The cab carrying Kitty and David to Judge Hollis raced down the streets of St. Louis, weaving in and out of traffic at a furious pace. The driver had been promised double fare if he reached the destination within 15 minutes. He turned onto Watson Street so sharply that Kitty grabbed the side of the coach to stay in her seat. When they stopped in front of a fine stone building, the driver leaned back and smiled. They'd made it 12 minutes and not one second more. David quickly paid the driver and helped Kitty down. He knocked on the door impatiently and was about to knock again when the door swung open and a sweet-faced woman holding an infant smiled, "Hello, I'm Mrs. Hollis, you must be Mr. Miller and Miss Russell."

David stepped past the woman, pulling Kitty along, "Yes, yes and we're in a hurry."

Mrs. Hollis shook her head, "Ah, the impatience of love. Please follow me. My sister-in-law Claire and I will be witnesses. My husband has everything ready."

They were ushered into the judge's chambers. Kitty looked around and thought the heavy black drapes covering the windows, quite suitable for the occasion. Claire went to David and Kitty, "Let me introduce my brother, Judge Joshua Hollis."

A tall distinguished looking man with graying hair, a stylish mustache and piercing green eyes stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I understand that you are under time constraints, so we'll get started. First the paper work. I need you both to sign this document."

He indicated a legal form with a gold insignia that was lying on his desk. David quickly scribbled his signature and gave the pen to Kitty. She dipped it in the ink well, and slowly and carefully wrote her name, as if taking her time could forestall the inevitable.

When she finished, Judge Hollis took the pen, "Now I need the two witnesses to sign." Claire and Mrs. Hollis quickly obliged.

The judge smiled warmly at the couple, "I will sign when the ceremony is over. Then everything will be legal and official. Now, some couples like special vows, prayers, or poems along with the official words. Do you two have anything like that in mind?"

Before Kitty could speak David answered, "No, let's get started."

"All right. First of all, if anyone here can show just cause why this couple cannot be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

He waited a second and continued, "David repeat after me: I David Miller, take you Kitty Russell to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, til death do we part."

David repeated the words but in his mind replaced, "til death do we part" with "in six months do we part."

It was Kitty's turn. She repeated the words softly and dutifully.

The judge put his hands on theirs, "By the authority vested in me by the state of Missouri, I pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled, "You may kiss the bride."

David kissed Kitty, and the judge put his signature on the marriage certificate. He rolled up the document and handed it to David, "Congratulations."

With the certificate in his hand, David took Kitty's arm. "We must go my dear."

Suddenly, the door burst open. Matt stormed in, "Kitty, the Ronnigers are safe." Doc stood beside him.

Kitty gasped and David quickly realized who it was. "You're too late marshal. I'm married to Kitty."

"No you're not."

David looked over. Claire had spoken. She, the judge and Mrs. Hollis were wearing gleeful grins. Claire continued, "Kitty, I knew something was wrong, something you couldn't talk about, so I came up with a plan." She raised her voice, "Josh, you can come out now."

A side door opened and a short man with dark blond hair and light brown eyes walked in. His resemblance to Claire was uncanny. Claire put an arm around him, "This is my brother Josh, Judge Joshua Hollis. The man who performed the marriage doesn't have any authority vested in him by any state. He's my brother's friend and barber, Jackson Jones. Jackson also created the so-called legal document everyone signed. His artwork is quite nice."

Kitty's face registered shock, joy and then slight annoyance, "Claire, just when were you going to reveal all this?"

"Kitty you know I play a mean game of poker. I trusted that the right time to show my hand would come, and it did."

Purple with rage, David screamed loudly, "NO." He whipped out his gun. It went off into the floor and everyone, including David, jumped back in surprise. Quickly regaining his composure David waved the gun around threateningly.

Matt could tell he didn't know how to handle the weapon, making him in some ways more dangerous than a pro.

David smirked, "Good, I have your attention. Kitty, get over here. Judge Hollis you will marry us now."

"He certainly will not."

All eyes turned towards the voice. A man stood in the doorway with Harry and Nigel. David's eyes widened in surprise. Kitty and Matt blurted out, "Calvin Barker?"

Barker nodded. "David, put that ridiculous gun away. You lost the bet. You cheated by blackmailing Kitty into agreeing to marry you."

David waved his gun at Calvin, "I cheated? You're the one who cheated. You hired two men to spy on Kitty and interfere when she fell in love with me."

"I did not fall in love with you David and you know it."

"Oh shut up Kitty. I've never met such a bossy woman in my life."

David trained his gun on Calvin, "I'll have to shoot you. At this point it seems the best way to get full ownership of our gambling empire."

Calvin put up a hand, "David, don't do anything rash."

David shifted his grip on the gun and Matt saw opportunity. With one fluid motion he stepped between the men, grabbed David's gun with his left hand and back handed him with his right. David went flying, slammed against the wall, and fell to the floor.

Jaws dropped and everyone stared at David's crumbled body. Claire turned her attention to Matt. She watched him go Kitty, take her hands, look into her eyes and whisper something for her ears only. Kitty's face lit up with love and joy, making a beautiful woman even more glorious to behold. Claire smiled tenderly. So much love had been conveyed by so little.

David Miller blinked and looked around. He tried to ignore the staring faces, and made an attempt to look dignified as he struggled to his feel. He staggered over to Matt, "I want my gun back."

Matt looked him up and down, "Miller, I'd love to give it to you, because the way you handle the thing you're sure to shoot yourself in the foot, but I'm keeping it.

Judge Hollis laughed, "Marshal what do you think Miller should be charged with?"

"Well your honor, blackmail and kidnapping to start with. Kitty will be the one pressing charges."

Kitty's eyes rested on Matt. She could see that his wound was still painful, and one look at his drawn and tired face told her there was more, much more. She wanted to be done with David Miller and focus on the man who mattered to her. "Judge Hollis, if my understanding of that bet is correct, David has lost everything to Calvin. Maybe that is punishment enough."

Calvin laughed, "It's true David. You didn't marry her so that gambling empire is now mine alone. Of course, it would be cruel to leave you penniless on the streets of London." He tossed a coin to the floor, "Here's $10."

Judge Hollis nodded, "All right, I'll go along with it. Mr. Miller, there's one more provision. Leave the United States now and never return. If you do, you'll do jail time."

David scowled, but hurriedly picked up the coin and scurried out the door. Calvin followed close behind.

Judge Hollis looked at the Kitty, "What about Nigel and Harry?"

Kitty gave them a crooked smile, "Well, they didn't really harm anyone. I say the same for them. Go and don't come back."

The judge nodded and the two men raced out after Calvin, Nigel calling, "Calvin, Calvin you owe us money. We stopped the wedding."

The judge looked around the room at smiling and relieved faces, "Well, this has been quite an adventure. Please allow me to treat you all to lunch. There's a fine restaurant directly across the street."

As everyone filed out, Doc got close to Kitty and whispered, "We have to talk about Matt." She whispered back, "I know."

TBC