Kitty walked to the long wooden bar, "Sam," she said to the barkeep, "I"m going over to Jonas' store to see if my new drapery material came in on the last shipment," she smiled.
"Well, I hope it has Miss Kitty and I will do my upmost best to maintain order here," Sam joked as he looked around the Long Branch at mid-afternoon and the five patrons. Kitty chuckled and continued to the door, "Just don't let things get too far out of control!"
Sam laughed, and then went back to washing glasses.
Wilbur Jonas stood straight and held his side. He knew he was pushing himself and he also knew if Doc caught him, he'd get an ear full. With a sigh, the store owner resigned himself to sweeping the boardwalk rather than moving the produce baskets around.
Kitty was watching from the far side of the alley. "Good afternoon, Mr. Jonas," she smiled as she approached.
Jonas looked up from his work, "Oh, hello, Miss Kitty," he smiled back; just as another gab in the ribs took him.
"You've been exerting yourself, haven't you?" Kitty smiled and gently pulled the broom out of Jonas' hands and leaned is against the side of the building, "Come inside and sit down for a few minutes," she said as she hooked her had under Jonas' arm. He didn't try to argue about it either, instead he when along quietly.
Kitty guided the store owner to a chair near the back of the room, "Here, sit there for a few minutes and rest those ribs. Boy," Kitty stated, "if Doc finds out what you've been up to," Kitty patted Jonas on the shoulder.
"Well, I can't sell things if they aren't on display," Jonas grumbled.
"And you can't sell them if you are laid up again!" Kitty countered.
Jonas thought for a moment, "You have a good point there."
Kitty chuckled, "I'll see if Festus or Newly will move your produce for you, how's that?" Kitty asked.
Jonas looked up and the reaction on his face made Kitty somewhat sad. He looked completely defeated, "That would be fine," he said.
Kitty thought quickly, "Well it will only be temporary. You're bound to be well enough to do the work yourself soon," she stated.
Jonas sighed, "I just with Ellen was home now," he looked around the store and then to Kitty. "I have to admit, I don't think I could be a bachelor much longer," he joked.
Kitty raised her eyebrows, "Well, I think you've done quite well in the month Ellen has been go. Especially with all the other things you've been through," she smiled warmly.
Jonas acknowledged the comment, "I thank you too. It has been very kind that you and the marshal have seen to my well being," he said as he slowly stood. Kitty rarely saw the sentimental side of the mercantile owner - in fact is was a rare occasion for anyone. "Listen," he said as he slowly moved to the back storage room, "Miss Kitty, your material came in yesterday. I've been meaning to tell you, but just got too busy," he smiled as he opened the door and walked into the back room of the store.
Kitty smiled to herself. There was something she liked about the man, but couldn't put her finger on it. He was still a fussbudget, but he was also decent and well meaning. Kitty waited at the counter for Jonas to return.
"Here it is!" he smiled and placed the brown-paper wrapped bolt of material on the counter.
"Can I have a look at is?" Kitty asked with great interest.
"Oh, certainly!" Jonas said as he began to untie the string that closed the paper. "I'm sure you'll be pleased with tis, Miss Kitty," he smiled and his white moustache at the ends as nothing seemed to please him more than making a customer happy.
Kitty watched and then looked down at the material, "Oh, it's beautiful!" she looked up at Jonas who was even more pleased. "I thought you'd like that, Miss Kitty!"
"Yes. You were right! I'll take the whole bolt, if I can," she grinned.
"Oh, certainly! Just let me re-wrap it for you!" Jonas neatly folded the brown paper over the material and began to tie the package up. After a few moments Jonas moved the package forward on the counter, "There you go, Miss Kitty," he continued to smile. Kitty handed Jonas some money, "That should cover it, and enough for you to give to Festus for a few hours work while you are on the mend," she winked and turned to the door.
Jonas stood speechless as he looked at the money in his hand. For the first time in a long time, the value of money was different; its meaning seemed to change. Slowly he looked up, "Thank you," he whispered.
Kitty looked back into the store, "You just make sure you get Festus to work," she laughed and headed back to the Long Branch with her parcel.
Jonas continued to ponder the money in his hand, "Oh, Ellen...I wish you were here," he sighed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matt opened the door into the passenger car that he and Doc were travelling in; his eyes scanned the car spotting the other two men that entered with the man that sat behind them. Matt decided to make conversation with the younger man. The marshal walked passed Peter and Vincent as he strolled back to sit near Ellen Jonas.
"It this young man bothering you any Mrs. Jonas?" Matt looked from her to the younger man. Joe shifted his weight and moved back slightly as he looked at the marshal.
"Oh, heavens no, Matt. He was just telling me how his mother did tis sort of thing," she looked up and smiled at Joe and then Matt.
"Is that right?" Matt looked at Joe.
Joe seemed caught as his eyes quickly shifted to Vincent and Peter and then back to the marshal's, "Yes..." he stammered.
Matt pursed his lips, "How come you and your friends got on back there?" he asked Joe.
Joe was about to answer when Peter spoke up, "We lost our horse to some Indians..."
Matt's eyes slide over to Peter, "Indians?"
"Yeah. A whole bunch of them," Vincent added.
By now Doc was watching the men and he too began to smell some rats.
Matt stood up and walked toward Vincent, "I'm the United States Marshal. I haven't heard of any Indians stealing horses. Perhaps you'd like to tell me more about this..." Matt thrust his thumbs down behind his gun belt.
Vincent slowly looked over to Peter who slowly looked back to Matt.
