Gunsmoke and Spies 15

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"Come in," Kitty called, at the sound of a knock. "Matt!" She exclaimed when he walked in and swiftly crossed to the bed. Her eyes slowly traveled his body to make sure there were no new injuries or wounds. "You okay? You get them?"

Matt sat down on the bed beside her and immediately claimed her lips with his own before he even tried to speak. Finally he nodded when he pulled back. "I'm fine and we got them, Kitty. They and their army contact are locked up in the jail."

Kitty studied his eyes. "Even the one that shot me?"

Matt shrugged. "What you said stuck with me. I couldn't kill him no matter how badly I wanted to. Besides, I didn't think you'd want your husband in jail for murder. It just wouldn't look good." He looked at her, hoping she got his meaning.

Kitty started to chuckle then stopped, her eyes widening as it dawned on her what Matt had just said. "My… my husb… What!? Matt Dillon, are you… are you asking... me...?"

Matt grinned at her. "I am, Kitty." He reached over and took her hand in his. "I was talking to Lee yesterday and he said some things that made a lot of sense to me. Then I heard Amanda say something about people who were meant to be together, should be together. Well, it got to me to thinking." He dropped his head for a moment, before raising his eyes back to hers. "I know I've been a pretty big fool these last 20 years but…uh… well, I'd like to try and change that. That is… if you'll have me."

Kitty studied his face intently seeing the light of love in his clear blue eyes and understanding that something more than just her being hurt, had worked to bring a change in his way of thinking. "Oh, Matt." She reached for him with her one good arm and pulled him close. "I never thought… I… I… Yes!" She cried. "Yes, Matt. I will marry you."

In the other room, Doc looked up from the paper he was reading and grinned. "It's about time." He sighed with a shake of his head. "It surely is about time."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The morning was bright with just the slightest breeze as Lee and Amanda stood at the stage office and said their goodbyes to Kitty, Matt, Doc and the rest of the people they had met during their brief stay in Dodge.

Amanda reached out and carefully embraced Kitty, mindful of her shoulder for which Kitty was still wearing a sling. "I'm going to miss you." She tearfully told Kitty. "I wish I could stay for your wedding. You're going to make a beautiful bride." She hugged her again as more tears escaped.

Kitty kissed her on the cheek and wiped the tear from Amanda's face. "No need for tears." She smiled. "We can still keep in touch. I have the address you gave me for your home in Virginia and you have mine. And if you ever need me, all you have to do is contact me and I'll be there. You and Lee helped us a great deal."

Amanda shook her head. "You helped us as well." She told her. "I'll never forget you."

As the women embraced, Lee held out his hand to Matt, clasping it firmly. "Marshal, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you did. Catching Saldez was something I've been trying to do for some time. And you sending that wire back to my boss… well, that meant a lot. It'll make things a whole lot easier for me and Amanda both, when we get back."

Matt shook his head and nodded over to Kitty. "It's me that owes thanks to you. Some of the things you and Amanda both said, about the law and family, made a lot of sense. I'm still a little worried about Kitty's safety, but we'll figure it out."

"You'd better," Doc piped up beside him as he nodded towards Kitty. "I don't want that young lady disappointed after all this time."

As Lee laughed and Matt blushed, Doc stepped over to the ladies and took Amanda's hand. "You take care of yourself." He told her. "Virginia's a little too far for me to easily travel to and check on you."

Amanda reached over and kissed Doc. "Aw, don't worry about me, Doc." She smiled warmly at the wonderful old physician; she had taken such a liking to. "I'll be alright. Besides, seems to me, you have plenty of patients right here in Dodge." She looked over at Kitty, who chuckled ruefully.

"Anybody going on this stage better get on board." They suddenly heard the driver yell.

With final hugs and handshakes, Amanda and Lee boarded the stage and settled down in their seats, waving at their friends until they were out of sight and the stage was racing down the road.

"I'm gonna miss them." Amanda sighed, as she sat back and laid her head on Lee's shoulder.

Wrapping an arm around her, Lee nodded. "Me too. But maybe we can come back sometime and see them. You know when we aren't chasing someone."

"I like that idea, Lee." Amanda smiled as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

TBC