PT.3

Sitting quietly at her desk, going over orders for her next shipment, trying to balance the books, Kitty realized she had read the same lines several times. Exhaling, removing her lorgnettes and rubbing her hands over her face she then leaned back in the chair. Her mind wasn't on the task at hand, but rather the conversation she needed to have with Matt. She knew she couldn't put it off for long.

Just as she tried to go back to the book, a tap on the door interrupted her. Again it came. "Kitty? It's Matt. Can I come in?"

"It's open, Matt."

Opening the door, Matt stepped in. "Kit, can we talk? I know you're busy but…"

"No, no. It's alright. I'm not getting much done anyway. How about a drink?"

"Sure."

She poured him a drink, as she handed it to him, she looked him in the eye. "Where to this time? And how long?"

"Now, Kitty."

"Oh no, Matt." Now waving her hands up. "Remember, I know you all too well, Mister. And besides, I saw Festus hand you that wire. Go on, spill."

Now standing tossing his hat in his hands. "Kit, ummmm, that wire, it was from the warden at Leavenworth." Now Matt could see Kitty's face go pale.

"OH NO! Matt. NO!" Her breathing began to get heavier. "Matt?"

Quickly, he reached out grabbing her by both shoulders. "Kitty, I don't want you to worry." He could now feel her trembling as he pulled her close to him. "Kit, honey, listen to me. I'm gonna find…"

Shaking her head. "Not again. No, Matt. Not again!"

"Kit, I promise you… Kit, I want you to listen to me. I want you to leave here. You can't stay here in Dodge."

"But, Cowboy, I can't just..."

"Yes, Kitty, you can. Look, you can go to Jake's place. He has plenty of hands there you won't be alone."

Shaking her head. "Matt, no, we can't."

"Damn it, Kitty. Will you stop arguing with me and just do this for me? Please?"

"Matt, I need to tell you something. I wanted to tell you tonight but…" She paused. "I tried to tell you before all this happened, Cowboy."

"Kit, we can talk when I get back. Look, please. Just pack. Jake is coming and he'll take care of you." He quickly gave her a kiss. "I need to go. I'll see you when I get back."

"But, Matt, I… I… Matt? Please?"

"I know, Kit. I will." And he hurried out the door.

Kitty just collapsed to her knees with her hands over her face.

Matt rode out of Dodge determined to not let too much time get between Bonner and his escape. At this point, he still didn't have all the details from the warden on if he escaped alone or if any of the Dog Soldiers escaped with him. They were all still awaiting trial for what they had done to Kitty.

As asked, Jake rode into Dodge to escort Kitty out to his place. He and his hands all thought highly of Kitty and agreed they'd protect her. But when they arrived, Kitty refused to leave. So instead, Jake and his men refused to leave Dodge. They agreed to stand guard in Dodge. They were going to uphold their promise to Matt as was most of the men folk of Dodge. After all, it was Kitty who risked her life for them.

Doc made his way down to the Long Branch,wondering what was all the commotion. As he entered he saw Jake. "Well now! Howdy, Jake! What brings you in to town? it's not Saturday night."

"Hiya', Doc. Buy ya a beer, can I?"

"Sure can!"

When they sat at the table, Jake began to explain to Doc that he had promised Matt to take Kitty to his place but that she refused to go.

"Doc tugged his ear, sniffed then chuckled. "You'd think by now that over grown civil servant would know better than to try and tell that stubborn redhead what to do." He was now chuckling louder.

"That'll be enough out of you, Curly!" Kitty snapped back. "Look, both of you, all of you. I understand Matt's concern but I can't run and hide every time there's a threat."

"Now wait a minute, young lady. Jude Bonner isn't just any old threat. Or have you forgotten so soon?"

Now with both hands on her hip and her jaws tight. "Don't you get foxy with me, Curly."

"No. Now you listen to me. I worked damn hard to keep you alive and I don't want to have to do it again. And I don't want to lose you either. Now if Matt wants us to look out after you, by God that's what we're gonna do!" Then moving in closer, so that only she could hear. "And in light of our earlier conversation, there's more invested here. So just humor this ol' man."

Huffing out a breath. "Oh, alright. If you all insist on hanging around, I can't stop you. But I'm not going anywhere."

Doc pulled Kitty aside. "Honey, did you talk to our esteemed Marshal?"

Rolling her eyes. "I… I… I tried, Curly. But he just wouldn't listen. He was just in such a hurry to… Well, you know Matt. I guess I'll just have to wait till he gets back."

Several weeks went by. Kitty was beginning to worry. Every day she would question Festus and Newly about word from Matt. Doc was beginning to worry about the toll it was taking on her. She wasn't sleeping and she wasn't eating very well. She was beginning to feel sick and looking pale and drained.

Jake and his men took shifts staying in town so that there was always someone around to watch over her. Then, as one of the men headed into town, he came rushing in, yelling for Newly and Festus. As Newly, Festus and Jake rushed out of Matt's office; Jake's hand was standing there with the reins to Buck and holding Matt's hat, vest, badge and papers. The three men, saying nothing, just stared.

Buck pulled free, strolling over towards the Long Branch just as Kitty stepped out onto the boardwalk. Buck walked right up to her. Reaching her hand up to his nose and rubbing him. "Hey, Buck, ol' boy. How are ya? Did you and my Cowboy have a rough ride? Did you bring him home safe to me?"

Then she slowly looked around, realizing Matt was nowhere around. Quickly, her eyes locked onto the man holding Matt's hat, vest, badge and papers with a stiff expression. Slowly she walked over to him.

"Where is he?" When he didn't answer again she asked. "Where is he?"

"Don't know, Ma'am."

Then, in an angry yell, "NO! NO!"

Quickly Jake grabbed her by the shoulders. "Now, Miss Kitty. Let's not jump to any…"

"Jake Worth, don't you dare tell me what to jump to." Then she turned to the man holding Matt's things. "Where did you get Matt's things?"

"Well, Ma'am. I mean, Miss Kitty. I came across them out on the prairie. There was an old fella there he was…" Then he swallowed hard.

Furrowing her brow, "He was what?" She shouted.

"Well, Ma'am, he had just finished…" again he stopped.

"What?" She yelled again.

"Making a grave, Ma'am. I'm sorry to have to tell ya like this. I know how much the Marshal…"

Throwing up her hand. "Stop! NO! NO!" Then suddenly she collapsed.

"DOC! DOC! Somebody get Doc." Festus yelled out!

TBC