"A" is for Apple, "O" is for Outlaw

PT.2

Early morning, Doc was making his way along the boardwalk towards the Long Branch for his usual morning coffee with Kitty. He began to push through the batwing doors when he saw Festus and Burke piling boxes onto a buckboard. Surprised, he called out. "Hey! What in thunder are the two of you doing this early in the morning?"

"Well, Doc." Burke began. "This is the order Miss Kitty was waiting for to go to the school house."

"For Kitty?" Doc repeated. "For the school house?"

"That's what I said, Doc. It's new books for the kids, readers and arithmetic books."

Doc smiled, shaking his head as he pushed through the saloon doors.

"Morning, Doc." Sam said. "Coffee's hot."

"Thanks, Sam. Kitty down yet?"

"I'm right here, Curly." Kitty called down, walking across the landing.

"Morning, Young Lady."

Smiling at him. "Good morning to you too. What has you up and about so early?"

"Oh, I have some rounds to make."

"is that all?" She smirked at him.

"I'd ask you what you've been up to but I already know."

Now raising a brow. "Is that a fact?"

'Yes, they came in to the freight office and Festus and Burke are loading them up as we speak."

As she sat at the table pouring coffee. Ut oh, so I guess the gossip vine filled you in huh?"

"Yeah, somewhat. Kitty, you like people to think you're hard as nails but you truly are a big softy, with a heart of gold."

"Oh, Curly, they're just books." Waving her hand at him, 'Besides, they haven't had any to work with since… well since…"

Just then Festus and Burke burst in the saloon. "All loaded up, Miz Kitty."

"Well, thank you so much, Festus. I do appreciate it."

"I can take them to the school house, if'n ya like."

"Well, Festus, that'd be real nice and I'll be there directly. The new school teacher is coming today and I wanted to be there to meet her. So I'll just finish my coffee and follow you. Thanks."

"Aww, shucks, Miz Kitty."

"Sam." She winked, giving him the hint to give Festus a drink. "Doc, I don't suppose you'd like to join me in meeting the new school teacher? I hear she is quite young and pretty." Again smirking at him.

"Ah, Kitty, you think I..."

Breaking into laughter. "All you men are alike, every time a new lady comes into town you can't wait to check her out. I think it's what keeps you men feeling young." Swatting him on the arm.

Shaking his head. "No. I just keep waiting for you to except my proposal instead of holding out for that big lug of a Marshal."

"Aw, Curly, I love you." Leaning in, she kissed his cheek. "I guess I should head down to the school house." As she headed for the door, she looked back at him. "Last Chance."

"Oh, go on. Get out of here." He said waving his hand. All you could hear was her laughter.

Kitty headed down the boardwalk, saying good morning to Mister Jonas and several others as she passed. As she neared the school house, off in the distance, Calvin and Tom sat on horseback watching, seeing lots of the children running around. Many of them rushing up to Kitty. "Morning, Miss Russell!"

"Morning, Kids. Are you excited to start the new school year? There's a big surprise for you all today inside."

Several of them, especially the Ronniger children, hugged her. After Festus was finished taking the books inside, Kitty smiled at him. "Thanks again, Festus."

"Ah, shucks, Miz Kitty. It's no problem."

"Festus, tell Matt not to forget he's taking me to Delmonico's for lunch."

"Yes'um, I'll do that. " Then he rode off to return the buckboard. Slowly the kids all went inside.

Just as Kitty started for the stairs, Calvin and Tom quietly approached from behind. "Excuse me, Ma'am."

Turning slightly, "Hello. How can I help you?" She heard the click of a gun.

"You can quietly come with us. Don't make a sound or your DEAD!"

"WHAT? Who are you? And what do you want with me?"

"Lady, just do what your told." Cal looked to Tom. "Did you get what we need?"

"Yeah. Got them before fuzzy took em inside."

Furrowing her brow, "What's going on here?"

Walking her to the side of the school house. "Just climb up here, Teach. You'll find out all you need to know soon enough."

"What did you call me?"

"Lady, anyone ever tell you about your mouth? You talk too much." Now pulling on the reins of her horse, leading her away.

Sitting alongside the back stairs of the school house, hung over, as usual, Louie Pheeters watched as the two men rode away, pulling Kitty away with them. He was confused, but sick and needing a drink, he couldn't think straight.

Matt crossed Front Street and stood peering atop the batwing doors, scanning the room but not seeing Kitty. He pushed through nodding at Sam. "Sam."

"Hello, Marshal. Beer?"

"Ah, no thanks, Sam. Kitty around?"

"Ah, no, Marshal. She hasn't come back yet."

"Come back yet?" Matt repeated.

"Oh yes, from the school house. Was she expecting you?"

"We were supposed to have lunch. Sam, why was Kitty at the school house?"

"Oh, Marshal, Miss Kitty bought all new readers and arithmetic books for the kids and they came in today."

Smiling, "Just in time for the start of school." Shaking his head, "Of course she did."

"She also wanted to be there to greet the new teacher, but I expected her back by now."

"Well, ok, Sam." Matt headed back to his office. It wasn't like Kitty to miss a lunch date. It puzzled him.

Matt sat in his office going over some paper work. Festus had picked up mail earlier.

"Matthew? Barney says these here posters come in lat after the regular mail." As he unrolled them, he slowly looked at them. "Matthew? You know them there yahhoo's."

Nodding, "This one I do. Luke Dandridge. But he hasn't been in Kansas for some time. This other one seems to be a younger brother. Never had the pleasure. Nor the Cole brother's. But according to these posters, they're wanted for robbery and for shooting two men. They were last seen in Kansas and had a woman with them."

Matt now looked up at the clock. "Well, Festus, I'm gonna go get me some supper. You keep an eye on things here."

"Shore thing, Matthew."

As he walked towards the door, "Ah, Festus, were you by the school house today?"

"Shore was, Matthew. I done took them there books fer Miz Kiity to the school house. That there was a mighty special thing Miz Kitty done fer the kids, fer their learning."

Nodding, "Yeah, Festus. Well, I'll be at Delmonico's with Kitty if you need me."

"Shore thing, Matthew."

Matt once again crossed Front Street, entering the saloon. "Hi, Sam. Kitty in the office?" But quickly, he noticed the look on Sam's face. What is it, Sam?"

"Marshal, Miss Kitty's not here."

"Where is she?"

"Marshal, she still hasn't returned."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Marshal, she hasn't returned." Sam repeated.

Turning quickly, without a word, Matt headed out the doors. As he rushed out, he saw Doc's buggy coming up the street.

"Matt? Matt? Where are you in an all fire rush to?"

"Doc, this morning, did Kitty say anything to you?"

"What do you mean, Matt? What's wrong?"

"She's gone, Doc, and no one knows where."

Shaking his head, "Now what a minute, Matt. Kitty was fine when I saw her. She was headed to the school house."

"Yeah, that's what I heard too but no one has seen or heard from her since."

Just then, as they talked, Louie stumbled up the street. "Mar-shal! Mar-shal! You gotta gotta help her! Miss Kitty…"

"What's wrong, Louie?" Doc asked.

Shaking his head, Matt looked at him. "How much have you had to drink today?"

"No, no, Mar-shal. Those men! They have Miss Kitty! They took her! You gotta help her. They had a gun! They had horses at the sch-ool. They took her, Marshal Dillon. Two men took Miss Kitty."

"Louie, when did this happen?"

"Ohhhh, Mar-shal. I… I…"

"Never mind, Louie. Doc?"

"Who do you think this could be, Matt?"

Saying nothing he just shook his head. "Doc, I need to get Festus and Newly."

TBC