In The Shadow of The Flame

Chapter 1

Cooper Reign Dillon walked down Front Street between two giants. On the left, his father Marshal Matt Dillon and on the right his special friend, Deputy Thad Greenwood. Their enormous hands tightened their grip on his smaller ones, lifting him off the ground and swinging him forward every few feet. The sound of his laughter filled the otherwise quiet road. He wore a grin that was almost too big for his small freckled face. Cooper for all intents and purposes was a carbon copy of his dad. Already a head taller than the other kids his age, sporting the same curly brown hair and ocean blue eyes. The one thing he got from his mother was that rainbow pattern of freckles splashed across his nose and cheeks. Also, like his dad, words didn't come easy for him except with those he felt truly comfortable. But today, he couldn't hold his excitement in. This was going to be the most awesome week of his short life.

In six days, he was going to be five years old. In honor of that special occasion, he was made temporary assistant deputy for two whole days. Matt had a special badge made for him and he was going to get to "work" at the jail. As if that wasn't enough excitement, the country fair was scheduled this week and he was hoping his sheep Cotton Ball would win first prize. His Uncle Festus and Newly had given him a lot of supervision with the fluffy animal but he did all the feeding, care and training himself.

Their destination at this time was dinner. The threesome headed for the Prairie Rose. Just as she promised, Bethany Madson had gotten the new restaurant up and running in record time. In only six months she had overseen the remodeling, hired a complete staff and utilized what advertising that was available in Dodge City. The Ragtag Ltd group were pleased and so were the people in town. It had been packed every night since the grand opening.

"Well, I don't know about you Marshall but I think our little deputy here has been doing a fine job. He stacked up all those wanted posters and emptied all the trash, why I just don't think it's ever looked so orderly." Thad cast a sly grin to his little protégé , "I think we should buy his dinner?"

Matt offered an undecided grimace and a sly glance to his small companion, "I don't know, I hear he's got a pretty big appetite."

Cooper raised his head up, peering up at the biggest man in the trio with wide eyed innocence "I don't eat any more than you do, Daddy."

"If that's the case" Thad began to laugh, we can't afford to feed you both." They reached the boardwalk and the two men pulled him up by the arms but before they had safely stood him on the boardwalk, Matt heard his name being called from across the street.

"Marshall Dillon!" the owner of that voice, that appeared to be more boy than man, paused, waiting for Matt to turn around. "I'm calling you out, marshal.!"

Matts line of sight bounced from the gunman, to his son to Thad. He felt Coopers hand being jerked from his as Thad pulled the boy up into his arms. "No matter what happens" Matt whispered "don't let him see this."

He left his son in the trusted hands of his deputy and turned back to the challenger. The situation called for his full attention but he heard Cooper call for him as Thad whisked him into the closest store. Matt concentrated on the boy in the street. He looked to be no more than sixteen if that. Despite the cool breeze of the day, Matt could see the sweat roll from the boys face, knowing it came from his own fears. He watched his hand shake uneasily above his gun. For the third time since calling him out, the marshal saw his tongue whip across his dried out lips. Again, a nervous reaction.

"Son, what's this all about?" Matt tried to maintain a relaxed even tone to calm the boy.

He could see the boy swallow hard, "I..I said I'm calling you out." Again, he braced his legs, willing his body to stop shaking.

"Let's just slow down and talk about this." Matt saw Festus easing up behind the boy and prayed he would reach him before the fatal mistake was made. "Do I know you?"

"Nobody does." the boy shouted, almost angry, "But they will after I kill you." he shrugged his shoulders back, "I don't wanna talk anymore. Just draw." Festus was close enough to spit but afraid to grab for the gun so he chose the next best option. Drawing his own revolver, he hit the boy in the back of the head dropping him to the ground.

Matt blew out a long, deep breath and felt the surge of relief course though his body. He walked across the street, took a stand next to Festus and together they peered down at the unconscious young man. "Do ya know this here youngin, Matthew?"

Matt shrugged helplessly and shook his head. He was about to say no when he spotted something folded up in his pocket. "What's this?" he reached down and when he stood back up he was holding a battered copy of a dime novel. He unfolded the cheap paperback, a chill run down his spine when he saw the colorful drawings on the cover and the names. Even Festus knew what was in the book without knowing how to read.

"Is that what I'm a thinking it is?" he leaned closer taking another look. The cartoon like sketches were instantly identifiable. The giant sized man with the oversized marshals badge and the tiny female with bright red spiral curls. Both in a shooting stance with guns blazing. Under the picture the caption read 'Dodges Deadly Desperados'. "Yep, that shur nuf is you and Miz Calleigh. What's it sayen Matthew?"

With a disgusted breath he read the title, "Dodges Deadly Desperados. Vengeance Rode the Prairie. Makes us look like murderous gunslingers hiding behind my badge." he thumbed through the book spotting drawings of Calleigh that were unflattering to say the least. Most of them hinted that she was raised in a bordello." he rolled up the book and smacked it against the palm of his other hand. "Nothing Kitty is going to want to see her oldest in, I can tell you that."

"How'd this here guy knowd bout Miss Calleigh anyways? That there Bunt fella?"

"Buntline" Matt corrected "Hanlan Carter was trying to make a few dollars and told him about her. Buntline began to check around and talked to several people that had seen her shoot. Remember those two guys she shot when she ran away years ago?" Festus bobbed his head with the memory "Some saddle tramp was at Moss Grimmicks when they took the bodies to Percy. He had seen her perform and put it together and ..."Matt run his hand through his hair in frustration. "That type will sell their soul for a dollar so they don't give a second thought to selling out a little girl. Anyway, the more Buntline dug into it, he soon discovered the connection between her and me and I guess that sold a lot of books."

"I thought ya put the kyboshes on them there books when that writer fella comed to Dodge."

"We did. Well, Kitty did. All I did was make him mad. My idea was to threaten to beat him to death but she managed to sweet talk him with pleas from a desperate mother trying to protect her little girl. I don't know which approach worked but we finally got him to stop writing about us. By then though several of the stories were already published. I can't believe they're surfacing after all these years. A year before I give up the job and now she's settled as doctor." he looked around the street, irritated by the visit from the past. "I should have shot that guy back then."

Festus sympathized with Matts dilemma but his attention at the moment was dominated by the body still lying in the street. "What cha wanna do with this lil fella?"

"I don't know, he's probably just going to try again." his voice took on a weariness he hadn't felt in a long time. "Take him to jail, maybe we can talk some sense into him when he wakes up." He stood back while Festus motioned to a couple of guys standing on the boardwalk to pick the boy up. When he looked up, he saw Thad coming out of Jonas Mercantile with a firm had on Coopers shoulder. Matt gave him a nod and he let the boy go. What ever was going to happen, Matt was not going to let it rob him of the day with his son. The days of the badge being number one was over.

As soon as Cooper felt Thad remove his hand, he ran to his daddy. "What happened? Who was that man, daddy?"

Matt reached down and picked up his junior deputy. "Nobody important. Just a mixed up kid." he swung the boy up on his shoulders "If I'm not mistaken, we were on our way to dinner." he cast a glance over his shoulder to Thad. "I imagine Bethany is holding a table for us?"

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Matt was right in his speculation that Bethany would be waiting for them. Thad had already mentioned to her that the Jr .Deputy would be with them today so she had prepared a little extra table in his honor. Wearing her brightest smile, she greeted them at the door. "I see we have a special guest today." she leaned down to address the youngest lawman "and how is the job going?"

A few of the other patrons had heard her greeting and peered around to see the special guests. Cooper leaned back against his daddy's long legs, embarrassed to be the subject of attention. Luckily, he was very familiar with Bethany so it eased his discomfort somewhat. "It's fine, ma'am. My daddy almost shot someone."

"It really wasn't anything." Matt countered hurriedly "He just gets excited."

Bethanys face reflected her sudden surprise from the little boys declaration. "Oh, uh" She maintained her professional smile as she stood back up. "Well, let me show you to a table." She took them to a front table where the boy could watch all the activity on Front Street. Matt and Cooper passed in front of her but Thad stood back and pulled Bethany towards him.

"Don't look so scared" he whispered "I'll explain later."

She was beginning to feel at home in Dodge and as of yet had not seen any of the wild west carnage she had heard about. There had been some cattle rustling and few episodes out of town but nothing close. No one shot in the middle of Front Street. And not involving Thad. There was no denying that it was only a matter of time before she became Mrs. Greenwood and she knew exactly what he did for a living. Could she deal with this for twenty years? She shook off the fear that was creeping up her spine. I need to talk to Miss Kitty she told her self before returning to her job.

"Are you going to eat with us?" Cooper liked Bethany because she talked to him like a person, not like a baby. She was like Calleigh - only not as brave. As much as he liked her, he didn't think she was as pretty as Calleigh or his momma. But she was pretty. "My daddy is buying for all of us."

Before Bethany could accept or decline, another female voice barged into the conversation. "Well, if he's buying, count me in for a free meal.!" Calleigh waited for Thad to pull out the chair next to her little brother. As she settled in, she leaned over and kissed the boy on the temple. "So...Jr. Deputy, huh. Wow. And what have you been doing so far today?"

"I stacked up all the posters and sweeped the floor. It was real clean when I got done." he turned to his companions for confirmation. Both men completely serious with nods and yes's. "Are you going to eat with us Miss Bethany?"

"I would love to Cooper but I have some work to finish. I will definitely be back before you leave." she smiled to all in general and cast a special look to Thad before leaving the table

Matt flashed a grateful smile to Bethany before turning his attention to Calleigh, She was busy admiring Coopers badge. "How did you know we were here?" he loved watching the interaction between his children.

"I saw you heading this way before the ..." there was a faint pause and her eyes dropped to the boy "problem in the street." Matt shared a look with Thad and they both confronted Calleigh. "Serious?"

Matt shook his head and shrugged indicating he wasn't sure. "I'm going to deal with it later." his gaze returned to Cooper who fortunately was engrossed by something going on in the street. Several men with ladders and tools were readying to hang the banners for the fair. "Have you been down to the fairgrounds yet?"

"Momma walked down there with me yesterday but there was nuthin yet."

"no-THING." Calleigh pronounced crisply "Don't let momma hear you saying nuthin." she reached for a water glass and mumbled under her breath, "He's spending too much time with Festus"

As usual, Calleigh picked up and controlled the conversation, all the while knowing that, that boy on Front Street was bothering Matt and Thad more than either of them wanted to admit. She was curious of the details but this was Coopers day and she would respect that. Had she known about the dime novel resurging it might have answered some of her questions.

"So where are you lawmen off to now?" Calleigh had passed on a full meal and settled on a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. "Are you going to make this boy work all day?"

"I think we should go down to the fair grounds to make sure everything is being done up to code. I hear tell, they have one of those steam powered carrousels. I saw parts of it being brought in on wagons " Thad turned to Cooper "You want to come with me while your dad finishes some paperwork at the office?"

Coopers big blue eyes stretched to their limits "Can we really? Can we see the car- carus.."

"Carrousel" Matt corrected "Just call it a merry-go-round. And yes, I think you should go to check it out. After all, we are the law here and things have to meet certain requirements to be legal" his face maintained a seriousness as though it was their duty to go. Cooper slipped out of his chair eager to make the inspection.

Bethany reached the table just as Thad and Cooper were preparing to leave. She leaned down and handed the boy a small paper bag. "I put a piece of cake in here for you to eat on your break this afternoon. I know how hungry you lawmen get?"

Cooper took the bag and on impulse, reached up and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you Miss Bethany" As she raised up, she looked into Thad's eyes. Coming to Dodge had to be one of the best decisions she had ever made.

Calleigh threw a minor fit before they left, accusing Cooper of giving his lasts kiss to Bethany but he managed to find one more for her and his dad before scampering off with Thad. She waited for a refill on her coffee before turning to Matt.

"There's more to the story isn't there?" she blew softly pushing the steam across the black liquid.

"Do you remember these?" Matt pulled the tattered book from his pocket and handed it to her. "I don't know where it came from but the boy had it in his pocket."

Calleigh thumbed through the ragged pages. "Hmm, don't I look like the little town tramp." she grinned wickedly, "wow, I shot three guys on this page." she glanced up at Matt and saw that he didn't share her amusement. "What? It's a stupid book." she looked back at the paper in her hand and the smile faded "Do you think that boy believed this?"

"Things are getting more civilized out here but a few years ago, hardly a month went by when some kid wasn't trying to make a name for himself by shooting someone in one of those books. Some famous slinger or a lawman." he reached over and took a drink of her already cooled coffee. "Somebody like you would be a prize."

Calleigh raised her brows and offered a condescending smirk, "Well of course I am a prize but what makes you think this is the problem. These came out a long time ago how do you know it had anything to do with that boy."

"Because he said everybody would know his name after he shot me." he finished off her coffee, waited until the waitress refilled both cups and then handed one back to his daughter. "You're probably right, it's just one paperback that found it's way to a lost kid. Want to go with me to talk to him?"

He eased her chair back and waited for her to stand. "You know, Kitty is NOT going to be happy about this. Those pictures are not exactly the way she wants her daughter depicted."

"Ok, you didn't scare me with thoughts of gunslinger wannabe but a pissed off Kitty, that scares me."