PT.12

Mother's Love

After a big celebration Kitty had given for Mary and Maylee, the next week seemed very quiet.

Matt had notified Sarah's aunt and uncle, John and Ellen Moore, that he had rescued Sarah from her father, and explained to them everything that took place. After giving enough time to heal from his injuries cause by Sawyer, they came to Dodge on the stage to reclaim Sarah.

Sarah wanted to come into town the night before her Aunt Ellen and Uncle John came in, to have one more night to spend with Kitty. Sitting alone in Kitty's room, Sarah was quiet, then while fiddling with the things on Kitty's vanity table, she turned to Kitty who was sitting on the settee. "Miss Kitty, I'll miss you when I have to go."

Now patting the seat beside her, "Sarah come and sit. You're going to be with your family sweetheart. But maybe when your family gets here we can ask if it would be ok for you to visit. I think Mary would like that. I know I would."

"Really? And maybe you could visit me?"

"I think that can be arranged and I do hope you will write me."

"Oh, yes, Ma'am, I will." Sarah threw her arms around Kitty squeezing her tight. "Thank you."

"Oh, no need to thank me."

"No, really, you did things for me that…well…" Sarah stopped, lowering her eyes. "After what my father did to you and those men…"

"Ssshhhh, Sarah, you had nothing to do with the way they behaved."

"I'm so ashamed, Miss Kitty."

"No, no, don't be. I just want you to grow up and be more of the wonderful young lady you are. Deal?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I promise. Oh, what about all the beautiful things you brought me?"

"What about them sweetheart?" Kitty looked puzzled.

"I guess I can return the dress I'm wearing after I get home? The other things are in my room."

"Sarah Wilson, you will do no such a thing. They are yours."

"But..."

"No, no buts, I insist." Kitty gave her a big warm smile.

"Thank you again." She said once again throwing her arms around Kitty.

Early the next morning, Matt waited for the stage as it pulled into the depot. Not knowing for sure who to look for but there was an elderly gentleman who got off first then he saw a tall thin woman with dark hair and dark eyes step out. He moved quickly to help her then behind her was a man with a tall slender build. "Thank you, Sir for your assistance."

"My pleasure, Ma'am. I'm Matt Dillon, United States Marshal, here in Dodge. Would you be the Moore's?"

"Yes, Marshal." The man replied. "Yes we are. Then it was you who wired us about Sarah?"

Nodding. "Yes, Mr. Moore. Sarah will be happy to see you. She's been through a lot but she's doing good."

"Well, Marshal, where is she?"

"I'll take you to her, Mr. Moore." Matt, showed them to the Long Branch.

"She's in a saloon?" He blurted out.

"Well, she is with Miss Kitty, a friend."

"But in a saloon?" He repeated.

"Sarah stayed outside of town with a woman, Mrs. Bains, but she came in last night. She was anxious for your arrival."

As they approached the batwing doors, Matt reassured them Sarah was never in the saloon during business hours.

Well, Marshal, I hope not."

"No, Ma'am, I can say with certainty she was not. Kitty would never allow that."

When they entered, Sam was stacking glasses behind the bar. "Morning, Sam, Kitty in her room?"

"Morning, Marshal, folks. Yes, Miss Kitty hasn't come down but I know she is awake. I think she is in with Sarah. Shall I get her for you?"

"Thanks, Sam."

Sam headed up the stairs

"Would you folks like to sit? Coffee?" Matt asked.

The two just looked around as if to inspect the place. "No, thank you, Marshal, we'll be stopping for breakfast, then we mean to get the next stage with Sarah."

Matt looked over at John Moore. "So I assume you've recovered from your….."

"Yes. It took some time from what that animal did but our doctor says I'll be just fine."

"Glad to hear that, Mr. Moore."

Then Ellen Moore cleared her throat. "Marshal?"

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"May I ask you, did Jeb Wilson hurt Sarah in any way?"

"Oh, no. Not at all. She was frightened but physically, no."

"Sarah doesn't really remember her father much. See Laura, Sarah's mother is…. was my sister and after he killed her, and we think Sarah witnessed it, we took her to live with us. Marshal how…?"

"How what, Ma'am?" Matt asked.

"How did that man get out of prison?"

"Mrs. Moore, Jeb Wilson and several of his friends planned an escape. He insisted all along he didn't murder his wife but…."

"I know all of that but how can anyone let this happen? Sarah is just a child."

Just as she said that Sarah was at the top of the stairs on the landing. "I'm 14 Aunt Ellen. I'm almost a woman."

"Now dear, child, you have a long way to go to being a woman." She rose up. "Now let me look at you dear. Well now don't you look pretty? Where did you get this dress?"

"Oh, Miss Russell took me shopping. After all, I only had what I was wearing."

"Oh, well there won't be any need for these things at home."

"But Aunt Ellen…."

Just then Kitty followed her down the stairs. "Hello, I'm Kitty Russell. Pleasure to meet you both. It's been a pleasure have Sarah around. It's a credit to you both that she is such a delight."

Ellen Moore couldn't help but notice some of the bruises still on Kitty's face.

Kitty realized what she was staring at then said, "Oh, this isn't as bad as it looks."

Now looking concerned, "Did Jeb do this to you?"

"No, one of his men."
"Oh my!"

"Aunt Ellen, it was Miss Russell who kept me safe from father and his men. She protected Mary and me from them."

"Mary? Who is Mary?"

A bit excited, Sarah said. "Oh, Mary's a baby Aunt Ellen and she's so beautiful."

"Yes, child, all babies are."

"Mrs. Moore, Mary is my god child, the daughter of a friend. She was with me when… when I was taken. They thought she was mine."

"Do you have children, Miss Russell?"

"Oh, no, but I love her as if she were my own." Smiling at the thought.

"Well, Sarah, we need to have breakfast before our stage leaves."

"So soon? Can't we stay a little?"

"No, dear, we need to get back. Uncle John's work calls so we should go now. Thank you, Marshal. Oh, and Miss…"

"Russell," Kitty finished for her.

They took Sarah by the arm, but she pulled away, turning back to Kitty. "Thank you, I will miss you so much. Aunt Ellen, maybe I can come visit the Marshal, Miss kitty and baby Mary some time?"

"Oh, Sarah, I don't know."

"Please."

"We'd love to have her." Kitty added.

"Come dear, we'll discuss this later." And out the door they went.

Kitty turned to Matt but before she could say anything, he said. "Kitty it's her family. There's nothing we can say or do."

"Well I…"

"Et' Et'. No, Kit, leave it alone."

After Sarah and the Moore's finished breakfast, they headed for the depot. Kitty had Festus take Sarah's thing to the depot a head of time. Then she walked down to see her off. "Now, Sarah, you remember what we talked about? You're a wonderful young lady."

"I'll write you as soon as we are home, Miss Kitty."

"I'll look forward to your letter." She kissed Sarah's forehead then hugged her tight. "Bye –bye sweetheart. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have a safe trip."

Thank you."

Matt and Kitty watched as the stage left town. "Matt, I…."

Wrapping his arm around her waist, "I know, Kitty, I know!"

And they walked off together!

TBC