Pt.4

Stirring most of the night and thinking of what had taken place; his conversation with Governor St. John, Matt decided sleep had eluded him. And the chill in the air was also reminding him much of what Kitty's mood would be like, when he had to make her see what it was St. John expected of him. He stood repeatedly at the bowl of cold water splashing his face then shaking his head. "Yeah, Dillon, you're awake, you're not dreaming." In some respects, he knew Kitty wouldn't blame him, but he really didn't want any part in helping destroy her livelihood.

After dressing and making his way down to the lobby of the hotel, he headed for the dining room. After being up all night, his stomach was rumbling.

As he passed the registration desk, the clerk spotted him. "Ahhh, good morning, Marshal. I see you're an early riser. I have a message here for you. It was delivered about fifteen minutes ago. I was about to have the bellmen bring it to you."

Reaching his hand out and nodding, Matt took the small letter. "Thank you."

"Will there be a return message?"

"No, I'll handle it." Matt said as he turned to read.

Matt could see it was written on official stationary and it was from Governor St. John. He opened it as he walked towards the dining room, then read,

Dear Marshal Dillon,

I know we didn't have much chance to talk one on one yesterday and I had the feeling there were some issues you wanted to discuss. So I would be quite pleased to have you join me for an early brunch, here at my home. I will be looking forward to seeing you here.

John P. St. John, Governor

Just as Matt folded the letter, the waiter stood waiting. "Sir, table for one, I presume?"

"Quiet table, if you don't mind. I'll just be having coffee. Maybe something over there by the window?"

"Sure. Right this way."

Matt sat, tossing his Stetson on the opposing chair, looking out the window. The sky was showing all the signs of a snow fall. He began looking off into nothing, his thoughts going to how he would tell Kitty about this trip and the things St. John had planned.

He knew Kitty was thinking that someday, something like this might happen. And she'd talked about many times throwing it all in, getting out of the business. After twenty years, she'd had more than her share of drunken, gambling cowboys and climbing those stairs to those few rooms she calls home, although he enjoyed keeping company with her in those rooms.

It made him stop and think of all the things, in the past twenty years, Kitty had missed or given up. And truth be told, and being honest with himself, it was for them, for him. But if this be the end of things, he didn't want it to be like this. He wanted it to be her call, on her terms.

His mind wondered back to that first day he ever laid eyes on that 19 year old girl, sitting in the corner of the café, cold, wet and tired and… well, in his opinion, more beautiful than anyone he could ever imagine.

Then when they met… "Thanks to Doc. He was right. We fit like two old gloves. Oh, we had some stretchin' to do there but she made me feel like no other. Then after we… well, I knew from that moment. God, the universe, which ever you believe, put her here, put her on that stage on that miserable nasty rainy day for a reason. Kitty, Honey."

Now as he stared out up at the sky, "If you can hear me, or feel me, I know I don't tell you as much as I should, but Honey, I... I… Kitty Russell, you are a part of me. From the first time we… well, we… I can't lose you and… Ahh. Damn it! I love you!"

Suddenly, he realized he wasn't alone. "Matt, you alright?"

Snapping his head around. "Oh, Jim." Shaking his head. "Ahhh. Yeah. I was just thinking aloud."

Snickering a bit. "Yeah, so I heard. So what'cha planning to do?"

"Huh? About what, Jim?" Matt was now thinking that maybe he was talking louder that he thought.

"About St. John, of course and well Dodge and Kitty."

Matt rolled his eyes. "Not sure, Jim. I'm headed over to speak to St. John this morning. His invite of course."

"Well, Matt, wish I could help, Buddy."

"Thanks, Jim." Matt said as he stood slipped his hat atop his head. "See ya later."

Governor's Mansion

Jasper quickly opened the door after Matt rang the bell. "Good morning, Marshal. The Governor is expecting you. Please come this way." Leading Matt to the Library.

As Jasper pushed open the double doors, St. John was sitting up close to the fire with a cup of coffee. "Ahhh, Marshal. Please, do come sit and get comfortable. Cigar?"

Shaking his head, "Ah, no, no thanks."

"Coffee then?"

"Yeah, thanks, that sounds good. It's blustery out there."

"Yes, Susan and Lula, our daughter, insisted on a shopping spree for the ball. Susan has a friend a few towns over that she doesn't see much and well, women…"

As he handed Matt a cup of hot coffee, he began. "Now, Marshal, do you mind if I call you Matt?"

"No sir, Governor, not at all."

"Good. And it's John. Here, please and since the ladies are out of the house, how about something to top off your coffee?"

Matt looked surprised.

John handed him a small flask of brandy. In light of the conversation the night before, this took Matt by surprise.

"Look, John, about your plans for Kansas. They seem a little black and white to me."

"Black and White? Why, what do you mean?"

"Well, nothing is that cut and dried. There's always a gray area."

"Ok, tell me, Matt. What's on your mind? You have my ear, so to speak."

"Well, John, have you ever been to Dodge City?"

"No, I can't say that I have. But one town in Kansas is like the rest."

"NO!" Shaking his head. "No, John, it's not. When I first came to Dodge, I was a wet behind the ears kid. I came there as a deputy. It was nothing. A wide open, lawless town. We're a cattle town. Most of our livelihood depends on the drovers who come up the Texas trails and through Dodge City. Not just them but the farmers as well. We depend on their trade. These are hard working men. These aren't city slickers. So after months out on a trail, these men expect some down time, time to blow off some steam. You take away their R and R and…"

Waving up both hands. "And I've kept control and given law and order to Dodge, which is something Dodge never had before. Theses folks have come to respect me for that. Dodge has several saloons. These people are business owners and…"

Now interrupting Matt. "Now, wait, Matt, let me ask you, is this just about the trail drovers and farmers, or is this about your Miss Kitty Russell?"

Matt and St. John were now eye to eye!

TBC