PT.7

Kitty's scream echoed in the woods. But quickly, she felt a hand cover her mouth.

"Stop screaming! No one can hear you anyway."

She pulled loose, catching her breath. "Who are you and what do you want? Why are you sneaking up on me?"

"I followed you and my momma."

"Your momma?" Kitty repeated.

"Yes I am Petre' Basco. They call me Peter."

Swallowing hard, "Well then, good. You can help me. Your mother, she is sick. She needs help."

His eyes widened. "WHAT? What did you do to Momma? She was right you are an evil woman."

Throwing her hands up and shaking her head back and forth, "UGHHHHHHH! What is wrong with you people? I didn't do anything to her. I am trying to help her. Don't you understand? The more time we waste standing here, the worse she is getting." Kitty was now getting angry staning with both hand balled on her hips.

"Momma told me and my brother Nickolas all about you and the curse."

"OH PLEASE. Are you going to help me? Help your mother? Look, I don't know anything about this stupid curse and I don't care. But unless you want your mother to die you'll help me find someone or help me get her back to town. PLEASE?"

"Take me to Momma."

"Oh alright. This way."

As they walked, "Look, Peter was it? Your mother told me some of what she believed. Whenever this all took place, I wasn't even born yet." She was then looking at him, searching his face. "Are you telling me, you boys truly believe all this curse nonsense? Look she told me about herself and your aunt when they were young girls. Something about a deal they made with Jacque as they knew him."

Peter nodded. "You know this man?"

Tilting her head and nodding, "Yeah. Jacque LaRoach, he is my grandfather. I don't remember much about him."

"What did Momma say?"

"Well she said he wanted her and your aunt to stop his daughter from marrying her beau. He wanted them to make him disappear, go away or something like that."

"And?"

"Well, apparently, whatever they were supposed to do never happened. My mother married my father, hence I'm here. She says my grandfather, being quite angry, cursed her saying they would pay and that they should beware the red haired woman. No one crosses him. Peter, like I said, I don't remember much of Grandfather. My mother died when I was very young. Grandfather had already disowned her and I due to her marrying Father. Peter, I know your people have your beliefs but I can promise you, I have no intention of harming your family or anyone."

Suddenly, "MISS KITTY? Is that you? Ma'am, what on earth are you doing out here?"

And like that, she suddenly looked down at herself. Eyes widened, "Oh… I… I…" Now smiling, "It's a long story."

"Miss Kitty, are you ok, Ma'am? Is this man…"

Quickly, she spoke up. "Oh no, actually we need help. His mother… His mother, she's sick. We need to get her into Dodge, to Doc Adams. Maybe you boys can help?"

"Oh yes, Ma'am."

Matt caught up to Festus. "Matthew?"

"Festus, Doc filled me in."

"Matthew, we gonna find Miz Kitty. Don'cha worry."

As they rode they suddenly saw a group of riders. "Matthew, what'cha think that is a comin' at us?"

"Festus, that looks like Jack Anderson's men. But, Festus, doesn't that look like Kit? Festus, that's Kitty!"

Quickly, he rode faster, catching up. Jumping off Buck, "Kitty?"

"Oh, Matt." She jumped down off her horse, wrapping her arms him."

"It's ok. Kitty, what on earth?"

Huffing out a breath, "Matt, later. Ok? It's gonna take a lot of telling and we need to get Mrs. Basco into Doc's. Matt, she's really sick. Jack's cook did what he could but…"

Pulling her aside, "Kitty, are you alright?"

Lowering her eyes, "I am now, Cowboy. I am now."

TBC