"Kid," Lou said entering their house one afternoon. He ignored her, pretending to be busy with fixing a chair that had gotten broken the night before during another one of their never-ending arguments. "Kid," she called again, waiting for him to finally acknowledge her standing in the doorway to the kitchen. "I know you can hear me Kid, so don't go acting like you can't!" She stomped into the room and stopped in front of where he sat working. "Fine! You can listen, if you can't talk. I've had it Kid," she huffed, "All this fighting has got to stop. You're never happy when your home, I'm never happy when we're together. Admit it, we're over. It's time for us to move on." This caught his attention and he looked up at the woman who had been his wife for the past three years. A sense of relief washed over him with her next words. "I went to a lawyer today. I'm getting a divorce. There's no other way Kid. You know it, and I know it." He was glad that she was the one to end their marriage. He hadn't had the heart to do that to her. Even if they didn't love each other like they had in the beginning, he cared about not hurting her more than he already had. Everything had started going wrong just a year into their marriage. They'd been trying to start a family and nothing was happening. No pregnancies, no miscarriages, no babies. He wanted children so bad, that it became a bone of contention between the couple. How many times had he yelled at her, "Why can't you get pregnant Lou? Why ain't you having babies like all our friends? What's wrong with you?" It was instilled in him at an early age that you grew up, got married, had a family, but it wasn't working like he thought it would. Soon, the fights started. Then the silences. There was no love between them anymore it seemed. So, when Lou announced that she was petitioning for divorce, Kid felt nothing but relief. "I expect you will be wanting me to leave then, huh?" he finally offered. The tone of his voice, like everything was all her fault, made her seethe. Tsking, she snarled, "You can keep the house and all its memories Kid. I don't want nor need them. Tomorrow I'll move into the hotel until the divorce is final. Just so happens that the judge will be in town beginning of next week, so you'll be rid of me after that." "That'll suit me just fine Lou!" he threw at her retreating back as she headed to what was their bedroom to start packing. *~*~*~* The house was quiet. Lou didn't know where Kid had gone, but she decided now was the perfect time to pack anything from the front room that she wanted to take when she left. There was precious little, really, that held any worth to her. Just a few pictures of her mother and her siblings, a drawing that Ike had made for her of her and Lightning when they rode for the Pony Express, a few books that she loved and knew Kid wouldn't want. As she passed the fireplace, she almost didn't notice the small music box that Jimmy had given her just before she and Kid had gotten married. Picking it up she wound it so that it would play the song of which she no longer recalled the name and she was transported back to another time and place. She and Jimmy had a special run for the Army to Fort Collins and on the way back, they'd stopped in Cheyenne and it was there that she'd seen the music box in a store window. The intricate carvings of birds and flowers on the cover of it fascinated her and she loved to watch the disc inside turn as the music played. The shopkeeper told her it was brought all the way from a place called the Orient. She didn't know where that was, but the music box was beautiful to her. Later that night after dinner, Jimmy handed her a brown paper parcel. She'd asked, "What's this Jimmy?" Feeling awkward, he'd fidgeted and motioned her to open it, "Just a little something for you to remember me by Lou." When she saw what was in the package, butterflies began to swarm in her stomach at such a heartfelt gift. "Oh, Jimmy! I love it! Thank you so much. I'll treasure it always!" As the music stopped, Lou once more remembered what she'd been doing and hurried to finish before Kid returned. *~*~*~* By late Monday morning, the marriage of Kid and Louise McCloud was severed legally. Kid made no protest when the judge asked if he was against the divorce. He didn't even ask what her plans were or where she'd be going. With a heart filled with regret and hope, Lou went back to her hotel to wait for a reply to her telegram asking if she could stay with Emma and Sam for a while. It wasn't long in coming. Emma had urged her to come as soon as she could. She and Sam would love to have her. The children were excited to see her also. That was the only bad part of going to Emma's, the children. Lou wasn't sure how she would feel, seeing them and knowing she hadn't been able to produce any, essentially causing the failure of her marriage. 'No sense dwelling on it now. Time to look towards the future and what it may hold,' she told herself, heading out to see when the train bound for Omaha departed. *~*~*~* "What luck!" Lou stated out loud when she saw that at four that afternoon, there was a train heading for Omaha. It would take just over a day's journey to a new life. She headed over to the ticket window and made her purchase and hurried back to the hotel to make arrangements for her one trunk to be taken to the train station and then went and had a late lunch before heading that way herself. There was no one left to say goodbye too, so there was nothing to stop her from leaving immediately. 'One could always hope that the train would be early,' she thought with a smile, knowing that it was more likely to be late than ever early. Upon arriving at the train station, Lou noticed on the clock in the waiting area that she still had at least a half-hour wait until her train was due to arrive. With nowhere else to go, she decided to sit and wait, watching other passengers purchasing their tickets or people arriving to pick up someone on the incoming train. The sound of a whistle brought her attention back to the clock. 'Amazing,' she thought, 'it's actually ten minutes early.' Lou gathered her satchel and found her trunk on the boarding platform and waited for the conductor to call, "All aboard!" The trip was uneventful. She sat by herself by the window so that she could watch the passing countryside. So much of it had changed since her Express days. Some of the ground the train ran on was near where she used to do a few runs, but not much was recognizable anymore. When the conductor called out "Next stop Omaha" Lou felt excitement well up inside at the prospect of starting over and being with people who cared once more. Quite a few people got off at the station and she had to wait a few moments for her trunk to be brought out on the platform. A young boy about twelve asked if he could help carry her baggage. Smiling at the eager youth, Lou admitted, "That would be nice, but I'm not sure which way I'm supposed to go." "Where's ya headed to?" he asked with a tilt of his head. "Over the Cain's place, but I'm not sure where that's at." "I knows where that is. Everyone knows the Cain's." Lifting the trunk quite easily, he started out of the station. "You a friend of the Marshal's?" His enthusiasm made her chuckle as he hoisted the trunk on his shoulder as she'd seen several grown men do. "Yes. Yes I am. I haven't seen Sam and Emma in a long time, but I'm really looking forward to seeing them again." Turning the corner at the end of the street, the youth motioned to the man across the street, and said, "That there's Marshal Cain's deputy." There was something familiar about the man with his back to them as he talked with another man and when he turned and looked across the street, Lou gasped. Putting a hand on the boys arm, she asked if he would wait a moment and than ran across the street to catch up with the departing deputy. "Jimmy? Is that really you?" she asked in disbelief as the man stopped and turned. Her hand flew to her mouth and she whispered, "Oh my Lord, it is you." With tears in her eyes, she went into his embrace when he realized who was standing before him. "Lou! Sam said you were coming for a visit. Is Kid with you?" Stepping back, she still held his arm as she told him that she was alone. "I won't go into it here on the street, Jimmy, but Kid and I ain't married anymore," she confessed. His look of surprise at that was quickly masked with concern for his friend. "Well, I'm sure you did what was best for you, Lou. I'm sorry that things didn't turn out the way you had hoped. Are you staying in Omaha long then? Emma didn't mention." "Actually, I didn't tell her about Kid and me. I was gonna wait until I could tell her in person. I'm thinking of looking for a job here. Know of any?" she asked smiling up at him. 'That smile still takes my breath away,' he thought looking down at her. 'And those eyes, I could get lost in them even now...' "Let me ask around about the job thing and I'll get back to you on that. I've got to get back to the jail now, but I'll see you again real soon. Tell Emma I'll be there for dinner at six." Giving the young woman one more hug, he murmured, "It's great to see you again Lou." When Lou returned to the waiting boy, he had a look of awe on his face. "You know 'Wild Bill'?" "I know Deputy Hickok. He and I are friends. Now, how about we get the Cain's home?" *~*~*~* Emma ushered Lou into the house when she answered the door and found her 'daughter' standing on the steps. "Why Louise! We didn't expect you until the eleventh. Come in, come in." "I sent a telegram saying I'd arrive on the first. Didn't you receive it?" "We did, but it said the eleventh. I bet Matthew accidentally put an eleven instead of a one. He's young and new and just learning how to send and receive telegraphs. I should just be grateful it wasn't an error on one that would get Sam shot!" They both laughed and then hugged. Emma noticed the youth standing behind Lou with a trunk at his feet. "Why, hello Seth, nice to see you again. Thank you for helping Louise here to the house. If you would, please take the trunk to the room at the top of the stairs for us and then come into the kitchen for some cookies. I baked them just this morning." Grinning, he picked up the trunk once more and hurried to deposit it so he could taste the cookies Mrs. Cain had mentioned. All the kids in the area knew she made the best cookies. Once his task was done Seth snatched a cookie, with one stuffed in his mouth, he grabbed several more and put them in his pockets, making them bulge in such a comical way, Emma just laughed as she shooed him out the back door. "We can have a nice chat now that we're all alone. The children went with Sam this morning. He made some promise about lunch and a surprise," Emma mentioned as she made a pot of tea and put out a plate of cookies. "So, tell me Louise, what's new with you? How's Kid? Is he still working at the wheelwrights?" Lou fiddled with her spoon and felt awkward telling Emma about her and Kid, but knew she needed to get it out in the open before she heard it from Sam later because she knew that Jimmy would never be able to keep that little bit of news a secret. "Kid and I ain't married anymore Emma. Judge granted a divorce just yesterday morning." "Oh, Lulabell! I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you want to tell me about it? I've always been a good listener you know," Emma patted her hand and the touch comforted Lou more than she realized it would. Lou held her teacup in both hands to keep them from fidgeting and stared into the cup as she spoke, "Things started going bad just after we were married about a year. Kid and I wanted to start a family and nothing was happening. All our friends were having babies but month after month, nothing..." She paused when emotions started to get the best of her. After a moment to calm her voice, Lou went on, "All the stress started taking a toll and tempers began to flare. We fought like cats and dogs. I ain't never fought like that before Emma. There was so much hate at times, I couldn't believe that it was the same Kid I knew and he made me just as mad that I'm sure he didn't recognize me either." "Oh, Lulabell..." Emma whispered, her heart reaching out to her 'daughter', knowing that there was nothing really that she could do to take the pain away and make it better. "Finally, after our last fight, I told Kid that I had had enough. I seen a lawyer and luckily, the judge was in town in just a couple of days and that's that." Seeing the sad smile on the young woman's face made Emma want to throttle Kid for putting her girl through such a rough time. "Well, now. You just stay here with Sam and I for as long as you need to Louise. We will all love having you here with us. It'll be nice having another female in the house. Sam still thinks if we have anymore children, we'll have a girl, but between you and me, I think it'd be another boy!" Getting up, Lou put her empty cup in the sink and gave Emma another hug. "Thank you again Emma for letting me come here. I really appreciate it. If you don't mind, I think I will go upstairs now and unpack." As she started up the step, she remembered the message she was supposed to give Emma and called out, "Oh, Jimmy said to tell you that he'll be here for dinner at six." "Drats," Emma complained when she heard Lou. She had hoped to surprise the young man when he showed up later that evening. *~*~*~* "I can't believe the things Kid said to her Sam, and just because she wasn't getting pregnant," Emma was a little upset as she related to her husband what Louise had told her. "Don't seem like the Kid I knew either Emma. This war has changed a lot of people and maybe all the anger and frustration of not going and fighting for his home just ended up being taken out on Lou, her being handy." Throwing up his hands at his wife's look, Sam tried to defend himself. "I'm not saying it was right of Kid to act like that to Lou, I'm just saying, maybe that's why he acted like he did..." Checking the ham in the oven, Emma tossed the fork onto the counter with unnecessary force. "I know what you’re saying Sam, it just upsets me. I don't know what I can do to help." Putting his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, Sam kissed the side of her cheek, "Just being here for her if she needs you and knowing you care will help Emma." Just then, a knock was heard at the front door, making Emma turn with a calculating look "And that may just be the answer my Lulabell needs..." As his wife went to answer the door, Sam groaned when he realized Emma meant Jimmy. If only he could keep his wife from meddling in his deputies' love lives. Why, he'd just lost one deputy to her matchmaking a few months back. He leaned against the wall, feeling helpless against his wife's matchmaking but turned to follow her, desperate to try and stop her. "Emma..." Sam cried, but it was too late, she was already opening the door and smiling at Jimmy like the cat that ate the canary. *~*~*~* After dinner was over, everyone had moved into the living room, where the Cain boys, Ethan who was five and Jacob, also affectionately called Jake, who was four had talked Louise and Jimmy into playing a game with them. Sitting in a circle on the floor, Louise was instructing the younger boys on how to play 'Go Fish' and it was comical. Jake couldn't hold all of the cards and his kept falling out of his hand and Ethan would forget not to let the others see what he had by holding his hand flat for the world to see. Jimmy and Lou were good sports and never asked for cards they knew the boys had, giving them a chance to learn the game. Finally, Emma stood up and declared it was bedtime for the boys. "Not yet Momma!" And "Just one more turn, please!" were the responses she received. "Not tonight. Time for bed, but first I want you two to help Louise and Jimmy pick up the cards." Amid moans and complaints, the children did as they were told and when Sam swung Ethan up on his back, the child forgot about the card game and giggled, "Horsy Daddy!" Jake seeing his brother getting a ride, cried out, "Me Too! Me Too!" Emma grinned as she picked up her youngest son and carried him off to bed behind his father and older brother. "Well, I haven't had such a rousing game of 'Go Fish' in I don't know how long!" Jimmy grinned at Lou. "Me neither. I have to admit, I'd rather have been playing poker with you and the boys though like old times. I'll just have to teach those two how to play it when Emma's not around..." He laughed at that and asked if she'd like to sit on the swing on the back porch. "I'd like that," Lou told him as he opened the back door for her. They swung in silence for a few minutes until Jimmy broke it when he reached over and held her hand and said quietly, "I sure missed you Lou. I'm glad you came to Sam and Emma's." "Feels like old times with you here Jimmy. I missed my best friend too. I sure could have used a friend..." Her voice broke and Jimmy squeezed her hand tighter. "You don't have to tell me nothin' Lou, just know that I'm here for you." Looking up at him with unshed tears in her eyes, she smiled, knowing that he meant it too. "I know I don't Jimmy, but I think it would help me if I told you what happened with me and Kid. I know you've got to be wondering." "I may wonder, but it ain't none of my business..." For the next half hour or so, Lou told Jimmy what had transpired since she and Kid had gotten married. She was freer with her feelings and told in greater detail to him the story, than she had with Emma. She felt like she could let it all out with Jimmy. When Lou stopped speaking and looked at him, Jimmy just pulled her into his arms and held her. His temper was on a slow burn and he was trying not to let her see just how upset he was. If he were to see Kid right then, he thought he'd probably shoot him. Jimmy just couldn't fathom how Kid could take all that was good and precious as his relationship with Lou and throw it all away, for that's what he did in Jimmy's mind when he didn't fight for the marriage and let Lou get the divorce. Emma had sneaked downstairs and was peeking from behind the curtain, when Sam came up behind and caught her. "And just what do you think you're doing Emma?" he asked a little too loud for her comfort. She turned and held up a finger to her mouth shushing him. "Sam Cain you be quiet right now before they hear you" she whispered angrily. When he tried to see around her out of the same window she'd been peeking at the couple, she grabbed his arm and started dragging him down the hall towards their bedroom. Before much longer, Jimmy told Lou that he'd best be taking his leave. Rising, he stood and waited for Lou to stand also and walked her to the screen door. "I'd better get going to bed too. I should be up early to help Emma with the kids and I would like to start looking for a job." With his hat in his hands, he stood on the top step, not wanting to leave but knowing that he had too. "About a job, let me talk to someone in the morning and then if you'd stop by before lunch time, I may have some leads for you. You do like books still don't you?" Lou looked puzzled at his question, but answered, "Yes I do. What does that have to do with anything Jimmy?" "Oh, just an idea I have. Goodnight Lou. I'll see you tomorrow." She slowly closed the screen door and murmured, "Goodnight." She watched as he disappeared into the darkness. *~*~*~* "Are you sure you don't mind taking lunch to Sam for me Lulabell?" Emma asked handing her a small basket filled with delicious aromas. "Not at all Emma. I'm going to the jail anyhow to see what Jimmy found out about some mysterious job and I know that you are busy with Jake and his tummy ache." Rolling her eyes, Emma commented, "One too many cookies I'm sure!" As Emma heard her son yelling from his bed, she rushed away calling back to Lou, "Good luck with the job hunting." "Thanks!" Lou called back and hurried out the door before some other domestic crisis detained her too. Ten minutes later she was watching as Sam dug through the basket and pulled out a biscuit with jam on it. "Are you sure you don't want any Lou?" he mumbled around a bite. "No thank you, Sam. Did you say that Jimmy should be back soon? He told me to meet him here." "Yeah, he'll be back in a few minutes. Had to go check on something down the street. Hope you don't mind if I eat then, do you?" Smiling she told him, "Not at all Sam," knowing that he was just itching to dig out the rest of his meal. The sound of boots could be heard just outside the door before it opened. "Sam, if Lou stops by have her...Oh, you're here. Good. There's someone I'd like you to come meet Lou." He started to usher her out the door, then threw over his shoulder at his boss as an afterthought, "Hope you don't mind if I take lunch now Sam. Be back in an hour." Sam, who was busy stuffing a biscuit in his mouth, mumbled something unintelligible and waved a leg of fried chicken at his deputy in reply. "Where are you taking me Jimmy?" Lou inquired once they were away from the jail. "It's just up here a little ways. I want to introduce you to a Mr. Ellington. He recently donated a lot of money to the town to start a library, but no one wanted to take responsibility of opening it, so he's heading it himself. I thought it might be something you'd find to your likening." Before she could voice an opinion, Jimmy was opening the door to a very fine building. A distinguished looking man stood up from a desk and greeted them. Shaking his hand, Jimmy turned towards Lou and introduced them. "Mr. Ellington, this is the woman I was telling you about, Louise McCloud. Louise, this is Mr. Ellington." Mr. Ellington shook her hand and than offered her a chair. "Please sit, both of you. I'm not sure if Mr. Hickok told you exactly what the position I am hiring for entails, so I'll start from the beginning." After a half-hour, Mr. Ellington finished, "....so, if you are interested Miss McCloud, I will leave much of the book ordering up to you as long as you remember to order the classics like Shakespeare, Dante and such. Once the library is open to the public the hours would be nine to five each day, Monday through Friday with an hour for lunch at noon. Pay would be twenty dollars a week. I know that is high, but I wish to maintain a well-run, well-stocked library and I am willing to pay someone who is worth it to do this for me and the good people of this town." Louise had been very impressed at all the things Mr. Ellington had outlined and thought it would be the perfect job for her. She loved to read books and being able to work around them each day, read all she wanted and get paid to do so, when patrons were not present of course, was a dream come true. Putting down his glasses, Mr. Ellington asked if she had any questions. "I think you covered any questions I might have had. This sounds like a wonderful job and I'd like to accept the position. I would be able to start immediately if you need." Smiling, Mr. Ellington stood and shook her hand once more. "Good, good. From what Mr. Hickok told me about you, I think you'll suit me just fine. No need to start right away. Next Monday will be soon enough. My pleasure Miss McCloud, Mr. Hickok." As they closed the door behind them on their way out, Lou gushed, "Oh, Jimmy! Can you believe it, working with books all day long? Oh, thank you so much for helping me find a job." Walking with no direction in mind, Lou kept on talking, "I was dreading having to find a job, but Mr. Ellington is so kind. I just know that I'll like working in the new library." Jimmy laughed at her enthusiasm and nearly got bowled over when she hugged him unexpectedly. Suddenly remembering they were out on the street, Lou stepped back and righted her bonnet, blushing. To cover her lapse in social graces, he cleared his throat and asked if she would like to go out for lunch with him. As if suddenly realizing she was hungry, her stomach made an unladylike sound causing them both to laugh and her accept his offer. *~*~*~* The next few days flew past with Lou helping Emma around the house and with the children, running errands, visiting with Jimmy and getting ready for her first day of work since she left the Pony Express. Lou's first morning, Jimmy showed up at the Cain's house to walk her to work. When she took her lunch she was happy to see Jimmy walk into the building that was to house the library, to eat with her. Since he worked until six most evenings, he wasn't able to walk her home, but promised he'd be there in the morning to walk with her again. Over the next couple of weeks, they fell into a routine of walking to work together and eating lunch most days and Lou soon started waiting at the jail, to walk home with him. They would talk about their day's work and Lou would tell him about all the exciting new books that were arriving just about everyday. "Soon, we should be ready to open. I think Mr. Ellington mentioned maybe by the end of next week even. He plans to have a party, so all the townsfolk can come and see the new library." Smiling, Jimmy couldn't help but notice how happy Lou had become in the last few weeks. There was an air about her, that he just couldn't name, but it became her well. *~*~*~* As planned, the library opened the next week and Mr. Ellington invited everyone to come and view the new library and feel free to browse through the wonderful books that it contained for all to read. During the opening, Lou was so engrossed in talking to the different townsfolk that she did not notice when any of the young men headed towards her, Jimmy, who had escorted her to the opening and was standing off to the side of her, would give them such a harsh look, that the person on the receiving end of his scowl would think twice about approaching the new Liberian and leave. On the way home, Jimmy was quiet but Lou didn't seem to notice she was so busy enthusing on about the libraries opening. At the Cain's door, Jimmy said a quiet, "Goodnight," as he leaned down to kiss Lou on the cheek. "You looked beautiful tonight, by the way." In the dark, Jimmy missed the blush that stained the woman's cheeks as she bid him, "Goodnight. Thank you for going with me." On the walk home, Jimmy's thoughts were occupied with the vision he'd just left behind at the Cain's. 'I don't know how much longer I can keep my feelings to myself,' he thought, 'I love her more now than I did almost four years ago.' *~*~*~* The first couple of days that the library was opened, Lou was very busy. So many people were interested in seeing what books the library had to offer and during that time, Lou made a few new friends. One of them was a young woman near her own age named Lillian Green. One afternoon, Lillian stopped in to return a book she had borrowed and visit with her friend since no one was in the library at the time. As they got to talking about Lillian's beau, Lou remarked, "I know that I haven't been here long, but not one man has said more than a passing 'hello' or 'nice to meet you' to me." "Well, that's because everyone knows your Mr. Hickok's woman, Louise," her friend told her smiling. This caught Lou's attention. 'Jimmy's woman?' she wondered. Setting down her pen, Lou turned towards her friend and wanted an explanation. "What do you mean they think I'm Jimmy's woman? Whatever gave them that idea? Has he told anyone that?" Lillian had a feeling that Lou was not too happy about her revelation. "No, Mr. Hickok has not told anyone that as far as I'm aware of. It's just that, even I thought you two were a couple, seeing how he walks you to work, you have lunch together just about everyday and you two walk home at night. I mean...well I'm sorry Lou, if we all thought wrong." Lou sighed, it wasn't Lillian's fault that everyone thought she and Jimmy were a couple. They did spend a lot of time together and she could see how others may misunderstand their friendship. "That's alright Lillian. Jimmy's just a friend, though." Shortly after, Lillian left, knowing that it was just about time for the deputy to make his daily lunch 'date'. Jimmy was in a happy mood that day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, no one was shooting at him. Why it was just the perfect day he told himself as he let himself into the library. At the desk, he could see Lou helping a child sign out a book. He waited until the library was once more empty before approaching her. "And how are you on this fine day?" he asked smiling as he leaned on the shelf next to Lou's desk. The smile slipped when Lou looked at him, something was wrong and he got the feeling that it wasn't going to be anything good for him. "Did you know that folks think I'm your 'woman' Jimmy?" she demanded angrily. His eyebrows shot up, "Huh? What are you talking about Lou?" "I mean, that people think we are a couple. They see us together all the time and now they all think we're a couple." Jimmy didn't like the look in her eyes. She was mad and he didn't know why it made her so upset and said so. "Well, what's wrong with that Lou? Would being my 'woman' as you put it, be so bad?" Putting a book down on the table with a little more force than she meant to, Lou turned on him. "What's wrong with that? It's not true, that's what's wrong Jimmy. Everyone thinks it and it's not true." He stood up and put his hat back on his head, "Well, if you don't want me around so's the good folks don't get the 'wrong idea', then fine, I'll leave. I never would have thought you'd care what folks said Lou. I thought we were friends. I thought we might even become more than friends, but I guess I was wrong." She could hear the anger and hurt in his voice as he turned and headed towards the door. Taking a deep breath, she called to him, "Jimmy, wait. Please..." but he kept walking and slammed the door. That evening, Lou went straight home after work. She didn't even look towards the jail, afraid that she would see Jimmy standing in the doorway, like usual, but even more afraid that he wouldn't be there. When Sam got home, Emma asked where Jimmy was. He usually ate with them most evenings since Lulabell's arrival and it was unusual not to see him come in with Sam or Louise. Sam glanced at Lou and said, "Jimmy said he couldn't make it Emma. He had other plans for tonight and he sent his apologies for not letting you know sooner." *~*~*~* The next few evenings and over the weekend, Emma noticed that Lou was not her usual happy self. She played with the children and took them for walks to see the ducks at the pond near the edge of town, but there was something not quite right with her Lulabell. When she mentioned it to Sam Sunday evening, he told her about Jimmy. "It's like he's got a burr in his britches Emma. He's so disagreeable and ornery that even I head the other way when I see him." Brushing her hair, Emma thought about her two 'children'. "Maybe they had a fight. Though what the two of them would have to fight about, Lord only knows. I'll have to think about it for a while. Maybe I can get Lou to open up, if they did have a fight." Sam took the brush from her hands and looked at her in the mirror, "Now, Emma, I don't want you going and making things worse." A hurt look crossed her face as she looked at her husband's reflection, "Why Sam Cain, I don't believe you just said that." "It's just sometimes, people need to work things out for themselves Emma. You can't fix everything that's wrong with the world you know." *~*~*~* Though it was eating at her not to say anything to Louise, Emma held her tongue and hoped that the young woman would come and confide in her. Another long week past and still, Louise didn't say a word about Jimmy, though Sam did tell Emma that Jimmy said he was going to be busy most evenings from now on. On Friday afternoon, Lou was glad to lock up the library and head home. It had been so quiet and lonely all week. Very few people came in to check out books and those that did, did not stay and visit like usual. Most acted awkward and that made Lou wonder what was going on. *~*~*~* Around the time that Lou was to lock up the library for the day, Sam had a visit from one of the saloon owners. "Marshal Cain, you've got to do something about that deputy of yours." Sighing, Sam sat up in his chair and put his feet on the floor. 'So much for a nap,' he thought. "What's Hickok done now Colson?" "Well, he ain't actually done anything Marshal. It's just that every evening he comes in and sits there brooding and the looks he gives all my patrons, like staring daggers at 'em, and it's losing me business." "Is he drinking?" The man scratched his head with a confused look. "That's the funny thing, Marshal, he ain't even drinking that sarsaparilla he orders. Just sits there staring and brooding." "I'll have a talk with him Colson. Thanks for telling me." After the man left, Sam grabbed his hat and locked the front door heading out to find Jimmy. He finally found his deputy, standing not far from the library, watching it. Sam noticed it was almost five. He watched Jimmy as he continued to stare at the building. When Lou came out the door and locked it, Sam noticed the look that crossed the young mans face and groaned to himself. As Lou walked away, Sam called out Jimmy's name. The deputy swung around from where he'd been 'hiding', hoping Lou had not heard his name being called. "Jimmy, I need to talk to ya," Sam mentioned as he pulled Jimmy into the alley between the buildings they were by. "I've gotten a few complaints today about you. Seems this bad mood that you've been walking around in the last two weeks is starting to scare people. A couple people have even said that when they see ya, they run the other way. Colson don't want ya hanging 'round his saloon either. You're scaring his customers away." Jimmy got an angry look that reached his eyes, making even Sam take care. "Why don't you take the next few days off? Go fishing, go somewhere, just take some time to work out whatever's eating you." He didn't make mention of catching Jimmy watching Lou and felt if the young man wanted to talk, then he'd listen, but unless it became a real problem, he was staying out of their business. Though Jimmy didn't like it, he said he'd take the time off and than stomped away. *~*~*~* Sam found peace and quiet in the office while Jimmy was gone, being glad that he didn't have to hear Emma complain about his working extra shifts, Louise's moping or the children's driving her crazy. He made sure he didn't return home until way after everyone had turned in for the night. All he knew was he hoped that something would happen soon with Jimmy and Lou before they drove everyone insane. *~*~*~* Each night, as she lay in bed, Lou could hear her angry words that she said to Jimmy again and again as she tried to sleep. When she did sleep, it was fitful and full of dreams where she saw the hurt she caused him and it made her cry. By Monday morning, she was a wreck. She didn't know if she'd be able to go to work, she was so upset. She finally gave up sleeping around five and got up quietly and dressed. She was determined to fix things, if she even could. There was only one problem. She didn't know where Jimmy lived and she sure couldn't go wake Sam and Emma to ask them. Slipping out the door close to six, Lou headed towards the livery. Someone there would surely be up and about this early. The man at the livery gave her a funny look, but gave her directions to Deputy Hickok's. Walking slowly, it was near seven when Lou arrived at the address the man had told her. She couldn't help but admire the two-story house. It was well kept and looked very inviting. The young man coming out the door didn't look so inviting though. He caught sight of her standing in the middle of his walkway and stopped. "What are you doing here Louise?" he asked with a hint of anger in his voice. Lou wrung her hands and almost dropped her purse as she asked, "Can we talk, Jimmy? Please?" He didn't say anything, just motioned her towards the swing that hung on his porch. She didn't say anything at first, just sat staring at her hands. Walking slowly, Lou took a seat on the swing as Jimmy sat down on the far end from her. Lou jumped when his voice seemed to boom in her ear. "Well?" With a sob, Lou threw herself at his chest and cried, "Oh, Jimmy! I've missed you so much! I'm so sorry for what I said to you that day. Please say you forgive me. I want my friend back....I miss you!" Jimmy felt the anger dropping away as she cried and held onto him. He slowly lifted her face with a finger so that he could look into her eyes. "I missed you too Lou," he said huskily. "I'm sorry, but I can't just go back to the way we were. I can't just be your friend Lou," he told her. Lou's heart stopped for a moment, as she thought that she'd lost her best friend for good. "Oh, Jimmy. No..." she cried. "I can't just be your friend Lou, when I want so much more," he whispered and crushed his lips to hers. Lost in the assault on her lips, it took a moment for his words to filter through to her brain; her hands grasped his shoulders as she returned his kiss with great fervor. Jimmy's hands snaked into her hair, holding her in his hands so he could get his fill of her sweet lips. It was all he'd been dreaming and so much more. They broke apart when the noise of an approaching horse filtered thought their passion-induced haze. As the rider passed by, Jimmy searched Lou's up tilted face, needing to know for sure if she felt the same way he did. "Can you handle being more, Lou?" Jimmy asked with smoldering eyes. Lou smiled and nodded her head, too choked up with emotion to speak. She hadn't realized it until just a moment before, when he said he wanted more, that she did too. Over the last few weeks they'd been together, she had been falling in love with him. 'How could I not have noticed what was in front of me all along?' she asked herself as she searched Jimmy's face. When he gave her that lop-sided grin, she realized that she'd loved him ever since their Express days; it just grew deeper with time is all. "I hate to leave you right now, but I've got to get to work or Sam will have my hide. He already made me take the last few days off. I don't need no more trouble with him right now." "Why did Sam make you take time off?" she inquired looking at the house as they stood to leave. "Guess I ain't much fun anymore without you in my life," he confessed. "Oh!" Lou gasped in surprise. On the top step she stopped and turned towards the house once more, "I'd like to see your house sometime, if you don't mind. Why did you get such a big one?" "I'd hoped to have a family in it one day. I'd like you to see it Lou, just not right now," he scowled and softened at the disappointment in her face, "I don't think we'd make it past the bedroom if we went in now, Lou." His admission sent shivers down her spine and her heart do little flip-flops. Linking her arm in his, they headed off towards the middle of town where they both were going to be late for work, if they didn't hurry. Jimmy stepped inside the library door when Lou unlocked it, drawing her into his embrace. "Can I see you at lunch?" he asked basking in the warmth of her body against his. With a devilish grin she kissed him softly, murmuring against his lips, "Today, tomorrow, and the next day and the next..." He laughed and kissed her hungrily, "I get the idea. See you later." Lou hummed as she got ready for the days patrons, smiling to herself thinking of how she and Jimmy had come so close all those years before while working for the Pony Express. 'Now look at us,' she thought putting a box of new books out, 'some things are just meant to be.' *~*~*~* Sam just shook his head in wonder as he handed Seth a note. "Now you make sure you go give this to Mrs. Cain right away." The boy looked from the note clutched in his hand to the marshal. "You can count on me Marshal!" Quickly, he took off, dodging pedestrians on his way towards the Cain's home. When Emma received the note, she gave Seth a couple of muffins that were left from breakfast and shooed him out the door so she could read the note. "Well, I'll be!" she declared going to call the boys in from playing in the backyard. "What do you want Momma?" Ethan asked tugging his little brother behind him. "We have to go into town. I have and errand to run and you boys are going to stay with your daddy for a while." As Emma readied the boys for the short walk into town, she hummed to herself, sure that her matchmaking was once again on track. *~*~*~* "Daddy!" Jake yelled clapping. He loved to visit his father at work. He got to pretend he was a deputy and even got to wear a badge. Sam heard the patter of little feet running towards the jail before he heard his sons yelling. With a big grin, he caught both boys in a big bear hug. "How are my deputies today?" he asked as Emma entered the room. "I thought I might be seeing you when you got my note," Sam mentioned to her as Jake tugged at him begging for his badge, which Sam kept on top of a shelf. With hands on hips, Emma looked about the room, looking for the reason for her visit. "Well, where is he?" she inquired when she didn't see Jimmy. "I sent him to check on Mr. Nagle, seems he's been having trouble with some youngsters out at his place a few nights last this week." "Drat! I wanted to see this with my own eyes. I couldn't believe it when you said not only was he whistling, but he had actually sung while hanging the new wanted posters. That would have been a sight to see. Did he mention what's got him in such a good mood?" Sam just shook his head as Jake tried to put a cigar in his mouth. Settling her shawl on her shoulders, Emma told him that she was going to go to the library and she'd be back for the boys shortly. He just waved as Ethan tried to put handcuffs on his captured wrist. *~*~*~* There were only two people in the library when Emma entered the building. Lou was checking out a book for them and they murmured hello to Emma as they passed each other. Looking up, Lou was surprised to see Emma. "Why Emma! I didn't expect to see you today. Is everything okay?" she asked her face showing concern. Emma took off her gloves and put them aside on Lou's table and sat in a chair next to the young woman's. "No, no. Nothing's wrong. Just needed a little time away from the boys. They were running me ragged this morning so I took them to see Sam. When I left them, they were trying to handcuff him." Both women laughed, knowing that at any moment Sam could wind up in a bind with those two boys. They had their father wrapped around their fingers and more than once he had to be rescued from their actions. "You were gone early this morning," Emma remarked, taking a long look at Louise's face. 'Yep, there is definitely a sparkle in her eyes! Something happened.' Lou just smiled and rambled on something about not sleeping and taking a walk so not to wake anyone. They chatted for a little while longer before Emma chose a book and left to gather her boys or save Sam from them. Marching into the office a few minutes later she declared to her husband, "Something is definitely going on!" To which, he nudged her with his elbow and nodded towards the door she'd just come through where her sons where just returning with Jimmy and a big bag of gumdrops. "Hey Emma," Jimmy said pointing to the bag the boys were digging in, "Hope you don't mind." Seeing how her sons were enjoying the rare treat of candy, she smiled at him and teased, "Of course not Jimmy, as long as you come to dinner and help wear them out from the sweets." Sam looked at her with narrowed eyes, wondering what she was up to now, but remained quiet. "I'd love too Emma. Same time as usual?" the young man asked as he snatched a purple gumdrop and stuck it in his mouth. "Ummm, my favorite," he told Jake tickling the youngster, which caused the boy's parents to raise their eyebrows at each other in a silent message that said, 'See, something's happened.' *~*~*~* It was shortly after five when Emma looked at the clock with a knowing smile. She hadn't really expected Louise to be home right after work that evening. She'd figured she wouldn't see the young woman until just after six when Jimmy arrived. With a knowing smile, Emma busied herself in the kitchen getting dinner prepared. At a quarter past six, Emma knew she had figured correctly as she heard the front door opening to laughter as Louise and Jimmy tumbled through it. The sight she saw before her warmed her heart. She knew that Jimmy was a reserved person, not allowing himself to show his feelings very often, other than a quick flare of anger now and then, but watching the two in conversation, oblivious to anyone around them, Emma couldn't help but feel the love and tenderness in which he held her Lulabell. So much emotion showing on the man's face made Emma feel like she was intruding and she ducked back into the kitchen where Sam was just ushering the boys in from playing in the back yard. Ethan ran up to his mother grinning. Reaching into his trouser pants pocket, he pulled out a small garden snake and held it up to her, "Look Momma, look what I found just for you!" Emma let out a shriek and waved her wooden spoon at her husband yelling for him to "Get that thing out of here!" Sam rushed over and grabbed it from his older son, apologizing to Emma all the while, "I didn't know he had that Emma, I swear..." Ethan started to get big tears welling in his eyes and his bottom lip trembled a he watched his father disappear out the back door to let the snake go a fair distance from the house. Jimmy and Lou had rushed in at Emma's shriek and had a hard time not laughing at the look of fear on her face at the little snake in her son's hands. After Sam went outside, Emma sat down with her head in her hand trying to still her racing heart. When she heard Ethan's sniff, she felt bad for hurting his feelings. It wasn't his fault that he didn't know she was terrified of snakes, no matter what size they were. Emma called her son to come to her but he stood still, crying, just looking at her. Lou went over to him and talked quietly for a minute. Ethan looked at her, nodded his head and took the hand she offered him. Jimmy offered Jake his hand and they told Emma they'd take the boys and wash them for dinner. By the time the four returned to the kitchen, Emma was back to her normal self and setting dinner on the table. Sam looked at Ethan to see how he was but knew there was no lasting damage as the boys laughed at something Jimmy was telling them. After grace was said, Ethan looked at his momma and said quietly, "I'm sorry I scared you Momma. I didn't know my little snake would scare you..." Emma reached over and ruffled his hair murmuring, "I know you didn't Ethan, I'm sorry I screamed and scared you." After that, the matter seemed to be forgotten by the children as Jimmy started telling them a story about his horse Sundance. Emma wondered what the couple had said to her children and decided that they'd make a fine set of parents when the time came. Sam noticed the self-satisfied grin on his wife's face and wondered, 'What now?' *~*~*~* Each day, Lou felt like she and Jimmy were getting closer and closer. One thing that was confusing her was that he never asked her to 'dance' with him. One evening as they sat on the porch swing at the Cain house, she finally broached the subject. They had been engaged in some pretty passionate embraces, but Jimmy never made a move to show he wanted more and it was frustrating her. Pulling back from one especially intoxicating kiss, Lou questioned, "Jimmy, don't you want to go somewhere...so we can 'dance'?" He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out. "Lou, there ain't nothing I'd love to do more than to go dancin' with you, but I want us to do this right. I want us to wait until we're husband and wife." Her heart caught at his saying he wanted her for his wife. He'd dropped a few hints that he might be thinking of a future for the two of them in previous conversations, but he never actually mentioned marriage. "You do?" she asked softly, just then realizing that this was the moment she had been waiting for, for a long time. "This ain't exactly how I planned this," Jimmy confessed as he slid off the swing to kneel on one knee before her, "but the timing feels right. I was gonna wait until the ring I was having made for you was ready the end of this week to ask." He picked up her hands in his and looked up into her expectant eyes. "Lou...Louise, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" "Yes, oh yes! Oh, Jimmy, I love you!" she breathed smothering his face in kisses. Laughing she suggested they tell Emma and Sam their good news. Tugging him behind her into the house, Lou called out excitedly, "Emma! Sam!" and in a moment the couple appeared in their robes to see what was the matter. "Lulabell? Is something wrong? Jimmy?" Emma asked as she tied her robe. When Sam saw Jimmy was still with her, he lowered the gun he'd grabbed when they heard Lou call out. Clapping her hands together in joy, Lou happily told them the news, "Jimmy and I are getting married!" "Congratulations Lulabell" Emma told her giving the younger woman a warm hug and kiss then turned to Jimmy to do the same. Sam gave Lou a hug and congratulated her and thumped Jimmy on the back grinning and told him, "Well, it's about time!" Jimmy stayed only a short time longer since the hour was getting late and had to pry himself from Lou's arms. "I'll see you in the morning future Mrs. Hickok," he whispered in her ear as she giggled, "I like the sound of that Mr. Hickok." *~*~*~* Saturday morning, Lou asked Emma if she would go over to see Jimmy's house with her. Emma thought it strange that she hadn't seen it yet and said so. "Jimmy didn't want people to talk if they saw the two of us going in there alone for a while. He thought it best if you came with, if you aren't busy that is?" Lou asked, cleaning Jake's face, which was covered with sticky syrup from his pancakes. Ethan piped up at the mention of Jimmy. "Can we go to Jimmy's too?" he asked. As of late, he'd developed a sort of hero worship towards Jimmy and jumped at any time he could spend with him. He was disappointed when his mother said, "No, you and Jake will have to go with Daddy when he goes and sees Mr. Adkins over at the mill." *~*~*~* Emma hung back as she followed Jimmy and Lou through the tour of his house. She'd been there several times before and declined to see the upstairs with them, allowing them to have some private time alone. "And this will be our room, unless you'd rather we use one of the other ones?" Jimmy stated leading Lou into his room. Lou looked around the room, liking the way he had it fixed. There was a small table on each side of the bed, that held a lantern and a wardrobe was in one corner since there was no closet in the room. A single chair sat near the window with a small table that held an open book. She smiled as she sat on the bed, patting the spot next to her for him to sit next to her, which he gladly did. "This room is just fine, Jimmy. You've fixed the house up really nice. Did you do all the work yourself?" "Most of it. I did have to have the local carpenter come in and fix a few posts on the stairs, but other than that, I did it myself. If there is anything you'd like to change, you're more than welcome to. If you'd like different wallpaper, whatever..." The smoldering look in his eyes reminded Lou of his statement that they'd not make it out of the bedroom, and brought to mind that Emma was waiting down below. Clearing her throat and breaking the sexual tension in the room, she suggested they'd best go find Emma before she came looking for them. Jimmy walked the two women as far as Sam's office before leaving them for a pressing appointment. He leaned over to Lou and kissed her, murmuring that he'd come for her around six to take her out for dinner. *~*~*~* "You are a true craftsman," Jimmy told the old man at the jewelers several blocks from where he left the women. "Lou's going to love this." The old gentleman looked on with pride as Jimmy continued to study the ring he'd had made for his future wife. He'd wanted a heart made of garnet set in gold with three diamonds off to the sides and it turned out perfect. "You mentioned a band that would go with this?" "Yes, yes. Here it is," the man told him as he took another ring from a locked box behind the counter. "There's also a matching man's band if you'd like to look at it." The man handed the other band to Jimmy and he tried it on. It fit him perfect, like it was meant to be his. Satisfied, Jimmy stated, "I'll take them both." After paying for the rings, Jimmy tucked the box in his vest pocket and went to talk to the owner of the restaurant he was taking Lou to that night. He wanted everything perfect when he gave her the ring later that evening. *~*~*~* When Lou came down the stairs at six, she took his breath away. She was wearing a creation of burgundy and cream that suited her even more than the blue that he like so much. Even though Jimmy had already asked Lou to be his wife, he was nervous with the ring burning a hole in his pocket as they walked to the restaurant. The waiter showed them to a semi-secluded table in the far corner from the main entrance where they would not be disturbed. Lying on the table next to Jimmy's plate was a bouquet of pink roses with delicate baby's breath. He picked it up and handed it to her with a flourish, "These are for you Louise. They made me think of you when I seen them earlier." Lou held them up to her nose and smelled deeply their light perfume. "They're lovely Jimmy. Thank you!" She laid them on the side as the waiter returned with a bottle of wine for Jimmy's approval. "I hope you don't mind, but I asked the owner if they could make us something special for dinner. I don't know what it's going to be, but he promised 'it would tempt our taste buds'." Lou smiled at him and said that would be fine. They sat in quiet conversation until their meal arrived. As the plates were set before them, the waiter told them their meal would be, "Beef Wellington with glazed baby carrots, and fresh bread." Lou thanked the waiter telling him it looked and smelled delicious. Jimmy looked funny at the carrots sitting in some kind of sauce but gamely took a taste saying, "Hey, this is pretty good. You should try it Lou." The couple ate in relative silence except to comment on how good the food was. After they finished the main meal, the waiter brought out a tray with small bite size pieces of pastry. Lou tried one with nuts and Jimmy went for the chocolate covered piece. As they sipped another glass of wine, Jimmy reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring he'd had made. Taking her hand in his, he slipped it onto Lou's finger, admiring how it looked there in the candlelight. "Oh, Jimmy," she gasped, "I love it! It's beautiful." "I had it made special for you, Lou. You've been in possession of my heart for a long time and this is a symbol of my love for you." Lou leaned over with tears in her eyes and kissed him tenderly, whispering, "I love you Jimmy..." "Let's not wait long to get married Jimmy. I don't want a big wedding. I really don't have anyone other than Sam and Emma that I want there. I just want to marry you, soon!" Lou mentioned, as he kissed her once more. Jimmy leaned back from her and suggested, "Why not tonight?" Lou looked over at him surprised, "You can't be serious...tonight?" With enthusiasm growing at his own suggestion, he leaned forward, "Why not? You don't want to wait and I don't want to wait. Neither of us wants a big to do. We can do it tonight. All we have to do is find the preacher. He's probably over at the church right now getting ready for tomorrows service." Lou was getting as excited at the idea as Jimmy and when he stood up offering her his hand urging, "Let's do it!" she grinned and grabbed her roses from the table and they rushed out to find the preacher. *~*~*~* Sam looked up from the paper he was reading when he heard the front door open. His eyebrow went up in question when he saw the preacher coming in with Jimmy and Lou. He put the paper aside and welcomed the man, wondering what was going on. Lou left the men, and went looking for Emma who was just coming out of the boys' room. "Oh, Emma! We're getting married!" Lou gushed. Laughing, Emma stated, "I know Lou, and I'm so happy for you and Jimmy." Shaking her head, Lou giggled explaining, "No, we're getting married now, tonight!" "What?" Emma exclaimed hurrying after the young woman who was on her way back down the stairs. "What do you mean you're getting married tonight?" Lou turned and told her about how at dinner she and Jimmy had decided not to wait and that they didn't want a large wedding. "We only want you and Sam there, so we decided to tie the knot tonight." Sam was grinning when his wife came into the room. Seeing her, he motioned to the preacher and ventured, "We're havin' a wedding!" Emma greeted the preacher and went to stand by her husband saying, "That's what I'm told." Before the preacher began their marriage rite, Lou cried out, "But I don't have a ring for you!" Jimmy patted her arm and told her not to worry and reached into his pocket handing her the matching band that he'd bought earlier when he picked up hers. "It matched yours..." he offered at her questioning eyes. Lou reached up and kissed him at his thoughtfulness. "Hey, hey! That comes after you've said your vows," Sam teased as Lou blushed and the preacher cleared his throat. The whole ceremony lasted no more than five minutes, but to Lou it was perfect. She stood in disbelief as the preacher said they were now man and wife. Never did she dream that one day she'd be standing there next to Jimmy, becoming his wife. Jimmy was having similar thoughts of his own. All these years, since meeting Lou, he'd dreamt of something like this happening to him with her, but he never let himself believe it was even possible. Emma clapped her hands and rushed to hug them both with tears in her eyes. "Oh, my babies! I'm so happy for you both!" Sam slapped Jimmy on the back and wished them well. He engulfed Lou in his big bear hug and told her, "Always be happy." It only took a few minutes for Lou to gather some of her belongings in a satchel and she was ready to leave with her new husband. "I'll get the trunk in a day or two Emma," Lou mentioned as they stood on the porch. "Don't you worry about that none, Lou. Just go enjoy your weddin' night. Congratulations you two!" Emma called out as they disappeared into the night. *~*~*~* "Put me down, Jimmy!" Lou demanded as her new husband swung her up into his arms as he kicked open the door further so he could carry her over the threshold. "If you don't quit wiggling, I'm gonna drop you Mrs. Hickok," he grunted as he tried to squeeze through the front door, kicking it shut behind them. "There!" Jimmy stated as he lowered her feet back down to the floor. "Welcome to your new home," he murmured against her lips before plundering them with a sense of urgency. "Ummm...Oh, Jimmy! You make me so happy," Lou said breathlessly. With a smoldering look, Jimmy grabbed her hand and started towards the stairs. "Well I plan on making us both a whole lot happier..." *~*~*~* "Oh! I never knew it could be so...so ..." Lou gasped as her new husband chuckled, knowing what she meant because he was feeling the same way. Resting one arm behind his head, Jimmy lay watching the emotions play on Lou's face. "You're so beautiful, do you know that?" he asked as he kissed the tip of her nose. "You're not so bad yourself," Lou teased, running her hand over his chest, losing herself in the knowledge that this man was now her husband. "I'm having a hard time believing that you and I are really married...that so many of my dreams are coming true with you in my life," Lou looked up into his dark brown eyes, seeing the love she was feeling mirrored in their depths. "Well believe it Mrs. Hickok." Lacing his fingers through her left hands, he ran a thumb over the ring he'd just put there earlier that evening and kissed it. "You have my ring to remind you." Lou laughed, telling him quite happily, "Like I need to be reminded!" *~*~*~* The next morning, Emma sent a note to Mr. Ellington, apprising him of Lou and Jimmy's marriage and offered to come into the library for a day or two until Lou returned to work. Lou's employer was so thrilled at his librarians nuptials he sent a note round to the happy couple congratulating them on their marriage, urging Lou to take several days off and not to worry about coming in to work, that everything was covered. With the message came a large basket from which tempting scents were wafting, making Jimmy's stomach rumble. "So, what's in the basket, Lou? Something smells heavenly!" "I'm not sure. Why don't you open it?" Opening the top of the basket, Jimmy's eye lit up as he discovered what was inside. "Fried chicken," he mumbled through a mouth full of drumstick, "potatoes, biscuits, corn. There's even a chocolate cake!" he told her as Lou brought plates to the table. "And, a bottle of champagne. It's even cold! We must thank Mr. Ellington for this when we see him." "Also for the time off," Lou offered, giving her husband a quick kiss on the cheek while grabbing the chicken out of his hand and taking a bite. *~*~*~* The happy couple was settling into married life quite nicely when one morning, several months later, as Jimmy stood outside the jailhouse talking to Sam, he heard his name being yelled from down the street. Turning, both men noticed Lou, quickly zig-zagging around citizenry of Omaha towards them. For a moment, Jimmy's heart stopped, worried that something bad had happened, but as he started towards his wife, he noticed that she was smiling as she waved, calling his name again. "Lou! What is it? What's happened?" Jimmy questioned her as she grasped his arms in her hands. With tears forming in her eyes, she said breathlessly, "It was him, Jimmy! It was him! It wasn't me!" It took a moment for him to figure out who 'him' was and what she was talking about before he let out a loud "A baby?" startling several people passing by then picked Lou up and twirled her around much to Sam's amusement. As Jimmy put Lou back on her feet, Sam came up to the couple, grinning. "I take it congratulations are in order?" "According to Doc, they are. He said in about seven months, we'll be welcoming a little Hickok into our family." Turning towards her husband, Lou gushed, "Oh, Jimmy! I can't believe it. A baby..." Hugging her close, knowing how much this baby meant to them both, he whispered, "Our own little miracle." Email Lisa L. HOME