10
Thanks for everything! And for everyone who stuck with me! I hope I didn't offend anyone too much! Abuse is something I hold close to my heart, and I thank everyone who stayed with the story. Thanks for the support! You all are incredible and deserve only the best!
Matt woke slowly. He looked down at Kitty as she slept soundly. He slipped from under her arm. He placed a kiss on her forehead. He threw his legs on the side of the bed. He rubbed his neck. He heard her yawning and repositioning herself behind him. He turned and smiled, "Morning."
"It's already morning?" She stretched and laced her arms behind her head. She watched him stand and start getting dressed.
"It is." He pulled his gun belt to tighten it. He grabbed his hat.
"Hey!" Kitty pouted, "Did you forget something?" She smiled mischievously.
Matt chuckled and sat down on the bed, "No ma'am." He leaned down and kissed her. He let his eyes rack over her as the sheets hid nothing, "I could never forget anything about you Miss Russell."
Kitty chuckled. She reached her hand to his meet his face, "Go on." She kissed him again. "I'll see ya later." He smiled and placed his hat on his head. He walked to the door, turning to watch her snuggle back into the sheets before he shut the door.
Matt walked out the Long Branch doors, quietly closing them behind him. He heard a dog bark. He turned quickly.
"Bo!" Sadie whispered. She looked up to see Matt coming out of the doors. Almost surprised, she walked over, "Marshal?"
Matt pushed his hat up, "Sadie?" He looked down the sidewalk at the stage office, "You leaving?"
"Yessir." Sadie looked back at the suitcase.
"Does Kitty know?" Matt looked confused.
"I thought it would be best if we left town without anymore heartaches or goodbyes, Marshal." Sadie looked down at her feet, "Kitty... Kitty's... her circumstances are... different. " Sadie didn't know how to explain what she was feeling. Kitty had been a great friend but she didn't understand what she was going through.
"Maybe... but Kitty understands, Sadie." Marshal jumped to Kitty's defense. "Kitty has had her share of heartaches." He looked to her window.
"I guess so, but I figured it would be easier for me to leave. I owe her that much." Sadie looked at Matt.
Matt rocked back on his heels, "Well that's your decision to make, but I think Kitty deserves more than that." He paused, "I think you owe her at least a proper goodbye."
Sadie held back her tears, "You're right, Marshal." She looked back at Patrick and Bo. "I'll change my ticket for nine o'clock instead of six." She laughed.
Matt chuckled, "I think that's a good idea." He tipped his hat and headed to the jail. Sadie smiled and headed back to Ma's.
It was about nine o clock now. Sadie and Patrick had purchased their ticket for the stage home. Patrick climbed in still halfway asleep. Kitty hugged Sadie tight, "Don't be a stranger! Do you hear me?" Kitty tried to hold back her tears.
"I won't." Sadie let her hug linger, "Kitty, I'll never be able to repay you for being such a good friend."
Kitty wiped her tears away, "Just take care of yourself and live life the way you want to!" She smiled.
Sadie nodded, "I will." She wiped her tears and turned to Matt, "Thanks, Marshal." She kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for helping us." She looked at Kitty, "Take care of her for me."
"I promise." Matt held out his hand to help her on the stage. She hugged Kitty one last time. Taking Matt's hand, she climbed on board. They all waved as the stage pulled out. Matt looked down at Kitty, "So I hear I'm suppose to take care of you."
Kitty chuckled, "That's right, Cowboy." She wiped the remaining tears away.
He placed his hand at the small of her back, "You go change into something..." He looked her over, " ... something a little less constricting, and I'll go grab the rig."
"What?" Kitty looked at him puzzled.
"You're still going to do nothing with me today, right?" Matt smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, Matt!" She blushed, "I completely forgot!" She looked at the Long Branch, "a whiskey barrel is -" she stopped and looked at Matt, "Sam can handle it." She smiled, "Give me twenty minutes!" She dashed across the street. He smiled and headed to the stables.
Twenty-five minutes later, Kitty walked out of the Long Branch. Matt was waiting by the wagon, talking to Doc and Festus. She had purchased a new dress. It was white with a light blue spray fabric that wrapped around her shoulders and waist. Simply complimenting her beauty at all angles. He stopped listening to Doc and looked passed him. Doc stopped and turned. Festus turned and removed his hat. Kitty walked over and stopped at the end of the boardwalk, "You three look like you've never seen a woman before."
"Well, Kitty we've never seen one as pretty as you." Doc offered his hand to help her on the wagon.
Matt hurried to the other side to help. Kitty smiled down at them, "Thank you." Matt just stared at her, taking her in.
Doc hit him on the shoulder, "Don't just stand there!" He swiped his mustache, "The lady's waiting on you." He winked at Kitty.
Matt jumped to the other side. He climbed on the wagon. He looked to Festus, "If you need anything, we'll be at Spring Creek."
"Don't choo worry, Matthew." Festus put his hat back on his head, "Me and old Doc, Newly, and Thad can take of things. You can trust us!"
Doc rolled his eyes, "I don't about that..." Doc pulled his ear.
"Doc! There's no reason Matthew and Miz Kitty can't enjoy-"
Doc pushed Festus, "Let's go get breakfast!" He looked at Kitty, "We won't wait up." He winked. Kitty smiled warmly.
Festus turned to Doc, "What did you mean by that, Doc? Matthew has to be back before dark. He's gotta-"
"Oh don't worry about it." Doc headed toward Delmonico's, "I'm hungry and I'm going to let you buy!"
"Doc!" Festus headed after him.
Kitty chuckled and looked at Matt. He rolled his eyes and encouraged the horses forward.
The sun was warm and the breeze was perfect. Kitty moved a little closer to Matt when they were out of the city limits. He wrapped his arms around her as she laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head, "You do look beautiful, Kitty."
"Thanks, Cowboy." She sat up, "I can't believe you wore your courtin' jacket and tie."
"Only for you." Matt smiled down at her. She laid her head back on his shoulder and enjoyed the sound of the horse's.
When they arrived at the riverbank, Matt climbed off and hurried to help Kitty down. He lowered her slowly, enjoying every inch of her against every inch of him. Kitty brought her arms around his neck and her lips twitched as she looked up at him, "I see you're in no hurry, Cowboy."
He still had her against the wagon. He looked down and smiled warmly, "No ma'am." He licked his lips. She chuckled. He leaned down and kissed her slowly.
His lips moved down her neck. Kitty felt the goosebumps as her skin responded. She pushed up against him, "Can we at least move to the bank or something."
Matt laughed. He grabbed the blanket and picnic basket, "Come, on woman." He placed his hand at the small of her back and lead her to riverbank.
They sat and talked as they set up brunch. Kitty removed her shoes and placed her hat to the side. She reached over and removed Matt's hat. She placed it on her head, "What do you think?" She puckered out her lips.
Matt growled as he snatched the hat off her head and threw it to the side. He held her back and slowly lowered her to the blanket. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. She returned his kisses. He pulled back and hovered over her, "I love you, you know that?" He held her eyes. "I know we've been through a lot, Kitty... but I would never hurt you... not intentionally. You know that, right?"
Kitty's eyes held her tears, "Matt, I love you more than life itself." She place her hands on his face, "You know THAT, right?"
He nodded. He sighed, "I don't want you to leave like Sadie did." He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair, "If you think about it, you live a hidden life... kinda like her. I know we've both left over the years... but I don't want you to leave forever."
"Matt..." She pushed herself up, "What are you-" she stopped and looked at him, "Matt this is different." She grabbed his hand and brought it to her heart, "You feel that?" He nodded. She continued, "That is real." She moved her hand to his heart, "It's the same. If my heart is beating... it's beating for you." She lifted his head, "I don't live in silence, Matt." She held his eyes, "I live for you." Matt looked at her. She grinned, "You still wanna take care of me?"
Matt slowly smiled. He chuckled. He stood and removed his jacket. He never took his eyes off her.
My pulse quickened as he tugged the tie from around his neck. Despite the anticipation, I love his charming smile. I watch him. His dark hair was slowly getting unruly, breaking free of its style and playing across his brow, just above his ocean-blue eyes. A light five o'clock shadow framed his perfectly full, bitable lips. I think to myself... he must have forgotten to shave this morning. I smiled as he throws the tie my way. I look back at his form. He could forget to shave everyday... I wouldn't care. All I cared about was him. I just wanted to be here or anywhere for that matter, with him... only him. We didn't need words. We kept our eyes on one another. He continued undressing... his robust, broad shoulders flexed as he removed his dress shirt...
We hadn't even eaten out lunch. The sun was high and the water played its music behind for us. He wasn't in a hurry, and I sure as hell wasn't... so I sat back and enjoyed the view.
The End