"Always"

Pt.10

Matt, as agreed, met Dolly by the stables. He arranged for a second horse for her. Dolly had changed into riding clothes. "Well, hello, handsome. I was hoping you'd show."

"Look, Dolly, I'm here because you're going to show me where to find Jesse."

"Relax, lover."

"Enough of that too."

She just laughed. "Now we have to slip out of here so as to not be seen, you know?"

"Yeah, I get that." He said. He was so wishing someone else was on this trip.

They rode off and were riding for quite some time when Dolly finally said, "Matt, tell me. What went wrong? I know you liked me once. I'm pretty enough. Why'd you keep your distance?"

Taking a deep breath, "Look, Dolly, that was a hundred years ago."

"But, Matt, a woman wants to know these things."

"Ok, look, Dolly. You know how demanding my job was and is."

Now she was laughing out loud. "Oh, Matt! Your badge? Please. You're not still using that excuse are you?"

"No, Dolly, I'm not. Remember I'm married?"

"Yeah, I remember, to Kitty. Can't believe she waited it out."

"She's a good woman, Dolly."

"It's been a lot of years, Matt."

"Yeah, you're right. Kitty and I have a long history and a family and we're happy."

"So it's true, huh? Clayton's wife is your daughter?"

"Yeah, she is." He said. "Beth is my daughter."

"Kitty Russell with a baby? Who would of thought?"

Matt didn't want to even give her the back ground, so he left that alone. After a while Matt suggested they make camp.

Rusty Rail Saloon

Harlen Shaffer and some of his men were in the back room and when one of them mentioned he thought he saw Dolly riding out late at night with a tall rider, Harlen was angry. He wanted to know who this tall rider was. When he had some of the men ask around, they were told Dolly knew him from her past that he was a Marshal from Dodge City.

He now remembered their conversation. He knew she was up to no good but he also knew there had to be something in it for her as well. But he would take care of her later. "Boys, we need to take a ride."

Clayton Ranch

Harlen and his men showed up once again this time not so friendly. Kitty was already out front as they approached. Shaffer looked at her. "Morning."

"What do you want Shaffer? I thought I told you you're not welcome here." He started to dismount. "Wait a minute. Don't do that. I want you out of here and now."

"Mrs. Dillon, I came here to tell you what I want and I'm not leaving till I do just that!"

"Mr. Shaffer, I'm not the slightest interested in what you want. So don't waste your breath. NOW LEAVE!" She walked towards the porch and picked up a shot gun. "I will use this."

"Now, now. That there is a fairly big weapon for a little lady like yourself."

"Well, Mr. Shaffer, it's aimed right at your belly. Shall we test my aim?"

He just smiled and put up both hands. "That won't be necessary. But, I'll tell you this. I will have this land."

Scrunching up her face. "Over my dead body!"

Matt's camp

Matt built a fire, made something for them to eat and a place to sleep. "Dolly?"

"Yeah, Matt?"

"How much further?"

Not much more, if it's the place I think it is. It's an old mining shaft. It's abandoned. I overheard the boys talking about it and they said it was closed up and no one would look there."

"Ok, let's get some sleep." Matt rested himself up against a tree and let Dolly use the bedroll. When she heard animal noises she jumped. "Matt!"

"It's nothing, you'll be fine. Go back to sleep."

"Can I come closer to you?"

"Dolly…"

"Please, Matt?"

"Oh, alright, but go to sleep." As he dosed off she slowly snuggled up and tried to wrap herself around him, trying to put her head on his chest. Gently, he lifted her off and put her back on the bedroll. Saying to himself. "You'll never learn, Dolly." Then he sat staring at the sky. "Beth, honey, I'll bring Jesse home. Kitty, honey, our family will be safe." Then he rested his hand on his chest. "Always, honey. Good night."

Clayton Ranch

The house was quiet, Kitty was lying awake, staring out the window. "Oh, Cowboy. I hope you're ok." Holding her hand to her chest, "Always. Come back safe. We both need you. Good night, Cowboy, wherever you are."

Suddenly she thought she heard a sound but was not sure where it came from. She couldn't see anything from the window but she had a strange feeling in her stomach.

She went down the hall to Beth's room, waking her gently. "Beth, honey. Shhhhhh!"

"Momma, what is it?"

"Beth, sshh. I'm not sure but I want you to take the boys and go into the cellar and stay there till I come and get you. Ok?"

"Momma, what are you going to do?"

"Sweetheart, just do it. Please? I don't have time to explain right now. Just get the boys and take them to the cellar. Quickly, Beth, please."

"Ok, Momma, but where will you be?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll come get you." She was speaking in a whisper.

Beth did just what she said. Kitty helped her and the boys never woke up. They snuck out the back and to the cellar. "Now remember, don't come out no matter what you hear. Ok?"

"But, Momma?"

"Beth, promise me."

"But…"

"Beth!"

Beth now shaking. "Yes. Yes, I promise."

Now Kitty headed back in the house. It was still dark but she knew exactly where she'd left the shotgun. But now it wasn't there. She inhaled deeply. Fear set in. Her worst fear. "Alright, don't be a coward. Show yourself!"

As soon as she said that, she felt the full weight of someone hit her, knocking her to the floor. Still not being able to see who or where they were and trying to get her bearings, she was now trying to feel and grab something to defend herself with. She could hear the breathing so she knew there was more than one person in the room.

Then she heard a voice. "You should have listened." Just then she swung, connecting with something or someone standing close to her. He yelled out. "You….." Then he said, "Go up and find the other one."

Kitty knew she recognized the voices. Now she was angry and getting angrier by the minute. "What kind of cowards are you? You wait and attack women in the dark." Again she was hit. "AHHH!"

She slowly worked her way around the room, closer to the windows there was a bit of moon light, just enough to give shadows. And now where she was standing she could see and saw it was Shaffer and two of his men.

Now in a good position, she remembered her handbag sitting by the chair and grabbed it. When Shaffer went to lunge at her once again, she tossed it towards him, confusing him. He didn't know what it was. Then having already removed her gun from the bag, she shot, hitting him in the chest, dropping him to his knees!

He couldn't even yell out. But when the other two heard the shot, they came running. As they came down the stairs, Kitty yelled. "Move and I'll blow a hole in you so big…"

They had no idea what kind of gun she had. One man said, "Lady, did you kill 'um?"

"I don't know. There's a lamp right beside you. Light it slow. Don't try anything funny."

He lit the lamp. Harlen Shaffer was dead.

"You two drop the guns over here."

Beth of course heard the shot and came running. "Momma?"

"Beth, I told you to stay."

"I heard a shot. OHHHH Momma?"

"It's alright, Beth, sweetheart. Get me some rope."

She ran got rope and Kitty held the gun on them. "Beth, hold this and shoot them if they move." Kitty tied the both together. "Beth, listen to me. I need you to go to town and get the Sheriff and bring him here."

"Momma, I can't leave you here with them."

"Yes, you can. Just do it, Beth. Go!"

Beth stopped and looked at Kitty's face and reached out to touch her. "Honey, it's not as bad as it looks. I'm fine, go. Hurry!" Kitty sat holding the gun on the two of them waiting while Beth brought the Sheriff.

Dolly, finally took Matt to where she thought the mine was. She was right, it was abandoned. As they approached it, they heard voices. Matt told Dolly to stay back with the horses. As he got closer, he could hear a man's voice saying, "Clayton, you could have just made this all easier on yourself if you'd just sell the stupid land to Shaffer. Now you're gonna die and the little lady and the little brats are gonna lose out anyway."

Matt saw an opening, not a big one, well not for him, but an opening. He made his way through, then snuck up behind this man. Jesse spotted Matt. Matt motioned to him to ignore him then getting closer he said, "Hold it right there. Don't move. United States Marshal."

"Don't shoot I'm not armed."

Then Jesse said, "No, Matt, he's not armed and boy am I glad to see you."

"Jesse, son, you alright? Are you hurt?"

"Little banged up, weak, hungrier than a bear, but other than that… Dad? Beth, the boys?"

"They're safe. Kitty's with them."

"Oh, good then I'm not worried. They're in good hands. Kitty's like a momma bear."

Matt laughed. "You know it, son. Let's see if we can get you out of here. Think you can walk?"

"Think so." Matt helped him up. When they got outside, Jesse saw Dolly. "Miss Winters? What are you doing here?"

Matt looked at Jesse. "I'll tell you later, it's a long story. Let's just get you home to your family." They tied the man there up to a horse and Matt, Dolly and Jesse rode back with the other man tied to his own horse.

In Town, Springfield, Colorado

Beth rode as fast as she could, rushing through the streets, stopping in front of the Sheriff's office. Rushing into his office, "Sheriff! Sheriff! Where are you?"

Rolling over on the cot he was sleeping on. "What? What? Who is it?"

"Me, Sheriff, Beth Clayton. You've got to come quick."

"Where Miss?"

"My ranch."

"Sweetie, it's the middle of the night."

"I'm aware of that, sir, but there was trouble tonight and my momma, she…"

"Well, come on, spit it out."

"She shot Harlen Shaffer."

Standing shocked, "She what?"

"Come, please? I'll fill you in on the way. Two of his men are still there." While riding out there, Beth proceeded to tell him about what happened.

He couldn't believe his ears. So, let me get this straight, your momma, that redheaded spitfire…"

"Hey!" Beth stopped him.

"Oh, excuse me. She shot and killed Harlen Shaffer because he came to your place?"

"No, he broke in with his men and beat her up and would have beaten me up if they'd had the chance. But Momma shot him before they found me and she tied the other two up till I came to get you."

Clayton Ranch

When the Sheriff and Beth reached the ranch, Kitty was still holding the two men at gunpoint. When the Sheriff came in she said, "Good, now you can have them and this one too. Oh, he's dead."

The Sheriff looked at Kitty's face. It was now swollen and bruised and she had a split lip. "He do that?" Standing with both hands on her hips and brows arched. The look was enough. "Oh, ok, I guess that means yes. And the Marshal?"

"He's not here. He went to do your job."

"Alright. Come on you two." And he started to untie them.

"What are you doing?" Kitty asked.

"Well, do you want to keep Shaffer here?"

Beth yelled out, "NO!"

"Well then I'm gonna let them carry him to the wagon. I'll see that it gets back to you directly, if that's ok."

"Sure, Sheriff." Beth answered.

Then Beth went to Kitty. "Momma, let me look at you. Let me get you something for that."

"No, Beth, I'm fine, really. It's not as bad as it looks."

"Really! Momma, you took a real chance."

"It was worth it for you and the boys."

"But they could have killed you?"

"Ahhh, I'm not going anywhere. I want to see this little one come into this world. I love my family and I'll do anything for you, all of you."

"Momma?"

"Yes?"

Beth stared at Kitty, then she placed her hand on her heart. Kitty realized what she was doing and did the same and together they just said "Always."

The following afternoon, the ranch was quiet. Kitty and Beth were playing with the boys, when they heard the sound of horses and Jesse's voice. "Beth! Matthew, Michael! I'm home."

Beth stopped and ran out the door and couldn't believe her eyes. She screamed, "Jesse! Oh my gosh, Jesse! Boys, Daddy's home."

Kitty was standing in the doorway, smiling. She waited. Matt and Dolly were still on their horses. Dolly looked at Matt. "Maybe I should just ride on into town."

"No, wait. Come on, get down." He helped her down. "You did help find Jesse."

"But, Matt? Kitty?"

"It will be fine, she'll be fine with it. Kitty and I are fine." When he came closer, he began walking faster. "Kit?"

"Cowboy. No, it's alright."

He cupped her face in his hands. "What happened?"

"Cowboy, it's gonna take a lot of telling but in the short of it, Harlen Shaffer is dead."

"Kit? You?"

"Uh huh."

"Did he do…?"

"Uh huh." She put her hand up. "Not right now, Matt, please?"

"But, are you alright?" She rested her head on his chest. "I am now."

TBC