Chapter 10

The sun streamed in the window, and Kid fluttered open his eyes, trying to remember where he was. Turning over, he saw a sleeping Louise, and the previous evening came flooding back into his memory. He smiled at the look of childlike joy on her face, which made her look like a sleeping cherub, the sunshine making a kind of halo above her head and her simple white nightgown and robe completing the picture. Though he had slept in his clothes, she had insisted on wearing a nightgown and robe, not wanting to wrinkle her dress. She had assured him that she would wear the most modest one she owned, but he had still found it hard to sleep with her next to him. As soon as he had heard her breathing deepen, he had turned to his side to watch her sleep, immensely enjoying some harmless gawking. He didn't remember when he finally fell asleep himself, but he knew he had been thinking of just how wonderful life could be, a thought which struck him once again. How had an evening which started so inauspiciously develop into something so amazing? He had no answer for the question, but he took a moment to thank God for bringing her into his life, even in such a strange way.

Louise stirred and opened her eyes to find Kid regarding her with wonder, as if he had never seen someone so interesting. She beamed under his loving gaze, wondering what she had done to deserve such a look.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey yourself, sleepyhead," he replied, unconsciously brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She smiled at the intimacy of his touch, but her smile quickly faded as she realized what must happen now. As much as she wanted to hold on to the moment, she knew he had responsibilities and life that did not include her, however much she may wish it did.

"What's wrong, Louise?" he asked, seeing her expression darken.

"You have to leave now, don't you?" she responded quietly.

"Yea, I do. The guys will be up soon, and if I don't get back in time to do my chores, Teaspoon would have my hide. I'm probably already gonna get an earful from Rachel for staying out all night."

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble."

"Don't apologize. It was my money and time to spend, and I'd say it was worth it, especially if you tell me that I can see you again" he replied with a smile.

This must be a dream, she thought. "I would love that," she said with a blush and a sudden feeling of giddiness.

"In that case, it would be my pleasure if you would join us for dinner at the way station. It's not fancy, but the food is great, and the company ain't half bad, even Cody. You could meet my friends, the closest thing to family I got. What do you say?" he asked eagerly, excited at the prospect of continuing his relationship with Louise.

Hearing his eagerness for her to meet his friends, Louise couldn't help feeling crestfallen. Though he spoke highly of them, they couldn't possibly be as accepting as he was. She couldn't pretend to be a lady; his three friends had seen for themselves exactly what she was. Worse yet, they thought that Kid was her "client" – how could they see her as anything else but a whore? Even if they could somehow get past that, she couldn't take the night off whenever she felt like it. The only way any of the girls got time off was when they were too sick to get out of bed, and even then they had to be so obviously sick that the drunkest of men would notice it. Any hope she had for a relationship with Kid melted away, and she was left with the grim reality of her life.

"I can't," she said, her voice revealing her despair. She moved to sit on the edge of the bed and turned to the opposite wall, not wanting to see his face as she dashed both of their hopes. "If I want to eat, I have to work, simple as that. I can't just ask my boss for the evening off because a nice gentleman wants to invite me to dinner. I'm not a regular lady, Kid. Unless you can come up with some brilliant idea for me to make my living doing something respectable, something I can be proud of, I don't think this is gonna work. I'm sorry."

Kid rose and sat next to her, their sides almost touching. He felt his heart sinking as he realized that their relationship was ending just as it was beginning. No, I'm not giving up yet. Aloud, he spoke with determination, "Louise, I don't know how, but I'm gonna find that job for you. I may not be much, but I'm not a quitter. I'll figure out something. I promise."

He spoke with much more confidence than he felt, and he prayed that he could keep his promise. Looking at her, he knew he would find a way. He stood before her, holding out his hands. She took his hands and allowed him to gently pull her to her feet. He held one hand tightly, and with the other, he lifted her chin to look into her eyes and said shyly, "I have to go now, but I'll be thinking about you all day. I'm not giving up on you, on us." He leaned down, brushing his lips lightly over hers. The sweet kiss left them both with a tingling feeling, and they smiled at one another, forgetting everything else in the moment.

"Goodbye, Louise."

"Goodbye, Kid."