Love on the Run

Part 8

The next morning Lou stretched and turned over, disappointed to find Kid already gone, but felt happier than she'd been in some time. The first time they came together, it was a quick release of a year of frustration being apart. The second time they went slower, taking the time to rediscover each other before finally falling asleep in each others arms. Getting out of bed she realized it was later that she thought. Jed usually woke her by now and she was sure the boys were claiming they were starving because breakfast was late.

Dressing quickly, she hurried down the stairs and laughed at the site that greeted her. Kid was trying to feed their son, but was wearing more of the food than Jed was eating. Charlotte, covered from head to toe in flour, was looking in the oven, trying to check on the biscuits.

Kid heard Lou laugh and looked up. "How do you make this look so easy?"

Lou walked in to the kitchen and sat down beside him, showing him how to do it. "The trick is to make him think it tastes good. Why did you guys let me sleep so late?"

"After last night, I thought you might need it," Charlotte said with a wink and a smile. "But I didn't realize how hard cooking would be."

Lou blushed and smiled at Kid.

"And after the past few days," Kid started. "The guys are all sleeping in."

"Charlotte, if you'll finish feeding Jed, I'll get breakfast started. We don't want to kill them their first day back."

Kid gave her look of feigned hurt. "What am I suppose to do?"

"Go get washed up and get back to the bunkhouse before anyone finds out you never came back last night. Wake them up and tell them breakfast'll be ready in less than an hour."

Kid nodded and kissed her cheek. "Are you nervous about telling them?"

Lou squeezed his hand. "Not as long as you're there with me. With you, I can get through anything."

~~ ** ~~

An hour later, everyone, including Charlotte and Jedidiah, were in the bunkhouse eating breakfast. Kid was nervous and anxious and remained silent while everyone regaled Lou and Charlotte of their escapades during their two-week absence. Finally Teaspoon cleared his throat.

"Boys, there's a coupla announcements that need to be made. One not so good, the other... well hopefully you'll think is good."

"What's that, Teaspoon?" Cody asked with a mouth full of food.

"Well, when we got back yesterday, seems there was a letter from the head office waitin' for me. Now you boys know a war is comin' and the folks up in Washington have decided that word will need to travel faster than it has when it does."

The room got silent, many of the occupants knowing what he meant.

*What does that mean for us?* Ike asked.

"Well boys, it means the Express will be shuttin' down."

"When?" Buck asked.

"Not real sure, Buck. But we're to continue to deliver the mail we get like always. At least 'til we're told otherwise."

Everyone was quiet for several minutes realizing what Teaspoon meant. They would soon be out of work, and it was time to start thinking of the future.

"What's the other announcement?" Jimmy asked finally breaking the silence.

Teaspoon looked at Lou then Kid. When neither said anything, he knew he needed to give them a push in the right direction. "Well it looks like I've solved a mystery 'round here."

"What's that?" Noah questioned.

Teaspoon took Jed from Charlotte and bounced him on his knee. "Seems I know who is the responsible ones for this little guy."

"Good, now I'll have a nice nest egg to get me through losin' my job," Cody joked. "Who is it?"

Kid looked at his plate, slowly moving his remaining food around. He was still in shock over Teaspoon's announcement. "I am," he mumbled.

"What?" Every rider exclaimed watching him. That was the last thing any of them expected, and many of them found it more shocking then Teaspoon's news.

Lou smiled imaging what they were each thinking. "And I'm his mother."

"I'll be damned," Noah said first shaking his head. "The Kid has a kid."

Everyone started asking questions and Kid and Lou answered as many as they could. As the shock of Teaspoon's announcement wore off, Kid began to relax. He had one more announcement that only he and Charlotte knew about.

"I have another announcement." Kid stood up and crossed the room. "Lou, what I got to say to you, it ain't easy."

"Alright," she said looking at him strangely.

"Trust me, this'll be easier if you just don't interrupt ... If any of you don't interrupt. Now Lou, what I got to say to you, it ain't easy. But it's time it got said. Now, you know how I feel about you."

"I don't mind bein' reminded..." Lou giggled when she realized she had interrupted him. "Oh, sorry..."

Kid grinned knowing she wouldn't be able to keep quiet. Kid reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. Lou's eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do.

"Uh oh." Teaspoon said smiling. Kid shot him a look that quieted his and any other remarks that his friends may have.

"Louise McCloud, will you ... marry ..."

Lou didn't let him finish. She knelt down next to him and kissed him. The other riders laughed.

"Guess that means yes." Teaspoon laughed.

"Guess so." Jimmy added shaking his head in amazement.

Lou finally broke the kiss and nodded. "Yes, Kid. I'll marry you!"

Kid placed the ring on her finger, picked her up and twirled her around.

"So who won the bet?" Cody asked knowing he was out twenty dollars. He had thought Jimmy was a sure thing.

Buck pulled out his notebook they often used to keep track of the bets they made and shook his head in disbelief. "Lou."

Everyone laughed.