Chapter 9 – An Evening with Kitty Russell
Chester returned from hanging the posters enough before 7:00 that he actually gave me five minutes to walk down the boardwalk to the Long Branch. I knew she expected me on time because we weren't going out to eat. She was preparing a private meal up in her rooms. I thought about going up the back stairs, but since Chester, Doc, Quint, Festus and Sam already knew we were having a private meal and very few of those who might be around to pay attention would do so, I decided to enter through the batwing doors. Accordingly, I made my way down the Boardwalk toward them.
We'd chosen the hour because the saloon tended to be relatively empty. The afternoon and pre-supper customers were gone and the nighttime crowd had yet to appear. Besides there was still a month or more to go before the first large herd so the few who were nearby were local. Despite all the social events Kitty claims I've missed, I'd escorted her to enough of them that it's general knowledge in and around town that we're special friends. What we've managed to conceal is just how special that friendship is. Only a very few know the true nature of our relationship, although there are those few people who've come through Dodge who were astute enough to guess correctly.
I stopped as I crossed from Jonas' store into the alley between there and the saloon, keeping to the shadows because of the scene at those very batwing doors I'd been heading toward. Creeping as close as I dared, I was able to hear the conversation.
"Miss Russell, I can't see what other possible engagement you have that would prevent me from taking you to supper," I heard MacDonald say as I approached. "Surely you can postpone any business meeting you might have until tomorrow so we can enjoy a full evening together. I've even arranged for an after supper buggy ride."
"Mr. MacDonald, let go of my arm," she demanded as he pulled her away from the doorway. "I have no intention of postponing what you call "business". I've made a special meal for a special friend and I'd just laid it out on the table and come downstairs to make final arrangements with Sam when you entered. My answer is an emphatic no. It's you who will have to wait until tomorrow or more likely forever."
I'd heard and seen enough. Despite Kitty's refusal the scoundrel took an even firmer hold on her arm, pulling her down the boardwalk as she continued to fight him. There was only one thing to do. I lengthened my stride so that I was behind the scoundrel in two steps and knocked the handle of my peacemaker against the side of his head in full view of Kitty. It was enough of a blow to force him to let go of her and knock him to the ground, but not enough to render him unconscious.
"For a man who claims to be a Southern gentleman, you're doing a pretty poor job of it," I growled. "When a lady says she's otherwise engaged, a true gentleman takes her word for it instead of forcing himself on her. Pick yourself off the street while I join Miss Russell for that supper she prepared before it gets cold," I added as I gave Kitty my arm and we strolled together through the batwing doors that I'd pushed open for us.
I'd thought Wilkins was still at his farm, but there he was sitting at one of the Long Branch tables with his back to us in the company of his two oldest boys. Festus, who'd been sipping a beer as he watched them, rose and met us halfway to the entrance.
"Marshal, yah want me ta stick with them three or tail that yahoo what tried to leave with Miss Kitty?" he whispered as he came abreast of us.
"Sam can keep an eye on the three in here until you can get Quint to see when they leave for home or wherever. You think you can still find where MacDonald went and also get my message to Quint?"
"If'n I cain't do 'er I've been spendin' too much time at city livin' ta still be a Haggen. I'll be back on MacDonald faster than ya can say a rat run over the roof with a piece of raw liver in his mouth."
Our quick conversation over, Festus continued past us and out the door while we made our way to the stairs. I nodded toward the Wilkins' table once I caught Sam's eye. He understood. We put our arms around each other's waist and climbed the stairs together. As soon as she unlocked her door, I held it open for her so she could precede me into her front room. Once we were both inside I turned back to lock the door before hanging my hat and gun belt on the peg in the wall by it.
Kitty didn't often cook but when she did whatever she made was delicious. Our supper was a sort of thick soup or stew that she made with the antelope Quint had brought back a couple of days before I set him to tailing our main troublemakers called gumbo. There was a pitcher of beer to wash it down with. A peach pie she managed to bake using the canned peaches from Jonas' store served with coffee and topped with whipped cream followed. We left the now empty dishes, except for the three quarters of a pie that remained, on the table and moved toward the divan. It wasn't long before we were seated side by side, each of us holding a glass of brandy. If it weren't for all that was going on I would gladly have spent the rest of the night there, forgetting all but the two of us.
Alas, that wasn't to be. I knew if I gave in to desire and kissed her I wouldn't learn what she'd managed to coax out of MacDonald before I had to go on late rounds. It was just possible he'd planned his first strike for tonight. Instead, I sat close but not quite touching listening to what she'd learned. Now that I'd hit him up side the head with my pistol I doubted he'd be willing to share anything more.
All too soon it was time for late rounds. Kitty had managed to learn MacDonald would ride out to the Wilkins place right after supper and stay there for the next couple of days. Since it would be after dark he'd ride over the still unfamiliar terrain beside the Wilkins' wagon. There were no plans he revealed to go after any business with more than threats and intimidation for at least two more days and no planned night attacks on property unless the business owners failed to come to terms with his demands. Still, I was taking no chances. I'd be checking everything closely as I made my rounds.
"Sorry that's all I was able to find out, Cowboy. I wasn't about to ruin our evening for a few more snatches of information from that odious man."
"Based on what I saw earlier I'm glad you won't be spending any more time with him. Make sure Sam has that shotgun of his handy in case he or his new cronies show up here tonight and that the back door is locked if you go into your office. Better yet, don't go there at all until I come back after rounds. See you later."
