Matt woke as the first rays of sunlight shined into the small hotel room. He looked at the sleeping woman in his arms, and was filled with love and gratitude. Not wanting her sleep to be disturbed, he carefully extracted himself from her embrace. With one arm across his tender abdomen, he got to his feet and walked across the room to draw the curtains closed.
Just seconds later Kitty turned over and yawned sleepily, "How are you feeling Cowboy?"
He looked up from buttoning his shirt, surprised she was awake, "Better than I have in a while. How about you?"
Kitty smiled and got out of bed, "That goes for me too." She dressed and bushed her hair, while watching Matt. His wound did seem little less sore, but the dark regret and sadness surrounding him were palpable. He sat down and struggled with his boots. She helped him tug them on and kissed him tenderly, "Let's go have breakfast, then I believe you have some messages to send."
They met Doc and went to a nearby cafe. With an eye on the clock, Matt wolfed down breakfast and stood. "The telegraph office should be opening now. Doc, Kitty will explain."
The telegraph operator had just opened up and was barely seated when Matt walked in with a list of names and towns. The operator frowned, "All of these?"
"Yep, and as fast as you can tap them out."
The same message was going to every sheriff in Kansas: Need information on woman making inquires about missing teenage son named Charles. Matt Dillon US Marshal
Before the last wire was sent, a response came from the sheriff of Glen Oaks Kansas. Know woman. Mary Croft. Resides north side of Glen Oaks.
Matt grabbed the message and walked back to the restaurant as fast as his aching gut allowed. Doc and Kitty were still there, deep in conversation. When they saw Matt they knew he had news. He answered before they asked, "I have a name and town for Charlie's mother. I can deliver the note. Kitty, would you come with me? If I can find a couple of decent horses and a carriage, we can be there in 6 or 7 hours."
Relief rolled over Kitty when she heard Matt's news, "Of course I'll come, and I know where we can get a carriage and some fine horses."
Doc stood, "Matt, once you deliver that note, I hope you'll see some things differently. I'll go ahead get the noon train to Dodge. I've got patients to get back to." Before he left, he kissed Kitty's cheek and whispered, "I know one patient who's in good hands."
Kitty led Matt to the stable next to the St. Louis Grand and looked around. She saw the very groom that David had turned his carriage and horses over to, and walked over. "Good morning, I'm Kitty Russell. You might remember me. Mr. Miller and I arrived at the Grand Hotel and turned our rig over to you. I'll like to take it now. Of course I'll pay for the two days of boarding."
The groom did remember her. He'd been struck by her beautiful eyes and red hair, "Of course, I'll get it hitched up."
Before long Matt and Kitty sat side by side in the fancy carriage. Matt didn't move to take the reins and seemed deep in thought. Kitty gave him a puzzled look, but he was staring straight ahead. After a minute he pulled his badge from his pocket, looked at it for a few second and pinned it to his shirt. "I guess I should wear it for this."
He picked up the reins and started for Glenn Oaks. The horses clopped along and after few minutes Matt glanced at Kitty, "This carriage is sure fancy and the horses are first rate. What are you going to do with them?"
"Matt, they aren't really mine, they're David's."
"Well I imagine Miller has a lot more on his mind right now than his carriage and horses."
Kitty shrugged and they rode along making casual conversation. There was a moment of silence and Kitty decided to dive into what was really on her mind, "Matt, Doc's worried that you'll turn in your badge over shooting Charlie."
Matt snorted, "Worried? I've figured for a time now Doc wouldn't mind it one bit if I quit my job."
"That's because he thinks that you've given enough. He's the one who's been digging bullets out of you, seeing you exhausted and pulling you through fevers."
Matt sighed, "Him and you Kitty, him and you."
She ignored the statement, "Matt, when you take off the badge, Doc wants it to be for the right reasons."
"Kitty, who's to say what the right reasons are?"
He pointed to a faint but legible sign, "There's Glen Oaks, let's look for a house."
They soon came upon a weather beaten house and small barn, the only structures for miles around. Matt pulled to a stop. A scrawny mule stood in a small corral and a couple of chickens pecked the ground. Nearby, carrots, beets and not much else were growing in a small garden. Matt looked toward the house. A step leading up to the porch was badly broken and he had an overwhelming desire to fix it. Up on the porch, he spotted a rag doll on a chair. He wondered how old Charlie's sisters were, and if they'd remember him when they grew up.
Kitty waited patiently for Matt to gather his thoughts. She felt him steel himself. "I'd better go knock on the door."
"Do you want me to come?"
He thought about it. On one hand Charlie's mother might wonder why a marshal brought a woman along, then again she might take comfort from a woman."
Finally he nodded, "I'd appreciate it."
They walked up the steps to the porch, careful to avoid the broken one. Kitty stood back as Matt knocked. A thin woman in her mid 30's opened the door. 2 small girls stood beside her. The older girl, who looked about 5, suddenly grinned, "There's Dolly. She's such a silly thing. She stayed outside when we came in." All eyes followed the child as ran onto the porch, lovingly scooped up her doll and returned to her mother's side.
The woman gently smiled at her two girls, "Go inside and play with Dolly. Mama has to talk to our visitors." She'd noticed Matt's badge and was filled with dread.
The girls cheerfully ran inside. Kitty couldn't help but notice that the older girl's clothes were too small, and the younger one's full of patches.
With her children out of hearing the woman spoke, "I'm Mary Croft. This is about Charlie isn't it?"
Matt knew he had to be direct, "I'm Marshal Matt Dillon. I'm sorry to have to tell you that your son is dead. I'm the one responsible."
Mary looked up at him, "US Marshals don't go around killing teenage boys for no reason." She let out a painful sigh and shook her head, "Charlie had a wild streak. When his dad was around - well he knew how to kinda settle the boy down. Once Pete was dead, I couldn't get Charlie to listen. Marshal, what happened?"
"He robbed a bank and wounded three people. I tracked him, and when I found him he started shooting. I - I shot back. I'm sorry."
Mary Croft nodded, her bottom lip quivered and her body stiffened as she tried to keep herself together.
Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out Charlie's note. "I found this. It's to you from Charlie."
She read her son's words and blinked back tears, "It's a comfort knowing he sent me his love, no matter what he did. Marshal, I'll treasure this for the rest of my days. I thank you from deep in my heart, for coming way out here to bring it to me." She pressed her lips together, "Please excuse me, I have to tend to my girls."
No longer able to contain her tears she slipped inside and closed the door.
Matt didn't move until Kitty gently took his arm and led him down the stairs. He turned and stared at the broken step. Kitty's voice was thick with emotion, "Go ahead and fix it Matt."
His voice broke in a way that tore at Kitty's heart, "It's just that the little girls could fall and get hurt. Children shouldn't be hurt."
Kitty spoke gently, "I know Matt, I know." She helped him find some tools. He sawed a plank of wood and carefully hammered it into place across the broken step.
After making sure the step was steady, he turned and walked away without a word. Kitty followed close behind. He helped her up into the carriage and they headed home to Dodge.
TBC