Ranch Life 4

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

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Kitty had just put both kids down for their nap, when she heard a knock at the front door. Hurrying to answer before the noise woke her children, Kitty found Bess Ronniger on her doorstep.

"Land sakes, Kitty" Bess exclaimed as Kitty ushered her in. "What in the world are you doing inside, on a beautiful day like today?"

Turning her lips up in a smile at her friend, Kitty took her cloak and led her into the parlor. "I just put the kids down for a nap," she told her, "but we were outside earlier. You're right, it is beautiful out there."

"Yes it is," Bess agreed, "as a matter of fact, that's why I'm here. I decided to take myself a little vacation from my chores and my kids and take a ride into Dodge. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me. I mean, you don't often go anywhere since you had Emily Rose."

Kitty smiled at her friend's use of Emily's middle name. Bess's middle name was Rose as well and she took great pleasure in telling everyone that Emily was named in part after her.

"Oh, Bess, I would love to," Kitty sighed, "but I can't. Like I told you I just put the kids down and Matt's not here. He and Festus rode out this morning to check on something."

"Oh dear," Bess lamented, "you poor thing. You mean you're stuck here alone all day?"

Kitty shook her head. "I don't think of it as stuck, Bess, and as for whether it's all day or not I'm not sure. Matt said he'd be back in time for supper, of course he sometimes forgets exactly when that is."

"Oh dear," Bess repeated, "well, would you like me to stay here with you?" Bess had a strong affection for Kitty and would give up even a rare day of freedom from home and kids to help her if needed.

Kitty shook her head. "No, no, Bess, I'm fine. Honestly. I've got some sewing to do and Sam brought me the books from the Long Branch to review and of course I'll need to fix something to eat a little later, so I'll have plenty to keep me occupied till Matt returns."

Bess wanted to help her friend in any way she could, but she also wanted to go to Dodge unencumbered by spouse and children. "Oh I see," she finally said. "Well, are you sure?"

Kitty smiled "I'm positive, Bess. You go on and enjoy yourself while you can."

Bess sighed again, but finally rose and made her way back towards the entrance, reclaiming her cloak as she went. "Well, Kitty, if you're sure….."

"I am, Bess," Kitty reassured her. "Now you go on."

"Well, alright then." Bess gave Kitty a hug then turned and headed for her wagon, waving at Kitty as she turned it around and headed away.

Kitty watched her leave, then closed the door with a sigh of her own. She had meant what she had told Bess. She did have plenty to keep her busy but a part of her still wished she could've gone with her friend into Dodge.

In a lot of ways, Kitty missed living in town over the Long Branch. Town life was very different from ranch life, and though she wouldn't trade what she had now for anything, she sometimes missed her old life. She remembered the excitement when a new trail herd arrived in town, and the almost carnival like atmosphere of the Long Branch when it was at it's busiest.

She remembered also the parties and sociables she used to attend. True, most of the time they weren't with Matt, but they were fun never the less.

Unavoidably, she remembered the bad times as well; times she'd just as soon not remember. But it hadn't been all bad and it had kept her close to a certain tall law man that, still to this day, took her breath away when ever he came near her.

In Dodge, she had been more than just a wife and mother. She had been a business owner, who was well respected in the community. An independent woman, whose decisions were her own and who traveled when she wanted to and where she wanted to, without having to consult with anyone.

She still owned the Long Branch of course, but times were changing and the saloon business was as well. Though uncomplaining, she knew Sam's management of the saloon was becoming a burden to him, even though he would never say so.

Thinking of Sam, brought to mind some gossip she had recently heard from one of the cowboys. It seemed that Sam had recently been seen squiring the Widow Blocker around quite a bit. She certainly hoped so. Tilda Blocker would be a good match for a wonderful man like Sam.

Besides the attentions of Tilda, Sam had accomplished quite a few things in Dodge. He had even managed to get Louie off the liquor and solidly on the wagon. Louie had now been sober for a year and was actually working for the newspaper. Sam had to of worked awfully hard to get that accomplished.

Kitty sighed again deeply. Thinking of her friends in town made her miss them, just that much more, but she had the man of her dreams and two children she loved more than life itself. A night of cowboys, whiskey and smoke in the Long Branch, paled in comparison to that.

Smiling, as she thought of her family, Kitty crossed the hallway and started back towards the parlor when she felt it. A small sharp pang that she hadn't felt since Matt had taken off his badge. An omen of danger, that in the past had always forewarned her when Matt was in trouble.

"Oh Matt," she gasped. Sitting down hard on the couch, Kitty focused on the face of her husband. Though she didn't know the details, she knew something was happening with her cowboy, and that 'something' wasn't good.

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The man stood his ground, refusing to waver. "The only one's leavin' here is you, mister." He said as he brought the rifle up, his finger reaching toward the trigger.

But Matt was ready for him. He had seen the look in the man's eyes and had his own gun out, before the other could even aim his rifle properly.

"I wouldn't do that," Matt warned, "I can kill you before you can even get off a shot, and I really don't want to do that."

As he spoke, Festus got down from Ruth, pulling his own gun to back Matt up.

The man stood silently staring at Matt and Festus. He could see steel in them that he wasn't accustomed to. Still yet, he wasn't a man to back down to anyone. He had determined this land would be his, and no one was going to keep him from it.

Raising his rifle higher, he fired.

"Matthew," Festus yelled rushing to Matt's side.

TBC