TIME FOR REDEMPTION

PT.9

"Mother?" Carrie sat holding Susan's hand. "Why did Marshal Dillon handcuff Father with that man? Does Father know that man?"

Susan closed her eyes, not sure what she would tell the children. She knew at least she wasn't going to be able to lie to Carrie. Young Jerry was out with the horses. He had a big fascination with the animals. This kept him occupied, now that he was up and feeling a bit better, although he was still a bit sluggish.

Susan, still holding Carrie's hands, said, "Carrie Honey, I know we don't have very many mother daughter talks, but I do want to change that. I want to try and change our relationship, our communication. I realize we haven't been as close as well…"

Carrie lowered her eyes. "I understand." Carrie said in a soft tone. "I'm not your true daughter and it was hard for you when Father brought you home. I mean, for you to take on someone else's child."

Susan shook her head. "No, Carrie. I didn't mind. I just didn't know how. It was all new to me. But this trip and what has happened has made me do some thinking. And…"

Carrie quickly interrupted her. "We're going to be alright, Mother. You're going to get better and we'll get back home after we take care of the things in Dodge that you and Father needed to do and well…" Then looking over her shoulder. "Is Father going to jail?"

Susan closed her eyes then said, "Carrie Honey, I don't know how to answer that."

"Well, then I guess I'll just have to ask the Marshal." Standing and crossing the room of rubble towards Matt, "Excuse me, Marshal? Miss Russell?"

As Matt turned, Carrie stood before him squared shoulders, head held high. "You've handcuffed my father. Are you arresting him? And if so, I'd like to know why?"

Matt stood stunned, looking down at this five foot of girl staring him straight eye to eye as much as she could and waiting for an answer. His big size was not fazing her one bit. "Well, Carrie,as for now, yes. He is under arrest until I can sort out a few things when we get back to Dodge. But I promise you, he will be well taken care of as will you, your brother and Mother. So, you have nothing to worry about."

Kitty stood biting her bottom lip, trying not to laugh, watching Matt being quizzed by this young girl who stood at him like steel.

"Just what is it, Marshal, that you think he did?"

Now Kitty decided to jump in and get Matt off the hook. "Now, Carrie Honey, you see, when this man Meeks showed up here, I overheard him talking with your Father and it turns out they were acquaintances and what happened to us on the stage, well…"

Kitty took a deep breath and suddenly Susan finished her sentence. "Carrie, your father was working with that man Sheppard and those others."

"WHAT? WHY? Why would he do such a thing?"

Kitty moved towards Carrie, putting her arm around her shoulder. "Carrie Honey, come on, sit over here." Leading her to sit close to Susan, Kitty now with a raised brow looked to Susan, saying, "Susan, maybe you'd better try and fill her in somewhat. Better coming from you."

Sitting with her arms crossed, Carrie looked back and forth between Susan and Kitty. "Fill me in on what?"

Susan scooted herself up just a bit. "Ok, Carrie, many years ago, when I was just a young girl, I lived in Dodge with my parents. I knew Kitty and Matt back then. We were all just kids kind'a." Exhaling. "Well, I was very smitten with Matt."

Carrie ,eyes widening. "You mean you two were an item?"

Now, both Matt and Susan were red faced. Looking up at Matt, then to Kitty and back to Carrie. "No, Honey, only in my mind. See there was another."

"Oh, you mean he liked another girl?" Carrie asked.

Susan just nodded.

Turning to Matt, "Marshal? I guess that girl didn't work out either, huh? Anyone can see how you look at Miss Russell."

"Carrie!" Susan said sharply.

"What, Mother? It's true. Anyway, go on, finish with your story."

"Well, after I met your father and we got married, I told him about my life and growing up in Dodge. But he was always jealous of how I felt about the Marshal. But that was so long ago and he thought if he did something to get rid of the Marshal that I would love him more. But Carrie, I love your father and you children more than anything."

Matt, salvaged what he could of a wagon on the property and did what he could to bury the bodies of Sheppard and the others that died. Young Jerry helped him, getting as much as they could together for the ride till they could find the nearest town.

Carrie sat alongside Gerald, quiet at first, then, "Father? Mother told me what happened. Is it true? Were you going to kill Marshal Dillon?"

Shaking his head, "No, Carrie."

"Ok, were you going to have those men do it?"

Now he just stared at her.

"Father, please don't lie to me. I'm sixteen. I'm practically grown. Please don't treat me like a small child."

"Yes, I guess, that's what I wanted. I just couldn't stand the thought of losing our family to that lawman."

"Oh, Father! You weren't going to lose us. Marshal Dillon doesn't love mother."

Lowell looked at his young daughter. "Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes, that is so. Anyone with a set of good eyes can see, he is in love with Miss Russell."

"You think so, do you?"

Smiling at him. "I know so, Father. I'm a woman. We know these things." Then she winked at him.

"Young lady, what on earth am I going to do with you?"

TBC