Decisions and Desires

Chapter 6

As much as Kitty tried not to think about Matt and just concentrate on getting to know Arlo, her mind would still drift back to the lawman from time to time. She tried to convince herself that was more from habit than anything else. Even so, deep down she was worried about him. It had been two weeks or more since he left, and no one had heard anything from him. He usually managed to send a telegram or two, but maybe he had not been anywhere where he could do that. She put it to the back of her mind. His recent manner had made her rethink her situation. Was Matt Dillon ever going to offer her what she wanted, or was that just some far off dream that for one reason or another would never be fulfilled?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Arlo. He had come into the Long Branch and was quietly standing in front of her at the bar. He smiled as she looked up from arranging the usual lunch time snacks. He lightly touched her hand.

"Could a poor cowboy be so bold as to ask a lady to go to lunch with him?"

She couldn't help the smile that came to her lips. It surprised her that a man so used to driving cattle and keeping a bunch of Texas drovers in line, could find a way to be so warm and gentle.

Of course there was another man who could control a bar room full of drunken buffalo hunters and drifters just by the sound of his voice — and she knew from experience that he could melt her heart with sweet words.

"Are you inviting me, Arlo?"

"I certainly am."

"Then just give me a moment to finish up here, and I'll be ready."

ooo000ooo

Delmonico's was packed with lunchtime customers when they arrived, but Joe, the waiter, found them a small table in the corner. The food was as bad as ever, but Kitty enjoyed the company and didn't really notice.

She was still listening with rapt attention to one of Arlo's wild stories as they made their way, arm in arm, back to the Long Branch. It was almost as if she had decided what to do when they both noticed some kind of a commotion going on outside the blacksmith's shop. She could see Quint Asper, Doc, and a few other men standing around. Quint was talking to an Indian, probably a Comanche by his appearance. They hurried over to find out what was going on. Quint was asking the Indian questions, and didn't seem to like the answers. Doc was listening and trying to follow, but since he didn't speak Comanche he had to wait patiently until the blacksmith had finished.

Quint had turned to face Doc by the time they approached, and now he saw Kitty and nudged the physician. By the look on their faces something serious was taking place.

"What's going on?" She was still holding on to Arlo's arm, but for a second her blood ran cold because she somehow sensed it was something to do with Matt.

"Doc! Quint! Tell me what's going on."

Arlo noticed the sudden fear in her eyes, but for a moment had no idea what had caused it. She broke free from him and looked from one to the other of her long-time friends.

Doc decided to break the ice.

"This is Swift Arrow, he's from the same tribe as Quint. He has some news about Matt."

Kitty couldn't help it. Her hand flew to her mouth.

"No!" she screamed, thinking the worst. "What's happened?"

For a moment Arlo felt like an outsider. This group of people were closer than any family. He knew they were Kitty's friends, but now he saw something else. Matt was more than another friend in this circle. They cared about the marshal, but they were all worried about Kitty because he was more important to her than anyone else. They knew it. Everyone knew it except him. Matt had not been exactly honest with him when he had said that he had no particular woman. Arlo could see that now. He changed his grip on Kitty's arm, so that he was in a position to support her because he thought that the news was going to be devastating.

"Kitty come inside and sit down." Quint was trying to get her away from all the prying eyes on Front Street. He indicated for Doc and the Indian to come inside also. Arlo was still holding Kitty's arm and figured he would be needed when the news was broken so he followed, and no one objected.

Quint wiped the dust from a low bench and indicated to Kitty to sit there. Arlo remained standing with one hand on her shoulder. Doc righted a wooden stool that was lying on the ground and sat nearby in case he was needed. Quint remained standing alongside the Indian.

He took breath knowing this was going to be difficult.

"Kitty, this is Swift Arrow. He is from the same tribe as my mother. Chief Running Horse sent him to find me. He has travelled many days and nights to get here."

Arlo noticed the spotted pony tied in one of the stalls and figured that he belonged to the Indian.

"Chief Running Horse wants me to go down to the Nations. In the lands of his tribe there are a group of white men who are wanted by the law. I think they are the ones Matt went after. He says they have taken a lawman, and are holding him prisoner at their hideout. Running Horse wants them all to be taken away because he fears that the soldiers will come to rescue the lawman, and then there will be fighting and white man's blood and Indian blood will stain the land. He does not want that. His people want peace."

All the time he was talking he was using sign language to include Swift Arrow in the conversation. The Indian nodded his head in agreement.

Doc looked at the blacksmith. "Are you going to take a posse Quint?"

"No, Doc - that wouldn't help. I must go alone."

Kitty joined the conversation. "Quint, it's too dangerous for you to go there alone. Don't you have enemies in that tribe? Matt said that many of your people turned against you because you came to live here in Dodge."

"I owe Matt my life, Kitty. This is the least I can do. I will bring him back."

"What about the outlaws?"

"I'll bring them back too."

"Is he going to help you?" She indicated the Indian standing by his side.

"He will lead me to their place but he will not fight. Running Horse does not want any of his braves involved, that is why he sent for me."

Arlo stepped forward. "I'll come with you Quint. I'm a pretty good hand on the trail, and I've known Matt a long time. I need to help him."

Quint looked at him and thought for a few moments. He knew the man had led many cattle drives and was experienced with the ways of the land. He had also watched him developing some kind of friendship with Kitty. He thought the situation over quickly. An extra pair of eyes and hands would be useful.

"Be ready to leave in an hour."

Arlo had escorted Kitty back to the Long Branch. He assured her they would find Matt and bring him home.

"Arlo, I…I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say it. I think I know how it is between you and Matt. Even though you and I have enjoyed each other's company, I knew there was someone else in the background. You should have told me."

She wanted to explain to him, but right now could not find the words. He put a gentle arm around her and looked deeply into her eyes.

"If Matt is alive, we will bring him back, I promise. We can discuss it then."

Meanwhile Doc had remained with the blacksmith. Once Kitty had left he went to Quint and spoke quietly, "You know the army is not going to go looking for Matt, are you sure this is not some kind of trap?"

The physician was pulling on his ear and looking around. He hoped the brave, known as Swift Arrow, did not understand much English. "Running Horse and his braves don't think too highly of you since you moved to Dodge - you told me so yourself."

"I don't understand all of it, Doc, but what do you expect me to do? If Matt is in trouble I need to go find him."

Adams knew he couldn't argue with that sentiment.

"Just be careful," he muttered as he turned away.

ooo000ooo

Less than an hour had passed, but Kitty stood next to Doc watching as the two men prepared for their mission. She knew that what they were about to undertake would not be easy.

They had gathered rifles, ammunition, water, and other supplies for the trip, then saddled two horses and packed a third with supplies. Finally the two men from Dodge and the Comanche prepared to head out. Kitty watched Arlo mount up then went to him and touched him on the leg. She wanted to tell him to be careful. She couldn't bear the thought of him coming to any harm, but at the same time she was scared about what might be happening to Matt. She could lose both men in one fateful moment. Carefully she controlled her voice.

"Please be careful," she whispered in a voice that was about to break.

He reached down and gently touched her face with a hand that smelled of leather and horse sweat. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. We'll bring him back."

She tried to smile but at the same time felt hot, salty tears trying to form in her eyes. His face was kind and gentle. She could tell that he knew. He understood that she could never totally love him. At the same time, here he was planning to do everything in his power to save the one man who prevented her from giving herself completely to him,

She felt another pressure on her arm. Doc was there for her. He always was. Together they watched the small group ride down Front Street and out of sight.

"Kitty, I think we both need a drink." The physician took her arm and gently led her away from the livery.

TBC