Chapter Three
Matt had grown thin while confined to bed at Doc's, and walked slower than usual to the marshal's office. "You should oughter wear a sling for your shoulder, Mr. Dillon, like Doc told you," said Chester, walking beside Matt.
"Doc said that because people shot in the shoulder wear a sling," said Matt. "The wound's most healed; it won't mend any faster with my arm tied up. The hole in my side was a lot worse, and Doc didn't say anything about puttin' my leg in a sling."
Unable to follow the drift of Matt's answer, Chester let it go. "Rush'll maybe wake afore too long," he said. "He slept through Polk's body bein' carried out, and me scrubbin' the blood off the jail floor. Didn't stir at all."
"I wanna talk to Rush about this letter from headquarters," said Matt. "I had nothin' to do but think layin' abed at Doc's. Rush and I may not see eye to eye, and he can be insolent, but he gets the job done."
"He don't bother me much," said Chester. "It eases me, he didn't die from that throttlin' Polk give him."
Rush still slept when they reached the office. Matt looked down at him a moment, then lay a hand on his shoulder. Rush's eyes slitted open. "Matt," he said huskily, and coughed.
"How's the gullet," said Matt, smiling a little.
"Sore." Rush looked at the marshal's hand on his shoulder, then his dark eyes clouded in suspicion and he frowned quizzically at Matt. "Why're you actin' neighborly of a sudden," said Rush. Chester approached with a dipper of water, and the deputy sat up. "Thanks," he said, and drank thirstily.
Matt sat on the end of the bed, and Chester sat at the table. "I got a letter from headquarters, Rush," said Matt.
"I know," said Rush. "I got one, too. I requested the transfer. Fort Worth is good as anywhere for reassignment. I'm ridin' out soon's I pack up my gear, Matt. You wanted to get shet of me from the start, so you're gettin' your wish."
"Well, you bluster fierce, Rush," said Matt. "But you ran the town and kept order while I was laid up. I was hopin' you might change your mind. Stay here in Dodge."
"I don't understand," said Rush. "Why're you takin' kindly to me now?"
"I figure if Chester saved your life, you must be worth havin' around," said Matt.
"That's what Chester meant by doin' something shocking to win your acceptance," said Rush. He rubbed a brown hand through his curling dark hair. "I was thinkin' a gunfight or somewhat, not most getting killed making a fool of myself."
Matt frowned and looked at Chester. "I don't know where Chester came up with that," said the marshal.
"I calculated it for truth at the time, Mr. Dillon," said Chester defensively.
"I pondered on whether to stay in Dodge after I got the transfer letter to Fort Worth," said Rush. "But I'm leaving, Matt. Howsoever I know this town would respect me now you take to me. If Dodge shunned me, I'd burn it to the ground before I let 'em run me outa town. I'd make folks take notice of me, then I'd drop my pants in their faces, throw the badge in the dirt and let water on it. No how I'd let 'em send me to Coventry." Rush was feeling het up, the heat rising through his chest from a tight knot in his belly.
Though he couldn't make sense of the talk, Chester leaned forward in his chair, raptly listening to the deputy's harangue.
The marshal looked at Rush like he'd gone lunatic. "Send you to Coventry," said Matt, smiling.
"You can't deny this town did it before," said Rush. "To a speculator. The man was found on the prairie crushed by a tree branch."
"I recollect it," said Chester. "No one said naught to him, nor to ourselves when he was around, so as he'd leave town. Not one body give him a look."
"Rush," said Matt. "That man was a cheat and a murderer. No one saw him do it, so he was acquitted. The only way to get his carcass out of Dodge was to ignore him. And the town did that to a man just one time."
"Sounds mighty hard, no matter," said Rush. "A hanging by mob vote'd be more of a mercy, seems to me."
"They wouldn't have shunned you that way, Rush," said Matt. "They're like other people. You meet a friend or two by chance in any town if you're lucky, and the rest of 'em might say howdy on a sunny day. The only men I trust in Dodge are Chester and Doc. I'm not so sure with you yet, but I could sure use your help."
"I wouldn't be much use to you now," said Rush. "on account of the pretty blue eyes of a woman. I'm guessin' her heart is yours, so I can't stay."
"Kitty?" said Matt.
Rush nodded, sighing. "I wish I could see her just once more."
"Why don't ya," said Matt.
Watching the men and gals, Kitty stood at the end of the bar. Rush moved to her and took off his hat. "Miss Kitty," he said.
"Hello, Rush," said Kitty.
"I come to say good-bye," said Rush. "I'm taking a post in Fort Worth."
"Oh," said Kitty. "Well, good luck."
"Thanks. Miss Kitty, Matt said I could say good-bye to you," said Rush.
Gazing into his eyes, Kitty understood. She'd seen the look many times. She touched a hand to each of his cheeks and kissed him. "Good-bye, Rush," she said.
"Bye, Miss Kitty." He put on his hat, and Kitty watched him walk slowly across the Long Branch and through the batwings. He wanted to glance back at her, but forced himself to look ahead. Rush mounted his horse and rode down Front Street, out of Dodge and onto the prairie.