DIFFERENT WORLDS

C.C.

~CHAPTER 16~

The sun crept through the thin curtains of the hotel room waking the newlyweds. Whispering a silent prayer and thanking God for His gift to him he kissed Louise on the forehead. “Come on sleepyhead, let’s get some breakfast, I’m starved!” he smacked her playfully of the backside.

Louise realized that this was the first time she had ever been naked in front of a man, it was funny but she felt completely at ease. It felt so natural, she thought.

She watched Kid as he stood to dress, this was also the first time she had ever seen a man naked. She allowed her eyes to wander. He was perfect, she thought. Such a strong muscular chest, his stomach perfectly flat, his chest and tummy covered with a soft thin layer of curly hair.

He noticed her watching him, he liked the warmth that filled him as he saw the appreciation for his body in her eyes.

“Come on Lou” he startled her, not realizing she had been staring for so long. She blushed slightly at being caught in her admiration of him. He just smiled and she stifled a giggle and proceeded to get dressed.

She sat at the vanity and began to brush her long hair, it was a tangled mess from the night’s activities. Kid watched her, loving the scene;
wanting to be a part of it. “Can I brush your hair Lou?” he questioned hesitantly.

Surprised she looked up at him and handed him the brush then turned back to face the mirror. She watched him as he carefully picked his way through the tangles. Feeling relaxed she closed her eyes and enjoyed the caressing of the brush.

He watched her in the mirror, completely relaxed and enjoying this act of love. He became aware of the intimacy of this moment. He realized, among other things they had done lately, this too, brushing her hair, was also a special time reserved for a husband and a wife.

She was disappointed when she felt the brush stop and opened her eyes. She saw him staring at her reflection in the mirror. His blue eyes dark with desire, the need she saw there had her body shiver. He knelt behind her and kissed her neck softly. “Oh Louise, you are so beautiful” he whispered, telling her again what she meant to him.

She turned on the bench to face him and again he kissed her deeply and passionately. Their passion uncontrollable, they made love on the floor, neither of them even noticing the hard boards under them, aware only of their intense need for one another.

As they lay breathing heavy, clothes half on, half off, Louise laughed; “lesson number three I suppose?!”

He chuckled and buried his face in her yet again tangled hair, “you’re gonna lose count pretty soon honey!”

“I sure hope so” she placed a kiss on his lips and struggled to sit up. “Let’s get out of here before we kill each other” she teased. She began to dress for the second time this morning. “Think I’ll brush my own hair this time” she smiled wryly. Sighing with contentment she told herself that she wasn’t going to think about anything but Kid today. Tomorrow....tomorrow we’ll talk about..... okay Louise that’s the last time you’ll think about Stephen today, you will not give him another thought today. You are Mrs......... her thoughts abruptly stopped. You don’t even know your own name you fool! She laughed out loud.

He looked at her curiously, wondering what was so funny.

“Hey Kid” she approached him boldly, her face inches from his “How long were you planning on keeping me guessing?” she tried to speak harshly, but just couldn’t.

“What do you mean Louise?” he responded, loving her closeness.

“Well, it’s just not proper you know” she eyed him “I don’t even know my own name” her eyes bright with amusement.

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, “Kinda wondered how long it was gonna take ya to figure it out” he snickered.

She laughed at her inattention to this one rather important detail.

He released her from his embrace and took her hand. “Let’s get going Mrs. Jacobs” he replied, his eyebrows raised, watching her reaction.

“Louise Jacobs” she spoke softly “it’ll do” she nodded her head resolutely. “Now what do we call you?” It was one thing not knowing her husbands last name, she didn’t know his first name either. “When are you gonna spill the beans about your christian name Kid?”

He tried to ignore her, but she playfully pinched his side.

“Now, now a husband’s gotta have some secrets, keep ya guessin’!”

They teased each other relentlessly. “Okay Kid, for now anyhow. It doesn’t matter, you’ll always be Kid to me anyway, just like to know what to call you when I’m mad!”

“Oh you plannin’ on being mad at me, huh?” he replied archly.

They spent the day, each feeling like they had been given a glimpse of heaven. They had successfully avoided allowing the worries and uncertainties of the immediate future to creep in and ruin their day. They spoke of their long-term goals and talked more about their pasts. Each wanting to know everything about the other.

The day passed quickly, much too quickly.

The second night of their make-shift honeymoon filled with as much passionate love making as their wedding night. Leaving the two lovers exhausted but satiated.

Wednesday morning brought with it the sense of dread that they had expected. Realizing they would face some decisions and issues today, today would not be the carefree, blissful day yesterday was.

After breakfast they walked to the livery and saddled the horses. They rode most of the morning and found a quiet secluded stream side nook for a picnic. Though the discussion wasn’t pleasant, the beauty helped to ease their discomfort with the upcoming confrontation.
Knowing they only had a little over a week to get through before they could be the married couple in Sweetwater like they had been here made them breath a little easier. They could handle a week, they assured each other.

When they returned to town, Kid offered to tend to the horses while Lou went to their room. She would meet him for dinner after she freshened up.

He was leaving the livery when he ran in Jimmy. “Kid, what the hell are you doin’ here?” Teaspoon had told the other boys Kid was taking a few days off, but that was all they knew.

Kid jumped about 10 feet at Jimmy’s voice and scrambled for an excuse. But before he could come up with anything Louise had begun making her way out of the hotel towards them, Jimmy’s back to her, she could only see Kid.

Jimmy watched as Kid peered over his shoulder, noticing a look of fear. He turned quickly to see Louise McCloud approaching them. “What the hell’s goin’ on Kid” he asked suspiciously, eyeing Louise. “What’s she doing her Kid?” shaking his head “she’s trouble Kid.... and you know it!”

Kid watched her approach cautiously now, now that she had seen Jimmy. He decided to tell Jimmy the truth.

“Don’t I know it” he grinned.

Jimmy was confused at his reaction. What the hell is he so happy about, he thought wryly.

“Kid don’t get yourself involved, you’ll end up.....” he was cut off by Kid’s voice.

“Too late Jimmy, I married her” he stated bluntly.

He was amused at the bewilderment on Jimmy’s face. Jimmy felt like he had just been hit by a train. “What......” was all he could say.

Louise had reached the pair and looked apprehensively at Kid. Unsure of what Jimmy knew, or what Kid wanted Jimmy to know. She could almost guess that Kid must have told him, the look on his face speaking volumes, but she wasn’t sure.

“Jimmy, let us explain” he spoke calmly, taking Louise’s hand. “It’s okay Lou, I told him” he reassured her, realizing she was unsure of what to do or say.

“Oh” she looked at Jimmy shyly.

“What the hell are you talking about” he yelled at them. He glared at Louise wondering what she’d done to make his usually level-headed friend lose his mind.

She had to break away from his intense gaze, hating the feeling it gave her. She could sense his dislike and mistrust of her emitting from him. She prayed that after they explained he’d support Kid, knowing they were best friends. She didn’t want to come between them.

Sighing Kid continued “When do you gotta head back?” he questioned Jimmy.

Jimmy finally turned his glare from Louise to Kid. Kid was trying to put himself in Jimmy’s place, he understood his shock and anger, but he didn’t like him looking at Louise with contempt. He would force himself to remain calm, explain things.

Jimmy’s face still contorted with anger he answered him. “Bank notes ain’t ready yet, gotta few hours” his voice low and monotone.

“Come on then, let’s walk” Kid squeezed Lou’s hand, supporting her with his actions. She already felt her fears and trepidation easing at his touch.

They patiently explained the circumstances to Jimmy. He shook his head a lot during the long story. “I can’t believe you Kid, this is not like you.... more like somethin’ Cody would do ya know” trying to understand his friends actions.

“Jimmy, I love her more than anything” he wrapped his arm lovingly around her shoulder pulling her to him. “Now I understand your shock, but I’ve never made a better decision in my life” he looked at Louise, his eyes shining and grinned.

Jimmy still didn’t understand, but he was not blind and could see from the way Kid and Louise looked at each other they were in love.

He let out a slow even breath. “So what are you gonna do” he questioned the couple. His eyes softening as he looked at Louise. He didn’t glare accusingly at her anymore, easing her discomfort and making Kid grateful that he wasn’t going to have to punch his best friend out.

There were a lot on unanswered question, but Kid and Jimmy both agreed that if anyone had the answers or could come up with a plan it was Teaspoon. Jimmy would tell Teaspoon to bring Louise out to the station Friday morning, not revealing the news yet. Realizing that it should come from Kid. Jimmy was grateful for that part of the plan, he didn’t look forward to Teaspoon’s reaction to Kid’s news.

Jimmy apologized to Louise for his earlier behavior. Excusing his attitude toward her earlier she wanted him to know that she would never hurt Kid.

“Jimmy, I know you’re probably still skeptical, and I don’t blame you for worrying about your friend, but I swear to you, on my life that I will never hurt him” she stated honestly. “We’ve both come to realize that though this marriage was rushed and not well thought out doesn’t mean it’s not real. We love each other Jimmy, I hope you’ll come to accept that, I don’t want to change him, or change things between you two.”

Jimmy was beginning to see why Kid loved her. Try as he might he couldn’t find those earlier feelings of distrust. He knew she was being truthful. Who was he to judge, Kid was a grown man. He indicated to her that he trusted her, she hugged him tentatively and felt relief as he returned her friendly embrace.

Kid smiled at the unlikely pair, glad they were seeing eye to eye.

“Alright then, see you two in the morning. I’m gonna find myself a good hidin’ place, because after Teaspoon finds out.....” he joked as he mounted his horse. After picking up the bank notes he headed out of town.

“Ride safe Jimmy” Kid called after him. Standing arm in arm Kid and Louise watched until his golden palomino disappeared, placing their fears into his hands for now, he’d get Teaspoon to the station and he’d know what to do.

“One more day” Lou sighed and looked up into Kid’s eyes. “Let’s make the best of it, what do you say?” She grinned sensuously, he smiled realizing what she had in mind, enjoying her assertiveness.