Chapter 5 "Love, Daddy" Matt writes his own letter to Ruby

Kitty had told Matt about the letter she had written to Ruby and her plan of giving it to her when Ruby was older. Matt really liked that idea and decided to write a letter of his own. He grabbed a piece of paper and a quill pen and sat down at the living room desk and started writing.

Dear Ruby,

Your momma told me about the letter that she wrote to you, so I decided to write my own letter and give it to you when you're older. I've always seemed to have trouble with words. I'm more of a man of action than a man of words. There's that saying, 'Actions speak louder than words.' and I am a firm believer in that. However, I am determined to sit down with my thoughts and transfer those thoughts to words that I can put on a piece of paper.

Let me start out by giving you some background on my parents and your momma's parents. I must say, it's not an easy story to tell.

I'll tell you about my parents first.. I was an only child. My father was a lawman, a Texas Ranger. He was a great father and a great lawman. I looked up to him. My mother stayed at home to take care of me and the house. She was a wonderful mother, so patient, loving, and kind. One night when I was six years old, my father was shot and killed by an outlaw. This devastated both me and my mother. My mother died a few months after my father died. I'm certain she died of a broken heart. I ended up being an orphan. A nice family took me in, but I started making bad choices. Luckily I had someone to set me straight and make me follow the right path. That's how I ended up becoming a lawman.

Your momma also had a mother and a father. She was an only child too. Her father wasn't around when she was growing up. Her mother was wonderful, and your momma loved her very much. Sadly, her mother died when she was only eleven years old. There was a lady that took care of your momma, but your momma didn't have a great life after her mother died. Later in her life, her father decided to show up. When he did, he tried to steal her money. She hasn't spoken with him since that happened.

My parents and your momma's parents would have been your grandparents. Unfortunately, they aren't around to fulfill that role. They would have loved you, Ruby. You may not have grandparents that are blood relatives, but you still have grandparents that think the world of you. Grandpa Adam loves you so much. Grandma Smalley loves you so much. You even have uncles and an aunt that love you. There's Uncle Festus, Uncle Sam, and Aunt Bess.

How did your momma and I meet? We met when she was on her way to San Francisco. The stage she was riding in stopped in Dodge City. It was a rainy day and she didn't have much money. She went to the cafe to eat. That's where I first saw her. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I knew she was new in town. I figured she wouldn't be staying too long. Luckily for me, she did. Her plan was to stay long enough to earn enough money to get to California. That plan changed. She said I was the reason her plan changed. Her story is that she saw me in the cafe and was attracted to me. She just knew she had to get to know me better. That's just what happened. We got to know each other better and slowly started to fall in love.

As our love continued to grow, I know your momma wanted more. She wanted for us to get married. I wanted to marry your momma, but I was afraid that she would become a widow if I was shot and killed. I saw how sad my mother was when my father was shot and I didn't want your momma to feel the same way. Your momma would tell me I was married to my Marshal's badge and I should be married to her. I was also afraid of getting married and having kids, and then leaving behind little kids when I died.

One night your momma wanted to have a serious talk about marriage and kids. She really wanted me to listen. So we had our talk and she made some really good points. She made me realize that it wouldn't matter if we were married or not, if I were killed in the line of duty, she would still be devastated and grieve like a widow. If we did have kids and something happened to me, she would always have a part of me with her. I really thought about that. Having a child together meant I would always have a part of her.

After our talk, I made the decision to marry your momma. I knew there could never be another woman for me. I also didn't want her to decide to leave and find someone who would marry her and give her a family. We got married on a warm sunny June day with our close friends there to support us.

It was several months after we were married that your momma told me she was pregnant. I was over the moon when she told me. At first it didn't seem real to me. But as I watched your momma's belly grow, I knew there was life in there, a life I was going to be responsible for. That made me a nervous wreck. However, all that changed the day you were born. The moment I held you, I knew I was ready to be your father and I promised you and myself that I would be the best father you could ask for. I vowed not to make the mistakes your momma's father made. I was going to do my best to always be there to give you the love and support you needed.

I love you, Ruby. You are my pride and joy, my most precious gemstone. I can't imagine life without you or your momma. The sun rises and sets with you. Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you.

Wow, this letter is longer than I thought it would be. I guess if I sit down and really think, words come to me a lot easier. I'm going to end this letter here. I'm going to take you and momma out for supper. I always love taking the most beautiful ladies in the world out to eat. Love, Daddy (Matthew Dillon)

Matt put the letter in an envelope and put it in his dresser drawer. He then went to get his most favorite ladies to take them to Delmonico's. As he helped Kitty and Ruby onto the wagon, he thanked the Lord for blessing him with all he was given.

TBC