Dodge City

Delonico's was already getting crowded by the time Matt and Missy went in to have breakfast.

"Matt, let's grab the table in the back."

As soon as they settled into chairs Joe Delmonico appeared and filled their coffee cups. "Ma'am, do you want the usual?"

Missy looked up quizzically, but a slow smile spread across her face, "I guess I've been having the same breakfast every day since I got here. Thank you, that would be perfect."

"And I'll have what she's having." Matt took a sip of coffee.

"But." Missy put her finger in the air expectantly.

Joe smiled, "Big portions, right marshal?"

Matt laughed, "You said it before I could get the words out. Joe, I bet you could bring most folks exactly what they want without even asking.

The train from St. Louis to Dodge City slowed as it approached its destination. Kitty picked up her straw bag, and made her way towards the exit feeling tired but happy. The WASO convention had had its difficulties but was ultimately satisfying and even a bit exhilarating. By the end of the 4-day convention she'd gone from being disrespected and worse, to being accepted, respected and even admired. She was pleased with how things had played out but was very glad to be home.

The train lurched to a stop and she gripped the straw bag. It was packed with contracts with beer suppliers, liquor vendors, glassmakers and a piano roll supplier. In her opinion, all were good but fair deals. Sitting on top of the contracts was a small box, a gift for Matt that she could hardly wait to give him.

As she started down the stairs she looked over the small crowd of people waiting for friends and loved ones. She didn't see her tall cowboy. There was no reason she would, she hadn't sent word when she'd be back, in fact she hadn't communicated at all. Still, as irrational as it was, her heart sank a tiny bit and a shiver of fear ran through her. The thought she'd had on the trip out returned. What if Matt had been shot or stabbed – what if…? She shook herself to banish the thought. Matt was fine. She'd see him soon and invite him to dinner at her place. They'd spend time together, tell each other about their adventures and everything would be the way it should be.

She gripped the chain rail and walked down the steps onto the street. Her luggage had already been set on the ground, so she scanned the area for the boys who regularly hung around to earn a few pennies carrying suitcases.

Whichever way she looked, she saw and felt eyes boring into her. Fear for Matt gripped her again. Did the stares mean that something had happened to him? After a few seconds she decided no, this was something else. Some women were watching her with pity, but others were wearing knowing smiles and whispering. A few men looked at her with open curiosity, others found their shoes very interesting. She didn't know what to make of the attention she was drawing, but was sure it wasn't because Matt was injured or dead.

With nothing to do but proceed, she waved the Carter twins over. The 10 years olds were big and strong for their age and could manage her bags. Besides, their mother was a widow with many mouths to feed, and the twins were good boys who'd bring the money home. She knew they wouldn't carry her bags right into the Long Branch. They couldn't risk their mother hearing that they'd gone into a saloon.

The boys raced over.

"I'll pay you each a nickel to carry my bags to the Long Branch Saloon and set them down outside the door."

"Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am." Danny and Davy spoke in unison and picked up her bags.

She led the twins down Front Street ignoring the stares and whispers that followed her. When they got to the saloon the Carter twins dropped the bags in front of the door. They wordlessly accepted their payment and ran off. She watched them race back to the train station. Such good boys, with 4 younger siblings they'd had it hard since their pa died last year.

Kitty pushed through the batwing doors thinking she'd ask whoever was behind the bar to carry her bags upstairs. Then she'd go talk to Matt. The doors flapped shut behind her. Sam was behind the bar, but oddly didn't notice her. He was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Festus and Doc. She was surprised to see them in the saloon so early, and since they didn't notice her, she stood quietly and listened.

"Ah jus can't reckon what Matthew's thinkin or doin, spendin so much a his time with that thar blond lady. Ah mean breakfasts, dinners, moonlight rides. Mathew's actin like he's been spelled on. Now that I'm sayin it, I'm thinkin it's the gosh darn truth. I betcha that lady is a witchy witch, an Mathew's unda a spell. Ah'd bet my ole Aunt Thebe's last gold tooth on it."

Doc shook his head, "Now Festus, we don't know that anything is going on between Matt and the woman, no matter how much time they spend together."

Festus shook his head in disgust, "Doc, iffin ya can't see what's right unda ya nose, ya need doctorin for them thar eyes a yours. Right now, at this here very time, Matthew's in Delmonico's with that witchy witch."

"Festus, hold on. Doc, I know what you're saying." Sam was trying to keep a level head, "But the marshal has been spending a lot of time with the lady, and the town's buzzing about it. What do we say to Miss Kitty when she gets back?"

"No need to say anything. I've heard enough."

Three heads snapped towards the doors. Kitty stood just inside, hands on her hips and eyes blazing, "Sam, my bags are outside. Bring them upstairs. Please. Oh, this straw bags too. Please."

She stormed out.

Festus started to follow but Doc put a hand on this shoulder. "Festus, I don't know how this is going to play out, but we don't have control over any of it."

Kitty marched down the street kicking up dust and ignoring the stares and whispers that followed her. When she got to Delmonico's she hesitated outside the door for a second before bursting through. The restaurant went deadly quiet. She saw Matt at a back table with a beautiful blond and walked over, her face unreadable. Matt and Missy looked up. Matt smiled and got to his feet, "Kitty, I didn't know you were back."

"Obviously."

She glared at him - at Missy - and back at him. He kneaded his brows in puzzlement. "What's wrong?"

"You don't know?"

Missy looked at Kitty, glanced around the restaurant and looked back at Kitty with a slight smile on her face.

"Something funny?" Kitty's glare hardened.

Missy shook her head and spoke softly, "It's just that men can be oblivious to some of the things around them, but we women sometimes have that capacity too. I'm speaking of myself of course." She smiled and extended her hand. "My name's Margarita, please call me Missy. You're Kitty Russell. Matt's told me a lot about you. Please sit down."

Feeling slightly disarmed by Missy's words and finding Matt's look of confusion almost comical, Kitty stiffly lowered herself into a chair. Matt retook his seat. Kitty looked around. No one was moving or speaking and all eyes were upon them. She announced loudly, "I'd better hear some utensils at work, NOW."

Immediately the sound of soup being slurped and meat being cut was heard.

Kitty looked at Missy, "Well since Matt seems to have been struck speech, you start. I've been hearing a an awful lot of whispering."

TBC