The next morning, the Marshal and Kitty were joined by Doc, Chester, and Sam to see the happy family off as they left the Dodge House after a huge celebratory breakfast at Delmonico's. Matt kept an especially supportive arm around his lover, knowing this would be the most difficult moment for her.
"What are you thinking, sweetheart?" he asked, when the little group finally broke up. Strolling arm in arm back to the Long Branch, his eyebrows knitted together with concern.
"Not sure…" she murmured, biting her lip.
"You wanna be alone for a while?" A small frown formed on his mouth.
"I don't think so." She gave him a tiny smile.
"Good."
"I guess I'm just a little worn out, maybe." she continued. "It's been quite a couple weeks. More than I ever thought—" Her voice broke off into a sob.
"Kitty…"
Quickly, he whisked her around the side of her business and guided her up the back stairs. Once they were shut in her room, his arms slid around her waist, pressing her tightly to himself. "Honey, if you wanna talk about anything, I'm all ears. But if you just wanna sit or even have a good cry then, well, I think I've got some pretty big shoulders too."
"I know, Matt." she shuddered against him. "I know." Chuckling despite herself, she added, "Lord knows, I know how big your shoulders are." Reaching up to peck his cheek, she added. "Thank you, cowboy."
"So, what'll it be?" he guided her to the couch. "You wanna drink, sweetheart?"
"This early in the morning?" an eyebrow arched upwards. "I'll have you know, I have a business to run, mister…"
"No scandals then?" he grinned.
"The Marshal here doesn't run an open town."
"Well, I've heard he likes to have a little fun, every now and again."
"With the ladies?" her eyebrow arched higher.
"Well…" he shrugged. "I've heard a rumor or two that he has a gal who he's pretty cozy with." he shrugged again. "You know…"
"Well, I guess I've heard something about that…" she smirked. "You saying you think a law-abiding business woman can get away with a good stiff drink in the morning and then be okay to do her tabulations at closing time?"
"I'm saying," the teasing light in his eyes dissolved into a frown, "I think you need to just take the day off, Kit." He moved to sit beside her, "Let Sam take care of things tonight. You need to rest, honey." He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs and gave her a gentle kiss. Then, resting his forehead on hers, added, "You've been through a lot, honey. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too."
"Will you stay with me awhile?" she looked down at his big hands, gripping them.
"I've been planning on it, sweetheart." he kissed her again, "What about that drink?"
Sounds good." she smiled, "Matt, don't you need—"
"I already talked to Chester, honey." He rose off the couch and moved to get their glasses ready. "I'm taking today off. Maybe I'll take tomorrow too and we can go on a picnic."
"Thank you." she smiled, not quite believing him.
"Well, like I said…" he handed her a glass. "The Marshal in this town has a gal he's pretty cozy with and, when she needs him, he likes to be there."
They sat for a while, enjoying each other in silence as they sipped their drinks. Then, finally, Kitty set her empty glass down and leaned over to rest her head against his shoulder.
"This is nice."
"It sure is." he squeezed her hand. "Is there anything I can do?"
"No, just sit here with me a while…until I fall asleep?"
"I'll be here when you wake up too."
"I'd like that." she tilted her head up with a soft smile. "Thanks for not being mad at me the other night when we picked up Thad."
"I wasn't mad." his eyebrows furrowed. "I was scared, Kit."
"I know." she nestled closer. "Thanks for not being mad."
He leaned down to brush her lips with his. "Just don't do it again."
"That's a promise, cowboy."
