CHAPTER 10

Kitty felt Matt stirring before dawn. She forced herself awake and reached for him.

"I'm gonna go check on Festus and Doc," he said softly. "You go back to sleep."

"Matt, just stop for a minute. Listen to me." She had her hand on his shoulder, and was quiet for a moment, trying to compose her thoughts at this ungodly hour.

"I know your ways. You always wake up early and leave. I'm not asking you to change. It's just that for . . . for the next twelve years . . . will you please wake me before you leave and just give me one kiss? Or maybe just one hug? I can go back to sleep, honest."

"Husband has that on his list," Matt replied softly. He pulled Kitty into his arms for both the hug and the kiss. Then he lingered. Kitty felt it.

"Matt, it's so early."

"You're right. Early in our next twelve years." He deepened his kiss.

"Matt! I need a bath! Last night was . . ."

"You can get one. You have time. It's early, remember?"

"I just asked for a kiss or a hug."

"You got those. Now just lay quietly while I play."

He ran his hand up from her hip to her breast then back again, and pulled her toward him.

"You're not gonna refuse me, are you?"

"Oh, Matt!" She willingly rolled into him.

XOXOXO

"You go back to sleep. I won't be gone all that long."

"I hope Doc's fine. I hope the little girl is better too." Kitty rolled over in the warm bed.

Matt looked out the window while he drank his coffee. The snow had stopped, but it sure looked frosty out there. He suited up and started his walk to the jail. Nothing going on. Dodge was tucked in and quiet. He found Festus sound asleep in the office, a good sign.

"Matthew!" Festus woke with a start. "Sun ain't up yet. Ain't nuthin' even up yet."

If Festus only knew.

Matt hung his Stetson and his gun belt and threw more wood in the stove. He lit the lantern and started riffling through the six-day mail stack that Festus had left untouched for obvious reasons.

"How's the Frederick baby?"

"That deal all come out good. Doc give her some of his potions from outta his bag and she come around real good. We was home by three. He's gonna go back today and check on 'er."

"That's good," Matt said absently while he focused on the mail. "What do you think about that Belle woman?"

"Waaal, I s'pected Miss Kitty tole ya' about her."

"Nope. Not yet."

Festus raised an eyebrow.

"Fer my way a-thinkin' she's no problem at all. She ain't been around the Long Branch or yer house in three days. Nobody's seen her. Onlyest odd thing is Dobie says she's still got a room. But he ain't seen her either. Could'a left town. I been sleepin' in your parlor in case of her botherin' Miss Kitty, but she ain't. Probly left town I'd be a-thinkin'.

Matt looked up from the mail at Festus.

"Thank you for doing that, Festus. You didn't have to, but thank you." He was sincere and focused on his deputy, and he meant it.

"Awww, fiddle-dee, it warn't no trouble! 'Sides, Miss Kitty fed me real good and it sure beat sleepin' here!"

"You pretty sure this was the woman I told you about?"

"Golly Bill, Matthew! You'd be the onlyest one to know sure. But she looked jes like yer gal and Miss Kitty was darn sure cause of how she lied n' all. She done give Miss Kitty a diffrent name and tole her she was from Abilene. But she didn't know nuthin' about Abilene, ya' see."

Matt couldn't concentrate on the mail. He tossed it back in the pile, then got up and started a pot of coffee. Festus watched his boss as he put all the heavy clothes back on that he'd just taken off.

"Coffee's for you, Festus. Thanks again for lookin' out for Kitty. Think I'll walk around and see what I can stir up."

As Matt walked out the door, Festus reminded him "Waaal, you might jes' be the onlyest one she's been a-lookin' for."

"Yep" was Matt's only reply.

The sun was just breaking the horizon as he walked out onto the boardwalk. His jaw was set, and he caught himself at that. If there was a threat, he needed to be relaxed. What if Belle really was around? He'd rejected her. Maybe she was stalking him. Stalkers were the worst kind. The kind that hid and shot a guy in the back. Relax. Just relax and watch.

He started by heading over to the Dodge House. The fresh snow was a tracker's best friend. His were the first footprints of the day. The lobby was open but Dobie wasn't around yet. Probably too early. He gave a quick scan. Nothing happening, so he decided to move on.

The woman had been seen at the Long Branch, but that was days ago. Worth a look anyway, so he headed over. Saturday was always a busy day, but still Sam or Rob wouldn't be in until nine, so the heavy doors were still locked. And again, his footprints were the only ones in the fresh snow. Next stop was Delmonico's. The few footprints around front belonged to the three men already inside having coffee. When he walked back out onto Front Street, he crossed his own tracks from earlier in the morning. Too easy. No sign of anything unusual. He decided it was time to interview his star witness.

"Kitty! It's just me!" He called as he stuck his head in the back door. "Kitty! You awake?"

She met him eagerly at the door, even before he could get his heavy coat off. The house was toasty warm and the parlor smelled of fresh coffee.

"Good morning again, my love!" She reached up for a gentle kiss. "Ooooh those lips are cold!"

"Not for long." He held her there and deepened the kiss, finally coming up for air.

"You're up early."

"Mmmm Hmmm. And you, my dear, were up earlier!" She quipped. "Couldn't go back to sleep. Got to thinkin' about being short with you last night. I never want to do that again. I'm really sorry. Would a hot cup of coffee help make it up to you?"

"Sold. Besides, I need to talk with you. You said we could talk this morning."

"Agreed, Matt. Let's talk all about Belle. I know that's what you want to talk about." She put the coffee on the table and they sat down together.

"Kit, there's stuff with this Belle deal that just doesn't fit. Festus says this woman that showed up in town looked just like I described her. He says she showed up at the Long Branch three days ago using a different name, and you 'ran her off.' He says Dobie still has her registered at the Dodge House, but he hasn't seen her and nobody else has, for that matter, for three days. Is there anything else you can tell me about her that you think might help?"

Kitty flicked at her coffee with her spoon and gave her response careful thought. She wanted more than anything to be done with Belle. The whole thing was wearing on Matt.

"I'll just describe everything I remember." She took a deep breath. "You'd been gone since early afternoon on Tuesday. I was working, remember? Festus came by after a few hours and took me aside. He told me the stage had just got in and a woman passenger looked like the one you'd described to him. He said you'd asked him to watch. He said she went to The Dodge House. He wanted to hang around but I told him something about how he was being too protective and I sent him off."

"That sounds like you." Matt was smiling softly.

"Oh, he's such a loyal friend! But I can't have the exclusive service of your deputy, you know. Besides, I had Rob and Sam around, and Festus walked me home after hours, so it was all good."

"Okay, back to what you remember."

"Right. Just before we got the evening rush, she came in to ask for a job. She introduced herself as Denise Taylor, not as Belle. I'm pretty good at first impressions, so I was a little leery. I interviewed the other girl first."

"The other girl?"

"Yes. May Johnson. They came in together. I liked May. I hired her. But when I interviewed Denise, I could tell she was lying. She said she was from Abilene, but she didn't know anything about Abilene. And she said she'd known May for two years. But that was a lie too. May said they'd met on the stage. She sure didn't seem like a threat, though. When I told her I had nothing for her, she gave up and left. No argument, no hostility, nothing. She just left. To be honest, I was real glad."

"So May is working at The Long Branch now?"

"Yes. Why do you care about May?"

"When can I talk to her?"

"Matt! You're ignoring me!"

He took a deep breath. Marriage definitely had its challenges. This wasn't the typical interview.

"Kitty, please. I'd like to talk to her because she's the only lead I've got right now about where the other woman could have gone. I'm coming up empty on all other fronts. I can't just quit now without turning over every stone."

"You're not going to run her off, are you? I sure can use the help, and she's a good worker. She's already worked a double shift and she volunteered for more."

Matt put his hand on Kitty's.

"I'm not going to run her off. I'll be real nice to her. Now when can I see her?"

"She comes in at two. I'll introduce you."

XOXOXO

Matt was waiting in Kitty's office when May showed up for work. Kitty ushered her in, introduced her, and left to fill in up front.

"May, I'd like to ask you some questions about a woman you know, Denise Taylor."

Matt immediately noticed May repeatedly smoothing her skirt, then flushing ever so slightly. Neither of these were lost on him.

"Is she in trouble, Marshal?"

"No, no, I didn't say that. Word is out that something may have happened to her here in Dodge while I've been out of town. No one seems to be able to find her. I'd just like to make contact."

"I, uh, I don't want to lose my job. I'd rather not say anything about her. I don't know where she is."

"Why would you lose your job, May?"

"She seems to like you a lot."

"Seems to?"

May had been outwitted. If she'd gone a little more slowly and thought things through, she might have succeeded. But she'd been caught off guard by the lawman. Her nerves had gotten the better of her. Now she just didn't know what to say. She was silent.

"Okay, May, let's try this another way," Matt said softly. "The last time you saw her, she told you she likes me a lot?"

The tactic worked. May looked up at him and brightened.

"Oh, yeah! She told me she knows you real well and she is in love with you. She just wanted to see you again so she tried to get a job here. But, well . . . but she didn't know Miss Kitty was your wife, and she was scared of Miss Kitty. Said she was going to Hays on the next stage."

"There hasn't been a stage to Hays since you got here, May. The next one isn't till tomorrow. She couldn't have left for Hays. Why don't you just make this simple and tell me where she is? She could be hurt or hungry. I want to see her. You're not in any kind of trouble and she's not either. But with or without your help, I'll find her."

"Aww, you care a lot about her, don't you?" She smiled. "I won't say anything to anyone, I promise! I really need this job."

"I care a lot." Matt lowered his voice, playing along. "Just tell me where she is. We'll both have a secret."

May giggled. "My room at the Dodge House. She's bunkin' in with me. I've been bringing food to her. She doesn't have a job, you know, so she needs help. She really doesn't want to leave. She wants to be with you. Maybe you can help take care of her, Marshal? I'm already workin' extra shifts."

"Thanks May. I'll go see her while you're at work tonight. Appreciate your help.

"Sure, Marshal, sure." May was full of renewed confidence. "Your secret's safe with me." And she flashed him her trademark wink.

Matt had his arms folded in front of him when Kitty walked in. He was looking pretty pleased with himself. She closed and locked the door, then gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey! Careful there, Mrs. Dillon. You and I aren't supposed to be all that sweet on each other."

"What the . . ." Kitty stood back.

Matt pulled her down on his lap.

"Seems like your Miss May is harboring my mistress," he whispered.

"My Miss May? Your mistress?"

Matt had a smile on his face.

"Here's how it goes, darlin'. It seems your Miss May is keeping my mistress, that would be Belle, in her room at the Dodge House. She was waiting until I got back to town so she and I could take up together behind your back."

"Wow. That didn't take long. Married two months and you've already got a woman on the side. Makes a wife feel all used up, I gotta' tell 'ya." Kitty was trying hard to stifle a laugh.

"Yep. Now I've got all kinds of choices," Matt quipped.

"What do you plan to do about her?" Kitty brought the mood back to serious.

"Don't know yet. She hasn't committed a crime. I can charge her with walking out on her hotel bill, or of applying for a job under a false name. Sure would like to have something more substantial. I just want her out of our lives. I'll come up with something. I'm moving along one step at a time. For now, I know where she is. Then there's the little matter of May. You now know May isn't exactly loyal to you."

"I'll handle it, Matt. I don't think Belle is dangerous."

"Yeah, well, I'll be back at eight to walk you home. We have responsibilities."

XOXOXO

They were just finishing supper when Matt went on alert.

"What's wrong?"

"Thought I heard something outside. I'm on it."

He strapped on his gun belt and waited. His house, his wife. He wanted them safe. Nothing was more important. He looked out the back window. Quint was in the bunkhouse, the lantern burning softly. It wasn't Quint.

A light knocking on the front door brought him around. None of their friends used the front door. Only a stranger would do that.

"Kitty. Go to the bedroom and close the door. NOW!"

She complied. When she got there, she took her pocket revolver from the nightstand and held it in her hand. She put her ear to the door.

"Hello, Matt," Belle smiled up at him when he cracked open the door. "Are we alone? I came to see you."

"What do you want, Belle?"

"I want you. I told you that when we were together at your campsite. I want what we can have, Matt. I can be so good for you!"

"Belle, I told you I want to be alone. This is my home. I can't help you." He was calm and quiet. He didn't see a gun.

"Please let me in, Matt. It's cold, I'm alone, and I need you."

Kitty was listening to the entire exchange. She put her revolver in her pocket and opened the bedroom door.

"Matt, let her in out of the cold. Let's talk to her." Kitty was trying to find a chink in the armor.

Now he had two women. One in front of him at the door, and his wife behind him in the parlor.

"Oh, we're not alone! Your other woman is here." Belle looked at Kitty. "Is this the woman who spoke for you after you met me?"

Matt was done. Cold or no cold, this had to end. He opened the door and pointed to a spot in front of him.

"Right here, Belle. Stand right here on this spot."

"I need a place to sleep, Matt. I'm going back to Hays on the stage tomorrow, but I need a place tonight. I came to sleep with you. What would it hurt, Matt? Just one night, you could try me out and you'd see . . ."

Matt cut her off.

"Belle, that's not going to happen. I don't want you here."

"Matt," Kitty cut in. "Let her sleep in the parlor. If she's leaving tomorrow, just let her sleep in the parlor."

"Oh, NO! No, lady, NO!" I don't want to sleep in the parlor. I want to sleep with Matt! I deserve a turn to sleep with Matt!"

"Belle, I'm going to lock you up in jail. I've had enough of this. The jail is warm and safe, and you can stay there until the stage leaves in the morning."

"But I haven't done anything wrong!"

"You're harassing me, Belle. You're stalking me. You're harassing me and my wife! I can hold you for threatening a U.S. Marshal until a judge comes through, or you can get on the stage in the morning. It's your choice."

"Will you sleep in the jail with me?"

"No! Festus will."

"I'll go, Matt. Wherever I have to. I don't want to sleep without you. I'll see you in Hays and we'll have another chance. I'm worth the wait. You'll see. You'll be sorry you did this tonight."

Matt turned to Kitty.

"We're going to take Belle over to the jail for her own protection, Kit. You stand right here while I make sure she's not armed."

Kitty did as she was told, understanding Matt's trepidation at touching Belle without a witness.

"Matt, she has a room at the Dodge House," Kitty said while Matt patted Belle down. "Why can't she just stay there?"

"She's going to jail, Kit. It's only one night. She'll be warm and safe. I'll escort her to the stage tomorrow morning. Put your boots and coat on, we're heading to the jail."

XOXOXO

Festus was surprised to see both Matt and Kitty at the jail so late.

"Matthew? What in the name of . . ."

"Sorry, Festus. Hate to surprise you. This is Belle Foster. Lock her up in the rear cell please, then come out here and I'll explain everything to you. She is not armed, you don't need to check."

Festus did exactly what he was told. Matt and Kitty were still standing out front when he returned. Matt started his explanation to the wide-eyed deputy.

"She's out of her mind, Festus. She came to our house making threats. I want her locked up for everyone's protection tonight. I'm going to escort her to the stage depot in the morning, and she's headed back to Hays."

Festus peeked around his boss to look at Kitty, standing behind him.

"Miss Kitty, you all right?"

"I'm fine, Festus. Everything's fine. Belle came to our house about an hour ago and started making some real unreasonable demands. It's okay, Matt was there. He got her to agree to be on the stage in the morning. Neither of us believes she meant it."

"Don't neither one of you fret none about that." He spoke to both of them. "I'll do 'er, Matthew. Jes' count on me. I'll keep a close watch on 'er tonight and I'll see you in the morning."

Matt and Kitty headed back down the street. It wasn't a long walk, but he kept a close hold on her.

Kitty paced the parlor, studying her husband. He sat in the dim lantern light just looking at the wall.

"Kit, you go to bed. I just need to do some thinking."

"Can't sleep, Matt."

"Didn't say sleep. Just go to bed and let me figure all this out. I do it for a living."

"Or a loving?" She rubbed his back. He took his eyes off the wall and looked up at her.

"Especially for a loving. Especially."

XOXOXO

Kitty woke at six a.m. to the smell of coffee. Matt had the stove all stoked and the brew ready, so she joined him in the parlor.

"Missed you last night. Bed's kinda big for just me."

"I'm sorry. You know I am. My mind was going all night. This should be a real easy deal. I'll go get Belle and take her to the stage depot. She'll be gone to Hays. That should be the end. But I know it won't, Kit. As long as she's in Kansas, I'll run into her again. More likely she'll run into me. Or you. Or anybody I care about. She's sick in the head. I wish I could help her, but I don't know how."

"Sit down for a minute, Kit, there's something else I want you to know. When I questioned May yesterday, I told you about how she's been harboring Belle. The part I didn't tell you is the instinct I have that when Belle's out of the picture, May is more than willing to step in and apply for the job as my mistress. I know she's a good worker, and I know you need floor help. But she's got to go, sweetheart. I don't want her around. She's nothing but trouble. You need loyal employees. You have two other girls who are rock solid, and Sam and Rob are worth their weight in gold. May doesn't fit."

"I fired her last night before you walked me home, Matt."

Matt took a deep breath and smiled up at her.

"You're a pretty deep redhead, Kitty Dillon. And you let me finish my speech for a reason?"

"Why Matt Dillon, because I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!" She smiled back.

Their expressions of love briefly moved the mood from the drama going on.

"We're not done yet. You know that, don't you?"

"I'm with you forever Matt. For better or for worse. Remember that part? Now I'll fix side meat and eggs if you'll fill us a big hot bath before you leave. Sound good?"

He winked at her and left to start a fire in the caldron.

XOXOXO

"All good last night, Festus?"

"Quiet as a Monday in church, Matthew. Been keepin' an eye on 'er the whole time. Ain't caused no trouble."

"Okay, I'll take her to the stage depot. I'm going to stay and make sure she gets on that nine o'clock stage. She doesn't have to. But if she doesn't, I'm going to lock her up again till a judge comes through. I've got enough reasons, including protective custody."

"Aww, fiddle, she won't cause you no trouble. She don't want to live in jail."

Belle was silent while Matt walked her out onto the boardwalk. When they got out of Festus' earshot, she spoke.

"I need to get my stuff, Matt. I don't have much, but I need my clothes and stuff. Can we stop at the Dodge House?"

"Sure, Belle."

He escorted her to the lobby.

"Belle, I'll wait right here for you. Be down in fifteen minutes or I'll come looking for you."

There was no way Matt wanted to go to her room, or May's room either. These women were looking to spring a trap. He'd been so careful. Not going to blow it now. So far, so good. He took a seat in the lobby, his eyes scanning up to the second floor where Belle had disappeared.

In half the allotted time a loud shot rang out. One single shot. It wasn't from the second floor. It was outside. In the cold morning air, it was loud. He raced onto the boardwalk, gun drawn. Nothing. Nothing at all. Festus had heard it too, clear over at the jail. He saw Matt in front of the Dodge House, gun in hand. Matt started moving fast around the building. When Festus got there, he found Matt standing over Belle. He stayed quiet while he watched his boss feel for a pulse. He watched Matt take the gun from the woman's hand and fall to his knees next to her.

"I'm right here behind ya', Matthew. You want me to get Doc?"

No response. Festus was quiet for a minute, then he tried again.

"Matthew, people are startin' to come and gawk. Matthew, ya' wantin' me to get Doc?"

Matt didn't look up.

"No, Festus," he said softly. "I'll carry her up there. She's dead. Keep the people away."

Matt was sitting on the bottom step of the Dodge House back stairs when Festus brought Kitty to him at noon. His head was buried in his hands. She sat down next to him and pushed her shoulder gently into his, not saying a word, just letting him know she was there. Immediately he looked into her eyes, relishing the solace she offered.

"I forgot about these stairs. I thought I did everything right. I forgot about the back stairs. The stairs that were supposed to be there to save people if there was a fire. Just supposed to save people."

Thankful beyond thankful that Matt accepted her comfort, she rubbed his arm slowly.

"If you had remembered them, how would you have saved her from this?"

Matt didn't answer. He just buried his head in her hair while he fought back his tears.

XOXOXO

After a grueling day, Matt and Kitty were finally together in the big brass bed. Light snow was falling again. They'd been mainly quiet through two refills of whiskey followed by supper and an hour just stroking each other here. Finally Matt spoke. He wanted Kitty to know his thoughts.

"Dave and Susan Henry put me up down at Bluff Creek Tuesday when I rode to Ashland. Nicest people you'd ever want to have for friends. They were real glad to hear we'd got married, Kit. Just seeing them again reminded me of how good this job is."

"I don't know them."

"No, but you will someday. The meeting at Ashland was real good too. You don't know John Finch from the governor's office, either. But you'll meet him when we go to Topeka. He's a real good man. Strong supporter. Wouldn't have even met him if it wasn't for that stage wreck last month. I'd have just been working with some stranger down there."

"I remember him. He's Edsel's brother."

"Yeah. And Miz Pry. She's another one. She's completely come around and we've got another friend in her, too. I've just been layin' here thinkin' about all the good parts of this job."

"There's so much good to be thankful for. You can't let a day like today run you into the ground."

"The thoughts get hold of me and I try to push 'em away. I hate this job today. I should have known better than to let that woman go up there alone. But you're right. She was bound on destroying herself. Something in her head was wrong. I couldn't change it."

He was quiet for a minute, thinking carefully of what he wanted to say.

"Three years, Kitten. Three years and I can be done and get retirement and a full pension. Let's catch up, Kitten. Let's pack everything possible into the next three years!"

Matt snuffed the lantern and pulled his wife into his arms. They drifted off to sleep on that thought.

END

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The "There's Always Tomorrow" series will continue! Watch for Part 5 "DOUBLE DUTY" coming early next year. In the meanwhile, my thanks to each experienced author who has poked, prodded, pushed, and advised me through this, and to you WONDERFUL readers who have left reviews and private messages for the previous stories in this series. It's such fun to write for you! Thanks, as always, to Matt and Kitty. Sure hope I do justice to the overwhelming love you two have for each other!