Chapter 3

The next morning Kitty had decided to sleep in a bit after Matt left around 6 o'clock that morning. She rolled over and brought his pillow to her face. She thought about going back to sleep but remember she had to meet with that damn Malone character. She rolled over and grunted in protest as she walked over to pick out her dress for the day.

It was nearly 10 o'clock when she had finished with dress and makeup. She was putting on her last touches of lipstick when Sam knocked, "Miss Kitty?"

"Yeah, Sam?" She called from her vanity.

"There's a Mr. Malone here to speak with you." Sam answered.

Kitty sighed, "I'll be down in just a minute."

"I'll let him know, Miss Kitty." Sam made his way back down the stairs.

Kitty checked to make sure all was tucked away as it should be. She pushed back from the vanity and stood to check her dresses. When all was to her satisfaction, she made her way through the curtain and down the stairs. She took note that the barroom was quite empty and that some of her girls were being charmed by the inexplicable, Mr. Mitch Malone. She admitted, only to herself, he was quite easy on the eyes, a bit younger than she and Matt, but still very handsome. She couldn't help catching herself thinking that he looked like a bad boy version of Matt… if Matt was on the other side of the badge. Maybe this is way she was intrigued. She shrugged the thoughts away as she came off the last step.

Mitch looked up from the table of girls surrounding him. He stood and removed his hat, "Morning, Miss Russell." He smiled almost innocently.

"Good morning, Mr. Malone." Kitty, poker face and all, returned the salutation. She turned to her girls, "Molly, Grace, Annie, do you three mind starting laundry for the day?"

They all smiled. Molly answered, "No ma'am, Miss Kitty."

Grace turned to Mitch, "We hope to see you around, Mr. Malone." The girls giggled. He smiled and nodded.

"Go on, girls." Kitty reminded.

Mitch stared Kitty for a moment, taking in her beauty. Her dress was ravishing, and her hair had let little ringlets hang freely. He paused but boldly said, "The morning air looks lovely on you, Miss Russell."

Kitty wanted to roll her eyes but suggested they sit instead, "Shall we?"

He cleared his throat and helped Kitty with her chair, "Ladies first, Miss Russell." He made sure she was comfortable before he took his seat beside her. He laid his hat on the table next to his glass, "I took the liberty of ordering while I waited."

"I see that." Kitty acknowledge the beer in front of her. She pointed to the beer mug in front of him, "I thought you were a whiskey man, Mr. Malone."

He chuckled and leaned back a bit in his chair, "All in good time, Miss Russell."

Kitty took a sip of her beer, "This is a business transaction, not a social call." She wanted to remind him, "You wanted to see me about renting out The Long Branch."

"Straight to business, Miss Russell." He grinned, "I like that." Kitty didn't respond. She just waited for him to speak. After a long pause, he took a sip of his beer, "I can see you're very busy, so I'll get straight to the point." He leaned forward and placed his arm on the table, "I want this room for two nights, Miss Russell. I'm willing to pay the money. I'll pay for the beer, but my boys are responsible for any extra activities, if you will…"

Kitty nodded, "I can work with that." Her eyes never left his, "I'll remind you, young man, YOU are in charge of your boys." She moved in a little closer and dared him to challenge her, "BUT…" She paused to emphasize her point, "I'm in charge of you." She raised her eyebrow, "Things get out of hand, I will end it. I have a gun, and I have the man power to bring the whole show to a stop. I don't want trouble, Mr. Malone."

"Young man?" He laughed, "I haven't heard that in some time." Nearly thirty-three, he thought back on his younger days. He smiled to himself. After quickly reliving his glory days, he noticed Kitty hadn't cracked that smile of hers. He cleared his throat, "That's fair, Miss Russell." He agreed, "I don't want any trouble either. Just looking for a good time for me and my friends."

She sighed, "That can be arranged." She sat back once more, "How many cowboys are we talking?"

He took a moment and counted in his head, "There will be at least ten…" He thought further, "Well, possibly fifteen."

Kitty sighed and thought about her poor bar. She agreed, "Okay. When?"

"Tonight, and tomorrow night. You said from 5 o'clock in the evening until…" He stopped when Kitty looked behind him. He noticed her attention wasn't on him anymore. He turned around to see Matt standing over the batwing doors. He turned back to Kitty, "I suppose he'll be joining us… again…"

Kitty stood as Matt locked eyes with her, "Morning." She smiled that smile Mitch was looking forward to seeing again.

Matt walked over to the table, removing his hat and smiling back at Kitty, "Morning, Kitty. How's are things…" He paused when he suddenly looked away from Kitty and noticed Mitch sitting at the table.

Kitty noticed his expression changed, "Uh, you remember Mitch Malone, Matt…" She stammered out.

Mitch stood and offered his hand, "Marshal, right?"

Matt looked at Kitty. Then returned the gesture, "That's right, son. Marshal Dillon."

Mitch offered, "Would you like to join us?" He motioned toward the table, "I'm sure Miss Russell would welcome a second opinion."

Kitty observed the interaction between the boys. Ying and yang, emerald eyes to ocean blues, "I'mmmmm going to go get another beer," She looked at Matt, "You want a beer, Matt?"

His eyes never leaving Mitch's, "Sure, Kitty."

Mitch pointed to a chair, "Marshal."

Matt eyed him for a moment and sat across the table from him, "What brings you to Dodge, Mr. Malone?"

"Wow." Mitch coughed a bit on his beer, "You two aren't much for small talk around here." Matt sat silent. Mitch smiled and took another sip of his beer, "Just passing through." He leaned back a bit, "Bringing a herd through and wanna celebrate the youngest of our group, Lenny's eighteenth birthday…" He paused and looked around, "In style that is…" He smiled.

"What kind of herd?" Matt question.

"We have small herd of horses on their way to a working farm slightly west of here." Mitch assured.

Matt grunted, "How many?"

Mitch took another sip, "How many what? Horses?" He thought back to his book, "I'd say a good fifteen…"

"No, men?" Matt wondered how many were going to be in drunk, stumbling around Dodge while he was gone.

"There's twenty in our outfit," Mitch responded, "But some will stay back with the herd, Marshal."

Matt nodded. Kitty rejoined them. This time, tray in hand, with only a single shot glass she offered Mitch his whiskey, "I believe this is yours." She painted a courteous smile as she placed it in front of him.

"Where's your beer?" Mitch smiled back.

She looked at him, "I told you this was business, not social. I believe we've covered everything, Mr. Malone." She remined, "You and the boys will have the place beginning at 5o'clock until I lock the doors at 1o'clock."

"But…" Mitch was at a loss of words.

"That's the agreement. Take it or leave." She repeated firmly, "Now if you'll excuse us, Mr. Malone, I believe I have plans for lunch." Her expression completely changing. Her eyes now danced. She turned and smiled at Matt, "If the offer still stands." She teased.

Matt slightly chuckled. He smiled and stood. Placing his hat on his head and his hand at the small of Kitty's back, he offered his hand to Mitch, "Glad we spoke." Mitch returned his shake. Matt and Kitty walked through the batwing doors… all the while Mitch watched in amazement.

TBC