Surprising Detour at Whispering Winds PT.25
Conclusion

All now standing on the boardwalk of the Long Branch. Kitty looked at Festus. "Festus, let's get you up to Doc's."

"Aw, now, Miz Kitty, you don't need to pay no never mind to this here little bump."

Doc shook his head, "Oh, you're a doctor now, are ya?"

"Oh, ya, Ol' Scudder. Us Hagens, we have thick skulls."

"You're telling me?" Doc said laughing.

"Doc!" Kitty said. "You stop that, right now. Come on, all of you. Drinks are on me. Sam, round of drinks for everybody, please."

"Coming right up, Miss Kitty." Sam was happy to see his boss and the Marshal back in good terms again. Although he secretly held a torch for her, he also knew how strong her love for the Marshal was. And he held a great respect for him as well and also a great friendship.

As he was carrying over a round of drinks, Kitty said, "Sam, join us, will ya?"

"Aw, Miss Kitty, I…"

"I insist."

"Well, ok." He pulled up a chair. They all sat laughing and telling stories about different events. Mostly, it was Doc and Festus cracking jokes on one another.

As the night went on, everyone said their good nights and the bar emptied out. "Sam?"

"Yes, Miss Kitty?"

"Sam, it's been a hectic day. Leave that. We can get it in the morning. I'm sure Louie will be looking for some work to earn a drink or two. It will all keep. I'll lock up. Go on, go get a good night's sleep. You earned it."

"Alright, if you're sure."

"I'm sure, Sam. Good night."

"Good night, Miss Kitty. See you first thing. Marshal."

As the door closed she said, "Well, Marshal, what do you say to a night cap?"

"I'd say, I'll lock up and you get the bottle and glasses, Miss Russell."

Smiling, "Deal!"

Matt locked the door and turned, stopping to watch as Kitty ascended the stairs. Just watching as she glided along the stairs.

Suddenly she stopped. Looking over her shoulder, in her deep sultry voice, "Coming, Cowboy?"

In three quick steps and taking two at a time, "Yes, Ma'am!"

Entering the room at the end of the landing, the two fell into their usual routine. The Stetson and gun belt landed on their usual peg. Boots by the chair, Matt relaxing on the settee. Kitty poured them both a drink then headed for the water room. Matt slouched back. "Kit, I… I…"

Suddenly, he felt her presence. When he looked up, she was standing before him in a soft, lilac, satin gown with matching robe. "You were saying something, Cowboy?"

She was holding both glasses.

"Ahhhh, I… ah…" He couldn't believe that after all these years, she still took his breath away and could make him speechless. "Kitty, should we talk about…" One look at her face and the sparkle in her eyes, told him talking, wasn't what she had in mind. "Honey, I know I upset you and I never wanted to do…"

Saying nothing, she sipped her brandy then put down the glass, took him by the hands, bent over, giving him a perfect view of full cleavage and kissed him softly. "Cowboy, are you going to babble all night, or…"

She slowly turned and walked towards their large brass bed, dropped the robe off her shoulders, letting it hit the floor. The back of the gown was cut low to the small of her back.

Peeking over her shoulder, looking at him with a pouty look. "Help me out of the rest of this." Now dropping the string like straps off her shoulders and turning to face him, barely holding up what was left covering her.

"Ahhhhh… Awwwwww…" Now her hair was spilling down loose over her soft shoulders and her eyes had a sparkle like sapphires.

Gently, he scooped her up, enveloping her in his embrace. "Damn!..I missed you." Burying his face in the nape of her neck.

She was kneeling up on the bed, working off the shirt and rubbing her face against his hard chest. "Cowboy, I missed you so. You've got to know, there could never be anyone, anyone ever to take your place in my life or in my heart. Ever!"

He continued to kiss all over her, running his hands all over.

"I'm yours, Cowboy, all yours."

Nodding as he's kissing, 0then mumbling, "You are mine. And I want everyone to know it!"

"Show me, Cowboy. Show me."

Till the early morning light, they melted into one another. No beginning, no end. What they had joined together, no man should dare try to part.

And they are, as they should be. Forever One!

FINI