Ch 3

The riders made their way back over to the hotel. They were walking and laughing about their winnings. Between the three of them, they had won thirty dollars.

"Y'all should have seen those fellas at the table when Lou laid down that full house." Laughed Jimmy

"I thought a few of them were gonna fall out their chair!" Laughed Noah

"It was interesting!" Smiled Buck

Lou walked along laughing at the boys. She had actually had more fun than she had in a long time. Jimmy walked her to her door. She turned around and smiled at him.

"I'm glad you had fun tonight. You deserve it. I'll see you in the morning."

"This was the most fun I've had in awhile. Night Jimmy." Lou said as she stepped in the door.

Jimmy turned and walked back to his room.

The next morning Lou woke to a knock on her door. She hurried over. She opened it to find Jimmy standing there holding a package.

"What's that?" Asked Lou.

"Just a little something we all thought you could use."

She opened her door and he came in, placed it on her bed. He turned around to see her smiling with her hand over her mouth.

"Y'all actually bought me something."

"Yes we did. It was a hard pick though but I won out over the other two." Winked Jimmy.

"Well can I see?"

"Go ahead."

Lou ran over and ripped open the brown paper. She stood staring. She pulled out the most gorgeous yellow dress. It had small daisies and lace trim. She pulled it close and spun around to Jimmy.

"I take this as you like it?"

"Like it! I can't believe y'all did this!"

"You need time to be yourself Lou. Since we all slept in and missed breakfast, get dressed. We are all heading to a nice dinner. Meet you in fifteen? Is that long enough?"

"I'll definitely be ready."

Jimmy, Buck, and Noah stood outside Lou's door waiting. She opened the door and the boys were stunned.

"We get to eat lunch with the prettiest lady in all of Laramie." Said Noah

"Wow Lou, you look great." Said Buck.

Jimmy offered his arm and they all walked toward the restaurant. He leaned in to her ear.

"You are beautiful Louise."

She smiled as they walked inside and were seated. They ate their meals, laughing as only friends could. Lou looked at Jimmy again. He was her best friend. Maybe she should let Kid go, and look elsewhere. He looked over at her smiling.

"Louise, there is a dance later this afternoon. We were wondering if you would like to go with us?" Asked Jimmy.

"I think I would like that. Wow, I have three dates." laughed Lou

"You sure do." Said Noah

Trevor sat at the table in the corner eating his steak. They were going to the dance with this lady that they just met. Guess tonight would be as good a chance as any. He will talk to his people.

After eating and walking around town a few times, it was about time for the dance to begin. Lou walked over with her three dates. There were a lot of people there. Noah eased over to the food and looked around. Buck walked over and asked Lou to dance. Jimmy smiled as Buck spun her onto the dance floor. He walked over to Noah.

"These people sure have a lot of food." Said Noah.

"I ain't complaining." Jimmy said grabbing some snacks.

"I ain't either. It is so good."

Noah and Jimmy went to stand and watch Buck and Lou dance. An attractive young lady came to stand beside Jimmy. He looked over and smiled in her direction.

"You better not. Ya know Lou is looking for you to ask her to dance." Whispered Noah.

"I know, I ain't that dumb. Just didn't want to be rude." Jimmy said stuffing a piece of cake in his mouth.

The girl made her way past Jimmy over to Noah. He looked at her. She was staring back at him.

"Excuse me? Would you like to dance?"

"I would like that a lot." The lady smiled as she took Noah's hand.

He looked at Jimmy and smirked. Maybe his night was looking up. Buck and Lou came over to where Jimmy stood eating.

"You just gonna stand there and shove food in your face?" Asked Lou.

"You know better than that. Can I have the next dance ma'am?"

"Yes you can."

Jimmy spun Lou out on the floor. It felt good to be in his arms. She felt comfortable like she was supposed to be there. She looked over and saw that Buck had a pretty lady on the floor with him. She was so happy for her friends. As the dance came to a close, she took Jimmy's arm as he escorted her back to the hotel. Buck and Noah bid them farewell at the door. They were off with their new lady friends. Lou was as happy as she could ever remember being. Jimmy walked her to her door.

"I had a really great time. Thank you for this."

"You deserve all this happiness and more Louise. You are worth every minute."

Jimmy leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. Lou's face turned bright red.

"Goodnight Louise."

"Night Jimmy."

As Lou closed her door, she smiled a smile of pure happiness and appreciation.