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.
Rachel helped Lou to dress, frowning as this small effort weakened the young girl, the bruising on her arm and shoulder was gradually lessening, and soon would be a distant but painful memory. When Lou was dressed to Rachel's satisfaction, she left the room to go downstairs and find Buck. She returned a few moments later with a sombre Buck, who had been hovering at the bottom of the stairs waiting for word that Lou was ready. The sight of Lou dressed as a girl, as always took his breath away, but now when she had no idea that she customarily dressed in men's clothing, when she was nothing but exquisitely feminine and more sure of her femininity shook him to the core. The sight of her made him forget all thoughts of saving himself any pain and heartache, the only thought in his head was to make the ereatheral beauty happy.
'You are beautiful Louise,' he breathed in awe as he knelt at her feet where she sat on the edge of the bed.
'Thank you Buck, you are very handsome today yourself,' she smiled.
'Would you do me the honour of accompanying me on a picnic?' he asked, while taking one of her hands in his.
'I'd be delighted Buck,' she smiled as he placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
'I'm afraid, everyone else is gainfully employed and I was unable to find a chaperone, is it acceptable to spend this beautiful day unaccompanied?' he asked solicitously.
'I'm sure since we are already betrothed it will be fine Mr Cross," she giggled.
'Then my dear, your wagon awaits.' he slipped his arm under her knees, she looped her arms around his neck and with his other arm supporting her back he swung her from the bed. Rachel smiling at the contact between two of her favourite riders followed them closely, leaving them only long enough to collect the picnic basket from the kitchen. When she returned, Buck had positioned Lou in the passenger seat of the buckboard. Buck had found a parasol for her to shade her from the strong midday sun. Rachel placed the picnic basket in the back of the buckboard she waved to them both as Buck flicked the horses with the reins to start them on their journey.
'Have fun you two.' Rachel called after them and stood watching for a short time as they drove away. Turning she was surprised to see Jimmy behind her, seated on the steps of the house.
'Shouldn't somebody go with them?' Jimmy spoke.
'No, they are fine alone. Buck will never take advantage of her and he would protect her from anything that would harm her. They are fine.' Rachel explained.
'He won't be able to protect her from that posse,' Jimmy stated flatly.
'He won't need to.' Rachel spoke, 'Jimmy stop it, he can't help what is going on in her head. If anyone can help her to remember it will be him. Leave them be.' She turned on her heel and stalked to the bunkhouse to start preparing the evening meal.
Buck and Louise travelled in silence for several miles until Buck turned the buckboard into a small grove of trees, a clearing of softly undulating grass beside a gently trickling stream beckoned to her.
'Buck this is beautiful,' she breathed. 'Do we come here often?' she asked breathlessly.
'No, but you do,' he smiled almost sadly as he remembered the last time he had encountered Lou in this spot. She and Kid had crept away for a few stolen moments of shared tenderness away from the hustle and bustle of the waystation. Neither of them were any the wiser that Buck had discovered them in their secret haven, so engrossed were they each the other's company. He had continued on his way and had never mentioned the episode to another soul, but somehow he had known that this place was special to Lou.
'It's beautiful, thank you for bringing me here.' She embraced him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
Startled he climbed out of the buckboard and taking a blanket from behind the seat he spread it under a shady tree by the side of the stream. Returning, he lifted her from her seat and carried her to the blanket, then collected the picnic basket and returned to sit by her side. Lifting the lid on the basket he found that Rachel had packed them sumptuous southern fried chicken and creamy potato salad, warm bread and a jug of sparkling apple cider to wash it down with.
He filled her glass with cider and handed it to her, then filled a plate with generous portions of food, filling the same for himself they sat in companionable silence and ate for a time until Lou who had eaten enough put her plate aside, content to simply sit and watch Buck. Uncomfortable with her study of him, he too put aside his dinner and busied himself with tidying their small picnic area.
When Lou smothered a delicate yawn with the back of her hand, he knew that even this small outing had probably been a little too much for her. He leaned over and lifted her hat from her head, confused she let him draw her into his arms and settle her closer to him where he leaned against the base of the tree. He gently pushed her until she lay on the ground her head cradled in his lap, one hand holding one of hers the other softly caressing her hair.
'Sleep honey, when you've had a rest, then we'll go home,' he spoke.
'You're so good for me,' she murmured as her heavy eyelids fell against her cheeks. His hand moving from her hair to caress her face his thumb tracing her thick eyelashes as she slept. He was unaware of how long they sat there, but as the dappled sunlight began to fade, he gently shook her.
'Lou, Lou we need to go home now, can you wake up for me,' he spoke softly not wanting to startle her. She opened her eyes slowly, a slow smile spreading across her face as she looked into the eyes of the man she knew she loved. He gathered her to him, to lift her back to a seated position, but as he lifted her she twined her arms around his waist and kissed him. A kiss full of the passion and tenderness she felt for this man who had looked after her and treated her with such gentleness and devotion, that she felt even if her memory returned, no other man would treat her this way.
Buck caught by surprise kissed her back, his hand rising to cradle her closer against him, but as sanity returned to the noble Kiowa, he gently extracted himself from Lou's embrace.
'Buck, what's wrong?' she asked confused and a little hurt by his actions.
'Sweetheart, I promised your father that we would not do that,' he lied, trying in his befuddled mind to find an excuse that would harm Lou's chance of regaining her memory.
'I'm sure one little kiss wouldn't matter to Father,' she smiled coyly.
'A promise is a promise Lou.' he scolded sternly, pitying Kid when Lou got into this mood, she was almost impossible to resist.
She turned to sit up and placed one last gentle kiss on his lips. 'That's what I love about you. You are just so honourable,' she smiled at him as he rose and lifted the picnic basket into the wagon.
Buck's head snapped around to Lou when she said she loved him, and knowing that none of her words were based in reality didn't help him at all. He returned to her side and kneeling drew her into his embrace. Allowing himself one final kiss, his lips met hers and he kissed her with all the affection, desire and hunger that had been building in him.
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