Three

Within a week the old place had regained much of its former glory. A crew of friends had spent a day giving the outside of the home a fresh coat of whitewash while Festus and Newly painted the barn and out buildings a traditional red. Now Kitty busied herself with decorating the rooms and began the process of moving furniture from the saloon to the ranch. She'd already determined her parlor set would be just perfect in front of the fireplace in the front parlor. Her elegant mahogany Hepplewhite table found its place in the dining room and she smiled at the thought she'd be able to use all of the leaves that had come with its purchase. She put in a rush order with the manufacturer in Denver for more chairs; she wanted seating for twelve at her dinner table.

The kitchen was another matter, for she knew from her experience at Bessie's house, the kitchen really was the heart of the home and she hinted to Will Roniger that an ideal wedding gift would be a table like the one he'd built for Bessie.

Their bedroom was not overly large, but certainly big enough to accommodate her brass bed and even if it wasn't, there was no way she'd be living anywhere without it. On the day they moved it to the house, she had told Matt if it didn't fit he'd just have to add on to the house to make the space larger. Luckily for him it had.

The days were growing shorter as late summer was upon them, and there were still so many decisions to be made. She had innumerable questions about the house, what color paint did he think would work best in the kitchen, should she put wallpaper up in the bedroom, would he prefer her oriental carpeting or more homey braided rugs? She had questions about the reception, should they have a formal dance or should they opt for a barn dance, what kind of cake, what kind of icing on the cake, who should they invite? Much to Kitty's frustration he answered all her questions with one non-helpful answer, "Just do what you think is best. I've got other problems to worry about you know." So she did what she thought appropriate, thinking if he wasn't happy with the final product he had no one to complain to except himself.

The invitations for the wedding had been sent out a month before the date. As the responses came back they received letters of congratulations from those friends who would not be able to attend and notes of `see you soon', and 'it's about time' from the rest. Both Matt and Kitty were delighted to receive a reply from Thad Greenwood, he and his wife and son would be coming by stage about three days before the wedding. Thad and Sara Greenwood had made many trips back to Dodge in the years since he'd left to work for the US Marshal's Service. Their seven-year-old son Christopher looked upon Dodge as a second home and Matt, Kitty and Doc as part of his family.

Sitting at the back table of the Long Branch the couple sorted through the stack of letters while drinking their morning coffee. Every few minutes the one would interrupt the other with bits and pieces of news they'd just read. "Thad and Sara are coming, he's being transferred to Colorado; they plan to spend a few days here before the move.

Looking up from the letter she'd been reading Kitty smiled, "I can't wait to see little Christopher. I bet he's grown a foot since we saw him last winter."

Dillon nodded, "He has tall parents; he won't stay little Christopher for long."

They made another trip to the house that afternoon so Matt could check on some work he'd had done in the barn, by the time they headed back to town it was late. The air was warm and a fine moon was shining in the sky, but Kitty had too many last minute details to think about to enjoy it. Sitting in the buggy, she questioned Dillon again about his preferences.

"I trust your judgment whatever you decide is fine with me." There was just enough moonlight to cast a soft glow over the prairie; he pulled the mare to a stop and set the parking brake the better to enjoy it. The warm night and her sweet perfume were enough to cloud his thinking process and there was really only one decision he felt capable of making. He leaned over with a husky whisper, "Besides, I've got other things on my mind." His fingers curved under her chin, the pad of his thumb rubbing gently across her lips. Bending his head he brushed his lips against hers in a kiss meant to tease. Seductively, he turned up the heat. It wasn't long before he could feel the fire start to burn in her body. His mouth was insistent; his hot breath melting her insides until she became like fluid in his arms. Impatiently his hands traveled the bodice of her gown seeking the swell of her bosom, a moan of pleasure, hers or his, he wasn't sure emboldened him to lift her skirt making contact with her bare thigh, he felt the muscles relax allowing him access to the forbidden region. Just when he thought success was within his reach she sat bolt upright trapping his hand, "No!" she gasped, sucking air as she tried to calm her runaway heartbeat. "No, we agreed to wait Dillon."

"But Kitty?" He moaned.

Firmly, she replied, "We agreed," She scooted to the far corner of the seat, staring up at the stars, exercising her self control with all of her might.

"You agreed …" he grumbled, "I had nothing to do with this decision."

Her heart was still thumping wildly in her chest, but she held firm to her resolve. Using his own words against him, she said, "Then, you're just going to have to trust that I know what's best."

He grunted a response. Leaning back in the buggy seat for a moment he tried to settle the juices she'd stirred in him. When he'd attained a degree of control, he released the brake and picked up the reins.

It was a quiet trip the rest of the way back to Dodge, and no kiss was offered or taken that night at the saloon door.