Matt took the steps two at a time and burst into her room. Kitty jumped to her feet in surprise but as soon as she saw who it was a huge smile lit her face. "Welcome back Cowboy. I've been missing you." She wrapped her arms around him for a hug but felt him stiffen. "Kitty what's going on? Who is that Hannah person downstairs in the Long Branch? She introduced herself as the new owner."

Kitty sighed. If she'd known he was getting back tonight she would have waited outside and taken him somewhere to explain before he found out for himself.

"Sit down Matt."

For a second she was thought he was going to refuse, but after a brief hesitation he sat tensly in the big armchair. She sat across from him. "Matt you've been gone more than two weeks and a lot has happened very quickly."

"Obviously."

"Please just listen. Just hours after you left, I received a letter and a packet of documents. The letter informed me that I had an inheritance. It took me totally by surprise. It seems the last remaining Russell of New Orleans passed away. An uncle I knew I had but never met named Warren Russell. He and my father never got along and hadn't spoken since they were teenagers. Warren didn't even attend my father's funeral. Anyway, he never married and had no children so he left everything he had to me. He wrote in his will that I was his only blood relative and the fact that I had a fool for a father shouldn't be held against me."

Matt smiled at that last part and relaxed a bit, "Kitty what exactly did he leave you and what does it have to do with that Hannah person introducing herself as the new owner of the Long Branch?"

Kitty gave him a crooked smile. "It's hard to say exactly what he left me. He had his fingers in a lot of pies. He owned properties, a house, stocks, bonds, jewelry and held partnerships in a number of businesses. On the other hand he had heavy debts, some of his businesses are going bankrupt and at least one of his properties is on swamp land. What I'm trying to say is there's a lot to sort out and it's best if I do it in person. The executor of my uncle's will, Peter Clark, assured me that if I make good decisions and invest wisely, I'm sure to end up with at least a modest income. So Matt, I'm going to New Orleans."

He ran his fingers through his hair trying to digest when he'd just heard. His voice was hoarse with emotion and shock, "You sold the Long Branch and you're moving to New Orleans."

Before she could respond he leaned forward and looked intently into her eyes. "Kitty, I know we've been through things this past year that challenged our relationship mightily, but I thought – I thought we were...…"

"You thought right." She reached over and took his hand. "Matt, I am going to New Orleans to straighten out a very complicated estate. According to Mr. Clark it could take me 9 or 10 months, but I am coming back. Coming back to you. Selling the Long Branch is another matter. One I hope I can make you understand.

Relief washed over him and he pulled her onto his lap. He needed to hold her close. "I'm listening."

She nestled into his chest, she needed the closeness too. After a minute she looked up into his eyes. He was waiting patiently for her explanation. It was time to plunge in. "Matt I was trying to figure out how to set things up at the Long Branch for the months I'd be in New Orleans. At one point I found myself wishing I could just sell the place. As soon as I had that thought, it felt right. I knew it was what I wanted to do. Getting an inheritance that would be a source of income gave me the confidence to do it. Matt, I suddenly realized that selling the Long Branch was an idea that's been in the back of my mind for a while now."

"Kitty I don't understand. I thought you loved the Long Branch, you built it up from practically nothing."

"Oh Matt, it's not that I've been unhappy. It's not that I'm not proud. It's just - Matt, I've been running a saloon for a long time and working in one since I was a kid. I'm tired of being pawed by drunken cowboys, replacing shot up furniture, bargaining with whiskey drummers, trying to balance the books in a bad month. I want to be doing other things."

"What things?"

"I don't know Matt long walks, picnics, fishing, gardening, reading poetry. I'm not sure but I know I want a change."

Matt stroked her cheek. He tried not to show how shaken he was by her decision. After months in a place like New Orleans would Kitty find long walks and fishing in Dodge enough to occupy her time? Especially since more often than not he wouldn't able to join her for those things.

She noted his silence and knew he needed time to take it all in. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. He looked into her eyes and whispered. "9 months is a long time, and it could even be longer."

"Well, I'm hoping a certain busy lawman will find time to come and visit." She kissed neck and nibbled on his ear. "Now how about thinking about right now. We're here, just the two of us and I was wondering if that busy lawman, you know the one who just got back to town, could have Newly and Festus do rounds for one more night. You see I'm not working at the Long Branch and have the whole night free."

He smiled. "That lawman would be happy to oblige."

TBC