Doc sauntered down the dimly lit hall and stopped in front of Annie Smith's hotel room door. He drew a deep breath before knocking gently with his knuckle. He heard Annie moving around inside and for some reason he felt a little awkward standing in the hall waiting for her to open the door.
"Who is it?" Her voice chirped from within.
Doc drew his hand across his moustache. A nervous habit he had. "It's Doc. I thought we were having dinner..." He stopped himself as she opened the door. She had changed into an different dress - it was a beautiful shade of amber coloured silk with black lace trim. Her smile cloaked her preoccupied thoughts well.
Doc's smile back was more sincere. "You look very lovely in that colour." He declared and winked and ticked his head with approval.
"Why thank you Doc. I didn't want to wear the same dress to supper that I spent God knows how long in on that dreadful stage coach." She picked up her handbag and pulled the door closed behind her as she joined Doc in the hallway. "Now where is this eatery?"
Doc motioned with an out stretched arm for her to head down the hall to the stairs with him. "I think you'll find Delmonico's fare quite delicious. I particularly like the roast beef. But, you can get just about anything, that is if in season."
The two walked down the stairs and past Howie who was busy with another guest that had just arrived in the early evening. But he did take notice of Doc and Mrs Smith leaving the hotel.
Howie was not the only one to notice of Doc with the beautiful woman. Newly just stepped out of his shop and saw the two across the street. He wasn't aware of Festus' earlier encounter, so he too wondered who the lady was. He shrugged it off without further thought. His mind was on a cool beer at the Long Branch. He entered and stood next to Festus.
"Good afternoon, Newly!" Kitty smiled. "What can I get you?"
Newly always seemed slightly bashful toward Kitty. "A beer will be just fine." And he placed his five cents on the bar. Sam poured the beer for Newly and picked up the coin while slowly looking to Festus to see if he was going to pay for his beer.
Festus caught Sam's look and shifted his eyes to Newly who was now enjoying his beer. Festus sighed and pulled a nickle from his vest pocket and placed it in front of Sam with a distinctive click.
Newly took one more sip before he asked the question that had the three people at the bar humming. "By the way, who is Doc with?"
Festus' eyebrows shot upwards. "Why do you ask, Newly?"
Newly finished swallowing the gulp of beer in his mouth. "Not really askin'. Just saw him going into Delmonico's with a lady. That's all."
Kitty moved closer to Newly. "Festus saw her get off the stage this morning. She told Doc she wasn't feeling well. According to what Doc told Festus, her name is Mrs Annie Smith. That is all we know."
Newly seemed okay with the update. He hid his smile for Doc behind his beer glass. "They looked pretty happy together." Spoke quietly enough for Kitty, Festus and sam to hear. They all exchanged looks.