Chapter 4
It was about three in the afternoon now. Matt got up and walked over to open the window. A slight breeze came in and stirred Kitty from sleep. Matt slid back in bed and wrapped his arms around her.
"We need to get up, honey." Matt kissed her shoulder.
Kitty shook her head against the pillow, "5 more minutes." She pulled the covers a little closer.
Matt chuckled and placed his chin on her shoulder, "We have to start dinner for Doc, Festus, and the kids..."
Kitty looked up through the slit of her eyelid, "We? You mean me..." She smiled.
"Apples and oranges, sweetie." Matt smiled and rolled over on his back. He bought his arms above his head, "What do you think about Edwards?"
Kitty turned over and slid under his left arm. He wrapped it around her as she lay her head on his chest, "He's smart, I know that. He's charming but not in an overbearing way. He almost seems innocent... naive..." Kitty looked up. Matt was taking in her evaluation. She studied his expression, "I think he's trustworthy, but I agree it's too good to be true." Matt looked down. She smiled, "I know that look, Matt Dillon." she pushed up against him and got out of bed. He watched her. She wrapped her rob around her, "What are the chances of some lonely cowboy wandering up our drive, in search of a job, no horse, no nothing... with a vocabulary and knowledge of proper etiquette behavior... and you can't decide what to do." She walked around to his side of the bed and sat beside him. Her eyes softened, "I may not know that cowboy or the intentions of his heart... " She placed her hand on Matt's heart, "but I do know this cowboy and the intentions of this heart. Despite anyone's past you are always willing to give someone a chance, stranger or friend. So I know we're going to give this drifter a chance, despite our pasts or his."
Matt placed his hand over hers. He brought it to his lips and lightly kissed it, "We? You mean I'm going to give him a chance?"
Kitty stood and shrugged, "Apples and oranges, sweetie." She laughed and Matt chuckled. "I'll meet you downstairs. I'm going to change and freshen up then 'we' can start dinner." Matt nodded and stood to dress.
Matt and Kitty stood in the kitchen finishing up dinner. Matt set the table while Kitty stirred the spaghetti sauce.
Kitty tasted the sauce. "Matt come taste this. I think it needs something."
Matt sat the forks down and walked over. Kitty blew the heated steam and raised the spoon for him to taste. Matt graciously took the sample, "This is wonderful, but it is missing one thing..." He teased, "It's not spicy enough."
She placed the spoon back in the pot and stirred. Hand on hip, she pondered as she looked at the ingredients, "Spicy? I have salt, pepper, seasoning... I guess I could chop up some peppers..."
Matt smiled, "Not the kind of spice I was talking about."
Distractedly, she added some more black pepper and stirred, "Here, try it again." He placed his hand at the small of her back as she carefully raised the spoon to his mouth.
"Mmmmm." He nodded with a mouthful, "but..." He bent down and kissed her soft and slowly, "That's what I was talking about. The perfect amount of spice."
Kitty hit his arm, "Oh you." She smiled, "Besides you making up ingredients... does the sauce need anything else?"
"Taste perfect to me." He grinned then begged, "Come help me set the rest if the table." They both looked over at the table.
Kitty looked up at Matt, "Honey..." She paused and smiled.
"I know. I know." He blushed, "I tried."
"And you did a wonderful job, sweetie." Kitty shook her head at the mess. Plates in the middle, forks on the left, knife and spoons on the right. All of which were plied in the center of the table... not the placemats, "Well... you got the placemats, glasses, and napkins right."
Matt smiled proudly, "Now what about the rest?" He picked up the plates from the center of the table.
Kitty chuckled, "Here," she reached for a plate. He handed them all to her, "Whoa. One at a time."
Matt leaned in a teased, "That's not what you said..."
"We're home!" Festus busted through the front door. Matt and Kitty both looked up, startled. "Imma gonna start bringin things in..."
"Mommy! Mommy!" Saylor pushed passed Festus.
Kitty walked around the table as the Saylor grabbed and hugged her around the waist, "So, how was the trip?" She bent down to wipe some dirt off Saylor's face.
"Oh, mommy... It's was just terrible." Saylor shook her head, "Peyton and I got in this huge fight over a stupid fish." Saylor dropped her head. "I told him I was sorry for pushing him in the creek... but... but..." Kitty looked at Matt as he made his way to his girls. Saylor looked up, tears about to fall, "but mommy, I think he's still mad at me." She sobbed, "I don't like it when my best friend is mad at me."
Kitty wrapped her arms around her and brought her in for a mama bear hug, "Oh, honey." Her heart was filled with a mixture of emotions. She looked at Matt and motioned toward the door. Matt nodded and stood. Kitty held her crying baby. She pushed her up so she could look at her face, "Now, sweetie... listen to me." Kitty wiped her hair out of her eyes, "Peyton loves you. He's not going to let a little fight mess that up. You understand me?" Saylor nodded. Kitty smiled and hugged her once more, "We'll talk and get everything worked out."
Matt, Doc, and Festus made their way from the wagon to the door. Peyton ran through the door first. He looked around, "Saylor?" He yelled. Saylor and Kitty both looked up, "Saylor?" Little Peyton ran over and hugged his sister, "I'm so sorry I got mad at you. I wanted you to have the fish... I was only trying to help you get it."
Kitty smiled, " Come on you two," Kitty stood and ushered them toward the hall. She passed Matt, Doc, and Festus. Matt's arms full of fishing equipment and picnic baskets, she teased, "I'm going to wash them up for dinner, you three put your brains together and set the table." She winked. Doc smiled knowingly and pushed by Matt, chuckled and swiped his mustache.
They all sat around listening to the day of adventures. Mostly Doc and Festus bickering. Peyton yawned. Kitty took noticed, "Well boys... I think it's gettin late." Kitty stood as did everyone else," I'm going to get these youngin to sleep."
"Ahhhh mom!" Both kids whined. Saylor yawned as Kitty took her by the upper arm, "Do we have to?"
"Now don't you two started 'Ahhhh mom-ing' me. It's been a long day and you have schooling in the morning." Kitty reminded. "Now, say good night to everyone."
"Yes ma'am." The kids chimed respectfully. "Goodnight Daddy. Goodnight Papa Doc and Uncle Festus." They went around the table handing out free hugs and see ya laters.
Kitty smiled, "I'll be back in a minute to say goodnight."
After the men put their plates in the sink and cleaned off the table, they made their way outside. "Nice night, uh?" Festus breathed in as he put his hat in his head. Matt and Doc agreed. Festus looked around, "I'm gonna go hook Ruth up and bring the wagon 'round, Doc." Doc nodded.
Matt looked over at the chairs, "You gotta minute, Doc?"
Doc followed Matt and sat in the rocking chair, "Everything ok?"
"Anyone new come into town since I've been gone to Garden City?" Matt inquired.
Doc swiped his mustache, "Difters, gunmen, outlaws, cow folks?" Doc shook his head and looked at Matt, "The usual, nothing's happened or anything. Newly and Festus have broken up a few fights but nothing deadly."
Matt looked down the driveway, "Anyone asking around town for a job?"
"There's been a few cowboys looking to earn some extra bucks. I've been keeping my eyes open for a young man like you asked. Someone I felt looked strong and dependable to help out around here. I talked to a few cowboys, even told one about you..." Doc paused, "Why? Someone stop by?"
Matt let out a breath. He nodded, "Young man stopped by this morning, right after you left."
"This, this morning?" Doc looked down the drive, "Wow... I just told him you were looking for help yesterday. Said you were busy and maybe it'll be best is he waited until the beginning of the week to stop by." Doc chuckled, "I meant the jail not your house. I guess the beginning of the week is Sunday where's he's from... Not Monday"
"He stopped by," Matt paused, "didn't talk about where he's from or much of anything." Matt looked at Doc, "Well thank you for looking and sending someone." Matt stood as he heard the wagon creaking around the house. He offered his hand, "Have a goodnight, Doc"
Doc shook his hand as Kitty walked out, "Now, Doc... you were going to leave without shaking my hand were ya?" Kitty teased. Matt walked over and wrapped his arm around her.
"Never crossed my mind." Doc kissed her hand and winked. "Thanks for dinner, Kitty. It was wonderful as always." He tipped his hat. He looked back at Matt, "Just keep an eyes open, Matt. We stopped in town before coming out here this evening. Newly said two women were inquiring about Jimmy Edwards' whereabouts earlier today..."
Matt harden his expression. Kitty looked up at Matt with concern.
Doc shrugged his shoulders and continued, "Could be nothing... could be something." He walked down the stairs.
"Thanks, Doc." Matt nodded. "Night, Festus." Matt and Kitty waved as Doc complained to Festus about his driving.
Kitty looked at Matt. Matt knew the questions, "Just let it go tonight, Kitty. We can talk about it in the morning." Matt turned and opened the door. Kitty looked at him before she walked in. He stopped her before she said anything, "Everything is okay. It's just been a long day and I'm tired, sweetie. If we were in trouble or danger, I would go into detail. Just trust me, okay?" Matt pleased with bags under his eyes. Kitty placed her hand on his chest... over his heart... and nodded silently. He brought her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. She smiled and led him in the house.
TBC