Rachel smiled at her boys and Teaspoon as they made their usual mad dash for breakfast, rushing to sit around the bunkhouse table and grab at the eggs and bacon she was placing there. All except one, who had been missing at breakfast yesterday also, she recalled.

"Anybody seen Louise this morning?" Rachel asked. "Save some breakfast for her, all of you," she admonished, as the breakfast was steadily disappearing.

Kid looked around at Lou's unmade bunk. Rachel insisted that they make up their bunks immediately on getting up in the morning, and unlike most of them, Lou never needed reminding. But she'd forgotten again, the third time this week. She'd seemed distracted and a little blue for a while, but he'd been afraid to ask her if anything was wrong, after their blowout fight a week ago when he'd moved her things to the bunkhouse without her permission. And she'd been getting up early and avoiding meals ever since, probably so she wouldn't have to talk to him, he figured. He picked at his eggs and then pushed the plate away.

"Not hungry, Kid?" Rachel asked kindly. He shook his head and got up, grabbing his hat.

"Thanks for breakfast, Rachel," he muttered distractedly. He headed out toward the place he went when he needed privacy to think. The way there was beautiful, the sun overhead bright, but he walked blindly lost in thought. He still loved Lou so much, but their fighting had gotten more and more severe lately. He felt he was making mistake after mistake and was terrified of losing her; it seemed the harder he held on to her the more miserable he was making her. The thought that he wasn't able to make her happy was breaking his heart. He resolved to talk to her, promise that he would try harder to give her the freedom she seemed to want, no, need so much. But it was hard to give her space, when he just wanted to be as close to her as possible and keep her safe.

Reaching his thinking spot, he was surprised to see Lou sitting there already, curled up with her head on her knees. "Lou? What are you doin' out here?" he asked gently. She raised her head; he was startled to see that it was streaked with tears and there were dark circles under her eyes. "Honey, what's the matter?" he asked her, concerned. "Why have you been crying?"

Her voice was shaky as she answered. "We got to talk, Kid."

His heart dropped. She wants to break up, he thought, devastated.

"Kid, will you sit down, please," she said weakly, resting her head on her hand. "You're makin' me even more nervous standin' there like a goat at a gate."

Kid sat down on the ground next to her. "Go ahead, Lou," he said, though he dreaded her next words.

Suddenly her face went green and she turned and retched violently onto the grass beside her. Alarmed, Kid held her head and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to her. But the retching continued, bringing up only bright yellow bile. It took several minutes before she was able to stop, and she leaned back, panting and clammy, against the fallen log they were sitting alongside.

"Kid, I got something to tell you and I don't know how you're going to take it," she whispered, her voice hoarse from vomiting. "But I need you to be strong for me right now."

"What is it, Lou?" he asked, though a suspicion was forming in his mind already.

"I missed my monthly cycle... And I've felt bad in the mornings for over a week, and it's getting worse every day."

She turned weeping eyes to him. Taking his hand, she placed it on her breast. "And my … my breasts," she started lamely. He could feel readily that they were suddenly bigger than the last time he had touched them, back before her run when he had moved her things to the bunkhouse. He stared at her, thunderstruck.

"Kid, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me. I really thought it was a safe time, whenever we … we …" she stammered. "I didn't mean for this to happen, it was an accident," she sobbed, trembling.

Kid put his arms around her and she buried her face in his shirt. He could feel her tears flowing down his shirt as she cried bitterly into his arms. "I'm not mad," he said softly, stroking her hair. "Don't be afraid, Lou. I'll take care of you and our baby," he promised, rocking her back and forth, and casting around wildly in his mind as to just how he would do that. Thinking aloud, he said, "We'll get married, and find someplace to live …" He paused. She couldn't work for the Pony Express now, of course. He probably could keep his job, but they would need to find someplace else for her to live, and that would cost money. He hesitated, and looked down to see her frightened eyes watching him.

"Kid, I'm scared. Things are happening to me, and I don't have any control over it, and I'm so scared. How are we going to get by? I've got some money saved, but -"

He shushed her. "I've got some too, but we'd best hold on to that if we can. I'll keep workin' at the Express, I won't find a better paying job too easy right off. Maybe we can stay in the station house, if I pay the company something for rent, least until we have enough saved to buy our own place," he said hopefully. She looked down awkwardly, and they both remembered the fury she'd turned on him when he had moved her to Rachel's a week ago. Now it seemed she'd be living there after all.

Kid raised his hand to dry her tears. "How long, do you think?"

She shook her head uncertainly. "I'm not sure, probably about seven months, if it's true."

Her eyes misted over again. "But it must be true. I've never been late since I was twelve, and I haven't had a cycle since …" she paused, her face whitening again. She turned and leaned her head against the log again, weakly, breathing slowly to try to stave off the new wave of nausea.

"We'd better take you to the doctor, just in case it isn't what you think," Kid said, concerned. God forbid, she might be sick, he thought worriedly, stroking her back. She dizzily shook her head. "I'll go," she said wearily. "But it's what I think, I know."

And you don't want it, not one little bit, Kid realized, saddened. Having my baby is the worst thing that could've happened, as far as you're concerned. His heart constricting, he helped her up and gently supported her as she walked unsteadily beside him back to the bunkhouse.

The visit to the doctor confirmed Lou's suspicions. Numbly, the pair walked out into the street and stood awkwardly staring at each other. "I expect we'd best speak to the minister about when we can get married, and then tell Teaspoon you can't ride anymore," Kid said hesitantly. She nodded mutely, her eyes on the ground. He put an arm around her, heedless of the fact that she was dressed in boy's clothes and some of the passerby were staring. "Let's go see the reverend, then," he said.

Reaching the minister's house, Kid rapped on the door. Reverend Stevens opened it, looking with surprise at the odd-looking couple. "Kid? Lou?" he said, hesitantly, confused to see two teenaged boys standing on his doorstep holding hands, the smaller one pale and blinking back tears. "Can I do something for you two?"

"It's Louise," she sighed. "And we're here to see about getting married."

"Come on in, then," Reverend Stevens said, recovering his poise. Gesturing toward the settee in his parlor, he took an appointment book from his desk. "When were you thinking of having the wedding? Next spring maybe?"

Lou abruptly blurted, "Soon as you're available."

Kid stroked her hand gently and nodded. "Yes, Reverend, we're in a bit of a hurry."

Lou flushed with humiliation as the minister's eyes registered comprehension. She dropped her head in her hand, fighting back tears. Damn it, why can't I stop this fool crying, she thought, frustrated.

"Fine, then," Reverend Stevens said kindly. "I have some time day after tomorrow, will that do? Say five o'clock?"

Kid saw tears dropping through Lou's fingers toward the floor. "Yes," he said heavily. "That's fine, Reverend."

The pair stood to go and Kid again slipped an arm around Lou's shoulders. She gratefully leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment, as Kid fumbled in his pocket for the minister's fee, handing it over.

Walking toward their horses, Lou mumbled, "Well, that's one thing settled," as she started to get up on her horse. The look on Kid's face stopped her.

"Lou, you think it's safe to ride now?" he asked.

"How else can I get back to the station?" she asked, her voice a little strained. "It'll take too long to walk there."

He looked up at her with concerned eyes. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Wait here, I'll go ask the doctor." He turned and trotted back toward the doctor's office, Lou watching him go.

She sighed. Lord, why did this have to happen? We're not ready for this. She idly flipped at her reins, realizing that her freedom and independence were now at an end. I'll never take another run, never have another adventure with the rest of the boys. Kid'll be hovering over me like a mother hen; it was bad enough before, it'll only be worse now that I'm carrying his child.

Tears stung at her eyes again, as they had ever since she suspected she might be pregnant, thinking about the worst part of this terrible mess she'd gotten herself into. The reason she'd run away and started working five years ago, was to get her brother and sister from the orphanage, give them a real home. That will never happen now. Me and the baby … we're responsibility enough. I can't ask Kid to take on my brother and sister too. Guilt and shame at her own failure stung her conscience. I wasn't thinking about Jeremiah and Theresa, just myself, and now because of my selfishness, I can't keep my promise to Momma. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears back. She couldn't let Kid see her like this, she realized, but it was so hard to control her emotions. She heard Kid's voice beside her as he swung onto Katy.

"Doctor says if you've been riding up to now, you can ride home if we keep to a fast walk. But in a couple months, when the baby starts getting bigger, he thinks you should start riding in a wagon instead."

She nodded, despairingly. A wagon. She was going to have to ride in a wagon, like an old woman. Sighing, she urged her horse to walk after Kid's back to the station.

As they got down from their horses and led them to the barn, Kid spoke, breaking the silence that had been hanging between them awkwardly all the way back. "What do you want to say to the others, Lou? We're going to have to let them know you can't do your next run."

"That's right," she said, hesitantly. "We have to explain that somehow." She sighed. "I suppose we could just tell them we decided to get married." Her shoulders drooped as they put up the horses. "Maybe we should talk to Teaspoon and Rachel first, see if they will let us rent space in Rachel's house or if we're going to have to move to a room in town after we get married," Kid suggested.

"Okay, let's take care of that first," she agreed.

They sought out Rachel and Teaspoon, who were going over the books in the main house. "Well, if it isn't our ridin' sweethearts," Teaspoon said. "What can we do for you two little lovebirds today?"

"Well, Teaspoon, I'm sorry but I have to quit, and I'm afraid I can't give you any notice. I'm so sorry," Lou said. Teaspoon and Rachel looked up, startled.

"How come, Lou? I don't mean to pry, but I thought you were happy here."

The tears started again. "I was. But I can't keep riding. I'm .. I'm expecting a baby."

The words hung in the air. Hearing them for the first time, Kid thought, this is really happening; we're going to be parents. Saying them for the first time, Lou felt the walls closing in on her. Rachel and Teaspoon looked at the solemn pair.

"Well, that's wonderful news," Rachel attempted, trying to lift the mood in the room. She got up and hugged Louise. "You two will be wonderful parents. .. and what a beautiful baby you'll have, I'm sure."

"Congratulations, son," Teaspoon said, shaking Kid's hand. "Are you two planning on getting married soon?" Rachel shot Teaspoon a dirty look, but still waited anxiously for the answer.

"Of course, actually the day after tomorrow. We hope you'll be there if you can," Kid said quickly. Too quickly, Lou thought miserably. He wouldn't want anyone to think he isn't going to do his duty by me.

"Well, that's not much time to get ready, is it?" Rachel said. "Do you have something to wear?" Lou shook her head glumly. "Haven't thought about that yet, I don't think it makes any difference."

Rachel shook her head disapprovingly. "This is your wedding day, Lou, and just because it's going to be in a little hurry is no reason not to look your best."

"I suppose so," came the still despondent answer.

"I'll take you into town and we'll get something today, all right?" Rachel said brightly, worried about Lou's depressed mood.

"Whatever you say, Rachel. I'll go get changed into a dress and meet you … at the wagon."

Lou slunk out the door slowly, and Kid, embarrassed, mumbled, "She's still taking all this in. We just found out for sure today, it's a lot to handle. Speaking of that, I was hoping there'd be no problem with me still working here, and with staying in the main house while I find someplace for us to live. I'll pay whatever the company thinks is fair for the room and her board."

"I'm sure that can be arranged, Kid. " Rachel assured him.

Thanking them, Kid backed out of the room a little awkwardly. He turned back toward them at the door. "I'd appreciate it if you let us tell the others about the baby when she's ready." They assented and Kid thanked them again, and left.

"Well, looks like the piper's come calling for his payment," Teaspoon said gravely to Rachel. "Reckon they'll be all right, they ain't the first or the last this happened to."

"I know," Rachel sighed, picking up her reticule and heading out to fetch Louise. "But I wish it had waited to happen until she was ready."

"Course I did. What kind of fool do you take me for? Now what can I get you two?"

"I'm looking for a best dress … I'm … I'm getting married."

Tompkins raised an eyebrow. "You and Kid?"

Lou and Rachel looked at each other in amazement. "How'd you guess?" Lou demanded.

"Always thought there was something squirrely going on between the two of you. Well, you're in luck. Got some nice dresses in, and even a couple in your size. The latest styles."

Tompkins went back to the storeroom as Lou glanced through the rack of dresses. She selected a navy blue dress with blue and burgundy plaid trim. "This looks like it will wear well," she said dejectedly. Rachel reached around and pulled down another. "How about this," she suggested, holding out a pale green dress with a full skirt trimmed in darker green ribbons.

Lou shook her head. "The way I'm feeling right now, a green dress will blend in with my face too much. Besides, it's too impractical. I can't waste money right now, I'm going to be enough of a burden on Kid as it is."

"Louise, you aren't going to be a burden on him, you're going to be his wife. There's a difference." Seeing Lou's skeptical, sad face, Rachel sighed. "You should get the navy blue dress, you will need something like that. But for your wedding, I think something a little more festive is in order. How about this pale blue one?" She gestured toward a beautiful China silk dress with white lace at the collar. "It isn't too frilly or fancy, but it's simple and pretty. It will look lovely on you with some white roses and cornflowers in your bouquet."

Lou looked sadly at the garment. "And where am I going to wear it after that? I'm having a baby. I won't be going to any dances or anything like that now." She took the dark blue dress and laid it on the counter.

Insistently, Rachel took the silk dress and laid it on the counter. "Louise, you want to look your best for Kid on your wedding day, don't you? And you can wear it again, for a little while and then again once the baby comes."

Lou looked at the dress, considering Rachel's words. She nodded, resignedly. "You're right, Rachel. Kid may be forced to marry me, but I should try not to make him regret it the first day."

"Lou, that ain't what I meant. And how can you figure Kid is bein' forced? You know he loves you and he's asked you to marry him before you were pregnant, after all."

Tapping the counter absently as she waited for Tompkins to come back from the storeroom, Lou sighed. "He asked me because he felt he had to after we slept together, plain and simple, Rachel. He said as much, that he wanted to do what was proper. I didn't intend to marry him because of his notions of propriety … but now things are different." Looking down, she shook her head slightly. "Like Teaspoon says, those who dance must pay the piper. We made a baby together, we got to take responsibility for it together, and that means getting married and raising this child. I just hope we can make it work," she sighed. "We see so many things different from each other, got so many things to work out. Things I never told him …". She broke off suddenly. "Guess all that will have to wait and we'll work on them while we're married instead of before."

Rachel looked concerned, but Tompkins' return from the storeroom ended the possibility of discussing Lou's fears in more detail, and by the time the items were paid for and wrapped to take home, Lou was feeling shaky and irritable. Rachel wisely refrained from pressing the issue as they rode home, Lou shutting her eyes to try to withstand the bumpy wagon ride home.

Kid waited anxiously as Rachel and Lou pulled up in the wagon. "You got everything you'll need, honey?" he asked. She nodded, shakily. "I think I need to go lie down," she mumbled. "The wagon ride was bumpy." She climbed down and started toward the station house behind Rachel. She turned and asked, "Kid, would you mind packing up my things and bringing them over for me? I expect the new rider will need my bunk."

Kid agreed and went to go take care of it for her. Jimmy, who was lying on his own bunk after coming in from a run, was surprised as Kid started pulling her things together and placing them into her trunk.

Jimmy looked disgustedly at Kid. "What are you doin' with Lou's things now, Kid?"

Kid sighed. "Moving them to Rachel's."

"Does she know that yet?" snapped Jimmy. "Seems to me she made it plain enough last week she wanted to stay in the bunkhouse. What's changed since then?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but she asked me to get her things and bring them over," Kid said stubbornly.

"Why's that? Because you nagged her into it? Why can't you just let her be - "

"Drop it, Jimmy," Kid interrupted. "I said this ain't your business."

Jimmy shook his head disgustedly. "I suppose it ain't. But I don't know why you say you love somebody and then make them change to suit you."

Kid stonily ignored Jimmy, flinging the last of Lou's things into her trunk, but then turned to Jimmy. "For your information, we're getting married day after tomorrow, and she's stopping work today. She has to move out of the bunkhouse since she isn't working here anymore."

"Really? Why so sudden?" Jimmy demanded.

"No reason," Kid said evasively.

Jimmy realized what was happening. "You got her in trouble, didn't you?"

Kid flushed.

"That's it, ain't it. Well, on the bright side, that works out well for you. Now she has to do whatever you want her to, seeing as how she has no other choice," Jimmy mocked him.

Jimmy's words hit Kid harder than a fist would have. She has no choice, he thought miserably. I would have married her even if she wasn't in trouble, if only she'd said yes at the pond, or when I asked her in the bunkhouse. But she just made a joke of it. She's marrying me just because she has to.

He loved her so desperately that the thought she was marrying him only to give their child a name crushed him. But what difference does that make? I still have to marry her, take care of my responsibility. Maybe, in time, I can make her happy like she deserves to be, he thought wretchedly.

Defensively, Kid snapped back at Jimmy. "Well, what do you want me to say, Jimmy? We have a baby on the way, and we have to get married. I'm sorry if she isn't happy about it, but what else can we do?"

Jimmy saw that his words had hit harder than he intended, and attempted to apologize. Nodding briefly in acceptance of Jimmy's apology, Kid hung his head and went out carrying her things to the main house dejectedly.

"Somebody care to let us in on what's goin' on around here?" Cody finally said.

Kid looked at Lou, pressed her hand, and cleared his throat. "Well, actually, Lou and I have a little announcement. We're getting married day after tomorrow at Reverend Stevens' house, just a quiet little wedding. Lou's going to stop riding and we'll move in to the main house until we find a place to get settled."

"Well, that's fine news, Kid, congratulations. Best wishes to you, Louise," Noah said, getting up to kiss her on the cheek. Buck and Cody joined in, hugging Lou and slapping Kid on the back, and their jovial good wishes seemed to cheer both Lou and Kid, who smiled and caught the congratulatory spirit. Jimmy, seeing Lou's peaked face, softened and bent to give her a kiss on the cheek along with the others.

"So you'll stay on as a rider, Kid?" Cody asked.

"Yes, I hope to find a ranch hereabouts, but until we have enough money saved, I'll need to keep working here, maybe get another job too," Kid responded. "I'll see about that after the wedding."

"Well, Lou, you ain't leavin' us high and dry without a replacement, are ya? Who's goin' to take your runs?" Cody said, worried about the prospect of additional work.

At Lou's uncertain look, Teaspoon cut in. "I already sent word back to headquarters in St. Joe, and I expect they'll send a replacement rider in a couple of days, so there shouldn't be any gaps in the schedule, boys. No need to worry the little bride about that."

He grasped his drink and raised it. "Now a toast to the young couple, one my old Grandpa O'Sullivan used to give." He cleared his throat and the other riders and Rachel raised their glasses. He continued, "May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, quick to make friends, but rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward."

"Lou?" Jimmy said, approaching her as she sat on the step of Rachel's house, tying blue silk ribbons around the stems of a bouquet of blue and white flowers. He caught his breath at the sight of her, dressed up in her new dress with more blue and white flowers woven in her hair. Her face was starting to look pale and a little gaunt from all her sickness, but she was still beautiful to him. He found himself conflicted as her enormous brown eyes looked up at him. He had been Kid's confidant and friend, and knew well that Kid loved Lou to distraction. But Jimmy had special feelings for Lou himself, feelings that were sometimes hard to control. And he couldn't help but feel that he would be a better match for Lou; and besides, he had incredible respect for the small woman and hated to see her backed into a marriage for propriety's sake, of all things.

"You wanted to tell me something, Jimmy?" she said, troubled by his silent staring.

"Just that you look real beautiful today, that's all," he mumbled.

"Thanks … but … is that all you wanted to say? You look worried about something."

"It's just that, I care a lot about you and Kid, is all. I hate to see you rushing into marriage for the wrong reasons."

She looked away evasively. "What do you mean?"

"Kid told me that you two have to get married."

Lou's eyes flashed back to his. "He told you about the baby?"

Jimmy nodded. "Lou, I just worry about you two as my friends, and I don't think marrying someone because you have to is a good idea, baby or no baby."

Lou, misunderstanding him, was devastated. Then it's true … Kid wouldn't marry me if it wasn't for the baby. He's been trapped, and if he could get out of this he would, she thought.

Lou sat trembling, when Kid came around the corner of the house. "There you are, " he said, relieved. "Thought maybe you ran off and changed your mind. It's time to go to the church now." She caught her breath at the sight of him in his black Sunday suit, his smile flashing, his eyes bright. He came toward her, smitten with overwhelming love at the sight of her dressed up and more beautiful than ever. He held out his hand and she hesitated, looking at Jimmy guiltily. She felt clammy and sick, not just from the pregnancy, but from sorrow and shame, thinking, Kid deserves better than a forced marriage. For a split second, she considered breaking the engagement; but her ever present nausea reminded her again, why she couldn't. It might not be fair to make him marry me if he doesn't really want to. But my baby shouldn't pay for his mistakes or mine. Once the baby is born and I can support us, I'll set him free if he wants, she thought sadly, taking his hand and walking alongside him to the minister's house to be married.

Rachel and Teaspoon had hosted a dinner in town in honor of Lou and Kid's wedding. After returning to the house, Kid carried Lou up the stairs to their new room. She clung to him desperately, her face pressed against his neck, as he carried her into the room, which he'd filled with candles and flowers. He shut the door, and pulled off his suit jacket, hanging it up. He turned and looked at her hesitantly. They hadn't made love in a while now, what with their bitter fighting over her independence, and he felt a little awkward now. She smiled up at him, overwhelmed with love and gratitude that he had stood by her. I know he loves me, and he wants to make this work … maybe it's not ideal, but I need to try too, she thought, holding her arms out to him. Smiling back, he went quickly to her embrace.

He put up a hand and stroked her face, whispering, "I love you, Lou," and taking her lips in a soft kiss. "I love you too," she murmured, winding her arms around his neck. To her dismay, her stomach suddenly lurched, but she tried to quell the nausea by shutting her eyes and pressing her face against Kid's shoulder.

Kid's arms reached around to unclasp the row of buttons down the back of her dress; she felt him slip the dress down in a soft pool of blue silk at her feet. The nausea was not abating; she was still fighting it even as her shaking fingers fumbled at his clothes, pushing them down even as he stripped her underthings from her. She felt his heart pounding with desire as he kissed her, but was too sick to feel any return of his passion; and in fact could barely focus on what was happening.

He backed her onto the bed, kissing her neck before moving downward. It's our wedding night, she thought. I can't say no, it wouldn't be right. At the sight of her clenched face, he backed away. "Lou, I'm … I'm hurting you?" he asked, alarmed.

Her face was chalky, her lips trembling. "Kid… I'm sorry," she mumbled, rolling off the bed away from him and lifting the coverlet to pull the chamber pot from underneath. She vomited over and over, emptying the little she'd eaten that day into the basin. Long minutes went by, as Kid held her naked body and supported her head while she got sick. Finally she subsided and rested her head against him.

"Do you feel a little better now?" he asked tenderly. Crying softly, she shook her head no. "I feel terrible all the time now," she wept. "I'm sorry, I'm ruining our wedding night."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's not your fault," he soothed her. His arousal had disappeared at the sight of her heaving repeatedly into the basin, and he could see from her weak, pale face that making love was probably out of the question tonight anyway. "Maybe you'd better get some rest?" he said, picking up her basin as she crawled feebly into the bed. He pulled on his clothes, then turned to say something to her, but saw she was already asleep by the time he was dressed.

Fighting his disappointment, he trudged down the steps to empty and rinse out the basin. He was going to have to leave on a run in the morning; he hoped she would be all right while he was gone. Her sickness was getting worse rapidly. As he stood by the sink, Rachel came in.

"I didn't expect to see you down here, Kid," she said, surprised. "What are you doing?" Looking at the basin, she understood. "I'm sorry, Kid."

He sighed. "She's asleep for now," he answered. "She got pretty sick tonight."

Rachel looked at him sympathetically, handing him a dish towel. "Well, some women have a rough time the first few months, Kid. Poor Lou is one of them. Hang in there, hopefully it'll get better in a few weeks."

"Rachel, I'm really worried about her. I know morning sickness is normal, but she's sick all the time. She hardly eats and she doesn't keep the little she eats down. This can't be good for her or the baby." He looked at Rachel seriously. "I hate leaving her for my run tomorrow. You'll keep an eye on her, won't you?"

"Of course, Kid. You go on your run, I'll make sure she's okay." He nodded somberly and started up the steps again, carrying the chamber pot along. Rachel sighed. Looks like playtime is going to be over for those two, she thought sympathetically. Time to grow up fast. Hope they can handle it. Shaking her head, she poured herself a cup of tea and headed toward the parlor to read before turning in.

An exhausted Kid made his way from the barn, where he had bedded Katy down for the night. He headed toward the bunkhouse, glad he had made it in from his run in time for a quick dinner, before he had to go back in to town for another of his three jobs. He was working part time as a deputy for Teaspoon or as an assistant for Lars Oleson, the town's new woodworker, most nights he wasn't on a run. He figured the sooner he made enough money to buy a farm, the sooner he could send for Lou's brother and sister. He was working harder than he ever had in his life to accomplish it as soon as possible, while supporting Lou and himself.

Entering the bunkhouse, he noted that as usual, his wife was not at the table. Sighing, he asked Rachel, "How's she been doing the last few days, Rachel?"

Jimmy answered for Rachel. "Same as she's been for the last six weeks, Kid. Lonely and sick and sad. Why don't you stay in one place and take care of her for once, so you don't have to ask us how she is?"

Kid started an angry retort, but Rachel quickly ushered him outside. "Kid, I'll make you a plate to take in to the Marshal's office with you for your shift tonight, but Jimmy's right. Go up and see her before you go to work again, she's been missing you terrible."

Kid plodded up the stairs toward his wife's room. He stuck his head in the room, and was surprised when he saw her standing expectantly by a tubful of hot water. "I asked Rachel to help me get this ready for you," she said. "I know you have to head out to work soon, but I thought you might like to clean up a little beforehand." He noticed that she was trying to seem bright and cheerful, but that she was gray-faced and painfully thin, except for a slightly swollen belly. She was clutching the back of a chair tightly. He bent to kiss her and was startled to find her lips cracked and bleeding. He jerked back and took her face in his hands. "Lou, have you been to the doctor this week?"

"Yes," she whispered shamefacedly.

"Did he weigh you?"

She nodded.

"Well?"

"He says I'm 85 pounds now," she said reluctantly.

Kid shook his head worriedly. "Lou, you've lost nearly fifteen pounds since you got pregnant. What's causing your skin and your lips to be like this?" he asked, stroking her dry, cracked hands.

"He says I'm de- , de-" "Dehydrated?" "Yes, something like that." She was starting to look unsteady on her feet. "Kid, I want to take care of you tonight, I don't want you to fuss over me or worry," she said, her voice strained. "I want to be with you," she whispered, standing close to him and reaching up to remove his clothes. "You've been doing so much for me, please let me do something for you."

Looking dubiously at her drawn face, he shook his head. "You need to get in bed and rest, not wait on me," he said firmly, guiding her back to the bed. He checked the nightstand to be sure the medicine the doctor got for her, and some soda crackers, were there at the ready.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, but tried to pull him down next to her. "Kid, I'm feeling a lot better tonight, really. I'm not really that nauseous. Won't you stay and let me give you a bath, and . . . and . . . ". She paused, embarrassed. She hadn't seen him much for the last week, between his runs and different new jobs, and her own exhaustion and illness. Tonight, she had been thrilled that she would have a few moments with him, since it was the first time since they were married that she had felt some relief from her nausea. She had hopes that she could pamper him a little tonight for a change. But he kissed her on the top of the head, and insisted, "Lou, I know you're feeling a little better, but it's probably not a good idea for you to overdo it. "

He turned to the closet and changed into clean clothes, his back to her. His muscles rippled in his back and arms as he reached for a clean shirt. Watching him longingly, Lou thought, I understand, all right. I'm disgusting like this, and of course you don't want me. You'll do anything to get away from the sight of me. She turned her head and saw herself reflected in the dresser mirror. She was gaunt and her eyes were sunken; she looked like a grotesquely misshapen skeleton. She shuddered and turned toward the bed, trying to stifle her tears. I don't want his pity, she thought. It's bad enough that he has to work like a dog trying to take care of us, and is stuck married to someone like me, she thought, sinking back down into her depression again. She looked down at her fragile-looking body, and pulled the sheet up in revulsion.

Kid finished dressing and leaned over the bed, placing a hand over her belly. "You get some sleep. I'll be back when my shift at the Marshal's office is over at six in the morning." As he stroked her belly, both were startled by a sudden movement under his hand, like the fluttering of a bird's wing. His face lit up and he met her eyes. "Lou, is that … is that our baby?" he said, awestruck.

She sat up and held his hand over the same spot. The fluttering started again, and the two sat wonderingly together. "Yes," she whispered. "I think it is."

"Lou," he breathed. "It's so amazing." She nodded, overcome with the desire to kiss him and pull him close; but he had bent his head to rest on her belly, feeling for the baby's movements.

"You have to take care of yourself, honey, promise me? And our baby?" he asked, kissing her belly lovingly.

"Of course," she answered automatically. The baby. He's worried I'm hurting his baby, that's all. But she kept her thoughts to herself.

Kid closed his eyes, tiredly, resting on her belly. Please be okay; I love you so much, he worried. You're so haggard, so sick, and it's all my fault, he thought, guilt-ridden.

He looked up at her and gently laid her back on the bed, tucking the sheets around her. Gazing at her tenderly, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Thanks for thinking of all this, honey; I love you." She nodded, a little weakly,whispering, "You too," then shut her eyes obediently.

He sat beside the bed holding her hand until she fell asleep, then sighed. This is so hard for her, he thought miserably. Maybe … maybe if I hurry up and get the money together for our farm, and send for her brother and sister, it will help her. But it's taking so long, with the doctor's bills and with only one of us working. Mounting Katy, and wearily turning her toward town, he remembered something. There were plenty of wanted posters that came through the Marshal's office, with hefty rewards for capturing fugitives. Maybe he could look into some bounty hunting, make some quick money. Mulling it over, he decided. The sooner he got the money together to pay for a real home for them, the better. He would do it, but he would keep it from Louise. She was so fragile, so depressed, that she would only worry; she had been upset enough when he signed up to work as a Deputy Marshal. He hated to keep her in the dark but it was for the best. He dismounted and tied Katy to a post, then headed in to the office to leaf through the latest posters.

Louise was relieved that at nearly six months pregnant, finally, her nausea was better, though not totally gone. At least she was now able to eat her meals and get out of bed around mid-morning, though the early mornings were still difficult.

Kid, for his part, was working overtime to earn enough to start a horse ranch as soon as possible. He had waited to get Lou's brother and sister for the time being; he was too busy and Lou was too sick to care for them, and the expense of their room and board would delay the day when he could, ultimately, provide a real home for the children and Lou.

Needing something to keep her busy and unable to find suitable work in town, Lou started helping out at the station in exchange for her room and board. The Express family was shocked and pleased when Lou displayed a talent for cooking, one that she had carefully kept hidden while working as a rider. "Momma was a wonderful cook, and she taught me a lot," Lou explained mildly, as Cody watched her cook with astonishment one Saturday morning. Cracking two eggs into a bowl at a time, one in each hand, she expertly mixed a cake as she spoke. Cody, leaning his elbows on the kitchen table watching intently, licked his lips. "Is that going to be another layer cake, Lou? That last one was the best I ever tasted." Lou nodded, sighing, and poured it out into the pans. She handed the bowl and spoon to Cody, who eagerly licked the batter from them and asked her, "But why didn't you ever let on you could cook and bake so well, Lou?"

Setting the pans in the oven as she noted the time, Lou shrugged. "Mainly because I was trying to hide being a girl from Teaspoon, and it was hard enough without running around in an apron makin' pies, Cody." She tipped up a pot's lid on the stove, checking that the stew hadn't boiled down too far, and stirred it.

"Reckon so. All I can say is Kid's a lucky man to have a fine cook like you for a wife," Cody said, admiringly. "If I'd'a known you could cook as great as this, I would'a tried to give him a run for his money, that's for sure." Lou smiled. "Thanks Cody," she said. "I think I'll sweep off the steps for Rachel now." Cody fetched the broom for her from the closet. She shooed Cody from the kitchen, and he joined Jimmy and Buck out on the porch idly chatting as she swept its length.

A young lady with long blonde hair, carrying a dainty parasol, slowly approached the station, surreptitiously scanning the riders out front. She was carrying a letter, but seemed to be looking for someone in particular she wasn't finding. Lou straightened, stretching her back and eying the newcomer, who had come by for three days straight now, subtly looked at the riders and kept going. The only rider who had never been present one of those three days, was her husband. Taking the bull by the horns, Lou called out suddenly. "Can we help you, ma'am?"

The young woman started guiltily.

"It's just that you keep comin' by with that letter in your hand. You looking to drop it off for the Express? If you are, I can take it." Lou set her broom against the porch railing and stepped carefully down toward the young woman. "I'm Louise McCloud, I help out around here."

The young woman, noting Lou's wedding ring and swelling belly, relaxed a little and came to stand at the foot of the steps. "Well, just between us girls, Mrs. McCloud, I've been looking for someone, an old beau of mine."

"Maybe I can help you out. What's his name?" Lou asked.

"He goes by the name Kid, and I understood that he works here. Is he out on a run?"

The other riders' attention was riveted to the two women. Lou nodded. "He's out on a run right now, and it's hard to catch him here anyway. May I tell him you stopped by, Mrs. - " "Maxwell. He'll know me as Doritha Simmons, though, from Virginia." She twirled the parasol absently, looking down with a blush.

The riders leaned forward in anticipation, but Lou simply nodded. "I'll let him know, Mrs. Maxwell. Where can he find you?"

"Here's my card, I had them printed up soon as we arrived," Doritha responded, handing Lou an eastern-style calling card with her name and calling hours printed on it.

"That's very … efficient of you, Mrs. Maxwell," Lou said a little acidly. Looking at the card, Lou noted, "I see your calling hours are from ten to twelve on Thursdays. If Kid can make it that day, I'm sure I'll look forward to chatting more with you."

"You'd make calls with Kid, Mrs. McCloud?" Doritha said, a little confused.

"I'm Kid's wife, Mrs. Maxwell, though I don't use his last name; he prefers not to use it himself. Of course I'd make time to meet one of his old friends."

Doritha looked as if someone had thrown cold water over her. "But … when I inquired about Kid they told me he wasn't married … that was only three months ago," she blurted.

It was Lou's turn to blush scarlet. Instantly Doritha understood. Though this woman was clearly at least six months pregnant, she and Kid were married much less than that. She wondered if Kid had married her just because of his sense of duty. She glanced up and down at Kid's wife, sizing her up. She's pretty … probably was a little beauty when she wasn't so pregnant … but I think I'm more Kid's type, and I've known and loved him for years. There's no way this Louise can compete with that, even if she has the upper hand, carrying his child, Doritha told herself, wanting to believe it. Recovering her poise, she simpered, "Well, I'll look forward to Thursday, then, Mrs. McCloud. Even if Kid can't make it, please do stop by, I'd love to get better acquainted with Kid's wife."

Lou bit her lip. She had said she would be available for a call, and now it would be awkward to back down. She nodded, "See you Thursday, probably closer to eleven o'clock, Mrs. Maxwell."

As Doritha sashayed off, without leaving the letter that had been her supposed reason for coming by, Jimmy came down the steps and put an arm around Lou's shoulders. "Why would you bother making a call on her, Lou? Seems like you would have better things to do."

Lou stared woodenly after Doritha. "I don't trust her, Jimmy. She came here on purpose lookin' for Kid, went to a lot of trouble to track him down. I think she still loves him."

"You can tell all that from talking to her for five minutes?"

"Yes," Lou answered shortly.

"Well, what of it? She can love him all she wants. You know Kid would never look at another woman now he's married."

Lou blinked and ran a hand over her eyes. "I suppose not. But …"

"But what?" Jimmy asked patiently.

"But she's an old sweetheart. She's just the type of woman he idealizes, a fine lady. Beautiful."

"Well, she's okay, I don' t know about beautiful. She doesn't hold a candle to you," Jimmy said.

Lou laughed shortly. "Thanks for sayin' that Jimmy. But I don't pretend to think I can compete with someone like that, especially right now."

Fighting tears, she headed up the steps past the riders into the house. Unwilling to let it go, Jimmy followed her in, finding her staring despairingly in the pier glass in Rachel's parlor. She looked and saw a too-short woman, misshapen with pregnancy, too thin and too fat all at once, with mousy short hair and pointed, sunken features. Jimmy, watching her, knew she didn't see what he and Kid saw in her. Even now that she was swollen with Kid's child, he saw her as beautiful and knew Kid did too. Pitying her, he put his hands on her shoulders, standing behind and gazing at her in the mirror. "I meant it, Lou. Don't worry about that fancy-pants Doritha. I think you're the beautiful one, inside and out. And I don't know if Kid has time to tell you much, with all the workin' he's set himself to do, but he thinks so too. Don't get yourself frettin' about her and don't go over there workin' yourself up."

"You know that old Chinese sayin' Teaspoon told us … 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer', Jimmy?"

He sighed. "Lou, she's only your enemy if she can hurt you. She can't, Kid would never be unfaithful to his wife, never. He may be going about things a little strange with you, but he has your best interests at heart and would never hurt you on purpose."

"Thanks, Jimmy," Lou choked, burying her head in his arms. The two stood together for a moment, Jimmy stroking her back.

Back early from his run, Kid stopped suddenly in the doorway. As Jimmy stood holding Lou in his arms, Kid slowly backed away and down the steps, unseen.

Kid sat morosely working in the carpentry shop, giving one-word answers to Mr. Oleson. Finally, the old man sighed and stopped talking. After several silent moments, Mr. Oleson stood up. "Kid, I think I'll head over to the mill for some new lumber for that order we just got in. You can hold down the shop. Feel free to work on that crib if you like until I get back."

Kid nodded, and went silently to pull a beautiful hand carved crib from the corner. It was a surprise for Lou, one he'd been working on with Mr. Oleson for weeks now. It was almost complete, except for the relief of a horse running along the headboard that he had only outlined and started carving within the last day. He ran his hand over the crib, imagining their baby sleeping in it a few short months from now. As he stood there, the door to the shop opened behind him.

"Excuse me … I'd like to order some furniture," an oddly familiar Southern-accented voice behind him said. He turned, but couldn't quite place the face of the pretty blonde who stood before him.

"Well, Kid!" the woman exclaimed, genuinely surprised.

"Do we know each other, ma'am?"

"Well, I've never been so insulted in all my life! We not only know each other, we were married! Of course I wasn't quite six years old, so I'm not sure it was legal. You must remember … summer of 1847, Chesapeake Beach, Virginia?"

"Doritha?" he exclaimed, hugging her. "I don't believe it … what are you doing here?"

"Well, setting up housekeepin' … with Garth Maxwell. We've been married three years now." She waited for his reaction; he seemed noncommittal, she noted with disappointment. "And how are you?"

"I'm married now too," he said, with a strange tone.

She looked at him closely, and he avoided her gaze. "Yes, I actually met your wife earlier today. She's lovely, Kid, and I see she's expecting a baby any day now."

"Well, not for a little while … about three and a half more months."

Doritha nodded. "How wonderful for both of you," she said casually. "You two been married long?"

Kid turned scarlet. "Not too long, less than a year," he said hurriedly, changing the subject. "I'm making this crib for the baby," he said, gesturing toward it. She glanced at it, but turned back to the subject of Kid's marriage.

"How'd you meet her, Kid?"

He looked down. "She worked at the Pony Express with me."

"Kid, I know I'm getting above myself askin' this, but is everything okay? You seem a little … distracted or upset. Everything all right with you and Louise?"

"Of course," he lied. She recognized his 'tell' from the old days, the odd way he would look up in the air while hitching up his pants or fumbling with his hat, on the rare occasions when he lied.

"Kid, it's me, Doritha. What's going on? Did you two make a mistake and have to get married, Kid?" Doritha hated to be so blunt, but there was so little time to waste. She searched his face, thinking, I need to know if Louise is making him happy; if so, I'll find a way to forget him. But if they aren't happy …

Kid's face crumbled and he turned away. He was worn down with exhaustion, and his tired mind kept replaying the sight of Lou in Jimmy's arms; he knew Lou would not be unfaithful, but he knew too that she was unhappy. He sensed that she was unhappy, but she denied it. He tried to cheer her up with little surprises or by sharing his hopes for their future, or by just holding her. But nothing he could do was taking away the faraway, sad look in her eyes; and he knew in his heart it was because she felt trapped in their marriage. Now she was turning to Jimmy for comfort, instead of him. He knew his wife and friend would not betray him physically, but the fact that she went to another man to be comforted, that she needed to, was almost as painful in its way as if she had slept with Jimmy.

Doritha thought she understood Kid's agonized silence, and drew him toward her impulsively, about to blurt out that she never stopped loving him. But the door opened again, and Mr. Oleson returned. Doritha dropped her hand from Kid's arm, and stepped back.

"I'm at home for calls on Thursdays, starting at ten, Kid. Why don't you stop by and we can talk some more, okay?" She handed him the same card she had given Louise. Dropping her voice so that Mr. Oleson could not hear, she added, "Sometimes it helps to talk things out, you know. I'd be glad to listen."

Kid nodded gratefully, thinking, Doritha's married now herself. Maybe she can tell me what I can do to make things right with Louise, what I'm doing wrong, he thought. I'll just stop by on my own, though, so we can really talk. I won't bring Lou, she usually isn't well enough that early in the morning anyway. Aloud, he confirmed, "I'll stop by without Lou on Thursday, about ten, I'll take a break from workin' here that day. She's … she's sick a lot in the morning, and won't be able to come by. Is that all right?"

"Perfect. I'll see you then," she said.

"No, it was pretty quiet," he answered evasively … in fact, he hadn't been working at the Marshal's office that night as he'd told her. He was starting to take on more and more dangerous bounty hunting assignments, and had been out trying to track down a team of two robbers by himself last night. Afraid she would be upset with him, he kept this information to himself.

She remembered dully that it was Thursday, and that she had promised to tell Kid about Doritha's calling hours. "Kid … there's somebody who stopped by the other day to see you … your old friend Doritha."

He nodded. "I saw her in town the other day."

"You think you might have time to …" she was cut off by a wave of nausea. When she raised her head from her basin and tried again to speak, he stroked her face gently. "Lou, don't try to talk right now, you need your rest. I'm sorry to run out on you, but Mr. Oleson is expecting me to work on a big new order today, before I leave on my run this afternoon … we'll talk later, I promise," he said, getting up and putting on his coat. She tried to call him back, ask him to go to see Doritha with her later in the morning; but she felt dizzy on sitting up and didn't manage it. She sighed and lay back on the bed. "Sure, we'll talk later, whatever you want, Kid," she whispered dolefully to herself as he ran down the steps two at a time to get to work.

Kid rapped on Doritha's door at ten-thirty, and she opened it wearing a familiar flowered print dress. His mind flashed back to a day years ago, when they had shared their first kiss; she had worn that very dress, and it still fit her like a glove. She smiled tenuously up at him, and he felt oddly uncomfortable. Hesitating as he followed her into the parlor.

Looking around nervously, he asked, "Where's Garth? I was hoping to see him again today too."

Doritha took his arm and gestured toward a settee in the corner. "He went out of town on a … business trip … yesterday. He'll be back in a couple weeks."

He sat down where she indicated, as she mixed sugar, bourbon, and water in the corner busily. "Thought you might enjoy a little taste of home, Kid," she said, turning and presenting him with an icy glass she garnished with a sprig of mint, with a flourish. The familiar smell brought him back home again, reminding him of how Doritha's father and his gentleman planter friends used to drink mint juleps in the mornings before a hunt, and the day when he turned fifteen and Doritha's father had asked him to join the men for one in celebration. He'd been surprised, since few men of Mr. Simmons' class would have made the gesture to a poor dirt farmer's son like himself. But Mr. Simmons never seemed to mind his friendship with Doritha, and always had treated him like the son he never had.

"The company doesn't allow drinking," he answered sheepishly at first, but when she dangled the cocktail enticingly in front of him, he softened. "Well, I suppose one couldn't hurt," he smiled back at her. He raised the glass, "To your father, then." At her fallen face, he asked, "What is it, Doritha?"

"Daddy died three years ago. We lost everything when he went. That's why …" she blushed scarlet. "Kid, I married Garth so soon after you left because I had no choice, I had no way to support myself after Daddy died. I turned him down at first, but he was nothin' if not persistent. And I didn't ever hear from you, even though…" she trailed off, looking down at her hands.

Kid looked stricken. "I'm sorry, Doritha. I wish I had known and been able to help." He was guilt ridden at the misfortune Doritha had after he left. She had helped him by lending him the money to head out West, and he had promised to send for her when he established himself. But that really hadn't happened until he got the break of working for the Pony Express. By that time, he had almost forgotten what she even looked like, he realized remorsefully. And the sight of Lou's sweet brown eyes as she thanked him for keeping her secret, and the soft feel of her mouth on his as they kissed for the first time, had driven any last lingering memories from him. He had just conveniently forgotten Doritha ever existed, when once she had been all he could think about.

"I'm sorry," he muttered again, finishing the drink in an absent-minded gulp, and setting the glass down beside him. He realized his mistake within a moment, feeling the bourbon racing to his head; he hadn't slept after working all night bounty-hunting.

Doritha sat on the settee at an angle toward Kid, their knees almost touching. She reached out and touched his knee softly. "I know, Kid. I know you're sorry." Their eyes met. Again memories washed over him as he sat face to face with the first girl he had kissed, his childhood friend and first sweetheart.

She leaned over, her face near his, looking up under the veil of her long lashes at him seductively. She whispered, "We don't have to stay sorry, Kid. We both made mistakes, but there's time to undo them, if you have the courage."

He stared back a split second before standing. "I think I'd better go now," he said hurriedly.

"Kid, I know you have a wife, a baby on the way. That doesn't matter. You admitted you weren't happy with her - - and I still love you, I'll do anything if you'll only be mine again -" she said, her voice breaking.

"Doritha, it's too late."

"After everything I did for you? And why, Kid? Because it's not the 'right' thing to do? It can't be right to stay married just for a baby, when there's no love between you."

"That's not what I'm doing." He grabbed his hat and started for the door. "I love her. I could never leave her, even if she's not happy."

Doritha realized she had misinterpreted Kid's situation, but still took one last desperate shot. Following him onto the porch, she grasped his arm and kissed him, whispering, "Then choose me anyway, Kid. Choose the woman who loves you, and let her find someone she can love like I love you."

Her words struck Kid in the heart with an almost physical pain. He stood numbly staring back at her with tears in his eyes. Doritha finally read the truth in Kid's eyes, the truth that what they had shared was over and that his heart belonged to his wife now.

"Doritha, you deserve better than that. I'm sorry you're unhappy with Garth; if you decide you need to leave him, I'll help you however I can. But I can't love you again. I'm sorry."

He put on his hat and got away, as Doritha stood sadly watching him leave. As she turned her head slightly to lean on the door jamb, her eyes caught sight of Louise standing down the street staring after Kid.

Louise's face showed that she knew she had been seen, and after a moment's hesitation, she started toward Doritha's porch. She reached the steps, and started up, her face set. She was neatly dressed in a white cotton blouse and blue skirt, with a pretty flowered bonnet tied on with a blue silk ribbon, and she was carrying a basket over her arm. But Doritha nervously recognized the same expression on Lou's small face that she had seen back home on gentlemen when challenging a rival to a pistol duel to the death.

"Good morning, Mrs. Maxwell," Louise said a little coldly. Doritha stammered out a response and invited Louise in. She collected herself as best she could while the wife of the man she had just tried to seduce swept by her.

"Is your husband at home, Mrs. Maxwell?"

Doritha's face reddened, and she mumbled, "He's out of town this month on business."

"I see my husband came to pay his respects," Lou mentioned, sitting down and setting her basket on the table next to her, noting the empty julep glass.

"Yes, he -"

"What happened between you two, Mrs. Maxwell?"

Doritha's eyes boggled at the other woman, who sat with clenched jaw, her small, slender fingers tightly gripping the chair with white knuckles. Doritha managed to marshal her dignity and stood up, affecting an offended pose, praying that Louise had not seen the kiss she had forced on Kid a few minutes before. "Mrs. McCloud, are you insinuating that there was something improper about my innocently receiving an old friend I've known since we were children?" she said indignantly.

Lou jumped a little in the chair, startling Doritha; but as Lou bent over in the chair slightly in obvious discomfort, Doritha saw what caused the sudden movement. Kid's baby was turning in Lou's belly, the movement visible even through the fabric of her blue skirt, stretched just a little tightly across her. Doritha went sick and clammy with shame at the sight.

"I don't give a tinker's damn what's proper," Louise seethed, repositioning herself awkwardly in the chair. "I know what I see, and that's another woman in love with my husband. I saw you," she whispered brokenly.

To Doritha's surprise, Louise's grim expression suddenly crumbled into vulnerability. She pleaded, "Does he love you, Doritha? Does he? You've known him his whole life, you would know even if he doesn't. Tell me the truth."

Blue eyes stared into brown for a frozen moment that seemed to last an eternity. In that moment, Doritha almost considered doing something to encourage the seeds of doubt in Kid that she saw forming in Lou's mind … but something rose up and prevented her. Defeated, she shook her head, muttering, "No, Louise. He loves his wife. Go home and wait for him."

Louise looked at Doritha with insecurity still written across her face. She pushed herself up awkwardly from the low chair and slowly went toward the door. Doritha stopped her at the threshold. "He's lucky to have a wife like you. Be good to him, Louise."

Lou nodded, uncertainly, as she left. Shutting the door behind her, Doritha dropped her head into her hands and wept in combined shame and disappointment that her last hope of reuniting with Kid was crushed.

Louise was stumbling home through her own tears. She had been to the Marhsal's office before going to Doritha's to drop off a batch of fresh muffins as a treat for Teaspoon. He had innocently let it slip, without realizing, that Kid had not worked there last night as he had told her. Now other thoughts rose up and assaulted her unwilling mind mercilessly. He lied to me about working last night. He was there with her this morning. They were drinking together. He never told me he was going there. He said he was going to be busy at the shop today. Her rich husband was out of town. He hasn't touched me in months. As the voice in her head ticked off fact after unassailable fact, her surroundings swirled around her, and she avoided the bunkhouse, instead climbing the stairs to her small room to try to control her emotions. Flinging the basket across the room impotently, she felt her heart constricting, felt physically trapped, by the small room, by her clumsy body, by the changes that were coming at her constantly and inexorably. By her lonely marriage to a man she loved, but was starting to doubt. She looked at her wild-eyed face in the mirror and shut her eyes; then opened them again, forcing herself to look. I can't pretend things aren't true and hope they'll go away anymore… the truth is there staring me in the face, she thought piteously.

Lou sat wrapped in a pretty silk shawl on the main house's front porch, absently answering Rachel's questions, until finally, exasperated, Rachel teased, "Hello? Louise? Anybody home? I feel like I've been talking to myself for the last half hour."

"Mm hm," Lou mumbled, unraveling a row of knitting. "Damn it, I missed half the stitches in this row," she grumbled. She disgustedly flung the work into her basket and lapsed into sullen silence, glaring at the sun setting in the horizon.

Rachel sighed. Lou had been in another world since before dinner, she reflected. She'll talk when she's ready, I suppose. Lou sat up at attention as the station's wagon pulled past with Kid driving. He waved to her and drove the wagon into the barn to unhitch it. Grim-faced, Lou stood and muttered, "About damn time." Clutching her pink shawl about her, she stomped down the steps furiously. Rachel lifted her eyebrows. She was glad to see Lou showing some of her old spunk, but grinned to herself. Whatever Kid did, I feel sorry for him when she gets a hold of him in that barn, she chuckled to herself.

Lou opened the door to the barn and peered in. Kid was unloading something wrapped in a large canvas sheet from the wagon onto the barn floor, but smiled at her. "What are you doin' out here in this cold in that thin shawl? Get on inside, honey, I'll be in directly." Her face darkened ominously at his overprotectiveness, but she ignored it for the time being and faced him, her face set grimly.

"We got to talk Kid. Now."

He looked a little uneasy at her cool tone. "About what?"

"Why don't we start with where you really were last night? Don't bother tellin' me workin'. Teaspoon let it slip you weren't on duty last night. And you were at her house this morning and didn't tell me about it. So what am I supposed to think?"

He grinned. "You think I was spendin' the night with another woman? Didn't know I was such a ladies' man," he laughed.

"It's not funny!"

"Come on, Lou. Stop bein' silly. She's just an old friend, that's all, and I wasn't with her last night."

"Where were you then?" she challenged, her arms crossed over her chest.

He paused a split second, then turned and pulled the canvas from the large object he'd unloaded. "This answer your question?" he said.

Her eyes softened as she took in the beautiful carved crib. "Oh, Kid," she breathed, running her hand over it. "Katy and Lightning," she said softly, noting the detailed carved horses adorning the headboard. "It must have taken weeks to make this. I love it. I'm sorry Kid." She turned and beamed at him, then shyly put her arms around his neck and hooked her chin over his shoulder. "Mmm," she sighed. "I never shoulda doubted you. I shoulda known you were doing something sweet for me and the baby."

He guiltily held her close. "Everything I been doing, every minute since we got married, was for you and the baby, honey," he said, huskily. That's the truth, in its way … If I tell her about that gang I'm keepin' an eye out for, she won't let me keep lookin' for them, or she'll worry, and I can't have that, he thought. If I can just get this one reward, we'll have enough saved, we can get our place and be set. She'll understand then, he convinced himself.

She turned her face toward his neck, and he could feel her breath warm on his skin. His skin tingled when she touched her lips gently to the side of his face, gently sliding her face against his like a kitten. The shawl slipped from her shoulders to the ground unheeded, and her eyes drooped shut as he kissed her, soft, quick kisses at first. He couldn't resist reaching to fondle her breast, cupping it in his hand as he drew her toward him around the waist with his other arm. She moaned, "Kid," and pressed herself to him, unbuttoning the top button of his shirt.

He broke away, panting. "I'm sorry, Lou, I know we can't do this anymore. I … I forgot myself. I can't help it," he whispered hoarsely, trying to ignore the aching in his groin. He backed away, but she caught at him, smiling. "You idiot," she said teasingly. "Is this why you've been avoiding making love for the last few weeks?" she said, incredulously.

"Yes," he said, humiliated. "I don't want to hurt you or the baby."

"Kid, I'm telling you it won't," she laughed. Stepping toward him, she slid her arms back around his neck. "I need you, Kid. Make love to your wife," she commanded, yanking the belt from his waist and pushing him back to sit on a nearby bale of hay.

They sat together for several long moments after making love; Lou smiled at Kid, feeling almost drunk with love and satisfaction, and then leaned against him with a sigh. "I needed that," she murmured. "Thank you."

He held her tightly. "No, thank you," he contradicted. As she closed her eyes contentedly, he stroked her hair and rocked her, and thought briefly about the surprise he would be able to give her soon. She was never going to be sorry she married him, even if it was just because of the baby, not if he could help it, he resolved. He was going to be a perfect husband, a perfect provider, no matter how hard he needed to work to do it for her.

Rachel came down the steps early, yawning, and was startled to find Lou humming merrily in the kitchen, stirring and chopping busily at the table. Every burner on the stove and the oven were all in use behind her.

"Morning, Rachel!" Lou sang out. "Care for some breakfast?"

"Just a biscuit, thanks," said Rachel, wonderingly. She took a fresh biscuit from the basket Lou handed her and sat down to nibble at it. "Looks like you've already got the boys' meals ready for the whole day," she marveled.

Lou laughed. "Well, some of this is for them. But I'm planning something extra special for Kid for tonight, when he gets home from the Marshal's office."

Rachel studied Lou's glowing face. "Do I take it that he's done something special to deserve a special dinner?" she teased.

Looking up mischievously from her chopping board, Lou could not suppress a grin. "You could say that," she said coyly, dumping the apples she had been cutting into a pie crust and giggling.

"Say no more, I get the picture. So you're feeling a little better today than yesterday, then?"

"Much better."

Rachel reached around Lou's thin shoulders and hugged her. "I'm so glad," she said.

Lou sighed. "Well, I'm still missin' my old job and my independence a bit, and it's a lot to get used to. But now that I'm feeling better, it's easier to look at the bright side. The baby will be here soon, and before we know it we'll be getting our own place. Then I can help raise horses with Kid. It'll be even better than ridin' for a living."

"That's the spirit," Rachel encouraged.

Jimmy rapped on the kitchen door and came in. "Got an early run today, so I was hopin' to grab a bite before I have to leave," he started, then looked around puzzled at the smorgasbord of food Lou had cooked. "Looks like I came to the right place," he laughed. "Lou, did you cook all this already?"

"Yes, I did, Jimmy. Pull up a chair, I'll make you a plate," Lou said busily.

"You seem like you're in a better mood today than I've seen you in a long time, Lou," Jimmy observed, taking the plate from her.

"Well, I was pretty worried about Kid, Jimmy. I found out he wasn't working at the Marshal's office when he said he was, and I jumped to the wrong conclusion," she said, a little shamefaced. "I felt terrible when I found out what he was up to."

"I bet, I told him you'd have a fit. I'm glad he finally decided to tell you," Jimmy said, approvingly.

Lou looked quizzically at Jimmy.

"Now don't blame me, Lou. I told him he was crazy to take that kind of chance, bounty-hunting by himself like that. He promised me he'd stop, and not to bother you about it when you were feeling so bad. That's the only reason I didn't tell you."

Jimmy became a little frightened at Louise's blazing eyes. "He's been what?" she shrieked. "And you let him go out by himself trackin' down fugitives and didn't tell me?"

Jimmy stood defensively, and the tiny woman backed him against the sink furiously. "Listen, Lou," he said placatingly, holding his plateful of food aloft as she stood toe to toe with him. "I found out after the fact, and I read him the riot act myself. I'm tellin' ya he promised to stop and far as I know he ain't been sneakin' out to do it anymore."

Lou ripped her apron off and flung it across the room, stomping from the kitchen furiously. "He's supposed to be at the Marshal's office now," she seethed. "His lyin' rear end had damn well better be over there. Or what'll be left of it after I get a hold of him."

"Nice going, Jimmy," muttered Rachel. "She'll tear him limb from limb when she sees him," she commented, as the two of them stood munching on Lou's breakfast as the wagon flew past with a furious Lou driving.

Jimmy couldn't help grinning just a little at the thought. "Welcome back, Lou," he chuckled.

Sitting in her parlor arranging and rearranging her miniature dollhouse, Doritha was startled by rapping on her front door. Glancing at the clock, she clucked to herself, who on earth could that be at this hour? Drawing her wrapper around herself, she padded to the window and looked outside. There was a wagon pulled up to her hitching post. As she craned her neck, she could see a woman's pregnant profile standing on her step and groaned. Kid's wife again, she thought apprehensively. For pity's sake, what will it take for her to believe I ain't going to steal her husband?

Pulling her wrapper tighter, she opened the door. "Mrs. McCloud, what an unexpected pleasure," she started, then trailed off at the sight of Lou shaking violently, her eyes pleading, as she stepped forward, clutching at the door frame for support.

"Please, Mrs. Maxwell. He's got to be here … please, just tell me he's here," she whispered hoarsely.

Doritha quickly reached forward and slipped an arm around Lou's frail shoulders, guiding her into the parlor, and to a comfortable seat. "You … you wanted to find him here?" Doritha asked, confused, as she poured out a cup of hot tea from the pot set on the table.

Leaning on back and covering her eyes with one hand weakly, Lou answered through chalky lips, "I've waited for him to get back all day … looked everywhere for him. This was my last hope."

"Drink this, and don't argue," Doritha ordered. "You look about ready to drop."

Lou's hands were shaking so that Doritha had to help steady the cup for her as she obediently took a sip.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. McCloud, but he isn't here and I haven't seen him since yesterday. But you already knew he wasn't here, didn't you? You must know Kid better than that."

"I thought I did," Lou mumbled. She took another sip, assisted by Doritha. Her strength returning slightly, she looked at Doritha slowly. She couldn't believe she was about to confide in her rival, but Doritha's eyes seemed kind, and she had known Kid all his life. Maybe she would understand what Kid was doing.

" I found out Kid has been lyin' to me for months now, and going out huntin' fugitives by himself, trying to get reward money to buy us a home."

She looked intently at Doritha. "I can't believe he's taking a chance like this … I knew it would take a long time to save the money to buy the house, and I understood that. I thought we were working together toward that goal, and now I find out he's risked everything just so it'll happen a little sooner."

"It is a big risk, but it's like Kid to feel it was his duty. And with you having a baby, I imagine he didn't want to worry you."

Lou sighed impatiently.

She asked Doritha abruptly, "You figured out the first day that we had to get married, didn't you?"

Doritha looked embarrassed. "Mrs. McCloud, I …"

"Doritha. Never mind standin' on ceremony. We got married because I'm carrying his child." She looked down, shamefaced. "Every time I walk through town, which ain't often because of it, I can see people judgin' me for that. They all know I lived at the bunkhouse with all those boys, dressed as a boy, and that I married Kid after the baby had to be conceived. I'm used to folks thinkin' the worst of me."

"I don't judge you, Louise. I was never with Kid that way, but I can't say I would have refused if he'd wanted to."

Lou looked Doritha up and down. "I'm sure he wanted to," she mumbled. "He just is a gentleman. And I guess he knew you were a lady, not like me."

"I don't understand."

"I don't reckon you would," Lou sighed, changing the subject. "Point is, it happened. And then … then we had consequences to consider." Her big eyes teared up. "But we … we weren't ready. I see that more than ever, now."

"But anyone can see how much you two love each other. That's surely enough?"

Lou shook her head sadly. "No, it isn't, Doritha. I love Kid more than anything, and I know he loves me too. But that ain't the same thing as bein' ready to settle down, give up my independence and freedom. It ain't the same thing as being true partners, like I want to be with Kid. He's still sheltering me, like a child. And he isn't including me in decisions that affect both of us."

Doritha smothered a smile. "Louise, that's a gentleman's job, to take care of his wife, everyone knows that. It's our job to take care of things in the home, and let the man make the decisions."

"I know that's the way it might be back East, Doritha. Heck, even out here probably most marriages are like that. But … but I want something more. I want Kid to treat me like an equal." At Doritha's uncomprehending look, she sighed, and set the cup down on the table.

Looking off toward the window, Lou's eyes filled with tears. "But right now, all that matters is that he's okay, that's all I care about," she whispered.

Doritha patted Louise's shoulder sympathetically, and both were startled again when there was another knock at the door. "I wonder who that is now," Doritha said. She rose and looked out the window, turning to Lou. "It … it's Kid, Louise."

At Doritha's words, Lou jumped up and ran out the door and down the steps, where Kid was dismounting from Katy wearily. He turned, surprised to see Lou there, as she hurtled into his arms sobbing. Through her sobs, she managed, "Thank God you're all right. I was so worried." She pulled back a little and pounded on his chest with small fists. "You worried me sick, I could kill you," she raged suddenly. He pulled her close and held her until she stopped shaking, whispering soothing words into her hair. After a few moments, he tipped her head back and wiped her face. "And you came here … here of all places first, when you must have known I was dying of worry? Why, Kid? How could you?"

"Lou, I'm sorry I worried you, and I know I've got a lot of explainin' to do. But … there's something important I came to tell Doritha about, okay?"

She looked confused, but nodded uncertainly, saying, "Go ahead, but this ain't finished, we have to talk, today, understand?"

"I understand," he agreed, glancing up apprehensively at Doritha, who was standing in the doorway. "Come on up and sit down a minute while I talk to her, okay?"

"Doritha, I don't know how to tell you this," he started, walking up the steps and gesturing to the porch swing. "Sit down a minute." He sat beside her and took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. "It's Garth."

"What is it, Kid? Is he in some kind of trouble?" Doritha asked, frightened.

He spoke gently. "I was tracking a small group of thieves that are wanted for a series of robberies in St. Joe," he explained. "I caught up with them today. There was three of them, and I came on them fightin' over their take. I held 'em at gunpoint, but one of them went for his gun, and I shot him; another one got away, and the third one … he got caught in the crossfire, hit by his partner's bullet."

He paused, gathering his courage to tell her the rest. "The one that got caught in the crossfire was Garth, honey. I'm so sorry. I didn't recognize him until it was too late."

Doritha sat frozen, staring at Kid.

Kid looked down. "I know this is hard enough, losin' him without findin' out he was in on something dishonest like that. I know you mustn't have known. I'm so sorry you have to find out this way."

Doritha looked down. "I knew what he was up to, Kid. It was … it was causin' a lot of trouble between us," she whispered. "I begged him to stop, but he wouldn't listen. He said he wanted to provide for me in the style of a lady," she said bitterly. "A thief's wife …" she paused, and suddenly choked on sobs. "A thief's widow, now," she wept into her hand.

Sitting in the rocker opposite her husband, Lou looked down, pity washing over her. Kid spoke gently to Doritha, "There's something else, Doritha. Garth told me just before he died that the money they were fighting over is in your house, and that you'd be in danger … that last thief might come here to try to get it back. You can't stay here alone."

Lou spoke up quickly. "You're welcome to come and stay with us. I'm sure Rachel won't mind, until that last fella is rounded up."

Kid looked gratefully at Lou, as Doritha nodded. "Thank you both, so much. Just give me a minute to get a few things," she said.

As Doritha went in the house, Kid knelt by Lou's rocker. "Lou, thanks for offering to let her stay with us."

Lou turned a wrathful eye on Kid, who quailed a little at her expression.

"Why shouldn't I offer her a place to stay? It ain't her I'm mad at. She never lied to me. That's more'n I can say for you." Lou lurched up from the rocker and stomped down the steps furiously. Kid followed sheepishly.

"Lou, I can understand why you're mad, but -"

"Well that's encouraging, at least. You can understand I don't like bein' lied to."

"I know I shouldn't've, and I'm sorry. But you accused me of something I didn't do, and I stretched the truth a little to protect myself."

"You're acting like this is all my fault, and I didn't do anything wrong." Lou protested.

"No, but we were both wrong."

She whirled on him. "Now listen, and listen good, mister. Don't try and blame this on me. You've been lyin' to me for weeks now, sayin' you were one place and bein' another. If I doubted you, you and your lies were the ones givin' me reason. So it's your fault if I doubted you, agreed?"

He nodded, shamefaced.

"What's even worse, you were keeping secrets from me, and doing something dangerous you knew I wouldn't approve of. You of all people must know how I feel about you putting yourself in danger. You complained enough about it when I was still ridin', and this is ten times more dangerous."

He shuffled his feet, and muttered, "Well, it's not the same thing for me as for you."

"Because I'm a woman, I suppose? You think bein' a man makes you bulletproof?" she asked, exasperated.

Her eyes rested on blood stains down his jacket and pants. A little frightened again, she asked, "Is … is that yours?"

His face fell. "No … it's Garth's," he choked.

Seeing his haunted face, she relented for a moment. "I suppose you must've known him too, from back home? Was he a friend?"

"Sort of. We fought a lot … but yeah, we were friends too. Watchin' him die was hard," he said heavily. "And if I had minded my own damn business and stayed home, he'd be alive, Doritha wouldn't be a widow, and you would still trust me."

Before Lou could reply, she realized that Doritha, dressed in street clothes now, was walking toward them, carrying a carpet bag. "I brought a trunk down to the hallway and packed the rest of my clothes and things in it, Kid."

Kid took Doritha's bag and placed it in the back of her wagon, then went up the steps to take down the trunk she had placed in the hallway and filled with more things. Doritha helped Louise up into her own wagon. As Lou picked up her reins, Doritha stopped her.

"Louise? I … I just wanted to say I heard what Kid said to you just now. I just hope the two of you start really talking, and more important, listening." Doritha's blue eyes misted over. "I know I'm no expert on marriage, Lord knows. But you and Kid love each other, and … and it isn't too late for you two. You never know when it'll be too late, I found out for myself today. Don't waste time, that's all." She looked away. "You still have a husband."

Lou gazed down into Doritha's face, as Kid came around from tying Katy onto the back of Lou's wagon, and climbed up onto the wagon beside Lou.

"Kid," she said, as they pulled off, with Doritha following behind. Kid looked at her curiously. "I can see why you loved her." She averted her face.

Kid caught Lou's chin and turned it to him. "I never really loved her. I never knew what love was until I saw your face," he said.

Lou swatted at him, blushing and smothering a grin. "Flattery will get you nowhere, mister. Let's get home, so I can finish chewing you out," she said, nestling against his arm and kissing him on the side of his face, to show he would eventually be forgiven. He smiled down at her and they pulled forward.

Lou came into the barn, where Kid was starting to put up the horses. "Doritha's set up in Rachel's house. I don't rightly know what she'll do next, how she'll get by out here on her own."

Kid sighed. "She's not really able to take care of herself out here, that's for sure." He started brushing down Katy, and Lou picked up a brush and started in on Lightning.

"Lou, you shouldn't be doing this heavy work. Go on in, I'll finish up."

Lou kept stubbornly brushing Lightning. "I'm fine, Kid. I won't try to pick up anything too heavy, but I'm capable of taking care of Lightning and don't intend for her to stand here waiting to get taken care of."

"Are you sure?"

Lou turned on Kid furiously. "I said I'm fine! Unlike you, I wouldn't do anything to put myself in danger, especially now that we have a baby to think about, not just ourselves!" she shouted.

Here we go, Kid thought apprehensively. "I did that for the reward money, Lou - $500.00 - with what I have saved, that'll be enough to pay for this place and some good stock. It was worth the risk."

"With what we have saved, I assume you mean? And it wasn't worth the risk. If it took us another few months to save the money to pay for our place, so what? What was the rush?"

Kid looked at her, getting angry now himself. "For one thing, Teaspoon told me that the company is fixin' to move Rachel, Teaspoon, and the other riders to the Rock Creek station. He's put in a good word for me and you to take over this station, once you're well enough. I wanted to buy the land and house, so we could run the station and our ranch together. But the offer is only good up until next month, when they're moving everyone."

Her face fell. "Everyone is bein' moved? All the way to Rock Creek?"

"I know you're going to miss them, honey. But this is a big chance for us, and I know you think of this house as home. I thought you'd be glad to take this opportunity."

Lou's face darkened. "There you go again, Kid. When were you plannin' on telling me that you'd decided we wouldn't just go with the others to Rock Creek? And who says I even want to be a station mother, cookin' and cleanin' for a half dozen strangers while I take care of your baby?"

He looked taken aback. "I … I guess I just thought it was a good opportunity …"

"Well, I don't agree. I don't want to do it," she said stubbornly. She turned her back on Kid. "Everything is changing, everything," she sobbed suddenly. "Now you're tellin' me that … that our family is leaving. And you act like I should be glad about it. Well, I'm not."

Kid didn't know what to say or do. "If that's how you feel, Lou, then we won't do it." He turned her toward him, and she buried her face in his shoulder. After a few moments, her crying slowed, and he murmured a new idea. "We could get a little horse ranch of our own near Rock Creek, if you'd rather." He stroked her hair. "I'd rather not keep riding, though … I don't like being away from you at night," he whispered gently. "What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I want to be consulted. I want us to make decisions together. I'm not saying I need to get my own way about everything… but I don't like it when you tell me what we're going to do. This is exactly what I was afraid of."

He snapped, "What's that supposed to mean? You mean this is why you wouldn't marry me before you got pregnant? Because you didn't want me to be the man of the family?"

Lou regarded him; he was angry now, and didn't understand what she was trying to say. She sighed. "I know that's how you were raised, Kid. And yes, that's part of why I wasn't ready to get married to you. I admit that. It isn't that I don't love you. I do, more than anything. But I got used to being my own 'man'," she said wryly. Kid chuckled a little in spite of himself. "It's hard to give that up, even for true love," Lou sighed.

She turned back to Lightning, brushing dejectedly. "I just liked things how they were. Being lovers, having our family around us, being able to do as I liked without havin' to ask permission. Is that so hard for you to understand? Can't you understand just cause I'm a woman, doesn't mean I feel different inside than you? And that I didn't want things to change?" He covered her hand with his. "They have changed, Lou," he said, more calmly now. "For both of us. We both are losing some freedom now, not just you." She smiled a little, shaking her head. "To some extent, Kid. But they're changing a lot more for me than you. It ain't you getting sick every day, it ain't you who can't get on a horse or do the same work you were doing. It ain't you who has to give birth." Her eyes clouded with fear, for a second, and she turned away again, leaning against the horse. "My ma … I was with her when she had Teresa. She almost died. I'll never forget it."

Kid put his arms around her shoulders and pressed his lips to the back of her head. She leaned back against him, continuing, "And once I get through that, it's me who'll have to stay in the house, taking care of diapers and feeding, and you who'll be able to go around doing the same things as always."

She turned in his arms and looked up at his troubled eyes. "So it's true, you don't want this," he said slowly.

"That isn't so, Kid. I love you more than I can say, and I love our baby already just as much. Honestly," she said, seeing his doubtful face. "It's happening a little faster than we planned, that's true, but I'm getting used to the idea of being a mother and a wife, not a pony express rider. Don't worry. But I hope you won't go on making decisions and treating me like a child, sheltering me. There's no need for that, you know that, don't you?"

"So you aren't sorry we got married now?" Kid asked, tentatively.

"No … I'm not sorry. It happened sooner than I might have chosen, but we would have gotten there eventually, I know. Are you sorry?"

He shook his head, pulling her closer. "No - I've wanted to marry you all along. I never had any doubts you were the one for me … but I know I have things to work on. What else can I do to help you? All I want is to make you happy."

Lou shook her head and put a hand up to his face. "When we start our horse ranch, I want to help with the horses, and be a real partner. Half the money we have saved is mine, after all," she said saucily. "And I know as much as you about horses."

"So you've told me," he grinned, stroking her back. "Okay, partner. So I guess you're sayin' no to the house motherin' job? And you want to settle in Rock Creek near the new station, with the new baby and your brother and sister?"

She nodded, her eyes shining at his mention of her brother and sister. "Why don't we head out there and look for a place together, a place where we're our own bosses?"

"I have a feeling there's goin' to be one boss on our ranch, and it's goin' to be you," he teased.

"Well, if that's how you want it - " she started, but he cut her off with a kiss. The kiss deepened and Kid slipped his hands lower around her, lifting her skirts, but she pulled her mouth away, breathlessly. "These horses ain't going to groom themselves," she panted. "Let's hurry and get inside," she protested, struggling to escape as he kept pulling her closer by her backside. He groaned, but nodded. "Okay, boss … work before pleasure."

"I can't thank you two enough for all you've done for me," Doritha said, surveying Kid and Lou fondly. "I'll write as soon as I get back to Virginia."

"We'd like that, Doritha," Lou said, pressing the other girl's hand as they stood outside the Rock Creek stage station. "I'll miss having you around the house to talk to," she admitted. She'd never dreamed when she first set eyes on Doritha, that she would ever come to think of her as a friend, but that's how it had turned out.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll have so much to take care of with the new ranch and a two month old, you won't have a minute to miss me. But I know I'll miss you both," Doritha said, giving her a hug. "Take good care of him, Louise," she whispered in her ear.

"I will. And Kid and I decided we want you to have this, to help you get your new start. No arguments, now." Lou handed Doritha an envelope. Doritha glanced inside. "Five hundred dollars? Louise, it's too much. I couldn't possibly."

Kid stood by proudly as Lou smiled and pressed the money, the reward from the bounty hunting job that had cost Garth his life, into Doritha's hand. "Kid told me you gave him the money to make a new start when he needed it. So we both owe you everything, in a way. Now it's our turn to return the favor. Please take it with our blessing."

Doritha hesitated, then placed the money in her small drawstring bag. "Thank you both, for everything," she said as the stage driver impatiently called to her to board. She waved from the coach window as Lou and Kid stood hand in hand, watching her head back east, before walking together back to their brand new home.

Nine months later

Lou straightened up, stretching her back wearily, after she finished hammering the last new shoe onto Lightning. "There you go, girl, all set," she said, patting her side. "Now Theresa can give you a good walk when she gets home from school." She tossed her tools into a bucket and wiped her hands on her pants, tossing her long brown ponytail over her shoulder. She pushed the barn door open and started strolling back toward the ranch house, when she heard Kid's frantic voice.

"Lou!" he was screaming. "Get over here, the baby!"

Terror-stricken, Lou tore around the corner of the house at full tilt. She saw Kid, crouching by the ground, and he caught her hand, gesturing toward their eleven-month old son Peter.

Lou and Kid stood anxiously as Peter stood wavering on unsteady, chubby legs, several feet from Kid's outstretched hands. The boy's brown eyes looked fearlessly at Mama and Daddy, who held their hands out, encouraging him excitedly. He took a series of quick toddling steps toward them and collapsed in their arms.

"That's my boy," Kid chortled, patting the proud little fellow on the back. "You'll be riding your own little pony any day now," he said, bursting with pride. Lou grinned. "And he'll have a little brother or sister following him, I expect," she informed him airily.

"Oh, sure, someday, maybe," Kid said.

"Try in about six months."

Kid stared at her, astonished. "But … but you … we … but you haven't been sick, not once. How can that be when you were so awful sick the last time?" he asked, dumbfounded.

She shrugged. "Just lucky this time, I guess. Happy?"

He nodded, pulling her close for a tender kiss, one interrupted by a jealous Peter thrusting himself between them and squealing for attention. They broke the kiss and hugged their son, picking him up and taking him into the house for his dinner and nap, before tackling the rest of the work still left to do that day on their ranch, together.

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