Redheads on the Loose: Flame Series #21

Chapter 4

New Orleans

Destination New Orleans, had been reached after twenty-one hours and fifteen minutes—although it felt much longer. Day two on the train was very quiet, as Calleigh seemed a little under the weather after consuming too much of the bubbly. She had slept most of the day, but on those rare moments when she would awaken, she consistently swore never to drink again. The morning of the third day found them at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel—well rested and ready to hit the shops.

Calleigh watched as Kitty put on the final touches before going out into the world. Such an unnecessary fuss, she thought, since the woman is already beautiful. "Did you send a wire to Matt?"

"Yes I did." Kitty cast a playful glance at the younger redhead. "If you hadn't been so hungover when we checked in last night, you would have remembered." The silent response and impish grin were pretty much what Kitty expected.

"This sure puts the Dodge House to shame." Calleigh's irrepressible enthusiasm had returned. She ran over to the window in order to watch the hustle and bustle of people on the street below. "Cobblestone, instead of dirt? We gotta get this!"

Kitty held out the young woman's reticule. "Here, take this. We'll discuss the streets with the Dodge City Council Association when we get back. I'm sure they will appreciate your input." She forced the bag into Calleigh's hand and ushered her out the door. "You don't have a gun in there, do you?"

"You said no guns." Calleigh replied innocently, as she hurried past her mother.

The bag didn't seem heavy enough for a weapon, but it seemed to Kitty that her daughter had accepted the mandate too easily. A suspicious frown tugged at the corners of her mouth, as she closed the door behind them.

Royal Street - House of Dupré

Calleigh had been the perfect companion all morning. The two Dodge City women had been through a half-a-dozen dress shops on Royal Street. The younger redhead continued to smile and be polite to the, sometimes aggressive, sales ladies.

Kitty linked her arm in Calleigh's and led her out of the store. "You have been wonderful. I've been saving the best for last. I want to go the House of Dupré and have a dress made for you. One of a kind."

"For me? Why? Where am I going to wear it?" Calleigh scowled at the thought of having to wear one of those unbreathable, fancy garments!

"Maybe to …uhm…" Kitty pondered the question for a moment, but decided a reason simply wasn't necessary. "Who knows? I just want you to have an original Dupré." She slipped her arm around the girl's waist. "Then, we will have some lunch."

Calleigh slumped, as if she were going to faint. "I thought you would never say that! I'm starving."

"As soon as we get finished here, I promise. ...Someplace with pie." That was all it took to revive the young redhead.

Mademoiselle Adèle Mademoiselle Adèle

Kitty remembered enough French to explain to the elite saleslady what she wanted. Calleigh tried to pay attention, as the woman took them to a room with thousands of bolts of material. She was pretty sure she was supposed to choose one, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. "Somewhere out there is a piece of pie," she thought. "Lost. Waiting for me to find-"

"Calleigh!"

"What?" Blue eyes blinked rapidly and the imaginary pie disappeared, when Calleigh realized Kitty had been calling her name. "I mean, yes. What? What do you need?"

"I wanted your opinion on this material."

"My opinion? I…uh…like it very much. I think it will make a beautiful dress." She offered a sweet smile, proud of herself for such a brilliant save.

"So do I." Kitty was pleased. "I've picked out a pattern, now you need to go with Adèle, so that she can measure you."

"What? Measure me?" Suddenly, she didn't feel so brilliant. All she felt was caught. "Well, can't she just… kind of guess. I mean, I'm just average size."

Kitty's gaze became intense, as she shifted her stance, placing one hand to her hip. "I've never known you to be shy. What's going on?" She could virtually see the wheels turning, as Calleigh struggled for an acceptable answer. Obviously,Kitty thought, her daughter wasn't planning on offering the truth. Then it struck her. "What do you have under that dress?"

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. They are also a clear indication of the truth. Kitty offered a forced smile to Adèle, while pulling her daughter off to a private spot. "Do you have a gun in your pocket?"

"No. Huh-uh." Calleigh's confidence was betrayed by a heavy, forced swallow.

Kitty looked around the showroom to make sure they couldn't be seen. Then, she reached down, pressing through the layers of petticoats. Her discovery forced her eyes and mouth to open wide. "You are wearing a holster under that dress?!"

The only thing Calleigh could offer at this point was a guilty grimace and a pair of soulful eyes. "Are you mad at me?"

Kitty's weary sigh turned into a forgiving smile. "No. Not that I shouldn't be." She cast a hopeless glance at her little gunslinger. "I'll explain to Adèle, so the gun doesn't frighten her. This isn't Dodge City, you know."

"You mean, I still have to get meas-" The look on Kitty's face brought with it instant silence. Calleigh traded in her whining tone, for one that was an equal balance of fear and respect. "Yes ma'am."

TBC