Ch 20

Lou watched for Jimmy's return an entire week. Friday had come and he still hadn't returned. Rachel tried to comfort her as much as she could but she was beside herself. She tried to walk around like nothing was wrong but she was getting in a rut again. She worked that afternoon with Buck and Ike in the barn when she heard a horse coming. They walked outside to see what looked to be Jimmy coming up the road. Buck and Ike smiled but Lou just frowned. Rachel and Lynn walked out on Rachel's porch. Teaspoon walked out from the garden watching as he got closer. Jimmy came to a stop in the yard. He got down and stood by his horse.

"Jimmy." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy looked around at all their faces.

"Before y'all start, I can explain." He stepped away from his horse. Lou met him half way and before he could utter another word, she punched him square in the nose.

Jimmy grunted and stumbled back. Lou started cursing and shaking her hand. Rachel and Lynn covered the girl's ears.

"Shit!"

"You deserve that and more, you yella bellied coward! Chicken shit!"

"Just let me explain!"

"Why, why should I?"

Jimmy stood back up straight and wiped the blood from his nose on his sleeve.

"I had to go to back over to Blue Creek. I had to get my money from the bank."

"What?"

"I needed to take care of a few things and I needed my money that I put there. Shit, you can throw a punch." Jimmy said holding his nose.

"Ya better keep on explaining afore I throw another one!" Yelled Lou.

"Lou, how were we gonna build a house without money!" Yelled Jimmy back.

Lou stopped and put her hands up to her face.

"Wait? You want to build us a house?" She asked smiling.

"Yeah I do. Well I did. That was before you hit me."

Lou laughed and her eyes teared up as Jimmy got down on his knee in front of everyone. He pulled out a ring.

"I wanted to ask you to be my wife, for once." He said.

Lou hugged him knocking him down in the dirt. Buck looked to Teaspoon.

"I guess that's a yes." He whispered as Teaspoon smiled.

Jimmy and Lou stood back up. Jimmy removed his hat. Lou stared at him.

"You cut your hair." She mumbled.

"Decided it was for the best. Maybe I won't get recognized as quick. It was Rachel's idea." Jimmy said looking to Rachel.

"Lou, Jimmy and I talked. I think it's best that he changed his last name for his family's sake. I hope you don't mind but I said he could use my old one. If that's ok with you." Smiled Rachel.

"James and Louise Dunn. It has a good sound to it."

Lou hugged her family tight.

"So when do you want to get married? A month or two?" Asked Jimmy.

"Tonight." Said Lou.

"Tonight?"

"Yep. Right now."

"Can I at least clean my face up first?"

"Of course, you got ten minutes."

Jimmy laughed and went to wash his face. True to her word, twenty minutes later, they were married.

The End.