Love is Everything 1
Today is February 20,2019 it is the 100th birthday of Uncle Dubs aka Sam Smith. It would also have been the 90th birthday of the incomparable Amanda Blake. This story was received in all of one piece and in an extraordinary way. It is therefore dedicated to this wonderful man who is celebrating a century of an extraordinary life and his friend he so admired and called Mandy. I hope you enjoy this special gift. Special thanks to Sharon for the sharing and Andrea for getting things together quickly. Extra special thanks to Kenny for letting us know how special Dubs is to everyone wherever you are.
LOVE IS EVERYTHING
Kitty Russell Dillon was busy making a list of what she wanted to make for her husband to celebrate their two-month anniversary. She sure wasn't a good cook but Matt loved his food. Because of this she was secretly meeting with her two friends, Bess Roniger and Abelia Haggen to learn how to make something special for her man and their celebration.
She had been working at the Long Branch for the last two weeks while her partner Hannah, had gone back to St. Louis to check on her partner Slim at their saloon. Just as she was getting her things on to go to the store there was a pounding on the office door.
Calling for her visitor to come in she observed a red-faced Dr. Galen Adams stomp through the door. "Doc!" she exclaimed suddenly frightened, "what is the matter?"
He dropped his medical bag on her desk and could barely get the words out. "Why!" He sputtered, "why is that nincompoop Festus Haggen following me around day and night?"
"What?" Kitty asked. She was confused. She patted his arm and told him, "sit down and tell me what is wrong."
As he rubbed his finger across his moustache nervously he explained, "everywhere I look these days there he is. Oh he is trying to pretend it is accidental but he couldn't be subtle if his life depended on it."
Kitty was skeptical, "I think you are seeing him around more because he is proud of being official first deputy."
"At four in the morning?" Doc asked.
Now that did give Kitty pause. "First what were you doing out at four in the morning? I didn't hear of any new babies born or accidents."
Doc hesitated for a moment, "I was coming out of Ma Smalley's, one of her borders had the ague. As I was going to my buggy there was Festus skulking behind a grove of trees."
"Did you ask him why he was there?" She inquired.
"As soon as he saw me he took off. I looked for him yesterday but Newly told me he was on the farm, "the doctor explained.
Gathering up her things the redhead remarked, "well it could be just a coincidence. Just wait Festus will be around again soon. I have to get to the store. I'm fixing dinner for Matt. It is our second month anniversary."
"You're cooking?" Doc was surprised.
Kitty was indignant, "I can do some things! Besides I've been practicing."
The doctor got up and picked up his bag as he remarked, "well I better stick around in case Matt has a stomach ache tonight." He quickly left the room when she aimed a bottle at him. He almost knocked over a chair as he hurried out the door.
Looking at the doctor shuffling rapidly out the batwing doors Kitty's friend, Claire Hollis, who was working at the Long Branch now, asked, "What is Doc's problem?"
The redhead tried to look innocent as she shrugged her shoulders, "who knows. You look pretty happy today."
"I just had lunch with Sam, and he is a fascinating man."
The Long Branch proprietress grinned, "I agree and I still can't believe he is my uncle."
Claire shook her head, "life sure is funny. When I left Ballard I was sure I was going to be footloose and fancy free. Then Matt sent me the invitation to your wedding. I thought why not I'll stop and see Kitty and move on."
Kitty agreed, "you are right life sure does take some funny turns. Here you are and you may become my aunt."
The ladies were laughing heartily when Matt came through the batwing doors. "What are you two ladies up to today?"
"Just girl talk," they said together.
"Ughuh," he said eying them suspiciously, "What have you done to Sam? He's looking at property."
The girls looked at each other their eyes sparkling but Kitty spoke, "That's the first I've heard of that. Where is he looking?"
At Brady's horse ranch," Matt revealed.
"Did you know this?" she asked Claire.
Looking rather embarrassed she admitted, "He did say he was looking the area over. Since he will be back and forth from Dodge to Washington he would like a permanent place to stay."
I wonder if he has other plans?" Kitty speculated, looking at her friend.
The other woman blushed, "now Kitty."
Matt headed out the door, "I'm not getting into this. The next thing I know you will be planning another wedding."
"Oh Matt!" his wife sounded exasperated. "Sometimes I think he has no romance in his soul."
As a cowboy walked in Clair said, "well you would know that better than anyone."
Grumbling the owner walked into her office.
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It was late afternoon when Matt came to collect his wife. He wasn't a man who would celebrate his second month anniversary but he was indulging Kitty. He slipped his arms around her and asked, "are you ready to go to Delmonico's?"
She shook her head, "no we are going home."
"Do we have to pick up dinner?" He inquired.
Kissing him quickly she answered saucily, "no we are eating at home."
"Okay," he said reluctantly. There was no way he was saying his redhead wasn't the best of cooks. "Dare I ask what we are having?"
She smiled sweetly at him. "Of course sweetheart we are having homemade biscuits, salad, mashed potatoes, and steak. There's peach pie for dessert."
As she gathered up her things he told her, "that sounds delicious." He would ask later who fixed the meal.
An hour and a half later as they sat on the porch swing Matt patted his stomach and commented, "that was a wonderful meal Kit. Who fixed it?"
Turning to look at him through slitted eyes Kitty replied emphatically, "I did."
"You did!" He sat up straight.
"Don't look so surprised Buster," her eyes were flashing danger signals.
Matt put his arm around her, "I'm just surprised that's all, you always said you don't cook."
She calmed down a bit and admitted, "you were right but I know you enjoy your meals so I have been practicing with Bess and Abelia."
He looked at her with love in his eyes and inquired, "you did all this for me?"
"Of course I did, "she told him taking his face in her hands. She gently pulled his mouth to hers and soon their desire grew to the point where they had to go inside.
Suddenly Kitty realized the daring revealing nightgown she had ordered from Paris was still in her old bedroom in the Long Branch.
"Matt," she suggested, "I have a surprise for you tonight but I left it at the Long Branch You get cleaned up and I'll go over there and get it."
That wasn't what the ex-marshal had on his mind as he asked, "can't it wait until tomorrow?"
Kitty ran her hand down his chest to just above his belt buckle, "oh it will be worth the wait."
She knew he could really care less as she hurried down the streets anxious to retrieve the package and get back home. The Long Branch was packed. The piano player was going to town. There was dancing, singing, and laughter filling the hall. She could barely hear herself think. Waving to Clyde she hurried upstairs and let herself into her old room.
As she entered the room she stopped dead as she noticed her friend, Claire, lying on her rose colored sheets dressed in nothing but a sheet. As she opened her mouth to speak she heard the water closet door open and heard a voice she knew say, "ready or not here I come."
As she turned she saw a spectacle she never thought she would see, her uncle, In Flagrante Delicto. She started to back up as they stared at each other, but could not find the doorknob saying like an idiot, "Sorry, Sorry, Sorry