Thank you everyone for being so patient with me, this past week was a busy week and I couldn't get much writing done. I feel like it's been a long time since I have updated this story, and it's really only been two weeks. But it feels longer. Anyways, Thank you for all the kind reviews and I hope you all enjoy the next chapter.
The evening night was cool and crisp, making it the perfect night to have a roaring fire. It was a welcoming sight; with the warmth, it gave and the sounds of the fire that popped and crackled while it burned in the fireplace. The wonderful aroma of beef stew simmering on the stove and biscuits baking in the oven was enough to tell everyone that summer had passed, and autumn had finely come.
As the sun was setting far in the western sky. Newly, Bethany, Maddie, and Lady were outside playing,
It was warm enough for them since they were moving around, but Kitty and Sarah sat on the porch, wrapped up in their shawls.
They enjoyed watching the girls play with Newly. Kitty chuckled as she heard the young deputy counting, "15...16...17...18...19...20. Ready or not here, I come!"
Newly had the upper hand in the game of hide and seek. His deputy skills came in handy as he was on high alert, but finding the girls was easy. Each time he would walk by them, a child would let a giggle out, giving away their hiding place.
Once he had found both girls, it was now Bethany's turn to count. Newly, and Maddie scrambled to find hiding places. Maddie found a place by the stairs while Newly crouched beside a bush where Bethany was counting.
The child let out a loud and clear, "Here I come!" Bethany found her sister on the first try. It was Maddie's white hair bow, that was peeking over the burning bush, which gave her away. "I found you, Maddie." the young child sighed.
"Awe Biscuits,"
Bethany could only smile as she helped her sister up,
"Do you know where Uncle Newly is?"
"Nope, Beth...any I don't"
Bethany sighed as she went in search of her uncle.
The child didn't know it, but she walked past Newly more than once.
After the third time of walking past him, she had her back to him. With a smile on his face, Newly jumped out and roared as he began to tickle her sides.
The ten-year-old let out a playful scream as she tried to catch her breath. "Uncle Newly!"
Bethany said in one big deep breath, "That's not fair to sneak up on a body like that." Newly had a grin on his face, "Well, miss Bethany, being quiet comes with the territory of being a deputy. One has to be quiet in looking for the outlaws." Then Bethany looked up at him. "Well, you don't have to use your deputy know how to scare me. Scaring me have to death like that! Shish!"
The girl crossed her arms as she looked at him and shook her head. The young man smiled. He had seen Kitty give that same kind of look to Matt, Festus, himself, or anyone else that jokingly scared her for the fun of it.
"Bethany you are your mother's daughter," Newly laughed as he looked at the child with a grin on his face. Bethany rolled her eyes and gave him a look of "Oh brother!"
Before anyone could say anything more, Sarah called out,
"Newly, Bethany, Maddie It's suppertime!"
Kitty could hear Newly say to Bethany, "I'll race Ya." With that, the two of them took off running. Maddie joined in when she noticed the race. She was clear on the other side of the yard when she started to run with the others.
Kitty's smile softened as she watched Newly scoop Maddie up into his arms as they raced to the porch steps. Little Maddie didn't stand a chance with her sister being so far ahead of her. But within a few quick strides from Newly, the young child was now ahead of her sister. Newly set her down to let her run the rest of the way. Maddie smiled wide when she reached the step just before her sister did.
"I win!" Maddie cheered over and over as she climbed the stairs. "Mama, did you see me? Did you see me win the race?"
Kitty smiled, "I did, baby, I did. You had a lot of help, but you did it!"
The child smiled wide as she ran to tell her Aunt Sarah about the race.
Bethany sighed as she looked at her uncle as they were now walking up the stairs,
"Uncle Newly, did you have to help her win? I mean, I was so close to..."
Newly smiled as he knelt to the child's level, "Bethany, how many times do you win when you race your sister?"
Bethany looked up and to her left as she tried to think, "A lot of the time."
"Does Maddie ever win any races?"
The girl looked down, "No, but what does that have to do with anything?"
Newly chuckled,
"Well, it's good to have someone beat you at your own game. Even when they have a little help."
Newly paused for a moment, "As long as it's in the right way. Like me picking up Maddie and carrying her a few strides ahead of you, so she at least has a chance."
Bethany smiled.
"Well, Mama did always say I have long legs like daddy."
Newly laughed, Kitty nodded in agreement, as laughter filled the air, as the three of them entered the house to eat their meal.
Once supper was over, the table had been cleared off, the dishes cleaned up, and everyone now had warm, full bellies. They all made their way to the library.
Sarah sat down in her armchair by the fireplace, Newly sat down on the settee, as Kitty stayed standing, as she waited for the next few moments to unfold.
Newly cleared his throat, as he looked at the girls, he patted an empty seat next to him. "Girls, I need to tell you something." It was then Bethany looked up at her mother,
"What's going on, Mama?"
Kitty softly smiled at her oldest daughter, "It's alright sweetheart. Go on, go sit next to Uncle Newly."
The child hesitated for a moment but then shrugged her shoulders as she took her place next to her uncle, then Maddie climbed up onto Newly's lap.
The man sighed as he looked at the young girls. He hated the thought of having to tell them he was leaving. They looked up at him with smiles and hope in their eyes, which danced in the firelight. Newly swallowed hard.
"Well, girls, I-I'm going to be heading back to Dodge tomorrow."
He saw their smiles slowly fade from excitement to sadness in just a few seconds. He could see tears threatening to fall from both girls' eyes. "Don't cry girls, I-I."
Newly couldn't say anything more as Maddie threw her arms around his neck,
"No!" Maddie couldn't hold back her tears any longer, as she started to sob. "Please, Uncle Newly. Don't go." Bethany added as she held on to Newly's arm.
Kitty turned so the girls couldn't see her tears. She pressed her lips together, she'd seen this scene unfold one too many times, only it was her leaving the girls. But this time, it seemed harder. Was it because Newly knew their father? Or was it something more? Kitty shook the thoughts from her mind as she turned back to the girls.
"But-but do you-you have to-to go?" Maddie asked in between her sobs. Newly pulled the child back from his warm embrace as he looked at the child in her light blue eyes, which were so much like her mother's. "I'm afraid so Darlin, Your- uh-huh, I mean eh." Newly sighed, he was at a loss for words at what to say. He looked up to the girls' mother. Kitty smiled as she walked over and sat down next to Newly. She gently wiped a few of Maddie's tears, then took her from Newly and held her close.
"Oh, Sweethearts," Kitty looked at both of her girls, "Your Uncle Newly has a lot of jobs to fill in Dodge. He helps your father with being a deputy, he's the town gunsmith, and he's also studying under Doc Adams to be a doctor."
"Oh?" Bethany sniffed as she looked over at her mother.
Kitty smiled, "So, you see he's an importin person in Dodge."
"But-but..." Maddie started in again, Kitty could only softly smile as she spoke to the child, "Oh, Maddie, I..."
Kitty's voice faded into the distance to Bethany, for an idea had formed in her mind. One that was perfect to salve everyone's problems.
Kitty could see the wheels turning in Bethany's mind, and the child had a far-off look. Once she had finished consoling her youngest and handed her back to Newly. She turned her attention to Bethany.
"Hopie girl, is something wrong?" Kitty asked, trying to get her daughter's attention, but there was no response. Then Newly tapped Bethany's shoulder and pointed to her mother.
Bethany blinked a few times, "Huh? Oh, sorry, Mama. What had you asked?"
"I asked you if anything was wrong?"
A smile spread across the child's face, "No, Ma'am. Everything is fine."
Kitty slowly nodded; she didn't believe a single word of it, whether it was a woman's intuition or a mother's instincts. But Kitty knew her child was up to something. She just wasn't sure on what.
Bethany sweetly smiled up at Newly and batted her eyes,
"Uncle Newly, will you be stopping by here before you leave for home, I mean right before you leave?"
At this point, Maddie had snuggled into Newly's chest as he rubbed her back. The young child would let out a sniff here and there, but she was settling down. Newly was thinking about the question. He thought it a little strange for Bethany to ask, but he pondered on it a moment.
"I expect so since it's Saturday. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I just want to see you before you leave, that's all."
The young man nodded,
"Well, if it's okay with your mother. How about I stop here, then all of you lovely ladies can see me off at the train station?"
Newly paused as he looked up at Kitty, who only smiled and nodded to the girls.
Bethany smiled widened as she looked back at the fireplace to watch the flames, as they flickered and danced to the musical sound of the fire popping and crackling as the logs burned. Kitty watched Bethany. She gave her daughter a questionable look, 'What was that child up to?'
Bedtime rolled around for the girls. Newly read the girls a chapter of Black Beauty, he then helped Kitty tuck the girls into their beds. He waited outside the room as Kitty said goodnight to the girls. "Goodnight girls, I love you." With that, Kitty blew out the lamp and shut the door.
Newly cleared his throat as he stretched, Kitty smiled as she looked watched him. He looked his eyes heavy, head low, rubbing the back of his neck. She could only chuckle,
"You look tired."
The gentlemen nodded, "I am. I didn't know playing with the girls could do that to you."
Kitty smiled, "Yes, they have a tendency to wear you out, but yet they have energy to spare."
She looked at the young man, he had changed so much since she had first met him.
"Newly, those two little girls love you." Newly could only nod, "Yeah, but hearing them cry like that. It-it tears my heart out. Mine still hurts just thinking about it."
Kitty nodded in agreement, "I know it hurts for a little." She then looked up at the man and smiled,
"You know something Newly, if you ever marry again, you'd make a wonderful father. "
The deputy nodded, "Thank you, Kitty. You've done an amazing job with the girls."
Kitty only smiled.
It was then they could hear muffled voices in the other room. As both girls were talking to each other.
"I like that idea,"
"Then we'll do it."
Kitty swung the door open, catching the girls sitting up in their beds,
"Girls, it's bedtime. No, more talking!"
"Oh, biscuits!" Bethany whispered as she flopped back onto her pillow. Maddie giggled as she did the same. Kitty pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Her oldest slowly looked up at her, "Sorry, Mama! Goodnight."
Bethany smiled as Kitty gave them both a stern look, "Goodnight, now shut your eyes and go to sleep."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Kitty closed the door once more as giggles erupted from the room. She was about to get after them, but then she loved the sound of the girl's laughter.
Kitty only rolled her eyes as she and Newly walked downstairs.
She walked him out to the porch and hugged him goodbye. Newly walked down the pathway, onto the street, and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Kitty shut the front door behind her and locked it.
Then she heard something that sounded like footfalls racing up the stairs and to the bedroom once again, with the door closing behind them.
She pressed her lips together and put her hands on her hips. She couldn't decide to scold the child for getting out of bed or let it go. But at the same time, she wanted to know what Bethany was up to.
The next morning rolled around. Maddie sat by the picture window eagerly waiting for Newly to arrive. Bethany sat in the oversized chair that once belonged to her late Uncle Tom. Her long legs draped over the arm of the chair; she was happily reading a book.
Sarah was working on some needlework, and Kitty was busy crocheting.
Kitty set her hook down and looked at her oldest daughter, then to Sarah. "Sarah, did you hear someone running down the hallway last night after Newly left?"
The tapping of Bethany's foot stopped, and she froze as she waited for her aunt's response.
"You Know Kitty now that you mention it. I think I did hear something, or it might have been a dream."
Kitty raised her brow as she looked at Bethany. The child now had shifted to sit with her legs crossed and held the book closer to her face pretending to read the book.
Her mother cleared her throat and crossed her arms as she looked at her daughter. But Bethany only turned the page in her book,
"Bethany, did you hear someone after Uncle Newly left?"
The child shifted a little, but she still pretended that she never heard her mother.
But Bethany could feel her mother's piercing gaze.
She had bit her lip as her heart was racing. She was trying so hard not to break.
"Uncle Newly! Uncle Newly is here!" Maddie shouted as she climbed down from the couch and raced outside. Kitty turned her attention to the window, and Bethany let out a sigh,
"Ah, saved by the bell." She tossed her book aside and raced to join her sister and Uncle.
Sarah had a smile on her face as she could see the look on Kitty's face, "Kitty, what's wrong?"
"That child is up to something, but I don't know what."
Sarah chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough. She's just as mischievous as you were when you were her age."
Kitty nodded. "I know. That's what bothers me."
"Oh, Kitty."
The women's laughter filled the air as Newly and the girls came walking into the house.
Bethany looked around,
"Uncle Newly, it looks like rain outside, I'll get your things. So, they don't get wet."
"Oh well, I can go get them..." he started out the door, but before he could go any farther, Bethany was already at the buggy with his bags in her hands. Maddie was pulling him into the library, "Come on Uncle Newly, Mama and Auntie Sarah are waiting for you." Newly could only smile as he picked up the little girl and walked into the house with her. It was about ten minutes before Bethany came back to join them in the library.
"Bethany Hope, what took you so long?" Kitty looked at her again, still wondering what she was up to.
"Oh, I forgot to put something away." the child only smiled as she went and sat down next to Newly, she then looked over at Maddie and winked. Maddie only smiled at her sister in reply.
The time had come for everyone to climb into the buggy and head for the train station,
As they stood on the platform, Bethany gave Newly a big hug. Then Newly picked Maddie up, she held tight to his neck. The child didn't want to let go of him, but once Newly gave her a goodby kiss, Maddie willingly went to her mother.
"All aboard!" the train conductor shouted as the whistle blew.
"Well, I guess I better get aboard." He smiled at the girls then hugged Kitty before boarding the train. He found a seat next to the window where he could wave to the girls as the train pulled away.
As the train disappeared into the distance, both girls held on to their mother's hands as they walked back to the buggy.
"I miss them already."
Kitty looked at Maddie, "Them? Maddie, don't you mean Uncle Newly?"
Bethany quickly replied for her sister.
"Yeah, that's who she means." At that moment, Kitty knew her oldest had done something.
"Bethany Hope," Kitty raised her eyebrow as she looked at her daughter, "what did you do?" Bethany knew her mother was on her trail, but she wanted to hold her off as long as possible.
"Nothing, she just loves Uncle Newly and misses him." Kitty let go of her daughter's hand and put her hands on her hips. She wasn't buying it one bit,
"Young lady, you tell me what you did right now."
Bethany saw the look in her mother's eyes, she thought about chancing it for a moment. But then she heard her mother clear her throat, that was Bethany's second warning. Not wanting to face her mother's wrath Bethany sighed, "Alright Mama, We... I mean I put Amanda and Lucy, in Uncle Newly's suitcase. So, when they come back, they would bring daddy with them."
Kitty sighed, "Oh, uh-hum." She was at a loss for words. How could she blame the little girls that long to meet their father? It was a child's way of thinking. She softened her tone and smiled as she knelt to her daughters' level, "Oh girls, I hope they do bring your Daddy back here. I really do." Kitty embraced both of her girls before they made their way back home.