How did you steal my heart from me Sitting in the chair looking out the window at the rain running down the pane of glass, Lou was lost in thought, not noticing the storm raging outside. Her mind was too preoccupied with the storm of emotions raging inside to notice anything else at the moment. How things had gotten to the point they were at she had no idea. It was like things had snuck up on her, taken her unawares. Or more like it, Jimmy had taken her unawares. Why or how Jimmy had come to steal her heart she didn’t understand. She had thought that it was already in Kid’s possession and had been firmly since before their wedding three years prior. Three months ago she’d have laughed if anyone had told her that her love for Kid could be shaken. But shaken it was. And by the last person she’d have expected, James Hickok, old friend and ‘family’. Leaning her forehead against the cool pane, she tried to figure out when she had lost her heart to him. Was it when he helped her in the garden, telling her a funny story from one of his trips to Denver? Or maybe when he whirled her around the dance floor at the town Social several weeks ago, smiling that lop-sided grin of his as she laughed in delight? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pin point any particular time with Jimmy that she’d fallen in love with him. All she knew is that her heart was breaking at what this development would do to her husband if he were to find out. Kid had only done right by her since they’d gotten married, trying hard to give her a nice home with all that she needed or wanted in life. So why was she sitting there longing for another man? Just hearing his name made her heart beat all the faster. It made her feel guilty when Kid was talking about something or other he and Jimmy had done together but she couldn’t help the way she felt. The man had been like a thief and stolen her heart. With a sigh, she sat back in the chair. How could she have fallen in love with Jimmy when she was supposed to be in love with Kid? She didn’t understand where all this indecision was coming from. A noise outside the door caught her attention, bringing her out of her reverie. Voices alerted her to the fact that her husband wasn’t alone. Standing up and smoothing out her skirt, she waited for Kid to come in. Her heart did flips as Jimmy came into view behind Kid, who was shaking rain off his back, laughing at something his friend had said. “Kid, Jimmy…” she said in a higher then usual voice. Fear that her attraction for the other man would show on her face had her hand toying with the locket around her neck nervously. “It’s pouring out there. We’re soaked to the bone,” Kid told her with a smile, coming over to kiss her on the cheek before heading to the linen closet to get something for the two men to dry off with. “Hey, Lou. You look pretty tonight,” Jimmy said, trying not to drip water all over the living room floor. He didn’t notice the look that crossed over her face. If he had, he’d have seen love and something more shining in her eyes as she drank in the sight of him. “Here you go Jimmy,” Kid said cheerfully, handing over a towel to dry off with. “I’ve got something dry you can change into if you like laid out on the bed.” The thought of Jimmy, undressing in the room that she slept in sent made her flush hotly, her body betraying her, sending desire coursing through her body. Guilt forced her to hurry into the kitchen when Kid spoke to her. She couldn’t let her see the feelings she knew had to be written on her face. “Lou?” Kid called after her. “Are you alright?” Clearing her throat, Lou grabbed plates from the shelf above the sink. “I’m fine Kid. Just remembered dinner and didn’t want it to burn,” she lied. “Oh, Jimmy,” she heard her husband say as boots came walking out of the bedroom. “I have that article I was telling you about. You know the one that tells about animal husbandry…” Lou set the table then walked to the doorway to call the men to dinner. Her breath caught at the sight of their two heads bent over the newspaper. They were so different in appearance and quite handsome. She wondered once again, how did she go from loving Kid to loving Jimmy with such an intensity it was beginning to cause her doubts over her marriage to her husband. Pushing the thoughts from her head, she told the men it was time to eat. As the two sat down at the table, still talking over the article, she put a platter with roasted chicken and potatoes on the table. A basket of rolls sat next to Kid on his left, ready to be passed. “You sure can cook now,” Jimmy grinned, tasting the succulent meat. Kid laughed at Lou’s frown. They all remembered her attempts during their Express days. She could burn water back then. “Well, seeing how it was either starve or learn to make something that we could eat, I didn’t really have a choice,” she answered, watching him from under her lashes. His hands were fascinating her. She knew from the past that they were strong hands, capable hands that could kill a man or tender when stroking her neck, after taking her down from when she’d been hung. Oh, how she longed to have those hands run over her body. Noticing her flushed face, Kid asked, “You sure you’re okay Lou? Your face is red as a beet.” Concern marred his handsome face as he studied his wife, who refused to look at him. “I’m fine Kid. Really!” She told him, not looking up from her plate. “It’s just hot in here from cooking.” “I think it feels fine, don’t you Jimmy? Maybe you’re coming down with something,” Kid mentioned, his hand reaching out to feel her forehead. Lou shrank back from his touch. “I’m fine!” she declared, leaving the table and getting a pitcher of water from the sink. Kid and Jimmy exchanged looks before Jimmy shrugged and reached for the platter of chicken. Coming back to the table, Lou poured each of them a cup of water then sat down to finish her plate of food, her face looking more it’s normal shade. ‘Get a hold of yourself Louise McCloud,’ she chided herself. ‘If you don’t want Kid to find out about you and Jimmy, you need to get control of yourself.’ The rest of the dinner went without incident; both men continued talking over a joint business venture they were thinking of going into together. When they excused themselves to go into the living room, Lou stayed in the kitchen where she wouldn’t be tempted to do something that would get her in trouble, like give in to the need to touch Jimmy in some fashion. With the dishes washed, dried and put away, Lou had nothing else to do in the kitchen and wandered into the living room. Kid and Jimmy were playing chess near the fire, lost in their game. Neither man noticed her standing, watching them play. She couldn’t help but compare the two men while she watched them make moves with the chess pieces. Kid with his dark wavy hair and blue eyes that sparkled when he found something funny. Jimmy with his long, dark locks and brown eyes, eyes that could be steely when angered and so tender when filled with concern. Their mouths drew her eyes. How she loved both of their smiles. Kid’s would be quick and full while Jimmy’s would be slow in turning up at the corners. But it was at the hands that they differed the most. Kid’s hands didn’t do much to her excite her but Jimmy’s, his sent her blood boiling and her body shivering in delight at the slightest touch. By the heat moving up her neck she knew she was flushing again. Hurriedly she moved towards the bedroom door, calling out a strangled, “Goodnight,” over her shoulder. Both men waved, to involved in their game to notice the way her voice cracked. Lou leaned against the closed door, her breath coming fast. “You really need to get a hold of yourself Louise McCloud!” she said softly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It was several days since Jimmy had been to the house for dinner and not seeing him was making Lou anxious. She couldn’t understand why he hadn’t stopped by on any pretense to see her.Throwing her shawl over her shoulders, Lou raced out the front door intent on seeing her lover. She finally tracked Jimmy down outside the bank where he was standing in conversation with Mr. Water’s, the town banker. Waiting patiently off to the side, Lou watched Jimmy, loving the sound of his voice. When he finished his conversation and turned towards her, a smile spreading over his face, she moved closer to give him a warm hug. “Jimmy!” she said breathlessly as he gave her a peck on the cheek. “Lou. What a surprise seeing you,” Jimmy said offering her his arm. Lou tucked her arm through his, loving the feel of his firm muscles under her hand. “You haven’t been out to the house lately,” she pouted. Jimmy eyed her curiously. Lou hadn’t been acting like her usual self the last few times he’d seen her and wondered what was going on with her. “I’ve been busy. You know Kid and I have been talking about getting that new breed of cattle…” Waving a hand in the air, Lou twittered, “You men and your animals. Let’s talk about something more pleasant.” “Okay. What would you like to talk about?” he asked, thinking that if she led the conversation he might find out what was up with her. “I miss our long talks,” she practically crooned her hand gently caressing his arm. Jimmy shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t know what she was up to but whatever it was, he was sure he wasn’t going to like it. “Do you think we can go for a ride soon?” she asked, eyes looking up sweetly at him. “Uh, I suppose we could do that. Where did you want to ride to?” He nodded to a couple they were passing by on the boardwalk. “I thought out to the old watering hole. We used to have so much fun there didn’t we?” The wistful sound in her voice had him thinking that maybe she was just longing for the old days, when they’d all worked for the Pony Express. He knew that the time they’d worked together had been some of the best days for her. “Why don’t we go tomorrow?” he suggested, sighting Christine Walker coming out of the dress shop up ahead. Scrunching his eyes and wrinkling his nose, he wondered how to remove himself from Lou before Christine saw them and called out to him. The two women did not like each other and when they were brought together in social settings, it was tense for everyone around them. Trying to avert a catfight in the street, he asked, “Did Kid tell you he wanted to take you to lunch today? I seen him a little while ago at the feed store and he mentioned it. He might still be there if you hurry.” He let out a sigh of relief when she smiled saying that she’d better go find Kid before he left. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Come about eleven. I’ll pack a lunch!” she called, waving and then hurrying away. The pretty blond came sashaying towards him, a smile on her pretty face, green eyes lit up as they rested on him. “Hello, sunshine!” he said softly, his arm pulling her close as she tilted her lips up to receive his kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “Come on, Jimmy! Let’s race!” Lou called out, nudging Lightning to run.“Not fair!” Jimmy yelled, spurring Sundance to catch up and over take the other horse and rider. He helped Lou down from the saddle when they reached the pond. It was cooler in the shade of the trees and it felt good after the searing heat they’d been having of late. The couple sat on the rock near the water; a picnic lunch between them that Lou had brought in her saddlebags. “That was good,” Jimmy said, leaning back on his elbows, staring out over the water. “It was only cheese sandwiches, Jimmy,” Lou teased, secretly thrilled that he enjoyed them. She remembered how he had liked them and never seemed to go far without one in his saddlebag while on a run. “Still it was good,” he told her, closing his eyes, enjoying the quiet of the pond. Lou sat watching him, loving the way the sun filtered through the trees, playing over him. Moving the remainder of their lunch out of the way, she scooted closer to him. Purposely, she let her hand rest upon his, fingers entwining slightly with his. Jimmy opened one eye and looked at her. “What’s on your mind Lou?” he asked, liking the way she seemed so content. “It’s just nice being here with you…like when we were younger.” He threw back his head and laughed out loud. “You make it seem like so long ago Lou.” “It seems like a lifetime ago,” she said wistfully. “You and I used to be so close, Jimmy. What happened?” Jimmy’s brow furrowed slightly. “We’re still close Lou.” He wasn’t sure what was up with her. All this talk about the past had him baffled. He waited, hoping that she’d continue. “Not like we were.” The sadness in her voice had him searching her face. “Of course it’s not like before. We’ve both gotten older, things change…feelings change and grow.” He was talking of their friendship but Lou took it to mean something entirely different. Tingles went up and down Lou’s spine at Jimmy’s words. ‘He feels it too!’ she thought overjoyed that her feelings were returned. Knowing that he felt the same made her realize that he hadn’t made a move on her because she was married. ‘How noble of him,’ her heart danced for joy. “Oh, Jimmy!” she squealed, throwing her arms around his neck, causing him to fall backwards with her landing on top of him. His arms went around her by instinct, making sure she didn’t get hurt in the fall, bringing their faces mere inches apart. “Lou?” he asked softly, unsure as she lowered her lips to his in a passionate kiss. Wild thoughts raced through his mind, all of them telling him to move away from his friend’s wife immediately. He tried to disentangle himself from Lou’s embrace without making it seem rude. “Uh, sorry about that,” he stuttered, setting Lou to the side and putting more space between them. “Always the gentleman,” Lou reassured him, positive that he felt awkward over her being Kid’s wife. “Don’t think about it Jimmy. I know I won’t,” she told him knowing she wouldn’t worry about having acted on her feelings. “Maybe we should be getting back…you know before someone misses us,” he suggested, wanting to get back to town before Lou did anything else that they might regret. “Kid won’t be back until this evening,” she told him with a smile. “He went to see some friends over by Turtle Creek.” Jimmy wasn’t going to stay alone at the watering hole with Lou in the mood she was in. “I have an appointment this afternoon,” he lied, standing up. He pretended to be doing something with Sundance’s saddle while Lou packed the remains of their lunch into her saddlebags. “Ready?” he asked when she came up to him. “I suppose,” she said disappointedly. “We really don’t have to leave yet,” she said again, wanting to remain in his company for as long as possible. “I really need to get back to town,” he stated, helping her into the saddle. “If you say so,” she frowned, wondering why he didn’t mention the appointment earlier. At the edge of town, Jimmy asked, “You mind if I don’t ride home with you? I really need to get to that appointment I mentioned…” Lou had been quiet all the way back and the stormy look on her face told him she wasn’t happy at their outing being cut short. “That’s fine Jimmy. Thank you for the wonderful lunch!” Her mood had lightened, throwing him off guard. Shaking his head, he watched her ride off towards her home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Letting herself in to the house, Lou hummed to herself, content at the shared kiss by the pond. She didn’t dwell on the sudden end to the outing. Instead she wondered how long it would be before she and Jimmy could declare their shared love to the world.Lou knew it would shatter all the hopes and dreams she and Kid had shared, but a love like the one she had for Jimmy only came along once in a lifetime she told herself. With a sigh, she had to be content until they could be together all the time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Over the next week, Jimmy was out at the house on a daily basis, but Lou had no time alone with him. He and Kid were working building a new pen and small barn for the new cattle that would be arriving in the next ten days or so.Lou found reasons to be out by the men. She’d bring them cool water from the pump to quench their thirst; all the while her eyes were drinking in Jimmy’s bare torso, sweat glistening over his tanned flesh. From the shade of the porch, she rocked, darning and mending clothes as her gaze sought out Jimmy from across the yard. She knew he couldn’t say or do anything with Kid there and wished they could find a few minutes alone. Oh how she wished to feel his lips upon hers again, his arms pulling her close.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Frustration was building in Lou. She had not been able to find any stolen moments with Jimmy since their picnic. Seeing him head to the barn by himself, she checked to see what her husband was doing before hurrying after him.Stopping inside the door, Lou let her eyes adjust to the darkness before making a beeline for Jimmy, who’s back was towards her, as he dug through a box with tools. “It’s been way too long,” she said huskily, her hand caressing the rippling muscles of his back. Jimmy jumped slightly, startled, not having heard anyone enter the barn behind him. “Lou!” he gulped, turning slightly, her hand falling from his back. “To long for what?” he asked, eyes narrowing at the look on her face. “Oh, come now,” she chided. “Don’t play games with me Jimmy!” Lou moved towards him, closing the distance between them. “It’s just you and me…” she said softly, trailing a finger over his chest, watching as a muscle twitched under it’s path. Before he knew what she was about, Lou leaned forward, kissing the spot above his beating heart. As his hands flew up to grab her arms, a voice behind her demanded, “What the hell is going on here?” Lou swirled, stepping back against Jimmy. She wasn’t upset at being caught by Kid. In fact she felt relieved. Relieved that finally she and Jimmy would be able to be together. “It’s not what you think,” Lou heard from behind her. ‘Leave it to Jimmy to play hero,’ she told herself with a smile. “You have no idea what I’m thinking Jimmy. Lou, what’s going on here?” he stood waiting for an answer. “Jimmy and I are in love,” she declared, her heart soaring at finally being able to say it out loud. “WHAT?!” both men asked in shock. “We’re not…” Jimmy began as Kid said, “Like hell you are!” Grabbing Jimmy’s hand, Lou moved closer to his side. “It’s true Kid. We didn’t know how to break it to you but we are in love.” Jimmy was baffled. Where was this declaration coming from? He had no idea what she was talking about and was relieved when Kid said, “I know that’s not true Lou…now tell me what’s going on. Why were you kissing him?” Fury could be heard in his voice. “We are in love Kid. You have to accept that,” Lou said happily looking up at Jimmy. The smile drooped slightly at the look he gave her as he removed her hand from his arm. “What the hell are you talking about?” he asked, sure she was playing some kind of cruel joke on the two of them. “Don’t pretend, Jimmy. It’s okay now. Kid won’t fight us on this.” Jimmy shook his head and moved further away from her and went to stand by Kid. “There isn’t anything to fight us on Lou… I don’t’ love you. Not that way,” Jimmy stated, wondering how she’d come to believe there was something going on between the two of them. “Jimmy?” Lou was confused, not sure why he was being so mean and acting like he didn’t love her when he’d said his feelings had grown for her, and that kiss. She knew he’d returned her feelings by how he kissed her back! “He doesn’t love you Lou,” Kid said in an overly calm voice. “Of course he does!” she screamed, anger growing by the minute. “Jimmy’s in love with Christine Waters…they’re getting married,” Kid told her, knowing his friend had been engaged to the banker’s daughter for several weeks, neither of them having told Lou about Jimmy’s relationship, knowing Lou loathed the young woman. “No…no,” Lou cried shaking her head, looking from Kid to Jimmy. She read the truth in Jimmy’s face. His eyes couldn’t meet hers when she pleaded, “No Jimmy! You can’t…you love me! I know you do. You said so….” Sadness overcame Jimmy as he watched Lou crumple before his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled to Kid and left the barn. Lou wailed his name one last time before falling to her knees, sobbing loudly. Kid wasn’t sure what he should do. He’d known something was going on with Lou over the last few weeks but every time he’d asked her about it she refused to say anything. Seeing her before him the way she was, he could see that any love they’d shared was no longer there. For whatever reason, she’d turned her affections towards Jimmy and believed he felt the same towards her. As Lou let out a long, wailing, “Jimmy!” Kid shook his head, saddened by the knowledge that his marriage was over. Walking slowly out of the barn and into the sun, Kid wondered what the future held for him now.
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