It was late when they returned to Dodge and they both noted how quiet it was for that time of the evening. Matt pulled the buggy into the alley and helped Kitty out as he kissed her gently, "I'm gonna' drop the buggy off at Moss' then drop the basket off at Delmonico's and then we'll celebrate our engagement, sound all right to you?"
"More than right." She watched Matt as he drove down Front Street. She climbed the stairs and entered the room. She removed her jewelry, washed her face in the basin, slipped on her St. Louis nightgown, and then combed her hair. She made her way over to their bed and propped the pillows so she could sit up as she slipped under the covers. She looked down at her hands. Her fingers were bare except for the ring finger on her left hand. She held that finger in her right hand, turning the ring in different directions and admiring the craftsmanship. What this must have cost she thought to herself. There were small birthstones, her birthstone, which ran up each side of the gold band and met the most exquisite diamond she had ever owned. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she looked forward to the day when she would become Mrs. Matthew Dillon. Matt was as quiet as he could entering Kitty's room hoping no one downstairs would hear. As he approached her bed he noticed her admiring the ring. He smiled as he thought about the day when he would slip on the companion gold band. She was so lost in her thoughts that he startled her as he approached. "Matt I didn't expect you this early."
"If you would rather I left," Matt turned as if to leave.
"Matthew Dillon you take another step and I will never, and I mean never, talk to you again!"
Matt turned back to her, "Is that any way to talk to your husband-to-be?"
Kitty just smiled, "I love the sound of that." She patted the empty side of the bed, "Come here my husband-to-be."
Matt started to undress as Kitty watched. Matt saw the smile on her face.
"What are you smiling about?"
"You!"
"I'm glad I amuse you!"
"Cowboy, for as long as we have been together I still love to watch you undress."
"I have a lot more scars now." Matt looked down at his chest as he made his way under the covers.
Kitty ran her hand over Matt's chest stopping at each one. She could clearly recall each incident and the pain they caused her. She kissed the scar that made her leave Dodge many years ago. Another time she foolishly thought leaving would erase him from her mind forever but then he walked into the Ballad Nugget and she knew returning to Dodge was her fate. "I love you cowboy and nothing will ever change that," tears started to fall down her cheeks.
Matt cupped her head in his hand. "I love you Kitty and I always will."
Matt stroked Kitty's face as they stared into each other's eyes. The quiet was broken when they heard a crash downstairs and a couple of loud voices. Usually Matt's first instinct was to get up and make his way to the bar but much to her amazement he didn't budge. Eventually they heard Festus' voice talking about some knuckleheaded yayhoos and how they were disturbing peaceful folks upstairs followed by silence and then back to the normal noise level. They looked at each other and laughed then she held him in a passionate kiss as a thank you for not leaving her side. "What was that for?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"No."
"Let's just say this was probably the first time I can recall that your sense of duty remained in this room, almost as if you felt obligated." She started to laugh.
"I'll show you obligation," he tenderly kissed her lips and pulled her closer to him. "Kitty maybe we should start to think about finding another place to live so we won't be interrupted, I mean, what if I was in the middle of making love to you just now?"
"Cowboy, believe me they could tear the place apart but I wouldn't let you leave this bed!"
"I hate to inform you ma'am but you could be arrested for interfering with my ability to enforce the law."
" Handcuffs involved?"
"Now who's incorrigible?"
"Would you have it any other way?"
"No ma'am I wouldn't." He drew her into a passionate kiss as his hand rolled her nightgown strap down her arm and cupped her breast. She let out with a low moan, "Oh, Matt I do love you so."
Matt fell back on the pillow and held Kitty tight as he rubbed her back in a rhythmic motion. "You think we'll ever get tired of this, Matt?"
"What, your room?"
"Very funny, you know what I mean." She poked him in the side as he tried very hard not to laugh. "When we are finally married do you think we'll always be like this? Wanting each other so?"
"Yes, I believe we will." They looked into each other's eyes and nothing else needed to be said.
Kitty fell into a deep sleep quickly as Matt held her and stroked her hair. Too many things were running through his mind for him to sleep. He thought about Michael on the train, alone, and how he must be feeling. He thought about Adam Kimbro and Mary and their missed opportunity and thankful he was not going to go down that road. Matt looked down at a sleeping Kitty and smiled. He was never going to have to live without her again and that made him very happy. She moved a little as she let out with a soft moan. He kissed her forehead and as his fingers traced her face he found himself wondering what their daughter would look like and looking forward to the day they would become parents. Kitty had dreams and he was going to do whatever he could to fulfill them. He let out with a yawn as a feeling of contentment came over him. As he drifted off to sleep his last thoughts were about Kitty becoming his wife, their home, and the children that he had foolishly denied both of them for so long. He was going to enjoy life again one day with the woman he loves but what he was looking forward to the most was the day when he could pin his badge on another man's chest.
