Man Up

Chapter 11

Jake Worth's Ranch

Matt passed by the guards Jake had posted at the front gate. He released Coco's reins, letting her follow him up to the main house. Buck stopped beside the quarter horse; Matt climbed down and then helped Kitty to the ground. He heard the front door open behind him and could hear the sound of more than one person stepping out onto the wooden porch.

Jake was the first to reach them. The white-haired man's face bore witness to the worry that had plagued him. "Kitty, my God we've been worried sick about you! Are you alright? Clay told me what happened."

Kitty stepped in front of Matt, taking Jake's calloused hands in her own. "I'm fine, I'm so sorry, Jake. Is Clay-"

"Clay is right here, little lady!" The ruddy-faced man was moving just a little slower than usual, but he was moving. The bandage wrapped around his head was evidence of the shooting. Kitty pulled away from both Matt and Jake, to rush over to the man that had served as her bodyguard. Clay held her like a long lost child, as he looked over her shoulder at the Marshal. Matt could see the shame in the older man's eyes, for failing to protect Kitty. "Did she tell you what she did?"

Matt's brow furrowed, as he pondered Clay's question. "What she did?" He stepped forward, taking a closer look at his wife. "No, I guess I'm in the dark here."

"That guy had me cold, Matt. Snuck right up behind me, slick as can be. I never heard a thing. He only got off one shot, thanks to her, but it was enough to knock me senseless. All I could do was lay there, watching that little lady save us both. Your wife came tearing through that door, screaming like a banshee. She jumped on that guy's back, just a clawing and biting." Clay grinned at the recollection. "I swear, I've never seen anything like it. I thought she had him, until he slammed her head into the wall. That slowed her down, but even then, she wouldn't give up."

"Clay..."

The injured man could tell by the soft, pleading tone, that Kitty was embarrassed by his praise. "No. Now Kitty, he needs to know what his wife is capable of doing." His smile faded slightly, as he thought about the end of the free-for-all. "He was about to get the best of her, when Ollie stepped in to saved us both."

"Hello, Miss Kitty. Are you alright now?" The grizzly man, again fully attired in a slightly snug shirt, now stood behind Clay. He offered a helping hand to the man, in Clay's weakened condition.

"I'm fine, Ollie. Thank you again for saving my life." Once more, she stepped forward to place a kiss on his cheek.

"She fought him real good, Marshal. You'd be proud." Ollie's expression never seemed to change. He always wore a simple smile and spoke in a quiet, straightforward manner. A man of his word, he had given up drinking altogether after the infamous punch incident.

For a brief moment, Matt forgot that he was about to face a gang of outlaws. "Ollie, it seems like I'm always thanking you for saving my wife. I don't know how to ever repay you. Actually, I'm going to ask for one more favor. We could use another hand in this fight in town. Would you be willing to help us?"

"You need me, Marshal?" Matt nodded, confirming his request. "Mr. Clay, will you be alright?" When Kitty sent Ollie to care for Clay Rabkin, the burly Bear thought his place was by the injured man's side, until he was completely well.

"I'll be fine, Ollie. You go with the Marshal." Clay gave the big man a grateful pat on the shoulder and sent him on his way to get his horse. When he turned back around, he saw the look that was binding the Marshal to his wife. "Jake, why don't we go on back in the house and let them say good-bye. I believe that Hadley is expecting us to play 'up' for a while."

Matt watched the two men disappear back into the house. He turned Kitty around, pulling her into his arms. "A banshee?" He looked into her eyes, her big blue eyes. Before the tears could overtake her, he pulled her up into his arms, his breath warm on her face as his mouth brushed against her ear. "I have to go Kitten." She nodded, but was unable to answer. "God, I love you so much." His mouth came down on hers. When they finally parted, he held her face in his hands, the pads of his thumbs wiping away the errant tears. "We'll discuss the banshee thing when I get back." He forced a smile and she tried to match his attempt, to ease the situation.

"When you get back." She made it sound like a promise.

TBC