Chapter 4

The next morning the Dillons were seated around the kitchen table eating sausage and gravy. Kitty had twenty minutes before she and Ruby had to leave so Kitty could get Ruby to school on time, and Ruby still needed her hair done. Matt was ready for work.

"Ruby, finish your breakfast, so I can do your hair," Kitty told her daughter. "I'll braid it."

"I want daddy ta braid my hair," Ruby responded. She put a forkful of biscuits and gravy in her mouth, and then took a drink of her milk.

"Ruby, your daddy is a talented man," Kitty replied. "But I'm not sure if his talents extend to braiding a little girl's hair. I'm not sure if he even knows how to braid."

"It just so happens I do know how ta braid," said Matt, as he put his cup of coffee down. "Chester taught me."

"Chester taught you?" Kitty questioned. "I would've loved to have seen that."

"Well, he didn't sit down and teach me," Matt made clear. "Do you remember the time you were visiting Horace and Mattie with young Thad?" Kitty nodded, remembering that time as if it were yesterday. "During that time, Chester was teaching himself how to braid. While doing so, he went through the steps out loud. I heard them and couldn't help but learn how to braid." Matt paused as he remembered the scene in Jonas' store. A smile spread across his face. "I'll never forget how upset Jonas was when Chester used the ribbon in Jonas' store to practice his braiding. When Jonas saw what Chester was doing to his ribbon, he went over to Chester and started swatting at him. I offered to pay for the ribbon, but Jonas refused. He said it wasn't my doing."

"I can imagine how upset Jonas was," Kitty laughed. "I can also picture Chester using Jonas' ribbon to practice his braiding."

"Jonas was also upset because he was trying to do the figuring for my bill while Chester was giving himself a tutorial on braiding," Matt added.

Ruby could only sit and wait patiently for so long. "So can daddy braid my hair?"

"Sure. Let's see if daddy remembers anything from Uncle Chester's braiding lessons," Kitty smiled. "I'll go get some hair bands and ribbon."

"Alright, stand in front of me and face the window," said Matt.

Ruby climbed down from her chair and followed her daddy's instructions. "Can you do two braids?"

"I think I can manage that," Matt answered.

Ruby's hair had already been brushed out. Kitty did that earlier, saving Matt some time. Matt took Ruby's hair and split it in half as best as he could. He was working on the first braid, when Kitty returned. Kitty watched him and was impressed with what she saw. After he finished with the first braid, she handed him a hair band and a ribbon. He secured the braid with the band and used the ribbon to tie a bow.

"Wow," said Kitty. "I must say that I'm impressed. And here I thought I knew everything about you."

Matt chuckled and braided the other section of Ruby's hair. "There you go, Little Gemstone. Your hair is all braided."

"How does it look, momma?" Ruby asked.

"Your daddy did a nice job," Kitty replied. "Go and get your knapsack. We have to get going." Ruby ran to her bedroom and retrieved her knapsack.

The Dillons left the house and took off for Dodge. Matt rode Buck, and Kitty and Ruby rode in the buggy. After arriving in Dodge, Matt rode to the jail, while Kitty drove the buggy to the schoolhouse.

Matt walked into the office and found Festus sitting at the desk. "How's Blane?" Matt refused to call Blane a prisoner. He felt that Blane did not deserve to be called one.

"He's fine, Matthew." Festus answered. "I gave him some vittles for breakfast from Delmonico's."

"Good," said Matt. "I'm gonna go down to the telegraph office and send a wire to Judge Brooker. I wanna see if he'll hear Blane's case while he's in Spearville. I'll be back directly."

Matt went over to the telegraph office and wrote out the message he wanted Barney to send to Judge Brooker. He handed Barney the piece of paper. Barney took the piece of paper and tapped out the message.

"As soon as you get a response, let me know," Matt instructed. "I'll be at the office."

"Will do, Marshal," Barney responded. Matt left the telegraph office.

It didn't take long for Barney to get a response back. He wrote it down and took it over to the jail. Barney was sure it was the response that the Marshal wanted.

"Marshal, a telegram from Judge Brooker," said Barney, handing Matt the piece of paper.

Matt took it and read it. "Thanks, Barney. Send a wire back and let the judge know we'll be there late Monday afternoon or early evening." Matt grabbed the cell keys of the hook and opened the door to the cells. "Blane, I'm letting ya go." Matt unlocked the cell and opened the door.

"Marshal?" Blane was confused. He couldn't understand why he was being let go. After all, he shot an unarmed man.

"I want ta make clear that yer not a free man," Matt clarified. "I wired Judge Brooker. He's gonna be in Spearville. He agreed to hear your case while he's there. We leave for Spearville on Monday. I'm gonna let you go home for the weekend. I'll be at your place at sunrise on Monday morning."

"Thanks, Marshal," said Blane.

He left the jail and took off in the direction of his homestead. Blane didn't have his horse, so he would have to walk. It was a two mile walk. He considered borrowing a horse from Moss, but then decided against it. The walk would do him good. When he reached the edge of his property, Darla saw him. She was shocked, but grateful to see him. Darla ran to greet him.

"What are you doing here? Did the Marshal set you free?"

"Not exactly," Blane answered. "I have a trial in Spearville on Monday. Marshal Dillon will be here then to take me there," Blane replied.

"That's not for a few days," Darla remarked. "That gives us time ta leave. We can get out of Dodge, maybe go head west to Colorado."

"I can't do that, Darla," said Blane, shaking his head. "The Marshal is trusting me to be here, 'n I ain't gonna break that trust. Besides, he'd find us."

"I suppose you're right," Darla sighed. "I don't want to live a life on the run."

Matt left the jail when Blane did and went over to Doc's office. He climbed the steps to Doc's office and walked inside. Doc looked up from his pill counting when Matt walked in.

"What can I do for you?" Doc asked. "It doesn't look like you've been shot or anything."

"No, I'm here ta ask you if Dirk will be welll enough to ride to Spearville on Monday," Matt replied.

"As far as I'm concerned, he's can go now," said Doc.

"If he's that much of a bother to ya, then tell him he's well enough ta leave," Matt replied.

"Trust me. I'd like to, but I need to make sure no infection sets in," said Doc as he continued counting the pills.

"I'll be back on Monday to get him," said Matt. " I'll let ya get back ta counting yer sugar pills," Matt quickly left the office.

"Oh shaw. Why don't go and," Doc started to say, but stopped when he realized Matt had left the office.

Walking back to the office, Matt started thinking about the ride to Spearville with Dirk. It was one ride Matt was not looking forward to. If the stage schedule allowed, maybe he could put Dirk on a stagecoach to Spearville.

TBC