Chapter Five

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The tempting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fried bacon greeted Doc Adams as he stepped through the door of Delmonico's early the next morning. Surprised, he suddenly stopped short, causing Chester to almost bump into him. He pulled the pocket watch from his vest and squinted at its face, quickly checking the time. The watch said eight o' clock sharp, which meant he wasn't late, but rather that someone else was up and about before their regular time.

He shifted his gaze back to Matt and Kitty who were already sitting at their usual table. The two were enjoying a cup of coffee, quietly engaged in conversation.

With an amused shake of his head, he tucked the time piece back into his pocket. Kitty's presence in the company of the lawman that early in the morning was usually a pretty good indicator where Matt had spent the night. And, judging by the look of utter contentment on his face—which Doc couldn't help but notice—it must have been a good one, too.

Shame on you, Adams, he immediately chided himself silently, but his self-reproof didn't carry too much conviction—the minute smile that was lurking in the corner of his mouth was testament to that. He had always thought that Kitty was the best thing that ever happened to Matt, and he was genuinely happy to see that their relationship was still going strong after almost four years.

"Well, you gonna just stand there all day or you gonna sit down an' get yourself somethin' to eat, Doc?" groused Chester suddenly from behind him, cutting into his thoughts. "I don't know about you, but I'm just plump starved."

Doc turned.

"Oh, for Heaven's sakes, goodness gracious," he said, bristling up at once. "You ever think of anythin' else besides food?"

He harrumphed and pushed his battered hat back and proceeded to shuffle over to the table, a starved Chester closely at his heel.

"Well, mornin' there, Kitty...Matt," he greeted the two with a friendly nod.

Kitty replaced her coffee cup on the saucer. "How are you, Doc?" she greeted him smiling, adding a "Hello, Chester," when she saw the jailer step up behind the doctor.

Chester nodded into the round, tipping his worn hat at her. "Mornin' there Miss Kitty...Mister Dillon."

Matt motioned the physician towards the empty chair beside him. "Mornin', Doc," he boomed. "Sit down an' have some breakfast."

The physician sniffed and rubbed at his mustache. "By golly, I think I will."

He set his medical kit down beside the table and eased himself into the offered chair.

"I just ran into Chester here," he said, nodding at the young man who was about to seat himself beside Kitty. "He says you're lookin' for the Crandalls?"

Matt was about to fork up the last piece of bacon from his plate. His hand paused in mid-air. "I sure am...you don't happen to know 'em, by any chance, do you?"

"It so happens I do, Marshal," the physician started to say, but then broke off when Joe, the waiter stepped up to the table. "Bring me some coffee, Joe and..." He paused, quickly glancing at the meager remains of Matt's breakfast. "Oh...just bring me a bowl of mush," he then finished, deciding against eggs and bacon today. "Now where was I?" he murmured absently as he turned his attention back to the lawman. "Oh, yes...Luke an' Millie...the Crandalls. They moved here from Colorado about a year or so ago. Bought themselves a nice little spread out there by Cross Creek." He unfolded his napkin and tucked it in his vest.

"Cross Creek?" Matt looked up surprised. "Why, that's only a couple hours ride from here...you sure about that?"

Being the only lawman within a hundred and fifty mile radius, he always tried to meet as many of the homesteaders and sodbusters who lived in the area whenever he had a chance, but the prairie was vast and he normally didn't have much reason to call on those who didn't live in close proximity of Dodge— unless, of course, there was a problem.

Doc frowned, not liking to have his word questioned. "Sure I'm sure," he groused. "I wouldn't tell ya if I wasn't."

The waiter returned and set a plate, heaped with eggs, bacon and gravy before Chester and then filled the doctor's coffee cup. Doc thanked him and turned his attention back to the Marshal. "I'm afraid that's all I can tell ya though, Matt," he said. "You see, unlike Chester here, they're not exactly the talky kind. They pretty much like to keep to themselves."

Chester stopped shaking out his napkin and shot him a scowl. "Now what's that s'posed to mean?"

Doc scratched his ear, ignoring the indignant query and then added thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, I don't remember ever seein' the two in town before."

Kitty glanced at Matt over the rim of her coffee cup. "Well, that might explain why nobody's heard of the Crandalls."

The Marshal nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it sure sheds a little bit of light on the whole thing."

Chester looked up. "What're you gonna do Mister Dillon?" he garbled through a mouthful of eggs. "You plan on takin' them young 'uns out there?"

Matt lowered his cup. "Looks like I'm gonna have to, seein' that their uncle's not very likely to show up in Dodge."

Doc set his elbow onto the table and pointed a finger at the lawman. "Say, Matt, I gotta drive out to the Beckers here in a little while anyways. I wouldn't mind takin' those young'uns to the Crandalls for you. It'll save you a trip."

Matt weighed his friend's offer, giving it brief thought. "Well, to tell you the truth, I was kinda thinkin' of meetin' those Crandall's myself. After all I been hearin', it's got me kinda curious."

"Say, Mister Dillon...don't you have to ride out to Sy Anderson's today?" Chester pointed out, carefully.

Matt rubbed is chin in thought. "Yeah. Yeah, I almost forgot about that." He leaned back in his chair, exchanging a glance with the physician. "Well, Doc...looks like you just talked yourself into it—unless that is, you've changed your mind."

"No, no. It's no trouble, Matt," the doctor assured him. "No trouble at all. It's a long drive out to the Beckers and it'll be nice to have someone keep me company."

"Doc?" ventured Kitty, her chin poised on the back of her interlaced fingers. "I wouldn't mind keepin' you company." Glancing sideways through her lashes, she smiled at him sweetly—the meaning beneath that demure request very clear.

Not too many people could resist that particular smile, Doc included. He sniffed and rubbed at the bristles of his mustache. "Well, by golly...I sure'd be delighted to have the company of a lovely, young lady such as yourself." He gave her a quick wink, his eyes twinkling with humor.

The doctor's flowery choice of words caused Chester to break into a frown. "My gracious...just listen to yourself," he grumbled, his voice holding just the tiniest twinge of jealousy. "You almost make it sound like you're tryin' to court Miss Kitty here..."

Doc snorted. "Oh, be quiet, Chester," he brushed him off, too good in a mood to argue.

He picked up the cup and took a cautious sip. Almost right away, his face screwed up in distaste.

"Oh, goodness gracious," he complained as he lowered the cup to eye its contents suspiciously. "That coffee gets any worse, it'll have Chester's beat in no time."

The Marshal nodded slowly, looking down at the brownish liquid contained in his own cup. "Yeah, it's pretty bad, isn't it?"

"Well, I swear...if that don't beat all," muttered Chester indignantly.

The physician shook his head. "Just terrible," he confirmed, paying Chester no mind.

Kitty arched a delicate brow. She glanced from Matt to Doc. "But that's not gonna stop you two from drinking it," she pointed out dryly.

"No...no, by golly...not if I have to pay for it," the doctor reasoned calmly and then took another sip.

Kitty made little effort to hide her amusement, but refrained from saying anything else, knowing that it was useless in the face of such incomprehensible, male logic. She gathered the napkin off her lap, slid it onto the table and then pushed her chair back. "Well, why don't I go over to Ma Smalley's and help her get the children ready," she suggested instead.

She started to rise and right away, the three men stood as well. Doc moved to hold the chair for her.

"All right," he replied agreeably. "Let me finish up here an' I'll meet you over there in half an hour."

After bidding Chester good-bye, she turned to the Marshal. "I see you tonight, Matt," she said, smiling up at him.

Matt glanced down at her, returning the smile. "All right, Kitty." He looped his thumbs around his belt buckle and then leaned down to her. "Don't give him any ideas now," he intoned softly with a quick nod towards Doc.

Kitty gave him a quick wink. "Don't worry, cowboy," she replied coyly. "Maybe he'll give me some instead..."

He chuckled softly, knowing better than to take her remark seriously. He smiled down at her affectionately instead. "Enjoy the trip." They usually refrained from exchanging affections publicly, but that still didn't stop him from thinking about kissing her good-bye.

His eyes followed her as she left the restaurant and for a moment, he found himself regretting that he had to out to Anderson's today.

to be continued...