Chapter 3
"Oh it was from a deputy from Tucson, Nash Sampson. It was really unofficial business. I guess he's a new deputy out there. He had heard about me and just wanted to introduce himself," answered Matt.
"That thar don't seem like it's of any importance," said Festus as he finished his beer.
"Nope, not really," replied Matt. He finished his drink and got up to leave. "Kitty, I'm going to go and do my rounds. I'll see ya later."
"Alright, Matt," Kitty softly said. She then turned to Festus. "Do ya think you might be needing another beer?"
"Well golly bill Mizz Kitty, I don't mind if I do," said Festus.
"Sam!" Kitty shouted towards the bar, getting Sam's attention. "Bring Festus another beer, please."
"Coming right up!" Sam shouted back.
Matt started his rounds for the evening, alone with his thoughts. These thoughts were threatening to drown him, and he could not let that happen. He had to be calm and collected for the next day and a half. Kitty and Doc would automatically pick up on his anxiety.
He thought about talking to Doc, but quickly squashed that idea. Doc didn't even know that Mike Yardner was a woman. Matt and Kitty had both decided to leave that bit of information out of Matt's story, even from Doc. They let everyone think that Mike Yardner was a man that owned a ranch and took care of Matt. Why would people question if Mike was a man or a woman? They would have no reason to do so. So, right now talking to Doc seemed out of the question.
Matt knew he should talk to Kitty, but he just did not know how to bring up the subject. What was he supposed to say? 'Hey Kitty, I want to let you know that Mike Yardner wrote me a letter saying she's coming to Dodge.' This was a very sensitive subject and he did not want Kitty to get hurt. Maybe that's what was making it so hard for him to build up the courage to tell her. He hated to see Kitty in pain, both physically and emotionally. This news would be emotionally painful for her. He wanted to spare her any pain that he could.
Finishing his rounds, Matt journeyed on back to the Long Branch, to Kitty's room. He wanted to make everything as routine as possible. There wasn't an occupant in the jail, and when there wasn't one, Matt stayed with Kitty. The light in her window was on, telling him she was there. Light or no light, he was always welcomed. However, she started using that light early in their relationship and has never stopped. It was a symbol of their relationship. No matter how dark things seem to get, they would always have each other's light to guide them. Matt just hoped they would have enough light to guide them in the next couple of days.
Matt inserted his key in the lock and turned it. He walked inside and saw Kitty sitting at her vanity, washing off her face paint. Her hair was still pinned up. Matt quickly stripped off his hat, gunbelt and clothing, leaving only his undergarments. He walked over to Kitty and started to take the hairpins out of her hair. This small gesture held so much intimacy for the two of them. Both took great pleasure in it. Matt just hoped he would be able to continue doing this. Making sure all the hairpins were out, Matt gently ran his fingers through Kitty's hair. Realizing her hair was free of any hairpins, Matt took the brush off the vanity and made long gentle strokes through Kitty's hair.
"MMMM," Kitty sighed. "I'm pretty sure this is one of my favorite times of the night. I just love it when you take my hair down and brush through it."
"You and me both," said Matt as he finished brushing. He set the brush back on the vanity.
Kitty got up from her chair and went to take off today's clothing. She went into the washroom to retrieve a lace nightgown. She had ordered it a couple of weeks ago and it had just arrived today. She was sure Matt would appreciate seeing her in it. Slipping it on, Kitty looked at herself in the mirror. The gown fit, perfectly accentuating her breasts and her curves. 'Yup, Matt will definitely like this,' she thought.
After she finished in the washroom, Kitty walked back into the bedroom. Sure enough, when Matt saw her, he had a mixture of love, admiration, and appreciation on his face. It was the reaction that Kitty was hoping to get from him. She walked slowly towards him, swaying her hips as she did.
"I know in the past I've made the mistake of not noticing when you've gotten new things, that dress, the hat, but I'm confident that this nightgown is brand new," Matt said.
Kitty laughed out loud thinking back all those years when Matt complimented her on a dress she had been wearing for a few months and the same thing with the hat. "Yes, this is brand new. It arrived on the Pony Express today. Do you like it?" Kitty didn't need to ask that question. She already knew the answer.
"Oh I think you know the answer to that question," Matt told her. "I'm going to get washed up and then I'll join you in bed.
Matt went to the washroom to quickly wash up and then joined Kitty in bed. After a little bit of foreplay, Matt and Kitty lovingly joined their bodies together. Making love to Kitty, feeling himself inside of her made Matt forget all about Mike Yardner coming to Dodge. Right now he was going to relish being with Kitty, his soulmate, the woman he loved with all of his heart.
Time passed and it was the early morning hours of May third. Mike sat in the stagecoach gently caressing her swollen belly. She imagined the life that was growing inside of her, a life she created with Matt Dillon. She was due to give birth in the beginning of June, in just a few weeks. She pondered on whether or not she should contact Matt. But after careful consideration, she made the decision to contact him and go and see him. She felt that a man had a right to know he was going to be a father, and more importantly her baby had a right to have a father. Her child didn't ask to be conceived, and it shouldn't be deprived of a father.
Mike didn't know what to expect from Matt when she arrived in Dodge. She knew he would be shocked. That was a given. What man wouldn't be shocked after learning he got another woman pregnant? Did Mike still love Matt? She still loved Dan, but figured she could learn to love Matt. 'Matt, I'll be in Dodge later this afternoon. I plan on giving birth while I'm there, so you can meet our baby,' were the last thoughts as Mike closed her eyes and rested her hands on her pregnant belly.
TBC
