Matt

After hours of riding Matt stood at Mabel Johnson's door. He hadn't seen her since her husband Hank's funeral, several months earlier. He knocked, waited and knocked again. A fine-boned, elderly woman opened the door, and blinked as if unsure the knock had been real. She smiled, "Marshal Dillon, what a pleasure. What brings you way out here?'

Matt removed his hat, "Maam, I have some legal papers to speak to you about."

Mabel laughed and her face lit up, giving a glimpse of the young beauty she'd once been, "I can't imagine anything of importance coming to me, but I'm pleased to have a visitor. Please come in and have some coffee."

They sat at the kitchen table and Mabel filled two cups. Matt took a sip and his eyebrows shot up. Mabel saw his face and giggled, "I like my coffee strong. Don't you marshal?"

Matt smiled, "I sure do." He set some papers on the table. "Mrs. Johnson, it seems a distant cousin of Hank's passed away and left him $3,000. By law, because Hank is deceased it's yours, but you have to sign these documents before it can be sent."

"Marshal, Hank never spoke of a distant cousin. Anyway, $3,000 is a lot of money and I don't need it." She laughed, "What would I do with it?"

Matt's voice was gentle, "Mrs. Johnson to start with, you could get a place in town so you're closer to folks. I know Ma Smalley and Doc would appreciate your company."

Mabel smiled kindly. "Thank you, but I'll never leave this place. This was my home with my husband of 40 years. Marshal, forgive my bluntness, but a woman my age can't beat around the bush. A man like yourself – good, strong and handsome, surely has a special lady in his life. I want you to imagine being with that special lady for 40 years, and then losing her. Would you leave the place you shared with her? Marshal, I feel Hank here. I touch the things he touched, listen to the early morning birds we listened to, pick strawberries from bushes we tended year after year."

Mabel's voice faded as she thought about the thousands of things she'd shared with the love of her life. Matt didn't notice the quiet. He was picturing Kitty. She held his heart and always would. Part of him wished for the kind of life Hank and Mabel had shared, a life he couldn't have. Not while he wore the badge. He had a job to do, a job he couldn't walk away from. Not now and who knew when, or even if. It was a job few men survived.

The young marshal and the elderly widow were silent, each in their own thoughts. After a few minutes Matt pulled himself back to the reason he'd come. "Mrs. Johnson like you said it's a lot of money. If you don't want to keep it, you can give it to a charity or to some folks who could use it. If you don't sign these papers it will sit in a bank and do no one any good."

Mrs. Johnson brightened, "Marshal, that's a good point. All right, I'll sign those papers, and give some thought to how to do some good with that money."

Once the paperwork was in order Matt went outside and looked around. He knew Mrs. Johnson wouldn't ask for help, but that didn't mean she didn't need it. Without saying a word he chopped a week's worth of wood, mended a fence, and fixed her back door. He knew she hadn't ventured to town since Hank died, but he repaired the broken wheel on her wagon in case she wanted to.

He was dripping with sweat when he was done, and Mabel approached with a cup of water, "Marshal, you didn't have to do all this, but I'm grateful." She laughed, "After all, I didn't try to stop you. Please stay for supper."

After eating, Matt brought water from the well and helped Mabel clean up the dishes. She walked him to the door and he smiled, "Mrs. Johnson, thank you for that delicious meal. When your money comes I'll bring it to you." As he spoke, he promised himself that he'd make time to check in on Mabel Johnson regularly, and send Chester out now and then to give her a hand. Mabel suddenly grinned, and with a girlish spontaneity reached up, grabbed Matt by the vest and pulled him down to kiss his cheek, "Marshal you are a good man. I wish you as much happiness with your lady as I had with my Hank." Blushing slightly Matt left and got on his horse. He started the long ride back to Dodge, wondering how she was so sure he had a lady.

Peter Brooks

Brooks was lying in bed staring at the ceiling. After visiting the Long Branch he'd eaten a mediocre supper at Delmonicos and retired early to the town's sorry excuse for a hotel. Despite the lumps in his mashed potatoes and his mattress, he was pleased. The town was perfect for his purposes. No one would suspect big money being exchanged here, yet the place was growing so fast, folks were used to seeing strangers come and go. His plan was sound. He'd open a store as a front and have some unsuspecting local run it. Every few months he'd return to accept his smuggled beauties. They'd arrive in oversized boxes and be chained in the storeroom of his shop. His customers would have instructions to meet him in the Long Branch. Folks there were used to seeing all kinds of men mingle while they drank. Once he got his money, he'd take his customers to his storeroom, give them their property and return home richer than ever. The marshal would never suspect illegal transactions were taking place in the Long Branch, not while he was sure of the affections if its owner. It was a shame he had to pass up trying Miss Russell out as a mistress, but one had to make some sacrifices for success.

Brooks rolled over and planned for the morning. He'd send two important telegrams and introduce himself to the young marshal.

Suddenly he remembered the body crumbled up in his closet and annoyance crossed his face. It had to be dealt with.

Tomorrow would be a busy day.

Late That Night

The Long Branch was closed, chairs piled on tables, bar cleaned and polished, glasses washed and doors locked. Kitty climbed upstairs to her bedroom. Mr. Brooks had left shortly after their conversation but she'd thought about him for the rest of the night. He seemed like an interesting fellow. She'd have to remember to mention him to Matt when he got back from Mrs. Johnson's, after they – well after. She smiled in anticipation as she put on the blue silk nightgown Matt had given her for her birthday two years ago. It was the first intimate gift he'd given her. She remembered his nervousness as she opened the box and his relief at her delight. It was her favorite color and she loved the way it clung to her skin. She climbed into bed, looking forward to being awakened.

She'd been sound asleep for hours when the sound of a key turning and the creak of the door roused her to a semi-conscious state. Still half asleep she listened as Matt quietly took off his boots and placed them on the floor. She pictured his broad chest as he removed his shirt, and his long, muscular legs as he slid off his pants. One side of the mattress sank, and his arm reached around her. Already aroused in anticipation, she put her head on his chest and waited for his touch. She waited, waited - she opened her eyes and turned to look at him. His other arm flung across his eyes, he was sound asleep. He must have fallen asleep the second his head hit the pillow. She glanced over at the clock. It was clearly lit by the moonlight streaming into the room – 3:00. Letting out a sigh of disappointment she whispered, "I know Cowboy you've been up and working since dawn. 21 hours is a long day. Sleep well my love, but when you wake you're not leaving this room until I get some action." She kissed his cheek and went back to sleep.

TBC

AN: The inflations calculator that I used put the value of Mabel's $3,000 inheritance at about $64,000 in today's dollars.