Chapter 8

Why would Kitty call the baby that? Did she know something? As far as Matt was aware he was the only in Dodge that knew he was the baby's father. Mike, may God rest her soul, never made it to Dodge to say anything. So why was Kitty giving the baby his last name?

"Abigail Melinda Dillon?" Matt questioned Kitty.

Kitty took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Matt, I want us to adopt this baby and raise her as our own." She stopped and waited for Matt's reaction.

Matt wanted to raise his daughter so they could be a part of each other's lives, but he had no idea how he was going to bring up the subject to Kitty. Now he didn't have to worry about bringing up the subject. Kitty did that for him. However, he would have to watch how he answered. He did not want to seem too eager. Kitty would question his eagerness.

"Kitty, I'm not sure,,," Matt started.

Doc interrupted. "Before you two start discussing this, Matt I need you to go to Delmonico's and get some goat milk and then the general store for a few baby bottles. This baby needs to eat."

Matt left Doc's office to obtain the goat milk and the baby bottles. He was gone for fifteen minutes. When he returned, Doc prepared a bottle for the baby. Kitty fed her.

"Matt and Kitty, I want you to take the baby back to Kitty's room. I have a basket in the back room that you can take with you. She can sleep in that. You two can discuss adoption because I really think you should," said Doc.

Matt and Kitty both nodded. Matt's nod was a good sign to Kitty. At least he wasn't immediately objecting to the idea. The baby finished her bottle. Matt took the rest of the goat milk and bottles, and put them in the wicker basket Doc had given them. He carried the basket, while Kitty carried the baby over to the Long Branch. They used the back stairs to Kitty's room. They wanted to avoid taking the baby through the saloon.

Matt set the basket on the top landing of the steps so he could take the key out of his pocket. He put the key in the lock and turned it. He opened the door and let Kitty and the baby pass through. Matt picked up the basket and walked inside. He placed the basket on one of the tables. Once the basket was on the table, Kitty carefully put the baby inside it. It wasn't long before she was fast asleep.

"Now Matt, before you say anything, please just hear me out." The look on Matt's face told Kitty she had his attention, so she continued. "Adopting Abby is probably going to be my last chance to be a mother. Doc doesn't think I'll be able to carry a child of my own. He said that our success in not conceiving in the last twenty years has left my womb pretty much barren. Do I regret not having a baby with you? Of course I do. I'd be lying, if I said no. Do I regret the life I chose to have with you? Absolutely not. I told Doc I'd rather live a childless life loving you, then a life with a man I didn't truly love just to have kids. Now, I may not be able to carry your babies anymore, but we can still have a family together."

As Matt listened to Kitty the part about their avoiding pregnancy leaving her barren felt like an iron fist punching him in the gut. He really did plan on retiring in a couple of years and marrying Kitty. She was almost six years younger than him. He just figured they would get married and start a family right away. They would just be starting their family a lot later than most people, but Matt knew women Kitty's age who were still having babies. He never imagined what his selfish ways would do to her. Yes, he admitted, he had been selfish.

"KItty, I am so sorry. I've been a selfish fool. I was naive to think I could be Marshal for a couple more years, retire, and then we'd get married and start a family. I never once thought us not getting you pregnant would change those plans. Believe it or not, all I've ever wanted was to make you happy. I can see how happy that baby makes you. Seeing you happy makes me happy. So, let's adopt Abigail Melinda."

Kitty was completely taken back. She could not believe the words that just came out of Matt's mouth. She was certain that she would have to do battle with him. As much as she wanted to ask if he was sure, she didn't want to question good fortune.

"Kitty, I know you want me to give up the badge and be a family man. But if I work just a couple more months, I'll be able to get a pension from the government."

"Matt, I know how much being Marshal of Dodge means to you. It's been a part of your life for over twenty years, just like the Long Branch has been a part of my life for over twenty years. I can't believe I'm actually going to say this, but I don't want you to completely give up being the Marshall, just cut back. You have both Newly and Festus now. Let them take on more responsibilities. If they can take a prisoner to Hays, let them. If you can be home in the evenings with us and on the weekends, I'll be happy."

Matt looked at Kitty with complete love in his eyes. She truly was a remarkable woman. Now he had to ask her a question. "What about the Long Branch? How can you run it and raise a baby? I know how much the Long Branch means to you, like being a Marshall means to me, but I don't want to ask you to completely give it up."

"Trust me. I've thought about that. You're right I can't run a saloon and raise a baby at the same time. Running the saloon for the last twenty years was my way of keeping my mind off not having kids. I was too busy to think about it. Now that we may possibly have a baby of our own, I don't need to run a saloon to keep me busy. The baby will keep me pretty busy," said Kitty.

"Are you sure you can just give up the Long Branch?" Matt asked.

"I wasn't finished. I'm not going to completely give it up. I'm going to sell part of it, and be a silent partner. I'll take care of the books and my business partner can run the saloon," answered Kitty.

"It sounds like you have someone in mind," said Matt.

"I do. Her name is Miss Hannah Keller. I met her on one of my business trips to Wichita, and I've talked with her on other trips since then. She knew who I was and told me if I ever wanted to have a business partner or completely sell the Long Branch, she'd be interested. I'll send a wire to her tomorrow," said Kitty.

"It sounds like we have a plan. We'll talk to Reverend Daly about performing a wedding on Saturday and I'll wire Judge O'Hare to see when he can come to Dodge for adoption proceedings" said Matt.

"There's a problem with your plan," said Kitty

Matt looked at Kitty, totally confused. "What problem?"

Kitty looked at Matt and shook her head. "Well, it would be nice if you asked me to marry you. I mean a girl waits her whole life for this moment."

Matt smiled and got down on one knee. "Kitty Russell, will you marry me?"

"A thousand times yes!" exclaimed Kitty, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly on the lips.

Two weeks had passed, and so many things had taken place in that time. Matt and Kitty had gotten married, adopted the baby, and even bought a house. There was a house for sale a mile north of town. The older couple that owned it wanted to move to Denver to be closer to their son and his family. They used the money Kitty made selling part of the Long Branch to Miss Hannah.

Everything was running a lot smoother than Matt ever anticipated, until one night when Kitty made a comment about Abby.

TBC