Disclaimer - I don't own the Gunsmoke brand, show or it's characters. I do not receive monetary profit from my stories. I just like to make stuff up.
AN - This takes place early in the Matt and Kitty relationship, about 4 years after Matt arrived in Dodge.
The door to the Topeka stage depot swung open, and a well-dressed gentleman in his 40's stepped out into the crisp morning air. He pulled a gold watch from the vest of his handsome black suit to check the time. The morning stage to Dodge City was due, and he was eager to begin the last leg of his journey. He'd dressed carefully for the trip; hadn't worn his best suit or carried his diamond-studded watch. Having the appearance of an established businessman was fine, but displays of extreme wealth tended to bring unwanted attention in many forms.
The stage arrived and he handed his bulging black suitcase to the driver to be strapped on top. He insisted on keeping his smaller brown leather bag with him, and since the stage wasn't full the driver acquiesced. The man climbed in and said hello to the two men already on board as he sat across from them. They responded with barest of nods. The driver leaned in the window, "You two have been riding a while. Do you want to get out and stretch your legs?"
The older of the two answered, "No thanks Clem, the sooner we move the sooner we get home."
The stage took off and the man's hands rested lightly on the small suitcase he'd set on his lap. He carefully assessed the two men seated across from him. One glance at their faces told him they were brothers. He eyed their clothes. They were dressed like ranchers, but not mere ranch hands. Their boots were of high quality, and their clothes in good shape with no patches.
He decided to start gathering information and offered a charming smile (not too broad, just enough to show he was friendly but not pushy). "Excuse me, I don't mean to trouble you, but I thought I'd introduce myself. My name's Peter Brooks." He laughed a little adding, "I'm sure you can tell I'm not from around here."
The men smiled warily and nodded in acknowledgement. Brooks continued, "You look like brothers, and it's obvious you've done well for yourselves out here in the west. I have a lot of respect for that."
The two men were pleasantly surprised. They'd pegged the man as a stuck-up city slicker, but he seemed down to earth and genuinely friendly.
The older brother extended his hand, "Good to meet you. That's right we're brothers. I'm Jeb Walker and this is my younger brother Bill. We own a ranch about ten miles from Dodge called the Blue Moon. We started it 8 years ago, when I was 26 and my brother just 24."
Brooks shook hands with each man, "Ranch owners and so young - very impressive. Say, I'll bet you know Dodge real well, having a ranch so close by. Would you mind telling me a little about the town? I'm headed there, and it could save me a bit of embarrassment if I didn't look like a total no nothing when I arrive. I know I'll look pretty raw no matter what, but having a little information would sure help."
Jeb and Bill were charmed by what they perceived as Brooks' honesty and lack of pretension. An hour later Brooks knew he should get a room at the Dodge House, introduce himself to a Mr. Bodkins at the bank, see Doctor Adams if he was ill and avoid the antelope stew at Delmonico's restaurant."
"I appreciate you giving me the benefit of your experience. Let me ask you this. What do you consider the best saloon in Dodge?"
Bill chuckled, "Ah, now you're getting to the important stuff. The Long Branch is hands down the best. No watered down drinks, no crooked gambling, and the girls are real nice."
Jeb nodded, "Yep, the owner, Miss Kitty Russell, runs a first rate place and is real easy on the eyes too, if you know what I mean."
Brooks was intrigued to hear that the saloon was run by a woman. In his experience a woman who ran a business, especially a tough one like a saloon, had to be extremely smart, strong minded and practical. If this woman was also good looking, all the better.
"Let me ask one more thing. Dodge had a reputation for lawlessness, but I've heard it's settled down over the past few years. Would you say it's a safe place to have a business?"
Jeb leaned forward and spoke earnestly, "For sure. Marshal Dillon got there about 4 years back and things changed. Of course we still have problems and there's always going to be a criminal element, but Marshal Dillon's made Dodge and the surrounding area a place where decent folks can build a life."
Bill added, "Like my brother said, we started our ranch 8 years ago. For the first four it seemed like every time we started building it up, rustlers and spoilers knocked it down. Then the marshal got here and - well I'll just say we couldn't have built our ranch the way we have if it wasn't for him."
Peter took is all in, "Sounds like an impressive man. Thank you for your insights. I hope you'll let me buy you a drink at the Long Branch sometime to show my appreciation."
Dodge City
It was mid-day and Kitty was sitting in her office counting money and doing her weekly budget. She heard a familiar knock and a smile crossed her lips as she continued counting, "Come on in Matt."
The door opened and Matt Dillon walked over and stood behind her as she continued to sort money into tidy stacks on her desk. He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her neck, then glanced at the three piles of money she'd assembled. His voice was teasing, "Kitty, it looks like you're getting rich. Before long you'll have so much money you'll be above noticing a poor lawman."
Kitty gave a short laugh and pointed to the 3 stacks of money one by one, "Let's see. That first pile is for repairs, the second for salaries, the third for inventory, and the fourth is for - Oh there is no fourth pile."
They both laughed and she swiveled her chair around to face him, "No matter what Cowboy, not noticing you isn't in the picture for me. Never was, never will be."
He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. She smiled up at him and he gently pressed his lips to hers. The sweetness of her taste and smell were irresistible and his kiss lingered and deepened, turning into the kind of kiss that made her knees go weak. Their lips parted and their eyes locked. Sparks of passion flashed between them.
Matt swallowed hard and whispered hoarsely, "What am I doing?" He ran his fingers through his hair, "Kitty, I came to tell you that I'm heading out to Mabel Johnson's place. I have to deliver some legal documents for her to sign, and you know how things are with Mrs. Johnson.
Kitty smiled, she knew her cowboy all too well, "I know. She's up in years and all by herself since Hank died a few months ago. You suggested she to move closer to town, but she won't. Anyway with no neighbors for miles around to lend a hand, she'll need some wood chopped, and a fence mended and some other things like that."
"Yep, between the long ride and doing those things it will be way after midnight by the time I get back. I won't want to disturb you so…."
She quickly put her finger on his lips to silence him, knowing he was about to say he wouldn't be coming to her rooms. "Cowboy, let me finish for you. You were about to say that you won't want to disturb me, so you'll come in quietly, undress quickly and get into bed beside me." She lowered her voice to a seductive whisper as she ran her finger lightly around his lips, "Then you'll wake me ever so nicely, as only you can."
A grin slowly spread across Matt's face, "I'll ride back as fast as I can."
"You'd better. I'll see you later."
He softly pressed his lips to hers, and with a last look at her sparkling eyes and captivating smile, reluctantly left.
TBC
