Chapter 1
Mrs. Louise McCloud sat on the edge of the bed in Rachel's guest room, fiddling with the cord on her husband's hat. Mrs. Husband. She still couldn't believe she was actually married. Smiling, she touched the gold band on her finger then brought it to her lips and placed a gentle kiss upon its shining surface. She'd never thought she would be able to trust a man, much less fall in love with and marry the most special man she'd ever come across. She looked up toward the dresser where her husband was busily searching through the drawers, pulling items out, then hastily packing them in the saddle bag he held in one hand.
Even though it had only been a month since she walked down the aisle of the small Rock Creek church and walked back up it on Kid's arm, she couldn't get over how unbelievably happy she was. She realized now that she hadn't given anything up by marrying Kid, in fact, she'd gained something incredible: a future built on love and promise. And each day was better than the last, bringing with each sunrise new surprises.
She was so lost in thought, she was unaware she'd been staring at Kid. Suddenly feeling eyes watching her, she blinked and shook her head. Looking at her from across the tiny bedroom was a pair of the brightest eyes she'd ever had the privilege of gazing into. One look from those sky blue wonders and she was a goner; it had happened the day she'd reported to the Sweetwater Pony Express station to begin work and accidentally bumped into the stranger called the Kid. In one brief moment she'd forgotten how wary she was of men; his eyes were like the window to his soul. They were like an open book; it was so easy to read his thoughts just by looking into them. At first, it had scared her how much comfort she got from his glances in her direction; now she looked forward to that feeling.
"What?" Kid finally asked her, grinning at the happy expression on her face. He'd been worried about her all morning; she'd slept late, saying she was exhausted, and when she did finally get up, it was to run out of the house, sick to her stomach. It had been the same way for the past five mornings and if it kept up, he was going to drag her to the doctor himself, if she wouldn't go willingly. Looking at her now though, rosy cheeks and peaceful smile evident on her beautiful face, one would think she was in perfect health.
Lou looked down, blushing at having been caught staring at him. She'd done it so many times when they were riding for the Express and each time he had noticed, he never let her get away with it; he would tease her incessantly until she admitted to the staring. But now she was married to him so why was she still not able to take her eyes off him? Because he's everything she ever wanted in a companion, she told herself.
"Nothin'," Lou finally admitted, giggling. "Just thinkin' is all. I still can't get over what you told me last night. I feel like it's all a dream ... and if it is a dream, I don't want to wake up." She looked deep into his eyes.
He crossed the room and knelt in front of her, placing the saddlebag beside her on the bed so he could take hold of both her hands. "It ain't a dream, Lou. I meant every word I said."
"You're really not goin'?" she asked once again, having repeated the question over and over last night.
Smiling, he said, "That's right. I am NOT going to Virginia, Lou." He paused as he reached his hand up to gently caress her silky smooth cheek. "I'm just sorry I caused you to worry for no reason." He looked away, feeling guilty. She'd told him he was forgiven but he still felt bad about it.
Lou placed her finger under his chin to make him look at her again. "Yes, you should have told me, we're in this marriage together, but I also should have been able to see you were hurting and troubled by something."
"It was guilt more than anything," he told her, getting up to sit next to her on the bed. "Whenever I'd see soldiers in town in uniform, and when Cody signed up and left with the Army. Most of the men in town our age are gone, Lou, going off to fight."
"True but think of all the men our age who come through here on a weekly basis. Men like you who feel family is more important than fightin' for a piece of soil or a way of life," she reminded him, then took his hand. "Kid, you're not takin' the easy way out, just a different trail. You fought so hard to get away from the life you had back east and you found a new one here. Don't regret your decision, just accept it and move on - think of what's in store for us as our own family." She smiled at him.
"I don't regret my decision, in fact, I know now it was made before we even got married," he told her mysteriously.
She looked at him curiously. "It was? When?"
"The moment you said yes,"
he told her, grinning and holding her hand in much the same fashion he did on
that windy day in the
"I believe you," she assured him, smiling, as he still didn't let her hand go. "Now we better get you outside. I'm sure Buck's got Katy all saddled and ready to go, while we've been in here half the day." She gave a quick glance in the direction of the mussed bed then started to move toward the door, only to be stopped by him pulling on her hand.
"And whose fault is that?" he inquired, raising his eyebrows in her direction. For someone who slept half the morning and had an upset stomach, she was the first one up the stairs when he suggested she give him a going away present.
"Yours!" she answered. "It was your idea, anyway, I just went along with it." She tried to appear nonchalant but knew it wasn't working.
"Oh, right," he said, pulling her toward him until he could wrap his strong arms around her petite frame. "Well if that's the case, then I'm sure you're looking forward to four, long, lonely nights up here all by yourself in this big, empty bed," he teased, slowly emphasizing each word spoken.
"That's enough!" she playfully scolded, swatting his chest. "Alright, I wanted it as much as you did, are you happy now?" she asked sarcastically.
"Very happy," he said, beaming that he'd made her squirm so easily. Maybe she was losing her touch, he thought, usually it was the other way around. "In fact, I can't wait until I return." He looked at her with a glint in his eye.
She knew that look all too well. It was that look that used to make her knees buckle and cause her endless nights of no sleep. "I think we're gonna wear out the bed soon," she shyly said.
"Well then we'll just have to buy one of our own."
She quickly looked up at him. "Really? I just hope if we do, that you don't plan on bringing it back to Rachel's house," she hinted. Ever since she started feeling uneasy in her stomach and had an idea of what could be the cause of it, she'd felt this urge to get a place of their own.
"That's a possibility," he admitted. "You'll have to wait and see though. And if you're a good girl while I'm gone, I might just have a surprise for you when I get back," he said.
"What kind of surprise?" she asked eagerly. "Something for our future home?"
"Uh uh," he told her, shaking his finger in her direction. "You're not getting a word out of me until I get back." He laughed as she started to pout.
"Fine. Now if you're a good boy while you're gone, I might just have a surprise for you when you get back," she retaliated. Two can play at this game. She just knew that he was much better at waiting than she was, which wasn't fair.
"A surprise for me?" Kid asked in disbelief. "What is it?"
"Uh uh," she answered, imitating him. "You have to wait. I don't want any distractions getting in the way while you're out on those trails. I want you clear minded so you can be careful and come back safe to me." She lovingly put her hands on his chest as he drew her near.
"Til I get back then, for both of us," he said, kissing the top of her head. He looked down at her and was surprised to see a look of discomfort on her face. "Lou, you alright?" he asked, instantly concerned.
She touched her stomach then moved her hands away. "I'm fine, just feelin' a little unsettled. Maybe I'm hungry," she reasoned.
"Maybe, but if it's still bothering you when I get back, you and I are going into town to see the doc," he told her firmly, making her take note there would be no more arguing on the subject.
She smiled to herself. "It'll be taken care of, I promise." She gave him an innocent look as he looked questioningly at her. "Come on, let's get out of here. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back." She took his hand and led him toward the door.
"Rider coming!" Buck's voice rang across the yard.
"Gotta go," he told her. They walked out of the house arm in arm. He escorted her to his horse then quickly took her in his arms one last time, as he could see the rider almost upon them. "I love you. Take care, I'll be back before you know it."
"I love you, too, and I'll miss you," she admitted.
He mounted but not before whispering something to Buck, which she couldn't make out. He took the offered pouch then took off, waving to the love of his life.
She waved back. "Ride safe!" she called after him, a worried look on her face. She turned as she heard a snicker from the Indian at her side. "What?"
"It's just funny, is all. You always hated Kid worrying about you when you went on a ride now who's the one worrying?" Buck asked.
"I always worried," Lou admitted. "I was just better at hiding it than Kid was. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a house full of work waiting for me." She walked toward the porch, halting briefly as Buck called after her.
"Well at least with Kid gone, you won't be able to goof off all afternoon so you'll have plenty of time to do work," he teased, knowing full well what they were doing in the room earlier.
Lou blushed at his implication but didn't turn around as she continued toward the house. She slammed the door closed behind her to put a stop to Buck's laughter. It wasn't that funny, they were married afterall. Of course if they had their own place they could do what they pleased without everyone in the near vicinity finding out. Her mind wandered to what was hopefully around the corner for them.