Unshown Moments for Old York – Season 8

"Well, I heard that as soon as he found out where that old man went, he resigned so he could go and claim his part of the money." The cocky young man took a deep drink of his beer with a smug look. "Yes sir, I bet he's down there in Taloga right now looking for his share."

"I don't know, Cody." The older man across from him shook head. "Dillon's always been honest. He ain't never took nothing that wasn't his afore."

"Well, yeah." The boy agreed. "But that was before. I heard tell there was a lot of money in that bank. And you gotta know that being a lawman don't bring in much. Now, considering the company he keeps," he paused and looked pointedly up the stairs, "I'm sure he could use that money to satisfy certain people. If you know what I mean." He snickered loudly.

"No! I don't know what you mean." A smoky and thoroughly angry female voice said from behind him. "Why don't you tell me?" She'd been at the general store and had just walked in from the street to hear him talking.

The young man swallowed hard and turned to see Kitty standing there, hands on her lips and fury in her eyes. "Uh… uh, hello Miss Kitty." He muttered.

"Goodbye, you mean." She growled. "Get out of here. And don't bother to come back."

"Miss Kitty, I… I didn't mean nothing by what I said. I was just, just shooting the breeze you might say."

"If I were you." She took a step closer. "I'd get out of here before I shoot something besides the breeze."

"Uh, yes, Ma'am." Cody dropped his eyes, got up and practically ran from the saloon.

Kitty glanced around at the other men in the saloon, and realized that probably all of them had either said the same thing as that boy or at least thought it. "Anybody else want to comment?" She snapped loudly at them.

None of her patrons chose to add anything and Kitty was fairly certain they wouldn't, at least as long as she was in the bar room. With a glare at all of them, she turned and went over to the bar. "Sam, gimme a whiskey."

Quint, who'd been at the end of the bar, moved over close to her. "You know nothing you say will stop them from talking or speculating on why Matt did what he did."

"I know." Kitty took a heavy swallow of the burning liquid. "But I don't have to listen to it, especially not in my own saloon."

"You believe any of it?" Quint knew the answer before asking.

"Of course not!" Kitty turned her glare over to him. "You should know that. Matt would never rob a bank or help someone who did."

"Uh huh." Quint nodded. "Then why are you so angry? Is it really because they're talking about Matt's taking off or is it because he didn't tell you about it before he did."

"He told me last night." Kitty took another swallow of her drink.

"Then why are you so mad?" Quint asked. "Surely it's not because of some careless bar room talk."

"No," Kitty sighed. "I just… It just irritates me for him to put his job and his reputation and maybe his life on the line for money that's not his, while louts like these sit around and talk about him. It's not right, Quint."

"No, it's not." Quint agreed as he leaned down on the bar next to her. "But neither is you getting worked up about it." He waited until she looked over at him. "Matt will be alright, Kitty. He knows what he's doing."

"I know that, Quint." Kitty shook her head. "But it doesn't stop me from worrying about him."

Quint nodded in understanding. "Guess not." He sighed as he stood up and placed his empty beer mug on the bar. "Doesn't keep you from having supper with me either, does it?"

Kitty knew what he was doing and she grinned over at him. "Why, Mr. Asper. Are you flirting with me?"

Quint returned the grin. "I sure am, Miss Russell. How about it? Want to fool around while the Marshal's gone." He wiggled his brows, playfully.

Kitty shook her head with a laugh. "Nope. But supper sounds good. Give me a few minutes to go up and get ready?"

"I'll be waiting." Quint answered as she turned and made her way up the stairs.

Watching her go, he knew she was worried and that if anything were to happen to Matt, she'd be hurt badly. But he knew that Matt Dillon was good at taking care of himself and that Matt knew, his friends would take care of Kitty until he got back home to do it himself.

End