Dearly Beloved

Chapter 5

Later that night, Lou lay in bed wide awake. Every so often she would sigh audibly, loud enough that her husband could hear. When he didn't respond she glanced at him, barely able to make out his features in the darkened room. His eyes were shut but his breathing had not deepened into that of sleep, so she knew he was still awake.

"You gonna keep that up all night?" he said eventually, after another pointed sigh.

"What?" she replied softly, feigning innocence.

"I can hear your mind tickin' over from here." Kid kept his voice low so they wouldn't be overheard. "You're not upset I asked them to stay, are you? I should have checked with you first."

Lou was staring at the ceiling, her arms crossed over her chest.

"No, it was the right thing to do. We couldn't leave them at the hotel. Although I think it'll be a while before Charlie forgives you."

"Well, she's gotta get used to havin' a sister some time. Might as well be now."

Lou frowned at the mention of 'sister'. "Don't you think it's all a little sudden?"

"What?"

She sighed in frustration this time, knowing Kid was being purposely obtuse. "Adam gettin' engaged."

"No."

"He's too young."

"He's older than we were when we got married."

"That's different," she said dismissively. "He still has his studies to finish, set up a practice. He doesn't have a house of his own yet."

"Nor did we, if you recall."

"We don't know anythin' about her."

"I imagine that's why she and her brother have come to Sweetwater for a visit."

Annoyed that he was determined to counter her protestations with rational responses, she argued: "Well, what if she doesn't like it here? Sweetwater's a sight different to St. Louis. What if she asks Adam to stay there?"

Kid thought about this for a moment, shifting onto his back too. "I guess Adam will have to make that decision for himself. We can't keep him here."

"But he's always said he'd be a doctor here, close to the family."

"Sometimes things change, I guess." He looked at his wife, seeing the worry in her eyes. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Lou. He hasn't said anythin' about not comin' home. Give him some time."

Lou shifted closer to Kid, nestling against his chest as his arm drew around her.

"It wouldn't hurt if you were a little nicer to her, you know," he whispered.

"I was nice."

"You've barely said two words to her."

Lou knew he was speaking the truth, but she didn't like it. "Maybe I need some time, too."

"Fair enough." Believing his words had sufficiently reassured her and she was going to try and get some sleep, Kid pressed his lips to her temple and murmured a 'good night'.

"I still think he's too young," Lou announced after less than a minute's silence.

It was Kid's turn to sigh.

"Jamie's older and he's never even courted someone seriously," she continued.

"Jamie's too concerned with the ranch. It wouldn't hurt him to find someone and settle down."

"Why are you suddenly so keen to marry off your children? Next you'll be onto Charlie."

"Now that's different. She is too young."

"Same age as I was when we…"

"That's different," Kid repeated more firmly, which prompted a smile from Lou. She knew he wouldn't be so receptive to the notion of his only daughter leaving home. Kid's naturally protective nature would be in overdrive when that day came.

An unfamiliar wave of melancholy washed over Lou. Adam's announcement had upset everything – she had to face up to the fact that things were changing, their eldest children were grown now, and their family would never be the same again.

"Face it, Kid," Lou said softly, "we're getting' old."

"That we are… grandma," he replied teasingly.

Lou immediately raised herself onto one elbow, fixing him with a glare. "What did you call me?"

"Well, won't be long before there'll be grandchildren."

If not for the darkness she would have seen the twinkle in his eyes, but as it was Lou was in no mood for such a suggestion. She was shocked at the thought of becoming a grandmother; her two youngest children not even in their teens yet. Lou flopped back down onto the mattress with a huff and resumed staring at the ceiling.

"Go to sleep, Kid," she grumbled.

He smiled briefly as he rolled towards her, happy to do as he was asked. His arm snaked around her waist.

"Everythin' will be all right, you'll see," he murmured into her hair.

"Hope you're right," she replied softly, hugging him to her once more.


The next morning Lou took extra care when fixing her hair, checking for any grey that so far had failed to appear in her long dark locks. Kid, on the other hand, was graying around the temples, something she thought made him look distinguished even if it was a reminder that they weren't so young anymore. Satisfied she hadn't suddenly aged ten years overnight, she set her brush down.

"Grandma, humph," Lou said to her reflection, before going downstairs to join the rest of the family.