"Come on Red, kiss me." With a gleeful, toothless grin, the slobbering drunk grabbed Kitty wrists and puckered his thick lips. Drool trickled down the side of his mouth. Kitty struggled to get loose, "Leave me alone." She pulled from his grip and stepped back, eyes ablaze, "And if you don't leave me alone, I'll have you thrown out of here."
"Ya wouldn't do that princess." He grabbed her arms and yanked her against his protruding belly, "Come on, plant a big fat kiss on my handsome lips." He leaned in. She turned her face in disgust, he laughed and gripped harder. "Come on Red, you know you wanna kiss me." She twisted, struggling to make enough space to knee him in the crotch. From the corner of her eye she saw a man in a three-piece suit approach. He tapped the drunk on the shoulder,
"Excuse me, that's no way to treat a lady."
"Stay outta this and ya won't get hurt."
"Hurt? By the likes of you? You don't seem like much of a man."
The drunk froze; his eyes narrowed. Forgetting Kitty for a second, he let go of her and turned to face annoying newcomer. "I'll show you who's a man, you dandy."
"The way to prove you're a man is to apologize to the lady."
"What ya talking about?" He looked the slender man up and down and grinned. "Better watch who ya talking to, ya don't look so tough."
The gentleman looked directly into the drunk's bleary eyes. "Apologize to the lady. It's what a real man would do." He slowly backed up while speaking.
The drunk clenched his fists. "I'll teach you who's a man." He suddenly remembered Kitty and looked over his shoulder. "Red, wait there, I'll be back for my kiss."
The gentleman continued slowly walking backwards. "You're not much of a man at all. Anyone can see that."
"Grr - I'm gonna knock your lights out." Swaying slightly the drunk shook his large, hairy fist in the air.
Still slowly backing up, the gentleman snatched a beer from a startled cowboy whispering apologetically. "Don't worry I'll replace it." He loudly addressed the drunk. "Look at you standing there growling. You're a joke."
The drunk turned purple. "Grr, I'll…", he shifted his bulk and lifted a foot to lunge forward. With perfect timing, the gentlemen extended his arm and upended the beer mug. The drunk lunged right into the puddle of beer. His foot slipped and he fell backwards. His head hit the floor with a thud and he blinked at the ceiling seeing stars. Kitty walked over, crossed her arms and looked down at the semi conscious drunk. "Could a couple of you men, help him out of here? I doubt he'll remember a thing in the morning."
Two men dragged the drunk to his feet, and Kitty walked towards the well-dressed stranger, quickly sizing him up - fairly tall, slender, expensive suit, mid 30's, and well groomed in a way that said he knew he was good looking. She smiled up at him, "Well that was an interesting move. Thanks for your help. I'm Kitty Russell."
"Ah the owner of this fine establishment." He smiled, "My name's George Parker, it's my pleasure."
"Mr. Parker, I'd like to buy you a drink."
"I'd appreciate that. Particularly if you'd join me."
"Happy to." She looked over at the bar. "Sam, please bring us a couple of beers."
Parker pointed to a cowboy sitting at a table, "And please bring him one too, on my tab. I confiscated his to show how alcohol could be the cause of a man's downfall."
Kitty laughed and led Parker to a small table. Beers quickly appeared, and Kitty lifted hers, "To you Mr. Parker and your clever move."
"Thank you. I admit, cleverness has always been my calling card. As a lawyer, I've found it quite a useful tool." They clinked glasses and sipped their drinks. "And please call me George."
Kitty smiled, "Well George, what brings you to Dodge City?"
"I'm on my way to San Francisco. I've been engaged by the Great Western Gold Mining Company. I'm to represent them in legal matters on an ongoing basis. It's quite a prestigious position. I'm traveling from Boston. That's where I'm from."
"You're not exactly taking the direct route to San Francisco, coming through Dodge."
Parker laughed, "I wanted to see something of the fabled west before settling in my new job. I've lived in the east my whole life."
"I see. Well, I hope you're enjoying the journey. You know, San Francisco is a place I've always wanted to visit." She shrugged, "Maybe some day."
"Are you from Dodge, Kitty?"
She noted that he used her first name without asking, but didn't mind. "No, I'm originally from New Orleans. I've been here for about 12 years."
"That's a long time, what made you settle here?"
"Well, about a dozen years ago, I was traveling around not knowing where to go or what to do. I didn't have much money, but I was – I don't know – looking for something. I was on a stage that made a quick stop in Dodge to change horses. I was hungry, so I hurried over to the cafe to have breakfast before getting back on the stage. While I was eating, I looked around and noticed – well – let's just say I liked what I saw – I liked it so much that I decided to stay, and I'm glad I did. I've made a life here."
George nodded. "Interesting. Personally, I look at life as a puzzle. We have to decide what pieces we need to make us happy, acquire those pieces and fit them together."
"That is quite a philosophy, George."
They continued talking through a second and third round of beers. George Parker was full of entertaining stories. The hours flew by and he looked around. Sam was wiping tables and setting chairs on top. "I see it's closing time, and I don't want to overstay my welcome. He stood. "Goodnight Kitty. I have time before making way to San Francisco. I'll stop by tomorrow and buy you a drink."
"All right. Good night George."
Matt Dillon
Matt stretched out on his bedroll and tried to rest. He'd been tracking Jeb Mason for more than two days, and a few hours ago it became clear that something had changed; Mason had been joined by another rider. Matt let out a long breath and tried to relax without falling into a deep sleep. Jeb and company could backtrack. His mind drifted to his last night in Dodge. He was in the Long Branch, enjoying a beer with Kitty, when Barney ran in and thrust a telegram into his hands. He read it and grimly shook his head before looking across the table into Kitty's questioning eyes. "Jeb Mason was in the Hays City jail awaiting hanging. He managed to escape and killed the sheriff in the process. I'm going to Hays to try and pick up his trail. I should leave right away."
Kitty's beautiful eyes clouded over, "Sheriff Danny Bates – killed - how terrible. Such a nice man, and he leaves behind a wife and 2 daughters." Kitty pressed her lips together, "Matt, be careful. Jeb Mason is dangerous, please be careful." Her attempt to keep her voice from trembling failed. The air around them grew thick. She forced a smile and leaned forward to whisper in his ear, "Cowboy, I haven't had a chance to wear that blue, satin negligee you gave me for my birthday. You'd better get home safe so you can see me in it." He squeezed her hand. "See you later."
Now, lying in the dark, Matt smiled at that memory. In a life filled with danger and uncertainty, getting home to Kitty was something to hang on to. Sometimes it was the only thing.
The Long Branch
Kitty closed her accounting books, locked the cashbox in her safe and walked out of her office into the saloon. Chairs were piled on the tables and the floor was swept and mopped. Sam stood behind the bar drying glasses. She smiled, "The place looks great Sam. You go on home. I'll finish those last few glasses."
"All right, Miss Kitty." He took off his apron, "That Mr. Parker is an interesting sort."
"He sure is Sam. I hope he's still here when Matt gets back. I'd like to hear what he makes of him."
Sam smiled, "The Marshal does have an interesting way of sizing people up."
"Yes he does." Kitty's face darkened as she spoke, and Sam read her mind. Anyone who knew her well would have at that moment. Sam stepped out from behind the bar. "Miss Kitty, you don't have to worry about the marshal, I'm sure he's fine and will be back real soon."
She forced a smile, "Of course. Goodnight Sam."
George
In his room at the Dodge House, George Parker sat on the side of his bed and opened his wallet. He pulled out a ticket and set it on the night table. He'd planned to be on the noon stage tomorrow, thinking he'd seen everything of interest in Dodge. Tonight had changed his mind. The first thing in the morning he'd trade that stagecoach ticket in for a credit, to be used on a date yet unknown. Dodge City had suddenly become more interesting. He pulled off his shoes and stretched out on the bed thinking about Kitty Russell. She was older that the women he'd been dating of late, 30ish, just a few years younger than he, but she was beautiful and so much more of a woman than the silly, boring, debutante types he'd been seeing. Kitty was smart, had a sense of humor and real world knowledge. She was a woman of substance. And, she had the sexiest body he'd ever seen. Kitty Russell was a very good reason to linger in Dodge. She wasn't wearing a wedding ring, and hadn't mentioned a man, so winning her would easy. Almost too easy for a man of his charm and cleverness. Yes, Kitty Russell would fit into his life quite nicely.
TBC
