Matt could tell that something wasn't right with Kitty and took a slow, easy pace as they continued on to Dodge. It was after dark when he led his ragged group into town. He was slumped in the saddle more than he liked, a throbbing head and fatigue had taken a toll. Kitty was drained from the whole experience and it showed, and now that her nausea had subsided, she was lightheaded from lack of food. Daniel's head drooped. He was tired and demoralized. Things hadn't gone as he expected and Molly had disappointed him.

Only Molly sat upright looking fully alert. Her mind was racing. She decided to give up the idea of owning the Long Branch. The chance to pull that off was gone. Still there was money to be had. First she had to find a way to free Daniel. Then they'd come up with a way to force Dillon to talk. It was a bit troubling that the marshal knew she and Daniel shared the same last name. Hopefully the discussion about McLaughlin being a common Irish name had done the trick. Other things were working in her favor. Telling Dillon that Daniel had attacked her and having Kitty's friendship, could make Dillon disposed towards trusting her.

As the group rode down Front Street, Matt heard familiar jangling spurs.

"Matthew, I am right glad ta see ya. Who's that fella?" Festus pointed to Daniel and then caught sight of the ladies. "Miss Kitty, Molly how'd ya cum ta join up with Matthew?"

"Festus," Matt straightened up in the saddle. "There's a lot to explain, but it can wait. Right now I need you to lock up my prisoner. He's the son of a man I arrested for blackmail. He's out for revenge.

"Got em Matthew. Ya go on an see Doc. That thar wound on ya head don't look too good. Don't cha worry 'bout this fella."

Festus walked off leading Daniel's horse. Matt and the ladies rode to the Long Branch and dismounted.

Matt took the reins of Molly's horse. "I'll get him back to the stable. You go on in and get some rest."

Molly paused. She felt like she was being dismissed, but wanted to listen to the marshal's conversation with Kitty. Dillon looked at her. She couldn't think of an excuse to stay, so smiled and went inside.

"Matt," Kitty lightly touched his cheek, "You do need to see Doc."

"Maybe you do too."

"Me? Why? I'm fine."

"Kitty you look awful pale and well - - I know you, and I can tell something's not right."

"Matt, I'm just tired. I was worried about you, and to tell you the truth I'm awfully hungry right now. How about this, you deliver the horses to the stable and go see Doc. I'll get us a basket of chicken and dumplings from Delmonico's. Meet me upstairs and we'll eat and relax. You'll see. I'm fine." She smiled warmly.

He studied her face and finally nodded. "Sounds good." He led the horses away determined to pressure Kitty to see Doc if something seemed off.

Later that Night

Cleaned-up, refreshed, and stuffed with chicken and dumplings, Kitty and Matt contentedly relaxed in bed. He wrapped his arms around her, and she happily nestled in with her head on his chest. Their breathing was in sync. They were comfortable, sleepy and glad to be together.

Kitty sleepily thought about the right time to tell Matt about the baby. She figured she'd know when the moment was right. She wasn't sure exactly what he'd say, but she was sure of his love, very sure.

Matt caressed Kitty's breasts. She murmured with pleasure as he rolled his thumb over her nipple, and kneaded her soft flesh. He gently ran his hand back and forth over her belly, and massaged the insides of her thighs. She drifted off to sleep with her head on his chest. His own head had stopped throbbing thanks to Doc's powders, and his eyes were starting to close. He forced them open. He wanted to stay awake and think about Molly McLaughlin. McLaughlin was indeed a common Irish name, but it was a strange co-incidence that Molly McLaughlin had arrived in Dodge at the same time Liam McLaughlin's son appeared. Yet, there was no indication that she had a connection to Daniel, in fact it seems he'd attacked her. Also, Kitty thought a lot of Molly, and Kitty had better people sense than anyone he knew. He tried to keep his mind focused, but fatigue and Doc's powders pulled him into sleep.

In the next room Molly was awake and pacing, thinking about her next move. Her first priority was freeing Daniel. Festus would be guarding him. She'd gotten to know the hill man during her time in Dodge. He had smarts and was wily, but had a deferential respect for women. He'd be susceptible to a damsel in distress. A plan took shape. She grabbed a cloak and hurried down the back stairs to the marshal's office. When she got outside she glanced around. The streets were empty. She pulled off an earing, dropped it and kicked dirt over it, making sure to leave a gold tip sticking up.

Inside the office Festus was on a cot finding a comfortable position. He was starting to fall asleep when he heard a tap on the door. He sat up, smoothed back his hair and tried to look as professional as Matthew always seemed to at any time of the day or night.

"Cum on in."

"Hello Festus." Molly entered looking beautiful and distressed.

"Molly." Festus stood and was suddenly conscious of his bootless feet. "It's awful late for a lady ta be out by her lone self. Is somethin a matter?"

"Festus, it's – it's nothing, I shouldn't trouble you." She slowly turned away making sure he saw her sad expression and tear filled eyes."

Moved by the beautiful woman's unhappiness, Festus quickly tugged on his boots. "Now Molly, iffin somethin's got ya this upset it ain't nothin. Maybe I can help ya."

She let out a deep sigh, "Well, I was getting ready for bed when I noticed one of my earrings was missing."

She pointed to her ears. A gold earring was hanging on one. The other was bare.

"It seems silly to make a fuss about a piece of jewelry, but my dear, sweet mother took those earrings from her ears when she was on her death bed, and set them in my trembling hands. They are all I have left of her. My heart started to break when I thought I'd lost one. Then I remembered something - I was rubbing my ear when I walked by here this morning and an earring could have fallen off. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I came to look for it with hope in my heart. It was silly of me to not realize that it would be too dark to see anything. Festus, I know it's a lot to ask, but I wonder if you could take a lantern outside and take a look."

Festus frowned, "Molly, I'd like ta help ya, but ah can't leave a prisoner."

Molly pressed trembling lips together, "I understand. B-b-but, you would be right outside the door, and it could be a quick look, a very quick look." She widened her tear filled eyes.

He melted. "I recon ah could give a quick look-see, right outside a here. Afta all you'd be right in the office. Nothin could happin."

He lit a lantern and stepped outside. She let the door close behind him, grabbed a ring of keys from a peg and pushed open the door to the back cells. It squeaked loudly. She cringed and turned around, but immediately realized Festus couldn't have heard it from outside. She hurried to the back.

"Took you long enough." Daniel jumped to his feet as soon as she entered.

She unlocked the door speaking rapidly, "Listen, you stay in this cell for a while. Festus might check on you again when he comes in. I don't want any connection between my being here and your escape. Later, when you're sure he's asleep, go out the back door. There's an abandoned cabin about 3 miles south of here. I'll meet you there."

Without waiting for a response she went back into the office and slipped the keys back on the peg. She heard the front door and turned towards it with a hopeful smile plastered on her face.

Wearing a wide grin Festus held up an earring, "I found it. Now ya go on home an sleep peaceful thinkin on ya mama."

"Oh Festus, I'll never be able to thank you enough. She pecked his cheek. He blushed. She graced him with a thankful smile and hurried on her way.

Festus closed the door and went into the back. He was up so he figured he might as well check on his prisoner one more time. Daniel was snoring soundly on his cot.

Satisfied that his prisoner was secure and pleased he'd done a good deed for a lady, Festus returned to his cot and quickly fell asleep.

TBC