Ch 11

Jimmy visited Lou more the next few months, always waiting for Kid to leave. He had the guilt eating at him regularly now and finally decided it best to stay away from her. During that time, two men had come to town looking for Hickok serving a reminder as to why he couldn't have that life. Lou was safe this way and so were his girls.

It had now been almost a year since his last visit. He had several women after his attention but he paid them no mind. He belonged to one woman. One he couldn't have. Noah was happily married now with a son. Buck had recently married but no kids yet and Ike was courting a girl from town. Jimmy had told Teaspoon that it was time for him to move on. He couldn't stay here anymore. Tonight was his last night as deputy. He stood in the street and looked around the town that had been his home.

Buck and Ike were working on finishing Buck's new house. They had saved all of their money and bought the land next to Teaspoon and Rachel with their blessing. Buck being newly married was building a new house. Ike tapped Buck and pointed to the horizon. A trail of dust was coming their way. Buck ran over to Teaspoon's. All three men waited in the yard to see who it was. Rachel stood on her porch to see as well. The wagon pulled to a stop.

"Can we help you?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Y'all might can."

"Louise!" Screamed Rachel running off the porch.

Louise pulled her hat off as Rachel hugged her. Teaspoon, Buck, and Ike smiling. She hugged each of them.

"It's so good to see you."

"It's good to see y'all too."

"Goodness, you have filled out some and look at how long your hair is!" Rachel said as she hugged her again.

"Louise this is the best surprise." Said Teaspoon.

"How long will you be staying?" Asked Rachel.

"Well that's the problem. I was hoping I could stay a while. I didn't have anywhere else to go and..."

"Shhhh, let's get you on inside. You don't even have to ask."

"But it ain't just me."

Rachel looked around. Lou went to the back of the wagon as the others followed. She helped two twin girls out. Then she climbed in back and handed Rachel a little boy. Rachel pulled him close.

"Oh my, they are precious. They are gorgeous."

"These are my daughter's, Emma and Jamie. They are almost two." The girls took off and Buck had to run them down.

"Sorry, they are a handful since they started walking. That is my son, Matt. He's almost seven months."

"You've had your hands full. Where's Kid?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Honestly, I don't know."

"You don't know."

"Nope and I'm tired. I don't want to talk about it right now."

Buck looked at the kids. He looked at Lou as she unloaded their small belongings.

"Jimmy working?" Lou asked.

"Lou, he left this morning. He said he needed to move on." Answered Teaspoon as Lou's face fell.

Two days later, Ike sat outside playing with Lou's girls in the dirt. Lou walked over to the familiar barn. She leaned back against the wall. The happy memories coming back. She saw Buck walk over.

"Buck, Lynn is great. I love her already."

"She is pretty great." Buck laughed.

"I'm so happy for you."

"Lou, what happened to Kid?"

"Nothing that I know of."

Lou turned and walked away dismissing him. Teaspoon walked in from town and saw Rachel in her swing holding Matt. He went to sit with them.

"He's so beautiful." Said Rachel.

"That he is darling. I think Ike has found him some new friends." He said watching them drawing in the dirt.

"You are right about that."

Teaspoon watched the girls and Ike. He looked down at the baby then back to the girls.

"You see it too?" Asked Rachel.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't give me that, I know you do."

"I been thinking that they don't really resemble Kid at all."

"No they don't. Look at them Teaspoon. They aren't Kid's children. Take a hard look. I noticed right off."

"Maybe they take after Lou?"

"You know better than that."

"You think they're Jimmy's?"

"Yeah, all three."

"Oh my God."

"Apparently there was a dirty little secret going on here behind our backs. If we can see then you know Kid could."

"My Lord. How could they do this?"

"Love."

"We need to find Jimmy and bring him back home."

"My thoughts exactly."