"Here, miss," a voice said.  Lou found a handkerchief held out to her.  Through her tears she could see the warm sympathetic smile on a worn and tanned face.  There was something about the man's gray-blue eyes and sandy hair and beard that seemed so familiar, but she knew for some reason that she'd never met the man before.  "Looks like you could use this more than me at the moment," he added.

She dabbed at her eyes embarassed that he should see her like this, her eyes red and watery.  "Thank you,"she said softly.  "I don't know what's wrong with me these days.  I'm not usually like this."

The man sat next to her on the bench with a familiar grin.  "I hear tell lots of prospective brides have that problem," he chuckled.  "And don't worry, it makes you even prettier.  Where's my manners?  I'm John Travis."  John extended his hand toward her.

Lou's eyes widened.  "Oh, Mr. Travis, it's so good to meet you," she exclaimed shaking his hand.  "We got your gift.  They're beautiful but it was too much, really."

"Well, I ain't takin' them back.  They need to stay in the family."

In the family, Lou thought curiously.  What's he mean by that?  "Are you related to Kid somehow?" she asked.

John hadn't intended to say so much so quickly.  He'd lived with the secret, with the pain for all these years but now in the face of Lou's dark eyes, he could no longer control his honesty.  There was something so gentle in her, something that made him trust her and want to unburden his soul.  "Yes, I am in a way, but we had a falling out years ago," he said hating the half-truth.  "I've been looking for him and Jed for years now.  Heard Jed died somewhere 'round Sweetwater and traced the Kid here.  And please call me Jack."

Lou turned to him fully, folding one leg beneath her on the bench.  "Have you been in town long, Jack?  And I'm curious as to how you heard about Kid and me gettin' married."

Jack removed his hat and played with it, glancing up at her sheepishly.  "Well, Miss Louise I been in town about a month and a half just watchin' and waitin' for the right time.  The fallin' out was a bad one and I didn't wanna come see ya if Kid was gonna shoot my head off before I got a chance to talk to 'im."  He noticed a long strand of auburn hair that had escaped her combs.  Reaching out a gentle hand he unconsciously brushed it out of her face and behind her ear.  This was the future mother of his grandchildren sitting before him beautiful and full of spirit just like Thomas had said and so like his Annie.  He couldn't have picked a better lifemate for Kid himself.  Damn are you a lucky man, Kid, he thought bemusedly.  Wait a second!  Grandchildren--when did you get so danged old Jack?

"I'm sure Kid would do no such thing," Louise was laughing even as she blushed beneath his frank gaze.  "I can't believe he actually has family left.  He never mentioned you before.  Of course Kid don't really say a lot about his past at all."

"Can't say I blame him," Jack muttered sadly.  "He's had a pretty hard life from what I hear.  Actually, I'd like to ask a favor if ya don't mind."

"Well, now that would depend upon the favor," she replied arching an eyebrow mischievously.

Please, Father let this work, he prayed passionately.  "Could you mention I stopped by today?  Kind of feel him out like in regards to me and let me know.  The thing is, I've realized the importance of family these last few years and I really want to apologize.  I want to be a part of his life--your life together, I need to be part of it but I can't do that if he hates me so much he won't even see me."

There was an uneasy feeling in Lou's stomach at the request.  Everyone deserved a second chance and Jack seemed repentant enough, but she certainly wasn't too keen on doing something that seemed so sneaky behind her fiance's back.  She was torn between the desperation she saw in Jack's eyes and her own uneasiness about the subject after Kid's actions regarding the goblets.  There was something serious going on, something deeper than she knew that was for certain, but it didn't seem like either man was going to tell her the whole story as yet.  "I don't know Jack..."

Jack grabbed her hand in both of his.  "Please, Louise!  You have no idea how important this is to me."

She sighed and offered a small smile.  "I'll do my best but I ain't promisin' nothin'," she warned.  "Where can I find you?"

"Thank you, sweetheart," Jack exclaimed, kissing her cheek as he rose from the bench.  "Actually I live in the rooms above Johanson's furniture, but don't let the Kid know where I am.  Come up the back stairs, I'm usually there all day.  If I'm not there, leave a message with Old Thomas, he's a friend of mine and knows how to find me."

Lou watched curiously as he replaced the worn brown hat. "Are you leavin' already?" she asked.  "Why don't ya stay for dinner?  Cody's out on a run so there should be plenty tonight and I'm sure Rachel won't mind."

"That probably ain't a good idea," Jack answered quickly.  "At least 'til you've warmed up Kid to the idea of me bein' around."  He heard the sound of hoofbeats and looked up to the horizon.  He keen eyes spotted the paint horse easily and he knew he'd overstayed his welcome.  "I'd best be leavin' before Kid pulls up.  It's been a pleasure meetin' such a beautiful lady on this dreary day.  Don't forget about our deal," he remided as he began to walk away quickly.

"It was nice to meet you, Jack!" Lou shouted.  She doubted he even heard her as he disappeared around the side of the barn.  "Now that was the strangest meetin' I ever had," she muttered turning toward the approaching horse.
 

Chapter 3