Usual disclaimer: Just taking our Friends our to Play, will put them back when I'm Done !

Once again, I'd like to thank Rhonda (Singerme) for tossing an Idea to me and having the confidence in me to run with it …

Proposals and Propositions

Pt.1

Small green buds amongst the patches of snow, still left from the long hard Kansas winter, were the first sure sign that spring was arriving. And also a sign of the beginning of Drover season. All the drover camps would be headed up the trails to sell their cattle. And this meant coming right through Dodge City. This was a big market place for the stock and a big stop for the drovers for their recreation after the long trail they'd worked all winter long.

All the town was getting ready for what was to come. This meant a flood of drovers and partying. This was their time to let off some steam. This meant extra work for Matt, Festus and Newly and if necessary, Matt would have to deputize a few others.

Dodge was used to the camps coming thru every year. Generally the bosses would come in ahead of the cowpokes and talk with Matt so he got to know them fairly well. But…

Just about sun up, Matt was making his morning rounds. And as he headed across Front Street and down the boardwalk, he heard, "Hey there, Marshal, hold up. You headed for the Long Branch?"

Doc was making his way down the stairs from his office.

"Sure, Doc, walk with ya." Matt said looking at him, wondering why he was up and out this time of the day. "Say Doc, you been up all night?"

"No, but I figure It's gonna get pretty wild around here before long, so I might as well get up and start the day. Gonna see if Kitty wants to join me for breakfast?"

"Awww, now, Doc, do you really think Kitty's up at this hour?"

Before he could answer, "I heard that, Cowboy."

"Kitty?"

"Yeah, that's my name, or it was the last I checked. And when did you get back, Marshal?" She asked standing with both hands on her hips and head tilted.

"Awww, Kitty, it was late last night and I…"

Doc was now rubbing his mustache. "Hey, young lady. Come on and have breakfast with me."

Matt just stood with a grin on his face. "Well, do you mind if I join you too?"

"Suit yourself. Oh, unless you have to run off anywhere." She said with a smirk. Then smiling at Doc.

Doc was getting a charge out of the look on Matt's face. "I'll tell ya, Kitty, you should have taken me up on my proposal last night." Doc said grinning and winking at her and offering her his arm.

"Curly, one of these days, I might surprise you and say yes!"

"Young lady, it would sure teach that big over grown civil servant a lesson."

"Hey, you two, I'm right here, ya know?"

Suddenly all you could hear is Kitty laughing. "Oh, Cowboy, come on." And she walked between and grabbed hold of her two favorite men and headed across Front Street towards Delmonico's.

MKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMKMK MKMKMKMKMK

Later, Matt and Festus made a ride out to see how close the drovers were to town ,…

Kitty had hired a second barkeeper, Rudy, to help out Sam, as well as a few new girls, knowing the saloon would be bursting at the seams. Eddie, her favorite whiskey drummer, had been in and she ordered extra to handle the crowd and extra barrels of beer. The girls were handling decorating to welcome all the new customers.

Kitty saw Louie standing just inside the batwing doors, looking at her with his soft smile. "Miss Kit-ty, good morning. Do you think maybe I could help Sam out a bit? Maybe earn a drink?

"Ohhhh, Louie. Yes, I'm sure Sam and Rudy could use a bit of help, but I want you to promise me something. Will you do that?"

"Yes, Ma'am. If I can."

"Louie, I want you to promise, you will go and get something to eat and do that before you have anything to drink. Now will you please do that?"

"Awww, Miss Kitty…"

"Louie, for me, please?" Looking at him with a soft expression.

"Now lowering his head and eyes, "Ok, sure I will."

"Ok." And she reached out cupping his cheeks in her hands. "Sam and Rudy are in the back room. You tell Sam, I sent you back." He quickly shuffled across the floor and through the door.

Kitty went back to helping the girls decorating. They were trying to hang a banner across the bar that read, "WELCOME DROVERS" First Draft on the house! She was standing on a ladder, and reaching when she began to lose balance. Suddenly she felt two arms grab her.

"Ohhh, now. There I got'cha!"

Kitty couldn't figure out who was behind her, but then she knew that voice. "HOLLY!"

"Sure is. Me and Private Horse were riding along this way and I just had to come and see my favorite gal!"

Now still holding her in his arms. "Sergeant, put me down."

"Awww, Miss Kitty. You gonna deprive a man of holdin' the prettiest gal this side of the Mississippi?"

"HOLLY!" She was struggling to get loose from his grip. "PUT ME DOWN!"

He placed her on her feet but still had his arms around her, pulling her close to him.

Kitty had her hands against his chest. "Will you let me go?"

"Hey look, Marshal Big Fist don't seem to be anywhere in sight. So have pity on a man. Please?"

"Sergeant Holly…" But at the same time she couldn't help but crack a smile looking at his grin.

Coming from behind the bar, Holly followed her, grabbing a bottle of whiskey. "Now look, Miss Kitty. The way I see it, is like this. If you had of just said yes, when we was in our little love nest down in Oblivion, we could be living a good life in Mexico."

Rolling her eyes at him. "Oh, Holly. LOVE NEST? You are crazy."

"Crazy in love, Miss Kitty!" He said smiling with a playful grin.

"Matt's in town you know."

"Awww, why ya gotta go and spoil a man's fun?"

Now Kitty was laughing so much her shoulders were shaking.

"Please reconsider, Miss Kitty. Marry me and run away with me. Ol' Holly will take good care of you."

Lifting his chin with her hand, looking at him with a pout and shaking her head back and forth. "I'm sorry. NO!"

"Big Fist, huh?"

Giggling again, nodding at him.

He shook his head just sounding, "UGH!"

Just as she looked up, Matt was standing resting his arms over the batwing doors. "HOLLY?" He said.

"Oh Big Fist, you're slippin'. You're slippin'. One of these days, she's gonna say YES!"

Kitty was holding back the laugh.

Matt just stood with his face twisting.

TBC