Late Afternoon

It took Will over 4 hours to walk into the city, and he grew more resentful with each step. He was not a happy man when he got to Halley's livery stable. He tossed the key to the cabin on the desk, without bothering to say anything. He just glared at Mr. Halley for a moment and walked away. Next he arranged for the baskets with left over food and dishes to be picked up. He told the restaurant manager that he'd have to see Mr. Halley to arrange for getting into the cabin. Paying the restaurant to pick up the baskets didn't improve Will'smood.

He left the restaurant and went to his room. For the past three months he had a week-to-week rental in a nice building not far from the St. Louis Royale Hotel. He had had quite a bit of success gambling during the time he was in St Louis. His skill with a gun made people reluctant to accuse him of cheating. Never-the-less he had been growing tired of the city and had been ready to move west to San Francisco when he had run into Kitty. His confidence that he could entice her had kept him in St. Louis a little longer than he would have.

Once in his room and got another gun. He was really irritated that his favorite gun was at the bottom of that lake. That weapon had cost him a pretty penny. It was just more money that Kitty Russell had cost him. He thought about changing his clothes, but decided against it. He was eager to make his next move.

He left the hotel not knowing exactly how he would proceed. He'd have to look for opportunity.

After lurking outside the St. Louis Royale Hotel for a while Will decided to discretely walk down Main St. He didn't want to be seen be Kitty or Dillon. He was in luck. He saw Matt, Kitty and Anna standing on a corner talking. He ducked inside an alley to watch. He couldn't believe how perfectly it was playing out. Matt and Kitty were walking off together towards the other end of Main St. and Anna was walking toward him.

As she was passing he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into the alley. She gasped and he put his gun to her back, "You yell or make a fuss and you're dead. Just walk along." He lead her to a restaurant warehouse, pushed open the door and shoved her inside following behind her."

Will had no way of knowing the Luigi Baggini had seen him grab Anna, and thought that the lady didn't look too happy about it. Luigi decided to find the big man and the pretty redhead. He didn't know their names but knew where they were staying.

In the warehouse Will pointed his gun at Anna, "Just sit in that chair,"

Anna did as she was told, "What are you going to do with me?"

"Just sit there and be quiet." Will moved over to the side to get a rope that was hanging on the wall. Clearly he intended to tie her up.

Anna looked at Stambridge. His clothes were wrinkled and his jaw was swollen and had big purple/yellow bruise on it. This was a far cry from the dapper looking man who had accompanied her to that play staring Rose Massey. Her thoughts drifted to Rose Massey. Rose Massey had played a woman of action and daring in every play that Anna had seen her in. What would Rose Massey do? Anna thought about it. She knew that her heroine wouldn't just sit there.

Anna looked around as Stambridge started walking towards her. He was looking down at the rope he was carrying, and making a loop. Anna spied a box not far from her that was labeled "Black Pepper." She moved quickly, removed the lid from the box, grabbed two handfuls of black pepper and before Stambridge knew what was happening threw the pepper in his eyes, yelling "Rose Massey."

"Aagh" Stambridge was stopped in his tracks, and was bent over grabbing at his eyes. Anna saw some 5-pound bags of flour near by. She grabbed one and whacked Stambridge over the head with it. The bag broke and he staggered forward now covered with white flour – still grabbing at his eyes. Anna looked around again and saw a box filled with rolling pins. She gleefully picked one up and hit Stambridge across the back with as much force as she could muster. He staggered again and fell to the floor, still rubbing at his eyes.

At that moment Matt burst through the door, followed by Kitty and Luigi. There stood Anna, holding a rolling pin standing like a baseball batter ready to swing. Will Stambridge was on the floor, lying on his side covered with flour, eyes squeezed shut.

Matt, Kitty and Luigi looked at Anna in amazement. Finally Matt spoke, "What just happened here?"

Anna, hat all askew and rolling pin still in her hands answered, "I just did what Rose Massey would have done."

Matt looked totally puzzled, "Who?"

Kitty smiled as she shook her head in astonishment, "She's an actress, Matt. I'll explain later."

Matt didn't know what to say so he just nodded. He walked over to Will Stambridge looked down at him and shook his head, "Stambridge, just go about your business and don't involve these ladies or me for that matter."

Anna put the rolling pin back in the box, straightened her hat, stood up tall and said to Luigi, "I think it's time to go to your place for dinner."

Luigi nodded, "It's on the house. I wouldn't have missed seeing this for anything."

The Next Morning

It was time for Anna to get on the train to Chicago. After having breakfast at "Our Place," Kitty and Matt went to the station to see her off. Matt kissed her on both cheeks saying, "A few years about I told Kitty that maybe what I need is a woman deputy. You know Anna, if you ever want the job it's yours."

Anna laughed, "I don't see being a deputy in my future, but I'd love to visit you in Dodge."

Matt squeezed her hands, "I hope you do Anna."

Kitty moved forward and hugged her cousin close, "Please do come visit us in Dodge."

Anna nodded with tears in her eyes. She hugged Kitty again and whispered in her ear, "Kitty maybe there are things you don't have in your life, but you have the kind of love that most people can only dream about. They kind of love that people would give a lot to have, cherish it."

Kitty whispered back, "I know. He's something isn't he?"

Anna nodded with a small smile on her face and boarded the train.

Matt and Kitty stood there until the train was out of sight, and then walked away. They had one more day in St. Louis and would be on the train to Dodge the next morning.

Matt stopped and pointed, "Kitty look there."

Kitty looked over and saw Will Stambridge getting on a train headed to San Francisco. He looked like his old dapper self, except for the still discolored jaw.

Matt took Kitty's arm, "Kitty I hope you don't mind but I got us tickets to that show that Stambridge took Anna to."

Kitty looked surprised, "Cowboy that's really nice."

Matt said, "I have to see this Rose Massey actress for myself. Before the show maybe we can have dinner at Luigi's place."

Kitty nodded, "Great idea Cowboy." She paused for a few seconds, "You know that's a lot of hours from now. Maybe we should go back to our hotel and get comfortable. You're supposed to be resting you know."

Matt kissed her on the lips, "Yes, resting sounds good, as long as you help.

They both laughed and walked arm and arm back to the hotel.

The End.