Standing alone at the far of the Long Branch, Kitty crossed her arms and leaned on the bar. She'd owned the saloon for over 16 years now, and the scenes she was watching were all too familiar. Sam, at the other end of the bar, was filling beer mugs and happily gossiping with a group of cowboys. In the middle of the room, five locals were joking their way through a friendly game of poker. Near the entrance, 2 of her girls sat near the player piano singing softly. The farm boys sitting with them were mesmerized. The girls kept them buying drinks. It was another mid-week night just like hundreds, maybe thousands she'd seen before. She glanced around the room. Everyone seemed so happy. On many such nights she'd go from group to group laughing, talking, having a drink. A man or two might flirt with her, and she wasn't above flirting back, just a bit. It was all in fun. Everyone knew she was Matt Dillon's woman, and anyone who walked in ignorant of that fact, magically found out very soon. She let out a heavy sigh, poured herself a beer and carried it to small table in the very back of the room. Her body language clear – do not disturb. She wasn't feeling sociable.
Slowly sipping her drink, she shut out the laughter and music that filled the saloon. Her mug was half empty when footsteps approached. She didn't look up, but had cold words ready for whoever was daring to penetrate the wall she'd constructed around herself.
"Hello Kitty. I might not be gloomy enough for your party, but may I join you?"
A slight smile touched her lips, "Of course Doc."
He set his beer on the table and sat beside her. "What to tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Doc pulled at his ear, "That means you don't want to tell me, but I think I can guess. Matt's been gone for well over a week. But you saw his telegram. The trial in Hays is over and he'll be back the day after tomorrow. That should ease your mind."
"Unless something happens to him between now and then."
"I know how hard the waiting is, but nothing will happen."
Kitty shook her head, "It's not just the waiting, it's knowing that when he gets back he could be wounded, hurt or exhausted." She bit her lower lip. "But even if he's fine – his office will be piled up with work he has to catch up on, and there will be at least half a dozen people who need his help for this or that." She let out a sigh, "And I feel bad even complaining about it. It's not like Matt's out drinking or gambling, he's the one riding all night, risking his life and …."
Doc put his hand on hers. "Hush, hush. We both know how hard Matt works, and what he does for people. That doesn't mean what you're feeling isn't real or right. Let me tell you something, Matt is the finest man I know. I'd do anything for him, but I am amazed, Kitty Russell, that you've been able to stick with him for all of these years. I don't know another woman who could have, given all the worry and difficulties. Now, I have to ask you something, if I may. It's personal."
"Since when has that stopped you, ask away." He took a fortifying sip of beer, "Kitty, are you sorry that 6 months ago, when Will Stambridge wanted to settle down with you, you sent him away? Do you regret that?"
"No Doc no. I can't be with a man I don't love, and I didn't love Will. I enjoyed his company, was grateful to him, flattered by his attention – I was even tempted by the idea of the kind of life he offered me, but I didn't love him. I'm not a woman who can give up love, and Matt's the man I love. I know he loves me too and believe me Doc, I know how deep that love goes. I'll never leave Matt." Kitty saw the relief on Doc's face and smiled slightly, "When I look back, I realize that the days Will and I shared were not real life. Will had no job, no responsibilities, no people in his life who needed him for anything, and his money hadn't run out, at least not yet. He bought that dirt farm, but I'm quite sure he had no notion of the day-to-day drudgery of farming. The truth is, Will wouldn't have lasted a month as a farmer."
Doc rubbed his mustache with a twinkle in his eyes, "Yep, he didn't seem like the physical labor type to me either."
Kitty laughed and the old friends enjoyed the moment until the sounds of the saloon re-claimed her attention. One poker game was breaking up and another beginning – a few cowboys were leaving and others walking in - her saloon girls were moving on to other customers. "Speaking of real life Doc, and this isn't about Matt it's about me, I'm feeling like my life is – well – it's reached a point that – it feels stale – no that's not the right word but…" Her voice trailed off and Doc took her hand. "What you need Kitty, is a change of scenery, some time away from your day to day problems and routine. Take a trip, stay in a nice hotel, shop in fancy stores, do all those things. And don't wait for Matt to have time to go - you go. You've talked about places you'd like to visit – San Francisco, New Orleans, St Louis. Do it Kitty, it'll do you good - a change of scenery."
Hays City
Matt led his horse out of the stable, glad to be on his way home. In his opinion the trial had gone on way too long. The defendant had a clever attorney who used every delaying tactic in the book. The fastest part of the proceedings was the jury reaching a verdict of guilty.
"Matt – Matt wait. Matt."
Sheriff Mitch Morris was running towards him. Matt stiffened, hoping it wasn't a problem that would delay his departure.
The somewhat portly sheriff took a few seconds to catch his breath. "Matt, you have to come up to Muriel Stewart's place. It might be important."
Matt frowned. He knew and liked Mrs. Stewart, a widow who did her best to tend to the sick in Hays. The town had trouble keeping a real physician, and during the stretches of time when there wasn't one, she was it. She had a knack for it, and seeing 8 children to adulthood had given her plenty of experience. Doc said that Mrs. Stewart was better at doctoring that some that went to medical school.
"Mitch, I'm about to head off. What's this about?"
"I know you're eager to get home, Matt. I'd be too if I were you, but there's a stranger, an old man, over at Mrs. Stewart's. She thinks he's near death, and he's saying he needs to find a redhead named Kitty Russell."
Matt quickly wrapped his reins around a rail, "Let's go." He strode off, with Morris trailing behind, and was soon at Mrs. Stewart's door. Within seconds of his knock, a petite, small boned woman opened the door and looked up at him with kind grey eyes. "Marshal Dillon, I'm glad you came. The gentleman in my parlor fainted in the street and was carried here. He says his name is Max Le Croix. He's terribly sick and goes in and out of consciousness, but he keeps talking about finding Kitty Russell. I know she's – she's your – a close friend - so I thought you should know."
"Thank you. Please take me to him."
Matt followed the tiny, straight-backed woman to her parlor. A gaunt, pale, gray haired man was lying on the couch drenched in sweat. The lines in his face were deep. Matt got down on one knee beside him, "Mr. Le Croix, I'm US Marshal Matt Dillon. I understand you're looking for Kitty Russell. I know her. Do you want me to give her a message?"
Le Croix forced his dark, watery eyes to focus. His voice was weak. "I heard she went west. Do you know her well?"
"Yes."
"Kitty was so beautiful. Is she still?"
"The most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Matt's voice was low.
"So you love her?"
Matt swallowed hard. Something about the pain and hope in the man's eyes told him he had to reveal himself. He whispered the truth, "I love her more than anything."
"Then you'll do all you can to protect her." He closed his eyes. Matt thought the old man was asleep, but he opened his eyes a slit. His voice was barely audible, "Closer." Matt put a strong arm around the old man's frail shoulders and lifted him slightly. The man reached into his pants pocket and pressed a small silver key into Matt's hand. He struggled to speak, his fragile body trembled with the effort but he pressed his mouth close to Matt's ear, "New Orleans." His head drooped forward. He'd spoken his last words. Matt eased the old man's head back onto the pillow and got to his feet. A feeling of gloom settled over him, he had to get home.
The Long Branch
Sam started untying his apron, "Anything else before I go Miss Kitty?"
"No Sam, everything looks good and closing early gives you a chance to join the craps game over in the stable."
"I don't gamble much, Miss Kitty." He blushed slightly while hanging his apron on a hook behind the bar. "But I admit I like a throw of the dice now and again."
"You deserve some fun, Sam." She gave him a quick wink, "And good luck." She watched him go, and with a sigh mechanically went through her lock-up routine. Doc's words echoed in her head - a change of scenery. The idea was growing on her. She went upstairs to her suite, sat down at her vanity and gazed into the mirror. The necklace she was wearing caught her eye. It had been a gift from Matt, one of many. She recalled his first gift. It was a royal blue scarf, and his expression was almost comically worried when he presented it to her. Even now, 18 years later, her heart warmed at the memory of his smile when he saw how much she liked that scarf. Since then his confidence in choosing gifts had grown, and there had been many. Some for special occasions, others as an apology after an argument, and a few for no reason except that he'd been thinking of her. Those were her favorites.
She unpinned her long, red hair, and was filled with a deep longing for Matt. Why was she thinking of a trip, when the man she loved would be home the day after tomorrow. She brushed her hair with long, deft strokes and sighed. She needed a trip, that was why. She wasn't leaving Matt. Her love for him was as strong as ever, but she needed a break from her every day life and worries. Something was getting lost - something that she used to have and needed to find again. She set down the brush, quickly wiped off her make-up and made a decision. Being Kitty Russell, once she decided she acted.
She opened her closet and dragged out 2 suitcases. Tomorrow morning she'd buy a ticket for the train to New Orleans. If memory served it left at noon. Once she had a ticket, she'd telegraph her girlhood friend, Rosemarie. They'd managed to stay in touch with 2 or 3 letters a year. Rosie was the sweetest person she'd ever known. She was a schoolteacher now, reconnecting her would be wonderful. Lastly, before she boarded the train, she'd ask Doc to explain her trip to Matt and let him know she'd be back very soon.
She packed carefully, leaving room for new clothes to bring back. Satisfied that she was ready, she poured herself a brandy and curled up in her armchair to think. Some of the nicer hotels from years ago must still be in business. She'd wire one to make a reservation. There was a lot to do in the morning. She sipped her brandy feeling happy and excited.
TBC