Authors note below

Kitty stood on the train platform, wringing her hands this way and that as her restlessness grew into anxiousness. She began to pace back and forth wondering if the train would ever get there. But as soon as the thought escaped from her mind a train whistle blew off in the distance. Kitty smiled at herself, she felt like a young schoolgirl who knew better. Trains always seemed to be late, especially when you were waiting for someone. She had a mixture of excitement and fear that washed over her as the train came into view.

Kitty's heart was racing like a stampede of horses, for it took everything in Kitty to keep herself grounded to the platform. But before she could even change her mind and run, the train came to a standstill.

The train station was now crowded with families, businessmen, and people just trying to get to the next train. Kitty searched the crowd a few times looking at the men who passed by her. They were all too short, too round, too tall, too skinny, or businessmen.

Kitty let out a long sigh, "Where are you, Matt?"

She looked one last time, and her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Matt Dillon stepping down off the train. Kitty stepped off the platform and walked towards him making sure she kept him in her sights. She didn't want to lose him again, at least not this time.

Matt watched as the sea of people were busy running back and forth going about their day. It was dark out and yet everyone had places they had to be. He sighed, forgetting how big of a city St. Louis was.

He was thankful for the lampposts so it could give light in the darkness. He was also grateful for his height so he could see over the crowd as his eyes darted back and forth in search of Kitty. Matt smiled when he saw her, she had a warm smile on her face. He was so busy dodging around people that he hadn't noticed she was gone, that was until he felt two slender arms wrapped around him from behind.

"I almost thought you'd never get here."

Matt chuckled when he recognized that voice. He gently took a hold of the arms that were wrapped around him and brought the woman around to face him. He looked at Kitty, her smile was like the sun that shined on a warm spring day, kissing his face, and warming everything it touched. Her eyes, they shined like stars in the night sky, and as blue as a lake on a hot summer's day. He could easily lose himself in her beauty. Matt pulled her into a warm embrace. He held her tightly, but gently, cradling her head, letting his fingers touch her flaming red locks that were as soft a silk.

"I-I I've missed you, Kit."

Kitty was caught up in the moment and made no response, for she had forgotten the feel of his strong arms holding her tight, she had seen these arms almost break a man's neck, but here they were so gentle as they held her close, safe, and as though she were made of glass. For she never wanted this moment to end. She was afraid if she did say anything that it might end everything. So, she did the only thing she could think of, that was to hold on to him a little tighter.

Matt rubbed her back, "Kitty, Kitty, darlin, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you."

Kitty looked down and realized that she was holding him tighter than she thought and relaxed. He only smiled, and he kissed the crown of her head and breathed in her scent, all the memories of her wearing it, came flooding back to him. The late-night buggy rides, moonlight walks out in the countryside, and everything in between even when they first met. All because of the smell of her perfume.

Kitty could only smile, as she heard his heart racing, and his steady breathing, she was sure he was reminiscing. But her mind was not there, she was thinking on what was going to happen, when and how she would tell Matt the truth about the girls.

Matt felt her tense up as she let out a long sigh. He gently pulled away from her and looked into her eyes, "Sweetheart, what's wrong? Is it something I did or forgot to do?"

Kitty laughed and smiled. In the twenty years of being together and knowing each other they sure acted like a married couple. She shook her head,

"No, Cowboy, no you did not I-I'm ... I mean I was just thinking we..."

She stopped and sighed in frustration she couldn't find the words she wanted to say. She looked back up at Matt. He was just so patient with her, he had a smile on his face. She looked into his eyes, there was love for her, just like always.

Kitty reached up and touched his face. His temples were starting to turn a light shade of salt and pepper. She then gently traced his face where new wrinkles had appeared. Kitty smiled, for she didn't mind either of them for they both added to his charm. It showed that he laughed, smiled, and was a diligent worker.

But the thing she missed most was his blue eyes, she looked deep into them. They were as blue as the sky. When he smiled, she could still see the love that he had for her, along with his charming twinkle he'd get when he was up to something. Yes, Matt Dillon was older, but he would and always will be her knight and shining armor. But no amount of gray hairs or wrinkles could change that, they only enhanced it.

Matt caught her hand and held on to it before she had a chance to move it. He had forgotten how soft her hands were. He kissed her hand but didn't let go. He thought about how those hands of hers could deliver a slap that left a sting like a bee and yet be gentle as silk the next. He then looked deep into her eyes, there was so much that could be said with just a look. One minute they could be dancing, and twinkling like the stars in the heavens, the next minute they were like a late Kansas summer storm with heavy wind, rain, thunder, lightning, and a tornado rolling through all at once.

But once the storm rolled through, her eyes where bright as diamonds once again and her smile shined like the sun.

Matt's eyes wondered about Kitty's face, he noticed how beautiful she was. He couldn't quite place it, but she seemed younger somehow. She was wearing little to no makeup, but that never mattered to him. Her hair was half up with the rest cascading down her back. She was wearing her lace blouse, with a dark skirt, and with a cape that came down to the tips of her fingers.

Matt found it hard to swallow the lump in his throat, he could only blink for her beauty was breath taking.

Kitty cleared her throat,

"Matt, I think we should be going, don't you?"

But he gave no response, she only smiled and did the only thing she could do, to gain his attention. Kitty stood up on her tip toes, pressing her lips against his for a kiss. He obliged her by deepening the kiss.

Many on lookers would smile when they saw the couple kissing, assuming it was the reuniting of a husband and wife that had been parted for a long time. But no one seemed to mind. It was a romantic setting with the glow from the lampposts, the steam of the train and being in a loved one's arms was enough to make any couple want to linger and steal a kiss or two.

When they finally pulled away from each other, Matt looked at Kitty, he could see the smile that danced in her eyes. "Were-were you asking me something?"

"Yeah, I did but that was before we were kissing."

A splash of redness creeped up along Matt's neck and into his face,

"Golly, that long ago?"

Kitty could now see the twinkle in his eyes and his boyish grin that played upon his face, "Come on, Cowboy, we better get going, or the sunrise is going to beat us back to the house."

Matt could only chuckle as he looked up at the sky, it was still dark yet, and the sun wouldn't be up for another hour. But the rate they were moving, she was right. It wasn't getting any warmer standing out there in the elements. A warm fireplace and some hot coffee would sound good right about now.

He puffed up his chest, tugged on his jacket, and deepened his voice a little,

"Well, Ma'am if you will show me the way to your buggy."

"Oh, Matt!" Kitty laughed, "come on, Cowboy."

She said playfully tapping his shoulder as she took a hold of his hand. He could only laugh as he followed her lead.

Soon they came to the buggy where a palomino was hitched up. Matt helped Kitty climb in, then after he put his bags in the back, he climbed in beside her, and she handed him the rains.

"Here you go Matt, but there is one thing I must tell you. Be gentle with Sunshine, she takes a soft hand."

There was a twinkle in Matt's eye as he looked at her,

"Kitty you know I always have soft hands when it comes to horses and..."

She looked over at him, waiting for him to finish what he started to say.

He could feel Kitty's stair, he thought for a moment before continuing.

"Uh, you."

He smiled. Kitty laughed as he put his arm around her once again.

"Good choice in words, there cowboy."

It was then Sunshine let out a whinny in agreement, the couple let out a laugh as they left the station.

Matt could only smile, as he had everything, he ever wanted in the world sitting wrapped up in his arms right now.

The brisk fall morning had a touch of winter's chill in the air, making it perfect to be snuggled up in each other's arms as they road home. Neither of them spoke but being wrapped up in each other's arms said more than words could ever say.

Sunshine took them home, He smiled as he looked at the house and then he saw the dog that was laying on the porch. Lady let out a bark when she saw Matt getting out of the buggy, but once she saw Kitty, Lady came racing to the pathway to say hello.

Matt was a little taken back but not surprised at the sight of a dog.

"Who's this?"

"This is Lady, she..." Kitty stopped, she realized what she was about to say, "She-She's a collie."

Matt nodded, "I see. She's a beautiful dog. Does she belong to you?"

Kitty's eyes darted a way, "somewhat."

"Not really, she just a companion to whoever's in the house, Sarah or I."

"Uh-huh." Matt only nodded, he squatted down for Lady to sniff him. She started at the feet, then moved to his legs, smelled his jacket, sniffed his hand, and turned around and licked his face. Letting Kitty know she approved of him, then it was all tail wags, wiggles, and belly rubs. When Matt stood back up, then Lady leaned on him wanting a good old ear scratch. He reached down and obliged the dog; she was leaning so hard that if he would have stopped, she would have fallen over.

Kitty only laughed as she watched the scene unfold, Lady wasn't one to take to men so quickly. But she liked Matt, and with good reason. It made Kitty's heart leap for joy, maybe things won't be as bad as she thought after all.

Once Lady was content with her ear scratch she raced over to a pile of wood and came back with a stick and dropped it at Matt's feet.

Matt looked at her, then the stick. "Well, what am I to do with it?"

Lady glanced to the yard and back at him and she whimpered. He chuckled, "Alright. Go, get it!"

Kitty laughed as she watched Matt, he was like a little boy that was playing with his puppy dog. "Matt, looks like you have a new four-legged friend."

Matt smiled with a mile long grin as he picked up the stick and tossed it again, "It looks like I did."

Kitty was now standing on the porch as she was watching the sun come up, it was beautiful, but this sight was more than enough to take her breath away. Her arms were crossed as she was leaning against a post.

"Matt, you do realize that uh, Lady is going to have you out here, playing that game for hours. Right?"

He had a boyish grin on his face as he looked up at her from the porch, "Yeah, I guess I kind of did that to myself." he laughed. "I guess I better go take care of the horse before I'm stuck out here."

"Oh, don't worry cowboy, she'll just follow you. But that just means she likes you."

Matt through his head back and laughed, "Well, what can I say I'm a charming cowboy"

Kitty only laughed, "I'm going to fix us some breakfast well you take care of the animals."

Matt nodded, "Sounds good to me, I haven't had one of your meals in a long time. I'll be waitin."

He leaned in for a kiss. But Lady jumped up to kiss him instead of Kitty, the look of disgust was on his face as Kitty was laughing. It was music to his ears. But the tase in his mouth was of grass mixed with dog slobber. "Thanks, Lady, but you were not the one I wanted to kiss." He took his bandana to wipe his face while he walked out the gate, Lady followed him making sure he didn't get lost.

With hope in her heart, Kitty went in to fix breakfast.

Thank you, everyone, that has messaged me and wondering how I have been doing. I have been doing well, not that I wanted to take the long break, but I was dealing with a lot of personal things, and taking a step back from it all was the best thing to do. Some of as well it was, I had a rude troll/guest that was being rude too. So, all comments are filtered from here on out.

Where I come from, if you can't say anything nice you don't say anything at all, and guests are always nice. So, if you're rude your comments are deleted.

Anyway, I know it's been a long wait for this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it, the next one will be next week! Love you all, see you soon!