"The train's on time, Marshal," the conductor said checking his pocket watch. "We should be pulling into St. Louis in about an hour."
"Thank you," Matt said with a nod.
Looking over at Kitty who chatted with Abelia about her time in New Orleans, he still could not believe that they were finally married. It seemed like only yesterday, that he had noticed her for the first time in the restaurant where he had lunch the day she came into town.
Where had all those years gone and why had he not used them before now.
Festus yawned across from him while Matt pondered his next move on the checker board.
"Golly Bill, Matthew," Festus said teasingly. "Yer just as bad as ol Doc. Are ya ever gonna make a move?"
Matt smiled as he waved his hand. "Don't rush me," he said pushing the piece into a diagonal space. "I think, I got you this time!"
Festus sat forward and looked at the board for the briefest of moments before making his move and taking Matt's piece. "Crown me!"
Matt growled lowly as he placed the piece on top of Festus piece. "I don't know how you do it," he said sitting back.
"Ya got ta have it up here," Festus replied tapping his head.
Matt grinned at the thought of what Doc would say but decided to keep it to himself for arguments sake.
"I see the station," Abelia said excitedly. "I can't wait to get on that riverboat after being on this train all night."
"Well, it's brand new," Matt said taking out the brochure. "It's called the City of Hickman. It's got thirty-eight staterooms, the Captain is Horace Bixby and it'll take the good part of two weeks to get to New Orleans."
"Sounds absolutely delightful, Matt," Kitty said smiling. "Thank you so much for planning this!"
"Did I have a choice," Matt asked with a wiry grin as Festus shook his head.
"Not if in ya didn't want ta start out married life with less body parts ya didn't," the hill man said wisely.
Matt smiled as he put the game away and got ready to get off the train.
After a short taxi ride, the group of four adults arrived at the dock and boarded the boat.
Kitty and Abelia followed the Steward to their cabin's while Matt and Festus brought up the rear with the carpet bags.
"Your trunks will be delivered momentarily," the Steward said as he opened the first door for Matt and Kitty before opening the next door for Festus and Abelia.
Kitty took off her hat and gloves as she walked into the elegantly appointed parlor that they shared with Festus and Abelia's cabin.
Beyond that was their bedroom with a large bed, bureaus and separate water closet. But what made it even more grand, was the two french doors that opened out onto a deck over looking the water.
"You like it?" Matt said watching Kitty walk around the room.
"It's beautiful," Kitty said smiling broadly. "I don't just like it! I love it!"
"I was hoping you would," Matt said as Kitty flew into his arms.
"It's perfect," she said kissing him passionately. "It's better than I could have ever hoped for!"
Festus put the carpet bags on the floor near the bed as Abelia walked to the french doors and opened them.
"Bee," Festus said putting his hands on her shoulders. "You alright?"
Abelia nodded slowly. "I feel better than I have in a long time."
The steward shut the doors and made his way down the hall before stopping next to a man leaning against the wall.
"That her," the man asked as the steward nodded.
"The red head with the tall one," the steward said nodding. "She's the heiress."
"You did good," the man in the shadows replied handing him some money. "I may need you again."