Kitty

Despite the insulting encounters and unwelcome atmosphere at the convention, Kitty was determined to maintain a professional demeanor. She moved around the hall with her chin held high, ignoring lecherous looks and whispered comments about a woman's place. As the day wore on, however, she felt she was gaining nothing but a pounding headache, and decided she'd had enough for one day. It was time to treat herself to dinner at a fine restaurant. She chose Le Coq D'Or, a highly regarded establishment with large windows overlooking St. Louis Park. A maître de rushed over when she entered, but it took minutes for him to comprehend that – no she was not waiting for the rest of her party - no she was not waiting for a man - yes the lovely lady was dining alone. She caught the pitying look on his face as he led her to a small table in the back and wanted to yell out loud - I want to dine alone, damn it.

She ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu with wild rice and asparagus, and a glass of white wine. As she waited for her meal she couldn't help but notice that men and couples who'd been seated after her were being served first, but she didn't let it bother her. She relaxed, took in the beautiful view and enjoyed the violin music wafting through the room. When her meal arrived she enjoyed every bite. She ordered a second glass of wine and feeling more relaxed, planned her approach to day 2 of the convention. Instead of a pretty dress she'd wear darker, plainer clothes and be more careful with her make-up. Too much and she'd wouldn't be taken seriously, too little she'd be ignored. She ordered a slice of lemon merengue pie and savored the sweetness of the merengue melting in her mouth. Tomorrow would be a better day.

Dodge

A little after 7PM Matt ushered Missy into Delmonico's and led her to the small table in the back.

"Matt, are you aware that everyone is watching us?"

"I guess they're wondering who you are. After all you are having dinner with, how did you put it, the great and glorious marshal - the man who makes sure that chickens learn about property lines."

"Now that can not be easy to do." Missy giggled, "I'm starved, let's order."

They both chose antelope stew. It was served quickly and they dug in laughing and talking. When they were finished Matt put his hand on Missy's, "This has been great. Should I walk you back to the boarding house or - we could take a late night ride. That is if you're not afraid of the dark."

"I am not afraid of the dark and I even know how to keep monsters away." She gave him a mock indignant glare and then laughed, "Let's go."

They walked to the stable and Matt chose a good-tempered mare for Missy to ride. They cantered off under the moonlight. It was past midnight when they got back. Matt walked Missy to the side entrance of the boarding house. It would be quieter than going in the front, and was closest to her room.

"Matt, that was wonderful. Can I see you tomorrow?"

"I have some things to take care of in the afternoon, but dinner for sure."

"Ah, great and glorious things?"

"Um, I think it's time to put that phrase to rest, don't you?"

She smiled and squeezed his arm. "I'll see you tomorrow."

The Next Morning - Kitty

Kitty walked into the conference room wearing a dark blue skirt and matching jacket. The ruffle of her high-necked white blouse spilled over the top to counteract the schoolmarm look. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, but some curls drifted down the sides lessening the severity of the look. She wore lipstick and a touch of rouge and hoped that she looked businesslike enough to be taken seriously, but attractive enough to be noticed.

As soon as she walked into the hall she saw the two men she'd had words with the day before. She calmly walked past them and went directly to the vendors lined up along the wall. Bargaining with them was the first order of business. She approached a beer supplier, but before she spoke an angry voice filled the room.

"You dirty, rotten liar."

Kitty turned and saw a tall, thin, 40ish man holding a shorter man by the collar.

The short but broad shouldered man sputtered. "Who you calling a liar."

"YOU."

The short man grimaced and shoved hard, freeing himself. "Becket you don't know what you're talking about.

"Stevie, you are a liar and a cheat." He grabbed the short man by the collar again and shook hard. "I heard you telling vendors not to do business with me. You called me a loser who doesn't pay up."

Stevie pushed Becket off again and sneered, "Liar, cheat, you never paid me what you owed me."

Becket turned red. "You're the liar and cheat, you were working for me and you stole my money to open your own saloon. Now you're trying to put me out of business." He took a step back, swung and punched Stevie squarely in the jaw.

Stevie staggered but regained his footing. He lurched towards Becket and kneed him in the groin. "You never proved that."

Becket gasped and doubled over, "No but it's true." Still doubled in pain he turned to the other saloon owners, who were all staring in shock. "You've all known me for years," he rasped. "You know he worked for me. He stole from me and he'll steal from you. His kind ruins everybody." The men started nodding and mumbling.

Stevie saw the owners siding with Becket and turned to the vendors, "I offer you good deals and warn you about cheaters, that's why they're out to get me. Help me."

The salesmen looked at one another. Stevie did treat them good, gave then cigars and everything. One by one they got to their feet.

Stevie grinned. Becket was incensed. He grabbed a bottle and smashed it over Stevie's head. Stevie howled – all hell broke loose. Punches flew, bottles sailed through the air, chairs were thrown, tables flipped. Chaos filled the room.

"Stop it, stop it you fools." The two large women were yelling at their husband to no avail.

A gunshot broke through the bedlam. Everyone froze. Another shot. Faces turned towards the sound.

Kitty had her derringer pointed towards the ceiling, "Let me through."

Mouths dropped at the sight of the beautiful redhead holding a gun.

"I said let me through." Her voice allowed no argument.

The men scurried back to clear a path and Kitty walked to the center of the room. She looked around and shook her head in disgust at the pointless damage. "It seems to me that these two here," she waved her gun towards Becket and Stevie, "have a personal problem. I suggest they leave and take care of it. The rest of us don't have skin in their game, we just want to make honest deals and talk business."

The two large women nodded forcefully making their double chins bounce. Their husbands sheepishly walked to their sides. Others muttered in agreement.

Kitty looked at Becket and Stevie. "You two are leaving this convention and not coming back. Go NOW."

Stevie and Becket meekly walked out side-by-side. Kitty put her gun back into her purse, "All right everyone, let's clean up this mess and get back to business.

All eyes were on her, but eyes filled with respect and admiration. She looked around. Things would be fine from here on out. She couldn't wait to tell Matt about how his gift of a derringer and lessons on using it had had unexpected benefits. The coming days of the convention were looking bright.

2 Days Later - Dodge

The past couple of days had been the most peaceful Matt had experienced in a long time. He hadn't had to leave town to track a criminal, testify at a trial, escort a prisoner to jail or anything else. Except for the dispute over chickens, no one made any trouble and his jail cells remained empty.

He sat on a grassy hill with Missy in mid-afternoon. She pushed a stray hair out of her eyes and looked at him. "It's funny how people fall in love, isn't it? I mean even if you don't want it to happen, there's no stopping it."

"That's true. There's a lot I hadn't been giving much thought to until you got here. Life can be so complicated."

"But it can also be simple in some ways. The first time I saw you, I knew I loved you."

"Ah, me too Missy, me too."

TBC