Chapter 11 – Home Again

Kitty Russell couldn't admit, even to herself, that her excursion with Matt had exhausted her. If she did it would spoil the mood of their just completed dinner – the most romantic time since their arrival in Topeka. True, early in the trip they'd shared a bed, but that was only different in that it wasn't in Dodge City so there was no chance a crisis, valid or not, would interrupt them. At the dinner-dance both she and Matt were on display. She had to be seen as a worthy companion for the famous marshal to escort to the formal affair and he had to prove to the politicians that he was more than a cow town peace officer. Matt Dillon had to give the impression his sophistication in social matters matched his legal acumen. Her childhood connections to New Orleans society and their ability to convey meaning through body language allowed them to pull it off. Then the accident put a damper on their remaining time in Topeka.

At home the fact they cared deeply for each other, at least as best friends, was no longer a complete secret. After more than 17 years they were used to showing their love by caring for each other when one or the other was sick or wounded. Thus, Matt risked a relapse to get her the aid she needed and remained at her side until he knew she'd recover. They faced such choices, like the current one, so often in fact that it became a common way to affirm their deep love for each other. The difference was they didn't have to hide the depth of their commitment during a crisis is over dinner in this fancy French restaurant.

"Honey, we'll be back at the hotel soon. Lean on me until I've got you settled in the cab," Matt whispered as he helped her up from the chair when the waiter nodded to indicate it had arrived.

Kitty said nothing. She merely used what strength she had to stand on tiptoe and stretch to give him a peck on his cheek. Once inside the vehicle she curled her feet under her and leaned against his chest, her face turned up toward his. Matt bent down so their lips met, gradually deepening it. The passionate kiss ended when the cab stopped in front of the Copeland Hotel causing both of them to abruptly sit erect in the coach seat. Matt stepped out of the cab, paying the driver before helping Kitty step down to the street. She hooked her left arm around his waist. His right arm mirrored hers, encircling her waist.

To any stranger they would have seemed a couple on their honeymoon returning from a mutually enjoyable outing. However, one of the observers in the hotel lobby was no stranger. It was Doc.

"Where have you two been?" he asked, fuming. "Do you realize how long you've kept her out?" Doc scolded Matt before reprimanding Kitty. "What got into you letting him drag you all over this city?"

Matt became mute, figuring there was no point in protesting to the justifiably angry doctor. Kitty, realizing Doc needed to be placated, hid the fact that she would fall if the six-foot seven body of the man beside her weren't holding her upright. She pretended pressing her body so close to his was merely a rare public display of their affection. "This outing was our last chance to accomplish everything Matt and I planned before going home. We had to go off by ourselves, whether or not you approve."

In the end the couple acquiesced to the old man's wishes. Kitty was too tired to keep up the pretense of arguing while pretending she wasn't in pain and on the verge of collapse. Matt also had no wish to contradict the doctor. He knew Kitty needed to be in bed. In truth he was looking forward to getting off his feet so he could rest his aching back and stop his nearly imperceptible limp from getting worse.

"We're here for the rest of the night. You can check both of us over, if it will make you happy, once I get Kitty back to her bed," Matt told the doctor, who followed them up the stairs and into Kitty's room.

Doc allowed Matt to help with the buttons and laces to make it easier for Kitty to change into her nightgown but then ordered him into his connecting room to prepare for the examination that would follow the one he gave his female patient. What he found was both were experiencing more pain than they were willing to admit and their heart rates were elevated. He couldn't tell if this was due to an increase in pain or to what they'd been doing while out of his purview. He didn't ask for details.

The physician knew Kitty needed as much rest as possible before tomorrow's train trip. Despite his misgivings, he was willing to compromise. Doc offered up no objections to Matt ordering a late supper for three in Kitty's room from room service. When he completed his examination of the man in whose room he was, the doctor peeked into the adjoining room through the connecting door to see that Kitty was apparently asleep. Only then did he turn his attention back to Matt, still partially undressed and now sprawled across his bed. Their personal physician, acting as a dear friend, promised to return by 8:30.

It did indeed turn out to be supper for three with Kitty nibbling on hers in bed. The two men didn't linger after finishing their meals. They left as soon as the dirty and now largely empty dishes were stacked outside her door to be taken to the hotel kitchen. By that time Kitty was fast asleep without the necessity of any of Doc's powders. Matt, to the physician's satisfaction, retreated to his own adjoining room. The doctor waited until his friend closed the door before crossing the hall to his own room.

True to his word, Governor Glick arranged for a semi-express train that included a private car for the three people from Dodge with seats that allowed them to stretch out for naps if they so desired. He also arranged for food to be delivered so Kitty wouldn't have to walk to the dining car. That kindness didn't prevent Matt from strolling the length of the train several times to walk off the kinks that formed in his muscles during the ten-hour trip. Seemingly, the marshal paid no obvious attention to the passengers in the two regular passenger cars, the club car, where he bought a bottle of brandy, or in the dining car. Out of habit he did, but saw nothing amiss. At six PM they pulled into Dodge. Festus and Newly greeted them as soon as they stepped off the train onto the platform. Doc had wired ahead to say when they'd arrive and to remind them a wagon would be needed to carry the baggage if not the three people the luggage belonged to.

Once they reached the center of town Kitty insisted that her employees take care of the luggage while she and her friends enjoyed supper at Delmonico's. After filling their bellies, the five of them sat at their favorite table at the Long Branch with a bottle and glasses Sam brought to them to continue catching up on all the news. However, it wasn't long before Kitty was showing signs of fatigue and the routine of home kicked in for the other two returning travelers. Matt was back in full marshal mode, dealing with accumulated paperwork at the jailhouse and rounds. As usual, he left with a promise to make the saloon his last stop. Doc trudged across the alley and up the stairs to his office. He was ready for any patients who might need him, but hoped there were no emergencies requiring his immediate attention.

When the marshal completed the last of his rounds Sam was closing up the Long Branch. He said goodnight to the bartender and exited. Once outside, Matt looked up at Kitty's window to see she'd left a light burning. Thus, he turned down the alley toward the rear steps of the saloon rather than back to his office or his room with its outside entrance at Ma Smalley's that he almost never used. He quietly turned his key to enter what had become their rooms, glancing at the sleeping form before undressing and carrying the lamp to the end table on his side of the extra large brass bed. Lowering the wick to the point where it shed only enough light to allow either of them to reach the water closet without stumbling over his boots in the dark, Matt slid under the quilt to sleep beside her.