"Always",Pt.7

                                                                                     Pt.7
                                                                                 “Always”
                                                                                  In Town
                                                                         Springfield, Colorado

In the backroom of the Rusty Rail Saloon… Harlen Shaffer.. and some of his men were sitting playing poker.. A man at the bar was poking fun of the way Kitty had made a fool of Shaffer…a few days before?
Not knowing Shaffer was in the backroom…when Harlen Shaffer over heard him he sent one of his men to get him…. So, You were amused were you? Shaffer ask.    Oh, Mr. Shaffer I didn’t mean anything by it …
I just never thought … You never thought what?    Well, that you’d let a woman of all people do you like that?    She was preety and all but?     The way she done warned you ….   No One warns Harlen Shaffer!
Oh Yes Sir Mr. Shaffer I know that I was Just saying….. Get this piece of … get him out of my sight!
A few of the Men threw him out!    From the up-stairs landing  they were being watched …by a curious onlooker…. She didn’t miss a word!… she also saw what happened the day Kitty was there…
She strolled down the stairs and into the back room… You Boys?…Take a Walk!   They all looked at her…
What?   I said take a Walk!   Give us some privacy…?   Harlen? Unless you’d like another woman to make a Fool of you?  In front of your minions?   Harlen frowned at her…she just smiled back…. Well?
Leave us Boys…. Pour me a drink Harlen…   Just tell me what this is all about!   Harlen… Are You a Complete Fool?   Do you know what kind of trouble you are reining down on your head?  Woman what are you babbling about?    Do you Have any Idea who That woman was ?  Woman?…What Woman?  
The Redhead…Kitty Russell…   No, Dear.. She said her name was Dillon!    Now she was laughing hard!
Ohhhh Harlen …better yet!   Do you know her Dolly?   Yes Dearest Harlen… I do Know her very well…
That My Dearest.. Harlen… is  “Kitty Russell Dillon” owner of the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, Kansas.  When I first knew her she was just Kitty Russell… Does the Name Dillon mean anything to you Harlen?  Ummmm?  Should it?    You idiot!  Dillon Dodge City Kansas?   Kitty Dillon.. is the Wife of
Matt Dillon!… U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon!   Are you sure about this.. ? Harlen ask.    Yes I knew Matt very well.    It was a long time ago but,… Harlen You said she was the Clayton Woman’s Momma? 
If that’s true…Whoa… That means it’s possible Matt Dillon is her Father… and   I don’t wanna be you!
How well did you know this Dillon? Shaffer ask.  Well let’s just say…there was a time I had hope I’d be Mrs. Dillon.    And what happened?  Two things I guess ?  She said.  One ..His badge…and now I’m beginning to think she was the other?     So I moved on….   Shaffer just smirked at Dolly….
So, what your telling’ me Dolly ol’ gal…, is This Dillon tossed you over for the Beautiful Redhead?
Now getting angry…. “NO ONE Tosses me Over!    And she stormed out of the room!  Harlen Shaffer
Laughed a Loud Deep Laugh…. He now knew he struck a nerve with This woman!

 
                                                                           Clayton Ranch

Matt sat playing with Michael and Matthew on the porch….while Kitty help Beth with lunch….
Then…The Two woman watch , through the doorway…they didn’t have the heart to break up the fun…
The Boys were climbing all over him…it was like climbing a mountain…  Matthew was trying to put Matt’s hat on …only to have it swallow his entire head… this created a loud laugh from both Kitty and Beth….
Looks like , I know what  we need to buy …?  Kitty joked.   How long have you two been there?
Long enough Daddy… come’on …Time for Lunch… Matt grabbed both boys and said hey Boys Lunch!
Kitty rolled her eyes to Beth… Their Dillon’s!    Arm in Arm they all went in….

After Lunch, Beth put the Boys down for a nap… then She Matt and Kitty sat at the Kitchen table….
Ok Honey…, Now do you want to tell me from the beginning …He reached over a covered her tiny hand with his…. Take your time….    Daddy I’m So sorry… she started out….   Beth!.. No.., No apologies…
She wipe her eyes.. that had started to fill with tears… Ok, well, like I told Momma, about eight Months ago
Things were starting to go really well here …business was picking up great!… Jesse’ uncle Jack…Anderson
You remember him?    Sure I remember. Matt answered.  He and Jesse’ made a deal to drive 100 of our horses and some of Jack’s together, and they were getting a real good price… (and we need the Money)
Anyway , that’s when this ,This Shaffer…ugh!   Honey,.. Calm down.. Kitty added.  Who’s Shaffer? Matt asked.  Matt, Harlen Shaffer.. Kitty said.  I’ve had the pleasure.. of meeting him.  She just wave her hand.
Go on sweetheart… rumor in town was he was buying up all the land in the area?  Jesse’ and I didn’t worry
At first …till .. We found out .. He want land and property.. That Ranchers and families already owned?
And he had approached a few… ok and what happened?.. Matt asked. Well, when they turned him down
Beth now visible shaken… Weird accidents started happening…people being hurt, barns being burned…
To the point that Ranchers and families were losing money and then the banker would call the loan on their property.. Then along comes…Mr. Shaffer.. Buying up the Loans on their property for pennies on the dollar..?   And Kicking them off their land…  Oh, Daddy?   Ok Beth.. What about Jesse’?    With tear filled Eyes…Shaffer came here… he wanted our place… he and Jesse’ fought… Jesse’ said he wouldn’t sell.. and told him to leave…  two days later,…Our barn burned…and 75 of our horses.. were gone! Now he and Uncle Jack.. can’t make their deal… some of our neighbor’s helped Jesse’ re-build the barn.., but, then Jesse’ went to confront Shaffer… and I haven’t seen him since… now tear were falling hard!
Matt moved over to wrap his arms around her…Beth, we’re going to find Jesse’… I promise!
Matt just looked at Kitty….Where can I find this Shaffer?   Oh, The Rusty Rail Saloon! Kitty said.
And Matt…Looking at one another…both with a hand on their chest…staring Blue to blue…”Always”
They repeated in sink…to one another.     Beth I’m going to take a horse from the barn.. and return this one in town.. Sure Daddy ..there a great Buckskin…I call him Lil’ Buck…he reminds me of your Buck….take him. Matt kissed Beth on the forehead…you just leave this to me….Kitty walked out with Matt…
Cowboy?…I’m just going to feel out the situation Kit…see what I can find out?  No, I need to tell you…
His Eyes were rolling already…What did you do ?   I went to see the sheriff…I think maybe it didn’t go as well as it could have?… Ahhh Kit!    Matt?  He knows what this Shaffer is doing and he’s closing his eyes to it all!… I lost my temper!… That’s a surprise..  Kitty when are you going to learn to control that temper of yours?   Matt I … Ahh Kit we’ll talk about it later…   Matt their our kids!   Just Nodding…he kissed her quickly.. and rode off.     Now pouting.. as she walked back inside.. thinking to herself…I guess I should have told him about my talk with Harlen Shaffer Too?   Oh Well! 

                                                          In Town, Springfield,Colorado

Matt returned the borrowed horse.. to the Stable.. Then headed for the sheriff’s office….
He knocked and entered…Hello Sheriff!.. I’m Matt Dillon, United States Marshal from Dodge City .
Sitting with his feet resting on the desk,, he looked up pushed back his hat…stared at Matt…..Sooooo
you’re the Lucky S.O.B.  … Excuse me ?..Matt said.     It must take Some Man to deal with and put up with
The Firestorm that blew in here the other day!    I do believe she said she was Mrs. Dillon!   A lot Of Woman. What a Beauty?   Red Hair?     Matt was just staring at Him… Then … Are you done?
oh, Yeah…   Yes Kitty is My Wife… and I’d appreciate if you’d…then the Sheriff threw up his hands..
Ok,… ok. .sorry Dillon…But she is a fireball!    She came in here on a tare!    About Jesse’ Clayton..
Being missing.. and what was I gonna do about it?   Matt standing with his hat twilling it in his hands
Well what are you going to do?    Nothing! What should I do ?   Look Dillon he’s a grown man .. If he decides to leave home and not come back… maybe he found a new woman….?  Matt reached over and grabbed him by the collar…Jesse’ didn’t run off with another woman!   Something happened to him!
He has a family that is worried about him!   What can you tell me about this Shaffer character?  
Who Harlen Shaffer?  Yeah,, Him!  Matt said ..   He’s a wealthy rancher.. Came to Springfield oh, bout 8 months or so ago… wants to make this his home… Why you asking?    Well From What I’m hearing….
He’s trying to buy up land?   Well Dillon.. That’s not against the law!  Matt was now rocking back on his heels…. Yeah but it is against the law to ..harass .. Ranchers who refuse to sell to him?    And You think Shaffer is doing this huh?    Yeah I do! Matt replied.   And how do you think he is doing this?  The sheriff asked.   Burning out barns.., releasing stock…. Causing physical harm… need I go on?   Matt’s jaws were tightening…   If I have to get a circuit  court Judge in here I will!   Matt , turned to leave…
Dillon… I don’t like being threatened… Sheriff, That wasn’t a threat!    Dillon where you going?
To Find Jesse’ and if anything has happened to him… Matt threw his hat on his head and walked out!

As he went to Mount up…. Behind him came a Voice:  Well Now, If it isn’t the Most Handsome Cowboy.. This side of the Mississippi!  Aren’t you gonna say Hello Matt?  Been a Long Time Darlin”.. as she planted a Kiss on Him..with her arms wrapped around him!

                                                                                    TBC