Ch 4
Jimmy and Lou made Seneca the next morning. Jimmy went to the bank and dropped off the papers. Lou waited outside for him.
"How bout some lunch?" She asked.
"Now that sounds like a plan."
They sat and ate. Jimmy watched Lou. She seemed content after their talk last night but today she was right back in that same down mood.
"You ready to head out? We should make the station before dark." Said Jimmy.
"Can we just kill time? I need one more night away from it all."
"I guess if that's what you want to do but just know that you have to face it sometime."
"Sometime just not tonight."
Jimmy nodded. They walked around town some before riding back out. Jimmy made camp at the same place they had the night before. Lou walked over to where Jimmy was sitting. She pulled out a napkin which held some biscuits. She offered one to him. They sat and watched the water flow.
"Thanks for stopping one more night. I know it ain't fun sleeping on the hard ground. I just wanted a little more time to myself."
"Anything to make you happy, Lou. I am telling you. Talk with Kid when we get back. Y'all will be fine."
Lou nodded and laid her head on Jimmy's shoulder as they watched the sun go down.
"I reckon when we get back, I'll have to pick a date." She mumbled.
"You don't have to do anything. Just do it when you're ready."
"I can't let Kid down. I accepted his proposal so now I have to follow through on it. If I don't then I'll just be a coward and a disappointment."
"You are far from that Lou. You are the bravest woman that I know. The only problem that you have is that you try to make everyone else happy without making yourself happy. Do it when you're ready. Don't worry so much. Kid will treat you like a queen. You know that."
Lou looked over at Jimmy.
"I don't want to be a queen. I want to be me. I want to ride and shoot. I want to help out during hard times and I don't know, just be me."
Jimmy nodded knowing he couldn't win any argument with her. The stars came out so Jimmy looked up at the sky. Lou watched him look up. She reached over and pulled his face down to hers. Jimmy looked in her face. Lou slid closer and kissed him softly on the lips. Jimmy wrapped his arms around her. He pulled away quickly.
"What are you doin?"
"Kissin you."
"You are marrying Kid. This feels wrong, bad."
"Ain't you a bad boy?"
Lou kissed him again. Jimmy didn't fight this time. He pulled her tight to him. Lou softly moaned. He had wanted her for so long. He lost it. He pushed her back onto the ground. As a shooting star ran across the sky, the two lost themselves in each other.