The Next Morning
As usual Matt's eyes were wide open by dawn, but this morning he woke feeling particularly un-rested. It had not been a night when he to get up to confront drunken cowboys or criminals, instead he spent the night confronting the demons within him. Years before, in his early years as marshal, he had started having gruesome nightmares about the bloodshed involved in his job. They were blessedly infrequent, but last night had hit with full force. All night the vivid and horrible dreams had him thrashing, yelling and drenched with sweat as he was being forced to kill over and over until his clothes were so soaked and heavy with blood that they dripped and formed pools at his feet.
Matt pushed himself out of bed and guiltily looked at Kitty's sleeping form as he dressed. He had woken her more than once with his thrashing and shouts. After the first time, he wanted to leave and spend the rest of the night elsewhere but she insisted he stay. He had to admit, he was glad. The little rest he got was due to her comforting touch and soothing words, but he felt guilty.
She turned over and whispered, "Cowboy, I'm sorry you had such a rough night."
Matt lifted her hand and kissed it, "I'm sorry I inflicted my bad night on you."
Kitty squeezed his hand, "I'm glad I could help some. Anyway, I can go back to sleep, you can't. Are your going to be all right?"
Matt stood up, "I'll be fine." He gently kissed her lips, "I don't know what I'd do without you. See you later."
He put on his gun belt and hat, and left to take his early morning walk around town. After his walk he went to his office and reheated the coffee that had been left from the previous day.
He filled a cup and after taking a big swallow, grimaced at the taste of the day old coffee. Never-the-less he was downing the rest when Barney burst in, "A telegram for you marshal."
Matt took it. It was from Colonel Wilson at Fort Dodge – Holding Sam Bates. Must transfer to civilian authority. JW
Matt wrote an answer. Good news. On my way. MD
Matt handed his response to Barney, "Please send this. Oh and when you see Festus, let him know I had to ride to Fort Dodge, but will be back tonight for the Friday night crowd."
Kitty
Kitty was lying in bed thinking about Matt and last night. She had been with him before when he had had those nightmares. They were rare, and had always come at times when he was under tremendous stress, pushed beyond exhaustion or feverish with illness or a wound. She couldn't figure out what had triggered them last night. Maybe he was more stressed and tired than she realized, but no, that couldn't be, she knew him too well. Letting out a sigh, Kitty rose for the day knowing she wouldn't be going back to sleep.
As she dressed, Kitty thought about Adriana, the newest attraction in the Lady Gay. The Long Branch might lose some business at first, but she wasn't worried. As with every new attraction, the novelty would wear off. Kitty thought about the successful fortunetellers and card readers she had known in New Orleans. They were woman who noticed every detail of dress and speech, and picked up on every subtle expression and reaction that crossed a person's face. Those acute powers of observation enabled them to amaze people by telling them things about themselves. It had nothing to do with magic or mystical powers. From what she had heard about Adriana, Kitty figured she was good, very good.
Matt
It took about three hours to ride to Fort Dodge, but after a half hour Matt felt his horse's gait change and got down to examine his hoof. To his surprise he saw nothing, but knew there was a lake nearby and decided to walk the horse over for a drink. Standing at the shore Matt suddenly felt something lightly touch his shoulder. In a split second he turned with his gun drawn only to find himself looking into the pale blue eyes of a white mule. Matt holstered his gun and patted the side of the mule's neck, "Muma, how did you sneak up on me like that?" The mule leaned into Matt's touch as he heard a voice coming towards him, "She can be a sly one marshal. Our camp is near by. I thought she left to get a drink. Now I see she came to find you."
Matt laughed, "Adriana you give her a lot of credit. She couldn't have known I was here. Say, I'm surprised you are camping out. I thought you'd be staying in town."
Adriana shook her head, 'No, in town I'd have to put Muma in a stable. She wouldn't like that."
Matt gave Muma another pat and mounted his horse, "Nice to see you again Adriana. If you're in town, I'll see you tonight."
Adriana nodded but said under her breath, "I'll be there but you most likely won't." She watched the marshal ride off thinking that he didn't look as tired as he might.
Matt continued to Fort Dodge thinking about Adriana and her mule. He had seen people treat animals almost as if they were people, but this was beyond anything he had ever encountered.
As he rode, fatigue started crashing in on him. He knew he had had a hard night, but it was just one night and he was used to getting by with little sleep for days. An hour after his encounter with Adriana, he felt so sluggish that he had an almost overwhelming desire to dismount and find a place to take a nap. He pulled his horse to a stop, took out his canteen and took a long, deep drink as he tried to shake off the heavy, sleepiness that was enveloping him. He trotted along for a time, rocking with the rhythm of the horse. Suddenly he sat up with a start. He had dozed off and his horse had veered off in the wrong direction. Taking his canteen out again he took another long drink, and after removing his hat, poured the rest over his head. Determined to stay awake, he increased his speed and rode towards the fort.
Adriana
Adriana sat on the ground brushing her hair, "Muma, I already told you that I'll try avoid having harm come to him, I just want him to travel slowly. It's best that he be out of Dodge while I'm working. We don't know when we'll find who we are seeking, but the marshal monitoring things could slow us down.
Dodge
Kitty and Doc were in Delmonico's having lunch. They both ordered catfish stew and Doc was poking at his with a fork, "Kitty, I don't see the catfish in my stew. You see any in yours?"
Kitty took a bite, "Doc, I don't see why it matters. It tastes pretty good."
Doc continued to poke at his stew, "Kitty, I'm paying for catfish, I want catfish. On the other hand maybe you're right. If it tastes good, it's probably best not to question." Doc took a bite, "Kitty, is Matt around? I was going to ask him to lunch, but couldn't find him."
Kitty shook her head, "He had to go to Fort Dodge but should be back tonight." She paused, "Doc, have you heard about Adriana, the tarot card reader working out of the Lady Gay?"
Doc nodded, "Of course, folks are talking about her. Some men say they won a lot of money because of her. Of course you know how I feel about that sort of thing. She probably gave some men confidence and that can go a long way. Also, Oscar Ryan might have his dealers playing along to drum up business. I just know magical powers aren't involved. Why do you ask?"
"I don't know Doc, I just have a feeling about her."
Doc smiled, "Are you saying you have some kind of magical powers?
Kitty smiled, "Let's just say I have a woman's intuition."
TBC
