PT.12

Chances

Unlocking the front doors, about to begin sweeping off the front boardwalk, Sam was surprised to see Maggie standing there waiting. Meekly, she looked at him. "Good morning, Sam. Sorry, I know it's early, but I was hoping that I could speak with Miss Kitty before she gets too busy."

"Oh, well, Miss Maggie, please come in. But I don't know that Miss Kitty is even up yet."

Maggie dropped her gaze. "Oh, right, I didn't think of that. I'm up rather early myself. I could sleep. Maybe I should comeback, you know, later in the day?"

Sam didn't say anything at first but when Maggie started for the door, "Wait, I just made coffee. Sit and have some. I'm sure she'll be down shortly. If you'd like, I can check." Then Sam stopped. He could hear footsteps above. "See like I thought. That would be Miss Kitty moving around now."

"Sam," Maggie said quickly, "would you mind if I went up and knocked?"

At first he hesitated but then he noticed an urgency in her face, nodded and waved her towards the stairs.

"Thank you. I'll tell her I insisted." Maggie told him.

Maggie hurried across the landing. Kitty had been up. Matt had left shortly before the sun came up, so that gave her time to get herself together without having to rush. She had just sat down at the vanity table when she heard the light tap at the door. This tap wasn't a familiar one. "Who is it?" She called out.

"Miss Kitty, it's me, Maggie. I'm sorry I'm calling on you so early but…"

Quickly Kitty was up and opened the door. "Maggie, please come in. What's wrong? Are you alright? Come sit."

"No, no please. I'm ok. I needed to talk with you in private. I needed to ask something of you very important." Maggie told her.

Kitty guided her to the settee. "Come, sit, now tell me what is it? What is so important?"

"Miss Kitty, I know I have no right, but I wanted to ask you, will you take us, take me and my boys to Texas. Well, what I mean is, come with us? I don't know that I can meet my moth… Kate, alone. Maybe it will be easier if you are with me. She left me before. She didn't want me then, what if…"

Tightening her lips together and with sad eyes, "Oh, sweetheart, I… I…" and before Kitty could finish her sentence,

"Please, Miss Kitty?" When Kitty looked into Maggie's eyes and saw the pain and uncertainty she closed her eyes and mumbled, "Matt's not gonna like this." Then nodding, "Ok, alright, I'll go with you and the boys. We'll leave on tomorrow's afternoon stage. It shouldn't take more the a few days and while we're there you can re-file your land papers."

"My land papers," Maggie repeated.

"Yes," And Kitty turned and handed her the envelope.

"But I signed these over…"

"Well John Hughes lost it to me in the game. So now it belongs to you and your boys and that's where it stays."

"Oh, Miss Kitty, I could never pay you …"

Kitty looked around the room, "I don't know about you but I don't remember hearing any discussion about money. It's yours, Maggie. End of discussion!"

Kitty sat at a table with Doc discussing with him if he thought Maggie would be ok to travel.

Doc tugging his ear, turned and gave Kitty a stare. "Now, let me ask you something young lady."

"Sure, Curly, what?"

"Now, I'm just guessing here, but have you by any chance run this plan of yours past our esteemed Marshal yet?"

Turning back to him leaning back on the chair, both hands on her hips, both brows raised. "I wasn't aware I needed His permission."

Nodding his head, "I thought so."

"You thought so what, Doc?" Matt asked, as he walked up to the table.

Doc stood and started to laugh, "I'm not staying for this. But no matter. I'm just across the alley. I'll hear it all! Kitty. Matt. Sam, if I were you, I'd find something to do." And continued out the door still chuckling.

"Kit, what was that all about?"

"Sit down. I'll tell you all about it. Coffee?"

"Nah. So what's going on?"

"Matt, I'm going to take Maggie and her boys to Texas!"

He shifted his hat then took it off, flopping it on the table in front of him. "You're gonna what?"

"Now, Matt, I'm gonna go with Maggie to Texas. Look she's a little apprehensive about meeting Kate alone."

"Kit, you really shouldn't be involving yourself."

"Matt, I know but it's not like I don't know Kate. It will just make things a little smoother."

"Kit, honey, I don't like this."

"Matt, I just want to see that she and the boys get there safe and she get's the land papers filed. And then I'll be back. That simple. You'll see."

Matt put both hands over his face. "Kitty, I don't want you to do this. We can put her and the boys on the train."

"No, Matt. I told her I'd do this and I'm gonna do it!"

"Kitty…"

"Matt, my mind is made up. Now I have to go up and pack. I'll see you later." She headed for the stairs,

"Hey, wait. When you plan on going?"

"Tomorrow afternoon!"

"Kitty, please. Can't we talk about this?"

"Matt, No."

TBC