Matt sat in a large wooden chair and leaned back against the gray wall just outside the Laredoo jail. He wished he could jump on old Buck and ride off into the sunset. Just ride until he would fall off the edge of the world. He longed to see Kitty, yet dreaded seeing her. She was always so strong. but now she lay broken barely able to lift herself out of her sick bed. Bonners gang who was responsible for Kitty's pain, sat in the jail. Matt sat there with the responsibility of stopping the lynch mob that was brewing weighing heavy on his shoulders.
Matt closed his eyes, for a few seconds he was with Kitty sitting in the green grass by the brook having a picnic lunch. The smile on his face disappeared when Bonner yelled, "That woman of yours tasted really good. You know we had a biting contest to see who could leave the best teeth marks. I bit her so hard I could taste her warm sweet blood." Matt got up and walked to the local bar looking over the batwing doors for a moment, then returned to the wooden chair.
Bonner's trial had taken on the feel of a traveling show. In the street was a drummer selling Bonner pictures. Matt stood on the steps of the Laredo courthouse, wondering how long he was going to be made to dangle on Bonner's string. Bonner's lawyer called a lot of people to testify. Matt suspected he was trying to delay Bonner's execution with this side show. Matt had been forced to attend because he was the one who arrested Bonner. Day after day Matt sat in the courtroom waiting to be called. Day after day they said they would get to him tomorrow. All the while Bonner was smiling at Matt. Bonner never missed the opportunity to tell Matt what he did to Kitty. Never missed the opportunity to describe how much he enjoyed hurting Kitty, enjoyed Kitty begging him, enjoyed touching every inch of Kitty while listening to her cries.
One day Matt was left in charge of the Jail so the sheriff and his deputies could attend a wedding. As day turned into night, Matt alone checked the jail. First that the cells were indeed locked. He then went outside and walked around the jail to ensure Bonner would not get any outside help, and to get some much-needed fresh air. He could hear the music and laughter from the wedding. His thoughts turned to Kitty. He could picture her dancing in her soft pink party dress. He could feel her in his arms as they danced. Her soft hand in his. Her breast bumping against his chest. A puff of wind kicked up bringing with it the smell of a roses. He noticed a garden of fresh blood red roses blooming against the gray walls of the jail. He picked one of these perfect beautiful delicate flowers to take back inside the jail. As the rose came loose the sky filled with very dark clouds. The wind turned cold. Matt could hear laughter, this time from inside the jail. Bonner and his band of cut throats realized Matt was alone to guard their cells.
Bonner through the bars of his cell called to him. "I got to hand it to you. You're a good judge of women. That Kitty was nice and clean, smelled like roses. That is until I got done with her. Now she will forever smell like me. The smell of death and old blood will surround her like that foul wind full of dust. Matt hit the bars with a fire log. Bonner bounced back, then started a round of laughter that was echoed by the other prisoners.
Kitty always worried about Matt when he was out of town, but this time she had developed a feeling of ice deep in the pit of her stomach. Ice that was growing with each passing hour. Even her best whiskey, had done nothing to warm her insides. She was very proud at her recovery from Bonner's brutal assault. Longed to show Matt how well she was doing. When he left, she was still up in Doc's office, unable to move or even feed herself. Still every day she had to fight a growing fear that threatened to confine her to her bed. She told herself everything would be alright when he got home tonight.
Kitty dressed in her orange dress and slowly came down the stairs as she checked the contents of her bag. "are you sure you don't mind staying a few more hours Sam?"
Sam smiled up at his boss. He marveled at the way Kitty's orange dress emphasized the dynamics of her moving figure as it descended the stairs. He diverted his eyes so he would not be consumed by her beauty. He replied, "No, I don't mind staying. The beer wagon just came in. I would like to get the stock in before I leave anyway."
She smiled. "I won't be long, just going to get a few things to make dinner."
Sam's voice could not hide his concern. "Are you sure you don't want to go to the husking? Almost everyone in town is going to be there. I don't like you being alone."
She pinned a black feather in her orange hat and tried to hide the excitement welling up inside of her. ""Thank you, but I'm not much of a corn husker. Matt should be in before night fall. Festus is going to the husking, so when Matt gets back in town, we can have dinner."
"by the way I can take care of myself."
As Kitty pushed through the batwing doors she was caught in a cooled gust of wind, that threw dust into her eyes. She wondered why she wished the hot days of summer gone. The streets were full of farmers bringing their final crop to town. Baskets of every kind of produce lined the street. Flocks of wild geese honked, and groups of birds flew high into the sky as she hurried down the street.
She gave herself the gift of time, a walk by the river. Leaves of red and gold, swept by a refreshing breeze swirled about. Acorns crunched beneath her feet. She thought of past times when she and Matt took this walk. It is a quiet place away from the drunks and gunmen that seemed to control their lives. Everything though familiar seemed strange - the sound the river as it rushed past seemed to take on a violent roar instead of a soft ripple. She thought it was caused by a runoff from rains in the mountains. Flocks of birds flying overhead chattered with a sound of urgency, instead of providing a lovely song. She thought of Matt. It had been a long year filled with violence. They needed a quiet night to just enjoy each other. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a church bell. No more time to think of the past, or for a peaceful walk.
She walked from one end of Dodge to the other trying to find the perfect thing to make for dinner, there did not seem to be anything. She bought some long candles, a fresh tablecloth made of Irish lace, and a new hair pin, knowing she was taking too long. Finally out of frustration she ended up with the same old thing she always made, steaks and potatoes. On a whim she bought a few vegetables for a very small salad, apples for some dumplings, some fresh beans for coffee, a loaf of warm just baked bread, and grape jelly. As she picked up her basket of goodies she looked around for Louie. He was always ready to carry her goods home for a drink, but was no where to be found. Her basket seemed to be a little too heavy. She thought she would have to stop and rest on the way. A man dressed all in black with his hat down over his eyes took her basket and her arm. "I'll see you back to the Long Branch." She was glad for the help, but this man made her uneasy. She did not like the grip he had on her arm. He sat the basket just outside the door of the Long Branch and was gone without a word.
Sam, true to form, had everything done when she returned. He again expressed his concerns about leaving her alone. He asked if she wanted him to throw out the only customers left in the bar - two drunks milking their bottle. She said she could handle them, but would he check the back door was locked before he left. After Sam was gone, the two drunks tried to get her to sit with them. They even were so nice to offer her a lap to sit on. When she refused, they called her all kinds of fancy names and announced the women at the Lady Gay would be glad be drink with them and left. She finished entering the day's receipts into her book and locked the front door.
Kitty walked through the empty bar, turning out the oil lamps as she went. The streetlamp coming through the stained glass windows sent a glow of orange through the bar, providing enough light for her to navigate the stairs. As she got to the top of the stairs, she felt someone behind her. Turning quickly, she saw no one, just her shadow staring at her larger than life on the wall.
"get a hold of yourself "she thought, trying to control the fear growing inside her. Her feet failed her, and she broke out into a hard run. Her dress made a swishing sound as she moved swiftly down the hall. She slammed the door locking it behind her. Leaning against the door she broke out into a cold sweat. She shook her head "Matt will be here soon." She needed to get ready for him. Her nerves eased as she set the table and prepared the meal. She chose her green velvet dress, for it was his favorite.
Matt was out of town somewhere near the Mexican border, at Bonners trial for killing some lawman, in front of the whole town. This would be Bonners fourth trial. It seemed all the witness recanted so Bonner was acquitted each time. Matt was always called as a witness as the arresting lawman, so he had to go to all the trials. Matt felt Bonner had his attorney call him as a form of harassment. Bonner enjoyed seeing the aging marshal's face every time he was acquitted. Matt said Bonner would never go free because of all the crimes he committed. If they never got a conviction well, they would just keep trying him. Keeping him in jail, that is as long as no Judge let him out on that "innocent until found guilty thing."
Kitty knew Bonner would probably be found not guilty again, and Matt would be fit to be tied when he got back. She hoped it would not ruin their evening.
Sam had filled her bathtub, but the water was now cold. She shivered as she slowly got in. The bath would be fast. She was shaking uncontrollably as she reached for her robe. It was not on the hook where she always hung it. She must have sent it to the cleaners. Stepping out of the tub onto a loose nail sent pain through her body. Picking up her green dress she found it was all full of holes, as if someone had taken a knife to it. She thought it is old, the stitching must have given out.
Well, she looked better in her black one anyway. She brushed out her long red hair in front of her large wooden mirror that featured carvings of angels. As she reached up to fix a comb in her hair, through her hair she saw, there in the mirror was a reflection of a man coming toward her. Frozen in time and space she was almost compelled to watch him move swiftly towards her. The reflection got bigger and clearer. It was Jules Bonner. Tripping over her chair she ran for the door. Forgetting it was locked, she pulled the door off its hinges. She ran halfway down the hall before she realized no one was chasing her. "You have to get ahold of yourself, how are you going to explain the door to Matt? If you tell him the truth, he will think you are touched."
A voice from the bar called up to her, "You ok Miss?"
She straightened up. "How did you get in here? We are closed."
The man dressed all in black did not look up, so all she could see was his hat. "I only want one drink to clear my throat from the dust. If you are closed, you should not have left the door open or the light over the bar lit. "
Kitty then noticed the front door was wide open. Well, she thought, that lock on the front door does need fixed. It has been tricky of late She must have not had it locked and the high wind bust have blown it open. She must have missed the light over the bar.
KiShe was still a little uneasy but a little company and a stiff drink might help to settle her nerves. Besides, she did not want to go back into her room. Just as a precaution she hid a derringer a customer gave her as collateral for a loan in her pocket.
As she approached the table the man inquired, "You're Miss Russell? I brought you word from a big Lawman I met down south. "
Kitty froze. "Is he ok? He's not..? "
He man reached into his coat. Kitty reached for the derringer. The man retrieved a beautiful blood red rose. He handed it to her. "The big marshal is going to be late getting in and said he was sorry."
Kitty was in shock for a moment. "What happened? When he is coming home?"
Man headed for the door. "I have to get some sleep. Bin in the saddle for three days now. Look for the big guy when you see him coming."
Kitty cut her finger by a black thorn. Blood dripped into a glass of whiskey. swirled around changing the collor of the whiskey to a bright reddish gold.
Looking up, the man was gone. She put the rose into an old whiskey bottle. A knock on the front door startled her.
"let me in!" Doc yelled.
Kitty yelled back, "The door is unlocked."
"no, it's not, it is late to be playing games." Doc yelled.
Kitty went to the door and found it locked. "That's strange. The lock must have worked itself on."
Doc dusted the dust off his coat. "I was hoping to get a nightcap. That wind is cut right through me. What's wrong with your hand?"
Kitty undone it. "Nothing, just got stuck on the rose Matt sent me."
Doc was concerned about the amount of blood coming from the small wound." Matt gave you a rose and it lived in this weather? When did he get back?"
Kitty tried to pull her hand away from Doc's probing. "He is not back. He sent the rose to tell me he won't be back for a while. Some guy brought it. I don't know how he kept it alive. There it is. Isn't it fantastic?" Doc marveled at the perfection of the blood red rose. He reached to touch it but pulled his hand back for he did not want to intrude on the perfection of the rose.
Kitty invited Doc to her room to eat the dinner she cooked for Matt. Doc looked at the door but did not ask. The meal was great. They talked of old times, ate and drank. When the sun peered through the dark clouds, the two stepped outside to watch the start of the day. Looking into the beautiful red sunrise Doc thought of all the things he needed to get done. Kitty watched the horizon, looking for the man she knew would not be coming. The skys suddenly turned dark. Ice-cold large drops of rain suddenly poured down on them. Kitty and Doc retreated to the warmth of her room. Doc stumbled over Kitty's settee. Kitty laughed. "You better sleep that buzz off before the good ladies of Dodge see you staggering in the streets." Doc protested, but after seeing something strange in Kitty's looking glass and tripping over Kitty's shoes he agreed to stay. In truth he could feel the fear growing inside of Kitty. The two, fully dressed, laid on top of Kitty's bed. A cold gust of wind rocked the saloon sending a chill down Kitty's spine. She got up and put a blanket over the sleeping doctor. She also covered the looking glass while trying hard not to look in it.
It was about midnight. The wedding party was dying down when a knock on the jail door startled the Marshal. "You in the jail, let me in." Matt pulled his six gun. "Who are you? What's your business?"
The man from the other side of the door yelled, "I am Joe Handed, sheriff from Middletown. Let me in. I have been riding all day."
Matt opened the door for he knew Joe was a good sheriff, tough but fair and law abiding.
"It's good to see you're still kicking. Matt, I am here to take Bonner to Middletown if the jury find him innocent. I am going to arrest him for killing a saw buster. I don't think we can get a conviction. A bunch of gunman have been coming in to Middletown ever since it got out we will be the next town to try him . Hope they find him guilty here. I am not sure I can keep the lid on Middletown. So sorry to hear what they did to Miss Russell. How is she? "
Matt poured another cup of coffee. "Doc telegrammed me that she is doing as well as can be expected. Not sure what that means." Just then four men pushed through the door. A shot rang out and Joe Handed fell to the floor. Matt dropped the coffee pot. The gunmen hearing the steel pot hit the floor shot it full of holes as Matt pulled his gun. Firing rapidly as he jumped behind the desk, Matt hit two of the men. Joe rolled over, fired and shot the third. The sheriff from Laredo, hearing the gunshots, ran to the jail. The last gunfighter made for the door and was shot out of the saddle by the Laredo sheriff.
Matt tried to stand up but found he had taken one in his leg. Joe lay on the floor dying. Matt slid to him. In a raspy voice the sheriff said his last words, "Matt, if they don't hang Bonner shoot him'" Matt, holding the dying man's hand said, "You have my word Bonner will never go free."
The town doctor looked at Matt's leg. "That's a bad one. You boys help him up to my office." Matt protested. He felt his job was to see that Bonner never saw the light of day so he had ad to stay at the jail. The doctor took a hold of Matt's leg. Matt jumped in pain. The doctor said in a very disapproving voice, "So you want to lose that leg. That's ok by me. Less work., Don't mess around too long. Gangrene sets in and you will be losing more than a leg . No skin of my teeth." Matt agreed to go to the doctor's office. Two hours later, the sheriff of Laredo came into the doctor's office. "How's he doing?" The doctor smiled. " I got the bullet out. He is a real hard case. Gave him twice the knockout powders I usually give and he is still thrashing around."
The sheriff looked at the swollen leg. "I hope he will be able to travel soon. Because the sheriff from Middletown was killed. The next town to try Bonner will be Dodge."
Doc awoke and saw Kitty sleeping next to him. He jumped out of bed. Well, he thought that was ill-advised. He went over to the covered looking glass to adjust his clothes before heading out. As he uncovered the looking glass, a vase with one blood red rose fell to the floor. Doc thought "I must have really tied one on last night. I thought that was down on the bar." As he carefully picked it up he noticed the stem was broken by the bottom.
Kitty moaned when she rolled over on the side that she was shot in. Her eyes opened wide. Doc having placed the vase back on the table said, "Good morning."
Kitty, although still in pain, smiled. "What time is it? "
Doc replied, "It's about seven."
Kitty rolled over and hugged her pillow. "Doc, you think Matt's ok? I have a very bad feeling."
Doc looked at the rose. "Sure. You get some rest and Matt will be back before you know it." Looking at the bed he saw a large red spot. "Where did all that blood come from?"
L
Kitty sat up looking very pale and held out her hand. The rag she wrapped her finger in was soaked. "I guess I am still bleeding."
Doc grabbed his bag. "Let me stitch that." As he examined the finger, he realized it should not be bleeding that much.