Chapter 3
"Hello, Matt," Kitty softly said.
"Hello, Kitty," said Matt as he carefully sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Well, Doc thinks I might live after all," Kitty joked.
"I gotta say you're looking a lot better than the last time I saw you," said Matt.
"I'm feeling a lot better," said Kitty. She took hold of Matt's hand and was gently caressing her forearm.
Doc was still in the back room and decided to go out to the front office to check on Kitty. When he walked out, he was surprised to see Matt there. He had been so involved in his work, he didn't even hear him come in.
"Matt, when did you get back?" he asked.
"Hey Doc. Just now," Matt responded. By this time, Kitty stopped caressing Matt's arm.
"I'm glad you're here. Maybe you can talk some sense into this girl," said Doc as he sat down at his desk.
"What seems to be the problem?" Matt asked as he looked at Kitty.
"She is a difficult patient, very difficult," said Doc.
"Now Doc, that's just not fair," sighed Kitty.
"It's fair alright," said Doc as he rubbed his hand over his mustache.
"I just think I'd be better off in my room. I feel like I'm in the way," said Kitty.
"As a matter of fact, you are in the way. But this is where you're going to stay. I'm not taking any chances with you," said Doc.
"I give up," said Kitty, knowing she wasn't going to win.
"You better. I'll take you over my knee," said Doc.
"You would too," Kitty agreed.
Matt was finding this amusing. He knew his girl was a headstrong woman. That was one of the many things he loved about her. "Don't take any back talk from her, Doc." Matt then spoke to Kitty. "I have to stop by the office, but I'll be back shortly."
"Alright, Matt," Kitty said as she rubbed his forearm again.
Matt stood up and was about to leave, but Doc followed and stopped him. "I hope you got him."
Matt briefly looked at Kitty before he answered. "I did," he simply said and then walked out.
Kitty slightly smiled to herself. She thought about what Doc had told her. Matt was where he needed to be, doing what needed to be done. That was one of the reasons she loved him.
Matt returned to the office to find Chester scrambling around with a broomstick. Logs from the woodbox were scattered around the office.
"Chester, what's going on around here?" Matt asked.
"Hey, Mr. Dillon. There's a mouse in the office. I had him trapped in the corner, but he must've ran behind the safe," Chester responded. "Did you get Bayloe?"
"Yes. he's dead," Matt answered.
"Oh, take a look at this circular," said Chester as he handed Matt a circular with Bayloe, Helm, and a third guy.
"These three must've been partners. When Bayloe and Helm ran out on the third guy, he was going to get his revenge," said Matt. "Well now all three are dead. Bayloe and this guy killed each other. They got the job done for me. Send a wire to Denver and tell them all three men are dead."
"Sure thing, Mr. Dillon," said Chester.
Matt thought for a moment, and then spoke again. "Add to that wire that if it weren't for Miss Kitty Russell from Dodge City, their money never would have been recovered. I don't think they would mind paying her the reward money. Do you?"
"Absolutely not," said Chester.
Matt finished his business at the office and then walked back to Doc's office to be with Kitty. On his way back, he met up with Doc. He was heading in the direction of Delmonico's.
"Matt, I was going to meet Chester for supper at Delmonico's, and then bring Kitty back some soup. I'm not going to even bother asking you to join us because I know you want to be with Kitty. However, I'll bring you back some supper. What would you like?" asked Doc.
"I appreciate that. Get me a steak dinner, please," said Matt. "Here let me pay for the meals to show my appreciation for saving Kitty" Matt pulled some money out of his pocket.
"Matt, there's no need for that. Put your money away," Doc told him.
"Please let me do this, Doc. This doesn't even begin to cover what I owe you. You know how much Kitty means to me" said Matt. He didn't have to tell Doc how much he loved Kitty. He was pretty sure Doc already knew that.
Doc wasn't going to argue. "Okay, I'll take the money, just as long as you know it's not necessary."
"Deal," said Matt. He continued on to Doc's office and Doc continued on to Delmonico's.
Matt entered the office to see Kitty on the settee with her eyes closed. Thinking she was asleep and not wanting to wake her, Matt softly closed the door and took a seat in Doc's desk chair. Kitty opened her eyes and saw Matt sitting there.
"Hey, Cowboy. Are you suddenly afraid to sit next to me?" she teased.
"I thought you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you up," said Matt as he got up and sat down next to her.
"I was just resting my eyes. Doc went to have supper with Chester. He's going to bring me back some soup," said Kitty.
"I know. I saw Doc on the way here. He's going to bring a steak dinner back for me," said Matt. He decided to change subjects. "How long do you think he'll be gone?"
"I'm not sure. Why?" questioned Kitty.
"Because I want to show my girl how happy I am that she's still with me," Matt replied with a glint in his eyes.
Kitty knew where Matt was going with his answer. She pulled his head down to hers and they shared a deep and passionate kiss. When they were done, Kitty was completely breathless. This alarmed Matt. He knew Kitty had injury to one of her lungs and he was afraid that he just caused more injury.
"Kitty, are you alright? Should I go and get Doc" he nervously asked.
"Matt, I'm fine. Why would you go and get Doc?" Kitty asked. She seemed confused.
"You were having trouble catching your breath. Doc said you had some injury to your lung," Matt responded.
"Oh Matt, I was out of breath because of the kiss we just shared. Your kisses always seem to leave me out of breath, some more than others," Kitty laughed.
"So I guess I should be concerned when my kisses start to not leave you breathless?" asked Matt with a small smile.
"That is absolutely when you should be concerned, but I don't ever see that happening," she said. "I really do wish Doc would let me recover in my own room."
Matt shook his head. "Now Kitty, haven't you learned to be careful what you wish for?'
"Well, I didn't think it was a bad thing to wish for some privacy, so I can be alone with my Cowboy. Besides, look who's talking, the man who decides how long his recoveries last."
Matt couldn't disagree with Kitty, but wasn't going to go against Doc's advice. He wasn't going to do anything to put Kitty's recovery at risk. However, knowing that Doc wouldn't be back too soon, Matt pulled Kitty's face back to his so they could share another soul shattering kiss.
The End
