It had been over three years since Jesse and Frank James had rode with the Younger brothers on that disastrous bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota. With a quick jump from his horse, Jesse looked around the yard with a little grimace. Lou’s place was looking like it was in need of some repairs. He hoped in his absence that she’d been doing all right. Each time he wrote her, he asked how she was faring and if she had enough money. By his and Frank’s forced “break” from their ‘jobs’ as he liked to call them, he knew that Lou didn’t have to many options on making a living. She, like the rest of them had become used to the easy money they ‘earned’ during their robberies. With careful budgeting, she should have been able to make it until now without suffering. Lifting a fist, he knocked soundly on the front door. A smile played on his lips as he heard footsteps coming towards him. “Jesse!” the woman who opened the door gasped in surprise. Opening the screen she tugged his arm, urging him into the house. “My word! It’s been ages since I seen you!” Stepping back, Louise grinned. “I swear Jesse Woodrow James, you do get handsomer every year!” He was a sight for tired eyes. Lou hadn’t seen him since he let her know that he and Frank were taking off for Tennessee back in ’76 after the Northfield Bank robbery went bad. “And you look as beautiful as ever Lou. God, I’ve missed you!” he told her pulling her into a hug. “What brings you here?” she asked leading him into the kitchen and getting him a cup for the coffee she always kept hot on the stove. Settling into his usual chair, Jesse was happy to see that the house was as comfortable and cozy as he remembered. He had always loved visiting Lou. Of course, many of his visits were him hiding from the law. “Thanks,” he murmured taking a sip of the hot coffee she’d handed him. He waited until Lou took a seat at the table before talking. “Zee wanted to visit her family and I had a few people I wanted to visit too, so we decided it was safe enough to come back finally. Of course we aren’t making ourselves known in town, though I doubt we’d have any trouble,” he told her with a wink. “Mmm hmmm,” Lou nodded. “I’m sure that the law would look the other way seeing how you and Frank haven’t been giving them any trouble for the last several years…the sheriff asked once or twice about you but that’s it. He’s got more things to keep him occupied these days.” “I’ve heard about that gang that’s been setting all those fires around here. Any idea who it might be?” he asked concerned for her safety. Shaking her head Lou admitted, “I think one of them is the Lange’s boy but I can’t say about the others.” Seeing the concern on his face she hurried to reassure him. “They won’t be causing me any problems Jesse.” Seeing the questioning look on his face she went on. “They don’t bother folks who leave them things.” When he would have questioned her about what kind of ‘things’ she was talking about, Lou pointedly changed the subject. She didn’t want Jesse to know that she’d been paying the gang to leave her place alone. “Now tell me the real reason you’re here. I don’t think this is just a social call Jesse. I know you better then that….what do you and Frank have planned?” Jesse threw back his head with a laugh. Eyes sparkling he patted her hand. “You do know me don’t you Lou? You ever wish things had turned out different? Between me and you I mean?” Even though he had been married to Zee for a while, he’d always had feelings for the woman who had first been his friend when she rode for the Pony Express and later on when they became partners in crime. Nothing had changed really. At least not for him. He still found Lou to be an attractive woman and it wouldn’t take much encouragement for her to take their friendship to something more. Tilting her head, Lou looked down at the table. “Jesse,” she chided. “You know we make better friends then lovers…that time…well, you know what I mean,” she said a bit embarrassed. “I know. You are right. I just had to ask…” Jesse remembered all to well the one time they’d let themselves be carried away on the high they were on after a particular robbery back in the beginning when Lou joined the gang. It had only been that one time, but it was something Jesse never forgot or regretted. Sitting up straight, Lou asked again in a more no nonsense tone, “What’s the job Jesse?” He could tell that she was intrigued enough to know she wanted in on whatever it was they had planned. Smiling he asked, “Been anxious to get back to it huh?” At the look she sent him, he stopped his teasing and told her. “The Chicago and Alton Railroad.” “Where?” she asked wanting to know the particulars. “We thought we’d board just outside Blue Cut. It’d be me, you, Frank, Wood Hite, Dick Liddell, Ed Miller, Billy Ryan and Tucker Basham…I take it you’re in?” Swatting at him she rolled her eyes. “Of course I am!” Leaning forward he told her, “How about we ride out and get you in two days?” “I’ll be ready,” she told him, looking forward to the upcoming robbery more then she ever thought she would. After Jesse left, Lou sat in the living room of her house thinking of what she was planning to do. When she had left Rock Creek with Kid all those years ago, she never figured she’d end up riding with Jesse and his gang, willingly and anxiously participating in robberies. “You never know what life’s going to throw your way,” she said out loud to herself. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “Lou,” Jesse said with a grin as he nodded to her when he and the others stopped outside her place two days later. Throwing her saddlebags over the pommel of her mount, Lou looked at everyone and nodded. “Nice seeing you all again.” Swinging up into the saddle like she was still a young girl going on one of the runs for the express, Jesse called out, “Let’s ride!” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lou was one of the robbers carrying a sack that passengers were asked to put their wallets and valuables into as she walked down one side of the aisle and Billy Ryan took care of the other. Though Lou had a stab of misgiving as they stole from the passengers, she didn’t let it keep her from her job. The rush of adrenalin that she and the others experienced while pulling of a robbery like this was something that she’d found she couldn’t live without. Some were addicted to the bottle, others to morphine…she and Jesse, they were addicted to the rush. Teaspoon and Rachel had tried to get her to stop years ago when they realized she was riding with Jesse and she had tried but the thrill was something she needed, even after three years away from it. As the gang hurried from the last rail car, Jesse grinned at Lou. “Just like old times ain’t it Lou?” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It wasn’t long before the sound of horses hoofs were echoing in the still evening air as the gang rode back towards Liberty. “Looks like they wasted no time,” Frank called out as he looked over at his brother. “We’d best split up. We’ll meet at the abandoned farm near the old homestead to split the money.” Nodding, Jesse and Lou took off to the right while Frank, Wood and Billy went straight. Dick, Ed and Tucker went to the left. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It wasn’t until days later that Lou heard that the posse had captured Tucker Basham. She read in the paper that he had told the law that Billy Ryan was with him but there was no mention of Jesse or any of the others. Why he had gave up Billy she didn’t know but she sent up a thanks that she and the others were still safe. A.N.: (the amount taken from the Chicago and Alton Railroad heist has been noted to be either $6,000 or $35,000…the only ones who know for sure are Jesse and those involved in the robbery) Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!