"A" is for Apple, "O" is for Outlaw!

PT.9

Hearing Kitty recollect the memory of Bonner and seeing the pain in her eyes hit Matt like a kick in the gut. "Ah, Kit Honey, I'm sorry you had to be reminded."

"Oh no, Matt. Yeah, maybe Luke telling me about what happened to Sue Ellen brought back a few memories but it doesn't take anyone telling me stories for me to know what I've…" Quickly, she stopped herself, shaking her head. "Cowboy, I'm sorry. I just meant… It wasn't Luke's fault. He didn't know, still doesn't. He was just trying to make me understand. Cowboy, he really loved her. I don't know who or what Luke Dandridge is or was but in these last few days I got to know a man that was a man that loved his wife and would do most anything for her. She meant the world to him. So much so that he wanted me to… well, he wanted to get a teacher to teach him how to read and write. He wanted to write her something special just for her when he lost her. Matt his heart was broke."

Now looking confused, "I have one question. If he wanted a teacher, how did you end up out there with them?" He was now chuckling and she was now slapping his arm.

"Oh, alright you. I Believe I've taught you quite a bit over the years."

"Ah, is that a fact?"

"You bet it is, Marshal. And you could stand to learn a lot more." She was now smirking at him.

As they rode into Dodge, Doc quickly saw that Kitty's arm was wrapped. "Hey now! What's going on here? Let's get you up to my office."

"Oh, Doc, I'm fine it's just a scratch."

Scrubbing his mustache, "Got a degree now, do ya?"

Matt and Doc guided her up the stairs sat her on the table. As she took off her blouse, Matt started to leave. "Where you going?" Kitty asked.

"Well, I just figured…" Kitty bit her lip. "Oh, go on. I'll see you later."

Rolling his eyes, "I'll be back after I take care of the Cole brothers."

"Kitty, what happened here?" Doc asked as he examiner her shoulder.

"Oh, Doc. There were some shots fired and I guess I got in the way."

"Oh, that all?"

"Doc, Matt's worried."

"Worried, huh?"

"Yeah, he thinks he may have done this. See, three shots were fired at the same time. One was behind me so we know it wasn't that one. So it was between Cal Dandridge and Matt."

"And?"

"And nothing." She said. "Look, Doc, whatever happened out there, it happened."

"Honey, are you alright besides your shoulder?"

Smiling, "Oh sure, Curly. I'm fine. A hot bath and my comfortable bed and I'll be fine."

"Ok, young lady. Let's just clean this up a bit more and then I prescribe rest."

Kissing his cheek, "Thanks, Curly."

As she was about to leave, Matt entered. "Ah, you're back."

"Doc, how's our patient?"

"Ha! Our patient?"

"Well, I think I did a pretty good job out there with no real provisions."

Smiling, she watched the two men bicker. "Look, how bout' I buy the two of you a drink and you can settle this?"

The three walked arm in arm to the Long Branch. As they entered, Sam was happy to see his boss and friend return. "Ah, Miss Kitty! Welcome home. It's so good to have you home!"

"Sam, it's good to be home. Sam, round of drinks for everyone, please."

"Now, Kitty..."

"Yeah?" She said looking at Doc.

"What exactly happened?"

Matt started to smile. Slapping his arm, she gave him an arched brow. "Ok you."

"Well, Doc, Dodge has a new school marm."

"Enough out of you, Marshal."

"What?" Doc chuckled.

"Oh, if you're gonna start too, I just won't tell you."

Rubbing his upper lip, "Nah. No, go on, tell."

"Oh, alright, well you know I brought the new books for the kids for the school house and the new teacher, right?"

"Yeah." Doc nodded.

"And I left here and went over to meet the new teacher? Well, I was outside the school talking with the kids. They were so excited, Doc, jumping all around."

"Ok, ok, alright, alright."

"Well, after they all went inside, I started to go in as well when I was approached by two men who insisted I go with them. When I questioned why, I realized they had a gun and weren't up for questions. Anyway, when we got where they took me, their boss, it turns out…"

Matt added in, "Luke Dandridge"

"… sent them to Dodge to find a teacher."

Doc burst out laughing. "A teacher?"

Tightening her jaw, "Oh, alright, enough."

"Aw, Kitty honey, I'm sorry. Go on."

"Well, it turns out Luke wanted to learn how to read and write. See, his wife died and he wanted to write something special for her grave."

Doc now saw the look on Kitty's face. He now knew it wasn't funny to her. "Well, Honey. What happened?"

"Well, I taught him. I can read and write, ya know. And I am capable of teaching some people a few things around here." Now staring at Matt!

"Well honey, I have to see a few sick patients. You get some rest. That's an order!"

Nodding in agreement, "See ya later, Curly."

Leaning in close, "Well, Miss Russell, I have a question. If I'm allowed to ask?"

"What?"

"You and Dandridge, what was all that fancy talk?"

Shifting her eyes and smirking at him. "UMMMMM…. Do I detect a note of jealousy, Marshal?"

Scrunching his face.

"Oh you mean when I said, Pour toujoursdarsmoncoeur?"

"Yeah, that."

Smiling a huge smile, "Cowboy, that wasn't meant for me. If you remember, it is what he wanted me to put on the grave for Sue Ellen, his wife."

"And what he said about someone being crazy about keeping you? Those fancy words?"

Now laughing, "Oh, Cowboy, those fancy words are french for "Forever in My Heart." Now leaning in close to him, "Just what you will always be."

"So, you keep saying I have a lot to learn."

"Uh huh." Now looking at him, biting her bottom lip.

"Well, do you think if I bring the teacher an apple, she'll teach me, say, ah, privately?"

In a deep, full barrel, sultry laugh. "Make that a bottle of Nepolian and you've got a date, Marshal."

TBC