DIFFERENT WORLDS

C.C.

~PROLOGUE~

It has been such a long, hot stagecoach ride from Boston, all the way to Sweetwater Kansas. She was not accustomed to the dust and the heat she had encountered since leaving the east which now seemed a lifetime ago.

The stage pulled to a stop outside the local hotel. It’s arrival was always an event in Sweetwater, so those in town stopped their daily activities to watch.

Several of the boys from the Pony Express station were in town picking up the supllies that Rachel, the station mistress had ordered. Buck, Jimmy, Ike and Kid all stopped what they were doing to watch the passengers unload.

They watched as an older couple, the women short and plump and the man tall and skinny were the first to unload followed closely by a younger dark haired man dressed in a dark suit and a dusty derby hat - definitely out of place they all thought. The next to exit the stage caught the breath of all the riders. She peered cautiously out the door, scanning the street. She was a young women with long auburn hair that reached her waist. She slowly stepped on the stair leading down from the stagecoach. Kid noticed her eyes immediately. They were huge and as dark as the night sky. He though she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen; even though she was covered with dust and dirt from days on the trail.

The other riders too were entranced, but none as taken as the Kid. Ike slapped him on the back and motioned to Jimmy and Buck that Kid had lost his heart. Jimmy chuckled, “Nah, just his other brain that’s workin’ right now!” Kid didn’t seem to hear Jimmy’s comment
though. They all chuckled and turned back to their chore of buying the supplies.

Kid however didn’t take his eyes off of her - he did notice the young man who got off the stage before her didn’t offer to help her down, maybe it’s her brother, he thought with hope. Can’t see how a husband would treat his wife like that.

She managed to get off of the stage alone, awkardly because of her billowing skirts, and layers of ruffles. As she perused the street once again she notice the man standing outside the general store staring at her.

Kid seeing her notice him turned quickly and joined the other riders. His mind still on the girl from the stagecoach.

Louise briefly thought about the young cowboy who had been staring at her. Must have never seen a lady looking so dreadful, she thought to herself.