PT.5

Chances

Sitting in Delmonico's, having a light breakfast, Kitty was hurrying. She knew she had a few errands to run before getting back to the saloon. She was finishing up her coffee when she heard the deep voice.

"Well, good morning, Miss Russell, is it?"

As she looked up, standing before her with his hat in hand, was none other than the tall dark suited man she threw out of the Long Branch the night before, John Hughes! Tilting her head and arching her brow. "Is it Mister Hughes?"

"Awe, now, Miss Russell, you're not still upset with me from last evening are you?" He grinned.

"Me? Upset? Not at all, Mister Hughes. After all I'm not the one who was unruly and left threatening that, "This wasn't over" I believe were your words?"

John Hughes pulled out a chair asking, "Mind if I join you?"

Quickly and shocking to him, "Yes, as a matter a fact I do. I was just about to leave. I have errand to do and I'm running late. So if you will excuse me." Kitty stood, gathered up her skirt and brushed passed him as she left the restaurant.

Maggie and the boys watched as she, in a rush, walked down the street to Sarah Carr's dress shop.

Later that afternoon, Luke Short and Amarillo Slim, along with several others, were putting together another game in the Long Branch. Sam overheard them talking.

"Same bet boys?" One of them asked. "Still got Hughes' $5000 in the pot. Ain't sure if Miss Kitty's gonna let him back in?"

"Well, maybe. We will see what a slick smooth talker he really is?" Someone else said.

The rancher from the night before spoke up. "I got me a mind to put in to this here bet, clean ya all out. I know Miss Kitty and Marshal Dillon fur many a year and yeah, they be pretty discrete round folk. But' I'm a tellin' ya'll, them there two, ya' ain't gittin' twine 'um."

Luke Short just looked up over his cards. "Well, I don't fancy me no ladies man, but I had me my share of handsome woman. I'm a willing to take a shot at her."

Then a new guy, who was sitting in, spoke up. "I gotta agree with ol' Wilson here. Ever since I came ta Dodge, I heard tales of the Marshal and Miss Kitty,not in any bad way, just that she's off limits. Hell man, that there is known most all over Kansas. Most folks even joke about it, them to think they hide it. Worse Best kept secret in Dodge."

John Hughes, entered the saloon and sat back into the game. Kitty hadn't returned. After leaving Sarah's shop carrying boxes, she spotted Maggie and the boys. "Maggie, Maggie. Over here."

Oh, Miss Kitty. Kitty can I help you with those?" Maggie walked towards her.

"You look like you already have your hands full. Hello Boys." Kitty said smiling at Ian and Connor.

"Boys, this is Miss Kitty Russell. Say hello, she is a friend of mine." Both at the same time looked at Kitty and said, "Hi, I'm five."

"Oh my, you're five?" Kitty smiled down at them.

"Miss Kitty, when you have time, I need to ask you something." Maggie said.

"Of course, dear, why don't you come with me now, I'll get rid of these boxes and we can sit and be comfortable." Then Kitty looked at Maggie's face and could see she looked nervous. She kept looking around. "Maggie is something wrong?"

"Why?" Maggie snapped.

"Maggie, dear, relax. You look as though you've seen a ghost. Come let's go." Kitty urged.

Kitty led Maggie and the boys up the back stairs. As they entered, Maggie looked around. "Oh, Miss Kitty, this is beautiful. You live here?"

Nodding her head. "Yeah, I do. This is home. It keeps me close to the business. I have a couple of rooms here that I live in and a few of my girls live her as well. My office, which you've seen, and I have a small kitchen. And of course the saloon."

Kitty had a few trinkets she gave the boys to fiddle with while she and Maggie sat talking. "Now, Maggie," grabbing hold of both her hands, "what is it that has you so jumpy?"

"Oh, Miss Kitty. I'm so ashamed. When I came to see you, I didn't tell you the whole truth." Maggie told her.

"Oh! Ok." Kitty said, waiting for more.

Maggie dropped her head. "There are several things I didn't tell you. I'm not sure where to begin."

"Well, it's always been my experience, that the beginning helps." Kitty smiled gently. "Look, take a deep breath, sit back relax, get comfortable. I'm gonna see if I can find Festus to occupy the boys for just a bit, then you and I can talk privately. How's that?"

Maggie just nodded in agreement.

Kitty went down the stairs. She spotted Festus coming from Moss Grimmick's. "Festus."

"Miz Kitty, wat'cha need?"

"Festus can you keep an eye on Mrs. Cassidy's boys for just a while? I need to talk with her privately."

Entering the room, "There now. It's just us. Will a drink help? A little brandy?"

"Ohhhhh ?" Maggie looked at her.

Kitty poured just a tiny amount in the glass. "There try that."

Maggie sipped it. "Ummmm. That's good!"

Smiling at her, "Yes it is. Now, you were saying?"

"Oh yeah. Well, what I told you was real. I was raised by my grandparents, and this Cole person was /is my father, and Kate Ramsey is, I guess, my mother. But Cassidy. I guess you're wondering where that name come from?"

Furrowing her brow, "Well your husband of course." Kitty answered.

Shaking her head from side to side, then softly saying, "No. Cassidy is my grandmother's maiden name."

"Ok, Honey, I understand. In my business, I see young woman get into situations …."

Quickly Maggie stopped her. "No, Miss Kitty, I'm married but to an awful man. After my grandparents died, he forced me to turn over everything to him, money and property. He was cruel, he beat me awful. He left us when it was all gone, well almost all. I had a little hidden. I was hoping to find my parents for help."

"Maggie, did you ever go to the law?" Kitty asked.

"No." Maggie sighed. "I was afraid. He knew too many people in Texas, where I lived. Miss Kitty, I think I saw him.

"You did? Maggie …!"

"It's been a few years since he left, but…" Maggie went on.

"Maggie , if you're name is not Cassidy, what is it?" Kitty asked.

Miss Kitty… I… I… my name is Mrs. Maggie ….

TBC