PT.7
Good Luck Charm
Kitty stopped throughout the night, resting amongst trees and bushes. She was having a harder time walking, partially pain, partially sheer exhaustion. Leaning against a rock by a stream, splashing her face, she wasn't sure but thought she heard voices. Then listening closer, it was children, laughing and playing.
When they came upon her, it was two boys, fishing poles in hand. "Hey, Lady? What'cha doing out here?"
"Hi, kids." She said barely able to talk. "You two live around here?"
"Yes, Ma'am." They answered in tandem. They were about 7 and 8 years old.
"Look, boys, I need your help. Do you think you can help me, huh?"
"Sure, Lady, what'cha do, lose your horse?"
Smiling slightly, shaking her head. "No, I need you to show me where you live. Can you do that for me please?"
"Sure, lady, that's just up over the hill. This is our favorite fishin' hole."
"That's nice, boys. The house?"
The two small boys, each took her hands. "Come on. It's just this way, not far lady. You sick or somethin'?"
Again smiling at them, "No," then thinking to herself, "It's the or something." Smirking…
Coming up over the hill, Kitty and the boys noticed a rider. Not waiting to see who it was, Kitty hid in some trees near by, telling the boys not to say they saw her.
"Whoa! Hey there, boys."
"Hi ya, Mister. You lost?"
"No, Son, me and Private Horse here are just lookin' for a pretty redhead lady."
The two boys were lookin' at one another then back at the stranger on the horse. "She your wife, Mister?"
Smiling, in thought for a minute. "In my dreams, Son, in my dreams! So, you boys see any pretty lady around here?"
"Well, we…"
Before he could finish, the second boy nudged his brother to remind him not to tell as Kitty had asked. "Oh, nope. We didn't see no lady."
Holly began to ride on.
When Kitty came out, "Lady, you a criminal?"
"Why would you ask me that?"
"That soldier on the horse said he was looking for a redhead lady. That's you."
"Huh? Soldier? He was a soldier?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Which way did he go?" She was now realizing it wasn't Dawson on the horse.
"He went back that'a way." Pointing back in the direction Holly rode off.
"Boys, did he tell you his name?"
"No, but he was funny."
"Funny? Funny how?"
"He called his horse, Private Horse."
"Oh, my." Now knowing exactly who this man, on the horse was. "Oh, Holly. Please come back."
The boys continued walking Kitty to their farmhouse. And just before they reached the house, a voice called out. "Caleb, Aaron!"
As they turned, their father came walking up. "Pa, we found this lady down by the stream. She's lost Pa and hurt too."
When Kitty looked up, and her eyes met with the father, she just inhaled and was speechless!
TBC
