Matt hurried down the steps with an uneven gait. A souvenir of a leg shot up too many times. His mind flew back to Stewart's arrest and trial. Cal was still a young man when he started traveling from town to town, cleverly pulling off late night robberies. After about a dozen successful thefts, he got careless and cocky and tried one in broad daylight. Unfortunately for him, he tried it in Dodge. The arrest was easy, and the trial fast. Stewart carried a gun, but he never killed or even shot anyone, so he got 7 years in prison for multiple armed robberies.
As soon as Matt's foot touched the bottom step, he put his hands up in the air. "Here I am Stewart. You can stop waving that rifle around."
Cal turned and stared gleefully at Matt. "You don't know what it's like, Dillon. Being locked away, eating gruel, doing hard labor hour after hour, day after day. You know what I thought about all that time? You, and how at my trial, you sat there all calm and relaxed. I was just another win for the great Marshal Dillon. When you arrested me, I tried to explain that you had to let me go. It was gonna be my last robbery. I was quitting stealing, because I had better things waiting for me. You didn't listen, and I got 7 years in prison. My life was ruined because of you, and you're gonna pay with your life. I'm gonna put a bullet through that chest of yours. I don't care what happens after that. I just want the satisfaction of killing you."
Matt took in the scene while Stewart was talking. Folks were scattered about, standing stock still with fear in their eyes – children, women, farmers, a few cow pokes and businessmen. Festus was on the other side of the street, hand near his gun. He was too far from Cal for a clear, sure shot, but wisely didn't want to draw the man's attention by moving closer. Stewart wouldn't need much of an excuse to start shooting.
"Stewart, if you put a bullet in me, you'll be shot dead, or hung, or sent back to jail for the rest of your life. It just plain isn't worth it."
Cal's eyes flashed, "Killing you is what I need, it's what I pictured over and over, every hour I worked in that prison. I don't care about anything else. Putting a bullet through your heart will satisfy me like nothing else." He raised his rifle.
"What about all the things you're giving up. Small things, and big things. Things you couldn't have in prison. A cold beer on a warm day, fishing at sun-up, a sky full of stars at mid-night, the love of a woman. You're giving up a lot just to see me dead."
"Shut up Dillon." Cal aimed his gun. "No good woman's gonna want an ex-con. You took away my chance for that when you arrested me."
Matt let out a small breath. He'd touched a nerve when he mentioned the love of a woman and thought back to Cal Stewart's trial. A young woman was in the courtroom every day. Sweet faced, thin, and dressed in plain clothes, she always sat alone. After the sentencing, tears streamed down her face, when she watched two prison guards lead Cal away. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned and left the building. If Cal had truly planned on going straight after one last robbery, was it because of that woman? Matt spoke as soothingly as he would to a skittish horse. "Cal, there was a young lady at your trial, pretty and sweet looking, have you seen her since you got out?"
Cal's rifle wavered ever so slightly. "No reason to go see her. Like I said, no good woman wants an ex con. She'd just send me away. Besides I have nothin' to offer her. No money and no way to earn a living. Who's gonna give a convicted robber a job?"
"Listen to me Cal, you can't know for sure what a person will think or do or feel. That woman for example, you could be right, and she'll send you away. On the other hand, maybe you're wrong, and she'll listen to what you have to say. Cal, you have a chance to start over. I can't say what will go right or what will go wrong, but if you don't reach out to that woman, she won't know you still care, and you won't be able tell her the things you want her to hear. Don't ruin your chances, just to kill me. How about dropping that rifle? Tell you what, I'll buy you a beer at the Long Branch and we'll talk. Maybe I can help you find work, and you can figure out what to say to that woman, when you visit her. There are a lot of satisfactions out there waiting for you. Lot's of possibilities. Killing me just isn't worth it.
Stewart's rifle wavered. "Your deputy won't arrest me for threatening to kill you?"
"Nope, I promise." He looked over at Festus. The deputy put his hands up. "Iffin' Matthew says thar's no arrestin' ta be done, that's the way it's gonna be."
Cal gave a short nod, and tossed his rifle aside. "Marshal, I'm sorry, it's just that when you have one idea in your head for so long, it's hard to let go of it. I'm glad you stopped me. I'll take you up on that beer, and any help you can offer. You never know, maybe there's something I can do for you. I'd kinda like to prove myself."
Matt smiled, and put an arm across Cal's shoulders, "Let's go. " He glanced up at Doc's office and saw Kitty standing by the window. She's seen and heard it all. Smiling gently she mouthed the words, "See you later, Cowboy." She turned from the window with a sigh of relief, and eyed the gunbelt Matt had tossed onto the table. She'd been tempted to grab the gun, but shooting from here with so many people out on the street, would have been risky. Luckily, it didn't come to that. Matt got himself out of a tight spot without a shot being fired. She noticed, however, that the back of his shirt had grown damp with sweat. It wasn't from nerves, she was sure of that. When Doc got back with Matthew, she'd ask him about Matt's health, those pills he was taking, and the lingering fevers. She picked up the gunbelt and tucked it under her arm. In the meantime she'd go to the Long Branch, bring Matt his gunbelt and look for Hannah. There was a wedding party to plan, and 24 hours to do it. The guest list was short, but party was a party and if she knew Hannah, she'd be pleased as punch to make it happen.
Feeling lighter in spirit than she had in a very long time, Kitty walked down Front Street, waving and greeting folks as they went by. She was gratified at the warm, and genuine smiles that came her way. Folks were still puzzled about her sudden appearance, with a baby but no husband along, but she knew they wished her well. Soon, word would be spread that she and Matt married in secret 9 months ago, and George Monroe was just a rumor. She smiled to herself, poor Mr. Monroe, he'll never know how helpful he was.
She pushed through the batwing doors of the Long Branch for the first time in over 9 months. An avalanche of familiar sights, sounds and smells almost overwhelmed her. She'd seen the best of times, and the worst of times right in this building. A lot had happened in 20 years and she wouldn't change a day. She spotted Matt and Cal Stewart at the end of the bar, deep in conversation. Not wanting to interrupt them, she quietly set Matt's gunbelt on the bar. Matt turned. "Thanks Kitty, for bringing it over."
"I was coming here anyway to see Hannah, about making plans for tomorrow."
She looked so radiant he wanted to sweep her away right then. Instead met her eyes and smiled, as he buckled on his gunbelt. "Cal and I had a good talk. We have a little business to take care of. I'll meet you up at Doc's, when he gets back with Matthew."
The two men were gone before she could even nod. Watching them hurry out, she wondered what business Matt had with Cal Steward, that had to be done so quickly. "Kitty." She turned and saw Hannah bustling towards her. Kitty rushed over and leaned in close, to whisper in the older woman's ear. "I need your help with a party. Small and private, but it has to be good. Oh and it's tomorrow."
Hannah let out a laugh, and whispered back, "I can guess why, and I am delighted. Let's go upstairs and plan." Kitty followed Hannah up the steps. As she gripped the bannister she noticed she was still wearing the cheap wedding band she'd bought for herself on the day she arrived in New Orleans. She grinned, pulled it off and dropped it into her skirt pocket. The ring had served its purpose. Time to get rid of it.
TBC