Ranch Life 20
I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.
MKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMK
Max stood in the alley shadows across from Doc's, watching the door at the top of the staircase. The woman had entered that door and he was waiting for her to come back out. Hopefully, with out the boy. It would make things a lot easier for him if she was alone.
Though he couldn't tell time, he did have a pretty good sense of that particular measurement and he knew if she didn't come out soon, he would have to leave and return to Jack and the carnival.
A small of knot of guilt pressed on him as he thought of Jack. The man had been like a father to him, since he had joined the carnival 10 years ago at the age of 14, and he hated the thought of disappointing him again but he didn't think he would be able to help himself.
This woman, like several others, had attracted him from the first moment he had laid eyes on her. But unlike the others, he was determined to do things right this time.
Though he had only been with a woman a few times before in his life, he remembered what it had felt like to lay with them and he wanted that feeling again. The women had only been whores that Jack had hired for him, but he still couldn't forget the sweet feelings they had engendered.
He just knew this woman would do the same for him, if only he could get to her.
Looking at the angle of the sun overhead, he knew he should leave and return to the carnival, but she hadn't come back out yet and he needed to see her again. Patiently, he settled down to wait just a little longer.
MKMKMKMKMKMK
Matt stood in Ma's front parlor holding a cup of coffee and watching anxiously out the window to the street beyond, looking for Kitty. He had promised to back off a little in his zeal to protect her, and he was trying, but it was proving to be easier said than done.
Mentally calculating the time it would take for her and the boy to go to Doc's and back, and allowing enough time for a visit, he figured it would be at least another half hour before she would return. Another half hour to worry and wait. Taking a deep breath, he decided he would endure that half hour without a whimper, but if she didn't return after that, he was going after her.
MKMKMKMKMKMK
"Oh my God," Tompkins uttered. "You really do exist."
Kitty stepped closer to his bedside. "I beg your pardon." She said a little confused. "What do you mean, I really do exist?"
Before answering her, Tompkins looked over at his son. "Luke, would you go on out and visit with the doctor for a while. Me and the lady here need to talk some."
Luke's gaze traveled from his father to Kitty and then back. He didn't want to leave but he never disobeyed his pa. "Yes, Sir," he answered, as he quietly turned and left the room.
When the door closed Kitty turned back to Tompkins, "I have a feeling I'm missing something here. Want to tell me what that is?"
Tompkins stared at her for a moment longer before speaking.
Feeling a little self conscious at his scrutiny, Kitty moved away from the bed and sat down in the chair across from it.
Tompkins finally found his voice as she did so. "I reckon Luke told ya he knows ya, or at least that he thinks he does."
Kitty nodded. "He said something about me coming to him in his dreams."
Tompkins looked away for a moment before speaking. "He's been talking about her since he was old enough to talk. At first I didn't know what to make of it. I guess I figured he'd grow out of it or something. But he never did, and he always swore that when things was bad she would come to him, help him out. I hate to admit it, but there's been a lot more bad times than good ones."
Tompkins looked back at Kitty; certain he would see condemnation in her expression. But instead he saw curiosity and compassion. "Anyway," he continued, "like I said anytime something would go bad he'd have one his dreams and sure enough things would turn around for a spell. I never really believed in her like Luke does, but sometimes it did make me wonder."
Kitty was a just a bit baffled. "Mr. Tompkins, I'm afraid I don't understand. Who is this woman?"
"I don't know," Tompkins answered. "At first I thought he was just rememberin' his ma. But when he described her I knew it couldn't be her. She had blond hair and green eyes."
"You don't mean to tell me, that you believe some mystery woman is visiting your son in his dreams?" Kitty was flabbergasted at the thought.
Tompkins gave her a sober glance. "I don't know, Ma'am," he told her. "Till you walked in I didn't think they was a woman anywhere that looked the way he described her. But here you are, so maybe he does have a guardian angel or something. One that looks just like you."
MKMKMKMKMKMK
Max stood back in the alley, waiting a little less patiently then he had before. He should've already returned to the carnival, but she hadn't come out. He didn't want to leave with out at least seeing her.
Taking one more look up at the top of the staircase, he saw the door open and the woman and boy both stepped out. He was disappointed that she hadn't left the boy behind, but he wasn't concerned. The boy would be no obstacle to getting her. None at all.
As soon as the woman cleared the stairs and started off down the street, he followed.
MKMKMKMKMKMK
For the fifth time in 10 minutes, Matt looked at the clock on the mantle of Ma's fireplace. It had been long enough and yet Kitty and Luke still hadn't returned. His patience was worn thin and his anxiety had increased ten fold. Telling himself there was nothing to worry about, had stopped working for him shortly after he had begun it.
"Ma," he called as he headed for the door.
Ma stepped out of the kitchen. "Did you need me?" she answered.
"Yes," he answered, "I'm going to go and check on something. Would you mind watching my kids for a little bit?"
Ma gave him an understanding nod. "Not at all." She answered. "You just go and make sure Kitty is alright."
Matt looked a little embarrassed that his feelings were so plain to see. Grabbing his hat, he took off to find his wife.
TBC