With a quick nod Lou turned and walked back outside to where Ike sat atop his mount. Catching his eye she shrugged, “Looks like we’re stuck here for a few days.”
*How long?*
“Three days,” Lou explained. “Apparently the dispatch ain’t arrived. Ain’t even due yet.”
*So we have some time?*
“Yeah.” Lou glanced up and down the street. Three days to wait hmm maybe it would be profitable in more than one way. Hiding her smile she turned to Ike. “What do you say we get a couple of rooms? If we’re stuck here we might as well relax and enjoy ourselves.”
Ike nodded and followed Lou toward the hotel. A quick search of the area and he found what he was looking for. He’d have to go over and take a look around later, once he got rid of Lou.
After getting settled at the hotel Lou slipped out and headed up the street. Kid was due back in Rock Creek in a week and she wanted to surprise him. Idly she wondered if he’d be as open to her suggestion when he realized that she was the one doing the cooking. Giggling she knew he wouldn’t say a word. Especially when she made up for any fault in the kitchen with other, more basic appetite fillers.
“Good morning.” The sultry voice had her galncing at the older woman standing in the doorway to the rear of a small store.
“Morning ma’am.” Lou tipped her hat. “I uh was wondering if you do lessons?”
“Why yes my dear.” The woman smiled. “What sort of lesson would you be interested in?”
“I’ve got a big dinner coming up…” Lou started closing the door behind her.
Stepping into the small shop Ike glanced around uneasily. He had no idea how to do this but he’d be darned if he’d ask Lou for help. It was embarrassing enough as it was.
“Hello.”
Ike smiled softly at the grey haired woman standing watching him. Glancing around he spotted the slate and pointed to it. When the woman nodded slowly he picked it up and scribbled for a moment.
“You’re looking for a what?” The woman read slowly.
Making a simple gesture Ike waited for her to understand what he was saying.
“Oh yes. I have several in stock. Would you like to take a look?”
Ike nodded quickly a smile crossing his face. Following the woman across the room Ike shifted uneasily, he hoped this didn’t get back to the boys or he’d never hear the end of it.
Sitting at the table that evening Ike glanced at Lou who sat fidgeting. In a desperate attempt to be normal they’d agreed to eat together but there wasn’t much eating getting done. Not with the way Lou kept pulling at her tie and the way Ike kept patting his breast pocket.
Anyone watching would have laughed at the carefully choreographed way the other kept trying to hide their embarrassment at being in the hotel dining room.
“What do you think?” The waitress whispered to the desk clerk.
“Lovers maybe who’ve ran off?” The other girl replied softly. “He’s kinda cute.”
“He is. I’m gonna try getting a name or something.”
“Just be careful. Your Pa isn’t too fond of you being friendly with so many strangers.”
“I’m merely being polite. The way my father…” she paused and smiled as they rose. “Be right back.”
Ike scrambled for change to pay for dinner ignoring Lou’s attempt to pay for her own. *Next time.*
Lou nodded and all but ran up to the safety of her room. After spending most of the day in a kitchen trying to perfect what she’d be cooking for Kid she was exhausted and stumped. Once she had the skills she had to actually prepare the meal and she had no idea on who would willingly eat her cooking to help her out.
Flopping down on his bed Ike stared at the ceiling. He knew which ring he’d liked, the simple band had been braided and he thought that it would work well for someone who worked so physically as Emily did.
The only problem was he had no taste when it came to such things…Buck would know but Buck wasn’t here. He had to think about it, had to get the perfect ring and he needed someone else’s opinion. Wishing that Buck had come along on this run Ike rolled over and pounded his pillow. He’d figure something out after all he still had two days left before he had to head home.
“Morning Ike.” Lou greeted her friend as he settled next to her at the breakfast table.
*Morning Lou. You got any plans for today?*
Lou flushed darkly before shaking her head and smiling tightly. “Just gonna relax. Maybe go to some shops.”
Ike nodded. *I’ll check on the horses. Wonder if that parcel’s gonna arrive early or late?*
“Knowing where its coming from probably late.” Lou chuckled warmly. “Come on Ike just enjoy not being in the saddle.”
Ike smiled painfully and nodded before diving into his breakfast. As soon as he was finished he scrambled to his feet and hurried out the door. He may not have a ring picked out but he had his suit picked out.
By midafternoon Ike was no closer to choosing a ring then he’d been when the idea of proposing had first occurred to him. Resinging himself to getting laughed at he decided to wait until…Ike paused in his line of thought when he saw Lou sitting in the shade. She looked absolutely moritified and like she wanted to run and hide.
Walking over to her he settled next to her and nudged her shoulder. *Wanna talk about it?*
“Nothing to say. I’m a lousy girl.” Lou muttered under her breath.
Ike grinned. *I don’t know. Kid seems to think otherwise.*
Lou glanced at Ike with a pointed look. “Kid loves me of course he’s gonna think otherwise.”
*You ain’t that bad for a girl.* Ike replied. *You ain’t annoying and clingy or all emotional and cry at the drop of a hat. And you’ve saved my life a time or two. Come on what’s wrong?*
“Kid’s due back a few days after we get back and I wanted to do something nice for him. Turns out I should just stick to irritating him.”
Ike hid a grin, *Come it can’t be that bad.*
Lou sighed. “I’m trying to learn to cook. I ahven’t burnt dinner or anything but I have to have someone to eat it and nobody’s gonna eat my cooking!”
Ike nodded slowly as he realized why she’d been so antsy and quiet the past day. *If I help you would you help me?*
“Of course I would. What’s that got…?”
Ike shifted and stared at the ground. How could he explain this to Lou without sounding like a cad. *I want to ask Emily to marry me.*
“Good for you. I know you two have been really happy together.”
*Problem is I don’t have the ring picked out, don’t know what to even look for. I found a ring I liked but…*
“Would you like my opinion?” Lou asked softly. “I promise I won’t tell the boys.”
*Would you mind?*
Lou laughed softly, “Trust me picking out a ring is so much easier than risking your life with my cooking.”
*Kid don’t complain none.*
Lou flushed. “He likes desert better.”
*So when are you suppose to have this tasted?*
“Tonight. Six O’clock.”
*Gives you time to help me first. Come on you can give me an honest, girl’s opinion.*
Glancing at the clock Ike swallowed nervously. Sitting the dining room of the local teacher he waited for Lou to present the dinner she’d practiced making. Inhaling the rich aroma of fried chicken and gravy Ike shifted.
*It smells good.* Ike said as Lou appeared with two plates.
“Thanks. Looks edible but that ain’t saying too much.” Lou set the plate down in front of Ike. “Remember I want your honest opinion.”
Ike nodded and took a bite. Chewing slowly he glanced at Lou who sat nervously plucking at her napkin. A slow, steady smile crossed his face. *It’s good. Kid’s gonna be in for a surprise.*
Lou laughed, obviously relieved by the statement. “Thank you.”
*What are friends for?* Ike asked before digging into dinner. Tomorrow they’d head home but for now, he would just enjoy the evening meal with a really good friend.
The end.
Characters:
Ike and Lou
Setting: Any town during a three day wait for return mail
Situation: Both are eager for the stay in town for their own reasons, which they try to hide from the other.
Mood: Embarrassment and tension
Required: They have to know something is going on with the other and eventually wind up realizing the other might be able to help them with their situations.
Setting: Any town during a three day wait for return mail
Situation: Both are eager for the stay in town for their own reasons, which they try to hide from the other.
Mood: Embarrassment and tension
Required: They have to know something is going on with the other and eventually wind up realizing the other might be able to help them with their situations.