Changing, our love is going gold

Even though we grow old, it grows new

"Still the One" Sung by Orleans, written by John J Hall and Johanna D Hall

Chapter Eleven

"Whoa," Matt called softly to Kitty's horse, pulling back on the reins. The buggy slowed to a stop, and Buck came to a stop behind it. Kitty stirred softly against his shoulder, eyes reluctantly opening. "How long have I been asleep?" she murmured.

"Just after we left Silver Creek."

"That doesn't tell me much, since I have no idea where we are," she said, eyes straining to see anything in the dark. Matt lit the lantern and she looked around. They seemed to be at some type of homestead or farm, although she didn't recognize it.

"Stay here. I'll go inside and get it lit up." Of course he wasn't fooling her a bit. He was going inside to make sure it was safe, and she knew he had to weigh that against leaving her outside unprotected to do it. She patted her handbag for reassurance. Experience had taught her finally to start taking his advice to always carry her pistol in her bag, whether he was with her or not, for just this type of occasion. Lights began to shine through the windows of the cabin and she knew he would be back out for her soon. Sure enough, there he was. He held out a hand to help her out of the buggy.

"Everything all right in there?"

He grinned sheepishly. "Kicked all the outlaws out the back door." He put his arm around her as they walked up the path to the cabin. "Hold it right there, Mrs. Dillon. You don't think I'm going to let you walk through that door, do you?" With that he lifted her into his arms to carry her over the threshold.

She clasped her hands around his neck, taken by surprise. "For a man who was never going to get married, you sure seem to like calling me that."

Another sheepish grin. "Well, I know you don't mind hearing it." He carried her to the sofa in the main room and set her down gently. "I'll bring in our bags and see to the horses," he said, lightly kissing the top of her head. Minutes later, he returned. He set the picnic basket on the table and took the bags through a doorway off the kitchen.

"Are you hungry?" she called to him. "I think there's some food left from the picnic. I can heat it up." At least I think I can. Better see how well-equipped the kitchen was before making any more statements like that. She approached the other side of the room where the kitchen area was.

"There's a fire laid in the stove," Matt said, coming out of the other room. "You just have to light it."

"Are you going to tell me where we are, Matt?"

"After I take care of the horses."

While the stove heated, Kitty looked in the pantry and cupboards and found, much to her surprise, a clean, well-stocked kitchen. Had someone given up their home for a week in order for them to have a honeymoon? She put some water on the stove to heat and emptied the picnic basket. Stopping at Silver Creek for a picnic had been a wonderful surprise, even if, as Matt had said, it wasn't quite as pretty as it was in the spring. She thought it couldn't have looked more beautiful out there if it had been. And so nice of the preacher's wife to fix the picnic lunch for them. She put the leftovers on top of the stove to heat and went into the bedroom to have a look. Their bags were sitting on top of a large bed that was made up with what looked like some of her own sheets and blankets. How did he ever manage to do that? The other door off the kitchen led to a lean-to, where a small supply of firewood was stacked, along with more provisions. Across the room on the other side of the fireplace there was another doorway. Before she had a chance to see what it was Matt came back in.

"All right, Matt, I was asleep the whole way here and I don't know where I am. Are you going to tell me now?" What if I have to find my way back to Dodge myself? He had no intention of allowing that to happen, but she had a point.

"You know that little road just past Silver Creek? The one that's so overgrown it looks like it hasn't been used in years?"

"Yes...I didn't know there was a place out here." How could she not have known that in almost twenty years? "Whose place is this?"

"Well, it belongs to the Dodge City Bank. I made an arrangement with Mr. Bodkin."

"An-an arrangement? What kind of arrangement? Matt, this place is too clean and well-stocked to have been empty very long. There must be enough provisions to last a whole winter...oh." Is this going to be our home, Matt?

"Is supper ready? We can talk about this more after we eat."

"We can talk about this right now," Kitty said, moving the food to the back of the stove. She smiled. Don't worry, cowboy. I said talk, not argue.

Matt took her hand and led her to the sofa. "I was going to wait a few days before I said anything. To see how you liked it out here. What do you think, honey? Do you think a fancy saloon owner could be happy living out here in a little cabin?"

She looked around, pretending to think it over. Taking inventory. "It's not so little, for a cabin. Is that a second bedroom?" She pointed at the door she hadn't had a chance to open. He nodded. "Seems plenty big for two...three. Nice big fireplace, and a stove." She gestured toward the pump in the kitchen. "Indoor water. Is there an indoor-"

"There will be."

"Well, like you said, Matt, I'm going to need a little while to think it over. I like the idea of spending time out here alone with my husband in the middle of nowhere on our honeymoon, but what about after that? I could end up spending most of the time...alone."

"Kitty, we don't have to live here if you don't want to."

"That's not what I'm saying, Matt. In Dodge, when you go away there are still plenty of people around and I have the Long Branch to keep me occupied, until lately, I mean. Out here, I really will be alone. I don't have any idea if I'll like it or not."

"I guess I didn't really think this out very well, did I?" He shook his head ruefully. Truthfully, the rare times when he'd allowed himself to think of his own version of "someday" with Kitty, it was always in a place very much like this. But he never meant for her to spend days, even weeks alone out here...which was exactly what would happen as long as the badge came between them. Forsaking all others keep thee only unto her.

"No, we didn't think this out very well, did we? Matt, are you sorry we-"

"No! Are you?"

"I don't regret marrying you for one minute. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We just didn't have time to work out the details. Now, why don't we just enjoy our honeymoon for now and talk about this more later?"

"That sounds fine to me. Did you say something about supper?"

Kitty stood in front of the bedroom mirror, taking the pins out of her hair. She scowled at the mirror, wishing she'd gone ahead and packed her own bags so she'd have something to wear other than her most revealing nightgowns. Not one loose, high-necked gown in the bunch. The one she had on at present wouldn't do at all. It was already her tightest, most low-cut gown, and with her figure starting to change, it showed off her body in a way she didn't find flattering at all. Matt would probably still like it, but thanks to Doc's restrictions, there wasn't going to be anything they could do about that. She turned around to get another gown to try, just as Matt walked into the room.

Just as she thought, he eyed her appreciatively, smiling. "Is that new?" he asked, trying to put his arms around her. She crossed her arms over her chest protectively and turned away.

"No, but I can see why you'd think so. It seems to be fitting me different these days." She could feel her eyes fill up with tears. Damn those pregnancy emotions.

"You look beautiful, Kitty. There's nothing for you to be upset about." Except that, apparently, he thought as he saw the tears splash onto her cheeks.

"Could you hand me my robe?" she asked, fighting unsuccessfully to hold back a sob.

Matt helped her into her robe, pulling her into his arms once she was covered. Thankfully, she allowed it this time. "What's wrong, honey?"

She looked up at him sadly. "Oh, Matt, it's our wedding night!" And I've gone and ruined it.

A/N Revised Nov 2014 to add song lyrics.