The way Kitty had printed 'Kit' on her note jolted Matt's memory.

Many years before, just days after he and Kitty had given voice to their feelings for each other, he had to leave town. He wanted to return with a gift, but was at a loss about what to buy. Clothes were out of the question. He didn't know how to buy clothes for a woman. It wasn't the right time for jewelry, he was saving up to buy her something nice. He wandered around Topeka hoping for inspiration and found himself in a place called, The Emporium. As soon as he walked in, a beautiful maple box caught his eye.

The proprietor, a wizened old man with knowing smile bustled over. "Sonny, that's a finely made box, and a bargain at $2. I'll tell you something else, if it's for a special lady I can make it even better. Ladies loved to see things made personal. I can carve her name on top real pretty for just a nickel a letter."

After a quick calculation Matt figured he had just enough money, and handed over $2.25. "All right, her name is Kitty."

The old-timer pulled a carving knife from his pocket and began. The letter 'K' went quickly and was big and nice looking. The 'i' went slower, and slower still 't'. The man stopped and mopped his brow, "The letter 't' is sure tough. I'll have to charge 25 cents for the second one, and now that I think of it, the letter 'y' is mighty hard. It will cost a you dollar."

Matt was peeved, "You said a nickel a letter."

The man shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry sonny, I didn't calculate how hard those particular letters are." He wiped his brow again.

Matt was out of money. He knew he couldn't force the man to finish the work or do it well, so he picked up the box. "I'll take it as is, but you owe me 10 cents. I paid 25 cents for 5 letters and you only carved 3."

The old geezer looked at Matt with dead seriousness. "Sonny, I clean forgot to mention. It's an extra 10 cents for me to use a carving knife."

Matt stormed out upset with himself for being taken in, and distressed that he didn't have a decent gift for Kitty.

When he got home, as much as he wanted to show Kitty he'd been thinking about her, he hesitated to give her a box carved with just the first 3 letters of her name.

She knew immediately something was up, "Cowboy, you've got something to tell me, don't you?"

He'd already learned there was no point in trying to hide anything from her, so he sheepishly handed Kitty the box and explained what had happened.

She laughed merrily and looked into his eyes, "Matt, I love this box. Not only is it beautiful, but a gift that comes with a story is a special thing."

Coming back to the present, Matt stared at the note. Kitty had printed 'Kit' exactly the way it was carved into that box.

He shakily got up from his knee. His wound was throbbing so painfully he could barely breath. He sat on the side of Kitty's bed to pull himself together. He had to find the box. With more fervor than he'd felt in a while, he pushed himself to his feet, and started searching. He opened every drawer, looked under every piece of furniture, moved curtains – nothing.

He walked into the water closet that held the oversized tub Kitty had purchased many years before. The room looked bare. There was nothing in or under the tub, and the towel shelves were empty. He was starting to think he was wrong about the connection between the note and the box, when he saw Kitty's blue terry cloth robe on a hook behind the door. He was flooded with feelings. He'd held that robe open for her countless times as she stepped out of the bath – hair damp, skin wet and glistening. He'd wrap the robe around her and press her shivering body close while relishing the scent of lilac soap. Filled with those sensations, he lifted the robe from its hook. It was strange that Kitty had left it behind. It couldn't be an accident. He searched the pockets and his heart jumped. The box was there. He opened it and saw a note.

Dear Matt,

I knew you'd find the box. I have to explain about David. When he came to Dodge I and everyone else, found him charming. I had drinks and meals with him for fun, but with the thought that I couldn't wait for you to meet him. Then he got serious and became obsessed with me. He asked me to marry him, and when I turned him down used blackmail. David's men, Billy and Greg, work for the Ronnigers, and will harm them if I don't marry him. I know what David and his friends are capable of. Bess thought it was an accident when her husband John broke his leg. It was no accident. It was a warning to me. There are two other men. I don't know their names, but they are both dark-haired and muscular. I figured they were spying on me for David, so I played the loving fiancé at all times. I was afraid they'd hurt someone if I didn't. I'm marrying David so no harm comes to the Ronnigers or anyone one else. I hope to find a way out of this, if not now, someday. Whatever happens, know that I love you and only you. Kitty

.

Kitty

A number of hours into their drive to St. Louis, David decided a lunch break was in order and set out a picnic. While he and Kitty were munching on chicken, he told her about the time he got off a train with the wrong suitcase. He'd opened it at a business meeting expecting to find legal documents, and instead treated his business associates to the sight of a woman's undergarments. The story and telling were so amusing that Kitty had to laugh. She studied David. He was good looking, charming and apparently quite well off. Surely he couldn't have trouble finding a woman to marry. She didn't underestimate herself. She knew men found her attractive, but when she showed no interest or turned them down they ended their pursuit. David was different. He was desperate, but why?

They finished their meal and Kitty stood, "David, I have to go relieve myself. I'll be right back."

David smiled, "Of course my dear. Don't be long. I don't want to have to worry about you."

Kitty went off into a grove of trees. She was crouched behind a big oak tree doing her business, while a few yards away David packed the picnic basket and blanket into the carriage. She wished she could run away, but knew that if she did David would get word to Billy and Greg, and at least one of the Ronnigers would be harmed. There were also those two men who'd been watching her. She didn't know what they'd do if she didn't marry David. She remembered the way one of them had struck a match against the side of the Long Branch and held it in the air, as if deciding what to set on fire. He'd merely lit his pipe, but she could picture him setting a building in flames.

Still pondering her situation, she stood and brushed off her skirt. She heard a noise and called out, "David, I'll be right there."

"It isn't David."

She turned and was stunned to see the dark haired man she'd just been thinking about. Instead of holding a match, he was pointing a gun. Out of nowhere she felt an arm squeeze her neck from behind. She could barely breath. Without looking she knew it was the other dark haired man who'd been watching her in Dodge.

The man with the gun spoke, "Don't make a sound. You're coming with us."

Kitty couldn't have made a sound if she wanted to, and was totally confused. She'd been certain these men had been hired by David to spy on her. Why on earth were they kidnapping her?"

She heard David's voice from a short distance, "Kitty, dearest what's taking so long?

TBC