DIFFERENT WORLDS

C.C.

~CHAPTER 14~

Kid rose at dawn and headed into town to fetch Lightening from the livery. He’d arranged with Stan and Bob yesterday the spot where’d he meet them with Louise. They were good guys and didn’t ask any questions, which relieved Kid greatly. Never one to lie, he didn’t know if he’d be very good at it. He also told Teaspoon he needed a few days off, praying that he wouldn’t ask questions, he was greatly relieved again. Things were going smoothly.

He was a bit nervous as he watched the buckboard with the men and Louise approach. Not cold-feel type of nervous, just uncertainty about the next two weeks. Keeping their marriage a secret until Saturday and then a whole week of uncertainty, Stephen would know
an he wasn’t sure what he was capable of doing to get his hands on Louise’s money. He’d have to ask Lou what she thought.

She looked radiant, she had dressed in pants, but not the loose fitting boys trousers she wore on lessons, these hugged her hips and accentuated her tiny figure. She wore riding boots and a white long sleeved blouse. Her hair was pulled loosely back into a long braid exposing her beautiful face. The black hat she wore angled back slightly, so as to not hide her face. Kid was breathless as he helped her down, his infatuation not unnoticed by the two men.

“Kid” Stan called, “Kid!” he spoke louder. Kid realized he’d been staring at Louise and quickly turned to Stan “Oh, sorry” he turned several shades of red.

“See ya’ll later” the men called as Bob snapped the reins, both men laughing at Kid’s predicament.

“You look beautiful” he complimented her easily.

“Thank you Kid” she blushed.

“Oh, I almost forgot” nodding his head slightly he handed her Lightening’s reins. “ I wanted to be the first to give you a wedding gift” he smirked.

“What do you mean?” she questioned as she took the reins.

“He’s yours” he replied sweetly, looking at Lightening then back at her.

Pleasantly shocked she threw her arms around his neck “Oh Kid”.

“Well you see, Lightening and I talked it over this mornin’, didn’t we boy?” He said he couldn’t imagine a better master!”

She laughed, realizing that he had probably said just that to Kid. “Oh thank you Kid, you couldn’t have given me anything better!” She sighed and stroked Lightening, the horse eyeing her lovingly. She could sense the horses happiness. She almost swore he was trying to tell her he loved her.

“He does you know” Kid startled her out of her staring contest with Lightening.

“What?” surprised by his insight.

“He does love you, he could tell right away, when you first rode him yesterday” he told her seriously.

“How do you do that?” she asked curiously.

“Don’t know, just a gift” he shrugged nonchalantly. “Some people call it horse whispering, I’ve never really tried to figure it out. I understand them, they understand me.”

She shook her head in astonishment, he certainly was very special.

“Well let’s get a move on, it’ll take a few hours to get there, you up for it? he grinned teasingly at her.

“I think I can handle it” she kissed his cheek, “thank you again for Lightening Kid, I love you!”

“Me too! And your welcome” he mounted Katy as Lou easily mounted her wedding gift.

They headed towards Wesley and the future.

He decided they’d discuss Stephen and how to handle explanations after they found the preacher and got married. He didn’t want anything else on his mind. He realized this wouldn’t be the wedding he was sure she had always pictured, but he could tell she didn’t
care. Maybe one day they’d do it the right way, but today it was going to be short and simple.

It was a simple ceremony, the preacher and his wife the only witnesses. Because they didn’t have any rings, the minister thinking maybe they were too poor to afford them didn’t question. He adjusted the words slightly and Kid and Louise pledged their eternal vows to each other without rings, but with the love that they both knew would seal their souls together throughout eternity.

They walked the main street, Kid wanting to shout to everyone that she was his wife. Louise wanting the women she watched eyeing Kid to know that he belonged to her. She held his arm possessively and allowed her mind to linger on some of the insecurities she had about their wedding night. However, she felt confidence in Kid, she knew he would guide her, teach her. Oh she was excited, she couldn’t hardly believe it, she had dreaded the thought of it with Stephen for so long, and here she was ready to go to the room now. She giggled softly to herself.

Kid was nervous, she was so small and so perfect. He hoped he could be what he needed to be for her. He knew she was a virgin, and this knowledge warmed his heart. She had saved herself for the love of her life, and that was him, he thought triumphantly. He was thankful for this opportunity, to show her what love meant, but he couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. I’ll just let nature run it’s course, he
sighed heavily.

They shopped most of the day, Louise did spend the money Stephen had given her on clothes. Clothes he no doubt would never approve of. But with Kid’s help she had found several outfits that pleased them both. She sent him away to make the most important purchase of
the day, the gown she’d wear tonight. He didn’t know what she was up to but didn’t question her. He went to the hotel and rented a room.

Mr. & Mrs. Kid Jacobs he signed the register. Hell, she don’t even know what her last name is he thought amusingly. Must mean she really does love me to marry me and not even know my name. I think I’ll wait and see how long it takes her to even realize it. He put their belongings and the purchases Louise had made so far in the room, he nervously looked at the bed which seemed to fill the entire room. “Come on Kid, stop worrying” he tried to convince himself that’d he be fine. “Don’t put the pressure on you idiot, you’ll be so nervous you won’t be able to do anything!”

He met her outside the last shopping stop of the day, she was carrying a brown package. “Let’s just drop this off and get some dinner” she cast him an almost devilish grin. He briefly wondered what was in the package, then they headed back to the hotel. Kid remembered the women at the desk saying dinner was at 6 o’clock sharp! They need to hurry.