Chapter 13
Everything went as planned when Lou and Kid rode to the orphanage the following day. The nuns received the children with obvious relief; they had been worried sick about the two siblings since they had been snatched from them so brutally. The Reverend Mother had been full of apologies even though Lou had repeatedly assured her that she could understand the fix Boggs had put the whole congregation in. At least, Louise was secretly glad that she hadn't been asked whether the man was actually their father. She wasn't ready to acknowledge the man's part in her life or simply talk about him. All she wanted was to forget that he had even appeared and continue living as she had till now. The moment of saying good-bye to her siblings like usual had been very hard; Theresa had started crying when Lou had kissed her good-bye and Jeremiah hadn't even waited for her to ride off. He had scurried away, unable to endure parting from Louise once again.
On the way back to Rock Creek Kid and Lou had hardly exchanged any words. The girl's mind had been reeling as she pondered about the events of the last days and painfully wondered when she would see her siblings again. She always was left with a terrible longing and a deep sense of loneliness whenever she left Theresa and Jeremiah at the orphanage after visiting with them. Her heart broke to see their sad little faces, and she wanted to cry in frustration.
Suspecting that Lou wasn't up for much conversation, Kid had wanted to give her some of the space and time that he thought she needed. These last few days had weighed on her soul more than she was ready to let on, and the Southerner could understand how she might be feeling. Strangely he could see a reflection of his own life in Louise; they had had similar childhoods, and nobody could really know how she was feeling like he could.
As the first buildings of Rock Creek came into view, Kid felt his heart pound wildly and disappointment wash over him. Even though he was glad to be back home after everything that had happened, he couldn't help but think that he was going to miss having Lou's company. Now that they were back, they would have to return to their respective responsibilities. Kid had no doubt that after fleeing like he had, Teaspoon would surely save an extra load of chores as a "reward" to his out-of-the-blue flit, so he feared that his free time would be almost non-existent from now. On her part, Lou wasn't sure if she would have her job when she returned to the town. She had talked about her well-grounded fears, and Kid would really loathe if she had to leave Rock Creek because she found herself jobless.
The pair led their horses along the main street, and as they rode past the marshal's office, Kid breathed out relieved at not spotting Teaspoon at his usual place at the door. He wasn't ready to face the marshal and receive the scolding that was in store for him in front of Louise. He had told her that his boss would understand his reasons but had purposefully left out that Teaspoon wouldn't be too thrilled about his behavior. It was the early hours of the morning and only a few people could be seen roaming around Rock Creek. When they finally got to the hotel, Lou briefly bid him good bye and went her own way.
Kid stared at her as she jumped off the horse and disappeared into one of the alleys off the main street. Then he continued his way towards the station and as he finally reached it, he didn't see anybody in sight. He slid off Katy and tethered her to one of the posts at the bunkhouse porch and for one second Kid felt tempted to delay the moment of facing his fellow riders, Teaspoon and Rachel. Yet, his sense of responsibility won him over and he decided to go through with it right away. Kid lumbered to the bunkhouse door and the voice of his friends reached his ears. He imagined that they were having breakfast and before turning the door latch, he paused for a moment. As he finally mustered the courage to open the door and make his presence known, the room instantly fell into total silence as its occupants stared at him with expectant expressions. Yet, the quietness didn't last as Jimmy exclaimed, "My, my, it's none other than the prodigal son who's come back home!"
Kid plodded inside, and as he turned his eyes to Teaspoon, sitting at his usual place at the head of the table, he could tell that the marshal wasn't pleased at all. "Morning boys, Rachel… uh… Teaspoon."
The old marshal tugged off the napkin pinned at his collar and threw it onto his finished plate. "Kid, could you tell us where on earth you have been all this time?" Teaspoon asked in a low, warning voice.
"We were so worried, not knowing what to make of your sudden disappearance," Rachel added, obviously annoyed with the blue-eyed rider.
"There's a logical explanation, honestly," Kid said, lifting his arms as if in self-defense.
"Which is…?" Teaspoon asked again, eyeing him skeptically. Kid had never done something like that before, and the marshal was very curious about what had made one of the most level-headed of his riders pull a stunt like that.
"It's a long story," Kid explained, "but my reasons are more than justified."
"I'm all ears," the marshal drawled, folding his arms over his bulging stomach.
"We all are," Cody quipped with a contented snicker, anxious for watching Kid squirm under Teaspoon's scrutiny. It was high time that somebody else was the butt of the marshal's well-known lectures.
Kid sat down next to his fellow riders and taking off his hat he ran his fingers through his sandy hair several times nervously. To start telling what had happened in the last few days wasn't easy especially having an audience on top of it all. "Teaspoon, I was simply helping a friend," he just said.
"Here we go again," Jimmy muttered, snickering and sharing a knowing look with his other friends. The other riders joined in their long-haired friend's merriment, strongly suspecting what Kid was referring to.
The Southerner glared at Jimmy while Rachel added, "Kid, you've been gone for almost a week."
"I know," he agreed. "I had no alternative, I swear." He breathed in, knowing that the following snippet of information would cause a ruckus around the bunkhouse. "Lou got involved in an uncomfortable situation, and I just couldn't turn a blind eye to it."
"Lou? Who is he?" Teaspoon asked with a frown.
Kid squirmed in his seat uncomfortably, feeling awkward to talk about his friendship with the girl to Teaspoon. He didn't want the marshal to jump to the same conclusion as his fellow riders had when he had unwillingly mentioned her a few weeks before. "Uh… it's Louise. She's a good friend… and … Teaspoon, she had a serious personal problem. I couldn't just leave her to her own luck. I swear it's the truth. Please, don't make me betray her trust."
The marshal squinted his eyes at the rider for a few seconds and then he drawled, "And has… uh… your "good" friend sorted out those matters?"
"Everything's fine now," Kid muttered his reply, feeling very ill at ease and praying that Teaspoon wouldn't make him get into a detailed account. He suspected that Lou wouldn't appreciate him discussing her problems with a bunch of people she didn't know.
"Good," Teaspoon exclaimed as he rose to his feet. "And Kid, next time you decide to leave us, make sure you let somebody know."
"I will," the Southerner let out, visibly relieved.
"And now I hope you resume and catch up with your responsibilities here," he reminded him and turning to the rest he said, "I'll see you all later. Good day."
In a roar of voices the marshal stepped out of the bunkhouse, and as soon as the door closed behind him, all eyes were back to the Southerner.
"So, Kid, tell us about your little adventure with Miss Louise," Cody quipped straightaway.
"There's nothing to tell," Kid replied gruffly. He'd know that the boys wouldn't let the matter rest and would bug him to spill the beans about the events of the past few days.
"Leave him alone, boys," Rachel chided as she began serving some breakfast to the Southerner.
"You've got quite chummy with that girl," Jimmy added, turning a deaf ear to the blonde lady's words.
Kid simply shrugged his shoulders as he started wolfing down the food on his plate. Maybe if he ignored their questions, they would leave him be. He wasn't going to discuss something so personal and touchy with the boys. They didn't even know Lou, and Kid could understand that she wanted to leave the past situation with her father well behind her.
"What does Doritha say about your friendship with her?" Noah asked.
"What is there to say?" Kid replied a bit too gruffly. "Lou and I are just good friends."
"Most women wouldn't feel happy if their man started seeing another girl," Buck added.
"I'm not seeing her," Kid retorted. He was starting to get annoyed at their thickness or rather their nosy insistence. "Stop with those ideas. She's a friend and that's the end of the story.
"I just hope you know what you're doing," Noah added. "There's nothing more fearsome than a woman's fury."
Seeing Kid's unhappy expression, Rachel decided it was time for her to step in. "Will you stop harassing Kid, boys? You heard him. She's a good friend. Are you so uptight that you don't think there can be real friendship between a man and a woman?"
The riders looked at the blonde lady skeptically while Kid muttered, "Thank you, Rachel." He was glad that there was at least somebody who could understand him. He hated having to excuse himself or give so many explanations about his friendship with Louise. Nobody was going to make him feel guilty or bad about it because there was nothing sinister or dishonest in it.
Rachel smiled in reply and added, "You're welcome, but make sure you go and see Doritha. She's been by every day asking for you."
Kid nodded silently, not looking forward to facing his fiancée and telling her where he had been all this time. He had to admit that he hadn't given any serious thought to Doritha in the last few days. It wasn't that he had completely forgotten about her; after all he and Lou had briefly talked about his future plans and his coming marriage. Yet, he had subconsciously opted for erasing the thought that his girlfriend would be wondering where he was. If Kid had feared seeing Teaspoon after his venture, he dreaded the moment he had to go and see the girl. He was no fool and knew that she'd be upset to say the least. They had already had a few arguments when Kid had simply exchanged a few words with Lou in the past. Definitely he would have to get ready for a tremendous fight as soon as Doritha learned what he had been up to. Of course there was always the possibility of making up a little fib, but Kid simply refused to do so, especially when he had nothing to hide.
Cody's voice resounding in the bunkhouse snapped him out of his daydreaming. "I wouldn't like to be in your shoes, my friend. Your lady won't be thrilled to find out that you've been frolicking about with another female."
Kid smirked at his words but decided not to say anything else. He had already made his point, and he wasn't going to repeat the same over and over again. Let them think whatever they wanted to. Yet, he knew that Cody couldn't be more right in his judgment about Doritha's reaction. She would be a hard hand to deal with, and after the last few days Kid just didn't feel like fighting with her at all. He just wanted some peace and quiet and wished he was able to make her understand the situation. There was no reason she'd have to get all riled up. Doritha was a sensible and understanding girl, and maybe he was simply underestimating her indulgent qualities. Yet, he knew that he would be kidding himself if he stuck to this idea of a problem-free reencounter with his fiancée. She had this jealous streak in her that was seemingly focused on Louise. Kid didn't know why Doritha had this irrational thing about the girl. There was nothing going on between him and Lou other than an innocent friendship, and that was what Doritha needed to understand.
Oblivious to Kid's internal ramblings, the riders soon got tired of their friend's elusive answers and had started another one of their light conversations, peppered with wisecracks and easy banter. Suddenly, a knock on the door made the occupants in the bunkhouse fall into silence and turned their attention to the noise. Rachel rose up and opened the door. When Doritha's dainty figure came into sight, Kid snorted silently, feeling that he was not ready to face her just now.
"Kid! You're back!" she exclaimed with an ample smile as she crossed the length of the room and came to stand next to her fiancé.
Kid wiped his mouth with a white napkin before rising to his feet. "Hello, Doritha," he greeted, an awkward smile plastered on his face.
"Where have you been? Your friends here told me that they didn't know where you were," the girl asked, not wasting any time in idle conversation, and getting straight to the point. She had been annoyed when a couple of days had gone by, and Kid hadn't turned up to visit her like he usually did. On the third day she had headed for the station, wondering if he was on a ride he hadn't told her about, but then one of the riders had told her that they didn't know where the Southerner was.
"Uh…" Kid started awkwardly as he felt everybody's eyes boring into him. "I… I got sidetracked," he finally managed to utter, praying that his feeble explanation would satisfy Doritha's curiosity.
His prayers, though, weren't answered this time as the blonde girl insisted, "Sidetracked doing what? I know you weren't on a ride."
Kid sighed, knowing that there was no way he could throw her off and he would have to confront her. "Let's talk outside."
The girl eyed him curiously, but didn't utter a single sound. The couple walked out in silence, and as they shuffled across the yard, Doritha couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Kid?"
"It's nothing to make a fuss about," he muttered and with a very soft voice he roughly told her what he had already said to Teaspoon without getting into much detail. When he finished his account, Doritha was looking at him with a serious expression. He really couldn't tell what she was thinking but he didn't have to wait long for her reaction as she said, "I can't believe that you did something like that to me. You know that I don't trust that … that girl, but you seemed to go against my will on purpose!"
"You're being unfair, Doritha," Kid defended himself. "Didn't you hear what I said? I was just helping a friend."
"Some friend she is!" she spat the word as if it were an insult. "Why do you need to go and be friends with someone like her? You're my man, Kid, don't forget that."
The Southerner was getting annoyed by her accusations and veiled implications. "You don't have to remind me!" he replied loudly. "Lou is my friend, and I don't have to feel ashamed or guilty about it!"
"Don't you? What about spending almost a week with her all alone?" she shrieked, her eyes blazing on fire.
"Nothing happened between us! Can't you understand that?" Kid rebuked in a loud tone. He felt ridiculous to be defending himself about something that he shouldn't have to. "Is that how you trust me?"
"That's the way I feel if my fiancé gives me strong reasons to distrust!" Doritha snapped. "I don't deserve that kind of treatment!"
"I didn't do anything!" Kid barked again. Couldn't she see that he was telling the truth? She should know that he'd never cheat on her because he loved and respected her.
Doritha kept quiet for a few seconds and then with a very calmed voice she asked, "Tell me something, Kid. Did you sleep with her?"
Kid was taken aback by the girl's direct question. Doritha was a prim and proper lady, and she never talked about matters of a more intimate nature between a man and a woman. She had been raised in the belief that a woman should never mention or incite a man with comments that only a women of dubious virtue would dare to use. This was the first time Doritha implicitly said something of that nature and apart from the shock of hearing those words coming out of her mouth, he was stunned that she was implying something so unwholesome between him and Louise. "Of course not! I already told you!" Kid replied tersely, feeling the beginning of a headache throbbing in his temples.
Doritha continued as if she hadn't heard him. "I know men have physical needs and I can understand that at some point you want to pursue to fulfill those needs." Kid opened his mouth in shock. The implication behind her words sounded like an insult, and he felt himself getting angrier by the minute. Doritha was actually saying that he was a cheater, something which the rider actually abhorred. His mother had taught him well and he had grown to be an honorable gentleman and it was simply unthinkable for him to contemplate deceiving and hurting the woman he was going to marry.
The blonde lady continued, undeterred by his bewildered expression, "You know it's not proper for a single woman like me to have that kind of relations before getting married. We agreed to wait, didn't we? I'm not so naïve, and I am aware that somehow men tend to satisfy their urges. I could understand and even accept that, but I won't have you getting involved with another woman, you hear me?"
"Doritha, you're insulting me and what's worse, you're insulting a girl you don't even know!" Kid retorted, anger seeping through all his self. "I ain't involved with anybody, as you put it. I told you, I was helping her in a personal matter, nothing else!"
His words seemed to finally get through to her, and even though she was still mad with jealousy, at this stage she was practically convinced that Kid was telling the truth after all. She knew that he was too upright to play with two women at the same time. If that were the case, he would definitely have lied to her and invented another story about his whereabouts in the last few days. However, Doritha just didn't trust any other women. Kid was too naïve and another woman could play with his sense of righteousness easily.
"I just don't like you hanging out with her!" she whined after a while.
Kid breathed out, tired of going through the same conversation over and over again. He knew that she was trying to make him promise that he wouldn't see or search out Lou any more. That was the last thing he would do. Why should he renounce to have Lou as a friend? There was nothing wrong in him liking her company and conversation. He had already given in to many of Doritha's illogical whims, but this time he would stand his ground. For some strange reason, he felt strongly inclined to defend his friendship with Louise, and there was nothing that would make him change his mind.
"I should be the only woman in your life!" Doritha insisted in a whining voice.
"You know you are, but I won't apologize to you because I didn't do anything wrong. You just have to accept my friends as I accept yours."
Doritha glared at him, knowing that she wouldn't make him budge this time. She hated the guts of Louise McCloud and wished she disappeared from Kid's life for good. Somehow Doritha knew that the brown-haired girl would cause trouble between Kid and her in the long run, especially seeing how fiercely her fiancé defended Louise against her. She was already disturbing the peaceful waters of their relationship, and although she had to bite her tongue now, Doritha swore to herself that she would have to do something about this uncomfortable situation she was in.
"Is that your last word, Kid?" she asked, her lips stretched in a terse fine line, showing that she was anything but pleased.
Kid met her angry eyes with a resolute demure. He wasn't going to let her manipulate his will as she always did, knowing that he was too soft-hearted. Kid was too angry to think clearly; she had insulted him shamelessly with her insinuations and clear hints. He had more than enough reasons to be upset. Any other time he might have given in, but this time Doritha had gone too far and being a proud man the Southerner felt hurt in all his being. "It is," he replied, without faltering, his eyes fixed on her resolutely.
"Very well then," the girl added with a cold air. "Suit yourself. I'll let you ponder what your stubbornness is doing to us. I simply can't face you right now. Come to my place when you're ready to think sensibly."
Doritha swirled around, not giving Kid the opportunity to reply. Kid stood there, staring at her retreating figure. Somehow he knew that he shouldn't leave things like that between them and should run after her. Yet, he stood there unmoving. Her words were still fresh on his mind, and he felt anger course all over him. Nobody had ever made him feel so low in his whole life as the woman he loved had made him feel just now. And all because he had tried to do the right thing and follow his natural instincts. He could well have lied to her, making up a story about the last few days or if he had simply ignored Lou's moment of need, none of this would have taken place. But then in that case, he would have behaved like another person.
No, he just couldn't go against his own nature. A wave of sadness washed over him, realizing that the dreams he had had for years about a happy life with Doritha had become a living nightmare. This was not the way he had envisioned things would be with his girl. The situation was getting worse and worse; this new argument had shown him that she definitely wasn't the woman he had been in love with for years. Her words of revelation gave him a clear picture of his fiancée. He just didn't know who this self-centered and malicious woman was. Doritha was a stranger to him, and till now he hadn't realized how different they really were. Yet, now there was no way back and he feared he was going to end up being married to a total stranger.
It was just before lunch that Rachel let the riders have some free time. While his friends went and enjoyed some sarsaparillas at the saloon, Kid decided to wander around the area where the hotel was and see if he could catch sight of Louise. He was dying to know if she had had any problems with her boss after being absent from work without any notice for four long days. Kid was ready to have a word with Mr. Grigson if need be, as he wouldn't stay idle and let Lou lose her job.
The Southerner walked past the hotel a few times and peeking inside the building, he did not see Lou anywhere. Thinking that hopefully she was busy doing the rooms or somewhere inside the hotel, he turned to leave, but stopped short as he spotted her across the street, filling a bucket from the water pump. Without any delay, he dashed across the street while calling her name, "Lou!"
The girl turned to the voice and as she set eyes on Kid, she smiled and continuing to pump for water, she said, "Hey!"
The rider reached her side and as he stood next to her, he added, "I gather you didn't get into much trouble to have your job back."
"Yeah," Louise replied unenthusiastically. Yet, she did not mention how she had spent a whole hour in Mr. Grigson's office trying at all costs to persuade him to let her continue working for him, how she had to concoct an incredible story about her flit and how she had accepted to work for free for a whole week to make up for the inconvenience that her absence had caused. Louise felt that somebody like Kid couldn't understand that she had the need to almost beg for a job like hers. Being without a job was something that Lou didn't want to or couldn't afford to try again. There was a time when she had been at her lowest ebb, desperately looking for a job as her money ran out and no bright possibilities at sight. Working for the hotel could make her feel miserable more often than she wanted to admit, but she'd rather have that any given day than find herself in a despondent and bitter situation again.
"What about you?" she asked, trying to deviate the attention from her.
"Everything went fine," Kid replied, but as the conversation with Doritha and her image popped into his mind, he felt irritation spark inside him again. All morning long the Southerner had not been able to forget about the argument and her abhorrent comments. Kid had kept to himself while he had done his share of chores, ruminating about his fiancée and his related problems. After Doritha had left, none of the riders, not even Cody, had mentioned anything about her. Kid was no fool and knew that their angry voices had reached his friends with all security. The sandy-haired man was glad for the space and respite they were ready to give him. After pondering about his problems for hours, he reached the decision that he should have a long conversation with her. Not right now, though, because he just couldn't face her right now. The hurt was still there and he needed to cool down before going and seeing her.
Louise picked up the pail, full with water to its brim, and started crossing the street towards the hotel. Kid followed her silently and she said, "I thought you'd be away on a ride. I assumed that your friends must have been covering for you for the last few days."
"Not till tomorrow morning," Kid replied, walking beside her. "The rides are being cut down; I'm afraid the Pony Express won't last very long at the pace things are going."
"I'm sorry," Lou muttered. "At least you can consider yourself lucky to enjoy more free time."
"Yeah, I guess," Kid let out as they reached the steps leading to the hotel entrance. Lou put down the bucket on the top step and turned round to look into his eyes. "I suppose," he added, "that I should make use of my time now and look for a place of my own." The Southerner had been thinking that maybe if he finally bought the property which would be his and Doritha's home in the near future, things might change for the better. It would surely give them something to focus on. Yet, Kid knew that he was just fooling himself and the thought made his already deep irritation grow despite himself.
"You mean for your ranch?" Lou asked and Kid nodded silently. "Is that what your girlfriend wants too?" she dared to ask this time.
"Of course!" Kid stated, sounding as if he wanted to convince himself of the truth he wanted to believe. Lou lifted an eyebrow skeptically and noticing her gesture, he let out, "What?"
"Nothing," Lou started, choosing the words carefully. "I just… she doesn't seem the kind of person cut out for that life you've planned." She didn't know what had prompted her to voice her opinion about Kid's girlfriend. She had always been very discreet when talking about Doritha, but now she couldn't erase the words she had uttered. Maybe, Lou thought, she was still annoyed after her encounter with Mr. Grigson or simply she hated the way the rider made everything sound so easy.
"You're wrong!" Kid retorted loudly. His irritation was evident in his voice and expression. He knew that Louise was just voicing what he tried not to acknowledge but was aware of. Yet, something inside him made him fight the truth he wanted to be blind to.
"Really?" Lou muttered doubtfully.
"You have no right to judge her! You don't know her!" he exclaimed angrily.
"I only know what I see," Lou insisted stubbornly. She knew she should simply back off, but her pride was pushing her beyond the safe limits of propriety.
"You know what's wrong with you? You're jealous of her. That's what it is!" Kid barked in the same tone.
"Goodness me," she let out in a calmed voice. She didn't like the direction the conversation was taking. She needed to clear off and leaning over, she got hold of the pail, ready to leave, but not before uttering another of her sarcastic quips. "So tell me, Kid, I'm jealous of what? Of her being a lazy cow? Because that's all I see."
Her cocky attitude made him retort without actually thinking what he was actually saying. He was hurt by her comments and wanted her to feel the same as him. "Maybe because she's capable of harboring normal human feelings and having a normal adult relationship. A woman having your attitude against men is just unnatural and, if you ask me, almost devious!"
His words ignited all the fury contained in her small body. "How you dare, you jackass!" Before she knew what she was doing, she poured the pail over him and watched as the water splashed over him, leaving him soaked to the bone and looking pathetic. "I don't want you to even breathe near me again, you moron!"
Kid stood there, dripping water at his feet, and without really knowing what had happened, he saw her swirl around and enter the hotel without a single look back. After a few seconds he silently turned round and dawdled along the street, leaving a trail of water as he headed towards the station sparking the curiosity and merriment of all the passers-by. This was the second time in a matter of hours that a woman had stormed away from him, angry from the words he'd told her. First, Doritha and now Lou. What was with him today? He seemed to spoil everything around him with his clumsiness. By the pace things were going, he should go back to the station and have a nice, long nap. He wasn't in the best mood and maybe tomorrow things would look brighter, because right now the perspective was simply utterly bleak.