DERAILED: CHAPTER 7

"We're closer, Kit. Frank and I found the guy's buggy this morning hidden down by the Arkansas."

"The 'guy,' huh?"

"I want to call him George Powers, but I'm still convinced he didn't do it. He's in on it, but somebody else fired that shot. All I've got to go on is those boots. When I take Powers to the train tomorrow morning, he'd better be wearing round toes."

"All this over you just doing your job and arresting that railroad guard up in WaKeeney?"

"C'mon, now, you've seen that kind of revenge on me time and again. I've always had a target on my back." He reached across the kitchen table and put his hand over hers. "This time I'm afraid you're mixed up in it too. He found out that you're a Santa Fe investor and then he found out you're my wife. We both exposed him as a liar and ruined all his business here. It couldn't be much worse."

"I'll clean up the table. Are you going back out to rounds?"

"Festus has tonight. He's cooling his heels over in the Dodge House lobby until then in case Powers has a visitor."

Kitty smiled. "Reading the newspaper, no doubt. I'm glad you're staying here. What's Frank up to tonight?"

"Don't know, probably over to Jenny's again. He was with her all night last night."

"I don't think so, Matt. I need to talk to you about that. Jenny went back to St. Louis on the train this afternoon. She up and quit the Long Branch right after lunch. Did Frank seem okay today?"

"You're not kidding, are you." It was a statement more than a question, and Matt didn't really want to hear what was next.

"I'm not kidding. And it gets worse. Apparently, our little Miss Jenny was a married woman. Her husband owns a saloon in St. Louis."

Matt blew a soft whistle through his teeth.

"I'd bet the farm Frank didn't know that. He's always been real hot on the ladies, but he wouldn't go after a married woman. I know him too well. He'd just never do that."

"Then he's in for a shock."

"Wow." Matt was just staring at the wall, wondering how this would affect the best deputy he'd ever hoped to have. More than that, his life-long friend.

"You never trusted Jenny. You told me that more than once."

"I'd rather have been wrong, for Frank's sake."

"Maybe I'd better go find him."

"What do you plan to save him from?"

"Don't know, Kit. Maybe he just needs to be with a friend."

Kitty stopped clearing the supper table, bent over her husband, and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. She understood him all too well.

"See ya' later, Matt."

XOXOXO

It sure wasn't hard to find Frank. The Long Branch was lit up and loud for this late in the season, and Deputy Reardon was right in the middle of the festivities. Kitty and Lily had tactfully taken down Jenny's faro table earlier in the day and stored it in the basement. All the vestiges were gone.

"Big Marshal Man!" Frank raised his glass to Matt and turned loose of the girl. "Me and Nancy here were just talkin' about you! C'mon, I'll buy you one!" He was doing his best imitation of a Texas trailhand.

"All right, Frank. Come and sit down at the back table."

Frank had a whole bottle of whiskey and two glasses when he returned. And he had Nancy in tow again. She was doing her best to be polite and friendly, but it was obvious she wanted to be somewhere else besides in his grasp.

"Nancy, darlin', go get Lily and tell her to join us here! Me and Matt are hungry for some female companionship while we polish this bad boy off!"

"Frank!"

Frank's eyes were wide. "Maaaat! We're both off duty tonight, huh? What's it gonna hurt to kick up our heels a little?"

"Nancy, go back to work." Matt was looking her right in the eye, even though he spoke softly. It was no mystery to her that he owned the bar and it had never been a mystery to her that he and Kitty called the shots. She was more than grateful he was here.

It was Matt who poured their drinks. Frank looked down at his, then back up into Matt's eyes.

"Jenny's gone, Matt. Left this note in my room." He pushed the note in front of Matt.

"Don't need to read your private stuff." Matt pushed it back to Frank, untouched.

"What're you doin' here?" Frank gulped the whiskey. It was apparent he didn't need it.

"We need to check in with Festus before rounds."

"Whaaat? Rounds? I'm off tonight, buddy." He was starting to slur his words. "Been out ridin' with you most of the day and you want me to work again tonight, huh?"

"Yep. Comes with the job. You want to keep it?"

"She used me, Matt. She bedded me like she wanted me and she used me. Never had it like this."

"You want to work the job?"

Frank took another gulp of the alcohol he didn't need. Matt let him sit there, thinking, while he killed time scanning the room. He and Festus didn't need Frank on rounds, but work had always been a draw for both of them, and he was banking on it.

"Thought maybe I could put down roots with her here."

"Yeah."

"She lied to me, Matt. She loved on me like there was no tomorrow. But she used me. She lied to me."

Matt fought back what he wanted to say; what he wanted to remind Frank about all the women he'd used and left. But that was not his place, not his way. He just wanted to be here and be a friend.

"Yeah."

"That shooter guy is gone, Matt. You know that as well as I do. It's some guy working with Powers or the railroad. You ship Powers off to Denver in the morning. Let me ride up to WaKeeney tomorrow and poke around. I'll take my badge off and pretend I'm lookin' for a job as a railroad guard. Nobody up there knows me. You'd stick out like a sore thumb big man, but I know how to just blend in."

Maybe it was because Matt had turned the topic to work, but likely it was because Frank Reardon was a carbon copy of him when it came to being a lawman. It took a guy's mind off of anything else, and it was the ultimate release. Frank had already dropped the manufactured slurred speech and the angst over Jenny. He was ready to head out of town on the job. Matt risked a grin.

"You know anything about bein' a railroad guard?"

"A little." Frank returned the grin.

"All right. See what you can find out."

Frank was out of the batwings, the rest of his whiskey and the nearly full bottle sitting right where he'd left them on the table. All the talk of backing Festus up on rounds was forgotten, and Frank knew it was just a guise anyway. Matt sipped on his drink, seemingly mesmerized by the bottle. How many years had he and Kitty sat here, at this back table, the night before he'd ridden out to face who knows what? Maybe it was Frank's turn after all. Such a smart man with such a gaping hole in his life. He wished he could help his deputy. He couldn't, but he knew the work would.

"Matt?" He was jolted from his thoughts to see Lily pulling up a chair.

"Hey!" He looked up at her. "Sorry about that. I was lost in thought."

"Is Frank okay?"

"Yeah."

"He was kind of crazy till you came in."

"I know him like a brother, Lily. He'll be okay."

"Frank's a real special guy, Matt. It was hard to see him fall for Jenny. It was all my fault. Kitty warned me about Jenny, but I hired her anyway. She sure had a way with men. Someday I'll get the courage to explain that to Frank."

"Lily, you couldn't protect Frank from wanting her. It wasn't your fault, and it really wasn't Jenny's either. He'll heal, he just needs some time to grow up. Think I'll head home and explain all this to Kitty. Give the rest of this bottle to the next worn out trailhand that walks in."

Matt thought about that conversation with Lily on the walk home. Lily wasn't all that much older than he and Frank had been when they'd first ridden together, and truth be told, when Frank had first started chasing women. How could she possibly know about a man like him? The only man she'd ever loved was Dan Troop. Maybe he was kidding himself, but he never remembered having Frank's tenacity. The only woman he remembered wanting to be serious about before he met Kitty had hurt him, so he'd finally just walked away and quit trying. But Frank was different. He kept going for one after another, taking what he could get and leaving each one high lonesome. Now Frank Reardon had been served notice: first by Juana and now by Jenny. It hurt to watch, but sooner or later it had to happen.

XOXOXO

A/N: This section includes a flashback Matt has to his youth, his first experience with a hired woman. It fits nicely with the story, but it's by no means essential to read. I promised not to bother you with warnings, and I've kept that promise all along. But his flashback contains some SEXUALLY EXPLICIT material, so I'm giving you this clear warning! Matt's recollections are all written in italics as a courtesy. If you don't want to read smut, just skip all the italics in this section and I'll see you on the other side.

He pegged his hat inside the door and hung his gun belt. Kitty was already in bed, the lantern turned down low.

"Welcome home, Cowboy!" He knelt down next to the bed like a man saying a prayer over a feast. She smiled and reached up to kiss him. "Private time at last! Crawl in here with me, please."

And what a joy to be able to do so! He shed his clothes in record time and joined her, pulling her close into him, just relishing the feel of her silky skin.

"Kitten, I'm the luckiest man in the world. Never, ever want to take you for granted!"

"Because of Frank?"

"No. Because of what you've done for me. Frank has never had anything like what we have. He's never had any kind of anchor in his life. Nothing to give him any direction, like great friends, a job he loves, much less a woman who loves him. I've got the whole package. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

"Matt, is he okay?" It was so like her, wanting her private time in bed with him, yet reaching out to ask about a friend.

"Yeah. He's okay. He's riding up to WaKeeney tomorrow to work on a lead on our shooter. Maybe that'll help him some. Looks like that leaves me stuck in Dodge to watch over things."

"I'm SO glad!" Her smile was coy.

"Maybe I could take that chemise off so I can start watching over things?"

Without answering, she sat up, offering herself. He slid the slinky garment up and over her head. It was a practiced ritual. He pushed her back down and knelt over her, stroking her tenderly like he'd done that first day so many years ago. Married now. In his own house. A child on the way. How could all of this possibly have happened? Frank was still acting like a kid, jumping from one empty union to the next, never understanding love. How could this be? She broke the spell.

"Hey! You're kind of off in a fog."

He leaned down and kissed her.

"You're right, as usual. I'm still thinking how lucky I am. How far I've come since Frank and I were kids."

"I'm the lucky one. He's gone to WaKeeney. You'll be here till he gets back. How much better could it be?

"Maybe better like this," he whispered, trailing soft kisses from her left breast to her right breast.

"Mmmm! That's a real good start, Cowboy!"

She was right, he thought, as he moved his lips slowly over her velvety soft skin. He'd learned all this tenderness from her, and she'd taught it to him because she loved him. Nothing was more exciting! It was their love that had changed everything for him.

Without warning, his mind flashed back to that first woman he'd ever had, back when he and Frank first met each other. They must have been something like sixteen. Frank and his buddies had dared him to go first, so they'd chipped in and hired her. Molly Porter was a big woman, old enough to be his mother, and she'd sure seen a lot of men in her day. But a boy like this was a rare treat. She'd taken Matt into her room to school him. Didn't even know his name. Sex without love, sex for pay, and most of all, sex for the first time with a boy because it was just downright fun to watch a kid struggle to find himself.

Kitty traced his groin with her fingers, tapping his tip, retreating, then doing it again. He buried is lips in her neck, licking and kissing in pure ecstasy.

The woman went deliberately and she went fast. Boy or not, time was money. There he was in that filthy room. Molly had dragged his pants down over the tops of his boots and was handling him like she was inspecting a piece of meat. Instantly aroused, he remembered licking his lips over and over again like a rabid dog, then panting, sweating, scared to death but SO ready to prove he was a man! He remembered how she'd opened her legs to him. The sight of her there was too much stimulation, and he'd immediately wasted himself all over her thighs before he could even claim he'd even felt a woman.

"You still want me, Momma?"

"Touch me right here and you'll know." Kitty guided his hand. She was more than warm, she was hot. And ever so ready! Teenager Matt would have exploded, right then. Husband Matt stayed right where he was with his precious wife, his fingers exploring softly and dancing in her folds until she moaned.

"So . . .ohhhh. . . Matt!"

"Talk to me. What is it?" He whispered.

She was writhing. Her hips were moving in rhythm with her feet. He stayed gentle, but above all he persisted. He knew what would happen next, and the anticipation was overwhelming.

"Matt! You know what! Help me!"

It was easy to picture Molly throwing her head back, laughing at him when he'd failed like that. It was over, and he'd made a complete fool of himself. But the big woman crawled on top of his thighs, tormenting him with her hand until his youthful body had no choice but to respond, and he hardened again. She knew what would happen next and she was going to make sure she caused it. She plowed down on him so he had no chance to miss his target. Terrified, he pushed her back, using all his strength to roll out from under her onto the floor. Had to escape! Didn't matter what the guys said! He'd felt the inside of a woman, that was plenty good enough to tell them he'd had sex.

"Help you what, Kitten?" His smile was soft, tender.

"Make . . love . . with . . me." She was panting. He knew her so well. If nothing else, her feet told the story. Oh, those feet!

And she was right. She was out of time. He entered gently, tenderly, but she couldn't wait. At his first push, her body clamped onto him with those delightful spasms. He held himself still and watched while she groaned and her body squeezed him repeatedly. Didn't want to hurt her. Had to be careful now. Wanted to wait, watch her joy, and just be sure he wasn't going to hurt her.

"Ohhhh, Matt!" Lover's first words, she was trying to catch her breath. She was just fine, so he stroked. She could tell him if there was any need to stop. Sure didn't want to stop. He clamped his lips into her neck while his hips rocked in and out, slowly at first, then faster, his breathing coming in spurts. The last thing he vividly remembered was the feel of her fingers massaging his butt, pressing, releasing, in perfect rhythm with him. She was welcoming him, wanting him, asking for him, just like that first day at Spring Creek. Then his mind exploded right along with his sex, the bright flashes of light under his eyelids coming in perfect time with the feeling of releasing himself into her. He collapsed onto her with a groan, then quickly remembered and pulled himself back to his elbows.

"Don't leave! You feel so good there! Don't you dare leave!"

"Can't hurt you Kit," he panted. "Don't want to crush you."

"Stay!"

"Kit! Not anymore! You're pregnant!"

But at least for the moment, he did her bidding, hovering over her, returning the tender kisses she offered. Then he found her ears, her eyelids and her nose, depositing a tiny kiss on each, wanting to mark her as his forever. It was an incomparable feeling: making love to the woman who loved him.

"Kit," he finally whispered. "We need to be careful for the baby."

"I'm just fine, Pa." She was smiling. "There's still plenty of room in this bed for all three of us."

He kissed her again.

"Pa?"

He watched her smile. "You called me 'Momma' when you started this, remember? Kinda private talk, huh?"

"I love you, Kitten."

"Mmmm," she purred. "That's the best private talk of all. Every day I love you more, Matt Dillon. And when this child comes it's going to be like an explosion of our love."

Relaxing in that thought, she released her grip on him and let him roll to her side. He was quiet for a few minutes, just stroking her arm, lost in thought.

He remembered her sitting there on her ugly, dirty mattress just staring down at him in disbelief. He watched her silently pull her shoes on, step right over him, and walk to the door. Then she turned back to him as she reached for the doorknob, and spit at him.

"You go on, now, get outta' here, I got some grown men to see! You go tell your friends you got layed as good as any woman could get 'ya, you hear? And with that, she walked out of the room. He pulled up his pants, grabbed his hat and staggered weak-kneed down the stairs, never even looking back at her as he went out the batwings. He couldn't get to the tonsorial parlor fast enough, and spent a hard-earned nickel on a hot bath. Seemed like it was essential that day, even on a young cowboy's pay.

He looked deep into Kitty's eyes.

"The last two days Frank and I have been playing in the river, covering each other with mud, shooting our .45's and trying to get each other bucked off. It was like a flashback of us being sixteen again. I've been thinkin' about all the crazy, stupid stuff we did back then. And now I'm gonna be somebody's Pa."

She gave him a soft kiss, then smiled.

"You miss being sixteen?" She asked.

"NO! NEVER! I want to be right here loving you for the rest of my life!"

"Scary, isn't it? You've been all grown up for so many years, and now you're ready to be somebody's Pa. A little flashback never hurt anybody."

tbc