Chapter Ten

Matt

As I watched the black of night fly by as the train made its way east, I wondered what I would find once I arrived in New Orleans. My plans were to go to Julie's gambling house the Golden Ace and hope that she had heard something. If she hadn't, I really didn't know what I would do. It was going to be a long trip, made longer by my worry.

While I sat thinking of Kitty and looking out in the darkness, I noticed a reflection of a man watching me from a seat across the aisle. I don't know why I hadn't noticed him before. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen him before. I decided to keep a close eye on him as I peered out into vastness of nothing.

After several hours of watching and waiting, I decided that my concern was for nothing. The man hadn't made any move to speak with me or contact me in any way. I finally noticed that he had fallen asleep. I decided that might be a good idea. There was still two days of this trip left and it was going to seem much longer before it was over. So I leaned my head against the window using my hat for a pillow and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke with a start. I had been dreaming of Kitty. I don't know what brought me out of the dream. I looked out the window and saw it was coming on dawn. The man whom I had been watching was still seated across the aisle and asleep. I decided to make my way to the dining car and have breakfast. I hadn't eaten the night before being too wrapped up in my thoughts and keeping a watchful eye.

As I passed through the door leading to the next car I glanced back and saw the man looking in my direction. I had the strangest feeling that I should know him, but nothing came to me. Shaking off these strange vibes, I continued on to get my meal.

After getting seated and placing my order, I wondered what was happening with Kitty. My prayer was that this wasn't another Bonner situation. I didn't know if either one of us could survive another attack like that one. I knew that if something like that ever happened again to Kitty, I wouldn't let the law and justice prevail.

Breakfast finally came and I let my thoughts go back to Kitty and our last night together. The night had been quiet so my rounds didn't take as long. I was anxious to get to Kitty. It had been a week since we had been together, prisoners and a couple of days away from Doge keeping us apart. She must have been as excited as me, because when I got to her room I could tell she had been there for a while. She was dressed in the blue silky gown that I loved so much and that brought out the azure blue of her eyes.

As I walked in the door, I took off my hat and gun belt, hanging them on the peg just inside the door. I took my vest off hanging it beside the gun belt and pulled my shirt out of my pants.

"Are we anxious, Cowboy?"

"Yes, ma'am."

I gave her that sultry look that let her know I was more than ready for our night together. Carrying two glasses of brandy, Kitty headed over toward me. I was sitting on a chair near the door. I had just pulled off my boots and socks and was starting to unbutton my shirt.

"Hey! I want to do that."

Stopping, I stood taking the glasses out of her hands and placing them on the table. Taking her by the shoulders, I pulled her into my arms and placed a tender kiss on her lips. The kiss immediately became intense as Kitty's lips parted. We both were lost in each other. Finally needing air, our lips parted.

"I've missed you, Cowboy."

"Same here, honey."

Pulling from my embrace, Kitty slowly started unbuttoning my shirt until each one was done and the shirt hung open. Biting her bottom lip, she gently pushed it off my shoulders and it fell to the floor. She then undid the buttons on my pants and using her thumbs and forefingers slowly pushed them and my underwear down as well. I stepped out of the pants. Kitty's look was dark with desire as my need made itself known to her. I reached down lifting the hem of her gown bringing it up over her head and letting it fall to the floor. I then picked her up and carried her to bed laying her in the middle and stretching out over her keeping my weight on my elbows. Looking into her eyes, I leaned down brushing my lips with hers. Reaching over, I turned down the lamp. Our night together was heaven on earth.

Pulling myself back into the present, I realized that my food had grown cold while reliving that night. I finished what was left and headed back to my seat several cars back. Just before I reached my car, I stopped on the landing between cars and watched the scenery fly by. I knew it would be late tonight before reaching St. Louis and then I would change trains taking one heading south to New Orleans. It was going to be a long trip. I was so lost in thought that before I knew it, the door behind me flew open, hitting me hard in the back. Had I not been quick and grabbed the bar, I would have fallen from the train. By the time I had righted myself, no one was there. I quickly opened the door searching the passengers on that car, but didn't see anyone that seemed over exerted. People were talking and some dozing. I thought about questioning them, but decided against it. I felt sure that what had just taken place hadn't been an accident. I turned going back out the door and through the one into my car. Finding my way to my seat, I sat down thinking about what just took place. The man from the night before was nowhere to be seen. Could he have been the one to almost knock me off the train or was it someone else? I guess I probably wouldn't know unless another attempt was made before we reached St. Louis. Warily, I sat watching out the window as well as the comings and goings of those on the train.

Throughout the day, I watched for the stranger, but never saw him again. I dozed off and on plus planning in my head for when I reached New Orleans. Late evening, I went back to the dining car for supper. As I traveled through the cars, I watched for anyone observing me or acting suspicious, but saw nothing. After finishing my meal, I made my way back to my seat and impatiently waited for our arrival in St. Louis.

Finally around midnight, we pulled into the station. I grabbed my bag and was one of the first off my car. I headed to the telegraph office sending a telegram to Doc letting him know where I was and that I would be leaving shortly headed south. I purchased a couple of newspapers, some sandwiches, and a cup of coffee and finding the right train boarded for the last of my journey. Just as I headed up the steps onto the platform, I spotted the man who had been seated across from me. I thought about getting back off and following him, but I didn't want to take a chance of missing this train. My instinct was telling me that this man was the one who almost pushed me off the train and probably knew something about Kitty.

The last half of my trip was uneventful. Between the newspapers, food, and sleep, I finally arrived in New Orleans three days after leaving Dodge. Now my search for Kitty could begin.