It was after closing time when Doc gathered the men to his office. Once the town was peaceful they lifted Matt onto a carrying board and very carefully carried him across the alley to the Long Branch. Kitty was waiting for them at the back staircase door and led them to her room. She watched as they situated Matt in her bed. As they were about to leave, Kitty stood in the middle of the group.
"As you can see Matt is not in the best of shape right now and there might be some folks that would like to take advantage of this situation. I don't know if many people would think to look for him here so I would like to keep it that way. I would really appreciate it if you could keep this very quiet." To a man they all nodded in agreement. "Thank you all and tomorrow the drinks will be on the house." As they descended the stairs, Doc pulled Festus and Newly to the side.
"I think we should set up a schedule to guard Kitty's room. Kitty is right, the word will be getting around soon that Matt was shot and make no mistake they will be coming. We have to make sure they are both safe until Matt, well, until Matt gets back to being Matt. There are some real good men in this town that I know would be honored to help out so Newly, first thing in the morning, I want you to go talk to Jeb Rankin, Raney Jones, Caleb Barnes, and Jimmy Cole for starters."
"You bet ya, Doc."
"Doc, whats can I do?"
"Festus, you take the first shift. I don't think anyone will try anything tonight, but we should be prepared."
"Sure thing."
Newly and Doc filed out of the Long Branch as Sam locked up. Festus climbed the stairs to take his post on the second floor.
Kitty sat at her bedroom table, released the pins from her hair, and commenced her before bed ritual. Satisfied that her hair was thoroughly combed, she made her way to her bed. She lay next to Matt, propped herself up on one arm, and started to run her hand through his thick mane of hair. "Matt, I know you are going to come back to me." She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I love you cowboy."
The next morning, Newly brought the four men to the jail and waited for Doc to arrive. Doc outlined the schedule and gave out their assignments. After the men had gone Doc turned to Newly,
"You had breakfast yet?"
"No sir, I haven't."
"Let's go eat and then you can spell Festus."
"Sure thing, Doc."
Kitty woke and gave Matt a kiss. As she ran her hand down his face, she couldn't help but remember their vacation in St. Louis, Tate Crocker, and the wrecked stagecoach.
She smiled as she recalled how it took her a good two days before she could relax. She was waiting for the dreaded telegram imploring Matt to return to take some outlaw back to God knows where. Fortunately, the telegram never came and Matt had made sure she was pampered every day. It didn't matter what she wanted to do he was more than willing to do it. He held her bags as she dragged him from shop to shop buying the latest fashion, they ate at the finest restaurants, took long walks down by the Mississippi, danced the night away, and when they retired for the evening she had never felt so loved. She wasn't sure if it was the new surroundings or the fact that he wasn't weighed down by the responsibilities of Dodge but Matt found new ways to send waves of pleasure pulsating through her body.
On their return home Matt was still attentive and loving. He continued to be as playful as he was in St. Louis, holding her in his arms as he stole passionate kisses. She was having the time of her life. That was until Monk Wiley. She didn't want to let Matt go or end this idyllic vacation until she stepped inside the Long Branch. She reacted badly to another one of his badge intrusions and sitting next to him, as if they were strangers, was not how she wanted the trip to end. She needed more time, wanted to feel his arms around her, and then the accident happened.
She took a deep breath as she laid her head on his shoulder.
He shielded her as they went over the cliff. When she awoke and saw Matt unconscious she immediately wished she could have taken back the way she acted and the things she said. She hoped that those were not the last words they were ever going to speak to one another. She was lucky then and she just had to be lucky again.
She kissed him once more before she got up to change. "Matt, when this is over we're going away and this time I'm going to do the pampering. This I promise, my love." As she made her way across the room there was a knock on her door.
"Yes?"
"Kitty, it's Doc."
"Come in."
"Aren't we the lady of leisure today, still in your night clothes are we?"
"I was just about to get changed. Why, were you looking for some coffee?"
Doc smiled, "No, as a matter of fact, I had my breakfast and two cups of coffee. How's our patient?"
"The same."
As Doc moved towards Matt to examine him, he looked over towards Kitty, "I set up a schedule to have someone here in case anyone tries to get to Matt."
"Thanks Doc and I also have his gun."
"I certainly hope you don't have to use it!" Doc proceeded to examine Matt. "I'm just as worried about you, you know." He looked up over his glasses. "Your life is in as much danger as his. Another reason I was not too keen on your idea."
"Doc, I'll be fine."
"Famous last words!"
Kitty looked over at Doc, "Where are the men going to be?"
"They'll be right outside your room."
"I suppose they think this is very strange, Matt here and all."
"I'd be surprised if they were."
"Oh Doc, I refuse to believe everyone knows!"
"Honey, this is a small town. I guess you've forgotten Matt's reaction after, well, I don't want to talk about unpleasant subjects."
"Doc, it's OK. I'm a little better able to deal with that now."
Doc hesitated for a moment before he continued, "As much as I disagreed with him that day, he put the badge down and went after them. He put himself outside the law, a law he had sworn to give his life to uphold. It was his life, what he stood for, what he preached. Do you have any idea how much he loves you? When he left my office the whole town was in the street. They all saw that he was not wearing the badge; they knew where he was going and what he was going to do. I say it was his life because that day everyone knew what was most important to him. No, Kitty, I don't think it would surprise anyone."
Kitty stared at Doc. Tears started to well in her eyes. Doc made his way over to her and held her close.
"Sometimes stubborn women need to be reminded," he rubbed the tears away from her cheeks. She looked at him and smiled.
"Doc, he just has to get well," he patted her back and rocked her. "I know, honey, I know."
It had been a few days since Matt's confrontation with Chance and his condition remained the same. Kitty spent most of her days divided between caring for Matt and running the Long Branch, although the saloon received less of her attention. Kitty was in her office going over the books. She had hoped that Matt would have recovered by now and she knew the dreaded discussion with Doc would have to take place soon. She put down her pencil and rubbed her neck. It was very hard to concentrate. She closed the books and made her way up the stairs. As she approached her door she could hear Festus talking about his Aunt Henry. She stopped for a moment to smile. As she entered her room, Festus looked her way.
"Sorry Miss Kitty. I's didn't mean to enter your room with you's not being here but I's thought I's have a little talk with Matthew.
"I'm glad you did Festus. I know it helps if we talk to him."
"Aw, shoot Miss Kitty there ain't nothin' I woodn't do for Matthew." He watched as Kitty made her way into the other room. "Miss Kitty?"
"What is it Festus?"
"Do we's really have to get another Marshal?"
"We'll leave that up to Washington but we have to notify them."
"Can'ts we wait some before we send that telleygram?"
"I don't want to admit that Matt might not get well either Festus but it can't hurt if we have another qualified lawman in this town."
She went over to him and gave him a big hug. "I know how you feel having another Marshal in town. It will bother me too but I'm afraid it has to be until Matt recovers."
Festus was still blushing from Kitty's show of affection, "I's best be goin' and gives you your time with Matthew."
"Did you ever get those drinks I promised you?"
"No ma'am but I will."
"See you later, Festus."
He closed the door and Kitty made her way to the bed. As she lay down next to Matt she kissed him and stroked his hair. "Cowboy, I don't know what to do. I guess we are going to have to have someone come to look at you. I don't know what I'll do if he tells me bad news." Her hand moved across his body as she showered him with kisses. A knock on the door startled her.
"I have your lunch Miss Kitty."
Kitty stood up and went to the door and let Sam in, "Thanks, Sam."
"Miss Kitty, I hope you eat a little more today than you did yesterday. You have to keep your strength up, you know."
"That's right Sam," Doc entered the room behind Sam.
As Sam closed the door, Doc went over to examine Matt. Kitty sat to eat but she really didn't have an appetite. Doc came and sat down across from her.
"You really shouldn't be playing with your food, you know."
"Doc, I'm really not hungry."
"Kitty, we have to discuss what we are going to do for Matt."
"I'm so afraid, Doc."
"Of what?"
"Of what the doctor might say. What if he says Matt will never be the same?"
"Let's not think that way but we really should know for sure." She sat frozen in thought. "Kitty, when I went to Baltimore a few years back to study disease I went to a school called John Hopkins. I became pretty good friends with a doctor who was studying the brain. I can't promise anything but I thought I'd send him a telegram, if you don't have any objections."
"Do you think he'll come?"
"Maybe, but in the meantime I don't want you to think about anything except eating the food that Sam brought up for you, OK?"
Kitty walked Doc to the door. He turned and rubbed her arm, "Everything is going to be fine; you wait and see."
Kitty closed the door and went to eat her food. As she took the first bite she eyed Matt's jacket hanging from the armoire. Another thing she meant to do. She dropped her fork, walked over and stood staring at the hanging jacket. She rubbed the sleeves and took in a deep breath of Matt's scent. "Oh, Matt." Not able to eat she walked over to the bed and again lay down next to him. She hugged him as she laid her head on his shoulder, "Doc's going to send a telegram to a doctor in Baltimore. I'm scared Matt, real scared."
The next day Doc received a reply from Dr. Michael Jenkins. He had remembered Doc fondly and was very happy to give his opinion on Doc's patient. He cautioned that the brain is very delicate and that his arrival did not mean that Matt's condition would improve. He would be making his way west in the next couple of days.
The new Marshal had also arrived. Cody Lattimore was one of the youngest lawman in the territory. He was tall and thin with sandy brown hair, blazing blue eyes, and from all accounts very fast with a gun. He had a ready smile, even temperament, and loads of charm that made him very popular with the ladies. He was in Hays City when he got the word to continue on to Dodge. As he entered the Long Branch, Kitty was sitting at one of the tables sipping a cup of coffee deep in her thoughts.
"Excuse me ma'am," Cody gently nudged her shoulder. "Ma'am?" Kitty looked up into those piercing blue eyes and wondered if she was ever going to see Matt's blue eyes again.
"Are you OK?"
"Yes, I, uh, well, I was just daydreaming. Can I help you?"
"No help needed, I just wanted to introduce myself I'm Cody Lattimore."
"Well, Cody nice to meet you," as she extended her hand. "I'm Kitty Russell, I own the Long Branch. Would you like some coffee?"
"Sure, and, I would like to, uh, get some information."
"What type of information?"
"Oh, just to familiarize myself with the town. From what I'm told I might be here for a spell."
"A spell?"
"Yes, Miss Russell, I'm the new Marshal."
"Well, Cody I don't think I'm up for that conversation."
"I realize that Miss Russell and I'm sorry to hear that Matt was so badly hurt but your closeness to the Marshal makes you very important to someone like me who needs to learn what goes on in this town."
"I would rather not discuss my relationship with Matt."
"I understand perfectly and I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot. Miss Russell, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner tonight. I think your first impression of me was not the one I wanted to make. Maybe I can make up for it in a more neutral setting."
"You caught me at a really bad time. Festus and Newly are the deputies and I believe they can give you the information you need to get by especially since you will only be here for a short time. Now, if you will excuse me?"
Kitty made her way up the stairs as Cody's eyes followed her until she had entered the hallway. She was a smart, beautiful, strong, independent woman, no doubt. Pity she is wasting her time on a dead man. Cody shook his head as he made his way to the Long Branch door. He turned back as his eyes again glanced upward. The day will come Miss Russell when you'll want to be in my company, no, crave my company. I can be a comfort to a grieving widow in so many ways. I'm not ordinarily a patient man but I am more than willing to wait, for one day you will be mine. Cody smiled as he made his way to the street.
Doc passed Cody as he was entering the Long Branch. He made his way to Kitty's room, "Hey, who was that long drink of water that passed me on my way in?"
"That is the new Marshal."
"Oh, the ladies are really gonna go for him, I'll tell ya."
"They can have him!"
"Kitty, do you know him?"
"No, he just introduced himself. He thought I would be a good source of information because of my relationship with Matt."
"Suppose that didn't go over very well."
"No, Doc it didn't. Then he had the audacity to ask me to dinner!"
"Matt, did you hear that? The new Marshal has been here for five minutes and already he is asking Kitty to dinner. If you know what's good for you, you'll open those eyes and take her off the market!"
"Oh, Doc, stop." Kitty playfully slapped his shoulder. "Isn't there some kind of doctoring you should be doing?"
"I'll get to it but I really came over to let you know that Dr. Jenkins has consented to come to Dodge. He will be leaving in a couple of days. Now, he doesn't want us to think that because he is coming here that means Matt will get well but he promised to do whatever he can."
"Doc, I hate to think he is our last chance but,"
"Now, Kitty, let's take it one step at a time. He's coming here so that's a good thing."
"I know, Doc,"
After Doc left, she sat staring at Matt as the tears started to flow. She climbed into bed and held him as she found comfort in his closeness. "Dr. Jenkins is going to come here Matt. That's the doctor I told you Doc met in Baltimore. He doesn't want us to get our hopes up though but he should be here in about a week. Oh, and don't believe Doc. I only have eyes for one Marshal in this town." She kissed him and continued to hold Matt close until eventually she fell asleep.
The bar downstairs was beginning to fill. Kitty should have felt refreshed after her nap but nothing she did recently made her feel right. "Matt, I'm going to go downstairs for a while and see if Sam needs any help. I'll be right back cowboy." Kitty kissed his lips and then made her way down to her office. When she opened the door Sam was locking away the first half of the day's receipts. "Need anything Miss Kitty?"
"The only thing I need right now Sam is Matt."
"I know, Doc told me that the doctor from Baltimore would be coming here soon. Maybe he'll bring good news."
"I don't know Sam. The longer Matt remains unconscious, well, it can't be good."
Kitty started to feel the tears so she turned to sit at her desk. "Well, Miss Kitty, at least we're having a pretty good business day so far."
Kitty didn't acknowledge Sam and knowing that she wasn't herself these days he closed the door and went back to the bar. She couldn't think about her business now. If she had all the money in the world it wouldn't mean as much to her as seeing Matt smile. She tried not to think about living her life without him but was she crazy to believe that one day he would be able to hold her again? She wasn't accomplishing much so she decided to make her way to her room.
Kitty approached the bar, "Sam, do you think Floyd can take over? I really would like to take a nice hot bath. Maybe that will get me in a better mood."
"It's worth a try, sure enough. I'll be up with the water directly."
As she made her way to the stairs she heard someone call her name. She turned to find Cody just entering the saloon.
"Miss Russell, can I buy you a drink? I'm sure you've had a very long day."
"Thank you Marshal but I was just on my way to my room."
"Do you mind if I pay my respects to Matt?
"That's not necessary but thank you."
"You really shouldn't shoulder this alone. If there is anything I can do."
"Thank you again, but I have so many people helping me I can't keep track as it is."
Sam came up behind Kitty and she noticed that he had the water for her bath. "Thanks, Sam, I'm right behind you. Good evening, Marshal."
Cody watched her every move as she made her ascent to the second floor. Festus passed Kitty on the stairs but he kept his eyes on Cody. Cody meanwhile was in a trance as the thought of her lying in a tub started to stir him.
"Evenin' Marshal, is there somethin' I's can get for you?"
Cody still hadn't released his eyes from Kitty. Festus turned the lawman around to face him. "Ifn' I was you I's mind my manners and finds some other woman to be all googaly eyes over. Miss Kitty, nows she's a fine woman and she's don'ts need no upstart youngin' comin' in here givin' her no more trouble."
"Festus, I'm only trying to help."
"In a pig's eye you are! I's see how you look at her."
"Can't I admire a beautiful woman?"
"Nots this woman you don't and I'll tell ya nother thing if ole Matthew was standing here right now and saw you ogling her that way, well,"
"Unfortunately he's not but I will admit she is something to get jealous over. Matt is surely a lucky man, yes sir, a very lucky man." Cody again looked up to the second floor landing. "How many days has it been? It can't be easy for her lying there night after night with someone who can't respond to her touch."
"You just keep a civil tongue when yous talk about her, you hear?"
"Loud and clear deputy, loud and clear. I think I'll have a drink before I make my rounds. Nice chatting with you Festus."
Newly looked up and smiled as she came down the hall. "I heard about the doctor comin'. I'm hopin' the Marshal will be as good as new in no time."
Kitty smiled as she touched his arm, "Newly, I certainly hope so. After Sam finishes drawing my bath I think I'll go to bed."
"Sure thing, have a good night."
Kitty closed her eyes and let the soothing warm waters caress her body. She could hear the crowd downstairs and felt guilty that Sam was shouldering the running of her business alone. When this was over she would have to do something real special for him. After she dried her body, she splashed on the rose water and reached for her finest silk nightgown. She climbed into bed and wrapped her arm around Matt as she whispered in his ear. "Cowboy," she held Matt's hand and guided it down the length of the silk. "You told me this was the best purchase I made in St. Louis, remember? Not that I had it on very long," Kitty smiled as her thoughts brought her back to that night. She tenderly kissed his lips then fell asleep with Matt's hand lying against the silk and their fingers entwined.
Sam was trying to keep up with the requests for drinks. He couldn't remember the last time it was so busy when there wasn't a drive up from Texas or a town celebration. Down at the end of the bar Burke was holding court with Grimes, Lathrop, and Halligan hanging on his every word.
"Yep, the doc from Baltimore should be gettin' here any day now."
"I guess Miss Kitty is happy."
"Well, not really." Burke turned to Lathrop. "See this doc said that they shouldn't expect too much just because he's comin'. Might be the Marshal never recovers."
"Oh, poor Miss Kitty."
"Yeah, I feel for her all right Halligan. Spending all this time with the Marshal and not having a home or any kids, well, it would be sad if it ended this way."
"Burke, how long do you think the Marshal will last if he doesn't come to?
"Who knows Grimes, but one thing I do know Miss Kitty will continue to nurse him, well, till the end."
"Sad, so very sad," as the men shook their heads in unison.
"And what about Festus, Newly, and the rest of the guys. They have to guard her room everyday. How long can that go on?"
Close by two cowboys couldn't help but overhead the conversation of the men at the end of the bar.
"Did you hear that?"
"What, about Dillon? Yeah, so what?"
"So what? He would have had me hung if Jackson hadn't stumbled upon us and knocked him cold. I've been trying to pay him back for a while now. This is my chance."
"Hey, wait a minute, is this why we really came to Dodge? I didn't sign on for no murder, you know."
"Don't you understand that doc will be coming here in a few days and Dillon might survive? If I don't get to him now, there might not be another chance. Besides, you won't be doin' the murder."
"You heard them there is a guard upstairs, how you gettin' into the room with him sittin' there?"
"Let me think on it a minute."
"Well, while you're thinkin' I'm gonna do some drinkin'; hey barkeep."
"Easy on the booze, boy. I need you clear headed if I'm gonna pull this off, you hear?"
"I still don't know if this is such a good idea. Let's just leave like we were gonna do, meet up with Diego and the boys and rob ourselves a bank. Dillon could be dead on his own tomorrow, why do you want to chance it?"
"Because I want to know he's dead and that I did it."
"You're crazy."
"Yeah, well I'm won't be too crazy when we have a tidy sum in our pockets and livin' it up in Mexico with all the food, drink, and women we can handle. One thing I don't want is to be sittin' in a Cantina worryin' that Dillon will come walkin' through the door. That man never loses a trail and he never gives up. That's why I have to kill him. Now leave me alone so's I can think."
"Sure thing Rance."
Mal let him be as he thought his way through a plan. He had a bad feeling about this but Rance was right. If Dillon recovered he wouldn't give up until both of them were brought to justice. Rance reached over to Mal. "Here's what we're gonna' do. I'm gonna' get my horse and leave it at the edge of town. I'll come back and grab that cute little lady over there, spend some money on her and ask if she'll take me upstairs. When you see me headin' up the stairs and go into the room I want you to start a fight."
"I'm not sure I like this plan, Rance."
"Once the fighting starts the deputy will make his way down the stairs, I'll come out of the room, walk in the room Dillon is in, and shoot him dead."
"What about his woman?"
"I'll shoot her too. Hearin' how they're talkin' about her she'll probably prefer it that way."
"How you gonna' get down?"
"Do you think this is the first time I've been upstairs?" There's a back staircase, by the time the deputy makes his way up the stairs I'll be long gone. Once they let you go, meet me at the cabin."
A couple of hours later, Rance and Gert made their way up the stairs as Mal watched. Once the door closed Mal fell into the cowboy next to him.
"Hey, watch what ya doin'."
Mal raised his hand and in his best slurred voice, "Sorry pal, sorry. I guess I just had too much to drink."
"Then why don't you go home?"
"What, you're not enjoyin' my company?" Mal ran his hand down the man's arm.
"You best be gettin' your hand off me friend."
"Sorry, sorry, hey barkeep, give this man another drink, on me."
"I don't want your drink."
"Oh, now you're insulting me?"
"No, I just want you to leave me be."
"Can't do that until you have a drink with me."
"I know one way you'll leave me alone."
"How's that?"
A fist ran across Mal's face and slammed him into the bar. He knew this was a bad idea. He got his bearings and gave the cowboy a right to the stomach and a left to the chin. From there Mal had no idea what happened next. Everyone started joining in and he was hoping that the deputy would come down soon so Rance could finish the job and they both could get out of Dodge.
Hearing the commotion downstairs Newly ran passed the door as Rance watched. "What's ya doin' over there?"
"Honey, I just want to see what's goin' on. My friend is still at the bar and he might need help. I promise I will be back in a minute."
"Don't be long, sugar."
Rance carefully opened the door and made a left down the hall. He had been in almost every room on the second floor, except one. That had to be the saloon owner's. He slowly opened the door. A sliver of light made its way into the room. Rance could see Matt lying perfectly still. As he approached the bed he raised his gun and aimed it straight at Matt's head. As he clicked back the hammer a shot rang out and hit him in the shoulder. He winced and turned toward the flash. As he did, another shot rang out and hit him squarely in the chest. He fell back against the wall and made his slow descent to the floor.
Newly heard Kitty scream and quickly ran to her. She was sitting up in bed screaming Matt's name as he grabbed her shoulders. "Miss Kitty, Miss Kitty."
"Newly, he's over there. He was going to kill Matt. I shot him, I had to save Matt."
"No one is over there, Miss Kitty. You're in your bed. I think you were having a bad dream. Look," Newly turned on the light. "See?"
Kitty looked around the room. Everything was in its place. Kitty took a deep breath and looked down to discover her blanket no longer covered her thin strapped, very revealing, silk gown. She quickly brought the blanket up to her neck as Newly just as quickly looked away.
"Um, sorry, um, I didn't, um."
Kitty smiled, "It's OK Newly. I appreciate you being here."
"You want me to get Doc?
"No, I'll be all right now. Besides it will be daybreak soon, I might as well get up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Newly closed the door behind him and resumed his post but he knew the memory of that nightgown would stay with him forever.
Kitty looked over at Matt. In all her screaming and tossing he hadn't moved. She leaned over and kissed him then she started to laugh. "Matt, you should have seen Newly's face. Poor boy, he didn't know where to turn." She took his hand and kissed it as she held it to her breast. "I love you Matt with all my heart. I know one day you will hear me say it."
Kitty released his hand and made her way into the next room. The sun was starting to make its way through her windows. For some reason she had an appetite today and she thought breakfast at Delmonico's was in order. Maybe she would stop and pick up Doc. She quickly dressed for the day, kissed Matt goodbye, and hurried through the door. In the silence that followed a hand slowly moved across the sheets.