Surprising Detour at Whispering Winds

Usual Disclaimer: Just taking our Friends out to play; will put them back when I'm done!
Pt.1

Enveloping her, in his large arms and frame, was exactly where Matt felt very content after a long trip, being away for two weeks. That ride up Front Street was that familiar warm and safe feeling, when his eyes traveled to the second floor of the Long Branch and fixed on the beacon of light, he knew, was meant just for him. Her face snuggled tight to his chest, arms wrapped around him, he gently brushed the amber–copper tresses off her face as he kissed her forehead.

Like a bolt of lightening, he jumped, catching himself as he fell. Shaking his head, wiping his eyes to focus on the room around him, realizing he was at the jail, alone on his cot. Looking around, mumbling to himself. "Ahhh, Kit."

Now looking up at the clock, watching the hands tick away. It was 3:00 am. He could have sworn she was there. No, that they were in their bed at the Long Branch, entwined in one another. Now punching and tossing the pillow on his cot and trying to reposition himself. "Honey, I sure hope you come back soon."

It wasn't long before Matt could hear the squeaky wheels of Mister Edmonds milk wagon making its way down Front Street, as he rose, splashing his face with water.

Staring out the door, his eyes focused on the batwing doors of the saloon. Sam was opening up and sweeping out from the night before's business.

Heading across the street for Delmonico's, realizing not only was Kitty still not back from her trip to San Francisco, but Doc wasn't in town either.

"Good morning, Marshal," Joe mumbled, as he opened the doors. "Come on in. Coffee's hot."

"Thanks, Joe." He said, tossing his hat to the chair beside the seat he plopped himself into.

"Guess you'll be eating alone, Marshal?" Joe asked as he placed a cup of coffee in front of Matt.

"Looks that way, Joe."

"Towns just not the same, Marshal. I mean without Miss Kitty and Doc. Suppose they'll be away much longer?"

"Oh, Kitty should be back soon."

"And Doc?" Joe asked.

Rubbing his face, "Doc said he was only gonna be about a week. But…"

San Francisco

Doc sat at a table, in the dining room of the hotel, waiting to order his breakfast and on Kitty, who he happened to cross paths with while at his convention. Swiping his mustache, and picking up the newspaper, suddenly he heard the soft but deep voice of his friend, that he thought of as a daughter.

"Good morning, Curly! Been waiting long?"

Shaking his head, "Good morning, Young Lady. No, just got here a few minutes ago. Waiting for a waiter. Kitty, honey, it will sure be good to get back to Dodge."

"Curly, I'm sorry but I'm not going to be able to leave with you today. I have a few more things I need to take care of. But I'll leave first thing and hopefully catch up with you along the way."

"Well," he said, "ok. I do have to stop over in Denver and visit with Doctor Harrington and deliver some papers I promised to bring him. Kitty, you remember Doctor Harrington, don't you? G.L. Harrington, he was the surgeon I was taking Matt to when he was shot in the back."

Nodding, "Yes, of course I do. Well then, I'll hurry and finish my business here and meet up with you in Denver."

Doc finished his breakfast then looked at Kitty. "Honey, I'm headed for the stage and I hope to see you in Denver. Then we'll head home. I'm sure that Big Lug of a Marshal is going crazy by now, missing a certain pretty redhead."

Slapping his arm, "Oh, Curly!" Then stopping and in a moment of deep thought, "I sure have been missing him. But you're right, with both of us out of town… Well…"

Now smiling, Doc stood, hugging Kitty and walking away.

"See you in a day or two, Curly?"

"Count on it, Honey!"

Dodge City

Things were slow in town, rather quiet. Matt had gone through his mail and made rounds. His mind kept wandering back to the thoughts of his dream from the night before. Kitty had been gone for three weeks and Doc for about two. But it seemed like months.

But, he knew, his wait was over and that Kitty and maybe even Doc would be home real soon and none too soon. He was now getting how it must have felt for Kitty when he was away.

Standing at the batwing doors, scanning the room, purely out of habit, pushing his way through the doors making his way to the bar, knowing right well he wasn't going to see … Well… "Sam,"

"Morning, Marshal. Can I get you something? Coffee, beer?"

"Coffee sounds good. Sam."

"Oh, Marshal. This wire came for you. Barney didn't find you at your office, so he left it with me. It's from Miss Kitty." He said, handing it over to Matt.

"And I suppose Barney told you what was in it, did he?"

Smiling, "No, Marshal."

Matt opened the paper in his hand and began to read.

Marshal Matthew Dillon, U.S. Marshal's Office, Dodge City, Kansas
Trip delayed by one day. Will be arriving in Dodge day after tomorrow. See you soon.
Kitty

The disappointment in his face let Sam know this probably wasn't something he wanted to hear. "Marshal? Is Miss Kitty alright?" After no response, "Marshal?" Sam waited.

Then, "Oh yeah, Sam. She's just been delayed, a day longer."

Ya know, Dodge sure isn't the same when Miss Kitty's away."

Rubbing his jaw, "No, Sam, it sure isn't."
TBC