CHAPTER FOURTEEN

EPILOG

They walked from the hotel to the park, where Charlie and Martha knew a quiet little lunch place with ample outdoor seating.

"Nothing like this in Dodge, Charlie. Maybe we should open a restaurant."

"Wouldn't work in Dodge, buddy. The heat, the humidity, the dust, not to mention the bugs. Nope. Wouldn't work in Dodge. Now you see why I live in Colorado."

"Yeah, well, I've seen a lot more than this about why you live in Colorado. Let's see. Your cabin up at Golden. The trails through the forest up Clear Creek. How it gets so cool when it rains. And Morrison. Wow, the lodge up at Morrison you told me about. What a great place! Forty degrees up there at night in the summertime. The views of the mountains out our hotel window. Your beautiful house, your beautiful yard. Just an amazing place."

"Matt actually talked about living here someday," Kitty volunteered with a smile. "Sounds like he was serious."

"Fun to think about, Kit. But we have plenty of unfinished business in Kansas right now," Matt said.

"Speaking of all that, Matt," Charlie fished a stack of papers out of his breast pocket. "Here's the collection of names and addresses I wrote up for you from last night. There's a note or two next to each one, reminding you about the conversation and what each guy's interest was."

"We'll contact each of them right away this Fall, Charlie. Who knows, maybe there'd be time for some of them to visit Dodge before the drives start next Spring. Gonna be hard to get it all done what with both Kitty and I working and getting the house, but we'll get on it. Really appreciate all you've done on this."

"Matt, Kitty, if your schedule permits, we sure hope you'll make this an annual event, coming to Colorado for the Cattlemen's Conference. Maybe you could spend a week, and call it a vacation. There aren't any herds on the move this late in the season, that's why it's scheduled when it is. We'd love to have you! Consider it an open invitation to stay with us."

"What time is your train tomorrow?" Martha directed the question at Kitty.

"Three O'Clock. We're headed over to buy the tickets now. It's The Kansas City Express. Only 15 hours going home. Sure will be nice when there's a direct track some day, instead of having to go through Pueblo. Maybe Doc can meet us at the station with the buggy, she grinned.

"Yeah, well, he'll need to make a few trips, dear," Matt reminded her. Gotta haul all those bags," he grinned."

XOXOXO

The Kansas City Express had already pulled out of Denver by the time Festus had picked up the mail, then stopped in the telegraph office to see if there was anything new. Barney met him with a big smile and wide eyes.

"Nothing for the marshal, Festus, but here's one for Doc that you can deliver to him. Better make sure he reads it to you when you get it up there!" His smile turned to a broad grin. "Better make darned sure!"

Spurs jingling, Festus literally trotted down the street and up the stairs to Doc's office. Curiosity had hold of him.

"Doc, Doc!", he pounded on the door. "Doc!"

"What in tarnation?" Doc pulled the door open. "What's the matter, Festus, what's wrong?"

Doc was expecting an injury, a bullet wound, a baby on the way, or heaven knows what.

"I got this here tellygram from Barney for you. He said I'd shore better have you read it to me, Doc. Seems like it's mighty important! Now he said that, honest! I'm not wantin' to pry or any such."

Doc stood there in the doorway and opened the envelope, unfolded the message, and read it. Tears welled up in his eyes. He slapped his knee with the piece of paper, then read it again. Festus studied his face. The tears didn't fit with the big grin growing on Doc's face.

"C'mon, Doc, what's it say? Barney said . . ."

Doc cut him off, and literally shouted at Festus.

"Well, by thunder, shut up and I will read it to you, Festus! It says Mr. and Mrs. Matt Dillon arriving tomorrow seven a.m. Kansas City Express."

"Mr. and Mrs. Matt Dillon," Festus parroted back to Doc slowly. "Well, it' ain't like," and then it dawned on him. An ear to ear grin crept across his face too.

"Why, that ol' scudder! That ol' scudder, d' ya' suppose he went and married Miss Kitty?"

"Yeah, Festus, I sure do suppose that ol' scudder did!"

END

Author's Note: Thank you to the amazing new Gunsmoke friends I've made writing my first stories. You know who you are! The expert, experienced writers who encouraged me by private message and e-mail, and answered all my goofy questions. Your warm, wonderful words and all your help! I get chills! The great reviews from members (I read every review, and thank every review!), and guests alike (Can't thank you on the site, but by thunder, thank you!). You people make all the long hours worthwhile. Hope you'll come back for more M&K adventures, in "Home To Dodge."

Finally, a sincere thank you to Matt and Kitty. I love you two more than I can say.

END