Chapter 19 A Marriage And A Home

Kitty stretched her body and snuggled into Matt. It was still dark out, meaning that she still had time to be with Matt. If it were possible, Kitty would slow down time so Matt could stay with her that much longer. She closed her eyes and drifted back into a deep sleep. Morning would arrive in a few hours.

When morning did arrive, Matt woke up before Kitty. He opened his eyes and looked at the beautiful woman lying next to him. Kitty's red hair and the white pillowcase were in such contrast to one another. Her even breathing indicated that she was still asleep.

How he loved that woman. Kitty truly was his soulmate, his other half. He had once told her that he would do anything in the world for her that he could. Matt truly meant those words. He just hated what this Sarah Drew fiasco was doing to her, what it was doing to them.

Sarah Drew, oh how he despised that woman. It was his own damn fault he was in the predicament that he was in. He should have never agreed to take her to Fort Wallace. Why did he give in to her? He never should have. She was acting like a spoiled brat. If he could do it all over again, he would stick to his guns and tell Sarah no.

As Marshal of Dodge City, it was his job to keep the peace, not to escort people across the prairie. Yes, there was that one time a couple years ago when he accompanied Kitty to Salt Creek so Kitty could visit some friends. That was a completely different situation. Matt had been in Hays for several days and hadn't had a chance to be with Kitty. When she told him that she was going to see some friends near Salt Creek, he offered to go with her. His main reason wasn't to keep her safe. She had made that trip on her own before. He went with her just to be with her.

It used to be that when Matt woke up before Kitty,, he would quietly get out of bed and try his best not to disturb her. Matt knew back then that Kitty wasn't a morning person. He one time made the mistake of waking her up at nine in the morning, which Kitty referred to as the middle of the night. Things changed in the last few years. Now Kitty wanted Matt to wake her up before he left. She wanted to be able to tell Matt that she loved him and she wanted to hear those words from Matt. When Matt asked her why, Kitty's response was, just in case. Matt knew what she meant by those words.

Matt leaned over and started planting gentle kisses all over Kitty's beautiful face. A moan escaped from Kitty as a smile slowly crept across her face. She was so glad that Matt woke her up before he left. He had different ways of waking her up. Some days, like today, he placed kisses all over her face. Other days he would lovingly rub her back. As much as Kitty was enjoying what Matt was doing, she dreaded that morning had arrived. Today Matt and Sarah were getting married.

"What time are you leaving for Mansfield?" Kitty asked as she opened her eyes.

"Soon, it's going to take most of the day to get there," Matt replied. "I told Sarah she needed to leave at the crack of dawn. Hopefully she has already left."

"Do you plan on seeing Judge O'Rourke this evening or will you wait until tomorrow?" asked Kitty. She wanted to know Matt's schedule.

"It really depends on when we arrive in Mansfield," Matt answered. "If it's too late, it will have to be tomorrow. If it is tomorrow, I'll ride into Garden City and send you a telegram. No telegram means the marriage took place this evening."

Matt left Kitty's room and prepared for his trip to Mansfield. He told Chester that he had business to take care of in Garden City. Since it wasn't unusual for Matt to make trips to Garden City, Chester didn't ask Matt any questions. Only Kitty and Doc knew the real reason that Matt was leaving and where he was really going and why he was going.

Even though Sarah had left before Matt, he was able to catch up to her. Approaching Sarah's buggy, Matt called her name. Sarah heard Matt calling her and brought her horse to a stop. She waited for Matt to catch up to her. When Matt caught up to her, he dismounted Buck and tied him to the back of the buggy. He joined Sarah in the buggy. It had nothing to do with wanting to be close to Sarah. If he had a choice to ride on a hard saddle or a cushioned buggy seat, then Matt was going to choose the buggy seat, especially for a long ride.

Matt and Sarah made excellent time. They arrived in Mansfield well before Matt thought they would. During the trip, Matt had taken over the reins, driving the rest of the way to Mansfield. When they arrived in Mansfield, Matt knew they would be at Judge O'Rourke's home in about ten minutes. He needed to talk to Sarah before they arrived.

"Sarah, I've been thinking about our marriage and Jamie," Matt said. "I'm afraid he might track us down and cause trouble."

"What do you suggest that we do?" Sarah asked. "I hope you still plan on going through with the marriage."

"I do," Matt reassured Sarah. "I strongly believe we shouldn't use our real names. If we use false names, Jamie won't be able to track us down."

"I agree," said Sarah. "I didn't want Jamie to trace me, so I've used different names. When I arrived in Garden City, I told Doctor Plowman I was Sarah Matthew."

"Alright, I'll be Matthew James," said Matt. "When we get married, we need to sign the marriage certificate as Sarah Matthew and Matthew James. It's very important that we do. It will guarantee that Jamie won't find us. Will you do that for me, for our baby?"

"Matt, you know I would do anything for you and our baby," said Sarah. "You don't have to ask twice."

Matt and Sarah arrived at Judge O'Rourke's house. They saw that he had a light on, indicating that he was home. Matt helped Sarah out of the wagon and they both walked to the front door of Judge O'Rourke's house. Matt knocked on the door and waited for the judge to answer. When Judge O'Rourke did answer, he looked at Matt and Sarah.

"What can I do for you?" the judge asked.

"Hello, Judge, we would like for you to marry us," Matt answered.

"Come on," Judge O'Rourke. "I can't marry you if you're standing outside."

Matt and Sarah stepped inside and followed Judge O'Rourke to a room in the back of the house. Once inside the room, Judge O'Rourke pulled a piece of paper out of a desk drawer and placed it on the table. It was a marriage certificate. Judge O'Rourke filled out his part and then had Matt and Sarah fill out their parts. The judge looked at the certificate and got started.

"Do you, Matthew James, take Sarah Matthew to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Judge O'Rourke asked Matt.

"I do," said Matt.

"Do you Sarah Matthew, take Matthew James to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Judge O'Rourke asked Sarah.

"I do," said Sarah.

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," said the judge. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I happened to be eating supper when you came calling."

Judge O'Rourke walked out of the room and left Matt and Sarah standing there. Both Matt and Sarah noticed that the judge did not tell Matt to kiss the bride, and they each had different emotions. Matt had a mixture of relief and happiness. He wasn't looking forward to having to kiss Sarah. Sarah on the other hand was feeling the opposite. She was disappointed. Sarah had never kissed Matt and was hoping this would be her chance. Now that chance was gone. Sarah knew Matt wasn't going to kiss her. At least he wasn't going to kiss her now, but maybe later.

"Are you going back to Dodge?" Sarah asked Matt. "You would be riding through the night."

"No, I planned on getting a hotel room in Garden City," said Matt. "I'll leave tomorrow."

Matt untied Buck from the back of the buggy. He turned around and helped Sarah into the buggy. After Sarah was in the buggy, Matt mounted Buck.

"Why don't we get a hotel room together?" asked Sarah. "We are married. We could consummate the marriage."

"Sarah, that's not going to happen," Matt sighed. "I've been in Garden City multiple times. People know who I am. If they see us together, that puts you and the baby in danger. There are a couple of hotels in Garden City. We can stay at different ones."

"I stayed at the Garden City Inn when I first came to Garden City," said Sarah. "I'll stay there again."

"I'll stay at the Poppy Hotel," said Matt. "Before I go back to Dodge, we need to find a place for you and the baby to live."

"I was thinking about that Matt," said Sarah. "Do we really need to find me and the baby a house? I don't mind living in a hotel room or a boarding house."

"If you do, I can't visit you," Matt said. "We need a private residence for you, so I can visit you."

"I forgot about that," said Sarah. "I do want to be able to see you."

"You're going to have to ask if there are any homes for sale," Matt told Sarah. "It wouldn't make sense for me to be asking."

"Who should I ask?" Sarah inquired. "I really don't know anyone in Garden City."

"Hmmm," Matt said as he thought about his answer. "Maybe you could ask Doctor Plowman. They seem to know things that are happening around town. Maybe he'll know of some houses for sale."

"That's a good idea," said Sarah. "I should see him and have him check on the baby. I want to make sure he's healthy. I'll see the doctor tomorrow. Where are we going to meet to discuss my appointment? I'm sure you want to know how your son is doing."

"What time do you think you'll see the doctor?" asked Matt.

"I'll plan on going to his office at nine tomorrow morning," said Sarah.

"How about we meet at the Garden City livery stable at eleven," said Matt. "That'll give you time to see the doctor and get something to eat. They'll let you park the buggy at the stable. It's just down the street from the Garden City Inn." Sarah agreed with Matt's plan.

The next day Sarah went to see Doctor Plowman. She had to remember she was now Sarah James and not Sarah Matthew. She didn't know if the doctor would question her or not. But if he did, she would tell him that she wasn't married yet when she first saw him and was too embarrassed to admit it.

Sarah arrived at Doctor Plowman's office and saw a sign saying that the doctor was in. She opened the door and stepped inside. Doctor Plowman heard the door open and looked up to see who it was. He was pleasantly surprised to see Sarah.

"Mrs. Matthew, I'm surprised to see you," Doctor Plowman said with a smile. "Please come in."

"Thank you," said Sarah as she closed the door behind her. "And it's Mrs. James. I got married since I last saw you. I was too embarrassed to say I wasn't married, especially since I was pregnant."

"I don't judge," said the doctor. "I'll have you get up onto the exam table and we'll see how the baby is doing."

Doctor Plowman examined both Sarah and her baby. He gave them both a clean bill of health. Before she left, Sarah asked the doctor if he knew of any homes for sale near town. Doctor Plowman told her of one small house that would be perfect for a small family. It had two bedrooms, a parlor room, and a small kitchen. It seemed promising. He told her where it was located. Sarah thanked the doctor and left his office.

Sarah met Matt at the livery stable at eleven. She told him about the house. Matt agreed to follow Sarah out to the house, but he wouldn't be able to look it over with her. She was on her own for that. Sarah rode in her buggy and Matt rode Buck out to the house. When the house came into view, Matt told Sarah to go on ahead and he would wait for her.

Sarah rode ahead. When she reached the house, she got out of the buggy and knocked on the door. She could hear young kids inside. A young woman answered the door. She was with child.

"Can I help you?" the woman asked as she studied Sarah.

"I heard that you were selling your house," Sarah replied. The woman nodded. "My husband and I are interested in buying it."

"Where is your husband?" asked the woman.

Sarah realized she would have to make up a story. She couldn't tell this woman the truth. "His job requires him to travel, so he isn't around too much." It was sort of true. His job did require him to travel.

"Come on in and I'll show you around," said the woman. "It's a very well built house. We're just moving because we're running out of room." The woman placed her hand on her gravid belly.

"My husband and I need a place to stay. It looks like a nice house and it has a great location," said Sarah. "My husband told me if I found a great house, then I should buy it. I'll take it."

The woman was not expecting to sell her house that day. Sarah agreed to give the woman and her family a couple of weeks to move out. The family did have a new house they planned on buying, so they would have a house to move into after the two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, Sarah would meet with the woman and her husband at the land office to sign over the deed to Sarah.

Sarah told Matt of the plans. He told her he wouldn't be there, but he did give her money towards the house. Helping Sarah pay for the house was a small sacrifice to keep her away from Dodge. Matt left Garden City and headed back to Dodge.

TBC