Settling on the grass with poles in hand, Kitty opened the little can of worms Chester had gifted her that morning. Pulling out a squirming creature, she set it on her hook.

"You shouldn't touch that, Aunt Kitty." Thad wrinkled his eyebrows in protest, "It's slimy!"

"Well, you watch real close and learn how to do it yourself then I won't have too." she replied, with a grin. "Handing over the smaller pole, she nodded. "See how I did that? Now you try."

"Okay…" He was unsure but willing, carefully picking a long fat one.

"Hey, that's not bad!" Kitty praised, reaching to secure it when he gave her a sideways glance. "Not bad at all for the first time."

"Mr. and Mrs. Kelk said they'd help me learn how to be a farmer." his eyes lit up for a moment. "I just wish mom was here…" His eyebrows wrinkled again. "She sent me away real fast, Aunt Kitty. She forgot to tell me when she was coming…"

"Umm, Thad…" The redhead's face fell. "I-I need to tell you something…"

"What is it, Aunt Kitty?"

"Well, um…" she tried again. "Thad, you're mama sent you to me, to the Kelks, because she thought something bad could happen to her…and something did, sweetheart." Tears filled her eyes. She wished Matt were here to help her, to hold her while she told her godson all the secrets his mother had so viciously guarded.

"W-what is it, Aunt Kitty?" his heartbeat quickened.

"Your mama is dead, honey." she whispered softly.

"What?" Thad jolted.

"I-it was your Pa that did it, Thad." Biting her lip hard, she wondered if that was the right thing to say.

"My—" he shook his head in confusion. "But, mama said—"

"I know, sweetheart. She was protecting you." Kitty paused to control herself again. "He's not dead from a shootout…he's been in prison all your life for killing and robbery and, and, just terrible stuff." She drew a deep breath. "Thad, you know that your mama and I used to work together, don't ya?"

"Yes, ma'am." He let a tiny whimper slip as the truth settled into his gut.

"Well, we met your Pa back then." she leaned in to hold him, unable to keep a trace of bitterness out of her voice. "His name is Tucker Farrin, sweetheart, and your mama—you know how big her heart was—well, she wanted to believe the best in him was true…or could be true…"

"But you didn't?" he guessed.

"I guess my heart just isn't quite as big as your mama's was, Thad." she chuckled, holding him tighter.

"That's not true, Aunt Kitty." he buried his face into her dress. "You're my favorite person in the whole world…other than Mama."

"Oh, Thad…" she bit her lip again, unsure if she was about to laugh or cry.

"Didn't you tell Mama he was bad?" Thad looked up at her.

"Yeah…" she looked away, not wanting to tell him about the fights, not wanting to remember them. "Your mama had a big heart, Thad. And your Pa didn't tell her everything. She wanted to believe what he told her and I hurt her when I said different—at least until she was pregnant with you."

"Your mama had to leave work, you know…" she continued, "so I got her a nice place to stay while she waited for you to come." She smiled slightly, caressing his shoulders, "Your Pa was in prison by then, honey, for all the terrible things he'd done, so she got to raise you safely until…a couple weeks ago, when she heard he'd broken out." She drew in a ragged breath. "She thought he might try to hurt you, Thad. and her, so she sent you to me."

"Is that why Marshal Dillon came with you this morning? Is he looking for my Pa? Is that why I'm staying here, with the Kelks, instead of in town with you?"

"Yes, honey."

"Do you think he wants to kill me too?" Thad asked.

"I-I don't know, honey…" she looked uncertain. "He might be looking to take you with him."

"Well, I won't go! Not if he killed Mama!" he cried, looking stubborn as he squeezed her arm. "I won't let him hurt you either, Aunt Kitty. I know he's angry with you but you were right to keep him away from me, even if he is my blood Pa…and I hope he rots in jail!"

"It's best to leave that part to Marshal Dillon, honey." Kitty smiled tightly as she leaned in to embrace him.

"Aunt Kitty?" He was suddenly worried.

"Yes, honey?"

"Where's my Mama now?"

"I-I…" Her body trembled. "She's buried back in St. Louis, honey…right near where the two of you lived."

"You sure?"

"I paid for the spot myself." she hugged him again. "Would you like to go back someday and see?"

"Yes, ma'am." he nodded earnestly. Then, after a pause, he added, "But only after I see my Pa in Marshal Dillon's jail."

"Oh Thad…"


Matt rode up to the Kelk's as the sun dipped below the trees, smiling softly when he saw Kitty and Thad helping with evening chores.

"You thinking about being a farmer's gal?" he asked, pulling her around the corner of the barn. Kissing quickly, he felt like a fugitive.

"Only if you're thinking of becoming a farmer." she gripped him in a tight hug. "Tell me you found Farrin and took him back to jail already, Matt."

"I wish, honey." he kissed her again, feeling the tension in her body. "Easy, Kit. I'm here, sweetheart. I'll be here all night."

"I missed you today." She bit her lip to get control of herself but tears sprang into her eyes. "Telling Thad what happened was the most awful thing I've ever done. It brought everything back. The only thing that held me together was how he took it. He was quite a man about it, Matt. I'm so proud of him."

"I'm proud of him too."

"I told him I'd take him to see her grave." Her voice was soft.

"And you will." he nodded. "I'll go with you if you need me."

"Thank you…" she gave him a teary smile. "He wants to see his Pa in your jail first though…"

"That's an important thing to us guys, you know," Matt answered, sighing, "to see those who hurt the ones we love punished for their misdeeds." His voice was low in her ear as he gently guided her forward. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's help finish the chores before they catch us."

"Matt Dillon!" she spun out of his grasp, hands on her hips. "You act like you don't want to get caught kissing around the back of the barn."

"No guy wants that, Kitty."

He pulled her close for another quick kiss then led her into the open just as Thad was leading the Kelks up the front steps.

"Marshal Dillon!" The boy immediately changed course and tore across the yard. "Aunt Kitty—"

"Sounds like you were quite the man today." Matt squatted to grip his shoulders. "I'm proud of ya, son."

"We saw your horse." Horace said, as he and Mattie came up. "Thought we'd give you a minute to yourselves."

"Thanks." the Marshal grinned.

"Supper will be gettin' cold if we don't get on inside though." Mattie briskly turned to another topic.

"Did you see any trace of my Pa today, Marshal?" Thad asked, once dinner was under way.

"Not yet, son." Matt spoke gently. "He might not be in the area yet though."

"You get him when he comes!"

"Thad…" Kitty felt her big beau's eyes on her, pleading that she wouldn't let him become bitter.

"I will, son." The Marshal cut the Kelks a look, silently asking them to change the subject.

"You're welcome to stay in the house tonight, Marshal." Horace ignored the cringe look from his wife.

"I think bunking out in the barn will be more productive." Matt smiled gently, willing himself not to look at Kitty; he missed her already. "Thank you though."

oooooo

Farrin opted to forgo a fire, snacking on the cold jerky and beer he'd bought in town as he mulled over his day. It seemed like he'd circled ten homesteads from afar but saw neither a little boy nor a gorgeous redhead.

Damnable luck, he thought, as his stomach growled softly, but it was to be expected. He'd had pretty damnable luck for a while now.

Maybe I'll risk getting an antelope tomorrow, he thought, pleasantly recalling a taste he hadn't had in his mouth for close to six years.

He'd seen some today and fresh meat sounded pretty good after prison and a long ride.