Gunsmoke:After All This Time

Part 10

Over the next few weeks, Matt began settling into the home. "Our home," Kitty always corrected when he referred to it as her home. Each morning they got up and did the chores and then the rest of the day was theirs, but Kitty could see that Matt was getting restless. He just couldn't get used to doing nothing.

"Matt, why don't you take up a hobby," she suggested one afternoon while they were relaxing on the screened in porch. It was a nice comfortable day and there was a peaceful breeze in the air.

Matt sighed and looked over at her reading a book. "Kitty, you do realize that this is what old people do," he said gesturing at the both of them. "They sit around and do nothing…chat about the weather."

"Oh, Matt, that isn't true. I know plenty of active older people," she told him, not even looking up from her book.

"Who?" he asked disbelievingly. Kitty marked her spot in the book and calmly looked over at Matt.

"Matt," she said gently, "Why don't you take up a hobby?" she reiterated. So much for him not ever being bored with me around, she thought to herself.

"Old people take up hobbies," he said crossing his arms over his chest like a huffy child.

"Matt Dillon, stop it," Kitty said shaking her head in disbelief at his sour attitude. "We are not old. Maybe we aren't as young as we used to be, but you make it sound like we've got one foot in the grave!" Suddenly it came to her that maybe he was regretting his decision. "You're not sorry for resigning are you?" she asked trying to hide her worry. Matt looked over at her as she fiddled with the pages of her book.

"Kitty, no." He sighed and reached for her hand. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so grouchy. I guess this retirement thing isn't as easy as I thought it would be," he tried to explain.

"It's alright, Matt. But you can do whatever it is you want. All you have to do is pick something," she shrugged. He leaned back with his hands behind his head.

"You're right. But I'll have to think about for a while." He propped his feet up on a small table and got more comfortable. "I think for now though, I'll just take a nap." It wasn't long before Matt was snoring softly and Kitty was back in her book.

MkM

The next morning, Kitty was up preparing breakfast when Matt walked into the kitchen. He came up behind her, as had become his habit while she was cooking, and leaned down to kiss her neck. "I've been thinking," he said as he walked over to the table to pour himself a cup of coffee. Kitty turned around to look at him and saw that he was dressed in the same old pair of pants and his undershirt, which she had cut the sleeves off of due to the heat. She thought he looked sexy that way. It was rare that he showed off his muscular arms.

"Matt, I can't believe that you only brought two changes of clothes. After breakfast we're going into town to get you some more," she said turning back to the frying bacon.

"Carpentry."

"Carpentry?" Matt nodded.

"What do you think?"

"I think that could be good," she said as she scooped the bacon out with a fork and laid it on a plate. She then cracked two eggs into the sizzling grease of the bacon. "What would you need to get started?"

"Well, I'd need some tools of course, wood, and I'd need someplace to work."

"That could be your first project then," she said using a spatula to plate the eggs. "You could build yourself a work shop. We could get everything you need when we go into town."

"Kitty, all this might get kinda pricey."

"It's alright, Matt. We can afford it." She smiled at him as she brought the food over to the table. "Is this something that you've always wanted to do?" she asked.

"Mm, not really. I have always found it interesting though," he told her as he dug into his meal.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be great at it," she encouraged.

"You just say that because you love me." Kitty smiled.

"That's certainly part of it," she said. Matt watched her for a moment while she ate her breakfast. She was so beautiful. There was something else that had been on his mind, practically since he first got there, and he figured it was about time he mentioned it to her.

"Kitty?"

"Hmm?" she said as she took a sip of coffee.

"I've been thinking about something else, too." She looked at him, giving him her full attention. "I want us to get married," he said. "Soon." He watched her face.

Kitty figured that Matt's proposal was probably one of the least romantic in the world, but she wouldn't have changed a thing about it. "I want that, too, Matt," she said getting a little emotional. She leaned over in her chair and gave him a kiss that easily turned into more. They had only reunited a few weeks ago and already things were happening so fast, but she couldn't have been more sure or confident in the strength of their relationship. "I love you, Matt Dillon…with all my heart," she whispered in between kisses.

KmK

A few hours later, Matt stood in the tailor's shop being fitted for pants and shirts. Kitty had gone next door to the dressmaker to see about an order of hers and to see about a new gown for when they got married. One would never be able to tell it from looking at him, but he was excited. He was finally getting the chance to have a life with the woman he loved.

Matt was broken from his thoughts by the sound of the bell ringing above the door. He looked over to see a tall man (not as tall as he was) with brown, graying, hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He wore a dark brown, leather jacket and pants to match. Matt guessed him to be nearly sixty. He turned to shut the door behind himself and Matt caught a glimpse of the badge on his chest. So this was the sheriff of Baton Rouge. Matt would be lying if he said he wasn't the least bit curious about the law in the town.

"How much longer you gonna be, Jean Paul?" the sheriff asked.

"Just a few minutes, Sheriff," the tailor replied as he wrote down a few of Matt's measurements.

"I don't believe I've seen you around here before," the man said to Matt.

"No, I don't believe you have. I'm new to these parts," Matt said.

"Well then, I welcome you to our fine city," the Sheriff said with a deep southern accent. Matt accepted his proffered hand.

"Name's Matt Dillon," he introduced himself. He immediately saw recognition in the Sheriff's eyes.

"Sheriff Augustin Lambert. I have sure heard a lot about you," he said with a smile. "I guess if I'm ever in need of some extra help I'll know who to turn to."

"There. All finished, Mr. Dillon," Jean Paul said. Matt thanked him and then turned back to Sheriff Lambert.

"Sorry, Sheriff, but you're a few months, too late," he said with a smile and a tip of his hat. He left the shop and went to meet Kitty.

To be continued…