When Matt left Doc at breakfast, the man barely grunted goodbye. Matt understood. He knew what Doc was feeling, and agreed whole-heartedly that Felix never speaking again would be tragic. The problem was Doc wanted him to steal evidence to pay for the boy's treatment, and he couldn't. Matt also thought about Kitty's problems. Losing the Long Branch and being left with a crushing debt were very real possibilities. Something else he didn't know how to fix.

He entered his office deep in thought, hoping for inspiration. To his surprise Mabel Johnson was sitting across from Chester. "Mrs. Johnson, it's nice to see you. What was brings you to Dodge?"

Mabel smiled warmly, "I came to see how Felix was, but I'd like a word with you if I might."

"Of course." He turned to Chester, "Go ahead and get some breakfast."

Mabel Johnson watched Chester leave and laughed, "That man can sure talk up a storm."

"That he can."

"He told me a great many things including how Miss Russell threw a stone that hit Mr. Stringer right between the eyes." She chuckled, "I wish I'd seen that. It takes a real woman to do something like that."

Mabel paused, "I'm getting ahead of myself marshal. I'll back up. Before I got to Doc's to see Felix, I ran into Mr. Botkins, that nice man who runs the bank. It seems he received a wire releasing the money I inherited from that distant relative of Hank's. I'm sure you remember. You brought the paperwork out to my place for my signature. Mr. Botkins was going to give money to you to deliver, but since I was in town he gave it directly to me. I hope that's all right."

"Of course."

"When I left the bank, I ran into Chester. He told me about Felix, and the treatment he needs. He also told me about the trouble Peter Brooks caused for Miss Russell. That's when I decided to come see you. While I was waiting, Chester told me all about the men you have locked up." Mabel nodded towards the door that led to the jail. "They never learned that money is a foolish goal as an end in itself. Money is a tool, nothing more, nothing less."

Mabel set an envelope on the desk. "This is for the Clarks. It will get them to Boston, pay for their stay and cover Felix's medical costs." She set a slimmer envelope down. "This is for Miss Russell. I know she is a fine woman who runs an honest establishment." Mabel paused and spoke thoughtfully, "You know marshal, I've never been in a saloon. I think I'll give it a try one day."

They both smiled. Mabel Johnson walking into a saloon didn't really seem so crazy.

"Marshal, will you please deliver these envelopes,"

"Mrs. Johnson, don't you want to do it yourself."

"No, I don't like making a fuss." She stood to leave, "However, I do hope you and Miss Russell will visit me. I'd like to know how Felix is, and how the Long Branch is doing." She smiled slyly, "I'd also like to show the two of you my strawberry patch. It's where I found Felix, but it also has quite a history of excitement and good luck."

Before Matt knew it she was gone."

Matt had no idea what Mabel meant about the strawberry patch, but planned to take Kitty to visit her. At the moment he was delighted to carry out her wishes.

While the money was being giving to its grateful recipients, Mabel was driving home. "You know Hank, I was serious about going into a saloon. I plan to do it once. Remember when you bought a bottle of whiskey for us to share on New Years Eve? It was worth the headaches we woke up with. The other time we shared a bottle was when our twins passed. It dulled the pain for a short while, but it was our love that got us through that terrible time. Hank, I sure do miss you. Oh I know you're with me in a different way, and I'm lucky in that. You know Hank, the marshal and Miss Russell have a special love like ours. It's a rare thing. We had good times Hank, and lord knows we had bad, but our love was always strong. Those two have a whole life ahead of them with happy times and sad. They'll have their fights, like we did, and enjoy making up, like we did. Their love is strong and forever, just like ours. What's that Hank? That's true, I've always been right about matters of the heart."

The Next Evening

Matt, Kitty and Doc stood at the stage depot seeing the Clarks off. Their journey would start with several stagecoach rides and finish with a train. It was such a long trip that Rita had considered leaving Molly with Kitty, but decided she couldn't bear to be separated from her daughter for what could be as long as a month. Kitty was flattered that Rita even considered it.

After watching the stage leave, Doc returned to his office, and Matt took Kitty's arm to walk her to the Long Branch.

She felt him smiling down at her, "What's on your mind Cowboy?"

"Oh I was just thinking you seem pretty happy and relaxed."

"Well it's a relief to know that Felix is going to get the best care possible. It's also good to know I'm not going to lose my saloon."

"I do have one question Kitty. The way you hit Stringer right between the eyes with that rock, I'd say you had some practice. Where'd you learn to throw like that?"

She smiled ever so slightly, "Cowboy, you don't know everything about me. You still have quite a bit to learn."

"Well then, when's my next lesson?"

"My place, dinner - 7:00?"

"I'll be there."

Matt left Kitty at the Long Branch, and walked away thinking so hard he almost ploughed into Doc.

"Hold on there. You're sure not looking where you're going. What's on your mind?"

Matt took a breath before confiding, "Doc, I want to get a gift for Kitty."

"Seems like a nice idea."

"I guess, but I can't imagine what I could buy her that would be, I don't know, special. She's seen the finest earrings money can buy. Anything I could afford would seem silly. I'm at a loss."

Doc smiled at his young friend. "Matt, I've been on this earth a lot longer than you. It may be hard for you to believe, but I know women and have had my share relationships; some bad, some good. There are women, like that Lorraine, who are gold diggers out to get what they can. There are other women, like Kitty, who value what comes from the heart. If you can think of a gift that shows her how you feel, it would mean more to her than all the diamonds in the world. That's a fact Matt."

Matt nodded thoughtfully, "Thanks Doc."

At 7:00 PM on the dot, Matt knocked and walked into Kitty's suite. She looked beautiful in a royal blue dress, hair hanging loose around her shoulders.

"Dinner's ready, Cowboy. Let's sit down." He pulled out a chair for her and poured them each a glass of wine. The ate and talked about everything that had happened since Peter Brooks arrived in Dodge.

After dinner Matt helped clear the dishes and he and Kitty sat cuddling on the settee. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt and rained kisses down his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders. He put his hand on hers, "Kitty, wait – I want to give you something."

He took a small, plain, cardboard box from his pocket and cleared his throat. "Kitty before you open in, I need to say something. I'm not much for words but I want to say this. Kitty I love you and I can't imagine my life without you." He took a deep breath, "OK open it."

Kitty lifted the lid. Inside was a slender silver heart on a simple chain. She picked it up and turned it over. The back was engraved – You are my home.

She smiled the smile that he knew was his alone and stroked his cheek, "And you are mine."

The End

AN - Thank you readers for sticking with the story.