Doc swiped his fingers over his mustache, hiding the grin overpowering his wrinkled face as lively chatter from the dining room drifted to his ears. "Well, good morning," he happily greeted, sitting down next to Matt. "Thank you," he said while the big man filled his coffee cup.

"How'd you sleep, Doc?" Kitty asked, stifling a laugh as a blueberry pinged her dear old friend on the cheek. "Alexandre, Baby, pick the blueberries up with your fingers," she advised, cleaning syrup from the corner of his mouth.

"Fine. Just fine," Doc replied, wiping his face. He sipped his coffee, thanking Sadie when she put a plate full of eggs and bacon in front of him. "You've outdone yourself, Sadie. Guess there must not be any blueberries left," he said, winking at Alexandre.

"Myrtilles," Vivienne piped up from her spot on her father's lap. The puny child had abandoned her usual seat beside her mother, preferring both Henri's knee and his breakfast.

The lawman at the end of the spruce dining table put his mug down while creasing his brow. "A what?"

Henri chuckled, glancing down at Vivienne nibbling on a piece of bacon she'd stolen from his plate. "Myrtilles are blueberries."

Kitty leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her coffee. "Ma fille est intelligente et belle," she spoke perfectly, leaning over to kiss her daughter's forehead.

Doc chuckled heartily, nudging the overgrown civil servant with his elbow, "Close your mouth, Matt."

Kitty winked at Matt while Vivienne beamed at her. She patted her daughter's knee. "Please, eat a little more, Vivi. Drink all your juice, too. You need to get your strength up, so you'll feel better," she told her, glancing at her maid as she approached the table and whispered to Henri. Kitty curiously arched a brow when Delia passed him a telegram. A hundred thoughts coursed through her mind as her husband read the message.

Henri met his wife's eyes, tucking the paper into his shirt pocket. "It's from Yves, Chérie," he disclosed while Vivienne popped the last bite of her father's pain perdu into her mouth. "Just like your Maman," he whispered, kissing her head. "Finish your orange juice." He handed her a napkin after she guzzled the liquid, smirking as she sluggishly scampered out with her brother. Henri picked up the latest copy of The Daily Picayune. His eyes landed on a headline, piquing his interest.

A murder without known cause was committed on Audubon Boulevard in the early morning hours. Helena Fontenot, aged 32 years and wife of a prominent businessman, was shot through the heart and instantly killed. The place selected by the murderer was the home she shared with her husband, Philippe. Neighbors reported seeing a prowler rustling through the shrubbery prior to the incident. The suspect fled before police arrived at the upscale neighborhood.

His dark eyes glazed as he read the rest of the article. His blood ran cold. He knew the murderer. It had to be her. Philippe had introduced them years ago, as he had also been involved with Manon Durand.

"Henri, what's wrong?" Kitty asked, detecting the shift in his mood.

"What's today?"

"It's the ninth," Doc answered.

Henri curtly dipped his head, catching the date of the newspaper and associating it with the wire. "I must go. I have business to take care of in New Orleans," Henri firmly stated, pushing his chair back, exiting the dining room.

Without a word to the men remaining in the room, Kitty left the table and was hot on her husband's heels. She closed the bedroom door, leaning against the wood, watching his every move. "Henri," she murmured, closing her eyes, steadying herself to ask a question she never thought she'd have to ask him again. She released a slow breath, gasping as he suddenly stood in front of her. She looked at him through her lashes. "Was it from her? Is your business with Manon like it was three years ago?"

"Oh, Chérie," he spoke in a low, disheartened tone, hating that she doubted his fidelity. Henri cupped her face with his hands, leaning in to kiss her. He sighed as she dodged his affection. "I'm not being unfaithful to you, Kathleen."

"You swear to me?"

"I swear to you on my mother's grave, mon amour." He took the telegram from his pocket, handing it to her.

She read the typed words out loud, "We had a visitor to the magnolia trees two nights ago." Her voice lifted with puzzlement. "What does it mean, Henri?"

"It's a code Yves and I came up with years ago. It's silly, but I've always worried about competition. Business is cutthroat as you know. Kathleen, I have to return to New Orleans to handle this matter. It will ensure our future," he declared, embracing her. His hand drifted to her middle, untying the sash of her gown, slipping his hand under the silk and lace to caress her rounding belly. "I wouldn't do a thing to destroy our family," he promised, kissing her softly.

Matt led the black Thoroughbred stallion to the front of the house, averting his eyes from the couple's goodbye kiss. He heard the Frenchman's promise of a swift return and fiddled with the reins in his large hands, handing them off to Henri as he approached, observing Kitty disappear into the house. He wondered if she'd always looked as brokenhearted all the times he'd ridden out of Dodge.

"Merci," Henri acknowledged. "I appreciate you saddling Cheva Noir." He took in a breath, giving the lawman a sideways glance. "Matthew, we've had our differences and still do, but I," he hesitated, "I know I told Kathleen I'd be back in a couple of days, but I don't know how long I'll be away."

Matt slipped his hands into his pockets, considering the man. His gut had nagged at him since breakfast. He couldn't shake the unmistakable feeling that trouble was brewing. "Henri, you're not going to New Orleans for business," he presumed.

He shook his head, confessing in a low voice, "I am in a sense, but I didn't want to worry Kathleen. There's been a prowler lurking around our home. I must see for myself. I understand you have commitments in Kansas, but will you stay with Kathleen and the children for as long as it takes? Keep an eye on them and the property?"

"Of course."

Henri chewed the inside of his cheek, debating on whether or not he should demand more from the marshal. He decided against it. Ultimately, he'd have to spill more details, but he didn't want to confess his sins to his wife's former lover.

"Do you need my help?"

He shook his head. "No, for now, it's my business to handle. I believe a man takes care of his home and family…most importantly, his lady," he concluded, mounting the stallion and galloping down the shaded oak trail.

In a flash, the big man learned that two-and-a-half-year-olds were little to no help with plucking lowbush blueberries. Vivienne had abandoned her post to chase a butterfly while Alexandre had plopped his empty basket onto his head. Matt turned his head, focusing on his former lover in a sleeveless floral cotton dress, noticing the ribbon of her wide-brimmed sun hat matched the dress. Her hair was pinned in a sophisticated twist, and he could see the smattering of freckles on her shoulder. He remembered how he used to press his lips to them. He wistfully shook his head, sucking in a breath, reminding himself that he'd made the decision to enjoy the day instead of dwelling on the past.

"Marshal! Look!" Alexandre exclaimed, toddling toward him as the basket slipped over his blue eyes.

Matt chuckled at his son's antics, thrusting his arm out to right the boy before he could misstep and fall. "Hey," he said as he lifted the basket off Alexandre's head. "How about you help me? You think you can?"

"Yep," he chirped, clambering into the marshal's lap.

"Yes, Sir," Kitty corrected, dropping a handful of blueberries into her pail. She looked around her. "Vivi!" she yelled, "Come back here!" She grumbled under breath as the girl ran farther away and sprang into the air to catch the butterfly. "Vivienne Serena Broussard, viens à moi, bébé!"

The little girl's eyes widened at the use of her full name and the fact that her mother spoke French. "Maman," Vivi whined, folding her arms over her chest, watching the winged insect fly away from her. She sulkily stomped to her mother. "Maman, le…" she chewed her lip, realizing she didn't know the word. "Le butterfly."

"Le papillon…I do believe. We'll have to ask Papa to make sure. Vivienne, you need to stay close. I don't need you gettin' snake bit."

"Oui, Maman," she mumbled, sitting next to the bucket to pick blueberries out to eat. She scratched at her healing ear, pushing herself up, wandering over to Matt and her brother. She crawled onto the lawman's other thigh and leaned into his chest, grinning as she looked up at him. "Bonjour."

"You gonna help us pick blueberries?"

"Myrtilles. Try, s'il vous plaît."

"Myrtilles," Matt clumsily mimicked, smirking as the moppet proudly clapped her hands. After a few moments, he noticed she hadn't moved a muscle. "Vivi, you're not picking."

"Maman always says to ask nicely."

Matt cocked a brow, staring at the girl while she scooted around to face him. He noticed Vivienne had a mischievous gleam in her eyes as she expectantly gazed at him with her chin tilted upward with her fists at her hips. The girl was too much like her mother. "Miss Vivienne, would you please help us pick myrtilles?"

"Oui, Maréchal."

He heard Kitty snickering and set his eyes on her. "That's enough outta you," he chided.

"Well, my bucket's full," she stated, easing down next him, peeking into his bucket. "That's all you've got?"

"My helpers are eating more than they're picking." He frowned as the twins erupted into giggles.

"I reckon I'll have to show you a thing or two, Cowboy."

Matt flashed a boyish grin at her. "I believe you will."

"Oh!" she hollered as rain suddenly poured from the sky, soaking them to the bone. Kitty scrambled to her feet, picking her daughter up while yelling at Matt to get Alexandre and the buckets before dashing toward the house.

Matt stood to his full height, adjusting his hat on his head. He chuckled at Alexandre jumping up and down on the wet grass. He didn't mind the unexpected rain shower at all. "He's mine," Matt whispered to himself at the sound of Alexandre's laughter. "Son, c'mere," he beckoned. His eyes widened as the boy slipped, landing flat on his rear end. Matt leaned over, grabbing onto the bib strap of Alexandre's overalls, pulling him to his feet. "You're alright."

"Marshal," Alexandre raised his voice, thinking he wouldn't be heard over the pounding rainfall.

"What is it, Son?"

"Catch me," he challenged, scurrying off.

Matt waited for a moment before chasing after his son. He easily closed in on the toddler, lunging to hook his arm around the boy. He lifted him into his arms. "Oh hell," Matt muttered under his breath as his boot hit a muddy patch, sending him to the ground. He landed on his back with a thud, arms still securely wrapped around the toddler.

Alexandre pushed his soaked curls out of his eyes and pushed himself up, sitting squarely on Matt's stomach. "Do it again!"

The giant emphatically laughed, shaking his head.

Restlessness plagued her. She had tossed and turned in the cotton sheets for hours, her body unable to rest without his arms around her. Her mind couldn't rest because it was running wild with thoughts of what her husband might be doing in New Orleans.

After midnight, Kitty leisurely walked the oak lined road, relishing the feel of the damp grass and soil cushioning her bare feet. She let the croaking chorus of the pond frogs drown out her thoughts. She stopped on the path, appreciating the sounds of the night and the glow of the glimmering moon. She breathed in the perfume of the summer blooms and turned around, spying him on the porch.

As he stepped off the veranda and hurriedly closed the distance between them, she fixed her eyes on his bare chest, staring at the scar from the eleventh bullet, the one that had caused her to leave him.

"Kitty," he uttered, curiously glancing her over. He'd never known her to traipse around barefooted, let alone in a lacy gown in the middle of the night. "You shouldn't be out here walking by yourself."

She reached out, running her fingertips over the scar. "It healed alright."

"Yeah, Doc did a good job," he replied. "Why are you out here? You should never wander alone at night."

"Matt, this isn't Dodge City. No one's gonna molest me. Look around," she waved her arm. "It's The Oaks. Private Broussard property. Besides, I couldn't sleep," she softly sighed, innocently exploring his torso and his new wound marks. "Is that the one from the bank robbery a few years ago?"

"Yeah," he drawled as she touched the scar on his shoulder. "How'd you know about that?

"Doc told me about it."

He drew in a breath as she continued to harmlessly graze her fingertips over the scar. Matt felt the cool wind on his heated skin. He licked his lips, observing her nipples harden through the thin material. A low, instinctive growl came from the back of his throat, causing him to pull her against him. He gently set his lips upon hers as she tilted her head back. Her lips were just as warm and pillowy soft as he'd remembered. He pressed his palm into the small of her back as her tongue tickled his, arching a brow at the feel of her slightly rounded belly against him. Her velvety moan broke his train of thought, spreading all over him like a summer breeze.

Kitty felt his arousal. Her eyes flew open, unable to comprehend what she'd just done. She placed her palms on his broad chest, pushing against him, breaking the kiss. She stumbled backward. "Oh God, what am I doing?" she mumbled under her breath, shaking her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "I can't. I'm sorry…I just can't," she whispered as tears lined her eyes, threatening to fall.

Matt stared at her, knowing she'd felt that spark, too. He wouldn't apologize because he wasn't sorry in the least bit for the kiss. He whispered her name, stepping closer while holding on loosely to her fingers.

She shook her head and pulled out of his grasp. "No, Matt. I can't. It's wrong. I'm married…"

He followed her onto the porch and dropped down next to her on the top step, lifting his hand to comfort her. He let his hand fall, sticking his hands underneath his thighs. "Kitty, you felt that too. You had to have."

She wiped at her nose with the back of her hand, barely nodding her head. "I can't hurt him, Matt. I can't do that to him. I know how much it hurt me."

Matt narrowed his eyes on her. He'd never hurt her in that way. He'd been faithful to her the entirety of their fifteen years together. His eyes widened with comprehension. "Not one bit a saint," he whispered her previous words.

Kitty bit into her lip. Tears trickled down her cheeks while the particulars of her husband's one night of indiscretion poured out of her. She turned away from him, wiping her eyes as she glanced at the full moon behind the branches of one of the oak trees. The gentle breeze finished drying the tears on her embarrassed face. "You think I'm a fool…don't you?"

He pulled his hand out from under him, timidly placing his palm on the middle of her back, stroking his thumb over her spine. "No, Kitty…but…"

"Why'd I stay with him? Same reason I stayed with you - love. Commitment."

He stilled his hand as he scooted closer to her. "Are you worried that's what he's doing now?"

"A tiny bit," she confessed, staring at the ground.

"Kitty, you don't have to stay with a man that doesn't know what he has with you."

She turned her head, peering at him over her shoulder, wondering if he'd even realized what he'd said to her. He'd been that man for years. Kitty pursed her lips as her emotions got the better of her. She scrambled to stand, glaring at him. "Do you realize what the hell you just said to me?"

He furrowed his brow, perfectly aware of he'd said to her. "Hold on just a minute. Calm down," he placated, glancing at her, wincing at the fire in her eyes.

"No! That was you, Matt! For years, that was you! And I'll tell you something, Marshal," she rumbled, stabbing her finger into his chest, "it's a helluva lot easier contending with another woman than a badge! Until this morning, Henri hasn't given me a reason to doubt him since. He's good to me like you were, but he listens to me and tries his best to give me what I want. I don't have to beg. Do you remember our conversation from years ago about me having a child?"

The big man nodded, realizing now just how much she'd desired a family with him.

"And you remember how time and time again you told me 'no'?"

He couldn't meet her gaze any longer.

"Well, months ago, I told Henri I wanted another baby, and he gave it to me. Because he loves me and wants me to be happy."

Matt's eyes fell to her middle. He felt like a fool for not noticing it before. Once again, she was having a baby, and he was most likely the last one to know. He swallowed hard. "Does your happiness include you not being able to sleep? Wondering if he's with an old mistress?" He angrily stood, marching into the house as he muttered, "Congratulations," slamming the screen door behind him.

The infuriated redhead glowered, balling her fists at her sides, stomping her foot. She ran after him, launching herself onto his back. "How dare you say that to me!"

"Kitty! What the hell?!" Matt howled as her legs tightly wrapped around his waist. He ineffectively dodged her wallops to his head, neck, and shoulders. "Kitty! Stop! Have you lost your mind?" he groaned, realizing that wasn't the correct thing to say at all. He shook his aching head from her forceful blow to the back of his skull. "Dammit, Kitty!"

"You big, stone-headed bully!" She whacked the top of his head and dug her nails into his shoulders. "Take it back, Matt!"

"Take what back?! The congratulations?" he grimaced. He was certain she'd drawn blood. His mind raced with how he could get her off his back without hurting her.

Doc stumbled out of his downstairs bedroom, following the commotion. He scrubbed his hand over his face. His drowsy eyes widened at the sight in front of him. He momentarily believed he was seeing things. He squinted, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "For heaven's sake," he muttered. He wasn't hallucinating. "What in thunder is going on in here?" he bellowed, surveying Matt dance around the living room while Kitty pelted him with her fists.

"Doc! Help!" Matt pleaded, spinning around to face him. "Get her off!"

"Kitty," Doc reprimanded, "You don't need to be acting this way. It's not good for you."

Kitty narrowed her eyes. "You stay outta this! This is between me and him!" the hellcat roared, continuing to smack the lawman any place she could.

"You two are gonna wake up the whole house!" Doc barked. At that moment, he was certain his grandchildren behaved better than their parents.

"Kitty, I don't wanna hurt you," Matt declared.

"Too late," she growled.

Matt attempted to shake her off. He felt her slip, yowling as she yanked a fistful of his hair to keep herself in place. "Doc, do something!"

Doc declined with a shake of his silvery head. He knew better than to intervene when the redhead was unreservedly incensed. He nodded his head towards the sofa, silently advising Matt to dump her.

"Take it back, Matt!" she screeched as Matt tossed her off him. She haphazardly fell onto the soft sofa cushions, pushing her hair off her face while chucking a pillow at him. "Take it back right this minute!" she cried.

He dodged the pillow she threw at him, glancing at Doc as he hurried over.

Doc swiped his hand over his mouth, grumbling as Matt stood behind him as if the elderly man could protect him from the redhead. "What is going on?" Doc asked. "What's gotten into you, Kitty?"

"He," she hiccupped, chest heaving, pointing at Matt, "thinks my marriage is a sham and insulted my baby."

Doc sighed heavily, slanting his head to glare at the big man. "Matt," he started, shaking his head. He had told him time and time again that he and Kitty needed to resolve their issues instead of sweeping them under the rug. He knew things would reach a boiling point. "Oh, why bother," he muttered, "no one ever listens to me."

Kitty clamped her hand over her mouth, springing off the sofa, running outside. She dropped to her knees, gripping the porch column as she emptied the contents of her stomach.

Matt heard the violent retching and smoothed his hand over his face. He put his hand on the older man's shoulder. "No, Doc. Let me go. It's all my fault," he declared, slowly walking out of the house. He silently closed the door and observed her, curled up on the wooden planks, sobbing uncontrollably as her body shook. Matt crouched close to her. "Kitty, I'm sorry," he whispered, putting his hand on her hip.

"Don't touch me," she hissed between sobs, shoving his hand off her.

"Kitty, I take it back," he told her.

"You don't mean it. Tell the truth, Matt."

"Kitty…"

"You don't want me to be happy. You didn't want to marry me. You didn't want me to have babies. You just always wanted me to wait for you. You always wanted me to be good old, understanding Kitty."

Matt raked his hand through his hair and sat on the porch. "How can you think such a thing? Of course, I want you to be happy. Kitty," he hesitated, softy clearing his throat, hoping he wouldn't upset her again. "I don't think you are happy if you're worrying about your husband having an affair."

She groaned in annoyance and rested her hand over her abdomen, closing her eyes. "I hate I told you that." She rolled onto her back, turning over to face him. "You don't think I worried about you and other women?"

"I never gave you a reason to."

"You're a slow learner. Oh, you'll never understand women," she groused.

"And Henri does," he snapped.

Kitty wearily pushed herself up to sit. "You're doing a real shitty job of keepin' the green-eyed monster away," she quipped, rubbing her temples to ease the headache setting in. "You should be thanking him."

"For what? Stealing my family?"

The venom in his tone stoked her anger. She cut her eyes at him, raising her voice, "I'm alive because of him!"

His brows furrowed as he stared at her, holding his breath as he wondered what she'd meant.

Her beautiful features suddenly twisted with anguish. "Oh, God," she uttered faintly, lowering her voice an octave as she twisted her wedding ring around her finger. "I nearly jumped off the balcony of The Seraphine after you left. I was pregnant and alone and terrified. You'd made it real damn clear how you felt after I'd begged you to stay."

Her revelation felt like a bullet to the chest. He swallowed the lump in his throat, blinking back the tears forming in his eyes. "I didn't know. I thought I was doing right by you," he professed, scooting closer to her. "Kitty," he whispered.

She shook her head, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Henri saved me…pulled me off the railing in the pouring rain. He asked me to marry him. He loved me and my baby, even though I still loved you. He saved me, Matt, in more ways than one."

"Kitty," he breathed, pulling her into his arms. He realized his babies wouldn't be alive if Henri hadn't stopped her. He held her against him, pressing his lips to the crown of her head. "I know what I'd denied you. Pushing you to him was my way of making up for never giving you what you wanted." He heard her sniffle and held her tighter. "I am grateful to him. It's been hell without you. I walk into the Long Branch and still expect to see you sitting at our table…but then I remember you're in New Orleans with our babies and that you're all safe. It makes it easier, Kitty…knowing you're safe…and happy."

She swallowed down her emotions, staring at him with watery eyes. She was shocked by how much he'd confessed to her. "Matt, I—"

"I think we've said enough tonight," he grinned, worriedly glancing at her at the sound of her soft groan. "What's wrong?"

"I'm startin' to get sore."

"I'm carrying you to bed."

"Matt, I'll be fine," she waved him off.

"Stop being stubborn. I'm carrying you to bed. I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby. I promised Henri I'd take care of you, and I owe him. I owe him everything."

Kitty nodded her head, slipping her arms around his neck as he scooped her into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, exhausted from the emotional and physical toll of the night.