Kitty tired to settle the butterflies in her stomach as she sat there with Matt in Mr. Pringle's office waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone to arrive. Matt sat next to Kitty twirling his hat in his hands to give him something to do while they waited. After twenty minutes, Mr. Pringle entered the office followed by a young couple.

"Marshal Dillon, Miss Russell, I'd like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone." Pringle introduced. "Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone this is Miss Russell and Marshal Dillon from Dodge City."

The couple shook hands with Matt and Kitty. Kitty was the first to speak. "Thank so much for meeting with us today."

Walter Pettibone addressed Kitty, "Mr. Pringle tells us that you are interested in my brother-in-laws property, Miss Russell."

"Actually, Mr. Pettibone," Kitty looked at Louise Pettibone, "I'd like to talk to you about Mrs. Pettibone's brother and his family."

Louise Pettibone walked over to Kitty, "Why do you want to know about Bob and his family?"

Kitty couldn't get over the uncanny resemblance between Louise and Lily, "Mrs. Pettibone, Mr. Pringle tells me that your brother and his wife had a daughter."

"Forgive me Miss Russell, but I don't understand what concern that is to you." Walter Pettibone stated.

"About a month ago, I was in a stage coach accident and stranded in the Bad Lands. While stranded, a young girl found me and helped me out of the Bad Lands, taking me to your brother's old home. I believe that young girl is your brother's daughter."

Walter Pettibone spoke up, "That's a very interesting story Miss Russell, but my niece died five years ago."

Louise Pettibone placed her hand on her husband's arm. "What makes you think this young girl is my niece, Miss Russell?"

"That young girl has a striking resemblance to you Mrs. Pettibone."

Matt took a step forward, "Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone, what color hair did your niece have?"

Louise Pettibone looked at Matt, "Blonde, she had blonde hair like my brother and myself."

Matt continued with his questions, "And what color were her eyes?"

"Blue."

"Mrs. Pettibone, I think you should come to Dodge and meet with the girl." Matt suggested.

Walter still looked skeptical, but Louise looked hopefully cautious to Matt.

"Mrs. Pettibone, I agree with the Marshal. I think you and your husband should come to Dodge City and at least see the girl. After that, if you still think this young girl is not your niece then I will apologize and reimburse you for travel expenses." Kitty suggested.

Louise looked at her husband hopefully. "Alright Miss Russell, my wife and I will come to Dodge City."

Kitty gave them both a big smile, "You won't regret it Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone."

~MK~

Walter and Louise stood in Breck's office looking out the window. They were watching the town people walk along Front Street, waiting for Kitty to bring Lily to meet them. Louise turned from the window and looked at Walter.

"Walt, do you think this Lily is Maybelle?"

Walter took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I'm sorry Louise, but no I don't. If Maybelle had survived like Miss Russell thinks, then we would have found her when we came out here years ago."

"Then why did you agree to come here?"

"Louise, sweetheart did you see the look in Miss Russell's eye's? She has convinced herself that we are this girls long lost family. I came only to humor her and put this subject to rest permanently."

Louise sighed and turned to look back out the window, "Alright."

~MK~

Kitty was walking towards Breck's Office with Matt when she spotted Bess and Will coming up the street with Lily walking between them. Kitty smiled as she saw Lily let go of Bess's hand and coming running towards her. Matt saw how fast Lily was running at them and took a step behind Kitty. When Lily was close enough, she launched herself into the air barely giving Kitty enough time to open her arms. Matt caught Kitty and kept her from being knocked on her backside as Lily leapt into her arms.

"Oooph, well hello Lily." Kitty stated a bit out of breath as Lily hugged her tightly.

Matt nodded at Bess and Will as they rushed up to them. Bess was the first to speak, "Sorry Kitty. Lily please let go of Miss Kitty and say hello properly."

Lily reluctantly let go of Kitty and took a step back. "Hello, Miss K-Kitty."

Kitty's whole face lit up as she watched Lily talk. "It's wonderful to see you again, Lily."

Lily smiled at Kitty, "Missed you."

"I missed you." Bess quickly corrected Lily's grammar.

"I missed you." Lily repeated.

"I've missed you too." Kitty put her arm around Lily and turned to Will and Bess. "Thank you for bringing her in to town for this."

"Do you really think the Pettibone's are her family?" Bess asked.

"Yes they are, Bess," Kitty answered.

Will took ahold of his wife's elbow, "Bess and I will meet you at the Jail when you are done."

Back in Breckinridge Taylor's Law Office, Louise stood at the window with her hand over her mouth. Seeing his wife's distress, Walter walked up next to her and looked out the window. "Oh my," he exclaimed. Walter watched as Matt, Kitty, and Lily walked towards the office. "She looks just like you, Louise." Walter marveled.

"It's really Maybelle. After all this time, Walter." Louise turned quickly and rushed out of the office.

As Matt was about to open the door to Breck's Office, Louise and Walter came rushing out.

Kitty gave Matt a worried look, "Is something wrong, Mr. and Mrs. Pettibone?"

When the Pettibone's came rushing out the door, Lily quickly stood behind Kitty as Louise stood in front of the women with her hand over her mouth staring at her niece Maybelle. Matt stepped over and stood next to Kitty. "Is everything all right, Mr. Pettibone?"

"Yes, Marshall. My wife is just a bit overwhelmed is all. You see, the young lady behind Miss Russell is our niece Maybelle."

~MK~

Kitty Russell stood on the train platform fighting the lump in her throat as the watched the East bound train pull out of Dodge. It had been a month since she had found Lily's, who now went by her real name Maybelle, Aunt and Uncle. Louise and Walter were very patient with Maybelle until she was ready to go home with them. The Pettibone's assured Kitty that they would keep in touch with her, and Kitty could come visit them any time she wanted.

Kitty took a deep shuttering breath as she watched the train disappear. She felt Matt step up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Have I ever told you how much I admire you, Kitty?"

Kitty turned to face him, "Admire me?"

"Uh huh. I admire how you never gave up on Maybelle, and now she is with her family. I know it wasn't easy for you to say goodbye and that you'll miss her, Kitty. I promise that you and I will go visit her."

Kitty gave Matt a watery-smile before putting her arm around Matt's waist, "Come on, Cowboy. I could use a drink."

~Fin