"I swear, Matt, men can be as gossipy as women." Kitty sighed, as they rode out of town in a buggy after breakfast at Delmonico's. With Buck tied behind, the conversation picked up where they'd left off before sleep.

"Well, don't be too hard on us, Kit." Matt grinned. "We're just anxious to keep you safe." He frowned, studying her. "I mean, I know you have a responsibility to look after Thad, and I'm fine with that. More than fine, actually. He needs his Aunt Kitty. But I really don't want to leave ya out there overnight with Farrin loose."

"I know, Matt." she gave him a soft smile, squeezing his arm. "I appreciate you escorting me this morning but we'll be fine. Horace has some shotguns and we know how to use 'em."

"You shouldn't have to use 'em, Kit." he shook his head emphatically. "It's my job to handle the bad guys."

"Are you gonna ask Horace if you can bunk in their barn?" She raised an amused eyebrow.

"Now, there's an idea!" he grinned again. "I'd still miss not having you in my arms though."

"Well, I don't mind saying, I'll miss that too."

"Aunt Kitty!" Thad burst out the front door and tore across the yard as they drove up. "Aunt Kitty!"

"Thad!" She almost cried at the joy on his face.

Jumping down from the wagon almost before Matt pulled the horse up, they met for a fierce bear hug.

"I got to milk a cow this morning!" he chattered enthusiastically, "And I gathered the chicken's eggs and pulled up vegetables for dinner!"

"Good boy!"

"Thank you so much again, Mattie, Horace." She hugged the Kelks tightly when they came up, suddenly emotional. Matt patted her back.

"I'll second that." he shook their hands and patted Thad's back. "Good job, son."

"We couldn't be happier." Mattie was also emotional. "We couldn't have our own child so when we heard what happened, we knew this was the right thing to do."

"What—" Thad began.

"Oh, Thad…" Kitty was quick to interrupt. "Marshal Dillon and I brought you some stuff from town."

"See here?" She produced a few packages, juggling them for a moment before her big beau came to the rescue. He set them on the ground as she continued, "These are some of the most important tools you'll ever use on the prairie."

"I'm gonna start circling the periment of your place, Horace." The Marshal spoke as the boy knelt to open his gifts.

"That's mighty good of ya, Marshal." the older man nodded. "Thank ya."

"Will you be using our barn tonight, Marshal?" Mattie asked cautiously.

"I'm definitely considering it."

"Ahh, Mattie…" Horace shook his head at her, "there's no need for that. The Marshal is welcome to take a cot in the house if he's gonna stay overnight."

"Well, I don't wanna barge in." Matt smiled kindly. "The barn will be fine. The most important thing is getting my hands on—" He choked on his words at the look on Kitty's face and swung into the saddle. "Uh, well, anyways, I better get riding. I, uh, it looks like the four of you have a lot to talk about."

"We'll plan on you staying." Horace spoke up, ignoring the uncomfortable look on his wife's face. "In the house."

"Might be better if I stay in the barn." Matt caught Kitty's eyes for a nanosecond. "If you know who comes around, it might be an advantage for me to be outside."

Mrs. Kelk screwed up her courage. "You stop by for lunch too, if you can. We'll set a place for you."

"Thank you." Matt tipped his hat.

"Aunt Kitty…?" Thad tried again.

"I know, Thad…" She looked wistful. "Get your fishing pole. We'll go to the watering hole and then…I-I'll explain some things I haven't before."

oooooo

Tucker Farrin cautiously rode up Front Street and tied his horse to the rail in front of the Lady Gay, licking his lips as his eyes lingered on the U.S. Marshal's office, wondering if Matt Dillon knew about a new resident in his town.

Of course, he thought ruefully, Kitty wouldn't be so stupid as to keep him with her right away. But she certainly loved that boy so it probably wouldn't be hard to figure out where she'd stashed him if he kept his eyes and ears open.

Making a point to avoid the Long Branch, he frequented every other barroom in town and shelled out some major cash to make friends fast. No one recognized him; he hadn't been around for s long, he didn't even fear that. What he learned didn't surprise him in the least. Kitty Russell and Matt Dillon were still quite an item and they were both currently out of town.

The news made him chuckle as he paid the bills and made excuses to his new inebriated buddies. They must be like a married husband and wife by now, he thought, after so many years together. Then he started wondering why they weren't married. Did the good Marshal think he could protect her by not openly acknowledging their love? He laughed at the thought.

Thinking of Kitty turned his mind back through the years. He'd wanted her first and only settled for Ellie when he learned, almost too late, that the feisty redhead had a budding friendship with the young lawman in town.

Like most saloon girls, he continued musing, Ellie was putty in his hands and he'd had fun with her too, despite Kitty's bitter interference. He'd even managed to create a rift between the two women and, for a time, enjoyed the advantage. Then Ellie had gotten pregnant.

He couldn't have taken care of them even if he'd wanted, which he didn't. An outlaw can't afford to saddle himself with a woman and a child. Besides, he'd never mentioned his legal status to Ellie. He wasn't that stupid. A desperate woman who was pregnant with his child would rat him out in a heartbeat for the money.

Of course, Kitty had seen to it that her pregnant friend didn't remain ignorant. She was quick to move Ellie to a swanky boarding house in Garden City and, when he found out, she moved her to St. Louis.

Well, Farrin wasn't gonna put up with it anymore! He'd spent over half a decade in prison on account of that redhead's meddling and now he wanted his boy. Ellie had been a fool to send Thad away from him and he made sure she knew it before she died. No woman was gonna keep that boy away from him.

Especially Kitty Russell.

000000

Matt spent the morning circling the property, increasing and decreasing his arch as his sixth sense led him but always close enough to see his lover's fluffy ponytail ruffling in the light breeze. He loved watching her teach Thad how to bait his hook and cast the line and found himself hoping the Kelk's wouldn't mind if he took the boy hunting.

He was also grateful that Kitty was getting this opportunity to help raise a child and he cursed her luck at falling in love with a man who was afraid to give her a family of her own.