The Only Man I Can Trust

Chapter 2

Matt had felt a deep sorrow when he read the telegram. John Hicks had been the sheriff in Great Bend for almost eight years, and Matt knew him well. John was a good man. The Dodge marshal had only met Hicks' deputy one time, and couldn't remember his name, but he did recall that he was a young man with a family. Another reminder for him that a badge and a family didn't go together.

He stopped by the Long Branch early that evening, not looking forward to explaining to Kitty that he would be leaving town yet again. He had been back for less than a week, and he knew she would be disappointed to hear that he was planning to leave again, so soon. Still, as he had explained to her many times before, this was his job. As always, the badge had to come first.

Kitty looked up and smiled at him as he entered. She was looking forward to spending time with him later tonight. She'd really missed him while he'd been gone, and their few stolen hours together since his return had been very precious.

Kitty Russell had arrived in Dodge City about five years ago. The tall marshal had fascinated her since the first moment she set eyes on him, and she had worked hard to get to know him. He was reluctant to talk to her at first - almost shy, but it had to be more than that. She could see that he was interested, but kept holding himself back. It took her many months to persuade him to take her out of town for a few hours - ostensibly to go fishing, but they both knew there would be more to it than that. She had asked him why he kept avoiding her; after all most men found her attractive. He had explained carefully, using words it seemed he had learned by rote, a long time ago.

"As long as I wear this badge, I have no right to commit to a relationship. I can't put someone else's life in danger because of my job."

They had come to an agreement. There would be no display of affection between them in public. In private - well, that might be different.

After Kitty became part owner of the Long Branch Saloon, and got her own suite of rooms upstairs, Matt became a frequent late night visitor when he was in town. Usually he would stop by the saloon early in the evening and then return after his final rounds were complete, by which time the Long Branch would be closing up. It had become such a routine for them that those times when he was out of town, she missed him terribly.

That evening, when he looked over the bat-wing doors, she thought he looked tired; his face was troubled. Later that night, when he returned, she found that lack of sleep wasn't totally responsible for his appearance.

He had let himself in to her room and hung his hat on the stand by the door, just as he always did. He was never someone given to easy conversation, but tonight he seemed more reticent than usual. She poured them each a snifter of fine brandy and indicated for him to come and sit next to her on the settee.

"What's troubling you, Matt?" she asked. it had become apparent that he wasn't going to start the conversation

He looked at her, surprised that she could read him so easily. He would have to tell her. He took a breath before speaking.

"I have to leave town tomorrow, Kitty. I'll try not to be away for long."

"But you only just got back!"

He nodded, looking down at the drink in his hand.

"I know, but this is important. Sheriff Hicks from up in Great Bend, and his deputy, were found dead in an alley, both shot in the back." He turned to look at her and she could see the pain in his eyes. "John Hicks was a good man. I'd known him for a long time, and his young deputy had a wife and children. I have to find those responsible, Kitty."

She hated to see him leave town, and probably face who ever had killed the lawmen, but at the same time, understood how he would take this personally. All she could do was tell him to be careful, and come back to her in one piece.

The night seemed all too short. He took her in his arms just as dawn was breaking, and kissed her gently on the lips. The bed was all too comforting, and Kitty, soft and warm, was lying close beside him. He thought unhappily of the long ride ahead. Leaving was never easy, and each time it seemed to get a little more difficult.

"I have to go now," he whispered. She held his face in her hands, looking into his eyes.

"Please be careful, Matt. You know I worry about you." She watched his every movement as he got dressed; then he lifted his gun-belt from the table beside the bed and fastened it around his hips.

"I'll be fine. I've told Chester to keep an eye on things while I'm away."

She smiled sadly. Chester was a good man, but she could hardly imagine him taking care of the town the way Matt did. Still the marshal seemed to have a lot of faith in his assistant.

He leaned his face down towards her and she stretched up to exchange a final kiss before turning him loose. No other words were necessary, and without speaking he gathered his hat and left the room. She strained her ears to hear his footsteps as he descended the stairs and strode across the alley. Then, maybe more by imagination than anything else, she managed to hear a few more steps as he climbed onto the board walk. Soon, they too faded away. She turned over and clutched the pillow that still held his scent. Sometimes she wondered why she had fallen so deeply for this man. A banker or a rancher would live a far less dangerous existence and not cause her a fraction of the worry and heartache. But Matt Dillon was a unique person, and she had long since realized that, apparently, he was the only man who could hold her love. He was always true to himself and to that badge he wore. Even though it hurt sometimes, she wouldn't have him be any other way.

"You sure you don't want me to come with ya', Mr. Dillon. I kin be ready to ride in no time."

"No Chester I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things for me." As he spoke, Dillon swung up into the saddle and Chester handed him his rifle and canteen.

"Be careful, Mr. Dillon."

Chester patted the big buckskin on the rump, then watched as the marshal urged the horse forward and headed off along Front Street. He understood that his boss had an almost two-day ride ahead of him. After that who knew what on earth he'd find in Great Bend.

TBC