Chapter 31 "No Laughing Matter" I can't remember the episode, but there was one where a man would pull pranks. I believe one prank was shooting off his gun to startle the horses and get them going. This story was inspired by that episode.

It was after midnight and Matt finished his rounds and was heading back to the jail. Matt did stay in town later one night a week to help Festus and Newly with the nighttime rounds. Earlier in the evening Matt arrested a drunk at the Bulls Head. That man was currently in one of the cells sleeping off his drunk.

"Festus, I'm gonna head on home," said Matt. "I'll release our guest when I come back in the morning."

"Sounds good, Matthew," said Festus. "I'll see ya directly."

Matt left the jail and walked to Moss Grimmick's stable to retrieve his horse. Reaching the stable, he saddled Buck up and mounted him. If he pushed Buck, Matt could be home in fifteen minutes. However, Matt knew there was no reason to push his horse. He wanted to get home to Kitty and Ruby, but he knew more than likely, both of his girls were sound asleep. Matt decided it would be best to ride Buck at a normal pace and get home in about a half an hour.

Less than thirty minutes later, Matt rode up to the homestead. As he suspected, the house was completely dark. Matt dismounted his horse and led him to the barn. He removed the saddle, the bridle, and the other gear. Before going into the house, Matt quickly brushed Buck down. After Buck was brushed down, Matt headed towards the house.

Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out the key so he could unlock the door. He and Kitty had agreed that when he was gone after dark, the doors to the house would be locked. Matt was not going to take any chances with his family and the enemies he has made while being Marshal. Inserting the key into the lock and turning it, Matt opened the door. He took the key out of the lock, relocked the door, and quietly shut it.

Matt removed his boots and placed them by the side of the door. He took his hat off and placed it on the hat rack. The rest, including his gun belt, would be taken off in the bedroom. Matt always made sure his gun belt was in the bedroom with him. It would do no good not to have his gun belt available in times of trouble. Before walking down the hallway, Matt made sure the fire in the fireplace was still burning. He placed a couple of logs in the fire, so it would burn throughout the night.

Matt walked past his and Kitty's bedroom and went to Ruby's bedroom. He softly opened the door and walked inside. Matt noticed that Ruby's covers had gotten all twisted. Very carefully, Matt fixed the covers. Matt figured that Ruby must be in a deep sleep. She didn't even squirm while Matt was untwisting the covers. Now that her covers were all straight, Matt gave Ruby a kiss on the forehead, telling her he loved her. Matt walked out of Ruby's bedroom and headed towards his and Kitty's bedroom.

Just as he did when he entered Ruby's bedroom, Matt softly opened the door and walked inside. He unhooked his gun belt, and placed it on the tall chest of drawers. He used to keep it on the nightstand, next to his side of the bed, but ever since Ruby was able to walk and could reach the top of the nightstand, Matt kept his gun and gun belt on the tall chest of drawers. Ruby couldn't reach the top of the tall chest of drawers, even with a chair. Plus, she knew to never touch a gun. Her parents made that very clear.

After removing his gun belt, Matt began the task of removing the rest of his articles of clothing. He removed everything, but his union suit. It was winter and a union suit at night was necessary. Matt turned to walk to the bed and noticed Kitty was awake, looking at him.

"Honey, I'm sorry if I woke you up," Matt apologized. "I try to be as quiet as I can be."

"You didn't wake me up," said Kitty. "You know I can't get into a deep sleep until I know you're home safe and sound."

Matt was about to say something, but then thought better of it. There was no point in telling Kitty she didn't have to wait up for him. Telling her that would not stop her from waiting up. Keeping his mouth shut was the better choice. It would save an argument.

"I'm home now," said Matt as he climbed into bed next to Kitty. He gathered her towards him. "Why don't we get some sleep? We both know that daughter of ours is gonna wake us up at sunrise."

"She gets that from her daddy," said Kitty with a smirk. Matt could not deny Kitty's accusation.

The next morning found the Dillon family sitting around the table in the kitchen. They were enjoying a breakfast of ham, eggs, and rye toast. Matt and Kitty each had a cup of coffee, while Ruby had a glass of milk. Matt finished his breakfast and took one last drink of his coffee. He walked both his plate, silverware, and cup to the sink.

"I'm gonna ride out to Jake Wirth's this morning, but I should be back in time for lunch," said Matt. "How 'bout we have lunch together at Delmonico's?"

"Yay! Wunch with daddy!" Ruby exclaimed.

Matt and Kitty laughed at their daughter's enthusiasm. "That's a wonderful idea," said Kitty. "We'll stop by the jail around noon and walk to Delmonico's from there."

"Sounds good," said Matt. "I'll see ya at noon."

Matt gave both of his girls a kiss goodbye and walked into the living room. He slipped his boots on and placed his hat on top of his head. Matt walked out of the house and headed towards the barn. He saddled Buck up, mounted him, and rode towards town.

When Matt reached the jail, he dismounted Buck and loosely tied Buck's reins around the hitching post. There was no point in bringing Buck to the stable, considering he would soon be riding him to Jake's place. Matt entered the jail and saw Festus sitting at the desk.

"How's Wally this morning?" Matt asked.

"I reckon he's better than what he was last night," Festus responded. "Should I release him?"

"Yeah," Matt answered. "I have to ride out to Jake Wirth's place. I'll be back in an hour."

Festus opened the door to the cells. "Alright, Wally," said Festus as he unlocked the cell. "Matthew said yer free t' go. Now if ya don't wanna end up in here again t'night, I highly suggest ya control yer alcohol consumption."

"I know, Festus," Wally sighed as he left the jail. Wally said he knew, but he still ended up spending the night in jail at least once a week.

Matt rode out to Jake's ranch, did the business that needed to be done, and returned to town. Matt knew it was close to noon and decided to keep Buck at the jail. He would take him to the stable after he ate lunch with Kitty and Ruby. Besides, if Kitty saw Buck in front of the jail, she would know that Matt had returned from Jake's.

Back at the house, Kitty and Ruby were getting ready for their ride into town. Kitty gathered both her and Ruby's coats and their shoes. Kitty slipped her shoes on and then sat Ruby on the couch, so she could put Ruby's shoes on her feet. While Kitty was trying to buckle Ruby's shoes, Ruby kept wiggling her feet.

"Ruby, honey," said Kitty. "You need to keep your feet still so I can buckle your shoes. When you wiggle your feet, it's hard for me to buckle them."

"I can't howp it," said Ruby. "My toes are skushed."

"You mean your toes are squished," Kitty corrected.

"That's what I said. My toes are skushed." Ruby repeated.

Kitty inspected the shoes on Ruby's feet. They were getting small. Kitty chastised herself. She should've realized that Ruby's feet were growing and she was in need of new shoes. Kitty wondered how long Ruby's shoes were too small before she complained.

"I won't buckle them," said Kitty. "That way your toes won't be squished. We'll take these shoes to the shoe box at the church, and then we'll go to Jonas' store and get you a new pair of shoes. Come outside. I have to hook the horse up to the buggy."

Matt and Kitty had purchased a buggy several months ago. They both thought it would be a good idea for Kitty to use a buggy when she and Ruby rode into town. There was usually no need for her to bring the wagon into town. It was easier to hook a single horse up to a buggy. Once Kitty had the horse and buggy all set, she lifted Ruby up and placed her on the seat. Kitty climbed up after Ruby was all settled. Kitty lightly snapped the reins, and she and Ruby drove towards town.

The first stop was the church. Outside of the church, next to the door, was a crate for people to put used, but still wearable, shoes. It was Kitty's idea to start the shoe donation box, and it was very popular. Shoes of all sizes, girls, boys, women, and men, ended up in that box. Before people put shoes in the box, they used the cloths next to the box, to wipe off the dirt and dust.

Kitty pulled Ruby's shoes off her feet and carried the little girl to the shoe box. Ruby wanted to put her shoes in the box. Kitty made sure the dust was wiped off the shoes and gave them to Ruby. With a smile, Ruby dropped the shoes in the box.

"Alright, let's go get daddy and then we'll go get your new shoes," said Kitty. "We don't want to be late and cause your daddy to worry."

"Mama, I don't have any shoes," said Ruby, looking at her stocking feet. "How am I gonna wawk? My feet are gonna get dirty."

"That's true," Kitty replied. "I guess your daddy or I will have to carry you until you get your new shoes."

Kitty drove the buggy in front of the jail. She pulled on the reins to stop the horse. Kitty instructed Ruby to sit still while she attached the weight to the horse's bit. When Kitty finished doing that, she would come and get Ruby and carry her inside.

Kitty was walking to the horse, when a man came up and slapped the horse on its backside. The man began laughing. The horse took off before Kitty even knew what happened. Kitty was immediately filled with panic as she saw the horse and buggy take off at full tilt. Ruby was still in the buggy.

"Ruby!" Kitty screamed.

TBC