The Contract
An ATC to Mannon
By
AZgirl66
Ch. 17-Revelations and Plans
A/N: Know that I researched the Osage and their traditions, so what you read here is accurate. Chief Little White Hair was real, too. Enjoy!
Kitty frantically paced around the sitting room of the small farm house she shared with Will Mannon. She was second-guessing her promise to tell her dear friend, the doctor, the real reason why she kept company with the barbarian.
"Oh, Kitty," she mumbled to herself, "what have you done now?" She plopped herself into the over-sized, stuffed chair in front of the fireplace, sighing heavily. She nervously bit at her thumbnail, gazing into the bright yellow and orange flames.
Oh, Lord…Mannon's gonna kill me if he finds out I told Ezra about our contract. Why did I say I would explain tonight?! Maybe I can bluff my way outta this…But at the same time, Ezra's told me Will won't tangle with the Indians…So if I go on the reservation, Mannon can't get to me…
Kitty jumped at the sound of the light tap at the door, her head turning in the direction of the sound. She rushed to the door, hoping no one had seen the doctor heading out of town toward her place.
"Who is it?" Kitty whispered with her head leaning against the rough wood.
"It's me, Ezra," Dr. Roseveare quietly answered. He carried with him a basket full of food for the pregnant lady, hoping that if anyone saw him heading to her house, he could say he just wanted to make sure Mrs. Mannon was eating well while her husband was out of town.
Kitty quickly opened the door and ushered her friend into the house, slyly glancing around outside to make sure no one had followed the doctor.
"Hello, Kitty. I thought I'd bring us some supper," Dr. Roseveare casually offered, "that way it would appear I came here with a specific purpose. You know, just in case…" he reassuringly smiled at his friend.
Kitty lead the way to the kitchen table, replying with her back to her companion, "That was good thinking, Ezra. May I offer you something to drink?" She tried to sound casual, too.
The tall, handsome man placed the basket on the table and immediately began to unpack the meal. He stared into Kitty's worried, deep pools of blue and answered, "I brought some wine, unless you think I'll need something stronger once I hear your story," he placed his hand upon Kitty's shoulder, giving a slight squeeze.
Nope. No getting out of this.
Kitty turned away, biting her lip, "Let me grab a couple of plates and glasses. I hope you're not in a hurry. This'll take a lot a tellin'." She retrieved the necessary dishes and Dr. Roseveare helped his very pregnant friend to sit at the table.
"Smells good," Kitty sniffed towards the basket, "what'd ya bring me?" she smiled in appreciation.
"Well," Dr. Roseveare began, "a couple of months ago, remember we discussed New Orleans, and how we had both lived there once upon a time?" he lifted his eyebrows as he glanced at Kitty, removing a warm crock from the basket.
"Yeessss…" Kitty raised her eyebrows as well, "I grew up there-"
"And I went to Tulane Medical School…" Dr. Roseveare finished her thought for her.
Kitty nodded towards the crock, "What's in there?!"
The tall man lifted his arm in a protective manner over the crock, "So aggressive, Ma'am. Stay seated please, so I can serve you your sausage and red beans and rice."
Tears came to Kitty's eyes, "Oh, Ezra. I can't think of the last time I had sausage and red beans and rice," she clutched her hands to her chest.
"And warm biscuits," the doctor whipped the freshly baked surprises from the basket and waved his hand in front of the fluffy buns, as if he were a magician. He added, "I wanted t' make you some gumbo, but shrimp is tough t' find in these parts."
It was easy for Kitty to relax with the doctor seated across from her. It was obvious he was trying to make her feel comfortable while sharing her deep, dark secrets.
Kitty drew in a deep breath as she began, "It all started nearly nine months ago. Will Mannon rode into Dodge City on a mule, that happened t' belong to a friend of mine…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dr. Roseveare shook his head in disbelief, as he dried the freshly washed plate Kitty handed him, "You realize once I take you to the Osage, Kitty, this contract you've made is null and void? That Will Mannon, who I now know is NOT your husband, may go after Matt Dillon after he looks around here for you and comes up empty handed?"
Kitty supported herself with her hands against the small sink, her head looking down into the dirty dish water, "Yes, Ezra. I know that. And I'm scared t' death that he will kill Matt," she exhaled through her nose, "but I am more scared that he will kill my and Matt's baby. This morning I was terrified for my life and the life of my child. Mannon was out of his mind…I can't risk that again. At least Matt can fight back," Kitty looked up at her friend, caressing her belly, "but this little one…"
Dr. Roseveare grabbed Kitty by the hand and walked her to the settee. Once seated, he sat beside her, holding her hands in his, with his incredibly dark eyes penetrating her crystal-clear blue ones. He cleared his throat, "Tomorrow morning, I am heading out to speak with my mother and Chief Little White Hair. Together we will come up with a plan to get you on the reservation, to keep you safe."
Kitty gulped, "Do you think they'll be willin' t' help me? I'm no one to them. I could actually bring danger to your mother's people," a lone tear streaked down her flushed cheek.
"I'm hoping they'll be willing t' help you because it is me who's asking," the big, gentle man wiped away Kitty's tear with the pad of his thumb, "even though I live among my father's people, I help a great deal on the reservation, especially when the white mans' diseases afflict the tribe."
Kitty nodded, her lips in a straight line, "Ezra, I don't know how to thank you," her eyes filled with tears.
Ezra Roseveare took a deep breath before speaking, "No need to thank me, Kitty. I told you I would protect you and your baby, take you away from here. I can't bear the thought of you remaining with that monster of a man for another moment. It's just not right."
Kitty began to softly weep, as she rested her head on her strong friend's shoulder, "I…I just…don't want…anyone hurt…because a me," she sniffled.
Dr. Roseveare gently rubbed her back, "Don't you worry about that, Kitty Russell."
At the mention of her real name, Kitty warmly looked up at her confidant with a closed-mouth grin.
He continued, "The Osage are true warriors and master negotiators. They protect what's theirs. Once you are on the reservation, I believe they will see you as a member of the tribe, but I'll know more tomorrow after I speak with my mother and the chief."
Kitty genuinely smiled up at her friend and rewarded him with a soft kiss upon his cheek.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Two days later, Kitty opened her door to find a lovely, middle aged Osage woman staring at her through dark, almond shaped eyes. Neither woman spoke for a while, they just silently sized each other up. Kitty in her simple black skirt and white blouse and the Indian woman in her traditional buckskin dress.
Kitty also keenly noticed two young braves, not so subtly standing off in the distance, watching them intently.
"Forgive me, I seem to have forgotten my manners," Kitty shook her head, "Please come in. You must be Mrs. Roseveare," Kitty motioned with her hand for the dark-skinned woman to enter.
"Thank you," the slightly graying woman responded while entering the home, "but I haven't been Mrs. Roseveare since my husband died, long ago," she stared at the floor, before looking back at Kitty.
"Would you like to sit down, so we can talk?" Kitty motioned toward the sitting room with a nod of her head. "Would you like some coffee?"
"No," the woman replied flatly, "we have much to discuss and not a lot of time," she sat and motioned for Kitty to do the same.
"You may call me Morning Dove, and yes, I am Ezra's mother," the Osage woman continued, "Ezra's father was a missionary. I returned to my people with Ezra and his brother, Joseph, when they were beginning their journey into manhood. That was after my beloved Isaiah died from smallpox," the Osage woman looked directly into Kitty's eyes.
"I'm so sorry," Kitty reverently glanced down, reaching for Morning Dove's hand.
"That was a long time ago," Morning Dove clasped her hands around Kitty's, "but, we have important plans to now discuss. I will speak quickly, so the braves outside won't wonder what we women are up to," she glanced at the door.
"Please, Morning Dove, you may speak freely. I'm prepared for just about anything," Kitty acknowledged, with a hint of a smile.
"Ezra told me your story. He is a good, noble man, just like his father. But I know Chief Little White Hair will not let you onto the reservation just because my son wants to offer you shelter," Morning Dove said, matter-of-factly.
"Oh," Kitty looked at her lap and placed one had atop her swollen belly and the other below, cradling her unborn child.
"Be patient, Kitty Russell, for I am not finished," Morning Dove gently admonished. "I spoke to the chief and told him that Ezra had found a white woman to wed. When that didn't seem to influence the chief, I informed him that you are great with child…an Osage child."
Kitty gasped, "Oh, Morning Dove…you didn't…I don't want your chief to think that Ezra would…would get me pregnant and not do anything about it till now! What will the chief think of him?! Or me for that matter?" a tear rolled down Kitty's flushed cheek.
"Sometimes we women have to say things that are untrue to protect the men we love, and the people they love. I think you may understand my meaning. Yes?" the proud Osage woman straightened her spine and lifted her chin, patiently waiting for Kitty to respond.
"Yes, I most certainly do," Kitty whispered as she caressed her belly.
Morning Dove continued, "The braves and I have come to offer you gifts of blankets and horses. This is the Omíha form of marriage in our tribe. It is very simple. If you accept the gifts, you accept my son's proposal. He will then come to you after two sunsets. You consummate the union and in the Osage tradition, you will be considered married. The child can then be regarded as a person."
Kitty had a difficult time absorbing all she'd been told. "Wait…wait…so what about being married? You do know this isn't Ezra's baby? And when she's born, it may be very obvious…" she gently shook her head back and forth.
"Not so much as you think. This child would only be one quarter Osage. And with your pale skin, no one would question the child's Osage birthright," Morning Dove smiled at Kitty, patting her shoulder while rising from her chair.
"Morning Dove, wait, please! I don't want to lie to your people. I don't want to bring shame upon your son. He has been so good to me! I don't know how you can expect me to do this," Kitty struggled to rise from her seated position, tears now silently flowing.
Morning Dove started to walk towards the door. She then paused, turning toward Kitty, calmly stating, "You have a choice to make, Kitty Russell. You can accept my son's proposal and the story that goes with it, or you may refuse it."
The proud Osage woman turned her eyes toward the ceiling before looking back at Kitty, adding, "I see the bruises on your face. This Mannon is not an honorable man. He is not a man at all."
Kitty flinched, remembering similar words coming from Doc's mouth the morning after Mannon had attacked her.
Ezra Roseveare's mother continued, choosing her words carefully, "My son is most honorable. He is willing to give up the life he has made for himself in the white man's world for you. He has told me he loves you and more importantly, that you love another man. And yet, he is still willing to protect you and the child you carry even though he possesses this knowledge."
Morning Dove turned her back to Kitty and with her hand on the door knob said, "The braves and I will wait at the treeline until just before the sun sleeps. If you do not approach us to accept our gifts, we will leave this property, never to return."
As Morning Dove opened the door, Kitty spoke softly, "I want you to know, Ma'am, that I've heard every word you've said. I will seriously consider Ezra's proposal," Kitty tightly closed her eyes, remembering back so many years ago, when she'd had to make a decision regarding Bear Sanderson's unique proposal.
Morning Dove held her head high and took one large step forward. She stood perfectly still at the edge of the porch, staring out at the braves. She then very quietly stated, "While my honorable son patiently awaits your answer, I want you to think on this…where is the man you protect? The same man who gave you that child in your womb. He is somewhere safe, yes? Why do you not just return to him now?"
Kitty sighed and moved onto the porch, standing right next to Morning Dove. She stared straight ahead and replied softly, "If I know Matt, he is looking for me. I can't go to him…not yet, anyway," Kitty squinted, looking up to the sky, "I'm his weakness. If Mannon found us together, Matt would be too worried about protecting me and the baby. This way, alone, he's at least got a fighting chance."
Morning Dove reached over and gently squeezed Kitty's hand. They shared a quiet, solemn moment before the Osage mother headed toward the braves.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Unbeknownst to Kitty Russell, a tall marshal and his faithful, scruffy deputy were riding their trusty mounts southbound, towards Osage Indian Territory, as fast as their steeds' legs could gallop.
The marshal carried with him a forwarded message from Doc Adams. It seemed someone had sent a telegram to Mashal Matt Dillon, Dodge City, Kansas, stating:
Packages await STOP Deep Ford Osage Territory STOP
TBC