Chapter 8 – Full Recovery

Dinner at Delmonico's had gone well. Even Doc seemed satisfied. The good doctor smiled to himself before he opened the door to his office. His patient was well on his way to a full recovery. He watched until Kitty entered the Long Branch and Matt and Chester continued on down Front Street toward the US Marshal's office after a brief distraction. The fact that the man who was, if not a son, the favored would-be son-in-law, recognized that gambler coming from the Dodge House after not seeing him for a year proved it.

After his confrontation with Holt the lawman and his assistant continued on their way. Both men were lost in thought as they walked along toward the jailhouse. Matt wondered what Holt's business could possibly be while Chester wondered just what the gambler was implying about his boss. It continued to bother the jailer as the afternoon turned to evening and the two men went on early rounds together. However, he thought it best not to bring up his fears as they ate their supper in case it led to even the slightest hesitation should Mr. Dillon be forced into action. Still, he would talk to Miss Kitty and Doc about it given the chance. The saloon owned by Miss Kitty would be their next stop and where they'd remain until it was time for that final check of the street unless something happened.

Matt absorbed the sights, sounds and smells of the Long Branch like a thirsty man making it to an oasis in the desert just as his water ran out. Between Chester's chatter from their first encounter that day and the general atmosphere of his town Matt's mind recalled more and more of those lost moments. As each memory, both good and bad returned, the headaches that went with the new recollections diminished until they'd just about disappeared by the time he and his gimpy, ever loyal assistant entered the establishment. He scanned the room for Kitty, spotting her behind the bar as the last time he'd approached her during an early evening in her saloon came flooding back to him. It brought a smile to his lips as he remembered it was to ask her on that ill-fated picnic with maybe a little fishing thrown in. He almost didn't notice that there was no headache pain this time, not even a twinge. She returned his smile as they made eye contact, deepening his own boyish grin that he reserved solely for her.

Doc was standing at the bar beside her. The older man had escorted the young woman he thought of as his daughter to supper and afterwards back to her establishment. Soon her chief bartender Sam would return from his own supper. This would allow the owner to join Doc, Matt and even Chester, if he had no success with the new girl he was flirting with, at their favorite table by the stairs. As the tall lawman approached, she and the town's physician abruptly dropped their discussion of his returning memory and any chronic effects of the concussion. They agreed he didn't need to know about any shared lingering doubts and worries.

Sam, as always, possessed remarkable timing. He took his place behind the bar just as Matt reached it. Kitty asked the bartender to bring a pitcher of beer and four glasses to the usual table in full expectation that Chester would soon join them. As if to allow them time to relax none of the Texas cowboys or drifters and gamblers that flocked into town during the cattle season allowed their boisterous good fun to become anything more than that. Matt was grateful.

The marshal's chair faced the greater part of the room. Out of habit he kept one eye focused on the general scene so he could spot any trouble before it got out of hand. That's when he saw two men push their chairs back. Matt pushed his own chair back far enough so he could stand and take the five long strides needed to get to the combatants. He quickly step between them, grabbing the collar of each in one of his strong hands, effectively keeping the two cowboys from landing any punches. He let them go, but remained standing between them.

Both cowboys, separated by the large marshal, glared at each other. Matt's quick action avoided a general brawl with damages to men and property and, more importantly, gunplay. Their disagreement forgotten, both young men, who were hardly more than boys, winked at each other. The two, their spat forgotten, were lifelong friends so the wink was the only signal needed. Each took a simultaneous swing at the lawman, but Matt was quicker. He caught the movement in his peripheral vision. Using the advantage of his long arms, the marshal backhanded each of them before either could land a punch. Both were already disarmed by the time they were aware enough to pick themselves off the floor.

"I was gonna let you go with just a warning. Instead, I'll let you sleep it off in my jail. Chester, hold onto their six-guns and lock these two up. You can release them once I decide they're reasonably sober."

Having watched the action that had taken place in front of them, Doc and Kitty were now certain Matt was recovered enough to return to duty, even if their opinions were moot at this point. Memory gaps aside, the tall man they loved proved it by his recent actions. If nothing else, his instincts were intact. The older man and young woman smiled at each other as the peace officer moved back to their table to retake his seat. Kitty gave his hand a squeeze as he sat down to finish his beer. Her man, the she cared for so desperately, was back!

The three talked and finished off the remaining beer. Kitty was about to signal Sam for more, when Doc glanced at his watch and stood to leave.

"I'll see you two in the morning. It's time an old man got a good night's sleep now that his bed's no longer occupied by an overgrown public servant."

The couple watched the man who'd become their father figure leave the saloon for his office. Once Doc was out the door, Matt turned to her. They exchanged a look that said he was welcome to join her after closing and to stay for the night. Then Kitty watched as the love of her life stood to leave as well.

"See you later. I'll be back as soon as I finish my rounds."

As Matt left the now almost empty Long Branch he realized he'd nearly forgotten about Dandy Dan Holt. The stage was waiting in front of the depot for the passengers to board and their luggage to be strapped to the roof. He needed to check if Holt was on it or still lurking about town in a poker game. The gambler wasn't there and hadn't bought a ticket, so Matt asked the driver to await his word that it was okay to leave even if it took more than the half hour remaining before the stage was scheduled to depart. The marshal of Dodge, while still ensuring Holt left town, continued on with his late rounds. This consisted of peeking into saloons, dance halls and gambling dens that were about to close down for the night and checking the doors on the other business establishments along Front Street, other than the hotels and rooming houses, were locked up tight.

Meanwhile Chester had locked up the two cowboys in separate cells to sleep off their drunk. He returned the keys to the peg next to the heavy wooden door that separated the office from the cells and closed it. Then he dealt with the guns Mr. Dillon had taken from them and given to him. He removed the revolver he'd used to persuade the two to do his bidding from his waistband and picked up the other pistol from his boss' desk where he'd thrown it down on his way past. Next he carried both past that desk in order to lock them in the safe. Finally he settled down on his cot to read one of the dime novels he favored to wile away the time until his boss returned.

The jailer, who had dozed off, jumped up when he realized his boss was now on his late rounds alone and might very well need his help. Chester couldn't shake the feeling that the man who'd accosted his friend and employer on the street was up to no good and didn't intend to leave as ordered. He opened the heavy wooden door and glanced at the snoring prisoners before closing it again before grabbing a shotgun from the rack. Then he made his way to the street to back up the man he admired most if he had to face down Holt. Mr. Dillon seemed to be fully recovered, but what if he hesitated just a second when the gambler challenged him?

Matt had checked every place where Holt could possibly be. He wasn't anywhere, yet he hadn't bought a stage ticket and hadn't checked out of his room at the Dodge House. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he found himself on full alert. He was in front of the bank on his way back to the Long Branch when Holt called out to him from an alley and stepped into the street far enough away from the nearest lamppost that he was partially in shadow while the marshal was in the full glow of the gaslight.

"Dillon it's time I finish my business. Once I'm paid, I'll leave or maybe not. It won't matter to you once it's over."

Matt turned at the challenge, watching for whatever slight shift in stance he could make out in the dim light. His keen blue eyes picked out a small twitch of Holt's right shoulder. Although he couldn't be sure he saw it, his instincts took over. He drew and fired as a bullet, thrown off by the impact of his own 44-caliper slug, whizzed by his left shoulder. His own slug lodged in the body of his adversary. Waiting a second to see if the man would try again, he proceeded down the street to where Holt lay dying.

Chester, who arrived at the spot as both men fired, hailed his friend and boss to let him know he was there. He now realized he'd had no cause to worry. Despite the advantage of the light, Holt had come out second best to Matt Dillon. The assistant joined the marshal by the fatally wounded gambler.

"Who hired you Holt? Whoever he is, he's worse than you."

"It isn't a man. It's a woman. Her name is Cara."

"Chester, take care of this," Matt said as Holt appeared to breath his last. "I've got some business to tend to."

Both Kitty and Doc heard the gunshots. Doc, medical bag in hand, reached the spot where Holt lay, but Matt had already left. He shooed Chester out of the way, but there was nothing more he could do. Kitty stood in the doorway of the Long Branch as the man she loved more than life itself, having survived yet another attempt on his life, walked over to the stage. He arrived in time to see the driver help a familiar blonde climb inside.

"Just a minute there, Cara. You're under arrest. Holt told me you hired him. Why?"

"If I couldn't have you, I didn't want her to have you either. Then again, she's over by her place of business and you're over here arresting me. Looks like that badge you wear over your heart has the only real claim on you."

Matt led Cara back to the jailhouse. Chester, having been chased away by Doc, was already there. He released the now awake and sober enough drunks per his boss' instructions. They were to pick up their guns when they left town to head back to where they worked some 15 miles outside of town. As soon as they were gone Matt secured Cara behind bars and walked back into his office. He hadn't bothered to frisk her, but realized he should have when the shot rang out. The two men rushed to her cell. Matt unlocked the door and they stepped inside. Despite all she'd done, he'd once loved her, albeit with the innocence of youth, and so knelt beside the dying woman, taking the derringer from her hand and giving it to his assistant.

"I've got nothing left, Matt. Dying is better than going back to prison."

"Chester, the man behind the badge whispered as Cora breathed her last, "will you see she gets a coffin? I'll pay for it. See you tomorrow at the burying."

Leaving Chester to take care of the arrangements, Matt strode out of the jailhouse's back door. Front Street was now quiet so he didn't bother sticking to the alleys. Instead he walked down the boardwalk to the front door of the Long Branch where Kitty was standing just inside the entrance, watching for his approach. The excitement out on the street had led to a few more shots of whiskey being sold so only one of the glass doors was closed.

"Would it be possible for a hardworking man to have a nightcap? I know it's past closing time, but I suddenly have a powerful need of one and the company that goes with it."

"I'll see what I can do about it. I have a certain amount of influence with the marshal in this town so I'm sure I can accommodate you if you help me lock up."

Matt stepped into the barroom and turned around to close the remaining door and lock up the saloon for the night. Sam was already gone so it was just the two of them. They climbed the stairs, their arms around each other's waists. Once inside the room, Matt deposited his hat and gun belt on the peg by the door and sat on the divan while Kitty poured them a couple of snifters of brandy.

"I thought we needed something special tonight," she said as she handed him his glass and snuggled in beside him.

They sipped their drinks content in each other's company. Then, as if by mutual consent, but without a word being spoken, they rose and put their empty glasses down on the table before starting to undress each other. Matt sat on the edge of his side of the bed to remove his boots and socks. He leaned back into the arms that surrounded him and realized she had shed her nightgown. She leaned over more, hugging him tighter as her hands that had already completed unbuttoning his pants and his union suit bottoms. Kitty gave them an initial shove toward the floor as her hands caressed his thighs and her lips his neck and back. Suddenly she let go and lay back on their bed. As if the missing pressure were a signal he stood, stepped out of his remaining garments and turned to appreciate the view. He quickly lay on the mattress beside her to explore all her body had to offer until they both could no longer hold back and joined as one. An hour later they lay side by side in the big brass bed, physically exhausted from making love.

"Cowboy, for a moment there earlier I thought I'd just gotten you back just in time to lose you forever. Holt was far from a decent man, but I didn't think he was the kind to take you on just for telling him to get out of Dodge."

"He wasn't. He did it for Cara's money. She was upset I chose you over her even before I started to get my memory back."

"I suppose I should be completely happy now that you have all your years back. You were able to beat him despite not touching a gun for more than a week and you chose me from the moment you awoke despite the memory loss."

"I'm one fortunate man, honey. It's lucky for both our sakes that some things you just can't forget."