A steaming bowl of antelope stew appeared in front of Kitty, and a juicy steak in front of Matt. "Here you go." The waiter re-filled their coffee cups and hurried off. Kitty lifted her fork, "So, I've caught you up on the news in Dodge, it's time for you to talk about whatever it is you've been putting off telling me." Matt snorted a laugh, Kitty knew him too well. "I'm not keeping anything from you, Kitty, I just want talk about this in a way that doesn't bring back too many difficult memories. Here goes – strange as it may seem, on my way home I came upon a woman. She was all alone, and giving birth. I did what I could. The baby survived, but sadly the woman did not, and with her last words she asked me to keep her son safe. I carried him back to town and brought him up to Doc's." Kitty's jaw dropped, she stared speechless at Matt. How was it possible, that this one lawmen managed to come into possession of a second baby needing care, in less than a year. Last time he brought baby to her, and the unexpected sweep of emotions brought on by the experience, changed her forever.
Matt leaned across the table. "Kitty I knew telling you about this baby would bring back thoughts of the hard decision you made to give up baby Mary, but I…." She put hand on his. "Matt, I'm glad you told me. I would have heard about it some other way, it's best to learn it from you. And, you're right, the baby girl you thrust in my arms those months ago, made me feel the pull to motherhood as sure as the moon pulls the tides. It's still there, some days strong, others weak, and some days hardly at all, but it's part of me."
"Kitty, looking back I realize I was – well – I could have been more understanding, when you talked about keeping that baby." "Matt." She shook her head. "You called it like you saw it. That's the way it is with us. And when I told you I decided to hand the baby over to Maylee, you asked if I was sure. That meant a lot to me. It was the right decision Matt, as hard as it felt at the time. Maylee, had gone through pregnancy and childbirth, but her baby was still-born. After that she lost her husband. She needed that baby, and she owned a working farm, so had a place to rear her and a way to support her. I couldn't have raised a child in a saloon. I would have sold the Long Branch and bought a house outside of town." She sighed and shook her head, "Truth is, it would have been lonely, living alone with a baby, in the countryside. And other parts of my life would have changed too, in ways I wouldn't have wanted them to." She looked up and met Matt's eyes. " It was Maylee's time for motherhood, not mine. The choice I made was best for everyone." She nodded with pure certainty, and took a sip of coffee. "So – so Matt, the baby you helped deliver, where is he now?" "Doc and I took him to the boarding house, and hired Maggie Cooper as a wet nurse. Kitty, there's something else I want you to know, the baby's father's a wanted man, and I'm determined to bring him in. He beat his wife something fierce, even when she was with child.I brought her body back to town to be buried proper, but I also want Doc to examine her, and tell me if those beatings contributed to her death. A man like Wes Chapman should stand trial and be punished for everything he's done." Kitty leaned back and stared down into her bowl of stew for a long minute. When she looked up her voice was soft but firm. "Matt, I'm sure you'll do the right thing about that man and the baby. But I really don't want to get involved, in any way. I'm sure you understand."
Wes
Wes Chapman rode down Front Street with a plan in mind. He needed information, and knew damn well that talk was cheap in most saloons. He also knew it flowed most easy in a certain type of place. He glanced at the Long Branch as he rode by – clean windows, swept walkway, clear written signs – not at all what he had in mind. He slowed going past the Golden Horse, but pulled to a full stop outside the Lady Gay – broken bottles out front, dirty windows, scribbled signs – a fine place to find loose lips. He wandered in and stood at the bar, "Beer, and make it quick." The barkeep filled a mug, more froth that beer. "5 Cents." Wes slide a coin over. "Seems a quiet town. Not much goes on in a place like this." The barkeep shook his head, with pride, "You got that wrong. We got a stage stop, and a train depot, and a US Marshal that works outa here. He's gotta lot goin' on." Wes shrugged and sipped his beer. "Like what?" The barkeep leaned closer and grinned, "Well he brought a new-born baby inta town this afternoon, along with it's mama's body. The poor woman musta died givin' birth. Happens a lot. Anyways, the town doctor brought the baby over ta Maggie Cooper at Ma Smalley's boarding house." Wes frowned, seemed Lorna was dead, that was bad, he needed her to tend his baby. "Who's this Maggie person?"
The barkeep laughed, "Oh she's kinda the town wet-nurse. She's got bosoms on her you wouldn't believe. I'd kinda like to suckle there myself, if ya know what I mean." Wes smiled and drained his glass. "I reckon I get your meaning. See you around." Satisfied, Wes stepped outside and looked down Front Street. Next step was to find the boarding house, and get his son back. Lorna was dead so he'd hafta take the Maggie woman too, to feed and tend the baby."
Kitty
Kitty sat at her vanity and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her make-up could use a touch-up before work. As she picked out a bright red lipstick, her mind drifted back to her talk with Matt, over dinner. The fact that he brought another infant into town, who needed a home, might be a sign of something – but what? Sighing, she scanned her reflection. She was was way closer to the age of 40 than 30, but she still looked good, if she said so herself. All-in-all she was a lucky woman, with a lot of good things in her life; love, friendship, a community, a profitable business she like running. She had it better that so-so many women, but still she wanted more from life, was that so very wrong? She crossed her arms on the small table and stared into the mirror. Kitty Russell, when it came to this baby you decided to stand back, not get involved, not risk any kind of attachment forming. Hell – when have you ever stood back. That's not you. You know you want to see the baby, so go. The Long Branch won't be jumping for at least another hour, get yourself over to Maggie Cooper's now and see that little boy.
TBC