PT.7
Conclusion
"The Marshal's Woman"
Quietly lying exhausted, wrapped in one another's arms, a cool beautiful breeze streaming through the large open window. Matt running his hand slowly up and down Kitty's back while she rubbed her fingertips in small circular patterns on his chest.
With a light exhale of breath her deep sultry voice whispered in the night. "You alright, Cowboy?"
"Ummmm, couldn't be better, Honey." As he tugged her just a little closer to his body. "Kitty?"
"Hummm?"
"We don't have to catch our train till Monday morning and…"
"Whatcha have in mind?" Followed with a giggle as she tilted her head to set her chin up on his chest.
"Well, I did see a sign when we were in the park about a carnival and ice cream social."
"Oh, Matt, you know I love ice cream." This had Kitty up on her knees and Matt was now laughing.
"Yeah, Honey, I know this. That is why I thought you'd like to go before we leave."
"Yes. Yes. Ok. Can we? Can…"
Shaking his head and laughing. "Kitty, it the darnedest things that bring out the child in you."
With that, Kitty let go with a full barrel laugh. Reaching to bring her back to his embrace. "Come here, let's get some sleep. It's almost daylight. Good night, Honey."
"Good night, my love."
Just a few short hours later, the sun was shining brightly into their room. Remarkably both Matt and Kitty were wide awake. "What a beautiful morning?" Kitty said, while jumping up to decide what she was going to wear for their outing, being in a very good mood, dancing around the room humming.
Matt, watching in amusement, took a good look at her and finally said, "Oh boy!"
"Oh, boy what?"
"How does that feel?" Matt walked over to Kitty, placing a light touch to her jaw line and turning her towards the large mirror.
"That? Matt, it's worse then it looks. Really. Don't worry, it will be fine."
Matt's eyes dropped. "Kit, Honey, .I'm… I..."
"Stop right there, Matt. It's not your fault. Now please. Let's just enjoy our day."
Placing a gentle kiss on her jaw. "Ok, if that's what the lady wants."
"Come on, get dressed. This is the best part of the day, Mister!"
"HA! This coming from the woman who thinks nine am is the middle of the night?" As he walked by her slapping her bottom.
Half an hour later, Matt and Kitty arrived at Le Droit Park. It was alive with sounds of children, vendor's, families, music everywhere. Walking arm in arm, taking in all the wonderful surroundings.
A little old man approached Matt and Kitty with a large basket. It was full with single red roses. Very shyly he looked up at Matt and said, "Sir, a beautiful rose for the beautiful lady?" And the old man tipped his hat to Kitty.
Matt smiled at Kitty and then back at the old man. "What is your name sir?"
"Ezra is my name."
"Well, Ezra, I don't want just one rose for the lady. How about you let me take them all?"
"Ohhh , that is so kind of you, Sir."
Matt pulled money from his pocket and handed them to Ezra and Ezra handed Kitty the basket. "You are a lucky lady. Good day, Sir. And again, I thank you. Good day, Ma'am." Tipping his hat once again as he walked away.
"Matt, these are beautiful and that was so sweet." Raising up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. As they continued to walk, they came upon the large fountain. All the little children were standing around.
Matt and Kitty over heard them. One of the boys was telling another, "You have to make a wish then throw the penny in the fountain."
Then the child with the penny says, "Then what?"
Then the others all together said, "Then you wait for your wish to come true."
"Nah uh." The little boy saw Matt and Kitty standing there so he, looking very serious, climbs up on the edge of the fountain trying to get closer to see Matt and says, "Hey Mister? Is that true?"
Matt, looked over at Kitty and rolled his eyes. "Well, Son, it's a folk lore. But lots of people believe in it. So, what do you think?"
The little guy just looked at him, rubbed his chin, thinking. "Well, Sir, I really don't know. Never tried it, so maybe I will."
Kitty began to chuckle a bit. So they watched the little guy close his eyes, thinking real hard then throw the penny saying, "Here it goes. Here goes nut in'."
Then he looked over at Matt and yelled, "Thanks, Mister!"
Kitty smiling, "Matt, you are so good with children. Ooooh, there's the ice cream." With a big smile on her face.
"Ok, little girl. Let's get you your ice cream." Matt was laughing at the excitement in Kitty.
Dodge only on occasion had festivals that brought in ice cream vendors. Until, of course, later years, when a couple from the east opened a parlor. Something Kitty was used to from her trips to St. Louis and New Orleans. They spent several hour walking around the park enjoying the festivities when they decided to return to the Hotel. They figured they could rest before supper.
The hotel's dining room was at full capacity, being it was most of the guests from last night that had come for the special event.
Matt had the waiter find them a table by the front windows, away from the large crowd. They had both ordered Cornish hen dinners and had a glass of wine with their meal. "Kitty, I must say the food here has been great. I think I'm gonna miss this when we get back home."
Laughing, Kitty answered, "You think your gonna miss this? Ol' Joe at Delmonico's couldn't do this in a million years."
"Yeah, Kitty, you're right there. I best enjoy this."
"Cowboy, you talk like it's your last meal." Smiling at him with the night moving along everyone engrossed in conversation, including Matt and Kitty. They fell into their normal routine, their heads together giggling, teasing, laughing, touching.
And as usual Kitty was eating from Matt's plate as well as her own. Matt had become so used to it he no longer said anything.
With no warning, they suddenly sensed someone approaching their table. Kitty's jaw tightened. "I Thou…"
Emme' was quick to stop her. "Look, I know what you said, Miss Russell. I had a long talk with my father. I just came over here to...well, apologize. I'm sorry, to the both of you. I'm sorry." With that she turned and walked back to where her father, Senator Wilson, was waiting at the entrance.
"Wait for me in the room, Emily. I'll be along." Hank Wilson came over to Matt and Kitty's table. "Matt, Kitty." Holding his hat in hand, "If I don't see you before you leave in the morning, have a safe trip back to Dodge. Matt, I hope we will have a chance to work together again."
"Me too, Hank."
"And, Kitty, it's been a pleasure."
"Same here, Hank. Good bye."
"Well, Kit, dessert?"
"Oh, not me. I am so tired. Long day, long weekend. What do you say we call in an early night, Cowboy?"
Letting out an exhale, "Yes Ma'am!"
Matt and Kitty retreated to their room.
Monday Morning
Matt and Kitty woke early, knowing they had to check out of the hotel by 9:00 am and still had to get to the train for the beginning of the journey back to Dodge.
All their bags were ready and they heard a knock on the door. Matt answered it. It was the bellmen. "Mr. Dillon, if you're ready, Sir, I'll take your bags."
"Yes, thank you."
"And I'll go next door and get Miss Russell's bags too."
Matt stood for a moment. "Oh, ok, yes thank you." When he closed the door, he walked to the other door and said to Kitty, "The bellman is here for our bags."
Tilting her head and rolling her eyes. "It's ok, Matt. My bags are right here on my bed" And began laughing, knowing exactly what was going through his mind. Kitty was used to the routine of two adjoining rooms and the bellmen picking up bags, for discretion purposes. Before they left the room, Kitty sat down and wrote a letter, which she had made arrangements to have sent by messenger to the President and Mrs. Hays.
Dear Mr. President and Dearest Lucy,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for everything you have done for us while Matt and I were here in Washington as your guests. The Gala Ball was wonderful and a night I will always remember. And I know Matt shares my feelings. Also, I know the citizen's of, not only Dodge City, but all of Kansas will be forever grateful for what you have done to intercede in preserving the future of their legacy to their families. I do hope that our lives and paths will cross again in the near future. And that someday we will be able to return the favor. And, dear Lucy, thank you again for your kindness, friendship and help when I was in need. I will never forget you for that.
Bless you both,
Kitty and Matt
As they were leaving the hotel, Kitty stopped at the front desk. "Miss Russell, Marshall Dillon. Sorry to see you are leaving us so soon."
Looking at the very serious short man with a handlebar mustache, Kitty asked, "May I leave this letter with you to send with a messenger?"
Taking the letter from Kitty's hand, the clerk smiled and said, "Why, yes, Miss Russell. That will be no problem. And your carriage is waiting. Arthur is out front."
Matt nodded and said, "Thank you!"
As they both exited the hotel, Arthur climbed down and approached Kitty and Matt. "Marshal, Ma'am, I do hope you enjoyed your stay here with us at the Windsor Inn. And I hope you will return as our guests in the future."
Kitty gave Arthur a big smile. "Thank you, Arthur. And it was wonderful and I do hope to come back again."
Matt echoed Kitty's sentiment. Arthur helped Kitty up onto the carriage, making sure not to catch her dress. Once they were in, he asked when their departure was and if they had time. He would like to take them on a bit of a scenic route of D.C.
Matt agreed, if it was a short one.
The carriage pulled into the train station just a little after 10:00 am. Their train wasn't leaving till 10:45 am.
"Marshal, Ma'am, it's been a real pleasure to serve you both. Have a safe trip home."
Kitty took both his hands in hers. "Arthur, you've been wonderful. Thank you again."
Matt shook his hand and tipped him before he left. There was a sitting area for passengers to wait so Matt took Kitty in there. "Kit, I'll be right back. I'm gonna send a telegram to Doc letting him know we're on our way and that we'll be in on Thursday about noon."
"Sure, Matt. I'll be right here. Promise."
Matt sent a message to Doc…
Dr. Galen Adams
Dodge City, Kansas
Leaving D.C. Monday morning. Stop. Should be arriving Dodge. Stop. About noon Thursday. Stop. Will send another message if needed. Stop. Matt.
It was about fifteen minutes before Matt returned when he did, Kitty with a surprised look. "Is everything ok?"
"Sure, Kit. Why?"
"Nothing." She just stared at him for a minute then shook her head. There were people standing waiting for the train and while Matt was standing behind Kitty with his arms around her, "You know we're not going to be able to be this free back in Dodge?"
"Yeah, Kit, I know. So let me enjoy myself." And he squeezed her a bit tighter and kissed her ear and once again it brought on a loud laugh.
Not far from them was a young couple, watching them. The young girl looked at her guy and said, "Do you think you will still love me that much when we're as old as them?"
Matt and Kitty overheard her, looked at one another, looked back at the couple and broke up laughing.
Finally the conductor announced, "All Aboard."
"Marshal, Ma'am. Nice to see you again."
They boarded, got settled in and ready for the long journey home. The conductor walked through the cars and when he passed Matt and Kitty, he looked at Matt, tapped on his hat and said, "Marshal, got you covered."
Matt just tapped his hat back.
Later on that night, Matt looked over at Kitty. "Honey, hungry?"
"Starving!"
"Good. Come on."
"Where to?"
"Don't ask questions, just come with me."
"Yes, Marshal."
When they came to a door, Matt turned to Kitty, put both hands on her cheeks. "Kit, close your eyes. Close them and don't open them till I tell you to. No peeking!"
She did what he said. Matt led her through the door into a car lit only in candles, with a beautifully set table in the center, soft music playing off a Dictaphone.
"Ummm, Matt? What is going on here?"
"Wait, wait. Ok, open your eyes."
"Oh my, Cowboy! What have you done? This is beautiful!"
"Do you like it, Kit?"
"No."
"What?"
"No."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Kitty was speechless. "I mean… Cowboy… I LOVE IT! And I LOVE YOU!"
Matt had made arrangements with the conductor to set up this private car for a romantic supper. It would be the last real privacy away from everyone anywhere. He had even had the supper brought in special and champagne.
After supper, they went back to the cabin. They didn't want to be with anyone other then each other. All the way down the corridors you would have thought they were on a honeymoon. Giggling and laughing, every time they thought someone saw them.
In their cabin, with Matt's large size and tight quarters, the passion exploded over and over and over. They had the next three days to do nothing but play and enjoy just being themselves.
Thursday Noon
The train pulled into Dodge City. Doc, Newly and Festus all came to greet them at the train. The news had spread fast through Dodge about the decision in Washington D.C. and there was even a reporter or two. Everyone wanted to know first hand all the details.
As Matt came off the train, a lot of town folks were cheering him. And then when Kitty ascended from the train a few of the Cattlemen's Association men were there with the reporters. And while people were cheering them both, the reporter asked, "Who's the woman? Someone special?"
And Kennedy, from the Cattlemen's Association answered, "That's Miss Kitty Russell."
"THE MARSHAL'S WOMAN"
Fini
