Family of the Heart

PT.10

Newly made his way to the ranch, anxious to tell Grace what he now found out, as well as Matt and Kitty.

Kitty, Grace and Mary were still trying to calm the girls. "Ok, look. Let's not talk about this anymore tonight. Let's get you kids ready for supper. Kitty was now wiping the tears from Eva's face. "Come on, Sweetheart. No more tears. Please?" Now kissing her cheek.

"Hey, Grandma, could use some help in the kitchen. I'm making a pie." Trying to force a smile.

Cracking a slight smile and a giggle, "Grandpa's favorite?" Eva asked.

"Certainly, but I think someone else in this house also likes peach pie." Tilting her head with a smirk.

Giggling again. "Yep. ME!"

"Well then, let's get started." leading Eva and Tessie to the kitchen.

Suddenly, Grace turned when she heard the sounds of a horse racing towards the house. "It can't be that woman again." Now her anger was building. "What nerve?" But as she opened the door, Uncle Newly? What on earth has you in such a hurry."

He was now gasping for breath, swallowing hard. "Gracie, I… I..."

"Whoa, relax, take a breath. Here, come inside and sit down."

Newly was now worn out after riding at such a pace. "Gracie... I… I..."

"Wait, Uncle Newly. Here, have a drink, catch your breath."

Swallowing the shot of whiskey, inhaling deep then releasing his breath and reaching in his shirt pocket. "I… I just received this. It's from the Sheriff in Bucklin."

Nodding, "Ok. Still, why are you so..."

"Gracie, honey, it's about Chet."

Now she stopped. "Chet? What about Chet? Uncle Newly, please?"

Now taking her hand. "Honey, Chet's been shot."

Frozen. "WHAT? SHOT?"

Kitty and Mary dropped what they were doing and rushed into the parlor. "Grace? What is wrong?"

"Momma..." Now turning to face Kitty with tear filled eyes. "He's been shot."

"Newly, what is this about?"

"Miss Kitty, I received a wire from Sheriff Dugan in Bucklin. He says Chet's been shot. Their town doctor removed the bullet and he's recovering. I'm sorry, Gracie. I should have gone instead of Chet."

"Now, Newly, you know this isn't your fault anymore then it's any of our faults. Over the years, I've learned to accept that. How'd this happen? Who shot him?"

"I don't know the details but I'm going to Bucklin. Grace, honey, I promise I'll bring him home."

Dodge City

Jeremy Haines left Burnett and Singleton and started to head for the hotel. But then he decided he needed to talk with Breck Taylor. Entering Breck's office, "Hey, Breck. Got a minute?"

"Sure, old friend. Have a seat." As Haines sat, Breck, being curious but tentative asked. "Coffee?"

"Sure. Had my share of tea."

Handing him the cup. "So, what can I do for you?"

"I need to figure what's going on. Now, don't get me wron. I will represent my clients to the fullest but some things just aren't adding up."

"Such as?"

"The Owen's. The Dillon's."

Smiling at his friend. "Care to share?"

"Well, not sure I should but if I'm going into court I want to understand everything."

"I can try to help. Ask away!"

"Ok. I just came from tea with Jacob Burnett and his..." now hesitating.

"Private investigator?" Breck offered.

"Ah, Umm, yes."

"I know about this Singleton character. He's been walking around Dodge asking questions, lots of questions."

"Ok, so I just want to get all my players in order. I'm not sure I understand. Mr. and Mrs. Owens. They have custody of said girls right?"

"Well, yeah." Breck answered. "Look, Jeremy, what do you know about the situation?"

"At this point, all I know is that Mrs. Burnett had two sisters who are now deceased. First sister was Laura Brooks Owens and second one was Teresa Brooks Webb. Laura had one son, Chet. Teresa had four. Jedidiah, Edmond, Teresa and Eva. Mrs. Burnett came to me with her husband explaining to me that her sister had a past and the family never approved of the man she married. Now the boys are of age but Teresa and Eva were still very young. She felt it best that she and her husband should take custody and petitioned the courts to make the girls wards of them immediately."

"Hmmm, I see. But why now? These girls have been living with and cared for by the Owens and their family for a while."

This is where we differ in our representation. From what I'm told, the girls are living in an unhealthy or shall I say an unsavory situation."

Shaking his head. "You can't be serious. I have known this family for as long as I've been in Dodge."

Nodding, "Well then, you get my point." Haines said.

"No, no I don't. Maybe you'd care to explain. Breck, Singleton has told me what kind of woman Mrs. Dillon is and needless to say if she lived such a..."

"Hey! Wait a minute. Kitty Dillon is a wonderful woman. She is well respected in this town, as is her husband."

"Why she was nothing more than a whor..."

"Et et. Jeremy." Now throwing up his hands. "Chet and Grace Owens are the ones opposing your clients."

"Ah, but the influences around these girls are what the Burnett's are concerned with."

Dillon Ranch

Newly explained to Matt what he'd found out about Chet from the Sheriff in Bucklin. "Newly, I'll go with you."

Shaking his head, "But the hearing…"

Snapping his head harshly. "Ah, yeah. Ok, maybe you can take Festus. You may need help."

"Yeah, you're right."

Newly filled Festus in on what had happened and the two mounted up with supplies, headed for Bucklin.

TBC