IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU

C.C.

Chapter 10

Kid and Lou saddled the horses and spent the remainder of the afternoon riding the prairie and enjoying their solitude. They both knew how difficult it was going to be when they got back home tomorrow - it had been difficult to sneak time together before, but now, now things were different - deeper between them. It was going to be more difficult - somehow sneaking kisses in the barn just wasn't going to be enough anymore.

"Let's get some dinner Lou" they headed back into town. After another wonderful meal they decided to head back to the room and savor their last night alone - they knew it'd be a while before they could enjoy this kind of privacy again.

Lou lay engrossed in her thoughts - she loved Kid with all her heart, she knew a love like they shared was a blessing that didn't happen all the time. After the last few days with Kid she realized she was ready to spend the rest of her life with him, it scared her a little, but it scared her more to think of him not being in her life - she wanted to ask him what he thought about their future, but she was afraid. She didn't want him to think she was pushing things. She thought Kid was sleeping and turned to watch him sleep, but she saw his beautiful blue eyes once again piercing her soul. "What are thinkin' about Lou?" "Oh nothin', she looked away, sure he could read her mind. He gently lifted her chin so that her eyes came back up to meet his, his eyes pleading with her to talk to him; to tell him the truth.

She sighed, knowing she didn't have the ability to lie to him here goes she took a deep breath. "Kid" she began. He watched her closely, letting her know she had his complete attention. "Well, I was just thinking, wondering really, when you see your future - well, am I a part of it? Whew, she thought I said it!

His eyes softened how could she not know he thought, how could she question his utter devotion to her. "Lou" he answered her, turning from her and lying on his back his eyes wandering to the ceiling. Her heart stopped, oh my God I've scared him, I've moved to fast, damn you Louise! she scolded herself. He let out a long deep breath - "Lou.. Louise I can't remember what my life was like before you came into it, even more I can't begin to imagine my future without you in it." He turned back to her and gathered her into his arms, "Louise McCloud, everything that matters to me in this world is right here, right here in my arms. She smiled and rejoiced at his comments and snuggled closer to him.

"I've just been thinking" feeling more comfortable about the subject she continued. "It scares me to think of my life without you. I don't know... I'm so... confused, she spoke hesitantly, knowing she was continuing a conversation that could really change her life. "Confused about what", he stated with concern. "Kid, you know how dangerous being a rider is, and it would be temptin' fate if just one of us was a rider, but with both of us ridin', well just seems like the odds are pretty bad against us." She wasn't exactly sure where she was going with this; but in the next moment she made a decision that surprised her, she was ready to give up riding for the express, she couldn't hardly believe it, but she knew it, sure as she knew Christmas was in December.

Kid looked closely at her, he was trying desperately to read her thoughts. Then it hit him like a lightening bolt, she's telling me she's ready to give up riding, to go back to being a girl, for me - for us! Spontaneously he leaped from the bed, naked but not even noticing. He knelt on one knee as Lou sat on the end of the bed. He took her small hand into his larger one and cleared his throat. "Lou, ah hem Louise McCloud... will you.....will you marry me?" He was nearly knocked backwards when she threw herself into his arms, "Yes, yes oh yes Kid!" she kissed him - pulling back she peered into his eyes - "I thought you'd never ask!" He drew her back into his strong embrace and returned her to the bed. They celebrated the new situation in a way which was becoming very familiar to them.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12