Possession Chapter 5, "A Good Cry"

Marshal Matt Dillon’s strong arms protectively enfolded the softly weeping Kitty Russell, caressing her heaving back in long, soothing strokes.  He tentatively reassured her with low murmurings, not sure of what exactly to say to comfort her, but desperately desiring to make her feel better. Tenderly, he rocked her like a child until her sobbing finally quieted, then fished a clean, white cotton handkerchief out of his pocket, drying her flushed face and letting her blow her nose.

“Thanks,” she sniffled, looking up at him with liquid blue eyes, red-rimmed from her rare indulgence in a good cry.   She ruefully added, “Yesterday, I told you I could take care of myself…”  Her voice hiccupped and threatened to fail her, “but I guess I was wrong about that.”

Matt graciously refused to say I told you so.  Wordlessly taking her chin in his hand, he carefully examined her injured jaw, his stomach churning with hate for the man who could do this to Kitty.  In spite of his care, she flinched painfully and he withdrew his hand, gazing apprehensively into her eyes.  “Honey, this is a dangerous business you’re in.  I really want you to get out of it.”  He bowed his head and murmured, “I couldn’t bear for anything to…”  He glanced up at her stricken face and amended, “We’ll talk about this some more later, after you get some rest.”  She didn’t object. 

Transferring her tenderly onto the mattress, Matt walked to the washstand and wet a cool cloth to place on her bruised face.  Taking note of her drawn, exhausted features, he pulled back the covers on the bed for her to climb in, helping her lie back on the soft pillows.  Kitty kept an anxious grip on his hand, so he sat next to her, softly caressing her forehead and uninjured cheek until she wearily closed her eyes. 

When he rose to leave, her eyes flew open and she reached out to him, quietly imploring, “Please, don’t leave me, Matt.  I don’t want to be by myself just yet.”  He was taken aback when she drew back the covers for him.  But without thinking about it too much, he hung his hat on a peg behind the door.  Kitty watched wordlessly as he unbuckled his gun belt and placed it on the dresser, then sat and removed his boots, sliding them under the bed. 

Tucking his long frame under the blanket with her, Kitty gratefully nestled her body, still fevered and damp from her hard cry, against his.  At first, he didn’t know where to put his hands, but as she gave a deep, satisfied sigh, he enfolded her in his arms, relaxing into her warm softness.  He stroked her back and her silken hair and whispered for her to go to sleep.  Gratefully inhaling the sweet scent of her, he was comforted on this night to hold her so very near.  Her breathing eventually became even, and he felt his own taut muscles slowly but surely unwind.  His restless mind quieted itself with Kitty lying safely beside him.  It felt right.  Matt felt himself peacefully drifting off to sleep with Kitty in his arms.

To be continued...