Matt awoke; a woman was putting a poultice on his leg. The woman smiled. "Good morning, signor, your leg is terrible. There is no doctor in our village. There is just me. I am going to place some hot stones on it. They seem to have healing powers." The stones were yellow and smelled like rotten eggs. Matt wanted to object, but any help was better than none.

"Thank you, ma'am. Miss Russel. Is she ok?"

The woman had a strange sparkle in her eyes. "Is that her name? She is ok, just scared. My daughters are drawing her a bath, and we will clean and mend her dress. What she needs most are a good meal and a night's sleep."

The woman brought him a good meal. She said that she and her daughters would be sleeping in the root cellar as it was the safest place in times of trouble. Matt took her hand. "Forgive us for bringing this trouble to your home."

The lady shook her head. "My husband saw those men coming and hid us. I saw the marks on your woman. They made them?'

Matt lowered his eyes. 'Yes.'

The lady stood up. "The way I see it, you all saved my girls. Trouble was here before you rode in."

Matt listened to the woman as they took care of Kitty. It was girl talk. The funny thing is he had never heard Kitty talk like this before. He smiled at the sound of Kitty giggling the way girls do. It lightened his heavy heart and warmed his insides.

Soon the house was quiet. He knew which room Kitty was in by the noise. He limped across the hall and knocked softly on the door. "You, ok?' he asked.

Kitty smiled as the smell of the Marshal entered the room and sweetly said, "I'm ok, what about you?"

Limping, he moved in and sat on the bed. She moved over and encouraged him to lie with her. "Rest that leg. We will be back on the road again soon."

Matt softly squeezed her hand. "No, I was checking on you. Sleep well, and I will see you tomorrow."

She grabbed his nightshirt. "Please stay."

Matt was surprised, for Kitty never hung on him before. "Are you sure you're alright? "

Kitty let go. "Sorry, Matt. I am fine, just a little scared. I have no right. Go, I will be fine."

Matt limped back to his room. Thoughts of the farmer's wife entered his mind. Her daughters would be "sleeping in the

root cellar as it is the safest place in times of trouble." He got his gun from the bedpost, returning to Kitty. "What did you mean you have no right to be scared?"

Kitty beamed as she held the blankets up for him to get in. "I just meant a woman who has been through as many things as I should not be frightened by a few ruffians. I know the dog soldiers have had their day. They won't be back. I know the Long Branch is gone, but I can start over. I did it before with far less than I have right now. Just sometimes I just …I just wish I could feel safe."

After hanging his gun on the bedpost, he slipped in beside her. "You have every right to be afraid. Most women would not be able to survive the things you have endured. Do you feel safe now?" Kitty did not answer, just cuddled up close to him. He took that as a no. "When is the last time you felt safe?"

Kitty rolled over and closed her eyes. "I remember an apron. My mother was teaching me to make cookies. She told me I was putting too much flour. She was correct; the cookies came out very hard. I could not eat them. My mother soaked hers in tea until she could eat one. We put the rest outside for the street dogs. They would not eat them either. "Matt

kind of laughed. Kitty kicked him a little, then continued. That night. I was a little frightened. I don't know what I was frightened of. I went to my mother's bed. She let me sleep with her. We looked at the moon and the stars through her tiny window together. She was warm.

Matt could feel the tightness in her stomach and the tremble in her voice. "That is the last time you felt safe?" She nodded. He hugged her. "I don't understand." He brushed her hair from her face. "You have been afraid since then. It is not the Bonner thing that has you spooked?' Kitty closed her eyes. "I don't remember a time when I was not afraid, but I felt comfortable in Dodge. I had you, Sam, Doc, and Festus. I knew you all would protect me at your pearl. So, life was easy. After Bonner, you all treated me like a wine glass you think might break at any time. Bonner took my resolve to survive. Men have forced me against my will before".

Matt shifted his weight, and a great sadness came over him. "You never told me," Kitty smiled and kissed him softly," In my profession, it is expected. At any rate, Bonner was different. He had an anger in him I had never experienced before. He set out to destroy me, using what means he could muster. I don't want to talk about it anymore… I am getting better."

Kitty sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. "The farmer would not like us sleeping together; us being unmarried Christians take a dim view of that kind of thing." Matt pulled her down. "You're not getting rid of me that easily. I will protect you while you get some sleep" The rest of the night, they laid in silence, watching the moon and stars out the window. Sleep would not come until the morning sun.

The sound of approaching horses awakened matt. Grabbing his gun, he moved to a defensive position—hearing voices talking outside. Recognizing one of the voices, he looked back at Kitty. "It's Brett." Matt dressed and limped out.

Kitty got up and made both beds. The farmer's wife came in and started making breakfast. Kitty wanted to help.

The farmer's wife said, "You are a guest in my home. Sit down and have some tea." Kitty took her tea outside and watched Matt and Brett talking. She knew Matt was unsettled with what Brett was saying.

Matt looked at Kitty sitting on that wide front porch that seemed to be built on a foundation of hydrangeas. Her hair draped in the morning sunlight as it danced around her shoulders. She was dressed in a simple farm dress. She saw him looking and smiled a little.

Matt came over and brought her a white rose. "Couldn't find a red one. We want to get an early start. Be pulling out soon."

Kitty smelled the rose. "Red roses are hard to grow in the South. Isn't this a magical spot? Something nostalgic about these striking blue flowers seems to define the South as sweet tea and cornbread. That Weathered wood fence is stunningly covered with those hydrangea blossoms. Matt, I think I will go to my ranch and plant a ton of flowers."

Matt stepped onto the porch "Your ranch?"

Kitty laughed. "That's right. You were out of town when I bought the Dorf farm so she could go east to live. I intended to resell it. The farm was in bad shape, but the fields were rich with tall grass. Doc felt I should rent it to a rancher in return for him fixing the place up. Remember that young cowboy you shot when he tried to rob The Long Branch? The judge said he could stay out of jail if he got a job. I hired him, bought six Herefords. Now I have about 100 head. I had a nice farmhouse built, so I can stay there until I figure out what to do."

Matt smiled "the Dorf Ranch." Kitty laughed and replied. "No, the Dillion Ranch. I named it that because Russell sounded like I might be rustling cows. Kitty did not seem right for a ranch,,,, and sounds like I would be herding cats. Dillion is a respected name. I thought it would make an excellent place for all of us to retire to. Doc is not getting any younger."

Matt studied his hat. "When did you intend to tell me? "

She laughed. "I bought the farm to help Missus Dorf out. I would not have gotten a good return if I sold it in that condition. I had it fixed up. Now it is worth a lot more than my original cost. It is so nice out there. I kind of dreamed maybe someday… I was not keeping it from you. I just had no reason to tell you. Maybe I intended to tell you when you give up that badge. You know - when hell freezes over."

Matt sat down. "If this leg does not get better soon, I may be retiring sooner than any one of us thinks."

By 7:00 am, they were on their way. At noon they stopped for lunch and to get out of the hot sun. Around 2:00, they moved on. Then kept moving until it became too dark to drive the horses safely.

Soon they were on top of a hill. Far off in the distance, they could see Dodge. Smoke lingered over the city like a great storm cloud. The frames of burnt-out buildings could be seen. It looked like Front Street was totally gone. Brett wanted to stop. Kitty wanted to get home. Matt agreed resting the horses was the prudent thing to do. They made camp. Kitty attended to Matt's leg. It seemed to be doing much better. Brett roasted a rabbit for dinner as Matt and Kitty enjoyed coffee by the fire. Brett laid their bedrolls out on the buckboard.

Brett joined them for coffee. "I think I will be heading out. Dodge is within sight. Your leg is better. I have a job down

south I was supposed to attend to last week."

Kitty protested, "You can't let out now. It is almost dark. You will make better time in the morning."

Matt took her hand and rubbed it a little. "We thank you, Brett. If I can ever do anything for you, just yell."

Brett got up, put on his hat, and dipped it a little. "Miss Russel, until we meet again." Kitty watched him ride off into the rising moon.

"You know it is dangerous to ride out at night."

Matt smiled. "He is not going far. Brett is going to follow us from a distance for a while in case someone is following us. It is just a precaution. Nothing for you to worry about. I wanted some time alone with you before we hit Dodge."

Kitty smiled, then a sense of sadness came over her. "Please don't question me about Bonner? It has been a long trip. can't we talk later?"

Matt pulled her into his arms. "Bonner was not hurt as bad as we originally thought. It is unlikely you will be charged with anything. I want some time with you to just relax. Tomorrow will be a hard day, for we will have to confront our past and plan for the future." 'She moved in tight. He put his protective arms around her. "Do you feel safe?'

She teased, "With you, cowboy? No woman is safe. Now, what are your intentions?"

Matt laughed. "Dishonorable, I assure you."

Kitty kissed him softly. "We cannot do anything. Doc does not want us doing anything that might cloud the issue."

He tried to understand. "Cloud the issue?"

Kitty poked the fire and sparks flew up into the dark sky. "Doc thinks some of those Dog soldiers may have been unclean."

Matt smiled a sympathetic smile. "Ok. Let's just enjoy the night. We can face everything tomorrow. This night is just for us."

They sat embraced in each other's arms, looking at the fire. Then they moved to the buckwagon. The cool night felt fantastic after the hot day. Stare filled the sky with splendor and wonder, and these two friends enjoyed an intimacy not enjoyed by lovers. They talked of silly things, laughed even though there was nothing to laugh about, and most importantly, they relaxed. For the first time in a long time, they slept soundly - for almost an hour, Matt awoke, grabbed his gun, and checked to see if it was loaded. With gun in hand, he then let himself sleep.

Matt woke to the smell of coffee. It tasted wonderful as they sat on the back of the buckboard. The sun peeked through the thick dark clouds to fill them with the inspiration to welcome this new day. Kitty rubbed his arm. "I am ready," she said softly. Let's go home."

The trip home into Dodge was slow. Signs of the fire were everywhere. Their path was sometimes white with ash occasionally dark. The ash stuck to the buckboard wheels. Kitty covered her mouth to keep the smoke smell out. As they got closer, Dodge got bigger. Matt pointed to the frame of a building standing in the smoke where the Long Branch once stood. The first person they came across was Chester, who was digging a large grave. Kitty could not believe her eyes. "Chester?!" Chester explained. He read about the fire and came to help. Festus gave him the job of burying those who could not be identified.

The wagon moved on. Some people were building up a group of tiny homes. "Matt, Miss Russel" Quint yelled from on top of the small cabin. "Good to see you." Matt grinned. "Quint, what are you are doing up there?" Quint smiled from ear to ear. Festus gave me the choice to sweep streets or build. So, I am building"

On down the hill, they found Doc and Festus walking along arguing, "Miss Kitty, Matt, I cannot tell you how great it is to see you."

Kitty jumped off the wagon and hugged them. "Matt's Leg."

Doc shook his head. "It must be fine, or he would not be driving that thing," Extending his hand, "How you are doing, Matt" Matt slowly got down. I am doing fine. Looks like you all have things under control."

Doc rubbed his mustache. "Festus did a real fine job. You can be proud of him."

Festus blushed. "I tell you one thing, I am glad you're back and can take over. It's all yours, Marshal. I am going to take a long nap."

Doc complained, "A nap when there is so much work to be done?"

Kitty interrupted, "Where did you put Sam and the girls?"

Faustus said, "Sam is right down there."

Kitty felt tears fill her eyes:" By the church, they let the girls in. I know it really did not matter. But I did not think the townspeople would want them."

Festus looked at Doc.

Doc shook his head at Festus. "Kitty, I have many patients with burns, cuts, and broken bones. But I want to look at you as soon as possible. Festus set me up an aid tent south of town. Promise you will come by."

Kitty filled with unbearable sadness. "Ok, Doc. I want to visit Sam first."

Festus said, "Well, come on."

The city looked almost unrecognizable as they moved through the debris that was littered everywhere. Everyone yelled a welcome. Kitty could not believe her eyes. Where the Long Branch once stood was Sam serving drinks in a wood frame. A sign over his head read 'The New Long Branch' with a badly drawn red rose. "Sam," she yelled, "Sam!" Sam looked up 'Miss Russell?'

They ran into each other's arms, Kitty holding on tight to assure herself he was alive. "The girls?"

Sam looked a little embarrassed. "I used some of your money I got from the safe, then sent them to Hays. I told them you would get in touch when we get running again. "

Kitty was stunned. "They are, ok?" Kitty fell to her knees, crying. Through her tears, she overheard Matt telling Festus to keep a sharp eye out because Bonner, as he was being taken to a doctor's office to tend to his wounds, he killed the doctor and the guards. He escaped.

Matt realized Kitty heard him. "He would be a fool to come back here. Bonner is not a stupid man he won't come here 'Kitty found her legs. She stood up tall and proud. " As long as I have my friends and family, I have nothing to worry about. I am no longer afraid." Up through the ashes of the Long Branch a blood red rose bush was reaching for the sun.

The end