By C.C.
Copyright 2000
The doctor arrived as Kid said he would, the Richardson’s right behind him. He looked at Louise worriedly and explained his concern about her state, unmoved from the day before. He had run across some recent literature where some of these same symptoms had appeared in a very contagious disease which hadn’t even been named yet. If a rash appeared he’d be almost sure that was what it was, but if it went the way the literature had indicated, the rash would appear on or about Wednesday - 4 days after becoming unconscious.
Bewilderment apparent on Mrs. Richardson’s face. “Is it fatal doctor?” she questioned worriedly.
Probably concerned she won’t get the money if I die before I’m eighteen, Louise thought ruefully. She prayed the doctor would hurry, she hated trying to act unconscious.
“Yes, I afraid in some cases it is, not all however. But there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to who dies and who survives. Now it is my recommendation” he looked sternly at Stephen “that we keep her quarantined at least until Wednesday, maybe even Thursday to see if that rash shows up.”
Stephen was about to protest, but the doctor continued “Now it is my responsibility to protect this town from diseases that could spread, seeing that this could well be contagious I have to insist. Do you understand me?” his meaning made clear.
Mr. & Mrs. Richardson readily agreed, not wanting to get ill themselves. Stephen was non-too happy but agreed, it really didn’t matter he reasoned with himself. He’d have the money anyway, even if she did die. He would like to have had a chance to be with her though, he thought, but what the hell, I’ll just go back to the saloon, that one girl - whatever her name is, she treats me just fine, he thought perversely.
Lou could tell by the hasty retreat that they had believed the doctor’s tale and she had at least until Thursday. She wondered whether the doctor planned to paint her up with some kind of rash to get her through until Saturday, she quickly pushed the thought out of her mind. She’d worry about that later, until now she was free until Thursday.
Teaspoon thought it better if she stayed at the doctor’s the whole time, just in case Stephen’s curiosity got the best of him. One of the rider’s would keep him under surveillance, just in case he decided to check on Louise without the doctor knowing. They would give her notice and she’d climb back to the bed in the front room if necessary.
Sunday night Kid finally showed up, Teaspoon had kept him busy all day.
She had about gone mad, nothing to do all day, her irritability evident as Kid walked in the back door. “Where have you been” she snapped at him.
Surprised by her tone, he answered defensively “Teaspoon’s had me doin’ chores all day”
Noticing her unfair tone of voice she immediately realized what she had done. “I’m so sorry Kid, I didn’t mean to jump on you, I’ve just been crazy all cooped up in here” apologetically she looked to him for forgiveness.
“I know Lou, but I have some bad news” his face dropping.
“What is it Kid” worriedly she looked at him.
“Well, I have to leave tomorrow on a run, I won’t be back until Wednesday, maybe Thursday” he waited for her response.
“Oh I see.....” obviously disappointed, wondering what she’d do for the next four days and nights.
Not expecting to talk about this now, she found herself asking him anyhow. “Kid, what are you planning on doing after Saturday?” She’d not really given it much thought until now.
Sighing he sat on the bed “I’ve been thinking about that all day. I wanted to talk to you before I made any decisions” he took her hands and sat her next to him.
She looked at him, thankful that he cared about her opinion; realizing that most men didn’t include their wives in their business decisions, but she knew Kid was different.
“Let me tell you what I’ve been thinking. I don’t think I can keep riding, I think it’s against company policy for a rider to be married, and I don’t want to ask Teaspoon to have to lie to ‘em,” he watched her closely “not only that but I don’t want to be leaving you that often” peereing lovingly at her. “So... what I thought is that I’d take what I have saved up so far, mind you it ain’t much” he laughed “but I think it’s enough to at least buy some land and start us a small ranch” he hesitated, uncomfortable at the prospect of offering her such a small home. “Somewhere close to Sweetwater, I’d like to stay close to the Teaspoon and everybody.”
She was excited, he was surprised by her exuberance. Her eyes shining, she turned to him “Kid, that sounds perfect....but I’d like for you to promise me something” she looked at him expectantly.
He nodded his head slightly and she continued. “Now, you’ll have to hear me out, don’t interrupt” she scolded.
“Okay” he agreed.
“I’d like to match however much money you have with money from my inheritance” she held up her hand seeing that he was going to interrupt, “you promised” she reminded him.
“I promise that I’ll not use any of the other money in any way for us, but I only think it’s fair that you let me be a full partner in our ranch. I haven’t been around to contribute to your savings and I think our ranch would mean so much more to me...to us... if it’s truly a partnership.” she waited for his reaction.
He listened to her closely, realizing that she was right, he’d not take away her right to contribute to their dream. Especially if it made her happy, he groaned inwardly realizing that he’d probably do anything for her, as long as it made her happy.
He smiled at her and she could tell he agreed with her. First she was surprised that she wasn’t going to have to put up a fight, but then she hugged him; thankful for his understanding.
He told her how much he had saved, she knew that even with her matching it, it wouldn’t be a mansion. But they’d be able to make a good start and with Kid’s talents it wouldn’t take long for it to grow. They spoke excitedly about their future.
“Lou, Rachel said she’d come and spend some time with ya” he told her after the conversation had once again returned to what she could possibly do for four days
“Ah hem........ I don’t exactly know how to ask you this,...... now I don’t want you to think I care..... cause I swear I don’t.....really” nervously he broached the subject he had avoided.
She looked at him confused, “what are you talking about” she questioned.
“Well” he continued still almost shamefully, “Rachel brought it up, I never even thought about it” he told her.
“Come on Kid” what!?” irritated now.
He smiled shyly, hoping she wouldn’t hit him. “Rachel was wondering, I swear it was Rachel, well she wondered if you knew how to cook” he sighed and watched to see if she’d slap him.
She brought her hand to her mouth and gasped. Tears sprang quickly to her eyes as she realized she had no idea. She almost look terrified and Kid felt awful. He took her into his arms and laughed , “Oh Louise, I don’t care really, I promise” he soothed her fears.
She looked at him, “Oh Kid, I’ve never even thought about it, no I can’t cook. I wouldn’t even know where to begin, I’ve never cooked, or cleaned or sewn or done laundry......” bewildered by her own inabilities “Oh Kid what kind of a wife will I be” she questioned him pleadingly.
He smiled and stroked her hair, “Don’t you know that I don’t care a thing about any of that! You are absolutely everything I could possibly want in a wife” he assured her, “we’ll just have to get our ranch up and running quick, we’ll hire us someone to do all that” he teased her.
She tried to find comfort in his teasing, but she knew it was important for her to learn to do all the things she had told Kid she couldn’t do. He could read her thoughts and answered her before she asked.
“That’s why Rachel asked me to ask you, she says she’d be glad to spend the next few days here, teaching you, if you’d like” he smiled.
“Oh I’d love it, but..... how? I can’t leave here..... can I?”
“Doc says he hasn’t been up there in a while, but the room above this used to be where the doctor before him lived, he thinks there is an old stove and some other stuff up there. Come on” he pulled her toward the door “let’s go see.”
It was a mess, but there was a stove and some cooking utensils. Louise was so excited.
“Let’s try and clean it up some” he started toward the mess.
“Oh no you don’t” she stopped him. “Rachel and I will start tomorrow. I have much bigger and better plans for you my darling!” and took him by the hand downstairs to their temporary home.
Laying in his arms, listening to his soft breathing she thought about the next few days. Just a few short hours ago she thought she’d rather die that spend four days cooped up in this room, but now she was excited, Rachel would come and she’d learn how to be a real women, not the pampered baby she’d spent her life being.
She laughed at herself. She couldn’t believe that she’d married Kid not even being able to put a meal in front of him, she laughed even more realizing that he hadn’t even cared.
She made up her mind, she’d be the best cook, other that Rachel, around these parts. She slept soundly at the Kid’s side.
