Rachel stared at the young woman in the yard. Lou sat on the bunkhouse porch, her eyes glued to Kid in the corral. Longing and hunger in the young woman's eyes strong enough to make even Rachel jealous. They were dancing around each other like a pair of wild animals, and the strain of it was beginning to show on the other riders who were having a good laugh at their expense.
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that something was going on. Kid looked harried and tired all the time, and the look in his blue eyes when they landed on Lou was hot enough to melt lead.
Lou wasn't much better; she walked around with a perpetual blush on her face. Her mind was not her tasks. Just that morning, Rachel had to reorganize the cupboards after Lou had folded napkins and stuck them in with the eggs and butter. The boys had complained that Lou'd made coffee twice - using beans rather than grinds.
Rachel watched Lou lick her lips, her mouth slightly parted as she stared at the corral. She turned her head, Kid had shucked his shirt in the heat of day as he repaired the fence, and the golden tan he had was enough to start any woman with a pulse's mouth waterin'.
"Sad ain't it." Buck offered another clothespin.
"Sad? Why do you say that?" Rachel frowned at the handsome half-blood who grinned back at her.
Both of 'em dancing around the issue. Lou's sneaking up on him in the shower nad Kids' not much better. Glared the rest of us into submission last night when she was getting ready for bed. Guess he figured we was going to look or something. Course most of us were sitting at the table playing cards but still," Buck chuckled. "He obviously forgot we all seen her get ready for bed before. Figured her for a boy at one time."
"Yes well, he's probably thinking something a bit different now. When did y'all find out Lou was a girl?"
"When we had to go get her from her Pa." Buck shrugged. "Kid knew long before then though. Can't figure it out when she told him, but it got to the point we was all beginning to wonder about the two of 'em. Caught 'em more than once making eyes at each other, and Lou was always worryin' on about him. Got so bad that we were thinkin' of throwing both of 'em outta the bunkhouse."
"Why didn't you?"
Buck smiled, his shoulders shifted under his vest. "Cause we figured something was up. Why throw 'em out for that. We were nothing more than misfits, outsiders, what difference did it make if they were different - no one else wanted us. Then when we found out, it suddenly clicked into place. Now the show's well worth the wait."
"You boys are horrible." Rachel laughed softly. "But you're right. They really need to do something."
"She leans forward another inch or two and she's gonna be in the dirt." Buck pointed out calmly.
"I don't think she's too concerned." Rachel nodded to the corral where Kid stood. The dipper full of water in his hand, his gaze on the fence. She watched him pour it on his face and head before taking a big drink. The water sluiced down his chest to soak the waistband of his pants. Droplets of water flew as he shook his head before bending back to his chore, the fabric of his pants stretched tight over his hips. "She's rather enjoying the show."
Buck glanced between his friends and grinned, "You think he's doing it on purpose?"
"Let's just say I think he knows she's there," Rachel laughed softly and leaned on the clothesline. "And something tells me he ain't moving quick enough for her."
"You may be right." Buck whistled as Lou shifted, inched forward on the steps her fingers wrapped around the beans in her hand. "Might want to talk to her, gonna be a lot of sighing in the bunkhouse tonight."
"You'd better talk to Kid then, I doubt if Lou's wanting to wait for him to wake up and see what's right in front of him." Rachel took another pin from Buck's fingers. "I may be mistaken of course, but looks to me like Lou's thinking Kid's a three course meal - and she ain't eaten in while."
Buck glanced from one to the other, noting the shy glances that were exchanged at the color that crept higher in Lou's face. He nodded; his friends seemed on the cups of something gravitating toward each other like magnets. He resolved to speak to Kid as soon as he could get him alone.
****
Exhaustion gripped Jimmy as he galloped into the yard. He glanced around at the quiet stillness of the yard. Maybe Kid and Lou had gotten past their doubts, he thought as he opened the door and stepped into the cool interior of the bunkhouse. "Or maybe not." He muttered under his breath.
Jimmy tugged his shirt from his pants and flopped down onto his bunk. With his arm over his eyes, he ignored the silent southerner huddled across the room in his own bunk. He exhaled slowly, the tension and strain of the ride eased from his body.
"Jimmy." Kid shifted, his bunk creaked as he tossed his hat. "Jimmy!"
"You got something to say Kid, or do you just like the sound of my name?"
"Was wondering if I could ask you a question." Kid stuck his hands in his pockets uneasily and leaned against the end of Jimmy's bunk.
"You just did."
"It's got to do with Lou," Kid started cautiously.
"Oh it's about time," Jimmy sat up, all exhaustion forgotten as he moved to grab a cup of coffee. "We were wondering when she'd start closing in. Some of us even made bets."
"Who won?" Kid shook his head, disgust in his voice. Pride was something Kid took seriously and he hated being made fun of, something the others used to their advantage.
"Uh Lou," Jimmy tucked his hair behind his ear, poured a cup of coffee, and reached for the back of the nearest chair.
"Glad I can provide you all with such amusement," Kid snapped his gaze on the floor.
"We ain't laughin' at ya Kid, hell we're rooting for you."
"Then how 'bout giving me some advice." Kid turned on the bench, his blue eyes meeting Jimmy's with a serious expression.
Jimmy nodded his agreement and took a sip of coffee. He used the cup to hide his grin as he watched the color rise in Kid's face. His eyes settled on the thumb Kid used to pluck at the table with and a smile tugged at his mouth. He'd seen both Lou and Kid do it, usually when they were trying to not stare at each other - the first few times he'd watched 'em it had unnerved him but now it was as familiar as the feel of his colts in his hands.
"What do I do now?"
Jimmy chuckled, "In my experience events just sorta got a way of working 'emselves out."
"Yeah well, I ain't you, Jimmy." Kid replied, a slight smile on his face. "It was easier before, y'know. First time I asked Lou to to dance, she kept back off. But now - "
"Yeah?"
"What do I do now that she's stopped backin' off?"
"Dance."
Kid exhaled and stared at the table, a thought filled look on his face. Jimmy hid a grin, Kid would figure it out - if Lou didn't make it clear before hand.
***
Rachel smoothed the table clothe with her hand carefully before setting the lamp back in place. She glanced up at a sharp knock on the back door and frowned. "Just a minute." She called and hurried to the door. The pale faced young man standing on her doorstep looked like he would rather be eating broken glass than standing before her hat in hand. "Somethin' I can do for you Kid? You okay? Front door is open, you could have just-"
"I need to ask you something. Didn't want to give the boys anything more to talk 'bout." Kid shrugged and stared at his boots.
"Well come on in. Care for a cup of coffee?"
"Thank you, ma'am." Kid shuffled into the kitchen and settled at a chair. He remained silent as Rachel poured two cups of coffee and set one down in front of him. The tick of the clock in the hall was the only sound as he nursed his coffee.
"What's wrong? You don't look so good."
"Um the next um run," Kid started and flushed bright red. "Double run can Lou and I have it?"
"Jimmy and Ike are up next, Kid. You know that as well as I do. You've seen the schedule."
"I know but this is important." Kid shrugged, "Lou and I got to talk and um…We um we can't do it here. The boys are always under foot and there's never any privacy and…"
Rachel nodded slowly, carefully. There was a reason Kid wanted to take Lou on his next run and it had nothing to do with 'talking'. She wondered briefly who Kid had talked to, but pushed that question aside. There was no time to wonder about that right now. "Kid you and Lou could have privacy to talk - you've been doing it for a while now. Seems to me the two of you talk more'n any of the other boys do. What's going on a run gonna do for your privacy?"
"It's just a personal matter."
"Kid, I can't just change things around cause you and Lou want to talk. Now I don't mind if you use the house for your discussion…" Rachel spoke gently, she would change the schedule but not before Kid made his intentions clear. She watched him duck his head, a flush crawled up his face.
"Ain't that kinda conversation." Kid whispered his eyes on the table. "Everybody's betting on us, acting like we're the entertainment around here. It's personal, not anyone else's business. 'Sides, I don't want to have everyone thinking that way 'bout Lou."
"What way?"
Kid shrugged and glanced away, "Lou's special, and we got something worth working at. I love her, more 'n anybody. Just want a chance to have some time together, ya know. Without the boys making fun of us, or teasing us, or having to hide in the barn!"
"Kid, I ain't your ma, can't tell you what to do here. I do think maybe you're just reacting to the boys teasing. Are you ready for the next step?"
A slow easy smile crossed his face, "Long as its with Lou, yeah. I ain't after that - I mean yeah I'd like to dance with her but I want to spend my life with her. There's more to this than just dancing." Kid flushed as he met her gaze. "Ain't nobody I've ever wanted this much, I've ever loved this much. Please, Rachel, can't you change it just this once. I'll make it up to them later."
Rachel sighed and reached over to pat Kid's hand on the table, "What about Lou? What's she got to say about it?"
Kid flushed, "I ain't asked her yet. If'n she ain't ready she'll tell me. I would never force her," Kid shook his head. "I wouldn't."
Rachel laughed softly, "Kid, the last thought on my mind is you forcing Lou. I'm more worried about you having an overnight run. Okay, I'll change it this once but in the future if you've got plans please let me know ahead of time. I can't go rearranging the schedule all the time."
Kid clambered to his feet and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, "Thank you Rachel. Thank you."
Rachel watched him hurry out of the house and laughed. That boy had no idea what the hell he was doing. She wondered if either of them knew what could happen, would happen once they took this next step. Rising to her feet she strode over to the window and stared out as Kid hurried into the barn, brushing past Lou as he did so. She shook her head as she caught the quick hand squeeze he gave the young woman who turned to stare at him, naked longing and lust in her gaze. "I'd better change the schedule now, there's a run leaving later and Kid and Lou can take it. I sure hope old Mr. Fedderson and his wife are sound sleepers. If they ain't there's gonna be lots of explaining to do come morning." She whispered and turned to walk to the small room she'd turned into an office.