Family Matters
Chapter 4
"What time is it?" Festus asked anxiously as Newly made a point not to check his pocket watch. "About two minutes since the last time you asked," he responded dryly.
"Well that dadblamed train sure is takin' its own sweet time," he mumbled to himself. Festus Haggen had never been a lesson in patience.
"It'll be here any minute," Newly assured him. He had no longer spoken the words than a loud whistle blew in the distance.
"That's gotta be them!" Festus announced excitedly. "Now why on earth do you figure Matthew needs a rig for three people?" he wondered aloud for at least the fifth time since Newly had told him about the wire from St. Louis.
"Well, I suppose we'll find out shortly," Newly responded, grateful that the mystery was soon to be solved. Festus had been driving him crazy with questions and speculation, though truthfully he was just as curious. They both wanted to believe that good news awaited them at the station, but history told them to be cautious. There had definitely been sparks in Dodge last week, yet Kitty had seemed upset and preoccupied when she abruptly left for St. Louis. Matt had not said a word, but it could not be a coincidence that he had ended up in the same city. Surely the trips were related, but how? And if Kitty was coming home with him as they hoped, who could this third person be? The whole situation was unsettling.
The train finally screeched to a halt inside the station, and weary travelers soon began to disembark. Festus and Newly scanned each exit for familiar faces. "There's Matthew!" Festus shouted as he spotted a tall mop of curly gray hair, a small bag hanging from one shoulder and a larger one in each hand. Kitty Russell held the rails and carefully stepped down behind him, looking quite content and not the least bit distressed. The men simultaneously burst into grins from ear to ear, and Festus poked Newly's arm with his elbow.
"What'd I tell you, Newly? Why there ain't nothin' wrong, them two look happier'n a pig in mud. I don't know why you was so worried." Newly rolled his eyes and started waving to get their attention. Matt saw him and waved back, but Kitty had turned her back to them and was now facing the train. They watched as she reached up to take the hand of a young lady and help her down the three steep stairs. Grins of joy slowly turned to open-mouthed confusion. The girl standing next to Kitty Russell looked exactly like a younger, taller version of their beautiful redheaded friend.
Festus was seldom rendered speechless, but he couldn't make a sound as the threesome approached. Newly had at least closed his mouth and was eagerly waiting for an introduction. Matt dropped a bag and firmly shook Newly's hand, then gave Festus a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for coming, Fellas. I'd like to introduce you to someone," he said, gesturing toward the young lady. "This is Miss Laura Russell. Laura, this is Marshal Newly O'Brien and my former deputy, Mr. Festus Haggen."
Newly tipped his hat and nodded. Festus started to reply but the first word came out in an odd croak. He quickly cleared his throat and began again. "Pleased to meetcha, Miss…Russell, is it?" Kitty snickered at his polite attempt at proper protocol under the circumstances.
"It's nice to meet you too Mr. Haggen, Marshal," Laura returned. "I've heard so much about you."
Newly wished he could say the same. There was a silent pause as everyone wondered exactly how to proceed. Kitty decided it was time to start explaining.
"Newly, Festus...Laura is my daughter," she said bluntly. Kitty figured they had probably already reached that conclusion, as most people did when they saw the two together. Matt waited for the revelation that promised to be an even bigger surprise. Kitty took a deep breath and hooked her arm through his. "The fact is, she's not just my daughter…she's our daughter. Mine and Matt's."
Newly subtly raised his eyebrows, doing a respectable job of hiding his complete shock, but Festus's mouth was running ahead of his brain. He couldn't help but quiz down the man who had been like a brother to him ever since he had moved to Dodge almost thirty years ago. "You mean to tell me that you've had a young'un all these years and didn't say nary a peep to nobody about it?" His words sounded harsher than he intended, and Matt instantly sensed Kitty's discomfort. As much as she wanted them to meet Laura, she knew how the situation might appear to her friends once they knew the truth. What if they didn't understand? It was a delicate subject.
"Well Festus, it's a long story and I'm afraid we're all too tired to go into it now," Matt replied, nicely but firmly. "I think we'd better head on over to The Dodge House and call it an evening. How about we all get together for dinner tomorrow? My treat."
"Sounds good to me," said Newly, taking the hint. "Festus brought a rig over for you, and I'll take him home in mine."
"Thanks Festus, we appreciate it," Kitty said warmly to the scruffy man with the befuddled expression. She didn't want him to feel badly about his premature but understandable comment.
"Sure thang, Miss Kitty," he replied, dying to find out if this meant that Matt and Kitty were back together but getting the distinct impression that this wasn't a good time for questions . He picked up the bag Matt had set down and the group headed out of the train station together.
Matt heaved the bags into the back of the spacious rig and helped Kitty and Laura into the front seat. "We'll meet you at Delmonico's tomorrow—say around five?"
"We'll be there," Newly affirmed. "Looking forward to it."
"We'll be there, sure as rain," Festus chimed in. Matt felt slightly guilty, knowing that Festus had meant no harm with his ill-worded query. This was huge news, and it was only natural for their friends to be curious about the details. He decided to leave them on a more upbeat note.
"Fine," Matt said jovially as he climbed into the rig and sat next to his fiancée. "Oh, say Fellas, can you send a wire to Judge Maddox tomorrow and find out when he's available for a short trip to Dodge?"
"Certainly," Newly nodded. Judge Maddox had succeeded Judge Brooker in Hays City, and both Newly and Matt knew him well. "Why do you need the judge, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh, nothing important," Matt replied casually. "I just thought it would be nice if one of my friends could perform the wedding."
"The what?" Festus exclaimed.
"That's right," he beamed, squeezing Kitty's hand. "After the longest courtship in history, this beautiful lady has agreed to marry me."
"Well, congratulations to you both!" Newly offered heartily. "Matt, Miss Kitty, that's the best news I've heard in a long time."
"Me too," Matt responded lightly, though he was completely serious. Kitty smiled and put her free arm around her daughter. "We'll talk more tomorrow fellas, I promise," she called out as Matt snapped the reins and sent their horse trotting toward The Dodge House.
TBC
