Chapter 15
The weeks after Kid's leaving was filled with wedding preparations. Sarah and Cody decided to up the wedding date so they could have an outside wedding before winter hit. Lou was working diligently on Sarah's wedding dress in Rachel's front room when there was a knock at the door. It immediately opened and Jimmy walked in. He knew she'd be there as it was where she had been spending all of her free time lately. She had even taken fewer shifts at the hotel restaurant to get the dress done on time. "Hi Jimmy."
"Hi yourself," Jimmy said.
"What time is it?" Lou asked looking out the window and noticing it had gotten dark.
"It's well past suppertime but I brought you a plate."
"Thanks Jimmy, but I need to give Jamie a bath and get him ready for bed. Did he eat?"
"Lou, he ate, he bathed and Rachel is reading him a book. You need to eat and then give me a kiss. I'll let you decide which order you want to do that in." Jimmy said with a goofy grin on his face. Lou rose up out of her seat and reached up giving Jimmy a chaste kiss and went to pull away but Jimmy wrapped his arms around her and lengthened the kiss. Lou melted in his arms. After a few moments, they pulled away slightly and Jimmy said, "What do you say you eat some of this food I brought you and then we take a little walk. It's a nice night."
Lou smiled. "Mmm…sounds good." She ate a few bites real quick then put her sewing supplies away for the night. "I'm going to go tuck Jamie in first and then I'm all yours." Lou smiled and then took off to the bunkhouse.
With Jamie snug tight in his bunk, Jimmy and Lou stepped out into the night. There was a chill in the air and Lou was glad she had grabbed her shawl. They took off walking toward the other end of town. The lively music from the saloon drifted through the air. Lou placed her right hand in his and then held onto his arm, laying her head on his shoulder. "Maybe I should've tucked you into bed as well." Jimmy said but quickly realized how it sounded and was thankful for the shade of night she couldn't see him blush. "You just seem tired is all." He added.
"There's no place I'd rather be than right here with you." She said looking up into his eyes. He smiled and nodded and they continued on their walk.
"Jimmy, have you thought about what it's going to be like after Cody moves out of the bunkhouse."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we'll be alone in there. You know you, me and Jamie."
"I guess you're right." Jimmy said acting as if he hadn't thought much about it which couldn't be further from the truth. He thought about it many times. He had even discussed it with Teaspoon as Teaspoon had all rights to the land and buildings after Russell, Majors and Waddell sold it to him when The Pony Express came to an end. The company had sold it to him for a very reasonable price, and he figured he could sell it off one day if he needed to or if he no longer had use for it. Teaspoon figured it was a good investment.
As much as Jimmy liked the idea of having the bunkhouse to themselves, he wasn't sure it was what he wanted long term. "Jimmy, I know you don't like to think about getting married and having a family, but…"
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"Well you've said it before, something like 'why should I care for someone if it's just going to bring 'em pain' remember?"
"Yeah, maybe I said something like that once but things have changed."
"What's changed?" she asked
"You, for starters, and Jamie." He stopped their walking as they had made it to the edge of town, and he led Lou over to the steps in front of the church and sat down. She waited for him to continue.
"Lou, ever since you walked back into my life I see hope in a future, a happy future. I know life is still as uncertain as ever, it's fragile, but so is love and you've taught me that." Lou's eyes started to mist over at the beauty of his words and hoped he would continue. "You've taught me I can have a chance with an angel because that's what you are to me Louise McCloud, you are my doe-eyed angel and I love you…and I want to marry you, if you'll have me."
"Oh Jimmy." She was actively crying now and Jimmy thought maybe she would say no, and he was pretty sure his heart had stopped beating. He was not planning on proposing tonight, but it had turned into a perfect opportunity.
"Yes, Oh Jimmy, Yes!" She finally said and kissed him hard. They put so much passion into the kiss but then quickly remembered they were outside and pulled away from each other. "James Butler Hickok, I love you so much. I have loved you for so long. You've made me so happy."
Jimmy wiped the tears from her face as they were still flowing and gave her another kiss, no longer caring who might be watching.
They decided to wait to make their announcement at dinner on Sunday when the whole family would be there. Teaspoon, Buck, Emily, Hunter, Cody and Sarah, all sat around the table with Jimmy and Jamie. Rachel and Lou were placing the food on the table when there was a knock at the door. It was Christopher, the man Rachel had been seeing. "Sorry if I'm late." He said taking off his hat. "Not at all, have a seat." Rachel said, setting a plate for him as well. Christopher had become a regular at Sunday dinner and everyone enjoyed his company.
They all savored their food as well as the pleasant conversation, each telling stories of the week's happenings. It was time for dessert and Emily got up to help serve the pies that she had baked. Lou made eye contact with Jimmy and decided now was the best time to share their news. Lou stood up and motioned for Jimmy to do the same. He stood, feeling somewhat nervous all of a sudden. Lou went for his hand for support and started "Everyone, Jimmy and I would like to make an announcement." The looks passed around the room and then settled back on the couple. "We're getting married!" Lou finally blurted out.
Cheers and claps spread around the room followed by hugs and pats on the backs. Things were starting to calm down again when Lou noticed that Rachel had pulled Christopher over to the side of the room and were whispering to each other. After a few moments, they turned back to the table and Rachel spoke. "Actually everyone, not to take away any part of Lou and Jimmy's wonderful news, but Christopher and I have some news of our own. We're getting married as well." Rachel said smiling but still a little hesitant that maybe tonight wasn't the best night to tell the others, but soon the hugs and congratulations circled around the room once again. Their news seemed to come a little more surprising to everyone but no less joyous.
Rachel made her way over to Lou. "Louise, I hope you're not upset with us for making our announcement on the same night. We had already planned to but…"
"Oh Rachel, of course not, just as long as you're not upset with us doing the same." Lou said.
"I couldn't be happier for you two." Rachel added and she truly meant it.
They finally sat back down again and enjoyed dessert, the conversation turning to wedding plans including Cody and Sarah's which was only a week away.
It wasn't long and the two little boys had fallen asleep with their tummies full of pie. Buck and Emily decided it was time to say their goodbyes, and the three of them took off back to their home. Meanwhile, Sarah said she needed to be leaving as well and Cody escorted her home. That left only Teaspoon, Rachel, Christopher and Jimmy sitting around the table. After putting Jamie to bed, Lou returned asking if anyone would like some coffee. Rachel said she would give her a hand, while the men talked.
As Lou and Rachel returned with a fresh pot of coffee, Rachel sat down and put a hand on top of Christopher's and looked over at Teaspoon before saying." Louise, Jimmy, there is something Teaspoon and I wanted to ask you. Have you two thought about where you'd like to live after your married?"
Lou and Jimmy looked to each other and shrugged, but then Jimmy said that they had discussed staying here in the bunkhouse. "If that's okay with you Teaspoon. I've thought about possibly using some of our savings to build at some point, but I'd need to stay near town for work…"
He was interrupted by Rachel who started laughing at Jimmy's ramblings. "Jimmy, the reason I asked was because Christopher has his own place already that I'd be moving into, and well Teaspoon and I thought you two might like to move into my house."
"What?" Both Jimmy and Lou said in unison.
"If you want it that is?" Rachel asked.
"Rachel, did you two have this talk before today, because we just now told ya'll that we're gettin' married." Lou asked.
Rachel and Teaspoon shared an amused look. "Well, we kinda saw it comin' sweetheart." Teaspoon said.
"But what about the bunkhouse, Teaspoon? What's going to happen to it if no one is sleeping in it?"
"Well…" Teaspoon added. "We've been thinking about that too, and I'd like to offer it to Cody and Sarah for now. I know that Cody has been trying to buy up some land for a house but that's going to take some time and I think we could fix up the bunkhouse real nice for them until then. After that, we'll see."
"What do say you two?" Rachel asked again, still waiting on an answer from the young couple.
The two turned to each other, asking each other without saying a single word, and turned back to Rachel nodding their heads and smiling before finally saying "Yes, we'd love that. Thank you both."
