Chapter 10

Kitty and Katie took off running toward the barn. Kitty's heart was pounding as she reached the door.

Katie jumped in front of her and stopped her from opening the door, "Don't go barging in. Mother is drunk and I think you know that... We have to be careful! We need to be calm."

Kitty shoved her hand out of the way, "You're gonna think calm! If she's laid one hand on my babies, I'll have her ass!" Eyes blazing, "She'll need a priest by the time I'm finished." With that Kitty barged in.

Katie tried to stop her again by grabbing her upper arm, "Miss Kitty." Kitty snatched her arm away.

"It's so nice for you to join us Miss Kitty..." Lorraine snickered.

Kitty looked away from Katie's worried eyes and turned her attention to Lorraine. Quickly realizing she had Saylor's hair in her grip with the small pistol point at her head. Then she slowly realized Peyton was lying lifeless on the ground next to the tack room door.

Kitty dropped to her knees, "Peyton!" She cried.

"Don't come any closer Miss Kitty!" Lorraine warned, "I wouldn't advise it..." Has she made Saylor cry out again.

Kitty started to scramble to Peyton's side, but Katie grabbed her, "No, Miss Kitty!" She brought her back to her feet.

Kitty asked through her tears, "Saylor, sweetie... are you okay?" Saylor only nodded through her tears. Kitty straightened up, "Mrs. Peters, please don't hurt my daughter. She hasn't done anything to you."

"Ha!" Lorraine scoffed, "Her and that little heathen looked me in your tack room!" She looked down at Saylor, "Tried to trick me! Didn't work did it?"

Kitty and Katie saw Peyton move behind Lorraine. Kitty gasped as he shook off the dirt. Kitty stepped forward... She wanted to run to him and hug him.

Lorraine fired a warning in the air, "I told you not to move Miss Kitty! The next one will be in here." She pressed the gun to Saylor's temple once more and wrapped her arm around her neck.

Matt, Charlie, and Festus had just arrived at the house when the second gunshot went off. They quickly dismounted and ran to the barn. Jim, Ralph, and Gabe also were running toward the barn. Matt stopped them, "No! You all wait for my signal." Everyone nodded, "Let's check out the situation first before we go busting in."

Peyton quietly stood and put his finger to his lips... asking his mama to keep Lorraine occupied. A partial weight was lifted from Kitty's chest, "What do you want from us, Mrs. Peters?"

"Oh, I think you know what I want and who we're looking for..." Lorraine reminded, "I know you're a smart redhead, Mrs. Dillon. Everyone in town had nothing but sweet things to say. You come off as this charming, naive housewife... but I found out a few things about you and your past, Miss Russell." Kitty wasn't shocked. Lorraine continued, "You're a business woman, you know how deals work. I gave something you want... and you have something I want."

As Lorraine was talking, Kitty watched Peyton making his way up the loft latter. She realized what he was doing. The bucket of pig slop was hanging right behind Lorraine... right a over her head. Katie still had a hold of her arm, Kitty turned and looked at her. Katie kept her eye on her mother and Saylor. Kitty sighed. She looked behind Lorraine once more and saw Matt outside the pig pin. He placed his finger over his lips. Kitty smiled at the thought of father like son. Then turned her attention fully to Lorraine, "Alright, Mrs. Peters. I know who you and your daughter came for, but he isn't here right now. My husband and Charlie or Jimmy whatever you two call him, rode into town earlier when you first arrived."

"I don't believe you!" Lorraine laughed, "Well I guess we can just all wait here... or I can start shooting one at a time until he arri..."

"I'm right here!" Charlie busted through the barn doors.

"Ah, Mr. Edwards." Lorraine wickedly smiled. Charlie stepped forward. Lorraine stepped backward... right under the bucket dangling above her head, "Don't take another step!"

Saylor looked up at Peyton, who was waiting for her que.

Lorraine looked at Katie, "Get over here!"

Katie stepped closer to Charlie, "No, Mama." Charlie smiled.

"I said now!" Lorraine demanded. With that Saylor jabbed her heel in Lorraine's foot and bit her arm with all her might. Saylor ran toward Kitty and Peyton let the rope go. All the pig slop was poured on her head. Lorraine screamed and stumbled backwards... breaking through the pin and landing inside with the pigs. She tried wiping the muck ad slop off her face. She found her gun... her hand reached for it as Matt's boot landed on her hand.

She looked up as he cocked the hammer, "I think it's time you came with me, Mrs. Peters." Matt handcuffed her for Festus to load up and take her to the jail.

Both kids ran to Kitty as she dropped to her knees, "Mommy!"

"Oh, my babies!" Kitty grabbed them both and hugged them tight. "I thought I had lost you!" Kitty pulled them away to look in the eyes, "Don't you ever, ever scared me like this again!" They all hugged while the cried their happy tears.

Charlie looked over at Katie. Katie smiled down at Kitty and the kids. She looked back at Charlie. He grinned with a slight poker face, "We need to talk." Katie nodded and followed him out of the barn.

Matt helped Festus pull Lorraine out of the pig pin. He removed his hat and headed toward Kitty and the kids. Kitty stood tears in her eyes. Matt looked down at her and held her eyes for a moment. He then grabbed her and brought her in for a loving embrace, "This was a close call, Kitty." Kitty nodded as the kids stood and each grabbed a leg to hug. Matt and Kitty chuckled. They shared a quick kiss through some tears, and walked out to join the other at the house.

TBC