From Beginning To End … A Gunsmoke Story

FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE

Author's note: I probably sound like a broken record by this point but once again, thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews. Guests, that includes you too. Wish I could thank you personally. I'm glad to know everyone is enjoying so far!

FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE

By the next day, Kitty had more or less moved on from what occurred, or rather, didn't occurr the night before. She had decided that it was unfair to expect anything more than what happened. They had never so much has even hinted about taking things to the next level and Matt was nothing but the consummate gentleman. Maybe she was misreading him, after all. He occasionally talked about his old flames but never talked about what his future looked like in his personal life so maybe he probably wasn't even looking for someone. But oh how those lips just begged to be kissed though. She shook her head to wake herself up from her daydream.

Today was one of her off days and she decided that she was going to get out and about today and do some shopping. The past few weeks had been quite prosperous for the Long Branch so she had a little extra money to spend. She got dressed and made way over to the general store to see if Mr. Jonas had any magazines that she could look at. It had been far too long since she ordered a new dress. That's where she ran into Chester who seemed to be shopping for some ribbon. Probably to make some more of those "reatas" of his.

"Oh hi, Miss Kitty," Chester greeted. "Sure is a nice day out today, huh?"

Kitty smiled warmy, "It sure is. Thanks for spending time with me at the barn dance last night. I had a lot fun with you and Doc."

"Oh it was my pleasure, Miss Kitty. You just looked as pretty as a picture, too."

Kitty's cheeks flushed.

"Mr. Dillon and I were gunna have lunch down at Delmonico's after while, maybe you'd like to join us?"

"Oh no thank you, I was actually just doing some quick shopping here while I wait to meet up with Bess Roninger. We had already made lunch plans and do some catching up. Where is Matt, anyway?"

"Well, he's just a' finishing up some work over at the jail and then.."

Matt walked in just then looking for Chester and smiled and walked over.

"Hello there, Kitty," he touched the brim of his hat. "Would you like to join Chester and I for lunch?"

"Oh no thanks, Chester had already invited me but I'm actually about to meet up with Bess Roninger. I should probably get out on the boardwalk to start looking for her."

"See you later, Miss Kitty." And then Chester went back to picking out his ribbon.

She said her goodbyes and then turned to leave when Matt grabbed her by the arm, "Say, Kitty?"

"Yes, Matt?" she turned to him.

"What are you doing this Sunday?"

"Well I don't have anything planned right now, why?"

"How would you like to go, uh, fishing with me?" Matt smiled nervously.

"Oh I love to fish. It's a date!" Kitty said emphatically, wondering if he would catch on to her wording.

Matt was none the wiser. "All right, its settled. I'll see ya later, huh?"

"Bye Matt."

FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE FBTE

It was late Sunday morning when Matt pulled up to the Long Branch with a wagon which was loaded with all supplies you might need for a fishing and picnic trip. Kitty greeted him and he went over to help her up. "Thank you. I've been looking forward to this trip all week. I haven't been fishing in forever!"

Matt smiled. "Well, lets get the day started then. We don't want all the fish to get away."

It took a little while but they eventually made it to their secluded area surrounded by duckweeds and cotton trees near the bank of Spring Creek. "How about this spot?" Matt asked after joining her once detaching the mare and hobbling her. "Oh, it's just fine."

"Here, let me set this blanket down and then we can go over and start fishing." He handed her the poles and she held them. When he was ready, they both headed down to the shore and began a long afternoon of fishing, napping, talking, and just spending time amongst friends.

By the time the sun started to set on the horizon, they had caught their share of fish and were just sitting next to each other on the bank talking away. "Well, let me go get a fire started and I'll clean and cook up these fish for us so we can have ourselves some good supper," Matt said. "That sounds fine. While you're doing that, I'll go get all our stuff and set it out on the blanket." She looked over at Matt and noticed that he had been staring at her. As the day entered into the golden hour, he couldn't help but be struck by her beauty. The setting sun perfectly illuminated her firey red locks and he could've sworn that it gave her a golden glow. She smiled nervously, not sure why Matt was looking at her for so long when he reached over and lifted her chin and slowly leaned in for a kiss. Kitty's heart began to thump furiously in her chest and she had no sooner

closed her eyes awaiting his lips when right before they actually met, they heard a noise in the trees behind them. Matt instantly jerked his head away and jumped up. "Stay here, Kitty." He put on his gunbelt in a flash. Kitty stood up.

Matt walked toward the direction of the noise and called out "US Marshal, come out and make yourself known." Kitty shied away and hid behind another tree.

It was then that the drunk jumped out and charged at Matt for seemingly no reason, swinging and connecting with a right hook. The pair got in a tussle. Kitty watched nervously, wincing with every blow the man sent Matt's way. It didn't take long for Matt to subdue the man but not before taking an uppercut to the jaw which was bleeding pretty badly. "Look mister, I'm going to cut you a break. I don't know who you are or what you're doing here but I'm going to give you one chance to ride on out of here and I don't want to see you around these parts again." The man nodded and got up and ran off to find his horse, swaying as he went. Matt shook his head and wiped his mouth. "You can come out now, Kitty."

Kitty walked over and gasped when she saw his cut. "Oh, Matt.. your face." She went to the basket and got a couple of napkins and wet them down and then lightly blotted his lower lip to clean the blood away. "Oh Matt, we'll need to go see Doc. This is going to need a couple of stitches, Cowboy." she frowned not immediately aware that she had just given him a pet name.

The sentiment wasn't lost on Matt though and he couldn't do anything but smile. "Sure, Kitty. Lets pack everything up here and we'll save the fish for later tonight."

Neither of them dared to bring up what almost transpired before being interrupted by the crazy drunk.

TBC