PT.10
Surviving The Badlands
Newly and Festus gathered up anything they thought they may need. They had already brought along more horses, thinking if Matt and Kitty were on foot, they would need them. They still weren't sure if they were alone. The owner at the last weigh station didn't know if they had made it to another stop or not, to let off any of the other passengers.
Festus, following the foot trails, led Newly in the direction they went.
As Matt watched the movement coming towards them, he could see three riders, but noticed two of them were a bit too well dressed to be any cowboy he'd ever seen this side of the Mississippi. As they came closer, Ann, looking frightened, said, "Oh, NO! Marshal. That's my husband and his father! And the other man must work for them. I'm not sure."
Matt managed to stand, Stan right beside him. Ann stood behind Stan.
"Well, I thought I'd find you two. It was just a matter of time. Ann, my dear, what a fright you are." Jon Paul said as he scolded Ann.
Ann just cowered and lowered her head.
Matt stepped forward. "Just a minute here."
Quickly, the elder PreJean, waved his hand. "I don't believe anyone was speaking to you."
"Yeah, well, I was speaking to you." Matt answered with a look of disgust and disbelief.
"And you might be?"
"Matt Dillon. United States Marshal."
"Oh, well now, you just might be of some use after all."
"Is that so?" Matt said.
"Yes, my dear man. You can arrest these two!"
"Jon Paul! You can't arrest me or Stan. We haven't done anything illegal."
"Oh, but Ann. You are my property and you are consorting with this…" now pointing to Stan, "this underbelly trash.
Now Kitty's temper got the better of her. "What? Your property!"
"Oh, another country heard from?"
"You, PreJean's haven't change one ioda. Not one!"
"And you, Madam, what would you know of the PreJean's?"
Huffing out a breath. "Well, more then I care to." She glared at him. "And you have a short memory too, I see."
Now looking closer at Kitty. "You do look a tad familiar." Eduard PreJean remarked.
Matt grabbed Kitty's arm. "Kitty, please."
PreJean stopped. "Ummmm… Kitty." Now staring at her. There is something about you…"
"Give it a little thought there, Eduard. It will come to you."
Kitty was seething with disgust at the sight of this man. Matt was trying everything he could not to let her loose.
"Marshal … Dillon, is it? You will do your duty and arrest these two."
"Look, PreJean. If there is a legal charge then yes, but as of yet you haven't given me one."
Jon Paul began to dismount, headed towards Ann. As he did, Stan blocked him and they began to fight. Now the third man reached for his sidearm but before he could, Matt had gun in hand, clicking back the gun barrel. "Don't do it!" Matt was willing to let the two men fight it out man to man. To him it was a personal honor thing.
When Eduard PreJean, watched, he suddenly remembered why Kitty looked familiar and blurted out, "Kathleen! Kathleen Russell! That's it! Wayne Russell's little girl! You know you should have been mine."
Shaking her head. "NO! That would never have happened. Not as long as I breathe."
"Now, Kathleen, when will you see? This is not for you to decide."
"Ohhhh, you… I told you then and I'll tell you now."
Now he laughed a deep barrel laugh as he dismounted. "PreJean's always have what they want."
Kitty was steaming. Matt stepped up between Kitty and Eduard. "Look, PreJean. I don't know how things are done where you come from but the lady wants nothing to do with you. And Kitty," now putting his arm around her shoulder, "is mine."
Kitty, still steaming, just smirked at him. "Eduard, you make me sick." Reaching up, she slapped him.
When he reached to return the slap, Matt, without warning, hurled a punch, landing him flat on the ground.
"Matt! Matt, someone is coming." Off in the distance, Kitty looked, seeing a familiar face. "Oh, Matt. Look. It's Festus and Newly." She whispered. "They found us." Now she began to shed tears but just out of relief.
As PreJean stood, while Matt was distracted, he quickly grabbed Kitty by the hair. "Now! You won't treat me like that again."
"Ahhhh! Matt!"
When Matt turned, PreJean had a gun at Kitty's head. "Now, Marshal. Drop it! Drop it slowly!"
TBC