Burke looked up from the manifest he'd been going over when the stage pulled in front of the fright office and stopped.
Jogging over, he opened the door of the coach and smiled before spewing his all to familiar greeting.
"Welcome to Dodge folks!"
"Thank you," the only passenger replied, a feminine voice with an accent he hadn't heard before.
"Ma'am," Burke said with a nod of his head as the well dressed woman existed the coach. "Can I take your luggage to the hotel?"
"That won't be necessary," the lady replied. "I only have this one bag."
Burke smiled as the woman carried the carpet bag to the boardwalk. "Could you direct me to the Long Branch?"
"Of course," Burke said pointing down the street. "It's not very far, just down the street."
"Thank you, monsieur," the woman said with a smile before taking her bag and walking down the boardwalk.
"Monsieur," Burke said shaking his head as the woman headed alone down the boardwalk.
Kitty poured quietly over her books as Sam swept the floor and got things ready for the customers that we're sure to be coming into the saloon later that night.
"Excuse me, mademoiselle," the woman said stepping into the saloon.
"Can I help you?" Kitty said putting down her pencil as the petit woman approached her table.
"Are you Miss Russell?" she asked putting her carpet bag on the floor.
"I am, Kitty Russell," Kitty replied evenly as the woman put out her hand.
"Sylvia Boudreaux, a friend of yours, Claire Hollis said, you might give me a job," Sylvia said with a slight smile.
"Well," Kitty said looking at the tiny girl. "What can you do?"
"Almost anything," Sylvia said quietly. "I can sing, dance, play the piano and deal cards!"
"Did you say, deal cards," Kitty asked slowly as the girl nodded.
"I learned in the gambling houses in Paris," Sylvia said with a nod.
"Alright," Kitty replied looking at Sam. "Sam is the bartender, there's a room upstairs for you to stay. I pay once a week and I keep it clean here, no cheating or you'll be out, understand!"
"Perfectly," Sylvia said with a broad smile.
That night, Matt noticed the Long Branch drew a larger than normal crowd when he made his rounds and once he walked in, it became immediately clear to him why.
"Marshal," Sam said as Matt walked up to the bar. "Can I get you a beer?"
"No thanks, Sam," Matt asked looking around. Watching the tiny blonde for a moment dealing cards and smiling at the Cowboys seated around her, Matt clinched his jaw as he turned back to the bartender. "Where's Kitty?"
"In her office," Sam said with a nod. "You want me to get her?"
"No," Matt said heading behind the bar. "I'll find her."
Kitty looked up from her desk as Matt came though the door. "Hello, Matt," she said quietly all to aware of why he was there.
"Kitty," Matt said with a nod toward the saloon. "I thought you made me a promise you wouldn't deal here anymore!"
"I did," Kitty said getting to her feet. The emerald green taffeta dress that she wore rustled with her movements and the sequins sparkled in the lamp light as she approached the Marshal seductively. "But, you never said, anyone else couldn't deal, just not me!"
Matt sighed in frustration as Kitty smiled that all to familiar smile that always made him give in to all her whims.
"We'll see how it goes," he said as Kitty giggled in delight.
"I think, she's going to be really good for business, Matt," Kitty said evenly.
"Who is she," Matt asked hooking his thumbs into the loops of his belt. "Where'd she come from?"
"Her name is Sylvia and she's from Paris," Kitty said opening the door of her office. "C'mon and I'll buy you a beer."
Later that night, after the patrons had all gone home, Kitty and Doc sat at a table quietly conversing with each other when Sylvia came down the stairs.
"Sylvia," Kitty said waving her over. "This is Doctor Adams."
"Monsieur," Sylvia said putting out her hand.
"Madam," Doc replied with a grin. "Won't you join us?"
"Thank you," she said taking a seat next to Kitty. "We're you pleased, Miss Russell?"
"Very," Kitty said looking at Doc. "I was just saying, I hadn't had a better night in years."
"Will you be staying long in Dodge," Doc asked.
"As long as I can," Sylvia said with a smile. "I think, I will like it here."
Matt stepped though the doors of the Long Branch and tipped his hat up as he walked over to the table.
"Matt," Kitty said with a nod aimed at Sylvia. "This is Sylvia Boudreaux. Sylvia, Marshal Dillon."
"Miss Boudreaux," Matt said evenly as Sylvia nodded.
"Monsieur," she said with a apprehensive smile.
"Can I get you a night cap?" Kitty asked as Matt shook his head no.
"I've got rounds to make," he said.
Kitty sighed as she watched him leave. She was aware that he wasn't very pleased with her at the moment but she secretly hoped he'd come around tonight so she could make it up to him.
Sylvia sensing the tension, excused herself. As Doc watched her climb the stairs to her room, he leaned in close to Kitty and said, "what's Matt ruffled about?"
"Her," Kitty said quietly. "He don't want anyone dealing in the Long Branch."
"So," Doc said meeting Kitty's eyes. "What are you planning on doing?"
"I'm planning on letting her stay," Kitty said downing the rest of her drink. "This is my business, Doc and I have to do what's best for it!"