The Ties That Bind

Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play. I'll put them back when I'm done!

PT.1

"Kitty, I never thought I'd see the day you'd be willing to let Mary out of your sight for a day, let alone a year or more."

Signs of spring were starting to show around Dodge. After the long awful winter, it was very welcomed by all. Mary was adjusting nicely. Kitty had her signed up in the local school in Dodge but she knew Mary was getting to an age that she wanted her to experience much more of what the world had to offer, even if it meant having to loosen the apron strings.

Mary was a smart girl, curious, always asking questions, wanting to know about everything. Enough, so that Kitty knew keeping her tied down in Dodge wasn't right for her.

It had been a slow day at the Long Branch. So she gave Sam the okay to close up early. She and Mary had and early supper at Delmonico's. Matt had ridden out to Jake Worth's place to deliver some land deal papers that came through for him, that Matt figured shouldn't wait.

After supper, they walking back to the Long Branch. "Mary? I think we need to have a talk, just the two of us."

"Is something wrong, Momma?"

"Oh, no, Sweetheart. Not wrong. Just… just something I want to talk about."

Grabbing Kitty's arm close and resting her head on her shoulder as they walked, "Okay, Momma."

Kitty and Mary still lived above the Long Branch. But Kitty had rearranged things so they had a separate living area and once Mary became her legal daughter, they only used the side entrance so that Mary didn't have to go through the saloon.

Once they were upstairs, Kitty made them both some tea, setting a tray in front of the settee. "Come," now patting the cushion beside her. "Sit here with me. I have something I want to say."

Sitting up on her legs, with her tea in hand. "Ok, Momma. What is it you need to talk about?"

Placing a hand on Mary's cheek, "Oh, my precious baby girl."

"Momma? What's wrong? You said…"

"Et, et. Nothing is wrong. This is just your Momma being sentimental. Mary, I want to talk to you about school."

"School? Oh, I guess you heard me tell Grandpa that I didn't like going there anymore, Momma."

"Actually, no. I didn't that."

"Oh, Momma, it's just ... it's just that I'm the oldest one there and I just feel like I'm not learning."

Kitty nodded. "I know, Sweetheart. That's why I thought maybe you and I could take a trip."

"A trip?" Mary repeated.

"Yes, a trip to St. Louis or maybe Boston."

"Momma, I don't understand." Mary was now looking at Kitty with her head tilted.

"Well, St. Louis and Boston and some other places have some very wonderful schools that would be…"

Mary quickly furrowed her brow, a look she picked up from Kitty. "Momma." She said with a desperation in her voice.

"What is it, Sweetheart?"

"You… you want to send me away? Away to St. Louis or Boston? Away from you and Matt and Grandpa?"

"Oh, Mary, no, no. It's not to send you away. Mary, I just want you to have all the opportunities. Opportunities you can't have here in Dodge. There is so much out there in this world for you to experience and I want to give you the chance. Oh, Mary Sweetheart, you will always be my little girl, my daughter and nothing will ever change that. And this trip? It will be just to take a look. No decision has to be made."

Mary sat silent, then looked at Kitty. "Momma, when would we go?"

Cupping her face in both hands. "We'll sleep on it and then we'll talk about it more over breakfast. Then we'll talk to Matt and see about a train schedule. Okay? We can get in some shopping while we're there as well." Kitty told her, now winking .

Mary smiled. "I don't think we should tell Matt about that part."

Kitty let out a laugh, hugging Mary tight.

TBC