Chapter 19
Louise climbed the stairs for the umpteenth time that morning, and as she walked along the corridor, she kept opening and closing doors to make sure everything was as it should be in every bedroom. As she peeked inside the one she and Kid had shared for the last couple of days, she noticed the shutters were not closed and quickly made her way across the room.
Before closing the shutters, she cast a casual look around, and as her eyes fell on the bare, stripped bed that stood humbly in the middle of the room, she could not help but sigh. The place contained so many memories and had witnessed how the love between her and her husband had resurfaced and grew strong. Louise could remember and replay in her mind every word, every kiss, every caress and touch that she and Kid had shared in these days. The week spent in Rock Creek had been intense, and it was relief for her soul when she had finally stopped the hide-and-seek game she had been playing with Kid all these years, and gained her husband back.
Louise was so immersed in her reflections and memories that she did not hear or see Kid walk into the bedroom. It was when he encircled his arms around her waist that she snapped out of her daydreaming with a little startle. Lou gasped and smiled as she locked eyes with him. "What keeps you so thoughtful, Lou?"
"You…" she replied. A smile broke onto his lips, and she pursed her lips unhappily as she added, "I was also thinking I'm gonna miss our home."
"We're going home, honey. I'm sure you'll like it there too," he said, and leaning over, he playfully nuzzled her neck.
Lou giggled as his mouth tickled a very sensitive spot on her skin, but when he stopped teasing her, she sobered straightaway. "I know our home is actually where we'll both be together, but… it's gonna be a new place for me, devoid of memories, while this house holds so much between its four walls."
"That's why we won't sell it," Kid replied, voicing what they had discussed on previous days. "That way it would be easier for us when we visit Rachel and Teaspoon." Lou nodded, but could not shed the melancholy she was feeling. "Ready to go then and make new memories?"
Louise did not answer. She just closed the shutters, and then holding Kid's hand, she let him steer her out of the bedroom, and down the stairs. They picked up their bags, and after casting a last look inside, they closed the door.
Kid's horse had been housed in the stables at the old station, and Rachel had agreed to let Lou take one of her horses to Fort Kearney. Therefore, that morning Louise donned her masculine clothes, and as the couple headed for the Pony Express's old base, she silently admitted that the only good thing today was the ride to her new home, which she obviously preferred to taking the stage.
Rachel, Allan, Jimmy, and Teaspoon came out to the yard after Kid and Lou had saddled and got their horses ready. They were the last ones in their party to leave Rock Creek. Emma and Sam had been the first to ride away, and then one by one the others had also parted.
Goodbyes always made Louise teary. She still felt her heart pain every time the memories assaulted her, and her mind replayed the moment when she had first moved to Seneca. That had been one of the saddest days in her whole life. Back then she was still too miserable at losing her husband for her own silliness, and leaving those she loved dearly behind, though by choice, was excruciating, to say the least.
Today things were different. She was about to start a new life with the man she loved. The perspectives were full of hope and excitement, and Louise actually looked forward to becoming and being the wife Kid deserved. This was what she wished for most, and even though it was scary, she longed for it. However, right now the idea of leaving Teaspoon and the others made her hurt, and she could not help but feel down in the dumps.
Louise first approached Jimmy, and the deputy gave her a peck on the cheek. "It was nice to see you, Lou. Please don't be a stranger in these parts anymore."
"I won't."
Hickok turned to Kid, and as both men shook hands, the long-haired deputy said, "You better take care of her, or I'll kill ya."
"I know," Kid said with a smile.
Louise looked at the two men with irritation. "Jimmy, I don't need anybody to look after me. I can take care of myself."
Jimmy and Kid exchanged a knowing look. Lou sounded just like in old times, and even though her independence had been an issue for the couple too often, now her words sounded like music to Kid's ears.
"Just watch out for each other," Hickok insisted. "Don't let this husband of yours get into trouble."
The couple nodded with a smile, and then bid goodbye to Allan before coming to do the same with Teaspoon. "We're gonna miss ya, and let me say it again. I'm so glad you've sorted out what kept ya apart."
"Thanks, Teaspoon."
"And do this old geezer a favor. Be happy."
Lou smiled, but tears sprang up to her eyes as she hugged the man she considered a father. "We'll try. I plan to do everything to make it up to him."
Teaspoon wiped his own eyes that had also moistened when they pulled away. Louise caressed his stubbly cheek and gave him a kiss. "I love you, Teaspoon."
"I love ya too, sweetheart… both of ya."
Rachel had Baby Louise in her arms, and Lou smiled as she softly brushed her fingers on the child's chubby cheeks. "Beautiful, you keep an eye on pa and ma, all right? And grow stronger and prettier."
"The next time you come to Rock Creek, I'm sure you'll have a hard time recognizing her. Children grow up so fast," Rachel said.
A shiver ran down Lou's spine as something in Rachel's words greatly distressed her. Trembling from head to foot, Louise wrapped her arms around herself as a way to get rid of whatever was making her feel so weird.
"Are you cold?" Rachel asked, surprised. The day was quite warm, and an hour ago she had even removed the woolen hood she had put on Baby Louise this morning.
"I… I guess," Lou replied slowly, admitting Rachel's assumption since she did not know how to explain the strange cold sensation that had coursed all through her body just now. Even though it had been for a brief moment, it had left a strange, distressing feeling that squeezed her chest overwhelmingly. Lou put on her old brown jacket over her shirt, and folded her arms again. Rachel and Kid were watching her and Lou forced herself to smile. "This is goodbye then."
Rachel nodded, and after passing the baby to her husband, she hugged Lou and Kid in turns. "Please ride safe."
"Always," Kid replied, and looking at Lou sideways, he added, "Especially now."
"And remember, stick together."
Lou nodded, unable to utter a single word. Kid did not fail to notice she was becoming too emotional, and placing a hand on her elbow, he asked, "Shall we go?"
Louise did not reply, and after casting a last look at her friends, she simply let her husband help her onto the horse. When at last they spurred their mounts first into a canter, and then a gallop, Lou's tears finally flowed freely. For some reason leaving Rock Creek and her friends was hurting more than ever. She told herself that this was ridiculous because she now had a reason to visit then again soon, but strangely the idea of a visit did not bring her any peace, but rather the opposite.
From the corner of his eye Kid could see his wife weeping, but he did not try to say anything. Lou needed to let out some steam, he thought. They had lived too many emotions in the last week, and it was logical she was more sensitive than usual.
The ride against the wind through forests, across the prairie, and along familiar and new roads managed to calm Lou down, and she eventually found herself relishing the sensations and memories that it brought about. It had been so long since she had last ridden so freely and fast. In Seneca she normally took Katy and her old mare for a ride almost every other day, but she did not have the time to do much other than going for a short ride around town.
On Sundays after church when the shop was closed, and she could spend longer looking after her beloved horses and riding the way she liked, Theresa and Albert always insisted on joining her for their, in Albert's words, 'weekly healthy promenade in the countryside'. Their company was always welcome, but riding alongside the couple was anything but fun. Tessie had never been too comfortable around horses, and she simply sat on the horse rather than ride it.
Albert was hardly any better, especially when he acted in a fatherly manner around her. If she tried to spur her horse into a gallop, he seemed to guess her intentions and moved his own mount to block her way, giving her a lecture about the dangers of riding recklessly at the same time. Albert could sometimes be quite obnoxious, and he was always too worried about diseases and accidents as if he expected something to happen to any of them. Lou didn't know why he was so obsessed with that, but what she did know was that his overbearing attitude was genuine concern, so she did not have the heart to oppose him or make fun of his worries. At least, he was just her brother-in-law, so she did not have to bear his peculiarities too much. Lou often asked herself how Tessie could cope with him. In her position Louise was sure she could not stand having a husband like him.
As Lou thought of her sister and her brother-in-law, she wondered what they had thought of the telegram she had sent them. Her wire simply said that she would be away for a few more weeks, without stating the reason or where she would spend that time. Then she had received the reply from her sister, encouraging her to enjoy those few free weeks. Even though Louise knew that Tessie was a very capable young woman, she could not help but be worried about leaving her to shoulder all the responsibilities of the shop. Theresa would surely be fine, and would not be totally alone. Jack, the man who she had hired over a year ago, would be able to run the shop by himself if given the chance, so Theresa would not have to do much, just leave things to Jack. He was an excellent worker, and of course Albert would give her a hand too.
Later in the day the stars shone against a pitch black sky. Kid and Lou lay on the ground, cozily covered by a blanket, and holding each other in a close embrace. When they had stopped for the night, they had a light dinner, and feeling tired, they decided to turn in. Snuggling closer to her husband, Louise breathed in, filling her lungs with pure air. "This feels so good," she exclaimed, relishing the smells and sounds of nature that surrounded them.
"It sure does," Kid agreed, brushing his hand up and down her leg.
Louise giggled. "I don't mean that," she said, giving him a playful slap on his knuckles. "It's nice to be here with you… yeah, but… sleeping here in the open after so many years is just amazing."
"Do you mean you'd rather spend your nights on the hard ground other than on our soft, cozy bed?"
"Well, I wouldn't do this every night, but it's pleasant to do it from time to time. It's been so long since we last camped under the stars. I think I remember just that last time. It was when we took Dawkins out of Davenport, and even then we didn't get to sleep really together."
"Because you were angry with me," Kid reminded her.
"Yes, I was… because you wouldn't propose to me."
"That ain't strictly true. I did want to propose. Gosh, I had already done it twice before, but… but I was worried about you… worried something bad would happen to the person I loved most in this world just because she was married to me."
"I'm glad you got rid of that silly idea, and you finally popped the question."
"Me too, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about you," Kid replied.
"I know, and get this clear, nothing's happened before, and nothing's gonna happen just because I'm married to you. I think you're in a more risky position, having me as your wife," Louise joked, and suddenly another shiver coursed her body, leaving the same strange sensation as when she had said goodbye to Rachel. Kid felt her tremble, and wrapped both the blanket and his arms more tightly around her body.
Lou muttered a yes when he asked her if she was okay. In reality, she did not feel fine, but she could not put her finger on what it was. What the heck was wrong with her? Where did all these weird sensations come from? Why did she feel so scared all of a sudden? Lou could not even explain to her husband what she was experiencing because she did not even understand it herself. Her heart was pounding strongly, the pressure in her chest was even more powerful, and her whole skin was covered in goose bumps. Her eyes stared at the black sky above her, trying to forget what was happening to her. Soon she noticed Kid's hand loosen his hold on her and his breathe deepen, which told her he had fallen asleep. Louise remained fully awake, listening to his intakes of air, and even the horses' soft snores, and in the black, lonely night Lou kept praying over and over again she could shush the fears away because she just didn't understand.