Chapter 8
Decisions. Mike had decisions to make. Actually it was just one decision right now. Should she tell Dan his real identity? If she did tell him, would she risk losing him? If she did not tell him, would she live with guilt? Would it be fair to keep such valuable information from the deputy who was in her house?
Reaching the door, Mike made her decision. She opened the door and saw Newly wiping his hands. He had just finished shaving. He saw Favorite riding out. "I didn't expect Favorite to leave so soon."
"He's riding out to Starcourt's," said Mike
"Who's Starcourt?' asked Newly
"He owns the next ranch south of here. He sent Favorite here to kill me for this land. He paid his two hundred dollars to do so." Mike said. Her voice was quavering. Not because she was fearful of what Favorite was going to do, but what she was about to tell Newly.
Newly couldn't believe what he had just heard. "What?" Newly looked at the gun on the table and picked it up. He did not know if he should go after Favorite or not.
Mike saw him pick up the gun. "Newly, don't do it. Favorite talked to me out there. He said that he changed his mind, that he couldn't go through with it. He's going back to Starcourt to give him his money back."
"If Favorite goes back there without finishing the job, they'll kill him," Newly said. He then stopped and thought about what else Mike had just said. She called him Newly. "Did you just call me Newly?"
"That's your name. You're Newly O'Brien, a deputy from Dodge City Kansas. When I said Dodge City the other night, that stirred up some memories. You work for Marshal Matt Dillon," Mike answered.
"How did you suddenly get all this information?" Newly inquired.
"From Favorite, but that's not his real name. That's Les Dean. He was being taken to Hays City for trial. He was caught cheatin' at poker at one of the saloons in Dodge," Mike responded.
"The Long Branch," Newly simply stated.
"What?" asked Mike.
"He was caught cheating at the Long Branch. I was on my way to take him to Hays for his trial. He managed to escape one night. I was able to find his trail and track him out this way. My horse was spooked by a rattler. That's when I fell off and hit my head."
"So you remember everything?" Mike asked.
"After hearing you call me Newly, something sparked in my brain and everything came flooding back. I'm Newly O'Brien from Dodge City, Kansas. I'm a deputy for Marshal Matt Dillon, but I'm also a gunsmith. I own my own shop. I've lived in Dodge for the last six years. I want to continue this conversation, but I have to go out to Starcourt's to save Les Dean."
Mike simply nodded as Newly put on his gunbelt and headed out the door. He mounted his horse and took off south to Starcourt's ranch. He arrived just in time to see Les and several men gathered out front.
"Les!" Newly called out.
Les turned his attention towards Newly, giving Starcourt just enough time to fire his gun at Les. Starcourt missed his target, and Les shot him. Les didn't miss. Monte shot Les. Newly shot Monte. It was very chaotic. Starcourt's other men were about to shoot, but Newly yelled for them to drop their guns. They listened.
Newly went up to Les. "You recognized me at the house, didn't ya?" asked Newly.
"I did. I take it Mike told you who you really were." Newly shook his head yes. Les continued. "I'm a poor man who was looking for a fast buck. That's why I tried cheating at the Long Branch. I had my freedom, but the need for greed didn't go away. When Starcourt offered me two hundred dollars to kill Mike Yardner, I couldn't resist. It wasn't until I actually saw her and saw her with you, that I knew I couldn't go through with it. I may be greedy, but I'm not a killer." Les was struggling to breathe. He looked at Newly, took his last breath, and died.
Newly looked up and saw that Starcourt's other men were still standing there. He told them to help him bury the bodies. They did so. Newly didn't feel they were a threat, so he didn't turn them into authorities. Besides, he had more important things to do. He had to return to Mike to speak with her.
Newly returned to Mike's a couple of hours after he had left. There was unfinished business to take care of. Newly dismounted his horse and went to the house. Mike was standing at the stove.
"I wasn't sure if you would come back," she said.
"I didn't want to leave things unfinished between us. Now that I know who I really am, I'm sure you have questions," said Newly.
"Are you married?" asked Mike. She saw the look in Newly's eyes and had her answer.
"I was, but she died from leukemia, a blood disease, a year ago. Patricia was her name."
"I'm so sorry," Mike said as she put her and on Newly's
"What about us?" asked Newly
"As much as I want a future with you, I don't think there can be one, at least not now," Mike answered.
"What do you mean?" Newly asked.
Mike took a deep breath and went on to explain. "When I told you who you were, something changed in your eyes. I realized then that the man I fell in love with no longer existed. A new man had taken his place. Then when I asked if you were married, I knew the answer when I saw the look on your face. She may have died last year, but your heart is still with her. I really don't want to play second fiddle to her. Right now you belong in Dodge. Maybe someday we'll meet again. You know where to find me."
Newly knew Mike was right. He belonged in Dodge City. "I hate to admit it, but you're correct. I want to let you know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. I do have feelings for you, Mike. I care deeply for you. I do hope that one day we can have a future together." Newly lightly kissed her on her lips and walked out the door.
Newly went to the next town nearby. He had to send a very important wire to Dodge City. He was certain that the Marshal and his other friends were beyond worried about him. He reached a telegraph office and told the officer to send the following message to Marshal Dillon in Dodge City, Kansas.
I'm okay. *stop* I was in Arizona. *stop* Be home in a week. *stop* Tell you all about it. *stop* Newly. The wire was sent.
Festus was walking past the telegraph office, when Barney stopped him. "Festus, I got a telegram for the Marshal!" he yelled. Festus grabbed the telegram and headed to the Long Branch. He knew Matt was there having a drink with Kitty,
"Matthew, ol' Barney said ta give ya this here telegram." Festus handed the paper to Matt.
Matt read the telegram and his eyes lit up. He couldn't believe it. Newly hadn't disappeared off the face of the Earth. He was okay and on his way back to Dodge.
Kitty saw Matt's face light up. "What does it say?" she asked.
"It's from Newly. He's been in Arizona. He said he's on his way back and will tell the whole story," said Matt. He couldn't stop smiling.
"Whoo Hoo! Golly Bill! That there is the best darn news I've heard in weeks!" exclaimed Fesus.
"Festus, I couldn't agree more," said Kitty.
A week later, Newly returned. Matt, Kitty, Doc, and Festus were ecstatic to see him. They all considered it a miracle that he was back with him. Considering how long Newly was gone, they figured he had to be dead.
"Newly, welcome home. We've missed you so much. Now what's this story you have to share?" asked Kitty.
"Let's grab a table and I will tell you," said Newly.
Kitty had Sam get them a bottle of her best whiskey, and the five of them sat a table. After they all had their drinks, Newly started his story.
The End
