SOMETIMES
THE PAST COMES BACK...SOMETIMES
THE PAST COMES BACK...© 2000
After throwing a few things in her saddle bags and grabbing her old bed roll, which hadn't been used since the express days were over they headed towards the barn. "Kid" she tried to get his attention, "Kid, what about Mary?" was all she could get out. He realized he hadn't gotten a chance to tell her what happened in all of the commotion. His eyes softened and he looked at her, "Mary died of scarlet fever Lou, that's why I came back here, to find my family, you and the boys." "I'm so sorry Kid", she was shocked by his statement. "Yeah me too, we were only married a few months, but at least she's not in pain anymore" his voice trailed off. He turned his attention back to the task at hand. Lou watched him with pain in her heart, he was so full of so many emotions right now, and she only added to his burden, why did she always end up hurting him so? He didn't deserve any of it.
Katy was already saddled so Kid began to saddle Lightening. "Aren't we going to take the buck board?" she questioned him apprehensively, not sure whether he had gotten a hold of his emotions yet. "No Lou, I don't want to take anything that belongs to him. He tried to speak soothingly to her, knowing his outbursts had frightened her. "You leaving him ain't breaking no law, but if we take something of his he can have the law after us. We'll just take Lightening - he's yours" he turned around to finish saddling the horse.
"How will we carry Seth?" she questioned, feeling a little relief that Kid seemed to be coming back around. Kid tucked his coat into his gun belt and carefully placed the baby in his jacket, Seth would fit perfectly, "there" he smiled triumphantly at her "he'll be snugly warm. "Lou looked at him worriedly, "I'm not so sure about this Kid, I'm scared." She looked to him for support. "Trust me Lou - I'm not gonna let anything happen to either of you", he assured her. Lou felt a peace in her heart she hadn't felt in quite a while, since Kid had left Rock Creek, "I do trust you Kid."
They rode out to Rachel's place and woke her from a sound sleep. Though they didn't have much time they made sure she understood the situation and promised to get in touch with her as soon as they got where they were going - problem was they didn't even know that.
They rode for what Lou guessed was 4 or 5 hours and Kid slowed up. "I think Seth needs a break, we all do" he sighed. "Let's pull up in the next town and get a room."
Lou realized she didn't have any money, she had forgotten in her haste. "Kid, I didn't bring any money with me, I didn't even think about it, what are we going to do?"
"Don't worry about that Lou, I've got plenty to last us a while, until we get somewhere where I can earn some" he reassured her that he had things under control.
They came upon a small quaint town and entered the lobby of the local hotel. "Good evening", he addressed the women behind the counter. "We'd like to get a room." "Certainly", she acknowledged his request, "Mr. & Mrs...?" Kid looked at Lou who was holding the very hungry and cranky Seth, she realized he was at a loss.. "Ah.. Hunter" stuttered Lou-caught off guard by the clerks question. After signing the register Kid sent Lou and Seth up to wash up, he'd grab something to eat and take care of the horses. He'd be up in just a little while.
Lou washed her and the baby and nursed him, he ate until he was satisfied and fell asleep. She laid him on the bed and curled her tiny frame around him; she did not realize how exhausted she was, it did not take long for sleep to envelope her.
Kid entered the room shortly after and found the sleeping pair. He smiled to himself at the site. He worried that she needed to eat but also knew she needed her sleep. He watched them for a moment wondering just what laid ahead for them. Maybe one day they could be his family... He made his way to the settee and after absently eating some cold biscuits and gravy was overcome by much needed sleep.
Early the next morning they stopped at the general store for the very few supplies they needed. They had to travel light, Lou was thankful that Seth was still nursing, one less mouth to have to worry about, she thought.
The next four days and nights they spent sharing the responsibility of holding Seth as they rode. Kid would find a secluded area each night and build a fire, after eating and taking care of Seth's needs Lou was so exhausted she would fall into a deep sleep shortly after getting settled. Kid however worried (as usual) how long could they run, what were they gonna do when the money ran out, where were they going? Each night he'd fall asleep with all of these questions on his mind, he did not rest well. The only time he felt true peace was when he would watch Lou and the baby sleep. He would do whatever he needed to to keep them safe and provide for them right now. He didn't know what the future held but for right now he resolved he would make it up to her for leaving her to find the likes of Robert Clark.
CHAPTER 1 - CHAPTER 2 - CHAPTER 3 - CHAPTER 4 - CHAPTER 5 - CHAPTER 6
TO BE CONTINUED...
