Chapter 19

Thaddeus Greenwood Esq.

Thad waited until the ladies were seated before taking his place behind the old oak desk. "Mrs. Sharkey, I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances." Nina acknowledged his greeting with a polite nod.

"She's been in Dodge almost a month. If you came out to the ranch a little more often." Kitty scolded him playfully, "you would have met her. At least she has met Bethany and the children. I took her to lunch at the Prairie Rose shortly after she arrived."

The young attorney leaned forward resting his forearms on the smooth wooden surface. A curious scowl perched itself above an equally confused grin. "Bethany took the twins to work?"

"It was her day off." Kitty chided him. "She had been doing some shopping and decided to stop by the restaurant. Nina and I watched the kids while she and Tia took care of something in the kitchen."

Nina smiled as she recalled the rambunctious children. "They are quite the handful."

Thad chuckled softly. "They do keep us busy. In fact, they are the reason that we decided to live upstairs over my office. This way I can help take care of the kids."

"I was so afraid I was going to lose Bethany as my manager after the twins were born. Then Thad came up with the wonderful idea of having his office here at home." Kitty was so proud of the young man for taking on the role as daddy seriously.

"Kitty we will always be grateful to you for giving Bethany free reign in designing the Prairie Rose. She is devoted you and the restaurant."

"And her family." Kitty added.

Thad chuckled with a conceding nod. "Definitely her family. I could see how conflicted she was in trying to decide between home and the job and I knew Bethany would try to handle both." A furtive glance between the two husbands confirmed how stubborn a woman could be. "I had to protect her from herself so…" He flashed a boyish grin. "This way, we're all happy.

Thad realized it was time to end the family chatter and focus his attention on his new client. "I'm sorry to have gotten off track." He reached for his tablet. "Let's get back to your problem."

The more Nina was learning about this young man, the more confident she felt to put her life in his hands. "I want you to know, I did not kill that man."

The boyish grin was put away, replaced by a comforting but professional smile. "I believe you Nina and if it goes to trial, I will do my best to prove that. Why don't we start by you telling me about your relationship with Cobb Styles."

Nina proceeded to describe her encounters with the dead man. She gave the names of all those present at each meeting. "That's about all until his body was found." With a remorseful glance at her benefactor she offered yet another apology. "I am so sorry that I sent that child up there."

Kitty desperately wished her boy had never been exposed to that horrible sight but she just couldn't let this woman carry blame that she didn't own. She reached over placing a gentle hand to her friends arm. "Now I don't want to hear anymore about being sorry. We have more serious worries to deal with than that."

Thad studied his notes while thumping the tip of his Easterbrook pen against the desk. "I will depose the people on this list as soon as possible. We want to be ready if the inquest finds enough to hold you for trial. Matt do you know when to expect Judge Brooker?"

"His wire said he could be here Wednesday."

"That gives us two days." He leveled his gaze on his new client. "From what you have told me, all the evidence appears to be circumstantial. You never at any time made threats towards Mr. Styles did you?"

"No."

Thad drew his long frame from the bankers chair and walked around his desk. He gave a slight tug to the wool material allowing his knee some leg room when he hoisted himself on the corner of the oak surface. "You understand they will want to bring your past into play?"

Nina realized that shame would follow her forever but she handled it with dignity. "I expected as much."

"Judge Brooker is a fair man. I don't think it will influence his decision." Thad turned his attention to the marshal. "Let's all hope that Matt will find the real killer before Wednesday."

Matt positioned his Stetson back into place with just a slight upward tilt. "I'll be doing my best."

He promised as he waited for the ladies to gather their things.

====()()()()====

As they stepped out onto the boardwalk, Kitty squinted to block out the sun when she looked up at her husband. "Got time for a cup of coffee?"

The marshal moved close enough to slide his arm around her waist. "No I got a few people to talk to here in town. Somebody has to remember the last time they seen Styles."

"Okay. Well I guess I'll see you at home."

Her attempt to pull away only made him draw her in closer. "Just remember you're there to have coffee – not to go over the ledgers." One brow arched higher than the other accenting his cocky tone. "I have spies you know."

"So I've discovered!" Again, she made an attempt to break free and again he pulled her back, this time to seal his orders with a kiss. "Just coffee." She promised.

Nina was amazed at the change in the marshal. She could still remember when his love for the beautiful redhead was a secret, at least that's what the big man thought at the time. These days, he was more than comfortable displaying his affection. Frequently and passionately she mused as she watched him walk away.

===()()()()()===

Matt stood out on his balcony enjoying the cool night air. For once, the folklore, in like a lion out like a lamb, had been an accurate account of the beautiful April weather. The mild winter had coaxed the jasmine into full bloom and its heavy scent was chasing the gentle breeze.

Despite the gracious offerings of the night, the marshal's thoughts were haunted by a simple comment Thad made in his office. I had to protect her from herself.

In their twenty years together, Matt had made every effort to protect his wife from the dangers that stalked Dodge City. They had only been lovers for a couple of months when he rescued Kitty from the Günter brothers. And just last year, he had gone all the way to Mexico to save her. He was prepared to fight for her, whether it be with a bullet or his fists but this threat was more subtle.

At first, he was just irritated that Kitty was behaving so foolishly. Even when the family meeting was called, he still didn't realize how serious the situation was becoming. Being tired didn't seem deadly but then he began to think of those sodbusters' wives. Women in their early twenties but looking forty that worked themselves into an early grave. Then Doc had told him how fatigue could affect her heart or blood pressure – all kinds of frightening repercussions. The thought of losing her was inconceivable.

Matt heard the door to the water closet close and he could sense Kitty's presence in the threshold of the French doors. For a moment, the pair stood in silence staring up at nature's dazzling display of brilliance nestled in the black sky. Suddenly, it looked as though a piece of light broke loose from the crowd and streaked across the inky canvass.

Kitty gasped softly as she stepped up next to her husband. "Did you see that?" As stunning as the performance had been, Matt was more impressed by the beauty standing next to him. "They say if you close your eyes and make a wish it will come true." She turned her gaze up to the man standing beside her. "Want to make a wish?"

Matt's hands slipped down around her waist, pulling her closer. His voice was smooth as silk but dark as the midnight sky. "What could I possibly wish for that I don't already have?"

It wasn't just the beautiful words or the seductive tone that snatched the air from her lungs. It was the intensity in his clear blues that she had never seen before. Did he speak the words I love you or was she simply reading them in his eyes? Kitty opened her mouth to speak but was stilled by the gentle press of his fingertips.

Without a word, he took her hand in his and led her back inside. Still wrapped in the same silence, Matt pulled the satin sash loose from the lustrous burgundy dressing gown. He coaxed it from her shoulders giving it permission to pool at her feet. Within seconds, the matching negligee met the same fate.

The marshal had seen her naked more times than she could count but there was something different this time. Kitty could feel his eyes caressing every curve, every inch of her body as if he were seeing it for the first time. "Matt…"

"Shhh." He brushed his lips lightly across hers but failed to leave the kiss she was expecting. Instead she felt the heat from his mouth trail across her cheek. He paused long enough to suckle the tender lobe and finally nestle into the soft curve behind her ear. Amorous hands were relishing the feel of her body, taking time to appreciate the fullness of her breasts.

Kitty released a sigh when her knees grew weak and her body began to sway. Matt gently pushed her back onto the overstuffed mattress. Bright blue eyes darkened with desire as she watched him quickly shed his own clothes and then cover her with his naked body.

Once again, his lips only teased hers. His mouth began a journey down her slender form, only stopping long enough to enjoy the feel and taste of each lovely breast. Kitty knew the way his tongue swirled and suckled her taut swollen nipples was only a preview of what he had planned when he reached his destination. The intensity in his gaze held her captive as he licked and stroked his way down her body.

He had left a trail of kisses down the smooth flat surface of her belly finally slowly reaching his objective. Kitty planted both elbows into the mattress leaning up enough to watch her lover. Their eyes remained locked as he worked his broad shoulders between her firm thighs. Anticipation snapped like electricity in the air causing her breath to become shallow.

She watched mesmerized as his thumbs sifted through the curly patch. It always excited her to watch Matt pleasure her but this time was different. Her heart began to pound as his mouth hovered over the tiny pink bud. Blue eyes stretched wide when his tongue slowly appeared, moist and flat. Every nerve in her body sprang to life, each one screaming for him to touch, to taste. And then…

The rough texture gently stroked across the tiny throbbing nub. Kitty's muscles clenched, her body twitched and she uttered the most beautiful moan he had ever heard. Matt watched those brilliant blue eyes disappear under a pair of heavy lids. Just as he had teased the nipples earlier, his tongue began to swirl inducing yet another series of moans. A pair of strong callused fingers slipped in the moist center stroking that sweet spot. The beautiful redhead writhed beneath him, while her hands searched for something to hang onto. One found a home clutching at a handful of blanket while the other balled into a fist at her side.

Even after all these years, Matt was still in awe of how beautiful she was in the throes of passion but it was more than that tonight. The initial fear of losing her had passed but it left behind the knowledge that danger didn't always wear a gun. He simply could not imagine life without Kitty.

Matt could feel her muscles clench around his fingers propelling his own body into a rapidly growing state of desire. Again, she cried out his name, while greedy hands pulled at his body to hurry, to join with .her. Matt moved up positioning himself above his lover eager to bury himself in the sweet moistness that was unique to his Kitten. Their bodies were feeding on the passion that was building to a frenzied peak. Blue eyes met once again, locked in each other's gaze as the world exploded around them.

A contented smile came to rest on Kitty's lips as she snuggled up in her husband's arms. "Am I allowed to talk now?" She could feel his body vibrate when he chuckled in response.

"I suppose. You're not going to say you didn't enjoy it are you?" Even the darkness could not conceal his self-satisfied smirk.

"You know I did." Her condescending tone was paired with obvious satisfaction. "But I'm curious…I mean…it was different." Her fingers played softly across his forearm. "You looked at me like you hadn't ever seen me before."

Matt stared into the black abyss that surrounded them, searching for a way to express the words that were etched his heart. "It was something Thad said this morning."

Kitty burrowed deeper against his side and wrapped her arm around his chest. Sorrow weighed heavy on the shoulders of exasperation when she spoke. "I heard what he said. He was protecting Bethany from herself. Now, you're beating yourself up because of my stupidity."

Matt sidestepped her desire to assuage his guilt. "It's like danger slipped in the back door. I know I can't protect you from everything but this was something that I should have paid more attention to. I never want to get to the point where I take any part of your safety for granted."

Kitty struggled to smother the sobs but the slight vibration of her body pressed against his, left no doubt she was crying. He rolled over cocooning her within his powerful arms. This time when he hushed her it was to stop the tears. "Please don't cry baby."

She gave up the struggle and her words tumbled out through a maze of sobs and tears. "I… love you… and… I'm…I'm soorrrry."

Matt attempted to soothe her tears with kisses. A comforting silence settled over them and in that magical moment betwixt twilight and sleep the marshal murmured to his sleeping lover. "That's one thing I'm always sure of."