PT.4

"The Test of Time"

Matt wasn't sleeping much, not knowing what to expect. All he knew was that he had to figure out how he was going to explain his unexpected guest to Kitty. He couldn't keep his mind on anything. He knew he missed Kitty more then anything and was really excited to have her coming home. But when this all hit the fan… He knew what Kitty's temper was like. This was something he never thought he'd ever have to deal with.

Then he heard the morning stage. It may have well just run right over him. That would have felt better. That was the feeling every time one came in but today…

He stepped out of his office and walked towards the stage. When the door opened, there she was. Oh, she was a bit older now, hair not quite as blonde as it was before, but he still knew her on sight.

Doc just looked over at him. Matt nodded. As she stepped down, she walked over to Matt slowly. They stood for a brief moment, saying nothing. Now everyone was watching. Matt knew this would be gossip later exactly what he didn't want.

She spoke first. "Hello, Matt. I know this is your town I came to, but can I hug you anyway? Just as a hello?"

Matt hesitated, then said, "Sure, I guess that would be OK."

So she leaned up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's good to see you, Matt." Then she let go.

"How was the trip?" He asked.

"Ok, I guess. Hot when I started but it got better."

"Well, let's get you out of the street. I've got you a room at the Dodge House. You rest up we'll have supper later."

Doc approached them. "Well, hello. I'm Doctor Adams. This lug forgets his manners sometimes."

She laughed.

"Doc, this is Mike. Mike Yardner."

"Wow, I've never met a Mike that looked like you."

"Doc." Matt said surprised

My father wanted a boy."

"Let's get you to the hotel."

After Matt got Mike checked in, he told her he would come back and take her to supper. When he saw Doc down stairs. Doc just looked at him, shook his head, tugged his ear, rubbed his upper lip and laughed. "Kitty's coming home." And laughed again. "Ohhh… trouble? And you think missing a picnic made her mad. That's a cake walk!"

Matt and Mike went to Delmonico's for supper and of course all the town gossips were at it. They all knew Kitty wasn't back yet. Burke was the worst of all. It was around town faster then lightening that Matt was having supper with another woman while Kitty was away.

Then of course when Festus heard it, he didn't believe it. He came hurrying down to Delmonico's to see what all the talk was about. "Matthew, Matthew." He came running in before he paid any attention to Mike sitting there. "Ol' Burke is a sayin' yer havin' supper with another she-male while'st Miz Kitty's away. Now Matthew, I know'd you a wouldn't be doin' somein' like dat while'st Miz Kitty's away."

"Festus." Matt said while trying to shut him up. "Festus, this is Mike Yardner. She's a friend."

Mike just looked at Matt, taking notice to how uncomfortable he was. Especially when Festus mentioned Kitty.

"Festus, can we finish our supper? We're trying to talk about something important."

"Sure, Matthew. Oh, Barney says this is fur you. It's from Miz Kitty."

"Yeah, ok. Thanks, Festus."

"Matt. You look uncomfortable."

"No, just a bit tired. Haven't been sleeping well. Now, what was it you needed to explain to me that you couldn't say in a letter?"

"Matt, you remember how much we enjoyed being together while you were at my place?"

"Mike that was a long time ago."

"Yes, I know. And you weren't you. I know you were Dan. Matt, I'm sick. I've been sick for some time now."

"What? Do you want me to take you over to see Doc?"

"No, Matt. There's nothing your Doc can do."

"What is it?"

"The doctor back home says it's my heart. A few years back we had a bad influenza and lost a lot of people. I survived it then but it damaged my heart. And it just keeps getting weaker. Matt I don't have long."

"Mike, I'm sorry. What can I do?"

"Well, that's why I'm here. I need you…" She paused. "I need you to do something for me, well, not so much for me, but for Elizabeth."

"Sure, Mike, anything. Wait. Who's Elizabeth? Did I meet her and just don't remember her?"

Mike started to laugh. "No, you've never met her. She was born the year after you left. Well, nine months actually."

"The year after..?"

"Matt, do I need to do the math for you? Elizabeth is our daughter."

Matt just put his face in both hands in disbelief. "Our daughter?"

"Yes, Matt, our daughter."

Kitty was getting anxious, knowing she was almost home. She had missed Matt more then usual. They were finally at a point in their lives where things were going good. They were content. She couldn't wait to get off this train and away from people and alone with her cowboy. She wanted to show him how much she missed him. She was only half a day away. She was so excited, she could probably run the rest of the way.

Later, Matt had Doc check Mike over. She explained everything to Doc that she knew about the heart problem and he explained it all to Matt. Then they all went to the Long Branch and sat at the table. They both told Doc about Elizabeth (Beth).

Matt and Doc just passed looks between themselves. Talking without words so to speak. Then Matt asked, "Mike, where is Elizabeth now?"

"Oh, she's back on the ranch. I wanted to talk to you alone first so I could tell you everything. Then I figure I'll tell her."

"You mean she doesn't know about me?" Matt asked surprised.

"No, Matt. I wasn't sure I'd find you. Or how you'd take it when I told you. Well, she's my daughter. Oh, and if you see her don't call her Elizabeth, it's Beth, unless she's in trouble." Mike said as she laughed.

"What do you mean, 'if'?"

"Ok, bad choice of words." She said.

Doc looked at Matt. "So, Miss Yardner…"

"Oh, Doc, please, call me Mike, everyone does."

"Ok, Mike, do you plan on bringing Beth to Dodge?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead yet."

"We don't have to decide that all tonight." Matt said giving Doc a look.

Early the next morning, Festus got excited. He could hear the train whistle. He came running into the office. "Matthew, Matthew. The train's comin' in. Miz Kitty's home."

"Thanks, Festus."

Matt, Doc and Festus all went to the train depot and stood waiting for the passengers to exit. So many people were coming off. Then Kitty showed up in the doorway and looked around, scanning the crowd. Then it was as if everyone disappeared and all she saw was the one person she had waited to see. "Matt!" Not paying any attention to anyone around her, it was as if her feet left the ground. "Matt!" She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, I've missed you."

"Kitty, I'm so glad you're home." He put her down and said, "Let's get your things and get you home."

"Cowboy? You, Ok?"

"Miz Kitty," Festus said.

"Hi, Festus." She said giving him a hug. "I'm so plum happy yer home."

"Me too. Doc!"

"Kitty, welcome home, Honey. I've missed you."

"Miz Kitty, don't you worry yer self about yer thingys. I'll git um' to the Long Branch fur ya. You and Matthew jest celebrate your being home now."

"Cowboy? You sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, Kitty. Just tired."

"You been out on the trail?"

"Oh, no. I've been here in town."

As they made their way to the Long Branch, Mike was standing outside of the hotel watching all the excitement.

Burke looked over at her and said, "Now the Marshal will be happy. Miss Kitty is home."

Mike just thought to herself, "Hummmm. So, Matt, that's the woman that you left to rush home to, I guess? You must love her. You couldn't wait to get back to her. And it sure looks like she loves you. I wonder did you ever tell her about me, about us. Well, now. Will you tell her about Elizabeth, your daughter? OUR DAUGHTER."

TBC