Chapter 5

A few months had passed since Kitty had made her home in Dodge and a day hadn't gone by when Matt didn't find some excuse to see her. The marshal was definitely falling in love with the beautiful redhead he'd rescued. Doc, who probably knew Matt best, could see the change in him since Kitty came to town. It was a matter of time before the lawman proposed. Kitty was a woman with a gentle hand, a rose blooming in a bed of sand. She had no reservations about admitting she was in love with the man who wore the US Marshal badge.

It was now late September. Kitty was busy cleaning upstairs rooms for Ma when Matt came by for a visit. She could hear her employer talking to someone.

"She's upstairs."

The unmistakable sound of his boots and spurs told her who the climbing the stairs visitor was.

"Kitty?" he asked as he tapped on the door.

"Hello, Cowboy."

"Kit, I have something to ask you."

She looked at him quizzically. "Well, you can ask me."

Matt half chuckled before he spoke. "Yeah, but I need your full attention."

Though she smiled up at him, she wasn't quite ready to stop her work. "Matt, can't it wait? I'm right in the middle of making up a bed for a new tenant and…"

He interrupted her. "Well yeah, it could wait, but I can't."

Kitty tilted her head to look up into his eyes. "Alright Cowboy, what has you so anxious that you can't wait," she said now impatient with anticipatory curiosity.

"Well," Matt began as he got down on one knee, holding a ring in his hand out toward her. "Honey, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Matt!" she began gazing at him and the small, simple band of silver he held.

He was dying by inches with every second that passed. Each one felt like at least five minutes. When it seemed like he could take no more she laughed while nodding her head.

"Yes Matt, I'll marry you!"

The man sighed in great relief as he placed the ring on her finger and kissed her forehead. "Is next week too soon?" he asked, smiling.

Kitty laughed, thinking he was being just like a man. "Now wait a minute, Cowboy. There is planning involved."

Matt leaned down and kissed her in a way he hadn't before, causing her to raise a resigned eyebrow.

"Well, I'm sure Ma will help," she replied causing Matt to be the one to chuckle.

The couple were so wrapped up in smiling at each other and making plans they didn't realize Ma came upstairs to find out what was so funny. "Now what are you two up to?"

Kitty beamed as she held up her hand so Ma could see the ring. The older woman joined in on the smiles. "Good, our marshal's been needing a woman like you to keep him in line," she remarked, causing the young woman to laugh and wink at her employer.

Two short weeks later the leaves turned from green to red, orange and yellow. They seemed to welcome the guests gathered inside the little church at the end of the street for Matt and Kitty's wedding. Doc had the honor of giving away the bride. Kitty had become like a daughter to him. As the ceremony concluded the pastor closed his bible before he spoke.

"Marshal," he began, laughing at his faux pas. "Matthew, you may kiss your bride."

Matt lifted the veil from Kitty's face to reveal her smile. He leaned her back slightly and kissed her. Those gathered joined with the young couple's joy as the clergyman declared, "I give to you for the first time United States Marshal Matthew and Mrs. Dillon."

Now that the formalities were over the bride and groom raced for their buggy while guests and onlookers tossed rice. Once they were in the vehicle and moving Matt drove them to a little house a mile and a half outside town.

"Wait a minute Matt. Where are we?"

Resorting to his boyish grin as he came to a stop in front of the farmhouse he announced while helping her out of the buggy, "this, Mrs. Dillon, is our new home. I hope you like it," he added as he picked her up and carried her over the threshold.

Once she was back on her feet, Kitty looked around the room. "Oh, Matt!" she exclaimed, laughing. "You spoil me."

He returned her smile and kissed her. "Well, you're a woman who's worth spoiling," he replied as he pushed open the door to their bedroom.