Sitting under the
bows of a sycamore tree Kid stared out over the sparkling blue water. The words
he’d heard from Lou earlier had been confusing to say the least. Now he
had to find a way to make her understand. A way to show her what she meant to
him without smothering her to death.
***
“Sometimes I’m just not too sure why he loves me so much.” Lou’s voice held curiosity and astonishment. “I’m nothing like the girls from Virginia. Doritha was a true lady. I’m tough, independent. Why would he want me when he can have her?”
“That’s something you’ll have to ask Kid.” Rachel said.
***
Kid sighed. What made him love Lou so much? It was true she wasn’t some wilting flower that needed him to defend her. She could ride and shoot as well as he could. She would never expect a man to stand up for her. Never let a man tell her what she could or couldn’t do.
With a smile he tossed rock. That was just it – he loved her for her independence, for her bullheaded strength. He loved a woman not some pretty little china-doll that would shatter the first time something happened.
Now all he had to do was convince her of that. He could do it. He would do it. He’d lost too much in his life to allow his fool pride to drive away the only woman he’d ever really loved. No matter what anyone thought Lou was the only woman for him and he knew it.
All he had to do was think of a way to make her understand. He would have to woo her back to him. Show her she was safe with him. Show her that she could let go and fall and he’d be there to catch her.
No more voicing his fears, no more trying to get her to switch runs. No more embarrassing her with his worry. It wouldn’t be easy but he’d do it because the alternative was losing her and he wouldn’t let that happen.
Resolve firmly in place he rose and started the quiet walk back to the station. Lou was due to go on a run and he wanted to be there to see her off. It would be the first step in getting her back.
The End