The Season of Peace

Unfortunately, Lou's hunch was right. Something was about to happen. Something major. Something that could tear the foundations of Lou and Kid's somewhat shaky marriage. Although her arrival was seemingly innocuous.

Lou was in the general store when a young lady walked in. She looked young, only about sixteen or seventeen. She was very pretty too, with blond hair, clear blue eyes and a china doll complexion. She walked with a regal air, as if she were a born princess, and she seemed to be well used to turning heads. Lou felt an urge of jealousy sweep through her, and was could not think of a rational reason why she should feel that way. Only the young lady seemed familiar, which was strange as Lou had never met her before.

The minute she spoke, however, Lou's heart plummeted into her stomach.

"Excuse me, sir," the young lady said to the storekeep with a clear Southern accent. "My name is Muriella Simmons. I'm lookin' for a man named Kid Andrews. Do you know where I can find him?"

The storekeep eyed her suspiciously. "What do you want with him?"

"He's an old friend of mine from back home."

The storekeep nodded toward Louise. "That's his wife over there. She's real nice, she'll tell you where her husband is."

Muriella frowned just the tiniest bit when she heard that Kid was married, but she hid it well as she approached Lou. "Excuse me," she said to Lou. "Are you Mrs. Andrews?"

Lou nodded curtly. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Muriella flushed a little. "This is gonna sound a little strange, but I'm lookin' for your husband, Kid. He was a family friend from Virginia. When my sister was killed last fall, he wrote to Mama, sayin' if he could do anything for us, then we should just ask."

The tiniest hint of suspicion formed in the back of Lou's mind. "Was your sister's name Doritha?"

"Yes, why?"

"Just askin' I met Doritha last fall, she was real nice. I'm sorry about what happened to her."

"Thank you."

"If you can wait for a few minutes while I get a few things, I'll take you to see Kid. He's workin' back on the ranch today."

Muriella smiled. "That would be nice, thanks."

They headed back to the ranch about fifteen minutes later, silent. Neither felt comfortable in this situation.

Concerned about Lou, Buck tracked the Kid down after she had gone into town. He found him in the barn, chopping wood, which told Buck that his friend was extremely worried about something -- probably Lou.

"If you keep this up, we'll have enough wood to last us for another three winters."

Kid stopped to smile sheepishly at Buck. "I can't seem to concentrate on anything else. At least I don't have to think while choppin' wood."

"Now, that's not exactly true."

Kid gave Buck a wry look. "So what brings you out here, Buck?"

"I was talkin' to Lou before. She seemed kinda preoccupied about somethin'."

"Yeah, she's been like that for the last few days. I can't talk to her about it, she can't tell me exactly what's wrong."

"She said that you told her that it was probably just her imagination."

Kid frowned. "I said that when she woke me up in the middle of the night. I thought she'd been dreamin'." A funny look crossed Buck's face. "What, you think there's more to it that Lou havin' a nightmare?" Kid pressed.

Buck shrugged. "I don't know. It could even be somethin' like what Emily went through after she had Ike."

"Yeah, but that was straight after she had him. Jed was born three months ago. And before you say it, I know Lou hasn't been herself for the past few months, but we've already sorted through all that. This is different."

"Lydia's been a little preoccupied lately, too. I didn't mention it to Lou. Didn't want to worry her. She knows Lydia's hunches tend to be right."

"What'd Lydia say?"

"Nothin'. She wouldn't tell me what she was thinkin'."

"How are you and Lydia doin' anyway?"

"Trust you to change the subject. And you see us every day, so I'm not gonna answer that. See you at supper. I've still got some chores to do."

Kid shook his head, chuckling as Buck left. Then he sobered. Buck was right. There was somethin' bothering Lou, and he could not seem to talk to her about it. The strain of whatever it was pulled them further apart as they seemed to be fighting more and more. The only thing Kid could be thankful for was that they weren't fighting as much as they were the first two months after Jed was born.

Both Lou and Muriella were silent on the trip back to the ranch, so silent that Lou began to wonder if she had done the right thing by bringing Muriella back with her. Lou felt uneasy about doing so, but she knew that Kid would be angry if she had left Muriella in town. She remembered Kid writing the letter to Mrs. Simmons after Doritha's death, so she knew Muriella was not lying about that at least. And despite all the jealousy she felt when Doritha had shown up in Rock Creek, Lou had realised that she was a nice person, so she resolved to give Muriella a chance. After all, she wasn't a threat to her and the Kid, was she?

Muriella looked up with interest as they drove under the sign that read 'pXp Ranch'. "Why did you call it the 'pXp'? I would've thought that you'd call it 'Circle A' or somethin' like that."

In spite of her discomfort, Lou smiled. "It's a long story. We'll tell you all about it at supper."

They pulled up in front of the main house, and Wilson came up and offered to take the buckboard, asking when 'Miss Lydia' was coming back with Teresa. Lou told him that they wouldn't be long.

"Miss Lydia and Teresa?" Muriella asked, wondering just how many women were living on this ranch.

"Teresa is my younger sister. Lydia is the town school teacher. She boards with us here, mainly because she's an old friend of Buck's."

"Who's Buck?" Muriella was becoming more and more confused.

"He's an old friend of ours -- mine and the Kid's." Lou smiled again. "Don't worry, the situation here is a little confusing, but I'm sure the Kid'll explain everything at supper." She led Muriella into the kitchen, where they were met by Emily chasing 10-month-old Ike who was attempting to crawl outside.

"Thanks, Lou," Emily said breathlessly as Lou stooped and picked up Ike, who rewarded her with a fit of infectious giggles.

"Muriella, I'd like you to meet Emily Metcalfe. She also lives here with us on the ranch. Emily, this is Muriella Simmons. She's an old friend of Kid's."

"Pleased to meet you, Muriella," Emily smiled.

"Uh, likewise," Muriella murmured, a dazed look on her face.

"Don't worry, it is a little confusin' here, but you'll soon get used to it." Emily took Ike from Lou, and placed him in a high chair, then indicated to the table. "Sit down, I'll get you a warm drink."

Muriella shook her head. "No thank you. I don't mean to be rude, but could you please tell me where the Kid is. I'd like to talk to him."

"He's in the barn," a deep male voice said from behind them. The women turned to see Buck walk in, brushing snow from his coat.

"Muriella, this is Buck Cross, he owns, part of the ranch. Remember, I mentioned him before. Buck, this is Muriella Simmons. Doritha's sister."

It was on Buck's lips to give Lou a retort about talkin' about people behind their backs when the significance of the last comment she made struck him. "Doritha's sister?" He asked, wondering if he heard right. Lou nodded slightly, and he raised an eyebrow. "Pleased to meet you. Um, Lou, do you know when Lydia'll be back?"

"She'll be home soon, Buck. If you all will excuse me, I'll go talk to the Kid."

"I'll come with you," Muriella said quickly.

"No," Lou said, just as quickly. "I don't want to just spring you on him, not when he never thought he'd see anyone from Virginia again. I'd like you warn him, first." Even to her own ears, Lou's excuse sounded lame, but she really wanted to talk to Kid before he met Muriella. Not that she knew what she was going to say.

Luckily for her, Buck knew what she was thinking. "Come on, Muriella, why don't we get somethin' warm to drink. We can watch out for Ike so Emily can finish cookin' or we'll never eat dinner. And I can tell you a bit about Lou's cookin'!"

"Thanks a lot!" Lou retorted as she made a hasty retreat to the barn.

Kid was not chopping wood when she found him, he was sitting on a bale of hay, staring thoughtfully at his hands. He did not even look up or seem to notice the snow crunch beneath Lou's feet as she approached.

"Now what is so interestin' about those hands that you'd ignore your own wife?" Lou teased as she moved to stand in front of him.

Kid started and looked up to see his wife standing right in front of him. He flushed a little, wondering if she could read his mind. "Hey," Kid pulled Lou down to sit on his lap and kissed her, warmly and tenderly.

"What're you doin' sittin' out here in the cold like this?" Lou asked when he drew back.

"Just thinkin'."

"What about?"

Kid took a deep breath. "You, actually. Buck said that you seemed kinda preoccupied about somethin'. Why didn't you talk to me about it?"

Lou shifted a little, uncomfortable at the shade of hurt in Kid's tone. "Last time I tried talkin' to you, you told me that it was just my imagination."

"Lou, it was the middle of the night, and you were ramblin' on about someone tryin' to break up our marriage. I thought you'd been dreamin'. I'm sorry if I hurt you, though. I didn't mean to."

"That's okay, I've been a little too sensitive lately."

Privately, Kid agreed with that statement, but he wasn't going to hurt Lou's feelings by saying so. He wanted her to trust him, not hate him. He silently watched her for a moment, studying her face and her wide, expressive brown eyes, which seemed at once to be both young and old.

Lou started biting her lower lip, as if she were about to say something but was not sure how to get it out. "What is it, Lou?" Kid finally asked her. "Is there somethin' else botherin' you?"

Lou stiffened under the circle Kid's fingers were trailing on her back. "Can't hide anything from you, can I?"

"Nope."

"Remember that letter you wrote to Doritha's mother, sayin' that if there was anything you could do, don't hesitate to ask?"

Kid frowned. "What about it?"

"I met Muriella Simmons in town, today. She seemed anxious to see you, so I brought her back here. She's in the house."

"Wow, there's a name I haven't heard in a long time. She was just a kid when I left Virginia, about Teresa's age. She'd be about 17 now. You were right to bring her back here."

"I didn't think you'd like it if I'd left her in town."

Despite himself, Kid frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Lou stood abruptly and started hugging herself. "Nothin' I'm sorry."

Kid watched Lou fidget for a moment, before standing and placing his hands on her shoulders, bending to look deep into her eyes. "What is it?"

"I don't know. I just..."

"Is it about Muriella?" The question struck a nerve. Lou flushed and glanced away. "You don't think Muriella's the woman from your dream, do you?" Try as he would, Kid could not keep the faint trace of amusement from his voice. He regretted it the moment Lou flashed him a hurt, reproachful look, and pulled out of his grasp.

"Lou!" He moved to block her from leaving the barn and tilted her face up so her eyes met his blue ones. "Honey, look at me. You have nothin' to fear from Muriella. She was a child when I left Virginia, and I'll probably always think of her as a child." Before Lou could comment, Kid caught her lips in a tentative kiss. "Do you trust me?" He asked finally.

"Of course I trust you Kid..." She trailed off.

"But..."

"It's Muriella I don't trust." She folded her arms defensively when Kid sighed. "She came here for a reason, Kid, and I don't think it's a good one."

"What makes you say that?"

"Just a feelin' I got when I first met her. She didn't look real pleased to find out you're married."

"Maybe you were just reactin' to the dream you had last night. Why don't you wait and give Muriella a chance?"

Kid may have been only trying to sooth Lou's feelings, but in her emotional state, she saw it as a betrayal. "I may be only imagining things, Kid, but I can't help the way I feel. Muriella is up to somethin'!" Lou pulled away and started running out of the barn.

"Lou, wait!" Kid called after her.

"I have to feed Jed!" She yelled back.

Kid watched helplessly as she disappeared. He loved Lou so much, but he was at a loss of how to help her.

Supper that night was a little awkward. In spite of his happiness at seeing an old friend again, Kid was worried about Lou and thus subdued. Likewise, everybody else seemed to sense the tension between the couple -- even though Lou did not come down to supper. She came down for a headache powder, apologised, and disappeared back up to her room.

Privately, Muriella was pleased that Louise and Kid seemed to be having marital problems. Lou was right; Muriella did have an ulterior motive in coming to see the Kid, and Mrs. Louise Andrews only interfered in her plans.

Using her most guileless expression, Muriella innocently said. "Louise was tryin' to tell me all about this place on the way back from town, but it's all confusin'. Could somebody explain it all to me please? Like the 'pXp' for starters."

"Well, Lou and Jeremiah thought up the name for this place." Kid explained. "You see, we used to ride for the Pony Express."

"We?"

"Kid, Ike and myself," Buck put in before Kid could mention that Lou had also ridden for the Express. Somehow he sensed that that was something Lou would want to mention herself.

Muriella looked around at Kid, Buck and Emily and instantly knew that there was something they were not mentioning, but not even Kid was forthcoming. Jeremiah, Lou's younger brother looked as if he were about to say something, but Kid swiftly kicked him under the table -- an action that was not unnoticed by their guest.

Then something else which Buck had said hit Muriella. "Ike? I thought that was the baby," she nodded toward the child sitting in a high chair beside Emily.

Emily glanced down, then up at Muriella. "He was named for his father. I met Ike when he was riding for the Express. After he was killed, I came here with the baby, Lou and Kid were kind enough to take me in."

"I know this gets confusin', but Buck, Emily and I each own a third of this place."

A frown creased Muriella's brow. "You don't own this place all by yourself?"

"Me and Lou did at first, but then there was a storm last year. It looked like we were gonna go under. Then Buck turned up. He had come into some money, and offered to help us out."

"They wouldn't accept my money unless I agreed to buy half this place. I needed somethin' to do, so I agreed."

"I was very sick after Ike was born. They weren't sure if I was gonna make it. So, they each decided to put aside a third of their shares in trust for the baby. When I recovered, I sold my father's place in Rock Creek, and gave them the money."

"And now we live happily ever after." Kid quipped.

Muriella smiled as she looked around at everyone, even though she was seething inside. This little arrangement made her plans a little harder to carry out. She sensed that everyone was loyal to Lou and Kid; they would not take kindly to her if she went through with it and convinced Kid to go back to Virginia with her.

Lou lay down on her bed to wait for the headache powder to work. She was mad at herself. She had made the resolve to be nice to Muriella, then she went and babbled on to Kid about not trusting her!

She had told the truth when she said she could not help how she felt. Lately it seemed that she was getting more and more paranoid. She knew that a lot of it was just frustration. She had not been allowed to ride while she was pregnant, for fear of miscarriage. For someone like Lou, who was used to riding every day -- even when she was not working -- this seemed like the end. Kid wouldn't let her ride much after Jed was born, saying that she needed to get her strength back. This caused some major fights between them.

Things were a little better now, but there was still some tension, as Lou was suffering from a mild depression and Kid did not know how to help her.

Tears welled up in Lou's eyes when she thought of her husband. The poor guy didn't quite know what to think. Every now and then Lou would suddenly snap at Kid, seemingly for no reason at all. A couple of months before, this often resulted with Kid snaping back, but now, he tried to humour her. Lou didn't know which was worse. She hated what she was doing to him, but she just couldn't seem to help it.

Lou regretted saying what she said about Muriella to the Kid. She knew how much friends from home meant to him, how much Virginia meant to him. The War was tearing him up inside, but he refused to fight. A friend of there's was with the Union Army, and Kid did not want to face him in a battle.

Imagining Kid defending his decision to Muriella, Lou fell into an uneasy sleep.

After supper, Jeremiah sought his brother-in-law out. He found him upstairs, showing Muriella one of the spare rooms.

"Kid, could I speak with you a moment, please?"

"Sure."

"Alone," Jeremiah nodded his head toward Muriella.

Kid frowned slightly, then turned to Muriella. "I'm sure you'll be comfortable in there."

"I'm sure I will," Muriella smiled.

After he bade her goodnight, Jeremiah dragged Kid round the corner. "What is it?" Kid asked.

"Why didn't you tell Muriella that Lou also rode for the Express? You always said that it was nothin' for her to be ashamed of."

"It isn't."

"Then..."

"Lou's a little sensitive about it still, she may not want Muriella to know just yet. We don't know how she'll react."

"Oh."

Unbeknownst to them, Muriella, curious about what Jeremiah had to say, had snuck out of her room, and was listening to them. This information was welcome news to her. Just the sort of ammunition she could use.

Noticing that they were coming her way, Muriella quickly went back to her room. As Kid went straight to his room, he did not notice Muriella's door close, but Jeremiah did. He glanced at it suspiciously, then went down to his room.

Onto to Part 2

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