2 Weeks After the Ball

Kitty sat across from John in the Vin de Set, and closed her eyes with pure enjoyment. "The coq au vin is delicious, John."

He nodded and swallowed a forkfull, "I knew you'd like it. Next time we'll order crepes. There are main course fillings such as chicken or ham, and chocolate fillings for dessert. You'll love them."

A uniformed waiter showed up out of nowhere. "The champaign you ordered, Mr. Hanover." He popped the cork with a flourish, filled two glasses and left the bottle on the table.

"My, my John, champagne?"

"We are celebrating Kitty. My promotion from vice president to president of one of the biggest banks in the country. You becoming a partner in the quaint Sweetwater Cafe. And, your decision, last week, to continue living at the Hanover house. Frankly Kitty, the house would seem a sad and empty place without you."

"Oh John, meeting you, and of course, Elmira, on the train was my good luck And after attending the Grand Ball, you and I have had so many wonderful times together."

John smiled. "We shall have many more. I propose a toast." He lifted his glass. "Here's to the future." They clinked glasses and drank fully. The effervescence of the bubbles dancing on their tongues left them happy, warm, and almost giddy. John re-filled their glasses to the brim and reached into his jacket pocket. "I have a gift for you, to commemorate this moment and all the wonderful things to come." He slid a red, rectangular box across the table, looking pleased, excited and proud."

"John, I don't know what to say." Eyes shining she opened the box. A gorgeous necklace was inside. All color drained from her face. It was the sapphire necklace Matt bought from the German jeweler, after saving the man's wife. The one she'd sold, along with all her other gifts from Matt.

John saw her expression and panicked. "You don't like it – I'm sorry. I'm not one for picking out gifts for ladies, so I asked the expert jeweler at the Lafayette store to choose something special and expensive. He said any woman would treasure this. Obviously he was wrong. I'll take it back and give him a piece of my mind."

"No, no John. I-I was just surprised. Thank you. Let's finish our champaign." John breathed a sigh of relief. They continued drinking and talking. She surreptitiously slid the red, rectangular box into the bottom of her purse, determined that their evening not be ruined. She quickly swallowed another drink. The champaign bottle was empty when they left the restaurant arm in arm.

"Kitty, it's such a pleasant evening, Let's take a ride through the park before going home." He signaled a hansom cab, that was sitting a few feet away, and the couple ambled over. The driver tipped his hat, John gave him detailed instructions, and soon they were slowly riding past colorful flowers, ornate fountains, hedges and manicured lawns. The moon was rising, the air grew cool. Kitty shivered slightly. John put his arm around her shoulders. She felt safe and warm, and leaned closer. He inhaled her perfume. The soft skin of her bare shoulder rested on his hand. With one finger, he raised her chin and gazed into her eyes. She smiled gently. His lips touched hers, softly and then deeper. He pulled her close. His kisses traveled down her neck, and lingered on her shoulder.

"Sir, you're here."

They jumped at the sound of the drivers voice, and smiled at each other, slightly embarrassed but not really. He touched her cheek before climbing down and helping her descend.

As the carriage drove off, she accepted his arm and they slowly walked to the door. John turned to her. "Kitty." His lips met hers in a hungry kiss. Her body answered, they were breathless when they separated. Kitty looked up and whispered hoarsely. "We should go in, shouldn't we?" He nodded. With shaking hands he unlocked the door. They entered the dimly lit foyer and lingered at the bottom of the spiral staircase. She put a hand on his cheek. "I had a wonderful evening John. Thank you." He squeezed her hand. She walked upstairs, lips tingling with the taste of his kisses. Inside her attic room, she took the red, rectangular box out of her purse and set it on the table. Her first gift from John, was the last gift Matt had given her – a sapphire stone set in silver. A necklace Matt had chosen because it made him think of her. The one a jeweler chose for John. She sighed, Matt Dillon was not a man who could or would offer a woman a future, or even talk about one. That's just the way it was. She had a new life now.

Dodge City

Matt rode into Dodge weary, frustrated, and leg aching more than he cared to admit. All he had to show for two weeks in the saddle, with very little sleep, was the arrest of three low level members of the Reynolds gang. All three were as silent as stone statues. Clearly they were more afraid of the gang leaders than the law. They'd answered, not one question about hideouts, plans or anything else. There was no point in dragging them to Dodge, so he left them locked up in Hays City, and rode home, no closer to stopping the Reynolds gang than he ever was.

His eyes were pulled towards the Long Branch as he rode. Old habits die hard. It was just about closing time. For the past 20 years, that would have suited him fine.. He'd push through the doors, as the stragglers left, and the bartender would hand him a beer. Kitty'd be in her office locking up cash, not knowing he was back. He'd send the barkeep home, and sip his beer until Kitty appeared. She'd see him and send him that smile – the special one. They'd lock up the place, and the rest of the night would be theirs. Upstairs they'd talk about things great and small. She'd managed to find him some sandwiches. They'd get sleepy, and he'd help her undress. They'd find themselves in bed making love – sweetly, fiercely, slowly, tenderly, frantically – they had so many ways. Then they'd sleep in each others arms until he left at dawn, careful not to wake her.

Matt tugged down his hat. The memories squeezed his heart. He rode to the stable. Moss, the old owner was still sitting outside; he smiled through his wrinkles. "Marshall, welcome back. You must be tired. I'll take your horse for you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Matt patted the old man's shoulder and set off for the boarding house. He was hurrying past the Long Branch, when he spotted Gail by the door She smiled, "Welcome back, Matt. I was just closing. I like the quiet of it, so I offer to do it sometimes. The bartender's gone, but I can get you a drink if you want. You look like you can use one."

"I guess I wouldn't mind a beer. I'll buy you one."

Gail filed two mugs, and they sat at a table in the dimly lit, empty saloon. Matt took a long swallow and ran his eyes across Gail's face. "You're awful pale, you feeling all right?" She sipped her beer. "You're one to talk Matt. You look like you haven't slept in a week." He smiled crookedly. She'd also lost weight in the past two weeks, but knew that if he mentioned it, she'd only say that he had too. Still, there was heaviness to manner that was more than simple fatigue. He leaned across the table. "Gail, we're friends. Is there something you want to share with a friend, something that's on your mind?." She met his eyes and slowly nodded. "I-I guess there is something I'd like to have someone to talk to about." He put his hand on hers, "I'm listening."

TBC