spoke softly as he pulled his wife deeper into his embrace, hoping that he could steer her away from this conversation with the promise of romance. 'Actually I was telling them about my plans for the evening. he spoke as he led the buckboard into his small town. The livery owner was out the front of his building waiting for them when they arrived. Kid jumped down and ran around to Lou's side and grasping her tiny waist in his large hands he swung her from the buckboard and placed her lightly on her feet at his side. they walked through town to the saloon, when they entered the establishment the owner ushered them into the dining room, where he led them past several other tables to a lace covered table set for two, illuminated by long candles as part of the beautiful floral centrepiece, Kid pulled the chair out and helped Lou to sit before he went round the table and sat opposite her. What he saw when he sat down concerned him, he reached across the table and took her hands in his
'What is it honey?' he asked softly as he watched the tears well in her beautiful velvety eyes.
'Thank you' she spoke looking into his concerned gaze 'This is so beautiful' she continued
He reached down and lifted the box that he had carried in passing it to her.
'Happy Anniversary my darling' he spoke as he handed her the box.
She lifted the lid of the box and was moved to tears, her fingers gently tracing the gleaming barrel and the delicate engraving on the butt.
'Thank you she spoke, it's beautiful' she murmured as she closed the lid again and looked into the adoring eyes of her husband.
Unbeknownst to Kid and Lou a group of men they had passed on their way into the restaurant was watching them closely.
'Is that them?' one of them asked the others
'Quiet.' the man who was quite obviously in charge spoke. 'They are exactly as Collins described them. This should be easier than taking candy from a baby.' he spoke quietly
'What do you want us to do?' another of the men asked
'I'll find some way to get him away from her. She's a timid insipid little thing, it shouldn't be too hard to convince her that her husband is hurt and needs her.' the boss spoke
'What good will that do Boss?' the first man spoke again
'Because you fool, then we have a hostage, one that he would do anything for. He gives us $10 000 and we give him his little wallflower back.'
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