The Skeleton Key
PT.34
Conclusion
Finding Sam drying glasses at the bar, humming, unaware of Kitty coming from the back office, she stood in the doorway watching, remembering the first time he came into the Long Branch, many years ago. It was just about the time she took over full ownership. He seemed shy and quiet when he came through the batwing doors. His first intent was to find a job playing the fiddle. He was just fresh out of the war, new to Kansas and on his own.
He'd lost two brothers in that war, then came home to find he'd lost his wife Margaret and son Jacob to an epidemic of influenza while he was away. This was the face of a man who was broken. Sam was a giant of a man with a heart to match his size.
When he entered, "Hello, what can I get you?"
"Oh, hello, Ma'am. Well, I was hoping to find a job, maybe playing the fiddle? Maybe I could talk to the boss and he might be interested in letting me entertain the customers?"
Smiling at this gentle giant of a man, "Well, first of all, what's your name?"
"Oh , I… ah, Sam, Sam Noonan, Ma'am."
"Well, Sam, it's Kitty, not Ma'am and you're talking to the boss. You play the fiddle?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Kitty," she repeated.
"Uh, Miss Kitty. Yes."
"Hummmmm."
Just then Freddy came from the back whispering and coughing. "Miss Kitty…"
"Freddy? What on earth?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Kitty, It just came on over night. Doc says I should take to bed for a few days."
Waving her hands, "Well then, do as Doc says."
"Sorry, Miss Kitty."
Shaking her head. "Now what?" Then Looking at Sam Noonan. "Say, Sam. Have you ever tended Bar?"
"A little."
"Well, my bartender just took sick and I could really use the help and we could also try your fiddle out in between. What do you say?"
"Miss Kitty, you got yourself a bartender."
She was smiling back at the memory and how many years they'd been together since and how she'd grown to depend on him. Sam had not only been a loyal employee but a loving and trusted friend.
Suddenly, he turned to see her watching him with a smile on her face. "Miss Kitty? I didn't see you standing there. Did you need me for something?"
"No but if I did, Sam, I know I could count on you, always. Sam, can we talk for a minute? You can leave those for now. Let's sit." Now sitting at the table. "Sam, have you thought about what you'd want to do, oh say, in the future?"
Now looking at her confused. "Miss Kitty, is something wrong?"
Placing her hand on his. "Sam, how would you feel about taking over the Long Branch?"
"Taking over?"
"Or, if you'd like, I could stay on as a silent partner until you decide if you want to take it on fully."
"Miss Kitty, is everything…"
Now looking at his expression. "Oh, Sam. Nothing's wrong, Just the opposite. We just feel it time."
"'We', Miss Kitty?"
Now lowering her eyes, "Now Sam. You keep that under your hat, for now anyway." Winking at him.
Smiling, "Will do, Miss Kitty. And in answer to your question, Yes."
"That's wonderful, Sam. We'll talk more later."
"Oh, Miss Kitty."
"Yeah?"
"I'm so happy for you both."
Two weeks later, Kitty, Doc and Festus sat at the table. Kitty refereeing between them once again. Doc was trying to convince Festus to learn to read. Her only relief was seeing Matt peering over the batwing doors.
"Well, morning, Cowboy. Coffee?" Rolling her eyes as if to say, 'Save me'."
Then he waved a yellow envelope in front of her, bringing a smile to her face. Looking at Doc and Festus.
"Ok, ok, can you two call a truce? I have something I want to say."
Just then, Newly came in. "Oh, Newly, come sit." Kitty called out. "Join us, please. Sam, can we have two more cups please? And bring one for yourself and join us."
Once everyone was at the table, Matt began to talk. "Ok. Now first, two weeks ago when Kitty and I first returned, I sent off a letter to the War Department."
"Matthew? What fer?"
"I put in my retirement papers."
"You did what?" Festus said. "Matthew, what in tarnation…"
"Matt, I for one think it's about time. You have given this town and this state and territory, country, more time out of your life then most men or any man should be expected to." Doc said then looked to Kitty. "Honey, you don't look surprised."
"No, Curly, we talked about this in New Orleans."
Nodding. "And?"
"Yeah, yeah, Doc. I… I uh,"
Kitty began smiling. "I got this, Cowboy. Curly, Sam has agreed to take over the Long Branch. Matt and I…"
Suddenly, Doc's face lit up. "Well now, you big lug. You mean you've finally come to your senses?"
Rolling his eyes, "Yeah, Doc. Kitty agreed to marry me and we're going to open up Jake's ranch. Remember he left it to me a few years ago? We thought we'd stock it with horses. We'll be close to town, near all our friends. Newly, this is for you. I put your name in to replace me here as town Marshal. It's temporary now. You have time to decide if you want the position permanent."
Two weeks later, Kitty and Matt gathered with their friends at the Dodge City church, to the surprise of everyone in Dodge and most of Ford County. They stood before Reverend English and as many people the small church could hold. The rest circled outside and around the church. This was an event to remember and not miss. When Reverend English pronounced them man and wife the cheers and hollering could be heard for what seemed like miles."
One Year later
Matt had worked night and day to fix and expand the ranch house to make it livable for them. By now, they had purchased several hundred horses for breeding. Festus was now working with Matt on the ranch most of the time. Newly stayed on as full time marshal. Doc was now talking about retiring. He spent the better part of the year breaking in a new doctor, getting some of the regulars used to trusting her. Yes, the new town doc was a 'Shemale' as Festus would say.
Kitty convinced Doc to move out to the ranch with them as part of the family. She wasn't taking 'no' for an answer and he learned a long time ago about arguing with this stubborn red head but he loved them both like his own. Where else would he want to spend his last years?
Two Years Later
Standing out by the corral, Kitty watched as Matt worked with the horses. She loved watching him in his element. Climbing down and walking towards her. "Matt, they look wonderful. Can you believe three years ago…"
"Yeah, honey. We've come this far in three years."
"Oh, Festus brought mail from town. Got a letter from France. I thought we could read it together." As they walked towards the house, Kitty began reading.
Dear Mrs. Dillon,
I regret to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin LaRue passed in their sleep during the night. The good Lord saw to it to take them together to the next life.
Matt felt Kitty's body go limp. "Kit, Honey, what is it?"
"Oh, Matt." Dropping the letter. "They're gone. My grandparents, they're gone."
Matt picked up the letter and read it himself, holding her, kneeling beside her.
He continued. 'I assure you they did not suffer. Their last few years together were happy. I spent much time here in the villa with them on a daily basis. I've never known two more loving people. If there is anything I can do. All arrangements were made and carried out to their wishes.'
Sincerely,
Marlena Dupre'
Walking Kitty inside the house, pouring her a brandy. "Here, honey, drink this. Honey, Marlena, says they went together peacefully."
Sniffling, "I know but…"
"Kit…"
She walked over to a curio, opened it, pulling out the ornate box they had found in Annalise's room. And two other objects. "To think if it weren't for these… Matt, these changed my life. This box with all the secrets, the pendent. The Ivory Rose and The Skeleton Key."
"But, Kitty, they also lead you to a legacy. A Legacy you will leave that will be here a hundred years from now. That is something, Honey, you can be proud of. You, Kitty Russell Dillon. Look, you also got a letter from Ramone."
"Go on read it." She said.
Dearest Kathleen,
Just an update. We now have fifty students and everyone is thriving and doing wonderfully. Ana and Cristina are doing great with Cee-Cee's help. I could have never dreamed of such success. How do I thank you enough? You are our angel. Oh and Emily is doing fantastic. She misses you and talks about how much she can't wait to show you how well she is doing. Again, thank you. The Annalise LaRue Russell School for the blind and shelter will be your legacy. You should be proud.
Your Mother and Grandmother would be Proud of the wonderful woman you are!
Forever grateful,
Ramone Lavelle and Students
Lifting her to envelope her in his arms. "Kitty Russell Dillon. I knew the day I saw you in that café, all those years ago, you were a special woman. And no matter what our lives put us through, you stuck by me and it took me time, as Doc says, to get it. Honey, I've always loved you and will always love you."
"Cowboy, I know that and I've always known I love you too. No one ever loved a man like I love you except maybe grandmother.
Later, lying together, snuggled tightly, entwined in one another. "Cowboy?"
"Huh?"
"That's the way it should be, ya know."
"What, honey."
"How they went. Together."
Nodding in agreement. "Uh huh."
"If we have to go, I want to go together. Neither of us left behind one without the other."
The two engaged in a dance of passionate lovemaking all through the night. Never separating, finally falling into restful sleep, still entwined as one. Forever!
FINI
A/N: a Special Thanks to my Friend Singerme, for all your help... And to all the Guest Reviews to whom I am unable to respond ...they do not go inappreciatedd Thank you to all my readers and reviewers...you make this all worth doing!
"D"