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

PT.5

Slowly, Kitty was teaching Luke. Starting small with the alphabet and then small words. In between, she'd cook for them and when she had to, she'd fend off Calvin.

Luke took a break. He would take regular breaks to spend time out by Sue Ellen's grave. He'd sit there talking to her, telling her all his plans. Kitty wasn't sure where he would disappear to but she was glad for the time alone. She would sit thinking of ways she could try and get out of there if the way would present itself.

She realized there was no way, now that she could identify them, that they would ever let her go. She prayed someone, Matt or Festus, would be out looking for her and find her soon, real soon. "Oh, Cowboy, pleaseeeee…." Her train of thought was interrupted when the door opened and standing there was Calvin.

"Hey there, Red. Looks like it's just me and you.

Furrowing her brow, "Well, don't you go getting any ideas because there ain't gonna be any you and me."

Taking three large steps, crossing the room and grabbing her by both shoulders. "I'm sure lookin' to change that."

Shrugging him off, "TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" She yelled, pushing back away from him.

"Oh now, Red, you shouldn't have done that." He growled, trying to grab at her again.

Quickly, she reached up slapping his face. Cal, shocked, quickly returned a backhand across her jaw, knocking her to the floor. "I guess you don't learn to quick, do ya?"

Kitty laid on the floor holding her jaw as he stood over her, staring with anger in his eyes. As he reached for her again, the door opened.

"CAL! Enough!" Luke was standing in the doorway. "Now I told you…" grabbing him by the arm, "get out of here!"

As Calvin left, Luke offered Kitty a hand up. She just ignored him and got up on her own.

Touching her jaw, Luke asked. "Are you alright?"

Staring back at him, "I'll live." Turning her back to him.

"Look, I told you, I'll teach you what you want to know but you do realize there will be someone looking for me, probably looking for you all as well."

Nodding, "You're pretty sure about that, huh. You said that before, you thought someone would be looking for you."

"That's right, they will! And when they find this place, it won't be…" She now noticed he was smiling at her. "That amuses you does it?"

"This person, you seem to think pretty highly of him."

Nodding, "I do."

"Special to you, is he?"

"That's none of your business."

"Hahaha. I guess that answers my question. Cal won't be happy about that."

Frowning back. "WHAT?"

"Oh, it's just that Calvin has his own designs for you."

Tightening her face, "Over my dead body. When Matt..." Quickly, she caught herself and just stopped talking, not wanting to give him too much information.

Tom and Dan were riding around the area watching to make sure no one was on their trail, when they came along Festus on the road.

"Hey there, Fellas." Festus said. "You all from these here parts, are ya?"

"Who be doin' the askin'?" Dan spoke up.

"Oh well, I'm Festus Haggen, United States Deputy Marshal from Dodge City. I'm a out here lookin' fer a friend. Mebbe you fellers seed her."

"This friend is a woman?" Dan asked.

Tilting his head, 'Oh yeah, sir'ee, Miz Kitty is the pertiest darn redheaded she-male woman you ever laid yer eyeballs on."

Tom and Dan looked back and forth at one another. "Well, Deputy, if we'd a seen us a woman that pretty, we'd sure remember. Sorry, can't help ya but hope ya find your friend." They both quickly turned and rode away.

Festus watched as they rode off. Something didn't seem right the way they were acting or that they were out there that time at night when nothing was around. He slowly watched to see what way they headed.

TBC