Chapter 4

Matt turned around slowly, "I don't know what you want, cowboy," He push Kitty behind him further, "but there's no cause…"

"Don't be telling me, Marshal, what 'cause' I have with you." Cooper motioned Logan over to Matt and Kitty's wagon, "Give the man his pants and get the lady here, a blanket." Matt and Kitty (still behind Matt) waded waist high to the bank. Matt never took his eyes off Cooper or his arm from around Kitty… who hoovered as close as she could to his back.

"You sure you want to do that?" Logan question him as he tried to get a glimpse of Kitty and threw Matt his pants.

"Don't be juvenile, you idiot." Cooper rolled his eyes, "Give the lady something to cover herself up with so the Marshal here can calm the hell down." He turned to Matt, "I don't want to hurt either one of you." He looked over Matt's torso, "I can tell you've been through a few tangles yourself…" He looked at the wagon, "Logan, bring the wagon down here and help these folks in it." He looked up to the sky, "Looks like rain, so we need to get back to the cabin before we're missed." Cooper waved his gun and pointed Matt to the buggy.

"What do you want from us?" Matt asked Cooper as they walked by him.

"Never you mind that right now, Marshal. All in good time." Cooper answered very softly.

Matt sighed and held Kitty close. Rubbing her arms, he noticed her begin to shiver, "You cold?" He asked as they walked over to the wagon at gun point.

"Doesn't really matter now does it, Matt?" Kitty dryly added, "I could freeze before they actually tell us what." She looked at Matt, "I don't understand. I've never seen them before, but seem to know you." Matt just shook his head and took one arm and Logan took the other to lift her into the buggy. Kitty turned around and back handed him, "Don't touch me!"

"Woman!" Logan went to slap her back.

Matt grabbed his arm and punched him right in the face, "You heard her!"

Logan jumped up and grabbed his gun and pointed it at Matt. Matt pushed Kitty behind him and reached absentmindedly at his gun that wasn't there. Cooper stepped in front of Matt and Logan, "Don't, son…" Cooper said sternly.

"You see what he just did, Cooper!" Logan still seeing red. "I..I.."

"You got a little fresh with his woman," Cooper clicked his teeth, "Serves you right." He turned to Matt and Kitty, "He'll learn one day."

Logan pouted and shoved his gun back in his holster, "She's probably nothing more than a common…"

Cooper turned and back handed him, knocking him to the ground, "Watch your mouth!" He turned back to Matt and Kitty who were still holding each other speechless, "Now, Marshal if you'd help the lady here into the wagon, I'm going to climb in behind you two, and Logan there is going to lead the horse back to the cabin."

Matt nodded and lifted Kitty in her seat. Slowly looking around, he saw his gun under his jacket... in the back of the wagon. Kitty grabbed his arm, "Matt," She searched his eyes, "Don't do anything stupid right now." Looking at his healing scars on his torso and noticing him still breathing hard from hitting the young cowboy, "Take it easy, remember?"

Matt let out a sigh and began to climb onto the wagon. Cooper came up beside him, nudging the gun in Matt's side, "I'd listen to the lady," He looked at Kitty, "Seems like you two have been in this situation a time or two." He chuckled, "Obviously, you've done something right and listened to someone... else you would be here." He motioned the gun upward, "Go on, climb up there, big man." He turned to Logan as he climbed on the back behind Matt and Kitty, "Take lead, boy!"

The ride back to the cabin was quick and quiet. Kitty would shiver and Matt would do his best to warm her through the blanket, even though he was kinda cold himself. Kitty would cut her eyes up at him and all he could do was shrugged his shoulders. He knew she was aggravated and she knew none of this was his fault... but these things always seem to happen... She just wanted to go a month or two without getting kidnapped or held at gunpoint. She let out a sigh.

"We're here folks!" Cooper called out when they arrived at the cabin. He jumped off. Forgetting about his knee, his leg came out from underneath him. "Dammit!" He grabbed and tried to get up real quick like before anyone noticed.

Matt jumped off the wagon and hurried to his side, "You okay, mister?"

Logan tied the horses up and ran over to Cooper. Shoving Matt away, "Get away from him!"

"I'm just trying to help." Matt looked back at Kitty to make sure she was still there, "There's a doctor in town. He's a real good friend of ours... and..."

A bolt of lightning stuck in the distance, Cooper waved both of them away. He stood up and pointed his gun at Matt. Then turned to Logan, "Get the horse to the barn." Turning to Matt again, he threw Matt's handcuffs at him, "Put these on, Marshal."

"But..." Matt turned to Kitty with wondering eyes for encouragement, "Listen, mister, I don't know..."

"Listen to your elders, son..." Cooper gritted, "And do as you're told." He pointed his gun at Matt again, "Behind your back..." Matt turned around and did as he was told. Cooper fastened the cuffs, "I'll help the lady down."

Rain started to fall, "You don't touch me either!" Kitty began to get down and slipped on the wagon step. Cooper caught her before she fell. She pushed at him forgetting about the blanket, "Matt!"

Cooper tried to keep the blanket wrapped around Kitty, "Listen lady!" Cooper pulled her in close to him, "Stop struggling! I'm not going to hurt you!" Cooper let her go when she began to calm down. "Listen you're old enough to be my daughter! I'm trying to help you stay covered!" He picked up Kitty's dress from the back of the wagon, along with Matt's clothes and gun belt.

She fell backed into Matt's chest when Cooper released her. Hands behind his back, Matt still wanted to comfort her, "Kitty, it's okay." He turned to Cooper, "Can we get in the house before we get struck by lightning or we all get sick?"

Logan ran back from the barn, "Storm's comin', Cooper!"

Cooper handed Logan their stuff and grabbed Matt's arm. Pointing toward the cabin door, "Go on, let's get some coffee and fire going. Looks like we're going to be here a spell." He looked around as they all walked into the cabin, "It's gettin' dark outside."

As they walked through the door, Cooper lead Matt and Kitty to sit at the kitchen table, "Have a seat you two... so we can get better acquainted." Logan stood behind Matt and Kitty while Cooper sat across the table, "So, I only have a small insight of you and how you both live in Dodge. I was just..."

"Sorry you guys!" Parker came busting through the back door with an arm full of wood, "I thought I'd get some fire wood together for the fish you guys went to catch..." He laid the wood by the stove, "Where's the fish?"

"We have company, cousin..." Logan placed his hand on Kitty's shoulder.

Kitty snatched her shoulder away, "Don't!"

Parker turned around when he heard her voice, "Miss Kitty?" He whipped around with a questioning look on his face.

"John!" Kitty jumped up, not expecting to see a familiar face.

Cooper looked at Logan. Logan smiled, "They're stranded from the storm, little cousin." Logan pushed her back down to sit, "Gonna hangout with us until it passes..." He smacked Matt on the back, "Ain't that right, Marshal?"

Matt grunted, "Sure." He looked at Kitty shivering, then turned to Cooper, "Can she get her dress before she gets sick?"

"Sure thing, Marshal!" Parker ran to the chair covered in cobwebs and dusted off her dress. He walked back to the table, "Here a go, Miss Kitty!" He smiled.

"Thanks, John." Kitty forced a smile, "Is there a place I can change?" She never took her eyes off Parker.

"Right in here," Logan dipped is hat low and pointed into an abandoned room to the side.

"Don't listen to my cousin, miss. He's not exactly a gentleman. " He smiled. Parker was still mesmerized by Kitty's gentleness and warmth, "But... Yes, ma'am!" He lead her to the room, "I'll wait right here by the door." He winked, "I'll protect you."

Kitty smiled and shut the door... not knowing what poor innocent Parker knew or didn't know... she leaned against the door and let out a shuttering sigh. Could she escape? She didn't want to leave Matt in handcuffs, but she needed to figure out a plan. She knew this older cowboy wanted something from Matt or was going to use him as leverage for something... and this younger cowboy, Logan was bad news. She looked down at her dress... "That bastard only brought in my corset and dress." Kitty rolled her eyes at the thought of Logan's lasciviousness, "Men..." Dropping the blanket, she began to lace up her corset.

Outside the bedroom, Parker stood by the door, arms crossed. Logan walked over to him, "You think you're better than us?"

Parker rolled his eyes, "What are you talking about?" Then he looked over to Matt and noticed his hands being handcuffed. He swallowed, "Logan?" Matt heard the fear in his voice. He turned around as Parker walked toward the table. Parker was now super confused, "Cooper? ...Logan? ...Whats going on? Why is Marshal Dillon in handcuffs?" He was turning around when thunder cracked in the background... covering the sound of Logan hitting him on the back of the head with his gun... and his body hitting the ground.

Kitty walked out about the time Parker hit the floor. She ran over to cradled his head, looking up at Logan, "What did you do that for!?" She looked down at Parker, "He's just a kid."

"Kitty," Matt gentle called down to her. He motioned her to sit back down, "He'll be fine. Come back and sit down." He turned to Cooper, "Cooper has a few things he'd like to discuss with us."

Kitty looked up and looked around, "But Matt..." After a moment she gave in and stood, "Can we at least get a fire going?" She looked at Logan as she placed her blanket around Matt's shoulders, "You don't looking busy..." Kitty added dryly.

Logan let out a growl and back handed Kitty as hard as he could. Matt gasped, "Kitty!" Still having his hand bound behind his back, he looked to Cooper with fire in his eyes.

Kitty was a little dazed. Logan thought he would take the opportunity to make his move...

TBC