Redheads on the Loose: Flame Series #21

Chapter 1

I Will Miss You

I love her and that's the beginning and the end of everything.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Matt stretched out on the bed, watching his wife go through her nightly rituals. He knew what he was feeling was selfish, but he couldn't help himself. She sat down at the dressing table, ready to brush out her hair, which prompted him to quickly give up his comfortable position for a more rewarding one.

"Give me that." He held out his hand for the brush. Kitty watched his reflection in the mirror as he began a series of long, smooth strokes. He stopped after several minutes and took a handful of flaming locks, then let them trickle through his fingers. "Just like silk." Matt smiled, as he leaned in closer, smelling her hair. "What is that scent?"

"Lavender. Do you like it?"

Their eyes met in the mirror and she could feel the love, even when it was just a reflection. "I do." His smile deepened. "I remember when we first met, your hair always smelled so enticing—like a prairie spring."

Kitty laughed softly. "I didn't know you paid any attention to my hair. Your interests always seemed to lie...in other areas."

Slightly chagrined at the truth in her words, his gaze dropped to the back of the brush. Matt noticed the tiny pink roses, etched into the pearl inlay, as he placed it back on the vanity. His fingers played along the fancy scrolling on the silver tray. "You are such a girly girl."

Kitty rose up and slipped into his arms. "Are you just now realizing that, or is it a complaint?"

"Neither. Just confirming." Silence caressed them both as he stared into her eyes. "You truly are a most beautiful woman." Words that romantic had to end with a kiss. A slow, thoughtful, loving kiss.

As she pulled back, Kitty was caught up in those pools of blue. "It's barely more than a week. How many times have you left me for a week? Or more?" The sadness that washed across her husband's face made her instantly regret the taunt. "I'm sorry. I know it's your job." Kitty pulled him down to make her apology more personal.

"It's not that I don't want you to go. It's just that…" He was in too deep to avoid the truth, so he just shut up.

"I just want Calleigh to see where she comes from." Kitty paused to rethink her statement. "What I meant was-"

Matt chuckled softly as he held her at arm's length. "I know what you mean and-" He leaned down, leaving a quick kiss on her forehead. "Calleigh's as much a part of you as Hadley. There's no doubt about that. It will be good for the two of you to make this trip. I just worry about you. About both of you."

"We will be careful, I promise." Kitty left his arms to pull down the cover on the bed. "You know, it wasn't easy convincing Calleigh to go shopping in New Orleans."

"Why?" Matt dropped down into his easy chair to pull off his boots. "Don't they have any gun shops there?" A grunt preceded the relaxing sigh, as he stretched his bare feet in the cool night air.

"Very funny." Kitty crawled into bed, silently hoping there wouldn't be any truth to his words. "Are you coming to bed some time tonight?"

Matt stepped out of the last of his clothes and quickly joined his wife. "Fast enough for you?"

"Yes it is." Long graceful fingers worked down his body, settling on a most sensitive area. "Now, let's see how slowww you can go."

The night played host to the gentle laughter and passionate moans, as the two lovers began their journey. Lips explored and tantalized. Fingers stroked secret places, that were only shared by lovers. Kitty murmured softly, as Matt lost himself in the sweet touch and scent of her hair. Despite the desire to prolong such pleasure, the needs of both began to escalate. Soft sighs were cast aside as they neared the climax—each clinging to the other. For those few minutes, neither could see nor hear the world around them. They only felt the security of one another's love.

Double O Double O Double O Double O

Calleigh was running full speed through the house, with Newly hot on her heels. She darted into the living room to throw him off, but he was too quick. Not to be outsmarted, she headed for the steps, seeking refuge in the bedroom.

Trying hard to quiet her lungs from fighting for a well-deserved breath, she leaned back against the door to the water closet. Clear blue eyes darted around the small room. No way out except through the bedroom and it was quiet out there. Too quiet. Although…she had run up those stairs pretty fast. Maybe—just maybe—he didn't see her.

First, it was just a crack, but then the opening widened enough for her to see the empty room. Calleigh eased out of her hiding place, but her confidence was premature. Barely halfway out the door, a strong, masculine hand grabbed her slender wrist, whirling her around to face him.

"Gotcha!" Newly laughed, as he whipped the tiny redhead off her feet and up into his arms.

Calleigh tried to answer, but laughter poured out in place of words. Her attempts to break free of Newly's stronghold were futile, but, Mrs. O'Brian had one more move in her bag of tricks. Taking both hands to frame his face, she let her lips do the talking.

Slowly, Newly released his hold, letting her body slip down until her feet touched the floor; but he refused to give up the kiss. His strong arms held her slender form, pressed against his chest. "Give up?" he whispered.

"I do." The sultry little redhead giggled softly as she nibbled on his ear. "Please sir, take whatever you want."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Calleigh nestled into her husband's arms. Even in the dark, he could hear the contented smile on her face. "Are you going to miss me?"

"Well, to be honest, there's this cute little blonde at…ouch!" Newly laughed, as he pulled her hands together to keep from being struck again. He was still amazed at how delicate she was—how he could hold both of her slender wrists together with only one hand. He released one and kissed the other. "I understand that it's important to both of you. You two deserve a little time, alone—together. I just… worry about you." He brushed the curls from her face. "You do have a tendency to get into trouble."

"Kitty will be with me. How much trouble could we possibly get in to?"

DodgeCityTrainStationDodgeCityTrainStation

The time had finally come and the Dillon bunch stood on the platform. At least, most of the bunch. It was agreed by all, that Hadley might not take too kindly to watching her momma and Sissy leave without her. So, they said their goodbyes at home, as simply as possible, gave the toddler a bag of jeebees and off she went with her Poppy. Now it was just the sad faces of the marshal, his deputy and a smaller version of Matt Dillon.

"Be sure to send us a wire when you get there." Matt tried to smile, but it was a futile effort. "You can wire me from the train if anything-"

Kitty placed her fingers to his lips. "Matt, nothing is going to happen. We're just going to do a little shopping and some sightseeing; nothing dangerous. But… I will send you a telegram, when we get to New Orleans. I promise." She sealed her promise with a kiss.

Cooper grinned as his mother leaned down to kiss him. "I hope you have as much fun as we did in Wichita. Will you bring me a souvenir?"

"You know I will. What do you want?" She wiped the trace of lipstick from his cheek.

"Calleigh was showing me some pictures in a book of New Orleans. It sticks out in the water and there were ships all around it. I want a toy ship, just like the ones in the picture, with sails."

Kitty smiled as she watched the excitement consume his face. "I'm sure that between the two of us we can find one little toy ship."

She started to stand, when Cooper pulled her back down. He leaned close, to whisper in her ear. "I know you'll get a present for Hadley, but would you get something nice for Daddy too? 'Cause he's going to be really sad while you're gone."

Kitty pulled back just for a moment, to fully take in the solemn expression on her son's face. How did she ever manage to give birth to this perfect little boy? Struggling not to cry and ruin her makeup at the last minute, she hugged him again and, this time, left the mark of a mother's kiss on his cheek. "I will; I promise."

Just as she pulled herself erect, Matt slipped his arm around her waist and they walked together across the small platform to her traveling partner.

"You have your ticket?" Newly fussed with his wife's curls, as if she were going to her first day of school. "New Orleans is a big city. It's not like Dodge and the people are…well, you just watch yourself."

"Kitty has the tickets and, no daddy, I will not talk to strangers." Calleigh bit at her lip to hide her amusement.

"You know what I mean. Don't be sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong, trying to save somebody!"

"Yes sir."

Frustration pushed its way onto his handsome face. "Darn it, Calleigh, I'm serious."

In a move that no one else in Dodge City would dare, Calleigh wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Not a simple goodbye kiss, but one that would keep him thinking of her the whole time she was gone. "I'll behave." she whispered.

Leaving her husband slightly off balance, Calleigh leaned down to kiss her little man. "Take care of these guys." She winked to the boy. "Don't let them get into any trouble."

"I won't." Cooper grinned as he watched his sister kiss their daddy, while Newly kissed his momma goodbye. It was going to be strange without them, he thought... And quiet.

TBC