Chp 5

An hour later, after cleaning up, Matt and Kitty sat on the sofa in the Henderson's great room, Georgie curled up in Kitty's lap. Martha and Jacob had gone up to put the younger children to bed and Bud paced in front of the fireplace.

"I owe you a lot, Marshal." Bud told him. "You saved Georgie's life. I don't know what I would've done if…"

"Bud," Matt stopped him. "I'm here because I owed your father. So let's not worry about debts. We've got more important things to worry about right now."

Bud stopped pacing and looked squarely at Matt. "Yes, Sir," he agreed. "You're right and I'm awful glad you're here. I don't have any idea what to do about all of this."

Matt stood and joined Bud by the fireplace, resting his left arm on the mantle. For several minutes he stood silently looking into the fire, before looking over at the young man that so resembled his father. "Bud, what all do you know about this Graham?"

Bud shrugged as he retreated to what used to be his father's chair and sat down. "Not much, really. Just what Pa was able to find out from Mr. Grundy. He's the barber in town. He seems to know everything about everybody. He said Cayden Graham made a lot of money back east and came here, hoping to turn it into an empire, whatever that is. He plans on building the town up into a major city and him being in charge of running it or something. Pa didn't seem to think he could do it." He mournfully dropped his head then. "Of course, Pa didn't think he'd kill him either."

Matt and Kitty exchanged glances of sympathy for the boy. "Well," Matt straightened up and stretched a little. "I don't know about you all but I think I'm going back to bed. I'm tired and I've got a little riding to do tomorrow, so I'd best turn in."

Kitty looked up sharply at him. She knew him well. "You're going to go see this Graham, aren't you?"

Matt didn't even try to lie to her. He knew it'd never work. "Yep, I am. But not till tomorrow. Come on, let's turn in."

Reaching down, he took Georgie from her and then gave her a hand up. He had an idea Kitty was going to try and talk him out of it, but he wanted that conversation to be in private, not in front of the grief stricken boy, who so desperately needed their help.

Kitty understood without him having to say it. "I'll take Georgie up to bed, Matt. We'll talk after that." She gave him a stern look as she took the child from him and carried him upstairs.

Dropping his head for a second, he looked over at Bud. "Go on to bed, Son. We'll worry take care of this tomorrow."

Bud looked over at him as Kitty went upstairs. "She's not real fond of you going over there, is she?"

Matt shook his head. "She's just a little concerned. She'll understand."

Bud gave him a half way grin. "Yeah, just like Ma always understood when Pa would go and do something dangerous."

Matt started to reply to that but Bud waved him off with a weary sigh. "Miss Kitty loves you, Marshal. That's plain enough for even me to see. She'll be scared to death for you if you go over there. You don't have to do it."

Matt was amazed at how perceptive the boy was but he knew no other course, other than the direct one. "It'll be alright, Bud. You'll see. Now go on to bed. See you in the morning."

"Yes, sir." Bud answered as he turned and went up the stairs.

Matt stood for several seconds watching the boy's ascent, thinking of what he'd said. Yes, Kitty would be afraid for him and no, she won't want him to go. But she knew him and she knew he would go, regardless of any danger to himself. He just hoped to convince her that the danger would be low. Taking a deep breath, he trudged up the stairs, meeting Kitty just as she came out of the children's room.

Saying nothing, Kitty led the way down the hall and into the bedroom they shared, holding her tongue until the door was closed firmly behind them.

"Kitty…" Matt decided to head her off at the pass but she shook her head.

"No, Matt. I don't want to hear it. I know you're going to go, no matter how I feel about it, or how risky it is, or anything else. So just save your breath trying to convince me." Blue eyes blazed in a mixture of anger and fear as she looked at him. "Graham killed these kid's parents, Matt. It's obvious he's not above murder." Frustrated she turned from him, and walked over to the window, crossing her arms around her middle, trying not to cry.

Matt stepped up and pulled the worried red head to him, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the crown of her head. "No, he's not above it. Not when he has the advantage and can get away with it. But spooking a horse on an isolated road is different from outright killing a man in cold blood. He's smart enough to know that even he couldn't get by with that, especially if the man is a US Marshal."

"But Matt, this isn't your territory. You don't have jurisdiction here." Kitty's voice hitched as she tried valiantly not to break down.

"True." Matt agreed. "But I doubt he knows that. My badge doesn't say anything about jurisdiction. It only states US Marshal and since this is the US, I'm pretty sure I can convince him I have authority here."

Kitty relaxed a little in his arms but doubts still assailed her. "But what if he waits until you ride off and then tries something? Matt, if he were to…" She couldn't contain the tears any longer.

Matt gently took her shoulders and turned her toward him. Holding her tightly, he kissed her forehead. "Kitty, he won't kill me. I know men like this. He'll sneak around and set up little accidents if he can, but he won't do anything overt. Besides, I'm not stupid. I know when to push and when not to. I promise you, honey, I won't take any chances. But I do need to let him know that these kids aren't alone out here. That may be all it takes to get him to back off."

Kitty didn't speak for several long moments as she silently sobbed against his chest. Finally she pulled back from him and looked up at his face, trying to paste on a brave smile. "Promise me. Please? Promise me you'll be careful and won't take any chances."

Matt bent down and claimed her lips for his own, for a moment, before replying. "I promise."

TBC