Before I Go

Kid ran out of the bunkhouse looking for Lou. She’d been out by the barn helping Ike with several boards that needed repaired but all he seen was Ike and Buck carrying bags of grain into the tack room.

“Where could she be?” he muttered to himself, searching the yard. He was up for a run in just a few minutes and he really needed to talk to her before he left.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of her out back of Emma’s house. Rushing over to her, he smiled to himself as he watched her digging a hole for god only knew what, not far from the clothesline.

“Hey, Lou?” he called out softly so he wouldn’t to startle her. He knew from past experience that it was best not to ‘sneak’ up on her as she called it.

Lou’s head swung towards him as he came around the corner of the house. The smile she flashed him, transformed her face, causing him to catch his breath. ‘God she’s beautiful’, he told himself.

“Oh, hey Kid. Ain’t you suppose to be getting ready for a run?” she asked, foot resting on the metal still in the dirt.

Kid stuck his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. It was a habit of his whenever he was nervous about something. Like he was now, talking to her.

“Uh, yeah. It’s just about time for me to leave. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

Cocking an eyebrow, she continued looking at him, waiting for him to continue but he just looked at her funny.

“Well?” she prompted.

“I just wanted to tell ya that I’m gonna miss ya while I’m gone.” He smiled shyly as a twinkle came into her eye at his words.

“I’m gonna miss you too Kid,” she admitted, her heart singing with joy that he was gonna miss her.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching them, Kid leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, blushing as he did so. Lou giggled and tucked her head into her shoulder, gazing at him from under her eyelashes.

Before either could say another word, “Rider comin’” was heard being yelled from the bunkhouse steps.

“See you when I get back!” Kid called to her as he ran for Katy, who was standing waiting with her reins in Buck’s hands as hoof beats could be heard running into the station yard.

Kid waved as she called out, “Ride safe!”