Rescue or Recovery?
Conclusion
PT.24
Kitty, finding she couldn't sleep, made her way down to the library. Pouring herself a brandy, as she turned to sit in a chair. "Well, I see I'm not the only one who couldn't sleep."
"Oh, William, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."
"No, I should have said something. Please sit. Tell me what's keeping you up. I thought you'd sleep very well knowing Shaw won't be… well…"
"Oh, William, it's not that."
"Come now, Kitty, tell me what's on your mind."
"Actually, I was thinking about you, the business and what to do about…"
"Oh now, wait a minute, Kitty. This isn't anything for you to be concerned about."
Raising her brow, "But, William, it is. The last I checked, I still have holdings in Lemp Breweries, don't I? So if we put our heads together, we can correct this problem."
"Kitty, I can't let you…"
Stopping him in mid-sentence. "Who said anything about letting me? This is my decision and my mind is made up. When I get back to Dodge, I'll have papers drawn up and send them to you. I am anxious to get home to Dodge. I do need to get back to the Long Branch."
Over the next few days, Matt, Kitty and Doc spent time letting Hilda show them around. She wanted to impress them with how much she had learned about the family business, Kitty mainly.
Then Matt made arrangements for the three to return home as promised. Doc figured Kitty was now strong enough for the travel.
Kitty sat packing. Hilda knocked, entering her room. "Miss Kitty?"
"Come in, Sweetheart."
"Oh, Miss Kitty, I do wish you didn't have to go so soon."
Smiling, "Hilda, I'm afraid I do. I have a business that I need to get back to myself and I'm sure it won't be long before I see you again." She now winked at her. "I'll be expecting some good news in the not so far future."
Smiling at her, "Oh now, Miss Kitty. Please."
"And besides, you could always come and visit me in Dodge City."
"Yes, yes that sounds like a wonderful idea. Plan on it." The two hugged.
"Kitty, Doc and I are all ready." Matt said as he entered, looking around the room.
"Ok, Matt, I'm all packed."
Scrunching his face, "Kit? All this?"
Tilting her head, "Yeah, all this."
He just shook his head. "Women!" Kitty and Hilda broke into laughter.
They all said their goodbyes at the train station then boarded. As they sat, Doc sat across from Matt and Kitty. "Now, Kitty honey, if you feel like you need anything…"
"Now, Curly, I'm fine. Really. Will you stop hovering?"
Once they began their journey, Doc decided to read. Matt slouched down, tilted his hat covering his face and Kitty curled up using Matt's shoulder to make herself comfortable, falling off into a sound sleep. Doc had sent off a wire letting Festus, Newly and Sam know of their return. They were so excited to finally have their friends home and know that they had found Kitty and she was safe and sound.
Dodge City Train Depot
Sam was going through his normal morning ritual sweeping out the Long Branch. Mister Jonas was opening up the general store. Mister Temple wheeled his squeaky milk cart down the center of Front Street.
Festus was walking down Front Street whistling, waiting for the post office to open. You could hear the jingle of his spurs. He seriously missed his routine banter with Doc, morning coffee with Matt and morning chats with Miz Kitty. It was like someone cut a hole in his belly. His family was missing.
Suddenly, the sound of the train whistle! His eyes popped. THE TRAIN! Matthew, Miz Kitty, Doc! Now running for the depot, yelling, "Newly! Newly! Sam!"
Coming out of his shop, "Festus, what's wrong? What is it?"
"They're here! Matthew, Miz Kitty and Doc, they're here!" Newly just smiled. He knew how much Festus missed them all, they all did. When the train pulled in and passengers departed, Festus was anxiously waiting.
First off was Doc. "Doc? Doc, ya ol' scudder!" Festus began to grab him in a tight hold.
"Let go of me! Are you crazy?"
Then Matt stepped out. "Ah, Matthew." He grabbed Matt's hand, shaking it so fast and so hard.
Shaking his head, "Ok, ok, Festus, can I have my hand back, please?"
The he spotted Kitty. His eyes teared up. "Mizzzz Kit-ty! If'n you ain't a plum de sight fer sore eye balls." He said, grabbing her around her waist and spinning her.
"Ah, Festus." Patting his arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Miz Kitty, jest got me all so excited ta have ya home."
"And it's good to be home. I've missed you all so much."
"Ok, ok now, Kitty, I still want you to take it easy. Let's get you home."
"Oh, Miz Kitty, I'll git your bags and things." Festus offered. "Don'cha fret none."
"Thanks, Festus."
Entering the Long Branch, Kitty was overwhelmed. Looking at Sam, all she could say was, "OHHH, Sam!" Wrapping her arm around her loyal friend and employee, hugging him tight.
"Its all right, Miss Kitty. Everything here is fine. The girls and I handled everything just fine."
"Oh, Sam, I wasn't worried. I never worry about you. Of course, you always take care of things for me. What would I do without you?" She was now cupping his cheek.
Sam and the girls had planned a small celebration to welcome her home.
Two weeks later, Matt surprised Kitty with a quiet picnic down by Spring Creek with Ma Smally's help. She put together a basket of fried chicken, potato salad, peach pie and Matt chilled a bottle of champagne in the creek.
It was a beautiful afternoon. They lay together on the blanket, laughing, talking. Matt tried fishing then he suggested a swim.
"Ah, Cowboy, I think I'll skip swimming for a while if you don't mind." Smiling at him.
"Now, Kitty, I'm right here. It's not exactly the same thing, ya know." He convinced her to slip into the water with him. Holding her close, "I won't let you go, I promise."
After a short swim and play, he gently carried her to the blanket, placing her softly down, wrapping the two as they became entwined in an intimate dance of passionate love.
Lying in the afterglow, "Cowboy?"
"Huh?" Matt mumbled, brushing strands off her face.
"Thank you. Thank you for coming after me."
"Ah, Kitty, I will always come after you whenever you need me."
"Well, I was just thinking that this could have turned out one of two ways."
Crinkling his nose, "What do you mean?"
"Well, you coming to St. Louis could have been you coming for a rescue or a recovery."
Squeezing her tightly to him at the thought. Well, Kitty, then that makes several people I know that are very grateful it turned out like it did. A Rescue!"
FINI
OR WAS IT?
