PT.3
Old Flame Revisited
Watching out the window, slightly dozing, Kitty watched as everything green was now covered in a blanket of white. Smiling to herself, she knew she was now nearly home. Three weeks was a long time away from everyone she loved. The glass window was now frosting over. Gently she reached up, rubbing her hand in a circular motion, daydreaming about her cowboy waiting for her with open arms. Well, maybe that welcome would happen when they had time to be alone. And best of all, she'd be back in Dodge for Christmas!
Just than the conductor announced that it would just be a few more hours till Dodge. Lightly closing her eyes, she mumbled to herself, "Home. Home."
Reluctantly, Matt walked with Dolly to Delmonico's.
She snuggled up close, holding tight to his arm. "Oh, Matt, this is like old times. You, me, cozy supper."
"Now wait, hold on there. There's no you and me. This is just supper, you understand?" Matt said.
Now realizing she was getting carried away. "OHHHH, ok. Baby steps, baby steps." Smiling up at him.
Sitting at supper, Dolly began going on about how she could stay in Dodge and they could pick up where they left off. They weren't kids anymore and he really needed to settle down, a wife and maybe a family."
Shaking his head and throwing up his hand. "Now, Dolly. I just told you there is no me and you. And there's not gonna be, either. So, let's stop all this talk about…"
Now laughing up at him. "OH, Matt, you'll see. You'll change your mind. I'm really impressed with Dodge. It's grown and best thing of all is you're here. What could get in our way?"
Matt took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. "Now, Dolly…"
Just then Festus came thru the door in a hurry, "Matthew! Matthew! Thisy here just come for ya. Barney says you be a wantin' fur this directly."
Reaching for the piece of paper from Festus, he looked over and said, "This is Dolly Winters."
"Ma'am." Festus' said looking at Matt with a question in his face.
"Festus, Miss Winters was an old friend from years ago and…"
Now Dolly jumped in, "WAS?"
Matt was concentrating on the paper in his hand, he just responded, "HUH?"
"Matt Dillon, you said I was an old friend. My feelings are hurt."
Matt now realized what was in the note Barney sent Festus to bring. He read it, ignoring the chatter.
Matt Dillon, Dodge City, Kansas
Matt, I'll be in on the morning train. Stop. Can't wait to see everyone. Stop. Kitty
Matt, although happy Kitty was returning, began to sweat. His thoughts went to Kitty and what her reaction to Dolly would be and that wasn't going to be a good one. He had to figure a way to either keep the two apart or get through to Dolly before Kitty got back in Dodge. If there was one thing Matt didn't want to deal with, it was Kitty's fury. Especially after she had warned him that Dolly wasn't the girl he remembered her to be.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't heard a word Dolly was saying. Then he felt her hand caressing his arm.
"Matt? Matt? Are you listening to me?" She said.
Snapping out of his fog, "Oh, yeah, sure I am. I heard every word."
"Good, then let's go back to my room and have that night cap."
"Ahhh , what? I… I can't."
"Na uh, you can have a night cap, Marshal. You have to walk me back to my room anyway." Now looking at him with sad but sultry eyes.
Matt trying to be a gentleman, "Let's get you back." Trying to figure a way out of this.
TBC