He stood feet away from the table where she was flanked by her protectors. His eyes drifted over the pressed suits and string ties. He had wanted to look his best for her too. He'd paid for a bath, treated himself to a shave, and smelled of spiced citrusy aftershave. Louie stared at the auburn-haired woman that he held in high regard. He admired her radiant face and the classic Victorian silhouette of her bordeaux cotton velvet, taffeta, and lace evening dress. He didn't know a finer woman. He remembered his task and timidly approached with his hands behind his back. "Evening, Miss Kitty," he addressed and gallantly swept his hat off his head.
"Louie," she returned, entertained by his chivalrous gesture. "Havin' a good time?" she asked curiously. Kitty had greeted the bar fly hours ago and was pleasantly surprised to see his eyes clear and hear coherent speech.
"Oh, yes, ma'am. I've had a drink or two," he answered and scanned his eyes over the men of the table, tipping his head in salutation. "Miss Kitty," he paused and meaningfully cleared his throat. "Mrs. Dillon, I won't see you for quite some time. It's your last night at the Long Branch."
"It is," she said as she kept an eye on the hour, waiting for her New Year's kiss at the stroke of midnight. She knew Matt planned to whisk her home shortly after.
"And I wanted to," he hesitated and fidgeted for a minute from the lack of whiskey in his system. He met her encouraging, gentle eyes and smiled softly as she wondrously settled his nerves. "I wanted to present you with a little gift for the little one," he finished and pulled the plainly wrapped gift from behind his back, handing it to her.
"Louie, you didn't have to," she lightly scolded and opened the package, glancing at her husband as he inquisitively slanted his head and scooted closer to see the contents. Kitty's breath hitched as she realized what the gift was. She swept her fingertips over the soft baby blanket. The shade of the crocheted chenille reminded her of cobblestone.
"I didn't have to. I wanted to. I sure thank you, Miss Kitty, for all the times you've been so good to me," the chronic imbiber told her. Louie clutched the edge of his hat in his shaky fingers and stepped closer to her. "You'll be a good mama."
"Louie," she whispered and tilted her head upwards, staring at him through her lashes.
"Oh, Miss Kitty," he gasped at the tears pooling in her eyes and glistening on her cheeks. "Don't cry. Please, don't cry," he begged and glimpsed at Doc Adams, Quint, Festus, and lastly the lawman. He hoped the giant wouldn't toss him out for making his wife shed tears.
"Louie, she can't help it. She cries at the drop of a hat these days," Matt declared and dodged the flick of her hand. He pushed his chair back and stood, helping his eight months pregnant wife get to her feet.
Kitty smiled warmly at Louie and put her hand on his ruddy, clean-shaven cheek, planting her lips on the other cheek and leaving lip rouge behind. "You're a sweetheart, Louie Pheeters. Thank you," she murmured. "Now, drink up," she ordered and watched him shuffle to the bar.
"That was mighty thoughty of ol' Louie," Festus commented and wiped the beer from his mouth.
"I don't know how he did it," Kitty remarked and folded the blanket.
"He's been working," Quint enlightened. "He's been working in the livery and sweeping the general store for weeks now. I let him clean around my shop. Louie's not the best at shodding a horse."
Doc finished off his tumbler of whiskey and considerately tugged on his earlobe as he watched the small man down a shot of hard liquor. "He's rolled bandages for me. Told me he was saving up for something special."
"It sure is special," Kitty hummed. She realized Louie could have easily purchased a bottle or two with the earned money, but he scrimped and saved to gift her baby with a beautiful blanket. She dabbed at the corner of her eye and smiled tenderly at her husband as his hand rested on her forearm.
Matt leaned in and pressed his lips to her temple. "A special blanket for a very loved baby," he whispered faintly into her ear and smoothed his palm over the lacy floral detail of her sleeve. "Honey," he soothed and delicately wiped away the fresh set of tears spilling down her face. He offered his handkerchief to her for the umpteenth time. Her emotions had run high all night and spilled over with each regular patron's well wish. Matt resisted the strong urge to pull her into his arms and hold her. He settled for resting his hand on her thigh to comfort her.
Festus grinned at Annie as she sauntered over with a glass of whiskey for him. "Much obliged, Annie," he spoke kindly, frowning as the saloon girl reached for Quint's hand to pull him onto the floor for a dance. "Blame Comanche," he muttered and scowled at Doc Adam's delighted snickering. "You ornery old scudder, you." Festus knocked back the whiskey and huffed from the burn of the alcohol. "Miss Kitty, what do you reckon you'll be doin'?"
Doc shifted and sat up straighter in the wooden chair, turning towards the hillman. "Well, I-of all the fool," he blustered and agitatedly twiddled with his ear. "She'll be herding cattle!" he caustically snapped.
"Fiddle, Doc! Matthew ain't gonna let her herd no cattle."
The annoyed physician shook his head and scrubbed his hand over his mouth as he looked at Kitty and Matt before setting his eyes on the whiskered man next to him. "What do you think a woman in an advance state of pregnancy will be doing? For heaven's sake!" he roared. "She'll be preparing for the baby and resting," he paused and looked at the redhead. "You need to get all the rest you can before the time comes. I mean it, Kitty. You need to stay away from this one to keep your blood pressure down," he advised and kept his thumb pointed in Festus' direction.
Festus boldly whacked Doc's hand. "You got the orneriest dang disposition of anybody I've ever saw! I was only tryin' to conversate. Ya know, Miss Kitty, I wouldn't let this here old grump deliver your'n and Matthew's baby. His grouchy ways might rub off on the little baby 'fore it even cries. I could deliver the baby for ya."
"You'll do no such thing!" Doc bellowed.
Kitty let out a sigh and listened to the bickering continue. She hadn't noticed her husband leave the table until she felt her wool cloak and his big hands on her shoulders. She tilted her head back and looked up at him, stretching up toward him. Her gaze still caught on his as he brought his mouth down on hers. Kitty parted her lips and welcomed him, drawing him deeper and tangling her tongue with his. She shut out the exuberant uproar of the crowd as a soft moan caught at the back of her throat. Kitty brushed her lips against the corner of his mouth as she broke the kiss to catch her breath and compose herself. "Happy New Year, Cowboy," she breathlessly whispered.
"Happy New Year, Kitty," Matt replied, steadying her as she rose from the seat. "Let's get you home," he said and discreetly slipped out with her. "Hank'll be here in a minute," he told her and buttoned his coat. Matt heard Louie reciting Shakespeare. "King Lear?" he questioned.
Kitty lifted the cloak's hood over her head, stepping closer to the batwing doors to hear Louie's oration. "As You Like It," she educated her spouse and drew the wrap around her tighter.
"Come here," he summoned and wrapped his arms around her, grinning as she burrowed into the warmth of him. "What's that one you like?" he inquired, resting his hand on the side of her belly and splaying his fingers to give slow, circular caresses.
"Matt, you know which one."
"I like to hear you say the line you like."
She noticed the boyish, crooked grin on his face and thought about the first time she'd read the play to him. He'd snuck into her rooms, trail worn and unsettled by his duties as a U.S. Marshal, when she'd been reading act four of the work. He'd sprawled out on her brass bed and intently listened to her read aloud until she stumbled upon that line. She remembered locking eyes with him, reciting the words, and kissing him with such intensity that her lips were swollen afterwards. Kitty felt his breath against her neck and drew in a calming breath.
"Kathleen, say it," he urged.
She waved at Hank as he pulled the covered buggy in front of the saloon. Kitty tucked the gift under her arm and patiently waited for Matt to help her settle in. She groaned softly as he assisted her. She watched him climb up and sit onto the leather seat.
Matt took the reins and glanced at his wife as she spread the thick blanket over their legs. "Kathleen," he spoke quietly.
"Matthew," she answered, taking a last look at the Long Branch before looking at his handsome face. "We aren't movin'," she uttered her observation.
"You haven't said it."
She good-naturedly rolled her eyes, sliding her arm around his and snuggling close to him. "I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest," she spoke in a hushed tone and rested her head against his arm.
He lovingly pressed his lips to her temple. Her recitation still carried the same potency as it had years ago. It still made his heart thump faster in his chest and made him feel like he could dance on the clouds. "Much obliged," he said and started for home.
The U.S. Marshall rode into town as the sun peaked over the gable roofs and dismounted the buckskin Quarter Horse. He quickly noticed the shattered windows of his office and took in the damages as he tied Buck to the hitching post. Matt removed his saddle bag and rifle and cautiously stepped to the window, peeking into his office and seeing his deputy slumped over on the desk. He didn't see blood and briefly wondered if Festus had slept through the gunfire. Matt knew anything was possible with a Haggen. He marched into the office and over to the hillman, gripping his arm and shaking him. "Festus."
Festus bolted upright and blinked the sleep out of his hazel eyes. "Matthew, you're early. It's been mighty quiet."
Matt creased his brows and wished he and the deputy had the same definition of quiet. "Looks like I missed something."
"Better than that, something missed you," Festus countered and pointed to the bullet holes adorning the cabinet. "You'd have been sittin' here a couple hours ago, you'd a been a head shorter and dead by now. I reckon it's a good thing you was at home for the night with Miss Kitty."
The Marshal angrily set the saddlebag onto his desk and surveyed the interior of the office. He couldn't stand the thought of making Kitty a widow, especially not from a coward taking potshots into his office. "Who did this?" he interrogated and put his rifle on the wall.
"Wasn't nobody I know, but he knowed you. He don't like you none neither."
"That doesn't narrow the field down very much," he grumbled and took his heavy coat off. Matt listened to Festus recall the incident as he hung his holster and Stetson on the hook. He silently racked his brain. "I'm really looking forward to meeting the two that did this."
"Oh, they're real quality folk, Matthew," Festus chimed and hooked his thumbs into his tattered vest.
"Yes, yes, I can imagine," he muttered and picked up a thick folder, sweeping the pieces of glass off the abused desktop.
"You gonna tell Miss Kitty about the office gettin' shot up?"
"No," Matt swiftly answered. "Festus, just get the broom and start sweeping. Would you?"
"All right, Matthew. I thought you was comin' later in the morning," Festus spoke as his spurs jangled around the room. He blanched at the irritated rumble from deep within the Marshal's chest. "Wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Did ya?" Festus probed and swept the debris into a neat pile.
"You could say that," the lawman groused. He'd woken up much earlier than intended, but his bedmate had battled restlessness. He'd made a deal with Kitty that if she couldn't sleep then he wouldn't either. By the time she fell soundly asleep, he had to leave. The frosty winter morning made him want to forget his duty and curl back in bed with his wife.
Festus watched the tall man stalk to the woodstove to put on a pot of coffee and haphazardly measure the fresh grounds. He gulped at the thought of how strong the brew would be. He gathered the glass into the dustpan and dumped it into the bin. He glimpsed at Matt pouring the steaming liquid into a mug and sitting down at the table. Festus attentively observed his friend and poured himself a cup of coffee before joining Matt at the table. "What's on your mind, Matthew?"
Matt propped his elbows on the table, holding the mug in his hands and appreciating the warmth spreading through his cold fingers. He took a prolonged sip of the coffee and latched onto a decision that had lingered in the back of his mind before dawn. "At the start of February, you'll be in charge along with Quint. You'll both be acting Marshal. Doc thinks the baby will come near the end of the month. If anything happens that you and Quint can't handle, you come and get me. Other than that, it should be a social call. I need to be with Kitty."
Festus choked on his coffee and sputtered, "The whole month, Matthew?"
"And a few weeks after."
"All right, Matthew," Festus replied and stood, walking to the coffee pot to refill his mug and hiding the pleased grin on his whiskered face.
"You didn't have to do all of this," the expectant mother murmured to the brunette, brown eyed sisters. She cast her eyes over the trunks filled with day and night caps, tiny socks, booties, smocked dresses, layettes, cloth diapers, and knitted wool soakers. "It's too much."
"Oh, it is not," Bess Roniger corrected.
"Kitty, the baby things were collecting dust. I'm done having babies. I don't know about Bess," Celia teased her older sister.
Bess reached over the redhead and swatted her sister's knee. "Hush, Celia Ann." She took a bite of the spice cake and washed it down with coffee. "I hope the things will all fit the baby. I'm worried he or she may be too big."
Kitty's eyes widened as her hand fell to her round belly. "Bess, what? I can't possibly get any bigger," she whimpered at the thought. She felt heavy and awkward enough as it was.
"Kitty, that baby still has growing to do," she told her. Bess held back a chuckle at the dismayed expression of the younger woman. "You very well know how big and tall the baby's father is, Kitty. I bet everything I have that baby will be a little bigger and taller than average."
Celia wordlessly agreed with her sister but thought she could have been more considerate and thoughtful. She knew after so many children that Bess had forgotten the anxiety that a first timer could have. The younger brunette reached behind her and roughly nudged her sister's upper arm. "Soften that blow," she mouthed and gazed upon Kitty with sympathetic eyes.
Bess touched the velvet sleeve of the redhead's elegant dressing gown. "Kitty, it doesn't matter how little or big. Babies all come out the same way," she spoke truthfully and caught Celia's critical glare. "The first is always a bit smaller," Bess added. "I could always be wrong because of your height and slender frame. You're all baby, Kitty."
"And breasts," Kitty mumbled. She arched an auburn brow as the Irish setter lifted his head and stood up from his bed. She watched the canine's posture stiffen. He stared fixedly towards the window and growled in a low pitch. Her heart pounded in her ears as she realized there was a threat outside.
"Someone's out there. They aren't a friend. What are we going to do?" Bess shakily asked. She knew her brother-in-law was on a train home from delivering a horse to a buyer in Kansas City. There was nothing but young boys to defend them.
Kitty inhaled and exhaled fortifying breaths and eyed her companions as her mind rapidly formulated a plan. "We'll go out the back and send one of the boys out to get Matt." She glanced at the grandfather clock. "He said he'd come home for lunch. Maybe Ben could catch him halfway. Celia, where's Charlotte?"
"Home," Celia answered and tugged on her sister's hand. "Bess, c'mon. We don't have time to waste," she urged and quickly walked out of the parlor, screaming as a .45 caliber bullet pierced through one of the windows and sent glass flying. She clutched Bess' hand and broke into a run.
In the madness of gunshots and broken glass, the panicked and frightened sisters escaped out of the house. Celia caught her breath as she ran through the door of her home and glanced at her sister. She felt her heart drop to the floor as she realized Kitty wasn't with them.