"The Ones With The Laces" This story contains some MM's and ATC from "Land Deal" (Season 4)

Kitty had been walking down Front Street, when she saw Mr. Jonas putting new items in his store's front window. They weren't just any items. They were new shoes, beautiful ones. Shoes beautiful enough to make Kitty want to cross the street and further investigate. As she crossed the street, Kitty noticed the sign with the price for the shoes. Kitty could not believe it. Two dollars and sixty-five cents for a pair of shoes was ridiculous. Did Wilbur Jonas expect to sell a pair at that price? While Kitty was admiring the shoes, Jonas came back to the window. Kitty tapped on the window to get his attention. When she did this, Jonas looked at her.

"Hello, Miss Kitty," Jonas said from inside the store, still arranging his display.

"Is that the right price?" Kitty asked from outside. When Mr. Jonas indicated that he couldn't hear her, Kitty asked her question again. "Is that the right price?"

Mr. Jonas obviously still couldn't hear her. He held up his "Imported From Europe Sign" with pride.

"I don't care if they are imported from Europe," said Kitty. "The price is too high." The look on Jonas' face told Kitty he still wasn't understanding what she was saying. She pointed up as she spoke again. "It's too high. The price is too high." All Jonas did was look up to where she was pointing. He didn't have a clue.

Matt had been sitting at his desk for most of the morning working on paperwork. It was one of the things he hated about this job, that and getting shot at. He looked outside and noticed that it was a bright sunny day. Figuring he had been cooped up in the office long enough, he decided to get some fresh air. He finished what he was writing, stood up, grabbed his hat, and walked out the front door.

Chester was at Delmonico's and with Matt leaving, nobody would be around to watch the jail. If the jail had an occupant, he wouldn't leave the jail unattended. Since the jail was empty, Matt saw no harm in leaving the jail unattended. Anything of value was locked in the safe.

As he was walking down Front Street, he saw Kitty standing in front of Jonas' store. He could see that she was mumbling something to herself. That usually was not a good sign. Matt may have only known Kitty for a few years, but he knew his girl well enough to know that when she was mumbling to herself, she was agitated about something. He decided to go and see the cause of her agitation.

"Absolutely ridiculous! I've never heard of such a thing," Kitty said to herself.

"Hello, Kitty. What seems to be the trouble?" Matt asked as he approached her.

"Look at that," said Kitty, indicating the shoes. "Two dollars and sixty-five cents for a pair of shoes."

"Kinda high, huh?" asked Matt.

"Yeah it is," replied Kitty. "Mr. Jonas is a bandit. You should arrest him, Matt."

"Well, now it's not as bad as all that," said Matt.

"I don't care if they are the latest style. I don't care if they are imported from Europe. I don't care if they are the prettiest shoes I've seen in ages. It's still too high," said Kitty. "What pair do you like best?"

Matt chuckled at her little outburst. "Oh well, I don't know," he hesitated.

"Come on," Kitty urged. "What ones do you like best?"

Matt looked the shoes over. "Well, what about the ones with the laces," he answered.

"What's wrong with the ones with the buttons?" asked Kitty.

"Nothing, I guess. You know I"m not an expert on these things," said Matt.

By this time Wilbur Jonas had stepped outside. "A pair would look mighty pretty on you, Miss Kitty."

"Two dollars and sixty-five cents," said Kitty as she walked towards Jonas. "I want to talk to you."

"I would be happy to talk to you, anytime you want," Jonas said nervously. He was being backed into the store by Kitty, like prey being hunted down by a predator.

Matt had to smile. Mr. Jonas was in trouble now. Matt had a feeling that Kitty would have a new pair of shoes, and she would not be paying two dollars and sixty-five cents.

"Mr. Jonas, don't you think that price is too high for a pair of shoes?" asked Kitty.

"Miss Kitty, look how pretty they are. Plus, they are imported all the way from Europe," said Jonas, trying to defend the price.

"I'll give you two dollars," said Kitty. "I know you're still making a profit."

"Well now, I don't know," said Jonas with hesitation in his voice.

"Let's be reasonable, Mr. Jonas," said Kitty. "The women that live out here are pioneer women. They aren't going to spend that much on a pair of shoes that aren't practical for them to wear. The saloon girls around here would consider buying them, but not at that price. If you want to make any type of sale, you need to lower the price."

"Alright, I'll tell you what I'll do," said Jonas. "I'll sell you a pair for two dollars, but I'm leaving the price where it's at. If I don't sell any in the next week or so, I'll lower the price. What pair do you like?"

Kitty thought about what Jonas said. She was going to get a pair for cheaper than the price Jonas posted, so she had to be pleased with that. Kitty then thought about what pair she would like. She looked at the ones with the laces and the ones with the buttons. They were both beautiful pairs of shoes. Matt seemed to like the ones with the laces. Since he liked those ones, those were the ones she bought.

The next couple of days kept Matt busy. Kitty knew he was dealing with some sort of land deal issue. However, that seemed to be over with, and Kitty was looking forward to having Matt spend the night with her. Kitty was standing in the Long Branch, at the end of the bar, when Matt walked inside.

"Hello, Kitty," Matt said, touching the tip of his hat.

"Hello, Matt," said Kitty. "I haven't seen too much of you these last couple of days."

"That whole land deal cheating fiasco has kept me busy," Matt said.

"Are you busy now?" asked Kitty.

"Nope. That's all over and done with," said Matt.

"Since you have time, how 'bout a beer?" asked Kitty. "On the house."

"That sounds mighty good," said Matt.

"Fred, give the Marshall a beer," Kitty said to Fred. "Can I expect your company tonight?" That was whispered quietly to Matt.

"Most definitely," Matt replied. Fred came over and gave Matt his beer. "Thanks, Fred."

"I get off at one," said Kitty, quietly.

"I'll be back after my rounds," Matt whispered. He finished his beer and left the Long Branch.

Kitty got out of work a little after one o'clock and ascended the staircase to her room. She had a surprise for Matt and wanted to make sure she had everything ready by the time he got back. Matt was usually done with his rounds between one thirty and two o'clock. Once Kitty was in her room, she made sure the door was locked. She then took her new pair of shoes and got herself ready.

Matt went to complete his rounds, and as promised, he went to Kitty's room when he was done. He stealthy climbed the stairs. When he reached the top, he put the key into the keyhole, unlocked the door, twisted the knob, and walked in. He was not prepared for the scene before him. There on the bed, was Kitty wearing nothing but the laced up shoes he told her he liked. Matt suddenly noticed that his mouth was parched. He licked his lips.

"Hello, Cowboy," said Kitty, her voice was very sensual. "So, you like the ones with the laces."

All Matt could do was nod his head. He was at a loss for words. Kitty took Matt's lack of words as a compliment. To her it was actually better than any words he could've said. She smiled at him and extended her hand to him, inviting him to join her on the bed. He did just that.

"You seem to be overdressed for this occasion," said Kitty.

"Let's just see what I can do about that," said Matt. He stood up and stripped himself of what he was wearing. Matt then rejoined Kitty on the bed.

"Something tells me you didn't pay full price for those shoes," said Matt, kissing the side of Kitty's neck.

"Something tells me you're right," said Kitty, enjoying what Matt was doing to her neck.

"Let's continue this under the covers," said Matt.

"Sure thing, but let me take off these shoes first," said Kitty.

Matt watched Kitty take off her new shoes. Even the way she did that made him desire her. 'Yup,' he thought. 'The ones with the laces.'

The End