Chapter 3

The rays of the morning sun came through the window indicating morning's arrival. Matt and Kitty woke up and got ready for their day. The first thing on their agenda was breakfast at the hotel. Kitty ordered a bowl of oatmeal and toast with marmalade. Matt ordered steak and a few eggs. Breakfast eaten and both full and satisfied, Matt and Kitty set off to continue their plans.

Shopping, Kitty had been looking forward to this part of the plans. She really couldn't shop in Dodge City like she could in the bigger cities. Dodge just did not have the stores. Her plan was to buy a new dress and a new hat, among other things.

"Is there anything specific you want to shop for?" Matt asked as they left their hotel.

"Well, I would like to find a new dress, maybe two and a new hat," Kitty answered.

Eyebrows raised, Matt responded, " A new hat? Exactly how many hats does a woman need in her wardrobe?"

"Oh Cowboy, a woman can never have too many hats. Now since you're a man, I don't expect you to understand. But humor me and pretend that you do," Kitty said as they walked.

"You're right. As a man I don't understand. But I will humor and pretend that I do," stated Matt.

They walked about two blocks from their hotel when they spotted a millinery shop. Matt opened the door for Kitty and they both entered. Looking around, Kitty was overwhelmed with all the hats. She felt like a kid in the candy store. Matt noticed the look on her face and just smiled. Seeing her happy made him happy. Kitty wasn't quite sure where to start looking. Thinking for a minute or two, she decided to start at the back of the shop and work her way to the front. She wasn't sure what hat style she wanted. She decided she would know what she wanted when she saw it.

While Kitty continued to observe the hats, she noticed that Matt had made his way over to the men's hats. The shop had a small part of the store designated for men's hats. She noticed that he was looking at the Stetsons. Knowing her husband, Kitty knew Matt would not buy a new hat. Her cowboy was very partial to his Stetson. She had to admit that she was too. He was just looking to pass the time away. Kitty returned to her search and when she did so, she saw the hat she wanted. It was a black hat with pink and white flowers. She took the hat and walked over to Matt.

"I found the hat I want," said Kitty, displaying the hat so Matt could see. "What do you think?"

"It's a pretty hat. But once you're wearing it, it will be beautiful," Matt answered.

"You know, for a man who claims he isn't too handy when it comes to words, you sure know how to say the right things at the right time," Kitty said with happy tears glistening in her eyes. Kitty purchased the hat and they left the millinery.

"I have my hat. Now I want to look for a new dress," Kitty told Matt.

"Alright. Let's look for a dress shop," said Matt as he took the hatbox from Kitty, carrying it for her.

"I thought about going to a dress shop for a new dress, but custom made dresses can be expensive, especially from a big city. Considering I want more than one, we can look at a general store. I'm sure I'll be able to find one there." Kitty knew she and Matt were saving up for a house and she didn't want to spend too much of their money.

He would never admit it, but Matt was pleased that Kitty wasn't getting a dress from a dress shop. Shopping might not be his forte, but he knew how expensive dress shop dresses could be. "If that's what you want. It looks like there's a general store, just around the corner there." Matt pointed towards the store.

Kitty looked towards the direction that Matt was pointing. Noticing the store she said, "That's a good place to start looking."

Matt and Kitty arrived at the general store and stepped in. Unlike the general store in Dodge, this store had two levels. General merchandise was on the first level and clothing was on the second level. The second level was where Matt and Kitty headed. Upon arriving on the second level, Kitty spotted the dresses and went over there to browse through them.

Seeing that Matt was getting bored, Kitty suggested that he go back down to the first level and browse around. "I'll meet you down there when I'm done."

"Okay, if you need me, I'll be downstairs," Matt said as he descended the stairs.

Matt did not have any intentions of buying anything, until he saw some cameo brooch pins. The moment he saw them, he thought how perfect one would look on Kitty. They came in different sizes and prices. He knew he couldn't afford anything too extravagant, so he settled on a simple, but elegant one. He paid for it and put it in his pocket. He would give it to her on their picnic. With his purchase made, Matt continued to browse.

While Matt was downstairs looking around, Kitty quickly made a purchase she didn't want Matt to know about. She bought the item and put it in her reticule. Fortunately the store also had a cash register upstairs, so she didn't have to pay for that item in front of Matt. She did however take the two dresses she found downstairs and paid for them there.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get hungry. What do you say? We take your packages back to the hotel and get ready for our picnic in the park." Matt asked as he took Kitty's purchases and they headed towards the hotel.

"That picnic lunch sounds wonderful. Thank you for shopping with me. I know it's not your favorite pastime," Kitty said as she stepped up on her tippy toes to give Matt a kiss on the cheek.

"It might not be my favorite thing to do, but spending time with you is," Matt said as he gave her a small kiss on the lips.

Matt and Kitty reached their hotel and put Kitty's purchases in their room. That completed, they walked down to the hotel restaurant to order a picnic lunch. They were told it would take ten to fifteen minutes to put together. Matt told Kitty while they were waiting, he would go down to the livery stable to rent a horse and buggy and bring it back to the hotel. He figured by the time he did that, the food would be ready. Kitty would wait at the hotel for the basket of food and meet Matt outside the hotel.

Matt arrived with the horse and buggy as Kitty walked out of the hotel with the picnic basket. He took the basket from her and helped her up into the buggy. Matt carefully pulled away from the hotel and out into the street. They only traveled a couple of blocks when they had to come to a stop. There was a milk wagon blocking the street in front of them.

"Sorry folks. The milk wagon has a bad pin that needs replacing. It should take no more than ten minutes," a man told Matt and Kitty.

"That's no problem. We're in no big hurry," Matt replied. He then turned to Kitty. "I reckon our picnic is going to be delayed a tad."

"There are apples in the basket. Do you want one, while we wait?" Kitty asked.

"Don't mind if I do. An apple sounds mighty tasty right now," Matt answered.

Kitty opened the basket and retrieved an apple for each of them. Both were enjoying their apples, when a speeding buggy crashed into them from behind. The impact sent Kitty flying forward and onto the ground. Matt was able to brace himself. He quickly jumped down from the wagon to check on Kitty. What he saw sent chills up his spine.

TBC