The Stolen 1
I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.
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Monday Afternoon
The afternoon was beautiful, and as Kitty walked down the boardwalk towards Delmonico's, she was conscious of little, save the warm temperature, the gentle breeze and the bright blue sky above her. It had been a cold harsh winter, and though spring hadn't completely sprung just yet, days like this foretold of winters end soon to be.
Nodding and smiling at those she met on her way, she never noticed the two men on the other side of the street, keeping keen eyes on her progress.
"Manley sure would like that one," the taller, heavier of the two men noted. "He could get a pretty penny for her." He took another puff of the stubby cigarette in his filthy hand.
"Yep sure could," the shorter, thinner one agreed. "But I don't think taking her would be too smart. I hear tell she and the Marshal has got something goin'. Besides she's a saloon woman. You know how Manley is. He wants em' fresh off the farm."
"Yeah," tall one agreed, "but she looks fresh, real fresh. Sides, if what you say is true about her and the Marshal, Manley would like her even more. You know how he feels about Dillon."
"Yeah I know," short one answered, not taking his eyes off of the striking redhead, "and I know what I heard about how Dillon feels bout that woman. That's why I don't think it'd be a good idea. We took her, and Dillon found out, there'd be hell to pay. I hear he sets a lot of store in her."
"Mebbe so," tall one replied as he watched Kitty disappear into the restaurant. "Mebbe so."
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As Kitty entered, she discovered Doc sitting by himself at a table, in the corner of the cafe. "Hello, Doc," she said as she approached. "Eating alone?"
Doc smiled up at her. "Not now I'm not." He said. "Have a seat, Kitty."
"Thank you," she smiled as he pulled out a chair for her. "What's the special today?" she asked as she settled in her chair.
"Well I don't know yet." Doc answered. "Joe's passed me a couple of times, but so far I've not been able to get him to stop." Just as Doc finished speaking, Joe appeared at his elbow. "Miss Kitty?" Joe ignored Doc.
Kitty grinned, while Doc fumed next to her. "I'll have the steak and a cup of coffee, Joe." She told him.
Joe nodded and turned to leave, when Doc stopped him. "Well, what about me, Joe?" he sputtered. "I was here before Kitty."
Joe looked at Doc, and then back at Kitty. "She's prettier." He said, as he turned again.
Doc did a double take at the man. "Well, what has that got to do with anything?" he fumed his voice rising. "I want to order my dinner."
Joe stopped and sighed.
"Well…" now that he got Joe's attention, he didn't know what he wanted. Looking over, he saw Kitty chuckling at his dilemma.
Joe arched his brow at him.
"I'll…..I'll have the special." Doc finally said, slightly rattled. He didn't know what it was, but guessed it didn't matter.
Joe nodded and walked off as Doc shook his head. "I'll tell you what…" he started.
"What?" Kitty asked looking over at him in amusement.
"Oh nevermind." Doc answered. "Where's Matt?" he asked in order to change the subject.
"He rode out to Hays with a prisoner." She answered, with a touch of melancholy irritation in her voice. "He said he'd be back by Thursday."
Doc nodded, choosing not to comment. Matt's frequently being gone, was a sore spot for his friend, and he knew how much she worried about and missed him when he was away. Though Kitty was a practical person in most things, she often bordered on the impractical, when it came to the tall lawman she loved.
Kitty said no more as the thought of Matt being away yet again bothered her more than she wanted to admit, even to Doc.
Joe appeared at their side with two cups and a pot full of coffee. Neither the physician, nor the saloon owner, spoke as he set the cups down and filled them.
Once he moved away to another table, Doc looked over at her. "He'll be careful," was all he said.
Kitty nodded. She knew he would, but that didn't stop her from worrying. Doc reached out and patted her arm. "I promise," he said, "he'll be careful and he'll be back."
Kitty simply nodded again, without expression, praying as usual that he was right. Her own safety meant less to her than his.
Doc saw the look in the young woman's eyes, and regretted his asking about Matt. Not sure what to say to lighten the mood, he was grateful when Joe came back with their dinner. That is, until Joe sat his plate down in front of him.
"What'd you get?" Kitty asked, seeing the look of revulsion on his face.
"The special," Doc answered as he disgustedly pushed the plate away.
Kitty looked over at the plate to see what Doc had and suddenly burst into laughter. "Oh, Doc," she giggled. "I didn't know you liked catfish stew."
Doc hated catfish stew, but this one time he was glad he had ordered it. Just to see the smile on her face and hear her laugh, was worth it. He didn't know it would be the last time, in a long while, he would hear that musical sound.
TBC
