RUMOR HAS IT

by DonnaRee

Ever since Willow Springs, Jimmy had been wrestling with what to do about his feelings for Lou. They had grown so close since she and Kid had broke it off and Kid had started seeing Samantha. Actually that wasn't entirely true, they'd grown closer long before Samantha entered the picture. Lou was always coming to Jimmy for advice or a shoulder to cry on when Kid did something stupid and hurt her feelings. Sometimes it took all the self-control Jimmy possessed not to take her in his arms and passionately tell her exactly what was in his heart.

Jimmy was worried though. His life so far had not exactly been a safe one, but then neither had Lou's and she'd weathered it just fine - more or less.

The danger she was put in at Willow Springs was all his fault though, there was no getting around it. Is this how his life would always be? Would he always be dogging the demons from his past? He knew as long as "Wild Bill" was alive there would always be someone trying to outgun him or pay him back for killing someone's brother or friend.

But what if "Wild Bill" simply disappeared one day and faded into obscurity? There would always be some other gunslinger who'd come along and become more famous than he if he simply disappeared.

But could he do that to Lou? Could take her from her Express family - for they'd surely have to move away, too many people in town knew of his reputation as "Wild Bill" to be able to stay. They could move, start their lives anew. He could change his name or simply shorten it. Look at Lou, she shortened her name and started all over. Why couldn't he do the same?

'Because you're not worthy of her love', a little voice inside his head told him.

'She'd never love you like she loves the Kid. Why would she? What do you have to offer her?'

'Your love and devotion, that's what', yet another voice inside him said. 'You'd never hurt her like the Kid has and you've always loved her no matter what. You've never tried to change her like the Kid. You accept her for who she is. And what a woman she is!'

He'd always admired her spirit. She has more drive and determination than most men, not to mention women. He'd never known another woman who could have gone through what Lou has and come out fighting, stronger than ever.

He knew she got down on herself and her past, especially not being able to have Jeremiah and Teresa by her side. Jimmy always tried to cheer her up whenever that happened, but then so did all the riders. They were a family after all.

So Jimmy had a decision to make. Should he court Lou or let her go? Deep down he knew he had to give it a try or he'd always be wondering 'what if?'.

Okay. Decision made. Now he had to come up with a plan to woo Lou. He knew all the mistakes the Kid made and he vowed not to make those kinds of mistakes. The Kid had never really courted her the way a woman deserved to be courted. They worked together and 'danced' together whenever they could sneak away. Then Kid had tried to pressure her into marriage partly because of his Southern honor and partly because he didn't want to bring a bastard into this world.

Well Jimmy certainly didn't want to father any bastards either, but it seemed to him the Kid just went about it all backwards. He should have at least been talking marriage to Lou before they 'danced' not months after their first 'dance'.

Jimmy thought if you were going to marry a woman it should because you love her and care for her and believe in who she is as a person, not simply because you were 'riding double' and were afraid of the consequences.

At the moment, Kid was out on a three day run and as soon as Lou got back from her run she'd be handing it off to Jimmy. He had the perfect idea. He just hoped she wasn't allergic to flowers.

"Ride safe, Jimmy!" Lou hollered as she passed off the mochila to him.

*I'll take care of Lightning for you, Lou. Good to see you made it back in one piece.* Ike signed to her as she dismounted.

"Thanks a bunch, Ike. Could ya' tell the guys to stay away from the shower for awhile? I feel like I've ridden through a dust storm and the dust won."

*No problem* he signed back. Ike smiled to himself. Just wait until Lou went into the bunkhouse and found her surprise. He wondered how she'd react.

Ike was glad he'd have time to take care of her horse and still get back to the bunkhouse before her to see what happened. All of the guys were staying close to the bunkhouse to see her reaction.

After her shower, Lou felt much better. As she headed over to the bunkhouse she thought it odd that no one was outside doing their chores.

'Where was everybody?' When she opened the door to the bunkhouse she had her answer. Buck, Cody, Ike and Noah were all over at Cody's bunk seemingly engrossed in some new novel Cody was telling them all about.

"Hey Lou", the chorus of voices rang out, with Ike waving a hello.

"Hey yourselves. What's so interesting?"

Noah spoke up first. "Oh, Cody's just got this new dime novel and he's bragging about how much a better shot he is than the hero, Potato Pete. You know Cody. How was your ride?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, just dirt and more dirt.", Lou replied.

As she turned to her bunk, her breath caught in her throat and her stomach started doing flip-flops. A single pink rose lay on her pillow with a note attached: 'Glad you're home safe. Sweet dreams tonight. Love, Jimmy'.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. She hoped none of the other riders noticed, but of course they did. You never had privacy in a bunkhouse.

She turned and saw all eyes on her. "What?" she said.

*Nothing. I think it's nice* signed Ike.

"He's right. Jimmy really likes you, you know. " Buck said.

Of course Cody had to speak up, too. "Yeah. You should have seen Jimmy trying to get all the thorns off of that rose. He kept getting stuck and he'd swear up a storm. It was really funny."

Noah just glared at him.

"What? What'd I say this time?" Cody exclaimed.

"Sometime you just don't think, Cody." Noah answered.

They were all interrupted by Rachel coming in with supper. "Hi, Louise. What have you got there?", indicating the rose.

"Oh, just a little something", Lou smiled and sniffed the rose with a smile.

Teaspoon came in then and they all took their cue to sit down for supper.

Rachel placed a glass of water in front of Lou and Lou placed the pink rose inside it. Teaspoon cocked his head to one side as if to ask where that had come from, but Lou just kept silent.

'I guess I'll find out what's going on soon enough' Teaspoon thought. And with that they all dug into their food.

Later, after supper, the boys started up a game of poker. Lou sat in on the game for awhile but her mind was on Jimmy and the rose, so she was losing more than she was winning and decided to call it a night.

She stretched out on her bunk and read and reread the note Jimmy had written. Was Buck right? Did Jimmy really like her, more than just a friend or brother?

She knew she had stronger feelings for Jimmy, but she was afraid. She had trusted the Kid and look how that had turned out.

'But Jimmy's different than the Kid and you know it. He'd never hurt you like that.'

She certainly liked the way she felt when she was around Jimmy. He made her feel safe and secure, but at the same time free to be who she was and who she was meant to be.

She would give this relationship a try, she decided.

She thought back to their trip to Willow Springs and how wonderful she felt walking down the street, her arm linked with Jimmy's. She felt a certain excitement whenever they touched. Even the most innocent contacts made her feel giddy inside. Oh, how she wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by Jimmy. Just the thought of a kiss from him made her stomach do somersaults. Absently, she touched her lips, imagining his lips touching hers.

She stared at the rose on the table and smiled. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would be home. She was going to make sure she was there to meet him and then they were going to have some time together…alone.

Her eyes finally drifted shut and she dreamed of Jimmy.

"Rider coming!" Rachel yelled from the porch.

Lou was working on the corral fence with Buck and Ike. She immediately dropped the fence post she was holding and ran out into the yard of the weigh station.

"Hey, Lou! We still need your help over here." Buck chastised.

Lou didn't even hear him. She only had eyes for the rider on the golden Palomino.

Jimmy dismounted and strode to where Lou waited. He scooped her up in an embrace and twirled her around.

Lou giggled like a schoolgirl. "I found your present. Thank you. How did you know roses were my favorite flower?"

'Actually I didn't.' Jimmy thought. He placed that little tidbit of information in his memory. "I'm glad you liked it." He began walking Sundance to the barn and Lou strode along side of him.

Rachel stood on the porch watching her 'children'. She always thought Jimmy and Lou were right for each other. She never dreamed anything would ever happen between the two because they were both so stubborn and feared they'd never be able to admit their feelings for one another. She was wrong. The Lord sure worked in mysterious ways that was for sure.

Once inside the barn, away from prying eyes, Jimmy grabbed Lou again and softly kissed her. "I missed you, Lou."

"Oh, Jimmy. I haven't thought of anything else since I saw that rose on my pillow."

"Lou, do you really want to take a chance with me? Because if you don't, please tell me now. I know you're still trying to get over the Kid, but…"

Lou silenced him with a kiss. "Does that answer your question, Jimmy Hickok?"

Jimmy grinned from ear to ear. "Well in that case, would you do me the honor of accompanying me for a ride? I have something I want to show you."

"I'd be honored to go with you, Jimmy. Just let me saddle up Lightning."

They led their horses out of the barn. Cody, who had been enlisted to help Buck and Ike with the fence saw them mount up. "Hey, where are you two off to? We could use some help over here!"

"Oh, shut up, Cody. Give them a break. Besides you're just upset because you're finally doing some work around here for a change." Buck told him.

Ike just shook his head.

Cody mumbled something unintelligible, but continued working.

Darlin' you know it's true
The rumor you heard about me lovin' you
Well I've never told a soul, so
Tell me how the whole world knows

It must have been the roses and the wine
Or maybe this unexplainable smile
They say where there's smoke there's fire
Well I hope it's true
'Cause rumor has it, you love me too

"So this is what you wanted to show me?" Lou asked.

"Well, yeah, kind of." Said Jimmy, a little unsure of himself.

"It's really pretty." She gazed around her at all the wildflowers as far as the eye could see. "Thank you for bringing me here. I can't believe I've never noticed this place before." She reached up on tiptoes and gently placed a kiss on his cheek.

Jimmy visibly relaxed, glad that he had done something she liked. He left her standing there, coming back after a few minutes with a handful of Black-eyed Susan and offered them to her.

"Jimmy, thank you." She inhaled their scent and smiled. "They're my favorite."

"Uh, Lou? I thought you said roses were your favorite?"

"Jimmy, any kind of flowers you give me are my favorite." She said sweetly.

Jimmy felt like he was melting inside. Here he was standing in a field full of wildflowers with the woman of his dreams. A woman he never thought he stood a chance with. A woman that was once in love with his best friend. And now she was looking at him like he was everything in the world to her. Him, Jimmy Hickok. A man who could offer her nothing in return except his undying love. And love her he did.

"Lou, I don't know if you know it, but I care a great deal for you." He caressed her cheek with the palm of his hand. "If you give me a chance…give us a chance, I know you won't regret it. I know I won't. I'd like it if we could spend more time together…as a couple, not just bunkmates." His face instantly reddened at the picture that conjured up. "Er, I mean, not just two people who work together." He amended.

"Shh, Jimmy, I know what you're trying to say. And yes, I'd like to spend more time with you, too." She drew him down for a kiss. It began as a chaste kiss, but deepened into something more feral. Each of them trying to put their feelings for each other into that one kiss.

Jimmy kissed her like a dying man searching for his last breath and Lou clung to him, afraid to come back down from the heaven their kiss created.

"Wow!" Was all Lou could say when their lips parted. "I've never felt anything like that before."

"I know what you mean." Jimmy said huskily, trying to tame his body's reaction. "Um, maybe we ought to be getting back before Rachel starts getting worried."

Neither of them made a move for their horses. They just stood, eyes locked, lost inside one another's deep brown eyes.

Lightning whinnied, bringing them out of their dream world. They both gave a little laugh, mounted their horses and headed back toward home.

"I was wondering when you two love birds were going to come back. I've had to do all the work around here!" Cody whined.

Jimmy and Lou just ignored him.

Lou placed her flowers in the glass with the rose.

"More flowers, Jimmy? Are you trying to turn the bunkhouse into a florist or what?"

Jimmy's eyes shot daggers at Cody. Buck slapped him upside the head.

"What?" Cody asked innocently.

Ike signed something.

Cody asked, "What'd he say?"

"You don't want to know." Replied Buck.

Teaspoon and Rachel entered the bunkhouse with supper. Teaspoon eyed the flowers on the table and arched an eyebrow at Rachel. Rachel just smiled.

Just as they were sitting down, Kid walked in the door.

"Hey, Kid!" Cody grinned. 'This ought to be good', he thought. 'Wait 'til he finds out what's been going on since he's been gone.'

"Hey, yourself. Great! I'm just in time for supper!"

"You sound just like Cody." Noah said.

"Well take a seat and dig in." Teaspoon told him.

Kid was taken back for a moment when he realized Lou wasn't sitting in her normal place beside him, but was next to Jimmy. Then he noticed the flowers. Must be Rachel's idea to brighten up the place.

"So Kid, how was your ride?" Cody asked.

"Not too bad. Just had a bit of bad weather coming back, otherwise I'd have been back a little sooner today. The flowers look real nice, Rachel."

"Oh, they're not my doing." She smiled.

"Yeah, Kid. You've got Jimmy to thank for those." Cody supplied. 'Oh, this is going to be good!'

"Jimmy? You picked flowers? For the bunkhouse?"

Cody couldn't resist, "Not for the bunkhouse…for Lou."

Lou kicked Cody under the table.

"OUCH! What in tarnation did you do that for, Lou?"

Jimmy glared at Cody. Kid looked from Cody to Jimmy then from Jimmy to Lou. So that's what's going on.

Kid only said, "Oh." He had just lost his appetite. "Um, I forgot to…uh, feed Katy." He got up and went out to the barn.

Noah said, "Way to go, Cody."

"What'd I say?"

"Son, sometimes you need to know what not to say and think before you do say something." Teaspoon answered.

Cody just shrugged his shoulders and dug into his mashed potatoes.

After supper, Jimmy thought he better go talk to the Kid. He really hoped they could do just that, talk, and not end up in a brawl like usual.

Jimmy found Kid in Katy's stall brushing her down. Kid tried to ignore Jimmy, but when the tension got too much he finally he said, "You and Lou, huh?"

"Yeah, me and Lou." Jimmy said softly. "Listen, Kid, I can't ignore how I feel for her and you two did break it off. I know you and Samantha didn't work out, but you made it pretty clear to all of us how you felt about Lou, about how it just wasn't meant to be."

"Jimmy, it's alright. I've done some thinking out here and I've realized you're better suited for Lou than I am. I know that sounds crazy coming from me…heck, I can't even believe I'm saying this, but it's true. Looking back, I don't think I ever really made Lou happy, not deep down. And Samantha made me realize that there are other women out there who I can be happy with."

Jimmy let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "I'm glad we didn't have come to blows over this. I won't hurt her, you know."

"I know. I trust you. I wouldn't trust her with just anyone, you know that." Kid's voice strained.

Jimmy could tell this was hard on the Kid, to completely let go of Lou. He wasn't sure he could do it if he was in the Kid's position. Jimmy extended his hand out to Kid.

Kid took Jimmy's hand and shook it.

"You ready to come inside?" Jimmy inquired. "I think Cody left some food."

Kid gave him a half-hearted smile. "Nah, I think I'll stay out here a bit longer. You go on."

As Jimmy turned to go inside he didn't see the tears falling down Kid's face.

Over the next couple of months Jimmy and Lou spent all their free time together. True to his word, Jimmy courted Lou the way a lady deserved to be courted. He kept her in constant supply of a variety of different flowers and chuckled every time she said they were her favorite.

They went for rides together. They went on picnics. Jimmy even wrote her a poem. Sometimes late at night after everyone had gone to sleep, the pair would sneak outside, lay in each others arms in the prairie grass and silently watch the stars. Once they had fallen asleep cuddled up against each other. Lou awoke just before dawn and they were able to creep back into the bunkhouse without being noticed. Luckily, Buck had been out on a run, otherwise they surely would have been caught.

They grew closer every day and their embraces became more passionate with each passing day. But they still hadn't 'danced'.

One day Lou broached the subject.

"Lou, it's not that I don't want to 'dance' with you…I'd like nothing better than to do that. I just don't want to push you into something you're not ready for."

"Jimmy, you're so sweet. But you know the Kid and I, well we…"

"Lou, I don't care what you and the Kid may or may not have done. This is you and me. And I want you to know I'm not going to pressure you. When we do finally make love I want it to be at the right time and for the right reasons, not because you feel like you have to in order to keep me around. Besides what would happen if a child should be created because of our 'dancing', Lou?"

Lou wasn't sure how to take that last question. 'Does he not want to be with me because I could get pregnant and the last thing he wants is to be saddled with a wife and child? Or is it because he truly cares about me and wants to wait until we're ready to face the consequences of 'dancing'?'

Lou's brow was furrowed and Jimmy could tell she was trying to work all this out inside her head.

"Lou, do you remember when we were at that restaurant in Willow Springs?"

She nodded.

"Well you asked me if I ever thought about my future, where I'd be in 5 years. Well do you want to know what I've come up with?"

Again she just nodded.

"I know as long as "Wild Bill" Hickok is still alive, I'm never going to have any peace. Even though I haven't had any trouble since Willow Springs, I know trouble's just waiting for me around the next bend. You know I've never willingly been "Wild Bill", but I'm saddled with the name just the same. So I've decided when the time comes "Wild Bill" is going to disappear. I'm going to change my name and move somewhere that no one will recognize me. I'm going to make a fresh start, Lou. That time I was with Alice showed me a man can live without his guns. I didn't realize that at the time though. It's taken someone even more special than Alice to show me that." Jimmy held onto Lou's hand and gazed into her eyes.

Lou didn't quite know what to say. She shook off Jimmy's hand and stood up. She started pacing back and forth, ranting as she did, "Jimmy, you're going to leave? You're leaving your family? You're leaving me? I thought we had something special! Is that why you wouldn't 'dance' with me, because you knew all along you were going to up and leave? How could you? I trusted you! All the sweet words you've told me and you knew you were leaving! You wrote me poetry, Jimmy! How dare you do this to me! I love you, damn it!" She vaulted onto Lightning and raced across the plains.

Jimmy ran to his horse and quickly mounted, chasing after Lou. He couldn't believe how badly he bungled this up. She was their fastest rider so it took quite awhile before Jimmy was able to catch up. When he got within shouting distance of her, he yelled her name, but she just kept riding hell bent for leather. When she came upon the river she reigned in Lightning and stared out at the glistening water. That's how Jimmy found her.

When he looked into her face he saw her tears. "Aww, Lou, don't cry sweetheart." He reached across the horses to brush away her tears. She jerked back as if he'd slapped her.

"You've got it all wrong, Lou, honey. I said when the time was right I was leaving. I'm not leaving right now. I'm not sure if I ever will. I only will if I have to. What I didn't get a chance to say was, if ever I do leave I want you to come with me."

She jerked her head up to stare at him to see if he was telling the truth. Seeing the truth in his eyes, she smiled at him.

"Jimmy, I…"

"Shh, Lou, don't say anything right now. I just wanted you to know that I see my future now and it's because of you that I have a future to look forward to."

Lou smiled. She took his hand in hers and together they rode hand in hand back to the station.

This was the day. The time had finally come. The timing was perfect. There was a dance in town and everyone was going…except him and Lou. Lou was expected back at any time now from her run. He knew she'd be too tired to attend the dance and he wasn't going to leave her behind. Besides there was only one woman he wanted to dance with and she would be here with him as soon as her run was over.

Lou arrived back at the station a few minutes before everyone was leaving.

"Oh, Louise, I left you some supper on the table. It shouldn't be cold yet." Rachel said. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us? We'd wait for you."

"Lordy, no, Rachel. I'm too beat. I wouldn't mind using the tub in your house though if that'd be alright."

"No problem, sweetie. Jimmy's staying behind, I'm sure he'd be glad to help you with the water." Rachel said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Thanks, Rachel."

"Cody will you come on already!" Noah complained. "If you comb your hair one more time it's all going to fall out!"

*Yeah, then you're going to look like me, Cody.* Ike signed and grinned at the rider.

"Oh, shut up, Ike!" Cody sputtered.

All the riders started laughing.

After 10 minutes more of Cody's primping in front of the mirror, the gang left.

Lou had already went to Rachel's to start filling the tub when Jimmy showed up with a bucket of water.

"Thought you could use a little help." He said.

"Um, yeah, thanks." Lou said nervously.

"When you're done with your bath why don't you put on one of your dresses and we can have a little dance of our own?" Jimmy asked.

Dumbly she just nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak. 'Exactly what kind of dance do you have in mind, Mr. Hickok', she wondered to herself.

She didn't stay in the bath long. She was too excited about what the evening might bring. She decided to wear the dress Jimmy had bought her in Willow Springs. Not that she had that much of a selection of dresses, but the blue dress held some special memories for her. And if her hunch was right that dress was going to help her make some even more special memories tonight.

Jimmy was slowly pacing the yard between Rachel's house and the bunkhouse, rehearsing what he was going to say over and over inside his head. 'Don't blow this one, Hickok. You've got too much at stake here to mess it up.'

He felt like his whole life had been leading up to this one moment in time. It wasn't easy for him, having his whole future riding on what she would say to him tonight. This evening was either going to be a complete disaster and the end of his life as he knew it or it was going to be a new beginning for him…no, for them.

Gathering his courage he walked into Rachel's house.

I've got a ring and a plan
But I see you're on to what I'm gonna ask
But I never said a thing
So tell me what gave it away

It must have been the roses and the wine
Or maybe this unexplainable smile
They say where there's smoke there's fire
Well I hope it's true
'Cause rumor has it, you love me too

Lou descended the stairs and heard Jimmy in the kitchen. Jimmy heard her footsteps and started toward the sound.

"God, you're beautiful, Lou." He caught her in an embrace and kissed her. When Jimmy stepped to the side, she gasped. The entire kitchen table was covered with every kind of flower imaginable.

Lou had tears of joy in her eyes. "Jimmy, my goodness. Thank you. They're my…"

"…favorites", they said at the same time. They both laughed.

Jimmy walked to the sink and grabbed something. When he returned to Lou he held two glasses and a bottle of wine. "You remember we had wine in Willow Springs? I thought maybe we could recapture the moment, so to speak."

He opened the bottle and poured some wine in both glasses. He then led the way out onto the porch. They sat on the porch swing together. He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. They rocked on the swing sipping the wine in companionable silence, just enjoying each other's closeness.

The wine was making Lou warm inside and very relaxed, it was having the same effect on Jimmy. Before he lost his nerve, Jimmy knew it was now or never.

Abruptly Jimmy stood up. He downed the last of his wine and sat the glass down. Lou watched him, wondering what he was up to.

She had her answer as soon as Jimmy knelt down on one knee, taking her left hand in his. As he began to speak she felt a ring being slipped onto one of her fingers. "Lou, would you marry me?"

Lou was speechless.

Jimmy took her silence as uncertainty and plodded on. "I know you told Kid you weren't ready to get married yet. We don't have to get married right away."

"Yes."

"…Just be engaged. We can marry whenever you're ready."

"Yes."

"…No pressure. I just want you to know we'll be together and what my intentions are. I love you, Lou."

"I love you, Jimmy."

"…And I want it to be forever. I hope you feel the same way I do. I want us to grow old together."

"Yes, Jimmy. Do you hear me?"

"I don't care if we have one child or a passel of kids. I just want to be with you and only you." Jimmy paused. "What did you say?"

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll marry you, Jimmy Hickok." She smiled at him. Then she added, "Oh, and I love you, too." She leaned down and kissed him.

"You said yes." He said, dumbfounded.

She nodded.

"I can't believe you said, yes! I was so afraid you'd say no, that you'd come to your senses and see that I have nothing to offer you except my love and that it wouldn't be enough for you. Oh, Lou, you've made me the happiest man alive!" He grabbed her and hugged her tight.

"I have one question for you though…" she said nervously.

"Anything." He replied.

"Would you care to 'dance'?" she asked demurely.

He grinned like a Cheshire cat. Jimmy took her hand and headed inside the barn.

And they 'danced'…

Author's note: The song "Rumor Has It" is sung by another cowboy cutie, Clay Walker.

The End

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