Chapter Two
"Tom, you can go home now," Lou opened the door to the cell and let the man out. "Don't go startin' any more fights at the saloon, alright?"
The man looked at his boots ashamed. "Sorry, Lou. I don't know what came over me, letting my temper get away from me like that."
"Well, just don't let it happen again," Lou smiled.
"Don't worry Lou. I've learned my lesson." Tom took his coat and gun belt from Lou and headed for the door. On his way out, he accidently bumped into a young woman who was coming in. Just behind her was a young man. Tom tipped his hat and apologized.
The man and woman walked into Lou's office.
"Excuse me, Miss," the man said. "We're looking for the marshal. Can you tell us when he might be back?"
"Actually," Lou said, "I am the Marshal."
"You?" The man was clearly shocked. He regained his composure though, and tipped his hat. "I'm sorry ma'am. I just automatically assumed the marshal would be a man."
"That's alright," Lou replied, not really upset. It was natural for people to think the marshal would be a 'he.' At least this man didn't appear to be bothered by the fact that the town's marshal was a woman.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Josiah Mosley, and this is my younger sister, Anne Marie. We just moved here from St. Louis."
"It's nice to meet you both," Lou smiled. "What brings you to Sweetwater?"
"I have purchased the general store, and we are going to be running it."
"Tompkins sold his store?" Lou asked amazed.
"Bill Tompkins? Yes, he sold it to me," Mr. Mosley replied. "He said something about heading east where business was better."
"This may be a personal question, but if business is better back east, why'd you move way out here?" Lou asked.
"Well, it's always been my dream to come west," Mr. Mosley replied, his eyes shining. "All my life, I've dreamed of seeing the wide open spaces, and finding adventure and excitement, and now I finally have my chance. Mr. Tompkins was willing to part with his store at a very fair price," he said confidentially.
"I can't imagine Tompkins letting anything go at a fair price," Lou laughed. "I wonder where he's going."
"He said something about going to some place called Rock Creek," Anne Marie Mosley spoke up for the first time. She was a small woman, about the same age, height and size as Lou, with wheat colored hair, pulled up in a twist at the back of her head. She had a round face, with a few freckles, which were proof that she was no dainty city girl who was afraid to be out in the sun. She wore a simple, yet very stylish, dress, and a matching hat.
Unlike Anne Marie, who was small and dainty, her brother Josiah was the stereotypical tall, dark, and handsome. About three years older than Anne Marie, his dark hair was short, but still a little curly. He wore a suit made from a deep charcoal gray fabric, that was well cut, and tailor-made. The two looked like brother and sister though, with the same mouth, nose, and sparkling green eyes.
"Rock Creek?" Lou couldn't believe her ears. Tompkins of all people was moving to Rock Creek?
Rock Creek, Nebraska Territory
"Kid, come on, cheer up," Cody was doing his best to snap Kid out of the mood he'd been in ever since they all arrived in Rock Creek without Lou. All of the boys had known that Kid still had feelings for Lou, but none of them had realized exactly how strong those feelings were. He had moped around the station, not really talking to anyone more than necessary for days, and Cody was sick of it.
"Kid, Rachel wants us to pick up some things at the store, and Teaspoon needs us to take those broken tools to the blacksmith," Cody threw Kid his hat and boots. "So come on. And cheer up. If I have to spend the afternoon with you, I'd rather you were in a better mood."
"Shut up, Cody," Kid put his boots on and reluctantly followed the blonde rider outside.
"Yeah, that's better," Cody mumbled sarcastically. This was not going to be a great day.
Kid sighed, wishing Cody could have just left him alone today. He knew he had been in a bad mood lately, sometimes making the others miserable, but he couldn't help it. He didn't know what had gotten into him. 'Forget it Kid, you know good and well what's wrong with you,' he thought. 'You just won't admit that you miss her. And why should you. It's not like you two were even together anymore, and even if you had stayed, it's not like you would ever get back together anyway. She wouldn't want to try that again.'
"Kid, are you coming?" Cody yelled, waiting impatiently for Kid to catch up. Kid sighed.
"Yeah, I'm comin'," he snapped. "Why, just once, can't you have some patience..." Kid trailed off as the loveliest sight he had ever seen walked towards him.
