Gunsmoke: The Widow

Part One

Annie Smith held her handkerchief over her mouth which also stopped what ever tears fell. No one could see her face due to the black veil that hung down from her black bonnet which matched her black mourning dress - complete with jet beads and black sequins. Very fitting for a funeral. The mourners around her shook their heads in disbelief, for this now widowed woman, was only married for two months and had only moved to the city three months prior.

Reverend Douglas stood next to Annie as the men in the grave pit settled the casket of her late husband, Herman. He was a good man and was well respected throughout Wichita for his business sense and willingness to help others. The whole town was delighted the day he announced that he was taking Annie for his bride. But now, with Annie, they mourned their lost of him.

"What will you do now, Annie?" Reverend Douglas asked quietly.

Annie wasn't quick to answer. She waited for the right moment to pass before she spoke. "I think I will travel west. Maybe to California." She still had a lot of life ahead of her only being in her early 40s.

Reverend Douglas nodded. "Well, you certainly won't have to worry about finances. Your husband left you quite an inheritance...with no kin and all."

Annie nodded slowly. "I'll be sure to send some to the church..." Under the handkerchief a sinister smile had formed.

Soon for Annie, Wichita would be trail dust with the sights of the prosperous town of San Francisco. Surely there was an eligible man or two there for her to chose from or perhaps, even somewhere in between.

The stagecoach rumbled into Dodge filling the warm summer air with the dust from Main Street. Festus had just stepped out from the jail house with a coffee cup in hand and noticed that Doc was approaching the stage. He watched the older man, rather than pester him first thing in the morning. Doc was obviously waiting for something.

"Mornin' Howard." Doc looked up to the stagecoach driver.

"Mornin' Doc. David Miller asked me to bring this to you." Howard reached up behind himself and clutched a box to handed it down to Doc.

"Fine...Just fine. David asked me to look out for it." Doc reach up with both hands for the box and carefully took it from Howard.

Annie remained seated within the stagecoach. Her interest peeked when she heard Howard talking to the doctor. Without making too much a fuss, she peaked out the window and looked at Doc. He looked quite distinguished and about the right age. Perhaps he was the next one for her.

"Driver? I think I would like to stay here for a few days." Annie shouted. "I need my bags."

"Sure thing Mrs Smith." Howard scrambled down off the top of the coach and retrieved Annie's luggage. There were two bags. Annie then stepped to the door and moaned. Doc heard her as he had not left the platform yet. "Anything I can do?" He turned to her and asked with concern.

Annie milked her performance for all it was worth. "I think it must be the heat and the ride in that darn stagecoach. I'll be fine after I rest." Doc helped her off the stage. "Where are you staying?" He asked.

"I don't know. I'm new here. Where do you suggest?" Annie worked her magic.

Doc wiped his moustache and picked up the larger bag having tucked the box he was waiting for under his arm. "For rest, I recommend the Dodge House. Howie likely has a few rooms available. Here, I'll walk you over there." Doc waited for Annie to pick up the smaller piece of luggage and to join him. Annie collected herself and followed the older man across the street to the Dodge House.

Festus sipped on his coffee and continued to watch with mild interest. Festus hadn't seen this woman before and he wondered if she was a friend of Doc's. His eye brows rose in thought and reminded himself to ask Doc later who the mystery woman was. With a tick of his head, Festus went back into the jail house.

Matt was busy at this desk filling out report forms from Judge Brooker. The clinking of Festus' spurs didn't even faze him. It was the pacing back and forth while he looked out the window that caught Matt's attention. "Festus? What on earth are you watching for!"

Festus spun on his heels. "Just wondering who the purdy lady is that went with Doc to the Dodge House..."

Matt thought a moment. "Huh?"

"Ole Doc got a parcel off the stage and this here lady got off and they went to the Dodge House..." Festus said as he continued to look out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of Doc crossing the street heading back to his place.

By now Matt had joined Festus at the window. "Have you seen this woman before?" He inquired.

Festus just shook his head no and continued his vigilance. He now had Matt even wondering what the town doctor was up too. Heaven forbid he'd bring a relative to Dodge and not tell anyone. Matt and Festus only exchanged a strange look and then turned their attention back out the window.

After a few moments Matt spoke. "This is ridiculous! Doc can do whatever he wants...he's a grown man." He returned to his desk, but now even he wondered who Doc was with. Obviously it was a slow day. "Festus. I need you to take these to the freight office and this over to the telegraph office."

"Sure thing Matthew." Festus said as he took the papers from his boss.

"And Festus." Matt called after him as he was leaving the office.

"Matthew?" Festus stopped in mid step.

"Leave Doc alone. I'm sure he will tell us who she is when he's good and ready." Matt smirked at his deputy who wore a shy smile on his face. With a wink of his eye, Festus left to do his chores.

Doc watched as Annie set her bag down. She was quite attractive and he couldn't help but wonder why she was travelling alone. He quickly switched his attention to Howie, the hotel clerk, as she looked up at him as he set his own parcel on the counter. "Howie. Mrs. Smith..." he looked for conformation from Annie that he had her name correct and when she nodded he continued, "here needs a room. She had a rough ride on the stage coach coming in to Dodge." Doc told the clerk.

"Certainly. I have three rooms available. One looks onto the street the other two are at the back. Which would you like Mrs. Smith?"

Her right hand rose to her mouth in decision. "I'll take the one that looks on to the street. I just need to rest, so says the kind doctor, here." She smiled at Howie and then at Doc.

Doc wiped his moustache and set the bag down he held. "Doctor Adams. But everyone calls me Doc." He smiled. "Howie will take care of your things."

"Thank you doct...Doc." She said with a slight smile on her lips. "I appreciate your caring."

Doc ticked his head. "That's my job. Now you just go up to your room and lay down for an hour or so. I'll stop in and check on you a bit later." With that Doc tipped his hat and left Annie with Howie to settle finances.

Doc took his parcel and left the hotel only to run in to Festus who was starting his rounds. "Wall howdy Doc...ya gots a package, I see." Festus probed while looking at the parcel in Doc's hands.

Doc looked down at the brown paper wrapped box. "Yes. Yes I do. No get out of my way!" He barked waving his hand to get Festus to step aside.

"You sure can be a grumphead when ya wants ta be..." Festus taunted him under his breath. "Just tryin' ta make conversation...that's all..."

Doc heard him and turned on his heels. "Well if you had the likes of you to put up with, you'd be a "grumphead" too!" He retorted with a huff.

Festus stood stunned at such a cunning come back. He was left speechless and his mouth hung open. Then he shut it. "You just like to get my goat, don't ya!"

Doc smiled to himself and was pleased as punch with his rebuttal. With a scratch of his ear he turned toward his office, but somehow he felt that Festus was still looking at him in question. He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned toward the deputy and his blue eyes narrowed. "Let me guess..." his voice was trying to restrain the bellow he wanted to emit, "you are wondering who the lady is that I walked over to the Dodge House with..." He wagged his index finger at Festus.

Festus only nodded while playing with the pockets on his vest all the while looking sheepish.

"Her name is Mrs Annie Smith and other than that I don't know who she is! She was on the stage coach and wasn't feeling well. Now, I suppose that pea brain of yours has some other thoughts running through it. Like she might be a friend of mine...or a long lost relative! Well you can forget that! She is merely a lady who needs my professional "doctoring" help." Doc knew that he was getting flustered and with a wiped of his moustache he turned leaving Festus to his own thoughts.

Festus shook off Doc's comment and muttered to himself as he left for the Long Brach. "Old scutter..."

Doc reached the confines of his office and placed the parcel on his desk. He then removed his hat and coat turning his attention back to the package he had just received. Slowly he sat and carefully untied the string and then took off the brown paper wrap. Even the box within was tied with string. Doc chuckled. "David...you rat!"

Once Doc managed to get through to the contents has carefully picked up card enclosed. "Happy birthday Galen. Best wishes from David and Susan." Tucked under the card was a smart looking brass mantle clock with an engraved face. Doc's silver moustache curved upwards as he stood and lifted the clock to the top of his desk. It certainly was weighty for its size. He placed the card next to it. Although his birthday was a month ago, he chuckled that his friends were never ones to remember such things on time. He was very pleased with the clock just the same as it some how added a little extra glow to his office.

After ploughing through the stack of mail that awaited him on his desk, Doc instinctively reached for his pocket watch to check the time. But he caught himself and slowly tucked the watch away and looked to his new mantle clock. It was shortly after 3 pm.

He ran his fingers over his right ear and decided that he should check in on Mrs Smith like he had promised. Slowly he pushed himself up from his desk and walked to the coat and hat rack retrieving the only two items that hung there - his coat and his hat.

Doc left the office placing his hat on his head and pulling his coat on and slowly closing the door behind himself as he began to sauntered down the stairs. Strangely his mind wandered back Festus' curiosity. Was it the parcel or was it Mrs Smith? Never the less he committed himself into checking in on her and that is exactly what he was going to do. Then he stopped part way down the stairs. He finished adjusting his coat collar and realized he'd forgotten his medical bag back up in the office. He shook his head scolding himself as he turned back up the stairs.

Meanwhile, Annie was busying herself with unpacking her bags and getting used to the room. She stopped every now and again wondering what being married to a doctor would be like. A sly smile would then crease her lips and then she'd continue with what she was doing. After all, doctors must be rich she concluded. She continued with her room.

Doc finally reached the board walk and headed toward the Dodge House when Annie spotted him out of her window. Again that sly smile as perched on her lips as she held the curtain away from the window just enough to see the street. Soon the doctor disappeared from her view so she quickly lay down on the bed to make it like she had been resting. Doctor's orders.

Doc entered the Dodge House and passed Howie with a nod. Howie remembered that the doctor told Mrs Smith that he'd check in on her later. Howie returned to his newspaper as Doc made his way up the stairs to Annie's room.

Once outside the door Doc lightly rapped the door with his knuckles and listened for movement from within the room. Just as he was about to knock again he heard Annie stir and approached the door. "Yes?" Came her voice.

"It's Doctor Adams." Doc slowly swiped his right hand across his moustache waiting for her to opened the door.

Annie played her game with skilled precision and waited for the right second to open the door. "Oh, hello. Please come in, Doc." She smiled and granted him entrance to her room.

Doc entered and removed his hat. He noticed the bed had been slept in, which in his mind was a good thing. He turned on his heels. "How are you feeling now?" His light blue eyes sparkled with charm.

Annie walked away from the door and looked out the window. "I'm just fine, thank you. I think I just needed to rest after that dreadful stage coach ride." She smiled.

Doc set his medical bag down on the chair just inside the door and placed his hat on top of it. He hadn't moved any further into the room. He scratched his eye brow trying to think of a way to asked the question he needed an answer to.

"Doc...you look puzzled." Annie said.

"I am. May I ask why you are travelling alone in this part of the country?" His eyes lifted to hers.

Annie sighed. "My husband died a few weeks ago. I guess I'm just running away from everything."

Doc nodded. He understood and deep down wished that he could run away at times too. "I understand. How long were you married?" Doc figured that she was in her 40s so she must have been married maybe 15 to 20 years, if not more.

Annie smiled gently at Doc. "Two months. Then there was the accident." She tightened her lips to hold back a fake weeping sound.

Doc moved toward her and placed his hands gently on her arms guiding her to the chair by the window. "There. There. Everything will be just fine. These things take time to get over." He was actually quite taken back at the length - or shortness, as the case may be, of the marriage. What a tragic tale and not even knowing anything about her, his heart ached for her loss.

Annie looked out the window and down onto the street. She decided that she was going to get on with her next plan. "Doc?"

"Yes?" He stood next to her.

"Where's a good place to eat in Dodge?" She asked while still looking out the window.

Doc rubbed his right hand over the back of his neck. That wasn't quite the question he anticipated. "Well there is Delmonico's just down the street. I go there all the time. And if you are looking for a good cup of coffee or a decent drink, then I would recommend the Long Branch, across the way."

Annie nodded. "Perhaps I will look into Delmonico's for supper..." She set her bait.

Doc felt badly that this poor soul had lost her husband and now was going to dine alone. "If you would like, I could join you..." He was even surprised by his own willingness.

"Oh, that would be just wonderful...Doc. Could you?" Annie stood up from the chair and faced him.

He nodded. "Certainly. I'll come back around six, then." A slight smile curled under his silver moustache.

Annie smiled back. "I look forward to it. See you then. And thank you again for looking in on me. It was very kind of you." She followed him to the door as he picked up his hat and bag. "Do I owe you anything?" Doc shook his head no and left the room.

After he rounded the corner to the stairs she closed it gently behind him. She pressed her back against the door and smiled broadly at her cunning deception. Perhaps she has a new suitor.

Doc stopped in at the Long Branch on his way back to his office. Kitty normally had the daily newspaper which he enjoyed reading over a coffee or beer.

Kitty was finishing up with her books and finalizing a shipment with Sam when she noticed the physician entre and approach the long bar. "Afternoon, Doc." Kitty smiled. Something seemed a little different about him. He seemed lighter on the feet, not to mention the slight smile on his face. "Everything all right?" Kitty continued.

Doc nodded. "Yes. Why? Have I missed something?"

Kitty shook her head no but remained slightly bemused by Doc's persona. "What can I get you?"

Doc stood at the bar and looked for the newspaper. "Paper come in today?"

Sam reached for it from under the bar. "Here ya go Doc." Even Sam noticed something slightly different. He looked at Kitty and shrugged. Doc was preoccupied with the paper to notice. "Oh," he said while reading an article, "Can I get a coffee also?" He then looked up at both Kitty and Sam looking at him oddly. "Perhaps I should be asking you two if everything is all right!"

Kitty smiled. "You...well. You look more chipper today." She cringed internally, wondering how Doc would take that - almost wishing she could reverse what just came out of her mouth.

Doc chuckled. "I must be thinking of the gift that I got for my birthday. For heavens sake, it's a month late! I don't think that David and Susan Miller will ever get it correct!" He mused over his coffee and the paper.

Kitty's eyebrows rose up and she again looked at Sam who shrugged. Whatever it was, it had to be a doozey! "What did they give you, Doc?" Kitty's voice, hinting with humour, interrupted his reading.

Doc looked up at Kitty and Sam who were now perched waiting to hear. Doc straightened his back as he all of a sudden felt he was on trial. "A mantle clock. Why?"

Kitty slowly stepped away as did Sam. "Just wondered. You sure seem happy with it..."

Doc looked around the room wondering if he was the only one witnessing how the two people behind the bar were acting. "Are you sure you are both feeling all right!"

to be continued...