IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU

C.C.

Chapter 6

Saturday morning

Lou was preparing for her run while Kid sat at the table watching her. "Wonder where Buck is?" she questioned. "Umh?" Kid hadn't been paying attention, his thoughts on the upcoming evening. "I'm sorry, what'd you say?" "What's on your mind Kid? You've been acting real strange the past few days, you got me worried." He crossed the room to her "it ain't nothin Sweetheart, just thinkin 'bout you". He bent to place a kiss on her lips, just as he did the door opened and in walked Buck. They jumped away from each other and tried to act like nothing was going on. Buck stifled a giggle. "Hey Kid would you mind takin' my ride for me?" he tried to put on his best lying face. "I've been invited to the church dance tonight and I'd really like to go, you know I don't get invited to those very often." Kid faced Buck, turning away from Lou. "I don't know Buck, thought I'd catch up on a few things around here today." Lou's eyes almost popped out of her head, Kid couldn't see her but he could see Buck's reaction and from it he could tell Lou was not happy. What the hells he doing - Buck's giving us an invitation to be alone and he's trying to get out of it - there must be something the matter with him Lou thought. "Come on Kid, I'll make it up to you" Buck pleaded. "Oh alright Buck, sure I'll do it for ya." "Thanks Kid" Buck slapped him on the back and left the bunkhouse. Kid began gathering his belongings for the ride. Lou turned her back on him, visibly upset with him. He put his arms around her and nibbled her ear lobe, she didn't sink into his embrace and she usually did and Kid realized he had succeeded in riling her up. "What's the matter Lou?" Still not answering him he turned her to look at him (Just hang on honey, you won't be mad in a little while) "Oh come on Lou, I was gonna say yes right away, I just didn't want Buck to think I was too anxious, you know what I mean." Her shoulders dropped and she sighed - "I know, still sneaking around" she kissed him on the cheek -"one of these days" she whispered to herself. "What'd you say" Kid questioned her. I said "you'd better get ready it's just about time to go." (Yeah one of these days and today's the day - you'll see we'll be arm in arm in Seneca in just a few hours) Kid thought as he continued to make ready for the upcoming ride. When he left the bunkhouse Lou quickly packed a few things to wear just in case they got to spend some free time together.

They rode fast most of the way, Kid was on a time frame - he had given the owner of the hotel a time to have everything ready, he wanted to be sure the bath would still be hot for her. She slowed him down once or twice - "Kid, what's the rush, you're gonna kill the horses." "Come on Lou, there used to it. I just wanna get there, that's all." They were running right on schedule, Kid glanced at his pocket watch in relief.

They pulled into Seneca several hours later and after delivering the mochilla to the station finally dismounted the horses. "Lou, you gonna stay in the Seneca Hotel tonight?" he asked innocently. She nodded - "Yep, always do when I'm here", she hadn't been aloud to stay at the way stations since Teaspoon found out she was a girl. "You know I might like one of them soft beds myself, do you mind if I get a room too?" "Course not, let's go" she smiled at him.

They entered the lobby and Kid was startled to see an unfamiliar face behind the counter. Oh no, what am I gonna do, how do I get the right rooms, his mind began to reel and Lou looked at him quizzically. There really is something wrong with him she thought. Just as she was about to ask him again what was the matter the familiar face of the hotel owner's wife appeared from around the corner. Thank God, Kid almost sighed in relief. "Hello" he addressed her, she smiled warmly at him letting him know with her eyes that all his plans had been carried out. She eyed the little express rider - she recognized her, always thought there was something different about that little one, looks just like a girl, wonder why I didn't notice before. "Can I help you?", she responded to Kid's greeting. "We'd like to get a couple of rooms, please." "Sure, sign here" turning the registration book to him. Kid signed the register and dug in his pocket for the money to pay for the rooms. Kid reached for Lou's hand as she began searching her pocket for a coin, and shook his head, she understood he was paying for her room, "thank you" she mouthed and smiled looking a little embarrassed.

Kid took the keys the lady handed him and knew the room they had set up for Lou was 107, he handed that key to her. "You go up and freshen up, I'll take care of the horses. I'll knock in a little while and we'll go grab a bite to eat, okay?" "Kid, don't be too long" she leaned in closer to him and almost whispered. He grinned his most sensuous grin at her, she felt her knees weaken. She turned away from his look before they buckled, I don't know what tonight holds, but I think it's gonna be special Kid, she thought.

Kid stepped out of the hotel to take care of the horses as Lou ascended the stairs. The hotel owner's wife watched the scene with amusement, Oh to be young and in love - she reminisced.

The she furrowed her brow, wonder if both of those rooms are gonna get used tonight.

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