Chapter 9
As they entered into her room, Louise laughed loudly at another one of Kid's stories from his early days at the Sweetwater way station, particularly amused at the idea of the riders trying to balance on top of the crazy contraption that Teaspoon had purchased. They sat at the small table, and he shyly rested his hand on top of hers once again. In that moment, she realized that she felt closer to and more comfortable with Kid than she had anyone since Charlotte, which surprised her, considering how she had met him only a few hours ago. She once again felt the desire for the moment to never end, but much to her dismay, a yawn escaped her lips before she could stifle it.
"I guess beating the pants off me in that race really took it out of you, huh?" Kid asked jokingly and then softening his tone added, "I've had the best evening in I don't know when, and I'm not looking forward to returning to a bunkhouse full of snoring bunkmates, but you look like you could use some sleep. We can talk more over your victory dinner. Good night, Louise." He squeezed her hand gently and then rose to his feet and moved towards the door.
Louise, however, remained in her seat and before she could stop herself, blurted out, "Stay with me."
Kid paused in mid-stride, unsure if he had heard her correctly. Without turning around, he mumbled, "What?"
Taking a deep breath, knowing that she couldn't take back her words, she repeated, "Stay with me. Please."
At the sound of her pleading, he turned on his heel slowly. She did not meet his eyes, but instead gazed out the window and continued to speak, a quiet desperation in her voice.
"Tonight has been the best night of my life, like something from a dream. I'm afraid if you leave, and I go to sleep, I'll wake up and find that it was just a dream. If you stay here, I will know it was real. That is worth more than sleep to me," she said determinedly. Gathering her courage, she looked into his eyes and added with a small smile, "Besides, I'm yours for the night, remember?"
Kid chuckled softly at the memory of his earlier words, and before he could loose his thoughts in the image of Louise in her unmentionables, he replied, "Okay, you win again. It sure has been a lucky night for you, although I think I had better company tonight than you did. I don't mind losing if I get the pleasure of your company in the bargain. But let me win in this: get some sleep. I'll be perfectly fine on the floor. I imagine this rug is more comfortable than my mattress back at the bunkhouse."
"I can't let you sleep on the floor! I'm not going to let you spend all that money on conversation and the hard floor," she exclaimed.
"What kind of man would I be if I let a lady sleep on the floor while I took the bed?" he replied, bristling at the suggestion that he abandon his chivalry.
"You'd be smart," she answered, "but since you're determined to be a stubborn mule about this, I have a suggestion. How about we share the bed? Just for sleeping, mind you."
As Kid appeared to be deliberating whether or not to accept, she added, "Come on. It's the gentlemanly thing to do." She raised an eyebrow, challenging him to contradict her ludicrous statement; however, he seemed to like the idea.
"I guess if you put if that way, I can't refuse, can I?" he responded with feigned ease, amazed that he was agreeing to share a bed with a lady. As he sat on the bed to remove his boots, he wondered, what should I wear to sleep, and more importantly, just what would she be wearing?
As if reading his mind, Louise said, "Just so you know, I always sleep in the nude." Seeing Kid's eyes nearly pop out of his head and his face turn the deepest shade of red she had ever seen, she added, "Only kidding!"
