Wow! this is the longest chapter yet! 3000+ words. I hope you guys enjoy it.
Kitty woke up early enough that it was still dark outside, so she laid in the quietness of her room. As she laid there her mind pondered on what she was going to say to Preacher John and Abby. But when she saw the sky lighten, she walked to her window and pulled back the lace curtains to watch as the sun came up over the horizon. Vibrant colors of pinks, yellows, and oranges filled the sky. The sun was telling the world it was the beginning of a new day. Kitty let the curtain fall back in its place, then she made herself ready for the day. As she put the last pin in her hair, she looked at herself in the mirror. "Why is a lie so easy to tell but the truth so hard?" Kitty wondered, but then shook the thought from her mind as she made her way downstairs.
Kitty walked about the home but couldn't find the lady of the house anywhere. "Hey Sarah?" she called out, but there was no response, "Sarah Marie Thatcher Anderson?!" Again only silence was the reply. Then she walked to the kitchen where she found a note on the stove.
"Kitty, I forgot to tell you, I'm playing the piano today since Mrs. Augustin and her Husband are out of town. See you at church, Sarah."
Kitty could only smile as she set to work scrambling eggs, frying bacon, and toasting bread. Once the table was set and the food was ready, Kitty made her way back upstairs to wake the girls.
When she opened the door, she could see both girls sharing Bethany's bed and Lady curled up at their feet.
Lady looked up at her, wondering if she was in trouble for getting on the bed. Kitty could only smile as she stepped closer and started to pet the collie. "You're fine Lady. Thank you for watching over my girls."
Kitty then kissed Lady's nose. the collie's tail thumped in a happy response as she licked the woman's face. As if to say, 'you're welcome.'
Kitty smiled, then turned her attention to the two sleeping bundles, which had their heads covered under the blankets and snuggled in tightly. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Kitty pulled back the covers. "Good morning, my rays of sunshine. Breakfast is on the table and it's getting cold." she rubbed both girls' backs, prompting them to wake up.
Bethany sighed. But Maddie rubbed her eyes and slowly moved to hug her mother. Kitty willingly embraced the child and kissed Maddie on the top of the head as she snuggled into her mother's shoulder. She then looked back at her oldest who pulled the covers back over herself. "Hey girlie, come on, it's time to get moving."
Before Kitty could do anything more, Lady took over, nudging her way into a little hole under the blanket, it wasn't long before giggles erupted, and Kitty could hear.
"Oh, Lady! That was my mouth! Okay, Okay I'm up."
Soon both the girl and dog appeared. Kitty chuckled at the sight, Bethany's hair looked like a bird's nest and Lady was quite pleased with herself.
"Maybe next time you'll wake up when I call you, then Lady won't have to help."
Kitty smiled as she started out the door with Maddie still in her arms.
Bethany only sighed as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She had a hint of a smile on her face.
"Yeah, but I'm more awake when Lady does it."
Kitty could only shake her head as they made their way down for the morning meal. Kitty made sure to give some eggs to Lady for being such a good girl this morning.
As the girls were going upstairs to get ready Kitty noticed that Maddie was still downstairs with her. She looked the young child over, felt her forehead, 'nope no fever.' then Maddie came and sat on her mother's lap. It was then Kitty could hear the child sniff as she was crying. "Maddie, honey, what's wrong?"
"I miss uncle Newly."
"Oh, Sweetheart. Is that why you were in bed with your sister last night?"
The child nodded her head once again. Her mother wrapped her in a tight hug, then turned her so she could look at her, "Well, I bet you if you go get dressed, Uncle Newly will be here before you're done." she winked hoping that would solve the little girl's problem.
Maddie sniffed as the last of her crocodile tears rolled down her cheek, "Are-are you sure?"
"Yes, baby, I am."
Kitty wiped them away and smiled as she kissed her little girl,
With that Maddie, hugged her dolly close and ran upstairs, "Sissy, wait for me!"
Kitty was amused at how the girls had become so attached to Newly over the last twenty-four hours,
But something deep inside of her caused her heart to cry out in agony.
Would they do the same with their father? Would Matt get attached to those...
Her thoughts scattered when she heard Lady barking and a knock on the door.
She smiled when she saw Newly taking off his hat and spinning it in his hands.
"Good morning, Newly, come on in." she smiled at him, "You know there are two little girls that are eagerly waiting to see you."
The gentlemen only chuckled, "I didn't know I was such a big hit with them."
"Oh, believe me Newly. You have become the center of their little world."
Kitty gently smiled at him as she hugged him hello. But before she could say anything else, she heard the girls racing down the stairs. "Speaking of the welcoming committee, here they come." She winked at Newly before stepping out of the way. Both girls raced past their mother to the newcomer with arms wide open.
"UNCLE NEWLY!" both girls said, Maddie reached him first, she wrapped her arms around him holding as tight as she could, "I missed you Uncle Newly. I had to sleep with sissy and Lady."
She rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled into him.
Newly could only smile as he held her close. "I missed you too, sweetheart."
"Hey, what about me?"
Newly smiled as he looked up to see Bethany giving him a look that he had seen Kitty give to Matt over the years, only Bethany didn't have it mastered like her mother.
"I missed you too, Beth...any."
He smiled. He loved teasing Bethany, drawing out her name, then finish it before she would get agitated at him. But the girl always had a playful smile on her lips when she tried to act annoyed, but both adults could tell she enjoyed every minute of it.
Once Newly helped Kitty round up the girls, they made their way to church. When they stepped out of the buggy, both girls took ahold of both of Newly's hands and ran to let him meet their friends and church members. Kitty chuckled in amusement as both girls ran with him toward their Sunday school teacher, Lucy Travers. A smile spread across her face when she heard Newly tell the girls,
'Whoa, girls! Slow down."
But that only made the girls run faster. "Kitty, what's so funny?"
"Oh, good morning, Abby. I'm just watching the girls show off a friend from Dodge."
"Oh, you mean Mr. O' Brian."
"Yes, the girls adore him."
"I can tell." Abby chuckled, "They came up to me proudly stating, "Mrs. Webber, this is Our Uncle Newly! Newly O' Brian." Then they raced off once they saw Mis Travers."
Kitty could only laugh, "I'm sure the girls would play matchmaker with him and Mis Travers if they could. But I don't think Newly would go for that."
Abigail sighed, "I take it he was married once before." Kitty only nodded her head, "She died of leukemia just a few short weeks after they were married."
Abby nodded in her understanding way. The ladies walked for a while as it was such a beautiful autumn morning,
"Kitty, you're still planning on coming over for dinner, aren't you?"
"Yes, I was going to have Newly-"
"Oh, Kitty, there is no need. You can just come on over after church."
"Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to be a bother."
"Mrs. Dillon! You a bother! No, you're a joy to be around and a great friend to boot."
Abby smiled as she hugged the woman. Kitty only nodded, her mind was racing on what to say, but when both women heard the music start playing, the congregation started to sing "Will there be any stars in my crown."
both women looked at each other, Abby mouthed an "Oh No!" Kitty could only smile as she started to gather her skirts, "Well, Mrs. Webber we better pick up the pace, or we are going to be late." Abby could only smile as she followed Kitty's lead. With that both women raced to the church, then in a quick but efficient fashion, they found their seats. Both women looked up to see the Preacher trying his best to control his laughter as he had seen what had unfolded.
It was easy to keep things under control until Kitty looked down at her youngest child, Maddie was glaring at her mother as if she had committed some sort of crime.
Kitty leaned down to her daughter, "Maddie, what's wrong?" Maddie sighed and thought for a moment,
"Mama, you always told me. 'No, running in church!'"
The child said aloud as the congregation finished the last line of Amazing Grace. Newly quickly covered Maddie's mouth, but it was too late, as chuckles and snickering traveled from one row to the next. Soon the whole church filled with laughter. Even Kitty and Abby couldn't help but join in the laughter.
John cleared his throat as he smiled at the small child,
The preacher was trying his best to refrain from laughing, but the child was right. He had heard her mother get after her for running in the church.
But before he knew it, a small chuckle escaped his lips too.
As church ended everyone was still chuckling from Maddie's comment. When folks would walk past Kitty, they would say she was doing an excellent job on raising her daughters and that their father must be proud.
Kitty could only nod and smile with tung in cheek. Did they need to know everything too?
She shook the thought from her mind as she walked over to where Newly, Sarah, and the girls were standing. "Now you girls mind your Aunt Sarah and Uncle Newly while I'm gone, alright?"
She said giving the girls a stern look. Both children nodded their heads, "Yes, Ma'am."
"Good girls. Oh, Newly, I'll be staying here with the parson and his wife for a while, I should be done around 4 or so." Newly nodded, "I'll leave the buggy here for you, Sarah said she wanted to take the girls on a walk through the park on the way home anyway."
Kitty could only smile, He always was a gentleman.
"Oh, alright, well you four have a fun time. I'll see you later."
With that Newly, Sarah and the girls started on their way home.
Kitty turned on her heels and walked toward John and Abigail,
"I can take care of your horse, Mrs. Dillon since I have to go milk the cow anyway."
John smiled, as he reached for the rains of a chestnut gelding.
"Oh, thank you, pre-"
"Please, Mrs. Dillon you can call me John. You don't have to worry about the formality's all the time."
"Thank you, and please call me, Kitty. "
The preacher tipped his hat as he started to unhitch the horse and brush it out.
"Very well Mrs. Dillon, eh I mean Kitty."
He smiled at her, at that moment Kitty noticed something about him, his eyes,
They were hazel, but they were so gentle, soft, and loving. A kind of love that didn't come from a man loving a woman, but a love that was deeper, and richer. Abigale had the same look about her too. But that look of love they had was different, Kitty wasn't sure how to describe it.
The Webbers were a young almost middle-aged couple, and still had time for children. But they didn't have any yet. When Kitty walked into the house, she saw an empty cradle that sat in the parlor. She then looked to Abby there was no sign of a bump, but then again Kitty knew how to hide that.
"Abby?" She finally asked, "are you in a... I'm sorry that's too personal."
A smile crept across Abby's face as she looked at Kitty, "No, Kitty you're not intruding. Yes, we are. But the baby isn't due until February, we've been trying to keep it a secret as best we can."
Kitty raised her eyebrows, 'keeping secrets, great idea!' she thought sarcastically. But then smiled as she looked at the mother to be,
"I'm so happy for you both, you and John will make wonderful parents."
"Thank you, Kitty. I hope we can do as well as you have with your girls."
Kitty wanted to say something more, but nothing would come to mind.
Abby could only smile as she stood up, "I'll put some coffee on while we wait for John. Lunch will be ready in about an hour so that gives us plenty of time to talk."
"Oh, Abby, let me help you."
"No need, I'll I need to do is just set it on the stove."
Once Abby put the coffee on, then she sat back down next to Kitty.
"Kitty, are you alright? You don't seem yourself; you seem a little uneasy,"
Kitty bit her lip as she looked at the woman who hit the nail on the head.
She hesitated for a moment, "I-I.." she reached back and scratched her neck. This was going to be more difficult than she had imagined.
"Are you going back to Dodge?"
"No, it's not that."
Kitty sighed in relief as the Preacher came walking in with a pail full of fresh milk.
"Here is some wonderful fresh milk for that coffee that I hope is almost done."
John smiled at his wife as he set the pail on the table and started pouring it into a glass jar.
He smiled over at his wife than to Kitty, "Did Abby tell you our little secret?"
Kitty could see he was smiling with joyous pride, but the word secret tasted bitter and made her stomach turn. She could only smile, "Yes, she did. Congratulations! That baby will be well-loved by the both of you..."
It was then she let the last of her words fade as she smiled at the couple.
John smiled at his wife with a twinkle in his eye, "Well, my dear lassie, is that coffee ready yet?"
He asked in his best attempt of an Irish accent that he could, both ladies giggled.
Abby playfully put her hands on her hips, and side glanced at him,
"I'll have you know, Mr. John David Webber, there hasn't been a time, yet that I've missed putting the coffee pot on for our guess." John gave a bashful smile as he sat down at the kitchen table across from Kitty.
"Well, I was just making sure you didn't forget… that's all."
He said as he gave Kitty a wink.
"Well, we were waiting on you, actually."
Abby said as she set the hot coffee pot in the middle of the table, with three red coffee mugs at each place.
"Me?!" He said in shock as he shook his head, "What do you mean by me? A gentleman does not keep ladies waiting. It's the other way around, my dear." He said with a playful smile that danced in his eyes.
"Oh, John!"
Abby laughed as she playfully tossed the tea towel at him. The man could only smile as he caught the towel in his hand, then leaned over and kissed his wife.
Kitty loved watching this couple and how their love unfolded each time she was around them.
John then turned to Kitty, after everyone's mugs were full of the hot steamy black liquid.
Kitty looked down at the table. She never felt uneasy or uncomfortable with either of them. But she knew there was an elephant in the room, that needed to be addressed. The thought of bringing it up scared her. Would she lose two good friends? She quickly moved her hands from the table, so they couldn't see her shaking.
"Kitty, is everything alright?"
John finally asked her.
Kitty took a hard swallow as she looked away, it was time to face the truth. She took a sip of her coffee, then set the mug back down.
"I-I haven't been fully honest with the both of you, and I need to ask your forgiveness for a few things."
Kitty looked down at her mug, for she no longer could look at the couple who was sitting before her. "My name is Miss Kitty Russell, not Mrs. Dillon."
She paused to see their response, but John only nodded for her to continue. As she told the truth, she could see the couple's facial expressions were soft, full of compassion and understanding. But when Kitty finished, she looked at them both, there were no words said, or exchanges given, and the only sounds that could be heard were the potatoes and green beans boiling on the stove.
Kitty's heart fell. She was sure that they would kick her out of their house for sure.
But instead, Pastor Webber pressed his lips to gather, knocked on the table a few times, and then stood up.
He walked over to the fireplace, where the shotgun hung on the wall, and underneath the mantle sat his bible. He picked up the worn-out, well-used, brown leather bible and walked back to the table.
He opened it to the book of John chapter 8 and began to read.
"' They said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So, when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again, He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one, but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord."
And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'"
John closed his bible and looked up at the red-headed woman who sat across from him.
"Kitty,"
He sighed,
"I'll say what Christ said, 'where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?'"
Kitty smiled, knowing what John was doing, "No one, sir."
John smiled and winked at her, "Then I do not condemn you; go and sin no more.'"
Kitty nodded as new tears streamed down her face, "I'm so sorry that I-I"
At that moment, Abby reached over and grabbed Kitty's hand, gently squeezing it, "Kitty, we forgive you. and hold nothing against you."
Kitty pressed her lips together to keep from crying even more.
Abby stood up and walked over to Kitty and hugged her.
Kitty felt more freedom at that moment than she had in years, but she still needed to tell Matt. She couldn't understand why telling him the truth scared her most of all.
TBC.
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