Love on the Run

Part 7: Rated PG

Lou loved her job and the boys loved having her there. Once she started dressing as she normally did, they had gotten used to her and she immediately became part of the family. She was the sister they could go to when they needed advice or a shoulder to cry on in private. The best part was she was able to convince Teaspoon that not only could she handle her daily responsibilities, but also she could still care for Jedidiah.

At night after everyone else was asleep, Kid would sneak over to the main house to tuck his son in and to spend time with Lou. Each day they fell more and more in love. When he was gone on runs, he couldn't wait to get back to them, while Lou spent the time worrying whether or not Kid would return safely.

With each passing month of the others not knowing their secret, the harder it got for Lou and the more worried she would become. All too often one of the riders would return from a run either bruised or shot. The thought that she might lose her job if Teaspoon found out about her and Kid was the only thing that kept her from running in to his arms the moment he returned.

Three months after Lou took the job, Teaspoon and the boys went to rescue Teaspoon's adopted daughter Amanda. Charlotte came to stay with Lou and Jedidiah, and it felt good to finally have someone to talk to openly about her relationship and fears with Kid.

"I still can't believe how big he's gotten, Lou!" Charlotte exclaimed taking Jedidiah in her arms. "He must be a real handful."

Lou laughed. "It doesn't help the boys around here are already trying to teach him to ride a horse and shoot a gun!"

"And Kid?"

Lou sighed and sat down on the settee next to Charlotte. "Every time he rides out I wonder if I'll see him again."

"Have you talked to him about it?"

"He accuses me of being to overprotective."

"Are you?"

"I've seen them come back beaten and bruised. They'll be close to death and still finish their runs. I don't want anything to happen to him. I don't think I could go through losin' him again."

"How are things goin' with you two?"

"Better than ever except that we still haven't... you know," she answered blushing.

Charlotte grinned. "And why not?"

Lou shook her head. "He still wants to take things slow, I guess. Besides, there's always the chance someone could find out about us, and if that happens, I'd lose my job and he could lose his."

"Lou, I don't see how they haven't figured it out yet. With the exception of your eyes, this little cutie looks just like his daddy."

"I know," Lou sighed. "I hope they get back soon."

"Lou, stop worrying about him. I'm sure he's fine."

"Guess worryin' 'bout things don't make 'em any better. Here, let me take him. It's about time he's put down for the night."

Charlotte nodded and handed the baby over. "I'll fix us some tea while you're gettin' him settled."

Lou nodded and headed up the stairs.

~~ ** ~~

Kid was glad to finally be home. It had taken almost two weeks to deliver Pike for his hanging and to save Amanda, and it seemed to last forever. All he wanted to do now was tuck his son in and spend the rest of the night showing Lou how much he missed her.

Walking into the nursery, Kid stood in the doorway and smiled. Lou was sitting with her back turned to him in the rocker by the window, cradling their son and humming a lullaby. He watched them silently not wanting to disturb the peaceful scene.

Lou smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Kid was behind her watching her; she had seen them return about thirty minutes ago. "Welcome home, Kid."

Kid crossed the room and kissed the top of her head. "God, I missed you. How's he doin'?"

"Waitin' for his daddy to tuck him in. He waited until you guys rode up before he started to fall asleep." Lou stood and handed him his son.

Kid gently placed his son in the crib and stood there for several minutes just watching him. He could never get tired of watching his son; other than his momma, Jedidiah was the most important person in his life and always would be.

"I saw Charlotte downstairs. I'm glad she was able to come and visit. I felt better knowing someone was here with you with all these temporary replacements. Did they cause any trouble?"

Lou shook her head. "No more than you guys. It was nice to have some well behaved boys for awhile."

Kid turned around and smiled at her. "Admit it, you missed us."

Lou wrapped her arms around Kid's waist. "I missed you," she said standing on her toes to whisper in his ear.

"Not as much as I missed you." He kissed her hungrily.

Breaking the kiss, Lou groaned in frustration. "Kid..."

Kid kissed her again, this time with urgency. Lou started unbuttoning his shirt and as she ran her hands over his chest, she noticed the bandage wrapped around his waist. "Kid?"

"It's nothin', Lou. Just got grazed is all. I'm fine."

Lou pulled back. "You were shot?"

"Lou, I told ya, it's nothin'."

"Downstairs, Kid. Now! I don't want to wake Jed up," she grabbed his arm and pulled Kid towards the stairs.

Charlotte met them at the bottom of the stairs. "I'm off to bed. I'll see you two in the morning," she said smiling noticing that Kid's shirt was unbuttoned. She winked at Lou, "or maybe not."

Lou continued to pull Kid until they were in the living room. Kid saw the anger in her eyes and knew the homecoming he had planned wasn't about to happen.

"What the hell happened? How'd ya get shot?" Lou yelled.

"Pike was dead when we took him to where his brother was held up. When he realized it, the shooting started. I got hit in the side, but it just grazed me. I'm fine, Lou. It's nothin' to worry about."

"Nothin' to worry about? You could've been killed!"

Kid rubbed her arms. "I wasn't, Lou. Calm down."

"I will not calm down, Kid! Damn it, I've told you that you needed to be careful."

"Lou, will you quit smotherin' me? I have a job to do."

"I know that, Kid, and I worry every time you ride out. But it ain't just about me anymore. Do you know what it's like for me to sit here holding our son while you're gone, knowing that you might not come back? You never even considered that did you?"

Kid flinched at her words, feeling as if he'd been slapped. "I'm sorry, Lou. I never..."

Kid was interrupted by someone clearing his throat and groaned as he saw Lou's reddened face suddenly go white.

"Is there... uh... somethin' you two need to be tellin' me?" Teaspoon asked walking into the living room.

Lou buried her face in her hands. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough that I think the three of us have a little talk. Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the settee. He took a seat in the chair facing them by the fireplace. "I just don't understand. How did this happen?"

"How did what happen, Teaspoon?" Lou asked not wanting to give any more information than necessary.

"What d'you mean how? Him... you... the baby..." Teaspoon said pointing to the couple.

Kid blushed, "I think you know how, Teaspoon. You've been married six times after all."

Teaspoon chuckled. "That ain't what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is why."

"Why, what?" Lou asked.

"Why in God's name I never noticed. He looks just like a tiny Kid. Now tell me everything, startin' at the beginning."

Kid and Lou went on to tell how they met and all the events leading up to her working at the station.

"Why did you two felt the need to keep it a secret? Lou, why didn't you at least tell me he was your baby?"

"I don't know, Teaspoon. Maybe ..." Lou tried to find the right words. "Maybe 'cause we thought you'd have to fire us."

"Why would I do a foolish thing like that?" Teaspoon asked puzzled.

"The company's got rules about this kinda thing... Kid's not supposed to socialize with other employees. Not like we've been. And you work for the company."

"I know that, but company's company and family's family. And I always thought of you boys ... and you and Jedidiah as family. And a family sticks together."

"You mean we can stay?" Kid asked hopeful

"I don't see why not. Unless you two got some other secrets you're keeping from me." Lou shook her head and Kid put his arm around Lou's shoulders, sighing in relief. "Matter of fact, I'm kinda relieved. I was beginning to worry 'bout all the time Kid was spendin' up here." Teaspoon grinned when Kid shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Don't think I ain't noticed you sneakin' up here in the middle of the night."

"What about the others?" Lou asked.

"Well it's up to you two whether or not you want to tell them, but I think they have a right to know. It would at least put an end to all the bettin' that's been goin' on since the baby showed up."

"I guess breakfast is as good a time as any," Kid suggested. "Everyone's already sleepin' by now. Was there another reason why you came over, Teaspoon?"

Teaspoon shook his head. "Nothin' that can't wait till tomorrow and breakfast will be fine." Teaspoon rose and headed towards the door. "Kid, don't stay up too late tonight," he added with a wink as he walked outside.

Lou took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm glad we don't have to hide things anymore. And I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier."

"You were right, Lou. I wasn't thinkin' about Jed when I left for a run. But from now on that's gonna change. I can't guarantee you that nothin' will happen while I'm out on a run, but at least now, I'll be more careful."

"Well maybe knowin' how I feel will help you remember that. Can you do that?"

"I'll try."

"That's all I can ask. I love you, Kid."

"I love you too, Lou."

Kid kissed her again like he had before they started fighting and Lou took his arm. But this time, she led him to her bedroom.