PT.5
"The Test of Time"

Everyone was gathered in the Long Branch. Sam was pouring drinks and Festus was having fun dancing around. Each of Kitty's friends were taking turns making a toast welcoming her home.

Finally, Kitty took her glass. "Now I 'd like to make a toast to all my friends, who to me are my family. As much as I hate going away and leaving you all, it's so wonderful knowing I have you all to come home to. Thank you all for being here."

Kitty took notice to Matt being distracted. She also noticed everyone else occasionally looking around. Not being sure exactly what it was about, she leaned into Matt's shoulder. "Cowboy," she said quietly, "can we talk alone?"

"Kitty? Is something wrong?"

"Let's go in my office."

"Kit..?"

"Matt, please?" She got up and walked through the office door. Matt followed.

Doc watched and told Sam to just keep things going.

Once in the office, "Kit, something wrong?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

Matt knew from the look on her face she wasn't going to let it go. "Kit, honey, I told you."

"You told me nothing," she said. "Do you really think that after all these years that I don't know you, Cowboy? Does it have anything to do with the woman that was standing over at the hotel when we came from the depot? Please tell me it's not another outlaw girlfriend."

Totally stunned he looked at Kitty. "Woman?"

"Yes, tall, blonde, watched us all the way down the street. You wouldn't even look her way."

Not knowing what to say at the moment, he hesitated. "Honey, I was excited you were home."

"Matt, you have never missed a pretty woman as long as I've known you. Who is she?"

"Alright, Kit, can we talk about this later?"

"So you do know her."

"Honey, this isn't a conversation we need to have with all our friends in the other room. Ok, Matt, but when everyone's gone, we will have this conversation. Count on it."

Later the afternoon stage pulled in and when Mel opened the door, Festus helped out the passengers. There were two elderly women, their husband's were waiting for them, then a young boy and his Aunt, and last was a young girl. Pretty, blonde, blue eyes. She looked around like she was lost. Festus asked her if she was ok and was she meeting someone in town.

She looked up at him, smiled and said, "I'm not sure. I came here to find my mother. I've come a long way but I know she came to Dodge City. This is Dodge City, isn't it?"

Festus smiled and said "It sure di is Miz. Maybe I can help you find yer momma?"

"That's nice of you, Sir."

"You come with me." As they were walking they came up on Matt and Kitty on their way to Delmonico's. "Matthew, this here little girl is lookin' fur her momma."

Kitty looked at Matt. "Oh, Matt, we should be able to find her mother."

"Little gurl," Festus said, "this here is Miz Kitty and Marshal Dillon."

Kitty looked at the girl and asked, "What's your name?"

"Beth, Ma'am."

"Hello Beth."

Matt felt like he was kicked in the stomach. Something told him this wasn't good.

"Beth , what your mother's name?" Kitty asked.

"Oh, Mike. Mike Yardner." Kitty started to say something then she looked at Matt and her jaw tightened and her brow raised. Before Matt could say a word Kitty asked the question he didn't want her to ask. "Beth, how far did you travel?" Digging her fingers into Matt's arm.

"Oh, all the way from the Arizona Territory, Ma'am."

"Wow, that's a long way for such a young girl. How ol…"

Quickly Matt interrupted. "Let me see what we can do. In the meantime, let's get you a room. Kitty, I'll meet you at Delmonico's."

"No, I don't think so. I've suddenly lost my appetite. Festus, walk me back to the Long Branch please?"

"Yes, Miz Kitty."

Matt just rolled his eyes. Now he knew he had to tell Kitty more then he was ready to, at least right now. Matt took Beth to the Dodge House and to Mike's room.

When Mike came to her door, "Beth?"

"Momma!"

"Elizabeth Ann Yardner, what on earth are you doing here? And how did you get here?"

"I made Chalk tell me where you went. And I came here to find out why? Momma, I know something is wrong. But why did you come here? We don't know anyone here? Do we?"

"Beth, Honey, yes. But I can't explain it right now."

"The Marshal brought me right to you. Did he already know you were here?"

"Yes, Beth."

"And Miss Russell?"

"Oh, I..." Then she looked over at Matt. He rolled his eyes and kind of shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe, Beth."

Matt then said to Mike, "Look, why don't you two talk. Let me go take care of something and I'll be back. Then the three of us can talk. Ok?"

"Sure, Matt. See you later."

TBC