"Always"

Pt.9

Matt came back to the ranch, long enough to repack gear. He told Kitty he had someone who thought they knew where Harlen's men may have taken Jesse. But he didn't want to tell Beth just yet till he knew it wasn't a trick.

He was debating on if he should tell Kitty that the person helping him was Dolly Winters. He knew that would be a sore spot. Another ex-girlfriend from his past popping up. This really wasn't a good time for another one of those conversations but it would be worse, if she found out after the fact.

Beth was resting after the boys were down for the night. Matt and Kitty were outside on the front porch. "Kit, honey, we need to talk."

"Matt, if it's about earlier, before you left, I'm sorry. You were right. I lost my temper. I overheard some ranchers in town talking about what Shaffer was doing and that they were cowering down to him and I just lost it. So I headed straight for the Sheriff."

"Yeah, Kit, I know."

"I said some pretty awful…"

"Yeah, Kit, I know that too." He said dropping his eyes.

"How?"

"Sheriff told me."

Now dropping her eyes. "Well?"

"Kit, that's not what I wanted to talk about. It's about me going to look for Jesse."

"Ok and…?" Kitty was now looking at him puzzled.

"And the person who is going to help me, you know going to show me where he may be…"

Now furrowing her brow. "Cowboy? What?"

He grabbed both her hands in his and held tight. "Kit, honey, it's Dolly."

"Huh?" Now looking really puzzled.

"Dolly Winters."

"DOLLY WINTERS! Matthew Dillon! What on earth are you talking about?" She now pulled loose from his grip.

"Honey, when I was in town earlier, I was surprised by Dolly."

Now with a smirk, "OH REALLY?"

"Now, Kit. I was as surprised as you."

"So what does she have to do with any of this, anyway?"

"She claims she might know where Harlen Shaffer is holding Jesse."

With a raised brow. "She might know?"

"She says she has to show me."

"Oh, MATT! And you fell for that?"

"Kit, honey, I don't know but maybe she does know. Do you want me to take that chance?"

"Well then I'm going with you." She said.

"No you can't."

"Why?"

"She doesn't want anyone to know she is leading me to him. She's afraid Shaffer will find out and is afraid what he might do. Besides, I'll feel better if I know Beth is not alone."

"Matt, I don't trust…"

He wrapped his arms around her tight. "Honey."

"Oh, Cowboy."

Then he lifted her chin, looking blue to blue, sliding his finger down over her heart. "Always"

Nodding back at him, "Be careful." She kissed him just over his heart. "Always" she repeated. Then he rode off.

After Matt rode off Kitty sat quietly in the dark then she heard, "Momma?"

"Oh, Beth, what are you doing up?"

"I thought I heard Daddy then I thought I heard him leave."

"Yes, Beth, he did."

"Why, Momma? It's late."

"He needed to go and check on something back in town. You know your father, can't let anything rest."

I'm sorry, I overheard you two a little."

"You did?"

"It's funny how you pick things up from being around people."

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"You know little things you do."

"No, I'm not sure I follow you."

"Well, like you and Daddy, the way you two always… well, when Daddy is leaving, you both talk with your eyes, or, like, I noticed this thing you do."

Kitty just smiled. "What thing, Beth?"

"Maybe you two don't even realize you do it but it's nice. Jesse and I found ourselves doing it too from watching you and Daddy."

"What, sweetheart?"

"Like now, before Daddy left. You looked at each other then you placed your hand over your hearts then together you say 'Always'."

Kitty's face blushed a bit. "Oh, you saw that, did you?"

"Uh huh, many times. It's beautiful. It is so honest and true from the heart. Momma, Daddy loves you. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. He…"

"Ok, ok, that's enough. I know two little cowboys that are probably going to be up before the sunrise. What do you say we get some sleep? Huh?"

Beth wrapped her arms around Kitty in a hug. :Love you, Momma. Thank you."

"I love you too, Beth, and what's the thank you for?"

"Loving me like your own."

"Oh, Beth! Come on, let's get some sleep."

TBC