Dark Reflection

Chapter 55

"Aftermath"

by Lilyjack

Several months later…

Kitty Russell's ivory gloved hand nestled warmly in the crook of Matt Dillon's arm. She smiled up at him, strikingly handsome in his new "courtin' coat," as she'd playfully called it, and a new dove gray hat. Happily breathing in the fresh air as they strolled along the boardwalk, she cast an appreciative eye at the brightly waxing moon hanging low over the roofs of the buildings across the street.

Kitty gathered her lace shawl more snugly over her bare shoulders against the brisk, early spring air. She'd worried that the gown, fashioned with elegant puffed sleeves by Mary Mahaffey and made from silk taffeta, was a little too fancy for a barn dance. But Matt had insisted she wear it tonight after he saw Kitty wearing it during a fitting at Mahaffey's shop. And Kitty could never say no to Matt when he looked at her that way, face full of wonder, admiring gaze soft and dreamy, like a schoolboy. She couldn't get over the feeling of being downright cherished by a man, and how could a girl ever say no to that?

Matt was escorting her to the spring social out on the edge of town. It was such a beautiful evening, and they were so relieved that the long winter was over at last, that they'd decided to walk the relatively short distance to Charlie Halligan's barn. They weren't the only ones, Kitty noticed, as she spotted several other couples heading in the same direction.

Kitty had also noticed that Matt was unusually quiet this evening. To be sure, Matt Dillon wasn't the most talkative of men. But tonight, he just seemed to be in a brown study- distracted and pensive. She wondered if something had happened today that upset him. "Matt…" Kitty ventured, peering up at him. The outdoor lanterns cast his freshly shaven face into stark angles of distinct darkness and light as he looked down at her. "…you okay? Somethin' botherin' you? It's not that awful prisoner of yours, is it?"

"Caswell Hatchett? Nah…"

"I know it's been rough dealin' with him, ornery horse thief and troublemaker that he is, but…"

"He's gone now."

"Finally!" She sighed in relief.

"Yep, U.S. Marshal came through to pick 'im up today, take him to trial in Hays." Matt smiled at her, his expression softening. "Now he's not my problem anymore."

"Thank goodness." Her blue eyes, tilting up at him, appeared dazzling against the coral silk of her dress, even in the low light. She remarked, "You've been a bear since you arrested him a few days ago."

"I have?"

"Mm-hmm…" A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. "Not that I blame you too much. But I sure am glad you don't hafta deal with him anymore."

"Me, too, honey."

"So, what is it then?"

"Huh?"

"What's on your mind this evenin' that's makin' you so quiet?"

Matt cocked his head thoughtfully, opening his mouth as if he were about to speak, but then he promptly shut it again. Finally, he halted, shoving his hat back with an index finger and glancing quickly behind them. He turned to face her, and she breathed in the spicy, masculine scent of his bay rum aftershave tonic. His big hands warmly embraced her own.

That feeling of warmth, of simple belonging, enveloped her completely, as it always did when she was with Matt Dillon. Kitty hadn't had a real home or family, a feeling of being part of something bigger than herself - not since her mother had passed years ago, a whole lifetime ago, it seemed. But Matt's big, warm hands holding hers, those beautiful sparkling eyes gazing so earnestly at her – that made her feel what she realized she'd been missing out on all this time.

"What's the matter, Matt? You look so serious."

"Nothing's the matter, Kitty," he explained quietly, caressing the backs of her hands tenderly with his thumbs. "I just wanna…"

A voice interrupted from a short distance down the boardwalk. "Why, evenin', Sheriff!" It was Harry Botkin, escorting Deirdre Smalley slowly but surely to the social.

Kitty's face beamed as she spotted her silent partner in her new business, the Dodge City Emporium, with his intended. "Evenin', you two!" she called warmly. Kitty hugged Deirdre Smalley, and Mr. Botkin tipped his hat and squeezed her hands fondly.

"Evenin', folks," Matt greeted them. He smiled, firmly shaking Botkin's hand, unconsciously touching the shiny sheriff's badge pinned to his shirt beneath his coat.

Deirdre gushed, "Why, Kitty Russell, you look ravishing. Doesn't she look ravishing, Sheriff Dillon?"

"Yes, ma'am, she sure does," Matt grinned proudly. Kitty smiled and stepped a little closer to him. He moved a hand to rest gently in the small of her back. "You look awful purty, too, Ma. I'm not surprised ol' Botkin here asked you to be his bride."

"Oh…Sheriff, how you do run on!" Deirdre turned pink and squeezed Mr. Botkin's arm.

Botkin placed his hand affectionately over hers. "Well, the dance'll be over by the time we get there. We'll leave you two young people be." They turned to walk on, but then Harry Botkin stopped and looked back, remarking, "Kitty, my dear, would you care to come in Monday, bright and early, to discuss plans to expand your business to a second floor?"

"Why, Mr. Botkin, it's your business, too," Kitty reminded him archly.

Seven months ago, Harry Botkin had been more than willing to invest in any business venture an intelligent, courageous and forthright young woman like Kitty Russell wished to build. Her Dodge City Emporium, selling all sorts of items that even a big city store might offer, had indeed turned out to be a remarkable success. A customer could purchase anything from fancy chocolates to fine cigars, ready-to-wear clothing (sewn by Miss Mary Mahaffey) to beautiful ladies' undergarments, popular sheet music to shaving supplies.

"Yes, my dear, you say that." Botkin smiled wryly. "But you're the one earning all the money for us, aren't you? Well, I suppose we'll see you again at the dance in a bit?"

"Sure, Mr. Botkin," Matt assured him. "We'll be right along." Matt tipped his hat to the older couple, watching them walk ahead, and finally turned back to Kitty. He reached for her hands again. "Kitty, I…"

"Well, if it ain't Mister Dillon and Miss Kitty!" exclaimed a decidedly familiar voice.

Matt sighed, dropping Kitty's hands again. It took all the strength within him not to roll his eyes heavenward. Chester, dressed in his best jacket, his boots polished to a high shine and smelling of rosewater hair tonic, was grinning beatifically at them. The radiant Ruby Moon, or as she was now known, Ruby June Mooney, was on his arm in a stunning red silk gown.

Matt's humor changed when he laid eyes on Ruby. "Say…" he enthused. "Don't you look awful purty, too!"

"Thank ya, kindly, Sheriff." Her wide, white smile matched Chester's.

Kitty remarked drily, "Chester, you act like you haven't seen me all day long."

Ruby offered, "We locked up for ya', Kitty. And Chester done set out all them new dime novels he talk you into buyin'." She smiled affectionately at her escort. "He say we gonna read 'em all though, 'fore we sell 'em."

Chester grinned sheepishly. "Now…Ruby June, darlin', don't you go tellin' on me agin." He chuckled self-consciously. "I cain't git away with nothin' 'round all these womenfolk," he coyly drawled to Matt.

Kitty winked at Ruby whose mouth quirked up knowingly at the corner.

Matt declared enthusiastically, "I hear congratulations are in order, Miss Ruby. Kitty told me she'd hired you on full time to manage the store for her when she's gone."

"Yessir," Ruby smiled gleefully. "Miss Kitty, she work way too hard. I tole her she needed to git herself a little rest. So I say to her, she should hire me 'cause I kin run the place almos' as good as she can."

Matt laughed appreciatively. "That's great news, Ruby. I agree Miss Kitty's been workin' entirely too much for my taste."

Kitty protested, "Oh Matt, you know how hard it is gettin' a new business up and runnin'!"

"Yeah, but you gotta take a little time off once in a while." Matt solemnly looked to Chester and Ruby, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I've been tryin' t' get Kitty to go fishin' with me for a week now." A pleased smile lit up his features. "Maybe we can do it now."

Kitty mildly scolded, "Oh, Matt…" But her face and tone conveyed amusement and affection.

Then Matt grinned mischievously, clapping Chester on the shoulder. "So technically, Miss Ruby's your boss now, Chester."

Chester removed his hat, scratching his head thoughtfully. "Well…yeah, Mr. Dillon, I s'pose she is."

Matt teased, "How's it feel havin' the girl you're sparkin' to suddenly become your boss?"

"Well, heavens to Betsy, I dunno. Hadn't give it too awful much thought till just now…" Eyeing his beautiful companion, her dark hair swept up in an elegant twist, small curls cascading down in back, Chester smiled slyly. "But maybe she'll see 'er way clear to givin' me a raise in m' salary!"

Kitty laughed merrily as Ruby rolled her eyes and shook her head, urging him, "Come on, Chester. Let's us go do a little dancin'."

"I'm a'ready, darlin'. We'll see you later, Miss Kitty, Mister Dillon." Chester tipped his hat, grinning from ear to ear, and the two sashayed down the boardwalk, whispering and holding hands.

Kitty sighed as she watched them go. "I'm awful lucky, aren't I, Matt?"

"Yep."

Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she looked up at him. "In more ways than one."

He whispered, "I think I'm the lucky one, honey."

She wrapped both her arms around him and held tightly, gazing at him softly for a quiet moment. Finally, she stirred, saying, "Come on, Matt. My employees are gonna make it to the dance before I do…and I asked 'em to stay late and close up for me so I could go home and get ready early!"

"And I reckon it was worth every minute, Miss Russell," he beamed at her. "You look beautiful."

"Why, Matt…"

"What?" he objected playfully, defending himself. "I've told you how beautiful you are before," he reminded her. "I remember once you said that I'd never even seen you gussied up before."

"Yeah…" She tilted her eyes up at him.

"But I told you that you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on…" He leaned down to murmur in her ear, his breath brushing her skin, making her shiver. "…even if you were only half dressed." He gave her a broad, boyish smile and raised his eyebrows for good measure, remembering Kitty that day - hair down, face bare, stripped half naked, expression utterly aroused…

"Come on, Cowboy," she sighed dramatically. "I can tell by the look on your face if we don't get movin' soon, I won't make it to the dance tonight." She took his arm again and pulled him along as he teasingly protested her lowly opinion of his moral fiber.

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Matt and Kitty heard the lively music drifting through the crisp evening air long before they arrived at the dance. They cordially greeted small groups of friends gathered outside the barn door, out to catch a breath of fresh air, drinking a cup of spiked punch, or catching up on town gossip. There was Bull Landers talking shop with Bill Pence, and Kitty noticed Deke Bowman was laughing uproariously at some joke he'd shared with Ocie Bleeker. She thought to herself that Lafe Whitcomb must be somewhere inside with his new girl.

"Come 'ere, honey," Matt urged. "I wanna talk t' Deke for a second."

"Howdy, you two!" Deke jovially greeted them.

Ocie's eyes widened when he spotted Kitty in all her colorful satin splendor. "Miss Kitty…" he breathed, quickly removing his hat and standing at attention.

Deke was not so formal. He wrapped his arms around Kitty and gave her a big hug which she returned along with a fond kiss on the cheek.

Deke beamed, a rascally look in his green eyes as he kept an arm around her shoulders. "How's this big ol' boy been treatin' you, Miss Kitty?"

She playfully peered at Matt out of the corner of her eye. "Oh, I suppose he's been treatin' me tolerably well."

"Well, if he ever don't do right by you, honey, you just give ol' Deke a holler. I'll either whip 'im into shape or steal you right out from under his nose, you hear?" Deke grinned and gave Matt a gentle punch in the arm.

"Take it easy, Deke. I bruise easily," Matt bantered. "And keep your hands off my girl," he added for good measure, chuckling.

"Alright, alright…" Deke gave them all a toothy grin, while Ocie stood big-eyed and open-eared, taking it all in. "Say, Matt, you comin' to the big poker game out at the ranch? We're gonna have a high ol' time!"

"That's what I came to tell ya', Deke. My prisoner's headed to trial, so I'm free now."

Deke stuck his hand out for a firm handshake. "Fine! Fine! Glad you can come after all. I'll see ya' then?"

"Yep," Matt agreed. "Kitty and I are headed inside now, so maybe I'll talk to ya' later."

Kitty had stepped closer to Ocie who was sporting new red galluses, his hair carefully combed. He smelled of soap and perhaps even aftershave tonic. She quietly asked him, "Ocie, did you shave this evenin'? You look awful handsome."

He stood staring at her wide-eyed for a moment, finally blurting out, "Thank ya', thank ya' kindly, Miss." His adam's apple bobbed before he finished, "You look s' dadgum purdy, a feller cain't hardly breathe." Ocie tugged at his tight collar.

Kitty chuckled, leaning close to give him a kiss on the cheek. Ocie flushed pink to his ears, self-consciously placing his hat back on his head and shoving his hands in his pockets. As she and Matt walked away, Kitty smiled at the both of them, recalling those hazy days and nights when they'd both been there for her, helping to keep her alive. She'd never forget that.

A deep voice called out. Victor Hawk was walking toward them, hand outstretched to Matt.

"Evenin', Mr. Hawk," Kitty hailed him.

"Miss Russell…Sheriff…" Hawk tipped his hat.

Kitty gratefully expressed, "I wanna thank you for gettin' that last shipment to me so fast. We're stockin' up, gettin' ready for the summer cattle drives."

Hawk replied, "I appreciate your business, Miss Russell. You've been doin' a mighty brisk trade in that emporium of yours. Good for both of us."

Matt inquired, "How're those two new employees doin' for ya', Victor?"

Hawk smiled, "They're hard workers, Matt. I'm glad you sent 'em my way. Lafe is one a' my best drivers, and Ocie is set on ridin' shotgun one a' these days. He's gotta work his way up first though."

Matt grinned. "Is he sweepin' up the office for ya?"

"Yep, but he's got ambition, and that's what counts."

Victor shook Matt's hand again. He intoned, "Good seein' ya', pardner."

Matt replied, "Good seein' you, too, Hawk. I know Kitty's itchin' to get inside."

"Matt, I wouldn't be standin' out here talkin' to me if I had a pretty lady like her on my arm wantin' to dance."

Kitty smiled coyly, admonishing, "Now, Victor…" The corners of his mouth turned up as he tipped his hat to her. She looked up at Matt. "Let's go, Cowboy." She cast a light-hearted glance over her shoulder at Victor Hawk as she and Matt walked away arm in arm.

The barn doors had been swung wide open, the sweet smell of hay greeting them. Rollicking music soared over everything, surrounding them, buoying their spirits. On the bandstand, Sam Noonan, a small, secretive smile gracing his furrowed features, sawed skillfully on the fiddle while Red the bartender strummed the guitar alongside him. And Sam's cousin Horace, now completely recovered from his injuries, picked a mean banjo. There were occasional gleeful shouts from around the room, toe-tapping listeners and enthusiastic dancers caught up in the joyful spirit of the music.

Doc Adams, wearing a new string tie for the occasion, was exuberantly calling a square dance as farmers, ranchers, cowboys and businessmen all swung pretty partners donned in their finest dresses. Kitty could see Mr. Dobie whirling his attractive wife Sarah around. And there was diminutive telegrapher Barney Danches linked arm in arm with Mary Mahaffey who stood a full six inches higher than he, but neither of them seemed to mind too awful much. Then she spotted sturdy Lafe with little strawberry blond Storey Mae Oliver who was just as shy as he was. They were two of a kind – Kitty wondered how they'd ever possessed the courage to even get acquainted.

The roisterous song came to an end and the dancers happily applauded, the ladies patting their hot cheeks, the men wiping their perspiring brows with handkerchiefs, chuckling good-naturedly at their own inept dancing skills.

Matt and Kitty stood there drinking it all in, each absorbed in their own thoughts. But doubtless it was lost on neither of them how thankful they were right at that blissfully happy moment. How grateful they were for neighbors and friends who had come together, not just on this night, but at their darkest hour, when things were at their bleakest. The citizens of Dodge had banded together, united in their determination to overcome evil and take back their town once and for all. They had suffered greatly at the hands of Silas Blackthorne, some more than others, but they had achieved victory together in the end. They determined never to forget that, never to take freedom and contentedness for granted again. Kitty leaned into Matt, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tightly. She smiled silently up at him, but the look that passed between them required no words.

Doc, whose kindness to Matt and Kitty both had known no bounds during their ordeal, waved as he spotted them from across the room, his pale blue eyes twinkling. Kitty recalled the physician's tender, competent hands as he cared for her and the wisdom he'd offered when she most needed it, especially when it came to encouraging her relationship with a certain tall, dark, handsome cowboy.

"I b'lieve that young feller would go t' hell and back for you, young lady," Doc had declared. "No… No, I take that back. He already has been there and back, come t' think of it. I've never seen anything like it, Kitty, how he very nearly rose from the dead. And I think it was simply to rescue you. I've never seen such determination." The wizened old man had winked at her. "Such devotion… You mustn't ever forget that."

She felt a feathery flutter inside of her right then, remembering Doc's words.

She watched the elderly physician as he whispered into Sam's ear. Sam nodded and, in turn, spoke quietly to the rest of the musicians. Then they struck up a lilting and familiar old melody, Sweet Betsy from Pike, the kind of song that made a girl want to be held closely and swept around the room to the heartstring-tugging strains of a fiddle. Doc turned back and looked at her again and smiled. She smiled back, then gazed up expectantly at Matt with glowing eyes.

Matt demurred, "Aw, honey, you know I'm no count at dancin'."

"And you know I don't care one whit, Matt Dillon." Kitty raised a delicate auburn brow. "You do pretty darn well, if ya' ask me. Much better than you let on. Come on, Cowboy. Dance with me."

A slow, sheepish grin spread across his face, and Matt swept Kitty into his arms and onto the dance floor. He forgot for a while that he couldn't dance worth a damn. All he knew was that he was holding the most devastatingly beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. He couldn't see, hear or think any further than her cornflower blue eyes, affectionate smile, and warm, soft body.

Matt had never felt this way about a woman before. It went beyond the fact that she was pretty and smart and brave, although those were the qualities that had compelled him to want to be with her to begin with. Kitty felt right. She felt good. She made him feel comfortable and wanted, appreciated. He reckoned he hadn't felt this sense of peace…wholeness…belonging…since he'd lost his family as a boy. It was an overwhelming epiphany for a simple cowboy.

Before Matt knew it, the beautiful pioneer ballad had ended, and the dancers were applauding. He looked down at Kitty. Her eyes were shining, her cheeks flushed.

"Come outside," he suggested, offering her his arm. "Let's get a breath a' fresh air."

She nodded.

They passed the refreshment table where Louie Pheeters was dipping punch for Moss and Hank. They'd left their wives sitting together across the room to gossip in peace. Kitty smiled indulgently at them, not rightly sure whether it was the wives who were bigger gossipers or the husbands. The elderly gentlemen paused their engrossing conversation long enough to tip their hats to her, their eyes reflecting the respect they held for Kitty Russell after their shared struggle. She nodded back graciously, knowing she would be forever grateful for what they and the others had done for her, indeed for all of Dodge.

There were notably two punch bowls on the table where Louie was serving up liquid refreshment – Kitty was sure one of the concoctions kicked like a mule, while the other was reserved for the church ladies. Louie's special recipe had become famous after he took a job bartending with Bull Landers, lending a hand while Bull's injury healed. Folks said there was a time Louie used to bend an elbow pretty regular, but he'd cut back to near tea-totaling since securing new employment. He'd been so well-liked, Bull had kept Louie on even after the arm healed.

Louie winked at Matt and Kitty when they walked near, handing them each a small cup of his special mule-kicking concoction.

"Thanks, Louie," they both chimed in, taking an appreciative sip, the fiery liquid burning its way down their gullets.

Matt cleared his throat, managing to say hoarsely, "That's a mighty good batch, Louie."

"Thanks, Sheriff," Louie effused happily. "Yer lookin' mighty purdy tonight, Miss Kitty!"

"Why, thank you, Louie," she smiled back, taking Matt's arm as they placed their empty cups back on the table and headed out the door. The cool air felt good against their heated skin.

They stood side-by-side just beyond the circle of light that spilled outside the barn door. A chorus of katydids and crickets competed against tree frogs singing their hearts out. The springtime music of awakening nature was balm to a winter-weary soul, and Matt and Kitty both sighed serenely. "Look up," Matt urged. "Look at all those stars."

They stood in silent mediation, staring at the boundless sky.

Kitty admitted quietly, "I miss being out on the prairie with you, Matt…alone."

"Yep," he succinctly agreed.

"I've been so busy with my new place that…"

He urgently interrupted, "That's why I've been askin' you t' go fishin' with me, Kitty. You're wearin' yourself out. Get Chester and Ruby to watch things while we take a little ride and spend the day down by the creek."

"You really want to?"

"Uh-huh." He reached out and held her hand as they gazed at the sky.

"Okay," she agreed, her eyes picking out the Big Dipper. "Maybe next week?"

"Next week sounds good." He glanced down at her, clearing his throat.

She looked up at him and, if she didn't know better, she'd say he looked a little nervous. "What's the matter, Matt?"

"Didja'…" Matt swallowed hard. "Didja' ever think about maybe…livin' out there? On the prairie, I mean? Not so close to town?"

"What?"

"I mean, close enough t' town so you could still run your fancy store. Just…out where you can enjoy the trees…the creek…the sky…" He pointed a thumb up. "The stars…"

Kitty looked at him with astonished, uncertain eyes. She murmured, "And the flowers?"

"Yep, flowers, too." He tried to speak with more confidence than he felt.

"Matt…?" she began.

He turned around to face her, taking both her hands warmly into his just like he had earlier on the boardwalk. "Yeah, Kitty?"

"Are you sayin'…?" Her lips parted in wonder.

"Kitty, I want you t' marry me." He squeezed her hands, bending over to touch his lips gently to hers. His deep voice murmured, "Will you marry me?"

Her eyes widened and her mouth curved into an enigmatic smile.

Matt heard the musicians strike up another tune. She latched onto his hand, tugging him back toward the barn door. Kitty's eyes sparkled at him as she murmured breathlessly in his ear, "I'll think about it."

End

You are my home
Wherever you go
Anywhere that you stand
Is my piece of land
You are my home

Your six-one frame
My address is your name
High ceilings, grand halls
Walls are just walls
You are my home

You are my home
Wherever you go
Anywhere you stand
Is my piece of land
You are my home

The Bering Sea
The Barrier Reef
Anywhere you breathe
Is where I believe
I'm meant to be

You are my home
Wherever you go
Anywhere you stand
Is my piece of land
You are my home

"You Are My Home" by Amanda Shires

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