Chapter 5

"Marcus Holleran, may I introduce Miss Kate McGill," Aunt Dodie said. Kate curtsied and Marcus took her hand.

"I'm so pleased to meet you, Kate," Marcus said quietly, staring into her eyes. Kate smiled shyly and look down as she stood back up.

"And this is a good friend of our family, Mr. Holleran, Joe Cartwright," Kate's father said, and Joe dutifully shook Marcus' hand.

"Well, I have dinner all laid out, so everyone into the dining room!" Mrs. McGill prompted. The group sat down at the table, Marcus being placed next to Kate, and Joe across from her.

Joe watched Kate and Marcus intently, trying to determine if they were interested in each other or not. As he imagined, Marcus was very interested in Kate, but he couldn't tell from Kate's responses if she was interested or just being polite to Marcus.

"What do you do, Cartwright?" Holleran asked.

"My family owns a ranch near here. I help run it."

"I'm afraid Joe's being modest, Mr. Holleran. The Ponderosa is the biggest ranch in these parts."

"Is that so? Must be quite a job running such a large operation."

"Yes, sir, it is, but my family and I manage it."

"I know in Abilene, it's always the worst time of year to be in town when the cattle drive comes through." Marcus absently took a bite of his bread, realizing too late that he'd just insulted Joe. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. It's just that the cowhands all come to town to cut loose, and usually they get a little out of hand."

"Well, sir, drivin' cattle's a difficult, uncomfortable, dirty job. I know goin' to town at the end of a long drive is somethin' I always look forward to."

Rather than stick his foot farther in his mouth, Marcus decided to drop the subject. He asked for more peas, and complimented the ladies on their fine cooking. After dinner, the men went outside. Mr. McGill and Marcus shared a smoke. Joe stood with them on the porch, pretending to admire the view of the horizon.

"I think I'll have Kate show you around the ranch, Mr. Holleran. I'm quite proud of it, you see," suggested McGill.

"That sounds quite nice, Mr. McGill. I'd be delighted."

Joe thought Kate's father may have glared at him as he was walking back inside, but he shoved that thought out of his mind. "You say you're in sales, Holleran?" Joe asked.

"That's right, hardware. Tools for farm and home."

"Must be hard. Spendin' all that time cooped up in an office, never gettin' to enjoy the sunshine."

"I manage. Cartwright, is this some kind of rebuttal for what I said earlier?"

"Holleran, don't those rowdy cowhands buy hardware from you when they come through Abilene?"

Marcus licked his lips and leveled his gaze on Joe. "Yes, they do." Holleran's ire was up, and he was ready to let it loose. "Come to think of it, weren't you there last Spring? I seem to recall the Sheriff had someone in custody..."

Joe's punch landed square on his jaw, but Holleran barely flinched. He spit the blood out of his mouth and shoved Joe to the other side of the porch. Then he carefully removed his jacket. He ducked when Joe came at him again, and punched the boy in the kidneys. Joe fell to his knees, but staggered right back up.

The fight became more and more intense, Joe landing one punch for every three of the older man. Holleran was much bigger than Joe, built as if he were meant to do blacksmithing or some such heavy work. To Joe, his punches were almost as bad as Hoss'.

Having fallen to the ground again, Joe climbed back to his feet and rushed Holleran. The man dodged his punch, causing Joe to land one right on the oak porch post. He held his hand in pain, and did not see Holleran's fist coming toward him. With this last punch, Joe resigned himself to staying on the ground.

"You think I don't know what this is about, boy? I saw the way you looked at her. But she's mine, Cartwright. Everything's been arranged. And I'm not about to let a...boy... stand in my way."

"Why Mr. Holleran, I don't think anything's been arranged at all," Kate said from the doorway. Both she and her father stood together, having witnessed the end of the fight.

"Miss McGill, I'm afraid you misunderstand-" Holleran began.

She moved to stand in front of him and glanced at Little Joe. "You all right, Joe?"

Joe stood up in response to her question, noting that she had curled her hands into fists.

"I think you misunderstand, Mr. Holleran. This meal today was to give you and my daughter an opportunity to meet, to see if you might get along. Nothing has been arranged. Now, I don't know what started this fight, but I know Little Joe, and I don't know you. And I think I've seen about as much of you as I care to," McGill spoke.

Holleran smiled apologetically and took Kate's hand. "It was a pleasure, Miss McGill. I am sorry it had to end this way."

As he leaned over to kiss her hand, she landed a right hook on his cheek. It was all Joe could do to contain his laughter. "You hear me, Holleran, and you hear me well. I don't take well to folks that insult and then hurt my friends. And I'd rather be kissed by a smelly old hound than by the likes of you." With determination, she turned and helped Joe into the house.

The moonlight seemed to hide most of Joe's cuts and bruises. He lay on the wagon, hands behind his head, looking up at the stars. Kate was beside him, trying to find the constellations he was pointing out.

"Hey, I have a present for you," Joe said, and got up to root around under the wagon seat. He pulled out a package, tied with a string. "Go on, open it," he encouraged.

"Joe, you didn't have to-"

"Open it," he said.

She did, and pulled out a large, oversized belt. She seemed confused, and so Joe directed her hand to a paper that would explain the gift. She read, "Awarded this fifteenth day of July, 1859, to Miss Kate McGill, of Virginia City, Nevada Territory. Miss McGill is henceforth to be known as boxing champion, 'Feisty Kate' until such time as an appropriate challenger should defeat her, and thus earn this title." She put the paper down and looked at her friend. "Joe! I can't believe you!"

"What? Word gets around, Kate! That package came all the way from Carson City, you know!"

She leaned over and poked him in the ribs. "You should be careful. Teasing a champion can be a dangerous business, you know."

"Yeah, well maybe I'd like to have a go at that title."

"You think so, huh?" She sat up on her haunches. "I've already blackened your eye once Joe Cartwright, don't tell me you'd like another!"

With that he lunged forward, grabbing her by the waist. She playfully swung at him until he pulled her down and they kissed.

THE END