Chapter 6

It was early morning. The sun was still sleeping, along with the chickens, and everyone else in the world... except Matt Dillon.

Matt woke up with a bed full. His arm was hanging off the right side of the bed. Peyton's right foot was in his mouth and the left was pushing on his shoulder, but Peyton's head was resting softly on Kitty's stomach. Saylor was on the other side of Kitty and snuggled in close to her mama's heart. Matt grunted and slowly climbed out of bed. He looked down on this beautiful family. Kitty lay like an angel, untouched and content.

"Where ya goin' cowboy?" Kitty whispered. Matt opened the curtains so the sun could start peeping though if it ever decided to fully come up.

He walked over to her side of the bed, "I've been pushed out. I'm not loved anymore." Peyton kicked at Matt's pillow where his head should've been, "See?"

Kitty chuckled, "Awww poor baby." Kitty pouted and smiled, "I still love you, cowboy."

"Good thing because I wouldn't last without ya." Matt smiled and turned to leave.

"Can I at least get a kiss before you leave?" Kitty teased.

Matt bent down and softly placed a lingering kiss on her lips and looked in her eyes for a moment, she held his equally. Letting each other know, even though they teased, they really meant what they were saying. They shared a smile. Matt placed a kiss on Saylor's cheek. Then placed a peck on Peyton's forehead, finding Peyton's hand slapping his face as he turned in his sleep.

Matt grabbed his face and mouthed, "Ow" to Kitty. She couldn't help but laugh. Matt smiled and kissed Kitty once more.

He walked downstairs and started the coffee. He looked out the back window to see if the barn boys had started stirring yet. He smiled as he saw Gabriel and Ralph punch one another's arm and chuckled as he watched Jim come out to scold them. Matt walked to the front door. He was planning on sitting out and waiting until Charlie got there before he rode into Dodge.

Matt opened the door to find Charlie sitting on the front steps, "Morning, Charlie."

Charlie looked up and faintly smiled, "Goodmorning, Mr. Dillon."

"You ok, Charlie?" Matt had seen enough trouble to know when it was painted across someone's face.

"Why would you think that?" Charlie was surprised.

Matt grunted and sat down beside him on the step. He offered him a cup of coffee, "I've had that look on my face one too many times, son... and I've seen it a few times in my line of work. Tell me what's going on."

Charlie looked up at Matt, "So it is true?"

Matt took a sip of coffee, "What's that?"

"You're Marshal Matthew Dillon." Charlie dropped and shook his head, "I've heard about you but I never put the two together."

"Well I'm not fully retired, I have some boys, Newly and Festus in town, that help out when I'm out of town... but yes I'm Marshal Dillon. Why?"

"Maybe it's luck... or fate... or however you want to look at it." Charlie felt hopeful again.

"Charlie, why don't you tell me what kinda trouble you're in, and I'm sure we can figure something out." Matt was getting a little frustrated.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Dillon. You see I have some people looking for me, trying to kill me..."

Matt interjected, "Two women?"

"Yeah mother and daughter! How did you know?" Charlie exclaimed.

"I'm still Marshal and know things, Charlie..." Matt reminded, "Who are they? Why are they trying to kill you?"

Charlie paused, "One's the love of my life and the other... the other, Mr. Dillon is a crazed old cynical bat who is after my money and my gold."

Matt was taken back, "Money? gold? I thought you were running out of resources, Mr. Edwards..." Matt held his anger back, "I don't take lightly to being used... I..."

"Oh, no! No sir!" Charlie corrected, "I wasn't using you sir and I'm here on good faith. I don't have any money. I sent it all on a stage to my mother back in Mississippi when I got wind of Mrs. Peters trying to con me out of my family's wealth. That's why I've been trying not to bring attention to myself until I can get back to Silverside and take care of my father's estate." Charlie stood, "Mr. Dillon, you gave to believe me. I'm here to help as long as you need me to. I just have to stay hidden so they don't go through with their plan. That's why I was waiting on you so I could just tell you everything."

Matt stood, "I appreciate the honesty. Let's go in to town while it's before noon, and before they find their way out to my ranch. We will figure out everything legally and fix this."

"Oh thank you! Thank you!" Charlie shook Matt's hand. They headed toward the barn to saddle up. Kitty over hearing everything watched as two women made their way down the driveway. Kitty smiled and showed them in as Matt and Charlie raced off past the house to Dodge. She would put her most innocent face, while Matt put on his brave one.

TBC