There's Always Tomorrow Part 9

RESCUED

Author's Note:

Welcome to Part 9 of the continuing series, "There's Always Tomorrow." Each story in this series stands alone although each sequentially flows in time, so you'll enjoy them more if you read them in order. By this time, it's no secret that Matt and Kitty are not only happily married, and their daughter Sara was born in the previous story. If you're just now tuning in, you can catch up on the other stories later, but you should at least read Part 8 first so you know where this one picks up.

And THANK YOU to all the members and guests who read and reviewed Part 8. Your reviews and private messages are the fuel that makes all the hours at the keyboard worthwhile. I appreciate each one of you very much! Guests, this is your virtual hug!

The Gunsmoke S15 episode ROOTS OF FEAR gave me an idea, so I wrote "Rescued" around it. Don't jump to conclusions just yet . . . more than one rescue is buried within these pages.

ALL OF MY STORIES CONTAIN ADULT CONTENT!

It's my distinct honor to share this story with you!

"Desperate People Are Capable of Desperate Things"

Kitty Russell in "A Game of Death, An Act Of Love"

RESCUED: CHAPTER 1

"Oh Matt! So many people!"

Kitty was taking it all in as they stepped off the train in San Francisco. Her last image of a building had been the depot in Denver, and they'd only seen it long enough to change trains. Now they were awash in a sea of humanity with people going in all directions, carriages rushing to meet their passengers, women in the most stylish traveling fashions and men . . . well, men were everywhere!

Ava Dooley was even more taken than Kitty. She'd never imagined such a sight. The chaos here was beyond belief. She snuggled Sara deep into her arms, determined to keep the baby from being afraid, as she surely was. With the ladies' essential cases he had in hand, Matt only had one free arm to offer, and he gave it to Ava in deference to the precious cargo she was carrying.

"I'll collect all our bags and hire a carriage after I get you two seated in the restaurant," he announced. No response. The ladies were too busy craning their necks. He cranked it up a notch. "Kitty, did you hear me?"

"I did. I . . ." she was cut off when a man running along the platform nearly knocked her off her feet. Matt steadied her and made a new plan.

"Let's all stand here for just a minute," he said calmly, scanning the crowd. "Porter!" He boomed, raising his arm well above the crowd, immediately getting the attention of the red capped man. "Porter, carry these cases and follow me, please."

Two completely free hands now, he put Ava on one arm and Kitty on the other, and they walked in much more confidence to the terminal. It was huge, the largest open expanse room any of them had ever seen. The grand floor that bustled with activity was bright with magnificent windows that went all the way to the ceiling, which in turn was adorned with striations of California gold. While Kitty and Ava looked up, down, left and right, Matt focused on the porter.

"Take us to the best restaurant, please."

Only too happy to comply, the experienced local guided them through the maze of people to a staircase, and with his clients in tow, led them up to the second floor. He negotiated briefly with the head waiter at the entrance, then followed the group to a linen adorned table overlooking the hectic marshalling yard.

"Thank you, porter." Matt handed the man a generous gratuity and sat down with Kitty and Ava at the table, joining them in admiring the view.

"Not gonna take long to run through all the cash I brought," he smiled at Kitty. "Welcome to California. You have everything you need in your reticule?"

She knew what he meant. Instantly she knew, and he sure wasn't talking about money. Once he left to fetch their bags and hire a carriage, it would be her turn to guard their family. And guard them she would, so she nodded, acknowledging the vague question that she understood only too well.

"We'll wait right here for you." She wanted to reassure him and add 'sweetie,' but it wasn't a pet name they used very often in front of Ava, so it remained implied with their exchanged glance. There was never any danger in the depot at Dodge, but this was an entirely different place. So far, it seemed like an entirely different world. It was hard to watch him walk away.

Ava had her own agenda, nervously shifting her glance from the restaurant out to the train they'd just deboarded and then back again. Kitty read her like a book. It was a dream come true for her to see her son again after so many months apart.

"Ava, let me hold Sara while we eat. You need to relax and enjoy yourself. Tip told you he couldn't meet the train. This isn't a disappointment, it's an expectation. He has horses in four races Sunday. It's the busiest time for a trainer. We'll go to the track and find him, don't worry for a minute. Now I'm going to order peach pie and ice cream. What sounds yummy to you?"

The reassurance did the trick. "That sounds just wonderful, Kitty! Imagine getting to eat peaches!"

Between bites, Kitty spooned tiny dabs of her ice cream into Sara's mouth, who at first winced at the cold then abruptly flashed a toothless grin of delight at her mother. They'd almost finished their luncheon treat when Matt strode up to their table and took his baby girl in his arms.

"Mrs. Dillon," he bowed as deeply as he could without crushing his daughter. "I am here to take you to your carriage. I am asked to share with you the word 'forever'."

Ava had no idea why Kitty laughed her big, booming laugh, but it didn't matter. She was as glad to see the marshal as his wife was. Three years it had been since that day in Denver when Martha Cole had taught Kitty the code word. She hadn't had to use it yet and hoped she never would. And the porter had been right: This was indeed the best restaurant in the depot. The minute the head waiter saw the big man at their table, he approached with their tab. Matt smiled gratefully and paid it.

"Ladies," he bowed again. "Your carriage awaits. Let's go see San Francisco!"

XOXOXO

Twelve hundred miles behind them in Dodge City, Galen Adams waited confidently on the Santa Fe platform for his third candidate in five days. He hoped against hope this would be the one. Was it because Doctor Joseph Brooker was Cyrus Brooker's son? He chastised himself for even entertaining the thought. Each of the interviewees had been afforded the same open-minded courtesy. Besides, young Joseph was without question overqualified for a position as a frontier doctor, having graduated the Philadelphia College of Medicine and then interned under the legendary Doctor Thomas Bond at the Philadelphia Hospital. No doubt he'd agreed to this interview at his father's persuasion, and that alone. Doc smiled wistfully at the thought of being born into this man's generation, of missing all those pointless hours of service on riverboats, then the grim reality of war. What a brilliant future any young doctor faced today, not to mention one with such credentials! Still, Joseph was sure to have some of the mettle and honesty that had made his father a legend among federal judges. Maybe he could persuade him to stay for more than a day.

"Doctor Adams?" He was interrupted from his thoughts by the soft voice. "Doctor Adams, I'd recognize you anywhere, sir. It's a distinct pleasure to meet you." The impeccably dressed young man proffered his hand and wore a warm smile. "I'm Doctor Joseph Brooker." Doc took the young man's hand and returned the smile: The warmest one he'd worn since the morning his granddaughter was born.

"Welcome to Dodge City, Doctor Brooker! And I can assure you, the pleasure is all mine! Let's collect up your belongings and put them in my buggy, then we'll head to my office."

"Great. I have that big trunk, those three suitcases, and of course my medical bag."

Doc scrubbed his mustache while he watched the young man point at enough property to fill a small wagon. Even the medical bag was the largest one he'd ever seen. He took a deep breath, which was all the time it took him to come up with a plan.

"All right then. That is NOT going to fit in my buggy. Let's leave all of it except your medical bag right here in the depot and I'll send a driver over for it."

"It'll be safe in the Depot?"

It was a cultural difference. Doc chuckled and pulled on his ear lobe. There was going to be a lot to talk about.

"It'll be safe. Dodge is safe. Besides, the stationmaster is a friend of mine."

"And where will I be staying, Doctor Adams? I promised to wire my father when I arrived."

"Well, we'll stop at the telegraph office and get that wire sent off. You can just tell him to wire back care of me. You'll be at the Dodge House tonight, but you might decide to move if you stay more than tonight. We'll talk about the choices for your home away from home when we get to the office. So, he does know you came to interview?"

"Decidedly. He encouraged me. Said this was the opportunity of a lifetime." His smile hadn't wavered a bit.

Passenger and medical bag on board, Doc chirped to his gelding. While they made the short drive from the depot, he broke the ice. "My first name is Galen. My patients call me 'Doc Adams' and my friends call me 'Doc.' Since I've never had a colleague, I'd sure like it if you'd call me 'Galen.' It'd sort of make me feel like I'd arrived."

"Galen it is, Galen. And no more of that 'Doctor Brooker' stuff. That's for the nurses at the laying-in hospital. I'm Joseph. Even 'Joe' if you're frustrated with me!"

They stopped at the telegraph office, then the jail. Festus greeted them on the boardwalk.

"Doctor Joseph Brooker, this is my friend Deputy Festus Haggen. He'll get a wagon and carry your luggage to the Dodge House."

Brooker didn't just extend his hand to Festus in greeting, he stepped out of the carriage to do so.

"Mr. Haggen, delighted to meet you, and thank you!"

"Waaal, 'yer 'jes a breath a' spring, Doctor! I'm real glad 'ta help. Mebbe you kin sweeten up this ol' cowtown pill roller some, what with bein' another doc fer him 'ta banter with."

"It'll be great, Mr. Haggen. Thank you so much." The young doctor reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar, offering it to the man he'd just met.

"Fiddle, I don't want no money or nothin' fer 'jes bein a little helpful. Doc here, he's a friend a' mine, so that means 'yer a friend too, dontcha see?"

"I see exactly." He smiled and pocketed the dollar.

"You any kin 'ta Judge Brooker? See, he's th' judge what . . ."

"Festus!" Doc stopped him. "Those are personal questions. We're going to head up to my office. If you'd please just get the doctor's belongings."

"Dontcha fret none, Doc. I'm all over that. I'll see 'ya later." And just like that, he was gone.

Young Brooker climbed back in the buggy so they could head to the office.

"You just got your first taste of the culture in Dodge City, Joseph. That man really IS a friend. As rough as he seems, he'd give his life for any of us. Does that make sense?"

"It does, Galen." He smiled. "And that's a culture I could grow to like. Thanks for introducing me."

XOXOXO

"The PALACE Hotel? Really, Matt? I thought we were at the Imperial!"

"Just for a couple of nights. I thought you'd like to see it. We can move to the Imperial any time."

He doubted for all the world that his wife had heard him, even though he'd planned this surprise for a long time. And who could blame her! The grand court bustled with carriages, doormen and bell staff greeting each one and trying to keep some semblance of order in the chaos. It was a sight to behold. But they didn't behold it for long.

"Your name, sir?"

"Dillon. Matthew Dillon and family."

The bellman looked briefly at the list in his hand and smiled.

"Of course, sir! Welcome, Mr. Dillon. I will show you to your suite right away. Let me help the ladies down."

Kitty looked at Ava with wide eyes. Suite? There was nothing either of them could say. In it's first year of operation, the opening of the Palace, all built on the fortunes of the gold rush, had made newspapers even in Dodge and beyond. Not even New York City had anything like this. How would they ever sleep? With Sara in Matt's arms, each of them grabbed one of Matt's long sleeves and clung to him like children as they followed the bellman into the ornate lobby through a circus of activity to the huge mahogany desk. Matt signed the register and exchanged a few words with the desk man. Kitty and Ava were far too busy gawking at the lobby to pay any attention at all. When Matt turned to follow the bellman, it was Ava who spoke up first.

"Marshal, wait just a quick minute. Please! I can find Tip and stay with him. I clearly don't belong in a place like this, nor am I deserving of it. I'd be more comfortable if . . ."

"Ava." He squeezed her hand. "This is just my little gift. You've meant the world to Kitty and me helping with Sara so much. It's a very small gesture, really."

"Marshal!" She raised her voice. "I said PLEASE!" This is a place for you and your wife!" Her hand was shaking in his.

"Ava, you have your own private room. Trust me."

She sighed and nodded, and whispered "Thank you," not wanting for a minute to turn loose of his hand. But the bellman had them in tow for the grand tour.

"Briefly, since I know you want to get settled and freshen up," he continued his practiced routine. "We have four restaurants here on the main floor." He swept his hand in what seemed like four directions at once. "Each is distinctly different, and a full menu for each is printed in your suite. We also have an elegant fine dining choice on the eighth level, 'Gilt and Glory.' Please now follow me, your suite is on the sixth floor."

"The view from the sixth floor is going to be real special, ladies. That's why I chose it."

"Matt, that's a lot of stairs with a baby in arms." Kitty didn't want to seem ungrateful, she was just overwhelmed at the thought of trudging up so many flights.

Unperturbed, the bellman led them to a door, not a staircase. He pulled it back to reveal a small empty room.

"It's a rising room." He announced proudly, stepping aside so they could enter before he followed them. "It will carry us smoothly to the sixth floor. Your beautiful baby will rest in comfort in your arms."

And it did, too. They all looked around, then glanced at each other, until there was nothing left to look at. The bellman spent the time explaining how to operate the lift, carefully stopping it at the fifth floor just for demonstration before he asked Matt to finish the trip to the sixth floor. He stopped it smoothly.

"It's all done with weight and counterweight and oil filled cylinders," the bellman explained with pride. "Quiet, comfortable and fast. Our staff can have hot water or beverages to your suite within five minutes, any time of the day or night. There's a wall button in each room to summon us. We look forward to being of service."

And that had indeed been an understatement. While they'd been checking in and touring the lobby, the staff had already delivered all their belongings into the spacious main room of the suite. The bellman quickly opened the interior door and showed them the private second bedroom, also with its own private bath and private hallway entrance. Kitty drew herself away from the stunning view out the window only long enough to look back at the bellman.

"We'll need a crib brought up for our baby." She smiled.

"Ah, no, not necessary. If you would look into the au pair's room, the crib has been delivered." He gestured toward the small bedroom.

"Thank you," Matt took over. "Please bring it into this room. The lady is not our au pair."

Quickly the man set about his work. Matt put his sleeping daughter into the crib, then handed the man a silver dollar.

"Thank you for your generosity, sir," the man half bowed. "May you have a pleasant stay."

"I'd like to be your au pair for the rest of the trip," Ava said softly as soon as the man had left. "This is much too elaborate, and I certainly haven't done a thing to earn it. My thrill will be to see Tip again and look at his fine horses. Please let me continue to help with Sara!"

"Ava, of course you can help. But you're our guest. Now both of you come and look at this." He strode purposefully to the massive French doors that Kitty had been looking through and pulled them open to reveal an ornate balcony, complete with decorative wrought iron railing. He watched while the women tentatively stepped out onto the balcony and surveyed San Francisco. Wordlessly, they took the scene in, staring at something neither of them could ever have imagined, and likely would never see again once they left this place. Matt had saved a little money here and a little there for this trip ever since the day Peter Duncan had gifted Kitty the tickets that day so long ago in Denver, and it filled him with pride to see his vision come true.

"That's the Pacific ocean!" Kitty breathed the words, never taking her eyes off the sparkling blue water.

"Indeed it is, Kit." Matt put his hands on her shoulders. "And all that greenery right in front of it is Golden Gate Park. We'll go down there tomorrow. We have plenty of time for exploring before the big race Sunday. We'll see it all, Kitty."

"And the Pioneer Racetrack where Tip is, Marshal?"

"Ava, it's over your left shoulder to the south. You can just see the west corner of it. But if we eat upstairs tonight, you'll be able to look out and see it all."

With Ava busy leaning as far as she dared and craning her neck to the south, Matt took the opportunity to wrap his arms around Kitty for a hug of joy, nuzzling a kiss and a whispered "I love you" into her ear. She reached up and covered his hands with hers, ready to be alone with him to share the joy she felt at this magnificent gift. Her goosebumps hadn't even disappeared yet before there was a sharp rapping on the door. Matt sighed, gave her one more quick kiss in the ear, and went to answer it. Two rather burly men in hotel uniforms flanked an attractive young woman in a smart looking business suit.

"Marshal Dillon?" She looked inquiringly up into his eyes. There was a moment of silence as her gaze drifted down to his chest where his badge gleamed for anyone with such a question. As she went back to his eyes, a look of completely delighted surprise replaced the professional poker face she'd been wearing.

"Matt?" She was beaming now! "Matt Dillon!" She all but squealed.

He smiled back, embarrassed that he was drawing a blank. Nothing seemed amiss. But why did this woman have what appeared to be bodyguards with her?

"I'm sorry," he said as professionally as he could. "I'm Matt Dillon, but I'm drawing a blank here. Have we met?"

"Oh my God, I'm SO sorry, Matt! I'm just stunned that it's really YOU! I'm Stacey Cole. I'm Charlie's daughter, Matt! I'm front desk manager here at the Palace. These two men are security officers. The desk clerk said you had a woman in custody and she was begging you for something, calling you 'marshal' in a distressed tone. Oh my God, Matt, I'm SO sorry!"

She left Matt standing there with a sheepish look on his face while she quickly explained to the security men that this was a friend and dismissed them to head for the lift. At least it gave Matt a moment to recall what had been said at the front desk.

"Stacey, that was our guest on this trip, Ava Dooley. She always calls me 'marshal.' Kitty, Ava, come here and meet Stacey Cole! Stacey, come on in!" He stepped aside so Stacey could join them. Ava was tentatively walking behind Kitty, but Kitty still had no idea, drawing a blank just as Matt had. Matt came to her rescue.

"Stacey, this is my wife Kitty. Kitty, this is Stacey, Charlie and Martha's daughter!"

"Ohhhh!" Kitty breathed out in surprise. "Oh, Stacey," she opened her arms for a hug, which the young woman eagerly returned. "It's SO good to meet you! I knew you lived in San Francisco but . . .but what are you doing here at the Palace at the same time we are?"

Stacey laughed. "I'm here five days a week every week, Kitty. I'm front desk manager. I work here!"

"What an absolute thrill for you!" Normally Kitty wouldn't have monopolized the conversation, but she was still caught up in her second big surprise of the day. "Why, you can't be any more than . . ."

"Thirty-three. I get that a lot. Everyone else thinks I'm too young for this job, you may as well too." The smile on her face denied any sort of offense. In fact, she looked downright proud.

"This must be your friend Ava." Stacey extended her hand around Kitty, who looked horribly embarrassed that she'd overlooked the introduction. No wonder Stacey was proud.

"Yes Miss Cole. I'm Ava Dooley from Dodge City, and it's a delight to meet you. I can't imagine being a manager at a hotel like this. Not in any dream can I imagine it."

"Mother and Daddy said you had a baby, Kitty," Stacey inquired with a gleam in her eye.

It was Matt's turn. Kitty and Ava waited quietly and watched him lead Stacey to the crib. Sara was still asleep after her long adventure, and likely would be until well into the evening. Stacey spent a full minute in quiet admiration, then stood up and whispered.

"Matt! She really favors you! Wow and look at that dark, curly hair!"

"Good thing, too, cause I plan to keep her. And you don't have to whisper. She could sleep through a circus parade."

"Also just like her father," Kitty added with a smirk. "Her name is Sara. We're proud of her, of course, but thank you for your compliments."

"So your desk man thought Ava was my prisoner?"

"Yes," Stacey laughed. "Or at least in your custody. We have a strict rule about lawmen bringing prisoners in, although we'd ever enforce it for a United States marshal." Her eyes were dancing again. "Matt, Kitty, it's just wonderful to meet you after everything Mother and Daddy have told me. I know I'll see you again while you're here. In the meanwhile, just sign for food and beverage anywhere in the hotel. It'll go straight onto your suite invoice, which is on the house."

"No, no Stacey. Not a chance. We'll only be here a day or two, wouldn't dream of imposing."

"But the races are this coming weekend, surely you're staying for the races! Daddy told me you own a racehorse now."

"We have reservations at the Imperial. I just wanted to show Kitty and Ava the Palace. It sure is a magnificent hotel. Thank you so much, Stacey, but no."

"The Imperial? No, no, no! You will unpack, get settled in, and stay right here. Not a chance I'd let you leave. Besides, I want to see little Miss Sara when she's awake. Tell you what: You take me to the races this weekend, how's that for a trade? I've never known anyone who owns a racehorse!"