CHAPTER TEN
Charlie and Martha had the perfect yard for a private wedding. Green grass, surrounded by ivy trellises all along the border instead of a fence. There was one trellis near the center, covered in roses. Even this late in the season, they continued to bud and bloom beautifully. There were two stone benches inside the rose trellis. The preacher had arrived early, and was sitting on one of them, across from Matt and Charlie.
Mister Dillon, you've known Miss Russell for quite some time? Charlie had filled him in, but he still felt bound to do his due diligence.
"Twelve years, Reverend. We've been together twelve years as the very best of friends."
"Mr. Cole says you're a peace officer."
"I'm a United States Marshal, just like Charlie. Twelve years at it last month. I'm based in Dodge City, Kansas."
"I see. And Miss Russell?"
"She owns a successful business in Dodge City. She's a saloon proprietress."
Not wanting to delve into Kitty's occupation, the preacher left his questioning there. Matt noticed the slightest smile on Charlie's face. He decided to change the topic.
"Charlie, why did you decide to keep your horses in the stable rather than have your own barn here? You've got plenty of room for a barn and a corral."
"Didn't want to fuss with having to take care of them every day. It's plenty close enough when I need them, just a four block walk down to the stable. I'm good with that. Besides, Martha is real busy with her hat shop so she can't be much help. You're wrestling with all that now, huh Matt? Well, we can talk about it over lunch. Martha has a nice spread all prepared."
"Your dress is just lovely, Kitty," Martha commented. "I hope you don't mind, I have a friend coming who's a photographer. I thought you and Matt would at least like to have a nice memory of today for your parlor. That soft blue will look stunning in the photographs."
Kitty smiled. "Martha, I chose it because it's Matt's favorite. And of course, the new hat, which he won't even notice, is the one we picked out at your shop."
"Are you all ready for this Kitty? It's a big day. A huge day! Twelve years to get here. Are you okay?"
Kitty had a wistful expression, and a soft smile when she answered.
"Martha, I don't know what else to do but marry him. I love him, so it seems like a great idea."
Both of them laughed, then Martha said, "Well, I'm going to go outside and see if everybody's ready to go. Did Matt give Charlie your beautiful ring? Gosh, it's so beautiful!"
"I know he did. And you've got his, so we're all set. Pretty sure you and I are supposed to walk out there after they're all set up. Been a while since I've been to a wedding!"
"Oh, Martha, don't give it any worry. If Matt had his way, we'd be doing this at some campsite," Kitty grinned.
Martha did notice, when she and Kitty walked out to meet the men under the trellis, that Matt Dillon was one striking man. She'd only seen him once before at the restaurant. But standing there in his courting coat and tie, with his new Stetson and his new boots, well, she noticed. Made her mind wander back about 25 years ago.
Matt was the other one who noticed. Kitty looked spectacular. She wore his favorite blue dress, and maybe that was even a new hat, because it seemed to match so well. Her hair was piled up in tight curls which he secretly thought about unpinning when they got back to the hotel. Later. A lot later. For now, he gave her a big smile, which she returned, never taking her eyes off his.
Matt took Kitty's hand to settle her in next to him, and the photographer got a perfect picture of it, both of them beaming. Martha and Charlie took their positions on either side of the bride and groom as though they had rehearsed it, but there'd been no time for that. Charlie, like Matt, would rather this had been at some campsite. The preacher welcomed everyone sincerely, seeming to overlook the fact that he was marrying a distinguished lawman to a saloon lady. Well, at least a saloon owner. That was better. And Kitty's knees didn't get weak until he said, "Are we ready to begin?" It gave her a chill.
He started with Matt. Both of them listened intently.
Mister Dillon, please look at your bride while I invite her to marry you.
"Matthew Dillon, do you take Kathleen Russell for your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, promising to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Misty blue eyes met misty blue eyes and Matt said, "I do."
He turned his gaze to Kitty. She was trembling ever so slightly, so Martha gently took her arm.
"And Kathleen Russell, do you take Matthew Dillon for your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, promising to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
Their eyes still locked, Kitty said, "I do." But now there were soft tears running down Kitty's cheeks. Without permission, Matt reached up with a thumb and swiped them away.
"Mister Cole, will you please give Mister Dillon the ring." Charlie handed it to Matt.
"Mister Dillon, please place the ring on Miss Russell's finger." Without so much as a single tremble, Matt adorned Kitty's outstretched hand. The photographer got busy again.
"Mrs. Cole, will you please give Miss Russell the ring." Martha happily complied, glancing one last time at the beautiful piece of gold.
"Miss Russell, please place the ring on Mister Dillon's finger." Flooded with emotion now, Kitty trembled visibly while she held Matt's hand and slid the ring on his finger. Instead of letting go, she just held onto him. Another good picture!
"By the power vested in me by the First Church of Christ and by the State of Colorado, I pronounce you man and wife, Mister and Mrs. Matthew Dillon. Mister Dillon, you may kiss your bride!"
Kitty thought he'd never get to that invitation before her knees gave out. Matt took her in his arms and held her tightly while he kissed her deeply. The photographer captured it beautifully. When he broke it off, he made sure to keep her securely in his arms.
"You okay?," he whispered softly.
"Yeah, I am now!," she said shakily, tears replaced with a beaming smile.
"May I have all five of you facing this way now, for one more picture?", the photographer wanted to capture the entire party for the record. "Big smile, everyone!"
And just that quickly, it was over. Matt paid the preacher, shook his hand, and thanked him. Then he gave Charlie a bear hug and Martha a much gentler one. Charlie hugged Kitty, Martha hugged Kitty. It was all so private and simple, just as Matt had wanted it. Matt put his arm around Kitty to walk her back to the house, not ready to trust her newfound legs just yet. And that was that. Twelve years of love, finally wrapped up with those beautiful gold bands.
Charlie paid the photographer, and made arrangements for the pictures. Matt took Kitty into the parlor and sat her down while Martha and one of her friends fussed over final preparations for a buffet lunch. When everyone was finally seated at the table, Charlie proposed the toast.
"To my good friends, Matt and Kitty: May you both be safe and well and happy wherever you are, whatever you do, no matter how long you live."
Everyone clinked glasses and shared thanks.
Matt bent over Kitty's ear. "Thought you were gonna' give out on me there, Red!"
She whispered back, "Not a chance, Cowboy! I was just caught up in the moment."
Martha offered, "So Matt, you're bringing Kitty to the Cattlemen's Dance on Sunday."
"Yeah, that's the plan." And he turned to Charlie. "Where do you want to meet?"
"I'll have a buggy in front of your hotel at six, Matt. And listen, this isn't just a girl thing. The Cattlemen's is an annual meeting, and the dance is the last night. The members are the most influential stockmen West of Kansas City. I have some friends I want you to meet. They're expecting 350 members and guests. There's a lot of interest in Dodge City. I've been a member since I was on active duty here, I've got a lot of friends in the group. You'll make some great contacts, Matt."
Martha spoke up again. "Kitty, come hungry! They put on the most amazing steak banquet! And wear comfortable boots. These guys really do like to dance! They always have a wonderful band." Then she turned to Matt. "Do you like to dance, Matt?"
Matt grinned his sheepish, boyish grin. "Martha, let's just say that's not exactly why Kitty married me." And they all laughed again with, not at, Matt.
"Well, Matt," Charlie turned to him. "How does it feel to be a saloon owner?"
Matt looked aghast for a moment, then it dawned on him. He blew out a big breath. "Charlie, I hadn't given it a thought! Guess you're right! Well, it's wonderful, I know how to court favors from my business partner." And he squeezed Kitty's hand.
Kitty turned to Charlie. "Ahhh, Charlie, he's a silent partner, okay?"
Charlie grinned. "Yep. Just like me at the hat shop. Just like me. Matt, where do you plan to live in Dodge?"
"I've had a boarding house room for a lotta years, Charlie. Can't very well move Kitty in there. We're going to look for a house right in town when we get home. I'd like to keep the horses with me, and I'd like Kitty to be able to walk to the Long Branch. Dodge is nothing like Denver. We should be able to find something real close to the Long Branch and to the Jail."
"Matt, get it as soon as you can. If Martha and I hadn't bought this place 20 years ago, we'd never be able to afford it now. Oh, I suppose, with how the millinery has grown, but maybe not. These Western towns grow so fast you just can't keep up."
Matt nodded agreement. Kitty was deeply interested in the conversation, again amazed at how much thought Matt had put into this.
Finally Matt poured a brandy for the four of them, and stood for a toast. Kitty beamed at him.
"To a lifetime of happiness for everyone at this table. Thank you so much for being such good friends!" And again, the glasses clinked and everyone laughed heartily. Finally, what Kitty had been waiting for. "Charlie, Martha, thank you for everything. This whole trip has been amazing. Your cabin, your horses, Martha's shop, the lodge up in Morrison, the hotel in Denver, and now your beautiful home. Kitty and I have memories to last a lifetime. But now, I think I'll take my bride to our home away from home and spend some time with her. We'll see you in front of the hotel at six on Sunday!"
Charlie and Martha stood, everyone exchanged hugs.
"Matt, let me have a private moment." Charlie led him a few paces away from the women, while they turned to chat with each other.
"Listen, this is going to be a big change for you. You'll see. You're going to have to adapt to a lot of new responsibility. You've got to take care of your wife, and you've got to take care of yourself. Remember what I said, Matt. When you get in a bind, your instincts will take over. Trust your instincts, buddy."
TBC