Arrival in Pueblo

AN: I've set the story in 1875 & so I'm playing a bit with history since the train didn't continue beyond the KS/CO border to Pueblo until 1876.

I'd also like to thank the guests who've reviewed this story here since I can't contact you personally. Sarah, rest assured I expect to post a chapter a day, real life permitting.

During the ten-hour trip Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell took advantage of the stops, using the accommodations as needed. They strolled along the platforms in Cimarron and Garden City to avoid becoming stiff from sitting, managing to keep the same seats throughout the trip by marking them as taken with a book of poetry in one and the Dodge City Bulletin in the other and the carpetbags in the space above.

There was nothing in their carpetbags worth taking but Matt secured them to the rack just to be sure they remained where they were. When they returned to their seats in Garden City, Kitty surprised Matt by revealing her bag contained very little in the way of clothing. What few such items there were served to cushion the cups, plates, sandwiches and thermos filled with coffee. Despite having eaten the lunch Kitty prepared Matt's stomach grumbled when the train pulled into the Pueblo Station at seven that evening.

Bill Pence, who would have had to be blind not to notice the budding romance between his partner and the lawman while still living in Dodge, hailed Matt and Kitty as soon as he saw them. He'd come in the family wagon so they wouldn't have to walk the mile and a half to the Pence home and place of business carrying luggage or hire someone to drive them there.

"Welcome to Pueblo," Bill called as he caught up to them and grabbed one end of Kitty's small trunk. Laura's at home preparing dinner and looking after the kids. I want to thank you again for buying me out, Kitty. We used that money and what, thanks to Laura, we saved to buy a property with a viable stable, hotel and saloon. It also included a small house out back by the stable for the owner's family. The old man who sold the property was anxious to retire to live with his son's family in Denver. The house has three bedrooms so we can put you up in a more private setting than a room in a hotel that caters to drummers and the like. Our daughter, who'll be two July 5th, has her own room while our newborn son's crib is in ours. The remaining bedroom is yours for the week or more if you decide to stay longer."

"We really appreciate this," Matt said as he helped Kitty up onto the seat after he and Pence deposited the trunk and carpetbags in back. He climbed up beside her on the bench. The tall man was pleased, despite the tight squeeze, when her onetime boss and partner joined them to take up the reins. It forced his redhead to snuggle closer against him. Matt responded by putting his arm around her, drawing the woman even nearer. There were some advantages to his physical problems the recuperating lawman thought. Away from Dodge, even with folks they knew, he didn't have to hide how much he enjoyed the contact.

Bill pulled the wagon into the alley that ran along the saloon side of the main building of his property, which was on the edge of town, and halted. He jumped down to open the gate providing access to the private section that formed a front yard for the house. After leading the horse and wagon through he closed the gate and scrambled back onto the driver's seat to drive them up to the front door. The Pence home was tucked a distance away from both the stable and the hotel with room for a garden in back though it was close enough to easily walk to and from either of the two commercial buildings.

"Here we are," Bill announced. "Tomorrow I'll lead a tour including the fast moving stream that runs just beyond the garden. By the way, it's the same Arkansas River that runs by Dodge but closer to the runoff from the mountains so it runs faster. The river provides water for the plants and trout for those who want to fish. Our house also has a well that's separate from the water supply for paying guests. We provide all the expected amenities and more. It's how Laura and I built up the business. We learned a lot from you, Kitty."

Laura called out a greeting from the couple's bedroom while Bill led the way into the guestroom walking through the doorway with hid end of Kitty's trunk. Matt had the other. She followed with the carpetbags. Before they knew it Matt and Kitty were seated at the Pence kitchen table with Laura, a little girl in a highchair and Bill, who'd returned from taking care of the wagon and horse. The Dodge City couple, after freshening up, was content to dig into the chicken and dumplings with cherry pie for dessert Laura had prepared.

"Kitty, you and Matt are probably tired from your trip," Laura began after everyone had eaten to bursting. "Settle into your room while Bill and I take care of cleaning up and getting Dotty ready for bed. Tomorrow is soon enough for us to show you around. Getting to know Dotty better and meeting Ricky can also wait until then. I was feeding him when you arrived. The baby's already asleep and it's Dotty's bedtime."

The guests did as their hostess suggested despite Kitty's mild objections and offers to help. They were tired and Matt had to admit the long journey and consequently even longer day had taken an additional toll on him. His head was pounding again and the surroundings weren't as in focus as they'd been when he sat down to eat. Still, despite the unfamiliarity, he managed to get ready for bed without too much help from his loving companion. What assistance he needed the big man easily and happily disguised as her contribution to mutual displays of affection. He knew she was appreciative but not fooled for a second.

"Cowboy, do you want to talk about it?" she asked as she snuggled against his chest between the sheets. "More than the physical is bothering you."

"You know me too well, honey," Matt murmured. "I do want to share everything I've been going through with you. I just don't know where to start."

"Maybe if you begin by describing how your eyesight's been affected since your relapse the rest will fall into place."

"I'm up to that much," Matt began. "Like in Elkader I found myself in a dense fog, the kind where you can't see more than a few inches in any direction. When we left this morning my surroundings were still blurry but I could make out vague outlines of objects at a yard or so beyond arm's length. After we left the train the fog started closing in again but I could still make out what I was eating. Now everything's a complete blur again. One good thing is your body shimmers, making you even more beautiful," he said sleepily.

"That's a good image for you to fall asleep on," Kitty purred. "I could use the rest too even if it is unusually early for us. See yah in the morning," she whispered before kissing the already dozing man beside her softly on his lips.