Gunsmoke: Never Wanna Live Without You

Part 2

"Matt, this is wonderful," Kitty said as she took in the smells of the grilling fish and pork chops. When Matt stopped by the Long Branch to pick her up earlier, she was surprised to find a buggy waiting outside for them. He told her that they were going on a small picnic instead of Delmonico's as usual. He had brought along a sack with everything they would need and made camp just a few miles outside of town by the river. "I just wish you would have told me so I could've dressed a little more appropriate," she said as she looked down at her frilly maroon and white dress.

"You look just fine," Matt said as he looked up from poking at the food.

"Yeah, says you who isn't wearing a layer of petticoats and uncomfortable bloomers." Matt only chuckled as he leaned back against a rock.

"Well, why do you wear all that stuff then, if it's so uncomfortable?" Kitty squinted her eyes and stepped closer. Matt looked up dumbly as she loomed above him with her hands on her hips.

"I don't really have much choice now do I? Besides," she said, "I'm sure some man invented this stuff years ago because he thought it was the appropriate thing for women to wear, not thinking that perhaps we enjoy comfort, too." She sat down next to him and stretched out her fancily booted feet. "Sometimes I'd give anything to run around all day in a pair of pants and a shirt…and work boots."

"Why don't you?"

"You're just full of questions tonight." She scooted a little closer to him and leaned her back against his arm. "And to answer that question, I don't think I'd make too much money if I paraded around in a cowboy's wardrobe."

"I don't know, Kitty. I think you could make a rucksack look pretty darn good." She smiled.

"Yeah, well, I don't think I'll try it."

Matt watched her affectionately for a few moments and then asked, "Comfortable?"

"Very. Your arm is nice and soft."

"Soft!" he asked incredulously. "I'll have you know that these guns are as solid as the rock I'm leaning against," he said flexing the arm she wasn't using. Now, it was Kitty's turn to laugh. "Well, excuse me, but me and my soft arms need to go and check the food." She smiled as he got up and walked over to where the fire was set up.

When they first got there, she watched as he built a small fire and set up the grilling contraption. He put a few large chunks of charcoal into the fire, once it got going, and then let it burn until the charcoal started to ash. Next, he placed four fork shaped, iron spikes in the ground, forming a square around the fire, and then placed an iron rack on top. After all of that was taken care of, he placed two pork chops on the rack, and then caught two fish for them and did the same. Then, much to Kitty's surprise, he pulled two ears of corn out of the sack, as well.

"Say, you're pretty good at all this," she said.

"Well, I oughta be. I had to live outside and survive plenty of times in my life, so far." He came back over and sat down beside her and she looked at him expectantly. He sighed and put his arm around her so she could snuggle into him.

"Much softer than the rock," she mumbled as she closed her eyes.

"You gonna take a nap?" Matt asked her.

"Hmm, maybe."

"Why don't you take those shoes off?"

"I thought about it, but I figured as soon as I do, someone will come lookin' for ya and then our nice evening would be ruined."

"Well, I can't promise that won't happen, but you should take your shoes off anyway," he told her.

"You just wanna see my feet."

"You have pretty feet."

"I never thought so."

"Well, I do."

"Then you take them off since it's your fault I'm wearing them anyway," Kitty told him.

"That means you're gonna have to move so I can get up. It's time for me to check the food again anyway." Matt smiled as she sighed and moved off of him.

Kitty watched as he carefully unlaced her shoes for her. They had only known each other for a little over six months, but she felt like she had been with him forever. Never had she felt so comfortable with someone so quickly. He was her best friend.

He slipped the first boot off and she wiggled her now free toes. As soon as he got the second shoe off, she did the same with that foot. "Uh, you might be more comfortable if you take your hose off," Matt suggested while eyeing the exposed part of her legs. Kitty smiled slyly and placed her foot on his thigh suggesting, without words, that he do it. "I, uh, gotta check the food," he stammered some as he stood and turned to their dinner. Kitty held in a giggle as she took the time to unhook her stockings from their garters before Matt turned back around.

Sometimes, the naughtiest things came out of his mouth and then other times he turned into a shy schoolboy when she turned the tables on him. They had yet to be intimate, and Kitty's feelings for him only continued to grow. The only problem was that she didn't know exactly where she stood with him. She knew that they always had a good time together and he only treated her with the utmost respect, but sometimes she wasn't sure if he wanted more or not, whether he wanted something long term or not. There had been a few men in the past that treated her just like Matt was treating her now, but ultimately she found that they were only after one thing and she wasn't interested in being anyone's toy. She prayed that Matt was different from all the others.

"Hey, what are you thinking about over there?" Matt asked from his spot by the fire.

"Oh, just you."

"Me? What about me?" he said moving back beside her.

"Just thinkin' about how much I like you," she smiled up at him.

"Yeah, well I like you, too…" He leaned down close and kissed her lips. "…a lot," he said before deepening the kiss. Kitty closed her eyes and enjoyed the attention. She just knew in her heart that he was different.

"Mmm…you lips taste like honey," she said in between kisses. Matt felt her tongue poke out to taste them. "And they're so soft."

"It's that lip balm you gave me," Matt chuckled. A few weeks ago he had come home from a trip and his lips were dry and chapped. Kitty had suggested the lip balm that she sometimes used and he reluctantly accepted it, thinking it girly, but he soon learned that the stuff did wonders. "I'd better check the food before it burns," he told her, not really wanting to stop kissing.

"Okay," she said even though her fingers were still buried in his hair. Matt gave her one last smooch before pulling away.

"Is it soup yet? I'm starving over here," Kitty said patting her empty stomach. She looked over at the sack he had brought along and began rifling through it.

"Almost, I just need to add the finishing touches." He turned around to get the sack and found her going through it.

"Matt you really thought of everything," she said smiling as she pulled out butter, salt, pepper…and plates! Matt smiled back and grabbed the items.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want any bland food."

"Matt, that was delicious," Kitty said as she put her plate aside. She ate her fish and corn and a small piece of her pork chop, but Matt had to finish it off for her.

"Yeah, I can't believe I forgot the utensils though." Kitty giggled.

"It's okay. It's been a good long while since I got down and dirty and ate with my fingers."

"So, did you have a good time tonight?" Matt asked.

"I sure did. We should do this more often," she said as she took up her spot in his arms again. Matt rested his cheek on her head and looked up at the sky. The sun was starting to set and they would need to head back to town soon.

"Kitty, would you like to go to the barn dance with me next Saturday?"

"That would be lovely, Matt. I overheard a few of the girls talking about it. I've never been to a barn dance, ya know?"

"Well, all it is is a dance in a barn. It's probably a little less fancy than what you're used to," he explained, thinking that growing up in New Orleans she had probably gone to all sorts of fancy balls and formal get-togethers.

"I've been to my share of fancy gatherings I suppose," she said thinking back on those times, "But they aren't always what they're cracked up to be. I'll probably have more fun at this Dodge City barn dance than I've ever had at any other dance." Especially if she was going with him.

"Now, Kitty, I'll do everything I can to make sure nothing comes up, but if it does, then I might not be able to make it," he warned. It was the same warning he always gave to Lee and Cara.

"Its okay, Matt, I understand." And that was the same answer they always gave. "Now, come on so we can get back. I still have to work a few hours tonight," she told him as they began gathering up their mess. "Plus, I have to get up early tomorrow."

"What for?" he asked.

"Well, there's a barn dance on Saturday and the most handsome man in Dodge has asked me to go, so, naturally, I'll need a new dress." Kitty winked and Matt only chuckled as they walked to the buggy.

To be continued...