Daniel Keaggy smiled as the diminutive woman spun around before him, the full, dark green skirts billowing out around her. A couple wispy tendrils had fallen out of the twist at the back of her head, making her look almost like a little girl playing dress up. As they'd walked around the small town of Sweetwater, Louise had caught him up on what had happened to her since she'd left Denver. Despondently, she'd told him about her confrontation with the man who'd fathered her child and Danny knew her well enough to know that it had shaken her up more than she'd ever let on. Then and there, he decided that he'd take advantage of the opportunity afforded him. From the first day they'd re-met at Tanner's ranch, he'd been more than a little in love with his old friend. Louise McCloud had grown from a frightened tomboy with scraped knees and long braids to a beautiful, strong woman who'd seen more than her fair share of heartache. If Danny had any way, he'd see a smile stayed on her petite features more than the frown she'd worn most of her life or die trying. And if anyone hurt her, then the burly horsetrainer was more than a match for most men.
"So, what do you think?" Louise asked shyly, startling him from his reverie. She'd tried on three different dresses, all modest in cut, color, and price, but couldn't decide which one looked better. "Maybe I should go with the maroon one, ya think? That's more in keepin' with the fact that I'm a mother now. Or maybe that navy blue one with the lace? Danny, I need your help, please!"
Danny's eyes narrowed thoughtfully for a moment. "This one," he said with a grin. "Definitely this one."
Louise looked down at the dress. The dress was actually similar to one that Jimmy had bought for her in Willow Springs over a year ago. It was dark green and the bodice fit her new figure snugly without looking too tight or improper, lace descending from the sleeves starting at her elbows. However, the green was just a little too colorful for the winter. "Actually, this color ain't quite proper for winter, Danny, " Lou admitted sadly.
"Like the snow is gonna care," he laughed. "So, you'll wear a coat over it. It's here, it's affordable, you look wonderful in it. Besides, I thought this was an inside dinner not a high society tea or social."
She blushed at the praise and the frank looks her old friend was giving her, his green eyes twinkling flirtatiously. It had been a long time since any man had really looked at her like that, the last one being Kid, and Louise had to admit she rather liked the warmth that spread through her. Besides, it ain't like Kid's ever gonna look at you like that again, she chided herself. Maybe it's time I got on with my life, too. Lou brushed a hand down over her skirt. "Alright, ya convinced me!" she pronounced. "I'll take it."
"Good for you," Danny laughed. "You go get changed and get that wrapped up and then I think I'm gonna treat you to lunch."
"You don't have to...."
He stood and approached her, placing both hands on her hips in what could be construed as an intimate gesture. Danny noticed the shopowner's disapproving looks but couldn't care less. He knew that with the size of the town, people would start talking about them. Let them talk, he thought. Let them think what they want, 'cause if things go my way, they'll be calling her my wife soon anyway. He placed a finger on her lips to stop her protestations. "I want to," Danny said softly. "I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Lou pondered the offer. She should get back to Rachel's, but then maybe it would do her some good to spend time with someone who wasn't linked in some way or another to the Kid. Rachel wouldn't mind watching Lexi for just a few hours, she decided. She looked up into Danny's emerald eyes as they looked expectantly down on her. His warm finger still lay against her lips and it was all she could do not to bite him mischievously like she used to do at the orphanage. Instead, Lou pulled his hand away with a grin. "You're on, Mr. Keaggy," she finally replied. "I'll just go change and meet you at the counter."
She walked over to the dressing room. Pausing at the door, she glanced back over her shoulder to find him still watching her where he stood. A pleased smile tugged at her lips and she felt the spirit of mischief possess her. Slyly, she winked at him before disappearing into the room, his amused laughter following her.
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Kid was crossing the street on his way to Thompkins' store to pick up a couple odds and ends for Laura when he spied them walking out of the hotel resturant. His eyes narrowed as Lou reached for the arm of the tall redhead next to her, leaning against him comfortably. The man bent his head closer to hers and said something that set her giggling merrily. Kid was close enough to see that the man seemed completely infatuated with Louise, staring at her with open attraction as they walked together. The redhead was well-muscled like the moderately monied farmer he dressed like, but he walked like a man used to hours or even days in the saddle--like a former Express rider or at least someone born on horseback.
What interested this former Express rider more than the tall redhead was the tiny brunette woman on his arm. There was a time when Lou'd get very shy and defensive if any man, sometimes even Kid himself, cast too frank a gaze on her. Now, there was no blushing or awkwardness in her actions. In fact, she was casting her own flirtatious looks right back at her escort. Who was this man who made Lou more comfortable in her own skin than Kid himself did, Kid had to wonder. He felt a flash of...something. It couldn't be jealousy. No, it wasn't exactly jealousy but more...concern, maybe. In the almost one week since her return, Kid hadn't ever really seen her smile like she used to. Polite smiles, yes, he'd seen them, but not a full smile of pleasure or happiness like she was wearing now. Why does it bother me, Kid asked himself, that this stranger can make her smile? Because the smile she's wearin' used to belong to you at one time. You used to be the only one to ever see that smile, to see the little flirt she used to be when she was sure no one was looking.
Kid shook himself mentally as they disappeared around a corner. She's not yours anymore, Kid, he chided himself. You're in love with Laura and there's nothin' wrong with Lou gettin' on with her life. However, as he walked into Thompkins, Kid couldn't help but wonder why seeing them together rankled him so much and why he was still thinking about them.
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Later that Day
"I think you should do it Louise," Danny said, pushing back his chair from the table. "You were the foreman and general manager at the Silverwind."
He'd accompanied Louise back to what had been the Sweetwater Pony Express station to meet the people she called her family. Rachel'd insisted he stay for supper especially since he hadn't seen Lexi since he was two months old. They'd all been warm and welcoming and he could sense the tight bonds joining these people. They really were Louise's family and each of them would gladly die for the others. He'd even gotten used to the protective glares that Hickok boy was throwing at him all evening. Danny supposed he'd feel the same way if some stranger had show up in town flirting with his grieving, vulnerable little sister.
Louise smiled and stroked the baby's hair as he lay sleeping on Danny's broad shoulder. "I know I was," she replied, "but buyin' and managin' my own land and stock is somethin' different. At Silverwind I could always ask Tanner if he wanted things done differently. If I started a ranch of my own there's no one to turn to for advice. And in case you haven't noticed, Daniel Keaggy, it ain't like I got a husband to help out--just a four-month-old baby and a little girl who should be goin' to school instead of workin' like a field hand."
"Hey, what're we? Chopped liver?" Buck complained in mock insult.
She looked at her family and each member was smiling at her encouragingly. "Oh, I couldn't. You boys have enough to do here and your own lives to live. I couldn't expect you to...."
<Why not,> Ike signed across the table. <There's four of us, five counting Danny. We could take turns helping you out and still get everything done around here.>
Jimmy looked up from his coffee, leaning back in his chair. "Place only needs a little fixin'," he added. "And, once we take a good look at it, if it needs more work, I'm sure Kid'll be happy to help out too, bein' the real carpenter outta of all of us."
"I don't know," Lou said nervously. "What do I know about ranchin' and market price and such? Besides, who's gonna do business with a woman around here?"
Rachel approached the table, placing the warm pie she'd baked for dessert in the center. She gave a frustrated sound as she turned to Lou. "Would you do it already?" she teased in feigned exasperation. "You wanna buy that place I can see it in your eyes. I have no problems watchin' Lexi when you need me to. Girl, it's time to stop grievin' and start livin' again."
Lou held her hands up in defeat as more reasonings came at her from around the table. "Alright, alright! I'll go in to the land office tomorrow and buy it, if it'll just shut you all up," she laughed. She turned to Theresa who was watching her big sister expectantly. "Looks like we're buyin' ourselves a farm, Sugar Bear."
"Louise?" Theresa said quietly. "Can we get a dog? I always wanted a dog and 'Miah said he'd get one for me but now he can't so will you? Please?"
Louise swallowed hard and pulled the girl close, leaning her blonde head against her bosom. "Of course you can have a dog, sweetie," she replied, kissing the soft hair under her chin. "You can have a whole pack if ya want."
Jimmy smiled for the first time that evening at the little girl who'd become his shadow. "I'll even help ya pick 'im out, Tessie," he volunteered.
Over dessert they began talking out all sorts of plans for the land Louise had yet to actually buy. She had to admit it was exciting. She was actually buying her own place. Her excitement was only tempered by the fact that her younger brother wouldn't be there to see it. Danny offered to be her foreman, to help her train and buy stock, and more importantly act as a liason in organizing the hiring on of hands later. Despite his belief in her abilities, Keaggy had pointed out that it wasn't at all practical for her to be living on that land alone with two children. Nor, would most men take orders from a woman no matter how good she was with horses.
Louise was in the middle of accepting his help when the door to the bunkhouse opened, causing all heads to turn.
Kid glared at the redhead he'd seen with Louise earlier that day. The man actually had the audacity to hold his son like Alex was his! He shut the door and crossed his arms over his chest, arching an eyebrow in Lou's direction. "So, who's this and why the hell is he holding my son?" Kid demanded.
Lou noted the stubborn jaw tightly clenched, the steely look in Kid's blue eyes and knew he was in that mood--that overly protective, territorial mood that tended to end in fisticuffs. Normally, she'd be more than happy to put Kid in his place but she'd had such a good day that she really didn't feel like fighting with anyone.
Quickly she took the sleeping infant out of Danny's arms. Lexi woke with a whimper, as if sensing the tension in the room. Louise stood and physically placed herself between the two men. "Kid Travis, this is Danny Keaggy, a very good friend of mine," she offered in way of introductions. "Danny and I ran away from the orphanage in St. Jo together. Danny, this is Kid, Lexi's father, who's goin' to behave himself if he knows what's good for him!" Lou added the last comment with a glare that was almost meaner than the ones she used to use a year ago, hoping Kid would take the hint.
The two men sized each other up and finally nodded in greeting. Teaspoon's eyes met his wife's hazel ones in a meaningful look. They could both see the past springing up before Kid and Lou no matter how hard they tried to ignore it or deny it. He rose to help Rachel sit back at the table. "Take yer coat off and stay awile there, Kid," he said with a welcoming grin. "Yer just in time fer dessert. You'll have to help yerself though 'cause this cook's takin' the rest of the night off."
Rachel smacked at her husband as he sat back down in his seat at the head of the table. "Oh, stop!" she protested with a laugh. "I'm havin' a baby not dyin'."
Jimmy took the opportunity to tease the riders' adopted parents. "Now, now. If you two can't play nice we'll have to separate ya," he chided.
Ike grinned mischievously. <Even worse, Teaspoon, you won't be allowed to play at Rachel's house anymore,> he signed.
Rachel actually blushed and even Kid laughed at the sheepish looks on the couple's faces. "Don't worry, Teaspoon, you can always sneak out like me and Lou used to do," Kid said. However, the minute the words were out of his mouth he wondered why he'd said them. Yeah, and Lou's holdin' the results of our sneakin' out, he thought wryly.
Noah covered his friend's mistake easily, though. "From the looks of things, they gone sneakin' out one too many times," he laughed.
Unfortunately, Kid's innocent comment had sapped Lou's merriment. her heart broke as she remembered how innocent she'd truly been then, thinking that there would be no consequences for her actions. When they were together, alone, things just had a way of happening; she could forget all the doubts and fears she faced each time her monthly came near in the overwhelming pleasure of just being with Kid. He'd changed her world, showing her how love could be, how she longed for it to be again. But when her fears had outshadowed his love for her, when she'd really needed him the most, he'd just walked away without even trying to work it out or find out why she couldn't marry him. Why did he need to bring up the past when he'd obviously moved on without a thought for her? Louise knew it was because of Danny. Part of her was angry at the jealous look in Kid's eyes, but another part of her enjoyed it. See, she wanted to say, it isn't easy watching someone you loved move on without you.
Lexi was still fussing probably suffering from gas, having fallen asleep immediately after his dinner. Lou rose from the table, suddenly, almost unable to bear the sight of Kid sitting across from her. She adjusted the cloth napkin on her shoulder and began to pat the baby's back gently, her head bent toward him, humming softly.
Danny noticed the sad look that glanced on her face before she rose and knew it had to do with the man who sat across from him. So this was the infamous Kid, the man who'd broken Louise's poor, fragile heart. Didn't look like much to be sure, he thought, only moderately good looking if you didn't count the eyes. He knew for a fact that Louise had always been partial to men with outstanding eyes, himself included. She rarely trusted a man with dark eyes because you couldn't always read their emotions. For Louise, light-eyed men were safe because she could always see their intentions. Her father'd had dark eyes, Danny remembered.
Kid's eyes had been immediately drawn to Lou's sudden move from the table, squinting a bit in concern. "What's wrong with Alex?" he asked quickly. He got up from the table as well and walked around to her, placing his hand on the back of the baby's head. At his touch, Lexi turned his head on Lou's shoulder to look at Kid.
Lou tried not to grind her teeth in annoyance. Why must he insist on calling the baby Alex, she thought peevishly. She'd corrected him on numerous occasions. Everyone else calls him Lexi, why does he have to be different? "Lexi, is just fine," she said tightly. "He's just got gas. Babies get gas once in a while."
At that moment, Lexi burped, spitting up at the same time. Kid watched, his eyes nearly bugging out. "Uh, Lou, we got a problem here," he said nervously. "I think he ain't feelin' as good as you think he is 'cause he's throwin' up his dinner."
For a moment, Lou was terrified, but then she realized that Kid was just overreacting as usual. "He's not throwin' up he's spittin' up and that's normal," she replied in an irritated voice. How could he not know that babies spit up on occasion, she wondered. "Well, don't just stand there! Wipe his mouth off with the napkin befre it starts runnin' down my back. The last thing I need to do is change my blouse yet again," Lou commented.
There was an anonymous snort of laughter from the table as the two hurried to clean up the baby before Lou's shirt became another in a long line of Lexi's victims. Kid whirled around and glared trying to figure out who the culprit was.
"Kid!" Lou called, getting his attention once again. "Is there any on his clothes?" She looked over as best she could, seeing the stains on the white gown she'd dressed him in. She lifted the baby up so that they were eye to eye. Lexi looked at his mama and gave her his world famous "I'm cute" grin, a direct inheritance from his father. Consequently, her heart softened and she shook her head defenselessly. "Looks like you get a whole new outfit, Angelbaby," she cooed at him. Lou glanced over at Kid who was watching her dubiously. "And Daddy's gonna do it for ya," she said passing him into Kid's arms.
It took Kid a second or two to realize what she'd said. "Oh, no I'm not," he said trying to pass the baby back to her.
"Yes, you are," she replied sweetly, placing a hand on his shoulder and steering him toward what had once been his own bunk where she had set Lexi's things.
The others at the table snickered and turned to watch the proceedings. "This oughta be good," Buck muttered.
Even Theresa got in on the fun, being the well-trained aunt she was. Lou'd sworn her to absolute secrecy about the first few weeks of adjustment after Lexi's birth when she herself was learning everything from Mama Josephine, the cook at Silverwind. "Remember, Kid," she said. "You pin the diaper, not the baby."
Kid sat on the bunk, Louise across from him with the baby between them. She handed him the diaper and clothes and watched with a small smile as he started to change his son. Kid couldn't stand the silence with all of them watching him, so he decided to at least start some kind of conversation while he was going through his own private hell. "So, what were ya'll talkin' about when I walked in?" he asked curiously as he brought the ends of the diaper together.
"Lou, Lexi, and Theresa are movin'," Teaspoon replied.
Kid stuck his finger with the pin in reaction, his head coming up to
look at Louise in terror. "W-what?"
