Kitty's Deputy

by Renea Westlyn

  Kitty’s DEPUTY

  A Silverpines Companion Tale

  Renea Westlyn

  This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this book is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious products of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  Kitty’s Deputy © 2018 Renea Westlyn

  Cover Design by: Josephine Blake

  Edited by: Danica Sorber and Amy Petrowich

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  FOR BRIER

  In Memory Of

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  About the Author

  Also By Renea Westlyn

  Silverpines Series

  Acknowledgments

  To Jesus, the Master Storyteller and Ultimate Creator. Thank you for the gift of love, the gift of storytelling, and the desire to touch another’s heart through the simple words I write. May they always be led by your hand.

  To David, my husband, and Ashlynn and Brier, our children, I love you so deeply I can never fully express it. You are my heart. Thank you for supporting me and continuing to push me as I pursue my dream.

  To Ashlynn, thank you for inspiring the story of Abby & Kitty.

  To the authors of the Silverpines series, thank you for the opportunity.

  To you, the reader, thank you for taking the time to read my little story. I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing from you.

  May God bless you all.

  FOR BRIER

  “You are whoever you want to be...

  You just have to decide to be it.”

  - Unknown

  Not long ago I realized my babies are no longer babies. They have become busy, independent people in pursuit of their own lives. While I may wish for them to be little again, I know I’m blessed with each moment we have together, and I shall treasure them forever.

  During the first steps into this new season of life, you said something that was profound: “Well Mom, what did you want to do before you were Mom? Perhaps, it’s time to do that, whatever it is.” You were slightly frustrated with me, but you helped me. I wish I could help you now. I see your frustration and I feel your worries. It’s time for you to make some big choices, choices only you can make.

  My plan for after high school was to escape, to get the heck out of there, and my ideas for that were all over the board. They were just the route that would take me out of town. The first was to join the Navy. The second was be a barrel racer and ride the rodeo circuit. The third was to be a counselor, but I had no idea how to pay for that and didn’t believe in myself enough to pursue it. Then there was the idea that I held so close to my chest that few knew about it; to be an author. But who in their right mind would ever pay me to write a book?

  God had many other plans for me, and while the Navy wasn’t a part of my story, the military still was, but in the capacity of a military wife. Riding the rodeo circuit and traveling from place to place wasn’t a part of my story either, although traveling the world was. Counseling students or working with social services wasn’t a part of my story, yet sharing my experiences and my testimony with others was. As for the writing, I never stopped, but I never allowed it to breathe, either. Instead, I wrote my little stories, poems, sermons, and blogs in silence, and I dreamed up idea after idea, tucking them all safely away where no one could tell me how just much they sucked.

  It took me thirty-eight years and a push from you to admit who I am. I know that, right now, the choices seem daunting and there are so many, but I also know it won’t take you thirty-eight years to figure it out. My children are old souls, so son, you’ve got a head start. You are an intelligent, wise, and confident young man. I look forward to watching your story unfold, because whatever you decide, you’ll do great. I love you, buddy.

  Thank you for pushing me and for inspiring Milo’s story with your caring heart, compassion for others, and strong sense of right and wrong.

  Love,

  Mom

  In Memory Of

  My Grandma

  Dolly Elizabeth West

  Prologue

  “Where is she!” Natalie O’Byrne screamed as she barged into the room, the door banging against the wall, startling Kitty awake.

  “Where is who?” Kitty growled as she sat up, rubbing her eyes and trying to keep her Irish temper in check. It wouldn’t do for Natalie to know the things she shouldn’t, like where Abby was.

  “You know of whom I speak. The servant girl that you have the audacity to call a sister. Where is she?” Natalie demanded.

  “I assume she is still sleeping,” Kitty responded through gritted teeth before yawning. “I have yet to see her this day.” She glanced out the window, the sun was barely shining.

  “Well, she is missing. I assure you she is,” huffed Natalie, her hands on her hips as she spun about the room. The woman was maddening.

  “Abby would not run off. What are you talking about? Did you do something to her?” Kitty asked, slipping a worried tone into her voice and praying it was convincing. She didn’t have the acting skills Natalie had.

  “I did nothing to her.” Natalie stuck her nose in the air as she whirled around, making Kitty want to reach out and hold the woman in place by her shoulders. “I only went down to tell her of your father’s passing and that I had arranged for her employment elsewhere.” Natalie smiled, and Kitty longed to slap the grin from her face. How dare she! What right did she think she had?

  “Why would you do that? This is her home.” Kitty gripped the blankets in her hands.

  “Well, it is no longer, and if you disobey me or help her in anyway, it will no longer be yours, either.” She stormed out of the room, slamming the door in her wake.

  Kitty sat shaking, her hands still clenched. She’d known this was coming. Her stepmother was one of the vilest creatures she’d ever met. She treated others like rubbish and it made Kitty’s blood boil. She still could not believe how her father had ever fallen for that woman’s charms. Thankfully, he’d realized what his new wife was before he became too ill to speak. Together they had concocted a plan, and Mrs. Natalie O’Byrne was in for a rude awakening.

  For a moment, she let the small grin form across face. Her papa was a genius. Too bad his wife hadn’t taken the time to notice, or better yet, good thing she hadn’t. She released the blankets and threw them back, rising from her bed to pad toward the wash basin to scrub her face. She pulled out her simple black mourning dress and put it on, the dark color making her skin appear paler than normal. She had much to do this day, but if she rushed, Natalie would surely become suspicious of her. That was something she could not afford, she thought, as she tied her coppery locks back with a black ribbon. She needed to get to Abby and get her to safety, then carry out the rest of the plan. Keeping her temper in check was going to be her biggest obstacle, but Papa believed in her, and she could do this. She w
ould do this for him, for Abby, and for herself.

  Slowly, she descended the stairs and entered the dining room for breakfast, where she found Natalie sitting as if she were the Queen of England—and not wearing mourning clothes.

  “Are you not even going to mourn my papa, your husband?” she demanded.

  “Do not speak to me in such a manner. I am the lady of this house and I shall dress as I please. I am in deep mourning. I, however, do not see the point in wearing that drab garb,”—she pointed at Kitty—“until the funeral. Dark colors look atrocious on me.” She sipped her tea, her pinky pointed perfectly in the air.

  “I see,” Kitty responded, saying nothing more as she spread strawberry jam on a slice of toast, unsure if she’d be able to stomach much more than that. She knew she needed to keep her energy up. She was just unsure how to do it at a time like this.

  “I thought you might.” Natalie grinned in a way that made Kitty’s skin crawl.

  “Do you want me to go and search for Abby? I can usually find her, but I don’t think she’s truly run off,” Kitty said.

  “For who?” Natalie’s thin eyebrow raised with the question. Physically speaking, her stepmother was not exactly an ugly woman. She had blunt features, a pointed nose, and a chin that matched. Her lips were full, and she often painted them red, reminding Kitty of a saloon girl. Her hair was black as night with no sign of aging. Her large eyes were bright green and razor sharp. Perhaps some men found her eyes alluring, but Kitty thought they resembled that of a snake.

  “My sister,” growled Kitty, “You woke me to tell me she was missing, after all.”

  “Oh, the servant girl. No, I do not wish you to waste time on such frivolous matters,” Natalie said waving off the question as if it didn’t matter.

  “I see,” responded Kitty, realizing perhaps the fewer words she spoke the less chance she had of her temper exploding.

  “I wish for you to go see Father Jacobs and make the arrangements. I am far too distraught to do so,” claimed Natalie.

  “I see.” Kitty fought hard not to roll her eyes. Her stepmother didn’t even have red rimmed eyes or tear stained cheeks. She looked far from distressed. How could she be so fake?

  “Besides, I’m sure visitors will be stopping by to offer their condolences. It would not do for the lady of the house to be away at such a time, nor would it be expected of me.”

  Yet, you expect it of me, and he was my papa!

  “I see.”

  I’m sure you will play the part of the grieving widow well. Say, I’m getting good at these short answers, Kitty thought while clenching her jaw. Now, if I could just make my escape.

  “Shall I go now then?”

  “Yes. Take the wagon, not the carriage.” Natalie instructed with a look that left Kitty feeling slightly uneasy. Surely, she didn’t know. They’d been ever so careful. Abby had left within minutes of papa’s passing and gone straight to the hidey hole where they’d often played in their younger days.

  Kitty calmly left the table and her half-eaten piece of toast. She grabbed her black shawl and headed out the door to the stable, all the while feeling as if bright green evil eyes were penetrating her back. Perhaps, that’s why Natalie instructed she take the wagon, she wanted to be able to see who might be in the wagon with her.

  “Morning, Miss Kitty. I’m sure sorry about your pa. You need the carriage readied?” Bart Jones, their main stable hand, asked.

  “Thank you, Bart, but no, I’ll be taking the wagon today, per Mrs. O’Byrne’s orders. I do think she’s watching me,” Kitty said.

  “You be careful, Miss Kitty. She is a dangerous one.”

  “That she is, Bart. Did you accomplish the task I asked of you?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Everything you required is waiting, and Mr. Allen is prepared for your arrival,” Bart answered.

  Kitty gathered her skirts and climbed up onto the wagon seat, taking the reins in her hands as she turned to Bart. “I’ll return as quickly as I can. If a problem arises, you know who to send to warn me.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. We won’t let no harm come to you or Miss Abby.”

  “Thank you, Bart.”

  Kitty steered the wagon toward the hidey hole to fetch Abby…

  Singing loudly, Kitty drove through the woods where their childhood Hidey Hole was. She thanked God that her stepmother knew nothing about it. No one but she and Abby knew of its existence. As she drew closer, her heart raced at the thought of this being her last moments with her sister. Taking a deep breath, she slowed the wagon to allow Abby to get on. Kitty looked around to make sure no one was watching. As soon as Abby was aboard, Kitty flicked the reins and prodded the horses toward town.

  “I have a bag for you. I need you to look through it,” Kitty said without looking at Abby.

  “What’s in it?” Abby questioned as she picked up the small bag at her feet.

  Kitty watched as Abby silently dug through the handbag and found the letters addressed to her. “Open Papa’s letter first,” Kitty said.

  “But, Kitty, this is your handwriting.”

  “Papa was too weak to pen the letter.” She choked back the sob that threatened to escape. “I–I’m sorry, Abby. I just miss him. I penned the words for him, but they are his words, not mine.”

  My Dearest Abby,

  If you’re reading this, I have departed from this earth. I did not want to leave you or Kitty, but the Lord has been calling me home for some time now. I could not leave peacefully, however, without taking care of a few matters in order to protect my daughters and ensure their future. I did you both a great disservice in selecting your stepmother. I pray I do not make the same mistake in selecting your husbands. Do not be cross with Kitty, she did only as I instructed. Enclosed are your train tickets and two letters from Reverend Samuel Bates, your future husband. I wish I were able to walk you down the aisle, and that you were able to marry for love. I do pray you will find love within this arrangement, for love is one of God’s greatest blessings. Go with God, Abby.

  All My love,

  Papa

  Kitty continued to watch her sister through the corner of her eye as she drove the wagon into town. Tears streamed down Abby’s face as she pulled out the next envelope and read it aloud.

  Dear Potential Bride,

  I am Reverend Samuel Bates of Silverpines, Oregon. I am thirty-one years old, with blonde hair and green eyes.

  Abby gasped, and her hands shook, rattling the letter. “It couldn’t be helped Abby. Reverend Bates is the only advertisement Papa said suited you. I’m sure his green eyes will be beautiful and not so frightening as the ones we’re used to seeing. Have faith and trust.”

  Kitty wished she knew a way to remove Abby’s fear, but Natalie O’Byrne had the type of green eyes that haunted you in your sleep and long into daybreak. No matter how hard Kitty had tried to protect Abby, she couldn’t shield her from all the pain and sorrow that woman had caused.

  Abby took a deep, yet shaky breath then continued reading.

  I long for a helpmate with whom I can share my life and work. I am looking for a strong Christian bride with a compassionate and gentle soul, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six. I would be well pleased if she enjoys baking cookies and taking long walks. If this sounds like you, I look forward to your response.

  Sincerely,

  Reverend Samuel Bates

  “There’s one more letter in there, well it’s more of a short note,” Kitty said softly.

  Dear Abigail,

  Thank you for accepting my proposal. Enclosed is your train ticket to Silverpines, Oregon. I anxiously await your arrival and will meet you at the train depot on April twenty-third.

  Your Husband-to-be,

  Samuel

  “Kathleen O’Byrne! You answered this man’s ad pretending to be me?” Abby asked, the color draining from her face, her eyes wide and overly bright.

  “Please don’t be angry. You only call me Kathleen when you’re upset, and you know h
ow much I detest it. I do understand why you would be upset, but Abby, this is the only way I can truly protect you right now. I didn’t know what else to do when Papa suggested we marry,” cried Kitty.

  She hated that she had to send Abby away, but it truly was for her own safety. They’d known this day would come. They’d planned for it…well, she had planned for it. Abby had known there was a plan but not so much the details of it. Keeping the secrets from Abby had not been easy. It only seemed safer to keep things close to her chest. It wasn’t that Abby couldn’t keep a secret, it was just the fewer who knew of the plan, the better. Heaven forbid if someone had overheard her telling Abby; the plan would be ruined and Abby in grave danger.

  “I’m not angry, Kitty,” Abby replied softly as she reached for her sisters’ hand. “I am in shock. We just lost Papa, the only home we’ve ever known, and now I’m getting married to a man I’ve never met. And he has green eyes. Green eyes scare me! I think I have a right to be a little upset, but I’m not angry with you,” Abby said.

  “Your train, it…it leaves today, Abby. This very afternoon.” Kitty sobbed as the tears flowed freely down her face.

  “It’s okay, Kitty. I will do what I must, and you will be joining me soon, correct? Wait, you said Papa suggested we marry.”