Love on the Run

Part 2

Over the next few weeks, the express station was busy and Kid didn't have a chance to go back and see Lou. He had hoped when they went after the gunrunner Boggs, who was indeed responsible for the livery robbery, he would get the chance, but Boggs' death put an end to that, and they doubted they would ever know why Lou's life was spared that night when the others were killed.

Kid didn't mention to anyone why he wanted to go back to St. Joe's so bad. He knew the boys would tease him. They often tried to get him to go to the saloon or to town socials, but if he couldn't be with Lou, he didn't want to be with another woman.

He wrote to her often and then passed it on when he arrived at a Way Station that would soon be delivering towards St. Joe. He hadn't heard from her, and by the end of the second month, he had decided to try and ask Teaspoon for some time off.

"Teaspoon, is there a run to St. Joe comin' up?" Kid asked one day after breakfast.

Teaspoon shook his head. "Kid, I keep tellin' ya that there ain't. Why do you keep askin'?"

"Just wonderin'."

"Kid?" the stationmaster prodded. "Somethin' you wanna tell me or talk about?" Kid nodded and then shook his head. "Well you boys can always come to me for advice if you need it."

"Thanks, Teaspoon, I'll keep that in mind."

~~ ** ~~

Lou sat at the table in her apartment reading Kid's latest letter. Each letter made her miss him more and more, but she still hadn't found the courage to write him back.

Life had resumed for her once the livery had reopened under new owners. At first they were skeptical about having a woman employee, but once she had proven her skills with the horses they gave her more and more responsibilities.

Bobby had also been spending a lot more time trying to win Lou's affection. She kept telling him that she just didn't feel that way about him, but it didn't stop him from trying. He would often meet her at the livery when she was ready for her lunch break and usually was waiting for her when she got off in the evenings. She enjoyed his company, but he wasn't Kid.

She had also confided in Charlotte about their relationship. Despite the fact Charlotte worked at the saloon, she and Lou had become the best of friends. She could tell Charlotte anything, but she had been surprised that Lou had taken that step so quickly and with someone she had only known for a few days. But the more she heard Lou talk about Kid, the happier she became for her friend.

Lou heard a knock on the door and called for them to come in. Charlotte entered and sat at the table next to Lou. "Another letter from Kid?"

Lou nodded. "Another one askin' me to come to Sweetwater."

"Have you thought about goin' for a visit?" Lou shook her head. "Why not?"

Lou sighed. "Because if I do, I'm scared I won't wanna come back."

"Would that be so bad?"

"My life is here. My friends... my job... I've spent most of my life in or around St. Joe."

"You could always come back and visit. Or Bobby and I could come there."

"If it's so easy to come back to visit, why hasn't Kid?"

Charlotte shook her head, "I don't know, Lou. I just don't know."

~~ ** ~~

Two weeks later, Kid finally got the break he'd been waiting for.

"Kid," Teaspoon called entering the bunkhouse. "Now normally Jimmy's up next, but I have a special run I thought you might be interested in."

Kid jumped up from his bunk and crossed the room. "St. Joe?"

"No, Seneca."

"Oh," Kid said discouraged.

"Now Kid, I was thinkin' there's no rush on gettin' back, so whoever I give it to might wanna take a few extra days. I don't know, maybe head on in over to St Joe."

Kid's smile brightened. "When do I leave?"

"Now Kid, it wouldn't be fair now. Like I said, Jimmy's up next," he said in a teasing voice. Kid was squirming and Teaspoon smiled. "If I give you this run, you gotta do somethin' for me in return."

"Anything, Teaspoon."

"Make sure you talk that pretty young lady into comin' back with ya to see us. I'd love to see what kind of woman would get you this worked up."

Kid hung his head in embarrassment. "How'd ya know?"

"Kid, the way you been runnin' around here lately, constantly askin' about runs to St. Joe and the like, I figured it was either a woman or you were up to no good. She must be special for you to be actin' this way."

Kid looked up and smiled. "She is, Teaspoon. She really is."

"Go on then."

"Thanks, Teaspoon." Kid ran out of the bunkhouse and went to ready Katy.

~~ ** ~~

A week later as Lou was getting ready to leave work Bobby stopped by as usual.

"Good, I'm just in time," he said as Lou was washing up at the bucket provided.

Lou looked up and saw Bobby heading towards her. "I'm sorry Bobby. I don't feel like goin' out tonight."

"You weren't feelin' good at lunch either, Lou. You ok?"

"Just tired is all. Can we do it another time?"

"Maybe if you had some food in your stomach you'd feel better. You're working too hard, Lou, and since that Express rider left, you haven't been takin' care of yourself."

"Bobby, I ain't gonna argue about this anymore. And I wish you wouldn't call him 'that Express rider'. He has a name."

"What kind of name is Kid? You say he loves you, but I bet he didn't even tell you his real name did he?" Lou took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "I'm sorry, Lou. Please just come to dinner with me. I won't mention Kid or anything else that might upset you. Please?" he begged.

"Fine Bobby, but after this I don't think we should go out as much as often."

Bobby nodded as he took Lou's arm and led her to the restaurant. He knew Kid was in town, he saw him ride in as Bobby headed towards the livery. Bobby had watched her over these last few months longing for Kid, and he knew this time she would agree to go back with him if he asked, and Bobby didn't want that to happen.

~~ ** ~~

After arriving in St. Joe's, Kid cleaned himself up then headed straight to Lou's apartment. When she wasn't there, he went to the livery. He was told that she had already left to go to dinner with the deputy. Hoping they were at her favorite restaurant, Kid hurried down the street.

~~ ** ~~

"Thanks for the meal, Bobby. You were right; it did make me feel better," Lou said as she smiled for what felt like the first time in months.

He nodded. "I'm glad Lou. I like it better when you're happy." He shifted nervously in his chair. He'd had a plan running through his mind the past few days, and when he saw Kid, he knew he would have to put it in place and soon.

"Lou, you mean a lot to me, you know that right?" Lou nodded. "Well, people in this town are startin' to talk. They've seen us spendin' a lot of time together and many of them think it's about time."

Lou looked puzzled. "'Bout time for what?"

Bobby stood and then knelt in front of Lou. Taking her hand in his he looked up and smiled. "Louise McCloud, would you do the honor of marryin' me?"

~~ ** ~~

Kid stood outside the restaurant window in shock. "Guess that's why she never answered any of my letters," Kid said.

"Did you say somethin' to me?" A man passing by asked Kid.

"What?" Kid said, feeling as if he'd just been awoken from a nightmare. He saw the gentleman looking at him and realized he'd spoken out loud. "No, sorry."

Kid walked away with his head down and his heart broken. He felt like rushing into the restaurant and sweep Lou in to his arms and never let her go, but he knew she was better off with Bobby. He was a Pony Express rider that wouldn't even be able to make ends meet if his room and board wasn't paid for. Now he wondered how he could have ever thought of supporting a family.