Coming Home: A Gunsmoke Fan Fiction

Thinkin' and Loafin' Look a Lot Alike

He awoke the following morning to the smell of bacon frying and Mike humming happily. He yawned and stretched before climbing out of bed and pulling on his pants. He quietly came up behind her as she stood at the stove and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her softly on the neck. He couldn't see the smile that lit her face.

"You best be stoppin' that if you want breakfast."

He squeezed her gently and took a seat at the table. She had already poured his coffee and he liked the way the cup felt in his hands as he raised it to his lips.

"That smells awful good ya know." His mood was lighter and he realized he had no care as to what his actual name might be or where he might be from. He felt at home.

Mike brought their breakfast to the table, setting his plate in front of him. "Glad you're up early. There's work to be done." Her words were betrayed by the easiness of her tone.

They ate their breakfast in companionable silence and when she rose to clear the table, he took her hand and kissed it.

"Well, I got work to do. That fence ain't gonna mend itself."

"I'll finish up in here then I'll be in the garden. There's a pig that needs butcherin' if you want to eat somethin' besides stew."

He left the house wondering if he knew anything about butchering pigs. As it turned out, he didn't so Mike did the butchering and he helped her hang the meat in the smokehouse. He admired that she was so independent. A woman like Mike didn't need a man but she wanted him. He considered himself fortunate indeed.

They spent the passing days working together and the nights in each others arms. He realized she was falling deeply in love with him but he was powerless to stop it. At some point each day, he considered leaving but was painfully aware he had no place to go. He had deep feelings for Mike but he knew her feelings for him were stronger than his for her.

He was happy with her. She made a home for him. He felt loved and needed. He didn't know if he had felt that way before in his life but it was good to feel that way now.

Mike took a break from cooking dinner and stuck her head out the door to check on him. "Dan! You're loafin'." She laughed.

"Sorry. I was thinkin'. Guess thinkin' and loafin' look a lot alike."

"Anything that needs to see the light a day?"

Matt shook his head. "Nope. Nuthin'." He went back to chopping wood.