PT.9

Chances

After cleaning up Matt's hand, "Doc maybe you should finish this up. I'm gonna take these things in and check on Maggie, maybe I can help her change, she'll be more comfortable."

Once she closed the door behind her, Doc shook his head, swiping his mustache. "Let me see what you have here Marshal."

"Ah, never mind that Doc. She makes me crazy!"

"Ya don't say."

"No, Doc, I mean it! Do you have any idea what she was up to down there tonight with this character? The chances she was taking?"

Shaking his head, "Actually, no she hasn't told me." Doc replied.

"Doc, I'll say it in one word, "CARDS". Nodding his head at a fast pace to make his point. "Uh huh, "CARDS".

Tugging on his ear, "OHHHHH, I think I see. And you're all steamed up about this because…"

Suddenly Doc turned, when he heard Matt growl. "UGHHHH! Doc, you know why! Yes, I realize Kitty dealt cards in New Orleans, and yes I know she's good at it. But, Doc, you know as well as I do this isn't New Orleans. And she promised me!"

"Ok, look instead of you yelling at me, did you ask her about it?" Doc questioned.

"Yeah, well, no, well… she said she was too tired to talk to me about it."

"Well, Matt, a lot has happened while you've been away."

Quickly the back room door opened. "Do you think you can keep it down out here? I can hear you and so can Maggie. And as for what I was doing, Marshal Dillon…" now standing with her shoulders squared and both hands on her hips and lips tight.

Doc just moved a side. "You've done it now. I'll go check on my patient."

"But, Doc," Matt said.

"Don't you look for Doc to intervene. I'll have you know I did what I had to do down there tonight. And as for taking chances, yes, I took chances. But life come with chances. You should know all about that! That man cheated Maggie and her children and another family, one of our neighbors, and someone I consider a friend, out of their homes, not to say several folks out of a lot of money. And yes I was able to help them and yes if I had it to do all over again, I would!"

"But, Kit, the stakes? He was saying he was playing to own you."

Now with her head tilted and rolling her eyes. "Now, Cowboy, did you honestly think I was ever going to let that happen? Seriously? Even you know I'm a better card player than that!"

"While we're on the subject, Kit. Maggie, when I first saw her, I couldn't believe my eyes. And when I asked you, you said…"

Quickly she stopped him, softening her look. "Relax, Cowboy, it's not what you're thinking. Maybe you should buy me some coffee."

"I have a better idea. Join me for breakfast?"

"Ok, I'll let Doc know and we can bring him something back and see if Maggie can eat something." Kitty ducked in the room. "Curly, we're going to go for breakfast, how about we bring two trays for you and Maggie?"

"Thanks, Kitty." He answered. "You and the big lug ok?"

"We need to talk." Then she winked at him as she closed the door.

Sitting at a table at Delmonico's. Joe brought coffee and menu's. "Joe, when we're done can you make me up two trays to go for Doc and his patient? The one just something light will be fine."

"Sure, Miss Kitty."

"Thanks, Joe." Sipping her coffee. "Matt, Maggie and her boys came in a few days ago just before the gamblers, looking for me so it seems."

"Whoa. Wait a minute. Her boys?"

"Oh, yeah, she has the cutest twin five year old boys, Ian and Conner. They're with Ma Smalley. Anyway, Maggie grew up raised by her grandparents. Seems her mother, their daughter, was much like me. As a matter of fact, turns out I knew her. We also looked quite a bit alike. We both work for Pan, in New Orleans. Kate was a few years older than I. Maggie's grandparents never really told her much about Kate. She found out when they died and she tried to settle their papers. Then she went to try and find Kate and her father."

"Well, Kitty, were you able to help here with any of…"

Waving a hand to stop him. "Matt, let me finish. When Maggie went to Pan's place, all the girls there told Maggie, when she asked about a redhead that worked there, was that she left with a man named Cole! See, Maggie didn't even know Kate's name, just that she was a redhead and her father's name was Cole."

"Kit, are you saying that her father is Cole Yankton?"

"I think so, Matt. And I'm pretty sure Kate Ramsey is her mother. When I left Pan's place with Cole, and we went to San Francisco, Kate showed up not long after. And after he got into trouble and I bailed him out, and was broke, he left me and run off with her and I never saw him again till he showed up here in Dodge. So I guess he tired of her as well. Who knows where Kate is now. Matt, John Hughes married Maggie, swindled her out of her family's money and left her and those boys with nothing. Forced her to sign everything over to him. Don't you see I had to do something to help her, for the children. Even if I did take chances. I just had to. And the Gordan's. Matt, those children…."

Placing his large hand on her shoulder. "Kitty, I… I…"

Just then, standing just outside the door. "Mister Gordan! Matt, just a minute." She walked out on the boardwalk. "Mister Gordan."

"Oh, morning, Miss Kitty."

"Good morning. I wanted to talk to you alone,"

"What about, Miss Kitty?"

"I have something that belongs to you. As a matter of fact, when you have the time, stop on by the Long Branch and I'll give it to you."

"Oh, Ma'am, my family and I will be moving. As you know the place rightfully belongs to… well you Know, Miss Kitty."

Shaking her head side to side. "NO! No, Mister Gordon. That's what I'm trying to tell you. It's your place. You can pick up you're deed."

"Oh, Miss Kitty, I can't let you…"

"Shhhh, I insist. And there is one condition."

"What's that, Ma'am?"

"You never put it on a poker table again."

"He, without thinking, pulled her into a huge hug. Even Matt looked on having no idea what was happening. She just let out a deep barrel laugh.

Matt came out carrying the two trays for Doc and Maggie. "Should I even ask?"

"Jealous, Marshal?"

TBC