Chapter 15 Revelations and Confessions

Arizona Territory (Cactus Cafe)

Matt, Kitty, and Doc sat around a table in the Cactus Cafe eating breakfast together. All three would be riding out to Mike's ranch later that morning. While Matt placed a forkful of ham and eggs in his mouth, he began second guessing on whether or not Kitty and Doc should come along with him. Matt had no idea why Mike asked him to bring Kitty and Doc in the first place, and he was afraid to find out. Mostly, he was afraid to find out why Mike wanted him to bring Kitty along. Matt knew that in Mike's eyes, Kitty was a threat, she stood in the way of what Mike wanted. What Mike wanted was Matt.

Swallowing his ham and eggs, Matt voiced his concern. "I've been thinking. Maybe I should go out to Mike's alone."

"Matt, I thought we agreed that we'd go with you," said Kitty, putting her cup of coffee down on the table.

"I know we did," Matt sighed. "But we have no idea why Mike wanted the two of you to come in the first place. I'm worried about your safety, especially yours, Kitty. If we have a repeat of the last time and Mike goes after you with a shotgun or any other gun, there wouldn't be much I can do about it."

"What do you mean?" Kitty inquired.

"Kitty, if Mike went after you with a gun, shooting her might be the only way to save you," Matt replied. "But I can't shoot a pregnant woman. I can't risk the life of the unborn child. That baby is innocent in all of this."

"I see your point," said Kitty. "But I'm still going with you, and I'm sure Doc feels the same way."

Doc had quietly been listening to Matt and Kitty. Kitty was right. He was going with Matt. Doc had an idea of why Mike invited him out to Arizona. While buttering his rye toast, Doc spoke up.

"In my opinion, Mike asked Matt to bring me out here so I could be her doctor. I think she wants me to be there when she delivers the baby," said Doc, putting the knife down. "But there are some red flags, things that I question."

Both Matt and Kitty perked up at Doc's statement. Was Doc leaning more towards that Matt was not the baby's father? Matt and Kitty wanted to hear why Doc saw red flags.

"What do ya mean, Doc?" asked Matt.

"The first thing that I question is why Mike hasn't been to see a doctor," Doc replied. "Most women that are pregnant go and see a doctor or have a doctor come to them throughout their pregnancy, especially if one is available. There's a doctor in town. I have a feeling she didn't want another doctor to be able to confirm how far along she was in her pregnancy."

"Wouldn't she be afraid that you could do the same thing?" Kitty asked Doc.

"Kitty, I have no idea," Doc answered. "It's all about timing. For the baby to be Matt's, we're in the window for the birth to occur."

"How much of this window is left?" asked Matt.

Matt's question caught Kitty's attention. She did not understand why Matt would be concerned with how much time of this window was left. Could it be that deep down, Matt did have doubts of the baby's paternity?

"Babies can be born two, even three weeks after their due date," said Doc. "Doing the math, I would say there's about a week left."

"So if the baby is born after a week, then that would prove it would be impossible for me to be the father," Matt pointed out.

"Even if it did, you know that wouldn't stop Mike from claiming you to be the father," said Doc. "She wants you in her life and is using the baby to do so. I wouldn't put it past her to show up in Dodge with the baby, claiming it's yours. The baby would be around the age that people would seriously wonder if you were the father."

"That's what we're afraid of," said Kitty. "We need to make sure she stays here. I just wish this nightmare could be over."

"Me too," said Matt as he placed his hand over Kitty's. "Me too."

Breakfast finished, Matt, Kitty, and Doc walked back to the hotel in order to get ready for their trip out to Mike's ranch. After getting ready, they walked out of the front door of the hotel and onto the front porch. Matt told Kitty and Doc to wait there while he walked down to the stable to rent a wagon. Kitty and Doc did as Matt asked. Matt returned ten minutes later. Doc and Kitty joined Matt on the wagon, and they took off for Mike's ranch. Each of them would be lying if they said they weren't full of trepidation and anxiety. None of them knew what lay ahead.

Mike's Ranch

Mike didn't know how to feel about Dan's return that day. She was definitely excited that he was coming, but she was also nervous. Mike was not sure what Dan and Kitty discussed last night. No matter what they came to tell her, Mike would be prepared. She just hoped that they would be prepared. If by chance Dan and Kitty told her that Dan refused to stay with her, Mike would threaten to go to Dodge to be with him. Mike knew that Dan and Kitty didn't want her showing up in Dodge with a baby. It was really a win win situation for Mike. She would either have Dan at her place in Arizona or in Dodge City.

Mike had been putting plates away in the cupboard, when she heard a wagon outside. She rarely got company, so Mike knew it had to be Dan, Kitty, and Doctor Adams. Mike walked to the window and smiled when she saw the trio. Her smile faded when she saw the way Dan helped Kitty down from the wagon. He helped her the way a husband would help his wife.

'No matter,' thought Mike. 'Soon he'll be helping me the way he helps her.'

Mike waited until Dan, Kitty, and Doctor Adams were on the porch before opening the door and greeting them. "I'm glad you're back, Dan. We have so much to discuss. Please come in."

Neither Matt, Kitty, nor Doc missed Mike referring to Matt as Dan. At the moment, Mike was in her delusional state of mind. Who knew what she had in mind while she was like this.

"Thank you," said Matt. He let Doc and Kitty go in ahead of him.

"Please have a seat," said Mike, her hand pointing to the chairs around the kitchen table. "I know why you're all here. Let's hear what you have to say."

Matt knew that he was the one who had to explain the plan to Mike. He knew she had to hear the plan from him. "Kitty and I talked after we left here. There was much to discuss. First and foremost we discussed whether or not I'm the father. I still say that I'm not your baby's father, but right now I can't prove that. Right now, the odds seem to be in your favor."

Mike smiled. She liked where things seemed to be going. "Are you telling me that you're going to stay with me and raise our baby with me? Of course that means you'll have to divorce her. I won't be living with a man that's married to another woman. Your marriage to her would prevent us from getting married." This was going better than Mike had thought it would.

"You didn't let him finish," Kitty answered. Mike shot a glare at Kitty.

"Mike, do you know why I keep my marriage from Kitty a secret?" Matt asked.

"I don't know for sure, but I figured you were ashamed to be married to her," Mike replied. "I question why you would marry a woman you were ashamed of."

"I'm not ashamed of Kitty or my marriage to her," Matt told Mike. "We keep our marriage a secret for her safety. A lot of people already consider her to be the Marshal's woman. That title has gotten her into some very scary and dangerous situations. Being the Marshal's woman is one thing. Being the Marshal's wife is a whole new level. With marriage, a family usually follows. That brings up another point. Kitty and I are married, but there are no plans presently to have a family. I would have enemies after Kitty and my family so the enemies could get revenge on me."

"Are you saying you're not going to stay here and have a life with me and the baby?" asked Mike.

Matt had to be careful how he answered. He didn't want to flat out tell Mike no. Now was the time to give Mike the details of the plan. Matt gently took Mike's hands in his, hoping the gesture would help. For an added effect, Matt looked into Mike's eyes.

"Mike, whether or not I'm the father, I do care deeply for you," said Matt. "I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you or the baby because of some enemy of mine trying to get revenge on me. It would tear me up inside. I won't be living with you, but I'll make trips out here to see you and the baby."

Mike wasn't sure what to make of Matt's plan. One thing was for sure. Mike was upset that Dan told her he wouldn't be sharing a life with her. She understood his reasoning, but that didn't make her feel any better. Looking into his eyes, she could see the sincerity. However, she wasn't going to give up. Mike pulled her hands away from Matt's hands and stood up.

Arizona Desert

Les Dean had managed to survive his visit to Starcourt's place eight months ago. When he left Starcout's, Les warned Starcourt to stay off of Mike Yardner's land. Les warned Starcourt there would be trouble if he heard that Starcourt did anything to harm Mike. Les hoped that Starcourt took heed to his warning. Les also knew he should have gone back before now to make sure that Mike was alright. Oh well, better late than never. Les just hoped it wasn't too late.

With Slick underneath him, Les rode in the direction of Mike Yardner's ranch. Les sang as he and Slick wandered towards Mike's ranch. "I seen her in the moonlight. And later in the sunlight. And the moonlight was best when there ain't no moon. No way to spoon." Les passed by an oddly shaped cactus. He knew he was within a mile of Mike's ranch.

Mike's Ranch

Mike started pacing back and forth. Matt kept an eye on her to make sure she didn't go for the shotgun that was leaning against the fireplace. To Matt's relief, Mike seemed to be ignoring the shotgun. Matt suspected Mike's pregnancy had a lot to do with it. If Mike put her child at risk, she wouldn't have any hold over Matt.

Matt stood up and went over to Mike. He gently gripped her upper arms and turned her towards him. "Mike, can't you see this is best for you and the baby?"

"And just what am I supposed to tell our baby? Do you want your own child thinking that you don't love him or her, that he or she is only good enough whenever you feel like it? Do you think your son or daughter deserves that? The baby shouldn't be punished just because its daddy is a lawman with some crazy life rules." Mike was clearly upset.

"Mike, it's me," Les called from outside. "Don't fret none. I come in peace."

Mike released herself from Matt's grip. "Excuse me." She went to answer the door.

Kitty saw the look on Matt's face. It was as though what Mike had said struck a chord with Matt. She was genuinely concerned that Matt was considering staying with Mike and the baby. Kitty had no idea Matt was reacting to hearing Les's voice.

Les stepped inside. "Mike, I just came by to make sure that you were alright. I shoulda come back eight months ago to make sure Starcourt didn't come here or do anything to you to get this land. Did he?"

"No, Starcourt or his men haven't been around here," Mike replied.

"That's a relief," Les sighed. It was then that he noticed Mike's figure. "Mike, are ya carryin' a baby?" Mike nodded. "My baby? We were together that one night, so the timing fits."

Forgetting about her company, Mike once again nodded her head. That nod was all it took for alleviation to rush through Kitty. She quickly got up and went to Matt. But when she did, Kitty noticed his face showed no sign of happiness or relief.

"Are you alright?" asked Kitty. Matt didn't answer her. He just pushed her off to the side and put his hand on his gun. All of this confused Kitty. Doc was still at the table. He was also confused. Mike had pretty much confessed that Matt was not the father of her baby. The baby's father had been revealed. This revelation and confession should have made Matt happy.

TBC

Author's Note: Change of plans, I've decided not to make this the final chapter. I have enough story left to make another chapter for the final one.