PT.8

Conclusion

After returning to Dodge, Nickolas, Peter and Angelina all figured out with Doc's help that, when they replaced their water in the barrels with the water in the pond, which was tainted, this is what made them sick. It was probably typhus. When they returned to camp, they disposed of the barrels and replenished them with fresh water.

Kitty sat working on her books. The Long Branch was quiet. She heard light foot steps enter.

"Good morning, Miss Russell."

Kitty turned. "Mrs. Basco? How are you feeling?"

"Good. Can I speak with you, Miss Russell?"

"Please, won't you sit? Coffee's hot."

Angelina Basco hesitated but then pulled out the chair and sat. "Miss Russell, I just wanted to apologize for what I did. I realize now, I need to let go of this fear. This is fear of something that I have been running and hiding from. If you were going to harm me you could have let me die out they in the woods but you saved me."

"Mrs. Basco, for what it is worth, I am so sorry for all and any pain my grandfather has caused you and your family."

Angelina cupped Kitty's face in her hands, kissed her forehead and then turned and left.

Kitty watched as she walked out.

As the door swung, suddenly, Matt was standing there, looking over the batwing doors. "Kitty? Kitty, you alright?"

"Oh, Matt, yeah. You want coffee?"

"Kitty, what just happened here?"

"I guess, I learn a little more about my family as the years go by." Now tilting her head, "But this, I'd say, is the ending of a gypsy tale." Now she slightly smirked.

"Kitty, what am I missing?"

"Well, Matt, see many years ago Mrs. Basco and her sister were in a deal of sorts with my grandfather, Jacque LaRoach. You remember I told you about him?"

"Oh, yeah, I remember." Matt said.

"Well, Grandfather, as you remember, didn't like Father and was against Mother and him marrying. So gypsies are a big deal in New Orleans and Grandfather was a big believer. So he called them in to help dissuade the relationship."

Now rolling her eyes, "Now according to Mrs. Basco, when Mother and Father eloped, this angered Grandfather and he felt cheated and told them he cursed them and they should beware the harm to come to them in life from…"

Matt was now looking at her with wide disbelieving eyes.

"Oh, Cowboy, wait for this, the red haired woman. He said she would bring them harm." Now tilting her head with a slight smile.

"Are you telling me, she believed you were out to fulfill his curse?"

"EXACTLY! And I just happened to be his granddaughter."

Now Matt broke into laughter.

Slapping his arm, "Hey, it's not funny. That woman was ready to burn me in the woods. Matt, the only thing that saved me was she fell sick."

"Kitty, I can't believe people believe such things."

Tilting her head and furrowing her brow, "Matt, back home they sure do and it's obvious the Basco's do or at least did. Well, anyway, it's been a long day. I'm closing up. You do rounds?"

Smiling at her, "Yeah. Towns locked up tight. Here, I'll lock up and maybe we can have a night cap."

As he turned, Kitty was standing at the bottom of the stairs smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Well? Coming, Cowboy? You might learn some of my New Orleans magic?" She was now letting out a barrel laugh.

"Lead the way, Ma'am."

Matt took the steps two at a time, one hand at the small of her back and teasingly slapping her bottom.

FINI

A/N: Thank you to all my readers and reviewers. I do appreciate you all even if I can't respond to you personally. You make this all worth doing.