The Book

Chapter 2

It was later that day when Kitty watched Matt make his way carefully along the boardwalk. Although to most people he would appear his usual strong, formidable self, she could see that he was tired and hurting.

She stepped out onto the street just before he got to the Long Branch.

"Hello Matt," she said looking into his face, His eyes told her everything she needed to know. "You need to rest up for a while, Cowboy, before you collapse right here on Front Street. That would not look good to all the fine citizens of this town."

"I know Kitty I just had so much work to catch up on. Just one more thing to do, then I'll go back to the jail and rest for a while."

"Oh no," she told him sternly, "when you've taken care of that," she pointed to the envelope he was carrying, "you go on upstairs to my rooms and rest, that way I can see that you are not disturbed." He started to object but she lightly touched his arm, "I promise I'll come and get you if anything happens that Chester or I can't deal with." He looked into her face and smiled just a little, "All right, I'll be back," then he turned to continue on his errand.

Much against his better judgment Matt did as she suggested and about two hours later the saloon owner headed up to her room to find the tall lawman sprawled out on her bed. She eased his boots off and found a blanket to throw over him, then quietly closed the door and made her way back downstairs.

The evening was fairly quiet. Sam was the only barkeep working so Kitty helped out here and there, pulling a few beers and checking on some of the patrons seated at the tables.

Several hours passed before Chester came up behind her.

"You seen Mr. Dillon, Miss Kitty?"" Yes" she said carefully "do you need him for something?"

"Not really, I just hadn't seen him around since early this morning."

"He's fine Chester, just resting upstairs for a while."

The jailer was a little embarrassed by the thought,

"You know he can't rest down at the jail, people coming and going all the time."

That at least made sense to him.

"Well you know I'd do my best to keep the place quiet for him." He looked a little downcast wondering that maybe she didn't think he took good care of his boss.

"Come to think of it Miss Kitty I haven't seen Doc all day either."

Sam overheard the conversation. "Somebody need him Chester?" he asked

"Well...no..I was just kinda remarkin'."

"Moss told me had headed out before lunch," kitty joined the conversation. "He probably had some patients out in the country to go check on - you know he has been kept kind of busy here in town for the last few weeks. Come on Chester let me buy you a beer."

Sam listened but said nothing. After all he had made a promise.

Later that evening Kitty went back upstairs to find the Marshal awake.

"Well you look better than you did earlier," she tells him, and went over to the sideboard where she kept the good Brandy. "Chester said he would make rounds tonight, so you don't have to leave, lets just enjoy a drink and then go to bed.

TBC