The stagecoach jolted and shuddered when it clattered into Dodge and the driver hollered and reined in the snorting horses.
The eight passengers startled awake, each looking around in surprise and relief.
Matt looked over at Sylvia, who was eagerly awaiting instructions.
"Sylvia, you girls get out first and wait up on the boardwalk for me. I'll get you all some dinner and then back to school as soon as possible."
"Yes Sir, Mr. Marshal." She herded the other three girls towards the door, which was open now. The driver, Jim, held the door and helped the girls down.
"Nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Dillon!" Henry Stuart piped as he got up and helped his wife up, both eager to meet their waiting family. The old man was given a hand down by Jim, then turned and handed his wife down.
A young farmer and his wife waved hello as their two young children ran forward.
"Ganny, Pappy!" The children hugged their stooping great-grandparents who then stood up and led them back towards their smiling parents. The new baby in his mother's arms stared solemnly at the fuss. The young couple herded the chattering children and the old couple towards their wagon, eager to set off for their home a few miles out of town.
Chester had been impatiently waiting for the Marshal and Miss Kitty to arrive, and now was unsure whether this was the correct stage. He had received a short telegram the Marshal had sent from Spearville about the train breakdown. Six passengers had already gotten out and he knew no coach held eight!
As he turned away in disappointment and confusion, he heard a familiar voice:
"Chester! Where are ya going?!"
Whirling around, Chester was stunned to see Mr. Dillon and Miss Kitty standing outside of the stagecoach, the shotgun guard handing down their carpetbags.
"Mr. Dillon! Was you and Miss Kitty in thar?! Where did ya two SIT? Weren't it awful uncomfortable?" The eager young assistant limped over and reached for the bags Matt held, but the Marshal shook his head.
"Chester. It's good to see you!" Kitty said. "No, the ride was quite comfortable really, only getting a little uncomfortable once in a while." She winked at Matt, who was trying not to blush or laugh.
"Wal, that's good! Mr. Dillon, Who are them girls over thar? They're sure a tired-out lookin' bunch.'
"Chester. I want you to take them to Delmonico's, then get a a wagon from the stable. Have Moss put plenty of blankets in it. Then load up the girls, stop by and get Ma Smalley, and take them back to St. Agnes' School for Girls out by Poplar Creek. You know where it is. We were out that way about a month ago. I'm sure the Sisters there will feed you and put you and Ma up for the night. I really appreciate it."
"Wal, all right Mr. Dillon," he said as he nervously looked around at the four giggling girls now surrounding him and whispering among themselves. They had quickly transferred their infatuation from the tall, blue-eyed Marshal to the slim young man with the big, brown eyes and heroic limp.
Kitty and Matt laughed as they watched Chester guiding the adoring girls down the boardwalk.
"Sylvia! Be sure to ask Chester to sing for you on your trip!" Matt called out.
Turning back to Kitty, he looked into her bluest of blue eyes. They had planned on going to Delmonico's too, but now without saying a word, Matt picked up their bags and they started walking towards the back stairs of the Long Branch.
Once they got upstairs, he put their bags down and unlocked and opened the door for her. He slid the carpetbags into the room and glanced over at Kitty.
Instead of going inside, she stood still and looked at him.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Sweetheart?" Once more, the lovely young woman dramatically fluttered her long eyelashes at him.
Confused for a moment, the tall handsome man suddenly laughed, swung her effortlessly up into his arms, kissed her, carried her across the threshold, and kicked the door shut behind them.
End.