PT.9
My Family, My Choice!

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Joe McAndels was out on the south side of his ranch with a few of his hands. It was mid-afternoon. They were rounding up cattle. Joe had left two of his men behind to do smaller chores and to make sure someone was close by just in case Maggie needed anything.

He was determined to be very protective of her now more than ever. He made her a promise that no one would ever hurt her again.

After feeding and visiting with the horses in the stables, Maggie had decided to go back to the house. She knew Joe would probably be back for lunch sometime soon.

As she came out of the stable, she noticed two riders approaching from a distance. The sun was high and bright. Even shielding her eyes, it was still difficult to tell who it was. As they came closer, she remembered one of them.

"Oh, you again. Look, Mister, I don't know what you want, but I told you before, I…"

"Just wait a minute." Frank said.

Now she was furrowing her brow, with her hand on her hips. "Wait for what? Because I'm sure you and your friend here aren't lost. So, I'd appreciate it if you'd turn yourself around and ride on out of here."

Just then, Matt climbed down off Buck.

"Now, look here. I asked you to leave."

"Kitty. Kitty. It's me, Matt."

She looked right through him. "Oh, well, alright then, Matt. Please leave. My husband will be back any time now and he won't be happy to find you here."

Matt reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Kitty!"

She jerked away. "Get your hands off of me." She yelled. "How dare you?"

Suddenly, a man came running from around the house. "Mrs. McAndels, are you alright? What's wrong? Do you need help?"

"No, Tom. These men were just leaving." And she stormed off towards the house.

"I'll see they do." Tom said. "Look, if Mr. McAndels gets back and finds you two here, and finds out you have upset her in any way, it won't be good."

Matt looked at him puzzled. "You called her Mrs. McAndels?"

"Yeah, that's right. Maggie McAndels. My boss is Joe McAndels. Do you know him?"

"Not personally, no." Matt answered.

"Well, he's one of the largest ranchers in Oklahoma. Powerful man."

Matt and Frank just looked at each other. "Believe me now, Matt?"

"Oh, that's Kitty alright! Frank, what happened here? How? Why?"

"I don't know, my friend. But the Kitty I know, wouldn't just…"

"Yeah, Frank, I know and I am going to find out. You can bet on it."

Joe and the men returned. Tom met them right away. "Mr. McAndels, I thought I should tell you. There were two riders showed up here today. They seemed to upset the Mrs. I sent them away. But I just thought you should know, Sir. She said she was okay, but…"

As he entered the house, "Hello, Sweetheart." Joe said coming up behind her as she stood by the window.

She jumped slightly. "Oh, you're home."

"Tom says we had visitors?"

"Oh, yes. Two riders. We sent them away."

"They upset you?"

"No, not really. One was that man from town. Remember when we were getting supplies?"

"The one that thought he knew you?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"And the other?"

"Don't know. A friend I guess. Joe, let's not talk about it, ok?"

"If that's what you want, ok." Joe told her. He was willing to give her anything she wanted.

"Lunch is ready."

"Good, let's eat. Then maybe we'll go for a ride."

"Oh, Joe, I'm a bit tired, so I'd rather just stay here, if that's ok. Besides you have so much work to do. Maybe I'll just take a quick nap."

"Sure, Sweetheart."

In town, Matt and Frank stopped at the Sherriff 's office. "Well, hello, U.S. Marshal. To what do we owe this visit?"

"I'm Matt Dillon, this is Frank Reardon. He's a friend. I was hoping we could talk."

"Sure, Marshal. What about?"

"Well, what can you tell me about a rancher named Joe McAndels?"

"You're kidding right?"

"No. Why?"

"Joe McAndels is one of the largest ranchers in Oklahoma."

"Yeah, so we've been told."

"Is there a problem, Marshal?"

"It's, Matt, please."

"Ok, Matt."

"I don't know yet, but it just might turn out that way."

TBC