IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU

C.C.

Chapter 2

A few weeks had passed and Kid had remained true to his word to himself. He'd taken all the extra rides, done extra duties and was able to keep himself from getting involved in the lives of the other riders, especially Jimmy and Lou. He came in from stable duty and began to wash up a bit. "Rachel, I'm gonna go in to town in a bit, can I pick up anything for you?" Grateful for his thoughtfulness, "No thanks Kid, don't think I need anything right now." Lou looked up from where she was sitting. "Mind if I tag along, I could pick up a few things?" she questioned. Inwardly he moaned, he didn't want her to go but couldn't come up with an excuse quick enough. "Sure Lou, I'll saddle the horses".

They rode in silence to town. As the reached the outskirts of town Lou glanced over at Kid. "You okay Kid, been kinda quiet lately" she smiled at him. "I'm fine thanks, just got some things on my mind." You know Kid if you ever need to talk, I'm a good listener." Yeah Lou I don't think you'd be much help with this problem. "Thanks" was all he replied. They dismounted in front of the general store and headed in. Lou became aware of some giggling and whispering and noticed a group of girls eyeing Kid. He was oblivious to the attention he was drawing. Two of the girls approached him and he smiled and greeted them politely with his southern manners. Lou couldn't hear what they were talking about, but wished she could. "He's your friend, isn't he?" one of the girls had approached Lou while she had been trying to eavesdrop on the other conversation. "Yeah" she replied lowering her voice and crossing her arms instinctively. "I wonder if he'll say yes to any of them this time." Lou turned to look at the girl, "What'd ya mean?" "There's a Sadie Hawkins dance at the church Saturday night, you know where the girls ask the boys - everybody's planning on asking the Kid. Course Sarah Jenkins thinks he belongs to her, even though he's never accepted any invitations from her, or anybody else for that matter", the girl gave a derisive laugh. "I don't understand" Lou stated. "Any girl in this town would give her right arm to be his girl - he just doesn't seem to care. He's been asked by just about all of us to dinner, a dance or even just to take a walk, but he always declines - politely of course, but he always says no. Heck he could have any available girl in this town, probably some that aren't even available", she chuckled mostly to herself. Lou watched the Kid as he looked embarrassed, he walked closer to her, he needed to get away from the girls.

"Well I appreciate you asking", he was responding to one of the girls invitation "but I have a ride this Saturday, I'm sure I won't be back in time." He eyed Lou, hoping she'd back him up and not expose his little fib. When she was getting ready to agree with his story she heard more fluttering of activity. Sarah Jenkins walked into the store, Kid looked at Lou and rolled his eyes, she couldn't help but giggle. "Well hello there handsome" Sarah held her hand out for Kid to take. Because of his upbringing he took her extended hand, "Sarah, hope your doing well". "I'll be doing much better as soon as you tell me you'll escort me to the dance this Saturday. "Oh Sarah I'm sorry but I've got a run Saturday, I won't be attendin' the dance. She clicked her tongue and glared at Lou. "Couldn't you take his run, I don't recall seeing you attend these dances, she looked down on the tiny rider. As Lou was about to respond Kid interjected "No, he can't I owe him runs as it is." Like I said Sarah, I'm not goin to the dance. Thanks for the invitation, though" he added. "Well, how about dinner then, Friday night, mama and daddy would be delighted." Kid fumbled for an excuse, Lou came to his rescue. "Kid you know Rachel's having company Friday night and asked us all to be there, she'd be disappointed. "Oh yeah, thanks (he shot her a look of relief and thanks) I'd almost forgotten". "Sorry Sarah, maybe another time".

"Yeah Kid, some other time" she replied obviously annoyed.

The left the store but not before Lou took notice of the gathering of even another group of girls. "Forget it" she heard one girl say to the new crowd, "He's going to be out on a run Saturday, he's not going to the dance." Lou was amused by the display. She looked at the Kid, he didn't seem to even be flattered by all the female attention he'd attracted. Why would he say he had a ride, she knew there wasn't any scheduled for this weekend.

As they got a little out of town Lightening trotted along side of Katy. "Thanks for covering back there Lou. That Sarah really gets on my nerves", he glanced at her. "Sure Kid, why'd you say you had a ride, you know we don't have anything scheduled for Saturday" she questioned. "Just don't want to go to the dance, that's all, sides Teaspoon did ask earlier if I take a special run for him, I think it's personal.

They got back to the station just in time for dinner. Lou mentioned the dance Saturday night and that girls were asking boys because it was a Sadie Hawkins... she didn't even finish her statement and the table erupted with each of the boys jumping up at the same time to head into town, eager for an invitation. Lou had to giggle, they were all so predictable. All but Kid, she couldn't figure him out she thought.

After they all left it was just Kid, Lou, Teaspoon and Rachel. They enjoyed a quiet evening, talking and laughing - mostly at the expense of the other riders. "Teaspoon" Rachel cleared her throat, "I'd be honored if you'd escort me to the dance", her eyes sparkling as she asked. Teaspoon accepted the invitation eagerly. Kid and Lou smiled at each other.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12