So sorry that it has taken me so long to get back and finish this! Whew--it has been quite a week and now we have FFA week this whole week! Whoo-hoo! Anyway thank you for the reviews I tried to reply to everyone but I know that I did not reply to everyone--so if I did not reply to your review I am sorry and thank you! Like I said this chapter should not require tissues or hipwaders!

The Gift

Chapter 3

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own these charachters.

Later that night, sated from an evening of long, slow love making, Matt lay with Kitty in his arms. Her vibrant red hair was fanned out behind her and her cheek was pressed into his shoulder. As Matt lay there looking out at the cold night sky from inside the room letting the nights earlier actions role through his mind. He had totally forgotten about Valentine's day but maybe that was what had pressed him forward to go into that little trinket shop in Wichita, he didn't know. He was just glad that Kitty had been happy with the music box and the broach that he had brought her.

He also let his mind wander to finally telling Kitty that he loved her. He had wanted to say those words for quite some time, had practiced them over and over in his mind and to himself out on the trail. Now he felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He turned and kissed Kitty's forhead causing her to stir and open her eyes to look at him. "Go back to sleep darlin." He whisphered.

The Next Morning...

Well it wasn't really morning, Kitty thought to herself as she puttered around her room. Morning had been four hours ago when Matt had slipped from her bed, dressing quietly and then gentely kissing her on the lips telling her would see her later. Kitty went to her closet and went through her daily routine of pulling out every dress she owned, holding it against herself before deciding what she would wear for the day. Pulling dresses out and grumbling to herself, Kitty finally choose one pulled it on and then went to her dressing table. She took a seat there and began pulling a brush through her hair. As she picked up some hair pins her fingers brushed the music box that held the broach. Both had been given to her by Matt the night before when he had returned from Wichita. Kitty smiled to herself and picked up the pretty little music box. It was made of beautiful cherry and Kitty wondered if the woods reddish color had reminded Matt of her hair or her fiery temperament. Running a finger over the smooth wood top, Kitty lifted the lid and smiled as music filled the space. She wasn't familiar with the song but it was cheery and made her smile. The next time she and Matt went on a Sunday picnic she would wear the broach. Looking at the clock on the wall Kitty gasped and rushed to finish getting ready for work.

Chester Goode was in front of the jail, busily sweeping snow of the boardwalk there off. He was glad that Mr. Dillon was back, he was always nervous when Mr. Dillon was gone and if it seemed that he was going to be delayed well, then he got all the more nervous. Finishing his sweeping, Chester stepped back inside the jail and shivering a little said, "It sure is cold out there this morning Mr. Dillon."

"Yeah. I felt that this morning." Matt said, looking up at his assistant. A small smile on his face. Then Matt turned back to his paperwork, paper work that his mind really wasn't on. His mind was on Kitty who should be going to work shortly. Matt grinned again, yup, as soon as Kitty went to work Matt decided that he would just have to make an excuse to wander over to the Long Branch to see Kitty. There were times that he hated having to keep his and Kitty's relationship a secret sometimes, even though he knew it was necessary, he was the one that had put up the boundries, but right now he wished that he could stand out in front of the jail and let everyone in Dodge know just how he felt about Kitty Russell.

I am saying complete for now…but I may decide to add more to this chapter. Let me know what you think.