~~ Catch a Tiger by Its Toe ~~

Kid was tired as he rode in to the station. For the past few days, he had spent the nights thinking about Lou's surprise kiss in the barn the other day and what it meant for them. Both were being cautious this time around, scared of repeating their earlier mistakes.

"That was one of the nicest letters I ever got in my life. And those flowers too."

Kid heard Lou's voice and stood there puzzled. He did not like the thought of someone else sending her flowers or love letters, and he knew he could not handle it if they were from Jimmy. He was about to confront them when he heard Jesse's voice.

"So you know?"

"I know," she chuckled softly.

"You ain't mad at me?"

"I was. Till I remembered how good they made me feel. You know, one day real soon you're going to make another woman feel like that. And she won't mind at all."

Kid realized she was letting him down gently. He tried not to laugh at the thought of Jesse having a crush on his Lou, but then again, he really could not blame the boy. He knew how easy it was to fall in love with her.

"You really think so?" he asked sounding hopeful.

"I think Mary Ellen Gleason don't know what she's missing. What's wrong?"

"The flowers and letters and stuff... Does Kid know?"

"Mmm-mmmm."

"Good, I was thinkin' I might have to fight him or something."

"You hungry?"

"Starved."

"Let's eat."

Kid watched walk Lou and Jesse walk past him with her arm around his shoulder and an idea started forming in his head.

~~ ** ~~

That night after dinner, Kid decided to put his plan in action.

"Hey Jess, got a sec?"

Jesse looked nervous. "Did I do something wrong?"

Kid shook his head and smiled. "Nope, just wanted to talk to you about somethin'. Come on, let's go outside."

Jesse followed Kid outside and to the barn like a man who was about to be hanged. He knew Lou would never tell Kid about the flowers and letters, but he was not sure if anyone else would. He couldn't look Kid in the eyes, scared that Kid would see the fear in his eyes.

"Jess, I want you to know I overheard you and Lou talkin' by the corral earlier."

Jesse instantly paled. "You did? Are you mad?"

Kid smiled and shook his head. "I'm not mad, Jesse. I think it's kinda cute and I was wonderin' if you'd do me a favor."

Jesse finally looked up and saw Kid smiling. "What it is?"

"Well, you know Lou and me... well we've had our problems." Jesse nodded. "Well we're working on gettin' past those, but one of them was the fact I could get real jealous when it comes to other guys and Lou."

Jesse suddenly panicked, "Kid, honest, I ain't gonna send her anything else; you have my word."

Kid put his hand on the young boy's shoulder. "Jess, calm down. Look, I have an idea and I need your help. Now I don't wanna make fun of your feelin's for Lou, but here's the plan..."

~~ ** ~~

Later that evening, Lou was sitting on the corral fence waiting for Kid to come out and talk with her. Ever since the station moved to Rock Creek, they had made a habit out of it. They were slowly rebuilding their friendship, and hopefully at some point could go back to the way they were before the break-up. And tonight, she knew Kid would want to know about that kiss.

"Hey," Kid said, coming up behind her and leaning against the corral next to her.

"Hey yourself. Have a good ride?"

Kid nodded. "Nothin' out of the ordinary. Anything happen around here?"

"Nothin' out of the ordinary," she repeated looking down at him and smiled.

Both were silent for a few moments before saying at the same time "About the other day..."

"Kid, I..."

"I know about the letter, Lou. The flowers too."

Lou looked at him puzzled. "I don't know what you're talkin' about."

"Lou, we've had our problems. I thought maybe we could work them out but..."

Lou could not believe her ears and bit her lip to keep the tears from falling. "What are you sayin'?"

"There's always gonna be someone lookin' at you in a way that makes me jealous. Maybe it would be better if we didn't try to work things out. I don't think I could survive losin' you again."

Kid's heart broke as he saw the tears form in her eyes. He only hoped this would be worth it.

"Kid... You don't understand."

Jesse chose that moment to come over and interrupt. "Lou, you ok?"

Lou shook her head and started to leave as the tears began to fall.

"You gotta lot of nerve!" Jesse yelled at Kid, pushing him. "How dare you hurt her again?"

"Stay out of this Jesse," Kid hissed.

"No! If you can't love her for who she is, then you don't deserve her." Jesse took a swing at Kid.

Kid flinched at the sting behind the hit. Kid pushed Jesse up against the wall of the barn. "You think you do?"

Lou stood there in shock. She had seen Kid come to blows with Jimmy over her on several occasions, but this was going too far; Jesse was just a kid with a harmless crush.

"Kid, stop it!" she yelled as she watched Jesse continue to try and fight him. Kid just stood there holding his against the wall.

"At least I appreciate what a woman she is." Jesse said. "All you want is for her to settle down and be the proper southern lady. She's more than that!"

"You're right; she is. And even though it's taken me awhile to figure it out, I love her enough to know that."

Lou looked at Kid puzzled, trying to comprehend what he was trying to say.

Kid released Jesse and turned to face Lou. "You need to make a choice right here, right now, Lou. Who's it gonna be?"

Lou could not believe Kid was doing this to her. Then she noticed his eyes gazing at her with love and that Jesse could no longer keep a straight face. She rested her face in her hands and shook her head in disbelief. Taking a deep breath and trying to look serious, she finally looked at both of them.

"Fine. There's only one way to settle this. And that's by Eenie-Meenie ..."

Kid looked at her as if she had gone crazy. Was she really going to choose who she loved by a stupid children's rhyme?

"Eenie-Meenie-Minie-Mo... catch a tiger by its toe..." She grabbed Kid by the collar and looked straight into his eyes. "I choose you, Kid. That's all you need to know!" She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

Jesse could no longer contain his laughter. They should have known they would never be able to pull one over on her.