The Next Morning - Dodge City

Barney sat in the telegraph office just as he'd done 6 days a week for 7 years. When he started the job, he thought it would be an exciting life. Sadly, as it turned out, most wires were mundane, even if they sometimes provided useful tidbits, if a body was inclined to gossip. Most of his working hours were spent doodling pictures of animals. With a bored sigh, he grabbed a pencil and started to outline a cat on a pad. A tapping sound broke into his thoughts. He turned his attention to decoding the clicks coming from the receiver. His eyebrows shot up. He messaged back – Please Repeat. The clicks came again. He wrote quickly, tore the message from the pad, and shot out the door with a grin on his face – what a great job he had.

Inside Delmonico's restaurant, Doc swallowed a piece of warm apple pie and examined a sheet of paper. He nodded and carefully added the sheet to a tidy stack. "Sam, you did a fine job, a really fine job. You paid off all the outstanding bills from the Long Branch and provided the workers with weeks of extra wages. Kitty would be proud and happy."

Sam Noonan slid the papers into a folder. "Thanks Doc, I appreciate you saying that. I agree it's the way Miss Kitty woulda wanted it. Her debts cleared, and her workers getting money to tide them over." He ran hand across his tired eyes. "It's a relief to have it all but done. The saloon is cleared out, with bar and the player piano being the last things to go. I admit, it was sad seeing that buyer from California haul those things off the other day. Festus still has to help me take the big sign down, then my last remaining problem, before turning the key in, is Miss Kitty's personal things. Marshal Dillon still isn't back, and Doc, you said you'd help, so..."

"DOC, DOC, DOC." Barney raced into the restaurant waving a telegram in the air. Doc put a hand up, "I'm right here. What in tarnation is so urgent. Is it from Matt? Is he on his way back?"

"Just read it Doc, read it, read it." Barney thrust the telegram into Doc's hands. "All right, all right." He adjusted his glasses, unfolded the small piece of paper, and read aloud. To Doc. Found Kitty in Wichita.She's fine. Coming back soon. Matt.

Sam and Doc stared at each other. It took a full minute for the words Doc had read to settle into their brains. Doc finally found his voice."Good God. Matt was right all along. Thank the heavens he found her."

"Thank the heavens and the marshal's determination." Sam beamed across the table at Doc. Tears welled up in the men's eyes, and by golly, tears of happiness felt darn good.

Barney couldn't stop grinning, and hopping from foot to foot. "Sam, Doc, I'll spread the word, starting with Festus. I can't wait to see the look on his face." Barney danced out the door and down the street.

Doc rubbed his mustache, the smile beneath it broad. "Sam, have that expensive whiskey ready. Before long we'll be drinking with Matt AND Kitty, and…" Doc paused. Sam suddenly looked downcast. "What's wrong?"

"The Long Branch, Doc, it's nothing but a sign above a door. I sold off everything, remember, and I used that money to pay the bills and give the workers extra pay. Miss Kitty doesn't have a business to come home to. She'll have to start from scratch, and it's my fault, all my fault."

"Oh no." The color drained from Doc's face. "I forgot, but - but Sam listen, you were making the best decisions under the circumstances. I agreed with your choices, worked with you, encouraged you." Doc crossed his arms in front of him. "Now we - we have a new situation. We have to find a way to put the Long Branch back the way it was."

"That isn't possible, Doc. There's no money for inventory, furniture, and all the rest. There's nothing."

"We'll just have to figure it out. First I'll send a telegram to Matt in Wichita. Most important thing is to let him know how happy we are. Then I'll try to find out how much time we have until they get back."

Wichita

Matt stepped out of the telegraph office into the crisp morning air. He paused to adjust the sling the town doctor had put on his arm yesterday, after seeing to Kitty. The sling was annoying, but he had to admit the doctor was right, it relieved the pressure on the shoulder and it would likely heal faster. Anyway, no sling or shoulder wound could ruin his mood, or slow him down from getting back to the red-head he'd left sleeping soundly in bed. He rushed past the early morning shoppers to the WK Hotel. As soon as he pulled the door open, he spotted the young propriotress behind the front desk wearing a dark, high button blouse. Matt removed his hat and smiled. "Hello Martha, I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry about the blood and mess in the upstairs room yesterday. I hope it got cleaned up to your satisfaction."

"Thank you for asking, it did indeed."

"I know a lamp got smashed." Matt reached into his pocket. "I'd like to pay for it. I know how things like that can add up and make a difference to a business like this."

"You're right about that, Marshal, but there's no need for you to pay for the lamp. Sheriff Mannix stopped by last night. He said the lamp got smashed being thrown at his head." A tiny smile touched Martha's youthful lips. "Anyway, he covered it with money from Joshua Sharpe's wallet. Seems a good way to pay for damages, if you ask me." She looked at Matt with knowing eyes that seemed wise beyond her years. "The sheriff told me the whole story. Sharpe was a terrible man, and I'm very glad you caught up with him.." She smiled shyly. "And I'm sure you're in a hurry to get back upstairs to Kitty, so I won't keep you any longer. If either of you need anything, be sure to let me know."

Matt nodded his thanks and took the steps two at a time to room 114. Kitty was sitting up in bed – eyes shining, pallor gone from her cheeks – her smile radiant. "Hello Cowboy." He gently kissed her forehead. "How you feeling?" "Better by the second. The doctor's cure wasn't fancy but it sure did the trick. A crazy amount of plain water to flush out the toxins, and starchy food to absorb those left in my stomach. I feel almost like a new woman. How's your shoulder?"

"Fine. I won't be wearing this sling much lon…" Kitty put a finger to his lips. "You'll wear it as long as the doctor says, even if I have to drug you to make sure."

Matt laughed and squeezed her hand. "I think there's been enough of that. Listen, Doc answered my telegram. I'll read it. Matt, Overjoyed you found Kitty. What's your best guess for arrival date. Doc.

"Hmm, why do you suppose Doc wants an arrival date?"

"Lot's of folks are gonna be eager to see you. Maybe they're planning a party."

"Most people know that I like parties. One of the great fun things about owning the Long Branch is having big celebrations at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. In fact, if I can squeeze enough money out of the saloon's budget this year, I plan to buy some fancy plates for special occasions." She smiled up at Matt. "So, did you answer Doc's question?"

"Yep, I figure we'll stay here another day or two, so you can see the doctor again. Then it will take 3 or 4 days to get to Dodge. I wired we'd be home in about 5 days."

"Sounds good, just don't forget that when the doctor checks on me he's checking on you too."

Matt rolled his eyes. "Do you feel up to going out to eat?"

"You bet, I could eat a cow. I might need a little help getting dressed, I'm a still a bit shakey."

"At your service." Matt held out his hand. "Wait. I can't believe I almost forgot." He hurried to his coat, slung carelessly over a chair, and reached into an outer pocket. The box inside was warped by water and smeared with dirt, but the object inside was unharmed. "I had this with me when I got back to Dodge, and they told me you were dead. Open it."

She removed the mud encrusted lid, and pushed aside the slightly damp tissue paper. In the center of the box, on a delicate silver chain. was a silver filigree heart, with a tiny diamond chip in the middle. It was elegant yet sweet, and she couldn't imagine anything more perfect for her. She also couldn't imagine how long he must have saved to buy it. She pressed her lips together and her eye clouded with tears. Matt touched the center of the silver heart with a large, calloused finger and smiled sheepishly. "There are bigger and more impressive diamonds – lots – but I would have had to rob a bank to get you one of those."

"This is perfect, Matt."

"The jeweler said a diamond is a treasure that's more beautiful and stronger than anything else in the world. I think describes you pretty well, Kitty Russell."

TBC