The Ties That Bind

PT.10

Matt returned to the hotel to find his girls cuddled together sound asleep. Trying to lightly pull the cover up over them.

Kitty began to stir. "Cowboy?"

"Ah, sorry. I didn't want to wake you."

"No, no, I was waiting for you and just wanting to see she got to sleep. Ssshh, let's go in the other room." Slowly, she lifted Mary and laid her on the pillow and they walked into the adjoining room.

"Matt, all the paperwork is finished, right?"

"Well, yeah, pretty much."

"Good." She said handing him a glass. "I want to take Mary home right away. The sooner the better that I get her as far from this place as I can."

"Well, Kit, not so fast."

Raising her brow, "Why?"

"Kit, there's still the charge to be dealt with."

"Oh, Matt. You can't be serious. That lunatic tried to kill us. You and Sheriff Daly know that."

"Yeah, but now, Kit, just wait a minute."

Now her jaw dropped and her hands were on her hips. "Matt Dillon! Don't you dare 'Now Kit' me. Are you doubting me about what happened out there?"

Shaking his head, rolling his eyes, taking three large steps amd placing his hands on her shoulders. "Ah, no, Honey, of course not. But we have to follow procedure. A judge will be here day after tomorrow. We'll explain it all to him and…"

"Oh? And that can't be done in a statement?"

"UGH, Kitty Russell! You are sooo…"

Now staring at him, "Go on. What?"

"Nothing. Just forget it."

"Well, Marshal Dillon, since I'm soooo… I'll go." Now walking towards Mary's door.

"Where you going?" He asked.

"I wouldn't want you to have to spend the night with someone who was sooo. UGH!" She entered Mary's room closing the door.

Matt just shook his head, running is hand through his hair. "Women!"

Matt was up early and at Sheriff Daly's office. "Morning, John."

"Ah, Matt. You're up early."

"Yeah, didn't sleep well so I figured I'd get an early start. Wanted to check with you on the arrival of the circuit court Judge."

"Should be here on the morning stage, Matt. What's wrong, Matt? You look troubled more than …"

"Ah, John, Kitty just wants this over . She wants to take Mary home."

"Ah, I see."

Kitty and Mary woke, not seeing Matt around. Mary questioned Kitty. "Momma? Didn't Matt come back last night?"

"Oh, I'm sure he did but since you and I were sleeping he probably left us sleep. Let's just order."

Mary looked up, seeing Leticia and Margaretha. "Momma, look. It's that woman. The one who was out at that place with us."

Kitty looked over her shoulder. Letty started walking towards their table. Suddenly, Margaretha grabbed her arm. "No, Letty girl. No."

This didn't escape Kitty's notice.

"Good morning, Leticia." Mary said, smiling at her. Mary got up walking towards her before Kitty could stop her. "How are you?" Now looking at Margaretha, "Hello."

Letty looked at her mother. "Ma, this is Mary, Mary Russell. She is the young girl I told you about. Mary, this is my ma."

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am."

Margaretha just nodded. "Letty girl, we should go, NOW."

"Ok, Mary, we're going to get a table over here. Bye."

Mary just stared at Letty. Kitty watched the two and she studied the two standing together.

While they were eating, Matt noticed them through the window and entered. "Good morning, Ladies. How are my girls this morning?"

"Morning, Matt." Mary smiled.

Kitty just raised a brow. "We're fine."

Matt noticed Letty and her mother across the room. Kitty saw him glance over and then back at her. "Matt? Is there anything you want to tell me?" She asked with a smirk.

He knew Kitty and her instincts. "Kit, we need to have a private talk."

"Is that a fact?"

"KIT…"

She just gave him a twisted smile.

"Momma, do you think maybe we could have a picnic, just the three of us? You know down by that cute little lake you and I went to when we first came here."

"Oh, Mary. I… I…"

"We could get some of that great fried chicken from here. Oh, please? Matt, you'll love it. It's not as good as Momma's but, please?"

"Kitty, how can we say no to this face? Matt grinned,holding Mary's face in his large hand."

"Look, you set it up while I take care of a few things and I'll meet my favorite girls back at the room."

Mary quickly jumped up rushing towards the kitchen, not giving Kitty a chance to object. "Matt…"

"Kit, Look at her. She's happy."

"We need to talk."

"And we will. I promise we will. I need to take care of something. I'll see you two in a bit."

Matt was headed back to John's office when Letty stopped him just outside on the boardwalk. "Marshal? Marshal Dillon, got a minute?"

"Sure, Letty. You alright?"

"Marshal, can we go somewhere in private?"

"Sure. I have a room at the hotel. Come on."

Matt led her to the hotel. Once in the room, "Now. What is it?"

"Marshal, Ma didn't want me to come here but I had to. Now that Pa is, well, Pa is dead, Marshal, she's my…"

"Letty? What are you saying?"

"Marshal, I want the chance to spend some time with Mary."

"What?"

"Wait. Wait. I know she's not mine anymore but now that I saw her, I want to get to know her, see who she is, who she has become."

"Now, Letty, Mary has had a good life. I found her a good home like you asked me to and she is happy and healthy. Are you saying you want to tell her now that you're her ma?"

"I don't know."

"Letty, Mary's been through a lot this last year. You know she would have a lot of questions? Are you ready to answer those questions? Did you think this through? Letty, I understand how you're feeling. You gave birth to Mary. But this isn't just going to affect you."

Letty began to cry. "Oh, I don't know." She stood up and ran out of the room. "Letty? Letty, wait. Where are you going?"

Matt ran out after her then the door to the adjoining room opened.

TBC