PT.6

Doc was sitting quietly, having breakfast at Delmonico's, reading the morning paper. Joe walked over to Doc. "Doc, can I fill that cup for you?"

Nodding his head, "Sure, Joe. Sounds good."

"Anything in that there paper, Doc? You seem real engrossed today."

"Nah, just staying busy that's all."

"Yeah, know what you mean. Sure ain't the same around here without the Marshal or Miss Kitty. But I guess, I can understand why she felt she had ta go."

"You do, do ya?" Doc replied.

"Yeah, too many ghosts. Her and the Marshal? Heck. For as much as they thought they were being discrete… Ahhh. Never mind!" And he just walked away.

Doc stood to leave and turned to see Barney rushing towards him. "Oh, Doc, there you are. This just come for you. It's from New Orleans, but it's not from Miss Kitty. It's from a Tess Warren."

Well, Barney, do you mind if I read it? Or are you gonna tell me what it says too?"

"Oh, sure. Here ya go."

Doc tore it open.

Doctor Galen Adams, Dodge City, Kansas

Dear Doctor Adams,

I'm Writing to let you know Kitty gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Grace Maria Dillon. Mother and daughter are doing fine physically.

Tess Warren

Doc smiled, shaking his head. "Well, I'll be. A baby girl." He wanted to shout from the roof top.

Out on the Prairie, Missouri

It was night fall, and a lone rider was setting up camp. It had been a long hard ride. He was tired. He decided he'd make camp. Starting a fire, he spread out a bed roll. It was a warm night. He could hear coyotes, but was so exhausted, he chose to ignore them. He just needed a few hours rest then he would resume his search for the man he had his mind on finding. He was hell bent on not giving up till he brought him in to hang. If it was the last thing he did.

The sun rose up early over the hill side, waking the rider who was feeling as though he had just laid his head down. But he was anxious to be up and on his way. Hoping he could track his prey.

His thoughts were torn between the woman he loved and knowing that she would be worried that he had been gone so long without a word. But he also knew he had to catch this animal before he could have the chance to get anywhere near her ever again.

Matt knew he had made her a promise that he would protect her at all costs. Jude Bonner would never hurt her again.

Matt knew he was so close to catching Bonner and that he could return to Dodge and positively tell Kitty she was safe from Bonner. This time, he was going to see to it that Bonner hanged or he would kill him with his own two hands.

New Orleans

Kitty worked out a schedule with Tess so that she could still do her accounting and books and have time with baby Grace. And in between, she hired on a woman for when she needed extra help, when the club was really busy.

There were now posters circulating all over for Jude Bonner, even as far as New Orleans. News had traveled that he was suspected in the murder of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon. Wanted Dead Or Alive!

One of the young girls, working for Tess, coming in the club, watched as a young boy was tacking them up on the street. When she read it, she asked him for one. She brought it to work with her.

As she came in, she saw Tess and Kitty sitting having coffee with the barkeeper and inquisitively, she asked, "Miss Kitty, you're from Dodge City, right?"

"That's right, Marcy. Why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering because ahhh your last name is Dil…"

"Go on. My last name is Dillon. Why?"

"Oh, it's just that... well, it's this poster the boy on the street is putting up." She was now waving it up in the air.

"Here, let me see that." Kitty said. Taking it from her, Kitty's eyes opened wide. She covered her mouth. "Oh my!"

"Kitty?" Tess began reaching out to touch her arm. "What is it?"

"Bonner. Bonner."

"Kitty? Who's Bonner?"

Tears filled her eyes. She began to tremble. "Oh, Tess. It's a long story."

"Honey, do you want to tell me about it?"

Nodding, "Well, it was about a little over a year ago. The Bonner brothers and a gang, the Dog Soldiers, they were wanted for brutal murders. Matt brought in the younger brother, Virgil, for trial and he was hung. So in retaliation, the older brother, Jude and the gang, came into Dodge, tore up the place. Kidnapped me. They tortured me something awful, brought me back and shot me in the street in front of the whole town. They left thinking he had killed me. Tess, I wanted to die. But I had to live for Matt and for Grace."

Tears were now streaming down her cheeks. "It's a wonder she survived. Doc was wonderful. He pulled us both through and Matt's strength and love. But he didn't even know about… I never got the chance to tell him about Grace. I was trying to tell him when he got the wire that Bonner escaped. Then he never came home. Then when Buck and his things were brought back into town… But, Tess, I still, in my heart…"

"What, Kitty?"

"I still feel like he's still here with me."

"Oh, Kitty. That's just your grief. It's gonna take time, honey."

"NO! Tess, I've known Matt Dillon a long time. I've loved that man better than half my life and I still feel him. I still feel him here with me. If he were truly gone, I'd know. I still feel his heart beating in mine. I know you think I'm crazy but I have to believe it. For Grace. And until I feel different…"

"Ok, Honey. Ok." Tess patted her arm. "Let me get you a drink."

"Marcy, throw that thing away. Will you?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Marcy crumbled the poster and tossed it.

TBC