Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. ‘So why am I feeling like my whole world is about to end?’ Lou asked herself. Pulling her veil back over her head so that she would be able to see on the way to church, Lou looked into the mirror one last time before she heard a knock at the door. It would be Jimmy, of course, ready to take her by buckboard to the church where everyone was waiting for her to marry Kid. “Ready Lou?” Jimmy asked solemnly when she opened the door to let him in. “I guess so…I don’t know. Oh, Jimmy! Am I really doing the right thing? By marrying Kid I mean?” she asked, pleading for reassurance that things were how they should be. Shaking his head, Jimmy admitted, “Lou, I ain’t the person to be asking if you and Kid should be gettin’ married.” With a look of concern, Lou reached out and grabbed his arm to still his pacing. “But Jimmy, I trust your opinion. I’d really like you to answer my question.” Looking into her big brown eyes, face framed by wispy curls and cheeks tinged pink with what he took for excitement, Jimmy felt his whole world spinning out of control. Here was the one woman in the whole world that he loved body and soul and she was getting ready to marry his best friend in a few moments. ‘What in the hell am I thinking?’ he asked himself, knowing he was about to do one of the stupidest things in his life by speaking his heart to her. He touched her cheek gently, tilting her face up to his so that she could clearly see his face as he spoke words that he had, before this moment only admitted to himself. “Lou, I can’t tell you what to do, but to have you marry Kid is tearing me apart. You’ve got to have some idea of how I feel about you. I love you and I have since we started riding together. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do or give to be in Kid’s place right now. In fact, I’d love to just leave and ride away with you, right now and never return, living my life with you by my side for the rest of my days,” his voice caught with emotions that overcame him, “but, you made your choice.” Touched by his admission, her heart raced and joy filled her like never before, “Oh, Jimmy…why didn’t you ever say this to me before?” Letting go of her chin, Jimmy let out a strangled sob, “Why? Why? Because you were with Kid, that’s why. What hope did I have? Why would you ever choose me, Jimmy Hickok, ‘Wild Bill’, someone who could never give you what Kid could?” Lou smiled as she stepped in front of him, forcing him to look at her. “Maybe I’d choose you because deep down, I love you too Jimmy.” As Lou spoke those words out loud for the first time, she realized just how true they were. After her declaration, Jimmy gathered her into his arms, fiercely kissing her, his pent up desires making themselves known in that one meeting of lips. He was the first to tear himself away from the embrace. “What the hell are we doing?” he looked over at Lou, confusion and smoldering desire in his eyes. “You’re getting married. You should be at the church right now, not with me, here, doing this!” Lou threw her bouquet of flowers down on the table and rushed to him, “No Jimmy, how could what we feel be wrong? You and I know that there’s always been something between us. I’m just glad we realized exactly what that was before it’s too late.” “Too late? Ha! You’re in a wedding dress! Kid’s at the alter waiting for you right now. I’d say we’re too late.” Anger tinged his words. “It’s not too late for us Jimmy. We can leave right now, before anyone comes looking for us. I don’t care where we go, let’s just leave right now!” Lou pleaded throwing what was left of her belongings into a satchel, the rest having been packed and moved over to the house Kid had rented for them until the end of the Pony Express. Jimmy watched her for a moment in disbelief. His brain had a hard time registering what was going on. ‘Could this be true? Is this really happening?’ “What are you waiting for Jimmy? Hurry up and pack your things. Let’s get out of here before someone comes!” The sound of her voice brought Jimmy out of his thoughts. Spurred into action, he threw his few belongings into her bag. As he rushed past her on his way to the barn to saddle both of their horses, he knocked her bouquet to the floor where it lay unnoticed. Jimmy helped Lou up onto Lightning, her dress billowing behind her as they rode out of the yard towards the opposite end of town than the church. “I can’t believe we’re doing this Lou!” he called out as her horse kept pace with Sundance. She hollered back, “Me neither Jimmy. I can’t believe I just left Kid at the alter like that!” With her words came a deep sense of guilt as he stopped to consider what their actions would do to the man he had considered his friend. Seeing the troubled look up his face, Lou brought her mount closer to his so she could touch his arm. “We’re doing the right thing Jimmy. I know it in my heart. What I’ve been thinking and feeling for you for months now…it should have sent up a flag. I know I should have broke things off with Kid long before now but I was confused. Please forgive me for not doing it sooner.” Reassured by her touch, he relished having her by his side. “All that matters is that we’re together now. So, where do you think we should head?” Pondering his question a moment, Lou ventured, “How about Denver for a start?” “Denver it is,” Jimmy replied grinning, knowing that life was going to be full of the unexpected with Lou around all the time. Looking over at the love of his life, his heart swelled with pride, knowing that she loved him and now he could admit his love for her too. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “Where are they?” Kid asked Teaspoon with nervous concern, as the guests became antsy waiting for the bride to arrive. “Can’t say that I know what’s holding them up Kid,” Teaspoon offered patting the man’s arm and signaling Jesse to come to him. “Jesse, I want you to run back to the station and see what’s holding up Lou and Jimmy. They should’ve been here by now. I’m getting a bit concerned…” Jesse promised to be back in a few minutes with the couple in tow. Racing through town he noticed the buckboard was still hitched out front of the station house. Without knocking, Jesse opened the door first to the house but no one was inside. Wondering where Jimmy and Lou were, he ran to the bunkhouse but it too, was empty. He stopped short when he spied Lou’s bouquet lying on the floor. “Where are they?” he wondered gasping for breath. Jesse picked the flowers up, gently setting them on the table. Deciding to check one last place before going back to the church to get help, Jesse hurried to the barn. At first glance, everything looked as it should be. Just as he was about to turn and race back to the church, he noticed that Sundance and Lightning were both missing from their stalls. Bewildered, it took a few moments for Jesse to put two and two together. “They left. They up and left!” he blurted. Running back as fast as he could, Jesse was fully expecting this day to take a turn and become a whole lot more exciting than he ever thought it would be. Just that morning he complained to Rachel that weddings were boring. Now, he looked forward to the fireworks his words were about to ignite. The church door slammed open with a loud bang as Jesse pushed his way through the waiting guests. Panting and out of breath he was unable to speak as both Teaspoon and Kid demanded to know where Lou and Jimmy were. Noah, Cody, Buck and Rachel all crowded around the youth, anxiously waiting to hear what he’d found out. “Jesse!” Teaspoon barked, tired of waiting, “Where are they?” Jesse looked up and around at all the riders as he stated, “I don’t know Teaspoon! They wasn’t there.” Kid looked like he was about to explode. “What do you mean they weren’t there? They have to be there because they ain’t here!” Jesse took a step back from the irate man and looked anxiously at Teaspoon, “The buckboard is still there, but they ain’t. Their horses are gone…” That got everyone’s attention. “What do you mean their horses are gone?” Rachel questioned, not sure she had heard right. “Just what I said, their horses are gone and so are they.” Jesse couldn’t believe the look on Kid’s face as he practically yelled, “Why that low-down, dirty-no-good…” He cut off the rest of what he was about to say as Teaspoon reminded him they were in the house of God. Marching past the stunned guests, Kid stormed back towards the station to find out what was going on. The other riders looked to Teaspoon for direction and he nodded for them to follow their friend, then turned to give his apologies to the confused guests and sent them home. Rachel had grabbed Jesse’s collar as he tried to sneak past her to join the others. “Aw, Rachel. You make me miss all the good stuff!” He fumed, following Rachel out the door. After clearing out the church, Teaspoon hurried to catch up to Rachel and Jesse, escorting them back to the station. Jesse grumbled under his breath as he walked several steps behind Teaspoon and Rachel. “So what do you think is going on Rachel?” Teaspoon asked her quietly so the youth wouldn’t over hear their conversation. Rachel shook her head, not sure. “I know that Lou has been dealing with a lot of doubts lately, but I never thought she’d run off like this, if that is what has happened.” “It ain’t like Lou, I agree, to just up and leave Kid at the alter. But if she did, and with Jimmy to boot, I can’t say that it really surprises me…I always thought the two of them had something between them. Just was never sure what it was!” Teaspoon admitted with some concern. As the station came into view, they could see Cody and Buck rushing after Kid as he tore into the house looking for his missing bride. Noah came out of the bunkhouse as they reached the front yard. “Any sign of Lou or Jimmy, Noah?” Shaking his head, Noah was just as confused as the rest. “No note or nothin’ Teaspoon. Buck couldn’t even tell which way their tracks may have went with the army having come through town earlier.” Looking towards the house where yelling could be heard, he mentioned the obvious, “And Kid ain’t taking it to well…” Just then the front door flew open and Kid came racing out. Teaspoon had to physically hold the young man as he tried to talk to him. “Let go, Teaspoon! You ain’t gonna stop me from findin’ her,” Kid sneered, trying to break free of the man’s grip, anger flaring in his eyes. Rachel’s heart was breaking for Kid’s pain, but she knew it was of no use to try and reason with him right then. All he could see was that his best friend had run off with his bride and it was tearing him apart. “Racin’ off after them ain’t gonna help you none, son. Let the boys ask around a bit, someone has to have seen them leave,” Teaspoon said quietly, drawing Kid’s attention with his soft-spoken words. Kid shot Teaspoon a look so cold the man hoped that Jimmy and Lou were so far ahead of the young man that he’d never find them. If he did, Teaspoon didn’t doubt for a minute that Jimmy would be called out for sure and this time, he wasn’t so sure Jimmy’s fast gun would win. Noah, Buck and Cody all volunteered to check around town. They didn’t want any blood shed either and knew the longer they could keep Kid in town with them, the better the chance his anger would abate, somewhat. Reluctantly, Kid acquiesced. The three men hurried off as Kid allowed Rachel to lead him into the house. “Why, Rachel? Why would they do this to me?” He paced around the room angrily. “It’s all Jimmy’s fault! Lou would never do something like this. He must have forced her to go with him…he’s always been jealous of us. He has always wanted Lou for himself!” Weary from the day’s turn of events, Rachel sighed, feeling that she had to tell Kid a few things he wasn’t going to want to hear. “Kid, it ain’t Jimmy’s fault,” at the young man’s glare, she started again, “or I should say, it ain’t all Jimmy’s fault. It’s Lou’s too. Jimmy would never have forced her to leave if she didn’t want to go. Maybe she was afraid to tell you that she had doubts or wasn’t ready to get married after all…” Teaspoon cleared his throat and pulled on his suspenders as he sat tilted on a chair at the head of the table. “I knows you want to blame someone right now Kid, but it ain’t fair to lay all the blame on Jimmy’s doorstep when we’s don’t know the facts. Right now, all we can assume is that they did leave together. As to why, none of us knows.” Returning from the task that Teaspoon had sent him on, Jesse had the sense to knock before entering the house. He looked sideways at Kid to make sure he wasn’t too close when he imparted his findings. “I didn’t find a note on the floor or anywheres Teaspoon. I looked in their trunks and nothin’ was in ‘em either. They took everything by the looks of it.” Before Kid could explode again, Teaspoon thanked the boy and asked him to wait outside. “See! See Teaspoon. They ain’t plannin’ on comin’ back. That yella belly ran off with my wife!” “Technically, she ain’t your wife yet, Kid,” Teaspoon pointed out. “Well, she would’ve been if he hadn’t runned off with her!” Just then, the three men returned from asking around if anyone had seen Jimmy and Lou when they left town. “Sorry, Teaspoon, Kid. Not much help askin’ round, I’m afraid,” Noah offered. “A lot of people were over at the church and those who weren’t couldn’t agree on which way they headed. Some say towards St. Joe, others off to the west. One even said they seen them going different directions.” “Buck, can’t you find their trail? Any sign at all that will help me go after them?” Kid pleaded, knowing that Buck was the best tracker around and if he couldn’t find them, no one could. Buck shook his head as he sat down at the table. “I looked Kid, but with all the tracks leading out of town in every direction, not to mention the army having been through earlier, it’s worse than looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.” Beaten by the lack of clues, Kid sank to the floor on his knees, not knowing what to do next. “Let me talk to him alone,” Rachel whispered to Teaspoon, who nodded and stood up, quietly ushering the others out of the room. Once they were alone, Rachel knelt down, taking Kid’s hand in hers and pulling him up from the floor. She led the miserable young man over to the settee. Sitting next to him she held him as the dam broke and tears of pain and anger came pouring down his face. Shame at crying made him pull away from her. “Kid,” she said softly, “even though you don’t see it this way right now, maybe this is for the best.” Looking up at her with hurt in his eyes he demanded, “How can you even say that Rachel? Lou and I were supposed to get married! Then she goes and runs off with Jimmy!” “You need to stop and think about that Kid. If Lou cared about you the way you think she did, she could never have done that to you. Seeing how she did just up and leave, it should tell you that things weren’t like you thought.” Kid sat pondering her words for a while before standing up. “I need sometime to myself if you don’t mind Rachel,” he stated heading for the door. “Don’t worry. I ain’t going after them if that’s what you’re thinkin’. At least not yet.” “If your sure Kid…” “I’ll be back later. I just need some time to think things through.” Rachel went out to watch as Kid disappeared around the barn heading out towards the prairie. Seeing him leave, Teaspoon and the others waited until he disappeared from sight before going up to Rachel to see how Kid was taking it all. “He’s hurting right now, but I think I may have gotten through to him. I could tan the hide off the two of them for leaving like this. If they decided they wanted to be together, this wasn’t the way to go about it. I can’t believe they would hurt Kid like this!” Teaspoon agreed, “They may not have felt like they had any other choice Rachel. Maybe, they thought this was the best way for everyone.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dinner was a somber affair. No one knew what to say, so they ate in silence. When the bunkhouse door opened everyone turned toward Kid, trying to gauge his mood. He quietly closed the door. Hanging up his coat he sat down in his usual place. As he reached across the table to stab a piece of chicken, Cody blurted out, “Well, Kid. Whatcha decide to do?” Rachel grit her teeth at the young man’s apparent knack for putting his foot in his mouth. She smacked him on the back of the head. “What?!” Cody whined, rubbing his head. Jesse who had been sitting quietly on the other side of Rachel couldn’t keep his mouth shut either and asked with way too much enthusiasm, “Yeah, Kid! Are ya gonna go after ‘em?” to which Rachel grabbed his ear and pulled hard. “Now that’s enough out of you two! Shut up and finish eating. Leave Kid alone!” Teaspoon demanded accentuating his words with a waving knife. Kid stopped scooping potatoes onto his plate and protested, “They were just asking a question Teaspoon. One I’m sure you all are wondering. No, Jesse, I’m not going after them,” he said not catching the disappointed look that crossed the boys face. “I thought about what you said Rachel, and I think you’re right. I need to face the fact that Lou and I…well, we aren’t meant to be after all. If she could leave like she did, then why should I go after her? Why should I try to make her come back when she doesn’t want to be with me?” He finished putting the food on his plate and proceeded to eat. “I think that’s mighty big of you Kid, seeing how she’s run off with Jimmy ‘n all.” Cody observed. Rachel looked fit to be tied. She was about to knock some sense into the rider when Noah, on Cody’s other side rolled his eyes and told Rachel, “I’ll take this one!” He knocked the rider in the head for the second time in five minutes. “What? What’d I say this time?” Cody cried looking at the others. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As dusk approached, Jimmy and Lou were nearing the town of Salina. They decided to stay the night there. As they neared the stable, Jimmy asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hotel first? I can bring the horses over later?” “I can walk just as well as you Jimmy,” Lou chastised, giving him a little smile. “I just thought, with you in that dress and all…” Jimmy offered, as he reached up to help her down. The skirt got caught on the horn and she couldn’t jerk it free. “Here, let me help,” Jimmy murmured reaching around her. The close proximity brought a rush of desire sweeping over the couple. Just as Jimmy leaned down to kiss Lou, the stable boy ran up asking if he could help with the horses. Letting out a low groan of frustration, Jimmy gave the boy orders to water and feed the horses saying that they would be back early in the morning for them. With his arm protectively around Lou, to make sure that she didn’t trip on the skirt, they made their way to the hotel. As they walked in the door, the clerk at the desk grinned widely at them. “Good evening sir, ma’am. Can I be of service to you?” Jimmy put the satchel down next to the desk and stated what he figured was obvious since they were in a hotel, “We need a room, one night.” “Of course, of course. If you’ll just sign the register, I’ll get you a key.” Jimmy started to scrawl his name and stopped for a moment before writing J. Butler. Looking at the name on the register, the clerk smiled as he handed Jimmy a key, “Here you are…Mr. Butler. You and your wife are in room eight, all the way at the end of the hall once you get to the top of the stairs. Enjoy your stay!” With key in hand, Jimmy led Lou up the stairs to their room. Once inside the room, Lou began to work on the tiny buttons of her dress. Having trouble reaching all of them she begged, “Please help me get this dress off Jimmy! I can’t stand to wear it another minute!” Working the rest of the buttons open, Jimmy slid the dress off her shoulders. Turning, Lou couldn’t help but notice the desire that was flaring in his eyes. Bringing his head down to hers, they kissed passionately, falling onto the bed. Much later, they had dinner in the hotel restaurant, thinking that the fewer people who saw them, the less there were to say they had been there if Kid came looking for them this way. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “I never knew running away could be so exhausting!” Lou declared as she dropped down on the bed. Jimmy chuckled, as he locked door. After hanging his hat on the peg on the wall, he undid his gun belt. With the Colts lying on the bedside table, he stretched out next to Lou. Resting his hands behind his head, Jimmy himself felt bone tired. That is until Lou wiggled next to him to rest her head on his chest, draping her arm across him. Suddenly, he felt a heat rush through his body, making him very aware of the woman next to him. Desired flared in his eyes as his left arm snaked down to hold her closer to him. “Lou…?” his voice was strained. Lou looked up at the strangled sound of his word. Seeing the want in his brown eyes sent a flame of desire down into her soul. Smiling provocatively, Lou softly whispered, “Jimmy…” Both his arms engulfed her, pulling her up the length of his body, allowing his lips to hungrily partake of what she was offering. Hands explored through clothing as lips searched with urgency. “Oh, god Lou, I’ve dreamt about this for so long…” Jimmy gasped as the last of their clothing dropped to the floor. As a hand slid up his arm and around his back, Lou passionately kissed his chest, then his neck, working her way back to his lips. “This time, you don’t have to dream…” she murmured as their bodies became one. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The morning after what was supposed to have been his wedding night, Kid was up early. He had just finished packing his belongings, when Rachel and Teaspoon entered the bunkhouse. “Kid,” Rachel said surprised to see him up so early, “What are you doing?” she asked when she noticed the bundle at his feet. “Goin’ somewhere son?” Teaspoon asked, already knowing that Kid was leaving, but for where he wasn’t sure yet. “Mornin’ Teaspoon, Rachel,” Kid answered looking from the man who had become like a father to him to the woman who was like an older sister and friend. “I’ve decided to leave. I just can’t stay here any more…” Sitting down at the table, Teaspoon motioned for Kid to sit next to him. “Well, I can’t say that I blame you for wantin’ to leave after yesterday, but Kid, this is your home and we all care about you. You’re more than welcome to stay.” “I know Teaspoon, and I’m grateful for that. You all have been like the family I never had. I’ve decided to go back to Virginia. I’m not sure if I’ll join the army there if war breaks out, but I feel I need to go back. At least for a while.” “You’ll be missed, Kid,” Rachel told him setting some eggs and toast in front of him. “I’ll miss you too, Rachel,” Kid gave her a quick smile before picking up a fork and digging into the food she fixed for him. “Have you told the other’s about your decision?” Teaspoon inquired, stirring a spoonful of sugar into his coffee. “I’ve talked to Buck and Cody, along with Jesse just before you came in but I couldn’t talk to Noah because he left early on a run.” Teaspoon shook his head in dismay. “You know that Noah ain’t gonna understand your goin’ back to Virginia, with the slavery thing and all.” “I know, Teaspoon. I wish I had caught him before he left so I could explain it to him. Please explain things to him for me. Noah has been one of my best friends and I’d hate to lose his friendship if I decide to fight for the South. My family, as you know, never owned slaves and I don’t rightly agree with those that do. Noah and Ulysses have opened my eyes to a lot of things that had always been a way of life back in Virginia, Teaspoon. Things that I don’t agree with, but maybe I can go back and help make a difference.” As Kid finished his breakfast, Rachel had tears in her eyes. He stood to give her a hug and kiss. “I won’t forget you Rachel. Thank you for all you’ve done for me since you came to live with us.” “Oh, Kid!” she cried, “Take care of yourself and make sure you keep in touch!” Turning to the stationmaster, Kid held out his hand, “Teaspoon.” Teaspoon cleared his throat as he clasped Kid’s hand. Shaking it didn’t seem an adequate way to part with one who had become like a son to him. He pulled the young man into his arms and gave him a heartfelt hug, murmuring, “Watch after yourself son. Come back.” Smiling, Kid promised, “I will Teaspoon and that’s a promise!” The trio were joined outside by the other’s who had been in the barn doing chores. As Kid stood next to Katy, Jesse, Buck and Cody came over to say their goodbyes. For a moment, as Kid sat upon Katy, looking over the home station where so many of his hopes and dreams were born. Tears misted his eyes. Shaking his head to clear them before the other noticed. He looked once more to everyone standing around him. Each face was special to him. Each person held a place in his heart. He didn’t know if he’d ever see them again, especially if war came, but he knew he’d never forget them as long as he lived. “Well, this is it…” Kid stammered, choking up with emotion over leaving all that was familiar. Teaspoon guessed what Kid was feeling and decided to help the parting along by slapping Katy on the rump and calling out “Ride safe!” sending Katy trotting out of the way station’s yard. Kid glanced back to see Teaspoon put his arm around Rachel as she waved and wiped at the tears that were falling freely. The other’s raised their arms and waved as Kid did the same and was gone. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ With the breaking dawn, Jimmy and Lou were already in the saddle, heading towards the trail that would take them to Denver. At the top of a high rise, Lou reined in Lightning as Jimmy and Sundance came up along side. “Look’s like it’s going to be a beautiful day, don’t it Jimmy?” she asked marveling at the man beside her. ‘Was it really only yesterday that we realized our love?’ she wondered, happier than she had been in years. “Sure does Lou,” Jimmy answered watching the way the morning sun made her hair shine like copper. Smiling at the woman he loved, marveling in the fact that they were heading into the unknown, Jimmy waved his arm towards the distant mountains, “Denver awaits!” Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!