The morning after her birthday, Kitty smiled as she woke thinking of Matt's gift. In the past he had given her pretty combs, beautiful jewelry and as time went on lovely lingerie. She appreciated every gift, knowing that he had chosen it with care, but the book and inscribed heart had touched her very core.
She turned over and as expected, Matt was already gone. He always left early to do morning rounds, but when she looked at the clock and saw it was almost 11:00 she realized that he been gone for hours, and she had slept unusually late.
After quickly putting on a dark green skirt and plain white blouse, she hurried over to Doc's to see Celeste and found the young woman sitting on the bed in the back room, fully clothed. Celeste stood when Kitty entered, "I was just working up the nerve go over to the Dodge House without the hat and veil that covers my face. Will you come with me?"
Kitty smiled, "Of course, we'll go together, but not to the Dodge House. I have a spare room upstairs at the Long Branch. You can stay there as long as you want."
Celeste nodded gratefully, "Kitty, I don't know what I am going to do, but it helps knowing there are people who wish me well – you, Matt, Doc – oh and that man Chester - Doc said he's Matt's helper. He brought up breakfast and when he saw me, stared for a moment then said, 'I'm sorry miss, I shouldn't stare, but I was just thinking that that must have hurt something terrible – just terrible.' Celeste bit her lower lip, "I never imagined that anyone would look at me and see pain, not just ugliness."
Kitty took Celeste's arm, "Chester is a special person, and we are here to help you."
They walked out arm in arm. When they got onto the street, some people stared and others cast their eyes away. Some children commented, but they hurried along and tried to ignore it all.
The next day Kitty talked Celeste into going with her to the general store. The owner, Mr. Jonas looked up as they entered, but immediately averted his eyes. Celeste didn't want to make the man uncomfortable, so she waited in a corner of the store. Before leaving, Kitty looked at Mr. Jonas and whispered, "Her name is Celeste. You might say hello the next time we come in."
Outside the store, Kitty noticed that Celeste was looking at posters for the Dodge County Sociable that was to be held the following evening. "Celeste, Matt and I plan to go. Come with us. I know Matt would be glad to escort us both."
Celeste shook her head, "That kind of thing will never be for me."
Kitty smiled encouragingly, "Celeste, I don't think that's true. It will be fun. Listen, I have some pretty dresses that would look wonderful on you."
Celeste just shook her head, and when Kitty saw the tears in her eyes decided not to press it further.
The next evening when Matt picked Kitty up to go to the party, Celeste was in her room with the door shut. Kitty's heart went out to the woman, but she thought it best to leave her be. Celeste was inside staring at her face in the mirror.
A couple of hours later, the party was in full swing when Matt happened to look over at the door. Celeste was standing there looking uncertain. She was wearing one of Kitty's prettiest dresses, and had combed her long, blond hair over her forehead to hide one of her scars. Matt walked over and offered his arm, "I'm not much of a dancer, but I'd be honored if you'd dance with me."
Celeste hesitated, but took his arm and found herself on the dance floor. She looked into Matt's eyes as they danced, and his kind and steady gaze gave her confidence. Chester danced with her next, then Doc and then to her surprise Mr. Jonas. She found herself laughing for the first time in years.
As the days passed Celeste moved more freely around town, and folks got used to her. She still felt self conscious around strangers, but slowly felt more sure of herself. The thing that she hated most, was that when she looked in the mirror and saw her half closed eye and scarred face, she felt the presence of William Dale.
She had been in town for about a week when she was in Kitty's office watching her work. Suddenly Kitty looked up, "Celeste, I have an idea. Why don't I teach you about all this."
Celeste was puzzled, "All what?"
Kitty pointed to her books, "Bookkeeping and things like ordering and preparing bank deposits."
Celeste looked dubious, "Kitty, it's not like I'm real smart."
Kitty pulled out a chair and simply said, "Sit."
Celeste surprised herself. It turned out that she had an aptitude for numbers and learned quickly. She started to help Kitty in the office regularly, and settled into a routine.
Months went by, Kitty sometimes wondered if Celeste was thinking of her future, but didn't want to hurry her or make her feel unwelcome.
One morning in early winter, Celeste walked into the Long Branch looking for Kitty, and was please to see she was with Matt having coffee in the back. She walked over and dropped a fat envelope on the table saying with a grin, "I am a business owner."
Kitty and Matt looked up in astonishment. Celeste explained, "I took stock of myself and figured I had three things: 1. Money from Dale. 2. Business learning from Kitty and 3. Confidence enough to face people. Then I saw an ad in the paper. A woman who owns a saloon in Bellaire, Texas was getting on in years, and wanted a partner. We exchanged letters. I explained why I couldn't run the front of the saloon, and it turned out that she wanted a partner to work the office. As far as my looks go – here's what she wrote, 'If you can do the job, and have the money to buy in, I don't care if you look like a moose.' Celeste laughed before continuing, "We came to terms, and I bought half the business." She patted the fat envelope, "This, right here is the agreement. I haven't said anything, because I wanted to surprise you."
There was stunned silence, and then Kitty took Celeste's hand, "I am so proud of you."
Matt looked up at her, "Me too, real proud." Then with some hesitation, he added, "Starting in a new place won't be easy, Celeste."
She looked at Matt, until recently her experience with men had been limited to William Dale. She hadn't known that men like Matt existed. She nodded, "I know. People will stare or avoid looking, but they'll get used to me. It's time for the next step. You know, Bellaire is not far from Houston, maybe I can finally find those relatives of mine."
A week later Celeste was ready to leave, and for the second time in their lives, Kitty was standing with her waiting for a stage. This time they were mature women, not frightened girls. Celeste turned to her friend, "Kitty, thank you for everything. My only regret is that I'll never have a man who really loves me. William Dale had his way in that respect."
Kitty shook her head, "You never know Celeste."
Celeste answered, "I think I do. Looks are important to a man." Seeing the wistful look on Kitty's face, she added with a small laugh, "Well, maybe you are right that you never know, but I'm not going to wait around hoping for a man, I'm going to live my life."
The stage arrived and as Matt took her arm to help her in, Celeste kissed him lightly on the cheek and whispered, "Never forget how lucky you and Kitty are to have each other."
The stage was set to go, and Kitty leaned into the window with one last reminder, "Celeste, send a wire as soon you get there and write often."
Celeste smiled, "I will, I promise."
As they watched the stage go out of sight, Matt turned to Kitty, "She's a special woman. I think she'll be all right."
Kitty agreed, "I think so too."
As they walked away Matt wondered aloud, "Do you think anyone will ever find those rings in that lake?"
Kitty raised an eyebrow, "You thinking of diving in after them, Cowboy?"
Matt laughed, "Not a chance. Let the fish have them."
Kitty became serious, "Matt, do you think it's true, that no man could love Celeste because of her scars."
After thinking for a second, Matt answered, "I think the right man could. Like that book I gave you says, "Love, mere love is beautiful indeed."
Kitty smiled, "Cowboy, you are becoming quite poetic."
Matt blushed and said quickly, "I'd better get to office, I'll see you later."
Kitty watched him turn and hurry down the street, and she answered softly, "I'm counting on it."
The End
