CHAPTER 6

Unwelcomed Stranger

Newly leaned against the door jamb, watching his wife scurry around the bedroom, tossing one garment after another out of the wardrobe. She was late – as usual.

"Where is my green blouse?" Another cotton shirt hit the floor. "The one I always wear with this skirt."

In a slow casual gait, he crossed the room and leaned down to retrieve the elusive garment from the back of the chair. "Could this be the one? The same one you laid out last night so that you wouldn't have to hunt for it this morning."

With a smug grimace she snatched the top. "It's your fault I'm late!"

Before she could get away, Newly grabbed her wrist twirling her back into his arms. "Excuse me? I seem to remember waking up to a little red headed nymph molesting me. She looked remarkably like you!"

"Oh was that you?" Her laughter bubbled up spilling over into the room. Calleigh pulled him down for another kiss. A longer, more passionate kiss. "Ahh, yes. That was you."

He released his wife letting her return to her search. "You working the clinic today?"

"Yep. Tuesday. My turn." She fastened the buttons on her skirt after tucking the emerald blouse into the waist band.

"Maybe the town's prettiest doctor can make time to have lunch with the dashing young deputy."

With one last look in the mirror, Calleigh run her fingers through the spiral locks giving them some sense of order. "Oh. Is Matt letting Ned play deputy again?"

"And a comedian too." This time when he pulled her close it was for more than just to tease her. They shared a quiet moment lost in each other's eyes. "I love you Calleigh."

She kissed him again leaving no doubt to her feelings for him. "I love you too and I would love to have lunch with you."

Long Branch Long Branch

Kitty swiped the bar towel across the center of the polished wood and then stood back admiring the newly refinished counter. She had been apprehensive about making suggestions since reducing her role to part-owner but Pete was always receptive to her ideas. The Long Branch was still in loving hands.

From the bat wing doors came the low seductive sound of a whistle and the Dodge City Marshal soon appeared. "Wow." He stepped down onto the main floor and walked toward the bar. "Beautiful."

Kitty beamed as she stretched her arms wide with a flourish to show off the polished counter. "Isn't it! Red Mitchell did a fantastic job didn't he?"

"I was talking about what's behind the bar." Matt leaned over to the kiss the temporary bartender. "But I guess the counter looks nice too." He settled back on his heels and took another look. "What are you doing working here today?"

Kitty rubbed the corner of the towel over a microscopic smudge that only she could see. "I just stopped by to see if Red had finished it and Pete wanted me to cover for him while he goes to the bank. And - he wanted to meet Beulah Silks for lunch." With that bit of news her brows rose in a speculative gesture.

Matt pulled his mouth to one side, his expression dubious. "Exactly where does someone take the main cook of the Prairie Rose to lunch?"

"Well, he's having lunch there at the restaurant but she's going to come out and sit with him." Kitty shook her head and tossed the towel over her shoulder. "Of course you would miss the whole romantic part and focus on the food."

With a feigned gesture of being soulfully wounded he pulled himself to his full height. Before he could respond a stranger had taken a spot at the far end of the bar. Kitty gave him a smile and a wink before going to greet the customer.

"What can I get for you today?" Experience had taught her to read people and this guy could be summed up in three words. Rich. Impatient. Entitled.

"I don't suppose you have a decent scotch in this God forsaken place." The tone certainly gave credibility to her intuition.

"Makers Mark is our best whiskey." Kitty kept her professional smile in place.

"Fine." The well groomed man uttered a condescending breath and murmured just loud enough to be heard. "I have got to get back to New York. Back to civilization!"

Kitty placed the glass in front of him and started to turn away.

"Would I be so fortunate as to find a telegraph office in this fine metropolis?" Again, his request was made in a droll, arrogant tone.

"At the end of the street. You can't miss it."

Matt edged slightly closer, irritated by the way this fancy dressed dude was speaking to his wife. The big man's movement did not go unnoticed by the pretty redhead. Again, she started to walk away from the New Yorker and again, he stopped her.

"I'm looking for a family named Hennesy?" It took a lot of effort on his part but he attempted to be civil. "Can you direct me to their home?"

"Hennesy? I'm sorry but I don't recognize that name." She offered a genuine smile and resumed her step back to her husband.

"Wait a minute!" The stranger suddenly reached across the counter. Strong fingers wrapped around her wrist yanking it back. He gave it a tug and jerked her up against the counter. "I can see you're hot to get back to your cowboy! Just tell me where they live and I will be on my way!"

The hand that gripped hers was instantly caught up in a vise twice as tight. Matt wrenched the strangers hand free and continued to twist it back into what looked to be a most painful position. "You'll be on your way right now as soon as you apologize to the lady."

Despite the rage still evident in his cold eyes, the stranger was smart enough to back off. The pain in his arm didn't compare to the humiliation of being forced to his knees in front of that…that… barmaid! Various comments crossed his mind but none that would have given him safe passage out of the saloon.

"Sorry." He shifted his shoulders to readjust his expensive suit and quickly left the Long Branch.

Matt kept watch until the man disappeared through the bat wing doors. Once they were alone he turned back around. He held out his hand and she knew what he wanted.

"Oh Matt, I'm fine." Kitty attempted to brush off his concern.

His expression tightened and his fingers were demanding. "Kitty." The tone was soft but unyielding. She finally offered her wrist for inspection. Matt stared at the offensive marks circling around the tender flesh. Obviously the strangers grip was tight enough to produce those vivid red streaks when he had twisted her wrist between his crushing fingers.

Now another strong hand held hers but this time the thumb gently brushed over the wounded area. His voice had once again taken on a heavy protective tone. "When will Pete be back?"

Kitty tilted her head to one side. Blue eyes rolled up toward her husband. "Matt. Stop." She pulled her hand from his grasp. "We've been over this."

His gaze was drawn to the door but his thoughts remained with the arrogant stranger. What Kitty said was true. They had discussed it but that didn't mean the subject was settled. Matt had watched her endure enough hurts for a hundred women and he just couldn't abide any more. But he was going to have to learn to pick his battles. It wasn't a major injury by any means so if the marshal knew what was good for him, he would let the entire episode drop. And he better do it quickly because she was becoming increasingly irritated.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Kitty kept her eyes on the counter as she wiped away yet another imaginary smudge.

"Yes ma'am I do." Matt took off his hat to readjust it farther back on his forehead. "I have to be right here, drinking a beer to congratulate my friend Pete on his new bar." He slapped his oversized palm on the polished wood. "Come on lady. Let's have that beer."

As usual, he was able to cajole his way back into her good graces. Kitty shook her head whispering a word she frequently relied on. "Idiot."

He tipped the mug at her before taking a drink. "He did say Hennesy didn't he?"

Kitty relaxed and leaned on the wooden surface. "He did but I've never heard of them."

"No, me neither. Let's hope he just keeps on traveling."