Chapter 44

It was almost time to finish work, and Louise felt that the nerves she had been able to control all day long were starting to make their appearance. She felt as if a swarm of bees were fluttering in her stomach and her whole body was trembling like a leaf. Rachel would be arriving at any moment, and then they would go to the doctor's surgery. Today she'd know for sure whether she was pregnant.

Louise was still uncertain about how to feel about the idea of becoming a ma. Naturally she hadn't planned it at all; it was too soon. Kid and she had been together for only a few months, and maybe they had rushed into a physical relationship without thinking of the possible consequences. Yet, she wasn't unhappy about anything that had happened between her and Kid. Lou had known that she had been in love with Kid for over a year, and it hadn't been easy to get where they stood now. They had had their share of problems and had even gone their separate ways once before but thankfully they had been able to sort out their issues.

It was true that a lot had happened in a very short time, but that was the way things had worked out for them. They might now be on their way to becoming parents of a tiny boy or girl, and even though Lou was still scared and uncertain about the whole thing, she didn't feel displeased about it. She was sure that Kid would be a good daddy for their child. He was so patient and generous that Louise had no difficulty in imagining him with their baby; the only thing that worried Louise was whether they'd manage to make ends meet. If the doctor confirmed her pregnancy, she wouldn't be able to keep working for long. Her job involved being on her feet for many hours and in her likely state it wouldn't be suitable for her. If she had to quit, it would mean that they had to make do without her income. The money Kid was making with his ranch wasn't enough yet. He and Buck had already sold a couple of horses and they were now working hard to break and train more animals. It wouldn't be easy for them if there was another mouth to feed. A baby would mean extra expenses and maybe Kid had to look for a second job in town. And then …what would happen with her siblings? She had already been making plans in her head about the day they'd send for them, but if a baby was on its way, none of that would happen. She'd have to break her promise to them once again and she'd feel terrible knowing that they were still living at the orphanage while she was starting her own family.

Lou shook her head to shush away her confusing thoughts. She wasn't sure of what she wanted. Admittedly, the idea of a baby was starting to grow on her, but that would mean to renounce to other things. 'You don't even know if you're truly pregnant, so stop worrying,' she scolded herself silently, but her head couldn't hold still. She just couldn't stop thinking because something too big might lie before her, which would change her whole life and make her decide about many things.

The bell at the door tinkled and when Lou saw Rachel step in, her breath got caught in her throat. "Good afternoon, Mr. Tompkins," the blonde woman cheerfully greeted the store owner, who was busy tidying up the tins on a shelf.

"Rachel," the man replied to the greeting while Rachel continued towards where Lou stood.

"Hello, Louise!" the former station mistress exclaimed in the same lively way. "Are you ready to go?"

Lou simply nodded and then addressed the store keeper. "Mr. Tompkins, I'm going now." The man voiced his permission and after untying the apron around her waist and taking her jacket from the hanger behind her, she proceeded to follow Rachel outside. Her countenance was serious and she started biting at her nails, and noticing her awkwardness, the older woman stopped just before the door and asked, "Nervous, Louise?"

"A bit," Lou admitted.

Noticing that Tompkins had scurried into the back of the store and there was nobody in sight, Rachel said in a low voice, "Louise, you have nothing to fear."

"Yeah, but …" Lou continued in the same tone as Rachel had used, "… but you know how people treat you if they know you're an unmarried woman expecting a baby."

"Honey, don't worry. You will have to talk about that with Kid, and … if you're worried about what Doctor Sanders will think, then let it rest. You won't be the first or last woman he has seen in that condition. He won't get shocked or disgusted, and I'm sure he won't treat you any differently." She paused for a second and then added, "I thought you didn't care about what others say or think about you, Louise."

"I don't … but … I don't know," Lou replied, shrugging her shoulders. She had always done whatever she had felt like, without giving a single thought to others' opinions, but it would be different. It involved her baby, and she wouldn't want her own child to suffer because of her actions and mistakes.

"Come on, Louise. Let's get going," Rachel said, squeezing her shoulders in a motherly fashion. The petite girl smiled awkwardly and let her friend steer her out of the store. As soon as they stepped out in the walkway, Lou's countenance turned into a creased frown as she saw Kid heading towards where she and Rachel stood.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him as soon as she reached them.

"Came to pick you up," Kid replied after giving her a peck on the cheek. "I feel like spending some time with my girlfriend and here I am."

Lou looked at Rachel awkwardly from the corner of her eye and added, "I thought you and Buck were supposed to be breaking those new horses."

"Well, we've left some work for tomorrow," Kid replied with a smile. He had been a nervous wreck all day long thinking of the moment he'd propose to Louise today. He hadn't told anyone about his intentions, not even Buck, who had noticed how jittery he had been all day. Earlier today Kid had come to town and after checking that Lou wasn't around, he had gone into the store and bought one of those rings that Tompkins had on display. The man hadn't said anything, but before leaving, Kid had asked him not to whisper a word about his purchase to Lou. Tompkins had looked at him curiously and a smile had tugged at the corner of his mouth. There was nothing much to say, and his intentions had been plain to the old store keeper. Kid hoped that the man hadn't hinted any of this to Louise and would ruin his surprise.

"But, Kid, Rachel and I agreed to meet today and it's not right to stand her up." Lou tried to find a way to get rid of him. Now that she had plucked up the courage to go to the doctor, she wanted to carry it through.

"And what were you, lovely ladies, planning to do?" Kid asked.

Lou turned her eyes to her friend, hoping that she might come up with a plausible excuse. Naturally she couldn't tell him that they were supposed to go to the doctor and have him worrying unnecessarily.

"Uh…" Rachel fumbled for words and finally managed to utter a clumsy excuse. "I asked Louise to come to my place because I have a little present for her there."

"You can give it to her tomorrow or another day, Rachel, can't you?" Kid answered.

"But Kid…" Rachel tried to protest, but the young Southerner wouldn't let her.

"Sorry if I snatch Lou from you like this, Rachel, but I can't wait."

Rachel looked at him with a strange expression and realizing that it was one of the days Kid was in a stubborn mood, Lou spoke up. "It's all right, Rachel. Sorry, but maybe Kid's right and we can leave this for another moment."

"You sure, Lou?" the woman asked, eyeing the girl with a serious countenance.

"Of course!" Louise exclaimed among giggles, trying to disregard the whole thing and before Kid realized that something fishy was going on, she hooked her arms around Kid's right one and beamed happily.

"Sorry to ruin your gathering, Rachel," Kid muttered awkwardly.

"It's all right. You two have fun," the woman said as the couple started walking in the opposite direction. She had to smile despite everything. It was really refreshing to see those two together. They looked so much in love that it was no wonder that a baby would already be growing in the girl. Louise reminded her of herself very much, and Rachel hoped that her friend could enjoy her man more than she had. They were good children and deserved everything they were living. With a sigh Rachel turned around and started ambling towards the end of the street where her home was, because today there was nothing else to do.

After leaving Rachel, Kid and Lou drove to the ranch. All the way home the girl had eyed him curiously; there was something different in him as if he was hiding something from her. Kid was too transparent, and she knew straightaway when he had something up his sleeve. Lou wondered what it would be this time and hoped he'd tell her soon because she hated to be left guessing.

When the ranch came into view, Kid started feeling nervous. Tonight everything would change between the two of them. He knew that he could be hopeful, but he couldn't help but feel very agitated. Proposing to Lou had been on his mind for a long time, and he'd finally do it tonight. He hoped not to appear like a fool before her, stuttering and talking in riddles, which he knew she hated. He wanted to do it properly, like she deserved, and make the occasion romantic and memorable for the two of them.

Kid stopped the horse in front of the house and after jumping onto the ground, he rounded the buckboard to help Lou ease off it. Louise started towards the house and when she stepped into the lounge, she stopped dead in her tracks. "What's this?" she exclaimed. The table in the corner was lavishly decorated and neatly laid. There was a beautiful cloth covering the table, which Lou hadn't seen before, and the plates, cutlery and glasses were placed perfectly like in those fine restaurants that Louise had seen in St Joseph. And apart from all that, two candles were in the center giving the whole table a cozy and romantic touch.

"Just a little surprise," he said, hugging her from behind and brushing his face against her cheek. "I wanted to make something for you to let you know how much I love you."

Louise smiled, feeling moved by his gesture. Kid let go of her and stretching his arm to her solemnly, he said, "Ma'am."

Louise took his hand sheepishly and let him steer her toward the table. Once there Kid pulled out the chair for her and when he sat down across from her, she kept looking at him with a smile. The rider rose to his feet and coming closer to her side, he said, "I'll bring in the food now."

"Did you cook too?" Lou asked with a surprised frown.

Kid chuckled at the question. "No. I told you, I wanted to make it special, so I didn't want to run any risks." Lou nodded in understanding, sharing a smile with him. "I bought our dinner tonight from the local restaurant."

They had a very sweet evening as they enjoyed the delicious dishes while sharing loving conversation. Lou had completely forgotten about her worries and in Kid's company she hadn't given any thought to her likely pregnancy. They were having a lovely evening, and Kid had even opened a bottle of sweet wine and after a few sips Lou was feeling light in her head.

"This is one of the best meals I've ever had," she said when they had polished off the pudding Kid had also bought from the local restaurant. The Southerner smiled widely, feeling elated, but then he started wringing his hands nervously as he knew that the moment of truth had come.

"Lou…" he started huskily, but couldn't continue as Louise surprised him by rising from her chair and sitting on his lap, kissing him passionately. Kid wanted to take control of the situation and stop because they had important things to discuss, but as soon as her lips touched his, he was a goner. Lou wrapped her arms around him tightly, wanting to feel him as close as possible. All of a sudden she was feeling very sensual and frisky. She didn't know whether it was because of the effect the wine was having on her or maybe it was that her body was already undergoing some changes due to her likely pregnancy, but the thing was that she wanted to be with Kid tonight like never before. Her lips kept ravaging his for long minutes while his hands traveled from her waist to her back under the material of her blouse. The caress tickled her at the sides, which made her giggle and break the kiss.

"I love you," Kid whispered, her forehead resting against his.

Louise smiled, her chest swelling with happiness and looking into his eyes seductively, she let out in a husky whisper, "Let's go to bed, Kid"

Kid felt tempted to follow her lead, but he took a grip of himself, intending to carry out his intentions. The evening had been perfect and proposing to her would be the ideal end to an ideal day. "Lou, one moment," he started, disengaging himself from her hold, and made her sit on the chair across from him again. Lou sent him a quizzical look, not understanding what he was up to. "There's something important I need to tell you."

"All right," she muttered, eyeing him warily. He was acting very strange and nervous all of a sudden, and Louise wondered why. Apparently, he wanted to talk about something important. Would he have guessed what was happening to her? She knew that she hadn't been quite herself lately, but she had thought Kid hadn't noticed her tiredness or weird ways, but maybe she had been wrong, and she had let on more than she had intended.

Kid took her hand in his and placed a soft kiss, which brought a small smile to her lips. "Lou… Louise," he started in a soft voice while looking into her big eyes intently. "Uh… I … you know I've never been as happy as I am when I'm with you. I … I feel that everything's so perfect between us and I don't mean just these past months, but …but all the time we've known each other. Having your love is the greatest gift you could ever give me, but your … your friendship is more … more important."

"I know," Lou replied, looking at him with a strange expression. Where did he want to go with all this talking about friendship? Suddenly, she panicked thinking that he was breaking up with her, but gazing in his eyes she saw sheer adoration, and she shushed her fears away.

Kid smiled and breathing in deeply, he continued, "We've known each other for over a year now, and I think we should start doing things a bit differently." Lou kept looking at him with a clueless expression, completely lost and confused. Kid paused for a second to calm his frayed nerves and caressing her hand with his thumb, he started again, "Lou, I …"

Kid stopped mid-sentence as a loud knock resounded in the silence of the house. "Who the hell?" Kid exclaimed annoyed by the interruption.

"Kid…" Lou scolded him lightly for his language but had to chuckle at the expression on his face.

The Southerner rose to his feet ready to go and see who it was. "If it's Cody, I ain't opening that door. I don't care if he's bored or whatever," he said as he started towards the door.

In the days since he came back, Cody had been coming to the ranch almost every day despite the instructions of the doctor about getting plenty of rest for his knee. So apart from Sunday at lunch Cody had been his guest the rest of the previous days. Only close to time for lunch or dinner, the young soldier always excused himself and headed back for Rachel's to taste the woman's fine cooking. Kid didn't mind having him around, actually Cody's special sense of humor was really welcome and it was like reliving the good old times. Yet, now wasn't the time to have his visit and Kid suspected that after tasting Lou's food the day before, Cody would often be an uninvited guest at mealtimes as well.

"Coming!" Kid bellowed as the knocking became more intense and when he reached the door, he asked without opening, "Who is it?"

"Please Kid," he heard a weak feminine voice from the other side of the door and after sharing a confused look with Lou, who had stayed at the table, he proceeded to open the door. As soon as his eyes fell upon the person in the threshold, his face creased in disbelief, confusion and bewilderment all in one, and he was only able to utter a single name, "Doritha?"

"Oh Kid, I'm so glad to find you here," she said and without a warning she threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears, as she repeated his name over and over again like a mantra.

After Doritha had calmed down a bit, Kid steered her to the table where he and Lou had been dining barely minutes ago and made her sit. The blonde woman sat on the chair that Louise had previously been sitting on while Kid took the same seat he had been on before. Realizing how shaken the woman was, Louise had made some tea and left the cup before her on the table. Kid smiled his thanks to her, and then Lou came to sit at the other end of the table, suddenly feeling like an outsider and fearful of what Doritha might have come back for after so many months.

"Drink this," Kid said, handing the crying woman the cup of tea. "It will do you good."

Doritha was still weeping silently and with shaking hands she took the cup and sipped the hot brew. "Thank you, Kid."

The Southerner nodded and after some moments of hesitation he asked, "What's happening, Doritha?"

"It's Garth. He's dead," the woman bawled as new tears began rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh Doritha, I'm sorry," Kid exclaimed, visibly stunned and shocked by the news. "But when? How?" He could hardly formulate the questions since Garth's death was the last thing he'd have expected.

"Some crooks killed him," Doritha explained, her sadness giving way to sheer bitterness. "He had stolen money from them and they took revenge." She paused and after breathing in deeply she continued, "Garth lured me into marrying him with a bunch of lies. He kept boasting about how very well-off he was, and as soon as we got married, I really saw the truth."

"I'm sorry," Kid let out again sincerely.

"He had squandered all his family's fortune, had no business at all and forced me to go from town to town for months in this wild chase of his to get a strike of good luck somewhere. Used to drink a lot and spent hours and hours playing poker at the local saloon, losing the little money we had."

Doritha shook her head to get rid of the sensations permeating throughout her whole body. Marrying Garth had been a way to escape the depressing reality she had been left to face when her father had died and Kid slid out of her life. She had never loved Garth, but when Kid had left her, Doritha had thought that her best option had been to marry into good money and Garth was the only one who had offered that possibility. Yet, she had gradually realized that she had made the worst mistake of her life. Garth had been nothing but a charlatan who had nothing to his name but the clothes he had on and innumerable debts. It had been humiliating to realize how short she had sold herself.

As his wife Doritha had had to consent to have intimate relations with him, which had filled her with absolute shame and disgust. Since day number one she had regretted what had happened with Kid and wished she could change the way she had proceeded in her relationship with him. She had always loved Kid and she was sure he'd have been able to give her at least a steady life, something that she hadn't had while married to Garth.

"I didn't know," Doritha continued after a while, "he was a thief, though. We were living in Fort Laramie at the time when he started boasting about some business he had in perspective. Naturally, I didn't believe him at first … you know… I was used to the same old story of his. But then things really got better and money started rolling in at home. We were planning to move to California, but one night a couple of men burst into our place. One of them grabbed me roughly and threatened him with killing me if he didn't give them back what they claimed was theirs. I was in hysterics and begged Garth to do what they asked him to, but he said that he had no idea what they were talking about. Lies, a bunch of lies, of course! A shot resounded, and I saw Garth fall onto the floor. I screamed and then something hit me on the head and that's all I remember of that night."

"I'm so sorry," Kid let out, taking her hand in his and stroking it comfortingly.

"The following morning the sheriff found me still out on the floor and when I woke up, he told me that Garth was dead," Doritha continued. "Apparently, those men found the money and jewels that Garth had stolen from them and fled. They were a couple of swindlers, thieves, criminals, and silly Garth thought he could double-cross people like them. He died for his own foolishness and almost made me join his same destiny." Doritha spoke bitterly, feeling furious by the actions of the man who had sworn to care for and protect her. She should have left him as soon as she found out about his lies, but she didn't have the means or the courage to go on her own.

"When did all this happen?" Kid asked.

"A couple of weeks ago," she replied. "I sold the house, the only thing we had. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know anybody who I could turn to, and I thought…"

"You don't have to explain yourself," Kid added. "That's what friends are for."

"Thank you."

"What are you planning to do?" the Southerner asked again.

"I'd like to go home … to mama," Doritha explained. "I need to be with my family."

"I understand," he replied, even though he knew that she'd have to wait for things to calm down in the east. Traveling to Virginia on her own with the war going on was simply crazy.

Doritha eyed him warily and then added with a bit of hesitation, "Maybe … I thought you could take me there."

"What?" Kid exclaimed with a bewildered expression.

"With how things are in the country, I can't go on my own, can I? And well… it's because of you that I'm marooned in this land of savages," she stated with a firm and clear voice.

"But, Doritha, I can't. It ain't safe for either of us to take up that trip. It's suicidal and besides, I can't leave the ranch for so long. I have my own responsibilities here," Kid replied awkwardly, not liking the way she made him feel as if he were between the devil and the deep blue sea.

"Well, you also had a responsibility to the land you were born to, which you clearly ignored," Doritha continued in the same venomous way. "I ain't judging you, that's up to you. It would be on your conscience that you turned your back to your roots, but you can't ignore the responsibility you have to me. I traveled thousand of miles just for you, and now you owe me as much."

The woman's words were making Lou furious beyond control. Who the hell did she think she was coming here with all those demands on Kid? Doritha had cheated on Kid and married their common friend, and despite everything, she had the nerve to come here and ask … demand Kid to help her get to Virginia. She had lost every right from the moment she had chosen to be with another man, and she didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed or ashamed in front of Kid.

Lou had known since the moment the blonde woman had appeared at the door that she would mean bad news for her and apparently Louise hadn't been wrong. That tale about the lies of her husband and her bad times hadn't moved her at all. It was high time she learned that real life wasn't a doll's house, and she couldn't maneuver everybody and everything her way. Lou had had to fight to survive since she was a child and Doritha having to struggle for a few months wouldn't break her. Louise knew that the woman wasn't a fool, and she was trying her hardest to appear like a poor damsel in distress in front of Kid. Of course as soon as he hadn't played her game, she had shown her real hidden claws without apparent shame. Lou was about to retort with a caustic comment when Kid spoke first.

"Doritha, I'm saying that it ain't safe for you. You should wait for things to settle a bit, only that."

The woman kept thoughtful for a while and then asked, "But what can I do in the meantime?"

"You can stay here," he replied promptly.

"You sure?" Doritha let out with a smile playing at her lips.

His suggestion was even better than the idea she had come up with when she decided to come here and surprise him. In the last two weeks she had been thinking about how to make Kid see that they had made a terrible mistake by parting ways, She still loved him; he was the only man she had ever loved and after everything that had happened, she was willing to accept the idea of his about the ranch and choose his way of life as her own. It would be better than the life Garth had made her lead for months. Of course Doritha knew that Kid was involved with that squalid girl who had been listening to her tale shamelessly. She should have had the decency to leave her and Kid alone. But what could one expect from a low servant like her?

Doritha couldn't' understand what Kid could possibly see in her. That Louise had come between her and Kid from the very beginning, but now, Doritha swore to herself, that servant would get a taste of her own medicine. She was going to win Kid back, and nobody like her would be an obstacle in her plans at all. Doritha had thought that traveling with him alone to Virginia would be the perfect opportunity to make them close, but staying in his house was even better.

"That's what friends are for," Kid replied with a smile. "You stay in my guest room as long as you want."

Louise felt herself to choke as soon as the words were out of his mouth. She didn't want that woman to stay here with them. What about their privacy? Besides, she didn't like Doritha at all, especially after the way she had come to Kid demanding help as if he belonged to her. And on top of it all, he hadn't even asked her what she thought about this "clever" idea of his. Naturally, this was his house, and he could make his own decisions, but he was always going on about them being a family and this being her home too. So what now? Was she only family when it was convenient to him? Well, apparently she had no say where Doritha was concerned. Hardly had the woman shown up that Lou felt she had become invisible and transparent to Kid all of a sudden. In all this time he hadn't looked at her once and from her discreet position at the table, Lou felt like the third leg of a bench, that is, useless, disposable and superfluous.

Louise was fuming inside, but tried to remain as calm as possible. She didn't want to humiliate herself even more by throwing a jealous tantrum in front of these two. So she rose to her feet slowly and with a very detached and cold voice she said, "If you'll excuse me, I'll retire for the night."

Kid nodded while throwing her a smile, but Louise didn't even look his way and scurried up the stairs. Kid stared at her retreating figure and only when Doritha talked, he turned his attention away from the staircase.

"Does she live here?" the woman asked with a disapproving expression.

"Uh... yeah, kind of," Kid replied. Lou had never accepted his proposition of living on the ranch officially. She never said yes, but the ranch was her home in all senses even though she still kept her rooms in town, which she went to clean from time to time.

"But you aren't married, are you?" Doritha exclaimed shocked.

"Not yet," he replied, "but I plan to take care of that soon." And if you hadn't turned up so untimely, Lou'd probably be my fiancée by now, he added mentally. Doritha kept looking at him with the same expression and the young man added, "Look, Doritha, don't stare at me as if I had committed a crime. Things are sometimes a bit different. Maybe it ain't right … it definitely ain't right, but we aren't harming anybody and as I told you, we'll get married as soon as we can."

"You can do as you please. You don't owe me an explanation," Doritha said dismissively, mentally thinking that she had been right all along about Louise McCloud. Those uprooted girls had a predisposition to indecency as she had rightly said before. It wasn't surprising at all to see how Louise was willing to provide Kid with certain "favors" as part of his routine. He was a man, and like all men he wouldn't refuse something offered to him on a platter. Of course being the kind soul he was, Kid seemed to believe that he was really in love with her and wanted to do the right thing by her. He was a good man, and he didn't deserve to end up with a woman like that and Doritha swore to herself that she would see to it that he'd be saved from such a pathetic fate.

Kid headed for his bedroom after escorting Doritha to the guest room. Her sudden appearance had caught him off guard and as she told him about Garth and the life she had led in the last few months, guilt had shaken him hard. Although they had broken up because of her past indiscretion with Garth, Kid couldn't help but feel remorseful. Parting from Doritha had been some kind of liberation. He had been ready to break up with her long before, and the kisses she and Garth had shared some time before had been the perfect excuse to carry on with his intentions and wishes. It had been his free gate to Lou and life with her. Maybe if he had been truly in love with Doritha, he might have been able to forgive her and forget about all that, but he had fallen out of love with her as soon as Lou came into his life.

Hearing Doritha talking about the situation she had had to endure with Garth had made him feel terrible, but there was nothing he could have done about that. Yet, he could make a difference to her now. Escorting her all the way to Virginia under the present circumstances was unthinkable, but he could offer her his home to stay in while she needed. The feelings of guilt had been so strong that he had hurried to talk without thinking and as he now approached his bedroom, he realized that he should have asked Lou first. This was her home too, and he shouldn't make any rash decisions without counting on her. Kid knew that Lou had never liked Doritha, especially after that episode in which his former fiancée had humiliated and insulted Louise in front of all her guests in that "memorable" dinner party. He should have talked to her first, he thought for the second time. Lou wouldn't probably feel comfortable having Doritha around, but she needed to understand that he couldn't leave Doritha to her own luck after all that she had to endure with Garth. He felt responsible in a way and hoped that Lou could see his point of view.

Opening the door to the bedroom Kid could make out Lou's form curled up on her usual side of the bed. There was a lamp burning on top of the side table across from her which cast its faint light over the whole room. When he stepped inside, he called her name while asking, "Are you awake, Lou?"

She didn't speak but Kid could tell that she wasn't sleeping. He knew her too well and by the way she was breathing there was no doubt that she was just pretending to be asleep. Kid sighed ruefully, knowing that she might be angry, and that was why she wasn't speaking to him. He quickly stripped down to his long-johns and slid into the bed behind her. Ignoring the signs of her obvious discomfort he snuggled behind her back and wrapping an arm around her waist, he planted a kiss on her neck. "You know, Lou, I didn't finish what I was telling you … after dinner," he whispered in her ear.

Without turning her head to him Louise removed his hand from her waist as she snapped irritated, "Please, Kid, I'm not in the mood for that."

"You were before," he reminded her. "Besides, I just want to tell you something." He smiled her way even though her back was to him and she wouldn't see him. This wasn't the way he had planned to propose to her, but he was impatient and couldn't wait any longer.

"That can wait, can't it?" Lou retorted abruptly.

"I don't …" Kid started but didn't get to finish as Lou tossed around and sending him a glare she barked, "Did you hear me? I don't want to talk and my head is throbbing something terrible."

Kid looked at her with concern and asked, "Would you like me to make you a cup of tea, Lou?"

"No," came the curt reply from her.

"I just don't understand why you are so angry," he said starting to get annoyed as well. "What was I supposed to do? Kick her out?"

"I told you, I don't want to talk and least of all, about your guest," she continued in the same tone and before he could retort, she turned around from him roughly and curled up in her side of the bed.

Kid kept looking at her back for long minutes. He hated it when she turned this moody and irritated. Once again she hadn't given him the chance to explain himself and had reached her own conclusions. Doritha and her problems had fallen upon him and he had found himself in a situation he hadn't sought. Couldn't she see that? Doritha wasn't going to stay here forever. She surely would understand that she needed to do something with her life while the war lasted. Maybe she could find a job in Rock Creek and have her own place. The notion of Doritha and work didn't match in his head and Kid knew that he was now in the middle of a situation which didn't have an easy solution. He couldn't force her to travel to Virginia all on her own, but he just couldn't throw her out of his place mercilessly. Why did he always have to get into trouble with women without asking for it? He was damn unlucky and all he hoped was that Lou would calm down eventually. "Good night," he finally said in a low voice before blowing the lamp out on the bedside table and he tried to drift to sleep because that was all he hoped for tonight.