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

PT.6

Luke was picking up on the lessons very good. Kitty even surprised herself at how well she did at teaching. Watching him intently, she finally asked. "Luke? Something troubles me."

"What's that, Kitty?"

"Well, it seems whenever you talk about Sue Ellen, I hear a deep amount of love and concern in your voice."

Smiling back at her, "Yes, she was the only woman I ever truly loved or probably ever will. And that troubles you. Kitty?"

Shaking her head, "Oh no, what troubles me is that well…" Now she had his undivided attention.

"Go on. You haven't held you tongue this far."

The two chuckled. 'Well, I was just wondering why you would subject her to such… Well, all of this. A life on the run. She sounded to me, from what you have said, to be a gentle delicate woman that you'd want to protect. A woman like that would want a home, a family."

Nodding. "Yes, Kitty, I wanted nothing more than to give her all those things."

"Well then, why? Now you'll never be able to give her those things. You've killed men, stolen…"

Suddenly, his anger built. "I KNOW WHAT I DID! But you don't understand." Now grabbing her hand, "Come with me." He urged, pulling her out the door and around the side of the house. "Maybe now you'll get it." Stopping in front of the freshly dug grave, "Here. You see?"

Furrowing her brow. "Luke, what is this? Who is buried here?"

"My wife, Kitty. Sue Ellen Cole Dandridge, the love of my life."

Kitty stood shocked and speechless, with her hand to her mouth, and the other on her stomach. "Oh my, Luke. I… I…" shaking her head, "When did she…"

For a moment he was quiet then he mumbled. "The night before you were brought here."

"I don't understand." She said softly. "You wanted to write…"

Now raising his voice, "YES! I NEED TO WRITE THE RIGHT WORDS! On here." He was now showing her a carved piece of wood he had propped against the wall.

Lowering her eyes, "Oh, ok. I understand."

"Not everything, you don't."

Tilting her head, "Not everything?" She repeated.

"NO! When you said I killed men."

"Uh huh?" She now watched him closely.

"Those men needed killing. They came to our home. She was home alone, it was raining and cold. She opened our home to them, warmed them and fed them and in return they treated her to something no woman should ever experience. They abused her awful. I came home and found her broken body."

Suddenly, Kitty felt sick. Memories came flooding back of her own experience. Something she never wanted to ever remember. "Oh, Luke, I'm so sorry. Did you go to the law?"

"Ha! The law." He scoffed.

"Those men would have been arrested and tried and convicted and punished."

"Oh, you don't understand."

Nodding, "Oh, I do, better then you know." Kitty just fell silent.

The two slowly walked back to the cabin. Once inside, Luke turned to her. "So, Kitty, yes, I may be a robber but I don't feel like I'm a murderer. Those men got what was coming to them. This man in Dodge, what would he do if someone were to have ever hurt you, like these men hurt my Sue Ellen?"

Kitty stared up at Luke, trying to hold back the pools of tears at the memories. "Luke, I know how you feel but not everyone is going to see it the same way."

As they sat there, Tom and Dan .burst through the door. "Luke! Luke, think we may have trouble."

"What? Why?"

"We were out riding around watching the area."

"And?" Luke questioned.

"Well, we came across this whiskered fella, said he was a United States Deputy from Dodge." Kitty's eyes widened.

Luke looked to Kitty. "You know this man?"

Before she could answer, Dan yelled out. "Sure she does. He's lookin' for her. He said he was looking for a red headed woman, his friend."

"Well," Luke said. "Who is he?"

"Deputy Festus Haggen."

Now looking at Tom and Dan. "Was he alone?"

"Well, yeah, looked like it."

Kitty just smirked. "I wouldn't count on it. I'm sure there's a whole posse and if Festus is leading them… Well, he's a good tracker. You won't be able to hide for long. I told you I'd be missed and someone would be coming to find me."

"Luke? If that deputy is from Dodge and she's from Dodge… Dodge has a marshal."

Now with a big smiling smirk, Kitty said. "YES WE DO! And he won't stop till he finds me and all of you."

Just then Calvin was standing in the doorway. "So, Red, you think this Marshal is coming here to save you?"

"No, I don't think he is. I know he is and he will and Matt won't stop till he does."

Luke stopped at the mention of Matt's name yet again. "Ummm, Kitty that's the second time you've mentioned the name Matt. So am I right in assuming you are a lawman's woman?"

She just stared right through him.

"And this lawman would this be Matt Dillon?"

Still she said nothing.

"I hear he casts a tall shadow."

"Is that a fact?"

Cal grabbed Luke by the arm. "Great. She's a lawman's woman. HAHAHA, that makes this all the better." Then he grabbed Kitty by the chin. "Not for long, Darlin'." She just pulled her face free.

TBC