Kitty woke with a start and rubbed her eyes. Why was she asleep on a lumpy armchair, in a cramped, unattractive room? She glanced out the window – Front Street – it all came back. She pushed herself to her feet and threw the window open. The day was hot but overcast. Far from sunny but not close to rain. The weather was as unsettled as she felt. No matter, Matt would likely be awake. She should pull herself together and go check on his condition.

A water pitcher and slightly cracked bowl were sitting on top of the dresser. She filled the bowl and splashed water on her face. Not an ideal wash up, but it would have to do. She pulled her hair into a twist on the back of her head, and changed her skirt and blouse. The ring on her finger caught the light. She stared at it and sighed, she hadn't contacted her poor fiance since her arrival, and should take care of that first. She fingered the ring for a moment, quickly pulled it off and shoved it into her pocket, before setting out for the telegraph office.

Barney heard the door squeak and looked up. "Kitty, I heard you were back. I also heard the Marshal's improving. That's good news, lots of folks are hoping to stop by and visit him today. So, how long are you staying in town?" His words were light but his eyes probing. Barney did like to gossip. She shrugged. "Not sure, but I do need to send a telegram." Barney handed her a pad and pencil. "You know the drill." Kitty took the pad to side of the room to word her message. John thought she was visiting a female friend who'd taken ill. She wanted to send him a message; without giving Barney's loose lips much to work with. Simple was best:

To: John Hanover, St. Louis Missouri

Arrived Safely. Been Busy. Be in touch.

From: Kitty Russell, Dodge City, Kansas

She handed the pad to Barney, and was secretly pleased to see disappointment run across his face. Not much gossip could be gleaned from the words. "Thanks Barney."

With her duty to her fiance complete, she hurried down the street to Doc's, eager to see Matt. She pushed open the door and paused. Matt looked pale and weak, but was alert and sitting up in bed, and the pleased look on Doc's face, as he set aside his stethoscope, spoke volumes. She stepped lightly into the room."Good morning, Matt." He looked up and smiled, "Hello Kitty." The sound of his voice, saying those two words, felt like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Doc looked from Matt to Kitty and back, and decided to give them some privacy. "Kitty, coffee's right there on the stove. I think I'll go to Delmonico's and get us some breakfast, including oatmeal for our patient." He hurried off suppressing a smile. Kitty sat on the wooden chair, beside Matt's bed. They were quiet for a moment, unsure of where to start. Matt spoke first. "Doc says you've been in St. Louis. That must be – exciting for you." She nodded very slowly. "St. Louis has lovely things to offer, but there are things in Dodge City I really miss." Their eyes locked. Matt was depleted, debilitated and weary, but the warmth and steadiness of his gaze reached far inside her, touching the deepest parts. She looked down, adjusted his blanket, and took a breath, before meeting his eyes again. "Matt, maybe we should – well - I'd like for us to have a talk. Maybe we should wait until you're feeling better, but I want to explain exactly what St. Louis has to offer, and make sure we both …."

"Good Morning." Gail came through the door wearing a broad smile. She saw the startled looks on Matt and Kitty's faces and realized she'd interrupted.. "Sorry, I'll come back la..."

"Hello Gail." Doc came up the stairs and stood behind her, holding a basket filled with food. "I'm back from Delmonico's with plenty for everyone."

Kitty stood and let out a sigh of resignation. "I'll go pour coffee for all of us." Gail went to Matt's side. "Oh Kitty, no coffee for me. But thank you."

St. Louis

After a restless night Elmira looked out her third floor window onto Gravois Park. Magnificent trees, beautiful gardens and manicured lawns were clearly visible, but on this particular morning, she was in no mood to enjoy the view. Every ounce of intuition told her that Kitty had gone back to Dodge to be with the badly wounded US Marshal, written about in the Gazette. What was one to make of that? She thought of returning to Kitty's room to look around, but all she found the first time was that necklace Kitty sold, and John unknowingly bought back. Poor man, he hadn't even picked it out himself. She sighed. Kitty had certainly brought much needed life into the Hanover house, and really did seem to love John. Yet, she raced back to Dodge to see this man, and lied to John about it. Who was this Matthew Dillon to Kitty?

"Mother. Mother." John broke into her thoughts as he noisily bounded up the stairs. Elmira opened the door. Her son was waving a telegram. "A wire from Kitty. Just as you said she's been busy with her friend. Poor woman is so preoccupied she forgot to sign off with love. Anyway, she'll stay in touch, and I'm sure she'll be home very soon. When she gets back, I'll remind her to quickly dissolve her half-ownership of that cafe. She has a wedding to plan, and a home to prepare. Being away gives her less time, so she'll have to get busy the moment she's back. I must assure her, that she'll be given an ample allowance to spend on the wedding, and to establish a household." He smiled at Elmira. "The future is so bright, and Kitty will be a wonderful wife." He kissed his mother's cheek. "I'm off to work. I'll drop Johnny at school. See you this evening."

Dodge

Kitty sat by Matt's side spooning oatmeal into his mouth.. He managed to get half a bowl down, before shaking his head. Doc nodded at the red-head. "That's fine for now, Kitty. Come eat. There's plenty in the basket."

She realized she was famished, and quickly consumed a ham and egg sandwich, but couldn't help but notice that Gail barely took a bite of the sweet roll she was toying with. Doc wiped crumbs from his mouth, feeling jovial. "Nothing like a good breakfast. Most important meal of the day." He got to his feet. "Kitty can you give me a hand changing Matt's bandage? And Matt, I've got to warn you, Festus is coming to visit. I'll try to put a time limit on it."

Kitty laughed, as she opened the cabinet above Doc's desk, to grab several rolls of bandages. Gail squeezed Matt's hand. "I'd better get to the Long Branch. I'll see you later."

Doc and Kitty re-wrapped Matt's wound, working smoothly as a team. They'd just finished when Festus stomped in, and started talking. By the time he got to the story about how big Aunt Thebe, not to be confused with itty-bitty Aunt Thebe, could predict the future with turkey feathers, Matt's eyes were drooping. Doc took Festus by the arm. "Time to go." "But Doc I was jus' …." Doc pushed him outside and closed the door. Kitty shook her head with a laugh. Matt smiled weakly already half asleep.

An hour later, just as Matt was sitting up, Mr. and Mrs. Delmonico arrived with a fresh baked apple pie. "Marshal, I know you're not up to eating it just yet, but it will stay fresh for a couple of days." Matt's smile was genuine. "I appreciate it, even the smell is delicious. Let's hope I'm well enough to get a slice, before Festus and Doc devour the whole thing."

Doc pretended to look insulted. Joe Delmonico laughed, "We can always bring you more. And knowing you Marshal, you'll eating pie and doing your rounds, and everything else, in no time."

The couple lingered a little longer. Then Matt needed to sleep. When he woke up, Newly was there for a visit. Then came Moss and the boys from the stable, then a couple of stage coach drivers, then Mr. Bodkin from the bank. Doc shook his head. "It's busier here than the Long Branch saloon on a Saturday Night."

Everyone was finally gone when Jonas, from the general store, stopped by with a box of hard candies. "Marshal, even if you can't eat much, sucking on these get's some sugar in you."

Matt nodded politely, but Doc saw the strain on his face. Everyone meant well, and wanted to see for themselves that Matt was healing, but his patient needed rest. He escorted Jonas to the door and hung a sign outside. "No more visitors for Marshal Dillon today."

Kitty looked wistfully at Doc, "Should I go too?"

"No." Matt's tired voice joined Doc's.

"In fact Kitty, if you don't mind staying with Matt a bit longer, I'd like to mosey over to the Long Branch for a beer."

Kitty shot Doc a grateful smile, and carefully sat on the side of Matt's bed. He wrapped his large calloused hand around her small smooth one. She smiled. Every second in his presence pulled her to him, and seeing him through the eyes of others, reminded her of all he was. But, none of that changed the reason why she left, and now she had a future, waiting in St. Louis.

She squeezed his hand, got to her feet, and walked across the room to gather her thoughts. After a few moments of careful contemplation, she turned towards Matt with words pouring out. "Like I said this morning Matt, I want us to have a talk. There are things I have to tell you and …."

His eyes were already closed. The day had been far too long for a man in his condition. She walked over to the bed and whispered. "Good night, Cowboy. Sleep well. I'll see you tomorrow." She bent and almost kissed his lips, but stopped herself and gently kissed his forehead.

Deep in thought she left, and started down the staircase. As she reached the bottom step, she saw Gail through the darkness, coming towards her.. "Hello Kitty." Gail started up the stairs to Doc's.

"Matt's asleep." Kitty's tone was short.

"I'm not surprised." The dark haired woman smiled, "Over at the Long Branch, Doc was just saying Matt had far too many well wishers today. Poor Doc feels a little guilty. Well – good night Kitty." Gail continued up the steps."

"Wait Gail, didn't you just say Matt's already had too many visitors. Why are you going to see him?"

Gail frowned, Kitty's tone was strangely sharp, almost angry. It must just be fatigue. "I know you're thinking of Matt's well being, Kitty. That's wonderful. But I'll just sit by his side until Doc gets back, in case he wakes up and needs something. Have a restful night."

Kitty watched Gail go up the stairs and through the door. She turned and hurried through the darkness to the Dodge House. Her steps were heavy.

TBC