Chapter 5 –Lou's POV
The next morning I met Teaspoon at the jail. He wanted me to come down and give my statement about what happened at the dance. After I gave my statement he told me I could press charges against Kid and he would be locked up for a while awaiting trial. I didn't want this whole mess to be public so I didn't press charges. I left Teaspoon's office and headed home.
Kid was released and he quickly caught up with me. "Lou wait please." He called after me. Against my better judgment I stopped and waited for him. "What do you want Kid?"" I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me last night." Kid said once he was standing next to me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Teaspoon watching making sure I was ok. "Fine, now can I go?" I say staring to walk off. "Wait please." Kid said grabbing my arm, I give him a frosty look and he lets go. "Thank you for not pressing charges. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you please let me." Kid says quickly.
I look at him and smirk, "And what is it you want to make up to me Kid? Hitting me, kissing me against my wishes, or abandoning me ten years ago?" I didn't bat an eye as I said this to Kid. "All of it." Kid said meeting my eyes, I can see he's sincere, and for some reason I felt sorry for him. "Well I guess there is something you can do Kid." I start to say a little hesitantly. "Anything Lou" Kid encourages. "With Buck being out of town Jimmy has to fill in as deputy and continue his job at the ranch, along with the work that Buck normally does. So the ranch is basically short one and a half men. If you're willing to work hard we could use a hand until Buck comes back. Cody would be in charge of you." I don't know why I'm offering him a job, but something tells me working with the boys again is just what Kid needs.
"When do you need me to start?" Kid asks with the first smile I had seen on his face since he returned. "Well come on then, I'm sure Cody can put you to work now." I say as I start to walk away, but then I stopped and looked at him. "Just one thing Kid, I don't want to be alone with you ever again, if you can't handle that don't bother coming with me." "Ok Lou, if that's what you want." Kid said agreeing. He followed me the rest of the way home. I know having him work the ranch may not be the best idea but even after all he's done he's still family. I hope Buck will understand.
Kid's POV
I can't believe Lou didn't press charges. Not only that but she's going to let me work at the ranch. Granted she told me not to ever be alone with her again, but at least I'm closer to her now. Maybe if I can explain what happened eight years ago she'll forgive me and give me a second chance. I just have to time it right.
I've been working for Lou for two weeks now. The others were not happy about it at first but they eventually loosened up. It felt good to be working again. To be with family again. I didn't realize how much I had missed this. Buck still has not returned and nobody will tell me where he's gone in the first place. It doesn't matter, he's not here. I've kept my promise to Lou. I've haven't been alone with her, granted sometimes she only has one of the children around when I approach her but she never said it had to be an adult present.
I finally got up the nerve to tell her where I've been all these years, and why she received word I was dead. She seems to understand my reasoning. She also says she forgives me, but that she still loves Buck. She actually thanks me. She tells me if I hadn't left to go to war, she never would have known how much she has loved Buck all these years, even when we were riding together. That stings my pride something fierce. But I'm still not giving up, she's still my wife.
Lou's POV
It's been two weeks and Buck still isn't home. I wonder if he is having any luck finding Red Bear. Kid has been working hard at the ranch. At first I regretted my decision but he's done a good job. Plus working with the boys again seems to be bringing the old Kid back. I'm glad; I didn't like this new Kid at all. Catching me in the barn one day with just Emma, we were looking at the new kittens; Kid finally answers the questions we all have wanted to know.
He tells me where he's been for the past ten years. When I got word he had been killed it was a mistake, obviously, because the rest of his unit had been killed his commander assumed he had been as well when he didn't turn back up. Kid deserted the confederate army and a short time later he was picked up by union soldiers and put into a prison camp where he spent the remainder of the war. After the war ended and he was released he was so ashamed he couldn't come home. He's spent the last eight years in and out of jail.
I feel sorry for him and understand why he couldn't come home. I told him I forgive him, but I also tell him that if I had never got that letter I would never have known how much I loved Buck even when we were riding together I loved Buck. I can tell that fact hurts him, but it's the truth. I know Kid isn't about to give up though, he never gave up easily. Besides in his mind I'm still his wife. I hope Teaspoon gets word soon on whether or not my marriage to Kid still stands. And I really hope Buck comes home soon.