Ch 9

The following week saw Cody ride off to join up with the army. Heartfelt goodbyes were passed around. Noah moved his things into the blacksmith shop in town. Jimmy packed his things and moved to the room in the back of the Marshal's office. Kid and Lou were getting their horses ready to head over to their new house. Lou looked over the station one last time. Teaspoon, Rachel, Buck, and Ike walked over.

"Got everything?" Asked Teaspoon.

"I think so. We should be there by nightfall." Said Kid smiling.

"Louise, please come back and visit often. We'll come see you too." Said Rachel trying not to cry.

Louise hugged Rachel tight then Teaspoon. She hugged Buck and Ike as well. She mounted Lightning.

"Kid, can we stop in town first. I'd like to see Noah and Jimmy."

"We can do that."

They waved bye and rode through town. They spoke with Noah. Lou hugged him. They rode on to the Marshal's office. Jimmy walked outside when they pulled up. Lou jumped down and ran to him. She pulled him in a bear hug. Jimmy finally stepped back. He shook hands with Kid.

"Please come visit us." Said Lou.

"I will. I promise."

Kid and Lou rode off out of town. Jimmy stood and watched them go until he couldn't see them anymore. He went back to work, hoping that Lou would have a family and the stable life that he knew he could never give her.

Ten months went by before Jimmy made the trip to see Lou. He asked Teaspoon who agreed that he needed a break. He said he had promised Lou that he would visit and he wanted to check in on them. He left early one morning and rode straight through. He asked about them in town and the man at the store gladly gave him directions to their house. Jimmy rode along the tree lined drive to a small two story home. It looked to be well kept. He pulled to a stop at the white picket fence. He tied his horse and heard squealing as he went to turn around. Lou was running down the steps. She wrapped her arms around him.

"What took you so long?!" She asked.

"Time got away. I didn't have the nerve to come sooner. I'm sorry."

"Jimmy Hickok didn't have the nerve. Now I've heard it all. Come on in."

Jimmy followed her inside the house. It held very little furniture. It was very clean to say the least.

"Where's Kid?"

"He ran over to Kearney."

"Lou, that's a five day ride from here."

"I know. I don't care." She said as she went in the kitchen.

Jimmy followed her. He looked at the small amount of plates and things. He noticed the small amount of food in the pantry.

"Y'all doing ok out here Lou?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You can't hide it from me Lou. You never could. What's going on?"

Lou turned around to face Jimmy.

"It's miserable here. I'm miserable here. He stays gone and when he does come home, he doesn't act like himself. We had a good business going here. We built it up. But then he got to gambling. He has lost most of it. All we have left is the house and an empty barn. He even lost Katy and Lightning."

Jimmy listened frowning.

"Then I had the babies."

"Babies?"

"Yeah. Twins. Two girls."

"That's wonderful Lou."

"I thought so but he got angry. Mad because they were girls and not boys."

"How could he get mad at his kids like that?" Asked Jimmy getting angry.

"That's the problem. He knows they ain't his."

Jimmy stared at Lou.

"What Jimmy? Did ya think we could sleep around for a few months and not have nothing happen?"

"No it's not that. I'm sorry. This is my fault."

"It ain't. He says he will come to accept it to save name. He says he will treat them like his own."

"Lou, do you want to stay here? You could always go to Rachel. She would help you."

"What about you?"

"Lou..."

Lou didn't let him finish as she ran over to jump in his arms. She kissed him feverishly. Jimmy couldn't tell her no. He never could. He laid her down on her kitchen table as they lost themselves once again.