CHAPTER 9

Reflections of Love

Gaith walked beside Cicely as they made their way up the hill toward the swing. She had told the marshal everything she knew about the man that killed her family. At least everything she wanted him to know. Gaith had sat beside her the whole time, holding her hand, consoling her when she cried.

Once they reached the top of the hill, Cicely turned around in Gaith's arms. "Are you all right now?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you Gaith for covering for me. I just wasn't ready to talk to anyone about what happened." She leaned in giving him a chaste kiss to the cheek. "You look so serious. Are you angry with me?"

"No, I just feel bad lying to the marshal but I understand." The young man flashed his easygoing smile. "Are you going to stay here for a while? The Dillon's are nice folks; they'll let you stay as long as you need to."

Cicely sat down on the seat of the swing. "I don't know. Maybe for a day or two. I guess I'll sell the ranch."

Gaith stopped pushing the swing and knelt down beside her. "If we're getting married – can't we live there?"

"Married?" Cicely dropped her head to conceal her surprise. "I...uh…"

"I'm sorry." The young cowboy rose to his feet. "That was just wrong. Of course you wouldn't want to live there with all those terrible memories. Besides, it's my place to provide for you. I just wasn't thinking." He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "And I will take of you Cicely. I'll be a good husband."

It had taken a moment but the devious young blonde had managed to come up with an acceptable answer. "I know you will Gaith but with all that's happened, I'm not ready to get married just now." She saw the disappointment splash across his face and quickly headed it off. "With my mother and little sister gone…well it would hurt too much to plan a wedding without them."

Gaith pulled her into his arms, brushing his lips across her temple. "I am so sorry. Everything I say tonight is wrong. Of course it's too soon to be thinking about a wedding. You just take all the time that you need."

M&KM&KM&KM&K

Matt sat in his chair staring at the bed. Brooding would be the perfect description of the sober marshal. He seemed oblivious to his wife as she pulled down the comforter and neatly folded it up to set aside.

Kitty quietly crossed the room and stood beside the chair. Still lost in thought, the marshal did not acknowledge her presence. She reached down pushing his arm aside and slipped onto his lap. "Hello Cowboy."

His dazed countenance suddenly relinquished its hold being replaced by a grateful smile. Matt pulled her down for a kiss. "Hi baby."

"This was a bad one wasn't it?" Kitty let his curls filter through her fingers.

"Anytime a child is killed – it's a bad one. Cicely said they moved here to get away from that man."

"Is that the man that was in the Long Branch today?"

"Yeah. She said his name was Randall Davis. That he blamed her father for a business deal that went bad."

"I don't understand if this man shot the Raggers – who shot him?"

"Calleigh checked out the bodies. She said it was possible that Ragger managed to shoot Davis before he died."

A tender kiss found its way to his temple. "Okay Marshal. What's the problem?"

Matt pulled her closer taking a moment to let his lips enjoy hers before answering her question. "No problem – I was just thinking." He paused, taking refuge in her compassionate eyes. "Maybe if I had done something earlier – at the Long Branch. I should have arrested him then."

"For what?!" Kitty pushed herself back in his arms. "Matt Dillon don't you dare try to take the blame for this. The minute that man stepped foot in Dodge, the Ragger family was doomed."

Matt knew that tone. Kitty would not allow anyone to cast aspersions on her husband's character. Even if he were the offender. He let his fingers sweep down the side of her cheek. "I love you Kitty Dillon."

"Do you think you can back up those words Marshal?" Kitty slipped from his lap and stood beside the chair tugging gently on his hands. He accepted her challenge and followed her back to their bed.

In the quiet of the room with only the muted light of the moon as a witness, the lovers took comfort in one another. Soft shadows played against the mirror across the room that possessively guarded their reflection as they lovingly touched and explored each other.

Safely tucked away in the glass was the image of his powerful physique towering over her delicate frame. She arched upward, her hands stroking his back, eagerly offering herself as he entered her body. They moved together, slowly, relishing the sensation of skin touching skin. The intimacy of their bodies joined as one. Even as the pair drew closer to the climax, the ever vigilant looking glass guarded their secret.

While it could only protect the image, it elicited the help of the cool night air to safeguard the private utterances. The breeze is possessive in its duty to gently absorb the soft moans and whispers of the lovers.

Ultimately, the moon stepped in to offer a modicum of privacy as the couple reach their pinnacle and hold tight to each other. It slowly drifts behind a cloud lovingly shielding the lovers in a heart of darkness.