Chp 8

After breakfast was done, Matt and the boys returned outdoors to finish their chores, while Kitty and the girls cleaned up the kitchen and decided what they would have for lunch. Georgie refused to allow Kitty too far out of his sight, much to Martha's aggravation.

"Georgie, for the last time, will you leave Miss Kitty alone and go outside and play?" She grumbled irritably. "You've got to quit this, do you hear? You've just got to." Her voice broke as she struggled not to cry.

Kitty understood why Georgie clung to her and understood, as well, Martha's objection to it. She was a reminder that their mother was gone. Taking Georgie by the hand, she led him to the door and asked him to go outside and play. Georgie shook his head. Kissing him on the cheek, she promised to come out and find him in a little bit. Finally the boy complied and left.

Turning to Martha, Kitty could see the girl's struggle to remain calm and not give in to the pain, she so clearly felt. Pulling her into a tight embrace, Kitty could feel Martha shuddering as her grief overwhelmed her. "I know it's not easy to lose someone you love." She told the girl. "It's especially hard for a girl to lose her mother, just when she needs her most."

Martha's resolve broke and racking sobs overtook her as she clung as tightly, as Georgie did, to Kitty. "I miss her so much," she cried. "I don't know what to do. I want my mama back. I can't replace her."

Kitty gently patted the girl on the back and let her continue to pour out her grief. She suspected this was probably the first time she had allowed herself that luxury, since her parents had died. When the sobs lessened and the girl finally relaxed, Kitty gently pushed her back, brushing her hair out of her face and wiping her tears with a cloth.

"You don't need to replace your mother," Kitty told her. "That's not your job. And as far as what to do, well… we'll figure that out, together. I can't replace your mother either, but I can help you if you'll let me. You don't need to try and do this alone."

Martha looked at Kitty with gratitude. "You would?" she said daring to hope it was true.

"Yes, and not only while I'm here. I plan on helping even after I go home. I don't know, exactly, how we'll work everything out yet, but we will. Okay? We will."

Martha's only reply was another hug.

While Kitty was providing solace and help to the young girl inside, Matt was attempting to do the same for her older brother, as they worked together outside, though without the ease of his lady.

"Damn!" Bud cursed as, for the third time, he snagged his hand on a splinter, while attempting to clear out the rubble of what was once their barn.

Matt glanced over at the youth but held his tongue, telling himself it was not his place to chastise the boy for his language. But Matt knew the issue was not the boy's words but his feelings. Trying hard to shoulder a man's burdens, at the age of 17, was a major task and hard to do when you've been given no instruction on how to do it. Matt knew that first hand.

"Why don't we take a break and get some water," Matt suggested, upon hearing the boy's favorite expletive for yet a fourth time. "Jacob should be back in a little bit from feeding the stock and then we can all get to going on this."

Bud narrowed his eyes and glanced over at him. Seeing no condemnation on the Marshal's face, he slowly nodded and glumly followed the big man around to the well, housed in the front yard.

Upon drinking their fill from the bucket, Matt had brought up, both man and boy sat down in the shade under the large oak in the front yard.

"It sure is a nice day today." Matt observed. "Skies are clear and temperature's nice. Kinda makes you want to goof off instead of work."

Bud looked over at the Marshal. "I can't afford to goof off." He stated with a hint of irritation coloring his voice. "I need to get that rubble cleared off and a new barn, built before winter sets in."

Matt nodded. "Yeah, that does need to be done." He agreed. "We also need to lay in some hay and check the fence line and bring in any calves and…."

"We?" Bud stopped him. "Look, Marshal, I appreciate all you've done for us so far, and I meant what I said about needing advice on how to deal with Graham, but this ranch isn't your responsibility. It's mine and I'll take care of it."

Matt reached over and gripped the young man by the shoulder. "Bud," he spoke softly. "Your father was a good friend to me, when I sorely needed a friend. I simply want to do the same for you. I can't be your father and I don't intend to try, but I can be your friend, if you'll let me."

Bud bowed his head, refusing to speak, for fear his voice would reveal him to be the little boy, he still felt like he was. For several minutes he, and the man beside him, sat quietly, before he finally nodded. "I sure could use a friend," he finally managed.

Matt gripped his shoulder just a little tighter before releasing him and rising to his feet. "Good," he said. "Then that's what you've got."

Bud nodded and regained his feet with a grateful yet hesitant smile. "I appreciate that."

"Tell you what," Matt said as they walked back around the house. "What you say we work as hard as we can today and then take tomorrow off. Maybe take your brothers and sisters and have a picnic."

Bud considered the idea, for a while, as his returned to his work. Finally turning back to Matt, he grinned. "I know the perfect spot for it."

Later that evening, after supper had been consumed, the kitchen yet again cleaned up and the kids were in bed, Matt and Kitty wearily trudged upstairs to their room. "I sure am tired," Kitty said as she tiredly disposed of her clothes, replacing them with a worn flannel nightgown and robe.

Matt looked askance at her clothes and came up to stand behind her. Bending his head to her neck, he gently pressed kisses to all the spots he knew would drive her crazy, but all he got was an apologetic smile in response.

"Matt, as tempting as you are, I am so exhausted, I just can't." Seeing the disappointed look on his handsome face she chuckled. "Tell ya what. If you will give me a rain check till tomorrow, I promise to make it up to you."

Matt gave her a slow smile and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. "I'll hold you to that."

TBC