PT.4

Old Flame Revisited!

Standing just outside Dolly's room at the Dodge House, Matt quickly tried to say his good nights.

"You can't go, Matt. Please, just a night cap?" She pleaded.

"Look, Dolly, I have rounds to do and…"

Now with big sad eyes, Dolly began to pout. "Please, Matt?" Pulling him inside the room by his arm, removing her hat and quickly pouring them both a glass of whiskey. She looked up into his eyes. "I would have offered a brandy, but this was what I could get. Maybe I should have tried that saloon across the street. I've heard it's owned by a woman. I'm sure they'd carry a nice smooth brandy."

Matt wasn't saying a word. "So, Matt, what have you been doing with yourself all these years? I can't imagine that some woman hasn't grabbed you up." She said with a slight smile.

As she was talking, or questioning him, she was fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. "I know you're not married. And lucky for me I came to Dodge when I did."

"Dolly Winters, you are a persistent woman, but once again, there is no me and you and there's not gonna be."

Now cupping his face with both hands, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

Trying to pull her hands away, "Now, Dolly, stop that."

Howie happened by her room just as she answered.

"Oh, Matt, you're just the same as you've always been, a little shy."

Howie's eyes widened and he gasped as he hurried back down to the desk.

It was dark enough crossing the prairie as Kitty sat leaning against the window frame. She knew she'd be back home before long. Thinking as she look out the frosted glass, "Oh, Cowboy, it will be so good to be back and in your arms again. I sure hope you missed me as much as I've missed you."

She smiled as she thought of the kind of reunion she wanted.

Excuse me, Miss. Can I get you anything?"

As she snapped out of her of thoughts, standing before her was the conductor, a rather stocky fella with a mustache. Now shaking her head, clearing her thoughts, "No, thank you. I'm just fine, anxious to get home." Giving him a smile.

"You're going to Dodge City, ain't that right?"

Nodding, "Yes, I am."

"Thought I saw you board in Dodge a few weeks ago. That town has changed, grown some."

Smiling again, "Yes, Sir, it has. Dodge has been my home for many a year."

"Well, Miss, you'll be home right quick."

Festus entered the Dodge House looking for Matt. "Howie?"

"Well hello, Festus."

"Howie, you done seen Matthew ? I a done looked all over Dodge fur um' and he aint but anywhere."

Howie now swallowing hard, "Well, Festus… I… a… I…"

"Well, spit it out." Festus said looking frustrated. "Ya seen um or ya aint?"

"Yeah, I saw him, but…" Howie lowered his eyes. "He's up stairs. He escorted Miss Winters to her room."

Festus headed for the stairs.

Quickly, Howie yelled out, "Festus, you can't go up there."

"Sure, I kin."

"Festus, you may be interrupting." Howie Insisted.

"Oh fiddle de, Howie." And he headed up the stairs.

Dolly was holding a tight grip. She had Matt backed up to the door.

Matt grabbed for her hand, dropping the glass to the floor, splashing it all over.

Surprised Dolly backed up, then laughed. "Well, Matt, if you wanted me to…"

Just then a knock. "Who is it?" Dolly asked.

"It's Festus Hagen, the deputy. I need to jaw with Matthew."

Matt quickly went for the door, as he turned to let Festus in, being thankful for the timing, he saw the look on Festus' face as he entered the room.

His face went red, blushing, he dropped his eyes and said, "Excuse me, Ma'am." And started to back out.

When Matt wondered what was wrong, he turned to see Dolly standing there in just a slip and petticoat, with a cheshire smile.

Then she pretended to cover herself quickly. "Sorry, didn't know we were going to have a visitor." She said as Festus tried to back out into the hall.

"Festus, I'll be right with you." Matt said now very angry.

"Oh, no, Matthew. It a kin wait." And he was down the hall like lightening. Festus was not only uncomfortable, but just a little more than hurt and angry, thinking that he found Matt in a situation like this with another woman. Although everyone knew about he and Kitty's relationship, they were so discrete, at least in public.

Howie noticed the look on Festus' face as he left the hotel.

He hurried across Front Street to the office and blew right by Doc as he was headed for the Long Branch. "HEY! What in tarnation has gotten into you?"

Festus stopped and looked at Doc, not sure what or if he should say anything at all.

"Festus, what is it?" Doc said.

'Ah, Doc. I aint sure I kin tell ya."

'Well, it's too damn cold to stand out here. Come on, I'll buy ya a beer." He tugged on his arm, leading him to the Long Branch.

Sitting at a table, Doc looked over at him. "Now, what has you all in a tither?"

"Doc, it's a Matthew. Matthew and that shemale."

Rubbing his upper lip, "You mean Miss Winter?"

"That be the one." Festus answered.

"Ok, what about Matt and Miss Winter? The lady is a friend of Matt's."

Frowning and shaking his head, "Nah, Doc. Miz Kitty's a coming home Tamarra."

Doc knew it was gonna be hard to figure what was bugging the hill man/deputy. "Yeah, Kitty's coming in on the morning train."

"OHHHHH, Doc."

"Festus, what in thunder?"

"Jest settle down, Doc. It's a like this. I went ta lookin' fur Matthew and I a saw Howie and asked if'n he seed ol' Matthew and well, Matthew was with that there shemale. They was a in her room."

Tugging on his ear, "Yeah, she and Matt had supper at Delmonico's tonight."

"Naw, Doc, you don't understand. Matthew was in her room and she…"

Now getting frustrated with Festus, "She what?"

"She was jest in shemale frilly under clothes."

"You mean her garter and petticoat?" Doc asked.

"Yeah, Doc, them frilly thingy's."

"Look, Festus, I'm sure Matt has a good explanation."

Festus just shook his head and stood up, looking at Doc. Then turned and walked out.

TBC