A Flicker of Light In The Darkness

Chapter 18

The Marshal & His Deputy

"Do you have to leave today? It's our one-week anniversary. I have a surprise for you." Calleigh tried her best sultry voice to try to convince her new husband not to leave.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Matt needs me. We're just going to take a prisoner to Hays. We'll be back in just a couple of days. Please don't look at me like that." The lower lip went out and Newly was a goner. "Please, Calleigh girl, I have to go."

As much as she wanted to keep him dangling on that guilty hook, she loved him too much to make him miserable. The pout became a smile, "Okay, but you'd better miss me!" She slid her arms around his neck, letting her mouth find his.

Matt stepped up onto the boardwalk with Kitty at his side. "We're only going to be gone a couple of days. She acts like he's going off to war."

Kitty punched his arm playfully. "We were young once, you just don't remember."

"Oh, you think I don't remember?" Matt cocked his head to one side and before Kitty could discern the strange look in his eyes, he had snaked one arm around her waist and jerked her up to him. His mouth claimed hers, not as a gentle parting kiss, but one burning with the passion of youth.

When he finally let go, Kitty pulled back, gasping for a breath. "I'll always feel young when I'm with you," her husband whispered. He let her slip down to the sidewalk, until she was once again standing on her own. Matt turned back around, only to be confronted by two faces, full of wide eyes and open mouths.

Sliding his hat back onto his head, he nodded toward the horses. "Well, what are you all staring at? Let's get moving. The faster we get going, the sooner we get back. Sweet Pea, I promise. I'll have him back for your anniversary." Matt kissed his daughter soundly and then handed her off the Kitty.

The two women watched as their men saddled up to leave. Kitty put her arm around the younger girl, "Tell you what. Tomorrow, I have a couple of appointments I can't get out of, but the next day; let's go riding out toward Mason Creek."

"I can't. I have rounds with Poppy."

"Okay, Friday then. We'll make a day of it; and the men should be back Friday night." Calleigh shrugged indifferently. "You can even take your gun."

"You're going to let me shoot." Calleigh eyed Kitty curiously, "You must really feel sorry for me."

"Maybe I just want to see what all this clandestine practicing has produced. Although, for the life of me, I don't know what you need to practice for. Why do you need to shoot?"

"To keep fast I guess. We live in Dodge City; anything can happen." Calleigh started to back away and then whirled back around tossing a bratty look and in a childish tone yelled back, "We don't all have a big strong Marshal to keep us safe." Kitty made a sudden move, as though to chase her down, and Calleigh took off for home.

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Friday morning finally came and Calleigh was up bright and early, all dressed in a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. It was the gun belt cinched around her waist that looked out of place. It was something Kitty would never get used to.

The young woman pulled the buggy up to the front porch. "Are you ready? Where's the bask- never mind I see it." Calleigh jumped down out of the buggy and retrieved the picnic basket Kitty had sat on the porch swing. "I picked up a cherry pie from Delmonico's. Now if you will just drag your body into the buggy, we can get going."

"Must you be so excited so early in the morning?" Kitty stopped and took a longer look at the girl. "Isn't that shirt a little big for you? Is that Newly's shirt?"

"Uh-huh." Calleigh pulled the flannel material closer around herself, tucking the long tails into her jeans, "I like wearing it while he's gone; it's kind of like having his arms around me."

Kitty started to laugh at how sweet the idea was, but then somewhere in the recesses of her mind, a memory she thought lost, suddenly surfaced: The image of another young girl, curled up alone in a big cold bed, clutching a certain Marshal's shirt.

Calleigh reached over, giving Kitty a nudge. "Hey, where did you wander off to?" Kitty responded with a quiet shrug. "You think I'm being silly, don't you?"

"No, it's sweet. I think you picked a winner."

Calleigh pulled on the reins and headed the buggy up to Sanders Lake.

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The morning went well. It was a cool day, perfect for the picnic Kitty had packed. They spread a blanket out on the ground and laid down, looking up at the clouds. While Kitty remained facing the sky, Calleigh rolled over onto her stomach, propping herself up on both elbows. They giggled like a couple of girls, as Calleigh confessed her views on married life—after a whole week.

"He's just so sweet, Kitty. He's so gentle, yet I feel so safe when I'm in his arms. He's always so concerned with my happiness. I just want to make sure he's as happy as I am."

"He looks pretty happy to me." With a wink, Kitty added quickly, "…at least for the first week."

"Sometimes I think I forced him to marry me."

"Yes and no. Once you set your sights on him, he had little chance of escaping. On the other hand, I didn't see him trying too hard to get away."

"He did try to lie to me that one time. Remember, he told me there was someone else?" Calleigh could barely contain the grin that took over her face. "He's a lousy liar." She raised up suddenly, "What was THAT with Matt? I have NEVER seen him kiss you like that in public! Now that I think about it, he's getting to be quite touchy-feely in public."

Kitty could feel the color rising in her cheeks as she thought about the kiss. Calleigh's depiction of the event had been flawless: Early morning, broad daylight, right in the middle of town. It was something to see all right.

"Making an honest woman out of you opened up a whole new side to Marshal Matthew Dillon." Calleigh spoke with her usual blunt honesty, with just a touch of pride. "Dodge City Ladies Club...look out. There's a new Marshal in town!" The summer air was filled with laughter from the two women.

Calleigh pulled herself up to a sitting position and wrapped her arms around her knees, hugging them to her chest. She watched as Kitty started to repack the basket. "You didn't eat much. Don't like your own cooking?"

Kitty responded with an off-handed shrug as she finished packing. "Hmmm..." Calleigh seemed to be studying the other woman.

Kitty placed the last of the food into the wicker tub. "Why are you staring at me?" She smiled, waiting for one of Calleigh's witty retorts.

"Have you told Matt?" The question hung heavy in the air.

"What?" As usual, Calleigh had thrown her for a loop.

Calleigh pulled herself up on her knees. "Kitty, does Matt know that you're pregnant?"

Kitty settled back on the blanket. "No. And how did you know?"

Calleigh scrambled across the blanket, hugging the slightly stunned woman. "I'm a doctor." She sat back, her tone more serious. "And I know you. Until last week, we lived in the same house. I saw the signs. Why haven't you told him? You are happy—aren't you?"

"I am, but ...I'm scared." Kitty hunched her shoulders and offered a weak smile. "I'm going to be thirty-two by the time it comes."

"Yeah." Calleigh continued to grin, not understanding the problem. "It may be harder, having your first one at this age bu-"

"First one!"

Calleigh pulled herself back up to her knees. "Hey, when I bought the house, you were supposed to fill up the bedrooms. Remember?" She stood up and offered a hand up to Kitty.

"Calleigh, are you all right with it?"

For a moment, the girl's smooth forehead wrinkled as she studied the woman's question. "Am I all right?"

The wrinkles vanished and an enormous smile materialized. "You mean, am I jealous because I'm not going to be an only child?" She began to laugh, "I couldn't be more fine. You two will produce the most beautiful babies that 'I' will spoil rotten and then send them home to you." Calleigh's laugh melted into a warm smile, "Seriously, there is so much love in this family to share...I think we can handle a little baby. So...why haven't you told him?"

"I wanted to wait 'til I was sure. And then, the wedding came up and...you know how it is. I did plan on telling him this weekend; maybe tonight. You won't-"

"Of course not. I would never spoil a surprise like that." Calleigh brushed the ground from her pants. "Hey, still want to watch me shoot?" Calleigh drew her gun, twirled it around her fingers and slammed it back into the holster.

"Was that supposed to be impressive?" Kitty flashed a condescending scowl "I've seen that trick before."

"I was just starting with the little stuff, you know—leading to a big build-up."

"Ahh, the big build up." Kitty mocked, her eyes wide as though thoroughly impressed.

"Tough crowd," Calleigh muttered. "Okay…" she looked around, finally spotting a twig about four inches long with two shoots coming off of it. "Here, toss this up as high as you can."

Kitty did as directed and with a flick of her thumb and forefinger, she propelled the twig upward. She turned back to Calleigh, but before she could speak, the gun was drawn, fired twice and slid back into the holster. "All right, I am impressed. You had that out and holstered again in the blink of an eye." Calleigh didn't seem to be listening, as she reached down plucking something from the ground. "What's that?"

Calleigh handed her the twig from earlier. Only grooves from the bullets were visible where the two small shoots had once been. Kitty turned the twig over, her gaze slowly rising to meet the shooter.

The young girl pursed her lips and cocked her head to one side. "Impressed now?"

"I...am speechless."

Calleigh could not control her laughter. "That right there, makes all those years of practice worth it.

"Very funny. I am impressed, but I don't understand why you feel the need to keep at it. It's not like you are ever going to perform again."

"I don't do it for the show. I do it," she shrugged her shoulders, "for us. Like Matt does it—for us."

"The first time I met you, you said you wanted to be like your dad. I guess for the first time I really understand what you meant. I'm sorry I've teased you about it all these years. Do you want to practice more? I mean, I'm not in any hurry."

"Well you may not be, but I am. They're coming home today. They might be there by the time we get back to town."

When the women reached town, Calleigh pulled the buggy up to the Long Branch. "I'm going over to Jonas', to pick up that new fabric I ordered for curtains. Do you want me to pick up anything for you?"

"No, just give me time to check over the books and then I'll be ready to head home."

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The trip to Hays had turned out better than they anticipated. The lawmen had made better time than they expected; and checking in the two prisoners had gone off without a hitch. Newly had suggested they start back Thursday evening, rather than stay one more night.

"In a hurry to get back, are ya?" Matt couldn't help but tease the young man, even though he was just as eager to get back to Kitty. Newly flashed him a sheepish grin that confirmed his comment. Without saying another word, the two mounted up and headed for Dodge.

After several hours of riding, Matt broke the silence, "Thanks for coming. With Festus away, I really needed help on this one."

"That's fine Matt. All part of the job, I guess."

"Yeah, but usually Festus is eager to go."

Newly peered under the brim of his hat. He had to laugh, as it wasn't everyday that Matt Dillon displayed such clumsy speech. "You don't need to apologize...Calleigh understood."

Matt chuckled, "I was a little obvious there, wasn't I. I just didn't want to get you in hot water so early in the game."

"I appreciate that; I really want to keep in her good graces," Newly's grin was genuine, "Any tips you want to give me, all will be appreciated?"

"I wish I had the answers. Don't try to figure them out, just love them. And whenever something is wrong, apologize! Right away. The only problem is, when they won't tell you what you did. That's when it gets tricky."

"Love them and apologize. Sounds like good advice." Newly laughed with his riding partner.

"I guess I don't have to tell you how stubborn Calleigh can be."

"No sir!" Newly's comeback was quick and definite. "Family trait, from her mother's side?" he queried.

Matt gave a hearty laugh, "I forget you've seen Kitty in action over the years. Well, that's what you have to look forward to. The only difference is, Kitty has wanted to shoot me a few times, but Calleigh actually can."

Again, laughter followed the two riders. When it finally subsided, Newly took the conversation in a more serious direction. "Seriously, Matt, were you scared you would mess it up? I mean, I just feel so lucky, I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and it will all be a dream."

"I'll be honest Newly, I know I don't deserve her and I'm scared everyday that I will end up losing her. The thing is, for some reason, and we need to thank God for this, they don't see us as the slackers we are. They actually see us as these great, wonderful men. I could never be the man that Kitty thinks I am, but every day I can try to be him. I owe her that."

"Sometimes, it scares me how much I love Calleigh; and other times, it scares me how much she loves me. I look around and I see other couples, people who've been married a while," he shook his head, "they love each other, I'm sure; but it looks like their love has just become a shadow of itself." He leaned back in his saddle as their horses trailed downhill along a creek bed. "I don't see that with you and Kitty."

Matt smiled, "This will probably sound pretty arrogant, but the truth is, I don't think those people ever had the kind of love you and I are fortunate enough to have found. I can only tell you what I know firsthand, after thirteen years, I fall in love with her more every day." Both men were silent for a moment. Each thinking of the woman waiting for them at home. After a time, Matt spoke up again. "So, at one time, you were interested in turning in that Deputy's badge for the Marshal's badge. Is that still the plan?'

Newly ducked slightly, as he passed under a low-lying branch. "We've talked about it, Calleigh and me. You know, I have so much respect for you and what you do but...I just don't know that I could ever make the same hard choice as you've made. I'm not that strong."

"It is a hard job," Matt agreed with a pensive look, "I've had trouble with the killing over the years."

"It's not the killing...well..." He nodded, as though that were a given, "yeah, that would be hard; but those aren't the hard choices I was talking about."

Matt's expression displayed his complete lack of understanding. "Never mind, I don't know what I was talking about. As far as the job, I would be proud to be your deputy, even part time, but I'm going to keep the gunsmith shop going. I'm pretty good at it and the town always needs one."

Matt felt like there was more that Newly wasn't saying. "Exactly what choices are you talking about?"

The young man flashed a sheepish smile, as though he wasn't quite sure how to proceed. "Are you talking to your deputy, your friend, or your son-in-law?"

"Does it make a difference?"

"Yes, sir, it surely does."

Matt pulled back on the reins and looked over at Newly. "Son, I hope you know you can always be honest with me, no matter which one of you I'm talking to."

"Calleigh will support me if I were to choose that line of work. Like I said, we talked about it. But, that's too hard a choice for me. I've watched Miss Kitty over the years, the way it wears at her every time you go away. I just don't want Calleigh to ever feel like she was competing with a job." Matt was especially quiet and Newly started to feel as though he had crossed the line. "I'm sorry Matt..."

"No, you're right. This badge has robbed us of too many years. If it wasn't for Calleigh, I probably still wouldn't have had the sense to go ahead and get married. It still scares me to think of leaving Kitty a widow, but we finally decided it was worth the risk. I don't think any other woman in the world would have stayed this long." Matt gave Buck a little nudge. "You know all this talk makes me want to ride a little faster."

Newly shared a big grin, "I'm with you, Marshal."

TBC