Chapter 4

Matt and Kitty walked in silence down the boardwalk. Kitty didn't know exactly what was said between Matt and the cowboy... but she knew and could sense how Matt felt. He didn't like the drifter. He was a stranger and as their history had shown... they were to be leery of strange cowboys, gunslingers, or anyone else that fit the unnecessarily charming characteristics.

"Matt..." Kitty finally broke the silence.

Matt turned to her. He didn't answer right away... he turned and looked forward again before answering, "Kitty, it's your business, you know that..."

"I know, Matt." Kitty answered quietly as they rounded the corner at Delmonico's...

He smiled as he let her walk in first, "Just doing my job."

"Worrying, is more like it." She eyed him and smiled back.

They found a table in the back. Matt pulled her chair out and waited for her to get situated. He sat down beside her... as close as he could. He removed his hat and brushed his knee against hers, "That too..." He winked.

Kitty removed her gloves, "Well, good thing is, I've housed parties before." She places her napkin in her lap, "Plus, I've dealt with unruly cowboys all my life." She patted him on the arm, "And... There hasn't been one I haven't tamed yet!" Matt ducked his head. She teased, "I always have complete control." Kitty smothered her smile.

The waiter walked over, "What will it be this morning, Marshal?"

"Something that doesn't require taming..." He cleared his throat, "Maybe some eggs and coffee." Kitty chuckled.

"Well, that was good." Kitty delicately wiped her mouth with her napkin, "Thanks for breakfast, Matt."

"That was kind of lunch, Kitty." Matt took another sip of his coffee.

"For you, not for me." Kitty reminded and smiled.

Matt chuckled, "Let's go." Matt stood and placed his hat on his head.

Kitty smiled as Joe came by to collect their dishes. She turned, "That was delicious, Joe. Kinda different, but good." She grinned.

"Thanks, Miss Kitty." Joe motioned toward the kitchen, "New cook, just hired him about two days ago." He smiled.

"Well, he did very well." Kitty finished off her coffee, "Thanks, Joe."

"Sure thing, Miss Kitty." Joe nodded, "Have a good day, Marshal."

"Thanks," Matt tipped his hat. "You to, Joe."

Kitty stood as Matt pulled her chair from the table. She looked over her shoulder at Matt, "I know you have to leave soon, but do you mind if we stop by the post office on the way back?"

"As long as you don't mind stopping by the jail first." Matt placed his hand at the small of her back and smiled.

"Not at all." Kitty returned the smile. She always enjoyed the little moments they were allotted from time to time.

Matt and Kitty made their way to jail. Newly passed, "Afternoon, Marshal." He stopped and tipped his hat, "Miss Kitty."

"Afternoon, Newly." Kitty smiled, "How are you?"

"I'm doing well, Miss Kitty." He returned the smile. He turned to Matt, "I'm riding out to Elmer Lowe's place. Some of his horses escaped last night. He asked if Festus and I to help track them, but Festus is going to stay back since you're heading out."

Matt squared his shoulders, "Horses?"

"Yessir…" Newly answered.

Matt looked at Kitty before turning back to Newly, "He has a heard of yearlings, doesn't he?"

"Matt…" Kitty warned him, "We don't know if there's any connection…"

Newly watched the exchange between Matt and Kitty, "Everything okay, Marshal?"

Matt sighed, "Go ahead and check it out, Newly." He placed his hand on Kitty's back once more, "I'll talk to Festus."

"Yessir. Right away." He tipped his hat again, "Miss Kitty."

Kitty acknowledged with a nod. She turned to Matt. Matt answered her wordless gesture, "I'm not assuming anything yet, Kitty."

"We'll see." She said dryly as he opened the door to the jail.

"Afternoon, Matthew!" Festus happily greeted, "Miss Kitty." He smiled.

"Hello, Festus." Kitty smiled back.

"Oh, Matthew!" Festus jumped up from the table, "A telegram came for ya this morning. It's from Judge Brooker." He handed the paper to Matt.

"Thank, Festus." Matt removed his hat. Tossing it on his desk, he looked at Kitty for a moment. He sat down in his chair and silently read the letter to himself.

Kitty turned to Festus, "Any coffee made, Festus?" She smiled.

Festus hurried to her aid, "Yes, ma'am!" He dusted off a cup and filled it, "Here ya are, Miz Kitty."

"Thank you, Festus." She took a sip and watched Matt over the brim of the cup, "Everything okay, Matt?"

Matt looked up, "Well, it looks like I'm not leaving anytime soon."

Festus' spurs clinked as he made his way to the desk, "What's wrong, Matthew?"

"Paul Harrison's gang came for Paul but instead found our witness… our only other witness besides me…" Matt ran his fingers through his hair.

"How did they know he was the witness, Matthew?" Festus asked.

He sighed, "Vern was a former member, Festus. He turned himself in… along with Harrison."

He handed the letter to Festus, "A few members of Harrison's gang broke in the jail, kidnapped Vern, and dragged him behind horses before hanging him in town square."

"Oh, Matt." Kitty gasped, "That's terrible."

Festus took the letter and read it to himself. Matt stood. Festus shook his head, "What are you going to do, Matthew?"

Matt walked over to the coffee pot. He shook his head, "I don't know, Festus." He looked out the window, "I bet they're coming to Dodge next."

"Why do you say that?" Festus inquired.

Matt let out a sigh, "Because, Festus, I'm the only person besides, Brooker, that knows where Harrison is…"

"What about Brooker, Matt?" Kitty walked over beside him, "Will they not go after him?"

Matt looked down at her. He set his cup down on the desk. He shook his head and placed his hands in his pockets, "No, Kitty." He searched her eyes, "He's at Fort Dodge with Harrison, and he's not the one who shot and arrested their leader… I am."

Kitty sighed at the thought of another group of outlaws. Sick at her stomach and a bit swimmy headed, she placed the coffee down on the desk beside Matt's now empty one. She caught herself with the desk.

"Kitty!" Matt instinctively grabbed her about the waist, "You okay?"

Festus hurried to pull the chair out, "Here ya go, Miz Kitty."

Kitty chuckled, "Well, then." She sat, "I don't know what came over me."

Matt squatted in front of her, "You okay?" He turned to Festus, "Get her some water, Festus."

"Right away, Matthew." Festus hopped to it.

"I'm fine, Matt." She held her head for a moment, "Just a bit swimmy headed. That's all." She forced a smiled.

"You didn't eat much lunch, Kitty." Matt reminded.

"Food wasn't sittin' with me that well." She shook her head.

"Here you are, Miz Kitty." Festus slammed the door behind him and hurried to her side, "It's all fresh and clean."

"Thanks, Festus." She took a sip.

"Well! All these daggum cowboys in this town and not one knows where to get a good horse." Doc complained as he entered the jail, "I mean, my mare is about shot and I…" He paused and took in the sight before him. Kitty sitting in the chair, color drained from her face. Matt still kneeled in front of her, and Festus standing beside her. He swiped his mustache, "What is tarnation?" He looked at Kitty, "You okay, Kitty?"

"Doc!" Festus clinked over to him, "What's the idea comin' in here like you own the place..." He pointed at Kitty, "Can't you see Miz Kitty here is feelin' a bit under the weather."

"Oh, hush up!" Doc waved him away. He walked over to Kitty and felt her head, "Where'd all your color go, sweetie?"

Kitty smiled, "I'm fine, Doc." She stood. A little wobbly, Matt and Doc steadied her, "You two stop. I'm fine." She tried to wave away their help, "Just a little light headed."

"Maybe you should lie down for a bit, Kitty." Doc suggested, "Especially, if you're going to deal with all those cowboys tonight."

Kitty nodded, "I think I will, Doc." She patted him on the arm, "Come by later for a drink." She winked. He smiled.

Matt continued to hold onto her, "Come on, Kitty. I'll walk you home." She didn't resist this time. Matt turned to Festus, "I'll be back shortly, Festus."

"Sure thing, Matthew." Festus smiled.

TBC