The Blessing
~~ Part 6 ~~
Lou woke the next morning to worried voices outside the room. At first she thought it was Rachel fussing then she remembered where she was. She quietly got up so she wouldn't disturb Teresa who had climbed in to bed with her at some point during the night.
"Is everything ok?" Lou asked as she left the room and silently closed the door.
"Louise," Mother Superior said. "Jeremiah ran away last night and we don't know where he is. One of his roommates said he returned from talking to you, packed a bag and left."
"Did anyone say where he might be going?"
"No, just that he was really upset. I'm so sorry about this Louise."
"It's my fault. I tried to tell Jeremiah some things that he didn't want to hear. Do you know where he might have gone? Is there a place he likes to go sometimes?"
Mother Superior shook her head. "And the storm moved in last night. It's cold out and raining really hard."
"Do you have an extra horse I can borrow? I left mine at the livery in town yesterday. Kid brought us back."
"I'll make sure it's ready for you by the time you're ready. If you need anything, please let us know."
Lou nodded and hurried back into the room she was staying in. Teresa was starting to wake up. "Teresa," Lou said as she sat on the bed next to her sister. "Do you know where Jeremiah likes to go when he's upset about something?" Teresa shook her head. "Are you sure? It's very important."
"He never tells me anything, honest. Why what's wrong?"
"Jeremiah ran away last night after we talked. There's a storm outside and we need to find him quickly."
"I'm sorry Sissy, I don't know where he would go." Teresa hugged Ms. Mumblepuss tightly and started to cry.
"It's not your fault sweetie, I'll find him." Lou started to get dressed in warm clothes. "I'm goin' back to town and let Kid and the Marshal know what's going on. You stay here in case Jeremiah comes back, ok?" Teresa nodded. "If he does come back, tell him not to leave until I return, ok? That's my girl."
As promised, when Lou went outside, there was a horse waiting for her. He wouldn't be much helping in tracking Jeremiah, but it would get her to town where she could retrieve Lightning.
~~ ** ~~
Kid was awoken by what sounded like someone pounding on his hotel door. He immediately reached for his weapon and cocked it before cautiously going towards the door.
"Kid, you in there?" He could hear Lou's panicked voice coming from the other side. "Kid it's me. I need your help!"
Kid quickly opened the door to see Lou standing there soaking wet. "Lou what's wrong? What happened?"
Lou walked in and shut the door. "Jeremiah ran away last night after we talked. The sisters didn't notice he was missing until this morning."
Kid reached for Lou and hugged her. "This is my fault. If I hadn't come he wouldn't have run away."
Lou shook her head, "No it's what I told him about Boggs that got him so upset. He wouldn't listen, wouldn't believe it was true. He got angry at me and ran off."
Kid started dressing while she talked. "Does anyone know where he's gone? Is there anywhere he likes to go off too?" Lou shook her head. "Then we need to ask the Marshal for help."
"I already did that. He'll be waiting for us when you're ready." Lou sat in the only chair in the room and looked at Kid. "Kid, I'm scared."
Kid crossed the room and knelt in front of her. "We'll find him Lou, don't worry." Lou leaned her forehead against his and he smiled. "This wasn't what I had planned for our first time together again in a hotel room."
Lou laughed her nervous laugh that Kid loved so much. "Katy and Lightning are outside. Are you ready?"
Kid nodded and helped her up from the chair. They walked outside of the hotel to see the Marshal and three of his deputies waiting. Lou and Kid mounted their horses and went off to search for Jeremiah.