Travis McClure felt all of his seventy years he went into the office of Doctor Edwards in the town of Brady Texas. The wily old doctor noticed the valise as Travis put it down by his side.

"Sheriff what can I do for you?"

"Ben I'm not the sheriff any more haven't been so for sixteen years. Just a check-up I want to know if I can travel to Dodge City at my age."

"It's a long trip why would you want to go there?"

"Back in '42 I had to take a prisoner to El Paso. There was a girl in one of the saloons her name was Rose Dillon. I had a time with her it wasn't until five years later in '47 that I went back there. I asked after her and was told she'd died of the influenza leaving a four year old boy."

"What happened to him?"

"They sent him to the orphan asylum."

"You think he's your son?"

"I know he's my son. I did the math and the times about right. Plus she left me a letter with the local doctor there."

"Why didn't they send the boy to you?"

"Because I was unmarried and as a sheriff my future was uncertain and he could have been orphaned again."

Doctor Edwards rose and poured two cups of coffee sensing there was more to come. Travis accepted the cup gratefully. He'd only had two doctors while he was the sheriff of Brady Doc Wilmington until he passed and now Ben.

"Two years ago I realized I'd made a huge mistake in not going to fetch him from the orphan asylum."

"You started looking for him?" Ben asked.

"More than that I received news this week that he's alive and well in Dodge City."

"What's he doing there?"

Travis smiled the thought occurred to him that somewhere his son had found the right people to pattern himself after.

"He's the US Marshal."

"Matt Dillon! Good God Travis the man's practically a legend. Seems as how he's unknowingly followed in your footsteps."

"I need to ask his forgiveness for my not being there for him."

"What will you do when you get there?"

"Haven't given that much thought. I might take a room there so's I can be near him."

"You know the people of this town'll miss you. So you keep in touch."

Travis smiled and finished the worst cup of coffee he'd ever had even by Doctor Edwards's standards. He picked up the valise and after shaking hands with Doctor Edwards he walked to the stage depot and bought a ticket to Lometa in the neighboring county. Being 6 feet 4 inches tall and broad shouldered had its disadvantages when riding on stages. If he'd had the choice he'd have rode to Lometa but his old horse was now too old for all that.

It took all that day to reach Lometa, Travis was bone tired so he took a room in the hotel and retired to bed after eating at the local café. The next morning he breakfasted then went to the rail depot to buy a ticket to Dodge City. He stepped on board the train settling himself in a front facing seat at the rear of the carriage. He eased his muscular frame he was amazed that he was as muscled at seventy as when he'd retired from the office of sheriff of Brady at the age of fifty four. He wondered how he'd tell Matt Dillon just who he was and beg him to forgive him for not being the father he should've been to him.

The Train pulled into Dodge City at 7:15 that night. Travis who had slept for most of the trip descended from the carriage he looked around him.

"Howdy stranger, can I help you?"

Travis noted the badge on the man's chest. He looked steadily at the whiskered face in front of him.

"Name's Festus Haggen I'm Deputy Marshal here."

"You most certainly can help me. Can you take me to the Marshal's office?"

"Sure thang, it's right this way."

Festus led Travis from the depot to the Marshal's office. He opened door Travis followed him in. They could hear Matt in the back laying the letter of the law to a trail hand.

"I have any more trouble from you. I'll put you on bread and water for the rest of the week."

"Matthew you got a visitor," Festus called out to him.

Travis's heart beat a little faster when Matt came into the front. If he hadn't been sure before he was now Matt was just like he had been forty years ago. Festus looked from Matt to Travis and realized that the resemblance between the two was uncanny. Matt looked at Travis he had a feeling he should know him. Festus busied himself making coffee.

"My name's Travis McClure. You don't know me but I knew your mother Rose in '42."

Matt suddenly realized just who this dignified older man was.

"I didn't hear about her death until '47 they'd already took you to the orphan asylum. I should've gone there to fetch you but I figured you'd be safer there."

Accepting a cup of coffee from Festus gave Matt the chance to think.

"Why would I have been safer there?"

"I thought my being a sheriff would put you in danger. I retired as sheriff of Brady Texas some sixteen years ago. But it was two years ago I realized I should've fetched you to grow up knowing me."

Matt swallowed his coffee then decided that it was time to some introductions especially one he wanted his father to approve of Kitty above all.

"Festus Mr McClure is my father."

Festus had already realized that and nodded smiling at his boss's obvious joy in the discovery.

"I'll look after the jail Matthew. You go to the Long Branch."

Matt smiled Festus might not be book smart but he sure was people smart. He led Travis to the Long Branch they entered and walked over to where Kitty was sitting with Doc.

"Kitty, Doc this is Travis McClure. He used to be the Sheriff of Brady Texas. He's my father."

Travis watched observing the way Matt's eyes lingered on Kitty and knew just how things stood there. He also knew that Matt was in danger of making the same mistake he had letting the badge get in the way of his having a family.

"Sam, a round of beer please?" Kitty asked.

"Coming right up, Miss Kitty."

Sam had observed Matt and Travis as they entered and took an educated guess at the relationship. He took the tray over to Kitty's table. Travis sipped his beer watching the reaction between the friends.

"Now it's been a long journey I think I'll go the Dodge House looks a good clean place."

"It's the best hotel in Dodge. I'll go with you."

"No you stay here Son. I'll be fine."

Matt watched Travis leave.

"Matt, he's just what I think you'll be when you're older," Kitty said Matt grinned.

Doc watched him too, realizing that the love of a father was something Matt had missed out on during his formative years. Love of friends was one thing but nothing like the love between father and son.