Cap's eyes burned as the bright sun reflected off the pure white snow. His hangover was finally wearing off but his head was pounding. John made sure to hit ever bump in the road for this reason.  

"Dammit John. Do you have to take the roughest path?" Cap grumbled with his head in his hands.
"Of course. Your pain is the only entertaining thing out here in this bare land."

"Glad I'm good for somethin'." 
"Stop whining. You need to sober up before we get to Charleston.  You can't expect to steal Kane Price's bride drunk." 

"Hush up. I'm nervous enough as it is."
"What on Earth for?" 
"I know she agreed ta marry 'im for  me but maybe now she realizes she's better off with 'im." Cap admitted.

John instantly stopped the wagon.
"What are ya doin?!" Cap asked.
"You really are the dumbest bastard I know."
"What do you mean?"
"You still think she doesn't want you. She gave up everything for you. Her way of life. She left a life of luxury to be the wife of a wanted man."  
"I know that. Don't ya think I feel awful 'bout it all?! If I wouldn't a let my selfish feelings out, we wouldn't be in this mess. She'd be happy." 
"Sober yet?" John changed the subject. He liked Cap, but he could not help but agree with him. John believed his cousin deserved the world. And he is just not sure that Cap can give her that.

"Yeah, I'm good."
"Good. We're here." John drove the team into the Wilson driveway.  

As soon as John stopped the team, Cap was jumping down. Cap stared up at the Wilson plantation house.
"Well, ya gonna just stand there or are you gonna go get your lady?" John asked. Cap just nodded and hurried up the steps. He knocked on the door. A couple minutes later, Ms. Henrietta opened the door. Her normally bubbly spirit had faded. A smile did not dorn her face but instead a frown. Her wrinkles seemed deeper and her dark circles more so. She looked faint.
"Ms. Henrietta? Are you alright?" Cap asked concerned.
"Oh Cap! My dear boy, thank God you're back! I'm quite alright now! Come! Come in quickly before someone sees you!" She all but threw Cap in the house, leaving John outside to put up the team. 

"Henrietta, I need to see Lyddie. Where is she?"
"In her room. She's been a mess Cap."  Cap took the stairs two at a time. He stopped in front of her door. He slowly reached for the handle but stopped when he heard her sobs.  Cap gently turned the knob and opened the door. What he saw shattered what was left of his heart. Lydia, his Lyddie,  was sitting on the edge of her bed in a beautiful white gown. She was crying  uncontrollably with her head hung in her hands.

"Lyddie." Cap whispered.
"I can't take it anymore Mama. I can't take the torment. I hear him everywhere. I hate it. I hate the McCoy's. I hate Kane Kindle. And I hate this stupid dress! This is the dress I was going to wear when I married him." Cap rushed to her side.
"Lyddie listen to me. It's me. I'm here." He grabbed her shoulder and sat down by her. Lydia looked up and studied his face. She reached up and touched his cheek.
"Really? You're really here. You can't be. You're in jail!"
"No I'm not. That bastard Kindle lied to ya Lyddie!"
"Oh thank God! You're okay. I was so scared Cap." Lydia hugged him tightly. Cap wrapped his arms around her and held her. He took everything in. The way she smelled. The way her back curved in. The way her hair bounced. Everything. He missed her. 

"Excuse me, I'm gonna have to ask you to remove your hands from my bride." Cap looked up and saw a face he absolutely despised. The sight disgusted him.
"Go ta hell Kindle." Cap spat.
"I'll send you straight to hell." Kane cocked his gun and aimed it right at Cap.
"Go ahead. You don't have the guts."
"You're right. I couldn't kill you, but it wouldn't bother me to kill her. That'd solve both our problems." Kane shifted the aim of the gun to Lydia. Cap quickly jumped in front of her protectively. 
"How sweet. The ape has taken a liking to her." Kane growled. Cap was trying to think of a plan but suddenly things changed. Kane landed on the ground with a thud. Behind him stood Henrietta and John. Henrietta was holding her prized cast iron skillet.
"You sure nailed him Aunt Heni." John applauded her.
"I had a lot of practice on Emanuel."
"Well, glad someone else had that figured out. My only plan was to get shot." 

Lydia stood up and hugged Cap. He instantly hugged her back.
"Can we please go home now?" She whispered to him.
"You mean to Logan County?"
"That's what I said. Home." She smiled.
"You're still acting like a dumb bastard." John remarked.
"Not anymore. Get packed up Lyddie. I'm takin' you home for good." 
"While you're waiting on her, come get some dinner." Henrietta offered.
"Sounds mighty fine ma'am." Cap followed her downstairs.

"Yeah, you two go ahead. I'll go put Kane on his horse and send him home." John muttered.
"I'll help. You get his arms. I'll take the legs." Lydia grabbed his feet.
"Thanks Willie. 1, 2,3." They lifted him up and carried him downstairs.
"Careful with him now." John said.
"Why?" Lydia questioned and swung him into the railing of the stairs.
"I don't know. I'm just a nice person." He grunted as he threw Kane over his saddle. He slapped the horses behind and sent him off.

At the table, the four of them discussed a plan.
"It's not safe for you here Henrietta. Senator Price will come here furious. It's best we all pack up and go to the Hatfield's." John advised.
"I'll be damned if some snot nosed brat runs me off my property!" Henrietta proclaimed.
"It's just for a few days. They won't damage the house but if you were here alone they might hurt you." Lydia tried to convince her.
"Let them try. I have plenty of skillets." 
"My Ma would love ta have you with us. You two could catch up." Cap said.
"Catch up on wedding plans! Of course I'll come! Let me grab my trunks." Henrietta rushed to her room.
"I've always had a way with the ladies." Cap joked.
"Is that so Mr. Hatfield?" Lydia smirked.
"Well I must be a pretty smooth bastard ta snag you."
"I think it was the other way around."
"Go fetch your things Willie." John interrupted them. Lydia giggled and went upstairs.

"Keep it in your pants till your married." John said while reading the paper.
"Yes sir."
"Or you won't have one to use. Understood?"
"Understood John. I won't bed your cousin till I marry 'er."
"Maybe you're not the dumbest bastard after all."

~~~~

I'm aware this was stupid but I need a place to start so here it is. Thanks for being patient! Love y'all!