Chapter 4 - Getting to Know Chester's New Family

Kitty stepped off the train in Wichita to find Chester waiting for her. He took her bags and piled them behind the seat on the farm wagon he'd driven all the way into town. During the 20-mile trip, Chester couldn't stop talking about Elsie and the two boys and the farm that was now his home. Finally, however, the conversation turned to life in Dodge City and Doc and Matt.

"I'm sure enough glad that Doc can spare a few days to attend the weddin', Miss Kitty. I only wish Mr. Dillon could do the same. I understand why he can't though."

"Chester, you're just too forgiving when it comes to Matt. I'll just have to be mad at him for both of us because that badge isn't a good excuse for not taking at least the time to be at the church when you and Elsie marry."

By the time they reached the house Kitty learned that Chester's brother Magnus would be best man and would arrive three days early so he could meet the woman and boys who would soon be his sister-in-law and nephews. She also found out that Chester planned to adopt them as soon after the wedding as he could and that Elsie's best friend was close to her time with her sixth child. Therefore, she wasn't sure who would be the maid of honor. Since her parents had passed Elsie had decided that Donald, although only 12, would stand in for his deceased grandfather and give the bride away to the man who would become his new father. Albert, so he could also have a part in the wedding, would be the ring bearer, while Elsie's best friend's oldest daughter, who was 7, a year younger than Albert, would represent her mother and act as flower girl.

By the time Magnus arrived, a few days earlier than expected, Kitty had become fast friends with Elsie and quite close to her sons. The two women were about the same height and build, but where Kitty had red hair, Elsie's was a golden brown that matched her brown eyes. She was good-natured and slow to anger like Chester, but like him was fiercely loyal and couldn't abide cruelty in any form. She noticed Donald had grown three inches since she last saw him and his hair had darkened to the same golden brown as his mother's. Albert, on the other hand, shared the dark brown hair and coloring of Chester. It was also clear that while Donald was accepting of Chester as his new father, he was still reticent. That wasn't the case with Albert, four years his junior, who was already acting as if Chester had always been there for him. Kitty was sure this family would make her friend a very happy man.

Later that day, Elsie glanced over at Kitty as the two women worked in the kitchen washing and putting away the dinner dishes. She was glad two of Chester's closest friends would be at the wedding. She knew how much it meant to him and all she wanted was to make this wonderful man she'd met happy. As she watched, she saw her companion's expression change from a wistful smile to melancholy and back to the smile. They'd been together enough that she knew Kitty was thinking about the one person who should be here but wouldn't be. Would he ever approve of her or even meet her? In fact, although Kitty seemed to like her, did she really approve of her for Chester and was she thinking of what it would be like for her to have a home and family?

"Kitty, I wanted to talk with you before Dr. Adams arrives. I know you and he and Marshal Dillon are his closest friends. Do you think I'm the right woman for him? Would the marshal feel the same?"

"I can't speak for Matt, who can't put aside that badge of his to be here, but in the past ten days I've decided that you're absolutely the best person for him. So many women have used him in the past, building his hopes up and then leaving him. You really love him and would never deliberately hurt him. Chester loves family, yet his own kin have often disappointed him. I also feel that like you Donald and especially Albert see the wonderful man he is – a man they can be proud to call Pa."

"I'm glad you feel that way. I only wish you could be as happy in your life as Chester and I are. I never thought I could love another man after Roy was killed pursuing our dream, but there was Chester to continue it and then make it his own. I hope this isn't too personal, but I've been watching you and I believe there's a sliver of jealousy mixed in with your warm feelings and it all has to do with Marshal Dillon."

"I reckon I am. Matt can't seem to realize that there's more to life than that badge. All I ever wanted from the first time we talked – I mean really talked – to each other was to spend the rest of my life with him and raise a family. I know he loves me, but his fear of me being hurt because of my connection to him or our children being left as orphans has kept him from following through on that love and giving me everything. I think that fear, which he as the bravest man I know can't admit is crippling him, is keeping us from having what we both want. My only hope is that someday he'll overcome that stubborn pride of his and admit that it's fear that's holding him back. Maybe what it will take is a more pressing fear. I thought he might give in and propose after Frank and Maria Reardon's wedding last year, but he didn't. I think he might have skipped that wedding too if he hadn't promised Frank he'd be his best man. He couldn't say no to his best friend, but he can stay away when the man getting married is like a younger brother to him."

The two women talked on. When they were finally talked out they knew everything about each other – all their hopes, dreams and fears. It was two days before the wedding, but nobody knew who would be her maid of honor. The rehearsal was the next night. If the one vacancy in the wedding party weren't filled, the bride would have to walk herself down the aisle. By the time Elsie, the boys, Chester, Magnus and Kitty went to the station to meet Doc Kitty had agreed to be maid of honor for the second time in two years.