Chapter 17

The morning air had a crispness about it. Maybe it was that, or maybe the fact that Matt seemed to be feeling better, but something made me decide to enjoy the half mile walk to the Denver Grand.

I glanced around the dining area as I entered but didn't see Kitty so I made for the stairs to the second floor. I needed to check on Festus because I hadn't seen him since we'd left the train, and I felt a little remiss about that.

The hotel was much like the Dodge House, and I had no difficulty finding rooms 11 and 12. Newly and Festus were in number 11.

Festus met me at the door. "Come on in, Doc," he greeted me. "It's good ta see ya. How's ol' Matthew a' doin'?"

"He seems to be doing better. I came to check on your shoulder and take Kitty to breakfast."

As I answered him, I looked around the room. There were two beds, a dresser of sorts and a small wash stand with a pitcher and a bowl. I poured a little water into the bowl and washed my hands. My medical bag was sitting right there by the wash stand. Newly had been taking care of it and my carpet bag where I had a change of clothes, at least a clean shirt and a razor.

"You know Doc, I was just thinkin' 'bout breakfast me'self." Festus was trying to get a rise out of me, "A little piece of steak and two or three eggs would do me just fine."

I helped Festus as he carefully removed his shirt and sat on the bed. He continued to chatter about breakfast and a dozen other things while I examined the wound I had cleaned and bandaged a day or so ago.

"I wasn't inviting you," I explained. The wound looked clean and healing nicely. "You're doing fine, Festus," I told him as I applied a clean dressing and helped him back into his shirt. "Where's Newly?"

"He went to the train depot to buy us some tickets back to Dodge, don't ya know." He finished getting dressed. "I'm all ready fer breakfast now. Ya want me ta go git Miss Kitty?" His face lit up with that crooked smile he gave me.

Of course I relented. "Alright, you win. Go get Kitty, and I'll meet you downstairs in about a half hour. I need to wash-up a bit."

"Do ya need some help, Doc, I mean…" Festus was starting in on one of his confabulations.

I held up my hand. "Festus! Be quiet! Just get on outta here and go find Kitty. I can take care of myself." Somehow I hurried him out of the room and locked the door.

()()()

When I finally made it down to the hotel lobby, Kitty, Festus and Newly were all waiting for me. Kitty caught my eye immediately. Her face showed the benefit of the night's rest I'd prescribed. She always managed to brighten up my day, but this morning it was so much more than that. I immediately knew that she'd dressed to please Matt, to cheer him up and put that sparkle back in his eyes. The simple blue dress, almost the color of her eyes, was one that always made him smile. I was there the first time she'd worn it.

Almost a year had passed since that particular Ford County Sociable. Kitty ordered the dress from St. Louis. She told me how excited she was for Matt to see her wearing it for the first time that evening. As so often happened, Matt had promised to take her, but was called to testify at a trial in Wichita a week before, and hadn't returned as yet. She was holding back tears that evening when she came up to my office. Sometimes I hated what that badge put her through. She was still hoping that Matt would show up at the last minute.

There were times when I rued the day she'd ever met Matt Dillon. A bright, talented, elegant woman like Kitty Russell could have fallen for a rancher, a banker or even a cowtown doctor, and had the perfect life - a home, even a family maybe. If I were a few years younger my jesting offers of marriage to her could have been the real thing. But no. That tall lawman held her heart and now she sat in my office waiting for him to come home one more time.

"Come on, Kitty," I said, pushing myself up from my desk. I'd been up the previous night delivering an obstinate baby, and then had a steady stream of patients in the office during the day. Less than an hour ago I'd returned from the Briggs farm - young Johnny had been bucked off a new pony and had a concussion. I was tired but I couldn't let Kitty miss the big event. "In that dress you are too beautiful to miss the dance. If you allow me, I would be honored to escort you."

She gave a sad smile - I knew I was only second choice, but she agreed anyway. I was proud to take her, to sit with her and maybe have a dance or two. Just as the final dance was about to start, Dillon walked in. Her eyes lit up like small lanterns in the dim light of the barn. Sadly for me, I was forgotten. I watched Matt as he approached. I think he caught his breath when he saw her in that dress. He certainly didn't notice me standing there.

"You're lookin' mighty pretty tonight," he whispered, so softly that I barely heard the words. "Could this trail-worn cowboy have the honor of your company?"

I never heard the reply she whispered. They were words that only he was supposed to hear, and resulted in a slight blush hitting that stoic marshal's face. I laughed to myself.

They walked off arm in arm, and I was left standing there. Festus came up and made some comment about me losing my date. I didn't mind. It warmed my very heart to see the smile on Kitty's face as she walked away with that young Lockinvar.

Now she was wearing that dress again. Every detail was designed to get Matt's attention, to cheer him up, to make him feel better and let him know that come what may - she was there for him. This morning, that meaningful dress was adorned with a simple cameo brooch pinned at her throat. Even though I didn't know the exact significance it held for my two friends, I knew it had some special meaning for them. Kitty Russell's appearance alone would've had the power to raise a man from his deathbed. I knew if recovery were possible for Matt, Kitty was determined to see he got every ounce of encouragement she could give.

I reached out and put my arm around her waist to lead her into the restaurant. I knew without a doubt that the other two would follow.

"You're looking beautiful this morning," I said quietly. She smiled, appreciating my comment.

"How's Matt doing?" she asked by way of reply.

"He apparently had a good night and they were working with him when I left," I told her.

We sat and ordered breakfast which arrived quickly.

"So Matthew's gonna be alright and git back to marshaling real soon?" That was Festus. Somehow he'd managed to speak between consuming a mile high stack of pancakes topped with about half a dozen eggs and a large steak on the side. I wouldn't say the food was great, but the coffee was definitely a lot better than anything Delmonico's ever produced.

I took another mouthful of corned beef hash before answering him. "Dr. Harrington thinks he'll be up and around again soon," I said, more for Kitty's benefit than to answer Festus' question.

The deputy spoke up again. "Doc, can me an' Newly here go visit Matthew afore we leave tomorrow? Just to see if there's anythang he'd like us to do, don't ya know."

I knew Festus well. He just wanted to make sure for himself that Matt was being taken care of. "I'll talk to Dr. Harrington and see what I can arrange," I told him.

We finished eating - even Festus had to stop sometime - and Kitty said she was going to go spend the day with Matt. Newly offered to escort her, but I decided I would do that.

"You take Festus and go walk around the town a little," I said to Newly. "You two are going to be back on that train for 48 hours or more starting tomorrow morning, so you might as well go stretch your legs a little." I was really trying to make sure Kitty had some time alone with Matt - it would be good for both of them.

TBC