Chapter 10
Mitch's sweet moment was short lived. He turned and saw his boys rushing in… One said, "This is great!"… Another wrapped his arm around Mitch's neck and gave him a knuckle-sandwich. Mitch laughed and punched his friend in the arm, "Where's Lenny?"
"He's on his way," Riley answered as he walked in.
A young, shy... Now 18-year-old... Was pushed through the doors of The Long Branch. He was blindfolded, "Guys, I can't see anything." He stumbled and hit a table.
"No peeking, Lenny!" Another cowboy slapped his hand.
The group of cowboys sat Lenny down, at a table, in the middle of the room. Kitty and five of her girls descended from the stairs when the singing started, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…" The group sang, and Mitch removed the blindfold. Sam sat a cake in front of Lenny as the girls and cowboys surrounded the table. Kitty stood beside Mitch as Lenny blew out the candles. Mitch turned to her, "Thanks for the cake." He smiled.
"What's a party without dessert?" Kitty smiled.
"When on earth did you have time to bake a cake, Miss Russell." Mitch was in awe.
"I have my ways, Mr. Malone." Kitty winked.
Mitch smiled, "Well, thank you. You didn't have to do that."
Kitty patted him on the back, "I'll go get some plates." She announced to the group, "You boys enjoy."
Mitch watched her walk away and shook his head. Riley walked over to him, "You think they would mind if I played a little on that?" He pointed to the piano.
Mitch shook his head, "Nah, I don't think so." Riley smiled a big smile. He sat down and stretched out his fingers and started to play. Mitch made his way to the bar, "Beer, please."
"Coming right up." Sam said.
Festus and Doc walked in noisily, "I told ya, Doc…" Festus held the door open, "He said he'd buy me a beer."
Doc swiped his mustache and walked down the stairs, "Just as long as you don't expect me to buy ya one."
"Well, I was wondering when you two were going to get here." Kitty greeted warmly as she brought the plates and napkins from the back.
Mitch turned, "I'll get that Miss Russell." He said, taking the dinnerware from her.
"Thanks." She smiled and turned to Doc and Festus, "You two are here early. Trying to beat the crowd?"
Doc pointed to Festus, "You know when free beer is involved, he'll beat any crowd."
"Oh, you old scutter." Festus pointed to Mitch, "That there cowboy said he'd let me have one if I showed up to this here birthday party."
Mitch walked back over, "Did I say that?" He teased.
Festus looked up, "Yeah," He looked to Kitty and Doc and then back to Mitch, "When we was taking those horses back to Mr. Lowe's place."
Mitch took a sip of his beer and turned to Kitty, "Does he drink much because I don't remember saying that." He winked.
Kitty took the hint, "Now, that you mention it…" She twitched her lips in amusement.
Doc recognized the banter and chimed in, "Festus, you might want to see someone about that."
"Oh, Doc." Festus rolled his eyes.
"Festus, if you're making things up in your head," Mitch continued, "You may have a drinking problem." He clicked his teeth.
Doc chuckled, "He doesn't have any trouble drinking." He swiped his mustache. He liked the Mr. Malone.
Festus looked at Mitch, "You don't remember about…" He looked around at everyone's poker faces and began to think he did misunderstood.
Mitch laughed and turned to Sam, "Barkeep," He call, "…bring this gentleman a beer." Kitty and Doc laughed. Festus was such a good sport about most things and was perfect for any good joke. After Festus got his beer, Mitch asked, "How about a piece of cake to wash that down?"
Festus took a sip and beer, "I love cake!" He and Mitch walked over to the birthday boy table. Which was still surrounded by girls and cowboys, and a blushing Lenny as Grace licked icing off his finger. All the cowboys laughed at the youngster. One elbowed Lenny, "That ain't nothing, cowboy." He winked, and Lenny's eyes grew winder.
Doc and Kitty both smiled. He moved closer with his beer. He took a sip, "Where's that overgrown civil servant of yours?"
Kitty chuckled and looked up the stairs, "Probably still asleep."
"Well, he needed it." Doc smiled, "How about you? You feeling better? You look 100 percent better."
Kitty nodded, "That was terrible. I never want to eat again."
"You spoke too soon…" Doc motioned at Festus making his way back to them, "Here comes cake."
"Here ya are, Miz Kitty." Festus handed her a plate.
Kitty grinned, "Thanks, Festus." She took the plate, "I'm going to take it upstairs and eat in my room."
"You feeling okay, Miz Kitty?" Festus asked out of concern.
"I'm fine, Festus." Kitty smiled warmly, "Really."
"I can help ya to your room, if you'd like." Festus offered.
"Can't you see she wants to be left alone, Festus." Doc hit him on the arm.
"Iz just helping, Doc." Festus told him, "It's what Matthew would want." He stopped a minute and turned to Kitty, "Where is Matthew? I ain't seen him all afternoon."
Kitty looked at Doc. Doc hit Festus on the arm again, "Where's my piece of cake?"
"Well, Doc, you didn't ask for any cake…" Festus reminded.
"Neither did Kitty, but you brought her a piece." Doc scolded.
"You're an ornery, old scutter…" He complained as he walked about to the table.
Kitty smiled, "Thanks, Doc." He winked at her. She gathered her shirts and made her way upstairs.
She opened her bedroom door. Matt was still snoring. She smiled and walked over to her bed. She placed the cake on the nightstand and sat on the bed. She loved to watch him sleep and the fact that he felt comfortable enough to rest. She ran her fingers through his hair. Matt stirred and bit, "5 more minutes, Festus." He went back snoring. Kitty chuckled. She leaned in and kissed him gently. Matt's eyes flew open and he grabbed her arms and pushed her back. He blinked his eyes and looked around until he found her face. He still held her at arm's length. He shook his head and sighed, "Oh it's you, Kitty."
Kitty chuckled, "I'd hope so, Cowboy." She smiled and teased, "Unless there's someone else is kissing you."
He wiped his face, "Sorry, Kitty." He yawned, "I didn't realize I was still here."
Kitty reached over and took some cake icing on her finger. She put it up to his mouth, "Try some."
He grabbed her hand and blinked his eyes. Still trying to wake up, he pulled himself up, "What is it?"
"It's icing." Kitty chuckled, "It's not poison…" They looked at each other in realization, "Or is that a bad joke…"
Matt smiled and placed her finger in his mouth, "Yum…"
Kitty grinned, "Is it good?"
"Uh mmm." He answered in his baritone voice. He scooped and some icing and did the same.
Kitty licked the icing from his finger, "Mmmm." Kitty hummed, "Delicious."
Matt pulled her in and kissed her sweetly. Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck returned the kiss, deepening it. Matt pulled back, "You're going to miss the party downstairs…" He teased.
With hooded eyes, she countered, "I'd much whether have our own private party upstairs." Matt chuckled. Placing his good arm around her back, he turned so she lay under him. She gasped, "Matt your arm, be careful." His only response was a kiss, silencing her with eager lips and exploring hands.
As the music played downstairs, each 'party', up and downstairs, went on at their own paces. Festus began to sing, Doc shook his head, and Mitch sat smiling. He was so happy this worked out. He was happy for Lenny, his boys, the redhead, and the marshal. Mitch took a sip of his beer and turned to Doc, "Doctor Adams?"
Doc shaking his head at Festus dancing, he turned with a grin on his face, "What is it, son?"
Mitch looked around, "Where's the Marshal? He said he'd stop in and join the party…"
Doc tried to smother his smile, "He'll be around." He took a sip of beer, "He's …uh… probably just got his hands full right now." He looked upstairs and swiped his mustache.
Mitch followed his gaze, "I bet he has his hands full…" Thinking of Kitty feisty personality, "A lot…"
Doc winked and took a sip of beer. Mitch chuckled and followed suit. He couldn't wait to have his hands full, with Katie, when he got back at home. He smiled and held his glass up and everyone cheered, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lenny!
The End.