A Promise/A Favor/A Savior
Usual Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play, will put them back when I'm Done!
Pt.1
There was barely a breeze at sunup about 10 miles outside of Dodge on a farm, now owned by Patrick Kinkade and his family. They were relatively new to Dodge. They were immigrants from Ireland living on their new farm almost one year now. There was Patrick, his wife Mary, their two sons, Patrick Jr. and Sean and two daughters, Maura and Molly.
They were up and work was started. There was plowing to be done, animals to be fed, many things needing to be done before breakfast.
The family hadn't made many trips into town. Patrick was a very stern man with his family, although he himself would make trips in several times, what he called, 'A man's right to have his refreshment'.
It had been many times he would get a bit drunk but Kitty always let Sam know when to cut him off as she usually did with some of the cowboys and regulars that had a little to much, knowing they usually didn't mean any harm.
Patrick quickly hitched up the wagon, even before breakfast. "Poppa? You heading into town?" Pat Jr. asked.
"Yes, son, I need some supplies and need to check on some orders. I spect' chores be taken care of fore' I get back. Ya hear?"
"Poppa, Sean and the girls can…"
"Well alright, Son. Come on."
Watching from the barn, where she was milking the cow for breakfast, was Molly wide-eyed. As they left, she ran with bucket in hand, into the house. "Ma! Ma! Poppa and Pat Jr. rode off even before breakfast."
"Where to, child?"
"Dunno."
"Guess it be men's business. Let's get the food on the table. Come on."
As they sat to the table, Sean, Maura and Molly looked to one another then to their ma. Maura and Molly sat along side one another and slightly touched hands then hung their heads.
"Sean, son, say the blessing, please."
"Yes, Ma'am." And he went on to say a prayer.
As Patrick and Pat Jr. pulled down Front Street, just in front of Mr. Jonas' store, Doc was crossing the street. "Well, good morning, Mr. Kinkade. Pat. Fine morning isn't it?"
"Good morning, Doctor."
"What brings you two in at such an early hour?"
"Oh, Doctor Adams, early bird catches the worm, my father always said. Must keep your eyes open at all times. You never know what you will miss."
Just as he was talking, Kitty came out of Mr. Jonas' store. "Well, good morning. And how are you this morning?" With a bright smile.
Young Pat Jr. looked with a questioning expression. "Poppa?"
Rubbing his mustache, Doc suddenly said. "Young Pat, this is Miss Kitty Russell. She owns the Long Branch Saloon. She's a friend of mine."
In a daze the young boy took her hand. "Nice to meet you, Ma'am!"
"Nice to meet you too, ahhh…"
"Pat, Ma'am. Pat Kinkade, and this here is my Poppa."
Not letting on to the boy, "Well, it's nice to meet you both. If you will excuse me, I have errands to run."
Young Pat watched her as she walked down the board walk. "Poppa? Do all the woman in Dodge look like that?"
Doc just laughed.
"We have work to do, Son."
"Mr. Kinkade, I hear you have a little one who may need doctoring. If you bring her into town I…"
Before Doc could finish, "I'm a busy man, Doctor. That won't be needed."
"Well, I can come out to the farm?"
Kinkade just turned and walked away.
Doc didn't push things. He walked over to the Long Branch to have coffee with Kitty. "So, young lady, I see you have an admirer."
"What?" She asked.
"You have an admirer." He repeated.
Tossing a napkin at him, "Oh, you. Cut that out. He's just a boy."
"Yeah, but all men were just a boy at one time, weren't they? Maybe this will keep the big lug civil servant on his toes."
"Oh, Curly!"
"Kitty," Doc said tugging on his ear, "would you be willing to take a ride with me out to the Kinkade farm?"
Furrowing her brow, "Someone sick?"
"Not sure, Kitty. Bess mentioned that she saw Mrs. Kinkade and her girls and the girls didn't look well to her. I asked him to bring them in, but he refused."
"Well, Doc, he's a proud and stubborn man."
"Oh, you've met him before?"
Shaking her head, "Oh, yeah. Right here in the Long Branch. He's a regular. A regular who likes his whiskey and his women. I didn't say anything out there, because of the boy. It was obvious he had no idea his father comes in town to drink, or at least I don't think so. But, yeah, if you need me to go I'll go. Just let me know when."
"Thanks, Kitty. I'll see ya later, ok?"
"Sure, Doc."
Patrick and Pat Jr. made it back to the farm mid-afternoon. The kids were still doing chores. Mary was sitting in the living doing some mending while cooking supper. Patrick hated his meals being late.
Bursting through the door, "Where's the children?"
Shaking, "Ummm, ummm, doing chores. Maura is feeding the horses and Molly is…"
"Ahhhh, get me some coffee, woman, and stop you blubbering. I'll be back. I want to wash up." Patrick was gone for about fifteen minutes. When he came back, "Where's my supper? You know I told you about having my supper on time."
"It's right here, Dear." Mary quickly began serving his plate. Then went to the door. "Children." She shouted. "Supper!"
"Shut the door, Woman. They know what time supper is around here."
Just then Sean came in from the field and began to wash up. Behind him, Maura. "Horses all fed, Ma."
"Where's your sister?" Mary asked.
"I'll go get her." As she turned to go out, Molly came in sniffling. "Sorry I'm late, Ma."
"Molly, what happened to you? You're all dirty."
"I was down by the creek and I…"
"Can we eat supper in peace? Sit and eat or go to your room and go without supper."
"Yes, Sir, Poppa."
They all sat in quiet throughout the remainder of the meal.
TBC
