PT.10
Good Luck Charm

Jenny packed up whatever she could for herself and the boys, and loaded up the wagon. She, Kitty and the boys decided they'd ride together while Matt and Festus rode along on Buck and Ruth.

Caleb and Aaron took a quick liking to Festus. Part of the way he even let them take turns riding with him on Ruth. Kitty continued to ask Jenny about her life on the farm before the incident with the Bonner brothers.

Jenny went on to tell her. "Well, Caleb and I, we moved out this way about ten years ago to homestead. Caleb had farming in his blood. His pa was a farmer. It's all he knew. He wanted to build something for our boys, but I guess now…"

"Oh, Jenny. This part of the country is a hard life. But you and the boys, you're going to be just fine. I know it! We'll find something for you in Dodge. You're sure a great cook."

Caleb yelled out, "Ma is a great cook."

"Yes she is." Kitty agreed.

"Oh, and I can sew some."

"Well then. I'm sure you'll have no problem at all."

"Ma, maybe you can even fix up Miss Russell's dress fur her?" Aaron said.

"Oh, sweetheart, this old thing…"

Jenny looked at Kitty. "Why, Miss Kitty," feeling the fabric, "this is just beautiful. But I'm sure I could repair it for you. It'd be no problem at all. I'd be happy to."

They stopped at a near by town to get supplies for the rest of the trip and Matt sent a telegram on to Doc.

Doctor G. Adams, Dodge City, Kansas
Found Kitty. Basically alright. Will be in Dodge in a day or two. Want you to be waiting.
Matt

Barney received the wire and stopped what he was doing to run it right over to Doc, knowing its importance.

Doc was at the Long Branch. He and Sam were wondering when they'd hear something from Matt. Newly was getting restless about wanting to get up and go join them in search for Kitty. Barney ran first to Doc's office, to Delmonico's, then to the Long Branch. "Doc! Doc!"

"Slow down, Barney. What in thunder…?"

"Doc, here, it's from the Marshal. He found Miss Kitty."

"Is that right? Anything else you want to tell me?" Shaking his head.

After reading the wire, Sam saw a smile come across his face. "Doc, is Miss Kitty alright?"

"I think so, Sam. But Matt says he wants me to be waiting."

Two days later, Matt, Festus, Kitty, Jenny and her boys pulled into Dodge. "Ahhhh, Matt," closing her eyes. "Home. You don't know how…" Then she just inhaled.

The boys jumped down and started to run around. It had been a long time since they'd been in a town.

"Don't you boys go runnin' off now, ya hear?"

"Yes, Ma."

"I'll keep a eyeball on em', Miz Baldwin." Festus said.

Kitty smiled. "Jenny they're in good hands with Festus."

"Oh, Miss Kitty, it's Festus, I'm worried about." Matt and Kitty both laughed.

Sam and Doc came hurrying out when they heard the commotion. Sam wrapped his arms around Kitty, not thinking. "Miss Kitty, we sure were worried about you."

"Ah, Sam, thank you, but I'm just fine."

"I'll be the judge of that, Young Lady." A voice said from behind her.

Taking a deep breath, "Now, Doc…"

"NO! Kitty, I don't want any arguments. If I have to have that Big Lug of a civil servant carry you up stairs, I'm going to check you over, end of discussion."

She turned to Matt, rolled her eyes. "How do I know your behind this, Cowboy?"

Matt just threw up his hands. "I'm out of this. But, Kit…"

"Oh, alright. Oh, Doc, this is Jenny Baldwin. Jenny, this is Doctor Adams. He's…" She stopped for a minute and gave Doc a look. "Never mind."

Doc chimed in, "I keep these two in line."

Then Kitty, in a sarcastic tone added, "Yes, Father."

"That will be enough out of you, young lady. Now upstairs."

As they walked away, Jenny leaned to Matt. "Marshal? Is Doctor Adams, Miss Kitty's father?"

Smiling, "No, Jenny. No. Kitty will explain later. Let's get you set up over at Ma Smalley's with the boys. She's a friend. Then we can talk to someone later about your place if you like."

"Marshal, you and Miss Kitty are being so nice."

"Glad we can help."

Upstairs of the Long Branch in Kitty's room, Kitty was quiet. Then Doc broke the silence. "Honey? Do you want to talk about anything?"

"How much do you know, Curly?" She was fiddling with her fingers and wouldn't look at him.

"Nothing really."

"Can we leave it that way?"

"We can but is that a good idea?" Slowly, he noticed her eyes filling up with tears and she turned away from him. Moving closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Kitty, honey? What? What happened out there? You know whatever you say to me is just between us."

"Ah, Curly, it was like reliving the nightmare all over again."

"What nightmare?"

"Bonner! Bonner, Doc."

"No, Kitty, honey, he went to prison and was hung."

"No! No, Doc, he wasn't!" She screamed. "He was there."

"Kitty, maybe you should tell me from the beginning."

Kitty began to shake, then sat on the settee. Doc sat beside her holding her hands. With tear-filled eyes, "Doc, that cowboy, the one that shot Rudy, his name was Dawson, so I thought. After we left here, we ended up in some cave like place, then he tied me up and tried to..."

"Kitty?"

Shaking her head, "No, I kicked him, kicked him hard." Now smiling, "Knocked him out. Found a way to get myself loose, tied him up, hog-tied him, actually." Smiling again. "Matt taught me that. Then I ran. Anyway, I thought I was ok. I came across two little boys by a river." Smiling again, "They were trying to fish. They took me back to their farmhouse and this Dawson showed up there."

"How, Honey?"

"It turns out, Sergeant Holly set him loose."

"Sergeant Holly?"

Waving her hands and shaking her head, "Long story, Curly. Also the boys pa was there, or so I thought. Then the nightmare began."

"How's that, Honey?"

"Bonner!"

"Bonner?"

"Jude Bonner in the flesh! Turns out this Dawson fella is a younger brother of Jude Bonner. They dragged me into the barn and were going to…"

"Ah, Honey, are you…"

"Next thing I knew, there were gunshots. I fell and when I looked up, Sergeant Holly was holding me and Matt, Festus and Jenny were all standing there. Jude and Dawson were on the ground."

"Jude Bonner?"

"Oh, he's dead."

"And Dawson?"

"Jail. Matt is making sure he stays there till he hangs for Rudy's murder and shooting Newly."

"Kitty, Honey, I'm so sorry. Come, let me make sure you're ok."

"Doc, I really thought they were going to…"

"NO! Don't you think about that. It didn't happen and it won't happen. Now you just put that right out of your mind."

He proceeded to check her over and make certain she was okay and wrapped her ribs where she was bruised. Gave her ointment for the cuts and prescribed lots of rest and TLC. "And I will make sure that Big Lug knows to take it easy on you too."

"Oh, Curly."

He lowered his eyes, rubbed his mustache, then told her to get some rest.

"Curly, what I need right now is a hot bath and a pillow and about a weeks worth of sleep."

"Good, you do that." He said as he left.

Kitty did sleep for about two days straight through. Sam made sure no one bothered her but checked on her often.

After she finally woke, she checked up on Jenny and the boys. She decided to call on Sarah Carr and talk to her about Jenny. Sarah had gotten so busy, she needed help with sewing. She agreed to take Jenny on at her shop. That worked out well.

Matt talked to Mr. Botkin at the bank about helping her sell her farm and buying a small house just at the edge of town. And it was just right for the boys to get into school. Jenny had been home-schooling them.

Over the next week or so, Kitty was healing fairly well. Matt had gone to the trial for Dawson. He was convicted and hung for Rudy's murder. This would put Kitty's mind to rest.

Once Matt returned, Kitty wondered why she didn't see too much of him for a day or so. But she figured it was all the trial paper work or other issues and she was busy getting caught up with things at the Long Branch. A few times she caught Matt and Sam with their heads together. Then once, she saw him huddled, talking to Jenny and Sam. But when she approached them they disbursed saying they had things to do.

Kitty made her way to Doc's office, tapping lightly on the door.

"It's open. Kitty?"

Slowly stepping inside, with a frown, he knew right off something was wrong. "Honey, what is it?"

"Curly, got a minute?"

"For you, sure."

"Curly, have you noticed since I… we've been back… ummmmm…"

"What, Honey?"

"I don't know. Matt, he's distant. Something is going on with him and Sam."

Doc started to laugh.

"Oh, Curly. Stop. I'm serious. And just now I saw Matt, Sam and Jenny all huddled together and when I got close, they all scattered. I've hardly seen Matt at all."

"Good, he followed my orders." He said smirking.

"Curly, do you think he…"

"Oh, Honey, no, not at all. You get that right out of that pretty head of yours. That big lug loves you. And if you tell him I said that, I'll deny it. Come on, buy me a beer?"

"Oh, you sound like Festus, more every day." Laughing at him.

"Oh, that's real nice. Thanks a lot."

They walked arm in arm back to the Long Branch.

Later, Kitty sat quietly in her office, working on the books but not concentrating very well. Then Sam called to her. "Miss Kitty. Mrs. Baldwin is here to see you."

"Be right out, Sam." As she came out, "Hello, Jenny, what can I do for you? Please sit."

"Oh, Miss Kitty, I can't. But I need you to come with me, please. I have just finished a dress, I have had in mind just for you, and I want you to see it and try it on. It's over at Miss Sarah's. I know you're busy, but please?"

"Well, I'm not that busy. Just can't seem to concentrate today."

"Good. Come, I think you'll love it."

They headed across Front Street and around the corner. At the shop, Sarah was waiting. "Hello, Kitty."

"Sarah?"

"Jenny is a wonder with a needle and thread. Wait till you see what she has done."

"Ok."

Jenny came from the back with a beautiful blue dress she designed just for Kitty. It perfectly complimented her eyes. "Here, please try it on."

"Oh, Jenny, it's just beautiful. I don't know what to say?"

"Come on, try it on?"

Kitty went behind the screen. When she came out, it was perfect. It fit her like a glove. Jenny smiled from ear to ear!

"Jenny, how'd you do this? How'd you know my…"

"Well, when I repaired your dress, I measured." She dropped her eyes.

"Oh, it's ok. I love it. Thank you."

Kitty started to go behind the screen again. "NO! Don't! I want you to wear it!"

"Oh, but, Jenny, it's…"

"Please?"

"Well, I guess it will be ok." Kitty couldn't figure out why she was so insistent.

"Oh, Miss Kitty? Do you think I could ask you a favor? I'm really swamped here with Sarah. Could you take Caleb and Aaron from the house to Ma Smalley's? She's gonna keep them for me till we finish the fitting for the Walter's wedding."

"Oh, of course, Jenny. I'd be happy to."

Those boys, I just don't trust them to go straight there on their own." She said smiling.

"Don't worry, I've got it covered." Kitty went to the house and delivered the boys. Of course the boys kept her busy along the way, which they were told to do.

Then they got to Ma's and Ma persuaded Kitty to have coffee. "Miss Kitty, how'r you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Ma. Ma, thanks for the coffee but I really need to be getting back. Good night."

"Good night, Miss Kitty."

When she finally returned to the Long Branch, "Sam, I'll be right down. Just need to check on something."

"Take your time. I got things covered, Miss Kitty."

She climbed the stairs, crossed the landing. When she opened the door to her room, she instantly knew something was different.
TBC