DARK INTRUDER
DARK INTRUDER© nesciri
Part 13
"Lou!" They're back!" Jimmy called back into the house where Lou was helping Rachel to some soup. Jimmy had thought it would feel bad to return to the bunkhouse, but despite the grief, it felt protected. This was his home and Rachel and Lou's condolence had been sincere and honest. And although the funeral had been a quiet affair with only him and Teaspoon there, he truly felt that Rosemary had found rest. He had slowly come to terms with the fact that she wasn't returning and he knew he would live. That was life.
Jimmy walked down to meet them and saw to his surprise that Cody was riding Katy. He wanted to ask them about it when Kid quickly dismounted and handed the reins to Jimmy before he briskly walked over to the bunkhouse.
"What's eatin' him?" Jimmy wondered. He had hopes to talk to Kid about what had happened and to tell him that he didn't blame him for Rosemary's dead. Not any more. Her death still hurt, but it wasn't Kid's fault she was dead.
"Beats me," Cody replied as he dismounted Katy. "He's been actin' strange the whole day. Complainin' 'bout headaches too. Made he hit his head real bad when you threw him to the floor yesterday?"
"By the way, why are you ridin' Katy?"
"She threw Kid, and then she wouldn't let him near. It was as if he spooked her."
"Kid spooked Katy?"
"Weird, ain't it. I tell you Jimmy, if this continued, then I'm ready to believe in ghosts."
"You already believe in ghosts, Cody. Remember the night in Plum Creek when you rushed out of the hotel, 'cause you believed it was haunted?" Jimmy replied as he took the horse towards the barn.
"That was different!" Cody defended itself, as he joined Jimmy, leading Katy. Before Cody could explain why it was different, Jimmy interrupted him.
"Did you find anything?"
"Nope, not a single thing. It's as if he'd been swallowed up by the earth."
"Maybe he has," Jimmy replied sternly. Cody looked at him.
"You don't think - that Rosemary killed him, do you?" he asked carefully.
"I don't know, Cody."
"How are you holdin' up?"
"I'll live. Now let's see to this horses before we tell Lou and Rachel."
"Nothing?" Lou repeated.
Cody shook his head. "Sorry, Lou, we didn't find anything."
Lou stared at the floor, before rising her head. "Where's Kid?"
"He headed for the bunkhouse. I think he hit his head pretty bad last night..." Jimmy started, when Lou headed out the door. He looked at Cody who shrugged.
"What do you say we try and get somethin' to eat?" he suggested.
Lou rushed over to the bunkhouse as a cold breeze swept across the yard. For a second she hesitated as she felt a chill down her spine. It was already dark and the darkness scared her. But her worry for Kid forced her to continue despite the dark feeling that seemed to surround the bunkhouse. I'm goin' crazy, she pondered, as she opened the door.
"Kid?" she asked as she saw him sitting by the table, cleaning his gun. "Are you alright? Cody said you had headache."
"It's nothin', Lou," Kid replied and smiled at her. Weakly she smiled back, but that odd feeling that something was wrong returned to her, stronger than before.
"You're sure?" she said and placed herself by the table. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to sit next to him and she couldn't figure out why. I love him, she thought, I should be close to him. But she didn't move.
"Yes." Kid rose and walked up to her placing his arms around her, nozzling her hair. "I'm better now that you're here."
Lou went cold. This was not her Kid, she could feel it. But it looked like Kid, and it was Kid's voice. But it wasn't a loving embrace. His arms around her felt almost demanding and unable to stop herself she broke free from his arms and rose.
"I should start with supper," she said trembling, fighting the urge to run out of the bunkhouse.
"What's wrong, Lou?" Kid asked bewildered.
"Nothing." Lou forced herslef to smile. "I just don't want Cody to make a mess of Rachel's kitchen, that's all. Are you comin'?"
"Later," he said and without another word Lou fled the bunkhouse.
Lou felt tears running down her cheeks as she made her way back to the main house. It was something wrong with her. It must be. She loved Kid, and he loved her. This odd feeling was just something in her mind - something playing tricks with her. Maybe she should talk to Doc when he came out to check on Rachel. She wiped her tears away as she walked up the porch. She could hear Teaspoon's voice inside and realized that he would be back. Entering the warmth and comfort the kitchen and the presence of her friends, she calmed down.
"So where's Kid?" Jimmy asked, looking at her. She looked a bit shaken up, he thought, but decided not to say anything.
"He's coming." Lou forced herself to smile. "So I guess you're hungry?"
"I'm so glad you're here, Lou!" Cody exclaimed. "I'm starved."
"Just so you know, Cody, I ain't doin' this for you - I'm just trying to save Rachel's kitchen from gettin' ruined."
Kid arrived just as they finished setting the table and to her surprise she didn't find anything ominous about him. As she passed him, she gave him a reassuring hug and felt nothing but love. Probably my imagination running wild, she thought as they all sat down to enjoy dinner. If only Buck had been there, it would have been fine. Supper was a quick affair. No one had much to say, but Lou couldn't help feeling a little relieved that there seemed to be no angry feelings between Jimmy and Kid. the only scare she had was when Cody begun telling them how Katy had thrown Kid to the ground. For a second, she could see a cold glare in Kid's eyes but it disappeared as quick as it appeared. As supper was finished, Teaspoon turned to Jimmy.
"You stayin' here tonight, son?"
Jimmy shook his head. "No, I think I'll head back to the hotel if you don't mind - I think I want to be alone."
"There's no problem with me," Cody grinned. "At least I won't have to listen to you snore."
Teaspoon smiled at Jimmy, knowing that sleeping was the farthest from Jimmy's mind. He would probably spend another sleepless night in that hotel, but if it helped him come to terms with his grief, then that how it should be.
"Hope you'll join us for breakfast," he said lightly.
"Who's cooking?" Jimmy asked innocently.
"I am," Lou stated, "so don't you dare not show up."
"Then I'll be here," Jimmy promised and rose. "See you in the morning then."
Half an hour later, the table had been cleaned and Teaspoon and Cody left to get some sleep. Lou checked in on Rachel, only to find her sound asleep. However, her breathing worried Lou and after conferring with Teaspoon the decided to take her over to the Doc. They helped Teaspoon get her into the wagon and watched as they headed down the street. They didn't think Rachel was in any danger, but it was better to be on the safe side. Kid and Lou returned to the house, where Lou decided to some last minute cleaning of the kitchen as Kid returned to their room. When she had finished Lou sank down on the chair in the kitchen.
Lou knew that she could up and get some sleep, but suddenly she was scared of facing Kid alone.
"I'm goin' crazy," she whispered into the night. "The others would probably laugh at me, but I'm afraid of my own husband." Lou tried to laugh, but the only thing she managed was a harsh croak that sounded nothing like a laugh.
