Chapter 17 A New Approach

Author's Note: Beverly, thank you for your reviews. I wish I could send you a personal message.

The Ronnigers' Place

Kitty steered the buggy towards Silver Creek Crossroads and down the path to the Ronniger property. She could not explain why, but Kitty had butterflies in her stomach. Bess was her best friend. Kitty trusted Bess. Talking with Bess should not give Kitty butterflies with eagle wings, yet she had them. When Kitty got closer to the house, she could see and hear the children playing. They were riding on the carousel. Seeing their Aunt Kitty ride towards the house, the children jumped off the carousel and came to greet her.

"Aunt Kitty! Aunt Kitty!" they joyfully shouted as they surrounded her buggy.

"Hello, kids," Kitty greeted. "Let me stop the buggy. We don't need anyone to get ran over or anything." Kitty stopped the buggy and got out. She lifted the hitch weight from the floor of the buggy and was about to attach it to Buttercup's harness.

"I'll do that for you," Ben Ronniger offered.

Kitty smiled at Ben and handed him the weight. "Thank you, Ben." Ben took the weight and secured it to Buttercup's harness.

Bess had noticed that it had gotten quiet outside and went to investigate. She was delighted when she saw Kitty. "I was wondering why it got so quiet all of a sudden. It's when playful children suddenly get quiet, that you have to start worrying and see what's going on. Kitty, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you out here."

"I hope I'm disturbing you by dropping in unexpectedly," said Kitty. She knew how busy Bess could be, considering the number of chldren she had.

"Not at all," Bess reassured her. "You are always welcome here.

Mary tugged on Kitty's skirt to get her attention. "Aunt Kitty, where's Ruby? Why didn't you bring her?"

"I left Ruby with her daddy this time," Kitty replied. "I'll try to remember to bring her next time. Bess, I was wondering if you and I could go for a walk and talk privately."

Bess didn't have to think twice about her answer. She knew Kitty had shown up unexpectedly for a reason, and she was eager to find out why. "Of course we can. Some fresh air and a walk will do me some good. Robin and Maria, I want the two of you to watch the young ones, while Aunt Kitty 'n I go for a walk. You youngins mind Robin and Maria."

"Yes, momma." "We will, momma."

Kitty and Bess started their walk in an easterly direction. They walked in a companionable silence. Knowing Kitty wanted to talk to her, Bess decided to let Kitty start the conversation. Bess wasn't going to push Kitty into talking. Whatever Kitty had to say would be said. They walked a little further before Kitty finally spoke.

"Bess, I need to swear you to secrecy. What I'm about to tell you must stay between the two of us. I'm asking you not to even say anything to Will," Kitty requested.

Bess was now intrigued and concerned. Kitty usually didn't make such requests. "Kitty, you have my word. Anything you say will stay between us. I won't even mention anything to Will. I know you would do the same, if I asked you."

Kitty took a deep breath and began her story. "On Saturday Matt, Ruby, and I were getting ready to go into town. Before we left Ruby went outside and saw a horse that wasn't ours drinking from our trough. Well, the horse wandered behind the barn. Matt of course was extremely concerned. He told me 'n Ruby to stay put, while he checked things out. He had his hand on his gun and was ready to use it. Not long after he went behind the barn, he called for me. I went to see why he was calling me. When I got there, I saw a young boy on the ground."

Bess gasped and put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my! Was he… was he dead?" She couldn't imagine finding a dead child. The thought of it sent shivers down her spine.

"Fortunately he was still alive," Kitty responded, easing Bess' mind. "But he was unconscious. We checked for injuries, like broken bones, but didn't find any. When we were certain that there weren't any broken bones, Matt carefully carried the boy into the house, and then went for Doc. Doc came out and examined him. The boy was still unconscious. He was out cold. Doc had another house call to make and returned later. By now the boy had woken up."

"Oh thank goodness," Bess sighed as she placed her hand over her heart. "Who is this boy?"

"That's the thing. We don't know who he is and neither does he," Kitty replied. Bess gave Kitty a strange look. KItty continued. "We figured that his horse had gotten spooked and threw him. He must've hit his head when he landed. It gave him a nasty concussion and amnesia."

"I've heard of that. Isn't that where a person can't remember things?" Bess questioned.

"Yes," Kitty confirmed. "Since he can't remember his name, we've been calling him James. He's been with us since Saturday. He came in the clothes he was wearing, nothing else. That's why I'm here. Do you have any clothes I can buy from you? We think he's around ten or eleven years old, about a year or so younger than Ben."

"Of course you can have some clothes, and you are not going to pay me. I'd donate them to a good cause, and this is definitely a good cause," Bess firmly stated.

"I really do appreciate this," said Kitty.

"So, I'm guessing Matt is being a marshal trying to figure out who James is," said Bess.

"He, Festus, and Newly have been trying to figure it out," Kitty replied. "They haven't said anything to anyone. They're waiting to see if anyone talks."

"Matt always seems to know what he's doing," Bess commented. "Let's go and get those clothes. Don't worry. I'll wrap them up, so the kids don't see them."

Kitty and Bess walked back to the house, but this time their conversation was about more pleasant topics. When they reached the house, Bess went to a trunk in her room where she kept clothing that she planned on giving to charity. She had it all sorted and organized. Bess easily found some of Ben's old clothes and gave them to Kitty.

"There are a couple pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, some socks and some underwear."

Kitty thankfully accepted them. "Bess, I really appreciate this. I didn't know how else I was going to get James some clothes. I certainly couldn't go to town and buy some. That would've invited some gossip." Bess agreed. Kitty put the package of clothes on the buggy's seat and drove home.

The Dillon House

It was Wednesday evening and the Dillons were enjoying some apple cake for dessert. It was a new recipe that Kitty had gotten from Bess, and she wanted to try it. She was going to have James help her bake it and use the baking time as a lesson to teach fractions. However, she decided against that. Kitty knew how much Ruby loved to bake with her. She was afraid it might upset Ruby if she found out James helped with the baking. Kitty didn't want to upset Ruby. So, she waited until Ruby got home from school and the three of them baked the cake together.

"Do ya like the cake, daddy? Me, 'n momma, 'n James baked it when I got home today." Ruby put a forkful of cake in her mouth.

"It's delicious. It's the best apple cake I've ever eaten," Matt replied. Both Ruby and James were pleased with Matt's compliment.

Kitty had been quiet during the dessert time. She wanted to make a suggestion to Matt and was contemplating on how to make it. Kitty thought it might be a good idea to send James to school. For the last several days nobody in Dodge City mentioned anything about a missing boy. Kitty was starting to wonder if there was any threat to James, that threat may be gone.

"Matt," said Kitty.

"Yeah," Matt responded.

"I've been thinking," Kitty spoke. "Maybe we should start sending James to school. I honestly feel that he'll be okay. I don't think his life is in danger. I don't think my life or Ruby's life would be in danger if we sent him. We can't keep him in hiding forever."

Matt ran his hand through his hair. "I think yer right. The tactic of don't give information, let it come to you is not working. I need to try something else. Maybe actually seeing James will draw out information that we need." Matt turned his attention to James. "James, how would you like to go to school tomorrow?"

James' eyes lit up. He liked being with Kitty during the day, but the thought of being with kids sounded wonderful. "I would like that a lot, sir." James would rotate between sir and Uncle Matt, when he spoke to Matt.

"Then it's settled," said Matt "You'll go to school tomorrow. Kitty 'n I will take you 'n Ruby, so we can talk with Miss Grey."

"Are we gonna tell her the truth about him?" asked Kitty.

"Yes," Matt answered. "I'm hoping if people hear James' story, they might remember hearing something and share that information."

"I understand." Kitty reached over and gently squeezed James' hand. "You'll start school tomorrow."

TBC