Chapter 25
That Saturday all the riders got up like every day and started doing their normal share of chores. They needed to be finished before heading to town to enjoy the day's special celebration since the horses had to be properly fed and groomed before they could think of their own amusement. The five riders didn't rush to get ready for the feast in town as for some reason or another they didn't feel like joining in the local festivities. Buck's memories of the day a year ago were still fresh on his mind, Noah wasn't very fond of these kinds of events, Jimmy had much of the same opinion as his black friend, and even Cody wasn't very excited about the whole thing. Apparently, Alice Parker, his companion for the day, had backed out on her agreement to going with him to the picnic.
On his part, Kid didn't fancy attending the celebration himself since all he wanted was to spend the day with Lou. It would have been the perfect opportunity to try to court her and even tell her about his true feelings for her. After his brief encounter with Lou in the last couple of days, he was positive that he should speak from his heart to her, but in the last moment he simply lost the nerve. They had such a good time whenever they were together, and Kid feared that he might spoil everything for wanting more than she might be ready to give. So maybe today would have been the ideal occasion to come closer to Lou, but unfortunately, this was out of the question now. Louise should have the free time to enjoy herself as the rest of Rock Creek's townsfolk and Kid would feel like the proudest man alive with just being able to escort her around today.
The five riders slowly got ready to head for town. Even though they'd rather keep out of the celebrations and stay at the station, nobody dared to voice their objections. Neither Teaspoon nor Rachel would heed their protests, and as for any other special occasions they would have to go just the same. Only Cody was loudly complaining of the treatment Alice Parker had meted out to him. The girl hadn't even offered him an excuse for going back on her word and Cody suspected that some evil soul had gone to her with a bunch of lies about him. The other riders knew that the reason behind all this matter had to do more with her family's fierce protectiveness than with the girl's own decision. Yet, they simply listened to Cody's whining stoically, but didn't try to retort. Cody always tended to make a grandiloquent story out of the events in his ordinary life and by now the riders were already used to his ways. Besides, everybody knew that as soon as another girl caught his eye, Alice Parker would simply be a distant memory.
When the riders, Rachel and Teaspoon reached the town, the streets were bustling with people. There were stands lined along the main street, music drifted from the further end where couples were already dancing and the buildings were gaily decorated with bright-colored banners and flags. People strolling around were dressed in their finest, and there was no doubt they were having a great time.
Teaspoon drove the buckboard with Rachel seated by his side and stopped it opposite his office. The riders left their horses next to the wagon and with a warning from Rachel to stay out of trouble, they went to explore an almost renewed town to them. The horse race started at noon and till then they had time for roaming around and to find something to entertain themselves. The five riders set off together, but a few minutes later they wandered in different directions. Jimmy and Noah hung around a stall displaying the latest models in guns, Cody's attention was soon gripped by some girl from town, and Buck had wandered off by himself. Kid kept walking aimlessly, looking at everything and everybody without much interest. As he reached the far end of the street, his face brightened as he caught sight of Lou entering the local stables.
Kid almost ran towards the place where she had disappeared into and paused just before stepping into the building. Squinting to adapt his eyes to the gloom in the inside, he soon spotted her not far from where he stood, just before her horse's stall and nuzzling her hand against its soft mane. His steps resounding in the silence of the stables alerted her and Lou turned her head to locate the person invading her moment of privacy. When she saw Kid advancing towards her, her mouth formed a smile and she said, "Hey!"
"What are you doing here?" Kid asked when he reached just opposite her.
"Came to see my baby," Louise replied as she brought her hand to the horse's muzzle. The animal responded by licking her palm, which provoked a delighted giggle from her.
"I thought you were working today," the Southerner added as he took a couple of steps closer to her.
"I am," Louise retorted and stuck out her tongue to him, feigning to be offended, which made Kid chuckle. "For your information, I just decided to have a brief break if that is all right with your Highness."
"Don't pull that long face to me," he said, placing a finger under her chin and lifting her eyes to him. "I was just teasing you."
Lou gave him a half smile while shifting her face out of his grasp. His touch felt like fire on her skin and was enough to leave her a total nervous wreck. She was still unsure what to do about her infatuation with Kid. His presence made her smile like an idiot all day long; when they were together, talking, laughing, joking around, everything was so perfect and she felt as if she were in seventh heaven. But at the same time, there was a latent pain which was permanent in her chest. She longed for more and with each passing day the need became stronger and more real. Lou was feeling totally irritated with herself; she needed to find the right moment and have a serious conversation with him. She couldn't continue fooling herself into believing that she was happy with just his friendship. She knew that silencing her feelings wouldn't lead to anything good in the long run. Louise had no problem in coming clean with him, but she had refrained herself so far because she feared what her sincerity could do to their friendship and, besides, she hadn't considered it right to do it so soon after his break-up with his fiancée.
"It's a shame you don't have the day off," Kid remarked, bringing Lou back to reality. "Tompkins can sometimes be so unsympathetic."
"It's all right. I don't mind," Lou replied while Kid sent her a skeptical look. "Anyway, you can consider yourself lucky I have to work. Otherwise, you know I'd beat you and the rest of the men in that horse race. Wouldn't we, girl?" she said, addressing the animal and as if understanding her, the mare let out a contented neighing.
Kid laughed loudly at her comment, not doubting that she'd have the guts to join in the race with the rest of the men. "I am sure you would," he said sincerely as his eyes glanced at her with great intensity. He cleared his throat to get a grip of himself and said, "But you'll still need to have lunch today, won't you?" Lou simply looked back at him and the rider continued, "Why don't you join us for lunch later? Please."
His eyes almost pleaded with her to accept and with a candid smile she simply said, "All right, all right, but stop making puppy eyes to me." They shared a grin and then Louise turned to leave. "I'd better go now," she said as she moved away from him. "I'll see you later then."
"That's it? You won't be leaving me like this, will you?" Kid added with a serious expression.
Lou turned around to him with a confused frown and clueless at what he was hinting, she started, "What are you…?"
Kid, though, didn't let her complete her question as he asked one of his own, his bright eyes searching hers, "Aren't you even going to kiss me good luck for the race?"
Louise laughed amused at his words and silently started back towards him. All of a sudden, she felt very self-conscious, and she kept smiling coyly at him. Kid stood in the same spot unmoving, staring at her as she reached his position. Lou paused briefly to share a sheepish look with Kid and then she shyly pushed herself up on tiptoes to kiss him on his right cheek. Yet, without even being aware of his own movements, Kid turned his head and captured her lips in his in a brief and sudden kiss.
The surprise in their faces was evident as they pulled away slightly and kept looking agape at each other with big eyes. Kid felt his heart pound and her breath came in puffs as they stood there staring at each other, their heads merely inches away. Kid felt unable to move or even utter a single sound, just fighting the thousands of thoughts crossing his mind. Time seemed to drag endlessly and suddenly to his utter surprise Louise simply closed her eyes ever so slowly.
Taking her gesture as a cue to continue what he had started, Kid lowered his head towards her and met her lips once again. She really felt as soft as he had imagined she would be so many times before. His kiss started tender and sweet, but noticing her responding, Kid dared to deepen the kiss with the intensity and passion he was feeling. His mouth moved over hers softly, wanting to taste every detail, every crevice, point and even imperfection of her sweet lips. He longed to feel her as if she were part of his own skin, so his hands, which had been sagging at his sides, shakily reached up to touch her and came to rest on her shoulders. They seemed to act on their own as they started to run down her back with tender movements, and soon Kid pulled her tightly against him; her body fit against his chest harmoniously. He could feel her warmth against the material of her dress and in a tempting thought he wondered what it would be like to touch her bare skin with his hands. Soon he noticed her hands wrapped around his neck and then they started wandering all over his back, straining to keep him as close to her as possible. Louise felt invigorated and totally lost at his touch and passionate kisses. Time seemed to cease around them and she just wanted this moment to go on and on forever. Her whole body felt as if she were on fire as the kiss continued for a few minutes.
Suddenly, the sound of steps behind them, and a voice letting out an exclamation made them back up abruptly and with their breaths still shallow and ragged, they turned their heads to find Jimmy staring at them with a lopsided grin. Louise felt her cheeks blush violently as she knew by his facial expression that Jimmy had seen them in the middle of their sultry kiss. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't even look at Kid and kept her head tucked as she was finally able to move and scurry towards the door. "I gotta go," she muttered in a soft voice, not addressing either of the men in particular as she reached the big open door.
She was about to scamper out of the place but stopped when Kid's voice calling her name reached her ears. She turned round slowly and forced herself to meet his eyes. His face looked as flushed as she knew hers was, and he wore a goofy smile, which made her feel even more embarrassed. "Lou, don't forget," Kid said, his voice tinged with some peculiar quality she hadn't noticed before. "I'll be waiting for you at lunchtime."
Louise simply nodded, and without saying one single word, she dashed out of the stables like a bat out of hell. Kid stared at the door through which she had disappeared. The kiss they had just shared was very much alive in all his senses; he could still smell her soft aroma, taste her sweet lips and feel her tender skin. He had dreamed about kissing her for so many days and weeks, and now that it had happened, it had been so much better than those images frequently playing in his imagination and dreams. Lou had actually seemed to want that kiss as much as him, and Kid couldn't wait to have her lips between his again.
A deep-throated chuckle snapped him out of his dreamy thoughts. He turned his face to one side and found Jimmy in obvious merriment. The long-haired rider stood with his back leaned against one of the stall doors and after he had sobered up, he said, "Teaspoon sent me to get you, but if I had known you were this busy, I'd never have dreamed of interrupting."
Kid felt very uncomfortable under Jimmy's scrutinizing eyes and fumbled to say something. "Uh… it was nothing," he started clumsily, and at Jimmy's skeptical expression he added, "She was just wishing me good luck … you know, for the race."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he felt like a fool. He didn't need to find an excuse or an explanation for the scene his friend had just witnessed in the stables. Why couldn't he acknowledge what had happened between him and Lou? They had shared a tremendous, staggering, mind-blowing kiss, and there was nothing to be embarrassed about, rather the opposite. He was on cloud nine and felt like running after Louise and repeating the same situation again and again.
"Wow, Kid," Jimmy replied, letting out a whistle, "that's my kind of 'wish-me-luck' thing. I wouldn't mind some of that myself."
"Jimmy…" the Southerner wheezed, his voice coated with a subtle warning.
"But I can guess you ain't eager to share those gestures of … uh… appreciation with anybody else, uh?" Jimmy continued in the same teasing tone, and noticing his friend's demeanor he decided to give him a rest… at least for the moment. Patting him on the back, Jimmy said, "Come on, Kid. The race is about to start, and this year I intend to beat you all."
Kid sent him a dubious look and added ironically, "I'll believe that when I see it."
"Don't fret. You'll believe it," Hickok retorted. "And, my friend, just assume you have no chances with me even though your Louise gives you more of her treats to balance luck on your behalf. But I gather you wouldn't mind, uh?" he remarked, lifting an eyebrow mischievously.
This time Kid smiled brightly in acknowledgment and simply said, "Come on, Jimmy. Let's go." They loped down the street where almost the whole town of Rock Creek were standing to see their men show their riding activities and find out who would get hold of the prize this year.
A few hours later the riders and Rachel were gathered around one of the picnic tables that had been set up for the occasion. Teaspoon had left to see to some trouble at the saloon, promising to join them as soon as he was free. The blonde woman was placing the pots and bowls with food that she had prepared that morning, and they were going to enjoy now. The riders were still talking about the race that had finished an hour ago. This time none of the boys had been very lucky, and one of the local men had been the race winner, followed closely by the Express riders. That is, all of them but Kid.
The Southerner had reached the end almost in the last position as he hadn't been able to focus his whole attention on the race. His mind kept replaying that incredible kiss he and Lou had shared, and just the images of it left him nervous and addled. His absent-mindedness had been such that at some point during the race he had almost pitched in one of stands, scaring away the two ladies who were standing at it. His heart longed to see Lou and he couldn't wait for her to turn up at lunchtime as she had promised she would. He kept looking in the direction he guessed she'd be coming, his heart beating in anxious anticipation.
"So tell us, Kid," Jimmy addressed him, forcing him out of his reverie, "what had you so distracted before? Would it by any chance be a certain chestnut-haired lady?"
Kid rolled his eyes, foreseeing that Jimmy wasn't going to let go of the opportunity to tease him after witnessing what had taken place between him and Louise. "Jimmy, please, could you cut it off?"
Hickok turned a deaf ear to his friend's request and asked in the same mocking tone, "Are you still saying that you're simply friends?" Turning to the others, the long-haired rider added with a lopsided grin, "I saw the two of them smooching in the stables. One heck of a kiss. For one moment I thought he was gonna eat her alive."
Kid was blushing with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation while his friends roared with laughter at Jimmy's comment. It was as if he was the only victim of his friends' wisecracks lately. He should have been used to their comments and jest, but the situation with Lou was too delicate and special to him to stay impassive to those teasing remarks.
"Leave Kid alone, Jimmy," Rachel scolded lightly.
"Why can't you admit that there's something going on between you two? Jimmy insisted, directing his lively eyes to his Southern friend.
Kid lowered his eyes and kept them downcast as he muttered, "I just know that I like her a lot."
The riders exchanged smiles and Rachel, who was sitting across from Kid, brought her hand to cover the rider's affectionately and said, "That's really sweet, Kid, and you two make a lovely couple."
Kid lifted his eyes to the woman, conveying a silent thank you, and added, "I don't even know how she feels about me."
"Mind you, Kid, she gave you a heck of a clue there in the stables, don't you think?" Jimmy remarked.
Kid simply shrugged his shoulders dismissively, trying to ignore any more teasing. His main fear was that Louise wouldn't want further than that kiss. She had responded to his touch whole-heartedly, but maybe she was now regretting what had happened. After all, she was always saying that she'd never let herself fall in love with anybody. Kid wanted to believe that he was letting his fears rule him, and this unexpected turn was actually the beginning of a hopeful perspective for the two of them.
"Kid, Louise is a nice girl," Rachel continued, "and I'm sure you'll be all right."
The Southerner was about to retort when he spotted her among the people sauntering around them as she was coming towards them. The smile appeared on his face instantly and he lifted his body from the bench he was sitting on and waved at her.
"Look at his silly grin. He's practically drooling!" he heard Cody remark.
Irritated, Kid thumped his palm on the table and running his eyes around the table, he said, "Now I don't want you to embarrass her, all right?" Without waiting for his fellow riders' confirmation, Kid turned his attention back to the girl, who was making her way towards them with slow steps.
Louise had been a nervous wreck all morning long. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about Kid and her cheeks turned a shade of bright pink whenever images of their kiss popped into her mind. Nobody had kissed her like that before; she had never kissed anybody like that. In those brief minutes she had been between his arms, she hadn't cared or thought about anything at all. She had felt completely lost as soon as his lips had touched hers. He was so tender, and to her astonishment a desire unknown to her had bloomed in her soul. That kiss wasn't just enough. She wanted more, she wanted all his kisses, his caresses, his love and especially a future with him. With that kiss he had given hope that all her wishes could become a reality but the fear that she shouldn't expect anything else from him lurked in the darkest corners of her soul, threatening her now high spirits.
After leaving the store, Lou breathed in as she started off with trembling feet. Time had dragged that morning, and each minute seemed endless as she constantly looked at the clock Mr. Tompkins had on the wall. She couldn't wait to meet Kid and now that the moment had come she was trembling like a leaf. With each step she took closer to where he'd be waiting for her with the rest of his friends, she felt her heart race more frantically and her hands sweat more profusely. She was very nervous as she walked along, making her way among the crowds of people.
Suddenly, she saw him appear at a certain distance, waving and smiling at her. Louise let out a sigh as she raised her hand in acknowledgment and continued forward towards him. She saw him leave his position at the table and come to her. Lou reached him all shaky and her eyes instantly felt drawn to his bright ones. "Hi," she let out in a husky voice.
"I'm so glad you came," Kid said sincerely, his gaze constantly upon hers.
Lou smiled sheepishly and replied in a husky tone that she hardly recognized as hers, "Tompkins let me have the rest of the day off."
"Good!" he exclaimed, beaming happily and looking forward to spending the rest of the day in her company.
The pair stood looking at each other without uttering a single word till Rachel's voice interrupted their absorbed moment. "Kid, don't let Louise stand there and offer her to sit down."
"Oh … yeah," the Southerner responded with a stutter as he walked with her back to the table. Louise uttered a shy greeting to everybody, avoiding looking at Jimmy. She was still very embarrassed at the thought that the rider had caught her and Kid in that intimate situation.
"Hey, Louise," Cody started with a mischievous smirk, "there's some space on the bench next to me!" He motioned for her to sit down next to him while Kid glared at him, aware that Cody was just fooling around despite the Southerner's previous warnings.
"That's because nobody wants to sit next to you," Kid replied roughly, which gained him a scowl from his friend and caused everybody to laugh heartedly. "Besides, Lou's my guest, not yours."
Louise chuckled silently with amusement at the exchange between the two riders and let Kid steer her to the table. She sat down at one corner between Kid and Rachel, who was placed at the head. The Southerner grabbed a plate which he filled with all the viands that the station mistress had brought and placed it before the girl. Louise smiled once again in gratefulness; it seemed as if all she was able to do was smile because other than that she felt paralyzed, tongue-tied and unable to form a coherent thought.
The others were talking around them as they started having lunch, but Lou just couldn't hear what they were saying. She kept looking at the man by her side while he was doing pretty much the same. His eyes had such a pull over her that she just couldn't look away. Suddenly, she felt his hand brush over hers softly under the table and finally grab her small one. The gesture took her by surprise, and Lou breathed in deeply as a way to control the sensations running through her body with just this small action. His eyes searched hers, and she recognized a question in them, as if to ask whether his bold move had offended her. She responded by smiling even wider and giving his hand a comforting squeeze. Kid beamed happily as they remained holding hands while they started tasting the food on their plates after Rachel urged them to do so. They continued sending sheepish looks at each other, oblivious to anything or anybody else around them.
"Louise!"
A voice calling her name snapped her out of her voluntary isolation and when she directed her eyes to the source of that call, her body stiffened instantly. "Charlotte," she whispered tersely, and as an automatic reaction she let go of Kid's hand, which brought a mixture of disappointment and hurt to the rider.
The woman advanced towards the group of people sitting around the picnic table with a smile as her eyes focused entirely on the petite girl. "I finally found you!" she exclaimed. "That man from the store told me that you'd be somewhere around here."
Kid noticed the change in Lou. The smiling girl from a few seconds ago had turned into a grave and morose one all of a sudden. Louise folded and unfolded her arms over her chest several times until she finally left them crossed over her in a protective fashion. "What… What are you doing here, Charlotte?" she finally managed to ask in a terse voice.
"Came to see you," the lady replied matter-of-factly in the same high-spirited way and addressing the rest of the group around Louise, she said, "Louise and I go back a long ways."
Nobody said anything as they watched the awkward exchange between the two women. Louise remained in uncomfortable silence, and after a while she rose to her feet and shuffled towards Charlotte. "I'll walk with you to the hotel," she said, taking the carpet bag from the woman and started off without a single look back or saying a word. Only Charlotte let out a quick 'nice to meet you' before she followed Louise away from the place.
Kid kept looking at her retreating figure in confusion. For some reason the appearance of this woman wasn't very agreeable for Louise, and he couldn't help but wonder why. He had never seen her act so awkwardly before, and all he hoped was that the woman called Charlotte wouldn't bring any problems to Lou. Kid made a bitter gesture as he realized that he should have to forget about his expectations to spend the rest of the afternoon with Lou. Why was it that whenever he and Lou took a step closer to each other something happened that made them "unwalk" the covered path? Fear started to creep into his heart and feeling that this woman meant bad news to Louise Kid prayed that he was wrong, but his intuition was telling him that somehow he was not.