Chapter 10

Sunset was beautiful; peaceful for a chance. The trip to town was quiet again. No one spoke, but everyone had the same thing on their minds. Parker rubbed his neck and looked to the other side of the wagon to see Cooper looking blankly into the horizon. Finally breaking the silence, Matt turned to Kitty. He noticed she was shaking, "You cold, sweetie?"

Kitty turned to Matt as he was trying to take his jacket off. She stopped him, "No, Matt." She slid closer to him, "Just wrap your arm around me. You've been shirtless for almost twelve hours. I don't want you catching a cold."

He chuckled and held her close. He smiled, "But I don't want you catching a cold either."

"I'm fine." She smiled warmly as she snuggled in closer.

"Here you go, Miss Russell." Cooper brought his horse closer to the wagon and handed her his jacket, "I have an extra in my saddle bag. It's not that much further to town anyway." He smiled, "I'll be fine."

Kitty reached out and took his jacket, "Thanks." She put it on, "Still warm." She smiled as she slid back into Matt's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

Matt kissed the top of her head. He squeezed her a little tighter to him, "You know, Kitty… I could sure use a beer after today."

Considering the tension, Parker and Cooper laughed. Kitty hit Matt on the arm and chuckled, "You all can have a beer on the house when we get to The Long Branch."

"Sounds good." Matt smiled and pushed the horse forward.

It took about thirty minutes to get to town. Matt pulled up to the Livery Stables. Moss walked out, "You two have been gone all day." He smiled Matt climbed off the wagon.

Matt handed him the reins, "It's been a long day, Moss." He walked over to help Kitty down, "You mind untacking these guys and finding a clean stall for these gentlemen's horses?" Matt looked at the covered body of Logan, "Moss can you get this body to Percy? I'll stop by and speak to him after I eat something."

"Sure thing, Marshal." Moss tip his hat at Cooper and Parker as they dismounted, "Just tie 'em up to the back of the wagon, and I'll get to it directly."

"Thanks, Moss." Matt tipped his hat. He placed his hand at the small of Kitty's back, "You hungry?"

Kitty nodded and looked down at her dress, "Can I clean up a little first?"

Matt chuckled, "Yes, ma'am." He turned to Cooper and Parker, "You two want to go get a room at the Dodge House and wash up... meet us for supper?"

Cooper removed his hat, "I need to find out if my family is safe, marshal. I can't eat at a moment like this... I need..."

"I understand, Cooper..." Matt knew where he was coming from, "... but a good meal will do you a load of good. You need your mind right so we can figure out a plan."

Cooper lowered his head. Parker placed his hand of his shoulder, "Come on, Cooper. I'll take you to the hotel." Parker looked to Matt and Kitty, "We'll go rest a bit and change our own clothes. We can meet you at Delmonico's around 7pm?" He tipped his hat to Kitty, "That should give Miss Kitty a moment to get herself together as well."

Kitty chuckled, "It'll take more than a moment." She smiled, "But I think that's a good idea, John." Parker tipped his hat as he and Cooper headed to The Dodge House. Kitty looked up at Matt. She caught him already looking down at her, "Walk me home?"

"It would be my pleasure." He tipped his hat. Still having his hand at the small of her back, he encouraged her forward.

The town was booming. The saloons were loud, laughter was heard throughout the streets, and no one batted an eye to see Matt and Kitty walking down the street with their dismayed and ramshackle appearance. It never even questioned the absence of two of it's leading citizens. As they arrived at The Long Branch, two drunken Cowboys came tumbling out of the batwing doors. Matt and Kitty both jumped backward. Festus stepped out, "Now get on home you filthy animals!" The cowboys quickly got their things together.

Kitty looked up at Matt, "Looks like I'm not needed anymore."

Matt chuckled, "Doesn't look like either one of is is needed."

Festus looked up to see Matt and Kitty, "Well, I didn't think you were ever getting back."

"Yeah, well, Festus it's been an interesting day." Matt pushed his hat up, "I'm just dropping Kitty off."

"Matthew, you look something terrible." Festus placed his fingers in his vest pockets.

"I know, Festus." Matt scratched his head under his hat, "You mind doing rounds tonight? I have a few things to take care of before morning..."

"Sure thang, Matthew." Festus agreed, "I'll go ahead and get started."

"Thanks, Festus." Festus tipped his hat and headed down the boardwalk. Matt turned to Kitty, "You go own upstairs and take a bath. I'm going to go change and get some paper work together."

"You want me to save any water for you?" Kitty asked with no tease in her voice.

"I may actually take you up on that." He smiled. Rubbing his neck, "Give me a few minutes at the jail and I'll come up."

"Sounds good." Kitty pushed in the door, "I'll see you soon." And add a smile.

Matt was about to leave the jail when Moss walked in, "Evening, Marshal."

"Moss." Matt flipped through his mail, "Everything okay?"

"I dropped that body off like you asked..." He reached into his pocket, "I guess Percy was doing an intake and found this." Moss handed the folded up piece of paper to Matt.

Matt opened the telegraph, "It was never sent."

Moss shook his head, "It's marked to mail today though. I was going to take it to the telegraph office, but it seemed a little odd. Plus, the fact that cowboy didn't die of natural causes... I figured you would have reason to see it first."

"Thanks, Moss." Matt glanced over it, "I appreciate that."

"Sure, Marshal." Moss opened the door, "There's a saddle bag full of those that came off one of those gentleman's horses..."

"You mean one the horse that was tied to the back?" Matt asked semi-coherent to his surroundings and what Moss was saying.

"No, Marshal." Moss began to step out, "The young boy's saddle bag. I dropped it when I was unsaddling his horse." He threw a look to the telegram, "Full of letters from Mississippi."

TBC