"That First Fishing Trip" This story takes place in season 1
Kitty went to bed extra early the night before so she could wake up extra early today. Today she was going fishing with Matt. She had not been fishing since she was a young girl and was looking forward to today's fishing trip. To be honest, she was more looking forward to being with Matt.
She had been in Dodge for just shy of a year and knew Matt for that same amount of time. In that short amount of time, he had become her best friend, and possibly more. She loved the time she spent with him, but it usually wasn't time alone. He would come to the Long Branch to see her or take her to eat at Delmonico's. Those times with him there were others around. Today they would be alone.
Kitty thought back to a week ago when Matt had asked her to go fishing with him. She wasn't expecting the invitation. They had been sitting at the Long Branch and he asked her if she liked to go fishing. She told him yes, but hadn't been fishing since she was a little girl. He then asked her if she would like to go fishing next Saturday. Kitty wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to spend time with Matt and immediately said yes. She had hoped she didn't sound too desperate.
Now it was Saturday and Kitty was getting ready for her fishing date with Matt. Kitty decided she was going to call it a date, even though it wasn't a typical date a man and woman usually went on. Matt was going to be there in less than an hour. Kitty climbed out of bed and went to her wardrobe to pick out a dress. Her saloon dresses were not going to work for fishing. She found a light blue cotton dress with pale yellow flowers on it and decided to wear it. Kitty then went to do her hair, pulling the sides up with a light blue ribbon, leaving the rest of the hair down. The last thing she grabbed was her sun bonnet. Satisfied with how she looked, she headed downstairs.
When Kitty walked out of the Long Branch, she could see Matt coming down the street in a wagon. She figured he must've rented it from Moss. Matt pulled up to the Long Branch, and after seeing Kitty a smile of appreciation spread across his face. He hopped down from the wagon to help Kitty climb up onto the seat.
"You look mighty pretty this morning Kitty," Matt said. He rarely saw her with her hair styled the way it was. He was quickly realizing it was one of his favorite ways she wore it.
"Thank you! You're looking pretty good yourself," said Kitty with her own smile of appreciation.
They took off and headed towards the river. After riding for several minutes, Matt spoke. "I have this special place where I like to go fishing. I haven't shared it with anyone else. It's private and the fish really seem to bite. When we get there, we can have a little breakfast. I packed some biscuits and honey from Delmonico's. I'm hoping we catch some fish and have that for lunch."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Kitty replied. She thought about what Matt had said about his favorite fishing spot. It was a place he shared with no one else, but was sharing with her. He also told her it was private. To her that meant he didn't want anyone bothering them. She was getting more excited about this trip.
Arriving at Matt's favorite fishing spot, Kitty could see how private it was. Nobody riding past would see it from the road. Matt got down from the wagon and then helped Kitty get down. He grabbed a blanket and the basket of biscuits and honey. He spread the blanket out and the two of them sat down to eat. After eating several biscuits and honey, Matt packed everything up and carried the blanket and basket back to the wagon. He then grabbed two fishing poles and a can of worms, and walked back to Kitty.
"Here," said Matt, handing Kitty a fishing pole.
Kitty took the pole and followed Matt to the river. He sat down near the bank and she sat down next to him. Matt had put the can of worms down between them and took one out to bait his hook. Kitty wasn't sure if she should bait her own hook or let Matt do it for her. It had been awhile since she baited a line, but she still knew how to do it. Her mind made up, Kitty decided to bait her own line. She put her fingers in the can and pulled out a wiggly worm. Worm in hand, she baited her line. Matt watched with amusement.
Kitty felt him watching her. "What?" she asked.
"I didn't think girls liked to touch things like worms and insects, and such," Matt answered.
"Well, I'm not your typical girl," said Kitty.
"I know. That's what makes you so special and that's why I like you so much," said Matt.
After fishing for a few hours, Matt and Kitty caught enough fish to cook up for lunch. Thinking ahead, Matt had packed a frying pan and other necessities for eating lunch, including canteens of water. Fish cleaned and cooked, Matt and Kitty ate a delicious meal of fresh fish.
The day had been wonderful, but Matt and Kitty knew they had to head back to Dodge. It was going to be dark soon, so part of their ride back would be in the moonlight.
When they arrived in Dodge, Matt first stopped at the jail to unload the wagon. He would take the supplies back to Delmonico's tomorrow. He then took the wagon back to Moss Grimick's. He and Kitty walked back to the Long Branch.
"Matt, this was a wonderful date. I hope we can do it again sometime," said Kitty softly.
"So you're calling this a date?" asked Matt.
"Yes, I am. Is that okay with you?" asked Kitty. She now wasn't sure if that was such a good idea.
"I was hoping you would think of today as a date. It gives me a reason to do this," Matt said as he gathered her in his arms and captured her lips in a slow sweet kiss. Both were breathless when they parted. This would be the first of many fishing trips to come.
The End
