4th of July Surprise!

Usual Disclaimer: Just taking them out to play, will put them back when I'm done playing with them.

PT.1

The streets of Dodge were over run with more people then usual. With the 4th of July celebration coming up,
everyone was coming from all over Ford County. There would be vendors, fireworks, a barn dance, it would be a weekend long event. It would be great for business in Dodge but with that, came extra work for Matt.

Kitty hired on extra bartenders to help out Sam and even hired on a few new girls. She needed them anyway, recently losing a few to some cowboys, carting them off to marry them. Sam was getting ready, loading up with extra barrels of beer, Kitty had ordered special for the weekend. She was looking to clean-up after this weekend.

When the afternoon stage pulled in, it was a full carload as were the last few. As Festus helped the folks off, one of the passengers was a woman. Festus put out his hand. "Here, let me help ya. There." He said.

"Why, thank you kindly, Sir."

Festus just looked at her and said, "Oh, fiddle de. My name is Festus. You don't need to be a callin' me 'Sir'. Kin I help ya with yer bags to the Dodge House, Miz?"

"Well, that'd be right nice of you. But I'm looking for the Long Branch Saloon?"

"Well, I kin help ya with that there too. Miz Kitty's a friend of mine."

"Kitty Russell?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Ok, then. Lead the way, Festus." She said with a smile. "Oh, and my name is Miss Thompson." As they were walking she asked Festus, "What is it you do here in town?"

"Awe, I'm a Deputy fur the Marshal here in Dodge."

"Is that so?" She said nodding.

As the entered the Long Branch, Festus looked around, didn't see Kitty and walked over to Sam. "Sam, this here is Miz Thompson. She's a looking to see Miz Kitty."

"Oh, Festus, Miss Kitty's not here right now. She's out doing some last minute things. Miss Thompson was she expecting you?" Sam asked.

Well, kinda. But that's ok. I'll go get myself settled at the hotel then see her later. Festus, maybe you can help me to the hotel?"

"Sure, I can do ur."

Sam interrupted them. "Miss, you may not get a room. There's an awful lot of folks in town for the celebration."

Matt came in. "Sam?"

"Yes, Marshal?"

"Kitty around?"

"No, she's out. I was just telling Festus and Miss Thompson…"

Matt realized he hadn't even paid any attention to Festus and the woman standing in the room. "Excuse me."

"Matthew, this here is Miss Thompson. She came in on the stage."

"Well, welcome to Dodge. Just visiting?"

"No, I plan to stay."

"Well, hope you enjoy it here." Matt kept staring at her. She was a beautiful woman, tall, thin blonde, green eyes. But there was just something… Then he left.

Sam Festus and the new woman in town were talking when Kitty came back. "Well, hello, Festus. I'm glad you're here. I could use your help if you have the time?"

"Sure, Miz Kitty. Miz Kitty, this here is Miz Thompson. She's a waiting to see you."

"Is that so?" She replied.

"Yes, I am. I was hoping to talk to you about a job?"

"Oh, well in that case you're in luck. I just lost a few girls and with the crowd coming in… Need I say more?
Have you worked in a saloon before?"

"Well, yes, a few times. But not the type of places I liked. But I heard you run a pretty straight up place."

"Well, we can give it a try. If you'd like to start right away, you can start tonight. Do you have a place to stay?"

"We were just discussing that when you came in."

"Well, I have an empty room. It's yours, if you want it." Kitty told her.

"Well, that'll be great. Thank you."

"Festus, will you take her things up for her please?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Festus. Second door." Kitty said. "Oh, Sam, I could use a drink."

"Coming up, Miss Kitty. Miss Kitty, the Marshal was here looking for you a while ago." Sam said.

"Did he say what he wanted, Sam?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Hummmmm."

"Oh, Kitty, there you are." Matt said as he entered the saloon.

"Matt, Sam just said you were looking for me."

"Yeah, I want you to keep your eyes out for any strange…"

She started laughing. "Matt, really? With what's going on around Dodge? Everything is strange."

"Now, Kitty, what I mean is anybody suspicious."

"Why, Matt? Who are you looking for?"

"I'm not sure. It's just a feeling, a gut feeling."

"Ok. I'll keep an eye out."

As they talked, Matt couldn't help but feel they were being watched. But he didn't know why. But the eyes watching, were closer then he thought.
TBC.