CHAPTER THREE
Again thanks so much for the very nice comments on this story. It is greatly appreciate.d
While they were waiting for the train that would take the men to the Denver area there was tension between the couples. If Matt and Sam had talked he hadn't said anything to Kitty. In the rush to get packed, have all the paperwork they needed, and having the regular romantic evening they always tried to have when he had to be out of town, he and Kitty had little time to talk. The day after the scene in the bedroom the redhead came and went into her office by the back door and Clair did not seek her out.
It was obvious Sam and Claire had moved into a serious phase in their relationship. He held onto her hand like he didn't want to let go. Their goodbye kiss was so passionate Kitty wasn't sure if her friend might not go with them.
As the train pulled out and Kitty turned away Claire stopped her and said, "we need to talk."
Feeling a little bit shaky Kitty agreed saying, "Alright where do you want to go?"
How about your old room at the Long Branch?
This surprised the redhead. "We could do that or in my office."
Claire said, "wherever you would feel most comfortable."
Kitty thought for a minute and decided, "if that is the case let's go to my house."
"Alright, let's go," the blond agreed linking her arm through Kitty's.
As they settled into the kitchen of the Dillon home Claire started the conversation. "We have been friends for a long time and I hope one incident will not change that."
"Well I was surprised that was for sure," Kitty acknowledged.
Looking at her friend Claire told her, "we sure weren't expecting to see you either."
"I can imagine that," Kitty acknowledged.
Her friend looked at the redhead and she asked, "So can we move past this? As I said we have been through a lot together."
As she passed Claire a cup of coffee and a slice of coffee cake Kitty tried to explain. "Yes I was shocked, but I also realize after talking it over with Matt I hadn't really understood that isn't my room anymore. I think seeing my uncle with you and in the altogether really threw me for a loop."
Claire started to laugh, "yes, I can imagine that was a shocker. You must realize we were also embarrassed. I don't want this to put us at odds."
"I think I can assure you that won't happen. My husband has made me see I have a new life. When I moved out I took what I wanted and I need to let the past go."
The blond gave a big sigh, "thank goodness because Kitty I think this is going to be a permanent relationship. I'll tell you a secret we have both said the "L" word."
Kitty opened her eyes wide, "The "L" word, oh my God, it took Matt forever to say that word. Then when he did I thought he would almost choke to death."
The friends started to laugh. "Men! They think too often that it commits them for life."
"Don't I know that," Kitty acknowledged. "I thought if Matt ever said it, he was sure I was expecting the wedding ring."
"What did you expect?" Claire wanted to know. "Where did you think your relationship would go?"
Renewing their coffee Kitty admitted, "I knew soon after we went into a relationship that Matt was not thinking about marriage. He made it very clear his job and marriage did not mix."
"So, you knew what you were getting into from the beginning?" Her friend asked.
Kitty sighed as she began her story. "Not from the beginning in fact I wasn't sure there would be a romantic relationship. I was smitten the minute I saw him although I had no idea who he was. I met Doc and Chester first, and the morning I first saw Matt, he was heading out of town."
"But once you met then you both felt the attraction" Claire asked.
She shook her head, "Oh it wasn't that easy Claire. Chester talked about him and made him seem larger than life and of course in reality he was." The girls laughed.
"Well go on," Claire encouraged.
The redhead smiled, "oh I felt a big pull toward him and he was friendly but he spent time with several of the girls. There was one in particular who tried to get her hooks into him. We even got into a fight when she thought Matt was being too friendly with me. In truth we did talk but didn't cross the line."
"So what happened?" her friend wanted to know more.
"Well," Kitty went on, "when it became evident Matt wasn't marrying anyone, this girl ran off and married an older man. As time went on we found we could talk to each other about everything. I told him things I never shared. As we went on I got closer to him than I had with anybody in many years. He talked to me about his job and how difficult it was for him. I realized what an honest and good man he was. In truth I was falling deeper and deeper in love."
"Yet you knew he couldn't admit how he felt, but still stayed with him."
Kitty shook her head. "No, you know I left him several times swearing I would not go back. It's how I ended up in Ballard with you. For better or worse each time I missed him, and I had to go back. When he came for me in your town, I was shocked. It made me realize how often he did come to find me in various places. When it came down to it, I loved being with him more than I hated our circumstances."
"I have to say I was very surprised to hear about your wedding," Claire admitted. "What changed his mind?"
The redhead smiled, "It was the train accident. According to Festus and Doc when he thought I had died in the accident he was a broken man. When I returned and got my memory back Matt proposed. He even agreed to a big wedding and to wait until I had completely healed. To top it off he was willing to retire from the Marshals service. You know now he was offered the Marshal training job, Sam was to work with him, and I found out he was my uncle."
Claire was shaking her head, "you couldn't make that story up that's for sure. I'm so glad I decided to come to the wedding. You know if things had worked with the Ballard sheriff, I would never have found Sam."
"What did happen with him?" Kitty asked.
Holding her cup out for more coffee the former Ballard resident admitted, "once the town was cleaned up the young ladies came out of the woodwork and put the moves on him. He succumbed and decided on the mayor's daughter. That left me out in the cold. It's why I sold the saloon and planned to move west."
"We sure have been through a lot of adventures Claire, and to think we both found the right man in Dodge City Kansas."
"He is a good man, when he talks about the future, he asks my opinion Kitty. He asked me what my tastes are. It seems like a dream."
Kitty squeezed her hand. "I understand that. After Matt proposed I just waited for him to start making excuses to change his mind." She looked at her wedding band. "It still seems unreal to me some days."
"Does this mean I can ask you and Matt to stand up for us once we make the announcement?" Claire wanted to know.
Before she could answer there was a knock on the door. Kitty got up and hugged her friend, "you sure can. Now who could it be at the door?"
It was Doc Adams looking exhausted. "Hello ladies" he said as he laid his medical bag in a chair."
"Come in and have some coffee and fresh coffee cake," Kitty offered.
"Who made it?" the doctor wanted to know.
Looking disgusted she said sarcastically, "Bess helped me make it."
As he rubbed his finger across his moustache he said, "well then lead the way."
Claire explained, "I have to be on my way. I'm working at the Long Branch this afternoon and I need to change. It was good to see you Doc and I'll talk to you later Kitty."
Once she had left and they were settled in the kitchen Kitty poured him a big cup of coffee and a big slice of coffee cake."
Sitting next to him she said, "I'm glad to see you. How are things going?"
"That dang Festus is following me again. He was sneaking behind me all the way over here."
Kitty raised her eyebrows. So, have you asked him why he's doing this?"
Doc looked at her puzzled. "You do know Festus, right? He will have some weird, cockamamie, explanation that will drive me crazy and make no sense at all."
"Do you want me to talk to him?" she wanted to know.
He pulled on his ear. "if you want to or maybe Abelia knows what is going on."
She looked at him shrewdly as she inquired, "is there anything going on that I should know about?"
"Like what?" he answered.
Kitty was puzzled. "Are you two arguing more than usual? Have you been feeling bad, you know Festus has the second sight? Has there been any problems when you are out on the prairie that he might have heard about?"
"Pshaw, he makes up things to put his big nose in and is downright snoopy," Doc remarked.
"Alright, I'll see what I can find out," Kitty agreed. "Now if you aren't busy today you could take me to Delmonico's for lunch. We could ask Claire since Matt and Sam are away."
The doctor sounded slightly surprised as he commented, "so that's the way the wind blows with them."
"That's the way the wind blows," Kitty told him.
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Matt Dillon and Sam Smith had just settled back in their private car so they could talk confidentially. Sam looked at the tall lawman and remarked, "well I think our newest Marshal will do just fine Matt."
"He seems like a good man," Dillon agreed.
"I also think the school is going well but I wanted this private car because there is something we need to discuss behind closed doors." Sam told him. "I got word from Washington there are rumors that counterfeit bills are starting to turn up in the territories. Missouri has reported a few as well as Kansas City. They want us to be on the lookout in Dodge. We are going to need to have private meetings with the banker and the merchants to be on the lookout."
Matt looked at the man who was his superior. "I think they will cooperate and keep their mouths shut."
Smith went on, "I hope you realize that includes the Long Branch and Kitty. I thought I would organize it, and have you come in as the ex-marshal since you are considered a sort of consultant to Newly. We can't let there be a hint how deeply involved you would be."
Dillon agreed. "No. One thing we don't want to do is give Kitty or Claire a reason to worry."
Sam smiled, "Ah Claire now there is a woman. I guess it is probably no secret to you that we are involved or what my niece saw."
Downplaying his knowledge Matt admitted, "she did mention something."
Her uncle laughed heartily, "I'm sure she did! You know your wife is a little spitfire."
Matt grinned and said reminiscently, "You don't have to tell me. I could tell you stories of times she was mad at me."
"I know you are a discreet person Matt so I know you can keep this to yourself, for a short while, but I am going to ask Claire to marry me. I have decided to sell my horse farm in Maryland, bring down some of my prize horses, and buy Brady's place. Hopefully by that time we will know where we stand with this counterfeit business," Sam explained.
Holding out his hand Matt told his uncle by marriage, "you can count on me."
"Great, well I think it is time to get something to eat and drink," the older man suggested.
Just as Matt was agreeing the train came to a dead stop after a crashing sound came from the front of the train.