Chapter 5

She slept the best she had slept in such a long time. It wasn't until a little hand patted her shoulder and said "Momma" that she woke the next morning. She reached out and tickled the little boy and he giggled mercilessly. She then grabbed him and pulled him onto the bunk with her. "How'd you sleep little man?" Lou asked her son. "Good momma," Jamie said. He was almost three and the apple of his mother's eye. She thought many times that he had saved her as there had been many days she thought life was worth living if only for him. "How'd you like to go riding today?" She asked him.

"Can Uncle Jimmy go too?" He asked which made Lou quickly sit up and look around the bunkhouse. She wondered for the first time since waking if they were alone in there. Her bunk sat in the corner, as it did in the express days to allow her a little privacy from the boys. It didn't seem like there was anyone else there at that moment, but she had a feeling Jimmy and Jamie had a little talk before waking her up.

"Did you see your Uncle Jimmy this morning?" Lou asked sitting Jamie down and getting up herself. She started getting dressed while he explained that he had in fact talked to Jimmy as well as Cody and Rachel while eating breakfast. She then wondered if she had missed breakfast being served in the bunkhouse or if they ate elsewhere. What all had she missed?

After getting ready she stepped outside but there was no one around. It made her realize not for the first time that much had changed since they had ridden out four years ago. She looked down to see that Jamie had picked up the little kitten he befriended yesterday and wondered for the first time if it's mother was looking for it. "Let's go find your Aunt Rachel".

After breakfast, Lou decided to take Lightning out for a ride. The horse had been left behind when her and Kid had left for Virginia and she was very eager to get back on her. She was getting her ready and placing the saddle on, when someone stepped into the barn. She looked up to see Jimmy smiling. "That horse is about as stubborn as they come." Jimmy said. "Took her out a few times just to let her run off some energy and she threw a fit on the way back every time. I think she wanted to go look for you."

"I wanted to take them, Lightning and Katy, when we left but…" Lou said as she shrugged her shoulders. "Kid didn't want to take the chance. I guess it was for the best as I had to take a stagecoach back because of Jamie. Ain't you supposed to be working?" Lou asked changing the subject.

"Well I got things squared away with my deputy and thought maybe you'd like the company." Jimmy said.

"I guess that wouldn't be so bad." She smiled.