Chapter 1
It was a quarter until six and Kitty was waiting for Sam to get back from supper. Sam usually ate his lunch between noon and one and his supper between five and six. When Sam did return, Kitty planned on having supper at Delmonico's with Matt. A short time later Sam did return. The original plan was for Matt to pick Kitty up at the Long Branch at six. But since it was such a gorgeous evening, Kitty decided she would walk over to the jail to get Matt.
"Sam, I'm going over to the jail to get Matt and then we're going to have supper at Delmonico's. I should only be gone for an hour," said Kitty.
"I thought the Marshal was coming here to get you," Sam said as he put his apron on.
"He was, but it's so nice outside, that I decided to go to him," replied Kitty.
"Ahhh, well have a nice supper, Miss Kitty," said Sam.
Kitty smiled at Sam and left the Long Branch. She walked down Front Street and towards Matt's office. Kitty knew they were to meet and six and she was going to be early, but she didn't think Matt would mind.
Matt was sitting in his office finishing his reports from his last trip to Hays City. He figured he had enough time to finish the report before he had to be at the Long Branch to get Kitty. Matt was finishing up, when he heard the door open. He looked up and saw Kitty walk in.
"Did I lose track of time? I'm so sorry. I wanted to quickly finish this report," Matt rambled on in somewhat of a panic.
"No, no, no," Kitty quickly reassured him. "I'm early. But it's such a beautiful evening, I thought I'd come and get you. I didn't think you'd mind."
"Do I mind having a beautiful woman come and get me to eat supper with her?" Matt asked. "Let me think about that. Hmmm…. Absolutely not. Let's go."
Matt and Kitty were about to leave the jail, when Festus walked in. He was carrying several envelopes. He had obviously been to the post office.
"Evening, Mizz Kitty," Festus said, touching the tip of his hat. "Matthew, here's the mail. Lester at the post office said there's a letter from a deputy in Tucson, Arizona. He didn't know if it was important."
"Do you need to check and see if the letter needs your attention?" asked Kitty.
Matt took the mail and put it on his desk. "I'm sure it can wait. If it was urgent, a wire would have been sent. Festus, Kitty and I are going to have supper at Delmonico's. When I get back, maybe we can go to the Long Branch and have a beer."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll see ya directly, Matthew," Festus said.
Matt and Kitty made their way to Delmonico's. Upon arriving, they could see that the restaurant was getting busy. Matt and Kitty were able to find a table towards the back. Matt pulled out Kitty's chair and she sat down. Once she was seated, Matt took his own seat.
"Hello, Marshal, Miss Kitty. What can I get for you?" asked Delmonico's waiter, Joe.
Being the gentleman he was, Matt let Kitty order first. "I see prairie chicken is your special. I believe I'll have that."
"That sounds good," said Matt. "Make it two prairie chicken dinners."
"Alright. I'll get these orders in and your food to you as soon as I can," said Joe, walking away from the table.
It was not long when Joe returned with two prairie chicken dinners. He set them down in front of Matt and Kitty and walked away to wait on other customers. Matt and Kitty placed their napkins in their laps and began eating their meals.
"How was your trip to Hays?" asked Kitty as she cut into her chicken.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. It was just a routine trip taking a prisoner to his trial in Hays. I'm just grateful I didn't have to stay," said Matt, putting a forkful of food in his mouth. "I'm also grateful that the weather cooperated. It makes the ride to Hays more tolerable."
"I'm also glad you didn't have to stay in Hays. I always hate it when you have to be gone for multiple days. Yes, the weather has been wonderful these last several days. After the harsh winter we had, it's definitely welcomed," said Kitty.
Matt and Kitty continued to enjoy their meals and the company of each other. It wasn't too often that the two of them could sit down and enjoy a full meal together. Something usually happened out in the streets of Dodge that demanded Matt's attention, but not tonight. There wasn't anything in the streets that demanded Matt's attention, but there was something on his desk. If he only knew what the letter from the deputy in Tucson, Arizona contained.
TBC
