PT.10

Mother's Love

Two days went by when, Kitty finally insisted that Doc let her go back to her own rooms at the Long Branch.

All the gossips in town, thanks to Burke, were buzzing with the stories of what must have happened. As Matt and Doc escorted Kitty home, people stopped and stared. Some remembering the last time she looked in this shape.

Kitty tried not to look at anyone then she decided, no. She wasn't going to hide from anyone. Now staring directly at Burke, who was standing just outside the saloon doors, her stare was enough to burn a hole in him. "Yes, Burke. I was beaten."

"Ahhh, Miss Kit…"

Now shaking her head, "I don't want to hear anything." And she walked past him abruptly. As she entered the bar, she could feel all eyes on her.

But before she could say anything, Doc placed a hand on her forearm. "Kitty, maybe you want to go up and rest."

Sam looked over from behind the bar. "Miss Kitty, I'll bring you something to eat, if you like?"

"Thank you, Sam." And she headed for the stairs.

Maylee had kept Sarah out at her place while Kitty was recuperating. Sarah had told her while they sat down to eat, after Mary was asleep, all that she knew about what had happened. While they were talking, they heard a buggy pull up. Maylee didn't get much company so she quickly went for the door only to see the Reverend English's wife Florence climbing down out of the seat.

"Well, hello Mrs. English. To what do I owe this visit?"

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Bains. I just thought I'd pay you a visit to see how baby Mary is doing after that horrific ordeal with that…" giving off a shiver, that Russell woman."

"Why, Mrs. English, you mean Miss Russell?"

Shooting her nose to the air, "Yes, that saloon woman. Poor baby Mary."

"Mrs. English, I don't quite understand your attitude. Why, Kitty Russell and the Marshal brought Mary back to me in perfect condition."

"Well, the Reverend and I, we were talking and we think it would be a terrible mistake for you to ask that woman to stand in church with Mary."

Sarah overheard Florence English's remarks about Kitty and burst through the door way. "Excuse me, Ma'am. Miss Russell is the reason Mary and I are alive and well."

Before she could say another word, Florence English, in a huff, said, "Young child, how dare you be so rude and insolent to me. Children should be seen, not heard."

Quickly, Maylee jumped to Sarah's defense. "Mrs. English, I don't know why you felt the need to come all the way out here to…"

Then Florence English quickly said in a snobby tone, "Why that woman doesn't belong in decent society."

Now, Maylee was steaming. "Oh, but you don't seem to mind when Miss Russell donates to your to husband's church and to the orphan 's fund and not to forget all the things she has done for the folks in Dodge. Why Miss Kitty Russell is one of the most decent, kind and upstanding women in this town! And I would be ever so proud to have Miss Kitty and the Marshal stand for Mary. Now I think we're through here. And she turned, with her arm around Sarah, and walked back into the house.

"Sarah, dear, we'll take a ride into Dodge and see how Miss Kitty is doing. Ok?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'd like that."

Matt had followed Kitty to her room to help her settle in. "Kit, maybe you should rest until Sam comes with your food."

Nodding in agreement, then as he turned to go, with a sadness in her eyes, "Cowboy, stay please?"

Shaking his head, "Ok, I'll stay if you crawl into that bed and rest." She did as he said. "Kitty, if you want to talk…"

"No, not now, not yet. Matt? Lie here with me please?"

He tossed his hat to the chair, and hung his gun belt on its usual hook, slipping beside her on their big brass bed. Sliding his arm around her, to envelope her, holding her close to his chest.

Kitty snuggled her cheek up on his chest and wrapped her arms around his large frame.

"Kit, you're gonna be alright. You're safe now."

"I am now, Cowboy." Listening to the sound of his heartbeat, she slipped off to sleep.

Later, Sam had brought supper up to Kitty's room, tapping on the door lightly. "It's me, Miss Kitty. I have a tray here for you." Matt opened the door. "Marshal, Doc says Miss Kitty should eat something so I brought this over from Delmonico's. Got some for you too."

"Smiling at him, "Thanks, Sam, I'll see she eats."

"Oh, and Marshal, Mrs. Bains is down stairs with Sarah. They wanted to see Miss Kitty."

"Oh Sam, I…"

"Sam, it's ok. Let them come up." Kitty said softly. "Matt, it's ok."

"Well, Sam, you heard the lady. Bring them up."

A slight tap on the door and Matt opened it. "Mrs. Bains, Sarah."

"Marshal, I hope we're not disturbing Miss Kitty but I just wanted to come and see how she's doing."

"Mrs. Bains, it's alright." Kitty said motioning for the two to come in.

"Oh, Miss Kitty, it's nice to see you looking better."

"Won't you sit please?" Kitty asked.

"Ok, but just for a bit. We don't want to tire you much."

"Oh, don't be silly. It's just a few cuts and bruises."

"Actually, Miss Kitty, I just wanted you to know, I've halted the arrangements till you're up and feeling better."

"Arrangements?" Kitty asked furrowing her brow.

"Why, yes Mary's baptism."

"Oh, Mrs. Bains…."

"Please, it's Maylee."

"Well, Maylee, I wasn't sure after everything that has happened that you'd still want…"

"Miss Kitty, of course I want you and the Marshal to stand for Mary. I haven't changed my mind. If anything, now more than ever, I know you are the one I'd want to stand for Mary. No matter what anyone thinks."

"What?" Kitty said in surprise.

"Oh, nothing."

"Maylee?"

"You know how this town gossips. And I will not give that sort of thing any credence. So, I told the Reverend English we will do this next week, if that's ok with you."

"I… I..."

"Now, Miss Kitty, I won't take no for an answer. So it is settled. Next week." She just smiled .

TBC