Chapter 9- Them's Fightin' Words
A/N: A bonus chapter for a few very suppotive gals.
Matt and Festus slowly rode out of Dodge on Major and Ruth Jr., respectively. At two-thirty in the morning it was nearly pitch black, with the moon nothing more than a sliver to light the path of the two exhausted former lawmen.
"I ain't as young as I used t' be, Matthew. That thay're ride plum wore me out," Festus remarked as he led his mule further into the darkness.
"You're tellin' me. My back hurts and my knee is killin' me. I do believe that was my last posse ride," Matt sighed, his voice laced with sadness.
"Wael, I'm glad we was able t' help Newly catch those yayhoos, but I think we done need t' let him know we're formally out a th' law business."
"Agreed," Matt nodded.
The duo rode side-by-side in silence for a few minutes before Festus took advantage of the cover of darkness. He'd decided now was as good a time as any to broach a sensitive subject.
"Matthew," he sat up straight in his saddle, "ya know I love ya like a brother. Thayre's somethin' that's been botherin' me and I got t' git it offa m' chest."
"By all means, Festus, let's have it," Matt grimaced, bracing himself for God knows what.
Festus cleared his throat, "Wael, I know ya like Josiah Ritter an awful lot, but he's come t' rub me th' wrong way and I cain't help but feel that he ain't no good fer ya neither, Matthew."
The former marshal lowered his head, knowing that this conversation was indeed headed for some dangerous territory.
"Is that all? Cause I really don't think it's your place t' tell me who I should and shouldn't be friends with."
"I guess I really oughtta say it straight out," Festus took a deep breath, hoping he wouldn't lose his nerve, "I ain't gonna go out with Ritter no more, an' I don't think you oughtta, either. He don't think nothin' 'bout his missus when he's out in the saloons, takin' this woman or that up the stairs, or 'round back to the sportin' rooms-"
"I don't think what Ritter does is any of our business, Festus," Matt interrupted, shocked at his dear friend's bluntness, and nervous about where this conversation may be headed.
"What is m' business is when he sucks ya inta his nonsense. Ya'll may think I'm drinkin' too much an' not payin' attention when we're out, but that ain't so. I see how the gals at th' Bull's Head and Oasis look at ya. They think yer the prize bull at the county fair. That one gal, Suzy or Sandy or somethin' like that, likes t' sit in yer lap and th' night of Jeb's 'last fling', I seen what ya done, Matthew. And it was wrong…jus' plain wrong."
Matt's head snapped up as he tried to read the expression on his friend's face through the darkness. He barked, "What the hell do you think you saw, Festus?!"
"Ya know what I seen. Don't make me say it out loud," Festus whispered in the darkness.
"Say it!" the big man spat, pulling Major to a stop.
Festus turned Ruth, Jr. around and faced his best friend. He sighed, "I saw ya kissin' that young saloon gal by th' back door…when ya went t' get us another round a beers-"
"Now, Festus, come on! You know how those saloon women can be," Matt protested, hoping his friend would drop the subject.
"I do," he nodded, his one eye squinting, "but I done saw ya linger a little longer than ya should've and I seen where her hand was…"
"You're not my mother, so I think it best-"
The former deputy held up his hand, "I started this an' now I'm gonna finish it. I left after I seen her pull ya out the back door toward the sportin' rooms Clem's got behind his place. Miss Kitty questioned me when I got home an' I hated lyin' t' her. She's m' family, too. So, I done decided t' not go out with ya anymore if Ritter's goin'."
"Is that it?! Are you finished lecturing me now?!" Matt snapped.
"Yes'sir. I done said it all."
"If ya don't mind, I'd like t' get home to the family that you're so fond of," Matt urged Major to walk.
"You don't got nothin' t' say fer yerself? Nothin'?!" Festus curtly asked as Junior caught up to Major.
Matt bit his bottom lip, growling, "I'm really glad t' know that's what you think of me, Brother. Just goes t' show how little faith you have in me."
"You done let that gal drag ya out back-"
"Where I told her I needed t' leave. I waited out front for Ritter t' finish whatever he was doin' and then I headed home," the big man pushed his hat off his forehead, biting the inside of his cheek, "I know I shouldn't've let her kiss me. She caught me by surprise and it seemed harmless enough…till she touched me. It woulda been so easy to…but I just couldn't," he shook his head at his admission.
"Seems I owe ya an apology, Matthew. A big one. I'm awful sorry," Festus sincerely offered.
"I should punch you in the face, but I can't," Matt sighed, "Cause I know you confronted me out of your love for Kitty and the children. I promised them all after Angela died that I'd never just walk out. It was wrong. Seems you've pointed out that I've...well..." the big man paused, sighing, "I'm obliged t' ya, Festus."
Festus grinned as they passed under the hanging "Legacy D" sign, proudly stating, "Home sweet home, Brother. We're home sweet home."
XXXXXXXX
Kitty wandered into the kitchen, hoping to find a bottle of walking whiskey in the cupboard. She smiled at the discovery of a bottle with at least two fingers remaining, hoping it would help lull her to sleep. Maggie had kept her awake between her coughing, fussing, and crying. She'd finally settled into a comfortable sleep after a satisfying meal at her mother's breast.
The over-tired redhead poured the remnants of the bottle into a small glass, downing it with a quick flick of her wrist. She enjoyed the slow burn, startling when she heard Mutt bark. She pulled the kitchen curtain back, happy to see both men return home in one piece.
The relieved wife donned her heavy crème sweater before throwing open the front door and stepping onto the porch. She grinned, watching Matt hand his reins over to their loyal friend, resisting the urge to run into his arms.
Matt froze when he reached the bottom of the porch steps. He studied his wife while his large hand clasped the railing, his broad smile reaching his eyes.
"Hello, Kitty," he whispered.
"Welcome home, Cowboy," she nodded.
He bounded up a few stairs, stopping a couple of stairs short of the porch, placing him at Kitty's eye level. Wrapping his arms around her waist, the big man pulled her close to his body, murmuring into her ear, "What are you doin' up at this hour?"
She locked her arms around his neck, purring, "See, your baby girl hasn't been feeling too well, and she's been keepin' me up, but it seems," she licked her lips as she looked deeply into his baby blues, "I owe Miss Maggie Lou a debt of gratitude."
Their kiss was tantalizingly deep and slow, with their lips familiarly gliding, allowing them to savor each other's unique flavors.
"It's cold out here, Honey. Let's get you inside," he led her inside their home, his big hand covering the expanse of her tiny waist.
Matt sat on the bench near the door, swiftly removing his boots and outer wear. Kitty noticed him eyeing the empty liquor bottle atop the kitchen table.
He ambled over to the long table bench where he plopped down with a groan.
"Would you like a drink, Matt?" Kitty offered, "I can get another bottle out of the office," she motioned with her thumb over her shoulder.
"No, thanks," he wiggled his toes and massaged his knee, "I could use a big glass of water, though."
"Comin' right up," she sauntered to the sink and pumped him a cool glass of his beverage of choice.
As she handed him the glass, she asked, "So were ya successful? Did the posse catch the stagecoach robbers?" she sat across from him.
"We most certainly did. But you'll be pleased t' know that on the ride home, Festus and I had a talk. We decided that this one would be our last posse run. We're both too old and we have too many responsibilities here t' be traipsin' off for God knows how long chasin' some low lifes."
Kitty's mouth fell agape as she mumbled, "I can't believe it. I just can't believe my ears."
Matt downed the rest of his water, "Well believe it, Miss Kitty," he gazed into her watery blue eyes, "I say it's time we dim the lamp, lock up this joint and mosey on up those stairs."
Kitty smiled as he spoke the exact words he'd spoken for so many years just before they would completely lock up the Long Branch for the night. Her husband clutched his boots with one hand and placed his other upon the small of her back. She slightly leaned into her man, happy in the knowledge that he'd decided to put his family before answering the call to chase any more criminals.
As they reached the top of the stairs, both parents looked at each other with alarm. They'd heard a loud whoop emanating from their bedroom. Kitty scurried to the closed door, Matt on her heels.
They flung the door open to find Maggie crying, her face crimson as she gasped for air in between coughing fits.
Kitty quickly scooped up the baby, gently patting her back, soothing, "There, there, Sweetie," she slowly danced around the room, "Mama's here…shhh."
Matt softly pushed the child's curls out of her eyes, comforting, "Daddy's here, too, Baby," he kissed her forehead, "My God, Kitty, she's burning up."
"I know it. Matt, fill our large wash basin with cool water from the pump while I strip her. Then get a towel and bring it to me."
The alarmed father did as instructed, while Kitty took off all the baby girl's clothing. She continued to talk to Maggie as she carried her toward the large basin in the water closet. Remembering the drill from when some of her other children had experienced high fevers, the experienced mother slowly lowered the babe's rear-end into the basin. This action, coupled with her hand scooping cool water over the torso of the fevered child elicited a howl, followed by a gut-wrenching cry. After a few moments, Kitty pulled Maggie close to her chest, enveloping her in a towel Matt had instinctively warmed by the fireplace.
Once comfortably situated into her mother's embrace, Maggie's cries slowly metamorphosized into whimpers as Kitty slowly rubbed her back, softly singing, "Baa Baa Black Sheep". She quickly redressed the nine-month-old and tenderly placed her at her breast, offering herself more as comfort than nourishment. Within a few minutes, Maggie was sound asleep, her body still fevered, but not alarmingly so.
"I'll take 'er," Matt offered, now clean and ready for bed himself. He cradled Maggie, gently patting her back while he studied Kitty as she retied the top of her nightgown. He bit his bottom lip before asking, "You didn't take her up the hill t'day did you?"
"What?" Kitty asked, not sure she'd heard her husband correctly. She situated herself against the big, brass headboard.
"I asked if you took her up the hill t'day, like the other day. It's winter, Kathleen, and she's a baby," Matt slightly chastised, softly bouncing his daughter while she slept against his expansive, union suit clad chest.
Kitty threw her legs over the side of the bed, not able to believe her ears for the second time in the last hour. She glared at her husband, boring a hole through him, "I'm well aware of the season, Matthew," she bit out, "I'm also aware of Maggie's age, seeing that I birthed her. And to answer your question, no, she did not accompany me 'up the hill' today."
Matt leaned over his wife, placing Maggie back upon the raised, angled pillow in the middle of the bed. When he stood fully upright, he towered over Kitty. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he bent over and quietly asked, "But you did go up the hill?"
Kitty sprang to her feet, forcing Matt to take a step backward. Her arms at her sides, she balled her hands into fists. "Yes, I did," she cried, "What of it?!"
Matt grabbed Kitty by the elbow and pulled her toward the two chairs in front of the fireplace. He whispered, "Keep your voice down, will ya?! Kitty, I'm worried about how much time you spend up on that hill," he guided her to sit in one of the large, upholstered chairs.
Kitty tried to calm herself, "Matt," she quietly rebutted, "It's not like I go up there for hours on end. And it bothers me that you always say, 'up the hill'. I go to our daughter's gravesite. That's not so unusual."
Matt leaned over from his chair to rest his hand upon her knee. He quietly countered, "Honey, at first, I thought it was part of your grieving process. Heck, it may still be for all I know, but you need to be thinking about our children in the here and now."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, clutching the chunky wooden arms of her chair. She questioned, "You don't think I know about our children in the here and now?! Am I hearing you correctly? What would you know about our children in the here and now, Matt?!" Her eyes became slits as she stared at him, accusing, "I heard you make Josiah Ritter go with you into town for your cover? Leastwise, that's what he tells people. I also recently learned that you visit saloon gals. So, while I'm 'up the hill', you may very well be up the saloon steps."
Matt immediately stood, grabbing Kitty again by her elbow, "Come with me," he half yanked her out of her chair.
She tried to shake him off, "Let go-a-me!" she hissed between her teeth.
"I'll let go, but you need t' come downstairs. I don't wanna wake up the children and we need t' finish this- once and for all," the big man whisper-yelled.
Kitty rose in a huff, tossing the sides of her dressing gown behind her. She quickly made her way to the door and stormed down the stairs. The angry redhead made a beeline to the office, where she held the door open for her equally agitated husband.
Once the door snicked shut, Kitty made her way over to the brandy decanter. She held it up, "Drink, Matt? I have a feelin' we're gonna be here a while."
"No, thank you," he groused, plopping himself onto the small settee, grumbling under his breath, "I think it'd be safe t' say that you've already had enough," he folded his arms across his chest.
"I beg your pardon," she slammed down the decanter, "I'll have you know I had one drink today, just before you rode up."
"I saw the empty bottle," he smirked, "I've seen a lotta empty bottles lately."
"What are you talking about?" Kitty spat; her eyes full of hurt.
"Please, Kitty, come sit by me. We need t' clear a few things up," Matt asked, making an effort to soften his delivery. He patted the spot next to him on the settee cushion.
"I'll stand, thanks," she leaned against the big desk, her arms bracing her from behind.
Matt cleared his throat, "Let's go back to your accusation about me and visiting saloon women."
"Let's," she smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"That's a complete and utter lie, and you know it," he rested his elbows upon his knees, "I have been going out with Josiah Ritter and his boys, but notice, I haven't been out lately. At first, it was kind of fun t' be out, visiting old friends and acquaintances, but then I learned more than I needed t' know. I won't spill all the beans-not now, anyhow, but in retrospect, I do believe that Josiah wanted t' believe-no, wait- needed to believe, we're of the same mind," he inhaled and exhaled deeply, "I assure you, we are not."
Kitty remained silent, staring at the rug in the middle of the floor. She decided to let that part of their argument go for now, as her body's need for sleep overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she'd felt as if all of her wind abandoned her sails.
She sarcastically, but calmly, replied, "Okay, Matt. I appreciate you clearing that up," she stood upright, rubbing her temples, swaying as she sighed, "I'm tired, and I feel really light headed."
Her husband rose, ready to catch her if need be. Matt softly commented, "Why do I have a sneaking suspicion this argument isn't over?"
"Cause it's not. We need t' discuss your objection to my visiting our daughter's grave, but I just can't talk anymore. I can't see straight, either. In fact, I don't know that I can make it up the stairs and I have to, 'cause my baby's sick," the exhausted redhead whispered while she leaned into her husband's chest.
"I've got you, Kitty. Don't ever doubt that," Matt kissed her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He grimaced with the knowledge that something wasn't right when he felt her trembling body against his.
TBC