Hearts Rediscovered

PT.10

Slightly stirring to the small beams of light, peaking through the lace curtains along with the warm breeze. Kitty snuggled closer. Then she opened her eyes, seeing Matt, smiling down at her brushing the small curls away from her face.

"Good morning." Leaning down, he kissed her forehead.

In her sultry morning voice, "Ah, good morning. You are here."

"Uh huh. I'm here."

Closing her eyes. "I thought I was dreaming."

Letting out a small chuckle. "No. I'm here. I'm here, Honey."

"Oh, Matt. What are we doing?"

Puzzled. "What? Kitty Russell, I don't think I need to explain." He was now teasing her.

Swatting at him, "Matt. I'm serious."

"Kit, Honey, I…I…" Now sitting himself up. "Kit what? What am I missing?"

"Oh, Cowboy, we can't do this."

"Kitty, I love you. I need you. I never stopped loving you and last night you said... well..."

Throwing her head back, "Oh yes, Matt, I know. I know what I said and I meant every word. I love you too. I never stopped loving you. I didn't leave you in Dodge because I didn't love you, Cowboy. Just the opposite. I left because I loved you so much. But, Matt, this... this here... this is what we do. Like it's the answer to everything."

"Well, Kit, you got to admit we..."

Shaking her head and huffing out a chuckle. "Yeah, that's my point. But Matt…"

"Kit, Honey. Please. I lost you once and I'm not going to lose you again. I don't care what it takes. Look, I'll finish my deal here with Castor and Carter then we'll get tickets to go home. What do ya say?"

Furrowing her brow, tilting her head. "What? What... Wait a minute. Matt, what are you saying?"

"Come home with me, Kitty. We can be together."

"Ohhhhh… Uh, Matt, I…"

"What, Kit? Please? What? What's wrong?"

"Matt, this is my home and I have a business here. I can't just pick up and walk off, leave just like that."

"Kitty, it's just a house."

"And my business?"

Now twisting his face. "Well, it never stopped you when you up and left me in Dodge."

Spinning around, her jaw tight. "Matt Dillon, that's not fair!"

"But it's true. You did."

Pursing her lips together and shaking her head. "OHHHH, Matt! Matt, I can't leave Mathe..." Now her voice dropped off.

Stepping close, "Honey, I know this is a lot to think about and I know you'll have to make some arrangements. But please, Kitty, I can't lose you or us again. Look, I have another meeting today. Can we talk more about this when I come back? Please? Just think about it." He wrapped his arms around her as she rested her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. It was the heartbeat she had so longed to hear beating. "Ok, Honey?"

"Uh huh..."

Matt dressed and headed out to his meeting with Castor and Carter to sign the final papers on their deal.

Kitty dressed and headed down stairs, meeting Maggie in the kitchen.

"Top of the mornin' to ya, Miss Kitty. It's a fine mornin'. You sure have the rosy color in your cheeks."

Placing her hands on her cheeks and lowering her gaze. "Good morning, Maggie."

"Will I be cooking for two this fine mornin'?" Maggie asked, now smirking with her brow raised.

"No. As a matter of fact, I won't be having breakfast either."

Maggie just fluttered around, smiling. "Handsome fella he is, I say. Handsome fella."

Kitty just shook her head. She knew Maggie was in her own way teasing. "Maggie, I'll be gone for a bit today. I have some errands. When Matt comes back tell him I went to Charlotte's."

"Yes, Ma'am. I sure will."

Kitty did some shopping then made her way to the café. It was between breakfast and lunch so not too busy. "Ah, Aunt Kitty. I hope everything was ok. You left in such a hurry."

Char. Thad, it's ok. Just some damage at St. Ann's but its being taken care of. Actually, I wanted to talk with you and Charlotte. Please, come, both of you sit." As the three sat at a small table, Kitty reached for their hands. "Thad, Char. You both have been doing a wonderful job here with the café. Thad, you are even getting to the point you don't even need my help with the paper work end anymore."

Looking with question, "Aunt Kitty? Where are you going with this? Why do I feel we are about to lose you?"

"Oh now, Thad, you'll never lose me. Well, not completely. Maybe I should start over."

"Ok, we're listening."

Clearing her throat, "Thad, well… Char you won't remember but Thad you remember Marshal Dillon from Dodge?"

"Yeah, of course. He was here yesterday. He was worried when you left upset."

"Yes, Thad, he caught up with me at St. Ann's. Thad, Matt Dillon... he is... He is Matthew's…" She now closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Kitty had not talked about Matthew with anyone since he died.

"Aunt Kitty, are you alright?"

Nodding, "Yeah, yeah. He's Matthew's father."

"Aunt Kitty, I always knew the two of you were close but I never asked you anything when you came here. I thought you'd tell me when you were ready."

Seeing the pain in her eyes, "Oh, Aunt Kitty. You still love him." Charlotte added.

Swallowing hard, nodding. "Yes." She managed to get out. "We talked all night. He's asked me to come to Arizona Territory. He has a ranch there."

"Yes! Aunt Kitty if you love him, go! Thad told me about your life in Dodge and..."

"Char…"

"Oh, never mind about that. I think it's wonderful that after all these years the love is still there. Aunt Kitty you can't let go; not now when you've found one another again. There's a reason you two found each other again. Don't worry about us. We'll be fine."

Huffing out a breath, "I never doubted that." Kitty laughed. "Look, I'll stay on as a silent partner. If you need help you know where I am. I'll be here. Now one more thing."

They both looked at her, having no idea what was coming. They spoke together. "What's that?"

"Relax, it's nothing bad." Smiling at them, "A little bird told me the two of you are thinking of starting a family."

"Aw, Aunt Kitty. How'd you hear that? We were just tossing it around. Maybe in a year or two when we can…"

"What? Move out of the rooms upstairs?" Kitty finished. "Well, I've got the answer to that. It's already taken care of. There's a perfectly good house just a few blocks away and no one will be living there. Well, not til you two move in."

Thad and Charlotte looked at Kitty then at one another. "We can't!"

"Why not?" Kitty asked.

"It's yours."

"That's right and I'm giving it to the two of you."

"But…"

"Et et. No argument. I just expect you to fill those rooms with the pitter patter of little feet."

They both blushed. "I'll try, Aunt Kitty." Thad added.

Charlotte laughed. "Will you?"

Kitty grinned. "Now I'm off. I have errands."

St. Ann's

Kitty was headed to Father McKenna's office to finish their conversation about repairs on Matthew's headstone. As she passed by the gate, she noticed a figure sitting on the ground in front of the grave. Stopping, she could see it was a young girl. Walking towards her, she spoke quietly. "Hello."

Startled, "Uh... I…I…" The girl jumped, looking scared.

"Whoa. Wait. Wait a minute."

Stopping, I… I… I'm sorry." The young girl shrieked, curling back. "I didn't see or hear you."

Nodding her head. "I know. And I didn't mean to frighten you. Who are you?"

"I… I… I am Maranda."

"Well, hello, Maranda. I'm Kitty." Furrowing her brow, "Maranda, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I wasn't hurting anything. I promise. I just come to visit the baby, Matthew."

Treading lightly, "Maranda? Why do you visit Matthew?"

Maranda began to cry. "It's my fault he's here."

Kitty couldn't breathe. It was as if she were kicked in the stomach. But it made no sense. "Maranda? What? What are you saying? How could it be your fault?" Kitty began to shake. "It was ten years ago. You couldn't have been more then..."

"I was eleven, almost twelve. I was so hungry. Me and Aaron, we were all alone. We were living in the alley. He promised to get me… us, something to eat. He told me to hide under the crates. He just wanted enough money to get some food. But he said when he grabbed the bag, she fell. Then he saw she was in the family way. He got so scared and ran. The next day we heard some men say the lady from the café was hurt. And Aaron said that was the lady... Then when I came to see Father McKenna, I saw the burial and I just knew. So I came here and I seen his name. Matthew. And when he was born and that he lived only three days. You're his Momma? Aaron never meant to hurt you or this little baby. He didn't even know you were... Until you fell..." Maranda took a breath. "I come here every year on his birthday and when I can I bring little gifts. Sometimes it's little things I make."

Kitty stood stunned.

"I came today because I got a job and might not make it here for his birthday this year. The rooming house in town, I'll be cleaning the rooms. I know nothing I can say or do will ever change what happened but I am sorry. Please forgive me, Ma'am."

Kitty helped her stand then hugged her. "Maranda, you did nothing wrong. Thank you for coming and visiting with Matthew. Maranda, where are you and Aaron staying?"

"Oh, Ma'am, I'm staying at the rooming house where I'll be working."

"And Aaron?"

"Oh, Ma'am, Aaron is dead."

Kitty just tilted her head in question.

"Yes, Ma'am. He had got a job down on the fishing boats and was killed in an accident."

"Sweetheart, do you have any family?"

"I don't know, Ma'am. It's always been just me and Aaron as long as I can remember. I gotta go now." Quickly, she ran off.

"Maranda!" Kitty called. But the girl was gone.

TBC