Alone in his office, Matt moved the window curtain every so slightly to peek outside. They were there, Loretta and Lizette, though he'd be hard pressed to say which one was which. He dropped the curtain and shook his head, he'd have to walk passed them again while they smiled coyly and batted their lashes. Flirting with him seemed to be their main interest since the start of their summer vacation. He lowered himself into the seat behind his desk and crossed his arms. Those girls would learn about love in due time, but most certainly not from him. Real love was a tricky beast. His thoughts turned to something Kitty said last year, right after Will Stambridge left town.

I'm not in love with him Matt. Will thinks he's in love with me, but he isn't, not in the deepest kind of way. There are too many sides of me he hasn't seen and doesn't understand. No one knows me the way you do Matt, no one ever will.

Matt leaned back in his chair, and laced his fingers behind his head. Kitty was a wise woman. It had been his good fortune to have her as his closest confidant for so many, many years. In fact, he wished he could confide in her right now, explain how torn he was, describe how he was being pulled in two direction. But he couldn't. It would be unfair, even mean, to go to her with his current dilemma. It was his decision, he was going to have to make for himself.

His eyes rested on the sealed envelopes stacked neatly on his desk, all addressed to Washington DC. Reports he'd written detailing crimes, outlining potential problems in the territory, describing interactions he had with officers at Fort Dodge. Mailing them to the Director of Marshal Services seemed a silly exercise right now, but protocol must be maintained. He'd gotten used to following set procedures, even those that seemed trite. As long as they did not interfere with the actual job of enforcing the law, he didn't mind very much.

A glance at the clock on the wall told him he'd better get a move on, now that his paperwork was done. Those reports had to get in the mail, before he set off for Melody's cabin. Steeling himself to walk past his young admirers, he grabbed the envelopes with one hand, shoved his hat on with the other and opened the door. He kept his voice pleasant but matter-of-fact, "Good morning girls. Please give your parents my best." Lorraine and Lizette giggled and started to speak. Matt ignored them and kept walking, hoping his mention of parents would convey the idea that they were mere children to him.

In a hurry to put distance between himself and the smitten, young ladies, he set off with quick strides, despite the oppressive heat. When he reached the post office, 4 doors down, his shirt was damp, and clung to his back. "Morning Jimmy." Matt pushed the stack of envelopes across the mahogany counter. "I need these to go out with the next mail." The postal clerk adjusted his visor. "Sure thing, Marshal. This bag here's about to be sealed and put on the train." He turned to drop the envelopes into a large, canvas pouch, but kept his eyes on Matt. Rumor was that Marshal Dillon had taken up with the dark-haired lady who arrived in town last week. It was none of his business, of course, but even though his respect for the marshal knew no bounds, Miss Kitty was the kindest, most big hearted woman he knew. He hoped dearly the gossip was wrong. Maybe a tiny test would prove it. "Oh Marshal, a catalog came in for Miss Kitty. You know the one with all the fancy clothes she gets so excited about. You'll probably be seeing her soon, why don't you take it for her? That way she'll get it quick." Matt shifted on his feet. "Actually, I-I won't be seeing her, Jimmy. Just hold it 'til she comes in herself." Matt hurried off, leaving a gloomy postal clerk staring at the door.

With the air growing hotter and thicker by the second, Matt headed to the stable. The hot spell was almost unbearable, but it was also a gift. Folks were too hot and lethargic to make mischief or cause trouble, so the town was calm and quiet, and had few people coming through. That left him free to spend most of his days and all of his nights at Melody's place. She'd done wonders with the old cabin in such a short amount of time. It was attractive, bright, cozy and comfortable. The perfect place for a man to relax.

"MARSHAL DILLON, MARSHAL DILLON."

Matt turned and saw Joe Delmonico, still in his grease stained apron, carrying a food basket in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. "Marshal, I was afraid you'd forget you ordered picnic fixings." "Thanks Joe. Matter of fact I did forget. I have – I have something on my mind. Sorry you had to chase me down in this terrible heat." The restaurant owner shrugged. "I'm used spending hours standing over a hot stove, so the whole town being an oven doesn't bother me so much."

"I still appreciate it." Matt tipped him a coin, took the basket and wine and crossed the street to the stable. Old Moss Grimmick was sitting outside, fanning himself with an old straw hat. "Morning Marshal. By the looks of what you're carrying there, I expect you'll be wanting a buggy instead of your horse. Bet you're taking Miss Kitty for a picnic, and I tell you, sitting under that big old oak tree by Silver Lake is a fine idea. Not a thing's going on in this town. I'll hitch up a rig." Matt put a hand on Grimmick's shoulder. "Thanks Moss, but no. I just need my horse. I'll get him myself." Ignoring the old stableman's look of dismay, Matt hurried inside, readied his horse and slipped the wine bottle into his saddle bag. Holding the food basket with one hand, he mounted and rode off with a small, quick wave to Moss. The old stableman watched until the dust kicked up by Matt's horse, settled back to the ground. His deeply lined face took on a sour expression, as he sat down and resumed fanning himself. Marshal Dillon was the finest man he knew, but Kitty Russell was a big part of the fabric that held the town together, with her Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and everything else she did. Those two people breaking up, meant more that a couple splitting, it meant a change in the feel of the town. Folks would take sides for sure and start bickering. Miss Kitty and Marshal Dillon would act awkward and strange. One of them would likely leave Dodge, and the other be blamed for the loss to the town. Nothing good could come of this break-up, nothing good at all.

TBC