PT.12

Old Flame Revisited

Kitty was starting to stir, mumbling Matt's name. Ma quickly sat beside her, placing her hand on Kitty and wiping her face with a cool cloth. "Ssshhh, there now, Kitty. You just relax and lie still."

"Matt?" She cried out again.

"Now, honey, look here. Marshal Dillon is just fine. He'll be back soon. Try to rest, Dear."

The picture was playing over and over in her head and she was trying to scream out for Matt.

Matt stormed the lobby of the Dodge House and headed right for the stairs, paying no mind to Howie. Knocking and announcing himself before unlocking the door and entering.

Dolly was just sitting up in the bed. "Oh, Matt, I knew you'd come to…"

"STOP! Dolly this isn't a visit. I want you to tell me what part you had in all of this, and why you are mixed up with those two."

"But, Matt…"

"No, 'but's', I just want the truth." He said standing with his feet perched apart and his hands tucked in his pockets.

"Oh, alright, but please sit down." As she patted the bed beside her.

"You were saying?" Still standing in his planted stance.

"I met Marv, Marv Hollister, some time ago and he was a real gentleman. He wasn't you but…"

"Go on," Matt said.

"Well, after a while, I found out that besides being a gambler, he had a long history. And after we were together, he stopped being kind to me. Oh, Matt, he was so cruel and beat me awful. So, I left in the middle of the night. But I left."

"Ok, what about the money." Matt inquired.

Dolly dropped her eyes, simply peering up at him through her lashes. "I had to, Matt Darling. It's was the only way… The only way for me to get away. You understand don't you?"

Matt huffed a breath, "No. No, I don't and further more…"

Now doe eyed, "You're not going to arrest me, are you?"

"Dolly, you should be arrested. When I figure all this out, if Hollister presses charges …"

"Matt, I'm a woman!"

"Yes you are a woman. A woman who stole money and maybe tried to kill."

"What's going to happen to me, Matt?" She said beginning to cry.

"For now, you'll stay locked up here." And he turned to leave.

Quickly, she rose to stop him. As she reached out with her one good arm, Matt turned.

"Dolly!" He said with a cold glare. Then he shook his head and left, relocking the door from the outside. As he walked down the stairs, Matt looked at Howie. "Howie. No one in or out. That's an order."

"Yes, Sir, Marshal." Howie said.

Matt made his way to the Long Branch to check on Kitty, tapping lightly on the door.

Ma quietly answered, "Its open." Then when he entered, "Ah, Marshal. She's been calling for you."

"Thanks, Ma. Has she been awake?" He asked.

"Not quite. Just stirring and dreaming, calling out your name. I'll leave you alone. I need to get some clean water."

"Thanks, Ma."

Matt sat quietly beside Kitty. "Kitty, Honey? I'm here."

Slowly, she opened her eyes. "Matt? You're ok?"

"Sure, I am. Just a graze."

She tried to turn to look at him. "Ouch!"

"Kit, don't try to move. Doc says you're gonna be sore for…"

"UGH!" Is all that she said. "Cowboy, who? Who fired the gun?"

"Honey, that's not important right now."

Breathing heavier, "Matt, who?"

"Several shots were fired, Kit…"

"Who shot me? Matt, I saw Dolly in the doorway of…" She groaned slightly.

"Yeah, ok, Dolly fired one of the shots."

Now furrowing her brow, "And the others?"

"Seems that the two men, that shot Jake, were in the saloon and took a shot at me. Honey, you just rest, please?"

"Matt," she said patting the bed beside her.

"Ah, Kit?"

Now with a soft look in her azure blue eyes, peering back at him.

"Honey, I don't want to hurt you."

"Cowboy, you won't. Please, just hold me."

He gently slid in alongside her as she tenderly rolled to lay her head on his chest. "This is all I need, Cowboy."

Then, "Cowboy? I seem to remember, there was something you wanted to tell me."

"Later, Kit, ok?" He said pulling her closer.

"Not about Dolly. You said you had something special you wanted…"

Now puckering his mouth, "Kitty, honey, I don't think either one of us is up for that."

With a low chuckle, "Oh, Cowboy. That's not what I meant. You were going to ask or tell me something. What was it? You have my full attention."

Matt smiled to himself, then kissed her on the head.